cii Proceedings of the Botanical Society 



VI. Note regarding Stroplianthus hispidus, Be, along with 

 Specimens received at the Royal Botanic Garden. By 

 Mr John Buchanan, Associate, Blantyre, Shire 

 Highlands, East Africa. 



June 28, 1881. 



I went myself specially to the Shir6, with a view of getting all 

 that Professor Fraser requires. The woody climber is not in flower 

 at this season, and it was almost by chance that I got leaves 



The Stroplianthus grows on the Shire Eiver, and extends north 

 beyond the Murchison Cataracts. I am told that it is plentiful, 

 but I have only seen two plants, both on the lower Shire. The stem 

 is of immense length, and on the ground many great folds of it are 

 lying in various directions. In ascending, the stem coils itself 

 round other trees, and ascends to the top. The leaves sent are 

 taken from a young rod of this year's growth, part of which I send. 

 The stem, on being cut, gives out a milky juice of a gummy nature, 

 and exceedingly bitter. I am not yet able to say whether it is in 

 sufficient quantity to supply a demand for its use as a medicine. 



I think the Stroplianthus wUl flower about January, but I cannot 

 say definitely, as I have not seen it. The follicles, I believe, will 

 be ripe generally in July and August. I have not heard of Stro- 

 plianthus being used as a medicine amongst the natives. They have 

 too great a dread of it to use it in this way. It is well known as an 

 arrow poison, and is used more than any other, and is the most 

 deadly poison they have. 



The method of preparing the Stroplianthus poison is as foUows : — 

 A man takes a follicle and puts seeds with the wool attached into 

 a pot. He then takes a small piece of bamboo, which has the thin 

 splits inserted crosswise in the end. This he revolves speedily by 

 rubbing it between his hands. The seed is put in motion, and falls 

 to the bottom of the pot; the wool rises and comes out at the 

 top, and is carried away by the least breath of wind. The seeds 

 are then put into a small mortar and pounded into a paste, which is 

 then ready for use. 



It is common to mix the mill<;y juice of a Euphorbia with it to 

 make it stick on the arrow, and they also use the sap of a tree, 

 specimens of which I sent last year, for the same purpose. The tree 

 is known by the name of Tenza, and is so named in my last collec- 

 tion. An animal struck by an arrow thus poisoned is said to live 

 only a few seconds. This poison is used in the native wars with 

 deadly effect. (Vide Proe. Roy. Soc. Ed., 1869-70, p. 99; also 

 Oliver in Hook Ic. t, 1098). 



