Of all Oracles, that of _Apollo Pythius_ at _Delphos_, in the _Ægean_ Sea, was the most celebrated, and consulted as the _dernier Resort_ by the Princes of those Times; yea, all the _Greeks_ resorted thither for Counsel in Matters of Importance. At the first opening of that _Oracular Office_, Answers were given to the Querist in Verse; but upon People’s ridiculing the Poorness of the Verification, the Oracle fell to Prose. ’Tis strange, that what they made a _God_, could not make a _good Verse_, but not strange to see the old Serpent adhering to its first Scheme of Politicks, by making the weaker Vessel the Vehicle to convey his strong Delusions to the World. Some of these Draconick Serpents excel in the Sensations of Hearing and Seeing, as well as in the Art of Killing; and therefore a _Dragon_ was made the _Conservator_ of their _Treasures_ and _Curiosities_; e. g. _Mauritania_ in _Africa_, was famous for the Gardens of the _Hesperides_ (so called from three Sisters and Daughters of King _Hesperius_) that produced _Golden Apples_, and were guarded by a _Dragon_, which _Hercules_ having killed or charm’d into a profound Sleep, he robbed the Golden Orchard. The Rod of _Moses_, ’tis said, _was turned into a Serpent_. The _Syriack_, _Arabick_, and _Septuagint_ Translations, say, twas turned into a _Dragon_; and so the Rods of the Magicians became _Dragons_. XII. The _Basilisk_ or _Cockatrice_, is a Serpent of the Draconick Line, the Property of _Africa_, says _Ælian_, and denied by others: In shape, resembles a Cock, the Tail excepted. Authors differ about its Extraction; the _Egyptians_ say, it springs from the Egg of the Bird _Ibis_; and others, from the Eggs of a Cock: Other Conjectures about its Descent, being as ridiculous, I forbear to mention them. Nor are they agreed whether it more inclines to the black or yellow Colour; nor are their Sentiments less various about its Stature. It is gross in Body, of fiery Eyes, and sharp Head, on which it wears a Crest, like a Cock’s Comb; and has the Honour to be stiled _Regulus_ by the _Latins_, the _Little King of Serpents_; and ’tis generally supposed to be terrible to them. The Sight of this Animal, and Sound of his Voice, puts them to flight, and even to over-run their Prey[157]: Yea, Tradition adds, that his Eyes and Breath are killing; that is, I presume, when he grasps the Spoil. Several dreadful things are attributed to his venemous Qualities, so sing the Poets[158]. Footnote 157: _Sibilo ejus reliquos terreri & prædam derelinquere._ [Illustration: _Plate 3^d._ ] Footnote 158: Tam teter vacuas odor hinc exhalat in auras, Atque propinquantes penetrant non segniter artus. _Nican._ Ante venena nocens, late sibi submovet omne Vulgus, & in vacua regnat Basiliscus arena. _Lucan._ 270.