110 INTRODUCTION. 



in diameter, and contains a white gummy milk of 

 an acrid taste. After a sufficient quantity of hai- 

 ari root has been collected, and the spot in the river 

 has been fixed upon, a large space is inclosed. If it 

 be among the falls where the pacu lias its haunts, 

 the ledges of the rocks frequently afiford opportunity 

 of lightening the labour of inclosing a spot above 

 where the lacis is in abundance, and which plant 

 constitutes the favourite food of that fish. By 

 means of a wall of loose stones, and hurdles made 

 of light wood, the remainder of the barrier is ac- 

 complished ; two or three spaces are generally left 

 open, for which likewise hurdles are prepared, but 

 which are not closed until they intend to commence 

 to poison the water. These openings are, lastly, 

 closed with daybreak, but previously the hai-ari has 

 been prepared. They beat it upon the rocks with 

 heavy sticks until it is in shreds ; and a corial or 

 canoe having been filled with water, they immerse 

 the hai-ari and turn it about, until the water has a 

 milky whiteness. If the canoe is not too large, it is 

 now carried to the spot which has been inclosed, 

 and the infusion is thro-WTi at different spots into it. 

 The first symptoms that the poison has taken effect 

 are observable in about ten or fifteen minutes ; the 

 fish rise to the surface, commence to swim unsteady, 

 jump out of the water, and attempt to pass the 

 stone-walls and hurdles ; ultimately, they gasp vio- 

 lently for air, the gill-covers remain open, and 

 turning the belly upwards, they die. As soon as 

 the poison has taken proper effect, the fish may be 



