I. The First exhibits a general View of Serpents, in their various Aspects; such as their Kinds, Bulk, Food, Motion, Propagation, Coverture, Colours. In which is inserted a short Account of Vegetable, Mineral, and Animal Poison, particularly that of the Serpent; and its Cure in various Nations; where also the Serpent is used as Food and Physick.

II. The Second gives a View of most Serpents that are known in the several Parts of the World; described by their various Names, different Countries, and Qualities.

III. To which is added a Third Part; containing Six Dissertations upon the following Articles, as collateral to the Subject.

iii

SIR,

The Serpent [Subject of the following Sheets,] being one part of your celebrated and expensive Collection of Rarities, naturally leads me to beg the Honour of your Name to grace its Entrance into the publick World.

I can’t enter into the vanity of thinking, that the Book can be any improvement to one who has been so long and laborious an Enquirer after Truth, and penetrated so far ivinto the Empire of Nature: but as in Divinity, a willing Mind; so in Learning, the best Endeavour will be accepted. And tho’ the Book cannot recommend it self to you, your Name may recommend it to others.

Happy are the Times, when Knowledge is the study of those who have superior Abilities for it: Happy therefore is the present Age, that has you, among many other Learned, so eminent an Encourager of it.

Tho’ elevated Minds direct all their concern to what they should be, and not to any Applause for what they really are; yet, if to delineate their Excellency be offensive to Modesty, the Sincerity with which it is done, will, it is hoped, secure their Pardon.

Now, what is it that makes the great Character, but Knowledge in all its diversity, a Sollicitousness for the Spread of Arts and Sciences, excelling in one’s particular Station of Life, and being divinely forward to all the high Offices of Humanity? This is the vPicture of real Worth, and what can forbid to say, that Sir Hans Sloane is the Life?

That you may long continue the Restorer of Health, the Ornament of the Day, and in triumph over all the deadly Power of the Old Serpent, at last possess eternal Health, are the most sincere Wishes of him, who with a just Sense of Obligation, and the greatest Regards, is,

SIR,

Your most humble,

and devoted Servant,

Cha. Owen.

vi

The Divine Wisdom so variously displayed in the Works of Nature, even the lowest Order of them, entertains the human Eye with Prospects exquisitely beautiful and pleasurable: As our Knowledge is defective, we are at a loss how to account perfectly for the particular Ends of their Formation, and Manner of their Subserviency to the Whole of the Eternal Design.

However, by Observation and Improvements in Natural Philosophy, we are assured thus far; that as the Almighty Creator made nothing in vain, so all his Works are good, and admirably fitted to answer the Purposes of his Will, and that his Wisdom, like his tender Mercies, shines through all the Systems of his Creatures.

That there is not a wise Purpose in every thing that is made, because we do not understand it, is as absurd as for a Man to say, there is no such thing as Light, because he is blind, and has no Eyes to see it.

For the Illustration of this, we may take a short View of Creatures, in vulgar account too diminutive and despicable a Species, to deserve a close Attention: And among these, if we consider the Noxious, we shall find, if not an Argument why they should be made, yet we shall be able to discern no Reason why they should not, because their Noxiousness is not so unavoidable, but that we may, and almost every one does avoid it.

viiGeneral Histories of these Kinds we have been furnished with in the Writings of the Learned: Here I apply myself to the Discussion of one particular Species, viz. the Serpent: in which I don’t pretend to new Discoveries, but only to collect, and bring into one View, what has been said by different Persons, which is not to be found by any without many Books, and much Time; and which, without the present English Dress, would not be understood by others at all.

In accounting for some things relative to the Subject, I have always chosen the Words of the Learned in the Physical Profession. The Subject being like Dust, the Food of the Serpent, very dry, I have endeavoured to give it some Agreeableness, by a Variety of Passages from History, and Reflections of many kinds; which, though they may not always naturally arise from the Subject, yet being intended for the Reader’s Entertainment and Instruction (as he goes along in the principal Design of the Book) I hope they will find a favourable Judgment.

Give me leave, upon this occasion, to adopt Sir William Temple’s Words, viz. “It is not perhaps amiss, says he, to relieve or enliven a busy Scene sometimes with such Digressions, whether to the Purpose or no.”^[1]

I shall only add, that in cultivating this Subject, I have attempted to give a short Display of the Divine Perfections, which, as they appear eminent in the System of the Creation in general, so in the Serpent they may be seen in particular; and if it produces in the Reader a more exquisite Perception of God in all his Works, I have my End; who am

N. B. In the Story of the Elephant, pag. 86. it is a mistake, to place the Action at Newcastle; the Scene of it being in the East-Indies, according to a Book called Hamilton’s Travels.

ix

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

I.

J.

K.

L.

M.

N.

O.

P.

xxR.

S.

T.

U.

V.

W.

Y.

1

SECTION I.

I begin with the Division of Serpents, which I distribute into Terrestrial, that live upon Land only; Aquatick, that live in Water; and Amphibious, that inhabit both Elements. Under these I comprehend all the Relatives to the venomous Tribe. But how can Land-Serpents live in Water? I answer, their Bodies are equally formed for both Places.

Among Animals, some breathe by Lungs, and others by Gills, as all sanguineous Fish, (excepting the Whale.) By Gills, I mean those membranous cartilaginous Parts on both sides the Head, whereby they hear and respire: What we call Gills in Fish, are properly their Lungs. Respiration (which is an involuntary Motion of the Breast, whereby Air is alternately taken in and thrown out) is as necessary to Fish as to Land-Animals: In Water, is a great Quantity of Air inclosed, and it is that Air they respire, and by their Gills they separate the Air from the Water, and present it to the Blood, after the same manner as ’tis presented to the Lungs of Land-Animals.

2The Gills of Fish have an alternate Motion of Dilatation and Compression; when they dilate their Gills, the Water is taken in; when they contract them, ’tis expelled again. Thus the Water is carried in by the Mouth, and carried off again (stript of its Air) by the Gills, which perform the Office of Lungs. Their sucking Water is Breathing, and their Food as little of Water, perhaps, as other Creatures use.

SERPENTS will swim in all Liquids; this appears in the Experiment made by a learned Italian, who put a Serpent into a large Glass-Vessel of Wine, where it lived swimming about six Hours: and when it was by force immersed and kept under that Liquid, it lived only about an Hour and a half. He put another in common Water, where it lived three Days; but when it was kept under Water, it lived only about twelve Hours^[2].

Some Serpents are reptitious, creep on the Belly, and some have Feet; the Form of their Legs is peculiar and different in divers Species, whence the slow Motion of some, and wonderful Agility and Swiftness in others: Their Feet are some cloven (as it were) into Hoofs, others divided into Claws, with Variety of different Nails to answer the several Purposes of Life; among them are Flying Serpents: for which purpose, they are furnished with Wings to buoy themselves up in the fluid Air, whereby they keep their Bodies on a due Balance in their Motion.

Serpents are provided with Tails of different Length and Size; these also are necessary to adjust their Motion, and guard them against Stimulation of Flies. In winged Serpents, the Tail serves as a Rudder to govern them in flying through the Air; and, in the marine Serpents, they serve as Oars. But another says, the flying of a Bird, in effect, is quite a different Motion from the sailing of a Ship: Birds don’t vibrate their Wings towards the Tail, as Oars are struck towards the Stern, but waft them downward; nor does the Tail of the Bird cut the Air at right Angles as the Rudder does the Water, but it is disposed horizontally, and preserves the same Situation what way soever the Bird turns^[3].

They are painted with variety of Colours, as red, black, white, brown, green; the Composition of these, in some of their Garnitures, forms Beauties exquisitely fine. Some of them have very little Eyes, others large ones: Some wound with their Teeth, 3others with the Tail that terminates in a Sting, which is an Apparatus in the Body of certain Insects like a little Lance, serving them as a Weapon of Offence. Mention is made by Historians of harmless Serpents, and of Persons who have tamed Serpents, and whose Hair has been kissed by a tame Dragon, and which, with its Tongue, gently lick’d its Master’s Face^[4].

The Serpent seems to be one of the distinguished Favourites of the Air, seeing it subsists by aerial Food all Winter; that is, in those Regions where it dare not turn Ranger. Sleep is the Nurse of Nature, a Nurse that greatly indulges the animal Spirits, and, by arresting voluntary Motion, prevents their daily Consumption, and, at the same time, allows the perpetual Motion of the Arteries, Veins, Heart. We know but little of the real peculiar Nature of what we call Air, only that it is the most heterogeneous Body in the World, a kind of secondary Chaos, being a Compound of minute Particles of various Kinds, Earth, Water, Minerals, Vegetables, Animals, &c. collected either by solar or artificial Heat.

These Particles together constitute an Appendage to our Earth, called Atmosphere; or that thin, elastick, fluid Mass, wherein we live, move, and have our being; which Air we continually receive, and expel by Respiration, and no Animal can live, or Vegetable grow without it.

Thus Serpents inclosed in the Receiver, are immediately (I may say) starved when deprived of Air, which is their only Winter-Food.—N. B. Whatever is put in a Receiver so exhausted, is said to be put in Vacuo: Animals that have two Ventricles, and no Foramen Ovale, as Birds, Dogs, Cats, Mice, die in it in less than half a Minute; a Mole died in one Minute; a Bat lived seven or eight; Insects, as Wasps, Bees, Grashoppers, seem dead in two Minutes^[5].

Nor will any Vegetation proceed in Vacuo, or without Air: Seeds planted will not grow. Objection. Beans grow in Vacuo. I answer, they grow a little tumid, but that kind of Vegetation is only owing to the Dilatation of the Air within them; they swell a little by the Expansion of the Air, but they never bud.

4Among the Ancients were very strange Notions about the Original of Serpents, and other Animals: Bees, says a certain Orator, Historian, and Philosopher, were bred from the Carcass of Oxen; Wasps from the Corruptions of Horses; Beetles from Asses; and Serpents from human Marrow: Hence they consecrated a Dragon to Kings and Princes, as a Creature peculiar to Man^[6].

I don’t know how to form an Apology for the old Philosophers, whose Account of spontaneous Generation is perfectly romantick: What can be more so, than to say Frogs are engendered of Slime, or in the Clouds, and dropt down in the Showers of Rain? So the Egyptians said, that Mice were produced from the Mud of Nilus, and Insects from putrified Matter animated by the Sun. The Principle of this equivocal Generation, was the old Doctrine of Egypt, and now justly exploded, as contrary to Reason and common Sense, as well as to the Design of the Creator in making Animals Male and Female; the End of which Difference in Sexes, all Animals exactly answer, as if they were endued with human Reason. No Woman more tender of her Babe, or careful in providing for it, than Animals are of their Young Ones.

SECTION II.

The knowledge of mere Animals (who have no School for Arts and Sciences) is most surprising; these without visible Instructors, know how to perpetuate their Species to the End of the World; and how to order their Eggs, as those, who are apprized, their Successors were contained in them, and that it was in their power to produce them, and to perpetuate, or keep up the Name of their Family.

The Serpentine Animals are thus taught by Nature; these differ in the Mode of Propagation; some of them are viviparous, an Epithet applied to such Animals, who lay their Eggs within their Bellies, who bring forth their Young Ones alive and perfect, as Vipers, Sheep, Hares; others are oviparous, and bring forth their Young from Eggs, as Serpents, Snakes, Lizards, Frogs, Salmon, Tortoise, Herrings, &c.^[7]

5In this Contrivance of Male and Female, and different Method of Multiplication for perpetuating the Species, we may see an admirable Instance of divine Wisdom: But for this Difference in Sexes, there would be no Increase of Serpents nor other Animals. The oviparous and viviparous Manner of Propagation is as wonderful; for,

Were they all viviparous, that is, brought forth living Births, there would be but a small Number, and not sufficient to support the whole animal Body: Corn, Grass, Fruits, &c. are no Production of the Sea, therefore can be no Food for Fish: The Almighty Creator so ordained it, that they should feed one upon another; and this made it necessary that they should be oviparous, that they might increase in great Plenty, which they could not do, if they were of the viviparous Kind; that is, brought forth their living Offspring, as Vipers, Sheep, Hares, Cows do.

But Fish being oviparous, propagating their Kind by Eggs, which, for Number, are infinite, their Progeny is innumerable, and sufficient to support all the Branches of the Marine Family; even the lesser Kind of Fish send forth an incredible Number of Spawn.

On the other hand, if four-footed Beasts were propagated by Eggs, they would soon cover the Face of the Earth, without a daily Destruction of them, which would take up no little time, tho’ an Army of Nimrods were employed. Birds increase by Eggs, and bring forth great Numbers; and perhaps, for this reason, that Birds of Prey and Serpents, Kitchens, &c. might not want proper Supplies. Now, if a Female Bird was great with six or twelve Young Ones at once, the Burden would be intolerable, her Wings would fail, and she would become an easy Prey to her Enemies.

But you will say, what if they brought forth only one or two at a time, till they amounted to the usual Number of their Eggs? I answer, that then they would be troubled all the Year long with feeding their Young, or bearing them in their Womb.

This Production of Creatures by Eggs, is a wonderful Phænomenon in the animal World; the Eggs are shelly and hard, to preserve the included Embryo from Accidents, and to contain suitable Nutriment for it. ’Tis observable that Chickens, while in their dark embryotick State, are nourished by the White alone, till 6grown big, and then feed on the Yolk, as the stronger Diet; and, when that is consumed, the Shell opens, and lets out the Prisoners.

Though all Fowl are hatched from Eggs, yet it is not always by the Parent’s Incubation, or Brooding, but by some other Warmth: The Tortoise is said to lay no less than fifteen hundred Eggs, which she covers in the Sand, and leaves the Sun to hatch them. The Eggs of the Ostrich^[8] are hatched after the same manner; so the Serpent lays, and leaves her Eggs in the Dunghill.

The Eggs of Serpents, and certain other Animals, are Parts formed in the Ovaries of the Female, covered with a Shell, which includes an Embryo of the same Species. In the days of old, the Egg was the Symbol of the World; the World, by Tradition, being made of an Egg: Hence Eggs became of singular Importance in the Sacrifices of Cybele the Mother of the Gods. Some of the Pagan Deities were said to be produced from Eggs.

In some Parts of Asia, and at Grand Cairo in Egypt, they hatch their Chickens in Ovens; each Oven contains several thousand Eggs which the Country brings in, and have their Eggs returned in Chickens.

By this Method, they generally want some integral Part, as an Eye, a Claw, &c. which may be owing to a Want of equal Impression of Heat, tho’ the artificial Warmth be continued. There are thousands, yea Millions at a Batch, thus produced in Egyptian Ovens;—and may as well be in Europe, if our Bakers had the knack on’t. An Experiment has been made by a Duke of Tuscany, who having built such Ovens, did produce living Chickens in the same manner.

Under this Section, I shall consider the wonderful Sagacity of Serpents, in chusing their Paths for Deambulation, and finding out proper Receptacles for their Repose and Security in Winter; and that in Climates that are Opposites in their Nature.

In Summer, generally speaking, they are found in solitary and unfrequented dry Situations; others delight in moorish fenny Grounds; and in hot Countries, near to Groves, Rivulets—These, like other Animals, strictly adhere to the Constitutions of their Family, without Deviation.

7They take up their Winter-Quarters in Caverns, hollow Places, Burrows, Rocks, old Hedges, and under the Roots of Vegetables, especially the Birch, others say Beech-Trees, which were consecrated by the Pagans to the supreme Numen.

In these lonesome Habitations they repose themselves during the Winter, in a kind of sleepy State, as half dead, with open Eyes^[9]. In this Solitude they lie dormant, indulg’d with a little humid Air, till the Sun, by its Entrance into the northern Constellations, restores them to the active Life; without some Air they could not live. Mr. Boyle made the experiment, by putting Vipers into the exhausted Receiver, which soon died upon pumping out the Air.

It argues no little Penetration, that they know when and how to shelter themselves in Places of Safety in all Seasons; and what is yet more astonishing, is, that they live there so many Months without Food and without Action; and when released from their hybernal Confinement, how soon do they find out their appointed Food? Taken in this light, they are not singular; for ’tis believed, there are other Animals that pass the Winter-Season in a state of Indolence and Inactivity, as Cuckows and Swallows, making way by their Retreat for Woodcocks and Fieldfares, which visit us in Winter, and then return northwards: They are said to breed in colder Countries, as Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the Islands of Orcades, the most northern Parts of Scotland; which Islands were formerly in possession of the Norwegians, and given and annex’d to Scotland by Christiern I. King of Denmark and Norway, on the Marriage of his Daughter Margaret, with James III. King of Scotland, about the Year 1474.

It is probable, that when these northern Countries are buried in Snow, and their Rivers are frozen up, these Birds take their Flight hither, and such like Places, where they have access to Water, &c. But as to Cuckows and Swallows, as intimated above, ’tis generally allow’d that they sleep in Winter, having, as ’tis said, been found in hollow Trees and Caverns. Nor is this at all unlikely; tho’ on the other hand, I can see no Absurdity in supposing that these should go upon a Summer, as the other do upon a Winter Pilgrimage; that these pursue a lesser Heat, as well as the others fly from a greater Cold. Yea, Vegetables are said to sleep in Winter, 8and to be awake and lively in Summer: During the Months of their Rest, a quantity of Oil is laid up in them for their Defence against the Cold, and in proportion to the Degrees of it, which they are to sustain; whence it is, that the Trees of the northern Climates so much abound with Oil.

On the other hand, there are Reptiles and Insects that have Sense enough to lay up Winter-Store in Summer, as the Bee, Wasp, Field-Mouse, &c. a Property foreign to the ancient House of Serpents.

In Summer, the Bees labor hard for Winter Provision: As soon as the Air grows mild and warm, they are out betimes, and gather their Harvest from the Simples of the Fields, which they suck into their Bodies, and upon their Return to the Hive they disgorge it, as Pigeons do their Food wherewith they feed their Young. When the Bees have fill’d their Storehouse with the Delicacies of Nature, they lock the Doors, which they seal up with delicate white Wax, to prevent the Emanation of the Honey, which is a vegetable Juice: The Combs in which their Treasure is lodg’d, are geometrically nice, and exceed the most exquisite Art of Man.

The Ants also in this respect, are remarkable for Penetration and Foresight. In America are Ants which raise Hillocks four or five Foot high, and have such a way of cementing the Earth about them, that ’tis as firm as Lime and Stone, which protects them against the Ant-Bears, or Pismire-eaters; i. e. a kind of Creatures as big as Dogs, that feed on these Insects.

One observes, that the Spaniards left Jamaica, and went to Cuba, for this Reason among others, because their Childrens Eyes were eaten by these Ants, when left by themselves in the Cradle^[10].

Ceylon in the East-Indies produces several sorts of remarkable Ants, particularly a large red kind, which make their Nests on the Boughs of great Trees, with Leaves wrapt together in Clusters, in which they lay their Eggs: And another sort call’d Vacos, whose Hinder-part is white, and the Head red; these swarm over the Land and devour every thing, but Stone and Iron: They creep on House-walls, and always build an Arch over themselves; on these their Poultry live chiefly; some of them bite desperately.

9To these I might add the Wasps, that have their Winter-Treasures in subterranean Cells, and the Field-mice that know the proper Season to gather Acorns, which they carefully hide in hollow Places, (as Mole-runs) in the Earth. Thus we see no Creatures so mean in our View, but a Ray of divine Wisdom shines in their Foresight and Contrivance: When we consider how wonderfully these inferior Creatures are conducted in their Operations, how punctually they obey the Laws of their Creator, how solicitously every one propagates his Kind, and makes proper Provisions for his Family; it looks as if it were done by some Principle that’s more perfect than the common Reason of Man. Nevertheless ’tis past doubt, that Brutes of the highest Order, and most refin’d, are but Brutes, i. e. irrational, and it’s well for us they are so.

This is call’d Instinct, a natural Disposition, or Sagacity wherewith Animals are endued; by virtue whereof they are enabled to provide for themselves, know what is good for them, and are determin’d to propagate and preserve their Species. Instinct bears some Analogy to Reason or Understanding, and supplies the Defect of it in Brutes. The Narrative of Eve’s Temptation begins with affirming, The Serpent was more subtle than any Beast of the Field. And Christ recommends the Wisdom of the Serpent, but not without the Innocence of the Dove.

The Proofs of its Subtilty are not so obvious; some produce such as these, telling us, that the Serpent Cerastes hides itself in the Sand, with a view to bite the Horse’s Foot that he might throw the Rider. Jacob seems to allude to this, in the Blessing he gave to Dan, of whom ’tis said, Dan shall be a Serpent by the Way, an Adder in the Path, that bites the Horse’s Heels, so that his Rider shall fall backward. Gen. xlix. 17. But more in Part third.

Serpents are supposed to have many Enemies, besides Man, as the Eagle, Hawk, Stork, Ibis, Ichneumon, Magaure, &c. I shall only touch upon some of these: Ibis is a Bird of Egypt, and a faithful Ally in the War against Serpents; vast Numbers of winged Serpents are annually bred in Arabia, from whence, at certain Seasons, Swarms of them take their flight across the Red-Sea into Egypt: Upon the first notice of their Arrival, the Ibidian Birds assemble in Troops, and immediately fly upon the Invaders, and soon destroy them. In the same manner they execute Vengeance upon the Serpents of Ethiopia, when they molest the Land^[11].

The Storks destroy all Serpents that fall in their way, and are so greatly regarded in Thessaly for this kind office, that it is counted a capital Crime to kill a Stork, and the Criminal is punished as in the case of Man-slaughter.

^[12]The Stork’s Bill is very long and sharp, with which it makes a rattling kind of Noise: It is said, the Chirurgeons have learn’d the Clysterick Art from these Birds.

The Storks also are esteemed the Clergy’s Friends, for the Author of the Book of Nature says, they will not inhabit any City in Germany, where no Tythes are paid to the Priest. An Orthodox Brood of Birds!

When Moses conducted the Egyptian Army against the Ethiopians, he was to pass through a Country full of Serpents, and to secure his Forces from them in their March, he carried with him several of these Ibidian Birds, before whose Fury they fell or fled^[13].

ICHNEUMON is a little Animal of bold Spirit, and a great Destroyer of Serpents, and therefore the Egyptians keep it in their Houses, as we do Cats; and the young ones are commonly sold for that end at Alexandria. In form it resembles an overgrown Rat, and is called the Indian-Rat, and Pharaoh’s Rat; and by its mighty Atchievements, it must be of some considerable 11Bulk; for in its Encounters with great Dogs, Crocodiles, Serpents, &c. it generally comes off victorious: Upon their Approach it bunches up, and bristles up its Hair, in token of Defiance: It couches on the Ground, and leaps like a Bull-dog at its Prey.

By some it is call’d the Egyptian Otter; ’tis of a dun Colour, has round Ears, black Legs, and long Tail: It cannot endure the Wind, and runs for Shelter, when it rises, sometimes thrusting its Head between its hinder Legs, in a round Form like a Hedge-hog.

Those who have examined into Kites Nests, have found Vipers in them, which are supposed to be Food for their young ones. In China is a little Creature like a Weezel, called Magaure, that is a mortal Enemy to Serpents, which it kills by striking its Teeth into their Heads. The Chameleon trembles at the Sight of this little Furioso^[14]; whose Ears are short and round, its Nose like that of a Ferret, its Tongue and Teeth like a Cat, which is a Creature it destroys in a Minute, though not the easiest to be killed. The Argoli Serpents in India destroy Asps; therefore by Alexander the Great’s Command, they were transported to Alexandria^[15].

Whether the Serpent hates Man more than other Creatures, is with me a question; be that as it will, it is wonderful to think, that notwithstanding Man’s and other Creatures invincible Hatred of Serpents, yet hitherto they have been able to support themselves in a State of War against all the World.

Even among Vegetables are found Enemies to Serpents; as the Dittany of Virginia, or the wild Penny-royal; the Leaves of which, says my Author, being bruised, we tied in the Cleft of a long Stick, and held them to the Nose of the Rattle-Snake, who by turning and wriggling, laboured hard to avoid it, and in half an hour’s time was kill’d by it: This was done July 1657, at which Season those Creatures are computed to be in the greatest Vigour of their Poison; it is also remarkable, that in those Places where the wild Penny-royal grows, no Rattle-Snakes are observed to come^[16].

That Dust was not the original Food of the Serpent, seems evident from the Sentence passed upon the Paradisaic Serpent, but the necessary Consequence of the Change made in the manner of its Motion, i. e. the prone Posture of its Body, by which it’s doomed to live upon Food intermix’d with Earth, dried to a Powder; Dust shalt thou eat, is one part of the Curse. It’s true, Serpents eat Flesh, Birds, Frogs, Fish, Fruits, Grass, but as they continually creep on the Earth, ’tis impossible but their Food must be often defiled with Dirt; some of them may eat Earth out of Necessity, or at least Earth-Worms, which they cannot swallow without some Dirt with them. No Animal but has its proper Food; even the most minute Insects; those that seemingly feed upon Dust, in reality feed only upon some nutritive Particles therein. Insects have been seen through a Microscope to eat some Particles of Dust, and reject many others, having accurate Organs of Sight, Smelling, and Feeling, as well accommodated to Dust, as the Organs of Ducks and Hogs are to find their Food in Dirt.

And here it may be observed, that what the Serpent does through a Necessity from the Divine Sentence, the earthly Man does from his own Will; the Serpent only by the Will of another, Man eats it from his own Inclination to it; the Serpent would have better Food if it could, Man might have better and will not: This shews that Man has a mind to be Companion with the Serpent, and to carry on the Acquaintance, that was begun in Paradise; the Serpent licks the Dust materially, the earthly Person licks it morally; the one has its Tongue upon it, the other has his Heart. The earthly Man is only a Man in shape, but a Serpent in Practice: What is the Punishment of the Serpent, is made the Happiness of the earthly Mind.

Some Serpents are carnivorous, and feed on Flesh; others are verminivorous, and feed on Reptiles: Their Sustenance is various, suited to their several Constitutions, and Nature of the Climates, where they inhabit. Vipers and Adders feed on Herbs, Weeds, Dews, as well as upon Lizards, Mice, Frogs.—When 13they take Food into their Mouths, they raise up their Bodies a little, that they may swallow their Prey with less difficulty. They swallow those little Animals whole without chewing. In a Viper dissected by a certain Gentleman, he found three large Mice, intire, without any Change of their Form by hard Compressure. Scorpions live chiefly upon Locusts, and other winged Insects. In Arabia, ’tis said, they feed upon Balsam-Juices, and seem to delight much in the Shadow of that Tree^[17].

It is remarkable, that Nature has provided young Vipers with poisonous Teeth grown to Perfection, commensurate to their Bulk, that so they may immediately feed themselves, by being able, in some measure, to kill their Prey as soon as they are born. Some of these Animals have temporary Parts, as the Lacerta Aquatica, a little Water-Serpent, which, when young, has four ramified Fins, to poise and keep its Body upright, (which gives it the Resemblance of a young Fish) and these fall off when the Legs are grown: So Frogs and Toads, in their Tadpole State, have Tails, which fall off when their Legs are grown out^[18]. These pass through various Transmigrations, before they arrive at their perfect State.

SECTION V.

As Serpents differ in Kind, so in Size; the Length to which some of them grow is most surprizing. A certain Number is sent out with little Bodies; others are of monstrous Bulk, and capable of making the strongest Efforts against all the Attempts made to destroy them; yea, are strong enough to contend with Elephants, the greatest of Animals, and conquer them. e. gr.

ATTILIUS REGULUS, the Roman General in Africa, is said to encounter a Serpent in that Country, of vast Strength and Stature, near the River Bagrada, 120 Feet long, which he and his Army could not subdue, without discharging all their Engines of War against it; and, when conquered and flea’d, its Skin was 14conveyed to Rome in Triumph^[19]. This is the more credible, says Pliny, because, in Italy, we see other Serpents, called Boæ, so large that in the Reign of Claudius, there was one of them killed in the Vatican, within whose Belly was found an Infant whole^[20].

Among the Andes in America, are Serpents of prodigious Magnitude, from 25 to 30 Foot long^[21]. In the Province of Caria, are Serpents ten Yards long, and Ten Hands broad, and their Eyes as large as two small Loaves. In Brasil, are found Serpents 30 Foot long. In Gresham-College, London, is a Snake preserved in Spirits, that is near two Yards long.

In Norway, we read of two Serpents of very large Proportion: One of two hundred Foot long, and lives in Rocks and desolate Mountains, near the Sea, about Bergen; which in Summer-Nights ranges about in quest of Plunder, devouring Lambs, Calves, Swine, and other Animals, that fall in its way. In a calm Sea, it ransacks the Superficies of the Water, and devours the Polypus (i. e. a little Fish of many Feet) and all sorts of Sea-Crabs.——Upon the Approach of a Ship, this Serpent lifts up its Head above Water, and snatches at the Mariners. My Author adds, that it rolls itself round about the Ship, the more effectually to secure its Prey^[22]. The Representation of this you have in C. Gesner.

The other Serpent is in the Diocess of Hammer, about fifty Cubits long, by Conjecture. In Bothnia, on the Livonian Sea, we read of monstrous Serpents, with which the Shepherds of that Country were in constant War. Wonderful Things are reported of the large Serpents that infest the Helvetian Mountains. From the Instances above, ’tis evident that the Northern Climates breed Serpents as well as the South; but with this Difference, that they are not so venomous as those in Africa, tho’ Olaus Magnus, Archbishop of Upsal, seems to except the Shrew-Serpent. Ibid.

There are Marine, as well as Land-Dragons, of uncommon Bigness: Some in Ethiopia of 30 Paces long, and in Phrygia ten Paces long.——N. B. A geometrical Pace is five Foot; but if it be the lesser Pace only, viz. the Measure of two Foot 15and a half, it must be a monstrous Animal^[23].——In the Reign of Philadelphus, two Live-Dragons were brought from Ethiopia to Alexandria, one 13, the other 14 Cubits long. In the Reign of King Euergetes, they took three Dragons, one seven Cubits, the other nine Cubits long. The third was carefully nursed in the Temple of Esculapius, and no Creature so highly reverenced^[24].

On the Pellonæon Hill in Chius, was a Dragon whose hideous Noise filled the Vicinity with Horror and Dread; so terrible, that none durst approach so near as to take its Dimensions. It happened, the Wilderness wherein it lived, took fire in a Storm; and being involved in the Smoke and fire, it perished, and, upon viewing its Bones, ’twas concluded to be of a monstrous Bulk. Ibid.

The Ethiopian Dragons just mentioned, have no proper Name, and are only known by a Periphrasis, viz. Killers of Elephants. The Method is, by winding themselves about the Elephants Legs, and then thrusting their Heads up their Nostrils, sting them, and suck their Blood till they are dead.

ALEXANDER, in his Tour thro’ the Red-Sea, says, he saw Serpents of incredible Magnitude, some about 30 Cubits long^[25].

We read of monstrous Dragons, particularly two Draconic Monsters mentioned by Alexander’s Ambassadors, seen by them in their Return from the Kingdom of Abisaris, one of 80 Cubits long, the other 140^[26].

In places adjacent to Batavia, a Dutch Settlement in the East-Indies, we read of Serpents 50 Feet long; and the Skin of one, which was 20 Feet long, that swallowed an Infant, is shewn in Batavia, the Metropolis of the Dutch Empire in the East-Indies. In America also are Serpents of prodigious Bulk, from 25, to 30 Feet long^[27]; but this Subject will be further considered in the Second Part of this Book.

On the other hand, there are Serpents, as remarkably little as the Amphisbæna, Gallic Viper, and some of the Lizards, that are 16not above four or six Inches long. Most of these Minutillos vary in outward Form.

And here, I can’t but observe that as the Magnitude of some other Animals is very wonderful, so, on the contrary, the Minuteness of some is equally astonishing, if not more so: There are some very little Insects that are conspicuous to the Eye, but more that are invisible without the Help of a Microscope, which is an optical Instrument, that magnifies Objects, and makes them bigger than really they are; it helps to discover minute Particles, of which Bodies are composed, and the curious Contexture of them.

To those who are not used to a rigid mathematic Proof, this may be illustrated by the Smallness of many organized Bodies. There is a Plant called Harts-Tongue, ten thousand Seeds of which hardly make the Bulk of a Pepper-Corn. Now the Cover of the true Body of each Seed, the parenchymous and ligneous Parts of both; the Fibres of those Parts, the Principles of those Fibres, and the homogeneous Particles or Atoms of each Principle, being moderately multiplied one by another, afford a hundred thousand Millions of formed Atoms in the space of a Pepper-Corn, says the learned Dr. Grew^[28].

The same is yet more evident from the Stupendous Smallness of some Animals, especially in the Sperm of smaller Insects; which have been observed by Mr. Leeuwenhoek, to be some Millions of times smaller than a grain Sand. This learned Gentleman has observed more of them in the Spawn of a Cod-fish, than there are People living on the Face of all the Earth at once^[29].

N. B. It is the infinite Number of these little invisible Animals that makes stagnating Waters or Pools appear of so many different Colours, as green, reddish, brown,—according to the several Natures of these little Animals that live therein.

Thus, among Men, we find big and little; Giants and Pygmies: Whether that Disproportion be from meer natural Causes, or by Designation of Providence, I determine not. It is very questionable whether there be a particular Nation of Pygmies; but 17no doubt is made about the Existence of Dwarfs in many Places as well as Giants. Julia, the Niece of Augustus, had a Dwarf called Canopas, that was about two feet in height. Philippa French, born at Milcomb in Staffordshire, aged about 36, being then married, wanted something of three Feet in height^[30].

On the other hand, we are not without Instances of Men, that were of a gigantick Stature, after, as well as before the Deluge, as Goliah and the Sons of Anak.

In the Days of Claudius the Emperor, Pliny tells us, that one called Gabara, brought out of Arabia, was nine Feet and nine Inches high: He tells us also, of two others in the days of Augustus Cæsar, Iducio and Secundilla, that were half a Foot taller than Gabara^[31]. Maximinus the Emperor, was eight Foot and a half in height. But to come near home:

WILLIAM EVANS born in Monmouthshire, and Porter to King Charles I. was two Yards and a half high. Walter Parsons, Porter to King James I. was about the same height. “Some say, William Evans exceeded Walter Parsons two Inches in height, but was far beneath him in proportion of Body. Tho’ he halted a little, and going out squalling with his Feet, yet made a shift to dance in an Antimasque at Court, where he drew Little Jeffrey, the Dwarf, out of his Pocket, first to the Wonder, then to the Laughter of the Spectators^[32].”

SECTION VI.

The Apparatus in Serpents for their Motion is admirable. How curious the Structure of their Muscles, and their Junction to every Point, whereby they are prepared for their different Motions, and enabled to move according to their different Nature and Situation!

In those that go upon their Bellies, the Movement is very singular, which is in a Form curvilineal, different winding of their 18Bodies. The Serpentine Line, among Mathematicians, is borrowed from the Foldings of a Serpent in its Motion.

The Learned observe, there is a great deal of geometrical Niceness in the sinuous Motion of Snakes, Vipers, and other Serpents; to assist them in the right Management of it, the annular Scales under their Bodies are very remarkable, lying cross the Belly, contrary to what those in the Back, and the rest of the System do; which Contrivance facilitates their Motion. This tortuous creeping Motion of the Reptile Species is very curious: The whole Body of a Worm is, as it were, but a Chain of annular or spiral Muscles, whose round Fibres, by contracting, make each Ring more strong. The Back-Bones of Serpents are a wonderful Composition: How thick are they with Joints? How numerous and strong are their co-operating Muscles? By this curious Articulation of the Joints, they can turn and wind their Bodies any way without any difficulty.

The Outside of their Skin is a most elegant Composition: to a common Eye, their Tegument has a rugged uneven Aspect; but, to a proper Judge, the Scales of Vipers are found to be a most exquisite Piece of Mechanism; the Symmetry of the whole is geometrically exact, and vastly beautiful; not imitable by human Skill: Some of them are guarded by a coverture not penetrable by a human Arm, which is their Security in a perilous Situation; yea, a greater Security than many innocent Inhabitants of the Field are privileged with. Among Serpents, some are clothed as with a Coat of Mail, i. e. an Armature of strong Scales; and such of them as want that crustaceous Covering, have either a Sting in the Tail, or a Tooth in their Mouth, that bids the Assailant keep off, and observe his Distance.

SECTION VII.

What is Poison? I answer, that, generally speaking, ’tis taken to be a malignant Quality in some Vegetables, Minerals, and Animals, a small Quantity of which is hurtful, and even mortal, &c.

19The Learned in the Faculty tell us, Poisons operate in various manners; some by dissolving the Blood, others by coagulating it, and some by corroding and destroying the Solids. The Learned Sir Hans Sloane says, “Some attack equally all Parts, some only a particular one. Thus the Lepus Marinus is an Enemy to the Lungs, Cantharides to the Bladder^[33].”

Some Vegetables again, which prove Poison to Man, serve for Food to other Animals. Thus, says that learned Gentleman, Mandragora and Jusquiamnus that feed Hogs, kill Man.

HEMLOCK, that is hurtful to Man, is wholesome for Goats; yea, the Cassavi Plant poisons unprepared; but prepared, is the very Bread of the West-Indians, particularly Jamaica and the hotter Parts, with which they victual Ships. Ibid. Tea is said to be poisonous before it is cured.

This perhaps may serve to obviate an Objection made against the Goodness of the Deity, in planting a Tree in Paradise that had such malignant Influences; because, supposing that it had any Properties, which might tend to the Dissolution of the human System, yet the same Tree might be very salutary and useful to other Beings in the Creation.

Having divided Poison into Three Parts, I shall, in the next Place consider them distinctly.

I. This Contrivance of Divine Wisdom is so universal, that we find, in the vegetable Kingdom, something more than what is merely analogous to Poison, both in Land and Water-Plants; as the Napellus, Cassivi, Nux Vomica, Aconite, Cicuta Aquatica, Solanum Lethale, Aconitum Hyemale. Some Poisons are of a Narcotic Quality, as Poppy and Henbane—being taken in too great a Quantity, become poisonous. I shall only add some Instances of Persons kill’d by eating poisonous Plants, Roots, and Herbs. The Wife of W. Matthews, near Salop, who having gathered a Quantity of Dog-Mercury, which she took to be another Herb, boiled it for their Supper, which very sensibly affected the whole Family. One of the Children slept from Thursday Night till Monday Evening, then just opened her Eyes, and died immediately. The other two Children slept about 24 Hours, and, upon their awakening, fell a vomiting and purging, 20which, ’tis thought, saved their Lives^[34]. A certain Woman near Kilkenny in Ireland, eating by mistake, a Hemlock-Root among Parsnips, was immediately seized with a Raving and Madness. Ibid.

Eight young Lads went a fishing to a Brook near Clonmel in Ireland, and there meeting with a great Parcel of Oenanthe Aquatica succo viroso, they mistook the Roots of it for Sium Aquaticum Roots, and did eat heartily of them. About four or five hours after coming home, the eldest of them, on a sudden, fell down backwards, and lay kicking and sprawling on the Ground, foaming at the Mouth; soon after, four more were seized the same way, and they all died before Morning: not one of them having spoken a Word from the Moment in which the venenate Particles surprised the Genus nervosum^[35]. Of the other three, one ran stark-mad, but recovered; another had his Hair and Nails fallen off; the third alone escaped: perhaps it might be owing to a strong Constitution, and eating less of that fatal Root; or perhaps it might be attributed to his speedy running above two Miles home (after he saw one young Man fall) together with his drinking a very large Draught of warm Milk from the Cow, in his midway, and a violent Sweating, which might expel many of those venemous Particles. Ibid.

An Experiment has been made upon a Dog, by giving him the Nux Vomica, which soon poisoned him. The American Physick Nut is said to be so poisonous, that no Animals make a near Approach to it. Wormwood in Persia is so venemous, that if Horses, or any other Creatures, eat thereof, they die immediately; upon which account, say the Duke of Holstein’s Ambassadors, we durst not unbit that day^[36]. The Indians have what they call Juico Juice among them, which deprives such as drink of it of their Reason, and renders them perfect Idiots; tho’ at the same time it leaves them in the perfect Enjoyment of their Health and natural Powers.

CHARCOALS prepared from Vegetables, have a poisonous Quality; for, when kindled, they exhale a Vapour, which, if it be kept up, and confin’d to a close Place, proves fatal. ’Tis said, Charcoal made in Cornwal affords a manifest arsenical and sulphurous 21Smell beyond others; and yet Charcoal is a commodious Fuel.

Even when the sharp Points of Nettles pierce the Flesh, they instil a kind of venemous Juice into the Wound, which gives a painful Sensation. The Leaf of a Nettle has some relation to a Sting; ’tis covered with very sharp Prickles, whose Base, which is a Bladder of a flexible Substance, has a Hole in the middle, by which this venemous Liquor runs into the wounded Part, and excites Pain.

This may be easily perceived with a Microscope; if a Man press with the Finger, the End of those Prickles against its Base: for then, thro’ these Prickles which are transparent, this Liquor is manifestly seen to mount, and to descend, as the ingenious Mr. Hook assures us, he had often made the Experiment.

In Carmania Deserta, towards the Persian Gulph, they have two sorts of dangerous Shrubs, one called Gulbad-Samour, i. e. the Flower that poisons the Wind, where there are many of these Shrubs. The Wind that passes thro’ them, kills those who are near it. The other is Kerzehre, the Gall of Asses, because it kills those Creatures, and others that eat of it; yea, the Water that falls from it is poisonous. They say, that Part of its Root which spreads to the East is Poison: for which, that on the South-side is an Antidote^[37].——N. B. Is not our Author mistaken? for can any Poison grow in the delicious Plains of the East, consecrated to the Service of the Altar and Knee?

An Overdose of Opium, which is the condensed Juice of Poppies, is poisonous. The Turks take Opium, which they call Affion, without any Preparation, it being merely the Juice of black Poppy, dried in the Sun, without any purification. It is wonderful, that use should make that Liquid which is Poison to us, a Cordial to them^[38].

The Vapour arising from vegetable Liquors during their Fermentation, ought not to be approached too near, because it is poisonous: We have Accounts in the French and German Transactions, of People who were immediately struck dead, by receiving at the Nose the Fumes that issued from large Vessels of Wine in the State of Fermentation^[39].

22“I think, says a learned Physician, that God made no Poison, but all things in the World were made for the Use of Man; their chiefest Deleterium is either in the Quantity, or some other Circumstance, as in Lettice, Leeks,—whose Integra are Aliments, the Juices mortiferous. Those things that are pernicious, by their external Form, as beaten Glass, Sponges, have not deserved the Brand of Poison; those that are really lethiferous, are but the Excrescences of Sin, and came in with the Thorns. The Serpent was rather destructive to the Soul than the Body.”

Among the Ancients was a Plant that killed Mice with its bare smell, according to Pliny: The Poets feign it to have sprung from the Foam of the Dog Cerberus, when Hercules dragg’d him out of Hell.

The Aconite Plants also are extremely caustic and acrimonious, in virtue whereof they have produced terrible Inflammations, that end in Mortification. So great was the People’s Dread of this Plant, for its venemous Quality, that they durst not touch it and yet, ’tis said, they made use of it against the Sting of Scorpions, which is supposed to be deadned by the Touch of the Aconite, and restored to its Vigour by that of Hellebore.

N. B. The Root of the Plant is said to cure all Diseases proceeding from Melancholy, as Disaffections from the Hypochondria, Herpes or cutaneous Inflammations.

It is also reported that Arrows dipped in the Juice of Aconite Plants, proved mortal wherever they wounded.

II. The Globe we inhabit, abounds with Variety of Minerals, of a very mischievous Nature; as Arsenic, found in Copper-mines; Orpiment, a Mineral found among Copper-mines, in Stones of different Bigness, Colour and Figure. These, and others of the same venemous Nature, are less or more dangerous, according as their Salts receive a different Force from the metallic Particles.

The Mineral Kingdom is very subject to Damps, or noxious Streams, and often found in Mines, Pits,——and in Kinds various. There are also Exhalations, a sort of Fumes issuing from Body, and diffusing themselves in the Atmosphere. Some make difference between Vapours and Exhalations: The Term Vapour, they say, is appropriated to the moist Fumes raised from Water, and 23Exhalation, to the dry ones emitted from solid Bodies, as Earth, Fire, Minerals, Sulphur. The nocuous Effluvia sent forth from them may infect the Air, and cause epidemical Distempers, and even new Diseases. About Mines and deep Caverns, are frequently found copious Exhalations continually streaming out, which, in a Moment, destroy any Animal that comes within their reach; so much as the very Insects themselves not escaping: Therefore these Places were by the Ancients called Gehennæ, Averni,—intimating thereby, that a Mineral Pit was Hell, and that Subterraneous Exhalations were Steams from the Fiery Lake.

STRABO takes notice of a Cave or Grotto in Natolia, from whence issue pestilential Vapours that infect the Air: No sooner is any Animal put in, but it immediately dies. Bulls have been put in, and suddenly taken out dead. Sparrows that have been thrown in, dropt down dead instantly.

The Turks fancy it to be haunted by evil Spirits, because those who had the Curiosity to enter it, have either died or fallen desperately sick^[40].

Mineral Poisons are more or less dangerous, as their Salts receive a greater or less Force from the metallic Particles: And hence, as the most virulent may be mitigated by breaking the Points of the saline Crystals, the most innocent Minerals may become corrosive, by combining them with Salts, as is seen in the Preparations of Silver, Antimony, Iron.

Nothing more fatal than mineral Poison, which often brings swift Destruction without remedy. To a large Dog, says the learned Dr. Mead, was given a Drachm of Mercury Sublimate, mixt with a little Bread, who after violent Evacuations, died next Morning. The same Gentleman observes, that in Arsenic is a very noxious quality: the factitious white is the most violent of all kinds, superior in force to Mercury sublimate.

These mortiferous Steams that flow from the Earth, are called Mephites, poisonous Damps; and are very common in Countries fruitful of Minerals and Mines: Damps happen in most of the Hungarian-Mines, not only in the direct Passages, where they walk on horizontally, but also in the perpendicular Descents. Now, to guard themselves against the fatal Effects of these Exhalations, 24they sometimes clear their way by Fire and the Bellows, but generally by long Tubes or Pipes, reaching from top to bottom, thro’ which they let the Air in and out; and by this Circulation of the Air, they carry on their Work for some time without Danger.

CREMNITS in Hungary (a small Town, reckon’d the chief of the Berg, or Mine-Towns) is famous for its Gold-Mine which has been work’d on 900 Years, where the Workmen sometimes are troubled with pernicious Damps, and many are kill’d by them; and so it happens in the Mines at Schemnits, the fairest of the seven Mine-Towns^[41].

Among the Minerals known to us, there are many more noxious than wholesome and the Power of the former to do mischief, is more efficacious than the Power of the latter to do good; which is evident from the little Benefit the Miner’s Health receives from any mineral Effluvia, compar’d with the great and sudden Damps, that are often caused by the Expirations of Orpiment, Sandarac, and white Arsenic, which is a deadly Poison, and most fatal of the whole Tribe of Fossils. Hence the Refiners dread nothing so much as Arsenic in their Metals; for its Fumes taken into the Lungs kill instantly, and the oftner ’tis sublim’d, the ranker it grows^[42].

MERCURY is extremely volatile, being convertible into Fumes, even by a Sand-heat. Those who practise the Art of Gilding, are but too well acquainted with these mercurial Fumes, which frequently render them epileptic and paralytic, and sometimes throw them into a Salivation. This kind of Poison is found in Friuli, a Province in Italy, belonging to the Emperor, and also in Spain, Hungary, &c.

The miserable People condemn’d, or hired to work in these Mines, all die in a little time: they are so affected with those venemous Fumes, that from Tremors they proceed to salivate, then their Teeth drop.—One of them who had been there six Years, was so full of Mercury, that holding a Piece of Gold in his Mouth a little while, it became of a Silver Colour, and when taken out, it was found heavier than before, ibid. p. 74.

COPPER is another poisonous Mineral, difficult of Fusion, and when fused, if a single Drop of Water do but fall upon it; or any 25Vessel it be cast in, be ever so little moist, it flies into innumerable Fragments, with incredible Noise, and destroys all the Persons near it. Ibid.

TIN, the lightest of all Metals, when urged by an easy Fire, it shines exceedingly; but this Splendor is succeeded by a sulphurous Steam, very destructive to the Lungs, and throws the Body into a Consumption. ibid.

At Mendip in Somersetshire, those who are employ’d in melting Lead-ore, if they work in the Smoke, are subject to killing Diseases. There is a Flight (or Steam) in the Smoke, which falling on the Grass, poisons the Cattle that eat it. Those who live very near where Lead-ore is wash’d, can’t keep either Dog or Cat, or any sort of Fowl, but they all die in a short time^[43].

Such are the mephitical Exhalations in a little Cavern in Italy, call’d Bacca Venosa, the poisonous Mouth, not far from Naples, but more generally known by Grotto de Cani, the Dog’s Cave; because the Experiment of its poisonous Nature is frequently made upon Dogs; tho’ it be fatal as to any other Creatures that come within the Reach of its venemous Fumes. This wonderful Cave is (situated at the Bottom of a Hill) in Dimension, about eight Foot high, twelve long, and six broad.

From the Ground within it, arises a thin warm Fume (visible to the Eye) which is one continued Steam covering the whole Surface of the Bottom of the Cave; it does not disperse itself into the Air like Smoke, but quickly after its Rise, falls back again into the Earth. The Fumes rise about a Foot high and never higher, and hurt no Creature whose Head is above that height; but when a little Dog, or the Head of any other Creature is forcibly held in the Steam, it falls down dead, the Limbs convuls’d, and trembling; and if left there a little while, it dies, but if taken out soon, and laid in the open Air, comes to Life again, and sooner, if thrown into the adjacent Lake.

CHARLES the Great, King of France, and Emperor of the West (a Title of Honour other Gallick Monarchs have had in full view for some time) made the Experiment upon an Ass, whose Head was held in the Fume, and was soon destroy’d. Two Slaves put in with their Heads kept down to the Earth, were both soon 26kill’d. To this, I shall add some Experiments made by the ingenious Mr. Addison, who says——

—“A Dog that has his Nose held in the Vapour (within the Cave) loses all the Signs of Life in a very little time.” Then he observes, how long a Dog was expiring the first time, and after his Recovery, and found no sensible Difference. “A Viper put in, adds he, bore it nine Minutes the first time we put it in, and ten the second. When we brought it out after the first Trial, it took such a vast quantity of Air into its Lungs, that it swell’d almost twice as big as before, and it was perhaps, on this Stock of Air, that it lived a Minute longer.

“A Torch, Snuff and all, goes out in a moment, when dipt into the Vapours or Steams of that Cave——A Pistol can’t fire in it. I split a Reed, and laid in the Channel of it a Train of Gun-powder, so that one end of the Reed was above the Vapour, and the other at the bottom of it; and I found, tho’ the Steam was strong enough to hinder a Pistol from taking fire in it—that it could not intercept the Train of Fire, when it once begun flashing, nor prevent it from running to the very end—fire will live in it no longer than in Water, because it wraps itself in the same manner about the Flame, and by its Continuity hinders any quantity of Air, or Nitre from coming to its succour^[44].”

Nor are our Mines in Great-Britain altogether free from these fatal Damps, that have turn’d Coal-pits into Graves. In a Coal-pit belonging to Lord Sinclair in Scotland, seven or eight Men intending to work in a Place where they had been the Day before, but stepping a little further, they all fell down dead, as if they had been shot. The Wife of one of them, venturing to see her Husband, fell down dead as soon as she came near the Corps^[45].

III. We come now to the sensible Region, where animal Poisons reign; that is, Poison drawn from Animals, as the Viper, Asp, Scorpion, Lepus Marinus: and here we are to encounter with an Army of Serpents, and their formidable Train.

When we speak of the Poison of Serpents, we must not suppose it diffused thro’ the whole Body, as some have imagined. 27Many Errors about the particular Situation of it, have been happily removed by the Learned Dr. Redi, and Dr. Mead, who observes the Viper has always been so notorious for its Poison, that the most remote Antiquity, made it an Emblem of what is hurtful and destructive, but were not agreed from whence the Poison proceeded, whether from the Saliva, the Teeth, the Gall, &c. which leads me to a Passage in the noble Italian, who says:

... That as a certain Learned Society in Italy were debating this Point, one Jacobus Sozzi (audiendi gratiâ) who was allow’d to be present, stationed himself in a corner of the Place, and hearing some of them affirm that the Poison was in the Gall-bladder, fell a smiling; and being ask’d the Reason, he answer’d, that the Serpent’s Gall was an innocent Part: Whereupon, in their Presence, he drank a Glass of Wine, mixt with the Gall of a Viper, without any ill Effect.

One of the Company said, he came thither with his Body prepared by Alexipharmicks. He, to convince them of the contrary, try’d the Experiment upon Dogs, and other Animals, by giving them the Gall of Vipers to drink in abundance, without any Danger ensuing^[46].

In the Debate about the Seat of the Poison, the famous Italian maintains, that all the Venom of a Serpent consists in a yellow Liquor contain’d in a Bladder, at the bottom of its Tooth, which Liquor, upon its biting, by the Pressure of the Bladder, is forced thro’ a Tube within the Tooth, into the Wound, and thence ensue direful Effects. This Hypothesis he supports by a good number of Experiments upon various Animals, which were bit by a Viper, after those venemous Bags were taken out, without any Signs of Poison, or any ill Consequence at all^[47].

Another celebrated Physician maintains, that this yellow Liquid is not poisonous, that he had given it to Pigeons as Food, without their being at all disorder’d thereby.—That the Viper’s Bite, he had always found mortal to Animals, even after the venemous Bag was taken out, as well as before.—That therefore the Poison must lie in the irritated Spirits of the Viper, which it exhales in the Ardor of its biting, and which are so cold that they curdle the Blood, and stop the Circulation^[48].

28Both these are ingenious Men; their Systems are opposite, yet both maintain’d by well-attested Experiments. The Publick, however, give into the Sentiments of Seignior Redi, as answering the best to the Mechanism of the Parts.

Seignior Vigani has in some measure reconciled these two Learned Combatants, who alledges, that the yellow Liquor wherewith Dr. Redi kill’d Pullets, &c. after the death of the Viper, was either saturated with the Spirits of the enraged Viper, by whipping it before, or else (as ’tis probable) in the hot and dry Climates of Italy, those Creatures are more venemous than in colder Countries.

This Poison of Vipers seems to lie in their hollow Teeth, because the Mountebanks of old, to impose on the People, used to stop those Cavities, or hollow Places in the Teeth, with some kind of Paste, before they suffered the Vipers to bite them in sight of Spectators; which was commonly done, and succeeded according to their wish;—and sometimes, with a Needle scratch’d the Gums, and press’d out the Poison^[49]. Pliny says, they have but one venemous Tooth.

Dr. Mead, having given the various Symptoms attending venemous Wounds, proceeds to the Remedies; and in particular, mentions the volatile Salt of Vipers, as alone sufficient to do the Work, if given in due time, in proper quantities, and duly repeated^[50].

Mr. Robert Burdet, an English Merchant at Aleppo (in Turkish Asia) was bit by a Serpent about ten in the Morning, and died about three in the Afternoon. The People of that Country say, the only Cure in that Case, is immediately to suck the Wound; but they must rub first their Gums and Teeth with Oil, that none of the Poison may touch any place where the Skin is broken, and spit out immediately what they suck^[51].

The Learned Batavian observes, as a present and effectual Remedy in the Case of the Bite of a mad Dog, or other venemous Animal, immediately to burn the affected Part with a hot Iron, or rather thrust deep into the Wound; for by this means, the Juices about the Part being coagulated, and an Escar produced, all Communication of the Poison to any other Vessels is stopt, 29and thus the Cure may be easily effected. Not that the hot Iron draws out the Poison, as is vulgarly imagined, but renders the Parts uncapable of being penetrated, or affected thereby^[52].

But to come nearer home, and to a cheap and easy Antidote against the serpentine and canine Venom, by a certain Experiment lately made in England, which was thus, viz.

... One William Oliver, and his Wife from Bath, who follow the Business of catching and selling Vipers, offer’d themselves—to be bit by any Viper, that should be procured, trusting to the Virtue of a certain Remedy they had found out by chance in trying things, when the Woman was once accidentally bitten.——The usual known Medicine, even the Oil of Vipers, having no Effect in assuaging her Pains, they had recourse to the common Oil of Olives, which proved an effectual Remedy. The Circumstances of the Case were——

On the first of June 1735, in the Presence of a great number of Persons, the said William Oliver was bit by an old black Viper, or Adder, (brought by one of the Company) upon the Wrist, and Joint of the Thumb of the Right-Hand, so that Drops of Blood came out of the Wounds: He immediately felt a violent Pain, both at the top of his Thumb, and up his Arm, even before the Viper was loosen’d from his Hand: Soon after he felt a Pain resembling that of Burning, trickle up his Arm; in a few Minutes, his Eyes began to look red and fiery, and to water much.

In less than half an Hour, he perceived the Venom seize his Heart, with a prickling Pain, which was attended with Faintness, Shortness of Breath, cold Sweats: In a few Minutes after this, his Belly began to swell, with great Gripings, and Pains in his Back, which were attended with violent Vomitings, and Purgings.

During the Violence of these Symptoms, his Sight was gone for several Minutes; but he could hear all the while: He said, that in his former Experiments, he had never defer’d making use of his Remedy longer than he perceived the Effects of the Venom reaching his Heart; but this time, being willing to satisfy the Company throughly, and trusting to the speedy Effects of the Oil, which had never fail’d him, he forbore to apply any thing 30till he found himself exceeding ill, and quite giddy. About an Hour and Quarter after the first of his being bit, a Chafing-dish of glowing Charcoals was brought in, and his naked Arm was held over it as near as he could bear it, while his Wife rubb’d in with her Hand the Sallad Oil, turning his Arm continually round, as if she wou’d have roasted it over the Coals.

He said the Pain soon abated, but the Swelling did not diminish much; most violent Purgings and Vomitings soon ensued, and his Pulse became so low and so often interrupted, that it was thought proper to order him a Repetition of Cordial Potions. He said he was not sensible of any great Relief from these, but that a Glass or two of Olive Oil drank down seemed to give him ease: Continuing in this dangerous Condition, he was put to Bed, where his Arm was again bath’d over a Pan of Charcoal, and rubb’d with Sallad Oil heated in a Ladle over the Charcoal, by Dr. Mortimer’s Direction.——Whereupon he declared he found immediate Ease, as tho’ by some Charm——then fell into a profound Sleep, and after about nine Hours found Rest, awak’d, about six the next Morning, and found himself very well; but in the Afternoon, on Drinking some Rum and strong Beer, so as to be almost fuddled, the Swelling return’d with much Pain and cold Sweats; which abated soon on bathing the Arm as before, and wrapping it up in a brown Paper soaked in the Oil.

The learned Dr. Mortimer, relates the Success of this simple Medicine, tried afterwards on other Animals, who were purposely bitten, both by the same, and by fresh Vipers, to experience the Efficacy of it^[53].

In the Sequel, he has occasion to mention a Remedy for the Bite of a mad Dog, under the Title of Dampier’s Powder, the Composition of which is, viz. ash Colour Groundwort and black Pepper. It was first published by Sir Hans Sloane, in Numb. 237 of the Transactions, A. D. 1720, under the Name of Pulvis Antilyssus; where the Manner of giving it, not only to Men, but to Dogs and Cattle, is accurately set down. The Doctor says, the Lichen Cinereus Terrestris is accounted exceedingly efficacious in curing Dogs bitten by mad Dogs; then adds, viz.

31That King James, when Duke of York, caused this Lichen Cinereus Terrestris to be given to a whole Kennel of Dogs bit by a mad one, which were all cured, except one of them, to whom none of it was given^[54].

In Norway, and on a great Moss near Warrington, are many Serpents; and their Wounds are cured by Venice-Treacle.

In Africa, they have an odd Way of curing Persons hurt by Poison; they rub the Venom of Snakes with their own Spittle, between two Stones and having mixed them well, they scratch upon the Wings of the Stomach, and to the Part so scratch’d, which is bloody, they apply a small Part of the Mixture; the rest they take inwardly.——This never fails to expel the Poison in the Wound, or in any other Part affected with it: In about a Month’s time a perfect Cure is made; in order to which, when they judge the Poison is expell’d, they cleanse the Wound, and apply to it the leaves of Buchu, Dacha, and other salutiferous Herbs: But they say, the least Neglect of such a Wound, (be it by a poisonous Arrow, or any other way) is dangerous^[55].

Snake-wood is very common in the Island of Ceylon, (suppos’d to be the Taprobane of Ptolemy) which is much esteem’d by the East-Indians, who, with the Powder of it taken in Water or Wine, cure many Distempers, and among others, the Stings of Serpents, which abound in that Country.

Their Naturalists say, the Virtue of it was first discovered by a small Creature, like our Ferrets, which when stung by Serpents, runs and eats of the Snake-wood, and is cur’d.

Father Regnault, speaking of Poisons, mentions several Methods of Cure, as Incisions, Ligatures, Caustics, Vomits, Oil of Olive, Baths, Treacle, Juice of Citron.

By a Ligature, which hinders the Poison from spreading.

By Caustics, or red-hot Iron brought within a certain Distance of the Wound; because Heat attenuates the Poison by its action, and dissipates it.

This Effect of Poison has some Analogy with that which happens upon syringing (thro’ Curiosity) some acid Liquor into 32the Veins of a living Dog, or other Creature; for in a short time he falls into Convulsions, and dies. A Decoction of white Hellebore injected into the jugular Vein of a Dog, as soon as it enter’d the Heart, kill’d as suddenly as if shot thro’ the Heart with a Bullet. On January 4, 1679, a Drachm and a half of Spirit of Salt, diluted in an Ounce and half of Water, and injected into the jugular Vein of a Dog, kill’d him immediately. We kill’d a Dog almost in a Moment by injecting into his jugular Vein an Ounce of Spirit of Wine, in which was dissolved a Drachm of Camphire: The same Day we injected warm into the crural Vein of a Cat, 50 Grains of Opium, dissolved in an Ounce of Water, which was soon seized with convulsive Motions, and died within a Quarter of an Hour. We injected an Ounce of Oil of Olives into the jugular Vein of a Dog, which suffocated him the same Moment.

The Remarkables here are,

I. That a small Portion of this venemous Liquid should in so short a time do such terrible Executions: That it should so soon infect so great a Quantity of Fluid, as the whole Mass of Blood in the wounded Animal. A very learned Physician accounts for it thus, viz.

“That in the Drop of Poison are pungent Salts, by which little Bladders in the Blood are prickt, and the elastick Matter in them being let out, carries those acute Salts thro’ the whole Region of Fluids; upon which follows a Coagulation^[57].”

All venemous Creatures hurt, by instilling a liquid Poison into the Wound, suppose the Wound to be given by the Tooth or Tail. The aforesaid ingenious Physician says, viz. “This venemous Juice it self is of so inconsiderable a Quantity, that it is no more than one good Drop that does the Execution.”——In order, adds he, to examine the Texture of the Liquor, I enrag’d a Serpent till it bit upon something solid, so as to void its Poison; whose Parts I view’d with a Microscope as nicely as I could.

“Upon the first Sight, I could discover nothing but a Parcel of small Saks nimbly floating in the Liquor, which soon shot out, as it were, into Crystals of incredible Tenuity and Sharpness, 33with something like Knots here and there, from which they seemed to proceed; so that the whole Texture in a manner represented a Spider’s Web, tho’ infinitely finer, and more minute; and yet withal so rigid were these pellucid Spicula or Darts, that they remain’d unalter’d upon my Glass for several Months^[58]”.

——N. B. These saline Particles appeared to be Acids.

Most surprising this! to see an Army of Flesh and Blood, tremble and fall before a single Atom of Matter! to see the Cedars of Lebanon demolish’d by the single Stroke of a contemptible Worm. So in the Moral World. Even in the Paradisaical State, how malignant the Poison of forbidden Fruit that spread Mortality over the whole human Race, and will affect Millions; dreadful Effects of once eating forbidden Fruit! What a World of Evils flows from one Disease or Disorder in the human Nature! It was by one false Step the unquenchable Fire was first kindled.

II. That Poison is not so dangerous, if it does not mix with the Blood. Even that venemous Liquid may be tasted, yea, and swallow’d without mortal Effects, say some of the Learned. Hence it is, wounded Persons have been directed to get the Venom immediately suck’d out, which has been practis’d without ill Consequences to the Sucker.

For this Method of curing venemous Wounds by Suction, Avicenna, an old Arabian Philosopher and physician, is quoted; who says, that those who suck out the Poison are in no danger, so their Teeth be sound and perfect, and their Mouths be free from all Ulcers. At Rome was an Order of Servants whose Office was to suck venemous Wounds, which they did with Safety and Applause^[59].

“Many acid Substances taken into the Stomach, are, by its action turned into Alcalious; so there is no question but these saline Spicula are, partly by the muscular Motion of the Fibres, partly by the salival Juice, all broken and dissolved; or if any escape into the Intestines, the Balsam of the Bile will be an Antidote for them. p. 14.”

34Creatures reputed venemous, are indeed no Poisons when swallowed, tho’ the Venom may prove so when put into Wounds.

The Venom that falls upon the Skin, is not so mischievous as that which enters into the Stomach, or is communicated by a Wound. “Yea, the Venom of a Viper, in itself, is not mortal to a robust and strong Body; and tho’ very unhappy and mischievous Accidents attend it, as Convulsions, Vomitings, &c.” yet in eight or ten Days at most, these are over; tho’ the Patient may be very ill, yet he recovers, while the Poison having run thro’ divers Parts of the Body, at last always throws itself into the Scrotum, and is discharg’d by a great Quantity of Urine: This Evacuation being the ordinary and most certain Crisis of the Disease^[60].

The Water—which amphibious Serpents frequent, receives no venemous Tincture from them. When Marcus Cato commanded in Africa (the Element of poisonous Animals) he had in his Army a Number of those Natives called Psylli and Marci, the supposed Aversion of Serpents, and who suck’d the Wounds of those hurt by them. It is said, these Psyllians inchanted Serpents, who fled at the sight of them, as if their Bodies exhaled some corpuscular Effluviums that were most offensive to Serpents, and put them into such pain that made them run. To these, the General added another Set of Persons, famous for curing the wounded by other Methods; and all little enough, Serpents being the Lords of the Country through which they were to pass^[61].

The Author of the Description of Cato’s marching the Remains of Pompey’s Army through the Lybian Deserts, observes, how the Army being almost choak’d with Thirst, and coming to a Brook full of Serpents, durst not drink for fear of being poisoned, till convinced by their Superiors, that their being in the Water, did by no means infect it: Upon which they refreshed themselves with Water from the Serpentine River^[62].

Add to this, the Example of Queen Cleopatra, who, to prevent her being carried to Rome in Triumph, ’tis said, poisoned herself, by holding a Serpent to her own Breast. Galen mentioning 35this Story, relates from Authors, that she killed herself, by pouring the Poison of an Asp into a Wound made in her Arm by her own Teeth; as if under Conviction, that the Poison would not effectually answer the End, without touching the Blood. Ibid. Of which more in the Second Part of this Discourse.

III. In Serpents is an inexhaustible Store of Poison. If they discharge all their Artillery to-day, their Arsenal will be full to-morrow. ’Tis true, by a speedy repeated Emission of Poison at one time, the Viper loses its force, probably by a Diminution in Quantity; but is recruited in a Short space. Thus, one Viper cannot poison six Creatures, one immediately after another; the Truth of which is confirmed by uncontestable Facts.——An Experiment was made by Dr. Areskine, when he was at Paris.—Having got a large female Viper, he made it bite six Pigeons, one immediately after another. The first and second that were bit, died within half an Hour; one a little before the other; the third lived about two Hours; the fourth seem’d to be very sick for a while, but recover’d; the fifth and sixth that were bitten, were no more hurt than if prick’d with a Pin. Ibid.

The learned Italian, Seignior Redi, says, that having, at the Entrance of Winter, a Scorpion sent him to Rome from Tunis in Africa, he irritated it to sting Pigeons and Pullets, without any bad Effects; but upon the approach of warm Weather, after eight Months fasting it was provoked to sting two Pigeons successively, which soon died; but the third and fourth received no hurt from its Wound. The Author of the Natural History of Carolina, speaking of the Rattle-Snakes, says, they can’t renew their Poison as oft as they will; for he had seen a Person bit by one of them, who never rightly recovered, and very hardly escaped with Life; and another Person immediately after being bit by the same Snake, received no more Hurt than if bit by a Rat. p. 129.^[63]

N. B. Poison in different Countries, is more or less dangerous according as it is exalted and heighten’d by various Degrees of Heat; for by Increase of Heat, that venemous Quality is increased.

How is it consistent with Divine Goodness to create such venemous Animals, that are so dangerous and destructive to their Fellow-Creatures? I answer,

I. That as the Power of God shines in the Formation of all Creatures, so does his Goodness in their natural Perfections, which is the Goodness of their Being. Every Creature is good, and if any Branch of the Creation be hurtful to another, ’tis the Effect of moral Evil, and not any necessary Consequence arising from their Creation.

This noxious Quality in Serpents, is God’s Creature, and must answer some valuable Purpose, tho’ concealed from an Eye blinded by the Venom of Sin. Nor must we forget that they seldom hurt their Fellow-Creatures, but when they are provok’d; and when they hurt, they present us with a healing Remedy, that is, the volatile Salt of Vipers, which if rubbed into the Wound, has been generally applied with Success.

II. Their poisonous Liquid must some way be beneficial to themselves. We are not told what their original Food was; but now they live by Plunder, and by their Venom they are enabled to make sure of their Prey, which otherwise might escape, or grow too strong for them, and so they might starve for want of proper Means to support Life; and what they take by their venemous Fangs and Stings, is good Nourishment.

Their Poison also, is to them as a Life-Guard. Were there not something terrible in their Weapons of War, every one would trample upon them. Add to this, that perhaps their Constitution may be so modify’d and framed, that this venemous Liquid may be as useful to digest their Food, as our Saliva is to us in that respect.

III. SERPENTS, tho’ venemous, are of special Use to Mankind, as they are Part of the Materia Medica, and bear a great Share in some of the best Antidotes, or Remedies against Poison. Vipers make a considerable Article in Medicine; their Flesh either roasted or boiled, the Physicians unanimously prescribe as an excellent Restorative, particularly in Consumptions, Leprosy.——

37The learned Dr. Mead recommends the Broth or Jelly of Vipers; or, as the Antients did, to boil and eat them as a Fish, or at least to drink Wine, wherein they have been long infused: The Apothecaries sell the Pulvis Viperinus, which is only dried Vipers pulverized, Heart, Liver, and all other Parts, and past through a fine Sieve. Some call it, Animal Bezoard.

BEZOAR is a Persian Word, Pazahar, primarily denotes Counter-Poison, and is applied to several chymical Compositions of that Intention. Theriaca, or Treacle, a Name given by the Antients to various Compositions, is reckoned good against Poison.—The Basis or Foundation of the Composition is Viper’s Flesh^[64].

Even in Tartary, an uncultivated Nation, the Viper’s Flesh is reckoned to be wonderful good Physick. In some of the Rivers of Siam, are many Crocodiles, which the Siamese call Cayman, and use them as good Physick with Success^[65].

It is supposed, when Viper-Catchers were hurt, they immediately cured themselves by rubbing this volatile Salt of Vipers into the wounded Part. An Experiment was made by enraging a Viper to bite the Nose of a young Dog: The Part began to swell; to which was applied this volatile Salt, and the Dog was very well next day. The Viper was made to bite the Dog again in the Tongue, and no Application being made, he died within a few Hours^[66].

One of the first that made use of the Viper in medicinal Purposes, was (as my learned Author thinks) Antonius Musa, the famous Physician to Octavius Cæsar; of whom Pliny tells, that when he met with incurable Ulcers, he ordered the eating of Vipers; and by this means they were quickly healed. The same Author adds from Porphyrius, that the great Greek Physician Craterus, very happily cured a miserable Slave, whose Skin in a strange manner fell off from his Bones, by advising him to feed upon Vipers, drest after the manner of Fish. Ibid.

A late eminent Physician, speaking of Vipers, says,——’Tis certain, very noble Medicines are prepared from them, and a Wine from their Flesh, singular in consumptive, leprous, and 38scorbutick Cases: They afford also a volatile Salt, the most generous Cordial in Nature^[67].

In Italy is a subterraneous Cavern, called Grotto de i Serpi, large enough to hold two Persons, perforated like a Sieve; out of which, in the Spring, issues a numerous Brood of young Snakes, of divers Colours. In this Cave they expose their leprous, paralytic, arthritick Patients, where the Warmth of the Steams resolving them into Sweat, and then Serpents clinging variously all around, licking their naked Bodies, they are soon restored to Health, by repeating the Operation. This Serpentine Cave was visited by Kircher, the celebrated Philosopher and Mathematician; who says, he saw the Holes, and heard a murmuring hissing Noise in them, tho’ he did not see the Serpents, it not being their Season to creep out; yet he saw a great Number of their Exuviæ, or Sloughs, and an Elm at a small distance laden with them. The Discovery was by the Cure of a Leper going from Rome, who losing his way, and being benighted, happen’d upon this Cave, and finding it very warm, pull’d off his Clothes; and being weary and sleepy, had, says my Author, the Good-fortune not to feel the Serpents about him, till they had wrought his Cure. Musæum Wormian. in Cyclopædia.

IV. Serpents are not only Physick, but common Food in many Parts of the World, and esteemed a most delicious Entertainment. Formerly, nothing more terrible to Men than these veneniferous Animals, but now (Men being better acquainted with their natural Qualities) are very familiar to many People; insomuch that there are but few Persons of Distinction, in France, and other Places, where they may be had, but make use of them, as a good and most agreeable Diet; and the ingenious Virtuoso makes living Vipers his Domestick Divertisement.

The Italian and French Physicians do commonly prescribe the Broth and Jelly of Vipers, to purify and invigorate the Mass of Blood, exhausted with Age and chronical Diseases.

We read of the Ophiophagi, a People so called because they are Serpent-Eaters. It is observed from Aristotle, that the Troglodytes, 39who are Africans, not far from the Arabian Gulph, leading a pastoral Life, lived by hunting—and fed on Serpents^[68].

Among the Andesian Mountains in America, is a Serpent called Juanna, big as a Rabbit, has a spotted Skin, four Feet, and is never observed to have any Voice, is much eaten by the Inhabitants, and counted better Meat than Rabbits, as it is prepared by the Barbarians^[69].

The Kanina Serpent that feeds upon Birds, is eaten by the Inhabitants, the Brasilians, and their Negro-Labourers, after they cut off the Head and Tail. Ibid. The Dutch, Portuguese, and others in that Country, feed upon the Lyboya Serpent; ’tis of a prodigious, large Bulk, and described in another Place. Ibid. In old Mexico, we read how the Indians took a certain Serpent that carried thirty Young’s, which were each a Finger long, and crept about immediately; and the old one being above 20 Foot long, served the Natives for Venison^[70].

AMERICUS Vespusius, (a Florentine, who was the first, after Columbus, that discover’d America, and wrote the History of his four Years Voyages) says, he saw some Serpents in America, which the Inhabitants commonly feed upon: They were of diverse Colours, and as big as Kids. In the History of that Country, we find the Natives of the Land fed upon Adders, Serpents, Toads,——without any Scruple of Mind, or Injury to their Health.

The Natives of Tonquin, a large Kingdom of India, beyond the Ganges, in treating their Friends, give them Arrack, a rich Cordial, in which Snakes and Scorpions have been infus’d; and is esteem’d an Antidote against all Poisons.

INDIA breeds Serpents in abundance of all Sizes, and Variety of most charming Colours: The People of Siam catch prodigious Numbers of them in the Woods, and expose them to Sale in the Markets, as Eels in England, for Animal Food^[71].

Experiments have been made upon Animals, as Pigeons, Chickens—that were bit by Serpents, which have been eaten without any manner of Hurt, or painful Sensation; yea, Serpents that were slain have been given to Dogs, who fed upon them without danger, or any uneasiness^[72].

40The Circulatores, or Dealers in Serpents, devour’d at their Tables even their Heads, and pour’d the Gall into their Cups when they drank, laughing at their Neighbours Timidity, who transform their Imaginations into Bug-bears.

The Inhabitants of Mount Athos, between Macedonia and Thracia, are called Macrobii, that is Long-livers, or long-liv’d; and their Longevity is attributed to their feeding on Viper’s Flesh, which is a most elegant Nutritive^[73].

The Ethiopians are number’d among those who feed upon Serpents, as one valuable Branch of their sustenance.

In the Kingdom of Congo in Africa, the Negroes roast the Adders, and not only greedily feed upon them, but esteem them as a most delicious Food^[74].

ST. HELENA, one of the African Islands, abounds with Serpents which the Dutch eat as a greater Dainty than Eels^[75]. We read of a Man who liv’d at Colonia Agrippina in Germany, that fed upon Spiders, as the most delicate Dish.—N. B. This Cologne is called Agrippina from Agrippina the Mother of Nero (who poison’d Claudius her own Husband, to make Nero her Son Emperor) and would have the Town honoured with a Roman Colony, as being the Place of her Birth^[76].

In Cuba, an American Island, they were pester’d with many sorts of Serpents, not so much from the ill Condition of the Soil, as by an old superstitious Whim of the Savages, who in former Times were not suffered to kill them, (this being a royal game, and a nice Dish reserved for the Higher Powers) and were not able afterwards to destroy them, when it would have been suffered^[77].

The Kalmuck Tartars feed very much upon Snakes, Adders and Foxes——The Syrians eat Crocodiles, which live on the Land only.

MITHRIDATE, formerly one of the Capital Medicines in the Shops, has the Name from the Inventor, viz. Mithridates King of Pontus, who being overcome by Pompey, would have poison’d himself; but no Poison would work upon him, having accustom’d himself to eat Poison; thus described in an old Doggrel Rhyme, viz.

After King Mithridates was vanquish’d, Cneus Pompeius found in his Closet the following Receipt, against Poison, writ with his own Hand, in this Manner, viz.

TAKE two dry Walnut-kernels, as many Figs, of Rue twenty Leaves, stamp all these together into one Mass, with a Grain of Salt.——Under this Receipt was writ——Whoever eats this Confection in the Morning fasting, no Poison shall hurt him that Day^[78]. In America, where Lizards are very good, they eat them, and so large, that one Lizard is enough to satisfy four Men. ’Tis very probable that they were eaten in Arabia and Judea, since Moses ranks them among the unclean Creatures^[79].

Though the Flesh of venemous Creatures be nutrimental, and eaten with a good Relish, in many Places, yet it must be allow’d our old Historiographers in some Things hyperbolize upon the Subject. Thus Avicenna, the great Arabian Doctor, and others, speak of a young Maid, who was fed with the Flesh of poisonous Creatures, from her tender Age; by which her Breath became venemous to those who stood by her. And thus Porus, a certain Indian King, is said to use Poison every Day, that he might kill others. It is a known History, adds he, of a young Woman, fed with Poison, with which the Persian Kings destroy’d whom they pleas’d.

Add to this another traditional Opinion, viz. that some particular Persons have an evil Eye, which affects Children and Cattle; yea, that some have this unhappy Faculty, tho’ at the same Time void of any ill Design. This has been an old Tradition, as appears from that of the Poet^[80].

On the Mountains of Ceylon in the East-Indies, are Serpents of such vast Size, that they swallow young Cattle: Their Flesh is very delicate, and has a most pleasing Taste; therefore is very much eaten.

42This Island of Ceylon is one of the most charming Situation on the Earth, the Key and Glory of the Indies; the Air so temperate, that, properly speaking, they feel neither Heat nor Cold; the Vales and Hills are always covered with Flowers, the Fields cover’d with Fruits of all Sorts; and in the Woods are Serpents call’d Lizards, full three Hands long, whose Flesh is excellent Meat^[81].

In the second Part is a more ample Description of Ceylon.

The Iguana Serpent is amphibious, lays numerous Eggs, grateful to the Taste, is very good Nourishment, preferable to Spanish Rabbits; and in the City of Mexico these Serpents are brought to the Markets, especially in the quadragesimal Days.

A Spanish Historian says, the Iguanas are shap’d like the Alligators, very ugly, as big as Lap-dogs, of several Colours; the Spaniards observe, that their Flesh tastes like the Pheasants, and feed upon it with pleasure^[82].

The learned Ray, speaking of the Liboya, that monstrous American Serpent, says, that after it has swallow’d a large Animal, its Head grows heavy and sleepy, that it can neither run nor fight; the Hunters finding it in this stupid Posture, soon strangle him with a Rope; and being kill’d, cut the Carcass into Parcels, and sell the Flesh for Food, which is reckon’d a delightful Entertainment^[83]. The same Author adds, that both Africans and Americans having cut off the Head and Tail of the Kanina Serpent, eat the Body as part of their constant Repast. Ibid. 328.

BRASILIAN Serpents call’d Lizards are slay’d, broil’d as little Fishes, and eaten by the Negroes or Blackmoors that are transported into that Country from Africa.

I am inform’d of a Gentleman of the Law at Ludlow, who having prick’d a living Toad in various Parts, sucks its Moisture, and leaves it as must a Skeleton as the Purse of a Client.

Thus we see that the Almighty is so far from being chargeable with Defect of Wisdom and Goodness, in forming of Serpents, that both as Food and Physick, they may be equally improv’d to our Advantage.

43I shall only add one Remark here, that if Serpents, and other venemous Creatures, are hurtful to us, ’tis only by Accident, that is, they are not vexatious to us, of Necessity, but through our own Ignorance, Carelessness, or Mistake; e. gr.

“The Birds we call Stares, safely feed upon Hemlock; Storks feed on Adders, and Slow-Worms; which, and other hurtful Creatures, would be as harmless to ourselves, had we always Caution enough to avoid them, or Wit enough to use them as we should. Thus Aloes has the Property of promoting Hæmorrhages; but this Property is good or bad, as ’tis used: if by one that has the Green Sickness, it will prove a good Medicine; if by one subject to a Dysentery, or to spitting of Blood, a pernicious Poison.”^[84]

And it is very probable, that the most dangerous Poisons skilfully managed, may be made, not only innocuous, but, of all other Medicines, the most effectual. Opium corrected, loses its narcotic Quality, and is safely given in great Doses, in Fluxes, Catarrhs, and convulsive Cases.

It is generally agreed, there is no Part of a Viper, not even the Gall itself, but may be swallowed without harm; accordingly the Ancients, and, as several Authors of Credit assure us, the Indians and others at this day, both of the East and West, eat them, as we do, Eels.

Spontaneous Productions of the Earth were the first Food, and still are the Sustenance of numerous Nations. It was some time before they came to the Juices of Cattle, as Milk, and longer before they commenced carnivorous, and devoured their Fellow-Animals.

Some think the Fruits of the Earth were intended as Man’s sole Food, and that nothing but Necessity or Luxury first prompted to feed upon Flesh: And indeed, by the Structure of Man’s Teeth, it looks as if they were not proper to devour Flesh; and that Nature had rather intended and prepared them for cutting Herbs, Roots,——than, for tearing of Flesh. Yea, Children don’t affect Animal Food, till their Palates be vitiated by Custom; and, further, when we feed upon Flesh, it must be prepared by roasting 44or boiling, which makes it harder of Digestion, than all other Animal Food; and therefore forbid in Fevers, and other Distempers.

SECTION VIII.

That venemous Creatures have been made Instruments of divine and human Vengeance, is most evident. The romantic Account given in Antiquity, of strange Feats done by a poisonous Breath—does not affect the Truth of this Proposition.

The Antients divided Serpents, into good and evil Ministers; thus the Egyptians looked upon some of them to be Administrators of Mercy, and others to be Messengers of Justice. Osiris^[85] one of their Gods, is said to send out Serpents, to chastise Evil-Doers^[86].

When the Church of Israel murmured against God in the Wilderness, and censured the Conduct of Providence, he employs an Army of Serpents as his Agents, to correct the Rebels.——Plagues, and other pestilential Diseases, were, in old times, reputed to be the Messengers of the Gods, and commissioned by them, to execute Wrath upon the Wicked.

Some of the Heathens had exalted Notions of Virtue, and believed Men of Virtue to be the Favourites of the Gods, and that a vicious Life, being opposite to the Sanctity of their Nature, they could not let it pass with Impunity.

An Instance to this purpose we have in the History of the Apostles, Acts xxviii. 1-6. The Island was called Melita. And when Paul had gathered a Bundle of Sticks, and laid them on the Fire, there came a Viper out of the Heat, and fastened on his Hand. And when the Barbarians saw the venemous Beast hang on his Hand; they said among themselves, No doubt this Man is a Murderer, tho’ he has escaped the Sea, yet Vengeance (δικη, Justice) suffers not to live——They looked when he should have swoln, or faln 45down—And when they saw no harm come to him, they changed their Mind, and said he was a God. How came they to alter their Opinion? Because, according to their Divinity, none else could thus command, and controul a venemous Serpent, which was one of the Messengers of the Gods.

“No venemous Beasts, according to the fabulous Tradition, will live in the Island, which they ascribe to St. Paul’s Blessing, when he was shipwreck’d there.” They shew the Cave where they pretend he resided, and reckon the Earth of it, an Antidote against Poison.

From this historical Passage, ’tis evident, that these Barbarians did believe a Providence, and the Doctrine of Divine Justice, which Justice they openly adored, under the Name of Vindicta, or Nemesis, which was the Goddess of Revenge, whose Province was to inspect the moral Conduct of all Men, and distribute Rewards and Punishments as the Case required. It was painted in the same manner as Justice, with a Pair of Scales in one hand, and a Sword in the other.

In Ethiopia, we read of a large Country, this side the Cynamolgi, that was laid waste, and entirely depopulated by Scorpions, before whom, the Inhabitants not being able to stand, fled for their Lives. The same Desolation was made by the Scorpions at Salamin, an island not far from Athens, called the Island of Dragons, for which Lycophron is quoted^[87].

The Inhabitants of Amyclæ, a Town in Italy, were destroyed by Serpents, being, as ’tis said, of the Pythagorean Race, whose Laws forbid to kill Animals, and by suffering these venemous Creatures to multiply without Controul, they became insufferable^[88].

The Inhabitants of Pescara, an antient City in Africa, were constrained to forsake their Habitations in Summer, by reason of Scorpions that were very numerous, and in that Season, their Sting most dangerous: In Winter, when their Wounds were less dangerous, the Refugees turned to their Houses^[89].

DIODORUS SICULUS observes how many Regions have been deserted, for this reason; both People and Cattle being driven away by an Army of Scorpions, and their Allies.

46In the Canary-Islands, these venemous Animals are more dreaded than the Pestilence. ’Tis said they are hunted and taken by the Turks, who prepare the Oil of Scorpions from them^[90]. In India, about the Arrahban-Lake, the Country has been intirely dispeopled by these mischievous Creatures. Ibid.

In Times of War, Serpents have been prest into the Service. Thus Heliogabalus (Emperor of Rome, so called because he was Priest of the Sun before his Election) having, by his Sacerdotal Incantators, or sacred Conjurers, gathered together several Serpents, contrived a Method to turn them loose, before day, among his Enemies, which soon put them into a terrible Hurry, and a Motion, that was a Trial for their Lives; the Sight of the crooked Serpent being far more dreadful, than the Whizzing of a straight Arrow^[91]. The same Author informs us of Snakes thrown by a Sling-Staff into the Camp of the Barbarians, which did great Execution.

King Prusias being overcome by King Eumenes, by Land, and intending to try his Fate by Sea, Hannibal, by a new Invention, made him victorious. The Stratagem was this: Hannibal having procured a great Number of Serpents, put them into earthen Vessels; and by another Device, and in midst of the Engagement, convey’d them into Antiochus’s Fleet, which proved more dreadful than Fire-balls, and feather’d Weapons, that flew amongst them. At first, it seemed ridiculous to the Romans, that they should arm themselves, and fight with earthen Pots; but when they were broken, an Army of Snakes rush’d out, which so terrified the Marines, that they immediately yielded the Victory to Prusias, the Carthaginian Hero’s Friend^[92].

We read in History, how Juno, out of her hatred to Hercules, sent two dreadful Serpents to devour him in the Cradle, which he soon crush’d with his Infant-Hands.

It was common among the Antient Swedes, to send out certain Flies (which they pretended to be their Familiars) to plague their Enemies. They also made Magical Balls for the same purpose, boasting how they thereby conveyed Serpents into their Enemies Bodies.

47The Laplanders had their Magical Tyre, which was a Ball about the Bigness of a small Apple, (made of Moss, or Hair of Beasts) which, they say, is quickned and moved by a particular Art; they persuade themselves, that by this Tyre, they can send Serpents, or what they please, into any Man, to torment him. When this Ball is thrown, it goes like a Whirlwind, and as swift as a pointed Arrow^[93].

In the Book of Daniel, mention is made of several kinds of Magicians in Chaldea, under King Nebuchadnezzar; one is Mecasphim, a word which by St. Jerome, and the Greeks is translated Malefici, Inchanters, such People as make use of noxious Herbs and Drugs, the Blood of Victims, and Bones of the Dead, for their superstitious Operations^[94].

“The Tyrants of Japonia invented a strange Punishment for those who confessed Christ.——They hung them with their Heads downwards, half their Bodies into a large Hole digged in the Earth, which they filled with Snakes, Lizards, and other poisonous Vermin; but even those (says my Right Reverend Author, the learned and pious Bishop Taylor) were better Companions than those infernal Dragons in the Pit of Hell^[95].”

The Romans, when they punish’d any for Parricide, to express their Abhorrence of so heinous a Murder, they shut him up in a Sack, with a Serpent, an Ape, and a Cock.

To these Instances, I shall add, that the Attendants of Pluto, Prince of the Infernal Regions, are represented in a Serpentine Habit, viz. the Furies, Harpies——

In his Train, are three Diræ, Eumenides, or Furies, viz. Alecto, Megæra, and Tysiphone, whose Heads are covered with long and dreadful Snakes, instead of Hair, with Whips, Chains, and flaming Torches, in their Hands, to punish the Guilty. These also attended the Throne of Jove, and were accounted to be Messengers of the Gods, whose Office it was to execute their Decrees in the Infliction of Calamities upon Mortals.

These Furies had their Temples and Worshippers, and were described in Figures of so frightful a Form, that they durst scarce mention their Names without Horror.

48TYSIPHONE, one of them, enraged at an innocent Youth, pluck’d off one of her Snakes, and threw it at him, which wound about his Body, and immediately strangled him. Some say, that we see these three Furies on a Medal of the Emperor Philip, struck at Antioch, on whose Reverse are represented three Women, arm’d with a Key, burning Torches, Poniards, and Serpents.

The Daffodil was sacred to the Furies, and such as offered Sacrifice to them were crowned with it^[96].

As soon as departed Souls had been examined by Minos, Radamanthus, and Æacus, and found guilty, and Sentence past, they were delivered to the Furies, who cast them down headlong into Tartarus, the Place of Torment,—and all those who had lived well, were conducted to the Elysian Fields.

HOMER speaks of them as the Executioners of Justice upon false Swearers, among other Instances:

The Harpies^[97] were monstrous and cruel Birds describ’d with Women’s Faces, and Dragons Tails, to render them more formidable to Mankind: The Ancients looked upon them as Dæmons or Genii, which last Homer calls Podarge. About Kaskan in Persia, is a fine and fertile Country, but plagued with Multitudes of Scorpions, which haunt the Inhabitants, especially in that Town (one of the most populous and eminent Marts in that Empire) where the Inhabitants, for fear of that venemous Animal, dare not sleep upon the Floor (as in other Places, where they only throw a Quilt upon the Tapestry) but have light Couches, hanging down from the Roof, like Seamens Hammocks, or hanging Beds on ship-board.

They have indeed a ready Help against its venemous Wounds, which is made of the Filings of Copper, tempered with Vinegar and Honey, which proves a speedy Cure; but if neglected, the Patient is in danger of his Life. This, says the Historian, I presume, has been first found out by the antipathetick Quality, 49which seems to be between Scorpions and Copper; for not far from the City is the Copper-Mine, where, as before, if one of these Animals be brought, it dies immediately. Q. Whether this be not Herbert’s Parthian?

Yea, to render a future State terrible to Mortals, the Heathens, speaking of departed Souls, feigned, that at their Descent from Charon’s Boat (who was the Ferryman of Hell) they met Cerberus, a monstrous Dog, with three Heads, who was covered all over with Serpents, instead of Hair. There was the Monster Chimæra that vomited Fire, her Head like a Lion, Middle like a Goat, and her Tail like a furious Dragon; so sings the Poet:

So another:

But further, we may observe, that besides this frightful Appearance of Serpents to salute their Entrance into Hell, there was Variety of Punishments for them when there. Thus the Danaides were condemned to Tartarus by the Poets, to be continually employed in filling a Cask perforated at the bottom; Phlegas, condemned by Apollo to Hell, where he sat upon a rolling Stone, in constant danger of falling into a Pit of greater Misery; Tityus, adjudged to Hell, where a Vultur feeds on his Liver, and the Liver always grows with the Moon: Nay, such were the horrible Preparations in Hell, that Virgil^[98], after a Survey of it, declares, that had he a hundred Mouths and Tongues, they would not suffice to recount all the Plagues of the Tortured: so that it is no wonder to see them represent the infernal Prison in Figures the most frightful.

50And as the Heathen had their terrible Place for bad Men, so, to prompt them to Virtue, they had their Elysium, i. e. a Place of Pleasure in Hades, furnished with most pleasant Fields, agreeable Woods, Groves, Shades, Rivers; whither the Souls of good People were supposed to go after this Life. These are finely described by the Poet:

51

Which gives a View of most Serpents that are known in the several Parts of the World, describ’d by their various Names, different Countries, Qualities, &c.

The Serpents are a numerous Tribe, and their Dominions of large Extent, lying both in Sea and Land: No part of the World but what is replenish’d with them, more or less, in some form or other. In describing them, I shall begin with,

I. The Viper, or Adder, a subtle and poisonous Creature, slender in Body, about a Foot and half long, with fiery and flaming Eyes, a long and cloven Tongue, which when irritated, it darts forth with Violence, and looks like a glowing Firebrand; has a big Head, and flattest of the serpentine kind.

52It is slow in its motion, and does not leap like other Serpents, but is very nimble to bite when provok’d. The Scales under the Body resemble that of well-polish’d Steel. They appear in divers Colours, yellow, ash, green; and others of Libya, like the Inhabitants, of a blackish Hue; its Front not unlike that of a Hog.

VIPERS of other Nations, are supposed to be larger than the European, especially the Troglodite-Viper^[99], which is said to be above fifteen Cubits long: and the Historian adds, viz. That there are no domestick Vipers. I presume, he means they are not brought up among the Children of the Family, as some Serpents are said to have been; this little venemous Reptile being of a more mischievous Nature^[100].

The Viper differs from the Snake in bulk, being not so large, and their Scales more sharp, and Head more large: They also differ in this, viz. Snakes lay their Eggs, twenty, thirty, sixty, and a hundred sometimes, in one Nest, not quite so large as that of a Magpye (which are inclosed with a whitish Skin, but not with Scales) in Dunghills and other warm Situations, where they are hatch’d by adventitious Heat, commonly call’d Adders in this Country; whereas Vipers make use of their own Matrix, and bring forth live Vipers: Their young ones come forth wrapt up in thin Skins, which break on the third day, and set the little venemous Creatures at liberty, therefore rank’d among the viviparous Animals.

Their Births are much like young Snigs for Bulk; they generally bring forth about twenty young ones, but only one each day. It is observ’d of the Viper, that its Internals are not fetid, like those of some other Serpents, that are intolerable. The Eggs of Lizard-Serpents, which are so much esteem’d in the French-Islands of America, are of the same Size and Figure as those of Pigeons, and are generally used in all sorts of Sauces: When the Females lay their Eggs, they make a Hole in the Sand, and cover them with it, and the Heat of the Sun is sufficient to hatch them^[101].

ALBERTUS is quoted for a Battle between a Viper and a Magpye, occasioned by her creeping up into a Magpye’s Nest, 53and devouring her Brood in the Mother’s absence, who upon her Return made a hideous clattering, which soon brought in its Mate; whereupon both, with united Beaks, fell upon the Plunderer, and after a sharp Engagement demolish’d the Enemy.

Father Fevillee in the Woods of the Island Martinique, “being frighted by a large Serpent, which he could not well avoid, his Dog immediately fell on, and took the Serpent by the Head: The Serpent surrounded him and press’d him so violently, that the Blood came out of his Mouth; and yet the Dog never ceased till he had entirely tore it to pieces. The Dog was not sensible of his Wounds during the Fight, but soon after, his Head prick’d by the Serpent swell’d prodigiously, and he lay on the ground as dead; but his Master having found hard by a Bananier, which is a very watry Tree, he cured him with the Juice of it, and some Treacle^[102].”

The Viper is common in some parts of France, especially in Dauphiny and in Poictou, from whence all the Vipers come that are sold in Paris. They are usually taken with wooden Tongs, or by the end of the Tail, which may be done without danger; for while held in that Position, they can’t wind themselves up to hurt their Enemy. The Viper-Catchers have their Specificks, in which they can safely confide, as not to be afraid of being bitten; which they say is the Fat of a Viper, immediately rubb’d into the Wound, which is one of the most venemous in the animal World.

These Vipers are usually put and kept in a Box with Bran or Moss; not that these Ingredients serve to feed upon, as some may fancy; because ’tis said, they never eat after they are taken and confin’d, but live on the Air, and will live so, many Months: But more hereafter. The Destruction of Vipers by human Spittle, the Coition of the Marine with Lampreys, the pregnant Viper biting off her Companion’s Head, and the Revenge of it by the Younglings——I place among vulgar Errors.

II. The Amodytes is a Serpent very venemous and fierce, of a sandy Colour, black Spots, and of about a Cubit long. The Wound given by the Female, the weaker Vessel, is said to be most dangerous: Its Jaws are larger than the common Vipers, and from some Eminencies upon the Head, like a Tuft of Flesh, is called 54Cornutus. Its Wounds prove fatal without a speedy Cure. It is found in Lybia, a Limb of Africa, and also in Illyricum, and in some parts of Italy^[103].

This Serpent is called Cornutus, a horned Beast^[104]. Of this Form, is a numerous Herd; we read, that in the Roman Army was a Band of Foot Soldiers called Cornuti.

Upon the Continent of America are Bulls and Cows, that have no Horns, says Dr. Ch. Leigh——who adds,

“The Defect of Horns in these Beasts, brings into my mind a remarkable Phenomenon of one Alice Green, whose Picture I have seen in Whalley-Abby, in Lancashire. This Woman had two Horns which grew out of the back-part of her Head; they grew backwards like those of Rams, and were about three Inches long; these she cast once in three Years, and had always intolerable Pains, before the Horns broke out^[105].”

He might have mentioned another innocent Creature, on whose Head a treacherous Companion inoculates a Scion, which intitles him to the Title of Cuckold, a word derived from Cuckows, who having no Beds of their own, invade their Neighbour’s. Of the Cuckow ’tis said, that having no Nest, she takes possession of some other Bird’s Nest, destroys the Eggs, and lays in it an Egg of her own, which the innocent Bird brings forth and nurses for its own^[106].

III. The Cerastes is a Serpent of the viperine Kind; its Head resembles the Cornigerous; it belongs to the Libyan and Nubian Family: Its Teeth are like those of the Viper, and it brings its Successors into the World after the same manner.

Its Constitution is very dry, which refines and exalts its Poison, and makes it more dangerous; the Wound is generally attended with Distraction, and continual pricking as with Needles. Some say, ’tis of a whitish Colour, others arenaceous; it loves sandy Habitations, where it often surprises the unwary Traveller: And all agree ’tis of a most cruel Nature; and therefore in some Places ’twas made the Executioner of Malefactors^[107], as the Juice 55of the Cicuta, (an Herb like our Hemlock) was among the Athenians.

Plate 1^st

Some say ’tis of the aspick kind, as the Arabians; in length a Cubit or more, with two Horns on the Head, resembling Snail-Shells: It lies perdue near travelling Paths, and is very crafty in decoying little Birds into the Snare.

Its Wounds soon kill, if one of the Psyllian People be not immediately called in. N. B. These Psylli are a noted People of Syrenaica in Africa, endued with a natural Faculty of destroying Serpents upon sight, and curing their Wounds by a Touch of the Hand of whom we have this Account, viz. ... Crates of Pergamus says, that about Parium in the Hellespont, there were Men, named Ophiogenes, who cured those wounded by Serpents with a Touch. Varro testifies there were some of them in his time.

AGATHERCIDES writes, that in Africa the Psyllians (a People so called from King Psyllus, from whom they were descended, and whose Sepulchre is to be seen at this day in the greater Syrtes) did in the same manner heal People wounded by Serpents. ’Tis said they had some extraordinary Quality in their Nature, that would suddenly kill all Serpents.

It was by these they tried the Chastity of their Wives, thus, viz. When a Child was born, and its Legitimacy questionable, they laid it in a great Vessel full of these cerastick Serpents, that immediately breathed Destruction; but when they came near the Child, their Rage soften’d, and they immediately fled from it; which proved the Legitimacy of the Child, that he was a true Psyllian, born in lawful Wedlock, because Serpents could not poison it, nor endure its Presence^[108].

However this romantic Account may appear, it may doubtless be philosophically accounted for by Effluviums emitted from their Bodies, that proved fatal to Serpents.

The English Annotator upon Lucan, who was Nephew to Seneca, observes much to the same purpose, when he says, These Psylli (a People inhabiting those parts of Africa called Marmarica, bordering on the Nile) are fortify’d by Nature with an incredible 56Privilege against the Strength of Poison, and sustain no Harm by the biting of Serpents.

The Serpents, says Pliny, are afraid of them, and when others are bitten by them, these Psyllians by sucking the Wounds, cure them.

The Marsians in Italy, ’tis said, are still in possession of this natural Power against Serpents, and are supposed to descend from the Son of Circe, the famous Enchantress.

The Trial of Childrens Legitimacy by Serpents, puts me in mind of Hereditary Right; whose Title was try’d by the Fatal-Stone, on which the Irish Monarchs used to be inaugurated on the Hill of Tarah; and which being inclosed in a Wooden-Chair, was made to emit a Sound under the rightful Candidate, when he sat in it; but was quite silent under one who had no Title, or not a good one; that is, one who was not for the Druidick Priest’s Turn.

“This Stone was sent to confirm the Irish Colony in Scotland, where it continued to be the Coronation-Chair till in the Year 1300, Edward I. of England brought it from Scoon, and placed it under the Coronation-Chair at Westminster^[109]; and there it still remains, is used in the Coronation, the antientest respected Monument in the World^[110]. The Vulgar call it Jacob’s Stone, as if this had been his Pillow at Bethel.”

Note, Antique Appearances often give birth to popular Superstitions.

Such natural Power against Diseases did in our Days appear in the celebrated Mr. Greatrix, before whose Hand they fled. In the Philosophical Transactions we have the following Account of it, received from Eye-Witnesses,—e. g.

“... My own Brother, John D——n, was seized with a violent Pain in his Head and Back: Mr. Greatrix (coming by accident to our House) gave present Ease to his Head, by only stroaking it with his Hands. He then rubb’d his Back, which he most complain’d of, and the Pain immediately fled from his Hand to his right Thigh; then he pursued it with his Hand to his Knee, from thence to his Leg, Ancle and Foot; and at last to his great Toe. As it fell lower, it grew more 57violent; and when in his Toe, it made him roar out, but upon rubbing it there, it vanish’d.

“A young Woman being seiz’d with a great Pain and Weakness in her Knees when a Girl, used divers Means to no effect: After six or seven years time, Mr. Greatrix coming to Dublin, he stroak’d both her Knees, and gave her present Ease, the Pain flying downward from his Hand, till he drove it out of her Toes; the Swelling that always attended it, did in a short time wear away, and never troubled her after.

“... A certain Gentlewoman being much troubled with a Pain in her Ears, and very deaf, Mr. Greatrix put some of his Spittle into her Ears; which, after chafing them, soon cured her, both of the Pain and Deafness.... Her Uncle was cured by him of the same Malady, and in the same manner.

“... A Child, being extremely troubled with the King’s-Evil, was touch’d by King Charles II. and was nothing better; but was soon and perfectly cured by Mr. Greatrix.^[111]”

IV. The Hemorrhous Serpent is an Egyptian of the viperine kind; of sandy and bright Colour, enamel’d with black and white Rays on the Back; flaming Eyes, corniculated Brows, and is defended by an Armature of rough and sharp Scales; which by one is given as the Reason of making some Noise as it goes, which another denies, because it wants the Sonalia^[112].

This Creature is little in Body, but great and terrible in its Executions; for when it wounds any Persons, all the Blood in the Body flows out, at all the Apertures of it, which is immediately follow’d with Convulsions and Death^[113].

The Atlas from Ribeyro mentions an Indian Serpent of the same malignant Nature, whose Poison operates with such Violence, that the Person wounded by it bleeds at the Eyes, Nostrils, Ears, and all the Pores of the Body, and the miserable Patient is irrecoverable.

58The Poet laments the Death of the brave and noble Tullus^[114], by this bloody Serpent; which is also found in India (according to Diodorus Siculus) in that part where Alexander the Great conquer’d Porus, the Great King of the Indies. The Conqueror bid Porus ask of him whatever he desired; who answered, That he only desired to be treated as a Prince: with which Alexander was so charm’d, that he not only gave him his Kingdom again, but some of the Provinces he had conquered in that Vicinity.

N. B. On the Bank of the River Hydaspis, Alexander built a Town, which he call’d Bucephala, in remembrance of Bucephalus his great Horse, which died and was buried there.

V. The Serpent Seps, which by some is said to be the same with Sepedon, is about two Cubits long, the Head broad, and of divers Colours. Both these are of the smaller Species, but most venemous, and therefore are rank’d in the second Class of Serpents. The Virulency of the Poison is not in proportion to their diminutive Stature.

When any are wounded by these venemous Animals, the Hair of the Head immediately falls off, the whole Body turns scurfy, leprous and putrid; yea, the very Bones, as well as the Flesh, putrify and corrupt; therefore some call it the putrid Serpent^[115]. The Poet accounts for the Symptoms of its Poison^[116].

These Serpents are Asiaticks, Inhabitants of the Rocks in Syria; Syria, the supposed western Porch of Paradise. These resemble the Hemorrhous in Colour and external Figure: According to Ælian, they change into the Similitude of the Things they light upon. He might, I think, as well have said, they chang’d their Notes on different Trees, since there is a kind of relation between Musick and Colour, as the Learned Newton observes.

VI. KOKOB Serpent, is between three and four Foot long, of a dusky Colour, and made beautiful by Spots of red and light Blue. Its Wounds are terrible, and the Effects not very dissimilar to those of the Hemorrhous. Nierembergius observes, that it 59resides among Stones; and when it rambles out, and hears any Noise, makes towards it like a mighty Hero. Thus the Gallic Monarch, upon Debates among Princes, marches out as sovereign Umpire of Europe, and never returns home but by way of Lorrain, Corsica, Palatine, or Spanish Flanders.

VII. The Asp, so called from the Asperity of its Skin, as Arnoldus, or from aspiciendo, because of the Acuteness of its Eyes. A Serpent well known, but not accurately describ’d, says the Learned Mr. Ray: Some make it a small Serpent, others say ’tis several Feet long; and both may judge right, for according to Ælian, there are various Species of Asps; some a Foot and half long, and others six.

Among these different Proportions, the least of them is said to be most hurtful, and kills the soonest. Its Poison is so dangerous and quick in its Operation, that it kills almost in the very Instant that it bites, without a Possibility of applying any Remedy: They die within three Hours, says my learned Author^[117]; and the manner of their dying by Sleep and Lethargy, without Pain, made Cleopatra chuse it as the easiest way of dispatching herself. (More of this further on.)

These Aspick Serpents, are the Growth of several Climates: Olaus observed some of them in the northern Parts, of rugged and rough Skins, ash Colour, sparkling Eyes, three or four Cubits long^[118]; tho’ Lovers of warm Situations, yet delight in shady Retirements^[119]. Many of them are found in the Spanish Islands[TN]; but Egypt, Libya, and other Places in Africa claim the greatest Right to them, for there they are most numerous and venemous.

When provok’d, the Neck of this Creature swells, and the Wound then given, is most dangerous. Its Teeth are of considerable length, growing out of the Mouth like the Tusks of a Boar. The Historian says, that two of the longest Teeth have little Cavities in them, covered with a thin Skin, that slides up when it bites, by which means the poisonous Liquid runs out, and drops into the Puncture; after which, it recovers its Station.

60In America, says a celebrated Historian, are found Asps with Stings in the Tail, wherewith they strike and kill^[120].

The Banks of Nilus abound with Asps, who have Sagacity enough to remove their Habitations to a place of Safety, several days before that River overflows the Rising-Grounds about it: ’Tis also said the Crocodile and Tortoise recede with their Eggs, to a Situation not accessible by that mighty Flood; a Flood that makes the Land of Egypt, a Region of Fertility, a Flood dreaded by these Animals, and ador’d by the Egyptians, those Sons of Contradiction, who consecrated their Animals to the Gods, and then worshipped them, and upon Occasions kill’d them. (Can we behold such Instincts in the Crocodile, &c. without acknowledging the Divine Wisdom that ordain’d ’em!) No Nation more knowing, and more sottish, e. g. Upon the Statue of Minerva, or the Goddess Isis, was this Inscription, viz. I was she that was, that am, and shall be, and that am every thing. Which being an exact Interpretation of the Word Jehovah, and the same Definition the Almighty appropriates to himself, I can’t, says the Learned Jurieu, conceive, how a Nation that was arrived to such a high Degree of Knowledge, should have worship’d Bullocks—as Gods.

PLUTARCH gives a strange relation of them, viz. that in case of any extraordinary Calamity, as War, Plague, Famine, the Egyptian Priests used to threaten the sacred Beasts most horribly: If they failed to help them, they whipt them till the Blood follow’d; and if the Calamity did still continue, they kill’d those sacred Beasts by way of Punishment^[121]. The Reverse of this is given us in a Clan of Tartars, who, when exposed to any imminent Calamity, sacrifice their Priests, in order to intercede for them with the Gods in the other World.

It has been said, that the Asp, when exasperated, did, with an erected Head, cast out of its Mouth liquid Poison; but it now appears, it darts it only by its Bite, or by Poison taken from it by Force, and poured into a Wound made by another; and both the Wounds so made, soon terminate in an easy pleasant Exit; which is supposed to be the reason why Queen Cleopatra chose this kind of Death, that is, to poison herself by an Aspick Dose. This reminds me of a certain Herb I have read of, 61in Arabia, which (according to the Tradition) if a Man slept upon, he died in his Sleep without any Pain.

A certain learned Pen, makes this Remark upon Cleopatra’s Case, viz. that she was not bit by an Asp, as some have asserted, but did that which was more secret and sure; that is, after she had bit her own Arm, infused Poison into the Wound, expressed before-hand from an Asp by Irritation, and preserved in a Phial for that purpose: Or, as Dio says, she wounded her Arm with a Needle, or Dressing-pin, and then poured the Poison into the bleeding Wound. This seems probable, because no Serpent was found in her Chamber or near it.

The Queen, in order to find the most easy Passage out of this Life, made an Experiment upon Criminals by various kinds of Poison, and Application of diverse sorts of Serpents, and found nothing came up to Aspick Poison, which throws Persons into a pleasant Sleep, in which they die^[122].

Obj. If it be said, that in the Triumphs of Augustus, Queen Cleopatra is drawn with an Asp in her Hand:

I answer, That I apprehend that Device might only be Pictorial-Licence, or a Flourish of the Painter to affect the People, by displaying the Heroism of a Woman, who to prevent the Disgrace of Captivity, embraced Death at the hands of a Serpent, a terrible Creature, to which none has so great an Aversion as the female Sex. Excuse a poetick Digression.

62Some are of Opinion, that the Asp is David’s deaf Adder, Psal. lviii. 45. They are like the deaf Adder that stops her Ear, which will not hearken to the Voice of Charmers, charming never so wisely. They are like the deaf Asp, says the Hebrew and the Septuagint. The word in the Original is ^[124] Pethen, q. d. Unpersuadedness; hence, wicked Men are called Απειθεις in the New Test. unpersuadable, which the English Translation renders Disobedient, Tit. i. 16.

The common Tradition is, that when Men by Inchantments and Charms have attempted to take these Serpents, they stopt one Ear with the Tail, and the other was either deaf, or made so by laying it close to the Ground. Some are of Opinion, that there is a sort of Asp that really is deaf, which of all others is the most dangerous, and is meant by the Royal Prophet here.

That there was a Practice of charming Serpents by some Art or other, so that they could neither bite nor sting, seems evident from the sacred Writings, e. g. Eccl. x. 11. Surely the Serpent will bite without Inchantment. Jer. viii. 17. I’ll send Serpents, Cockatrices, among you, that will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, says the Lord.

Among other Things the word Charmer, some say, signifies one that conjoins and consociates; that is, that by Sorcery gather’d Serpents together, and made them tame and familiar; or the Person may be so call’d, because by Magick Art, he associated with Demons, the Lords of Serpents.

We are inform’d by History, of some, who have summoned together a hundred Serpents at once; but by what method, I leave the Reader to judge. Montanus, a famous Physician, and Professor at Padua in Italy, says he saw this Coadunation of Serpents.

The learned Doctor Casaubon tells us, he had seen a Man, who from the Country around him, wou’d draw Serpents into the Fire, which was inclos’d in a magical Circle: When one of them, bigger than the rest, would not be brought in, upon repeating the aforesaid Charms, it submitted to the Flames.

We read of a famous Charmer at Saltsburgh in the Circle of Bavaria; that, when (in sight of the People) he had charm’d a great Number of Serpents into a Ditch, where he kill’d them; 63there came a Serpent of great Bulk, supposed to be the Devil, that leapt upon the Charmer, and immediately slew him^[125].

Answer me, says Paracelsus, (the celebrated Swiss Physician, who did wonderful Cures by Liquids extracted from Vegetables) from whence is it, that a Serpent of Helvetia, Algovia, or Suevia, does understand the Greek Idiom, Osy, Osya, Osy; that they should, at the first Sound of these Words, stop their Ears, remain immoveable, and do us no hurt with their Poison? From whence he infers, there was a Power in Words to operate upon the Ear, without Superstition. The Antients seem to have entertain’d some favourable Thoughts of the Power of Spells upon Serpents: Their Poets speak often of these Charms and Incantations.

PHILOSTRATUS describes particularly how the Indians charm Serpents—they take a Scarlet-Coat embroider’d with golden Letters, and spread it before the Serpent’s Hole; and these golden Letters have a fascinating Power over it, and therewith its Eyes are overcome and laid asleep^[126].

If we consider the strange Things done by Force of Words, so much extoll’d in Antiquity, it will be no wonder to see Letters, out of which Words are form’d, made the Rudiment and first Study of human Life: But as to the Mode of Operation by Words, the Learned are not agreed.

Some say, there is a natural Virtue and Efficacy in Words, and appeal to the notable Feats done by Force of Eloquence. This was the favourite Study and View of Orators; in this they triumph’d, and never wanted Acclamations and loud Applauses.

In Plutarch, we have, among others, one remarkable Instance, viz. Cæsar, upon the Accusations brought in by Tubero against Quintus Ligarius (Pompey’s Friend) he was resolved to sacrifice that Rebel, till he was charm’d by the Words of the Orator that pleaded in his favour—No sooner did Cicero begin his Oration in 64his defence, but Cæsar’s Countenance chang’d, and his Indignation begun to soften ... but when the Orator touch’d upon the Battle of Pharsalia (where Cæsar was Conqueror) Cæsar’s Heart tender’d, his Body trembled with Joy, and certain Papers in his Hands dropt to the ground.—And when Cicero had finish’d his Oration, Cæsar’s Wrath against his Enemy was intirely extinguish’d; and Ligarius was set at liberty^[127]. The same Orator, by the Dint of Eloquence, overthrew the Constitution of the Decemviri.

Others say, there is a mighty Force in Words in such a Tone, and Talismanical Characters, rightly-adapted Figures, and Images under certain Constellations^[128].

Some affirm that Magick consists in the Spirit of Faith, for Faith is the Magnet of Magicians, by which they draw Spirits to them, and by which Spirits they do wonderful Things, that to vulgar Eyes appear like Miracles. No doubt but several extraordinary Effects have been ascrib’d to the Devil, that in reality were natural, and artfully disguised: The Story of Sieur Brioche, a famous Puppet-player, is well known, who in a Town in Switzerland, where that Show had never been seen before, he was apprehended as a Warlock or Magician, and ran the hazard of being punish’d as such^[129].

Others affirm, that Charms by Words are but means to heighten the Imagination; and the strange Effects produced by ’em, flow’d only from the Activity of an exalted Thought, or Fancy of heated Brains. In proof of this ’tis said, that if a Woman at a certain Season, strongly fix her Imagination upon any particular Object, the Child will bear the Image thereof.

I think ’tis pretty obvious, that those extraordinary Impressions made by Pagan Sophists upon the Minds of their Audience by the Charms of Rhetorick, past for a divine Afflatus or Inspiration; and therefore in such Cases, we shall find this Formula (Aliquis nescio quis Deus) frequently used by Enthusiastical Orators, as well as their Poets: Thus Cicero, speaks of himself, that he was mov’d by a certain Impetus or Ardour^[130]: Apollonius Tyanæus, 65who was looked upon by the Christians as a notorious Magician, being ask’d by the Governor of Rome under Nero, what was his Profession? he answer’d, θειασμος, an Enthusiast, q. d. Fanatic, Conjurer.

’Tis true, that wonderful Things have been done by Words, but how verbal Charms operated upon Serpents, wants Explication: Of some Inchanters ’tis said, that by vocal and instrumental Sounds, they have charm’d Rats, Mice and Serpents, some into a stupid State, and others into a flexible submissive State.

A remarkable Instance in Rats we have in the publick Records of Hamelen, (an antient City on the River Weser in Germany, about 28 Miles S. E. of Hanover) where the following strange Account is register’d, viz.

That in June 26. 1284, a certain Stranger undertook to destroy an Army of Rats with which the Town had been long pester’d, on promise of such a Reward; and immediately playing on his Pipe and Tabret, the Rats march’d out, and follow’d the Musick to the River, where they were all drown’d: But being denied the Reward, he threaten’d Revenge; and next day he went about with the same Musick, and most Children in the Town follow’d the Piper to the Mouth of a great Cave on a neighbouring Hill call’d Koppelberg, where he and they entered, and were never heard of after.

In remembrance of this sad Catastrophe, the Citizens for many Years after, dated all their publick Writings from the Day they lost their Children, as appears by their old Deeds and Records: They still call the Street thro’ which the Children went out, Tabret-street; and at the Mouth of the Cave there is a Monument of Stone, with a Latin Inscription, giving the Particulars of this tragical Story.

As to the other Instance, viz. Serpents charm’d into a ductile manageable State, ’tis thus accounted for; viz. Serpents, they say, are strangely influenced by the Smell of those Emanations, proceeding from the Cornus, or Dog-tree (why not the Cornelian-Cherry, antiently dedicated to Apollo?) and that by a Wand or Rod taken from it, they are thrown into an obsequious Temper—

“When touch’d by a Rod from that Tree, they are immediately intoxicated, but so as to be able to follow the Motion of the Rod; but whether by reason of some great Disproportion or 66Incompossibility, between these subtile Effluvia and the Temperament of the vital, spiritual Substance of the Serpent, or by what other way, we are not told^[131]. The Sassafras-tree, a Native of America, is call’d Cornus also, whose Wood is very odorous and fragrant.”

Now, say these Gentlemen why should it seem impossible, that he who understands this invincible Enmity, and how to manage a Rod of the Cornus with Cunning and Dexterity (having first intoxicated a Serpent by the Touch thereof) should during that Fit make it observe, and readily conform to all the various Motions of the Wand, so as that the unlearned Spectators, perceiving the Serpent to approach the Inchanter, as he moves the Wand near to himself, or to retreat from him, as he put the Wand from him, or turn round and dance as the Rod is mov’d to and fro, or lie still as in a Trance, as the Rod is held still over it; and all this Time, the People knowing nothing of the Virtue in the Rod, are easily deluded into a Belief, that the whole Scene is supernatural, and the main Energy radiated in those Words or Charms, which the Impostor with great Ceremony and Gravity of Aspect mutters forth, the better to disguise his Legerdemain, and dissemble Nature in the colour of a Miracle.

The Rattle-snakes in America are said to secure their Prey by Incantation; for they have the Power or Art, (I know not which to call it, says my Author) to charm Squirrels, Hares, Partridges, or any such Thing, in such a manner, that they run directly into their Mouths: This I have seen, adds he, by a Squirrel and one of the Rattle-snakes; and other Snakes have in some measure the same Power^[132].

It is allowed indeed, that there are dumb Creatures that do exceed Man in some sensible Perceptions, particularly in that of Smelling, as the Harriers, and other Dogs. How strange, that Odours from the Hare’s Body, Should so affect the Nose of a Hound, as to raise in him that Sensation or Scent, by which he follows her all the Day (tho’ he never had a Sight of her) thro’ a Cloud of Opposition, from perplexing intricate Places, and Effluviums proceeding from other Animals!

These Emanations are exceeding fine Effluvia, or Particles flying off odorous Bodies in all Directions; and as they float in the Air on the Surface of the Earth (within their Atmosphere) strike 67against the Dog’s Nose, and produce that Sensation of Smell.—N. B. The Intensity of Smell in all Creatures, is in proportion to the Density or Thickness where we are: This Density is always diminish’d in proportion to the Squares of the Distances from the odorous Body.

Yea, a little Cur, by the Power of Smelling, can find out his Master among Thousands, will trace his Steps thro’ Crouds in Fairs and Markets; yea, throughout a whole Country. Our Histories inform us of Dogs in some parts of this Island, that being put upon the Scent, would pursue a Thief and a Murderer; and if he cross’d a River, would smell where he entered, and swim after him; and when arrived at t’other side, would hunt about till they found where he landed, and then run on, till they overtook the Criminal.

In Animals is a sulphurous or oily Matter, so attenuated and subtiliz’d as to become volatile, which is denominated a Spirit: Now that there is such a Spirit in Man, and a peculiar one too in every Man, is evident from these Dogs, which will pursue the Game by their Nose, and follow their Master’s Track, and distinguish it precisely; yea, tho’ a thousand other Persons had past the same way.

It must be by meer Force of Smelling, that the Dog is able to do this, that is, to distinguish his Master from all Men by the Instrumentality of his Nose.

Therefore there must be some specifick Matter exhaled from the Master’s Body, which the Dog can perfectly distinguish from the various Effluvia flowing from all other Persons.

The Dog must exceed us, in that he can thus exactly discern his Master, by these subtile, oily, or sulphurous Effluvia, which no human Nose was ever able to do.

We find the like Spirit in the Hound, who when put in the Track which a Deer has lately been in, will follow the Steps of that Deer thro’ all cross Paths of a thousand others, and at last single out that individual Deer among a whole Herd of those Animals.

In Scotland are a sort of Dogs (in Colour generally red and spotted with black, or black with red) of extraordinary Sagacity, being, as ’tis said, put upon the Scent, will pursue Thieves with Success; and the Use of them has been authorised by the Magistrate——Nullus 68perturbet aut impediat canem trasantem, aut homines transentes cum ipso ad sequendum latrones aut ad capiendum malefactores.

N. B. Trasantem is a Word latiniz’d from the old French Tracer or Trasser, signifying to follow by the Track.

If any shou’d suggest, That this derogates from the Wisdom and Goodness of the Creator, who has given to some Beasts stronger Perceptions, Nerves more exquisitely fine and delicate than he has bestow’d upon Man:

I answer, this is so far from derogating from divine Wisdom and Goodness, that it is an admirable Instance and Illustration of both; for were our olfactory Nerves susceptible of such quick Sensations as Dogs and some other Animals, we shou’d be continually annoy’d with pestiferous Fumes and Exhalations, so as not only to render most Situations troublesome, but even Life it self miserable and wretched.

Such quick Sensations may be very useful to carnivorous Animals, so as to direct them to their Prey, but to human Beings it wou’d be very vexatious, if not pestiferous and deadly. I shall only add to this Digression, a short Hint about the Magic Art, the most surprising of all Arts, and in its first Appearance most innocent and useful.

Among the antient Chaldeans, Babylonians, and Persians, where the Art-magic was first and principally cultivated, it signified no more than Wisdom and hence the Sophi, or Wisemen of the Greeks were by them call’d μαγοι that is, Magicians; who being acquainted with many of the hidden Powers of Nature, directed them in such manner, as to produce Effects, whose Causes being unknown to the Vulgar, were attributed to Dæmons.

Hence the Art in process of Time came into Disrepute, and Magicians have been censur’d, as working by Compact with the Devil: But this is invidious; for in the Gospel we find, the Magi or Magicians, are said to come from the East to Jerusalem, saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we—are come to worship him. No body can imagine this to be understood of those that have been called Sorcerers, Wizards, Conjurers, Witches or Magicians, in the modern Sense of that Word^[133]; for those who were familiar with the Devil, would scarce come to enquire after him, who came to destroy his Works.

69The Notion of Witches in the Days of Ignorance and Superstition, was very prevailing in this Island, but of late Years has undergone a parliamentary Excommunication; though the Lancashire Witches, who are constituted of the fairer Part of the fairer Sex, triumph even over our Senators, and will maintain their fascinating Charms, while their rival Beauties, the Sun and Stars endure.

We read of a certain King of Egypt, who having assembled his Magical Priests without the City Memphis, caus’d them to enter where the People were gather’d, by Beat of Drum: All of them made some miraculous Discovery of their Magic and Wisdom. One had his Face surrounded with a Light, like that of the Sun, so bright that none could look earnestly upon him.

Another seem’d as if enrob’d with precious Stones of diverse Colours, red, green, yellow, or wrought with Gold.

A third came mounted on a Lion, compass’d with Serpents, like Girdles.

The next came in with a Pavilion, or Canopy of Light, distended over his Head.

Another entered surrounded with Flames of Fire, turning about him; so that none durst come near him.

After him appeared one with dreadful Birds, perching about his Head, and shaking their Wings like Vulturs and black Eagles.

The last made his Appearance with an Army in the Air, marching before him, of winged Serpents and terrible Personages.——In fine, every one did what was taught him by the Star he served; and, after all, the whole Scene was but an Apparition and Illusion, according to their own Confession to the King, when the Farce was over^[134].——Something analogous to this are the Magick Lanthorns in our days.

In antient times, the Word Magician generally signified Men of Wisdom and Learning, i. e. of superior Knowledge in Things natural and divine, and more especially in that sort of Learning relative to the Sun, Moon, and Stars, as we learn from Porphyry, 70Apuleius, and others. And seeing the inspired Apostle gives them that Name (Magicians) not as a Mark of Infamy, but a Title of Honour, therefore does the English Translation stile them Wisemen, such as the old Greeks called σοφοι, Sages of their Time^[135]. How, and how far this Art is degenerated, I refer to the Judgment of the Learned: We see there are Revolutions in Words, as well as in Families and Kingdoms; a Magician being formerly a Wise-man, as well as a Knave an honest one. Sed tempora mutantur.

I shall only add to the Aspick Subject, the Tribute of Veneration paid to this poisonous Animal in the Land of Egypt. The Historian speaks of a certain Person, who, in digging, happened unawares to cut an Asp with his Spade, and went mad upon it,—was taken into the House of Serapis, an Egyptian Idol,—the Relatives of the Patient praying the Spectrum of that Serpent might be destroyed,——which being accordingly done by Magick Art, the Man was cured.——By this we see, how highly Asps were venerated among the Egyptians, who not only suffer’d them to live, but to live in their Houses, where they were carefully fed, as Favourites of the Family^[136]. And Queen Cleopatra’s Case was not singular, for the Persian Kings kept an exquisite Poison by them, made of the Dung of an Indian Bird, which would kill without putting them to pain, that they might use it themselves in case of any Disaster^[137].

DEMOSTHENES, who slew his Soldier, when he was asleep, was a merciful Executioner; a kind of Punishment the Mildness of no Law has yet invented. It is strange that Lucan and Seneca made no discovery of it.

Sleep is a kind of Death, by which we may literally be said to die daily; and in this Sense, Adam may be said to die before his final Exit.

VIII. I now proceed to the Serpent Scytale; the Name is borrowed from the Greek Word σκυταλη, a Staff, or any thing like a Cylinder, of a long smooth round Form; the Body of this Serpent being in shape equally round, like a Rolling-Stone, with very little Variation in the Extremities of it.

Plate 2^d.

71It forms a beautiful Prospect, being an Aggregate of most charming Colours, (therefore call’d the Painted Serpent by Mantuanus.) It may be view’d without danger, because slow in its Motion. ’Tis an Error in Lucan to attribute its Slowness to a Design of enticing Spectators, if it be not Poetica Licentia.

When released from its Winter-Confinement, the first thing she does, says the Historian, is to refresh her languid Body with Fennel-Leaves; but does not tell us what is done, in case that Herb can’t be readily found. It must indeed be allowed, that wild Fennel is a common Herb of the Field, and well known and of Use in Physick^[138]. The Poet observes, that no Snake casts her Coat in Winter, but the Scytale^[139].

This Serpent being adorned with beautiful Colours, excuse a short Digression upon the Doctrine of Colours in Natural Bodies. Know then, Colours are the Children of Fire and Light.

I. Where there is Light, there is Fire; and Fire shews itself to be present by Light. The Sensation of Light is produced when the Particles of Fire, directed by the Action of the Sun, reach the Eye in right Lines. Now, Fire thus entering the Eye, gives a Motion to the optic Fibres at the bottom of the Eye, and thus excites the Idea of Light.

II. FIRE discovers itself by Colour; for all Colours depend upon Light, and Light depends upon Fire; and different Colours appear in Natural Bodies, as their Surfaces are disposed to reflect this or that sort of coloured Rays more than others. Colour is a Property inherent in Light.

Colours therefore are not connate with Natural Bodies, which are all of the same Hue in the dark. To this the Poet alludes, when he makes Darkness the Destruction of Colours^[140].—Colours are only in the Rays of the Sun: In Natural Bodies is a Quality or Power to reflect the Light falling upon them, which striking the Eye, produces in the Spectator the Sensation of Colour.

72Clouds often appear very beautifully coloured; they consist of aqueous Particles, between which Air is interspersed; therefore, according to the various Thickness of those aqueous Particles, the Cloud will be of a different Colour^[141].

IX. AMPHISBÆNA Serpent, so called from αμφι & βαινω Biceps, a Monster with two Heads. This is a small and weak Creature, equal in Bulk to a little Finger, and about a Foot long, of a whitish or terraceous Colour; of the oviparous Family, of small Eyes, no otherways visible than the Prick of a little Needle; lives much under ground, and is often found by digging; feeds upon Ants. Under this Head, the Historian mentions three Serpents, viz.

The Brasilian, that has two Heads, and moves as a Crab^[142].

The Taprobanensian, with four Heads; and he who believes it must have a four-headed Faith.

The Hungarian; of which elsewhere.

The same Historian adds, that the marine Amphisbæna, taken in the English Sea, has two Heads. Ibid. Pliny, Ælian, Lucan, Mantuan,—affirm it has two Heads; Matthiolus denies it, Hesychius is doubtful. Mention is made of a Serpent found near Chipping-Norton, not far from Oxford, having two Heads, and Faces like Women; one being shaped after the new Tyre of that Time; the other was habited after the old Fashion, and had great Wings resembling those of the Flinder-Mouse or Bat^[143]. This happened in the Reign of Edward III.

A Spanish Author says, that in Chiapa he found a two-headed Serpent, 18 Inches long, in the Form of a Roman T, and very venemous; it does not only kill, adds he, by its Bite, but if any tread upon that part of the Ground over which ’twas just gone, it proves fatal^[144]. The Poet also subscribes to two Heads^[145].——If this two-headed Serpent has slain its Thousands, there is a certain metaphorical three-headed Serpent on the Banks of Tyber, that has slain its Ten Thousands.

73Perhaps the Reason of ascribing two Heads to this Serpent, might be, because it is said to poison by the Tail and Teeth. Others say, both Ends are so like in Figure and Bulk, that they are not easily distinguished.

It seems probable to me, that this Serpent, like some Insects or Worms, has a double Motion, antrorsum & retrorsum, which made some of the Antients conclude it had two Heads; one in the usual Situation, the other in the Extremity of the Cauda. Its Body is of equal Thickness, and recommended to the View by various and delightful Spots^[146].

We read of this Serpent in Gothland, where it comes forth in the Spring before all other Serpents, being more able to encounter the cold Air^[147]. Some Authors tell us, that its Skin wrapt about a Stick, drives away all Serpents; which I place among the Tales of Antiquity.

This Serpent is found in the Lybian Deserts, and also in the Island of Lemnos, in the Ægean Sea. The Puncture made by its Wounds is so small, that it can scarcely be discerned, yet terminates in a dreadful Inflammation and a lingering Death.

ERASMUS was puzzled about the Sense of that Greek Proverb ὑδρος εν φιθω, hydrus in dolio, a Serpent in the Hogshead: The Meaning of it, said an Interpreter of Dreams, is this: A certain Person had a Vessel of Wine, that was constantly diminishing, tho’ carefully lock’d up; the Reason of which he could not account for, till he empty’d the Vessel, at the bottom of which he found a Serpent rioting in Wine^[148].

Perhaps as good an Interpretation may be this, that there was Venom in the Cask (of which the Serpent was an Emblem) to all those who rioted in the Bowls of Excess. Not so, says a Son of Bacchus; for

Some of the Poets have thought this Amphisbæna to be the Hydra Lernæa, the many-headed Serpent, that was very terrible to the adjacent Country, and slain by Hercules: When one Head was cut off, many others sprung up; so that there was no way to destroy the Monster, but by cutting off all the Heads with one Stroke.

Tho’ there be no Amphisbænick Animals, there is some Resemblance of it in Plants, whose Cotyledon is always double, and in the common Centre of the two, is a Point or Speck, which is the Plantule, or the Tree in Embryo; which Plantule being acted on by the Earth, warmed by the Sun, begins to expand, and shoots its Root both upward and downward. Thus, in a Bean committed to the Ground, we soon see it to cleave into two Parts, and in the Fissure appears a little Speck, which sends out a Root downwards, and a Bud upwards.—A remarkable Phænomenon, says the Note on Boerhaave’s Theory.

X. Among Serpents, Authors place Dragons; Creatures terrible and fierce in Aspect and Nature. They are divided into Apodes and Pedates, some with Feet, and some without them; some are privileged with Wings, and others are destitute of Wings and Feet: Some are covered with sharp Scales, which make a bright Appearance in some Position. Some have observed, that about the Ganges, are Dragons whose Eyes sparkle like precious Stones.

They differ in external Form: The Draconopades are represented by a human Face, and sightly Countenance; the rest of the Body in a tortuous winding Shape. In one of Dr. Johnson’s Figures, a Dragon is made to appear like a Man’s Face, with a Grenadier’s Cap on the Head. Some differ in Colour, some are 75black in the upper Part of the Body, according to Philostratus; red, according to Homer; yellow, according to Pausanias; and Lucan makes it a golden Colour^[150].

The same Historian observes, that in the Atlantick Mountains, they kill where they touch, and those that are in the Kingdom of Narsinga, and dwell in the Woods, kill all they meet. Ibid.^[151]

I presume, the Author means Narsinga, a potent Kingdom, bounded on the East with the Bay of Bengal, that noble Part of India, says Herbert^[152]; where the Monarch is always attended with 1000 for his Guards, has 5 or 6000 Jesters, and reckons it one of his chief Titles to be the Husband of a Thousand Wives.

Dragons are Inhabitants of Africa and Asia; those of India exceed most in Largeness and Longitude: In the Tower of London, is the Skin of one, which is of vast Bulk. In Æthiopia, they have no Name for Dragons, but Killers of Elephants, which is supposed to be the largest of Land-Animals.

Over the Water-gate in the City of Rhodes, there is set up the Head of a Dragon, which was 33 Foot long, that wasted all the Country, till it was slain by Deodate de Gozon, one of the Knights of St. John Baptist^[153]. The Knights of that Order had frequently attack’d it, but in vain; for its Scales being proof against all their Arms, it destroyed so many of them, that the Grand-Master forbad them to engage the Monster any more.

GOZON, who, after several dangerous Onsets escaped with his Life, resolved to make another Trial by Stratagem; perceiving it was no where vulnerable but in the Eyes and Belly, contrived the Resemblance of a Dragon by a Machine of Pastboard, of equal Bulk with the Dragon, and by certain Springs made it leap like a true Dragon: Having trained up a Couple of fierce Dogs to attack it at the Belly, he went out privately one Morning, well-armed on a managed Horse with his Dogs, and rode up to the 76Den, from whence the Dragon leaped furiously at him: In the Encounter, the Dogs laid hold on his Belly, and forced him to lie down; upon which the valiant Knight alighted, thrust his great Sword several times into his Throat, and soon killed him: Upon which the Spectators drew near, and with great difficulty sever’d the Head from the Body, and lugged it into the Town in Triumph.

The Conqueror was degraded for the sake of Form, because he had violated the Grand-Master’s Order; but was immediately restored, and soon after was elected Grand-Master himself; he died in the Year 1335, and on his Tomb were engraven these Words, Draconis Extinctor; The Destroyer of the Dragon.

In the Life of Attilius Regulus (the Roman General in the War against the Carthaginians) is described a Dragon of prodigious Bulk near the River Bagrada, that annoyed all the Country round, without Remedy. Several Devices were formed to destroy it, but without effect, till the Military Possé was called in, who discharged the Engines of War against it with Success: And so great was this Deliverance, that an Ovation, or a small Triumph, was publickly made at Rome for the Victory.

XI. The Pythian Dragon, so called from its being the Guardian of the Delphick Oracle: Its Eyes are large and sharp, and the Body painted with Variety of Colours, as red, yellow, green and blue, and furnished with Scales that are resplendent, well compacted and hard. It has been called Deucalionæus, because in the Language of Ignorance, it was produced from the Mud left by the Deucalionian Deluge: a Serpent of prodigious Bulk.^[154]

PYTHON is also taken for a prophetick Demon, by St. Luke^[155].—As we went to Prayer, a certain Damsel possest with a Spirit of Divination, (having the Spirit of Pytho, according to the Greek) which brought her Masters much Gain by Sooth-saying, that is, by Predictions, telling of Fortunes. Python of the Greeks is supposed the Typhon of the Phenicians, and the Phœnician Typhon to be Ogg King of Bashan, and Apollo that slew it, to be Joshua. Apollo is called Pythius from this Serpent, or from some notorious Tyrant of that Name, slain by him, as the antient Geographer 77observes. So Gesner from Pausanias. The Priestess of Apollo, that delivered the Sacred Oracles, was called Pythia and Pythonissa. This Pythonick Spirit among the Gentiles, was esteemed as a God, and by Juvenal is styled Vates, a Prophet.

The Priestess that delivered the Sacred Oracles, was called Pythia, from Apollo Pythius, and must be a pure Virgin. Most of the Fathers of the Church were of opinion, that it was the Devil gave the Answers, which were generally dubious, a Sign of his Ignorance about Futurity.

One Œnomaus, a certain Pagan Philosopher, highly resenting it, that he had been so often befooled by the Oracles, speaks to Apollo thus—

“When we come to consult thee, either thou knowest Things to come or not. If thou knowest them, why dost not thou speak so as to be understood? If thou knowest not, why dost thou pretend to it? If Things necessarily come to pass, why dost thou amuse us with Ambiguities?^[156]”

F. BALTHUS, a learned Jesuit, and F. Bouchet, say there were real Oracles, and such that can never be attributed to Priests and Priestesses; and that the Devil still gives Oracles in the Indies, and that not by Idols, which would be liable to Imposture, but by the Mouths of Priests, and By-Standers; and that the Devil becomes mute, in proportion as the Gospel prevails.——

“It is generally believed among the more Learned, that the Pagan Oracles were mere Frauds and Impostures, and calculated to serve the political Views of Princes, and covetous Ends of Pagan Priests.”

According to the learned Bayle, they were meer human Artifices; and he is seconded by Vandale and Fontenelle. But to return to the Oracle at Delphos, which was very antient and much in vogue before the Trojan War: The Situation of the Place, where People were made to believe God spoke, was at the Mouth of a certain Cavern, whence they received their Intelligence. The Prophetess sat upon a Tripodium, a three-footed Stool, assisted in her Function by divers Priests.

Under her Seat, ’tis said, that some time there appeared a Dragon, through whose Throat Responses were audibly deliver’d, with a loud and strong Voice: According to Eusebius, a Serpent rolled itself about the Tripod, on which the Priest sat.

78Of all Oracles, that of Apollo Pythius at Delphos, in the Ægean Sea, was the most celebrated, and consulted as the dernier Resort by the Princes of those Times; yea, all the Greeks resorted thither for Counsel in Matters of Importance. At the first opening of that Oracular Office, Answers were given to the Querist in Verse; but upon People’s ridiculing the Poorness of the Verification, the Oracle fell to Prose. ’Tis strange, that what they made a God, could not make a good Verse, but not strange to see the old Serpent adhering to its first Scheme of Politicks, by making the weaker Vessel the Vehicle to convey his strong Delusions to the World.

Some of these Draconick Serpents excel in the Sensations of Hearing and Seeing, as well as in the Art of Killing; and therefore a Dragon was made the Conservator of their Treasures and Curiosities; e. g. Mauritania in Africa, was famous for the Gardens of the Hesperides (so called from three Sisters and Daughters of King Hesperius) that produced Golden Apples, and were guarded by a Dragon, which Hercules having killed or charm’d into a profound Sleep, he robbed the Golden Orchard.

The Rod of Moses, ’tis said, was turned into a Serpent. The Syriack, Arabick, and Septuagint Translations, say, twas turned into a Dragon; and so the Rods of the Magicians became Dragons.

XII. The Basilisk or Cockatrice, is a Serpent of the Draconick Line, the Property of Africa, says Ælian, and denied by others: In shape, resembles a Cock, the Tail excepted. Authors differ about its Extraction; the Egyptians say, it springs from the Egg of the Bird Ibis; and others, from the Eggs of a Cock: Other Conjectures about its Descent, being as ridiculous, I forbear to mention them. Nor are they agreed whether it more inclines to the black or yellow Colour; nor are their Sentiments less various about its Stature.

It is gross in Body, of fiery Eyes, and sharp Head, on which it wears a Crest, like a Cock’s Comb; and has the Honour to be stiled Regulus by the Latins, the Little King of Serpents; and ’tis generally supposed to be terrible to them. The Sight of this Animal, and Sound of his Voice, puts them to flight, and even to over-run their Prey^[157]: Yea, Tradition adds, that his Eyes and Breath are killing; that is, I presume, when he grasps the Spoil. Several dreadful things are attributed to his venemous Qualities, so sing the Poets^[158].

Plate 3^d.

According to Pliny and other antient Historians, this Serpent in its Motion, inclines to the Erect; it goes half upright, the middle and posterior parts of the Body only touching the Ground. The Venom of the Basilisk is said to be so exalted, that if it bites a Staff, ’twill kill the Person that makes use of it; but this is Tradition without a Voucher^[159].

The reason why this Serpent is dubb’d King, is not because ’tis larger in bulk than others of the Fraternity, or because it wears a Crown, or because that Title seems to be recognized by a divine Prophet, who speaking of Ahaz and his Son Hezekiah, says, Out of the Serpent’s Root shall come forth a Cockatrice, and his Fruit shall be a fiery flying Serpent. The Hebrew expresses it by a word, that Signifies a Prince or King, but not with a View to Empire over the serpentine Race.

But ’tis most probable, that the royal Stile is given to this Serpent, because of its majestic Pace, which seems to be attended with an Air of Grandeur and Authority. It does not, like other Serpents, creep on the Earth; which if it did, the sight of it would not be frightful, but moving about, in a sort of an erect Posture, it looks like a Creature of another Species, therefore they conclude ’tis an Enemy. Serpents are for Uniformity, therefore can’t endure those that differ from them in the Mode of Motion.

’Tis said of this Creature, that its Poison infects the Air to that Degree, that no other Animal can live near it, according to the Tradition of the Elders famous for magnificent Tales. These little Furioso’s are bred in the Solitudes of Africa, and are also found in some other Places, and every where are terrible Neighbours.

The crown’d Basilisk leads me to Ovid, who, speaking of Man’s erect Posture, says ’tis a Mark of Distinction due to the Excellencies of the human Mind:

2. And partly as an Ensign of Royalty, some Characters whereof Naturalists have observed in some other petty Principalities; such as the Crown on the Dolphin, Diadem on the Basilisk, the Lion’s stately Mane, which serves as a Collar of Honour.——

But Man, being vested with an universal Monarchy, walks upon the Earth, like a Master in his own House.

XIII. The Cæcilia or Typhlinus, the blind Worm, as the Greek word imports; not that it wants Eyes, but because they are so little, that he must be furnish’d with good Optics that can discern them: And the Ear also is as remarkably dull, therefore call’d by the Greeks κωφιας^[160]; of a brown Colour, full of Spots, variegated: The Belly is blackish, the Neck sky-colour’d, garnish’d with certain black Spots: Head like a Lamprey, and is as free from Poison: Little Teeth, a forked Tongue, and may be handled without hurt^[161].

This Serpent seems to resemble those People which we call Myops, i. e. Mouse-eyed, or purblind, which happens when the Eye is so convex, that the Rays of Light unite, before they come to the Retina, which makes the Eye also look small, whence the Name^[162].

The Cæcilian Serpent is about a Foot long, and distinguishable from our common Serpents by the Form of its Body, which is almost of the same Crassitude, excepting two or three Inches at the extremity of the Tail. Conradus Gesner tells us, his Wife struck one of these Serpents on the Head, when ’twas pregnant, and it immediately cast forth its young^[163].

XIV. The Cencris, or Cencrina is a spotted Serpent, and very venemous; denominated from Milium, a small Grain call’d Millet-feed; to which Historians compare the Spots wherewith this 81Serpent is adorn’d: For the same reason, a certain Species of the Herpes, that is, a cutaneous Distemper, which is a kind of spreading Inflammation, (and is like Millet-feed on the Skin) is called Miliary: And by some, this is called the Miliary Serpent^[164].

This Serpent is compared by Nicander to a Lion; either for Cruelty in thirsting after Blood, or for its Courage, which appears in all its Attacks. How furious in all its Wars, offensive and defensive! always fighting, Lion-like, with an erected Tail: Which leads me to a Digression about the Turkish Standard, which is a Horse-Tail erected: The Original of that Custom was this, viz. One of the Turkish Generals having his Standard taken in a Battle with the Christians, and perceiving his Men discouraged by the loss of it, he cut off a Horse-Tail, and fastening it to the top of a Half-pike, advanced it on high, crying out, This is the great Standard, let those that love me follow it: Upon which his Men rallied, fought like Lions, and obtained the Victory^[165].

But to return to the Serpent, which moving in a direct Line, goes fast, but being of great Bulk, can’t suddenly wind about^[166]: Circumvolution is the way to avoid its Menaces. ’Tis commonly found in the Island of Lemnos (the old Dipolis, and now the Stalimene of the Turks) and also in Samothracia, an Island in the Archipelago, a Province anciently famous for the Dii Cabiri, that is, certain Gods worshipped by the Samothracians and Phenicians, and had in such high Veneration, that it was a Crime to mention Names so sacred among the People^[167]. Some say they were God’s Ministers, others think they were Devils.

XV. The Acontia^[168], called by the Latins, Serpens Jacularis, and by some, the Flying Serpent, because of the Celerity of its Motion. In Lemnos ’tis call’d Sagittarius, the Bowman or Archer. By the modern Greeks, Saeta, a Dart; for it flies like an Arrow at its Prey^[169]. A certain Person in Cato’s Army call’d Paulus, was 82slain, not by the Poison, but the Violence of its Blow^[170]: Probably on the lateral part of the Scull.

Authors are not agreed about its Dimensions. Ambrosinus speaking of one he had seen in the Bononian Musæum, says, ’tis about the thickness of a Staff, and about three Foot long: It is found in Egypt, its Wounds are dreadful, being attended with Putrefaction and Defluxion of the Flesh.

That which Bellonius saw, was three Palms long, or sixteen Inches and a Finger’s Breadth. N. B. Palmus stands for two different Measures; Palmus major contains twelve Fingers; Palmus minor, four Inches.

It lies in wait under Bushes, from whence it rushes out unawares, and flies like an Arrow at Passengers: Before it leaps at the Prey, it lies on the Ground, and turns itself round, to give the greater spring to the Motion, by which she’ll do execution at twenty Cubits distance^[171].

These nimble Leapers are found among the West-Indians, especially in Hispaniola, where there are little Serpents in green Apparel, that hang by the Tail on the Branches, from whence they suddenly leap upon their Prey. Among the Sabæans are some cloathed in red, four Inches long, that thus leap upon Men unawares; and hurt, not only by striking, but touching.

This Serpent resembles the Ash in Colour, inclining to the white. It traverses the Lybian Provinces, where it makes travelling dangerous: It is also found in the Island of Rhodes; an Island on which, the Poets tell us, Golden Showers are rain’d, and where the Air is never so clouded, as to hinder the Light of the Sun. It appears also in Norway, according to Olaus Magnus.

One tells us, that he was inform’d by one John Vitus, a learned Hungarian, that there were in that Country little Serpents about six Inches long, and without a Tail, therefore called by the Vulgar, the curtail’d Serpent, the whole Body is much of an equal Thickness; and these, upon View of their Prey, leap upon it with the Swiftness of an Arrow^[172].

83XVI. The Druina Serpent from δρυς, an Oak, by Scaliger called Querculus; it takes its Name from the Oak, in whose hollow places it seems to reside; and to which, it retires for Refuge, when assaulted by Hornets.——Some credulous Authors have said, that these Serpents take up their hybernal Lodgings about the Roots of the Beach-trees, and by Virtue of the Warmth, which those Roots derive from them, that Tree, so enhappy’d, flourishes all Winter.

This Serpent is of the amphibious kind, and a most venemous Creature, therefore rang’d with the first Order of the serpentine Race. ’Tis of monstrous bulk^[173], guarded by a rough squammatick Armour, in the Cavities of which, ’tis said, little Flies build their Nests. Whether it appears in white or blue Habit, is not material, nor do I see what Honour it gets by wearing a Coronet on its Head.

In the Language of Tradition, to tread upon it, will cause an Excoriation in the Foot, (tho’ no Wound be given) and a Tumor in the Leg; yea, adds the Traditionist, the Hands that attend the Patient, will be in danger of losing their Skin: But he who believes all the Fables of Antiquity, is in more danger of losing his Reason.

The Druinical Serpent goes under various Denominations. ’Tis said to follow the Acontia in Authors, because its Figure exactly quadrates with Bellonius’s dart Serpent; and Scaliger was in the same Sentiment^[174].

But I shall only mention that of Chersydrus, from Nicander in Jonstonus, p. 28. or Chelydrus, called by some a Sea-Snail; which the learned Sir Hans Sloane describes thus——

“That it is more flat than most of the cochlean Marines, consisting only of Circumvolutions, round the Axis of the Shell; of a fine purple Colour.”

He calls it Cochlea Marina^[175], and not without reason, because of their difference in Magnitude.

The terrestrial Druina lives upon Frogs, and other Insects; many of them are found in Africa-Interior, and the Hellespont by Constantinople. It is a fetid Animal, and sends forth an ill Scent, especially when its Body is wounded^[176].

84This Serpent exceeds most in bulk, and loudness in hissing, which resembles the Cry of Sheep and Goats, ibid. Gyllius makes the Druina to be the Chelydrus, described by the Poet, who makes it a Calabrian^[177]: Of which, more in another place.

XVII. The Elops or Elaphis of the Antients, which some confound with the Cæcilia, as Jonstonus observes: It is of the amphibious Sort, and known at Lemnos, where ’tis call’d Laphiati by the Natives. In Aldrovandus’s Study, Ambrosinus saw the Picture of this Serpent, which was about three Foot long; the Belly is of a yellow Colour, the Back is brown, and distinguishable by three black Lines^[178].

There is a marine Elope, an Animal counted sacred by the Poets, a Set of merry Mortals, famous for turning every thing into a God, or Ridicule. The Historian mentions a certain Fish so called, that upon any loud Noise made on Land near the Shore, would immediately hasten towards the Place, as if it would see who durst rival Triton in Sound; Triton, Herald of Neptune, Sovereign of the Sea.

XVIII. The Pareas or Parvas, is a Serpent of a fiery Colour, sharp Eyes, wide Mouth, two Feet situated near the Tail, by which its Motion is guided^[179]: It is called the Serpent of Esculapius, being of a gentle, innocent, friendly Nature. In Italy they frequent Houses, and are no more dangerous than common Eels; and if provoked to exercise their Teeth, there is nothing venemous in the Bite. This is supposed by some to be the Italian Baron: One of its commendable Properties is, that it devours poisonous Serpents; and therefore is sacred to the Mysteries, and highly esteem’d in the Temple of Dionysius.

Gesner^[180], from Albertus says, it goes as it were upright, on its Tail, not perpendicularly upon the sharp End, but on that Part of the Body joined to the Tail: It is bred in Syria, Alexandria, and in the East, &c. These Serpents are known also in Spain 85and other temperate Regions, and every where esteemed Enemies to hurtful Serpents, and Friends to Mankind; therefore were consecrated to the divine Esculapius, that great and glorious Exemplar of Humanity.

XIX. The Dipsas or Dipsacus is a little venemous Reptile of the Aspick kind^[181], less than a Viper, but kills sooner; and is most remarkable in this, that when it bites, the Poison brings an unquenchable Thirst on the Person affected, who finding no Relief, runs to the Water, and drinks till he bursts asunder^[182].

The Poetick Historian observes, how Aulus, an Ensign-bearer in the Roman Army in Africa, was slain by this Serpent; at first he felt little or no Pain from the Bite, but as soon as it began to operate, he was immediately scorch’d to death^[183]. Galen calls this Serpent Diabetes, and Ægineta Dipsacus, from the incurable Thirst that accompanies its Bite: By others ’tis called Situla, because of the burning Heat caused by the Wound.

It is about a Cubit in Length, lives in salt Marshes and shallow Waters; it dwells in Arabia, Rhodes, Africa, especially in Lybia, where some Branches of the venemous Family live on Camel’s Flesh, and Locusts dried in the Sun. The more hot the Climate, the more terrible the Wound, as it is in that hot Country, where they have no Springs, but a few salt Wells, which increase the animal Appetite of Thirst. The learned Venetian makes the Serpent Dipsas an Hieroglyphick of illicit Love, the Poison of which will, without timely Repentance, excite the Thirst of Dives, who wanted a Drop of Water to cool his scorched Tongue^[184].

XX. Common Snake. These Serpents in their Summer-rambles haunt among Bushes, mossy Grounds, uliginous and unfrequented Situations. In a sultry Day they may be seen basking themselves in the Sun, near their Apartments: The Sight of a Person 86puts them to flight; and upon a close Pursuit of them, they make a Stand, raise up their Heads to a considerable Height, and oppose the Enemy with a loud and angry Hiss. No Danger is apprehended from their Bite, and they are handled with Impunity.

This Species of Serpents resembles the Esculapian, that has been fed in some Families; and when provoked to use the Teeth, the Danger is no more than that from a Bee, whose Weapons are defensive, and not employed without Provocation: In Winter they retire into subterraneous Spaces, where they lie dormant, till the vernal Sun invites them out.

Though they propagate as Vipers, it does not appear that they sit on their Eggs, as most oviparous Animals do; for we often find a Brood of young Serpents in old Hedges and Dunghills, and no visible Sign of a common Passage to and from the Nest.

XXI. The Elephantia Serpents are those whose Wounds cast People into a Leprosy or Roughness of Skin, like that of an Elephant: Hence Leprosy proceeding from inward Disorders, is call’d Elephantia or Elephantiasis, which is a cutaneous Disease, makes the Skin scurfy and rough, in Colour resembling that of an Animal, that in Bulk and Intelligence is superior to all four-footed Beasts.

Elephants in India are said to be about 12 Foot high, and of a Mouse-colour, the Skin not only rough, but hard, so hard, that it is not penetrable by a Sword; their Eyes like those of Swine; two Teeth hang out beyond the rest, which are Ivory.

A memorable Instance of this gigantick Creature’s Understanding, we had a few Years ago at Newcastle in Staffordshire, where a Man travelling with an Elephant for a Show, one Morning conducting that Creature to water, happened to pass by a Taylor’s Shop, that was working at an open Window, and so near it, that the Taylor had the Courage to prick him with his Needle: The Beast did not then seem to resent the Affront, but when he returned from the Water, which he having artfully muddled, took into his Trunk; as he came back by the Taylor’s Window, spouted it in his Face, which very much disobliged a Piece of Scarlet-cloth on his Table.

Plate 4^th.

That Elephants are subject to Wrath and Revenge, is evident from other Instances: e. g. We read of an Elephant, that 87when he was brought into a certain Theatre, saw, as he pass’d along, a Keeper of wild Beasts, sitting in the Market-place, whom he suddenly killed: And that the occasion of this Revenge was, because the said Keeper about ten Years before had struck him with a Sword in that same Place^[185].

And Acosta writes, that a Soldier in the Town of Cochine, had thrown the Kernel of a Nut at an Elephant, which the Animal took up and carefully hid: Some Days after, the Elephant seeing the said Soldier pass by, threw it in his Face, and went away leaping and dancing. Ibid.

In that same Town, another Soldier, meeting an Elephant and his Keeper, would not give way to them: Whereupon the Keeper complained to the Elephant of the Affront, who some days after, standing on the River Mangata, which runs through the Town, and seeing that sturdy Soldier stand idle, ran hastily towards him, lifted him upon his Trunk, and plunged him several Times in the River; after which, he drew him out, and left him where he found him. Ibid.

XXII. The Scorpion is one of the Inhabitants of the World in Miniature; though a little Insect, yet is reckoned to be one of the chiefest among stinging Animals, whose Poison in different Regions is less or more dangerous, as it is exalted by various Degrees of Heat. It has eight Legs, and two large Claws, resembling those of a Lobster, and a Body like a Crab or Craw-fish: They are of various Colours, as red, white, yellow, black: They differ also in their Size and Kinds, as the marine, terrestrial, reptile, winged, hurtful and innocent.

Some are of the Bigness and Length of a Man’s Finger, not much longer than a Beetle or a black Fly: Those known to us are of a brown Colour, the Back composed of Joints resembling those of a Crab, but more crustaceous.

Authors differ about the Tail, whether it be knotty or not; but all agree, that it is furnished with a terrible Sting, worse than the knotted Whip. Many Places produce Scorpions of the minute Sort, not much exceeding the Length of a large Bean.

88Others are more bulky, as those at Jerusalem, and all about Syria, not unlike our little fluvial Crabs for Bigness, which they call Gambari.

In the East-Indies are large Scorpions of the winged Kind; so in Egypt, where it is reported they are armed with two Stings^[186].

It is observable, these large Scorpions taking their Flight against the Wind, sometimes drop down, and so are taken by the Country People, and perhaps sent to scorpionize other Kingdoms.

The Sea-scorpion is a flying Animal, and of a red Colour, whose Flesh is good, and much better than what they call Scorpœna, that affects muddy Water and moorish Habitations.

There is a vast Spread of these venemous Animals over the World, both of the winged and creeping Kind, in the Eastern and Southern Climates. Some of them move with Tails somewhat erected, others trailing on the ground; and are thought to be more dangerous than the former: The Coal-black Scorpion is accounted the most hurtful; ’tis said, that in many Places in Persia, the Inhabitants dare not sleep in Ground-rooms, for fear of these little plaguy Creatures, the most terrible of all Night-walkers: Of which more elsewhere.

A certain Historian informs us of stimulating Scorpions that infest Cashan in Parthia: They are of small Size, not strong in Body, but very terrible in their Wounds, there being the greatest Malignity in their Stings; upon which is grafted this proverbial Curse in that Nation, May a Scorpion of Cashan sting thee^[187]: But Chardin, Tavernier, and others, place Cashan in Persia,

“where they are very much infested with Scorpions at all Seasons, but especially when the Sun is in that Sign, which is one of the twelve Signs in the Zodiack; so that ’tis become, says another Historian, a Curse, May the Scorpions of Cashan sting thy Gulls.”

This occasions every one to be provided with sovereign Remedies against them, which is a Piece of Copper-money they put upon the Wound, take it off 24 Hours after, and apply a Plaister of Honey and Vinegar. The Holstein Ambassadors say they are very black, of the Length and Thickness of a Man’s 89Finger, and run faster than Crab-fishes, with their Tails always erected^[188].

We read of a certain Emperor of Persia, who designing to make a Tour into Media, durst not undertake the Journey, for the vast Quantity of Scorpions lying in the Road: So that he was obliged to detach a great Number of stout Fellows to destroy those pestiferous Animals, promising a superior Reward to them that kill’d most: Till this Execution was over, he durst not venture his dignified Carcass abroad. The Scythian Scorpions are of the large Size, and terrible when they shoot their Stings.

In Madagascar, a large African Island, are several Sorts of Scorpions, particularly Water-Scorpions, that lie in the Marshes and standing Waters, which are very mischievous, killing Dogs and Beasts, and then sucking their Blood. There is another Sort of Scorpions with a great round black Belly, that are very dangerous; for those whom they strike immediately swoon, and some for two Days are weak, and cold as Ice. The only Remedy they have, is that used against Serpent’s Wounds, viz. to set the Patient by a great Fire, and giving him Antidotes to expel the Poison, which proves a Cure^[189].

In Italy, Land-Scorpions are call’d Scurtificio, because they have their Poison nel-pizzo, in the Extremity of their Tail. Among the Germans, pizzo is sharp, as spits als een naalde, pointed as a Needle: The Country people bring them in Sack-fuls to Florence, and take them out with naked Hands, as if they were so many Eels, which supposes them to be of the innocent Kind, like those white Scorpions in Pharos, a little Island in the Mouth of Nilus, where there is plenty of these pacifick Animals, who offer no Violence to their Neighbours. Mention is made of other Provinces where they live and hurt no body^[190].

By the Spaniards the Scorpion is call’d Alaicran, from an Island in America, called the Island of Scorpions, for the numerous Multitude that ravage the Place. In Brasil is a vast Number of Scorpions, and some four or five Foot long, in Shape like those of Europe; but not so venemous: Some of them chuse to kill themselves rather than die by the Hands of an Enemy. A certain Gentleman who made the Trial observes, that a Scorpion being 90surrounded with a Circle of burning Coals, chose to sting itself to Death rather than be burnt.

In Ceylon in the East-Indies, they have many Species of Serpents; as,

XXIII. The Pimbera Serpent, whose Body is said to be as big as a Man’s Middle, and in Length proportionable. The Creatures of this Kind secure their Prey, even horned Beasts (which sometimes are pretty large) by a sort of a Peg, or pointed Hook, that grows upon the Extremity of the Tail: They are slow in Motion, and therefore skulk in hollow Places; and when they have taken the Spoil, tho’ horned, they swallow it alive, and whole; which often proves fatal, because the Horns may gore the Belly. More, further on.

XXIV. The Noya Serpent is another ill-natur’d Indian, about four Foot long, will stand with its Body half upright two or three Hours together, thereby displaying an Air of Majesty: The Inhabitants call it the King’s Snake.

Their Poison in that Part of the Country operates variously: Some after they are bitten, fall into a profound Sleep, and without speedy Help die in about six Hours time: Others grow distracted, and if neglected die in twenty-four Hours, and bleed at all the Pores of the Body, and are irrecoverable: Of which before^[191].

XXV. The Polonga Serpent is five or six Foot long, and a most venemous Creature, destroying all manner of Animals that fall within its Circuit, as well as Men, Women and Children. When the Noya and Polonga Serpents happen to meet, a bloody Battle ensues; they fight till one be kill’d, and then the Conqueror eats up the slain.

XXV. The Cobres Capellos, Sea-serpents from eight to ten Yards long, are most dangerous Beasts and frequently kill People in that Country^[192].

When Alexander was in the East-Indies, he and his Macedonians were strangely alarm’d by an Army of Serpents that sallied 91upon ’em from the Woods, which would soon have destroy’d them, but for the Humanity of a Native, who directed them to a certain Herb that cured their Wounds, and saved them from Ruin^[193]. The same Historian adds, that in those great Deserts, frequent and terrible Scuffles happened between Elephants and Serpents about Water, when they met at a Spring, and it so fell out some time, that both perish’d; for the Serpent roll’d it self about the Elephant’s Leg by several Folds, who finding himself wounded, falls down, and in falling often crushes his Enemy to death. Ibid.

In America is a vast variety of Serpents, and some of prodigious Dimensions; in particular, they are very numerous and large in Cordillera, i. e. Andes, or high Mountains of Chile, which Mountains, Antonio de Herrera calls a Prodigy of Nature, not to be match’d in the kind: They are two Chains of high Mountains, about 1500 Leagues in length: In that spacious Region are Adders red as blood, seven or eight Foot long, which in the Night appear like burning Coals, but not so dangerous as other Serpents, that are Imps of Darkness. Acosta and other Writers tell us, that the Devil appear’d among the Americans in the shape of a Serpent.

There are so many Sorts, says Nieuhoff, that the Brasilians reckon up no less than thirty-two, most of which are here accounted for.

XXVII. The Caudisonant, or Rattle-snake, is a large Species of the Viper, and in its exterior Form every way similar, the rustling Tail excepted; it moves with as much Agility as if supply’d with Wings, called therefore the Flying-snake: It has small Eyes, and four Teeth longer than the rest, of white Colour, and sharp, like Thorns; the Head is guarded with small Scales, the Back with larger and thicker Armour; the Tail is composed of several loose bony Articulaments that make a roaring Sound, loud enough to be heard at a distance; and therefore called the Bell-Snake.

It is common in Virginia, where it appears to be from three to four Foot long, and reckoned to be very poisonous; but scarcely hurts any, unless provoked; and when offended, like the God 92of War, makes directly at the Enemy, without dread of Consequences.

In the History of Peru, an Account is given of a young Woman who was wounded by a Rattle-snake, and died on the Spot, before any Relief could be had; and when they came to take up the Corpse, the Flesh came off her Bones; so speedily did the violence of the Poison dissolve the structure of the Body.

The method of killing this Snake, is thus given by Captain Silas Taylor, viz. Of the Leaves of Dittany of Virginia (i. e. wild Penny-royal) bruis’d, we took, says he, and having fasten’d them at the end of a cloven Stick, we held it to the Nose of the Rattle-snake, who by turning and wriggling, labour’d hard to avoid it; but was kill’d with it in less than half an Hour’s time, and as is supposed by the meer Scent of that Vegetable^[194]. This was done A. D. 1657, in July, at which Season those Creatures are reputed to be in the greatest Vigour for their Poison: It is also remarkable, that in those Places where this wild Penny-royal grows, none of these Snakes are observed to come^[195].

The bruised Leaves of the Virginian Dittany are very hot, and biting upon the Tongue: Probably the strong Smell of it might stop the Passages of Respiration in those Animals, or ferment with the Blood, so as to suffocate them. In Gresham College at London may be seen fifteen Skins of Rattle-snakes checker’d——Some appear in ash colour: Several Rattles of those Snakes, most of them composed of above ten Joints.

XXVIII. The Salamander is an amphibious Serpent, very much spotted; superior in Bulk to common Lizards. The Land-Salamander is a little poisonous Reptile, that resembles the green Lizard, but more gross in Body; and is found in Germany and other Places.

CONRADUS Gesner, says he saw one of ’em on the Alps perfectly black, with a short Tail: When wounded, a kind of milky Liquid runs out. In Germany, are several great Woods, where black Salamanders have been seen; Teste Matthiolo^[196].

93This little strange Animal affects moist, cold and solitary Habitations. In some parts of Germany great numbers of them have been found in a Body piled up, one upon another: They are of the oviparous kind, and propagate their Species by Eggs, the common Semen of Fowls and Insects.

They are Enemies to Frogs and the Tortoise, and feed on little small Insects; and when they have Access to Honey and Milk, they never want a Feast.

It is of a poisonous Nature, and many have suffer’d by its Biting; so says Pliny, with whom agree Nicander, Aëtius, and Abensinæ.

GESNER is in a contrary Sentiment, and says he had domestick Salamanders, that offered no violence with their Teeth without Provocation. Jonstonus adds, that in Germany there appeared no ill Effects of its Bite; but in France its Wounds were of a most deadly Nature, as appears by a Saying in that Kingdom. viz. That a Man bit by a Salamander, should have as many Physicians to cure him, as the Salamander has Spots, which are numerous^[197].

The Aquatic Salamander is not very unlike the former, unless it be in Colour and Figure; some with a Tail turn’d up, others with a flat Tail, prominent in the middle: There are various sorts of them; one of which appears in the form of a Turbot, whose Eggs are as large as Garden-pears.

When upon Land their Mouth will not open, unless it be by Force, or they be cast into a Vessel of Water: When put upon Salt, they move the Tail and die; their Skin is close compacted, and not penetrable by a Sword; and ’tis said that Swine’s Flesh is Poison to them^[198].

The common Report is, that the Salamander is able to live in the Fire, which is a vulgar Error: The Hieroglyphick Historian observes, that upon Trial made, it was so far from quenching it, that it consum’d immediately^[199]. It is true, that Newts (or Water-lizards) Frogs, Snails, and such icy Animals, will endure the Fire for a longer time than others will, by reason of 94an extraordinary degree of Coldness, which dissipates and scatters the Flame for a little time.

I have read an Experiment made upon a Salamander, that was thrown into the Fire, and there came from it a sort of gelid, moist, viscous Humour, which resisted the Power of Fire for a little time; but those Exhalations being dried up, was soon consum’d. In the Philosophical Transactions, we have another Instance, which seems to carry the matter further.

M. STENO writes from Rome, that a Knight called Corvini, had assured him, that having cast a Salamander (brought to him out of the Indies) into the Fire, the Animal thereupon swelled presently, and then vomited store of thick slimy Matter, which did put out the neighbouring Coals, to which the Salamander retired immediately, putting them out also in the same manner as they rekindled; and by this means saved his Life about two Hours, and afterwards lived nine Months; that he had kept it eleven Months, without any other Food but what it took by licking the Earth, on which it moved, and on which it had been brought out of the Indies, which at first was cover’d with a thick Moisture, but being dried afterwards, the Urine of the Animal served to moisten the same: Being put upon Italian Earth, it died within three days after^[200].

As to the Possibility of the thing; I make no doubt but he, who made Water the Habitation of Fish, can make Fire to be the Residence of another sort of Beings. The Sun, which is the Centre of our planetary System, for aught we know, may be the Seat of glorious Inhabitants; or, as others conjecture, the Place of future Misery.

Upon the whole, the Salamander being of a mucous, slimy, and cold Body, will, like Ice, soon extinguish a little Fire, but will be as soon consum’d by a great Fire; therefore it was no Absurdity in Galen, when, as a sceptical Medicine, he recommended the Ashes of a Salamander.

The like Humidity is observable in Water-Lizards, especially if their Skins be prick’d: Yea, Frogs, Snails, White of Eggs, will soon quench a lesser Coal. We read of incombustible Cloth, (Linnen Paper,) made from a Flaxen-Mineral, call’d Ασβεστος by the Greeks, and Linum vivum by the Latins.

Plate 5^th

95This Asbestos, or Matter out of which this wonderful Cloth ... is made, is a Fossil, a mineral stony Substance, of a whitish Colour, and woolly Texture (call’d Salamander’s-Wool) the downy Fibres, separable into short Filaments of Threads, capable of being spun, and made into a sort of Cloth, which will endure the Fire without consuming. When foul, instead of washing, they throw it into the Fire, which cleanses without burning it. Whole Webs and Coats, Napkins, Handkerchiefs, Towels, have been made of it; which were so far from being consumed by Fire, that they were only cleansed from their Dross, and came out purified into a greater Lustre than if wash’d with Water.

Its principal use, according to Pliny^[201], was for making of Shrouds, in which the Corps of their Kings were usually burnt, lest their royal Ashes should be blended with common Dust. The Princes of Tartary use it to this day in burning the Dead^[202]. Nero had a Napkin or Towel made of it. The Brachmans among the Indians, are said to make Clothes of it. The Wicks for their perpetual Candles were made of it^[203]; and some to this day use it for Lamp-Wicks.

The Emperor Constantine ordered an incombustible sort of Linnen to be made of Lapis Amianthus, the growth of Cyprus, that might burn in his Lamps, which were in his Baths at Rome. The Commentator on St. Augustin says, that he saw several Lamps at Paris, which would never be consumed: and at a Feast at Louvain, there was a Napkin thrown into the Fire, which was restored to the Owner clearer and brighter than if it had been rinsed in Water^[204].

The incombustible Paper is made of this lanuginous Mineral, viz. Asbestine-Stone, which will bear burning without being injured. Whoever would be further informed about this wonderful incombustible Stone, may peruse Dr. Bruckman, Professor at Brunswick, who has publish’d a natural History of the Asbestos, or incombustible Paper; and what is most remarkable, has printed four Copies of his Book on this Paper, which are deposited in the Library of Wolfembuttle. The manner of making this extraordinary Paper is described by Mr. Lloyd, in Philosoph. Transactions, N^o. 166.

96N. B. The Salamander is said to live in the Fire, and has power to extinguish it: “From which Conjuncture was taken the Device of Great King Francis, the first of the Name, (Father of Arts and Sciences) Nutrisco & Extinguo, I Feed and Extinguish^[205].”

XXIX. The Cameleon belongs to the Class of Quadrupedes, and is a little Animal resembling a Lizard, but of a larger and longer Head: Its Eyes stand out of its Head above one half of their Globe, which he turns so obliquely, that he sees every thing behind him: Nature perhaps has given it this Advantage, because its Legs (by the slowness of its motion) are of no use to avoid his Enemy, by running away. There is yet something more extraordinary, in the motion of his Eyes, for when one of them moves, the other has no motion at all; one looks upward, the other downwards^[206].

The length of these Creatures does not exceed twelve Inches, and they have a proportionable bigness. The Skin is plaited and very fine, transparent, jagged like a Saw, and thin; and must be very compact and hard, since, according to the Historian^[207], ’tis not penetrable by the Teeth of Serpents. It has four Feet, and on each Foot three Claws; its Tail is long and flat, with which, as well as with its Feet, it fastens itself to the Branches of Trees: its Nose long, and ends in an obtuse point: In other respects it is made like a Fish; that is to say, it has no Neck^[208]: Reckoned by Moses, among the unclean—Numb. xi. 30.

The Cameleon is said to transform itself into variety of Colours; perhaps this change may arise from the different reflections of the Rays of Light: Thus they may put on a brown or whitish Habit, from Trees of that Colour, on which they sit. Others observe, that its Colour is changeable, according to the various Passions that agitate the Creature; e. g. When affected with Joy, ’tis of an emerald Green, mixt with Orange, etch’d with little grey and black Strokes: Anger gives it a livid and dusky Colour: Fear makes it pale, and like faded yellow^[209]. All these Colours compose such a pretty Medley of Shadow and Light, that Nature does 97not afford a finer Variety of Shadowing, nor our finest Pictures more lively, sweet, and proportionable Drawing.

For the further Illustration of this Subject, I shall add something from the Philosophical Transactions about a female Cameleon, the Skin of which appear’d mixt of several Colours, like a Medley-cloth. The Colours discernable are green, a sandy yellow: And indeed one may discern, or at least fancy, some mixture of all, or most Colours in the Skin, whereof some are more predominant, at different times: There are some permanent black Spots on the Head, and Ridge of the Back. But our modern Naturalists assure us, that its common Colour, when it is at rest, and in the Shade, is a bluish grey; when ’tis exposed to the Sun, this grey changes into a darker grey, inclining to a dun Colour: If ’tis put on a black Hat, it appears to be of a violet Colour.

... Upon Excitation or warming, she becomes suddenly full of little black Spots, equally dispersed on the sides, with small black Streaks on the Eyelids; all which afterward do vanish. The Skin is grain’d with globular Inequalities, like the Leather call’d Shagreen. The grossest Grain is about the Back and Head, then on the Legs; on the Sides and Belly, finest; which, perhaps, in several Postures, may shew several Colours; and when this Animal is in full Vigour, may also have in some sort, Rationem Speculi, and reflect the Colours of Bodies adjacent; which, together with the mixture of Colours in the Skin, may have given occasion to the old Tradition, of changing into all Colours^[210].

A certain curious Gentleman, made the following Experiment, when he lived at Smyrna, in Asia-minor: He bought some Cameleons, to try how long they could be preserved alive under Confinement; he kept them in a large Cage, and allowed them the Liberty to take the fresh Air, which they suck’d in with Pleasure, and made them brisker than ordinary. He never saw them either eat or drink, but seem’d to live on the Fluid in which we breathe.

The Antients were persuaded that Cameleons fed upon the Air, for which reason one of the Fathers calls it a living Skin^[211]; but now it appears by Experience, that they feed upon different Insects, as Palmer-worms, Locusts, Beetles, Flies, and also Leaves 98of Vegetables. Father Feuillée^[212], in a Journey into Asia-minor, opened one of these Animals, and found in its Belly Peach-Leaves, which were not then digested.——N. B. Digestion is very slow in Cameleons, which is the reason why they take so little Nourishment.

The same Father mentions a small Lizard, which he saw in Peru, that was not above an Inch thick, which he calls Chameleontides, because he changed his Colour, like the Cameleons; being in a certain Situation, he saw it of a dun Colour; in another, ’twas green.... This little Creature, he says, had the same Figure and Proportion as the Great Lizard; nam’d by the Spaniards, Iquanna; and Senembi, by Marcgravius; and he makes that Lizard a fourth kind of Cameleon, and to be added to the two kinds of Bellonius, one of which is to be found in Arabia, and the other in Egypt, and to that mention’d by Faber, Lynceus, which may be seen in Mexico.

Their Tongue is somewhat peculiar, it being as long as their Body, with which they catch Flies, and other Insects, which settle on their Tongues, to suck the viscous slimy Matter, adherent to them. The Cameleon puts out his Tongue to draw them upon it, and when ’tis full of these Insects, he pulls it in with wonderful Agility. Others think, it encloses its Prey with the tip of its Tongue, which is made in a form proper for that purpose.

The Cameleon is an oviparous Animal. J. Jonstonus says, it has above a hundred Eggs, from Piereskius, who nursed a Female on purpose to make Observations upon the Subject^[213]. After all the Gentleman’s Care about ’em at Smyrna, all of them died within five Months; and having opened the Female, found thirty Eggs in her, fasten’d one to another in the form of a Chain. Ibid. supra.

The Atlas^[214] calls the Cameleon, the Indian Salamander^[215]; that goes there by the Name of Gekho, from the Noise it makes after hissing, and is thus describ’d, viz. ’tis about a Foot long and spotted, has large Eyes starting out, the Tail has several white Rings round it, and its Teeth sharp, and strong enough to penetrate an Armour of Steel: it has a slow Motion, but where it 99fastens, ’tis not easily disengaged. This Creature is found in Arabia, Egypt, Madagascar, Java, and other parts of India. Bellonius saw several of them among the Shrubs of Attica^[216]: He says it frequents Cairo, and other Places, is found among Hedges and Bushes; mutes like a Hawk; swallows every thing whole. It moves the Feet of each side alternately, but runs up Trees very fast, and lays hold on the Boughs with its Tail. Leo and Sandys say, the Neck is inflexible, and it can’t turn without moving its whole Body: the Back is crooked, the Skin is spotted with little Tumours: the Tail long and slender, like that of a Rat, when it sucks in the Air, its Belly swells, whence some think that the Air is part of its Food. One Author says, it subsists only upon Air; another says, ’tis a vulgar Error.——

’Tis said, that if a Serpent lurks near the Tree, where it sits, it throws a Thread out of its Mouth, with a little shining Drop at the end, which falls upon the Serpent’s Head, and kills it^[217].

In America are Serpents, some of whom are so poisonous, that if touch’d but with a little Stick, the Venom runs up the Hand; and such as are touch’d with the Blood of dead Serpents, die a lingering Death: This is Tradition: I shall begin with the first of them, viz.

XXX. KUKURUKI, a Serpent of Brasil in South-America, which is under the torrid Zone, where their Winter begins in March and ends in August; and is like our Summer. This Serpent is of an ash Colour, and in its Scales resembles the Bocinga, or Rattle-Snake, but is more gross; on the Back, variegated with yellow, and large black Spots. ’Tis represented as a very venemous Animal, eight or nine Foot long^[218]; and when prepared, the Inhabitants feed upon it.

XXXI. The Ibiara is a Brasilian Adder, about a Foot and half long; an Inch and half in thickness. Serpents of this kind are very numerous in that Country, and nothing more poisonous than their Wounds, tho’ not incurable, if proper Remedies be applied in time.

100In Seasons of Danger, they shelter themselves in Cavities under Ground, and feed upon Pismires, which are very large in that Country, and in such prodigious Quantities, that the Portuguese call them, Kings of Brasil.

XXXII. In Chiapa, in Old-Mexico, now call’d New-Spain, is a noxious Animal call’d Teuthlacokauqui, or Fortress of the Serpents, whose Head is like an Adder, thick Belly, glittering Scales, the Ridge of the Body black, with an Interspersion of white Crosses; the Teeth poisonous, and the biting kills in twenty-four hours, unless the wounded part be held in the Earth so long, till the Pain be over.

It has a frightful Aspect; when it moves it makes a Noise with its Tail, that sounds an Alarm of Danger. The Americans, who have the Art of taking it by the Tail, carry it home, and by degrees make it tame: ’tis maintain’d at a cheap rate, for it can subsist a whole Year without any visible Food.

JOHNSTONUS calls this Serpent the Bocininga, and describes it from Marcgravius and Piso. The former says, ’tis four Foot and three Fingers long, Belly smooth, small Eyes, forked Tongue, rattling Tail. The other observes, the Spaniards call it Cascavel, and Tangedor, because its Tail emits the sound of a Ball; in thickness, as a Man’s Arm; in length, about five Foot; a cloven Tongue, long and sharp Teeth; of a dark Colour, inclining to the yellow^[219].

According to Nierembergius, this Serpent is called the Queen of Serpents, which they suppose to be like the Viper, in its Poison, and Shape of the Head^[220]. By the Definitions of several Authors, this Serpent seems to be the Caudisonant; and the Dutch in America call it, the Ratel-Stange, i. e. Rattle-Snake.

Now we are in Mexico, excuse me in giving you two Instances of monstrous Cruelty; one in the Natives, the other in the Spaniards.

When the Mexicans were disposed to do signal Honour to their Idols, they sent out Armies to bring in Prisoners for a Sacrifice, whose Flesh they did afterwards eat; and Montezuma the Emperor, commonly sacrificed 20000 Men, one year with another, 101and no less than 50000 some years. The Priests thought it dishonourable to sacrifice less than 40 or 50 Captives at a time to one Idol. At a certain Festival, they ript up the Breast of a manumitted Slave, pull’d out his Heart, which they offer’d to the Sun, and then eat up his Body.

Their Priests were bloody Men, a Brood of Vipers, and had such an Ascendant over their Princes, that they made them believe their Gods were angry, and not to be appeased without 4000 or 5000 Men to sacrifice in a day; so that, right or wrong, they must make War on their Neighbours, to procure those Victims to keep their Priests in Humour.

The next, is an Instance of Spanish Cruelty, in this Country, that could have no Original but Hell, the Seat of the old Serpent. It runs thus, viz. Barthol. de las Casas Bishop of Chiapa, in a Letter to the Emperor Charles V. gives this account of the Barbarity of the Spaniards towards the poor Inhabitants, Natives of the Land.

... “Their Kings and Princes, says the Bishop, the Spaniards scorch’d to death, or tore in pieces with Dogs: The poor People they burnt in their Houses, and dash’d out the Brains of their Children: Those that were spared, they forced to carry greater Burdens than they were able to bear, by which thousands of them were destroy’d: Others who escap’d, died of Famine in the Woods, after they had kill’d their own Wives and Children, and eat them for hunger. In this one Province they murder’d above two Millions of Men, not sparing those of Quality, who had civilly entertain’d them. They tortured the Natives with the most hellish Inventions, to make them discover their Gold. Diego de Valesco, in particular, spared none that fell into his hands, so that in a Month’s time he murder’d ten thousand: He hang’d thirteen Noblemen.

“Some they starved to death, by thrusting their Heads betwixt Pieces of cloven Timber: Others they buried alive, leaving their Heads above Ground, at which they bowl’d with large Iron-Bullets: They also forced them to eat one another.——

Besides other hellish Cruelties too dreadful to be related^[221].” N. B. This Barth. de las Casas had been a Friar, and afterwards 102made Bishop of Chiapa, was a Man of more Piety and Justice than is commonly found among Friars. It was he, who procur’d the Indians their Liberty from being Slaves to the Spaniards, which they enjoy to this day, so that they are paid for what they do, about half a Crown a Week.

XXXIII. The Ibitobaca is a Serpent of Chiapa, near four Foot long, and of a crimson Colour, adorn’d with a pleasing Diversity of black and white Specks; wearing its Bones as a Necklace, or the Ruff in Queen Elizabeth’s Reign, who destroy’d the Invincible Armada, and made good old England a Terror to Spaniards.

XXXIV. The Iquanna is the Birth of Mexico, a Serpent like the Pope’s Anathema, of a terrible Front, but harmless; a glittering Comb on the Head, with a Bag under the Chin; a long Tail, and sharp Bones on its Back, standing up in the form of a Saw.

This Iquannatick Serpent is of the amphibious kind, equally fitted to live by Land or Water; a Privilege which no Son of Adam can boast of. It is of the oviparous Tribe, and a great Breeder, laying about fifty Eggs at the Season as big as Acorns, which are of a very good Taste, and good Food when boiled, and so is the Serpent itself; but the Land-Iquanna is a more pleasant Food, and preferable to Spanish Ragous^[222].

XXXV. The Ibiboboca is a Serpent beautiful to the Eye, but of a venemous Nature; ’tis about three Foot long. The Icon of it in Gresham-College is above three Yards^[223], white as Snow, decorated with Particles of various Colours, especially black and red. The Wound it gives operates gradually, and if neglected, proves fatal.

XXXVI. The Guaku or Lyboya Serpent, is one of the largest of all the serpentine Brood, some of which being from eighteen to thirty Foot long, call’d by the Portuguese, Hobre de Hado, or the Roebuck Serpent, because it can swallow a whole Buck at once. 103After swallowing it down, it generally falls asleep, and in that Posture is frequently taken, while digesting its Supper. My Author says, he saw one of this kind, which was 30 Foot long, of a greyish Colour, but others incline more to the brown^[224]. A ravenous Animal, and so voracious, that it leaps out of the Woods to seize its Prey; and, if disturb’d, will fight, or wrestle, with Man or Beast, standing upright upon the Butt-end of his Tail.

XXXVII. The Jararaka Serpent, is another Brasilian, no longer than a Man’s Arm to the Elbow; it has swelling Veins on its Head; the Skin is covered with red and black Spots; the rest is of an Earth Colour: Its Wounds are dangerous, and attended with the usual Symptoms. There are three Sorts of these venemous Snakes besides this, viz. One sort is about ten Spans long, with two terrible Tusks, or great Teeth, which they stretch out to a great length, and strike them into their Prey. The venemous Liquid, which is very yellow, works with a Violence, that kills in a few Hours. The second sort resembles the Spanish Viper in Colour and Form, and is equally dangerous. The third and worst sort very much resembles the first.

XXXVIII. The Biobi, called Gabro Verde by the Portuguese in Brasil, i. e. the Green Serpent, because its Colour is porraceous, a shining Green like the Leek; it is between three and four Foot long, and about the Thickness of a Man’s Thumb; a large Mouth, and black Tongue, and has this good Property, that it hurts nobody unless irritated; but when provoked, no Poison more dangerous. We read of a Soldier, who accidentally treading on this Serpent, was wounded by it in the Thigh, and died a few Hours after, tho’ the Remedies that proved successful on the like occasions, had been diligently applied^[225].

XXXIX. The Caninana Serpent, is another Inhabitant of Brasil, green on the back, and yellow on the Belly, about two Foot long, and reckoned not to be so venemous, as the rest of that mischievous Tribe. It feeds upon Eggs and Birds, at last becomes the common Entertainment of the American and African 104Tables^[226]. We read of other green Serpents in the Indies, that are indulged with little Cottages made of Straw, where they spend their solitary Hours, till the time of eating invites them out, then they repair to the House, where they fawn upon their Masters, and eat what is set before them, and then retire to the Huts of Indulgence.

XL. The Tetzawhcoatl, is another Production of Brasil, a Serpent of about three Foot long, and slender Body, whose Strokes are pestilent: The Head is black, nether Part of the Tail reddish, and the Belly dash’d with black Spots. The Cure is by Suction.

Now we are travelling among the Inhabitants of Brasil, we may be allowed to take notice of Prince Maurice’s Rational Parrot, mentioned by Sir William Temple and Mr. Locke, which the former had from the Prince’s own Mouth. His Words were,

... “That he had heard of such an old Parrot, when he came to Brasil, and tho’ he believed nothing of it, and it was a good way off; yet he had so much Curiosity as to send for it: that it was a very great and a very old one; and when it came first into the Room, where the Prince was with a great many Dutchmen about him, it said presently, What a Company of White-men are here! They ask’d it, what he thought that Man was, pointing at the Prince? it answered, Some General or other. The Prince asked it, Whence come ye^[227]? The Parrot answered, From Marinnan. To whom do you belong, said the Prince? it answered, To a Portuguese Prince. The Prince ask’d, What do you there? Parrot answered, I look after the Chickens. The Prince laugh’d, and said, You look after the Chickens! The Parrot answered, Yes, I; and I know well enough how to do it, and made the Chuck four or five times, that People use to make to Chickens, when they call them....”

... “I could not but tell this odd Story, because it is so much out of the way, and from the first hand, and what may pass for a good one; for I dare say, this Prince at least believed himself 105in all he told me, having ever past for a very honest and pious Man. I leave it to Naturalists to reason, and to other Men to believe as they please upon it; however, it is not perhaps amiss to relieve or enliven a busy Scene sometimes with such Digressions, whether to the purpose or no.” So far Sir William Temple.

Wonder not then, if you meet in this History with some romantick Sentiments entertained by learned Men concerning Serpents, when two such illustrious Pillars of the Commonwealth of Letters, give way to a Relation that has so much of the Marvellous in it.

XLI. These Historians inform us of many more Serpents, and some of great bulk, that infest those American Regions; whose Looks are ruddy, of blood-red Colour, that shine in the Night, like so many glittering Stars.

A modern Author writes, that in America are some Snakes that were eight Foot long, and as red as Blood, which in the Night look’d like Fire^[228].

The former black, and these shining Serpents, remind me of the Obsidian Stones, that are very black and transparent; they have their Names from one Obsidius, who first found them in Æthiopia.

There is a sort of natural Obsidian Glass, which is rather to be ranked among Stones than Metals; ’tis as passive as the former, enduring the Graving-Tool, is diaphanous and pellucid, receiving Images, and, like artificial Glass, transmitting all Forms and Shapes.

This is found in Æthiopia, where the Sepulchres of the Nobles are usually made of it, and after this manner; viz. They take a large Stone, and make it hollow, and in the Cavity include the Corps, where it is not only preserved, but, as if entomb’d in Glass, is apparently visible to Spectators, and sends forth no ungrateful Scent.

Out of these Obsidian Stones, Looking-Glasses are wont to be made, and are also found on the Coasts of Arabia. These shining Stones were inserted into Rings, and in one of them was cut the entire Image of Augustus, who being much taken with 106these Stones of Glass, caused four Elephants to be made of them,—See the Commentary upon Pancirollus, B. i. of Jet; and Pliny, B. xxxvi. c. 26.

XLII. Boiguacu, another venemous Production of Brazil, thick in the middle, and declining towards the Extremities of the Body; ’tis covered with large Scales on the Back, and lesser ones on the Belly, which is common in all Serpents.

The whole is adorned with elegant Variegations.... The Back and Sides set off with black Spots, inclining to the round; about three Inches distant from each other, and in the Centre a round white Spot. These beautiful Appearances, says Jonstonus, have a Grandeur in them more than rivals Imperial Majesty.

He saw several Serpents of this kind: On August 7th, 1638, one that was eight Foot long. Another, August 13th, 1638, above five Foot long, its Flesh fat, and very white; the Heart being taken out, lived about 15 Minutes. October 16th, 1638, he saw another, that was near nine Foot long, and he was a Witness to its swallowing a She-Goat whole^[229]. By the Description, this Serpent must be the Lyboia, so famous for the Knack of Deglutition of Animals.

XLIII. The Brasilian Serpent, called the Ibiracoan, makes its Appearance in a Habit of various Colours, trimmed with red, black and white Spots. Under this fine Dress, is a poisonous Spring; the Wound it gives, infallibly kills without immediate Assistance.

Before the Poison reaches the Heart, the common Practice is, to secure that Serpent, and boil the Flesh of it with certain Roots, and give it the Patient in Wine, or any other proper Liquid, and it will answer the Intention.

XLIV. The Tarciboya, and Kakaboya, are two Serpents much of the same Nature, and therefore I put them together: They are occasional Inhabitants of the Water and Land; in Colour black, and about six Hands in Length. If they hurt any Creature, it is only in Defence of themselves, and the Wound is easily cured by 107Remedies well known in those Countries. They are great Devourers of Birds.

Here the Learned Ray, from Piso, mentions ten other Serpents, whose particular Characters he considers in his Description of Fishes; then refers his Reader to those described by Joan. de Laet.^[230]

XLV. The Bibera is a venemous Lizard of Brazil. If you ask, What are these Brasilian Lizards? I answer, They are creeping Serpents, of various Colours, and different Sizes: Some are the length of a Finger, others many Feet; have sparkling Eyes. There is only one sort of them that is venemous, among which is this Bibera: they are like the others, but lesser, and are most mischievous. They are of an ash Colour, inclining to the white; the Body and Limbs seem thick, but the Tail is short and broad.

The Wounds given by these Serpents, are full of a thin stinking Matter, attended with blue Swellings, and Pain in the Heart and Bowels. N. B. Great Things have been frequently done by little Things.

XLVI. The Ambua, so the Natives of Brazil call the Millepedes and the Centipedes Serpents. Those Reptiles of thousand Legs bend as they craul along, and are reckoned very poisonous. Those Lizards of hundred Legs are commonly found in the Woods, where they destroy the Fruit, and also do mischief both to Men and Cattle.

In these Multipedes, the Mechanism of the Body is very curious; in their going, it is observable, that on each side of their Bodies, every Leg has its Motion, one regularly after another; so that their Legs, being numerous, form a kind of Undulation, and thereby communicate to the Body a swifter Progression than one could imagine, where so many short Feet are to take so many short Steps, that follow one another, rolling on, like the Waves of the Sea.

The Palmer-Worm is also called Millepes, because of its many Feet, which are as Bristles under its Body: It is about six Inches long, and moves with incredible Swiftness. The upper part of the Body is cover’d with hard swarthy Scales, and it has a sort of 108Claws both in its Head and Tail, of rank Poison, as the Historian says.

XLVII. The Jebeya is another Brazilian, and a Serpent very ravenous and destructive: It has four Legs, and a long Tail like a Crocodile; it lies flat and close on the Ground, artfully concealing itself, ’till the Prey comes within reach, and then darts out a couple of sharp Fins from its Fore-quarters, and kills whatever it strikes.

XLVIII. The Giraupiagara is an American Serpent, so call’d, because of its being a great Devourer of Eggs. ’Tis of a Negro-Colour, but a yellow Breast, and of great Length and Agility. It glides (as if swimming) on the tops of Trees, faster than any Man can run on the Ground.^[231]

It lives upon Birds, whose Nests it constantly plunders. ’Tis observable, that the Cuckow feeds very much upon Eggs, which accounts for the vulgar Notion, that it always has one or more little Birds, as Menials to attend it, these being some of those, whose Houses it plundered. There is another Charge preferred against the Cuckow, viz. The Contempt it puts upon our Vegetables, by spitting upon them; whereas in those Dobs of frothy Dew, we find little Green Insects, that are Grashoppers in the Embryo.

XLIX. The Caminana is another Brazilian Serpent, of a great length. The Body is all over green, and very beautiful in prospect. This also runs up the Trees, not so much because of the green Leaves, as in pursuit of Birds of all Colours; and having devoured the Contents of the Nest, seizes the Dam, and drinks her Blood.

The pleasing Appearance made by this Serpent in Green, puts me in mind of the Turks, who have so great a Superstition for the green Colour (because it was consecrated to Mahomet) that they forbid Christians to wear it on pain of Death; but the Persians (who are Mahometans as well as the Turks) allow it to every body, and laugh at this Superstition; so that when Sultan Amurath sent an Ambassador to Sha-Abbas of Persia, to complain that he 109suffer’d that venerable Colour to be prophaned by Christians, he scoffingly said, that he would forbid the green Colour to be prophaned by Christians, as soon as Amurath would hinder the green Meadows to be prophaned by his Turkish Cattle^[232]. The Eastern Turks abhor the blue Colour, because the Jews, they say, threw Indigo into Jordan to hinder the Baptism of Christ, but the Angels brought Water from Jordan to baptize him, before it was polluted. Atlas.

L. BOYTIAPUA, is a Serpent so called by the Brazilians for its long Snout, though I don’t find it exceeds others in smelling, by the extension of its Nose; it is of a long slender Body, and feeds upon Frogs, amphibious Animals and Insects.

This Serpent is in high Esteem among the Natives of Brazil, who practise the Art of Conjuration by it; and if any of them have a barren Wife, and are desirous of Children, they lash this Serpent over her Hips, pretending that such Exercise will make her fruitful: And if this Device should take effect, must not we conclude the Offspring to be a Generation of Vipers?

LI. The Gaytiepua is a large Snake, smells rank like a Fox, and, according to a learned Author, the Smell is intolerable^[233], as is that of the Serpent Boyana, which is very long and slender, and of black Colour; of which one of the Latin Poets takes notice^[234].

If the loathsome Smell of these Creatures offend the Nose, it serves as a friendly Alarm of Danger, to those who have the use of a Nose, that they may avoid a more terrible Stroke.

Nothing so constituted in Nature, but a superficial Observer may construe as a Blemish to the Creation; but to a more penetrating Eye, those imaginary Blemishes have their Convenience and Use, and appear to be the Product of perfect Intelligence and Wisdom.

LII. The Bom-Snake, is another Brazilian Reptile, call’d Bom from the Noise it makes in its Motion. It is of a prodigious large Size, but is class’d among the Innocent, that do no manner 110of hurt to Persons, viz. that can endure a little Sound, arising from a Propagation of the Pulse of the Air.

An innocent Serpent, no Contradiction. There is good among the bad in the moral World.

In Paraguay, or La Plata in America, is a famous white Bird, which, though it has a very small Body, has a Voice like a Bell, and therefore the Natives call it Guirapo, that is, the Sounding-Bird.

How many Animals of the same kind in the moral Creation, that wear gaudy Feathers and Plumes, whose Sound, in the Assemblies of Saints and Sinners, proves to be vox & præterea nihil.

LIII. The Boicupecanga is a Serpent, so called because its Back looks as if it were overgrown with Briers and Thorns, the Ridge being sharp pointed, which makes the Beast look as if he were guarded by little Spears: This prickle-back’d Serpent is of a monstrous Extension, very frightful, and venemous, the very sight of which strikes Terror into Man and Beast.

LIV. The Cucurijuba is a Water-Snake of twenty-five or thirty Foot long, and three Foot in Compass, will swallow a Hog or a Stag at once; has Teeth like those of Dogs, but makes no use of them as Instruments of Mastication. HARRIS in the Atlas America, mentions one kill’d when asleep, that was twelve Yards and a half long, and proportionably big, in whose Belly they found two wild Boars. This Creature I take to be the Lyboya, (or a near Relative) a gigantick Serpent, already described, therefore I dismiss the Monster, and proceed to the

111LV. MANIMA, another Water-Snake, of the same Proportion with the former, if not more bulky: The sight is terrible; the Monstrosity of Dimensions is sufficient to render it so; but we are told, the Terror vanishes in some Degree upon a view of the Skin, which is exquisitely painted, and the Brazilians not only love to see so spruce an Animal, but reckon it an Omen of a long Life.

If you ask, What a long Life is? I answer, ’Tis nothing but a lingering, slow Consumption: Life itself, what is it, but a meer practical Tautology, a Repetition of the same things over and over, and looks more like a Penance imposed upon Mankind than Pleasure.

LVI. The Terpomongo is another Serpent, which in the Brazilian Dialect, signifies to stick close, so close to whatever it touches, that it is not to be parted. It is about the bigness of a Cable-Rope, which being fasten’d to the Anchor, holds the Ship fast when it rides.

This Property in the Serpent, may be an Hieroglyphick; or Symbol of true Friendship, which is a sacred Mixture: My Friend and I are as two Rivers joined in one, not to be separated; we stick close and fast, traversing the Wilderness hand-in-hand: He who strikes one, wounds the other—No Schism in true Friendship.

LVII. JACORE Lizard; some of these Serpents are as big as Dogs, and resemble them in the Nose; their Teeth large and long, and their Skin impenetrable. They do no harm to their Neighbours, and therefore are generally allow’d to live. They make a loud Noise, by which their Haunts are discovered, and their Liberty hazarded.

They lay Eggs as large as those of a Goose, of an elastick Nature, so hard, that when one is struck against another, they ring like Iron: they frequent both Land and Water.

It’s observable here, that this Animal is obstreporous, and by its Noise invites Danger; whereas Silence would be his Security: yea, its Eggs are as so many roaring Bells. This may serve for a Document to the unruly Member: Thersites, in Homer, was counted a Fool for babbling. A talkative Tongue is the Spring, Ringleader, and Head of Faction in all places.

112The first Rudiments in Pythagoras’s School, was Quinquennian, Silence. The Scholars were not allow’d to talk for five Years, that is, till they had learned the Art of Silence. Harpocrates was the God of Silence, therefore painted with his Finger on his Lip, and was worshipped in Egypt with Isis and Serapis.

ANGERONA was the Goddess of Silence at Rome, and painted with a Cloth about her Mouth. Nor is it less venerable at Venice, where after they come out of the Senate-house, they are as silent about what was said and done, as if they had power to forget all that was said and done.

To the above-mention’d Serpents, the learned Mr. Ray adds, by way of Supplement, a Catalogue of fifteen East-Indian Serpents, which he had from the Learned Dr. Tancred Robinson, whose Descriptions he had from the College at Leyden, which I shall annex to the foregoing^[235].

LVIII. SERPENS Indicus Coronatus, an Indian Serpent, that makes its Appearance with a crowned Head, which it holds up on high, as if proud of the Honour. This is an Emblem of Pride, that Dropsy of the Mind; to yield to its Thirst, is to swallow the Bait, that turned the Seraph into a Devil.

The Remedy used by the Indians for its Wounds, is what they call the Serpent-Stone, which, according to Thevenot and others, is an artificial Composition, and not taken out of this Serpent’s Head.

LIX. VIPERA Indica tricolor major, a Serpent remarkable for a Body decorated with three fine Colours, the Liveries of Summer’s Pride, but living much under ground, the Glories of its Attire are buried in the Earth, the World’s material Mould.

LX. VIPERA Zelanica minor maculis eleganter variegata, a Serpent elegantly garnished with a Variety of charming Colours: It is an Inhabitant of Ceylon, an Island in the East-Indies, called by the Inhabitants Tenarisain, that is the Land of Delights, and not without reason is this Island so called, since it is the most fruitful place in India, producing Gold, Silver, Precious Stones, plenty of Rice, Ananas, Cocoas, best Oranges, Lemons, Figs, 113Pomegranates, Ginger, Grapes, Pepper, Cardamum, Tobacco, Nutmegs, Sugar; Mulberry, which yield much Silk; Palm-trees, which afford a Liquor for their constant Drink, &c. But in midst of these pleasing Varieties, they are haunted with various sorts of venemous Serpents; an Emblem of our present State, which is a Compound of Pleasure and Pain.

CEYLON is an Emblem of Man, to whom Pleasure is as a delightful Situation; but in it dwells a Serpent, called Pain. Pleasure is the principal Intendment of Nature, and the great Object of our Inclination, without which Life would be no Blessing, but a Mortification: Yea, ’tis Pleasure reconciles us to Pain; for who would submit to nauseous Medicines, and Tortures of the Surgeon’s Knife, but for hope of the Pleasure of Ease that succeeds it.

No Serpent so terrible as Pain, which is a strange domineering Perception, that keeps off Ease when wanted, and destroys Ease when we are in possession of it.

LXI. The Malcarabeta of Ceylon is a Serpent painted by Nature in a Garb blue and white; the last of these two Colours shew best by Candle-light. This leads us to the Excommunication by Inch of Candle; that is, while a little Candle continues burning, the Sinner is allow’d to come to Repentance; but after it burns out, he remains excommunicated to all Intents and Purposes.

LXII. The Ethetulla is a Ceylonick Serpent; of a little slender Body, and sharp-pointed Head. This is a kind of Ranger, delights in Groves and Forests, and may be known by a white and green Vesture, in which it rambles among the Trees.

LXIII. MALPOLON is another Serpent of that celebrated Island, and of a vermilion Hue, imbroider’d with curious fine red Spots, which shine like so many Stars.

LXIV. SERPENS Putorius, so denominated, probably because of its filthy Smell; by which it resembles the Putorius, a 114little Animal call’d Fitchet, that smells ill, especially when enraged^[236]. Jonstonus and Gesner make it to be the Druinus, which has been already describ’d.

LXV. The Anacandia, a Ceylonick Serpent, of monstrous Corpulence, being in longitude about 25 Foot. D. Cleyerus, who accounts for this gigantick Serpent, says, he saw one of them open’d, in whose Belly was found a whole Stag, with all his integral Parts: In another they found a wild Goat; and in a third, a Porcupine arm’d with all its Darts and Prickles^[237]. Serpents of this nature have often fallen in our way, by which we may imagine, that there is a vast spread of them over the Earth. Mr. Ray from Cleyerus gives this account of the Monster——Tho’ the Throat seems narrow, yet ’tis very extensible, and the Facts have been confirm’d by Experience. When the Prey is catch’d, he wraps himself about it, takes it by the Nose, sucks the Blood, and soon reduces it to a Hodge-podge; after he has broken the Bones in pieces, that emit a Sound like a Gun, ibid. And in doing all this he spends two days.

LXVI. The Ghalghulawa is another Ceylonite, that goes by the Name of Serpens Indicus Saxatilis, describ’d by whitish Lines, that run across one another: Whether the Poet refers to this, as a Serpent affecting stony and gravelly Situations, or to a certain Fish, I determine not^[238].

LXVII. The Manballa is another Indian, and from its Name we may conclude it has something of the canine Nature, for it flies with great Fury at Passengers, as some Dogs usually do. ’Tis of a light red (or bright bay, as we call it in Horses) spotted with white.

LXVIII. The Nintipolonga, an Indian Serpent, whose Skin is checker’d with white and black Spots. Its Bite is accompanied with mortiferous Sleep, therefore call’d Serpens hypnoticus, soporiferous 115Serpent, whose Wounds are as an Opiate, or Medicines that induce sleep, in which they die. Q. Why may not we suppose this narcotic Poison to be the same with that, which Cleopatra used in executing the Sentence that Heroine past upon herself?

LXIX. The Wepelon Serpent: Nothing is said of it, but that it resembles an Indian Reed or Cane in form.

LXX. SERPENS Fluviatilis, seems to be the Water-Snake.

LXXI. SERPENS Spadiceus, a Serpent of light red Colour.

LXXII. Then follows the Ceylonic Hotambœia. Dr. Robinson’s Account of this Serpent, he had from the learned Hermannus’s Library.

N. B. Some of these Eastern Serpents may coincide and agree in Character with those in America, and other Regions. Where there is such an infinite Variety of them, and delineated by so many different hands, ’tis difficult to give an exact Description of every individual Serpent.

Other parts of the East-Indies (Continent and Islands) are infested with Serpents of various kinds and sizes, and he must be more than a Conjurer in History, that can charm them to make their Appearance in one Place, and all in their proper Habiliments.

LXXIII. The hooded or Monk Serpent, found in an Island near Batavia (a Dutch Settlement in the East-Indies) which differs from other Serpents in the uncouth Shape of its Head, that looks as if it were cover’d with a large long Hood, like a Monk’s Cowl, or the Widow’s Veil, therefore called the hooded Serpent, which is a very dangerous Animal. Upon a view of its Prey, it immediately advances towards it, with terrible Rage and Hissing.

When the Sieur de la Case was hunting one day in the Woods adjacent to Batavia, he saw one of these Serpents descending from a Tree, making a fearful Noise: It was about the thickness of a Man’s Arm, and in length about eight Foot.

This venemous Creature was no sooner on the Ground, but it made towards him with the greatest Fury; but having a Gun ready charg’d, he very happily shot it dead, and made off hastily for fear of a second Attack^[239].

116LEGUAT, who gives this Account, and was in Batavia, A.D. 1697, says, he saw a Serpent in that Country about fifty Foot long. N. B. The Skin of one that was 20 Foot long, is shewn in Batavia, that swallow’d an Infant, ibid.

LXXIV. The Musk Serpent, so term’d from its musky or sweet Scent. These sweet-scented Animals are Inhabitants of the East, between Calicut, the second Kingdom of Malabar, and Candahor. In Ceylon are Musk-Rats, where the Inhabitants eat all Rats, but this kind.

These Musk-Rats are in all things shaped like our Water-Rats, only something larger; and in other respects differ only in that musky Scent. A Gentleman, who kept one of them in a wooden Chest, observed that two days before it died, ’twas most odoriferous, and scented the Room above what was common^[240]. In Muscovy is a Water-Rat, which smells like Musk; and also a great number of Musk-Cats, which look like young Bucks without Horns, and therefore call’d Musk-Harts by the Chinese, because they resemble those Creatures. The Musk is contain’d in a little Excrescence near the Navel^[241].

In America also, are found Woods abounding with Musk-Rats, that are as big as Rabbits, and have Burrows in the Ground. Their Skins are black, Bellies white, and smell exceeding strong of Musk^[242]. The vegetable World also, entertains us with Musk-Pears, Musk-Roses, single and double, and the Ever-green, &c. N. B. Musk-Rats frequent fresh Streams, and no other.

The word Musk comes from the Arabic, Moscha, a Perfume of strong Scent, only agreeable when moderated by the Mixture of some other Perfume, by which it becomes an agreeable artificial Odour.... Musk is found in a little Swelling, like a præternatural Tumor, or Bag growing (about the Bigness of a Hen’s Egg) under the Belly of a wild Beast, of the same Name; and appears to be nothing else, but a kind of bilious Blood there congeal’d.

This Musk-Animal is common in the East-Indies, as in the Kingdoms of Boutan, Cochin China, but the most esteem’d are 117those of Tibet. When the Bladder under the Belly is taken out, they separate the congeal’d Blood, and dry it in the Sun.

Sir John Chardin^[243] says, Musk is also produced in Persia from an Impostume in the Body of a Beast, that resembles a Goat, and grows near the Navel, and is better than that of China. The Scent of it, adds he, is so strong, that it many times kills those who hunt the Beast, when they first open the Bag, except they stop their Mouths and Noses with Linnen: ’Tis easily counterfeited, and the best way to try it, is by drawing a Thread, dipt in the Juice of Garlick, thro’ the Bag with a Needle; and if the Garlick loses its Scent, the Musk is good. Atl. 397.

LXXV. The Boitiapo (that should have been mention’d before with its Brazilian Relatives) is a large Serpent, about seven Foot long, not quite so thick as a Man’s Arm, of an olive Colour, yellow Belly, in Body round, cloath’d with Scales that make an elegant Appearance in a sort of triangular form. ’Tis very venemous, and its Wounds not curable without timely and proper Applications.

The Lacertan Snakes or Lizards come next under Consideration, and in the same order as laid down by the learned Mr. Ray^[244]. Previous to that, I beg leave to observe, that Moses places two sorts of Lizards among unclean Creatures, the Stellio and Lacerta. These Lizards differ vastly in Bulk; some a Finger’s length; in Arabia, some of a Cubit long; in the Indies, twenty-four Feet in length. Several sorts of Lizards are mention’d in Scripture, Lev. xi. 30. the two former are translated Stellio and Lacerta; the third is translated a Mole, but Bochart maintains, it is a Cameleon; the fourth is describ’d Prov. xxx. 28. and there, Spider is render’d Stellio, a Lizard. Mr. Ray begins with

LXXVI. The Crocodile, the largest of the Lacertan Race, a Name which is supposed to come from a word^[245] that signifies afraid of Saffron, because this Creature abhors the Smell of Saffron, as a learned Author observes^[246]. It is an amphibious Beast, noisome and voracious, and one of the Wonders of Nature; for, from an Egg no bigger than that of a Goose, proceeds an Animal which increases to eight or ten Yards in length.

118His Mouth is very wide, and is extended to the Ears; his Snout and Eyes like those of Swine; the Teeth, which are ingrail’d, are white, acute, strong and numerous; the Feet arm’d with sharp Claws; the Skin of the Belly is tender and may be easily penetrated, but the other parts of the Body are not penetrable by Swords and Arrows: It defies even the Wheels of a loaded Cart, as well as Darts and Spears: It is of a yellow Colour, say some; but Wormius in Mr. Ray’s Synopsis says, that those he had seen, were inclin’d to the grey or ash Colour.

The Tail is near as long as the Body, upon which are Fins of a Fish, whereby he is capacitated to swim. When he strikes with his Claws, he tears with his Teeth, and grinds the very Bones of what he kills into Powder. In Winter he lives much without Food, but in Summer, his Sustenance is of the animal kind, but is most fond of human Flesh; and as he is an amphibious Creature, plunders both Elements^[247].

The Crocodile, when prest with Hunger, swallows Stones, which have been found worn round about, and the wasted parts reduced to such minute Particles, as were fit to circulate with the Mass of Blood^[248].

In Egypt the Crocodile is made the Object of religious Adoration, but not by all the Nation; for the Inhabitants of Tentyra (an Island form’d by the River Nilus) were so far from worshipping that hateful Monster, that they despised it, and often brought them to the Roman Shews for Diversion.——This Aversion to Crocodiles caused a War between the Tentyrians and the other Egyptians, who worship’d those Creatures; of which People Job seems to speak in the following Words: Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their Mourning, Job iii. 8. Some read it, to raise up the Leviathan, or to awake the Crocodile; of which Job gives an admirable Description, under the Name of Leviathan, Job xli. 1, 2, 3, 4.... So the Psalmist, Thou breakest the Heads of Leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be Meat to the People inhabiting the Wilderness.

When I think of the superstitious Egyptians warring against the People of Tentyra, I can’t but observe how the same kind of Spirit (the more the pity) too often reigns among Christians: Those who have ridicul’d Superstition, and endeavour’d to propagate 119Truth, have always had Vengeance and Wrath breath’d out against them, and have been exposed to the same Fate as the Tentyrians.

The Habitations of Crocodiles are generally in great Rivers, as the Ganges in Asia, one of the greatest Rivers in the World, and which is accounted sacred: Its Water is clear and sweet, weighs an Ounce in a Pint lighter than any other Water in the Country: The Great Mogul’s Court drink none else with their Wine. These monstrous Animals are also found in the Nile and Niger, two of the greatest Rivers in Africa; and also in the great Rivers of America, especially those of the Amazons, which abound with Crocodiles of vast Bigness, that very much annoy the Inhabitants.

GEMELLI in the Atlas, says the Crocodile is hatch’d of an Egg no bigger than that of a Turkey, but grows to thirty Foot long, the Back arm’d with impenetrable Scales, the Mouth wide enough to swallow an Heifer, and only moves the upper Jaw; it sees better by Water than Land, is cowardly, and generally flies from those that attack it, but daring enough otherwise; for which reason the Egyptians made it the Hieroglyphick of Impudence.—They have no Tongue, and eat nothing in all the autumnal Quarter^[249].

This Animal has a great Dexterity in catching Wild-fowl, which always abound in those great Rivers, and along Sea-shores, as Ducks, Teals, and other Water-fowls: When in want of Food, he goes into the Sea, where he lies in such a manner, that the upper Part of his Back appears above the Water, and looks like a piece of Timber floating; the wild Fowls mistrusting nothing, come so near it, that he immediately devours them: They lurk among Reeds and Bushes, on the Banks of Rivers and great Pools, from whence they suddenly leap out, and eat up their Prey, which sometimes happens to be People that come to drink or fetch Water.

The Inhabitants of Madagascar, an African Island, look upon Crocodiles as Devils, and swear by them: When Differences happen among them, they go to a River, where he that is to swear throws himself into the Water, and conjures the Crocodiles to be Arbitrators betwixt him and his Adversary, and to let him 120live if he speaks Truth, but if otherwise, to destroy him^[250]. Among the Rarities in Gresham-College, London, is a Crocodile about two Yards and a half long. Crocodiles are little known in Europe, but common in the Indies.

The Land Crocodile, call’d Seincus, is variously described. In the Molucca Islands they are accounted the fiercest of Monsters, contrary to those of the Nile, according to some Writers^[251]. Harris^[252] says, that they are very harmless, and in some places so tame, that Children play with them. Le Comte says, what are called small Crocodiles, are huge Lizards, found all over the Woods in Siam, as also in Houses and Fields^[253].

This Land Crocodile is indeed an amphibious Animal, lives partly in the Water and partly upon dry Ground: It has four slender Legs like a Lizard; its Snout is sharp, and its Tail short, cover’d with small Scales of a silver Colour. ’Tis hatch’d in Egypt, near the Red-Sea, in Libya, and the Indies.

In Leviticus there’s mention made of a kind of Crocodile, in the Hebrew called Choled, which the Septuagint translates κροκοδειλος χερσαιος, a land Crocodile, which is a kind of Lizard, that feeds upon the sweetest Flowers it can find; this makes its Intrails to be very much valued for their agreeable Smell. Bellonius says, it has four Feet, and a round knotty Tail, and is as big as the Salamander.

There’s scarce any way to manage him by Land, unless it be by a Wile, as they do on the Bank of Nilus, where little Huts are erected, from whence the Watchmen, upon the Approach of a Crocodile, spring out with long Branches in their Hands, which they, with great Dexterity, thrust into its Throat; and not being able to extricate itself, it falls down, upon which others of them discharge their Arrows at his Belly, which being a tender part, he is soon killed; but in Water he is quickly noosed, because for want of a Tongue, he can’t safely open his wide Mouth, without being suffocated.

This terrestrial Crocodile comes to us by way of Alexandria and Venice, and is very useful in physical Prescriptions.

121LXXVII. The Cordylus is a little noxious Reptile, supposed by some to be the Land Crocodile, because upon first sight it looks like the Nilotic; but upon a stricter view, the Fallacy appears. The Back is cover’d with close compacted Scales, as a House with Tiles, by which ’tis distinguish’d.

Its Tail is rough, and like a Club, wherewith it strikes whatever it meets, therefore is called Caudiverbera, that is, one that strikes with the Tail; a Tail prominent with War^[254].

LXXVIII. The Tapayaxin is a Lizard of New Spain, and of a round form; and, Spaniard-like, is slow in Motion, and as loth to change its Seat, as the Spaniards their old Fashions and Customs. This little Creeper is of the northern Tribe, being generally found in the Mountains of cold Regions. It is observable, that if its Head be comprest or squeezed, it will throw out drops of Blood with a Force that will carry them several Yards off^[255].

LXXIX. The Lacertus Viridis, or green Lizard, is found in Italy, &c. lives in Meadows, and being of the harmless kind, little is said of it. There are many Lizards of other Colours, but none so beautiful as the green ones; tho’ very small, they are pretty: Many make themselves very familiar with them, and put them in their Bosom^[256].