ANTIDOTES. 201 
Shrub one metre in height, stem erect, jointed, composed of a cylinder 
of greater diameter surrounded by four cylinders of smaller diameter in 
the shape of a Gothic column; fifteen centimetres long between the 
joints, from which spring the smaller lateral stems in pairs; alternate ; 
terminuting in a single leaf like that of the rose geranium; color of the 
leaves bluish dark green; hirsute on their superior surface, and wrinkled. 
On their lower surface bluish light green; stem and leaves of the same 
color; a single flower on the extremity of the central stem; its color 
bright velvet red, smooth ; petals four; circumvolute; overlying each 
other; subcampunulate; stamens 0; pistils 1; 0.01 centimetre high, ter- 
minating in a diminutive acorn-shape, covered with pollen of a much 
brighter red than the petals; stem, branches, and lower surface of the 
leaves covered with exceedingly diminutive globules of a colorless, trans- 
parent, mucilaginous liquid, which rubbed between the hands exhales a 
pungent, resinous aroma that causes a momentary sensation of faintness, 
and seems to pass directly through the bead from the nostrils to the cere- 
bellum. 
A tincture (alcoholic) made from the stem, leaves, and roots 
of this flower is used for curing; and if a snake is seen in 
the roof,* or suspected to be about the house, the natives place 
the bottle uncorked in the centre of the room where it was 
last seen, and abandon the house for a short time. The rep- 
tile comes forth, and coiling himself about the bottle inhales 
the perfume of the tincture till he soon becomes stupid, when 
they return to the house and despatch him with ease. 
They attribute to small doses of this tincture the power of 
producing a magnetic sleep, and use these means to recover 
stolen property by administration of it to certain persons who 
are mediums for the business. 
The Indians of Chocé consider this plant a specific antidote 
for snake-bites, and particularly for that of the much-dreaded 
Verrugosa (Acrochordon Chocoe). 
The plant called Solobasta, in the table of antidotes, is 
another of the Aristolochias, which I have classified as the 
* All the houses have roofs of straw or reeds. 
