Figaroa's Tale of the Spanish

Camazza de Vaca became the first Western ethnologist and botanist. He lived on an island from October to February, living on roots pulled from the ocean as well as fish. The primary sources of food on the island were edible roots that the Indians pull from the ocean but would become inedible during winter. With little food to be had, the Spanish quickly began to die. After most of the men had perished, the Indians got sick with a stomach ailment sweeping through the tribes.