46 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 73 
It is quite laughable to hear how the people salute the lords and how the king 
responds, especially to his nobles. As a sign of respect the one who salutes puts 
his hands to his nostrils and gives a bellow like a bull, after which he extends his 
hands toward the forehead and in front of the face. The king does not bother to 
return the salutes of his people, and responds to the nobles by half bending his head 
toward the left shoulder without saying anything. 
I now come to a fact which will appear incredible to your excellency. You 
already know that the ruler of this region is a tyrant of gigantic size. How does it 
happen that only he and his wife have attained this extraordinary size? No one of 
their subjects has explained this to me, but I have questioned the above-mentioned 
licenciate Ayllon, a serious and responsible man, who had his information from those 
who had shared with him the cost of the expedition. I likewise questioned the 
servant Francisco, to whom the neighbors had spoken. Neither nature nor birth 
has given these princes the advantage of size as an hereditary gift; they have acquired 
it by artifice. While they are still in their cradles and in charge of their nurses, 
experts in the matter are called, who by the application of certain herbs, soften their 
young bones. During a period of several days they rub the limbs of the child with 
these herbs, until the bones become as soft as wax. They then rapidly bend them 
in such wise that the infant is almost killed. Afterwards they feed the nurse on 
foods of a special virtue. The child is wrapped in warm covers, the nurse gives it 
her breast and revives it with her milk, thus gifted with strengthening properties. 
After some days of rest the lamentable task of stretching the bones is begun anew. 
Such is the explanation given by the servant, Francisco Ohicorana. 
The Dean of La Concepcion, whom I have mentioned, received from the Indians 
stolen on the vessel that was saved explanations differing from those furnished to 
Ayllon and his associates. These explanations dealt with medicaments and other 
means used for increasing the size. There was no torturing of the bones, but a very 
stimulating diet composed of crushed herbs was used. This diet was given princi- 
pally at the age of puberty, when it is nature's tendency to develop, and sustenance 
is converted into flesh and bones. Certainly it is an extraordinary fact, but we must 
remember what is told about these herbs, and if their hidden virtues could be learned 
I would willingly believe in their efficacy. We understand that only the kings are 
allowed to use them, for if anyone else dared to taste them, or to obtain the recipe of 
this diet, he would be guilty of treason, for he would appear to equal the king. It is 
considered, after a fashion, that the king should not be the size of everybody else, 
for he should look down upon and dominate those who approach him. Such is the 
story told to me, and I repeat it for what it is worth. Your excellency may believe 
it or not. 
I have already sufficiently described the ceremonies and customs of these natives. 
Let us now turn our attention to the study of nature. Bread and meat have been 
considered; let us devote our attention to trees. 
There are in this country virgin forests of oak, pine, cypress, nut and almond trees, 
amongst the branches of which riot wild vines, whose white and black grapes are 
not used for wine-making, for the people manufacture their drinks from other fruits. 
There are likewise fig-trees and other kinds of spice-plants. The trees are improved 
by grafting, just as with us; though without cultivation they would continue in a 
wild state. The natives cultivate gardens in which grows an abundance of vegeta- 
bles, and they take an interest in growing their orchards. They even have trees in 
their gardens. One of these trees is called the corito, of which the fruit resembles a 
small melon in size and flavor. Another called guacomine bears fruit a little larger 
than a quince of a delicate and remarkable odor, and which is very wholesome. They 
plant and cultivate many other trees and plants/of which I shall not speak further, 
lest by telling everything at one breath 1 become monotonous. 1 
i I'eter Martyr. De Orbe Novo, n, pp. 259-2t>9. . 
