Cso0H44O9 (cymarin), and in the form CsgH Oi. (K- 
strophanthin eta). 
The last ordeal poison of this area is Mrythrophleum 
africana G. Don. of the Leguminosae (also known as 
Gleditschia africana Welw.). Its active principle, the 
cardiac glycoside erythrophlein, was extracted from the 
bark of the roots or stems. The observed physiological 
effects were similar to those of #. Cowminga, there being 
but slight modifications due to differences in concentra- 
tion. 
The methods of employing these minor plants and 
their poisons in the ordeal probably varied little from the 
normal procedures of East Africa. However, since de- 
scriptions of its use occasionally trace the symptoms of 
poisoning through to death, it is fairly certain that they 
experienced some use among the more serious tribes of 
the western Lake Nyassa district where death was often 
included in the ordeal. 
CENTRAL AND WeEsT AFRICA 
It is in these areas that the ordeal poisons achieved a 
noteworthy diversification both of plant sources and 
methods of employment. It is also here that the ordeal 
reached a frequency and adepth of solemnity far greater 
than in the eastern and southern regions. Why this situ- 
ation should have existed is a mystery, for all Africa 
abounds in poisonous plants of every description. Postu- 
lations concerning the natives’ temperament are hap- 
hazard and almost impossible to substantiate. It may 
only be suggested that an unusual degree of superstition 
probably combined with the deep-seated belief that death 
was a violence against nature. The ordeal then may have 
risen to great prominence as the detector of the cause of 
these violences. 
[ 287 ] 
