Purchas his pilgrimes. part 3 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

§. V. Of Emeralds, Pearles, Indian Bread, Trees, Fruites, Flowers naturall, and carried thither from Spaine.

IT shall not be from the purpose, to speake something of Emeralds, both for that it is a precious thing▪ as Gold and Siluer, as also that they take their beginning from Mines and Mettals,* 1.1 as Plinie reports. The Emerald hath bin in old time in great esteeme, as the same Author writes, giuing it the third place amongst all Iewels and precious stones, that is, next to the Diamond and Pearle. At this day they doe not so much esteeme the [ 10] Emerald, nor the Pearle, for the great abundance brought of these two sorts from the Indies; one∣ly the Diamond holds the principalitie, the which cannot be taken from it. Next, the Rubies come in price and other Stones, which they hold more precious then the Emerald. Men are so desirous of singularities and rare things, that what they see to be common, they doe not esteeme. They report of a Spaniard, who being in Italie when the Indies were first discouered, shewed an Emerald to a Lapidary,* 1.2 who asking him the value thereof, after he had well viewed it, being of an excellent lustre and forme, he prized it at a hundred Duckets: he then shewed him another greater then it, which he valued at three hundred Duckats. The Spaniard drunke with this dis∣course, carried him to his lodging, shewing him a Casket full. The Italian seeing so great a num∣ber of Emeralds, said vnto him, Sir, these are well worth a crowne a peece. The Kings of Mexi∣co [ 20] did much esteeme them; some did vse to pierce their nostrils, and hang therein an excellent Emerald: they hung them on the visages of their Idols. The greatest store is found in the new Kingdome of Grenado, and Peru, neere vnto Manta and Port Vieil. There is towards that place a soile which they call,* 1.3 the Land of Emeralds, for the knowledge that they haue of abundance to be there: and yet vnto this day they haue not conquered that Land. The Emeralds grow in stones like vnto Christall; I haue seene them in the same stone, fashioned like a veine, and they seeme by little and little to thicken and refine. I haue seene some that were halfe white, and halfe greene; others all white, and some greene and very perfit. I haue seene some of the big∣nesse of a Nut, and there haue bin some greater found: but I haue not knowne that in our time [ 30] they haue found any of the forme and bignesse of the plat or Iewell they haue at Genes, the which they esteeme (and with reason) to be a Iewell of great price, and no relique; yet with∣out comparison,* 1.4 the Emerald which Theophrastus speakes of, which the King of Babylon presen∣ted to the King of Aegypt, surpasseth that of Genes; it was foure cubits long, and three broad, and they say, that in Iupiters Temple, there was a needle or pyramide, made of foure Emeralds stones of fortie cubits long, and in some places foure broad, and in others two: and that in his time there was in Tirus in Hercules Temple, a Pillar of an Emerald. It may be (as Plinie saieth) it was of some greene stone, somewhat like the Emerald, and they called it a false Emerald. As some will say, that in the Cathedrall Church of Cordoüe there are certaine Pillars of Eme∣ralds which remaine since it was a Mesquite for the Kings Miramamolins Moores,* 1.5 which reig∣ned there. In the fleete, the yeare one thousand fiue hundred eightie and seuen, in the which I [ 40] came from the Indies, they brought two chests of Emeralds, euery one weighing at the least foure Arobes, whereby we may see the abundance they haue.

* 1.6Now that we intreate of the great riches that comes from the Indies, it were no reason to forget the Pearle, which the Ancients called Marguerites, and at the first were in so great esti∣mation, as none but royall persons were suffered to weare them: but at this day there is such abundance as the Negres themselues doe weare chaines thereof; they grow in shels or Oysters, in eating whereof I haue found Pearles in the middest of them. These Oysters within are of the colour of heauen, very liuely. In some places they make Spoones, the which they call Mo∣ther of Pearle. The Pearles doe differ much in forme, in bignesse, figure, colour and polishing; so [ 50] likewise in their price they differ much. Some they call Aue Mariaes, being like the small grains of beades: others are Pater nosters, being bigger. Seldome shall you finde two of one greatnesse, forme,* 1.7 and colour. For this reason the Romans (as Plinie writeth) called them Vnions. When as they doe finde two that are alike in all points, they raise the price much, especially for eare-rings. I haue seene some paires valued at thousands of Ducats, although they were not like to Cleopa∣traes two Pearles, whereof Plinie reports, either of them being worth a hundred thousand Du∣cates,* 1.8 with the which this foolish Queene wonne a wager she had made against Marc Antony, to spend in one Supper aboue an hundred thousand Ducates, so at the last course shee dis∣solued one of these Pearles in strong Vinegar, and dranke it vp. They say the other Pearle was cut in two, and placed in the Pantheon at Rome, at th'eares of the Image of Venus. [ 60]

They fish for Pearles in diuers parts of the Indies, the greatest abundance is in the South Seas, neere vnto Panama,* 1.9 where the Ilands of Pearles be, as they call them. But at this day they finde greatest store, and the best, in the North Seas, the which is neere to the Riuer of Hache. I

did see them make their fishing, the which is done with great charge and labour of the poore slaues, which diue six, nine, yea twelue fadomest into the Sea, to seeke for Oysters, the which commonly are fastened to the rockes and grauell in the Sea: they pull them vp, and bring them aboue the water to their canoes, where they open them,* 1.10 drawing forth the treasure they haue within them. The water of the Sea in this part is very cold, but yet the labour and toile is grea∣test in holding of their breath, sometimes a quarter, yea halfe an houre together,* 1.11 being vnder the water at their fishing. And to the end these poore s••aues may the better continue and hold their breaths, they feede them with drie meates, and that in small quantitie, so as couetousnesse makes them abstaine and fast thus against their wils. They imploy their Pearles to diuers works, and they pierce them to make chaines whereof there is great store in euery place. In the yeare of [ 10] our Lord 1581. I did see the note of what came from the Indies for the King: there were eigh∣teene Maces of Pearle, besides three caskets, and for particulars, there were twelue hundred three∣score and foure Marks, and besides them, seuen caskets not pierced, which heretofore we would haue esteemed and held for a lye.* 1.12

They haue (as we haue here) a proper name, whereby they note and signifie bread, which at Peru, they call Tanta, and in other places by another name. But the qualitie and substance of the bread the Indians vse, differs much from ours: for we finde not they had any kinde of Wheat or Barley, not any other kinde of graine which they vse in Europe to make Bread withall: in∣stead whereof they vsed other kindes of graines and rootes,* 1.13 amongst the which Mays holds the first place, and with reason, in Castile they call it Indian Wheat, and in Italie▪ they call it Turkey [ 20] graine. And euen as Wheate is the most common graine for the vse of man, in the regions of the old world, which are Europe, Asia, and Affrica: So in the new found world, the most common graine is Mays, the which is found almost in all the Kingdomes of the West Indies, as at Peru, new Spaine, in the new Kingdome of Granado, in Gantimalla, in Chille, and vpon the maine Land. I doe not finde that in old time, in the Ilands of Barlouente, as Cuba, Saint Dominique, Iamaique, and Saint Iean, that they vsed Mays: at this day they vse much Yuca and Caçaui, whereof we will presently intreate. I doe not thinke that this Mays is any thing inferiour to our Wheate, in strength nor substance, but it is more hot and grosse, and engenders more bloud, whereupon they that haue not beene accustomed thereunto, if they eate too much, they swell and become scab∣bed. It growes vpon Canes or Reedes; euerie one beares one or two branches,* 1.14 to the which the [ 30] graine is fastened, and although the graine be bigge, yet finde they great store thereof, so as in some clusters I haue told seuen hundred graines. They must plant it with the hand one by one, and not verie thicke; it desires a hot and a moist ground, and growes in great abundance in ma∣ny places of the Indies. It is not strange in those Countries to gather three hundred Fa••eg••es,* 1.15 or measures for one sowen. There is difference of Mays as there is of Wheate, one is great and very nourishing, another small and drie, which they call Moroche; the greene leaues and canes of Mays, is a good foode for their Males and Horses, and it serues them for straw when it is dri∣ed; the graine is of more nourishment for Horses then Barley; and therefore in those Coun∣tries, they vse to water their Horses before they eate, for if they should drinke after, they would swell as when they eate Wheate. Mays is the Indians bread, the which they commonly eate [ 40] boiled in the graine hot, and they call it Mote, as the Chinois and Iapon••is eate their Rice sod∣den with the hot water: sometimes they eate it baked. There is some Mays round and bigge, as that of Lucanas, which the Spaniards eate rosted as a delicate meat, and hath a better taste then Buarbenses, or rosted peason. There is another kinde of eating it more pleasant, which is, to grinde the Mays, and to make small cakes of the flower, the which they put in the fire, and then bring them hot to the Table. In some places they call them Arepas. They make also round bowles of this paste, and so trimme them that they continue long, eating it as a daintie dish.

They haue inuented at the Indies (for friandise and pleasure) a certaine kinde of paste, they doe make of this flower-mixt with Sugar, which they call Biscuits and mellinders. This Mays serues the Indians, not onely for bread, but also for wine: for they doe make their drinke there∣of, [ 50] wherewith they are sooner drunke then with wine of Grapes. They make this wine of Mays in diuers sorts and manners, calling it in Peru, Acua, and by the most common name of the Indies, Chicha. And the strongest is made like vnto Beere, steeping the graine vntill it break••. After they boile it in such sort, that it growes so strong, as a little ouerthrowes a man.* 1.16 In Peru they call this Sora, it is defended by the Law, for the great inconueniences that grow thereby, making men drunke. But this Law is ill obserued, for that they vse it still; yea they spend whole daies and nights in drinking carowses.

There is another manner of making this Acua or Chicha, which is to champe the Mays, and make a leuen thereof, and then boile it: yea the Indians hold opinion, that to make good leuen, it must be champed by old withered women, which makes a man sicke to heare, and yet they [ 60] doe drinke it. The clenliest manner, the most wholesome, and that which least harmeth, is to roast the Mays, which the most ciuill Indians doe vse, and some Spaniards, yea for physicke: For in effect they finde it a very whole some drinke for the reines,* 1.17 so as you shall hardly finde any one at the Indies complaine of paine in the backe, for that they doe drinke of this Chicha.

The Spaniards and Indians eate this Mays boyled and roasted for daintinesse, when it is tender in the grape like milke, they put it into the pot, and make sauces that are good to eate. The buds of Mays are very fat, and serue instead of Butter and oyle: so as this Mays at the Indies serues both for men and beasts, for bread, wine, and oyle.

* 1.18In some parts of the Indies they vse a kinde of Bread they call Caçaui, which is made of a cer∣taine roote they call Yuca. This Yuca is a great and grosse roote, which they cut in small mor∣sels, they grate or scrape it, and then put it in a presse to straine, making a thinne and broad cake thereof, almost like vnto a Moores Target or Buckler; then doe they drie it: and this is the Bread they eate. It hath no taste, but is healthfull and of good nourishment. For this reason we said, being at Saint Dominicke, that it was the proper foode for great eaters, for that they [ 10] might eate much, without any feate of surfetting. They must of necessitie water this Caçaui before they eate it; it is sharpe, and easely watered with water or broath, wherein it is very good, for that it swels much, and so they make Capirotades, but it is hardly steeped in Milke, Hony of Canes, or in Wine, for that these liquors cannot pierce it, as it doth Bread made of Wheate. Of this Caçaui there is one kinde more delicate then any other, which is that they make of the flower called Xauxau, which they doe much esteeme in those parts. For my part,* 1.19 I esteeme more a morsell of Bread, how hard and blacke soeuer. It is a strange thing that the iuyce or water that commeth from this roote when they straine it, which makes the Caçaui, is a deadly poison, and kils any that drinkes thereof: but the substance that remaineth, is a very wholesome Bread and nourishment, as we haue said.

There is another kinde of Yuca, which they call Sweet, and hath not this poison in the iuyce: [ 20] this is eaten in the roote boiled or roasted, and is good meate. Caçaui will keepe long, and there∣fore they carrie it to Sea instead of Biscuit. The place where they vse most of this Bread, is at the Ilands of Barlouente,* 1.20 which are Saint Dominicke, Cuba, Port Ricco, Iamaique, and some o∣thers thereabouts; for that the soile of these Ilands will neither beare Wheate, nor Mays: for when as they sowe Wheate, it comes vp well, and is presently greene, but so vnequally, as they cannot gather it; for of the seede sowen, at one instant some is spindled, some is in the eare, and some doth but bud, one is great and another little, one is in the grasse and another in the graine: and although they haue carried labourers thither, to see if there were any tillage or Art to be v∣sed, yet could they finde no remedy for the qualitie of the earth. They carry Meale from new [ 30] Spaine or the Canaries, which is so moist, that hardly can they make any profitable Bread, or of good taste. The Wafer-cakes wherewith they say Masse, did bend like to wet paper, by rea∣son of the extreame humiditie and heate which are ioyntly in that Countrie. There is another extreame contrarie to this, which hinders the growing of Mays or Wheate in some parts of the Indies, as on the height of the Sierre of Peru, and the Prouinces which they call of Colao, which is the greatest part of this Realme, where the climate is so cold and dry, as it will not suffer any of these seedes to grow: instead thereof the Indians vse another kinde of roote, which they call Papas: these rootes are like to ground Nuts, they are small rootes, which cast out ma∣ny leaues.* 1.21 They gather this Papas, and dry it well in the Sunne, then beating it, they make that which they call Chuno, which keepes many daies, and serues for bread. In this Realme [ 40] there is great trafficke of Chuno, the which they carry to the Mines of Potozi: they likewise eate of these Papas boiled or roasted: there is one sweete of these kindes, which growes in hot places, whereof they doe make certaine sawces and minced meate, which they call Locro. To conclude, these rootes are the bread of that Land; so as when the yeare is good, they reioyce much, for that oftentimes they freeze in the earth, so great is the cold of that Region: they car∣rie Mays from the Valley or Sea-coast, and the Spaniards which are daintie, carrie likewise from the same places Wheate-meale, whereof they doe make good Bread, because that the Land is drie.

Besides Papas, which is the principall, there is Ocas, Yanococas, Camotes, Vatas, Xiquimas, Yuca, Cochucha,* 1.22 Caui, Totora, Mani, and an infinite number of other kindes, as the Patattres, which they eate as a delicate and toothsome meate. They haue likewise carried fruites to the Indies [ 50] from these parts, the which prosper better there, then the Indian Plants doe, brought into Eu∣rope. There are other rootes that serue them for dainties, as the Cochucho: it is a small sweete roote, which some prouide for more delight. There are other rootes fit to coole, as the Piquima, which is the qualitie very cold and moist, and in Summer it refresheth and quencheth the thirst; but the Papas and Ocas, be the chiefe for nourishment and substance. The Indians esteeme Garlike aboue all the rootes of Europe,* 1.23 and hold it for a fruite of great force.

Seeing we haue begunne with the lesser Plants, I might in few words, touch that which con∣cernes Flowers and Pot-hearbes, and that which the Latines call Arbusta, without any men∣tion of Trees. There are some kindes of these shrubbes at the Indies, which are of verie good taste. The first Spaniards named many things at the Indies with such Spanish names, as they [ 60] did most resemble, as Pines, Concombres, and Prunes, although they be very different fruites to those which are so-called in Spaine. The Pines, or Pine-aples, are of the same fashion and forme outwardly to those of Castile, but within they wholly differ, for that they haue neither Apples,

nor scales, but are all one flesh, which may be eaten when the skin is off. It is a fruite that hath an excellent smell, and is very pleasant and delightfull in taste, it is full of iuyce,* 1.24 and of a sweete and sharpe taste, they eate it being cut in morsels, and steeped a while in water and salt. They grow one by one like a cane or stalke, which riseth amongst many leaues, like to the Lillie, but somewhat bigger. The Apple is on the top of euerie cane, it growes in hot and moist grounds, and the best are those of the Ilands of Barlouente. I haue seene in new Spaine, conser••es of these Pines, which was very good. Those which they call Concombres, are no trees, but shrubbes, continuing but one yeare. They giue it this name, for that some of this fruite, and the most part, is in length, and roundnesse like to the Concombres of Spaine: but for the rest they differ [ 10] much, for they are not greene, but violet, yellow, or white, neither are they thornie or rough, but pollished and euen, hauing a verie different taste, and farre better then that of Spaine, for they haue a sharpe sweete taste, very pleasant when it is ripe, yet is it not so sharpe as the Pine. They are very coole, full of liquor and of easie digestion, and in time of heate fit to re∣fresh. They take away the rinde which is white, and all that remaines is meate. They grow in a temperate soile, and require watering. And although for the resemblance they call them Concombres, yet are there many of them round, and others of a different fashion: so as they haue not the figure of Concombres. I doe not remember to haue seene this kinde of fruite in new Spaine, nor at the Ilands, but vpon the Lanos of Peru. That which they call the little fruite of Chille, is of the same sort, verie pleasant to eate, and comes neere the taste of Cherries, [ 20] but in all other things it differs much; for that it is no tree, but an hearbe, which growes little and spreads vpon the earth, casting forth this little fruite, the which in colour and graines, resembles almost the Mulberie, when it is white and not ripe, yet is it more rough and bigger then the Mulberie. They say this little fruite is naturally found in the fields of Chille, where I haue seene of them. They set it vpon Plants and branches, and it growes like any other shrub. Those which they call Prunes, are verily the fruits of trees, and haue more resemblance then the rest to our Plumbs. But to returne to Pot-hearbs, I finde not that the Indians had any Gardens of diuers Hearbes and Plants, but did onely till the Land in some parts for pulses, which they vse, as those which they call Frisolles and Palares, which serue them as our Lentils, Beanes, or Tares: neither haue I knowne that these Pulses, or any other kindes that be in Europe, were there be∣fore [ 30] the Spaniards entred, who carried Plants and Pulses from Spaine thither, where they now grow and increase wonderfully, and in some places exceede greatly the fertilitie of these parts. As if we speak of Mellons which grow in the Vallie of Yuca, in Peru,* 1.25 whose roote becomes a stalk that continues many yeares carrying Mellons yeerely, and they trimme it like vnto a tree; a thing which I doe not know to be in any part of Spaine. But that is more monstrous of the Ca∣libasses or Indian Pompious, and the greatnesse they haue as they grow, especially those which are proper to the Countrie, which they call Capallos, the which they eate most commonly in Lent, boiled and trimmed with some other sawce. There are a thousand kindes of Calibas∣ses, some are so deformed in their bignesse,* 1.26 that of the ••inde cut in the middest and clen∣sed, they make as it were baskets to put in all their meate for their dinner. Of the lesser they make Vessels to eate and drinke in, and doe trimme them handsomely for ma∣nie [ 40] vses.

They haue not found at the West Indies anie kinde of Spices, proper or peculiar to them, as Pepper, Cloues, Cinamon, Nutmegs or Ginger, although one of our companie,* 1.27 who had tra∣uelled much, and in diuers parts, told vs, that in the Desarts of the Iland of Iamaique he had found trees where Pepper grew. But they are not yet assured thereof, neither is there anie trade of these spices at the Indies. The Ginger was carried from the Indies to Hispaniola, and it hath multiplied so, as at this day they know not what to doe with rhe great abundance they haue.* 1.28 In the fleete the, yeare 1587. they brought 22053. quintals of Ginger to Seuille: but the natu∣rall spice that God hath giuen to the West Indies, is that we in Castill call Indian Pepper, and at the Indies, Axi, as a generall word taken from the first Land of the Ilands, which they conque∣red. [ 50] In the language of Cusco, it is called Vchu, and in that of Mexico, Chili. This plant in well knowne, and therefore I will speake a little, onely we must vnderstand, that in old time it was much esteemed amongst the Indians: that they carried into places where it grew not, as a Mar∣chandise of consequence. It growes not vpon cold grounds, as on the Sierre of Peru, but in hot Vallies, where it is often watered. There is of this Axi of diuers colours, some is greene, some red, some yellow, and some of a burning colour, which they call Caribe, the which is extreame∣ly sharpe and biting; there is another sort not so sharpe, but is so sweete, as they may eate it a∣lone as any other fruit. There is some of it verie small and pleasing in the mouth, almost like to the smell of Muske, and is verie good. That which is sharpe and biting in this Axi, be the veines [ 60] and the grain onely; the rest is not: for that they eate it greene & dry, whole and beaten, in the pot, and in sawces, being the chiefe sawce, & all the spice they haue at the Indies. When this Axi is taken moderately, it helps and comforts the stomack for digestion: but if they take too much, it hath bad effects, for of it selfe it is verie hot, fuming, & pierceth greatly, so as the vse thereof is preiudiciall to the health of yong folkes, chiefely to the soule, for that it prouokes to lust. They

vse Salt to temper this Axi, hauing great force to correct it, and so they moderate one with the other by the contrarietie that is in them. They vse also Tomates, which are cold and very wholesome. It is a kinde of graine great and full of iuyce, the which giues a good taste to sawce, and they are good to eate. They haue generally throughout the Indies of this Indian Pepper, at the Ilands, new Spaine, Peru, and all the rest that is discouered. And as Mays is the generall graine for Bread, so Axi is the most common spice for sawces.

The thing wherein was most resemblance, in my opinion, betwixt the Planes at the Indies, and those which the Ancients did celebrate,* 1.29 is the greatnesse of the leaues, for that these haue them very great and coole. But in truth there is no more comparison nor resemblance of the one with the other, then there is (as the Prouerbe saith) betwixt an Egge and a Chesnut. For first, the [ 10] ancient plane carries no fruite, at the least, they made no account thereof, but the chiefest reason why they esteemed it, was, for the shadow, for that there was no more Sunne vnder a Plane than vnder a roofe. And contrariwise, the reason why they should regard it at the Indies, yea make great accompt thereof, is by reason of this fruite, which is very good; for they haue little shade. Moreouer, the ancient Plane had the body so bigge, and the boughs so spread, that Plinie reporteth of one Licinius a Romane Captaine, who with eighteene of his companions dined at ease in th'hollow of one of these Planes:* 1.30 and of the Emperour Caius Caligula, who with eleuen of his ghests feasted vpon the top of another Plane, where he made them a sumptuous banquet. The Indian Planes haue neither so great nor hollow bodies, not so broad boughs.

* 1.31The leaues of the Indian Plane, are of a wonderfull bignesse, and are, in a manner, sufficient to couer a man from the foote to the head. It is a Plant that makes a stocke within the earth, out [ 20] of the which springs many and sundry siens and sprigges, diuided, and not ioyned together. These sprigges grow bigge, euery one making a small tree apart, and in growing they cast forth these leaues, which are of a fine, greene, smooth, and great as I haue said. When it is growne to the height of a stade and a halfe, or two, it puts forth one onely bough of fruite, whereon sometimes there are great numbers of this fruite, and sometimes lesse. I haue told vpon some of these boughs three hundred, whereof euery one was a spanne long more or lesse, and two or three fingers bigge; yet is there much difference herein, betwixt some and others, they take away the rinde, and all the rest is a firme kernell and tender, good to eate, and nourishing. This fruite inclines more to cold then heate. They are accustomed to gather the boughes or clusters, as I haue said, [ 30] being greene, and put them into vessels▪ where they ripen, being well couered, especially when there is a certaine hearbe mingled with it, which serues for this effect. If they suffer them to ri∣pen on the tree, they haue a better taste, and a very good smell, like to Camoisses or sweete Ap∣ples. They last almost all the yeare▪ for that there are alwaies yong ones that grow out of this stocke; so as when one ends, another beginnes to yeelde his fruite, the one is halfe ripe, and the other begins to bud anew, so as one su••ceedes another, and the fruite continues the whole yeare. In gathering the cluster, they cut the sprigge or stalke, for that it beares but one, and neuer but once: but as I haue said, the stalke remaines, and casts forth new sienes or stalkes, vntill it growes old and dies. This Plane continues many yeares, and requires much moisture, and a very hot ground. They put ashes at the foote of it, for the better entertaining thereof, and they make [ 40] small groues and very thicke: the leafe is as broad as a sheete of Paper, or little lesse, and foure times as long.

Although the Plane be the most profitable, yet that Cacao is most esteemed at Mexico, and the Coca in Peru,* 1.32 in which two trees they haue great superstition. The Cacao is a fruite little lesse then Almonds, yet more fat, the which being roasted hath no ill taste. It is so much esteemed a∣mongst the Indians (yea and among the Spaniards) that it is one of the richest and the greatest traffickes of new Spaine: for being a drie fruite, and that keepes long without corruption, they carrie whole Ships loaden from the Prouince of Guatimalla. The last yeare an English Pirat did burne in the Port of Guatulco in new Spaine,* 1.33 aboue a hundred thousand charges of Cacao. They vse it instead of money, for with fiue Cacaos they buy one thing, with thirtie another, and with [ 50] a hundred another, without any contradiction; and they vse to giue it to the poore that beg for almes. The chiefe vse of this Cacao, is in a drinke which they call Chocholate, whereof they make great accompt in that Country, foolishly, and without reason; for it is loathsome to such as are not acquainted with it, hauing a skum or froth that is very vnpleasant to taste, if they be not very well conceited thereof. Yet it is a drinke very much esteemed among the Indians, wherewith they feast Noble men as they passe through their Countrie. The tree whereon this fruite growes, is of reasonable bignesse, and well fashioned, it is so tender, that to keepe it from the burning of the Sunne, they plant neere vnto it, a great tree, which serues onely to shadow it, and they call it the ••••ther of Cacao. There are places where they are like to the Vines and Oliue trees of Spaine. The Prouince where there is greatest abundance for the trafficke of Marchandise, [ 60] is Guatimalla.* 1.34 There growes none in Peru, but Coca, wherein they hold another great superstiti∣on, which seemes to be fabulous. It is a kinde of Marchandise, by the which all their Markets and Faires are made with great expedition. This Coca whereof they make such account, is a small greene leafe, which groweth vpon small trees about a fadome high, and in hot and moist grounds;

eu••ry foure moneths it casts forth this leafe, which they call Tresmitas or Tremoy; it requires great care in planting, being very tender, and much more to keepe it, when it is gathered. They lay it in order in long and narrow baskets, and so lade their sheepe of the Country, which goe in troopes, with one, two, or three thousand baskets of this marchandise.

They bring it commonly from the Andes and vallies, where there is an extreame heate, and where it raines continually the most part of the yeare: wherein the Indians endure much la∣bour and paine to entertaine it, and often many die; for that they goe from the Sierre and cold places to till and gather them in the Andes. Their vse is to carry it in their mouthes,* 1.35 chaw∣ing it, and sucking out the iuice, but they swallow it not. They say it giues them great cou∣rage, and is very pleasing vnto them. They willingly imploy their money [ 10] therein, and vse it as money.

Maguey is a tree of wonders, whereof the Notaries or Chapetons (as the Indians call them) are wont to write miracles, in that it yeeldeth Water, Wine, Oyle, Vinegar, Honie, Sirrope, Thred,* 1.36 Needles, and a thousand other things. It is a tree which the Indians esteeme much in new Spaine, and haue commonly in their dwellings some one of them for the maintenance of life; it growes in the fields, and hath great and large leaues, at the end whereof is a strong and sharpe point, which serues to fasten little pins, or to sew as a needle: and they draw out of this leafe as it were a kinde of thred which they vse. They cut the body which is bigge, when it is tender, wherein is a great hollownesse, by which the substance mounts from the roote,* 1.37 and is a liquor which they [ 20] drinke like water, being sweete and fresh. This liquor being sodden, turnes like Wine, which growes to Vinegar, suffring it to soure, and boiling it more, it becomes as honie, and boiling it halfe, it serues as sirrope: which is healthfull enough, and of good taste; in my iudgement it is better then the sirrope of Raisons. Thus do they boile this liquor, and vse it in diuers sorts, where∣of they draw a good quantitie, for that in some season they draw daily some pots of this liquor. There are also of these trees in Peru, but they are not so profitable as in new Spaine. The wood of this tree is hollow and soft, and serues to keepe fire, like to the match of a harquebuze, and pre∣serues it long: I haue seene the Indians vse it to that end.

The Tunall is another famous tree in new Spaine: if wee may call a tree a heape of leaues ga∣thered together one vpon another, it is the strangest fashiond tree of all other:* 1.38 for first there [ 30] growes one leafe out of the ground, then another vpon it, and so one vpon one, till it commeth to his perfection; but as the leaues grow vp, and on the sides, those vnderneath doe become great, and loose in a manner the forme of leaues, making a body and branches, which are sharpe, prick∣ing, and deformed, so as in some places they doe call it a Thistle. There are Thistles or wilde Tu∣nalls, the which doe carrie no fruite, or else it is very pricking without any profit. There are like∣wise planted Tunalls which yeelde fruite much esteemed amongst the Indians, the which they call Tunas, and they are much greater then Pl••mbes, and long. They open the shell which is fat, and within it is meate and small graines, like to those of figges, which be very sweete; they haue a good taste, especially the white, which haue a pleasing smell, but the red are not vsually so good. There is another sort of Tunalls, which they esteeme much more, although it yeeldes no [ 40] fruit, yet it beares another commoditie and profit, which is of the graine, for that certaine small wormes breede in the leaues of this tree, when it is well husbanded, and are thereunto fastned, couered with a certaine small fine web, which doth compasse them in daintily; and this is that In∣dian Cocheuille, so famous, and wherewith they die in graine. They let it drie, and being dried, car∣rie it into Spaine, which is a great and rich marchandise. The arobe of this Cocheuille or graine is worth many ducats. In the fleete, the yeare 1587. they did bring fiue thousand six hundred se∣uentie seuen arobes, which amounted to two hundred fourescore three thousand seuen hundred and fiftie peeces, and commonly there comes euery yeare as great a wealth.

These Tunalls grow in temperate grounds inclining to cold. In Peru there growes none to this day. I haue seene some Plants in Spaine, but they deserue not estimation.* 1.39 I will speake some∣thing [ 50] likewise of the Anir, although it comes not from a tree, but from an hearbe, for that it serueth for the dying of cloth, and is a marchandise which agrees with the graine; it groweth in great abundance in new Spaine, from whence there came in the fleete I mentioned 5263. aro∣bes, or there abouts, which amounted to so many peeces. Cotten likewise growes vpon small shrubs, and great trees like to little apples, which doe open and yeelde forth this webbe, which being gathered, they spinne to make stuffes: and the yeare that I spake of, there came 64000. arobes.

These Plants we haue spoken of, are the most profitable of the Indies, and the most necessarie for the life of man: yet there are many other that are good to eate,* 1.40 among the which the Ma∣meys are esteemed, being in fashion like to great Peaches, and bigger, they haue one or two stones [ 60] within them, and their meate is somewhat hard. There are some sweete, and others some∣what sowre, and haue the rinde hard. They make conserues of the meate of this fruite, which is like to Marmelade. The vse of this fruite is reasonable good, but the conserues they make thereof, are better. They grow in Ilands. I haue not seene any in Peru. It is a great tree, well fashioned, and a reasonable faire leafe. The Guauyanos be other trees which commonly

carrie an ill fruite, full of sowre kernels, and are like to little Apples. It is a tree little esteemed vpon the firme Land and at the Ilands, for they say it smels like to the P••n••ises. The taste and sauour of this fruite is verie grosse, and the substance vnholesome. In Saint Dominique and other Ilands, there are whole Mountaines full of these Guayanos, and they say, there was no such kindes of trees before the Spaniards came there, but that they brought them they know not from whence. This tree hath multiplied infinitely, for that there is no Beast that will eate the kernels or the graine, so as being thus scattered on the earth, being hot and moist, it multiplies in this sort. In Peru, the Guayanos differs from others, for that the fruite is not red, but white, nei∣ther hath it any ill smell, but is of a very good taste; and of what sort of Guayanos soeuer it be, the fruite is as good as the best of Spaine, especially of those which they call Guayanos de Matos, [ 10] and of other little white Guaynilles. It is a fruite reasonably holesome, and agrees with the sto∣mack, being of a strong digestion, and cold. The Paltas commonly are hote and delicate. The Palto is a great tree, and carries a faire leafe, which hath a fruit like to great Peares: within it hath a great stone, and all the rest is soft meate, so as when they are full ripe, they are as it were But∣ter, and haue a delicate taste. In Peru the Paltas are great, and haue a verie hard skale, which may be taken off whole. This fruite is most vsuall in Mexico, hauing a thinne skinne, which may be pilled like an Apple: they hold it for a very holesome meate, and as I haue said, it declines a little from heate. These Mamayes, Guayanos, and Paltos, be the Indians Peaches, Apples, and Peares; and yet would I rather choose them of Europe.

* 1.41The Marmalad is that which they call Capotes, or Chicoçapotes, which haue a sweete taste, and neere vnto the colour of Marmalade. Some Crollos (for so they called the Spaniards borne at [ 20] the Indies) say that this fruite passeth all the fruites of Spaine in excellencie: yet am I not of that opinion. Those Chicoçapotes or Capotes, wherein there is little difference, grow in the hotest parts of new Spaine, neither haue I knowledge of any such fruite in the firme Land of Peru. As for the Blanckemanger, it is that Annona or Guanauana, which growes in the firme Land, which is fashioned like vnto a Peare, a little sharpe and opened, within it is white, tender and soft like Butter, sweete and of a pleasing taste: It is no white meate, though they call it Blancke∣manger.

There are some grosse Fruites, as those which they call Lucumes (of which fruite they speake in a Prouerbe,* 1.42 that it is a counterfet price.) The Guanos, Pacayes, Hubos, and the Nuts which they call Imprisoned: which fruites seeme to many, to be the same kinde of Nuts we haue in Spaine. I [ 30] doe not thinke it good to passe away vnder silence the Cocos or Indian Palmes, by reason of a verie notable propertie it hath. I call them Palmes, not properly, or that it beares Dates, but that they are trees like to other Palmes. They are high and strong, and the higher they grow, the broader they stretch out their branches. These Cocos yeeld a fruite which they likewise call Cocos, where∣of they commonly make vessels to drinke in,* 1.43 and some they say haue a vertue against poison, and to cure the paine in the side. The nutte and meate being dried, is good to eate, and comes neere in take to greene Chesnuts. When the Coco is tender vpon the tree, the substance within it, is as it were Milke, whith they drinke for daintinesse, and to refresh them in time of heate. I haue seene of these trees in Saint Iean de Port Ricco, and other parts of the Indies, and they report a wonder∣full thing, that euery moneth or Moone, this tree casts forth a new branch of this Cocos; so as it [ 40] yeeldes fruite twelue times in the yeare, as it is written in the Apocalips: and in truth this seemes like vnto it, for that all the branches are of different ages, some beginning, others being ripe, and some halfe ripe. These Cocos are commonly of the forme and bignesse of a small Melon. There is of another kinde, which they call Coquillos, the which is a better fruite, whereof there be some in Chille. They are somewhat lesse then Nuts, but more round. There is another kinde of Cocos, which haue not the kernell so oylie, but within they haue a great number of small fruits like Almonds, like vnto the graines of a Pomgranat.

These Almonds are thrice as bigge as those of Castillo, and resemble them in taste, though they be more sharpe, and likewise moist and oylie. It is a good meate, they vse it also in feasting, for lacke of Almonds to make Marchpanes, and such other things. They call them Almonds of the [ 50] Andes, for that these Cocos grow abundantly vpon the Andes of Peru; they are so strong and hard,* 1.44 as to open them, they must beate them with a great stone, when they fall from the tree. If they chance to hit any one on the head, he hath no more neede of any Surgeon. It is an incredi∣ble thing, that within the hollow of these Cocos, which are no bigger than the rest, or little more, there are such a multitude of these Almonds. But as touching Almonds and other fruits, all trees must yeelde to the Almonds of Chachapoyas, which I cannot otherwise call. It is the most plea∣sing,* 1.45 delicate and wholesome fruite of all that I haue seene at the Indies.

The Indians are great louers of flowers, and in new Spaine more then in any other part of the world, and therefore they are accustomed to make many kindes of Nosegaies, which there they [ 60] call Suchillos, with such prettie varietie and art, as nothing can be more pleasing. They haue a cu∣stome amongst them, that the chiefest man offer their Suchillos or nosegayes in honour to No∣blemen, and to their ghests; and they presented vs with such abundance as wee passed through that Countrey, as wee kn••w not what to doe with them▪ and at this day they vse

the principall flowers of Castile, to that end, for that they grow better there than here, as G••lli-flowers, Roses, Iasmins, Violets, Orange flowers, and other sorts which they haue transported out of Spaine. The Rose tree groweth too fast in some places, so as they beare no Roses. It chanced one day that a Rose tree was burned, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which sprowted out,* 1.46 presently bare abundance of Roses, and thereby they learned to pr••••e them, and to cut off the superfluous bran∣ches, so as at this day they yeelde reasonable store of Roses. But besides these kindes of flowers, which haue beene transported from hence, there are many others, whose names I doe not know, whereof some are red, blew, yellow, violet and white, with a thousand different colours, which the Indians did vse to carry on their heads, as feathers for ornament. True it is, that may of these [ 10] flowers are onely pleasing to the sight, hauing no good sauour, either they are grosse, or else they haue none at all; and yet there be some of an excellent sent. As those which grow vpon a tree tearmed by them Floripondio or carry flower, which beares no fruite, but onely these flow∣ers, which are greater than the Lillie, and are like to little Bels, all white, which haue within them small threds, as we see in the Lillie: it leaues not all the yeare to beare these flowers, whose smell is wonderfull sweete and agreeable, especially in the coole of the morning. The Viceroy Don Francisco de Toledo sent of these trees vnto King Phillip, as a thing worthy to be planted in royall Gardens. In new Spaine the Indians esteeme much of a flower, which they call Volosuchil, which signifieth flower of the heart, for that it beares the forme of a heart, and is not much lesse. The flower of Granadille is held for an admirable thing, and they say, it hath in it [ 20] the markes of the Passion, and that therein they note the nailes, the piller, the whips, and crowne of thornes, and the wounds, wherein they are not altogether without reason, and yet to find out and obserue these things, it requires some pietie to cause beleefe: but it is very exquisite and faire to the eye, although it haue no smell, &c.

The balme which comes from the West Indies,* 1.47 is not of the same kinde of right Balme which they bring from Alexandria or Cair••, and in old time was in Iudea, which Iudea (as Plinie wri∣teth) did of all the world possesse this greatnesse, vntill the Emperour Vespasian brought it to Rome and into Italie. At the Indies I haue seene the Tree from whence they draw the Balme,* 1.48 which is as big as a Pomgranat tree, and something neere the fashion: and if my memorie failes me not, it hath nothing common with the Vine, although that Strabo writes,* 1.49 that the ancient [ 30] tree of Balme, was of the bignesse of a Pomgranat tree. But in their accidents & operations, their liquors are alike, as likewise they be in their admirable smels, & in the cure and healing of wounds in colour and substance, seeing they report of other Balmes that there is some white, vermillion, greene and blacke, the which is likewise seene in that of the Indies. And as they drew forth the ancient in cutting and making incisions in the barke, to cause the liquor to distill out, so doe they with that at the Indies, although it distils in greater abundance. And as in the ancient there is one kinde which is pure, the which they call Opobalsamum, which be the verie teares that distill, so as there is another sort which is not so exquisite, the which they draw from the barke and leaues strained and boiled on the fire, the which they call Xilobalssamum. The like is also in the Indian Balmes; there is one pure that distils from the tree, and others that the Indians draw out [ 40] by straining and boiling the leaues and wood. The Apostolike Sea hath giuen libertie to giue Creame of Balme at the Indies, and that they should vse it in Confirmation and other ceremonies which they vse.

Next to Balme, Amber holds the second place: it is another liquor which is likewise sweet and medicinall, but more thicke, and turnes into a paste of a hot complexion,* 1.50 and a good per∣fume. This Amber comes from new Spaine, which hath that aduantage aboue other Prouinces in Gummes, Liquors, and juyce of Trees, whereby they haue such abundance of matter, for per∣fume and physicke, as is the Animè, whereof there comes great store, Copal or Suchicopal, which is another kinde, Storax and Incense, which haue excellent operations, and haue a very good smell fit for fumigations. Likewise the Tacamahaca and Cara••na, which are also very medicinall. They bring likewise from this Prouince oile of Aspicke, which the Physicians and Painters vse much, [ 50] the one for plaisters, the other▪ to vernish their pictures. They bring also for the Physicians Cas∣sia fistula, the which growes plentifully in Saint Dominique. It is a great Tree, which carries these Canes as his fruit.* 1.51 They brought in the fleet wherein I came from Saint Dominique fortie eight Quintals of Cassia fistula. Salcepareille is not lesse knowne, for a thousand remedies wherein it is vsed. There came in the same fleet fiftie Quintals from the same Iland. There is much of this Salcepareille at Peru, and most excellent in the Prouince of Guayaquil, which is vnder the Line. Many goe to be cured into this Prouince, and it is the opinion of some, that the pure water one∣ly which they drinke, giues them health, for that it passeth by rootes as I haue said, from whence it drawes this vertue, so as there needes no great couering or garments to make a man sweat in [ 60] that Countrie. The wood of Guayac, which they call Lignum sanctum, or Indian wood, growes abundantly in the same Ilands, and is as heauie as Iron, so as it presently sinkes in the water:* 1.52 here∣of they brought in the same fleet three hundred and fiftie Quintals, and they might haue brought twentie, yea, a hundred thousand of this wood, if there were vse for it. There came in the same fleet, and from the same Iland, one hundred and thirtie Quintals of Bresil wood, the which is

fiery red, so well knowne, and much vsed in dying and other things. There are at the Indies in∣finite numbers of other aromaticall Woods, Gummes, Oiles, and Drugs, so as it is not possible to name them all, neither doth it now much import. I say onely, that in the time of the Kings In∣guas of Cusco, and the Mexicane Kings, there were many great personages expert in curing of diseases with simples,* 1.53 and did goodly cures, hauing the knowledge of the many vertues and pro∣perties of Herbs, Rootes, Woods, and Plants, which grow there, and whereof the Ancients of Europe haue had no knowledge. There are a thousand of these simples fit to purge, &c.

Woods are so many and great, that it hath beene needfull (passing through some parts of the Indies, especially where they newly entred) to make their way, in cutting downe Trees, and pulling vp Bushes, so that (as some religious men haue written that haue tried it) they could [ 10] not sometimes haue passed aboue a league in a day. One of our brothers (a man worthy of cre∣dit) reported vnto vs, that being strayed in the Mountaines, not knowing which way hee should passe,* 1.54 he fell among such thicke Bushes, that hee was forced to goe vpon them, without setting foot to the ground by the space of fifteen whole dayes: and to see the Sunne, or to marke some way in this thicke Forest full of wood, hee was forced to climbe to the top of the highest Trees to discouer. He that shall reade the discourse of his trauell, how often he was lost, and the wayes hee passed, with the strange aduentures that happened vnto him, the which I haue written briefly, being so worthy the knowledge, and hauing my selfe trauelled a little ouer the Mountaines at the Indies, were it but the eighteene leagues betwixt Nombre de Dios and Pana∣ma, may well iudge what great Forests there are. So as hauing no winter in those parts, to nip them with cold, and the humiditie of the Heauens and Earth being so great, as the Mountaines [ 20] bring forth infinite Forests, and the Playnes which they call Sauanas, great plentie of grasse: there is no want of Pasture for feeding, of Timber for building, nor of Wood for fuell. It is impos∣sible to set downe the differences and formes of so many wilde Trees, for that the names of the greatest part are vnknowne.

Cedars in old time so much esteemed, are there very common, both for buildings and ships, and they are of diuers sorts, some white, and some red, very odoriferant. There are great store of Bay trees, very pleasant to behold vpon the Andes of Peru, vpon the Mountaines, in the Ilands of Nicaragua, and in new Spaine. There are also infinite numbers of Palmes and Ceiuas, whereof the Indians make their Canoes, which are Boates made of one piece. They bring into Spaine [ 30] from the Hauana, excellent timber. In the Iland of Cuba, there are infinite numbers of like trees, as Ebene, Caouana, Grenadill••, Cedars, and other kindes which I doe not know. There are great Pine trees in new Spaine, though they be not so strong as those in Spaine: they beare no pignous or kernels, but emptie apples. The Oakes as they call them of Guayaquil, is an excellent wood and sweet, when they cut it; yea there are Canes or most high Reeds, of whose boughs or small reedes they doe make Bottles and Pitchers to carry water, and doe likewise vse them in their buildings. There is likewise the wood of Ma••sle or Firre, whereof they make masts for their ships, and they hold them as strong as Iron. Molle is a tree of many vertues, which casteth forth small boughes, whereof the Indians make wine. In Mexico they call it the tree of Peru, for that it came from thence: but it growes also in new Spaine, and better then those in Peru. There are [ 40] a thousand other Trees, which were a superfluous labour to intreat of, whereof some are of an exceeding greatnesse, I will speake onely of one which is in Tlaco Chauoya, three leagues from Guayaca in new Spaine:* 1.55 this tree being measured within, being hollow, was found to haue nine fadome, and without, neere to the roote, sixteene, and somewhat higher, twelue. This tree was strooke with lightning from the toppe to the bottome, through the heart, the which cau∣sed this hollownesse: they say that before the thunder fell vpon it, it was able to shaddow a thousand men, and therefore they did assemble there for their dances and superstitions: yet to this day there doth remaine some boughes and verdure, but not much. They know not what kinde of tree it is, but they say it is a kinde of Caedar. Such as shall finde this strange, let them reade what Plinie reporteth of the Plaine of Lidia,* 1.56 the hollow whereof contained fourescore foot [ 50] and one, and seemed rather a Cabbin or a House, then the hollow of a tree, his boughes like a whole wood, the shaddow whereof couered a great part of the field. By that which is written of this Tree, we haue no great cause to wonder at the Weauer, who had his dwelling and Loome in the hollow of a Chesnut tree: and of another Chesnut tree, if it were not the very same, into the hollow whereof there entered eighteene men on Horsebacke, and passed out without distur∣bing one another. The Indians did commonly vse their Idolatries in these Trees, so strange and deformed, euen as did the auncient Gentiles, as some Writers of our time doe report.

* 1.57The Indians haue receiued more profit, and haue bin better recompenced in Plants that haue bin brought from Spaine, then in any other Merchandise, for that those few which are carried from the Indies into Spaine, grow little there, and multiply not, and co••trariwise the great num∣ber [ 60] that haue beene carried from Spaine to the Indies, prosper well and multiply greatly: I know not whether I shall attribute it to the bountie of the Plants that goe from hence, or to the goodnesse of the soyle that is there. Finally, there is at the Indies any good thing that Spaine brings forth: in some places it is better, in some worse, as Wheate, Barley, Hearbes, and all

kinds of Pulses, also Lettuce, Coleworts, Radishes, Onions, Garlike, Parsley, Turneps, Parse∣neps, Becengenes, or Apples of loue, Siccorie, Beetes, Spinage, Pease, Beanes, Fetches: and finally, whatsoeuer groweth here of any profit, so as all that haue voyaged thither, haue beene curious to carry Seedes of all sorts, and all haue growne, although diuersly, some more, some lesse. As for those trees that haue most abundantly fructified, be Orenge-trees, Limons, Citrons, and other of that sort. In some parts there are at this day, as it were whole Woods and Forrests of Orange trees: tha which seeming strange vnto me, I asked who had planted the fields with so many O∣range trees? they made me answer, that it did come by chance, for that Oranges being fallen to the ground, and rotten, their seedes did spring,* 1.58 and of those which the water had carried away into diuers parts, these Woods grew so thicke: which seemed to mee a very good reason. I haue [ 10] said that this fruite hath generally increased most at the Indies, for that I haue not beene in any place but I finde Orange trees, for that all their soile is hot and moist, which this tree most de∣sires. There growes not any vpon the Sierre or Mountaine, but they carrie them from the vallies or Sea coast. The conserue of Oranges which they doe make at the Ilands, is the best I haue seene any where: Peaches, Presses, and Apricockes haue greatly multiplied, especially in new Spaine. At Peru there growes few of these kindes of fruites, except Peaches, and much lesse in the Ilands. There growes Apples and Peares, yet but scarcely: there are but few Plumbs, but aboundance of Figges, chiefly in Peru. They finde Q••inces in all the Countrie of the Indies, and in new Spaine, in such aboundance, as they gaue vs fiftie choice ones for halfe a riall. There is great store of Pomegranats, but they are all sweete, for the sharpe are not there esteemed. There [ 20] are very good Melons in some parts of Peru. Cherries both wilde and tame haue not prospe∣red well at the Indies, the which I doe not impute to want of temperature, for that there is of all sorts, but to carelesnesse, or that they haue not well obserued the temperature. To conclude, I doe not finde that in those parts there wants any daintie fruite. As for grosse fruites, they haue no Beillottes nor Chesnuts, neither doe I finde that any haue growne there to this day. Almonds grow there, but rarely. They carry from Spaine, for such as are daintie mouthed, both Almonds, Nuts, and Filberds: but I haue not knowne they had any Medlers or Seruices, which im∣ports little.

There growes no Wine nor Grapes in the Ilands, nor firme Land, but in new Spaine, there are some Vines which beare Grapes, and yet make no Wine. The cause is,* 1.59 for that the Grape ri∣pens [ 30] not well, by reason of the raine that fals in the Moneths of Iuly and August, which hin∣ders their ripening, so as they serue onely to eate. They car••y Wine out of Spaine, and from the Canaries, to all parts of the Indies, except Peru and the Realme of Chille. There are some places where the Vines are not watered, neither from heauen nor earth, and yet they increase in great abundance, as in the Valley of Yca, and in the ditches that they call Villacuzi, in which places they finde ditches, or th'earth sunke downe amongst the dead Sands, which are thorow∣out the yeare of a wonderfull coolenesse, and yet it raines not there at any time, neither is there any manner of meanes to water it artificially: the reason is, because the soile is spongious, and sucks vp the water of the riuers that fall from the Mountaine, which moisten these Sands, or [ 40] else it is the moistnesse of the Sea, as others suppose, which passing ouer this Sand, is the cause why it is not barren nor vnprofitable, as the Philosopher teaches. The Vines haue so increased there, as for this cause onely the tithes of the Churches are multiplied fiue or six times double within these twentie yeares. And it is strange, that in the Citie of Cusco you shall finde ripe Grapes all the yeare long:* 1.60 the reason is (as they say) for that those Vallies bring forth fruits in diuers moneths of the yeare, either for that they cut their Vines in diuers seasons, or that this va∣rietie proceedes from the qualitie of the soile: but whatsoeuer it be, it is most certaine, there are some Vallies which carrie fruite all the yeare. If any one wonder at this, it may be he will won∣der much more at that which I shall say, and perchance not beleeue it. There are Trees in Peru, whereof the one part yeeldes fruite one sixe moneths of the yeare,* 1.61 and the other halfe part [ 50] yeeldes fruite the other six moneths. In Malla which is thirteene leagues from the Citie of Kings, there is a Figge tree, whereof the one halfe which is towards the South, is greene, and yeeldeth his fruite one season of the yeare, that is, when it is summer vpon the Sierre, and the other moitie towards the Lanos or Sea coast, is greene, and yeeldes his fruite in the other con∣trarie season, when it is summer vpon the Lanos, which groweth from the diuers temperature, and the ayre which commeth from the one part, and the other. The reuenue of Wine there is not small, but it goeth not out of the Countrie. But the Silke that is made in new Spaine is trans∣ported into other Countries, as to Peru. There were no Mulberrie trees in the Indies, but such as were brought from Spaine, and they grow well, especially in the Prouince which they call Mistecqua, where there are Silke-wormes, and they put to worke the Silke they gather, where∣of [ 60] they make verie good Taffataes: yet to this day they haue made neither Damaske, Sattin, not Veluet. The Sugar yet is a greater reuenue, for they not onely spend it at the Indies, but also they carrie much into Spaine, for the Canes, grow exceeding well in manie parts of the Indies. They haue built their engins in the Ilands, in Mexico, in Peru, and in other parts, which yeeldeth them a very great reuenue.

It was told me, that the engine for Sugar in Nasca, was worth yeerly aboue thirtie thousand pieces of reuenue. That of Chica••a ioyning to Truxillo, was likewise of great reuenue, and those of new Spaine are of no lesse; and it is strange thing to see what store they consume at the In∣dies. They brought from the Iland of Saint Dominique, in the fleet wherein I came, eight hun∣dred ninetie eight chests of Sugar, which being (as I did see) shipped at Port Ricco (euery chest (in my opinion) weighed eight Arobes, euery Arobe weighing fiue and twentie pounds, which are two hundred weight of Sugar) is the chiefe reuenue of these Ilands, so much are men giuen to the desire of sweet things.* 1.62 There are likewise Oliues and Oliue trees at the Indies, I say in Mexi∣co and in Peru, yet hath there not beene to this day any Mill for Oile, for that they eate all their Oliues, and dresse them well: they finde the charge is greater to make Oile then the profit, and [ 10] therefore they carry all the Oile they doe spend from Spaine. And here we will end with plants, and will passe to such beasts as be at the Indies.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Pli lib. 37. ca. 3.
• * 1.2

  A pretty storie
• * 1.3

  How Emeralds grow.
• * 1.4

  Admirable E∣merald.
• * 1.5

  Church of Cor∣duba.
• * 1.6

  Of Pearles. Chap. 15.
• * 1.7

  Plin. lib. 3. ca. 35.
• * 1.8

  Cleopatras va∣ni••y.
• * 1.9

  Pearle fishings.
• * 1.10

  Manner there∣of.
• * 1.11

  Long winded slaues.
• * 1.12

  Of the Indian Bread, and of Mays. Chap. 16.
• * 1.13

  We call it also Virginia wheat.
• * 1.14

  How it groweth
• * 1.15

  I haue had it ripen reasona∣bly in my Gar∣den in ••ssex.
• * 1.16

  Malt & strong drinke made of it.
• * 1.17

  Chica good a∣gainst the Stone.
• * 1.18

  Of Yucas, Caça∣ui▪ Papas, Chunes and Ri••. Chap. 17.
• * 1.19

  Iuice of Caçaui poison.
• * 1.20

  Wheat, why it groweth not in those parts▪
• * 1.21

  Papas and Chuno.
• * 1.22

  Of diuers roots which grow at the In∣dies, Chap. 18.
• * 1.23

  Of diuers sorts of green hearbs and Pulses, and of those they call Concom∣bres, Pines, or Pine Apples, small fruits of Chille, and of Prunes. Cha. 19.
• * 1.24

  Pines.
• * 1.25

  Pulses, Melons and Pompe••s carried out of Europe and thriuing better there.
• * 1.26

  These Calibasses seeme the Guin∣ny Gourds car∣ried from the African coast thither.
• * 1.27

  Of Axi or Indi∣an Pepper. Chap. 20.
• * 1.28

  Ginger.
• * 1.29

  Of the Plane tree. Chap. 21.
• * 1.30

  Plin. lib. 2. cap. 1.
• * 1.31

  Pli. lib. 11. ca. 16.
• * 1.32

  Of Cacao and Coca. Chap. 2••.
• * 1.33

  Cacao money.
• * 1.34

  Coca.
• * 1.35

  Of Maguey Tu∣nal, Cocheuille. Anir, and Cot∣ton. Chap. 23.
• * 1.36

  Maguey.
• * 1.37

  Manifold com∣modities of the Maguey.
• * 1.38

  Tunall tree.
• * 1.39

  I thinke hee meaneth Anill or Indico: of which see To. 1, l 4. in ••i••che•• Iournall. Cotten.
• * 1.40

  Of Mameys, G••auyanos, and P••ltos. Chap. 24.
• * 1.41

  Chicopotes.
• * 1.42

  Of many sorts of fruit Trees, of Cocos, Al∣monds, of the Andes, and Al∣monds of Cha∣chapoyas. Cha 26
• * 1.43

  Cocos.
• * 1.44

  Almonds.
• * 1.45

  Of many and diuer••flowers, and of some trees which yeelde onely a flower, & how the Indians doe vse them. Ch. 27.
• * 1.46

  Accidents pro∣duce most arts.
• * 1.47

  Of Balme.
• * 1.48

  Plin. lib. 12. c. 15▪ Chap. 28.
• * 1.49

  Strab. lib. 16. Geograp.
• * 1.50

  Of Amber, and other Oyles, Gummes, and Drugs, which they bring from the Indies Chap. 29.
• * 1.51

  Cas. Fistula. Salceparilla.
• * 1.52

  Lig••um vi••ae.
• * 1.53

  Auncient Phy∣sicians.
• * 1.54

  Strange trauil.
• * 1.55

  Great Tree.
• * 1.56

  Plin. lib. 12. c. 1.
• * 1.57

  Of Plants and fruites which haue bin c••rri∣ed out of Spain to the Indies. Chap. 31.
• * 1.58

  Natures hus∣bandrie.
• * 1.59

  Of Grapes, Vines, Oliues, Mulberries, and Canes of Sugar. Chap. 32.
• * 1.60

  Grapes all the yeere.
• * 1.61

  Strange fructi∣fying.
• * 1.62

  Oliues but no Oile.