to the Strait of Magellan. 



above-mentioned plant and crust, it seems to be not unapt for 

 cultivation and agriculture, at least, as far as we may judge 

 by the abundance and vigour of all the vegetables which it pro- 

 duces. 



The plant just described covers almost the whole surface; of 

 which we have thought it better to ^ive the foregoing descrip- 

 tion, than to lose time in enquiring tor a proper name for it, or 

 a correct assimilation to some other better known, which per- 

 haps would be so much labour thrown away; being convinced 

 that, from what has been related concerning it, experienced 

 botanists will be at no loss to distinguish it, and to arrange it 

 according to its proper class of vegetable productions. 



There is another plant in great abundance, near two yards 

 high, very thick set with leaves from the root upwards, 

 which are of a bright-green, and arranged in the shape of a 

 cross ; the flowers are white and beautiful, the petals being 

 very small, grouped together like a nosegay. The natives eat 

 this plant, which is to them a great dainty. We had not the 

 good fortune to procure its seed in proper season, which con- 

 sists of a few square long grains in the flower. The taste of 

 this plant is subacid, with very little sweetness in it. 



Another plant is frequently found, whose leaves are of the 

 shape and colour of the vine, but of the size of the ivy. Its 

 height is not quite three yards. In summer it sends out the 

 fruit, which consists of clusters of berries, about the size of a 

 large pea, very black, and sweet; of which our people ate 

 freely, without experiencing any inconvenience therefrom. 

 This plant is the iiva urste, having the same figure and property 

 with others of the same kind that are well known. 



Another species of the same shrub, of a yellow colour, is. 

 also found here, with a smaller leaf than the former ; having on 

 its branches a fruit of the same taste and colour, but a different 

 shape : so that it may be considered as belonging to the same 

 kind of plant, and possessed of the same properties and virtues. 



Intermingled with these shrubs is found, on the ground, 

 plants bearing a flower, which, even in Europe, the tair sex 

 might esteem handsome. This flower is bell-shaped, of a rose- 

 colour, growing on a kind of small myrtle. Also another plantj 

 with leaves like the myrtle, produces numbers of white flowers, 

 of delicious smell : this gives a reddish round fruit, like a peaj^ 

 having within it a stone like the plum. Besides which, there 

 are three other kinds of the same plant. The taste, far from 

 being agreeable, is dry and insipid; but the leaves are harsh 

 and astringent, so that they may be supposed to contain more 

 virtue than the fruits 



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