The Educated Jewelled Bug

Although the edacated Mexican jewelled bug is, perhaps, no loDger a novelty as a fash[onablè ornament among New York society woien, where thoy havo boen seieu for tw ■ winters past, it is ; sometbüig new in society in Bridgeport, Conn., and causñd muL'h ment ainong the leaders of fashion there. Miss Emily Nolson of Bridgeport, has just been presen ted with ono. Itiias a harness of gold ánd is beitight with j preciotis stones. '! he educatod bug is bound to become popular for ninny reasons and evorjtually the English png will have to succumb and give place to these expensive pets. They come hili and are quito raro. Like diamonds, the price is governed by the size and quality. ít will bo gome time before Yankee ingennity will be able to supply a base imitation. Yet the demanda of fashionable society for the coming bnp: craze will rack the brains of naturalista and jewellcrs to produce a regulatíon bug that will stand tirm against coraparison with the gemiine article. Miss Nelson's bug is the gift of Signora Fuentes of Mertda, whose daughter, Señorita Evelia Romero y Fuentes, has passed the last three years as a ( pupil at Miss Nelson's scminary, on Golden Hill. The bestowal of the live bug as a gift is considered in Yucatán as a high distinction The customs is said to have originated among the Spanish nobles several centuries ago, when the first j bug was educated and worn by a princess The bug becamo greatly attached to the beautiful maiden and partook of her moods and disposition. Whenever she was sad or despondent the bug became sluggish, and whenever she was joyous and vivacious the bug was likewise lively in its movements. At her sudden dealh the bug pined away and died. With its jewelled shell it was laid at rost in the same royal tomb with the beautiful pi'incess. Ever since these pets have been in vogue The bugs are extremely difficult to edúcate and are looked upon as the particular property of royalty. Miss Nelson is justly proud of her bug, and wears it constantly while driving or out shopping. The insect is about the size of an ordinary black beetle. Around its body is firrnly fastened a gold band. Another gold strip ia rivited to this and passes down the back, around and under the body, and is welded upon the under side to the gold belt enMrcling the body. Upon the baek are tiny jewels set in gold and fastened into the shell. The coloring of the shell is a brilliant, sparkling Nile green, edged ottwith black. lts movements give flashes of varigated colors. Upon the under side is fastened a delicate gold chai n, which in turn is attached to a brooch. This can be pinned on any part of the dress. Miss Nelson says "these bugs live for a number of years if not exposed to the rigora of northern climes." She fasteus hers at the belt, and the beauty goes wandering around among the garniture of roses, flowers and laces worn upon her corsage. The bug does not seem to be timid. but crawls tranquilly about, oblivious to the admiration which he creates. Jt is educated to eat from the lips, and understands various whistles and calis, appearing and disappearing at the word of command. These bugs are enhaneed in beauty if exposed to gas or electric light, and consoqu' ntly are the more likely to become fashionable for evening wear. Ladies dressed for the opera or ballroom can fasten them at thi ir waist and let the bugs wander over their white should rs and necks. The cornparison of the brilliant ever-ehanging colors against the soft, warm flesh tints is said to be perfectly irresistible. Thus brought in close contact with the wr arer they soon partake of the individuality and o'ispositions of their ovvners. With the rarity of the large bug comes the unsatialed desire to excel in "one's bug," as is the case with diamonds. It wiü therefore not be long befre we shall see steallhy glaivcs cast in the dance at our opposite's bug, or the envious comparison of bugs in (uiet corners. The fortune -hunter will "size up" the debutante, not by the size of her diamonds. but by the size of her bug. The educated jewelled-bug will supply a long-feit want.