THE CAPYBARA. 157 



luxuriant foliage that fringes the banks of South 

 American rivers, but can be driven with sufficient 

 strength to penetrate the singularly tough skin with 

 which the Capybara is guarded against the effects of 

 the water. 



This skin is so strong that it almost deserves the 

 title of hide, and is the only material known that will 

 resist the spear-like points of the agave plant. Yet 

 the hard wooden point of the long arrow can be driven 

 into it, and if it only penetrate for an inch, the fate of 

 the animal is sealed. 



The point is flat, and cut with a series of barbs. 

 It is quite independent of the arrow, being slipped 

 loosely into a square hole at the end of the shaft. As 

 soon, therefore, as the animal feels the wound, it 

 springs forward, and shakes off the shaft, the head 

 remaining in the wound. The effect of the wourali 

 poison with which it is covered is very remarkable. 



It produces an almost instantaneous insensibility. 

 The creature seems to be seized with irresistible 

 drowsiness, which increases momentarily ; and, though 

 it may not die at once, it cannot exert itself, and so 

 falls a victim to its pursuers. Mr. Waterton states 

 that if birds be but slightly wounded with the tiny 

 blow- gun arrow, the point of which is no longer than 

 that of an ordinary darning needle, it can seldom fly 

 more than a yard or two ; but sits nodding on the 

 branch until it falls to the ground. I have only seen 

 one animal die from the effects of the wourali ; and, 

 though the arrow did not penetrate a quarter of an 

 inch into the hip, the creature never moved, but dozed 

 off into death by imperceptible gradations. 



