THE SNAKES 305 



viper, a reptile with a fearful reputation as regards the 

 destruction of human life. With the same undisturbed 

 expression of solemn dignity, the Hindoo quickly reaches 

 forward and grasps this object by the neck. With the 

 other hand he produces a fluttering fowl. Applying 

 the snake's mouth to the squawking creature, he permits 

 the reptile to do the rest. 



There is a flash of cottony-white jaws and the fowl is 

 cast upon the pavement, where it batters its wings for a 

 moment, then lies pulsating and dying. Before the 

 snakes have been again enclosed in the baskets, the fowl 

 is dead. In silence the Hindoo gesticulates to his ob- 

 servers his willingness to demonstrate as well the power 

 of his cobras. But there is a general shaking of heads, 

 the jingling of a few coins and the exhibition is over. 



To most of us comes a feeling of awe and fascination 

 attending the performance of a snake charmer. In this 

 instance we have seen a man associating intimately with 

 two species of snakes that have increased the death-rate 

 of India about twenty thousand a year. The performer 

 was apparently in perfect control of the reptiles. Thus 

 follows the question: Is snake charming an art, and 

 if so, how is it acquired? 



The greatest requisite of the snake "charmer" is nerve; 

 this must be backed by a thorough knowledge of snakes. 

 No hypnotism figures in the business. The handling of 

 poisonous snakes is a reckless performance. Not infre- 

 quently, the snakes are "fixed" — that is, their fangs have 

 been extracted. This treatment does not render them 

 entirely harmless : for poison flows from the wounds left 

 by the extraction of the venom-conducting teeth, and the 

 palatine and teeth of the lower jaw are liable to produce 

 lacerations through which the virus may gain the circu- 

 lation. But it must be acknowledged that snakes in this 



