OF SERPENTS. S^ 



XVI. The Drm'na Serpent, from ^pi^f, an Oak, by Scaltgcr 

 called ^erctilus ; it takes its Name from the Oak, in whofe hol- 

 low places it feems to refide j and to which, it retires for Refuge, 



when affuulted by Hornets.— ^ Some credulous Authors have 



faid, that thefe Serpents take up their hybernal Lodgings about 

 the Roots of the Beach- trees ^ and by virtue of the Warmthy 

 which thofe Roots derive from them, that Tree, fo enhappy'd, 

 iiouriflies all Winter. 



This Serpent is of the amphibious kind, and a mofl: venemous 

 Creature, therefore rang'd with the firil Order of the ferpentine 

 Race. 'Tis of monftrous bulk *, guarded by a rough fquamma- 

 tick Armour, in the Cavities of which, 'tis faid, little Flies build 

 their Nefts. Whether it appears in white or blue Habit, is not 

 material, nor do I fee what Honour it gets by wearing a Coronet 

 on its Head. 



In the Language of Tradition, to tread upon it will caufe an 

 Excoriation in the Foot, (tho' no V/ound be given) and a Tumor 

 in the Leg ; yea, adds the Tradition ift, the Hands that attend 

 vthe Patient, will be in danger of loiing their Skin: But he who 

 believes all the Fables of Antiquity, is in more danger of loiing 

 his Reafon. 



The Druinical Serpent goes under various Denominations. 'Tis 

 faid to follow the Acontia in Authors, becaufe its Figure exacftly 

 quadrates with Bellonius\ dart Serpent -, and Scaliger was in the 

 lame Sentiment -f*. 



But I fnall only mention that of C}jerfyd?'uSy from Nicander 

 in Jojjftonus, p. 28. or Chelydrus, called by fome a Sea-Snail', 



which the learned Sir Hans Shane defcribes thus. " That it is 



" more flat than moil of the cochlean Marines, confiding only 

 *' of Circumvolutions, round the Axis of the Shell ; of a fine pur- 

 " pie Colour." He calls it Cochlea Marina J, and not without 

 reafon, becaufe of their difference in Magnitude. 



The terreftrial Druina lives upon Frogs^, and other Infers ; 

 many of them are found in Africa- Interior, and the Hellefpont 

 by Conjlantinople. It is a fetid Animal, and fends forth an ill 

 Scent, efpeciallv when its Body is wounded ||. 



M 2 This 



"* It is a Load for a Porter, f Jonjloms:, Articul. xiii. p. 21. 



X His Voyage [o Jamaica^ vol. i. p. 34. [] x%liav. Gyllists. Gejher. 



4 



