Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 July 1892 — The Dreaded Gila Monster. [ARTICLE]

The Dreaded Gila Monster.

The Gila monster, heloderma horridum, is the only species of known poisonous lizard in the world'. It is a native of the Gila River in Arizona, and has seldom or never been seen at any great distance from that stream. This strange creature is sluggish, inert, well armored with-a tough, defensive skin, and feeds on birds’ eggs and insects. The IndiadS of Arizona believe the spittle, or saliva, and even the breath of the animal, to be deadly poison. The odor of the exhalations is said to be exactly like that of magnolia buds.