Chapter X: Part II (1)

_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._

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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.

It 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].

Footnote 99:

_Ælian de Nat. Animal._

Footnote 100:

_Conrad. Gesner. Hist._ p. 75.

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].

Footnote 101:

_Fevillee’s Journal of the Phil. Math. and Bot. Obs._

_ALBERTUS_ is quoted for a Battle between a Viper and a Magpye, occasioned by her creeping up into a Magpye’s Nest, and 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].”

Footnote 102:

_Fevillee’s Journal of the Phil. Math. and Bot. Obser._

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 _Cornutus_. 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].

Footnote 103:

_Comitatu imprimis Goritiensi invenitur._—_Ray._

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_.

Footnote 104:

_Lucan. Pharsal._ lib. ix.

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].”

Footnote 105:

His _Natural History of Lancashire_, Book ii. p.3.

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].

Footnote 106:

Dr. _Willoughby_, who writ the History of Birds, affirms this Account
of the Cuckow to be true upon his own Knowledge, according to Mr.
_Ray_.

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 of the _Cicuta_, (an Herb like our _Hemlock_) was among the _Athenians_.

Footnote 107:

_Nunc potes actutum insidiatoremque Cerasten—Non is corpus habet, sed
quatuor aut duo profert Cornua._ Nicander in Ther.

_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].

Footnote 108:

_In dolium cerastarum plenum infantem conjicere_, Ælian. lib. i. cap.
57. Gyllii Accessio, cap. 37. _N. B._ If the Child was begotten by a
Stranger, ’twas killed by Poison; if lawfully begotten, the Privilege
of his Father’s Blood protected him against the Venom.

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 Privilege 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.

Footnote 109:

Ni fallat fatum Scoti quocunque locatum
Invenient lapidem, regnare tenentur ibidem.

Footnote 110:

_Island_’s _Colect._ A. D. 1726.

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 violent; 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]”

Footnote 111:

_Lowthorp_’s _Philosoph. Transactions abridged_, vol. iii. p.
10, 12. Edit. 2. Communicated by Mr. _Thoresby_, N. 256. p.
332. 1699. In Page 10. an account is given of the wonderful
Effects of Touch and Friction.

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].

Footnote 112:

_Caret Sonalibus._ _Nierembergius_, p. 269.

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].

Footnote 113:

_Gyllius_, p. 261. _Raii Synopsis Meth._ 8vo. A. D. 1693. _Invenitur
in Ægypto & aliis locis quibus Thonis imperavit._ _ibid. & in agris
Jucatensibus_.

At non stare suum miseris passura cruore
Squamiferos ingens Hæmorhois.

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.

The 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.

Footnote 114:

_Lucan_, lib. ix. p. 269. _Impressit dentes Hemorhois aspera Tullo
magnanimo Juveni._

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].

Footnote 115:

_Nonnulli ex Scoligero, non male putriam vocare._ _Jonstonus_, p. 14.

Footnote 116:

_Mors est ante oculos Seps stetit exiguus—Parva modo Serpens, sed qua
nonnulla cruentæ. Fugit rupta cutis._ Lucan Pharsal. lib. ix. p. 271.

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 resides 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.)

Footnote 117:

_Calmet in Verbum_, p. 213.

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.

Footnote 118:

_Jonstonus Hist. de Serp._ p. 15.

Footnote 119:

Ideo _Seneca_, ad umbram exsurgere dixit.

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.

In _America_, says a celebrated Historian, are found _Asps_ with Stings in the Tail, wherewith they strike and kill[120].

Footnote 120:

_Jonstonus Hist. Nat. de Serpentibus._ p. 15.

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.

Footnote 121:

_Jurieu_ from _Plut. de Is. & Osir._

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, in _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].

Footnote 122:

_Plutarch_’s _Lives of Marc Anton._ and _Cleopatra_, and _Fr. Redi
Nobilis Aretini Experiment_. p. 170, -1, -2, -3.

_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.

On the ASP and its POISON.

——_Welcome thou kind Deceiver,
Thou best of Thieves! who with an easy Key
Dost open Life, and unperceiv’d by us,
Even steal us from our selves; discharging so,
Death’s dreadful Office, better than himself.
Touching our Limbs so gently into Slumber,
That Death stands by, deceiv’d by its own Image,
And thinks himself asleep[123]._——

Footnote 123:

_Dryden_, _All for Love_.

Some 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.

Footnote 124:

פתן . ωσουι ασπιδος κωφης.

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; there came a Serpent of great Bulk, supposed to be the Devil, that leapt upon the Charmer, and immediately slew him[125].

Footnote 125:

Doctor _More_’s Antidote.

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.

_Frigidus in pratis cantando rumpitur anguis._ Virgil.
_Vipereas rumpo verbis, & carmine fauces._ Ovid.
_Ingue pruinoso coluber distenditur arvo
Viperes coëunt abrupto corpore nodi
Humanoque cadit serpens afflata veneno._ Lucan.

_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].

Footnote 126:

His Life of _Apollonius Tyanæus_, writ at the Desire of the Empress
_Julia_, lib. 3. cap 2.

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 his 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_.

Footnote 127:

_Plutarch_’s Life of _Cicero_.

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].

Footnote 128:

_Paracelsus_, _C. Agrippa_, Life of Mr. _Duncan Campbell_, _A. D.
1720_, page 256. _Gaffarel._

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].

Footnote 129:

_De Saint Andre_’s Letters.

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_, who 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.

Footnote 130:

_Nulla ingenti, sed magna vis animi inflamantis ut me ipse non
teneam._

’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
Incompossibility, 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.

Footnote 131:

_Charlton._

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].

Footnote 132:

Natural History of _Carolina, A. D. 1711_. page 129.

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 against 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 perturbet 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.

Footnote 133:

_Matt._ ii. 1, 2.

The 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.

Footnote 134:

This Passage is taken out of the _Egyptian_ History of the Pyramids—by
_Murtadi_ the _Arabian_, printed at _Tibe_, a City in _Arabia_, 14th
of _Regebe_, 992; which corresponds to _July_ 22d, 1584; about 156
Years ago; translated into _French_, and into _English_, 1672.

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_, _Apuleius_, 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._

Footnote 135:

_Boerhaave_’s New Theory, p. 211.

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].

Footnote 136:

_Circurantur cibo, cum infantibus vivunt, & crepitum digitorum vocata
ex cavi prodeunt._ Jonstonus, p. 16.

Footnote 137:

_Atlas, Asia._

_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._
]

It 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].

Footnote 138:

_Ælian_, _Gyllii Accessio_.

Footnote 139:

_Et Scytale sparsis etiam nunc sola pruinis Exuvias positura
suas._—Lucan’s Phars.

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.

Footnote 140:

_Rebus nox abstulit atra colores._—Virgil.

Clouds 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].

Footnote 141:

_Boerhaave_, _Gravesand_.

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].

Footnote 142:

_Acosta._

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.

Footnote 143:

_Stow_’s Annals, _London_, printed, 1631.

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.

Footnote 144:

_Antonio de Herrera_’s History of _America_.

Footnote 145:

_Et gravis ingenium surgens caput Amphisbæna._—Lucan, p. 270.

Perhaps 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].

Footnote 146:

_Conrad. Gesner._ _Ælian._ _Columella_, lib. vi.

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.

Footnote 147:

_Olaus Magnus Hist._ B. xxi.

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].

Footnote 148:

_Conradus Gesner._

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

_The thirsty Earth soaks up the Rain,
And drinks, and gapes for Drink again.
The Sea itself, which one would think,
Should have but little need of Drink,
Drinks Ten thousand Rivers up._——
_The busy Sun, and one would guess
By’s drunken fiery Face no less,
Drinks up the Sea.——
Fill up the Bowl then, fill it high,
Fill all the Glasses there, for why,
Should every Creature drink, but I?
Why, Man of Morals, tell me why?_[149]

Footnote 149:

_Cowley_’s Anacreon.

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 black 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].

Footnote 150: