174 ON ANIMAL AND 



The viper of Europe is the next venomous ser- 

 pent for consideration. 



This animal is peculiarly distinguished for its 

 tenacity of life, and for bearing an abstinence from 

 food for many months without being materially 

 injured. The former is illustrated by Dr. Houl- 

 ston, in his Treatise on Poisons, wherein he men- 

 tions, " that he placed a viper in the lowest part 

 of the Grotto del Cana, near Naples, which is 

 distinguished for its giving out the carbonic acid 

 gas, or fixed air, well known to be fatal to all 

 animals brought within its influence. The viper 

 soon shewed manifest signs of being incom- 

 moded. It endeavoured to get to the walls, and 

 being prevented, raised up its head as high as it 

 was able, opened its jaws wide, seeming to gasp 

 for breath, and after remaining nine minutes, be- 

 came motionless ; but thrown into the open air, 

 soon recovered its former activity and vigour. 

 In this cave, a dog is killed in four minutes, and 

 smaller animals almost instantaneously." As a 

 proof of its long retention of life without food, 

 we need only advert to the practice of the viper 

 catchers, who confine the serpents in boxes for 

 weeks, if not months together, without supplying 

 them with nourishment. 



The Coluber Berus, or Common Viper, seldom 

 exceeds in length two, though occasionally they 

 have been found as long as three or four, feet. 

 Their circumference, in their thickest part, may 



