202 HABITS AND INSTINCTS OF ANIMALS. CHAP. VI. 



snake and the European viper, it was remarked that 

 they all produce morbid symptoms nearly similar, how- 

 ever much they may differ, in their deleterious power, 

 as to degree, or the rapidity of its operation. The bite 

 of a rattlesnake in India killed a dog in two minutes, 

 while the bite of the most pernicious snake in India 

 was never observed to kill a dog in less than twenty- 

 seven minutes.* 



(2l6.) Among the AMPHIBIA, we know of none 

 whose nature or habits are even indirectly injurious. 

 Popular superstition, indeed, long invested the toad 

 with poisonous qualities ; and the fable has even 

 been revived in modern times ; but it is now generally 

 admitted that the viscous humour upon the skin is not 

 poisonous, but merely intended to protect their body 

 from the dry ness of the air and the heat of the sun. 

 The tribe of salamanders is equally harmless. To this 

 belong not only the salamanders, but the sirens, and 

 that species which was supposed by the ancients to resist 

 the action of fire. It is hardly necessary to allude to 

 such fables, but for the purpose of pointing out their 

 absurdity. 



(217.) Among FISHES we find some of the most 

 destructive animals in existence. The healthy and ex- 

 hilarating exercise of bathing, so peculiarly grateful 

 in warm countries, is there attended with imminent 

 danger ; and frequently with certain death. The 

 gigantic crocodiles, already mentioned, are not the only 

 creatures which dispute the possession of an element, 

 which man was not designed to inhabit. Enormous 

 sharks are continually roaming about these tepid seas, 

 devouring everything living which comes in their way. 

 Hideous and gigantic rays lie in wait at the bottom, to 

 intersect the diver after submarine treasures ; while, if 

 he escape from these, the torpedo is ready to benumb 

 his limbs, and cut off his retreat. Sharks, under a 

 variety of forms and of species, are spread over the 

 whole ocean. Several, indeed, occur in our own s^as ; 

 * Forbes's Orient Mem. vol. i. p. 45. 



