New Britain herald., 1924-08-09
CANARY ISLANDS
 NAMED FOR A DOG
Not for a Bird, as Is Popular
 Belief

Washington. Aug g, - 'Teneriffe
 largest island Of the Cananes. from
 which the king of Spain recently re-
 fused to permit Spanish political
 exiles to depart, would seem a pleas
 ant enough place to select as a volun-
 tary abode" says bulletin from the
 Washington, D. C.. headquarters of the National Geographic society.
 Some European countries have chosen, ss places of punishment, re- gions unpleasant enough to prove a continual punishm ent," continues the bulletin: but spanisrds sent to Ten eriffe, if not confined. must find their sojourn somewhat like 8 pleasure jaunt. The canaries are believed to have been the Fortunate Isles of the Greeks. Today hundreds of tourists echo the idea, for the Canaries are recognized haven for semi-invafds. Their climate is mild, dry and health full, and on Teneriffe one may choose from a number of climates by the simple expedient of going greater or less distance up the huge mountain that makes up two-thirds of the is- land bulk, the Peak of Teneriffe.
 Highest Pinnacle
 This mountain rising 12,200 feet is one of the grandest peaks to be seen from the sea in all the world. Early mariners thought 1t was the loftiest pinnacle of the earth, for most other high mountains they knew rose from inland plateaus It is made the more majestic by its fluffy cloud girdle that hangs around It a large part of the year, obscuring a part of its slopes, but leaving both base and cap visible. Where this cloud bank hangs grows luxuriant forests and ferns, but above and below vegetation is relatively sparse.
 "The Canaries lie in the latitude of central Florida, some 200 miles far ther south than Bermuda. Teneriffe Is both the largest and the highest of the seven inhabited islands It is 60 miles long and 80 miles in greatest width On Teneriffe 1s0,0o0 people live, while the population of the is- land group is about 45o,Coo.
 Gave Song-Bird To World
 Most people associate the Canaries with a bird; they probably do not know that they were named for a dog, from the Latin (canis). It Is related that the name was given because early voyagers found breed Of huge dogs on the present island of Grand Can ary. If the giant dogs really existed and there is a skeleton in one mu- suem to lend support to the story they have long been extinct. The canary bird, however, is still famous citizen of the islands. Through this bird the archipelago has given sew eral regions Of the world really i'm portant industry, the breeding of song birds
 "Wild canaries are still numerous In the islands. But they differ greatly | from their captive cousins, being dull l creenish in color with darker streaks. | Man has developed the caged canary | into larger bird while changing its | color. But he has not bettered it's | song.
 "1'he notes that the wild birds pour forth from the trees and shrubs of 1 their island home are both stronger and sHeeter than those that come | from behind the bars of their yellow kinsnen.
 "sarts Cruz. on Tereriffe. capital of | he group. is city about the size of s'. Joseph. Missouri Palma. capital ,f Grand Canary. has population Of bout the same size
 Remnant of Atlantis"
 When the spsnia rds began the conquest of tho Cana ries early in the ith century, they were inhabited by te Guanchos, believed 10 have been lszcended from Berhrs who crossed he sn-mile channel that separates the si1nds from northwest Africa Some tufents have asserted that there are tidsnccs of pre -Guancho people. rhom they have tried to associate ith the legendary Atlantis. of which he C1narics are assumed 10 he iourisinous remnant. All The Guam hos hate now been absorbed into the Spanish ropnlations "Thn Canaries. iiIie Triand, are free -dn1 snakes Rui there is 2 plentiful Iprly of centinedes and scornions to lone for the lack of reptiles"