Caecilia Maculata: The Glass Snake.
The Head of this Snake is very small, the Tongue of a singular
Form, as in the Figure is represented: They are of various Sizes,
most of them are less than the Figure, the upper Part of the Body
is of a Colour blended Brown and Green, most regularly and elegantly
spotted with yellow, the Belly yellow, the under most Part of which
is brightest. Their Skin is very smooth, and shining with smaller
Scales, more closely connected, and of a different Structure from
other Serpents; A small Blow with a Stick will cause the Body to
separate, not only at the Place struck, but at two or three other
Places; the Muscles being articulated in a singular Manner quite
through to the Vertebra. they are generally said to be harmless,
They appear earlier in the Spring than any other Serpent, and are
numerous in the sandy Woods of Virginia and Carolina.
Chryanthemum Americanum, Doronici folio, flore Persici coloris,
umbone magno prominente ex atro purpureo, viridi, & aureo fulgente.
This Plant usually rises about six Feet from the Ground, with several
large Stalks, producing on their Tops the first blown and largeft
Flowers, succeeded by many smaller ones from the side Branches;
it continues flowering at least three Months: The Leaves grow alternately
along the Stalks, resembling in Form and Manner of growing those
of a Tulip. The Flower is of a Peach Colour, crowned with a very
large scaly Cone or Seed Vessel, from the Basis of which proceeds
the Petals of the Flower hanging round it, in Form of an Umbrella.
The Petals are narrow, four Inches long, and deeply notched at their
Ends: They grow on the Banks of the Savanna River, about
five hundred Miles from the Mouth of it. We have had it flower in
England, but it is now lost.
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