CHAP. iv.l POISONING BY STRYCHNIA. 41 



way, however, of destroying foxes (I am speaking of course of 

 foxes of the Highlands, where no hounds are kept) is by poison. 

 But then the rabbit or bait in which the poison is laid should not 

 be touched by the hand, so suspicious is this animal of the slight- 

 est taint of man. The most artistic way is to catch a rabbit or 

 crow in a trap, and having killed it with a stick, a small slit 

 should be cut in the head, without however touching the animal 

 with the hand ; into this hole three or four grains of the poison 

 called Strychnia should be dropped. So powerful is this poison, 

 that a fbx having eaten the above quantity seldom goes thirty 

 yards before he dies. Strychnia is the concentrated part of Nux 

 vomica. Though frequently much adulterated, it can generally 

 be obtained of sufficient strength from any respectable druggist. 

 The Strychnia is, I believe, mixed with a little alkali, to prevent 

 its power being destroyed by exposure to the air. In poisoning 

 crows with it, a very small quantity is sufficient, and it should 

 be put into a slit in the skin or the eye of a dead animal. Before 

 a carrion crow has taken three or four pecks at the poisoned 

 carrion he falls backwards perfectly dead. Weazels, stoats, and 

 all vermin are destroyed by it with equal ease. The drug having 

 no smell, these animals are not shy of eating a dead rabbit or 

 bird on which it has been placed. Foxes and large vermin 

 always commence at the head of their prey, while for smaller 

 vermin and birds a hole should be cut in the skin to receive the 

 poison, as they generally begin their operations whenever they 

 see an opening, where the flesh is exposed to view. It is need- 

 less to give a warning against using this powerful drug rashly, 

 as no man in his senses would place it anywhere but in the most 

 secure situations. " It is worth remembering, that foxes, carrion 

 crows, and many other destructive animals will eat a dead rat, 

 whereas no dog will do so. By poisoning the dead bodies of 

 this animal, therefore, no risk is run of destroying your dogs. 

 An equally good way of applying Strychnia is in the body of a 

 wild duck or a wood-pigeon. Many a fox, whose worldly expe- 

 rience nearly ensures him safety from trap or gin, will fall a 

 victim to this poison ; for so small a quantity is necessary, and 

 so scentless is it, that a sufficient dose is swallowed before the 

 animal discovers its presence in anything which he is eating. 

 From the extreme rapidity with which it acts, destroying life 



