Page 123

is born there called the asp [=viper], which cannot be
tricked or captured except by sweet singing. For it enjoys listening to
sounds. But as soon as it hears singing,
it puts its tail in its ears so that it will
not hear and distances itself from the singing, fearing that it will be tricked.
There are other serpents there called tiger-snakes that are captured
alive using snares, and from them is made a treacle, that is
an anti-venom potion, that counters and takes away venom.
Other snakes are born there that have two arms so long and
unusual that they attack and kill elephants with them. This snake
lives a long time and when it is old and feels itself
to be weak, it feeds upon itself from the inside, starving itself
so much that little remains of its body.
Then it goes into a very narrow hole in a rock
and comes back out after such a great struggle that its
whole skin remains there. And then its skin grows back again.
And in this way it turns back its age like the wise
beast it is. There are many other serpents there which have
many precious stones in their heads and eyes. These stones
are of great worth to those who can have