OF SERPENTS. S^ 



XVI. The Druina Serpent from ^pu?, an Oak, by Scaliger 

 called ^lerciilus ; it takes its Name from the Oak, in whofe hol- 

 low places it feems to refide ; and to which, it retires for Refuge, 

 when affaulted by Hornets. - Some credulous Authors have 

 faid, that thefe Serpents take up their hybernal Lodgings about 

 the Roots of the Beach-trees, and by Virtue of the Warmth, 

 which thofe Roots derive from them, that Tree, fo enhappy'd, 

 flouriflies all Winter. 



This Serpent is of the amphibious kind, and a moft venemous 

 Creature, therefore rang'd with the firfl; Order of the ferpentinc 

 Race. 'Tis of monftrous bulk *, guarded by a rough fquamma- 

 tick Armour, in the Cavities of which, 'tis faid, little Flies build 

 their Neils. Whether it appears in white or blue Habit, is not 

 material, nor do I fee what Honour it gets by wearing a Coronet 

 on its Head. 



In the Language of Tradition, to tread upon it, will caufe an 

 Excoriation in the Foot, (tho' no Wound be given) and a Tumor 

 in the Leg ; yea, adds the Traditionift, the Hands that attend 

 the Patient, will be in danger of lofing their Skin : But he who 

 believes all the Fables of Antiquity, is in more danger of lofing 

 his Reafon. 



The Druinical Serpent goes under various Denominations. 'Tis 

 faid to follow the Acontia in Authors, becaufe its Figure exactly 

 quadrates with Bello7iius% dart Serpent j and Scaliger v/as in the 

 fame Sentiment -[-. 



B u T I fhall only mention that of Cherfydrus, from Nicander 

 in Jonjlonus, p. 28. or Chelydrus, called by fome a Sea-Snail -y 



which the learned Sir Hans Sloane defcribes thus " That it is 



" more flat than moft of the cochlean Marines, confifting only 

 " of Circumvolutions, round the Axis oi the Shell ; of a fine pur- 

 " pie Colour." He calls it Cochlea Marina J, and not without 

 reafon, becaufe of their difference in Magnitude. 



The terreftrial Druina Ywcz u^on Frogs, and other Infedts; 

 many of them are found in Africa-Interior^ and the Hellefpont 

 by Conftantinople. It is a fetid Animal, and fends forth an ill 

 Scent, efpecially when its Body is wounded |j. 



M 2 Tms 



* Ic is a Load for a Porter. f Jon^o.us, Arcicul. xiii. p. 21. 



X His Voyage to Jamaica-^ vol. i. p. 34.. \ Milan. Gyiiius. Gefver. 



