CURIOSITY AROUSED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17156, 5 October 1926, Page 10

CURIOSITY AROUSED

NEW SPECIES 01' DRAGONS. OOOJHA M'S DISCOVER Y. NEW YORK, August 28. Tho dragons which Alan Cobham told about -seeing on Komodo Island, near Bima, Australia, when ho arrived ut Tort Darwin on his flight from England, have aroused scientific curiosity in London, and word was received from the British capital that an American scientific expedition is going to set out to capture some specimens of what had been previously regarded as linked with the legend's of St. George, Cobham .said! the monsters lie. beheld seemed to lie the direct descendants of the prehistoric creatures of mythical lore, being about' 101't. long arid possessing huge ■claws, with which they were able to Kill animals ajs large as horses. When angered, ho added, the dragons emitted! fumes not unlike smoke, after the manner of their legendary forebears, The authorities of the London Zoo and the (South •Kensington Natural History -Museum are awaiting tho report of tho American expedition with keen interest, but the hope is expressed that the Dutch officials of Koniodo will take steps to prevent dragon-slaying from becoming a pastime. These creatures are believed to exist only on Komodo, which is no larger than tho fslo. of Man, and at Labuani Eatjo on the western extremity of tho Flore*. Komodo'is apparently a. useless island, except as a fishing base, audi tho dragons, it is said, have left the coast iii considerable numbers in late years. The British scientists declare it would lie a. pity'if they were killed off by pportsmen in search of the thrill which this really dangerous quarry provides. In the meantime more specimens' have been shot, according to the report from London, one. of them 13ft. in length, and 20-footers have been seen. No giants have been shot, for tho reason that the natives take no risks in assisting .sportsmen.