 Legends have developed around the salamander over the centuries , many related to fire . This connection likely originates from the tendency of many salamanders to dwell inside rotting logs . When placed into a fire , the salamander would attempt to escape from the log , lending to the belief that salamanders were created from flames . The mythical ruler Prester John , supposedly had a robe made from salamander hair , the " Emperor of India " possessed a suit made from a thousand skins , Pope Alexander III had a tunic which he valued highly and William Caxton ( 1481 ) wrote : " This <unk> <unk> <unk> , of which is made cloth and <unk> that may not <unk> in the fyre . " The salamander was said to be so toxic that by twining around a tree , it could poison the fruit and so kill any who ate them and by falling into a well , could kill all who drank from it . 
