Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SAL'A-MAN-DER, n. [L. and Gr. salamandra.]

The popular name of a genus of batrachian reptiles, having some affinities with lizards, but more with frogs. Salamanders have an elongated body, four feet, and a long tail, which gives them the general form of lizards; but then they have all the characters of batrachians. Salamander's hair or wool, a name given to a species of asbestos or mineral flax; I believe no longer used.