Various funguses are found both in the woods and plains, but no one
would venture either to touch or taste them. Verengena, called by the
Latins melongena, tomates, which the Germans call apples of Paradise,
and other condiments of this kind, better known to Spaniards than
Germans, are frequently seen in gardens and at table. The Indians like
sweet things, and detest radishes, mustard-seed, garden-nasturtium,
lettuces sprinkled with vinegar, in short, every thing acrid, acid, or
bitter. The Abipones, who, leading a vagrant life, never take the pains
to sow, nor find occasion to reap, subsist, like birds and beasts, on
whatever their predatory habits supply, or liberal nature gratuitously
offers to hunters in the plains, woods, rivers, and lakes. If the
surface of the earth yields no food, they seek under the earth, or the
waters, for esculent roots, of which they call some neeyeka, others
hakamìk, and others again leèkate. There is also a kind of very small
bean, which they call nauvirgila, and which is commonly found in the
woods. These beans, when boiled, though not very savoury to the palate,
serve in some measure to fill the bellies of the Indians.