INHABITANTS OP PERU. SjTS 



cerned ; but so imperfectly, that it would be rash to deduce 

 from the little information which can be colle6ted on this head, 

 the preaching of the apostles in South America, as some have 

 asserted. 



These Indians likewise admit an evil being, the inhabitant 

 of the centre of the earth, whom they consider as the author 

 of their misfortunes, and at the mention of whose name they 

 tremble. The most shrewd among them take advantage of 

 this belief, to obtain respe6l ; and represent themselves as his 

 delegates. Under the denomination of Mohanes, or Agoreros^ 

 they are consulted even on the most trivial occasions. They 

 preside over the intrigues of love, the health of the commu- 

 nity, and the taking of the field. Whatever repeatedly occurs 

 to defeat their prognostics, falls on themselves ; and they are 

 wont to pay their deceptions very dearly. 



To extend the empire of Cupid, they have recourse to the 

 pirtpiri, the generic name of various kinds of compositions de- 

 rived from the vegetable kingdom. One of these compositions, 

 received into the stomach, is deemed to have a peculiar efFe£t 

 on females*. The plant guayanchi^ worn by the man in the 

 usti, and by the woman in the pampanilla, or rubbed on the 

 legs, arms, weapons, &c. cements the bonds of love, and 

 gives a successful issue to every enterprize. 



Another species of piripir'i they chew and throw into the air, 

 accompanying this a6t by certain recitals and incantations, to 

 injure some, to benefit others, to procure rain, and the inun- 

 dation of the rivers, or, on the other hand, to occasion settled 



* Una de ellas, tragada, se ciee dismlnuir el volumen de ciertas partes del sexo 

 feminino, y mejorar su conformacion. — Spanish Text. 



N n 2 weather, 



