Chap. III. 



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The antient Inhabitants, nam'd Moxas, divided their Countrey into two chief The N«ur^ 



iri ... f and Cultom 



Principalities, Yt^. Bogota and Tunica, which before the Spaniards Arrival were each ofthe^*** 

 under their particular Cafhjue or Prince. The Men were of a good proportion* 

 the Women alfo handfomer, and of a fairer Complexion than their Neighbors : 

 Their Habit aifo confided of black, white, and divers coloured Cotton Cloaks, 

 and fbme alfo tiad Bonnets of the fame. The temperatenefs of the Climate makes 

 little difference between Winter and Summer. Their Houfes were of Planks, ancl 

 cover'd with long Ruflics. Their chiefeft Food was Mai^ and Ca/faVe, which firft 

 arows on Stalks as large as Canes, containing very large and weighty Spikes ot 

 Ears, each Ear generally yielding feven hundred Grains, which are Planted in hot 

 and moid Ground ; one Bufliel Sow'n, generally produces three hundred. But the 

 Mai^is diftinguifh'd into a courfer or finer fort, which laft is call'd Moroche> the 

 Leaves and Canes whereof afford a- wholfom Provender for Horfes, and the Corn, 

 Bread for the Inhabitants, who make it feveral ways ; for fometimes they boyl it iti 

 Water,and at other times parch it in Afhes, or grind it to Meal, which kneading in- 

 to Dough, they make into Cakes, Biskets, and the like : Moreover, Mai^ fteep'd in 

 Water,and after being boy I'd and fet a working,makes a very ftrong Liquor. They 

 alfo ufe Cajfada, which they make of the Root Yuca, which being large and thick, is 

 cut in pieces, grated, and all its Juice, which is deadly poyfon, being prels'd out, 

 is Bak'd in thin Cakes. There is likewife another fort of Yuca, which hath not fo 

 poyfonousajuice, keeping good a long time, and is both wholfom, and of a good 

 tafte. The Natives of old liv'd much upon the Roots Tonm, and Qubm y all forts of > 



Venifon, Fowls, and Fifh, which the Rivers and Lakes afford in great abundance. 

 Thofe that are left of the Natives, area deceitful, crafty, and ingenious fort of 

 People, very apt to learn Art, and to Trade with Salt to <I{io Grande, and the 

 Mountain Opou* 



Befides Copper and Steel-Mines, thisCountrey hath alfo feveral of Gold s and 

 the Fields produce all manner of Plants. 



The fancbas which remain are yet a falvage People, but their Countrey is an in- J^ h N ^ re 

 different fertile Soil, though not in all places alike ; for thofe which border upon a*. 

 lunia fed much heretofore on Pifmires, of which fome being long, have double 

 Wings, others leffer and without Wings ; which laft fort being roafted, are ac* 

 counted a great Dainty, and a fpeedy Remedy againft the Diftemper of the Gravel. 

 There are alfo a fort of venomous Pifmires, which flinging a Man, caufe a fwell. 

 ing and great itching, and thefe are call'd Tayoques, whofe Stings are cur'd by a 

 Plaifter of bruis'd Pifmires. 



The Countrey is bounded'on the North With Qaflella Aurea aforefaid - on the ™ : ^<. 

 Weft, with Mare del Zur ■ on the Eaft, with Venezuela . jthe Southern parts of it °^J^ ova 

 being not well difcover'd, by reafon of certain huge and unpayable Mountains, 

 which block it up wholly on that fide, fave onely where a Paflage is kept open in- 

 to the Province of (Per«, fpecially fo call'd : It containeth in length about a hun- 

 dred and thirty Leagues, and not much lefs in breadth, being for the moft part a 

 very healthful Countrey, and abounding in Mines of the beft fort of Metal, befides 

 others of Brafsand Iron. It is fubdivided into thefe two Provinces, vi^ Gmuda 

 and Topaya?ia* 



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