EXPLANATORY INDEX. 489 



impression that it was a whip-thong, which had been dropped 

 in the path. 



Some of them are venomous, but that which is mentioned 

 by Waterton is perfectly harmless. It is about two feet in 

 length, of a lovely green colour, and very active, darting 

 among the leaves and branches with such rapid agility, that 

 the slightest twig scarcely bends under its weight. 



Who are-you. — A Goatsucker ; species uncertain. 



Willy- come-go. — Ditto. 



WooDPECKEE, E,ED-HEADED (Melanerpes eri/t/irocephalus). 



WooDSKiN. — Popular name for a Bark Canoe. See 

 "Purple-Heart." 



Work- AWAY. — A Goatsucker; species uncertain. 



WouRALi. — The infonnation acquired by Waterton is most 

 interesting, and it is to his energy and perseverance that we 

 owe our knowledge of the most wonderful poison ever invented 

 by savage races. As may be seen from Waterton' s account, 

 its manufacture is evidently the result of experience. More 

 than one substance is used in it, and as the Wourali made by 

 the Macoushis, one of the five great tribes, is so superior in 

 quality that the other tribes are glad to buy it, there is no 

 doubt that very great skill is required for its preparation. 

 Even among the Macoushis there are some families which are 

 celebrated for the strength of the Wourali "made by them, and 

 the secret of its manufacture is said to be handed down from 

 father to son, the pi-ay-men, or conjurors, being the chief 

 manufacturers. 



Several instances are known of experiments made in Europe 

 with Wourali, and which have failed. I have little doubt that 

 the poison with which they were made was not genuine, or that 

 it had been neglected. The savages of Guiana are quite as 

 expert at adulteration as the civilized milkman, publican, or 

 grocer, and are perfectly capable of making Wourali for the 

 market, but not for use. 



Waterton never failed with the experiments which he made 

 with the poison which he himself obtained from the Macoushis 



