VIPER, a sort of Serpent, called Vipera quasi vivipara, because it brings forth its young alive. Generally the Viper is not very long, the largest being not above half an Ell long, and its Thickness not above an Inch. It has a flat Head, with a Snout rising up, like that of a Pig. The Male has only two Teeth, but the Female has several; and the Male is commonly blacker than the Female. ‘Tis said, that when the Viper brings forth, the young ones kill their Dam; but this is contradicted by Experience. She brings forth her Young alive, but they are inclosed in little Skins, that break open on the third Day. The Poison of the Viper is very dangerous, but its Flesh is good in many Distempers.
The Viper is mentioned in several Places of Scripture. Job says,1 The Viper’s Tongue shall slay him. The Hebrew Word Peten, they say, rather signifies the Asp, than the Viper. Isaiah2 speaks also of the Viper, where the Hebrew has Ephee; which is thought to be the true Name of the Viper. See Bochart. de Animal. Sacr. p. 2. l. 3. c. 1. p. 358, &c. St. Jerome, in Isaiah lix. 5. translates Ephee by Regulus, or the Basilisk: The Septuagint do the same.
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