142 INTRODUCTION 



that the Viper of the latter island, Vipera lebetina, is 

 commonly believed to contain a stone which, when 

 applied to the bite of a poisonous snake, quickly 

 nullifies the effect ; it is also believed that, when this 

 stone is allowed to stand in a glass of water and the 

 water is drunk, it endows the drinker with surprising 

 virility. Indeed, there was an action tried by the 

 English judge at Larnaka in which the plaintiff 

 claimed the return, or damages for the non-return, 

 of one of these " Viper-stones " which he had lent 

 for a monetary consideration to the defendant for 

 the promotion of his manly vigour, and Mr. Buck- 

 nill's recollection is that the plaintiff recovered £10 

 for the loss. 



