The Cobra. EEPTILES. The Cobra. 55 
great resolution, for it will not only attack its opponent, 
but will repeat its attack, and pursue him with fury. 
In these exhibitions, which we have witnessed our- 
selves in Calcutta, it is generally believed that the 
poison fangs of the Cobra are previously extracted, 
and that the serpent is trained for exhibition by a 
course of severe discipline. Dr. Davy, in his “ Inte- 
rior of Ceylon,” distinctly, however, asserts that this is 
not the case in that island. “ Frequent exhibitions,” 
he says, “ are made of this snake in Ceylon, as well 
as on the continent of India, by men called snake- 
charmers. The exhibition is rather a curious one, and 
not a little amusing to those who can calmly contem- 
{ilate it. The charmer irritates the snake by striking 
it, and by rapid threatening motions of his hand , and 
appeases it by his voice, by gentle circular movements 
of his hand, and by stroking it gently. He avoids 
with great agility the attacks of the animal when 
enraged, and plays with it and handles it only when 
pacitied, when he will bring the month of the animal 
in contact with his forehead, and draw it over his face. 
The ignorant vulgar believe that these men really 
possess a charm by which they thus play without 
dread, and with impunity from danger. The more 
enlightened, laughing at this idea, consider the men 
impostors, and that in playing their tricks there is no 
danger to be avoided, it being removed by the abstrac- 
tion of the poison fangs. The enlightened in this 
instance are mistaken, and the vulgar are nearer the 
truth in their opinion. I have examined the snakes I 
have seen exhibited, and have found their poison fangs 
in, and uninjured. These men do possess a charm, 
though not a supernatural one — viz., that of confi- 
dence and courage. Acquainted with the habits and 
disposition of the snake, they know how averse it is 
to use the fatal weapon nature has given it for its 
defence in extreme danger, and that it never bites 
without much preparatory threatening. Any one pos- 
sessing the confidence and agility of these men may 
imitate them, and I have made the trial more than 
once. They Avill play their tricks with any hooded 
snakes, whether just taken or long in confinement, but 
with no other kind of poisonous snake.” 
Sir J. Emerson Tennent confirms Davy’s statement, 
and relates an instance in that island where one of 
these performers, having been provoked by some of 
his audience to attempt some unaccustomed familiarity 
with a cobra, was bitten in the wrist and died the 
same evening. 
The Cobra is venerated very much, and is even 
made the subject of adoration in some parts of India 
and in Ceylon. On the coast of Malabar its figure 
is one of the most usual ornaments of the temples ; 
and prayers are addressed and offerings made to it. 
The Brahmins conjure and exorcise it, and the super- 
stitious natives bring milk and various aliments out to 
it in the forests which it infests, and the roads which it 
frequents. Dr. Davy tells us, that in Cejdon the natives 
in general venerate more than dread the Cobra. 
Campbell, in his “ Excursions in Ceylon,” and Sir 
J. Emerson Tennent, in his history of tliat island, 
inform us that this serpent is generally found living 
in the deserted nests or conical mounds made by 
VoL. II. 65 
the white ant or termite, and there, says the latter 
of these authors, “ it may be seen watching from the 
Fig. 19. 
Fig. 20. 
Section of the neck of a cobra, to show the muscles that elevate 
and depress the hood. 
apertures in them for the toads and lizards upon which 
it preys.” 
