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 Serpent 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 slain, 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].

XVI. 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].

This 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 and 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 puts 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.

That Elephants are subject to Wrath and Revenge, is evident from other Instances: e. g. We read of an Elephant, that when 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.

Others 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 Finger, 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 surrounded 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 upon ’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 of 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].