
to have the same habit as its European relative, and spawn 
in the spring. It is adapted, like all the Salmonoids, to 
artificial culture, the ova according to Frank Buckland, 
hatching in spring water at the ordinary temperature, in 
about fourteen days after impregnation, ¥ 
——_————____ 
THE URARI POISON. 
—_>—_—_—_ 
IRs attention of the readers of Forest aND STREAM 
has lately been called to this interesting subject, and 
a few additional remarks may not be out of place. By way 
of preface it may be said that Doctor Saffray, in the article 
in Le Tour du Monde, does not state that the Urari poison 
is prepared from the venom of a toad, though this might 
fairly be inferred by the reader; he says that the arrows of 
the Choco Indians of New Granada are armed with “a sub- 
stance similar to curare” and like it in its effects, while it 
is undoubtedly true, as stated by St. George Mivart, that 
the ability to inflict wounds and to convey venom is not 
found in any animals which are even near allies of the frogs 
and toads, it is also true that the viscous secretion, which 
exudes so copiously from the pores of these animals, is very 
acrid and even poisonous. These clumsy and otherwise 
unprotected creatures are thus provided with a very effectual 
means of defense, as will be acknowledged by every one 
who has seen a dog trying to take a toad in his mouth. It 
is commonly said that handling a toad will produce warts; 
of course this is very ridiculous, but like most popular be- 
liefs it iS not without foundation. The writer knows from 
experience that the exudation from a common toad is pain- 
ful if it touches a cut finger. There are cases on record 
where serious results have attended the introduction of this 
substance into the blood and there appears to be no ade- 
quate reason for doubting the statements of Doctor Saffray 
regarding the use of the secretion of Phyllobates melanor- 
rhinus as arrow poison. 
The Urari poison is obtained from a very different source, 
being prepared from the bark of a woody vine or liana, 
growing in the Guianas and the valley of the Amazons. 
This vine, the Strychnos toxifera, is closely related to the 
plants from which are prepared the well-known drugs 
Strychnine, Nux Vomica and Brucia. The arrow poison, 
though the deadliest of known blood poisons, may be swal- 
lowed without serious inconvenience, thus resembling the 
animal rather than the vegetable poisons. Hence it was for 
a long time supposed that it derived its properties from the 
serpent venom and the stinging ants, used by the Indians 
in compounding it. Sir Richard Schomburgh prepared it 
by concentrating an infusion of the bark collected in his 
presence, thus proving beyond a doubt its true origin; the 
poison thus prepared, though not sufficiently concentrated, 
killed a fowl in twenty-seven ‘ninutes. 
The peculiar properties of the Urari poison are due to 
the presence of the Alkaloid Urari nor Curarin, discovered 
by Boussignault in 1828, but first produced in a pure crys- 
talized state by Dr. Preyer of Bonn in 1865. Many em 
inent physiologists have studied its effects but their experi- 
ments have not yet dispelled the mystery which has always 
attended it. It appears to act upon the muscles, causing 
death by paralyzing the heart or the muscles of respiration. 
Animals on receiving it into their blood soon fall in a stupor, 
the pulse becomes strong and rapid, the breath hard and 
accelerated, the muscles after a convulsive motion are par- 
alysed, the body becomes cold and death ensues in five to 
thirty minutes according to the size of the animal and the 
strength of the poison. 
According to the experiments of M. Goudot birds seem 
most susceptible to its effects, then mammals, then reptiles. 
The experiments of Prof. Wm. North Rice, made in con- 
nection with last summer’s work of the U. 8. Fish Com- 
mission, show that mollusks are not in the least affected 
by it. 
Urari -has been employed in medicine as a specific for 
epilepsy, but the success of the experiments was not such 
as to recommend its general use. We have frequently seer 
it used to paralyse a frog, preparatory to placing it under 
the lecturer’s microscope to demonstrate the circulation of 
the blood. 
The Indian arrow poison is known by various names; 
that prepared on the Orinoco’ as Urari or Curari, that 
from the Guianas as Urali, that from the Amazons 
as Ticunas. The usage of different writers and 
the interchange of 7 and J, practised by the South 
American Indians have given rise to multitudinous varia- 
tions,such as Urari, Woorari, Woorara, Oorara, Urali Wour- 
ali, Ulari, Curare, Curari, and Voorari. Some fixed ortho- 
graphy seems eminently desirable, and Urariseems to have 
the sanction of the best authorities. 
Below is given an account of the mode of preparation in 
the words of Charles Waterton, who early in the present 
century made a long and perilous journey into the interior 
of Guiana, expressly to collect the poison. Those who are 
interested in a fuller account of the poison, its use and its 
effects should not fail to read that most fascinating of 
all books of travel ‘‘ Waterton’s Wanderings in South 
America. ” 
‘‘When the Macoushi Indian prepares his poison, he 
scrapes the Wourali Vine, and a bitter root into their shay- 
ings, and puts them into a kind of colander made of leaves; 
. this he holds over an earthen pot, and pours water on the 
shavings; the liquor which comes through has the appear- 
ance of coffee. When a sufficient quantity has been pro- 
cured the shavings are thrown aside. Hethen bruisessome 
bulbous stalks which he has gathered, ani squeezes a pro- 
portionate quantity of their juice through his hands into the 
pot. Then the pounded fangs of the Labarri and the 
Counacouchi snakes are added, a quantity of the strongest 
FOREST AND.STREAM. 
Indian pepper and of two species of ants are thrown into it. 
It is then placed on a slow fire, and as it boils more of the 
juice of the Wourali is added, according as it may be found 
necessary, and the scum is taken off with a leaf; it remains 
on the fire till reduced to a thick syrup of a deep brown 
color. As soon as it has arrived at this state a few arrows 
are poisoned with it, to try its Strength. If it answers the 
expectations, it is poured out into a calabash, or little pot 
of Indian manufacture, which is carefully covered with a 
couple of leaves, and over them a piece of deer’s skin, tied 
round with a cord. They keep it in the most dry part of 
the hut; and from time to time suspend it over the fire to 
counteract the effects of dampness.” 
It is interesting to know that some of the identical poison 
collected by Waterton in Guiana in 1813 was in existence in 
London in goo'l condition in 1864. 
tC OS Oo 
A SOLOMON OF AN ARCHITECT. 

Eee ction: plans, working details, estimates, and 
contracts, as furnished by our most experienced archi- 
tects have their numerous drawbacks. We suppose there 
never was ahuman being born who did not indulge in 
some preconceived notions, as to how he would like his 
own particular nest to be built, which ambitious fancies are 
invariably met by the builder with scorn—nay almost with 
derision. ‘‘You want,” says the architect,” a Gothic Villa? 
) good. Now the idea of your having an airy room in your 
third story, with seventeen windows is impossible. The 
style of architecture is against it, and my reputation would 
not allow of it. The canons of my art say six windows, 
neither more nor less. If you like, for it is perfectly indif- 
ferent to me, take a Renaissance style of building, and I 
may possibly, after I have studied it, approximate my 
plans to your somewhat crude ideas. ‘‘But,” you ask some- 
what abashed, ‘“‘Are considerations of health secondary 
to the exigencies of Gothic art?” 
“They are sir, and that conviction has long been forced on 
me, by the sublimity of my profession,” replies the archi- 
tect. ; 
Happy dwellers of the Solomon Islands, whose country 
| washed by the broad Pacific, ignores the architect, and which 
if thwarted by one, might knock him in the head, next 
roast him with his drawings, ground plans, and sketches, 
and lastly devour him. In those fortunate isles, the intel- 
ligent people, (each one as the Hebrew King Solomon, from 
whence the name of the country was undoubtedly derived), 
select a tall tree for a building site. The higher the tree, 
the more money does it command, in the Solomon Islands 
real estate market. The most desirable family location, 
must be at least one hundred and twenty feet from the 
ground, and the tree must have no limbs, save on the very 
top. In the upper portion of this choice situation, whence 
the branches begin to fork, the Solomon islander weaves 
in a foundation of light supple pieces of wood, and on this 
constructs his family residence. How to get up into his 
house, is quite an easy matter. No calculations are here 
necessary, as of broad flights of steps, or a cork screw stairs, 
the real pons asinorwm, the stumbling blocks of all fool-hardy 
self constituted architects. The Solomon islander, takes 
one of those running vines, as strong as a steel rope and 
far more pliant, and letting this dangle down from his 
dwelling to the ground, runs up and down this improvised 
stair with the ease and grace of a squirrel. 
The advantages of such a method of construction, perfect 
in all its details, are manifest. At night all the careful 
housekeeper has to do, is to haul up his flying stair case, 
and there he is, as safe in his airy house, as an old feudal 
Baron was with his portecullis drawn up. No policemen 
or night patrols are necessary for the protection of the 
house holder in the Solomon Island cities. Once snug in 
his house in the tree top, he defies the sneak thief and the 
burglar. Should ajsocial neighbor wish to pay a visit, there 
is no door bell to pull, all he has to do is to tap the trunk 
of the tree, and instantly his friend aloit replies, and down 
comes the hospitable ladder. If it should happen to be 
an unwelcome comer, the wary Solomon man has ready 
at hand an assortment of heavy stones, which he can drop 
on the head of the intruder. Calls from one house to 
another of an informal character, by means of the vine 
cables, which are thrown from one airy lodging to another. 
Of course going home or going to bed, must depend on the 
personal climbing power of the Solomon islander, and his 
monkey like ability, adds another strong link to the Dar- 
Wwinian chain. 
To the wonderful physical attributes of these primitive 
people, there are joined, however, certain other quite un- 
fortunate tendencies. It is true that we might acquire 
a Solomon Islander in his own house, no end of useful in- . 
formation, as to the best methods of constructing a house, 
which would combine all the advantages of cheapness, 
comfort and good ventilation, still as he is a determined 
man eater, we are likely at least for the p esent to be domi- 
neered over by our own architect, who though he may be 
ciuelly aesthetic, has not (as far at least as we are aware) 
any cannibalistic inclinations, 
i 
—A famous Prussian general was inspecting some military 
stables.. ‘‘ What do I see there?” he said, in tones of thun- 
der, to the sergeant; ‘‘cobwebs?” ‘‘Yes, sir,” was the re- 
spectful reply; ‘‘we keep them there to catch the flies and 
prevent them teasing the horses.” 
— 
—If it wasn’t for the ten cent stamp occasionally found 
in a chew of tobacco, a considerable portion of our eitizens 
would starve. 
281 
THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN AT HAM- 
Bie RGus 

ANY of the readers of the Forrs AND STREAM have 
undoubtedly visited that most opulent and thriving 
old Hansa Town of Germany, and of those who have been at 
that city in later years, few will have failed to visit the Zoo- 
logical Garden; a creation which has arisen with almost 
American rapidity, and has been prosecuted with an energy 
which makes it now one of the best collections in the 
Old or New World. 
Passing recently a few days at Hamburg in the company 
of a New Yorker, well acquainted with the city, while I 
was comparatively a stranger, we were ona very lovely 
June afternoon leaving the very excellent hostelry, ‘‘ The 
Zum Kronprinz yon Preussen” which fronts that most 
charming of all European city prospects, the Alster Basin. 
Between three and four of any afternoon, the fashionable 
promenade of the Hamburgers is along those magnificent 
sheets of water, arms of the Elbe river, which, spreading like 
lakes in the very midst of a populous city, in my opinion 
surpasses in beauty the Newa Prospect, or the Seine in the 
city of Paris. The Jungfernstieg in Hamburg is one of the 
European sights. We were quite uncertain which way to 
turn, when we reached the long viaduct over the water, 
where several roads diverge, when my friend said: ‘‘ We 
are near the Damm Gate; to-day is a ‘‘reserved” day for the 
stockholders and strangers, let us go to the Zoologica. 
Garden; we will not meet any mixed crowd, and will be 
able to see what is to be seen at our leisure; and besides, 
will have a chance to take a look atthe Hamburg belles and 
beaux.” 
Neither naturalist nor zoologist, as these subjects have al- 
ways interested me, I gladly entered into my friend’s propo- 
sition. The road ‘‘near the cemeteries” brought us to the 
chief entrance of the Garden. Before entering, it may not 
be amiss to state how these gardens originated. 
The Zoological Garden at Hamburg is not a State Insti- 
tution, as are most of the other Continental collections of a 
like character, nor does it receive any aid from the Senate 
or the Assembly of the Free City. It owes its existence to 
the love for Natural History, and to a desire for useful in- 
formation, and owes its origin to a number of eminently 
successful and wealthy mercantile gentlemen of Hamburg, 
such as Messrs. A. Meyer, Booth, Schiller, DeCraeker, Not- 
ting, Diéze and others, but particularly to the energy of the 
late Baron Ernest von Merck, the father of the enterprise, 
whose memory is honored within the garden by a most ex- 
cellent bust: erected in what is called the Winter House.” 
On January 28, 1860, these gentlemen formed a provisonal 
society; on the 10th July of the same year the first general 
Meeting was held, all the shares were taken, and on the 
17th of August, 1861, the government of Hamburg voted 
the Society the free use for 50 years of a large plot of land: 
a sandy desert without a tree lying near the Damm Gate on 
the outskirts of Hamburg. This ground, which was then 
worth nothing to the city, could not now be bought prob- 
ably for less than a million Mark Banco; or thrice the 
amount of the whole capital of the Society, originally sub- 
scribed. Jt has had another effect. On all sides of this 
Park, as a nucleus, new streets lined with fine houses, have 
sprung up, extending through the city, so that Hamburg 
and Altona, and all the outlying places—villages but twehty 
years ago—seem now united in one grand whole. Messrs. 
Meuron and Haller were appointed architects; Mr. Jiirgens 
head gardener, and Mr. Lienau water engineer for the neces 
sary water works and constructions, by the Society. In 
_November, 1863, the greater part of the necessary buildings 
had been completed, and on May 16, 1863, the Garden had 
arisen out of a wilderness to almost its present beautiful 
aspect; with groves and lakes and artificial hills crowned 
with old ruins; stocked by a well-assorted and splendidly 
housed collection of specimens from all the departments of 
zoology. The Aquarium is now one of the most celebrated 
in the world. The man who had with such love watched 
over this creation of his, was not allowed to enjoy the well- 
earned praises of his fellow-citizens. Baron Merck, the 
founder of the Zoological Garden, died suddenly on July 6, 
1863. 
Entering the handsome gates where 
tickets at a moderate rate, we turn our steps to the deer 
houses, lying immediately before us, three in number, 
where we meet many old acquaintances, among whom a 
very fine specimen of our American Wapiti, (cereus cana- 
deneis), whose magnificent antlers are the admiration of all 
visitors; a noble red deer, a present of the late King of 
Hanover; a rein deer, and above all an elk, which species 
is getting scarcer in Europe every year, and is only found 
in very small numbers in East Prussia, Lithuania, Poland, 
Russia, Norway, and Sweden. There are, in all, some fifty 
specimens of the various species here collected. A few 
steps further we stop before an enormous house, devoted to 
birds of prey, where vultures, eagles and falcons are kept, 
each species to themselves in almost perfect liberty. To 
mention but a few of the many fine birds, there is an en 
ormous condor from the Andes, truly the king of birds, of 
which Alexander von Humboldt mentions, to illustrate the 
enormous heights they ascend, 16,000 feet high, that he 
saw one of these birds hover above him, a mere discernable 
speck. A specimen of a very scarce eagle, the “fighting py 
eagle—spizaétos bellicosus—we found here; of whom Le Vail- 
lant gives so bellicose an account as being the most com- 
bative of all eagles. Its home is in Central and Southern 
Africa, and it is found comparatively seldom in collections. 
Our American national eagle and our buzzard were not un- 
represented. 
we procure our 
