nce. Everything is sold so cheaply,
that it is all but given away. The islands yield much cinnamon; and
although there is no olive oil but that brought from Nueva Espana,
much oil is made from ajonjoli [_Sesamum orientale_] and flaxseed
which is commonly used in that country, so that the olive oil is not
missed. Saffron, cloves, pepper, nutmegs, and many drugs are produced,
besides abundance of cotton and silk of all colors, great quantities
of which are carried thither annually by Chinese merchants. More than
twenty ships arrive in those ports, laden with the above-mentioned
cloths of various colors; with earthenware, powder, saltpeter, iron,
steel, quantities of quicksilver, bronze, and copper; wheat-flour,
nuts, chestnuts, biscuits, and dates; linen cloth; escritoires worked
in many colors, head-dresses, and thin cloths for veils [_buratos,
espumillas_]; water-jugs, made of tin; lace edging, silk fringe,
and gold thread, drawn in a manner never seen in Christendom; and
many other rare articles--and all, as I have said, very cheap. The
products of the islands themselves are sold also quite cheaply;
for four arrobas of palm wine--which, in the absence of grape wine,
is found to be of excellent quality--can be obtained for four reals;
twelve fanegas of rice for eight reals; three hens for one; one whole
hog for eight; one buffalo for four; one deer for two, but it must be
very fat and large; four arrobas of sugar for six; one jar of ajonjoli
oil for three; two baskets of saffron for two; six libras of pepper or
of cloves for one; two hundred nutmegs for one; one arroba of cinnamon
for six; one quintal of iron or steel for ten; thirty fine porcelain
dishes for four; and everything else may be bought at like prices.

_A remarkable and exceedingly useful tree._ Among the remarkable
things seen by our people in those islands, and in the kingdom of
China, and in other districts where Spaniards have gone--one that has
most caused wonder and fixed itself in the memory--is a tree called
commonly the cocoa-palm. It is different from the date-palm, and
with great reason, for it is a plant so useful and mysterious, that
for instance, a ship has come to these islands, and not only the ship
but everything in it--the merchandise, and the ropes, cordage, sails,
masts, and nails--was made of this wood; its merchandise consisted
of cloth, made from the bark with great dexterity and cunning. Even
the food for the crew of thirty men, and