PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 499 



upon a tree, tho bird flutters around it, advancing- anrl rctrcatinr^ as wlien 

 upon the ^^round, 



The popular interpretation of these movements of the birds is this : the 

 serpent establishes a connection between itself and them, by which it con- 

 trols their wills, and draws them within its reach. In accomplishing- this 

 object, it docs not g-o iu pursuit of them, but lies in coil, witli head erect, 

 awaiting their approach. It appears, however, that the serpent's power 

 has its well-defined limits, and its own ppculiar philosophical phenomena. 



If the movements of birds toward it are due to the. attractive powers 

 Employed b}' the serpent, then the law of attraction in this case is a posi- 

 tive reversion of the laws of magnetic attraction. The attractive power of 

 the magnet is greatest, wlicn tlie body acted upon is in contact with it, and 

 it loses its force in proportion to the distance to wliich that body may be 

 removed. That is to say, it requires more force to remove a piece of iron 

 when in contact with a magnet, than is required for its removal, when at 

 a distance of several inches from it. But such is not the case with the 

 serpent's power of attraction. In the supposed fascination, the birds, 

 though unable, while at tlie distance of ten or a dozen feet, to resist its 

 attractive powers, are able, nevertheless, at" the last moment, when the 

 devourer is in the act of striking, to break the charm, and, by a reverse 

 movement, to fling themselves instantly out of danger's way. Thus it 

 appears, that when the birds are at a distance, the serpent can draw them 

 within its reach ; but that when they come in close contract, its attractive 

 power is lost, and they can retreat without hindrance. 



Such is the theory of fascination, as based upon occurrences that have 

 been witnessed by many observers. Its philosophical defects may be 

 inferred from the hints already given ; but whether such transactions 

 prove that serpents possess the power of fascination, or that the observers 

 have been mistaken in their deductions, will be better understood when a 

 case is stated which was witnessed by myself. 



Business led me to cross the Chilhowee Mountain in Tennessee, on the 

 27th of June, 185T. When near Montvale Springs, two birds were noticed 

 at a couple of rods distance from the road, which were acting in a manner 

 new and strange to me. They were in an open space, near the stump of 

 a fallen tree, but did not take fright at my approach, as under ordinary 

 circumstances they would have done. On reaching a point opposite to 

 them, it was noticed that they were tlie brown mocking bird or tln-ush, and 

 that a very large black snake lay coiled at the side of the stump. On 

 seeing me, it suddenly began to uncoil itself, and move otF as if to make 

 its escape; the birds at the same time pausing a moment in their move- 

 ments. But before it had stretched itself to more than half its length, 

 thoy were again in motion, and flew at it in a most energetic manner. 

 Instantly, the snake once more whirled itself into coil in its former posi- 

 tion. The male bird then commenced to run and skip with great activity 

 in a semi-circle, the serpent being the centre, and gradually closed in until 

 within a foot or two of its coils, when, with a sudden dart forward, the 

 bird thrust its head toward that of the snake, and, in the same instant, 

 threw itself backward, alighting on the ground at the distance of about 

 ten feet. Before the male had closed this feat, the female had commenced 



