The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-01-29
SNAKES OR WORMS?
HOW THEY LOOKED AND MOVED BEFORE THEY
WENT TO WASHINGTON.

HOW THEY LOOKED AND MOVED BEFORE THEY
WENT TO WASHINGTON.
Quito recently II will be remembered, rather start
ling piece OF intelligence flashed over the wires
from tho good city OF Memphis Tenn, to the effect
that the city had been visited by shower OF snakes,
1--we, wrigglng specimens OF the genus OphdtG. The
reptiles stated to have descended during very
heavy shower OF rain, and to have covered consider
able space the city with their squrmng numbers.
Now, public crcdulty can just bear q certain amount
OF strain. II has sustained, from time to tmc Inn
mcnse tension from the serpent, the rumors Of
peace IN Mexico and statements that New York
have rapid transit but this story about the shower Of
snakes in Memphis too much, SO tho opinion
generally prevailed that somebody In that CITY had
been 'having them again"
However, TO test matters to the fullest extent
Messrs Rcicnc Brothers. naturaIists OF this CITY, do
cided make effort to secure some OF the snakes
for the AQUARIUM so wrote to one Of their customers
Dr. schcrcr OF Memphis, Tor full particulars. forward
ing MIN copy Of the HERALD containing the announce
mcnt The last named gentleman In his reply con-
fesscs his surprise at having received such strange
news from New York. as he 50 VS. mono OF the Memphis
papers had said anything about 1t except tho Evening
Lc,ger Some specimens Of the so called snakes were
taken to the Office OF that journal the 18TH DR..
schcrcr tired to obtain some ot the "sDakcs, " but
found that they had been forwarded to Washington
Sergeant McElroy was then requested by the Doctor
to give him description OF the 'snakes,N ind fur
nished the following particulars concerning their de-
scent and general appearance
Monday, the 10Th INST. opened with rain. About
twenty minutes past ten A. N. II began ny down
| In torrents from the southwest; wilma quite brisk,
velocity being sixteen miles per hour. This very
heavy shower lasted some hftecn or twenty minutes.
Almost i'm edatcy alter negro boy called the atlon
of several people to the fact that the sidewalks
cutters, street and yards we're covered with long
worms Tor snakes II You wiID, crawling Ia every direc
ton They were from SIX to twelve inches long and
OF the diameter OF an ordinary knitting needle, their
color being dark brown or almost black They seemed
| to have great affinity tor each other, us in some
places they had gathered In masses, and their
mcnts being quite lively, they presented quite disa
| grccabe appearance. number picked up and
put IN water. Very lew lived, as on "Wednesday cx-
pcricnccd considerable trouble in getting half dozen
TO send on TO Washington d. q Alter being kept IN a
bottle for Two or three days observed that they be-
came much lighter In color. They had distinct head
and showed decided repugnancc 10 being handled.
Tuesday morning, the 10Th, there were still quito a
number oil them around, but by evening they had all
disappeared. They did not move Ike u snake, but
would shove the fore part OF the body ahead and draw
the balance up IN hoop shape. They would also
themselves five or inches upright posi-
ton as though they were seeking Sumo support