394 REPORT OF NATIONAL MIISEUM, 1893. 



possible th;it the charm is due to some fetid aud poisonous odor which he emits nnd 

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

 of these 8u<>fi;estious contribute toward the result? 



Thespeculatioiisof aceiituiy and a half have added scarcely any new 

 suggestion of ai)i)areut i)hiiisibility to those of Dr. Kalm, except, per- 

 haps, the idea that the whirrin*;- noise of tlie rattle might produceisuch 

 a terror in the intended victims as to comi)letely i)aralyze 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 often jjut animals, such as birds, pigeons, guinea pigs, mice, and dogs, 

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

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

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

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

 and were seldom molested, even Avhen caged with six or eight large Crotali. The 

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

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

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

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

 manifested an evident curiosity, which prompted 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 inquisitiveness by smelling the snake with his muzzle. Some- 

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

 animals 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 Eattlesnakes 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 exi)erience, on the other hand, is more positive 

 and seems directly to corroborate Kalm's first suggestion. According to 

 Prof. F. L.Oswald's version, Brehm procured a couple of able-bodied Rat- 

 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 and dogs, was as active when the snake was not regardin;;' the intruder aa 

 at other times. 



