Of the island of Puna, and of that of La Plata: and concerning the admirable root called sarsaparilla, which is so useful for all diseases.

THE island of Puna, which is near the port of Tumbez, is little more than ten leagues round, yet in former times it was considered an important place; for, besides that the inhabitants are great traders, and possess in their islands all things needful to sustain human life, which are sufficient causes for their wealth, they are held to be valiant by their neighbours, and in ancient times they waged fierce wars with those of Tumbez and of other provinces. For very slight causes they killed each other, and seized their women and children. The great Tupac Ynca sent ambassadors to these islanders, proposing that they should be his friends and allies; and they, owing to his great fame, heard his embassy, but refused to serve him, and they were not entirely subdued until the time of Huayna Ccapac, although others say that they had been conquered and brought within the rule of the Yncas by Ynca Yupanqui, but that they had rebelled; however this may have been, the events connected with the murder of the captains, already described, certainly took place. These islanders are of middle height, and dark skinned. They dress in cotton cloths, both men and women, and wear chaquiras on several parts of the body. They also put on pieces of gold in order to look smart.

The island is covered with large woods and flowering meadows; and abounds in fruit. It yields plenty of maize, yucas, and other edible roots, and there are also birds of all kinds, such as parrots, guacamayas,[311] and of beasts, monkeys, lions, foxes, snakes, and many others. When the chiefs die they are lamented by all the people, as well men as women, and are interred with great signs of respect, according to their custom. They bury the most valuable things, arms, and most beautiful women with the deceased, the women being buried alive in the tombs to keep their husbands company. They mourn for the dead during many days, and shave the heads of the women in the houses, even those who are the nearest relations. They are given to religious ceremonies, and to the commission of some crimes. The devil had the same power over them as he had over other Indians, and some of them conversed with him.

They had their temples in dark and hidden places, and carved the walls with horrible pictures. In front of their altars, where they performed sacrifices, they killed many animals and some birds; and it is said that they even killed slaves or prisoners taken in war, offering up their blood to the accursed devil.

In another small island, at no great distance, the natives say that, in the time of their ancestors, there was a temple, or huaca, where they also worshipped their gods and performed sacrifices. Round the temple they had quantities of gold, silver, and other valuable things, such as woollen cloths and jewels, which had been offered up at different times. It is also said that some of the islanders of Puna committed the accursed sin. At present, by the will of God, they are not so bad, or, if they are, they do not commit their crimes publicly and openly, for there are clergy on the island now, and the natives are aware of the blindness in which their fathers lived, and how erroneous was their belief. They also know how much they gain by believing our holy catholic faith, and by having Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, for their God. Thus, by his great goodness and mercy, many have become Christians, and more are converted every day.

An herb grows in abundance on this island, and in the province of Guayaquil, which is called sarsaparilla because it grows like a bramble from its birth, and small leaves grow out of the suckers and other parts of the branches.[312] The roots of the herb are useful for all sicknesses, and especially for bubos, and to mitigate the evil which this pestiferous disease causes to man. Those who wish to be cured are put in a warm room, well covered up, so that the cold or air can do no injury. Then, by merely purging, eating delicate meats, and drinking an infusion of this root for some days, without any other remedy, the evil is cleared out of the body, and shortly the patient is more healthy than he ever was before, and the body is left without any vestige of the evil, but remains so perfect that it seems as if it had never been ailing. Thus they have truly effected great cures in the town of Guayaquil at different times. Many, too, whose bowels are out of order, by simply drinking an infusion of these roots, become healthy, and in better condition than before they were taken ill. Others suffering from bubos are also cured, as well as those with boils or tumours. I take it for certain that this is the best root and herb in the world, and the most useful, as is proved by the numbers who have been cured by it. This sarsaparilla grows in many parts of the Indies, but none is so good or efficacious as that which is found on the island of Puna and in the province of the city of Guayaquil.[313]