METHOD OF CURING THEMSELVES. 183 



with astonishing rapidity, until the finger and 

 thumb are brought up by the head, when they are 

 secure. I have seen them catch them in the same 

 manner when gliding fast on the ground. 



They never could catch for me a cobra de 

 monilo alive, although I offered them a large 

 reward for one : they said it was too small and 

 active for them to attempt to lay hold of it,* their 

 bite being certain death. It is thought by the 

 natives of India, and by many Europeans, that 

 snake catchers possess secrets that enable them 

 to cure the bites of all snakes : I questioned them 

 frequently on the subject, both when sober and 

 intoxicated, and at last, for a small reward, I 

 believe they disclosed all they knew, which I shall 

 relate; and that they do not know of any infallible 

 remedy, their refusing to catch cobra de moniloes 

 is a proof. 



Whenever they attempt to catch snakes, there 

 are always more than one present, and a second 

 person carries with him a goor goone, which is a 



In general they are about the size of a man's little 

 finger, and from twelve to fifteen inches long. 



