406 



INDIAN BLOW-PIPE. 



and appears ol' a dark-brown colour. The ar- 

 rows are about eight inches long, formed of 

 a fine-grained wood; the point very sharp, 

 and cut like a corkscrew for an inch up, show- 

 ing a very fine thread, that composes the spi- 

 ral screw ; this is rolled in the poison, which 

 is permitted to dry on it. Round the thicker 

 end is wound fine cotton, in the natural state, 

 until it will just easily enter the tube, which is 

 applied to the mouth, and aim being taken 

 with the eye, the arrow is blown out. A prac- 

 tised marksman will send it with great cor- 

 rectness, killing a bird on the top of a high 

 tree. The arrow will fly one hundred yards, 

 and is certain death to man or animal wound- 

 ed by it ; no cure as yet having been disco- 

 vered. A tiger wlien hit, runs ten or a dozen 

 yards, staggers, becomes sick, and dies in 

 four or five minutes. A bird is killed as with 

 a bullet ; and the arrow and wounded part of 

 the flesh being cut out, the remainder is eaten 

 without danger. 



The poison is obtained from a small, harm- 

 less frog, called rana de veneno, about three 

 inches long, yellow on the back, with very 

 large black eyes. It is only to be found (as 



