Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 July 1885 — The Economical Mice of Iceland. [ARTICLE]

The Economical Mice of Iceland.

Dr. Henderson, in hia Travels, gives hts testimony to the correctness of tint f opular belief amongst the natives oi celand, of the remarkable inßtinot of a species of mouse, the accounts of have been doubted by some naturalists. He says: “This animal, which is supposed by Olafsen and Povelsen (writers on zoology) to be a variation of the wood, or economical mouse, displays a surprising degree of sagacity, both in conveying home its provisions, and the manner in which it stocks them in the magazine appropriated for that purpose. In a country, says Mr. Pennant, where berrios are but thinly dispersed, these little animals are obliged to cross rivers to make their distant forages, their return with the boo'y to the magazines, they are obliged to repass the stream; of which Mr. Olafsen (Olafsen and Povelsen) gives the following account: ‘The party, which consists of from six to ten, select a flat piece of some light substance on which they place the berries on a heap in the middle ; then, by their united force, bring it to the water’s edge, and, after launching it, embark, and place temselves round the heap, with the heads joined over it, and their backs to the water, their tails pendant in the stream, serving the purpose' of rudders.’ Mr. Hooker, in his ‘Tour in Iceland,’ ridicules the idea of any such process, and says, that every sensible Icelander laughs at the account as fabulous.” Dr. Henderson then goes on to corroborate the statements of Olafsen and Pennant: “Having been apprised of the doubts that were entertained on this subject, before setting out on my second excursion I made a point of inquiring of different individuals as to the reality of the account, and lam happy in being able to say, that it is now established as an important fact in natural history, by the testimony of two eye witnesses of unquestionable voracity, the clergyman of Briamslmk, and Madame Benedictson, of Stickesholm, both of whom assured mo that they had seen the expedition performed repeatedly. Madame B. in particular recollected having spent a whole afternoon, in her younger days, at the margin of a small lake on which these skillful navigators had embarked, and amused herself and her companions by driving them away from the sides of the lake as they approached them. I was also informed that they make use of dried mushrooms as sacks, in which they convey their provisions to the river, and thence to their homes. Nor is the structure of their nests less remarkable. From the surface of the ground a long passage runs into the earth, similar to that of the Icelandic houses, and terminates in a large and deep hole, intended to receive any water that may find its way through the passage, ana serving at the same time as a place for their novel craft. About two-thirds of the passage, in two diagonal roads, lead to their sleeping apartment and the magazine, which they always contrive to keep from wet.”— The Eye.

Vkal Jjoaf. —Three pounds of lean, raw veal, and one - half pound of salt pork, chopped fine. If you have an accommodating butcher he will chop it free of but it is best to select the meat yourself and see it weighed, for it should not contain any grrnle or stringy pieces. It must be chopped very fine, then mix thoroughly with it six small crackers rolled, two eggs, a piece of butter nean ly the size of an egg, a teaspoon of pepper, one small tablespoon of salt, a little sage or any other* herb you may jpre-\ fer to use for flavor. Pack tightly m a deep, square tin, cover with bits of butter, sprinkle cracker crumbs on the top and bake slowly for two hours. When cold slice it fturnly. Itis very nice for lunch or. supper. .]