76 SN-AKES. 



to be wondered at when we consider that, apart from scientific 

 works, so much that has been related of serpents has been 

 mingled with prejudice, fable, and tradition, clouding our 

 intelligence at the very outset. Nor need we hesitate in 

 admitting our misconceptions, when we find scientific men 

 themselves devoting page after page to a mooted question, 

 and after all, sometimes venturing to sum up a given sub- 

 ject with a modest doubt only. (Would that the less scientific 

 writers were equally cautious in their statements!) Whether 

 snakes drink, and 7vhat they drink, have been among these 

 debated questions. 



Those who possess a love for natural history are, of course, 

 acquainted with the works of the eminent naturalist. Dr. 

 Thomas Bell, on our native fauna ; and those who admit 

 their Interest in the much-maligned snakes have Included in 

 their studies his British Reptiles.^ In one portion of that 

 work, where science Is so charmingly blended with personal 

 observations, we are carried on to the heaths and commons 

 to watch our pretty little agile lizards skim across the grass, 

 and flit away with legs too fleet for us to follow them. 



We linger on the banks of a stream where a ring snake 

 lies In wait for a frog ; and then we are conducted Into Mr. 

 Bell's study, where the same harmless creature, now tamed, 

 is nestling In his sleeve, or lapping milk from his hand. 



Most of my readers also, whether naturalists or not, are 

 familiar with some of the numerous works on India, its 

 creeds, customs, and superstitions, where mention Is so 

 frequently made of cobra- worship, and of the natives 

 setting saucers of milk near Its hole to conciliate and pro- 



^ British Reptiles, by Thomas Bell, F.L.S., etc. 1849. 



