OF SERPENTS. 
in themselves two very opposite qualities; wonderful absti- 
nence, and yet incredible rapacity. 
Though all serpentsare amphibious, some are much fonder 
of the water than others; and, though destitute of fins or 
gills, remain at the bottom, or swim along the surface with 
great ease. They can, however, endure to live in fresh wa- 
ter only ; for salt is an effectual bane to the whole tribe. 
Some serpents have a most horrible fcetor attending them, 
which is alone capable of intimidating the brave. This pro- 
ceeds from two glands near the vent, like those in the wea- 
sel or the pole-cat ; and, like those animals, in proportion 
as they are excited by rage or by fear, the scent grows 
stronger. It would seem, however, that such serpents as 
are most venomous, are least offensive in this particular ; 
since the rattle-snake and the viper have no smell what- 
ever : nay, we are told that at Calcutta and Cranganore, in 
the Kast Indies, there are some very noxious serpents, who 
are so far from being disagreeable, that their excrements are 
sought after, and kept as the most pleasing perfume. The 
Esculapian serpent is also of this number. 
Some serpents bring forth their young alive; as the viper; 
some bring forth eggs, which are hatched by the heat of 
their situation ; as the common black snake, and the majo- 
rity of the serpent tribe. When a reader, ignorant of ana- 
tomy, is told, that some of these animals produce their 
young alive, and that some produce eggs only, he is apt to 
suppose a very great difference in their internal conforma- 
tion, which makes such a variety in their manner of bring- 
ing forth. But this is not the case : these animals are in- 
ternally alike, in whatever manner they produce their young; 
and the variety in their bringing forth is rather a slight 
than a real discrimination. The only difference is, that the 
viper hatches her eggs, and brings them to maturity within 
her body ; the snake is more premature in her productions, 
and sends her eggs into the light some time before the 
young ones are capable of leaving the shell. Thus, if 
either are opened, the eggs will be found in the womb, 
covered with their membraneous shell, and adhering to each 
other, like large beads on a string. In the eggs of both the 
young ones will be found, though at different stages of 
maturity : those of the viper will crawl and bite, the mo- 
ment the shell that encloses them is broken open ; those of 
toe snake are not yet arrived at their perfect form. 
lather Labat took a serpent of the viper kind, that wa* 
mne feet long, and ordered it to be opened in his presence. 
VOL. II. 2 i 
