Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/110

9o] SNA 2. The pomatia, or Red Garden Snail, is found in the warmer parts of Kiirope, whence it has been in- troduced into Britain ; but, at pre- sent, it inhabits principally the southern counties. It differs from the Common Snail in its ver^- deep, brown colour, which approaches to red. — ^This species has, lately, been employed in the bleeding piles with uncommon success ; fresh insefts being laid, in a raw state, on the diseased part, every second or third hour. Snails are ver)' mischievous in gardens, particularly to wall-fmit ; and, though they are preyed upon by numerous insci-ts, such as •worms, &c. which breed both in their intestines and on their harks ; yet they are in some places so nu- inerous,as to require eti^edtual mea- sures for their extirpation. Hence, it has been recommend to strew the ground with lime and ashes ; but the most certain metliod of destroy- ing them, consists in closing every crevice in walls, as soon as these vermin appear in damp or cloudy weather^ and aftt;rwards collecting them by the hand. Thus, in the course of two, or, at the farthest, three years, they will be com- pletely exterminated. Snails, however, may be made subservient too onomical, and me- dicinal purposes. It is well kno*u that the red snail forms a consi- derable article of food in Spain, Portugal, and other Catholic coun- tries, during Lent. These inserts, indeed, are very nourishing ; and, in their gelatinous qualities, bear great resemblance to oysters : they have, therefore, been deservedly recommended in hectic and con- sumptive cas*:s. .,^See.vol.ii. p. 50.). But, in order to ensure tiaeir bcncr SNA ficial effe(5ts, the dose prescribed in the page above cited, should be continued for one or two months, or even for a longer period, accord- ing to circumstances. SNAKE, the Common, or ('o- Itilrer natr'u, L. a native reptile, which is often found in bushy places, and in banks, near waters. It is from two to three, and in the south of Europe, often ten feet in length : the back is of a dusky co- lour, and the belly is beautifully variegated with black and bluish stripes. It has two rows of smuU serrated teeth, and is perfectly harmless j being destitute of the canine teeth, with which vipers and other venomous serpents are furnished. It produces numerous e^gs, generally dropping them on dunghills, where they are hatched by the warmth of the sun. The common snake leeds on small insect-5, frogs, and vegetable substances} thu^ being of essential service to mankind : as> it devours considerable numbers of tield and harvest-mice. SNAKE- WREU,or PoJifgoimm, L, a genus of plants comprehending thirty-three species, ten of which are natives of liritaiii : the follow- ing are the principal, namely : 1. Tht Hi/ dro pi per. See Wa- TBK-PEPPEB. 2. The Persunria, or Spotted Snake-weed, abounds in ditches, and watery situations ; though it is sometimes found in corn fields; where It flowers from the month of July to September. This species is slightly acid and. astringent : it i.s eaten by goats, sheep, and hor.ses, hut refused by hogs and cows.— LinnjEUs informs us, that woollen cloth, previously dipped in a solu- tion ot alum, acquires a yellow colour