124 PEARLS AND PEBBLES. 



and insects, and would often stay his steps to watch and 

 admire the beauty of the glittering coats and the lively 

 movements of these little creatures as they darted to 

 and fro or basked in the sunshine. 



They are great lovers of heat, and it is from this no 

 doubt the idea arose that the salamander could live 

 unhurt by fire. This was a mistake of the ancients, or 

 it may have been simply an exaggeration in alluding to 

 the habits of the sun-loving animal. 



Mr. E thought this species was rare in eastern 



Canada, but might be found farther westward. 



