Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1825-05-11

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pa-apples, in order to rub over recently kille
meat, to make it tender.
On such night as this was suddenl
reused oy most terrific noise, mixture Z
ioud roarinss and deep means, which had
most appalling effect at SO late an hour. i'm
mediately went out, attended by the Indians
10 ascertain the cause when found. clos,
10 the rencha, a large herd of bullocks, collect
Ell from the surrounding country. They ha,
sncomPassed spot where we had killed
bullock IN the morning they appeared 10 b.
IN the greatest state Of grief and rage the,
foafed, they moaned, they tore the grount
with their feet, and beloved the most hideou
chorus that can be imagined; and it wa. will
the greatest difficulty that they could be driv
en- away by the men and dogs. Since then
nave observed the same scene by daylight
ana seen large tears rolling down their cheeks
is inns instinct merely, or does something near
10 reason tell them, by the blood, that one
OF thelr companions has been butchered? |
certainty never again wish to view so painful
slght-they actually appeared reproaching
US.
"Senor Kamires informed me, that in the
PLAINS OF the Cassanarie, he has seen more
IMAM hundred oxen round the SPOT where an
animal had been killed, the whole herd rend.
ing the air with their horrid cries. These
walls and lamentations they will frequently
repeat Tor month, by which time the ground
mas lmbioed, and the air carried off, all YES
tige Of the slaughter.
" When on the point of fording the river, a
curious incident occurred; observed small
hawk, flying with branch of tree in his
mouth, which lie dropped on the bank near
me, aud commenced eating. Immediately
rode up to see what he was devouring, and
discovered that it was wasp's nest, formed
IN the forked part OF small branch of tree ;
the hawk had, by constant pecking, broken
The branch with his beak, and had then flown
with his prey to the river, where he had well
ducked them, for the poor wasps appeared
halt drowned; and then, as they commenced
crawling out of their cells, the hawk ate them
one by one.
+" In the district of Popayan, in this valley,
is to be procured celebrated herb, which
cures all wounds, ulcers and gangrenes, call
ed Cabuia. There are three species Of it: one
OF clear blue colour, without priCkles at the
edge of the leaf, known by the name Of Mexi-
can; another greener, with prickles, called
macho; and the third class, with few prick
les, called cmbra. From the long leaves of
this plant, by bruising and heating, a thick
juice is expressed this is mixed with water,
boiled, and kept skinned until reduced TO
the consistency of honey; it is then fit for use.
In cases of cuts, when severe and dangerous,
if applied, it cures in three days, and never
permits gangrene to take place. The most
nveterate ulcers are not known to resist it,
sensitive powers more than fifteen days. In
Venezuela they call the plant cocaisa: Of
which they make many uses, and even eat
it.
ssDurng the day we had been in want of
water, and my silero, who knew the woods
well, conducting me to particular spot made
an incision in the bark of a guadua tree, from
which the water flowed in abundance. Ap-
plying my mouth to the orfce, quenched my
thirst with the fluid, which was fine, clear and
delicious. Zach joint of this tree contains a.
bout two gallons Of water"
The blow pipe and poisoned arrows employed by
the people are thus described
"The pipe was made of two pieces Of reed,
each forming half circle; these being placed
together, lett small hole, just large enough
for the admission Of the arrow. The reeds,
which are about twelve feet long, were bound
round with green hides, cut into thongs, and,
when dry, covered with coat Of milk from
the cocoa tree which dried prevents any air
from entering, and appears Of dark brown
colour. The arrows are about eight inches
long, formed of fine grained wood the point
very sharp, and cut like corkscrew for an
inch up, showing very fine thread, that COM
poses the spiral screw this is rolled in the
poison, which is permitted to dry on it. Round
the thicker end is wound fine cotton, in the
natural state, until it will just easily enter the
tube, which is applied to the mouth, and aim
being taken with the eye, the arrow is blown
out A practised marksman will send it with
great correctness, killing bird on the top Of
high tree. The arrow will fly one hundred
yards, and is certain death to man or animal
wounded by it, no cure, as yet, having been
discovered. A tiger, when hit, runs zen or a
dozen yards, staggers, becomes sick, and dies
| in four or five minutes. A bird is killed as
with bullet and the arrow and wounded
part OF the flesh being cut out, the remainder
is eaten without danger.
"The poison is obtained from small, harm
less frog, called rama de veneno, about three
inches long, yellow on the back, with very
large black eyes. 1t is only to be found Gas my
host informed me) in this place and another
called Pelmar. Those who use this poison
catch the frogs in the woods, and con6ne
them in hollow cane where they regularly
feed them until they want the poison, when
| they take one of the unfortunate reptiles, and
pass pointed piece of wood down his throat
and out at one Of his legs. This torture make.
the poor frog perspire very much, especially
on the back, which becomes covered witt
white froth: this is the most powerful poison
that he yields, and in this they dip or roll tn,
points of their arrows, which will preserv,
their destructive power for a year. After
wards, below this white substance, appears Z
yellow oil, which is carefully scraped of, ant
retains its deadly influence for four or ST,
months, according to the goodness, as the.
say, of the frog. BY this means, from one fro
sufficient poison is obtained for about fifty ar
rows"
The Edinburgh Journal of Science
i-4-:ul - uot;,a &c ., .n,., nnol.