384f CLASS REPTILIA. 



ample, than that of the European viper, which it resembles 

 in its yellowish tint, and its transparence. Forskal relates, 

 that having taken a very small drop of it, and introduced 

 it into a slight incision made in the thigh of a pigeon, he saw 

 this unfortunate bird perish in a quarter of an hour in con- 

 vulsions and vomitings. 



The modes adopted against the bite of the haje are the same, 

 for the most part, as those used in the case of that of the 

 viper, particularly cauterization by fire, alcholized potassum, 

 &c., and the administration of sudorifics internally. 



But simple processes of this kind have not always been 

 sufficient to satisfy practitioners. In the case before us, Pliny 

 has recommended the clematis of Egypt, the anis, lupine, 

 and henbane bruised in wine. Atheneus has spoken of the 

 good effects of lemon-juice, and has related on this subject an 

 anecdote which is either fabulous, or founded on some ill- 

 observed fact, and which we may leave in the too copious 

 annals of credulity along with the assertions of Pliny con- 

 cerning the efficacy of vinegar ; of Galen in that of theri- 

 aca ; of Aetius on the virtues of sea-water, and the tepical 

 application of dock, &c. It would be better to believe, with 

 Aristotle, that all means are useless, than to have recourse to 

 such as those. 



Elaps is a name of Greek origin, and signifies, as Nicander 

 tells us, a non- venomous serpent. Aetius uses it in the same 

 sense, which will not at all apply to the species of this 

 genus. 



The elaps lemniscatus is not an inhabitant of Asia, as 

 many naturalists have pretended. It is a native of Guiana 

 and Surinam, where it is much dreaded, and has occasioned 

 the tortrix scytale, and the black-banded adder to be also 

 objects of terror, in consequence of the similarity of their 

 forms, &c., although these latter reptiles are perfectly harm- 

 less. It is probably the serpent called oroucoucou by the 



