o a x 



ooo 



sweats and convulsions come on; and the patient sinks, sometimes 

 in a few hours, but commonly at the end of two, three, or four 

 clays. This is the usual progress when the disease terminates 

 fatally; but happily the patient will most commonly recover. A 

 reflection which should moderate the fears of those who happen to 

 be bitten by snakes; and which, at any rate, should, as much as 

 possible, be resisted; as the depressing passion of fear will in all 

 cases assist the operation of the poison." 



Fear doubtlessly operates powerfuIlj r onmen and animals at the 

 sight of these venomous serpents, especially those of superior 

 magnitude. Many of the Hindoos, discarding fear, seem to behold 

 them with veneration and love. They are, as already mentioned, 

 the protectors of their treasure, the object of adoration in their 

 temples, and most probably the receptacle of some favoured souls 

 in the metempsychosis. With them, as among the ancients, the 

 serpent is, in a high degree, figurative and symbolical. Its many 

 singular properties render it peculiarly interesting; none more 

 wonderful than its power of charming the unwary birds (as instanced) 

 in the cobra-di-capello), by fixing its brilliant eyes on the intended 

 prey, until the terrified flutterev actually runs into its Open mouth. 



Paley, in his Natural Theology, marking the attention of the 

 Creator to the three great kingdoms in the animal creation, quadru- 

 peds, birds, and fishes, and to their constitution as such, introduces 

 the fang of a poisonous serpent as a clear and curious example of 

 mechanical contrivance in the great Author of nature. It is a 

 perforated tooth, loose at the root; in its quiet state lying down 

 flat upon the jaw, but furnished with a muscle, which, with a jerk, 

 and by the pluck, as it were, of a string, suddenly erects it. Under 



