Cleopatra took an equal interest in the effects of the bite of venomous serpents and reptiles.

She procured specimens of all these animals, and tried them upon her prisoners, causing the men to be stung and bitten by them, and then watching the effects.

These investigations were made, not directly with a view to any practical use, which she was to make of the knowledge thus acquired, but rather as an agreeable occupation, to divert her mind, and to amuse Antony and her guests.

The variety in the forms and expressions which the agony of her poisoned victims assumed,--their writhings, their cries, their convulsions, and the distortions of their features when struggling with death, furnished exactly the kind and degree of excitement which she needed to occupy and amuse her mind.
[Illustration: CLEOPATRA TESTING THE POISONS UPON THE SLAVES] Antony was not entirely at ease, however, during the progress of these terrible experiments.

His foolish and childish fondness for Cleopatra was mingled with jealousy, suspicion, and distrust; and he was so afraid that Cleopatra might secretly poison him, that he would never take any food or wine without requiring that she should taste it before him.