84 A NATURAL HISTORY 



This Serpent exceeds moft in bulk, and loudnefs in hifling^ 

 which refembles the Cry oi Sheep and Goats, ibid. Gyllius makes 

 the Druina to be the Chelydrus, defcribed by the Poet, who 

 makes it a Calabrian * : Of which, more in another place. 



XVII. The 'Elops or Elaphis of the Antients, which fome 

 confound with the Cacilia, as Jonjiojius obferves : It is of the 

 amphibious Sort, and known at Lemnos,. where 'tis call'd Lctphiati 

 by the Natives. In Aldrovandus'z Study, Ambrofimn faw the Pic- 

 ture of this Serpent, which was about three Foot long ; the Belly 

 is of a yellow Colour, the Back is brown, and diftinguifhable by- 

 three black Lines -{-. 



There is a marine Elope, an. Animal counted facred by the 

 Poets, a Set of merry Mortals, famous for turning every thing 

 into a God^ or Ridicule. The Hiflorian mentions a certain Fifa 

 fo called, that upon any loud Noife made on Land near the Shore^^ 

 would immediately haften towards the Place, as if it would fee 

 who durfl rival T^riton in Sound; Triton, Herald oiNeptime, So- 

 vereign of the Sea.. 



XVIII. The Pareas or Parvas, fs a Serpent of a fiery Co- 

 lour, fharp Eyes, wide Mouth, two Feet fituated near the Tail, 

 by which its Motion is guided ^ : It is called the Serpent of EJcu- 

 lapius, being of a gentle, innocent, friendly Nature. In Italy 

 they frequent Houfes, and are no more dangerous than common 

 Eels ; and if provoked to exercife their Teeth, there is nothing ve- 

 nemous in the Bite. This is fuppofed by fome to be the Italian 

 Baron: One of its commendable Properties is, that it devours 

 poifonous Serpents; and therefore is facred to the Myfteries, and 

 highly efteem'd in the Temple of Dionyjius^ 



Gejher j|, from Albertus fays, it goes as it were upright, on it& 

 Tail, not perpendicularly upon the fharp End, but on that Part 

 of the Body joined to the Tail : It is bred in Syria, Alexandria^ 

 aadin the Eaft, C^c. Thefe Serpents are known, alfo m Spain 



and 



-Niiiore chelydros 



Efi etiam ille tnalus colubris in faltihus angiiis 



Toftquam exhaujta talus. — Viig. Georg. 1. iii. This is applied alfo to the Uydrvs, 

 f Bay. 



X Et contentus, iter cauda fulcare Pareaf. Lucan. Pharf. 270. 

 1 ^''fi totus ereSns graditur fuper eaudait!, 1. v. p. 65- 



