[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]].

[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.

[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]].”

[105]. His Natural History of Lancashire, Book ii. p.3.