Part 7
I returned at night from the Pitch Lake--the “wonder” of the island--a lake of pitch of more than 100 acres furrowed by deep fissures of cool water. These fissures are crossed by planks. In many spots the pitch is absolutely firm, but in some places one’s feet sink quickly, and here and there the pitch is seen boiling. The lake is said to have sunk ten inches in fifty years. The lake is at present leased to the Trinidad Lake Asphalt Company, whose average exportation is about 200,000 tons of pitch annually. A chain of buckets carries the pitch along the jetty, at which lie the steamers awaiting their cargo.
The streets are lined with sleeping Hindoos who only fold up, bow their heads and close their eyes when the day is done. I accidentally stepped on a black toe peeping out from under a huddled figure in a darkened doorway and a low rumble issued forth. You see, every man’s home is his castle.
Now I am sitting on the veranda of the Ice House with the two sisters from Ottawa. On the wall inside is a framed tag line from the old English song.
~=“Ours is a nice house, ours is.”=~
So they call it the “Ice House”--“where the cool green swizzles grow.” A “swizzle” is the best tropical drink in this hemisphere. It is made of rum, white of an egg, a lemon, sugar, nutmeg--and swizzled. Inasmuch as Ontario voted dry recently it is only fitting and proper that Ottawa girls and I should be having a swig of a swizzle on the veranda of an Ice House as the sun goes down.
How the sun goes down! Night falls in the tropics. There is no twilight. The blood-red disk down the end of Marine Square has just tumbled precipitously into the sea.
Now it is dark.
* * *
JIM CORBETT FOUGHT IN THE PRIZE RING FOR 18 YEARS ... and never had a black eye or a bloody nose.
This fact is flattering testimony to the remarkable skill of Corbett. “Gentleman” Jim was the first great exponent of cleverness inside the ropes. When he defeated the great slugger John L. he revolutionized the game at the same time.
* * *
THE FISH THAT CLIMBS TREES
This finny acrobat that is wont to leave its aquaeous habitat to climb trees is a native of Malaysia. It is more formally known as the Periophthalmus Schlosseri. When the tide is out these frisky fish squirm playfully about in the mud and frequently wriggle up the nearby trees in quest of toothsome insects. They propel themselves with unusual agility by means of two strong leg-like fins, and are able to ascend good-sized trees where they sometimes look down on travelers with their big soulful eyes.
* * *
“Dear Rip:
Your “Believe It or Not” cartoons astound me daily, but I think that recently I witnessed a happening worthy of your mention.
I was fishing about a mile or so above Kalma on the Columbia River when suddenly I saw a Black Bass--weighing about 4 pounds--leap from the river and swallow a bird.
Believe me, A. B. Stafford.”
* * *
RED RAIN
Every now and then some section of the world goes into a panic over the queer behavior of the skies. Not long ago in Clermont, France, the provincials thought the end of the world had come. It was raining blood! At least they thought so; and there could be no doubt but that the rain was red.
Surely it was the end of the world. But in a short time the showers stopped and the old world went rolling on just the same.
There are no proven explanations for such showers. The rain was red, no doubt, and the best reason advanced for the phenomenon disclosed the fact that the air was full of red dust which was believed to have been blown over from the Desert of Sahara.
Wild stories of bloody rain have been related for ages, and it is only of recent date that the non-miraculous nature of them was determined. Homer, Virgil, and Plutarch mention blood showers. Plutarch speaks of showers of blood following great battles, and asserts that bloody vapors, distilled from the bodies of the slain, impregnated the clouds, from which they were subsequently shed upon the earth.
The most recent account of red rain was sent to me from a friend of mine in China, who clipped it from the _Central China Post_. There is no doubt of its authenticity.
* * *
RAIN OF BLOOD
MONGOLIA FOLK IN TERROR OVER PHENOMENON
Harbin, June 29, 1928.
A “rain of blood” in Mongolia has spread terror among the people and temporarily deranged trading conditions there, according to reports received here.
The “blood rain” coincided with an epidemic of dysentery and the Mongols took this as a sign of heavenly displeasure, fleeing terror-stricken in every direction and abandoning their yiurts and cattle herds.
The Phenomenon started with a rapid approach of heavy dull-brown clouds and a red rain then continued to fall for three hours, leaving the whole landscape, yiurts and cattle painted a deep red hue.
European traders who were present easily discovered that the coloring was due to red clay, which must have been raised skyward by a cyclone, but they were unable to persuade the Mongols of this.
For three days the terror lasted, the men wearing amulets of horsehair around their necks and the women each night placing infants outside the yiurts as an offering to God with the hope of diverting heavenly wrath from the rest of the occupants. As the nights were cold the wails of the infants ceased only with daylight.
THIS LETTER WAS DELIVERED 64 YRS. LATE
GLAEDELIGT NYTAAR BOLDOG ÚJÉVET FELIZ AÑO NUEVO טובה שנהל GOTT NYTT ’ÅR UNE HEUREUSE NOUVELLE ANNÉE STASTNY NOVÝ ROK GLÜCKLICHES NEUJAHR BUON ANNO WESOŁEGO NOWEGO ROKU GELÜKKIG NIEW JAAR GODT NYTAAR HAPPY NEW YEAR ETC]
* * *
THE BARKING BIRD
The bird that barks is a red-breasted little fellow indigenous to central Chile, and is called by the natives “_Guid-guid_.” It sounds altogether like a small dog yelping in the forest. A person will sometimes hear the bark close by, but in vain may endeavor by watching, and with still less chance by beating the bushes, to see the bird; yet at other times the guid-guid fearlessly comes near.
_Ref.: Charles Darwin._
* * *
THE SHARK DESTROYER
Who would ever imagine that a little soft fish--less than a foot in length--could kill the great and savage shark?
The little Urchin-fish, or Sea Hedgehog (Diodon Maculatus), of South America frequently destroys savage monsters 25 feet long, in a most peculiar manner. This fish, with its flabby skin, arrayed with spiny points, possesses the singular power of distending itself into a globular form, and thus causing the spines to project in every direction like the quills of an irritated porcupine.
When swallowed by a shark it calmly eats and bores its way out, not only through the coats of the stomach, but completely through the sides of the monster--thus killing it.
* * *
MAN-EATING CLAMS
I mean that this species of clams eats men--not that men eat the clams. The mammoth clams of Malaysia--measuring 4 feet across and weighing 500 pounds are sure death to anybody careless enough to step within their open jaws. I heard many stories, when I was out there, of natives who had lost their lives in this manner.
There is a giant clam whose shells are now used as holy-water basins in the Cathedral of St. Sulpice, Paris, which must have weighed nearly 700 pounds. The shells alone weigh 550 pounds and are nearly 5 feet across.
* * *
PRANKS OF NATURE
When we consider how fearfully and wondrously made we all are, it is not surprising that Mother Nature sometimes makes a mistake. Human errors are not always pleasant to look at or think about, so I will not go into any length of detail discussing the mistakes or monstrosities of life.
THE CHILD CYCLOPS
The famous Clement child of Tourcoing, France, was born (1793) with only one eye located in the center of her forehead. She was perfectly normal in every other way, and lived to the age of fifteen.
_Reported by Buffon in his Natural History, Vol. II._
* * *
THE TRANSPARENT MAN
Hsieh Hsuan, a native of Yu-t’ien in Chihli, China (1389-1464) was born with transparent flesh. The bones and organs of his body were plainly visible.
Hsieh was a profound scholar and attained his Chu Jen Degree. He entered upon an official career, but became implicated in a bribery case, and was sentenced to death. He continued his studies in prison and calmly studied a book even when led out to execution. He was reprieved and later canonised, and in 1572 his tablet was placed in the Confucian Temple.
_Ref.: Chinese Biographical Dictionary, by Herbert A. Giles._
* * *
THE CRAB-TOED TRIBE
In the western part of New York State dwells a community of crab-toed people whose peculiar affliction has puzzled scientists. The hands and feet of this group of people resemble claws of a crab or lobster.
Here is the report of the Superintendent of the Rome State School, of New York, Dr. Charles Bernstein:
“The Rome State School sent a field worker into the community where this strange progeny existed and the descriptive matter showed that there have been 184 cases of crab-toes--most of whom were social outcasts in the community, presenting many alcoholics, prostitutes, etc.
“It was discovered that an English woman came over in the year 1800 and settled in Western New York. Later she married and the male offsprings of this union were crab-toed. Later it was found that this was a sex-linked affair through which the females never presented the symptoms but transmitted it to their male offspring, no females ever having it but all females transmitted it to their male children.
“While the intelligence status of these people is very low it is sufficient to enable them to become successful workers and often skilled mechanics. They do not seem especially sensitive about their situation as they readily submit to having their pictures taken, etc.”
* * *
Bidault, a French peasant, was born with two noses.
* * *
Leone, the Athenian courtesan, bit off her own tongue to prevent herself from revealing the conspiracy between Harmodius and Aristogiton.
A statue in the form of a lioness without a tongue was erected in her honor by the Athenians.
YOGI HARIDAS
This famous Ascetic could touch his forehead with his tongue. It is a form of high Hindoo heroics. In other words Haridas could touch his caste mark with his tongue. This required years of practice and many painful surgical operations on the roots of his tongue.
* * *
General Townsend, of London, could control the palpitation of his heart and suspend its action entirely at will.
This unnatural phenomenon is attested to by the well-known English physicians, Doctors Cheyne and Bayard.
The General died eight days after suspending his heart action for half an hour.
* * *
Leach, the noted dwarf, (1789-1818) had arms so long that he could touch the ground while standing upright.
* * *
THE FORK-TONGUED FRÄULEIN
Surely there never lived a more unfortunate young woman than this Frankfort Fräulein. She had two tongues but could not speak a word! Her case is reported by both the _Medical Record_, and the _Courrier Médical_ of France. This peculiar mistake of nature is extremely rare although it has happened before.
THE GLASS SNAKE
The glass snake is not made of glass nor is it a snake. It is so-called because of its odd propensity of snapping into pieces at the slightest touch. It is a lizard, but it is indeed so singularly like a serpent that it can only be distinguished from one by certain anatomical marks, such as the presence of eyelids, and the solid jawbones.
To catch a perfect specimen of the glass snake is very difficult business for when alarmed it has the remarkable habit of contracting the muscles of its tail with such exceeding force that the member snaps off the body. The snake will sometimes break into several pieces if struck slightly with a switch. It is found only in North America.
THE LEFT-HANDED FAMILY
The family of Colombière, Nancy, France, were all born with two left hands--that is, both hands were left hands. This peculiarity was transmitted through the males; the females were exempt. They are perfectly normal in every other way.
THE MAN FAMILY
The Bossant family of Gijon, Spain, have had no girls born to them for more than one hundred years. They are a large family but for some reason no girls.
* * *
John Sinclair, of Halkirk, Caithness-shire, England, was married three times, and each wife bore him ten sons. He died in 1890.
* * *
Vaclav Kratochwil, of Prerau, Czechoslovakia, has blue eyelashes.
* * *
THE HALF WOMAN
“Violetta,” as she prefers to be known, was born without arms or legs, of normal parents less than thirty years ago in Germany. She is a lady of perennial good nature--realizing that what one never possesses one never misses. Her body is well formed otherwise, she enjoys perfect health, and her senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch are all developed and perfected in their separate and various functions far beyond the average normal person’s.
Violetta’s accomplishments in overcoming the unkindness of Mother Nature are astounding. She rarely needs the assistance of anyone, and is able to get about with remarkable facility. She can dress herself, comb her own hair, thread a needle, sew, and perform other feats apparently bordering on the impossible.
* * *
THE DOUBLE-EYED MAN
Liu Ch‘ung, or Liu Min, as he was sometimes known, was born with double pupils in each eye. This strange freak of nature did not in the least deter this active man. He became Governor of Shansi, Minister of State, and through intrigue with the Dowager Empress, had his son proclaimed Heir Apparent. He also loved wine and gambling.
I refer you to Herbert A. Giles’ book on China.
* * *
THE MAN WITHOUT EARS
Ezechiel Eads, of Athens, New York, who died in 1884, was born without ears. The sides of his head bore no trace of ears whatever; neither had he openings for ears.
However, he was able to hear through his mouth which he opened wide for the purpose.
* * *
THE FAMILY PHYSICIANS
The Curtis family of London has maintained an unbroken line of doctors for 224 years, until September 25, 1927. Until this date there has always been a member of the family with an M.D. Degree. The last of this long line was Doctor William Curtis who died at the age of eighty-seven.
* * *
LION-HEARTED
The lion has the smallest heart of all predatory animals.
Philip II, of Spain, one of the most cowardly of all tyrants, possessed the largest heart of any known man.
* * *
Joseph de Mai, of Naples, was born with two hearts. He sold his own body to the English Academy of Medicine for $3,000.
* * *
Plinius tells of the child called Eutimenius who was sexually mature at the age of three years.
* * *
Magdalena Strumarczuk, of Tobolsk, Russia, had her breasts on her back. She was the mother of three children and nursed them normally.
* * *
Sophie Bunnen, wife of a Pomeranian farmer of Prussia, gave birth to eleven children in sixteen months. She had sextuplets and quintuplets. (1880-1881.)
Reported by Dr. Gottlob, famous German obstetrician.
* * *
Duke Leopold Eberhart, of Württemberg, married his seventeen children with each other.
* * *
THE DUSTY OCEAN
Oh! Yes it is! The ocean is often very dusty. A recent account of a dust storm at sea was reported in June, 1928, by Captain Nemaru of the Japanese steamship “Montreal Maru” on arrival in Tacoma from the Orient.
Captain Nemaru stated that two buckets full of dust were swept from the decks on several mornings in succession, and that the dust powdered the passengers, decks, and lifeboat coverings.
A few months before, the Captain of the steamship “Justin” reported a sand storm in the North Atlantic ocean about midway across.
Recently the crew of the “Jaden,” a Roosevelt Line steamer, came into Calcutta with stories of a dust storm in the Red Sea. The red dust or sand hung so thick over the ship as to make navigation difficult, and the ship was forced to slow down as though in a dense fog. The whole sky was obscured by a reddish haze of sand from the desert.
Darwin writes of the “Beagle’s” experience off Porto Praya, Brazil. He collected several packets of the dust and had them analyzed by Professor Ehrenberg, who found that the dust contained no less than 67 different organic forms. These infusoria, with the exception of two marine species, were all the inhabitants of fresh water.
Darwin arrived at the conclusion that this dust had been raised high in the air and blown over from Africa.
* * *
The Monthly Weather Review reports Red Rain on the coast of Newfoundland in 1890 (Vol. 29, page 121) and snowflakes 15 inches across and 8 inches thick that fell in Montana 1887 (page 73).
* * *
Black Rain fell in Ireland over an area of 400 square miles on May 14, 1849.
_Ref.: “Annals of Scientific Discovery.”_
* * *
Red, white and blue hailstones fell in Russia, June 14, 1880.
_Ref.: “Annals of Philosophy,” Prof. Schwedoff._
* * *
The report of the Smithsonian Institute for 1870 (page 479) states that hailstones the size of elephants fell at Seringpatan, India.
* * *
RAINING FISHES AND FROGS
There are numerous accounts of showers of fishes and frogs--and even rats. And such things actually happened. A friend of mine wrote me that he witnessed a fall of fishes in the town of Longreach, Queensland, Australia, in March, 1924. “I picked some of them up and found that they were 1¹⁄₂ inches to 3 inches long, and very much alive.”
Such showers are easily explained.
Tornadoes and waterspouts passing over bodies of shallow water are quite apt to suck up fish, frogs, tadpoles, etc., into the clouds, later despositing them at distant places along the path of the storm.
There are many cases of so-called miraculous showers in which the substances found on the ground did not actually fall from aloft. Thus some alleged rains of blood are due to the deposit of red fluid ejected by certain species of lepidoptera emerging simultaneously in large numbers from their cocoons, and others to the rapid multiplications in rain pools of algae and rotifers containing red coloring matter. The well-known red snow of polar regions results from the presence of similar organisms.
* * *
THE RED SEA
In 1823, the waters of the bay and seaport of Tor, not far from Mount Sinai, turned blood red three times. This phenomenon is described by Darwin and Ehrenberg as being caused by a marine plant, the Trichodesium. This minute organism is also the probable explanation of the first of the Egyptian plagues mentioned in Exodus.
MANNA FROM HEAVEN
Manna, the bread from the skies, that the Lord sent down to the starving hosts of Israel was not only a miracle but a scientific fact.
Believe me, for I have tasted of it myself. It is gathered by the Arabs today and sold to the tourists in the Holy Land. It is a resinous gum exuding from the fragile twigs of the tamarisk, an evergreen shrub, which is found in several valleys of the Mid-Sinai. The honey-like drops appear usually during June and July just before sun-up while the air is cold and dewy.
I found it sweet-tasting and gummy, but for the life of me I cannot imagine anybody growing very fat on it.
Recently several organizations have attempted to search out the source of this sweet somewhere in the shadow of Mount Sinai. According to the news from Jerusalem, it is believed that this Heaven-sent nourishment has commercial possibilities; so don’t be surprised if in the near future we find these famous agglutinized tears for sale in every candy store.
* * *
WHISTLING TREES
If you would listen to trees that whistle, you must go to the melodious Acacia groves in the land of “Fuzzy Wuzzy”--the Sudan.
This freak of nature is caused by the larvae of insects which work their way inside the ivory-white shoots and cause them to swell out at their base like globular bladders to the extent of an inch or more. After this mysterious insect has unaccountably managed to glide out of its circular hole, this thorn-like shoot becomes a sort of musical instrument upon which the wind, as it blows, produces the regular sound of a flute.
* * *
SHIRTS GROWING ON TREES
Humboldt describes the “shirt trees.”
“We saw on the slope of the Cerra Dnida shirt trees fifty feet high. The Indians cut off cylindrical pieces two feet in diameter, from which they peel the red and fibrous bark without making a longitudinal incision. This bark affords them a sort of a garment which resembles a sack without a seam. The upper opening serves for the head, and the two lateral holes are cut to admit the arms.”
* * *
OYSTERS GROWING ON TREES
“Oysters growing on trees? Impossible,” everybody said upon my return from a South American jaunt.
Yet the oyster tree, that is considered such a curiosity, is very common on the islands of the Caribbean and the Spanish Main. I have seen many such trees in Cuba, Trinidad, Barbados, and Colombia, with their lower stems and branches literally covered with the festive oyster. These peculiar shell-fish are found in lagoons and swamps along the coast, and they attach themselves to the lower parts of the Mangrove trees as far up as the tide will rise and the spray will fly. When the tide is out, the Mangrove trees, which, by the way, are one of the very few trees that flourish in salt water, present a strange appearance with their oyster crop.
* * *
THE COW TREE
The tree that gives milk is one of the most famous phenomena of nature. It is found most frequently along the northern Cordillera of South America, and is called by the natives “the milk tree” (arbol de leche).
Humboldt made a special study of this tree. Let him tell it: