The Queer, the Quaint and the Quizzical: A Cabinet for the CuriousStauffer, Frank H.
History
The Queer, the Quaint and the Quizzical: A Cabinet for the Curious
Stauffer, Frank H.
Literary curiosa
A very singular account of the use to which a camel is sometimes put is
given by the traveler Bruce. He tells us that he saw one employed to
appease a quarrel between two parties, somewhat in the same way as the
scape-goat was used in the religious sacrifices of the Jewish people.
The camel being brought out, was accused of all the injuries, real or
fancied, which belonged to each. All the mischief that had been done
they accused this camel of doing. They upbraided it with being the cause
of all the trouble that had separated friends, called it by every
opprobious epithet, finally killed it, and then declared themselves
reconciled over its body.
_The Mark of the Cross on the Ass._
It is a common superstition that the dark marks across the shoulders of
the ass, and which bear some resemblance to a cross, were given as
memorials of our Saviour having entered Jerusalem riding on one of that
humble species. In the north of England, however, a tradition prevails
that the dark streaks are a memento of Balaam's having thrice smitten
one of the family, which carried him, and, as the Bible states, reproved
him for wilful disobedience of the Divine command.
_White Elephants._
White elephants are reverenced throughout the East, and the Chinese pay
them a certain kind of worship. The Burmese monarch is called "The King
of the White Elephants," and is regarded under that title with more than
ordinary veneration, which oriental despotism extracts from its abject
dependants.
_Tenacity of Life in an Elephant._
In March, 1826, it became necessary to kill an infuriated elephant at
Exeter Change, in London. One hundred and fifty-two bullets were fired
into him at short range, and directed toward vital parts, before he fell
dead. It was found necessary to kill an elephant at Geneva, May 31st,
1820. Three ounces of prussic acid and three ounces of arsenic were
administered, but produced no effect. He was shot by a cannon thrust
through a breach in the wall, the muzzle almost touching him. The ball
entered near the ear, behind the right eye, went through a thick
partition on the opposite side of the enclosure, and spent itself
against a wall. The animal stood still two or three seconds, then
tottered, and fell without any convulsive movement.
_Ears of the Elephant._
The ears of the African elephant are said to be much larger, in
proportion to the size of the animal, than those of the Indian species.
Baker, the African traveler, says that he has frequently cut off an ear
of one of these animals to form a mat, on which he has slept
comfortably.
_A Shaved Bear._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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