Fascination in Man

Abstract

HAVING frequently seen it stated in popular works on natural history as well as in some books of travels (chiefly Australian) that certain snakes possessed the power of so fascinating, with their gaze, birds and other creatures as to be able to seize upon and devour them without any difficulty, I am induced to inquire if such a power is peculiar to the serpent tribe or not, and incidentally to ask if any instances of its influence or extension can be traced, up the scale of creation, to man himself. Being of opinion that such is the case, while it has occurred to me that many of the fatal accidents that occur in the streets of large cities, such ai London, &c., might be ascribed to some such agency or sensation, I am induced to call attention to the circumstance in these pages, and to submit the following as my own personal contributions towards the inquiry:—