The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1873-01-16
snakc-Charming in London.

OF the Indian Jugglers, though, as has
been often shown, these poisonous
snakes are generally "doctored, as re-
CARDS their fangs, before the exhbi-
ton takes place There is now in
London gentleman who has charm
ing family of pet snakes-harmless,
of course. This gentleman's name is
Mann. He is a professor of music,
and lives in Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.
Mr.. Mann called on me day or two
ago at my Office, and requested me to
give him assistance, as he has got IN
to a bother about keeping his snakes.
Anxious to be of service to this
gentleman I called at his house to
examine his snakery. He placed in
the middle of the room a large box
which was carefully locked. He told
to me the box was always locked, un-
less he or his wife took out the snakes
to feed or examine them. The first
he produced from the box was a very
fine common British snake (COlu5e1'
aadtrie). His snakes have all got
names, and this ones name was Julia.
Julia had long ago laid thirty-six eggs,
which were Matched out successfully
The next was also a common British
snake. The ring round the neck was
very bright in this snake. Shere-
joices in the name of Sylvia. Sylvia
is very good at frogs; lately she ate
nine frogs, seven large frogs and two
small ones at one meal, one after the
other. Mr. Mann has also two other
snakes, whose names are Proteus and
Beatrice, or she of the golden hair.
This modern snake-charmer then div
ed his hand into the box and brought
out an exceedingly lively brown-color-
ed snake. The head is remarkably
pretty and izard-like, and it has the
power of moving the head very quick
ly from side to side; the eye is also
remarkably brilliant. This snake was
brought from Jamrach; it is called a
Lacertine, and comes from the coast
of Mogador, Northern Africa; it is
perfectly harmless. Mr.. Mann has
had the Lacertine about twenty
months, 1t is pretty, elegant crea-
trre It feeds on white mice.
Mr.. Mann then showed me the gem
of his collection. It is remarkably
handsome 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 petting has caused this
snake to become most remarkably
tame, and I think there can be no
doubt she knows individuals. When
placed ON the table Cleo would not
come to me at all, but glided away to
her master, who was sitting at the OPP
posite side of the table, and, stretch
ing her body from the table to the
chair, gradually pulled her long
length on to him. She then gided
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, quivering her
black, forked tongue with evident
pleasure. Mr.. Mann's two littlee chill
dren, aged five and sixrespectively, then
came into the room. They i1nmedi-
EateIy nlte the snake and began play
ing With it, kissing it and pulling it,
calling it "Cleo, dear CleoT Cleo
was then made to glide on the floor.
The children ran after her and picked
her up, and the little girl, picking her
UP, put her round her neck like q boa.
q wonder if this was the origin of
boa p Cleo evidently enjoyed the
fun as much as the children. 1t was
very curious to see these two little
children encircled in Cleo's ponder
Gus folds, reminding me much of the
celebrated statue of the LAGOON; and,
if I recolect rightly, the marble chill
dren in the statue are represented as
about tie same age and size as Mr..
Mann's two children.
Cleo is particular favorite of Mrs
Mann's, and I saw very nice photo
graph of her, with Cleo coiled around
her neck. I subsequently saw Mrs.
Mann in this attitude with her pet
snake. Cleo has shed her skin sever
al 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; and I should
think would make good pattern for
fancy lace-work Cleo feeds princi-
pally on pigeons. If a pigeon is put
into her cage, and she is not hun
cry, she seems to make friends with
the pigeon, and will never attempt to
eat it. Should, however, q fresh pig
con be put into her cage, she will de
YOUR it instantly. She feeds once a
fortnight, and two pigeons will about
last her for this time. Mr.. Mann
has observed that, when let loose, Cleo
always tries to climb upward, whereas
the Lacertine always seeks the ground.
Cleo most certainly knows her master
and mistress. Once, when they went
out of town, Cleo was left behind.
on I I