Albertus Magnus on the salamander

[woodface]

"Following the lead of the philosopher Jorach, many writers say this animal is able to live in fire, but this is completely false. A possible exception to this generalization is a statement by Galen in his book On Complexions, viz., that if a salamander is exposed to a weak flame for a short period of time, the fire may have no deleterious effect, but if it is kept near the flame for a longer time, it burns up. Indeed, even Jorach admits that a salamander can extinguish a flame of mediocre intensity; but that is not to say the animal actually spends its life immersed in fire. According to Aristotle, it is the coldest animal with exceptionally thick skin and, consequently, fire cannot penetrate its pores. However, if the animal has stayed in the fire for any length of time, the heat of the flame gradually opens its pored and causes it to be incinerated. Thus, the animal’s coldness is of sufficient intensity to extinguish a fire by its contrary quality, as long as the flame is small and not overpowering. I have experimented with this phenomenon under similar circumstances, when I placed a cold-blooded spider of thick skin on a red-hot iron grill; the spider lay there motionless for some time before it began to quiver and feel the heat of the burning plate. In another instance I held a tiny lighted taper close to a large spider that extinguished the flame, as if it were snuffed out..."

Dude, I love this guy. He doesn't take any crap, he questions everything and even tries to find out the truth. Sure, he's still from the 13th century and he remains embedded in the Medieval culture which leads him to acknowledge the existance if fabulous creatures and tales because they are authority but at least he is sceptical about it. He doubts things, questions them but then adds pro forma that he should not just dismiss what has been said for the authorities. He always adds some interesting point of views to my chapters (thank goodness).