SWANTON] INDIANS OF THE SOUTHEASTEIRN UNITED STATES 275 



apparently borrowed this statement from Smith. The only differ- 

 ence is that Strachey spells the native word for peas "assentemmens" 

 and the Turkish word for beans "garvances." (Smith, Tyler ed., 

 1907, p. 95 ; Strachey, 1849, p. 117.) Beverley mentions both also, and 

 says the native peas were "of a Kidney-Shape." (Beverley, 1705, 

 bk. 2, p. 29; also see Spelman, in Smith, 1884, p. cvl.) 



Like Hariot, Smith and Strachey distinguish two varieties of a 

 pumpkin or squash, one of which they call a pumpkin ("pumpeon") 

 and the other a macock. Smith likens this latter to a muskmelon, 

 but says it was inferior. Strachey, however, likens it to a pumpkin 

 and speaks of the other as a melon, treating it as if it were distinct 

 from the pumpkin. (Smith, Tyler ed., 1907, p. 97; Strachey, 1849, p. 

 119.) However, it is probable that three or four varieties of plants 

 of the squash family were known to the Virginians. Beverley enu- 

 merates, besides muskmelons and watermelons, which had by his time 

 been; introduced, "Pompions, Cushaws, Macocks, and Gourds," 

 which he discusses as follows: 



Their Pompions I need not describe, but must say they are much larger and 

 finer, than any I ever heard of in England. 



Their Cushaws are a kind of Pompion, of a bluish green Colour, streaked 

 with White, when they are fit for Use. They are larger than the Pompions, and 

 have a long narrow Neck : Perhaps this may be the Ecushaw of T. Harriot. 



Their Macocks are a sort of MelopeponeSy or lesser sort of Pompion, of these 

 they have great Variety, but the Indian name Macock serves for all, which Name 

 is still retain'd among them. Yet the Clypeateoe are sometimes call'd Cymmels (as 

 are some others also) from the Lenten Cake of that Name, which many of them 

 very much resemble. Squash, Squanter-Squash, is their Name among the North- 

 ern Indians, and so they are call'd in New-York, and New-England. These being 

 boil'd whole, when the Apple is young, and the Shell tender, and dished with 

 Cream or Butter, relish very well with all sorts of Butcher's Meat, either fresh 

 or salt. And whereas the Pompion is never eaten till it be ripe, these are never 

 eaten after they are ripe. 



The Indians never eat the Gourds, but plant them for other Uses. Yet the 

 Persians, who likewise abound with this sort of Fruit, eat the CucurUta Lagen- 

 aria, which they call Kal)ach, boiling it while it is green, before it comes to it's 

 full Maturity; For, when it is ripe, th Rind dries, and grows as hard as the 

 Bark of a Tree, and the Meat within is so consumed and dried away, that there 

 is then nothing left but the Seed, which the Indians take clean out, and afterwards 

 use the Shells instead of Flagons and Cups; as is done also in several other 

 Parts of the World. (Beverley, 1705, bk. 2, p. 27.) 



Cucurbita Lagenaria was the old name of the Lagenaria, The 

 genus Lagenaria is not found in the New World and these remarks of 

 Beverley's either apply to a period after gourds of this genus had 

 been introduced, or to the treatment of some species of Cucurbita, 



Another apparent omission by Smith and Strachey is the sunflower, 

 but Beverley (1722, p. 15) tells us that "they make their Bread, of 

 Indian Corn, Wild Oats, or the Seed of the Sunflower." 



