Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-08-29
Snake Charming ia London.

Snake Charming ia London.
The eminent English zoologist, Mr..
Frank Bucland, editor of Land and
Water, tells the following extraordinary
story in his newspaper:
Snakes are regarded with horror and
repuguance by the generality of man
kind and wOmankind, and for this rea-
son their habits and instincts have not
been sufficiently studied. Snakes may
be broadly divided into poisonous and
not poisonous. As a rule poisonous
snakes will get out Of a mans way if
not attacked or insulted I do not re-
commend people trying to tame poison
Gus snakes, nor do advise them to charm
them after the fashion Of the Indian
iugglers, though, as has been often
shown. these poisonous snakes are gen
orally 'doctOred, as regards their fangs,
before the exhibition takes place. There
Is now in London a gentleman who has
a charming family Of pet snakes-harm-
less of course. This gentleman's name
is Mann. He is a professor of music,
and lives in Chcyne Walk, Chelsea. Mr..
Mann called on me day or two ago at
nv office, and requested me to give him
assistance, as he has got into a bother
with his neighbOrs about keeping his
snakes.
Anxious to be Of service to this gentle
man called at the house in order to ex-
anime his snakery. He placed in the
middle of the room a large box, which
was carefully locked. He told me the
box was always locked. unless he or his
wife took out the snakes to feed or eZ-
anime them. The first he produced
from the box was very fine common
British snake (CoIUber 15atrtT). His
snakes have all got names, and this ones
name was Julia. Julia had long ago laid
thirtv-six eggs, which were Matched out
SUCCESSFULLY. The next was a common
British snake. She rejOices in the name
of Sylvia. Sylvia IS very good al frogs.
lately she ate nine frogs, seven large
frogs and two small, at one meal, one
after the other. Mr.. Mann has also two
other common snakes whose names are
Proteus and Beatrice, or she of the
golden hair. This modern snake charm
er then diyed his hand into the box. and
brought out an exceedingly lively brown
cOlOred snake The head is remarkably
pretty and lizard-likc, and it has the
power of moving the head very quickly
from side to side the eye is remarkably
brilliant This snake was brought from
Jamrach IT is called Lacertine, and
comes from the coast of MOgadar. north
Africa. it is perfectly harmless. Mr..
Mann has had the Lacertine about 20
months. Ii is pretty, elegant creature
1t feeds on white mice
Mr.. Mann then showed me the gem of
his collection. 1t IS a remarkably hand
some Brazilian boa, measuring between
five and six feet long. and Weighing
from twelve to fourteen pounds. The
name of this snake Is Cleo" short for
Cleopatra. Continual handling and pet
ing has caused this snake to become re
markably tame. and | think there can be
no doubt she knows individuals. When
placed on the table. Cleo would not come
to me at all. bat glided away to her
master, who was sitting at the opposite
side of the table, and stretching her
length from the table 10 the chair, grad
uallv pulled her long length on 10 him.
She then glided up his right side. and
folded her coils round his neck. placed
her head close to her masters face, and
there she lay for some minutes CULVER
ing her black fOrked tongue with evi-
dent pleasure. Mr. Mann's twOchildren
aged five and six respectively. then came
into the room. They Immediately ran
to the snake and began playing with it,
kissing it. and pulling it. Callingit Cleo.
dear Cleo Cleo was then made to glide
on the floor the children ran after her
and picked her up, and the little girl
picking her no put her round her neck
like q boa. 7 wonder if this was the
origin of the word boa Cleo evidently
enjoyed the fun rs much is the children.
1t was very curious 10 see these two little
children ancircled in Clco's p0ndcrOus
folds. reminding me much of the cele-
brated statue of the LAGOON. and. # ]
recollect right. the marble children in
the statue are represented Is about the
same age and size Of Mr.. Mann's two
children. Cleo IS q particular favorite
of Mrs. Mann. and ! saw a very nice
photograph of her. with Cleo coiled
around her neck. / subsequently, saw
Mrs Mann in this attitude. with her pet
snake. Cleo has shed her skin several
times and it is curious to remark that she
shed her skin ten times in two years.
Mr.. Mann has the last skin shed. 1t is
quite perfect. and as thin as tissue paper
L
pattern for fancy lace work.
Cleo feeds principally on pigeons. IF
a pigeon is put into her cage. and she is
not hungry, she seems TO make friends
with the pigeon. and will never attempt
to eat it. Should, however, a fresh
pigeon be put into her cage. she viii de-
YOUR it instantly. She feeds once fort
night, and two pigeons will about last
her for this time. Mr. Mann has OBJ
served that when let loose Cleo always
tries to climb upwards, whereas the La
certine always seeks the ground. Cleo
most certainly knows her master and
mistress. Once when they went out Of
town Cleo was left behind. She pinned
and would not feed during their absence
When Mr.. and Mrs. Mann returned,
after six weeks absence, Cleo, on hear
ing her mistress voice, instantly rushed
out of her box, cooled herself round her
and kissed her face She evidently re-
cognized her kind friends and protector.
Mr.. Mann has also another larger In
dian python, but this snake is not very
well, and has private apartments to it.
self in large leather carpet BAG. The
snakes win feed out of Mr. Mann's hand.
The common snakes eat frogs, and frogs
only the Lacertine eats white mice :;
the python delights in guinea-pigs. AL
together / was exceedingly pleased with
Mr.. Mann's collection of snakes. By
his very successful 'snake-taming he has
opened up quite anew chapter in natural
history, and has shown what persever-
ing kindness viii do in tanning snakes,
poor creatures, which have heretofore
been thought to have little or no intelli-
gence.
A sailor, looking serious in a chapel in
Boston, was asked by the clergyman if
he felt any change, whereupon the tar
put his hand into his pocket, and replied
mot cent :"
Bierstadt, the artist, informed Negley,
of Pittsburg, that valley had been dis
covered 100 miles south of Yosemite that
far surpasses even that wonderful valley