Ch. III. SOUTH AMERICA. 343 



frequent, mull be of the highefl: advantage. And to 

 this Caloto owes its reputation for bells. 



In the valHes of Neyba, and others within the ju- 

 rildidtion of Popayan, is a very remarkable infedl, 

 panicularly famous for the power of the fmall quan- 

 tity of venom in it. This infedl, which is fhaped like 

 a fpider, is much iefs than a bug. Its common name 

 is coya, but others call it coyba its colour is of a 

 fiery red, and, like fpiders, it is generally found in 

 the corners of walls, and among the herbage. Its 

 venom is of fuch a malignity, that, on fqucezing the 

 infedl, if any happen to fall on the (kin of either man 

 or bead, it immediately penetrates into the flefh, and 

 caufes large tumours^ which are foon fucceeded by 

 death. The only remedy hitherto known, is, on the 

 iirft appearance of a fwelling, to fmge the party all 

 over the body with the flame of ftraw, or long grafs, 

 growing in thofe plains. In order to this, the Indians 

 of that country lay hold of the patient, fome by the 

 feet, and others by the hands, and with great dexteri- 

 ty perform the operation, after which the perfon is 

 reckoned to be out of danger. But it is to be ob- 

 ferved, that though this infect be fo very noxious, 

 yet Squeezing it between the palms of the hands, is 

 attended with no bad confequence : from whence the 

 plain inference is, that the callus, ufual on the hands 

 of moft people, prevents the venom from reaching 

 the blood. Accordingly the Indian muleteers, to 

 pleafe the curiofity of the paflengers, fqueeze them 

 betwixt the pahns of their hands, though unqueftion- 

 ably, fhouid a perfon of a delicate hand make a trial, 

 the effeds would be the fame as on any other part of 

 the body 



Nature is equally admirable in her works, and in 

 her care of them. Man is endued with difcernment, 



* The Brazilians fay, oil and fait is a certain cure for the 

 poifon of the coyba. A. 



Z 4 know- 



