Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 January 1898 — Natural History [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Natural History

The sacred crocodiles of Egypt were burled with her proudest kings. Spiders have played important parts. It Is said when Mahomet fled from Mecca he hid in a cave and a spider w’ove a web over the entrance. When his pursuers came thither they saw the web and believed no one was there. It is said a spider performed the same kindly act for David when Saul was bunting him. Australia has been found to be such a favorite home for the apple that immense orchards have been planted and are now in successful bearing. They find they can get them to England and still successfully compete with Americans in a financial sense. Nearly 100,000 cases had been received in England up to June 1, the bulk of them coming from Tasmania. One great advantage they have is In their period of ripening, as the English markets can be supplied after thl American apples have disappeared.

Everything In any way connected with Alaska and the Klondike is of special interest at present, and among other items the foot of the reindeer deserves particular mention. The forefoot of the horse to a great extent determines its value, as upon this portion of its anatomy its speed and endurance depend. The foot of the reindeer*ls most-peculiar in construction. It is cloven through the middle and each half curves upward in froht. They are slightly elongated and capable of a considerable amount of expansion. When placed on an Irregular surface, which Is difficult to traverse, the animal contracts them into a sort of claw, by which a firm hold is secured. When moving rapidly the two portions of the foot, as it Is lifting, strike together, the hoofs making a continuous clattering noise, which may be heard ae a considerable distance. It is this peculiarity of the feet that makes the reindeer so sure footed and so valuable in that rocky and uneven country.