Page:British Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fresh-water Fishes.djvu/24

BRITISH REPTILES stinging capacities, of Snakes that with double tongue "may with a mortal touch throw death upon thy sovereign's enemies." Spenser speaks of "the stings of Aspes that kill with smart," and Dryden again has a liking for saying that "a Serpent shoots his sting."

Snakes also are still believed to have a power of fascinating their prey, and one would hardly credit that, as late as the time of John Wesley, we find that eminent divine stating that a Swallow seeing a Snake beneath, stops his insect-catching, flies over the crafty reptile on the ground, and finally sinks until the bird drops into the mouth of the expectant host!

Shakespeare in "King Henry VI" says: "What! Art thou like the Adder waxen deaf?" In the Psalms there is a reference to "the deaf Adder that stoppeth her ear," and although Snakes have no external ears, is there any reason to suppose that any of them are deaf?

The poor despised Slow Worm has been the target for much ridicule and abuse, but three instances must suffice. Shakespeare christens it: "The eyeless venom'd worm," and actually advises, as one of the ingredients of the witch's cauldron, "a Blind Worm's sting." Herrick philosophises thus:—

Lastly, our beloved Scott helps to perpetuate the fable as to this creature's slimy and slow character thus: 8