OF SERPENTS. 



upon 'em from the Woods, which would foon have deftroy'd 

 them, but for the Humanity of a Native, who diredled them to 

 a certain Herb that cured their Wounds, and faved them from 

 Ruin *". The fame Hiftorian adds, that in thofe great Deferts, 

 frequent and terrible Scuffles happened between Elephants and 

 Serpents about Water, when they met at a Spring, and it fo fell 

 out fome time, that both perifh'd ; for the Serpent roll'd it felf 

 about the Elephant's Leg by feveral Folds, who finding himfelf 

 wounded, falls down, and in falling often crufhes his Enemy ta 

 death. Ibid. 



In America is a vaft variety of Serpents, and fome of prodi- 

 gious Dimenfions; in particular, they are very numerous and 

 large in Cordillera, i. e. Andes, or high Mountains of Cbile^ 

 which Mountains, Antonio de Herrera cslWs a Prodigy of Nature, 

 not to be match'd in the kind : They are two Chains of high 

 Mountains, about 1500 Leagues in length: In that fpacious Re- 

 gion are Adders red as blood, feven or eight Foot long, which 

 in the Night appear like burning Coals, but not fo dangerous as 

 other Serpents, that are Imps of Darknefs. Acojla and other 

 Writers tell us, that the Devil appear'd among the Americans in 

 the fliape of a Serpent. 



There are fo many Sorts, fays Nieuhoff, that the Brajiliam 

 reckon up no lefs than thirty-two, moft of which are here ac- 

 counted for. 



XXVII. The Caudifonant, or Rattle-fnake^ is a large Species 

 of the Viper, and in its exterior Form every way fimilar, the 

 ruftling Tail excepted j it moves with as much Agility as if fup- 

 ply'd with Wings, called therefore the Flying-fnake : It has fmall 

 Eyes, and four Teeth longer than the reft, of white Colour, and 

 fharp, like Thorns ; the Head is guarded with fmall Scales, the 

 Back with larger and thicker Armour ; the Tail is compofed of 

 feveral loofe bony Articulaments that make a roaring Sound, loud 

 enough to be heard at a diftance ; and therefore called the Bell- 

 Snake. 



I T is common in Virginia, where it appears to be from three 



to four Foot long, and reckoned to be very poifonous ; but fcarce- 



ly hurts any, unlefs provoked; and when offended, like the God 



N2 of 



* Diodor. Siculus. 



91 



