CHAPTER VI.

Reasons for worshipping hurtful as well as useful Creatures, founded on a Notion of two eternal contrary Principles: They believe God was good, and could not be the Author of moral Evil, therefore fram’d the Ditheistical Doctrine; an Error, espoused by some primitive Christians, confuted by the Sentence past upon the Serpent. Reasons for worshipping different Species of Animals by the Egyptians.

Whence arises the Honour given by Heathens to different Species of Beings, to the noxious and hurtful, as well as to the salutary and beneficent Tribe?

Probably, it might be from their observing the Mixtures of Good and Evil in the visible Creation, when as yet in their infantile State of Knowledge: The reason of this they could not otherwise account for, but by giving into the Notion of two distinct independent governing Powers; the one a good, the other an evil Genius: accordingly they worshipped Creatures that were useful, as being the Ministers of the good Genius; and those that were hurtful they paid Homage to, out of servile Fear, and to ingratiate themselves into their Favour. In the Morning they worshipped the celestial Gods; in the Evening, the infernal: On the Plain they worshipped the terrestrial Gods, on Hills the supernatural; in Grotos and Caves, the infernal.

Hence it is they asserted a Duplicity of Gods, viz. Two perceptive self-existent Beings, one the Principle of Good, and the other of Evil. This Opinion originally sprung from a strong, firm Persuasion, That God was invariably Good, and therefore could not possibly be the Author of the Evil upon Earth. Nor could they otherwise solve the Difficulty about the Entrance of moral Evil into our World, but by supposing another eternal self-existent evil Cause.

Yea, some among the primitive Christians fell into the Error of asserting this Ditheistical Doctrine; that is, two self-existent Principles in the Universe, to wit, a good God, and an evil Demon. Thus the Cerdonites, an heretical Sect, that sprung up in the second Century, held there were two Gods; one, the Author of all good, the other, of all evil Things. So the Marcionites held two contrary Gods; and in the third Century, the Manichees did the same.

Perhaps, this might be one reason why God past Sentence upon the Devil in the Serpent, in the presence and hearing of our first Parents, viz. to prevent the Error of imagining that there was any Principle of Evil, which was independent upon the Almighty. The Sentence past upon Satan in the Curse upon the Serpent, was a Conviction to Adam and Eve of his Dependency upon the Almighty Creator, before whose Tribunal he now was constrained to appear, to receive the Sentence merited by those, who make a Lye, and tempt their Fellow-creatures to rebel.

REASONS about the Adoration of different kind of Animals by the Egyptians.

If you ask, that if they worshipped a Serpent, why did they pay religious Honours to so many other Beasts? I answer, This monstrous Idolatry begun in Egypt, and the first occasion for it seems to be this, viz.

OSIRIS, a certain King of Egypt, who reign’d with great Equity and Mildness, having divided his Kingdom into several distinct Provinces, appointed Presidents over them, and in their Banners he placed the Figures, or Pictures of certain Animals, that bore some Similitude to the Peculiarities of those Countries, over which they were to preside: Thus to the Governor, whose Land was proper for Tillage, he design’d an Ox in his Standard, to which the Inhabitants of that Place paid a particular Veneration, which in process of time was worshipped by the whole Nation, for its Usefulness, and as the Symbol of Agriculture: Hence the Image of Osiris is set off with Horns.

The golden Calf which Aaron made in the Wilderness, and the Calves set up by Jeroboam to be worshipped in his Kingdom, were an Imitation of the idolatrous Adoration, which the Egyptians paid to their Bull Apis.

That part of the Country, in which was abundance of Water, the King set a Crocodile (an amphibious Animal) in his Banner, that was to govern there, which was had in high Veneration, especially in the City of Mira; and at last the Crocodile was worshipped all over Egypt.

Where the Country abounded with Wood, a Dog was fixt in the Governor’s Standard, to which the Egyptians gave no little Veneration, especially Sportsmen ... as the Poet observes.

Footnote 430:

Oppida tota canem venerantur, nemo Dianam. The Dog whole Towns, Diana none implore.

Juvenal. Satir. xv.

That which gives some colour to this Partition of Osiris’s Kingdom, is, “that God ordained very near the same thing to be observed in the Encampments of the Israelites, when he divided the twelve Tribes into four Bodies, and allotted to one of the three Tribes, belonging to each Body, the Figure of an Animal to be placed in the Banner: Thus, that of Reuben carried the Figure of a Man; that of Judah, a Lion; that of Dan, an Eagle; and that of Ephraim, an Ox”.

Footnote 431:

Jurieu’s Crit. Hist. vol. ii.

After this manner the Egyptian Monarch did place in their Banners the Figures of certain Animals, which by degrees were usher’d into their Religion and Temples. N. B. These Banners thus painted with different Animals, were fixt upon Poles, between their several Provinces, by which their Bounds were determined. Semiramis, being conquered by Staurobates, Antiquity feign’d she was changed by the Gods into a Dove, the Bird of Venus, which is the reason why the Dove was worshipped by the Babylonians, and why they gave it in their Ensign.

I Conclude this Part with some Instances, that are given of the Sottishness of Pagans in what they called religious Worship, which indeed is almost incredible, if they were not common, and well attested.—— The Egyptians did not only worship variety of Beasts, but also the Figures of them, as the Representatives of their Gods: Each City and District entertain’d a peculiar Devotion for some particular Beast or other, in honour of which they built Temples; yea, every one of the Pagan Deities had his own Beast, Tree and Plant consecrated to him. Thus the Pigeon was consecrated to Venus; the Dragon and Owl to Minerva; the Eagle to Jupiter; the Cock to Æsculapius and the Sun. This, says Jurieu, is the true Origin of the Egyptian Idolatry. Ibid. Who adds, The Egyptians assign’d to their Gods certain Animals, as their Representatives, and being introduced into the Temples, as the Images were in some Christian Churches, they at last began to worship them. This points out the Impiety of admitting any symbolical Representations of Divinity into Places of publick Worship.

Nothing more monstrous than the Divinity of the Pagans; their Gods were innumerable. Every thing on Earth, in the Sea, in the Heavens, yea, and in Hell, had their peculiar Gods. If Egyptians, who past for the wisest of Mortals, paid religious Adoration to meer Animals, not only to Serpents, but Apes, Wolves, yea, Dogs, Cats, ... and to Vegetables, as Onions, Garlick ... what shall we think of stupid Nations, who had no Claim to Wisdom?

Even in Athens (that celebrated Fountain of Light) were more Idols than in all Greece; yea, so numerous were their Idols, that they had almost as many Gods as Men.

Footnote 432:

Facilius possis Deum, quam hominem invenire.

STRABO, Procopius, and Ben Jonas say, the antient Persians kept and worshipped their perpetual Fire on Mount Albors, a Branch of Caucasus. The Japonese worship the Devil, and the Head of their Religion is called Dair, whom they worship as a God. Atlas.

I Should rather think the Persians ador’d the supreme God, under the Image of Fire, by reason ’tis Fire gives Motion to every thing in Nature, and therefore they made it an Emblem of Divinity.

The Hebrews kept up the holy Fire in the Temple, and the Vestals were appointed to keep the sacred Fire of the Romans.

VULCAN was worshipped among the Antients, and particularly the Egyptians, as the Inventor of Fire.

The People of Egypt exceeded most Nations in depreciating Divinity by gross Superstitions and Idolatry; they did not err in worshipping Mortals only, but they gave Reverence to Beasts, Birds, Insects, Winds, Earth, Water, Air, Fire, Plants, &c. whom Rhodius Anaxandrides, one of themselves, derides in this manner:

I sacrifice to God the Beef, which you adore; I broil th’ Egyptian Eels, which you as God implore. You fear to eat the Flesh of Swine, I find it sweet: You worship Dogs, to beat them I think meet, When they my Store devour.——

Footnote 433:

Bovem colis, ego Deis macto Bovem; Tu maximum anguillam, Deum putas: ego, Obsoniorum credidi, suavissimum, Carnes suillas, tu caves, at gaudeo His maximè. Canem colis, quem verbero. Edentem, ubi deprehendo, forte obsonium.

Thus Juvenal, another Heathen Poet, ridicules their religious Fooleries:

Oh happy Nations! which, of their own sowing, Have store of Gods, in ev’ry Garden growing.

Footnote 434:

Porrum & cæpe nefas violare & frangere morsu, Oh sanctas gentes quibus hæc nascuntur in hortis Numina!——

Sat. xv. l. 8, 9, 10.

The Images of the Gods, says Seneca, are worshipped; these they pray unto and adore, and while they greatly admire them, at the same time despise the Workmen that made them. Which also Sedulius their Poet scoffs at, saying,——Who worship Vanities ... despise their own Maker ... fear the Works of their own Hands.... What Madness! that Man should ugly Shapes adore, of Bulls, Birds, Dragons, the vile Half-Dog, or Half-Man, on Knees for Aid implore.——

Footnote 435:

Simulachra Deorum venerantur——fabros qui ilia fecêre, contemnunt.

Footnote 436:

Heu miseri vana colunt——ut volucrem, turpemque Bovem, torvumque Draconem, sem-hominemque canem supplex homo pronus adoret.

Yet among the Nations were some who thought it Impiety to represent their Gods by Images, as the Persians, Indian Brachmans, &c. Yea, the Romans, for 170 Years, would not allow Images in their Temples, observing the Law of Numa. It was Tarquinius Priscus that followed the Vanity of the Grecians (a Nation of all others, excepting Egypt, most deluded by the old Serpent) set up the Images of their Gods, which even the Learned Varro bewailed and condemned. The Mahometans have a perfect Aversion to Images. The Jews hate all Images, will not allow any in their Houses, much less in Places of Worship. But to proceed:

Footnote 437:

Hospinian. de Origine Imaginum.

The apostate Indians worship both Gods and Devils, over which they acknowledge a Supreme, who sends forth other Deities as his Deputies; which they think to be the Souls of good Men; and Devils, the Souls of the Wicked.... They imagine the Sun and Moon to be Gods; their Idols are represented as Monsters of the kind.

Footnote 438:

Atlas Asia. page 662.

“In the Kingdom of Pegu in the East, the People are exceeding superstitious, and scruple not to worship the Devil, whom they reckon the Author of Evil; as they do God, of Good: And in all Calamities, their first Addresses are to the evil Spirit, for Deliverance; and they make Vows to him, which they perform upon their Recovery, with the Assistance of their Priests, whom they call the Devil’s Father, and he directs them to make sacred Feasts with Musick.” Many of them run about in the Morning with a Torch in one Hand, and Rice in the other; pretending to give the Devil his Breakfast, that he may not hurt them that Day. Others at their Meals, throw part of what they have over their Shoulders, to feed him, before they eat any themselves. Ibid. p. 662.

At Tavay in that Country, they replenish their Houses with Victuals, and leave them for three Months, that the Devils may dwell and feed there, and be favourable all the rest of the Year. ibid. They have a sort of Monks called Talapoins, who endeavour to root out this Devil Worship, but without effect.

The Aruspices, were an Order of Priests among the antient Romans, who pretended to foretell Events, chiefly by inspecting the Entrails of Beasts killed in Sacrifice ... Birds, and celestial Appearances. Cato, who was one of the Augurs, conscious of their impious Politicks, used to say, He wondered how one Priest could look at another without laughing in his Face. These Augural Priests made a College, or Community; they bore an Augural Staff or Wand, called Lituus, made in form of a Crozier, or a Bishop’s Staff, or Shepherd’s Crook, as the Ensign of their Office and Authority—— And what is most ridiculous is, that no Affair of Moment could be resolved upon, without first consulting these holy Cheats; and their Advice, be what it would, was by a Decree of the Senate appointed to be exactly and religiously observed. Ornithomancy, or Divination by Birds, was, among the Greeks, the same with Augury among the Romans.

At Angola and Congo in the East-Indies, wooden Idols, resembling Negroes, are erected in the midst of their Towns, which they daily worship. ’Tis their Belief they are never sick, but when their Idols are angry with them; therefore to appease them, they pour at their Feet the Wine of Palms. They wash, paint, and new cloath their Dead, and bury with them Meat, Drink, and some of their Goods, and sprinkle the Grave with the Blood of Goats. Their Priests are in such high Esteem, that they think Plenty and Famine, Life and Death, are in their power.

Footnote 439:

See Purchas.

The old Inhabitants of Virginia believed many Gods, but one principally, who made the rest ... and that the Woman was made before the Man, and propagated by the Help of one of the inferior Gods. The Natives are Anthropomorphites, giving to their Gods the Forms of Men.... When they go abroad, they carry their Gods about with them, and in Matters of Doubt ask Counsel of them. Much of their Devotion consists in howling and dancing about Fires, with Rattles in their Hands. Quære, Whether this Custom be not the Original of Castanets or Snappers in Dancing?

Footnote 440:

Hackluit in Purchas.

Another Instance of monstrous Degeneracy, we have among the Phenicians, who offer’d yearly Sacrifices to Saturn of young Infants; and in the Temple of Venus, practised not only Whoredom, but the most unnatural Sin of Sodomy also; yea, by the Laws of their Religion, were bound to prostitute their Daughters to Venus, before they married them: In their Temple the Women who refused to be shaved, were obliged to yield up their Honour to Strangers for one day.

In the Country, now called New Spain, the old Inhabitants would neither eat nor drink, till they had cast towards the Sun, some part of their Food; nor would they smell a Flower, without throwing up in the Air some Leaves of it, thereby acknowledging the Gods to be their great Benefactors: Tho’ this be ridiculous, yet having an Air of religious Gratitude, it is commendable. Among other Idols ador’d at Mexico, they had one called Vitziliputzli, placed in an azure colour’d Chair, with Serpent’s Heads at each Corner.

Yea the Pagans, to authorize their own Crimes, and justify their vicious Lives, have constituted licentious, drunken, vicious Gods, &c. Instances of this kind we have in their religious Institutions, as the Saturnalia of the Romans, which were Feasts sacred to the God Saturn: This Feast was observed in December, at first kept for one day, then for three days, and afterwards for seven days. So sacred was this Festival, that while it lasted, no Criminals were to be executed, no War to begin.... And yet at the same time, a Sanction was given to universal Debauchery; all Rules of Virtue and common Decency were intirely banished, and all things run into a wild Scene of Distraction and Lewdness, and all this under the Umbrage of doing Honour to their Gods.

Footnote 441:

Uno die ... trium dierum ... septem dierum ... Bellum fumere nefas habitum——Macrobii opera, Londini, A. D. 1694. p. 155, 160, 168.

The same Game was acted in the Lupercalian Feasts, instituted in honour of the God Pan (under the shape of a Goat) whose Priests, on the Morning of the Feast, ran naked thro’ the Streets, striking the married Women they met, on the Hands and Belly with Straps cut out of Goats Skins, which was held an Omen, promising Fruitfulness, and happy Deliveries.

I shall only add the Bacchanalian Feasts, celebrated in honour of Bacchus, the God of Wine, and Master of the Revels; sometimes called Orgia, from a Greek Word that signifies Anger and Rage, because in the Celebration of it, People acted in so raging and furious a manner, as if they had been absolutely distracted. These religious Feasts were not only encumber’d with a great number of Ceremonies, but attended with most notorious Dissoluteness; for Men and Women met at them, all naked, except their Heads and Hips, that were shaded with Vine Leaves.

Footnote 442:

Οργη

The Women, who were installed Priestesses, during this Feast, ran thro’ the Streets, and other Places, cover’d with Tyger’s Skins, Scepters in one Hand, and Torches in the other, howling and roaring out the Praise of Bacchus, with Hair dishevell’d, dangling about their Shoulders. They were call’d Mœnades from their Madness, Thyades from their Rage, Bacchæ from their Intemperance.

The Poets tell us, that in the Bacchanalian Train, were a Croud of Nymphs and Naiades, a sort of Heathen Divinities; some crown’d with Ivy, their Hair loose, and intermix’d with Snakes, clothed with the Skins of Beasts, and girt about with large Serpents, and running frantick in the Woods and Mountains.

In short, their sacred Games, Festivals, and Sacrifices, were little more than drunken Banquets, nocturnal Revels, tumultuous Dancings, all wild, ridiculous and extravagant.

F I N I S.

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INDEX

A. ACONTIA Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 4;) why call’d a flying Serpent, 81 Adam, why not made impeccable, 171 —— Converse betwixt him and Angels, 173 —— in Innocency put in mind of Death, 181 —— his Fall described by Pagans, 182, 3 —— —— —— —— by Mahometans, 184 Adder; see Viper. (the Figure, Plate 1) Agnasen Serpent, 132 Air, ador’d by Pagans, 210 Alexander the Great, and Alexander the Little, 140 Amodytes Serpent, describ’d, 53, 4 Amphisbæna, a two-headed Serpent, describ’d, 72 —— Instances of one in Oxfordshire, and in Chiapa in America, Ambua Serpent, 107 Ameiva Serpent, 122 Americina, 122 Anacandia Serpent, Ants, their Penetration, 8 —— in America great Master-Builders, 8, 132 —— Remarkable Sorts in the East-Indies, 8 Anguis laqueus, or the Ensnaring-Serpent, 136 Animals, turn’d into Gods by Pagans, 213 —— Their Adoration ridicul’d by some of themselves, 215, 236, 237 Apollo, catechis’d for his dubious Answers, 77 —— His She-Priest, ibid. Apotheosis, or Deification describ’d, 223 Asp, (the Figure, Plate 2,) described, 59 —— Its Foresight, 60 —— A Poem on the Asp and its Poison, 61 —— Highly venerated among the Egyptians, 70 Attaligatus Serpent, 134

B. Basilisk Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 3) describ’d, 78 —— why call’d King of Serpents, 79 —— (African, Plate 3) Battle of the Gods, 212 Bees, (the Figure, Plate 5) their Sagacity, great Geometricians, 8 —— Their Sting describ’d, 148 Birds, why some here only in Winter, and others only in Summer, 7 Biobi, or green Serpent describ’d, 103 Bibera Serpent, 107 Bitin Serpent, 137 Blowing Serpent, 130 Boignacu Serpent, very beautiful, 106 Boytiapua Serpent, 108 —— An Instrument of Conjuration, 109 Bomsnake Serpent, 109 Boicupecanga Serpent, prickle-back’d, 110 Boitiapo Serpent, 117 Brochet de Torre, or Land-pike, 124 Brimstone Snake, 130

C. Cabiri, characteriz’d, 81 Caudisonant, or Rattle-Snake, (the Figure, Plate 7) describ’d, 91 —— Its Wounds and Cures, 92 Cameleon, (the Figure, Plate 5) describ’d; the reason why it appears in a change of Colours, 96 —— Why call’d a living Skin, 97 Canina Serpent, describ’d, 103 —— A Domestick Animal, 104 Camruana Serpent, 108 Carapobeba, 122 Cæcilia Serpent describ’d, why call’d blind, 80 Cencris Serpent describ’d, why call’d miliary, 80, 1 Cerastes, (the Figure, Plate 1) describ’d, the Executioner of Justice, 54, 5 Ceylon, a Land of Delights, 113 Ceylonic Hotambæia Serpent, 115 Chickens, produc’d by artificial Heat, 6, 147 Chastity conjugal, how try’d, 55 Charming of Serpents, various Instances, 62, 3 —— of Rats, a remarkable Instance in Germany, 65 —— of Serpents, by a Wand, 65 Cheese, an odd Custom in Antiquity about it, 129 Chicken Snake, 131 Cherubims, Emblems of Mercy and Justice, 175, 6 Christ’s Death, publish’d before that of Adam, 180 Cleopatra, her own Executioner by a Serpent, 34, 60, 61 Cloth, wash’d in Fire, 95 Cobres Capellos Serpent, describ’d, 90 Colour Green, why hated by the Turks, 108 —— Blue, why hated by the Persians, 109 Cordylus, a noxious Reptile, 121 Corn Snake, 129 Crocodile, (the Figure, Plate 5) describ’d at large, 118 —— eats Stones, ibid. —— venerated in Egypt, ibid. —— the occasion of a War, ibid. —— a Judge of Controversies, 119 —— the manner of destroying it, 120 —— Symbol of the Deity, 178 Creation, a Poem, 162 Cuckold, its Origin, 54 Cuckow Spittle, Grashoppers hatch’d in it, 108 Cucurijuba, a Serpent monstrous, 110

D. Darkness, the Destruction of Colours, 71 Dæmons explain’d, 205 Devil ador’d, 236, 238 Distempers cur’d by manual Touch, 56, 7 Dipsas Serpent, describ’d; its Wounds bring incurable Thirst, 85 Dogs, superiour to Men in the Sense of Smelling, 66 —— the manner of Sensation philosophically explain’d, 67 —— Providence vindicated in that matter, 68 Dopon Serpent, 133 Dragons describ’d, various Sorts and Forms, 74 —— monstrous one slain by Gozon, Knight, by a strange contrivance, 75 —— another slain by the Roman Army, 76 Dragon, Pythian, Guardian of the Delphick Oracle, ibid. Dragons, Guardians of Treasures, 78 —— winged, describ’d, (the Figure, Plate 2), 192 —— Æthiopian, (the Figure, Plate 2) Druina Serpent, describ’d, 83

E. Eagles, how they take their Prey, 145 Ecatoth, or Serpent-of-the-Wind, 135 Eggs, the reason of Propagation by them, 5 —— the Method wonderful, ibid. Egg, Symbol of the World, 6 Eggs hatch’d in Ovens, the Young ones generally imperfect, ibid. —— mysterious Egg. Egg, a surprizing Compound, 128 —— the White of it a most singular Menstruum, ibid. —— how reduc’d to the likeness of Poison, ibid. Egyptians, a People of Contradiction, 60 —— whipp’d their inattentive Gods, 60 Elephantia Serpents, why so call’d, 86 Elops Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 3) describ’d, 84 Elephants, Creatures of great Bulk, 86 —— subject to Resentment, Instances of it, 87 —— a Battle betwixt them and Serpents, 91 Ethetulla Serpent, 113 Eve, how she came to converse with the Serpent, 174 —— her Converse with it before the Account of Moses very probable, 177 —— a Negative would have preserv’d her Innocence, 179

F. Faith, the Magnet of Magicians, 64 Fascinating Eyes, 41 Fish, how they breathe in Water, 1 Fire, ador’d, 211, 236 Funerals, their first Institution, 181

G. Generation equivocal exploded, 4 Ghalghulawa Serpent, 114 Giraupiagara Serpent, 108 Gobe Moujes, 124 Gods, Men transformed into them, 201 —— inanimate Things turn’d into them, 207 Goddesses, Women transform’d into them, 206 Golden Calf, 214 Grotto di Cani, a particular Account of it, 25, 6 —— —— Experiments made in it by Mr. Addison, 26 Grotto de i Serpi, a remarkable subterraneous Cavern, and Hospital for particular Diseases, 38 Ground Rattle-Snake, 125 Griffin describ’d, 145 Guaku, or Lyboya Serpent describ’d, one of the most monstrous, 102

H. Harus Serpent, 138 Heathens, their Fictions about Punishments in Hell, 49 —— their Opinion about Heaven, 50 Hereditary Right, the Title, how try’d, 56 Hemorrhous, (the Figure, Plate 1) describ’d; its Wounds force the Blood out thro’ every Pore of the Body, 57 Horse-Tail, a Turkish Standard, the Original of it, 81 Hooded, or Monk Serpent, 115 Horn Snake, 126 Hornet, (the Figure, Plate 7) describ’d, 148 Hydrus, or Water-Snake, 126, 141, 2

I. Japonians, their way of punishing Christians, 47 Jararaka Serpent, describ’d, 103 Jacore Lizard, Ibiara Serpent, describ’d, 99 Ibitobaca Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 4) describ’d, 102 Ibiboboca Serpent, describ’d. Ibizacoan Serpent, Cure of its Wound very singular, 106 Idolatry, the Original of it, 197 —— more ancient than Image-Worship, 198 —— the Incentives to it, 199 Jeboya Serpent, 108 Images, why Laban call’d them Gods, 203 Inchantment by noxious Herbs, &c. 47 Indian Prince, a very remarkable Saying of his about Spanish Cruelty, 133 Insects, little, great Executioners, 139 —— various Instances, ibid. Iquanna Serpent, describ’d, 102 Iron, one of the hardest Metals, yet the most brittle, 130 Israel, why punish’d by Serpents, 188 —— why punish’d by fiery Serpents, ibid.

K. Kakaboya Serpent, 106 Kingdom won by an Heroick Answer, 58 King Snake, 129 —— Sashes made of its Skin, ibid. Koko Serpent, a Representation of the French Monarch, 58, 9 Kukuruki Serpent, describ’d, 99

L. Lancashire Beauties, 69 Lacertus viridis, or green Lizard, 121 Les Anoles Serpent, 123 Les Roquet Serpent, ibid. Light, how the Sensation of it is produc’d, 71 —— all Colours depend upon it, 71 Long black-Snake, 127

M. Magical Balls, 46, 7 Magick Art, the Original of it, 68 —— its Degeneracy, 68, 9 —— surprizing Instances of magick Wit, 69 Magick Egg, ibid. Magicians, St. Matthew’s wise Men in their time, 70 Manima Serpent, monstrous, 111 Malcarabeta Serpent, 113 Malpolon Serpent, ibid. Manballa Serpent, 114 Maboujas, 123 —— , an Emblem of the old Serpent, 124 Macacoatl, an horned Serpent, 132 Marine Dragon, or Serpent, 143 Men, Giants and Pygmies among ’em, 16 Mexico, two unparallel’d Instances of Cruelty, one by the Mexican, the other by Spanish Priests, 100, 1 Milk, its wonderful Nature describ’d, 128 Mithridate, the Original of its Name, 40, 5 Monoxillo, or Mucronated-Serpent, 137 Musk Serpent, 116 Musk Rats, and Musk Cats, ibid. Musk, a short Account of it, 116, 17 Musick, its wonderful Effects on the Mind and the Body in several remarkable Instances, 156 to 160 —— Conjectures about medicinal Cures by it, 164

N. Natrix-Torquata Snake, (the Figure, Plate 5), 142 Nintipolonga Serpent, 114 Noya Serpent, 90

O. Obsidian Stones, Looking-Glasses made of them, 105 Opium, the Darling of the Turks, 21 Orators, as well as Poets enthusiastical, 64 Oracular Answers, various Opinions about them, 77 Otus Serpent, 133

P. Pareas Serpent describ’d, 84 Paper, that is incombustible, 95 Parrot, a rational Dialogue betwixt it and Prince Maurice, 144, 5 Parthians, the best Fighters when retreating, 132 Paradise, Self-denial a Duty there, 180 —— Threatnings necessary there, 181 Pagan Fables founded on the Writings of Moses, 182 Persian Kings, their Recipe for an easy Death, 70 People, without Fraud, 125 —— have no Name for it, ibid. Pimbera Serpent, describ’d, 90 Pluto, his Attendants and Executioners cover’d with Snakes, as the Harpies, Furies, Cerberus, Chimæra, 47, 48, 49 Poison, vegetable Instances of it, 19, 20 —— Mineral, various Instances in Damps from Copper, Mercury, Tin, Lead, 22, 23 —— Animal, Debates about the Seat of it in Serpents, 26, 7 —— various Remedies for it, as Oil, experimented on one William Oliver, bit by a Serpent; Lichen Cinereus Terrestris, Venice Treacle, and several Vegetables, &c., 29, 30, 31, 145 —— one Drop of it a Match for a Sea of Blood, 32 —— when not dangerous, 33 —— exhaustible in Serpents by quick repeated Acts, but soon recruited, 35 Poetical Apology for a Sot, 73, 4 Polonga Serpent, describ’d, 90 Priests, their Genius for Cruelty. See Mexico. Prussians and Lithuanians, Serpent-Worshippers, 226

R. Rattle-Snake. Vid. Caudisonant. Red-belly Snake, 126 Red-back Snake, 127 Rivers ador’d, 210 Rubetarian Serpent, 143 —— —— loud and pretty, ibid.

S. Sandals, used by the Ladies, 208 Salamander, (the Figure, Plate 5,) described, 92 —— how said to live in the Fire, 93 —— Corvini’s Experiment upon one, 94 Salamander’s-Wool, 95 —— —— Shrouds made of it for Kings, 95 Satan, why punish’d under the Figure of a Serpent, 185 Scorpions, (the Figure, Plate 7,) Countries destroy’d by them, as in Æthiopia, Amyclæ a Town in Italy, Pescara an ancient City in Italy, India, 45, 6 —— their various Kinds, Sizes, and malignant Nature, 87, 8 —— the Persians curse by them, 88 Scytale Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 2,) described, 70 —— —— an Aggregate of charming Colours, 71 Scolopendra, (the Figure, Plate 5,), 151 Serpents, general Description of them, 2 —— their Mode of Propagation viviparous and oviparous, 4, 5 —— their Sagacity, with regard to their different Lodgments, 6, 7, 172 —— during Winter, sleep with open Eyes, 7 —— their Enemies, viz. Eagle, Hawk, Stork, Ibis, Ichneumon, Magaure, and some Vegetables, 10, 11 —— Dust, not their original Food. A moral Reflection upon it, 12 —— their Food, which they swallow whole, 12, 13 —— their Size, some monstrous, others remarkably small, 13, 14, 15, 16, 146 —— their Apparatus for Motion curious, 17 —— their Skin an elegant Composition, 18 —— of special Service to Mankind, of great Use in Physick, various at home and abroad, 36, 7 —— the common Food of many Nations in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, 38 to 40 —— Instruments of divine and human Vengeance, 44 —— Jewish Camp infested with them, 44 —— Victory gain’d by them on Sea and Land, 46 Serpent, its Contest with St. Paul, 44 Seps, (the Figure, Plate 1,) why call’d the putrid Serpent, 58 Serpens Indicus Coronatus, 112 Serpens Putorius, 113 The Sea Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 6) Serpent de Boa, 144 Mistress of Serpents, (the Figure, Plate 6) Serpent, an Account of a remarkable one in Lancashire, 144 Serpent in Paradise, various Opinions about it, 168 American Serpent, (the Figure, Plate 3) Serpent brazen, 191, 2 —— prefigur’d Christ, 194 —— Israel, why cured by it, 195 Serpents, the Adoration of them, 216 to 227 —— Reasons for that Worship, 228 —— Worshippers of ’em among Christians, 229 Shrew-Serpent, 151 Shekina describ’d, 187 Silence, a Pythagorick Rudiment, 112 —— the Safety of Venice, 112 Sin, its first Entrance, 168 Sleep, a living Death, 70 Snake common, (the Figure, Plate 4) describ’d, 85 Spiders, (the Figure, Plate 5) —— Black, (the Figure, Plate 4,) their various Kinds, 149 —— their Autumn Webs, 150 —— American, 150 Stellio, 123 Stupid Serpent, 136 —— —— a living Loadstone, as describ’d by some, 136 Sun and Moon, chief Deities of the Pagans, 209 Swamp Snakes, 126

T. Tarciboya Serpent, 106 Tapayaxin Serpent, 121 Taraguira, 121 Taraquico Aycuraba Serpent, 122 Tapayaxin Serpent, 137 Tapayaxin Serpent, the Friend of Man, 137 Tamacolin Serpent, of the Toad kind, 138 Tame and tractable Serpent, 140 Tarantula, (the Figure, Plate 7,) its Poison and Cure by Musick; the Manner how, 151 to 155 Teuthlacokauqui in Mexico, call’d the Fortress of the Serpents, describ’d, 100 Tetzawhcoatl Serpent, 104 Terpomongo Serpent, 111 —— —— a Symbol of Friendship, ibid. Tejuguacu, 121 Tejunhana Serpent, 122 Tetzaucoatl, or the rare Serpent, 139 Teraphim, explain’d, 202 Tleoa, or Tetloa Serpent, 140 —— an Inhabitant of the Mountains, 141 Toads, as large as Cats and Dogs, 138 Tzicatlinan Serpent, 132 —— —— the Darling of the Ladies, ibid.

V. Vegetation, none without Air, 3 Vegetables, sleep in Winter, 7, 8 —— worshipped, 212 Vectis, 131 Vipers, different from the Snake, 52 —— a Battle betwixt one and a Magpye, 52 —— Battle betwixt one and a Dog, 53 —— don’t eat after they are taken, 53 Vipera Indica Tricolor Major, 112 Vipera Zelanica Minor, Maculis eleganter Variegata, 112 Unison, its Wonders, 160, 1

W. Wasps, (the Figure, Plate 7,) describ’d, 148 Wepelon Serpent, 115 Woman with two Horns, 54 Women warlike, 129 —— the hard Condition of their Marriage, ibid. Words, their Efficacy, Instance of it in Cæsar, 63, 4 Worms, Instances of Execution by them, 134, 5 Worship of hurtful Creatures, why, 233 —— of different Animals in Egypt, the Reasons, 234

Y. Yellow Snake, 130

F I N I S.

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● Transcriber’s Notes: ○ There are several index entries that have no page reference attached to them. ○ There is a missing footnote here. ○ These corrections have been made to this text when the target could be unambiguously identified. ○ The heirarchy of the different divisions (Part, Section, Chapter) is not clear. They have been marked up to (more or less) match their text attributes in the book. ○ Missing or obscured punctuation was silently corrected. ○ Typographical errors were silently corrected. ○ Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only when a predominant form was found in this book. ○ Text that: was in italics is enclosed by underscores (italics). ○ The use of a caret (^) before a letter, or letters, shows that the following letter or letters was intended to be a superscript, as in S^t Bartholomew or 10^{th} Century.