102 A NATURAL HISTORY 



made Bifliop of Chiapa, was a Man of more Piety and Juftice than 

 is commonly found among Friars. It was he, who procur'd the 

 Indians their Liberty from being Slaves to the Spajiiards, which 

 they enjoy to this day, fo that they are paid for what they do, 

 about half a Crown a Week. 



XXXIII. The Ibitobaca is a Serpent of Chiapa^ near four 

 Foot long, and of a crimfon Colour, adorn 'd with a pleafing 

 Diverfity of black and white Specks ; wearing its Bones as a 

 Necklace, or the Ruff in Queen Elizabeth's Reign, v/ho deftroy'd 

 the Invincible Armada, and made good old England a Terror to 

 Spaniards. 



XXXIV. The Iquanna is the Birth oi Mexico^ a Serpent 

 like the Pope's Anathema, of a terrible Front, but harmlefs ; a 

 glittering Comb on the Head, with a Bag under the Chin ; a 

 long Tail, and fharp Bones on its Back, fianding up in the form 

 of a Saw. 



This Iquannatick Serpent is of the amphibious kind, equally 

 fitted to live by Land or Water ; a Privilege which no Son of 

 Adam can boafl of. It is of the oviparous Tribe, and a great 

 Breeder, laying about fifty Eggs at the Seafon as big as Acorns, 

 which are of a very good Tafte, and good Food when boiled, 

 and fo is the Serpent itfelf j but the 'L.isi^-Iquanna is a more plea- 

 fant Food, and preferable to Spanijlj Ragous *. 



XXXV. The Ibiboboca is a Serpent beautiful to the Eye, but 

 of a venemous Nature; 'tis about three Foot long. The Icon of 

 it in Grejldam College is above three Yards -f-, white as Snow, de- 

 corated with Particles of various Colours, el'pecially black and red. 

 The Wound it gives operates gradually, and if neglected, proves 

 fatal 



XXXVI. The Guahi or Lyboya Serpent, is one of the largeft 

 .of all the Terpentine Brood, fome of which being from eighteen 



to thirty Foot long, call'd by the Portuguefe, Hobre de Hado, or 

 the Roebuck Serpent, becaufe it can fwallow a whole Buck at once. 



After 



* Nieremhergii Hifiorin l<[iitt!ralis, p. 271. 

 f Curzoiis Catalogue of Rarities, p. ij.45. 



