The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-07-01
Highest of all in Leavenng PowerLatcst S Govt Report
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ninsula alone. The IIindus hold this
reptile i'll reverence and resent any at
tempt at it's destruction In coloring
this reptile differs materially, according
to season and locality Most frequent
ly it is of IL deep olive on the back, white
below, with hooded neck on which APP
pear markings somewhat resembling
eyeglasses. except that the bow is
longer. But again it may be brown,
with black eyeglasses; or the body
may be deep brown with
no eyeglasses ut all, or only n couple of
white spots on the neck; again the rep
tile appears with black body with
single white spot on the neck. Numer-
Gus and variable as the markings are
they belong to single species. AS the
collection of snakes l am gathering for
the fair is intended to be complete in
every respect will have the hooded
snake in its various colorings. The
most peculiar thing about the hooded
snake, or cobra di capello, is the curious
dilatablc neck, which it spreads on the
slightest irritation. This power is af-
fordcd by means of elongated ribs,
which may be thrown out or depressed
at will When expanded the neck is
several times the width of the head, by
which n covered hood is formed on the
back of which is the singular decora-
ton called eye-glass marks. The super
stitious Buddhists regard this marking
as the imprint of Buddha, and explain
it by declaring that when Buddha be-
came weary with the work of crea-
ton he sought repose under the
shade of a tree, but the sun
moving while he thus slept poured its
rays into his face. A cobra, perceiv-
ing the exposure Of the philosopher
spread its hood and remained bent over
him, thus shading his face until his
sleep was finished. Upon waking
Buddha perceived what kind office the
serpent had rendered him, and there
upon promised to repay the cobra with
like kindness. This promise he soon
forgot, but was reminded of it under
peculiar circumstances. Years after
ward great bird lowering over the
earth began dcvonring the cobras, until
the species became wcll-nigh extinct.
Thereupon, in q spirit of despair the
cobra that had shielded Buddha be-
sought him, and referring to his prom
Use petitioned the god to give protection
to his species, which Buddha did by
placing the markings upon the cobra's
head, thereby frightening the great
bird and preventing it's further attacks.
The natives, therefore, regard the rep
tile that once received the favor of the
founder OF their religion rs too sacred
for molcstation, although its bite is so
venomous that none ever RECEIVERS from
it.
1T is also my intention to have Hin
dns Mt the fair" continued Mr. Burns.
What more interesting exhibition
could there be than n couple of IIindus
sitting outside their huts, which will be
reproduced true to nature, charming
cobras with music. And men and women
snakc-charmers will be secured, and the
thousands of visitors will be convinced
of the truth of the stories of snake
charming by music
st is II strange fact, not less difficult
to understand than the accepted science
of mcsmerism. that music cXcrts a fas-
cinating power over many creatures,
and scnsibly and powerfully on the
cobra"
GLOW many snakes will be seen at
the fair?"
well, in round numbers, about 1000.
VI CourSc, tnerc arc not tnat mum Der OF
different species, but l will have them
of all sizes, shapes and colors Reptiles
arc classed by naturalists as ophidia, n
Greek word meaning serpent, and under
this head follow the numerous species
which have been divided by Lacepedc
into eight genera, each of which is
again subdivided into several classes
The eight genera comprise the boa,
which contains II spcces the vipcrs of
which there are 1875 species; rattle
snakes with o6 species; snakes under
which name the harmless reptiles arc
classcd. "a species; the anghis bohcna, n;
double-headcd. species; langrata, 1,
coecila, 2, and acrocboid, 1. The collect
ing of the various species will occupy,
my time till the fair opens"