HYDRAS

The hydra is a creature from Greek mythology. It was a several-headed snake that lived in Lake Lerna, stole cattle and poisoned the land. Whenever one head was cut off, two more grew in its place. When the hero Heracles was ordered to kill the hydra as his second labour, he set off for Lerna in a chariot driven by his nephew, Iolaus. He later found the hydra and, as he cut of its heads, Iolaus burnt the stumps with a torch to prevent any more heads from growing. Soon, only one head remained - but it was immune to Heracles' sword. However, the hero was able to pull it off and bury it in the ground, finally defeating the monster.