SNAKES. 
109 
they are told that this snake is frequently permitted 
to put its head against the cheeks of the children of 
those who show them. 
The dexterity of the jugglers in managing these 
dangerous reptiles is truly extraordinary. They easily 
excite them to the most desperate rage, and by a 
certain circular motion of the arms appease them 
as readily ; then without the least hesitation they 
will take them in their hands, coil them round their 
necks, and put their fingers to their mouths, even 
while their jaws are furnished with the deadliest 
venom, and the slightest puncture from their fangs 
would produce not only certain but almost instant 
death. 
The power which these people exercise over this 
species of venomous snake remains no longer a mys- 
tery when its habits are known. It is a remark- 
able peculiarity in the Cobra di Capello, and, I be- 
lieve, in most poisonous reptiles of this class, that 
they have an extreme reluctance to put into ope- 
ration the deadly powers with which they are en- 
dowed. The cobra scarcely ever bites unless excited 
by actual injury or extreme provocation, and even 
then before it darts upon its aggressor it always gives 
him timely notice of his danger not to be mis- 
taken. It dilates the crest upon its neck, which is 
a large flexible membrane having on the upper sur- 
face two black circular spots like a pair of spectacles, 
waves its head to and fro with a gentle undula- 
tory motion, the eye sparkling with intense lustre, 
and commences a hiss so loud as to be heard at a 
Considerable distance; so that the juggler always has 
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