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]].
[160]. Quasi surdaster, quod hebetis sit auditus.
[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]].
[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]].
[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]].