The Gun-trap of the Guiana Indians. 205 



E as shown in drawing the thick end of C resting on E ; the thin end of 

 the peg rests, as shown in drawing, on B. The line AAA is drawn taut 

 and the pressure of C on B keeps B securely in position. The gun is, of 

 course, already loaded and cocked. 



To make everything as clear as possible we will describe exactly what 

 happens when a labba passes along a track on which a gun trap, similar 

 to the one which we have described here, has been set. 



In passing (at night of course) the unsuspecting creature comes in 

 contact with the line AAA which is attached to the watchman, the other 

 end being connected, as we have described, to the set mechanism of the 

 gun trap. 



It is obvious that very slight pressure on the line will disarrange B 

 and pull it from beneath C. (I have frequently tested this point and have 

 ascertained it to be a fact ; the sticks DD are often carefully scraped at 

 their points of contact with B so as to ensure extreme freedom of movement 

 of B). Then C, by the removal of B, is at once released from E and 

 the stick G, being held under strong pressure, flies violently back and 

 pulls taut HHH with sufficient strength to pull the trigger of the gun so 

 that the hammer falls. All this takes but a fraction of a second and the gun 

 being aimed at the nick in the watchman, shoots the labba just behind 

 the shoulder. The size of the shot used in the charge varies from BB to 

 No. 5. A sixteen bore, single barrel gun is more frequently used than 

 any other. A brass cartridge case, home loaded with black powder is 

 preferred owing to its damp resisting properties. It must be remembered 

 that the trap is left set all night and frequently for several nights in 

 succession. They are unset during the daytime. 



During raiuy weather palm leaves are carefully placed over the gun 

 platform so as to protect the gun. 



If the trap is set for deer the watchman is of greater length like- 

 wise the gun platform itself to allow for the height of the animal. These 

 traps are always arranged so that the charge catches the animal behind 

 the shoulder. Gun traps, when set for labba or accourie, may be sprung 

 by crapauds, armadillos or rats. In one instance which I heard of, a 

 trap was set off by the dead bough of a tree dropping on the string 

 thereof. Incidentally it is advisable to visit the trap soon after the 

 explosion is heard otherwise the prey may be carried off by a labba-tiger — 

 which not infrequently happens. 



Anyone who is familiar with tha bush and its wealth of noises well 

 knows that a nocturnal booming detonation which echoes for miles through 

 the surrounding bush is sometimes heard and indicates that somewhere 

 or other a gun trap has been exploded and very probably there is one 

 live labba the less in British Guiana. 



