VOL. II.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 22Q 



under the bark of this tree is contained a certain glutinous liquor as white as 

 milk, very dangerous, so that if you chance to rub it and this juice spurt upon 

 the shirt, it will be like a burning ; if upon the naked flesh it will cause a 

 swelling ; if into the eye, blindness for several days ? And whether the shadow 

 of this tree be so noxious, that the bodies of men reposing under it will swell 

 strangely? Further, whether the natives use the milky juice of this tree, and 

 the dew falling from it, and the juice of its fruit, in the composition of the poi- 

 son they infect their arrows with ? 



//. Of Animals and Insects. 



18. Whether the skin of the tatou, and the little bone in his tail do indeed, 

 as is related, cure deafness and pains of the ears ? And whether this animal be 

 proof not only against the teeth of dogs, but also against bullets ? — IQ. Whe- 

 ther the birds called canides, be so docile, that some of them learn to speak 

 not only Indian, but also Dutch and Spanish, singing also the airs in the In- 

 dian tongue as well as an Indian himself? And whether the bird colibry have 

 a scent as sweet as the finest amber and musk? both which are affirmed by a 

 French author ? — 20. To procure some of the fat of birds, called fregati, re- 

 puted to be very anti-paralytical and anti-podagrical. — 21. To send over a land- 

 pike, which is said to be like the water pike, but that instead of fins it has four 

 feet, on which it crawls. — 22. Whether the skin of the sea wolf, which they 

 otherwise call the requiem, be so rough and stiff, that they make files of them 

 fit to file wood? And whether it be usually guided by another fish, that is 

 beautified with such a variety of curious and lively colours,, that one would say 

 such fishes were girt with necklaces of pearls, corals, emeralds, &c.? — 23. Whe- 

 ther the skin of sea calfs, otherwise called lamantins, be so hard when dried, that 

 they serve the Indians for shields ? — 24. Whether the ashes of the fresh water 

 tortoises hinder the falling of the hair, being powdered with it ? — 25. Whether 

 the land crabs of these islands do at certain times hide themselves all under 

 ground for the space of six weeks, and during that time change and renew their 

 shells ? — 26. Whether the serpents in those parts that have black and white 

 spots on their backs be not venomous ? — 27. To send over some of the skins of 

 those huge lizards, they call ouayamaca, which, when come to their full size, 

 are said to be five feet long, including the tail. And especially to send some 

 of those that are said to have the scales of their skins so bright and curious, that 

 at a distance they resemble cloth of gold and silver. — 28. Whether the shining 

 flies called cucuyes, hide almost all their light when taken, but when at liberty, 

 afford it plentifully ? — 29. Whether there be a sort of bees brown and blue, 

 which make a black wax, but the honey in it whiter and sweeter than that of 



