Chap. VI. 



AMERICA 



Z87 



.' 



Tfec Firti 

 Guarafncm 



£em,and the Countrcy full of Woods and Paftures : thence travelling upwards 

 along Mugueret) they afcended to the top of a Mountain, where they were affaulted 

 by the Inhabitants of the aforefaid Village Quinola, whom neverthelefs they foon 

 put to flight ; but not long after receiv'd a flirew'd Repulfe at the Entrance into a 

 Wood built full of Houfes 5 yet neverthelefs being at length Conquerors, though 

 not without fuflficient lofs, they march'd farther in amongft the Mountains, till 

 their Provifions beginning to grow fcarcc, and they feeing no likelihood of get* 

 ting to an end of this troublcfom Journey, at laft their Neceflitics fore'd them to 

 retire. 



The Flood which comes out of the Sea up to the City St. Michael, through the 

 River Qignatlan } abounds with Fifli, and efpecially the Guarapucu, which is feven 

 Foot long when it comes to its full growth ; it hath no Scales, but afmooth Skin 

 of a Silver colour mix'd with Green : from the Head to the Tail runs a crooked 

 Line of thin Scales on each fide ; it fwims exceeding fwift, feeds on leflcr Fiflies, 

 and fpawns in the Sea : the Flefli being wholfom and good to eat, is faked up 

 againft Winter. At the fame Place is alio the Tiracarba, which fliines exceedingly, th* i*«- 

 having Silvcr-colour'd Scales, a broad flit Tail, a long white Beard, four great * 

 Fins, and a little Head. Farther into the Sea are a fort of flying Fifli, call'd fira- 

 bebes, which rife by thoufands up out of the Water, fo efcaping the Dolphins and Flying Fiihet, 1 

 other Fifli which prey on them ; yet fometimes they arc fnatch'd up by the Birds, 

 or elfc by the Fiflies, when they dive down into the Water to wet their own 

 Wings, which confift of a thin Skin, diftinguifli'd in length by tough Fins. Thefe 

 flying Fifli alfo differ much one from another, for mod of them are like Herrings j 

 others have a thick Head, round before like the Dolphins. 



Moreover, the Countrey about St. Michael was always well inhabited. The 

 Houfes, being artificially built, were adorn'd on the top with many obfecne Ima» 

 ges, and venereal Reprefentations : But fince the Spaniards have conquer'd this 

 Countrey they have deftroy'd them, and built other Houfes in their (lead, and alfo 

 beftow'd much coft and labour on the Silver Mines T>e la4 Vtrgines. 



F f i Sect.. 



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