368 EXPLANATORY INDEX. 



colour, and fine in fibre, but the fibres are too short to fit it 

 for manufacture into thread, and for this purpose the native 

 has recourse to another plant belonging to the genus Gossypium, 

 or to the silk-grass. 



The accompanying illustration shows the Arrow when com- 

 plete. In order to make the cotton adhere better to the 

 Arrow, the latter is slightly rubbed with Kurumanni wax, 

 and some of the cotton moulded round it in a sort of spindle 



BLOW-GUN ARROW COMPLETE. 



shape. It is, in the thickest part, slightly wider than the 

 tube of the blow-gun, so as to leave no windage when pro- 

 pelled by the breath. 



One of the chief difficulties in putting in the cotton is to 

 make it exactly symmetrical, for if one side be in the least 

 longer than the other, it cannot fly straight. The cotton is 

 tied on in a sort of chequer patten, with a very fine fibre of 

 silk-grass, and some time is occupied in doing it properly. 

 But, a native cares nothing about time, especially when a 

 faulty Arrow may cost him a meal. 



He generally prepares about ten or twelve for the blow- 

 gun, leisurely fitting and tying the cotton while lying in his 

 hammock. These are kept in the quiver for present use, the 

 others forming a reserve. Should he miss his aim while shoot- 

 ing, he does not search for his Arrow, but takes another. 



The force with which these tiny weapons can be propelled 

 is really wonderful. They can kill birds on the tops of lofty 

 trees where they are far beyond the reach of a shot gun. I have 

 sent them a hundred yards, and have no doubt that a Macoushi 

 Indian could project them much farther. They are perfectly 

 noiseless, and next to invisible, so that when one bird is shot, 

 another on the same tree will not take alarm. 



Arrows, Fish. — These are of considerable length, some of 



