344 ULLOA*S VOYAGE TO SOUTH AMERICA. 



doubtlefs derive their knowledge from experience. This valuable habilla is alfo known 

 in other parts of America near Carthagena, and goes every where by its name, as be- 

 ing the peculiar produdt of its jurifdidtion. 



CHAP. VII. — Of the Beajis, Birds, Reptiles^ and Infeds, in the Territories of 



Carthagena. 



FROM the trees and plants in this jurifdiftion, we fhall proceed to the different kinds 

 of animals ; fome of which are tame for the ufe and pleafure of its inhabitants ; others 

 wild, and of fuch different qualities and kinds, as wonderfully difplay the diverfity 

 which the Author of nature has fhewn in the multitude of his works. The quadrupeds 

 and reptiles frequent the dry and defert places, and are diftinguifhed by an endlefs 

 variety of Ipots, whilfl the vivid plumage of the feathered race glows with exquifite 

 beauty ; and the brilliant fcales of another kind conceal the moft aftive poifons. 



The only tame eatable animals are the cow and the hog, of which there are great 

 plenty. The beef, though not abfolutely bad, cannot be faid to be palatable. The 

 conftant heat of the climate preventing the beafts from fattening, deprives their flefh of 

 that fucculency it would otherwife have acquired : the pork is delicate, and allowed not 

 only to be the befl in all America, but even to exceed any in Europe. This, which is 

 the ufual food of Europeans and Creoles at Carthagena, befides its palatablenefs, is alfo 

 looked upon to be fo wholefome, that even fick perfons are allowed it preferably to 

 poultry, which is here very good, and in great abundance. 



I mull not omit a fmgular ftratagem praftifed here for taking wild geefe, the extreme 

 cheapnefs of which naturally inclined us to afk how they caught them in fuch quantities : 

 in anfwer to our queftion, we received the following account. Near Carthagena, to 

 the eaftward of Monte de la Popa, is a large lake called La Cienega de Tefcas, abound- 

 ing with fifh, but reckoned unwholefome. The water of this lake, communicating with 

 the lea, is fait, but without increafe or decreafe, the difference of the tides here being 

 infignificant. ' Every evening vaft Hights of geefe retire hither from all the neighbour- 

 ing countries, as their natural place of reft during the night. The perfons who catch 

 thefe birds, throw into the lake about fifteen or twenty large calabafhes, which they call 

 totumos : and the geefe, being accuftomed to fee thefe calabafhes floating on the water, 

 never avoid them. In three or four days the perfons return early in the morning to the 

 lake, with another calabaih, having holes in it for feeing and breathing. This calabafh 

 he places on his head, and walks in the water, with only the calabafh above the fur- 

 face. In this manner, with all poflible ftillnefs, he moves towards the geefe, pulling 

 them under water with one hand, and then feizing them with the other. When he 

 has thus taken as many as he is able to carry, he returns towards the fhore, and de- 

 livers ihem to his companion, who waits for him at a certain diftance in the water. 

 This done, he renews his fport, either till he has taken as many as he defires, or the 

 birds begin to difperfe over the country. 



Other perfons make it their bufmefs to procure different kinds of game, as deer, 

 rabbits, and wild boars, called here fajones ; but thefe are eaten only by the country 

 Negroes and Indians, except the rabbits, which meet with a good market in the city. 



Ttie w ild beafts are alfo of various kinds ; as tigers, which make a great havock, 

 not only aniong'/the cattle, but among the human fpecies. Their fkin is very beautiful, 

 and fome are as large as little horfes *. Here are alfo leopards, foxes, armadillos, a 



* They are not larger than maftiff dogs. A. 



kind 



