24-9 VIPER. 



which from the harmless snake, is a matter of essential 

 concern. 



The viper is found in many parts of this island, but 

 abounds most in the Hebrides ; and in general, prefers dry, 

 stony, and chalky soils. Its usual length is about two 

 feet : the ground colour of the male is a dirty yellow ; 

 that of the female is deeper. The back is marked along 

 the whole length with a series of rhomboidal black spots, 

 touching each other at the points ; the sides with triangular 

 spots ; and the belly is entirely black. It is chiefly dis- 

 tinguished from the common black snake by the colour, 

 which in the latter is more beautifully mottled, as well as 

 by the head, which is thicker than the body ; and still 

 more distinctly by the tail, which does not run tapering 

 to so great a length as that of the other. 



This reptile is slower in its motions than the snake, and 

 brings forth its young alive. " We have often been as- 

 sured," says Pennant, " that the young of a viper, when 

 terrified, will run down the throat of the parent for 

 shelter : and hence some have imagined that she is so un- 

 natural as to devour her own young. But this deserves 

 no credit, as these animals live on frogs, toads, lizards, 

 and young birds, which they swallow entire ; though the 

 morsel is often three times as thick as their own body." 



The viper is capable of supporting abstinence for a con- 

 siderable length of time. One of them has been known 

 to be confined in a box for six months without any visible 

 food, and yet lose nothing of its wonted vivacity. The 

 bite is attended with sudden inflammation and swelling, 

 but its ill effects may be obviated by free use of salad-o?'! 

 applied to the wound, as well as taken inwardly. There 

 are various other specifics, which seldom fail when 

 speedily administered. The flesh of the viper was for- 

 merly reckoned a sovereign restorative, but has now lost 

 much of its reputation ; a circumstance which, for the 

 sake of humanity, may be reasonably regretted, as viper- 

 catchers considerably lessened the number of these dan- 

 gerous reptiles, when stimulated by the allurement of 

 gain. 



