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OF SERPENTS. 43 



I SHALL only add one Remark here, that if Serpents, and 

 other venemous Creatures, are hurtful to us, 'tis only by Accident, 

 that is, they are not vexatious to us, of Neceffity, but through our 

 own Ignorance, Careleffhefs, orMiftake j e. g, 



*^ Th E Birds we call Stares^ fafely feed upon Hemlock; Storks 

 feed on Adders, and Slow- Worms ; which, and other hurt- 

 ful Creatures, would be as harmlefs to ourfelves, had we al- 

 ways Caution enough to avoid them, or Wit enough to ufe 

 them as we fhould. Thus Aloes has the Property of promot- 

 *' ing Haemorrhages j but this Property is good or bad, as 'tis 

 ufed : if by one that has the Green-Sic k?iejsy it will prove a 

 good Medicine j if by one fubje<5t to a Dyjcntery^ or to fpitting 

 of Blood, a pernicious Poifon." * 

 And it is very probable, that the moft dangerous Poifons, 

 skilfully managed, may be made, not only innocuous, but, of all 

 other Medicines, the moft effedlual. Opium corredled, lofes its 

 narcotic Quality, and is fafely given in great Dofes, in Fluxes, 

 Catarrhs, and convulfive Cafes. 



I T is generally agreed, there is no Part of a Viper, not even 

 the Gall itfelf, but may be fwallowed without harm, accordingly 

 the Antients, and, as feveral Authors of Credit affure us, the Indi- 

 ans and others at this day, both of theEaft and Weft, eat them, as 

 we do. Eels. 



Spontaneou s Produdions of the Earth were the firft 

 Food, and ftill are the Suftenance of numerous Nations. It was 

 fometime before they came to the Juices of Cattle, as Milk, and 

 longer before they commenced carnivorous, and devoured their 

 Fellow-Animals. 



Some think the Fruits of the Earth were intended as Man's 

 fole Food, and that nothing but Neceffity or Luxury firft promp- 

 ted to feed upon Flelh: And indeed, by the Strud:ure of Man's 

 Teeth, it looks as if they were not proper to devour Flefli ; and 

 that Nature had rather intended and prepared them for cutting 

 Herbs, Roots, — than, for tearing of Flefh. Yea, Children don't 

 affed; Animal Food, till their Palates be vitiated by Cuftom ; and, 

 further, when we feed upon Flefh, it muft be prepared by roafting 



G 2 or 



* Dr. lieb. Crew's Cofmobgia Sacra^ B. iii. cap. 2. p. 103. 



