556 so NATURAL HISTORY. 
which harbor in the ground ; hares, rabbits, squirrels, Rocky 
_ Mountain sheep, etc. These several animals, of course, have 
their particular localities. The elk is not found south of the 
Gila. The beaver is still met with on the Pecos, the Rio 
Grande, the Gila and its northern tributaries ; and within a 
mile of El Paso I saw evidences of his labors. In the Copper 
Mine region, which is in the Rocky Mountains, almost every 
animal that I have named may be found ; bears i in particular 
are extremely abundant. 
But while the parched and desert plains are so destitute of 
quadrupeds and birds, they abound in reptiles and insects in 
the greatest variety. Lizards of every size and color, from one 
and a half to eighteen inches in length, are found here ; all of 
which are harmless. Then comesthe family of “horned frogs,” 
which are allied to the chameleon and lizard. Of these harm- 
less little creatures, all covered, as a means of defence, with 
sharp horny projections, there is also a great variety. Next to 
these, come the poisonous reptiles. First is the horrid taran- 
tula, with his hairy body as large as a pigeon’s egg, and with 
legs as long as one’s finger, striding over the ground and nest- 
ling under one’s blankets at night. His sting, or bite, some- 
times causes death. His habitation is in the ground, the open- 
ing to which he covers over with a trap-door. There are other 
- large spiders that also harbor in the earth, and protect the en- 
trance to their abodes in the same manner. Next are the 
white and the black scorpions, the former of which are very 
abundant. These are from one and a half to two inches in 
length. The sting of the black variety is sometimes fatal. The 
white ones were often found in the boots of the men, into which 
they crept at night, and were not discovered until they stung 
the foot. A sharp pain was the consequence for a few hours, 
or perhaps a day, when it passed off. These creatures were 
sometimes found in our beds in the morning. 
But perhaps there is no more mere na reptile infest- 
ing the plains than the centipede, These are from three to ten 
a at Pee eet a — re as seis eee rs ua = se - 
Fe eh a aR eT AI Rs a ee eee ee ee a ee ee ee ee ee ne Nee er eee rer 
