No less resolute are the Indians in taking the Ibitobaca, which is an Ell long, of a crimson Colour, full of black and white Specks, the Bones whereof they wear about their Necks in stead of Chains.
The Serpent Iquanna.
The Iquanna is a Serpent which doth no manner of hurt, though terrible to look upon to those which know it not, having a Bag under its Chin, a glittering Comb on its Head, and on its Back sharp Bones, which stand like a Saw, and a long Tail: It lays fifty Eggs at a time as big as Acorns, of a very good taste, and fit to eat when boyl’d: It also lives both in the Water and on the Land.
Baboons.
Here are also many Baboons, which are big and heavy, with ugly Heads, short Legs like a Man, and Tails standing upwards; they eat all sorts of Fruit, but chiefly covet after Wine and Bread; and are so lascivious, that they often set upon Women: The Females generally bring forth two, one Male, and the other Female. There is also another sort, whose Skins, being red, are full of little Spots.
The ancient Inhabitants of Chiapa (divided into the Chiapaneca’s, the Zeques, the Zeltates, and the Quelenes) are very Civil and Witty, also skilful in Painting, Singing, Breaking of Horses, and many other Trades.
Towns and Villages of Note.
The Places of more principal note in this Countrey, inhabited by the Spaniards, are 1. Ciudad Real, pleasantly seated in the midst of a round Vale or Plain, and almost encompass’d with Hills representing the form of an Amphitheatre; also at the Foot of one which stands in the midst of the rest, the City is built. It is a City specially Priviledg’d by the King of Spain, having a Court of Justice, Cathedral, and Dominican Cloyster; of a pure and temperate Air, and the Countrey round about plentifully abounding both in Corn and Fruit, onely somewhat too cold to produce Lemmons and Oranges; but for Pears, Apples, Peaches, Quinces, Cherries, and the like, they grow here in great abundance.
2. Chiapa, which giveth Name to the Valley aforesaid; It is a Bishop’s See, and famous, if but for one of its Prelates, viz. Bartholomeo de las Casas, of the Order of Predicants, who was Bishop of this City, and his Memory justly precious amongst the poor Americans at this day, for his Charity towards them, and for the stout and zealous opposition which he made against the Spaniards cruel and inhumane dealings with the Natives at the beginning of their Conquests: by which at last, notwithstanding much difficulty and resistance made by interested Persons of the other Side, he procur’d them liberty, and an Edict from the Emperor in favor of them; whereby they were declar’d to be a Free People, and not Slaves, and the Spaniards forbidden to use them any longer as such, or to force them to any kind of Labour against their wills, or otherwise than by agreement with them, which Liberty they enjoy to this day; and though the Spaniards are said to give them very small Wages in some places, and for their Work in their Sugar-Mills (which is no small Labor) not above five Reyals, or Two shillings six pence a Week, for the Maintenance of themselves, their Wives and Children, yet by reason it is with Consent, and in a Countrey where all things are plentiful and cheap, their Condition is much better than it was, and the favor which that good Bishop did them, never to be forgotten. It is at present a great and populous City, and lieth almost in the mid-way betwixt the Cities of Mexico and Guatimala.
3. St. Bartholomews, in the Countrey of the Quelenes.