History of All Animals. 155

carried across to Ireland, and as soon as he drank the waters of that land, he expelled the dead, lethal enemy through his bowels. This occurred in Ireland through the merits of Saint Patrick. We must likewise attest that the same grace was granted to the island of Malta through the merits of Blessed Paul; indeed, Maltese earth is effectively employed against any venomous beasts whatsoever.

Regarding dragons, many distinctions were assigned in the *History* itself, primarily based on their habitat; while some frequent mountains and others the plains, they are generally found in warmer regions. Furthermore, one should note that there are also aquatic dragons, distinct from those mentioned in the *History of Fishes*. A sea dragon was once presented as a gift to the renowned Ulisse Aldrovandi by the Most Illustrious and Reverend Bovio, Bishop of Ostuni. This dragon was green, two-footed, and marked by having only a single eye. It featured a dolphin’s snout, was filled with serrated teeth, and protected by scales. It was caught in the Adriatic Sea near Ostuni, as can be seen in the following illustration.

Finally, since we have come across an illustration of a serpent’s egg, we display it here for the reader's benefit.