34 
I would yet quote from this article: “A further example 
of the innocuousness of fishes subjected to certain poisonous 
plants is furnished by M. de Castelnau (‘Voy. dans les 
parties centr. de ’Amér. du Sud.’ 1855. Paris, pp. 6& 7.) 
An extremely plentiful supply of fishes having been 
obtained on the great lake near the Rio Sarayacu, in the 
Missions of the Ucayale, by means of the poison residing 
in the stems of the Barbasco or Necklace wood (Facquinia 
armillaris, Linn.), these, after rapidly undergoing the 
destructive influences of the plant, were eaten without ill 
effect ; and the natives even drank the waters of the lake 
with impunity.” 
As a foot note to the above quoted review appears a very 
useful list, by M. Mouchon, of plants which were then 
known to be employed as auxiliaries in the capture of 
fishes, subdivided. under the headings: (1), Plants that 
are baneful in effect upon the human species, particu- 
larly if the precautions be not taken of well clearing and 
scraping the fish before preparing it for food ; (2), Plants 
that are not hurtful to man. The list includes some orders 
peculiar to tropical Africa, and does not embrace the plants 
which I have already mentioned, which will explain why I 
dwell so much on the article of Venomous Fishes, my object 
being to endeavour to help those, who may help their coun- 
trymen—I mean the more enlightened and educated in West 
Africa—in the cessation or avoidance of practices so much 
to be condemned, and with such a doubtful issue, and to 
warn them that such practices are liable also seriously to 
so affect fish as to bring about, seven after curing, sad 
results. 
Nothing can be so good or wholesome, in my experi- 
ence, as fresh-fish diet with nutritious accompaniments, and 
I have had visible proofs of the fact in the appearance of 
