“No venemous Beasts, according to the fabulous Tradition, will live in the Island, which they ascribe to St. _Paul_’s Blessing, when he was shipwreck’d there.” They shew the Cave where they pretend he resided, and reckon the Earth of it, an Antidote against Poison. From this historical Passage, ’tis evident, that these Barbarians did believe a _Providence_, and the Doctrine of _Divine Justice_, which _Justice_ they openly adored, under the Name of _Vindicta_, or _Nemesis_, which was the _Goddess_ of _Revenge_, whose Province was to inspect the moral Conduct of all Men, and distribute Rewards and Punishments as the Case required. It was painted in the same manner as _Justice_, with a Pair of _Scales_ in one hand, and a _Sword_ in the other. In _Ethiopia_, we read of a large Country, this side the _Cynamolgi_, that was laid waste, and entirely depopulated by Scorpions, before whom, the Inhabitants not being able to stand, fled for their Lives. The same Desolation was made by the Scorpions at _Salamin_, an island not far from _Athens_, called the _Island of Dragons_, for which _Lycophron_ is quoted[87]. Footnote 87: _Conrad. Gesner. de Scorp._ The Inhabitants of _Amyclæ_, a Town in _Italy_, were destroyed by Serpents, being, as ’tis said, of the _Pythagorean Race_, whose Laws forbid to kill Animals, and by suffering these venemous Creatures to multiply without Controul, they became insufferable[88]. Footnote 88: _Ibid._ The Inhabitants of _Pescara_, an antient City in _Africa_, were constrained to forsake their Habitations in _Summer_, by reason of _Scorpions_ that were very numerous, and in that Season, their Sting most dangerous: In Winter, when their Wounds were less dangerous, the Refugees turned to their Houses[89]. Footnote 89: _Atl. Geogr._ p. 319. _DIODORUS SICULUS_ observes how many Regions have been deserted, for this reason; both People and Cattle being driven away by an Army of _Scorpions_, and their Allies. In the _Canary-Islands_, these venemous Animals are more dreaded than the Pestilence. ’Tis said they are hunted and taken by the _Turks_, who prepare the _Oil_ of _Scorpions_ from them[90]. In _India_, about the _Arrahban-Lake_, the Country has been intirely dispeopled by these mischievous Creatures. _Ibid._ Footnote 90: _Conrad. Gesner._ p. 29. In Times of War, Serpents have been prest into the Service. Thus _Heliogabalus_ (Emperor of _Rome_, so called because he was _Priest_ of the _Sun_ before his Election) having, by his _Sacerdotal Incantators_, or sacred Conjurers, gathered together several Serpents, contrived a Method to turn them loose, before day, among his Enemies, which soon put them into a terrible Hurry, and a Motion, that was a Trial for their Lives; the Sight of the crooked Serpent being far more dreadful, than the Whizzing of a straight Arrow[91]. The same Author informs us of Snakes thrown by a Sling-Staff into the Camp of the Barbarians, which did great Execution. Footnote 91: