The Warao of the Orinoco delta fish reluctantly with pis- 
cicides, because they are an essentially fishing people and are 
afraid of offending the Owner of Fish, who will move away, 
taking all his ‘‘people’’ with him if too many of them are killed or 
wasted. They use barbasco only in inconspicuous places, where 
they hope their fishing will pass unnoticed. A Warao will pre- 
serve the larger fishbones in the roof-thatch of his house along 
with other objects that he believes have magic qualities, to 
ensure the good will of the Owner of Fish — and his own future 
luck in fishing (26). It is not known whether he shares a wide- 
spread belief among primitive peoples that, if the bones are 
preserved, the soul of the dead fish is propitiated and may even 
return to life, clothed anew in flesh. 
IV 
Because of wide distribution and similarity of techniques, 
fishing with piscicides (mostly of plant origin) must be assumed 
to be very ancient. Since by its nature this occupation cannot 
have left vestiges in material cultures, it is only on reports of 
observers that any facts or theories can be based today. As the 
earliest observers were not trained scientists, much that they 
have recorded must be accepted cum grano salis. Modern re- 
ports may also be deficient. For example, a botanist may fail to 
mention significant details of procedure, and an ethnologist to 
give clues as to the identity of a plant. 
One interesting type of surviving evidence of the use of pis- 
cicides by primitive peoples and their beliefs about them may be 
found in myths. Originating in pre-literate societies, they reveal 
as perhaps nothing else can, basic attitudes and beliefs. Evolved 
from the life-experiences of generations, transformed again and 
again by countless re-tellings, myths form a body of *‘truth”’ 
often more significant than facts can ever be. 
Several ‘‘origin’’ myths of South American Indian tribes (16) 
tell of the origin of fish poisons. According to an Arawak myth, 
‘‘an old man who was fond of fishing one day took his son with 
him to the river. Wherever the lad swam, the fish died. And yet it 
was Safe to eat them. The father took the lad with him to bathe 
day after day, until the fish knew of his plans and resolved to 
defeat him. They made up their minds to slay the boy. They 
81 
