THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
301 
maining part of the body is coiled up to accelerate and give 
force to the spring. At this instant it distends from its 
head a membrane in the form of a hood, from which 
it receives its name. This hood is a membrane which lies 
along the forehead and the sides of the neck, and is almost 
imperceptible till the animal gets into a state of irritation, 
and is about to attack his foe. When the hood is erected, 
it completely alters the appearance of the head, and dis- 
closes a curious white streak, which runs along the forehead 
in the shape of a pair of spectacles and sometimes of a 
horse-shoe. The extension of this membrane seems in- 
tended by providence to give warning to all those within 
this animal’s reach, that he is preparing to attack them : 
without this signal, he would be very dangerous indeed, as 
his motions afterwards are too rapid to be avoided. I have 
more than once been an eye-witness to instances where 
the fatal bite of this snake was escaped from merely by 
the object of his vengeance timely observing his prepa- 
rations. 
One remarkable characteristic of these dangerous serpents is 
their fondness for music. Even when newly caught, they seem 
to listen with pleasure to the notes, and even to writhe 
themselves into attitudes. The Indian jugglers improve 
greatly on this instinct ; and after taming them, by de- 
grees instruct them even to keep time to their tlagelets. 
The covra manilla, the most dreadful of all snakes, is 
about two feet long, and continues from head to tail 
