History of the New World, Tr. and Ed. by W.H. Smyth - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1857 edition. Excerpt: ... dian fowls.1 The other is cacavate,2 which they use as money, and is produced on a moderately sized tree, that flourishes only in very warm and shady localities; for if shone upon by the sun, it would die. It is therefore planted in the woods in moist places, and this not being sufficient, they plant a tree near it that grows larger, and when it has reached a sufficient height, they double down its head so as to shelter the other and shade it, preventing the sun from giving it any annoyance. The cacavate tree; shewing how the Indians get fire from two pieces of wood. The fruit is like almonds, lying in a shell resembling a pumpkin in size. It ripens in the course of a year, and being plucked when the season has arrived, they pick out the kernels and lay them on mats to dry; then when they wish 1 We call them turkeys; but in Italy they are still distinguished as galli d'India. Trans.) a Now called cacao in the South of Europe; and by the English, cocoa. It is generally prized, and extensively used, for the drink made from it is not only soft and nutritious, but has proved to be extremely wholesome: yet Benzoni thought it fit for pigs! Trans.) for the beverage, they roast them in an earthen pan over the fire, and grind them with the stones which they use for preparing bread. Finally, they put the paste into cups, made out of the calabashes produced by a certain tree that grows all over India; and mixing it gradually with water, sometimes adding a little of their spice, they drink it, though seeming more suited for pigs than for men. Trees producing the calabashes, which generally serve the Indians as vases. I was upwards of a year in that country without ever being induced to taste this beverage; and when I passed through a tribe, if an...