Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-12-20
SNAKES AT THEIR BATH.
A Scene Which Disguised the Monkeys
but Did Not Move the Alligator,

A tub of warm water stood i'm one
corner of the room in downtown mu.
scum. Four large glass cases took up
most of the floor. One contained q
dusky-looking alligator, nearly five feet
long, with a nick in his tail. Monkeys
of various kinds and degrees occupied
two high cases. The fourth sheltered
six boa constructors varying in length
from seven to twelve and n half feet.
The snakes lay close together for
warmth. In the dim light of the moon
it was hard to follow one snake its en-
tire length. The keeper rolled up his
sleeves and sliding back one of the glass
panels of the cage thrust his arm bold
ly in. Running his hand slowly down
the back from the head of one of the
snakes the reptile glided gradually to-
ward the open door. AT the door the
keeper suddenly but quietly grasped
the snake just back of the head, his
large, strong hand closing firmly
around the body. The other hand ran
slowly down the body and clasped the
snake about three feet from the head.
The tail, which happened to be near by,
was brought within the last grip.
Then the keeper drew the snake slow
ly from the case, while an assistant
closed the door, and turning to the tub
softly lowered the reptile into the wa
ter. There was slight culver and a
little struggle. The dark coil rose and
moved in sinuous waves. But the keep
er held the head and fore part of the
snake firmly in his hands. "This is the
first time I've ever given a snake his
warm bath" he said, as the reptile set
tied into enjoyment of the water. 1--WE
give them bath once week. 1t keeps
them in good condition. We tried yes
terday to find somebody to do it, but
couldn't So says, why see here, I've
taken care of snakes for year and a
half and amt afraid. I'll give them
their bath" While he talked he slow
ly moved the snake in his hands around
the tub. The monkeys looked down in
solemn disgust upon the kneeling man
and the coiling reptile. rs much as to
say, 'You don't catch US taking baths.
The dusty-looking sauran in his two
inch pool of water slept on rs he sleeps
most of the time. Fifteen minutes -
said the assistant. The keeper rose,
and lifting the snake from the tub,
shook it gently, carried it to the cage,
and laid it on the wooden blanket which
covered the bottom. Taking another
by the same process he carried it 10
the tub, gave it fifteen or twenty min
utes inthe the water, which was replen-
ished as it cooled, and carried it back.
The young ones struggled more than
the older ones. The older snake
gets the quieter he is, said the keep
er. You see, I've got to hold them
just so. If squeeze them too tight il
hurts them, and if don't hold them
closely they'll get away from me. Yes,
| could catch one in five minutes If il
got away, but it might hurt itself. AL
though they are strong they are tender
animsls. Would they crush me? We'll
l don't know. Of course they might,
but | Guild be more afraid of the bite
It's POI son. but if you fill up with wills.
Ky il won't hurt YOU. Now" he con.
tinued. as he took the 124-foot
monster out of the water, and held il
so that its belly was visible, lido you
see those scalesp Well, that's the way
snakes crawl. Hitch along with those
scales. The upper part of the body il
carried along. They are very delicate,
though. Most snakes die of canker in
the mouth. Any sort of an injury
seems 10 produce that. There is man
up town who claims to be snake doc.
tor. lie came from South America,
where these snakes were born. We
had seven, and few weeks ago one
became sick. The snake doctor took
him up to his place, and last week he
| came in, and says he: L can't do any.
| thing for your snake. He'sgot canker.
The temperature's getting too low,
Tom Ito the assistanD fire up" A
small stove under the cage was attend.
ed to. I'VE keep the temperature up
to from 80 to 80 degrees" said the
keeper. "If boa gets chilled through
ha'0 do -