WONDERS OP THE TROPICAL FORESTS. 
were fully persnacled that the Coyfts or subterranean divini- 
ties rendered the monntains impenetrable ualess previously 
propitiated by an offering of coca. Even now the Indians 
put coca into the months of their dead, to ensure them a 
welcome on their passage to another world ; and whenever 
they find one of their ancestral mummies, they never fail 
to offer it some of the leaves. 
During the first period after the conquest of Peru, the 
Spaniards endeavoured to extirpate by all possible means 
the use of coca, from its being so closely interwoven with 
the Indian superstitions; but tlie proprietors of the mines 
soon became aware how necessary it was for the successful 
prosecution of their undertakings ; the planters also fonnd 
afi.er a time that the Indians would not work without it; 
private interest prevailed, as it always does in the long 
run, over religions zeal and despotic interdictionSj and in 
the last century we even find a Jesuit, Don Antonio Julian, 
regretting that the use of coca had not been introduced 
into Europe as well as that of tea and coffee. 
When we consider its remarkable properties, it is indeed 
astonishing that it has so long remained lumoticed. Were 
it concealed in the interior of Africa, or extremely difficult 
to procure, this neglect could be more easily accounted forj 
but hundred?? of our vessels annually frequent the horbonrB 
of Peru and Bolivia, where it may be obtained in large 
quantities, and yet its tonic and stimulating powers are 
but just beginning to attract the attention of the medical 
world. 
