Htttorie of the Indies litx 3. 187 



flieepe, and other cattell. It aboundesinfruiteandall 

 kinde of praine. To conclude, it is a Coun trie the beft 

 furniihca,and moft accomplifhed at die Indies. Yet Pe 

 rt* dothfurpaffeit in one thing, which is wine, for that 

 there growes (lore, and goodj and they daily multiplie 

 and increafe, the which doth grow in very hote vallies, 

 where there arc waterings. And although there bee 

 vines in new Spainc, yet the grape comes not to his ma- 

 turitie, fit to make wine. Therealbnis/orthatitraines 

 therein lulie and Auguft 5 whenas the grape ripens: 

 and therefore it comes not to his perfection. And if a- 

 ny one through curiofitie would take the paines to 

 make wine, it fhould be like to that ofGettu* and Lorn- 

 bardie, which is very fmall and fharpe,having a tafte like 

 vnto veriuice. The Hands which they czMBarloventc^ 

 which be HiftanioU, Cuba, Pen Ricco, & others there a- 

 bouts, are beautified with many greenepaftures, and 

 abound in cattell , asneate, andfwine, which are be 

 come wilde. The wealth of thefe Hands,be their fugar- 

 workes and hides. There is niuch CafstAfijiuU & ginger. 

 It is a thing incredible, to fee the multitude of thefe 

 marchandizes brought in one fleete , being in a maner 

 impoflible that all ^r^fliouldwaftefb much. They 

 likewife bring wood of an excellent qualitie and co- 

 Iour,as Ebone, & others, which ferve for buildings and 

 loyners. There is much of that wood which they call 

 Lignum finttum or Guagt, fit to cure the pox. All theft 

 Hands and others there abouts, which are many,have a 

 goodly and pleafant afpe<5, for that throughout the 

 yeere, they are beautified with grafle & greene trees,fb 

 asthcycannotdifcernewhenit is Autumne or Sum- 

 mer , by reafon of continual! moifture ioyned to the 

 heatc of the burningZone. And although this land be 



of 



