i88 REPTILES. 



refiftance at the points, they prefs upon the bladders of venom from 

 whence they grow j the venom iflues up through the hollow of the tooth, and 

 ispreffedout through its flit into the wound which by this time the tooth 

 has made in the flcin. Thus, from a flight pun6lure, and the infufion 

 of a drop of venom fcarce larger than the heaa of a pin, the part is 

 quickly inflamed ; and, without a proper antidote, the whole frame con- 

 taminated. 



If a viper inflift the wound, it caufes an acute pain in the place affeded, 

 attended with a fwelhng, firfl: red, afterwards livid. This, by degrees, 

 fprcads to the neighbouring parts j great faintnefs, and a quick though 

 low and interrupted pulfe, enfues^ great ficknefs at the fl:omach, bilious 

 and convulflve vomitings, cold fweats, pains about the navel, and death, 

 Thefe fymptoms are much more violent, and more rapid, after the bite of 

 2Lrattle-Jnake I but when the perfon is bit by the cobra di capello, or naja, 

 he dies in an hoyr, his whole frame diflblving into a putrid mafs of cor- 

 ruption. 



A ferpent, having once bitten, exhaufl:s for that time the greateft part of 

 its poifon ; and, though the wound caufed by its biting a fecond time is 

 attended with malignant fymptoms, yet they are much milder than be- 

 fore. A ferpent biting upon a fponge, or a piece of foft bread, and then 

 biting immediately after, inflidts a wound not much more dangerous than 

 the prick of a needle. A needle dipped in the venom produces as pain- 

 ful effefts as the tooth of the animal itfelf. 



As none of this malignant tribe grow to a great fize, they feldom feek 

 the combat with larger animals, or off'end others till they are firfl. offended. 

 They lurk in the clefts of rocks, or among fl:ony places ; they twine 

 round the branches of trees, or fun themfelves in the long grafs at the 

 bottom ; only feeking repofe and fafety. If fome unwary traveller in- 

 vades their retreats, their firfl: effort is to fly j but when purfued, or ac- 

 cidentally trod upon, they then make a fierce and fatal refifl;ance. They 

 raife themfelves according to their fl:rength upon their tail, ereft their 

 head, feize the limb that prefles themj the wound is given, and the head 

 >yithdrawn in a moment. The viper is the only animal in Great Britain 

 ffpm vvhofe bite wp have any thin^ to fear. 



T H E 



