, actually scans its lips, and, almost without resistance,
becomes a meal for its enemy. During such a proceeding the
snake is generally observed with its head raised about ten or
twelve inches above the branch round which its body and tail
are entwined, with its mouth open and its neck inflated, as if
anxiously endeavoring to increase the terror which it would
almost appear it was aware would sooner or later bring within
its grasp some one of the feathered group.

"Whatever may be said in ridicule of fascination, it is
nevertheless true that birds, and even quadrupeds, are, under
certain circumstances, unable to retire from the presence of
certain of their enemies; and, what is even more
extraordinary, unable to resist the propensity to advance from
a situation of actual safety into one of the most imminent
danger. This I have often seen exemplified in the case of
birds and snakes; and I have heard of instances equally
curious, in which antelopes and other quadrupeds have been so
bewildered by the sudden appearance of crocodiles, and by the
grimaces and contortions they practiced, as to be unable to
fly or even move from the spot toward which they were
approaching to seize them."--Dr. Andrew Smith's "Reptilia".

In addition to these interesting statements of the most able
naturalist from whom I have taken this note, it may be added
that fire exercises a fascinating effect on some kinds of
toads. They may be seen rushing into it in the evenings
without ever starting back on feeling pain. Contact with the
hot embers rather increases the energy with which they strive
to gain the hottest parts, and they never cease their
struggles for the centre even when their juices are
coagulating and their limbs stiffening in the roasting heat.
Various insects, also, are thus fascinated; but the scorpions
may be seen coming away from the fire in fierce disgust, and
they are so irritated as to inflict at that time their most
painful stings.

Some of the Bayeiye we met at Sebituane's Ford pretended to be
unaffected by the bite of serpents, and showed the feat of lacerating
their arms with the teeth of such as are unfurnished with the
poison-fangs. They also swallow the poison, by way of gaining notoriety;
but Dr. Andrew Smith put the sincerity of such persons to the test by
offering them the fangs of a really poisonous variety, and