( i8q ) 



e F SERPEN^ T S. 



THERE is fcarce a country in the world that does notmalntaiifi fofne 

 of this poifonous brood; for though mankind hive driven off the 

 lion, the tiger, and the wolf, the fnake and the viper defy theii* power, ^ 

 and frequently punilh their temerity. In Europe, however, not only 

 their numbers are thinned, but their powers are diminiOied : if we have 

 not extirpated them, we have prevented their multiplication; and the 

 temperature of our climate refufes to furnifh the qualities necefiary 

 highly to exalt their venom. The malignity afcribed to European fer- 

 pents of old, is now unknown. A burning pain in the part, removeable 

 by timely applications, is tlie worfl; effect now generally ex^rienced from 

 their bite. In the ardfent countries uf Tlie" "tropic, ' thofe regions of 

 both hemifpheres where the fields are unpeopled and fertile, where the 

 climate fupplles warmth and humiditYj where the fun is hot, the forcfts 

 thick, and men few> there ferpents cjing among the branches of the 

 trees in infinite numbers, encompailing them like a wreath, and rifing 

 and defcending at pleafurc. Many are common to both continents : 

 cfpecially the largell kinds. In thofe burning countries, what had the 

 -appearance of a great river in the rainy feafon, becomes in fummer 

 one dreary bed of land ; here a lake that is conftanr, or a brook that is peren- 

 nial, is to all animals the greateft enjoyment j parched by the heat, they 

 traverfe whole deferts to find out water, nor can danger deter them from 

 attempting to flake their thirft.. On its banks thoufands of animals at- 

 tend to drink or to prey. The lion and tiger, but chiefly the larger 

 lerpents, are upon the watch. Not an hour pafles without fome dreadful 

 combat ; but the fcrpent, defended by its fcales, and naturally capable of 

 fuftaining a multitude of wounds, and even of renovating its tail, is of 

 all others the moil formidable ; it is the mod alert, efpecially before a 

 Itorm J it is the moil wakeful alfo ; for the whole tribe ileep with their 

 eyes open. 



It is probable, in early times, that ferpcnts, continuing undifturbed 

 polTefTors of the forell, grew to amazing magnitudes ; and might reign 

 the tyrants of a diilrift for centuries. Time and rapacity might lengthen 

 them to an hundred or an hundred and fifty feer. . It is pofTible too they 

 might fomctimes venture from their retreats, and carry conllcrnation 

 among mankind, as they iiad before fpread dciblation among the lower 



ranks 



