The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-02
sNAKEs as PETS.
Ierpcnts brought TO New York for
Fashionable Customers.

CFrom t;ie New York Evening Telegram)
There are numerous superstitions in con-
nection with animals. birds. and reptiles
those Of which We make domestic pets
Of which 7 never dreamed, until Mr. Otto
Eggeling. an aquarist of Harlem, mem
toned the fact TO me few days ago. He
had just shown me some fierce-looking
snakes which had been sent TO him from
the West and for which, he said, he had
several private customers lie added chat
II would astOnish scme people to know
mat snakes are pets in many well-knOwn
families in New York
1 could not imagine why anybody wanted
fierce. hre-spittiGg reptile as a pet. How
could anyone walk through his rooms with
Tie knowledge that one of these poisonous,
Shiny creatures was crawling under his
foot?
All" said Mr. Eggeling. noticing my
surprise, lit is not so much that people
Ike snakes; not at all, II is rather because
OF the superstition connected with them
,hat snakes have become so popular re-
Gently"
Mr.. Eggeling went on to explain that
there was a well-defned superstition that
snakes in the house will keep enemies
away. How or where this superstitiou
originated he could never trace. but it
has found its way into civilized life. so
much so that charms of snakes heads.
snake rings. and snake bracelets were be
ing widely worn.
What there is IN the superstition" con-
tinued Mr.. Eggeling, Il DO not know. but
SO much is certain. il one OF your enemies
knows you have a rattlesnake in your
house he is very apt to steer clear Of il.
However. there is a superstition con-
neCted with every domestic pet. Take
Canaries. for instance. They are said 20
bring happiness into the home. and there
is such a strong belief in this superstition
that should their canary die. some persons
viii neglect everything to procure another
one Immediately. Well. | believe in that
superstition myself A fine singing canary
makes the home brighter more cheerful
and happier, and many an outburst of an
ger is Stilled by the beautiful notes from a
canary's throat.
Now said Mr.. ECEeling pointing O an
aquarium filed with beautiful specimens of
gold fish. here is perhaps the most sensi-
bic superstition Of all These fish are said
TO have the power to absorb all traces OF
disease, and any family having aqu,i-
UNI OF them in their rooms are said 10 De
in no danger OF sickness. Wen. there are
really good. scientific reasons for that be-
lief The water in which they live cO0is
the atmosphere Of the rooms and. al the
same time, attracts all germs ThCs.
germs Hoat on the surface Of the water and
are deNoureo D. the hsh as FOOD. Those
facts are all well known. Water is a great
purifier. and the fish in turn are pu life IS
Of the water. SO you see the superstition
IS well founded and one that ought 70 be
cultivated in every home.
Turtles. too. are regarded as being good
70 keep about the house, as they devCuv in
seCts. and so the list grows, in fact. /
could write q book on the many little SUI
persttiOns connected WITH animals and
birds.
Frogs are considered good to keSp on
rheumatism salamanders ward on colds
and turtle doves ward of fevers Of all
KINDS. Cats and mice too. have their su-
persttions, and in ancient times their bod
les were regarded as something sacred.
But superstition or not every little ami
NAL has its value in this world. and what
may seem to most people only belief is
really a fact. 1 have studied them for
over forty years, and found many a su-
perstiion really the truth.