The _Cerattapàmba_, that is, the springing snake, is of a small size, perfectly white; always holds its head erect, and, when it moves, forms its body into a bow. I found snakes of this kind on the mountains of _Maleatur_, where they conceal themselves under the fallen leaves. _Tevi_ is the name of a beautiful, small, striped snake, which hurts nobody. When one of this kind is killed, a great many of the same species resort to the place, and remain in the neighbourhood till their dead companion is removed. However incredible this circumstance may appear, it is certain that an instance of it occurred at the seminary of _Ambalacatti_, in the presence of at least thirty persons. I have several times been on the point of killing one of these snakes; but the Christians, as well as Pagans, always requested me for Heaven’s sake not to do it, else it would be impossible for them to remain in their houses, on account of the great number of snakes which would assemble from all quarters, and which they would not get rid of for several days. I shall leave it to naturalists to explain this singular phenomenon. _Malapàmba_, or _Perimpàmba_, the mountain-snake, found in the Gauts, is altogether of a dark-brown colour; from thirty to forty feet in length, and as thick as a fed ox. It has no teeth; but it devours dogs, deer, cows and other animals, which it seizes by twisting itself round their bodies. The existence of this monstrous animal is beyond all doubt; for some of them have been seen at _Vaypur_, _Cagnarapalli_, and other places. Sometimes they are swept down from the mountains by the violence of the streams. I myself caused a snake of this kind to be caught, and sent it as a present to M. de l’Ormier. It was fifteen feet in length. If a person takes a spoonful of the fat of this snake, and drinks warm water afterwards, it expels the leprosy. I have in my possession a bottle filled with it. The _Irutalakuszali_ is a snake with two heads, whatever Charleton and others may say to the contrary. In Portuguese it is called _Cobra de duas cabeças_, and in Latin the _Amphisbæna_. M. Rosier, the commandant at Collam, shewed me two snakes of this kind, which he preserved in a glass jar. I saw one of them also in the mountains of _Maleatur_. It is a palm or a palm and a half in length; has the colour of withered leaves; and does not, like other snakes, creep straight forwards, but always rears one of its heads, and makes an arch with its body when it moves. Its bite always occasions a tumour filled with venom; but the poison acts very slowly, so that it is seldom or never too late to apply a remedy[152].