[276]. Nascitur in Philippicis. ibid. p. 273. Nierembergius.
CXII. The Serpent Otus is one of the Plagues of America, and very poisonous, there being but few hours distance between the Wound it gives and Death. It is about an Inch thick, and three Foot long, a little Head and whitish Belly, and may be farther distinguish’d from others, by white and black Spots, and three red Lines running across; slow in Motion, and fond of Shade; found in Cuba, a famous Island, where the antient Inhabitants went naked, tho’ they might have been cloath’d in Gold. The Historian speaking of Spanish Cruelty, observes, that a certain Indian Prince having fled to Cuba for Shelter, was taken by the Spaniards, and condemned by them to be burnt alive. When they were tying him to the Stake, a Priest told him if he would embrace the Spanish Religion, he should go to Heaven; but if not, he must burn for ever in Hell. Upon this, the poor distressed Prince ask’d him, if there were any Spaniards in Heaven, and the Priest answering, Yes; Hathuey the Prince replied, viz.
THAT if it be so, I’ll rather go to the Devils in Hell, than go with the Spaniards to Heaven; for their Cruelty is such, that none can be more miserable than where they are. N. B. This account is given by one of their own Bishops[[277]].
[277]. Barthol. de las Casas, Bishop of Chiapa. Hist. of Antilles.
CXIII. The Dopon is reckoned to be a most dangerous Serpent; ’tis about an Inch round, and four or five Foot long. The vulgar Opinion is, that the whole Body is all over tinged with Poison, the Tail excepted. Its Head is very large, and of an octangular form, so far as the Eyes, from which it grows less and less to the Mouth, which is oblong and flat, arm’d with six Teeth in the upper Jaws, and six in the lower, besides lesser ones: The Tongue is slender, and of a black Colour.
Its Wounds are terrible, allowing the Patient only about twenty-four hours to live. No sooner is the Wound given, but all parts of the Body begin to swell, and soon extend beyond their due Proportion; that they are soon disabled from performing their Operations[[278]].
[278]. Remedio est Alexiterium pangagausen. Nierembergii Historia, cap. xiii. p. 274.
Thus Pride, the malignant Tumour of the Mind, was the fatal Wound, by which the Angelic Serpent, the first in Dignity among created Beings, was transformed into a Devil. Sin, a Poison so strong, that by the first taste of it, the whole human Nature was infected. Adam and Eve tasted the forbidden Fruit, and lo! we must all die for it, at the distance of so many thousand Years.
CXIV. The Attaligatus is a small slender Serpent, not exceeding the Quill of a Goose in proportion; not poisonous in its Nature, yet very mischievous; for these little Creatures are an united Body, and live in community, and never separate: they are a Society without Schism, which is more than can be affirmed of all human Societies, civil or ecclesiastick.
When these small harmonious Reptiles go abroad, they travel in Company, a hundred strong or more, and where they find any asleep, they immediately seize the Body, and with a Force united and irresistable, they devour it[[279]]. Behold! a Conquest by an Army of Worms!