An essay towards a natural history of serpents : in two parts. I. The first exhibits a general view of serpents, in their various aspects, such as their kinds, bulk, food, motion, propagation, coverture, colours. In which is inserted a short account of vegetable, mineral, and animal poison, particularly that of the serpent; and its cure in various nations; where also the serpent is used as food and physick. II. The second gives a view of most serpents that are known in the several parts of the world; described by their various names, different countries, and qualities ... III. To which is added a third part; containing six dissertations upon the following articles, as collateral to the subject. 1. Upon the primeval serpent in paradise. 2. The fiery serpents that infested the camp of Israel. 3. The brazen serpent erected by Moses. 4. The divine worship given to serpents by the nations. 5. The origin and reason of that monstrous worship. 6. Upon the adoration of different kinds of beasts by the Egyptians, with divers instances of of the same stupidity in other nations : the whole intermix'd with variety of entertaining digressions, philosophical and historical
An 1742 London natural history of snakes by Charles Owen, printed for the author and sold in the Poultry, aimed at learned general readers interested in serpents and their worship. Its plates are engraved views of named serpent species, drawn in fine parallel hatching with dark bodies coiling in S-curves across plain cream paper, giving designers a clear model for patterned scale texture and sinuous line.
