ON SNAKES. 



269 



yet, (save the American who is not to be trusted) 

 have ever been able to detect the smallest particle 

 of the said matter, on the plumage of birds. 

 Thirdly, all oily substances whatever, are preju- 

 dicial to the texture of feathers. And fourthly, 

 some tribes of birds, have no gland given them by 

 nature. 



Well ; — but, be this as it may, the supposed oil- 

 gland of birds, or say, the use of it, is still on the 

 anvil. " Grammatici certant," &c. Let me pro- 

 ceed with the snakes. 



In the damp and gloomy forests of Guiana, are 

 to be found, some of the largest snakes as yet 

 discovered. There, basking in the noonday sun, 

 wherever a discontinuance of the dense foliage, 

 will admit its rays to enter, these magnificent 

 monsters enjoy an undisturbed repose during the 

 day. When night sets in, they leave their favourite 

 haunts, and silently glide forth in quest of food. 



The nauseous smell or foetor, which is said by 

 some authors, to come from the bodies of these 

 monster snakes, and to infect the atmosphere, is 

 fabulous. The whimsical account of it, deserves a 

 place on the shelves of a nursery library. I have 

 never perceived anything of the sort, although it 

 has been my good fortune to come in contact with 

 giant serpents. Did such a foetor really exist. 



