Basilisks are a legendary creature. In these legends it is said to be the king of serpents because of a crown-shaped crest on its head. It is said to be extremely poisonous and to be able to breathe poison at its enemies. It is claimed that that accurate descriptions of basilisks do not exist because no one survives an encounter but it is claimed by some that they share features with serpents or lizards and cockerels or raptors.
What is considered the most authoritative of descriptions says:
The like propertie hath the serpent called a Basiliske: bred it is in the province Cyrenaica, and is not above twelve fingers- breadth long: a white spot like a starre it carrieth on the head, and setteth it out like a coronet or diademe:
What is considered the most authoritative of descriptions says:
The like propertie hath the serpent called a Basiliske: bred it is in the province Cyrenaica, and is not above twelve fingers- breadth long: a white spot like a starre it carrieth on the head, and setteth it out like a coronet or diademe: