Reptiles 



the music, when the spectators behold the dreaded snakes 

 are alike swaying to the refrain. The celebrated cobra 

 dance is on. 



" With bated breath the onlookers witness this juggling 

 with the serpents, when there is a sudden murmur of 

 horror. Sinuously gliding from one of the baskets is a 

 snake of oriental hues and a head so flat and cruel that 

 a glance would instinctively suggest its deadliness. It is 

 a * tic-polonga,' known among the more learned as 

 Russell's viper, a reptile with a fearful reputation as 

 regards the destruction of human life. With the same 

 undisturbed expression of solemn dignity, the Hindoo 

 quickly reaches forward and grasps this object by the 

 neck. With the other hand he produces a fluttering 

 fowl. Applying the snake's mouth to the squawking 

 creature, he permits the reptile to do the rest. 



" There is a flash of cottony-white jaws, and the fowl is 

 cast upon the pavement, where it batters its wings for a 

 moment, then lies pulsating and dying. Before the 

 snakes have been again enclosed in the baskets the fowl 

 is dead. In silence the Hindoo gesticulates to his 

 observers his willingness to demonstrate as well the power 

 of his cobras. But there is a general shaking of heads, 

 the jingling of a few coins and the exhibition is over. 



" To most of us comes a feeling of awe and fascination 

 attending the performance of a snake-charmer. In this 

 instance we have seen a man associating intimately with 

 two species of snakes that have increased the death-rate 

 of India about twenty thousand a year. The performer, 

 apparently, had perfect control over the reptiles. Thus 

 follows the question : Is snake-charming an art, and if so, 

 how is it acquired ? 



" The greatest requisite of the snake-charmer is nerve ; 

 this must be backed by a thorough knowledge of snakes. 

 No hypnotism figures in the business. The handling of 

 poisonous snakes is a reckless performance. Not in- 

 frequently the snakes are 'fixed' that is, their fangs 



239 



