Psylli

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Psylli

A class of persons in ancient Italy who had the power of charming serpents. This name was also given by various writers to the snake charmers of Africa, and it is claimed that the serpents twisted round the bodies of these Psylli without doing them any injury, although the reptiles did not have their fangs extracted or broken.

In Kahira, when a viper entered a house, the charmer was sent for, and he enticed it out by the use of certain words. At other times, music was used, and it is believed that the serpents understood what was said to them by the snake charmers, and they acted with complete obedience.

Since vipers do not have ears, thus eliminating the effect of words or music, they may instead respond to movements and body heat.

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