K.EPTILES OP BRITISH BIHMA. 61 



bushes, among which it kept, from the men, who, moreover, were 

 evidently much disinclined to come very close. Taking a stick 

 from a boy, I directed all present to go the other side of the bush 

 and keep quiet, whilst I stationed myself a few yards in the open. 

 As I anticipated, in a minute or so the " Grnau," thinking the coast 

 clear, came straight out on my side with the idea of escaping, and 

 when he was well clear of the bushes, I made one step for- 

 ward and delivered a smart blow on the neck, and before he could 

 recover himself, I was upon him and had him firmly by the nape. 

 He was quite unhurt, and I had a hard job to hold him, but 

 managed to drag him to my tent, where I severed the spine with a 

 penknife, to the admiration of the crowd, who were convinced that 

 I had some powerful charm to enable me to overcome the dreaded 

 " Gnan." This belief in charms which enable the owner to catch 

 snakes, is universal in India and Birma ; and only one's personal 

 servants are convinced that tlie only charm requisite is coolness 

 and skill. Unless, however, in open ground, I would not advise 

 any one to try the experiment of catching a *' Gruan," as its bite is 

 fatal in a few minutes. A few years ago, one of these snakes was 

 brought alive to Capt. Berdmore, at Shuighin, and a snake- 

 charmer came up to display his command over the animal. At 

 first (as I am told) the snake seemed cowed by the authoritative 

 " Hah " of the man ; but suddenly, through some carelessness on 

 his part, the snake bit him on the wrist. The poor fellow at once 

 ran oif home to get an antidote, but fell down before reaching his 

 own door, and died in a few minutes. "When in Tonghu, I heard 

 a case of an elephant being killed by one of these snakes, whicli 

 I luivc no reason for doubting. The clopliant was a fine powerful 

 male, and was pulling down with his trunk some creepers or boughs, 

 when a large " G nan " which was ' disturbed in the tree, struck 

 the elephant on the trunk below the eyes. The elephant at once 

 retreated, grew faint, and died in about three hours, 



Naja, Laurcnti. 



N. TRIJUDIANS, Merr. 



The Birmese Cobra (" Mioe-houlc ") is a variety without spec- 

 tacles, near var. ^ of Giinther's ' Catalogue ; ' and I have never 

 noticed the spectacled variety, common in India, anywhere in tlie 

 province. It is pretty generally diffused, but not very common, 

 and from its nocturnal habits less often seen than many harmless 



