78 AVOYAGETO Book L 



feed, or flone, fix or eight lines in length, to two in 

 breadth. Its tafte is an acid fweetnefs, but the acid 

 predominates; and it is only ufed when difTolved in wa- 

 ter as a cooling liquor, and then but moderately, and 

 not for many days fucceffively its acidity and ex- 

 tream coldnefs weakening and debilitating the flo- 

 mach. 



Another fruit, called mani, is produced by a fmall 

 plant. It is of the fize and Hiape of a pine-cone ; and 

 eaten either roafted, or as a conferve. Its quality is di- 

 redliy oppofite to that of the former, being hot in the 

 higheft degree ; and, confequently, not very wholfome 

 in this climate. 



The produds, which are not natural here, befides 

 wheat, barley, and other grain, are grapes, almonds, 

 and olives: confequently the country is deftitute of 

 wine, oil, and raifins, with which they are fupplied 

 from Europe this neceffarily renders them very dear-; 

 fometimes they are not to be had at any price. When 

 this is the cafe with regard to wine, great numbers 

 fuffer in their health ; for, as all chofe, who do not 

 accullom themfeives to drink brandy at their meals, 

 which are far the greateft number, except the Negroes, 

 being ufed to this wine, their ftomach, for want of it, 

 lofe the digeftive faculty, and thence are produced 

 epidemical diftempers. This was an unhappy cir- 

 cumilance at our arrival, when wine was fo 

 extremely fcarce, that mals was faid only in one 

 church. 



The want of oil is much more tolerable; for, in 

 drelTing either fifh or fiefii, they ufe hog's lard, of 

 which they have fo great a quantity, as to make it an 

 ingredient in their loop, Vv^hich is very good, and, 

 ■confidering the country, not at all dear : inllead of 

 lamps too, they ufe tallow candles : fo that they 

 want oil only for their fallads. 



From fuch plenty of fiefh, fowl, and fruits, an 

 idea may be formed of the luxuriancy of the tables 



in 



