[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Travellers (1500–1858)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel) › [Mongolicae legationis commentarius](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate) › [The Commentary of Father Monserrate (Hoyland)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland) › 3.1.7 # The Commentary of Father Monserrate 3.1.7 The Commentary of Father Monserrate (Hoyland) 3.1.7 - **Language:** English ### [3.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.1.7) Thomas is said also to have lived in the coastal district. This empire is very beautiful and healthy, although in many places not well provided with fruit trees. On account of the diversity of the climate in different parts it produces many and various types of crops. Thus in the southern area or zone (as geographers would call it), the same crops are found as in the maritime district (near Goa). But the farther one goes towards the north the more similar does one find the staple products to those of Europe, though indeed the following are the only representatives of the long list of European fruits and trees which grow in India with real exuberance (and these only on the Himalaya range), viz. the grape, the peach, the mulberry, the fig (in a few places), and the pine tree. The whole country bears pomegranates in abundance. The Cotonian apple, the pear and similar fruits are imported from Persia. Rice, wheat, millet and pulse are produced in great quantities. Amongst a great number of non-fruit-bearing trees, I recognised as European only the plane, though there are willows in Indoscythia. In many places in the neighbourhood of the Indus flax and hemp are sown. The plant which is commonly called 'bangue,' and which when used as a drink produces intoxication and stupefaction of the mind and senses, has leaves very similar to those of the hemp-plant. It does not however grow on one stalk only, but has a low stem, from which spring a number of other branches, like a bush. - [Previous: 3.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.1.6) - [Next: 3.1.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.1.8) - [Up: 3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.1) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.monserrate~en-hoyland.3.1.7) · Pramāṇa