72 IN THE GUIANA FOREST. 



nervation. To the Indian these shapes and 

 markings mean something ; they indicate the 

 special use of the plant. It is the old doctrine 

 of "signatures," so well known to the European 

 herbalist, who once considered lungwort to be 

 a remedy for diseases of the lungs, because its 

 leaves were spotted like that organ. It is prob- 

 ably one of those ideas which originated in more 

 than one place and at different ages. If there 

 is a question of priority it may possibly be claimed 

 for the American race in this case as in 

 inoculation. 



The tubers of the Caladiums, as well as those 

 of some other plants used as beenas, contain an 

 acrid juice which causes stinging pain when rubbed 

 into a scratch or cut. Nevertheless, the Indian 

 takes up a blade of razor-grass, a piece of broken 

 glass, or a knife, and gashes his arms, breast, or 

 shins, until an onlooker feels almost faint. The 

 man who rubs in his particular beena thinks 

 that every twinge is proving the good effect of 

 his charm. How could he know it was working 

 if there were no pain? He is of the same 

 opinion as a coolie who once asked us for some 

 "don* ca' damn bush," and explained that the 

 acrid poisonous Dieffenbachia was to rub his 

 legs for rheumatism. On our warning him that 



