Note 89 — CERASTES, or HORNED VIPER.
Reading edition
It is to be observed here, it is the Greek text that calls it Basilisc. The Hebrew for the most part calls it Tsepha, which are a species of serpents real and known. Our English translation, very improperly, renders it Cockatrice; a fabulous animal, that never did exist. I shall only further observe, that the basilisc, in scripture, would seem to be a snake, not a viper, as there are frequent mention made of their eggs, as in Isaiah, chap. lix. ver. 5. whereas, it is known to be the characteristic of the viper to bring forth living young.