Snake Fascinated by Cat.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 31 July 1914, Page 2

Snake Fascinated by Cat.

It is stated that the cat has hypnotic power over snakes. A gentleman who had lived forty-six years in India writes t'wat Ms lift* '■■■ ■, been twice saved by his cat. On one occasion he walked to the veranda and actually trod on a cobra that was sitting up ready to strike. He expected every minute to ieel the deadly fangs, and wondered why it delayed, when. looking round, he noticed his cat crouching and gazing at the reptile with mesmeric effect, for it seemed unable to move, and while in this condition lie killed it. Another time, when sleeping on an open cot in the veranda, he woke to find on one" side of the bed a huge cpbra with head erect, ready to strike, on the other the glistening green eyes of his cat. The snake remained quite still, so lie rah into the room to fetch a gun, and, coming back, poked the reptile's head with the barrel, but it did not take the slightest notice, and scorned like a stuffed and lifeless creature. He then placed his hand in front of the cat's eyes by way ofexperiment, when immediately the spell was removed, the cobra raised itself, hissed, and assumed an offensive attitude. He then took his hand away and the reptile became transfixed again, in which state it was shot.