Reptiles. 319 



" banished all the varmmt." In Britain there are two species : one 

 of these, the common snake [Natrix torqiiata), is harmless, and may 

 rank as the representative of the numerous individuals of other coun- 

 tries, which are innocuous [Coluhridce] : the other, the common viper, 

 (Pelius Berus)^ may with equal justice stand forth as the represen- 

 tative of the poisonous groups [Viperidm). The common belief of 

 Shakspeare's time regarded both species as dangerous : hence we are 

 prepared to expect that his notice of either of them would be in ac- 

 cordance with the popular, though erroneous, opinion. And accord- 

 ingly we find that, wherever a serpent is mentioned by him, it is as a 

 thing to be shunned as hateful or venomous. Thus King John, in 

 speaking of Prince Arthur, remarks, — 



" He is a very serpent in my way ; 

 And wheresoe'er this foot of mine doth tread, 

 He lies before me." 



Act iii. Scene iii. 

 ■ 

 Lear, in telling of the wrongs he has sustained from Goneril, says — 



" She has abated me of half my train ; 

 Looked black upon me ; struck me with her tongue, 

 Most serpent-like, upon the very heart." 



Act ii. Scene iv. 



In the brief dialogue between Marcus and Aufidius, prior to their 

 combat in the battle-field at Corioli, we find the expression — 



" Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor 

 More than thy fame and envy." 



Coriolanus, Act i. Scene viii. 



These passages from Shakspeare are sufficient to show that a harm- 

 less snake was a phenomenon not " dreamed of in his philosophy." 

 In a similar manner Macbeth applies the word " serpent" to the slain 

 Banquo, while Fleance, as the young of the serpent, is designated 



" There the grown serpent lies : the worm that's fled 

 Hath nature that in time will venom breed. 

 No teeth for the present." 



Act ii. Scene iv. 



The word "worm" is not invariably used by Shakspeare in this sense, 

 neither is it confined to the common earth-worm [humhricus terres- 

 tris), to which Romeo most probably refers when, in his last heart- 

 broken accents to the sleeping Juliet, he exclaims — 



