NATURAL HISTOjlr. 
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He then saw the manner in which the eggs of these animals 
lie in the womb. In this creature there were six eggs, each 
of tlie size of a goose egg, but longer, more pointed, and 
covered with a membraneous skin, by which also they were 
united to each other. Each of these eggs contained from 
thirteen to fifteen young ones, about six inches long, and as 
thick as a goose quill. The little mischievous animals were 
no sooner let loose from the shell, than they crept about, 
and put themselves into a threatening posture, coiling them- 
selves up, and biting the stick with which he was destroy- 
ing them. In this manner he killed seventy-four young 
ones ; those that were contained in one of the eggs escaped 
at the place where tlie female was killed, by the bursting of 
the egg, and there getting among the bushes. 
The last distinction that we shall mention, but the most 
material among serpents, is, that some are venomous and 
some inoffensive; but not above a tenth of their number are 
actually venomous. 
From the noxious qualities in the serpent kind, it is no 
wonder that not only man, but beasts and birds, carry on 
an unceasing war against them. The ichneumon of the 
Indians, and the peccary of America, destroy them in great 
numbers. These animals have the art of seizing them near 
the head ; and it is said they can skin them with great dex- 
terity. '1 he vulture and the eagle also prey upon them in 
great abundance; and often sousing down from the clouds, 
drop upon a long serpent, which they snatch struggling and 
writhing in the air. Dogs also are bred up to oppose them. 
Father Feuill£e tells us, that being in the woods of Mar- 
tinico, lie was attacked by a large serpent, which he could 
not easily avoid, when his dog immediately came to his re- 
lief, and seized the assailant with great courage. The ser- 
pent entwined him, and pressed him so violently, that the 
blood came out of his mouth, and yet the dog never ceased 
till he had torn it to pieces. The dog was not sensible of his 
wounds during the fight ; but soon after, his head swelled 
prodigiously, and he lay on the ground as dead. But his 
master having found, hard by, a banana tree, ha applied its 
juice, mixed with treacle, to tlie wound; which recovered 
the dog, and quickly healed his sores. 
In India there is nothing so common as dancing serpents, 
which are carried about in a broad Hat vessel somewhat re- 
sembling a sieve. These erect and put themselves in mo- 
tion at the word of command. When their keeper sings a 
slow tune, they seem by their heads to keep time; when he 
