THE COBRA DI CAPELLO. 



141 



feet, and retaining this attitude, as if to take a sure aim, watching the movements of the prey, 

 darts upon it in the same manner as the naja tripudians {i. e. the cobra) does. When the 

 victim is killed by poison, and by degrees swallowed, the act is followed by a lethargic state, 

 lasting for about twelve hours. 



The Hamadryas is fond of water, vrill drink, and likes to pass the tongue rapidly through 

 water as if to moisten that member. It is a fierce and dangerous reptile, not only resisting 

 when attacked, but even pursuing the foe should he retreat, a proceeding contrary to the 

 general rule among Serpents. The poison of this creature is virulent and active, a fowl dying 

 in fourteen minutes, and a dog in less than three hours, after receiving the fatal bite, although 

 the experiments were made in the cold season, when the poison of venomous Snakes is always 

 rather inactive. The poisonous secretion reddens litmus jiaper very slightly, and, as is the 

 case with most Serpent poisons, loses its efficacy by beiug exposed to the air. The native name 

 of the Hamadryas is Sunkr Choar. 



BANDED BUNGARU8.— £«n(/ari«- fascialas. 



The color of this Snake is generally of an olive hue, auburn and pale below, but there is a 

 variety marked with cross-bands of white. It is a large species, varying from four to six feet 

 in length, while some specimens are said to reach ten feet. 



We now come to some of the most deadly of the Serpent tribe, the first of which is the 

 well-known Cobra di Capello, or Hooded Cobra of India. 



This celebrated Serpent has long been famous, not only for the deadly power of its venom, 

 but for the singular jjerformances in which it takes part. The Cobra inhabits many parts of 

 Asia, and in almost every place where it is found, certain daring men take upon themselves 

 the profession of Serpent-charmers, and handle these fearful reptiles with impunity, cause 

 them to move in time to certain musical sounds, and assert that they bear a life charmed 

 against the bite of these reptilian playmates. One of these men will take a Cobra in his bare 

 hands, toss it about with perfect nonchalance, allow it to twine about his naked breast, tie it 

 round his neck, and treat it with as little ceremony as if it were an earth-worm. He will then 



