92 ZOOLOGY OF INDIA. 



after which it gradually sinks into the cylindrical form of 

 the rest of the body. This portion is capable of being 

 raised and expanded at the pleasure of the animal. It is 

 marked above by a large and conspicuous patch, closely re- 

 sembling the figure of a pair of spectacles. The usual 

 colour of the body is pale ferruginous brown above; the 

 under parts being of a bluish white, occasionally tinged 

 with pale brown or yellow. The terminal portion tapers 

 gradually, and terminates in a slender sharp-pointed ex- 

 tremity. _ . „ , 



In India this dreaded species is more universally known 

 than any other. It is frequently exhibited as a public show, 

 and, being carried about in a covered basket, is made to as- 

 sume a kind of dancing motion, for the amusement of the 

 public. It raises itself up on its lower extremity, and, 

 moving its head and body alternately from side to side, it 

 appear's to keep time with the measured melody of " flutes 

 and soft recorders." It is probable that the love of music 

 on the part of the serpent tribe was anciently known m 

 Palestine, as the inspired psalmist compares the ungodly to 

 the deaf adder, which stoppeth her ears, and refuseth to 

 hear the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely. 

 The individuals so exhibited are, in the first place, deprived 

 of their poisonous fangs, although this customary extraction 

 does not seem universal. " When the music ceases," says 

 Mr. Forbes, " the snakes appear motionless ; but, if not 

 immediately covered up in the basket, the spectators are 

 liable to fatal accidents. Among my drawings is that of a 

 cobra de capello, which danced for an hour on the table 

 while I painted it ; during which I frequently handled it to 

 observe the beauty of the spots, and especially the spec- 

 tacles on the hood, not doubting but that its venomous 

 fangs had been previously extracted. But the next morn- 

 ino-°my upper servant, who was a zealous Mussulman, 

 came to me in great haste, and desired I would instantly 

 retire and praise the Almighty for my good fortune : not 

 understanding his meaning, I told him that I had already 

 performed my devotions, and had not so many stated prayers 

 as the followers of his prophet. Mohammed then informed 

 me that, while purchasing some fruit in the bazaar, he ob- 

 served the man who had been with me on the preceding 



