SECTION II. 

 SERPENTS. 



THE primitive meaning of the verb from which the Hebrew name 

 of the serpent class of reptiles is derived, signifies to view, observe 

 attentively, &c., and so remarkable are they for this quality, that a 

 serpent's eye' became a proverb among the Greeks and Romans, 

 who applied it to those who view things sharply or acutely. An in- 

 genious writer, speaking of the supposed fascination in the rattle- 

 snake's eye, says, * It is perhaps, more universal among the poison- 

 ous serpents than is supposed ; for our common viper has it.' 



The craft and subtilty of the serpent are noticed in scripture, as 

 qualities by which it is distinguisned above every other beast of the 

 field, Genesis iii. 1. ; Matthew x. 16. Of its prudence and cunning, 

 many instances might be adduced, as recorded by naturalists ; al- 

 though it is reasonable to suppose, that in common with other parts 

 of the creation, it has materially suffered in these respects from the 

 effects of the curse. 



Notwithstanding that the generality of mankind regard this for- 

 midable race with horror, there have been some nations who held 

 them in veneration and regard. The adoration of the serpent in 

 ancient Egypt is well known; as is that of the dragon in Babylon. 

 The same species of idolatry still prevails throughout India, and in 

 many parts of Africa it is carried to the most degrading excess. 



Calmet has enumerated eleven kinds of serpents, which were 

 known to the Hebrews; 1. APHEH, the viper. 2. CHEFHIR, a 

 sort of aspick, or a lion. 3. ACSHUB, the aspick. 4. PETHEN, the 

 aspick. 5. TZEBOA, a speckled serpent, called Hy<Rna by the 

 Greeks and Egyptians. 6. TZIMMAON, according to Jerom. 7. 

 TZEPHO, or TZEPHONI, a basilisk ; not the fabulous cockatrice, but 

 a serpent like others. 8. KIPPOS, the ancontias or dart. 9. SHEP- 

 HIPHON, the cerastes. 10. SH AC HAL, the black serpent. 11. SERAPH, 

 zjlying serpent. 



We shall notice such of these varieties as have been sufficiently 

 identified. 



THE VIPER. 



THE viper is remarkable for its quick and penetrating poison, and 

 on this account has been made, from the remotest antiquity, an em- 

 blem of what is hurtful and destructive. Nay, so terrible was their 

 nature, that they were commonly thought to be sent as execution- 



