C 194 ) 



OF SERPENTS WITHOUT VENOxM. 



SERPENTS without poifon may bedittinguilhed from thofe that are 

 venomous, by their wanting the fang teeth : their heads alfo are not 

 fo thick in proportion to their bodies j and in general they taper off to the 

 tail more gradually in a point. Their teeth are fhort, numerous, and in 

 the fmaller kinds perfeftly inoffenfive; they lie in either jaw, as in froo-s 

 and fifhcs, their points bending backwards, the better to fecure their, 

 prey. As inflrupnents of d:;fence, they never attempt to ufe them. 

 Even among the largeft, the teeth are never employed in defperate en- 

 gagements. When a hare or a bird is caught, they may ferve to prevent 

 Hich fmall game from efcaping ; but when a buffalo or a tiger is to be en- 

 countered, It is by ftrong folds of the body, by fierce verberations of the 

 tail, by twining round, and drawing the knot with convulfive energy. 



THE SNAKE. 



HI T HER TO this kind of creatures has furnilhed only mifchievous 

 reptiles, whofe mortal poifons, though hidden, were dreadful j mi- 

 nifters of death, counteradling the principles of life. But we muft not thus 

 confider all that belong to itj on the contrary, xh^ green and yellow fnake of 

 France is faid to be mild, gentle, and even familiar; his colours are 

 fplendid and beautiful; and it is not uncommon to fee children tie two 

 by the tails, and drive them, in imitation of coach-horfes, where they 

 pleafe, not only without refiftance from the creatures, but with feemino- 

 pleafure. They even acquire an affection for thofc who keep them : we arc 

 told of one who knew its miftrefs's voice and manner of laughing ; came 

 when called; followed by her fide when walking, as if waiting orders; glided 

 around her arms, as if careffing her : at length he was thrown into a river to 

 fwim, while his millrefs followed in a boat ; to this he kept clofe for fome 

 time, ever attentive to the voice of his miftrefs ; rill the turn of the tide 

 proved too powerful, and he was drowned. Is three or four feet long. 

 Oviparous. 



The 



