World of Surprises

Tayla T

YELLOW GROUP

1/2/29/18

Headline: " A World of Surpises; Columbus' impressions of the Carribean's natural beauty * New discoveries: Corn, tobacco; and hammocks "

Author: Lorenzo Camusso

Source of the Article: The Voyages of Columbus

Three Vocabulary Words:

1. Madrepores : a stony coral

2. Breadth : width

3. Commodity : a raw material that can be sold for money

Summary: During and after the month of December, Columbus arrived in Cuba. Him and his men were shocked by all of the unfamiliar sites, and the lifestyle of the "Indians". Many inventions and living things like plants, as well as even lifestyles, had gone either undiscovered or had not been thought of in Spain. These things included; - Royals Palms; types of palm trees on the beaches in the Carribeans- the same ones Columbuws and his men lounged under once in Cuba.

- Corn/maize; Corn itself, and maize, what is made when corn is ground up. Also called masa by the Spanish.

- Yucas; Similar to manioc.

- Tobacco; These leaves were rolled up and smoked by the Indians, which was a "bad habit" of them.

- Manioc; Similar to yucas, or yams.

- Sweet potatoes; Similar to yams.

- Cotton

- Hammocks; Hammocks were found to be wove from rope, and could be slept on. This invention was seen as a possibility for sailors, becuse there wouldn't be as many deaths from sleeping ton the deck.

All of these things were either plants or inventions Spain and possible all of Europe had been oblivious to before Columbus had traveled across the Atlantic. Here's the article.