is the only one that w ill attack travfellers';J in dòing which, it coils itself'up, and darts to a great distance, by the elasticity o f its bod y and tail. I have seen it coil itself, and erect its head about twelve or ' eighteen inches above the ground, expanding it at the same time When it darted forward. T h e wound inflicted by the bite is small,' but the surrounding part immedia te ly iurns black, which colour soon pervades thè whole body, and the sufferer éxpires in a v e ry short time. This serpent is carried about b y the (Aisawie*) charmers o f serpents. E l Effiih is the name o f the other serpent remarkable for its * 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 Aisaht) 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 ór dark dress on ; they bite, scratch, and devour • àny 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 dòwn their clothes. The incredible accounts of their feats would fill a volume; the following observations may suffige to give the reader an idea of these extraordinary fanatics. The Buska and the El Effah here described, 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. 1 have often enqtiired 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 thesb miracles they mairithin themselves in a miserable way, by donations from the spectators before-whom they exhibit. This art of fascinating serpents was known by the ancient Africans,, as appears from the Marii and Psylli, who were Africans, and shewed proofs of it at liom e. Aisah signifies Jesus: thus Jesus Christ is denominated by the Mohammedans, Seedna Aisah, i. e. Our Lord Jesus.
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