SNAKE-CHARMERS. 441 
proof that all who pretend to the same powers are likewise impostors. The 
following narrative of Mr. H. E. Reyne, quoted by Sir J. E. Tennent in his 
“ Natural History of Ceylon,” seems to be a sufficient proof that the man 
did possess sufficient power to induce a truly poisonous serpent to leave its 
hole and to perform certain antics at his command:—“ A snake-charmer 
COBRA DI CAPELLO.—(Waja tripudi ins.) 
came to my bungalow in 1854, requesting me to allow him to show me his 
snakes dancing. As IJ had frequently seen them, I told him I would give him 
a rupee if he would accompany me to the jungle and catch a Cobra that I 
knew frequented the place. 
“He was willing, and as I was anxious to test the truth of the charm, I 
counted his tame snakes, and put a watch over them until I returned with 
