"The islanders also easily make bread with a
kind of millet,
similar to that which exists plenteously amongst the Milanese and Andalusians. The millet
is a little more
than a palm in length, ending in a point, and is about the thickness of the upper part of a
manís arm. The
grains are about the form and size of peas. While they are growing, they are white, but
become black when
ripe. When ground they are whiter
than snow. This kind of grain is called maiz"
Letter of Pedro Martyr de Angleria to Cardinal Sforza, based on first voyage of Columbus Nov. 13, 1493.