208 LEAVES FROM THE 



nag the hood is marked with a curious streak or pattern, 

 somewhat in the shape of a horse-shoe, and resembling a 

 pair of barnacles, or spectacles without arms, whence its 

 French and English names of serpent a lutiettes and 

 spectacle-snake. Captain Percival looks upon this dis- 

 tention of the hood — which, it seems, always precedes 

 the attack of the reptile — as a warning to those within 

 the serpent's reach ; and relates that he had more than 

 once been an eye-witness of instances where the fatal 

 bite had been avoided by parties who had been thus put 

 on their guard. But if this signal of death be not 

 attended to, woe to the \actim ! for after the serpent has 

 exhibited the fatal sign its motions are too rapid to 

 admit of escape from its fangs. The Captain dwells on 

 the fondness of these deadly reptiles for music, and 

 states that, even when newly caught, they seem to listen 

 with pleasure to the notes, and writhe themselves into 

 attitudes accordingly. "WTiile so employed, they must 

 remind the spectator, who has duly read up his Copper- 

 jield, of Mr. Uriah Heep. This Uriah-like j^ropensity is 

 duly taken advantage of by the Indian jugglers, who 

 bestow some pains in taming the cobras, and at length 

 teach them to keep time in their writhings and nutations 

 to the aii's which they play on their flageolets. 



Dr. Davy thus describes the mode of operation in 

 Ceylon, where, as well as on the continent of India, 

 frequent displays are made by men called snake- 

 charmers : — 



The exhibition is rather a curious one, and not a httle amusing 

 to those who can calmly contemplate it. The charmer irritates 

 the snake by striking it, and by rapid threatening motions of his 

 hand ; and appeases it by his voice, by gentle circular movements 

 of his hand, and by stroking it gently. 



This looks very like magnetism. 



He avoids with great agility the attacks of the animal when 

 enraged, and ^ilays with it and handles it only when pacified, when 



