_TAKE two dry Walnut-kernels, as many Figs, of Rue twenty Leaves, stamp all these together into one Mass, with a Grain of Salt._——Under this Receipt was writ——_Whoever eats this Confection in the Morning fasting, no Poison shall hurt him that Day_[78]. In _America_, where Lizards are very good, they eat them, and so large, that one Lizard is enough to satisfy four Men. ’Tis very probable that they were eaten in _Arabia_ and _Judea_, since _Moses_ ranks them among the unclean Creatures[79]. Footnote 78: _Pliny_’s Natural Hist. Tom. ii. B. 23. Footnote 79: _Calmet in verbum——Hieronym. contra Jovinian._ lib. ii. Though the Flesh of venemous Creatures be nutrimental, and eaten with a good Relish, in many Places, yet it must be allow’d our old Historiographers in some Things hyperbolize upon the Subject. Thus _Avicenna_, the great _Arabian_ Doctor, and others, speak of a young Maid, who was fed with the Flesh of poisonous Creatures, from her tender Age; by which her Breath became venemous to those who stood by her. And thus _Porus_, a certain _Indian_ King, is said to use Poison every Day, that he might kill others. It is a known History, adds he, of a young Woman, fed with Poison, with which the _Persian_ Kings destroy’d whom they pleas’d. Add to this another traditional Opinion, _viz._ that some particular Persons have an evil Eye, which affects Children and Cattle; yea, that some have this unhappy Faculty, tho’ at the same Time void of any ill Design. This has been an old Tradition, as appears from that of the Poet[80]. Footnote 80: _Nescio quis teneros oculus mihi fascinat agnos._ See _Martin_ on the Western Islands, _p._ 122, 123. On the Mountains of _Ceylon_ in the _East-Indies_, are Serpents of such vast Size, that they swallow young Cattle: Their Flesh is very delicate, and has a most pleasing Taste; therefore is very much eaten. This Island of _Ceylon_ is one of the most charming Situation on the Earth, the Key and Glory of the _Indies_; the Air so temperate, that, properly speaking, they feel neither Heat nor Cold; the Vales and Hills are always covered with Flowers, the Fields cover’d with Fruits of all Sorts; and in the Woods are Serpents call’d _Lizards_, full three Hands long, whose Flesh is excellent Meat[81]. Footnote 81: _Ribeyro_’s History of _Ceylon_, presented to the King of _Portugal_, 1685, translated out of _Portuguese_ into _French_, printed at _Trevoux_, 1701. In the second Part is a more ample Description of _Ceylon_. The _Iguana_ Serpent is amphibious, lays numerous Eggs, grateful to the Taste, is very good Nourishment, preferable to _Spanish_ Rabbits; and in the City of _Mexico_ these Serpents are brought to the Markets, especially in the quadragesimal Days. A _Spanish_ Historian says, the _Iguanas_ are shap’d like the _Alligators_, very ugly, as big as Lap-dogs, of several Colours; the _Spaniards_ observe, that their Flesh tastes like the Pheasants, and feed upon it with pleasure[82].