ORDER OPHIDIA. 263 



the back. It is the largest of our European ser- 

 pents. It somethnes exceeds six feet in length. 

 We may believe that this is the Boa of Pliny. 



The Esculapian Serpent. ( Col. Esculapii, Sh.) 



More bulky, and not so long as the last. Brown 

 above ; strawy yellow, beneath, and on the sides ; 

 scales of the back nearly smooth. Of Italy, Hun- 

 gary, and lUyria. It is that which the ancients 

 have represented in their statues of Esculapius, and 

 it is probable that the serpent of Epidaurus was of 

 this species. — N.B. The Col. Esculapii of Linnaeus 

 is a totally different species, and belongs to America. 

 The foreign adders are innumerable, some are 

 remarkable for the vivacity of their colours — others 

 for the regularity of their distribution. Many are 

 uniform enough in their tints. There are but few 

 which arrive to a very great size.* 



* The adders presenting but few interesting varieties of structure, I 

 have not thought it necessary to give the long catalogue of them here. 

 It will be found in the works of Gemlin, ofDaudin, of Shaw, and of Mer- 

 rein, but their enumerations must be consulted Avith caution and critical 

 attention. They are full of repetitions of the same species under different 

 names, and of transpositions of synonyms. 



For example, the Col. Viridissimus and Col. Janthinm, Merr. I. xii. differ 

 only in consequence of the action of spirits of wine ; Col. Honidiis, Dau- 

 din, Merr. II. X. (Co/. Viperinus,'&\\.), is the same as the Demi-collier o? 

 Lacep. 11. viii. 2; the Coul. V iolette, Lacep. II viii. 1, and Col. Regince, 

 Mus. ad. fr. xiii. 2, differ only by the action of the spirituous fluid. We 

 should regard as the same Col, Lincatus, Seba, XII. 5. Mus. ad. fr. XII. 1. 

 XX. 1 ; Col. Jacidatrix, Scb. I. ». ix. 2. Scheuz dccxv. 2. Cul. 



