THE AUTHOR OF MOSS AGATES VISITS THE PATENT OFFICE.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 753, 14 April 1877, Page 3

THE AUTHOR OF MOSS AGATES VISITS THE PATENT OFFICE.

In the centre of a collection of stuffed zebras was a petrified lion from Nubia. He looked so natural and hearty that I was afraid he would bite, but when I found that h_S jaws were immovable, and that his mane and tail were solid stene, my recklessness became a subject of general remark. Suspended from the lion's neck was a brass plate bearing an inscription to the effect : that his lionship was discovered in a. cave,; and brought to this country by Commodore Mitchell of the Navy. The Commissioner of patents got permission from Congress to saw the' lion up into sections, to facilitate anatomical investigations. The feat, .was , successfuly performed by 'the use of : emery 1 powder and; black diamond. After he was ripped opeu and quartered, heavy steel gate hinges were fastened to the different portions [of his body, so that *byt touching 'a 'secret*' spring, his interior, vitals, would be exposed to Aiyyy-yy.y^.A ;;, Nature do_e's'ite%qi:k. well;;,' The J lio'n bel6rigs<jothe;Nnbian snake swallowing species, and when he flies open the femnahts of his last meal are plainly' "visible/ While I, stood adMring the ma'^ive neck on the beast, a pal^ young widow, in deep mounting, accidentally touched the aprihg with 'her jglpved 'finger, i when the ponderous frame quivered and slowly swung open. The' bereaved woman saw the contents of his 'astonishing stocbachv cotisistiiig of nine petrified 'rabbits) T four large snakes, a quarter of an elephant, three young tigers,- two kangaroos and the head of a native hunter. ; I did ' not wobder that the poor lady turned 1 away her head and gasped for breath. I send > ybli : a lock of | hair which the polite ' attendant kindly T allowed 7 me to pluck from the hunters head, when 'his back was turned. I ani informed 1^ that' the managers of the African section of the London Zoologicnl Gardens have offered nine thonsand dollars for this rare curiosity, but our Government have wisely refused to sell the lion at any price. '<