54 WANDERINGS IN 



First jfinds two species of ants. One of them is very large and 



Journey. ^ ^ , 



— black, and so venomous, that its sting produces a fever : 



it is most commonly to be met with on the ground. The 

 other is a little red ant, which stings hke a nettle, and 

 generally has its nest under the leaf of a shrub. After 

 obtaining these, he has no more need to range the 

 forest. 



A quantity of the strongest Indian pepper is used ; 

 but this he has already planted round his hut. The 

 pounded fangs of the Labarri snake, and those of the 

 Counacouchi, are likewise added. These he commonly 

 has in store ; for when he kills a snake, he generally 

 extracts the fangs, and keeps them by him. 

 Preparation Haviug thus fouud the ncccssary ingredients, he scrapes 



of the won- ^ , ^ 



rali poison, tlic wourali viuc and bitter root mto thin shavings, 

 and puts them into a kind of colander made of leaves : 

 this he holds over an earthen pot, and pours water on 

 the shavings : the liquor which comes through has the 

 appearance of coffee. When a sufficient quantity has 

 been procured, the shavings are thrown aside. He then 

 bruises the bulbous stalks, and squeezes a proportionate 

 quantity of their juice through his hands into the pot. 

 Lastly, the snakes' fangs, ants, and pepper are bruised, 

 and thrown into it. It is then placed on a slow fire, and 

 as it boils, more of the juice of the wourali is added, 

 according as it may be found necessary, and the scum 

 is taken off with a leaf : it remains on the fii-e till reduced 



