As indicated by the specific epithet, Patinoa ichthyo- 
toxvica possesses fish-stunning properties and is valued by 
the Tikuna Indians of the Leticia area of the Colombian 
Amazon as a fish poison. These natives, who know the 
tree as té-ha-ra and the pulp of the fruit as go-te-har-ra, 
collect and dry the abundant fibrous-farinaceous pulp 
and store it for use during the year. It is not the most 
commonly employed fish poison among the 'Tikunas, but 
it is utilized especially when they make a canoe trip of 
several days’ duration, because it is so easy to carry ina 
rubberized bag. ‘The crushed, dried pulp is cast out over 
the surface of small, still inlets or “‘lagos’’ where the 
flow or movement of the imprisoned water is negligible. 
Within 20 to 80 minutes, small fish float to the surface 
stunned and are gathered up by the Indians. 
Some Tikunas state that the seeds are roasted and 
eaten, while others insist that it is a dangerous food 
liable to induce serious diarrhoea and painful intestinal 
cramps. This disagreement on the part of the natives 
may be significant. It could reflect differences in prepa- 
ration of the seeds for eating, but it may have a deeper 
meaning. The pulp of Patinoa Almirajo is commonly 
used as a food in the Choco of Colombia, but P. paraen- 
sis of the Brazilian Amazon has a fruit which is said to 
be ‘‘not edible’’. (LeCointe, P.: ‘‘A Amazonia Brasil- 
eira III. Arvores e Plantas Uteis’’ (1934) 146). This 
reference may concern the pulp of the fruit instead of the 
seeds: it is not clear. The seeds of Patinoa paraensis are 
reported (Le Cointe, loc. cit.) to contain 24.6% of a 
viscous yellow oil which solidifies only at a very low 
temperature (-15° C). 
Patinoa ichthyotowica is not cultivated. It grows in the 
dense forests along the river’s edge but just above the 
flood-level. It is common in the estradas (‘‘tapping cir- 
cuits’’) of Hevea brasiliensis, and native rubber tappers 
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