SNAKE-POISON LITERATURE. 21 



example, existed in the imagination of the anci- 

 ents, and the do morkhka samp exists in the 

 imagination of the natives of India.* There 

 are, however, monstrosities of the kind, as there 

 are of other animals, in some museums. One 

 lusus naturae is, or was, certainly to be seen in 

 the museum of the Royal College of Surgeons 

 of England. A moment's reflection would con- 

 vince even the most credulous that such crea- 

 tures could not possibly exist. What embarrass- 

 ment would arise in the event of a disagreement 

 between the two heads as to the direction in 

 which food should be sought for ! — a decided ex- 

 ception to the rule that " two heads are better 

 than one." Miss Hopley tells us that " several 

 of the burrowing family are remarkable for a 

 similarity of head and tail, obscure features, in- 

 conspicuous eyes, and very small mouth, render- 

 ing it difficult at first sight to decide which is 

 the head and which the tail. All being feeble, 

 inoffensive, and entirely harmless, the evil attach- 

 ed to them of having two heads is only another 

 proof of the prejudice and animosity displayed 



* Kicholson says — "The double-headed snake is manu- 

 factured by suake-jugglers and exhibited to the credulous 

 European or Indian." 



