WHOLE VOL. THE WEST INDIES VAZQUEZ DE ESPINOSA 329 



980. The city of Trinidad will contain 200 Spanish residents, with 

 large numbers of Indians and Negroes, most of whom are engaged 

 in the working and exploiting of the mines, which give much employ- 

 ment and profit. His Majesty appoints a Governor here, in consulta- 

 tion with the Royal Council of the Indies, for its good government 

 and the administration of justice in it, the city of Palma and its 

 provinces, and for the exploitation of the mines. They make in 

 this city quantities of cotton cloth, very fine henequen fiber, and other 

 specialties. It is abundantly supplied with provisions, wheat, corn, 

 and other cereals and fruit, and cattle, as will be shown in the follow- 

 ing chapter. 



Chapter XIII 



Of the City of La Palma, and of Other Special Features of the 

 District of Its Provinces and Those of Trinidad ; and of the Diversity 

 of Trees and Fruit To Be Found There. 



981. The city of La Palma is some 18 leagues from the city of 

 Trinidad ; the Indians of the region belong to the same tribe, and 

 the country has the same climate and fertility. It will have some 

 200 Spanish residents ; it has in its district quantities of cattle and 

 sheep, and mule and hog ranches. In the city and its neighborhood 

 they work up much very fine cotton cloth, serge, coarse woolen cloth, 

 very fine henequen fiber, lisle and cotton stockings, and other 

 specialties. 



982. The country is very rough and wooded, like that of Trinidad. 

 They raise quantities of corn, kidney beans, rice, and other cereals, 

 fruit, and root crops — sweet potatoes, which they call camotes and 

 are of numerous sorts, like those grown in Spain, purple, red, and 

 yellow ; potatoes, jicamas, and all sorts of Spanish vegetables and 

 garden truck, which yield abundantly. Between these sierras there 

 are fertile and attractive valleys, with rivers and streams of sweet 

 and crystal-clear water running through them, full of delicious fish ; 

 there are sweet and sour oranges, grapefruit, citrons, limes, and 

 lemons, not only cultivated but growing wild in the woods. 



983. In these provinces there are almond trees growing tall and 

 thick-foliaged like pines, which produce very large almonds, like 

 large pears ; the kernel or nut has the same color and taste as ours. 

 The jobo or jocote has a fruit like Michaelmas plums ; its bark and 

 shoots are beneficial for swellings, wounds, and diarrhea ; they make 

 excellent parsley from its shoots. There are big fig trees which bear 

 large figs, bigger than pippins, sweet and palatable ; from its wood 

 they make marvelous round shields. The papaw is a tall spongy 



