Beta-Carbolines occur widely but haphazardly in the Angiospermae. They have been found in at least 64 genera in 28 families of the Angiospermae, in both the Monocotyledonae and Dicotyledonae; and, in the Dicotyledonae, in both the Archichlamydeae and the Metachlamydeae. These 64 genera are divided almost equally between the New World and the Old, and several have ranges in both hemispheres (Allen & Holmstedt 1980; Rauffauf 1970; Deulofeu 1967). No beta-carbolines have as yet been reported from the Cryptogamae, except in three genera of the Fungi: Amanita, Coriolus and Streptomyces (Allen & Holmstedt 1980). With this type of chemotaxonomic distribution, it is probable that beta-carbolines, relatively simply trypthophan derivatives, will be found in many more families as the result of future studies. What are the plants — sacred above all others — and the chemical constituents that hold such power in native societies and such interest for modern investigators in numerous fields of study — anthropology, botany, chemistry, pharmacology, medicine and psychiatry? Only a fraction of what is common knowledge about these plants among the medicine men of aboriginal tribes is actually known to modern science. It behooves modern investigators to tap this valuable and ready source of information before the culture that gave it birth disappears through acculturation or extinction. Modern medical research has already gleaned so much from studies of so-called primitive societies that endeavors toward the investigation and understanding of the knowledge and medicinal practices of these neglected groups should stand in a place of the highest priority in technical programs of research (Schultes & Farnsworth 1980; Schultes 1967). The whole fascinating, if somewhat exasperating, story of the identification and chemical constitution of the beta-carboline narcotics of South America serves to emphasize how little is known about some of the most widely used and most culturally significant hallucinogens of the American Indians. It further serves to support the statement of Holmstedt and Lindgren (1967): "Once again, one cannot but marvel at the ingenuity of the South American Indians who relentlessly seem to be able to find their way to the right herb containing the most active component." And one must harken back to the wish of Spruce in 1852: "This is all I have seen and learnt of caapi or ayahuasca .... Some traveller who may follow my steps with greater resources at his command will, it is hoped, be able to bring away materials adequate for the complete analysis of this curious plant." Would that the perspicacity of today's botanists and chemists were equally keen in solving the complex problems surrounding these extraordinary mind-altering plants and the preparations made from them.