SERPENTS FASCINATION. 133 



much for injecting poison on external objects as for 

 keeping in any animal or bird of which they have got hold. 

 In the case of the Dasypeltis inomatus (Smith) the teeth are 

 small, and favourable for the passage of thin-shelled eggs 

 without breaking. The egg is taken in unbroken till it 

 is within the gullet or about 2 inches behind the head. 

 The gular teeth placed there break the shell without 

 spilling the contents, as would be the case if the front 



and irritating in its qualities, which may, when it enters a wound r 

 occasion pain and even swelling, but nothing of greater importance. 



"The Bticephalus Capensis is generally found upon trees, to which 

 it resorts for the purpose of catching birds, upon which it delights to 

 feed. The presence of a specimen in a tree is generally soon discovered 

 by the birds of the neighbourhood, who collect around it and fly to 

 and fro, uttering the most piercing cries, until some one, more terror- 

 struck than the rest, actually scans its lips, and, almost without resist- 

 ance, becomes a meal for its enemy. During such a proceeding the- 

 snake is generally observed with its head raised about ten or twelve 

 inches above the branch round which its body and tail are entwined, 

 with its mouth open and its neck inflated, as if anxiously endeavour- 

 ing to increase the terror which it would almost appear it was aware 

 would sooner or later bring within its grasp some one of the feathered 

 group. 



" Whatever may be said in ridicule of fascination, it is nevertheless 

 true that birds, and even quadrupeds, are, under certain circumstances, 

 unable to retire from the presence of certain of their enemies ; and, 

 what is even more extraordinary, unable to resist the propensity to 

 advance from a situation »of actual safety into one of the most immi- 

 nent danger. This I have often seen exemplified in the case of birds 

 and snakes ; and I have heard of instances equally curious, in which 

 antelopes and other quadrupeds have been so bewildered by the sudden 

 appearance of crocodiles, and by the grimaces and contortions they 

 practised, as to be unable to fly or even move from the spot towards 

 which they were approaching to seize them." (Dr. Andrew Smith's 

 'Reptilia.') 



In addition to these interesting statements of the most able natur- 

 alist from whom I have taken this note, it may be added that fire 

 exercises a fascinating effect on some kinds of toads. They may be 

 seen rushing into it in the evenings without ever starting back on feel- 

 ing pain. Contact with the hot embers rather increases the energy 

 with which they strive to gain the hottest parts, and they never cease 

 their struggles for the centre, even when their juices are coagulating 

 and their limbs stiffening in the roasting heat. Various insects also 

 are thus fascinated ; but the scorpions may be seen coming away from 

 the fire in fierce disgust, and they are so irritated as to inflict at that 

 time their most painful stings. 



