SNAKESKIN AND BOOKMARKS

[Dominik Wujastyk]

In message Mon, 10 Jan 94 16:41:22 GMT,
  ALLEN W THRASHER <THRASHER at MAIL.LOC.GOV>  writes:

> In several Sanskrit and Hindi Mss  that have been offered to
> the            Library of Congress, one Ms has what appears to be
> fragments of a            snake's cast-off skin.   Is anyone aware  of
> religious or magical            uses of these in India, or  any reason
> why they should be kept in            a  book, beyond  books  being
> convenient for storing flat  things            like letters, addresses,
> and money?

I've found snakeskin in Sanskrit MSS too, from time to time.  I'd be
similarly interested in any light that could be shed (ho ho) on this
matter.

Dominik
--
Dominik Wujastyk           Phone (and voice messages): +44 71 611 8467
Wellcome Institute, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE.