“But above all we must not omit to discourse at large of the Herb which the _Indians_ call _Cuca_, and the _Spaniards_, _Coca_, being that which is, and hath been a considerable part of the Riches of _Peru_, and such as hath yielded great benefit to the Merchants. And, indeed, the _Indians_ did justly esteem it for the rare Virtues and Qualities of it, which the _Spaniards_ have not onely approved, but have also discovered several other specifick and medicinal Qualities belonging to it. _Blas Valera_, who was a very curious Person, and one who had resided many years in _Peru_, and came from thence thirty years after my departure, hath wrote Very largely of the many Virtues of this Herb, and such as he hath found out by his own experience. His words are these, ‘The _Cuca_ is a small, tender Tree or Bind, about the height and biggness of a Vine; it produceth not many Branches, but is full of delicate Leaves, of about the breadth and length of a Man’s Thumb; it is of an excellent smell, and very fragrant; the _Spaniards_ and _Indians_ do both give them the name of _Cuca_; the which is so much esteemed by the _Indians_, that they prefer it before Gold, or Silver, or Pretious Stones. They plant and manure them with great art and diligence, and gather them with great care, pulling them leaf by leaf, and then lay them to dry in the Sun, and so the Indians eat them dry. “‘The Virtue and Benefit of this _Cuca_ is plainly observable in labouring Men, who, having eaten it are much refreshed, and often labour a whole day in the strength of it, without any other nourishment. The _Cuca_ moreover preserves the Body from many infirmities; and our Physicians make use of it, being dried and beaten to powder, to ease and assuage the Inflammation, or swelling of any Wound; it is good to strengthen bones which have been broken, and expell colds from the Body, and to prevent them; it is good also to cleanse great Wounds of Worms, and heal them; nor is the Virtue of it less, being taken inwardly, than it is by outward applications. Besides all which Virtues, it yields a great benefit to the Bishop and Canons and other Dependents on the Cathedral Church of _Cozco_, the Tithes of the Leaves of _Cuca_ being their greatest Revenue; it is also a great commodity amongst the Merchants; notwithstanding all which good Qualities of the _Cuca_, there are many, who being ignorant of its Virtues have wrote against it; for no other reason, than because the Gentiles, in ancient times, did, by their Diviners and Wizards offer this _Cuca_ to their Gods in Sacrifice; and, therefore, having been abused to Idolatry, they conclude that it ought for ever to be esteemed abominable and prophane. This Argument might be available, if it had been the custome to offer this