And therefore we must crave leave to doubt of this double-headed Serpent until we have the advantage to behold or have an iterated ocular testimony concerning such as are sometimes mentioned by _American_ relators; and also such as _Cassianus Puteus_ shewed in a picture to _Johannes Faber_; and that which is set down under the name of _Amphisbæna Europæa_ in his learned discourse upon _Hernandez_ his History of _America_. CHAPTER XVI Of the Viper. That the young Vipers force their way through the bowels of their Dam, or that the female Viper in the act of generation bites off the head of the male, in revenge whereof the young ones eat through the womb and belly of the female, is a very ancient tradition. In this sense entertained in the Hieroglyphicks of the _Egyptians_; affirmed by _Herodotus_, _Nicander_, _Pliny_, _Plutarch_, _Ælian_, _Jerome_, _Basil_, _Isidore_, seems countenanced by _Aristotle_, and his Scholar _Theophrastus_: from hence is commonly assigned the reason why the _Romans_ punished _Parricides_ by drowning them in a Sack with a Viper. And so perhaps upon the same opinion the men of _Melita_ when they saw a Viper upon the hand of _Paul_, said presently without conceit of any other sin, _No doubt this man is a murderer, who though he have escaped the Sea, yet vengeance suffereth him not to live_: that is, he is now paid in his own way, the parricidous Animal and punishment of murderers is upon him. And though the tradition were currant among the Greeks, to confirm the same the Latine name is introduced, _Vipera quasi vi pariat_; That passage also in the Gospel, _O ye generation of Vipers!_ hath found expositions which countenance this conceit. Notwithstanding which authorities, transcribed relations and conjectures, upon enquiry we find the same repugnant unto experience and reason.