O F S E R P E N T S. 133 



to the affeded part. It is about two Spans long, of a biowii 

 Colour,, and a large Head *. 



CXII. The Serpent Ofus is one of the Plagues o^ America ^ 

 and very poifonous, there being but few hours dillance between- 

 the Wound it gives and Death. It is about an Inch thick, and 

 three Foot long, a little Head and Vv^hitifli Belly, and may be far- 

 ther diftinguilli'd from others, by white and black Spots, and 

 three red Lines running acrofs ; flow in Motion, and fond of 

 Shade ; found in Cuba^ a famous Ifland, where the antient Inha- 

 bitants went naked, tho' they might have been cloath'd in Gold. 

 The Hiftorian fpeaking of Spanijh Cruelty, obferves, that a cer- 

 tain Indian Prince having fled to Cuba for Shelter, was taken by 

 the Spaniards^ and condemned by them to be burnt alive. When 

 they were tying him to the Stake, a Friejl told him if he would 

 embrace the Spanijlo Religion, he fhouldgo to Heaven ; but if not, 

 he mufl; burn for ever in Hell. Upon this, the poor diftrefled 

 Prince aflc'd him, if there were any Spaniards In Heavenj and 

 the Priefl: anfwering, Yes ; Hathuey the Prince replied, viz, 



T^ HAT if It be fo, F II rather go to the Devils In Hell, than 

 go 'with the Spaniards to Heaven -^ for their Cruelty Is fuch^ that 

 none ca?i be more mlferable thafi nfbere they are, N. B. This ac* 

 count is given by one of their own Bifhops -f*. 



CXIII. The Dopmt is reckoned to be a mofl: dangerous Ser- 

 pent j, 'tis about an Inch round, and four or five Foot long. The 

 vulgar Opinion is, that the whole Body is all over tinged with 

 Poifon, the Tail excepted. Its Head is very large, and of an 

 odlangular Form, fo far as the Eyes, from which it grows lefs 

 and lefs to the Mouth, which is oblong and flat, arm'd with fix 

 Teeth in the upper Jaws, and fix in the lower, befides leller ones: 

 The Tongue is flender, and of a. black Colour. 



Its Wounds are terrible, allowing the Patient only about 

 twenty-four hours to live. No fooner is the Wound given, bat 

 all parts of the Body begin to fwcli, and foon extend beyond 

 their due Proportion ; that they are foon difabled from perform- 

 ing their Operations :}:. 



Thus 



* Nafc'fur in Thilippicls. ibid. p. 27'^. Niercmbergius. 



•f^BarthoJ. t-e las Cajas, Bifhop of Chiapa. H-ill. of ^vtilles. 



t S.sh-icd'iO f ? AkyJterium ^ttng^^^'Jiifefi. Nicrembergii Hiftoria; rap, xiii. P' -74-. 



