OF SERPENTS. 25 



Veffel it be cafl in, be ever fo little moift, it flies into innumerable 

 Fragments, with incredible Noife, and deftroys all the Perfons 

 near it. Ibid. 



TIN, thelighteft of all Metals, when urged by an eafy Fire, 

 it fhines exceedingly ; but this Splendor is fucceeded by a fulphu- 

 rous Steam, very deftrudive to the Lungs, and throws the Body 

 into a Confumption. ibid. 



A T Mendip in Somerfetjhire, thofe who are employ'd in melt- 

 ing Lead-ore, if they work in the Smoke, are fubjedl to killing 

 Difeafes. There is a Flight (or Steam) in the Smoke, which fall- 

 ing on the Grafs, poifons the Cattle that eat it. Thofe who live 

 very near where Lead-ore is wafh'd, can't keep either Dog or 

 Cat, or any fort of Fowl, but they all die in a Ihort time *, 



Such are the tnephitical Exhalations in a little Cavern in Italy\ 

 call'd Bacca Venoja, the poifoncus Mouth, not far from Naples, 

 but more generally known by Grotto de Cajii, the Dog's Cave; 

 becaufe the Experiment of its poifonous Nature is frequently made 

 upon Dogs 5 tho' it be fatal as to any other Creatures that come 

 within the Reach of its venemous Fumes. This wonderful Cave 

 is (fituated at the Bottom of a Hill) in Dimenfion, about eight 

 Foot high, twelve long, and fix broad. 



From the Ground within it, arifes a thin warm Fume (vifi- 

 ble to the Eye) which is one continued Steam covering the 

 whole Surface of the Bottom of the Cave; it does not difperfe 

 itfelf into the Air like Smoke, but quickly after its Rife, falls 

 back again Into the Earth. The Fumes r:\is about a Foot high 

 and never higher, and hurt no Creature whofe Head is above that 

 height J but when a little Dog, or the Head of any other Crea- 

 ture is forcibly held in the Steam, it falls down dead, the 

 Limbs convuls'd, and trembling; and if left there a little while, 

 it dies, but if taken out foon, and laid in the open Air, comes to 

 Life again, and fooner, if thrown into the adjacent Lake. 



CHARLES the Great, King of France, and Emperor of 

 the Weft (a Title of Honour Gallick Monarchs have had in full 

 view for fome time) made the Experiment upon an Afs, whofe 

 Head was held in the Fume, and was foon deftroy'd. Two Slaves 

 put in with their Heads kept down to the Earth, were both foon 



E kiU'd. 



* Lowthorfs Abr. vol. ii. p. 576. 



