America: Being the Latest, and Most Accurate Description of the Nevv VVorld / Containing the Original of the Inhabitants, and the Remarkable Voyages Thither. The Conquest of the Vast Empires of Mexico and Peru, and Other Large Provinces and Territories, with the Several European Plantations in Those Parts. Also Their Cities, Fortresses, Towns, Temples, Mountains, and Rivers. Their Habits, Customs, Manners, and Religions. Their Plants, Beasts, Birds, and Serpents. With an Appendix, Containing, Besides Several Other Considerable Additions, a Brief Survey of What Hath Been Discover'd of the Unknown South-land and the Arctick Region.

by John Ogilby

2. Compostella, built by the aforesaid Gusman, and so nam’d from the City in Spain, so famous for the Grave of James the Apostle, who (according to the Roman Writers) was buried there, lies near the South Sea on a barren Soil, within the Torrid Zone; yet the Ground breeds many sorts of Vermine, besides other noxious Creatures; amongst which the Capybara roots up whole Trees and other Plants in the Night. This Beast, resembling an indifferent large Hog, hath short Legs and Claws, thick Head, with a Beard, wide Ears, and on each Jaw-bone twenty four Teeth, besides two Tusks, but no Tail; it goes slow, but swims exceeding fast, and dives under Water for a considerable time together; they often feed together in great Herds, and make a terrible noise.

3. La Purification, a small Town on the Sea side, towards the Confines of New Spain.

Sect. IV.
Chiametla.

Situation of Chiametla.

Against Xalisco juts Chiametla, along the South Sea, where the Inhabitants wear short cloaks, and Deer-skin Shoes; and in the Wars use Shields made of strong Twigs twisted together. The Women, which are indifferent handsom, are clad down to their Feet.

Towns of principal note.

The chief Town of this Province is Sant Sebastian, call’d from the River upon which it stands; it was built by Captain Franciscus de Yvarra, Anno 1554. who discovering many Silver Mines, hath made several Melting-houses, in which the Silver being melted swims upon the Lead.

Sect. V.
Couliacan.

Bounds of Couliacan.

Next to Chiametla, Westward and Southward of Cinoloa, lies Couliacan, Coasting all along the Bay of California, which it hath on the West; on the East it hath New Biscay; and on the South, Xalisco. The Countrey is not defective in any kind of necessary Provision, but more especially it aboundeth with Fruits of all sorts. But the Spaniards look onely at the Mines, of which they have some few in this Countrey. The People were generally Cloth’d with Cotton-Wooll when the Spaniards came first amongst them, but yet never a whit the more modest, being exceedingly given to Venery, and that in a more shameless and beastly manner than many other Americans who went naked.