The Natural Hiftory of J AM AIC AY 
7 
When the Spaniards went firit to Mexico thefe Nuts .went for current 
Money. whence Peter Matryr gave them the Name Amygdala. Pecuniaria, 
The Indians planted them in a hot and moift Ground, and purchas'd with 
them whatever they wanted of their Neighbours. Thefe Trees are plant- 
ed by others to fhade them from. the fcorching Sun, and fave them from 
great Showers of Rain, ’cill they are able to bear both ;. then the Mocher 
‘Tree or Nurfeiscut down. The Food of itis made by. pouring from on 
high, and it incbriates. Martyr, ; 
When young and tender they are planted by great Trees to keep 
them from tempeftuous Winds, great Rains and fharp Frofts. Xin, 
They are uneafily kept trom Apes and Squirrils, Laer. 
The Nuts mutt be torrefy’d, having fo much Oyl thar it may be 
fqueez’d out of them. The Chocolate for Food is made of feveral Ingre- 
dents, and by pouring it out of one Veffel into another, from on high, 
to bring the more oily Parts and Froth uppermoft, to be drank ; the con- 
pound Sort promotes Venery, the Simple cools, fattens, and nourifhés 
very much. It is good for hectical and confumprive People who are ex- 
tenuated.: [tis planted by a Vree call’d. Aslina, which is proper for Shade, 
and no other Ufe. Uoo much Ufe of Chocolate dettroys the Colour, 
brings Obftructions and a Cachexy. Hern. Xim. et : 
Thefe Trees mult be fhaded, otherwife they die; the Fruit is ad- 
ftringent, cooling, and ill tafted, fo thae I could not like it for fome time. 
' The Nuts muft be taken. out of their Cover, expos’d to the Sun, and 
fweated, then they are roited, mill’d with Indian Pepper, and madg 
into an uogratetul Drink. Benzo. pA | en ae. 
D? Acugnafays this Tree grows wild on the Banks of the River Ama- 
— zones, and chat every Foor of chis Tree is worth eight Rials of Revenue, all 
Charges paid. a 
_ Phey) mix with Chocolate many Ingredients, but chiefly Indian 
Pepper, making it have lcveral Vertues ; the Nuts pafs for Money, and 
are given to their Poor, chole nor us’d to it are not curious of it, but 
Joath it, thofe who are accultom’d toit cannot be without it.” They 
plant another Tree by it to keep it from the Sun. The belt is in Gaasi- 
mala, it keeps long. Acofta, Laas 
It grows in Nicaragua, Guatimala, Honduras, and New Spain, in fha- 
dy Places; the Inhabitants gather them when ripe, and take them out’ of 
their Follicles, and. cxpofe thema to the Sun till they fweat out their Moi- 
fture. To make Drink the Indians dry them on an earthen Tile, grind 
them with Stones to Powder, end mix it with Water and Pepper, whith 
makes a Difh fitter for Swine than Men; it was a Year before I could 
drink of it, for which the Indians would laugh at me it does not ine- 
briate ; and isin greate:t Efteem among the Indians. Bexzo. pat 
They grow naturally in Nicaragua and Guatimala, butare alfo there 
planted as Olives. and Vines; in two Years it comes to bear Fruir, 
and fails afcer twenty.. The Fruit is gather’d twice a Year; there is more 
Oyl in them than in Almonds, . Cee ee 
_ It is good Food for the Breaft to diffipate malignant Humours fettling 
there; carries off Gravel, keeps the Body cool and in good order, pro- 
vided it be moderately us’d Roch. | 3 
Their {mall Moncy is Almonds, which oftentimes they ufe to eat in 
Couche, a Country twenty five Days Journey North of Bengals, Fitch. ap. 
Hiaki. 257. p. 2. . a3 4 es 
The belt Sort of Cacao: Nuts are call’d Carvaccas, a Word corrupted 
from the Name of the Province of Nécaragua, whence they are 
brought. : Pee | e CO he ee 
<= E Cacao 
