SOUTH AMERICA. 



63 



were no symptoms of putrefaction^ saving that, just round First 



Journey. 



the wound, the flesh appeared somewhat discoloured. 



The Indian, on his return home, carefully suspends 

 his blow-pipe from the top of his spiral roof ; seldom 

 placing it in an oblique position, lest it should receive 

 a cast. 



Here let the blow-pipe remain suspended, while you 

 take a view of the arms which are made to slay the larger 

 beasts of the forest. 



When the Indian intends to chase the Peccari, or sur- 

 prise the deer, or rouse the Tapir from his marshy retreat, 

 he carries his bow and arrows, which are very different 

 from the weapons already described. 



The bow is ffenerallv from six to seven feet louff, and The bow 



^ J used for the 



strung with a cord, spun out of the silk grass. The forests ^^^^se. 

 of Guiana furnish many species of hard wood, tough and 

 elastic, out of which beautiful and excellent bows are 

 formed. 



The arrows are from four to five feet in length, made Arrows, 

 of a yellow reed without a knot or joint. It is found in 

 great plenty up and down throughout Guiana. A piece 

 of hard wood, about nine inches long, is inserted into the 

 end of the reed, and fastened with cotton well waxed. 

 A square hole, an inch deep, is then made in the end of 

 this piece of hard wood, done tight round with cotton 

 to keep it from splitting. Into this square hole is fitted 

 a spike of Coucourite wood, poisoned, and which may be 



