O F S E R P E N T S. us 



L"V. MAN IMA, another Water-Snake, of the fame Pro- 

 portion with the former, if not more bulky : The fight is terri- 

 ble j the Monftrofity of Dimenfions is fufficient to render it fo ; 

 but we are told, the Terror vaniflies in fome Degree upon a view 

 of the Skin, which is exquifitely painted, and the Brazilians not 

 only love to fee fo fpruce an Animal, but reckon it an Omen of 

 a long Life. 



If you afk. What a long Life is ? I anfwer, 'Tis nothing but 

 a lingering, flow Confumption : Life itfelf, what is it, but a meer 

 pra<ftical Tautology, a Repetition of the fame things over and 

 over, and looks more like a Penance impofed upon Mankind than 

 PJeafure. 



LVL The Terpomongo h anothier Serpent, which in the Bfa- 

 Zrilian Dialed, fignifies loftick cloj'e, fo clofe to whatever it touches, , 

 that it is not to be parted. It is about the bignefs of a Cable- - 

 Rope, which being faften'd to the Anchor, holds the Ship fall 

 when it rides. 



This Property in the Serpent, may be an Hieroglyphicki or; 

 Symbol of true Friendfhip, which is a facred Mixture : My Friend. - 

 and I are as two Rivers joined in one, not to be feparatedj we 

 ilick clofe and faft, traverling the Wildernefs hand-in-hand : He . 

 who ilrikes one, wounds the other—No Schifm in true Friendfhip, . 



LVII. JACO RE L/xar^; fome of thefe Serpents are as big . 

 as Dogs, and refemble them in the Nofe; their Teeth large and > 

 long, and their Skin impenetrable. They do no harm to their 

 Neighbours, and therefore are generally allow'd to live. They 

 make a loud Noife, by which their Hiiunts are difcovered, and--, 

 their Liberty hazarded. 



They lay Eggs as large as thofe of a Goofe, of an elaftick^ 

 Nature, fo hard, that when one is ftruck againft another, they 

 ring Hke Iron : they frequent both Land and Water. 



It's obfervable here, that this Animal is obftreporous, and by 

 its Noife invites Danger ; whereas Silence would be his Security : 

 yea, its Eggs are as fo many roaring Bells. This may ferve for 

 a Document to the unruly Member: Therfites, in Homer, was 

 counted a Fool for babbling. A talkative Tongue is the Spring, 

 Ringleader, and Head of Fadion in all places. 



The 



