CERASTES, LIZAUD. 185 



remedy most in repute for the bite of the viper is olive oil, 

 thoroughly rubbed into the wounded part ; sal volatile, 

 &c. appears less efficacious. In many places the flesh of 

 the viper is eaten, and esteemed highly restorative and 

 healthful. The viper is viviparous, and produces its young 

 at the close of the summer. 



THE CERASTES OR HORNED VIPER 



Is something more than a foot in length, and has a pair of 

 curved horns on its heads just above the eyes : these horns 

 do not appear to be of any service to the animal. It is an 

 inhabitant of Africa and Asia, and particularly frequents 

 Syria, Arabia, Egypt, &c. It is much like the common 

 viper but more dangerous, since it is in the habit of 

 springing from a great distance on those who approach it, 

 without any previous provocation. This is supposed to be 

 the same with the asp, with which the celebrated Cleopatra, 

 Queen of Egypt, effected her own death. Some of the 

 inhabitants of the countries in which the Cerastes is found, 

 have the means of handling the animal with perfect 

 safety ; at least so we are told. 



THE LIZARD. 



THE length, including the tail, is about seven inches. A 

 black list runs along the back, and a brown one on each 

 side ; the belly is yellow, and the scales, which are large 

 and even, are varied with black and brown. The legs and 

 feet are dusky, and on each foot are five toes, furnished 

 with claws. 



This animal is extremely nimble, and in hot weather 

 may be seen basking on the sides of dry banks or old 

 trees; but on finding itself observed, it quickly retreats to 

 its hole. It feeds, as indeed do all the species found in 

 England, on insects, and in its turn it becomes the prey of 

 birds. All the British lizards are perfectly innoxious : it is 

 their figure alone that excites our aversion, and has 

 occasioned their representation in an unpleasant point of 

 view. Indeed, few can divest themselves of a certain 

 horror at the sight of even the smallest of them : with us 

 they possess neither beauty of colouring or elegance of 



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