Ch. iV. SOUTH AMERICA. 125 



Thefe people, who, by being acruilomed to ice thein, 

 forget the natural horror attending the light of an alli- 

 gator, delight in this food, to which the Europeans 

 at ñrli can hardly recDncile thcmfelves. 



Here are two lingularities attributed to nature, and 

 firmly believed by the inhabitants ; one in the plant 

 called yerva del gallo ; the other the double-headed 

 fnake called la cabeca. 



It is ct)nüantly aíícríed in this city, that its neigh- 

 bourhood produces a ihalce Iiavinga head at each extre- 

 mity ; and that from the bite of each a poilon is 

 conveyed equal in ailivity to that of the coral, or 

 rattle -ihake ; we could not have the fatisfaétion of 

 feeing one of this íírange Ipecies, though we ulbd all 

 the means in our power to gratify our curioiity : 

 according to report, its ufual length is about half a 

 yard, in figure perfectly rel'caibling an earth-worm. 

 Its diameter is about fix or eip^ht lines, and its head 

 different from that of other fnakes ; being of the 

 iamc dimeniions with its body. It is however very 

 probable that the creature has only one head, and, 

 from its refembl i ng a tail, has been imagined to have 

 two*. The motion of it is very flow, and its colour 

 variegated with fpots of a paler tinól. 



The licrl) called del gallo, or cocks- herb, is so 

 highly valued here, that tliey affirm, if an incilion be 

 made round the neck of that fowl, provided the verte- 

 ])rabc not injured, on tlic application of this herb, the 

 wound immediately heals. Wliatever conft ruction we 

 put upon this pretended cure, it ca¡] only be con- 

 iidered as a mere vulgar notion ; and I mention it 

 here with no other intention, than to fails fy the world 

 that we were not ignorant of it. 



fance the nati\^es eat with their fiih, fiefli, and fowl. If the guana 

 were to be had in England, I doubi.no!: but it uüuld be ranked among 

 the greateft dainties. A. 



*■ This conjecfture is very right. H. 



During- 



