THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 257 



throat is very distinctly pouched during both acts, but is far more 

 marked during expiration. The inflation extends as far forwards 

 as the chin shields. Whilst erect the snake inflates its bod^ 

 independently of its hood action, and the inflation affects nearly the 

 whole body length, declining posteriorly till finally lost a few 

 inches before the vent in an adult. 



One of the most interesting matters in connection with the 

 cobra affects that ever fruitful subject of discussion " charming." 

 It is clear that many very competent authorities disbelieve 

 in the practice. Mr. Phipson says " it is the constant movement 

 of the musical instrument in front of the snake that keeps it 

 erect and not the noise produced," and this is precisely what 

 many other good observers state. I certainly take this view 

 myself, and came to this conclusion very early in my Indian 

 career. One thing puzzled me at first and aroused my suspicion, 

 viz., why is it that in all the stories one reads of " charming," it is 

 invariably the cobra that withdraws from its snug retreat, whilst other 

 snakes apparently are not susceptible to the captivating (?) sounds of 

 the juggler's pipe ? I know of no anatomical difference in the auditory 

 apparatus of cobras from other snakes. I experimented frequently in 

 Delhi in my verandah with cobras. I cut narrow strips of sticking 

 plaster, sufficiently broad to cover the eyes completely. These strips 

 had a double purpose. Not only did they blindfold the subjects of 

 experiment, but being carried right round the head they locked 

 the snake's jaws, and so prevented any chance of my being bitten. 

 This done the snake was released, and in a very short time 

 it relaxed its hood, and assumed a completely recumbent 

 attitude. The verandah in which the first of these experi- 

 ments was carried out was a crazy wooden structure, and if 

 one moved a chair, or even if a servant walked along the 

 room inside, the snake immediately erected itself as if conscious 

 of danger. On the cement verandah downstairs, it was also noticed 

 that the snakes immediately got up when any one walked along in 

 the near neighbourhood. I had a kerosine oil tin at hand, and 

 when the snakes were recumbent I beat this with a stick close to 

 their heads without their taking any notice whatever. Similarly 

 I blew a bugle close beside them, and if an amateur's attempt at 

 bugling failed to rouse them they must indeed be deaf. The 

 greatest care is necessary in conducting such experiments, to 

 eliminate all other possible means of rousing the snake. For 

 instance if a rusty tin is beaten over the snake, particles will fall 

 on it, and rouse it to attention. Similarly if the blast of air emitted 

 from the bugle, impinges ever so little on the snake, it is roused 

 to action, and erects itself. 



Many people suppose that a snake is deaf, but this is not the 

 case. Snakes hear well though they have no external ears. Many 



