52 A VOYAGE TO Bo^k 1. 



particularly known on account of its fruit called ha- 

 bilia de Carthagena, the bean of Carthagena. It is 

 about an inch broad, and nine lines in length, flat, and 

 in the fliape of a heart. The Ihell, though thin, is 

 hard, and on the outfide fcabrous. It contains a kernd 

 refembling an almond, but lefs white, and extremely 

 bitter. This is one of the moft effedual antidotes 

 known in that country againft the bites of vipers and 

 ferpents ; for a little of it being eaten immediately af- 

 ter the bite, it prefently flops the efFedls of the poifon ; 

 and accordingly all w^ho frequent the woods, either for 

 felling trees or hunting, never fail to eat a little of this 

 habilla failing, and repair to their work without any 

 apprehenfion. I was informed by an European, who 

 was a famous hunter, and alfo by feveral other per- 

 Ibns worthy of credit, that, with this precaution, if any 

 one happened to be bit by a ferpent, it was attended 

 with no manner of ill confequence. The natives relt 

 you, that, this habilla being hot in the higheft degree, 

 much of it cannot be eaten, that the common dofe of 

 it is hfs than the fourth part of a kernel, and that no 

 hot liquor, as wine, brandy, &c. muft be drunk im- 

 mediately after taking it. In this cafe they doubtlefs 

 derive their knowlege from experience. This valua- 

 ble habilla is alfa known in other parts of America 

 near Carthagena, and goes every- where by its name, as 

 being the peculiar product of its jurifdidlion. 



C H A P. VII. 



Of the beajls. birds ^ reptiles y and infeBs^ in th^ 

 territories of Carthagena. 



FROM the trees and plants in ^his jurifdidion', 

 we lhall proceed to the different kinds of ani- 

 mals i fome of which are tame for the ufe and plea- 

 fiire of its inhabitants-, others wild, and of fuch dif- 

 ferent 



