Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-15
THE HORNED TOAD.

THE HORNED TOAD.
Among the most curious creatures Of thai
strange region are the horned toads, which are
found in great numbers everywhere. They are
peculiarly desert animals, their hideousness
making them appropriate to their surroundings
They hive on hard-sheiled beetles and other in
sects. One Of the oldest things about them is
their mode Of combat with one another. They
fight like bulls, putting their heads down and
butting. Apparently they make no effort to
hurt each other but each tries to turn his
adversary over. The one that is finally upset
goes away at once, Inundated, and hides itself
The purpose of the contest seems merely to be
to injure the pride Of the opponent
BLOOD FROM THE EYES.
The popular belief that these batrachians
squirt blood out Of their eyes when they are
angry has long been regarded as an absurdity.
Certainly it has never been credited by science
until now But that this Is true has recently
been proved by experiments. One Of the
horned toads brought to Washington was
thrown into water, which Immediately became
Redeemed. On being irritated, the animal dis
charged from each eve a squirt Of blood to a
distance Of fifteen inches. It was estimated
that the quantity emitted was not less than o
quarter Of teaspoonful The test was not
deemed wholly satisfactory until IL had been
demonstrated by a microscopic examination
sumably this squirting Of gore is intended to
brighten enemy. As . provision for such .
purpose it is unquestionably unique.
BURIED roADs.
Not less remarkable are the peculiar desert
toads of Death valley, which are found buried
in the clay soil and actually baked in the solid
ground. so that they have to be split out
Thus they remain for o year or two together
When shower comes "a very rare occurrence
in that country-the clay is softened and they
crawl out to enjoy themselves for few hours
After day or so the ground dries up, and they
hastily dig into it and retire for another long
period of repose. 1t ia not difficult to imagine
the hardening of the soil into permanent. rock
from which these creatures might be split out
millennium hence, as is said to have happened
with toads similarly buried centuries ago.
When they do eat, these toads of the desert
feed on insects, like others of their kind.
PLENTY OF SCORPIONS.
Death valley il the greatest congregating
place on earth of scorpions. They are found
there by millions. growing to q huge size
Quite q number were captured. put in alcohol,
and brought back to Washington by the expe-
dition. They were handed over to Dr. Marx
OF the Department of Agriculture, who is the
greatest authority in this country on arachnids
He showed one Of them to The STAR man yes
terday, measuring it with foot rule. 1t was
fierce creatures are not seen in tho day time,
being nocturnal in their habits. However
when pulling up bushes for fire wood they were
apt to be found among the roots. They would
crawl under the blankets at night. for the sake
of warmth. In tine morning each member of
the exploring party was apt to find one or two
scorpions on the under side Of his blanket.
They secrete such quantity Of venom in the
two poison glands at the end Of the tail that
their sting is quite dangerous. DR.. Marx ex-
planned that scorpions rank highest among the
arachnids. being above the spiders, and next
below the true insects.
PLANT LIFE IN THE VALLEY
The popular belief formerly was that no life
existed in Death valley. The expedition
demonstrated that this was extremely far from
being the truth. In the bottom Of the valley
is fiat Of crystalline salt sixty miles long and
from two to six miles wide, which Is absolutely
devoid Of life. vegetable or animal. Around
that fiat is a fringe that il less salt where are
found feshy plants such as grow in salt
marshes. Around that is q rim Of more pro-
ductive soil. with greasewood bushes, Pc
culiarly desert plants. which require aIkali to
feed upon. Then come the gravel slopes to-
ward the mountains, which have q score OF
species Of desert bushes, many Of them bear
ing most beautiful flowers in the early spring.
The leaves appear in March and the seeds
ripen quickly. They have to do 80, else
the subsequent heat would kill them. Seeds
and leaves drop of in early summer, and the
plants during the rest Of the year are mere dry
sticks. The foliage Of these desert plants is
grayish, the only one that has green leaves
being the creosote bush, which is the most
characteristic type Of the vegetation in that
region. 1t bears big yellow flowers somewhat
resembling buttercups. and its seeds are like
small nuts covered with wool. The leaves have
a varnish, to prevent evaporation OF the juices,
and this varnlsh is now being utilized CONNER
cially in the manufacture of a sort Of shellac.
KANGAROO RATS.
On the west side of the valley are sand dunes
crowned with straggly mesquite bushes, which
are the biggest Of the desert plants, attaining
height Of twenty feet Among them swarm
kangaroo rats, which squat their hind legs
erect and use their tails to help them jump.
To hold spare food they have pouches outside
their cheeks lined with fur. They feed on the
beams of the mesquite. Some Of these beans
are the so-called screw beans. which look
like punches of screws, but other varieties
growing togetherwitb them have straight pods.
The Indians are very fond Of the beans, max
ing bread out OF them. Roasted, pods and all,
they are very sweet and good.