nes, latitudinally crossing its back; it
forms its web octagonally between bushes, the diameter being two or
three yards; it places itself in the centre of its web, which is so
fine, as to be almost invisible, and attaches to whatever may pass
between those bushes. It is said to make always towards the head,
before it inflicts its deadly wound. In the cork forests, the
sportsman, eager in his pursuit of game, frequently carries away on
his garments the _tenderaman_, whose bite is so poisonous, that the
patient survives but a few hours.

Charmers of serpents (_Aisawie_).--These _Aisawie_ have a
considerable sanctuary at Fas. They go to Suse in large bodies
about the month of July to collect serpents, which they pretend to
render harmless by a certain form of words, incantation, or
invocation to _Seedy ben Aisah_, their tutelary saint. They have an
annual feast, at which time they dance and shake their heads
quickly, during a certain period, till they become giddy, when they
run about the towns frantic, attacking any person that may have a
black or dark dress on; they bite, scratch, and devour any thing
that comes in their way. They will attack an _unjumma_, or portable
fire, and tear the lighted charcoal to pieces with their hands and
mouths. I have seen them take the serpents, which they carry about,
and devour them alive, the blood streaming down their clothes. The
431 incredible accounts of their feats would fill a volume; the
following observations may suffice to give the reader an idea of
these extraordinary fanatics. The _buska_ and the [238]_el effah_
are enticed out of their holes by them; they handle them with
impunity, though their bite is ascertained to be mortal; they put
them into a cane basket, and throw it over their shoulders: these
serpents they carry about the country, and exhibit them to the
people. I have seen them play with them, and suffer them to twist
round their bodies in all directions, without receiving any injury
from them. I have often enquired how they managed to do this, but
never could get any direct or satisfactory answer; they assure you,
however, that faith in their saint, and the powerful influence of
the name of the divinity, (_Isim Allah_,) enables them to work
these miracles: they maintain themselves in a miserable