GENERAL AVERSION TO SNAKES. 
210 
and pernicious, seem to be viewed with horror and 
aversion by mankind. This horror, from the knowledge 
of their power of inflicting harm in countries where 
such kinds are found, is natural, and often preservative 
of life ; but the aversion generally felt, and that shud- 
dering occasionally noticed at the sight of our harmless 
snake, is like a deep-rooted principle. We imbibe in 
infancy, and long retain in remembrance the impression 
of injuries from the wiles of the serpent; and the 
“ enmity between it and the seed of the woman” ap- 
pears still in full operation, and is possibly more exten- 
sively and insensibly diffused among mankind than we 
are aware of. The harmless nature of our snake seems 
to be fully known to the little birds of the hedge, as 
they in no way give intimation of its presence by any 
warning of avoidance to their young, or that insulting 
vociferation so observable when any really injurious 
creature is perceived, but hop and sport about the bask- 
ing snake without fear or notice. 
All the human race seem to have inherited the origi- 
nal anathema against this creature ; for though the 
capricious cruelty of man is very frequently exerted 
to the injury of many that his power enables him to 
tyrannize over, yet the serpent appears to be a peculiar 
object of his enmity, as if it was understood to be an 
absolute duty to bruise his head,” whenever the oppor- 
tunity should be afforded. 
It is very remarkable how few noxious creatures, 
animals which annoy man, inhabit with us ; beasts and 
birds we have none, for The petty depredations occa- 
sionally made on his property are undeserving of atten- 
tion. The gnat, and perhaps a few insects, may at times 
puncture our skin, but the period of action is brief, the 
injury only temporary. The wasp and the hornet, I 
believe, very rarely use their weapons wantonly, only 
in self-defence and when persecuted ; thus leaving the 
balance incalculably in favor of innocency and harm- 
lessness. But of all the guiltless beings, which are met 
with, we have none less chargeable with criminality than 
the poor slow-worm (anguis fragilis), yet none are more 
frequently destroyed than it— included as it is in the 
