New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-10

been experienced by naturallsts and others
y, finding appropriate names tor each one. y
great many of the names are suitable but
some are positively startling. such rs the
HelIbender the rasmdnian Devil, the Midwife
the Laughing Jac>dss and the Chlsel Jaw
The Helbender IS L Mississippi salamander
with q stoutlv built body, large. WIDE and
fattened head brown or graylsh coiored.
smooth porous skin dotted al over with
curious wart-I>e prUtuberances, and neaSur-
Tng about sixteen or seventeen inches IN
length 1t craviS IN = sluggish manner IN
tributaries OF the Mississippi. ranging IS tar
as North Carolina. II IS rarely found out OF
the water although II is stated that It can
live As long as tweuty-four hours on dry land
Its food IN its wild state consists OF worms,
fish and crIlstaceans, but m captivity It viii
ear fish meat or soft substances, such as
bread and milk etc. If fed regularly on
meat the boiled heads of chicken or fish, II
will increase greatly IN size
OCCASIONALLY without any apparent reason
II Will voluntarily undergo long lasts, when
do not seem 10 have any harmful effects Inc
HeIIbender has been exhibited since 1900
when the first specimen was taken al1Ve 10
Europe. Whv this terrifying name has been
gwen to it no one seems to know BY all
the American fishermen, this salamanter Is
dreaded as 4 dangerous and poisonous reptile
and when one IS taken occasionally on an
anglers hook general CONSERVATION prevails
its being supposed TO bring exceptional III
luck 70 the one who catches It, besides the
extreme danger OF its poisonous tendencies
As = matter OF fact, the Hellbeuder Is per
fectIv ;nuocuous creature. and WITH the
exception OF tie blows with its muscular tan
which II gives 70 anything that may come N
its wav IS absolutely harmless
The Tasranian Devil Is 4 native OF Tas-
mania. and Is one of the most ugly and dis
agreeable little animals n existence. Its
bodv - about tire SIZE OF an ordinary badger $,
but y * 50 powerfully and sturdy ntli-t and
has such extraordinary muscular strength That
great and small fear It Its nature Is as
-spuIslve and disagreeahle As is appearance.
Its large. wide head Is covered with thick,
close fur sl1-rnounted with large. rounded
ears is vicious. wicked ewes. its short, broad
-r,-zz1s and its r1outhful of closely packed
teeth with the flexible upper lip always
drawn up N I threatening Snari- convey rs
Immature At a glance. Its body = covered
with the same sort OF close. straight FUR. except
that there = : thick growth OF under rur
which gives It 4 st1dgv appearance Its tat,
furry feet-IIe ! bear s-dre furnished with
tremendously strong claws. particularly the
fore feet. and these work nearly Is much havoc
us teeth - WtLlLC Lt-~-l NiA - -tN-Nei- -
the only relief TO the sornber coat.
This vicious animal fully deserves It's name,
tor II often means r,linatiou 70 the Australian
farmer IL must have hive food at any cost,
and can bite through ANYTHING but non or
steel. while us sharp, strong claws VIII tear
everything 70 pieces It not only kills for
lis food but for its pleasure It VIII destroy
lambs sheep chickens, poultry. by the dozens,
leaving them scattered IN all directions
There appears % be only one wav Of taking
advantage OF these animals ANY bright
light blinds them. but even when fairly caught
rhev VIII utter piercing screams fight vlc1ousIv-
and with teeth and claws tear anything and
everything within reach.
The Midwife is 4 frog that has received
tins name because the male takes charge
OF the eggs during their development 1t /
iuhabits France. Switzerland, Belgium and
Western Germany
Sometime between March and June the
female Midwife lays her eggs n long strings.
or chains. some OF these measuring over
= ward and I half. The male then comes .
forward takes up the chains of eggs, winds .
chem deity all around ms legs thighs and the
lower part OF his b0dv and GOES or 70 either / .