The natives of these islands quite commonly use as venoms and poisons the herbs of that class found throughout the islands.  They are so efficacious and deadly that they produce wonderful effects.  There is a lizard, commonly found in the houses, somewhat dark-green in color, one palmo long, and as thick as three fingers, which is called chacon. [109] They put this in a joint of bamboo, and cover it up.  The slaver of this animal during its imprisonment is gathered.  It is an exceedingly strong poison, when introduced as above stated, in the food or drink, in however minute quantities.  There are various herbs known and gathered by the natives for the same use.  Some of them are used dry, and others green; some are to be mixed in food, and others inhaled.  Some kill by simply touching them with the hands or feet, or by sleeping upon them.  The natives are so skilful in making compounds from these substances, that they mix and apply them in such a manner that they take effect at once, or at a set time—­long or short, as they wish, even after a year.  Many persons usually die wretchedly by these means—­especially Spaniards, who lack foresight, and who are tactless and hated because of the ill-treatment that they inflict upon the natives with whom they deal, either in the collection of their tributes, or in other matters in which they employ them, without there being any remedy for it.  There are certain poisonous herbs, with which, when the natives gather them, they carry, all ready, other herbs which act as antidotes.  In the island of Bohol is one herb of such nature that the natives approach it from windward when they cut it from the shrub on which it grows; for the very air alone that blows over the herb is deadly.  Nature did not leave this danger without a remedy, for other herbs and roots are found in the same islands, of so great efficacy and virtue that they destroy and correct the poison and mischief of the others, and are used when needed.  Accordingly, when one knows what poison has been given him, it is not difficult, if recourse be had in time, to cure it, by giving the herb that is antidotal to such poison.  At times it has happened that pressure has been put upon the person suspected of having committed the evil to make him bring the antidote, by which it has been remedied.  There are also other general antidotes, both for preservation against poison and for mitigating the effects of poison that has been administered.  But the most certain and efficacious antidotes are certain small flies or insects, of a violet color, found on certain bushes in the islands of Pintados.  These are shut up in a clean bamboo joint, and covered over.  There they breed and multiply.  Ground rice is put in with them, and they exist thereon.  Every week they are visited [110] and the old rice removed and new rice put in, and they are kept alive by this means.  If six of these insects are taken in a spoonful of wine or water—­for they emit no bad odor, and taste like cress—­they produce a wonderful effect.  Even when people go to banquets or dinners where there is any suspicion, they are wont to take with them these insects, in order to preserve and assure themselves from any danger of poison and venom.