|ft A VOYAGE TO Book I. 



particularly known on account of its fruit called ba- 

 billa do Carthagena, the bean of Carthagena. It is 

 about an inch broad, and nine lines in length, flat, and 

 in the Ihape of a heart. The Ihell, though thin, is 

 hard, and on the outiide fcabrous. It contains a kernel 

 refembling an almond, but lefs white, and extremely 

 bitter. This is one of the moñ eíFe¿lual antidotes 

 known in that country againft the bites of vipers and 

 lerpents ; for a little of it being eaten immediately af- 

 ter the bite, it prclently Hops the effecis of the poilbn.; 

 and accordingly all who frequent the woods, either for 

 felling trees or hunting, never fail to eat a little of this 

 habilla lafiing, and repair to their work without any 

 apprehenñon. I was informed by an European, who 

 vvas a famous hunter, and by teveral other perlbns 

 worthy of credit, that, vvith this precaution, if any one 

 happened to be bit by a ferpent, it was attended with 

 no ill conlequenee. The natives tell you, that, this 

 habilla being hot in the highcii degree, much of it 

 cannot be eaten, that the c'ommon dofc of it is lefs than 

 the fourth part of a kernel, and that no hot liquor, as 

 wine, brandy, &c. muft be drunk immediately after 

 taking it. In this cafe they doubtleis derive theit 

 knowledge from experience. This valuable habilla is 

 alio known in other parts of America near Carthagena, 

 and goes every where by its name, as being the pecu- 

 liar product of its jurilcliction. 



CFIAP. VIÍ. 



OJ the Bcafts^ Birds, Reptiles^ and Infecís ^ i?i the 

 Tt:rritories of Carthagena, 



FROM the trees and plants in this juTÍfdi(Stion, we 

 Ihall proceed to the different kinds of animals; 

 fome of which are tame for the ufe and pleafurc of its, 

 inhabitants i others wild^ aiid of luch difierent quali-' 



ties 



