OF SERPENTS. 113 



Pomegranates, Ginger, Grapes, Pepper, Cardamum, Tobacco, 

 Nutmegs, Sugar j Mulberry, which yield much Silk ; Palm-trees, 

 which afford a Liquor for their conftant Drink, Gfr, But in 

 midft of thefe pleafing Varieties, they are haunted with various 

 forts of venemous Serpents ; an Emblem of our prefent StatCj 

 which is a Compound of Pleafure and Pain. 



I^e Gods will frown, wherever they do fmile\ 

 The Crocodile infejis the fertile Nile. 



CETLON is an Emblem of Man, to whom Pleafure is as a 

 delightful Situation j but in it dwells a Serpent, called Pain. Plea- 

 fure is the principal Intendment of Nature, and the great Objecft 

 of our Inclination, without which Life would be no Bleffing, but 

 a Mortification : Yea, 'tis Pleafure reconciles us to Pain ; for who 

 would fubmit to naufeous Medicines, and Tortures of the Surgeon's 

 Knife, but for hope of the Pleafure of Eafe that fucceeds it. 



No Serpent fo terrible as Pain, which is a ftrange domineer- 

 ing Perception, that keeps off Eafe when wanted, and deftroys 

 Eafe when we are in poffeffion of it. 



LXI. The Malcarabeta of Ceylon is a Serpent painted by Na- 

 ture in a Garb blue and white ; the laft of thefe two Colours fhew 

 beft by Candle-light. This leads us to the Excommunication by 

 Inch of Candle ; that is, while a little Candle continues burning, 

 the Sinner is allow'd to come to Repentance j but after it burns 

 out, he remains excommunicated to all Intents and Purpofes. 



LXII. The Ethettilla is a Ceylonick Serpent ; of a little flender 

 Body, and fharp-pointed Head. This is a kind of Ranger, de- 

 lights in Groves and Forefts, and may be known by a white and 

 green Vefture, in which it rambles among the Trees. 



LXIIL MA LPOLON IS another Serpent of that celebrated _ 

 Ifland, and of a vermilion Hue, imbroider'd with curious fine red 

 Spots, which fhine like fo many Stars. 



LXIV. SERPENS Putorius, fo denominated, probably be- 

 caufe of its filthy Smell ; by which it refembles the Putorius, a 



Q^ little 



