The evening times., 1900-01-02
SNAKES AS PETS.
Ierpents Brought to New York for
Fashionable Customers.


tFrom the 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 I never dreamed, until Mr. Otto
Eggeling an aQuarist. of Harlem. men
ticned the fact to me few days ago. He
had just shown me some herce-loo6ing
snakes which had been sent 10 him from
the West. and for which, he said. he had
several private customers. lie added that
II would astonish sOme people to know
that snakes are pets in many well-EnOwn
families in New York
/ could not imagine why anybody wanted
fierce, fre-spitting reptile as pet How
could anyone walk through his rooms with
the knowledge that one of these poisonous,
Shiny creatures was crawling under his
foot?
"Ah." said MIR Eggeling, noticing my
surprise. lit is not SO much that people
like 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 superstition
originated he could never trace, but ii
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. Eggelng, Il do not know, but
SO much is certain, If one Of your enemies
knows you have a rattlesnake in your
house he is very apt to steer clear of it.
However, there is a superstition con-
nected with every domestic pet. Take
canaries. for instance. They are said TO
bring happiness into the home. and there
is such a strong belief in this superstition
that. should their canary die. some persons
will neglect everything to procure another
one Immediately. Well l believe in that
superstition myself. fine singing canary
makes the home brighter, more cheerful
and happier. and many an outbuTst of an
ger is stilled by the beautiful notes from 4
canary's throat.
Nov" said Mr.. Eggeling, pointing 10 an
aquarium filed with beautiful specimens OF
gold FISH, here is perhaps the most sansi-
BILE superstition Of ali. These FISH are said
to have the power TO absorb all traces of
disease, and any family having an aqu.i-
um OF them in their rooms are said 10 he
in no danger Of sickness. Well. there are
really good. scientific reasons for that be-
lief The water in which they live cGois
the atmosphere OF the rooms and, at the
same time attracts all germs. Th6ss
germs float on the surface Of the water and
are deyoured by the fish as food. Those
facts are all well known. Water is a great
purifier. and the fish in turn are pu life s
Of the water So you see the superstition
is well foJ2Ced and one that ought TO be
cultivated in every home.
Turtles too are regarded as being good
20 keep about the house. as they devCuT in
seots. and 50 the list grows; in fact, /
could write a book on the many little su-
persti-ions connected with animals and
birds.
Frogs are considered good to kesp of
rheumatism. salamanders ward of colds,
and turtle doves ward OFF fevers OF all
kinds Cats and mice, toe, have their su-
persti.ious 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 l have studied them for
over forty years and found many su-
persiiijon really he truth.