and many other parts of Europe. It is of a black 
colour, ornamented on the fides and belly with large 
and longilh marks or fpots of a rich yellow or gold-co¬ 
lour, and which are frequently fomewhat irregular in 
their fhape and difpofition. It is covered over with 
pores or fmall foramina, through which exfudes the 
moifture with which it is generally covered: thefe 
pores are mofb confpicuous near the head : the tail is 
of a moderate length, and is roundifh, or fomewhat cy¬ 
lindrical, and gradually tapers to the end. 
Such is the animal of which fo many incredible tales 
have been recited, and which ftill continues to be re. 
garded by the ignorant as poffefled of the power of re¬ 
pelling the effedt of fire ; a power which it polfelfes in 
no higher degree than a frog, a fnail, or any other moift 
fubftance, which is not fo immediately confumed as 
thofe of a drier nature. 
