ULLOA*S VOYAGE TO SOUTH AMERICA. 



379 



creature is found. Thefe eggs are all inclofed in a long, fine membrane, and form a 

 kind of firing. The flefh of this animal is exceedingly white, and univerfally admired 

 by all ranks. I tailed both the flefti and the eggs, but the latter are vifcid in the 

 mouth, and of a very difagreeable tafle : when dreffed, tbeir colour is the fame with 

 that of the yolk of a hen's egg. The tafle of the flefh is fomething better : but, 

 though fweet, has a naufeous fmell. The inhabitants, however, compared it to that 

 of chicken ; though I could not perceive the leafl fimilarity *, Thefe people, who, 

 by being accullomed to fee them, forget the natural horror attending the fight of an 

 alligator, delight in this food, to which the Europeans at firfl can hardly reconcile 

 themfelves. 



Here are two fmgularities attributed to Nature, and firmly believed by the inhabit- 

 ants ; one in the plant called Yerva del Gallo ; the other, the double-headed fnake, 

 called La Cabe9a. 



It is conllantly afTerted in this city, that its neighbourhood produces a fnake having 

 a head at each extremity ; and that from the bite of each a poifon is conveyed equal in 

 adivity to that of the coral, or rattle-fnake ; we could not have the fatisfadion of fee- 

 ing one of this flrange fpecies, though we ufed all the means in our power to gratify 

 our curiofity : according to report, its ufual length is about half a yard, in figure per- 

 fectly refembling an earth-worm. Its diameter is about fix or eight lines, and its head 

 different from that of other fnakes ; being of the fame dimenfions with its body. It is, 

 however, very probable, that the creature has only one head, -and, from its refembling 

 a tail, has been imagined to have two f. The motion of it is very flow, and its colour 

 variegated with fpots of a paler tint. 



The herb called Del Gallo, or cocks-herb, is fo highly valued here, that they 

 affirm, if an incifion be made round the neck of that fowl, provided the vertebra be 

 not injured, on the application of this herb, the wound immediately heals. Whatever 

 conftru6lion we put upon this pretended cure, it can only be confidered as a mere 

 vulgar notion ; and I mention it here with no other intention, than to fatisfy the world 

 that we were not ignorant of it. 



During our flay at Panama, we were very urgent with thofe who related this flory to 

 procure us fome of the herb, that we might make the experiment ; but in this we were 

 as unfortunate as in the article of the two-headed fnake, none being to be had. I have, 

 however, fince been told, by perfons fettled in Panama, that it was very common ; a 

 fufHcient proof, in my opinion, that the llory has no foundation ; for, if it was fo eafy 

 to be had, and of fuch furprifing virtue, what reafon could they have for refufing to 

 convince us by ocular demonfl ration ? It may have a flyptic virtue, when none of the 

 principal blood- vefTels are injured ; but that it can join them after being cut, together 

 with the nerves and tendons when totally fevered, no perfon of any knowledge or judg- 

 ment will ever be brought to believe. And, if its effefts are fo remarkably happy on 

 poultry, it is furely natural to think it fhould have the fame on any other animal ; and, 

 confequently, on the human fpecies. If this were the cafe, it would be of infinite 

 value ; and no foldier, efpecially, fhould be without it, as a few ounces of this grand 

 reflorative would immediately cure the moll terrible wounds. 



* The flefh of the guana is whiter than chicken, and more pleafing to moft palates, except as to the 

 drynefs of it. The common fauce to it is lime juice, feafoned with Chian pepper ; which fauce the 

 natives eat with their fifti, flefli, and fowl. If the guana were to be had in England, I doubt not but 

 it would be ranked among the greateft dainties. A. 



f This conjeftur& is very right. H. 



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CHAP. 



