[ 330 ] • 

 gives an abftradl of RsdPs Experiments, and dif- 

 cufTes the theory of the operation of the virus^ in 

 the explication of which, he inclines to that of the 

 mechanical theorifts, in attributing the effedls 

 rather to an almoft inftantaneous alteration induced 

 in the fluids, than to its immediate adliort on the 

 nervous fyflem. The fymptoms enfuing the punc- 

 ture of the various fpecies are then defcribed i 

 thofe from the yiper particularly ; and thole of the 

 Jfp^ which kills by inducing fopor and lethargy. 

 Three Jfps are mentioned by the antients ; that 

 called PiyaSy he fuppofes to be the Coluber Aw- 

 modytes of the moderns. See Syft. p. 376, de- 

 fcribed and figured in the Surinamenfm Gril- 

 liana of this coUedion, N° 16. Befides thofe of 

 the Rattle Snake genus, there are eighteen of the 

 Viper genus, furniflied v/ith venomous organs •, of 

 which a lift is fubjoined. Among thefe none ftrike 

 more fuddenly fatal than the Coluber Naja^ called 

 Cobra de Capello, 



This author next treats briefly on the various re- 

 medies in ufe among the antients, and notes their 

 general inefRcacy. He then comes to difcufs the 

 three noted antidotes of Europe^ Afia^ and America^ 

 which are regarded as fpecifics, againft: the venom 

 of the moft dangerous kinds, in the refpedive 

 quarters of the globe : fuch are, Oil of Olives^ againft 

 the Viper of Europe ; the Ophiorrhiza Mungos^ againft 

 the Ndja of Afia^ (vide N** 21 of this colledlion ;) 

 and the Senega^ againft the Rattle Snake of America, 

 There is neverthelefs a fmall venomous Viper {Co- 

 hiher Cberfea^ Syft. p. 377.) in Sweden^ againft the 

 bite of which the oil of olives failed to produce its 



ufual 



