Asp, Aspic

[Lat. and Gr. aspis; etymol. uncertain.] (Zool.) A species of venomous serpent, fam. Viperida, often mentioned both by Greek and Roman writers (who, from the discrepancies in their accounts of it, appear to have known several noxious reptiles under this name); but most especially celebrated as the instrument chosen by Cleopatra to put an end to her existence after the Fig . 214. THE ASP, ( Naja Haje .) defeat of Mark Antony. It is believed that the true asp is the serpent called by the Arabs Naja Haje , of a green color, marked obliquely with brown bands, and measur IMG:content-0365.png:[blocks in formation]