ASP. 381 



of short, transverse, alternate streaks, of which 

 the intermediate ones are often confluent : the 

 colour of the under parts is rufous, more especi- 

 ally towards the head and tail. This is the Vipera 

 of Redi, and is the species with which the experi- 

 ments of that philosopher relative to animal poi- 

 sons were principally made. It is found in many 

 parts of Italy, as well as in Austria, and is said to 

 be more poisonous than the common Viper. 



ASP. 



Coluber Aspis. C. rufescens, maculis dorsalibus subrotundatix 



fuscis alternis, versus caudam subcomfluentibus. 

 Rufescent Viper, with roundish, alternate, dusky, dorsal spots, 



subconfluent towards the tail. 

 Coluber Aspis ? Lin. Syst. Nat. p. 378. 

 L'Aspic. Cepede Serp. p. 53. pi. 2./. 1. 

 Abdominal scuta 155, subcaudal scales 37. 



THE true Asp of the ancients seems to be en- 

 tirely unknown, owing to the discordant descrip- 

 tions and want of precision in the works of an- 

 cient authors ; but the Linnsean Coluber Aspis is 

 supposed to be the serpent described under the 

 name of Aspic by the Count de Cepede, who 

 informs us that it is a native of France, and par- 

 ticularly of the northern provinces of that coun- 

 try. The individual described by Cepede mea- 

 sured about three feet in length, of which the tail 

 measured three inches and eight lines : the head is 

 rather large, and covered with small carinated 

 scales, the body with larger, of similar structure : 



