SYMPOSIUM ii 



were of a peaceful race, not caring for bloody strife or for 

 plunder, we found them making a fume of a dried leaf, 

 which they rolled up in a leaf of maize, of the bigness of a 

 man's ringer. By rubbing a stone with a stick, in a cunning 

 way they had learned from some divine power, they con- 

 trived to kindle fire and putting a light to the leaf they 

 smoked it, as is done by mortals in these days. It was the 

 leaf of an herb which is sowed apart by itself and is called 

 by the inhabitants upp6\voc. They use it also in powder. 

 The leaves thereof being dried and crushed small, they take 

 the fumes or smoke thereof by sucking it through pipes 

 made of clay into their stomach and head, from whence 

 it purgeth superfluous humours, and it openeth all the pores 

 and passages of the body, by which means the use thereof 

 preserveth the body in health, and they know not many 

 grievous diseases, wherewithal people in England were 

 oftentimes affected. 



' This herb is of so precious estimation amongst them that 

 they think their gods are marvellously delighted therewith. 

 Whereupon they sometimes make hallowed fires and cast 

 some of the powder therein for a sacrifice ; being in a storm 

 upon the waters, to pacify their gods they cast some into the 

 air and into the water : so a wear for fish being newly set 

 up they cast some therein and into the air ; also after an 

 escape from danger they cast some into the air likewise ; 

 but all is done with strange gestures, stamping, sometimes 

 dancing, clapping of hands, holding up hands, and staring 

 up into the heavens, uttering therewithal and chattering 

 strange words and noises. 



1 We ourselves, during the time we were there, used to 

 smoke it after their manner, as also we did when we 

 returned home and found many rare and wonderful experi- 

 ments of the virtues thereof, of which the relation would 



