Evening Star Newspaper, December 30, 1893, Page 13

THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, ‘DECEMBER 30, 1893-TWENTY PAGES THE NEW CHURCH. THE NEW ST. PAUL'S Corner Stone of a Handsome Struc- ture to Be Laid. THE CEREMONIES TOMORROW. Cardinal Gibbons and Distinguished Prelates to Officiate. A CHURCH OF MARBLE Tomorrow afternoon all good Catholics who can possibly do so will turn their steps toward Northwest Washington, where, at 8 o'clock, the corner stone of the fine marble church erected by St. Paul's parish, and now in course of erection at the northwest corner of 15th and V streets, will be laid by Cardinal Gibbons. The cherished wish of the pastor, Rev. James F. Mackin, and his congregation to provide more adequate church facilities for the Catholics of that section will then have realized a substan- tal beginning. The cardinal arrived in Washington this morning at 11 o'clock. He was met at the depot by Rev. Fathers Mackin and May- nadier and a committee from St. Paul's congregation, who escorted him to St. Paul's pastoral residence, where he will be the guest of Father Mackin until after the ceremony tomorrow, when he will return to Baltimore. In addition to the cardinal, the following prelates and priests of the church have been invited, and most of them are expected to be present: The apostolic delegate, the Most Rev. Archbishop Satolli; Archbishops Ireland of St. Paul, Minn.; Corrigan of New York, and Ryan of Philadelphia; Bishops Foley of Detroit, Mich., and O'Sullivan of Mobile, Ala.; Rt. Rev. Bishop Keane, rector of the Catholic University, together with Dr. P. J. Garrigan, the vice rector, and the entire faculty; Rev. Father Richards, pres- ident of Georgetown University, and the faculty, as well as all the reverend clergy @f the archdiocese of Baltimore. Phe Present St. Paul's. The prelates and reverend clergy who are to participate in the corner stone ceremonies will assemble tomorrow afternoon in the ‘hool hall beneath St. Paul's Chapel, on 15th Street, where they will don their vestments, and at % o'clock sharp move in procession to the site of the new chureh. > The Ceremonies. The procession will be headed by a score owned acolytes carrying lighted s, with cross bearer and censer bearer, followed by the priests of the diocese, in- chanters, who will be succeeded by the bishops and archbishops, and finally the cardinal, dresse! in his scarlet robes, including the tail pontifical hat, and carry- ing in his hands the jeweled crozier, which is in the form of a shepherd's crook. The cardinal wiil be assisted during the ceremonies by Bishop Keane, with probably Rev. Father Glaab as deacon and Rev. Father Gloyd as subdeacon. The ceremony of chanting the Psalms will be rendered by &@ choir of specially selected voices from the clergy of the archdiocese and will include Rev. Fathers Bart and Marr of Baltimore, Ru: of Hyattsville, Fletcher and Doug! is city, Rev. Father Maynadier, nt pastor of St. Paul's Church, as well as several students of the Catholic University. ‘The corner stone, a block of snow-white je three feet nine inches long by one eight inches deep, will be inscribed foot with a cross and the year 184, and laid the foundation at the southwest corner of the church. It is chambered for the re- ception of a box, in which will be deposited ameng other articles, copies of The Even- ing Star and ot‘er Washington daily pa- pers and the Church News. The names of &ll the subscribers to the new church fund on the books of the association, the various coins struck in 1Si&, from 1 cent to $1, and & parchment manuscript giving a brief his- the parish and of the corner stone wes of the present chief United States, the reign- . his holiness Leo XIII, and James, Cardinal Gibbons, the names of the Com- missioners of the District of Columbia and ail the clergy of the archdiocese of Balti- © ceremontes at the laying of the cor- fer stone will be according to a simple fitual and very brief. The cardinal will bless the walls of the church and then blessing the stone will place upon it a trowel- fl of mortar, smoothing it over as the stone is moved into place. This ts followed by a solemn chant, at the conclusion of which the Rt. Rev. John J. Keane, the elo- quent rector of the Catholic University, will deliver the sermon, after which the cardinal will close the ceremonies with a few brief remarks. Shelter for the Crowds. In anticipation of frosty weather and with a view to making a necessarily out- floor ceremony as comfortable as possible for the churchmen who will officiate, as Well as the people who will witness the teremonies, a large canvas covering will de erected upon the foundation walls. This sent-like arrangement will be heated by fas radiators, and it is believed it can be nade very comfortable, no matter how cold w inclement the weather. In the event of this inclosure not being sufficiently large to admit all who may come, arrangements have been made for the overflow in the old church, where a sermon will be preached to those who may assemble there by a prominent divine, probably Bishop Curtis of Wilmington, Del. The various Catholic societies of Wash- ington, including the Catholic Knights of America, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Gonzaga College cadets, the Knights of St. Augustine and the Emmet Guards, in conjunction with the gentlemen of St. Paul's congregation, will act as a guard of honor to the cardinal, and during the ceremonies will form in double columns along the line of procession, thus keeping a clear passage- way for the clergy and precluding any pos- sible inconvenience from the large crowd anticipated. The management of the lay part of the ceremonies is in the hands of the gentlemen of the congregation, and will be under the immediate direction of Mr. John D. Cough- Mn, Capt. Patrick O'Farrell, Geo. W. S. Gid- dens, Capt. Thomas J. Shea and James F. Duhamel. \\\y »\ Rev. J. F. Mavnia. The following will compose part of the guard of honor to the cardinal: Dr. F. X. Dooley, R. 3. Donaldson, B. J. O'Driscoll, J. P. Simonton, J. D. Leonard, Henry MecDer- mott, Thos. Phillips, E. D. Corcoran, John Kelly, Chas. A. Dunn, John Fogarty, C. 4 Ballu, M. Long, I. Straub, T. F. Hur- ney, G. F. Eberly, A. Woods, Thos. I. Mc- Eneany, P. Dowd, Wm. M. Hall, Jos. Klein, J. EB. Lyons, Hugh MeQueeney, Thos. Sheri- dan, Hugh Masterson, B. Solari, J. T. Var- nell, C. E. Fletcher, E. T. R. Jones, J. A. Koch, J. T. Frawley, Jos. Simmons and Capt. Lynch. The New Church. As already indicated, the foundation of the new church has been laid and the outer walls have risen to the level of the main floor,ethe heavy joists of which have been put in place and the first layer of flooring, consiting of one-inch boards, leid. The progress thus far serves to mark out the ground plan of the church and give some notion of its size. The new structure will have a frontage of eighty-two feet on i5th street and a depth of 150 feet on V street, with a parking of seventeen feet on both streets. The base- ment walls are of Potomac blue stone, and the walls above the basement or grade level will be constructed of Baltimore county marble, laid in rock-faced ashler. The style of the church will be Gothic. The roof will be of slate with stone cornices, and copper gutters and rain pipes. On cither side of the front will rise a massive tower twenty- four feet square, each aitaining a height of 176 feet to top of cross. The upper eighty feet of the towers will form octagonal pyra- mids and will be covered with colored slate. In the south tower will be placed an ele- gant chime of fine toned bells. The height of the roof apex will be seventy-four feet, surmounting which will be a massive stone cross 10x10 fee The main entrance on Ith street will be marked by a triple arch, surmounting which will be a triangular pediment, rising 14 feet to its apex. Over the main vestibule will be a large stained-glass rose window, 16 feet in diameter, above which will be construct- ed a niche, 6 by 13 feet, to contain the statue of St. Paul, the patron of the church. On either side of this niche will be louver win- dows, 4 by 5 feet. The hood moldings over the front windows and various openings, as well as the panels and columns on either side of the main entrance, will be taste- Hal ornamented in Gothic scroll and carv- ing. In either tower will be a large rose window similar to that over the main entrance, but somewhat smaller. Beneath the rose win- dow and above the Gothic window which will be placed in the first-story front of each tower will be two rows of lancet windows, while immediately below the cornice will appear a series of seven arches supported by circular columns and backed by masonry. There will be two additional public en- trances on the V street front, one through the transept at the southeast corner, and another through the tower at the south- west corner. A private entrance for the clergy has also been provided, opening into the sacristy at the northeast ‘corner of the edifice. All the entrances will be approach- ed by granite steps, The Interior, The main entrance will open into a large vestibule, 32 feet wide by 12 feet deep, laid in granolithic cement. On the right will be the sacristan’s office, 15 by 15 feet, and on the left, occupying a corresponding space, will be the baptistry. Immediately over the vestibule will be the choir gallery, which will be reached by a stairway in the north tower. The interior of the church will consist of a lofty arched circular nave and side aisles ith Dodecagon-shaped sanctuary, 32 by 26 feet, in which will be placed the main altar. Semi-circular wings, 16 by 6 feet, will afford space for two smaller altars. The height of the nave to stucco work will be 56 feet, and the width 35 feet. The height of the side aisles will be 31 feet. Along either side of the clere story five stained glass windows, 5 by 5 1-2 feet, will be placed. The side aisles or wings will contain eleven Gothic windows, 5 by 14 feet, while sur- rounding the sanctuary and high above the main altar, se specially designed win- feet, will furnish a soften- teu clustered tron columns twenty-two mehes in diameter and resting on massive brick plers four feet square will support the roof, the ceiling of which will be ribbed and ornamented in stucco work. Five aisies will furnish approaches to the pews, the main or center one of which will be seven feet wide, the others four feet wide. he seating capacity of the church will be about 1,000. ‘The main floor will be con- structed with a view to tiling the sanctu- ary and aisles, but for the present hard wood floors Will be laid. ‘The church will be lighted by both electricity and gas. The interior finish, including the pews, will be either ash or quartered oak. The details as to the altars and organ are as yet undeter- mined. Adjoining the sanctuary on the north will be the priests’ sacristy, 20x20 feet, and corresponding to this room’ on the south will be the acolytes’ vestry room. Under the sacristy will be the boiler room, 20x20, which will be entered from the cel- jar. she plans contemplate a perfect system of heating and ventilation, no little time and study having been given by Father Mackin to this important feature of church construction. The most substantial ma- terials and thorough methods of construc- tion are to be employed about the work, the alm of the builders being simplicity and neatness combined with symmetry and sol- idity. ‘The plans of the building were drawn by Philip N. Dwyer, architect, who will also superintend the work of construction. The contractor for the entire building, excepting pews, windows and heating apparatus, is Mr. Owen Donnelly. B. Hanrihan & Son are the subcontractors for the stone work. ‘The cost of the church will be $100,000, and wit be ready for occupancy early in 1805 provided the work is not interrupted by bad weather or the financial depression. Raising the Money. ‘The money with which the church is to be built is to be raised principally by sub- scriptions. An organization known as St. Paul's New Church Association has been collecting funds for the past three years. ‘The object of this association is to enroll all the members and friends of the parish as contributors of specified amounts at given periods for the benefit of the new church. ‘Lhe present membership includes only about liv families, but it 1s believed, now that the work has really begun, that this number will be more than trebled and that in the near future the membership of the parish and the membersnip of the as- sociation will become, as they should be, practically identical, Rev. James F. Mackin. Rev. James F, Mackin, the pastor of St. Paul's Church, is a man well known throughout the archdiocese, particularly in Baltimore and Washington, where he has many friends. Father siackin is a native of Baltimore, and received his collegiate education and theological training there. He was ordained to the priesthood June 30, 1808, by the Most Rev. Archbishop Martin J. Spaulding. Washington was the scene of his first priestly labors, where, as assistant to the lamented br. Charies I. White of St. Matthew's Church, he remained two years, whence he was placed in charge of tne Rockville mission, where he labored assid- uously ull May, 1877, when he was made assistant to the Rev. Dr. Foley of St. Mar- tr’s Church, Baltimore. Here he remained until May, 1882, when he was made pastor of St. Joseph's Church in the same city, succeeding the now Most Rev. Archbishop Chappelle of New Mexico. ‘The year 1885 found the cardinal contem- m'atine the division of St. Matthew's par- ish and the building of a new church in the »eparateu territory. Such a task required more than the ordinary man, and when, on October 10 of that year, it was officially an- nounced that Father Mackin was appointed to assist at St. Matthew's Church, and com- missioned to proceed at once to organize a new parish, there was general rejoicing among the Catholics interested, for they were well pleased with the cardinal's choice, and were well satisfied that if any- one could assume such an onerous task and carry it to a successful conclusion it was Father Mackin, and events have shown that their confidence was not misplaced. Parish History. Early in 1886 a diocesan commission pur- chased a plat of ground at the corner of 15th and V streets northwest as a site for a new church and for other parochial build- ings. The price paid was $26,120. This debt was turned over to Father Mackin to liquidate or pay interest on as best he might. Such a task, with no congregation or or- ganization whatsoever, was by no means an enviable one. lather Mackin, however, made up in faith what hv lacked in United States currency, and, like a good business man, decided that the way to make money was to spend it judiciously. He accordingly at once proceeded with the erection of what was not only to be a chapel, but was to supply the need of a parochial school in the northwest section of the city. October 3, 1886, witnessed the lay- ing of the corner stone by Cardinal Gib- bons, the sermon for the occasion being de- livered by the Rev. J. 8. Foley, D. D., the present bishop of Detroit. The building is a red brick structure, with an ornamental front, containing two stories and a cellar. The chapel is in the upper story, the lower floor being divided into three large school rooms, where secular instruction is given during the week and religious train. ing on Sunday to a flourishing Sunday school. This building, which cost $12,000 to erect, will be devoted to school purposes exclusively, as soon as the new church is ready for occupancy. The first service in this church was held on Christmas day, 1886, by Rev. Father Mackin, who celebrated high mass, and on that day the work of forming a congrega- tion may be said to have practically com- menced. So well did the work succeed and the congregation multiply that in the fall of 1889 the cardinal decided to make the till then but a mission a parish unto itself. In anticipation of this action, Father Mac- kin had already erected a handsome rectory on a site originally reserved for it on V street. The house is a prettily designed building, forty feet square, of red brick, after the prevailing Washington tone, com- fortable looking and well lighted. Its cost was $6,200. Here Father Mackin took up his abode September 1, 1880, since which time he has devoted all his energies to the development of his parish and the interests of his con- gregation. That he has succeeded is weil shown by the prosperous corffition of his work today. In the short period the parish has been in existence—about seven years— he has gathi around him a congrega- tion of about 2,500, established a creditable parochial school of 125 pupils and three teachers, oreanized a flourishing Sunday school of over 300 pupils, established vari- ous charitable and devotional societies among the congregation, brought the finances of the parish to a most healthy condition, and now the year of his silver jubilee he has entered upon the crowning work of his life in the erection of a magnifi- cent church, which will amply supply the needs of his parish for generations to come. In the Struggle for Life. From Cornhill Magazine. In tropical countries, where the struggle for life seems to rage even tiercer than in the temperate regions, a vast number of animals have been driven by want to seek their livelihood in the dark, through stress of competition. There are the howler mon- keys, for example, who make night hideous in large tracts of South American forest, beginning their dismal music as soon as evening sets in, and only retiring for the day as dawn purples the horizon. There are the lemurs of Madagascar, so called because, like ghosts, they walk by night and withdraw at cockcrow—strange, stealthy, noiseless creatures, with great, wistful, poetical eyes and enlarged pupils; monkeys that prey on birds and insec:s in the gloomy depths of their native forests. There is the slender loris, a gracetul and beautiful beast, with eyes like a gazelle's, but treacherous manners, who pounces upon birds as they sleep in their little nests, creeping silently upon them from behind like an Indian upon the warpath, and af- fording no indication of his hateful presence till he Is within arm's reach of his slumber- ing victim. There is that curious little nondescript animal, the aye-aye, who attracted so much attention a few years ago at the Zoo—a quaint, small beast, half monkey, half ro- dent, who comes forth by night in search of fruits or insects, and crawls through the woods with catlike pace upon butterfly or caterpillar. And there is that other >a¢ connecting link, the galeopithecus, or “tly- ing monkey"—a lemur well on his way to develop into a bat, apelike in form, but with a membrane stretched loose between his arms and legs after the rudimentary fashion of the flying squirrel, by means of which he glides from tree to tree with a sort of half jump, half flight, very curious to witness. These are but very few of the nocturnal mammals of the monkey and lemur type, ancient ancestors of our own, gone wrong through keeping such very late hours, and now stranded for the most part in islands or peninsulas of extreme antiquity. soe. Too Willing. From the Detroit Free Press. “Dear me,” he whispered, “do you think if I married you your father would forgive us?” “I'm sure he would, dear,” she asserted, softly. “And would he give us a house of our own?" “I know he would, dearest.” “And would he give us enough to live beautifully on?” “I'm sure of it, Harry. nd would he take me into the firm?” ‘ertainly he would.” nd let me run the business to suit my- self?” “Of course he would, darling.” She snuggled to his bosom, but he put her aside coldly. “I can never marry you,” he said, hoarse- ly. “Your father is too willing to get you off his hands.” +o<+—____ “What makes you think he ma lady for raoney?” “I have seen her gendorfer Biatter. ALL ABOUT SNAKES. Queer Ways of Many Kinds of Ven- omous Serpents. poe SERA “ESE SHARP TEETH LOADED WITH POISON Oddities of Creatures That Are Crawlers on the Earth. FEARED BY ALL MANKIND. “Snakes frequently swallow animals big- ger than themselves,” said an expert in reptilian lore to a writer for The Star. “This feat they are able to accomplish be- cause the bones of their heads are not con- solidated, but are united by elastic ligaments, so that their jaws are capable of enormous expansion. Why, I knew of a case where a large boa ate the blanket provided to keep her warm. She was about to change her skin, and, as is usual under such circum- stances, she was partly blind. The rabbits given to her dodged her grasp, and she got hold of the blanket instead. Rather a dry | one would think. But serpents are furnished by nature with glands wiich se- crete a great amount of saliva for the lu- brication of food consumed whole. In this instance the snake was made to disgorge the dinner, which was scarcely recognizable from the thick coating of mucus in which it was enveloped, Swaliows Its Prey Alive. “A snake has no means for separating flesh from bones and feathers. It swallows its prey alive. The latter usually dies of suffocation. In the process of deglutition the breathing of the serpent is interfered with, so that after performing it the rep- tile yawns widely in order to take in air. Sometimes at this moment the victim, though already on its way to the stomach of its devourer, hes been known to turn about and crawl out again in safety, effect- ing its escape. When two snakes are in a cage together, and both get hold of the same frog or rat, they will advance upon it until their heads meet, when one of them will proceed to swallow the other. Keepers of serpents at zoological gardens have constantly to be on the look-out for such accidents, I have known one valuable reptile to be rescued after seven feet of him had been consumed. When discovered in this predicament only a foot of his tail stuck out of the mouth of a comrade. “Cannibalism is very common in snakes. A box of imported serpents labeled ‘ten cobras’ or ‘fourteen vipers’ will often be found short in the number on this account. It is a curious fact that these reptiles, as a rule, seize animals bigger than themselves. The structure of their ribs pernuts great expansion of the body, and a snake of superior size is disposed of by doubling up in the stomach. It is often asked what these crawling creatures are good tor, Kor one thing, they are able to penetrate where no larger carnivorous animal could venture, into dense and noisome morasses, bog: jungles and swamps, amid the tangled veg- ion of the tropics, where they feed on swarms of smaller reptiles. ‘The hedgehog, weasel, rat, peccary, badger, hog, xoat and many kinds of birds keep snakes within due limits as to numbers, while the latter de- vour innumerable lesser vermin. ‘I'hus the balance of nature is maintained Small Brains and Slight Intelligence. “Snakes have small brains, slight intel- ligence and little sensibility to pain. ‘They can live for a long time deprived of their vital organs, while the heart, if taken from the body, will continue to beat for a cen- siderable time. If the head be severed, it will still try to bite, while the body wilt continue to move, coil and even spring. Many serpents which do not live in trees will climb them in search of birds’ eggs, They do much damage in poultry yards. When once the eggs are missed from a hen’s nest, and a snake's track 1s discov- ered, the farmer knows that the thief will repeat the offense, so a watch is set and no mercy is shown to the culprit when caught. On the other hand, snakes are ot :mportant use to agriculture, by consuming the mice that devour the crops. Snake catchers who pack serpents for transportation across the ocean commonly supply them with food for the journey in the shape of eggs. “There is a well-authenticated story of a cobra that got through a chink into a hen- house and ate so many eggs from under a sitting fowl, that it could not get out again through the same crack. Next morning it was killed and cut open, when, as the eggs were found to be unbroken and still warm, the experiment was tried of replacing them under the mother, who in due time hatched out the brood none the worse for this re- markable accident. Black snakes, though not venomous, are killed by farmers wher- ever found, because of the havoc they make in poultry yards. This kind of serpent climbs trees with ease and has been describ- ed ag the ‘nimblest creature living.’ There is one very extraordinary serpent called the ‘anodon,’ whose business, according to Prof. Owen, is to restrain the undue increase of small birds by devouring their eggs. Far back in its throat it has certain projections which serve as teeth, though in reality they are points of the spine projecting into the gullet. Some Are Fond of Milk. “These projections are actually tipped with enamel. Their purpose is to break the eggs after they have been swallowed suffi- ciently far to make it sure that none of the contents shall be lost by the fracture of the shell. Some American snakes, among them the so-called ‘milk snake,’ are said to be very fond of milk and to rob the dairies. The black snake, or racer, is a milk thief, and is accused of skimming off all the cream from the pans when it finds its way into a spring-house where milk is kept. In India, when a snake discovers how to get at the eggs and milk in a larder, no native will on any account kill it, because it 1s regarded as the good genius of the house. Milk is fed to the cobras in that country in some of the temples where they are worshiped. Four officers were once playing whist in an East Indian bungalow. Suddenly one them exclaimed: ‘Keep still, for God's 1 I feel a cobra crawl- ing about my leg!" What would have hap- pened nobody can tell, had it not been that one of the others quietly set a saucer of milk near by, which the snake presently sought. It was promptly killed. “People who gaze upon a cage full of snakes at a menagerie or zoological garden will usually point at the tongue of a ser- pent and exclaim: ‘Look at its sting!’ Now, @ more absurd notion can hardly be imag- ined. To begin with, no snake has a sting, and the forked tongue is the most innocent member imaginable. This curious delusion has received large encouragement from Shakespeare, who constantly speaks of snakes as ‘poison tongued’ and as often re- fers to their ‘mortal sting.’ The fact is that the snake’s tongue is an organ of feel- ing, by which the owner examines whatever it wants to investigate and makes up its mind as to the best way of setting to work to swallow its prey. The notion that the tongue has anything to do with the hissing of a snake is likewise nonsense. That pe- cullar sound is produced by the expulsion of air from the lungs, more or less quick or loud, as the reptile is more or less alarmed or angry. It may be supposed to correspond with the agitated breathing or panting of other animals, A Snake's Tongue. “The touch of a snake's tongue on the hand Is felt like the sweep of a thread, so light and delicate. When the animal is ex- cited by fear or otherwise the vibrations of this organ are so rapid that the eye cannot follow them. When not thus in use it is withdrawn into a sort of sheath or scab- bard, which can be closed at will to guard the sensitive member against injury. One can easily see how useful such an instru- ment is to a creature which, usually noc- turnal, winds its way through tangled masses of vegetation, often in dark caves, holes and other obscure retreats, with eyes so placed that they can see neither before nor beneath, and with other senses only feebly developed. Under such circumstances the tongue feels the way. Its function is like that of the whiskers of a cat. For its further protection nature has provided a small opening in the upper lip, so that it can be projected while the mouth is shut. “Not ail snakes hiss, There is a little viper of India called the ‘echis,’ which is one of the most ill-tempered of reptiles. ‘When annoyed it makes a sound like hiss- ing, but it 1s produced by rustling its scales together. The ‘spreading adder’ of this country {s sometimes called the ‘hissing snake.’ Of this serpent Chateaubriand said: ‘Great caution is necessary not to enter the atmosphere which surrounds it. It de- composes the air, which, imprudently in- haled, induces languor. The person wastes away, the lungs are affected, and in the course of four months he dies of consump- tion.” That is a fair specimen of the yarns that used to be propagated by alleged scien- tific men respecting snakes. The explorer Livingstone tells of a snake in Africa which utters a cry by night exactly like the bleating of a young kid. “Snakes in general indulge in an annual sleep of several months’ duration, which may take place in summer or in winter. This aestivation or hibernation involves an almost total suspension of the vital forces. Many serpents in warm countries resign themselves to a death-like repose and tem- porary tomb by burying themselves in mud, which is hard baked over them. Thus they remain sealed up until the rainy season loosens the soil and frees them. The prai- rie rattlesnake undergoes this species of torpor in the dry canyons of the Rocky mountains during the droughts of July and August. Snakes remain torpid on an average half the year. It is a winter sleep in colder and temperate climates, and a summer sleep in hot ones. The green gar- ter snake of the United States hibernates eight months out of the twelve. One pe- culiarity of reptiles is their ability to with- stand an astonishing degree of heat. On the hottest day in the hottest places on earth one surprises snakes and lizards basking in the blazing sun-glare on sands and rocks which would almost blister the hand to touch. Serpents are abundantly supplied with oily fat. Thick layers of it line their intestines, and this is gradually absorbed during their torpor. Their Power of Endurance. “The power of endvrance in serpents and their independence of a large supply of oxygen render them important agents in the economy of nature. In the swamps and morasses where malaria abounds they are most rumerous. Many such places under canopies of pestilential vapors swarm with insects, mollusks, worms and the smaller reptiles on which snakes mostly feed. They are the scavengers of such localities, fulfilling a great law by main- taini.g the balance of nature even to the extent of rendering certain countries habit- ‘hose snakes which dwell in the high- lands, in sandy or rocky districts, common- ly select sunny hillsides when frost sets in and hide themselves under stones or in caves, where sometimes they congregate in vast numbers. In Australia serpent hunt- ing is a favorite sport for boys. They lay traps Tge flat stones in places where the reptiles are likely to resort. Sometimes they will capture half a dozen or more of different species under one rock. Even the venomous kinds may be easily captured and put into bags in their half-dormant ccndition. Great numbers of snakes se- cured in this way by collectors have been furnished to museums. They are gathered by hunters after the native marsupials and exported. “Another ophidian delusion long entertain- ed has had to do with the ‘water viper,’ or ‘horn snake.’ Its tail ends in a blunt,horny pcint about half an inch long. With this instrument, as is alleged, the serpent is able to mortally wound men and other ani- mals. If struck into a tree, the latter in- stantly withers, turns black and dies. Thus is this remarkable reptile supposed to be armed with death at both ends. Of course, the notion is an absurdity. It is worth Knowing that if one is attacked by a boa constrictor the only thing to do is to take hold of the tip of the tail and unwind him. If there is an opportunity to strike him, aim at the tail. The spinal cord there being only thinly covered with bone, it is more easily wounded, and when the spine is broken, the animal is disabled. One of the snakes has to do with the so-called ‘hoop- snake’ of this country, which ts supposed to be able to take its tail in its mouth and roll down hill. This idea may have arisen from the manner in which this serpent pro- ceeds sometimes by a series of leaps. Rap- idly extending itself to full length, it brings its hinder part into a loop and springs for- ward, repeating this operation with amaz- ing rapidity, so that to the eye it might eesily produce the appearance of rolling in hoop fashion, The Double Walker. “There is @ well-known snake called the ‘double walker,’ from its ability to go for- ward or backward with equal ease. On this account it has been alleged to possess two heads, and to this belief Pliny, who might be termed the father of lies in natural his- tory, has given his indorsement. This, is a matter of fact. is a burrowing serpent. To escape from its enemies, such as larger ophidians and carnivorous birds, it must be able to retreat to its hole with celerity, hence the peculiar power described. These serpents live chiefly in ants’ nests. feeding on the insects and protected by their culrass of hard, polished, close-set scales from bite or sting. Their young on being hatched find food ready at hand, the eggs being laid in the nests of the ants. In countries where dangerous ants swarm these snakes are most serviceable, nature having seemingly brought them into existence for the purpose of keeping the predacious insects in check. “In many respects snakes are wonderfully well equipped by nature. Prof. Owen said of them that they could outclimb the monkey, outswim the fish, outleap the jer- their crouching spiral, they can spring into the air and seize the bird on the wing. With neither hands nor talons, they can outwrestle the athlete and can crush their prey in the embrace of their overlapping folds. One puzzle about them is their method of progression. It is effected by the extremities of their ribs, which, though be- neath the skin, act in a manner as feet. In some species there are more than 400 vertebrae or joints in the spine, each having a pair of ribs attached. Prof. Huxley once said that the most beautiful piece of anatomy he knew was the vertebra of a snake. Each two vertebrae are joined to- gether by a ball and socket joint and have eight other joints in addition. The ball and socket joints admit of every variety of curvature and the utmost pliancy of move- ment. “All fresh-water snakes are harmless. In this category are not included such serpents as the moccasin, which merely frequents streams and banks. The true ophidians of the fresh water inhabit rivers and estua- ries, feeding on fish and rarely coming to land. Some of them frequent brackish wa- ters and even enter the sea. They all bring forth their young alive in the water. These snakes chiefly belong to tropical and semi- tropical regions, though in this country many of them frequent rivers that are frozen over in winter, during which season they hibernate in holes near the banks. The Sea Snakes. “Among the most interesting of all ophi- dians are the sea snakes, which are found in vast numbers in the waters of the In- dian ocean and other eastern seas. They have tails flattened like fins to serve as rudders. To exclude the water when they dive their nostrils are furnished with a valve. Their lungs extend the whole length of the body as far as the tail, and, retaining a large supply of air, enable them to float on the surface of the water when it is calm. Ships often pass through shoals of them apparently asleep, Their eyes are so modified as to enable them to see better in water than in air. All of them are ex- tremely venomous. They are also very wild and fierce, on which account they are a great dread to fishermen. Nevertheless they are frequently caught in nets, when, owing to their activity, it is difficult to dis- engage them. When caught they will often strike their fangs mto their own flesh. They are said to attain a length of twelve feet. Fishes furnish their food, being par- alyzed by the poison and thus made an easy prey. “All sorts of curious notions have arisen as to the rattle of the rattlesnake. The American Indians declare that an addi- tional joint to the rattle grows whenever a human being falls a victim to that par- ticular serpent—a tradition more poetical than rational. The purpose of the rattle has long been a puzzle to scientific men. It has been suggested that the snake uses it to attract small birds, the sound of it being quite similar to that made by some insects, particularly the grasshopper. Dr. Elliott Coues says that by an unpracticed ear the rattling cannot be distinguished from the chirping of the large western grasshopper. Other authorities, "however, isagree with this idea. They say that tl rattle is shaken for the same cause that makes a hen ruffle her feathers, a cobra expand its frill, and a cat bristle its fur— namely, to frighten the enemy. It is a curious fact that, when one of these snakes is disturbed and springs its rattle, all other rattlesnakes within hearing take up the chorus. ci t Close Their Eyes. “Snakes have no eyelids and can therefore never close their eyes—a fact which has given rise to a vulgar belief that they never sleep. On each side of the head is a poison gland, which is only a modified salivary gland. It lies behind the eye, whence the venom is conveyed by a duct to the base of the tooth, down through it, and is emitted at the point into the wound made by it. The point is so fine and sharp that beneath & powerful microscope it looks perfectly smooth, whereas the point of the finest needle looks rough. It {s popularly tm- agined that a venomous serpent is rendered ost curious’ of popular fancies respecting | boa, and, suddenly loosening the coils of | permanently harmless by the removal of it poison glands; but this is very far from being the case. Within a few any uch as they are reproduced indefinite- | ly. The tooth which conveys is | @ sort of hypodermic syringe, | way, with a slit down the side poison and a solid point. Take it all there is not &, thing more wonderful Is Your Husband’s Sole On . Earth? WORN OUT MOST LIKELY—AND HE DOESN'T KNOW IT—-AND YET HB A PAIR OF PATENT LEATHER SHOES FOR DRESS WEAR. WHY NOT ADD THE CARE OF HIS FEET TO YOUR CHARGES? DROP IN AND SEE OUR $6 FRENCH PATENT CALF SHOES FOR $3.75. BUY 4 Palk AND SURPRISE HIM. YOU ALSO MAY NEED A PAIR OF NICE PATENT LEATHER SHOES IN WHICH TO RECEIVE SOMB OTHER WIFE'S HUSBAND ON NEW. YEAR'S DAY. WE HAVE THE SAME QUALITY FOR $4.85 THAT YOU'LL HAVE TO PaY $6 FoR ELSEWHERE. THE WARREN SHOE HOUSE (GEO. W. RICH, 919 F STREET N. W. DR. CARLETON, 507 12TH ST. N.W. SURGEON SPECIALIST. THIRD YEAR aT Dr. Carleton treats with the skill born of expe Nervous Debi lity. Special Diseases. Practice limited to the tres! tment of Gentlemen Exclusivel ‘Nervous Inflamma! Debuiity, Eruptions, Bladder, Swelling, Brion’y Sediment, Confused Ideas. Did you som the wind? Have you reaped the HF i has vsiclan in Washington who limits ictice to the treatment of title, SKILLFUL, | guaranteed. | antiquated methods ‘don’ | Pssst tren Val le pal 5 | Moura, 0a. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 | Santas, © a.m. to 2 pm only. Consultation ‘Th Ri No.1 North Charles Has Fussell BEST PEANUT TAFFY... GooD SALTED PECANS per Ib... SALTED PIGNOLIAS, per Ib. Boe ForNew Years Da: CHEESE STRAWS, LONG LADY FINGERS, POUND CAKE, BLACK FRUIT CAKE, ANGEL AND SUNSHINE CAKES AND A FULL ASSORT- MENT OF SMALL FANCY CAKES. Fussell’s WCE CREAM IN THIS cCITy, GEORGETOWN OR MOUNT PLEASANT. LEAVE NEW YEAR'S ORDERS TODAY. 1427 New York Ave. a28-8t Open Fait Day Monday. New Year’s ‘Diamonds’ To be “faultlessly attired for New ye fons means that you should mond Pendaut— stould you buy them if hot at an exclusive “Diamond” firm? Larg- est stock, largest variety and naturally the “lowest” prices. re other equally fash- jovable Gesigns, at $1 150 and $200. Worth $50 more o_ ” “2 Exquisite effects in Diamond Hair Orna- ments. ‘A feature of the it line of Dia- mond ‘Earrings ism special pal cated elsewhere under $300. Jacobs Bros., LEADING DIAMOND IMPORTERS, 9 Pessa. Ave Animal Extracts. Prepared according to the Process and under the Supervision of Dr. William A. Hammond. 1 Hf] ede es iF i g ' i i | e I § “bilaration of increaseé ‘augmentation the expulsive 1 iii | i if & t he HI 4 a | | | | : i f i i | i i £ 4 iH é f LE] | | : & 4 te tl Pits nf ag | ils i f l aj raft a pi | [ + iH E i i Hi i I it if i j s a skeptical that it is the very best in use: c , 926 Ist ow. [AIN, 1522 14th nw. DULEY, 1800 15th nw. . GOLDEN, 1034 2vth n.w. WHITE, 1138 12th aw. HAMMACK, 800 6th n.w. M. DAVIS, cor. Tth and F ne. ROBERT WHITE, Jr., 900 9th n A. C. KAMMERER, 130 Ist nw. W. F. AUTH & BRO., cor. 34 and Ind. ave. a E. HOGAN, 601 N. J. ave. now. by B. CONNELLY, L. M . B. w. sale D. 5B Rr. i G. R. P. iL. F. F. A. NEWMAN & BRO., 632 4% st. sw. J. C. DE ATLEY, 708 Tth l- H. M. DE ATLEY, cor. 8th and H ow, Mrs. ANNIE BURKE, §29 7th sw. EMIL SPAHN, cor. 6th and L 6. THOS. HAWKINS, cor. 4° and M aw. J. B. PROUT, 411 4% C. V. WOODBRIDGE, 600 6th s.w, W. A. L. HUNTT, S01 4% & JAMES FERRY, 441 N. J. ave. aw. B. B. BADEN, 822 © se. L. F, LUSBY, 722 Bast Capitel st. INO. F. SCHNEIDER, 213 11th M. J. SCHNEIDER, 782 Md. ave. ne. BERNARD WALLIS, cor. 34 ap@ C ne. R. E. MILES, 27 3a me. JOHN M. CLARK, cor. 4th and B ne. Mrs. WILLIAM BRAHLER, 401 BRISON NORRIS, 501 H ne. J. C. LIPPOLD, 6th and HAGAN BROS., 12th and G uw. JOHN L. COX, O st. market. JOHN P. LOVE, 1584 14th now. P. KENNEDY, cor. 9th and B ©. L. WOOD, cor. 6th and O n.w. W. I. SUITE, cor. 34 and C s.¢. SAMUEL LEE, 723 4% 8. HUNTT & WARD, 433 9th s. ANACOSTIA GROCERY ©0., Anacoptia, D. © D. J. BUCKLEY, 523 2ist aw. T. J. MONCURE, Sth and A sts. se. JACOB RIEHL, Sth and H sts. now, P. F. NELIGAN, cor, 3d and B sts ne. €2-0tt Reception Goods. Preparations for Christmas bave us busy, but notwithstanding Ae 4 stock of goods suitable for reception, parties, &c., more com: plete. Many pretty, and artistic pieces Just ‘Eurone DECORATED CUPS AND Sai DINNER. TRA AND OYSTER PLA’ WAKES. Sparkling CUT GLASS from all the ipal_ factories, Libbey, = aa Dorfllnger, istrict ageut for Glass I. W. Beveridge, CHINA, GLASS AND SILVER WAaRR 1215 F AND 124 @ 8I. ‘the Libbey “New Year’s” Table Requisites. Decorated Punch Bowls, $3.75 New Decorated Raina Sete #5. up. New Decorated Ice Cream Sets, un N Decorated 2.75 op ew New Decorated Celery New Rich Cat Glass. Sterling Silver Why Pay $1.50 For Black Corsets? We Sell ’Em For$1. tt long and “extra long’ Fitted Without Fxtra Charge. _M. C. Whelan’s, 1003 F st. Crocusrr, &c, 1205 Ps. Ave os VES.—BATORY'S NATURAL t and cranberry sauce are the best, the most carefully made, free of chemicals, ; —¥ to bome made o: any English import moderate. We have succes the three years to introduce them to the of our foremost fai Sold by all first-class grocers. I. BATORY & 00., 122 South Howard st., Britimore, Md. s21-3m J. T. WALKER SONI “ Ratlding . Clay and bc.