Sect. II.
Granada.
Description of Granada.
Granada, specially so call’d, is a Countrey of a very temperate and good Air, as hath been before observ’d, neither subject to over-much Cold, nor to extremity of Heat; which is the more to be admir’d by reason of its nearness to the Line, from which it is distant Northward but a very few Degrees.
Towns of chief note.
The Towns and Places of chief importance are, 1. St. Foy, commonly call’d St. Foy de Bagota, which was the old Name of this Province, and to distinguish it from another St. Foy, in the Countrey of New Mexico above mention’d. It is the Metropolis and Capital City of this Province, an Arch-bishop’s See, and the ordinary Residence of the Governor, built by the above-mention’d Gonsalvo Ximenes upon the Lake call’d Guatavita, and hath been long since inhabited by above six hundred Families of Spaniards.
2. St. Michael, twelve Leagues Northward of St. Foy, and a well Traded Town. The Indians that dwell about this Place being above five thousand, pay great Tribute yearly. Not far from hence lies the Lake Guatavita, where the Inhabitants in former times Offer’d much Gold to their Idols.
Commodities of the Countrey of Tocaima.
3. Tocaima, fourteen Leagues Westward from St. Foy, within a Territory which antiently belong’d to the Panches, who yet possess the worst part of it, lying still wild and unreduc’d: It is situate on the Banks of the great River Pati, which falls into the Rivulet Magdalena. This City, which enjoys the benefit of a wholsom Climate, is surrounded with Mines of Gold, Copper, Silver, and Lead. And besides the Fruits of the Countrey, all Spanish Plants thrive exceedingly after once Planted; and though Sheep will not breed here, yet Kine, Hogs, and Goats increase daily, but are often devour’d by Tygers, Lyons, and Bears. The Woods produce Nut-Trees, Cedars, Guaiacum, or Pock-Wood, and the wonderful Tree Zeyba, whose Leaves fall off every twelve hours, and grow again. The Fowls of this Countrey are many and several. Near the City are sulphurous Fountains, whose Waters cure Scabs and Leprosie. In the Valleys also flow Springs of salt Water, which thrown on Herbs, turns to Rozen and Pitch, and is good to make Boats tight. The tops of the Mountains are continually cover’d with Snow, notwithstanding some of them vomit forth horrible Flames and Ashes, which are blown several Leagues over the Countrey. The vicissitude of the Weather occasions two Summers and two Winters; the first Summer begins in December, and the second in June; the first Winter accordingly begins in March, and the other in October. This alteration of Seasons is not distinguish’d by any change of Heat or Cold, but the continuance of fair Weather during the Summer, and in the Winter, of such terrible Hurricanes, that blow from North to South, or from South to North, with such Thundering and Lightning, as if the end of the World were at hand. The chiefest Trees that grow here are Cedars, and one that bears exceeding great Almonds. The Quaque also bears a pleasant Fruit about the bigness of a Goose-Egg; and the Fig-Tree, Figs as large as Oranges. The Agnapa which grows here is of such a nature, that an European sleeping under it, swells exceedingly, but an Indian bursts. The Bark and Sprigs of the Hobo, which grows high and round, serve against Swellings and Ulcers, and occasion also Loosness. Sugar-Canes grow also here in great abundance, amongst which feed certain Beasts like Hogs, whose Navels grow on their Backs; and large Stags. The Fountains in most places of this Countrey run with salt Water; and sometimes Salt is found between fresh-Water Brooks. The Natives, who are valiant, subtile, and well proportion’d, are since their giving over eating of Mans-flesh much increas’d, and many of them forsaking their Heathenish Idolatry, have embrac’d the Roman-Catholick Religion.
4. La Palma, built Anno 1572. in a certain Territory, the People whereof were antiently call’d Musi and Colymæ.