"A venomous serpent, the name of which has come down from ancient times; the vague descriptions of ancient authors, however, causing uncertainty as to the species. It is very generally supposed to be the Naja Haje, the El Haje or Haje Nasher of the Arabs, which is very common in Egypt and Cyprus, and often appears in hieroglyphic and other sculptures as one of the sacred animals of ancient Egypt." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Asp

"A venomous serpent, the name of which has come down from ancient times; the vague descriptions of ancient…