The Tree of the Most Rapid Growth

1895

The eucalyptus, a genus of myrtacae, grows to a greater height in a shorter time than is the case with any other known tree. The eucalyptus has increased its height by as much as 24 feet in the short space of three months and attains rapidly both a great height and a large circumference. These trees form the preponderant and most characteristic vegetation of the Australian forest, where they are famed for their great heights, usually ranging from 200 feet to 400 feet, while one has been recorded as having attained nearly 500 feet, with a circumference of 81 feet. An oak tree in three years grows 2 feet 10-1/2 inches; a larch, 8 feet 7-1/2 inches; an elm, 8 feet 3 inches; a beech, 1 foot 8 inches; a poplar, 6 feet; a willow; 9 feet 3 inches. An elm attains full growth in 150 years and lives to 500 or 600. Ash is full grown in 100 years, while it takes 200 years for oak and mahogany to reach full height. — Brooklyn Eagle.


Indian Corn

There is a miniature Indian corn grown in Brazil. The ears are not larger than a little finger, and the grains are the size of mustard seeds.


Catherine II

Catherine II of Russia had her husband assassinated, and from his death to her own ruled alone.

President Garfield's Assassin — A "Stuffed" Human Head

1896

All that remains above earth of the irresponsible crank who fired the shot which ended the life of President James A. Garfield is the skeleton, brain and stuffed head, which are now preserved among other ghastly relics in the Army Medical Museum at the city of Washington.

The skeleton was cleaned by the museum workmen immediately after the execution, and has since been kept in a glass case in an out-of-the-way corner of the great National repository of ghastly curios. Each bone is carefully lettered with indelible ink, probably as a means of identification should the skeleton or a portion of it be stolen.

The brain is kept in a large glass jar of alcohol, and, like the skeleton, its presence in the building is known to but few outside of the employes.

The most grewsome memento of the great tragedy of 1881 kept by the museum authorities is the mounted head of Guiteau. Before putting the body in the boiler for the purpose of removing the flesh from the the bones, the head was cut off and the skull denuded of its skin and flesh. After this had been done, the skin was sewed up and stuffed, so that it would look as lifelike as possible, and then pickled in alcohol.

After this ghoulish work had all been completed the flesh was cremated by those having the work in charge, this last act taking place on the night of November 27, 1882. — New York Advertiser.