159 



But the third and roost observable outward~distinction of all, between 

 the Viper and the )Snake is, a sort of diamond-shaped line of black-looking 

 scales which run down the whole length of the viper's back : though this sort 

 of harlequined back is much brighter in some specimens than it is in others ; 

 probably owing to the more congenial circumstances of locality in which they 

 may be fovmd. And, I think I may say also, that the Viper in general, is, a 

 smoother-looking, smaller, and more delicately formed animal than the Snake, 



To those who Lave a chance to examine the Viper's head and open its 

 mouth, the poison bag and fangs are easily discov^ered. The fang in aU ser- 

 pents is attached to the bag or pouch which contains the poison, and it is 

 hoUow, with a small hole at the extremity, through which, after the. bite, 

 the poison is injected into the wound. The fang in our British Viper is 

 very small and fine, and the animal has the power, I am informed, of drawing 

 it up and almost concealing it within the poison pouch, so that too superficial 

 a look may deceive even here. 



It is well known that the poison fluid of aU serpents, although so deadly 

 when introduced into the blood and veins, is perfectly hai-mless when swal- 

 lowed and taken into the stomach. Lucan, in his " Pharsalia " (and 

 poisonous reptiles still abound in the plain of Pharsalia, that is, near the present 

 town of Larissa in Thessaly) tells us of a physician named Tozzi (learned above 

 his' day), who horrified the Prince of Thessaly and all his court by drinking off 

 in their jjresence a considerable quantity of venomous serpents' poison, in order 

 to exhibit his skill, and the power which he wished them to understand he 

 had over such poisons. 



Lucan's words are — 



" Noxia serpentum est admisto sanguine pestis : 

 Morsu virus habent, et fatum dente minantur; 

 Poculo morte carent." — Phars., I/ib. ix., 014. 



and when translated, run thus : — 



Mixed with the blood the venom slays alone ; 

 His bite is poison, death is in liia fang. 

 But the draught is innocuous. 



This remarkable peculiarity in the poison-fluid of serpents is one of the 

 numerous mysteries and yet wise ordinances of Divine Providence over his 

 creatures, for a large portion of the serpent tribe obtain theu- food by me.ana 

 of this fatal bite, and if the food was at the same time made poisonous thereby 

 the result of course would be very unprovidential as well as disastrous. But 

 we all know that there are no such mistakes as this in the works of God, and 

 there is something very assuring in this fact that throughout all creation we 

 cannot point out one object that can be called a mistake ; and surely nothing 

 accidental could have effected this, nor any law or "reign of laws" which had 

 not been divinely ordained. 



