Some Observations of Vipers. 
A curious Italian, called Francefco J{edi, having lately had 
ari opportunity 3 by the great number of Vipers 3 brought to 
the Grand Cu\e of To [cany for the compofing of Theriac or 
Treacle, to examine what is vulgarly delivered and believed 
concerning the Poyfon of thofe Creatures, hath, ( according 
to the account, given of it in the French lournal des Ssavam^ 
printed lanuary 4. i6<5&) performed his undertaking with 
much exadtnefs, and publifh’d in an Italian tracSt, not yet come 
into England, thefe Obfervations. 
1. He hath obfervedj that the poyfon of Vipers is neither 
in their Teeth ^ nor in their Tayle, nor in their Galli but in 
the two Veficles or Bladder j 3 which cover their teeth, and which 
coming to be compreffed, when the Vipers bite, do emit a 
certain yellowiih Liquor, that runs along the teeth and poy- 
fons the wound. Whereof he gives this proof, that he hath 
rufcTd the wounds of many Animals with the Gall of Vipers, 
and pricked them with their Teeth , and yet no conflderahle 
ill accident follow'd upon it, but that as often as he rubbed 
the wounds with the faid yellow Liquor , not one of them e-» 
leaped. 
2 Whereas commonly it hath hitherto been believed, that 
the poyfon of Vipers being fwallowed, was prefent death j this 
Author j after many reiterated Experiments , is faid to have 
obferved,that in Vipers there is neither Humour, nor Excre- 
ment, nor any part, not the Gall it felf, that, being taken into 
the Body, kills. And he allures , that he hath feenmen eat, 
and hath often made Bruit Animals fwallow all that is efteem’d 
inofl poyfonous in a Viper , yet without the leaft mifehief to 
them. Whence he ihews , that it needs not fo much to be 
wonidred at, that certain Emfirivks fwallow the juyee of the 
moft 
