ORDER OPHIDIA. 357 



tiles they would be immediately exposed to the vengeance of 

 all the other individuals of the same species. In consequence 

 of this absurd notion these animals multiply to an incredible 

 extent, while in the more civilized countries of Europe their 

 number progressively diminishes from day to day. About 

 forty years ago, Professor Bosc used to kill them by dozens 

 of a morning on the chain of mountains which runs from 

 Langres to Dijon ; whereas latterly, in the same places, it is 

 difficult to meet with a few individuals. 



Of the anatomy of the viper it is unnecessary to speak 

 here, as we have already enlarged quite sufficiently on that 

 subject. 



We have said that the viper is an object of terror to other 

 animals, and the danger which accompanies its bite may 

 sufficiently explain the kind of proscription to which it is gene- 

 rally devoted. It is, without contradiction, the most to be 

 dreaded of all the venomous reptiles of Europe, and the one 

 whose bite is followed by the most grievous, and sometimes 

 fatal consequences. These effects, however, are totally pre- 

 vented by our mountebanks, by stopping the hole in each of 

 the venomous fangs with some soft wax, without pulling them 

 out, after the fashion of the Egyptian jugglers and the Psylli 

 of India. 



In consequence of this danger many researches have been 

 made to appreciate the nature of their poison, to determine its 

 effects in a precise manner, and to discover the most effica- 

 cious means of neutralizing its deleterious action. Chemists, 

 zootomists, naturalists, physicians, and empirics, have vied 

 with each other in endeavouring to resolve these problems, 

 and some useful truths have escaped them in the midst of 

 assertions more or less ridiculous, and hypotheses of greater 

 or less absurdity. 



Charas, otherwise a man of great sense and considerable 

 knowledge, asserted that the poison of the viper, or rather 



