TIGERS. 71 



when it is nearly expended, they commence an- 

 other excursion. They are extremely fond of spirits, 

 and of smoking intoxicating herbs ; and live a 

 horrid life, independent of the danger they incur 

 by searching for tigers, and in setting their bows, 

 in the act of which, they are often taken away by 

 the very animals whose destruction they are 

 preparing. 



With respect to the poison, Captain Williamson 

 has also been misinformed. They use only one 

 kind, which is extracted from the roots of a large 

 tree, the bark of which is smooth like the ash, 

 with very large leaves, and is known to the 

 natives, by the name of Boglear, which signifies 

 tiger's poison. An incision is made in the large 

 roots, and a gummy liquid oozes out, which soon 

 inspissates. They mix it with litherage, and apply 

 it, whilst moist, around the extremity of the iron 

 of the arrow, at its insertion into the wood, where 

 a hollow is left for the purpose : it is then wound 

 round with a few turns of fine silk to prevent it from 

 cracking, and then exposed to the sun ; by which, 

 in a short time, it becomes as hard or harder than 

 the wood. The iron point is very short, made with 

 a small barb, and the arrow is discharged with 

 sufficient force to bury the poison in the animal, v 



