the composition of his poison; and being once impressed with this idea, he
will add them every time he makes the poison and transmit the absolute use
of them to his posterity. The question to be answered seems not to be if it
is natural for the Indians to mix these ingredients, but if they are
essential to make the poison.

So much for the preparing of this vegetable essence: terrible importer of
death, into whatever animal it enters. Let us now see how it is used; let
us examine the weapons which bear it to its destination, and take a view of
the poor victim from the time he receives his wound till death comes to his
relief.

When a native of Macoushia goes in quest of feathered game or other birds
he seldom carries his bow and arrows. It is the blow-pipe he then uses.
This extraordinary tube of death is, perhaps, one of the greatest natural
curiosities of Guiana. It is not found in the country of the Macoushi.
Those Indians tell you that it grows to the south-west of them, in the
wilds which extend betwixt them and the Rio Negro. The reed must grow to an
amazing length, as the part the Indians use is from ten to eleven feet
long, and no tapering can be perceived in it, one end being as thick as the
other. It is of a bright yellow colour, perfectly smooth both inside and
out. It grows hollow, nor is there the least appearance of a knot or joint
throughout the whole extent. The natives call it ourah. This of itself is
too slender to answer the end of a blow-pipe, but there is a species of
palma, larger and stronger, and common in Guiana, and this the Indians make
use of as a case in which they put the ourah. It is brown, susceptible of a
fine polish, and appears as if it had joints five or six inches from each
other. It is called samourah, and the pulp inside is easily extracted by
steeping it for a few days in water.