APPENDIX. Xlii 



true reason of the immunity of some snake-catchers, from serious 

 results from snake-bite, are very curious, and deserving of very 

 full investigation, as he sees reason to attribute it, to a continu- 

 ous system of inoculation with snake venom, the result of which 

 is that the elder men among the Burmese snake-charmers possess 

 greater powers of withstanding snake poison, than the younger, 

 owing to the more perfect protection enjoyed by them from 

 inoculation persevered in through many years. I doubt the fact 

 myself, but it is certainly a curious assertion, to emanate without 

 good reason, from an Assistant Surgeon who for years has made 

 these animals his companions, as well as'subjects for study. 



