510

AN 1 MAL SIMPLES.

eminent physicians in token of the skill which couldavert danger from persons bitten by this reptile andits kindred. Formerly to eat a snake was a charm forgrowing young. Against venomous bites the treatraentof the ancients, if the wound vvere severe, was cupping,or, if slight, the plaster of Diogenes was applied, or asalt fish bound over the wound. One of the favouritecharms of the early Britona was the snake's egg(anguineum), which was thought to be produced fromthe saliva of snakes, and to possess special healingproperties. This ovum, adderstone, or glair, was perhapsmade now and again from some sort of glass, or ofoarth glazed over, being either white or variegated.Several such have been found at difl'erent times inDruidical barrows, or cromlechs. There is one in theAldborough Museum, Yorkshire. Pliny, Galen, andother ancient medical writers were unanimoua as tothe remedial properties of vipers' flesh when eaten." Fimil ex viperd pastilli qui theriaci vocantur a Grmcis."They who ate the Hesh were thought to acquire thegift of understanding the language of animals. SirKenelm Digby (1650) used to diet his beautiful wife,Yenetia Stanley, upon capons fatteried with the fleshof vipers.

In Dr. Donne's Devotims (1624), oecurs the prayer:"Thou, O Lord, who hast imprinted all medicinalvirtues which are in all creatures, and hast made eventhe flesh of vipers to assist in cordialls." In Madamede Sevigne's letters is an order for ten dozen vipers,two to be taken every day in the stuffing of a fowl.

Le bouilhn de vipere was to be thus made " Compose"avec l'animal privd de sa tele, de sa peau, et de ses inlestins."It was an energetic remedy in obstinate urinarypurulent running, as well as a sexual rostorative. Also