T H E V I P E R. 193 



prefented quickly inftead of it, againft which he bruifcs his noftrils, and 

 hence becomes wary. Befide this, his keeper makes him frequently bite 

 a piece of rag, or other foft matter that may imbibe his venom i and they 

 retard the frefli growth of this venom, by keeping him from moift food. 

 Is worfhipped on the coaft of Malabar. Called by the Portuguefe Cobra 

 di capello. 



There is a fpeckled ferpent in Peru. One in Brazil, whofe mark is 

 rather heart-ihaped, than like fpeftacles. 



The Yellow Serpent of Martinico is remarkable for two orifices be- 

 tween his eyes and nofe, which are thought to lead to the organ of hear- 

 ing: if this be true, he is herein fmgular. His venom is deadly; limpid as 

 water, but yellowilh, like olive oil beginning to change. He is fleepy, 

 efpecially if the air be cool ; hides under parcels of leaves, in old trees 

 and holes ; is very fetid, and generally followed by certain birds who 

 give the alarm. When a perfon is furprifed by this ferpent, to prefect 

 him a branch of a tree, a parcel of leaves, or any fuch objed, takes oflf 

 his attention, and gives time for fclf-defence. Often a fingle blow^kills 

 him. After the head is cut off, the body preferves for fome time a'vcr- 

 miculated motion. Six feet long ; three inches in diameter. 



The Whip Snake is native of the Had, about five feet long, yet not 

 much thicker than the thong of a coachman's whip. It is exceedingly 

 venomous; and its bite is faid to kill in about fix hours. To this for- 

 midable clafs might be added the Afp ; the Jaculus of Jamaica alfo, one 

 of the fwifceft of the ferpent kind ; the Hasmorrhois; the Coral Serpent, 

 which is red, and whofe bite is faid to be fatal ; and a number of others, 

 fome very partially known, many fcarce at all. To remedy the bite of 

 thefe animals, the Indians ufe a compofition called in Europe Pietro dc 

 Cobra, or the Serpent Stone j and which, applied to the wound, is faid 

 to draw out the venom. The compofition of this ftone, for it is an arti- 

 ficial fubftance, is kept a fecret; and perhaps its efFedts in extracting the 

 venom maybe imaginary: nevertheless, it is certain that it has a power 

 of (licking to the ficin, and fucking a part of the blood from the wound. 

 Some maintain it has great virtues, others doubt them altogether. 



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