A history of the Brazil

by James Henderson

Argueiro, or Argua-Tree, is the size of the olive-tree, its trunk and branches overspread with short prickles; the leaves, which it annually sheds, are of the shape of a heart; the flowers are in bunches, of one or two spans in length, at the extremity of the branches, disposed three and three; it has five petals of which one only unfolds itself, this is of a beautiful rose-colour, with little less than two inches of length, and more than one in width. Upon the lower part of the pistil, which is amongst ten capillaments, there is a pod, containing an indeterminate number of feijoes, or beans, entirely of a red colour, or with black spots; they are very hard, and bracelets are made of them. It is one of the most beautiful trees in the country when in flower, in which state it remains for some time.

The Artecum, or Araticu, of which there are various kinds, is similar to the ambuzo in size, in the entwining of its branches, and in having an ash-coloured rind. The leaves, which it casts off annually, are almost round, and of a beautiful green, and varnished on both sides. Its flower is like a fig, of a yellow colour, which opens in three equal portions, as if they were parted with a knife, are thick, of a reddish hue, and in the form of a shell; below each portion there is a smaller shell, not so thick, and externally white, inclosing a button in the shape of a pine, which becomes a fruit of the size and form of the largest pear; the pulp is white or yellow, soft and full of pips; few are good, but they are generally eaten.

The Barriguda, (Big-bellied,) so called in consequence of its trunk being thicker at the middle than at the ground, and otherwise denominated Arvore da lan, (Wool-Tree,) has the rind covered with round thorns, the leaves are almost elliptical, and from three to four inches in length. The flower begins with the figure of a little round fig, smooth, without an eye, having a short and thick pedicle; this fig has the length and form of an acorn, being always of a green colour, it opens at the extremity in three parts, from whence issues a bud similar to that of cotton, round, and two inches long, which unfolds in five petals three inches in length. It has five capillaments surrounded with a pistil, which is delicate and terminates in a little red ball, the whole six attached to a receptacle at the bottom of a cup, where a fruit is formed with some resemblance to a cucumber, which, when it opens, is full of fine white wool, which the wind blows away if not immediately taken; it cannot be spun, but it is used for stuffing beds.

There are three sorts of Brazil Wood;—Brazil Mirim, which is the best; Brazil Assu, or Rozado, so called from its trunk being higher, more upright, of less girth, and the dye which is extracted from it of less consistency and more rosy, hence arises its second name. The Brazileto differs little from the Assu in size, in the form of its trunk and tuft, and affords little dye. The Brazil Mirim has a larger trunk, the rind greener and finer, the thorns smaller and thicker, the leaf smaller, and the wood more of a purple hue. The bark of the whole is smooth and the thorns begin at the shoot and extend to the point of the branches. The flower of the Mirim is white and very small; the wood, immediately on being cut, if put to the tongue, is sensibly bitter, which, on becoming dry, it loses, turning to an agreeable sweetness. These trees grow on rocks as well as in plains. The wood is heavy and excellent for building; put into water it will remain sound, it is said, eternally; put into the fire it breaks in pieces, but does not produce any smoke. It is said, that the most proper periods for cutting this timber for its dye is at the time of the new moon in winter, and when in the fourth quarter in summer. A portion of vitriol and lime, or ashes thrown into the decoction of the Brazil wood forms a black dye.

Cacauzeira, or Cocoa-Tree, which generally does not exceed the size of a small tree, almost always has many trunks, and extends its branches horizontally and incliningly; the leaves resemble those of the largest chestnut; its fruit, which grows only upon the trunks and thickest branches, is a large oblong capsule, in the shape of a mellon, with a very hard rind, which encloses forty to fifty almonds in a white, viscous, and sweet substance. Of these almonds chocolate is made.

Cafeeiro, or Coffee-Tree, transplanted from Arabia, and prospering admirably in the strong and fresh soils of this country, is a branchy shrub, with the leaves opposite, which are smooth, pointed at both extremities, and larger than those of the laurel; the flower is white, entire, and tubulous on the lower part, and cleft into five lancet points on the upper, with the same number of capillaments attached to the angle of the divisions, and a pistil to the receptacle. The fruit is a berry, somewhat resembling a cherry, attached to a thick and short pedicle. It is exceedingly fruitful, and grows to the greatest size when planted under the shade of large trees; but the fruit of those trees exposed to the sun is of the best quality.

Cajaty is a shrub with a very thick rind, black, and furrowed with the first bark, the leaf differs little from the laurel, and affords a yellow fruit the size of the sloe, having an agreeable taste and perfume, with seed like the orange, and attached to the extremity of the branch by a long and delicate pedicle.

Cajazeira, or Cajaza-Tree, is high, with a round tuft and small leaf, its fruit is like the acorn, yellow, insipid, and with a large stone.

The Cajueira, or Cajue-nut Tree, which grows in sandy soils, is a small tree with a crooked trunk, a round tuft, with the branches raised horizontally and inclined; the first rind affords a sort of black dye; the wood a yellow one; the leaves are almost round; the flower in bunches; its singular fruit is of the size and figure of a long round pepper, with a fine smooth skin, tinged with red or yellow, and sometimes with both, with a white spongy substance, half sweet, without stone or seed; the taste is not agreeable, although many persons are partial to this fruit; it has at the extremity a nut of an ash-colour, containing a white and oily substance, and not unlike the chestnut when roasted. Excellent sweetmeats are made of the fruit, and also a lemonade and even wine of its juice.

Calumby, or Calumbo-Tree, is small, with little tuft, having exceedingly small leaves, which close when the sun sets and open in the morning. There are male and female, both armed with thorns like the bramble; the male has a very small flower, resembling a paint-brush, and its wood is green, hard, compact, and very heavy, being only serviceable for joiners’ work, as scarcely one is found, even amongst the most slender, without being hollow. The female has a flower resembling the chestnut-tree, and its timber, although solid, is not so heavy, and is waved with green and white. The fruit of both are flat berries.