Chap. V. 



sA M ET^I C A. 



24.1 



for they will not onely grow in no place but on their ufual Ground, but cannot en- 

 dure the cold Nights Storms, or exceiTes of Heat 5 wherefore the Cacao-Trees which 

 grow out of the Fruit that falls off, come to no perfection, except in fhady and 

 warm Valleys ; which is aifo the reafon why the Planters of TSJjw Spain plant the 

 great Leafy Tree Qacaoquantbly (that is, The Mother of the Cacao's) near the Cacao-Tvcc, 

 that it iriay the better grow under the Shadow thereof y in which manner whole 

 Woods are planted : In the fecond year it bears Fruit, which is firft ripe in January, 

 and again in the midft of Summer. Amongft the four forts the chiefeft is Quathmtl, 

 of an indiffent heighth, and full of fliarp-pointed Leaves, which are faft to the 

 Boughs without Stalks, and bears a great Flower of a yellowifli colour, which fal- 

 ling off, leaves long, tough, and hairy Threds behind them, out of which grows the 

 CacaVently, 2. Fruit which is oval, he»uy like a Melon, of a Saffron-colour, of a fat 

 and thick Juice, a bitterifli, yet pleafant tafte, and very cooling ; being dry'd in 

 the Sun it is thereby made fit to keep • it is like wife highly efteem'd,becaufe the Cbo- 

 Icolate is made of the fame. Before the Spaniards made themfelves Matters of Mexico, 

 (no other Drink was efteem'd but .that of the Cacao j none caring for Wine, not- 

 / withftanding the Soil produces Vines every where in great abundance of it felf. 

 / But befides the Quathuil, Ne~to Spain hath three other forts of Gcdo-Trees, vi%. Meca- 

 I nal y pleafant to behold for its heighth, large Leaves and Fruit ; the next is the Xo* 

 I chucaual, which is lefs than the former ; and laftly the leaft fort, which is call'd 

 HalcacahuaL The Fruit of thefe four forts of Trees, though differing in fliape, yet 

 is all one in power and operation. 



The Spaniards to make Qhocolau mix Mai% (by the Mexicans call'd Tlaolli) either 

 whole or Ground, or boyl'd before with Chalk. * Moreover, they put the red Ker- 

 nels alfo in the Drink, which grow in the Fruit of the Achiote-Tvcc. Of the Kernels, 

 Phich are dry and cooling, boyl'd in Water, and ftirr'd till it comes to a Pap, they 

 ake Cakes, which mix'd with the Qwolate, gives it a cleanfing power, and takes 

 pay all taftes that caufe vomiting. 

 The Pepper Mecaxochite, which grows creeping along the Earth, with long and 



B b j fragrant 



