The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-03
---S-c1n-o-------
EFFECT OF MUSIC ON ANIMALS.
Experiments Tried at the London
Geological Gardens.

From an Exchange.
Experiments have recently been made in
the geological gardens in London as to
the effect of music on animals The sound
of the violin was first tried on the taran-
tula spider, but without result. A nest OF
scorpions, however showed the liveliest
susceptibilities. OF the monitor lizard we
are told; The very moment he heard the
first sound of the violin he raised his head
and was alert and listening. Then the
forlSed tongue came out playing inces-
sanity round his lips and as the music
became soft and low the lizard grew quito
stih, but for a gentle swayng of the head.
In the next cage all heads were raised,
and forked tongues played, while at a
sudden discord every snakes head started
violently back. Such, more or less, was
the effect of music on all the snakes The
huge pythons showed not a grain of in
terest, and the boa was almost al indif-
ferent, but the deadly cobra, which the In
dian snakemaster wins from his hiding
place in the old wall al the sound Of d
tiny pipe was reused at once. He was
lying sound asleep on the gravel at The
bottom of his cage but at the first note
he instantly raised his head, and, with
eyes fixed on the door whence the sound
came, as the music grew louder. slowly
stood erect on his tail spread his hood,
and swayed to and fro, in accordance with
the measure of the tune. Every change
in volume and tone instantly produced a
corresponding change in the movements
or poise of the snake. AT the tremolo its
body was puffed out; at a sudden change,
initiating the sound of the bagpipes, its
hood was expanded to the utmost dimen-
sions. while a sudden sharp discord made
the creature vince as If under a smart
blow
The polar bear stood upon his hind
legs to listen more intently. walking back
wards and forwards, and humming a half
formed grunt of satisfaction. The two
grizzlies, at the first chord, assumed
critical yet comic attitude of keen atten-
ton each with its head on one side, and
its paws clasping the bars. In the lion
house every head was turned at the first
sound of the violin, and as it grew louder
his majesty began to wave his block tuft
on his tail from side to side, as a cat
does when meditating a spring; while the
lioness made her way straight up to the
bars, as if to push him from the front
seat. The old fable of the snap of
broken string causing terror to the wolf
was next put to the proof, and seems to
be founded on fact. Instantly, at the sud-
den crash, the common wolf set up its
back, and with tail between its legs drew
back with a hideous sneer, and skunk into
a corner.
The flute was chosen to open the con-
cert; the huge beast stood listening with
deep attention, one foot raised from the
ground, and its whole body still; a strong
sign of the effect of music on the most
restless of animals AS long as the flute
continued the stiffness was unbroken; but
al the first sound of the piccolo all was
changed. Its sharp, shrill note was ey-
erywhere resented. The elephant twisted
round and turned his back on the per-
former, whstling. snorting and stamping
his feet. Even the ostrich was offended
al the piccolo. writing its neck, stalk
ing uneasily up and down, as If in dud-
geon. The tiger, who clearly found pleas
ure in the violin, started up in fury at
the first shrill cry of the tiny pipe rush
ing up and down the cage, and lashing
its tail from side to side A soft air from
the flute brought back immediate peace,
and we may fairly infer that the violin
and flute, which human taste has APP
proved as the most pleasing of instru-
ments, are, by some unknown law most
acceptable to the brute creation" No
creature seemed wholly Indifferent to the
charm of music except the seals; while to
all a discord was offensive.