[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.
[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]].
[23]. Gesner, p. 44.
[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]].