[103] It is there called zarabatana or gravatana; by the Peruvians pucuna. It corresponds to the sumpitan of Borneo. It is difficult to recognize the use of the blow-gun, but the natives will kill at the distance of 150 feet. One which we brought home sent the slender arrow through the panel of a door.
[104] This thorny palm is called tucum in Brazil. The fibres of the budding top are used. A woman will twist a hundred yards of twine a day, and make a living by selling hammocks for twenty-five cents a piece.
[105] Bates (ii., 132) speaks of a similar custom among the ancient Mundurucus: "They used to sever the head with knives made of broad bamboo, and then, after taking out the brain and fleshy parts, soak it in bitter vegetable oils, and expose it several days over the smoke of a fire, or in the sun."
[106] A like custom existed among some Brazilian and Guiana tribes. It also prevailed to some extent among the ancient Cantabrians and Corsicans, the Congos and Tartars, and in the Southern French provinces.
[107] The scarcity of game is well illustrated by the fate of Pizarro and his comrades. In returning from their expedition to the Napo country, they nearly perished with hunger, living on lizards, dogs, horses, saddles, sword-belts, etc., and reached Quito looking more like spectres than men.
[108] "Jerked beef," as it is called in South America, consists of thin strips cut off the carcass after skinning and dried in the sun. The butchers do not distinguish between sirloin and round.
[109] This is the rum of the Andes, corresponding to the cashaça of Brazil. It is distilled from sugar-cane. When double-distilled and flavored with anise, it is called anisado.
[110]The following is a copy of the President's order:
REPUBLICA DEL ECUADOR
Ministeria de Estado en el Despacho del Interior.
Quito á 18 de Octubre, de 1807.
APERTORIA.