SALAMANDER. 6uia 



THE celebrated SALAMANDER, the subject of so many strange 'fables, is a species found 

 in many parts of the continent of Europe. 



This creature was formerly thought to be able to withstand the action of fire, and to 

 quench even the most glowing furnace with its icy body. It is singular how such ideas 

 should have been so long promulgated, for although Aristotle repeated the tale on hearsay, 

 Pliny tried the experiment, by putting a Salamander into the fire, and remarks with 

 evident surprise, that it was burned to a powder. A piece of doth dipped in the blood 

 of a Salamander was said to be unhurt by fire, and certain persons had in their possession 

 a fire-proof fabric made, as they stated, of Salamander's wool, but which proved to 

 be asbestos. 



Another fable related of this creature still holds its ground, though perhaps with little 

 reason. I have already mentioned one or two instances of the prejudices which are so 

 deeply ingrained in the rustic mind, and given a short account of the superstitions 

 prevalent in France regarding toads. The Salamander there suffers an equally evil 

 reputation with the toad, as may be seen by the following graphic and spirited letter 

 addressed to the Field newspaper : 



" Returning homeward a few evenings ago from a country walk in the environs of 



D , I discovered in my path a strange-looking reptile, which, after regarding me 



stedfastly for a few moments, walked slowly to the side of the road, and commenced very 

 deliberately clambering up the wall. Never having seen a similar animal, I was rather 

 doubtful as to its properties ; but, reassured by its tranquil demeanour, I put my 

 pocket-handkerchief over it, and it suffered itself to be taken up without resistance, and 

 was thus carried to my domicile. On arriving chez tnoi, I opened the basket to show my 

 captive to the servants (French), when, to my surprise and consternation, they set up 

 such a screaming and hullabaloo, that I thought they would have gone into fits. 



' Oh I la, la, la, la, la ! Oh ! la, la, la, la, la ! ' and then a succession of screams in 

 altissimo, which woke up the children, and brought out the neighbours to see what could 

 i>e the matter. 



' Ok, monsieur a rapporte un sourd ! ' 



' Un sourd ! ' cried one. 



' UN SOUED ! ' echoed another. 



' UN S-0-U-E-D ! ! ! ' cried they all in chorus ; and then followed a succession of 

 shrieks. 

 3. 



