OF SERPENTS. 14.5 



is a Bird of Prey, and of the Eagle kind, which, I take to be the 

 OJjifrage oi Mofes, and mentioned Levit. xi. 



The r e is alfo a fabulous Grijin, reprefented with four Legs, 

 Wings, and a Beak 5 the upper part like an Eagle, and the lower 

 a Lion. They conjedure it to watch over golden Mines and 

 hidden Treafures. This Bird was confecrated to the Sun, there- 

 fore the Chariot of the Sun was reprefented as drawn by a Set 

 of Griffins. 



This poetick Griffin Is frequently fecn In ancient Medals, and 

 is ftill bore in Coat-Armor. The ancient and honourable Family 

 of the Guillims blazons it rampant, alledging any very fierce 

 Animal may be fo blazon'd as well as a Lion. It is obfervable, 

 fays my Author, that in the Front of Clayton-hall are two Figures 

 drawn in Plaifter in the form of a Coat of Arms i on the right 

 fide of the Efcutcheon is a Figure with Wings, four Feet, and a 

 Tail twifted in the Form of a Serpent. The like Figure is drawn 

 in Plaifter in feveral ancient Houfes in that Neighbourhood, which 

 go under the Name of the GriJiTi's PiBure, and the Sign is ufed 

 at Publick-houfes : There is a Place in that Wood called the 

 Griffin 5- Ark. 



N.B. This feems to carry fome Probability with it, fincc 

 Eagles are voracious Creatures, and very deftrudive to Fawns and 

 Lambs, efpecially the black Eagle, which is of a lefler Size than 

 the other. 



I N fome of the Scofs I/Iands, the Natives obferve, that this 

 Eagle fixes its Talons between the Deer's Horns, and beats its 

 Wings conftantly about its Eyes; feveral other Eagles flying at 

 the fame time on both fides, which puts the Deer upon a continual 

 Run, till it fall into a Pit, or down a Precipice, where it dies, and 

 fo becomes a Prey to the Enemy*. 



CXXXIL I N fome of the Weftern Illands of Scotland are fe- 

 veral Serpents : There is one that \^ yellow with brown Spots, and 

 another with ^row^w Spots; but that which is the moll poifonous, 

 is the black and white /potted^ three or four Foot long. 



The Remedies are fuch as thefe : The Natives cut oiF the 

 Head of the Serpent that gives the Wound, and apply it to the 

 Place as the beft Remedy : Others, by the Application of new 



U Cheefe, 



* Martiris Defcription of ths U^ejfern JJlands of Scothvcif Edij. il p. 7. 



