Leaves and fruit of a kind of Mexican vanilla. Drawing by Thomas Malie, 1730.
- Malie, Thomas, approximately 1700-approximately 1789.
- Date:
- [1730]e(Mexico)
- Reference:
- 11915i
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Publication/Creation
[1730]e(Mexico)
Physical description
1 drawing : pen and brown ink and grey wash ; sheet 36 x 46.7 cm
Lettering
Vanilliæ species maxima. Haec est volubilis siliquosa mexicana, foliis plantaginis, Raii, Hernand. Tlilxochilt, flos niger & aracus <?> aromaticus & a plumies <?>. Vanilla flore viridi & albo fructu nigriscente vocata. Mexico, A.D. 1730.
Lettering continues with further description of the plant, concluding: "Cum usus ipsius fructus ad conficiendam chocolatam satis innoluerit; has terras dolendum est curiosis destitui incolis, qui istas colant arbores atque alias id genus plures desquirant in tam vasta & fertili regione procul dubio reperiundas." (since the use of the fruit for making chocolate has grown, it is regrettable that these lands are lacking curious inhabitants who could seek out those trees and several others of the same kind which are no doubt to be found in such a vast and fertile region).
Mount bears number: "77"
Notes
The other side of the sheet bears a drawing of the cacao tree
Creator/production credits
Thomas Malie (Mallie, Malié) was Surgeon-General to H.M. Forces in the West Indies: see obituary in The gentleman's magazine, 1789, vol. 59, pt. 1, p. 467
Reference
Wellcome Collection 11915i
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Where to find it
Location Status Access Closed stores