The Wasp — 1895 — page 855: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon from *The Wasp* depicts California as a glamorous woman wielding a sword labeled "CALIFORNIA" and holding a wasp-topped staff, attracting a bear (likely representing the state's bear symbol or wild nature) with flowers. The title suggests California's attractive power to "draw the cow"—a metaphor for drawing wealth, population, or resources. The woman's classical warrior styling and the shield bearing "CALIFORNIA" suggest state pride and power. The well-dressed crowd in the background indicates immigration or settlement attraction. The cartoon likely satirizes California's rapid growth, resource attraction, or economic magnetism during the late 19th century, when *The Wasp* operated. The specific "cow" reference remains unclear—it may reference livestock wealth or agricultural resources California attracted.