It is of a sharp and pleasing
taste, and is very innocent. The tree that bears it is much like an ash,
straight-bodied, and of a good height; clean from limbs till near the
top, where there branches forth a small head. The rind is of a pale grey,
and so is the fruit. We used of this tree to make helves or handles for
axes (for which it is very proper) in the Bay of Campeachy; where I have
seen of them, and nowhere else but here.
OF THEIR PECULIAR FRUITS, ARISAHS, MERICASAHS, PETANGOS, PETUMBOS,
MUNGAROOS, MUCKISHAWS, INGWAS, OTEES, AND MUSTERAN DE OVAS.
Besides these here are many sorts of fruits which I have not met with
anywhere but here; as arisahs, mericasahs, petangos, etc. Arisahs are an
excellent fruit, not much bigger than a large cherry; shaped like a
catherine-pear, being small at the stem, and swelling bigger towards the
end. They are of a greenish colour, and have small seeds as big as
mustard seeds; they are somewhat tart, yet pleasant, and very wholesome,
and may be eaten by sick people.
Mericasahs are an excellent fruit, of which there are 2 sorts; one
growing on a small tree or shrub, which is counted the best; the other
growing on a kind of shrub like a vine, which they plant about arbors to
make a shade, having many broad leaves.
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