I enquired of the Indian that was along with me,
whether they were very venomous, who made Answer, that if he had bitten me,
even the Indians could not have cured it.
{Black Truncheon-Snake.}
This sort of Snake might very well have been rank'd with the Water-Snakes.
They lie under Roots of Trees, and on the Banks of Rivers.
When any thing disturbs them, they dart into the Water (which is Salt)
like an Arrow out of a Bow. They are thick, and the shortest Snake
I ever saw. What Good, or Harm, there is in them, I know not.
Some of these Water-Snakes will swallow a black Land-Snake,
half as long again as themselves.
{Scorpion Lizard.}
The Scorpion Lizard, is no more like a Scorpion, than a Hedge-Hog;
but they very commonly call him a Scorpion. He is of the Lizard Kind,
but much bigger; his Back is of a dark Copper-Colour; his Belly an Orange;
he is very nimble in running up Trees, or on the Land, and is accounted
very poisonous. He has the most Sets of Teeth in his Mouth and Throat,
that ever I saw.
{Green Lizard.}
Green Lizards are very harmless and beautiful, having a little Bladder
under their Throat, which they fill with Wind, and evacuate the same
at Pleasure. They are of a most glorious Green, and very tame.
They resort to the Walls of Houses in the Summer Season,
and stand gazing on a Man, without any Concern or Fear.
There are several other Colours of these Lizards; but none so beautiful
as the green ones are.
