putrefaction, saving that just round the wound the flesh appeared somewhat
discoloured.

The Indian, on his return home, carefully suspends his blow-pipe from the
top of his spiral roof, seldom placing it in an oblique position, lest it
should receive a cast.

Here let the blow-pipe remain suspended while you take a view of the arms
which are made to slay the larger beasts of the forest.

When the Indian intends to chase the peccari, or surprise the deer, or
rouse the tapir from his marshy retreat, he carries his bow and arrows,
which are very different from the weapons already described.

The bow is generally from six to seven feet long and strung with a cord
spun out of the silk-grass. The forests of Guiana furnish many species of
hard wood, tough and elastic, out of which beautiful and excellent bows are
formed.

The arrows are from four to five feet in length, made of a yellow reed
without a knot or joint. It is found in great plenty up and down throughout
Guiana. A piece of hard wood about nine inches long is inserted into the
end of the reed, and fastened with cotton well waxed. A square hole an inch
deep is then made in the end of this piece of hard wood, done tight round
with cotton to keep it from splitting. Into this square hole is fitted a
spike of coucourite-wood, poisoned, and which may be kept there or taken
out at pleasure. A joint of bamboo, about as thick as your finger, is
fitted on over the poisoned spike to prevent accidents and defend it from
the rain, and is taken off when the arrow is about to be used. Lastly, two
feathers are fastened the other end of the reed to steady it in its flight.