It is exceedingly nutritious, and was readily borne by the stomach when that organ refused to tolerate other aliment.

An atole, or gruel, of this was one of the peace offerings to the first visiting sailors.

One tablespoonful of these seeds was sufficient to sustain for twenty-four hours an Indian on a forced march.
Chia was no less prized by the native Californian, and at this late date it frequently commands $6 or $8 a pound.
"The pinion, the fruit of the pine, was largely used, and until now annual expeditions are made by the few surviving members of the coast tribes to the mountains for a supply.
That they cultivated maize in certain localities, there can be but little doubt.

They intimated to Cabrillo by signs that such was the case, and the supposition is confirmed by the presence at various points of vestiges of irrigating ditches.
Yslay, the fruit of the wild cherry, was used as a food, and prepared by fermentation as an intoxicant.

The seeds, ground and made into balls, were esteemed highly.