Scientific American, Vol. XLIII.—No. 1. [New Series.], July 3, 1880: A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, and ManufacturesVarious
Science
Scientific American, Vol. XLIII.—No. 1. [New Series.], July 3, 1880: A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures
Various
Science -- Periodicals; Technology -- Periodicals
It is customary with traveling menageries in hot weather when
convenient to a river to allow the elephants to take a bath. The
London Circus passed through Woonsocket, R. I., the other day, when
the keeper let loose all the elephants, including "Hebe" and her baby,
for the above purpose. The mother and her offspring were permitted to
approach a river for the first time since the baby was born, and they
were, therefore, watched with great interest by their keeper. The
mother cautiously approached the Blackstone River, which flows past
the circus grounds, and waded in a short distance, carefully feeling
her way; she then encouraged the baby to follow her, which the
obedient little fellow did. When far enough in the mother caught the
baby between her fore legs, and then lay down in the water and rolled
over, giving the baby the first bath. The mother then felt perfectly
satisfied with her job, and rising up approached the bank, bringing
the little one with her. On reaching terra firma she drove the younger
before her, and would not allow it to approach the water again, though
it showed a disposition to do so.
* * * * *
PHYLLIRHOE BUCEPHALA.
This little animal belongs to the family of snails, class Heteropoda,
is about an inch long, and is devoid of any shell or covering
whatever. It is flat, and so absolutely transparent that a person
can read through its body. It is provided with a pair of feelers. The
little animal is very luminous if placed in fresh water or disturbed,
but this phenomenon is most beautiful when an ammonia solution is
poured over the animal. It will shine with a vivid blue light, which
extinguishes with life. But even after death the nerve cells, which
are directly below the skin and produce the light, can be irritated
sufficiently to become luminous. It is a singular fact that
electricity has no effect upon these nerve cells.
[Illustration: PHYLLIRHOE BUCEPHALA--AS SEEN IN THE LIGHT.
_a b_, ganglion; _c_, intestines; _d_, liver; _f_, kidneys; _g_,
generative organs.]
[Illustration: PHYLLIRHOE BUCEPHALA--SHOWING IN THE DARK THE LUMINOUS
SPOTS.]
* * * * *
CARE OF TREES AND SHRUBS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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