THE SALAMANDER. 



177 



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 cloth 

 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 supersti- 

 tions 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 : 



SALAMANDER. Salamaadra maculosa. 



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

 -, 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 demeanor, 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 mot, I opened my 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 ! 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 neighbors to see what 

 could be the matter. 



' Oh, monsieur a rapporte un sourd I ' 



* Un sourd ! 'cried one. 



' UN SOURD ! ' echoed another. 



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

 shrieks. 



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