and a substance like flax; and it is also manufactured into mantles, mats, shoes, girdles, and cordage.  This tree produces such strong and sharp prickles, that they are used instead of needles for sewing.  The roots are used as fuel; and their ashes make excellent ley for the manufacture of soap.  The natives open up the earth from the roots of this tree, and, by scraping or wounding them, they extract a juice which is a rich syrup.  By boiling this juice, it is converted into honey; and, when purified, it becomes sugar; and may likewise be made into wine and vinegar.  The fruit of this tree is called Coco.  The rind roasted, crushed, and applied to sores or wounds, has a most healing quality.  The juice of the roots and tops, mixed with incense, is a sovereign antidote against the bite of a viper and other poisons.  From all these useful properties, this is the most profitable tree that is known in these parts[88].

There are certain birds in New Spain called Vicmalim, having a long small bill, which live on dew and the juice of roses and other flowers; their feathers are very small, and of beautiful colours, and are much esteemed to work up into ornaments with gold.  These birds die, or sleep rather, every year in the month of October, sitting on a small bough in some warm and close place; and they revive again in the month of April, when the flowers appear.  There are snakes likewise in this country, which sound as if they had bells attached to them, when they creep along.  There are other snakes also, which are said to engender by the mouth, as vipers are reported to do with us.  There are likewise certain hogs, which have a navel on the ridge of the back; which the hunters cut out the moment they are killed, as otherwise the carcase would corrupt and stink, so as to be uneatable.  Besides which, there are certain fishes which are named Snorters, because they make a snorting noise like hogs[89].

In the year 1538, a civil war broke out in Peru, between Pizarro and Almagro; in the course of which, Almagro was taken prisoner and beheaded.  After which, in the year 1539, Pizarro sent Peter to Baldivia into Chili; where he was at first well received, but the people afterwards rose against him, and sought to put him to death by treason.  Notwithstanding the long and severe war he had to wage against the natives of Chili, Baldivia explored the country to a great extent, discovering the whole coast as far as lat. 40 deg.  S. and even further.  While Baldivia was occupied in these discoveries, he received intelligence of a king called Lucengolma, who commonly brought 200,000 men into the field, when engaged in war against another neighbouring king.  Lucengolma was likewise said to have a temple in an island, in which there were 2000 priests.  It was farther reported, that beyond the dominions of this king, there lay a country inhabited by a nation of Amazons, whose queen was named Guanomilla, which signifies the golden heaven.  But,