394 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1893. 



possible that the charm is due to some fetid uud poisonous odor wliich he emits aud 

 by which the auimals are overcome and made unconscious? Or may not every one 

 of these suggestions contribute toward the result? 



The speculations of a centiuy and a half have added scarcely any new 

 suggestion of apparent plausibility to those of Dr. Kalm, except, per- 

 haps, the idea that the whirring noise of the rattle might producetsuch 

 a terror in the intended victims as to completely paralyze their will 

 power. 



On the other hand, there has accumulated a mass of negative evi- 

 dence in the shape of observations on snakes in captivity, which have 

 led some authorities to deny entirely the actuality of the phenomenon. 

 Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, who has had unexcelled opportunities of obser- 

 vation, has this to say* upon the subject: 



I have very ofteif put aiumals, such as birds, pigeons, guiuea pigs, mice, and dogs, 

 into the cage with a Rattlesnake. They commonly exhibited no terror after their 

 recovery from alarm at being handled and drojiped into a box. The smaller birds 

 were usually some time in.becoming composed, and fluttered aboiit in the large cage 

 until they were fatigued, when they soon became amusingly familiar with the snakes, 

 aud were seldom molested, even when caged with six or eight large Crotali. The 

 mice, which were similarly situated, lived on terms of easy intimacy with the snakesi 

 sitting on their heads, moving round on their gliding coils, undisturbed and uncon- 

 scious of danger. Larger animals were not so sate, especially if they moved 

 abruptly aud rapidly about the snakes. The birds, mice, and larger auimals often 

 manifested an evident curiosity, which promj)ted them to approach the snake cau- 

 tiously. Sometimes this was rewarded by a blow, as was sure to be the case when 

 a dog indulged his inquisitiveuess by smelling the snake with his muzzle. Some- 

 times the snake retreated, and struck only when driven to bay. Usually, the smaller 

 anijuals indulged their inquisitive instinct unhurt, and were allowed to live for 

 days in the same cage with the dreaded reptile. t 



These are the sole facts which I have seen bearing any relation to the supposed 

 fascinating faculty. They appear to me to lend no strength to the idea of its exist- 

 ence. 



Similar evidence is given by numerous other observers, some 

 expressly adding that even the most threatening rattling did not seem 

 to have any terrorizing effect upon the captive animals. 



It should not be forgotten, however, that llattlesnakes in captivity, 

 as a rule, are very timid, dull, and with but very little desire to eat. 

 Their victims, moreover, if wanted, are within easy reach, consequently 

 there would be no necessity for exerting any faculty ot fascination, 

 even if the snake possessed it. 



Dr. Alfred Brehm's experience, on the other hand, is more positive 

 and seems di rectly to corroborate Kalm's first suggestion. According to 

 Prof. F. L. Oswald's version, Brehm procured ;i coupleof able-bodied Eat. 

 tlesnakes and turned them loose in a well-lighted garret, where he could 

 observe all their movements without betraying his presence. At first 



* Researches on the Venom of the Rattlesnake, 1861, p. 5, 



t It is proper to add that the curiosity thus exhibited by animals, and especially 

 by mice aud dogs, was as active when the snake was not regarding the intruder as 

 at other times. 



