From Coro there leads a Way up into the Countrey over the Mountain Xizaezaras, to the Province Bariquicemeto.
Between both these Provinces very fruitful Valleys, which produce Maiz in great abundance, are surrounded by wooddy Mountains, inhabited by Man-eaters, call’d Axaguas.
Segovia built by Juan de Villegas.
Anno 1552. Juan de Villegas discovering the Province Tucuyo, he found several rich Gold-Mines near the Mountain Pedro, out of which springs the River Burio. Near this place he built the Town Segovia, which, by reason of the unwholsom Air, was soon after transplanted, and built on the Shore of the River Bariquicemeto, so call’d, because the Water when touch’d, turns to an Ash-colour. The Plain Countrey round about would be intolerable hot, did not the cool Winds that blow from the Mountains temper the same.
The Natives of the Province Bariquicemeto, their manner of living.
The Natives divided into Tribes that understand not one another, live on Callibashes, Deers-flesh, Rabbets, and the Juice of the Cocuy.
In the Rivers Hacarigua and Boraute, they throw the stamp’d Root Barbasco, which causes the Fish to appear above the Water, and suffer themselves to be caught with the Hand.
In the Summer they all store themselves with Venison, which they catch after this manner: They set the dry Bushes and Brambles on fire, which makes the wild Hogs, Goats, Deer, Armadillo’s, Tygers, the great Serpents Bobas, and other wild Creatures, to leap forth from their Holes and Receptacles to shun the same, whilest the Hunters standing ready with their Bowes and Arrows, seldom miss one of them.
In the hollow Trees near the Rivers, the Bees make abundance of Honey for them.
Most of the Rivers here fall into the Stream Huriapari, which glides from the Peruvian Mountains to the Northern Ocean.