The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-03-09
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The theory of Professor Darwin that all
animal life has its origin in the primary cell,
anaths< ~ variety ealy presents the aliese1i
ders 70 the most perfscs creation, maK, MAJ
been apparently sustained by startling ex-
ample in this city which will be likely TO en-
gage in Afigh degree the attention OF the sci
enthc. During last fall, Mr.. Charles Motzer,
German citizen residing on Bay street, put
up alarge quantity of his fayoslie article OF
diet known as suuer krasn, in the prepasatioh
(Which he tested the efiency Of : RECEIPT
suggested to him by friend. The ex-
pertinent proved to be a failnre, as the intro
ductaon of some description OF alkali had the
effect OF reducing the cabbage into q, mash
and scusing a(strong rfomentation. rendefing
the commodity entirely unfit for use as an arti-
Gle of diet. The mixture was left standing
in cellar undisturbed until Thursday last,
when curious circumstance led to an exam
inatien OF the tubs in which Il was deposited,
resulting In q most wonderful discovery. On
the day mentioned, q cat emerged from the
cellar into Mr.. Motzers kitchen, having in
custody large reptile OF the lizard species.
which wriggled violently and seemed tenacious
VI ibcs mr. n OVER 81 uHcc pfUCeeoe0 10 the
cellar and found some dozen or more of the
same description Of reptiles, which were ex.
ceedingly lively and sought to secrete
themselves under boards etc., on the an.
prosch of light.
While prospecting about for hesource OF
these strange creatures, the tubs in which the
sducr kraut had been deposited were examin.
ed, and presented q sight unly sArtiaa. The
subsistence bad been transformed into o mass
OF lie and animation, and the curious rep
tiles were observed in every stage of develop
ment The smallest species we're about two
inches In length, and seemed to be acquiring
the least degree OF animation. OF these the
BODIES were quite transparent, with a slight
yellpRlsh tlnge, and about the eoesistenev
ofjelly Specimens in q more advanced
stage assumed ahue, with bodies more opa-
que. The fully developed reptiles measured
from six to eight, and even ten inches in
length, with bodies hard and fleshy, of a
brilliant crimson color The back deepens
into black line from the head 20 the tt Of
the tail, while the belly is delicate pink
merging into white. The form of the reptile
10 said TO be very similar to the chameleon,
haring four legs with indications, Of claws
and It's movement are very lively. The eyes
are sharp and serpent like, and surrounded
with yelowish ring emerging into black
Several speiamines have been scured By a
medical gentleman, and are preserved in
spirits. A microscopic examination shows
fne coating Of scales, and serriedIformaiion Of
the back andtal. Mr.. Motser still allows the
tubs to remain undisiurhe6 and is watching the
progress of the curious freak OF nature.
il being evident thatthe entire stock Of dam
ty commodity, which was intended to sup
ply heir table through the winter, will ulti-
mately take TO itself legs II not wings, and
travel off on its own account. In which ac-
tion the kingdom Of repialia is augmented by
another very interesting species, If the eli
mate of Canada will premit its propagation.
This remarkable case presents a grave warn.
ing TO consumers Of cs1sr 5rd4., 10 tasa grent
esfe that its preparation is not eongeuiaI 10
the generation Of animal life, else q malady
more fearful than the trichipd spiralis NAV
yet be engendered.