IX.—Description of the Plant which produces the Ordeal Bean of Calabar

Abstract

It has been long known that in various parts of Africa, the natives are in the habit of subjecting to the ordeal of poison parties who are suspected of crimes. On the east coast, we meet with Tanghinia venenata, yielding the Tanghin poison-nut of Madagascar; and on the west coast, seeds and barks of different kinds have been employed as ordeals,—the sources of which, however, have not been hitherto fully ascertained.Dr Kirk, naturalist to the Livingstone Expedition, states, that the Manganja tribe, in the south-east of Africa, believe in a God, and in medicine, or the ordeal which he directs as the means of discovering crime. If the ordeal causes vomiting, it shows innocence; if it acts by the bowels, crime, and the person is put to death. But the doctors have a good knowledge of which to give, for there are different plants used.