Asp

a word derived from the Greek, and often used in cla ic and English literature in the general sense of “venomous serpent.” The asp. which Cleopatra made the instrumert of her suicide was probably the horned viper (Vipera ceraxtes), The asp of Scripture cannot be identified with certainty, but as the same Hebrew word which is elsewhere translated “asp,” is in Ps. lviii. 4 translated “ deaf-adder,” the context of this pa age (“ which will not hearken to the voice of charmers”") has been thought to refer to Naja haje, closely allied to the cobra (q.v.), and used by Egyptian snake-charmers in their performances to the present day. The name is sometimes applied to Vipera aspis, w European viper, more venomous than the English species. [ViPER.] Asparagus, the young annual leafy shoots of the Liliaceous Asparagus officinal is, a native of our coasts, cultivated since Koman times, is now in enormous request, and is largely imported. The fully-grown plant is much branched, bearing its minute flowers and round scarlet fruits on little twig-like green branches. Several species are’ cultivated for the sake of this feathery spray. There are varions uses to which asparagus is put, but it is most generally employed as a vegetable.