Ch. III. SOUTH AMERICA. 123 



high price. Here are no pulfe or pot-herbs of any 

 kind ; and that this is not owing to the ilerilityof the 

 earth, we had an evident proof in a fmall garden, be- 

 longing to a Gallician, w.here all things ot this kind 

 were produced in great plenty. By this means Pa- 

 nama is under aneceliity of being fupplied with every 

 thing, either from the coaft oí Peru, or places in its 

 own jurildiólion. 



CHAP. IV. 



Of the ufual Food of the Inhabitants of Panama, 



THE very want of proviiions caufbs the tables at 

 Panama to be better furnifhed ; and it may be 

 truly faid, that this city lubíiñs wholly by commerce, 

 whatever is confumed in it coming from other places. 

 The ihips of Peru are continually employed in ex- 

 porting goods from that country, and the coafting 

 barks in bringing the products of the feveral places 

 in its jurifdiótion and that of Varaguas. So that 

 Panama is plentifully furnifhed with the beil of wheat, 

 maize, poultry, and cattle. Whether it be owing to 

 the fuperior goodnefs of their food, the temperament 

 of the climate, or to fome other cauic to me unknown, 

 it is certain that the inhabitants of this city are not fo 

 meagre and pale as thofe who live at Carthagena and 

 Porto Bello. 



Thp:ir common food is a creature called guana. It 

 is amphibious, living equally on the land and in the 

 water. It refembles a lizard in fhape, but is fome- 

 thing larger, being generally above a yard in length : 

 fome are coniiderably bigger, others lefs. It is of a 

 yellowifh- green colour, but of a brighter yellow on 

 the belly than on the back, where the green predo- 

 minates. It has four legs like a lizard ; but its claws 

 are much longer in proportion ; they are joined by a 



web. 



