SOUTH AMERICA. 



55 



to a thick simp of a deep brown colour. As soon as it First 



Journey. 



has arrived at this state, a few arrows are poisoned Avith 



it, to try its strength. If it answer the expectations, it is 

 poured out into a calabash, or little pot of Indian manu- 

 facture, which is carefully covered with a couple of leaves, 

 and over them a piece of deer's skin, tied round with a 

 cord. They keep it in the most dry part of the hut ; 

 and from time to time suspend it over the fire, to coun- 

 teract the effects of dampness. 



The act of preparing this poison is not considered as a 

 common one ; the savage may shape his bow, fasten the 

 barb on the point of his arrow, and make his other imple- 

 ments of destruction, either lying in his hammock, or in 

 the midst of his family; but, if he has to prepare the 

 wourali poison, many precautions nre supposed to be 

 necessary. 



The women and young girls are not allowed to be Yabahou, or 



evil spirit. 



present, lest the Yabahou, or evil spirit, should do them 

 harm. The shed under which it has been boiled, is 

 pronounced polluted, and abandoned ever after. He 

 who makes the poison must eat nothing that morning, 

 and must continue fasting as long as the operation lasts. 

 The pot in which it is boiled, must be a new one, and 

 must never have held any thing before, otherwise the 

 poison would be deficient in strength : add to this, that 

 the operator must take particular care not to expose 

 himself to the vapour which arises from it while on the fire. 



