cHiLr. 29 



The laiul of the Indians, according to tlie lati- 

 tude, is as fruitful as that of the Spaniards. But, 

 on account of the very diminished population, we 

 see many fields covered with high trees and low 

 bushes, whose level ground convinces us that they 

 once belonged to agriculture, and which show 

 evident marks of having lost their former inhabit- 

 ants. 



The numerous species of trees which grow in 

 the country of the Indians, as well on the plain as 

 on the precipices of the Cordilleras, are also 

 met with in the Spanish territory : only the 

 Tayo is an exception. The bark of this tree, 

 which is smooth, and about the thickness of 

 a line, is very efficacious for the cure of the 

 internal aposteme, and every kind of ulcer or 

 wound. They drink water, in which it has been 

 boiled, for these diseases ; and bathe and wash 

 in this water for similar external complaints, and 

 then strew^ themselves with the powder of the 

 same bark, which is dried and rubbed. The rest 

 of the plants and herbs of this district are of the 

 same nature as those produced in the Spanish 

 territory. 



In the mountains, lions are met with, which 

 prey on other animals, but do no injury to man, 

 whom they avoid. There are also several moun- 

 tain-goats and deer, of the size of a lamb: their 

 flesh is of a good taste. The rivers abound in 

 fine trout, and smaller species of fish. On their 



