It is found in Ethiopia near to the source Nigricapo.  It is not a very large animal, is sluggish in all its parts, and its head is so large that it carries it with difficulty, in such wise that it always droops towards the ground; otherwise it would be a great pest to man, for any one on whom it fixes its eyes dies immediately. [Footnote:  Leonardo undoubtedly derived these remarks as to the Catoblepas from Pliny, Hist.  Nat.  VIII. 21 (al. 32):  Apud Hesperios Aethiopas fons est Nigris (different readings), ut plerique existimavere, Nili caput.-----Juxta hunc fera appellatur catoblepas, modica alioquin, ceterisque membris iners, caput tantum praegrave aegre ferens; alias internecio humani generis, omnibus qui oculos ejus videre, confestim morientibus. Aelian, Hist.  An. gives a far more minute description of the creature, but he says that it poisons beasts not by its gaze, but by its venomous breath.  Athenaeus 221 B, mentions both.  If Leonardo had known of these two passages, he would scarcely have omitted the poisonous breath. (H.  MULLER-STRUBING.)]

THE BASILISK.

This is found in the province of Cyrenaica and is not more than 12 fingers long.  It has on its head a white spot after the fashion of a diadem.  It scares all serpents with its whistling.  It resembles a snake, but does not move by wriggling but from the centre forwards to the right.  It is said that one

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of these, being killed with a spear by one who was on horse-back, and its venom flowing on the spear, not only the man but the horse also died.  It spoils the wheat and not only that which it touches, but where it breathes the grass dries and the stones are split.

THE WEASEL.

This beast finding the lair of the basilisk kills it with the smell of its urine, and this smell, indeed, often kills the weasel itself.

THE CERASTES.

This has four movable little horns; so, when it wants to feed, it hides under leaves all of its body except these little horns which, as they move, seem to the birds to be some small worms at play.  Then they immediately swoop down to pick them and the Cerastes suddenly twines round them and encircles and devours them.

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THE AMPHISBOENA.

This has two heads, one in its proper place the other at the tail; as if one place were not enough from which to fling its venom.

THE IACULUS.

This lies on trees, and flings itself down like a dart, and pierces through the wild beast and kills them.

THE ASP.

The bite of this animal cannot be cured unless by immediately cutting out the bitten part.  This pestilential animal has such a love for its mate that they always go in company.  And if, by mishap, one of them is killed the other, with incredible swiftness, follows him who has killed it; and it is so determined and eager for vengeance that it overcomes every difficulty, and passing by every troop it seeks to hurt none but its enemy.  And it will travel any distance, and it is impossible to avoid it unless by crossing water and by very swift flight.  It has its eyes turned inwards, and large ears and it hears better than it sees.