58 WANDERINGS IN 



First The questioii to be answered seems not to be, if it is 



Journey. 



natural for the Indians to mix these ingredients, but, if 



they are essential to make the poison. 



So much for the preparing of this vegetable essence ; 



terrible importer of death, into whatever animal it enters. 



Let us now see how it is used ; let us examine the weapons 



vdiicli bear it to its destination, and take a view of the 



poor victim, from the time he receives his wound, till 



death comes to his relief. 



When a native of Macoushia goes in quest of feathered 



game or other birds, he seldom carries his bow and arrows. 

 Description It is the blow-pipc lie then uses. This extraordinary tube 



of the blow- „ 1 , . „ , , . . . 



pipe, of death is, perhaps, one of the greatest natural curiosities 

 of Guiana. It is not found in the country of the Macouslii. 

 Those Indians tell you that it grows to the south-west of 

 them, in the wilds which extend betwixt them and the 

 Rio Negro. The reed must grow to an amazing length, 

 as the part the Indians use is from ten to eleven feet long, 

 and no tapering can be perceived in it, one end being as 

 thick as the other. It is of a bright yellow colour, 

 perfectly smooth both inside and out. It grows hollow ; 

 nor is there the least appearance of a knot or joint 

 throughout the whole extent. The natives call it Ourali. 

 This, of itself, is too slender to answer the end of a blow- 

 pipe ; but there is a species of Palma, larger and stronger, 

 and common in Guiana, and this the Indians make use 

 of as a case, in which they put the Ourah. It is brown. 



