390 Reptiles. 



work on serpents, published in London in 1762, we are informed that 

 " their flesh, either roasted or boiled, the physicians unanimously 

 prescribe as an excellent restorative, particularly in consumptions 

 and leprosy." 



It is not my intention to enter into any disquisition on the fabulous 

 animals mentioned by Shakspeare, but in treating of the Reptilia it is 

 impossible not to advert to creatures mentioned by him, which were 

 at one time included under that term, though now regarded solely as 

 the offspring of imagination. Thus we find the dragon mentioned by 

 Lear, in a burst of his inconsiderate rage against Cordelia, — 



" Come not between the dragon and his wrath." 



Act i. Scene i. 



And again by Juliet, in the anguish of her feelings consequent upon 

 the death of Tybalt and banishment of Romeo, — 



" O serpent heart, hid with a flow'ring face ! 

 Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave ?" 



Act iii. Scene ii. 



Thus also we find the basilisk frequently introduced, and always in 

 a manner consonant to the powers with which it had been invested by 

 tradition. As an example, may be quoted the words addressed by 

 King Henry the Sixth to Suffolk. 



" Look not upon me, for thine eyes are wounding : 

 Yet do not go away ; — come, basilisk, 

 And kill the innocent gazer with thy sight." 



Act iii. Scene ii. 



From the Reptilia let us now turn to the Amphibia, a class of ani- 

 mals comprising very few species in these countries, but highly inte- 

 resting to the scientific naturalist, from the modifications of form, 

 organization and habits, which they display. For information on 

 these points I refer the reader to the luminous and excellent work of 

 Professor Bell, and shall merely advert to them, so far as may be 

 needful, for the illustration of those passages in Shakspeare in which 

 some of these creatures are introduced. 



In the metamorphoses of the common frog we have changes more 

 wonderful than a poet would imagine, yet brought to light by the so- 

 ber and stedfast observations of the man of science ; thus furnishing 

 one of the countless examples that " Truth is always strange, stranger 

 than fiction." Into these matters I am not required to enter. The 

 " toe of frog " occurs in the witches' chaldron, and the young state 



