146 SNAKE-STONES. 



in precisely an opposite manner, being thrown into a high fever, from which they die. The 

 lx)dy of a dog killed by a Cobra's bite, will remain quite hot for some ten hours. The Aris- 

 tolocMa, therefore, which is a powerful stimulant, rather aids than counteracts the operation 

 of tlie poison. 



In the case of a human being, however, the effect of this remedy seems to be infallible, 

 and Mr. Lowther informs me that he always kept a mortar and pestle by the plant, so that no 

 time should be lost in bruising the leaf, and mixing it thoroughly with water, before pouring 

 it down the throat of the sufferer. The admixture of water was necessary, because, in most 

 instances, the patient was insensible, and the jaws stiffened, so that the mouth needed to be 

 opened forcibly, and the preparation poured down the throat. 



The second mode of cure employed by the natives of India, Ceylon, and even of some 

 parts of Africa, is the now celebrated Snake-stone, so carefully described by Sir J. E. Tennent 

 in his "Natural History of Ceylon.' 1 On being bitten by a Cobra, the sufferer applies one of 

 these remarkable objects to each puncture, where they adhere strongly for a variable space of 

 time, live or six minutes appearing to be the usual average. They seem to absorb the blood 

 as it Hows from the wound, and at last fall off without being touched, when the danger is con- 

 sidered to be over. This mode of application is general throughout all parts of the world 

 where the Snake-stone is known. 



Through the kindness of Sir .1. E. Tennent. I have been enabled to make a careful inspec- 

 tion of these objects, and to peruse the original letters relating to their use. Theyare flatfish, 

 shaped something like the half of an almond with squared ends, rather light, bearing a very 

 high polish, and of an intense black — in fact, looking much as if they were rudely cut from 

 common jet. The value of these singular objects is placed beyond doubt by the carefully 

 accredited narratives lately published. 



In one case, a native was seen to dart into the wood, and return, bearing a Cobra, 

 about six feet in length, grasping it by the neck with the right hand and by the tail 

 with the left. The Serpent was powerful, and struggled so hard, that its captor was forced 

 to call for assistance. As, however, he held the reptile awkwardly, it contrived to get 

 its head round, and to the horror of the spectators, fastened on his hand, retaining its hold 

 for several seconds. The white bystanders at once gave up the man for lost, but his com- 

 panion speedily produced from his waistband two Snake-stones, one of which he applied 

 to each puncture. They clung firmly, seemed to absorb the flowing blood, and in a minute 

 or two relieved the extreme pain which the man was already suffering. Presently both 

 Snake-stones dropped simultaneously, and the man declared that the danger had then passed 

 away. 



Another native then took from his stores a little piece of white wood, passed it over the 

 head of the Cobra, grasped it by the neck and put it into his basket, averring that when 

 armed with this weapon, a man could handle any kind of Snake without being bitten. 



A similar instance is related by Mr. Lavalliere, formerly District Judge of Kandy, and 

 forwarded to Sir J. E. Tennent by the writer, together with the materials employed. The 

 woody substances will presently be described ; at present our business is with the Snake-stone, 

 or Pamboo-Kaloo as the natives call it. 



The formation of these objects has long been a mystery, and they have been made into a 

 very profitable article of commerce by those who possess the secret. The monks of Manilla 

 are said to be the chief makers of Snake-stones, and to supply the merchants, by whom they 

 are distributed throughout so many countries. 



One of these stones was sent for analysis to Mr. Faraday, who pronounced it to be made 

 of charred bone, and in all probability to have been tilled with blood, and again charred. 

 "Evidence of this is afforded, as well by the apertures of cells or tubes on its surface, as by 

 the fact that it yields and breaks under pressure, and exhibits an organic structure within. 

 When heated slightly, water rises from it and also a little ammonia, and if heated still more 

 highly in the air, carbon burns away, and a bulky white ash is left, retaining the shape and 

 size of the stone." This ash is composed of phosphate of lime, and Sir J. E. Tennent remarks. 



