332 



THE ADVENTURES OF 



Torribio's cabin consisted of but one room, and the fire- 

 hearth was placed outside under a small shed. This prim- 

 itive abode contained neither chairs, tables, nor benches. 

 Sumichrast was full of admiration at this simplicity, which 

 I considered rather overdone ; but my friend compared the 

 life of civilization, in which luxury has created so many 

 wants, with the lot of these men who can dispense with al- 

 most every thing, and decidedly came to the conclusion that 

 the latter are much the happier. 



On leaving the hut, I noticed to our left a magnificent 

 avocado pear-tree — Persea gratissima — the fruit of which 

 yields a pulp called " vegetable butter." The avocado pear, 

 called by the Indians ahuacate, is the same shape as a large 

 pear, with interior of a light-green color and of a buttery 

 nature ; its sweet flavor is delicious to every palate. It is 

 either eaten plain, or seasoned with salt, oil, and vinegar. 



" The avocado pear-tree, I should think, has no relations 

 among trees !" said Lucien, smiling. 



" Yes, certainly it has. It belongs to the Laurel family, 

 and is the only member of it which produces eatable fruit. 

 Its connections, though, occupy an important position in do- 

 mestic economy. First, there is the bay-tree — Laurus no- 

 bilis— the leaves of which are indispensable in French cook- 

 ery; while the berries furnish an oil used in medicine. 

 Next comes the Laurus camphora, from the leaves of which 

 camphor is extracted, the crystallized essence which evapo- 

 rates so easily ; then the Laurus cinnamomum, the bark 

 of which is called cinnamon ; and, lastly, sassafras, the" aro- 

 matic wood which is said to be a powerful sudorific." 



Our guide conducted us across a field of Indian corn or 

 maize. Europe is indebted to America for this valuable 

 gramineous plant. The common bread or tortilla of this 

 country, which is a kind of pancake, is made from it. Be- 

 fore the maize is quite ripe, it is eaten boiled or parched ; 



