32 



have given io this shrub the name of lucet 

 muscat * \i usual! v grows to the height of four 

 feetj ar,d resembles much the myrtle of Ta- 

 renfuni^ its branches and leaves being placed 

 opposite each other in pairs ; the flowers are 

 white, have five petals, and produce a round or 

 red berrj^ the size of a small prune, marked 

 with four green points like the pomegranate. 

 This fruit contains several seeds that are flat 

 and brown, and has a very pleasant aromatic 

 smell, perceptible at a great distance. The 

 inhabitants obtain from it a very agreeable odo- 

 riferous liquor, which is preferred by foreigners 

 to the best muscat. It requires a long time to 

 ferment, but, when once clarified, is very clear, 

 and has a delicious taste. Before the arrival of 

 the Spaniards and the introduction of the grape, 

 the natives used io prepare vinous liquors from 

 several kinds of shrubs, at present neglected ; 

 among these were two or three species of the 

 Indian fig, or opuntia., called by the Chilians 

 tuna, whose fruit is very fine, and as large as 

 the best European figs. 



A great number of shrubs, from time imme- 



* Its fruit is of a beautiful appearance and very pleasant 

 taste; by beini^ ])ut iulo brandy with a little sugar, it forms a 

 very dt-iii ious !i(}uor, which has in a slight degree the smell 

 of ainbei- luvi of mask, by no means disagreeable even to 

 ?hose uiio dislike those perfumes. Vnnetty's f^oyage, 

 <'n. ji. 



