DOMESTIC CAT. D^ 



of the supposed cases of fascination, as it is called, 

 of which there has been so much written by different 

 authors.* 



There can hardly be a doubt that all these cases 

 are referable to one cause ; and the only probable 

 explanation of them, as it appears to me, is that 

 which has been sometimes suggested, viz. that ani- 

 mals, under certain circumstances of great and unex- 

 pected danger, are for a time, as it were, paralyzed 

 by fear, and so unnerved (if we may use the expres- 

 sion) as to be almost powerless in regard of taking 

 the proper steps for their safety. Some have con- 

 sidered these cases as arising from what would be 

 termed in man want of presence of mind. But this 

 seems hardly taking a right view of the question, 

 inasmuch as animals, being under the guidance of 

 instinct, which prompts to immediate action, with- 

 out any previous consideration on the part of the 



* See instances mentioned in the Journal of a Naturalist, 

 (3rd. edit.) p. 203 ; Jesse's Gleanings, (2nd. Ser.) p. 295 ; Bell's 

 British Quadrupeds, p. 149. See also an article in The Zoologist, 

 (p. 293,) containing, " Notes on some peculiarities in the manners 

 of the water-rat. 



On the supposed power of fascination in serpents, see an article 

 in the Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, entitled "Fables and 

 Prejudices regarding Serpents," by Dr. H. Schlegel, (vol. xxxvi. 

 p. 69.) See also a note in L'Institut, (1842,) torn. x. p. 114. 

 The author of this last communication, M. F. de Castelnau, 

 asserts that he was witness to a fact in N. America, which seemed 

 to prove to him that certain serpents really possess the power of 

 fascination. He saw a squirrel ready to fall from the top of a 

 tree, being fascinated by a large black snake (Coluber constrictor), 

 which was at the bottom of it, coiled in a spiral, with its head 

 elevated in the direction of the little animal. 



