and many other parts of Europe. It is of a black 

 colour, ornamented on the fides and belly with large 

 and longifh marks or fpots of a rich yellow or gold-co- 

 lour, and which are frequently fomewhat irregular in 

 their fhape and difpofition. It is covered over with 

 pores or fmall foramina, through which exfudes the 

 moifture with which it is generally covered : thefe 

 pores are moft confpicuous near the head ; the tail is 

 of a moderate length, and is roundifh, or fomewhat cy- 

 lindrical, and gradually tapers to the end. 



Such is the animal of which fo many incredible tales 

 have been recited, and which ftill continues to be re- 

 garded by the ignorant as poffeffed of the power of re- 

 pelling the effect of fire ; a power which it poffefTes in 

 no higher degree than a frog, a fnail, or any other moift 

 fubftance, which is not fo immediately confumed as 

 thofe of a drier nature. 



