THE SERPENT KLND. 



711 



thence it has been thought to have two heads. 

 This error took its rise from the thickness of 

 the tail, which, at a distance, may be mistaken 

 for another head. Upon a nearer view, how- 

 ever, the error is easily discovered, and the 

 animal will be found formed according to the 

 usual course of nature. It is as thick at one 

 end as at the other; and the colour of the 

 skin is like that of the earth, being rough, 

 hard, and variously spotted. Some have af- 

 tirmed that its bite is dangerous; but this 

 must be a mistake, as it wants the fangs, and, '' 

 consequently, the elaboratory that prepares 

 the poison. 



These animals are only formidable from 

 their similitude to the viper tribe; and, in 

 some countries, where such reptiles are com- 

 mon, they make the distinction so exactly, 

 that while they destroy serpents of one kind 

 with great animosity, they take others into 

 their houses, and even into their bosoms, with 

 a kind of unaccountable affection. The Es- 

 Cttlaptan Serpent of Italy is among this num- 

 ber. It is there suffered to crawl about the 

 chambers; and often gets into the beds where 

 people lie. It is a yellow serpent, of about 

 an ell long; and, though innocent, yet will 

 bite when exasperated. They are said to 

 be great destroyers of mice ; and this may be 

 the reason why they are taken under human 

 protection. The Boyuna of Ceylon is equal- 

 ly a favourite among tho natives; and they 

 consider the meeting it as a sign of good luck. 

 The Surinam Serpent, which some improper- 

 ly call the Ammodytes, is equally harmless 

 and desirable among the savages of that part 

 of the world. They consider themselves as 

 extremely happy if this animal comes into 

 their huts. The colours of this serpent are 

 so many and beautiful, that they surpass all 

 description ; and these, perhaps, are the chief 

 inducements to the savages to consider its 

 visits as so very fortunate. A still greater 

 favourite is the Prince of Serpents, a native 

 of Japan, that has not its equal for beauty. 

 The scales which cover the back are reddish, 

 finely shaded, and marbled with large spots 

 of irregular figures mixed with black. The 

 fore part of the head is covered with large 

 beautiful scales, the jaws bordered with yel- 

 low, the forehead marked with a black mar- 

 bled streak, and the eyes handsome and live- 



ly. But of all others, the Geremla of the 

 East Indies is the most honoured and esteem- 

 ed. To this animal, which is finely spotted 

 with various colours, the natives of Calicut 

 pay divine honours; and while their deity 

 lies coiled up, which is its usual posture, the 

 people fall upon their faces before it with 

 stupid adoration. The African Gerenda \ 

 larger, and worshipped in the same manner 

 by the inhabitants of the coast of Mosambique. 

 The skin is not so finely spotted as the for- 

 mer; but it is variegated all over the body 

 with very fine, white, ash-coloured, and black 

 spots. The brilliancy of colouring in these 

 reptiles would only serve with us to increase 

 our disgust; but in those countries where 

 the.y are, common distinctions are made ; and 

 even in this horrid class, there are some eyes 

 that can discover beauty. 



But in the larger tribe of serpents, there 

 is nothing but danger to be apprehended* 

 This formidable class, though without venom, 

 have something frightful in their colour, aa 

 well as their size and form. They want that 

 vivid hue with which the savages are so much 

 pleased in the lesser kinds ; they are all found 

 of a dusky colour, with large teeth, which 

 are more formidable than dangerous. 



The first of this claps is the Great Liboya 

 of Java and Brasi), which Legaut affirms, he 

 has seen fifty feet long. Nor is he singular 

 in this report, as many of the missionaries 

 affirm the same; and we have the concurrent 

 testimony of historians as a further proof. 

 The largest animal of this kind which has 

 been brought into Europe, is but thirty-six 

 feet long; and it is probable, that much great- 

 er have been seen and destroyed, before they 

 were thought worth sending so far to satisfy 

 European curiosity. The most usual length, 

 however, of the liboya, is about twenty feet, 

 and the thickness in proportion. The teeth 

 are small in proportion to (lie body; nor are 

 thr-y used, but when it seizes (he smallest prey. 

 It lies in wait for wild animals near the paths, 

 and when it throws itself upon them, it wraps 

 them round so closely as to break all the 

 bones; then moistening the whole body over 

 with its slaver, it makes it fit for deglutition, 

 and swallows it whole. 



The Boiguacu is supposed to be the next 

 in magnitude, and has often been seen to swal- 

 5L 



