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INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY — PUBLICATION NO. 13 



bearing during cold weather ; generally produces two to 

 three times a year. 



No data concerning quantity grown, but our impression 

 is that planting is on very small scale. 



Considered native. 



OTHER CULTIVATED LEGUMES 



In addition to beans and their close relatives, 

 a number of other Leguminosae are cultivated, and 

 it will be convenient to mention them here. 



g. Pisum sativum L. (No. 254), green pea. Planted in 

 the milpa, between the rows of maize, on St. Michael's 

 Day (September 29), or the day before Christmas. Not 

 treated as a climber, but extends along the ground ; weeded 

 from time to time. Eaten both green and dry; not im- 

 portant in Tajln diet. Women sell young peas on a small 

 scale, both locally and in Papantla. Considered native. 



h. Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (No. 95), 61 pigeon pea. 

 Planted because "otherwise it does not grow." Shrub, 

 which may attain 3 m. in height. Seeds eaten as though 

 they were beans. Not grown in quantity ; usually planted 

 in house clearing. Presumably of African origin (Bailey 

 1:613), but apparently not of recent introduction in 

 Tajln. 



i. Crotalaria longirostrata Hook. & Arn. (chipila, No. 

 91). Cultivated from seed for its leaves and flowers, 

 which are eaten as greens. 



j. Jicama, whose raw tuberous root is popular in many 

 parts of Mexico, presumably is a species of Pachyrhizus ; 

 we collected no specimen. Seed planted in maize field ; 

 3 or 4 dropped into hole punched with the dibble, the 

 Day of St. James (July 25). Not of great importance. 

 One man plants in sufficient quantity to sell, but he hap- 

 pens to be a highland Totonac resident in Tajin. Of 39 

 households, only one claims to plant jicama, and it boasts 

 a single vine. Nevertheless, the raw root often included 

 in food offering prepared for the dead on All Souls' Day. 

 In view of modest local production, probably most Totonac 

 purchase for the occasion in Papantla. 



In addition, several trees and shrubs of the 

 bean family are cultivated : three for food, one for 

 medicine, and one as a hedge or fence. 



Jfc. Erythrina americana Mill, (pichoco, No. 284). 

 Grown from cuttings, in house clearing ; planted in Feb- 

 ruary or March, when the tree is in flower. Buds and 

 blossoms eaten (p. 162). A related wild form (No. 121) 

 not utilized. 



I. Inga paterno Harms {chalahuite, No. 195). Tree 

 planted from seed, in maize field or house clearing, in 



111 A sample of pod and seed sent Dr. Cutler was identified as 

 soybean. Moreover, Dr. Cutler noted that there "are several 

 loose seeds in this packet. One is Phaseolus vulgaris and three 

 are probably small seeds of either Dolichos lablab L. or an ex- 

 tremely small form of Vicia faba." When the soybean determina- 

 tion was questioned, Dr. Cutler felt that "flower color and plant 

 height" probably were determining factors ; both the latter clearly 

 indicate Cajanus. 



June or July, during heavy rains. Fruit edible (p. 163), 

 as is that of a wild form (No. 181) . 



m. Leucaena glauca (L.) Benth. (lelekes, No. 196a). 

 Tree planted from seed ; found in house clearings and 

 maize fields. Fruit edible, as is that of wild form 

 (No. 38). 



n. Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw. (flor de mechuda, 

 Nos. 55, 115). Planted in patio or milpa, usually the 

 former. No wild form found locally. Flowers and leaves 

 considered medicinal ; showy red and yellow blossoms 

 used to adorn family shrine. 



o. Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp. (tnuite, No. 123). 

 Grown from cuttings; planted along edges of fields, as 

 a sparse hedge or fence. Said to have been introduced 

 ea. 15 years ago ; provenience unknown. 



CUCURBITS 



A number of cucurbits are grown locally, usu- 

 ally between the rows of maize. A hole is punched 

 with the digging stick, several seeds are dropped 

 in and the earth is brushed over them with the 

 tip of the dibble. 



Two principal kinds of squashes and/or pump- 

 kins are recognized by informants, the calabaza 

 and the pipidn. Of the former, only the flesh is 

 eaten ; of the latter, only the seed is used, generally 

 toasted and ground, and added to sauces. At least 

 one kind of calabaza, probably that described be- 

 low, under 6, produces twice a year. Seed often 

 is stored, wrapped in a cornhusk. Before plant- 

 ing, that of calabaza is not artificially germinated, 

 but pipidn seed is soaked in water, then wrapped 

 in a leaf (No. 188) and left for 4 to 5 days until 

 it sprouts. 



Dr. Cutler indemnifies the caldbaza as Cucuvbita 

 moschata Poiret, and adds that from "the seeds 

 alone, it seems to be related to the tan and cream- 

 color 'ayote' of Central Guatemala." Informants 

 recognize four different kinds of calabaza: 



a. One, called nfpgp, may be pear- or apple-shaped. The 

 fruits are ochre-colored, with smooth skin and shallow 

 ribs. Both forms are said to be produced on the same 

 vine. 



b. A second calabaza, known by the same Totonac name, 

 probably is to be identified with the calabaza de bola (No. 

 278). It is flattened globular in shape, and the color is 

 about the same as that of the preceding, although the skin 

 is rough and pebbly ; the ribbing also is deeper. 



c. Calabaza larga (long squash) (akstuntuyu nfpsi?; 

 akstflntu, gourd) is another form, of which we were un- 

 able to obtain a specimen. 



d. A soft-shelled type, known as li-gfit', is said to be 

 indistinguishable in appearance from the first described 



