The National tribune., 1902-01-02

than truthful. Usually the source has
been a highly embeliished article pub
liShed in some Western paper and copied
by the newspapers over the country, as
well as by scientific periodicals. Some
times when news seemed lacking n good
ella monster story has been telegraphed
to various papers, possibly in the effort
| on the part of correspondent to earn his
salary.
Little is known Of this curious lizard,
and probably on account of the terrible
stories told of the agonizing death strug-
giles of hunters Or Indians bitten by this
deadly animal, q continuous war has been
waged on it until now it is almost ex-
tlnct. 1t is reported to be so fearfully
poisonous that its breath even is sup
posed to be fatal to those inhaling it.
have read accounts of people being over
come by the fumes on entering n hut
where the horrible animal had sought
shelter.
As compared with the ella monster. the
rattlesnake is considered almost harmless
by those residing in the locality inhabited
hy these dreaded pests People in n rat
tlcSnake country seem to become accuS-
TONED to them and lose the fear borne
by the ordinary individual, dispatchng
large rattlers with small stick, horse
whip or any handy implement the bolder
sometimes handling the rattlers while
alive. Really, it is not difficult TO tame
II RATHER SO it will recognize its master,
| and unless n quick movement is made to
fTighten il, it can be safely handled.
do not, however, advise amateurs trying
the experiment.
People who seemingly handle Il rattler
with impunity never lose their fear OF the
ella monster. the Mcxicans and Indians
holding the most fearful and terrible SUI
perstitions regarding it.
Naturally it has been difficult to obtain
positive facts regarding such a rare and
| dreaded reptile. a few years ago the
writer found taxiiermist who had col
lected many specimens of the GiIa mon
sfer while searching for geological ma
tcrial over the deserts or among the rocks
in the country bordering the boundary be
tween the United States and Mexico. and
after handling mang specimens his con-
clHsions agree with my own, that the ami
| nal has been greatly misrcprcscnted.
The monster iHc!odcrma SuSpectumD is
| found in the southwestern part of the
| United States. 1t seems 10 he most nl-
merous in the arid regions drained by the
Salt, ella and Santa Cruz Rivers in Ari-
IONA, though found also in the deserts OF
| California and Utah, and somewhat both
| in Mexico and New Mexico.
In relating his first experience with the
gila monster, the taxidermist said that
was anything but sure of his own safety
but as the monster seemed quiet, deter
| mined to make the most OF the situation
For n time he remained motionless' and
| watched, armed for an attack with q stout
| stick, cut for use on rattlesnakcs. The
monster moved Ieisurely about, carrying
its body well up in walking and when al
rest lying fiat on the ground, passing from
one bush to another in feeding, searching
beneath the foliage, darting out its tongue
to catch whatever insects it could find
Gaining courage as time passed, no i'll eff
feets being experienced and no attempt al
assault made by the observed, the OBJ
server decided to test the animals vicious
ness and rendered it sharp blow upor
the head with his stick. 1t flew into 8
} rage instantly, frothing at the mouth, but
made no effort to return the attack.
While the Gila monster inhabits o dry
waterless region, when near water Il
makes frequent trips to obtain drink, and
like the salamander, it is supposed t.
stand any amount of heat; this Is q falls,
idea in both cases. The heloderma is al
ways found shaded from the direct ray.
of the sun, quickly succumbing il kept il
direct hot sunlight. Their movements art
slow and sluggish, their disposition retir
ing; the digestive organs so arranged thai
food or water is required only at long in
tervals. Specimens have been known tt
live two months without food or water
The food consists Of bugs. larvae, egg.
and young birds; they are very destructiy,