38 A N A T U R A L H I S T O R Y 



•fcorbutick Cafes: They afford iMoz volatile Salt, the moji generous 

 Cordial in Nature "*. 



In Italy is a fubterraneous Cavern, called Grotto de i Serpi, 

 large enough to hold two Perfons, perforated like a Sieve ; out of 

 which, in the Spring, iffjes a numerous Brood of young Snakes, 

 of divers Colours. In this Cave they expofe their leprous, para- 

 lyticki arthritick Patients, where the Warmth of the Steams refolv- 

 ing them into Sweat, and then Serpents clinging varioufly all 

 around, licking their naked Bodies, they are foon reftored to 

 Health, by repeating the Operation. This Serpentine Cave was 

 vifited by Kircher, the celebrated Philofopher and Mathemati- 

 cian ; who fays, he faw the Holes, and heard a murmuring hiffing 

 Noife in them, tho' he did not fee the Serpents, it not being their 

 Seafon to creep out; yet he faw a great Number of their Exu- 

 via, or Sloughs, and an Elm at a Imall diftance laden with them. 

 The Difcovery was by the Cure of a Leper going from Rome, who 

 lofmg his way, and being benighted, happen'd upon this Cave, 

 and finding it very warm, pull'd off his Clothes; and being weary 

 and fleepy, had, fays my Author, the Good-fortune not to feel 

 the Serpents about him, till they had wrought his Cure. Mu- 

 J'cemn Wormian, in Cyclopedia. 



IV. Serpents are Jiot only Phv^ck, hut common Food in many 

 Parts of the World, andejleerneda moJi delicious Entertainment. 



Formerly, nothing more terrible to Men than thefe ve- 

 neniferous Animals, but now (Men being better acquainted with 

 their natural QuaUtics) are very familiar to many People; info- 

 much that there are but few Perfons of Diftindlion, in Fra?ice, 

 and other Places, where they may be had, but make ufe of them, 

 as a good and moji agreeahle Diet; and the ingenious Virtuofo 

 makes living Vipers his Domeftick Divertifement. 



The Italian and French Phy/icians do commonly prefcribe 

 the Broth and Jelly of Vipers, to purify and invigorate the Mais 

 of Blood, exhaufled with Age and chronical Difeafes. 



W E read of the Ophiophagi, a People fo called becaufe they 

 are Serpent-Eaters. It is obferved from Arijlotle^ that the Trog- 

 lodytes^ 



* Dr. Charles Leigh's Natural Hiftory of ^p. 148. 



