26 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



all white, and the tree which bears them is mofl: beau- 

 tiful. 



The Macphahochitl^ or flower of the hand, is like a 

 tulip, but its piftillum reprefents the form of a bird's 

 foot, or rather that of an ape, with fix fingers terminat- 

 ed with as many nails. The vulgar Spaniards of that 

 kingdom call the tree which bears thefe curious flowers 

 Arhol de Manilas . 



Befides thefe and innumerable other flowers, natives 

 of that country, which the Mexicans delighted to culti- 

 vate, the land of Mexico has been enriched with all thofc 

 which could be tranfported from Afia and Europe, fuch 

 as lilies, jefl!amines, carnations of different kinds, and 

 others in great numbers, which at prefent in the gardens 

 of Mexico rival the flowers of America. 



With regard to fruits, the country of Anahuac is 

 partly indebted to the Canary Iflands, partly to Spain, 

 for water melons, apples, peaches, quinces, apricots, 

 pears, pomegranates, figs, black-cherries, walnuts, al- 

 monds, olives, chefnuts, and grapes ^ although thefe lafl 

 were not altogether wanting in the country foe J, In 

 Mizteca there are two kinds of wild vine original in the 

 country : the one in the flioots and figure of the leaves 

 fimilar to the common vine, produces red grapes, large, 

 and covered with a hard ikin, but of a fweet and grate- 

 ful tafte, which would certainly improve from culture. 

 The grape of the other vine is hard, large, and of a very 

 harfli tafle, but they make an excellent conferve of it. 



Withrefpe£l to the cocoa-tree, the plantain, the citron, 

 orange, and lemon, I am perfuaded, from the teftimony 



of 



(x) The places named Parras and Parral in the diocefe of New Bifcaglia, 

 had thefe names from the abundance of vines which were found there, of which 

 they made many vineyards, which at this day produce good wine. 



