NOTICES OF BOLIVIA. 



177 



ing them. It was an unheard of sacrilege to invoke the shades 

 of the departed great, without wearing this plant in token of 

 respect, and the Coyas and Mamas, who were supposed to pre- 

 side over gold and silver, rendered the mines impenetrable, if 

 the laborers failed to chew the leaves of coca while engaged in 

 the toil. To this plant the Indian recurred for relief in his 

 greatest distress ; no matter whether want or disease oppressed 

 him, or whether he sought the favors of Fortune or Cupid, he 

 found consolation in this divine plant. 



In the course of time, its use extended to the whole Indian 

 population, and its cultivation became an important branch of 

 trade. It produced at one period no less than ^2,641,487 

 yearly, and we are told that its leaves were once the repre- 

 sentative of money, and circulated as coin. 



It is sown in the months of December and January, its 

 growth being forwarded by the heavy rains which fall in the 

 mountainous regions from that time till the month of April. 

 It flowers but once a year, but yields four crops of leaves, 

 which are not however equally abundant ; the least so is ga- 

 thered at the time of inflorescence. It requires to be sown 

 once in five years. When the leaves attain an emerald green 

 on one side, and a straw color on the other, they are carefully 

 pulled, one by one, and dried in the sun. 



The virtues of the coca are of the most astonishing charac- 

 ter. The Indians who are addicted to its use are enabled to 

 withstand the toil of the mines, amidst noxious metallic exha- 

 lations, without rest, food, or protection from the climate. 

 They run hundreds of leagues over deserts, arid plains, and 

 craggy mountains, sustained only by the coca and a little 

 parched corn, and often too, acting as mules in bearing loads 

 through passes where animals cannot go. Many have attri- 

 buted this frightful frugality and power of endurance to the ef- 

 fects of habit, and not to the use of the coca, but it must be 

 remembered, that the Indian is naturally voracious, and it is 

 known that many Spaniards were unable to perform the Her- 

 culean tasks of the Peruvians, until they habitually used the 

 €Oca. Moreover, the Indians, without it, lose both their vigor 

 and powers of endurance. It is stated, that during the siege of 

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