76 WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA 



capital of Demerara; the horse never betrayed 

 the least symptom of being affected by it. 



Wishful to obtain the best information concern- 

 ing this poison, and as repeated inquiries, in lieu 

 of dissipating the surrounding shade, did but tend 

 more and more to darken the little light that ex- 

 isted, I determined to penetrate into the country 

 where the poisonous ingredients grow, where this 

 pernicious composition is prepared, and where it 

 is constantly used. Success attended the adven- 

 ture ; and the information acquired made amends 

 for one hundred and twenty days passed m the 

 solitudes of Guiana, and afforded a balm to the 

 wounds and bruises which every traveller must 

 expect to receive who wanders through a thorny 

 and obstructed path. 



Thou must not, courteous reader, expect a dis- 

 sertation on the manner in which the wourali- 

 poison operates on the system ; a treatise has been 

 already written on that subject, and after all, 

 there is probably still reason to doubt. It is sup- 

 posed to affect the nervous system, and thus de- 

 stroy the vital functions; it is also said to be 

 perfectly harmless, provided it does not touch the 

 blood. However, this is certain, when a sufficient 

 quantity of it enters the blood, death is the inevit- 

 able consequence; but there is no alteration in 

 the colour of the blood, and both the blood and 

 flesh may be eaten with safety. 



All that thou wilt find here is a concise, una- 

 dorned account of the wourali-poison. It may be 

 of service to thee some time or other, shouldst 

 thou ever travel through the wilds where it is 

 used. Neither attribute to crueltv, nor to a want 



