43^ A VOYAGE TO Book VI. 



or four pieces, each about an inch and a half in length, 

 are used for the infusion, and with such sort of wine 

 as will best correct its bitterness. Thougli this excel- 

 lent herb grows in most of those frozen deserts, yet 

 the best is that in the southern province of Peru. 

 The leaves are very small, and the few it bears grow 

 contiguous to the stem. ' 



The paramos, or barren heaths, likewise yield the 

 contrayerva, which makes a part of the materia me- 

 dica in Europe, and is considered as an excellent alexi- 

 pharmic. This is als'o a creeping plant, with a leaf 

 of about three or four inches in length, and little 

 more than one in breadth, thick, and the back part 

 of it exceeding soft to the touch, and of a deep 

 green. The other side is also smooth, but of a light 

 green. On its stem grows a large blossom, consisting 

 of many flowers inclining to a violet colour: but 

 neither these nor the other flowers, which grow in 

 great abundance in these countries, according to its 

 several climates, are much esteemed ; so that, when 

 wanted, the readiest way is to send and have them cut 

 from the plant. 



Though the severity of the air on the deserts is 

 such, that all animals cannot live there, yet they af- 

 /ord many beasts of" venery, which feed on the stra\V^ 

 or rush peculiar to those parts ; and some of these 

 creatures are met with on the highest mountains, 

 where the cold is intolerable to the human species. 

 Among the rushes are bred great numbers of rabbits, 

 and some foxes, both which in theiy appearance and 

 qualities, resemble those of Carthagenaand otherpart» 

 of the Indies. 



The only birds known in those rigorous places are 

 partridges, condors, and zumbadores or hummers. 

 The partridges differ something from those of Eu- 

 rope ; they nearly resemble the quail, ^and are very 

 scarce. 



The 



