SNAKE-PROOF MEN. To the Editor of The Daily Mail Sir, I was much interested in a little article in The Daily Mail on "Catching Shakes," and I hope other readers will recount the methods they have either seen used or used themselves. In Nyasaland and North Rhodesian kraals are old men known as wafundi, who will (if a young boy shows pluck) inoculate the young would-be snake-catcher with certain muti (medicine) made from dried crushed snake heads and various herbs and tree roots. He is then believed to be- come immune from snake-bites. The youngster whose ambition it is to catch snakes, is first told to run after and hold by the tail a small, snake by the name of "Msarada." If he fears to touch the reptile he is scorned. If he shows grit and pursues it with vigour he is accepted as one of the chosen, and is inoculated on each forearm and each foot (usually on left side of each). He is then able to stand the effects of snake-bites. These youngsters collect a lot of various kinds of snakes and keep them in calabashes, and on occasions take them out and play with them on open spaces. When these boys grow up they are known and respected wherever they go. They will not kill a snake, no matter what you offer them. White men, too, have undergone this inocula- tion process, but the chiefs take a lot of persuad- ing. CANDORDO. Near Salisbury, Rhodesia.