Albertus Magnus [ca. 1200-1280 CE] (De animalibus, Book 25, 6; 25, 55): [Book 25, 6] Asfodius is a snake of the first category, very similar to another serpent called sabrin... The size of this snake is from one to two cubits, and it has a sandy body speckled all over with black and white spots. A smaller snake than a viper, it has a very small head and tail; and, for the most part, is sand-colored. On its head this snake has white scales which appear to be cut or split. Because of the dry skin on its belly, it makes a noise like the rustling of leaves as it crawls along the ground, though its movements are rather ponderous. These snakes have uniform, continuous teeth. This snake is very sinister; for when it strikes, the bite causes all of the body orifices in its victim to open wide and bleed, as if they were healed ulcers which had reopened. The sufferer endures constant pain, vomits blood and expectorates bloody sputum. ... The patient is rendered prostrate by the loss of blood. ...finally the patient dies in the throes of this agony. [Book 25, 55] Sabryn, as Semerion indicates, is a wise serpent whose sand-colored body has black and white spots. It is about as long as the horned asp [cornutis] and is almost identical in every feature to the one called asfodius, which we discussed before. However, its head and tail are small. Snakes in this class come in five colors. Most of them are sand-colored, but some are speckled, white, black or red. All of them have white scales on the head that appear to be divided into sections; they make a loud rustling noise because of the dryness of the skin on their bellies. All move ponderously, have teeth of uniform size and belong to the first category of serpents [those whose bite kills in less than one day]. The bite of every one causes all of the natural orifices of the body, such as the ears, eyes, nostrils, urinary meatus, anus and mouth to open and pour forth blood; it induces pains in the stomach; from the bite of all these snakes issues a scanty amount of sanguinopurulent fluid; the bowels are loosened, the breathing is constrained, and urination becomes difficult; The vois=ce becomes highpitched and raspy, the limbs become lax, a state of oblivion supervenes, convulsions occur, the teeth fall out, and in this condition the patient dies. [Scanlan]