196 REPTILES, 



rainy feafon, when the fnake is apt to be chilled by the too great fi^efh- 

 nefs of the air. During the heats, they receive from him a contrary 

 fervice, and his coolnefs is then to them refrefhing; his poliflied fcalcs be- 

 ing always cooler than the atmofphere. Is beautiful black and white-, 

 hic;hly luftrous; he is not fearful, nor flies when approached. Is but 

 imall. - 



This is not the only ferpent familiar with the human race. In 

 fome countries, where fuch reptiles are common, while they deftroy 

 ferpents of one kind with great animofity, they take others inix) their 

 houfes and bofqms with afFedion. The Efculapiaii Serpent of Italy is 

 among this number. It is fuffered to crawl about the chambers, and 

 often into the beds. It is a yellow ferpent, about an ell long ; familiar 

 and innocent, yet will bite when exafperated. They are faid to be great 

 deftroyers of mice; and this may be one reafon why they are taken under 

 human protefbion. The Boiga of Ceylon (it inhabits both continents alfo) 

 is equally a favourite among the natives; and they confider the meeting 

 it as a fign of good luck. They confider themfelves as extremely happy if 

 this aniiDal comes into their huts. The colours of this ferpent are fo 

 many and beautiful, that they furpafs defcription; and thefe perhaps are 

 the chief inducements to the favages to confider its vifits ts fo very for- 

 tunate. An equal favourite is the Japanefe Prince of Serpents. Th.e 

 fcales on the back are reddifh, finely Ihaded, and marbled with large 

 fpors of irregular figures mixed with black. The fore part of the head 

 is covered with large beautiful fcales, the jaws bordered with yellow, 

 the forehead marked with a black marbled iheak, and the eyes han4- 

 ibme and lively. 



THE I^ A B O I E, 



THOUGH not hurtful by its ppifon or its fangs, is yet among 

 thofe moft injurious to mankind, as it is the objeft of idolatry 

 among the inhabitants of Whida, on the coafi: of Africa, where he has 

 hjs temples, his altars, his prieflrs, his donations, and his devotees j includ- 

 ing a feie(El:ion of beauty enjoyed in his name, but not by himfelf. 



He is whitifli on his upper parts ; with great oval fpots, reddifh, bor- 

 dered black or brown, which lie in three rows from head to tail, the 

 fcales on his head refembling thofe on his back; yet he is not venomous. 



7 Length 



