XIX. The _Dipsas_ or _Dipsacus_ is a little venemous Reptile of the Aspick kind[181], less than a Viper, but kills sooner; and is most remarkable in this, that when it bites, the Poison brings an unquenchable Thirst on the Person affected, who finding no Relief, runs to the Water, and drinks till he bursts asunder[182]. Footnote 181: Some make it of the viperine Sort. One calls it, _Vipera siticulosa. Vipera sitem facientes._ Avicenna. Conrad. Gesner, p. 42. _Inter aspidem & viperam_, says another. _Ibid._ Footnote 182: _Accessio Gyllii_, cap. 47. The Poetick Historian observes, how _Aulus_, an Ensign-bearer in the _Roman_ Army in _Africa_, was slain by this Serpent; at first he felt little or no Pain from the Bite, but as soon as it began to operate, he was immediately scorch’d to death[183]. _Galen_ calls this Serpent _Diabetes_, and _Ægineta Dipsacus_, from the incurable Thirst that accompanies its Bite: By others ’tis called _Situla_, because of the burning Heat caused by the Wound. Footnote 183: ——_Sanguinis Aulam. Torta caput retro Dipsas calcata momordit. Vix dolor_—— p. 270. It is about a Cubit in Length, lives in salt Marshes and shallow Waters; it dwells in _Arabia_, _Rhodes_, _Africa_, especially in _Lybia_, where some Branches of the venemous Family live on Camel’s Flesh, and Locusts dried in the Sun. The more hot the Climate, the more terrible the Wound, as it is in that hot Country, where they have no Springs, but a few salt Wells, which increase the animal Appetite of Thirst. The learned _Venetian_ makes the Serpent _Dipsas_ an _Hieroglyphick of illicit Love_, the Poison of which will, without timely Repentance, excite the Thirst of _Dives_, who wanted a Drop of Water to cool his scorched Tongue[184]. Footnote 184: _Joannis Pierii Valeriani Bellunensis Hieroglyphica, inter Collectanea_, p. 34. _Titulus_, _Amoris ignes_. XX. _Common Snake._ These Serpents in their Summer-rambles haunt among Bushes, mossy Grounds, uliginous and unfrequented Situations. In a sultry Day they may be seen basking themselves in the Sun, near their Apartments: The Sight of a Person puts them to flight; and upon a close Pursuit of them, they make a Stand, raise up their Heads to a considerable Height, and oppose the Enemy with a loud and angry Hiss. No Danger is apprehended from their Bite, and they are handled with Impunity. This Species of Serpents resembles the _Esculapian_, that has been fed in some Families; and when provoked to use the Teeth, the Danger is no more than that from a Bee, whose Weapons are defensive, and not employed without Provocation: In Winter they retire into subterraneous Spaces, where they lie dormant, till the vernal Sun invites them out.