The products of the islands themselves are sold also quite cheaply; for four arrobas of palm wine--which, in the absence of grape wine, is found to be of excellent quality--can be obtained for four reals; twelve fanegas of rice for eight reals; three hens for one; one whole hog for eight; one buffalo for four; one deer for two, but it must be very fat and large; four arrobas of sugar for six; one jar of ajonjoli oil for three; two baskets of saffron for two; six libras of pepper or of cloves for one; two hundred nutmegs for one; one arroba of cinnamon for six; one quintal of iron or steel for ten; thirty fine porcelain dishes for four; and everything else may be bought at like prices.
_A remarkable and exceedingly useful tree._ Among the remarkable things seen by our people in those islands, and in the kingdom of China, and in other districts where Spaniards have gone--one that has most caused wonder and fixed itself in the memory--is a tree called commonly the cocoa-palm.

It is different from the date-palm, and with great reason, for it is a plant so useful and mysterious, that for instance, a ship has come to these islands, and not only the ship but everything in it--the merchandise, and the ropes, cordage, sails, masts, and nails--was made of this wood; its merchandise consisted of cloth, made from the bark with great dexterity and cunning.

Even the food for the crew of thirty men, and their water, came from this tree.

The merchants in the ship testified that throughout the entire island of Maldivia, whence they had come, no other food was gathered, nor is there any other food there, except that furnished by this tree.

Houses with their roofs are made also from it.