48 
ANIMAL CURIOSITIES 
assisted the creatures to survive for so lengthy 
a period. The experiment, although revealing 
the remarkable vitality of the toads, proved 
conclusively that they cannot live without a 
supply of air. 
Another old belief in regard to a toad is 
that it possesses a jewel in the head, but this 
may be considered as a poetical allusion to 
the bright bronze tint of the creature’s 
eyes. 
Many strange stories of imaginary creatures 
have been handed down from ancient times. 
The basilisk, spoken of as the “ King of 
Dragons and Serpents,” was said to be able 
to wither up all vegetation with its breath, 
while its glance was fatal to man. As a means 
of protection against its deadly power, however, 
it was only necessary to hold a mirror before 
the monster with the result that its death- 
striking glances were reflected upon itself. 
Julius Caesar Scaliger, born in 1484, states :— 
“ Since some have suspected the stories of 
the basilisk are fabulous, I will write down 
what I have read in modern authors. When 
Leo was Pontifex Maximus there was found 
lodged under the arch near the Temple of Lucia 
a basilisk, by the breath of which Rome was 
afflicted with a terrible plague. . . In 1691 
G. C. Kirchmayer gives an even more remark- 
