€n, X, SOUTH AMERICA. 109 



doms both of North and Soiifh Arncrira. T])e most 

 considerable commodiiv received from tlie former is 

 snuff, which is brought from the liavannah let 

 Mexico, and after beiiig- there improved is forwarded 

 to Lima, and from thence sent into the other pro- 

 vinces. This trade is carried on neariy in the same 

 manner as that of Panama; but those v,'ho deal in 

 this commodity, never trouble themselves with any 

 other except perfumes, as ambergrise, musk, &c, and 

 porcelain ware. Some of these traders are settled at 

 Lima ; others reside there occasionally, but are in 

 general factors to the merchants at Mexico. Lima 

 also receives from the ports of New Spain naphtha,, 

 tar, iron, and some indigo for dying. 



The kingdom of Terra Firma sends to Lima leaf- 

 tobacco, and pearls, v/hich here meet with a good 

 market ; for besides the great numbers worn by the 

 ladies, no mulatto woman is without some ornament 

 or other made of them. During a free as^iento of 

 negroes, this commerce is always carried by way of 

 Panama, and to a considerable amount- 



The ladies, and indeed women of all ranks, have a 

 very ancient custom, namely, the carrying in their 

 mouths a limpión, or cleanser, of tobacco. The first 

 intention of this v/as to keep the teeth clean, as the 

 name itself intimates. These limpions are small roils 

 of tobacco, four inches in length, and nine lines in 

 diameter, and tied wiííj a thread, which they untwist 

 as the liiupion wastes. One end of this they put into 

 their mouth, and after chewing it for so Tie time, nib 

 the teoth with it, and thus keep them always clean 

 and while. The lower class of people, who generally 

 pervert the best thiags, carxy this custom to such ex- 

 cess, as to keep continuaily in their mouths a roll of 

 tobacco, au inch and a halt in diameter; affecting to 

 distinguish themselves by the largeness of their lim- 

 pions, ¿hough it absolutely disfigures them. This cus.- 

 toni; together with that of smoaking, which is equally 



