228 CLASS III. AMPHIBIA. 



thing that has not been confirmed by the testimony of 

 our senses, at later periods. 



It is recorded, that, while Regulus led his army along 

 the banks of the Bagrada, in Africa, an enormous serpent 

 disputed his passage. Pliny, who saw its skin, affirms 

 that it measured a hundred and twenty feet in length, and 

 that it killed a number of men before it was destroyed. 

 At last, however, the battering engines were directed 

 against it, which soon dispatched this singular enemy. 

 Its spoils were carried to Rome, and the General was 

 decreed an ovation (or inferior kind of triumph) on account 

 of his success. 



In Java, on the continent of India, in Africa, and in 

 Surinam, and other parts of America, serpents are still 

 found of enormous magnitude; but these are chiefly for- 

 midable for their strength, Providence having mercifully 

 denied them any venomous qualities. 



Lo ! the green serpent, from his dark abode, 



Which ev'n imagination fears to tread, 



At noon forth issuing, gathers up his train 



In orhs immense : then darting out anew, 



Seeks the refreshing font ; by which, diffus'd, 



He throws his folds ; and, while with threat'ning tongue 



And deathful jaws erect, the monster curls 



His flaming crest, all other thirst, appall'd, 



Or shivering flies, or check 'd at distance stands, 



Nor dares approach. 



THOMSON. 



The smaller serpents are the most fatal and the most 

 dangerous, because they cannot always be seen and 

 avoided. Various are the ways in which their poison 

 operates : and, though it is probable that an antidote exists 

 for each, death is almost inevitable, if this is either un- 

 known or too tardily applied. But, as if mankind were 

 not sufficiently exposed to the natural malignity of the 

 serpent race, many barbarous tribes, both in the Old and 

 the New Continent, dip their arrows in the poison, or with 

 it prepare their vengeful potions. 



