232 



COCA-CULTIVATION. 



Chap. XIV. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



COCA-CULTIVATION. 



The coca-leaf is the great source of comfort and enjoyment 

 to the Peruvian Indian ; it is to him what betel is to the 

 Hindoo, kava to the South Sea Islander, and tobacco to 

 the rest of mankind ; but its use produces invigorating 

 effects which are not possessed by the other stimulants. 

 From the most ancient times the Peruvians have used 

 this beloved leaf, and they still look upon it with feelings 

 of superstitious veneration. In the time of the Incas it was 

 sacrificed to the Sun, the Huillac Umu or high priest chew- 

 ing the leaf during the ceremony ; and, before the arrival 

 of the Spaniards, it was used, as the cacao in Mexico, instead 

 of money. After the conquest, although its vu'tues were 

 extolled by the Inca Garcilasso de la Vega,^ and by the 

 Jesuit Acosta,^ some fanatics proposed to proscribe its use, 

 and to root up the plants, because they had been used in the 

 ancient superstitions, and because its cultivation took away 

 the Indians from other work. The second council of Lima, 

 consisting of bishops from all parts of South America, con- 

 demned the use of coca in 1569 because it was a " useless 

 and pernicious leaf, and on account of the belief stated to be 

 entertained by the Indians that the habit of chewing coca 

 gave them strength, which is an illusion of the devil."^ 



In speaking of the strength the coca gives to those who 



' G. de la Vega, Com. Real. i. lib. 

 viii. cap. 15. 



" Acosta, lib. iv. cap. 22, who cannot 

 agree with those who beUeve its re- 



puted virtues to be the eflfects of ima- 

 gination. 



3 Cedula, 18 Oct. 1569. 



