186 



WANDERINGS IN 



Third Towai'ds the poiiit of the fang, there is a little oblong 



Journey, 



— aperture on the convex side of it. Through this, there 



is a commnnication down the fang to the root, at which 

 lies a little bag containing the poison. Now, when the 

 point of the fang is pressed, the root of the faiig also 

 presses against the bag, and sends up a portion of the 

 poison therein contained. Thus, when I applied a piece 

 of stick to the point of the fang, there came out of the 

 hole a liquor thick and yellow, like strong camomile tea. 

 This was the poison, which is so dreadful in its effects, as 

 to render the Labarri snake one of the most poisonous in 

 the forests of Guiana. I once caught a fine Labarri, and 

 made it bite itself. I forced the poisonous fang into its 

 belly. In a few minutes I thought it was going to die, 

 for it appeared dull and heavy. However, in half an 

 hour's time, he was as brisk and vigorous as ever, and 

 in the course of the day showed no symptoms of being 

 affected. Is then the life of the snake proof against 

 its own poison ? This subject is not \m worthy of the 

 consideration of the naturalist. 



The Bete- In Guiana there is a little insect in the grass, and on 



rouge. 



the shrubs, which the French call Bete-rouge. It is of a 

 beautiful scarlet colour, and so minute, that you must 

 bring your eye close to it before you can perceive it. It 

 is most numerous in the rainy season. Its bite causes an 

 intolerable itching. The best way to get rid of it, is to 

 rub the part affected with oil or rum. You must be care- 



