ALCHEMY 121 



it and the staple. He had thrust his head through, but 

 was unable to withdraw it or to advance his body- 

 further. I called the servants ; they ran up, declared 

 the snake to be of the most venomous description, 

 and at once killed it. Whether the snake was really 

 venomous I cannot say ; very probably it was, but 

 the natives describe every snake they see to be such, 

 even the most harmless. How the snake managed 

 to reach the padlock was a mystery I never solved. 



Scorpions are more common in houses than snakes, 

 but they are rarely seen. They conceal themselves 

 under boxes or hide in crevices. It sometimes, however, 

 happens that they wander over the floor, and then 

 should one of the servants, who all go barefooted, 

 happen to tread on them, a tragedy may ensue. Such 

 once occurred, but long ago, in my presence. It was 

 evening ; I was at dinner. One of the servants while 

 passing round the table fell suddenly as if he had 

 been shot. The others ran to his assistance, and raised 

 him. It was found that he had trodden on a scorpion, 

 and that the creature had stung him. The man was 

 in great agony. I proposed to send for the doctor, 

 but he preferred the native remedy of the "jhar," 

 which consists in a series of something like mesmeric 

 passes. I had no faith in the remedy; nevertheless 

 it proved efficacious. The man presently felt easier. 

 After the passes had been continued for something 

 over an hour the man rose, walked about, and assured 

 me that the pain had entirely left him. 



