CXXVI. The _Hydrus_, or _Natrix_, an acquatic Serpent: The former word from ὑδορ _Water_, of which ’tis an Inhabitant; the other word denotes its Skill in the Art of Natation; it goes under various Denominations, as appears in _Jonstonus_; who, from _Pliny_ observes, that this Serpent is _superior to most in Beauty, and inferior to none in Poison_[294]. Footnote 294: _Jonstoni Historia Nat._ p. 28. _NICANDER_, who calls the terrestrial _Hydrus_, a foul coloured Beast, vindicates the beautiful Character of the Marine; who yet is not very nice in its Choice of Water, for muddy and clear is equally the same to this beautiful Slut[295]. In its Nature ’tis very poisonous, says one; _Cardan_ is in the Negative. The truth is, there are several sorts of them, some of which are harmless, and others hurtful, and their Wounds attended with very terrible Effects, described by the poetick Physician[296]. Footnote 295: ’Tis sometimes called _Lutra, ex Luto_; because it delights most in foul Water; or the Word may signify, to wash and make clean. Footnote 296: Pessima quas fecit plagas hæc signa sequantur; Arida tota cutis circum putret horribilemque Elevat aspectum, magni ignitique dolores Tandem hominem interimunt.—— _Nicander._ In some parts of _Persia_ they are very numerous, described by white Heads and black Body, four Cubits long, and dangerous to those who dabble in the Water by Night, as they often do in that hot Country where these Animals feed upon Fish and Frogs[297]; and breed upon Land, according to _Aristotle_[298]. Footnote 297: Stagna colit, ripisque habitans his piscibus atram Improbus Ingluviem ranisque loquacibus explet, Exhausta palus—Exilit in siccum— _Virg. Georg._ lib. iii. Footnote 298: _Jonstoni Hist. Nat._ p. 28, 29. Its common Habitation is in the _Myclean Lake_, in _Corcina_ or _Corcyra_, now _Corfou_, (a little rich Island in the _Venetian_ Dominion) and also about _Taracina_ (a City of the _Volscians_ in _Campania_, in _Italy_, not far from _Amyclæ_) where the People, not daring to kill Serpents, were overthrown by them; to mention no more. _Ibid._ CXXVII. The _Natrix-Torquata_, _Jonston_ makes different from the former, and describes it thus——Called _Torquata_ from its beautiful Neck, which looks as if incircled with a strong Collar of Pearls.... On the hinder part of the Head is a little narrow Space in the form of two Scales, where the Spots on both sides end acutely in a triangular form. The _Scholiast_ upon _Nicander_, compliments those _pretty Spots_ with the Title of _little Crowns_[299]. Footnote 299: _Ibid._ p. 29.