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98 COPHIAS LANCEOLATUS. 



extensive, phagedenic ulcers of a malignant character, and a variety 

 of other distressing infirmities. It is therefore nowise astonishing 

 that the Trigonocephalus is an object of horror, not only to man 

 but also to animals. The horse trembles and prances violently in 

 its presence ; rats scud away at its approach, sending forth cries of 

 terror ; birds especially, against which it wages inveterate war, 

 manifest their aversion to it by repeated clamours ; and the Loxia 

 indicator, by pursuing with its cries, often indicates to man the 

 place of its retreat. 



" The African races, which form a great portion of the popula- 

 tion of Martinique, constantly preserve certain organs of this rep- 

 tile for talismans, either preservative or hurtful. These are called 

 in the Carib language, piailles, and they are always found among 

 the materials of those magical conjurations undertaken by the 

 negroes who are addicted to sortilege. 



" The severity of the accident produced by the bite of the Tri- 

 gonocephalus varies, as in the case of other venomous serpents, 

 according to the state of health of the bitten subject, the depth 

 and number of the wounds, the time which has elapsed since the 

 animal made use of its fangs, and, consequently, the quantity of 

 poison which had penetrated into the system. But in all possible 

 cases the help of art is indispensible. Unfortunately, to the 

 present moment, the mode of treatment has been based on custom 

 and empiricism of the blindest kind ; and the prodigious number 

 of remedies vaunted and recommended in their turn, only proves 

 the uncertainty and insufficiency of the means resorted to. For- 

 tunately, in the origin of the colony, recourse was had to scarifi- 

 cation, and the application of cupping-glasses, which are still 

 extolled by some practitioners as efficatious against the bite of the 

 viper. The wound was then covered with a cataplasm of theriaca, 

 and that electuary was administered internally. In default of this, 

 they used to pound the head of the animal, and apply it topically 

 upon the wound. A powder made with the hearts and spleens of 

 serpents dried, was also long in use. Embrocations of hot oil have 

 likewise had their partisans, and applications of pounded green 

 tobacco leaves, and several other plants. The remedies used in 

 Europe against the bite of the viper have also been employed, 



