
1890.] Effects of Musical Sounds on Animals. 25 
Many of the sounds which by man -are regarded as musical 
and agreeable may not produce an agreeable impression upon 
animals, but may have an annoying effect upon them, as the mo- 
notonous, attenuated and irritating hum of the mosquito, the fil- 
ing of a saw, or the riveting of a steam boiler, with its rasping 
and tumultuous clangor, have upon us. 
I spoke of sounds that are regarded as musical by man, but 
here comes to mind a wide chasm in the way of difference 
between the musical sense or taste of the European or Caucasian, 
and the Chinese or Mongolian, idea of music and musical sounds, 
whether vocal or instrumental. 
Some time ago there appeared in a New York paper an 
account of an interview with an Englishman residing in that city, 
who, it was stated, had a mania for collecting and taming various 
small animals, lizards, snakes, spiders, etc. 
The question was asked, “How do you manage the taming 
process?” Answer.—“ It was simple enough. First of all I 
tried kindness. By kindness I mean warmth and music, and as 
much food as the animals could possibly eat, so as to get them 
in to a state of torpor. If they were not well advanced in amia- 
bility in a week the music was stopped altogether, and I gave 
but little food. This made them savage. They then had music 
occasionally, the doses increasing in proportion to the improve- 
ment in their temper.” 
Question.—“ What kind of music did you.give them ?” 
Answer.—“ It varied a great deal. Some of them liked a 
piano best. Some liked a violin, and others a flute, and one was 
never so happy as when listening to an Æolian harp I had erected 
on the window of the room I keptthem in. They all liked a 
musical box. You might not believe it, but there was nota 
single one of my snakes or lizards that could not distinguish in- 
struments and tunes. They had very good taste and ear, and 
would keep time to slow measured music by wagging their heads, 
and if I ever created discord when playing they would get quite 
in a rage. I remember a thunderstorm angered them once, and 
I could hardly keep them from attacking one another, and in- 
dulging ina free fight. Luckily an itinerant German band was 
