Of Serp&nts. 
Part t 
Head. Tis as white as Starch, and taftlefs. Makes a noife 
between the Teeth, like that Mineral called Aga ricus Nline-* 
talk. Acid, and efpecially Nitrous Spirits dropped upon 
it, produceth a confiderable effervefcence. 
The SERPENT-STONE. Said by fome, to be 
factitious, By others, to be a Natural Animal Stone. Par- 
ticularly by Sir Philiberto Vernatti, an obferving Perfon, to 
be taken out of the Head of a Serpent in Java, from whence 
it was fent by him hither. It feems to be that called Bui- 
golda, which Boetius, out of Ferdinanclo Lope%, faies is taken 
out of the Head of an Animal, which the Indians call Bui- 
goldalf. Whether it be natural or artificial, I fhall here de- 
fcribe it. 
Tis about * of an inch long, above * over, and * thick 5 
flat and almoft orbicular , like a Cowflip-Cake, or other 
like Confection. All round about very fmooth,and fhining, 
for the greater part, black 5 but with fome afh-colour inter- 
mixedjfo as to look like aRiver-pebble.But of a fubftance foft 
and friable,like the Oriental Bezgar. And in like manner,as 
the fame Stone, is eafily diffolved with any Nitrous Spirit 
dropped upon it, but not with other Acids. Which is to 
me an argument that it grows within fome Animal : it 
being the nature of moll: Animal-Stones, to be diflbluble 
only by Nitrous Spirits. 
Sir Philiberto (a) amongft other paffages of this Stone, 
' faith, That if it be laid to a Wound , made by any Ve- 
nimous Creature, it is faid to ftick to it, and fo to draw away 
all the Venime. And the like I have heard affirmed of the 
fame Stone by a Phyfitian of Note in this City. 
