[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.
[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.
——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]].
[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.