706 REPTILIA—EGYPTIAN VIPER. 
ed frontwise, looks like a pair of spectacles; but behind, like the head of a 
cat. The eyes are fierce, and full of fire; the head is small, and the nose 

























flat, though covered with very large scales, of a yellowish ash color; the sxin 
is white, and the large tumor on the neck is flat, and covered with oblong, 
smooth scales. 
4 EEG OE EAC Vo Espn ives 

Tuts is said to be the officinal viper of the Egyptians, and is, by some, 
supposed to be the asp of Cleopatra, by the bite of which that high-spirited 
princess determined to die rather than submit to be carried to Rome in 
order to grace the triumph of Augustus. It is imported in considerable 
quantities every year to Venice, for the use of the apothecaries in the com- 
position of theriaca, and for other purposes. It is abundant in Egypt; and 
is found in other parts of Africa as well as in Asia. It is from twenty 

1 Naia haje, Li. 
