Ch. III. SOUTH AMERICA. -43 



frequent, must be of the hip^hest advantage. And to 

 this Caloto owes its reputation for bells. 



In the valleys of Neyba, and others within the ju- 

 risdiction of Popayan, is a very remarkable insect, 

 particularly famous for the power of the small qunn- 

 tity of venom in it. This insect, v.hich is shaped like 

 a spider, is much less than a bug;. Its common name 

 is coya, but others call it coyba ; its colour is of a 

 fiery red, and, like spiders, it is generally found in 

 the corners of walls, and among the herbage, its 

 venom is of such a malignity, that, on squeezing the 

 insect, if any happen to fall on the skin of either man 

 or beast, it immediately penetrates into the flesh, and 

 causes large tumours, which are soon succeeded by 

 death. The only remedy hitherto known, is, on the 

 first appearance of a swelling, to singe the party all 

 over the body vvith the flame of straw, or lono^ grass, 

 growing in those plains. In order to this, the Indians 

 of that country lay hold of die patient, some by the 

 feet, and others by the hands, and vvith great dexteri- 

 ty perform the operation, after which the person is 

 reckoned to be out of danger. But it is to be ob- 

 served, that though this insect be so very noxious, 

 yet squeezing it between the palms of the hands is 

 attended with no bad consequence : from whence the 

 plain inference is, that the callus, usual on the hands 

 of most people, prevents the venom from reaching 

 the blood. Accordingly the Indian muleteers, to 

 please the curiosity of the passengers, squeeze them 

 betwixt the palms of their hands, though unquestion- 

 ably, should a person of a delicate hand make a trial, 

 the effects would be the same as on any other part of 

 the body *. 



Nature is equally admirable in her works, and in 

 her care of them. Man is endued with discernaient, 



* The Brazilians say, oil and salt Is a certain cure for the 

 poisoji of the coyba. A. 



Z *4 know- 



