MODE OF PREPARING THE WOORARA POISON. 
643 
journals of the day ; and although it has been tried on the 
horse as a therapeutic, I am not aware that its action can be 
relied upon. Probably this arises from the state in which it is 
obtained from the native Indians, who can ill afford to part 
with this, to them, indispensable agent. 
Should the present communication be admissible to your 
pages, I may, in a succeeding number, venture to record some 
experiments performed on animals by Waterton. I am 
respectfully yours, “Amateur.” 
“ Wishful to obtain the best information concerning this 
poison, and as repeated inquiries, in lieu of dissipating the 
surrounding shade, did but tend more and more to darken 
the little light that existed ; I determined to penetrate into 
the country where the poisonous ingredients grow, where this 
pernicious composition is prepared, and where it is constantly 
used. Success attended the adventure ; and the information 
acquired made amends for one hundred and twenty days 
passed in the solitudes of Guiana, and afforded a balm to the 
wounds and bruises which every traveller must expect to 
receive who wanders through a thorny and obstructed path. 
“ Thou must not, courteous reader, expect a dissertation on 
the manner in which the wourali poison operates on the 
system ; a treatise has been already written on the subject, 
and after all, there is probably still reason to doubt. It is 
supposed to affect the nervous system, and thus destroy the 
vital functions ; it is also said to be perfectly harmless, pro- 
vided it does not touch the blood. However, this is certain, 
when a sufficient quantity of it enters the blood, death is the 
inevitable consequence ; but there is no alteration in the colour 
of the blood, and both the blood and flesh may be eaten with 
safety. 
“All that thou wilt find here is a concise, unadorned account 
of the wourali poison. It may be of service to thee some time 
or other, shouldst thou ever travel through the wilds where it 
is used. Neither attribute to cruelty, nor to a want of feeling 
for the sufferings of the inferior animals, the ensuing experi- 
ments. The larger animals were destroyed in order to have 
proof positive of the strength of a poison which hath hitherto 
been doubted ; and the smaller ones were killed with the 
hope of substantiating that which has commonly been sup- 
posed to be an antidote. 
“ It makes a pitying heart ache to see a poor creature in 
distress and pain ; and too often has the compassionate tra- 
veller occasion to heave a sigh as he journeys on. However, 
