CHAP. IV. ] POISONING BY STRYCHNIA. 41 
way, however, of destroying foxes (I am speaking of course of 
foxes of the Highlands, where no hounds are kept) is hy poison. 
But then the rabbit or bait in which the poienn is laid should not 
be touched by the hand, so suspicious is this animal of the slight- 
est taint of man. The most artistic way is to catch a rabbit or 
crow in a trap, and having killed it with a stick, a small slit 
should be cut in the head, without however touching the animal 
with the hand; into this hole three or four grains of the poison 
called Strychnia should be dropped. So powerful is this poison, 
that a fox having eaten the above quantity seldom goes thirty 
yards before he dies. Strychnia is the concentrated part of Nux 
vomica. Though frequently much adulterated, it can generally 
be obtained of sufficient strength from any respectable druggist. 
The Strychnia is, I believe, mixed with a little alkali, to prevent 
its power being destroyed by exposure to the air. In poisoning 
crows with it, a very small quantity is sufficient, and it should 
be put into a slit in the skin or the eye of a dead animal. Before 
a carrion crow has taken three or four pecks at the poisoned 
carrion he falls backwards perfectly dead. Weazels, stoats, and 
all vermin are destroyed by it with equal ease. The drug having 
no smell, these animals are not shy of eating a dead rabbit or 
bird on which it has been placed. Foxes and large vermin 
always commence at the head of their prey, while for smaller 
vermin and birds a hole should be cut in the skin to receive the 
poison, as they generally begin their operations whenever they 
see an opening, where the flesh is exposed to view. It is need- 
less to give a warning against using this powerful drug rashly, 
as no man in his senses would place it anywhere but in the most 
secure situations. It is worth remembering, that foxes, carrion 
crows, and many other destructive animals will eat a dead rat, 
whereas no dog will do so. By poisoning the dead bodies of 
this animal, therefore, no risk is run of destroying your dogs. 
An equally good way of applying Strychnia is in the body of a 
wild duck or a wood-pigeon. Many a fox, whose worldly expe- 
rience nearly ensures him safety from trap or gin, will fall a 
victim to this poison; for so small a quantity is necessary. and 
so scentless is it, that a sufficient dose is swallowed before the 
animal discovers its presence in anything which he is eating. 
From the extreme rapidity with which it acts, destroying life 
