SNAKES. 165 
and’ in due time is seized and swallowed by the Reptile. The 
conclusion naturally arrived at, under these circumstances, is 
that the Snake has fascinated its prey; but the real state of 
affairs was that the Viper had previously struck, with its fangs, 
the mouse, which when first noticed was really dying from the 
effects of the poison. <A bird bitten by a venomous Snake flies 
on to the bough of a neighbouring tree, and presently, overcome 
by the poison, drops down in a helpless condition near its enemy, 
and is eaten. Here we have another seeming proof of the Snake’s 
powers of fascination. Fear, however, can so paralyse an animal’s 
movements that it loses nearly all powers of action, and the Snake 
has no other capability of fascination than creating such terror. 
Again, the curiosity aroused in a bird by the movements of a 
Snake’s tongue has, according to Dr. Stradling and other autho- 
rities on these matters, helped to give rise to the Snake’s powers. 
. of fascination. 
Many people are under the impression that the Snake is ever 
ready to act on the offensive, and even to go out of its way to 
attack man; but this is certainly not the case. A Snake will 
frequently bite in self-defence, and not otherwise, as a rule. 
Some Snakes, indeed, cannot be induced to bite under any 
circumstances. It may be taken for granted that a Snake will 
not try to hurt man if man does not in any way interfere with 
it. Some Snakes, I know, are always spiteful and ready to 
bite when handled; but generally a Snake when treated with 
kindness and care soon becomes so tame as not to resent being 
handled. Even certain of the most’ poisonous Snakes — the 
Rattlesnake, for instance—can be so tamed by gentleness that it 
may be taken in the hand with impunity. However, I do not 
recommend any of my readers to test this latter assertion, but 
in support of it I venture to quote the following from Health: 
‘¢ A monarch among poisonous Snakes is the enormous Hamadryas, 
which grows to be as much as 14ft. in length, and is so fierce 
that it will sometimes attack and even chase anyone who ventures 
near its nest. . . . Curiously enough, it is not always aggres- 
sive. Indeed, it sometimes happens that it is quite unwilling to 
strike. Superficially it is not unlike a harmless Rock-snake, and 
not very long ago, in Burmah, a man brought one in from the 
