8 SOCIAL STATE OF THE PEOPLE. 



a few small and indifferent sweet-potatoes, which 

 they rack their own soil to produce. 



No rivers are to be found on this spot, nor 

 any natural supply of fresh water, beyond a few 

 ponds filled by the periodical rains. The inha- 

 bitants draw their supply of this essential from 

 wells sunk in the sands, which produce good 

 water at a very inconsiderable depth. The 

 sale and use of ardent spirits is interdictedby 

 their social laws ; but they nevertheless indulge 

 occasionally in a kind of rum or aquadiente, dis- 

 tilled from sugar-cane, grown in the inland parts 

 of the country. Notwithstanding their mono- 

 tonous, and highly animalized diet, these people 

 are healthy, active, and robust : their only en- 

 demic diseases are agues, which they contract 

 from the malaria arising from the jungle, soon 

 after the termination of the rainy season. They 

 live contented, and consequently happy; and 

 their conduct towards each other, as well as to 

 ouselves, was equally courteous and hospitable. 

 The women are notable and modest. The 

 men are expert equestrians, and excel in the 

 use of the lasso.* It is a curious fact, that the 



* A strong and flexible rope of neatly-twisted hide, 

 with a noose at one extremity, to cast over and entangle 

 wild animals, while the other end is fastened to the saddle of 

 the horse. The more correct orthography is /c/zo, a Spanish 

 word, signifying a slip-knot or noose. 



