In some Parts of _Asia_, and at _Grand Cairo_ in _Egypt_, they hatch their Chickens in Ovens; each Oven contains several thousand Eggs which the Country brings in, and have their Eggs returned in Chickens. By this Method, they generally want some integral Part, as an Eye, a Claw, _&c._ which may be owing to a Want of equal Impression of Heat, tho’ the artificial Warmth be continued. There are thousands, yea Millions at a Batch, thus produced in _Egyptian Ovens_;—and may as well be in _Europe_, if our Bakers had the knack on’t. An Experiment has been made by a _Duke of Tuscany_, who having built such Ovens, did produce living Chickens in the same manner. Under this _Section_, I shall consider the wonderful Sagacity of Serpents, in chusing their Paths for Deambulation, and finding out proper Receptacles for their Repose and Security in Winter; and that in Climates that are Opposites in their Nature. In Summer, generally speaking, they are found in solitary and unfrequented dry Situations; others delight in moorish fenny Grounds; and in hot Countries, near to Groves, Rivulets—These, like other Animals, strictly adhere to the Constitutions of their Family, without Deviation. They take up their Winter-Quarters in Caverns, hollow Places, Burrows, Rocks, old Hedges, and under the Roots of Vegetables, especially the Birch, others say Beech-Trees, which were consecrated by the Pagans to the supreme Numen. In these lonesome Habitations they repose themselves during the Winter, in a kind of sleepy State, as half dead, with _open Eyes_[9]. In this Solitude they lie dormant, indulg’d with a little humid Air, till the Sun, by its Entrance into the northern Constellations, restores them to the active Life; without some Air they could not live. Mr. _Boyle_ made the experiment, by putting Vipers into the exhausted Receiver, which soon died upon pumping out the Air. Footnote 9: _Apertis Oculis._ Conrad. Gesner. pag. 3. _de Serp._ It argues no little Penetration, that they know when and how to shelter themselves in Places of Safety in all Seasons; and what is yet more astonishing, is, that they live there so many Months without Food and without Action; and when released from their hybernal Confinement, how soon do they find out their appointed Food? Taken in this light, they are not singular; for ’tis believed, there are other Animals that pass the Winter-Season in a state of Indolence and Inactivity, as Cuckows and Swallows, making way by their Retreat for Woodcocks and Fieldfares, which visit us in Winter, and then return northwards: They are said to breed in colder Countries, as _Norway_, _Russia_, _Sweden_, and the _Islands of Orcades_, the most northern Parts of _Scotland_; which Islands were formerly in possession of the _Norwegians_, and given and annex’d to _Scotland_ by _Christiern_ I. King of _Denmark_ and _Norway_, on the Marriage of his Daughter _Margaret_, with _James_ III. King of _Scotland_, about the Year 1474.