phylloidea was not known, and the suggestion that the 
psychoactive properties of the snuff might be attributable 
to myristicine or some component of it was offered (17). 
Recent investigation of Virola theiodora, however, has 
shown that the resin is rich in tryptamines (2). The 
nyakwana snuff of the Waikas, prepared from resin of 
Virola theitodora with no admixture, contains approxi- 
mately 8% of 5-methoxy N, N-dimethyltryptamine, N, 
N-dimethyltryptamine and traces of other tryptamines 
(9), 
Because of similarity of the psychoactivity of the snuff 
prepared from Virola theiodora and that from J’. calo- 
phylla and V’. calophylloidea, there is now every reason 
to presume that the latter two species owe their effects 
to the same or similar tryptamines as those found in the 
former. ‘These compounds have also been indicated in 
an analysis of the bark of V’7rola calophylla (18). 
As a result of recent chemical studies, /’270/a must 
now be added to the list of South American hallucino- 
gens the effects of which are due to tryptamines. These 
tryptaminic narcotics include Anadenanthera peregrina 
and other species of this leguminous genus; J/imosa 
hostilis; Banisteriopsis Rusbyana; Psychotria psychotriae- 
folia; and possibly Justicia pectoralis var. stenophylla. 
Recent field work in the vicinity of Leticia, Colombia, 
on the Amazon River, has uncovered an interesting new 
method of employing myristicaceous resin orally as a 
psychotomimetic agent. 
In February, 1969, I was engaged in collecting for 
phytochemical study several species of Virola along the 
Rio Loretoyacu near Leticia. One of my native assistants 
was a Witoto Indian—Luis Vargas Martinez—who had 
lived in this region for more than 25 years and with whom 
I had worked over a number of years. He is a native of 
El Encanto on the Rio Karaparana, an affluent of the 
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