176 ON ANIMAL AND 



toon serpent ; by which it may be always known 

 from those that are venomous. The colour of 

 the skin is also another mark of discrimination ; 

 that of the viper consisting of a very dirty brown- 

 ish yellow, being marked on the back by black 

 rhomboidal spots, and on the sides by triangular 

 ones, which uniting form upon the belly, one 

 black surface ; while the skins of the common 

 snake, are often vivid in the extreme, very varie- 

 gated, and frequently distinguished by beautiful 

 stripes. 



Though the viper is partial to a dry, stony, or 

 chalky soil, yet it is occasionally to be met with 

 in all soils and situations which affords it a slight 

 shelter ; its motions being much slower than the 

 common snake. It lives principally upon insects 

 and small birds ; and never attacks larger ani- 

 mals but when trodden upon, or irritated. Like 

 the rattle snake, the female receives its young 

 ones into its mouth upon the approach of an 

 enemy ; and it is surprising what a number it 

 vt ill accommodate in this way, when its offspring 

 is in danger. The ancient inhabitants of Europe 

 collected the poison of the viper for the purpose 

 of arming their arrows, when called upon by 

 necessity to oppose the common enemy, or when 

 urged by ambition or by revenge to make an 

 attack upon their neighbours ; as is the practice 

 now among savage nations of other countries, in 

 whom cruelty is considered no crime, and revenge 



