228 



CINCHONA, OR PERUVIAN BARK. 



[1826. 



these islands for the purpose of laying their eggs, and hatching their 

 young. This is also a very convenient place for whale-ships to stop, 

 to cooper their oil, overhaul their vessels, and obtain such refreshments 

 as they may require ; for almost any kind can be had here that is 

 common to the coast of Peru. These will be supplied in any quantity 

 at the town of Ferrol, which is two miles inward, and near three miles 

 to the north of the anchorage ; they will be furnished at short notice, 

 and at a very moderate price. 



The town of Ferrol is small, containing only about seven hundred 

 inhabitants, principally natives, and descendants of Indian tribes which 

 inhabit the interior. The present generation, however, appears to be 

 much crossed by Spanish blood. They are very honest in their 

 commercial transactions, carefully performing whatever they promise. 

 Like all other Indians, however, they are too fond of ardent spirits. 

 This place is in latitude 9° 10' S., long. 78° 22' W. 



The climate is favourable to agriculture. Its usual temperature is 

 warm and moist, which brings into existence innumerable swarms of 

 insects, and animals of a noxious character. The latter frequently 

 get into the houses of the inhabitants, and even penetrate into their 

 beds. In the evening they are molested by such multitudes of mos- 

 quitoes, and other insects, that it is difficult to keep a light burning, as 

 they fly into the flame and extinguish it. These troublesome visiters, 

 however, are greatly diminished in numbers during the fresh south and 

 south-west winds. 



The soil in this part of the country is rich and productive. Tropi- 

 cal fruits of almost every kind are produced in abundance ; together 

 with wheat, maize, and grain of various kinds. The European fruits 

 ,grow in such great profusion, that the trees are unable to bear the 

 weight of their treasures, without the aid of props to support them. 

 Strawberries grow to great perfection, and of remarkably large size. 

 Orange-trees are ever in bloom, and at the same time laden with fruit, 

 in various stages of progression, from incipiency to full ripeness. 

 Olives and almonds, likewise, grow to great perfection in this vicinity. 



While on the subject of trees, it may not be improper to notice that 

 which produces the celebrated Peruvian or Jesuits' bark, otherwise 

 called cinchona. This is a production peculiar to Peru, and hence 

 its most popular name. It has been termed Jesuits' bark, because it 

 was first introduced into Europe by those missionaries. It is used as a 

 remedy in intermittent fevers, or agues ; and by some persons is pre- 

 scribed in other kinds of fevers, — in confluent small-pox, in gangrenous 

 sore-throat, and in every species of gangrene. It is given in powder, 

 as an extract, a spirituous tincture and decoction ; but the most effica- 

 cious form is that of powder. 



The cinchona is a tree which is found only in mountainous tracts, 

 where it grows to the thickness of a man's body. There are three 

 kinds of this bark used in medicine, viz. the common or white bark, 

 the yellow bark, and the red bark. The latter is more bitter and 

 more astringent than the common or the yellow. Ail its varieties, 

 however, are highly valuable, and are consequently liable to be adulte- 

 rated with various substances. It is therefore necessary, in selecting 



