POISONED ARROWS. 



407 



my host informed me) in this place, and 

 another, called Pelmar. Those who use this 

 poison catch the frogs in the woods, and con- 

 fine them in a hollow cane, where they regu- 

 larly feed them until they want the poison, 

 when they take one of the unfortunate reptiles, 

 and pass a pointed piece of wood down his 

 throat, and out at one of his legs. This tor- 

 ture makes the poor frog perspire very much, 

 especially on the back, which becomes cover- 

 ed with white froth : this is the most powerful 

 poison that he yields, and in this they dip or 

 roll the points of their arrows, which will pre- 

 serve their destructive power for a year. Af- 

 terwards, below this white substance, appears 

 a yellow oil, which is carefully scraped off, 

 and retains its deadly influence for four or six 

 months, according to the goodness (as they 

 say) of the frog. By this means, from one frog 

 sufficient poison is obtained for about fifty 

 arrows. 



The post not having arrived by three in the 

 afternoon, I determined on proceeding to La 

 Puinte to sleep, leaving two of my car^gos be- 

 hind. I accordingly set out, and met the post 

 by the way, to whom I gave a letter, which I 



