Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-08-31
SECRETS SNARE CHARMING.
Some Tricks of the Trade That Deceive
Peopie.

Some Tricks of the Trade That Deceive
People.
Some time ago there appeared in one
of the daily papers a wonderful story OF
a snake which was charmed by the
strains OF jewsharp. The story was
to the effect that countryman, meet
ing dangerous reptile in road, was
Mortified at seeing the creature prepare
to attack him. Being an enthusiastic
performer upon the jewsharp, he imme-
diately struck up the tune "St. Pat
rick's Day in the Morning." which
either paralyzed the serpent with
establishment or sent series of senti-
mental chils down its undulating YER
tebrae. At any rate, says the New York
Times, it discarded all hostile inten-
tions and became motionless, when the
countryman mercilessly ground its head
into the dust.
This is an example of the many
"snake stories" which appear con-
stantly before the eyes of credulous
humanity. 1t originates, like all of its
kind, from superstitious sources. Snakes
are utterly devoid of any sense of ap-
| probation Of music. They have no
ears. and, although they may distin-
guish vibrations OF heavy sounds upon
| tlOiI pCiCievc oSutCSy u NoibNicdoS ibh
CRY serpent is entirely ignorant of the
presence of chirping bird, providing
| it does not see or scent its prey. The
familiar exhibitions of the East Indian
fakirs. during which the deadly cobra
| is made to dance" to the music of a
| flute, have led many to believe that
| these creatures are extremely sensitive
| to the sound of music. But exhibit
tions of this character are only tricks
practiced by the clever Hindu, and the
cobra, instead of being in quiescent,
charmed condition, as it waves its
body to and fro, is really in fit Of in.
tense anger.
Not long ago large cobra was in the
possession of DIR. Joseph G. Thompson
of Rosebank, 8. l., an assistant sur
geon in the United States navy. This
reptile was purchased by DR.. Thomp
son in South Africa. 1t was then il
the possession of some professional
snake charmers. After it had left theil
hands it was made to go through 8
lievly performance without the accom-
paniment of the weird music of thu
fakir.
The operation of making the cobri
dance is very simple. The reptile ha
the characteristic habit Of elevatint
the forward part of the body from TIN
ground when annoyed, spreading it
neck or hood, and glaring fiercely a
the object of its anger. When in thi
position its keen eyes watch eagerly TO
, chance to deliver deadly blow, OBJ
serving every movement of the obiec
or person in front of it. If one moves
no matter how slightly, there is cor
| responding nervous movement on tn
L. at,4t
, secret of the snake dance is explained
When the Hindu opens the snak
| baskets the cobras rise ominously
, their peculiar positions of defence. Fl
, now commands the snakes to dance, a
/ the same time beginning lively tun
: upon his flute and swaying his bod
, | from side to side in time to the music
! The nervous copras follow every motto
, of the supposed charmer. They are nc
I dancing to the music, but, intensel
! angered, are seeking to revenge them
selves upon their human captor.
' The snake charming act of the be
I spangled female, with the giant bos
/ and pythons at the circus, is even MOI
/ simple. The large snakes used in thes
exhibitions are, in the first place, of
: harmless nature. Secondly, they al
q most inoffensiye in their habits. TT
! lazy boa will lie for hours, Or day
/ motionless in its cage, and when SUI
( denly awakened from a long nap,
q utterly indifferent to what is going c
around it. After few weeks IN cal
tivity, these huge reptiles become vel
tame, and seem to enjoy being handle
by one familiar with their movement
The chief requisites of a "snal
charmer'' are great deliberation ar
sufficient nerve to handle TO- foot bt
n or anaconda without the slightest hes
Y tation. A nervous movement is apt
n annoy the serpent, and cause it to bit
II while if treated gently and handle
! with movements corresponding to i
l. sluggish habits, it evinces the utmo
y good nature.
h Accounts have been published
9 large snakes coiling themselves abo
% the object of their annoyance al
y demonstrating in an exceedingly u
ls comfortable, If not dangerous, mann
d the power of their scaly bodies. TIL
d characteristic is popularity supposed
Y he commonly resorted to by the "b
J. constructor, but the idea is pure
% erroneous and originates from an ave
le sion to the serpent race from whit
le have sprung innumerable fallacies al