472 CLASS REPTILIA. 



tables of a vast extent of territory, this reptile could produce 

 death to entire nations ! 



It is almost unnecessary to repeat now, that there is not the 

 slightest foundation for the story of this animal being able to 

 resist the action of fire. 



If the salamander be struck, it raises its tail, and seems 

 affected by catalepsy. It seldom quits the hole where it 

 makes its habitual residence. It passes its life in general 

 under ground. During summer, it dreads the- heat of the 

 sun, and seldom ventures forth, except in rainy seasons, or by 

 night. Its walk is slow and heavy. It is stupid, and 

 totally destitute of courage, never braving danger, as has 

 been pretended. It is true, indeed, that it does not seem to 

 perceive the approach of peril, against which it advances 

 blindly, without deviating from its route ; but this is mere 

 stupidity, not courage. 



It lives on flies, worms, young snails, scarabei, earth-worms, 

 &c. It also eats humus. 



Though very tenacious of life, it falls rapidly into con- 

 vulsions, if it be steeped in vinegar, or sprinkled with salt. 



The perceptive powers of this reptile seem to be remark- 

 ably dull. It shews no dread of the presence of man, or of 

 animals stronger than itself. Other animals, however, seem 

 to have an instinctive horror of it. Its bite is perfectly harm- 

 less, though Matthioli has declared it to be equally mortal 

 with that of the viper — an atrocious absurdity. 



The salamander utters no cry. On being thrown into the 

 water, it tries immediately to get out again, and comes every 

 moment to the surface to respire. When on the ground, it 

 frequently rolls itself into a spiral. 



It appears, according to the authority of Gesner, that in 

 countries too much elevated in latitude, the salamanders pass 

 the winter in a sort of burroAv under ground, where numbers 

 of them are to be found, assembled, and intertwisted together. 



