50 Two-Headed Snakes. 
circle them with his folds. 4t is nevertheless free from poi- 
son 
This species belongs to the tribe of viviparous - snakes, 
— such as are in strictness, containers of eggs, 
but do nevertheless hatch them within their bodies, and 
bring forth the young alive. This has been long known 2 as 
happen in the case of the European viper, called Vi 
derivative from Vivipara, from the known seers of exeluding 
the offspring from retained or unlayed oy 
e have here an example of the monstrosity of three in- 
dividuals belonging to a single litter of serpen that 
monstrosity conspicuous in the twofold Peden of the 
head. It might hence be inferred from analogy, that all ser- 
pents of this irregular constitution are also monsters. Still, 
as these mis-shapen productions have somehow been regard- 
ed as exceptions to the rule, I shall add a few more obser- 
vations. 
Intelligence by a most credible source has reached me 
from the Black river, near Lake Ontario, of a snake with 
three heads. ‘lhe specimen was promised to me, and I do 
not yet despair of receiving it. 
_ I offer as part of this communication, a somewhat circum- 
stantial description of a two-headed serpent, I received from 
one of the Fejee Islands, a few years ago. The length is 
four inches and three quarters.. Though there is some diffi- 
culty in counting the shields, yet, as nearly as [can ascertain, 
the scuta of the belly are one hundred and twenty-five, and 
the scutella of the ae pati There are two pairs of 
Among the ancients, two-headed snakes have been men- 
tioned 4 coe and Avlian. Among the moderns, Joseph 
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