The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-30
LIZARD AND ALLIGATOR.
Novel and Desperate Combat in the Rooms
Of the Fish Commission.

Novel and Desperate Combat in the Rooms
Of the Fish Commission.
WASHINGTON, Oct. pa rare combat took
place this afternoon in building occupied by
the Fish Commission. between two little pets OF
that institution whose likes have probably
never found themselves in such close proximity
since the ages of featherless birds, winged rep
tiles and webfooted quadrupeds. The ag-
gressor and the victor as well, was the newly
arrived ella monster from the ella river in
Arizona, the only species of lizard whose bite is
known TO be poisonous and the victim was
two-year-old alligator from Florida The mon
ster is fourteen inches long and about twice the
weight of his antagonist Both reptiles we're in
y semi-torpid condition. having ceased to take
food week or two ago; and, for some pur-
pose. they had been removed from their
glass cases and placed beside each other upon the
stone floor An attendant inadvertently touched
the alligator's tah and caused him to move slug
gishly onward q few inches, whore he came In
contact with the blunt nose of the monster. The
snakv eyes of the latter lighted up with CLEAN
Of satanic naevolence, Its black lips opened wide
and ave laws closed with q snap upon the forepaw
of the alligator. The prisoner developed unex-
pected activity, and though taken at a SAD dlsad-
vantage, made for time gallant fight for its
liberty and its life. Its movements were marvel
lousy quick, and its jaws closed a dozen times
In succession upon the mailed head Of its assail-
ant It soon, however became exhausted. and,
moaning like suffering child. it relapsed into
quietudo. The attendants sought by q variety
Of Eaeans to release the wretched alligator, but
weEs compelled, as may be supposed, to be very
careful in handling the venomous monster. He
was seized by the tail and held up in the air;
taken by the bloated neck and choked severely;
shrugged under water and maltreated
I'm othsr ways, but to no purpose.
Then sharp wires were thrust into his
uose and finally large crowel was forced into
his mouth, but such was the force of his grip
that the steel blade though considerably bent
in the effort, failed to release the imprisoned
paw. Then the pair were replaced in the glass
case whiSh had been occupied by the monster,
and again tho alligator renewed its struggles.
thrashing it's enemy with its tail and swapping
at it with its jaws. In its struggles it had dis
located its shoulder, and its imprisoned limb be.
cAme liEAD and poweriess. Its meanings were
pitiful, and the attendants were moved to re-
newad and at last successful efforts to effect a
separation. The trowel was reintroduced into
tha monsters mouth with no very gentle thrusts
and pTob4bly caused wound N a tender part
Bubbles of gSeyish slime were exuded from
month and AostrisS. and finally the jaws slowly
opened. Evsn then il was work of several
minntes to diseDgage the hooked fangs from the
w0unGed paw. The combatants were placed in
tAeir separate reeep2asles, the monster tapping
his black lips wish his tepgns while the alligator
closed its eyes, probably to die of the venom in
ite SystaTn