ht in a pannier on
the back of one of the mules.

Several of the Indians possessed blow-pipes, from which they projected
arrows not more than eight inches in length; and with these we saw them
bring down a number of parroquets and other birds in rapid succession.
Scarcely had a bird been touched than, after fluttering for a few
moments, it fell dead. The arrows, we found, were poisoned; and the
Indians told us that the poison was produced from the moisture which
exudes from the back of a small green frog. They declared that, to
obtain it, the frog was put near a fire, and in the moisture which
quickly appeared on its back they dipped the tips of their arrows. So
speedy is the poison, that even a jaguar or puma which has received the
slightest wound soon becomes convulsed and dies. Instead of feathers, a
little cotton is wrapped neatly round the lower end of the arrow, to
make it go steadily through the air: and at about an inch from the point
it is spiral.

The major-domo told us that the farm, being at a distance from others,
was frequently attacked by jaguars, which carried off pigs, calves, and
sometimes even mules, although horses and the larger animals were
generally too wary for them. He took us to a remote spot, to show us a
trap which had been set for catching the jaguars. It was in a small
circular plot of ground, enclosed with strong stakes of considerable
height, to prevent the entrapped jaguar from breaking through or leaping
over. A doorway is left for the jaguar to enter. Above this is
suspended a large plank of wood communicating with one on the ground,
over which the jaguar on entering must tread, and it is so contrived
that as he does so the portcullis falls and shuts him in. A live pig is
fastened by a rope in the centre of the enclosure as a bait. An Indian
is always on the watch at night in a tree near the spot, and the moment
the jaguar is caught he gives the alarm, and his companions assemble and
despatch it with firearms and lances. Previous to our visit, a male and
female jaguar had been caught together, but before the labourers could
assemble they had almost eaten up the poor pig.

As we had already as much venison as we could carry, we agreed that we
should like to go out with the old Indian factor, Quamodo, and hunt
jaguars under his guidance, with as many of his people as he could
collect. By the time luncheon was over, therefore, he had provided a
party of Indians, armed with