An essay towards a natural history of serpents

** "An Essay Towards a Natural History of Serpents" by Charles Owen is an early 18th-century scientific exploration examining the world of serpents, from their anatomy and locomotion to their place in the natural world. The book begins by laying out its structure with a plan to systematically discuss serpents in three key sections. The first section gives a big-picture view of serpents, describing their variety, sizes, what they eat, and how they reproduce, also discussing the role of their venom and cures in different societies. The second section features in-depth descriptions of various serpent species from around the globe, classified by their names, where they live, and what makes them unique, while the third part will look at essays about serpents in legends and history. The initial overview promises a full study of serpents, mixing real-world observations with historical and thoughtful points of view. **