differ’d very much from one another in their Votes, some judging that it
would be best privately to destroy _Gasca_, others were for an open
Engagement, but most thought of another way, _viz._ to get his Person
into their custody, and keep him under a strong Guard on the Island
_Puna_, under pretence that the _Peruvian_ Princes were sent for to come
and acknowledge him as supream Governor, which because the Cities lay so
remote one from another, could not be done in less than two years. Mean
while an Embassy was to be sent to the Court at _Madrid_, which should
enjoyn _Gasca_ to remain in _Panama_, and not offer to come to _Peru_
till such time as the Emperor commanded the same a second time at the
return of the Agents. But _Hieronimus Loaisa_, chief Bishop of _Los
Reyos_, _Thomas Martin_, Provincial of the _Dominicans_, _Gomes Solis_,
_Pizarro_’s Steward, _Laurence Aldana_, who were design’d for this
Embassy to the Emperor _Charles_, never went their Journey, but staid in
_Panama_ with _Gasca_, who had also gain’d to his Party _Peter Alfonso
Ainoiosa_, who Commanded _Pizarro_’s Fleet: _Aldana_ likewise inform’d
him of all _Pizarro_’s private Councels; whereupon _Gasca_ sent
privately for Aid to _Mexico_, _Guatimala_, _Nicaragua_, and _St.
Domingo_, and dispatch’d four Ships with three hundred Men, Commanded by
_Aldana_, from the Haven _Panama_, with Order to Land about Midnight
against the City _Los Reyos_, and so fall unawares on _Pizarro_.
_Aldana_ accordingly falling into the Bay of _Malabrige_, was reliev’d
and supply’d with Provisions by _Diego Mora_, Governor of _Truxillo_: On
the other side, the Field-Marshal _Carvayales_ being sent for by
_Pizarro_, made a pompous Entrance, with the firing of Guns and
Bonfires, into _Los Reyos_, where all Persons that seem’d to have the
least inclination for _Gasca_, were either stabb’d or poyson’d. In the
room of _Mora_, _Pizarro_ sent the Lawyer _Garcias Leon_ to be Governor
of _Truxillo_, but he being taken by _Aldana_’s Fleet, joyn’d with
_Gasca_; and thus all things began to conspire the ruine of _Pizarro_,
yet he despair’d not, but being inform’d of the approach of the Ships,
caus’d the Drums to be beaten in _Los Reyos_, forc’d every one that was
able to bear Arms, on pain of death to serve him, made several
experienc’d Soldiers, Commanders over his Horse and Foot, to whom he
gave as much Money as they requir’d, to maintain those whom they had
rais’d, and who were to be rais’d, by which means he got a thousand Men
in Arms; to which number, according to an Order sent to _Cusco_,
_Plata_, _Arequipa_, _Lima_, _Guanuco_, and other neighboring Places,
new Forces were expected to joyn; but _Savedra_, Governor of _Guanuco_,
deserting the City, left _Pizarro_ and joyn’d with _Mora_, who secur’d
the Province of _Caxamalca_ for _Gasca_. Thus _Pizarro_ began to be
daily more and more forsaken. Since the destruction of the Vice-Roy
_Vela_, Captain _Diego Centeni_ had hid himself out of fear of _Pizarro_
a whole year, in a Cave under Ground, but now inform’d of _Gasca_’s
Arrival, came forth, and getting forty Men and some Horses together,
which also belong’d formerly to the Vice-Roy, resolv’d, though meanly
Arm’d, to go upon a bold Design, _viz._ to take the City _Cusco_; of
which _Antonio de Robles_, a Man hated and despis’d for his mean Extract
and little Wit, had the chief Command, there being therein a Garrison of
five hundred Soldiers, besides the Citizens, who were likewise in Arms:
Being inform’d of _Centeno_’s approach, he sent out _Francisco Aguierre_
as a Spye to discover the Enemy; but he joyning with _Centeno_, advis’d
him to march along a By-way, and towards Night to draw up about _Cusco_,
which accordingly he did, and forcing open the Gates, rush’d in with his
Horse against the Enemy, who were drawn up in the Market-place, and
breaking through their Ranks trampled whole Companies under foot; after
which he fell in upon _Robles_, who having forgotten to give his Men the
_Word_, caus’d a great distraction; for the Men blinded by the darkness
of the Night, knew not Friend from Foe, insomuch that _Robles_’s Party
did one another more mischief than _Centeno_ did; who being thus become
Master of the City, caus’d _Robles_ to be Beheaded the next day, and
distributed a hundred thousand _Ducats_ amongst his Soldiers, and then
march’d with a hundred Men to the City _Plata_, to bring _Mendoza_,
Governor of the same, under the Emperor’s subjection; in which his
Design he likewise prov’d successful, being supply’d with a hundred and
thirty Foot, which _Lucas Martin_, had fetch’d from _Arequipa_ for the
Service of _Pizarro_, whom since he had deserted and joyn’d with
_Gasca_’s Party. Mean while the Fleet under the Command of _Aldana_
arriv’d in the Haven before _Los Reyos_, to the great terror and
amazement of the whole City; from whence _Pizarro_ marching, Encamp’d
himself with five hundred and fifty Men, so to prevent their Landing,
swearing that he would spare none whoe’re fell into his Hands, and sent
Order to _Peter Martin_, whom he had left in the City, immediately to
Hang up those which would not follow the Army, or who return’d from
thence home; to which purpose _Martin_ went from place to place with an
Executioner, and thinking him not quick enough in his Work, stabb’d many
Citizens himself: And strict Order was given by _Pizarro_ that all
Runaways should be punish’d with Death; notwithstanding all which many
of his nearest Friends daily forsook him, taking advantage of the
darkness of the Night; nay, the Soldiers themselves would at Noon-day
ride away from him, crying aloud, _Long live the Emperor, and let the
Tyrant_ Pizarro _die_: Wherefore he judg’d it most convenient to remove
to the Countrey _Nasca_: During his Journey thither, whole Troops left
him, insomuch that he scarce kept a hundred and fifty Men, and those he
fear’d every Minute would fall upon him and Murder him.
[Sidenote: _Los Reyos_ declares for the Emperor.]
[Sidenote: _Pizarro_ utterly defeated, surrenders himself into _Gasca_’s
Power.]
[Sidenote: _Carvayales_ and _Pizarro_ both put to death by _Gasca_.]
With _Pizarro_’s departure, the whole Scene of Affairs was chang’d in
_Los Reyos_; for there the Imperial Standard was erected, the City Cryer
read the Letters of Pardon which _Gasca_ had brought with him from
_Spain_ in the corner of every Street. _Juan Palimino_ Landing with
fifty Men, receiv’d all those that had deserted _Pizarro_, whilest
_Gasca_ set Sail from _Panama_ with five hundred Men, with whom Landing
at _Truxillo_, he Encamp’d himself in the Valley _Xauxa_, whither great
multitudes flock’d from all places out of malice to _Pizarro_, who in a
short time had destroy’d above five hundred Gentlemen. But _Pizarro_
having quitted _Los Reyos_, he possess’d the City _Arequipa_, which he
found quite desolate, but meeting afterwards with the Forces Commanded
by _Juan Acosta_, of which one half were also run away, joyn’d with
them, and march’d against _Centeno_, who lay along the Lake _Titicaca_,
with whom he Engag’d in the Plain _Guarina_: _Ludovico Ribera_ Landing,
_Centeno_’s Party fir’d their Guns before the _Pizarrians_ were within
shot of him, of which _Carvayales_ making speedy use, drew up his Pieces
close before the Enemy, and made an exceeding slaughter amongst them,
killing above a hundred and fifty Men in the first Onset; the Horse
amaz’d at the sudden destruction of the Foot, fled, leaving the
remaining Foot-Soldiers open to the Enemy, who was gotten behind them
with his Musquetteers, and with his Horse before, whilest six
_Peruvians_ carried away _Centeno_ out of the Fight, he lying sick on a
Chair. _Pizarro_ thus become Victor, kill’d all he met with; of which
_Gasca_ being inform’d, resolving upon a private and sudden Revenge,
caus’d all Necessaries for War to be made ready, and march’d with a
thousand and nine hundred Men out of the Valley of _Xauxa_ to _Cusco_,
where by the Way he was supply’d with the Forces, which the experienc’d
Colonel _Peter Valdivia_ had brought from _Chili_; with which coming to
_Andagua_, he took up his Quarters there for some time, because the mild
Winter had with continual Rains made the Ways so dirty, that there was
no travelling, and had rotted their Tents and _Maiz_, and also
occasion’d the Bloody-flux amongst the Soldiers. In _March_, _Gasca_
broke up with his Camp to cross the River _Apurima_, which he found very
troublesom, because _Pizarro_ had broke down all the Bridges: But
_Gasca_ caus’d Wood and other Materials to be carried to several places,
that the Enemy should not certainly know his Intentions, and at last
march’d over deep snowy Mountains to _Cotabamba_, where suddenly he made
a Bridge, over which march’d four hundred Foot, but the Horse suffer’d
most damage; for sixty Horses loaden with Arms going to wade over, were
carried down by the Stream against sharp Rocks, by which they were
desperately gor’d in their sides, and many of them kill’d outright.
_Pizarro_ inform’d of the Enemies whole Proceedings by his Spyes, sent
_Acosta_ thither with two hundred Musquetteers, to fall upon those that
were come over, whom he finding too many, durst not venture to Engage
with them. Mean while _Gasca_’s whole Army getting over on the other
side of the River _Apurima_, march’d up a high Hill, whilest _Pizarro_
Encamp’d himself five Leagues from _Cusco_, in a Plain call’d
_Saguisagrana_, the Entrance into his Camp being fortifi’d with six
Field-Pieces, each side by a River and several Mountains, and the Rere
by a deep dry Moat: _Gasca_ stood upon a Hill and view’d the Enemy’s
whole Forces lying in the Valley, and being oppress’d with excessive
Heat, whilest his Men were so exceedingly pinch’d with Cold in the
Night, that they were scarce able to hold their Arms, according to the
strange property of the _Peruvian_ Climate; for the tops of Hills
generally Freeze, whilest the Valleys about a League from thence are
parch’d with Heat: At Break-of-day _Gasca_ descended the Hill; his Horse
being divided into two Wings, were Commanded, the left by _Juan
Savedra_, and the right by _Balthazar Castro_; _Mendoza_ led some
Dragoons, _Valdivia_ guarded the Guns, and _Gasca_ himself march’d in
the Front of the Musquetteers. On the other side, _Pizarro_ plac’d the
_Peruvians_ on his right Wing, _Cepeda_ and _Acosta_ Commanded the
Horse, _Carvayales_ and _La Torre_ the Foot, _Sebastian Vergara_ and
_Peter Soria_ guarded the Field-Pieces: But the Battel was scarce begun,
when _Cepedo_ and a great part of the Horse deserting _Pizarro_ went to
joyn with _Gasca_, and immediately after the right Wing of the
Musquetteers; at the same time _Centeno_ and _Mendoza_ fir’d amongst
_Pizarro_’s main Body, of which some ran away to _Cusco_, others with
their Colours to _Gasca_’s Army. _Pizarro_ seeing himself thus forsaken,
cry’d out, _Since all are fled to the Imperial Standard, I will also
betake my self thither, where perhaps I may find Mercy_: Whereupon
_Acosta_ answer’d, _Let us rather fall in amongst the thickest of the
Enemy, and die valiantly_: To which _Pizarro_ reply’d, _No, now I have
lost Honor and Goods, I must take care for my Soul, that that may not be
lost also_; which said, he lighted from his Horse, Caparison’d in
Silver, and deliver’d himself and his Sword into the Hands of the
Serjeant _Villavicenzo_, who found him Habited in curious Armor, a
Golden Helmet with a stately Plume of Feathers, and a Corslet incircl’d
with Emeraulds about his Neck: _Gasca_ seeing him brought before him in
this manner, said thus unto him, _Have you not order’d your Business
well, to waste so much of the Emperor’s Treasure, and shed so much
Blood, and all to confirm your self in your unlawful Usurpation of_
Peru? To which _Pizarro_ answer’d, saying, _I have spent my own Estate
in the Service of the_ Spanish _Crown, and might lawfully take upon me
the Government of_ Peru, _having with the loss of my Brother’s Life, and
the hazard of my own, discover’d the same_. _Carvayales_ escaping out of
the Fight, had hid himself in a Thicket of Canes, but being discover’d
by his own People, was by them brought before _Gasca_, who the next day
after the Battel caus’d him to be Quarter’d alive, and _Pizarro_’s Head
to be cut off in Prison; the other Prisoners were most of them kill’d in
cold Blood. _Gasca_ thus become absolute Master of _Peru_, found an
incredible Treasure left by _Pizarro_, of which he gave to every common
Soldier above six thousand _Ducats_; and with this his victorious Army
march’d to _Cusco_, where he employ’d his Executioners afresh, in
Hanging, Drawing, and the like; some that were stigmatiz’d and condemn’d
to the Galleys, accounted themselves happy that they had escap’d so.
_Gasca_, though Victor, perceiv’d no small Troubles to threaten him,
having twenty five hundred Men in Arms, of which every one for their
faithful Service judg’d that they deserv’d some Office or other, there
being then above a hundred and fifty to dispose of, _Pizarro_ having
Executed the chiefest Officers, and those that bore any Command under
him being either fled or kill’d in the last Fight: but the small number
of Officers that were wanting, was not to be compar’d to all those that
gap’d for Commissions. The Revenues, which yearly amounted to eleven
hundred thousand _Ducats_, went most of it away amongst the Officers,
the common Soldiers getting onely a small Snip out of it; wherefore many
began to murmur, and were upon the point of Mutinying, if _Cianca_, the
Judge of criminal Causes, taking the chief of them, had not punish’d
them in such a manner, that all the rest being terrifi’d, gave over
their Complaints. After _Gasca_ had spent above nine hundred thousand
_Ducats_ in the War against _Pizarro_; all which Money he took up upon
Interest, which, after having setled the Kingdom in Quietness, he paid
for the most part with the Goods taken from the Rebels. Next he made a
Law concerning the _Peruvians_ paying of Tribute, which before the
_Spaniards_ forc’d from them whensoe’re and howsoe’re they pleas’d, with
the greatest Tortures imaginable.
[Sidenote: _Peru_ Governed by Vice-Roys.]
_Gasca_ having again erected in _Los Reyos_ the high Court of
Judicature, in which sat the Imperial Judges, return’d home with an
unvaluable Mass of Treasure for _Charles_ the Fifth, and left the
_Peruvian_ Government to the Judge _Cianca_; since which time _Peru_
hath been Govern’d by Vice-Roys, the first whereof, who succeeded
_Cianca_, was _Antonio Mendoza_, and after him successively _Andreas
Hurtado Mendoza_, _Diego Valasco_, _Lopez Garcias de Castro_, _Francisco
de Toledo_, _Martin Enriques_, _Garcias Mendoza_, _Ludovico Velasco_,
and _Juan Pacheco_, under whom the _Peruvian_ Kingdom hath enjoy’d Peace
and Quiet, to the considerable enriching of the _Spanish_ Inhabitants.
Thus much of the antient Transactions in _Peru_, it will now be
requisite to give you a brief Account of the several Provinces in this
mighty Kingdom.
[Sidenote: Division of _Peru_.]
The Countrey is generally divided into three _Juridicial Resorts_, as
they call them, or Courts of Appeal, which are _Quito_, _Lima_, and
_Charcas_; but the particular Provinces, as they are commonly observ’d
by Geographers, are said to be six, _viz._ 1. _Quito._ 2. _Los Quixos._
3. _Lima._ 4. _Cusco._ 5. _Charcas._ and 6. _Collao._
SECT. II.
Quito.
[Sidenote: Situation and Description of _Quito_.]
The first Province of _Peru_ towards the North is _Quito_, or the new
Kingdom of _Granada_, with which on that side it is bounded, having on
the West, _Mare del Zur_; on the South, _Lima_; and on the East, _Los
Quixos_. It lieth in a manner right under the _Line_, and is said to be
seventy two Leagues in length, and in some places about twenty five in
breadth.
The Winter begins here in _October_, and continues till _March_, in
which fall mighty Showers, and on the Mountains abundance of Snow, but
all the Summer long the Sun is seldom darkned with a Cloud. Many of the
Inhabitants die of a Giddiness in the Head about the beginning and end
of Summer. The _POX_ also destroys many of the Natives; with which
Disease they are often born, and give it to the _Spaniards_, who are not
able to abstain from the _Indian_ Women; they use _Sassaparilla_ and the
Wood _Guaiacum_ to cure themselves with.
Here grow also many poysonous Herbs, which the _Peruvians_ make use of
to poyson one another.
[Sidenote: The Fruit _Quaba_.]
In the farthest parts of _Quito_ grows the salt and cooling Fruit
_Quaba_, two Handfuls long, cover’d with a grey Rind, and within full of
white Pulp and hard Kernels.
[Sidenote: The Tree _Guaiaba_.]
The Tree _Guaiaba_ hath a pale smooth Bark, thick Boughs, hard and
glittering Leaves, Flowers consisting of five Leaves, not unlike a
Peacock’s Plume, long Apples, woolly without, and within full of a pale
red Pulp and eatable Stones; the Root, which spreads it self very much,
is sweet, and when boyl’d cures the Bloody-flux. This Tree grows in most
places, especially in low Grounds, the more because the Kernels which
the Birds picking out let fall on the Ground, spring up in new Trees.
The _Spanish_ Fruits, as Peaches, Cittrons, Figs, Pomegranates, Pears,
Quinces, and Oranges, grow also here in great abundance, but when ripe
are subject to rot.
Moreover, the Fields abound with Wheat, Barley, and _Maiz_; the Pastures
afford plenty of Grass for Oxen, Horses and Sheep, which bring forth
Lambs twice in fourteen Moneths.
The Ocean and Rivers store of Fish; the Stream _Barbara_ us’d formerly
to produce Gold also.
In moist Grounds the Inhabitants find abundance of Salt-petre, the best
that is for the making of Gun-powder.
[Sidenote: The Inns _Tambos_.]
For the Accommodation of Travellers, Inns call’d _Tambos_, are built
near the High-ways, exactly five Leagues distant one from another, where
all sorts of Provisions are sold at a set Price.
[Sidenote: The Nature of the People.]
The Natives antiently went Cloth’d in a Frock without Sleeves, as wide
on the top as at the bottom, and pleited their long Hair. They are
strong, well proportion’d in Body, and subtile enough to learn any Art,
but treacherous, inconstant, and inclin’d to Drunkenness: They were very
hard also to be brought to receive the _Roman_ Religion, so that most of
them would not suffer themselves to be Baptiz’d till they lay a dying:
They also drove a great Trade in Cotton, Wooll, and Cloth.
Between _Pasto_ and _Quito_ are several Villages, and the famous
High-way, by the _Ingas_ cut through the Wildernesses and Mountains, the
Wall of an old Castle, and the wonderful Stone-Bridge _Lumichaca_, which
Nature hath made over the swift River _Guaca_; it consists of a hard
Cliff, at the Foot whereof is a great Arch, through which the Water runs
with exceeding force.
[Illustration]
This Tract of Land produces _Maiz_, and abundance of _Mortuanos_, a
Fruit resembling Damask Prunes, which eaten in excess cause Drunkenness
and Faintness.
The Lake _Yaguarcocha_, signifying _Bloody-Water_, because the Inga
_Guayanacava_ kill’d and drown’d twenty thousand there.
[Sidenote: Towns and Places of chief note.]
The chief Towns and Places of Note are, 1. _Caranguez_, antiently a
Royal City, where stood a sumptuous and stately Palace of the Kings of
_Peru_, now almost deserted. The Palace, built of Stone in a little
Plain, without either Mortar or Iron-work, manifests its former glory by
its Ruines.
2. The Royal Castle of _Atabalo_, or _Ottavallis_, in the building of
which the _Ingas_ spar’d no Cost nor Charges; and indeed it is a
Structure no way inferior to any of the antient _Roman_ Edifices.
Between this Castle and _Cochequi_, a stately House, lies a cold snowy
Mountain. Moreover, the _Spaniards_ have several Habitations along the
Way to _Quito_, and especially in the Valley _Annaquito_, where the
Vice-Roy _Vela_ lost the Battel fought against _Gonsalvo Pizarro_.
3. _Quito_, commonly call’d _St. Francisco de Quito_. There stood
formerly here certain Palaces, built by the _Ingas_, but the City was
re-built by the _Spaniards_ at the Foot of a certain Ridge of Mountains,
which it hath on the North and North-West side of it, and are said by
_Laet_, to cross the whole Countrey of _Peru_ quite over from the South
to the North Sea: It was soon after the Building inhabited by five
hundred Families of _Spaniards_ at least, besides Natives, and well
fortifi’d, and might be thought a Town very well seated in all respects,
but for the neighborhood of a Vulcan, which at times annoyeth it very
much, as namely in the Year 1560. when it vomited out such abundance of
flaming Cinders and other sulphureous Matter, that had it not been for a
Shower of Rain unexpectedly falling, would have much damnifi’d, if not
destroy’d the Place. The Natives about _Quito_ are more Moraliz’d than
other _Peruvians_. The Valleys which are warm’d by the Sun produce all
manner of Fruit-Trees and large Vineyards; and the Root _Papas_, not
unlike Apples. The _Quimla_, which is of a Mans heighth, hath little
Seeds, of which a pleasant Liquor is boyl’d. From _Quito_ the High-way
leads to _Cusco_, along which at every four Leagues distance stands a
brave Palace; and from _Cusco_ to _Chili_, being in all above a thousand
Leagues long. The City, built on a sandy Soyl, is divided in the middle
by a Moat, over which lead several Bridges: the Streets are large and
streight, and full of handsom Houses, and at the ends of the four chief
Streets four Market-places. Besides the Cathedral, are two other
Churches, Dedicated to the Saints _Sebastian_ and _Blasius_. The
Cloysters of the _Franciscans_ and _Dominicans_ are also no small
Ornament to the City. Besides other stately Structures, are the
Residences of the Receivers of the Kings Revenues, to which the
_Peruvians_ that live about the City, being computed no less than fifty
thousand in number, pay Tribute; and to keep them in subjection, the
City _Quito_ is always well stor’d with all manner of Ammunition and
Instruments of War. The chiefest Trade here consists in Sheep, Goats,
and other Cattel, Cotton-Clothes, Cloth, Flax, Hats, Cordage, Sugar and
Salt; which Salt, being grey and bitter, springs out of a Fountain in
the Countrey _Mira_. The Oyl, Wine, and Drugs which are us’d here, are
fetch’d from the South Sea up the River _Ambato_, and from thence with
Carts into the City.
4. _Thomebamba_, famous for a Royal Palace, built there by some of the
_Ingas_; It lies Southward from _Quito_ in the Province of _Canares_,
where two Rivers commix their Waters, near a Plain abounding with
Venison. There yet remain considerable Ruines of this Palace, in which
one may discern the vast Dimensions of divers Rooms, in some of which
Arms were kept, and in others Provisions and Clothes; of which kind of
Buildings or Magazines the _Ingas_ had erected above a thousand in
_Peru_, especially along the High-way, that they might have their
Ammunition ready in all places if need should require. On the left side
of _Thomebamba_ appear’d the famous Temple of the Sun, whose Gates were
not onely curiously Painted, but also Inlay’d with Emeraulds. Both the
Palace and Temple, adorn’d with Gold and costly Images of great
Touch-stone and Jasper, contain’d within their Walls an unvaluable
Treasure. These magnificent Structures are at this day fall’n quite to
decay. The People of this Countrey, who wear long Hair, pleited on the
top of their Heads like a Coronet, go Cloth’d in Cotton Coats and
Buskins of Hair-cloth. The Women, indifferent fair, and great admirers
of the _Spaniards_, Plough, Sowe, and gather in the Harvest, whilest the
Men stay at home, Spinning, Weaving, and doing of other Female-Offices.
_Anno 1544._ they discover’d Mines here, which produc’d as much Gold as
Earth.
5. _Tacunga_, where was formerly another stately Palace, about fifteen
Leagues from _Cusco_, not far from the Mountain which some years since
vomited Ashes and Stones into the adjacent Fields. Hereabouts was
formerly a Cloyster, inhabited by the Nuns call’d _Namaconas_, the
Ruines whereof are yet to be seen, with several Houses of Stone, but
cover’d with Thatch. The Natives in this Place are of a brown
Complexion, and of a very affable Nature.
6. _Mulambato_; 7. _Mocha_; 8. _Rhiobamba_, three small Villages, but
each of them credited with a stately Palace. Opposite to _Rhiobamba_
lies the Province _Chumbo_, from which a troublesom Way leads to
_Guaynacapa_ over the River _Chongo_.
9. _St. Jago de Puerto Viejo_, giving Denomination to the Territory
about it, which produces abundance of _Potatoe_ Roots, _Maiz_, _Juca_,
three sorts of _Guayavas_, _Cerezillas_, and the Tree _Tunas_, which
bears wild Figs. The _Spanish_ Fruits grow here likewise in great
plenty. The fore-mention’d Beasts like Hogs, whose Navels grow on their
Backs, are also very common here. The Woods abound with Deer and all
sorts of Fowls, amongst which one resembling a Goose, and call’d _Xuta_;
and another nam’d _Maca_, somewhat lesser than a Cock, and which feeding
about the House, may be reckon’d amongst the Poultrey of this Countrey.
The Sea along the Coast affords them abundance of _Bonito_’s, which
eaten in some Seasons cause Agues. The People along the Sea-Coast are
generally troubled with Pimples and Sores in their Faces, especially on
their Foreheads and Noses, few of them living long, by reason of the
unhealthfulness of the Place through excessive Moisture, for the Rain
continues eight Moneths together.