884 The Blow-Gun. 



doubt over the information which travelers have obtained of its 

 composition. Our knowledge of its ingredients is due mainly to 

 Watterton,* who spent much time among the natives of Guiana. 

 From them he received the information that the ingredients of 

 the poison were the wourali vine (which is nearly allied to the 

 strychnus toxifera which furnishes the nux vomica from which 

 strychnine is made), the bitter root of the hyarri plant, the glutinous 

 juices expressed from the stems of two bulbous plants ; two kinds of 

 ants, one a huge black one, whose venomous sting often causes a 

 fever, the other a small red insect, whose sting is like the thrust of a 

 red-hot needle ; and lastly, the poison-bags of the labarri and cou- 

 anacouchi snakes. Boiling water is poured over the scrapings of the 

 wourali and hyarri woods, which are placed in a colander resting on 

 an earthen pot. Into the decoction which flows into the pot the 

 Indian now squeezes the gelatinous juice of the bulbous plant, and 

 then adds the serpents' poison and the ants. This mixture is sim- 

 mered down to the consistence of molasses. The pot is then tightly 

 closed with leaves and a skin, and always kept in a dry place. 



"The act of preparing the poison," says Mr. Watterton, "is not 

 considered as a common one ; the savage may shape his bow, fasten 

 the barb on the point of his arrow, and make his other implements 

 of destruction, either lying in his hammock or in the midst of his 

 family; but if he has to prepare the wourali poison, many precau- 

 tions are supposed to be necessary. 



" The women and young girls are not allowed to be present, 

 lest the Yabahou, or evil spirit, should do them harm. The shed 

 under which it has been boiled is pronounced polluted, and abandoned 

 ever after. He who makes the poison must eat nothing that morn- 

 ing, and must continue fasting as long as the operation lasts. The 

 pot in which it is boiled must be a new one, and must never have 

 held anything before, otherwise the poison would be deficient in 

 strength ; add to this that the operator must take particular care not 

 to expose himself to the vapor which arises from it while on the fire. 



" Though this and other precautions are taken, such as frequently 

 washing the face and hands, still, the Indians think that it affects the 



* " Wanderings in South America, the North-west of the United States, and the 

 Antilles, in the years 1812, 1816, 1820, and 1821." By Charles Watterton, Esq. 

 London, Macmillan & Co., 1879. 



