[214]. Africa.
[215]. For America.
[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]].
[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.
[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.