News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-11-25
BIG REPTILES AT WAR.
Furious Combat Between IN Arizona ella
and a Florida Alligator.

A rare combat took place in a build
ing occupied by the Fish Commission,
in - ashingtOn, 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 reptiles, and
| web footed quadrupeds. The aggressor,
and the victor as well, was the newly
| arrived gila pronounced heia) monster
from the Gila river. in Arizona-the
only species Of lizard whose bite is
known to be poisOnOus-and the vic
tim was two year old alligator from
Florida. The monster is about fourteen
inches long and about twice the weight
of his antagonist. Both reptiles were
III a semi-torpid condition having ceased
to take food a week or two ago, and
for some purpose they had ben removed
from their glass cases and placed beside
each other upon the stone floor. An at
tendant inadvertantly touched the aili-
gators tail and caused him to move
sluggishly onward a few inches, where
he came IN contact with the blunt nose
of the monster. The snally eyes of the
latter lighted up with gIeam of NAL
eyOIence. It's black eyes opened wide
and its jaws closed with snap upon the
fore paw of the alligator The prisoner
developed unexpected activity, and,
though taken at sad disadvantage,
made for u time a gallant fight for its
liberty and life. Its movements were
marvellously quick and its jaws closed
dozen times In succession upon the
mailed head of the assailant. 1t soon,
however, became exhausted, and moan
ing like suffering child, it relapsed
into quietude. The attendants sought
by variety of means to release the
wretched alligator, but were compelled,
as may be supposed, to be very careful
III handling the venOmous monster. :"
He was seized by the tail and held up
i'll the air, taken by the bloated neck
and cholled severely, plunged under
water and maltreated in other ways, but
to no purpose.
Then sharp wires were thrust into his
nose and finally large trowel was forced
into his mouth, bat 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
which had been occupied by the monster,
and again the alligator renewed its
struggles, thrashing the enemy with its
tail and swapping at it with its jaws. In
Its struggles it had dislOcated its shoulder
and its imprisoned limb became limp
and pOwerless. Its meanings were pitt
full and the attendants were moved to
renewed efforts to effect separation.
The tr0Wel was reintroduCed into the
monsters mouth with no very gentle
thrusts, and probably effected a severe
wound in some tender part. Bubbles OF
grayish slime were eXuded from the
mouth and nostris, and finally the jaws
slowly opened. Even then it was n
work of several minutes to disengage
the hooked fangs from the wounded
paw.
The combatants were placed in their
separate receptacles the monster tapping
his thick black lips with his greenish
rorbcd tongue, whIc the alligator
closed its eyes, probably to die Of the
venom in its system.