39 
cerely believe, and principally to terrify the 
natural enemies of the serpent family.” 
“You doubt then, that the tongue possesses 
any power to charm by reason of its terrifying 
dartings?” 
“Charming by snakes is a myth, a supersti- 
tious fallacy, my Fritz. The snake’s tongue 
may and doubtless does terrify the ignorant, 
but it positively possesses no mesmeric power. 
When the snake quietly glides along in its nat- 
ural haunts undisturbed, it darts out its tongue, 
ever and anon, as though feeling its way. But 
when irritated or molested the snake manifests 
its fury by a continuous swift darting of this 
interesting organ as though it would pierce its 
tormentor to death. I believe that it is also a 
sensitive taster. The tongue of the snake is 
perfectly harmless. It is as soft and pliable as 
a silk thread, and it is utterly powerless to suf- 
ficiently harden itself to puncture the most del- 
icate fabric. This organ is in nowise connected 
with the poison apparatus of our deadly 
snakes, 
HOW SNAKES FEED. 
“You have certainly seen a snake enjoy a 
meal of frog or toad or other natural food, my 
Fritz.” 
‘Yes, I have witnessed snakes feeding; but, 
on deliberate consideration of the matter, I 
have seldom been so favored during my ram- 
