PROCEEDINGS. 6 
ox 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
CAN SNAKES HEARP 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE “ ASIAN.” 
Srr,—Absence from home prevented my writing earlier anent this interesting 
subject. I do so now, but before proceeding I may say that I fully agree with the 
Honorary Secretary of the Natural History Society, Bombay, who wrote as 
follow 
“The explanation lies I believe, in the fact that, although snakes cannot hear atr- 
vibrations, they are particularly sensitive to earth-vidrations, und can, on a dry soil, 
feel the footfall of any animal at a considerable distance. The result is that one 
generally gets only a glimpse of the snake as it is making off, and, as the Irishman 
said of the flea, ‘when you get to where he is, he isn’t there” Tree-snakes may, 
however, be easily approached, as they lie coiled up in the branches of abush. The 
‘checkered water-snake’ (Tropidonotus quincunctiatus, and the common ‘dhaman’ 
(Ptyas mucosus) may also constantly be seen lying on rocks ‘ basking,’ or more pro- 
bably waiting for frogs or small fish. If there is any water between you and the 
snake it naturally acts as a buffer to the earth-vibrations, and so long as the snake 
does not see you, you may approachit and talk as loud asyou like without 
disturbing it.” 
Last week—Xmas—a juggler came round with snakes. I asked him why he 
stamped his feet or kept dancing when playing his xagzur (musical instrument). 
He replied, venomous snakes cannot hear air, but only earth, vibrations. TI tested 
his assertion as follows:— _ 
(1.) I placed the garodiwallah in front of the cobra playing his nagzur and danc- 
ing; as usual the snake was charmed. 
(2.) I stood motionless in front and placed the juggler at the back of the Naja, 
but only playing his horn without moving. The snake was quiet, with hood erect 
and looked on/y at me. 
(8.) We reversed positions, but the juggler played his pipe. I stood about three 
yards behind the snake; there was not a move in it, although TI clapped my hands. 
But when I moved the cobra turned round to see ‘who comes there”? 
This is a very interesting subject, and I should much like to have the question 
ventilated in your columns. 
Icarpurt, 28th December 1887. Guoret Pore. 
P.S.—I have a deaf-mute (a tailor); he seems to hear, or rather I should say 
feel, the earth-vibrations. On the midday gun being fired he gets up and goes for 
his khana. The gun is about three furlongs from my bungalow. The poor man 
eannot hear the chiming of my clock above his head. 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE Socrety’s Monruny Merrrines. 
No Meeting was hold in October, 
PRocERnDINGS OF THE MBETING HELD oN 81H NovEMBER 1887, 
Tne usual monthly meeting of this Society took place on Tuesday, the 8th Novem- 
ber, 1887, Mr. G. W. Vidal, C.S., presiding. 
9 i 
