480 VARIOUS LETTERS legs are about an inch long, black, and very strong; it has two bright yellow lines, latitudinally crossing its back ; it forms its web octagonally between bushes, the diameter being two or three yards ; it places itself in the centre of its web, which is so fine, as to be almost invisible, and attaches to whatever may pass between those bushes. It is said to make always towards the head, before it inflicts its deadly wound. In the cork forests, the sportsman, eager in his pursuit of game, frequently carries away on his garments the te7ideraman, whose bite is so poisonous, that the patient survives but a few hours.

Charmers of serpents (Aisamey—These Aisume 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 Seedij ben Aisah, 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 or dark dress on ; they bite, scratch, and devour any 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 down their clothes. The incredible