A True and Faithful Account of the Four Chiefest Plantations in America, Barbados

A True and Faithful Account of the Four Chiefest Plantations in America · Barbados

p. 57THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ISLAND OF BARBADOS: With an Account of the Trees, Plants, Herbs, Roots, Fowls, Birds, Beasts, Fishes, Insects, &c. As also of their Sugar-Canes, Ingenio's and manner of making their Sugars.

THE first Discovery made of this Island was by a Ship of Sir William Curte'us, Barbadoes first discovered.which returning from Pernambock in Brasile, being driven by foul Weather upon this Coast, chanced to fall upon this Island, which is not far out of the way, being one of the most Windwardly Islands of all the Carribies; and Anchoring before it, they stayed some time to inform themselves of the nature of of the place, which by tryals in several places, they found to be so over grown with Wood, as that there could be no Champion Ground discovered wheron to Plant; Nor found they any Beasts, or Cattel there, save Hoggs, whereof there were abundance.

The Portugals having long before put some on shore for breed,Hoggs found there. in case they should at any time by foul Weather be driven to, or cast upon p. 58on this Island, that so they might there find fresh meat to serve them upon such an exigence.Hunted by the Indians. And the Fruits and Roots that grew there, afforeded them so great plenty of food, that now they were multiplied abundantly. In so much as the Indians of the Leeward Islands that were within sight,Fine Pots. coming thither in their Canoos, and finding such Game to hunt as these Hoggs were, whose flesh was so sweet, and excellent in tast, they came often thither a hunting, staying sometimes a monethmonth together before they returned home, leaving behind them certain tokens of their being there, which were Pots of several sizes made of Clay, so finely tempered, and turned with such Art, as the like to them for fineness of Mettle, and curiosity of turning, are not made in England, in which they boiled their meat.

This discovery being made,The first Painters. and advice thereof sent to their friends in England; other ships were sent with Men, Provisions, and Working Tools, to cut down the Woods, and clear the Ground wherein to plant Provisions for their sustentation, till then, finding Food but straglingly in the Woods. But when they had cleared some quantity of Land, they Planted Potato's, Plantines, and Maies, or Indian Wheat, with some other Fruits, which together with the Hoggs, which they found there, served only to keep life and soul together. And their supplies from England coming so slow, and so uncertainly, they were oft driven to great extremities: And the Tobacco that grew there, was so earthy and worthless, as that it gave them little or no return from England, or other places; so that for a while they lingered in a doubtful condition. For the Woods were so thick, and most of the Trees so large and massy, as that they were not to be faln by so few hands: And when they were laid along, the Boughs were so thick and and unweldy, as required more help of strong and active men to lop, and remove them off the ground; which continued so for many years, in somuch as they Planted Potato's, Maies, and Bonavists between the Boughs as the Trees lay on the ground.

Yet not long after they planted Indigo, Indico Planted. Cotton, and Fustick.and ordered it so well, as that it sold in London at very good Rates: And their Cotten Woll, and Fustick Wood, proved very good and staple Commodities: So that having these four sorts of commodities, to traffique with all; Some Ships were invited in hope of gain by that Trade, to come and visit them, bringing for exchange, such Commodities as they wanted, to wit, Working-Tools, Iron, Steel, Clothes, Shirts, Drawers, Hose and Shooes, Hats, and more Hands. So that beginning to find good by this Trade, they set themselves hard to work, and lived in much better condition.

But when their Sugar-Canes had been planted three or four years,Sugar Canes planted. they found that to be the principal Plant whereby to raise the value of the whole Island; and therefore bent all their endeavours to improve their knowledge and skill in Planting them, and making Sugar. Which knowledg, though they studied hard, was long in Learning.

This Island which we call Barbado's lies in thirteen Degrees and about thirty Minutes of Northern Latitude:The scituation of the Island. The usual Bay into p. 59which Ships put, is Carlile Bay, which without exception is the best in the Island, and is somewhat more than a League over, and from the Points of the Land to the bottom of the Bay,The chief Towns unhealthful. is twice as much.

Upon the innermost part of this Bay stands a Town called the Bridge; for that a long Bridge was at first made over a little Nook of the Sea, which yet indeed is rather a Bogg than a Sea. This Town is ill scituated; the Planters looking more after conveniencie than health. But one house being erected, another was set up by it for Neighbourhood, and than a third, and a fourth, till at last it became a Town: Divers storehouses were also built there wherein, to stow their goods, being so neer and convenient for the Harbour. But their great oversight was to build a Town in so unhealthfull a place. For the ground being somewhat lower within the Land than the Sea banks are, the Spring-Tides flow over, and so remain there, making much of that flat a kind of Bog, or Marish, which sends out so loathsome a Savour, as cannot but breed ill blood, and probably is the occasion of much sickness to those that live there.

The ground on either side this Bay (but chiefly that to the Eastward) is much firmer, and lies higher, and therefore with some charge, may be made as convenient as the Bridge, and much more healthfnl.

Three more Bayes there be of note in this Island.The Baies. One to the Eastward of this, which they call Austins Bay: The other are to the West of Carlile-Bay. The first whereof is called Mackfields Bay; the other Spikes Bay; but neither of these three are environed with Land, as Carlile Bay is; but being to the Leeward of the Island, and of good Anchorage, they seldome are in danger, unless in the time of the Turnado, when the Winds turn about to the South; And then if they be not well moved, the Ships are subject to fall foul one upon another, and sometimes are driven a ground. For the Leeward part of the Island, being rather shelvy than Rocky, they are seldom or never cast away.

The leng the hot Island is twenty eight miles,The bigness of the Island. Ils beauty and the breadth in some places seventeen miles, in others twelve; so that they make about three hundred nitety two square miles in the whole Island. It rises highest in the middle, so that when you come within sight of this happy Island, the nearer you come, the more beautiful it appears to the Eye. For being in it self exceeding beautiful, it's best discerned, and best judged of when your eyes become full Mistris of the Object. There you may see the high, large, and lofty Trees with their spreading branches, and flourishing tops, which seem to be beholding to the Earth and Roots that gave them such plenty of sap for their Nourishment, which makes them grow to that perfection of beauty and largeness: Whil'st they by way of gratitude return their cool shade to secure and shelter the Earth from the Suns heat, which otherwise would scorch and dry it up. So that Bounty and Goodness in the one, and Gratefulness in the other, serve to make up this Beauty, which alwayes would lie empty and waste.

By the Commodity of the Scituation of this Island, which is highest in the midst, the Inhabitants within have these advantages. First, a p. 60free prospect into the Sea; then a reception of a opure and refreshing air, and Breezes that come from thence: The Plantations overlooking one another, so as the more in most parts are not debarred, nor restrained of their liberties of the view to the Sea by those that dwell between them and it.

Whil'st the Sun is in the Aequinoctial, The length of the Daysor within ten degrees of either side, there is little change in the length of the dayes, for at six and six the Sun rises and sets: But when its nearer the Tropick of Capricorn, and in thirty seven degrees from them, then the dayes are something shorter, and this shortning begins about the end of October.

Eight Moneths in the year the Weather is very hot,The temperature. yet not scalding, but that Servants, both Christians and Slaves labour and travel ten hours in a day. For as the Sun rises, there rises with it a cool Brees of Wind; and the higher, and hotter the Sun rises, the stronger and cooler the Breeses are, and blow alwaeis from the North-East and by East, except in the time of the Turnado: For then it sometimes chops about into the South for an hour or two, and so returns about again to the Point where it was.

The other four Moneths it is not so hot, but is near the temper of the Air in England in the midst of May. And though in the hot season the Planters sweat much, yet do they not find that faintness which we find in England in the end of July, or in the beginning of August. But with this heat, there is such a moisture as must of necessity cause the Air to be unwholsome.

The Planters there are s…eldom thirsty, unless they over heat their bodies with extraordinary labour,Diseases, or with drinking strong drink, as our English Spririts, or French Brandy, or the drink of the Island, which is made of the scummings of the Coppers that boil the Sugar, which they call Kill-devil.

For though some of these be needful in such hot Countries when they are used temperately, yet the immoderate use of them over-heats the bodie, which causeth Costiveness, and Gripings in the Bowels; which is a Disease that is very frequent there, and hardly cured, and of which many die. Their blood also is thinner and paler than ours in England: Nor is their Meat so well relished as it is with us, but flat and insipid; the Hogs-flesh only excepted, which is as good as any in the World. Their Horses and Cattel seldom drink, and when they do, its but in a little quantity, except they be over heated with working.

The moisture of the Air causes all their Knives, The moistness of the air.Tweeses, Keys, Needles, Swords, &c. to rust, and that in an instant. For if you grind your rusty Knife upon a Grind-stone, wipe it dry, and put it into your sheath, and pocket, in a little time after draw it again, and you shall find it beginning to rust all over; which in longer time will eat into the Steel and spoil the Blade. Locks also which are not often used, will rust in the Wards and become useless. And Clocks and Watches will seldom or never go true, and all this is occasioned by the moistness of p. 61the Air. This great heat and moisture together is certainly the cause that Trees and Plants, grow to such a vast height, and largeness as they do there.

There is nothing so much wanting in this Island as Springs and Rivers of Waters;A want of water. The only River or Lake. there being but very few, and those small and inconsiderable. There is but one River, which may yet be termed rather a Lake than a River. The Springs that run into it are never able to fill it: And out-let to the Sea it hath none; but at Spring-Tides the Sea comes in and fills it, and at Neep-Tide it cannot run out again, the Sea-banks being higher than it. Yet some of it issues out through the Sand, and leaves a mixture of fresh and salt water behind it.

Sometimes these Spring-tides bring some Fishes into it, which will remain there, being more willing to live in this mixt water, then in the salt.

Sometimes there have been taken in it Fishes as big as Salmons, which have been over-grown with fat and very sweet and firm. But Fish is not often taken in this place, by reason that the whole Lake is filled with Trees and Roots, so that no Net can be drawn, nor Hook laid, without danger of breaking and losing.

The River or Lake reaches not within Land above twelve score yards, and there is no part of it so broad, but that you may cast a Coit over it.

The Spring-tides about this Island seldom rise above four or five foot upright. Into these Rivolets there come from the Sea little Lobsters, but wanting the great Claws before,Excellent Lobsters. they are the sweetest, and fullest of Fish that can be eaten.

But the water which the people in this Island most relie upon, is rainwater, Their ponds.which they keep in Ponds, and have descents to them, so that what falls upon other grounds about, may run into them; the bottom of these Ponds are Clay. For if the water find any leak to the Rocky part, it gets into the clifts and sinks in an instant. About the end of December these Ponds are filled, and with the help they have by weekly showers, they mostly continue so, yet sometimes they find a want. This water they use upon all occasions, and to all purposes, as to boil their Meat, to make their Drink, to wash their Linnen, &c.

In these Ponds are neither Fish nor Fry, nor any living or moving things, except some Flies that fall into them; but the water is clear and well tasted; here their Cattel drink also. They also save rain water from the houses, by Gutters at the Eves which carries it down into Cisterns.

If any tumult or disturbance be in the Island,Speedy warning of dangers the next neighbour to it discharges a Musquet, which gives an Allarum to the whole Island. For upon the report of that, the next shoots, and so the next, and the next, ill it go through all, and upon hearing of this all make ready.

Of their Bread.

Bread which is the staff and stay of mans life,Bread of C…ssury. is not so good here as in p. 62England; Yet do they account it both nourishing and strengthening. It's made of the root of a small Tree or Shrub, which is called Cussary. This Root is large and round, like the body of a small Still, and as they gather it, they cut sticks or blanches that grow neerest to it of the same Tree, which they put into the ground, and they grow: So that as they gather one, they plant another.

This Root when its first gathered is an absolute poison, and yet by good ordering it becomes wholesome and nourishing. First, they wash it clean, and lean it against a wheel, whose sole is about a foot broad, covered with Latine made rough like a greater. This Wheel is turned about with the foot, as Cutlers use to turn theirs, and as it grates the Root, it falls down into a large Trough which is appointed to receive it. This they put into a strong piece of double Canvas, or Sack-cloth, and press it so hard, that all the juice is squeezed out, and then drying it in the Sun, its fit to make Bread, which they do after this manner.

They have a Plate of Iron round,How its made. about twenty inches in the Diameter, a little hollowed in the mid'st, with three feet like a Pot, above six inches high, that they may keep fire under. They heat this Pone (as they call it) so hot as that it may bake but not burn. Then the Indians (who are best acquainted with the making of it) cast the Meal upon the Pone the whole breadth of it, and put it down with their hands, and it will presently stick together, and when they think that that side is enough, they turn it with a thing like a Battle-dore; and so turn and re-turn it till it be enough, which is presently done. Then laying it upon a flat boord, they make others, till they have made enough for the whole family. They make it as thin as a Wafer, and yet purely white and crisp. Salt they never use in it, though probably it would give it a better relish. They can hardly make Py-crust of it; For as they knead, or roul it, it will crack or chop, so that it will not hold any Liquor, neither with, nor without Butter or Eggs.

There is another sort of Bread which is mixed, being made of the flower of Maise, Bread of Maise, and Cussary together.and Cussary: For the Maise of its self will make no Bread, it is so extream heavy: But these two being mixed, they make it into large Cakes two inches thick, which tastes most like to our English Bread. Yet the Negroes use the Maise another way. For they tost the ears of it at the fire, and so eat it warm off the fire.

The Christian Servants are fed with this Maise, who pound it in a large Morter, and boil it in water to the thickness of Frumentry, and then put it into a Tray and so eat it; they give it them cold, and scarce afford them salt to it;Lob-Lolly This they call Lob-lolly.

The third sort of Bread which they use, is only Potatoes, which are the dryest, and largest which they can choose, and this is the most common sort of Bread used at the Planters Tables.

Of their Drink.

Their Drink is of sundry sorts.Potatoes used for Bread. Their drink Mobby, how made. The first, and that which is most used in the Island is Mobby; a Drink made of Potatoes; thus, p. 63They put the Potatoes into a Tub of water, and with a Broom wash them clean; Then taking them out, they put them into a large Brass or Iron Pot, and put to them so much water as will only cover a third part of them, then covering the Pot close with a thick double cloth, that no steam can get out, they stew them over a gentle fire, and when they are enough, take them out, and with their hands squeeze and break them very small in fair water, letting them stand till the water hath drawn all the spirits out of the Roots, which will be done in an hour or two. Then they put the Liquor and Roots into a large linnen Bag, and let it run through that into a Jar, and within two hours it will begin to work: and the next day it's fit to be drunk; And as they will have it stronger or weaker, they put in a greater or a less quantity of Roots.

This Drink being temperately made, doth not at all fly up into the head, but is sprightly, thirst-cooling drink. If it be put up into Runlets, it will last four or five dayes, and drink the quicker. It is much like Renish Wine on the Must. There are two several layers wherein these Roots grow; The one makes the Skins of the Potatoes white, the other Red, and the Red Roots make the Drink Red like Claret Wine, the other white. This is the most general Drink used in the Island, but it breeds Hydropick Humours.

Another drink they have which is much wholsomer,Perino how made. though not altogether so pleasant, which they call Perino, much used by the Indians, which is made of the Cussavy Root. This they cause their old toothless women to chaw in their mouthes, and so spit into water, which in three or four hours will work and purge it self of the poisonous quality. This Drink will keep a monethmonth or two, and drink somewhat like our English Beer.

Grippo is a third sort of Drink,Grippo. but few make it well, and it's rarely used.

Punch is a fourth sort,Punch. which is made of Water and Sugar mixt together, which in ten dayes standing will be very strong, and fit for Labourers.

A fifth is made of wild Plumbs which they have in great abundance upon very large Trees. These they press and strain, and they have a very sharp and fine Flavour: But this being troublesome in making is seldom used.

But the Drink made of the Plantane is far beyond all these.Plantane drink. These they gather when they are full ripe, and in the heighth of their sweetness, and peeling off the Skin, they wash them in water well boiled; and after they have stood a night, they strain it, and bottle it up, and at a weeks end drink it. Its a very strong and pleasant Drink, as strong as Sack, and will fly up into the head, and therefore must be used moderately.

The seventh sort of Drink they make of the Skimmings of their Sugar, which is exceeding strong, but not very pleasant: This is commonly, and indeed too much used, many being made drunk by it. This they call Kill-Devil.Kill-devil. Beveridge

The eighth sort of Drink they call Beveridge, made of Spring-water, p. 64White-Sugar, and Juice of Oringes. And this is not only pleasant, but wholesome.Pine-drink the best of all.

The last and best sort of Drink which the World affords, is the incomparable Wine of Pines. And this is made of the pure juice of the fruit it self without mixture of Water, or any thing else, having in it self a natural compound of all the most excellent tasts that the world can yield. I'ts too pure to keep long. It will be fine within three or four dayes. They make it by pressing the Fruit, and straining the Liquor, and keep it in Bottles.

Three sorts of Meat.

They have several sorts of Meat there,Hogs flesh. whereof the Hoggs-flesh is the most general, and indeed the best which the Island affords. For the Swine feeding daily upon Fruit, the Nuts of Locust, Pompianes, the bodies of the Plantanes, Bonanas, Sugar-Canes, and Maise, make their flesh to be exceeding sweet. At the first coming of the English thither, they found Hoggs of four hundred pound weight, the Intrals taken out, and their Heads cut off.

Beef they seldome have any that feeds upon that Island,Beef. except it die of it self: Only such a Planter as was Sir James Drax (who lived there like a Prince) may now and then kill one.

Turkies they have large,Turkies. Pullin, and Muscovy Ducks. fat and full of gravy. Also our English Pullen, and Muscovy Ducks, which being larded with the fat of their Pork, and seasoned with Pepper and Salt, is an excellent Bak'd Meat.

Turtle Doves they have of two sorts,Turtle Doves. Pidgeons. and very good meat. There are also Pidgeons which come from the Lee-ward Islands in September, and stay till Christmas to feed upon Fruits. Many of these they kill upon the Trees, and they are exceeding fat, and tast excellently.

Tame Rabbets they have,Rabbets. but they tast faintly, more like Chickens then Rabbets. They have also divers sorts of Birds, but none that they use for Food.

Of their Fish.

Now for fish, the Island want not plenty about it, yet the Planters look so much after their profit on the Land,Several sorts of fish. that they will not spare time to catch it, nor to send to the Bridge to buy that which is caught to their hands. But when any have a mind to feast themselves with Fish, they go to the Taverns at the Bridge where they have plenty, and well drest.

Butter they seldom have that will beat thick; but instead thereof they use Vineger, Spice, and fry much of their Fish in Oyl, and eat it hot; yet some they pickle, and eat it cold. Yet Collonel Humphrey Walrond having his Plantation near the Sea, hath a Saine to catch Fish withall, which his own servants and Slaves put to Sea twice or thrice a week, and bring home store of small and great Fishes, as Snappers red and gray, Cavallos, p. 65Macarel, Mullets, Cony-Fish, and divers other sorts of firm and sweet Fish; and some bigger then Salmons, of the rarest colours that can be imagined, being from the back fin which is the middle of the Fish, to the end of the tail, of a most pure grass green, as shining as Satin: The Fins and Tail dappled with a most rare hair-colour; and from the back Fin to the Head, a pure hair-colour dappled with green. The Scales as big as an half Crown piece.

It is an exccent sweet Fish;The green Turtle. only there is one kind of Fish here wanting, which are very rife in the adjacent Islands, which is the green Turtle, which the best meat that the Sea affords.

In other places they take an infinite number of them by turning them upon their backs with staves, where they lie till they are fetcht away. A large Turtle will have in her body half a bushel of Eggs. When they are to kill one of them, they lay it on his back upon a table, and when he sees them come with a knife to kill him, he vapours out the most grievous sighs that ever you heard creature make, and sheds as large tears as a Stag. He hath a joynt or crevis about an inch within the utmost edge of his shell, into which they put the knife and rip up his belly, which they call his Calipee, and take out his bowels, and heart, which had three distinct points, and this being laid in a dish will stir and pant ten hours after the Fish is dead: It's of a delicate taste and very nourishing.

Of The Quelquechoses.

The Quelquechoses with which they furnish out their Tables at a feast are,Quasquechoses. Eggs potcht, and laid upon Sippets soaked in Butter, and juice of Limes and Sugar, with plumpt Currans strewed upon them, and Cloves, Mace, Cinamon strewed upon that, with a little Salt. Eggs boiled, rosted, and fried with Collops. Buttered Eggs, and Amulet of Eggs, with the juice of Limes and Sugar, a Fraize, and a Tansie, Custards and Cheese cakes, Puffs, Cream boiled to a heighth with yolks of Eggs, and seasoned with Sugar and Spice, Jelly which they make of a young Pig, Caves-feet, and a Cock; Cream alone, and some several wayes with the help of Limes, Lemmons, and Oranges; and into some they put Plantanes, Gnavers, and Bonanoes stew'd, or preserved with Sugar, and the same fruit also preserved without Cream, and to draw down a cup of Wine, they have dried Neats Tongues, Westfalia-Bacon, Caviare, Pickled-Herring, Botargo, all which are brought to them.

From Old and New England, Flesh and Fish.Virginia, and Holland they have Beef, and Pork; As al Ling, Haberdine, Cod, poor-John, Makarels, and Herrings pickled, and Sturgeon. Pickled Turtles they have from the Lee-ward Islands. Of these things they have had in these latter years such store, that the Negroes are allowed for each man two Makarels a week, and every woman one, which are given them Saturday-nights, after which they have their allowance of plantanes, which is every one a large bunch or two two little ones to serve them for a weeks provision.The Negroes alowance.

And if any Cattel die by chance, or by any disease, the Christian servants p. 66eat the bodies, and the Negroes the Skins, Head, and Intrals, which is divided to them by the Overseers. If a Horse dies, the Negroes have the whole bodies, and this they think a high Feast, with which poor souls were never better contented: And the Drink which the servants have to this Diet, is nothing but Mobby, and sometimes a little Beveridge; but the Negroes have nothing but water.

When the chief Planters make a Feast for their friends,An Inland Feast. its either made by such as live within Land, or neer the Sea side. For this Inland Plantation, my Author instanceth in Sir James Draxe, at whose Table he hath seen these several sorts of Meat well dressed: And this Feast was alwayes made when he killed a Beef, which he fed very fat, by allowing it a dozen Acres of Bonavist to feed in.

First, he mentions Beef as the greatest rarity in that Island of which he had these Dishes; A Rump boiled, a Chine rosted, a large piece of the breast rosted, a Cheek baked, the Tongue and part of the Tripes in Minced-pies, feasoned with sweet Herbs finely minced, Suet, Spice and Corrans. The Leggs, pallats, and other ingredients for an Oleo Podigro, and Maribones.

The Guests having eaten well hereof, the Dishes were taken away, and then came in a potato-pudding, a Dish of Scotch Collips, of a Legg of Pork, Fricacy of the same, a dish of boiled Chickens, a shoulder of a young Goat; a Kid with a Pudding in his belly, a young Pigg exceeding fat and sweet; a shoulder of Mutton which is there a rare Dish: A Pastry made of the side of a young Goat, and a side of a young Porket upon it, well seasoned with pepper, Salt, and some Nutmegs: A Loin of Veal, to which they have plenty of Oringes, Lemons, and Limes; three young Turkies in a Dish, two Capons very large and fat, two Hens with Eggs in a Dish; four Ducklings, eight Turtle Doves, and three Rabbets; And for cold Baked Meats, two Muscovy Ducks larded and seasoned with pepper and salt: And when these are taken from the Table, another course is set on, of Westphalia Bacon, dried Neats Tongues, Botargo, pickled Oysters, Caviare, Anchoves, Olives, and mixt amongst these, Custards, Cream, some alone, some with preserved Plantanes, Bonanoes, Gnavers, and these Fruits preserved by themselves; Cheesecakes, Puffs, sometimes Tansies, Fraises, or Amulets: And for raw fruit, Plantaxes, Bonanoes. Gnavers, Milions, prickled Pears, Anchove pears, prickled Apples, Custard Apples, Water Milions, and Pines, better then all the rest. And to this they had for Drink, Mobby, Beveridge, Brandy, Kill-Devil, Drink of the Plantanes, Claret, White, and Rhenish Wine, Sherry, Canary, Red Sack, Wine of Fiall, besides several sorts of Spirits that come from England.

Now for a Plantation neer the Sea, he instances in Collonel Walronds, A Feast near the Sea.who though he wants Sheep, Goats, and Beef, yet he makes a plentiful supply in sundry sorts of Fish, which the other wants. For all other sorts of Meat which were at Sir James Draxe his Table, he found at Collonel Walronds, as also Mullets, Maquerels, Parrat-fish, Snappers, red and grey, Carallos, Terbums, Crabs, Lobsters, long Fish, with divers others for which they have no names. Besides he dwelling so neer the p. 67Haven, hath of all the Rarities that are brought into the Island from other parts; As Wine of all Kinds, Oyl, Olives, Capers, Sturgeon, Neats-Tongues, Anchoves, Caviare, Botago, with all sorts of salt meats, both Flesh and Fish; As Beef, Pork, pease, Ling, Habberdine, Cod, poor-John, &c.

Above one hundred sail of ships come yearly to this Island that bring servants and slaves,Merchandize imported and exported. men and Women, Horses, Beasts, Asinegoes, and Cammels; Utensils for boiling of Sugar; and all manner of Tools for Tradesmen, Iron, Steel, Lead, Brass, Pewter: Cloth of all sorts both Linen and Woollen, Stuffs, Hats, Stockings, Shooes, Gloves, Swords, Knives, Locks, &c. and many other things. And they carry back Indigo, Cotten-wool, Tobacco, Sugar, Ginger, and Fustick wood.

Of their several sorts of Timber.

Timber for building they have great choice and plenty:Timber Trees. As the Locust Trees which are so long and big as may serve for Beams in a very large room,Locusts. Their bodies are strait, above fifty foot long, the Diameter of the Body about three foot and a half: The Timber hereof is hard, heavy, and firm, not apt to bend, and lasting.

The Mastick Trees not altogether so large as the former,Mastick Trees. but tougher.

The Bully Tree is somewhat less,Bully Trees. but in other qualities goes beyond the former. It's strong, lasting, yet not heavy, nor so hard for the Tools to work upon.

The Red Wood,Red wood and Yellow prickled Wood are good Timber, and higher then the Locusts.Yellow wood.

The Cedar is the best of all,Cedars it works smooth, and looks beautifully; Of it they make Wainscot,Iron-Wood. Tables, and Stools.

They have Iron Wood, and another sort that will endure wet and dry: Of these they make Shingles, wherewith they cover their houses, because it will neither warp nor crack.

Of their Stone.

They have two sorts of Stone for building:Stone for buildings. The one lies in Quarries; but these are small rough, and somewhat porous: Being burnt they make excellent Lime, white, and firm, by the help whereof they bind their Stones and make them to endure the weather.

The other sort of stone they find in Rocks, and Massy pieces in the Ground which are soft, and therefore they saw them to what Dimensions they please, and the longer it lies above ground the harder it grows. Hangings they use not in their houses, because they would be spoiled by the Ants, eaten by the Cockroaches, and Rats.

Of their Servants and Slaves.

In the Island are three sorts of Men, Master, Servants, and Slaves. p. 68The Slaves and their Posterity being subject to their Masters for ever,Of their servants and slaves. they take more care of them then of their Servants, which are theirs but for five years by the Law of the Island. So that for the time the servants have the worser lives: For they are put to hard labour, ill lodging, and slighted diet. Formerly the servants had no bone-meat at all, except a Beast died, and then they were feasted as long as that lasted. Till they had planted good store of Plantans the Negroes were fed with Bonavisto, and Lob-Lolly, and some ears of Maise tosted; but now they are well pleased with their Plantans, wherein they much delight, and thus they dress it. It's gathered for them before it's full ripe, by the keeper off the Plantan Groves, who is an able Negro, and laid upon heaps till they fetch them away, which they do every Saturday night about five a clock; for then they give over work sooner then ordinary, partly for this work, and partly because the fire in the Furnace is to be put out, and the Ingenio to be made clear; besides they are to wash, shave, and trim themselves against the Sabbath.

It is a fine sight to see an hundred of these Negroes, men and women, every one with a Grass-green bunch of Plantans on their heads, every bunch twice so big as their heads, all marchin gone after another. Having brought it home, they pill off the skin of so much as they will use, and boil it, making it into Balls, and so eat it.

One bunch a week is a Negroes allowance, which they have no bread, nor drink but water, their Lodging at night is a boord, with nothing under, nor any thing above upon them.

The usage of the Christian Servants is much as the Master is,How their servants are used. whether merciful, or cruel. Such as are merciful, use their servants well, both in Meat, Drink, and Lodging. But the lives of such servants as have cruel Masters, is most miserable. When any ships bring servants thither, the Planters buy such of them as they like, and with a Guide send them to their Plantations, where they must presently build them a Cabin, or else lie upon the Ground. These Cabins are made with sticks, withs, and Plantane Leaves, under some little shade that may keep off the Rain.

The food is a few Potatoes for meat, and water or Mobby for drink. At six of the clock in the Morning they are rung out to work with a Bell, with a rigid Overseer to command them, till the Bell ring again at eleven of the clock, and then they go to Dinner, either with a Mess of Lob-lolly Bonavist, or Potatoes. At one of the Clock they are rung out again, where they work till six, and then home to a Supper of the same. But now their lives are much better; For most servants lie in Hamocks, in warm rooms, and when they come home wet from work, they have shifts of shirts and Drawers, which is all the Clothes they wear, and are fed with Bone-meat twice or thrice in a week.

Of their great Fires.

Sometimes through carelesness of servants,Dreadful fire. whole fields of Sugar Canes, and Houses have been burnt down: For if the Canes take fire, p. 69there is no quenching of them, they burn so furiously, and make a terrible noise;How quenched. For each knot of every Cane, gives as great a report as a Pistol. There is no way to stop it but by cutting down, and removing all the Canes before it for the breadth of twenty or thirty foot down the wind; and there the Negroes stand and beat it out as it creeps along; and some of them are so earnest to stop it, as with their naked feet to tread, and to roll their naked bodies upon it, so little do they regard their own smart in regard of their Masters benefit.

When Negroes are brought to be sold,Of the Negroes. the Planters go to the ship to buy them, where they find them stark naked, and therefore cannot be deceived in any outward infirmity. The strongest, youngest, and most beautiful yield the best prizes; thirty pound is the price for the best, and about twenty five pound for a woman Negro; Children are much cheaper. They are very chast people. For when at sometimes they are altogether naked,Their chastiy. they will not so much as cast their eyes upon those parts which ought to be covered.

Jealous they are of their wives, and, and take it hainously if any make the least Courtship to them.Their jealousie. And if any woman hath two children at a birth, her Husband provides a cord to hang her, concluding that she hath been false to his bed: And if by the authority of his Master, he be overawed, yet he never loves her after. The Planters allow some of them two or three Wives, but no women above one husband.

When a Wife is brought to bed,Of their easie travel the Husband removes into another room, leaving his Wife upon a boord on which she lies, and calls a neighbour to her, who makes her a little fire near her feet, and that serves for Possets, Broths, and Candles. In a fortnight she is at her work again with her Pickaninny (so they call their Children) at her back, as merry as any other.

They have times of suckling their Children, and refreshing themselves in the fields; and good reason, for they carry a burden on their backs, and work too. Some of them when their children are three years old, as they stoop in their weeding-work, will set their Pickaninnies a stride on their backs, where he will spur his Mother with his heels, and crow on her back, clapping his hands as if he meant to fly, which the Mother is so well pleased with, that she will continue her painful stooping work longer then she would do, rather then discompose her jovial Pickaninny, so glad she is to see him merry.

The Sabbath dayes they have wholly to their pleasures: In the afternoons they have Kettle-Drums to make them Musick, and they all go to dancing,Dancing. the men by themselves, and the women by themselves, and sometimes the men wrestle amongst themselves.

When any of them die,The Funerals, they make a grave, and bury him in the evening, clapping their hands, and making a doleful sound with their voices. They are cowardly, and therefore bloody, when they have advantages. If you threaten before you punish them, they will hang themselves to avoid the punishment. If they have bruises or strains, they anoint themselves with a kind of Oyl that comes out of Barbary that cures them.And Physick. When they are sick, or inwardly distempered, a little Kill-Devil revives, and comforts them.

p. 68The young Maids have usually large breasts that stand strutting out,Negro. Maids and Wives. hard and firm, but when they are old, and have had children, their breasts hang down below their Navels.

They are excellent Swimmers and Divers, both men and women. Some Indians they have from the Neighbouring Islands, or from the Continent, whose Women are better versed in ordering the Cussavy, and making Bread then the Negroes; Indians.As also for making Mobby. The men they use for foot-men, and killing of Fish. One of them will go out with his Bows and Arrows, and in a dayes time will kill more Fish then will serve a Family of a dozen persons whil'st it is good. They are very active and learn any thing sooner then the Negroes: Their Women have small breasts, long black hair: Clothes they scorn to wear, especially if they be well shaped, only they wear something before their privities.

One of these women being got with child by a Christian servant, when the time of her travel came, being loth to be delivered amongst the men, went alone to a Wood, where was a Pond of water, by which she was delivered, and washing her Child in the Water, within three hours came home again with her Child in her Arms, which was a lusty boy.

Some of the Planters feed daily two hundred mouthes, and keep them in such good order, as there is no mutinies amongst them, though they be of several Nations.

Their first work is Weeding, which if it be neglected but a little time, all is in danger of being spoiled. After Weeding comes Planting, especially in May, and November: But Canes may be planted at all times, that so one Field may be ready after another. Commonly one Field contains about twelve Acres.

Of their Beasts and Cattel.

Some Camels they have which are brought to them,Camels. and they are very useful for carrying down Sugar to the Bridge, or bringing from thence Hogsheads of Wine, Beer, or Vineger, which Horses cannot do, neither can Carts pass, the wayes are so Rocky and uneven. One of these will carry one thousand six hundred pound weight, and therefore the surest of any beast.

Some Horses they have which are brought from several Countries,Horses. Bulls and Cows. and they use them either for the Ingenio, or for the saddle. Some Bulls and Cows they have from the Isle of May, and Bonavista. The Bulls and Oxen they use for labour in the Ingenio's, and the Cows for the Pail. A Calf here will bring a Calf in fourteen moneths.

Asinegoes they have which are of excellent use for carrying Sugar to the Bridge:Asinegoes. For they will go where Horses cannot, by reason of the gullies, and deep wayes: One of them will carry one hundred and fifty pound weight, and some two hundred.

Hogs they have in abundance which they keep ininclosures;Hoggs. and they use to sell them alive for 4 d. a pound, and sometime for 6 d. if they be dear.

p. 69Sheep they have but few, neither do they thrive in that Pasture.Sheep. Yet the Ews have constantly two Lambs, but their flesh doth not eat well. Some sheep they have from Guinny, and Binny, that have hair instead of wooll, and their flesh is more like to Mutton then the other.

Goats they have in great plenty,Goats. and they prosper well, and tast like our Goats: They live in the Woods, and are always inclosed.

Of their Birds and Fowls.

Birds they have, but two sorts worth the mentioning. The biggest is a Buzzard,Birds and Fowls. somewhat less then ours, and swifter of wing; The only good they do, is, that they sometimes kill Rats.

The other is the larger Turtle Dove,Buzzards. Turtle Doves. of which there is great store. It's handsomer both in shape and colour then ours in England, and is very good meat.

There is also a lesser Turtle, a far finer Bird then she. It's of the shape of a Partridge,Thrush. her colour grey, and a red brown under the wings.

There is also a bird like a Thrush, of a melancholly look, and her feathers stand alwayes ruffling; she hath loud and very sweet notes.

Another there is much like a Ren, but as big as a Trush, she alwayes looks very merry and jolly.

There are great flocks of Blackbirds with white eyes,Blackbirds they have a harsh note like our Jayes in England: they are great devourers of Corn, and blossoms of Trees.

They have a kind of Stares which walk,Stares. but hop not as other Birds do.

They have other like Feldefares with big heads, and therefore they call them Councellers, Counsellers.they have a strange tune, consisting of quarter notes, composed of five tones, and every one a quarter note higher then the other.

They have Sparrows,The Humming Bird. Haysocks, Finches, yellow-Hammers, Titoies, and divers others, for which they have no names: And the humming bird, not much bigger then a humble Bee, wheerof I have one.Teals, Oxen, Kine:

Sometimes Teals come to their Ponds, which they kill with their Guns. The like they do with Fowls called Oxen and Kine.

There is another that they call a man of War,A man of Wyr. much bigger then a Heron, and flies out to Sea to see what ships are coming, and when he returns, they know that ships are neer. There are Bats that come abroad in the evening and feed on Flies.

Of Snakes and Insects.

There are some Snakes of a yard long;Snakes. The harm they do is in Dove-Houses, into which if they can get, they devour the young ones; And they will skim the Milk-pans when they can get to them.

There is no venomous beast in the Island.

There are Scorpions some as big as Rats, smooth, and coloured like a snake,Scorpious their bellies inclining to yellow, very nimble and quick, they hurt p. 70none; The Snakes and they will fight long, and in the end the Snake prevails, and devours the other.

Frogs and Toads they have none.Lizzards. There would be Lizzards but that the Cats kill them; They love much to be where men are, and will gaze in their faces, and hearken to their discourse; Their bodies are about four inches long, and their tails neer as much, headed like a snake in their colour, when they please, a pure grass-green on the back, blewish towards the sides, and yellowish towards the belly, and four nimble legs, and as cold as Froggs.

They have Cock-roaches of the bigness and shape of a Beetle,Cochoaches. of a pure hair-colour; They appear in the evening, and they will fly to your bed, and if you be sleeping, he will bite till he fetches blood, and presently begon, that you seldom find them.

The Muskitoes bites and string worse then Gnats.The Muskitoes.

Next to these are Merriwings, Merriwings.and of so evial a substance, that you can hardly discern them but by the noise of their wings; when they sting, there arises a little knob which will continue so a whole day.

Caterpillers sometimes they have in great abundance,Caterpillars. which do much harm, devouring the Potato-plants to the very Roots.

Flies they have of so many kinds,Other flies. from two inches long with great horns to the least Atome, so that it's too tedious to speak of them all.

They have Ants and Pismires of a small size, but of a great industry; they are every where,Ants and Pismires. in hollow ground amongst the root of Trees, upon the Bodie, Branches, Leaves, and Fruit of all Trees; without houses, within their houses, upon their sides, walls, windows, Roofs, Tables, Cupboords, Stools, Beds, Floors, all within and without are covered with them. When they find a dead Cockroch, though he be bigger then a hundred of them, yet they will take hold of him and lift him up, and away they carry him, some going by to assist those that are weary; some (like Officers) lead the way to shew the hole into which he must pass, and if his body do lie a cross that it cannot go into the hole, they give notice to the carriers, that presently turn his body endwise before it come to the hole, and that without any stop, and they never pull contrary wayes.

The Planters which are so curious to prevent their coming upon their Tables, Cupboards, and Beds, have little troughs filled with water for the feet of these to stand in; yet all will not prevail, for they will get in the scieling, and so fall down upon them. To keep them from the shelves on which their meat stands, they are forced to hang them to the roof with ropes, and to tar those ropes and the roofs over them.

When a Carpet upon a Table is covered over with them, if you kill many, and let them alone but a while, they will carry away all the dead ones. If you set Sugar upon a Table which you have first freed from them, some in the room will presently smell it, and make towards it as fast as they can, and having found it, return again without medling with it, and gives notice of this booty, and then they come in thousands and ten thousands, and in an instant fetch it all away; p. 71so that there is no place safe from these over-busie Creatures.

Another sort of Ants there are far larger,Ants. that make their nests as big as Bee-hives, of clay against a wall or Tree, and sometimes within houses, they make them of several little cels. These the Cockrocha, and Lizards make their prey upon; wherefore for their own security, they make several Galleries, some of five or six yards long of Clay also, through which they pass undiscovered: Their Avenues go out amongst Laaves or Moss, that they may not be perceived: By often breaking down their Nests, they are now most of them driven into the woods.

Spiders they have, most beautiful and large, and very curious in their Webs, and not venomous.

Another harmful creature they call Chegoes, Spiders.in shape not much unlike a Lowse, no bigger then a Mite that breeds in Cheese, their colour is blewish; They get through your stockings into a place of you Skin, most commonly under the Nailes of your Toes, and they lay their Off-spring as big as a small Tare, which will make you go very lamely, and put you to much smarting pain.

The Indian Women will put in a small Needle at the hole,Negroes. and winding the point about the bag, loosen him from the flesh, and so take him out, but the place will fester and rankle a fortnight after they are gone.

Some little Animals there are in the Woods no bigger then Crickets, Crickets.that lie all day in holes, but after Sun setting they begin their tunes, having exceeding shrill voices like a pack of small Beagles. This Musick hath no intermission till morning, and then all is hush't.

There are many small Crabs that live upon the Land, of a reddish colour, they are coming from the Sea all the year long (excepting March) and hide themselves in Holes, and hollow Trees, and come into their Houses and Gardens, where they eat Herbs.

The Negroes will eat them,Crabs. and count them good meat. In March they come all out of their Holes and march to the Sea in such multitudes as that they cover the Earth: No Hedge, Wall, or House can stop them, but they will over all.

Now for Trees.

Amongst the Trees,The physick Nut. there is none of more use then the Physick Nut, and yet hath it poison secretly lodged in it, but that poison makes good Physick: This Tree grows to be eighteen foot high; There are none like it for beauty, and use in the Island. It hath many Sprigs upon it of four, five, and six foot long, which they lop off one after another, and of them make stakes of above four long, and stick them in the ground an inch deep, close to one another, and keep them even with a Rail on either side, and in a moneths space they will take root, and send forth Leaves; and in another monethmonth will be rooted so fast, that they take away the the Railes.

These Leaves are large, smooth, and beautifully shaped, of a full green, looking like green Sattin hang'd on a line, so even they hang naturally. p. 72Their Stems grow apace, rather in bigness then in heighth, and within a while imbody themselves one into another, and then they become a very strong fence, and so close that a Rat cannot pass through them, neither will Cattel or Vermin willingly come near them.

And as it's a beautiful and useful fence for Gardens and Orchards, and to keep in Conies, Turkies, Muscovy-Ducks, so it excellently fences in their Pastures which they would inclose.

Their Fruit also is Phisical: Five of its kernels eaten in a morning fasting, causes both Vomits and Stools.

This Nut is like to a white Pear-Plumb, and of a yellowish colour, and of yellowish colour, having on it as great a peelp as a Plumb, which being taken off, you come to the stone of a blackish colour, and within that is a kernel that will part in the middle, where you shall find a thin Film of a faint Carnetion colour. Take off that Film, and you may eat the Kernel safely without any operation at all, and it's as sweet as a Jordans Almond. The Leaves are sharp some like a Vine Leaf, but thrice as big, and much thicker.

The poison Tree is very beautiful, almost as large as the Locust:The poison tree. Her Leaves as large and beautiful as the Lawrel Leaves, and very like them. As they cut down these Trees they have Cipers over their Faces: For if any of their Sap flies into their eyes, it makes them blind for a monethmonth after. Of this Timber they make most of the Vessels wherein they cure their Sugar.

There is a Mantionel Tree whose Fruit is Poison.A mantionel tree. The Fruit is like an Apple John, and (they say) that the Indians invenom their Arrows with it.

The Cussavy is rather a Shrub then a Tree,Cussavy. the Sprigs as big as a Broom-staff, crooked and ill shaped; The Leaves grow so thick as to cover them, and they grow in bunches, each of them an inch broad, and six or seven inches long, of a Dark Green. The growth of the Roots, and the use of them is set down before.

Coloquintida is a very beautiful Fruit,Coloquintida. as big as an Ostrages Egg, of an ill taste, the rind smooth, with various Greens interlaced with murries, yellows, and faint Carnations.

Cassia Fistula is a Tree which grows exceeding fast.Cassia Fistula. A Seed of it being set will in one year grow to be eight foot high, and as thick as a walking staff. The Leaf is like that of an Ash, but much longer, and of a darker colour. The Fruit when it's ripe is of shape like a black Puddling, sometimes sixteen inches long, the pulp of it is Progatine, and a great cooler of the reins.

There is a Plant very like a Sugar Cane:A strange Tamarine If it be chewed in the mouth, it causes the Tongue and Throat so to swell, that the party cannot speak for two dayes.

There are Tammerine Trees, Trees. Palm-treesand Palm Trees planted which were brought from the East-India. The Palm yields excellent Wine, which is thus gathered: They cut off the Bark in such a part of the Tree, where a Bottle may be fitly placed, and the Liquor that runs into it, is excellent good for a day, and no longer. It's a very delicious Liquor.

p. 73The Fig-Trees are very large,Figg trees. but bear a small and contemptible fruit, neither are the Leaves like ours, nor so long by a fifth part. The bodies of the Trees are as long as our Elms.Cherry-trees.

The Cherry Tree is not altogether so large, the fruit is useless and insiped; The colour some resembling our Cherries, and the shape not unlike.

The Citron is a small Tree,Citron Trees. though she bears a great Fruit, which weighs it down to the Ground, the Stalk of a dark colour, the Leaf shaped like that of Limon, but of a dark green.

The Orange Trees do not prosper so well,Orange Trees. neither is their Fruit so kindly as those of Bermudas: Large they are, and full of juice, but not delicious; besides ther full of Seeds, and their rinds thin and pale. These Trees do not last in their prime above seven years.

The Limon Tree is much handsomer and larger; Their fruits is large and full of juice,Limon Trees. and of a fragrant smell.

The Lime tree is like a thick Holly-bush in England, and as full of prickles.Lime-trees When they make a Hedge of them about their houses, it's an excellent fence both against the Negroes, and Cattel. It's commonly of seven or eight foot high, extreamly thick of Leaves, and Fruit, and prickles. The leaves and fruit like those of the Limon-tree, yet in the tast of rind, and juice it differs exceedingly. It's very fit for sauce, but eats not well alone.

The Prickled Apple-tree grows on a tree with very thick leaves,Prickled Apple Trees. large and of a deep green, shaped like our Walnut leaves. The fruit is in fashion in heart of an Oke, and of that bigness; Green on the outside with many Prickles on it. The tast is very like that of a musty Limon.

The Pilchard Pear is much purer in tast,Prickled Pear-trees. and better of shape, not much unlike a Greenfield Pear, of a faint green, inter mixed with some yellow near the stalk: The body of a mixt red, partly Crimson, partly stammel, with prickles of yellow near the top, the end being larger then the middle.

The Pomgranate is a beautiful tree, the leaves small and green, mixed with an Olive colour;Pomgranate Trees the blossoms large, well shaped, and of a pure Scarlet colour. The young trees being set in rows, and kept in with cutting, make a very fine hedge. The fruit is well known amongst us.

The Papa is but a small tree;Papa-trees the bark of a faint willow colour, the Leaves large, and of colour like the bark; the Branches grow out four, or five of one heighth, and spread almost level from the place where they sprang out; about two foot higher are such other branches spreading in the same manner. The top is handsomly formed, the fruit as big Turnips, growing close to the body of the tree where the branches grow, and of somewhat a fainter willow colour. The tree is soft, with a Knife a man may cut down one that is as thick as a mans legg. They boil the the fruit, and eat it for Sauce with Pork like Turnips.

The Gnaver-tree is bodied and shaped like a Cherry-tree,Gnaver Trees. the Leaves somewhat larger and stiffer; the fruit of the bigness of a small Limon, p. 74and near of the colour, only the upper end is somewhat blunter: It's soft and of a delicate tast, within is a pulpy substance full of small seeds, like a Figg, some are white, and some of a Stammel colour. These when they have passed through the body of man or Beast, wheresover they are emptied, they grow, and do much hurt in the pastures where Cattel go that eat of them: For they over run all, and are hardly rooted out. The fruit differs in tast, some rank, some sweet. The rind preserved is delicate meat.

Some Cocos there are,Coco-trees they are seldom above eighty or ninety foot high. Their branches come out in several parts of the trees, leaving spaces between the several heights: The Nuts grow where the lower bows break out: The Nuts are of several sizes, mostly as big as a Football, having a green Skin without▪ and between that and the shell a pulpy substance, of which when it's dry they make ropes, being like Hemp hurds.

The shell is full of a clear and well-tasted Liquor, very delicious; It's lined within with a substance as thick as itself, of a white colour that tasts better then a Walnut: The Leaves of this tree in colour are like the Olive leaves.

The Custard Apple grows on a tree full of Branches,Custard-Apple trees and large leaves: The fruit when ripe, is as big as the largest Pomwater, and of the colour of a Warden; they cut a hole in the lesser end, and so eat out the meat with a Spoon: It tasts exceeding like to a Custard. It hath many smooth seeds in it.

The Macow-tree is one of the strangest trees in the Island, Mucow Trees.the Body and Branches being stuck all over with prickles, as black as jet, from one to seven inches long, sharp at point, and taperwise all the way, and waved as some Swords are; they are hard and excellent for tooth-pikes. The tree is of the size of a Willow-tree, the Leaves of that colour and shape, but very stiff and hard.

At the top is a large tuft of Fruit, but not to be eaten, being for shape like that which the Ciprus-tree bears: The body is straight, the branches comely, and the top round.

Date-trees are in colour like these,Date Trees, but the leaves longer.

The Mangrave, Mungrave Trees.though she be not tall, yet is she of large extent. For there drops from her Limbs a kind of Gum which hangs together till it touch the Ground, and then it takes root: So that this tree so multiplies, that a troop of Horse may well hide themselves in it.

Of the Bark they make very strong Ropes: And the Indians spin it into a fine thred as Flax make. Of it they make Hamocks, and divers things which they wear.

The Calibash-tree bears Leaves,Calibash Trees. of a full and rich green, and in great plenty; Her Fruit is as big as that of a Coco, but not to be eaten: Round as a Ball, and green, smooth, and shining: they grow close to the body of the tree, or Boughs, without stalks.

Of this round Fruit they make dishes, Bowls, and Cups, and other Utensils. They look very beautiful on the tree.

p. 75There are Bay-trees whose Leaves are so Aromatick,Bay-trees. as three or four of them will amply supply the place of Cloves, Mace, and Cinamon in dressing any Dish of Meat. It's in shape and colour like ours in England.

The Cedar is the most useful timber in the Island.Cedar It's strong, lasting, and not very heavy, and therefore good for building. It works smoothly, and hath a fair grain, and therefore is much used for Wainscot, Chairs, Stools, and other Utensils; the Leaves are like those of the Ash-trees in England, but somewhat bigger.

The Mastick-tree is very tall,Mastick Trees. but the body is slender, and therefore to support her, she hath spurs above seven foot from the ground, fixt into the body, and reach from the tree to the roots: So broad that they make round tables of them, above three foot and an half in the Diameter.

This tree hath commonly a double top, one side being somewhat higher then the other. The Fruit is of a Stammel colour, and hath neither Skin nor stone, and is unwholsome. The leaves of it grow of such an heighth, that the form cannot be discerned till they fall down. Some of these trees are about sixty foot high.

The Bully-tree Bully Trees,is somewhat less, but excellent wood to work on: It bears a fruit like our Bullies. Her body is strait, and well shap't, her Branches proportionable; the timber very lasting.

Red-wood is an handsome tree of a midling size,Red-wood Trees. the body about two foot and and an half in the Diameter: the timber works so well that workmen commend it above all other.

Prickled yellow wood is as good as the red-wood, strong and lasting: Good for building,Prickled yellow wood. and all work without doors.

Iron-wood is so extream hard, that it breaks the Axes that fall it. It is so heavy that it is seldom used in buildings.Iron Wood. It is good for any use without doors. For neither Sun nor Rain can soften it. It's much used for Coggs to the Rollers.

Signum vitae, Lignum vitae.they use for the same purpose. They send much of it to England: where it's used for Bowls, Cabinets, Drinking Cups, &c.

The Loust-tree is like a Tuscane Pillar,Locust Trees, plain and massie: For the burden it bears being great and ponderous, ought to have a body proportionable thereunto. Some of them are four foot in the Diameter near the root, and 30. foot high growing taper-wise. The Head is neither too heavy, nor too light, the branches large; the Springs, Leaves, and Nuts so thick, that one may lie upon them. The Nuts are 3. inches and a half long, and two inches broad, and an inch thick: the shell somewhat thick, of an hair colour: the leaves bigger then those of our Ashes. In every Nut are three or four Kernels. In times of Famine poor people eat them for their sustenance.

There is also a bastard Locust-tree that looks fair,Bastard Locust trees. but will not last.

The Palmeto hath a body of fourty five or fifty foot high, the Diameter, seldom above sixteen inches:Palmeto trees. the rind, of a poor Ash color full of p. 76wrinkles; the Leaves about two foot and a half long, in bunches as if twenty long flag-leaves were tied together by the broad ends: with bundles of these they thatch houses very neatly, which is dry, warm, and lasting.

The Palmeto Royal is the stateliest tree that grows on Earth, for beauty and largeness not to be parallel'd.Palms to Royal Trees. When she is about ten or twelve years old, she is about seventeen foot high; that part which touches the ground is round like … Inkhorn, above which the body of the tree is less, like that part which holds the pen.

The body is tawny, and purple, with rings of white and green mixed, that go round about, and stand at six inches distance. About six foot and an half high, grow the bottom of the stalks, thin as Parchment, enwrapping one another so close, as to make a continued stem of the same bigness for two foot and an half above the others, every one of those Skins bearing a stalk which lessens insensibly from the Skin to the Point.

These Branches are of several lengths, the most inward are the highest; and each stalk is adorned with leaves, and each of these leaves sharp at either end; the Stem is of a pure grass green shining like Velom, and all the Branches with the Leaves of a full grass green, and speading every way, and the highest of them eight foot above the stem.

The Branches sprout from the middle of tree, one at once, and as it opens it spreads the Leaves abroad, at which time the eldest Branch withers, and hangs down till the wind blows it off.

Then comes forth another, and another, and still there is a Pike, and a dead leaf, a Pike and a dead Leaf as the tree growes higher and higher, which is till she be one hundred years old.

About thirty or fourty yeas old she begins to bear her fruit, which is of the bigness of large Grapes, some green, some yellow, some purple, and then they are ripe when they come to be purple, and fall down; and then the Green turns yellow, and the yellow purple, and so take their turns till the tree gives over bearing.

These trees grow till some of them be two hundred, yea three hundred foot high. The top of this tree is of a vast extent, for from the point of the branches on the one side, to the point of the stalk on the other side is seventy eight foot, yet are none of the roots of this tree bigger then a Swans Quil; But there are many of them, and they fasten themselves in the Rock which makes the Tree, though so high, and big, able to stand against all wind and weather. The wood of this tree is so hard and tough, that it breakes the Axes of those those that fell it.

There are many other sorts of trees, some exceeding large aud beautiful, for which they have no names.

p. 77Of Plants.

The Ginger is a Root that brings forth blades like the blades of Wheat, but broader, and thicker: They are of a Popinary colour, and the blossome of a pure Scarlet. When the Ginger is ripe, they dig it up, being the Root, and scrape off the outward skin to kill the spirits of it, for else it would grow perpetually.

Others scald it to kill the spirits, and that will be black and hard as Wood, whereas the scraped Ginger is white, and soft, and hath a cleaner, and quicker tast.

Red Pepper.

There are two sorts of Red Pepper; the one like Coral, of a Crimson and Scarlet colour mixt: the fruit about three inches long, and shines more then the best polished Coral.

The other is of the same colour, and glisters as much, but is shaped like a large Button of a Cloake; they have both the same quality; so violently strong, that when they break but the Skin, it causes them to Cough for a quarter of an hour after the fruit is removed; But whil'st they are grabling of it, they never give over. It grows on a little shrub no bigger then a Goosbberry-bush.

They have excellent good Cucumbers from the beginning of November, to the end of February, they eat them cold with Oyle, Vineger, and Pepper. But boiled or fried they use them for sauce with Mutton, Pork, Turkies, and Muscovy Ducks.

Millions they have likewise for those four moneths: For the most part larger then ours in England, and eat moister. Some of them are sixteen inches long.

The Water Million is one of the goodliest Fruits that grows: Some as big as Cloak-bags; purely Green, engravened with Straw-colour. No inch of the Rind is alike, and they are as smooth as polished Glass; within, they are like an Apple for colour, but in tast waterish and wallowish. It's rarely cooling and excellent against the Stone. The Seeds are of a pure Purple; they are full of these seeds.

Grapes they have which are indifferently well tasted, but they are never ripe together: There are alwayes some green, some ripe, and some rotten Grapes in a Bunch, and therefore they cannot make Wine of them.

p. 78The fruit of the Plantane is of great use,Plantanes. and beauty too. In Planting them they put a root into the ground six inches deep, and in a very short time there will come out three or four sprouts, whereof one hath the precedence.

As this Sprout grows, it springs from the intrinsick part of the Stem, and the out Leaves hang down and rot; But still new ones come within, and rise up as the Palmeto does, like a Pike which opens with the Sun, and becomes a Leaf, and when it's eight or ten foot high, the Pikes and Leaves will be of their full bigness, and so continue till the last Sprout comes forth, which is the Soul of the Plant, and will never be a Leaf: But is the Stem upon which the fruit must grow.

When the Leaves come to their full bigness, they rot no more, but continue in their first beauty, a rich green with stripes of yellow.

These Leaves are most of them above six foot long, and two foot broad; smooth, shining, and stiff as a Lawrel Leaf, falling from the middle to the end like a Feather: And when it comes to the full heighth, the Leaves will be fifteen or sixteen foot high, the Stem upon which the fruit grows being a foot higher, with a green branch on the top, which branch is very heavy, and then the leaves open and shew the Blossome, which is of a pure purple, and like a heart with the point downwards, being of a pound weight; when this is fallen, the Fruit grows.

In six moneths space this Plant will be grown, and the fruit ripe, which is pleasant, wholesome, and nourishing, yellow when it's ripe: But the Negroes desire it green, for they eat it boiled, and it's the only food they live upon. When it's gathered they cut down the Plant, and give it to the Hoggs, for it will grow no more.

In three moneths another Sprout will come to bear, and so another, and another for ever. Groves they make of these Plants of twenty Acres of ground so planting them in every room that they can walk dry under the leaves, and be shaded from the Sun.

The wild Plantane grows much as the other doth,Wild plantanes. but the leaves not so broad, and more upright: The Fruit of a Scarlet colour, and almost three square, but good for nothing.

The Bonano differs nothing from the Plantane in the Body and Leaves, but only that the leaves are somewhat less,tanes. Bonanoes. and the body hath here and there some blackish spots, the Blossome no bigger then a large Rose bud, of a faint Purple and Ash colour mixt, the Stalk that bears it, is adorned with small Blossomes, of several colours: The Fruit stands upright like a bunch of Puddings, each of them between four and five inches long.

The Fruit is sweeter then that of the Plantane, and therefore the Negroes will not meddle with it. It's near as beautiful a trees as the …antane.

p. 79The Pine is excellent in the Superlative Degree, both for beauty and tast. Its a full year before it bring forth ripe fruit, but when it comes to be eaten, nothing of rare tast that can be thought on that is not there.

A Slip taken from the body of this Plant, and set in the ground, will not presently take root, but the Crown that grows upon the Fruit itself will sooner come to perfection.

In a quarter of a year it will be a foot high, and the leaves about seven or eight inches long, appearing like a Semicircle: The colour mostly Frost upon Green, intermixt with Cornation, and the edges of the Leaves have teeth like Sawes.

The Leaves fall one over another, the points of the lowest touching the ground.

In a quarter of a year more, the Blossome appears on the top of the stem, as large as a great Cornation, the colours, Cornation, Crimson, and Scarlet, in streaks intermixt with yellow, blew, and peach colour-leaves, intermixed again with Purple, Sky-colour, Orange-tauny, Gridaline, and Gingeline, White, and Philamot: So that the flower represents the variety to the sight, which the fruit doth to the tast.

When the flowers are fallen, there appears a little bunch of the bigness of a Walnut, which hath in it all these colours mixt, which were disper'st in the Leaves, and so it grows bigger for two moneths more; when it's perfect, it is of an Oval Form, and at the upper end grows out a Crown of Leaves much like the former in colour, but more beautiful.

Some of them six inches long; the out Leaves shorter by degrees.

This Fruit is inclosed with a Rind, which begins with a Skrew at the Stalk, and so goes round to the top, or Crown, gently rising, which Screw is about a quarter of an inch broad, and the figures that are imbroidered upon it, near of the like dimension, and divisions between; Which divisions are never one over another in the screw, but are always under the middle of the Figures above, which so vary in their colours, as that if you see one hundred Pines, they are not like one another; And every of those Figures hath a little tuft, some Green, some Yellow, some Ash-colour, and some Carnation.

There are two sorts of Pines, the King and the Queen-Pine. The Queen is far more delicate, and hath her Colours of all Greens, which shadows intermixt with faint Cornations, but most of all, Frost upon Green, and Sea-greens.

The King-Pine hath mostly all sorts of yellows shadowed with Grass-greens.

Some of them are fourteen inches long, and six in the Diameter: Most of them having heavy bodies, and slender stalks, bowed down till they are on the ground.

Some of them have a dozen little ones round about the prime Fruit, which are ripe by turns, and all very good.

p. 80When it's ripe it hath an admirable smell, when they come to eat them, they first cut off the Crown, and send that to be planted: Then they pare off the most beautiful Rind, and cut the Fruit into slices in a Dish, and there issues out a Liquor as clear as Spring-water about six spoonful, which in tast is in a high degree delicious, and in eating the Fruit, the delicate variety of tasts will change and flow so fast upon your Pallat, as your fancy can hardly keep way with them, to distinguish the one from other.

How they Plant their Sugar-Canes.

They dig a small Trench of six inches broad,Sugar. and as deep, in a straight line, the whole length of the ground where they plant them, then they lay two Canes one by another along the bottom of the Trench, and so continue them the whole lengh of the trenches, then they cover them with earth; and at two foot distance they do the like, till they have planted all the Field.

But they plant not too much together, but so that it may ripen successively, that their work may come in in order, that they be not idle: for if they be not cut and used when they are ripe, they will rot.

From these Canes thus buried, comes forth a sprout at every knot. They begin to appear a monethmonth after their setting, and in a monethmonth more they are two foot high at the least, and in the mean time they weed them, and supply where there are any defects.

These Canes with their tops are about eight foot high, the bodies about an inch in the Diameter; the Knots five or six inches distant one from the another. When they are ripe they cut them with little hand Bills, six inches above the ground, and divide the tops from the Canes; And then holding the Cane by the upper end, they strip off all the blades, which with the tops they give to their Horses; the Canes they bind in Faggots, and send them home upon Asinegoes, each of them carrying three Faggots; two upon crooked sticks on the sides, and one in the middle. And these Creatures being used to it, will of themselves go and come without a guide.

The place where they unload them, is a little plat of ground near to the Mill-house which they call a Barbica.

Being laid in the Barbica, they w…k them out clean, not suffering them to grow stale; for in two dayes the Juice will turn sower, and spoil all; And in the next place, they grind them with Horses under three Rollers, whose Centers being of Brass, Steel, turn very easily: But when the Canes are between the Rollers, it's a good draught for five Oxen or two Horses.

In a little time then all the Juice is pressed out, and then two Negro Girls take out the Canes, and corry them away, laying them on a heap at a Distance.

Under the Rollers there is a Reciever into which the Liquor falls, p. 81and from thence by a Pipe of Lead, is carried into a Cistern, which is near the stairs that goes down from the Mill to the Boyling-House.

From thence it passes through a Gutter to the Clarifying Copper: And as it Clarifies in the first Copper, and the Scum rises, it's conveyed to a second Copper, where it's again scummed, both which scums being very Drossy, are thrown away; But the Skimming of the other three Coppers are conveyed to the Stilling-house, where it stands in Cisterns till it be a little sowre.

Thus the Liquor is refined from one Copper to another, and the more Coppers it passes through, the finer and purer it is. When it comes to the tach it must have much keeling and stirring, and as it boiles, they throw into the four last Coppers a Liquor made of Water and Withs, which they call Temp, without which the Sugar would be clammy and never kern.

When it's boiled enough, they poure two spoonfulls of Sallet-Oyl into the Tach, and then it gives over to bubble, then after much keeling they take it out of the Tach with Ladles, and remove it into the cooling Cistern.

This work continues from Monday morning till Saturday night, without any intermission, day and night, with fresh supplies of Men, Horses, and cattel.

The Liquor being so cool as that it's fit to put into Pots; first stopping the sharp end of the Pots with Plantane Leaves, they fill them, and let it stand till it be cold, which will be in two dayes and two nights; Then they remove them into the Trying-house, and pulling out the stopples; the Molosses runs out into a Gutter that carries it into Cisterns again, and that they call Peneles, which is a Sugar somewhat inferiour to Muscovados, which will sweeten pretty well, and is of a reasonable good colour.

When it's well cured, they remove the Pots from the Curing Room into the Knocking Room, and turning them upside down, they knock them till the Sugar falls out, in which there are three sorts.

The first is Brown, Frothy, and light; The bottom is of a darker colour, Gross and Heavy, and full of Molosses, both which they cut away and boil them again with Molosses for Peneles.

The midle, which is more then two thirds of the whole, is a White colour, dry, and sweet, which they send to their Storehouses at the Bridge, there to be put in Casks and Chests to be shipt away.

Though the Muscovado Sugars require but a moneths time in making, after it is boiled, yet White Sugar requires four Moneths, and its made thus.

They take Clay and temper it with Water to the thickness of Frumentry, and pour it on the top of the Muscovado-Sugar as it stands in the Potts, and there let it remain four Moneths, and when it comes to be knock't out of the Pots, the top and bottom will be like Muscovadoes, but the middle perfect White, and excellent Lump Sugar.

p. 82The Skimmings before spoken of, when they have stood till they are a little soure, they still it; and the first spirit that comes, is a small Liquor, which they call Low-Wines, which they Still over again, and then comes off a very strong Spirit, which is very Soveraign when they are ill with Colds, which the Negroes are oft subject to, having nothing to lye upon but aboard, and nothing to cover them.

And though the Dayes be hot, the Nights be cold, and they coming hot, and sweating from their dayes labour, are subject to catch cold; and when they feel themselves amiss, one dram of these Spirits cures them.

And the Christian Servants, when their Spirits are exhausted by their hard labour and sweating in the Sun ten hours every day, and their stomacks weakened, a Dram or two of these Spirits is a great comfort and refreshing to them.

They make much money also of them by selling them at the bridge, so that they make weekly so long as they work, 30. l. Sterling, besides what is drunk by their servants and slaves.

WITHS.

There is another Plant which they call a With, which is exceeding harmful; For it pulls down all it can reach to, Canes and all other Plants.

If it comes into a Garden, it will wind about all Hearbs, and Plants that have stalks, and pull them down and destroy them.

If into an Orchard, it will climb up by the bodies of the Trees into the Branches, and draws them as it were into a purse (for out of the main stock hundred of sprigs will grow) and if any other Tree be near it will find the way to it, and pull the tops of them together, and hinder the growth of the Fruit; and cut the main stock at bottom in hope to kill it; the moisture in the Branches above will cast down a new root into the ground; yea, it will reach the highest Timber, and so enwrap their branches as to hinder their growth; and oftentimes it fastens one Tree to another, so that one shall hinder the growth of another.

If you clear a passage of ten foot broad between a Wood where it grows, and your Canes over night, and come the next morning, and you shall find the way crossed all over with Withs, and got near to the Canes, and if they once get amongst them, you cannot destroy the one without the other; for wheresoever they touch ground, they get new Roots, and so creep into every place, and as they go pull all down. Yet have they some good virtues; for they serve for all uses where ropes or cords are required; as for binding their Wood and Canes into Faggots, &c. And without them they were in an ill condition, having no other wood fit for hoops for their Hogsheads, Barrels, and Tubs; and they can have them of what length and bigness they please; And for such uses they are very good.

p. 81There are several kinds of these Withs, some that bear fruit somewhat bigger then the Cod of a Bean, which being divided long-wise with a Knife you shall perceive the most various and beatiful colours that can be, and so well matched, as to make up a very great beauty.

Many Canes there be in the Island,Canes. some large enough to hide five hundred men; the runaway Negroes oft shelter themselves in for a long time, and in the nights range abroad, and steal Pigs, Plantanes, Potatoes, and Pullen, and feast all day upon what they stole in the night: And the nights being dark, and their bodies black, escape undiscovered.Old withs.

Another sort of Withs they have that are made of the Gum of Trees, which falls from the boughs drop after drop, one hanging by another till they touch the ground, from whence they receive nourishment and grow larger: And if three or four of them come down so near as to touch one another, and the wind twists them together, they appear like ropes.

Aloes they have growing there very good, and its a beautiful Plant, and the leaves four Inches broad,Aloes. and three quarters of an inch thick, and a foot and half long, with prickles on each side, and the last Sprout which rises in the middle, bears yellow Flowers, one above another, which are two foot higher then the Leaves.

These thick Leaves they take and cut them through, and out of them issues the Aloes, which they set in the Sun that rarifies it, and makes it fit to keep: They save the first running, for if it run too long it will be much worse.

This Plant in England we call Semper vivens. Of this is there to be be made an admirable Medicine for a Burn or Scald.

An Ointment foor a burn or Scald, thus,

Take Semper vivens, Plantane Leaves, and the green Rind of Elder, of each a like quantity, and boil them in Sallet Oyl, till all the Tincture be drawn in boyling. Then strain out the Oyl well, and put it on the fire again, and put to it a small quantity of the Spirits of Wine, and so much Yellow Wax as will bring it to the consistence of a Linement to keep it for use.

There also the sensible Plant, which closes the Leaves upon any touch with your hand, or that end of the staff by which you hold, and in a little time will open again.

There are few flowers in the Island, and none of them sweet.

The White Lilly, and Red Lilly are much fairer then ours, and very beautiful, but neither of them sweet.

The Saint Jago Flower is very beautiful, but of an unpleasing smell.

Another flower they have that opens not till Sun setting, and is closed all day, and therefore they call it the Flower of the Moon.

p. 82It grows in great tufts, the Leaves like a heart, the point turning back: The flower is of a most pure Purple.

After the flower appears the seed, black with an eye of Purple, of the shape of a small Button, so finely wrought, and tough with all, as it may well trim a suit of Apparel.

There is Purceane so plentifully every where, as makes it disesteemed.

Herbs, and Roots.

There are brought from England, Rosemary, Time, Winter-Savory, Sweet-Marjerom, Pot-Marjerom, Parsly, Penny-royal, Camomil, Sage, Tansie, Lavender, Cotton, Garlick, Onions, Coleworts, Cabbage, Turnips, Redishes, Marigold, Lettice, Taragon, Southern-wood, &c. all which prosper well.

There is a Root which was brought thither by the Negroes, Large, dry and well tasted. It's good boyled to eat with Pork, mixt with Butter, Vineger, and Pepper; It's as big as three of our largest Turnips.

The strength of the Island.

This Island is strong by scituation; For there cannot be any safe Landing, but where the Harbours, and Bayes are, which lie to the South-West, and those places are so Defencible by Nature, as with small cost they are strongly fortified.

In the year one thousand six hundred and fifty they were able to muster ten thousand Foot, as good, and Resolute men as any in the World, and a thousand good Horse, and since then, they are much increased.

Their Laws and Government.

Their Laws are like ours in England, and they are governed by a Governour, and ten of his Council; four Courts of Justice in Civil Laws which divide the Countrey into four Circuits.

Justices of Peace, Constables, Churchwardens, and Tithingmen.

Five Sessions in a year were held for trial of Criminal Causes, and Appeals from Inferiour Courts.

When the Governour pleases to call an Assembly for the last Appeals, and making new Laws, or abolishing the Old; It consists of the Governour, his Councel, and two Burgesses chosen by every Parish.

There are in the Island eleven Parishes: No Tithe paid to the Minister, but a yearly allowance of a Pound of Tobacco upon an Acre of every mans Land, besides Church-Duties for Marriages, Baptizings, and Burials.

p. 83Their Weather.

Four Moneths in the year the Weather is colder then in the other eight, and those are November, December, January, and February; yet are they hotter then with us in May.

There is no general Fall of the Leaf, every Tree having a particular time for it self, as if two Locust-trees stand but at a stones cast distance, one lets fall her leaves in January, another in March, another in July, another in September.

The Leaves when Fallen under the Tree, being most of them large and stiff, when they were growing, and full of veins from the middle stalk to the upper end, when the thin part of the Leaf is consumed, those veins appear like Skelletons, with the strangest works and beautifullest Forms that can be imagined.

Negroes Heads.

They also find in the Sands things that they call Negroes-heads, about two Inches long, with a Forehead, Eyes, Nose, Mouth, Chin, and part of the Neck: They are alwayes found loose in the Sands, without any Root. It is black as Jet, but whence it comes they know not.

TAR.

They have no Mines, not so much as of Coles in the Islands. There flows out of the Rock an Unctious substance, somewhat like Tar: It is excellent good to stop a Flux being drunk: And for all Aches, and Bruises, being anointed with it.

It is so subtile that being put into the hand and rubbed there, it works through the back of it.

PITCH, and MOVNTIACK.

There is another Gumming Substance that is black and hard as Pitch, and is used as Pitch; they call call it Mountiack.

p. 84An Excellent REMEDY Against the STONE.

MY Author relates this Story concerning himself, that during his abode in the Barbadoes, he was taken with such a fit of the Stone, that for fourteen dayes together he made not one drop of water; But when he despaired of life; God sent him such a Remedy as the World cannot afford a better. For within ten hours after this taking of it, he found himself not only eased, but cured: It brought away all the stones and gravel that stopped the passage, and his water came as freely from him as ever before, and caried before it such quantities of broken stones, and gravel that the like hath hardly been seen. And afterwards being in the like torment, he used the same remedy, and found the same ease. The Medicine was this,

Take the Pizle of a green Turtle that lives in the Sea, dry it with a moderate heat, pound it in a Morter, and take as much of this Powder as will lie upon a shilling, in Beer, Ale, or Whitewine, and in a short time it will work the cure. These Turtles are frequent in the Chariby, and Lucayick Islands near to the Barbadoes, to which many of them are brought.

Three sorts of Turtles.

There are 3. sorts of Turtles: The Loggerhead-Turtle, the Hawks-bill-Turtle, and the green Turtle, which is of a less magnitude, but far excelling the other two in wholesomness, and rareness of tast.

That part of the Island which is the most remote from the Bridge, (the onelyonly place of Trading) by reason of deep and steep Gullies interposing the passage, is almost stopt. Besides, the Land there is not so rich and fit to bear Canes as the other: Yet it's very useful for planting, p. 85Provisions of Corn, Bonavist, Cassavy, Potatoes, &c. As also of Fruit, as Oranges, Limons, Lymes, Plantanes, Bonanoes: Likewise for breeding of Hoggs, Sheep, Goats, Cattel, and Poultry to furnish either parts of the Island which wants those Commodities.

The Sugar Canes are fifteen Moneths from the time of their planting, before they come to be fully ripe.

From the Island of Bonavista they have Horses brought to them, whose Hooves are so hard and tough, that they ride them at the Barbadoes down sharp and steep Rocks, without shooes: And no Goat goes surer on the sides of Rocks, or Hills then they.

FINIS.

(Here place the Examples of Minerals and Stones.)