flcg ULLOA*S VOYAGE TO SOUTH AMERICA. 



to which feme of thofe fibres adhere. From the pulp of thefe cocos is drawn a milk 

 like that of almonds, and, at Carthagena, is ufed in dreffing rice. 



Though lemons, of the kind generally known in Europe, and of which fuch quan- 

 tities are gathered in fome parts of Spain, are very fcarce ; yet there are fuch numbers 

 of another kind, called futiles or limes, that the country is, in a manner, covered with 

 the trees that produce them, without care or culture. But the tree and its fruit are 

 both much lefs than thofe of Spain, the height of the former feldom exceeding eight 

 or ten feet ; and from the bottom, or a little above, divides into feveral branches, whofe 

 regular expanfion forms a very beautiful tuft. The leaf, which is of the fame fhape 

 with that of the European lemon, is lefs, but fmoother ; the fruit does not exceed a 

 common egg in magnitude; the rind very thin; and it is more juicy, in proportion, 

 than the lemon of Europe, and infinitely more pungent and acid ; on which account, 

 the European phyficians pronounce it detrimental to health ; though, in this country, 

 it is a general ingredient in their made difties. There is one fmgular ufe to which this 

 fruit is applied in cookery. It is a cuftom with the inhabitants not to lay their meat 

 down to the fire above an hour at farthefl, before dinner or fupper ; this is managed by 

 fteeping it for fome time in the juice of thefe limes, or fqueezing three or four, accord- 

 ing to the quantity of meat, into the water, if they intend boiling ; by which means, 

 the flefh becomes fo foftened, as to admit of being thoroughly drefled in this Ihort fpace. 

 The people here value themfelves highly on this preparative, and laugh at the Europeans 

 for fpending a morning about what they difpatch fo expeditioufly. 



This country abounds in tamarinds ; a large branchy tree, the leaf of a deep green ; 

 the pods of a middle fize, and flat ; the pulp of a dark brown, a pleafant tafte, very 

 fibrous, and is called by the fame name as the tree itfelf. In the middle of the pulp is 

 a hard feed, or ftone, fix or eight lines in length, to two in breadth. Its tafte is an acid 

 fweetnefs, but the acid predominates ; and it is only ufed when diflblved in water as a 

 cooling liquor, and then but moderately, and not for many days fuccefllvely ; its acidity 

 and extreme coldnefs weakening and debilitating the ftomach. 



Another fruit, called mani, is produced by a fmall plant. It is of the fize and Ihape 

 of a pine-cone ; and eaten either roafted, or as a conferve. Its quality is diredly oppo- 

 fite to that of the former, being hot in the higheft degree ; and, confequently, not 

 very wholefome in this climate. 



The products which are not natural here, befides wheat, barley, and other grain, 

 are grapes, almonds, and olives : confequently the country is deftitute of wine, oil, 

 and raifins, with which they are fupplied from Europe : this neceflarily renders them 

 very dear ; fometimes they are not to be had at any price. When this is the cafe with 

 regard to wine, great numbers fuifer in their health ; for, as all thofe who do not ac- 

 cuftom themfelves to drink brandy at their meals, which are far the greater number, 

 except the Negroes, being ufed to this wine, their ftomach, for want of it, lofes their 

 digeftive faculty, and thence are produced epidemical diftempers. This was an un- 

 happy circumftance at our arrival, when wine was fo extremely fcarce, that mafs was 

 faid only in one church. 



The want of oil is much more tolerable ; for, in drefting either fifli or flefh, they 

 ufe hog's lard, of which they have fo great a quantity, as to make it an ingredient in 

 their foup, which is very good, and, confidering the country, not at all dear : inftead 

 of lamps too, they ufe tallow candles : fo that they want oil only for their falads. 



From fuch plenty of flefti, fowl, and fruits, an idea may be formed of the luxuriancy 

 of the tables in this country ; and, indeed, in the houfeS of perfons of wealth and dif- 

 tindion, they are ferved with the greateft decency and fplendour. Moft of the difhes 



9 are 



