Of a tree found on the Mainland that the Spanish call agoreros.

Translated by Elizabeth Girdharry ’22

On the coast of the Mainland, in the province of Araya, near the island of Cubagua, there is a fruit called agoreros; it is born from a cactus-like plant of the same name, similar to the one previously discussed in book VIII, chapter XXVII—these differ in nothing but the fruit, which are very different from one another. These agoreros are born from those square, tall, and straight cactuses, like those found on this island of Hispaniola and in many other parts of these Indies. The fruit of these agroreros is covered in spines like chestnuts, and when they ripen they shed it; inside is a round fruit (the size of a small playing ball) of a yellow or sometimes red color. The flesh of this fruit is like doñigales figs but of a much better flavor, and they smell so good that the fragrance is like sweet briar or jasmine; these agoreros are full of grains, but these are not as filling as those found in figs. Because of this fruit, the Spaniards call the people of that land agroreros; these Indians are very skilled swimmers, and they use their skills when fishing for pearls on the coast, going as deep as five or six fathoms. This fruit is healthy, and no matter how much one eats or at what time it does not irritate or harm the stomach.