VEGETABLE POISONS. 181 



variety of experiments to prove, that the poison 

 of the viper and of other venomous serpents, is 

 neither an acid, au alkali, an astringent, nor a 

 neutral salt ; but an animal gum resembling in its 

 neutral and chemical properties the common 

 gum arable. But as the latter gum, when applied 

 to a wound, is perfectly inoffensive, the poison 

 must possess some secret property that imparts 

 to it the power of destroying the vital principle, 

 which this philosopher has not yet discovered. 

 He further states, that if rubbed on the tongue, 

 within the lips, over the internal membrane of 

 the nostril, or even on the external coat of the 

 eye, the poison produces no irritation or bad 

 effect whatever; and that it may be swallowed in 

 pretty large proportions with perfect impunity ; 

 but that applied to the slightest scratch or wound, 

 i inflammation immediately succeeds, and the sys- 

 tem is rapidly affected. That it proves fatal, not 

 by increased action of the arterial circulation, but 

 by destroying the irritability of the muscular 

 fibre, and disposing both solids and fluids to 

 a rapid decomposition. 



We come now to the consideration of venomous 

 insects, of which I shall select a few of the 

 most offensive in foreign countries, and conclude 

 with those that are more familiarly known to us 

 at home. 



The Tarantula, of the fatal effects of whose 

 poison, and of the influence of music in the cure, 



