362 ANIMISM AND FOLK-LORE OF GUIANA INDIANS [bth. ann. 30 



Beings were also evidently not averse to using broken arrows, subse- 

 quently spliced (Sect. 144), but it is certainly diliicult to trace the 

 raison-d'6tre of the self-castigation with the two halves of a broken 

 arrow to insure strength and courage (Sects. 139, 221 B). 



331A. The idea of invisible poisoned or broken arrows noted in 

 the two next sections preceding may possibly bear relation to one of 

 the procedures adopted in the declaration of hostilities on the out- 

 break of war. Thus, the call to arms may be noiseless, the emissaries 

 silently announcing the fact that the tribe is at war without even say- 

 ing a word, for it suffices to leave in passing a baibed arrow in a public 

 place for all to take up arms. This notice is called the Mission of the 

 Arrow {correr la jlecha) and is tantamount to a declaration of a state 

 of war (G, i, 134). Martius recorded a similar procedure among 

 the Caribs, Yuri, Miranya, and others {Beitrage, i, 97); the practice 

 is also observed with the Guariua of the Yapura at the present day 

 (KG, II, 316). 



