144 A NATURAL HISTORY 



that is inclined to the moift, for twenty-four hours. This feems 

 to differ from the American Rubeta. 



CXXX. The Serpent de Boa is another of the monftrons 

 kind ; called Boa from Bos, the Latin word for an Ox, which 

 it devours at once: The young ones, which grow to a great Bulk, 

 are nouriflied by fucking the Cow. 



In the Emperor Claudius's tim.e, in one of them that was 

 killed, they found a Child that was whole. In Calabria are fome 

 monftrous Animals, not unlike thefe, fays the Hiftorian j who 

 adds, that not many Years ago a certain Bifhop fpeaks of a large 

 mifchievous Serpent, that was fhot near St. Archangel, whofe 

 Jaws were almoft two Palms long, the Portraiture of which is 

 yet feen in a certain Temple there *. 



CXXXI. I Am informed by fome Perfons, who had it by Tradi- 

 tion from ancient People, that formerly there was in this Country a 

 monflroUs Serpent of four or five Yards long, and thicker than a 

 common Axle-tree of a Cart, and very mifchievous, preying upon 

 Lambs, &c. Its chief Refidence was in a Wood, near Pickop- 

 hatik^ a few Miles from Blackburn^ in Lancajhire, called Oufe- 

 Cajllc, wherein there is yet a little Spot of Ground, called Griom's- 

 Ark, which is a deep Cavern, fituated among Rocks, in a Wood, 

 from whence it was feen to come out, and bafk itfelf on a funny 

 Bank. 



The Pidlure of this Serpent is drawn with Wings, two Legs, 

 and Talons like an Eagle, which is feen in fome ancient Houles, 

 (and particularly at Clayton-hall, near Dunkin-hall) by which it 

 appears to be very large and furious. 



It's faid, one ■ Grimjhaw Efq; Proprietor of that Hall, 



fliot the Monfter with Arrows, and had an Eftate oiter'd him for 

 that good Service done to his Country, which he generoufly re- 

 fufed, and only defired he might have a Paffage thro' that Wood 

 to a Townfliip he had on t'other fide of ir, which was granted, 

 the Title of which is to be found in old Writings. By another 

 hand I am informed, that it was fuppofed to be a Griffin, which 



is 



* M. Antonius Cuccinus Epifcopus Anglonjnfis nd Thcmafium — in Agro S. 

 Archangel]. 1» JukJIotius , in Verb. 



