Charles Owen

The Pareas or Parvas, is a Serpent of a firey Colour, sharp Eyes, wide Mouth, tw feet situated near the tail, by which its motion is guided (Ray): It is called the Serpent of Æsculapius, being of a gentle, innocent, friendly Nature. In Italy the frequent Houses, and are no more dangerous than common Eels; and if provoked to exercise their teeth, there is nothing venemous in the Bite. This is supposed by some to be the Italian Baron: One of its commendable Properties is, that it devours poisonous Serpents; and therefore is sacred to the Mysteries, and highly esteem'd in the Temple of Dionysius.

Gesner, from Albertus says, it goes as it were upright, on its tail, not perpendicularly upon the sharp End, but on that part of the body joined to the tail: It is bred in Syria, Alexandria, and in the East, &c. These Serpents are known also in Spain and other temperate Regions, and every where esteemed Enemies to harmful Serpents, and Friends to mankind; therefore were consecrated to the devine Æsculapius, that great and glorious Exemplar of Humanity. - Owen 1742.

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