^Si. Yoyage of the Novara. 



serpent of its venom, and rendering it innocuous. And, 

 in fact, one does see them produce from a white cloth the 

 dreaded Cobra di Capello, 4< or 5 feet long, and exquisitely 

 marked, irritate it violently, and go through all manner of 

 unpleasant performances with it on their naked bodies. 

 Frequently the serpent, weary of being constantly brought out 

 for exhibition, endeavours to escape from its tormentor, 

 whereupon a general scramble for escape takes place among 

 the spectators. Every one hurries off to a safe distance, and 

 the unfortunate charmer is left alone on the scene with his 

 eminently intractable pupil, and has, into the bargain, given 

 his exhibition in vain. As, however, it not unfrequently 

 happens that the bite of the Cobra di Capello is followed by 

 fatal consequences to the snake-charmer himself, it is highly 

 probable that the whole mystery resolves itself into courage, 

 and the shrewdness with which, availing themselves of the 

 uncommon dread and aversion with which this animal is 

 regarded, they are able at once to prevent him from making 

 use of his deadly poison fang, and to put forth their own 

 sleight of hand. This explanation seems also to account for the 

 very remarkable fact that men have ventured to domesticate 

 this dangerous reptile in more places than Ceylon. Indeed, 

 within the experience of Major Skinner, a thoroughly trust- 

 worthy personage, who has resided for many years on the 

 island, and to whom the naturalists of the Expedition are 

 indebted for many acts of kindness, an instance actually 

 occurred in the neighbourhood of Negombo, in which a 



