32 
WANDERINGS IN 
first The gum is contained in the bark: when that is cut 
JOURNEY. . - , . . . , . 
-through, it oozes out very freely: it is quite white, 
and looks as rich as cream : it hardens almost im¬ 
mediately as it issues from the tree; so that it is 
very easy to collect a ball, by forming the juice into 
a globular shape as fast as it comes out: it becomes 
nearly black by being exposed to the air, and is real 
Indian rubber without undergoing any other process. 
The elegant crested bird called Cock of the rock, 
admirably described by Buffon, is a native of the 
woody mountains of Macoushia. In the daytime, 
it retires amongst the darkest rocks, and only comes 
out to feed a little before sunrise, and at sunset: he 
is of a gloomy disposition, and, like the houtou, 
never associates with the other birds of the forest. 
The Indians, in the just-mentioned settlement, 
seemed to depend more on the wourali poison for 
killing their game, than upon any thing else. They 
had only one gun, and it appeared rusty and neg¬ 
lected ; but their poisoned weapons were in fine order. 
Indian Their blow-pipes hung from the roof of the hut, care- 
pipl" fully suspended by a silk grass cord; and on taking 
a nearer view of them, no dust seemed to have col¬ 
lected there, nor had the spider spun the smallest web 
on them; which showed that they were in constant 
use. The quivers were close by them, with the jaw¬ 
bone of the fish Pirai tied by a string to their brim, 
and a small wicker-basket of wild cotton, which hung 
down to the centre ; they were nearly full of poisoned 
arrows. It was with difficulty these Indians could 
be persuaded to part with any of the wourali poison, 
