WOUEALI POISON. 619 



then dipped into it, and if it is found of sufficient strength, 

 it is poured into small pois, which are covered over with leaves 

 and a piece of deer-skin. It is then ke})t in a dry place, or 

 suspended occasionally over a fire, to counteract the effects of 

 damp. 



The poison must be fresh to kill speedily. A bird dies in 

 a minute or so, and the largest animals only survive a few 

 minutes after being struck. Salt is almost a certain antidote 

 to the poison. The Indians, when they wish to preserve an 

 animal alive, scrape off part of the poison, and, as soon as the 

 animal falls, put salt into its mouth, when it speedily re- 

 covers. Monkeys are frequently captured in this way. 

 Europeans accustomed to eat salt seldom suffer from the 

 effects of the poison ; though it is said to produce its usual 

 deadly effects on the natives, when wounded by it, as they 

 i-arely or never consume salt. 



The flesh of the animals killed is in no way injured by the 

 poison, nor does it appear to corrupt sooner than that killed 

 by the gun or knife. 



Bows, with arrows four or five feet long, are used to kill 

 the larger animals. The arrows are made of a yellow reed 

 without joint or knot. A piece of hard wood is inserted into 

 the end, and in this a square hole is made, tightly bound 

 round with cotton to keep it from splitting. Into this square 

 hole a spike is fitted, and dipped in the poison, while at the 

 but-end a couple of feathers are fastened to steady it in its 

 flight. The hunter carries a number of these poisoned spikes. 

 As the spike easily breaks off, or slips out wlien the animal 

 is wounded, he recovers his shaft, into which he can easily re- 

 fit another spike. The spikes are cut half through, to facili- 

 tate their breaking' off 



