518 The Andes and the Amazons. 



The fruit, in the hands of the natives, is turned to good 

 account, yielding, besides chocolate, a soap, a vinegar, a 

 wine, and a dulce. Chocolate was used as a beverage in 

 Europe long before coffee or tea. It is a curious fact that 

 theobromine may be artificially converted into theine, the 

 active principle of tea. The Cacao de Macaco {Oujm) is 

 shaped like a cucumber, and has small seeds, which yield 

 plenty of oil, but an inferior beverage. 



CuptJ-Assu is an elliptical fruit, of a dingy earthy color, 

 six inches long, with a thiu woody shell, containing seeds 

 enveloped in a juicy pulp of a pleasant flavor. It is used 

 for ice-creams, sirups, and jellies. The low tree (Pharma- 

 cosyce ?) yielding it grows on the Lower Amazons. 



Mandioca, or Cassava, the bread-root of the Amazons, 

 yields farina and tapioca, and a liquor called "Tucupi," 

 or "Aguardiente de beijii." There are four species: (1) 

 The Mandioca proper {Maniot utilissima), of which there 

 are many varieties, among them Maicurii, the lowest, be- 

 ing only four feet high, but producing the largest and 

 best roots — Itoqui, Tambaqui, Auirana, and Muciira. (2) 

 Aypi {M. aij)i), or Sweet Mandioca, called " Yuca Dulce " 

 on the Maranon, having oblong, juicy roots, becoming 

 sweet after they are gathered. The chicha made from it 



