Chapter VI

_Reasons for worshipping hurtful as well as useful Creatures, founded on
a Notion of two eternal contrary Principles: They believe God was
good, and could not be the Author of moral Evil, therefore fram’d
the Ditheistical Doctrine; an Error, espoused by some primitive
Christians, confuted by the Sentence past upon the Serpent. Reasons
for worshipping different Species of Animals by the_ Egyptians.

Whence arises the Honour given by Heathens to different Species of Beings, to the noxious and hurtful, as well as to the salutary and beneficent Tribe?

Probably, it might be from their observing the _Mixtures of Good and Evil_ in the visible Creation, when as yet in their infantile State of Knowledge: The reason of this they could not otherwise account for, but by giving into the Notion of _two distinct independent governing Powers_; the one a good, the other an evil Genius: accordingly they worshipped Creatures that were useful, as being the Ministers of the good Genius; and those that were hurtful they paid Homage to, out of servile Fear, and to ingratiate themselves into their Favour. In the Morning they worshipped the _celestial Gods_; in the Evening, the _infernal_: On the Plain they worshipped the terrestrial Gods, on Hills the supernatural; in Grotos and Caves, the infernal.

Hence it is they asserted a Duplicity of Gods, _viz._ Two perceptive self-existent Beings, one the Principle of Good, and the other of Evil. This Opinion originally sprung from a strong, firm Persuasion, _That God was invariably Good, and therefore could not possibly be the Author of the Evil upon Earth_. Nor could they otherwise solve the Difficulty about the Entrance of moral Evil into our World, but by supposing another eternal self-existent evil Cause.

Yea, some among the primitive Christians fell into the Error of asserting this _Ditheistical_ Doctrine; that is, two self-existent Principles in the Universe, to wit, a _good God_, and an _evil Demon_. Thus the _Cerdonites_, an heretical Sect, that sprung up in the second Century, held there were two Gods; one, the Author of all good, the other, of all evil Things. So the _Marcionites_ held two contrary Gods; and in the third Century, the _Manichees_ did the same.

Perhaps, this might be one reason why God past Sentence upon the Devil in the Serpent, in the presence and hearing of our first Parents, _viz._ to prevent the Error of imagining that there was any Principle of Evil, which was independent upon the Almighty. The Sentence past upon Satan in the Curse upon the Serpent, was a Conviction to _Adam_ and _Eve_ of his Dependency upon the Almighty Creator, before whose Tribunal he now was constrained to appear, to receive the Sentence merited by those, who make a Lye, and tempt their Fellow-creatures to rebel.

_REASONS about the Adoration of different kind of Animals by the_ Egyptians.

If you ask, that if they worshipped a Serpent, why did they pay religious Honours to so many other Beasts? I answer, This monstrous Idolatry begun in _Egypt_, and the first occasion for it seems to be this, _viz._

_OSIRIS_, a certain King of _Egypt_, who reign’d with great Equity and Mildness, having divided his Kingdom into several distinct Provinces, appointed Presidents over them, and in their Banners he placed the Figures, or Pictures of certain Animals, that bore some Similitude to the Peculiarities of those Countries, over which they were to preside: Thus to the Governor, whose Land was proper for Tillage, he design’d an _Ox_ in his Standard, to which the Inhabitants of that Place paid a particular Veneration, which in process of time was worshipped by the whole Nation, for its Usefulness, and as the Symbol of Agriculture: Hence the Image of _Osiris_ is set off with Horns.

The _golden Calf_ which _Aaron_ made in the Wilderness, and the Calves set up by _Jeroboam_ to be worshipped in his Kingdom, were an Imitation of the idolatrous Adoration, which the _Egyptians_ paid to their _Bull Apis_.

That part of the Country, in which was abundance of Water, the King set a _Crocodile_ (an amphibious Animal) in his Banner, that was to govern there, which was had in high Veneration, especially in the City of _Mira_; and at last the _Crocodile_ was worshipped all over _Egypt_.

Where the Country abounded with Wood, a _Dog_ was fixt in the Governor’s Standard, to which the _Egyptians_ gave no little Veneration, especially Sportsmen ... as the Poet observes[430].

Footnote 430:

_Oppida tota canem venerantur, nemo Dianam._
The Dog whole Towns, _Diana_ none implore.

Juvenal. Satir. xv.

That which gives some colour to this Partition of _Osiris_’s Kingdom, is, “that God ordained very near the same thing to be observed in the Encampments of the _Israelites_, when he divided the twelve Tribes into four Bodies, and allotted to one of the three Tribes, belonging to each Body, _the Figure of an Animal to be placed in the Banner_: Thus, that of _Reuben_ carried the Figure of a _Man_; that of _Judah_, a _Lion_; that of _Dan_, an _Eagle_; and that of _Ephraim_, an _Ox_[431]”.

Footnote 431:

_Jurieu’s Crit. Hist._ vol. ii.

After this manner the _Egyptian_ Monarch did place in their Banners the Figures of certain Animals, which by degrees were usher’d into their Religion and Temples. _N. B._ These Banners thus painted with different Animals, were fixt upon Poles, between their several Provinces, by which their Bounds were determined. _Semiramis_, being conquered by _Staurobates_, Antiquity feign’d she was changed by the Gods into a Dove, the Bird of _Venus_, which is the reason why the _Dove_ was worshipped by the _Babylonians_, and why they gave it in their Ensign.

I Conclude this Part with some Instances, that are given of the Sottishness of _Pagans_ in what they called religious Worship, which indeed is almost incredible, if they were not common, and well attested.—— The _Egyptians_ did not only worship variety of Beasts, but also the Figures of them, as the Representatives of their Gods: Each City and District entertain’d a peculiar Devotion for some particular Beast or other, in honour of which they built Temples; yea, every one of the _Pagan Deities_ had his own Beast, Tree and Plant consecrated to him. Thus the _Pigeon_ was consecrated to _Venus_; the _Dragon_ and _Owl_ to _Minerva_; the _Eagle_ to _Jupiter_; the _Cock_ to _Æsculapius_ and the _Sun_. This, says _Jurieu_, is the true Origin of the _Egyptian Idolatry_. _Ibid._ Who adds, The _Egyptians_ assign’d to their Gods certain Animals, as their Representatives, and being introduced into the Temples, as the Images were in some Christian Churches, they at last began to worship them. This points out the Impiety of admitting any symbolical Representations of Divinity into Places of publick Worship.

Nothing more monstrous than the _Divinity_ of the _Pagans_; their Gods were innumerable. Every thing on _Earth_, in the _Sea_, in the _Heavens_, yea, and in _Hell_, had their _peculiar Gods_. If _Egyptians_, who past for the wisest of Mortals, paid religious Adoration to _meer Animals_, not only to Serpents, but Apes, Wolves, yea, Dogs, Cats, ... and to Vegetables, as Onions, Garlick ... what shall we think of stupid Nations, who had no Claim to Wisdom?

Even in _Athens_ (that celebrated Fountain of Light) were more Idols than in all _Greece_; yea, so numerous were their Idols, that they had almost as many Gods as Men[432].

Footnote 432:

Facilius possis Deum, quam hominem invenire.

_STRABO_, _Procopius_, and _Ben Jonas_ say, the antient _Persians_ kept and worshipped their _perpetual Fire_ on Mount _Albors_, a Branch of _Caucasus_. The _Japonese_ worship the Devil, and the Head of their Religion is called _Dair_, whom they worship as a God. _Atlas._

I Should rather think the _Persians_ ador’d the supreme God, under the Image of _Fire_, by reason ’tis Fire gives Motion to every thing in Nature, and therefore they made it an Emblem of Divinity.

The _Hebrews_ kept up the _holy Fire_ in the _Temple_, and the _Vestals_ were appointed to keep the sacred Fire of the _Romans_.

_VULCAN_ was worshipped among the Antients, and particularly the _Egyptians_, as the _Inventor of Fire_.

The People of _Egypt_ exceeded most Nations in depreciating Divinity by gross Superstitions and Idolatry; they did not err in worshipping Mortals only, but they gave Reverence to Beasts, Birds, Insects, Winds, Earth, Water, Air, Fire, Plants, _&c._ whom _Rhodius Anaxandrides_, one of themselves, derides in this manner:

_I sacrifice to God the Beef, which you adore;
I broil th’_ Egyptian _Eels, which you as God implore_.
_You fear to eat the Flesh of Swine, I find it sweet:
You worship Dogs, to beat them I think meet,
When they my Store devour.[433]_——

Footnote 433:

Bovem colis, ego Deis macto Bovem;
Tu maximum anguillam, Deum putas: ego,
Obsoniorum credidi, suavissimum,
Carnes suillas, tu caves, at gaudeo
His maximè. Canem colis, quem verbero.
Edentem, ubi deprehendo, forte obsonium.

Thus _Juvenal_, another Heathen Poet, ridicules their religious Fooleries:

_Oh happy Nations! which, of their own sowing,
Have store of Gods, in ev’ry Garden growing.[434]_

Footnote 434:

Porrum & cæpe nefas violare & frangere morsu,
Oh sanctas gentes quibus hæc nascuntur in hortis
Numina!——

_Sat._ xv. _l._ 8, 9, 10.

The Images of the Gods, says _Seneca_, are worshipped; these they pray unto and adore, and while they greatly admire them, at the same time despise the Workmen that made them[435]. Which also _Sedulius_ their Poet scoffs at, saying,——Who worship Vanities ... despise their own Maker ... fear the Works of their own Hands.... What Madness! that Man should ugly Shapes adore, of Bulls, Birds, Dragons, the vile Half-Dog, or Half-Man, on Knees for Aid implore[436].——

Footnote 435:

Simulachra Deorum venerantur——fabros qui ilia fecêre, contemnunt.

Footnote 436:

Heu miseri vana colunt——ut volucrem, turpemque Bovem, torvumque
Draconem, sem-hominemque canem supplex homo pronus adoret.

Yet among the Nations were some who thought it Impiety to represent their Gods by Images, as the _Persians_, _Indian Brachmans_, _&c._[437] Yea, the _Romans_, for 170 Years, would not allow Images in their Temples, observing the Law of _Numa_. It was _Tarquinius Priscus_ that followed the Vanity of the _Grecians_ (a Nation of all others, excepting _Egypt_, most deluded by the old Serpent) set up the Images of their Gods, which even the Learned _Varro_ bewailed and condemned. The _Mahometans_ have a perfect Aversion to Images. The _Jews_ hate all Images, will not allow any in their Houses, much less in Places of Worship. But to proceed:

Footnote 437:

_Hospinian. de Origine Imaginum._

The apostate _Indians_ worship both Gods and Devils, over which they acknowledge a Supreme, who sends forth other Deities as his Deputies; which they think to be the Souls of good Men; and Devils, the Souls of the Wicked.... They imagine the Sun and Moon to be Gods; their Idols are represented as Monsters of the kind[438].

Footnote 438:

_Atlas Asia._ page 662.

“In the Kingdom of _Pegu_ in the East, the People are exceeding superstitious, and scruple not to worship the Devil, whom they reckon the Author of Evil; as they do God, of Good: And in all Calamities, their first Addresses are to the evil Spirit, for Deliverance; and they make Vows to him, which they perform upon their Recovery, with the Assistance of their Priests, whom they call the Devil’s Father, and he directs them to make sacred Feasts with Musick.” Many of them run about in the Morning with a Torch in one Hand, and Rice in the other; pretending to give the Devil his Breakfast, that he may not hurt them that Day. Others at their Meals, throw part of what they have over their Shoulders, to feed him, before they eat any themselves. _Ibid._ p. 662.

At _Tavay_ in that Country, they replenish their Houses with Victuals, and leave them for three Months, that the Devils may dwell and feed there, and be favourable all the rest of the Year. _ibid._ They have a sort of Monks called _Talapoins_, who endeavour to root out this Devil Worship, but without effect.

The _Aruspices_, were an _Order_ of _Priests_ among the antient _Romans_, who pretended to foretell Events, chiefly by inspecting the Entrails of Beasts killed in Sacrifice ... Birds, and celestial Appearances. _Cato_, who was one of the _Augurs_, conscious of their impious Politicks, used to say, _He wondered how one Priest could look at another without laughing in his Face_. These Augural Priests made a College, or Community; they bore an Augural Staff or Wand, called _Lituus_, made in form of a _Crozier_, or a Bishop’s Staff, or Shepherd’s Crook, as the Ensign of their Office and Authority—— And what is most ridiculous is, that no Affair of Moment could be resolved upon, without first consulting these holy Cheats; and their Advice, be what it would, was by a Decree of the Senate appointed to be exactly and religiously observed. _Ornithomancy_, or Divination by Birds, was, among the _Greeks_, the same with _Augury_ among the _Romans_.

At _Angola_ and _Congo_ in the _East-Indies_, wooden Idols, resembling Negroes, are erected in the midst of their Towns, which they daily worship. ’Tis their Belief they are never sick, but when their Idols are angry with them; therefore to appease them, they pour at their Feet the _Wine of Palms_. They wash, paint, and new cloath their Dead, and bury with them Meat, Drink, and some of their Goods, and sprinkle the Grave with the Blood of Goats. Their Priests are in such high Esteem, that they think Plenty and Famine, Life and Death, are in their power[439].

Footnote 439:

See _Purchas_.

The old Inhabitants of _Virginia_ believed many Gods, but one principally, who made the rest ... and that the Woman was made before the Man, and propagated by the Help of one of the inferior Gods. The Natives are _Anthropomorphites_, giving to their Gods the Forms of Men.... When they go abroad, they carry their Gods about with them, and in Matters of Doubt ask Counsel of them. Much of their Devotion consists in howling and dancing about Fires, with Rattles in their Hands. _Quære_, Whether this Custom be not the Original of Castanets or Snappers in Dancing[440]?

Footnote 440:

_Hackluit in Purchas._

Another Instance of monstrous Degeneracy, we have among the _Phenicians_, who offer’d yearly Sacrifices to _Saturn_ of young _Infants_; and in the Temple of _Venus_, practised not only Whoredom, but the most unnatural Sin of Sodomy also; yea, by the Laws of their Religion, were bound to prostitute their Daughters to _Venus_, before they married them: In their Temple the Women who refused to be shaved, were obliged to yield up their Honour to Strangers for one day.

In the Country, now called _New Spain_, the old Inhabitants would neither eat nor drink, till they had cast towards the Sun, some part of their Food; nor would they smell a Flower, without throwing up in the Air some Leaves of it, thereby acknowledging the Gods to be their great Benefactors: Tho’ this be ridiculous, yet having an Air of religious Gratitude, it is commendable. Among other Idols ador’d at _Mexico_, they had one called _Vitziliputzli_, placed in an azure colour’d Chair, with _Serpent’s Heads_ at each Corner.

Yea the Pagans, to authorize their own Crimes, and justify their vicious Lives, have constituted licentious, drunken, vicious Gods, _&c._ Instances of this kind we have in their religious Institutions, as the _Saturnalia_ of the _Romans_, which were Feasts sacred to the God _Saturn_: This Feast was observed in _December_, at first kept for one day, then for three days, and afterwards for seven days. So sacred was this Festival, that while it lasted, no Criminals were to be executed, no War to begin.... And yet at the same time, a Sanction was given to universal Debauchery; all Rules of Virtue and common Decency were intirely banished, and all things run into a wild Scene of Distraction and Lewdness, and all this under the Umbrage of doing Honour to their Gods[441].

Footnote 441:

Uno die ... trium dierum ... septem dierum ... Bellum fumere nefas
habitum——_Macrobii opera_, _Londini_, A. D. 1694. p. 155, 160, 168.

The same Game was acted in the _Lupercalian_ Feasts, instituted in honour of the God _Pan_ (under the shape of a _Goat_) whose Priests, on the Morning of the Feast, ran naked thro’ the Streets, striking the married Women they met, on the Hands and Belly with _Straps_ cut out of _Goats Skins_, which was held an Omen, promising Fruitfulness, and happy Deliveries.

I shall only add the _Bacchanalian_ Feasts, celebrated in honour of _Bacchus_, the God of Wine, and Master of the Revels; sometimes called _Orgia_[442], from a _Greek_ Word that signifies Anger and Rage, because in the Celebration of it, People acted in so raging and furious a manner, as if they had been absolutely distracted. These religious Feasts were not only encumber’d with a great number of Ceremonies, but attended with most notorious Dissoluteness; for Men and Women met at them, all naked, except their Heads and Hips, that were shaded with Vine Leaves.

Footnote 442:

Οργη

The Women, who were installed Priestesses, during this Feast, ran thro’ the Streets, and other Places, cover’d with Tyger’s Skins, Scepters in one Hand, and Torches in the other, howling and roaring out the Praise of _Bacchus_, with Hair dishevell’d, dangling about their Shoulders. They were call’d _Mœnades_ from their Madness, _Thyades_ from their Rage, _Bacchæ_ from their Intemperance.

The Poets tell us, that in the _Bacchanalian Train_, were a Croud of _Nymphs_ and _Naiades_, a sort of Heathen Divinities; some crown’d with Ivy, their Hair loose, and intermix’d with Snakes, clothed with the Skins of Beasts, and girt about with large Serpents, and running frantick in the Woods and Mountains.

In short, their sacred Games, Festivals, and Sacrifices, were little more than drunken Banquets, nocturnal Revels, tumultuous Dancings, all wild, ridiculous and extravagant.

_F I N I S._

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INDEX

A. _ACONTIA_ Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 4;) why call’d a flying Serpent, 81 _Adam_, why not made impeccable, 171 —— Converse betwixt him and Angels, 173 —— in Innocency put in mind of Death, 181 —— his Fall described by _Pagans_, 182, 3 —— —— —— —— by _Mahometans_, 184 _Adder_; see _Viper_. (the Figure, Plate 1) _Agnasen_ Serpent, 132 _Air_, ador’d by _Pagans_, 210 _Alexander the Great_, and _Alexander the Little_, 140 _Amodytes_ Serpent, describ’d, 53, 4 _Amphisbæna_, a two-headed Serpent, describ’d, 72 —— Instances of one in _Oxfordshire_, and in _Chiapa_ in _America_, [TN] _Ambua_ Serpent, 107 _Ameiva_ Serpent, 122 _Americina_, 122 _Anacandia_ Serpent, [TN] _Ants_, their Penetration, 8 —— in _America_ great Master-Builders, 8, 132 —— Remarkable Sorts in the _East-Indies_, 8 _Anguis laqueus_, or the Ensnaring-Serpent, 136 _Animals_, turn’d into Gods by _Pagans_, 213 —— Their Adoration ridicul’d by some of themselves, 215, 236, 237 _Apollo_, catechis’d for his dubious Answers, 77 —— His She-Priest, _ibid._ _Apotheosis_, or Deification describ’d, 223 _Asp_, (the Figure, Plate 2,) described, 59 —— Its Foresight, 60 —— A Poem on the Asp and its Poison, 61 —— Highly venerated among the _Egyptians_, 70 _Attaligatus_ Serpent, 134

B. _Basilisk_ Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 3) describ’d, 78 —— why call’d King of Serpents, 79 —— (_African_, Plate 3) _Battle_ of the Gods, 212 _Bees_, (the Figure, Plate 5) their Sagacity, great Geometricians, 8 —— Their Sting describ’d, 148 _Birds_, why some here only in Winter, and others only in Summer, 7 _Biobi_, or green Serpent describ’d, 103 _Bibera_ Serpent, 107 _Bitin_ Serpent, 137 _Blowing_ Serpent, 130 _Boignacu_ Serpent, very beautiful, 106 _Boytiapua_ Serpent, 108 —— An Instrument of Conjuration, 109 _Bomsnake_ Serpent, 109 _Boicupecanga_ Serpent, prickle-back’d, 110 _Boitiapo_ Serpent, 117 _Brochet de Torre_, or Land-pike, 124 _Brimstone_ Snake, 130

C. _Cabiri_, characteriz’d, 81 _Caudisonant_, or Rattle-Snake, (the Figure, Plate 7) describ’d, 91 —— Its Wounds and Cures, 92 _Cameleon_, (the Figure, Plate 5) describ’d; the reason why it appears in a change of Colours, 96 —— Why call’d a living Skin, 97 _Canina_ Serpent, describ’d, 103 —— A Domestick Animal, 104 _Camruana_ Serpent, 108 _Carapobeba_, 122 _Cæcilia_ Serpent describ’d, why call’d blind, 80 _Cencris_ Serpent describ’d, why call’d miliary, 80, 1 _Cerastes_, (the Figure, Plate 1) describ’d, the Executioner of Justice, 54, 5 _Ceylon_, a Land of Delights, 113 _Ceylonic Hotambæia_ Serpent, 115 _Chickens_, produc’d by artificial Heat, 6, 147 _Chastity_ conjugal, how try’d, 55 _Charming_ of Serpents, various Instances, 62, 3 —— of Rats, a remarkable Instance in _Germany_, 65 —— of Serpents, by a Wand, 65 _Cheese_, an odd Custom in Antiquity about it, 129 _Chicken_ Snake, 131 _Cherubims_, Emblems of Mercy and Justice, 175, 6 _Christ_’s Death, publish’d before that of _Adam_, 180 _Cleopatra_, her own Executioner by a Serpent, 34, 60, 61 _Cloth_, wash’d in Fire, 95 _Cobres Capellos_ Serpent, describ’d, 90 _Colour_ Green, why hated by the _Turks_, 108 —— Blue, why hated by the _Persians_, 109 _Cordylus_, a noxious Reptile, 121 _Corn_ Snake, 129 _Crocodile_, (the Figure, Plate 5) describ’d at large, 118 —— eats Stones, _ibid._ —— venerated in _Egypt_, _ibid._ —— the occasion of a War, _ibid._ —— a Judge of Controversies, 119 —— the manner of destroying it, 120 —— Symbol of the Deity, 178 _Creation_, a Poem, 162 _Cuckold_, its Origin, 54 _Cuckow_ Spittle, Grashoppers hatch’d in it, 108 _Cucurijuba_, a Serpent monstrous, 110

D. _Darkness_, the Destruction of Colours, 71 _Dæmons_ explain’d, 205 _Devil_ ador’d, 236, 238 _Distempers_ cur’d by manual Touch, 56, 7 _Dipsas_ Serpent, describ’d; its Wounds bring incurable Thirst, 85 _Dogs_, superiour to Men in the Sense of Smelling, 66 —— the manner of Sensation philosophically explain’d, 67 —— Providence vindicated in that matter, 68 _Dopon_ Serpent, 133 _Dragons_ describ’d, various Sorts and Forms, 74 —— monstrous one slain by _Gozon_, Knight, by a strange contrivance, 75 —— another slain by the _Roman_ Army, 76 _Dragon_, _Pythian_, Guardian of the _Delphick_ Oracle, _ibid._ _Dragons_, Guardians of Treasures, 78 —— winged, describ’d, (the Figure, Plate 2), 192 —— _Æthiopian_, (the Figure, Plate 2) _Druina_ Serpent, describ’d, 83

E. _Eagles_, how they take their Prey, 145 _Ecatoth_, or Serpent-of-the-Wind, 135 _Eggs_, the reason of Propagation by them, 5 —— the Method wonderful, _ibid._ _Egg_, Symbol of the World, 6 _Eggs_ hatch’d in Ovens, the Young ones generally imperfect, _ibid._ —— mysterious Egg. _Egg_, a surprizing Compound, 128 —— the White of it a most singular Menstruum, _ibid._ —— how reduc’d to the likeness of Poison, _ibid._ _Egyptians_, a People of Contradiction, 60 —— whipp’d their inattentive Gods, 60 _Elephantia_ Serpents, why so call’d, 86 _Elops_ Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 3) describ’d, 84 _Elephants_, Creatures of great Bulk, 86 —— subject to Resentment, Instances of it, 87 —— a Battle betwixt them and Serpents, 91 _Ethetulla_ Serpent, 113 _Eve_, how she came to converse with the Serpent, 174 —— her Converse with it before the Account of _Moses_ very probable, 177 —— a Negative would have preserv’d her Innocence, 179

F. _Faith_, the Magnet of Magicians, 64 _Fascinating_ Eyes, 41 _Fish_, how they breathe in Water, 1 _Fire_, ador’d, 211, 236 _Funerals_, their first Institution, 181

G. _Generation_ equivocal exploded, 4 _Ghalghulawa_ Serpent, 114 _Giraupiagara_ Serpent, 108 _Gobe Moujes_, 124 _Gods_, Men transformed into them, 201 —— inanimate Things turn’d into them, 207 _Goddesses_, Women transform’d into them, 206 _Golden_ Calf, 214 _Grotto di Cani_, a particular Account of it, 25, 6 —— —— Experiments made in it by Mr. _Addison_, 26 _Grotto de i Serpi_, a remarkable subterraneous Cavern, and Hospital for particular Diseases, 38 _Ground_ Rattle-Snake, 125 _Griffin_ describ’d, 145 _Guaku_, or _Lyboya_ Serpent describ’d, one of the most monstrous, 102

H. _Harus_ Serpent, 138 _Heathens_, their Fictions about Punishments in Hell, 49 —— their Opinion about Heaven, 50 _Hereditary_ Right, the Title, how try’d, 56 _Hemorrhous_, (the Figure, Plate 1) describ’d; its Wounds force the Blood out thro’ every Pore of the Body, 57 _Horse_-Tail, a _Turkish_ Standard, the Original of it, 81 _Hooded_, or Monk Serpent, 115 _Horn_ Snake, 126 _Hornet_, (the Figure, Plate 7) describ’d, 148 _Hydrus_, or Water-Snake, 126, 141, 2

I. _Japonians_, their way of punishing Christians, 47 _Jararaka_ Serpent, describ’d, 103 _Jacore_ Lizard, [TN] _Ibiara_ Serpent, describ’d, 99 _Ibitobaca_ Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 4) describ’d, 102 _Ibiboboca_ Serpent, describ’d. _Ibizacoan_ Serpent, Cure of its Wound very singular, 106 _Idolatry_, the Original of it, 197 —— more ancient than Image-Worship, 198 —— the Incentives to it, 199 _Jeboya_ Serpent, 108 _Images_, why _Laban_ call’d them Gods, 203 _Inchantment_ by noxious Herbs, _&c._ 47 _Indian_ Prince, a very remarkable Saying of his about _Spanish_ Cruelty, 133 _Insects_, little, great Executioners, 139 —— various Instances, _ibid._ _Iquanna_ Serpent, describ’d, 102 _Iron_, one of the hardest Metals, yet the most brittle, 130 _Israel_, why punish’d by Serpents, 188 —— why punish’d by fiery Serpents, _ibid._

K. _Kakaboya_ Serpent, 106 _Kingdom_ won by an Heroick Answer, 58 _King_ Snake, 129 —— Sashes made of its Skin, _ibid._ _Koko_ Serpent, a Representation of the _French_ Monarch, 58, 9 _Kukuruki_ Serpent, describ’d, 99

L. _Lancashire_ Beauties, 69 _Lacertus viridis_, or green Lizard, 121 _Les Anoles_ Serpent, 123 _Les Roquet_ Serpent, _ibid._ _Light_, how the Sensation of it is produc’d, 71 —— all Colours depend upon it, 71 _Long_ black-Snake, 127

M. _Magical_ Balls, 46, 7 _Magick_ Art, the Original of it, 68 —— its Degeneracy, 68, 9 —— surprizing Instances of magick Wit, 69 _Magick_ Egg, _ibid._ _Magicians_, St. _Matthew_’s wise Men in their time, 70 _Manima_ Serpent, monstrous, 111 _Malcarabeta_ Serpent, 113 _Malpolon_ Serpent, _ibid._ _Manballa_ Serpent, 114 _Maboujas_, 123 —— , an Emblem of the old Serpent, 124 _Macacoatl_, an horned Serpent, 132 _Marine_ Dragon, or Serpent, 143 _Men_, Giants and Pygmies among ’em, 16 _Mexico_, two unparallel’d Instances of Cruelty, one by the _Mexican_, the other by _Spanish_ Priests, 100, 1 _Milk_, its wonderful Nature describ’d, 128 _Mithridate_, the Original of its Name, 40, 5 _Monoxillo_, or Mucronated-Serpent, 137 _Musk_ Serpent, 116 _Musk_ Rats, and Musk Cats, _ibid._ _Musk_, a short Account of it, 116, 17 _Musick_, its wonderful Effects on the Mind and the Body in several remarkable Instances, 156 to 160 —— Conjectures about medicinal Cures by it, 164

N. _Natrix-Torquata_ Snake, (the Figure, Plate 5), 142 _Nintipolonga_ Serpent, 114 _Noya_ Serpent, 90

O. _Obsidian_ Stones, Looking-Glasses made of them, 105 _Opium_, the Darling of the _Turks_, 21 _Orators_, as well as Poets enthusiastical, 64 _Oracular_ Answers, various Opinions about them, 77 _Otus_ Serpent, 133

P. _Pareas_ Serpent describ’d, 84 _Paper_, that is incombustible, 95 _Parrot_, a rational Dialogue betwixt it and Prince _Maurice_, 144, 5 _Parthians_, the best Fighters when retreating, 132 _Paradise_, Self-denial a Duty there, 180 —— Threatnings necessary there, 181 _Pagan_ Fables founded on the Writings of _Moses_, 182 _Persian_ Kings, their _Recipe_ for an easy Death, 70 _People_, without Fraud, 125 —— have no Name for it, _ibid._ _Pimbera_ Serpent, describ’d, 90 _Pluto_, his Attendants and Executioners cover’d with Snakes, as the _Harpies_, _Furies_, _Cerberus_, _Chimæra_, 47, 48, 49 _Poison_, vegetable Instances of it, 19, 20 —— Mineral, various Instances in Damps from Copper, Mercury, Tin, Lead, 22, 23 —— Animal, Debates about the Seat of it in Serpents, 26, 7 —— various Remedies for it, as Oil, experimented on one _William Oliver_, bit by a Serpent; _Lichen Cinereus Terrestris_, _Venice_ Treacle, and several Vegetables, _&c._, 29, 30, 31, 145 —— one Drop of it a Match for a Sea of Blood, 32 —— when not dangerous, 33 —— exhaustible in Serpents by quick repeated Acts, but soon recruited, 35 _Poetical_ Apology for a Sot, 73, 4 _Polonga_ Serpent, describ’d, 90 _Priests_, their Genius for Cruelty. See _Mexico_. _Prussians_ and _Lithuanians_, Serpent-Worshippers, 226

R. _Rattle_-Snake. _Vid._ Caudisonant. _Red_-belly Snake, 126 _Red_-back Snake, 127 _Rivers_ ador’d, 210 _Rubetarian_ Serpent, 143 —— —— loud and pretty, _ibid._

S. _Sandals_, used by the Ladies, 208 _Salamander_, (the Figure, Plate 5,) described, 92 —— how said to live in the Fire, 93 —— _Corvini_’s Experiment upon one, 94 _Salamander’s-Wool_, 95 —— —— Shrouds made of it for Kings, 95 _Satan_, why punish’d under the Figure of a Serpent, 185 _Scorpions_, (the Figure, Plate 7,) Countries destroy’d by them, as in _Æthiopia_, _Amyclæ_ a Town in _Italy_, _Pescara_ an ancient City in _Italy_, _India_, 45, 6 —— their various Kinds, Sizes, and malignant Nature, 87, 8 —— the _Persians_ curse by them, 88 _Scytale_ Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 2,) described, 70 —— —— an Aggregate of charming Colours, 71 _Scolopendra_, (the Figure, Plate 5,), 151 _Serpents_, general Description of them, 2 —— their Mode of Propagation viviparous and oviparous, 4, 5 —— their Sagacity, with regard to their different Lodgments, 6, 7, 172 —— during Winter, sleep with open Eyes, 7 —— their Enemies, _viz._ Eagle, Hawk, Stork, Ibis, Ichneumon, Magaure, and some Vegetables, 10, 11 —— Dust, not their original Food. A moral Reflection upon it, 12 —— their Food, which they swallow whole, 12, 13 —— their Size, some monstrous, others remarkably small, 13, 14, 15, 16, 146 —— their Apparatus for Motion curious, 17 —— their Skin an elegant Composition, 18 —— of special Service to Mankind, of great Use in Physick, various at home and abroad, 36, 7 —— the common Food of many Nations in _Europe_, _Asia_, _Africa_, _America_, 38 to 40 —— Instruments of divine and human Vengeance, 44 —— _Jewish_ Camp infested with them, 44 —— Victory gain’d by them on Sea and Land, 46 _Serpent_, its Contest with St. _Paul_, 44 _Seps_, (the Figure, Plate 1,) why call’d the putrid Serpent, 58 _Serpens Indicus Coronatus_, 112 _Serpens Putorius_, 113 The Sea _Serpent_, (the Figure, Plate 6) _Serpent_ de Boa, 144 Mistress of _Serpents_, (the Figure, Plate 6) _Serpent_, an Account of a remarkable one in _Lancashire_, 144 _Serpent_ in Paradise, various Opinions about it, 168 _American_ Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 3) _Serpent_ brazen, 191, 2 —— prefigur’d Christ, 194 —— _Israel_, why cured by it, 195 _Serpents_, the Adoration of them, 216 to 227 —— Reasons for that Worship, 228 —— Worshippers of ’em among Christians, 229 _Shrew_-Serpent, 151 _Shekina_ describ’d, 187 _Silence_, a Pythagorick Rudiment, 112 —— the Safety of _Venice_, 112 _Sin_, its first Entrance, 168 _Sleep_, a living Death, 70 _Snake_ common, (the Figure, Plate 4) describ’d, 85 _Spiders_, (the Figure, Plate 5) —— Black, (the Figure, Plate 4,) their various Kinds, 149 —— their Autumn Webs, 150 —— _American_, 150 _Stellio_, 123 _Stupid_ Serpent, 136 —— —— a living Loadstone, as describ’d by some, 136 _Sun_ and Moon, chief Deities of the _Pagans_, 209 _Swamp_ Snakes, 126

T. _Tarciboya_ Serpent, 106 _Tapayaxin_ Serpent, 121 _Taraguira_, 121 _Taraquico Aycuraba_ Serpent, 122 _Tapayaxin_ Serpent, 137 _Tapayaxin_ Serpent, the Friend of Man, 137 _Tamacolin_ Serpent, of the Toad kind, 138 _Tame_ and tractable Serpent, 140 _Tarantula_, (the Figure, Plate 7,) its Poison and Cure by Musick; the Manner how, 151 to 155 _Teuthlacokauqui_ in _Mexico_, call’d the Fortress of the Serpents, describ’d, 100 _Tetzawhcoatl_ Serpent, 104 _Terpomongo_ Serpent, 111 —— —— a Symbol of Friendship, _ibid._ _Tejuguacu_, 121 _Tejunhana_ Serpent, 122 _Tetzaucoatl_, or the rare Serpent, 139 _Teraphim_, explain’d, 202 _Tleoa_, or _Tetloa_ Serpent, 140 —— an Inhabitant of the Mountains, 141 _Toads_, as large as Cats and Dogs, 138 _Tzicatlinan_ Serpent, 132 —— —— the Darling of the Ladies, _ibid._

V. _Vegetation_, none without Air, 3 _Vegetables_, sleep in Winter, 7, 8 —— worshipped, 212 _Vectis_, 131 _Vipers_, different from the Snake, 52 —— a Battle betwixt one and a Magpye, 52 —— Battle betwixt one and a Dog, 53 —— don’t eat after they are taken, 53 _Vipera Indica Tricolor Major_, 112 _Vipera Zelanica Minor, Maculis eleganter Variegata_, 112 _Unison_, its Wonders, 160, 1

W. _Wasps_, (the Figure, Plate 7,) describ’d, 148 _Wepelon_ Serpent, 115 _Woman_ with two Horns, 54 _Women_ warlike, 129 —— the hard Condition of their Marriage, _ibid._ _Words_, their Efficacy, Instance of it in _Cæsar_, 63, 4 _Worms_, Instances of Execution by them, 134, 5 _Worship_ of hurtful Creatures, why, 233 —— of different Animals in _Egypt_, the Reasons, 234

Y. _Yellow_ Snake, 130

_F I N I S._

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