The Portuguese and Spaniards who have been in these islands, affirm that there are in them a certain species of hogs, which, besides the ordinary teeth in their jaws, have two others growing out of their snouts, and other two behind their ears, of a large span and a-half in length[86].  There is likewise said to be a certain tree, that part of which that grows towards the east is a sure antidote against all kinds of poison, while the western half of the same tree is itself a deadly poison.  The fruit of this tree is like large pease; of which is made the strongest poison on earth.  There is another tree of a very singular nature, for if any one eat of its fruit, he becomes twelve hours mad; and, on regaining his senses, cannot remember any thing that happened during his madness.  There are likewise certain land-crabs, which have the same effect of producing temporary madness when eaten.  The islanders also pretend that there is a certain stone in these islands of so wonderful a property, that whoever happens to sit upon it is sure to be afflicted with rupture.  It is farther worthy of remark, that the inhabitants of these islands gild their teeth.

In the year 1539, three ships which had been ordered by Cortes to discover the coast northwards from Culiacan, and which sailed from Acapulco, under the command of Francis Ulloa, having touched at St Jago de Buena Speranca, entered into the gulf of California, which Cortes discovered, and sailed up that gulf till they came almost to the farther end of it, in lat. 32 deg.  N. at a place which they named Ancon de San Andres, because they came there on the day of that Saint.  They returned southward along the other, or western coast of the gulf of California; and, having doubled the point of that peninsula, called Cabo de San Lucas, within certain islands, they sailed northwards, along the external coast of California, till they again reached to the same latitude of 32 deg.  N. whence they returned into New Spain; forced to this measure by contrary winds and want of provisions, after having been absent a whole year on this voyage.  In these discoveries, Cortes expended 200,000 ducats, according to his own account[87].  Cortes and his captains explored the coast of New Spain, from the lat. of 12 deg.  N. to 32 deg. or 700 leagues; all of which was rather warm than cold, although snow is found on some of the mountains for the greater part of every year.  From Cabo del Enganno to Cabo de Liampa in China, the distance is 1000 or 1200 leagues.

In New Spain there are many trees, flowers, and fruits of various kinds, that are useful to man.  The principal tree is named Metl, which does not grow either very tall or very thick.  The natives plant and dress this tree as we do our vines; and they allege that it has forty different kinds of leaves, resembling woven cloth, which serve for many useful purposes.  When tender, these leaves are made into conserves.  From it they make a kind of paper,