The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-12
EFFECT OF MUSIC ON BEASTS.
Queer Results Of Experiments Tried
at Geological Gardens.

| Experiments have recently n
made in the geological Gardc.-. an
London, as to the effect OF music on
animals. The, sound OF the violin was
irst tried ON the tarantua spider. but
without result A nest OF scorpions.
however. showed the liveliest susccpti-
bilities. or the monitor lizard we are
told; The very moment he heard tpc
first sound OF the violin. he raised his
head. and was alert and listening. Then
the fori<cd tongue came out. playing
incessantly around his lips. and. as the
music became soft and low. the lizard
grew quite still. but for gentle sway
ing of the head
In the next cage all heads were rails
ed, and fOrked tongues played. while
at 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
grain OF interest. and the boa was al
most as Indifferent. but the deadly CO.
bra, which the Indian snake master
wins from his hiding place In the old
wall at the sound OF a 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 in
stantly 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 n corresponding change in
the movements or poise OF the snake.
At the tremolo its body was puffed
out; at sudden change, initiating the
sound OF the bagpipes. its hood was
expanded TO the utmost dimensions.
while sudden sharp discord made the
creature vince as ifunder a smart blow
The polar bear stood upon his hind
legs TO listen more intently. walking
backwards and forwards. and hum
ming half-formed grunt OF satisfac-
tion. The two grizzlies. at the first
chord. assumed critical yet comic
attitude. OF keen attention. each with
its head on one side.and its paws clasp
ing the bars. In the lion house every
head was turned at the first sound OF
the violin, and, as ii grew louder his
majesty began TO wave his black tuft
on his tail from side To side as cat
does when meditating a spring. while
the lioness made her way straight up
TO the bars as Ii to push him from the
'front.' seat. The old fable OF the snap Of
a broken string causing terror to the
woif was nextput TO the proof. anc
seems TO be founded on fart. Instant
ly at the sudden crash. the common
woif set up it's back. and. with tail be.
tween Its legs. drew back with hid
eons sneer. and slunk into a corner
The fute was chosen to open a con-
cert. for huge elephant that stood lis
tening with deep attention. one foot
raised from the ground. and it's whole
body still--a strong sign OF the effect
or music on the most restless of ami
mails. As long as the flute continued
the stiffness was unbroken: but at the
nrsf sound OF the piccolo all was
changed. Its sharp. shrlI note was ev-
erywhere resented. The eleDhant twist
ed round. and turned his back on tho
performer. whistling. snorting and
stamping his feet Even the ostrich
was offended ut the piccolo, wrlthinr
It's neck. stalking uneasiiv I'D and
down. az II in dudeeon. The tiger. who
clearly found Measure in tho violin.
started np in fury at the FIRST shriii
cry OF the tiny pine. rushing np and
down the cage. and lnshing it's tail
from side m side. A soft air from the
flute BROUGHT book immesiate peg and
we NAV fairly infer that the violin and
flute which human taste has approve
cd as the most pleasing of Instruments.
are. hv some unknown law. most ac-
ceptable To the brute creation No
creature seemed wholly Indifferent to
the charm OF music. except the seals:
while 20 all discord was offensive.