HABITS OF POISOXOUS SNAKES. THEIR CAPTUBE 21 



The best way of securing them is suddenly to pin the neck to 

 the ground by means of a stick held horizontally, or a small two- 

 pronged fork of wood or metal (fig. 17). 



The stick is rolled along 

 until close to the occiput 

 (fig. 18). The animal can 

 then be seized with the 

 hand immediately behind 

 the head, in such a way 

 that it is impossible for it 

 to turn and bite. It is 

 then put into a wire cage, 

 provided with a small mov- 

 able trapdoor, with the fas- 

 tening on the outside. 



In this way poisonous 

 snakes can be sent to a 

 distance, and left without 

 food for one or even two 

 months, provided that they 

 be kept in a place which is 

 somewhat moist and suffi- 

 ciently warm. 



Fig. 19 shows how cap- 

 tured cobras are carried in 

 India, in the environs of 

 Pondicherry. They are en- 

 closed in earthern cltatties, 

 or in baskets of plaited 

 bamboo, which are pro- 

 vided with covers, and are 

 very convenient for carrying 

 snakes short distances. 



^ 



Fig. 19. — Hindu carrying Two Captured 

 Cobras in "Chatties." 



