CXXX. The _Serpent de Boa_ is another of the monstrous kind; called _Boa_ from _Bos_, the _Latin_ word for an Ox, which it devours at once: The young ones, which grow to a great Bulk, are nourished by sucking the Cow. In the Emperor _Claudius_’s time, in one of them that was killed, they found a Child that was whole. In _Calabria_ are some monstrous Animals, not unlike these, says the Historian; who adds, that not many Years ago a certain Bishop speaks of a large mischievous Serpent, that was shot near _St. Archangel_, whose Jaws were almost two Palms long, the Portraiture of which is yet seen in a certain Temple there[303]. Footnote 303: M. Antonius Cuccinus Episcopus Anglonensis ad Thomasium—in Agro S. Archangeli. _In Jonstonus; in Verb._ CXXXI. I Am informed by some Persons, who had it by Tradition from ancient People, that formerly there was in this Country a monstrous Serpent of four or five Yards long, and thicker than a common Axle-tree of a Cart, and very mischievous, preying upon Lambs, _&c._ Its chief Residence was in a Wood, near _Pickopbank_, a few Miles from _Blackburn_, in _Lancashire_, called _Ouse-Castle_, wherein there is yet a little Spot of Ground, called _Griom’s-Ark_, which is a deep Cavern, situated among Rocks, in a Wood, from whence it was seen to come out, and bask itself on a sunny Bank. The Picture of this Serpent is drawn with Wings, two Legs, and Talons like an Eagle, which is seen in some ancient Houses, (and particularly at _Clayton-hall_, near _Dunkin-hall_) by which it appears to be very large and furious. It’s said, one —— _Grimshaw_ Esq; Proprietor of that Hall, shot the Monster with Arrows, and had an Estate offer’d him for that good Service done to his Country, which he generously refused, and only desired he might have a Passage thro’ that Wood to a Township he had on t’other side of it, which was granted, the Title of which is to be found in old Writings. By another hand I am informed, that it was supposed to be a _Griffin_, which is a Bird of Prey, and of the Eagle kind, which, I take to be the _Ossifrage_ of _Moses_, and mentioned _Levit._ xi. There is also a fabulous _Griffin_, represented with four Legs, Wings, and a Beak; the upper part like an Eagle, and the lower a Lion. They conjecture it to watch over golden Mines and hidden Treasures. This Bird was consecrated to the Sun, therefore the Chariot of the Sun was represented as drawn by a Set of _Griffins_.