O F S E R P E N T S. 113 



Pomegranates, Ginger, Grapes, Pepper, Cardamum, Tobacco, 

 Nutmegs, Sugar J Mulberry, which yield much Silk i Palm-trees, 

 which afford a Liquor for their conftant Drink, (!^c. But in 

 midft of thefe pleafing Varieties, they are haunted with various 

 forts of vencmous Serpents; an Emblem of our prefent State, 

 which is a Compound of Pleafure and Pain. 



^he Gods will frown, wherever they do finile j 

 T^he Crocodile infefts the fertile Nile. 



CETLON is an Emblem of Man, to whom Pleafure is as a 

 delightful Situation ; but in it dwells a Serpent called Pain. Plea- 

 fure is the principal Intendment of Nature, and the great Objecfb 

 of our Inclination 5 without which Life would be no Bleffing, but 

 a Mortification : Yea, 'tis Pleafure reconciles us to Pain j for who 

 would fubmit to naufeous Medicines, and Tortures of the Surgeon's 

 Knife, but for hope of the Pleafure of Eafe that fucceeds it ? 



No Serpent fo terrible as Pain, which is a flrange domineer- 

 ing Perception, that keeps off Eafe when wanted, and dellroys 

 Eafe when we are in poffeffion of it. 



LXI. The Malcarabeta oi Ceylon is a Serpent painted by Na- 

 ture in a Garb blue and white j the lafl of thefe two Colours fhew 

 befi: by Candle-light. This leads us to the Excommunication by 

 Inch of Candle ; that is, while a little Candle continues burning, 

 the Sinner is allow'd to come to Repentance ; but after it burns 

 out, he remains excommunicated to all Intents and Purpofes. 



LXII. The EthetiiUa is a Ceylonick Serpent ; of a little flender 

 Body, and fharp-pointed Head. This is a kind of Ranger, de- 

 lights in Groves and Forefts, and may be known by a white and 

 green Vefture, in which it rambles among the Trees. 



LXIII. MALPOLONh another Serpent of that celebrated 

 Ifland, and of a vermilion Hue, imbroider'd with curious fine red 

 Spots, which fliine like fo many Stars. 



LXIV. SERPENS Putorius, fo denominated, probably be- 

 caufe of its tilthy Smelly by which it refembles the Putorius, a 



Q^ little 



