% & 
~~ VilsPoRy Rp:  Gaeam 
it boiled, and to be eaten as Sih! for when frefh, 
the medicine was much more likely to take effed 
than when dried, and given in form of a powder or 
troche. ; 
The antient Britons had a ftrange fuperftition in 
refpect to thefe animals, and of which there ftill 
remains in Wales a ftrong tradition. The account 
Pliny gives of it is as follows: we fhall not attempt 
a tranflation, it being already done to our hands in 
a fpirited manner by the ingenious Mr. Maj/on, 
which we fhall take the liberty of borrowing. 
Praterea eft ovorum genus in magna Galhiarum fama, 
omiffum Grecis. Angues innumeri eftate convoluti, fa- 
Uivis faucium corporumque fpumis artifict complexu glo- 
merantur; anguinum appellatur. Druide /ibilis id 
dicunt in fublime jaétari, fagoque oportere intercipi, ne 
zellurem attingot: profugere raptorem equo: ferpentes 
enim infequi, donec arceantur amnis alicujus interventu*, 
But tell me yet 
From the grot of charms and fpells, 
Where our matron fifter dwells, 
Brennus, has thy holy hand 
Safely brought the Druid wand, 
And the potent Adder-/fone, 
Gender’d ’fore the autumnal moon? 
When in undulating twine, 
The foaming fnakes prolific j join ; 
When they hifs, and when they bear 
‘Their wond’rous egg aloof in air ; 
‘Thence before to earth it fall, 
‘The Druid in his hallow’d pall, 
Receives the prize, 
And inftant flies, 
Follow’d by the envenom’d brood, 
Till he crofs the cryftal flood **. 
* Lib. xxix. ¢. 3. : ’ 
** Mafon’s Caraéacus. The perfon fpeaking is ae 
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