( 19 ^ ) 
y» Some Ob/erVations ufon Vipers 5 on occajton of 
the foregoing (Illation. C. J. Sprengell, 
M. D. F. ^ S*. 
A t Milan I found a Viper-Catcher, who feldom was 
without 60, or more. Vipers alive, kept together 
in a back Room open at the Top he had them from all • 
Parts of Italy, and fold them dead or alive, according 
to the Ufes they were defigned for. He having got one 
day a female Viper big, with young, gave me notice 
to fee her manage her Prey, whereupon we catch’d 
fome Mice, and throwing them in one at a Time, 
amongft all that Number of Vipers, (which were ra- 
ther above 60) there was none of them, that in the 
leaft concern’d himfelf about the Moufe, tilh the laft 
mention’d pregnant female Viper and the Moufe inter- - 
changed Eyes ^ whereupon the Moufe flartled, but the 
Viper rais’d her Head, and turn’d her Neck into a per-- 
fed Bow, the Mouth open, the Tongue playing, the 
Eyes all on. Fire, and the Tail ered. The Moufe 
feem’d foon recover’d of his Fright, would' take a. 
Turn, or two, and fometimes more, pretty brifldy, 
round the Viper, and giving now and then a Squeak, 
would run with a great deal of Swiftnefs into the Chops 
of the Viper, where it gradually funk down the Gullet. 
All this while the Viper never flirr’d out of its Place,^ 
but lay in a Ring. 
It is to be obferv’d, that no Viper will feed, when, 
confin’d, except a female Viper impregnated. 
The 
