Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-01-21
ERRONEOUS BELIEFS.
ODD NOTIONS ABOUT ANIMALS THAT
ARE BORN OF IGNORANCE.
some superstItions About Toad. and
snakes Explained Away-Nocturnal
Animals and Their Eyes Lambs
and sheep and Their Tails.

1t is commonly believed that toads
cause warts. This Is based upon the
following combination OF facts: Toads
are the only common animals that are
naturally covered with wartlike Jumps.
They eject n clear liquid. This is sup
posed TO do something. Warts appear
mysteriously. and no one is able TO ex-
plain the causes of their coming and
going. 1t is enormously inferred that
they are produced by this wart bear
ing, nocturnal creature with peculiar
habits, upon the basis Of the doctrine
that like produces like" The COM
mon belief that tadpoles shed their
tails has for Its origin the facts that
while living In water each possesses a
swimming tail, but when II metamor-
phoses into a frog or a toad II becomes
tailless. In fact, the tail does not
drop Off, but II is absorbed and dIsap-
pears in the body, just as a swelling
from a bump on the head disappears.
How often do we hear that frogs and
toads have fallen with rain. and almost
every July We may read account OF
such phenomena. These may have for
their basis the fact that during the
month Of July toads change from the
tadpole stage and aquatic habitat to
the adult form and terrestrial habitat
and then migrate landward In great
numbers. They are active only at
night or during hot weather, ofectual-
~ %concealing themselves In the most
common places during the daytime.
However, when n rain falls Mt such a
time they appear by thousands, as II
by magic, and give the impression Of
having fallen with rain,
There are doubtless more supersti-
tons concerning snakes than any other
creatures. This arises in part from the
traditions OF the form of the original
tempter and in part from the fact that
but very few persons are willing to
calmly observe serpcnts for themselves
and learn the truth directly. We have
met persons who believe that all snakes
dlf NtuDllhlNs lll0 hpubAlNHn inv
from the old Roman rule, ".Ab uno disco
omncs." How prevalent Is the belief
that horse hairs turn 10 snakes. There
Is no other foundation for this error
than the resemblance OF the SO called
hairsnake (gOrdiusl 10 q common horse
hair. Snakes are often supposed to
charm birds, but the fact Is that the
feathered songsters are paralyzed by
fright when they suddenly see the rep
tiles at close proximity.
The common one belief that
snakes sting or bite by mea Of their
tongues may come from the Scrlptural
quotation, ut stingeth like an adder"
The supposition that snakes bite them
selves and die Is doubtless based upon
the actions OF certain species, like the
hog noscd adder, which when teased
will act as though dead and thus some
times find protection. IL is very coIn
monty thought that snakes tails live
or are active until SHUTDOWN. This arises
from the prolonged activity OF the tail,
due to the reflex action of the caudal
nerve c%enters. which may continue for
a longer or shorter period owing TO tenn
perature and other conditions. Many
snake or joint snake. which may be
broken 10 fragments when struck. but
can rejoint itself and live. This may
come from the fact that n certain liz
ard (Ophlosaurus ventralls) readily loses
its tail, and while the body escapes the
caudal member wlggles and attracts
the attention OF the pursucr.
The erroneous idea that turtles
breathe under water, rs do fishes, is de.
rived from the observations OF their
having remained submerged for some
hours. But this Is made possible by
their lung capacity, their limited need
OF oxygen compared with that Of warm
blooded animals and their ability tC
store oxygen In their tissues and use II
as needed.
Both species Of American cuckoo'
genus c~occyzusl build nests, contrary
TO the popular belief. The error comes
from the fact that the European
cuckoo (cuculus) builds no nests, but !,
parasitic, laying its ~ in the nests
of other birds, as does our cowbird
(molothrus). The old idea that "a sigh
of the orlole cures jaundicc" doubtless
is connected with the yellow color OF
the bird and the homeopathic doctrine
'SlmilIa similibus curantur' Q!ke cures
like.
Most persons believe that owls, cati
and other nocturnal animals can see
In absolute darkness. This error arises
from the fact that In these animals thu
pupil of the eye is very large or dilata
BILE, and In subdued or very feeble
light they can see much better thar
can man. One can readily demonstrate
the fallacy OF the supposition by tax
ing an owl or other nocturnal anima
into a perfectly dark room, as we hav'
done, aud touching IL with the hand
1t does not move, even though u be al
untamed animal Cats and other noe
turnal animals are enormously though
TO emit light from their eyes because
when looking toward the light tn
crystalline lens OF the eye produces
glaring reflection. The ideas that swan
sing when dying and moles open thei
eyes at the time Of death are hande'
down from the writings of Pliny ant
represent ignorance Of the facts o
zoology.
We we're once seriously asked by
teacher, AT what age do the littl
lambs tails drop ori' He had acct
rately observed that the tails Of I'll
lambs are long, while those Of the oil
sheep are short, and he had obtaine
a false idea. which is, however, preya
lent. or course he was shocked I