The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-22
THE DEADLY COBRA.
The Manner in Witch che Moss venouous
Member al the Snake Family IL Captured.

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Member al the Snake Family Is Captured.
Longman's Magazine.
Mr. G. T. Buckiand, E. z. s.. the originator
OF the crusade against snakes in India. mem
watched and saw the fowl fall dead within
thirty seconds from the time il was bitten.
This occurred in the nouse OF friend who had
engaged an itinerant snake-chsrmsr TO exhibit
snakes TO . party of guests Observing that
some Deople haze peculiar faculty for hand
ling snakes. Mr.. Bnckand mentions that in 3
work published not long ago by Mr.. F. B. Sim
son. retired India civilian, the following pre-
scr1ption for catching cobras is given:
When yon come upon your cobra make him
rear M and expand his hood. He generally
does this quick enough: but. should he delay,
whistle To him. Initiating the snake-eharuaars.
He will then certainly raise his head. Then,
with small cane or stick. or the ramrod OF a
gun, gently p-ess his head to the ground The
snake will not object, seems rather TO like it.
When you press his head lightly to the ground
with the stick in your left hand. you should
seize the snake firmly with your right, close be-
hind the head, holding his neck rather tightly;
then let 60 the stick aud catch hold of the tail.
yon ike with it. lou should have earthen
pot brought and let the snake pass into il, as
snakes will always go into any dark place."
Mr.. Simson says that he had elephant
driver, or mahout. who a great snake
catcher and very reckless. He writes thus:
Il never saw him press down the snake with
rod such as have described; but he caught
numbers of snakes Of all sorts and sent them
alive to his house. His movements were so
rapid and generally in jungles with his back to
me. that l never made out exactly why he did
not get bit He used to jump off his
elephant, leaving the animal IN my
guidance. and in moment afterward
he had the snakes neck in his hand
He said he caught them by the tails. swung
them under his arm. and held them there while
b . slipped bis hand up TO the back of the head.
He then gave the snake some of his clothing to
amuse itself WITH and on which to expend ats
venom He then wrapped the reptiles mp Ia
loose cloth and took very little trouble with
them. ] have seen him catch snakes SCORES of
times: but / rather discouraged HIM, as did not
large or even in earthen pots or boxes. AT the
same time he received good prices for his
snakes
Some people who are used to handling snakes
seem to lose all feeling of apprehension regard
ing them. SIR Joseph Fayrer had fear of
them But he very nearly bitten one day.
He and friend were busy examining the pecul-
lar anatomy of portion of cobras tail The
cobra was in box, and native assistant was
supposed to be holding down the lid of the box
as to allow only the tail to protrude. Some
how the native became careless. and he relaxed
his hold on tne lid SO that the cobra suddenly
doing with it's tall Luckily it was more
pleased than offended at the liberties which
were being taken with it's tail. but it was
pleasant for Sir Joseph Fayrer to find his face
almost touching the cobra's mouth.
DIR. Richards WAS another officer who assisted
Sir Joseph Favrer in his experiments with
snakes. DR.. Richards came one day to see
lady patient my house He arrived in a
DalapQuin, which was put down the portico
He went to the ladys room and paid her brief
visit and when he out of the room he
went to the palanquin and brought out a large
cobra. which he had brought to show
In order to prove by experiment. in my presence
that particular kind of wood, which native
fakir declared to be antidate to snake poison,
was of no value. 1t is unnecessary to reeapitu-
late the experiments. but his familiarity with
the deadly snake was quite alarming.