Naturalist

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 368, 28 May 1903, Page 7

Naturalist

LAEGEST CENTIPEDE IN THE *"j~""T has its home in the Congo region of c|[> tropieal Africa* and is quite harm"s£ less, although the natives in that part of the world believe that it is very deadly. One pets a vivid n tion of its dimensions comparing it to the horsefly pinned alongside. " ■-': All Eorts of absurd notions about centipedes are current wherever such creatures are abundant. It is popularly supposed that their legs are poisonous,, and that a trail that burns like fire is left behind if one of them runs over the bare flesh. -But there is no troth' in this' idea', although it is a fact that some kinds of centipedes , are" extremely venomous, If you come across one it is just as well to steer clear of it. ** : Fortunately, all centipedes are very timid, and will never try to bite unless cornered. This, particular giant species from Africa makes its borne under leaves and rubbish. ..." . . ['] TROUBLESOME WASP. Madame Patti, the queen of song, is ever ready to lend her aid to the sacred cause of charity, and, on her arrival at Brecon. Bail way Station a few weeks, the diva received a welcome Buch as is usually accorded only, to Royalty. The - high sheriff of tho county and tbe mayor and corporation in.state met tho famous singer at the station', and escorted her to the concert-hall,, where, she had arranged to give a performance in aid of the county infirmary. a. $ | * Si' -.- . An amusing; interlude to the concert, not mentioned in the programme, was supplied by a wasp. . | ' p J Madam© Patti and Santley had just commenced singing & duet,, when Mr. burst cut; laughing, and left the platform' His companion almost imrae.diatelyioUowed,; although ■ sheattempted te/coatinuC; ■..' . ' In response' to loud cheers, Madame Patti. returned, and explained to the audience that the cause of all their merriment was that a wasp had been trying to get into her mouth, making it impossible for her to continue, .-' %.. WA

'* A WAGTAIL. . A singular steel; nest was built; byia wagtail at Solothurn, Switzerland, the centre of a large watch manufacturing district. The nest was entirely constructed of long spiral steel shavings, without the least scrap of vegetable or animal fibre being mixed with the steel. The nest is now in the National History Museum. ~ V : -; ;^r'-.-.: ;/.:-. : - .;;; : i" "NOT TO THEIR LIKINQV A plague of monkeys recently;sorely troubled the officials at a small station on : the Saran Eailwayin"North-West Indian Trucks full of grain for export wjre often stored up in tl e station, and the monkeys came down in large numbers from a neighbouring grove to help themselves to the grainf picking holes in the tarpaulin febf of' Jbhe waggons. The officials:, wore wearied out with keeping watcb and scaring away the thieves, who daily grew bolder, till an ingenious guard hit upon a stratagem. For several days sweets and frurtsMWere put on the roofs of the waggons, with the result that the whole of the monkey colony were attracted to the spot, and soon became perfectly indifferent to man. One morning, when they were all busily feeding, an engine was stealthily attached to the waggons, and suddenly the.train, moved were; qsiite arid imade JjtdS attempt .to escape; sitting crouched together-iill-the train had gone several miles, and stopped at the jungle. Then they wanted no hint to * Jeaye. monkey, leapt : dowri howling," and fled into the jungle; whence they .have never .returned to trouble tbe railway.