THE SALAMANDER. . 933 



place it upon the head of Henry VII. Who can tell me what 

 was the device of Francis I, at that famous meeting with 

 Henry VIII? 



ESTHER. 



I do not know, mamma. 



MRS. F. 



It was the salamander, with the motto " I cherish the good 

 and extinguish the bad." 



FREDERICK. 



But, aunt, it is not true that salamanders can live in the 

 fire? 



MRS. F. 



No ; but the idea is not so destitute of foundation as we 

 commonly suppose. Bosc, a. French naturalist, says, that 

 salamanders emit from their skin a lubricating, white fluid, 

 when they are annoyed; and, if put into the fire, it sometimes 

 happens that this fluid extinguishes it sufficiently to permit 

 the animal to escape. When touched, the skin of the terres- 

 trial salamander will transude the white fluid, which is 

 extremely acrid, and produces a very painful sensation upon 

 the tongue. It sometimes throws it out to the distance of 

 several inches; the scent of this fluid is very disagreeable, and 

 will poison small animals, although it does not appear to 

 affect large ones. Mr. Kirby relates the following anecdote 

 in support of the above account: Some ladies at Newbury 

 had a very damp cellar which was frequented by frogs, and 

 a kind of newt or salamander of a dull black color. Several 

 frogs were put into a pail, and while the ladies were looking 

 one frog after another turned itself on its back, its legs stiffened 

 and it died. One of these efts they found running quickly 

 amongt he frogs, each of which, when touched, died instantly, 

 the animals evincing the greatest horror at their enemies. 

 A few nights afterwards, one of these efts was found in the 

 kitchen, and the cook took it up with the tongs and threw it 

 20* 



