The Hiftory of Book I. 



CHAP. XIII. 



Of the Reptiles found in thefe Iflands. 



WE come now to treat of the Reptiles , which, being 

 naturally enemies to cold, muft needs exceedingly 

 multiply in thefe hot Countries : Befides, the vaft 

 Woods and the Rock.9 of thefe Iflands very much advance 

 their production, in regard they afford them fecure retreats. 



Several kinds of Serpents and Snakes. 



THere are indeed very few Venemous Beafts in the Carib- 

 bies, though there be many Serpents and Snakes of fe- 

 veral colours and figures : There are fome nine or ten foot 

 long, and as big as a mans arm or thigh : Nay there hath 

 been heretofore kill'd one of thefe Snakes, which had in her 

 belly a whole Hen, feathers and all, and above a dozen 

 egges , the Hen having been furpriz 'd as me was fitting : 

 Another was found that had devour'd a Cat 5 whence a 

 guefs may be made at their bignefs. 



But how prodigious foever they are, as to their bulk, yet 

 are they not venemous in moft of thefe Countries : Nay fome 

 Inhabitants having of them on the thatch of their houfes,which 

 is commonly of Palm-leaves, or Sugar-Canes, drive them not 

 thence, becaufe they force away and devour the rats. But 

 we muft acknowledge withal, that there is an hoftility be- 

 tween them and the Poultry. It hath been obferv'd, that 

 ibme of them have been fo fubtle, as, having furpriz'd a Hen 

 fitting, not to meddle with her during that time } but afloon 

 as the chickens are hatch'd, they devour them, and kill the 

 Hen, if they be not able to fwallow her down whole. 



There are others very fair and delightful to the eye 5 for 

 they are green all over, fave that under the belly they are 

 of a very light grey : They are about an ell and a half in 

 length, and fometimes two 3 but, proportionably to that 

 length, they are very fmall, as being at moft not above an inch 

 about : They feed either on Frogs, which they find near fome 

 brooks, or on Birds, which they furprize on the Trees, op in 

 their nefts, when they meet with them. Accordingly, this 

 kind of Snake is accounted noble in comparifbn of the others 5 

 for it fubfifts by its fifhing and hunting. Some of the Inha - 

 bitants, who have been us'd to fee all thefe kinds of Snakes, 

 handle them without any fear, and carry them in their bc- 

 foms. Thofe who have travell'd into Apa and AjfHch^ affirm, 

 that they have there met with fomewhat of the like natur.-: 



