There came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on
his hand. --Acts xxviii.
3.
Note: Among the best-known species are the European adder
({Pelias berus}), the European asp ({Vipera aspis}),
the African horned viper ({V. cerastes}), and the
Indian viper ({Daboia Russellii}).
2. A dangerous, treacherous, or malignant person.
Who committed To such a viper his most sacred trust
Of secrecy. --Milton.
{Horned viper}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Cerastes}.
{Red viper} (Zo["o]l.), the copperhead.
{Viper fish} (Zo["o]l.), a small, slender, phosphorescent
deep-sea fish ({Chauliodus Sloanii}). It has long ventral
and dorsal fins, a large mouth, and very long, sharp
teeth.
{Viper's bugloss} (Bot.), a rough-leaved biennial herb
({Echium vulgare}) having showy purplish blue flowers. It
is sometimes cultivated, but has become a pestilent weed
in fields from New York to Virginia. Also called {blue
weed}.
{Viper's grass} (Bot.), a perennial composite herb
({Scorzonera Hispanica}) with narrow, entire leaves, and
solitary heads of yellow flowers. The long, white,
carrot-shaped roots are used for food in Spain and some
other countries. Called also {viper grass}.