32 Supplements to the History

*ON LEECHES*

There are two kinds of leeches, or bloodsuckers: one living in salt water and the other in fresh water, as was already explained in the seventh book of my *History of Insects*. To these we now add a thin, terrestrial leech belonging to the Indies, known to the natives as the *Lámatech*. This is a most troublesome species of leech that lives among grasses and mountain trees; it is half a finger long and extremely thin. It clings tenaciously to passersby and enters any opening of the human body, even the narrowest and most unpleasant, and does not leave until it is satiated with human blood. Then, like our local varieties, it falls off of its own accord. It is less of a nuisance when the sun is at its height. The remedy is to pluck them off with sharpened reeds, to protect oneself by sitting on rocks within the water, or to drive them away with fire. Thus, this kind of leech differs in nature from our own, for while it lives among the grass, it avoids the water.

*ON WORMS*

The varieties of worms are many. In terms of their physical build, some are large, some small, and others of medium size. Regarding their parts, some have tails, some have horns, and some are hairy. In color, some are white, others yellow, and others of different hues. Regarding their origin, some arise in living animals and others in the dead. In terms of their qualities, some are venomous while others lack poison; and finally, by their place of birth, some are called local and others exotic. Indeed, the Peruvians have worms from which they prepare deadly poisons.

Furthermore, in the province of Pánuco at Huexutla, worms are found marked with white and blue lines, living among the leaves of certain plants they call *Tunas*. They possess a wonderful power for curing insanity: two crushed worms are dissolved in water and taken orally. If the condition is long-standing, the medicine is repeated two or three times; it induces sleep, and the patient, waking after a long slumber, returns to their senses. These worms are entirely harmless, which is why they may be administered safely; indeed, they are even successfully prescribed for those suffering from paralysis and epilepsy.

Another kind of worm lives in the Mexican fields near mulberries and willows; it is called the *Cuchipilutl*, or the "sleep-bringing worm." In size and shape, it is much like a silkworm; following that creature’s habit, it wraps itself in a firm membrane in the month of October and emerges transformed into a butterfly in April. The Indians hang these from children's cradles, having accustomed them to induce sleep, and they named the creature for this effect. They also grind it into a powder and provide it with a portion of wine to stimulate lust. These little creatures obtain their nourishment from the aforementioned trees.

There is also a type of very thin worm or earthworm called *Yxcahoitli*, which is caught with nets and kept in large vessels to be brought to market. Once the vendors have cooked them, they turn a dark color and give off an odor not unlike fish eggs. From these, they make cakes which they keep dried, as they are said to increase the milk of new mothers and nurses.

Additionally, certain worms live in the marshes of those regions, similar to those found in rotting meat. The Mexicans call these *Ocuiliztac*; they are black when raw and turn white when roasted, for these too serve the appetite.

Finally, these worms decorated with various colors bring to mind the sea *Amphisbaena*, an illustration of which has been published nowhere else and therefore must not be omitted. This *Amphisbaena* was captured in the English Sea, where many others of its kind were known to dwell.