NewS OFLALE, LANDS 62 
bands that show on the neck when the 
snake is reared in fighting pose. As the 
snake arches its neck to glare at the 
intruder it is liable to eject fine jets of 
poison for a distance of six to eight feet. 
These deadly streams are dangerously 
well aimed. 
The poison is ejected by contracting 
the lower jaw in such a fashion that the 
permanently erect fangs overlap it. At 
a movement of the adversary the reptile 
arches the neck to a degree that throws 
the head backward, bringing the tips of 
the hypodermic teeth to bear. The mus- 
cles over the poison glands are then con- 
tracted and a thin stream of venom leaves 
each fang. The observer is liable to re- 
ceive the deadly stream directly in the 
eyes, and the amount of poison expended 
is surprising. 
The writer has seen the entire lower 
part of a large glass panel peppered with 
tiny drops. When photographing or 
watching the antics of snakes of this 
kind, the writer wears a pair of auto 
goggles to protect his eyes. In obtaining 
the photograph of a ringhals which is 
published herewith, the front of the 
camera was well spattered with tiny 
drops of poison, as the snake became 
infuriated at the movements of the writ- 
er’s hands in focusing. 
It was this type of reptile that Colonel 
Roosevelt refers to in his “African Game 
Trails.” The author says: “At this camp 
we killed five poisonous snakes—a light- 
colored tree snake, two puff adders, and 
two seven-foot cobras. One of the latter 
three times ‘spat’ or ejected its poison at 
us, the poison coming out from the fangs 
like white films, or threads, to a dis- 
tance of several feet. A few years ago 
the singular power of this snake, and 
perhaps of certain other African species, 
thus to eject the poison at the face of 
an assailant was denied by scientists: but 
it is now well known. Selous had al- 
ready told me of an instance which came 
under his own observation, and Tarlton 
had once been struck in the eyes and for 
a moment nearly blinded by the poison. 
He found that to wash the eyes with 
milk was of much relief.” 
~J 
THE COBRAS OF THE HINDUS 
The Indian cobras seldom eject their 
venom in this way. They are the most 
spectacular of their group, owing to the 
vivid markings on the “hood.” With 
some specimens these appear like a grin- 
ning death’s-head. These are much 
sought by the Hindu for his snake- 
“charming” exhibitions. 
The greatest requisite of the snake- 
charmer is nerve, and this must be backed 
by a thorough knowledge of the serpents’ 
habits. No hypnotism is employed, nor 
has music the slightest influence upon a 
snake's actions. The Hindu carries his 
poisonous reptiles in baskets, and, as he 
prepares to perform, squats down in 
front of these and begins a crooning re- 
frain upon a reed. With a bamboo stick 
the performer removes the covers from 
the baskets. The cobras rear into view 
with dilated hoods, and the Hindu sways 
his body from side to side, with quicken- 
ing strains upon his flute. The deadly 
cobras begin swinging to the music and 
the celebrated snake dance is on. 
The actual conditions are these: The 
shrill notes of the reed appeal only to 
the imagination of the spectators. “The 
cobra’s natural attitude of defense is a 
graceful, rearing pose, with hood widely 
spread. From this position the snakes 
follow the swaying motions of the Hin- 
du’s body as they alter their aim in an 
endeavor to strike. The snake-charmer 
keeps just far enough away from his 
serpentine troop to render his bare legs 
safe from their fangs. 
The wily fakir knows very well that 
if his snakes become accustomed to teas- 
ing they will “dance” with less energy. 
He consequently keeps a fresh supply of 
undisturbed specimens on hand. 
Some of the more daring Hindu snake- 
charmers immunize themselves against 
the action of snake venom by taking a 
course of diluted injections, gradually 
increased in strength until the desired 
condition is attained. These men reck- 
lessly handle their snakes. The more 
clumsy fakir, who gives a less finished 
exhibition, is not taking any chances. 
He extracts the fangs from his poison- 
