Note 1 — CHAP. XVI.
Reading edition
It is most probable, that Ulloa took the account from Acosta’s History of the West Indies. This is his account, taken from a translation printed in 1604.
“They leap where they list, winding their tails about a branch to shake it, when they will leap farther than they can at once; they use a pretty device, tying themselves by the tails one of another, and by this means make as it were a chain of many, then do they launch themselves forth.”
Acosta does not say he saw this himself; but to the following he professes he was an eye-witness. These are his words—“I saw one in Carthagene, in the governor’s house, so taught, as the things he did seemed incredible. They sent him to the tavern for wine, putting the pot in one hand and the money in the other; they could not possibly get the money out of his hand before he had his pot full of wine. If any children met him in the street, and threw stones at him, he would set his pot down and cast stones against the children, till he had assured his way; then would he return to carry home his pot. And, which is more, although he were a good bibber of wine, yet he would never touch it till leave was given him.” ↑