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What did Native Americans dip their arrows in?

In the United States, Native American tribes used venomous reptiles to provide the poisons required. In the Southwest United States, the Gila monster, being one of the only two venomous lizards, has been used as a source. There is evidence of Pacific Island cultures using poison arrow and spear tips.

en.wikipedia.org - Arrow poison - Wikipedia
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Poison applied to arrow heads or darts for hunting or warfare

Arrow poisons are used to poison arrow heads or darts for the purposes of hunting and warfare. They have been used by indigenous peoples worldwide and are still in use in areas of South America, Africa and Asia. Notable examples are the poisons secreted from the skin of the poison dart frog, and curare (or 'ampi'), a general term for a range of plant-derived arrow poisons used by the indigenous peoples of South America.[1] Poisoned arrows have featured in mythology, notably the Greek story of Heracles slaying the centaur Nessus using arrows poisoned with the blood of the Lernaean Hydra. The Greek hero Odysseus poisons his arrows with hellebore in Homer's Odyssey. Poisoned arrows also figure in Homer's epic about the Trojan War, the Iliad, in which both Achaeans and Trojans used toxic arrows and spears.[2] Poisoned arrows are referred to in the Book of Job in the Bible, descriptive of the sufferings experienced by the just man, Job.[3] The modern terms "toxic" and "toxin" derive from the ancient Greek word for "bow", toxon, from Old Persian *taxa-, "an arrow".[4][5][6] Poisoned arrows were used by real people in the ancient world, including the Gauls, ancient Romans, and the nomadic Scythians and Soanes. Ancient Greek and Roman historians describe recipes for poisoning projectiles and historical battles in which poison arrows were used. Alexander the Great encountered poisoned projectiles during his conquest of India (probably dipped in the venom of Russell's viper) and the army of the Roman general Lucullus suffered grievous poison wounds from arrows shot by nomads during the Third Mithridatic War (1st century BC).[2] In the Kingdom of Kush, arrows were often poison-tipped. There is some indication that poisoned arrows were used in battle against the Romans from 27 BC to 22 BC.[7] The use of poisoned arrows in hunting and warfare by some Native Americans has also been documented.[8] Over the ages, Chinese warfare has included projectiles poisoned with various toxic substances.[9]

Varieties [ edit ]

Arrow poisons around the world are created from many sources:

Plant-based poisons [ edit ]

Strychnos toxifera, a plant commonly used in the preparation of , a plant commonly used in the preparation of curare

Animal-based poisons [ edit ]

Preparation [ edit ]

The following 17th-century account describes how arrow poisons were prepared in China:

In making poison arrows for shooting wild beasts, the tubers of wild aconitum are boiled in water. The resulting liquid, being highly viscous and poisonous, is smeared on the sharp edges of arrowheads. These treated arrowheads are effective in the quick killing of both human beings and animals, even though the victim may shed only a trace of blood.[17]

See also [ edit ]

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How do you identify a basswood?

The leaves of the American Basswood have a distinctive heart (cordate) shape and uneven bases. They also have serrated edges and end in a pointed tip. In addition, they are alternately arranged, pinnately veined, and 4″ to 8″ long.

trees.wustl.edu - How to Identify the American Basswood

Leaf Identification

The leaves of the American Basswood have a distinctive heart (cordate) shape and uneven bases. They also have serrated edges and end in a pointed tip. In addition, they are alternately arranged, pinnately veined, and 4″ to 8″ long.

Leaf of Arbor Walk #17

Underside of Leaf from Arbor Walk #17

Twig and Bud Identification

The twigs of the American Basswood are slender, somewhat zigzag, and green to red in color with some lenticils. This tree has distinct buds that are often described as being “humpback” since one side typically bulges disproportionately. Furthermore, the buds typically have 2-3 bud scales that are a reddish color and have a false terminal bud.

Twig of Arbor Walk #17

Bark Identification

On younger American Basswoods, the bark is smooth and green to gray; however, as the tree matures, it develops long, narrow ridges and furrows that are dark grey in color.

Bark of Arbor Walk #17

Fruit Identification

The fruit of the American Basswood appear in distinct clusters of small, rounded nutlets on a stalk that hang from narrow, elliptical, winged bracts. The purpose of the bracts is to help increase dispersion by acting as a sail. The fruit typically ripens in late fall and will sometimes remain on the tree until early winter.

[photo forthcoming]

Flower Identification

The flowers of the American Basswood are pale yellow and hang in hairless long-stalked clusters. The flowers typically have 5 petals and are well-known for their fragrance. Furthermore, the flowers usually appear in May or June and are monoecious.

[photo forthcoming]

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