XCVI. The Hydrus, Natrix, or Water-Snake, of these are various sorts, and all in some degree amphibious. When the Coluber Aquaticus wounds any, ’tis attended with a most disagreeable Odour, and so strong, that it forbids a near Approach to the unhappy Sufferer, who immediately falls into a Tremor and Distraction, and soon expires (the third day, says Ælian) without timely Relief[[265]].
[265]. Ælian. lib. iv. cap. 57. Accessio Gyllii.—
Its common Residence is in shallow Waters, and when they are dried up, it goes upon dry Ground, where its Wound is more dangerous than in Water: But more of this elsewhere.
XCVII. In that Country they have what they call Swamp-Snakes; three sorts of which are near a-kin to the Water-Snakes, and may be rank’d among them. The Belly of the first is of the carnation Colour, the Back is dark: the next, which is of a brown Colour, always abides in the Marshes: the third is of a motley Colour, and very poisonous.
They dwell on the sides of Swamps, i. e. Bogs, Marshes, and Ponds, have a prodigious large Mouth, and they arrive to the thickness of the Calf of a Man’s Leg. Among these I place the black Truncheon-Snakes, that live on the Banks of Rivers, which, when disturbed, shoot into the Water, like an Arrow out of a Bow. I fancy the Name is borrow’d from a certain Weapon call’d Truncheon, which we call Battoon, or Tipstaff, of a cylindrical form, used by principal Officers of State, Generals, and sometimes by Constables, when they go upon secret Expeditions.
XCVIII. The Red-belly-Snake, this is so called from its ruddy Colour, which inclines to an Orange-red. Of these are two sorts; one, like Abel the Innocent; the other, like Cain the Cruel: An Emblem of the World, humane, angelic Animal, and Vegetable, in which is a Mixture of Good and Evil.
XCIX. The Red-back-Snake, so named from that Colour; a long, slender Snake, but not very common. A certain Surveyor of Lands in Carolina happen’d to step over one of these, which he did not see till his Servant spy’d it: The Surveyor inquired of the Indian that was along with him, Whether it was a very venemous Serpent? Who answer’d, That if he had been wounded by it, even the Indians themselves, tho’ expert in the Art of curing serpentine Wounds, could not have saved his Life[[266]].
[266]. Natural History of Carolina.
Red, which is one of the primary Colours, proceeding from the least refrangible Rays of Light, is a lively Emblem of Fire, or the fiery Venom in this Serpent, whose principal Quality is to draw Blood.
C. The Scorpion-Lizard; ’tis commonly called so, but is no more like it than a Hedge-Hog: It is indeed of the Lizard Colour, but much larger: Its Back of a dark copper Colour; the Belly, in Orange; quick in its Motion on the Ground, and very nimble in running up Trees; has several Rows of Teeth, and is reckoned to be of a very poisonous Nature.