The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-08-13
AN ANIMAL WITH A BIG NAME.
The Helioderma Horridum Which Is
Held Captive by Chicago Man.

The Helioderma Horridum Which Is
Held Captive by Chicago Man.
Let me introduce you to the Hello
derna horridum, said G. X. Giles, the
State street jeweler, pointing to glass
case which stands in a conspicuous po-
sition in his wholesale department.
The object referred to by such a reso-
nant title was little mass of black and
gold beads stretched on one corner of
the case on a heap of sawdust. Pres
emily the mass became movable, a leg
stretched itself out at one end, and the
hello, etc., stood revealed as one of the
largest lizards ever Matched.
The animal is about sixteen inches in
length and of genuine Falstaffian girth
The skin is covered with beautifully
shaped scales, and, like Jacobs ewes,
spotted and ring streaked. The shape
of the spots is wonderfully regular,
bearing a strong resemblance to the
black and gold wall paper of a dado.
The tail is long and thicker than that
of most lizards Round it run three or
four rings Of gold. The head is broad
and fiat, with protuberances which
conceal the tiny eyes when viewed from
above
"You are not obliged to call him
Helioderma horridum all the time, " said
Mr.. Giles "Some people call him
Helioderma suspectum and other the
ella monster call him Tommy. Here,
Tommy"
Mr.. Giles clutched the reptile affec-
tionately between his finger and thumb
and sat him on the floor. He moved
as leisurely and dignifedly as if he
were at home on the sands Of Arizona.
His forked tongue flashed necessarily
in and out, his eyes rolled and he
looked altogether as il lie might be an
uncomfortable customer to deal with
were he to take q notion in that direc-
ton For three years he has lived in
Chicago, and has succeeded in growing
fat on two eggs per week for nine
months out Of the year, and Lenten
fast the remaining three The eight
hour day has no charm for Tommy.
He only asks for three months
Sleep and then he is reAly to enjoy
himself for the rest Of the year When
he is at home he is the subject of more
hair raising tales than any beast Of his
dimensions, but Mr.. Giles viii not even
concede the fact that he possesses Q
drop of poison in his whole anatomy.
HE is especially interesting" said
his owner, for he forms the link be
tween the lizards and the crocodile
genus. He is probably the only speci
men in captivity besides a brother in
the Smithsonian Institute, and his race
is almost extinct. Chicago Globe.
Prices of Paper in Boston ana New York
The proper way to buy writing paper
is by the pound. 1t is always sold ir
that way in the east, and the result is 4
saving of something over so per cent tt
the purchaser, while the dealer makes
still profit large enough for him tC
live and conduct his business in the
most substantial manner. 'Bond" pa
pers and Overland maiP' papers are
cheaper purchased by the pound thar
inferior paper by the quire. The bes
quality Of bond paper sold in Boston il
only ninety cents pound, and pound
contains LAG sheets, or over six quires O
paper. The same paper is sold at fifty
cents and more a quire in New Yorl
city. 1t seems impossible that this diff
ference should exist, but it does and i
pays to send to Boston for letter pape
and pay the expressage here, in spite d
the increase in the rates Of express. l
people are not in a hurry it is well t
send by freight. New York Tribune.