224 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
The shield employed by the Boutea warrior is 
large but light, being made of the same stained cane 
as his helmet. It is conical, like most Indian shields, 
and slung over the shoulder,, covering the entire body 
except the head and legs. In his right arm the soldier 
grasps a bow full six feet in length ; a quiver of arrows 
being hung by a belt behind his back, and so conve- 
niently placed that he can readily withdraw the arrows 
from their receptacle over his left shoulder. The bow 
is made of bamboo, and, when unstrung, perfectly 
straight. The cane employed is a sort peculiar to the 
hills, being remarkable for its strength and elasticity. 
“ The string is drawn by the thumb, armed with a 
ring of bone, or a piece of thick leather bent round it ; 
and the fore-finger, crossed upon the nail, serves to 
give additional force to the operation. 
“ The arrow is formed of a species of dwarf bam- 
boo produced among these mountains ; it is headed 
by a flattened barb of pointed iron, the sides of which 
are sometimes grooved, or, which appears to answer the 
same purpose, the barb on either side is a little 
turned back to admit the lodgment of poison, with 
which deadly substance it is sometimes charged. 
“The poison made use of, so far as I could col- 
lect, is an inspissated vegetable juice ; but from what 
plant it is obtained I never could distinctly learn : it 
appeared to my observation black and gummy, in 
consistence and appearance much resembling crude 
opium. 
“Some Bouteas are armed with matchlock mus- 
kets, to the stock of which is attached a fork, which 
serves as a rest when the warrior crouches to take 
