1812. 
THE POISON BULB. 
539 
we fired ; but as none were killed, it could not be ascertained to 
what species they belonged. This temporary lake was formed by the 
late rains ; and the surface of the ground, for a great extent, exhibited 
the clearest proofs that a prodigious quantity of water had fallen this 
season ; occasioning, literally, a partial deluge. The whole country 
had been under water, to the depth of two and three feet ; as was 
evident from all the bushes, which, excepting just their tops, were 
covered with mud. 
Our road, for a considerable distance, obliged us to travel 
through water ; and the soil being thus softened almost to mud, the 
waggon was with difficulty dragged along, and, in one or two places, 
narrowly escaped sinking in, or being stuck fast. 
A little further, the hoary appearance, and soft tufted shapes, of 
the small grove of Acacia atomiphylla, were extremely picturesque, 
and presented to the eye a pleasing contrast with the lively green of 
all the surrounding vegetation. 
Plants of Amaryllis toxicaria were in many places very abundant, 
their blueish, undulated leaves, rising out of the ground, and spread- 
ing in the form of a fan, rendered them remarkable and conspicuous ; 
but their flowers had long since passed away, and here and there 
only could now be seen the short dried stalks. This plant is well 
known to the Hushmen, on account of the virulent poison contained 
in its bulb. It is also known to the Colonists and Hottentots, by 
the name of Gift-bol (Poison-bulb.) 
This poison is obtained by inspissating the milky juice, either 
by the heat of the sun, or, as I was told, by boiling. It is mingled 
with the venom of snakes, or a large black species of spider of the 
genus Mygale^ and forms a half-viscous, gummy compound. In this 
state it is spread upon the heads of their arrows ; and the direful 
and fatal effects of a wound made by them are the chief, and almost 
only, cause of that dread in which the Buslwien are held by every 
other inhabitant of Southern Africa. 
The ingredients of their arroiv-poison vary according to the part 
of the country inhabited by them ; as the same plants, or substances, 
are not to be found in every place : but the venom of serpents 
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