OBSERVATIONS ON THE CUICHUNCHULLI. 135 
the lay-jesuit, as related by Velasco, one would be led, from 
the very great difference in their respective course and results 
to conclude, either that the plant used in the last mentioned 
case was not the same with that forwarded by Col. Casanova 
to his relations in Maracaybo, or that the lay-jesuit' s cure has 
been exaggerated. Of the identity of the plant in all the cases 
alluded to, nothing can now be determined; but we may at all 
events enter into some examination as to the fidelity of the 
Padre's statement. 
It is clear, in the first place, that Velasco could have had 
but a slight knowledge of plants; else he would at once have 
perceived that the nerve-like filaments, which the Indian suc- 
ceeded in making him believe to be the entire plant, were the 
roots only, and therefore " without any leaves." This was a 
deception doubtless resorted to for the purpose of preventing 
the Padre's discovering the plant itself; for it has been the 
constant practice of the Aborigines even to this day, as I am 
assured by Columbians of high authority, to enwrap in mys- 
tery and concealment every vegetable or other production of 
the country, which they believe to possess particular uses or 
virtues. 
In the next place, wiil it be thought credible by any expe- 
rienced physician that a single dose of only thirty grains of a 
vegetable powder, after vomiting and purging a Lazar vio- 
lently, for a space of twenty-four hours, was able also, and 
immediately afterwards, to dry up and heal foul ulcers of 
years' standing, to remove every tubercular tumour on the 
surface of his body by causing the old skin to be cast off piece- 
meal, and to work the complete cure of so chronic a malady 
as that in question, in the course of " a few days?" In the 
third place, the Padre says that he was "an eye witness to all 
the occurrences just mentioned in Cuenca;" but it is plain 
that if the facts, as stated by him, be themselves very im- 
probable, his assertion of having witnessed them will not be 
less questionable. When the firm persuasion, moreover, and 
the dread are considered, which have have long been univer- 
sally entertained throughout Spanish America of the extreme 
