2(56 PALM WINE. 



CHAP.xxii trunk, whicli diminishes but little towards the summit, 

 ModeTf is first cut down, when an excavation eighteen inches 

 obtaining it long, eight broad, and six in depth, is made below the 

 place at which the leaves and spathiE come off. After 

 throe days the cavity is found filled with a yellowish- 

 white juice, having a sweet and vinous flavour, which 

 continues to flow eighteen or twenty days. The last 

 Degrees of that comes is less sweet, but having a greater quantity 

 •trengtiL ^^ alcohol, it is moi"e highly esteemed. On their way 

 back to tile shore they met with Zamboes, carrying on 

 their shoulders cylinders of palmetto three feet in length, 

 of which an excellent food is prepared. Night surprised 

 them ; and, having broken an oar in returning on board, 

 they found some difficulty in reaching the vessel. 

 Bie Sinu. Tlie Rio Sinu is of the highest importance for provi- 



sioning Carthagena. The gold-washings, which were 

 formerly of great value, especially between its source 

 and the village of San Geronimo, have almost entirely 

 ceased, although the province of Antioquia still furnishes, 

 in its auriferous veins, a vast field for mining specula- 

 tions. It would, however, be of more importance to 

 direct attention to tlie cultivation of colonial produce in 

 these districts, especially that of cacao, which is of supe- 

 rior quality. The real febrifuge Cinchona also grows at 

 tlic source of tlie Rio Sinu, as well as in the mountains 

 of Abibe and Maria ; and the pi'oximity of the port of 

 Carthagena would enhance its value in the trade with 

 Europe. 

 Eougli 6cfl. On the 27th March the sloop weighed anclior at sun- 

 rise. Tlie sea was less agitated, although the wind 

 blew as before. To the north was seen a succession of 

 small conical mountains, rising in the midst of savannahs, 

 where the balsam of Tohi, formerly so celebrated as a 

 medicament, is still gathered. On leaving the gulf of 

 IMorosquillo they finind the waves swelling so high, 

 that tlie captain was glad to seek for shelter, and lay to 

 on tlie north of the village of Rincon ; but discovering 

 that they were upon a coral rock, they preferred the 

 open water, and finally anchored near the isle of Arenas, 



