O F S E R P E N T S. 131 



the Scales all over the Body, with fome yellow Streaks here and 

 there. The Belly is all yellow, like Marygold, whofe Flowers 

 are cordial. 



These Serpents are for the mofl part to be found in the 

 woody Mountains o^ Ajnerica, coilM up in the Paths, as Ropes 

 in a Ship : they are not hurtful, unlefs irritated ; they feed on 

 Birds, Rats, ^c. which they fwallow whole, and therefore Na- 

 ture has given them fuch a folded, rugous, inward Tunicle of the 

 Stomach, that it may extend, and receive things of large Dimen- 

 Jfions. Many of them have been killed with thirteen or fourteen 

 Rats in their Bellies *. 



I T has been obferved, that the Heart of this Serpent was beat- 

 ing an Hour after the Head was cut off, and that it would turn 

 and twift its Body ftrangely in its DifTeftion, for a long time after 

 the Bowels were out : The Lungs were very membranaceous, be- 

 ing nothing but Blood- VelTels and Air- Bladders. So a very learned 

 Author, ibid, 



CVII. The Chicken-Snake^ fo called becaufe of its Executions 

 in the Poultry-yard, where it devours all Eggs, and lefler Birds 

 that come in its way. Thefe Serpents are of a footy Colour, and 

 will very readily roll themfelves round a fmooth-bark'd Pine-tree, 

 eighteen or twenty Foot high, where there is no manner of hold, 

 and there fun themfelves, and lleep all the pleafurable part of the 

 Day, referving the hours of Darknefs for rambling -I-. There is 

 no great matter of Poifon in them. Here the Hiftorian mentions 

 the Eel-Snake^ improperly fo called, I think, becaufe it is nothing 

 but a Leachy that only fucks, and can't fling nor bite, fo as to do 

 any Damage, 



CVIII. The VvBis, whofe Head, ftridly fpeaking, is neither 

 round, flat, nor pointed, but looks like a Swelling on both iides, 

 one ftretching tranfverfly, like a Bar that guards a Door, or, if 

 you pleafe, a Bettee^ an Engine to break open Doors. Though 

 this Senfe be not intended here, yet 'tis true, that Serpents do 

 m2ikQ forcible Entries, but it is always with Teeth and Tail, by 

 which they often throw down the whole Fabrick, and drive out 

 the Inhabitant. 



S ^ CIX. 



* Sir Hans Shanes Voyages to Madeira^ Bafhad. vol. U. Lond. 1725. 

 t Natural Hijiorjf of ^arQlina^ p. 134. 



