Year: 1871

ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE


AND VIRGINIA ADVERTISER,


(FOS the Country,)


ppb3ished Regularly on TUESDAI, THURS


DAYS and SATURDAYS at Sic Dollars per


anntm.


ABOUT EToAD.-Not only arc toads harm
less, but they arc absolutely and directly useful
to us, pcrambulating our fields and gardens at
night, and devouring vast quantities of injurl-
Gus insects which would never be destroyed by
the human hand. The mode in which Il toad
takes its prey is very curious. The singularly
beautiful eve of the toad is as quick as it is
bright, and if within the range Of its vision an
insect or grub should happen to move: the
toad is sure to see 1t, and nearly certain 70
catch it. First, the toad holds its head as high
as possible, so Us to make sure OF It's prey, and
then crawls slowly toward 1t; prctcrrlng to get
under it if possible When it is near y within
reach it gazes intcntly at the insect It's mouth
being gradually brought nearer and nearer.
Something pink then flashes from ITS mouth,
and the insect vanishes as if by magic.


The pink flash is the tongllc OF the toad,
which is formed in Il rather curious way.
The base of the tongue is fixed close to
the front Of the lower jaw, and Is long
and tapcring the tip pointed down the
throat when it is at rest. When. however,
it is used for catching prey, 1t Is thrown
out with sort Of flick, and the tip, which
is covered with glutinous secretion, adheres to
the insect, and conveys it down the toad throat
before the prey has had time to make an effort
for escape. When the toad swallows It's prey,
it does it with mighty effort. during which
the ewes almost disappear the size Of the insect
having little to do with the vehemence of the
demonstration. Sometimes when large beetle
is swallowed, it does struggle, but too late, and
for some time its struggles may be seen through
the thin and riblcss sides of its captor the toad
sitting the while in perfect composurc, not IN
the least affected by the scratchings and kick
ings that are going on in his interior.


Indeed the stomach of the toad seems as de-
void of feeling as if it were Of iron. Moreover,
the toad not only cares nothing for the scrach-
ings and kickingS of a large beetle, but is equal
~ Indifferent to the stlhgs OF wasps, and bees,
and insects similarly armed with yenomous
weapons and will eat them with marvellous ap-
petite, as if the sting acted as sort of gentle
aid to digestion, like cayenne pepper with Gu
cumber CuSseIs Nuga=mc.


''THE UNTOLD LOVE OF ALICE CARY
der this title the Chicago Republican states
that there is q secret page OF the history OF
Alice Cary which has never been written and
seldom. of late years, been tcld. The Incidents
in the life Of the Maiden Queen Of Poesy'
thus referred to may be thus briefly stated -
When the Cary sisters made their first pilgrim
age to the eastern literary Mecca. Rufus vii.
mot Griswold, Baptist preacher. journalist and
author then about five years older than Alice,
was among their earliest acquaintances. lie
gave them space in his books, tattered them,
encouraged their hopes, and assisted in finding
4 market for their wares. Towards Alice he
was more especially inclined. Their first ac-
quantancc ripeEed into friendship, friendship
into intimacy, and intimacy into love. 1t was
said at last that the parties were solcmnly
affianced This was nearly twenty years ago,
aud Alice had then passed thirty. lie was 4
blase citizen of the world, and she was quiet.
retired, sensitive, domestic and unassumlng.
Trouble came between the two in the shape of i
woman of society externally more attractive than
Alice Cary. This liaison produced colluess,
years passed, and in 1857 Rufus Wilmot Girls.
void lay dying of lingering disease in the
in the metropolis, in poverty and alone. The
sisters had made many friends. and been rca
sonaby blessed by fortune The injured wo-
man forgot her wrongs, and came to the bed
side of the man who had so grievouSly deceiv-
cd her, and watched with him day after day,
and week after week. as life slow ly cbbcd away.
The sick room was made cheerful with books,
flowers and all necessary comforts and to de-
fray necessary expenses, the money earned 10y
days and nights of labor with the pen was free
" lavished At last death ended the suffer
ings Of the false lover, and che grave closed
over the secret of a woman'S sorrow, now for
the first time made public


DRIED FRUIT.-We are induced at the pre-
sent time to offer a few suggestions to our
country friends with reference to the fruit crop.
The season Is about to open, and there is every
reason to believe that rich harvest is in store
for those who will properly cut and prepare
their fruit for market In the years past dried
fruit has become source of considerable reve-
nue., and its importance as product OF our
country is becoming greater every year, and IS
likely the approaching season to be more cX-
,ensye as business than ever before expcr-
fenced in this market. Our information, well
founded, from different sectiouS of the State,
is that the peach crop especially Is much larger
this year than for any previous year since tho
war, and it is natural to suppose that foreign
capital will be rs ready as usual to be invested
therein. Our produce men here always vide
awake have hitherto paid good prices for fruit
ior shipment north, and are doubtless now
ready to take hold of any and all that may be
brought to our market. The fruit grower
should remember that the produce of one acre,
we'll cultivated in fruit will pay his dry goods
bill for year, and it the fruit is only taken
care Of and offered to the country merchant,
he will accept it as readily in payment Of bill
As he would cotton, corn, wheat, or any staple
Product Of the country. Two years ago, the
peach crop was estimated in value to our State
one and half million of dollars This year,
hit is handled with the care which its impor-
ance demands, it will probably exceed two
million and 4 half, so thar large amout OF the
money lost to the State by the failure otwheat,
may be recovered by the proper attention be-
slowed on fruit, and the necessary care IN It's
preparation and drying. We therefore advise