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JOGIS.
(205)

These Jogis must not be confounded with Jogis who are religious devotees,an Illustration of whom was given, No. 158 of Vol. III. They are a low caste, migratory tribe, found almost all over India, who share the profession of catching, and, to a certain extent, taming snakes, with Mahomedans of the same character. The Photograph displays two of the tribe exhibiting cobra capellas, or nags, and playing to them upon an instrument made of a gourd of peculiar shape, into which a reed with holes is fitted, which has six holes; sometimes there are two reeds set side by side. The sound is like that of a flageolet, and is often mellow and sweet, but there is little attempt made at time or melody. Strange as it may seem, the hooded snakes appear to delight in the sound. They raise themselves, spread out their hoods, and sway their necks to and fro in time to the music, occasionally making darts at the end of the pipe when it is thrust at them. These snakes are caught at their holes when needed by the snake charmers, and not without risk. After playing for a while, the wily reptile will be seen at the entrance of his hole, when the music becomes louder and more exciting; the Jogi withdraws gradually, and the snake follows, till he is far enough to be caught adroitly by the neck or by the tail, and, in the latter case, the captor runs his hand rapidly along the body up to the head, when the jaws are seized; the head is then held on the ground, and the poison fangs forced out by a pronged stick. After this, the reptile is harmless, and is gradually educated for exhibition; but Jogis assert that it takes a long time for them to recover their courage. 

To preserve themselves against the effects of snake bites, Jogis have several antidotes known to themselves, among which is the well authenticated snake stone. What its peculiar consistence or properties are, are perhaps unknown; but if affixed to a snake bite, or sting of a scorpion, it undoubtably holds fast, and draws off the poison. The Jogis themselves, however, believe that their safety depends upon the "Mantras," or incantations, which are hereditary secrets among them that are never divulged, and not upon antidotes. These snake exhibitors have