Terrestrial Paradise a kind of bird covered with the whitest
plumage; of this he takes some, which he gets woven into a cloth; this he
presents to the Pope, and the Pontiff applies it to the purpose mentioned
in the text, viz. to cover the holy napkin of St. Veronica.
Gervase of Tilbury writes: "I saw, when lately at Rome, a broad strap of
Salamander skin, like a girdle for the loins, which had been brought
thither by Cardinal Peter of Capua. When it had become somewhat soiled by
use, I myself saw it cleaned perfectly, and without receiving harm, by
being put in the fire."
In Persian the creature is called Samandar, Samandal, etc., and some
derive the word from Sam, "fire," and Andar, "within." Doubtless it is
a corruption of the Greek [Greek: Salamandra], whatever be the origin of
that. Bakui says the animal is found at Ghur, near Herat, and is like a
mouse. Another author, quoted by D'Herbelot, says it is like a marten.
[Sir T. Douglas Forsyth, in his Introductory Remarks to Prjevalsky's
Travels to Lob-nor (p. 20), at Aksu says: "The asbestos mentioned by
Marco Polo as a utilized product of this region is not even so known in
this country." - H. C.]
+ Interesting details regarding the fabrication of cloth and paper from
amianth or asbestos are contained in a report presented to the French
Institute by M. Sage (Mem.
