WHOLE VOL. THE WEST INDIES VAZQUEZ DE ESPINOSA 85 



235. Guamuchi, guabo, and cuxinicuil are all the same thing, and 

 grow one and the same fruit, though with variations, in pods like 

 beans ; the pulp inside is tender, sweet, and soft, and well-flavored ; 

 inside this pulp is a kernel of the shape of a peeled green bean. This 

 fruit grows in the hot regions ; in Honduras and Guatemala they are 

 small and are called coxinicuiles ; in Peru, guavos ; they are of con- 

 siderable size. The tree resembles a tall pear tree ; the leaves are 

 like carob leaves. 



236. In the island of Trinidad and throughout that region grows 

 a root which is called guapo, white and the size of an egg ; its leaves 

 grow about a foot long, and in size and smoothness are like a walnut's, 

 though longer. This root is very nutritious and a godsend for the 

 poor ; it is roasted for eating, and tastes like a roast chestnut. With 

 it they make bread, porridge, and other dishes. 



237. The caro is a tree bearing a fruit larger than a saucer and 

 twisted about like an ear ; when it is ripe, it falls from the tree and 

 is of a chestnut color. To get out the kernel, it is put to soak ; then 

 each yields a handful of nuts like almonds. These are roasted and 

 divested of their husks, coming out like peeled almonds in color and 

 taste ; they make excellent dishes with them. The tree is tall and 

 smooth-barked, and the trunk bulkier than four casks ; the timber is 

 very hard and tough ; the ax does not exist that can cut or split it. 

 The heartwood is yellow and provides a dye like woad ; the lumber 

 is highly prized. This tree puts out so many aerial roots above ground 

 that a hundred men can hide among them, as if they formed trenches ; 

 and this has happened in those parts in enemy attacks, for ambush. 



238. The charo tree is of the same size as the last ; it bears a round 

 fruit like that of the strawberry tree ; when they ripen and fall, the 

 animals all come and eat them ; the rind is yellow and sweet. When 

 boiled they make good jam, like grapes ; the kernel resembles a hazel- 

 nut, and tastes excellent roasted, like a roast chestnut, and is very 

 nutritious. 



239. The purbo is a tree the height of a cedar ; it bears fruit called 

 purbas, which taste, look, and smell like the muscadine pears of 

 Spain. It is a delicious fruit, and from it they make the beverage 

 purba, which is excellent and refreshing. 



240. The icaco (coco-plum) is a small tree or bush grown along 

 the seacoast ; it bears red and white fruit, of the size of a damson 

 plum ; this tastes sweet and has a soft center. The cometure is a 

 small tree which bears black fruit tasting like myrtleberries. The 

 pauji tree resembles the almond, with fruit like large plums, having 

 a delicious bittersweet flavor. 



