to medicine-men; they are in exclusive possession of 
neither the trees nor of the knowledge of how to prepare 
the drug. However, it is likely that in many cases a 
medicine-man prepares or directs the preparation of the 
drug, especially with regard to dosage. 
The descriptions of the psychotropic effects, related 
to me by those who have experienced them, are in re- 
markable agreement. It stuns them, makes them lose 
their senses, and leaves their mouths and throats so un- 
pleasantly dry that they can neither swallow nor talk for 
many hours. Their vision is disturbed, bringing objects 
nearer and farther away, and some experience visual hal- 
lucinations, especially of animals that they fear. One 
woman said that taking ‘Munchira’ made her feel 
stronger and younger. Unfortunately, the dominant 
memory is of the long hours with a dry, constricted 
throat which prevented eating, drinking and speaking. 
Informants discussing Datura narcosis often continue on 
with their experiences with biaxti (Banisteriopsis spp.), 
experiences that they usually recall as more pleasant and 
more valuable (6). 
Chemistry 
Chemical analyses of Datura candida ‘Culebra’ 
(Methysticodendron Amesianum) were done within five 
years after its description in 1955 by Schultes. 
Theilkuhl found hyoscyamine and atropine in the 
leaves, though he believed the last-named was produced 
probably during the isolation process (85). Pachter and 
Hopkinson, who worked with thirteen kilograms of dried 
leaves and stems, found four alkaloids present, of which 
{-scopolamine accounted for 80 per cent (25). Atropine 
was also present, but two others in smaller amount were 
not identified. The plant materials for both studies were 
obtained in the Valley of Sibundoy or originated from 
[ 195 ] 
