CURIOUS CREATURES. 



293 



" Smith's Classical Dictionary "), which does not seem 

 unlike one. 



The Wingless Dragons belong to the serpent tribe, 

 with the exception that they are generally furnished with 

 legs. These are " Wormes," of several of which we, in 

 England, were the happy possessors. Of course, in the 

 northern parts of Europe, they survived (in story at 

 all events) much later than with us, and Olaus Magnus 

 gives accounts of several fights with them, notably that 

 of Frotho and Fridlevus, two Champions, against a 

 serpent. 



" Frotho, a Danish Champion and a King, scarce being 

 past his childhood, in a single combat killed a huge 

 fierce great Serpent, thrusting his sword into his belly, 

 for his hard skin would not be wounded, and all darts 



thrown at him, flew back again, and it was but labour 

 lost. Fridlevus was no lesse valiant, who, both to try 

 his valour, and to find out some hidden treasure, set 

 upon a most formidable Serpent for his huge body and 

 venomous teeth, and, for a long time, he cast his darts 



