T H E V I P E R. 191 



pofium retire into the ventral pouch of the old one. From this," con- 

 tinues he, " fome have imagined that the viper is lb unnatural as to de- 

 vour its own young J but this dcferves no credit, as thefe animals Jive 

 upon frogs, toads, lizards, and young birds, which they fwallow whole, 

 though the morfel is often three times as thick as their own body." Of 

 this 1 have received repeated information ; but have never been fo for- 

 tunate as to meet with a perfon who had difiedled a viper while thus con- 

 cealing her young ; or wlio had ever feen the young ilTue from their con- 

 cealment. Certainly many kinds of ferpents devour each other. 



Though, when at liberty, they remain torpid throughout the winter; 

 yet, when confined, have never been obferved to take their annual re- 

 pofe. Their poifon decreafes in proportion to the length of their con- 

 finement ; and it is thought the virtues of their flelh alfo, which has been 

 cfteemed a very powerful rcftorative medicine in battered conflitutions. 

 They are ufually taken with wooden tongs, by the end of the tail ; but in 

 Yorkfhire the viper catchers wear double leather gloves, and worlled ones 

 over them, which they efteem ample fecurity. By the application of 

 olive-oil their bite is faid to be efFcclually cured. 



The Viper of Egypt y or the Aspic of ancient authors, is faid to poffefs a 

 poifon which kills without pain ; but induces a gentle repofe, and then 

 9 lound deep, terminating in death. This is faid to have been therefore 

 cholen by Cleopatra, 



The Ammodytes hides in the fandj its venom often kills in three 

 hours time. This kind, in Africa, afcer having eaten their prey, fall into 

 fo found a fleep, that they are not waked without difficulty, but lie in 

 the paths and are trod on. 



.The Cerastes is fingularby its horns: was well known to the ancient 

 Egyptians, and inferted among their hieroglyphics. Its horns are move- 

 able at the will of the animal; are placed exactly over the eyesj arc $ 

 little bent. The head of the Ceraftes is flat; note thick and (hortj ge- 

 neral colour yellow j deeper-coloured blotches, in the form of bands, on 

 the body J deepeft on the back. About two feet long; tail Ihort ; i« 

 very greedy, and devours much : then fleeps, and is eafily killed. Many 

 devoured by eagles, and other birds of prey ; yet they have reputation for 

 cunning, and for hiding themfclves to feize their prey at advantage. 



Part V. No. 29. K k The 



