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diff --git a/old/69818-0.txt b/old/69818-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 71a2edd..0000000 --- a/old/69818-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13414 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of An essay towards a natural history of -serpents, by Charles Owen - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: An essay towards a natural history of serpents - -Author: Charles Owen - -Release Date: January 16, 2023 [eBook #69818] - -Language: English - -Produced by: deaurider, Barry Abrahamsen, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The - Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ESSAY TOWARDS A NATURAL -HISTORY OF SERPENTS *** - - - - AN - _ESSAY_ - TOWARDS A - NATURAL HISTORY - OF - _SERPENTS_: - IN TWO PARTS. - -I. The First exhibits a general View of SERPENTS, in their various - Aspects; such as their Kinds, Bulk, Food, Motion, Propagation, - Coverture, Colours. In which is inserted a short Account of Vegetable, - Mineral, and Animal Poison, particularly that of the SERPENT; and its - Cure in various Nations; where also the SERPENT is used as Food and - Physick. - - -II. The Second gives a View of most SERPENTS that are known in the - several Parts of the World; described by their various Names, - different Countries, and Qualities. - - Illustrated with COPPER-PLATES, Engraved by the BEST HANDS. - -III. To which is added a Third Part; containing Six DISSERTATIONS upon - the following Articles, as collateral to the Subject. - - 1. Upon the PRIMEVAL SERPENT in PARADISE. - 2. The FIERY SERPENTS that infested the Camp of ISRAEL. - 3. The BRAZEN SERPENT erected by MOSES. - 4. The DIVINE WORSHIP given to SERPENTS by the NATIONS. - 5. The ORIGIN and REASON of that MONSTROUS WORSHIP. - 6. Upon the ADORATION of different Kinds of BEASTS by the EGYPTIANS, - with divers Instances of the same Stupidity in other Nations. - - The whole intermix’d with Variety of ENTERTAINING DIGRESSIONS, - PHILOSOPHICAL and HISTORICAL. - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - - By CHARLES OWEN_ D. D. - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - - _LONDON:_ - Printed for the AUTHOR. - Sold by JOHN GRAY, at the _Cross-Keys_ in the _Poultry_, near - _Cheapside_. - M.DCC.XLII. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - -[Illustration] - - - _TO_ - Sir _Hans Sloane_ Bar^t. - -_SIR_, - -The Serpent [_Subject_ of the following Sheets,] being one part of your -celebrated and expensive Collection of Rarities, naturally leads me to -beg the Honour of your Name to grace its Entrance into the publick -World. - -I can’t enter into the vanity of thinking, that the Book can be any -improvement to one who has been so long and laborious an Enquirer after -Truth, and penetrated so far into the Empire of Nature: but as in -Divinity, a willing Mind; so in Learning, the best Endeavour will be -accepted. And tho’ the Book cannot recommend it self to you, your Name -may recommend it to others. - -Happy are the Times, when Knowledge is the study of those who have -superior Abilities for it: Happy therefore is the present Age, that has -you, among many other Learned, so eminent an Encourager of it. - -Tho’ elevated Minds direct all their concern to what they _should be_, -and not to any Applause for what they _really are_; yet, if to delineate -their Excellency be offensive to Modesty, the Sincerity with which it is -done, will, it is hoped, secure their Pardon. - -Now, what is it that makes the great Character, but Knowledge in all its -diversity, a Sollicitousness for the Spread of Arts and Sciences, -excelling in one’s particular Station of Life, and being divinely -forward to all the high Offices of Humanity? This is the Picture of real -Worth, and what can forbid to say, that Sir HANS SLOANE is the Life? - -That you may long continue the Restorer of Health, the Ornament of the -Day, and in triumph over all the deadly Power of the _Old Serpent_, at -last possess eternal Health, are the most sincere Wishes of him, who -with a just Sense of Obligation, and the greatest Regards, is, - - _SIR_, - - _Your most humble_, - - _and devoted Servant_, - - WARRINGTON, - _March 1, 1741-2_. - - Cha. Owen. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - -[Illustration] - - - - - _TO THE_ - _READER_. - -_The Divine Wisdom so variously displayed in the Works of Nature, even -the lowest Order of them, entertains the human Eye with Prospects -exquisitely beautiful and pleasurable: As our Knowledge is defective, we -are at a loss how to account perfectly for the particular Ends of their -Formation, and Manner of their Subserviency to the Whole of the Eternal -Design._ - -_However, by Observation and Improvements in Natural Philosophy, we are -assured thus far; that as the Almighty Creator made nothing in vain, so -all his Works are good, and admirably fitted to answer the Purposes of -his Will, and that his Wisdom, like his tender Mercies, shines through -all the Systems of his Creatures._ - -_That there is not a wise Purpose in every thing that is made, because -we do not understand it, is as absurd as for a Man to say, there is no -such thing as Light, because he is blind, and has no Eyes to see it._ - -_For the Illustration of this, we may take a short View of Creatures, in -vulgar account too diminutive and despicable a Species, to deserve a -close Attention: And among these, if we consider the Noxious, we shall -find, if not an Argument why they should be made, yet we shall be able -to discern no Reason why they should not, because their Noxiousness is -not so unavoidable, but that we may, and almost every one does avoid -it._ - -_General Histories of these Kinds we have been furnished with in the -Writings of the Learned: Here I apply myself to the Discussion of one_ -particular Species, _viz._ the Serpent: _in which I don’t pretend to new -Discoveries, but only to collect, and bring into one View, what has been -said by different Persons, which is not to be found by any without_ many -Books, _and_ much Time; _and which, without the present_ English _Dress, -would not be understood by others at all_. - -_In accounting for some things relative to the Subject, I have always -chosen the Words of the Learned in the Physical Profession._ _The -Subject being like_ Dust, _the_ Food of the Serpent, very dry, _I have -endeavoured to give it some Agreeableness, by a Variety of Passages from -History, and Reflections of many kinds; which, though they may not -always naturally arise from the Subject, yet being intended for the -Reader’s Entertainment and Instruction (as he goes along in the -principal Design of the Book) I hope they will find a favourable -Judgment_. - -_Give me leave, upon this occasion, to adopt Sir_ William Temple’_s -Words_, viz. “It is not perhaps amiss, _says he_, to relieve or enliven -a busy Scene sometimes with such _Digressions_, whether to the Purpose -or no.”[1] - -Footnote 1: - - _Temple_’s Memoirs from 1672 to 1679. _Second Edit^n. p._ 57, 58, 59. - -_I shall only add, that in cultivating this Subject, I have attempted to -give a short Display of the Divine Perfections, which, as they appear -eminent in the System of the Creation in general, so in the Serpent they -may be seen in particular; and if it produces in the Reader a more -exquisite Perception of God in all his Works, I have my End; who am_ - - Your Humble Servant. - - -[Illustration] - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - Directions for the Binder, where to put the Plates, - - Plate I. after p. - 54. - - Plate II. after p. - 70. - - Plate III. after p. - 78. - - Plate IV. after p. - 86. - - Plate V. after p. - 94. - - Plate VI. after p. - 142. - - Plate VII. after p. - 152. - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - Pag. ERRATA[TN]. - - 25 Read _Bocca_, instead of _Baca_. - - 25 Four Lines from bottom, after _honor_, - r. _other_. - - 34 Line 2. r. _tho’ the Venom may_. - - 53 After _Dauphiny_, r. _and instead of - or_. - - 58 Quotation, r. _Natural History of - Lancashire_. - - 74 L. 14. instead of _Amphisbænick Animals_, r. - _Whether there be two-headed Serpents - or not_. - - 76 L. 14. from bottom, for _Tython_, r. _Python_. - - 95 L, 5. r. _made_, for _move_. - - 109 L. 3. for _could_, r. _would_. - - 112 L. 1. r. _Quinquennian._ - - 114 L 17. for _emits_, r. _emit_. - - 115 L. 2. for _if they_, r. _the wounded_. - - 122 Head r. _Americina_. - LXXXIV. - - 132 Head r. _Agnasen_. - CXI. - - 134 —— CXIV. r. _Attaligatus_. - - 141 Head for _Navigation_, r. _Natation_. - CXXVI. - - 147 —— r. _Reptiles and Insects_. - CXXXIV. - - 148 Head for _it_, r. _them_. - IId. - - 162 Instead of _Dæmon_, r. _Damon_. L. 4. - from bottom, in Quotation, r. _ποιημα_ - - 171 L. 9. r. _their other Faculties were_. - - 195 r. _Verdegrease_. - - 196 r. _Nehushtans_. - - 211 r. _Gades_. - - 231 Dele 3. - - 237 L. 14. a Comma should be after _adore_. - -_N. B._ In the Story of the Elephant, pag. 86. it is a mistake, to place -the Action at _Newcastle_; the Scene of it being in the _East-Indies_, -according to a Book called _Hamilton’s Travels_. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - -[Illustration] - - - A - - - LIST of the SUBSCRIBERS. - - - A. - - _Lady_ Abney, B. 4. - _Mr._ Eliz. Abney. - _The Reverend Mr._ Acres, _R. of_ Newbury. - Joseph Adams _Esq._ - _Mr._ Cornelius Adams. - _Mr._ James Adams. - John Adams _Esq_; of Whitland. - _Mr._ William Adair, _Merchant_. - _Mr._ Edward Addicot, _Apothecary at_ Exeter. - _Mr._ John Adkin. - _The Rev. Mr._ Aldred, _of_ Morley, Yorkshire. - _The Rev._ John Allen, M. D. - _Mr._ —— Allen, _deceased_. - _Miss_ Alcock, _of_ Nottingham. - _Mr._ William Ambrose. - _The Rev. Mr._ Amory of Taunton. - _Mr._ Robert Anbury, _Surgeon_. - Joseph Andrews _Esq._; F.R.S. - _Mrs._ Andrews. - John Andrews, M. D. _at_ Exeter. - _Rev. Mr._ Mordecai Andrews. - _Rev. Mr._ Antelby. - _Mr._ Joseph Archer. - _Mr._ Jeremiah Armiger. - _Mr._ William Arnold. - _Mrs._ Sarah Ashurst. - Thomas Ashurst _Esq._ - _Rev. Mr._ B. A. Atkinson. - Benjamin Avery, LL. D. - - - B. - - _Mr._ Sam. Bagnal, _of_ Chester. - _Mr._ Bakewell. - _Mrs._ Bakewell. - _Mr._ Geo. Baker. - Joshua Baker _Esq._ - _Mr._ Edmund Baker. - _Mr._ Dan. Bailey, _of_ Manchester. - _Mr._ Samuel Bailey, _of_ ditto. - _Mr._ Bance, _of_ Newbury. - _Rev. Mr._ Rich. Banon, _of_ Leeds. - _Mr._ James Bankhead, _of_ ditto. - _Rev. Mr._ John Barker. - _Mr._ Edward Barnard. - _Mr._ Francis Barkstead. - John Barron, M. D. _of_ Haverford-West. - _Mr._ John Baring _Jun._ _of_ Exeter. - _Mrs._ El. Barns, _of_ Warrington. - _Mr._ John Barns, _of_ ditto. - _Mr._ William Barns, _of_ ditto. - Roger Barnston _Esq._; _of_ Chester. - _Rev. Mr._ Roger Barnston, _Prebendary of_ Chester. - _Mr._ Joseph Baron, _of_ Bury. - _Mr._ Joseph Barret, B. 2. - _Mr._ N. Basnet. - _Rev. Mr._ Joshua Bayes. - _Mr._ Beech. - _Rev. Mr._ William Benson. - _Mr._ Nathaniel Bentley. - _Mr._ William Bentley. - _Rev. Mr._ John Bent, _of_ Chorley. - Francis Beyer _Esq._ - William Bilbie _Esq._; _Alderman of_ Nottingham. - _Mr._ William Bilbie, _of_ ditto. - _Mr._ Jos. Bilbie, _of_ ditto. - _Mr._ Robert Birch, _of_ Manchester. - _Mr._ Geo. Bird, _of_ Warrington. - _Mr._ Elliot Bishop. - _Rev. Mr._ Mal. Blake, _of_ Blandford. - _Mr._ William Blakesly, _of_ Leicester. - _Rev. Mr._ Blackmore, _of_ Coventry. - _Mr._ William Blinkhorn, _of_ Manchester. - _Mr._ Nic. Blowing. - _Mr._ Nic. Blunt. - _Rev. Mr._ Blythe. - _Mr._ James Boddington. - _Mr._ George Boddington. - _Mr._ Samuel Boler. - Benjamin Bond _Esq._ - _Miss_ Bond. - _Miss_ Eliz. Bond. - _Mr._ Nathan Booth, _of_ Warrington. - _Mr._ Daniel Booth. - _Mr._ John Bostock, _of_ Liverpool, _Merchant_. - _Rev. Mr._ Bourchier, M. A. _Minister of_ All-Saints, _at_ Hertford. - _Rev. Mr._ Bourn, _of_ Knowesly. - _Mr._ Thomas Bowles. - _Mr._ John Bowles. - _Mr._ Boydal, _of_ Coventry. - _Rev. Mr._ Braddock, _at_ Bury. - _Rev. Mr._ Thomas Bradbury. - Thomas Brereton _Esq._; _Member of Parliament_, B. 2. - George Bridges _Esq._; _Member of Parliament_, B. 2. - _Mrs._ Bridges, B. 2. - _Mr._ William Brinton. - _Mr._ James Bristow. - _Mr._ Jos. Brixy. - _Miss_ Brooke. - _Miss_ M. Brooke. - _Mr._ John Brooks, _of_ Liverpool. - _Mr._ William Brock. - _Mr._ Robert Brodribb. - _Rev. Mr._ Brooksbank, _of_ Elland. - _Mr._ Andrew Bruen, _of_ Chester. - _Rev. Mr._ Buck, _of_ Bolton. - _Mr._ Jonathan Buckerfield. - _Mr._ Thomas Budgen, at Croydon. - _Mr._ Benjamin Bull. - Daniel Burgess _Esq_. B. 2. - _Rev. Mr._ James Burgess, _of_ Bolton le Sands. - Alexander Burden _Esq._; _at_ Nottingham. - _Mr._ Alexander Burden, _of_ Nottingham. - James Burrow _Esq._ - _Mrs._ Jane Burrow. - _Mr._ John Burne, _Surgeon_, _at_ Croydon. - _Mr._ John Burton. - _Mr._ Busk, _of_ Leeds. - _Mr._ Thomas Butterworth, _of_ Manchester. - _Mr._ William Butterworth, _of_ ditto. - _Mr._ Edward Butler. - - - C. - - _Mr._ Thomas Cadel, _Bookseller_, _in_ Bristol. - _Rev._ Edmund Calamy, B. D. - _Mr._ Adam Calamy, _Attorney at Law_. - _Rev. Mr._ Jos. Cappe, _of_ Leeds. - _Rev. Mr._ Paul Cardale, _of_ Evesham. - Geo. Carlyle, M. D. - _Mr._ Charles Carleton. - _Mr._ Zech. Carleton. - _Mr._ John Carruthers, _of_ Nottingham. - _Mr._ James Castel. - _Mr._ Catcott, _of_ Bristol. - _Mr._ John Causton. - _Mr._ Peter Chaffont. - _Mrs._ Mary Chandler, _of_ Bath. - _Mr._ Richard Chandler, _of_ Gloucester. - _Mr._ William Chandler, _of_ ditto. - _Rev. Mr._ Samuel Chandler. - _Mr._ Benjamin Champion. - _Mr._ Christopher Cheesborough. - _Mr._ Jacob Chitty. B. 7. - _Mr._ Cholmley. - _Mrs._ Cholmley. - _Revd. Mr._ Choppin, _of_ Dublin, B. 7. - _Mr._ Edward Chorlton. - _Rev. Mr._ Samuel Clarke, _of_ St. Albans. - Matthew Clark, M. D. - _Mr._ Edward Clarke, _of_ Bury. - _Mr._ Richard Clarke, Alderman _of_ Hertford. - Jos. Clay _Esq._ - _Mr._ Isaac Clegg, _of_ Manchester. - _Mr._ Samuel Cleuer. - _Mr._ George Clifford, _Merchant_, _in_ Amsterdam. - John Coe _Esq._ - _Mr._ William Coe. - Thomas Coe, M. D. - _Rev. Mr._ Thomas Coad, _of_ Bere. - _Mr._ Robert Fowler Coad, _Merchant_ _in_ Lyme. - _Mr._ John Coles. - _Miss_ Collyer, _of_ Tooting. - _Miss_ Hester Collyer, _of_ d^o. B. 2. - _Mr._ Joseph Collyer. - —— Collett, M. D. _at_ Uxbridge. - James Colebrooke _Esq._ - James Colebrooke _Junior_ _Esq._ - _Mr._ James Collier, _Sollicitor in Chancery_. - _Mrs._ Collibee, _at_ Bath. - Peter Colthurst, M. D. _at_ Knutsford. B. 2. - _Mr._ Benjamin Cooke, _of_ Hallifax. - _Mr._ Richard Cooke, _of_ ditto. - Richard Coope _Esq._ - _Mr._ William Cooper, _Apothecary at_ Leicester. - _Mr._ Cooper, _at_ Nottingham. - _Mr._ Thomas Cooper, B. 3. - _Mr._ James Cooper _Jun._ - John Copeland _Esq._ - _Mr._ Peter Copeland. - _Mr._ Samuel Corner. - _Mr._ John Corner. - _Mr._ Costard _Jun._ _of_ Frodsham. - _Mr._ John Cox. - _Mr._ Cox. - _Mr._ John Cox. - _Mr._ Henry Crane, _of_ Kidderminster. - Peter Creffield _Esq._ - _Mrs._ Crisp, _of_ Bloomsbury-Square. - _Mrs._ Eliz. Crisp, _of_ Warrington. - _Mr._ Thomas Crisp. - _Mr._ Nicholas Crisp. - _Mr._ John Anthony Crop, _Merchant in_ Amsterdam. - _Mr._ Daniel Cropper, _Merchant at_ Liverpool. - _Mr._ James Crosby, _Merchant at_ ditto. - _Mr._ George Crosby. - _Mr._ Cha. Croughton, _of_ Chester. - _Mr._ Jo^n. Cruikshank, _Merchant_. - _Rev. Mr._ Culcheth, _at_ Macclesfield. - _Mr._ Daniel Cuningham, _Attorney at Law_. - _Mr._ James Cuninghame, _Merchant in_ Amsterdam. - _Mr._ David Curry, _of_ Kirkudbright. - - D. - - Richard Daniel, M. D. - Samuel Daniel, M. D. - _Mr._ Sam. Darbyshire, _of_ Bolton. - _Mr._ William Darbyshire, _near_ Warrington. - _Mr._ Thomas Darling. - _Rev. Mr._ Ev. Davies, _of_ Haverford-West, B. 8. - _Rev. Mr._ Rees Davies, _of_ Abergavenny. - _Rev. Mr._ Tim. Davies, _of_ Cardiganshire. - John Davison, M. D. - _Rev. Mr._ Abraham Dawson, _of_ Rivington. - _Mr._ Dawson, _of_ Leeds. - _Mr._ Samuel Day. - _Rev. Mr._ Day, _of_ Lancaster. - _Mr._ James Deane. - _Rev. Mr._ Dell, _of_ Canterbury. - _Rev. Mr._ Jos. Denham. - _Mr._ Nathaniel Denison, _Merchant in_ Leeds. - John Derby _Esq._ - _Rev. Mr._ Diaper, _of_ Bristol. - Michael le Dicker, M. D. _of_ Exon. - Michael Dickson, M. D. _of_ Taunton. - _Mr._ William Dickson, _of_ Newport-Pagnel. - _Mr._ Richard Dickinson, _of_ Ware. - _Mr._ Rivers Dickinson, B. 3. - _Mr._ Thomas Dimsdale, _Surgeon at_ Hertford. - Robert Dinwoody, M. D. B. 2. - _Mr._ Edward Dixon. - _Rev. Mr._ Dobson, _at_ Cocky-Moor. - _Rev._ Ph. Doddridge, D. D. - _Mr._ John Dodsworth. - _Mrs._ Margaret Dolins. - Daniel Dolins _Esq._ - Mr. John Dove. - Mr. John Drinkwater. - _Sir_ William Dukinfield _Bart._ - John Duer _Esq._ _of_ Exon. - Mr. John Dunn. - Mr. William Duncomb. - _Rev._ —— Dunster, D. D. _Prebendary of_ Sarum. - Mrs. Sarah Dyson. - Mr. Jeremiah Dyson. - Mr. Ely Dyson. - - - E. - - Mr. John Eames, F. R. S. - _Rev._ Jabez Earle, D. D. - Peter Eaton, _Esq._ - _Rev. Dr._ Eaton, _of_ Nottingham. - Mr. William Eaton, _Surgeon at_ Warrington. - Tim. Edwards, _Esq._; _of_ Carnarvanshire. - _Rev._ Mr. William Edwards. - Mr. Stephen Egginton. - Mr. John Ellicot, F. R. S. - _Sir_ Richard Ellis _Bart._ _dec^d._ - _Rev._ Mr. John Enty, _of_ Exon, B. 3. - _Rev._ Mr. David Evans, _in_ Cardiganshire, B. 6. - Mr. John Evans, _Salt-Merchant in_ Exon, B. 2. - - - F. - - Mrs. Eliz. Fagg, _of_ Mystole, Kent. - _Rev._ Mr. Faner, _of_ Elland, Yorkshire. - Mr. Jos. Farrer, _near_ Hallifax. - John Farringdon _Esq._ - _Rev._ Mr. Hugh Farmer. - Mr. Benjamin Farrow. - _Rev._ Mr. Fawcet, _of_ Taunton. - Mr. Jonathan Fawconer, F.R.S. - Mr. Fellows, _of_ Nottingham. - Mr. Fentham. - _Rev._ Mr. Ferne, _of_ Avington, Hants. - Matthew Fetherstone _Esq._ - Mr. William Field. - Mr. James Figgins. - Mr. Nathaniel Firmin. - _Rev._ Mr. E. Fisher. - Mr. James Fleetwood, _of_ Liverpool. - Mr. Robert Fleetwood, _of_ ditto, _Bookseller_. - _Rev._ Mr. Fletcher, _of_ Ware, B. 2. - Mr. Thomas Fletcher, _of_ ditto. - Mrs. Jane Fletcher. - Litchford Flitcroft _Esq._; _of_ Manchester. - Martin Folkes _Esq._; _President of the R. S._ - _Rev._ Mr. William Ford. - Mr. Gilbert Ford. - Mr. William Forrest, _of_ Liverpool. - _Rev._ Mr. James Foster. - Mr. Joseph Foster. - Mr. Jacob Foster. - Mr. Simon Foster. - _Rev._ Mr. Jac. Fowler, M. A. - Mr. Foxcroft, _of_ Nottingham. - Mr. Franceway, _of_ ditto. - Mr. William Frone, _of_ Croft. - _Rev._ Mr. Freeland, _of_ Bromsgrove. - Mrs. Delicia Fryer. - Mr. Benjamin Fuller. - - - G. - - Samuel Gale _Esq._ - Nathaniel Garland _Esq._ - Mr. John Garmston. - _Rev._ Mr. Gardner, _of_ Chester. - Mr. Robert Gaskhill, _of_ Warrington. - Mr. Thomas Gaskhill, _of_ Burtonwood. - Mr. Benjamin Gaskell. - Mr. Jonathan Gee, _of_ Coventry. - Mrs. Grace Gellibrand, _of_ Ashford. - Mr. Thomas Gibbs, _Apothecary_. - Mr. James Gibson. - Mr. William Gifford, _of_ Exon. - _Rev._ Mr. Robert Gilbert, _at_ Okeham. - _Rev._ Mr. William Gillespie. - Richard Gildart _Esq._; _Member of Parliament_. - Mr. William Gillison, _of_ Lancaster. - Mr. John Girle, _Surgeon_. - Mr. James Glover, _of_ Croydon. - Mr. Alexander Glover, _of_ Sutton. - Mr. Edward Godfrey. - _Rev._ Mr. Edward Godwin. - John Goldham _Esq._ - Mr. Abraham Goodwin. - Mr. John Goodwin. - Mr. Nicolaus van Goer, _Merchant in_ Amsterdam. - Mr. John Grace. - Mr. James Green, _of_ Manchester. - Mr. Godfrey Green, _of_ Dublin, _Merchant_. - Mr. Anthony Green, _of_ d^o. d^o. - William Green, _Esq._ - Mr. George Green, _Surgeon at_ Croydon. - Mr. Young Green, _at_ Poole. - Mrs. Aldress Green. - Mr. Gregg. - Charles Grey _Esq._ - _Rev._ Mr. Jonathan Griffith, _of_ Bettus. - _Rev._ Mr. Joshua Griffith, _of_ Frenchay. - Mr. Evan Griffith, _in_ Pembrokeshire. - Mrs. Rebecca Griffith. - Mr. Samuel Griffiths. - _Rev._ Mr. Grimshaw. - _Rev._ Benjamin Grosvenor, D. D. - John Grundy, _Esq_; _of_ Thornton. - Mr. Nicholas Grundy, _of_ ditto. - Mr. Grundy, _of_ Nottingham. - _Rev._ John Guyse, D. D. - _Rev._ Mr. William Guyse. - Mr. Richard Gynes. - - - H. - - Mr. John Haddock. - Mr. Jos. Hall. - Mr. Francis Hall. - _Rev._ Mr. Thomas Halley. - Mrs. Hallows. - _Rev._ Mr. Jos. Hallet, _of_ Exon. - William Hallet, M. D. _of_ ditto. - _Rev._ Mr. John Halford. - _Rev._ Mr. Corn. Handcock, _of_ Uxbridge. - Mr. Matt. Handcock, _of_ Nottingham. - Mr. John Hardman, _Merchant at_ Liverpool. - Mr. James Hardman, _Merchant at_ Rochdale. - _Rev._ Mr. George Hardy, _at_ Farnham. - Mr. Richard Harper. - Mr. Robert Harris. - Mr. Nathaniel Harris. - Mr. John Harrison. - Mr. Robert Harrison. - Mr. Amos Harrison. - Mr. James Harrop. - _Rev._ Mr. Thomas Harrop, _of_ Nottingham. - _Sir_ John Hartopp, _Bart._ - Mr. John Hart, _of_ Warrington. - Mr. George Hart, _Apothecary at_ Chard. - _Rev._ Mr. Samuel Harward. - Mr. Oxenbridge Harward, B. 3. - Samuel Haswel _Esq._ - _Rev._ Mr. Farnham Haskul. - Mr. Thomas Hatton. - _Rev._ Mr. Haynes, _of_ Nantwich, B. 2. - Mr. William Hazel. - Mrs. Sarah Henry, _of_ Chester. - _Rev._ Mr. John Henson. - Mr. William Henderson. - Mr. Richard Hett, _Bookseller_, B. 6. - _Rev._ Mr. Heskith, _of_ Eastwood. - Mr. Hewish, _at_ Nottingham. - Mr. John Hewitt, _at_ Knutsford, _Bookseller_. - Mr. Arthur Heywood, _Merchant at_ Liverpool. - _Rev._ Mr. Eli. Heywood. - Mr. Robert Hibbert _Junior_, _of_ Manchester. - —— —— Higgs, M. D. _at_ Birmingham. - Mr. John Higham, _Apothecary_. - Mr. Thomas Hinks, _Merchant at_ Chester. - Mr. William Hocker. - _Rev._ Mr. Hodge, _at_ Gloucester. - Mr. Hodges, _Surgeon_. - Mr. John Hodshon, _Merchant in_ Amsterdam. - _Rev._ Mr. Holt. - John Holloway, _Esq._; _at_ Farnham. - Mr. Timothy Hollis. - Mr. Philip Hollingworth. - Mr. Edward Holbrook, _at_ Manchester. - Mr. Richard Holland, _at_ ditto. - Mr. John Holland, _at_ Mobberly. - Mr. John Holland, _Merchant in_ Chester. - _Rev._ Mr. Holden, _at_ Rochdale. - Fraser Honywood _Esq._ - _Rev._ Mr. Hool, _at_ Manchester. - Mr. John Hood. - Mrs. Mary Hood. - Mr. John Hope. - Mrs. Hopkins, B. 4. - Mrs. Mary Hopkins. - Mrs. Elizabeth Hopkins. - _Rev._ Mr. Hopkins, _at_ Northwich. - Mr. John Horsman. - _Sir_ Henry Houghton, _Bart._ - Mr. John Howe. - Mr. Edward Howse, _Apothecary in_ Bath. - Mr. Andrew Howard, B. 6. - Mr. Thomas Huckle. - _Rev._ Obadiah Hughes, D. D. B. 16. - Mrs. Ph. Hughes. - Mr. John Hughes. - _Rev._ Mr. Ob. Hughes, _at_ Clifton. - _Rev._ Mr. William Hunt. - Phineas Huffey _Esq._ - _Miss_ Huthwait, _at_ Nottingham. - - - I. - - Mr. Richard Iles, _at_ Hertford. - Mrs. Anne Iles, _at_ ditto. - Mr. Samuel Inglesant, _at_ Nottingham. - Joshua Iremonger _Esq._ - Mr. Matthew Iremonger, _at_ St. Albans. - Mr. John Ives, _at_ Ware. - - - J. - - _Rev._ Mr. John Jackson, _Prebend. of_ Wherwel, _&c._ _at_ - Leicester. - Henry Jacomb _Esq._ B. 2. - Mr. George James, _in_ Pembrokeshire. - Mr. Thomas Jee. - Mr. John Jee _Junior_. - Bartholom. Jeffery _Esq. of_ Exon. - _Rev._ Mr. Jo^n. Jennings, _at_ St Ives. - Mr. Obadiah Jones. - _Rev._ Mr. Sam Jones, _at_ Pentwyn. - Mr. John Jones, _Merchant_. - _Rev._ Mr. Griff. Jones, _R. of_ Llandowror. - _Rev._ Mr. Griff. Jones, _V. of_ Llandewey-Velfrey. - Mr. Richard Jones, _Surgeon at_ Coventry. - _Rev._ Mr. William Johnston. - - - K. - - —— Kay, M. D. _at_ Manchester. - Mr. Richard Kay, _near_ Bury. - Mr. John Kennedy, _Merchant in_ Exon. - Mr. John Kershaw, _near_ Hallifax. - _Rev._ Mr. George Kilby. - Mr. King, _Apothec. at_ Newbury. - _Rev._ H. Knight, M. A. _at_ Manchester. - - - L. - - James Lamb _Esq._ - Mrs. Lamb. - Mrs. Mary Lamb. - Tho. Lane _Esq. Counsel. at Law_. - _Rev._ Mr. William Langford. - Mr. Jos. Langford. - Jos. Langford _Esq. of_ Basford. - _Rev._ Mr. N. Lardner. - Mr. Jac. Larwood _Jun. Merchant in_ Amsterdam. - Mr. Sam. Latham, _Apothecary_. - _Rev._ Mr. Lavington, _of_ Exon, B. 2. - Mr. Wm. Lavington, _of_ ditto. - Andr. Lavington, M. D. _of_ ditto. - _Rev._ Samuel Lawrence, M. D. - Mr. Edward Lawrence. - Mr. Leckonby, _Merc. in_ Chester. - —— Legh, D.D. _V. of_ Halifax. - Thomas Legh _Esq. of_ Booths. - Mr. Jonath. Lees, _at_ Manchester. - Mr. Thomas Lees. - _Rev._ Mr. Leigh, _Archd. of_ Salop. - Mr. James Leigh, _at_ Leeds. - Mr. Daniel Legg. - Mr. Pet. Legrand, _at_ Canterbury. - _Rev._ John Leland, D. 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Mr. Moses Lowman. - Roger Lyde _Esq.; of_ Bristol. - Lionel Lyde _Esq.; of_ ditto. - Mr. John Lyde, _of_ ditto. - - - M. - - _Rev._ Mr. Daniel Mace, _of_ Newbury. - Mr. Mackin _Junior, at_ Warrington. - _Rev._ Mr. Makant, _at_ Chorley. - Mrs. Marshal. - Mr. William Marshal, _of_ Treby. - Mr. Thomas Marsden, _of_ Chorley. - Thomas Mather, M. D. _at_ Nottingham. - Mr. Isaac Mather, _Apothecary_. - William Matson _Esq.; at_ Kendale. - Mr. Hugh Matthews. - Mr. Henry Maundy. - Mr. William Maundy, _at_ Sandwich. - _Rev._ Mr. William Maurice, _in_ Pembrokeshire. - _Rev._ Mr. Thomas Maurice, _in_ Cardiganshire. - _Rev._ Mr. William May. - Mr. John Meakin. - Mr. Nathaniel Meakin. - Richard Mead, M.D. _and_ F.R.S. _Physician in Ordinary to his - Majesty_, B. 2. - Benjamin Mee _Esq._ B. 4. - Mr. Rob. Merry, _at_ Liverpool. - Mr. John Merriman, _at_ Newbury. - _Rev._ Mr. H. 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Mount. - Mr. Peter Schout Muilman, _Merchant in_ Amsterdam. - Mr. Nicolaus Muilman, ditto _in_ ditto. - Mr. Dionis Muilman, d^o. _in_ d^o. - Mr. Daniel Roelof Muilman, d^o. _in_ d^o. - Mr. John Murray, _Merchant in_ Chester. - - - N. - - Richard Nangreave, _of the_ Inner Temple, _Esq._ - Mr. Iliff Narborough. - _Rev._ Mr. Daniel Neal, M. A. B. 5. - Mr. Nathaniel Neal. - Mr. David Nesbet, _of_ Glasgow, B 7. - —— Nettleton, M. D. _of_ Halifax. - Mrs. Anne Newey. - Mr. William Newham, _at_ Nottingham. - Mr. John Newdigate. - Mr. John Newman. - _Rev._ Mr. Thomas Newman, B. 2. - Mr. Nathaniel Newnham _Jun._ - _Miss_ Eliz. Newnham. - Mr. John Newton. - Mr. Thomas Nicholas. - Mr. John Nicholson, _Merchant at_ Liverpool. - —— Nicholson, M. D. - Mr. John Nicholson. - Mr. Benj. 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Mr._ Thomas. - _Rev. Mr._ Thomas Thorburn, _at_ Keighley. - _Mr._ William Thornhill, _Sen._ - _Mr._ Thomas Tipping, _at_ Manchester. - _Mr._ John Tomlins. - _Rev. Mr._ Isaac Toms. - _Mr._ John Toms. - _Rev. Mr._ Matt. Toogood. - _Mr._ Richard Tottie, _at_ Leeds. - _Mr._ Cha. Totterdel, _Surgeon_. - _Mr._ Thomas Touchet, _at_ Manchester. - _Mr._ John Touchet, _at_ ditto. - _Mr._ Peter Touchet. - _Mrs._ Jane Trimnell. - _Mr._ Eben. Tristram, _at_ Chester. - _Mr._ Jonathan Tucker, _Merchant in_ Exon. - _Mrs._ Turner, _in_ Canterbury. - _Mr._ Thomas Turner, _at_ Warrington. - _Mr._ John Twells. - Thomas Tylston, M. D. _in_ Chester. - - - U. - - _Mr._ Jonathan Underwood. - - - V. - - _Rev. Mr._ Thomas Valentine, _at_ Epsom. - _Mr._ Vawdry. - _Rev. Mr._ Venables, _at_ Oswestry. - _Mr._ William Venables, _in_ Chester. - _Mr._ Mason Victor. - _Mr._ Jos. 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Mr._ James Wood, Lancashire, B. 7. - _Mr._ John Wood. - _Mr._ Nathaniel Wood, _at_ St. Albans. - William Woodhouse, M. D. _at_ Leicester. - John Godden Woolfe _Esq.;_ - Wight Woolley _Esq.;_ - Houlton Woolley _Esq.;_ - _Mr._ Tho. Woolrich, _at_ Leeds. - _Mr._ John Worsley, _at_ Hertford, B.3. - _Rev. Mr._ Hugh Worthington, _in_ Cheshire. - _Rev. Mr._ Hugh Worthington, M. A. _at_ Leicester. - _Rev. Mr._ Samuel Wreyford. - _Rev._ Samuel Wright, D.D. B. 2. - Henry Wright _Esq.; of_ Mobberly. - _Mr._ Samuel Wright. - _Rev. Mr._ Witter, _at_ Hull. B. 20. - _Mr._ Tim. Wylde, _Merchant_. - _Rev. Mr._ Wylde, _at_ Nottingham. - _Mr._ Isaac Wylde, _at_ ditto. - - - Y. - - _Mr._ William Yarnold. - _Rev. Mr._ Rob. Yates, _at_ Darwen. - Jos. Yates _Esq.;_ _of_ Manchester. - _Rev. Mr._ Geo. Lewis Young. - ────────── - _Mr._ Edmund Atkinson. - _Mrs._ Fletcher _Junior_. - _Mr._ William Foster. - - -[Illustration] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - -[Illustration] - - - A - - NATURAL HISTORY - - _OF_ - - _SERPENTS_ - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - PART I. - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - - - SECTION I. - -I begin with the Division of Serpents, which I distribute into -_Terrestrial_, that live upon Land only; _Aquatick_, that live in Water; -and _Amphibious_, that inhabit both Elements. Under these I comprehend -all the Relatives to the venomous Tribe. But how can Land-Serpents live -in Water? I answer, their Bodies are equally formed for both Places. - -Among Animals, some breathe by _Lungs_, and others by _Gills_, as all -sanguineous Fish, (excepting the _Whale_.) By _Gills_, I mean those -membranous cartilaginous Parts on both sides the Head, whereby they hear -and respire: What we call _Gills_ in Fish, are properly their _Lungs_. -Respiration (which is an involuntary Motion of the Breast, whereby Air -is alternately taken in and thrown out) is as necessary to Fish as to -Land-Animals: In Water, is a great Quantity of Air inclosed, and it is -that Air they respire, and by their _Gills_ they separate the Air from -the Water, and present it to the _Blood_, after the same manner as ’tis -presented to the Lungs of Land-Animals. - -The _Gills_ of Fish have an alternate Motion of Dilatation and -Compression; when they _dilate_ their _Gills_, the Water is taken in; -when they _contract_ them, ’tis expelled again. Thus the Water is -carried in by the Mouth, and carried off again (stript of its Air) by -the _Gills_, which perform the Office of Lungs. Their sucking Water is -Breathing, and their Food as little of Water, perhaps, as other -Creatures use. - -_SERPENTS_ will swim in all Liquids; this appears in the Experiment made -by a _learned Italian_, who put a Serpent into a large Glass-Vessel of -Wine, where it lived swimming about six Hours: and when it was by force -immersed and kept under that Liquid, it lived only about an Hour and a -half. He put another in common Water, where it lived three Days; but -when it was kept under Water, it lived only about twelve Hours[2]. - -Footnote 2: - - _Fr. Redi Exper. circa res nat._ p. 170. - -Some Serpents are reptitious, creep on the Belly, and some have Feet; -the Form of their Legs is peculiar and different in divers Species, -whence the slow Motion of some, and wonderful Agility and Swiftness in -others: Their Feet are some cloven (as it were) into Hoofs, others -divided into Claws, with Variety of different Nails to answer the -several Purposes of Life; among them are _Flying Serpents_: for which -purpose, they are furnished with Wings to buoy themselves up in the -fluid Air, whereby they keep their Bodies on a due Balance in their -Motion. - -Serpents are provided with Tails of different Length and Size; these -also are necessary to adjust their Motion, and guard them against -Stimulation of Flies. In winged Serpents, the Tail serves as a Rudder to -govern them in flying through the Air; and, in the marine Serpents, they -serve as Oars. But another says, the flying of a Bird, in effect, is -quite a different Motion from the sailing of a Ship: Birds don’t vibrate -their Wings towards the Tail, as Oars are struck towards the Stern, but -waft them downward; nor does the Tail of the Bird cut the Air at right -Angles as the Rudder does the Water, but it is disposed horizontally, -and preserves the same Situation what way soever the Bird turns[3]. - -Footnote 3: - - _Borelli._ - -They are painted with variety of Colours, as red, black, white, brown, -green; the Composition of these, in some of their Garnitures, forms -Beauties exquisitely fine. Some of them have very little Eyes, others -large ones: Some wound with their Teeth, others with the Tail that -terminates in a Sting, which is an Apparatus in the Body of certain -Insects like a little Lance, serving them as a Weapon of Offence. -Mention is made by Historians of harmless Serpents, and of Persons who -have tamed Serpents, and whose Hair has been kissed by a tame Dragon, -and which, with its Tongue, gently lick’d its Master’s Face[4]. - -Footnote 4: - - _Raii Synopsis. Ælian. Hist._ - -The Serpent seems to be one of the distinguished Favourites of the Air, -seeing it subsists by aerial Food all Winter; that is, in those Regions -where it dare not turn Ranger. Sleep is the Nurse of Nature, a Nurse -that greatly indulges the animal Spirits, and, by arresting voluntary -Motion, prevents their daily Consumption, and, at the same time, allows -the perpetual Motion of the Arteries, Veins, Heart. We know but little -of the real peculiar Nature of what we call Air, only that it is the -most heterogeneous Body in the World, a kind of secondary Chaos, being a -Compound of minute Particles of various Kinds, Earth, Water, Minerals, -Vegetables, Animals, _&c._ collected either by solar or artificial Heat. - -These Particles together constitute an Appendage to our Earth, called -Atmosphere; or that thin, elastick, fluid Mass, wherein we live, move, -and have our being; which Air we continually receive, and expel by -Respiration, and no Animal can live, or Vegetable grow without it. - -Thus Serpents inclosed in the Receiver, are immediately (I may say) -starved when deprived of Air, which is their only Winter-Food.—_N. B._ -Whatever is put in a Receiver so exhausted, is said to be put _in -Vacuo_: Animals that have two Ventricles, and no _Foramen Ovale_, as -Birds, Dogs, Cats, Mice, die in it in less than half a Minute; a Mole -died in one Minute; a Bat lived seven or eight; Insects, as Wasps, Bees, -Grashoppers, seem dead in two Minutes[5]. - -Footnote 5: - - _Derham._ - -Nor will any Vegetation proceed _in Vacuo_, or without Air: Seeds -planted will not grow. OBJECTION. _Beans grow in Vacuo._ I answer, they -grow a little tumid, but that kind of Vegetation is only owing to the -Dilatation of the Air within them; they swell a little by the Expansion -of the Air, but they never bud. - -Among the Ancients were very strange Notions about the _Original_ of -Serpents, and other Animals: _Bees_, says a certain Orator, Historian, -and Philosopher, were bred from the Carcass of Oxen; _Wasps_ from the -Corruptions of Horses; _Beetles_ from Asses; and _Serpents_ from human -Marrow: Hence they consecrated a Dragon to Kings and Princes, as a -Creature peculiar to Man[6]. - -Footnote 6: - - _Plutarch_’s Lives of _Cleomenes_ and _Agis_. - -I don’t know how to form an Apology for the old Philosophers, whose -Account of spontaneous Generation is perfectly romantick: What can be -more so, than to say Frogs are engendered of Slime, or in the Clouds, -and dropt down in the Showers of Rain? So the _Egyptians_ said, that -Mice were produced from the Mud of _Nilus_, and Insects from putrified -Matter animated by the Sun. The Principle of this equivocal Generation, -was the old Doctrine of _Egypt_, and now justly exploded, as contrary to -Reason and common Sense, as well as to the Design of the Creator in -making Animals Male and Female; the End of which Difference in Sexes, -all Animals exactly answer, as if they were endued with human Reason. No -Woman more tender of her Babe, or careful in providing for it, than -Animals are of their Young Ones. - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - - - SECTION II. - -The knowledge of mere Animals (who have no School for Arts and Sciences) -is most surprising; these without visible Instructors, know how to -perpetuate their Species to the End of the World; and how to order their -Eggs, as those, who are apprized, their Successors were contained in -them, and that it was in their power to produce them, and to perpetuate, -or keep up the Name of their Family. - -The Serpentine Animals are thus taught by Nature; these differ in the -Mode of Propagation; some of them are _viviparous_, an Epithet applied -to such Animals, who lay their Eggs within their Bellies, who bring -forth their Young Ones alive and perfect, as Vipers, Sheep, Hares; -others are _oviparous_, and bring forth their Young from Eggs, as -Serpents, Snakes, Lizards, Frogs, Salmon, Tortoise, Herrings, _&c._[7] - -Footnote 7: - - _Omnia ab ovo animalia._ - -In this Contrivance of Male and Female, and different Method of -Multiplication for perpetuating the Species, we may see an admirable -Instance of divine Wisdom: But for this Difference in Sexes, there would -be no Increase of Serpents nor other Animals. The oviparous and -viviparous Manner of Propagation is as wonderful; for, - -Were they all _viviparous_, that is, brought forth living Births, there -would be but a small Number, and not sufficient to support the whole -animal Body: Corn, Grass, Fruits, _&c._ are no Production of the Sea, -therefore can be no Food for Fish: The Almighty Creator so ordained it, -that they should feed one upon another; and this made it necessary that -they should be _oviparous_, that they might increase in great Plenty, -which they could not do, if they were of the _viviparous_ Kind; that is, -brought forth their living Offspring, as Vipers, Sheep, Hares, Cows do. - -But Fish being _oviparous_, propagating their Kind by Eggs, which, for -Number, are infinite, their Progeny is innumerable, and sufficient to -support all the Branches of the Marine Family; even the lesser Kind of -Fish send forth an incredible Number of Spawn. - -On the other hand, if four-footed Beasts were propagated by Eggs, they -would soon cover the Face of the Earth, without a daily Destruction of -them, which would take up no little time, tho’ an _Army of Nimrods_ were -employed. Birds increase by Eggs, and bring forth great Numbers; and -perhaps, for this reason, that Birds of Prey and Serpents, Kitchens, -_&c._ might not want proper Supplies. Now, if a Female Bird was great -with six or twelve Young Ones at once, the Burden would be intolerable, -her Wings would fail, and she would become an easy Prey to her Enemies. - -But you will say, what if they brought forth only one or two at a time, -till they amounted to the usual Number of their Eggs? I answer, that -then they would be troubled all the Year long with feeding their Young, -or bearing them in their Womb. - -This Production of Creatures by Eggs, is a wonderful Phænomenon in the -animal World; the Eggs are shelly and hard, to preserve the included -Embryo from Accidents, and to contain suitable Nutriment for it. ’Tis -observable that Chickens, while in their dark embryotick State, are -nourished by the _White_ alone, till grown big, and then feed on the -_Yolk_, as the stronger Diet; and, when that is consumed, the Shell -opens, and lets out the Prisoners. - -Though all Fowl are hatched from Eggs, yet it is not always by the -Parent’s Incubation, or Brooding, but by some other Warmth: The -_Tortoise_ is said to lay no less than fifteen hundred Eggs, which she -covers in the Sand, and leaves the Sun to hatch them. The Eggs of the -_Ostrich_[8] are hatched after the same manner; so the Serpent lays, and -leaves her Eggs in the Dunghill. - -Footnote 8: - - _Job_ xxxix. 14, 15. _Willoughby’s Ornithol._ _lib._ ii. _cap._ 8. - -The _Eggs_ of Serpents, and certain other Animals, are Parts formed in -the Ovaries of the Female, covered with a Shell, which includes an -Embryo of the same Species. In the days of old, the Egg was the Symbol -of the World; the World, by Tradition, being made of an _Egg_: Hence -Eggs became of singular Importance in the Sacrifices of _Cybele_ the -Mother of the Gods. Some of the Pagan Deities were said to be produced -from Eggs. - -In some Parts of _Asia_, and at _Grand Cairo_ in _Egypt_, they hatch -their Chickens in Ovens; each Oven contains several thousand Eggs which -the Country brings in, and have their Eggs returned in Chickens. - -By this Method, they generally want some integral Part, as an Eye, a -Claw, _&c._ which may be owing to a Want of equal Impression of Heat, -tho’ the artificial Warmth be continued. There are thousands, yea -Millions at a Batch, thus produced in _Egyptian Ovens_;—and may as well -be in _Europe_, if our Bakers had the knack on’t. An Experiment has been -made by a _Duke of Tuscany_, who having built such Ovens, did produce -living Chickens in the same manner. - -Under this _Section_, I shall consider the wonderful Sagacity of -Serpents, in chusing their Paths for Deambulation, and finding out -proper Receptacles for their Repose and Security in Winter; and that in -Climates that are Opposites in their Nature. - -In Summer, generally speaking, they are found in solitary and -unfrequented dry Situations; others delight in moorish fenny Grounds; -and in hot Countries, near to Groves, Rivulets—These, like other -Animals, strictly adhere to the Constitutions of their Family, without -Deviation. - -They take up their Winter-Quarters in Caverns, hollow Places, Burrows, -Rocks, old Hedges, and under the Roots of Vegetables, especially the -Birch, others say Beech-Trees, which were consecrated by the Pagans to -the supreme Numen. - -In these lonesome Habitations they repose themselves during the Winter, -in a kind of sleepy State, as half dead, with _open Eyes_[9]. In this -Solitude they lie dormant, indulg’d with a little humid Air, till the -Sun, by its Entrance into the northern Constellations, restores them to -the active Life; without some Air they could not live. Mr. _Boyle_ made -the experiment, by putting Vipers into the exhausted Receiver, which -soon died upon pumping out the Air. - -Footnote 9: - - _Apertis Oculis._ Conrad. Gesner. pag. 3. _de Serp._ - -It argues no little Penetration, that they know when and how to shelter -themselves in Places of Safety in all Seasons; and what is yet more -astonishing, is, that they live there so many Months without Food and -without Action; and when released from their hybernal Confinement, how -soon do they find out their appointed Food? Taken in this light, they -are not singular; for ’tis believed, there are other Animals that pass -the Winter-Season in a state of Indolence and Inactivity, as Cuckows and -Swallows, making way by their Retreat for Woodcocks and Fieldfares, -which visit us in Winter, and then return northwards: They are said to -breed in colder Countries, as _Norway_, _Russia_, _Sweden_, and the -_Islands of Orcades_, the most northern Parts of _Scotland_; which -Islands were formerly in possession of the _Norwegians_, and given and -annex’d to _Scotland_ by _Christiern_ I. King of _Denmark_ and _Norway_, -on the Marriage of his Daughter _Margaret_, with _James_ III. King of -_Scotland_, about the Year 1474. - -It is probable, that when these northern Countries are buried in Snow, -and their Rivers are frozen up, these Birds take their Flight hither, -and such like Places, where they have access to Water, _&c._ But as to -Cuckows and Swallows, as intimated above, ’tis generally allow’d that -they sleep in Winter, having, as ’tis said, been found in hollow Trees -and Caverns. Nor is this at all unlikely; tho’ on the other hand, I can -see no Absurdity in supposing that these should go upon a Summer, as the -other do upon a Winter Pilgrimage; that these pursue a lesser Heat, as -well as the others fly from a greater Cold. Yea, _Vegetables_ are said -to _sleep in Winter_, and to be awake and lively in Summer: During the -Months of their Rest, a quantity of Oil is laid up in them for their -Defence against the Cold, and in proportion to the Degrees of it, which -they are to sustain; whence it is, that the Trees of the northern -Climates so much abound with Oil. - -On the other hand, there are _Reptiles_ and _Insects_ that have Sense -enough to lay up Winter-Store in Summer, as the _Bee_, _Wasp_, -_Field-Mouse_, _&c._ a Property foreign to the ancient House of -Serpents. - -In Summer, the _Bees_ labor hard for Winter Provision: As soon as the -Air grows mild and warm, they are out betimes, and gather their Harvest -from the Simples of the Fields, which they suck into their Bodies, and -upon their Return to the Hive they disgorge it, as Pigeons do their Food -wherewith they feed their Young. When the Bees have fill’d their -Storehouse with the Delicacies of Nature, they lock the Doors, which -they seal up with delicate white Wax, to prevent the Emanation of the -Honey, which is a vegetable Juice: The Combs in which their Treasure is -lodg’d, are geometrically nice, and exceed the most exquisite Art of -Man. - -The Ants also in this respect, are remarkable for Penetration and -Foresight. In _America_ are Ants which raise Hillocks four or five Foot -high, and have such a way of cementing the Earth about them, that ’tis -as firm as Lime and Stone, which protects them against the _Ant-Bears_, -or Pismire-eaters; _i. e._ a kind of Creatures as big as Dogs, that feed -on these Insects. - -One observes, that the _Spaniards_ left _Jamaica_, and went to _Cuba_, -for this Reason among others, because their Childrens Eyes were eaten by -these Ants, when left by themselves in the Cradle[10]. - -Footnote 10: - - Sir _Hans Sloan_’s _Introduction to his Voyage_, p. 68. - -Ceylon in the _East-Indies_ produces several sorts of remarkable Ants, -particularly a large red kind, which make their Nests on the Boughs of -great Trees, with Leaves wrapt together in Clusters, in which they lay -their Eggs: And another sort call’d _Vacos_, whose Hinder-part is white, -and the Head red; these swarm over the Land and devour every thing, but -Stone and Iron: They creep on House-walls, and always build an Arch over -themselves; on these their Poultry live chiefly; some of them bite -desperately. - -To these I might add the _Wasps_, that have their Winter-Treasures in -subterranean Cells, and the Field-mice that know the proper Season to -gather Acorns, which they carefully hide in hollow Places, (as -Mole-runs) in the Earth. Thus we see no Creatures so mean in our View, -but a Ray of divine Wisdom shines in their Foresight and Contrivance: -When we consider how wonderfully these inferior Creatures are conducted -in their Operations, how punctually they obey the Laws of their Creator, -how solicitously every one propagates his Kind, and makes proper -Provisions for his Family; it looks as if it were done by some Principle -that’s more perfect than the common Reason of Man. Nevertheless ’tis -past doubt, that Brutes of the highest Order, and most refin’d, are but -Brutes, _i. e._ irrational, and it’s well for us they are so. - -This is call’d _Instinct_, a natural Disposition, or Sagacity wherewith -Animals are endued; by virtue whereof they are enabled to provide for -themselves, know what is good for them, and are determin’d to propagate -and preserve their Species. _Instinct_ bears some Analogy to Reason or -Understanding, and supplies the Defect of it in Brutes. The Narrative of -_Eve_’s Temptation begins with affirming, _The Serpent was more subtle -than any Beast of the Field_. And _Christ_ recommends the Wisdom of the -Serpent, but not without the Innocence of the Dove. - -The Proofs of its Subtilty are not so obvious; some produce such as -these, telling us, that the Serpent _Cerastes_ hides itself in the Sand, -with a view to bite the Horse’s Foot that he might throw the Rider. -_Jacob_ seems to allude to this, in the Blessing he gave to _Dan_, of -whom ’tis said, _Dan shall be a Serpent by the Way, an Adder in the -Path, that bites the Horse’s Heels, so that his Rider shall fall -backward_. Gen. xlix. 17. But more in Part third. - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - - - SECTION III. - -Serpents are supposed to have many Enemies, besides Man, as the _Eagle_, -_Hawk_, _Stork_, _Ibis_, _Ichneumon_, _Magaure_, _&c._ I shall only -touch upon some of these: _Ibis_ is a Bird of _Egypt_, and a faithful -Ally in the War against Serpents; vast Numbers of winged Serpents are -annually bred in _Arabia_, from whence, at certain Seasons, Swarms of -them take their flight across the _Red-Sea_ into _Egypt_: Upon the first -notice of their Arrival, the _Ibidian_ Birds assemble in Troops, and -immediately fly upon the Invaders, and soon destroy them. In the same -manner they execute Vengeance upon the Serpents of _Ethiopia_, when they -molest the Land[11]. - -Footnote 11: - - _Conradus Gesn._ p. 55. _Ray. Gyllius._ - -The _Storks_ destroy all Serpents that fall in their way, and are so -greatly regarded in _Thessaly_ for this kind office, that it is counted -a capital Crime to kill a _Stork_, and the Criminal is punished as in -the case of Man-slaughter. - -[12]The Stork’s Bill is very long and sharp, with which it makes a -rattling kind of Noise: It is said, the Chirurgeons have learn’d the -Clysterick Art from these Birds. - -Footnote 12: - - _Pliny’s Nat. Hist._ Tom. i. B. 10. - -The _Storks_ also are esteemed the Clergy’s Friends, for the Author of -the _Book of Nature_ says, they will not inhabit any City in _Germany_, -where no Tythes are paid to the Priest. An Orthodox Brood of Birds! - -When _Moses_ conducted the _Egyptian_ Army against the _Ethiopians_, he -was to pass through a Country full of Serpents, and to secure his Forces -from them in their March, he carried with him several of these _Ibidian_ -Birds, before whose Fury they fell or fled[13]. - -Footnote 13: - - _Josephus_, B. ii. Cap. v. p. 65. - -_ICHNEUMON_ is a little Animal of bold Spirit, and a great Destroyer of -Serpents, and therefore the _Egyptians_ keep it in their Houses, as we -do Cats; and the young ones are commonly sold for that end at -_Alexandria_. In form it resembles an overgrown Rat, and is called the -_Indian-Rat_, and _Pharaoh’s Rat_; and by its mighty Atchievements, it -must be of some considerable Bulk; for in its Encounters with great -Dogs, Crocodiles, Serpents, _&c._ it generally comes off victorious: -Upon their Approach it bunches up, and bristles up its Hair, in token of -Defiance: It couches on the Ground, and leaps like a Bull-dog at its -Prey. - -By some it is call’d the _Egyptian Otter_; ’tis of a dun Colour, has -round Ears, black Legs, and long Tail: It cannot endure the Wind, and -runs for Shelter, when it rises, sometimes thrusting its Head between -its hinder Legs, in a round Form like a Hedge-hog. - -Those who have examined into Kites Nests, have found Vipers in them, -which are supposed to be Food for their young ones. In _China_ is a -little Creature like a Weezel, called _Magaure_, that is a mortal Enemy -to Serpents, which it kills by striking its Teeth into their Heads. The -_Chameleon_ trembles at the Sight of this little Furioso[14]; whose Ears -are short and round, its Nose like that of a Ferret, its Tongue and -Teeth like a Cat, which is a Creature it destroys in a Minute, though -not the easiest to be killed. The _Argoli Serpents_ in _India_ destroy -Asps; therefore by _Alexander_ the Great’s Command, they were -transported to _Alexandria_[15]. - -Footnote 14: - - _L. Le Comte’s Memoirs_, p. 504. - -Footnote 15: - - _Johnstonus_, p. 16. - -Whether the Serpent hates Man more than other Creatures, is with me a -question; be that as it will, it is wonderful to think, that -notwithstanding Man’s and other Creatures invincible Hatred of Serpents, -yet hitherto they have been able to support themselves in a State of War -against all the World. - -Even among Vegetables are found Enemies to Serpents; as the _Dittany_ of -_Virginia_, or the _wild Penny-royal_; the Leaves of which, says my -Author, being bruised, we tied in the Cleft of a long Stick, and held -them to the Nose of the _Rattle-Snake_, who by turning and wriggling, -laboured hard to avoid it, and in half an hour’s time was kill’d by it: -This was done _July_ 1657, at which Season those Creatures are computed -to be in the greatest Vigour of their Poison; it is also remarkable, -that in those Places where the _wild Penny-royal_ grows, no -Rattle-Snakes are observed to come[16]. - -Footnote 16: - - _Philos. Transact._ abridg’d by _Lowthorp_, p. 811. - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - - - SECTION IV. - -That _Dust_ was not the original Food of the Serpent, seems evident from -the Sentence passed upon the Paradisaic Serpent, but the necessary -Consequence of the Change made in the manner of its Motion, _i. e._ the -prone Posture of its Body, by which it’s doomed to live upon Food -intermix’d with Earth, dried to a Powder; _Dust shalt thou eat_, is one -part of the Curse. It’s true, Serpents eat Flesh, Birds, Frogs, Fish, -Fruits, Grass, but as they continually creep on the Earth, ’tis -impossible but their Food must be often defiled with Dirt; some of them -may eat Earth out of Necessity, or at least Earth-Worms, which they -cannot swallow without some Dirt with them. No Animal but has its proper -Food; even the most minute Insects; those that seemingly feed upon Dust, -in reality feed only upon some nutritive Particles therein. Insects have -been seen through a Microscope to eat some Particles of Dust, and reject -many others, having accurate Organs of Sight, Smelling, and Feeling, as -well accommodated to Dust, as the Organs of Ducks and Hogs are to find -their Food in Dirt. - -And here it may be observed, that what the Serpent does through a -Necessity from the Divine Sentence, the earthly Man does from his own -Will; the Serpent only by the Will of another, Man eats it from his own -Inclination to it; the Serpent would have better Food if it could, Man -might have better and will not: This shews that Man has a mind to be -Companion with the Serpent, and to carry on the Acquaintance, that was -begun in Paradise; the Serpent licks the Dust materially, the earthly -Person licks it morally; the one has its Tongue upon it, the other has -his Heart. The earthly Man is only a Man in shape, but a Serpent in -Practice: What is the Punishment of the Serpent, is made the Happiness -of the earthly Mind. - -Some Serpents are _carnivorous_, and feed on Flesh; others are -_verminivorous_, and feed on Reptiles: Their Sustenance is various, -suited to their several Constitutions, and Nature of the Climates, where -they inhabit. Vipers and Adders feed on Herbs, Weeds, Dews, as well as -upon Lizards, Mice, Frogs.—When they take Food into their Mouths, they -raise up their Bodies a little, that they may swallow their Prey with -less difficulty. They swallow those little Animals whole without -chewing. In a Viper dissected by a certain Gentleman, he found three -large Mice, intire, without any Change of their Form by hard -Compressure. _Scorpions_ live chiefly upon Locusts, and other winged -Insects. In _Arabia_, ’tis said, they feed upon _Balsam-Juices_, and -seem to delight much in the Shadow of that Tree[17]. - -Footnote 17: - - _Conrad, Gesner._ 85. - -It is remarkable, that Nature has provided young Vipers with poisonous -Teeth grown to Perfection, commensurate to their Bulk, that so they may -immediately feed themselves, by being able, in some measure, to kill -their Prey as soon as they are born. Some of these Animals have -temporary Parts, as the _Lacerta Aquatica_, a little Water-Serpent, -which, when young, has four ramified Fins, to poise and keep its Body -upright, (which gives it the Resemblance of a young Fish) and these fall -off when the Legs are grown: So Frogs and Toads, in their _Tadpole -State_, have Tails, which fall off when their Legs are grown out[18]. -These pass through various Transmigrations, before they arrive at their -perfect State. - -Footnote 18: - - _Derham’s Phys. Theol._ B. IV. - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - - - SECTION V. - -As Serpents differ in Kind, so in Size; the Length to which some of them -grow is most surprizing. A certain Number is sent out with little -Bodies; others are of monstrous Bulk, and capable of making the -strongest Efforts against all the Attempts made to destroy them; yea, -are strong enough to contend with _Elephants_, the greatest of Animals, -and conquer them. _e. gr._ - -_ATTILIUS REGULUS_, the _Roman_ General in _Africa_, is said to -encounter a Serpent in that Country, of vast Strength and Stature, near -the River _Bagrada_, 120 Feet long, which he and his Army could not -subdue, without discharging all their Engines of War against it; and, -when conquered and flea’d, its Skin was conveyed to _Rome_ in -Triumph[19]. This is the more credible, says _Pliny_, because, in -_Italy_, we see other Serpents, called _Boæ_, so large that in the Reign -of _Claudius_, there was one of them killed in the _Vatican_, within -whose Belly was found an Infant whole[20]. - -Footnote 19: - - _Prœlium grands & acre eumque magna totius exercitus conflictatione, - balistis atque catapultis diu oppugnatum—Ejusque interfecti longum - corium pedes 120. Aul. Gellii Noct. Att._ _Liber_ VI. _Cap._ iii. - -Footnote 20: - - _Nat. Hist._ B. VIII. _Cap._ xiv. - -Among the _Andes_ in _America_, are Serpents of prodigious Magnitude, -from 25 to 30 Foot long[21]. In the Province of _Caria_, are Serpents -ten Yards long, and Ten Hands broad, and their Eyes as large as two -small Loaves. In _Brasil_, are found Serpents 30 Foot long. In -_Gresham-College, London_, is a Snake preserved in Spirits, that is near -two Yards long. - -Footnote 21: - - _De Le Vega._ - -In _Norway_, we read of two Serpents of very large Proportion: One of -two hundred Foot long, and lives in Rocks and desolate Mountains, near -the Sea, about _Bergen_; which in Summer-Nights ranges about in quest of -Plunder, devouring Lambs, Calves, Swine, and other Animals, that fall in -its way. In a calm Sea, it ransacks the Superficies of the Water, and -devours the _Polypus_ (_i. e._ a little Fish of many Feet) and all sorts -of Sea-Crabs.——Upon the Approach of a Ship, this Serpent lifts up its -Head above Water, and snatches at the Mariners. My Author adds, that it -rolls itself round about the Ship, the more effectually to secure its -Prey[22]. The Representation of this you have in _C. Gesner._ - -Footnote 22: - - _Olaus Magn._ B. xxi. c. 27. p. 23. _Gesner ex Scalig._ - -The other Serpent is in the Diocess of _Hammer_, about fifty Cubits -long, by Conjecture. In _Bothnia_, on the _Livonian_ Sea, we read of -monstrous Serpents, with which the Shepherds of that Country were in -constant War. Wonderful Things are reported of the large Serpents that -infest the _Helvetian Mountains_. From the Instances above, ’tis evident -that the Northern Climates breed Serpents as well as the South; but with -this Difference, that they are not so venomous as those in _Africa_, -tho’ _Olaus Magnus_, Archbishop of _Upsal_, seems to except the -Shrew-Serpent. _Ibid._ - -There are _Marine_, as well as _Land-Dragons_, of uncommon Bigness: Some -in _Ethiopia_ of 30 Paces long, and in _Phrygia_ ten Paces long.——_N. -B._ A geometrical Pace is five Foot; but if it be the lesser Pace only, -_viz._ the Measure of two Foot and a half, it must be a monstrous -Animal[23].——In the Reign of _Philadelphus_, two _Live-Dragons_ were -brought from _Ethiopia_ to _Alexandria_, one 13, the other 14 Cubits -long. In the Reign of King _Euergetes_, they took three Dragons, one -seven Cubits, the other nine Cubits long. The third was carefully nursed -in the Temple of _Esculapius_, and no Creature so highly reverenced[24]. - -Footnote 23: - - _Gesner_, p. 44. - -Footnote 24: - - _Ælian_, l. 16. c. 39. p. 957. - -On the _Pellonæon Hill_ in _Chius_, was a _Dragon_ whose hideous Noise -filled the Vicinity with Horror and Dread; so terrible, that none durst -approach so near as to take its Dimensions. It happened, the Wilderness -wherein it lived, took fire in a Storm; and being involved in the Smoke -and fire, it perished, and, upon viewing its Bones, ’twas concluded to -be of a monstrous Bulk. _Ibid._ - -The _Ethiopian Dragons_ just mentioned, have no proper Name, and are -only known by a Periphrasis, _viz._ _Killers of Elephants_. The Method -is, by winding themselves about the _Elephants_ Legs, and then thrusting -their Heads up their Nostrils, sting them, and suck their Blood till -they are dead. - -_ALEXANDER_, in his Tour thro’ the _Red-Sea_, says, he saw Serpents of -incredible Magnitude, some about 30 Cubits long[25]. - -Footnote 25: - - _Ælian_, lib. 17. cap. 1. - -We read of monstrous Dragons, particularly two Draconic Monsters -mentioned by _Alexander_’s Ambassadors, seen by them in their Return -from the Kingdom of _Abisaris_, one of 80 Cubits long, the other -140[26]. - -Footnote 26: - - _Strabo_, de situ orbis, lib. 15. βιασαρου χωρα _Bisari_, alias - _Abisari Regio_. - -In places adjacent to _Batavia_, a _Dutch_ Settlement in the -_East-Indies_, we read of Serpents 50 Feet long; and the Skin of one, -which was 20 Feet long, that swallowed an _Infant_, is shewn in -_Batavia_, the _Metropolis_ of the _Dutch_ Empire in the _East-Indies_. -In _America_ also are Serpents of prodigious Bulk, from 25, to 30 Feet -long[27]; but this Subject will be further considered in the _Second -Part_ of this Book. - -Footnote 27: - - Atlas American. - -On the other hand, there are Serpents, as remarkably little as the -_Amphisbæna_, _Gallic_ Viper, and some of the Lizards, that are not -above four or six Inches long. Most of these Minutillos vary in outward -Form. - -And here, I can’t but observe that as the Magnitude of some other -Animals is very wonderful, so, on the contrary, the Minuteness of some -is equally astonishing, if not more so: There are some very _little -Insects_ that are conspicuous to the Eye, but more that are _invisible_ -without the Help of a _Microscope_, which is an optical Instrument, that -magnifies Objects, and makes them bigger than really they are; it helps -to discover minute Particles, of which Bodies are composed, and the -curious Contexture of them. - -To those who are not used to a rigid mathematic Proof, this may be -illustrated by the Smallness of many organized Bodies. There is a Plant -called _Harts-Tongue_, ten thousand Seeds of which hardly make the Bulk -of a Pepper-Corn. Now the Cover of the true Body of each Seed, the -parenchymous and ligneous Parts of both; the Fibres of those Parts, the -Principles of those Fibres, and the homogeneous Particles or Atoms of -each Principle, being moderately multiplied one by another, afford a -hundred thousand Millions of formed Atoms in the space of a Pepper-Corn, -says the learned Dr. _Grew_[28]. - -Footnote 28: - - _Cosmologia Sacra_, B. i. chap. 3. - -The same is yet more evident from the Stupendous Smallness of some -Animals, especially in the Sperm of smaller Insects; which have been -observed by Mr. _Leeuwenhoek_, to be some Millions of times smaller than -a grain Sand. This learned Gentleman has observed more of them in the -Spawn of a Cod-fish, than there are People living on the Face of all the -Earth at once[29]. - -Footnote 29: - - _Numerum animalculorum ex unius asselli majoris lactibus - provenientium, plus decies superare homines in universo terrarum orbe - viventes._—_Epistola ad Dom. N. Grew_, p. 1. - - _N. B._ It is the infinite Number of these little invisible - Animals that makes stagnating Waters or Pools appear of so many - different Colours, as green, reddish, brown,—according to the - several Natures of these little Animals that live therein. - -Thus, among Men, we find big and little; _Giants_ and _Pygmies_: Whether -that Disproportion be from meer natural Causes, or by Designation of -Providence, I determine not. It is very questionable whether there be a -particular Nation of _Pygmies_; but no doubt is made about the Existence -of _Dwarfs_ in many Places as well as Giants. _Julia_, the Niece of -_Augustus_, had a Dwarf called _Canopas_, that was about two feet in -height. _Philippa French_, born at _Milcomb_ in _Staffordshire_, aged -about 36, being then married, wanted something of three Feet in -height[30]. - -Footnote 30: - - Dr. _Plot_’s Natural History.—_Oxford_ 16. - -On the other hand, we are not without Instances of Men, that were of a -_gigantick Stature_, after, as well as before the Deluge, as _Goliah_ -and the Sons of _Anak_. - -In the Days of _Claudius_ the Emperor, _Pliny_ tells us, that one called -_Gabara_, brought out of _Arabia_, was nine Feet and nine Inches high: -He tells us also, of two others in the days of _Augustus Cæsar_, -_Iducio_ and _Secundilla_, that were half a Foot taller than -_Gabara_[31]. _Maximinus_ the Emperor, was eight Foot and a half in -height. But to come near home: - -Footnote 31: - - _Nat. Hist._ B. vii. cap. 16. - -_WILLIAM EVANS_ born in _Monmouthshire_, and Porter to King _Charles_ I. -was two Yards and a half high. _Walter Parsons_, Porter to King _James_ -I. was about the same height. “Some say, _William Evans_ exceeded -_Walter Parsons_ two Inches in height, but was far beneath him in -proportion of Body. Tho’ he halted a little, and going out squalling -with his Feet, yet made a shift to dance in an _Antimasque_ at Court, -where he drew _Little Jeffrey_, the _Dwarf_, out of his _Pocket_, first -to the Wonder, then to the Laughter of the Spectators[32].” - -Footnote 32: - - Fuller’_s Worthies of_ Engl. Monmouthshire, _p._ 54. - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - - - SECTION VI. - -The Apparatus in Serpents for their Motion is admirable. How curious the -Structure of their Muscles, and their Junction to every Point, whereby -they are prepared for their different Motions, and enabled to move -according to their different Nature and Situation! - -In those that go upon their Bellies, the Movement is very singular, -which is in a Form curvilineal, different winding of their Bodies. The -Serpentine Line, among Mathematicians, is borrowed from the Foldings of -a Serpent in its Motion. - -The Learned observe, there is a great deal of geometrical Niceness in -the sinuous Motion of Snakes, Vipers, and other Serpents; to assist them -in the right Management of it, the annular Scales under their Bodies are -very remarkable, lying cross the Belly, contrary to what those in the -Back, and the rest of the System do; which Contrivance facilitates their -Motion. This tortuous creeping Motion of the Reptile Species is very -curious: The whole Body of a Worm is, as it were, but a Chain of annular -or spiral Muscles, whose round Fibres, by contracting, make each Ring -more strong. The Back-Bones of Serpents are a wonderful Composition: How -thick are they with Joints? How numerous and strong are their -co-operating Muscles? By this curious Articulation of the Joints, they -can turn and wind their Bodies any way without any difficulty. - -The Outside of their Skin is a most elegant Composition: to a common -Eye, their Tegument has a rugged uneven Aspect; but, to a proper Judge, -the Scales of Vipers are found to be a most exquisite Piece of -Mechanism; the Symmetry of the whole is geometrically exact, and vastly -beautiful; not imitable by human Skill: Some of them are guarded by a -coverture not penetrable by a human Arm, which is their Security in a -perilous Situation; yea, a greater Security than many innocent -Inhabitants of the Field are privileged with. Among Serpents, some are -clothed as with a Coat of Mail, _i. e._ an Armature of strong Scales; -and such of them as want that crustaceous Covering, have either a Sting -in the Tail, or a Tooth in their Mouth, that bids the Assailant keep -off, and observe his Distance. - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - - - SECTION VII. - -What is Poison? I answer, that, generally speaking, ’tis taken to be a -malignant Quality in some Vegetables, Minerals, and Animals, a small -Quantity of which is hurtful, and even mortal, _&c._ - -The Learned in the Faculty tell us, _Poisons_ operate in various -manners; some by dissolving the Blood, others by coagulating it, and -some by corroding and destroying the Solids. The Learned Sir _Hans -Sloane_ says, “Some attack equally all Parts, some only a particular -one. Thus the _Lepus Marinus_ is an Enemy to the Lungs, _Cantharides_ to -the Bladder[33].” - -Footnote 33: - - _His Voyage._ - -Some Vegetables again, which prove Poison to Man, serve for Food to -other Animals. Thus, says that learned Gentleman, _Mandragora_ and -_Jusquiamnus_ that feed Hogs, kill Man. - -_HEMLOCK_, that is hurtful to Man, is wholesome for Goats; yea, the -_Cassavi Plant_ poisons unprepared; but prepared, is the very Bread of -the _West-Indians_, particularly _Jamaica_ and the hotter Parts, with -which they victual Ships. _Ibid._ Tea is said to be poisonous before it -is cured. - -This perhaps may serve to obviate an Objection made against the Goodness -of the Deity, in planting a Tree in Paradise that had such malignant -Influences; because, supposing that it had any Properties, which might -tend to the Dissolution of the human System, yet the same Tree might be -very salutary and useful to other Beings in the Creation. - -Having divided _Poison_ into _Three Parts_, I shall, in the next Place -consider them distinctly. - - -I. _This Contrivance of Divine Wisdom is so universal, that we find, in -the vegetable Kingdom, something more than what is merely analogous to -Poison, both in Land and Water-Plants_; as the _Napellus_, _Cassivi_, -_Nux Vomica_, _Aconite_, _Cicuta Aquatica_, _Solanum Lethale_, _Aconitum -Hyemale_. Some Poisons are of a Narcotic Quality, as Poppy and -Henbane—being taken in too great a Quantity, become poisonous. I shall -only add some Instances of Persons kill’d by eating poisonous Plants, -Roots, and Herbs. The Wife of _W. Matthews_, near _Salop_, who having -gathered a Quantity of _Dog-Mercury_, which she took to be another Herb, -boiled it for their Supper, which very sensibly affected the whole -Family. One of the Children slept from _Thursday_ Night till _Monday_ -Evening, then just opened her Eyes, and died immediately. The other two -Children slept about 24 Hours, and, upon their awakening, fell a -vomiting and purging, which, ’tis thought, saved their Lives[34]. A -certain Woman near _Kilkenny_ in _Ireland_, eating by mistake, a -_Hemlock-Root_ among _Parsnips_, was immediately seized with a Raving -and Madness. _Ibid._ - -Footnote 34: - - _Lowthorp_’s Abridg. Vol. II. - -Eight young Lads went a fishing to a Brook near _Clonmel_ in _Ireland_, -and there meeting with a great Parcel of _Oenanthe Aquatica succo -viroso_, they mistook the Roots of it for _Sium Aquaticum_ Roots, and -did eat heartily of them. About four or five hours after coming home, -the eldest of them, on a sudden, fell down backwards, and lay kicking -and sprawling on the Ground, foaming at the Mouth; soon after, four more -were seized the same way, and they all died before Morning: not one of -them having spoken a Word from the Moment in which the venenate -Particles surprised the _Genus nervosum_[35]. Of the other three, one -ran stark-mad, but recovered; another had his Hair and Nails fallen off; -the third alone escaped: perhaps it might be owing to a strong -Constitution, and eating less of that fatal Root; or perhaps it might be -attributed to his speedy running above two Miles home (after he saw one -young Man fall) together with his drinking a very large Draught of warm -Milk from the Cow, in his midway, and a violent Sweating, which might -expel many of those venemous Particles. _Ibid._ - -Footnote 35: - - _Ibid._ p. 641. - -An Experiment has been made upon a Dog, by giving him the _Nux Vomica_, -which soon poisoned him. The _American Physick Nut_ is said to be so -poisonous, that no Animals make a near Approach to it. Wormwood in -_Persia_ is so venemous, that if Horses, or any other Creatures, eat -thereof, they die immediately; upon which account, say the Duke of -_Holstein_’s Ambassadors, we durst not unbit that day[36]. The _Indians_ -have what they call _Juico Juice_ among them, which deprives such as -drink of it of their Reason, and renders them perfect Idiots; tho’ at -the same time it leaves them in the perfect Enjoyment of their Health -and natural Powers. - -Footnote 36: - - Their Voyages and Travels to _Muscovy_ and _Persia_, p. 228. A. D. - 1637. - -_CHARCOALS_ prepared from _Vegetables_, have a poisonous Quality; for, -when kindled, they exhale a Vapour, which, if it be kept up, and -confin’d to a close Place, proves fatal. ’Tis said, Charcoal made in -_Cornwal_ affords a manifest arsenical and sulphurous Smell beyond -others; and yet Charcoal is a _commodious_ Fuel. - -Even when the sharp Points of Nettles pierce the Flesh, they instil a -kind of venemous Juice into the Wound, which gives a painful Sensation. -The Leaf of a Nettle has some relation to a Sting; ’tis covered with -very sharp Prickles, whose Base, which is a Bladder of a flexible -Substance, has a Hole in the middle, by which this venemous Liquor runs -into the wounded Part, and excites Pain. - -This may be easily perceived with a Microscope; if a Man press with the -Finger, the End of those Prickles against its _Base_: for then, thro’ -these Prickles which are transparent, this Liquor is manifestly seen to -mount, and to descend, as the ingenious Mr. _Hook_ assures us, he had -often made the Experiment. - -In _Carmania Deserta_, towards the _Persian_ Gulph, they have two sorts -of dangerous Shrubs, one called _Gulbad-Samour_, i. e. the Flower that -poisons the Wind, where there are many of these _Shrubs_. The Wind that -passes thro’ them, kills those who are near it. The other is _Kerzehre_, -the _Gall_ of _Asses_, because it kills those Creatures, and others that -eat of it; yea, the Water that falls from it is poisonous. They say, -that Part of its Root which spreads to the East is Poison: for which, -that on the South-side is an Antidote[37].——_N. B._ Is not our Author -mistaken? for can any Poison grow in the delicious Plains of the East, -consecrated to the Service of the Altar and Knee? - -Footnote 37: - - _Tavernier_, in _Atl. Geo._ p. 349, and 396. - -An Overdose of Opium, which is the condensed Juice of Poppies, is -poisonous. The _Turks_ take _Opium_, which they call _Affion_, without -any Preparation, it being merely the Juice of black Poppy, dried in the -Sun, without any purification. It is wonderful, _that use should make -that Liquid which is Poison to us, a Cordial to them_[38]. - -Footnote 38: - - _Wheeler_’s Voyages, p. 203. - -The Vapour arising from vegetable Liquors during their Fermentation, -ought not to be approached too near, because it is poisonous: We have -Accounts in the _French_ and _German Transactions_, of People who were -immediately struck dead, by receiving at the Nose the Fumes that issued -from large Vessels of Wine in the State of Fermentation[39]. - -Footnote 39: - - _Boerhaave_, p. 120, 130. - -“I think, says a learned Physician, that God made no Poison, but all -things in the World were made for the Use of Man; their chiefest -_Deleterium_ is either in the Quantity, or some other Circumstance, as -in Lettice, Leeks,—whose _Integra_ are Aliments, the Juices mortiferous. -Those things that are pernicious, by their external Form, as beaten -Glass, Sponges, have not deserved the Brand of Poison; those that are -really lethiferous, are but the Excrescences of Sin, and came in with -the Thorns. The Serpent was rather destructive to the Soul than the -Body.” - -Among the Ancients was a Plant that killed Mice with its bare smell, -according to _Pliny_: The Poets feign it to have sprung from the Foam of -the Dog _Cerberus_, when _Hercules_ dragg’d him out of Hell. - -The _Aconite Plants_ also are extremely caustic and acrimonious, in -virtue whereof they have produced terrible Inflammations, that end in -Mortification. So great was the People’s Dread of this Plant, for its -venemous Quality, that they durst not touch it and yet, ’tis said, they -made use of it against the Sting of _Scorpions_, which is supposed to be -deadned by the Touch of the Aconite, and restored to its Vigour by that -of _Hellebore_. - - _N. B._ The Root of the Plant is said to cure all Diseases - proceeding from Melancholy, as Disaffections from the - _Hypochondria_, _Herpes_ or cutaneous Inflammations. - -It is also reported that Arrows dipped in the Juice of _Aconite Plants_, -proved mortal wherever they wounded. - - -II. _The Globe we inhabit, abounds with Variety of Minerals, of a very -mischievous Nature_; as _Arsenic_, found in Copper-mines; _Orpiment_, a -Mineral found among Copper-mines, in Stones of different Bigness, Colour -and Figure. These, and others of the same venemous Nature, are less or -more dangerous, according as their Salts receive a different Force from -the metallic Particles. - -The Mineral Kingdom is very subject to Damps, or noxious Streams, and -often found in Mines, Pits,——and in Kinds various. There are also -Exhalations, a sort of Fumes issuing from Body, and diffusing themselves -in the Atmosphere. Some make difference between Vapours and Exhalations: -The Term _Vapour_, they say, is appropriated to the moist Fumes raised -from Water, and _Exhalation_, to the dry ones emitted from solid Bodies, -as Earth, Fire, Minerals, Sulphur. The nocuous Effluvia sent forth from -them may infect the Air, and cause epidemical Distempers, and even new -Diseases. About Mines and deep Caverns, are frequently found copious -Exhalations continually streaming out, which, in a Moment, destroy any -Animal that comes within their reach; so much as the very Insects -themselves not escaping: Therefore these Places were by the Ancients -called _Gehennæ_, _Averni_,—intimating thereby, that a _Mineral Pit_ was -_Hell_, and that _Subterraneous Exhalations_ were _Steams_ from the -_Fiery Lake_. - -_STRABO_ takes notice of a _Cave_ or _Grotto_ in _Natolia_, from whence -issue pestilential Vapours that infect the Air: No sooner is any Animal -put in, but it immediately dies. Bulls have been put in, and suddenly -taken out dead. Sparrows that have been thrown in, dropt down dead -instantly. - -The _Turks_ fancy it to be haunted by evil Spirits, because those who -had the Curiosity to enter it, have either _died_ or fallen desperately -_sick_[40]. - -Footnote 40: - - _Strabo Geograph._ - -Mineral Poisons are more or less dangerous, as their Salts receive a -greater or less Force from the metallic Particles: And hence, as the -most virulent may be mitigated by breaking the Points of the saline -Crystals, the most innocent Minerals may become corrosive, by combining -them with Salts, as is seen in the Preparations of Silver, Antimony, -Iron. - -Nothing more fatal than mineral Poison, which often brings swift -Destruction without remedy. To a large Dog, says the learned Dr. _Mead_, -was given a Drachm of _Mercury Sublimate_, mixt with a little Bread, who -after violent Evacuations, died next Morning. The same Gentleman -observes, that in _Arsenic_ is a very noxious quality: the factitious -white is the most violent of all kinds, superior in force to _Mercury -sublimate_. - -These mortiferous Steams that flow from the Earth, are called -_Mephites_, _poisonous Damps_; and are very common in Countries fruitful -of Minerals and Mines: _Damps_ happen in most of the _Hungarian-Mines_, -not only in the direct Passages, where they walk on horizontally, but -also in the perpendicular Descents. Now, to guard themselves against the -fatal Effects of these Exhalations, they sometimes clear their way by -Fire and the Bellows, but generally by long Tubes or Pipes, reaching -from top to bottom, thro’ which they let the Air in and out; and by this -Circulation of the Air, they carry on their Work for some time without -Danger. - -_CREMNITS_ in _Hungary_ (a small Town, reckon’d the chief of the Berg, -or Mine-Towns) is famous for its Gold-Mine which has been work’d on 900 -Years, where the Workmen sometimes are troubled with pernicious Damps, -and many are kill’d by them; and so it happens in the Mines at -_Schemnits_, the fairest of the seven Mine-Towns[41]. - -Footnote 41: - - _Atl. Geograph._ p. 1640, —1, —2, —3. - -Among the Minerals known to us, there are many more noxious than -wholesome and the Power of the former to do mischief, is more -efficacious than the Power of the latter to do good; which is evident -from the little Benefit the Miner’s Health receives from any mineral -Effluvia, compar’d with the great and sudden Damps, that are often -caused by the Expirations of _Orpiment_, _Sandarac_, and _white -Arsenic_, which is a deadly Poison, and most fatal of the whole Tribe of -Fossils. Hence the Refiners dread nothing so much as _Arsenic_ in their -Metals; for its Fumes taken into the Lungs kill instantly, and the -oftner ’tis sublim’d, the ranker it grows[42]. - -Footnote 42: - - _Boerhaave’s Theory of Chemistry._ - -_MERCURY_ is extremely volatile, being convertible into Fumes, even by a -Sand-heat. Those who practise the Art of Gilding, are but too well -acquainted with these mercurial Fumes, which frequently render them -epileptic and paralytic, and sometimes throw them into a Salivation. -This kind of Poison is found in _Friuli_, a Province in _Italy_, -belonging to the Emperor, and also in _Spain_, _Hungary_, _&c._ - -The miserable People condemn’d, or hired to work in these Mines, all die -in a little time: they are so affected with those venemous Fumes, that -from Tremors they proceed to salivate, then their Teeth drop.—One of -them who had been there six Years, was so full of _Mercury_, that -holding a Piece of _Gold_ in his Mouth a little while, it became of a -_Silver Colour_, and when taken out, it was found heavier than before, -_ibid._ p. 74. - -_COPPER_ is another poisonous Mineral, difficult of Fusion, and when -fused, if a single Drop of Water do but fall upon it; or any Vessel it -be cast in, be ever so little moist, it flies into innumerable -Fragments, with incredible Noise, and destroys all the Persons near it. -_Ibid._ - -_TIN_, the lightest of all Metals, when urged by an easy Fire, it shines -exceedingly; but this Splendor is succeeded by a sulphurous Steam, very -destructive to the Lungs, and throws the Body into a Consumption. -_ibid._ - -At _Mendip_ in _Somersetshire_, those who are employ’d in melting -_Lead-ore_, if they work in the Smoke, are subject to killing Diseases. -There is a Flight (or Steam) in the Smoke, which falling on the Grass, -poisons the Cattle that eat it. Those who live very near where Lead-ore -is wash’d, can’t keep either Dog or Cat, or any sort of Fowl, but they -all die in a short time[43]. - -Footnote 43: - - _Lowthorp_’s _Abr._ vol. ii. p. 576. - -Such are the _mephitical_ Exhalations in a little Cavern in _Italy_, -call’d _Bacca Venosa_, the poisonous Mouth, not far from _Naples_, but -more generally known by _Grotto de Cani_, the _Dog’s Cave_; because the -Experiment of its poisonous Nature is frequently made upon Dogs; tho’ it -be fatal as to any other Creatures that come within the Reach of its -venemous Fumes. This wonderful Cave is (situated at the Bottom of a -Hill) in Dimension, about eight Foot high, twelve long, and six broad. - -From the Ground within it, arises _a thin warm Fume_ (visible to the -Eye) which is one continued Steam covering the whole Surface of the -Bottom of the Cave; it does not disperse itself into the Air like Smoke, -but quickly after its Rise, falls back again into the Earth. The Fumes -rise about a Foot high and never higher, and hurt no Creature whose Head -is above that height; but when a little Dog, or the Head of any other -Creature is forcibly held in the Steam, it falls down dead, the Limbs -convuls’d, and trembling; and if left there a little while, it dies, but -if taken out soon, and laid in the open Air, comes to Life again, and -sooner, if thrown into the adjacent Lake. - -_CHARLES_ the Great, King of _France_, and Emperor of the _West_ (a -Title of Honour other _Gallick Monarchs_ have had in full view for some -time) made the Experiment upon an _Ass_, whose Head was held in the -Fume, and was soon destroy’d. _Two Slaves_ put in with their Heads kept -down to the Earth, were both soon kill’d. To this, I shall add some -Experiments made by the ingenious Mr. _Addison_, who says—— - - —“A Dog that has his Nose held in the Vapour (within the Cave) - loses all the Signs of Life in a very little time.” Then he - observes, how long a Dog was expiring the first time, and after - his Recovery, and found no sensible Difference. “A _Viper_ put - in, adds he, bore it nine Minutes the first time we put it in, - and ten the second. When we brought it out after the first - Trial, it took such a vast quantity of Air into its Lungs, that - it swell’d almost twice as big as before, and it was perhaps, on - this Stock of Air, that it lived a Minute longer. - - “A Torch, Snuff and all, goes out in a moment, when dipt into - the Vapours or Steams of that Cave——A Pistol can’t fire in it. I - split a Reed, and laid in the Channel of it a Train of - Gun-powder, so that one end of the Reed was above the Vapour, - and the other at the bottom of it; and I found, tho’ the Steam - was strong enough to hinder a Pistol from taking fire in it—that - it could not intercept the Train of Fire, when it once begun - flashing, nor prevent it from running to the very end—fire will - live in it no longer than in Water, because it wraps itself in - the same manner about the Flame, and by its Continuity hinders - any quantity of Air, or Nitre from coming to its succour[44].” - -Footnote 44: - - _His Works_, vol. iii. p. 8, 97. - -Nor are our Mines in _Great-Britain_ altogether free from these fatal -Damps, that have turn’d Coal-pits into Graves. In a Coal-pit belonging -to Lord _Sinclair_ in _Scotland_, seven or eight Men intending to work -in a Place where they had been the Day before, but stepping a little -further, they all fell down dead, as if they had been shot. The Wife of -one of them, venturing to see her Husband, fell down dead as soon as she -came near the Corps[45]. - -Footnote 45: - - _Lowthorp_’s _Abridgment_, vol. ii. p. 373. - - -III. We come now to the sensible Region, where animal Poisons reign; -that is, Poison drawn from Animals, as the Viper, Asp, Scorpion, Lepus -Marinus: and here we are to encounter with an Army of Serpents, and -their formidable Train. - -When we speak of the Poison of Serpents, we must not suppose it diffused -thro’ the whole Body, as some have imagined. Many Errors about the -particular Situation of it, have been happily removed by the Learned Dr. -_Redi_, and Dr. _Mead_, who observes the Viper has always been so -notorious for its Poison, that the most remote Antiquity, made it an -Emblem of what is hurtful and destructive, but were not agreed from -whence the Poison proceeded, whether from the _Saliva_, the _Teeth_, the -_Gall_, _&c._ which leads me to a Passage in the _noble Italian_, who -says: - -... That as a certain Learned Society in _Italy_ were debating this -Point, one _Jacobus Sozzi_ (_audiendi gratiâ_) who was allow’d to be -present, stationed himself in a corner of the Place, and hearing some of -them affirm that the Poison was in the Gall-bladder, fell a smiling; and -being ask’d the Reason, he answer’d, that the Serpent’s _Gall_ was an -innocent Part: Whereupon, in their Presence, he drank a Glass of Wine, -mixt with the _Gall of a Viper_, without any ill Effect. - -One of the Company said, he came thither with his Body prepared by -Alexipharmicks. He, to convince them of the contrary, try’d the -Experiment upon Dogs, and other Animals, by giving them the _Gall_ of -Vipers to drink in abundance, without any Danger ensuing[46]. - -Footnote 46: - - _Redi nobilis Aretini Experim. in Res Naturales_, pag. 163, 164, 165. - -In the Debate about the Seat of the Poison, the famous _Italian_ -maintains, that all the _Venom_ of a Serpent consists in a _yellow -Liquor_ contain’d in a Bladder, at the bottom of its Tooth, which -Liquor, upon its biting, by the Pressure of the Bladder, is forced thro’ -a Tube within the Tooth, into the Wound, and thence ensue direful -Effects. This Hypothesis he supports by a good number of Experiments -upon various Animals, which were bit by a Viper, after those venemous -Bags were taken out, without any Signs of Poison, or any ill Consequence -at all[47]. - -Footnote 47: - - _Seignior Redi._ - -Another _celebrated Physician_ maintains, that this _yellow Liquid_ is -not poisonous, that he had given it to Pigeons as Food, without their -being at all disorder’d thereby.—That the Viper’s Bite, he had always -found mortal to Animals, even after the venemous Bag was taken out, as -well as before.—That therefore the Poison must lie in the _irritated -Spirits of the Viper_, which it exhales in the Ardor of its biting, and -which are so cold that they curdle the Blood, and stop the -Circulation[48]. - -Footnote 48: - - _Monsieur Charras._ - -Both these are ingenious Men; their Systems are opposite, yet both -maintain’d by well-attested Experiments. The Publick, however, give into -the Sentiments of _Seignior Redi_, as answering the best to the -Mechanism of the Parts. - -Seignior _Vigani_ has in some measure reconciled these two Learned -Combatants, who alledges, that the _yellow Liquor_ wherewith Dr. _Redi_ -kill’d Pullets, _&c._ after the death of the Viper, was either saturated -with the Spirits of the enraged Viper, by whipping it before, or else -(as ’tis probable) in the hot and dry Climates of _Italy_, those -Creatures are more venemous than in colder Countries. - -This Poison of Vipers seems to lie in their hollow Teeth, because the -Mountebanks of old, to impose on the People, used to stop those -Cavities, or hollow Places in the Teeth, with some kind of _Paste_, -before they suffered the Vipers to bite them in sight of Spectators; -which was commonly done, and succeeded according to their wish;—and -sometimes, with a Needle scratch’d the Gums, and press’d out the -Poison[49]. _Pliny_ says, they have but one venemous Tooth. - -Footnote 49: - - _Lowthorp_’s _Abridg._ vol. ii. p. 815. - -Dr. _Mead_, having given the various Symptoms attending venemous Wounds, -proceeds to the Remedies; and in particular, mentions the _volatile Salt -of Vipers_, as alone sufficient to do the Work, if given in due time, in -proper quantities, and duly repeated[50]. - -Footnote 50: - - _Mechanical Account._ - -Mr. _Robert Burdet_, an _English_ Merchant at _Aleppo_ (in _Turkish -Asia_) was bit by a Serpent about ten in the Morning, and died about -three in the Afternoon. The People of that Country say, the only Cure in -that Case, is immediately to suck the Wound; but they must rub first -their Gums and Teeth with Oil, that none of the Poison may touch any -place where the Skin is broken, and spit out immediately what they -suck[51]. - -Footnote 51: - - _Lowthorp_’s _Abridg._ vol. ii. p. 814. - -The Learned _Batavian_ observes, as a present and effectual Remedy in -the Case of the Bite of a mad Dog, or other venemous Animal, immediately -to burn the affected Part with a hot Iron, or rather thrust deep into -the Wound; for by this means, the Juices about the Part being -coagulated, and an Escar produced, all Communication of the Poison to -any other Vessels is stopt, and thus the Cure may be easily effected. -Not that the hot Iron draws out the Poison, as is vulgarly imagined, but -renders the Parts uncapable of being penetrated, or affected -thereby[52]. - -Footnote 52: - - _Boerhaave_’s _new Method of Chemistry_, part. iii. _proces._ 104. p. - 213. - -But to come nearer home, and to a cheap and easy Antidote against the -serpentine and canine Venom, by a certain Experiment lately made in -_England_, which was thus, _viz._ - -... One _William Oliver_, and his Wife from _Bath_, who follow the -Business of catching and selling Vipers, offer’d themselves—to be bit by -any Viper, that should be procured, trusting to the Virtue of a certain -Remedy they had found out by chance in trying things, when the Woman was -once accidentally bitten.——The usual known Medicine, even the _Oil of -Vipers_, having no Effect in assuaging her Pains, they had recourse to -the _common Oil of Olives_, which proved an effectual Remedy. The -Circumstances of the Case were—— - -On the first of _June 1735,_ in the Presence of a great number of -Persons, the said _William Oliver_ was bit by an old black Viper, or -Adder, (brought by one of the Company) upon the Wrist, and Joint of the -Thumb of the Right-Hand, so that Drops of Blood came out of the Wounds: -He immediately felt a violent Pain, both at the top of his Thumb, and up -his Arm, even before the Viper was loosen’d from his Hand: Soon after he -felt a Pain resembling that of Burning, trickle up his Arm; in a few -Minutes, his Eyes began to look red and fiery, and to water much. - -In less than half an Hour, he perceived the Venom seize his Heart, with -a prickling Pain, which was attended with Faintness, Shortness of -Breath, cold Sweats: In a few Minutes after this, his Belly began to -swell, with great Gripings, and Pains in his Back, which were attended -with violent Vomitings, and Purgings. - -During the Violence of these Symptoms, his Sight was gone for several -Minutes; but he could hear all the while: He said, that in his former -Experiments, he had never defer’d making use of his Remedy longer than -he perceived the Effects of the Venom reaching his Heart; but this time, -being willing to satisfy the Company throughly, and trusting to the -_speedy Effects of the Oil_, which had never fail’d him, he forbore to -apply any thing till he found himself exceeding ill, and quite giddy. -About an Hour and Quarter after the first of his being bit, a -Chafing-dish of glowing Charcoals was brought in, and his naked Arm was -held over it as near as he could bear it, while his Wife rubb’d in with -her Hand the _Sallad Oil_, turning his Arm continually round, as if she -wou’d have roasted it over the Coals. - -He said the Pain soon abated, but the Swelling did not diminish much; -most violent Purgings and Vomitings soon ensued, and his Pulse became so -low and so often interrupted, that it was thought proper to order him a -Repetition of Cordial Potions. He said he was not sensible of any great -Relief from these, but that a Glass or two of _Olive Oil_ drank down -seemed to give him ease: Continuing in this dangerous Condition, he was -put to Bed, where his Arm was again bath’d over a Pan of Charcoal, and -rubb’d with _Sallad Oil_ heated in a Ladle over the Charcoal, by Dr. -_Mortimer_’s Direction.——Whereupon he declared he found immediate Ease, -as tho’ by some Charm——then fell into a profound Sleep, and after about -nine Hours found Rest, awak’d, about six the next Morning, and found -himself very well; but in the Afternoon, on Drinking some Rum and strong -Beer, so as to be almost fuddled, the Swelling return’d with much Pain -and cold Sweats; which abated soon on bathing the Arm as before, and -wrapping it up in a brown Paper soaked in the Oil. - -The learned Dr. _Mortimer_, relates the Success of this simple Medicine, -tried afterwards on other Animals, who were purposely bitten, both by -the same, and by fresh Vipers, to experience the Efficacy of it[53]. - -Footnote 53: - - Dr. _Cromwell Mortimer_ R. S. Secr. his _Narrative_ relating to the - Viper-catchers. - -In the Sequel, he has occasion to mention a Remedy for the Bite of a mad -Dog, under the Title of _Dampier’s Powder_, the Composition of which is, -_viz._ _ash Colour Groundwort and black Pepper_. It was first published -by Sir _Hans Sloane_, in _Numb. 237_ of _the Transactions_, A. D. 1720, -under the Name of _Pulvis Antilyssus_; where the Manner of giving it, -not only to Men, but to Dogs and Cattle, is accurately set down. The -Doctor says, the _Lichen Cinereus Terrestris_ is accounted exceedingly -efficacious in curing Dogs bitten by mad Dogs; then adds, _viz._ - -That King _James_, when Duke of _York_, caused this _Lichen Cinereus -Terrestris_ to be given to a whole Kennel of Dogs bit by a mad one, -which were all cured, except one of them, to whom none of it was -given[54]. - -Footnote 54: - - _Philosophical Transact._ Numb. 443, for _Oct. 1736_. - -In _Norway_, and on a great Moss near _Warrington_, are many Serpents; -and their Wounds are cured by _Venice-Treacle_. - -In _Africa_, they have an odd Way of curing Persons hurt by Poison; they -rub the Venom of Snakes with their own Spittle, between two Stones and -having mixed them well, they scratch upon the Wings of the Stomach, and -to the Part so scratch’d, which is bloody, they apply a small Part of -the Mixture; the rest they take inwardly.——This never fails to expel the -Poison in the Wound, or in any other Part affected with it: In about a -Month’s time a perfect Cure is made; in order to which, when they judge -the Poison is expell’d, they cleanse the Wound, and apply to it the -leaves of _Buchu_, _Dacha_, and other _salutiferous_ Herbs: But they -say, the least Neglect of such a Wound, (be it by a poisonous Arrow, or -any other way) is dangerous[55]. - -Footnote 55: - - _Peter Kolben_’s present State of the Cape of _Good Hope_, and of the - _Hottentots_, writ in _High-German_, and translated by Mr. _Guido - Medley_, p. 304-5. - -Snake-wood is very common in the Island of _Ceylon_, (suppos’d to be the -_Taprobane_ of _Ptolemy_) which is much esteem’d by the _East-Indians_, -who, with the Powder of it taken in Water or Wine, cure many Distempers, -and among others, the Stings of Serpents, which abound in that Country. - -Their Naturalists say, the Virtue of it was first discovered by a small -Creature, like our Ferrets, which when stung by Serpents, runs and eats -of the Snake-wood, and is cur’d. - -Father _Regnault_, speaking of Poisons, mentions several Methods of -Cure, as Incisions, Ligatures, Caustics, Vomits, Oil of Olive, Baths, -Treacle, Juice of Citron. - -By a Ligature, which hinders the Poison from spreading. - -By Caustics, or red-hot Iron brought within a certain Distance of the -Wound; because Heat attenuates the Poison by its action, and dissipates -it. - -This Effect of Poison has some Analogy with that which happens upon -syringing (thro’ Curiosity) some acid Liquor into the Veins of a living -Dog, or other Creature; for in a short time he falls into Convulsions, -and dies. A Decoction of _white Hellebore_ injected into the jugular -Vein of a Dog, as soon as it enter’d the Heart, kill’d as suddenly as if -shot thro’ the Heart with a Bullet. On _January 4, 1679_, a Drachm and a -half of _Spirit of Salt_, diluted in an Ounce and half of Water, and -injected into the jugular Vein of a Dog, kill’d him immediately. We -kill’d a Dog almost in a Moment by injecting into his jugular Vein an -Ounce of _Spirit of Wine_, in which was dissolved a _Drachm of -Camphire_: The same Day we injected warm into the crural Vein of a Cat, -50 Grains of _Opium_, dissolved in an Ounce of Water, which was soon -seized with convulsive Motions, and died within a Quarter of an Hour. We -injected an _Ounce of Oil of Olives_ into the jugular Vein of a Dog, -which suffocated him the same Moment. - - _N. B._ In all that were suffocated by Oil, we found their - Lungs fill’d with a very thick Froth[56]. - -Footnote 56: - - Mr. _Benj. Motte_’s Philosophical Transact. abridg. Vol. 1. Part. ii. - p. 220, 221, where you may find many Instances of the same Nature. - - * * * * * - - The Remarkables here are, - - -I. _That a small Portion of this venemous Liquid should in so short a -time do such terrible Executions_: That it should so soon infect so -great a Quantity of Fluid, as the whole Mass of Blood in the wounded -Animal. A very learned Physician accounts for it thus, _viz._ - - “That in the Drop of Poison are pungent Salts, by which little - Bladders in the Blood are prickt, and the elastick Matter in - them being let out, carries those acute Salts thro’ the whole - Region of Fluids; upon which follows a Coagulation[57].” - -Footnote 57: - - Dr. _Mead_’s Mechanical Account. - -All venemous Creatures hurt, by instilling a liquid Poison into the -Wound, suppose the Wound to be given by the Tooth or Tail. The aforesaid -ingenious Physician says, _viz._ “This venemous Juice it self is of so -_inconsiderable a Quantity, that it is no more than one good Drop that -does the Execution_.”——In order, adds he, to examine the Texture of the -Liquor, I enrag’d a Serpent till it bit upon something solid, so as to -void its Poison; whose Parts I view’d with a Microscope as nicely as I -could. - - “Upon the first Sight, I could discover nothing but a Parcel of - small Saks nimbly floating in the Liquor, which soon shot out, - as it were, into _Crystals_ of incredible Tenuity and Sharpness, - with something like Knots here and there, from which they seemed - to proceed; so that the whole Texture in a manner represented a - Spider’s Web, tho’ infinitely finer, and more minute; and yet - withal so rigid were these pellucid _Spicula_ or Darts, that - they remain’d unalter’d upon my Glass for several Months[58]”. - - ——_N. B._ These saline Particles appeared to be Acids. - -Footnote 58: - - _Ibid._ p. 5-6. - -Most surprising this! to see an Army of Flesh and Blood, tremble and -fall before a single Atom of Matter! to see the _Cedars of Lebanon_ -demolish’d by the single Stroke of a contemptible Worm. So in the Moral -World. Even in the Paradisaical State, how malignant the Poison of -forbidden Fruit that spread Mortality over the whole human Race, and -will affect Millions; dreadful Effects of once eating forbidden Fruit! -What a World of Evils flows from one Disease or Disorder in the human -Nature! _It was by one false Step the unquenchable Fire was first -kindled._ - - -II. _That Poison is not so dangerous, if it does not mix with the -Blood._ Even that venemous Liquid may be tasted, yea, and swallow’d -without mortal Effects, say some of the Learned. Hence it is, wounded -Persons have been directed to get the Venom immediately suck’d out, -which has been practis’d without ill Consequences to the Sucker. - -For this Method of curing venemous Wounds by Suction, _Avicenna_, an old -_Arabian_ Philosopher and physician, is quoted; who says, that those who -suck out the Poison are in no danger, so their Teeth be sound and -perfect, and their Mouths be free from all Ulcers. At _Rome_ was an -Order of Servants whose Office was to suck venemous Wounds, which they -did with Safety and Applause[59]. - -Footnote 59: - - Sr. _Redi_, p. 185. - - “Many _acid Substances_ taken into the Stomach, are, by its - action turned into _Alcalious_; so there is no question but - these _saline Spicula_ are, partly by the muscular Motion of the - Fibres, partly by the salival Juice, all broken and dissolved; - or if any escape into the Intestines, the Balsam of the Bile - will be an Antidote for them. _p. 14._” - -Creatures reputed venemous, are indeed no Poisons when swallowed, tho’ -the Venom may prove so when put into Wounds. - -The Venom that falls upon the Skin, is not so mischievous as that which -enters into the Stomach, or is communicated by a Wound. “Yea, the Venom -of a Viper, in itself, is not mortal to a robust and strong Body; and -tho’ very unhappy and mischievous Accidents attend it, as Convulsions, -Vomitings, _&c._” yet in eight or ten Days at most, these are over; tho’ -the Patient may be very ill, yet he recovers, while the Poison having -run thro’ divers Parts of the Body, at last always throws itself into -the _Scrotum_, and is discharg’d by a great Quantity of Urine: This -Evacuation being the ordinary and most certain Crisis of the -Disease[60]. - -Footnote 60: - - Philosoph. Transactions abridged by _Lowthorp_, Vol. II. p. 814. - _Noxia Serpentum est admisso sanguine partis._ Lucani Pharsalia. - Amstelod. Edit. p. 266. - -The Water—which amphibious Serpents frequent, receives no venemous -Tincture from them. When _Marcus Cato_ commanded in _Africa_ (the -Element of poisonous Animals) he had in his Army a Number of those -Natives called _Psylli_ and _Marci_, the supposed Aversion of Serpents, -and who suck’d the Wounds of those hurt by them. It is said, these -_Psyllians_ inchanted Serpents, who fled at the sight of them, as if -their Bodies exhaled some _corpuscular Effluviums_ that were most -offensive to Serpents, and put them into such pain that made them run. -To these, the General added another Set of Persons, famous for curing -the wounded by other Methods; and all little enough, Serpents being the -Lords of the Country through which they were to pass[61]. - -Footnote 61: - - _Auli Gellii Noctes Atticæ_, lib. 16. c. 11. p. 161. _Herodot._ lib. - 4. _Plutarch in Cato._ - -The Author of the Description of _Cato_’s marching the Remains of -_Pompey_’s Army through the _Lybian Deserts_, observes, how the Army -being almost choak’d with Thirst, and coming to a Brook full of -Serpents, durst not drink for fear of being poisoned, till convinced by -their Superiors, that their being in the Water, did by no means infect -it: Upon which they refreshed themselves with Water from the Serpentine -River[62]. - -Footnote 62: - - _Redi_, 178. Lucan_’s_ Pharsal.—_Pocula morte carent_—lib. 9. - -Add to this, the Example of Queen _Cleopatra_, who, to prevent her being -carried to _Rome_ in Triumph, ’tis said, poisoned herself, by holding a -Serpent to her own Breast. _Galen_ mentioning this Story, relates from -Authors, that she killed herself, by pouring the Poison of an Asp into a -Wound made in her Arm by her own Teeth; as if under Conviction, that the -Poison would not effectually answer the End, without touching the Blood. -_Ibid._ Of which more in the _Second Part_ of this Discourse. - - -III. _In Serpents is an inexhaustible Store of Poison._ If they -discharge all their Artillery to-day, their Arsenal will be full -to-morrow. ’Tis true, by a speedy repeated Emission of Poison at one -time, the Viper loses its force, probably by a Diminution in Quantity; -but is recruited in a Short space. Thus, one Viper cannot poison six -Creatures, one immediately after another; the Truth of which is -confirmed by uncontestable Facts.——An Experiment was made by Dr. -_Areskine_, when he was at _Paris_.—Having got a large female Viper, he -made it bite six Pigeons, one immediately after another. The first and -second that were bit, died within half an Hour; one a little before the -other; the third lived about two Hours; the fourth seem’d to be very -sick for a while, but recover’d; the fifth and sixth that were bitten, -were no more hurt than if prick’d with a Pin. _Ibid._ - -The learned _Italian_, Seignior _Redi_, says, that having, at the -Entrance of Winter, a Scorpion sent him to _Rome_ from _Tunis_ in -_Africa_, he irritated it to sting Pigeons and Pullets, without any bad -Effects; but upon the approach of warm Weather, after eight Months -fasting it was provoked to sting two Pigeons successively, which soon -died; but the third and fourth received no hurt from its Wound. The -Author of the _Natural History of Carolina_, speaking of the -_Rattle-Snakes_, says, they can’t renew their Poison as oft as they -will; for he had seen a Person bit by one of them, who never rightly -recovered, and very hardly escaped with Life; and another Person -immediately after being bit by the same Snake, received no more Hurt -than if bit by a Rat. _p._ 129.[63] - -Footnote 63: - - New Collection of Voyages, printed A. D. 1711. - - _N. B._ Poison in different Countries, is more or less dangerous - according as it is exalted and heighten’d by various Degrees of - Heat; for by Increase of Heat, that venemous Quality is - increased. - - - OBJECTION. - -_How is it consistent with Divine Goodness to create such venemous -Animals, that are so dangerous and destructive to their -Fellow-Creatures?_ I answer, - - -I. _That as the Power of God shines in the Formation of all Creatures, -so does his Goodness in their natural Perfections, which is the Goodness -of their Being._ Every Creature is good, and if any Branch of the -Creation be hurtful to another, ’tis the Effect of moral Evil, and not -any necessary Consequence arising from their Creation. - -This noxious Quality in Serpents, is God’s Creature, and must answer -some valuable Purpose, tho’ concealed from an Eye blinded by the Venom -of Sin. Nor must we forget that they seldom hurt their Fellow-Creatures, -but when they are provok’d; and when they hurt, they present us with a -healing Remedy, that is, _the volatile Salt of Vipers, which if rubbed -into the Wound, has been generally applied with Success_. - - -II. _Their poisonous Liquid must some way be beneficial to themselves._ -We are not told what their original Food was; but now they live by -Plunder, and by their Venom they are enabled to make sure of their Prey, -which otherwise might escape, or grow too strong for them, and so they -might starve for want of proper Means to support Life; and what they -take by their venemous Fangs and Stings, is good Nourishment. - -Their Poison also, is to them as a Life-Guard. Were there not something -terrible in their Weapons of War, every one would trample upon them. Add -to this, that perhaps their Constitution may be so modify’d and framed, -that this venemous Liquid may be as useful to digest their Food, as our -_Saliva_ is to us in that respect. - - -III. _SERPENTS, tho’ venemous, are of special Use to Mankind, as they -are Part of the_ Materia Medica, _and bear a great Share in some of the -best Antidotes, or Remedies against Poison_. Vipers make a considerable -Article in Medicine; their Flesh either roasted or boiled, the -Physicians unanimously prescribe as an excellent Restorative, -particularly in Consumptions, Leprosy.—— - -The learned Dr. _Mead_ recommends the Broth or Jelly of Vipers; or, as -the Antients did, to boil and eat them as a Fish, or at least to drink -Wine, wherein they have been long infused: The Apothecaries sell the -_Pulvis Viperinus_, which is only _dried Vipers pulverized_, Heart, -Liver, and all other Parts, and past through a fine Sieve. Some call it, -_Animal Bezoard_. - -_BEZOAR_ is a _Persian_ Word, _Pazahar_, primarily denotes -_Counter-Poison_, and is applied to several chymical Compositions of -that Intention. _Theriaca_, or Treacle, a Name given by the Antients to -various Compositions, is reckoned good against Poison.—The Basis or -Foundation of the Composition is Viper’s Flesh[64]. - -Footnote 64: - - _Cyclopædia._ - -Even in _Tartary_, an uncultivated Nation, the Viper’s Flesh is reckoned -to be wonderful good Physick. In some of the Rivers of _Siam_, are many -Crocodiles, which the _Siamese_ call _Cayman_, and use them as good -Physick with Success[65]. - -Footnote 65: - - _Struys_’s Voyages, _ad annum_ 1657. I. c. III p. 29. - -It is supposed, when Viper-Catchers were hurt, they immediately cured -themselves by rubbing this _volatile Salt_ of Vipers into the wounded -Part. An Experiment was made by enraging a Viper to bite the Nose of a -young Dog: The Part began to swell; to which was applied this _volatile -Salt_, and the Dog was very well next day. The Viper was made to bite -the Dog again in the Tongue, and no Application being made, he died -within a few Hours[66]. - -Footnote 66: - - Dr. _Mead_’s Mechanical Account, p. 17. - -One of the first that made use of the Viper in medicinal Purposes, was -(as my learned Author thinks) _Antonius Musa_, the famous Physician to -_Octavius Cæsar_; of whom _Pliny_ tells, _that when he met with -incurable Ulcers, he ordered the eating of Vipers; and by this means -they were quickly healed_. The same Author adds from _Porphyrius_, that -the great _Greek_ Physician _Craterus, very happily cured a miserable -Slave, whose Skin in a strange manner fell off from his Bones_, by -advising him to _feed upon Vipers, drest after the manner of Fish_. -Ibid. - -A late eminent Physician, speaking of Vipers, says,——’Tis certain, very -noble Medicines are prepared from them, and a Wine from their Flesh, -singular in consumptive, leprous, and scorbutick Cases: They afford also -a _volatile Salt, the most generous Cordial in Nature_[67]. - -Footnote 67: - - Dr. _Charles Leigh_’s Natural History of —— p. 148. - -In _Italy_ is a subterraneous Cavern, called _Grotto de i Serpi_, large -enough to hold two Persons, perforated like a Sieve; out of which, in -the Spring, issues a numerous Brood of young Snakes, of divers Colours. -In this Cave they expose their leprous, paralytic, arthritick Patients, -where the Warmth of the Steams resolving them into Sweat, and then -Serpents clinging variously all around, licking their naked Bodies, they -are soon restored to Health, by repeating the Operation. This -_Serpentine Cave_ was visited by _Kircher_, the celebrated Philosopher -and Mathematician; who says, he saw the Holes, and heard a murmuring -hissing Noise in them, tho’ he did not see the Serpents, it not being -their Season to creep out; yet he saw a great Number of their _Exuviæ_, -or _Sloughs_, and an Elm at a small distance laden with them. The -Discovery was by the Cure of a Leper going from _Rome_, who losing his -way, and being benighted, happen’d upon this Cave, and finding it very -warm, pull’d off his Clothes; and being weary and sleepy, had, says my -Author, the Good-fortune not to feel the Serpents about him, till they -had wrought his Cure. _Musæum Wormian. in Cyclopædia._ - - -IV. _Serpents are not only Physick, but common Food in many Parts of the -World, and esteemed a most delicious Entertainment._ Formerly, nothing -more terrible to Men than these veneniferous Animals, but now (Men being -better acquainted with their natural Qualities) are very familiar to -many People; insomuch that there are but few Persons of Distinction, in -_France_, and other Places, where they may be had, but make use of them, -as _a good and most agreeable Diet_; and the ingenious Virtuoso makes -living Vipers his Domestick Divertisement. - -The _Italian_ and _French Physicians_ do commonly prescribe the _Broth_ -and _Jelly_ of _Vipers_, to purify and invigorate the Mass of Blood, -exhausted with Age and chronical Diseases. - -We read of the _Ophiophagi_, a People so called because they are -_Serpent-Eaters_. It is observed from _Aristotle_, that the -_Troglodytes_, who are _Africans_, not far from the _Arabian Gulph_, -leading a pastoral Life, lived by hunting—and fed on Serpents[68]. - -Footnote 68: - - _Strabo_, lib. 16. Βιος νομαδιχος—_Cluverii Introduct._ - -Among the _Andesian_ Mountains in _America_, is a Serpent called -_Juanna_, big as a Rabbit, has a spotted Skin, four Feet, and is never -observed to have any Voice, is much eaten by the Inhabitants, and -counted better Meat than Rabbits, as it is prepared by the -_Barbarians_[69]. - -Footnote 69: - - _Ray_, p. 329. _Atl. Geograph. America_, p. 129. - -The _Kanina Serpent_ that feeds upon Birds, is eaten by the Inhabitants, -the _Brasilians_, and their _Negro-Labourers_, after they cut off the -Head and Tail. _Ibid._ The _Dutch_, _Portuguese_, and others in that -Country, feed upon the _Lyboya Serpent_; ’tis of a prodigious, large -Bulk, and described in another Place. _Ibid._ In old _Mexico_, we read -how the _Indians_ took a certain Serpent that carried thirty Young’s, -which were each a Finger long, and crept about immediately; and the old -one being above 20 Foot long, served the Natives for Venison[70]. - -Footnote 70: - - _Atl. Geograph. for America_, from _Laet._ p. 628. - -_AMERICUS Vespusius_, (a _Florentine_, who was the first, after -_Columbus_, that discover’d _America_, and wrote the History of his four -Years Voyages) says, he saw some Serpents in _America_, which the -Inhabitants commonly feed upon: They were of diverse Colours, and as big -as Kids. In the History of that Country, we find the Natives of the Land -fed upon Adders, Serpents, Toads,——without any Scruple of Mind, or -Injury to their Health. - -The Natives of _Tonquin_, a large Kingdom of _India_, beyond the -_Ganges_, in treating their Friends, give them _Arrack_, a rich Cordial, -in which Snakes and Scorpions have been infus’d; and is esteem’d an -Antidote against all Poisons. - -_INDIA_ breeds Serpents in abundance of all Sizes, and Variety of most -charming Colours: The People of _Siam_ catch prodigious Numbers of them -in the Woods, and expose them to Sale in the Markets, as Eels in -_England_, for Animal Food[71]. - -Footnote 71: - - _Le Comte_’s Memoirs, p. 504. - -Experiments have been made upon Animals, as Pigeons, Chickens—that were -bit by Serpents, which have been eaten without any manner of Hurt, or -painful Sensation; yea, Serpents that were slain have been given to -Dogs, who fed upon them without danger, or any uneasiness[72]. - -Footnote 72: - - Sr. _Redi_, p. 178. - -The _Circulatores_, or Dealers in Serpents, devour’d at their Tables -even their Heads, and pour’d the Gall into their Cups when they drank, -laughing at their Neighbours Timidity, who transform their Imaginations -into Bug-bears. - -The Inhabitants of Mount _Athos_, between _Macedonia_ and _Thracia_, are -called _Macrobii_, that is _Long-livers_, or long-liv’d; and their -Longevity is attributed to their feeding on Viper’s Flesh, which is a -most elegant Nutritive[73]. - -Footnote 73: - - _C. Gesner_, p. 76. - -The _Ethiopians_ are number’d among those who feed upon Serpents, as one -valuable Branch of their sustenance. - -In the Kingdom of _Congo_ in _Africa_, the _Negroes_ roast the Adders, -and not only greedily feed upon them, but esteem them as a most -delicious Food[74]. - -Footnote 74: - - _Purchas Pilgrim_, Part ii. l. 7. - -_ST. HELENA_, one of the _African_ Islands, abounds with Serpents which -the _Dutch_ eat as a greater Dainty than Eels[75]. We read of a Man who -liv’d at _Colonia Agrippina_ in _Germany_, that fed upon Spiders, as the -most delicate Dish.—_N. B._ This _Cologne_ is called _Agrippina_ from -_Agrippina_ the Mother of _Nero_ (who poison’d _Claudius_ her own -Husband, to make _Nero_ her Son Emperor) and would have the Town -honoured with a _Roman_ Colony, as being the Place of her Birth[76]. - -Footnote 75: - - _Atl. Afric._ p. 741. - -Footnote 76: - - _Tacitus_’s Annals, Vol. 1. B. iv. - -In _Cuba_, an _American_ Island, they were pester’d with many sorts of -Serpents, not so much from the ill Condition of the Soil, as by an old -superstitious Whim of the Savages, who in former Times were not suffered -to kill them, (this being a royal game, and a nice Dish reserved for the -Higher Powers) and were not able afterwards to destroy them, when it -would have been suffered[77]. - -Footnote 77: - - _Heylin_’s Cosmography, B. iv. p. 151. - -The _Kalmuck Tartars_ feed very much upon Snakes, Adders and Foxes——The -_Syrians_ eat Crocodiles, which live on the Land only. - -_MITHRIDATE_, formerly one of the Capital Medicines in the Shops, has -the Name from the Inventor, _viz._ _Mithridates_ King of _Pontus_, who -being overcome by _Pompey_, would have poison’d himself; but no Poison -would work upon him, having accustom’d himself to eat Poison; thus -described in an old Doggrel Rhyme, _viz._ - - _King_ Mithridates _cou’d not poison’d be, - He drinking Poison oft, grew Poison-free_. - -After King _Mithridates_ was vanquish’d, _Cneus Pompeius_ found in his -Closet the following Receipt, against Poison, writ with his own Hand, in -this Manner, _viz._ - -_TAKE two dry Walnut-kernels, as many Figs, of Rue twenty Leaves, stamp -all these together into one Mass, with a Grain of Salt._——Under this -Receipt was writ——_Whoever eats this Confection in the Morning fasting, -no Poison shall hurt him that Day_[78]. In _America_, where Lizards are -very good, they eat them, and so large, that one Lizard is enough to -satisfy four Men. ’Tis very probable that they were eaten in _Arabia_ -and _Judea_, since _Moses_ ranks them among the unclean Creatures[79]. - -Footnote 78: - - _Pliny_’s Natural Hist. Tom. ii. B. 23. - -Footnote 79: - - _Calmet in verbum——Hieronym. contra Jovinian._ lib. ii. - -Though the Flesh of venemous Creatures be nutrimental, and eaten with a -good Relish, in many Places, yet it must be allow’d our old -Historiographers in some Things hyperbolize upon the Subject. Thus -_Avicenna_, the great _Arabian_ Doctor, and others, speak of a young -Maid, who was fed with the Flesh of poisonous Creatures, from her tender -Age; by which her Breath became venemous to those who stood by her. And -thus _Porus_, a certain _Indian_ King, is said to use Poison every Day, -that he might kill others. It is a known History, adds he, of a young -Woman, fed with Poison, with which the _Persian_ Kings destroy’d whom -they pleas’d. - -Add to this another traditional Opinion, _viz._ that some particular -Persons have an evil Eye, which affects Children and Cattle; yea, that -some have this unhappy Faculty, tho’ at the same Time void of any ill -Design. This has been an old Tradition, as appears from that of the -Poet[80]. - -Footnote 80: - - _Nescio quis teneros oculus mihi fascinat agnos._ See _Martin_ on the - Western Islands, _p._ 122, 123. - -On the Mountains of _Ceylon_ in the _East-Indies_, are Serpents of such -vast Size, that they swallow young Cattle: Their Flesh is very delicate, -and has a most pleasing Taste; therefore is very much eaten. - -This Island of _Ceylon_ is one of the most charming Situation on the -Earth, the Key and Glory of the _Indies_; the Air so temperate, that, -properly speaking, they feel neither Heat nor Cold; the Vales and Hills -are always covered with Flowers, the Fields cover’d with Fruits of all -Sorts; and in the Woods are Serpents call’d _Lizards_, full three Hands -long, whose Flesh is excellent Meat[81]. - -Footnote 81: - - _Ribeyro_’s History of _Ceylon_, presented to the King of _Portugal_, - 1685, translated out of _Portuguese_ into _French_, printed at - _Trevoux_, 1701. - -In the second Part is a more ample Description of _Ceylon_. - -The _Iguana_ Serpent is amphibious, lays numerous Eggs, grateful to the -Taste, is very good Nourishment, preferable to _Spanish_ Rabbits; and in -the City of _Mexico_ these Serpents are brought to the Markets, -especially in the quadragesimal Days. - -A _Spanish_ Historian says, the _Iguanas_ are shap’d like the -_Alligators_, very ugly, as big as Lap-dogs, of several Colours; the -_Spaniards_ observe, that their Flesh tastes like the Pheasants, and -feed upon it with pleasure[82]. - -Footnote 82: - - _Herrera_’s Hist. Vol. ii. p. 14. - -The learned _Ray_, speaking of the _Liboya_, that monstrous _American_ -Serpent, says, that after it has swallow’d a large Animal, its Head -grows heavy and sleepy, that it can neither run nor fight; the Hunters -finding it in this stupid Posture, soon strangle him with a Rope; and -being kill’d, cut the Carcass into Parcels, and sell the Flesh for Food, -which is reckon’d a delightful Entertainment[83]. The same Author adds, -that both _Africans_ and _Americans_ having cut off the Head and Tail of -the _Kanina_ Serpent, eat the Body as part of their constant Repast. -_Ibid._ 328. - -Footnote 83: - - _Raii Synopsis_, p. 334,—_Solo reste_—_caroque ejus pro cibo - gratissimo venditur_. - -_BRASILIAN_ Serpents call’d _Lizards_ are slay’d, broil’d as little -Fishes, and eaten by the Negroes or Blackmoors that are transported into -that Country from _Africa_. - -I am inform’d of a Gentleman of the Law at _Ludlow_, who having prick’d -a living Toad in various Parts, sucks its Moisture, and leaves it as -must a Skeleton as the Purse of a Client. - -Thus we see that the Almighty is so far from being chargeable with -Defect of Wisdom and Goodness, in forming of Serpents, that both as Food -and Physick, they may be equally improv’d to our Advantage. - -I shall only add one Remark here, that if Serpents, and other venemous -Creatures, are hurtful to us, ’tis only by Accident, that is, they are -not vexatious to us, of Necessity, but through our own Ignorance, -Carelessness, or Mistake; _e. gr._ - - “The Birds we call _Stares_, safely feed upon _Hemlock_; - _Storks_ feed on Adders, and Slow-Worms; which, and other - hurtful Creatures, would be as harmless to ourselves, had we - always Caution enough to avoid them, or Wit enough to use them - as we should. Thus _Aloes_ has the Property of promoting - Hæmorrhages; but this Property is good or bad, as ’tis used: if - by one that has the _Green Sickness_, it will prove a good - Medicine; if by one subject to a _Dysentery_, or to spitting of - Blood, a pernicious Poison.”[84] - -Footnote 84: - - Dr. _Neh. Grew_’s _Cosmologia Sacra_, B. iii. cap. 2. p. 103. - -And it is very probable, that the most dangerous Poisons skilfully -managed, may be made, not only innocuous, but, of all other Medicines, -the most effectual. Opium corrected, loses its narcotic Quality, and is -safely given in great Doses, in Fluxes, Catarrhs, and convulsive Cases. - -It is generally agreed, there is no Part of a Viper, not even the Gall -itself, but may be swallowed without harm; accordingly the Ancients, -and, as several Authors of Credit assure us, the _Indians_ and others at -this day, both of the East and West, eat them, as we do, Eels. - -Spontaneous Productions of the Earth were the first Food, and still are -the Sustenance of numerous Nations. It was some time before they came to -the Juices of Cattle, as Milk, and longer before they commenced -carnivorous, and devoured their Fellow-Animals. - -Some think the Fruits of the Earth were intended as Man’s sole Food, and -that nothing but Necessity or Luxury first prompted to feed upon Flesh: -And indeed, by the Structure of Man’s Teeth, it looks as if they were -not proper to devour Flesh; and that Nature had rather intended and -prepared them for cutting Herbs, Roots,——than, for tearing of Flesh. -Yea, Children don’t affect Animal Food, till their Palates be vitiated -by Custom; and, further, when we feed upon Flesh, it must be prepared by -roasting or boiling, which makes it harder of Digestion, than all other -Animal Food; and therefore forbid in Fevers, and other Distempers. - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - - - SECTION VIII. - -_That venemous Creatures have been made Instruments of divine and human -Vengeance, is most evident._ The romantic Account given in Antiquity, of -strange Feats done by a poisonous Breath—does not affect the Truth of -this Proposition. - -The Antients divided Serpents, into good and evil Ministers; thus the -_Egyptians_ looked upon some of them to be Administrators of Mercy, and -others to be Messengers of Justice. _Osiris_[85] one of their Gods, is -said to send out Serpents, to chastise Evil-Doers[86]. - -Footnote 85: - - ——δρακων επι νωτα δαφωινος - Σμερδαλεος, του ῥ’ αυτος ολυμπιος ηκε φοως δε. - Hom. Iliad. B. - -Footnote 86: - - _Ælian. Hist. Animalium._ - -When the Church of _Israel_ murmured against God in the Wilderness, and -censured the Conduct of Providence, he employs an Army of Serpents as -his Agents, to correct the Rebels.——Plagues, and other pestilential -Diseases, were, in old times, reputed to be the Messengers of the Gods, -and commissioned by them, to execute Wrath upon the Wicked. - -Some of the Heathens had exalted Notions of Virtue, and believed Men of -Virtue to be the Favourites of the Gods, and that a vicious Life, being -opposite to the Sanctity of their Nature, they could not let it pass -with Impunity. - -An Instance to this purpose we have in the History of the Apostles, -_Acts_ xxviii. 1-6. The _Island_ was called _Melita_. _And when Paul had -gathered a Bundle of Sticks, and laid them on the Fire, there came a -Viper out of the Heat, and fastened on his Hand. And when the Barbarians -saw the venemous Beast hang on his Hand; they said among themselves, No -doubt this Man is a Murderer, tho’ he has escaped the Sea, yet -Vengeance_ (δικη, _Justice_) _suffers not to live——They looked when he -should have swoln, or faln_ _down—And when they saw no harm come to him, -they changed their Mind, and said he was a God._ _How_ came they to -alter their Opinion? Because, according to their Divinity, none else -could thus command, and controul a venemous Serpent, which was one of -the _Messengers of the Gods_. - -“No venemous Beasts, according to the fabulous Tradition, will live in -the Island, which they ascribe to St. _Paul_’s Blessing, when he was -shipwreck’d there.” They shew the Cave where they pretend he resided, -and reckon the Earth of it, an Antidote against Poison. - -From this historical Passage, ’tis evident, that these Barbarians did -believe a _Providence_, and the Doctrine of _Divine Justice_, which -_Justice_ they openly adored, under the Name of _Vindicta_, or -_Nemesis_, which was the _Goddess_ of _Revenge_, whose Province was to -inspect the moral Conduct of all Men, and distribute Rewards and -Punishments as the Case required. It was painted in the same manner as -_Justice_, with a Pair of _Scales_ in one hand, and a _Sword_ in the -other. - -In _Ethiopia_, we read of a large Country, this side the _Cynamolgi_, -that was laid waste, and entirely depopulated by Scorpions, before whom, -the Inhabitants not being able to stand, fled for their Lives. The same -Desolation was made by the Scorpions at _Salamin_, an island not far -from _Athens_, called the _Island of Dragons_, for which _Lycophron_ is -quoted[87]. - -Footnote 87: - - _Conrad. Gesner. de Scorp._ - -The Inhabitants of _Amyclæ_, a Town in _Italy_, were destroyed by -Serpents, being, as ’tis said, of the _Pythagorean Race_, whose Laws -forbid to kill Animals, and by suffering these venemous Creatures to -multiply without Controul, they became insufferable[88]. - -Footnote 88: - - _Ibid._ - -The Inhabitants of _Pescara_, an antient City in _Africa_, were -constrained to forsake their Habitations in _Summer_, by reason of -_Scorpions_ that were very numerous, and in that Season, their Sting -most dangerous: In Winter, when their Wounds were less dangerous, the -Refugees turned to their Houses[89]. - -Footnote 89: - - _Atl. Geogr._ p. 319. - -_DIODORUS SICULUS_ observes how many Regions have been deserted, for -this reason; both People and Cattle being driven away by an Army of -_Scorpions_, and their Allies. - -In the _Canary-Islands_, these venemous Animals are more dreaded than -the Pestilence. ’Tis said they are hunted and taken by the _Turks_, who -prepare the _Oil_ of _Scorpions_ from them[90]. In _India_, about the -_Arrahban-Lake_, the Country has been intirely dispeopled by these -mischievous Creatures. _Ibid._ - -Footnote 90: - - _Conrad. Gesner._ p. 29. - -In Times of War, Serpents have been prest into the Service. Thus -_Heliogabalus_ (Emperor of _Rome_, so called because he was _Priest_ of -the _Sun_ before his Election) having, by his _Sacerdotal Incantators_, -or sacred Conjurers, gathered together several Serpents, contrived a -Method to turn them loose, before day, among his Enemies, which soon put -them into a terrible Hurry, and a Motion, that was a Trial for their -Lives; the Sight of the crooked Serpent being far more dreadful, than -the Whizzing of a straight Arrow[91]. The same Author informs us of -Snakes thrown by a Sling-Staff into the Camp of the Barbarians, which -did great Execution. - -Footnote 91: - - _Gesner. de Scorp._ - -King _Prusias_ being overcome by King _Eumenes_, by Land, and intending -to try his Fate by Sea, _Hannibal_, by a new Invention, made him -victorious. The Stratagem was this: _Hannibal_ having procured a great -Number of Serpents, put them into earthen Vessels; and by another -Device, and in midst of the Engagement, convey’d them into _Antiochus_’s -Fleet, which proved more dreadful than Fire-balls, and feather’d -Weapons, that flew amongst them. At first, it seemed ridiculous to the -_Romans_, that they should arm themselves, and fight with _earthen -Pots_; but when they were broken, an Army of Snakes rush’d out, which so -terrified the Marines, that they immediately yielded the Victory to -_Prusias_, the _Carthaginian_ Hero’s Friend[92]. - -Footnote 92: - - _Justini Hist._ lib. xxxii. ad finem. - -We read in History, how _Juno_, out of her hatred to _Hercules_, sent -two dreadful Serpents to devour him in the Cradle, which he soon crush’d -with his Infant-Hands. - -It was common among the _Antient Swedes_, to send out certain Flies -(which they pretended to be their Familiars) to plague their Enemies. -They also made _Magical Balls_ for the same purpose, boasting how they -thereby conveyed Serpents into their Enemies Bodies. - -The _Laplanders_ had their _Magical Tyre_, which was a Ball about the -Bigness of a small Apple, (made of Moss, or Hair of Beasts) which, they -say, is quickned and moved by a particular Art; they persuade -themselves, that by this _Tyre_, they can send Serpents, or what they -please, into any Man, to torment him. When this _Ball_ is thrown, it -goes like a Whirlwind, and as swift as a pointed Arrow[93]. - -Footnote 93: - - _Schefferus_’s History of _Lapland_, cap. xi. p. 60. - -In the Book of _Daniel_, mention is made of several kinds of Magicians -in _Chaldea_, under King _Nebuchadnezzar_; one is _Mecasphim_, a word -which by St. _Jerome_, and the _Greeks_ is translated _Malefici_, -_Inchanters_, such People as make use of noxious Herbs and Drugs, the -Blood of Victims, and Bones of the Dead, for their superstitious -Operations[94]. - -Footnote 94: - - _Calmet_’s Hist. Crit.—Dictionary. - - “The Tyrants of _Japonia_ invented a strange Punishment for - those who confessed Christ.——They hung them with their Heads - downwards, half their Bodies into a large Hole digged in the - Earth, which they filled with _Snakes_, _Lizards_, and other - poisonous Vermin; but even those (says my Right Reverend Author, - the learned and pious Bishop _Taylor_) were better Companions - than those infernal Dragons in the Pit of Hell[95].” - -The _Romans_, when they punish’d any for _Parricide_, to express their -Abhorrence of so heinous a Murder, they shut him up in a Sack, with a -Serpent, an Ape, and a Cock. - -Footnote 95: - - _Contemplations_, Book ii. chap. 6. - -To these Instances, I shall add, that the Attendants of _Pluto_, Prince -of the Infernal Regions, are represented in a _Serpentine Habit_, viz. -the _Furies_, _Harpies_—— - -In his Train, are three _Diræ_, _Eumenides_, or Furies, _viz._ _Alecto_, -_Megæra_, and _Tysiphone_, whose Heads are covered with long and -dreadful Snakes, instead of Hair, with Whips, Chains, and flaming -Torches, in their Hands, to punish the Guilty. These also attended the -Throne of _Jove_, and were accounted to be Messengers of the Gods, whose -Office it was to execute their Decrees in the Infliction of Calamities -upon Mortals. - -These _Furies_ had their Temples and Worshippers, and were described in -Figures of so frightful a Form, that they durst scarce mention their -Names without Horror. - -_TYSIPHONE_, one of them, enraged at an innocent Youth, pluck’d off one -of her Snakes, and threw it at him, which wound about his Body, and -immediately strangled him. Some say, that we see these three Furies on a -Medal of the Emperor _Philip_, struck at _Antioch_, on whose Reverse are -represented three Women, arm’d with a Key, burning Torches, Poniards, -and Serpents. - -The Daffodil was sacred to the Furies, and such as offered Sacrifice to -them were crowned with it[96]. - -Footnote 96: - - From _Eustathius_, on the first Book of the _Iliad_. - -As soon as departed Souls had been examined by _Minos_, _Radamanthus_, -and _Æacus_, and found guilty, and Sentence past, they were delivered to -the Furies, who cast them down headlong into _Tartarus_, the Place of -Torment,—and all those who had lived well, were conducted to the -_Elysian_ Fields. - -_HOMER_ speaks of them as the Executioners of Justice upon false -Swearers, among other Instances: - - _Infernal Furies, and Tartarean Gods, - Who rule the Dead, and horrid Woes prepare - For perjur’d Kings, and all who falsly swear._ - -The _Harpies_[97] were monstrous and cruel Birds describ’d with Women’s -Faces, and _Dragons Tails_, to render them more formidable to Mankind: -The Ancients looked upon them as Dæmons or Genii, which last _Homer_ -calls _Podarge_. About _Kaskan_ in _Persia_, is a fine and fertile -Country, but plagued with Multitudes of _Scorpions_, which haunt the -Inhabitants, especially in that Town (one of the most populous and -eminent Marts in that Empire) where the Inhabitants, for fear of that -venemous Animal, dare not sleep upon the Floor (as in other Places, -where they only throw a Quilt upon the Tapestry) but have light Couches, -hanging down from the Roof, like Seamens Hammocks, or hanging Beds on -ship-board. - -Footnote 97: - - _Aello_, _Ocypete_, and _Celæno_, Virg. Æneid. lib. 3. - -They have indeed a ready Help against its venemous Wounds, which is made -of the Filings of Copper, tempered with _Vinegar_ and _Honey_, which -proves a speedy Cure; but if neglected, the Patient is in danger of his -Life. This, says the Historian, I presume, has been first found out by -the antipathetick Quality, which seems to be between _Scorpions_ and -_Copper_; for not far from the City is the Copper-Mine, where, as -before, if one of these Animals be brought, it dies immediately. _Q. -Whether this be not_ Herbert_’s_ Parthian? - -Yea, to render a future State terrible to Mortals, the Heathens, -speaking of departed Souls, feigned, that at their Descent from -_Charon_’s Boat (who was the Ferryman of Hell) they met _Cerberus_, a -monstrous Dog, with three Heads, who was covered all over with -_Serpents_, instead of Hair. There was the Monster _Chimæra_ that -vomited Fire, her Head like a _Lion_, Middle like a _Goat_, and her Tail -like a furious _Dragon_; so sings the Poet: - - ——Cerberus, _who soon began to rear - His crested Snakes—he gapes with three enormous Mouths_. - - Dryden’s Virgil. - -So another: - - _For as the_ Pope _that keeps the Gate - Of Heaven, wears three Crowns of State; - So he, that keeps the Gates of Hell, - Proud_ Cerberus, _wears three Heads as well. - And, if the World have any Troth, - Some have been canoniz’d in both_. - - Hudibras. - -But further, we may observe, that besides this frightful Appearance of -Serpents to salute their Entrance into Hell, there was Variety of -Punishments for them when there. Thus the _Danaides_ were condemned to -_Tartarus_ by the Poets, to be continually employed in filling a Cask -perforated at the bottom; _Phlegas_, condemned by _Apollo_ to Hell, -where he sat upon a rolling Stone, in constant danger of falling into a -Pit of greater Misery; _Tityus_, adjudged to Hell, where a Vultur feeds -on his Liver, and the Liver always grows with the Moon: Nay, such were -the horrible Preparations in Hell, that _Virgil_[98], after a Survey of -it, declares, that had he a hundred Mouths and Tongues, they would not -suffice to recount all the Plagues of the Tortured: so that it is no -wonder to see them represent the infernal Prison in Figures the most -frightful. - -Footnote 98: - - _Æneid._ lib. vi. ver. 638. - -And as the Heathen had their terrible Place for bad Men, so, to prompt -them to Virtue, they had their _Elysium_, i. e. a Place of Pleasure in -_Hades_, furnished with most pleasant Fields, agreeable Woods, Groves, -Shades, Rivers; whither the Souls of good People were supposed to go -after this Life. These are finely described by the Poet: - - ——_locos lætos & amœna virenta - Fortunatorum nemorum sedesque beatas_. - - -[Illustration] - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - -[Illustration] - - - A - - NATURAL HISTORY - - OF - - _SERPENTS_ - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - PART II. - -_Which gives a View of most Serpents that are known in the several Parts - of the World, describ’d by their various Names, different Countries, - Qualities_, _&c._ - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - -The Serpents are a numerous Tribe, and their Dominions of large Extent, -lying both in Sea and Land: No part of the World but what is replenish’d -with them, more or less, in some form or other. In describing them, I -shall begin with, - - -I. The _Viper_, or _Adder_, a subtle and poisonous Creature, slender in -Body, about a Foot and half long, with fiery and flaming Eyes, a long -and cloven Tongue, which when irritated, it darts forth with Violence, -and looks like a glowing Firebrand; has a big Head, and flattest of the -serpentine kind. - -It is slow in its motion, and does not leap like other Serpents, but is -very nimble to bite when provok’d. The Scales under the Body resemble -that of well-polish’d Steel. They appear in divers Colours, yellow, ash, -green; and others of _Libya_, like the Inhabitants, of a blackish Hue; -its Front not unlike that of a Hog. - -_VIPERS_ of other Nations, are supposed to be larger than the -_European_, especially the _Troglodite-Viper_[99], which is said to be -above fifteen Cubits long: and the Historian adds, viz. _That there are -no domestick Vipers_. I presume, he means they are not brought up among -the Children of the Family, as some Serpents are said to have been; this -little venemous Reptile being of a more mischievous Nature[100]. - -Footnote 99: - - _Ælian de Nat. Animal._ - -Footnote 100: - - _Conrad. Gesner. Hist._ p. 75. - -The _Viper_ differs from the _Snake_ in bulk, being not so large, and -their Scales more sharp, and Head more large: They also differ in this, -_viz._ Snakes lay their Eggs, twenty, thirty, sixty, and a hundred -sometimes, in one Nest, not quite so large as that of a Magpye (which -are inclosed with a whitish Skin, but not with Scales) in Dunghills and -other warm Situations, where they are hatch’d by adventitious Heat, -commonly call’d Adders in this Country; whereas Vipers make use of their -own Matrix, and bring forth live Vipers: Their young ones come forth -wrapt up in thin Skins, which break on the third day, and set the little -venemous Creatures at liberty, therefore rank’d among the viviparous -Animals. - -Their Births are much like young Snigs for Bulk; they generally bring -forth about twenty young ones, but only one each day. It is observ’d of -the Viper, that its Internals are not fetid, like those of some other -Serpents, that are intolerable. The Eggs of _Lizard-Serpents_, which are -so much esteem’d in the _French-Islands_ of _America_, are of the same -Size and Figure as those of Pigeons, and are generally used in all sorts -of Sauces: When the Females lay their Eggs, they make a Hole in the -Sand, and cover them with it, and the Heat of the Sun is sufficient to -hatch them[101]. - -Footnote 101: - - _Fevillee’s Journal of the Phil. Math. and Bot. Obs._ - -_ALBERTUS_ is quoted for a Battle between a Viper and a Magpye, -occasioned by her creeping up into a Magpye’s Nest, and devouring her -Brood in the Mother’s absence, who upon her Return made a hideous -clattering, which soon brought in its Mate; whereupon both, with united -Beaks, fell upon the Plunderer, and after a sharp Engagement demolish’d -the Enemy. - - Father _Fevillee_ in the Woods of the Island _Martinique_, - “being frighted by a large Serpent, which he could not well - avoid, his Dog immediately fell on, and took the Serpent by the - Head: The Serpent surrounded him and press’d him so violently, - that the Blood came out of his Mouth; and yet the Dog never - ceased till he had entirely tore it to pieces. The Dog was not - sensible of his Wounds during the Fight, but soon after, his - Head prick’d by the Serpent swell’d prodigiously, and he lay on - the ground as dead; but his Master having found hard by a - _Bananier_, which is a very watry Tree, he cured him with the - Juice of it, and some Treacle[102].” - -Footnote 102: - - _Fevillee’s Journal of the Phil. Math. and Bot. Obser._ - -The _Viper_ is common in some parts of _France_, especially in -_Dauphiny_ and in _Poictou_, from whence all the Vipers come that are -sold in _Paris_. They are usually taken with wooden Tongs, or by the end -of the Tail, which may be done without danger; for while held in that -Position, they can’t wind themselves up to hurt their Enemy. The -Viper-Catchers have their Specificks, in which they can safely confide, -as not to be afraid of being bitten; which they say is _the Fat of a -Viper_, immediately rubb’d into the Wound, which is one of the most -venemous in the animal World. - -These Vipers are usually put and kept in a Box with Bran or Moss; not -that these Ingredients serve to feed upon, as some may fancy; because -’tis said, _they never eat after they are taken_ and confin’d, but live -on the Air, and will live so, many Months: But more hereafter. _The -Destruction_ of Vipers by human Spittle, the Coition of the Marine with -Lampreys, the pregnant Viper biting off her Companion’s Head, and the -Revenge of it by the Younglings——I place among vulgar Errors. - - -II. The _Amodytes_ is a Serpent very venemous and fierce, of a sandy -Colour, black Spots, and of about a Cubit long. The Wound given by the -Female, the weaker Vessel, is said to be most dangerous: Its Jaws are -larger than the common Vipers, and from some Eminencies upon the Head, -like a Tuft of Flesh, is called _Cornutus_. Its Wounds prove fatal -without a speedy Cure. It is found in _Lybia_, a Limb of _Africa_, and -also in _Illyricum_, and in some parts of _Italy_[103]. - -Footnote 103: - - _Comitatu imprimis Goritiensi invenitur._—_Ray._ - -This Serpent is called _Cornutus_, a horned Beast[104]. Of this Form, is -a numerous Herd; we read, that in the _Roman_ Army was a Band of Foot -Soldiers called _Cornuti_. - -Footnote 104: - - _Lucan. Pharsal._ lib. ix. - -Upon the Continent of _America_ are Bulls and Cows, that have no Horns, -says Dr. _Ch. Leigh_——who adds, - - “The Defect of _Horns_ in these Beasts, brings into my mind a - remarkable Phenomenon of one _Alice Green_, whose Picture I have - seen in _Whalley-Abby_, in _Lancashire_. This Woman had _two - Horns_ which grew out of the back-part of her Head; they grew - backwards like those of Rams, and were about three Inches long; - these she cast once in three Years, and had always intolerable - Pains, before the Horns broke out[105].” - -Footnote 105: - - His _Natural History of Lancashire_, Book ii. p.3. - -He might have mentioned another innocent Creature, on whose Head a -treacherous Companion inoculates a Scion, which intitles him to the -Title of Cuckold, a word derived from _Cuckows_, who having no Beds of -their own, invade their Neighbour’s. Of the _Cuckow_ ’tis said, that -having no Nest, she takes possession of some other Bird’s Nest, destroys -the Eggs, and lays in it an Egg of her own, which the innocent Bird -brings forth and nurses for its own[106]. - -Footnote 106: - - Dr. _Willoughby_, who writ the History of Birds, affirms this Account - of the Cuckow to be true upon his own Knowledge, according to Mr. - _Ray_. - - -III. The _Cerastes_ is a Serpent of the viperine Kind; its Head -resembles the _Cornigerous_; it belongs to the _Libyan_ and _Nubian_ -Family: Its Teeth are like those of the Viper, and it brings its -Successors into the World after the same manner. - -Its Constitution is very dry, which refines and exalts its Poison, and -makes it more dangerous; the Wound is generally attended with -Distraction, and continual pricking as with Needles. Some say, ’tis of a -whitish Colour, others arenaceous; it loves sandy Habitations, where it -often surprises the unwary Traveller: And all agree ’tis of a most cruel -Nature; and therefore in some Places ’twas made the Executioner of -Malefactors[107], as the Juice of the _Cicuta_, (an Herb like our -_Hemlock_) was among the _Athenians_. - -Footnote 107: - - _Nunc potes actutum insidiatoremque Cerasten—Non is corpus habet, sed - quatuor aut duo profert Cornua._ Nicander in Ther. - -[Illustration: - - _Plate 1^{st}_ -] - -Some say ’tis of the aspick kind, as the _Arabians_; in length a Cubit -or more, with two Horns on the Head, resembling Snail-Shells: It lies -perdue near travelling Paths, and is very crafty in decoying little -Birds into the Snare. - -Its Wounds soon kill, if one of the _Psyllian_ People be not immediately -called in. _N. B._ These _Psylli_ are a noted People of _Syrenaica_ in -_Africa_, endued with a natural Faculty of destroying Serpents upon -sight, and curing their Wounds by a Touch of the Hand of whom we have -this Account, _viz._ ... _Crates_ of _Pergamus_ says, that about -_Parium_ in the _Hellespont_, there were Men, named _Ophiogenes_, who -cured those wounded by Serpents with a Touch. _Varro_ testifies there -were some of them in his time. - -_AGATHERCIDES_ writes, that in _Africa_ the _Psyllians_ (a People so -called from King _Psyllus_, from whom they were descended, and whose -Sepulchre is to be seen at this day in the greater _Syrtes_) did in the -same manner heal People wounded by Serpents. ’Tis said they had some -extraordinary Quality in their Nature, that would suddenly kill all -Serpents. - -It was by these they tried the Chastity of their Wives, thus, _viz._ -When a Child was born, and its Legitimacy questionable, they laid it in -a _great Vessel_ full of these _cerastick Serpents_, that immediately -breathed Destruction; but when they came near the Child, their Rage -soften’d, and they immediately fled from it; which proved the Legitimacy -of the Child, that he was a true _Psyllian_, born in lawful Wedlock, -because Serpents could not poison it, nor endure its Presence[108]. - -Footnote 108: - - _In dolium cerastarum plenum infantem conjicere_, Ælian. lib. i. cap. - 57. Gyllii Accessio, cap. 37. _N. B._ If the Child was begotten by a - Stranger, ’twas killed by Poison; if lawfully begotten, the Privilege - of his Father’s Blood protected him against the Venom. - -However this romantic Account may appear, it may doubtless be -philosophically accounted for by Effluviums emitted from their Bodies, -that proved fatal to Serpents. - -The _English_ Annotator upon _Lucan_, who was Nephew to _Seneca_, -observes much to the same purpose, when he says, These _Psylli_ (a -People inhabiting those parts of _Africa_ called _Marmarica_, bordering -on the _Nile_) are fortify’d by Nature with an incredible Privilege -against the Strength of Poison, and sustain no Harm by the biting of -Serpents. - -The Serpents, says _Pliny_, are afraid of them, and when others are -bitten by them, these _Psyllians_ by sucking the Wounds, cure them. - -The _Marsians_ in _Italy_, ’tis said, are still in possession of this -natural Power against Serpents, and are supposed to descend from the Son -of _Circe_, the famous Enchantress. - -The Trial of Childrens Legitimacy by Serpents, puts me in mind of -Hereditary Right; whose Title was try’d by the _Fatal-Stone_, on which -the _Irish Monarchs_ used to be inaugurated on the Hill of _Tarah_; and -which being inclosed in a _Wooden-Chair_, was made to emit a Sound under -the rightful Candidate, when he sat in it; but was quite silent under -one who had no Title, or not a good one; that is, one who was not for -the Druidick Priest’s Turn. - - “This Stone was sent to confirm the _Irish_ Colony in - _Scotland_, where it continued to be the Coronation-Chair till - in the Year 1300, _Edward_ I. of _England_ brought it from - _Scoon_, and placed it under the Coronation-Chair at - _Westminster_[109]; and there it still remains, is used in the - Coronation, the antientest respected Monument in the World[110]. - The Vulgar call it _Jacob_’s Stone, as if this had been his - Pillow at _Bethel_.” - -_Note_, Antique Appearances often give birth to popular Superstitions. - -Footnote 109: - - Ni fallat fatum Scoti quocunque locatum - Invenient lapidem, regnare tenentur ibidem. - -Footnote 110: - - _Island_’s _Colect._ A. D. 1726. - -Such natural Power against _Diseases_ did in our Days appear in the -celebrated Mr. _Greatrix_, before _whose Hand they fled_. In the -Philosophical Transactions we have the following Account of it, received -from Eye-Witnesses,—_e. g._ - - “... My own Brother, _John D——n_, was seized with a violent Pain - in his Head and Back: Mr. _Greatrix_ (coming by accident to our - House) gave present Ease to his Head, by only stroaking it with - his Hands. He then rubb’d his Back, which he most complain’d of, - and the Pain immediately fled from his Hand to his right Thigh; - then he pursued it with his Hand to his Knee, from thence to his - Leg, Ancle and Foot; and at last to his great Toe. As it fell - lower, it grew more violent; and when in his Toe, it made him - roar out, but upon rubbing it there, it vanish’d. - - “A young Woman being seiz’d with a great Pain and Weakness in - her Knees when a Girl, used divers Means to no effect: After six - or seven years time, Mr. _Greatrix_ coming to _Dublin_, he - stroak’d both her Knees, and gave her present Ease, the _Pain_ - flying downward from his _Hand_, till he drove it out of her - Toes; the Swelling that always attended it, did in a short time - wear away, and never troubled her after. - - “... A certain Gentlewoman being much troubled with a Pain in - her _Ears_, and very _deaf_, Mr. _Greatrix_ put some of his - Spittle into her Ears; which, after chafing them, soon cured - her, both of the Pain and Deafness.... Her Uncle was cured by - him of the same Malady, and in the same manner. - - “... A Child, being extremely troubled with the King’s-Evil, was - touch’d by King _Charles_ II. and was nothing better; but was - soon and perfectly cured by Mr. _Greatrix_.[111]” - -Footnote 111: - - _Lowthorp_’s _Philosoph. Transactions abridged_, vol. iii. p. - 10, 12. Edit. 2. Communicated by Mr. _Thoresby_, N. 256. p. - 332. 1699. In Page 10. an account is given of the wonderful - Effects of Touch and Friction. - - -IV. The _Hemorrhous_ Serpent is an _Egyptian_ of the viperine kind; of -sandy and bright Colour, enamel’d with black and white Rays on the Back; -flaming Eyes, corniculated Brows, and is defended by an Armature of -rough and sharp Scales; which by one is given as the Reason of making -some Noise as it goes, which another denies, because it wants the -_Sonalia_[112]. - -Footnote 112: - - _Caret Sonalibus._ _Nierembergius_, p. 269. - -This Creature is little in Body, but great and terrible in its -Executions; for when it wounds any Persons, all the Blood in the Body -flows out, at all the Apertures of it, which is immediately follow’d -with Convulsions and Death[113]. - -Footnote 113: - - _Gyllius_, p. 261. _Raii Synopsis Meth._ 8vo. A. D. 1693. _Invenitur - in Ægypto & aliis locis quibus Thonis imperavit._ _ibid. & in agris - Jucatensibus_. - - At non stare suum miseris passura cruore - Squamiferos ingens Hæmorhois. - -The _Atlas_ from _Ribeyro_ mentions an _Indian Serpent_ of the same -malignant Nature, whose Poison operates with such Violence, that the -Person wounded by it bleeds at the Eyes, Nostrils, Ears, and all the -Pores of the Body, and the miserable Patient is irrecoverable. - -The Poet laments the Death of the _brave and noble Tullus_[114], by this -bloody Serpent; which is also found in _India_ (according to _Diodorus -Siculus_) in that part where _Alexander_ the _Great_ conquer’d _Porus_, -the _Great_ King of the _Indies_. The Conqueror bid _Porus_ ask of him -whatever he desired; who answered, _That he only desired to be treated -as a Prince_: with which _Alexander_ was so charm’d, that he not only -gave him his Kingdom again, but some of the Provinces he had conquered -in that Vicinity. - -_N. B._ On the Bank of the River _Hydaspis_, _Alexander_ built a Town, -which he call’d _Bucephala_, in remembrance of _Bucephalus_ his great -Horse, which died and was buried there. - -Footnote 114: - - _Lucan_, lib. ix. p. 269. _Impressit dentes Hemorhois aspera Tullo - magnanimo Juveni._ - -V. The Serpent _Seps_, which by some is said to be the same with -_Sepedon_, is about two Cubits long, the Head broad, and of divers -Colours. Both these are of the smaller Species, but most venemous, and -therefore are rank’d in the second Class of Serpents. The Virulency of -the Poison is not in proportion to their diminutive Stature. - -When any are wounded by these venemous Animals, the Hair of the Head -immediately falls off, the whole Body turns scurfy, leprous and putrid; -yea, the very Bones, as well as the Flesh, putrify and corrupt; -therefore some call it the _putrid Serpent_[115]. The Poet accounts for -the Symptoms of its Poison[116]. - -Footnote 115: - - _Nonnulli ex Scoligero, non male putriam vocare._ _Jonstonus_, p. 14. - -Footnote 116: - - _Mors est ante oculos Seps stetit exiguus—Parva modo Serpens, sed qua - nonnulla cruentæ. Fugit rupta cutis._ Lucan Pharsal. lib. ix. p. 271. - -These Serpents are _Asiaticks_, Inhabitants of the Rocks in _Syria_; -_Syria_, the supposed western _Porch_ of _Paradise_. These resemble the -_Hemorrhous_ in Colour and external Figure: According to _Ælian_, they -change into the Similitude of the Things they light upon. He might, I -think, as well have said, they chang’d their _Notes_ on different Trees, -since there is a kind of relation between _Musick_ and _Colour_, as the -Learned _Newton_ observes. - - -VI. _KOKOB_ Serpent, is between three and four Foot long, of a dusky -Colour, and made beautiful by Spots of red and light Blue. Its Wounds -are terrible, and the Effects not very dissimilar to those of the -_Hemorrhous_. _Nierembergius_ observes, that it resides among Stones; -and when it rambles out, and hears any Noise, makes towards it like a -mighty Hero. Thus the _Gallic_ Monarch, upon Debates among Princes, -marches out as sovereign Umpire of _Europe_, and never returns home but -by way of _Lorrain_, _Corsica_, _Palatine_, or _Spanish Flanders_. - - -VII. The _Asp_, so called from the _Asperity_ of its Skin, as -_Arnoldus_, or from _aspiciendo_, because of the Acuteness of its Eyes. -A Serpent well known, but not accurately describ’d, says the Learned Mr. -_Ray_: Some make it a small Serpent, others say ’tis several Feet long; -and both may judge right, for according to _Ælian_, there are various -Species of Asps; some a Foot and half long, and others six. - -Among these different Proportions, the least of them is said to be most -hurtful, and kills the soonest. Its Poison is so dangerous and quick in -its Operation, that it kills almost in the very Instant that it bites, -without a Possibility of applying any Remedy: They die within three -Hours, says my learned Author[117]; and the manner of their dying by -Sleep and Lethargy, without Pain, made _Cleopatra_ chuse it as the -easiest way of dispatching herself. (More of this further on.) - -Footnote 117: - - _Calmet in Verbum_, p. 213. - -These Aspick Serpents, are the Growth of several Climates: _Olaus_ -observed some of them in the northern Parts, of rugged and rough Skins, -ash Colour, sparkling Eyes, three or four Cubits long[118]; tho’ Lovers -of warm Situations, yet delight in shady Retirements[119]. Many of them -are found in the _Spanish_ Islands[TN]; but _Egypt_, _Libya_, and other -Places in _Africa_ claim the greatest Right to them, for there they are -most numerous and venemous. - -Footnote 118: - - _Jonstonus Hist. de Serp._ p. 15. - -Footnote 119: - - Ideo _Seneca_, ad umbram exsurgere dixit. - -When provok’d, the Neck of this Creature swells, and the Wound then -given, is most dangerous. Its Teeth are of considerable length, growing -out of the Mouth like the Tusks of a Boar. The Historian says, that two -of the longest Teeth have little Cavities in them, covered with a thin -Skin, that slides up when it bites, by which means the poisonous Liquid -runs out, and drops into the Puncture; after which, it recovers its -Station. - -In _America_, says a celebrated Historian, are found _Asps_ with Stings -in the Tail, wherewith they strike and kill[120]. - -Footnote 120: - - _Jonstonus Hist. Nat. de Serpentibus._ p. 15. - -The Banks of _Nilus_ abound with _Asps_, who have Sagacity enough to -remove their Habitations to a place of Safety, several days before that -River overflows the Rising-Grounds about it: ’Tis also said the -_Crocodile_ and _Tortoise_ recede with their Eggs, to a Situation not -accessible by that mighty Flood; a Flood that makes the Land of _Egypt_, -a Region of Fertility, a Flood dreaded by these Animals, and ador’d by -the _Egyptians_, those Sons of Contradiction, who consecrated their -Animals to the Gods, and then worshipped them, and upon Occasions kill’d -them. (Can we behold such Instincts in the _Crocodile_, _&c._ without -acknowledging the Divine Wisdom that ordain’d ’em!) No Nation more -knowing, and more sottish, _e. g._ Upon the Statue of _Minerva_, or the -Goddess _Isis_, was this Inscription, _viz._ _I was she that was, that -am, and shall be, and that am every thing_. Which being an exact -Interpretation of the Word _Jehovah_, and the same Definition the -Almighty appropriates to himself, I can’t, says the Learned _Jurieu_, -conceive, how a Nation that was arrived to such a high Degree of -Knowledge, should have worship’d _Bullocks—as Gods_. - -_PLUTARCH_ gives a strange relation of them, _viz._ that in case of any -extraordinary Calamity, as War, Plague, Famine, the _Egyptian_ Priests -used to threaten the _sacred Beasts_ most horribly: If they failed to -help them, they whipt them till the Blood follow’d; and if the Calamity -did still continue, they kill’d those sacred Beasts by way of -Punishment[121]. The Reverse of this is given us in a _Clan_ of -_Tartars_, who, when exposed to any imminent Calamity, sacrifice their -Priests, in order to intercede for them with the Gods in the other -World. - -Footnote 121: - - _Jurieu_ from _Plut. de Is. & Osir._ - -It has been said, that the _Asp_, when exasperated, did, with an erected -Head, cast out of its Mouth liquid Poison; but it now appears, it darts -it only by its Bite, or by Poison taken from it by Force, and poured -into a Wound made by another; and both the Wounds so made, soon -terminate in an _easy pleasant Exit_; which is supposed to be the reason -why Queen _Cleopatra_ chose this kind of Death, that is, to poison -herself by an Aspick Dose. This reminds me of a certain Herb I have read -of, in _Arabia_, which (according to the Tradition) _if a Man slept -upon_, he died in his Sleep without any Pain. - -A certain learned Pen, makes this Remark upon _Cleopatra_’s Case, _viz._ -that she was not bit by an _Asp_, as some have asserted, but did that -which was more secret and sure; that is, after she had bit her own Arm, -infused Poison into the Wound, expressed before-hand from an _Asp_ by -Irritation, and preserved in a Phial for that purpose: Or, as _Dio_ -says, she wounded her Arm with a Needle, or Dressing-pin, and then -poured the Poison into the bleeding Wound. This seems probable, because -no Serpent was found in her Chamber or near it. - -The _Queen_, in order to find the most easy Passage out of this Life, -made an Experiment upon Criminals by various kinds of Poison, and -Application of diverse sorts of Serpents, and found nothing came up to -_Aspick Poison_, which throws Persons into a pleasant Sleep, in which -they die[122]. - -Footnote 122: - - _Plutarch_’s _Lives of Marc Anton._ and _Cleopatra_, and _Fr. Redi - Nobilis Aretini Experiment_. p. 170, -1, -2, -3. - -_Obj._ If it be said, that in the Triumphs of _Augustus_, Queen -_Cleopatra_ is _drawn with an Asp in her Hand_: - -I answer, That I apprehend that Device might only be -_Pictorial-Licence_, or a Flourish of the Painter to affect the People, -by _displaying the Heroism_ of a Woman, who to prevent the Disgrace of -Captivity, _embraced Death at the hands of a Serpent_, a terrible -Creature, to which none has so great an Aversion as the female Sex. -Excuse a poetick Digression. - - - On the ASP and its POISON. - - ——_Welcome thou kind Deceiver, - Thou best of Thieves! who with an easy Key - Dost open Life, and unperceiv’d by us, - Even steal us from our selves; discharging so, - Death’s dreadful Office, better than himself. - Touching our Limbs so gently into Slumber, - That Death stands by, deceiv’d by its own Image, - And thinks himself asleep[123]._—— - -Footnote 123: - - _Dryden_, _All for Love_. - -Some are of Opinion, that the _Asp_ is _David_’s _deaf Adder_, Psal. -lviii. 45. _They are like the deaf Adder that stops her Ear, which will -not hearken to the Voice of Charmers, charming never so wisely._ They -are like the _deaf Asp_, says the _Hebrew_ and the _Septuagint_. The -word in the Original is [124] _Pethen_, q. d. _Unpersuadedness_; hence, -wicked Men are called Απειθεις in the _New Test._ unpersuadable, which -the _English_ Translation renders _Disobedient_, Tit. i. 16. - -Footnote 124: - - פתן . ωσουι ασπιδος κωφης. - -The common Tradition is, that when Men by Inchantments and Charms have -attempted to take these Serpents, they stopt one Ear with the Tail, and -the other was either deaf, or made so by laying it close to the Ground. -Some are of Opinion, that there is a sort of _Asp_ that really is deaf, -which of all others is the most dangerous, and is meant by the _Royal -Prophet_ here. - -That there was a Practice of charming Serpents by some Art or other, so -that they could neither _bite_ nor _sting_, seems evident from the -sacred Writings, _e. g._ Eccl. x. 11. _Surely the Serpent will bite -without Inchantment._ Jer. viii. 17. _I’ll send Serpents, Cockatrices, -among you, that will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, says the -Lord._ - -Among other Things the word _Charmer_, some say, signifies _one_ that -conjoins and consociates; that is, that by Sorcery gather’d Serpents -together, and made them tame and familiar; or the _Person_ may be so -call’d, because by _Magick Art_, he associated with _Demons_, the Lords -of Serpents. - -We are inform’d by History, of some, who have summoned together a -hundred Serpents at once; but by what method, I leave the Reader to -judge. _Montanus_, a famous Physician, and Professor at _Padua_ in -_Italy_, says he saw this Coadunation of Serpents. - -The learned Doctor _Casaubon_ tells us, he had seen a Man, who from the -Country around him, wou’d draw Serpents into the Fire, which was -inclos’d in a magical Circle: When one of them, bigger than the rest, -would not be brought in, upon repeating the aforesaid Charms, it -submitted to the Flames. - -We read of a famous Charmer at _Saltsburgh_ in the Circle of _Bavaria_; -that, when (in sight of the People) he had charm’d a great Number of -Serpents into a Ditch, where he kill’d them; there came a Serpent of -great Bulk, supposed to be the Devil, that leapt upon the Charmer, and -immediately slew him[125]. - -Footnote 125: - - Doctor _More_’s Antidote. - -Answer me, says _Paracelsus_, (the celebrated _Swiss_ Physician, who did -wonderful Cures by Liquids extracted from Vegetables) from whence is it, -that a Serpent of _Helvetia_, _Algovia_, or _Suevia_, does understand -the _Greek_ Idiom, _Osy, Osya, Osy_; that they should, at the first -Sound of these Words, _stop their Ears_, remain immoveable, and do us no -hurt with their Poison? From whence he infers, there was a Power in -Words to operate upon the Ear, without Superstition. The Antients seem -to have entertain’d some favourable Thoughts of the _Power of Spells_ -upon Serpents: Their Poets speak often of these Charms and Incantations. - - _Frigidus in pratis cantando rumpitur anguis._ Virgil. - _Vipereas rumpo verbis, & carmine fauces._ Ovid. - _Ingue pruinoso coluber distenditur arvo - Viperes coëunt abrupto corpore nodi - Humanoque cadit serpens afflata veneno._ Lucan. - -_PHILOSTRATUS_ describes particularly how the _Indians_ charm -Serpents—they take a Scarlet-Coat embroider’d with golden Letters, and -spread it before the Serpent’s Hole; and these golden Letters have a -fascinating Power over it, and therewith its Eyes are overcome and laid -asleep[126]. - -Footnote 126: - - His Life of _Apollonius Tyanæus_, writ at the Desire of the Empress - _Julia_, lib. 3. cap 2. - -If we consider the strange Things done by _Force of Words_, so much -extoll’d in Antiquity, it will be no wonder to see _Letters_, out of -which _Words are form’d, made the Rudiment and first Study of human -Life_: But as to the _Mode of Operation_ by _Words_, the Learned are not -agreed. - -Some say, there is a natural Virtue and Efficacy in Words, and appeal to -the _notable Feats_ done by _Force of Eloquence_. This was the favourite -Study and View of _Orators_; in this they triumph’d, and never wanted -Acclamations and loud Applauses. - -In _Plutarch_, we have, among others, one remarkable Instance, _viz._ -_Cæsar_, upon the Accusations brought in by _Tubero_ against _Quintus -Ligarius_ (_Pompey_’s Friend) he was resolved to sacrifice that Rebel, -till he was charm’d by the _Words_ of the _Orator_ that pleaded in his -favour—No sooner did _Cicero_ begin his Oration in his defence, but -_Cæsar_’s Countenance chang’d, and his Indignation begun to soften ... -but when the Orator touch’d upon the Battle of _Pharsalia_ (where -_Cæsar_ was Conqueror) _Cæsar_’s Heart tender’d, his Body trembled with -Joy, and certain Papers in his Hands dropt to the ground.—And when -_Cicero_ had finish’d his Oration, _Cæsar_’s Wrath against his Enemy was -intirely extinguish’d; and _Ligarius_ was set at liberty[127]. The same -Orator, by the Dint of Eloquence, overthrew the Constitution of the -_Decemviri_. - -Footnote 127: - - _Plutarch_’s Life of _Cicero_. - -Others say, there is a mighty Force in Words in such a _Tone_, and -_Talismanical Characters_, rightly-adapted Figures, and Images _under -certain Constellations_[128]. - -Footnote 128: - - _Paracelsus_, _C. Agrippa_, Life of Mr. _Duncan Campbell_, _A. D. - 1720_, page 256. _Gaffarel._ - -Some affirm that _Magick_ consists in the _Spirit of Faith_, for _Faith_ -is the _Magnet of Magicians_, by which they draw Spirits to them, and by -which Spirits they do wonderful Things, that to vulgar Eyes appear like -Miracles. No doubt but several extraordinary Effects have been ascrib’d -to the Devil, that in reality were natural, and artfully disguised: The -Story of Sieur _Brioche_, a famous Puppet-player, is well known, who in -a Town in _Switzerland_, where that _Show_ had never been seen before, -he was apprehended as a Warlock or Magician, and ran the hazard of being -punish’d as such[129]. - -Footnote 129: - - _De Saint Andre_’s Letters. - -Others affirm, that _Charms by Words_ are but means to heighten the -Imagination; and the strange Effects produced by ’em, flow’d only from -the Activity of an exalted Thought, or Fancy of heated Brains. In proof -of this ’tis said, that if a Woman at a certain Season, strongly fix her -Imagination upon any particular Object, the Child will bear the Image -thereof. - -I think ’tis pretty obvious, that those extraordinary Impressions made -by _Pagan Sophists_ upon the Minds of their Audience by the Charms of -Rhetorick, past for a _divine Afflatus_ or _Inspiration_; and therefore -in such Cases, we shall find this _Formula_ (_Aliquis nescio quis Deus_) -frequently used by Enthusiastical _Orators_, as well as their _Poets_: -Thus _Cicero_, speaks of himself, that he was mov’d by a certain -_Impetus_ or Ardour[130]: _Apollonius Tyanæus_, who was looked upon by -the Christians as a notorious Magician, being ask’d by the Governor of -_Rome_ under _Nero_, what was his Profession? he answer’d, θειασμος, an -Enthusiast, _q. d._ Fanatic, Conjurer. - -Footnote 130: - - _Nulla ingenti, sed magna vis animi inflamantis ut me ipse non - teneam._ - -’Tis true, that wonderful Things have been done by Words, but how -_verbal Charms_ operated upon _Serpents_, wants Explication: Of some -Inchanters ’tis said, that by vocal and instrumental Sounds, they have -charm’d Rats, Mice and Serpents, some into a stupid State, and others -into a flexible submissive State. - -A remarkable Instance in _Rats_ we have in the publick Records of -_Hamelen_, (an antient City on the River _Weser_ in _Germany_, about 28 -Miles S. E. of _Hanover_) where the following strange Account is -register’d, _viz._ - -That in _June 26. 1284_, a certain Stranger undertook to destroy an Army -of Rats with which the Town had been long pester’d, on promise of such a -Reward; and immediately playing on his _Pipe_ and _Tabret_, the _Rats_ -march’d out, and follow’d the Musick to the River, where they were all -drown’d: But being denied the Reward, he threaten’d Revenge; and next -day he went about with the same Musick, and most Children in the Town -follow’d the Piper to the Mouth of a great Cave on a neighbouring Hill -call’d _Koppelberg_, where he and they entered, and were never heard of -after. - -In remembrance of this _sad Catastrophe_, the Citizens for many Years -after, dated all their publick Writings _from the Day they lost their -Children_, as appears by their old Deeds and Records: They still call -the _Street_ thro’ which the Children went out, _Tabret-street_; and at -the Mouth of the Cave there is a Monument of Stone, with a _Latin_ -Inscription, giving the Particulars of this tragical Story. - -As to the other Instance, _viz._ Serpents charm’d into a ductile -manageable State, ’tis thus accounted for; _viz._ Serpents, they say, -are strangely influenced by the Smell of those Emanations, proceeding -from the _Cornus_, or Dog-tree (why not the _Cornelian-Cherry_, -antiently dedicated to _Apollo_?) and that by a Wand or Rod taken from -it, they are thrown into an obsequious Temper— - - “When touch’d by a Rod from that Tree, they are immediately - intoxicated, but so as to be able to follow the Motion of the - Rod; but whether by reason of some great Disproportion or - Incompossibility, between these subtile Effluvia and the - Temperament of the vital, spiritual Substance of the Serpent, or - by what other way, we are not told[131]. The Sassafras-tree, a - Native of _America_, is call’d _Cornus_ also, whose Wood is very - odorous and fragrant.” - -Now, say these Gentlemen why should it seem impossible, that he who -understands this invincible Enmity, and how to manage a Rod of the -_Cornus_ with Cunning and Dexterity (having first intoxicated a Serpent -by the Touch thereof) should during that Fit make it observe, and -readily conform to all the various Motions of the Wand, so as that the -unlearned Spectators, perceiving the _Serpent_ to approach the -_Inchanter_, as he moves the Wand near to himself, or to retreat from -him, as he put the Wand from him, or turn round and dance as the Rod is -mov’d to and fro, or lie still as in a Trance, as the Rod is held still -over it; and all this Time, the People knowing nothing of the Virtue in -the Rod, are easily deluded into a Belief, that the whole Scene is -supernatural, and the main Energy radiated in those Words or Charms, -which the Impostor with great Ceremony and Gravity of Aspect mutters -forth, the better to disguise his Legerdemain, and dissemble Nature in -the colour of a Miracle. - -Footnote 131: - - _Charlton._ - -The Rattle-snakes in _America_ are said to secure their Prey by -Incantation; for they have the Power or Art, (I know not which to call -it, says my Author) to charm Squirrels, Hares, Partridges, or any such -Thing, in such a manner, that they run directly into their Mouths: This -I have seen, adds he, by a Squirrel and one of the Rattle-snakes; and -other Snakes have in some measure the same Power[132]. - -Footnote 132: - - Natural History of _Carolina, A. D. 1711_. page 129. - -It is allowed indeed, that there are _dumb Creatures_ that do exceed Man -in some _sensible Perceptions_, particularly in that of _Smelling_, as -the _Harriers_, and other Dogs. How strange, that Odours from the Hare’s -Body, Should so affect the Nose of a Hound, as to raise in him that -Sensation or Scent, by which he follows her all the Day (tho’ he never -had a Sight of her) thro’ a Cloud of Opposition, from perplexing -intricate Places, and Effluviums proceeding from other Animals! - -These Emanations are exceeding fine Effluvia, or Particles flying off -odorous Bodies in all Directions; and as they float in the Air on the -Surface of the Earth (within their Atmosphere) strike against the Dog’s -Nose, and produce that Sensation of Smell.—_N. B._ The Intensity of -Smell in all Creatures, is in proportion to the Density or Thickness -where we are: This Density is always diminish’d in proportion to the -Squares of the Distances from the odorous Body. - -Yea, a little Cur, by the Power of Smelling, can find out his Master -among Thousands, will trace his Steps thro’ Crouds in Fairs and Markets; -yea, throughout a whole Country. Our Histories inform us of Dogs in some -parts of this Island, that being put upon the Scent, would pursue a -Thief and a Murderer; and if he cross’d a River, would smell where he -entered, and swim after him; and when arrived at t’other side, would -hunt about till they found where he landed, and then run on, till they -overtook the Criminal. - -In Animals is a sulphurous or oily Matter, so attenuated and subtiliz’d -as to become volatile, which is denominated a Spirit: Now that there is -such a Spirit in Man, and a peculiar one too in every Man, is evident -from these Dogs, which will pursue the Game by their Nose, and follow -their Master’s Track, and distinguish it precisely; yea, tho’ a thousand -other Persons had past the same way. - -It must be by meer Force of Smelling, that the Dog is able to do this, -that is, to distinguish his Master from all Men by the Instrumentality -of his Nose. - -Therefore there must be some specifick Matter exhaled from the Master’s -Body, which the Dog can perfectly distinguish from the various Effluvia -flowing from all other Persons. - -The Dog must exceed us, in that he can thus exactly discern his Master, -by these subtile, oily, or sulphurous Effluvia, which no human Nose was -ever able to do. - -We find the like Spirit in the Hound, who when put in the Track which a -Deer has lately been in, will follow the Steps of that Deer thro’ all -cross Paths of a thousand others, and at last single out that individual -Deer among a whole Herd of those Animals. - -In _Scotland_ are a sort of Dogs (in Colour generally red and spotted -with black, or black with red) of extraordinary Sagacity, being, as ’tis -said, put upon the Scent, will pursue Thieves with Success; and the Use -of them has been authorised by the Magistrate——_Nullus perturbet aut -impediat canem trasantem, aut homines transentes cum ipso ad sequendum -latrones aut ad capiendum malefactores_. - - _N. B._ _Trasantem_ is a Word latiniz’d from the old _French_ - _Tracer_ or _Trasser_, signifying to follow by the Track. - -If any shou’d suggest, That this derogates from the Wisdom and Goodness -of the Creator, who has given to some Beasts stronger Perceptions, -Nerves more exquisitely fine and delicate than he has bestow’d upon Man: - -I answer, this is so far from derogating from divine Wisdom and -Goodness, that it is an admirable Instance and Illustration of both; for -were our olfactory Nerves susceptible of such quick Sensations as Dogs -and some other Animals, we shou’d be continually annoy’d with -pestiferous Fumes and Exhalations, so as not only to render most -Situations troublesome, but even Life it self miserable and wretched. - -Such quick Sensations may be very useful to carnivorous Animals, so as -to direct them to their Prey, but to human Beings it wou’d be very -vexatious, if not pestiferous and deadly. I shall only add to this -Digression, a short Hint about the _Magic Art_, the most surprising of -all Arts, and in its first Appearance most innocent and useful. - -Among the antient _Chaldeans_, _Babylonians_, and _Persians_, where the -Art-magic was first and principally cultivated, it signified no more -than _Wisdom_ and hence the _Sophi_, or Wisemen of the _Greeks_ were by -them call’d μαγοι that is, _Magicians_; who being acquainted with many -of the hidden Powers of Nature, directed them in such manner, as to -produce Effects, whose Causes being unknown to the _Vulgar_, were -attributed to _Dæmons_. - -Hence the Art in process of Time came into Disrepute, and Magicians have -been censur’d, as working by Compact with the Devil: But this is -invidious; for in the Gospel we find, the _Magi_ or _Magicians_, are -said to come _from the East to_ Jerusalem, _saying, where is he that is -born King of the_ Jews? _for we—are come to worship him_. No body can -imagine this to be understood of those that have been called -_Sorcerers_, _Wizards_, _Conjurers_, _Witches_ or _Magicians_, in the -modern Sense of that Word[133]; for those who were familiar with the -Devil, would scarce come to enquire after him, who came to destroy his -Works. - -Footnote 133: - - _Matt._ ii. 1, 2. - -The Notion of Witches in the Days of Ignorance and Superstition, was -very prevailing in this Island, but of late Years has undergone a -parliamentary Excommunication; though the _Lancashire_ Witches, who are -constituted of the fairer Part of the fairer Sex, triumph even over our -Senators, and will maintain their fascinating Charms, while their rival -Beauties, the Sun and Stars endure. - -We read of a certain King of _Egypt_, who having assembled his _Magical -Priests_ without the City _Memphis_, caus’d them to enter where the -People were gather’d, by Beat of Drum: All of them made some miraculous -Discovery of their Magic and Wisdom. _One_ had his Face surrounded with -a Light, like that of the Sun, so bright that none could look earnestly -upon him. - -Another seem’d as if enrob’d with precious Stones of diverse Colours, -red, green, yellow, or wrought with Gold. - -A third came mounted on a _Lion_, compass’d with _Serpents_, like -Girdles. - -The next came in with a Pavilion, or Canopy of Light, distended over his -Head. - -Another entered surrounded with Flames of Fire, turning about him; so -that none durst come near him. - -After _him_ appeared one with dreadful Birds, perching about his Head, -and shaking their Wings like Vulturs and black Eagles. - -The _last_ made his Appearance with an Army in the Air, marching before -him, of winged Serpents and terrible Personages.——In fine, every one did -what was taught him by the Star he served; and, after all, the whole -Scene was but an Apparition and Illusion, according to their own -Confession to the King, when the Farce was over[134].——Something -analogous to this are the Magick Lanthorns in our days. - -Footnote 134: - - This Passage is taken out of the _Egyptian_ History of the Pyramids—by - _Murtadi_ the _Arabian_, printed at _Tibe_, a City in _Arabia_, 14th - of _Regebe_, 992; which corresponds to _July_ 22d, 1584; about 156 - Years ago; translated into _French_, and into _English_, 1672. - -In antient times, the Word _Magician_ generally signified _Men of Wisdom -and Learning_, i. e. of superior Knowledge in Things natural and divine, -and more especially in that sort of Learning relative to the Sun, Moon, -and Stars, as we learn from _Porphyry_, _Apuleius_, and others. And -seeing the inspired Apostle gives them that Name (_Magicians_) not as a -Mark of Infamy, but a Title of Honour, therefore does the _English_ -Translation stile them _Wisemen_, such as the old _Greeks_ called σοφοι, -_Sages of their Time_[135]. How, and how far this Art is degenerated, I -refer to the Judgment of the Learned: We see there are Revolutions in -Words, as well as in Families and Kingdoms; a _Magician_ being formerly -a _Wise-man_, as well as a Knave an honest one. _Sed tempora mutantur._ - -Footnote 135: - - _Boerhaave_’s New Theory, p. 211. - -I shall only add to the _Aspick Subject_, the Tribute of Veneration paid -to this poisonous Animal in the Land of _Egypt_. The Historian speaks of -a certain Person, who, in digging, happened unawares to cut an Asp with -his Spade, and went mad upon it,—was taken into the House of _Serapis_, -an _Egyptian_ Idol,—the Relatives of the Patient praying the _Spectrum_ -of that Serpent might be destroyed,——which being accordingly done by -Magick Art, the Man was cured.——By this we see, how highly _Asps_ were -venerated among the _Egyptians_, who not only suffer’d them to live, but -to live in their Houses, where they were carefully fed, as Favourites of -the Family[136]. And Queen _Cleopatra_’s Case was not singular, for the -_Persian_ Kings kept an exquisite Poison by them, made of the Dung of an -_Indian_ Bird, which would kill without putting them to pain, that they -might use it themselves in case of any Disaster[137]. - -Footnote 136: - - _Circurantur cibo, cum infantibus vivunt, & crepitum digitorum vocata - ex cavi prodeunt._ Jonstonus, p. 16. - -Footnote 137: - - _Atlas, Asia._ - -_DEMOSTHENES_, who slew his Soldier, when he was asleep, was a merciful -Executioner; a kind of Punishment the Mildness of no Law has yet -invented. It is strange that _Lucan_ and _Seneca_ made no discovery of -it. - -Sleep is a kind of _Death_, by which we may literally be said to _die -daily_; and in this Sense, _Adam_ may be said to die before his final -Exit. - - -VIII. I now proceed to the Serpent _Scytale_; the Name is borrowed from -the _Greek_ Word σκυταλη, a Staff, or any thing like a Cylinder, of a -long smooth round Form; the Body of this Serpent being in shape equally -round, like a Rolling-Stone, with very little Variation in the -Extremities of it. - -[Illustration: - - _Plate 2^d._ -] - -It forms a beautiful Prospect, being an Aggregate of most charming -Colours, (therefore call’d the Painted Serpent by _Mantuanus_.) It may -be view’d without danger, because slow in its Motion. ’Tis an Error in -_Lucan_ to attribute its Slowness to a Design of enticing Spectators, if -it be not _Poetica Licentia_. - -When released from its Winter-Confinement, the first thing she does, -says the Historian, is to refresh her languid Body with Fennel-Leaves; -but does not tell us what is done, in case that Herb can’t be readily -found. It must indeed be allowed, that wild Fennel is a common Herb of -the Field, and well known and of Use in Physick[138]. The Poet observes, -that no Snake casts her Coat in Winter, but the _Scytale_[139]. - -Footnote 138: - - _Ælian_, _Gyllii Accessio_. - -Footnote 139: - - _Et Scytale sparsis etiam nunc sola pruinis Exuvias positura - suas._—Lucan’s Phars. - -This Serpent being adorned with beautiful Colours, excuse a short -Digression upon the Doctrine of Colours in Natural Bodies. Know then, -Colours are the Children of Fire and Light. - - -I. _Where there is Light, there is Fire_; and Fire shews itself to be -present by Light. The Sensation of Light is produced when the Particles -of Fire, directed by the Action of the Sun, reach the Eye in right -Lines. Now, Fire thus entering the Eye, gives a Motion to the optic -Fibres at the bottom of the Eye, and thus excites the Idea of Light. - - -II. _FIRE discovers itself by Colour_; for all Colours depend upon -Light, and Light depends upon Fire; and different Colours appear in -Natural Bodies, as their Surfaces are disposed to reflect this or that -sort of coloured Rays more than others. Colour is a Property inherent in -Light. - -Colours therefore are not connate with Natural Bodies, which are all of -the same Hue in the dark. To this the Poet alludes, when he makes -_Darkness the Destruction of Colours_[140].—Colours are only in the Rays -of the Sun: In Natural Bodies is a Quality or Power to reflect the Light -falling upon them, which striking the Eye, produces in the Spectator the -Sensation of Colour. - -Footnote 140: - - _Rebus nox abstulit atra colores._—Virgil. - -Clouds often appear very beautifully coloured; they consist of aqueous -Particles, between which Air is interspersed; therefore, according to -the various Thickness of those aqueous Particles, the Cloud will be of a -different Colour[141]. - -Footnote 141: - - _Boerhaave_, _Gravesand_. - - -IX. _AMPHISBÆNA_ Serpent, so called from αμφι _&_ βαινω _Biceps_, a -Monster with two Heads. This is a small and weak Creature, equal in Bulk -to a little Finger, and about a Foot long, of a whitish or terraceous -Colour; of the oviparous Family, of small Eyes, no otherways visible -than the Prick of a little Needle; lives much under ground, and is often -found by digging; feeds upon Ants. Under this Head, the Historian -mentions three Serpents, _viz._ - -The _Brasilian_, that has two Heads, and moves as a Crab[142]. - -Footnote 142: - - _Acosta._ - -The _Taprobanensian_, with four Heads; and he who believes it must have -a four-headed Faith. - -The _Hungarian_; of which elsewhere. - -The same Historian adds, that the marine _Amphisbæna_, taken in the -_English_ Sea, has two Heads. _Ibid._ _Pliny_, _Ælian_, _Lucan_, -_Mantuan_,—affirm it has two Heads; _Matthiolus_ denies it, _Hesychius_ -is doubtful. Mention is made of a Serpent found near _Chipping-Norton_, -not far from _Oxford_, having two Heads, and Faces like Women; one being -shaped after the new Tyre of that Time; the other was habited after the -old Fashion, and had great Wings resembling those of the Flinder-Mouse -or Bat[143]. This happened in the Reign of _Edward_ III. - -Footnote 143: - - _Stow_’s Annals, _London_, printed, 1631. - -A _Spanish_ Author says, that in _Chiapa_ he found a two-headed Serpent, -18 Inches long, in the Form of a _Roman_ T, and very venemous; it does -not only kill, adds he, by its Bite, but if any tread upon that part of -the Ground over which ’twas just gone, it proves fatal[144]. The Poet -also subscribes to two Heads[145].——If this two-headed Serpent has slain -its Thousands, there is a certain metaphorical three-headed Serpent on -the Banks of _Tyber_, that has slain its Ten Thousands. - -Footnote 144: - - _Antonio de Herrera_’s History of _America_. - -Footnote 145: - - _Et gravis ingenium surgens caput Amphisbæna._—Lucan, p. 270. - -Perhaps the Reason of ascribing two Heads to this Serpent, might be, -because it is said to poison by the Tail and Teeth. Others say, both -Ends are so like in Figure and Bulk, that they are not easily -distinguished. - -It seems probable to me, that this Serpent, like some Insects or Worms, -has a double Motion, _antrorsum & retrorsum_, which made some of the -Antients conclude it had two Heads; one in the usual Situation, the -other in the Extremity of the _Cauda_. Its Body is of equal Thickness, -and recommended to the View by various and delightful Spots[146]. - -Footnote 146: - - _Conrad. Gesner._ _Ælian._ _Columella_, lib. vi. - -We read of this Serpent in _Gothland_, where it comes forth in the -Spring before all other Serpents, being more able to encounter the cold -Air[147]. Some Authors tell us, that its Skin wrapt about a Stick, -drives away all Serpents; which I place among the Tales of Antiquity. - -Footnote 147: - - _Olaus Magnus Hist._ B. xxi. - -This Serpent is found in the _Lybian Deserts_, and also in the Island of -_Lemnos_, in the _Ægean_ Sea. The Puncture made by its Wounds is so -small, that it can scarcely be discerned, yet terminates in a dreadful -Inflammation and a lingering Death. - -_ERASMUS_ was puzzled about the Sense of that _Greek_ Proverb ὑδρος εν -φιθω, _hydrus in dolio_, a Serpent in the Hogshead: The Meaning of it, -said an Interpreter of Dreams, is this: A certain Person had a Vessel of -Wine, that was constantly diminishing, tho’ carefully lock’d up; the -Reason of which he could not account for, till he empty’d the Vessel, at -the bottom of which he found a Serpent rioting in Wine[148]. - -Footnote 148: - - _Conradus Gesner._ - -Perhaps as good an Interpretation may be this, that there was Venom in -the Cask (of which the Serpent was an Emblem) to all those who rioted in -the Bowls of Excess. Not so, says a Son of _Bacchus_; for - - _The thirsty Earth soaks up the Rain, - And drinks, and gapes for Drink again. - The Sea itself, which one would think, - Should have but little need of Drink, - Drinks Ten thousand Rivers up._—— - _The busy Sun, and one would guess - By’s drunken fiery Face no less, - Drinks up the Sea.—— - Fill up the Bowl then, fill it high, - Fill all the Glasses there, for why, - Should every Creature drink, but I? - Why, Man of Morals, tell me why?_[149] - -Footnote 149: - - _Cowley_’s Anacreon. - -Some of the Poets have thought this _Amphisbæna_ to be the _Hydra -Lernæa_, the many-headed Serpent, that was very terrible to the adjacent -Country, and slain by _Hercules_: When one Head was cut off, many others -sprung up; so that there was no way to destroy the Monster, but by -cutting off all the Heads with one Stroke. - -Tho’ there be no _Amphisbænick_ Animals, there is some Resemblance of it -in Plants, whose _Cotyledon_ is always double, and in the common Centre -of the two, is a Point or Speck, which is the Plantule, or the Tree in -Embryo; which Plantule being acted on by the Earth, warmed by the Sun, -begins to expand, and shoots its Root both upward and downward. Thus, in -a Bean committed to the Ground, we soon see it to cleave into two Parts, -and in the Fissure appears a little Speck, which sends out a Root -downwards, and a Bud upwards.—A remarkable Phænomenon, says the Note on -_Boerhaave_’s Theory. - -X. Among Serpents, Authors place _Dragons_; Creatures terrible and -fierce in Aspect and Nature. They are divided into _Apodes_ and -_Pedates_, some with Feet, and some without them; some are privileged -with Wings, and others are destitute of Wings and Feet: Some are covered -with sharp Scales, which make a bright Appearance in some Position. Some -have observed, that about the _Ganges_, are Dragons whose Eyes sparkle -like precious Stones. - -They differ in external Form: The _Draconopades_ are represented by a -human Face, and sightly Countenance; the rest of the Body in a tortuous -winding Shape. In one of Dr. _Johnson_’s Figures, a Dragon is made to -appear like a Man’s Face, with a Grenadier’s Cap on the Head. Some -differ in Colour, some are black in the upper Part of the Body, -according to _Philostratus_; red, according to _Homer_; yellow, -according to _Pausanias_; and _Lucan_ makes it a golden Colour[150]. - -Footnote 150: - - _Philostratus de Vita Apol._ lib. iii. cap. 2. _Homer._ _Iliad_, lib. - 12. _Lucan._ _Pharsal. in Jonstoni Historia Serpentum_, p. 33, 34. - -The same Historian observes, that in the _Atlantick_ Mountains, they -kill where they touch, and those that are in the Kingdom of _Narsinga_, -and dwell in the Woods, kill all they meet. _Ibid._[151] - -Footnote 151: - - _Unde quidam in arbores & chamo dracones distinxere._ - -I presume, the Author means _Narsinga_, a potent Kingdom, bounded on the -East with the Bay of _Bengal_, that noble Part of _India_, says -_Herbert_[152]; where the Monarch is always attended with 1000 for his -Guards, has 5 or 6000 Jesters, and reckons it one of his chief Titles to -be the Husband of a Thousand Wives. - -Footnote 152: - - His Travels into _Africa_ and _Asia_, the famous Empires of _Persia_ - and _Indostan_,—Oriental Islands. - -Dragons are Inhabitants of _Africa_ and _Asia_; those of _India_ exceed -most in Largeness and Longitude: In the Tower of _London_, is the Skin -of one, which is of vast Bulk. In _Æthiopia_, they have no Name for -_Dragons_, but _Killers of Elephants_, which is supposed to be the -largest of Land-Animals. - -Over the Water-gate in the City of _Rhodes_, there is set up the Head of -a _Dragon_, which was 33 Foot long, that wasted all the Country, till it -was slain by _Deodate de Gozon_, one of the _Knights of St. John -Baptist_[153]. The _Knights of that Order_ had frequently attack’d it, -but in vain; for its Scales being proof against all their Arms, it -destroyed so many of them, that the Grand-Master forbad them to engage -the Monster any more. - -Footnote 153: - - _Atlas Geog. Anatolia_, p. 43, -4. From _Tavernier_ and _Du Mont._ - -_GOZON_, who, after several dangerous Onsets escaped with his Life, -resolved to make another Trial by Stratagem; perceiving it was no where -vulnerable but in the Eyes and Belly, contrived the Resemblance of a -Dragon by a Machine of Pastboard, of equal Bulk with the Dragon, and by -certain Springs made it leap like a true Dragon: Having trained up a -Couple of fierce Dogs to attack it at the _Belly_, he went out privately -one Morning, well-armed on a managed Horse with his Dogs, and rode up to -the Den, from whence the Dragon leaped furiously at him: In the -Encounter, the Dogs laid hold on his Belly, and forced him to lie down; -upon which the valiant Knight alighted, thrust his great Sword several -times into his Throat, and soon killed him: Upon which the Spectators -drew near, and with great difficulty sever’d the Head from the Body, and -lugged it into the Town in Triumph. - -The Conqueror was degraded for the sake of Form, because he had violated -the Grand-Master’s Order; but was immediately restored, and soon after -was elected Grand-Master himself; he died in the Year 1335, and on his -Tomb were engraven these Words, _Draconis Extinctor_; _The Destroyer of -the Dragon_. - -In the Life of _Attilius Regulus_ (the _Roman_ General in the War -against the _Carthaginians_) is described a Dragon of prodigious Bulk -near the River _Bagrada_, that annoyed all the Country round, without -Remedy. Several Devices were formed to destroy it, but without effect, -till the Military _Possé_ was called in, who discharged the _Engines of -War_ against it with Success: And so great was this Deliverance, that an -_Ovation_, or a small Triumph, was publickly made at _Rome_ for the -Victory. - - -XI. The _Pythian_ Dragon, so called from its being the Guardian of the -_Delphick_ Oracle: Its Eyes are large and sharp, and the Body painted -with Variety of Colours, as red, yellow, green and blue, and furnished -with Scales that are resplendent, well compacted and hard. It has been -called _Deucalionæus_, because in the Language of Ignorance, it was -produced from the Mud left by the _Deucalionian_ Deluge: a Serpent of -prodigious Bulk.[154] - -Footnote 154: - - _Jonstonus._ - -_PYTHON_ is also taken for a prophetick Demon, by St. _Luke_[155].—_As -we went to Prayer, a certain Damsel possest with a Spirit of -Divination_, (having the Spirit of _Pytho_, according to the _Greek_) -_which brought her Masters much Gain by Sooth-saying_, that is, by -Predictions, telling of Fortunes. _Python_ of the _Greeks_ is supposed -the _Typhon_ of the _Phenicians_, and the _Phœnician Typhon_ to be _Ogg_ -King of _Bashan_, and _Apollo_ that slew it, to be _Joshua_. _Apollo_ is -called _Pythius_ from this Serpent, or from some notorious Tyrant of -that Name, slain by him, as the antient Geographer observes. So _Gesner_ -from _Pausanias_. The Priestess of _Apollo_, that delivered the Sacred -Oracles, was called _Pythia_ and _Pythonissa_. This _Pythonick_ Spirit -among the Gentiles, was esteemed as a God, and by _Juvenal_ is styled -_Vates_, a Prophet. - -Footnote 155: - - _Act._ xvi. 16.—Πνευμα Πυθωνος. - -The Priestess that delivered the Sacred Oracles, was called _Pythia_, -from _Apollo Pythius_, and must be a pure Virgin. Most of the Fathers of -the Church were of opinion, that it was the Devil gave the Answers, -which were generally dubious, a Sign of his Ignorance about Futurity. - -One _Œnomaus_, a certain Pagan Philosopher, highly resenting it, that he -had been so often befooled by the Oracles, speaks to _Apollo_ thus— - - “When we come to consult thee, either thou knowest Things to - come or not. If thou knowest them, why dost not thou speak so as - to be understood? If thou knowest not, why dost thou pretend to - it? If Things necessarily come to pass, why dost thou amuse us - with Ambiguities?[156]” - -Footnote 156: - - _Eusebius._ - -_F. BALTHUS_, a learned Jesuit, and _F. Bouchet_, say there were real -Oracles, and such that can never be attributed to Priests and -Priestesses; and that the Devil still gives Oracles in the _Indies_, and -that not by Idols, which would be liable to Imposture, but by the Mouths -of Priests, and By-Standers; and that the Devil becomes mute, in -proportion as the Gospel prevails.—— - - “It is generally believed among the more Learned, that the Pagan - Oracles were mere Frauds and Impostures, and calculated to serve - the political Views of Princes, and covetous Ends of Pagan - Priests.” - -According to the learned _Bayle_, they were meer human Artifices; and he -is seconded by _Vandale_ and _Fontenelle_. But to return to the Oracle -at _Delphos_, which was very antient and much in vogue before the -_Trojan_ War: The Situation of the Place, where People were made to -believe God spoke, was at the Mouth of a certain Cavern, whence they -received their Intelligence. The Prophetess sat upon a _Tripodium_, a -three-footed Stool, assisted in her Function by divers Priests. - -Under her Seat, ’tis said, that some time there appeared a Dragon, -through whose Throat Responses were audibly deliver’d, with a loud and -strong Voice: According to _Eusebius_, a Serpent rolled itself about the -Tripod, on which the Priest sat. - -Of all Oracles, that of _Apollo Pythius_ at _Delphos_, in the _Ægean_ -Sea, was the most celebrated, and consulted as the _dernier Resort_ by -the Princes of those Times; yea, all the _Greeks_ resorted thither for -Counsel in Matters of Importance. At the first opening of that _Oracular -Office_, Answers were given to the Querist in Verse; but upon People’s -ridiculing the Poorness of the Verification, the Oracle fell to Prose. -’Tis strange, that what they made a _God_, could not make a _good -Verse_, but not strange to see the old Serpent adhering to its first -Scheme of Politicks, by making the weaker Vessel the Vehicle to convey -his strong Delusions to the World. - -Some of these Draconick Serpents excel in the Sensations of Hearing and -Seeing, as well as in the Art of Killing; and therefore a _Dragon_ was -made the _Conservator_ of their _Treasures_ and _Curiosities_; e. g. -_Mauritania_ in _Africa_, was famous for the Gardens of the _Hesperides_ -(so called from three Sisters and Daughters of King _Hesperius_) that -produced _Golden Apples_, and were guarded by a _Dragon_, which -_Hercules_ having killed or charm’d into a profound Sleep, he robbed the -Golden Orchard. - -The Rod of _Moses_, ’tis said, _was turned into a Serpent_. The -_Syriack_, _Arabick_, and _Septuagint_ Translations, say, twas turned -into a _Dragon_; and so the Rods of the Magicians became _Dragons_. - - -XII. The _Basilisk_ or _Cockatrice_, is a Serpent of the Draconick Line, -the Property of _Africa_, says _Ælian_, and denied by others: In shape, -resembles a Cock, the Tail excepted. Authors differ about its -Extraction; the _Egyptians_ say, it springs from the Egg of the Bird -_Ibis_; and others, from the Eggs of a Cock: Other Conjectures about its -Descent, being as ridiculous, I forbear to mention them. Nor are they -agreed whether it more inclines to the black or yellow Colour; nor are -their Sentiments less various about its Stature. - -It is gross in Body, of fiery Eyes, and sharp Head, on which it wears a -Crest, like a Cock’s Comb; and has the Honour to be stiled _Regulus_ by -the _Latins_, the _Little King of Serpents_; and ’tis generally supposed -to be terrible to them. The Sight of this Animal, and Sound of his -Voice, puts them to flight, and even to over-run their Prey[157]: Yea, -Tradition adds, that his Eyes and Breath are killing; that is, I -presume, when he grasps the Spoil. Several dreadful things are -attributed to his venemous Qualities, so sing the Poets[158]. - -Footnote 157: - - _Sibilo ejus reliquos terreri & prædam derelinquere._ - -[Illustration: - - _Plate 3^d._ -] - -Footnote 158: - - Tam teter vacuas odor hinc exhalat in auras, - Atque propinquantes penetrant non segniter artus. - - _Nican._ - - - Ante venena nocens, late sibi submovet omne - Vulgus, & in vacua regnat Basiliscus arena. - - _Lucan._ 270. - -According to _Pliny_ and other antient Historians, this Serpent in its -Motion, inclines to the Erect; it goes half upright, the middle and -posterior parts of the Body only touching the Ground. The Venom of the -Basilisk is said to be so exalted, that if it bites a Staff, ’twill kill -the Person that makes use of it; but this is Tradition without a -Voucher[159]. - -Footnote 159: - - _Ælian. Gyllii Accessio_, cap. xviii. p. 247. _Jonstoni Historia - Natural. Serp._ p. 34, 35. - -The reason why this Serpent is dubb’d _King_, is not because ’tis larger -in bulk than others of the Fraternity, or because it wears a Crown, or -because that Title seems to be recognized by a divine Prophet, who -speaking of _Ahaz_ and his Son _Hezekiah_, says, _Out of the Serpent’s -Root shall come forth a Cockatrice, and his Fruit shall be a fiery -flying Serpent_. The _Hebrew_ expresses it by a word, that Signifies a -_Prince_ or _King_, but not with a View to Empire over the serpentine -Race. - -But ’tis most probable, that the royal Stile is given to this Serpent, -because of its _majestic Pace_, which seems to be attended with an Air -of Grandeur and Authority. It does not, like other Serpents, creep on -the Earth; which if it did, the sight of it would not be frightful, but -moving about, in a sort of an erect Posture, it looks like a Creature of -another Species, therefore they conclude ’tis an Enemy. Serpents are for -Uniformity, therefore can’t endure those that differ from them in the -Mode of Motion. - -’Tis said of this Creature, that its Poison infects the Air to that -Degree, that no other Animal can live near it, according to the -Tradition of the Elders famous for magnificent Tales. These little -Furioso’s are bred in the Solitudes of _Africa_, and are also found in -some other Places, and every where are terrible Neighbours. - -The crown’d Basilisk leads me to _Ovid_, who, speaking of Man’s erect -Posture, says ’tis a Mark of Distinction due to the Excellencies of the -human Mind: - - _A Creature of a more exalted kind - Was wanting yet; and then was Man design’d, - Conscious of Thought, of more capacious Breast._—— - -2. And partly as an Ensign of Royalty, some Characters whereof -Naturalists have observed in some other petty Principalities; such as -the Crown on the Dolphin, Diadem on the Basilisk, the Lion’s stately -Mane, which serves as a Collar of Honour.—— - -But Man, being vested with an universal Monarchy, walks upon the Earth, -like a Master in his own House. - - -XIII. The _Cæcilia_ or _Typhlinus_, the blind Worm, as the _Greek_ word -imports; not that it wants Eyes, but because they are so little, that he -must be furnish’d with good Optics that can discern them: And the Ear -also is as remarkably dull, therefore call’d by the _Greeks_ -κωφιας[160]; of a brown Colour, full of Spots, variegated: The Belly is -blackish, the Neck sky-colour’d, garnish’d with certain black Spots: -Head like a Lamprey, and is as free from Poison: Little Teeth, a forked -Tongue, and may be handled without hurt[161]. - -Footnote 160: - - _Quasi surdaster, quod hebetis sit auditus._ - -Footnote 161: - - _Nicander_ calls it απημαντον, quod nullam noxam inferat. _Jonstonus_, - p. 19. - -This Serpent seems to resemble those People which we call _Myops_, _i. -e._ Mouse-eyed, or purblind, which happens when the Eye is so _convex_, -that the Rays of Light unite, before they come to the _Retina_, which -makes the Eye also look small, whence the Name[162]. - -Footnote 162: - - From τυφλοω excæco, κωφοω, exsurdo. - -The _Cæcilian Serpent_ is about a Foot long, and distinguishable from -our common Serpents by the Form of its Body, which is almost of the same -Crassitude, excepting two or three Inches at the extremity of the Tail. -_Conradus Gesner_ tells us, his Wife struck one of these Serpents on the -Head, when ’twas pregnant, and it immediately cast forth its young[163]. - -Footnote 163: - - _Gesner_, p. 36. _Ælian._ - - -XIV. The _Cencris_, or _Cencrina_ is a spotted Serpent, and very -venemous; denominated from _Milium_, a small Grain call’d Millet-feed; -to which Historians compare the Spots wherewith this Serpent is adorn’d: -For the same reason, a certain Species of the _Herpes_, that is, a -cutaneous Distemper, which is a kind of spreading Inflammation, (and is -like Millet-feed on the Skin) is called _Miliary_: And by some, this is -called the _Miliary Serpent_[164]. - -Footnote 164: - - _Ab aliquibus Miliaris appellatur._ Jonstonus, p. 20. - -This Serpent is compared by _Nicander_ to a _Lion_; either for _Cruelty_ -in thirsting after Blood, or for its _Courage_, which appears in all its -Attacks. How furious in all its Wars, offensive and defensive! always -fighting, Lion-like, with an _erected Tail_: Which leads me to a -Digression about the _Turkish Standard_, which is a _Horse-Tail -erected_: The Original of that Custom was this, _viz._ One of the -_Turkish Generals_ having his Standard taken in a Battle with the -_Christians_, and perceiving his Men discouraged by the loss of it, he -cut off a _Horse-Tail_, and fastening it to the top of a _Half-pike_, -advanced it on high, crying out, _This is the great Standard, let those -that love me follow it_: Upon which his Men rallied, fought like -_Lions_, and obtained the Victory[165]. - -Footnote 165: - - _Tavernier._ - -But to return to the Serpent, which moving in a direct Line, goes fast, -but being of great Bulk, can’t suddenly wind about[166]: Circumvolution -is the way to avoid its Menaces. ’Tis commonly found in the Island of -_Lemnos_ (the old _Dipolis_, and now the _Stalimene_ of the _Turks_) and -also in _Samothracia_, an Island in the _Archipelago_, a Province -anciently famous for the _Dii Cabiri_, that is, _certain Gods_ -worshipped by the _Samothracians_ and _Phenicians_, and had in such high -Veneration, that it was a Crime to mention Names so sacred among the -People[167]. Some say they were God’s Ministers, others think they were -Devils. - -Footnote 166: - - _Et semper recto lapsurus limite cencris._ Lucan. Pharsal. p. 269. - -Footnote 167: - - _Bochart Geogr. Sacra_, lib. i. cap. 12. - - -XV. The _Acontia_[168], called by the _Latins_, _Serpens Jacularis_, and -by some, the Flying Serpent, because of the Celerity of its Motion. In -_Lemnos_ ’tis call’d _Sagittarius_, the Bowman or Archer. By the modern -_Greeks_, _Saeta_, a Dart; for it flies like an Arrow at its Prey[169]. -A certain Person in _Cato_’s Army call’d _Paulus_, was slain, not by the -Poison, but the Violence of its Blow[170]: Probably on the lateral part -of the Scull. - -Footnote 168: - - Απο του ακοντος, quod, jaculi instar, se vibret. - -Footnote 169: - - Rumpat & Serpens iter institutum - Si per obliquum similis sagittæ - Terruit mannos. - -Footnote 170: - - ——immisit (jaculum vocat Africa,) serpens - Perque caput Pauli transacta tempora fugit - Nil ibi virus egit: rapuit cum vulnere fatum. - - _Lucani Pharsalia_, lib. ix. p. 273. - -Authors are not agreed about its Dimensions. _Ambrosinus_ speaking of -one he had seen in the _Bononian Musæum_, says, ’tis about the thickness -of a Staff, and about three Foot long: It is found in _Egypt_, its -Wounds are dreadful, being attended with Putrefaction and Defluxion of -the Flesh. - -That which _Bellonius_ saw, was three Palms long, or sixteen Inches and -a Finger’s Breadth. _N. B._ _Palmus_ stands for two different Measures; -_Palmus major_ contains twelve Fingers; _Palmus minor_, four Inches. - -It lies in wait under Bushes, from whence it rushes out unawares, and -flies like an Arrow at Passengers: Before it leaps at the Prey, it lies -on the Ground, and turns itself round, to give the greater spring to the -Motion, by which she’ll do execution at twenty Cubits distance[171]. - -Footnote 171: - - _Jonstonus_, p. 20, 21. - -These nimble Leapers are found among the _West-Indians_, especially in -_Hispaniola_, where there are little Serpents in green Apparel, that -hang by the Tail on the Branches, from whence they suddenly leap upon -their Prey. Among the _Sabæans_ are some cloathed in red, four Inches -long, that thus leap upon Men unawares; and hurt, not only by striking, -but touching. - -This Serpent resembles the Ash in Colour, inclining to the white. It -traverses the _Lybian_ Provinces, where it makes travelling dangerous: -It is also found in the Island of _Rhodes_; an Island on which, the -Poets tell us, _Golden Showers are rain’d_, and where the Air is never -so clouded, as to hinder the Light of the Sun. It appears also in -_Norway_, according to _Olaus Magnus_. - -One tells us, that he was inform’d by one _John Vitus_, a learned -_Hungarian_, that there were in that Country _little Serpents_ about six -Inches long, and without a Tail, therefore called by the Vulgar, the -_curtail’d Serpent_, the whole Body is much of an equal Thickness; and -these, upon View of their Prey, leap upon it with the Swiftness of an -Arrow[172]. - -Footnote 172: - - _Conrad. Gesner. in Verbum._ - - -XVI. The _Druina Serpent_ from δρυς, an Oak, by _Scaliger_ called -_Querculus_; it takes its Name from the Oak, in whose hollow places it -seems to reside; and to which, it retires for Refuge, when assaulted by -Hornets.——Some credulous Authors have said, that these Serpents take up -their hybernal Lodgings about the Roots of the _Beach-trees_, and by -Virtue of the Warmth, which those Roots derive from them, that Tree, so -enhappy’d, flourishes all Winter. - -This Serpent is of the amphibious kind, and a most venemous Creature, -therefore rang’d with the first Order of the serpentine Race. ’Tis of -monstrous bulk[173], guarded by a rough squammatick Armour, in the -Cavities of which, ’tis said, little Flies build their Nests. Whether it -appears in white or blue Habit, is not material, nor do I see what -Honour it gets by wearing a Coronet on its Head. - -Footnote 173: - - It is a Load for a Porter. - -In the Language of Tradition, to tread upon it, will cause an -Excoriation in the Foot, (tho’ no Wound be given) and a Tumor in the -Leg; yea, adds the Traditionist, the Hands that attend the Patient, will -be in danger of losing their Skin: But he who believes all the Fables of -Antiquity, is in more danger of losing his Reason. - -The Druinical Serpent goes under various Denominations. ’Tis said to -follow the _Acontia_ in Authors, because its Figure exactly quadrates -with _Bellonius_’s dart Serpent; and _Scaliger_ was in the same -Sentiment[174]. - -Footnote 174: - - _Jonstonus_, Articul. xiii. p. 21. - -But I shall only mention that of _Chersydrus_, from _Nicander_ in -_Jonstonus_, p. 28. or _Chelydrus_, called by some a _Sea-Snail_; which -the learned Sir _Hans Sloane_ describes thus—— - - “That it is more flat than most of the cochlean Marines, - consisting only of Circumvolutions, round the Axis of the Shell; - of a fine purple Colour.” - -He calls it _Cochlea Marina_[175], and not without reason, because of -their difference in Magnitude. - -Footnote 175: - - His Voyage to _Jamaica_, vol. i. p. 34. - -The terrestrial _Druina_ lives upon Frogs, and other Insects; many of -them are found in _Africa-Interior_, and the _Hellespont_ by -_Constantinople_. It is a fetid Animal, and sends forth an ill Scent, -especially when its Body is wounded[176]. - -Footnote 176: - - _Ælian._ _Gyllius._ _Gesner._ - -This Serpent exceeds most in bulk, and loudness in hissing, which -resembles the Cry of _Sheep_ and _Goats_, ibid. _Gyllius_ makes the -_Druina_ to be the _Chelydrus_, described by the Poet, who makes it a -_Calabrian_[177]: Of which, more in another place. - -Footnote 177: - - ——_Nidore chelydros - Est etiam ille malus colubris in saltibus anguis - Postquam exhausta palus._—Virg. Georg. l. iii. This is applied also - to the _Hydrus_. - - -XVII. The _Elops_ or _Elaphis_ of the Antients, which some confound with -the _Cæcilia_, as _Jonstonus_ observes: It is of the amphibious Sort, -and known at _Lemnos_, where ’tis call’d _Laphiati_ by the Natives. In -_Aldrovandus_’s Study, _Ambrosinus_ saw the Picture of this Serpent, -which was about three Foot long; the Belly is of a yellow Colour, the -Back is brown, and distinguishable by three black Lines[178]. - -Footnote 178: - - _Ray._ - -There is a _marine Elope_, an Animal counted sacred by the Poets, a Set -of merry Mortals, famous for turning every thing into a _God_, or -_Ridicule_. The Historian mentions a certain Fish so called, that upon -any loud Noise made on Land near the Shore, would immediately hasten -towards the Place, as if it would see who durst rival _Triton_ in Sound; -_Triton_, Herald of _Neptune_, Sovereign of the Sea. - - -XVIII. The _Pareas_ or _Parvas_, is a Serpent of a fiery Colour, sharp -Eyes, wide Mouth, two Feet situated near the Tail, by which its Motion -is guided[179]: It is called the Serpent of _Esculapius_, being of a -gentle, innocent, friendly Nature. In _Italy_ they frequent Houses, and -are no more dangerous than common Eels; and if provoked to exercise -their Teeth, there is nothing venemous in the Bite. This is supposed by -some to be the _Italian Baron_: One of its commendable Properties is, -that it devours poisonous Serpents; and therefore is sacred to the -Mysteries, and highly esteem’d in the Temple of _Dionysius_. - -Footnote 179: - - _Et contentus, iter cauda sulcare Pareas._ Lucan. Phars. 270. - -_Gesner_[180], from _Albertus_ says, it goes as it were upright, on its -Tail, not perpendicularly upon the sharp End, but on that Part of the -Body joined to the Tail: It is bred in _Syria_, _Alexandria_, and in the -East, _&c._ These Serpents are known also in _Spain_ and other temperate -Regions, and every where esteemed Enemies to hurtful Serpents, and -Friends to Mankind; therefore were consecrated to the divine -_Esculapius_, that great and glorious Exemplar of Humanity. - -Footnote 180: - - _Quasi totus erectus graditur super caudam._ l. v. p. 65. - - -XIX. The _Dipsas_ or _Dipsacus_ is a little venemous Reptile of the -Aspick kind[181], less than a Viper, but kills sooner; and is most -remarkable in this, that when it bites, the Poison brings an -unquenchable Thirst on the Person affected, who finding no Relief, runs -to the Water, and drinks till he bursts asunder[182]. - -Footnote 181: - - Some make it of the viperine Sort. One calls it, _Vipera siticulosa. - Vipera sitem facientes._ Avicenna. Conrad. Gesner, p. 42. _Inter - aspidem & viperam_, says another. _Ibid._ - -Footnote 182: - - _Accessio Gyllii_, cap. 47. - -The Poetick Historian observes, how _Aulus_, an Ensign-bearer in the -_Roman_ Army in _Africa_, was slain by this Serpent; at first he felt -little or no Pain from the Bite, but as soon as it began to operate, he -was immediately scorch’d to death[183]. _Galen_ calls this Serpent -_Diabetes_, and _Ægineta Dipsacus_, from the incurable Thirst that -accompanies its Bite: By others ’tis called _Situla_, because of the -burning Heat caused by the Wound. - -Footnote 183: - - ——_Sanguinis Aulam. - Torta caput retro Dipsas calcata momordit. - Vix dolor_—— p. 270. - -It is about a Cubit in Length, lives in salt Marshes and shallow Waters; -it dwells in _Arabia_, _Rhodes_, _Africa_, especially in _Lybia_, where -some Branches of the venemous Family live on Camel’s Flesh, and Locusts -dried in the Sun. The more hot the Climate, the more terrible the Wound, -as it is in that hot Country, where they have no Springs, but a few salt -Wells, which increase the animal Appetite of Thirst. The learned -_Venetian_ makes the Serpent _Dipsas_ an _Hieroglyphick of illicit -Love_, the Poison of which will, without timely Repentance, excite the -Thirst of _Dives_, who wanted a Drop of Water to cool his scorched -Tongue[184]. - -Footnote 184: - - _Joannis Pierii Valeriani Bellunensis Hieroglyphica, inter - Collectanea_, p. 34. _Titulus_, _Amoris ignes_. - - -XX. _Common Snake._ These Serpents in their Summer-rambles haunt among -Bushes, mossy Grounds, uliginous and unfrequented Situations. In a -sultry Day they may be seen basking themselves in the Sun, near their -Apartments: The Sight of a Person puts them to flight; and upon a close -Pursuit of them, they make a Stand, raise up their Heads to a -considerable Height, and oppose the Enemy with a loud and angry Hiss. No -Danger is apprehended from their Bite, and they are handled with -Impunity. - -This Species of Serpents resembles the _Esculapian_, that has been fed -in some Families; and when provoked to use the Teeth, the Danger is no -more than that from a Bee, whose Weapons are defensive, and not employed -without Provocation: In Winter they retire into subterraneous Spaces, -where they lie dormant, till the vernal Sun invites them out. - -Though they propagate as Vipers, it does not appear that they sit on -their Eggs, as most oviparous Animals do; for we often find a Brood of -young Serpents in old Hedges and Dunghills, and no visible Sign of a -common Passage to and from the Nest. - - -XXI. The _Elephantia Serpents_ are those whose Wounds cast People into a -Leprosy or Roughness of Skin, like that of an Elephant: Hence Leprosy -proceeding from inward Disorders, is call’d _Elephantia_ or -_Elephantiasis_, which is a cutaneous Disease, makes the Skin scurfy and -rough, in Colour resembling that of an Animal, that in Bulk and -Intelligence is superior to all four-footed Beasts. - -_Elephants_ in _India_ are said to be about 12 Foot high, and of a -Mouse-colour, the Skin not only rough, but hard, so hard, that it is not -penetrable by a Sword; their Eyes like those of Swine; two Teeth hang -out beyond the rest, which are Ivory. - -A memorable Instance of this gigantick Creature’s Understanding, we had -a few Years ago at _Newcastle_ in _Staffordshire_, where a Man -travelling with an _Elephant_ for a Show, one Morning conducting that -Creature to water, happened to pass by a Taylor’s Shop, that was working -at an open Window, and so near it, that the _Taylor_ had the _Courage_ -to prick him with his Needle: The Beast did not then seem to resent the -Affront, but when he returned from the Water, which he having artfully -muddled, took into his Trunk; as he came back by the Taylor’s Window, -spouted it in his Face, which very much disobliged a Piece of -Scarlet-cloth on his Table. - -[Illustration: - - _Plate 4^{th}._ -] - -That Elephants are subject to Wrath and Revenge, is evident from other -Instances: _e. g._ We read of an Elephant, that when he was brought into -a certain Theatre, saw, as he pass’d along, a Keeper of wild Beasts, -sitting in the Market-place, whom he suddenly killed: And that the -occasion of this Revenge was, because the said Keeper about ten Years -before had struck him with a Sword in that same Place[185]. - -Footnote 185: - - _Michael Glycas_’s Annal. par. 1. in the Memoirs of the Royal Society, - vol. v, vi. p. 280, 281. _ibid._ p. 281. - -And _Acosta_ writes, that a Soldier in the Town of _Cochine_, had thrown -the Kernel of a Nut at an Elephant, which the Animal took up and -carefully hid: Some Days after, the Elephant seeing the said Soldier -pass by, threw it in his Face, and went away leaping and dancing. -_Ibid._ - -In that same Town, another Soldier, meeting an Elephant and his Keeper, -would not give way to them: Whereupon the Keeper complained to the -Elephant of the Affront, who some days after, standing on the River -_Mangata_, which runs through the Town, and seeing that sturdy Soldier -stand idle, ran hastily towards him, lifted him upon his Trunk, and -plunged him several Times in the River; after which, he drew him out, -and left him where he found him. _Ibid._ - - -XXII. The _Scorpion_ is one of the Inhabitants of the World in -Miniature; though a little Insect, yet is reckoned to be one of the -chiefest among stinging Animals, whose Poison in different Regions is -less or more dangerous, as it is exalted by various Degrees of Heat. It -has eight Legs, and two large Claws, resembling those of a Lobster, and -a Body like a Crab or Craw-fish: They are of various Colours, as red, -white, yellow, black: They differ also in their Size and Kinds, as the -marine, terrestrial, reptile, winged, hurtful and innocent. - -Some are of the Bigness and Length of a Man’s Finger, not much longer -than a _Beetle_ or a black Fly: Those known to us are of a brown Colour, -the Back composed of Joints resembling those of a Crab, but more -crustaceous. - -Authors differ about the Tail, whether it be knotty or not; but all -agree, that it is furnished with a terrible Sting, worse than the -knotted Whip. Many Places produce _Scorpions_ of the minute Sort, not -much exceeding the Length of a large Bean. - -Others are more bulky, as those at _Jerusalem_, and all about _Syria_, -not unlike our little fluvial Crabs for Bigness, which they call -_Gambari_. - -In the _East-Indies_ are large Scorpions of the winged Kind; so in -_Egypt_, where it is reported they are armed with two Stings[186]. - -Footnote 186: - - _Conradus Gesner in Verbum_, p. 4. - -It is observable, these large Scorpions taking their Flight against the -Wind, sometimes drop down, and so are taken by the Country People, and -perhaps sent to scorpionize other Kingdoms. - -The _Sea-scorpion_ is a flying Animal, and of a red Colour, whose Flesh -is good, and much better than what they call _Scorpœna_, that affects -muddy Water and moorish Habitations. - -There is a vast Spread of these venemous Animals over the World, both of -the winged and creeping Kind, in the Eastern and Southern Climates. Some -of them move with Tails somewhat erected, others trailing on the ground; -and are thought to be more dangerous than the former: The Coal-black -Scorpion is accounted the most hurtful; ’tis said, that in many Places -in _Persia_, the Inhabitants dare not sleep in Ground-rooms, for fear of -these little plaguy Creatures, the most terrible of all Night-walkers: -Of which more elsewhere. - -A certain Historian informs us of stimulating Scorpions that infest -_Cashan_ in _Parthia_: They are of small Size, not strong in Body, but -very terrible in their Wounds, there being the greatest Malignity in -their Stings; upon which is grafted this proverbial Curse in that -Nation, _May a Scorpion of_ Cashan _sting thee_[187]: But _Chardin_, -_Tavernier_, and others, place _Cashan_ in _Persia_, - - “where they are very much infested with Scorpions at all - Seasons, but especially when the Sun is in that Sign, which is - one of the twelve Signs in the _Zodiack_; so that ’tis become, - says another Historian, a Curse, _May the Scorpions of_ Cashan - _sting thy Gulls_.” - -This occasions every one to be provided with _sovereign Remedies_ -against them, which is a Piece of _Copper-money_ they put upon the -Wound, take it off 24 Hours after, and apply a Plaister of Honey and -Vinegar. The _Holstein_ Ambassadors say they are very black, of the -Length and Thickness of a Man’s Finger, and run faster than Crab-fishes, -with their Tails always erected[188]. - -Footnote 187: - - _Herbert_’s Travels, Book ii. p. 13. - -Footnote 188: - - Duke of _Holstein_’s Ambassadors Travels into _Persia_, _sparsim_. - -We read of a certain Emperor of _Persia_, who designing to make a Tour -into _Media_, durst not undertake the Journey, for the vast Quantity of -_Scorpions_ lying in the Road: So that he was obliged to detach a great -Number of stout Fellows to destroy those pestiferous Animals, promising -a superior Reward to them that kill’d most: Till this Execution was -over, he durst not venture his dignified Carcass abroad. The _Scythian -Scorpions_ are of the large Size, and terrible when they shoot their -Stings. - -In _Madagascar_, a large _African_ Island, are several Sorts of -Scorpions, particularly _Water-Scorpions_, that lie in the Marshes and -standing Waters, which are very mischievous, killing Dogs and Beasts, -and then sucking their Blood. There is another Sort of Scorpions with a -great round black Belly, that are very dangerous; for those whom they -strike immediately swoon, and some for two Days are weak, and cold as -Ice. The only Remedy they have, is that used against Serpent’s Wounds, -_viz._ to set the Patient by a great Fire, and giving him Antidotes to -expel the Poison, which proves a Cure[189]. - -Footnote 189: - - _Atlas Geograph. Asia_, from _La Croix_. - -In _Italy_, _Land-Scorpions_ are call’d _Scurtificio_, because they have -their Poison _nel-pizzo_, in the Extremity of their Tail. Among the -_Germans_, _pizzo_ is _sharp_, as _spits als een naalde_, pointed as a -Needle: The Country people bring them in Sack-fuls to _Florence_, and -take them out with naked Hands, as if they were so many Eels, which -supposes them to be of the innocent Kind, like those _white Scorpions_ -in _Pharos_, a little Island in the Mouth of _Nilus_, where there is -plenty of these pacifick Animals, who offer no Violence to their -Neighbours. Mention is made of other Provinces where they live and hurt -no body[190]. - -Footnote 190: - - _Fran. Redi opusculorum, pars prior._ - -By the _Spaniards_ the _Scorpion_ is call’d _Alaicran_, from an Island -in _America_, called the _Island of Scorpions_, for the numerous -Multitude that ravage the Place. In _Brasil_ is a vast Number of -_Scorpions_, and some four or five Foot long, in Shape like those of -_Europe_; but not so venemous: Some of them chuse to kill themselves -rather than die by the Hands of an Enemy. A certain Gentleman who made -the Trial observes, that a Scorpion being surrounded with a Circle of -burning Coals, chose to sting itself to Death rather than be burnt. - -In _Ceylon_ in the _East-Indies_, they have many Species of Serpents; -as, - - -XXIII. The _Pimbera Serpent_, whose Body is said to be as big as a Man’s -Middle, and in Length proportionable. The Creatures of this Kind secure -their Prey, even horned Beasts (which sometimes are pretty large) by a -sort of a Peg, or _pointed Hook_, that grows upon the Extremity of the -Tail: They are slow in Motion, and therefore skulk in hollow Places; and -when they have taken the Spoil, tho’ horned, they swallow it alive, and -whole; which often proves fatal, because the Horns may gore the Belly. -More, further on. - - -XXIV. The _Noya Serpent_ is another ill-natur’d _Indian_, about four -Foot long, will stand with its Body half upright two or three Hours -together, thereby displaying an Air of Majesty: The Inhabitants call it -the _King’s Snake_. - -Their Poison in that Part of the Country operates variously: Some after -they are bitten, fall into a profound Sleep, and without speedy Help die -in about six Hours time: Others grow distracted, and if neglected die in -twenty-four Hours, and bleed at all the Pores of the Body, and are -irrecoverable: Of which before[191]. - -Footnote 191: - - _Atlas Geogr. Asia._ - - -XXV. The _Polonga Serpent_ is five or six Foot long, and a most venemous -Creature, destroying all manner of Animals that fall within its Circuit, -as well as Men, Women and Children. When the _Noya_ and _Polonga_ -Serpents happen to meet, a bloody Battle ensues; they fight till one be -kill’d, and then the Conqueror eats up the slain. - - -XXV. The _Cobres Capellos_, Sea-serpents from eight to ten Yards long, -are most dangerous Beasts and frequently kill People in that -Country[192]. - -Footnote 192: - - _Ibid._ from _Baldeus_. - -When _Alexander_ was in the _East-Indies_, he and his _Macedonians_ were -strangely alarm’d by an Army of Serpents that sallied upon ’em from the -Woods, which would soon have destroy’d them, but for the Humanity of a -_Native_, who directed them to a certain Herb that cured their Wounds, -and saved them from Ruin[193]. The same Historian adds, that in those -great Deserts, frequent and terrible Scuffles happened between Elephants -and Serpents about Water, when they met at a Spring, and it so fell out -some time, that both perish’d; for the Serpent roll’d it self about the -Elephant’s Leg by several Folds, who finding himself wounded, falls -down, and in falling often crushes his Enemy to death. _Ibid._ - -Footnote 193: - - _Diodor. Siculus._ - -In _America_ is a vast variety of Serpents, and some of prodigious -Dimensions; in particular, they are very numerous and large in -_Cordillera_, i. e. _Andes_, or high Mountains of _Chile_, which -Mountains, _Antonio de Herrera_ calls a Prodigy of Nature, not to be -match’d in the kind: They are two Chains of high Mountains, about 1500 -Leagues in length: In that spacious Region are Adders red as blood, -seven or eight Foot long, which in the Night appear like burning Coals, -but not so dangerous as other Serpents, that are Imps of Darkness. -_Acosta_ and other Writers tell us, that the Devil appear’d among the -_Americans_ in the shape of a Serpent. - -There are so many Sorts, says _Nieuhoff_, that the _Brasilians_ reckon -up no less than thirty-two, most of which are here accounted for. - - -XXVII. The _Caudisonant_, or _Rattle-snake_, is a large Species of the -Viper, and in its exterior Form every way similar, the rustling Tail -excepted; it moves with as much Agility as if supply’d with Wings, -called therefore the _Flying-snake_: It has small Eyes, and four Teeth -longer than the rest, of white Colour, and sharp, like Thorns; the Head -is guarded with small Scales, the Back with larger and thicker Armour; -the Tail is composed of several loose bony Articulaments that make a -roaring Sound, loud enough to be heard at a distance; and therefore -called the _Bell-Snake_. - -It is common in _Virginia_, where it appears to be from three to four -Foot long, and reckoned to be very poisonous; but scarcely hurts any, -unless provoked; and when offended, like the God of War, makes directly -at the Enemy, without dread of Consequences. - -In the History of _Peru_, an Account is given of a young Woman who was -wounded by a Rattle-snake, and died on the Spot, before any Relief could -be had; and when they came to take up the Corpse, the Flesh came off her -Bones; so speedily did the violence of the Poison dissolve the structure -of the Body. - -The method of killing this Snake, is thus given by Captain _Silas -Taylor_, _viz._ Of the Leaves of _Dittany_ of _Virginia_ (_i. e._ wild -Penny-royal) bruis’d, we took, says he, and having fasten’d them at the -end of a cloven Stick, we held it to the Nose of the _Rattle-snake_, who -by turning and wriggling, labour’d hard to avoid it; but was kill’d with -it in less than half an Hour’s time, and as is supposed by the meer -Scent of that Vegetable[194]. This was done _A. D._ 1657, in _July_, at -which Season those Creatures are reputed to be in the greatest Vigour -for their Poison: It is also remarkable, that in those Places where this -wild Penny-royal grows, none of these Snakes are observed to come[195]. - -Footnote 194: - - _Regnault_, vol. ii. from _Journ. des Scav._ 1666. p. 113. - _Lowthorp_’s Abridg. of Philos. Transact. vol. ii. p. 811. - -Footnote 195: - - _Ibid._ - -The bruised Leaves of the _Virginian_ Dittany are very hot, and biting -upon the Tongue: Probably the strong Smell of it might stop the Passages -of Respiration in those Animals, or ferment with the Blood, so as to -suffocate them. In _Gresham_ College at _London_ may be seen fifteen -Skins of Rattle-snakes checker’d——Some appear in ash colour: Several -Rattles of those Snakes, most of them composed of above ten Joints. - - -XXVIII. The _Salamander_ is an amphibious Serpent, very much spotted; -superior in Bulk to common Lizards. The _Land-Salamander_ is a little -poisonous Reptile, that resembles the green Lizard, but more gross in -Body; and is found in _Germany_ and other Places. - -_CONRADUS Gesner_, says he saw one of ’em on the _Alps_ perfectly black, -with a short Tail: When wounded, a kind of milky Liquid runs out. In -_Germany_, are several great Woods, where _black Salamanders_ have been -seen; _Teste Matthiolo_[196]. - -Footnote 196: - - _Jonstonus de Quadrupedibus_, p. 137. - -This little strange Animal affects moist, cold and solitary Habitations. -In some parts of _Germany_ great numbers of them have been found in a -Body piled up, one upon another: They are of the oviparous kind, and -propagate their Species by Eggs, the common Semen of Fowls and Insects. - -They are Enemies to Frogs and the Tortoise, and feed on little small -Insects; and when they have Access to Honey and Milk, they never want a -Feast. - -It is of a poisonous Nature, and many have suffer’d by its Biting; so -says _Pliny_, with whom agree _Nicander_, _Aëtius_, and _Abensinæ_. - -_GESNER_ is in a contrary Sentiment, and says he had domestick -_Salamanders_, that offered no violence with their Teeth without -Provocation. _Jonstonus_ adds, that in _Germany_ there appeared no ill -Effects of its Bite; but in _France_ its Wounds were of a most deadly -Nature, as appears by a Saying in that Kingdom. _viz._ _That a Man bit -by a Salamander, should have as many Physicians to cure him, as the -Salamander has Spots, which are numerous_[197]. - -Footnote 197: - - ——_tot medicis indigere quot maculas bestia habet, proverbio jactant_. - Jonstonus de Quadrupedibus, p. 137. - -The _Aquatic Salamander_ is not very unlike the former, unless it be in -Colour and Figure; some with a Tail turn’d up, others with a flat Tail, -prominent in the middle: There are various sorts of them; one of which -appears in the form of a Turbot, whose Eggs are as large as -Garden-pears. - -When upon Land their Mouth will not open, unless it be by Force, or they -be cast into a Vessel of Water: When put upon Salt, they move the Tail -and die; their Skin is close compacted, and not penetrable by a Sword; -and ’tis said that Swine’s Flesh is Poison to them[198]. - -Footnote 198: - - _Jonstonus de Quadruped._ p. 138. - -The common Report is, that the _Salamander_ is able to live in the Fire, -which is a vulgar Error: The Hieroglyphick Historian observes, that upon -Trial made, it was so far from quenching it, that it consum’d -immediately[199]. It is true, that _Newts_ (or Water-lizards) Frogs, -Snails, and such icy Animals, will endure the Fire for a longer time -than others will, by reason of an extraordinary degree of Coldness, -which dissipates and scatters the Flame for a little time. - -Footnote 199: - - _Joannis Pierii Hierogl._ cap. 21-26. p. 195-6, 7. - -I have read an Experiment made upon a _Salamander_, that was thrown into -the Fire, and there came from it a sort of gelid, moist, viscous Humour, -which resisted the Power of Fire for a little time; but those -Exhalations being dried up, was soon consum’d. In the _Philosophical -Transactions_, we have another Instance, which seems to carry the matter -further. - -M. _STENO_ writes from _Rome_, that a Knight called _Corvini_, had -assured him, that having cast a _Salamander_ (brought to him out of the -_Indies_) into the Fire, the Animal thereupon swelled presently, and -then vomited store of thick slimy Matter, which did put out the -neighbouring Coals, to which the _Salamander_ retired immediately, -putting them out also in the same manner as they rekindled; and by this -means saved his Life about two Hours, and afterwards lived nine Months; -that he had kept it eleven Months, without any other Food but what it -took by licking the Earth, on which it moved, and on which it had been -brought out of the _Indies_, which at first was cover’d with a thick -Moisture, but being dried afterwards, the Urine of the Animal served to -moisten the same: Being put upon _Italian Earth_, it died within three -days after[200]. - -Footnote 200: - - _Lowthorp_’s _Abridgement_, v. ii. p. 816. - -As to the Possibility of the thing; I make no doubt but he, who made -_Water_ the Habitation of Fish, can make _Fire_ to be the Residence of -another sort of Beings. The Sun, which is the Centre of our planetary -System, for aught we know, may be the Seat of glorious Inhabitants; or, -as others conjecture, the Place of future Misery. - -Upon the whole, the _Salamander_ being of a mucous, slimy, and cold -Body, will, like Ice, soon extinguish a little Fire, but will be as soon -consum’d by a great Fire; therefore it was no Absurdity in _Galen_, -when, as a _sceptical Medicine_, he recommended the _Ashes of a -Salamander_. - -The like Humidity is observable in Water-Lizards, especially if their -Skins be prick’d: Yea, Frogs, Snails, White of Eggs, will soon quench a -lesser Coal. We read of _incombustible Cloth_, (_Linnen Paper_,) made -from a Flaxen-Mineral, call’d Ασβεστος by the _Greeks_, and _Linum -vivum_ by the _Latins_. - -[Illustration: - - _Plate 5^{th}_ -] - -This _Asbestos_, or Matter out of which this wonderful Cloth ... is -made, is a Fossil, a mineral stony Substance, of a whitish Colour, and -woolly Texture (call’d _Salamander’s-Wool_) the downy Fibres, separable -into short Filaments of Threads, capable of being spun, and made into a -sort of Cloth, which will endure the Fire without consuming. When foul, -instead of washing, they throw it into the Fire, which cleanses without -burning it. Whole Webs and Coats, Napkins, Handkerchiefs, Towels, have -been made of it; which were so far from being consumed by Fire, that -they were only cleansed from their Dross, and came out purified into a -greater Lustre than if wash’d with Water. - -Its principal use, according to _Pliny_[201], was for making of Shrouds, -in which the Corps of their Kings were usually burnt, lest their royal -Ashes should be blended with common Dust. The Princes of _Tartary_ use -it to this day in burning the Dead[202]. _Nero_ had a Napkin or Towel -made of it. The _Brachmans_ among the _Indians_, are said to make -Clothes of it. The Wicks for their perpetual Candles were made of -it[203]; and some to this day use it for Lamp-Wicks. - -Footnote 201: - - Book xix. cap 1. - -Footnote 202: - - _Philos. Transact._ - -Footnote 203: - - Dr. _Lister_. - -The Emperor _Constantine_ ordered an incombustible sort of Linnen to be -made of _Lapis Amianthus_, the growth of _Cyprus_, that might burn in -his Lamps, which were in his _Baths_ at _Rome_. The Commentator on St. -_Augustin_ says, that he saw several Lamps at _Paris_, which would never -be consumed: and at a Feast at _Louvain_, there was a Napkin thrown into -the Fire, which was restored to the Owner clearer and brighter than if -it had been rinsed in Water[204]. - -Footnote 204: - - _Ludovicus Vives, in his Scholia—de Civitate Dei. Pancirol. Historia - rerum deperdit._ - -The _incombustible Paper_ is made of this lanuginous Mineral, viz. -_Asbestine-Stone_, which will bear burning without being injured. -Whoever would be further informed about this wonderful incombustible -Stone, may peruse Dr. _Bruckman_, Professor at _Brunswick_, who has -publish’d _a natural History of the Asbestos,_ or _incombustible Paper_; -and what is most remarkable, has printed four Copies of his Book on -_this_ Paper, which are deposited in the _Library_ of _Wolfembuttle_. -The manner of making this extraordinary Paper is described by Mr. -_Lloyd_, in _Philosoph. Transactions_, N^o. 166. - -_N. B._ The _Salamander_ is said to live in the Fire, and has power to -extinguish it: “From which Conjuncture was taken the _Device_ of Great -King _Francis_, the first of the Name, (Father of Arts and Sciences) -_Nutrisco & Extinguo_, I Feed and Extinguish[205].” - -Footnote 205: - - _Pedro Mexia_ and M. _Francesco Sansovinio_, the famous _Italian_. - - -XXIX. The _Cameleon_ belongs to the Class of Quadrupedes, and is a -little Animal resembling a Lizard, but of a larger and longer Head: Its -Eyes stand out of its Head above one half of their Globe, which he turns -so obliquely, that he sees every thing behind him: Nature perhaps has -given it this Advantage, because its Legs (by the slowness of its -motion) are of no use to avoid his Enemy, by running away. There is yet -something more extraordinary, in the motion of his Eyes, for when one of -them moves, the other has no motion at all; one looks upward, the other -downwards[206]. - -Footnote 206: - - A Journal of the Philosoph. Mathematical and Botanic Observ. by _Lewis - Feuillée_, A. D. 1725. - -The length of these Creatures does not exceed twelve Inches, and they -have a proportionable bigness. The Skin is plaited and very fine, -transparent, jagged like a Saw, and thin; and must be very compact and -hard, since, according to the Historian[207], ’tis not penetrable by the -Teeth of Serpents. It has four Feet, and on each Foot three Claws; its -Tail is long and flat, with which, as well as with its Feet, it fastens -itself to the Branches of Trees: its Nose long, and ends in an obtuse -point: In other respects it is made like a Fish; that is to say, it has -no Neck[208]: Reckoned by _Moses_, _among the unclean_—Numb. xi. 30. - -Footnote 207: - - _Ælian,_ iv. 33. - -Footnote 208: - - _Calmet,_ p. 351. - -The _Cameleon_ is said to transform itself into variety of Colours; -perhaps this change may arise from the different reflections of the Rays -of Light: Thus they may put on a brown or whitish Habit, from Trees of -that Colour, on which they sit. Others observe, that its Colour is -changeable, according to the various Passions that agitate the Creature; -_e. g._ When affected with Joy, ’tis of an emerald Green, mixt with -Orange, etch’d with little grey and black Strokes: Anger gives it a -livid and dusky Colour: Fear makes it pale, and like faded yellow[209]. -All these Colours compose such a pretty Medley of Shadow and Light, that -Nature does not afford a finer Variety of Shadowing, nor our finest -Pictures more lively, sweet, and proportionable Drawing. - -Footnote 209: - - _Le Compte’s Memoirs_, p. 502. - -For the further Illustration of this Subject, I shall add something from -the Philosophical Transactions about a female Cameleon, the Skin of -which appear’d mixt of several Colours, like a Medley-cloth. The Colours -discernable are green, a sandy yellow: And indeed one may discern, or at -least fancy, some mixture of all, or most Colours in the Skin, whereof -some are more predominant, at different times: There are some permanent -black Spots on the Head, and Ridge of the Back. But our modern -Naturalists assure us, that its common Colour, when it is at rest, and -in the Shade, is a bluish grey; when ’tis exposed to the Sun, this grey -changes into a darker grey, inclining to a dun Colour: If ’tis put on a -black Hat, it appears to be of a violet Colour. - -... Upon Excitation or warming, she becomes suddenly full of little -black Spots, equally dispersed on the sides, with small black Streaks on -the Eyelids; all which afterward do vanish. The Skin is grain’d with -globular Inequalities, like the Leather call’d Shagreen. The grossest -Grain is about the Back and Head, then on the Legs; on the Sides and -Belly, finest; which, perhaps, in several Postures, may shew several -Colours; and when this Animal is in full Vigour, may also have in some -sort, _Rationem Speculi_, and reflect the Colours of Bodies adjacent; -which, together with the mixture of Colours in the Skin, may have given -occasion to the old Tradition, _of changing into all Colours_[210]. - -Footnote 210: - - _Lowthorp_’s _Abridg._ vol. ii, p. 816. - -A certain curious Gentleman, made the following Experiment, when he -lived at _Smyrna_, in _Asia-minor_: He bought some _Cameleons_, to try -how long they could be preserved alive under Confinement; he kept them -in a large Cage, and allowed them the Liberty to take the fresh Air, -which they suck’d in with Pleasure, and made them brisker than ordinary. -He never saw them either eat or drink, but seem’d to live on the Fluid -in which we breathe. - -The Antients were persuaded that _Cameleons_ fed upon the Air, for which -reason one of the Fathers calls it a _living Skin_[211]; but now it -appears by Experience, that they feed upon different Insects, as -Palmer-worms, Locusts, Beetles, Flies, and also Leaves of Vegetables. -Father _Feuillée_[212], in a Journey into _Asia-minor_, opened one of -these Animals, and found in its Belly Peach-Leaves, which were not then -digested.——_N. B._ Digestion is very slow in _Cameleons_, which is the -reason why they take so little Nourishment. - -Footnote 211: - - _Pellicula vivit. Tertull. de Pallio_, cap. 3. - -Footnote 212: - - _Feuillée_’s _Journal. Franckf._ 1597. p. 3. - -The same Father mentions a small Lizard, which he saw in _Peru_, that -was not above an Inch thick, which he calls _Chameleontides_, because he -changed his Colour, like the _Cameleons_; being in a certain Situation, -he saw it of a dun Colour; in another, ’twas green.... This little -Creature, he says, had the same Figure and Proportion as the _Great -Lizard_; nam’d by the _Spaniards_, _Iquanna_; and _Senembi_, by -_Marcgravius_; and he makes that _Lizard_ a fourth kind of _Cameleon_, -and to be added to the two kinds of _Bellonius_, one of which is to be -found in _Arabia_, and the other in _Egypt_, and to that mention’d by -_Faber_, _Lynceus_, which may be seen in _Mexico_. - -Their Tongue is somewhat peculiar, it being as long as their Body, with -which they catch Flies, and other Insects, which settle on their -Tongues, to suck the viscous slimy Matter, adherent to them. The -_Cameleon_ puts out his Tongue to draw them upon it, and when ’tis full -of these Insects, he pulls it in with wonderful Agility. Others think, -it encloses its Prey with the tip of its Tongue, which is made in a form -proper for that purpose. - -The _Cameleon_ is an oviparous Animal. _J. Jonstonus_ says, it has above -a hundred Eggs, from _Piereskius_, who nursed a Female on purpose to -make Observations upon the Subject[213]. After all the Gentleman’s Care -about ’em at _Smyrna_, all of them died within five Months; and having -opened the Female, found thirty Eggs in her, fasten’d one to another in -the form of a Chain. _Ibid. supra._ - -Footnote 213: - - _Jonstonus de Animalib. inter Quadrupedes_, p. 141. - -The _Atlas_[214] calls the _Cameleon_, the _Indian Salamander_[215]; -that goes there by the Name of _Gekho_, from the Noise it makes after -hissing, and is thus describ’d, _viz._ ’tis about a Foot long and -spotted, has large Eyes starting out, the Tail has several white Rings -round it, and its Teeth sharp, and strong enough to penetrate an Armour -of Steel: it has a slow Motion, but where it fastens, ’tis not easily -disengaged. This Creature is found in _Arabia_, _Egypt_, _Madagascar_, -_Java_, and other parts of _India_. _Bellonius_ saw several of them -among the Shrubs of _Attica_[216]: He says it frequents _Cairo_, and -other Places, is found among Hedges and Bushes; mutes like a Hawk; -swallows every thing whole. It moves the Feet of each side alternately, -but runs up Trees very fast, and lays hold on the Boughs with its Tail. -_Leo_ and _Sandys_ say, the Neck is inflexible, and it can’t turn -without moving its whole Body: the Back is crooked, the Skin is spotted -with little Tumours: the Tail long and slender, like that of a Rat, when -it sucks in the Air, its Belly swells, whence some think that the Air is -part of its Food. One Author says, it subsists only upon Air; another -says, ’tis a vulgar Error.—— - -Footnote 214: - - _Africa._ - -Footnote 215: - - For _America_. - -Footnote 216: - - _Jonstonus de Quadrupedibus._ - -’Tis said, that if a Serpent lurks near the Tree, where it sits, it -throws a Thread out of its Mouth, with a little shining Drop at the end, -which falls upon the Serpent’s Head, and kills it[217]. - -Footnote 217: - - _Atl. Afric._ p. 49, 50. - -In _America_ are Serpents, some of whom are so poisonous, that if -touch’d but with a little Stick, the Venom runs up the Hand; and such as -are touch’d with the Blood of dead Serpents, die a lingering Death: This -is Tradition: I shall begin with the first of them, _viz._ - - -XXX. _KUKURUKI_, a Serpent of _Brasil_ in _South-America_, which is -under the torrid Zone, where their Winter begins in _March_ and ends in -_August_; and is like our Summer. This Serpent is of an ash Colour, and -in its Scales resembles the _Bocinga_, or Rattle-Snake, but is more -gross; on the Back, variegated with yellow, and large black Spots. ’Tis -represented as a very venemous Animal, eight or nine Foot long[218]; and -when prepared, the Inhabitants feed upon it. - -Footnote 218: - - _9 & interdum 12 pedes longus est._ Ray. - - -XXXI. The _Ibiara_ is a _Brasilian_ Adder, about a Foot and half long; -an Inch and half in thickness. Serpents of this kind are very numerous -in that Country, and nothing more poisonous than their Wounds, tho’ not -incurable, if proper Remedies be applied in time. - -In Seasons of Danger, they shelter themselves in Cavities under Ground, -and feed upon Pismires, which are very large in that Country, and in -such prodigious Quantities, that the _Portuguese_ call them, _Kings of -Brasil_. - - -XXXII. In _Chiapa_, in _Old-Mexico_, now call’d _New-Spain_, is a -noxious Animal call’d _Teuthlacokauqui_, or _Fortress of the Serpents_, -whose Head is like an Adder, thick Belly, glittering Scales, the Ridge -of the Body black, with an Interspersion of white Crosses; the Teeth -poisonous, and the biting kills in twenty-four hours, unless the wounded -part be held in the Earth so long, till the Pain be over. - -It has a frightful Aspect; when it moves it makes a Noise with its Tail, -that sounds an Alarm of Danger. The _Americans_, who have the Art of -taking it by the Tail, carry it home, and by degrees make it tame: ’tis -maintain’d at a cheap rate, for it can subsist a whole Year without any -visible Food. - -_JOHNSTONUS_ calls this Serpent the _Bocininga_, and describes it from -_Marcgravius_ and _Piso_. The former says, ’tis four Foot and three -Fingers long, Belly smooth, small Eyes, forked Tongue, rattling Tail. -The other observes, the _Spaniards_ call it _Cascavel_, and _Tangedor_, -because its Tail emits the sound of a Ball; in thickness, as a Man’s -Arm; in length, about five Foot; a cloven Tongue, long and sharp Teeth; -of a dark Colour, inclining to the yellow[219]. - -Footnote 219: - - _Jonstonus_, Articulus xvii. p. 23. - -According to _Nierembergius_, this Serpent is called the _Queen of -Serpents_, which they suppose to be like the Viper, in its Poison, and -Shape of the Head[220]. By the Definitions of several Authors, this -Serpent seems to be the _Caudisonant_; and the _Dutch_ in _America_ call -it, the _Ratel-Stange_, _i. e._ Rattle-Snake. - -Footnote 220: - - _Historia Naturæ Maximè Peregrinæ_, p. 268-9. - -Now we are in _Mexico_, excuse me in giving you two Instances of -monstrous Cruelty; one in the Natives, the other in the _Spaniards_. - -When the _Mexicans_ were disposed to do signal Honour to their Idols, -they sent out Armies to bring in Prisoners for a Sacrifice, whose Flesh -they did afterwards eat; and _Montezuma_ the Emperor, commonly -sacrificed 20000 Men, one year with another, and no less than 50000 some -years. The Priests thought it dishonourable to sacrifice less than 40 or -50 Captives at a time to one _Idol_. At a certain Festival, they ript up -the Breast of a manumitted Slave, pull’d out his Heart, which they -offer’d to the Sun, and then eat up his Body. - -Their Priests were bloody Men, a Brood of Vipers, and had such an -Ascendant over their Princes, that they made them believe _their Gods -were angry_, and not to be appeased without 4000 or 5000 Men to -sacrifice in a day; so that, right or wrong, they must make War on their -Neighbours, to procure those Victims to keep their Priests in Humour. - -The next, is an Instance of _Spanish Cruelty_, in this Country, that -could have no Original but Hell, the Seat of the old Serpent. It runs -thus, _viz._ _Barthol. de las Casas_ Bishop of _Chiapa_, in a Letter to -the _Emperor Charles V._ gives this account of the Barbarity of the -_Spaniards_ towards the poor Inhabitants, Natives of the Land. - - ... “Their Kings and Princes, says the Bishop, the _Spaniards_ - scorch’d to death, or tore in pieces with Dogs: The poor People - they burnt in their Houses, and dash’d out the Brains of their - Children: Those that were spared, they forced to carry greater - Burdens than they were able to bear, by which thousands of them - were destroy’d: Others who escap’d, died of Famine in the Woods, - after they had kill’d their own Wives and Children, and eat them - for hunger. In this one Province they murder’d above two - Millions of Men, not sparing those of Quality, who had civilly - entertain’d them. They tortured the Natives with the most - hellish Inventions, to make them discover their Gold. _Diego de - Valesco_, in particular, spared none that fell into his hands, - so that in a Month’s time he murder’d ten thousand: He hang’d - thirteen Noblemen. - - “Some they starved to death, by thrusting their Heads betwixt - Pieces of cloven Timber: Others they buried alive, leaving their - Heads above Ground, at which they bowl’d with large - Iron-Bullets: They also forced them to eat one another.—— - -Besides other hellish Cruelties too dreadful to be related[221].” _N. -B._ This _Barth. de las Casas_ had been a _Friar_, and afterwards made -Bishop of _Chiapa_, was a Man of more Piety and Justice than is commonly -found among _Friars_. It was he, who procur’d the _Indians_ their -Liberty from being Slaves to the _Spaniards_, which they enjoy to this -day, so that they are paid for what they do, about half a Crown a Week. - -Footnote 221: - - _Acosta_, _Gage_—The Civil and Moral History of the _Spanish - West-Indies_, in _Atlas Geogr. America_. - - -XXXIII. The _Ibitobaca_ is a Serpent of _Chiapa_, near four Foot long, -and of a crimson Colour, adorn’d with a pleasing Diversity of black and -white Specks; wearing its Bones as a Necklace, or the Ruff in Queen -_Elizabeth_’s Reign, who destroy’d the Invincible Armada, and made good -old _England_ a Terror to _Spaniards_. - - -XXXIV. The _Iquanna_ is the Birth of _Mexico_, a Serpent like the Pope’s -Anathema, of a terrible Front, but harmless; a glittering Comb on the -Head, with a Bag under the Chin; a long Tail, and sharp Bones on its -Back, standing up in the form of a Saw. - -This Iquannatick Serpent is of the amphibious kind, equally fitted to -live by Land or Water; a Privilege which no Son of _Adam_ can boast of. -It is of the oviparous Tribe, and a great Breeder, laying about fifty -Eggs at the Season as big as Acorns, which are of a very good Taste, and -good Food when boiled, and so is the Serpent itself; but the -Land-_Iquanna_ is a more pleasant Food, and preferable to _Spanish_ -Ragous[222]. - -Footnote 222: - - _Nierembergii Historia Naturalis_, p. 271. - - -XXXV. The _Ibiboboca_ is a Serpent beautiful to the Eye, but of a -venemous Nature; ’tis about three Foot long. The _Icon_ of it in -_Gresham-College_ is above three Yards[223], white as Snow, decorated -with Particles of various Colours, especially black and red. The Wound -it gives operates gradually, and if neglected, proves fatal. - -Footnote 223: - - _Curzon_’s _Catalogue of Rarities_, p. 445. - - -XXXVI. The _Guaku_ or _Lyboya_ Serpent, is one of the largest of all the -serpentine Brood, some of which being from eighteen to thirty Foot long, -call’d by the _Portuguese_, _Hobre de Hado_, or the _Roebuck Serpent_, -because it can swallow a whole Buck at once. After swallowing it down, -it generally falls asleep, and in that Posture is frequently taken, -while digesting its Supper. My Author says, he saw one of this kind, -which was 30 Foot long, of a greyish Colour, but others incline more to -the brown[224]. A ravenous Animal, and so voracious, that it leaps out -of the Woods to seize its Prey; and, if disturb’d, will fight, or -wrestle, with Man or Beast, standing upright upon the Butt-end of his -Tail. - -Footnote 224: - - _Nieuhoff in Atl. America,_ p. 263. - - -XXXVII. The _Jararaka Serpent_, is another _Brasilian_, no longer than a -Man’s Arm to the Elbow; it has swelling Veins on its Head; the Skin is -covered with red and black Spots; the rest is of an Earth Colour: Its -Wounds are dangerous, and attended with the usual Symptoms. There are -three Sorts of these venemous Snakes besides this, _viz_. _One_ sort is -about ten Spans long, with two terrible Tusks, or great Teeth, which -they stretch out to a great length, and strike them into their Prey. The -venemous Liquid, which is very yellow, works with a Violence, that kills -in a few Hours. The _second_ sort resembles the _Spanish Viper_ in -Colour and Form, and is equally dangerous. The _third_ and worst sort -very much resembles the _first_. - - -XXXVIII. The _Biobi_, called _Gabro Verde_ by the _Portuguese_ in -_Brasil_, i. e. the _Green Serpent_, because its Colour is porraceous, a -shining Green like the Leek; it is between three and four Foot long, and -about the Thickness of a Man’s Thumb; a large Mouth, and black Tongue, -and has this good Property, that it hurts nobody unless irritated; but -when provoked, no Poison more dangerous. We read of a _Soldier_, who -accidentally treading on this Serpent, was wounded by it in the Thigh, -and died a few Hours after, tho’ the Remedies that proved successful on -the like occasions, had been diligently applied[225]. - -Footnote 225: - - _Raii Synopsis_, p. 328. - - -XXXIX. The _Caninana Serpent_, is another Inhabitant of _Brasil_, green -on the back, and yellow on the Belly, about two Foot long, and reckoned -not to be so venemous, as the rest of that mischievous Tribe. It feeds -upon Eggs and Birds, at last becomes the common Entertainment of the -_American_ and _African_ Tables[226]. We read of other _green Serpents_ -in the _Indies_, that are indulged with little Cottages made of Straw, -where they spend their solitary Hours, till the time of eating invites -them out, then they repair to the House, where they fawn upon their -Masters, and eat what is set before them, and then retire to the Huts of -Indulgence. - -Footnote 226: - - _Raii Synopsis_, p. 328. - - -XL. The _Tetzawhcoatl_, is another Production of _Brasil_, a Serpent of -about three Foot long, and slender Body, whose Strokes are pestilent: -The Head is black, nether Part of the Tail reddish, and the Belly dash’d -with black Spots. The Cure is by Suction. - -Now we are travelling among the Inhabitants of _Brasil_, we may be -allowed to take notice of Prince _Maurice_’s _Rational Parrot_, -mentioned by Sir _William Temple_ and Mr. _Locke_, which the _former_ -had from the Prince’s own Mouth. His Words were, - - ... “That he had heard of such an _old Parrot_, when he came to - _Brasil_, and tho’ he believed nothing of it, and it was a good - way off; yet he had so much Curiosity as to send for it: that it - was a very great and a very old one; and when it came first into - the Room, where the Prince was with a great many Dutchmen about - him, it said presently, _What a Company of White-men are here!_ - They ask’d it, what he thought that Man was, pointing at the - Prince? it answered, _Some General or other_. The Prince asked - it, Whence come ye[227]? The Parrot answered, _From Marinnan_. - To whom do you belong, said the Prince? it answered, _To a - Portuguese Prince_. The Prince ask’d, What do you there? Parrot - answered, _I look after the Chickens_. The Prince laugh’d, and - said, You look after the Chickens! The Parrot answered, _Yes, I; - and I know well enough how to do it_, and made the _Chuck_ four - or five times, that People use to make to Chickens, when they - call them....” - -Footnote 227: - - D’où venes vous? De Marinnan. A qui estes vous? A un Portugais. Que - fais tu-la? Je garde les poulles. Vous gardez les poulles? Ouy moy, & - je sçai bien faire.—_Sir_ William Temple’s _Memoirs_, and _Mr._ - Locke’s _Essay_, Book II. _chap._ 27. - - ... “I could not but tell this odd Story, because it is so much - out of the way, and from the first hand, and what may pass for a - good one; for I dare say, this Prince at least believed himself - in all he told me, having ever past for a very honest and pious - Man. I leave it to Naturalists to reason, and to other Men to - believe as they please upon it; however, it is not perhaps amiss - to relieve or enliven a busy Scene sometimes with such - Digressions, whether to the purpose or no.” So far Sir _William - Temple_. - -Wonder not then, if you meet in this History with some romantick -Sentiments entertained by learned Men concerning Serpents, when two such -illustrious Pillars of the Commonwealth of Letters, give way to a -Relation that has so much of the Marvellous in it. - - -XLI. These Historians inform us of many more Serpents, and some of great -bulk, that infest those _American_ Regions; whose Looks are ruddy, of -blood-red Colour, that shine in the Night, like so many glittering -Stars. - -A modern Author writes, that in _America_ are some Snakes that were -eight Foot long, and as red as Blood, which in the Night look’d like -Fire[228]. - -Footnote 228: - - _Anton. Herrera_’s History of _America_, Vol. II. in his Account of - _Darien_, p. 72. - -The former black, and these shining Serpents, remind me of the -_Obsidian_ Stones, that are very black and transparent; they have their -Names from one _Obsidius_, who first found them in _Æthiopia_. - -There is a sort of natural _Obsidian_ Glass, which is rather to be -ranked among Stones than Metals; ’tis as passive as the former, enduring -the Graving-Tool, is diaphanous and pellucid, receiving Images, and, -like artificial Glass, transmitting all Forms and Shapes. - -This is found in _Æthiopia_, where the Sepulchres of the Nobles are -usually made of it, and after this manner; _viz._ They take a large -Stone, and make it hollow, and in the Cavity include the Corps, where it -is not only preserved, but, as if entomb’d in Glass, is apparently -visible to Spectators, and sends forth no ungrateful Scent. - -Out of these _Obsidian_ Stones, Looking-Glasses are wont to be made, and -are also found on the Coasts of _Arabia_. These shining Stones were -inserted into Rings, and in one of them was cut the entire Image of -_Augustus_, who being much taken with these Stones of Glass, caused four -Elephants to be made of them,—See the _Commentary_ upon _Pancirollus_, -B. i. of _Jet_; and _Pliny_, B. xxxvi. c. 26. - - -XLII. _Boiguacu_, another venemous Production of _Brazil_, thick in the -middle, and declining towards the Extremities of the Body; ’tis covered -with large Scales on the Back, and lesser ones on the Belly, which is -common in all Serpents. - -The whole is adorned with elegant Variegations.... The Back and Sides -set off with black Spots, inclining to the round; about three Inches -distant from each other, and in the Centre a round white Spot. These -beautiful Appearances, says _Jonstonus_, have a Grandeur in them more -than rivals Imperial Majesty. - -He saw several Serpents of this kind: On _August_ 7th, 1638, one that -was eight Foot long. Another, _August_ 13th, 1638, above five Foot long, -its Flesh fat, and very white; the Heart being taken out, lived about 15 -Minutes. _October_ 16th, 1638, he saw another, that was near nine Foot -long, and he was a Witness to its swallowing a She-Goat whole[229]. By -the Description, this Serpent must be the _Lyboia_, so famous for the -Knack of Deglutition of Animals. - -Footnote 229: - - _Jonstoni Historia Naturalis_, p. 25, 26. - - -XLIII. The _Brasilian Serpent_, called the _Ibiracoan_, makes its -Appearance in a Habit of various Colours, trimmed with red, black and -white Spots. Under this fine Dress, is a poisonous Spring; the Wound it -gives, infallibly kills without immediate Assistance. - -Before the Poison reaches the Heart, the common Practice is, to secure -that Serpent, and boil the Flesh of it with certain Roots, and give it -the Patient in Wine, or any other proper Liquid, and it will answer the -Intention. - - -XLIV. The _Tarciboya_, and _Kakaboya_, are two Serpents much of the same -Nature, and therefore I put them together: They are occasional -Inhabitants of the Water and Land; in Colour black, and about six Hands -in Length. If they hurt any Creature, it is only in Defence of -themselves, and the Wound is easily cured by Remedies well known in -those Countries. They are great Devourers of Birds. - -Here the Learned _Ray_, from _Piso_, mentions ten other Serpents, whose -particular Characters he considers in his Description of Fishes; then -refers his Reader to those described by _Joan. de Laet_.[230] - -Footnote 230: - - _Raii Synopsis Animal._ p. 329. _Londini_ 1693. - - -XLV. The _Bibera_ is a venemous Lizard of _Brazil_. If you ask, What are -these _Brasilian Lizards_? I answer, They are creeping Serpents, of -various Colours, and different Sizes: Some are the length of a Finger, -others many Feet; have sparkling Eyes. There is only one sort of them -that is venemous, among which is this _Bibera_: they are like the -others, but lesser, and are most mischievous. They are of an ash Colour, -inclining to the white; the Body and Limbs seem thick, but the Tail is -short and broad. - -The Wounds given by these Serpents, are full of a thin stinking Matter, -attended with blue Swellings, and Pain in the Heart and Bowels. _N. B._ -Great Things have been frequently done by little Things. - - -XLVI. The _Ambua_, so the Natives of _Brazil_ call the _Millepedes_ and -the _Centipedes_ Serpents. Those Reptiles of thousand Legs bend as they -craul along, and are reckoned very poisonous. Those Lizards of hundred -Legs are commonly found in the Woods, where they destroy the Fruit, and -also do mischief both to Men and Cattle. - -In these _Multipedes_, the Mechanism of the Body is very curious; in -their going, it is observable, that on each side of their Bodies, every -Leg has its Motion, one regularly after another; so that their Legs, -being numerous, form a kind of Undulation, and thereby communicate to -the Body a swifter Progression than one could imagine, where so many -short Feet are to take so many short Steps, that follow one another, -rolling on, like the Waves of the Sea. - -The _Palmer-Worm_ is also called _Millepes_, because of its many Feet, -which are as Bristles under its Body: It is about six Inches long, and -moves with incredible Swiftness. The upper part of the Body is cover’d -with hard swarthy Scales, and it has a sort of Claws both in its Head -and Tail, of rank Poison, as the Historian says. - - -XLVII. The _Jebeya_ is another _Brazilian_, and a Serpent very ravenous -and destructive: It has four Legs, and a long Tail like a _Crocodile_; -it lies flat and close on the Ground, artfully concealing itself, ’till -the Prey comes within reach, and then darts out a couple of sharp Fins -from its Fore-quarters, and kills whatever it strikes. - - -XLVIII. The _Giraupiagara_ is an _American_ Serpent, so call’d, because -of its being a great Devourer of Eggs. ’Tis of a Negro-Colour, but a -yellow Breast, and of great Length and Agility. It glides (as if -swimming) on the tops of Trees, faster than any Man can run on the -Ground.[231] - -Footnote 231: - - _Nieuhoff in Atlas, America._ - -It lives upon Birds, whose Nests it constantly plunders. ’Tis -observable, that the _Cuckow_ feeds very much upon _Eggs_, which -accounts for the vulgar Notion, that it always has one or more little -Birds, as Menials to attend it, these being some of those, whose Houses -it plundered. There is another Charge preferred against the Cuckow, -_viz._ The Contempt it puts upon our Vegetables, by spitting upon them; -whereas in those Dobs of frothy Dew, we find little Green Insects, that -are Grashoppers in the Embryo. - - -XLIX. The _Caminana_ is another _Brazilian Serpent_, of a great length. -The Body is all over green, and very beautiful in prospect. This also -runs up the Trees, not so much because of the green Leaves, as in -pursuit of Birds of all Colours; and having devoured the Contents of the -Nest, seizes the Dam, and drinks her Blood. - -The pleasing Appearance made by this Serpent in _Green_, puts me in mind -of the _Turks_, who have so great a _Superstition for the green Colour_ -(because it was consecrated to _Mahomet_) that they forbid Christians to -wear it on pain of Death; but the _Persians_ (who are _Mahometans_ as -well as the _Turks_) allow it to every body, and laugh at this -Superstition; so that when _Sultan Amurath_ sent an Ambassador to -_Sha-Abbas_ of _Persia_, to complain that he suffer’d that _venerable -Colour_ to be prophaned by Christians, he scoffingly said, that he would -forbid the _green Colour_ to be prophaned by Christians, as soon as -_Amurath_ would hinder the _green Meadows_ to be prophaned by his -_Turkish Cattle_[232]. The Eastern _Turks_ abhor the _blue Colour_, -because the _Jews_, they say, threw _Indigo_ into _Jordan_ to hinder the -Baptism of _Christ_, but the Angels brought Water from _Jordan_ to -baptize him, before it was polluted. _Atlas._ - -Footnote 232: - - _Holstein Ambassadors._—_Herbert._—_Atl. Asia._ - - -L. _BOYTIAPUA_, is a Serpent so called by the _Brazilians_ for its long -Snout, though I don’t find it exceeds others in smelling, by the -extension of its Nose; it is of a long slender Body, and feeds upon -Frogs, amphibious Animals and Insects. - -This Serpent is in high Esteem among the Natives of _Brazil_, who -practise the Art of Conjuration by it; and if any of them have a barren -Wife, and are desirous of Children, they lash this Serpent over her -Hips, pretending that such Exercise will make her fruitful: And if this -Device should take effect, must not we conclude the Offspring to be a -_Generation of Vipers_? - - -LI. The _Gaytiepua_ is a large Snake, smells rank like a Fox, and, -according to a learned Author, the Smell is intolerable[233], as is that -of the Serpent _Boyana_, which is very long and slender, and of black -Colour; of which one of the _Latin_ Poets takes notice[234]. - -Footnote 233: - - _Fætor illius nullatenus—possit tolerari._ Raii Synopsis. - -Footnote 234: - - Quod vulpis fuga, vipere cabile - Mallem quam quod oles, olere, Bassa. - _Martial._ - -If the loathsome Smell of these Creatures offend the Nose, it serves as -a friendly Alarm of Danger, to those who have the use of a Nose, that -they may avoid a more terrible Stroke. - -Nothing so constituted in Nature, but a superficial Observer may -construe as a Blemish to the Creation; but to a more penetrating Eye, -those imaginary Blemishes have their Convenience and Use, and appear to -be the Product of perfect Intelligence and Wisdom. - - -LII. The _Bom-Snake_, is another _Brazilian_ Reptile, call’d _Bom_ from -the Noise it makes in its Motion. It is of a prodigious large Size, but -is class’d among the Innocent, that do no manner of hurt to Persons, -_viz._ that can endure a little Sound, arising from a Propagation of the -Pulse of the Air. - -An innocent Serpent, no Contradiction. There is good among the bad in -the moral World. - - _Virtue——needs no Defence; - The surest Guard is Innocence: - None knew, till Guilt created Fear, - What Darts and poison’d Arrows were. - Integrity undaunted goes - Thro’_ Lybian _Sands, and_ Scythian _Snows_. - -In _Paraguay_, or _La Plata_ in _America_, is a famous _white Bird_, -which, though it has a very small Body, has a Voice like a _Bell_, and -therefore the Natives call it _Guirapo_, that is, the _Sounding-Bird_. - -How many Animals of the same kind in the moral Creation, that wear gaudy -Feathers and Plumes, whose Sound, in the Assemblies of Saints and -Sinners, proves to be _vox & præterea nihil_. - - -LIII. The _Boicupecanga_ is a Serpent, so called because its Back looks -as if it were overgrown with Briers and Thorns, the Ridge being sharp -pointed, which makes the Beast look as if he were guarded by little -Spears: This prickle-back’d Serpent is of a monstrous Extension, very -frightful, and venemous, the very sight of which strikes Terror into Man -and Beast. - - -LIV. The _Cucurijuba_ is a Water-Snake of twenty-five or thirty Foot -long, and three Foot in Compass, will swallow a Hog or a Stag at once; -has Teeth like those of Dogs, but makes no use of them as Instruments of -Mastication. _HARRIS_ in the _Atlas America_, mentions one kill’d when -asleep, that was twelve Yards and a half long, and proportionably big, -in whose Belly they found two wild Boars. This Creature I take to be the -_Lyboya_, (or a near Relative) a gigantick Serpent, already described, -therefore I dismiss the Monster, and proceed to the - - -LV. _MANIMA_, another Water-Snake, of the same Proportion with the -former, if not more bulky: The sight is terrible; the Monstrosity of -Dimensions is sufficient to render it so; but we are told, the Terror -vanishes in some Degree upon a view of the Skin, which is exquisitely -painted, and the _Brazilians_ not only love to see so spruce an Animal, -but reckon it an Omen of a long Life. - -If you ask, What a long Life is? I answer, ’Tis nothing but a lingering, -slow Consumption: Life itself, what is it, but a meer practical -Tautology, a Repetition of the same things over and over, and looks more -like a Penance imposed upon Mankind than Pleasure. - - -LVI. The _Terpomongo_ is another Serpent, which in the _Brazilian_ -Dialect, signifies to _stick close_, so close to whatever it touches, -that it is not to be parted. It is about the bigness of a Cable-Rope, -which being fasten’d to the Anchor, holds the Ship fast when it rides. - -This Property in the Serpent, may be an Hieroglyphick; or Symbol of true -Friendship, which is a sacred Mixture: My Friend and I are as two Rivers -joined in one, not to be separated; we stick close and fast, traversing -the Wilderness hand-in-hand: He who strikes one, wounds the other—No -Schism in true Friendship. - - -LVII. _JACORE Lizard_; some of these Serpents are as big as Dogs, and -resemble them in the Nose; their Teeth large and long, and their Skin -impenetrable. They do no harm to their Neighbours, and therefore are -generally allow’d to live. They make a loud Noise, by which their Haunts -are discovered, and their Liberty hazarded. - -They lay Eggs as large as those of a Goose, of an elastick Nature, so -hard, that when one is struck against another, they ring like Iron: they -frequent both Land and Water. - -It’s observable here, that this Animal is obstreporous, and by its Noise -invites Danger; whereas Silence would be his Security: yea, its Eggs are -as so many roaring Bells. This may serve for a Document to the unruly -Member: _Thersites_, in _Homer_, was counted a Fool for babbling. A -talkative Tongue is the Spring, Ringleader, and Head of Faction in all -places. - -The first Rudiments in _Pythagoras_’s School, was _Quinquennian_, -_Silence_. The Scholars were not allow’d to talk for five Years, that -is, till they had learned the _Art of Silence_. _Harpocrates_ was the -_God of Silence_, therefore painted with his Finger on his Lip, and was -worshipped in _Egypt_ with _Isis_ and _Serapis_. - -_ANGERONA_ was the Goddess of Silence at _Rome_, and painted with a -Cloth about her Mouth. Nor is it less venerable at _Venice_, where after -they come out of the Senate-house, they are as silent about what was -said and done, as if they had power to forget all that was said and -done. - -To the above-mention’d Serpents, the learned Mr. _Ray_ adds, by way of -Supplement, a Catalogue of fifteen _East-Indian Serpents_, which he had -from the Learned Dr. _Tancred Robinson_, whose Descriptions he had from -the College at _Leyden_, which I shall annex to the foregoing[235]. - -Footnote 235: - - _Ray_’s _Synopsis Animalium_, p. 330. - - -LVIII. _SERPENS Indicus Coronatus_, an _Indian_ Serpent, that makes its -Appearance with a crowned Head, which it holds up on high, as if proud -of the Honour. This is an Emblem of Pride, that Dropsy of the Mind; to -yield to its Thirst, is to swallow the Bait, that turned the _Seraph_ -into a _Devil_. - -The Remedy used by the _Indians_ for its Wounds, is what they call the -_Serpent-Stone_, which, according to _Thevenot_ and others, is an -artificial Composition, and not taken out of this Serpent’s Head. - - -LIX. _VIPERA Indica tricolor major_, a Serpent remarkable for a Body -decorated with three fine Colours, the Liveries of Summer’s Pride, but -living much under ground, the Glories of its Attire are buried in the -Earth, _the World’s material Mould_. - - -LX. _VIPERA Zelanica minor maculis eleganter variegata_, a Serpent -elegantly garnished with a Variety of charming Colours: It is an -Inhabitant of _Ceylon_, an Island in the _East-Indies_, called by the -Inhabitants _Tenarisain_, that is the _Land of Delights_, and not -without reason is this Island so called, since it is the most fruitful -place in _India_, producing Gold, Silver, Precious Stones, plenty of -Rice, Ananas, Cocoas, best Oranges, Lemons, Figs, Pomegranates, Ginger, -Grapes, Pepper, Cardamum, Tobacco, Nutmegs, Sugar; Mulberry, which yield -much Silk; Palm-trees, which afford a Liquor for their constant Drink, -_&c._ But in midst of these pleasing Varieties, they are haunted with -various sorts of venemous Serpents; an Emblem of our present State, -which is a Compound of Pleasure and Pain. - - _The Gods will frown, wherever they do smile; - The Crocodile infests the fertile_ Nile. - -_CEYLON_ is an Emblem of Man, to whom _Pleasure_ is as a delightful -Situation; but in it dwells a Serpent, called _Pain_. Pleasure is the -principal Intendment of Nature, and the great Object of our Inclination, -without which Life would be no Blessing, but a Mortification: Yea, ’tis -Pleasure reconciles us to Pain; for who would submit to nauseous -Medicines, and Tortures of the Surgeon’s Knife, but for hope of the -Pleasure of Ease that succeeds it. - -No Serpent so terrible as Pain, which is a strange domineering -Perception, that keeps off Ease when wanted, and destroys Ease when we -are in possession of it. - - -LXI. The _Malcarabeta_ of _Ceylon_ is a Serpent painted by Nature in a -Garb blue and white; the last of these two Colours shew best by -Candle-light. This leads us to the Excommunication by Inch of Candle; -that is, while a little Candle continues burning, the Sinner is allow’d -to come to Repentance; but after it burns out, he remains excommunicated -to all Intents and Purposes. - - -LXII. The _Ethetulla_ is a _Ceylonick_ Serpent; of a little slender -Body, and sharp-pointed Head. This is a kind of Ranger, delights in -Groves and Forests, and may be known by a white and green Vesture, in -which it rambles among the Trees. - - -LXIII. _MALPOLON_ is another Serpent of that celebrated Island, and of a -vermilion Hue, imbroider’d with curious fine red Spots, which shine like -so many Stars. - - -LXIV. _SERPENS Putorius_, so denominated, probably because of its filthy -Smell; by which it resembles the _Putorius_, a little Animal call’d -_Fitchet_, that smells ill, especially when enraged[236]. _Jonstonus_ -and _Gesner_ make it to be the _Druinus_, which has been already -describ’d. - -Footnote 236: - - _A putorio, quia valdè fœtet._ - - -LXV. The _Anacandia_, a _Ceylonick_ Serpent, of monstrous Corpulence, -being in longitude about 25 Foot. _D. Cleyerus_, who accounts for this -gigantick Serpent, says, he saw one of them open’d, in whose Belly was -found a whole Stag, with all his integral Parts: In another they found a -wild Goat; and in a third, a Porcupine arm’d with all its Darts and -Prickles[237]. Serpents of this nature have often fallen in our way, by -which we may imagine, that there is a vast spread of them over the -Earth. Mr. _Ray_ from _Cleyerus_ gives this account of the Monster——Tho’ -the Throat seems narrow, yet ’tis very extensible, and the Facts have -been confirm’d by Experience. When the Prey is catch’d, he wraps himself -about it, takes it by the Nose, sucks the Blood, and soon reduces it to -a Hodge-podge; after he has broken the Bones in pieces, that emit a -Sound like a Gun, _ibid._ And in doing all this he spends two days. - -Footnote 237: - - _De octavo genere merentur legi, quæ D. Cleyerus in Ephemer. German._ - Anno 12. Observ. 7. cui titulas, _De Serpente magno Indiæ Orientalis. - Urobubalum deglutiente Narrat. Raii Synopsis Animalium_,—p. 333, 334. - - -LXVI. The _Ghalghulawa_ is another _Ceylonite_, that goes by the Name of -_Serpens Indicus Saxatilis_, describ’d by whitish Lines, that run across -one another: Whether the Poet refers to this, as a Serpent affecting -stony and gravelly Situations, or to a certain Fish, I determine -not[238]. - -Footnote 238: - - Tum viridis squamis, parvo saxatilis ore. _Ovid._ - - -LXVII. The _Manballa_ is another _Indian_, and from its Name we may -conclude it has something of the canine Nature, for it flies with great -Fury at Passengers, as some Dogs usually do. ’Tis of a light red (or -bright bay, as we call it in Horses) spotted with white. - - -LXVIII. The _Nintipolonga_, an _Indian_ Serpent, whose Skin is checker’d -with white and black Spots. Its Bite is accompanied with mortiferous -Sleep, therefore call’d _Serpens hypnoticus_, _soporiferous Serpent_, -whose Wounds are as an _Opiate_, or _Medicines_ that induce sleep, in -which they die. _Q._ Why may not we suppose this narcotic Poison to be -the same with that, which _Cleopatra_ used in executing the Sentence -that _Heroine_ past upon herself? - - -LXIX. The _Wepelon_ Serpent: Nothing is said of it, but that it -resembles an _Indian_ Reed or Cane in form. - - -LXX. _SERPENS Fluviatilis_, seems to be the _Water-Snake_. - - -LXXI. _SERPENS Spadiceus_, a Serpent of light red Colour. - - -LXXII. Then follows the _Ceylonic Hotambœia_. Dr. _Robinson_’s Account -of this Serpent, he had from the learned _Hermannus_’s Library. - -_N. B._ Some of these Eastern Serpents may coincide and agree in -Character with those in _America_, and other Regions. Where there is -such an infinite Variety of them, and delineated by so many different -hands, ’tis difficult to give an exact Description of every individual -Serpent. - -Other parts of the _East-Indies_ (Continent and Islands) are infested -with Serpents of various kinds and sizes, and he must be more than a -Conjurer in History, that can charm them to make their Appearance in one -Place, and all in their proper Habiliments. - - -LXXIII. The _hooded_ or _Monk Serpent_, found in an Island near -_Batavia_ (a _Dutch_ Settlement in the _East-Indies_) which differs from -other Serpents in the _uncouth Shape of its Head_, that looks as if it -were cover’d with a large long _Hood_, like a _Monk’s Cowl_, or the -Widow’s Veil, therefore called the _hooded Serpent_, which is a very -dangerous Animal. Upon a view of its Prey, it immediately advances -towards it, with terrible Rage and Hissing. - -When the _Sieur de la Case_ was hunting one day in the Woods adjacent to -_Batavia_, he saw one of these Serpents descending from a Tree, making a -fearful Noise: It was about the thickness of a Man’s Arm, and in length -about eight Foot. - -This venemous Creature was no sooner on the Ground, but it made towards -him with the greatest Fury; but having a Gun ready charg’d, he very -happily shot it dead, and made off hastily for fear of a second -Attack[239]. - -Footnote 239: - - _Fr. Leguat_’s _Voyages_, in _Atl._ for _Asia_. - -_LEGUAT_, who gives this Account, and was in _Batavia_, _A.D._ 1697, -says, he saw a Serpent in that Country about fifty Foot long. _N. B._ -The Skin of one that was 20 Foot long, is shewn in _Batavia_, that -swallow’d an Infant, _ibid._ - - -LXXIV. The _Musk Serpent_, so term’d from its musky or sweet Scent. -These sweet-scented Animals are Inhabitants of the _East_, between -_Calicut_, the second Kingdom of _Malabar_, and _Candahor_. In _Ceylon_ -are Musk-Rats, where the Inhabitants eat all Rats, but this kind. - -These Musk-Rats are in all things shaped like our Water-Rats, only -something larger; and in other respects differ only in that musky Scent. -A Gentleman, who kept one of them in a wooden Chest, observed that two -days before it died, ’twas most odoriferous, and scented the Room above -what was common[240]. In _Muscovy_ is a Water-Rat, which smells like -Musk; and also a great number of _Musk-Cats_, which look like young -_Bucks_ without Horns, and therefore call’d _Musk-Harts_ by the -_Chinese_, because they resemble those Creatures. The Musk is contain’d -in a little Excrescence near the Navel[241]. - -Footnote 240: - - _Lowthorp_’s _Abridg._ vol. iii. p. 594. - -Footnote 241: - - This Animal is described by _Philip Martinus_ in his _Chinese Atlas_. - -In _America_ also, are found Woods abounding with Musk-Rats, that are as -big as Rabbits, and have Burrows in the Ground. Their Skins are black, -Bellies white, and smell exceeding strong of Musk[242]. The vegetable -World also, entertains us with Musk-Pears, Musk-Roses, single and -double, and the Ever-green, _&c._ _N. B._ Musk-Rats frequent fresh -Streams, and no other. - -Footnote 242: - - _History of the Antilles._ - -The word _Musk_ comes from the _Arabic_, _Moscha_, a Perfume of strong -Scent, only agreeable when moderated by the Mixture of some other -Perfume, by which it becomes an agreeable artificial Odour.... Musk is -found in a little Swelling, like a præternatural Tumor, or Bag growing -(about the Bigness of a Hen’s Egg) under the Belly of a wild Beast, of -the same Name; and appears to be nothing else, but a kind of bilious -Blood there congeal’d. - -This _Musk-Animal_ is common in the _East-Indies_, as in the Kingdoms of -_Boutan_, _Cochin China_, but the most esteem’d are those of _Tibet_. -When the Bladder under the Belly is taken out, they separate the -congeal’d Blood, and dry it in the Sun. - -Sir _John Chardin_[243] says, _Musk_ is also produced in _Persia_ from -an Impostume in the Body of a Beast, that resembles a _Goat_, and grows -near the Navel, and is better than that of _China_. The Scent of it, -adds he, is so strong, that it many times kills those who hunt the -Beast, when they first open the Bag, except they stop their Mouths and -Noses with Linnen: ’Tis easily counterfeited, and the best way to try -it, is by drawing a _Thread_, dipt in the Juice of Garlick, thro’ the -_Bag_ with a Needle; and if the Garlick loses its Scent, the Musk is -good. _Atl._ 397. - -Footnote 243: - - _His Travels._ - - -LXXV. The _Boitiapo_ (that should have been mention’d before with its -_Brazilian_ Relatives) is a large Serpent, about seven Foot long, not -quite so thick as a Man’s Arm, of an olive Colour, yellow Belly, in Body -round, cloath’d with Scales that make an elegant Appearance in a sort of -triangular form. ’Tis very venemous, and its Wounds not curable without -timely and proper Applications. - -The _Lacertan Snakes_ or Lizards come next under Consideration, and in -the same order as laid down by the learned Mr. _Ray_[244]. Previous to -that, I beg leave to observe, that _Moses_ places two sorts of _Lizards_ -among unclean Creatures, the _Stellio_ and _Lacerta_. These Lizards -differ vastly in Bulk; some a Finger’s length; in _Arabia_, some of a -Cubit long; in the _Indies_, twenty-four Feet in length. Several sorts -of _Lizards_ are mention’d in Scripture, _Lev._ xi. 30. the two former -are translated _Stellio_ and _Lacerta_; the third is translated a -_Mole_, but _Bochart_ maintains, it is a _Cameleon_; the fourth is -describ’d _Prov._ xxx. 28. and there, _Spider_ is render’d _Stellio_, a -Lizard. Mr. _Ray_ begins with - -Footnote 244: - - _Synopsis Animal. de Lacertis._ - - -LXXVI. The _Crocodile_, the largest of the _Lacertan_ Race, a Name which -is supposed to come from a word[245] that signifies _afraid of Saffron_, -because this Creature abhors the Smell of _Saffron_, as a learned Author -observes[246]. It is an amphibious Beast, noisome and voracious, and one -of the Wonders of Nature; for, from an Egg no bigger than that of a -Goose, proceeds an Animal which increases to eight or ten Yards in -length. - -Footnote 245: - - Κροκοδειλος δειλος. _Græcis timidus._ - -Footnote 246: - - _Calmet._ - -His Mouth is very wide, and is extended to the Ears; his Snout and Eyes -like those of Swine; the Teeth, which are ingrail’d, are white, acute, -strong and numerous; the Feet arm’d with sharp Claws; the Skin of the -Belly is tender and may be easily penetrated, but the other parts of the -Body are not penetrable by Swords and Arrows: It defies even the Wheels -of a loaded Cart, as well as Darts and Spears: It is of a yellow Colour, -say some; but _Wormius_ in Mr. _Ray_’s _Synopsis_ says, that those he -had seen, were inclin’d to the grey or ash Colour. - -The Tail is near as long as the Body, upon which are Fins of a Fish, -whereby he is capacitated to swim. When he strikes with his Claws, he -tears with his Teeth, and grinds the very Bones of what he kills into -Powder. In Winter he lives much without Food, but in Summer, his -Sustenance is of the animal kind, but is most fond of human Flesh; and -as he is an amphibious Creature, plunders both Elements[247]. - -Footnote 247: - - _Jonstonus_, 141. - -The Crocodile, when prest with Hunger, swallows Stones, which have been -found worn round about, and the wasted parts reduced to such minute -Particles, as were fit to circulate with the Mass of Blood[248]. - -Footnote 248: - - _Nierembergius._ - -In _Egypt_ the _Crocodile_ is made the Object of religious Adoration, -but not by all the Nation; for the Inhabitants of _Tentyra_ (an Island -form’d by the River _Nilus_) were so far from worshipping that hateful -Monster, that they despised it, and often brought them to the _Roman_ -Shews for Diversion.——This Aversion to _Crocodiles_ caused a War between -the _Tentyrians_ and the other _Egyptians_, who worship’d those -Creatures; of which People _Job_ seems to speak in the following Words: -_Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their -Mourning_, Job iii. 8. Some read it, to raise up the _Leviathan_, or to -awake the _Crocodile_; of which _Job_ gives an admirable Description, -under the Name of _Leviathan_, _Job_ xli. 1, 2, 3, 4.... So the -Psalmist, _Thou breakest the Heads of Leviathan in pieces, and gavest -him to be Meat to the People inhabiting the Wilderness_. - -When I think of the superstitious _Egyptians_ warring against the People -of _Tentyra_, I can’t but observe how the same kind of Spirit (the more -the pity) too often reigns among Christians: Those who have ridicul’d -Superstition, and endeavour’d to propagate Truth, have always had -Vengeance and Wrath breath’d out against them, and have been exposed to -the same Fate as the _Tentyrians_. - -The Habitations of Crocodiles are generally in great Rivers, as the -_Ganges_ in _Asia_, one of the greatest Rivers in the World, and which -is accounted sacred: Its Water is clear and sweet, weighs an Ounce in a -Pint lighter than any other Water in the Country: The _Great Mogul_’s -Court drink none else with their Wine. These monstrous Animals are also -found in the _Nile_ and _Niger_, two of the greatest Rivers in _Africa_; -and also in the great Rivers of _America_, especially those of the -_Amazons_, which abound with Crocodiles of vast Bigness, that very much -annoy the Inhabitants. - -_GEMELLI_ in the _Atlas_, says the _Crocodile_ is hatch’d of an Egg no -bigger than that of a Turkey, but grows to thirty Foot long, the Back -arm’d with impenetrable Scales, the Mouth wide enough to swallow an -Heifer, and only moves the upper Jaw; it sees better by Water than Land, -is cowardly, and generally flies from those that attack it, but daring -enough otherwise; for which reason the _Egyptians_ made it the -Hieroglyphick of Impudence.—They have no Tongue, and eat nothing in all -the autumnal Quarter[249]. - -Footnote 249: - - For _Africa_, p. 47. - -This Animal has a great Dexterity in catching Wild-fowl, which always -abound in those great Rivers, and along Sea-shores, as Ducks, Teals, and -other Water-fowls: When in want of Food, he goes into the Sea, where he -lies in such a manner, that the upper Part of his Back appears above the -Water, and looks like a piece of Timber floating; the wild Fowls -mistrusting nothing, come so near it, that he immediately devours them: -They lurk among Reeds and Bushes, on the Banks of Rivers and great -Pools, from whence they suddenly leap out, and eat up their Prey, which -sometimes happens to be People that come to drink or fetch Water. - -The Inhabitants of _Madagascar_, an _African_ Island, look upon -Crocodiles as Devils, and swear by them: When Differences happen among -them, they go to a River, where he that is to swear throws himself into -the Water, and conjures the Crocodiles to be Arbitrators betwixt him and -his Adversary, and to let him live if he speaks Truth, but if otherwise, -to destroy him[250]. Among the Rarities in _Gresham-College, London_, is -a Crocodile about two Yards and a half long. Crocodiles are little known -in _Europe_, but common in the _Indies_. - -Footnote 250: - - _Dellon on Madagascar, in Atl. Afr._ - -The _Land Crocodile_, call’d _Seincus_, is variously described. In the -_Molucca_ Islands they are accounted the fiercest of Monsters, contrary -to those of the _Nile_, according to some Writers[251]. _Harris_[252] -says, that they are very harmless, and in some places so tame, that -Children play with them. _Le Comte_ says, what are called _small -Crocodiles_, are _huge Lizards_, found all over the Woods in _Siam_, as -also in Houses and Fields[253]. - -Footnote 251: - - _Barth. Leonardo de Argensola_’s Discovery of the _Molucca_ and - _Philippine_ Islands. - -Footnote 252: - - _Atlas Amer._ 263. - -Footnote 253: - - _Memoirs_, 2d Edit. p. 502. - -This Land Crocodile is indeed an amphibious Animal, lives partly in the -Water and partly upon dry Ground: It has four slender Legs like a -Lizard; its Snout is sharp, and its Tail short, cover’d with small -Scales of a silver Colour. ’Tis hatch’d in _Egypt_, near the Red-Sea, in -_Libya_, and the _Indies_. - -In _Leviticus_ there’s mention made of a kind of _Crocodile_, in the -_Hebrew_ called _Choled_, which the Septuagint translates κροκοδειλος -χερσαιος, a land Crocodile, which is a kind of Lizard, that feeds upon -the sweetest Flowers it can find; this makes its Intrails to be very -much valued for their agreeable Smell. _Bellonius_ says, it has four -Feet, and a round knotty Tail, and is as big as the _Salamander_. - -There’s scarce any way to manage him by Land, unless it be by a Wile, as -they do on the Bank of _Nilus_, where little Huts are erected, from -whence the Watchmen, upon the Approach of a Crocodile, spring out with -long Branches in their Hands, which they, with great Dexterity, thrust -into its Throat; and not being able to extricate itself, it falls down, -upon which others of them discharge their Arrows at his Belly, which -being a tender part, he is soon killed; but in Water he is quickly -noosed, because for want of a Tongue, he can’t safely open his wide -Mouth, without being suffocated. - -This terrestrial Crocodile comes to us by way of _Alexandria_ and -_Venice_, and is very useful in physical Prescriptions. - - -LXXVII. The _Cordylus_ is a little noxious Reptile, supposed by some to -be the _Land Crocodile_, because upon first sight it looks like the -_Nilotic_; but upon a stricter view, the Fallacy appears. The Back is -cover’d with close compacted Scales, as a House with Tiles, by which -’tis distinguish’d. - -Its Tail is rough, and like a Club, wherewith it strikes whatever it -meets, therefore is called _Caudiverbera_, that is, one that strikes -with the Tail; a Tail prominent with War[254]. - -Footnote 254: - - _Raii Synopsis Animalium Quadrupedum_, p. 263. - - -LXXVIII. The _Tapayaxin_ is a Lizard of _New Spain_, and of a round -form; and, _Spaniard_-like, is slow in Motion, and as loth to change its -Seat, as the _Spaniards_ their old Fashions and Customs. This little -Creeper is of the northern Tribe, being generally found in the Mountains -of cold Regions. It is observable, that if its Head be comprest or -squeezed, it will throw out drops of Blood with a Force that will carry -them several Yards off[255]. - -Footnote 255: - - See _Dr. Plot’s History of Staffordsh._ p. 252. - - -LXXIX. The _Lacertus Viridis_, or green Lizard, is found in _Italy, &c._ -lives in Meadows, and being of the harmless kind, little is said of it. -There are many Lizards of other Colours, but none so beautiful as the -green ones; tho’ very small, they are pretty: Many make themselves very -familiar with them, and put them in their Bosom[256]. - -Footnote 256: - - _Nat. History of Carolina_, 131, 2. _N. B._ These are found in - _Ireland_. - - -LXXX. The _Tejuguacu_ is a _Brazilian Lizard_, of black Colour, -beautified with elegant white Spots, which renders it pleasing to the -Eye: Its Tongue is long and cloven, smooth and red. ’Tis a little -Creature, and moves its little Body with great Celerity; is patient in -Want, and will for six or seven Moons, live without any kind of -Sustenance, but Air, the Fluid in which we all breathe. - - -LXXXI. The _Taraguira_ is another _Brazilian_, of about a Foot long, -whose Body is smooth, and naturally guarded by an Armour of a strong -squamatick Skin, and the Scales situated in a kind of triangular form: -It affects to reside in Underwoods, and Places inclosed, and near to -Houses. - - -LXXXII. The _Americina_ Serpent, which is not much different from the -former, except it be in its forked Tail, which terminates in two -different Points; and in this Article seems to differ from all other -sanguineous Animals, among whom, says the learned _Ray_, I have never -heard of any else furnish’d with two Tails: This looks like something -anomalous in Nature, and contrary to its common Rules, if the -Description be true. - - -LXXXIII. The _Taraquico Aycuraba_ is another venemous Offspring of -_Brazil_, a Species of the former, but differs from it in the Tail, -which is single. This Animal is covered with little rough triangulated -Scales, the Extremity of which is decked with brown Spots, and the Back -with various dusky Specks, ranged in the form of Waves. - - -LXXXIV. The _Americina_ is a little venemous Creeper, whose Body -inclines to the square, about three Fingers long, in Crassitude as the -Quill of a Swan; bright to the Eye, and smooth to the Hand: The Back is -made strong by whitish Scales; the Head, Shanks, and Sides with brown -ones: The Tail is of a fine azure Colour; its Claws are setigerous, -resembling the Bristles of a Hog. - - -LXXXV. _CARAPOBEBA_ is another minim Serpent of _America_, and -veneniferous, four or five Fingers long: The Body, that in Colour -resembles a Liver, is adorn’d with white Marks, (and the Tail with white -Lines) and is illuminated with glaring Eyes, like Globes of Glass. - - -LXXXVI. _TEJUNHANA_ is a little Serpent, whose Head is sharp-pointed: -The Tail is about six Fingers long, smooth and round, and ends like a -Needle; the Head is cover’d with rough Scales, like _Milford_ Oysters; -the Back and Sides are cloath’d with a Skin, that is finely painted with -green and brown Colours, and when touched, feels soft like Velvet. - - -LXXXVII. To these _Americans_ I add the _Stellio_, which Mr. _Ray_ calls -the _swift_, or _spotted Lizard_, whose Body makes a glorious -Appearance, by glittering Spots, that when it makes its Parade, looks -like a little moveable Firmament of Stars: This Serpent is pretty common -in _Thrace_, _Sicily_, and _Syria_[257]. - -Footnote 257: - - _Ray_, p. 265. - -’Tis said of this Animal, that it casts its Skin and eats it again; and -if so, ’tis a proper Emblem of desultory Creatures, who leave their -Vices for a time, and return to them afterwards[258]. - -Footnote 258: - - _Grew’s Cosmologia Sacra._ - -Among Serpents is such Variety of charming Colours, and Figures, that if -it were not for the natural Antipathy that we have for them, perhaps -there is not one thing that the Eye could take greater Delight in. - -Besides the above Lacertick Serpents of _Brazil_, _Rochefort_[259], a -_French_ Author, mentions other Serpents different from these, which -come next under Consideration. - -Footnote 259: - - _History of the Antilles-Islands._ - - -LXXXVIII. The _Les Anoles_, a Serpent in bigness like the _Gallick_ -Lizards, but of a longer Head; of a yellow Skin, like a Sun-burnt -_Roussilonite_, or the _Savage Man_ in the Isle of _Borneo_; Russet -Back, channel’d with green; of an ashy or cineraceous Colour; a -boisterous noisy Animal. It’s generally in motion by Day, and by Night, -lodges in hollow places, where it joins with the Brotherhood, in -disturbing the Neighbours with hideous Croakings: by the loudness of its -Noise, it should seem that it had but an empty Noddle. - - -LXXXIX. _LES ROQUET_, a Serpent of a ruddy Colour, intermix’d with black -and yellow Points: of sparkling Eyes, and majestick Mien, walking in a -stately manner with Head erect; and skipping about like a Bird, or a -_French Beau_, who was said to make a _Solecism_ with his Hand, when he -made a false Gesture on the Stage. - - -XC. The _Maboujas_, a word that signifies a Devil in the _Indian_ -Language, and given to this Serpent, because in its Nature it is most -malignant and mischievous: It lives in fenny Ground, and shaded Valleys, -dreadful in Appearance, and more so in its Executions. - -This cruel Serpent is an Emblem of the old Serpent, that great fiery -Dragon, that in a few Hours reduced _Job_, a wealthy Prince, into the -lowest Ebb of Poverty, converted his Palace into a Dunghill, and his -Body into an Hospital of Diseases; and if permitted, he would -immediately turn the Earth into a Scene of Blood and Destruction; -therefore he is called απολλυωνορ, the _Destroyer_, _Rev._ ix. 11. the -Murderer, and Shedder of Blood. _N. B._ The tutelar Deity of the -_Cæsars_ was _Apollo_, that is, the—_Destroyer_. The like kind of bloody -Deity has presided in the Temples of Tyranny ever since. - - -XCI. The _Gobe Moujes_, so denominated by the _French_, from its -_gobbling_ all kinds of Flies, which it constantly hunts, and swallows -in a voracious manner. It commonly frequents Houses where it suffers no -little Insects to live, no not upon Garments: It is of the stellionick -form, and the least of all the Quadrupeds in those _Antilles_, which our -_English_ call, the _Leeward-Islands_. - -May not this Animal serve to represent those gobbling Sots, who brush -off the Flies of Melancholy, and drown them in the inchanted Cup? Thus -likewise the Sons of _Mammon_ hunt for _golden Flies_, as Entertainments -most delicious. - - -XCII. _BROCHET DE TORRE_, or the _Land-Pike_, is a Serpent of about -fifteen Inches long, so termed from its Likeness in Figure and Skin to -that Fish. Instead of Fins, it has four Feet, too weak to support the -Body, therefore crawls on its Belly, after an odd unusual manner, -winding its Body about like a Pike newly taken out of the Water; which -kind of Motion being strange, strikes Terror into Spectators. _Tetre_ -denies it to have the perfect Shape, Head and Skin of the common Pike, -and treats _Sieur Rochefort_ with some Roughness, according to Mr. -_Ray_. - -In the Night, these Serpents are found under the Rocks, where they make -a frightful Noise, more hideous than the croaking of Frogs and Toads. In -_Antigua_ is a Fish called _Cane_, like our _Pike_ in figure, seven or -eight Foot long, and big in proportion: It preys like the _Shark_, and -especially on human Flesh; and the least Bite of its Teeth proves mortal -Poison, without immediate Application of some sovereign Antidote[260]. - -Footnote 260: - - _History of the Antilles._ - - -XCIII. The last he mentions, is a _little Serpent_, about seven Fingers -in length, and terrible to the Eye. The Skin is embroider’d with black -Scales, that look smooth and sleek as if it were a Surface of Oil: It is -furnish’d with very sharp Teeth, small Eyes, but so weak that they can’t -long face the Light, no more than a _Frenchman_ can look Truth in the -face, or a _Spaniard_ the Field of Battle. - -When this little venemous Animal apprehends any Danger, it immediately -digs into the Earth, with its five crooked and strong Claws, that soon -penetrate the Ground: ’tis guilty not only of Evils among Beasts, but of -great Devastations in Orchards and Gardens[261]. - -Footnote 261: - - _Ray._ - -I have wondered, says a learned Author, to see with what great -Quickness, Art, and Strength, many _Vespæ, Ichneumons, wild Bees and -Beetles_,—perforate the Earth, yea, even Wood itself; but the most -remarkable in this way, is the _Mole-Cricket_[262]. Swine, who dig in -the Earth for their Food, have all parts of their Head adapted for that -Service, but rather more remarkable in the _Mole_, whose Neck, Eyes, -Nose and Ears are all fitted in the nicest manner, to its subterraneous -way of Life. - -Footnote 262: - - _Derham_ _Phys. Theol._ - - -XCIV. The _Ground Rattle-Snake_, so called, only because it resembles -the real Rattle-Snake in Colour, but is somewhat darker: It never grows -above twelve or sixteen Inches long; ’tis reckon’d among the worst of -Snakes, and of a hardy Nature, because it keeps out of its -Winter-Quarters the longest of any. N. B. _This Serpent and some of the -following are taken out of the natural History of_ Carolina[263], a part -of _America_ belonging to _England_. The Natives of that Country were of -a larger Size than _Europeans_, and accounted so faithful in their -Promises, and so just in their Dealings, that they had no Words to -express _Dishonesty_, _Fraud_, or _Cheating_,—What contributed chiefly -to their honest Simplicity, and plain Method of living, was their -Contempt of Riches; were content with plain Food and Raiment, without -being anxiously sollicitous for to-morrow. - -Footnote 263: - - In the new _Collection of Voyages_, 4to, printed 1713. - - -XCV. The _Horn-Snake_, very venemous, hisses exactly like a Goose, upon -any body’s Approach. Serpents of this Class strike at the Enemy with -their Tail, which is arm’d at the end with a horny Substance, like a -Cock-Spur, that kills whatever is wounded with it. ’Tis said, that in -_Virginia_, they only shoot their Tongues, and shake them at the -Enemy[264]. - -Footnote 264: - - _Lowthorp._ vol. iii, p. 599. - - -XCVI. The _Hydrus_, _Natrix_, or _Water-Snake_, of these are various -sorts, and all in some degree amphibious. When the _Coluber Aquaticus_ -wounds any, ’tis attended with a most disagreeable Odour, and so strong, -that it forbids a near Approach to the unhappy Sufferer, who immediately -falls into a Tremor and Distraction, and soon expires (the third day, -says _Ælian_) without timely Relief[265]. - -Footnote 265: - - _Ælian._ lib. iv. cap. 57. _Accessio Gyllii._— - -Its common Residence is in shallow Waters, and when they are dried up, -it goes upon dry Ground, where its Wound is more dangerous than in -Water: But more of this elsewhere. - - -XCVII. In that Country they have what they call _Swamp-Snakes_; three -sorts of which are near a-kin to the Water-Snakes, and may be rank’d -among them. The Belly of the first is of the carnation Colour, the Back -is dark: the next, which is of a brown Colour, always abides in the -Marshes: the third is of a motley Colour, and very poisonous. - -They dwell on the sides of Swamps, _i. e._ Bogs, Marshes, and Ponds, -have a prodigious large Mouth, and they arrive to the thickness of the -Calf of a Man’s Leg. Among these I place the black _Truncheon-Snakes_, -that live on the Banks of Rivers, which, when disturbed, shoot into the -Water, like an Arrow out of a Bow. I fancy the Name is borrow’d from a -certain Weapon call’d Truncheon, which we call _Battoon_, or Tipstaff, -of a cylindrical form, used by principal Officers of State, Generals, -and sometimes by Constables, when they go upon secret Expeditions. - - -XCVIII. The _Red-belly-Snake_, this is so called from its ruddy Colour, -which inclines to an Orange-red. Of these are two sorts; one, like -_Abel_ the Innocent; the other, like _Cain_ the Cruel: An Emblem of the -World, humane, angelic Animal, and Vegetable, in which is a Mixture of -Good and Evil. - - -XCIX. The _Red-back-Snake_, so named from that Colour; a long, slender -Snake, but not very common. A certain Surveyor of Lands in _Carolina_ -happen’d to step over one of these, which he did not see till his -Servant spy’d it: The Surveyor inquired of the _Indian_ that was along -with him, _Whether it was a very venemous Serpent?_ Who answer’d, _That -if he had been wounded by it, even the_ Indians _themselves, tho’ expert -in the Art of curing serpentine Wounds, could not have saved his -Life_[266]. - -Footnote 266: - - _Natural History of Carolina._ - -Red, which is one of the primary Colours, proceeding from the least -refrangible Rays of Light, is a lively Emblem of Fire, or the fiery -Venom in this Serpent, whose principal Quality is to draw Blood. - - -C. The _Scorpion-Lizard_; ’tis commonly called so, but is no more like -it than a Hedge-Hog: It is indeed of the Lizard Colour, but much larger: -Its Back of a dark copper Colour; the Belly, in Orange; quick in its -Motion on the Ground, and very nimble in running up Trees; has several -Rows of Teeth, and is reckoned to be of a very poisonous Nature. - - -CI. The _Long Black-Snake_, is a land Animal, and very common. _I have_, -says my Author, _kill’d several of them, full six Foot in length_. Its -Bite, tho’ painful in its Consequences, is not deem’d commonly mortal: -the wounded Part swells, and turns to a running Ulcer. No living -Creature more nimble in Motion, or a greater Enemy to Mice, for it -leaves not one of that Vermin alive, wherever it comes. This Serpent -kills the Rattle-Snake, by twisting its Head about the Neck of that -Snake, and whipping her to death with its Tail. - -This Serpent very much haunts Dairy-houses in those Countries, and makes -very free with unguarded Milk-Pans, and Cream-Pots: It delights to be -among Hens, whose Eggs it does not suck, but swallows them whole, as all -Snakes do their Sustenance. It will often swallow the Egg under a -sitting Hen, and then lie in the Nest in the form of a Ring. - -Allow here a few Remarks upon the Nature of Milk and Eggs. - -In all kinds of Vegetables is an oily Substance, which is a Fluid that -Animals take in with their Food, and no vegetable Food is nutrimental, -without some Proportion of this Oil; even Grass, especially in its Seed, -abounds therewith, which being thoroughly mixt with the _Saliva_, it -turns _milky_ in the Stomach: Which differs from the _Chyle_, only as -having been more concocted, and containing a large degree of Salt, which -renders it convertible into Curd. - -_MILK_ therefore is an _oily vegetable Matter_, circulated first in -Plants, then in Animals, and capable of being reduced into a caseous and -watry Substance, (or Cheese and Whey, if you please.) If _Milk_ finds no -opportunity of passing off in its own natural form, it turns to _Fat_, -or goes away by Urine and Sweat, which commonly is the case in Men, for -they generate Milk as well as Women, _&c._ - -An Egg is from a certain animal Liquid, which by repeated Circulations -in the Body, arrives at a perfect animal State; this Fluid comes from -the oviparous Class, which is the White wherein the Yolk appears to -swim. The White and Yolk of Eggs are neither alkaline nor acid. - -The White dissolves by _a gentle Heat_, till it totally liquifies, (thus -the Hen’s Heat gradually dissolves the White of a prolific Egg into -Nourishment for the Chicken) but if you expose the White to the _Heat of -boiling Water_, it will immediately harden, into a viscous, dry Mass. - -The White of an Egg is a surprizing Menstruum, for if it be first boiled -hard in the Shell, and afterwards suspended in the Air by a Thread, it -will resolve and drop down into an insipid Liquor; which is that -heterogeneous Menstruum so much used by _Paracelsus_, and will make a -thorough _Solution of Myrrh_, which is more than Water, Oils, or Fire -itself can effect[267]. _N. B._ The White of an Egg, by a strong -Distillation, will afford an alkaline Spirit, and will putrify by -Digestion; and a single Grain of this putrify’d Substance taken, will, -like Poison, presently cause a Nausea, Vomit, Diarrhœa, Fever ... as -_Bellini_ tells us he has tried. And the learned _Boerhaave_ himself, -had seen those terrible Effects of it, which however are immediately -stopt by drinking any acid Liquor, as Vinegar, Juice of Lemons. From -Milk I proceed to give an account of an odd Custom about Cheese in -Antiquity, _viz._ Among the _Romans_, one of their _Tabernæ_ was called -_Casearia_, _a Caseo i. e._ from Cheese; not because Cheese was made or -sold in it, but because it was wont to be smoaked there: It being a -Custom among the old _Romans_ and other _Italians_, to make a great -Smoke with Reeds and green Wood, on purpose to dry and colour their -Cheese; hence the Poet _Martial_. - - _Non quemcunque focum, nec fumum caseus omnem, - Sed velabrensem, qui bibit ille sapit._—— - -_i. e._ That Cheese only is pleasant and grateful, which does not suck -in every Fume, but which is smoak’d only, _velabro_, in Tents or Booths. - -Footnote 267: - - _Boerhaave’s Process_, p. - - -CII. The _King’s Snake_, is the longest of all others; but not common. -It is said to be terrible to other Serpents, though not very venemous -and gross: the _Indians_, Men and Women, in _Carolina_, make _Girdles_ -and _Sashes of their Skins_, as Signs of Conquest, and wear them as -Trophies of Honour. - -This puts me in mind of _Hippocrates_, the Prince of Physicians, who -tells us that in the Eastern Parts of _Europe_, there is a _Scythian -People_, called _Sauromatæ_, bordering on the _Palus Mæotis_, where the -Women ride on Horse-back, draw the Bow, throw the Javelin as they ride, -and fight in their Battles, so long as they remain Virgins; and were not -allow’d to marry, _till they had killed three Enemies in the Wars_[268]. -Of my Author ’tis said, He neither knew how to _deceive_, nor be -_deceived_[269]. - -Footnote 268: - - _Hippocrates upon Air, Water, and Situation; upon Epidemical - Diseases_, _&c._ translated into _English_, by the learned Dr. - _Clifton_. - -Footnote 269: - - Of _Hippocrates_ ’tis said,——_Qui tam fallere quam falli nescit_. - -Macrobii Opera, p. 27. - -_N. B._ These were the Women called _Amazons_, descended from the -_Scythians_, whose Women were as warlike as the Men, and joined with -them in their Wars. - - -CIII. The _Corn-Snake_, is most like the _Rattle-Snake_ of all others in -Colour, but the Chequers are not so regular; neither has it any Rattles. -They are frequently found in _Corn-fields_, from whence, I presume, they -have their Appellation. In their Qualities they resemble the -_Green-Snakes_, that are innocent by Nature, and in form admirably -pretty, if I may be allow’d by the Ladies, to call a Serpent so. - - -CIV. The _Blowing-Serpent_, which is a Species of the Viper, but larger -than the _European_, is so called, because it seems to blow, to spread -its Head, and swell very much, before it bites; which Bite is very -poisonous, and seems to receive some additional Malignity from the -Enlargement of its Head beyond the common Proportion. - - -CV. The _Brimstone-Snake_, so denominated from the Similitude of Colour: -They might as well call it, the _Glass-Snake_, for if any Credit be -given to the Historian, ’tis as brittle as a Glass-Tube, or a -Tobacco-Pipe, so that upon the touch of a Twig, it immediately breaks -into several Pieces, which some say, and nobody believes, are capable of -Re-union. - -Its component Parts may be weak and frail, but it is questionable, -whether so brittle as represented: ’Tis true indeed there are hard -Bodies, that would not be affected with a Twig, yet are very brittle. -Thus _Iron_, which is one of the hardest Metals and yet _most brittle_, -and by fusing, it becomes harder and more brittle. Now this great -Brittleness of Iron, arises from the great quantity of Sulphur-Brimstone -intermixed with it. The abundance of _Sulphur_ in _Iron_, is apparent -from the _Sparks_ it emits from under the Smith’s Hammer; those fiery -Sparks being only the Sulphur of the heated Iron, nothing of which is -seen in any other Metal[270]. _N. B._ Roll-Brimstone sold in the Shops -comes from the native Sulphur, which _Helmont_ always preferred to that -purified. - -Footnote 270: - - _Boerhaave’s Method of Chemistry._ - - -CVI. The _Yellow-Snake_ is in length about seven or eight Foot; the Neck -is small, rather less than its Body, which grows bigger, till it be as -big as one’s Wrist, and continues so large to the _Anus_; from whence it -diminishes by degrees to the Tail. Its Head (which is not very large) is -of a dark Colour, and so are the Scales all over the Body, with some -yellow Streaks here and there. The Belly is all yellow, like Marygold, -whose Flowers are cordial. - -These Serpents are for the most part to be found in the woody Mountains -of _America_, coil’d up in the Paths, as Ropes in a Ship: they are not -hurtful, unless irritated; they feed on Birds, Rats, _&c._ which they -swallow whole, and therefore Nature has given them such a folded, -rugous, inward Tunicle of the Stomach, that it may extend, and receive -things of large Dimensions. Many of them have been killed with thirteen -or fourteen Rats in their Bellies[271]. - -Footnote 271: - - _Sir Hans Sloan’s Voyages to Madeira, Barbad._ vol. ii. Lond. 1725. - -It has been observed, that the Heart of this Serpent was beating an Hour -after the Head was cut off, and that it would turn and twist its Body -strangely in its Dissection, for a long time after the Bowels were out: -The Lungs were very membranaceous, being nothing but Blood-Vessels and -Air-Bladders. So a very learned Author. _ibid._ - - -CVII. The _Chicken-Snake_, so called because of its Executions in the -Poultry-yard, where it devours all Eggs, and lesser Birds that come in -its way. These Serpents are of a sooty Colour, and will very readily -roll themselves round a smooth-bark’d Pine-tree, eighteen or twenty Foot -high, where there is no manner of hold, and there sun themselves, and -sleep all the pleasurable part of the Day, reserving the hours of -Darkness for rambling[272]. There is no great matter of Poison in them. -Here the Historian mentions the _Eel-Snake_, improperly so called, I -think, because it is nothing but a _Leach_, that only sucks, and can’t -sting nor bite, so as to do any Damage. - -Footnote 272: - - _Natural History of Carolina_, p. 134. - - -CVIII. The _Vectis_, whose Head, strictly speaking, is neither round, -flat, nor pointed, but looks like a Swelling on both sides, one -stretching transversly, like a Bar that guards a Door, or, if you -please, a _Bettee_, an Engine to break open Doors. Though this Sense be -not intended here, yet ’tis true, that _Serpents_ do make _forcible -Entries_, but it is always with Teeth and Tail, by which they often -throw down the whole Fabrick, and drive out the Inhabitant. - - -CIX. The _Agnasen_ Serpent, called the _Mother of Ants_, because it -lodges in their Apartments, and other warm Situations. We read of _Ants_ -in the _East-Indies_ that build their Houses above Ground, and with the -_finest Clay_, of which the People make their _Idols_; their little -Houses are like strong _Butts_, hollow within, where they dwell, and -breed in Nests like Honey-combs. - -The _Butts_ present to my view the _Bow and Arrows_ in the Hands of the -_Parthians_, who were esteemed the best _Archers_ in the world, and very -deservedly, _having the Art of shooting backwards_, and making their -_Retreat more terrible than their Charge_: Whence that of _Seneca_[273], -_The_ Parthians _Flight does most affright_. The manner of their Fight -is describ’d by the Poet, who says, _They were better Soldiers when they -run away, and fought best when furthest off, trusting most to the -Bow_[274]. - -Footnote 273: - - Terga conversi metuenda Parthi. - -Footnote 274: - - Pugna levis, bellumque fugax, turmæque fugaces, - Et melior cessisse loco quam pellere miles. - - _Lucan._ - -_M. CRASSUS_, in his Expedition against them, being told by an -_Astrologer_ it would be unprosperous, because of some ill Aspect in -_Scorpio_: _Hush Man_, quoth he, _I fear not_ Scorpio, _but_ -Sagittarius.—But to return to the _Motherly Serpent_, which is about a -Foot and a half long, the Body slender, adorn’d with red and white -Streaks. Another Author says, ’tis of a red Colour, distinguish’d by -black Lines, intermix’d with white Spots: The _Indians_ play with this -Serpent (as _Ladies_ with their _Lap-dogs_) and for Diversion, wear this -little innocent and pretty Animal (as a Necklace of Pearls) about their -Necks[275]. - -Footnote 275: - - _Joan. Euseb. Nierembergii Historia Naturæ_, p. 272,-3. - - -CX. The _Macacoatl_, or _Anguis Cervinus_, so called from its horned -Head, which resembles that of a Deer, as thick as a Man’s Thigh, in -length about twenty Foot, sprinkled with dusky Spots inclining to the -black and yellow.—This seems to be a Member of the gigantick Family, -already described. _Ibid._ 273. Therefore I dismiss it, and proceed to -the - - -CXI. _AQUASEN_ Serpent, which seems to be the Birth of the -_Philippines_, and very venemous: Its Wound proves fatal in a few -Minutes, which is preceded by the Putrefaction of the Flesh, next to the -affected part. It is about two Spans long, of a brown Colour, and a -large Head[276]. - -Footnote 276: - - _Nascitur in Philippicis._ ibid. p. 273. Nierembergius. - - -CXII. The Serpent _Otus_ is one of the Plagues of _America_, and very -poisonous, there being but few hours distance between the Wound it gives -and Death. It is about an Inch thick, and three Foot long, a little Head -and whitish Belly, and may be farther distinguish’d from others, by -white and black Spots, and three red Lines running across; slow in -Motion, and fond of Shade; found in _Cuba_, a famous Island, where the -antient Inhabitants went naked, tho’ they might have been cloath’d in -Gold. The Historian speaking of _Spanish Cruelty_, observes, that a -certain _Indian Prince_ having fled to _Cuba_ for Shelter, was taken by -the _Spaniards_, and condemned by them to be burnt alive. When they were -tying him to the Stake, a _Priest_ told him if he would embrace the -_Spanish Religion_, he should go to Heaven; but if not, he must burn for -ever in Hell. Upon this, the poor distressed Prince ask’d him, if there -were any _Spaniards in Heaven_, and the Priest answering, Yes; _Hathuey_ -the Prince replied, _viz._ - -_THAT if it be so, I’ll rather go to the Devils in Hell, than go with -the_ Spaniards _to Heaven; for their Cruelty is such, that none can be -more miserable than where they are_. _N. B._ This account is given by -one of their own Bishops[277]. - -Footnote 277: - - _Barthol. de las Casas_, Bishop of _Chiapa_. Hist. of _Antilles_. - - -CXIII. The _Dopon_ is reckoned to be a most dangerous Serpent; ’tis -about an Inch round, and four or five Foot long. The vulgar Opinion is, -that the whole Body is all over tinged with Poison, the Tail excepted. -Its Head is very large, and of an octangular form, so far as the Eyes, -from which it grows less and less to the Mouth, which is oblong and -flat, arm’d with six Teeth in the upper Jaws, and six in the lower, -besides lesser ones: The Tongue is slender, and of a black Colour. - -Its Wounds are terrible, allowing the Patient only about twenty-four -hours to live. No sooner is the Wound given, but all parts of the Body -begin to swell, and soon extend beyond their due Proportion; that they -are soon disabled from performing their Operations[278]. - -Footnote 278: - - _Remedio est Alexiterium pangagausen._ Nierembergii Historia, cap. - xiii. p. 274. - -Thus Pride, the malignant Tumour of the Mind, was the fatal Wound, by -which the Angelic Serpent, the first in Dignity among created Beings, -was transformed into a Devil. Sin, a Poison so strong, that by the first -taste of it, the whole human Nature was infected. _Adam_ and _Eve_ -tasted the forbidden Fruit, and lo! we must all die for it, at the -distance of so many thousand Years. - - -CXIV. The _Attaligatus_ is a small slender Serpent, not exceeding the -Quill of a Goose in proportion; not poisonous in its Nature, yet very -mischievous; for these little Creatures are an united Body, and live in -community, and never separate: they are a Society without Schism, which -is more than can be affirmed of all human Societies, civil or -ecclesiastick. - -When these small harmonious Reptiles go abroad, they travel in Company, -a hundred strong or more, and where they find any asleep, they -immediately seize the Body, and with a Force united and irresistable, -they devour it[279]. Behold! a Conquest by an Army of Worms! - -Footnote 279: - - _Nierembergii Historia_, cap. xiii. p. 274. - -Thus _Herod_ the _Great_, the Proud, the Cruel, when upon the _Throne_, -was attack’d by an Army of Worms, that quickly devoured him. His Body -became _worm-eaten_ like a piece of rotten Wood[280]. Of the Executions -done by Worms, we have divers Instances in the human World. No part of -Man’s Body, whether inward or outward, but is subject to Worms, and have -been tormented with them. - -Footnote 280: - - γενομενος σχωληχοβρωτος, Act. xii. - -Man’s Body, if rightly understood, would appear to be a Granary for -Worms, of divers Colours and Sizes: In the inward Parts, as Stomach, -Guts, Liver, Blood, Gall, Bladder, have been found swarms of Vermin, -sapping the Foundation of the animal Structure. We have Instances of -Worms bred in the human Brains, and were discovered in the Brain of the -_Paris-Girl_ when opened—probably laid, by some Insect, in the Laminæ of -the Nostrils, from whence it gnawed its way into the Brain[281]. So in -the outer parts. - -Footnote 281: - - _Derham_ from _Bartholinus_. - -_GALEN_ in _Jonstonus_ says, that in _Ethiopia_, _India_, and the -mountainous part of _Egypt_, the Inhabitants were tormented with Worms, -that bred in their Legs and Arms, called _Dracunculi_, whose Motion in -the Flesh was conspicuous to the Eye. - -_LUCIUS CORNELIUS SYLLA_, _Consul_ and _Dictator_ of _Rome_, (the -Glories of whose Valour were obscured by barbarous Cruelties) died of a -φθιριασις a wormy or lousy Disease: Thus _Aliman_[282], a renowned -_Greek_ Poet, and _Pherecydes_ the Philosopher, and Master to -_Pythagoras_, died of the same loathsome Distemper. - -Footnote 282: - - _Pliny._ Part. i. - - Sed quis non paveat pherecydos fata tragœdi: - Qui nimio sudore fluens, animalia tetra, - Eduxit turpi miserum qua morte tulerunt. - Sylla quoque infelix tali languore peresus - Corruit, & sœdo se vidit ab agmine vinci. - - _Sic testatur Serenus medicus._ - -In _Persia_ there are very long slender Worms bred in the Legs and other -Parts of Men’s Bodies, six or seven Yards long. Those who live upon the -Red-Sea, and feed upon Locusts, are, in the last Stage of Life, subject -to a sort of Flying-Worms, like what is called a Tyke, spread over all -the Body, arising at first from a Scab, by scratching of which they tear -their Flesh. _Nieremberg._ Some relate divers Examples of Worms taken -out of the Tongue, Gums, Nose, and other Parts by a Woman at -_Leicester_, which they were Eye-witnesses of. N. B. _Mr._ Dent _and -Mr._ Lewis, _in the_ Philosoph. Trans. _in_ Lowthorp_’s_ Abridg. _where -these and divers others may be seen_. If it did not extend the -Digression too far, I might add here, That there are no Animals, as -Sheep, Wolves, Goats, Deers, Cows, Horses, Swine; yea, no Vegetables, as -Trees, Herbs, Plants, Flowers, but abound with Worms; and all these have -Worms peculiar to themselves. By the help of microscopical Glasses, we -may discover Legions of Worms in Vinegar, human Blood, and other -Liquids. - - -CXV. The _Ecatotl_, _Anguis-Venti_, _Serpent-of-the-Wind_, and very -innocent, and perhaps the Name may be borrowed from a gentle salutary -Gale; it is about six Spans long, and two Inches in Crassitude; the Eyes -are black, Teeth small, the Belly bright, like Silver. The Back and -Sides illustrated with white Streaks, alternately painted with Yellow -and Azure: the Tongue is of a black Colour, small, long, and cloven, and -most nimble in its Vibrations[283]. - -Footnote 283: - - _Nierembergius_, cap. xv. p. 274. - - -CXVI. _DE Angue-Laqueo_, the Ensnaring-Serpent. In the Province of -_Vera-Pas_, west of the _Honduras_; they are much infected with several -Insects, as _Muskettoes_, _Fire-Flies_, and _Serpents_. Among the last -is one Serpent of great Bulk, and excels in Craftiness, being very -subtle and sharp in laying hold of its Prey. The Method is surprizing; -for it wraps up itself in the Form of a Ginn, and so decoys the Game -into the Snare: It bites like a Dog, and is very mischievous, tho’ not -of the venemous Order. _Ibid._ - - -CXVII. The _stupid_ Serpent, which they call _Canaucoatl_, in Character -is contradictious; for, as represented in History, ’tis dull and in a -manner destitute of Sensation, and yet a Creature full of Vitality and -Spirit; and indeed is only remarkable for its Mettle. It is of the Tribe -of Innocents, and very strong, and fears no Assault. In Dimension, -monstrous; for Thickness, equal to a Man’s Body, and twice the Length. -’Tis said, some have sat upon it, apprehending it to be only the Trunk -of an old Tree. Some other fabulous Things are reported of it. - -It lives in the Shadow of Woods, often concealing itself under Branches -and Leaves of Trees, where it surprizes the Prey, which, to speak with -the Vulgar, it draws to him, by the Force of its Breath, as a Loadstone -does Iron. The Authors of the _Atlas_ mention a Serpent of this -attractive Power in the _Philippine Islands_; Birds and other Animals -are drawn into the Trap by the Charms of the Breath; yea, Partridges, -Weasels——are made to run into its devouring Jaws. _Ibid._ - -If this Serpent be endued with this magnetic Property, it is a _living -Loadstone_, and more extensive in its Attractions than the real one; for -this draws all animal Bodies to it, whereas the real Loadstone only -attracts Iron. Attraction in the gross, is so complex a thing, that it -may solve a thousand different things alike. This Creature is called -_Ibitin_ in _America_; and probably the same with the following, though -distinctly considered by the Historian. - - -CXVIII. The Serpent _Bitin_, an Inhabitant of the Mountains and Woods in -the Island of _Cuba_, _&c._ of great Bulk, and Length about four Ells; -and in Shape terrible to the Eye. The Head, which resembles that of a -Calf, grows large to the Eyes, which sparkle with the bright and black, -and are incircled with Rays of Green; it has wide Jaws, armed with many -sharp Teeth, among which are four of the _canine_ sort. - -_CANINI Dentes_, that is _Dog’s-Teeth_, are two Teeth in each Jaw, so -called, because they end like those of a Dog in a sharp Point, whose -particular Office is to pierce the Aliments, therefore are buried in -their Sockets, by which they are more able to resist all lateral -Pressures, than the _Molares_, or the common Grinders. - -This _Bitinian_ Serpent hangs by the Tail on Trees, devouring Men and -Beasts that pass by, and come within its Reach, by the dint of halituous -Attraction, as the _stupid_, and some of the _Philippine_ Serpents are -said to do; but if it be so, the Philosophy of it is not yet accounted -for. - - -CXIX. The _Monoxillo_, or _Mucronated-Serpent_, so called because its -Termination is sharp-pointed. It has something of the Fierce and -Terrible in its Appearance, but is more dreadful in Aspect than Nature; -for its Wounds, though painful, are not mortal. ’Tis of the Lacertan -Kind and Colour; the Tail long, and Legs of small length; the Body about -two Spans long, the Tongue large and forked and of red Colour. ’Tis -tedious in Motion; the whole Compound is crustaceous, like Shell-Fishes, -adorned with white and yellow Spots, resembling little Pearls, or Seed -of Grummel or Gray-Mile. - -_N. B._ The Seed of Vegetables consists of an Embryo, in which is -contained the whole Plant in Miniature. A compleat Oak is visible in an -Acorn by a Microscope. - - -CXX. The _Tapayaxin_, a little wonderful Serpent; some say of the -Lacertan Kind, others say of an orbicular Form, not above four Inches -Long. The Body is cartilaginous, or gristly, smooth and solid. This kind -of Coverture is harder than a Ligament, and softer than a Bone, but is -not covered over with any Membrane to make it capable of Sensation. - -It moves slowly, and recommends itself by Diversity of Colours: when -touched, the Body appears to be cold. Now, Bodies are said to be cold or -hot, as their Particles are in a greater or lesser Motion, than those of -the sensitory Organs. All Changes in the created Globe, are the Effects -of Motion, without which all Bodies would become unactive Masses[284]. - -Footnote 284: - - _Newton_’s _Opticks_, p. 375. - -This little Animal, is said to be pleased, or rather unconcerned, when -taken up by human Hands; called on that account, the _Friend of Man_; -that is, _he who is not against us, is for us_; therefore merits our -Smiles. His Situation corresponds with his natural Disposition, for it -is an Inhabitant of cold Regions. When its Head is comprest, Drops of -Blood gush out of his Eyes, which he casts to a great distance from him; -which agrees with a former Description, _&c._ - - -CXXI. _DE Haro coloti genere._ The Serpent _Harus_, according to the -Historian[285], is a Native of the _Philippines_, and of the Lacertan -Tribe: a very long Head (like the _Philippine_ Queen) on a bulky Body, -terminating in a sharp Point. It resembles the _Quaquetzall_, is in -_Mexico_, and agrees therewith in most things, and of which it seems to -be a Species. - -Footnote 285: - - _Nierembergius_, cap. xxiv. p. 276. _Nascitur in Philippicis._ - -It chuses its Habitation among Shrubs adjacent to clear Streams, and -never defiles a Body, so prettily coloured, with muddy Water, till -constrained to make the Bulrush its Shelter against the excessive Heat -of the Sun[286]. - -Footnote 286: - - _Ibid._ p. 276. - - -CXXII. The _Tamacolin_, or a Serpent called _Rubeta_, of the Lineage of -the red Toad: This kind is made up of Variety, differing only one from -another in Magnitude, Colour, and Poison. The lesser kind not so -venemous as the larger. Some are green, some are brown, and others -black. In showery Weather they make an open Appearance, and in such -Numbers, that none walk abroad without running the risk of a poisonous -Touch. - -_NEW-SPAIN_ abounds with them, where they affect watry Habitations. In -_Peru_ are _Toads_ as large almost as _Cats_ or _Dogs_, but not so -poisonous as those of _Brazil_, where they have a Fish called _Amyacu_, -i. e. _Toad-Fish_; ’tis about a Span long, and oddly painted; its Eyes -are fine and fair: It swells and snorts when taken out of the Water, -which was the reason of giving it that Name: When flayed it may be -eaten, but is otherwise poisonous; the Poison is drawn out by -Application of Fire to the Part affected[287]. - -Footnote 287: - - _Harris in Atlas for Brazil in General._ - - -CXXIII. _TETZAUCOATL_, or the _rare_ Serpent; so called, because the -_least_ of Serpents; and though very little, scarce four Inches long, or -in Bulk so big as a Goose-quill, yet its Wounds are most deadly. The -Belly is red, and distinguishable by black Stains; the Back yellow, -interlaid with divers Spots. It is an Inhabitant of the North, and -delights in cold Apartments. This (though distinctly described by the -Historian) seems to be the same with the _Tetzaucoatl_[288]. _N. B._ -Little Things, greatly dangerous. - -Footnote 288: - - _Nieremb._ - -The Poet weeps for a Person killed by the Fall of an Icicle, which is a -little Drop of Water congealed[289]. _Anacreon_, the celebrated Lyrick -Poet among the _Greeks_, was choaked with a _little Kernel_ of a -_Grape_. Little Things do great Executions. Little Worms destroy -floating Castles. _Tarantula_, a little Spider, poisons a Giant. In -_Barbadoes_ is what they call the _Poison-Tree_, a little Drop of its -Sap flying into a Workman’s Eyes, makes him blind; therefore Workmen -cover them with Cypress. - -Footnote 289: - - Oh! ubi non est si jugulatis aqua. - - _Mart._ - -_PLINY_, from _M. Varro_ says, there was a Town in _Spain_ undermined by -_Conies_, and another in _Thessaly_ by _Mold-Warps_, and another in -_France_, from which they were driven out by Frogs.... In some parts of -_Africa_, People were constrained by _Locusts_ to leave their -Habitations. Out of _Gyaros_ (one of the _Islands_ of the _Cyclades_ in -the _Ægean Sea_, most of which are now under the _Turks_) the -Inhabitants were forced away by _Rats_ and _Mice_, little Things: And if -it be true, that _Theophrastus_ the Philosopher reports, the _Treriens_ -were chased away by an Army of little Worms, called _Scolopendra_[290]. -All these mighty Conquests were made by little contemptible Insects. - -Footnote 290: - - _Pliny’s Natural History_, Part I. B. viii. Cap. 29. - -What says the _Laconian_, when wounded with a Dart? I am not, quoth he, -concerned at my Death, but at my Fall by a Wound from a little feeble -Archer. For ’tis Satisfaction to the Vanquish’d to die by the Hand of -heroic Valour; hence that of _Virgil_; - - _Æneæ Magni dextra cadis.... - ’Tis by the Great Æneas’ Hand you fall._ - -The reason was, because the _Lacedemonians_ were wont to fight with -Swords, therefore it was not counted Bravery to kill Men with a Dart, a -thing that may be done by any Woman. - -So in the vegetable World, there are _Cedars_ and _Shrubs_. In Natural -Philosophy, we read of _Atoms_, that are _Minima Naturæ_, the ultimate -Particles into which Matter is divisible, and are conceived as the first -Rudiments, or component Parts of all physical Magnitude, or the -pre-existent and incomprehensible Matter, whereof particular Bodies were -formed; there are Mountains and Mole-Hills, - -So ... there was _Alexander_ the _Great_, and there is _Alexander_ the -_Little_, the ingenious and learned Mr. _Pope_; the one conquered by the -Sword, the other by his Pen, and has made all the Regions of Fame -tributary to him. - - -CXXIV. The _tame_ and _tractable Serpent_, is of the _Indian_ Race, -about an Inch long, when brought first from the Field for domestick -Education; and when at its full Growth, is not much short of a Man’s -Thigh. Its Habitation is in some little Hutch erected on purpose, -(_indulgentiæ gratia_) where it idles away its time, till Hunger brings -it out. Upon its Approach to the Master of the House, it creeps up to -his Shoulders, where the Embraces of that terrible Creature (being made -tame) are received with Delight[291]. - -Footnote 291: - - _Nierembergius_, cap. xl. p. 283.—Humeros heri amicè conscendunt, - benevolè terrifici animalis amplexus tolerantis. - - -CXXV. The _Tleoa_, or _Tetloa_, that is, a little fiery Serpent, and -very common in the new World, and described by the Historian thus[292], -_viz._ ’Tis about a Finger broad, and five or six Foot long, and -differenced from others by a Medley of Spots, compounded of white, -black, yellow, and dun Colours. The Head is like that of our Vipers, and -the Tail, which seems to have a touch of the Rattle, ends acutely. - -Footnote 292: - - _Nierembergius_; from _Franciscus Hernandus_. - -Its Wounds are deadly, and burn like Fire; hence the Name it bears: -Though fiery in Nature, is slow and winding in Motion, and may be -avoided by the Traveller, if he has Eyes and Ears. Its usual Residence -is in Mountains, and the higher Mountains are, the greater the Cold, -(because they only receive direct, and but little of the reflected Rays -of the Sun) yet are the Habitations of fiery Animals. - -The Learned observe, there are Mountains a Mile and an half high, to the -tops of which, no Vapour, and consequently no Clouds, can ever reach: -And hence it is that in very high Mountains, as the _Pico de Theide_ in -_Bohemia_, though the middle part be always inverted with Snow, and the -bottom scorched with intolerable Heat; yet on the top you will find -yourself in a pure, thin, serene Air, and view the Clouds hovering at a -considerable distance below you[293]. - -Footnote 293: - - _Montibus Tepeztlanicis._ - -Hence it is that all Thunder is confined within less than a Mile’s -Height. The Air is coldest in the highest places, and hottest in the -lowest; but in the intermediate Atmosphere, where we live, very unequal: -but no Climates, however situated, are privileged with Exemption from -venemous Creatures, and where they are less pestered with them, ’tis -owing to the Cultivation of the Land. - -The Wounds given by this Serpent are dangerous, and cured by an Herb -called _Ancola_, by _Jonstonus_, p. 26, 27. but _Anola_, by -_Nierembergius_, p. 277, 283. - - -CXXVI. The _Hydrus_, or _Natrix_, an acquatic Serpent: The former word -from ὑδορ _Water_, of which ’tis an Inhabitant; the other word denotes -its Skill in the Art of Natation; it goes under various Denominations, -as appears in _Jonstonus_; who, from _Pliny_ observes, that this Serpent -is _superior to most in Beauty, and inferior to none in Poison_[294]. - -Footnote 294: - - _Jonstoni Historia Nat._ p. 28. - -_NICANDER_, who calls the terrestrial _Hydrus_, a foul coloured Beast, -vindicates the beautiful Character of the Marine; who yet is not very -nice in its Choice of Water, for muddy and clear is equally the same to -this beautiful Slut[295]. In its Nature ’tis very poisonous, says one; -_Cardan_ is in the Negative. The truth is, there are several sorts of -them, some of which are harmless, and others hurtful, and their Wounds -attended with very terrible Effects, described by the poetick -Physician[296]. - -Footnote 295: - - ’Tis sometimes called _Lutra, ex Luto_; because it delights most in - foul Water; or the Word may signify, to wash and make clean. - -Footnote 296: - - Pessima quas fecit plagas hæc signa sequantur; - Arida tota cutis circum putret horribilemque - Elevat aspectum, magni ignitique dolores - Tandem hominem interimunt.—— - - _Nicander._ - -In some parts of _Persia_ they are very numerous, described by white -Heads and black Body, four Cubits long, and dangerous to those who -dabble in the Water by Night, as they often do in that hot Country where -these Animals feed upon Fish and Frogs[297]; and breed upon Land, -according to _Aristotle_[298]. - -Footnote 297: - - Stagna colit, ripisque habitans his piscibus atram - Improbus Ingluviem ranisque loquacibus explet, - Exhausta palus—Exilit in siccum— - _Virg. Georg._ lib. iii. - -Footnote 298: - - _Jonstoni Hist. Nat._ p. 28, 29. - -Its common Habitation is in the _Myclean Lake_, in _Corcina_ or -_Corcyra_, now _Corfou_, (a little rich Island in the _Venetian_ -Dominion) and also about _Taracina_ (a City of the _Volscians_ in -_Campania_, in _Italy_, not far from _Amyclæ_) where the People, not -daring to kill Serpents, were overthrown by them; to mention no more. -_Ibid._ - - -CXXVII. The _Natrix-Torquata_, _Jonston_ makes different from the -former, and describes it thus——Called _Torquata_ from its beautiful -Neck, which looks as if incircled with a strong Collar of Pearls.... On -the hinder part of the Head is a little narrow Space in the form of two -Scales, where the Spots on both sides end acutely in a triangular form. -The _Scholiast_ upon _Nicander_, compliments those _pretty Spots_ with -the Title of _little Crowns_[299]. - -Footnote 299: - - _Ibid._ p. 29. - -It goes under various Appellations. The _Greeks_ called it Guardian of -their Houses[300], it being of the innocent sort. Some of the _Italians_ -call it _Carbonarium_, a Collier, because its Colour inclined to -Coal-black, or Iron. Mr. _Ray_ calls it, the _common Snake_. It is -larger than a Viper, and more gross in Body; brings forth its Young by -Eggs, hatch’d by foreign Heat; feeds on Mice; sucks Cows, upon which -follows Blood. The Reader is referred to a former. - -Footnote 300: - - Οφεις οικουροι. - -[Illustration: - - _Plate 6^{th}._ -] - - -CXXVIII. The _Marine-Dragon_, as _Pliny_ calls it, or the _true -Marine-Serpent_, in the Dialect of _Jonstonus_, who, in his Description -of Fishes, gives a particular account of it. We have already accounted -for monstrous Serpents in the _Indies_, where some have Teeth in the -form of a Saw, with which they do more hurt than with their Poison, says -the _Greek_ Historian[301]. - -Footnote 301: - - _Æliani Hist._ lib. xvi. cap. 3. - -In _Africa_, are some large and strong enough to contend with Oxen by -Land, and to overturn a three-oar’d Galley by Water; which agrees in -Character with those of _Norway_ already described: There we found some -of 200 Foot long, winding themselves about Ships, according to _Olaus -Magnus_, Archbishop of _Upsal_. - -In several of the _Persian Islands_ are some of twenty Cubits long, and -very terrifying to Sailors. Such also are seen in the Promontory of -_Carmania_, the Residence of the _Ichthyophagi_, a People that feed -wholly upon Fish; a fine Country for such who are inclin’d to keep a -_perpetual Lent_. Tho’ these Monsters are born in the Deep, yet are they -found in fresh Waters, and sometime sporting upon Land, where they -sleep[302]. - -Footnote 302: - - _Jonston. de Piscib._ p. 9. Articulus v. - -The same Author tells us, of a _terrible Battle_ that happen’d in -_Turkey_, in the time of _Bajazet_, between the _land_ and _marine -Serpents_, that continued from Morning to Night, when after a great -Destruction on both sides, the _Marines_ fled. _Ibid._ - - -CXXIX. The _Rubetarian-Serpent_ is a very noisy Animal, who for its -croaking Noise is resembled to a land Toad. It also engages the -Attention of the Eye, for it excels in Beauty: It’s known among Country -People by these two Characteristicks, _viz._ _Loud_ and _Pretty_. Here -we see, what is an Offence to the Ear may be a pleasing Entertainment to -the Eye; thus the Five Senses agree to differ in their several -Perceptions, and to meet in several distinct Apartments of the capital -Temple, in the pacifick Empire. But to return to the _beautiful -Padalica_ of the _Polonians_: - -It is said of this Serpent, that when it wounds any in the Foot, the -Remedy is to put the wounded part into the next Earth, that is inclined -to the moist, for twenty-four hours. This seems to differ from the -_American Rubeta_. - - -CXXX. The _Serpent de Boa_ is another of the monstrous kind; called -_Boa_ from _Bos_, the _Latin_ word for an Ox, which it devours at once: -The young ones, which grow to a great Bulk, are nourished by sucking the -Cow. - -In the Emperor _Claudius_’s time, in one of them that was killed, they -found a Child that was whole. In _Calabria_ are some monstrous Animals, -not unlike these, says the Historian; who adds, that not many Years ago -a certain Bishop speaks of a large mischievous Serpent, that was shot -near _St. Archangel_, whose Jaws were almost two Palms long, the -Portraiture of which is yet seen in a certain Temple there[303]. - -Footnote 303: - - M. Antonius Cuccinus Episcopus Anglonensis ad Thomasium—in Agro S. - Archangeli. _In Jonstonus; in Verb._ - - -CXXXI. I Am informed by some Persons, who had it by Tradition from -ancient People, that formerly there was in this Country a monstrous -Serpent of four or five Yards long, and thicker than a common Axle-tree -of a Cart, and very mischievous, preying upon Lambs, _&c._ Its chief -Residence was in a Wood, near _Pickopbank_, a few Miles from -_Blackburn_, in _Lancashire_, called _Ouse-Castle_, wherein there is yet -a little Spot of Ground, called _Griom’s-Ark_, which is a deep Cavern, -situated among Rocks, in a Wood, from whence it was seen to come out, -and bask itself on a sunny Bank. - -The Picture of this Serpent is drawn with Wings, two Legs, and Talons -like an Eagle, which is seen in some ancient Houses, (and particularly -at _Clayton-hall_, near _Dunkin-hall_) by which it appears to be very -large and furious. - -It’s said, one —— _Grimshaw_ Esq; Proprietor of that Hall, shot the -Monster with Arrows, and had an Estate offer’d him for that good Service -done to his Country, which he generously refused, and only desired he -might have a Passage thro’ that Wood to a Township he had on t’other -side of it, which was granted, the Title of which is to be found in old -Writings. By another hand I am informed, that it was supposed to be a -_Griffin_, which is a Bird of Prey, and of the Eagle kind, which, I take -to be the _Ossifrage_ of _Moses_, and mentioned _Levit._ xi. - -There is also a fabulous _Griffin_, represented with four Legs, Wings, -and a Beak; the upper part like an Eagle, and the lower a Lion. They -conjecture it to watch over golden Mines and hidden Treasures. This Bird -was consecrated to the Sun, therefore the Chariot of the Sun was -represented as drawn by a Set of _Griffins_. - -This _poetick Griffin_ is frequently seen in antient Medals, and is -still bore in Coat-Armor. The antient and honourable Family of the -_Guillims_ blazons it rampant, alledging any very fierce Animal may be -so blazon’d as well as a Lion. It is observable, says my Author, that in -the Front of _Clayton-hall_ are two Figures drawn in Plaister in the -form of a Coat of Arms; on the right side of the Escutcheon is a Figure -with Wings, four Feet, and a Tail twisted in the Form of a Serpent. The -like Figure is drawn in Plaister in several antient Houses in that -Neighbourhood, which go under the Name of the _Griffin’s Picture_, and -the Sign is used at Publick-houses: There is a Place in that Wood called -the _Griffin’s-Ark_. - -_N. B._ This seems to carry some Probability with it, since Eagles are -voracious Creatures, and very destructive to Fawns and Lambs, especially -the black Eagle, which is of a lesser Size than the other. - -In some of the _Scots Islands_, the Natives observe, that this Eagle -fixes its Talons between the Deer’s Horns, and beats its Wings -constantly about its Eyes; several other Eagles flying at the same time -on both sides, which puts the Deer upon a continual Run, till it fall -into a Pit, or down a Precipice, where it dies, and so becomes a Prey to -the Enemy[304]. - -Footnote 304: - - _Martin’s Description of the Western Islands of Scotland_, Edit. ii. - p. 7. - - -CXXXII. In some of the Western Islands of _Scotland_ are several -Serpents: There is one that is _yellow_ with brown Spots, and another -with _brown_ Spots; but that which is the most poisonous, is the _black -and white spotted_, three or four Foot long. - -The Remedies are such as these: The Natives cut off the Head of the -Serpent that gives the Wound, and apply it to the Place as the best -Remedy: Others, by the Application of new Cheese, extract the Poison; -and some make use of the Rump of a Cock stript of its Feathers, which -they apply to the Wound with Success, according to the Historian[305]. - -Footnote 305: - - _Martin_’s _Description of the Isle of Skie_, _&c._ p. 236. - -In the Library at _Manchester_, is the Skin of a Serpent which was five -Yards long, as thick as the Calf of a Man’s Leg; has a forked Tongue, -scaly Skin, yellow Colour. - - -CXXXIII. _MARTINIUS_ in his _Atlas_ relates, that in the Province of -_Quangsi_ in _China_, there are Serpents thirty Foot long. The _Flora -Sinensis_ reports of the Serpent call’d _Geuto_, that it devours whole -Stags, but is not very venemous. ’Tis of an ash Colour, from eighteen to -twenty-four Foot long; will often seize on a Man, by leaping from a -Tree, and kill him, by its violent windings about him.—The _Chinese_ -preserve his _Gall_ to cure the Diseases of the Eyes.—_Marcus Paulus -Venetus_ testifies the same of the Serpents of _Carrajam_.—Some are in -length ten Paces, in thickness ten Palms, and able to swallow a Man. Are -taken thus: The Serpent in the Day lies in Caves of Mountains; in the -Night hunts for Prey, and then returns to its Cave, with the weight of -its Body, plowing deep the Earth, being sandy in the Track it goes -along: Here the Huntsmen fix strong Stakes pointed with Iron, covered -with Sand; and as the Serpent travels along, the Spikes gore its -Entrails, and are fasten’d therein, by which ’tis kill’d; and the -Huntsmen sell the _Gall_ at a great Price for Medicine, and the _Flesh_ -for Meat. These, continues he, may be reckon’d among _Dragons_, but are -without Poison: Instead of Feet, they have Claws like those of a _Lion_ -or _Falcon_.—There are other Serpents in _China_ full of rank Poison, -especially the _hairy-headed Serpent_. So far _Martin_. - -_N. B._ This Province of _Quamsi_ or _Quangsi_ is able to raise a -Million of fighting Men. It is not so much frequented as the Province of -_Quantung_ or _Canton_, where they have two Harvests a year. One says, -there is a Mountain here with a Pool in it, which makes a Noise like -Thunder, if a Stone be cast into it, and causes Showers from the -Sky[306]. Their Winter is warm, and their Fields always verdant, -producing great Quantities of Gold, Pearl, Silk, Copper, Steel, Iron, -Salt,—and odoriferous Woods.—They hatch their Ducks Eggs and those of -other Fowls in Ovens, or Dunghills. - -Footnote 306: - - _Pancirollus._ - - -CXXXIV. There is a kind of _Reptiles and Insects_ (I don’t mean the -common Tortoise) which is a certain sort of Snake, small in Body and of -white Colour, found in _Lydia_, _Arabia_,—cased over with a white -colour’d Shell, which shines like a sparkling Margarite[307]. - -Footnote 307: - - _Pancirollus._ - -I shall close this Part with an Experiment made by the noble _Roman_ -before-mentioned, who (being sollicitous to take a compleat View of a -Serpent) after he had dissected one, preserved the Flesh and Bones, and -having, _secundum artem_, reduced them to Ashes,—extracted _Aqua -Fontana_,—whose Virtues were equal to those drawn from the Ashes of -other Animals, and of Plants. - -To this venemous Tribe, I shall annex a few Reptiles, in whose Veins I -find something of the Serpent’s Blood; and close the variegated List -with a large Account of the _Tarantula_, its Wound, and Cure by Musick; -then inquire into the Reasons of that strange Operation; the Nature and -Force of Sounds, not only on the Animal Passions, but Inanimate Matter. -I shall begin with, - - -I. The _Bee_, called the Honey-Fly, a little Animal that has four Feet, -which it carries close to the Belly, and not easily separated: It has -four Wings, small Teeth, and a long Tongue, which usually it carries out -of the Mouth. Its Sting cleaves to the Belly, which, when it strikes, it -parts with, and becomes uncapable of wounding a second time; which, I -think can’t be said of any other Member of the stinging Race, unless it -be the Wasp and Hornet. - -The Sting, in the Design of it, seems to be only a Weapon of Defence; it -looks like a Tube or Pipe, hollow, with a little Bag of sharp -penetrating Liquid (which is its Poison) joined to the Extremity of it -within the Body, which, in stinging, is injected into the Wound thro’ -the Tube; and tho’ venemous and painful, is not strong enough to corrupt -the Mass of Blood. - -One may, with the naked Eye, sometimes see this little Insect discharge -its Venom, in which, says the ingenious Dr. _Mead_, by the help of a -Glass, I can easily discover _a great Number of minute Salts floating_. -In _Brazil_, _Bees_ are distinguish’d into twelve kinds, among which are -some that sting in a most furious and fatal manner, called _Mateecas_ by -the _Indians_. - -In _Ceylon_ in the _East-Indies_, are several Bees, the largest are of a -brighter Colour than ours; they make their Combs on the Boughs of Trees: -At proper Seasons, the Inhabitants hold Torches under them, till they -drop down, which they carefully gather, boil and eat, and are accounted -excellent Food. In _Quatemala_ are Bees and Honey of a white Colour, and -some without a Sting, says the Historian[308]. - -Footnote 308: - - _Nierembergius_, p. 286. - - -II. To the _Bee_, I add the _Wasp_, which, as it is something larger, -makes a deeper Wound; it differs also from it in its Food, which is -Flesh and Carrion, when it can be got; whereas the Bee regales itself -with delicious Entertainments, and enriches its Family with all the -Glories of the vegetable Kingdom. From whence is the Honey? I answer, -That in Flowers is found a viscid sweet Juice, and accordingly we see -Children gather Cowslips, Honeysuckles, and suck the Honey from them. -The Bees visit all Flowers within their Reach, and putting it in their -Trunks, suck out the Honey, with which they load their Stomachs, to be -discharg’d, and laid up in their Combs. Among the Antients, Honey was -taken for a Dew that fell on Flowers; but this is a mistake, because the -Bees only gather it after the Sun is up, when there is no Dew left, or -very little. - - -III. The _Hornet_ is yet more dangerous, and has been known to pursue a -Sparrow, and kill it, and then suck its Blood. The Hornet and Wasp have -strong Jaws tooth’d, by which they can dig into Fruits, for Sustenance; -yea, and into harder Substances, for Quarters. - -If you take a Bee, a Wasp, or Hornet, and gently squeeze the Tail, so -that you can see the Sting, you may perceive a Drop of transparent -Liquor at the very end of it; which if wiped off, you shall soon see it -renew’d, that Liquid passing down the Cavity into the end thereof: ’Tis -said the Decoction of Hornets dropt on the Skin, makes it swell. - - -IV. I proceed to the _Spider_, another little venemous Insect, whose -forked Tongue or Sting, is very fine and sharp; by this he pierces -Flies—and at the same time, instils a poisonous Juice into the Wound, by -which the Prey being kill’d, it sucks out the Moisture, and leaves -nothing but a husky dry Carcass: Tradition says, it poisons by spitting, -or breathing, because it dare not approach so near to a large Fly as to -a little one; but keeps at some distance, and uses a kind of shoving -Motion, upon which the Fly has done struggling. - -There are various sorts of these little strange Creatures, whose Stings -are hurtful, as the _Astorius_, (so called from its resemblance to a -Star) whose Wound produces Heaviness, and Relaxation of the Nerves. The -_Cæruleus_, or blue Spider, whose Sting is attended with Vomiting and -Pain at the Heart. The _Lycos_, the least of the kind, that causes an -_Asthma_, and Swelling about the wounded Part. In the _Philosophical -Transactions_, we have a Table of thirty-three kinds of Spiders found in -_England_, by Dr. _Lister_[309]. - -Footnote 309: - - _Lowthorp_, vol. ii. p. 793. - -There is something very curious and admirable in those long Threads they -make in the Air, during some part of Summer, especially towards -_September_, so much wonder’d at, in such Quantities every where. The -Method of Operation, I take to be as follows, _viz._ - -All Spiders that spin in a Thread, are the Makers of those Threads, most -visible in the Autumn. In all the ways of weaving, they still let down -the Thread they make use of, and draw it after them. Attending on one -that wrought a Net, I saw it, says a very nice Observer, suddenly in the -Mid-work desist, and turning his Tail into the Wind, to dart out a -Thread, with the Violence we see Water spout out of a Spring: This -Thread taken up by the Wind, was in a Moment emitted some Fathoms long, -still issuing out of his Belly; by and by the Spider leapt into the Air, -and the Thread mounted her up swiftly.—And I found the Air fill’d with -young and old, sailing on their Threads, and undoubtedly, says the -Relator, seizing Gnats and other Insects in their Passage; there being -often manifest Signs of Slaughter, as Legs, and Wings of Flies ... on -these Lines, as in their Webs below[310]. - -Footnote 310: - - _Lowthorp_, vol. ii. p. 794. - -Spiders have been observed to get to the Top of a Branch or such like -thing, where they exercise this darting of Threads into the Air. After -the first Flight, all the time of their sailing on those Threads, they -make Locks, still darting forth fresh Supplies of Thread to sport and -sail by. _N. B._ Those called Shepherds, or long-legg’d Spiders, are no -Spinners. - -I have seen Spiders, says the Learned Dr. _Hulse_[311], shoot their Webs -three Yards long before they begin to sail upon them. So the Learned -_Derham_ observes, that with pleasure he had often seen Spiders dart out -their Webs, and sail away by the Help thereof. - -Footnote 311: - - Ibid. vol. i. p. 363. - -_AMERICA_ turns out diverse kinds of these araneous Insects: In _Peru_ -are Spiders as large as a Man’s Hand, and have Eyes as big as those of -Sparrows. In _Brasil_ there is one kind of Spider, whose Skin is rough -and black, and whose Sting proves incurable, without immediate Relief. -On the other hand, we read of monstrous Spiders in the _Antilles_, whose -Eyes are so small and deep in the Head, that they are scarcely visible: -They feed on flying Insects, and their Webs are strong enough to catch -small Birds[312]. - -Footnote 312: - - _Atl. Geog. Amer._ p. 179, 265, 519. - -_CEYLON_ in the _East-Indies_ produces a long, glittering, and hairy -Spider, called _Democulo_, whose Wound is not mortal, but sometimes -deprives People of their Senses. There is an Experiment made by Mr. -_Leeuwenhoek_, who put a Frog and Spider together into a Glass, and -having made the Spider sting the Frog diverse times, the Frog died in -about an hour’s time[313]. - -Footnote 313: - - _Scaliger Exercit._ in _Boyle_’s _Subtil. Efflu. Philos. - Transactions_. Where there is a curious Account how Spiders lay and - guard their Eggs. _Derham._ - -There is another Instance of the Poison of some of them (for all are not -poisonous) given by the Learned _Scaliger_, who relates, that in -_Gascony_ in _France_, there are Spiders of that Virulency, that if a -Man treads upon them to crush them, their Poison will pass thro’ the -very Soles of his Shoe[314]. - -Footnote 314: - - _Scaliger Exercit._ in _Boyle_’s _Subtil. Efflu. Philos. - Transactions_. Where there is a curious Account how Spiders lay and - guard their Eggs. _Derham._ - -V. The _Scolopendra_ is a little venemous Worm, and amphibious. When it -wounds any, there follows a Blueness about the affected Part, and an -Itch over all the Body, like that caused by Nettles. Its Weapons of -Mischief are much the same with those of the Spider, only larger; its -Bite is very tormenting, and produces not only pruriginous Pain in the -Flesh, but very often Distraction of Mind. These little Creatures make -but a mean Figure in the Rank of Animals, yet have been terrible in -their Exploits, particularly in driving People out of their Country: -Thus the Inhabitants of _Rhytium_, a City of _Crete_, were constrained -to leave their Quarters for them[315]. There is a minute _Scolopendra_, -accounted for by Dr. _Molyneux_. - -Footnote 315: - - _Ælian_, lib. xv. cap. 26. - - -VI. The _Shrew-Serpent_ in _Norway_, is a Creature of admirable Beauty; -small in Body, and slow in Motion, but of fiery Venom, and its Wounds -most dangerous. - - -VII. The _Lacertus Facetanus_, or _Tarantula_, whose Bite gives Name to -a new Disease. Those who are wounded by it are denominated _Tarantati_: -It is a kind of an overgrown Spider, about the Size of a common Acorn. - -It borrows its Name from _Tarentum_ in _Apulia_, a City in the Kingdom -of _Naples_, built by a Band of _Lacedemonian Bastards_, who having no -Inheritance at home, were sent thither to seek their Fortunes, where -they built that Town, and made it the Capital of _Magna Græcia_. - -This little Animal is furnish’d with eight Eyes, and eight Legs: Its -Skin is tender and soft, of various Colours, and always hairy: ’Tis of -the oviparous kind, and propagates its Species by Eggs, and sometimes a -hundred Eggs have been found in one Female. - -In the Opinion of some, ’tis not only an Inhabitant of _Apulia_, but -peculiar to that Province, a Situation that may be called, _A Garden of -Rarities_; Plenty of generous Wine, delicate Honey and Oil, an early -Spring, a soft Winter—render it a most delightful Habitation, especially -to old Persons, according to the Poet[316]; and yet in that most -agreeable Region, this little Tyrant reigns and spreads Terror. - -Footnote 316: - - —Ille terrarum mihi præter omnes—(_Horat._ lib. ii. ode 6.) Angulus.— - -It’s found in other Parts of _Italy_, and even in the Isle of _Corsica_; -but those of _Apulia_, ’tis said, are only dangerous; though I think to -have read something like it in _Persia_, where there is an Insect like a -Spider, about two Inches round, which the _Holstein_ Ambassadors suppose -to be the _Latin Stellio_, and the _Italian Tarantula_: It lets its -Poison fall like a Drop of Water, which causes an insupportable Pain in -that Part ... immediately causes a profound Sleep, from which the -Patient is not to be recovered, but by crushing one of the same -Creatures upon the Wound; or, if this can’t be had, by pouring as much -Milk down his Throat as they can, and then put him on an Engine, which -they turn round with great Violence, till by that violent Agitation, his -Stomach discharges the Milk, which appears greenish, because of the -Poison. Those who are cured thus, have some Remnant of the Pain once a -Year, about the same Season[317]. - -Footnote 317: - - _Voyages and Travels_ of the Ambass. of _Freder._ Duke of _Holstein_. - -But to return to _Italy_; ’tis observable, that it hurts no where but in -_Apulia_, and that only in Summer, especially in the _Canicular-Days_, -so called from _Canicula_, that signifies a Dog; hence _Dog-Star_, which -rises cosmically with the Sun the 19th of _July_, and is supposed to be -the brightest, as well as the largest Star in the Firmament. - -[Illustration: - - _Plate 7^{th}_ -] - -The _Dog-Days_ denote certain Days before and after the Rising of this -Star, to whose Appearance the Antients ascrib’d terrible Effects: the -very first Day it appears, they say (but without Reason) the Sea becomes -boisterous and boils like a Cauldron, produces Variety of Distempers, -sours Wine, and Dogs grow mad.... The _Romans_, dreading the Indignation -of this Star, sacrificed a Dog every Year to it, (_viz._ at its first -Appearance in our Hemisphere) to appease its Rage against Mortals. - -In Winter, this _Italian_ Spider lurks in Caverns, and solitary Places; -and if it happens to bite, hurts not: There it lives in a drowsy -Posture, and keeps _Lent_ till Summer; when the whole Tribe creeps out, -and disperse themselves over that pleasant Land; and Wo to the Body -asleep, and bare Legs, in Corn-Fields. - -Those on the Plains are much to be feared, the Air being hotter there -than on the Mountains, where their Bite is not dangerous, the Solar Rays -not being so strong in those Heights: and what is yet more surprizing, -is, that if they wound any out of _Apulia_, though in places not remote -from it, the Wounded receive no deadly Hurt[318]. - -Footnote 318: - - _Baglivii de Anatome, Morsu & Effect. Tarantulæ Dissertatio_ i. p. 27. - & cap. v. p. 20. - -When it bites, the Pain resembles that given by the Sting of a _Bee_, -and is attended with various Symptoms, according to their different -Natures: The _Northern Tarantula_ is the most terrible; those that are -inclin’d to the _white Colour_ are not so dangerous; the spotted differs -from both. - -The Wound given by any of them is dangerous, and has different -Indications. In some that are bitten, an universal Stupor follows; -others weep: Some tremble and vomit; others laugh, fancying themselves -to be Kings. This perhaps made Dr. _Cornelio_ represent this as an -imaginary Disease; that those who imagine themselves hurt, are most of -our young wanton Girls, who, falling from some particular Indisposition -into Melancholy and Madness, persuade themselves that they have been -stung by a _Tarantula_[319]. - -Footnote 319: - - _Philos. Transact._ - -Some grow pale, sick and faint, and die in a short time, unless relieved -by Musick, which alone, without the Help of Medicine, performs the Cure. - -The Wounded are as Men half dead, but at the first Sound of a musical -Instrument, though they are very weak, and seemingly unable to stir, -they begin by degrees to move their Hands and Feet, till at last they -get up, and then fall to dancing with wonderful Vigour, for two or three -Hours, their Strength and Activity still encreasing. Some will continue -the Dance, without Intermission for six Hours; and when tired they are -put to Bed, and after they are sufficiently recruited by Rest, they are -called up again by the same Tune, and renew the Dance with great -Violence, the Musick still playing; and when the Patients grow weary, -they are put into Bed again, and kept warm to encourage Perspiration. -These Exercises being continued six or seven Days, the Patient finds -himself fatigued and unable to dance any longer, which is the -Characteristic of a Cure. - -They usually spend ten or twelve Hours a-day in this violent Exercise, -and continue it for three or four, or six Days; by which time they are -generally freed from all their Symptoms, tho’ not always, says the -learned _Baglivi_, who observes, that about the same time next Year, the -Distemper returns, and will prove fatal, if not prevented by the same -musical Application. - -In _Apulia_ is a _Scorpion_, whose Wounds are accompanied with the same -Effects as those produced by the _Tarantula_, and are only curable by -_Musick_ and _Motion_. These _Apulian Scorpions_, are less violent than -those of _Africa_, but more virulent than those in other Parts of -_Italy_. I shall only offer two Remarks here. - -1. _THAT different Patients must be entertain’d with different Tunes, -according to the different Symptoms of the Disease_; in which the great -Art of curing them seems to consist. _e. g._ Some are roused by a Pipe, -others by a Timbrel: Some are roused by a Violin, others by the Harp; -and all must be entertain’d with different Airs. The Musicians therefore -make Trial before they can accommodate the _Sound to the Venom_; which -requires the most brisk and lively Tunes, to produce a powerful -Vibration in the Body; and till this be done, the miserable Patients -stand still, sighing and sobbing. The Vibrations must be quick and -frequent. - -2. _DURING the Time of Cure, the wounded People throw themselves into a -Variety of strange Forms_, and behave like Drunkards and Madmen ... -talking foolishly ... diverting themselves with naked Swords, red Cloth, -_&c._ but the Sight of any Object that appears black is terrible to -them. _Ibid._ - -To this Account of the _Tarantula_, I have (by way of Illustration) -added the Remarks of another learned Foreigner, who says.... The -venemous Bite of the _Tarantula_ is quickly follow’d with a very acute -Pain, and soon after, with Numbness, profound Sadness, difficult -Respiration: The Pulse grows weak, the Sight disturbed; Persons lose -their Knowledge, Sense, and Motion; and if destitute of Help, they -die.... The most effectual and certain _Remedy_ is _Musick_: When the -Person becomes destitute of Knowledge and Motion, a _Musician_ tries a -Variety of Airs: Shou’d he hit on that whose Harmony is suited to the -Patient, he begins to move by successive Degrees, and keeps Time with -his Fingers, Arms, Legs, _&c._ he raises himself, and dances about six -Hours without Intermission.... - -When the Musick ceases, the sick Person gives over dancing, and is put -to Bed: The same Air brings him out of Bed for a new Dance, an Exercise -that lasts six or seven Days.——_N. B._ Every sick Person must have his -particular and specific Tune, and always one that is very sprightly and -moving. - -The Poison of the _Tarantula_, adds he, thickens the Blood, and stops -several of its Passages; thence the Numbness: The Blood being thick, -furnishes but a small Quantity of animal Spirits, their Canals are -shrunk up in the Brain: The Nerves being destitute of Spirits, relax; -thence proceed the Inactivity, and Defect of Knowledge and Motion: But -the Vibrations of the quick Airs which are play’d, agitate the Blood and -the rest of the animal Spirits, which are soon increased by the -Agitation of the Blood: Being agitated and multiply’d, they run into the -Fibres and Nerves, which being put into _Unison_ with the sonorous -Strings, receive their Vibrations, and are shorten’d or extended -successively; whence proceeds the successive Motion of the Fingers, -Arms, Legs, _&c._[320] - -Footnote 320: - - _Father Regnault. Phil. Conv. or New System of Physic_, vol. ii. - _Conversation_ xiv. p. 268, -9. - -The action of Dancing augments the Agitation of the Blood, and makes the -Patient sweat. The Poison being agitated and attenuated, is exhaled by -Transpiration; in proportion as the Poison is exhaled, the sick Person -perceives himself eased; this Ease continually inclines him to dance: -When all the Poison is dissipated by Agitation and Sweat, the Blood -recovers its Fluidity and usual Course. - -I Shall conclude this historical Account, with a Passage taken out of a -_formed History of the Tarantula_[321], writ by a learned Author, who -having described the Disease, proceeds to the manner of Cure, _viz._ The -salivous Poison of that Spider seizes principally on the Nerves and -Muscles––the manner of Cure thus–– - -Footnote 321: - - Printed at _Leyden_, in 12_mo._ _A. D._ 1668. - -The Air moved by the musical Motion of Instruments, moves the next, and -so onwards (as we see in the circular increasing Motion of the Water, -when a Stone is cast into it) till the like be produced in the Spirits -of the Body, to which the Air is impelled.––Now, adds he, the Commotion -of the Passions depends upon the Spirits, and the viscous Humour of the -_Tarantula_ is a very capable Subject of Sound: Hence the next Air being -moved by a musical Tone suitable to the Patient, the lurking Poison, and -Spirits of a Man are put into a Commotion; by which Agitation, the -Nerves being vellicated, the Spirits vehemently stirred, and Muscles -moved, the Dancing, or something like it, must of necessity ensue, by -which the Cure is performed: For, by vehement Motion the Blood is -heated, the Pores are opened, and the Poison rarified; which can’t be -done by common Sudorificks, because the Medicines can’t reach, or at -least can’t stir those little Particles where the Poison lies, as Motion -by Dancing does. - -I shall add here some _Reflections on the Power of Musick, and give -Instances of it in the human Mind, in animal, and inanimate Bodies_. - -_MUSICK_ appears to be one of the most antient of Arts, and of all -other, vocal Musick must have been the first kind, and borrowed from the -various natural Strains of Birds[322]; as stringed Instruments were from -Winds whistling in hollow Reeds, and pulsatile Instruments (as Drums and -Cymbals) from the hollow Noise of concave Bodies. This is the -Conjecture. - -Footnote 322: - - At liquidas avium voces imitarier ore, - Ante fuit multo quam carmina cantu - Concelebrare homines possent aureisque juvare. - - _Lucretius._ - -Musick has ever been in the highest Esteem in all Ages, and among all -People. Nor could Authors express their Opinions of it strongly enough, -but by inculcating, that it was in Heaven, and was one of the principal -Entertainments of the Blessed. The Effects ascribed to Musick by the -Antients, almost amount to Miracles; by means thereof Diseases are said -to have been cured, Unchastity corrected, Seditions quelled, Passions -raised and calmed, and even Madness occasioned.—— - -Musick has been used as a Sermon of Morality.... _Athenæus_ tells us, -that the Lives and Actions of illustrious Men were written in Verse, and -publickly sung by a _Chorus_, to the Sound of Instruments, which was -found to be the most effectual means to impress Morality, and a right -Sense of Duty on the human Mind[323]. - -Footnote 323: - - _Chambers_’s _Cyclopædia_, vol. ii. - -Thus the _Pythagoreans_ made use of Musick to cultivate the Mind, and -settle in it a passionate Love of Virtue. _Pythagoras_ instituted a most -profitable Correction of Manners by Musick, which, he says, conduces -very much to Health; and he made use of it, not only against Diseases of -the Mind, but those of the Body. It was the common Custom of the -_Pythagoreans_ to soften their Minds with Musick before they went to -sleep; and also in the Morning, to excite themselves to the Business of -the Day[324]. - -Footnote 324: - - _Plutarch de Osir. & Is._ - -This Cure of Distempers by Musick sounds odd, but was a celebrated -Medicine among the Antients. We have already considered, how those -wounded by the _Tarantula_ were healed by Musick; the Evidence of which -is too strong to be overturned: That which now lies before me, is, to -prove this to be the Practice of Antiquity, which will appear by the -following Instances. - -I shall begin with _Democritus_ (a Philosopher of the first Rank, and a -most diligent Inquirer into the Mysteries of Nature) who taught in his -Works, that _Musick of Pipes_ was a Medicine for most Distempers.... -_Thales_ of _Crete_, being sent for by the _Lacedemonians_ to remove the -Plague, came, and by the Help of Musick he did so; and he is said to do -it by the Command of _Apollo_, as appears from the Great _Chæronean -Moralist_[325]. If any Credit be given to _Terpander_, it appears he -supprest an Insurrection in their Town by the Use of Musick. _Ibid._ - -Footnote 325: - - _Plutarch_’s _Morals on Musick_. - -We read of a young Man among others of _Tautomenium_, whose Passions -being inflamed by Musick in the _Phrygian Mood_, was going to force open -a Matron’s House, but his Rage was soon calmed, when the Piper (by -_Pythagoras_’s Advice) changed his Air into the _Spondaic Mood_; and he -went home quietly, which the Philosopher could not make him do by -Persuasives. This historical Passage is confirmed by _Ammonius_, and -_Cicero_, and is thus related, _viz._ - -When as some young Men, being drunk, and irritated by the _Musick of -Flutes_, would have broke into an honest Woman’s House, but upon hearing -one playing a _Spondaic Air_, their outragious Heat was allay’d by the -Slowness of the Mood, and Solemness of the Tune.... - -St. _Basil_ gives another Instance to the same purpose, _viz._ That -_Pythagoras_ meeting with some that came with Musick from a Feast, -drunk, requested the Musician to change his Tune; which he did, and -playing a _Doric Air_, they were so brought to themselves, that they -threw away their Garlands, and walked home, ashamed of their Folly. - -_THEOPHRASTUS_ is said to cure Persons that had been wounded by -Serpents, with various kinds of Musick—_Probatum est_[326]. Another -Observation of his was, that Diseases were made and mitigated by Musick. -_Plato_ forbids Musick and Wine to young Persons, lest one Fire should -kindle another[327]. - -Footnote 326: - - Quibusdam viperarum morsibus cantus tibiarum aut fidicinum atque alia - organa artis musicæ modulare adhibita aptissimè mederi. _Alexander ab - Alexand. ... Genialium_, lib. ii. cap. xvii. p. 81. The Title is, - _Quod Theophrastus sensit quibusdam Viperarum morsibus tibicines - mederi, probatum experimentum_. _Baglivi_ Dissert. i. _de Tarent._ - cap. xiii. - -Footnote 327: - - _De Legibus._ - -The _Pythagoreans_, to appease the Troubles of the Mind, lulled -themselves asleep by Tunes upon the Harp: Thus _Homer_ brings in -_Achilles_ relieving his Melancholy by playing on his _Lute_, and -mitigating his Anger against _Agamemnon_ by Musick, which he had learned -of _Chiron_. _Asclepiades_, a _Roman_ Physician of great Reputation, is -said to heal frantic Melancholy, and mad People, by vocal and -instrumental Musick[328]. The learned _Neapolitan_ adds, _Tanta hominis -naturæ cum harmonia consensio est_. - -Footnote 328: - - Qui Phreneticos mente imminuta, & valetudine animi affectos, nulla re - magis quam symphonia, & vocum concentu, & modulis resipiscere, & - sanitati restitui censuit. _Alex. ab Alex._ lib. ii. cap. xvii. p. 81. - -Whatever be the Cause of it, there is nothing more powerful than Musick -for moving the human Passions, making some pensive and melancholy, -others brisk and lively. The truth is, says the Learned _Wallis_, we can -match most of the antient Stories of this kind in the modern Histories. -_e. g._ - -If _Timotheus_ could excite _Alexander_’s Fury with the _Phrygian Mood_, -and sooth him into Indolence with the _Lydian_, a more modern Musician -is said to have driven _Eric_ King of _Denmark_, into such a Rage, as to -kill his best Servants. The Occasion was thus—The King willing to make -Trial in his own Person, _whether a Musician spoke true, who boasted, -that by virtue of his Musick, he could make People mad_: The Artist -play’d, and the King became outragious, and experienced the Truth of it -so thoroughly, that in the Excess of his Rage, he kill’d some of his -best Friends[329]. - -Footnote 329: - - _Father Regnault_’s _Convers._ from _Repub. des Let._ p. 264. - -This may be owing to the Impression made by the Vibrations of the Air, -being carried as far as the Origin of the Nerves, passes into the Soul, -and puts the animal Spirits into a rapid Motion, determines them to run -into different Nerves, diffused thro’ different Parts of the Body, and -is communicated to those Nerves, according as it finds them more or less -in _Unison_.... Hence the Passions and Madness itself. _Ibid._ - -In Musick are different Tastes, which seems to proceed from the -different Constitutions of the Fibres or the animal Spirits: The Fibres -of the auditory Nerves are differently disposed in different Persons, -and in the same Person at diverse Times; but generally speaking, Musick -inspires more pleasing Sentiments, _e. g._ - -A certain famous _French Physician_ being ill, fell into a violent -_Delirium_, after some Days Illness of a continued Fever: the third Day -of his _Delirium_, I know not by what Instinct, (says the Learned Father -_Regnault_) made him desire a _Concert of Musick_; upon which, they -play’d, and sung to him the Songs of _M. Bernier_[330]: Scarcely had he -heard the first Notes, but his Eyes were calm; a Serenity was spread all -over his Countenance, the Convulsions ceased, and he wept thro’ Excess -of Pleasure; he was free from his Fever all the time of the Concert, but -whenever they ceased singing, he relapsed into his former Condition: -They fail’d not to continue so marvellous a Remedy, which always -suspended his Indisposition. In short, after ten Days musical -Entertainment, he was restored to his former Health. _Ibid._ - -Footnote 330: - - _Father Regn._ from _Hist. of the Royal Academy in France_. - -Another Instance, is a Dancing-Master of _Alais_ in _France_, who had -the same Fate in the Year 1708; after a Fever of about four Days, and a -long Lethargy, he fell into a _Delirium_, both mad and dumb. One of his -Friends took his Violin, and plaid to him those Airs he was most -accustom’d to: People thought at first, _that the Player was as mad as -the Patient_; but, in a short time, the sick Man raised himself upright -in his Bed, with the Air of a Man agreeably surpriz’d.... All his -Motions discover’d the Pleasure he felt: Soon after he fell into a deep -Sleep, and the Crisis he had during his Sleep, perfected his Cure. -_Ibid._ - -One Reason of this strange Operation might be this, _viz._ The Sound of -the Instrument agitates the Fibres, especially those that are in Unison, -by that means brings to his Remembrance agreeable Perceptions ... sets -the animal Spirits going, and restores them to their natural Course: -These Spirits being moved, run into the Nerves and Muscles, where they -have been used to run, in order to form the Motion of certain Airs; the -Passages of the Blood thereby become more free: Hence that serene Air -diffused all of a sudden over the Face of the sick Musician, who was -cured by the Charms of his own Art. - -These two Instances are quoted by the Learned Dr. _Nieuwentyt_, who -says, both of them (the Musician and Dancing-Master) were perfectly -restored to their Senses by Musick. He also observes, that the Wound -given by the _Tarantula_ can only be cured by the Sound of Musick, of -which different Airs and Tunes must be play’d, according to the -different Nature and Colour of those _Tarantula’s_ that have given the -Wound[331]. Then adds; - -Footnote 331: - - _Religious Philosopher_, vol. I. Contempl. xiii. Sect. 270. - -That the famous _Italian_ Musician, _Angelo Vitali_ had related to him -the following Story, and assured him of the Truth of it, _viz._ - -That a certain Player on the Flute at _Venice_ had boasted, that by his -playing, he could deprive the Hearers of the Use of their Understanding: -Whereupon he was sent for by the _Doge_, who was a Lover of Musick, and -commanded to put his Art in practice before him; where, after having -play’d some time very finely, (and to the Amazement of the Hearers) he -at last begun a mournful Tune, with a Design, as far as he was able, to -put the _Doge_ into a melancholy Humour; and presently, he struck up a -jovial one, to dispose him to Mirth and Dancing; and after having -repeated these two kind of Tunes several times by turns, the _Doge_ -being no longer able to endure those different Emotions, which he felt -in his Soul, he was ordered to forbear playing any longer. _Ibid._ p. -271. - -_FROM the Account given of Concords and Discords in Musick, a Reason may -be form’d why two Strings of a Viol, that are Unisons or Octaves one to -another, if one be struck the other will tremble, so as to be visibly -perceived._ - -_What is this Unison?_ In Musick, _Unison_ is a Consonance of two -Sounds, produced by two Strings, or other Bodies of the same Matter, -Length, Thickness, and Tension, equally struck, and at the same Time, so -that they yield the same Tone or Note. Others define it, _the Union of -two Sounds_, so like each other, that the Ear perceiving no Difference, -receives them as one and the same Sound. - -What constitutes Unisonance, is the Equality of the Number of -Vibrations: Unison is the first and greatest of Concords. Others say, it -is only that in Sounds which Unity is in Numbers. - -Being once in a Room where there was a _Bass-Viol_, and striking one of -the Strings, a loose Quarry of Glass in the Window, jarr’d every time -that String was struck, which it wou’d not do upon striking any of the -other discordant Strings. The Reason may be, _viz._ That the times of -the Vibration of the loose Quarry, were equal or near Concordance to -those of the String. A Gentleman of my Acquaintance, when he sounded a -particular Tone on the Bass-Viol, very plainly heard the Noise of the -Glass of the Clock in his Chamber, which Glass never moved, upon his -sounding any other Tone.... It is a general Remark, that an -_Unison-String_ will receive the Motion, and so tremble, when another -Unison is made to sound; and yet all other Strings of the same -Instrument, that are not Unisons, shall remain silent and unmoved. - -Musick does not only exert its Force on the Passions and Affections, and -musical Instruments, but on the Parts of the human Body also. Witness -the _Gascoigne-Knight_, (mention’d by Mr. _Boyle_) who could not contain -his Water, at the playing of a Bag-pipe: The Woman, mention’d by the -same Author, who would burst out in Tears, at the hearing of a certain -Tune, with which other People were but little affected: And in this -County, near _Rochdale_, there is a certain Man, who can’t forbear -dancing, if in a House, or Market, upon hearing a certain Tune sung. - -Wonder not at the strange Effects of musical Sounds, when other Sounds -strangely affect the Mind. How are the Passions excited by the Sound of -a Drum and the Discharge of Canons.... Not only human Minds and Bodies -are affected by the Impression of Sounds, but even Things without Life. - -_KIRCHER_ tells us of a large Stone that would tremble at the Sound of -one particular Organ-Pipe. _Mersenne_ also tells us, of a particular -part of a Pavement that would shake and tremble, as if the Earth would -open, when the Organs play’d. Mr. _Boyle_ adds, that Seats will tremble -at the Sound of Organs, that he has felt his Hat do so under his Hand, -at certain Notes, both of Organs and Discourse; and that he was well -inform’d, every well-built Vault, would answer some determinate Note. - -We may observe the like mechanic Perception in several empty -Drinking-Glasses, of fine white Metal. Thus if we cause the Strings of a -musical Instrument to be stretched to a certain Tone or Note, it would -make one of the Glasses ring, and not the other; nor would the Sound of -the same String, tuned to another, sensibly affect the same Glass. -_Morhoff_ mentions one _Petter_, a _Dutchman_, who could break -Rummer-Glasses with the Tone of his Voice. The same, I think, is said of -_Purcel_. - -When two Viols are tuned in Unison, one of them being touch’d, the other -will answer, tho’ at some distance. This is a noble Proof of an -harmonious Creation: This Unison looks like a more pure sort of -sympathising that is found in all the Creatures, when those of the same -Species flock together. - -Here give me leave to observe, that all Nature is as it were a System of -divine Musick, and delightful Harmony; or, in the sacred Language, a -_Poem_ which is a Work of Skill, curious and polite, lofty and sublime; -in which Numbers and Measures are exactly observed. Under this Idea of a -_Poem_ the old and new Creation are represented. - -_THE invisible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly -seen, being understood by the things that are made_, τοις ποιημασι[332], -Poems that are made. The Creation is, as it were, a _Poem_ in the -Sublime: Every Species of created Beings is a _Stanza_, and every -individual Creature, a Verse in it, as a certain learned Divine -expresses it. Creation here is not stiled εργον, which is a Work of -manual Labor, but ποιημα[333], a Work of Skill; not so much the -Operation of the Hand, as of the Head and Heart: No Creature so small -and mean, but glitters with a Beam of divine Skill. - -Footnote 332: - - τοις ποιημασι. Rom. i. 20. - -Footnote 333: - - Αυτου γαρ εσμεν ποιημαι. Eph. ii. 10. - -So the new Creation is stil’d a _Poem_.... _We are his Workmanship in -Christ Jesus_, Eph. ii. 10. In the _Greek_, _we are his Poem in Christ -Jesus_. - -As for the several Moods, which, in musical Composition, were observed -by the Antients, for moving particular Passions, there is a remarkable -Fragment of _Damon_ the Musician, mentioned by _Aristides_ in -_Plutarch_. This is supposed to be that kind of Musick used by _David_ -and _Elisha_, as a Prescription to remove mental Disorders; and may -suppose to point at the Original of the Pagans curing Diseases of the -Body and Mind by instrumental Musick. - -It’s said, when an _evil Spirit_ from God was upon _Saul_, _David took a -Harp and play’d with his Hand, so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and -the evil Spirit departed from him_. 1 Sam. xvi. 23. - -... _AND Elisha said to Jehoram, King of Israel.... Were it not that I -regard the Presence of the King of Judah, I would not look towards thee, -but now bring me a Minstrel. And it came to pass when the Minstrel -play’d, that the Hand of the Lord came upon him._ 2 Kings iii. 13,-15. - -It is observable here, that the Mind of _Elisha_ the Prophet was very -much ruffled; now, under this Discomposure, he calls for a Minstrel, not -out of Levity, but for a religious End; and that was, to compose his -Mind, and to bring it into a serene and sedate Frame, and thereby to -prepare himself for divine Exercises; or perhaps, a _devout Levite_, -well skill’d in musical Performances, might play before him, and -intermix with it, Psalms and spiritual Songs, according to the -Constitutions of those Times. - -As the Prophets might indispose themselves for the Spirit of Prophecy, -so they were to use Means to dispose themselves for the Impulses of the -Holy Spirit; and for this End the School of the Prophets was appointed, -in which the Students were trained up _in the Science of Musick_, _in -strict Virtue_, _Self-denial_, _Contempt of worldly Grandeur_, -_Knowledge of the Law_, _&c._ These Schools were Seminaries of Religion, -in which the intended Guardians of the Spirituality were instructed, and -prepared to receive the extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit. - -We read how the Indians performed their Worship by dancing to Songs, the -Priests of _Cybele_ with _Cymbals_, the _Curetes_ with Drums and -Trumpets, the _Romans_ sung _Spondaic Verses_, while they offer’d their -Sacrifices; the musical Sound that calm’d the Passions (consisting of -_Spondees_ principally) _Aristotle_ calls moral; (to distinguish it from -the _Diatonic_ and _Phrygian_) from whence the Custom might be derived. -When the _Spartans_ went to War, they march’d to the Sound of _Flutes_, -to animate the Soldiers; as is now done by Drum and Trumpet, to lessen -the Terror of Death. - -_THE Antients having related wonderful Things done by Musick in their -days, by which Diseases were suspended, the Sick restored ... I shall -make a short Inquiry into the Reasons of it. Tho’ the Report be strange, -and in some degree hyperbolical, yet some Account may be given of the -surprizing Effects of Musick_, and is attempted by the learned Dr. -_Willis_, (among others;) a Hint of which I shall add here, to what was -observed before upon the Subject. - - - _REASONS_ (or rather CONJECTURES) _for Medicinal Cures - by MUSICK_. - -I. That Musick, if not new, was in those Days a rare thing, which the -Vulgar, on whom ’tis reported to have mighty Effects, had scarce heard -any before, and on whom a little Musick will do great Feats, as we now -find a _Bag-pipe_ at a _Morris-Dance_. - - -II. Antient Musick was much more simple and plain than ours now, having -only one single Voice or Instrument apart, which to a rude Ear is much -more taking, than compound Musick; the former not exceeding their -Capacity, whereas a Concert of Musick confounds them quite, and ’tis by -no means distinguishable by them, so as to affect them with the Harmony -of its Parts. - - -III. Musick, with the Antients, was of a much larger Extent than what we -now call by that Name; for Poetry, and Dancing or graceful Motion, were -then counted part of Musick, when it had arrived to some degree of -Perfection: And we see that _Verse_ alone, if in good Measure and -_moving Words_, sung by an agreeable Voice, with soft instrumental -Musick, will work strangely on the Ear, and move all Affections suitable -to the Tune and Ditty ... especially if attended with _proper Gestures -and Actions_.... Thus suitable Acting on the Stage, gives great Life to -the Words[334]. - -Footnote 334: - - _Lowthorp’s Abridg._ vol. i. p. 618. - -If a deliberate pathetick Reading of a well-penn’d Romance, will strike -the Passions, and produce Mirth, Tears, Joy, Grief, Pity, Wrath, -Indignation, suitable to the respective Intents of it; much more would -it so do, if accompanied with all those Attendants.—— - -If it be ask’d, _Why may not all this be done now?_ I answer, No doubt -but it may, if the Address be made in proper Words, emphatically spoken, -with agreeable Voice, attended with a decent Gesture; and all these -adjusted to the Passion and Temper of the Mind, particularly design’d to -be produced, (be it Joy, Grief, Pity, Courage, Indignation) will -certainly now, as well as then, produce great Effects upon the Mind, -especially upon a Surprize, and where Persons are not otherwise -pre-engaged. _Ibid._ - -The Antients had the Art of exciting this or that particular Passion of -the Mind, the Tunes being suitably adapted to such Designs; whereas -those now are almost quite neglected in our modern Musick. - -The _Chromatick Genus_[335], with its greater and lesser _Semi-Tones_, -either ascending or descending, is very proper for the Pathetick in -Musick; as is also an artful Management of Discords, with a Variety of -Motions; now brisk, now languishing; now swift, now slow. The _Venetian_ -Musician before-mentioned, excell’d in the _Pathetick_ to that degree, -that he was able to play any of his Auditors into _Distraction_.... The -great Means he made use of, was the _Variety of Motions_.—— - -Footnote 335: - - _Chroma_ in Musick, is the graceful way of Singing. - -Even little Children, when crying, are charm’d and quieted by a jingling -Sound, a Shadow of Musick. In short, Musick attends the Man to his -Grave, where Elegies were formerly sung in Honour of the Deceased: Thus -the _Phenicians_ added _Flutes_ to their _Mournings_, and the _Romans_ -had their _Siticines_, that is, those who sung to a Pipe, or blow’d the -Trumpet at their Funerals, a Custom not yet entirely abolish’d among the -antient _Britons_ and some Parts of _England_, who, when they take up -the Corps, sing Psalms before it all the way to Church; a common -Practice about seventy Years ago: So far I can charge my Memory. - -We are not without modern Instances of Persons extraordinarily affected -by the Powers of Musick, as appears from our Opera’s, and the very -particular Devotion paid to the _Farinello’s_ of the Age, and to -_Italian_ Musick, display’d in Temples as well as on the Stage, the -first Erection of which was intended for the Honour and Defence of -Virtue. - -The _Laconians_ were wont at the Death of their King to tinkle a -Caldron, instead of a Bell: Yea, the _Jews_ had their Minstrels at -Funerals; for, at the raising to Life the Daughter of _Jairus_, ’tis -said, the _Musicians_ were commanded to troop off, _Matth._ ix. Before -the _Roman_ Funerals, a Trumpeter went, follow’d by the _Præficæ_, _i. -e._ old Women, singing Songs in Praise of the Deceased. - -Thus we have had a general View of Serpents, their Poison and Cure; and -a particular Account of Persons wounded by the _Tarantula_, and cured by -Musick; the Effects of which musical Operation, have past for Miracles; -for, by means of it, dangerous Distempers have been cured, Insurrections -quelled, Passions calm’d and raised, even to Distraction and Madness. - -Antiently all Laws, Exhortations to Knowledge and Virtue, and Lives of -illustrious Men, were written in Verse, and publickly sung by a _Chorus_ -to the Sound of musical Instruments, which was found a most effectual -way to impress Morality. So much for Serpents in particular. - -_N. B._ In the Description of some Serpents by different Authors, ’tis -difficult to know whether they mean the same, or another; some having -the same Description with different Names, and some different -Description with the same Name. Another Mistake may arise from some -Difference in the same Serpent, in different Climates, as in Situation -(_N._ or _S._) and Size. - - -[Illustration] - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - -[Illustration] - - A - - NATURAL HISTORY - - OF - - _SERPENTS_ - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - - PART III. - - Containing Six DISSERTATIONS. - - I. _Upon the Primæval Serpent._ - - II. _Fiery Serpent._ - - III. _The Brazen Serpent._ - - IV. _Adoration of Serpents._ - - V. _Reasons of that monstrous - Worship_; - - VI. _And for the Adoration of - different Animals._ - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER I. - -CONTENTS. _Various Sentiments about the Primæval Serpent: Some say, - ’twas a real Serpent; others say, the Passage is allegorical. Some - make the Serpent to be Pleasure; others the Devil in the Natural - Serpent. Reasons why_ Adam _was not made beyond a Capacity of - Sinning. Our first Parents arm’d with sufficient Power to stand: - They knew no Enemy. Satan a compleat Orator. The Fatal Surrender. - Satan’s triumphant Return from_ Eden. _Serpent’s Head and Subtility. - Intercourse between the Angelick and Human World. A Plea for our - first Mother. Why_ Moses _introduces a speaking Serpent. Method of - Divine Government. Satan’s View. Reasons why_ Adam _was created in a - State of Trial. A strong Negative, sufficient to put the Tempter to - flight. The_ Paradisaical _Law guarded by the most powerful - Sanction. The Opinion of_ Pagans _and_ Mahometans _about the Fall - of_ Adam, _&c. Why Satan punish’d under a visible Figure_, viz. - _Serpent_. Christ’s _Death publish’d, before Sentence of Death past - upon_ Adam. _The Earth, a secondary_ Paradise. _Moral Reflection._ - - -The Manner of Sin’s first Entrance into our World, is inscrutable: The -Subject is an Article of Lamentation, an Article that conducts us to -Paradise indeed, but ’tis to _Paradise lost_; whence date the _fatal -Æra_ of all human Calamities. There, there in a blissful Field; Sin, the -Plague of Hell, made its first Appearance on Earth: but as to the Mode -of its Introduction, there is a Spread of impenetrable Darkness over the -Face of that great Deep; after the most critical Disquisitions about it, -the Difficulty remains unsolvable. - -Men of Letters may give their Conjectures, but it seems to be one of -those secret Things which belongs to him who is unsearchable, and _whose -ways are past finding out_; therefore we should rather think, _how to -get Sin out of the World, than how it came in at first_: The one would -only prove what our Understandings could do, but the other would declare -our Hearts, what they ought to be. - -What this Serpent was, that triumph’d in Paradise, has been a Subject of -long Debate, and the Learned are not yet agreed in their Verdict about -it. I shall first lay down their various Opinions, and then give my own -Conjectures. - -Among the _Jews_, some took it for a real, natural Serpent, and did -believe, it was endued with the Gift of Speaking; but because it -deceived the Woman, was condemn’d to lose its vocal Tongue, _to go upon -its Belly_, and _feed upon Dust_[336]. - -Footnote 336: - - _Joseph. Antiq._ cap. i. - -Others, who, not allowing the Privilege of Speech to a Brute, have -turn’d the _Mosaic History_ of Paradise into an _Allegory_, an -Assemblage of Metaphors, or figurative Documents. Thus a certain learned -_Jew_ says, the _Serpent_, that seduced the Woman, _was Pleasure_; and -forbidden Pleasure, when tasted, brought forth Death[337]. - -Footnote 337: - - _Philo Jud. de Mundi Opif._ - -But if this was the Case, could she be so properly said to be tempted by -another, as to tempt herself? He adds, the Curse of the Serpent is not -only to go upon its Breast, but, _and thou shalt go upon thy Belly_. _q. -d._ “Since Pleasure was thy Desire, let the Pleasure of the Earth enter -into it. The _Belly_, says the _Allegorizer_, is the Receptacle of most -Pleasures of the Animal Kind.” Creatures that go upon four Feet, or -more, are deem’d impure; and such is he, who is a Lover of terrene -Pleasures; such a Person may be said, always to go upon his Belly, -because he studies nothing more than its Gratification. Pleasure indeed, -is attended with a Train of Allurements and Charms. _Tarquin_’s violent -Pursuit of forbidden Pleasure, terminated, not only in the Ruin of his -House, but Extirpation of Monarchy: _Crœsus_ King of _Lydia_ being -conquer’d by _Cyrus_ King of _Persia_, gave the Conqueror this Advice, -If you would have the _Lydians_ be your obedient Slaves, make them -_Slaves to Pleasure_. - -Nor is _Philo_ alone in making the Serpent a Symbol of Pleasure, for -_Maimonides_ and others expound those historical Passages in the same -manner; asking, Why should that Serpent be call’d a subtle Beast, if it -were not in a figurative Sense? In favour of this Exposition, he quotes -several Passages out of the Prophets, that are allow’d to be intirely -allegorical[338]; and then adds, that in _Moses’s Journal of the -Creation_, all things therein are not to be understood literally[339]. -One of the most learned Fathers seems inclined to this _Philonick -Interpretation of Moses_[340]. It is observable, that in reality, ’twas -not the _Pleasure of Eating_ which tempted the Woman, but an anxious -_Desire of greater Wisdom_; which shews a more refined Taste in _Eve_, -and overthrows the Hypothesis of _Philo_ and _Clemens_. - -Footnote 338: - - _More Nevochim_, cap. xxix. - -Footnote 339: - - Ibid. p. 265, & 273. - -Footnote 340: - - _Clem. Alexandrinus_, who flourish’d in the second Age. Οφις - αλληγορειται—ηδονη. Edit. col. p. 69. A. B. _A. D._ 1688. - -Some Rabbinical Writers say, the Devil that deluded the Woman, came -mounted upon a Serpent, in Bulk equal to a Camel, and known by the Name -_Sammael_, an Evil Angel; called also by them, the _Angel of the Dead_, -Prince of the aerial Region, and Chief of the Demons. Other Rabbies look -upon him as the Prince of Angels; and believe, he is to preside at the -last Judgment; for which Reason, they make him Offerings on the Day of -solemn Expiation, to appease his Indignation[341]. ’Tis said, this -Serpent eat the forbidden Fruit and did not die for it; the Woman -inferred she might also eat, and not die. - -Footnote 341: - - _Calmet in Verbum._ _Rab. Benach in Genes._ iii. - -Others there are, who will not allow the seducing Serpent to be an -_Animal_, but the _Devil_ himself in that Shape, who therefore in the -sacred Writings is called the _great Dragon, old Serpent, and Murderer -from the Beginning_. And some are of Opinion, he borrowed the Body of a -real Serpent, which he made use of, as a Vehicle, thro’ which he -instilled Poison into the Woman’s Mind: And if so, what occasion to say -the Serpent was more subtle than any Beast?——Since the grand Enemy in -tempting _Eve_, did not use the Craft of the Serpent, but his own -Cunning, in the Management of that cruel Stratagem. - -Those who are not pleased with such Ratiocinations, satisfy themselves -with this, _viz._ That our first Parents, in whose Loins we were, -transgrest, and made a Forfeiture of Paradise for themselves and -Descendants; but the manner how they fell is not obvious, nor to be -accounted for, in a State of Imperfection. - -If it be ask’d, Why did not the divine Goodness put our first Parents -beyond a Capacity of sinning? ’tis answer’d, - -That _Mutability is essential to all Creatures_, as such, in all their -Kinds: In this mutable State our first Parents were created, holy and -happy: Life and Death were set before them; they had freedom of Choice, -a free-will to use the Powers of Nature as they pleased; that is, they -were made in a State of Liberty, with a Power to determine for -themselves, whether to abide or not in that glorious Situation. So that -if there be a Difficulty in accounting for the Fall, there is as great a -one in supposing a reasonable moral Creature uncapable of Choice: for -where there is no Choice, there can be no Virtue; and where there is no -Virtue, there can be no Happiness. - -Again, _Adam_ and _Eve were arm’d with a sufficient Power to stand_, -being created after the divine Image pure and upright, without Error in -their intellectual Powers; therefore if they mistook the Object, or were -imposed upon, ’twas not for want of Light in the Mind, but want of -Application of that Light, which was in their power.... Which Light told -them, the Tree of Life planted in Paradise, was to perpetuate their -Lives; and that the Tree that had the Marks of Death upon it, would do -them no harm, but by doing their own Will, or the Will of any other in -opposition to his sovereign Will who had said, _Eat not_. - -They were created pure, and capable of Perseverance; and when they fell, -God did not withdraw any Gift he had conferred upon them: He did all -that was necessary on his Part for their Preservation, and they had -remain’d safe, if their Liberty had but conducted itself aright: Their -Liberty was not tied to any particular Object, as their other Faculties -were, but respected every thing that could be done, or left undone, and -it might have imploy’d them after another manner. - -It’s said, _Out of the Ground made the Lord God to grow every Tree that -is pleasant to the Sight, and good for Food; and the Tree of Knowledge -of Good and Evil, of which thou shalt not eat_. Gen. ii. 9, 17. Now, -where lay the Difficulty of _not eating_, when they were in no want of -Food? And if in want, were not all the Fruits of Paradise prepared for -them? Why would none serve but what was prohibited? And nothing -prohibited but what was deadly Poison, and what _Adam_ knew to be so, by -immediate Revelation from Heaven. - -Thus furnish’d with divine Armour, and all the agreeable Entertainments -of Life, ’tis most surprizing how they should indulge an irregular Turn -in the animal Passions, and give way to such Inadvertency. One thing -that might lead them to this Oversight, probably was, that they knew of -_no Enemy_, therefore dreaded _no Danger_. But this Plea is of no force; -for their Business was strictly to regard the Voice of their Creator -(who said, _Eat not_) and not to give heed to any contrary Insinuations, -tho’ proposed by a known Friend, much less by a Stranger, one of another -Kingdom, and of another Species, without sufficient Attestation. - -Here _Lucifer_ play’d the Orator: He gave his Argument all the Rhetorick -it would bear, by removing their _fear of Death_, and gratifying in them -a certain Hope of _being Gods_. The Woman had the Threatning of Death in -her Thoughts, and therefore durst not eat till she was made to believe, -_she should not die_; (by which it appears, she had dreadful Ideas of -dying.) And thus she was tempted to _Unbelief_. Then Satan proposes the -glorious Advantages of _Eating_, viz. _Ye shall be as Gods_ ... be -independent Beings, not subject to the Controul of a superior Power; and -thus they were tempted to _Pride_. _Unbelief_ and _Pride_ were the two -fatal Rocks, on which their Innocence was wreck’d. Thus our first -Parents fell, not for want of _Light_, but for extinguishing it; not for -want of _Power_, but for not using it in the Hour of Danger. - -The Enemy having made his Conquest, might probably continue for some -time in _Eden_, to assist the Woman in seducing her Husband, and then -confirm them in their Apostacy, directing them, upon the Approach of an -Enemy, to hide themselves among the Trees of the Garden, where he left -them; upon which he return’d to his Kingdom in the Air, to publish his -successful Atchievements in Paradise, and was no more heard of, till he -was summon’d to the Bar. - -The Devil’s principal Residence is in the Air, where he keeps his Court, -from whence he sends out his Angels to secure and enlarge his Conquests. -Perhaps, he may think it not consistent with the Dignity of so great a -Prince to traverse the Earth in Person, unless it be upon some -extraordinary Occasions, as that of tempting the first and second -_Adam_, _&c._ - -The next Thing that offers itself, is an Attempt to illustrate the Case -between the Woman and Serpent: It seems most apparent to me, that under -the Name of the Serpent, we are to understand the Devil, who made use of -a real Serpent in his Descent upon Paradise, where he decoy’d the first -Woman into the fatal Snare. - -In the Curse upon the Serpent, ’tis said, the _Seed of the Woman should -break the Serpent’s Head_; intimating, the Serpent having its _Heart_ -under the _Throat_, and very near the _Head_, the readiest way to kill -it, is to squeeze the Head. Some of the Fathers bring four Proofs of the -Serpent’s Wisdom; trite and common. - -1. When ’tis old, it has the Secret of growing young again, by stripping -off its old Skin, which is succeeded by a new Coat; but if it parts with -its outward Garments, it retains its Poison. Herein it is resembled by -those, who leave the outward Acts of Sin, but not their secret Regards -for it. - -2. The Serpent assaults a Man if he sees him naked, but flies if it -finds him cloathed. But there is a Fault in this Passage of -_Epiphanius_, who intends to say the contrary; for ’tis generally -affirm’d, that the Serpent is afraid of a naked Man, but attacks him if -he has Clothes on. - -3. When the Serpent is assaulted, its chief Care is to secure its Head: -’Tis attested by many Writers, that to save the Head, it will expose the -whole Body to Danger[342]. - -Footnote 342: - - Ὁ οφις φυλαττει κεφαλην. Isiodor. Pelusiot. lib. i. p. 126. - -4. When it goes to drink, it vomits up all its Poison, for fear of -poisoning itself. Some have defended this, but without any Colour of -Reason[343]. - -Footnote 343: - - _Calmet’s Diction. of the H. Bible_, vol. iii. out of _Epiphanius_. - -They relate other Instances of the Serpent’s Wisdom, as stopping its -Ears, that it may not hear the Voice of the Charmer or Inchanter; of -which the _Psalmist_ takes notice. ’Tis said, it applies one of its Ears -hard to the Ground, and stops up the other with the end of its Tail, -_Psal._ lviii. 4. Others say, its Wisdom consists in Acuteness of Sight; -therefore among the _Greeks_, a Serpent’s Eye was a proverbial Speech -for one of a quick Understanding[344]. These are some of the common -Reasons assigned for the Wisdom of the Serpent. - -Footnote 344: - - Οφεως ομμα. - -I Now proceed to an Illustration of the Debate between the Woman and -Serpent in Paradise, under three Heads. - - -I. _WHY may not we suppose, that in the Infancy of Mankind there was an -open Intercourse between the angelick and human World, and that Angels -might appear to our first Parents in some visible Form, as afterwards -they did to the Patriarchs?_ If this be not granted, I would ask how a -fallen Angel came to know there was a Paradise, and a certain Tree whose -Fruit was forbidden, and where that Tree was situated in the Garden? - -When a certain Province of Angels rebelled, they were doom’d to the wide -Space contiguous to our Globe, and by their daily Rovings from Place to -Place, they might indeed discover that little Spot of Earth, called -_Paradise_; but how came they to be acquainted with the Laws of that -Country, and that there was a forbidden Tree, and where it grew? How, I -say, could they know all this without Revelation, or previous -Conversation with the Inhabitants of the Place? - - -II. _IF there had been no former Acquaintance between Angels and our -first Parents, how came the Woman to converse so freely with a Stranger -she had never seen before, one of another Country, and of a different -Species?_ ’Tis therefore probable, that when the Devil addrest the -Woman, and that in her own Language, he might assume the Form of a good -Angel, that Form in which Angels had discoursed with our first Parents -before the Fall. - -And perhaps when Angels, the Messengers of Heaven, conversed with _Adam_ -and _Eve_, it might be in the Shape of flying speaking Serpents. Without -allowing this mutual Intercourse, and former Familiarity, we can’t well -suppose that our first Parents, tho’ not furnish’d with so much -Knowledge as is usually ascribed to them, would be conquer’d by a -_Demon_ in the Shape of a _Serpent_, which naturally is a Beast of the -Field, and known to be so by _Adam_, who, but a little before, had -enrolled it among his Subjects, and given it a significant Name. - -Can we imagine our first Parents so stupid, as to hold a Conversation -with a Beast, without Surprize, Jealousy, and Suspicion? _Adam_, who -knew the Properties of inferior Animals, (to whom he had given proper -Names a little before) could not but know, that the _Serpent_ was a -_Beast_, and had no Organs fitted for the Formation of articulate -Sounds, much less a Power to fix proper Ideas to them, and support an -Argument by arguing the Case in a rational manner. Could _Adam_, who was -the Image of God upon Earth, hear a Brute speak and dispute in the -Language of Paradise, without a Suspicion of Imposture or something -ominous? - -During the Woman’s Parley with the Serpent, _Adam_ is supposed to be -absent, perhaps thro’ Satan’s Management, and upon her representing to -him at their next meeting, the Conversation she had with the Serpent, he -must conclude that Serpent to be a _grand Cheat_, or a _good Angel_, -that spoke to his Wife: and that he took it in the latter Sense, is -plain from the Event; that is, his taking the forbidden Fruit, and -eating thereof upon the Serpent’s Recommendation of it to his Wife, who -found no ill Effect from her Compliance. Now, the Tempter having assur’d -the Woman that her eating that Fruit would not bring Death, and _Adam_ -finding it to be true in Fact, that is, that she did eat and live after -it, concluded he might eat with equal Safety. - -Upon this Supposition, we may charitably infer, that since our first -Mother might converse with Angels in that serpentine, or some other -bright Form, she now converses with the Serpent without Scruple or Dread -of Imposture. And as she apprehended the Serpent to be a good and kind -Spirit, so _Adam_ did, upon her Representation of the Matter, and took -the forbidden Fruit, and eat it: And perhaps the Serpent was present, -giving Attestation to the Report made by the Woman to her Husband. - -This being granted, ’tis conceivable how the Woman might freely converse -with a Creature that assum’d an Image so glorious, especially if we -consider she was in her infantile State, and without any experimental -Knowledge, or any Apprehension of Danger, from an Enemy, of which she -had no Idea; being no Sinner, she was without Fear. - -In the Sentence past upon _Adam_, there is one Clause that seems to -corroborate this Hypothesis; for, upon the Expulsion of our first -Parents ... the Gates of _Eden_ were guarded by a _Cherub_ (to prevent -their re-entrance) which, by the _Jews_, was esteem’d a _second Angel_, -and may be aptly imagin’d to be a _Seraph_, or an Angel in the Form of a -flying Serpent, whose Body vibrated in the Air, with a peculiar -Resplendency, and may be fitly describ’d by the Image of such a Sword. -’Tis said, _God drove out the Man, and placed at the East-end of the -Garden of Eden, Cherubims and a flaming Sword, which turned every way, -to keep the Way of the Tree of Life_, Gen. iii. _ult._ God made Angels -Guardians of Paradise, and a sparkling Fire, like a flaming Sword; says -the _Arabick_ Version. - -But why may not this Text bear an Interpretation pregnant with good -Tidings, as an Explication of the Promise made to the Woman, that is, an -Instruction to our first Parents how to worship God after the Fall, -namely by Sacrifice, which was to be offer’d by them before the -_Cherubims_ (erected over the Gates of Paradise) as Sacrifices -afterwards were before the _Cherubims_ in the _Tabernacle_ and _Temple_, -or, as the _Hebrew_, before the _Faces of Jehovah_? - -The _flaming Sword and the Cherubims_, might be Emblems or Figures of -some things to be observed in the Form of Worship design’d for that new -Dispensation. The _fiery Sword_ being a killing Weapon, might represent -irritated Justice; and _Cherubims_ being the Inhabitation of the Deity -in the Tabernacle and Temple, might be an Emblem of Mercy, to which the -Sacrifices were offer’d: and may not Cherubims be so construed here? _N. -B._ May we not date the first Institution of Sacrifice here, which soon -appear’d in the History of _Cain_ and _Abel_? - -God might address our first Parents after this manner; View these -wonderful Sights over the Gate, behold in them the Scheme of Salvation! -The Text thus interpreted, gives the Tempter a fresh Mortification, to -see his bloody Design defeated, and our first Parents restored to Favour -at the Gate of _Eden_, in which he had triumph’d over them; and that -which encreased his Vexation was, to see this done by _Christ_, the -promised Seed, one of the human Race. - -In the Tabernacle and Temple there were no Representations of God, but -only emblematical Figures erected over the Mercy-Seat, called the -Cherubims; in, or between them, the _Deity_ is said _to dwell_; and the -Law obliged the _Jews_ to bring the Blood of the Sacrifice _before the -Face of God_ in the Cherubims, that is, within the Vail, on the Day of -Expiation: and here God might direct our first Parents to bring their -Sacrifices to him, who was in a special manner present in the Cherubims -over the Gate. - -But supposing _Adam_ and _Eve_ had, after their Expulsion, enter’d -Paradise; I don’t see what valuable End it would have answered, for the -special Promises made to the first Inhabitants of Paradise were now null -and void. All the Blessings peculiar to that glorious Situation, were -irrecoverably lost. It was not in the power of that once sacred Seat to -reinstate them in their pristine Happiness. - -_Obj._ Could not the Tree of Life restore their forfeited Comforts? I -presume not; because the Tree of Life, in the Design of it, was to -perpetuate the happy Life of innocent Man, and not to restore the Life -and Comforts of Criminals under a Sentence of Death; a Sentence -irrepealable, which even the Death of our Blessed Redeemer does not -exempt us from. - -Upon the whole, I can scarcely think that these strange and awful Sights -or Figures, over the East Gate of _Eden_, were only to frighten our -first Parents, whose distressed State stood in need of Divine Supports. -To be cast out of Paradise was a Mortification that needed not a -super-added Terror; therefore to make those Figures Spectacles of -Horror, seems not so well suited to Persons under Circumstances so -inexpressibly dolorous, tho’ restored to Favour; but might rather be -design’d to conduct them to God by _Christ_, the _Tree of Life_. - - -III. _IT’s very probable a Conversation had past between the Woman and -Serpent before the Narrative publish’d by Moses._ She might upon the -first Approach of the Serpent ask, How a Beast acquired the Gift of -Speaking, which is the Prerogative of Rationals? The Serpent might -answer, That it was by Eating the Fruit of that Tree. _Eve_ might urge, -That God had forbid her to eat that Fruit upon pain of Death. The -Serpent might make this Return, _viz._ What you say is true; ’tis -allow’d to be the Law under the first Form of Government, but I am now -come from the supreme Court, to give you Assurance of God’s kind -Intentions to advance you to a higher and more noble Station: The -Prohibition of this Fruit was only a probationary Restraint, and -temporary. - -Now the End of the first Institution being answered, ’tis the Will of -our Great Sovereign to take off those Restraints, and make you a free -People. Upon the Formation of your Being, he brighten’d your Mind with -Rays of great Wisdom; but now the happy Moment is come, in which he -purposes to inspire you with higher Degrees of Wisdom.... By eating this -Fruit, your intellectual Powers will be infinitely enlarged; for, _ye -shall be as Gods_, and then all the Endowments and Accomplishments of -Nature will arrive at their full Perfection, which as yet are only in -their Embryo. This being only a Supposition, I dismiss it. - -The Serpent having ascrib’d its Reason, and Speech to the eating of that -Fruit, the Woman might infer, If this Fruit did turn a Serpent into a -rational Creature, why may it not transform a rational Creature into a -God, and a _Woman_ into a _Goddess_? The Serpent had no occasion to say -more; fir’d with the Prospect of such Preferment, she _took the Fruit -and did eat_. Gen. iii. 6. _And when the Woman saw that the Tree was -good for Food, pleasant to the Eye, and a Tree to be desired to make one -wise, she did eat._ - -_N. B._ How divine and delightful a Thing is Knowledge, of which -Innocency itself is ambitious! _Eve_ thirsted after the highest Degrees -of Knowledge, and made no doubt of obtaining it by the Serpent’s -Instructions; not knowing of any Impostor, she believed what the Tempter -said. Satan, by the Serpent, as a Bait proposed Improvement in -Knowledge. - -Thus the first Woman, Head of the human Race, fell a Sacrifice to her -own Ambition, fell a Virgin, and in her Infant-State. _Icarus_, by -flying too near the Sun, his waxen Wings melted, and he fell into the -Sea, and was drowned. Justly was he punish’d, for not observing his -Father’s Will. May I add, in favour of our Mother, that the Law -forbidding that Fruit, was not immediately publish’d to _Eve_, but -receiv’d at second-hand from _Adam_; and that it can’t be well supposed, -that she knew the various Capacities and Qualities of Brutes, as her -Husband did. - -But, why does _Moses_ introduce a Serpent speaking, when naturally it -was a speechless Creature? - -In answer to this, may we not observe, that the Almighty, who has no -_material Tongue_, yet is often introduced, speaking with _human Voice_ -in the Scripture. The _Egyptians_ made the _Crocodile_ a Symbol of the -Deity, giving this as a Reason why they worshipped God symbolically in -that Creature, because it resembled God, in that it was the only Animal -without a Tongue; for the Divine λογος stands in no need of Speech; he -governs human Affairs without Words, and without Noise. - -Again, this Dialogue with the Serpent, a known Beast, is very agreeable -to a Custom among the Oriental Writers, who enchase their Histories with -Ornaments taken from familiar Discourses between Beasts; by which they -convey moral Instructions to their Readers: Thus, on a Subject of Craft, -they made the Fox to speak. - -With what View did the Devil tempt our first Parents to sin? I answer, -’twas out of despite to God; _i. e._ with a design to rob the Creator of -the Glory he proposed to himself from the Erection of this new World: He -could not attack the Almighty on his Throne, therefore he strikes at the -Footstool. Since he could not reach the Person of the Almighty, he -wreaks his Malice upon his _Image_, Man; Man, whose Happiness, and that -of his Descendants, he envy’d; and whom, in particular he hated, as his -intended Successors to the vacant Seats in the blissful Regions above. - -In his Plot against _Adam_, the Deceiver was deceived; for he made no -doubt but the Sentence of Death would be immediately executed upon -_Adam_ and _Eve_, and upon the Extinction of the human Species, God -would lose all his Honour upon Earth. Why did not he appear to our first -Parents in a human Form? probably because he might apprehend, that there -was no other Man or Woman, but themselves. - -Having considered _Adam_ in his probationary Capacity, I shall in the -next place observe these three Things, by way of Illustration. - - I. _It was most congruous that Man’s first State should be a State of - Trial._ II. _That his Trial should be by the Laws of his Creator._ - III. _That those Laws should be inforced by a proper Sanction._ - - -I. _IT was congruous and fit, our first Parents should begin their Life -in a way of Trial, as they were moral Agents_: In which Situation I -apprehend all the Angels to be at first, to see how they would behave -towards the Great Author of their Being and Blessedness, before they -were establish’d. No Creature, as such, is capable of Immutability, any -more than of Omnipotence. To be naturally, and necessarily immutable, is -the sole Prerogative of the Almighty: The perpetual Duration of created -Beings, is not from their Nature, but from the Divine Will. - -Our first Parents were under a strong Guard, and not to be disarm’d -without their own Consent; tho’ the Devil, as he was a Spirit, excelled -in Power, yet he could not by Force subdue the weaker Vessel, therefore -conducted the bloody Design by Stratagems. When the Woman was sollicited -by the Tempter, one strong _Negative_ would have put him to _flight_. A -resolute Denial, without any other Means, would have made her -victorious, tho’ assaulted by all the Legions of Hell; therefore, no -room to complain of Deficiency in Divine Goodness. - -’Tis beyond all doubt, that the Revelation given to _Adam_ (as that to -Christian Churches in After-ages) made it a fundamental part of his -Duty, not to attend to any Insinuations contrary to those delivered to -him by his Creator, tho’ recommended even by an Angel from Heaven: -Temptations to forbidden Fruit, however pleasant, should not be parley’d -with, but peremptorily rejected. - - -II. _IT was equally proper, that a Creature should be govern’d by the -Laws of his Creator_; as it implies a Contradiction for a Creature to be -independent, which it must suppose itself to be, when govern’d by its -own Laws. The Will of the Creator was surely the fittest, for the -Obedience of Creatures; one part of which was, that they must not have -an Indulgence of all the Trees in _Eden_. - -It follows hence, that _Self-denial was a Duty in Paradise_. _Adam_ was -not an absolute Sovereign to do what he pleased, but what his Almighty -Creator and Patron prescribed; tho’ endowed with Reason, yet was he to -govern himself by the Will of another, that is, of him who was the -Donor. His Reason was a bright, but borrowed Light, borrowed from the -uncreated Sun, therefore ought to move by its Direction. - -Thus we see that Restraints on the human Nature, were necessary even in -Man’s Paradisaical State: To deny Self, was one of the Precepts of -Religion in the Garden of Innocence; nor is this strange, if we -consider, that for any rational Creature to live according to his own -Will, is to make a _God_ of his _Will_. - -Why did God forbid the Fruit of one Tree? This might be to signify -_Adam_’s Dependance upon his Maker, and that he had no Claim to any -thing without his Leave: The sovereign Lord of the Creation made over to -_Adam_ large Dominions, and the Mannour of Paradise for the Seat of his -Empire, reserving nothing to himself but a small Rent of Acknowledgment, -which was only the Fruit of one Tree. The Exemption of this Tree from -human Use, notify’d Man’s Subjection, and God’s supreme Dominion. By -this Reservation he tried their Obedience, whether they would be content -with all the Earth, and Appurtenances thereunto belonging, one Tree only -excepted. _N. B._ This forbidden Tree might have something of a natural -Tendency to corrupt the animal Juices, and introduce Diseases and Death -into the human Nature. If the Tree of Life could immortalize our -Existence in Happiness, is it not equally rational to suppose the Tree -of Knowledge ... would destroy it? - - -III. _THE Laws of Paradise were inforced by a very awful Sanction_, viz. -_Life and Death_: The one expressing something most terrible, the other -implying somewhat vastly delightful. Threatnings were necessary Cautions -in Paradise: How surprizing this! The first day of Man’s Life, Man was -put in mind of Death, of which the Tree of Life was a Memento. If you -eat the Fruit of it, you forfeit your Life, _die you must_ without -Remedy. This Menace of Death, in the Design of it, was to guard against -Sin, as that which only could be the Cause of Death. - -_IN the day thou eatest thereof_, dying thou shalt die; or, die the -Death. Behold here! as in a Cloud, the first Alarm of Mortality, the -first Institution of Funerals, and the melancholy Office of -Grave-diggers. Bells from the Pinnacle of the Temple, proclaim it aloud -to Man, _Dust thou art, and unto Dust thou shalt return_. In this -paradisaical Scheme of Government, we find Death to be a near Neighbour -to Life: Both the Trees grew near to one another. - -Some have made this _Tree of Life_ a Representation of _Christ_, and if -so, here, as in a Glass, darkly Man saw his Saviour before he stood in -need of him: The Tree of Life planted in the midst of Paradise, was to -preserve _Adam_’s Life, and without doubt had done so, if he had not -rebelled. According to a Learned _Jew_, the Tree of Life represents -Piety; and that of Knowledge, Prudence[345]. Some of his Countrymen tell -us ridiculous Stories about the Tree of Life, _viz._ That it was of -prodigious Size, and all the Water of the Earth gush’d out at its Foot, -_&c._ - -Footnote 345: - - _Philo Judæus._ - -It is from the History of Paradise that pagan Poets took their _Nectar_ -and _Ambrosia_, which were said to be the Meat and Drink of the Gods; -upon which some put this Construction, _viz._ _Nectar_ signifies -_young_; _Ambrosia_, _Immortality_; intimating, that in a State of -Innocency, the Vigor of Youth would have been immortal. - -The Heathen were not without some Idea of the Mosaic Creation, and Fall -of Man, and of a Woman that brought Sorrow into the World; envying, that -a Fire, which is the Light of Knowledge, was hid from them ... and also -of Old-Age, brought in by the Counsel of a Serpent.—— - -Paradise, in _Plato_’s _Symposium_, is _Jupiter_’s _Garden_, and also is -the Pattern of _Alcinous_’s _Orchards_, and the _Hesperides_: The -Golden-Apples kept by a _Dragon_, were the forbidden Fruit in Paradise: -The Fable of _Hercules_’s killing the Serpent of the _Hesperides_, is -borrowed from the Seed of the Woman, breaking the Serpent’s Head. - -What is _Ovid_’s _In nova fert animus_? but an imperfect Transcript of -_Moses_’s Journal of the Creation, _&c._ ’Tis said by _Moses_, _The -Spirit of God moved on the Face of the Waters_; hence _Thales_, makes -Water to be the first Principle of all natural Bodies: His Reasons are -deliver’d by _Plutarch_. _Homer_ says, All things are made of the Ocean. -The _Chaos_, whereof all things were made, according to _Hesiod_, was -Water. _Orpheus_ says, all things were generated of the Ocean[346]. -_Plato_’s _Atlanticus_, what is it but a Fable? built upon _Moses_’s -History of _Noah_, and the Flood, and the Causes that brought it upon -the World. - -Footnote 346: - - ωκεανος—γενεσις παντευς τετυκται. - -What is the _Bacchus_ of the Heathen, but the _Noah_ of _Moses_? -formerly called _Boachus_, for _Noachus_, as might easily be, mistaking -the _Hebrew_ Letters B and N, which are not very much unlike. By _Janus_ -and _Saturn_, _Noah_ is meant; and some take _Jupiter_ to be _Japhet_, -for tho’ _Jovis_, and the other oblique Cases are derived from -_Jehovah_, yet _Jupiter_ is another. The Fable of Heaven being stormed -by the _Giants_, arose from what the Builders of the _Tower of Babel_ -said, _viz._ _Let us build a City and a Tower, whose Top may reach unto -Heaven_.... But no Man imitates the Scriptures more than _Homer_, who -was an inquisitive Traveller into all Countries. But to proceed to the -Pagan Account of Paradise, and the Fall of Man: - -A certain Author relates a Discourse between _Midas_ the _Phrygian_, and -_Silenus_ who was the Son of a _Nymph_, inferior by Nature to the Gods, -superior to Men and Death, thus: - -_SILENUS_ told _Midas_, that _Europe_, _Asia_, and _Africa_ were -Islands, surrounded by Water: that there was but one Continent only, -which was beyond this World, in which, among other Rarities, were two -great _Rivers_, whose Banks were cover’d with _Trees_, one of them was -called the _River of Pleasure_, and the other the _River of Grief_.... - -He who eat the Fruit of the Trees along the River of Pleasure, was eased -from all his former Desires, and in a short time became younger, and -lived over again his former Years, cast off Old-Age, and became first a -Young Man, then a Child, and lastly an Infant, and so died. - -On the other hand, he who eat the Fruit from the Trees by the River of -Grief, spent all his Days in Tears and Troubles, and after many Years of -Vexation, dies. - -How romantick soever this Relation may be, it seems to allude to the -_Trees_ and _Rivers_ of Paradise, and to give some Hints about the -Introduction of Death. - -The _Indians_ account for the Fall of Man after this manner:—_Brama_, -one of their subaltern Deities, form’d Man out of the Slime of the Earth -that was then just created, and placed him in a certain Situation, which -they call _Chorcham_, which was a Garden of Delights, abounding with all -manner of pleasant Fruit, in which was a certain Tree, whose Fruit would -confer Immortality upon any Persons that were allow’d to eat it. - -The _Gods_, say the _Indians_, tried all sorts of Means to obtain the -Privilege of this Immortality; and after great Difficulties, did at last -succeed according to their Wish, and found out the Way to the Tree of -Life, which was in the _Chorcham_, and by feeding on its Fruit for some -time, they commenced immortal. - -A famous Serpent called _Cheieu_, (probably Guardian of that Tree) -perceiving the Secret was discover’d by the Gods of the second Rank, was -so enraged, that it scatter’d a Flood of Poison over the Plain. All the -Earth felt the fatal Effects, and no Man escaped the Infection: But the -God _Chiven_, took pity on the human Nature, appear’d in the Shape of -Man, and swallow’d all the mortal Poison, wherewith the malicious -Serpent had infected the Universe.... This Fable, as ridiculous as it -is, must have some regard to the terrestrial Paradise, and can have no -other Original but the Doctrine of _Moses_[347]. - -Footnote 347: - - _Æliani Sophistæ varia Historia, cum Notis, Curante Gronovio._ A. D. - 1731. _Theopompus_ is quoted for it, whom my Author calls μυθολογος. - _Et hæc si cui fide dignus videtur, ea narrans Chius, ille credatur, - mihi vero egregius esse fabulator._ vol. I. cap. xviii. p. 252. - -Nor were the more western Pagans more happy in their Conjectures about -the first Entrance of moral Evil. _Prometheus_, say they, having form’d -Men out of the Earth and Water, animated them with Fire, which he stole -from Heaven. _Jupiter_, the Chief of the Pagan Gods, enraged at this, -commands _Vulcan_ to make a Woman out of Clay, upon whom all the Gods, -out of their high Regard[348] to the Fair Sex, bestow’d some of their -Perfections. _Venus_ gave her Beauty; _Pallas_, Wisdom; _Mercury_, -Eloquence; _Apollo_, Musick; and _Juno_ gave her Riches; therefore -called _Pandora_, who was sent by the Gods in revenge to _Prometheus_, -with a Box full of Evils as a Present from them, but he was too cautious -to receive it; upon which she was to present it to his Brother -_Epimetheus_, (supposed by some to be her Husband) which he had no -sooner open’d, but immediately there flew out _all kinds of Evil_, that -soon scatter’d themselves over all the Earth; and at the bottom of the -Box, nothing was left but poor _Hope_. - -Footnote 348: - - _Travels of several Missionaries into_ India, p. 7. - - _Hope, of all Ills that Men endure, - The only cheap and universal Cure. - Hope, - Thou pleasant, honest Flatterer; for none - Flatter unhappy Men, but thou alone._... Cowl. - -The _Mahometan Account of Man’s Fall_, is equally absurd, as appears -from _Mahomet Rabadan, &c._ thus:—God made the Creation ... the earthly -Mass became an animate Body ... and was called _Adam_; God placed him in -heavenly Paradise, and lest he should believe that he had no Superior, -God gave him only one Command, the Observation of which was very easy. -He forbid him, upon pain of Death, to eat of the Fruit of a certain -Tree. _Adam_ wanted a Mate; therefore God made him fall into a profound -Sleep, and took out of his left Side a Rib, of which he formed a very -beautiful Woman, whom he called _Eve_, ... and order’d _Gabriel_ to go -into Paradise, and to celebrate the Wedding of _Adam_ and _Eve_, being -attended with a great many other Angels. - -_LUCIFER_ envying the Happiness of Man, used his utmost Endeavours to -deprive him of it. Going one day by the door of Paradise, he said to the -Angel who kept it, _Give me leave to go in, for I have a Matter of -Moment to impart to the Servants of thy Lord_. The Angel having denied -his Request, he desired him to call the Serpent, who was then a very -fine Creature. The Serpent came, and _Lucifer_ earnestly desired Leave -to get into his Body; the Serpent did so, and placed _Lucifer_ in the -Roof of its Mouth, and carried him into Paradise. When he came near the -Forbidden Tree, it endeavoured in vain to make _Lucifer_ come out. -_Lucifer_ stuck fast, and forced the Serpent to get upon that Tree, -under which _Adam_ and _Eve_ used to sit down. _Eve_ was then alone, -near the Tree: She saw the Serpent, who spoke to the Woman in these -Words, _viz._ - -Charming Creature, if you would taste this Fruit, you would be _like God -himself_ in Wisdom and Knowledge: All the Secrets and all the Mysteries -you are now ignorant of, will be manifested to you. _Adam_ came during -the Discourse, and having told him what the Serpent had said, proposed -to him to eat of the forbidden Fruit, which after a Short Pause he -comply’d with. The Tree was a large Vine; _Eve_ took twelve Grains of a -Bunch of Grapes, gave eight to her Husband, and kept four to herself. - -At that very moment, _Adam heard a very terrible Voice, Wo to thee! hast -thou so soon forgot the only Commandment thou hadst promised to observe? -how comes it that thou hast (by thy Greediness) polluted the Purity of -my Habitation?_ _Adam_ being confounded, excused himself by laying the -Fault upon _Eve_, who endeavour’d to justify herself by accusing the -Serpent. Upon which God ordered the Angels immediately to drive _Adam_ -and _Eve_ from Paradise, to Strip them of their Clothes, and take away -the Crowns they had on their Heads[349].——But it is high time to return. - -Footnote 349: - - _Mahometism fully explained, by_ Mahomet Rabadan, _a_ Moor _of_ - Arragon _in_ Spain, _for the Instruction of the_ Moors _in that - Kingdom, who were then violently persecuted there_. Translated out of - _Spanish_ by Mr. _Morgan_, with a design to give us a better Notion of - the _Mahometans_, and to place it in the rich Library of the late Earl - of _Oxford_. Printed _A. D._ 1724. - -Satan, who imploy’d the Serpent in his Service, is supposed to be -punish’d here under the Figure of a Serpent: But why in the Presence of -our first Parents? Perhaps for such Reasons as these, _viz._ 1. To -reproach their Inadvertency for suffering themselves to be imposed upon -by a lying Spirit, who, if but resisted by a meer Negation, would have -fled. 2. To let them see that no Creature, tho’ never so great, can -rebel with Impunity; from whence they might conclude, what to expect -from new Provocations. 3. They had no other way to see a Spirit -punish’d, but under some visible Form. It could not but give them some -secret Satisfaction to see their cruel Enemy tremble at the Bar. - -It is observable here, that the _Promise of the Messiah_ was made to -_Adam_, before the Almighty past upon him the Sentence of Death. How -surprizing this! to find the Death of Christ _published_, before the -Death of _Adam_ was _pronounced_. The Death of _Christ_, the _Innocent_; -before the Death of _Adam_, the _Criminal_. - -The last Remark I shall make here is, that the Earth, tho’ cursed for -Man’s Sin, still puts on the Face of a Paradise, abounding with an -innumerable Variety of good Things; yea, and those so delicious and -pleasant to Mankind, that many wish to live in it for ever. Thus they -confine their Hopes and Fears to the present State, and are so far from -believing a Life to come, that they can hardly persuade themselves to -believe, that they shall leave this present Life. - -As the Bounties of Providence gives us no room to murmur at our present -Province or Portion, so on the other hand, the Toils and Troubles of -this State should cause us to aspire after the heavenly Paradise, where -no Curse ever found Access, where none of the Thorns of Affliction, or -the Briers of Sorrow grow. - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - - CHAPTER II. - -CONTENTS. _Of the_ fiery Serpents _that annoy’d the Camp of_ Israel: - _The Reason of that judicial Stroke_, i.e. _Murmuring under a - Dispensation of Miracles. Why punish’d by Serpents? Why called_ - Fiery? _The last Plague in the Desart. Flying Serpents._ - - - SECTION. I. - -It might be said with great Propriety of the _People of Israel_, that -they were _a Generation of Vipers_. Ingratitude, Unbelief, Discontent -and Murmuring, were the dominant Passions in the Wilderness; they were -always quarrelling with _God_ and _Moses_: never easy, no not under a -Theocracy, a divine Government. No wonder that Rage and Faction haunt -the Dwellings of good Princes, when we find perverse Spirits have -murmur’d at a divine Administration. - -A Magnificent Table was Spread for them in the Wilderness, their daily -Entertainments were miraculous; they were fed by _Manna_, a delicious -Food distilled from Heaven, admirably suited to every one’s Palate. _He -commanded the Clouds from above, and opened the Doors of Heaven, and -rained down Manna upon them to eat, and gave them the Corn of -Heaven[350]. Wherefore have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the -Wilderness, for there is no Bread, neither is there any Water, and our -Soul loatheth this light Bread[351]: This vain and empty Bread, say the_ -LXX. - -Footnote 350: - - _Psal._ lxxviii. 23-25. - -Footnote 351: - - _Numb._ xxi. 5, 6.—τω αρτω τω διακενω— - -They were also furnish’d with _miraculous Drink_, i. e. _Water out of a -Rock_; Water that swell’d into a River, and follow’d ’em in all their -Motions, till they arrived in the Land _flowing with Milk and Honey_; -Terms, that include a Scene of Plenty and Pleasantness. - -In all their Traverses through the Wilderness, they were always under -the Guidance and Protection of the _Shekina_; by which Word the _Jews_ -understood the _Presence of the Holy Spirit_; of _Christ_, say the -Christians. The _Shekina_ was the most sensible Mark of the Presence of -God among them, which rested over the Propitiatory, or the golden -Cherubims, which adher’d to the Propitiatory or Covering of the Ark; -there the _Shekina_ abode in the Shape of a Cloud. The _Rabbins_ tell -us, that it first resided in the Tabernacle, and descended into it in -the Figure of a Cloud, on the Day of Consecration. It past from thence -into the Sanctuary of _Solomon’s Temple_, on the Day of its Dedication -by that Prince[352]; where it continued to the Destruction of -_Jerusalem_ by the _Chaldeans_, and was not afterwards to be seen there. - -Footnote 352: - - _Calmet from Basnage_, _History of the Jews_. - -Thus were they conducted and entertain’d by an unintermitted Train of -Miracles. Now to fret and repine in such a Situation, was a Crime of a -high and heinous Nature, no less than impeaching infinite Wisdom, and -taxing it with erroneous Conduct: If Difficulties occurred in the way, -their Duty was _Resignation_, a Temper obvious in _Pagans_, whose -Religion forbid all indecorous Sallies of the Passions. - -_SOCRATES_, a Philosopher of _Athens_, was a Philosopher in _Prison_, as -well as in the _Museum_: When bound in Fetters, and he had nothing but -Death before his Face, he then conversed with his Friends with perfect -Equanimity, and without the least _Reflexion_ upon _Fate_, upon _God_, -and his _Judges_, notwithstanding his base Treatment, and the notorious -Injustice of his Sentence. The Scripture represents _Job_ as a -_Champion_ in Affliction, who by his passive Fortitude under it, became -the proper Hero of an Heroic-Poem. - - - SECT. II. - - _WHY were they punish’d by Serpents?_ - -Perhaps it might be to put them in remembrance of the first Sin, that -was introduced into Paradise by the old Serpent: This kind of Punishment -could not but bring to their Mind that gloomy Moment in which the human -Nature was morally and mortally wounded by that evil Spirit, in the Form -of a Serpent. This being allow’d, we may infer, that Man’s Memory stands -in need of a Remembrancer, even of Paradise lost. And oh! who can think -of that inexpressible Loss, without dropping a silent and solemn Tear? - -Some Learned _Jews_ themselves, speaking upon this Subject, say, the -Reason why they were chastised by Serpents, was _because they had done -the Actions of the old Serpent, in using an ill Tongue against God, -against_ Moses, _and Manna, the Bread of Heaven_. - - - SECT. III. - - _WHY called Fiery Serpents?_ - -A natural and a moral Reason may be assigned for it. - -1. The sacred Volume seems to account for the _natural Reason_, when it -says, _God sent fiery Serpents_. The _Hebrew_ word is _Seraphim_, that -is _Burners_, because they appeared in the form of a _Flame_. The LXX -calls them _Serpents of Death_[353], because their _Wounds_ proved -_mortal_. - -Footnote 353: - - Οφεις θαναουνται. - -As soon as the People were wounded, their Blood was inflamed, and -according to some _Jewish_ Authors, they were _scorch’d with insatiable -Thirst_. Of the _Hebrew_ word _Saraph_, the _Greeks_, by changing the -Position and Order of Letters, have borrowed the Name _Prester_, which -is a kind of fiery venemous Serpent, called also _Dipsas_ and _Causon_, -whose Wound is accompanied with a most vehement Heat and Thirst, and -generally incurable, as some have formerly said. They may be properly -called _Fiery_, as their Colour was glowing, a proper Representative of -Fire. In the _West-Indies_ are _Adders, red as Blood_, about seven or -eight Foot long, and appear by Night as a _burning Coal_[354]. - -Footnote 354: - - _Atl. America_, 179. - -2. They might be called _Fiery_ also, from a _moral Consideration_; for, -that raging Heat in the Body might represent the outragious Disorders of -the Mind, flowing from conscious Guilt, neither of which were the -Attendants of an original State. Hence, perhaps, it is that Satan’s -_Temptations_ are styled _fiery Darts_, because when complied with, they -kindle a Fire in the Conscience, a Prognostick, and Taste of the -Unquenchable[355]. - -Footnote 355: - - _Eph._ vi 16. βελη—πεπυρωμηνα. - -And indeed, what are all uneasy Sensations, but the Venom of the old -Serpent? thence, that long Train of Complaints and Groans. _Remember -from whence thou art fallen_, is the Language of every Calamity, but no -calamitous Impression so terrible, as that which alarms the Mind about -the awful Futurity. Of Sin it is said, that at last, _it will bite like -a Serpent, and sting like an Adder_[356]. - -Footnote 356: - - _Prov._ xxiii. 32. - -What fill’d _Adam_’s Mind with Horror and Consternation? What made him -run with wild Confusion among the Trees to hide himself? What was he -afraid of? He, who was Lord of the Earth, and Image of the Almighty? Was -not he in Paradise, the Garden of God; whence then this sudden and -mighty Panick? What produced this great and astonishing Change in one -who had a friendly Intercourse with God a little before? Oh! ’twas -Guilt, Guilt, Guilt. A Consciousness of his iniquitous Compliance with -the Serpent. What were those anxious disquieting Thoughts that kindled -the Fire in his Breast, but the venemous, fiery Darts of Satan? - -_JUDAS_ is another Example; a Person highly honour’d by Christ, who made -him his Ambassador Extraordinary to the House of _Israel_, and Treasurer -of his House and Privy Counsellor, on a sudden falls into Extremity of -Anguish; and why? Guilt, Guilt ... struck with Horror of Mind for the -Effusion of innocent Blood; was arraign’d, and sentenced by his own -Conscience, and became his own Executioner: His Guilt was the Wound that -bled within, and what Words can describe the Agony that made that -wretched Man throw himself into Hell for Ease. - - - SECT. IV. - -This gloomy Occurrence fell out in the last Year of their Pilgrimage. -The Wilderness thro’ which they had travelled abounded with these -venemous Creatures, but were under the Restraint of a kind Providence, -and not suffer’d to distress the Camp of _Israel_ till now. _Deut._ -viii. 15. _Who led thee through the great Wilderness, wherein were fiery -Serpents and Scorpions._ - -Thus, for their repeated Provocations, they were pursued by divine -Vengeance to the very Borders of _Canaan_. - -Just as they were congratulating one another upon the glorious Prospect -before them, an Army of venemous Serpents invade their Camp, and made a -terrible Slaughter among them. Little did our first Parents suspect a -Serpent in Paradise, nor _Israel_ such a Visit from fiery Serpents upon -the Confines of the holy Land, the western Border of Paradise. - -This Plague in the Camp, was the last Punishment inflicted upon the -_House of Israel_ in the Wilderness. When they came out of _Egypt_, it -appeared they were about _six hundred thousand Men, besides Women and -Children, and a mixt Multitude_: Of that mighty Number, none but two, -_viz._ _Josua_ and _Caleb_ enter’d into the promised Land; the rest, for -their Unbelief and reiterated Offences, perish’d by the way[357]. - -Footnote 357: - - _Exod._ xii. 37, 38. - - - CHAPTER III. - - CONTENTS. - -_The flying and fiery Serpents. Ungrateful Israel wounded by them, and - healed by the Figure of a Serpent. God hears the Intercession of_ - Moses, _when deaf to the Cries of that rebellious People. - Conjectures why healed by a Machine in the Form of a Serpent. Sin in - all its Appearances, the Venom of the old Serpent. The brazen - Serpent a Representation of the_ Messiah. _The Cures wrought by both - were by very unlikely Means. The Wonders of Salvation. Why_ Israel - _was healed by a Serpent made of Brass; Opinions about it. The - brazen Serpent was no Talisman, or a magical Image. The fatal - Catastrophe of the brazen Serpent. Destroyed, when abused to - Idolatry. The Serpent shewed in St._ Ambrose’_s Church at_ Milan, - _for that of_ Moses, _a Cheat. Martyrs from the Catacombs of St._ - Sebastian. _Divine Institution necessary to acceptable Worship. May - the Destruction of the brazen Serpent, when abused to Idolatry, - warrant us to guess at the Fate of a Cross abused to Idolatry!_ - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - - - SECTION I. - -Among Serpents, we find some that are furnished with Wings. _Herodotus_ -who saw those Serpents, says they had great Resemblance to those which -the _Greeks_ and _Latins_ call’d _Hydræ_; their Wings are not compos’d -of Feathers like the Wings of Birds, but rather like to those of -_Batts_; they love sweet smells, and frequent such Trees as bear Spices. -These were the fiery Serpents that made so great a Destruction in the -Camp of _Israel_. - -In their Extremity, the People addrest their Mediator, Prophet, and -General, _Moses_, saying, _O pray to the Lord that he take away the -Serpents from us!_ The meek Prophet did so; the mediatorial Voice -reach’d Heaven, and mov’d the Almighty who directs _Moses_ to make a -Serpent of Brass, (which was a Figure of the Serpents that plagued the -People) and fix it upon the Top of a Pole, conspicuous to all the -Assembly, promising that all those who were bit by Serpents, and should -look upon this brazen Image, should be presently healed. Astonishing -Clemency! The Event was answerable to this Promise. - -This Method of Cure was new and strange; but he who at first called the -World out of nothing, can with equal Facility command Health out of a -Piece of Brass. Another Observable here, is that when the Almighty -refused to hear the Cries of the Wounded in their Distress, he readily -hearkened to _Moses_’s Intercession in their favour. Thus God accepted -the Prayers of _Job_ for his three Friends, when he would not regard the -Supplications they put up for themselves. _Job_ lxii. 7, 8. - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------- - - - SECTION II. - -The brazen Serpent was a Figure of the flying Serpent, _Saraph_, which -_Moses_ fixed upon an erected Pole: That there were such, is most -evident. _Herodotus_ who had seen of those Serpents, says they very much -resembled those which the _Greeks_ and _Latins_ called _Hydræ_: He went -on purpose to the City of _Brutus_ to see those flying Animals, that had -been devour’d by the _Ibidian_ Birds. - -In _Asiatic-Georgia_, between the _Caspian_ and _Euxine_ Sea, are found -winged Dragons, with anserine Feet and venemous Claws; and some of them -are fortified with more terrible Pedestals than others: their Wings are -generally composed of strong nervous Membranes, which when they walk, -are scarcely visible, because of their close Adherence to their lateral -Parts[358]. - -Footnote 358: - - Paulus Jovius de Piscibus, cap 23. p. 140. - -In the _Atlantic_ Caves, and Mountains of _Africa_, is an infinite -Number of these winged Dragons, whose Poison is so strong, that the -Flesh of such as are wounded by them, immediately grows soft, languid, -and incurable[359]. We read of flying Serpents transported from some -Parts of _Arabia_ into _Egypt_[360][361]. - -Footnote 359: - - P. Belon in Johnstonus. - -Footnote 360: - - Teste Brodæo. - -Footnote 361: - - J. Leo’s Hist. of Africa, lib. 6, & 9. - -These also have been seen in _Florida_ in _America_, where their Wings -are more flaccid, and so weak, that they cannot soar on high. _Scaliger_ -describes a certain flying Serpent that was four Foot long, and as thick -as a Man’s Arm, whose Wings were cartilaginous, or gristly, _ibid._ -History accounts for one of these flying Dragons that was killed in old -_Aquitania_ in _France_, a Present of which was made to King _Francis_, -as a great Rarity of the Kind. - -_JEROM CARDAN_ informs us of some winged Dragons he had seen at _Paris_, -so nicely preserved, that they very much resembled the Living; they were -described with two Feet, weak Wings, a serpentine Head, and of the -Bigness of a Rabbit. - -Why was the Deliverance of _Israel_ by a Machine made in the Form of a -_Serpent_? Perhaps, these serpentine Strokes might be intended as -Emblems, or Memento’s of the fatal Wound in Paradise, where Man’s Nature -was first poisoned by the Devil, who made use of a real Serpent to -seduce our first Parents. - -What is moral Evil but the Venom of the old Serpent? A Venom as pleasant -to the Taste, as the forbidden Fruit to the Eye, but the End is -Bitterness. And what are Incentives to Sin, but delusive Insinuations of -the subtle Serpent? And what is Enjoyment, but a pleasing Illusion, -which is no sooner grasp’d, but glides away as a Shadow, leaving behind -it a wounded Conscience, direful Apprehensions and Prospects. - -And what are all sensual Entertainments but so many hot Gleams that -portend the Approach of warring Winds and Storms? The Powers of Darkness -that excel in Science, know how to regale the human Mind with pleasant -Scenes, and how to divert the Senses with delightful Charms; Charms that -have no Existence but in a deluded Imagination. - -The Cure by a brazen Serpent, might also be to shew, that the Almighty -in relieving distressed Supplicants, is not tied to any particular -Medium. When the _Israelites_ were poison’d by real Serpents, he heals -them by the Image of a Serpent. When he would destroy _Goliath_ the -Tyrant, he does it by a Sling in the Hands of _David_ a Youth, a very -unlikely Person to encounter a Champion. - -Thus God by the Figure of a Serpent mortifies the Pride of _Lucifer_, -the old Serpent, by which he acquir’d greater Honour, than if he had -sacrificed to the Fire all the Serpents in the Wilderness. - -This may further intimate, that Providence may employ the same Kind of -Instruments, either for the Display of Mercy or Justice upon Mankind. He -who heals and wounds by the Mediation of Serpents, can turn Blessings -into a Curse, or enable us to extract Sweetness out of the bitter Cup. - - - SECT. III. - -This artificial Serpent might (as some have thought) prefigure the -_Messiah_, the Healer of spiritual Maladies. Many take it for a -Representation of his Passion and Crucifixion: The Analogy may be thus -illustrated, _viz._ The Cures wrought by the Serpent and the Saviour, -deriv’d their Efficacy from Divine Appointment. - -If the _brazen_ Serpent had been the mere Contrivance of _Moses_, it -would not have answer’d the Intention: so all human Institutions adopted -into Divine Worship will be as little available to true Happiness, (_Who -has required this at your Hand?_) of that Sovereign, who accepts no -Worship but what has the Sanction of his Wisdom and Will. - -Both Cures were performed by the most unlikely Means. The Serpent that -healed their Wounds, was made of Brass; a Prescription in which there -was no Probability of producing that happy Effect: And where was the -promising Aspect arising from the Manner of our Saviour’s Appearance on -Earth? What great Things could be expected from a Root of a dry Ground? -How improbable was it that a Person so mean in external Form should -overthrow the Kingdom of Darkness, a Kingdom that had been strengthening -its Barriers for about four thousand Years? Who could think that he had -such powerful Interest in Heaven, who was of no Reputation on the Earth? - -Behold here a Scene of Paradoxes! Patients recovered by the Death of the -Physician. Upon Mount _Golgotha_ we see Paradise, lost by the first -_Adam_, regained by the Death of the second _Adam_; Principalities and -Powers led captives by a dying Man; there we see Life restored by Death, -a Crown of Glory purchased by an ignominious Cross. Were the -_Israelites_ healed by a Creature made in the Likeness of the Serpent -that hurt? So Men are restor’d by one made like themselves. - -How was this miraculous Cure in the Wilderness obtained? It was by an -ocular View, that is, by looking at the artificial Serpent. None else -were entitled to a Relief. Thus Salvation comes by Faith, which in the -prophetick Dialect is represented by _looking_. _Es._ xlv. 22. _Look -unto me and be ye saved all the Ends of the Earth._ The first Sin -enter’d at the Eye; _the Woman saw the Fruit was good_. Thus our -Restoration to the Divine Favour is by an Eye to Christ, the _Tree of -Life_, but I must not strain the Metaphor too far. - - - SECT. IV. - -_Why was the Cure by a Serpent of Brass?_ I answer, not for any healing -Virtue inherent in that Mineral, more than others, but to demonstrate -his Almighty Power, who can save by improbable Means, or without the -Application of any Means. Thus the blind Man was cured by a Piece of -Clay temper’d with Spittle; _John_ ix. 6. - -Perhaps, this also may refer to our Lord, as he is compar’d to _Brass_, -which, when polish’d, is of a most beautiful Colour, exceeding that of -Gold. _Revel._ i. 15. _His Feet like unto fine Brass._ An Emblem of the -high Qualities that glitter in him, whose Nature is divinely fair and -glorious. - -Those fiery Serpents, as they flew in the Air, might in Colour resemble -that of _burnish’d Brass_, because the Serpent of _Moses_ was form’d of -_Brass_, a Metal that in itself is no Friend to Health; and some have -said, that the Sight of the brazen Serpent ought naturally to increase -the Distemper of the Wounded, instead of healing it; and that the -Almighty, shew’d a double Efficacy of his Power, by healing with those -Means, which ought to have a quite contrary Effect[362]. - -Footnote 362: - - _Buxtorf_, Hist. de Serpente æneo. - -Tho’ Brass in its natural State, may not be propitious to Health, yet -when duly prepar’d it is beneficial: The Preparation of _Copper_ has -been accounted an universal Remedy, and an excellent _Emetick_, having -this singular Virtue, _that it exerts its Force, as soon as ever it is -taken_: Whereas other Emeticks lie a long time dormant in the Stomach, -creating nauseous Anxieties, _&c._ but a single Grain of _Verdegrease_ -immediately vomits[363]. - -Footnote 363: - - _Boerhaave_’s Method. - -A Certain learned Gentleman of this Island, imagines that the _brazen -Serpent_ was a kind of _Talisman_; that is to say, one of those Pieces -of Metal, which are cast and engraven under certain Constellations, from -whence they derive an extraordinary Virtue to cure Distempers, _&c._ -Some impute their Effects to the old Serpent, others to the Nature of -the Metal, and to the Influence of the Constellation. This Author -therefore would make us believe, that the brazen Serpent cured just as -the _Talismans_ cure certain Distempers, by the Sympathy there is -between the Metals of which they are made, or the Influence of the Stars -under which they are formed, and the Disease they are to cure. Every one -may believe as he pleases[364]. - -Footnote 364: - - _Marsham Canon. Chronic._ quoted by _Calmet_. - -The Serpent that is always represented with _Esculapius_’s _Image_, and -with _Salus_, the Goddess of Health, and often with the _Egyptian_ -Deities, is a Symbol of Health, or of Healing, very probably derives -those Ensigns of Honour from the brazen Serpent of _Moses_. - - - SECT. V. - _WHAT became of the brazen Serpent at last?_ - -I answer, it was brought into the _Land of Canaan_ as a sacred Relick, -and religiously preserved among the _Israelites_ down to the Time of -_Hezekiah_ the King, as a standing Memorial of divine Goodness to their -Forefathers in the Wilderness; but being abused by them to Superstition -and Idolatry, as appears by their burning Incense thereto, it was broke -in pieces by the special Command of King _Hezekiah_, who, in Derision -and Contempt, called it _Mehushtan_, a Piece of Brass, a Trifle, a -Bauble, Shadow of a Snake. 2 _Kings_ xviii. 4. May all the -Ecclesiastical _Nehushtans_ of _Babylon_, foisted into Divine Worship, -from the Rising of the Sun, to the Going-down of the same, meet with the -same honest and righteous Fate. In the Church of St. _Ambrose_ at -_Milan_, they pretend to keep a _brazen Serpent_, which they shew for -that of _Moses_, tho’ there be no such thing now in being. In the Church -of St. _Ambrose_ there is a Dragon of Brass on a Column of Marble: Some -think it to be that of _Esculapius_, others an Emblem of that in the -Wilderness, upon which account many of the Pilgrims and common People -worship it. The Inhabitants are very superstitious, and fond of holy -Fragments, and pretend to have at the Church of St. _Alexander_, no less -than 144,000 _Martyrs_ from the _Catacombs_ of St. _Sebastian_. The -Cures effected by the artificial Serpent, derived that Efficacy from the -divine Institution of that Medium: Had their Prescription been the meer -Device of Rabbi _Moses_, that great and valuable End would not have been -answered; therefore, since the Reason of that Institution ceased, ’twas -highly criminal in them, to make any religious Use of it. It is the -divine Impress upon Institutions that ushers in the Blessings intended -by them; therefore to hope for Acceptance with God on account of meer -human Ordinances, (as bowing to Images, to the Altar, to the East, and -to make use of Crucifixes, Crosses, holy Water) is to _hope for what God -has never promised to give_. No wonder to see the brazen Serpent ground -to Powder, and the Dust scatter’d in the Air, that so no Fragments of it -might remain, when Altars of divine Establishment, and sacred to -Devotion, were intirely destroy’d, when they made Idols of them: And how -a holy and jealous God may resent the _Adoration of the Cross in the -Popish Church_, I pretend not to predict, much less to determine. This -Destruction of the brazen Serpent, is reckon’d among the good Deeds of -King _Hezekiah_, because it was made a Medium, and Part of Worship not -prescrib’d by divine Authority. - - - CHAPTER IV. - -_This Chapter begins with the Original of Idolatry, as a Preliminary to - the Adoration of_ SERPENTS, _under three Sections_. - - - SECT. I. - -As introductory to the Divinity of Serpents, I shall make a brief -Inquiry into the Original of sacred Images, and Idol-Worship; the first -Period of which is hard to trace. Some make _Cain_ the first Founder of -it, because of his early Apostacy from the true Religion; which is not -very improbable, since ’tis said, _He went out from the Presence of the -Lord...._ He grew more wicked, and gave himself up to all sorts of -Violence[365]. - -Footnote 365: - - See _Cluverius_, and Dr. _Cumberland_. - -That the old World was guilty of Idolatry, some gather from _Gen._ iv. -26. which they say will bear this Reading——_Then Men prophaned, calling -on the Name of the Lord, that is, by setting up Idols_: Upon which some -of the Rabbins paraphrase thus, viz. _Then they began to call Idols by -the Name of the Lord_: With which agrees the _Jerusalem Targum_, that -says, _That was the Age, in the days of which they began to err, and -made themselves Idols, and called their Idols by the Name of the Word of -the Lord_[366]. - -Footnote 366: - - _Schindl._ - -So they understand _Gen._ vi. 11. _The Earth was corrupt_, that is -_idolatrous_. In defence of this Gloss, they quote the _Idolatry_ of the -_golden Calf_, which is expressed by this very Form of Speech, viz. _The -People had corrupted themselves_. We read _Gen._ iv. 26. _Then Men began -to call upon the Name of the Lord_. There is no room to doubt, but they -called upon God before; the Particle _then_ seems to refer to _Enos_, -which is the next Antecedent: therefore ’tis said, They now applied -themselves to the Knowledge of the Stars, which they apprehended were -erected for the Government of the World, and consequently might be their -Duty to adore them as God’s Representatives. - -But the general Opinion is, that Idolatry did not begin till after the -Deluge, and that perhaps the Deluge might be one Occasion of it; for the -old World, as some suppose, was drown’d for _Atheism_——which coming to -the Knowledge of _Noah_’s mediate Successors, they run into the other -Extreme, _chusing rather to have many Gods than no God_. - -_IDOLATRY_ is of a more antient Date than _Image-Worship_: To see Men -kneeling before a piece of Wood or Stone, has something so low and mean -in it, that Men were not immediately brought to that abject and -scandalous piece of Worship. The Sun, Moon, and Stars, were their -_natural Gods_, and ador’d before deify’d Men, who were their _animated -Gods_. - -This Deification of Creatures, seems to begin about the time of the -_Confusion at Babel_, or the Dispersion immediately consequent -thereupon, particularly in the Family of _Nimrod_, the Son of _Cush_, -Grandson of _Noah_. May not we date the _Original of Paganism_ from that -remarkable Person? ’Tis the Conjecture of some, that _Nimrod_ was the -first Man that was deify’d, and probably for the important Service he -did to his Country, as a _mighty Hunter_, in destroying wild Beasts that -otherwise would soon have devour’d the Inhabitants, which were not very -numerous in those days. ’Tis certain, that such Benefactors to Mankind -were rank’d among the Gods. If so, who will pretend to say, _our modern -Fox-Hunters don’t carry one Characteristic of Divinity about them_? - -Some think that the true Religion was universal for about four hundred -Years after the Deluge, because it does not appear from _Abram_’s -Traverse thro’ _Mesopotamia_, _Canaan_, _Philistia_, _Egypt_, _&c._ that -those Countries were Idolaters. Others apprehend _Abram_ himself was -originally an Idolater, at least that Idolatry had overspread the -Nations in his time, for which they quote _Joshua_ xxiv. 2. _Your -Fathers ... even Terah the Father of Abraham ... served other Gods_. -It’s evident from hence, that _Terah_ had fallen into Idolatry, and some -are of Opinion, that _Abram_ himself was an Idolater, till God made him -sensible of the Vanity of Idol-worship, and that it was thro’ him that -his Father _Terah_ was brought under the same Conviction, by this -Device, _viz._ - -The _Jews_ say that _Terah_ was not only an Idolater, but also a Carver, -and Dealer in Images and Idols; that one day when he went a Journey, he -left _Abram_ to take care of the Shop; but _Abram_ being already -convinced of the Sinfulness of Idols, ask’d all that came to buy -_Idol-Gods_ of him, _How old are you?_ They told him their Age; and he -replied to them, _This God that you would buy and worship, is younger -than you are; it was made but the other day, and of contemptible Matter, -therefore believe what I say, and renounce this vain Worship_. The -_Buyers_ struck with Confusion at these Reproaches, went away without -buying, asham’d of their Stupidity[367]. - -Footnote 367: - - Fa _Calmet_ under _Terah_, vol. xiii. - -Q. _What might move Men to the first Idolatry?_ - -Perhaps it might be a _strong Attachment to the Senses_, which they made -their sovereign Judges in Spirituals: It was hard for vulgar Heads in -those Days of Darkness to elevate their Thoughts above sensible Objects. - -Another Reason, may be the _Pride of the human Mind_; that is not -satisfied with rational plain Truths, but will adulterate them with -foolish Imaginations: Hence it was that they would have such Objects of -Worship, as might immediately strike their sensible Powers; nothing -would serve their Turn but a Divinity visible to the Eye, therefore they -brought down the Gods to the Earth, and represented them under certain -Images, which by degrees commenced inferior Deities. - -The _Egyptian Priests_ not being able to persuade the _People_, that -there were any _Gods_ or _Spirits_ superior to Men, were constrained to -call down Demons, or Spirits, and lodge them in Statues, and then bring -forth those Statues to be visible Objects of Adoration, and from hence -sprung Idolatry. - -Among the Pagans were various Opinions about religious Images. _Some_ -looked upon them as only Representatives of the true God, as _Seneca_, a -Stoick Philosopher, and _Plato_ a Native of _Athens_, and a noted -Academick. - -_OTHERS_ said, they did not adore material Images, but the Gods in them, -into which they were drawn by virtue of their Consecration, or, in a -more modern Language, their Canonization[368]. - -Footnote 368: - - _Arnobius_, lib. vi. - -_SOME_ were of Opinion, that after the Consecration of Images, the Gods -actually incorporated with them, or were animated by them, as Man’s Body -is by the Soul[369]. The vulgar Heathen paid their Adoration to Images -as if they were real Gods; which monstrous Practice was ridiculed by the -most sensible Pagans, as appears farther on[370]. - -Footnote 369: - - _Trismegistus_, a learned _Egyptian_, a great Philosopher, a great - Priest, and a great King. - -Footnote 370: - - See _Lactantius_, lib. ii. - -The Use and Worship of Images has been long, and still is controverted. -The _Lutherans_ condemn the _Calvinists_ for breaking the Images in the -Churches of the Catholicks; and at the same time they condemn the -Romanists (who are professed Image-Worshippers) as Idolaters. The modern -_Jews_ condemn all Images, and suffer no Pictures or Figures in their -Houses, much less in their Synagogues, or Places of Worship. - -The _Mahometans_ have a perfect Aversion to all Images. This is it that -made them destroy most of the beautiful Monuments of Antiquity, both -sacred and profane, at _Constantinople_. - -The old noble _Romans_ preserved the Images of their Ancestors with no -little Care, and had them carried in Procession in their Funerals and -Triumphs. - - - SECT. II. - -This Part entertains us with various Instances of Pagan Deifications, -_viz._ of Men, Beasts, and Things without Life. - - I. _MEN transformed into Gods._ - -I Begin with their _deified Men_, that is, _dead Men_, who being -canonized, past for _reputed Gods_. Note here, some are of opinion, that -the word _God_, among the Heathen, did not mean the uncreated eternal -Being, but some _most excellent superior Nature_; and accordingly, they -gave the Appellation of _Gods_ to _all Beings_ of a Rank higher, and -more perfect than Man. - -The _principal Gods_ among the antient Heathens were _Jupiter_, _Mars_, -_Mercury_, _Neptune_, _Apollo_, _Juno_, _Vesta_, _Minerva_, _&c._ The -_next sort of Gods_ were called _Demy-Gods_, or _Gods adopted_; and -these were Men canonized and deify’d. Now, as the _greater Gods_ had -possession of Heaven in their _own Right_, so these _lesser Gods_ had it -by _Donation_, being translated into Heaven, because they were Men -renowned for their Virtues, and had lived as Gods upon Earth; and these -at first were called _Teraphim_. - -The first certain Account of these we have in _Genesis_, where ’tis -said, _Rachel_ had _stoln her Father’s Images_. Chap. xxxi. 19. the -_Teraphim_ of her Father in the _Hebrew_, which _Laban_, (ii. 30.) calls -his _Gods_, Hebr. _Eloha_. - -The word _Teraphim_ is _Hebrew_, others say _Egyptian_: Be that as it -will, we find it about thirteen times in our Bible, and is commonly -interpreted _Idols_, _Images_, _sacred_, _superstitious Figures_. -_Spencer_ maintains the word to be _Chaldee_, and that those Images were -borrowed from the _Amorites_, _Chaldeans_, or _Syrians_, and that the -_Egyptian Serapis_ is the same thing with _Teraphim_ of the _Chaldeans_. - -A Learned _Jew_ says the _Teraphim_ were in human Shape, and that when -raised upright, they spoke at certain Hours, and under certain -Constellations, by the Influence of the celestial Bodies. _R. David de -Pomis ... Cyclopædia._ - -This _Rabbinical Fable_ seems to be grounded on _Zech._ x. 2. _The -Idols_ (Hebr. _Teraphim_) _have spoken Vanity...._ Some of the learned -_Jews_ will have it to denote the Knowledge of Futurity, and for this -Signification they quote _Ezek._ xxi. 21. _The King of Babylon stood ... -at the Head of the two Ways ... he consulted with Images_; with -_Teraphim_, says the _Hebrew_. - -The same _Rabbi_ adds, that to make the _Teraphim_ they kill’d a -first-born Child, clove his Head, season’d it with Salt and Oil; that -they wrote on a Plate of Gold the Name of some impure Spirit, laid it -under the Tongue of the Dead, placed the Head against the Wall, lighted -Lamps before it, prayed to it, and it talk’d with them. - -Others hold, that the _Teraphim_ were brazen Instruments which pointed -out the Hours of future Events, as directed by the Stars.—Some think -that the _Teraphim_ were Figures or Images of a Star engraven on a -sympathetic Stone, or Metal corresponding to the Star, in order to -receive its Influences: To these Figures, under certain Aspects of the -Stars, they ascribe extraordinary Effects. - -This Talismanical Opinion, says a Learned Pen[371], appears the most -probable.... All the Eastern People are still much addicted to this -Superstition of _Talismans_. The _Persians_ call them _Telesin_, a Word -approaching to _Teraphim_. In those Countries no Man is seen without -them, and some are even loaded with them. They hang them to the Necks of -Animals, and Cages of Birds, as Preservatives against Evils. Such were -the _Samothracian Talismans_, which were pieces of Iron, formed into -certain Images and set in Rings.... - -Footnote 371: - - Father _Dom. Calmet_. - -The _Labanic Images_ are supposed to be the most antient, if not the -first religious Images, made of some precious Metal, and had their Birth -in _Laban_’s Country, that is, _Chaldea_, or _Mesopotamia_. - -From _Laban_’s History, it seems as if these _Teraphim_ were Pictures or -Images of certain Persons deceased; that is, they were a sort of Idols, -or superstitious Figures venerated by them as _Demy-Gods_. That they -were such artificial Portraitures of Men, is evident from that Instance -in _Michal_, who, to deliver _David_ her Husband from bloody Assassins -that threaten’d his Life, laid an _Image in his Bed_, a _Teraphim_, says -the _Hebrew_, that is, a material Image, probably a Figure of Wood, or -Sticks hastily made up, drest in Man’s Clothes, to make those sent by -King _Saul_ to apprehend him, believe he was sick. - -Why does _Laban_ call them his Gods? Very probably because he believed -they retain’d their Affection for Mankind in the invisible World, and -being rank’d among the Gods, might be serviceable to his Family, -therefore adopted them to be Guardians of his House. They were only his -_domestick Gods_, and not the established Gods of the Country; and ’tis -very likely they might be the Images of _Noah_ and his _Sons_; or some -other illustrious Ancestors, whom he had chosen for his _Tutelary Gods_. - -The Scripture mentions another sort of _Teraphim_, sometimes consulted -by the _Jews_ as an Oracle, not imagining that thereby they abandon’d -the Worship of the true God. Such was the _Teraphim_ that _Micha_ made -and set up in his House, and to which he appointed a _Priest_ of the -_Levitical Race_, with an _Ephod_ or Sacramental Garment, by the -Influence of which he flatter’d himself that God would bless his House. -This probably might be some _Hieroglyphical Figure_, to which the -superstitious _Jews_ attributed the Virtue of an Oracle, and the Power -of foretelling Things to come: Hence speaking Teraphims. - -From these _Teraphim_ came the _Lares_, or the Household Gods of the old -_Romans_, who before the Laws of the Twelve Tables, used to bury the -Dead in their Houses; from whence arose that great Veneration they had -for their _Lares_ and _Penates_, a kind of domestick Divinities, -worship’d in Houses, and esteem’d Protectors of Families, which were -nothing else but the supposed Ghosts of those who formerly had belonged -to the Family, whom they represented by Images, which they placed in the -Chimney-Corner, or near their Doors. - -These were also look’d upon as Guardians of the Highways, near to which -their Images were fix’d for the Benefit of Travellers, therefore call’d -_Dii Viales_, Gods of the Roads. ’Tis said by the Prophet, _The King of -Babylon stood at the parting of the Way_, and consulted _with the -Images_; with the _Teraphim_, says the _Hebrew_, _Ezek._ xxi. 21. which -the _Jewish_ Interpreters say were prophetick Images, endued with the -Gift of Prediction; so far from being mere Idols, that they gave out -Oracles, and foretold Things to come. - -Some think _Laban_’s _Teraphim_ to be such, and that _Rachel_, having -observed how her Father did divine by them, and fearing, by consulting -with them, he might know which way _Jacob_ went, and follow after and -murder him; to prevent so fatal a Catastrophe, she took away his -_Oracles_. - -Those sacred Images might, at first, be made in honour of departed -Relatives, or illustrious Persons; but by degrees degenerated into -religious Adoration. Thus the _Manes_ of the Dead were worship’d by them -under the Figure of their _Teraphim_, in some place of the House, and -probably where they had deposited the Remains of their Ancestors, as -some think. - -The _Lares_ were also called _Penates_: To these they paid religious -Homage with Sacrifices; so the _Roman Satirist_ says, and calls these -images his _dear little House-Gods_; and then observes, that they were -crown’d with Garlands of Flowers in Summer, and in Winter with Shaving -of Horns colour’d. To these _Waxen-Gods_ the _Romans_ addrest themselves -with Offerings of Frankincense and Cakes[372].... - -Footnote 372: - - Oh parvi nostrique Lares quos thure minuto - Hic nostrum placabo, Jovem Laribusque paternis - Thura dabo, atque omnes violæ jactabo colores - Cuncta nitent—— - - _Juvenal. Sat._ ix. _v._ 137. & _Sat._ xii. _v._ 89. - -They were supposed to be the Spirits of such, who had lived well on the -Earth, and in consequence of it, were happy; so on the other hand, those -who lived ill here, did after Death wander up and down in Horror, and -were supposed, by the Vulgar, to be Hobgoblins, call’d _Lemures_, _i. -e._ restless Ghosts of departed Spirits, who return to the Earth to -terrify the Living. - -These are the same with _Larvæ_, which the Antients imagined to wander -round the World, to frighten good People, and plague the bad. All these -were imagin’d to be the Ghosts of the Dead: They pray’d to the Good for -Protection, and sacrificed to the Evil to pacify their Rage: For this -reason they had their _Lemuria_ or _Lemuralia_ at _Rome_, where on the -9th of _May_, a Feast was solemnized in honour of the _Lemures_, and to -pacify the _Manes_ of the Dead, especially those who died without -Burial, to prevent their giving disturbance to the Living. - -The first _Men_ that were _deified_, or made Gods, are supposed to be -the Heads of Families, Founders of Empires, and Benefactors of -Provinces——who, after their decease, were highly reverenced. _Noah_ and -his Sons seem to be the first and chief animated Deities of the Pagans, -under the Names of _Saturn_, _Jupiter_, _Neptune_ and _Pluto_; hence -_Demons_, another Name given to Spirits, which were supposed to appear -to Mortals, with intention to do them Good or Hurt. - -The first Notion of Demons, ’tis said, sprung from _Chaldea_, thence it -spread among the _Persians_, _Egyptians_.... _Pythagoras_ and _Thales_ -were the first that introduced _Demons_ into _Greece_, where _Plato_ -fell in with the Notion, which he explains thus, _viz._ - -... By _Demons_, he understood Spirits inferior to Gods, and yet -superior to Men, which inhabiting the middle Region of the Air, kept up -the Communication between the Gods and Men, carrying up the _Prayers_ -and Offerings of Men to the Gods, and bringing down the _Will_ of the -Gods to Men. He allow’d of none but good ones, tho’ his Disciples -(finding themselves unable to account for the Origin of Evil) adopted -another kind of Demons, who were Enemies to Man[373]. - -Footnote 373: - - _Gale_’s _Court of the Gentiles_, part I. chap. viii. - -The Apocryphal Book of _Enoch_ abounds with the Names of Angels and -Devils; but that Book is not of any great Antiquity, tho’ the Prophecy -be: it does not appear to have been known by the antient _Jews_. St. -_Jude_ is the first that cited it. The Authority which this spurious -Book of _Enoch_ has received from some of the Antients, is the reason of -our meeting with several of its Opinions, scatter’d in their Writings. -_Ibid._ - -_LACTANTIUS_, one of the most eloquent Authors of his time, (and -therefore called the _Christian Cicero_) was of Opinion there were two -sorts of Demons, celestial and terrestrial[374]: The _celestial_ are the -fallen Angels, who having been seduced by the Prince of Devils, engaged -themselves in impure Amours; the _terrestrial_ are they who issued from -the former, as Children from their Parents: These last, who are neither -Men nor Angels, but a Medium between the two Natures; were not plunged -into Hell, neither were their Fathers admitted into Heaven: The -terrestrial Angels are impure Spirits, and Authors of all the Evils -committed on Earth[375]. - -Footnote 374: - - _Chambers_’s _Cyclopæd._ _Calmet_’s _Hist. Dict._ vol. i. p. 434. - -Footnote 375: - - _Lactantius_, lib. ii. cap. 14. _Lugd._ _Bat._ 1652. - -Many of the Antients have allotted to every Man an Evil Angel, who is -continually laying Snares for him, and inclining him to Evil, as his -Good Angel does to what is Good. The _Jews_ have still the same -Sentiments at this day. Another _Father_ thinks, that every Vice has its -Evil Angel, presiding over it; as the Demon of Avarice, the Demon of -Pride, of Uncleanness[376].... - -Footnote 376: - - _Origen._ Homil. xv. in Josh. _Calmet._ ibid. - -In _Pagan Theology_, nothing more common than those good and evil Genii, -and the same superstitious Notion got among the _Israelites_, by -Commerce with the _Chaldeans_; but I don’t apprehend that by Demon, they -meant the Devil, or a wicked Spirit, tho’ it be taken under that Idea by -the Evangelists, and also some modern _Jews_[377]. - -Footnote 377: - - _Cyclopædia._ - -We are not without some Remains of those antient Representations: Among -the various Rarities in the _Musæum_ at _Leyden_ in _Holland_, is the -Effigies in Sculpture of _Osiris_, the _Egyptian God_; ’tis made of -Wood, and now almost consum’d with Age: There are three other _Egyptian_ -Idols of Stone; an Image of _Isis_ (who married _Osiris_, King of the -Country) giving suck to her Orr. Another Effigies of _Isis_, the -_Egyptian Goddess_, upon a little _Egyptian_ Coffer, containing the -Heart of an _Egyptian_ Prince embalm’d therein. - -The antient Pagans, had almost as many _Goddesses_ as _Gods_; such were -_Juno_, the _Goddess of Air_, _&c._ Queen of Heaven, and of the Gods; -was represented sitting on a Throne with a Crown of Gold on her Head: -This was the Patroness of the female Sex. Every Woman had her _Juno_, or -Guardian; as every Man had his _Genius_. She was the Goddess of -Marriages, which were not deem’d lawful without the Parties first -addrest her. One Branch of her Office was to attend them in Labor, when -they pray’d, _Help, Juno Lucina_[378]. - -Footnote 378: - - _Juno Lucina fer opem._ - -She was ador’d by all Nations; her Temple was open on the Top and had no -Doors, it being impious to think of confining the Gods to a narrow -Inclosure. Yea, many of the Antients would erect no devotional Temples, -from a Persuasion that the whole World is the Temple of God. The -_Sicyonians_ would build no Temple to their Goddess _Coronis_: Nor would -the _Athenians_ erect a Statue to the Goddess _Clemency_, who they said -was to live in the _Hearts of Men_, not _within Stone-Walls_. The -Goddesses were numerous, but I shall add no more. - -They did not only enroll _Men_ and _Women_ among their Gods, but they -had also _Hermaphrodite-Gods_. Thus _Minerva_, according to several of -the Learned, was both Man and Woman, and worshipped as such under the -Appellation of _Lunus & Luna_. _Mithras_, the _Persian Deity_, was both -God and Goddess; there were Gods of Virtue, Vice, Time, Place, Death ... -Infancy. Not Men only, but every thing that relates to Mankind, has also -been deified, as Infancy, Age, Death, Labor, Rest, Sleep, Virtues, -Vices, Time, Place.... Infancy alone had a numerous Train of Deities. -They also ador’d the Gods of Health, Love, Fear, Pain, Indignation, -Shame, Renown, Prudence, Art, Science, Fidelity, Liberty, Money, War, -Peace, Victory.... - -Thus we have seen, that nothing more common among Pagans, than to place -Men among the Number of Deities; yea, some of them would not wait for -their Deification till Death. Thus _Nebuchadnezzar_, King of _Babylon_, -procured his _Image to be worshipped_ while he was living. Thus -_Augustus_ had Altars erected and Sacrifices offered to him while alive. -He had Priests called _Augustales_, and Temples at _Lyons_, and several -other Places. He was the first _Roman_ who carried Idolatry to such a -pitch: Having in a most respectful manner view’d the embalm’d Body of -_Alexander the Great_, was ask’d, if he would see _Ptolemy_’s also? he -answer’d, _His Curiosity was to see a King, not a Man_. His Favourite -Poet complements him with the Title of God[379]. Yea, the _Ethiopians_ -deem’d all their Kings _Gods_. - -Footnote 379: - - ——Deus nobis hæc otia fecit. - - -II. _Inanimate Things turn’d into Gods._ Things without Life were made -into Gods by the Heathens: The Sun, Moon, and Stars seem to be the first -Idols, or false Gods, to whom they paid a divine Regard. _Possidonius_ -defines a _Star_, a _divine Body_. The _Zabii_ erected Images to the -Stars, which they fancied to be so many Gods, and that they influenced -the Images consecrated to them; yea, and communicated the prophetick -Spirit to Men. - -The _Sun_ and _Moon_ were by the idolatrous _Israelites_ called the -_King_ and _Queen_ of Heaven, and the Stars were supposed (as it were) -to be their Militia, form’d for their Guards, with which they were -always surrounded. - -_PHILO_ of _Alexandria_, (called _Philo_ the _Jew_, a _Platonick_ -Philosopher) imputes to the Stars a great part of whatever happens on -the Earth; and says, they are not only Animals, but even most pure -Spirits; that our Air is replete with Animals and Spirits, which are -continually descending to animate Bodies. He had borrow’d these odd -Notions from his Master _Plato_, Chief of the Academicks. _Origen_ one -of the Fathers, who flourish’d in the third Century, was guilty of the -same Mistake[380]. - -Footnote 380: - - _Philo Leg. Alleg. Origen._ t i. _Maimon. in Calmet._ under the word - _Star_. - -The sacred Books, in some places, seem to ascribe Knowledge to the -_Stars_, when they praised God at the beginning of the World, _Job_ -xxxviii. 7. but the Stars were not then created, therefore it’s -generally supposed they were _Angels_. Since then the Sun, Moon and -Stars are excited to praise the Lord; the Moon withdrew its Light, and -the Sun stopt its Course at the Command of _Joshua_ ... and perhaps one -reason of their strange Opinions about the heavenly Bodies, might be -owing to these and the like Expressions; not knowing that these Words -were meerly popular, and not to be understood literally, for then we -must say that the Earth, the Trees, the Waters, are animated, since we -find in Scripture some Expressions that would insinuate as much. - -The _Arabians_ who sprung from _Ishmael_, worshipped the Sun, Moon and -Stars, in which they were conducted by their Priests who were cloathed -in white Vestments, wearing Mitres and Sandals, which at first were only -Soles tied to the Feet with Strings. In Authors that speak of -ecclesiastical Rites, and Ornaments, we find the word _Sandals_ to -signify a valuable kind of Shoes, worn by the _Prelates at -Solemnities_[381]. - -Footnote 381: - - _Benedictus Baudovinus de Calceo Antiquo._ - -We find _Sandals_ also used by the Ladies, very different in form: When -_Judith_ went to the Camp of _Holofernes_, she put _Sandals_ on her -Feet, at the sight of which he was captivated; for ’tis said, _Her -Sandals ravish’d his Eyes_. These were a magnificent sort of Stockens, -like Buskins, of an extraordinary Beauty[382], and were proper only to -the Ladies of Condition, who generally had Slaves to carry them. - -Footnote 382: - - _Judith_ x. 4. - -_N. B._ The real _Buskin_ was the _Cothurnus_, a very high Shoe rais’d -on Soals of Cork, wore by the ancient Actors in Tragedy, to make them -appear taller, and more like the Heroes they represented, most of whom -were supposed to be Giants. - -The _Persians_ had no Temples, Altars, nor Images, holding such little -Things improper for the high Gods. Therefore they worshipp’d upon the -Top of Hills, where they offer’d Sacrifices to the Sun, Moon, and Stars. -The _Babylonians_ adored the Sun, to which the King offer’d every Day a -white Horse richly furnish’d: The Sun was in high Esteem among the -_Phenicians_, whose Priests were crown’d with Gold. The _Tartars_ and -_Cathaians_ worship the Sun, and Stars, to which they offer the first -Fruits of their Meat every Morning before they eat and drink themselves. -They have divers Monasteries of Idols, to whom they dedicate their -Children. - -In _Nova Zembla_ there is no Religion prescrib’d by Law, but they -worship the _Sun_, so long as ’tis with them, and the Moon and -North-Star in its absence. In _China_ are great Numbers of sacred -Temples, where the Priests have so much Power over their Gods, that they -may beat them when they don’t answer their Expectation: Their _chief_ -Gods are the _Sun_, _Moon_, and _Stars_, where they are not -christianis’d. - -In the _Philippine Islands_, the Natives worship the _Stars_, which they -hold to be the _Children_ of the _Sun_ and _Moon_: Their Priests, for -the most part, are Women. The _Japonians_ worship an Image, with three -Faces, by which they mean, Sun, Moon, and the elementary World[383]. - -Footnote 383: - - _Acosta_, and _Jesuits_ Ep. in _R. Oliver_. _Noort_’s Navigation. - -In _America_ their chief Deities are the Sun and Moon; which they honour -with Dances and Songs. In _Virginia_ and _Florida_, when they eat, -drink, and sacrifice, they use to throw up towards the Sun, some part of -their Food: The _Spaniards_ taking Advantage of this Superstition, made -the poor ignorant People believe they were Messengers sent to them from -the Sun; whereupon they submitted to the _Spanish_ Yoke. _Hacluyt_, -_ibid._ At _Mexico_, when they sacrificed a Man, they pull’d out his -_Heart_, and offer’d it to the _Sun_. - -In _South-America_, they worship evil Spirits in various Forms, and Sun -and Moon. When it thunders, and lightens, they say the _Sun_ is angry -with them: When the Moon is eclipsed, they say the _Sun_ is angry with -her. - -In _Peru_, next to their chief God, they worship’d the Sun, and after -it, the Thunder. They took Sun and Moon for Husband and Wife. In the -seventh Month they sacrificed to the Sun, and in the tenth to the Honour -of the Moon. - -The same Paganism was profest among the _Europeans_; yea the _Greeks_ -and _Romans_ that were the most knowing and polite Nations, their chief -Gods were Sun, Moon, and Stars. - -The Air, and Meteors in it, were made into Gods: Thus the _Persians_ -ador’d the Wind; Thunder and Lightning were honour’d under the Name -_Geryon_. Comets and the Rainbow also have been prefer’d from _Meteors_, -to be _Gods_. _Socrates_ deify’d the Clouds, if Credit may be given to -_Aristophanes_. - -Their high Veneration for _Water_ was such, that to spit, to urine, or -wash in a River was made a high Crime; perhaps, the _Water of Jealousy_ -that determin’d the Case about the _Jewish_ Women, suspected of -Adultery, might heighten their Veneration for this Element. - -In _Sicily_, Rivers were worshipped by the _Agrigentes_ (in the shape of -a beautiful Boy) to which they sacrificed.... The _Cathaians_ worship -Earth and Water. - -The _Indians_ count the River _Ganges_ sacred, and to have a Power of -expiating their Sins. When the Idolaters wash in it, they cry, _Oh -Ganges, purify me!_ And when any are sick, they dip them in it, in order -to recover their Health. The Water of this River is convey’d to such as -live at a distance, and are not in a Capacity to travel; so that they -ascribe as much Virtue to this River, as the Papists do to their holy -Water, and chief Relicks. - -The People of _Bengal_ don’t only worship the River _Ganges_, but give -Divine Honours to its Image. _Bernier_ says, that Kingdom is well -water’d by Channels cut out of the _Ganges_, which is visited by many -Pilgrims, who think themselves happy if they can wash in it. There is -also a Well in that Country, which they adore, and think, by washing -therein, they are purify’d from their Sins. Their _Priests_ travel about -with the _Water_ of the _Ganges_, which they sell at vast Prices; -because the poor ignorant People are made to believe, that by drinking -this Water, they obtain Pardon of their Sins. - -The Inhabitants of _Peru_ in _America_, fling the Ashes of their -Sacrifices into the River, follow the same six Leagues, and pray the -River to bring that Present to _Virachoca_, a superior Deity. _Acosta._ - -The _Persians_ and _Chaldeans_ express their God by _Fire_, to which -they perform Adoration, and bring it Food, crying to it, _Eat, Oh my -Lord Fire!_ To throw dead and dirty Things into the Fire, yea to blow it -with their Breath, was High Treason. - -The _Magicians_ say, that this _Fire_ was convey’d to them from Heaven; -and that it was for this Reason that they kept it so religiously. That -they preserve a constant Fire on their Altars, is evident from History. -They are said to have Fires still subsisting, which have burnt above a -thousand Years. We read of such Fire kept up with superstitious Care in -the Temple of _Jupiter Ammon_, and in that of _Hercules_ at _Gades_. So -it is in _Egypt_, and in most of all the eastern Countries, and _Virgil_ -tells that _Iarbas_ the _Getulian_ could boast of a hundred Temples he -had erected with Altars, blazing with perpetual Fire, the eternal Guard -of the Gods[384]. - -Footnote 384: - - Centum aras posuit, vigilemque sacraverat ignem, - Excubias divûm æternas. - - VIRG. Æneid. 4. - -That which gave occasion to perpetuate the Fire in Pagan Temples, might -be from the perpetual Fire kept in the Temple at _Jerusalem_, which -descended from Heaven upon the first Victims sacrificed by _Aaron_ and -his Son. Hence the _Vestals_ were appointed express, to keep up the -sacred Fire of the _Romans_. - -The Kings of _Persia_ never went abroad without having some Portion of -the sacred Fire carried before them: The Historian giving an Account of -the March of _Darius_’s Army,—says, that they carried Fire upon Altars -of Silver, in great Ceremony,—that they had it in great Veneration, -calling it the _sacred and eternal Fire_, and that the _Magi_ came -after, singing Hymns according to the _Persian Mode_[385]. - -Footnote 385: - - Quint. Curtius, lib. 1. Hyde de Pers. Relig. c. iii. p. 69. - -God appear’d to _Moses_ under the Form of a Fire burning in a Bush. The -Camp of _Israel_ in the Wilderness was conducted in the Night by a -Pillar of Fire. Now God having made several Revelations of himself, -under the Appearance of Fire, might give occasion to the _Chaldeans_ and -_Persians_ to entertain such enormous Veneration for Fire, which is a -Symbol of the Deity: _The Lord thy God_, says _Moses, is a consuming -Fire_. At their high Solemnities they set several Trees (hung with -diverse Sorts of Beasts for Sacrifice) on fire; this they did after they -had carried about these Fires in Procession. - -I Shall add here, a remarkable Contest that happen’d between the -_Chaldean_ and _Egyptian_ Priests about the _Superiority of their -Gods_.... In the time of _Constantine_ the _Chaldean Priests_, to prove -that _Fire_, which was their God, excell’d all other Gods in Power, -travell’d over the Earth, carrying _Fire_ with them, which soon consum’d -all the Statues and Images of other Gods; whether of Brass, Silver, -Stone or Wood, says _Suidas_[386], who gives a large Account of it, -under the Word κανωπος. At length coming into _Egypt_, and making this -Challenge; the _Egyptian Priests_ agreed upon a _Battle of the Gods_, -and immediately brought into the Field one of their Idols, which was a -large Statue of _Nilus, full of Water_, and full of little Holes, which -they stopt with Wax not discernable, and so artificially, that the Water -was kept in. - -Footnote 386: - - Vol. I. pag. 1368. - -The _Chaldeans_ (not aware of this Device) begun the Action, with much -Assurance, and with Eagerness put Fire around the _Egyptian Statue_, -which soon melted the invisible Wax, and the Water gushing forth from -all Parts, immediately put out the Fire, and drown’d the hitherto -_invincible Deity_ of the _Persians_; the Tragedy ended in a triumphant -Shout of Laughter among the Spectators: And I might add[387] how the -_Arabians_ and _Indians_, _Peruvians_, _Lithuanians_, and _Vandals_ -worship’d Vegetables,—the _Scythians_ Iron. Trees and Plants have been -made Gods. Leeks and Onions were Deities in _Egypt_. The ancient _Gauls_ -and _Britons_ bore a particular Devotion to the _Oak_; from which their -Priests took their Names. _Ceres_ and _Proserpina_, worship’d by the -Ancients, were no other than Wheat, Corn, Seed.—The _Syrians_ and -_Egyptians_ ador’d Fishes. What were _Tritons_, _Nereids_, _Syrens_, but -Sea-Gods? Insects, as Flies, and Ants, had their Priests and Votaries: -Yea, _Minerals_ were erected into _Deities_. The _Finlanders_ ador’d -_Stones_. I don’t see what can be said for such an Instance of -Stupidity. To say the Practice took its rise from _Abram_’s anointing -the _Stone_ that he made use of for a Pillow, when he went to -_Mesopotamia_, does not lessen the Reproach. The _Mahometans_ think that -_Jacob_’s Stone was convey’d to the _Temple at Jerusalem_; and is still -there in a _Mosque_ or _Turkish_ Temple, where the Temple at _Jerusalem_ -stood before the final Desolation. The monstrous Stupidity of Pagans in -their Devotions will further appear in the Close of this Performance. - -Footnote 387: - - _Ruffin._ Hist. Ecclesiastica, lib. 2. _Stanley_’s Lives of the - Philosophers, part 16. chap. 8. page 28. - -Now among all these Instances of Idolatry, the Adoration of the _Sun_ -was the most excusable; for, who can behold that stupendous Globe of -Fire and Light in perpetual Motion, Splendor, and universal Usefulness -to Mankind, without awful Admiration, and warm Emotions of Mind? No -wonder then to find that it has been the Object of Adoration so long, -and in so many Places. It was the Sun very probably that was worship’d -by the _Phenicians_ under the Name of _Baal_, by the _Moabites_ under -the Name of _Chemosh_, by the _Ammonites_ under the Name of _Moloch_; by -the degenerated _Israelites_ by the Name of _Baal_, the King of the Host -of Heaven, to whom they join’d the Moon, whom they called _Astarta_ or -Queen of Heaven. - -This Worship was perform’d upon high Places, in Groves, and upon the -Roofs of their Houses, which in those Countries, were flat. It was -against this kind of Worship that _Moses_ warn’d the _Israelites_, and -threatens the Transgressors with Death. _Deut._ iv. 19, ’tis said -_Josiah_ King of _Judah took away the Horses_, that his Royal -Predecessors had given to the Sun, and were fix’d at the Entrance into -the House of the Lord, and _burnt the Chariots of the Sun with Fire_. - - -III. _Animal Gods._ In the next place, I shall briefly touch upon some -Brutes and Birds, _&c._ that received Divine Honours from the Pagan -People, and even from those who were supposed to excel their Neighbours -in Understanding and Wisdom. - -Thus _Crocodiles_, _Serpents_, _Eagles_, _Dogs_, _Cats_, _Wolves_, -_Oxen_, were worship’d by the People of _Egypt_, those celebrated Sons -of Wisdom; but their greatest Solemnities were consecrated to the God -_Apis_, or _Serapis_, under the Image of an Ox or Bull. - -They had an Ox consecrated to the Sun, which they fed at _Heliopolis_ in -_Egypt_: They had another called _Apis_, dedicated to the Moon, and fed -at _Memphis_, (for some time, the royal City) where he had his Temple, -and the Devils gave out their Oracles. In the time of St. _Jerom_, who -flourish’d in the fourth Century, they worshipped here a brass Bull as a -God. - -The famous God _Osiris_ was adored under the Figure of this Beast, and -when dead, it was buried with great Solemnity and Mourning: And ’tis -observable, that his Birth-day was celebrated thro’ the whole Kingdom. -_N. B._ ’Tis very probable, that the _Israelites_ worshipped the golden -Calf in the same manner as the _Egyptians_ did their Bulls, their Cows -and Calves. - -Before I proceed, give me leave to speak something of this golden Idol, -which was the Figure of a Calf, which the _Israelites_ cast, and set up -to worship in _Moses_’s Absence; who, upon his return from the Mount, -burnt the Figure, ground it to Powder, and made the People drink it mixt -with Water, _Exod._ xxxii. The Learned are divided in their Sentiments -on this Article; that is, the golden Calf, that was burnt and -pulverized. - -To pulverize Gold and render it potable, is an Operation in Chymistry of -the last Difficulty; and ’tis hard to conceive how it should be done at -that time, before Chymistry was heard of, and in a Wilderness too, where -they had no proper Instruments. Many therefore suppose it to be done by -a Miracle. But the chymical Art seems to be of greater Antiquity, and -was very probably practised in the antediluvian World by _Tubal Cain_. -_Moses_ is the next Chymist mention’d in the Bible, whose Skill in -chymical Operations, in pulverizing the golden Calf, seems to be -incontestable, and artificial. - -The Art is now much improved. Bid a Chymist convert Gold into Glass; and -by means of a burning Concave, or otherwise, he presently does it: Ask -him to Shew you Gold in Powder, and by mixing a little _Antimony_ with -that Metal, he will soon render it pulverable[388]. - -Footnote 388: - - _Boerhaave_’s _new Method. Proces._ 268, 317. - -But to return: Among other living Creatures, the _Egyptians_ also paid a -great Devotion to _Dogs_ and _Cats_. We read of a certain _Roman_ -Soldier, that was like to be torn to pieces by the People, for having -_kill’d a Cat by Accident_; and that when a Dog happen’d to die, the -whole House went into Mourning[389]: Yea, in case of a great Famine, -they would eat Man’s Flesh, before they would touch their sacred -Animals; _ibid._ The Stork, Raven, Eagle, Hawk, Ibis, and other Birds, -have had divine Honours paid them in _Egypt_ and other Places.... - -Footnote 389: - - _Diodor. Siculus, Herodot._ - -The City of _Mendez_ in _Egypt_ worshipped a _Goat_; the City of _Mira_, -the _Crocodile_. In other Provinces they erected Altars to Lions, -Baboons, Wolves.... The _Hog_ was ador’d in the Island of _Crete_ (now -_Candy_) in the Mediterranean. Bats and Mice had Altars consecrated to -them in _Troas_ and at _Tenedos_. - -Nothing can be supposed more ridiculous than the Adoration given by the -_Egyptians_ to their brutal Deities, which were either within or near -their Temples; had Tables with delicious Meats and Beds prepared for -them, and when any of them died, they went into Mourning, prepared -sumptuous Funerals and magnificent Tombs for them, as may be seen at -large in _Diodorus Siculus_, _Herodotus_, and others[390]. - -Footnote 390: - - _Plut. Herodot. Jurieu’s Critical History._ - -Some indeed ridiculed their senseless and stupid Neighbours, tho’ they -themselves were not Masters of superior Sense in their Devotions. -_Anaxandrides_ reproaches the _Egyptians_ for their wretched and foolish -Idolatry; but after all, this was only one Idolater deriding another. -_Dionysius_ was the most notorious this way: And most knavish in this -kind was the _Painter_, who, when he should have drawn the Picture of -_such a Goddess_ for a _Grecian_ City, drew the _Picture of his own -Mistress_, and so made her to be adored by the Citizens. - -What Man could have forbore laughing, said the _Greek_ Poet above, to -see an _Egyptian on his Marrowbones, praying to an Ox as to a God, or -howling over a sick Cat, fearing lest his scratching God should die_? - -Upon the whole, ’tis no easy matter to discover the real Sentiments of -the Heathens about their Gods: they admitted so many superior and -inferior Deities, who shared the Empire, that all was full of Gods. - -Some of the Antients say, that a certain _subtile Matter_ that made -Stars _intelligent_, did reside in their sacred Animals, Plants and Men, -and escaped Death: And this made them fit to partake of such Worship, as -they gave to the Stars.——_Sanchoniatho_ meant only, that the celestial -Bodies are intelligent, and see what is done here below, and therefore -were to be adored as Gods[391]. - -Footnote 391: - - _Sanchoniatho’s Phœnician Hist._ by the Learned Bp. _Cumberland_, vol. - i. p. 20, 21. - - - SECT. III. - - _Adoration of_ SERPENTS. - -The next thing that comes under Consideration is, the _Worship of -Serpents, which is observed thro’ all the Pagan Antiquity_. The Devil, -who, under the Shape of a Serpent, tempted our first Parents, has, with -unwearied Application, labour’d to deify that Animal, as a Trophy of his -first Victory over Mankind. The Conquest made by the _old Serpent in -Paradise_, and the wonderful Cures made by the _Shadow of a Serpent in -the Wilderness_, contributed very much towards making that hateful -Creature so venerable in the Eyes of so many Nations. - -God having past Sentence upon the Serpent, Satan _consecrates that Form_ -in which he deceived the Woman, and introduces it into the World as an -Object of religious Veneration: This he did with a view to enervate the -Force of the divine Oracle, the Seed of the Woman. Scarcely a Nation -upon Earth, but he has tempted to the grossest Idolatry, and in -particular got himself to be worshipped in the hideous _Form of a -Serpent_. - -The Almighty foreseeing this general Delusion, guarded the World against -it, by inspiring Men with the greatest Aversion to that venemous -Creature, and yet was the Tempter ador’d in most places under the -Appearance of a Serpent. If you say, that Men worship other Creatures; I -answer, Those are beneficial to Mankind, and not so odious and hurtful -as those who carry Poison in their Tails and Teeth. - -How surprizing this! that a Serpent, a Beast to which Mankind has a -strong natural Aversion, should be _ador’d by Creatures of Reason_, and -yet _nothing more common_, as will appear by the following Instances -from Antiquity. - -_EGYPT_ was a Country that abounded with Variety of Serpents, and where -they were generally held in the greatest Veneration. The supreme God was -represented by them in the _Form_ of a _Serpent_ with a Hawk’s Head, -because of the wonderful Agility of that Bird. We see no Table of -_Osiris_ and _Isis_, two _Egyptian Idols_, without a Serpent joined to -them[392]. This _Isis_ married _Osiris_, King of that Country, and -govern’d with so much Wisdom and Gentleness, that the _Egyptians_ paid -divine Honours to them, who had been such Blessings to the Land. - -Footnote 392: - - _Macrobii Oper. Sat._ cap. xx. - -In _Egypt_ is a Serpent of the Aspick Kind, called _Thermutis_, to which -they gave divine Worship; therefore crown’d with it the Statue of their -Goddess _Isis_. In the Corners of the Temples, they built little Chapels -under ground, where they carefully fed this _Thermutic Serpent_, as a -_sacred Genius_[393]. - -Footnote 393: - - _Ælian de Animalibus_, lib. x. _Conrad. Gesner. de Serp._ p. 32. - -The _Egyptians_ also paid divine Honours to the _Crocodile_, that -monstrous kind of Serpent, particularly the Inhabitants of _Arsinoë_, -and they who dwelt in the Neighbourhood of _Thebes_, and the Lake -_Mæris_; among whom ’twas fed by their Priests with Bread, Wine, Flesh, -and diverse Rarities[394]. - -Footnote 394: - - _In Jonstonus de Quadruped_, cap. viii. p. 142. - -_THÆAUTUS_, so often mentioned by _Sanchoniatho_, attributed some Deity -to the Nature of the Serpent; an Opinion approved by the _Phenicians_, -therefore look’d upon as holy and immortal, and comes into the sacred -Mysteries[395]. - -Footnote 395: - - _Euseb. Præp. Evangel._ l. i. c. 10. from _Philo Biblius_, the - Translator of _Sanchon_. - -They represented the World by a Circle, in the middle of which was a -Serpent, representing the good Demon, or Genius of the World, by which -’tis animated, and is a _Symbol_ of the Almighty Creator. Behold here -the Blasphemy of Satan, in giving to God the Form of a Serpent, which he -had borrow’d himself to make war against God in Paradise. They sometimes -represented their Gods with the Bodies of Serpents, and honour’d those -odious Animals with divine Worship, as Symbols of _Apollo_, of the -_Sun_, and of _Medicine_, and were put into the Charge of _Ceres_ and -_Proserpine_. - -_HERODOTUS_ observes, that in his time, near _Thebes_, there were to be -seen tame Serpents, adorn’d with Jewels, and consecrated to _Jupiter_, -which did no harm to any body: When they died, they were buried in -_Jupiter_’s Temple[396]. _Ælian_ speaks of domestick Serpents, that were -in the Houses of the _Egyptians_, and look’d upon as _household Gods_; -and of another Serpent worshipped in a Tower at _Melitus_ in _Egypt_, -that had a Priest and other Officers attending it, and served every day -upon an Altar with Meal kneaded up with Honey, which the next day was -found to be eaten. _In Melite Eg. Draco divinis honoribus afficitur in -turri quadam_ ... _adsunt ei sacerdotes & ministri; mensa_ ... _ex -farina subacta_.... Herod. lib. ii. cap. 17. - -Footnote 396: - - _——Ex Crocodilis alunt. appendentes auribus vel gemmas—sacris in arnis - sepeliant._ _Euterpe_, lib. ii. p. 186. - -The _Phenicians_ also sacrificed to _Dragons_, calling them their _good -Angels_, their propitious and kind Spirits. Nothing more common in the -Heathen Religion, than the Appearance of a Serpent in some Form or -other. - -The _Babylonians_ worshipped a _Dragon_, which the Prophet _Daniel_, by -a Commission from the King, killed; which, one would think, was -sufficient to convince the Royal Idolater of his egregious Stupidity in -worshipping a Creature as Conservator of Mankind, that could not -preserve its own Life. They represented the World by a Circle in the -Form of a _Greek Theta_ Θ, and the _good Demon_, by a _Serpent_ in the -midst of it; under which Figure, the Protectors of Countries and Cities, -called tutelary Gods, were worshipped. - -The _Arabians_ reputed Serpents _sacred Beings_, and therefore would -allow no Violence to be offered to them; and this Superstition yet -remains among those People, according to _Veslingius_, says my Author. -They take them into their Houses, feed and worship them as the _Genii_, -or Guardians of the Place: Not only Men, but every kind of Things, had -its peculiar _Genius_. Two were assigned to each Person, a good and evil -Genius, and those were thought to attend them from the Cradle to the -Grave. We read of a sacred Dragon that was kept in _Phrygia_ in _Asia -Minor_, whose Residence was in a Wood, dedicated to _Diana_, Goddess of -the Woods. - -Among other strange Animals in the _East-Indies_, _Alexander_ found in a -Cave, a _monstrous Dragon_, which the Inhabitants counted sacred, and -was adored by them, and daily supplied with Food: The poor, ignorant, -superstitious People, humbly addrest the _Conqueror_, not to attack that -_holy Place_, and disturb the Repose of their God. The victorious Army -hearing its hideous and dreadful Roarings, were not a little terrify’d; -they only saw its monstrous Head, when stretch’d out of its Mansion, and -its Eyes appeared to them to be as big as a large _Macedonian Buckler_, -a Species of defensive Armour[397]. - -Footnote 397: - - _Conrad. Gesner._ p. 44, 45. _Gyllius._ - -The King of _Calicut_ (in the _East-Indies_, the most powerful of all -the _Malabar_ Princes) causes little Cottages to be erected for sacred -Serpents, to guard them against the Inclemency of the Weather, and ’tis -made Death to hurt them, being they are look’d upon as heavenly Spirits; -and they believe them to be such for this Reason, because _they kill Men -so suddenly by the Wound they give, which is only a little Puncture, and -would not prove fatal if given by other Creatures_. - -It is observed by some, that Serpents at this day are highly honour’d in -the Kingdom of _Calicut_, on this side the _Ganges_, where the -Inhabitants call their King _Samori_, or _Zamorin_, that is, Sovereign -Emperor, and God upon Earth. The Dragon being a Serpent of the vigilant -Tribe, was constituted and made Guardian of their Houses, of their -oracular Temples, and of all their Treasures. - -These Protectors of Places and Possessions, they call’d Tutelary Gods, -and were worshipp’d by them under the Symbol of _Serpents_, without -whose Sanction no Methods of Protection were available. - -It is remarkable, that where the Figure of two Serpents was erected in -any place, it was look’d upon as a Sign of consecrated Ground; that is, -that the Place was holy, being dedicated to some God; for which -Superstition they are ridiculed by one of their own Writers, _viz._ -_Persius_ the Satirist, that lived under _Nero_, who tells us, that -Children were forbid to empty themselves in those Places, and not so -much as make-water, for the Place is holy, as appears by the _Picture of -the two Serpents_; the Language of which is, Profane not holy Ground. - -Would you, Sir, have your Poem pass for a sacred Composure, then paint -two Serpents in the Front of it. - -Behold here the Original of that Popish Superstition, which forbids Men -to make-water in the Church-Yard[398]. - -Footnote 398: - - Pinge duos angues, pueri, sacer est locus, extra - Meite—— - - _Satir._ i. - -At _Alba_, in a Wood not far from _Juno_’s Temple, is a Dragon -worshipp’d by the Inhabitants, and for their greater Honour, fed by -Virgins, thereby intimating, that Innocence was a proper Attendant on -the Gods. - -In _Epirus_, south of _Macedonia_, is a certain place sacred to -_Apollo_, and wall’d about, within which are kept _sacred Dragons_, fed -likewise by a Virgin Priestess, uncloathed, which they believe to be -most acceptable to their idol Gods[399]; called by _Juvenal_, one of -their own Poets, _wenching Gods_. - -Footnote 399: - - Ælian. lib. ii. cap. 2. ἱερεια γυμνη παρθενος. - -The _Epiroticks_, who highly venerated _Apollo_, honour’d his Temple -with a _consecrated Dragon_, which they worshipp’d in solemn remembrance -of his killing the _Pythonic Serpent_. It were well if the same Spirit -of Gratitude reign’d amongst _Britons_, towards the Heroes that -deliver’d their Country from the great Ecclesiastical Dragon, by the -glorious Revolution. - -Near _Lavinium_ was a Grove of serpentine Gods, dedicated to _Juno_ of -_Argos_, which was a City in _Peloponnesus_ (famous for the Shrine of -_Æsculapius_) now the _Morea_, one of whose Rivers is called _Styx_; or -rather a Well, whose Water is so cold and venemous, that it often kills -such that drink thereof; and therefore design’d by the Poets, to be a -River of Hell: ’Tis said by some, that _Alexander_ was poison’d with it. - -It’s well known what Worship was paid to the Serpent at _Epidaurus_, a -_Peleponnesian City_, and the Manner how ’twas pretended that Serpent -was brought to _Rome_, which is as follows, _viz._ - -The _Romans_ being sorely distrest by a Plague, they sent a _Galley_ -with Ambassadors to _Epidaurus_, to bring the Serpent consecrated to -_Æsculapius_ to _Rome_, which of its own accord went aboard the Galley, -and which was landed in the Isle of _Tyber_, where divine Honours were -paid to it; upon which the Plague ceased.——Take it as represented by the -Historian, who says, ... That the Plague raging terribly at _Rome_, and -in the Vicinity, above three Years, did not abate, by any divine or -human Remedy, tho’ Men had tried both; therefore by the Counsel of the -_Delphic Oracle_, ten Ambassadors were sent to fetch the Statue of -_Æsculapius_, that was ador’d in the Body of the great Serpent; -hereupon, a very strange thing ensued, and manifestly true, both from -many faithful Historians, and building the _Temple_ (dedicated to it) in -the _Isle of Tyber_. - -When the _Roman Ambassadors_ had delivered their Commands to the -_Epidaurians_, who brought them into the Temple of _Æsculapius_ ... -while they were admiring a huge Shrine, a great Serpent sliding of a -sudden from the _Adytum_ (which was a Place of Retirement in the Pagan -Temples, where Oracles were given, into which none but Priests were -admitted) upon sight of it the Priests, in a devout Posture, said to the -Company, _that the Deity shrouded itself in that Form_, and when it -appear’d in this _Fashion_, ’twas look’d upon as a _happy Omen_. - -The Serpent was seen for two Days in the Temple, and afterwards -disappeared, but on the third Day it past thro’ the Croud (which gazed -on and worship’d) and went directly to the Port where the _Roman Galley_ -stood; and having enter’d into it, laid itself down in the Cabin of _Q. -Ogulnius_, the chief Ambassador. They set sail from thence ... and soon -arrived at _Rome_. The whole City came out to see this wonderful -Thing——Altars were built, Incense burnt, and Sacrifices offer’d. The -Serpent swam over to the _Isle of Tyber_, (which afterwards was called -_Æsculapius_’s _Isle_) and since was never seen. - -The Senate concluding this Island to be the Place chosen by the God, -decreed that a Temple should be built for _Æsculapius_ there—whereupon -the Plague ceased. The Temple grew famous for rich Offerings, in -Consideration of their Deliverance from the Plague by that Deity[400]. - -Footnote 400: - - _Livy._ lib. xi. _Quære_, Whether the Historian’s Faith kept pace with - his Pen? - -_VALERIUS MAXIMUS_ says, that the Priests looking into the _Sibyls -Books_, observed there was no other way to restore the City to its -former Health, but by bringing the Image of _Æsculapius_ from -_Epidaurus_ ... upon which Ambassadors were sent[401]. - -Footnote 401: - - _Val. Maxim._ lib. i. cap. 8. See _Ovid. Metamorph._ lib. 25. - -The Poets and Mythologists, in order to shew there was no Distemper but -_Æsculapius_ could cure, said, he raised the Dead. Thus at the Request -of _Diana_, he restor’d _Hippolytus_ to Life, who had been torn to -pieces by his Horses. We can’t doubt of the Credulity of the People in -thinking him rank’d among the Gods, after so many Temples, Inscriptions, -and Medals dedicated to his Memory. - -The most famous Temples consecrated to _Æsculapius_, were that of -_Epidaurus_[402], that in the Isle of _Co_, that of _Cyrene_, that of -_Pergamos_, that in the Isle of _Tyber_[403]. - -Footnote 402: - - _Pliny Nat. Hist._ lib. 4. c. 5. - -Footnote 403: - - For these, see _Strabo_, _Val. Maximus_, _Herodot., Livy_. - -As to the Inscriptions in honour of _Æsculapius_, _Gruterus_ has these -following, _viz._ - - _Æsculapio, Hygeæ, & ceteris Diis & Deabus._ - - _Deo Æsculapio, & Hygeæ, conservatoribus._ - - _Deo Æsculapio, & Deæ Hygeæ._ - -_N. B._ The Title of Conservator, or Saviour, was the ordinary Elogium -of _Æsculapius_. - -In the Isle of _Co_, there was a Coin whereon _Æsculapius_ was called -the _Saviour_; and so on a Coin of _Ancyra_. Games are also mentioned, -instituted in honour of him as Saviour. The Symbol of _Æsculapius_ was a -_Serpent_, or _Dragon_, about a _little Rod_, as may be seen in several -Medals, and by the Testimony of the Poet[404]. Wherever he was worship’d -in Statues of a _human Figure_, a _Staff was put into his Left-hand, -with a Serpent about it_. - -Footnote 404: - - _Ovid. Metam._ lib. 5. Qualis in æde.... Esse solet, baculumque tenens - agreste sinistra. - -This seems to be the reason why Antiquity represents the first Masters -of Physick (as _Hermes_, _Æsculapius_, _Hippocrates_, in their Statues -and Medals) with a _Viper_ added to their _Figure_; and also why they -worship’d those _Physicians under the Form of Serpents_[405]. - -Footnote 405: - - _Salomonis Cellarii—Origines & Antiquitates Medicæ._ Printed at _Hall_ - in _Saxony_. - -The Serpent of _Æsculapius_, the reputed God of Physick, had its Rise -from the miraculous Cures done by _Moses_’s _Serpent_ in the Camp of -_Israel_. Serpents of bright and golden Colour were all counted sacred -to _Æsculapius_, and were cicur’d, or made tame by human Arts. A -_Dragon_ was usually annex’d to his _Image_, and to that of _Health_, -nothing being thought _available_ without the _Presence of a Serpent_. - -At _Pella_ in _Macedonia_, the Royal Seat, and _Alexander_’s -Birth-place, were _Dragons_ of a large Bulk, but of a gentle Nature, -maintain’d at the Expence of the Government, as Creatures bearing a -_sacred Character_, and worthy of the publick Regard. Because many tame -Serpents were kept in that Place, the fabulous Poets said, _Alexander -was born of a Serpent_. - -The People of _Argos_ in _Greece_, had Serpents in such great -Veneration, that nobody was suffer’d to kill them with impunity[406]. -The _Pagan Temples_ were wont to be haunted with Serpents, in so much -that it grew into a Phrase of Speech, the _sacred Serpent_[407]. And -thus Serpents are deified and solemnly enrolled among the Gods. - -Footnote 406: - - _Ælian._ lib. xii. cap. 34. - -Footnote 407: - - Sacer anguis. - -_SANCHONIATHON_, a _Phœnician Historiographer_, and _Philo Biblius_, who -translated his Antiquities, have left us a full Account of the Origin of -the _Apotheosis_, or _Canonization of Serpents_[408]; which leads me to -say something of what the Ancients called _Apotheosis of departed -Souls_, and the Strange Ceremonies used in the _Apotheosis_ or -_Deification_ of the deceased Emperor, who had deserved well of their -Country. - -Footnote 408: - - _Sanchoniathon_ is supposed by some to be cotemporary with _Gideon_. - -_APOTHEOSIS_ among the Ancients was a Pagan Ceremony whereby Emperors -and great Men were placed among the Gods, called also _Deification_, and -_Consecration_: Temples and Altars were erected to the new Deities, -_viz._ Serpents and Men, Sacrifices offered to them; and for that end, -Colleges of Priests were instituted for the Honour of these Demi-Gods. - -It was one of the Doctrines of _Pythagoras_, which he borrowed from the -_Chaldeans_, that useful and virtuous Persons, after their Death, were -raised into the _Order of the Gods_. Hence the Ancients _deified_ all -the Inventors of Things that were beneficial to Mankind, and those who -had done Services of Importance to their Country. - -By degrees these _new Gods_ grew very numerous. One of their own Poets -rallying them for frequent Deifications, introduces poor _Atlas_, who is -said to _bear the Heavens on his Shoulders_, complaining, that he was -ready to sink under the Number and Weight of so many _new Gods_, as were -every day coin’d, and added to the Heavens, which made his Shoulders to -warch. _N. B._ _Atlas_ in Anatomy is the Name of the first _Vertebra_ of -the Neck, which supports the Head, and is the highest, so called in -allusion to the famous Mountain _Atlas_ in _Africa_, suppos’d to be the -highest in the World, so that it seems to hold up the Heavens; and also -to the Fable that makes _Atlas_ King of _Mauritania_ in that Country, to -bear up the visible Heavens. I now proceed to the Description which we -have in _Herodian_, a _Greek_ Historian in the third Century, who in -speaking of the _Apotheosis_ of the Emperor _Severus_, gives us a very -full Account of that strange Ceremony, _viz._ - -... After the Body of the deceased Emperor had been burnt with the usual -Solemnities, they placed an Image of Wax perfectly like him, but of a -sickly Aspect, on a large Bed of Ivory, covered with Cloth of Gold, -which they exposed to publick View at the Entrance of the Palace-Gate. - -The greatest Part of the Day the Senate sat ranged on the left side of -the Bed, drest in Mourning Robes; the Ladies of the first Rank sitting -on the right side, in plain and white Robes, without any Ornaments.... -This lasted for seven Days successively; during which, the Physicians -came from time to time to visit the Sick, always making their Report -that he grew worse, till at length they publish’d it, that he was dead. - -This done, the _young Senators_ and _Roman Knights_ took the Bed of -State upon their Shoulders, carrying it thro’ the _Via sacra_ to the old -_Forum_, where the Magistrates used to divest themselves of their -Offices: There they let it down between two kinds of Amphitheatres; in -the one, were the Youth, and in the other the Maidens of the first -Families in _Rome_, singing Hymns set to solemn Airs in praise of the -Deceased. - -Those Hymns ended, the Bed was carried out of the City into the _Campus -Martius_, in the middle of which Place was erected a kind of square -Pavilion; the Inside thereof was full of combustible Matter, and the -Outside hung with Cloth of Gold, and adorned with Figures of Ivory, and -various Paintings. - -Over this Edifice were several others, like the first in Form and -Decoration, but less; always diminishing, and growing slenderer towards -the Top, and a great many aromatick Perfumes, and odoriferous Fruits and -Herbs were thrown all around: After which, the Knights made a Procession -in solemn Measures about the Pile; several Chariots ran round it, those -who conducted them being clad in purple Robes, and bearing the Images of -the greatest _Roman_ Emperors and Generals. - -This Ceremony ended, the new Emperor came to the _Catafalco_ or Pile -with a Torch in his hand, and at the same time Fire was put to it on all -sides by the Company, the Spices and all Combustibles kindling all at -once. While this was doing, they let fly from the Top of the Building an -_Eagle_, which mounting into the Air with a Firebrand, carried the Soul -of the dead Emperor along with it into Heaven, as the _Romans_ believ’d; -and thenceforward _he was ranked among the Gods_. ’Tis for this Reason -that the Medals wherein the _Apotheoses_ are represented, have usually -an Altar with Fire upon it, or however an Eagle taking its Flight into -the Air, and sometimes two Eagles[409]. - -Footnote 409: - - _Herodian_, who writ his History in 8 Books, from whom we have the - Ceremonies of the Apotheosis of the _Roman_ Emperors, lib. 4. - -A certain Emperor being asked, what he had done to merit an -_Apotheosis_? He answered, _He had always studied to resemble the Gods_. -And being asked again, In what did he endeavour to be like them? He -answered, _In having as few Wants as possible of my own, and doing good -in the most extensive Way to others_. - -There is no Place so remote in the World, but has been polluted with -this monstrous Idolatry, _of worshipping Serpents_. The northern -Historians tell us, the People of _Lithuania_ in _Poland_ worship’d -Serpents; and ’tis not long ago, since that gross Idolatry was -abolish’d, of which _Sigismund_ Baron of _Herberstein_, gives us this -memorable Story, _viz._ - -——Returning, says he, from _Massovia_ near _Wilna_, my Host -acquainted me, he had bought a Hive of Bees, from one of these -_Serpent-Worshippers_, whom with much ado he had persuaded to kill -the Serpent, and worship the true God: Within a while after coming -that Way, he found the poor Fellow miserably tortured and deformed, -his Face wrinkl’d and turn’d awry; and demanding the Cause of it, he -answer’d, _viz._ - -_THAT this Judgment was inflicted upon him for killing his God_, and -that he was like to endure heavier Torments if he did not return to his -former Worship. Which brings to my Mind a Passage in one of the Fathers, -relating to the _Carthaginians_, who having been compelled by -_Agathocles_ King of _Sicily_ to leave off those horrid Sacrifices of -human Victims to _Saturn_, forbore them a long time: But a great -Calamity being brought upon them for disusing those human Sacrifices; -and to atone for their Neglect, _they sacrificed at once two hundred -Children of the noblest Families in_ Carthage[410]. - -Footnote 410: - - Cum victi essent ab Agathocle rege Siculorum, iratum sibi Deum - putavisse, itaque ut diligentius piaculum solverent ducentos nobilium - filios immolasse. Lactantius. Lib. 1. Sect. 21. p. 67. _Lugd. Batav._ - -But to return to the _Baron_ of the North, who adds, That in his Time, -the People in _Samogitia_, East of the _Baltick_ Sea, did still pay -_divine Honours to a Serpent as a Deity_.... Some of those that inhabit -the Deserts, adore a _four-footed Serpent_, under the Name of _Givosit_. -Few Families there, are without _Serpents_, for their _Domestick Gods_, -to whom they give more than ordinary Veneration, tho’ at the same time -they profess the Christian Faith[411], which _Jagello_ their Prince -received _Anno Domini_ 1386. _ibid._ - -Footnote 411: - - Atlas _Europe_, p. 261. - -The _English_ Cosmographer accounts for them thus, _viz._ “The People -anciently had _Fire_ and _Serpents_ for their Gods, nourishing the last -in their Houses, and keeping the other continually burning; the Priests -of the Temple always adding Fuel, that it might not fail. The Vestal -Fire was not kept more carefully at _Rome_, nor with greater -Ceremony.... To this God, (whom they call’d, Lord of the _Smoke_,) they -used to sacrifice young Pullets, to the other their Cocks[412].” The -Seed of this Idolatry is so implanted in them, that ’tis said, that in a -Village of the King’s, called _Lovaniski_, their chief City, they do, to -this day _worship Serpents_. _ibid._ - -Footnote 412: - - _Heylin_’s Cosmogr. lib. 2. _Poland_ p. 143. - -The _Lithuanians_, ’tis said, ador’d three Gods, _Fire_, _Wood_, and -_Serpents_. These last were counted their _Guardian Gods_. And according -to a certain Historian, this kind of superstitious and diabolical -Worship continues yet in some Parts of the Kingdoms of _Norway_ and -_Vermolandia_[413]. - -Footnote 413: - - _Olaus Magnus_, Archbishop of _Upsal._ History of the _Goths_. - -The Inhabitants of _Prussia_ were barbarous and wild in the highest -degree, having of old no manner of Religion, or next to none, and first -began _with the Worship of Serpents_[414]. There are Countries in the -_Indies_, says _Jurieu_, where Serpents are worship’d to this day. - -Footnote 414: - - _Erasm. Stella_ in the Antiquities of _Prussia_. Lib. 1. - -_ARISTOPHANES_, in the Comedy entitled _Plutus_, observes that the Deity -gave the Sign, _viz._ by _hissing_; upon which two monstrous Dragons -skip’d out of the Temple[415]. - -Footnote 415: - - Δυω δρακοντ’ εκ του νεω. Fragmenta p. 52. - Dixerat hæc adytis cum lubricus anguis ab imis. - -When _Æneas_ sacrificed to the _Manes_, (the departed Soul) of his -Father _Anchises_, he saw a _Serpent_ come out of his Grave, which he -concluded to be either the _Tutelar God_ of his Father, or of that -Place, which was counted a good Omen. We have an Account of some Priests -in _Asia_ that expose to publick View a Serpent in a brazen Vessel, -attended with a great Variety of Musick. The Serpent appears in an erect -Posture, opens its Mouth, and instead of a forked Tongue, appears the -Head of a beautiful Virgin[416]. - -Footnote 416: - - _Phil. Melanchton._ - -_NICHOLAS de Lyra_ makes mention of such another idle Conceit, _viz._ -That the Serpent assumed the Face of a beautiful Maid, when it tempted -_Eve_. _N. B._ In the _German Bibles_ printed before _Luther_, among -other Figures may be seen that of a Serpent with the Face of a very -handsome Maid. - -In short, so great was the Devotion paid to Serpents, that Persons and -Things were denominated from them: Yea, some would be thought to proceed -from Serpents, as the highest Degree of Honour. _Cadmus_’s Companion was -called a _Serpent_, so the Giant in _Homer_, and a certain Prophet in -_Pausanias_. - -In the Primitive Church were an heretical Sect, called _Ophites_, that -is Serpents. In _Cyprus_, and about the _Hellespont_, were a certain -People that went by the Name _Serpent_. So a Soothsayer in _Messenia_, -_&c._ But these came short of _Alexander the Great_, and _Scipio -Africanus_, who were said _to be born of Serpents_, which they look’d -upon to be the _brightest Insignia_ in their _Escutcheon_; but more of -this _Serpentine Pride_ in the next Chapter. - -In such wonderful Esteem were _Serpents_ among them, that all manner of -Creatures were called by their Name, as Stars, Animals, Plants, Trees, -Herbs, Rivers, Stones, Islands, Proverbs.... Nothing was accounted -Divine and Grand, unless graced by a Serpent[417]. From this _Divinity_ -ascrib’d to Serpents, _Pherecides_ took occasion to make a Dissertation -concerning the Deity called _Ophion_, from Οφις, a Serpent[418]. - -Footnote 417: - - Conradus Gesner. - -Footnote 418: - - Euseb. Præparat. Evang. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - CHAPTER V. - - CONTENTS. - -_Reasons for worshipping Serpents, seem to rise from Misapplication of - some Scripture Passages: But especially, 1. From the Triumphs of the - Paradisaic Serpent. Pagan History from_ Moses. _In the primitive - Church, a Sect of Christians worship’d Serpents, and said the - Serpent in Paradise was a good Creature. 2. From the miraculous - Cures done by the brazen Serpent._ Alexander _affected the Honour of - being begot by a Serpent, ador’d as a God, by a Decree of the - Priests._ - - -_WHAT Reason can be assigned for giving religious Worship to Serpents?_ -I answer, - -It is no easy Matter to find out the Original of Pagan Idolatry, having -no authentick Records of those remote Times, therefore Conjectures, or -nothing must content the honest Enquirer: Something may be offer’d, -without going beyond our Depth. Before I proceed, it may be proper to -observe, _viz._ That Knowledge sprung from the Sons of _Noah_, who -doubtless instructed their Successors in the History of the Creation, -the Conquest of Paradise by a Serpent, that introduced the Knowledge of -Good and Evil upon Earth. - -Those whom we call _Heathens_, at first were Members of the true Church; -the further Men went from the Spring, the Streams grew more muddy, and -strange Constructions were put upon the History of _Adam_ and _Eve_, -_Noah_, and his Progeny, which in process of Time was metamorphosed into -a Narrative of Fooleries and fabulous Gods. - -So the _Mosaick_ History of their Travels thro’ the Wilderness, and the -Promulgation of the Law upon Mount _Sinai_, were strange and stupendous -Events, that soon spread over the Nations in some Shape or other. - -In the _Phœnician Theology_, we find the Creation described, almost in -the Terms used by _Moses_. _Diodorus Siculus_ says, the Antients liv’d -upon Roots and Fruits. The _Phœnician_ Records mention _Ujoris_, _i. e._ -_Adam_, the first that wore Garments made of Animal Skins. The _Vulcan_ -of the Heathen was the _Tubal-cain_ of _Moses_, (_Gen._ iv. 22.) the -first Artificer in Brass and Iron: _Plato_’s _Atlanticus_ is a Fable -founded upon the History of _Noah_’s Flood: The Fable of the Giants -storming Heaven, is taken from the Builders of the Tower of _Babel_, as -before: Yea, says a Learned Father (after _Numenius_, the celebrated -_Pythagorean_ and _Platonist_) what is _Plato_ but _Moses in an Athenian -Dress_[419]? But to be more particular, - -Footnote 419: - - Τι γαρ εστι Πλατων η Μωσης αττικιζων. _Quid enim est Plato, nisi Moses - qui loquitur Atticè?_ Or, _Quid enim aliud est Plato, quam Moses - Atticissans_? Clementis Alexandrini Opera, Strom. lib 1. _Coloniæ_ p. - 342. - -1. _SATAN_, who conducted the War in _Eden_, display’d his Art under the -Form of a Serpent, which _Moses_ represents as a Creature of superior -Wisdom, and Illuminator of Mankind. Now the Tradition, that the _first -Serpent_ had not only the Gift of speaking, but of communicating -Science, and had held a Conference with the first Woman, to the vast -Increase of her Knowledge, might at last swell to such a degree, that -ignorant People might attribute to that Serpent, and her Race, a kind of -Divinity; and for this Reason also, because in the Perfections of the -Mind she exceeded our first Parents, who being constituted Governors of -the Earth, must be supposed to be furnish’d with extraordinary -Accomplishments: But, says Tradition, here is one who infused greater -Knowledge into them, and made them more wise; and they, for contesting -with the _Wisdom of the Serpent_, were turned out of Paradise, and -ordain’d their Dwelling to be among the Beasts of the Field. - -Surely, might the People say, so great a Being as this Serpent merits -our awful Regards. Now, how far such Thoughts might operate in those -early days of Ignorance and Superstition, I determine not: The Serpent -indeed, is said to be more subtle than the Beasts of the Field, but not -more wise than _Adam_ and _Eve_. - -It is more strange, to think that in the primitive Church there were -certain Hereticks call’d _Ophites_, took their Name from _Ophis_[420], -who worshipped the Serpent that betray’d _Eve_, and ascribed all sorts -of Knowledge to that Animal, maintain’d ’twas a good Creature, and that -our first Parents were instructed by it to know Good and Evil. Yea, they -believed, “the Serpent that tempted _Eve_ was the _Christ_, who -afterwards came down and was incarnate in the Person of _Jesus_: That it -was _Jesus_, but not the _Christ_, that suffer’d; for which reason they -made all Proselytes to their Sect, to renounce Jesus[421].” If a Sect of -Christians speak after this manner, what Ideas must the Heathen form of -things? - -Footnote 420: - - A _Greek_ word that signifies _a Serpent_. - -Footnote 421: - - _Calmet._ - -One of the Fathers speaking of these Hereticks, observes how they -affirm’d,——_That Wisdom made itself a Serpent_——had given Knowledge to -Man, and that the Position of Man’s Bowels, winding about like Serpents, -shews that there is in us a hidden Substance that engenders the Figure -of Serpents[422]. Surely those Fathers of the Church were Children in -Understanding, that gave way to such mystical Conundrums. Call them no -more Fathers, but Children of Antiquity. - -Footnote 422: - - _Irenæus adv. Hæres._ (lib. 1. cap. 34.—_sophiam serpentem factam_—) - who flourish’d in the close of the 2d Century. - -These Hereticks, in the Consecration of the Eucharist, always had a -Serpent ready in a Box, which they produced on that Occasion, making it -come out by certain Charms, and lick the Bread, and having kissed the -same, they eat it[423]. Another Historian expresses it thus, _viz._ -“When their Priests celebrated their Mysteries, they made one of these -Creatures to come out of his Hole, and after he had roll’d himself upon -the Things that were to be offer’d in Sacrifice, they said _Jesus -Christ_ had sanctified them, and then gave them to the People to worship -them[424].” _N. B._ I don’t apprehend how the _Learned Abbot_ makes them -bring in the Name _Jesus_ here, a Name which in the same Page he says, -they obliged their Proselytes to renounce. - -Footnote 423: - - _Bingh. Index Heret._ - -Footnote 424: - - _Calmet_’s _Histor. Dict._ vol. ii. p. 668. - -This strange Superstition seems to be derived from the Heathen, who at -the Feasts of _Bacchus_, used to carry a _Serpent_, and to cry, _Evia, -Evia_[425]: And _Evia_, says _Clemens Alexandrinus_, if it be asperated, -_Hevia_, signifies in the _Hebrew_, a _female Serpent_. Dr. _Lightfoot_ -observes, that there being no such Word in the _Hebrew_, _Clemens_ must -mean the _Chaldee_, in which _Hivia_ signifies a Serpent. - -Footnote 425: - - Ευια, ευια. - -2. The Reputation gain’d by the Serpent in Paradise, was heighten’d by -the wonderful Cures done by the brazen Serpent in the Wilderness. As -this strange Occurrence was capable of various Glosses, so it must -undergo different Constructions. The _Brazen Serpent_ was brought to -_Canaan_, where ’twas kept in remembrance of the miraculous Cures their -Forefathers had received from it in the Wilderness; and, ’tis probable, -the _Israelites_ themselves were the first that paid divine Honours to -it, and the Idolatry might begin in the days of the Judges; others say, -under the Kings of _Judah_[426]. - -Footnote 426: - - _Jurieu_, vol. ii. from _Rabbi Kimchi_, who says they burnt Incense to - it, from the time the Kings of _Judah_ had corrupted themselves ... - _in locum_. - -It lay quiet there, _until those Days, the Children of Israel burnt -Incense to it_. That is, from the days _Israel_ began to commit -Idolatry, to the days of _Hezekiah_; who, to prevent the Growth of that -Serpentine Idolatry, _brake in pieces the brazen Serpent that Moses had -made_. 2 Kings xviii. 4. - -The Sound of the strange Cures done by the _brazen Serpent_, soon spread -over the forsaken Nations, who, observing how the Wounded were healed by -looking at it, conceived it to be a proper Instrument to be their -Mediator, and consequently a fit Object for their Adoration, when even -the Wounded in _Israel_, by addressing to its Shadow, were healed. - -It is most probable, that the Adoration of Serpents by the Pagans, -sprung from these two Fountains, - -The _Wisdom of the Serpent_ in Paradise, and the _miraculous Cures_ done -by the _Shadow of a Serpent_ in the Wilderness; which were improved by -the Devil to secure his Honour and Interest, who wanted not Priests to -display the Glories of their Character, to make the Serpent honourable -in the sight of his Vassals. From hence, the _Egyptians_, _Phenicians_, -yea most Nations, did imagine the Serpent to have some _Divinity in its -Nature_, and for that reason (as hinted before) honour’d it with sacred -Homage; this the Devil did, with a view to lessen Men’s Esteem for the -Almighty Creator. - -Hence also some Men of superior Dignity have affected to be esteem’d -more than meer Men, making this as an Argument, that they were _begot by -Serpents_, as we observed already, therefore I shall only add, _viz._ - -That _Alexander the Great_, after he had taken _Rhodes_, _Egypt_ and -_Cilicia_, addrest _Jupiter Ammon_ to know his Original, for his Mother -_Olympias_ had confest to his Father _Philip_, that _Alexander_ was not -begot by him, but by a _Serpent_ of _vast Bulk_; whereupon _Philip_ was -divorced from his Wife _Olympias_, and _Alexander_ was saluted Son of -_Ammon_, and by Order of the Priests, his Companions were enjoin’d to -worship him as a _God_, and not as a _King_. - -_ALEXANDER_, when he had conquer’d _Darius_ III. surnam’d _Codomannus_, -and was possest of the _Persian_ Empire, writ to the _Grecians_, that -they should _decree him to be a God_. Hereupon several Decrees were -made: The _Lacedemonians_ exprest their Compliance in this short Decree, -_viz._ _Forasmuch as_ Alexander _would be a God, let him be a God_. Thus -with Laconick Brevity, fashionable among the _Lacedemonians_, they -humour’d and reproved the Pride of their King at once[427]. - -Footnote 427: - - Επειδἡ Αλεξανδρος βουλεται Θεδς ειναι εσο Θεος. Æliani variæ Hist. - lib. ii. cap. xix. - -_VARRO_ was of Opinion, that all gallant and heroick Men should believe -themselves, tho’ falsly, to issue from the Gods ... that upon this -Supposition, they might attempt great things with more Courage, and -prosecute them with more Ardency; and tho’ the Motive was but imaginary, -yet might produce glorious Effects[428]. When _Varro_ writ this, ’tis -probable he had _Alexander the Great_ in his view. - -Footnote 428: - - Ex Diis genitos—_Aug. de Civitate Dei._ cap. 4. - -Such is their Opinion of their King in _China_, that they think he is -descended from the Race of some Demi-God, and so adore him accordingly. -They believe there is some Divinity in his Blood, in so much that he -never marries any but his next Relatives, for fear of staining the Royal -Blood[429]. - -Footnote 429: - - _Howel_’s _Londinopolis_. p. 384. - -Among the Antients, Serpents were Emblems of Power; therefore -_Epaminondas_, the brave _Theban_ General, to encourage his Army against -a powerful Enemy, _bruised the Head of a Serpent_ before them as a -Prognostick of Victory. - -Thus King _James_ I. tho’ the _Dupe of all Christendom_, says a certain -Gentleman, yet was the grand Idol of the Court-Clergy. That Pedantry -which would have brought a School-Boy under the just Discipline of the -Rod, in him was represented by his parasitical Preferment-hunting -Ecclesiasticks, as divine Eloquence, and the Inspiration of the -Almighty.... - - - CHAPTER VI. - -_Reasons for worshipping hurtful as well as useful Creatures, founded on - a Notion of two eternal contrary Principles: They believe God was - good, and could not be the Author of moral Evil, therefore fram’d - the Ditheistical Doctrine; an Error, espoused by some primitive - Christians, confuted by the Sentence past upon the Serpent. Reasons - for worshipping different Species of Animals by the_ Egyptians. - - -Whence arises the Honour given by Heathens to different Species of -Beings, to the noxious and hurtful, as well as to the salutary and -beneficent Tribe? - -Probably, it might be from their observing the _Mixtures of Good and -Evil_ in the visible Creation, when as yet in their infantile State of -Knowledge: The reason of this they could not otherwise account for, but -by giving into the Notion of _two distinct independent governing -Powers_; the one a good, the other an evil Genius: accordingly they -worshipped Creatures that were useful, as being the Ministers of the -good Genius; and those that were hurtful they paid Homage to, out of -servile Fear, and to ingratiate themselves into their Favour. In the -Morning they worshipped the _celestial Gods_; in the Evening, the -_infernal_: On the Plain they worshipped the terrestrial Gods, on Hills -the supernatural; in Grotos and Caves, the infernal. - -Hence it is they asserted a Duplicity of Gods, _viz._ Two perceptive -self-existent Beings, one the Principle of Good, and the other of Evil. -This Opinion originally sprung from a strong, firm Persuasion, _That God -was invariably Good, and therefore could not possibly be the Author of -the Evil upon Earth_. Nor could they otherwise solve the Difficulty -about the Entrance of moral Evil into our World, but by supposing -another eternal self-existent evil Cause. - -Yea, some among the primitive Christians fell into the Error of -asserting this _Ditheistical_ Doctrine; that is, two self-existent -Principles in the Universe, to wit, a _good God_, and an _evil Demon_. -Thus the _Cerdonites_, an heretical Sect, that sprung up in the second -Century, held there were two Gods; one, the Author of all good, the -other, of all evil Things. So the _Marcionites_ held two contrary Gods; -and in the third Century, the _Manichees_ did the same. - -Perhaps, this might be one reason why God past Sentence upon the Devil -in the Serpent, in the presence and hearing of our first Parents, _viz._ -to prevent the Error of imagining that there was any Principle of Evil, -which was independent upon the Almighty. The Sentence past upon Satan in -the Curse upon the Serpent, was a Conviction to _Adam_ and _Eve_ of his -Dependency upon the Almighty Creator, before whose Tribunal he now was -constrained to appear, to receive the Sentence merited by those, who -make a Lye, and tempt their Fellow-creatures to rebel. - -_REASONS about the Adoration of different kind of Animals by the_ -Egyptians. - -If you ask, that if they worshipped a Serpent, why did they pay -religious Honours to so many other Beasts? I answer, This monstrous -Idolatry begun in _Egypt_, and the first occasion for it seems to be -this, _viz._ - -_OSIRIS_, a certain King of _Egypt_, who reign’d with great Equity and -Mildness, having divided his Kingdom into several distinct Provinces, -appointed Presidents over them, and in their Banners he placed the -Figures, or Pictures of certain Animals, that bore some Similitude to -the Peculiarities of those Countries, over which they were to preside: -Thus to the Governor, whose Land was proper for Tillage, he design’d an -_Ox_ in his Standard, to which the Inhabitants of that Place paid a -particular Veneration, which in process of time was worshipped by the -whole Nation, for its Usefulness, and as the Symbol of Agriculture: -Hence the Image of _Osiris_ is set off with Horns. - -The _golden Calf_ which _Aaron_ made in the Wilderness, and the Calves -set up by _Jeroboam_ to be worshipped in his Kingdom, were an Imitation -of the idolatrous Adoration, which the _Egyptians_ paid to their _Bull -Apis_. - -That part of the Country, in which was abundance of Water, the King set -a _Crocodile_ (an amphibious Animal) in his Banner, that was to govern -there, which was had in high Veneration, especially in the City of -_Mira_; and at last the _Crocodile_ was worshipped all over _Egypt_. - -Where the Country abounded with Wood, a _Dog_ was fixt in the Governor’s -Standard, to which the _Egyptians_ gave no little Veneration, especially -Sportsmen ... as the Poet observes[430]. - -Footnote 430: - - _Oppida tota canem venerantur, nemo Dianam._ - The Dog whole Towns, _Diana_ none implore. - - Juvenal. Satir. xv. - -That which gives some colour to this Partition of _Osiris_’s Kingdom, -is, “that God ordained very near the same thing to be observed in the -Encampments of the _Israelites_, when he divided the twelve Tribes into -four Bodies, and allotted to one of the three Tribes, belonging to each -Body, _the Figure of an Animal to be placed in the Banner_: Thus, that -of _Reuben_ carried the Figure of a _Man_; that of _Judah_, a _Lion_; -that of _Dan_, an _Eagle_; and that of _Ephraim_, an _Ox_[431]”. - -Footnote 431: - - _Jurieu’s Crit. Hist._ vol. ii. - -After this manner the _Egyptian_ Monarch did place in their Banners the -Figures of certain Animals, which by degrees were usher’d into their -Religion and Temples. _N. B._ These Banners thus painted with different -Animals, were fixt upon Poles, between their several Provinces, by which -their Bounds were determined. _Semiramis_, being conquered by -_Staurobates_, Antiquity feign’d she was changed by the Gods into a -Dove, the Bird of _Venus_, which is the reason why the _Dove_ was -worshipped by the _Babylonians_, and why they gave it in their Ensign. - -I Conclude this Part with some Instances, that are given of the -Sottishness of _Pagans_ in what they called religious Worship, which -indeed is almost incredible, if they were not common, and well -attested.—— The _Egyptians_ did not only worship variety of Beasts, but -also the Figures of them, as the Representatives of their Gods: Each -City and District entertain’d a peculiar Devotion for some particular -Beast or other, in honour of which they built Temples; yea, every one of -the _Pagan Deities_ had his own Beast, Tree and Plant consecrated to -him. Thus the _Pigeon_ was consecrated to _Venus_; the _Dragon_ and -_Owl_ to _Minerva_; the _Eagle_ to _Jupiter_; the _Cock_ to _Æsculapius_ -and the _Sun_. This, says _Jurieu_, is the true Origin of the _Egyptian -Idolatry_. _Ibid._ Who adds, The _Egyptians_ assign’d to their Gods -certain Animals, as their Representatives, and being introduced into the -Temples, as the Images were in some Christian Churches, they at last -began to worship them. This points out the Impiety of admitting any -symbolical Representations of Divinity into Places of publick Worship. - -Nothing more monstrous than the _Divinity_ of the _Pagans_; their Gods -were innumerable. Every thing on _Earth_, in the _Sea_, in the -_Heavens_, yea, and in _Hell_, had their _peculiar Gods_. If -_Egyptians_, who past for the wisest of Mortals, paid religious -Adoration to _meer Animals_, not only to Serpents, but Apes, Wolves, -yea, Dogs, Cats, ... and to Vegetables, as Onions, Garlick ... what -shall we think of stupid Nations, who had no Claim to Wisdom? - -Even in _Athens_ (that celebrated Fountain of Light) were more Idols -than in all _Greece_; yea, so numerous were their Idols, that they had -almost as many Gods as Men[432]. - -Footnote 432: - - Facilius possis Deum, quam hominem invenire. - -_STRABO_, _Procopius_, and _Ben Jonas_ say, the antient _Persians_ kept -and worshipped their _perpetual Fire_ on Mount _Albors_, a Branch of -_Caucasus_. The _Japonese_ worship the Devil, and the Head of their -Religion is called _Dair_, whom they worship as a God. _Atlas._ - -I Should rather think the _Persians_ ador’d the supreme God, under the -Image of _Fire_, by reason ’tis Fire gives Motion to every thing in -Nature, and therefore they made it an Emblem of Divinity. - -The _Hebrews_ kept up the _holy Fire_ in the _Temple_, and the _Vestals_ -were appointed to keep the sacred Fire of the _Romans_. - -_VULCAN_ was worshipped among the Antients, and particularly the -_Egyptians_, as the _Inventor of Fire_. - -The People of _Egypt_ exceeded most Nations in depreciating Divinity by -gross Superstitions and Idolatry; they did not err in worshipping -Mortals only, but they gave Reverence to Beasts, Birds, Insects, Winds, -Earth, Water, Air, Fire, Plants, _&c._ whom _Rhodius Anaxandrides_, one -of themselves, derides in this manner: - - _I sacrifice to God the Beef, which you adore; - I broil th’_ Egyptian _Eels, which you as God implore_. - _You fear to eat the Flesh of Swine, I find it sweet: - You worship Dogs, to beat them I think meet, - When they my Store devour.[433]_—— - -Footnote 433: - - Bovem colis, ego Deis macto Bovem; - Tu maximum anguillam, Deum putas: ego, - Obsoniorum credidi, suavissimum, - Carnes suillas, tu caves, at gaudeo - His maximè. Canem colis, quem verbero. - Edentem, ubi deprehendo, forte obsonium. - -Thus _Juvenal_, another Heathen Poet, ridicules their religious -Fooleries: - - _Oh happy Nations! which, of their own sowing, - Have store of Gods, in ev’ry Garden growing.[434]_ - -Footnote 434: - - Porrum & cæpe nefas violare & frangere morsu, - Oh sanctas gentes quibus hæc nascuntur in hortis - Numina!—— - - _Sat._ xv. _l._ 8, 9, 10. - -The Images of the Gods, says _Seneca_, are worshipped; these they pray -unto and adore, and while they greatly admire them, at the same time -despise the Workmen that made them[435]. Which also _Sedulius_ their -Poet scoffs at, saying,——Who worship Vanities ... despise their own -Maker ... fear the Works of their own Hands.... What Madness! that Man -should ugly Shapes adore, of Bulls, Birds, Dragons, the vile Half-Dog, -or Half-Man, on Knees for Aid implore[436].—— - -Footnote 435: - - Simulachra Deorum venerantur——fabros qui ilia fecêre, contemnunt. - -Footnote 436: - - Heu miseri vana colunt——ut volucrem, turpemque Bovem, torvumque - Draconem, sem-hominemque canem supplex homo pronus adoret. - -Yet among the Nations were some who thought it Impiety to represent -their Gods by Images, as the _Persians_, _Indian Brachmans_, _&c._[437] -Yea, the _Romans_, for 170 Years, would not allow Images in their -Temples, observing the Law of _Numa_. It was _Tarquinius Priscus_ that -followed the Vanity of the _Grecians_ (a Nation of all others, excepting -_Egypt_, most deluded by the old Serpent) set up the Images of their -Gods, which even the Learned _Varro_ bewailed and condemned. The -_Mahometans_ have a perfect Aversion to Images. The _Jews_ hate all -Images, will not allow any in their Houses, much less in Places of -Worship. But to proceed: - -Footnote 437: - - _Hospinian. de Origine Imaginum._ - -The apostate _Indians_ worship both Gods and Devils, over which they -acknowledge a Supreme, who sends forth other Deities as his Deputies; -which they think to be the Souls of good Men; and Devils, the Souls of -the Wicked.... They imagine the Sun and Moon to be Gods; their Idols are -represented as Monsters of the kind[438]. - -Footnote 438: - - _Atlas Asia._ page 662. - -“In the Kingdom of _Pegu_ in the East, the People are exceeding -superstitious, and scruple not to worship the Devil, whom they reckon -the Author of Evil; as they do God, of Good: And in all Calamities, -their first Addresses are to the evil Spirit, for Deliverance; and they -make Vows to him, which they perform upon their Recovery, with the -Assistance of their Priests, whom they call the Devil’s Father, and he -directs them to make sacred Feasts with Musick.” Many of them run about -in the Morning with a Torch in one Hand, and Rice in the other; -pretending to give the Devil his Breakfast, that he may not hurt them -that Day. Others at their Meals, throw part of what they have over their -Shoulders, to feed him, before they eat any themselves. _Ibid._ p. 662. - -At _Tavay_ in that Country, they replenish their Houses with Victuals, -and leave them for three Months, that the Devils may dwell and feed -there, and be favourable all the rest of the Year. _ibid._ They have a -sort of Monks called _Talapoins_, who endeavour to root out this Devil -Worship, but without effect. - -The _Aruspices_, were an _Order_ of _Priests_ among the antient -_Romans_, who pretended to foretell Events, chiefly by inspecting the -Entrails of Beasts killed in Sacrifice ... Birds, and celestial -Appearances. _Cato_, who was one of the _Augurs_, conscious of their -impious Politicks, used to say, _He wondered how one Priest could look -at another without laughing in his Face_. These Augural Priests made a -College, or Community; they bore an Augural Staff or Wand, called -_Lituus_, made in form of a _Crozier_, or a Bishop’s Staff, or -Shepherd’s Crook, as the Ensign of their Office and Authority—— And what -is most ridiculous is, that no Affair of Moment could be resolved upon, -without first consulting these holy Cheats; and their Advice, be what it -would, was by a Decree of the Senate appointed to be exactly and -religiously observed. _Ornithomancy_, or Divination by Birds, was, among -the _Greeks_, the same with _Augury_ among the _Romans_. - -At _Angola_ and _Congo_ in the _East-Indies_, wooden Idols, resembling -Negroes, are erected in the midst of their Towns, which they daily -worship. ’Tis their Belief they are never sick, but when their Idols are -angry with them; therefore to appease them, they pour at their Feet the -_Wine of Palms_. They wash, paint, and new cloath their Dead, and bury -with them Meat, Drink, and some of their Goods, and sprinkle the Grave -with the Blood of Goats. Their Priests are in such high Esteem, that -they think Plenty and Famine, Life and Death, are in their power[439]. - -Footnote 439: - - See _Purchas_. - -The old Inhabitants of _Virginia_ believed many Gods, but one -principally, who made the rest ... and that the Woman was made before -the Man, and propagated by the Help of one of the inferior Gods. The -Natives are _Anthropomorphites_, giving to their Gods the Forms of -Men.... When they go abroad, they carry their Gods about with them, and -in Matters of Doubt ask Counsel of them. Much of their Devotion consists -in howling and dancing about Fires, with Rattles in their Hands. -_Quære_, Whether this Custom be not the Original of Castanets or -Snappers in Dancing[440]? - -Footnote 440: - - _Hackluit in Purchas._ - -Another Instance of monstrous Degeneracy, we have among the -_Phenicians_, who offer’d yearly Sacrifices to _Saturn_ of young -_Infants_; and in the Temple of _Venus_, practised not only Whoredom, -but the most unnatural Sin of Sodomy also; yea, by the Laws of their -Religion, were bound to prostitute their Daughters to _Venus_, before -they married them: In their Temple the Women who refused to be shaved, -were obliged to yield up their Honour to Strangers for one day. - -In the Country, now called _New Spain_, the old Inhabitants would -neither eat nor drink, till they had cast towards the Sun, some part of -their Food; nor would they smell a Flower, without throwing up in the -Air some Leaves of it, thereby acknowledging the Gods to be their great -Benefactors: Tho’ this be ridiculous, yet having an Air of religious -Gratitude, it is commendable. Among other Idols ador’d at _Mexico_, they -had one called _Vitziliputzli_, placed in an azure colour’d Chair, with -_Serpent’s Heads_ at each Corner. - -Yea the Pagans, to authorize their own Crimes, and justify their vicious -Lives, have constituted licentious, drunken, vicious Gods, _&c._ -Instances of this kind we have in their religious Institutions, as the -_Saturnalia_ of the _Romans_, which were Feasts sacred to the God -_Saturn_: This Feast was observed in _December_, at first kept for one -day, then for three days, and afterwards for seven days. So sacred was -this Festival, that while it lasted, no Criminals were to be executed, -no War to begin.... And yet at the same time, a Sanction was given to -universal Debauchery; all Rules of Virtue and common Decency were -intirely banished, and all things run into a wild Scene of Distraction -and Lewdness, and all this under the Umbrage of doing Honour to their -Gods[441]. - -Footnote 441: - - Uno die ... trium dierum ... septem dierum ... Bellum fumere nefas - habitum——_Macrobii opera_, _Londini_, A. D. 1694. p. 155, 160, 168. - -The same Game was acted in the _Lupercalian_ Feasts, instituted in -honour of the God _Pan_ (under the shape of a _Goat_) whose Priests, on -the Morning of the Feast, ran naked thro’ the Streets, striking the -married Women they met, on the Hands and Belly with _Straps_ cut out of -_Goats Skins_, which was held an Omen, promising Fruitfulness, and happy -Deliveries. - -I shall only add the _Bacchanalian_ Feasts, celebrated in honour of -_Bacchus_, the God of Wine, and Master of the Revels; sometimes called -_Orgia_[442], from a _Greek_ Word that signifies Anger and Rage, because -in the Celebration of it, People acted in so raging and furious a -manner, as if they had been absolutely distracted. These religious -Feasts were not only encumber’d with a great number of Ceremonies, but -attended with most notorious Dissoluteness; for Men and Women met at -them, all naked, except their Heads and Hips, that were shaded with Vine -Leaves. - -Footnote 442: - - Οργη - -The Women, who were installed Priestesses, during this Feast, ran thro’ -the Streets, and other Places, cover’d with Tyger’s Skins, Scepters in -one Hand, and Torches in the other, howling and roaring out the Praise -of _Bacchus_, with Hair dishevell’d, dangling about their Shoulders. -They were call’d _Mœnades_ from their Madness, _Thyades_ from their -Rage, _Bacchæ_ from their Intemperance. - -The Poets tell us, that in the _Bacchanalian Train_, were a Croud of -_Nymphs_ and _Naiades_, a sort of Heathen Divinities; some crown’d with -Ivy, their Hair loose, and intermix’d with Snakes, clothed with the -Skins of Beasts, and girt about with large Serpents, and running -frantick in the Woods and Mountains. - -In short, their sacred Games, Festivals, and Sacrifices, were little -more than drunken Banquets, nocturnal Revels, tumultuous Dancings, all -wild, ridiculous and extravagant. - - - _F I N I S._ - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - -[Illustration] - - - - - INDEX - - - A. - _ACONTIA_ Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 4;) why call’d a flying Serpent, - 81 - _Adam_, why not made impeccable, 171 - —— Converse betwixt him and Angels, 173 - —— in Innocency put in mind of Death, 181 - —— his Fall described by _Pagans_, 182, 3 - —— —— —— —— by _Mahometans_, 184 - _Adder_; see _Viper_. (the Figure, Plate 1) - _Agnasen_ Serpent, 132 - _Air_, ador’d by _Pagans_, 210 - _Alexander the Great_, and _Alexander the Little_, 140 - _Amodytes_ Serpent, describ’d, 53, 4 - _Amphisbæna_, a two-headed Serpent, describ’d, 72 - —— Instances of one in _Oxfordshire_, and in _Chiapa_ in _America_, - [TN] - _Ambua_ Serpent, 107 - _Ameiva_ Serpent, 122 - _Americina_, 122 - _Anacandia_ Serpent, [TN] - _Ants_, their Penetration, 8 - —— in _America_ great Master-Builders, 8, 132 - —— Remarkable Sorts in the _East-Indies_, 8 - _Anguis laqueus_, or the Ensnaring-Serpent, 136 - _Animals_, turn’d into Gods by _Pagans_, 213 - —— Their Adoration ridicul’d by some of themselves, 215, 236, 237 - _Apollo_, catechis’d for his dubious Answers, 77 - —— His She-Priest, _ibid._ - _Apotheosis_, or Deification describ’d, 223 - _Asp_, (the Figure, Plate 2,) described, 59 - —— Its Foresight, 60 - —— A Poem on the Asp and its Poison, 61 - —— Highly venerated among the _Egyptians_, 70 - _Attaligatus_ Serpent, 134 - - - B. - _Basilisk_ Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 3) describ’d, 78 - —— why call’d King of Serpents, 79 - —— (_African_, Plate 3) - _Battle_ of the Gods, 212 - _Bees_, (the Figure, Plate 5) their Sagacity, great Geometricians, 8 - —— Their Sting describ’d, 148 - _Birds_, why some here only in Winter, and others only in Summer, 7 - _Biobi_, or green Serpent describ’d, 103 - _Bibera_ Serpent, 107 - _Bitin_ Serpent, 137 - _Blowing_ Serpent, 130 - _Boignacu_ Serpent, very beautiful, 106 - _Boytiapua_ Serpent, 108 - —— An Instrument of Conjuration, 109 - _Bomsnake_ Serpent, 109 - _Boicupecanga_ Serpent, prickle-back’d, 110 - _Boitiapo_ Serpent, 117 - _Brochet de Torre_, or Land-pike, 124 - _Brimstone_ Snake, 130 - - - C. - _Cabiri_, characteriz’d, 81 - _Caudisonant_, or Rattle-Snake, (the Figure, Plate 7) describ’d, 91 - —— Its Wounds and Cures, 92 - _Cameleon_, (the Figure, Plate 5) describ’d; the reason why it appears - in a change of Colours, 96 - —— Why call’d a living Skin, 97 - _Canina_ Serpent, describ’d, 103 - —— A Domestick Animal, 104 - _Camruana_ Serpent, 108 - _Carapobeba_, 122 - _Cæcilia_ Serpent describ’d, why call’d blind, 80 - _Cencris_ Serpent describ’d, why call’d miliary, 80, 1 - _Cerastes_, (the Figure, Plate 1) describ’d, the Executioner of - Justice, 54, 5 - _Ceylon_, a Land of Delights, 113 - _Ceylonic Hotambæia_ Serpent, 115 - _Chickens_, produc’d by artificial Heat, 6, 147 - _Chastity_ conjugal, how try’d, 55 - _Charming_ of Serpents, various Instances, 62, 3 - —— of Rats, a remarkable Instance in _Germany_, 65 - —— of Serpents, by a Wand, 65 - _Cheese_, an odd Custom in Antiquity about it, 129 - _Chicken_ Snake, 131 - _Cherubims_, Emblems of Mercy and Justice, 175, 6 - _Christ_’s Death, publish’d before that of _Adam_, 180 - _Cleopatra_, her own Executioner by a Serpent, 34, 60, 61 - _Cloth_, wash’d in Fire, 95 - _Cobres Capellos_ Serpent, describ’d, 90 - _Colour_ Green, why hated by the _Turks_, 108 - —— Blue, why hated by the _Persians_, 109 - _Cordylus_, a noxious Reptile, 121 - _Corn_ Snake, 129 - _Crocodile_, (the Figure, Plate 5) describ’d at large, 118 - —— eats Stones, _ibid._ - —— venerated in _Egypt_, _ibid._ - —— the occasion of a War, _ibid._ - —— a Judge of Controversies, 119 - —— the manner of destroying it, 120 - —— Symbol of the Deity, 178 - _Creation_, a Poem, 162 - _Cuckold_, its Origin, 54 - _Cuckow_ Spittle, Grashoppers hatch’d in it, 108 - _Cucurijuba_, a Serpent monstrous, 110 - - - D. - _Darkness_, the Destruction of Colours, 71 - _Dæmons_ explain’d, 205 - _Devil_ ador’d, 236, 238 - _Distempers_ cur’d by manual Touch, 56, 7 - _Dipsas_ Serpent, describ’d; its Wounds bring incurable Thirst, 85 - _Dogs_, superiour to Men in the Sense of Smelling, 66 - —— the manner of Sensation philosophically explain’d, 67 - —— Providence vindicated in that matter, 68 - _Dopon_ Serpent, 133 - _Dragons_ describ’d, various Sorts and Forms, 74 - —— monstrous one slain by _Gozon_, Knight, by a strange contrivance, 75 - —— another slain by the _Roman_ Army, 76 - _Dragon_, _Pythian_, Guardian of the _Delphick_ Oracle, _ibid._ - _Dragons_, Guardians of Treasures, 78 - —— winged, describ’d, (the Figure, Plate 2), 192 - —— _Æthiopian_, (the Figure, Plate 2) - _Druina_ Serpent, describ’d, 83 - - - E. - _Eagles_, how they take their Prey, 145 - _Ecatoth_, or Serpent-of-the-Wind, 135 - _Eggs_, the reason of Propagation by them, 5 - —— the Method wonderful, _ibid._ - _Egg_, Symbol of the World, 6 - _Eggs_ hatch’d in Ovens, the Young ones generally imperfect, _ibid._ - —— mysterious Egg. - _Egg_, a surprizing Compound, 128 - —— the White of it a most singular Menstruum, _ibid._ - —— how reduc’d to the likeness of Poison, _ibid._ - _Egyptians_, a People of Contradiction, 60 - —— whipp’d their inattentive Gods, 60 - _Elephantia_ Serpents, why so call’d, 86 - _Elops_ Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 3) describ’d, 84 - _Elephants_, Creatures of great Bulk, 86 - —— subject to Resentment, Instances of it, 87 - —— a Battle betwixt them and Serpents, 91 - _Ethetulla_ Serpent, 113 - _Eve_, how she came to converse with the Serpent, 174 - —— her Converse with it before the Account of _Moses_ very probable, - 177 - —— a Negative would have preserv’d her Innocence, 179 - - - F. - _Faith_, the Magnet of Magicians, 64 - _Fascinating_ Eyes, 41 - _Fish_, how they breathe in Water, 1 - _Fire_, ador’d, 211, 236 - _Funerals_, their first Institution, 181 - - - G. - _Generation_ equivocal exploded, 4 - _Ghalghulawa_ Serpent, 114 - _Giraupiagara_ Serpent, 108 - _Gobe Moujes_, 124 - _Gods_, Men transformed into them, 201 - —— inanimate Things turn’d into them, 207 - _Goddesses_, Women transform’d into them, 206 - _Golden_ Calf, 214 - _Grotto di Cani_, a particular Account of it, 25, 6 - —— —— Experiments made in it by Mr. _Addison_, 26 - _Grotto de i Serpi_, a remarkable subterraneous Cavern, and Hospital - for particular Diseases, 38 - _Ground_ Rattle-Snake, 125 - _Griffin_ describ’d, 145 - _Guaku_, or _Lyboya_ Serpent describ’d, one of the most monstrous, 102 - - - H. - _Harus_ Serpent, 138 - _Heathens_, their Fictions about Punishments in Hell, 49 - —— their Opinion about Heaven, 50 - _Hereditary_ Right, the Title, how try’d, 56 - _Hemorrhous_, (the Figure, Plate 1) describ’d; its Wounds force the - Blood out thro’ every Pore of the Body, 57 - _Horse_-Tail, a _Turkish_ Standard, the Original of it, 81 - _Hooded_, or Monk Serpent, 115 - _Horn_ Snake, 126 - _Hornet_, (the Figure, Plate 7) describ’d, 148 - _Hydrus_, or Water-Snake, 126, 141, 2 - - - I. - _Japonians_, their way of punishing Christians, 47 - _Jararaka_ Serpent, describ’d, 103 - _Jacore_ Lizard, [TN] - _Ibiara_ Serpent, describ’d, 99 - _Ibitobaca_ Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 4) describ’d, 102 - _Ibiboboca_ Serpent, describ’d. - _Ibizacoan_ Serpent, Cure of its Wound very singular, 106 - _Idolatry_, the Original of it, 197 - —— more ancient than Image-Worship, 198 - —— the Incentives to it, 199 - _Jeboya_ Serpent, 108 - _Images_, why _Laban_ call’d them Gods, 203 - _Inchantment_ by noxious Herbs, _&c._ 47 - _Indian_ Prince, a very remarkable Saying of his about _Spanish_ - Cruelty, 133 - _Insects_, little, great Executioners, 139 - —— various Instances, _ibid._ - _Iquanna_ Serpent, describ’d, 102 - _Iron_, one of the hardest Metals, yet the most brittle, 130 - _Israel_, why punish’d by Serpents, 188 - —— why punish’d by fiery Serpents, _ibid._ - - - K. - _Kakaboya_ Serpent, 106 - _Kingdom_ won by an Heroick Answer, 58 - _King_ Snake, 129 - —— Sashes made of its Skin, _ibid._ - _Koko_ Serpent, a Representation of the _French_ Monarch, 58, 9 - _Kukuruki_ Serpent, describ’d, 99 - - - L. - _Lancashire_ Beauties, 69 - _Lacertus viridis_, or green Lizard, 121 - _Les Anoles_ Serpent, 123 - _Les Roquet_ Serpent, _ibid._ - _Light_, how the Sensation of it is produc’d, 71 - —— all Colours depend upon it, 71 - _Long_ black-Snake, 127 - - - M. - _Magical_ Balls, 46, 7 - _Magick_ Art, the Original of it, 68 - —— its Degeneracy, 68, 9 - —— surprizing Instances of magick Wit, 69 - _Magick_ Egg, _ibid._ - _Magicians_, St. _Matthew_’s wise Men in their time, 70 - _Manima_ Serpent, monstrous, 111 - _Malcarabeta_ Serpent, 113 - _Malpolon_ Serpent, _ibid._ - _Manballa_ Serpent, 114 - _Maboujas_, 123 - —— , an Emblem of the old Serpent, 124 - _Macacoatl_, an horned Serpent, 132 - _Marine_ Dragon, or Serpent, 143 - _Men_, Giants and Pygmies among ’em, 16 - _Mexico_, two unparallel’d Instances of Cruelty, one by the _Mexican_, - the other by _Spanish_ Priests, 100, 1 - _Milk_, its wonderful Nature describ’d, 128 - _Mithridate_, the Original of its Name, 40, 5 - _Monoxillo_, or Mucronated-Serpent, 137 - _Musk_ Serpent, 116 - _Musk_ Rats, and Musk Cats, _ibid._ - _Musk_, a short Account of it, 116, 17 - _Musick_, its wonderful Effects on the Mind and the Body in several - remarkable Instances, 156 to 160 - —— Conjectures about medicinal Cures by it, 164 - - - N. - _Natrix-Torquata_ Snake, (the Figure, Plate 5), 142 - _Nintipolonga_ Serpent, 114 - _Noya_ Serpent, 90 - - - O. - _Obsidian_ Stones, Looking-Glasses made of them, 105 - _Opium_, the Darling of the _Turks_, 21 - _Orators_, as well as Poets enthusiastical, 64 - _Oracular_ Answers, various Opinions about them, 77 - _Otus_ Serpent, 133 - - - P. - _Pareas_ Serpent describ’d, 84 - _Paper_, that is incombustible, 95 - _Parrot_, a rational Dialogue betwixt it and Prince _Maurice_, 144, 5 - _Parthians_, the best Fighters when retreating, 132 - _Paradise_, Self-denial a Duty there, 180 - —— Threatnings necessary there, 181 - _Pagan_ Fables founded on the Writings of _Moses_, 182 - _Persian_ Kings, their _Recipe_ for an easy Death, 70 - _People_, without Fraud, 125 - —— have no Name for it, _ibid._ - _Pimbera_ Serpent, describ’d, 90 - _Pluto_, his Attendants and Executioners cover’d with Snakes, as the - _Harpies_, _Furies_, _Cerberus_, _Chimæra_, 47, 48, 49 - _Poison_, vegetable Instances of it, 19, 20 - —— Mineral, various Instances in Damps from Copper, Mercury, Tin, Lead, - 22, 23 - —— Animal, Debates about the Seat of it in Serpents, 26, 7 - —— various Remedies for it, as Oil, experimented on one _William - Oliver_, bit by a Serpent; _Lichen Cinereus Terrestris_, _Venice_ - Treacle, and several Vegetables, _&c._, 29, 30, 31, 145 - —— one Drop of it a Match for a Sea of Blood, 32 - —— when not dangerous, 33 - —— exhaustible in Serpents by quick repeated Acts, but soon recruited, - 35 - _Poetical_ Apology for a Sot, 73, 4 - _Polonga_ Serpent, describ’d, 90 - _Priests_, their Genius for Cruelty. See _Mexico_. - _Prussians_ and _Lithuanians_, Serpent-Worshippers, 226 - - - R. - _Rattle_-Snake. _Vid._ Caudisonant. - _Red_-belly Snake, 126 - _Red_-back Snake, 127 - _Rivers_ ador’d, 210 - _Rubetarian_ Serpent, 143 - —— —— loud and pretty, _ibid._ - - - S. - _Sandals_, used by the Ladies, 208 - _Salamander_, (the Figure, Plate 5,) described, 92 - —— how said to live in the Fire, 93 - —— _Corvini_’s Experiment upon one, 94 - _Salamander’s-Wool_, 95 - —— —— Shrouds made of it for Kings, 95 - _Satan_, why punish’d under the Figure of a Serpent, 185 - _Scorpions_, (the Figure, Plate 7,) Countries destroy’d by them, as in - _Æthiopia_, _Amyclæ_ a Town in _Italy_, _Pescara_ an ancient City in - _Italy_, _India_, 45, 6 - —— their various Kinds, Sizes, and malignant Nature, 87, 8 - —— the _Persians_ curse by them, 88 - _Scytale_ Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 2,) described, 70 - —— —— an Aggregate of charming Colours, 71 - _Scolopendra_, (the Figure, Plate 5,), 151 - _Serpents_, general Description of them, 2 - —— their Mode of Propagation viviparous and oviparous, 4, 5 - —— their Sagacity, with regard to their different Lodgments, 6, 7, 172 - —— during Winter, sleep with open Eyes, 7 - —— their Enemies, _viz._ Eagle, Hawk, Stork, Ibis, Ichneumon, Magaure, - and some Vegetables, 10, 11 - —— Dust, not their original Food. A moral Reflection upon it, 12 - —— their Food, which they swallow whole, 12, 13 - —— their Size, some monstrous, others remarkably small, 13, 14, 15, 16, - 146 - —— their Apparatus for Motion curious, 17 - —— their Skin an elegant Composition, 18 - —— of special Service to Mankind, of great Use in Physick, various at - home and abroad, 36, 7 - —— the common Food of many Nations in _Europe_, _Asia_, _Africa_, - _America_, 38 to 40 - —— Instruments of divine and human Vengeance, 44 - —— _Jewish_ Camp infested with them, 44 - —— Victory gain’d by them on Sea and Land, 46 - _Serpent_, its Contest with St. _Paul_, 44 - _Seps_, (the Figure, Plate 1,) why call’d the putrid Serpent, 58 - _Serpens Indicus Coronatus_, 112 - _Serpens Putorius_, 113 - The Sea _Serpent_, (the Figure, Plate 6) - _Serpent_ de Boa, 144 - Mistress of _Serpents_, (the Figure, Plate 6) - _Serpent_, an Account of a remarkable one in _Lancashire_, 144 - _Serpent_ in Paradise, various Opinions about it, 168 - _American_ Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 3) - _Serpent_ brazen, 191, 2 - —— prefigur’d Christ, 194 - —— _Israel_, why cured by it, 195 - _Serpents_, the Adoration of them, 216 to 227 - —— Reasons for that Worship, 228 - —— Worshippers of ’em among Christians, 229 - _Shrew_-Serpent, 151 - _Shekina_ describ’d, 187 - _Silence_, a Pythagorick Rudiment, 112 - —— the Safety of _Venice_, 112 - _Sin_, its first Entrance, 168 - _Sleep_, a living Death, 70 - _Snake_ common, (the Figure, Plate 4) describ’d, 85 - _Spiders_, (the Figure, Plate 5) - —— Black, (the Figure, Plate 4,) their various Kinds, 149 - —— their Autumn Webs, 150 - —— _American_, 150 - _Stellio_, 123 - _Stupid_ Serpent, 136 - —— —— a living Loadstone, as describ’d by some, 136 - _Sun_ and Moon, chief Deities of the _Pagans_, 209 - _Swamp_ Snakes, 126 - - - T. - _Tarciboya_ Serpent, 106 - _Tapayaxin_ Serpent, 121 - _Taraguira_, 121 - _Taraquico Aycuraba_ Serpent, 122 - _Tapayaxin_ Serpent, 137 - _Tapayaxin_ Serpent, the Friend of Man, 137 - _Tamacolin_ Serpent, of the Toad kind, 138 - _Tame_ and tractable Serpent, 140 - _Tarantula_, (the Figure, Plate 7,) its Poison and Cure by Musick; the - Manner how, 151 to 155 - _Teuthlacokauqui_ in _Mexico_, call’d the Fortress of the Serpents, - describ’d, 100 - _Tetzawhcoatl_ Serpent, 104 - _Terpomongo_ Serpent, 111 - —— —— a Symbol of Friendship, _ibid._ - _Tejuguacu_, 121 - _Tejunhana_ Serpent, 122 - _Tetzaucoatl_, or the rare Serpent, 139 - _Teraphim_, explain’d, 202 - _Tleoa_, or _Tetloa_ Serpent, 140 - —— an Inhabitant of the Mountains, 141 - _Toads_, as large as Cats and Dogs, 138 - _Tzicatlinan_ Serpent, 132 - —— —— the Darling of the Ladies, _ibid._ - - - V. - _Vegetation_, none without Air, 3 - _Vegetables_, sleep in Winter, 7, 8 - —— worshipped, 212 - _Vectis_, 131 - _Vipers_, different from the Snake, 52 - —— a Battle betwixt one and a Magpye, 52 - —— Battle betwixt one and a Dog, 53 - —— don’t eat after they are taken, 53 - _Vipera Indica Tricolor Major_, 112 - _Vipera Zelanica Minor, Maculis eleganter Variegata_, 112 - _Unison_, its Wonders, 160, 1 - - - W. - _Wasps_, (the Figure, Plate 7,) describ’d, 148 - _Wepelon_ Serpent, 115 - _Woman_ with two Horns, 54 - _Women_ warlike, 129 - —— the hard Condition of their Marriage, _ibid._ - _Words_, their Efficacy, Instance of it in _Cæsar_, 63, 4 - _Worms_, Instances of Execution by them, 134, 5 - _Worship_ of hurtful Creatures, why, 233 - —— of different Animals in _Egypt_, the Reasons, 234 - - - Y. - _Yellow_ Snake, 130 - - - _F I N I S._ - - -[Illustration] - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - ● Transcriber’s Notes: - ○ There are several index entries that have no page reference - attached to them. - ○ There is a missing footnote here. - ○ These corrections have been made to this text when the target - could be unambiguously identified. - ○ The heirarchy of the different divisions (Part, Section, Chapter) - is not clear. 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