290 ANIMISM AND FOLK-LORE OF GUIANA INDIANS [eth. ann. 30 



made up into rings worn on the fingers; but this would appear to be 

 a discovery learned from the negro slaves (G, ii, 225). 



340A. The apphcation of red paint was sometimes considered a 

 tahsman agaiast sickness and disease. Thus, among the Makusis of 

 the Rupunini the mothers ceremonially rub red (aromatic) paint on 

 the heads of their children, who are then supposed to be protected 

 from Ulness and the power of Evil Spirits (ScR, i, 366). The men 

 [Guahibos of the Vichada River, Orinoco] then squatted on the little 

 benches, and the women painted them from top to toe with a red paste; 

 this, the women said, would protect them from sicknesses (Cr, 548). 

 On the branches of the upper Rio Negro also red paint was considered 

 a prophylactic against disease (KG, i, 158; ii, 85, 150). The applica- 

 tion of blood would almost seem to have had an antecedent origin, 

 from which that of the red paint was but a development, and yet, 

 strange to say, the positive evidence now available points rather to 

 the reputed cm*ative than the protective power of the vital fluid. Thus 

 in some cases the father, when the child is weakly, has his own flesh 

 cut in close parallel lines: the blood flowing from the wounds is 

 mixed with water for washing and strengthening the child (Da, 250). 

 Among the Island Caribs, after the couvade the child's face is 

 smeared with the father's blood to impart courage (RP, 550). On 

 the Orinoco, when the Guama women recognize that any of their 

 children — nurslings or somewhat older ones — are sick, they transfix 

 their own t ongues with finely-ground bone lancets ; the blood gushes 

 forth in torrents and with it they bespatter their youngsters by 

 mouthfuls, while, with their hands, they smear it all over them from 

 head to foot (G, i, 164). In the same area, for older people it is one of 

 the duties of the captains of the Guama nation to slash his flesh daUy 

 and drain off his blood in order to besmear the breasts of all those 

 under his command who are sick (G, i, 164). Dance (250) speaks 

 of an old man being washed in turtle's blood. 



341. The widespread belief in Spirits connected with mountains, 

 rocks, stones, etc., will probably help to explain the taUsmanic virtues 

 ascribed to the green Amazon-stones {Lafis nephriticus) , the piedra 

 liijada of the Spaniards. Out on the islands " they also wear necklaces 

 made out of large crystals and green stones which come from the 

 mainland toward the Amazon River, and have a healing virtue; it 

 is their previous ornament and is only worn at feasts" (BBR, 248). 

 Humboldt found them among the Indians of the Rio Negi'o, where 

 they are carried on the neck as amulets for protection against fever, 

 and the bites of poisonous snakes (AVH, ii, 395, 462); Martius found 

 them on the Rio Negro among the inliabitants of Sylves, and Schom- 

 burgk in Demerara. The last-named authority says: 



Through the Caribs along the Guiana coast tliese stones were brought into Demerara 

 where they are known as Macuaba or Calicot stones. On the Orihoco they are called 



