ON SNAKES. 



285 



Aware that Mr. Vangordon's box was not well 

 adapted for a scientific examination of the snakes, 

 I had sent on before me, the large glass case which 

 had been made to contain my great ant-bear. 



Whilst the assembled company seemed at a loss 

 to know how the rattlesnakes were to be transferred 

 from one cage to another, I stepped forward, and 

 volunteered my services, having long been of 

 opinion, that a snake in a box, is not so dangerous 

 as a " snake in the grass." 



" Gentlemen/' said I, "whenever we have to 

 deal with wild beasts, or with serpents, all depends 

 upon nerve and tact. Now, on this occasion, if 

 you will only be spectators mute and motionless, 

 the project which I have determined upon in my 

 own mind, will be carried out with ease and 

 with safety. 



Having first opened the door of the ant-bear's 

 cage, in order to receive its new tenants, I cau- 

 tiously approached Vangordon's box. 



Scarcely had I lifted up the lid, when one of 

 the serpents, wearied no doubt with long imprison- 

 ment, glided, about half its length, through the 

 opening before it. The company instantly rushed 

 out of the room, as though the apparition of Death 

 were present amongst them. They brought to 

 my mind, those lines of Scotland's immortal poet, 



