If made in one piece, the arrow would often be torn out, head and all, by the long shaft catching in the underwood, or striking against trees.

The poison used here, and called _kombi_, is obtained from a species of _strophanthus_, and is very virulent.

Dr.Kirk found by an accidental experiment on himself that it acts by lowering the pulse.

In using his tooth-brush, which had been in a pocket containing a little of the poison, he noticed a bitter taste, but attributed it to his having sometimes used, the handle in taking quinine.

Though the quantity was small, it immediately showed its power by lowering his pulse which at the time had been raised by a cold, and next day he was perfectly restored.
Not much can be inferred from a single case of this kind, but it is possible that the kombi may turn out a valuable remedy; and as Professor Sharpey has conducted a series of experiments with this substance, we look with interest for the results.