Ifl'^TOKV OF THE USE OF COCOA. ;, ; 



Travellers aiul ph) sici.ms do ap^rcc in this, iliai the cocoa-iuil h.is a 

 woiuUrful faculty of quenching ihirsl, allaying heciick heats, of 

 nourishing and Hitt ening th e body." Mr. Hughes informs us 

 that he lived at seii for some months on noihin^^ hut Chocolate, 

 .ind that he grew very fat in Jamaica by virtue of the cocoa-nut ; 

 as he judges it most proper for lean, weak and consumptive 

 complexions. 



According to Bancroft's "Native Races of the Pacific .States," 

 the Aztecs " dug up the bones of giants at the foot of the moun- 

 tains, and collected by their dwarfish successors, ground to powder, 

 mixed with Cocoa, and drunk as a cure for diarrhoea and dysentery;" 

 and the same author tells us that " Scalding hot Cocoa mixed with 

 chile is the favorite stimulant, of which large quantities are imbibed, 

 until the perspiration starts from every pore." 



In Gage's "New Survey of the West Indies," London, 1648. 

 we have a curious account of the use of Cocoa in the Intlies, and 

 the part taken by the Missions of the " Friars and Jesuiles " in 

 introducing it into Kurope. He says : "The Indian Fryer being 

 well sett out with high commendations, and fairly painted with 

 flattering elogics, presents these his patents (with a little wedge of 

 gold, a box of j>earls, some rubies or diamonds • ♦ • ^vith 

 some boxes of curious Chocolate, &c.), to the Pope ; who. for his 

 first reward, gives him his Toe and Panlolle to kiss^ # • ♦ .^^^^ 

 judging him worthy of the best of the Indian wealth, and his soul, 

 jxiradventure, fit for the title of a saint • • • Then would he 

 acta Med.Lsand Crccsus, fancying th e trees to be hung with cluste rs 

 of Nutmegs bigger than tKe clusters of the grapes of Can;ian, the 



