Semi-weekly Express, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 10 September 1897 — Page 3

•I

TRAVELS OF SEEDS.

NATURE'S VARIED DEVICES FOR SCATTERING THEM.

Sonie Are Fitted With Parachutes, Which Carry Them—The Dying Mother "Rose vf Jericho"—How Seeds Are Distributed »y Animals and Water.

Nature has spared no pains to provide for the perpetuation of living organisms. .She is prodigal, evon apparently wasteful, in her efforts to attain this end. Every plant throws out yearly its myriads of seeds, and no small part of the maohinery adapted to make this product, fulfill its mission is that directed to the {ftattribution of these seeds. So effective is thisjnachinery that plants spread in a few years over wide regions. Witness the incursions of I weeds like the so called Russian thistle, against which the efforts of the farmer seem almost unavailing. The means by which this rapid spreading is brought about are the subject of an article by Professor F. Muller in '"Der Stein der Weisen," Vienna, of which .we translate the most interesting portions: "Who has sent them (the plants) as colonists into this new, unpeopled land? Whence havo they come and by what way? If we call the roll of the army of colonists that we may get an answer to this question, we shall find especially plants whose Eeeds can navigate the air like miniature flying machines, often for long distances. All these belong to the widely distributed aster family (compositse) or to the nearly related teazel family, (dipsaceae). Their seeds are furnished, to fit them for their long sails through the airy sea, with a sort of parachute of soft, feathery fibers. The lightest breeze raises them and bears them in graceful sweep over field and meadow, but the storm wind lifts them to the region of the clouds so that they fly with the eagle over hill find dale to far and foreign lands. Millions, to be sure, fall to the ground without reaching the sought for soil, but other millions fulfill tlie^end of their existence, the perpetuation and increase of their kind. Next to the composite plants is the numerous mustard family (crucifersc). Then comes the pink family with its countless representatives and tho plain looking grass family, whose light seeds fly about hither and thither as the stems are tossed about by the wind. "When a summer thunderstorm bursts, bending the strongest trees, or when in autumn tho wind rushes through tho woods, then the time has come when the plant children, now only slightly attached to the plant mother—that is, the ripe seeds that cling to theui—are torn away and set out on their adventurous travels then they whirl and dance in the air, along with thousands on thousands of their fellows. Many rise high in air and sail on the upper air currents far away others remain in the tree tops or hang from the branches others still fall on roofs or bare rocks many, too, drop on passing men or beasts. Chance bears few to a place where thoir growth is assured. The greater part must perish."'

After mentioning the various trees that have winged seeds, such as the ash, maplo, etc.

Professor Muller goes on to describe a ^v)ien

peculiarly interesting plant belonging to this class—the "rose of Jericho." He says: "Thespherical plant, resembling a birds nest in the foreground, is the so called 'rose of Jericho' (Anastatica hierochuntia), belonging to the family of cruciferae. When the plant approaches maturity, it forms by the bending of its branches a spherical ball that carries the fruit within. Now the dying mother plant is ready for its journey over the desert. When, with the help of the wind, it has become detached from the ground, It is rolled about in the fitorm, hopping .and springing over the earth, now leaping over some rock that protrudes from the sea of sand, now over the bleaching skeleton of some unlucky wanderer of the desert, all the time strewing its seeds far and wide. "There are also many plants whose •eeds, by means of mechanical devices, are hurled forth from the plant, as in the oxalis family, the geranium and many others. Such seeds, however, can travel only short distanoes, and that is the reason why wo almost never see the plants growing singly, but in groups together. Still sometimes they are carried to great distances by passing animals, and also by flowing water. "There is a large number of plants whose seeds are carried in the stomachs of animals and so make long journeys. Water also plays a great part in the distribution of plants, and in the case of newly formed islands it plays the principal part. "Who has not on an autumn walk through wood and field brought home these little hangers on, clinging to his clothcs, or been obliged angrily to free himself from the troublesome obstructions while still on the road? Unwittingly he has thus aided in the distribution of these plants, and, equally unwittingly, animals carry tho 6eeds in their fur and birds bear them on their feathers, whence they are sooner or later dislodged. The skill shown by nature in the matter is truly remarkablo. These plants aro mostly troublesome weeds which one would rather see decay and perish, but nature makes tiso of us against our wills to serve for their propagation. We are like that strict professor who, to see that there should be no cheating in a written examination, went about from scholar to scholar and thereby unwittingly aided them to cheat, for he carried about with him a placard bearing the answers to all the questions, which some •ly scapegrace bad pinned to his coattalls. "In this connection the interesting fact Bhould be stated that very many plants whose fruits sorve to nourish neither man nor boafit hav« these devices for securing the distribution of their seeds. In tho case of plants whoso fruits are sought as food this very fact is suffioient security that the seeds will be properly distributed."— Literary Digest.

FRANK M'KEE CAME DOWN.

fSut This Need Not Encourage "Cranks* With Manuscripts of Farce Comedies. They are telling a good story on Frank McKoe, Charles H. Hoyt's partner in the Madison Square theater. McKee has an officc up stairs in tho theater building, with a speaking tube connecting with the box office on the lower floor.

One day the man in the box office called up through the tube to McKee and said that there was a man down stairs with a bundle of manus^vipts who wanted to seo him. "Tell him I am busy and have no time to waste upon him," was McKee's response. "Toll him to go away." "But he says he must see you, and he won't take no for an answer." "Oh, ho won't, won't, he? Well, ho will, and that's all there is about it. You can tell him to como at 2 o'clock next week, and perhaps then I will have time to spare," said McKee angrily, throwing down the mouthpiece of the speaking tube.

Back came another loud whistle, and this made McKee more than mad. He snatched up the tube in a rage. "He says he has writteu 15 farce comedies," came the voice from the box officc, "and it's worth your while to see him." "What do I care if he has written 1,500 farce comedies?" sheuted McKee. "Tell him to get out." "But be won't go away. He says he has written half the stuff in tho pieces that have been produced here, and he won't leave until lie- has a word with you personally. "For heaven's sake, man," shouted Mo Kee, "haven't you sens© enough not. to bother me with these cranks? If you don't gjc him ojjt_qf tiiere right, away, I'Hece

that you don't get even two weeks' notice to quit. That's final, too, so don't bother me any more." "Well, he persists that he has written this stuff, and he says he bound to see you if it takes a week of waiting for him to accomplish it."

Who the dcuce Is he anyway?" yelled McKee. "He says his name is floyt."

McKee came down.—New York World.

LIGHTING A PIPE IN A WIND.

A Sportsman's Device When Matches Failed to Do Their Work. "Paddling up Sebec lake last summer in a birch, bark canoe," said aNew York sportsman, "tho breeze blew so hard and constantly that, try as I might, I could not keep a match ablaze long enough to light my pipe. After a half dozen matches had flared out in the lighting of them, I made some forcible remarks apropos of my failure. 'Let me show you how to do it,' said my companion, an old California®, who was handling the bow paddle. 'Hand me a bit of that newspaper sticking out of your pocket.' "He took the piece of paper and crumpled it up into a wad, which he retained in the palm of his hand. Then striking a match, he closed both hands about it to shield it from the wind, after the traditional manner of the railroad navvy in lighting his pipe. The flame instantly set the paper smoldering on top without its breaking into a blaze. He passed the burning wad to me, and it served as a pipe lighter equal to a live coal, the high breeze fanning instead of extinguishing it. It was the simple invention of a practical mind, which served my turn then and afterward, and I commend the device to sportsmen needing tinder for a pipe light or to start a campfire."—New York Sun.

Chinese Tarns.

The priest told us stories of tigers, and of birds that turned to snakes and bit their owners and of men whom devils seized and thrust living into graves. He also gave an account of the capture of Poking in 1860 by a cuckoo clock, which as far as I remember has escaped the attention of historians. "And so the foreign men," he said, emphasizing the last word to draw my attention to the compliment implied, "the foreign men, they made a clock. Who shall say how big? And on top there was an iron bird that flapped its wings and cried, 'Kikaw, kikaw.' A man told me this. And inside there were wheels and machinery and fire powder. So they gave it to the emperor. The emperor—who shall say how pleased he was—took it and put it safe in his palace. Put it in his palace. Then not many days and it burst, to pieces, pow! and men were killed past Counting, and in rushed the foreign soldiers and plundered and killed and burned." "But how did tho foreign soldiers gee. there?'' I asked. "The foreign soldiers had gone up river one by one, feigning to do traffic in merchandise. That is how they got there, kolowaw."—Blackwood's Magazine.

More Than He Could Understand. Every woman who cares to be well shod these days keeps trees to put her boots on

s}ie

Uot

wearing them. A woman

who lives near Thomas circle has ever and ever so many pairs of them, and she carries thom along even when she is traveling. Not long ago she went out to Chicago aud stopped at a very good hotel. When She went to bed she put her heavy calfskin walking boots outside the door to be blacked. Tho trees were in them. The porter was busy that night, and it was late when he came to the Washington woman's boots. It may have been morning, in fact, for he brought them to the door himself very early and knocked. The woman opened the door. There stood a very black man, his eyes rolling with fear. "Here's youah feet, miss," he said in an awestruck way. "I brought 'em back —an, an"—in a stage whisper—"how did you come to git both of 'em cut off?"— Washington Post.

To Start a Balky Horse.

An officer of the police detail said recently: "When I was a mounted policeman, I learned of a most humane and kind method of curing a balky horse. It not only never fails, but it does not give the slightest pain to the animal. When the horse refuses to go, take the front foot at the fetlock and bend the leg at the knee joint. Hold it thus for three minutos, and let it down, and the horse will go. The only way in which I ctm account for this effective mastery of the horse is that he can think of only one thing at a time, and "having made np his mind not to go my theory is that the bending of the leg takes his mind from the original thought."—

Farm and Field.

Golf and Life Insurance.

It would be most interesting if we could get hold of statistics to show the increased prospect of longevity of those who have lately begun to play golf. Unfortunately these statistics require data which we have not got, but it is very oertain that the popularity of golf ought to be a factor in tho calculations of life insurance companies. When the Psalmist indicated threescore years and ten as the normal course of man's life, he evidently took no measure of the health giving influence of golf.— Windsor Magazine.

Their Staying Powers.

A western Episcopal missionary bishop, who recently tried in vain to induce some young eastern clergymen to go west, wrote as follows to a friend in this city: "We sometimes say that young men in the oast have no stamina, but from personal experience I can testify that they have great staying power—staying at homo."—jSew York Tribune.

Cleaning Silver.

Silver is cleaned at tho shops by pressing the piece against a rapidly revolving wheel made of canton flannel in many rolls. The wheel reaches all irregularities of the surface, and the silver is polished without being scratched. An acid bath is used to cleanse repousse work, and the flannel wheel is afterward applied. Private silver is thus oleansed and polished by contract at the large silver warehouses. The cost is not high, and the work is vastly better done than it can be at home. •—New York Sun.

Why Johnny Didn't Get Any Supper. "Papa, what is down?" "Down, my boy, is the soft, fleecy oovering that lies next to the skin of a bird. It is one of the lightest things in the world." "Then when an elevator drops down 16 stories what makes it seem so—ouch! Quit!"—Chicago Tribuna

Limited Agreement.

"The thirst for strong drink," argued the theologian, "is due to tho original sin."

The rationalist did not doubt it. "Strong drink," he rejoined, "is oertainly good fcr snake bite."

Having agreed thus far, howeTer, they could agree no further.—Detroit Tribune.

TRY ALLEN'S FOOT-EASE,

A powder to be shaken into the shoes. At this season your feet reel swollen and hot, and get tired easily. If you have smarting feet or tight shoes, try Allen's Foot Ease. It cools the feet and makes walking easy. Cures and prevents swollen and sweaUng feet, blisters and callous spots. Relieves corns and bunions of all pain and gives rest and comfort. Try it today. Tr'a! package FREE. Address, Allen S. Olmstcad, Le Roy, N. Y.

TERRE HAUTE EXPRESS. FRIDAY-WORNTXG. SEPTEMBER 10, 1897 'LV

Domestic Department.

Great money savers here. Good unbleached Muslin, full yard wide, at 2^c.

Regular 6^2 Bleached Muslin to go at 3y%z.

Full 1% Sheeting, unbleached, good even round thread,, worth 16c, to go at 10%c.

Best Blue, Black and Turkey Red Prints 5c grade for 2J/gc.

Good Apron Gingham 2j£c.

Best Dress Ginghams 5c.

10 Yards' for 39c.

Fancy

good Canton Flannel

Outingf Flannel for child7^c at 5c.

en's dress wortii

Notion Dep't.

Wire Hair Pins lc bunch. Talcum Powder 5c. Ladies' Hand'k's at lc. Ladies' Hand'k's at 3c. Ladies' Hand'k's at 5c. Ladies' Hand'k's at 7c and 10c. All worth double.

No. 60 Plaid Ribbon worth 25c at 12^4 c. No. 22 Fancy Ribbon, worth 25c at 12%c.

A. good Corse\ at 15c. Also many oth^i Jiargains in Notions.

Abe Levinson, Prop.

Circumstances Compel $6,000 In The Next-

-Silk

TEN DAYS

And in order to do so we inaugurate one of the greatest money-saving sales ever attempted in Terre Haute. Our Fall Stock is all in and embraces one of the best stocks ever brought to the city, and all to be sacrificed, but it is a case of must. We must have "the amount mentioned and the following Low Prices will help us to get it.

.! mmUtlWUUUMUMlUMMMHUm

READ Every Item on This Sheet, it Will Put DOLLARS in Your Pocket.

ummmuiutmmiiumitumm

Never have you had such an opportunity to save money. Sale opens Saturday morning, Sept. 11th, and will last 10 days only. Be wise and come and do your fall trading now.

Fine all wool shades, worth 39c

and Wool

Men's Heavy Fleeced Vest and Pants, worth 69c, at 45c.

Ladies' Combination Suits, worth 75c, to close at 49c.

Children's Underwear, all styles, at prices away below the market.

THE

Aii r%

Novelty Goods in all at 21c.

Now is the time to buy your Fall Dress.

Fine Henrietta, worth 25c at 17c.

Camel Hair Striped worth 35c at 19c.

Bucley Cloth,

Worsted Plaids, just the thing for chikli ei's dress and fancy waists, worth 15c, to go at 8^c.

Novelty

Goods, ele

gant styles, worth 65c, to go at 49c. Fancy Silks for Waists, worth 59c to close at 35c.

,T1Klegant Roman Stripe and Plaid Silk for waists, $1 grade, to close at 75c.

Don't buy Silks or Dress Goods until vou have seen us.

Hosiery,Underwear

Men's Fxtra Hose, worth 12^2 c, 3 pair 25c.

Ladies' Black Wool Hose, worth 20c, at 12^c.

x/l

lb. Dutch Cocoa 15c. 1 bottle of Ink and Mucilage for 5c.

Good Broom for onlv 8c.

Don't forget the day and date we start the sale, Saturday, Sept. 12th. Never in the history of the trading public of Terre Haute have such prices been quoted. Never has such an opportunity presented itself to you to SAVE MONEY. Remember we have not got room to mention all we have in stock but you will find our stock complete in every detail and the price cut on all goods in tne store.

EVERYTHING AS REPRESENTED OR YOUR MONEY REFUNDED.

Do your trading in the fcjrenoon and avoid the rush and crowd of afternoon.

Linen Department.

Temptation for Housekeeper. Good Cotton Crash, worth 5c at 3 *4 c.

Good all Linen Crash 5c. 72 inch unbleached Table Linen, worth 65c, to go at 39c.

Good quality Bleached Linen worth 39c, to go at 21c.

Good Turkey Red Damask worth 21c, to go at 10c.

Large Fringed Tovyels worth 10c, to go at 3c. v'

Cloaks and Millinery.

We have not room to quote prices but we will have one of the best stocks of, Cloaks and Millinery ever shown in the city. If you want to save money on these goods see us.

Basement Department Bargains.

Ammonia, large size bottle for 4c. Best Roasted Coffee 8c.

Blueing, large bottles. 4c. Large rolls Toilet Pap^r, 3 for 10c. 3 cakes Sweet Chocolate for 10c.

Pot Lids, 2 for 5c. Jardiniere, decorated, 23c. Cuspidors only 5c. 100 piece Decorated Dinner Set, worth $9.00, to go at $5.98. 10 piece Chamber Set, worth $3, to go at $2.19.

Fine all wool Red Blankets worth $2.75. at $1.69. Heavy Cotton Blankets worth 75c, to go at 45c.

610 Wabash Ave.

•M

•1