16 THE LAND-MARKS OF 



and at imaginary foes. Occasionally, however, 

 one of the intruders would receive attention, but 

 easily avoided the attack. The rats lived and 

 partook of food in the cage for ten or twelve days, 

 when one after the other they were found dead — 

 victims, no doubt, of misplaced confidence. 

 Apropos of " fascination," Dr. Nicholson says, in 

 his interesting little work, " We have but little 

 knowledge of the habits of snakes when at liberty, 

 owing to the difficulties attending the observation 

 of such animals in tropical climates ; vigilant 

 and patient, they mostly remain during the day 

 in a state of repose, seeking their prey at those 

 hours when most animals have relaxed from their 

 usual watchfulness and are at rest for the night. 

 Whether ground or tree-snakes, they remain 

 patiently in the same attitude until their prey 

 approaches, then gently gliding over the short 

 distance which intervenes, they pounce on the 

 unsuspecting victim.* The approach is so often 

 imperceptible that, doubtless, a certain amount of 

 curiosity must often fix the attention of animals 

 on perceiving the snake for two or three seconds 

 before they become aware of their danger ; but of 

 fascination, as it is called, there appears to be none. 

 * Much as a lizard attacks an insect. 



