“The hammock,” as Schomburgk well observes, “is the most indispensable article in the Indian’s house, or for an Indian’s journey. On his travels it is carried folded up and slung round his neck; the greatest precaution is used to prevent its getting wet. Where a halt is made, be it of ever so short a duration, the first object sought for is a convenient tree from which he can suspend it. It is a compliment paid to the stranger, if the host takes the hammock from him on entering the house and slings it for his guest, and it is the duty of the wife to do this service for her husband. The common hammocks of the Indians are generally open, that is, not closely woven, and colored red with roucou or arnotto.” Op. cit., p. 66. [↑]
[12] Peter Martyr, writing of the West Indies, informs us that “In all these Ilandes is a certeyne kynde of trees as bygge as elmes, whiche beare gourdes in the steade of fruites. These they vse only for drinkynge pottes, and to fetch water in, but not for meate, for the inner substance of them is sowrer then gaule, and the barke as harde as any shelle.” Eden, op. cit., p. 76. [↑]
[13] “Tutti dormono insieme come i polli, chi in terra, chi in aria sospeso.”—Historia del Mondo Novo, In Venetia, 1565. [↑]
[14] Often misspelled yucca, which is the name of a genus of plants belonging to the lily family. The Spanish bayonet—Yucca albifolia—is a familiar example. [↑]
[15] Life and Nature in the Tropics, p. 98, by H. M. and P. V. M. Myers, New York, 1871. [↑]
[16] Aus den Llanos, p. 147, Leipzig, 1840. [↑]
[17] Of the tonina, as of the dolphin that befriended Arion, one could say in the words of an ancient writer: “Of man, he is nothing afraid, neither avoideth from him as a stranger; but of himselfe meeteth their ships, plaieth and disporteth himselfe, and fetcheth a thousand friskes, and gambols before them. He will swimme along by the mariners, as it were for a wager, who should make way most speedily, and alwaies outgoeth them, saile they with never so good a forewind.” [↑]
[18] The national dish of Venezuela, also much esteemed in Colombia. It is a kind of ragout composed of meat and vegetables, or fish and vegetables, highly seasoned with aji, or red pepper. [↑]
[19] Wanderings in South America, Second Journey.
Referring to Waterton’s account of the bellbird and the distance at which it can be heard, Sydney Smith expresses his scepticism in the following fashion:—