126 A VOYAGE TO Book IIL 



DuftiKG our flay at Panama we were very urgent 

 withthofe. who related this ftory to procure us fomc 

 of the herb, that we might make the experiment ; but 

 in this we were as unfortunate as in the article of the 

 two-headed fnake, none being to be had. I have, 

 however, lince been told, by perfons fettled in Pana- 

 ma, that it was very common ; a fufficient proof, in my 

 opinion, that the flory has no foundation ; for, if it 

 was fo eafy to be had, and of fuch furpriling virtue, 

 what reafon could they have for refuiing to convince 

 us by ocular demon ft ration ? It may have a flyptic 

 virtue, when none of the principal blood-vcffels are 

 injured ; but that it can join them after being cut, 

 together with the nerves and tendons when totally 

 fevered, no perfon of any knowledge or judgment will 

 ever be brought to believe. And if its efteíf s are fo 

 remarkably happy on poultry, it is furely natural to 

 think it ihould have the fame on any other animal ; 

 and, confequently, on the human fpccies. If this 

 were the cale, it would be of infinite value; and no 

 foldier, efpecially, fhould be without it, as a few ounces 

 of this grand reitorative would immediately cure the 

 moti terrible wounds. 



CHAP. V. 



Of the Trad-c and Commerce of Panama. 



FROM what has been faid, relating to the com- 

 merce of Porto Bello in the time of the galleons, 

 an idea may be formed of that of Panama on the fame 

 occaiion ; this city being the firil where the treafure 

 from Peru is landed, and likewile the ilaple for the 

 o-oods brought up the river Chagre, This commerce 

 is of the grcatefr advantage to the inhabitants, both 

 with regard to U-tting their houfes, the freight of vef- 

 fels, the hire of amies and Negroes, who forming 



themfelves 



