The tall palm, carandaỹ, expands its leaves like an open fan, and bears
sweet dates, which are not disliked by Europeans even. The bark of the
trunk, which is very hard, when cut with an axe, and deprived of the
pith, which consists of sharp thorns, is used to roof the houses in some
cities, and even to build cottages with. If the palms be cut when the
moon is in the wane, their bark will bear age. This also is certain,
that the carandaỹ palms create the richest and most wholesome pasture
for cattle; for the rain-water, flowing to the ground from their leaves,
contracts a kind of saltness, which generates saliva, and is the best
and most agreeable seasoning of the grass for beasts.