210 SNAKE CATCHER'S 



feet, they cause a roughness in the earth. 

 When they discover a hole frequented by a 

 snake, they dig into it very cautiously, and 

 if they can lay hold of its tail, they do it with 

 the left hand, at the same instant grasping 

 the snake with the right hand, and drawing 

 it through with the left, with astonishing 

 rapidity, until the finger and thumb arc 

 brought up by the head, when they are se- 

 cure. 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 



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

 finger, and from twelve to fifteen inches long. 



