The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-31
SOME SNAKE MYTHS
 ARE EXPLODED Devoid of Wisdom and Power
 to Charm Play GOOD FOOD BUT NOT PETS Scientist Says That Snakes Are Not Hostile to Man and That They Have Great Curiosity.
 Reptile Lore.

Snakes are all right as food, but very unsatisfactory as pets for the reason that they have no psychological nature" said scientist. During a Six years resi- dence in the west he made close study of snakes and their ways. Having them in his study unconfined and about his premises In numbers. he became familiar with them. says the Washington Post.
 The wisdom of a serpent he pronounces myth, though he admits that snakes have much cunning. are willy to a de- gree, and perfectly understand their pow CTS and limitations. For example. a rattle snake does not retreat in haste when disturbed. Realizing that It's bite ends the game. 1t is invariably deliberate, but if left to itself in its own good time it makes off
 Other venomous snakes also recede slowly, understanding. as does the rattler that they are equal to most emergencies Contrary to the common notion, snakes are not hostile to man. The most venom ous and powerful will run from man If possible. It is only In self-defense that any poisonous snake strikes
 That a rattlesnake rattles to give warn ing of its presence is a popular fallacy It really does nothing of the kind The tails of all snakes culver when excited and therefore the ratter is heard when disturbed. Why it has rattles on it's tail no one has ever been able to find out.
 The chief difference between the ways Of poisonous snake and of one whose bite Is no more than the sting of mos quito is In the deliberate withdrawal of the one and the nasty retreat of the other in case of danger. The large majority of snakes are quite harmless and slip away with all speed at the approach of either a human being or an animal knowing that the ability to conceal themselves is their one means of preservation.
 Curious as Woman.
 While not crediting snakes with wisdom, 1t Is stated that in many ways they are the reverse of stupid. They are very cu- rious, and when they can do so without danger to themselves, they examine an unfamiliar object with keen and repeat ed attention.
 It is related by this scientist that in at- tempting to capture a water snake he put his foot on it in the soft ooze at the creek side, but failed to hold it. To see what the snake would do he stood per- fectly still, and in few moments 1t came back and, swimming slowly round and round his boot, examined 1t most care fully, not, as might be supposed, by look ing at It. but by touching 1t at every point by hls tongue, not once, but again anu again.
 The quick thrusting out and drawing In of the tongue is a snakes way of flnd- ing out what things about 1t mean. The tongue Is It's most important sense organ. It really has very little sensation else where, and those that are most poisonous can, if not restrained or hurt be moved about with impunity.
 Yet those who handle and study snakes constantly invariably hold them by the back of the neck, as a cat does a kitten and both seize and liberate them with a1acrity. Before they are seized the rule is to keep out of striking distance, which Is one-third of the length of the snake
 Tn the college town where these studies of snakes were made the antipathy and horror with which they are ordinarily re- garded no longer prevails On one occa- sion a city visitor at the scientists house announced In terror that there was snake on the steps of the porch.
 ''Yes; it's summing itself" her hostess replied, easily. "I often fear some one will step on 1t. For several years 1t has been about the grounds It Is quite harm less, though occasionally It captures and devours a young robin. Snakes are so very fond of birds, and they require live food"