OF SERPENTS. 13,7 



CXVIII. The Serpent Bit hi, an Inhabitant of the Mountains 

 and Woods in thelfland o^ Cuba, &c. of great Bulk, and Length 

 about four Ells ; and in Shape terrible to the Eye. The Head, 

 which refembles that of a Calf, grows large to the Eyes, which 

 fparkle with the bright and black, and are incircled with Rays 

 of Green ; it has wide Jaws, armed with many fliarp Teeth, a- 

 mong which are four of the caiiine fort. 



■CAN IN I Denies, xhdx'x^ Dogs -Teeth, are two Teeth in each 

 Jaw, fo called, becaufe they end like thofe of a Dog in a fliarp 

 Point, whofe particular Office is to pierce the Aliments, there- 

 fore are buried in their Sockets, by which they are more able to 

 refifl all lateral Preflures, than the Molares, or the common 

 Grinders. 



This Bitiiiian Serpent hangs by the Tail on Trees, devour- 

 ing Men and Beafts that pafs by, and come within its Reach, by 

 the dint of halituous Attradion, as the Jlupidy and fome of the 

 Philippine Serpents are faid to do j but if it be fo, the Philofophy 

 of it is not yet accounted for. 



CXIX. The Monoxillo, or Mucronated- Serpent , fo called be- 

 caufe its Termination is fharp-pointed. It has fomething of the 

 Fierce and Terrible in its Appearance, but is more dreadful in Afpedt 

 than Nature 5 for its Wounds, though painful, are not mortal. 

 'Tis of the Lacertan Kind and Colour i the Tail long, and Legs 

 of fmall length 5 the Body about two Spans long, the Tongue 

 large and forked and of red Colour. 'Tis tedious in Motion ; the 

 whole Compound is cruftaceous, like Shell-Fiflies, adorned with 

 white and yellow Spots, refembling little Pearls, or Seed of Grum- 

 mel or Gray-Mile. 



N.B. The Seed of Vegetables confifts of an Embryo, in 

 which is contained the whole Plant in Miniature. A compleac 

 Oak is vifible in an Acorn by a Microfcope. 



CXX. The Tapayaxin, a little wonderful Serpent ; fome fay 

 of the Lacertan Kind, others fay of an orbicular Form, not above 

 four Inches Long. The Body is cartilaginous, or griftly, fmooth 

 and folid. This kind of Coverture is harder than a Ligament, 

 and fofter than a Bone, but is not covered over with any Mem- 

 brane to make it capable of Senfation. 



T It 



