[198]. Jonstonus de Quadruped. p. 138.
The common Report is, that the Salamander is able to live in the Fire, which is a vulgar Error: The Hieroglyphick Historian observes, that upon Trial made, it was so far from quenching it, that it consum’d immediately[[199]]. It is true, that Newts (or Water-lizards) Frogs, Snails, and such icy Animals, will endure the Fire for a longer time than others will, by reason of an extraordinary degree of Coldness, which dissipates and scatters the Flame for a little time.
[199]. Joannis Pierii Hierogl. cap. 21-26. p. 195-6, 7.
I have read an Experiment made upon a Salamander, that was thrown into the Fire, and there came from it a sort of gelid, moist, viscous Humour, which resisted the Power of Fire for a little time; but those Exhalations being dried up, was soon consum’d. In the Philosophical Transactions, we have another Instance, which seems to carry the matter further.
M. STENO writes from Rome, that a Knight called Corvini, had assured him, that having cast a Salamander (brought to him out of the Indies) into the Fire, the Animal thereupon swelled presently, and then vomited store of thick slimy Matter, which did put out the neighbouring Coals, to which the Salamander retired immediately, putting them out also in the same manner as they rekindled; and by this means saved his Life about two Hours, and afterwards lived nine Months; that he had kept it eleven Months, without any other Food but what it took by licking the Earth, on which it moved, and on which it had been brought out of the Indies, which at first was cover’d with a thick Moisture, but being dried afterwards, the Urine of the Animal served to moisten the same: Being put upon Italian Earth, it died within three days after[[200]].
[200]. Lowthorp’s Abridgement, v. ii. p. 816.
As to the Possibility of the thing; I make no doubt but he, who made Water the Habitation of Fish, can make Fire to be the Residence of another sort of Beings. The Sun, which is the Centre of our planetary System, for aught we know, may be the Seat of glorious Inhabitants; or, as others conjecture, the Place of future Misery.
Upon the whole, the Salamander being of a mucous, slimy, and cold Body, will, like Ice, soon extinguish a little Fire, but will be as soon consum’d by a great Fire; therefore it was no Absurdity in Galen, when, as a sceptical Medicine, he recommended the Ashes of a Salamander.
The like Humidity is observable in Water-Lizards, especially if their Skins be prick’d: Yea, Frogs, Snails, White of Eggs, will soon quench a lesser Coal. We read of incombustible Cloth, (Linnen Paper,) made from a Flaxen-Mineral, call’d Ασβεστος by the Greeks, and Linum vivum by the Latins.
