He was unblessed--or uncursed, whichever you may prefer--with imagination of any kind.

There was no special enmity between him and the seed of the serpent.

A creature that crawled upon its belly was no more terrible to him than a creature that walked upon its legs; indeed, less so, for he knew that, as a rule, there was less danger to be apprehended from them.
A reptile is only too eager at all times to escape from man.

Unless attacked or frightened, it will make no onset.

Most people are content to acquire their knowledge of this fact from the natural history books.
He had proved it for himself.