Marvels of the Universe 635 
The wych-elm, various lilies, bignonia and the common honesty, are good examples of this method. 
In Dingler’s experiments, unmaimed seed of bignonia took 24.6 seconds to fall six feet ; deprived 
of its membrane it took only 4.6 seconds. 
Such are a few examples of seed dispersal by aeroplane. Others have recourse to balloons, such 
as the bladder-senna, a pretty shrub easily grown in British gardens, although our climate is seldom 
dry enough to render its balloons an effective means of transport. Its yellow flowers are followed by 
extravagantly-inflated pods, each about two inches long and containing a few hard seeds. It is a 
native of the Mediterranean region, and grows into the very crater of Vesuvius, where the pod dries 
to sufficient buoyancy to ensure it being wafted to a considerable distance from the parent plant. 
THE “GILA MONSTER” 
BY W. P. PYCRAFT, F.Z.S. 
Tue Gila Monster is a lizard, some two feet long, found in New Mexico and Arizona, and 
is remarkable for the fact that, of all known lizards, it alone has the mouth armed with 
poison fangs, like those of a snake. The venom which is furnished by glands at the base of 
each tooth, escapes into the wounds inflicted by a bite by means of grooves down the teeth. Though 
less virulent in its effects, as regards the human race, this poison is sufficiently strong at times to kill 
even men. As a rule, however, it is used only in the capture of its more active prey, such as frogs, 
worms and centipedes, and the eggs of birds and lizards are also eagerly sought for. It is a most 
repulsive-looking creature, the head being broad and flat, with small, wicked-looking eyes ; while 
the general loathsomeness of its appearance is greatly increased by its coloration, the body being 
irregularly banded with black and orange, and the tail even banded or ringed with the same hues. 
Further, the upper parts are covered with curious wart-like prominences, recalling those of toads. 
These colours, black and red, are what are known as “ warning ”’ colours, advertising the danger- 
ous character of the wearer to all whom it may concern. As a rule the Gila Monster hides by day 
Photo by] ry [Geo. Wharton James. 
THE “GILA MONSTER.” 
It is a most repulsive-looking creature. The head is broad and flat, with small, wicked-looking eyes. The body is irregularly 
banded with black and orange, woile the upper parts are covered with wart-like prominences These markings and colours 
indicate the dangerous character of the creature. 
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