IX. _AMPHISBÆNA_ Serpent, so called from αμφι _&_ βαινω _Biceps_, a Monster with two Heads. This is a small and weak Creature, equal in Bulk to a little Finger, and about a Foot long, of a whitish or terraceous Colour; of the oviparous Family, of small Eyes, no otherways visible than the Prick of a little Needle; lives much under ground, and is often found by digging; feeds upon Ants. Under this Head, the Historian mentions three Serpents, _viz._ The _Brasilian_, that has two Heads, and moves as a Crab[142]. Footnote 142: _Acosta._ The _Taprobanensian_, with four Heads; and he who believes it must have a four-headed Faith. The _Hungarian_; of which elsewhere. The same Historian adds, that the marine _Amphisbæna_, taken in the _English_ Sea, has two Heads. _Ibid._ _Pliny_, _Ælian_, _Lucan_, _Mantuan_,—affirm it has two Heads; _Matthiolus_ denies it, _Hesychius_ is doubtful. Mention is made of a Serpent found near _Chipping-Norton_, not far from _Oxford_, having two Heads, and Faces like Women; one being shaped after the new Tyre of that Time; the other was habited after the old Fashion, and had great Wings resembling those of the Flinder-Mouse or Bat[143]. This happened in the Reign of _Edward_ III. Footnote 143: _Stow_’s Annals, _London_, printed, 1631. A _Spanish_ Author says, that in _Chiapa_ he found a two-headed Serpent, 18 Inches long, in the Form of a _Roman_ T, and very venemous; it does not only kill, adds he, by its Bite, but if any tread upon that part of the Ground over which ’twas just gone, it proves fatal[144]. The Poet also subscribes to two Heads[145].——If this two-headed Serpent has slain its Thousands, there is a certain metaphorical three-headed Serpent on the Banks of _Tyber_, that has slain its Ten Thousands. Footnote 144: _Antonio de Herrera_’s History of _America_. Footnote 145: _Et gravis ingenium surgens caput Amphisbæna._—Lucan, p. 270. Perhaps the Reason of ascribing two Heads to this Serpent, might be, because it is said to poison by the Tail and Teeth. Others say, both Ends are so like in Figure and Bulk, that they are not easily distinguished. It seems probable to me, that this Serpent, like some Insects or Worms, has a double Motion, _antrorsum & retrorsum_, which made some of the Antients conclude it had two Heads; one in the usual Situation, the other in the Extremity of the _Cauda_. Its Body is of equal Thickness, and recommended to the View by various and delightful Spots[146]. Footnote 146: _Conrad. Gesner._ _Ælian._ _Columella_, lib. vi. We read of this Serpent in _Gothland_, where it comes forth in the Spring before all other Serpents, being more able to encounter the cold Air[147]. Some Authors tell us, that its Skin wrapt about a Stick, drives away all Serpents; which I place among the Tales of Antiquity. Footnote 147: _Olaus Magnus Hist._ B. xxi.