Ch. X. SOUTH AMERICA. 



doms both of north and fouth America. The nioH 

 confiderable commodity received from the former is 

 fnufF, which is brought from the Havannah to 

 Mexico, and after being there improved is forward- 

 ed to Lima, and from thence fent into the other pro- 

 vinces. This trade is carried on nearly in the fame 

 Bianner as that of Panama; but thofe who deal m 

 this commodity, never trouble themfelves with any 

 other except perfumes, as ambergrife, mufli, &c. 

 and porcelain ware. Some of thefe traders aTe fet- 

 tled at Lima, others refide there occafionally, but 

 are in general factors to the merchants at Mexico, 

 Lima alfo receives from the ports of new Spain, 

 Naphtha, tar, iron, and fome indigo for dying. 



The kingdom of Terra Firnia fends to Lima leaf- 

 tobacco, and pearls, which here meet with a good 

 market for befides the great numbers worn by the 

 ladies, no mulatto woman is without fome ornament 

 or other made of them. During a free afhento of ne- 

 groes, this commerce is always carried by way of 

 Panama, and to a confiderable amount. 



The ladies, and indeed women of all ranks, have a 

 very ancient cuftom, namely, the carrying in their 

 youths a Limpion, or cleanfer, of tabacco. The firfl 

 intention of this was to keep the teeth clean, as the 

 name itfelf intimates. Thefe Limpions are fmall roils 

 of tobacco, four inches in length, and nine lines in 

 diameter, and tied with a thread, which they untwift 

 as the Limpion waftes. One end of this they put into 

 their mouth, and after chewing it for forne time, rub 

 the teeth with it, and thus keep them always clean 

 and white. The lower clafs of people, who generally 

 pervert the beil things, carry this cuftom to fuch ex- 

 cefs, as to keep continually in their mouths a roll of 

 tobacco, an inch and a half in diameter affeding to 

 diftinguiih themielves by the largenefs of their Lim- 

 pions, tho' it abfolutely disfigures them. This cuftom, 

 together with that of fmoaking, which is equally 



commoa 



