Tamarinds, which are very well known in European druggists' shops, are a
species of plum, with a dark rind, rather acid, of an agreeable taste,
and full of a number of beautiful kernels. Taken inwardly, after being
steeped for some time in cold water, they conduce much to allay the most
burning thirst, and gently to purge the bowels. They grow upon trees
which resemble palms, and have boughs and leaves long enough to cover a
number of men, and with their dark shade protect them from the heat of
the sun. Tamarinds, which botanists call _dactyli acidi_, grow in the
territories of the Chiquitos, and elsewhere, but are unknown to the
other parts of Paraguay.