A true and faithful account of the four chiefest plantations of the English in America to wit, of Virginia, New-England, Bermudus, Barbados : with the temperature of the air, the nature of the soil, the rivers, mountains, beasts, fowls, birds, fishes, trees, plants, fruits, &c. : as also, of the natives of Virginia, and New-England, their religion, customs, fishing, hunting, &c. / collected by Samuel Clarke ... Clarke, Samuel, 1599-1682. 1670 Approx. 374 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 64 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A33345 Wing C4558 ESTC R17743 11935895 ocm 11935895 51178 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A33345) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 51178) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 864:24) A true and faithful account of the four chiefest plantations of the English in America to wit, of Virginia, New-England, Bermudus, Barbados : with the temperature of the air, the nature of the soil, the rivers, mountains, beasts, fowls, birds, fishes, trees, plants, fruits, &c. : as also, of the natives of Virginia, and New-England, their religion, customs, fishing, hunting, &c. / collected by Samuel Clarke ... Clarke, Samuel, 1599-1682. 85 [i.e.91], [1], 35 p. Printed for Robert Clavel, Thomas Passenger, William Cadman, William Whitwood, Thomas Sawbridge, and William Birch, London : 1670. Reproduction of original in William L. Clements Library. 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Barbados -- Description and travel. 2005-02 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-03 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-04 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2005-04 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A True , and Faithful ACCOUNT OF THE FOUR CHIEFEST PLANTATIONS OF THE English in America . TO WIT , Of VIRGINIA . NEW-ENGLAND . BERMVDVS . BARBADOS . With the temperature of the Air : The nature of the Soil : The Rivers , Mountains , Beasts , Fowls , Birds , Fishes , Trees , Plants , Fruits , &c. AS ALSO , Of the Natives of Virginia , and New-England , their Religion , Customs , Fishing , Huntings , &c. COLLECTED By Samuel Clarke , sometimes Pastor in Saint Bennet-Fink , London . LONDON , Printed for Robert Clavel , Thomas Passenger , William Cadman , William Whitwood , Thomas Sawbridge , and William Birch . 1670. THE DESCRIPTION OF VIRGINIA , AND THE PLANTATION OF THE ENGLISH . The temperature of the Air ; the nature of the Soile , the Rivers , Mountains , Beasts , Fowls , Birds , Fishes , Trees , Plants , Fruits , &c. As also of the Natives , their Religion , Customs , Fishings , Huntings , Treachery , &c. ANNO Christi , 1584. Sr. Walter Rawleigh obtained of Queen Elizabeth of glorious memory , a Patent for discovering , and Peopling of unknown Countries , not actually possessed by any Christian Prince , Dated March 25. and in the 26th . year of her Reign : In prosecution whereof April 27th . he set forth two Barks under the Command of Mr. Philip Amadas , and Mr. Arther Barlow , which arrived on that part of America , which that Virgin Queen named Virginia : and thereof in her Majesties name there took possession July 13. And having taken a view of , and liking the Country ; and having had conference , and some trading with the Savages , observing about fourteen sorts of sweet smelling timber Trees , and many other commodities ; bringing with them two of the Savages , they returned home in September following . Anno Christi , 1585. Sr. Richard Greenvile was sent by Sr. Walter Rawleigh with a Fleet of seven Sail , which Landed in the Isle of St. John de Porto Rico. May 12. and there fortified themselves , and built a Pinace . The Spaniards promised to furnish them with Victuals , but did not : whereupon , they took two Spanish Frigots . In Hispaniola they had friendly greetings , and some trade with the Spaniards ; from whence they came to an Anchor at Wokocon , whereby the unskilfullness of the Master , their Admiral strook on ground and sunk : July 25. They returned for England , and by the way they took a Spanish Ship of Three hundred Tun , richly laden . In Virginia they left a Colony under the Goverment of Mr. Ralph Lane and others , besides an hundred men . The Governour wrote from his new Fort in Virginia , that if they had Kine , and Horses in a reasonable proportion , no Country in Christendom was to be compared to it . They discovered from Roanoack to the Chesipians above one hundred and thirty miles , and to Chawanock North-West , as far . In the beginning of June 1586. the Natives conspired against the English , for which , the chiefest of them lost his head : and Sr. Francis Drake coming thither after he had Sacked diverse of the Spanish Towns , took the Colony with 〈◊〉 his Victorious Fleet , and brought them into England . The same year Sr. Walter Rawleigh 〈◊〉 sent a Ship of an hundred Tun with Provisions for the Colony , which arrived at Hatorask presently after they were come away wherefore having sought them in vain , she returned with her provisions 〈◊〉 England : About a fortnight after her departure , Sr. Kichard Greenvile , General of Virginia , with three Ships arrived there , and neither hearing of the Ship , nor the Colony which he had left there the year before ; after long search in vain , he left fifteen men to keep possession of the Country in the Isle of Roanoack , furnished for two years , and so returned , by the way spoiling some Towns of the Azores , and taking diverse Spaniards . Anno Christi , 1587. Sr. Walter Rawleigh ( notwithstanding former discouragements ) sent another Colony of One hundred and fifty Persons under the Government of Mr. John White , with twelve Assistants , to which he gave a Charter , and incorporated them by the name of Governors and Assistance of the City of Rawleigh in Virginia . These arrived July 22. at Hatorask , where they went ashore to seek the fifteen men left there the year before , intending to plant at Chesopiok : But they were informed by a Native called Manteo , that the Savages had secretly slain some of them , and the other were fled they knew not whither . This Manteo was afterwards Baptized , and by Sr. Walter Rawleigh was made Lieutenant of Roanock . Here also Mrs. Dare the Governours Daughter was delivered of a Daughter , that was Baptized by the name of Virginia . Aug. the 27. they departed and returned into England . The Commodities that are in Virginia . Oak of an excellent grain ; straight , tall , and long , Elme , Beech , Birch , very tall and great , of whose Bark the Natives make their Canows ; Nut-Hasil , Hasil , Alder , Cherry-Tree , Maple , Eive , Spruce , Aspe , Fir in great abundance and many other Fruits , Trees which the English knew not . From the Firrs issues much Turpentine , and Tar , and Pitch . Eagles , Hearn , Shaws , Cranes , large Ducks and Mallard , Geese , Swans , Wigeon , Sharks , Crows , Ravens , Kites , Sea-Mews , Pidgeons , Turtle-Doves , Turkies , and many other Fowles and Birds unknown ; Hawks of diverse kinds . Deer Red and Follow , Bears , Wolves , Beavers , Otters , Hares , Conies , Martens , Sables , Hogs , Porcupins , Polecats , Cats wild and great , Dogs , whereof some like Foxes , Elks , and some Lyons , Squirrils of three sorts , some flying Squirils , Hares , &c. Whales , Porpoises , Seales , Cod very large , Haddocks , Herring , Plaise , Thornback , Rack-Fish , Lobsters , Crabs , Mussels , Wilks , Cony-Fish , Lump-Fish , Whitings , Salmonds in great plenty . Tobacco , Vines , Strawberries , Rasberries , Goosberries , Hartleberries , Corants , Roses , Pease , Angellica , Ground-nuts . The Wood that is most common is Oak , and Walnut , many of their Oak are so tall and strait , that they will bear Thirty inches square of good Timber for Twenty yards long : there are two or three several kinds of them : There are , also two or three kinds of Walnuts , there are Cyprus Trees , some of which are neer three fathom about the Root , very strait and fifty , sixty , yea eighty foot without a branch . There are also some Mulberry Trees , and Chesnut Trees , whose fruit equalizeth the best in France , or Italy ; they have Plums of three sorts , Cherries , Vines , Gassafras Trees . Virginia lies in the Latitude of 43. Degrees and 20. Minutes , North. Anno Christ , 1606. King James ( of happy memory ) granted a Pattent to sundry Persons to Plant along the Coast of Virginia , where they pleased between 34. Degrees and 45. of Northerly Latitude , in the main Land , and the Islands thereunto adjoyning within a hundred miles of the Coast thereof . In pursuance whereof , there were some Ships sent the same year to begin a Plantation in the more Southerly part of Virginia . Virginia is a Country in America that lies between the Degrees of 34. and 44. of North Latitude . On the East it s bounded with the grear Ocean . On the South with Florida . On the North with Nova Francia . But for the West the limits are unknown . The Plantation which was begun in the year 1606. was under the Degree of 37. 38. and 39. where the tempreture of the air , after they were well seasoned , agreed well with the constitutions of the English. They sound the Summer as hot as in Spain : the Winter as cold as in France or England : The heat of Summer is in June , July , and August , but commonly a cool Briefs asswages the vehemency of the heat : The chiefest Winter is in half - December , January , February , and half March. The Winds are variable , which yet purifie the air , as doth the Thunder and Lightning , which sometimes is very terrible . Sometimes there are great droughts , and othersometimes great raines , yet the European Fruits planted there prospered well . There is but one entrance by Sea into the Country , and that is at the mouth of a very goodly Bay , which is about eighteen or twenty miles wide . The Cape of the South side is called Cape Henry : the Land there is white sand , and along the shore are great plenty of Pines , and Firrs The North Cape is called Cape-Charles : The Isles before it are called Smiths Isles . The Country is full of large and pleasant navigable Rivers . In it are Mountains , Hills , Plains , Valleys , Rivers , and Brooks ; this Bay lieth North and South , in which the water flowes near two hundred miles , and hath a Channel for One hundred and forty miles , of depth between seven and fifteen fathom : the breadth makes ten or fourteen miles . Northward from the Bay the Land is Mountanous , from which fall some Brooks , which after make five Navigable Rivers : the entrance of these Rivers into the Bay being within twenty or fifteen miles one of another . The Mountains are of divers natures , some of Stone for Millstones , some of Marble , &c. and many pieces of Chrystal are brought down from them by the raines . The Soil generally is lusty and rich , being generally of a black sandy mould : In some places a fat slimy clay : In other places gravel . The Countrey generally hath such pleasant plain Hills , and fertile Valleys , one prettily crossing another , and watered so conveniently with sweet Brooks , and chrystal Streams as if Artists had devised them . By the Rivers are many Marshes , some of 20 , 30 , 100. yea 200 Acres , some more , some less . On the West side of the Bay , and neerest to its mouth , is the River called Powhatan , according to the name of a principal Countrey that lies upon it : the mouth of it is near three miles in breadth : It s Navigable One hundred and fifty miles as the Channel goes : In the farthest place which the English discovered , are Falls , Rocks , and Shoales which hinder any farther Navigation . In a Peninsula on the North side of this River , the English first planted , in a place which they called James Town . As our men passed up one of their Rivers , there came to them some called Sasquesahanocks with Skins , Bows , Arrows , Targets , Beads , Swords , and Tobacco-pipes for Presents . They were great and well proportioned men , so to the English they seemed like Giants ; with much ado they were restrained from adoring their discoverers . Their Language well seeming their proportion , sounding from them as it were a great voice in a Vault : their attire was the skins of Bears , and Wolves . One had a Wolves-head hanging in a Chain for a Jewel : his Tobacco-pipe was three quarters of a yard long , prettily carved with a Bird , a Bear , a Dear , being at the great end sufficient to beat out a mans brains : their Bows , Arrows , and Clubs are suitable to their proportions . One of the biggest of them had the calf of his Legg measured , which was three quarters of a yard about , and all the rest of his limbs answerable thereto . His Arrows were five quarters long , headed with Flints , formed like a heart , an inch broad , and an inch and an half long , which he wore in a Wolves Skin at his back : In one hand a Bow , and in the other a Club. The Natives of Virgina have generally black hair , but few of them have Beards . The men have half their heads shaven , the hair of the other half long : The Women are their Barbers , who with two Shells grate away the hair of what fashion they please . The Womens hair is cut in many fashions according to their eyes , but ever some part of it is long . They are very strong , of able bodies and nimble : they can lie in the Woods under a Tree by the fire in the coldest Weather , and amongst the Grass and Weeds in Summer : They are inconstant , crafty , timerous , quick of apprehension , and very ingenious . They are very covetous of Copper , Beads , and such trash . They are soon angry , and so malicious , that they seldom forget an injury . They seldom steal one from another , lest their Connivers should reveal it . Their Women are careful to avoid suspition of dishonesty without the leave of their Husbands . Each House-keeper knows his own Lands , and Gardens , and most live of their own labour . They are sometimes covered with the Skins of wild Beasts , which in Winter are dressed with the Hair inward , but in Summer without . The better sort use large Mantles of Dear-skins , some Embroidered with white Beads , some with Copper , and others are painted . But the common sort have scarce wherewith to cover their nakedness , but with Grass or Leaves . Some have Mantles made of Turkey Feathers , so handsomly wrought , and Woven with Thred , that nothing could be discerned but Feathers . These were exceeding neat and warm . The Women are covered about their middles with a Skin , and much ashamed to be seen bare . They adorn themselves with Copper and Painting ; They Have , their Leggs , Hands , Breasts , and Faces cunningly wrought with divers Works , as Beasts , Serpents , &c. artificially wrought in their flesh with spots . In each Ear commonly they have three holes , whereat they hang Chains , Bracelets , or Copper . Some of their men wear in those holes a small green , and yellow coloured Snake , near half a yard long , which crawling and wrapping her self about his neck , oftentimes familiarly kisses his lips : Others wear a dead Rat tied by the tail . Some on their heads wear the wing of a Bird , or some large Feathers with the tail of a Rattle-Snake . Many have the skin of a Hawk , or some strange Fowl , stuffed with the Wings stretched abroad . Others a piece of Copper ; And some the hand of an enemy dried . Their heads and shoulders are painted red , with a certain Powder mixed with Oyl , which they hold in Summer to preserve them from heat , and in Winter from cold . He is most gallant that is most monstrous to behold . Their habitations are mostly by the Rivers , or not far from some fresh Spring . Their houses are built like our Arbours , of small Sprigs bowed and tied together , and so close covered with Mats , or the bark of Trees , that notwithstanding Wind , Rain , or Weather , they are as warm as Stoves , but smoky , though they leave a hole on the top right over the Fire . Their Lodging is by the Fire side on little Hurdles made of Reeds , and covered with a Mat. On these round about the house they lie , heads and points , one by another , covered with Mats or Skins , and some stark naked : Of these they are from six to twenty in an house . Their houses are in the mid'd of their Fields or Gardens , which are plots of ground : From twenty to one hundred , or two hundred of these houses stand something near together . Men , Women , and Children have their several names according to the phansie of their Parents . Their Women are easily delivered of child , yet they love their children very dearly ; and to make them hardy , in the coldest Mornings they wash them in the Rivers , and by Painting and Ointments they so tan their skins , that after a year or two no Weather will hurt them . The Men spend their time in Fishing , Hunting , Wars , and such manly Exercises , scorning to be seen about any Womanly Exercise , which makes the Women very painful , and the men oft very idle ; The women and children do all the work ; they make Mats , Baskets , Pots , Morters ; they pound their Corn , make their Bread , prepare their victuals , plant and gather their Corn , bear all kinds of burdens , &c. Their Fire they kindle by chafing a dry pointed stick in a hole of little square piece of Wood , which taking fire , will kindle Moss , Leaves , and such dry things . In March and April is their Fishing time , wherein they live on Fish , Turkies , and Squerrils . In May and June they plant their Fields , and then they live most upon Acrons , Walnuts and Fish : Some upon Crabs , Oisters , land Tortoises , Strawberries , Mulberries , &c. In June , July , and August , they feed upon the roots of Tocknough , Berries , Fish , and green Wheat ; and their bodies alter with their Diet , as those of Deer , and wild beasts do : And accordingly they are Fat or Lean , Strong or Weak . They use much their Bows and Arrows in Fishing , Hunting , and the Wars . They bring their Bows to the form of ours , by scraping them with a Shell : Their Arrows are made of strait young Sprigs , which they head with bone , two or three inches long : With these they shoot at Squirils . Other Arrows they have made of Reeds , pieced with Wood , and headed with Christals or Flint , &c. For Knives they have the splinters of a Reed , wherewith they cut the Feathers of their Arrows into form : With these Knives they will joynt a Deer , or any other Beast , shape their Shooes , Buskings , Mantles , &c. To make the notch of their Arrows , they have the Tooth of a Bever set in a stick , with which they grate it by degrees . Their Arrow heads they quickly make with a little bone , which they ever wear at their bracer , of a splint of stone or glass , in form of a Heart which they glew to their Arrows ; their Glew they make of the Sinews of Deer , and the tops of Deer Horns which will not dissolve in cold water . In their Wars they use round Targets made of the Bark of Trees , and Swords of Wood , or the Horn of a Deer put through a piece of Wood , in the form of a Pickax . Their Fishing is much in Boats , which they make of one Tree , by burning , and scraping with Stones and Shels till they have made it in the form of a Trough . Some of them are a Ell deep , and fourty and fifty foot long , and will bear from ten to fourty men , according to their bigness : For Oars they use paddles and sticks , with which they will Row faster than our Barges . The Women use to spin the Bark of Trees , Deer Sinews , or a kind of Grass called Pemmenaud , of which they make a very good thred , which serves for many uses about their houses , Apparel , Fishing-nets , Lines for Angles : Their hooks are either a bone grated in the form of a hooked Pin , or of the splinter of a Bone tied to the cleft of a little stick , and with the end of the Line they tie on the bait . They also use long Arrows tied to a Line , with which they shoot at Fishes in the River , or Darts which they throw at them . They take extream pains in their Huntings and Fishings , whereunto they are enured from their Child-hood : And by their continual rangings about , they know all the places and Advantages most frequented with Deer , Beasts , Fishes , Fowls , Rooks , Bemes . At their Huntings they leave their Habitations , and in several companies go to the most Desert places with their Families towards the Mountains , or heads of Rivers where there is plenty of Game . It 's a marvel how they can pass these Deserts of three or four dayes journey over , without missing their way . The Women bear their Hunting Houses after them with Corn , Acrons , Mortars , and Bagg and Baggage which they use . When they come to the place of Exercise , every man endeavours to shew his best Dexterity ; for hereby they get their Wives . They will shoot level about fourty yards , near the Mark , and one hundred and twenty is their best at Random . When they have found the Deer , they environ them with Fires , and betwixt the Fires they place themselves ; and some take their stand in the mid'st . The Deer being frighted with the Fires , and their voices they chase them so long within that Circle , that oftimes they kill six , eight , ten , or fifteen at a hunting . Sometimes also when they find them in a point of Land , they force them into a River , where with their Boats they kill them . When they have shot a Dear by Land , they follow him like Blood-hounds , by the blood and stain , and oftimes so take him . Hares , Partridges , Turkies , or Eggs , fat or lean , young or old , they devour all they can come by . When they intend Wars , the Werowances Corks , consult with their Priests and Connivers , and Ancient Alleys , and Friend : They have Captains over every Nation , which are lusty young men . They rarely make Wars for Lands or Goods , but for Women and Children , Before the battel they paint and disguise themselves in the fiercest manner they can devise : Either Army hath his General , they take their stands a Musquet shot one from another : Rank themselves fifteen a breast , and so place themselves , that the Rear can shoot as well as the Front. Then from either part a Messenger is sent with these conditions , That whosoever is vanquished , upon their submission within two dayes after , shall live ; but their Wives and Children shall be prize for the Conquerors ; upon the return of the Messengers , they approach in their Order . On each Flank is a Serjeant , and in the Reer a Lieutenant , all duly keeping their places ; yet leaping and singing as they go . Upon the first flight of their Arrows they give an horrible shout ; and when their Arrows are spent , they joyn together , charging and retiring , each rank seconding the former : As they get advantage , they catch their Enemy by the hair of his head , and then down he goes , and with his Wooden Sword he beats out his brains , &c. Their Musick is a thick Cane on which they Pipe as on a Recorder . For their Wars they have a great deep Platter of Wood , which they cover with a skin , upon which they beat as upon a Drum ; of these they have Base , Tenor , Countertenor , Mean , and Trebble . If any great person come to the Habitation of a Werowanee , they spread a Mat for him to sit upon , setting themselves just opposite to him ; then all the company with a tunable voice of shouting , bid him welcome . Then some of the chiefest make an Oration to him , which they do with such vehemency that they sweat till they drop again . Such victuals as they have they spend freely upon him ; and where his Lodging is prepared , they set a woman finely painted with Red to be his bedfellow . Their trading with the English is for Copper , Beads , &c. for which they give Skins , Fowl , Fish , Flesh , Mais , &c. They have a Religion amongst them : All things that were able to hurt them beyond their prevention , they adore with Divine Worship : As fire , water , thunder , lightning ; The great Guns of the English , Muskets , Horses , &c. But their chief God is the Devil whom they call Oke , and serve him more for fear than love . In their Temples they have his image in an ilfavoured shape , and adorned with Chains , Copper , and Beads , and covered with a skin . By him is commonly the Sepulchres of their Kings : Their bodies are first bowelled , then dried upon Hurdles ; About their neck , and most of their joynts they hang Bracelets , Chains of Copper , Pearl , and then they wrap them up in white Skins , and roule them in Mats for their Winding-sheets , laying them orderly in their Tombs , which are Arches made of Mats : the rest of their Wealth they set at their feet in Baskets . For their ordinary Burials they dig a deep hole in the Earth , and the Corps being wrapped in Skins , and Mats , with their Jewels , they lay them upon sticks in the ground ; and then covet them with Earth . The Burial being ended , the Women having their faces painted with black , sit twenty four hours in their houses mourning and lamenting by turns , with such yellings and howlings as may express their great sorrow . In the Woods they have some great houses filled with the Images of their Kings and Devils , and Tombs of their predecessors , which they count so holy , that none but their Priests , and Kings dare come into them . They have a chief Priest , differenced from the inferiour by the Ornaments of his head , which are twelve , sixteen , or more Snake-skins stuffed with Moss , the Skins of Weesels and other Vermin ; all which they tye by the Tails , so as the Tails meet on the top of their head like a Tassel , about which a Crown of Feathers ; the Skins hang down about him , and almost cover his face . The Priests faces are painted as ugly as they can devise , and they carry Rattles in their hands . Their Devotion is most in Songs , which the chief Priests begins , and the rest follow . Their Solemn Meetings are upon great distress of want , fear of Enemies , times of Triumph , and of gathering their Fruits ; at which time all both men , women and children meet together . The people are very Barbarous , yet have they Government amongst them , and their Governours are well obeyed by their subjects . The form of their Government is Monarchical . One of their Chief Rulers is called Powhatan from the place of his Habitation : Some part of the Countrey came to him by Inheritance , the rest by Conquest . In several parts of his Dominion he hath Houses built like Arbors , some thirty or fourty yards long ; and in each house provision for his entertainment according to the times . About the Kings person is ordinarily attending a Guard of fourty or fifty of his tallest men : every night upon the four quarters of his House stand four Sentinels , and every half hour , one from the Corps dugard doth hollow , unto which each of the Sentinels doth answer ; If any fail , he is extreamly beaten . One House he hath wherein he keepeth his treasure of Skins , Copper , Pearl , and Beads , which he stores up against his burial ; none comes to this House but the Priest. At the four corners stand as Sentinels four Images of a Dragon , a Bear , a Leopard , and Giant-like man , all ilfavouredly made according to their best workmanship . Their King hath as many women as he will , whereof , when he lies on his bed , one sitteth at his Head , and another at his Feet : But when he sits , one sits on his Right Hand , another on his Left. When he is weary of any of them he bestows them upon those that deserves best at his Hands . When he Dines or Sups , one of his Women , before and after Meat , brings him Water in a Wooden platter to wash his Hands . Another waits with a bunch of Feathers to wipe upon instead of a Towel , and the Feathers were dried again . His Kingdom descends not to his Sons , but first to his brethren , and after their decease to his sisters , and to the heirs of his eldest sister . They have no letters whereby to write or read ; the only Law whereby he Rules is Custome ; or else his Will is his Law which must be obeyed . His inferiour Kings whom they call Werowances , are tied to Rule by Customes , yet have they power of Life and Death : they all know their several Lands , and Habitations , and Limit , to Fish , Fowl , and Hunt in : but they hold all of their great King , to whom they pay tribute of Skins , Beads , Copper , Pearl , Deer , Turkies , wild Beasts , and Corn ; with great fear and adoration they all obey him . At his feet they present whatsoever he commands ; at his frown their greatest spirit will tremble : Offenders he causeth to be broyled to death ; or their brains to be beaten out ; their ordinary correction is to beat them with Cudgels , for which yet they will never cry nor complain . Anno Christi 1611. the L. de La Ware upon his return from Virginia , gave this account of it . That the number of men which he left there was above two hundred , the most in health , and provided of ten moneths victuals in the Store house , besides other quantities of Corn , and shew much friendship . For the securing of the Colony he built three Fronts : two of them being seated near Point Comfort , had adjoyning to them a large circuit of ground , open , and fit for Corn. The third Fort was at the Falls , upon an Island environed with Corn ground . The Country is wonderful fertile and rich : The English Cattel were much encreased , and did thrive excellent well . The kine in a hard Winter when the ground was covered with Snow , lived ( with one anothers help ) upon the Grass which they found , and prospered well ; the Swine encreased much . That year Captain Argoll went with his Ship up Pembroke River , where he met with the King of Pastancy , and procured of him and his Subjects Eleven hundred bushes of Corn , besides three hundred for his own Company , with which he returned to James's Town , and delivered it into the Store . Then did he return and discover Pembroke River to the head of it , which was about Sixty five Leagues within Land , and Navigable for any Ship : then marching into the Country , he found great store of Beasts as big as Kine , of which , they killed two , and found them to be good and wholesom meat , and yet easie to be killed being but heavy , and slow Creatures . He found also a Mine and a strange kind of Earth , which the Indian used for Physick , and it cures the pain of the Belly : He found also a Water issuing out of the Earth which tasted like Allom water ; it was good and wholsom : He found an Earth like a Gum , white and clear ; and another red , like Terra Sigillata : an other white , and so light , that being cast into water , it swims . Their Dear have usually three or four Fawns at a time , none under two : and our English Goates in Virginia oft times bring forth three ; and mostly two young ones , so fruitful is the Country : they have Beavers , Otters , Foxes , Racoons , ( as good meat as a Lamb ) Hares , wild Catts with rich Furrs ; Musk-Rats , &c. wild Pidgeons in Winter numberless , the flocks of them will be three or four hours together flying over , so thick that they obscure the very Light ; Turkies far bigger than ours that will run as fast as a Gray-hound , Buzzards , Snites , Partridges , Owles , Swans , Geese , Brants , Droeis , Shell-Drakes , Teal , Widgeon , Curlews , Puits , Black-birds , Hedg-Sparrows , Oxeies , Wood-peckers , and in Winter flocks of Parakitoes . Their Rivers are plentifully stored with Fish : as Sturgeon , Porpass , Base , Carp , Shad , Herring , Eele , Cat-Fish , Pearch , Trout , Flat-Fish , Sheeps-head , Drummers , Jarsishes , Craifishes , Crabs , Oisters , &c. At one hale they have caught as much Sturgeon , Base , and other great Fish as hath loaded a Frigot . They have without Art , Grapes , Mulberries , Maricocks like a Lemmon , whose blossome may admit comparison with our most pleasant and beautiful Flowers , and the fruit is exceeding delightful to the tast . Many goodly Groves of Chincomen-Trees , that have husks like a Chesnut , and are good meat either raw or boiled . Chesnuts great store , and Walnuts plenty of three sorts ; Filberts , Crabs smaller but sowrer than ours . Anno Christi , 1613. Mr. Alex. Whitaker , who was Minister to the Colony , writing to a Friend in London , gives this account of the Natives . They acknowledg ( saith he ) that there is a great good God , but know him not , having the eyes of their understandings yet blinded ; wherefore they serve the Devil for fear , after a most base manner , sacrificing somtime their own children to him : His Image they paint upon one side of a Toad-stool , much like to a deformed Monster : Their Priests are no other , but such as our English Witches are . They live naked in body , as if the shame of their sin deserved no covering : they esteem it a virtue to lie , deceive , and steal , as their Master the Devil teacheth them . The Natives are not so simple as some have conceited : For they are of Body strong , lusty , and very nimble ; they are a very understanding Generation , quick of apprehension , sudden in their dispatches , subtile in their dealings , exquisite in their inventions , and industrious in their labour . The World hath no better marks-men with their Bows , and Arrows than they be : they will kill Birds flying , Fishes swimming , and Beasts running : They shoot with marvellous strength , for they shot one of our English , being unarmed , quite through the Body , and nailed both his Armes to his Body with one Arrow . Their service to their God is answerable to their lives , being performed with great fear and attention , and many strange dumb shews are used in it , stretching forth their limbs , and straining their bodies exceedingly . They stand in great awe of their Priests which are a Generation of Vipers , even of Satans own brood . The manner of their life is much like that of the Popish Hermites : For they live alone in the Woods , in Houses sequestred from the common course of men ; neither is any man suffered to come into their House for to speak with them but when the Priest calls them . He takes no care for his Victuals , for all necessaries of bread , water , &c. are brought to a place near to his House , and are there left which he fetches at his pleasure . If they would have Rain , or have lost any thing , they have recourse to him , who Conjures for them , and many times he prevaileth . If they be sick , he is their Physitian : if they be wounded , he sucks them . At his command they make War and Peace neither do they any thing of moment without him . They have an evil Government amongst them , a rude kind of Common-wealth , and rough Government , wherein they both honour , and obey their Kings , Parents , and Governours : they observe the limits of their own Possessions . Murther is rarely heard off : Adultery , and other gross offences are severely punished . The whole Continent of Virginia situated within the Degrees of 34. and 47. is a place beautified by God with all the Ornaments of Nature , and enriched with his earthly Treasures . That part of it which the English chiefly possess , begins at the Bay of Chesapheac , and stretching it self in Northerly Latitude to the Degrees of 39. 40. and is interlined with seven most goodly Rivers , the least wherof is equal to our Thames : and all these Rivers are so nearly joyned , as that there is not very much distance of ground between either of them , and those several pieces of Land betwixt them are every where watered with many veins , and creeks , which sundry wayes do cross the Land , and make it almost Navigable from one River to another , the commodity whereof is very great to the Planters , in respect of the speedy and easie Transportation of Goods from one River to another . The River Powhatan ebbs and flowes One hundred and forty miles into the Main ; at the mouth whereof are the two Forts of Henry and Charles . Forty two miles upward is the first and Mother Town of the English seated , called James Town : and seventy miles beyond that upward , is the Town of Henerico built . Ten mile beyond this is a place called the Falls , because the River hath there a great descent , falling down between many Mineral Rocks which be there . Twelve miles beyond these Falls is a Chrystal Rock with which the Indians use to head most of their Arrows . The higher ground in Virginia is much like to the mould of France , being clay and Sand mixed together at the top , but digging any depth , its red Clay full of glistering spangles . As for Iron , Steel , Antimony , and Terra Sigillata , they are very frequent . The air of the Country , especially about Henerico , and upwards , is very temperate , and agrees well with our English bodies . The extremity of Summer is not hot as in Spain , nor the cold in Winter so sharp as ours in England . The Spring and Harvest are the two longest seasons , and very pleasant . The Summer and Winter are both but short . The Winter for the most part is dry and fair ; but the Summer ofttimes watered with great and sudden showers of Rain , whereby the cold of Winter is warmed , and the heat of Summer is cooled . Amongst the Beasts in Virginia , there are two kinds most strange . One of them is the Female Possowne , which hath a bag under her belly , out of which she will let forth her young ones , and take them in again at her pleasure . The other is the flying Squerril , which , by the help of certain broad flaps of Skin , growing on each side of her fore-legs , will fly from one Tree to another at twenty or thirty paces distance , and more if she have the benefit of a little puff of Wind. The English Kine , Goats , Hoggs , &c. prosper very well . They have Hawkes of several sorts , and amongst them Auspreis , Fishing Hawkes , and Cormorants . In the Winter they have great store of Cranes , Herons , Pidgeons , Patridges , and Black-birds . The Rivers and Creeks are over-spread with Swans , Geese , Brants , Divers , and those other named before . The Woods have many kinds of Rare and delightful Birds . The Rivers abound with Fish , both small and great , as Pike , Carp , Eele , Perches of six several sorts , &c. The Sea-fish come into their Rivers in March , and continue till the end of September . Frst come in great Skuls of Herrings : Then big Shads , and Rock-fish follow them . Then Trouts , Base , Flounders , and other dainty Fishes come in before the other be gone . Then come in multitudes of great Sturgeons , and divers others . Some five miles about Henerico by land , but by water fourteen miles . Sr. Tho. Dale , Anno Christi 1611. began to build a City , called the New Bermoodas , situated very commodiously , whereunto he laid out , and annexed to be belonging to that Corporation for ever : many miles of Wood-lands , and Champion , which he divided into several Hundreds . As the Upper and the Nether Hundreds Roch-Dale Hundreds , Wests-Sherley Hundred , and Diggs his Hundred . Anno Christi 1614. Pacahuntas , the beloved Daughter of the great King Powhatan , having been carefully instructed in the Christian Religion , by the care of Sr. Tho. Dale , and having made some good progress therein , renounced publickly her Countrey Idolatry , and openly confessed her Christian Faith , and desiring it , was baptized by the name of Rebecca , and was afterwards married to one Mr. Rolph an English Gentleman of good repute , her Father and friends giving their approbation to it , and her Vncle gave her to him in the Church . Anno Christi 1616. Sr. Tho. Dale returning into England , there came over with him Mr. Rolfe , with Rebecca , his Convert and Consort , and Tomocomo , one of Powhatans Counsellors ; Mr. Rolfs Wife Rebecca , though she carried her self very civilly and lovingly to her Husband , yet did she behave her self as the Daughter of a King , and was accordingly respected by divers persons of Honour here in England , in their hopeful zeal by her means to advance Christianity in these Countries . As she was with her Husband returning into Virginia , at Gravesend she fell sick , and came to her end and Grave , having given great demonstration of her Christian Faith and Hope . The English in Virginia Anno Christi 1620. were divided into several Burroughs , each man having his share of Land duly set out for him , to hold and enjoy to him and his Heirs for ever . The publick Lands also for the Company were set out by themselves ; the Governours share by it self ; the Colledges by it self , and for each particular Burrough ; the Ministers Gleab also was set out and bounded , their being 200. l. per annum allowed to each Minister for each Town . They are all Governed according to the laudable Form of Justice used in England . The Governour is so restrained by a Counsel joyned with him , that he cannot wrong any man , who may not have any speedy remedy . In the years 1619. and 1620. there were 9. or ten ships sent to Virginia , wherein were 1261. persons ; most of them being for publick uses , As to plant the Governours Land , 80. persons ; Tenants for the Companies Land 130. Tenants for the Colledge Land , 100. Tenants for the Ministers Gleab-Lands 50. Young Maids to make Wives for so many of the Planters 90. Boyes for Apprentices 100. Servants for the publick , 50. Some were imployed to bring up thirty of the Infidels children in true Religion and Civility . The Commodities which the Planters were directed to apply themselves to , were Iron ; for the making whereof , 130 men were sent over to set up Iron work ; Proof having been made of the excellency of that Iron . Cordage : For which ( beside Hemp ) order was given for the planting of Silk-grass ( naturally growing in those Parts ) in great abundance , which makes the best Cordage , and Linnen in the World. Of this every Housholder was bound to set 100. Plants ; and the Governour himself set five thousand . Pot-ashes , and Soap-ashes ; Pitch and Tar. for the making whereof , divers Polanders were sent over . Timber of all sorts , with Masts , Planks , and Boords for provision of Shipping , &c. there being not so good Timber for all uses in any Countrey whatsoever ; and for the help in these works , provision was sent of Men and Materials for the setting up of sundry Saw-mills . Silk : For which the Countrey is exceeding proper , having an innumerable of the best Mulberry-trees , and some Silk-worms naturally found upon them , producing excellent Silk , and to further this work , many seeds of the best Silk-worms were sent over . Vines ; Whereof the Countrey naturally yields great store , and of sundry sorts ▪ which by good culture might be brought to excellent perfection : for effecting whereof divers Skilful Vegneroons were sent , with store also from hence of Vine Plants of the best sort . Salt : Which work were ordered to be set up in great plenty , not only to serve the Colony , but to promote the great Fishings upon those Coasts . Divers persons of publick spirits gave much to the furtherance of this Plantation . Two unknown persons gave Plate and other necessaries for the furnishing of two Communion Tables . Mis. Mary Robinson gave 200. l. towards the building of a Church in Virginia . An unknown person sent the Treasurer 550. l. in gold for the bringing up of some of the Infidels children in the knowledge of God , and true Religion , and in fit Trades whereby they might live honestly in the World. Mr. Nicholas Ferrar by Will gave 300. l. to the Colledge in Virginia , to be paid when there should be ten of the Infidels children placed in it . And in the mean time 24. l. per annum to be distributed unto three discreet and godly men in the Colony , which should bring up three of the Infidels children in the Christian Religion , and in some good course to live by . An other unknown person gave 10. l. to advance the plantation . Anno Christi 1620. the Right honourable Henry E. of Southampton was made Treasurer ; from which time to the year 1624. there were 24. Ships sent to Virginia : And there were divers persons set for the making of Beads , wherewith to trade with the Natives , and for making of Glass of all sorts : And 55. young Maids were sent to make Wives for the Planters . Also a Magazine of all necessaries was sent for the Colony , to the value of 2000. l. besides Goods , sent by private persons great store . Twenty five persons were sent to build Boats , Pinnaces , and ships for the use of the Colony in the Fishing Trade , and for further discovery . The Plants of Cotten Wool Trees prosper well , and so did Indigo Seeds , Oranges , Lemons , Sugar Canes , Cassary , Pines , Plantanes , Potatoes , and sundry other Indian Fruits . Some of the English East-India Company gave seventy pound , eight shillings sixpence , towards the building of a Free Schoole in Virginia , to be called the East-India School . Another unknown person added to it the sum of thirty pound . And another sent in Gold twenty five pound . Another unknown person gave thirty pound ; for which there was to be allowed fourty shillings a year for ever , for a Sermon Preached before the Virginia Company . Another gave a rich Bible , and a great Church Bible , and other Books to be sent to Virginia , and an exact Map of America . The Books were valued at ten pound . Mr. Tho. Bargrave , a Minister in Virginia , when he died , left for the use of the Colledge his Library worth one hundred Marks . 〈◊〉 Anno Christi 1621. The treacherous Natives , notwithstanding all the Courtesies and kind Usage by the English to them , most Perfidiously , and Treacherously murthered above three hundred of them , and would have done the like to all the rest , but that God ( through his infinite Goodness and Mercy ) moved the heart of one of them , who was Converted to Christianity , to Discover the same a few hours before it was put in Execution , the like Massacres have been since . A DESCRIPTION OF THE BERMUDAS , OR Sommers Islands : THE FIRST DISCOVERY , AND PLANTATION of it by the ENGLISH . The Temperature of the Aier ; The Nature of the Soil , Trees , Plants , Fruits , Hearbs , Fishes , Fowls , and other Commodities thereof . THese Islands were first Discovered by one Bermudas , from whence they received that name ; and afterwards from Sr. George Sommers an English-man , they were called Sommers Islands . They lie in the Western Ocean , and in that part of the World commonly called America , and vulgarly the West-Indies . Their Latitude , or Elevation is 32. Degrees , 25. Minutes , which is almost the same with the Madaeraes . They are environed round about with Rocks , which North-ward , and Westward , and Southward extend far , by reason whereof they are very strong , there being only three places whereby Ships can come into them , which places also are well fortified . But within there is room to entertain a great Fleet : In most places the Rocks appear at a low water , and are not much covered at an high water , for it Ebbs and Flows there not above five Foot. The Shoar for the most part is a Rock , so hardned by the Sun , Wind , and Sea , that it s not apt to be worn by the Waves , whose violence also is broken by the Rocks before they come at the Shoar . The mould is of diverse colours , neither Clay nor Sand but betwixt both : The red which resembleth Clay is worst : The white resembing Sand , and blackish is good : the brown betwixt them both is best . Under the Mould two or three foot deep , is a kind of white substance which they call Rock : the Trees usually fasten their roots in it , and draw their nourishment from it ; neither indeed is it Rock or Stone , nor so hard , though for the most part harder than Chalk ; not so white , but like a Pumice , and Spongy , easily receiving and retaining much water ; and in some places Clay is found under it : The hardest kind of it ( which is commonly under the red ground ) is not so spongy , nor retains much water , but lies in the ground like Quarries , as it were thick slates , one upon another . Most of their fresh water ( whereof they have good store ) comes out of the Sea , drayning through the sand , or thorow the aforesaid substance which they call the Rock , and leaving its saltness behind it , in the passage becometh fresh . Somtimes they dig Wells of fresh water within four or five paces of the Sea-side : and usually they Ebb and Flow as the Sea doth . The Air is most commonly clear , very temperate , moist , with a moderate heat , very healthful , and apt for the Generation , and nourishing of all things : so that there is scarce any thing that is transported from England thither , but it yields a far greater encrease : and if it be any living thing , it becomes fatter and better liking then in England : By which means the Countrey was so replenished with Hens and Turkeys , within the space of three or four years not being looked after , many of them forsook the Houses , and became wild and so encreased abundantly . the like encrease there was of Hogs and other Cattle according to their kinds . There seems to be a continual Spring , which is the cause that some few things come not to that maturity and perfection as were requisite . And though the Trees do shed their leaves , yet are they always full of green . Their Corn is the same which is used in most parts of the West-Indies : to wit , Maiz which , to such as are used to it , is more hearty and nourishing than our English Wheat , and yields a far greater encrease , as sometimes a pound of one or two graines : Of this Corn , and divers other things without either plowing or diging the ground , they have two Harvests every year : For they set about March which they gather in July : and again in August which is ripe in December . And little slips of Fig-Trees , and Vines do usually bear fruit within a year after they are planted , sometimes in half a year : the like fertility they have in other things . There is scarce at any time to be perceived either Frost or Snow , nor any extream heat , for there is alwayes some wind stirring which clears and cools the Air : Their Summers and Winters observe the same times with ours , but their longest dayes and nights are shorter than ours in England by almost two hours and an half : as also their shortest dayes and nights are as much longer then ours : For their longest dayes are about fourteen hours , and their shortest ten . When its noon with us , its morning with them , and when it s about five a Clock in the evening with us , its noon with them ; so that while the Sun declines with us it rises with them , as also it doth in Virginia , its apt to Thunder and Lighten all the year long , and oft times more terrible than in England , yet never any are hurt by it . There is no Venemous Creature in this Country : the yellow Spider which is there making her Webb as it were of Silk , and bringing forth her young of Eggs , like little drops of quick-silver , neither is it perceived to be Venemous , yet there is a plant that climbs Trees like our Ivy , the leafe like that of a Vine , that is somewhat venomous , but of no great force . There is great store and variety of Fish , and so good as these parts of the World afford not the like , which being mostly unknown to the English , they gave them such names as best liked them : As Rock-Fish , Groops , Porgie-Fish , Hog-Fish , Angle-Fish , Cavallies , Yellow-tailes , Spanish-Makerels , Mullets , Bream , Cony-Fish , Morrayes , Sting-Rays , Flying-Fish , &c. The like they did by the Fowl , as Cohoos , Sandbirds , Hearns , Duck , Teal , Pemblicoes , Castle-Boobies , Hawks , &c. At the first Plantation of this Country by the English it was all over grown with Woods , and Plants of several kinds ; and to such as were unknown to them they gave such names as best pleased themselves : such as were known retained their old names ; as Cedars , Palmitoes , Black-wood , White-wood , Yellow-wood , Mulberry-trees , Stopper , trees , Lawrel , Olive-trees , Mangrowes , Pepper-trees , Yellow-berry-weed , Red-weed , &c. These and many others they found of Natures Planting : But since they have Inhabited it , there have been brought , as well from the Indies as from other parts of the World , sundry other Plants , as Vines of several kinds , Sugar-canes , Fig-trees , Apple-trees , Oranges , Lemons , Pomgranates , Plantanes , Pines , Parsnips , Raddishes , Artichocks , Pottatoes , Cassavie , Indico , &c. In so much that it s now become like a spacious Garden , or Orchyard of many pleasant , and profitable things . There are many Tortoises , which they call Turtles : they are in the shape of their bodies like Crab-Fishes , and have four fins , they are as big as three or four men can carry , the upper part of them in covered with a great shell , weighing about half a hundred weight , the flesh that cleaves to the inside of it being roasted against the fire , is almost like the marrow of Beef , excellent good ; but the shell of it self harder than horn : She hath also a shell on her belly , but not so hard as the other , for when it s boiled it becomes soft like the gristles of Beef , and is good meat : These live in the Sea , spending the Spring , and Summer time about these Islands , but where they spend the rest of the year is not known ; they are like to Fowl in respect of the smallness and shape of their heads , and necks , which are wrinkled like a Turkey , but white , and not so sharp bil'd ; they breed their young of Eggs which they lay , in their Flesh they resemble beasts , for it eats like Veal , but more hard and sollid : They alwayes feed upon grass growing at the bottom of the water , neither can they abide any longer under the water then they hold their breath , which the old ones will do long , but the young ones being chased to and fro cannot continue two minutes without coming up to breath . Shortly after their coming to those Islands the Male and Female couple , which they call Cooting , this they continue about three dayes together , during which time they will scarce separate though a Boat come to them , nor hardly when , they are smitten . Not long after , the she Turtle comes up by night upon some sandy Bay , and further up than the water uses to flow , where she digs a hole with her Fin upon the sand about two foot deep , and coming up several nights there layes her Eggs , about half a bushel ( which are about the bigness of a Hens Egge , but as round as a ball ) and each time covers them with sand very curiously , so that a man can hardly find the place : These Eggs in time are hatched by the heat of the Sun , and so creep out of the Earth , the Dam coming no more at them . They are no bigger than a mans hand at first , which some Fish will devour : they grow slowly and seem to live long ; they will sleep on the top of the water , and used to sleep on the Land till the Countrey was Inhabited . They will live also out of the water about three weeks , and that without meat , but then they mourn , and pine away . Being turned upon their backs when they are on the Land , they cannot without help , or some disadvantage recover themselves ; by which means , when they come a shore to lay their Eggs , they are easily taken ; as also they are when they are Cooting . Otherwise they are taken mostly by night , by making a great Light in a Boat to which they will resort , so that a man standing ready , with a staff in his hand wherein is a sharp Iron , four square with a line fastned to it , This Iron he strikes into the upper shell of the Turtle where it sticks fast , and after she hath tired her self a while with swimming about , she is easily taken : the head being cut off they will live twenty four hours , so that if you cut the flesh with a knife , or touch it , it will tremble , and shrink away ; there is no meat that will keep longer , either fresh or salt . There is a Fruit called a prickled Pear , growing in such places as are scarce fit for any thing else , namely , upon Rocks and Cliffs , and commonly by the Sea-side , as if the Salt water did something help to the generating and nourishing of them : The Tree grows certain years before it bears Fruit , and then it continues bearing very many years , having almost all the year long fruit upon it . Though it be called a Tree it hath scarce any body or branches , but consisteth in a manner wholly of leaves and fruit soft and brittle ; many of these Pears grow upon and about a leaf without any stalk at all , and having some prickles about the top ; being opened the juyce is of a crimson colour , and they are full of seeds within . There are gray and white Hearns , gray and green Plovers , wild Ducks and Mallards , Coots , Redshanks , Sea-widgeons , Gray-Bitterns , Cormorants ; many smal Birds like Sparrows and Robbins , Wood-peckers , Crows , Falcons , Jerfalcons , Hobbies , &c. The Cohow , is so called from his voice , a night bird , being all day hid in the Rocks . The Egge-Bird which comes constantly in the beginning of May , when they begin to lay Eggs almost as big as Hens , and continue laying till Midsummer , and are very tame , their young are excellent meat , their Eggs are white , and the Cohows , speckled like a Turkeys Egg , as big as Hens . The Tropick Bird hath his name from the place where he is most seen . The Pemblico is seldom seen by day , and by her crying foretells Tempests . For Plants . The poison Weed , in shape like our Ivy , with the touch of it causeth Redness , and itching , but after a while pass away of themselves , without farther hurt . The Red Weed is a tall Plant , whose stalk is covered with Red Rind . The Root steeped , or a little of the Juice drank alone , is a strong vomit , and effectual against Distempers of the stomach . There is a kind of Woodbind near the Sea , that runs up about Trees likk a Vine : The Fruit is somewhat like a Bean , but flatter , which eaten , purges strongly , yet without harm : There is another small Tree that causeth Costiveness . There is also a Plant like a Bramble , that bears a long yellow Fruit with a hard snell , and within is a hard Berry which purges gently . Red Pepper is a Fruit like our Barberries , which bruised with the teeth sets all the Mouth on a heat , for the time violent , but swallowed whole have the same operation with pepper . The Sea-Feather is a Plant growing on the Rock in the bottom of the Sea , in form of a Vine-leaf , but far larger , with veines of a palish Red , interlaced , and weaved each into the other . There are also store of Indian Pompeons , the water Melon , and the Musk-Mellon , the most delicate Pineapple , Papawes , &c. Ambergriece is many times found upon the shoar . The most troublesome things in these Islands are the Winds , especially in the Spring and Autumn . The Hurricanes have sometimes done much hurt : Muskito's are very troublesome : There is a certain Bugg which creeping into Chests , by their illsented Dung defile all , besides their eating . There are Pismires or Ants in the Summer times so troublesome that they are forced to dry their Figgs upon high Frames , anointing their feet with Tar which stops their passage . Worms in the Earth are destructive to their Corn , and Tobacco , causing them much labour every morning to destroy them , which else would derstoy all . There have bee● large Lizards which are now destroyed by Cats . Spiders are large by of beautiful colours , as if adorned with Silver , Gold , and Pearl . Their Webs in Summer woven from tree to tree are perfect raw silk , both in substance and colour , and so strong , that Birds bigger than Blackbirds are snared in their Nets . Of these Bermudus Islands there are many , some say five hundred , if we call all them Islands that lye by themselves compassed with the Sea , of which some are larger and others less , they lye all in the Figure of a Crescent , within the circuit of six or seven Leagues at most ; the greatest of them is about sixteen miles in length from the East North-East , to the West South-West , standing in thirty two Degrees and twenty Minutes . About these Islands are seen many Whales , attended with the Sword-Fish and the Thresher . The Sword-Fish with his sharp and needle-like Fin pricking him into the belly when he would dive and sink into the Sea , and when he starts up from his Wounds , the Thresher with his Club Fins beats him down again . Here is also a kind of Web-footed Fowl , of the bigness of our green Plovers , which all Summer are not seen , but in the darkest nights of November and December ( for in the night only they feed ) would come abroad , making a strange hollow and harsh howling ; their colour is inclining to russet , with white bellies , and the long feathers of their wings are russet and white , they breed in those of the Islands that are farthest in the Sea , and there in the ground they have their burrows , like Conies . Of these , the English at their first coming , with a lighted bough have taken three hundred in an hour . Afterwards they found out this devise to take them , by standing on the Rocks or Sand by the Sea-side , they would hollow , laugh , and make the strangest noise that possibly they could , with which noise these birds would come flocking to the place , and settle upon the very Armes and Head of him that so cryed , still creeping nearer and answering that noise themselves , by which means our men would weigh them in their hands , and those that weighed heaviest and were best they took , the other they let go , and thus they have taken twenty dozen of the best of them in two hours space ; they are fat and plump like a Partridge , and very well relished . In January they gat great store of their Eggs which are as big and as well relished as our Hen Eggs ; These they call Sea-Owles , because of their hooting , they have crooked Bills and will bite shrewdly . Not long after the English had planted in this Island , which was about the year 1620. it pleased God to send a great Plague upon them by reason of a few Rats that came in a Meal Ship , which though at first few in number , yet within the space of two years they multiplyed so exceedingly , that they did not only fill those places where they first landed , but swimming from place to place they spread themselves all over the Country , insomuch , as there was no Island though severed by the Sea from all others , and many miles distant from the place where they first began , but was pestred with them ; they had their nests almost in every Tree , and in all places had their Burrows in the ground , like Conies to harbour in : they spared not the Fruits of either Plants or Trees , nay , nor the Plants themselves , but eat all up . When the Planters had set their Corn , they would come by troops the night following , or as soon as it spict , dig it up again and eat it . If by diligent watching any of it escaped till it came to easing , it would very hardly scape them : yea , it was a difficult matter when they had it in their Houses to save it from them , for they became noysom even to the persons of Men. They used all diligence for the destroying of them , nourishing many Catts , wild and tame ; they used Ratsbane , and many set the Woods on fire , so that the fire ran half a mile or more before it was extinguished . Every man in the Country was enjoyned to set twelve Traps , and some voluntarily set neer an hundred , which they visited twice or thrice in a night . yea , they trained up their Dogs to hunt them , wherein they grew so expert , that a good Dog in two or three hours space would kill ●●rty or fifty Rats . Other means they also used , yet nothing would prevail , finding them still to encrease upon them . This was a cause of great distress to the Planters ; for by this means they were kept destitute of bread for a year or two , so as when they had it afterwards again , they were so weaned from it , that they would easily forget or neglect to eat it with their meat . By this means they were so destitute of food that many died , and the rest became very feeble and weak , whereof some being so , would not , and others could not stir abroad to seek relief , but dyed in their Houses . And such as did go abroad were subject through weakness to be suddenly surprized with a disease called the Feages , wherein they had neither pain , nor sensible sickness , but as it were the highest degree of weakness , depriving them of power and ability to execute any bodily exercise , as working , walking , &c. Being thus taken , if any body was present that could minister to them any relief , they would strait wayes recover , otherwise they died there . About this time there came to these Islands a company of Ravens which continued with them all the time of this mortality and then departed from them . Never any being seen there before or since : But it pleased God at length , that the extremity of their distress began to abate , partly by supplies sent them out of England , and partly by some rest and ease that they got thereby . Yet the Rats continued for some time after , notwithstanding all the devises and industry that they used to destroy them . But suddenly it pleased God , ( by what means was not known ) so to take them away , that the wild Catts and Dogs that lived upon them were famished , and many of them leaving the Woods came down to the Houses , and to such places where they used to garbish their Fish , and so became tame . Here are many wild Palm-Trees growing , in fashion , leaves and branches resembling the true Palme : The Tree is high and strait , sappy , and spungious , having no branches but in the uppermost part of it , and in the top grow leaves about the head of it : ( the most inmost part whereof they call the Palmeto , and it is the heart and pith of the Tree , so white and thin as that it will pill off pleats , as smooth and delicate as white Sattin , into twenty folds in which a man may write , as in Paper ) where they spread and fall downwards about the Tree like an over-blown Rose : The leaves are as broad as an Italian Vmbrello , under one of which a man may well shelter his whole Body from rain , for being stiff and smooth , the rain easily slides off . The Palmito , or soft top roasted , tastes like a fried Melon , and being sod , it eates like a Cabbage , but is far less offensive to the Stomach . From under the broken Rocks they take forth Cray-Fishes oft times greater than any of our English Lobsters . They have also aboundance of Crabs , Oisters , and Wilks ; at one draught they have taken small and great about a Thousand Fishes , as Pilchards , Breams , Mullets , Rock-Fish , &c. Every Cave and Creek being furnished with aboundance of them , which lie there sucking in the water which falls from the high Hills mingled with the juyce of the Palms and Cedars , and such other sweet woods , whereby they become both fat and wholsome . There are Sparrows fat and plenty ; Robbins of diverse colours green and yellow , &c. Many of the Turtles before mentioned , be of a mighty bigness , insomuch as one of them will suffice Seventy , or eighty men at a meal , especially , if she be a she Turtle , which will have five hundred Eggs in her , being as many as fifty or sixty men can eat at a meal , they are very good and wholesome meat . There are Mulberry Trees , Olive Trees , Cedars of colour red , and very sweet , which bear a kind of berry that is very pleasant to eat . The top of the Palmito Tree is in season , and good all the year , if you take but an Hatchet and cut it , or an Augur and bore it , it yields a very pleasant Liquor , much like to our sweet wines : it bears likewise a berry in the bigness of a Prune , and in taste much like it . Anno Christi 1609. Sr. Thomas Gates , and Sr. George Sommers , as they were going to Virginia suffered Shipwrack at these Islands , where they continued till May , 1610. in which time they built there a Ship and a Pinace of Cedar , in which they departed to Virginia , leaving only two men behind them : and shortly after some of them came back to the Sommer Islands , where Sr. George Sommers dying , his men ( contrary to his last charge given unto them ) went for England , leaving behind them three men who stayed voluntarily , who shortly after found in Sommerset Island a very great Treasure of Ambergreece valued at nine or ten thousand pounds Sterling . The discovery of these Islands being made known in England to the Virginia Company by these men that returned , they sold it to One hundred and twenty Persons of the same Company , who obtained a Charter from His Majesty : and in April 1612. sent thither a Ship called the Plough , with about Eighty men and women in it , who arrived there in safety in July , where they found the three men that had voluntarily stayed there before as you heard . These men had Planted Corn , great store of Wheat , Beans , Tobacco , and Melons , with many other good things for the use of man : Besides they had wrought upon Timber , in squaring and sawing Cedar Trees &c. They were no sooner come within a League of the Land but a company of Fish met them , and never left them till they came to an Anchor within the Haven , of which with Hooks and Lines they took more than their whole Company was able to eat . Two dayes after they went out with their Net and Boat , and if they would have loaded two Boates they might have done it , which also they might have daily , there was such plenty of them . The day after they went to the Bird Islands , where with their hands they took up as many Birds as they pleased , they were so tame . They took up three for every Boy and Girl , and four for every Man. Then sent they out some for wild Hogs , who brought home some , that did eat as well as our English Mutton . Anno Christi , 1612. Mr. R. Moor was sent over thither Governour for three years , who spent the greatest part of his time in fortifying the Country , and training the people to Martial Exercises . He built nine or ten Forts , and planted Ordnances upon them . To him succeeded Captain Tucker , Anno Christi 1616. who spent his three years in Husbanding the Country , Planting , and nourishing all such things as were fit either for Trade , or for the sustentation , and use of the Inhabitants . He also added to the Fortifications , and made some inclosures . The The Country also was then divided , wherein every Adventurer had his share allotted to him , whereupon the Planters built them substantial Houses , cleared their ground , and Planted all things necessary , so that in a short time the Country began to approach near unto that happiness wherein it now floweth . Nevv-England Described , AND THE PLANTATION THEREOF BY THE ENGLISH Of the Beasts , Fowles , Birds , Fishes , Trees , Plants , Fruits , &c. Of the Natives , of their Religion , Customs , Fishings , Huntings , &c. THE place whereon the English have setled their Colonies is judged either to be an Island surrounded on the North with the great River Canada , and on the South with Hudsons River , or a Peninsula , these two Rivers over lapping one another , having their rise from two great Lakes which are not far distant each from other . Massechusets Bay lyeth under the Degree of 42. and 43. bearing South-West from the Lands-end of Old England ; at the bottom of which Bay are scituated most of the English Plantations . The Bay is both safe , spacious , and deep ; free from such cockling Seas as run upon the Coasts of Ireland , and in the Channels of England : without stiff running Currents , Rocks , Shelves , Bars , or Quicksands . When you have sailed two or three Leagues towards the bottom , you may see the two Capes bidding you welcome . These Capes thrust themselves out into the Sea in form of a Crescent , or half Moon , the surrounding Shoar being high , and shewing many white Cliffs , with diverse intermixtures of low-sand , out of which , diverse Rivers empty themselves into the Sea , with many openings , wherein is good Harbouring for Ships of any burthen : The Harbours are New-Plimouth , Cape Anu , Salem , and Marvil-Head , all which afford good ground for Anchorage , being Land-lockt from Wind , and Seas . The chief and usual Harbour is the still Bay of Massechusets , which is also aboard the Plantations : it s a safe and pleasant Harbour within , having but one secure entrance , and that no broader than for three Ships to enter abreast , but within there is Anchorage for five hundred Ships . This Harbour is made by many Islands , whose high Clifts shoulder out the boisterous Seas , yet may easily deceive the unskilful Pilot , presenting many fair openings , and broad sownds , whose Waters are too shallow for ships , though Navigable for Boats , and small Pinnases . The entrance into the great Haven is called Nant●scot , which is two Leagues from Boston . From hence they may sail to the River of Wessaguscus , Naponset , Charles River , and Mistick River , on all which are seated many towns . Here also they may have fresh supplies of Wood and water from the adjacent Islands , with good Timber to repair their Weather-beaten Ships : As also Masts , or Yards , there being store of such Trees as are useful for the purpose . The places which are inhabited by the English , are the best ground , and sweetest Climate in all those parts , bearing the name of New England , the Air agreeing well with our English bodies , being High Land and a sharp Air , and though they border upon the Sea-Coast , yet are they seldom obscured with Mists , or unwholesome Foggs , or cold Weather from the Sea , which lies East , and South from the Land. And in the extremity of Winter , the North-East , and South-winds comming from the Sea , produce warm weather , and bringing in the Seas , loosen the frozen Bayes , carrying away the Ice with their Tides : Melting the Snow , and thawing the ground : Only the North-west Winds coming over the Land , cause extream cold weather , accompanied with deep Snows , and bitter Frosts , so that in two or three dayes the Rivers will bear Man or Horse . But these Winds seldom blow above three dayes together , after which the Weather is more tollerable . And though the cold be sometimes great , yet is there good store of wood for housing and fires , which makes the Winter less tedious : And this very cold Weather lasts but eight or ten weeks , beginning with December , and ending about the tenth of February . Neither doth the piercing colds of Winter produce so many ill effects , as the raw Winters here with us in England . But these hard Winters are commonly the forerunners of a pleasant Spring , and fertile Summer , being judged also to make much for the health of our English bodies . The Summers are hotter than here with us , because of their more Southerly Latitude , yet are they tollerable , being oft cooled with fresh Winds . The Summers are commonly hot and dry , there being seldom any Rain , yet are the Harvests good , the Indian Corn requiring more heat than wet to ripen it : And for the English corn , the nightly Dews refresh it , till it grows up to shade its Roots with its own substance from the parching Sun. The times of most Rain are in April , and about Michaelmas . The early Spring and long Summers make the Autumns and Winters to be but short . In the Springs when the Grass begins to put forth , it grows apace , so that , whereas it was black by reason of Winters blasts , in a fortnights space there will be grass a foot high . New England being nearer the Aequinoctial than Old England ; the days and nights be more equally divided . In Summer the dayes be two hours shorter , and in Winter two hours longer than with us . Virginia having no Winter to speak of , but extream hot Summers , hath dried up much English blood ; and by the pestiferous Diseases , hath swept away many lusty persons , changing their complexions , not into swarthiness , but into Paleness ; which comes not from any want of food , the Soil being fertile , and pleasant , and they having plenty of Corn , and Cattel , but rather from the Climate , which indeed is found to be too Hot for our English Constitutions , which New England is not . In New England Men and Women keep their natural Complexions , in so much as Seamen wonder when they arive in those parts , to see their Countrey men look so Fresh and Ruddy ; neither are they much troubled with Inflammations , or such Diseases as are increased by too much heat . The two chief Messengers of Death , are Feavours , and Callentures ; but they are easily cured if taken in time , and as easily prevented , if men take care of their bodies . As for our common Diseases they be Strangers in New England . Few ever have the small Pox , Measels , Green-sickness , Headach , Stone , Consumption , &c. yea many that have carried Coughs and Consumptions thither , have been perfectly cured of them . There are as sweet , lusty Children born there , as in any other Nation , and more double births than with us here : The Women likewise recover more speedily , and gather strength after child-birth sooner than in Old England . The Soil for the general is a warm kind of Earth , there being little cold spewing Land , no Moorish Fens , nor Quagmires : The lowest Grounds be the Marshes , which are ovrflown by the Spring-Tides : They are Rich Ground , and yield plenty of Hay , which feeds their Cattel as well as the best Upland Hay with us : And yet they have plenty of Upland Hay also , which grows commonly between the Marshes and the Woods : And in many places where the Trees grow thin , they get good Hay also . And near the Plantations there are many Meddows never overflowed , and free from all Wood , where they have as much Grass as can be turned over with a Sithe , and as high as a mans middle , and some higher , so that a good Workman will Mow three Loads in a day . Indeed this Grass is courser than with us , yet is it not sower , but the Cattel eat , and thrive very well with it : and are generally larger , and give more Milk than with us , and bring forth young as well , and are freer from diseases than the Cattel here . There is so much Hay Ground in the Country , that none need fear want , though their Cattel should encrease to thousands , there being some thousands of Acres that were yet never medled with ; and the more their Grass is Mowed , the thicker it grows ; and where Cattel use to graze , in the Woods , the Ground is much improved , growing more grassy , and less full of Weeds ; and there is such plenty of Grass in the Woods , that the Beasts need not Fodder till December ; at which time men begin to house their milch beasts and Calves . In the Upland Grounds the Soil varies , in some places Clay , in others Gravel , and some are of a Red Sand , all which are covered with a black Mould , usually a foot or little less deep . The English Manure their ground with Fish , whereof they have such plenty , that they know not how otherwise to dispose of them , yet the Indians being too lazy to catch Fish , plant Corn eight or ten years in one place , without any such help , where they have yet a good Crop. Such is the rankness of the ground , that it must be Planted the first year with Indian Corn , before it will be fit for English Seed . The ground in some places is of a soft mould , in others so tough and hard , that five Yoke of Oxen can scarce plow it , but after the first breaking up , it is so easie , that one Yoak of Oxen and an Horse may plow it . Our English Corn prospers well , especially Rye , Oats , and Barly . The ground affords very good Kitchin Gardens , for Turnips , Parsnips , Carrots , Radishes , Pumpions , Muskmellons , Squashes , Cucumbers , Onions , and all other English Roots and Hearbs prospers as well there as with us , and usually are larger and fairer . There are store of Herbs both for Meat and Medicine , not only in Gardens , but in Woods , as sweet Marjoram , Purslane , Sorrel , Penniroyal , Saxifrage , Bayes , &c. Also Strawberries in abundance , very large , some being two inches about . There be also Goosberries , Bilberries , Rasberries , Treackleberries , Hurtleberries , Currants , which being dried in the Sun , are not much inferiour to those we have from Zant. There is also Hemp and Flax , some that grows naturally , and some that is Planted by the English , and Rape-seed . There is Iron , Stone , and plenty of other stones both rough and smooth , plenty of Slate to cover houses , and Clay whereof they make Tiles and Bricks , and probably other Minerals . The Country is excellently watered , and there are store of Springs which yield sweet water that is fatter than ours , and of a more jetty colour and they that drink it , are as healthy , and lusty as those that drink Beer . None hitherto have been constrained to digg deep for this Water , or to fetch it far , or to fetch it from several places ; the same water serving for washing , brewing , and all other uses . There be also several spacious Ponds in many places , out of which run many pleasant and sweet streams both Winter and Summer , at which the Cattel quench their thirst , and upon which may be built Water-Mills for necessary uses . There is also great store of Wood , not only for Fewel , but for the building of Ships , Houses , and Mills . The Timber grows strait and tall , some Trees being twenty , and others thirty foot high before they spread forth their branches . They are not very thick , yet many of them are are sufficient to make Mill-posts ; some being three foot and a half in the Diameter . Neither do they grow so close , but that in many places a man man may ride a hunting amongst them . There is no underwood but in swamps , and wet low grounds , in which are Osiers , Hazels , and such like . Of these Swamps , some are ten , some twenty , some thirty miles . For the Indians use to burn the under-wood in other places in November , when the Grass and Leaves are withered and dry , which otherwise would marr their beloved sport of Hunting : But where the Indians died of the plague , not many years ago , there is much underwood between Wessaguscus , and Plimouth , because it hath not thus been burned . The several sorts of Timber are thus expressed . Trees both on Hills and Plains in plenty be , The long-liv ' Oake , and mournful Cypress Tree , Sky-towring Pines , and Chesnuts coated rough , The lasting Cedar , with the Walnut tough ; The Rosin-dropping Fir for Masts in use , The Boatmen seek for Oars , light , neat grown Spruse ; The brittle Ash , the ever trembling Aspes , The broad spread Elme , whose concave harbours Wasps ; The watry spungy Alder good for nought , Small Elder by th' Indian Fletchers sought , The knotty Maple , pallid Birch , Haw thorns , The Horn-bound Tree that to be cloven scorns ; Which from the tender Vine oft takes his Spouse , Who twines imbracing arms abut his Boughs ; Within this Indian Orchard Fruitr be some , The ruddy Cherry and the jetty Plumb , Snake murthering Hasel with sweet Saxafrage , Whose spouts in Beer allayes hot Feavers rage , The Diars Shumack , with more Trees there be , That are both good for use , and and rare to see . The chief and common Timber for ordinary use is Oake , and Walnut . Of Oakes there be three kinds , Red , White , and Black , whereof one kind is fittest for Clap-board , others for sawn-board , others for shipping , and others for houses . They yield also much Mast for Hoggs , especially every third year , the Acron being bigger than our English : The Walnut-trees are tougher than ours , and last time out of mind : The hut is smaller than ours , but not inferiour in sweetness and goodness , having no bitter Pill . In some places there is a Tree that bears a Nut as bigg as a small Pear . The Cedars are not very big , not being above eighteen inches in Diameter , neither is it very high , and its fitter for ornament than substance , being of colour White and Red like Yew , & smells like Juniper , they use it commonly for sieling of Houses , for making of Chests , Boxes , and Staves . The Fir , and Pine-trees grow in many places , shooting up exceeding high , especially the Pine : They afford good Masts , Boards , Rozin , and Turpentine , they grow in some places for ten miles together , close by the Rivers sides , where by ships they may easily be transported to any desired Ports . Their Ash is blittle , and therefore good for little , so that the Walnut is used for it . The Horn-bound tree is exceeding tough , which makes it very difficult to be cleft , yet it s very good for Bowls and Dishes , not being subject to crack : It grows with broad-spread Arms , the Vines winding their curling branches about them , which afford great store of Grapes , very bigg , both Grapes and Clusters , sweet and good . They are of two sorts , Red and white : there is also a smaller Grape growing in the Islands , which is sooner ripe , and more delicious ; doubtless as good wine might be made of them as at Burdeaux in France , it lying under the same degree : The Cherry Trees yield great store of Cherries , which grow on Clusters like Grapes ; they are smaller than ours and not so good , if not very ripe : The Plumbs are somewhat better , being black and yellow , as big as Damasens , and indifferently well tasted . The White Thorn yields Hawes as big as our Cherries , which are pleasant to the tast , better than their Cherries . The Beasts be as followeth . The Kingly Lion , and the strong-arm'd Bear , The large-limb'd Moosis , with the tripping ●ear ; Quil-darting Porcupines , and Rackcames be , Castled in the hollow of an aged Tree : The skipping Squirrel , Cony , Purblind Hare , Immured in the self same Castle are , Lest red-eyed Ferrets , wildly Foxes should Them undermine , if Rampir'd but with mould , The grim-fac't Ounce , and ravenous howling Woolf , Whose meager pauch , sucks like a swallowing gulph , Black-grittering Otters , and rich coated Bever , The Civet-sented Muscat smelling ever . Lions there be some , but seen very rarely . Bears are common , which be most fierce in Strawberry time , when they have young ones ; they will go upright iike a man , climb trees , and swim to the Islands : At which time if an Indian see him , he will swim after him , and overtaking him , they go to Water-cuffs for bloody noses , and scratched sides ; at last the man prevails , gets on his back , and so rides him on those watry Plains , till the Bear can bear him no longer . In the Winter they retire to Cliffs of Rocks , and thick Swamps to shelter them from the cold , where they live by sleeping and sucking their Paws , and with that will be as fat as they are in Sommer : Yet the Woolves will devour them : A kennel of them setting upon a single Bear , will tear him in pieces . They are good meat , and seldom prey upon the English Cattel , or offer to assault any man , except they be vexed with a shot . The Moose is somewhat like our Red Deer as big as an Ox , slow of foot , headed like a Buck , some being two yards wide in the head ; his flesh is as good as Beef , his Hide is good for clothing ; they bring forth three young ones at a time ; fourty miles to the North-East of Massechusets Bay , there be great store of them ; they are oft devoured by the Woolves . The Fallow Dear are much bigger than ours , of a brighter colour , more inclining to Red , with spotted bellies ; They keep near to the Sea , that that they may swim to the Islands when they are chased by the Woolves They have commonly three young ones at a time , which they hide a mile from each other , giving them suck by turns , and this they do , that if the Woolf should find one , they may save the other ; their horns grow strait , over-hanging their heads , so that they cannot feed on things that grow low , till they have mused their heads . The Porcupine is small , not much unlike to an Hedghog , only somewhat bigger : He stands upon his Guard against man or beast , darting his quills into their Leggs or Hides , if they approach too near him . The Rackoon is a deep furred Beast , not much unlike a Badger , having a Tail like a Fox , and is as good meat as a Lamb. In the day time they sleep in hollow Trees , in the light nights they feed on Clams by the Sea side , where they are taken with Doggs . The Squirrels be of three sorts , the great gray Squirrel , almost as big as our Conies . Another almost like our English Squirrels ; the third is a flying Squirrel , which is not very big , with a great deal of loose skin , which she spreads square when she flies , which with the help of the Wind , wafts her Batlike body from place to place . The Conies are much like ours in England . The Hares are some of them white , and a yard long ; both these creatures harbour themselves from the Foxes in hollow Trees , having a hole at the entrance no bigger than they can creep into . The hurtful Creatures are Squncks , Ferrets , Foxes , whereof some be black , and their Furrs of great esteem . The Ounce , or wild Cat is as big as a Mungrel . It s by nature fierce and dangerous , fearing neither Dogg nor Man : He kills Deer , which he effects thus : Knowing the Deers tracts , he lies lurking in long weeds , and the Deer passing by , he suddenly leaps upon his back , from thence he gets to his neck , and scratches out his throat . He kills Geese also ; for being much of the same colour , he places himself close by the water , holding up his bob tail , which is like a Gooses neck , which the Geese approaching nigh to visit , with a sudden jerk he apprehends his desired prey . The English kill many of them , and account them good meat . Their Skins have a deep Fur , Spotted White and Black on the belly . The Woolves differ something from those in other Countries ; they never yet set upon any man or woman , neither do they hurt Horses or Cows ; But Swine , Goats , and red Calves ( which they take for Deer ) are oft killed by them . In Autumn and the Spring they most frequent our English Plantations , following the Deer which at those times come down to those parts : They are made like a Mongrel , big-boned , thin paunched , deep breasted , having a thick neck and head , prick ears , and a long snout , with dangerous teeth , long stairing hair , and a great bush tail . Many good Mastiffs have been spoiled by them . Once a fair Grayhound , ran at them , and was torn in pieces before he could be rescued ; they have no Joynts from the Head to the Tail. Some of them are black , and one of their skins is worth five or six pound . Of Beasts living in the Water . Their Otters are most of them black , and their skins are almost as good as Bevers ; Their Oyl is of rare use for many things . Martins also have a good Fur for their bigness . Musquashes are almost like Beavers , but not so big , the Males stones smells as sweet as Musk , and being killed in Winter or the Spring they never loose their sweetness : they are no bigger than Cony-skins , and yet are sold for five shillings a piece . One good Skin will perfume a whole house full of Clothes . The Bevers wisdom and understanding makes him come nigh to a reasonable creature . His body is thick and short , with short leggs , feet like a Mole before , and behind like a Goose , a broad tail like a shoo-sole , very tough and strong : His head is something like an Otters , saving that his fore-teeth be like Conies , two above and two beneath , sharp and broad , with which he cuts down Trees as big as a mans thigh , or bigger , which afterwards he divides into lengths according to the uses they are appointed for . If one Beaver be too weak to carry the Log , than another helps him : If two be too weak , three or four will assist , being placed three to three , which set their teeth in one anothers tough tails , and laying the load on the hindermost , they draw the Logg to the desired place , they tow it in the water , the youngest getting under it , bearing it up that it may swim the lighter . They build their houses of Wood and Clay , close by a Ponds side , and knowing their seasons , they build their houses answerably , three stories high , that when the Land Floods come they may shift higher , and when the waters fall , they remove lower . These houses are so strong that no Creature , save an industrious man with his penetrating tools can pierce them , their ingress and egress being under water . They make very good Ponds ; for knowing where a stream runs from between two rising Hills , they will pitch down Piles of Wood placing smaller Rubbish before it , with clay and sods , not leaving till by their Art and Industry they have made a firm and curious Dam-head , which may cause admiration in wise men . They keep themselves to their own Families , never parting so long as they are able to keep house together . Their wisdom secures them from the English , who seldom kill any of them , wanting time and patience to lay a long siege , or to be often deceived by their cunning evasions . So that all our Beavers come from the Indians , whose time and experience fits them for that imployment . Of the Birds , and Fowls both of Land and Water . They are expressed in these Verses . The princely Eagle , and the soaring Hawks , Within their unknown wayes ther 's none can chawk : The Hum-Bird for some Queens rich Cage more fit Than in the vacant wilderness to sit . The swift-wing'd Swallow sweeping to and fro , As swift as arrow from Tartarian bow . When as Aurora's infant day new Springs , There th' morning mounting Lark her sweet layes sings . The harmonious Thrush , swift Pigeon , Turtle Dove Who to her Mate doth ever constant prove . The Turkey , Pheasant , Heathcock , Partridge rare , The Carrion-tearing Crow , and hurtful Stare ; The long-liv'd Raven , th' ominous Screach-Owl , Who tell ( as old wives say ) disasters foul . The drowsie Madge that leaves her day-lov'd nest To fly abroad when day-birds are at rest : The Eele murthering Hern , and greedy Cormorant , That neer the Creeks in Moorish Marshes haunt . The bellowing Bittern , with the long legg'd Crane . Presaging Winters hard , and dearth of Graine . The Silver-Swan that tunes her mournful breath To sing the Dirg of her approaching death : The tatling Oldwives , and the cackling Geese , The fearful Gull that shuns the murdering piece : The strong wing'd Mallard , with the nimble Teal , And ill-shap't Loon , who his harsh notes doth sweal ; There Widgins , Shildrakes , and Humilitee , Snites , Dropps , Sea-Larks in whole millions flee . The Eagles be of two sorts , one like ours in England , the other somewhat bigger , with a great white head , and white tail , commonly called Gripes , they prey upon Ducks , and Geese , and such Fish as are cast upon the Sea-shore ; yet is there a certain black Hawk that will beat this Eagle , so that he is constrained to soar so high , that his enemy cannot reach him : The Hawk is much prized by the Indians , who account him a Sagamores ransom . There are diverse kinds of Hens , Partridges , Heathcocks , and Ducks . The Hum-bird is no bigger than an Hornet , having Spider-like legs , small claws , a very small Bill ; in colour she represents the glorious Rainbow : As she flies she makes a noise like a Humble-Bee . The Pidgeons are more like Turtles than ours , and of the same colour , and have long tailes like a Mag Pie , their Feathers are fewer , but their Bodies as big as our House-Doves , they come into the Country to go home-ward in the beginning of their Spring : at which time ( saith my Author ) I have seen innumerable ; so that I could neither discern beginning nor ending , the length nor breadth of these Millions of Millions : neither could the shouting of People , the report of Guns , nor the pelting of Hail-shot turn them out of their course , but thus they have continued for four or five hours together : and at Michaelmas they return Southward : yet some there are all the year long , which are often killed . They build some thirty miles Northward ; from the English Plantation in Pine-Trees , joyning nest to nest , and Tree to Tree by their nests , so that the Sun never sees the ground in that place , from whence the Indians fetch whole Loads of them . The Turkey is a long Fowl , of a black colour , yet is his flesh white , he is much bigger than our English Turkey ; He hath long Leggs wherewith he can run as fast as a Dog , and can fly as fast as a Goose : Of these are forty , fifty , sixty , and sometimes an hundred in a flock : They feed on Acorns , Haws , and Berries , and some will frequent the English Corn. When the ground is covered with Snow , they go to the Sea-side and feed on Shrimps , and Fishes : If you watch them where they Pearch at night , about ten or eleven a clock at night you may shoot as oft as you will , for they stir not except they be wounded : they continue all the year long , and weigh forty pounds and more apeice . Pheasants are rare ; but Heath-Cocks , and Partridges are common , whereof our English kill many . Ravens and Crows , are much like those in other Countries . There are no Magpies , Jayes , Cockcooes , Jackdaws , Sparrows , &c. The Stares are bigger than ours , and are as black as Crows , which do much hurt among the young Corn , and they are so bold that they fear not Guns . Owles are of two sorts , the one is small speckled like a Partridg with eares : The other is almost as big as an Eagle and is very good meat . Cormorants are as common as other Fowles , they devour much Fish. A tame Cormorant , and two or three good Dogs in the water make excellent sport : Cranes are as tall as a man , their bodies not much unlike the Turkies , they are rarely fat . Also many Swans frequent the Rivers and Ponds , which are very good meat . There be three sorts of Geese ; The Brant Goose like one of our wild Geese . A white Goose about the bigness of ours : Of these there will be sometimes two or three thousand in a flock . The third is a grey Goose with a black neck , and a black and white head much bigger than our English : They are killed both flying and sitting . The Ducks are very large , and in great abundance ; and so is their Teale . Their Old-wives never leave tatling day nor night , they are somewhat bigger than a Duck. The Loon is ill-shaped like a Cormorant , but he can neither go nor fly ; He makes a noise somestime like a Sowgelders Horn. The Humilites , or Simplicites rather , be of two sorts ; The one as big as green Plover , the other is less ; they are so simple that one may drive them on heaps , and then shoot at them , and the living will settle themselves on the same place again where the dead are , while you shoot again , so that sometimes above twelve score have been killed at two shoots . OF FISH . There are great store , and much variety of Fishes thus enumerated . The King of the Waters , the Sea-shouldering Whale ; The snuffing Grampus , with the oylie Seal , The storm-presaging Porpus , Herring-Hogg , Line-shearing Shark , the Cat-fish and the Sea-dogg ; The scale-fenc'd Sturgeon , wry-mouth'd Hollibut ; The flouncing Salmon , Codfish , Greedigut ; Cole , Haddock , Haike , the Thornback and Scate , Whose slimy outside makes him seld in date ; The stately Bass , old Neptunes fleeting Post , That tides it out and in from Sea to Coast ; Consorting Herrings , and the bony Shad. Big-bellied Alewives , Macrils richly clad With Rain-bow colours , the Frost-fish and the Smelt , As good as ever Lady Gustus felt . The spotted Lamprons , Eeles , the Lamperies , That seek fresh water-Brooks with Argu's-eyes . These watry Villages , with thousands more Do pass and repass neer the Verdant shore . Shell-fish of all sorts . The luscious Lobster with the Crabfish raw , The Brittish Oyster , Muscle , Periwig And the Tortoise sought by the Indian Squaw ; Which to the flats dance many a Winters Jigg : To dive for Cockles , and to dig for clams , Whereby her lazy husbands guts she crams . The Seal , called also the Sea-Calf , whose Skin is good for divers uses , and his body between Fish and Flesh , neither delectable to the Pallat , nor well agreeing with the Stomack . His Oyl is used in Lamps . The Shark is as big as a man , some as big as a Horse , with three rows of teeth in his mouth , with which he Snaps in two the Fishers Lines ; he will bite off a mans Armor Legg at a bit , they are oft taken , and serve for nothing but to manure the Ground . There are many Sturgious , but the most are caught at Cape Cod , and in the River of Meramack , whence they are brought to England , they are twelve , fourteen , and some eighteen foot long . The Salmon is as good as ours , and in great plenty in some places : The Hollibut is like our Plaice or Turbut , some being two yards long , and one broad , and a food thick . Thornback and Scate is given to the Doggs , being so common in many places . The Bass is one of the best Fishes , being a Delicate and fat Fish : He hath a bone in his head that contain a Saucerful of Marrow sweet and good , pleasant and wholesome ; they are three or four foot long , they take them with a Hook and Line , and in three hours a man may catch a dozen or twenty of them . The Herrings are much like ours . Alewives are much like Herrings , which in the end of April come into the fresh Rivers to spawn , in such multitudes as is incredible , pressing up in such shallow waters where they can scarce swim , and they are so eager , that no beating with poles can keep them back till they have spawned . Their Shads are far bigger than ours : The Makarels be of two sorts ; In the beginning of the year the great ones are upon the Coast , some 18. inches long : In Sommer come the smaller kind , they are taken with Hooks and Lines baited with a piece of Red Cloth. There be many Eels in the salt water , especially where grass grows , they are caught in Weels baited with pieces of Lobsters : Sometimes a man thus takes a busnel in a night , they are wholesome and pleasant meat . Lamprons and Lampries are little esteemed . Lobsters are in plenty in most places , very large , and some being twenty pound weight , they are taken at low water amongst the Rocks ; the smaller are the better ; but because of their plenty they are little esteemed . The Oysters be great , in form of a shoo-horn , some of a foot long , they breed in certain banks , which are bare after every Spring-tide ; each makes two good mouthfuls . The Periwig lies in the Oase like a head of hair , which being touched , draws back it self leaving nothing to be seen but a small round hole , Muscles are in such plenty that they give them their Hoggs . Clams are not much unlike to Cockles , lying under the Sand , every six or seven of them having a round hole at which they take in Air and Water , they are in great plenty , and help much to feed their Swine both Winter and Sommer ; for the Swine being used to them , will constantly repair every ebb to the places , where they root them up and eat them . Some are as big as a Penny Loaf , which the Indians count great dainties . A Description of the Plantations in New-England as they were Anno Christi , 1633. The outmost Plantation to the Southward , which by the Indians is called Wichaguscusset , is but a small Village , yet pleasant and healthful , having good ground , store of good Timber , and of Meddow ground ; there is a spacious Harbor for shipping before the Town ; they have store of Fish of all sorts , and of Swine , which they feed with Acrons and Clams , and an Alewife River . Three miles to the North is Mount Wolleston , a fertile soil , very convenient for Farmers houses , there being great store of plain ground without Trees . Near this place are Maschusets Fields , where the greatest Sagamore in the Country lived before the Plague cleared all : Their greatest inconvenience is that there are not so many Springs as in other places ; nor can Boats come in at low water , nor Ships ride near the Shore . Six miles further to the North lieth Dorchester , the greatest Town in New-England , well Wooded and Watered with good Arrable and Hay ground , fair comfortable Fields and pleasant Gardens : Here are many Cattel , as Kine , Goats , and Swine . It hath a good Harbor for ships ; there is begun the fishing in the Bay , which proved so profitable , that many since have followed them there . A mile from thence lies Roxberry , a fair and handsome Country Town ; the Inhabitants are rich : It lies in the Mains , and yet is well Wooded and watered , having a clear Brook running through the Town , where are great store of Smelts , whence it s called Smelt-River . A quarter of a mile on the North of it is another River , called Stony River , upon which is built a water Mill. Here is good store of Corn and Meddow Ground . Westward from the Town it s somewhat Rocky , whence it s called Roxberry ; the Inhabitants have fair houses , , store of Cattel , Come-fields paled in , and fruitful Gardens . Their goods are brought in Boats from Boston , which is the nearest Harbor . Boston is two miles North-East from Roxberry . It s Situation is very pleasant , being a Peninsula hemmed on the South with the Bay of Roxberry . On the North with Charles River , the Marshes on the back side being not half a quarter of a mile over , so that a little fencing secures their cattel from the Wolves . Their greatest want is of Wood and Meddow ground , which they supply from the adjacent Islands , both for Timber , Fire-wood , and Hay ; they are not troubled with Wolves , Rattlesnakes nor Musketoes , being bare of Wood to shelter them . It s the chief place for shipping and Merchandize . This neck of Land is about four miles in compass , almost square : Having on the South at one corner a great broad Hill , whereon is built a Fort , which commands all Ships in any Harbour in the Hill Bay. On the North side is another Hill of the same bigness , whereon stands a Windmil . To the North-West is an high Mountain , with three little Hills on the top , whence it is called Tremount . From hence you may see all the Islands that lie before the Bay , and such Ships as are upon the Sea Coast. Here are rich Corn Fields , and fruitful Gardens : The Inhabitants grow rich ; they have sweet and pleasant Springs ; and for their enlargement , they have taken to themselves Farm-Houses in a place called Muddy River , two miles off , where is good Timber , Ground , Marsh-Land , and Meddows , and there they keep their Swine or other Cattel in the Summer , and bring them to Boston in the Winter . On the North side of Charles River is Charles Town , which is another neck of Land , on whose Northern side runs Mistick River . This Town may well be paralled with Boston , being upon a bare neck , and therefore forced to borrow conveniencies from the Main , and to get Farmes in the Country . Here is a Ferry-boat to carry Passengers over Charles River , which is a deep Channel , and a quarter of a mile over . Here may ride fourty ships at a time . Up higher is a broad Bay that is two miles over , into which run Stony River , and Muddy River . In the middle of this Bay is an Oyster bank . Medfod Village is scituated towards the North-West of this Bay , in a Creek : A very fertile and pleasant place : It s a mile and a half from Charles Town . At the bottom of this Bay the River is very narrow . By the side of this River stands New-Town , three miles from Charles Town . It s a neat and well compacted Town , having many fair buildings , and at first was intended for a City ; The Inhabitants are mostly rich , and have many Cattel of all sorts , and many hundred Acres of Ground paled in . On the other side of the River lies their Meddow and Marsh Ground for Hay Half a mile thence is Water Town , nothing inferiour for Land , Wood , Meddows and Water : Within half a mile of it is a great Pond , which is divided between those two Towns ; And a mile and a half from this Town is a fall of fresh waters , which through Charles River fall into the Ocean : A little below this fall they have made weires , where they catch great store of Shads , and Alewives , an hundred thousand of them in two Tides . Mastick is three miles from Charles Town ; seated pleasantly by the waters side . At the head of this River are very spacious Ponds to which the Alewives press to cast their Spawn , where multitudes are taken . On the West side of this River the Governour hath a Farm where he keeps most of his Cattel . On the East side is Mr. Craddocks Plantation , who impailed in a Park for Deer , and some ships have been built there . Winnisimet is a very pleasant place for situation , and stands commodiously . It s but a mile from Charles Town , the River only parting them . It s the lasts Town in the Bay. The chief Islands that secure the Harbor from Winds and Waves , are first Deere Island , within a flight shot from Bullin Point . It s so called , because the Deer often swim thither to escape the Woolves , where sixteen of them have been killed in a day . The next is Long Island , so called from its length . Other Islands are Nodless Isle , Round Isle ; the Governours Garden , having in it an Orchard , Garden , and other conveniencies : Also Slate Island , Glass Island , Bird Island , &c. they all abound with Wood , Water , and Meddows : In these they put their Cattel for safety , whil'st their Corn is on the Ground . The Towns without the Bay are nearer the Main , and reap a greater benefit from the Sea , in regard of the plenty of Fish and Fowl , and so live more plentifully than those that are more remoat from the Sea in the Island Plantations . Six miles North-East from Winnisimet is Sagus , is pleasant for situation , seated at the bottom of a Bay , which is made on the one side with a surrounding Shore , and on the other side with a long Sandy Beach : It s in the circumference six miles , well Woodded with Oakes , Pines , and Cedars ; It s also well watered with fresh Springs , and a great Pond in the middle , before which is a spacious Marsh. One Black William an Indian Duke , out of his generosity , gave this place to the Plantation of Sagus , so that none else can claim it ; when a storm hath been , or is like to be , there will be a roaring like thunder which may be heard six miles off . On the North side of this Bay are two great Marshes , divided by a pleasant River that runs between them . The Marsh is crossed with divers Creeks where are store of Geese and Ducks , and convenient Ponds wherein to make Decoys . There are also fruitful Meddows , and four great Ponds like little Lakes wherein is store of fresh Fish ; out of which , within a mile of the Town runs a curious fresh Brook which is rarely frozen by reason of its warmness : and upon it is built a Water Mill. For Wood there is store , as Oake , Walnut , Cedar , Elme , and Aspe : Here was sown much English Corn. Here the Bass continues from the midst of April till Michaelmas , and not above half that time in the Bay. There is also much Rock-Cod , and Macharil , so that shoals of Bass have driven shoals of Macharil to the end of the sandy bank , which the Inhabitants have gathered up in Wheel barrows . Here are many Muscle banks , and Clam-banks , and Lobsters amongst the Rocks , and grassy holes . Four miles from Saugus stands Salem , on the middle of a neck of Land very pleasantly , between two Rivers on the North and South . The place is but barren sandy Land , yet for seven years together it brought forth excellent Corn , being manured with Fish every third year : Yet there is good ground , and good Timber by the Sea side , and divers fresh Springs . Beyond the River is a very good soil , where they have Farms . Here also they have store of Fish , as Basses , Eels , Lobsters , Clams , &c. They cross the River in Canows made of whole Pine Trees , two foot and an half wide , and twenty foot long , in which also they go a Fowling , sometimes two Leagues into the Sea. It hath two good Harbours , which lie within Derbins Fort. Marvil Head lies four miles South from Salem , a very good place for a Plantation , especially for such as will set up a Trade of Fishing : There are good Harbours for Boats , and good riding for ships . Agowomen is nine miles to the North from Salem near the Sea , and another good place for a Plantation . It abounds with Fish and Flesh , of Fowls , and Beasts , hath great Meddows and Marshes , and Arable grounds , many good Rivers and Harbours , and no Rattle Snakes . Merrimack lies eight miles beyond that , where is a River Navigable for twenty miles , and all along the side of it fresh Marshes , in some places three miles broad . In the River is Sturgion , Salmon , Bass , and divers other kinds of Fish. Three miles beyond this River is the out side of Massecusets Patent ; wherein these are the Towns that were begun in the year , 1633. Of the Evils , and Hurtful things in the Plantation . Those that bring the greatest prejudice to the Planters , are the ravenous Woolves , which destroy the weaker Cattel , of which we heard before . Then the Rattle Snake which is usually a yard and a half long , as thick in the middle as the small of a mans Legg , with a yellow belly : Her back is spotted with black , russet , and green , placed like scales . At her taile is a rattle with which she makes a noise when she is molested , or when any come near to her : Her neck seems no bigger than a mans thumb , yet can she swallow a Squirrel , having a wide mouth with teeth as sharp as needles , wherein her poyson lies , for she hath no sting : when a man is bitten by her , the poyson spreads so suddenly through the veins to the heart that in an hour it causes death , unless he hath the Antidote to expel the poyson , which is a Root called Snake-weed , which must be champed , the spittle swallowed , and the Root applyed to the sore ; this is a certain cure . This Weed is rank poyson if it be taken by any man that is not bitten , unless it be Phisically compounded with other things . He that is bitten by these Snakes , his fresh becomes as spotted as a Lepers , till he be perfectly cured . She is naturally the most sleepy and unnimble Creature that is , never offering to leap at , or bite any man , if he tread not upon her : In hot weather they desire to lie in paths in the Sun , where they sleep soundly ; A small switch will easily kill them . If a Beast be bitten , they cut his flesh in divers places , and thrust in this Weed , which is a sure Cure. In many places of the Country there be none of them ; As at Plimouth , New-Town , &c. In some places they live on one side the River , and if they swim over , as soon as they come into the Woods , they turn up their yellow bellies and die . Other Snakes there be , which yet never hurt eitheir man or Beast . There be also store of Froggs , which in the Spring time chirp , and whistle like Birds , and in the end of Sommer croake like other Frogs . There are also Toads that will creep to the top of Trees , and sit croaking there to the wonderment of strangers . There be also Pismires , and Spiders , but neither Fleshworms , nor Moles . There be wild Bees or Wasps that guard the Grapes , making her Cobweb nest amongst the Leaves : Also a great Fly , like to our Horse flies , which bite and fetch blood from man or beast , and are most troublesome where most Cattel be . There is also a Gurnipper , which is a Fly as small as a Flea , and where it bites it causes much itching , and scratching . Also the Muskito like to our Gnats : Such as are bitten by them fall a scratching , which makes their hands and faces swell ; but this is only the first year , for they never swell the second year . Here also are Flies called Cantharides , so much used by Chirurgions ; and divers sorts of Butterflies . Of the Natives inhabiting those parts of New-England . The Country is divided ( as it were ) into Shires , every several Shire under a several King. On the East , and North-East are the Churchers , and Tarenteens . In the Southern parts are the Pequants , and Naragansets . On the West are the Connectacuts , and Mowhacks . Those on the North of them are called Aberginians , who before the sweeping Plague scorned the confrontments of such as now count themselves but the scum of the Country , and that would soon root them out , were it not for the English. The Churchers are a cruel bloody people , which were wont to come down upon their poor neighbours , bruitishly spoyling their Corn , burning their houses , slaying their men , ravishing the Women , yea sometimes eating a man , one part after another before his face whil'st he was alive : But they say , they dare not meddle with a white faced man , accompanied with his hotmouthed weapon . They are tall of stature , have long grim Visages , slender wasted , and exceeding great arms and thighs , wherein their strength lies ; with a Fillip of their finger they will kill a Dogg : They live upon Fruits , Herbs , and Roots , but that which they most desire is Mans flesh . If they catch a stranger they keep him in as good plight as they can , giving him their best fare , and daily pipe to him , paint him , and dance about him , till at last they begin to eat him piece-meal : They are desperate in Wars , securing their bodies with Sea-horse Skins , and Barks of Trees made impenitrable , wearing Head-pieces of the same : Their Weapons are Tamahauks , which are Staves of two foot and a half long , and a knob at the end as big as a Foot-ball ; these they carry in their right hand , and in their left a Javelin , or short spear headed with a sharp Sea-horse Tooth ; they are both deadly Weapons . The Tarenteens are little less savage , only they eat not mans flesh : They are enemies to the Indians amongst the English , and kill as many of them as they can meet with . They are the more insolent because they have Guns , which they trade for with the French , who will sell his eyes , they say , for Beaver . So soon as a Boat comes to an Anchor , they enquire for Sack and strong Liquors , which they much affect ever since the English traded it with them , so that they will scarce exchange their Beaver for any thing else . These are wise , high spirited , constant in friendship one to another , true in their promises , and more industrious than most others . The Pequants are a stately Warlike People , just in their Dealings ; requiters of Courtesies , and affable to the English. The Narragansetz are the most numerous people in those parts , the richest and most industrious : They are also the most curious Minters of their Wampamprag and Mowhacks , which they make of the most inmost wreaths of Perriwinckles shells ; the Northern , Eastern , and Western Indies fetch all their Coin from them : As also they make curious Pendants and Blacelets , and stone Pipes which hold a quarter of an ounce of Tobacco ; these they make with Steel Drills , and other Instruments , and so ingenuous they are , that they will imitate the English Mold so exactly that were it not for matter and Colour you , could not distinguish them ; they make these Pipes of green or black stone ; they made also Pots , wherein they dressed their Victuals before they knew the use of our Brass : They seek rather to grow rich by Industry , than famous by deeds of chivalry . The Aberginians are mostly between five and six foot high , straight bodied , strong lim'd , smooth skin'd , merry countenanced , of complexion something more swarthy than a Spaniard ; black haired , high foreheaded , black eyed , out-nosed , having broad shoulders , brawny Arms , long and slender hands , out-breasts , small wasts , lank bellies , handsome legs , thighs , flat knees , and small feet . It s beyond belief to conceive how such lusty bodies should be supported by such slender foot : Their houses are mean , their lodging as homely , their commons scant , their drink Water , and Nature their best cloathing : You shall never see any monstrous person amongst them , or one whom sickness hath deformed , or casualty made decrepit ; most are fifty years old before a wrinkled brow , or Gray Hairs bewrayes their age : their smooth Skins proceeds from the oft anointing their bodies with Oyl of Fishes , and fat of Eagles , and Rackoones , which secures them also against Muskitoes : Their black hair is Natural , but made more jetty by oyling , dying , and daily dressing : Sometimes they wear long hair like women , sometimes they tie it up short like a horse tail : their boyes must not wear their hair long , till they be sixteen year old , and then also but by degrees , some leave a foretop , others a long lock on the crown , or one on each side the head , as best pleases their fancy : They will not endure any Hair on their Chins , but scrub it up by the roots : And if they see one with the appearance of a Beard , they say he is an English mans Bastard . Their cloathing is a piece of cloth of a yard and a half long put between their Groyns tied with Snake-skins about their middle , with a flap before , and hanging like a tail behind . The more Aged in the Winter wear Leather Drawers like Irish Trowzes ; their shooes are of their own making , cut out of a Mooses Hide ; have and some skins which they cast about them like Irish Mantles , being either Bear , Mooses , or Beaver-skins sewed together , &c. and in the Winter deep Fur'd Catskins , which they wear upon that Arm that is most exposed to the weather . When they are disposed to Trade , they choose a good course Blanket , or piece of Broad Cloth , which they make a Coat of by Day , and a covering by Night : They love not to be imprisoned in Cloaths after our Mode . Though they be poor , yet are they proud , which discovers it self by their affecting Ornaments , as Pendants in their Ears , forms of Birds , Beasts , and Fishes carved out of Bones , Shels , and Stones , with long Bracelets of their curiously wrought Wampompeag , and Mowhacks , which they wear about their loins . Many of their better sort bear upon their cheeks the Pourtaictures of Beasts , and Fowls , which they make by rasing of their skin with a small sharp Instrument , under which they convey a kind of black unchageable Ink which makes them apparent and permanent : Others have impressions down the out side of their Arms and Breasts like Stars , which they imprint by searing Irons . A Sagamore with a Hum-bird in his Ear for a Pendant , a black Hawke on his Head for a Plume , Mawhack instead of a Gold Chain , store of Wampompeag about his Loins , his Bow in his Hand , his Quiver at his back , and six naked Indians for his Guard , thinks himself nothing inferiour to the great Cham , and will say that he is all one with King Charles . Of their Diet , Cookery , Meal-times and Hospitality . In the Winter time they have all sorts of Fowls , Beasts , and Pond-fish , with some Roots , Indian Beans , and Clams . In the Sommer they have all manner of Sea Fish , with all sorts of Berries . These they roast or boil in great Kettles , which they gat by trading with the French , and now of the English : Before , they had good earthen Pots of their own making ; their Spits are cloven sticks sharpned at one end and thrust into the ground , a dozen of them with Flesh and Fish about a fire , turning them as they see occasion . This they present to their Guests , dishing it in a rude manner , and set on the ground , without Linnen , Trenchers , or Knives ; to this they presently fall aboard without Bread , Salt , or Beer , lolling after the Turkish fashion , not ceasing till their full bellies leave empty platters . Their Indian Corn they seeth whole , like Beans , eating three or four corns with a mouthful of Fish or Flesh , filling up thinks with their Broth. In Sommer when their Corn is spent Isquoterquashes is their best Bread , like our young Pumpions . When our English invite them to meat , they eat very moderately , though at home without measure . They all meet friends at a Kettle , save their Wives , who attend at their backs for their bony fragments . They keep no set meals , but when their store is spent , they bite on the bit , till they meet with fresh supplies , their Wives trudging to the Clam-banks when other Provision fails . It s the greatest discourtesie you can shew them , not to eat of their Delicates , of which they are as free as Emperors , and not to sup of their Broth made thick with Fish , Fowl and Beasts , all boiled together . Of their Dispositions , good Qualities , as Friendship , Constancy , Truth , and Affability . These Indians are of an Affable , Courteous , and well-disposed Nature , ready to communicate the best of their wealth to the mutual good one of another , and the less abundance they have , the more conspicuous is their love , in that they are as willing to part with their mite in poverty , as their Treasure in Plenty . He that kills a Deer sends for his friends and eats it merrily . He that receives but a piece of Bread from an English hand , gives part of it to his Comrades , and they eat it together lovingly . Yea , a friend can command a friends house , and whatsoever is his ( saving his Wife ) and have it freely : and nothing sooner disjoyns them than ingratitude , accounting an ungrateful person , a double Robber , not only of a mans curtesie , but of his thanks , which he might have from another for the same profered and received kindness . They so love each other , that they cannot endure to see one of their Countrymen wronged , but will defend them stiffly , plead for them strongly , and justifie their integrity in any warrantableaction . They are true , and faithful to the English , and have been the disclosers of all such treacheries as have been designed by other Indians against them . If any roaving ship be upon the Coast , and chance to harbour in any unusual Port , they will give the English notice of it , which hath been no small advantage . When the English have travelled far into the Couutry , they readily entertain them into their houses , quarter them in their Rooms , and provide for them the best victuals they can , and give them kind entertainment , if it be for two or three weeks together . They are also ready to guide them through the unbeaten Wildernesses , and if any loose their way , they will not leave them till they have brought them to their desired place . They are very careful to keep good correspondence with our English Magistrates , being ready to execute any service which they require of them . If any Malefactor withdraw himself from condigne punishment , they will hunt him out , and not rest till they have delivered him up to Justice . They are kind and affable , very wary with whom they enter into friendship ; nothing is more hateful to them than a churlish disposition , or dissimulation : They speak seldom , and then utter not many words , and those they do , they deliver very gravely . They never fall out amongst themselves , nor abuse each other in language . Yea , though in Gaming they lose all their little all , yet is the Loser as merry as the Winner , and they part good friends . Of their Hardness . Their hardness is to be admired , no ordinary pains causing them so much to alter their Countenance : Beat them , whip them , pinch them , punch them , if they resolve otherwise , they will not winch for it : and though naturally they fear death , yet the unexpected approach of a mortal wound by Sword , Bullet , &c. strike no more terrour , causes no more exclamation , no more complaint , than if it were a shot into the Trunk of a Tree . Some have been shot in at the Mouth , and out under the Ear , others into the Breast ; others run through the flanks with Darts , others received desperate wounds , and yet , either by their rare skill in simples , or by Charms have been cured in a short time . In the night they dare not stir out of their houses , for fear of their Abamaco [ the Devil ] they will rather lie by an English fire all night , than go a quarter of mile in the dark to their own houses . Of their wondering at their first sight of any new Invention . They being strangers to Arts , are ravished at the first view of any new Invention : They took the first Ship they saw for a mourning Island , the Masts to be Trees , the Sails , white Clouds , and the discharging of great Guns , to be Thunder and Lightning : But this moving Island being stopped by its Anchor , they manned out their Canows to go and pick strabones in it ; but by the way , being saluted with a broad side , they cryed out , with much hoggery , so big walk , and so big speak , and by and by kill ; this made them to turn back , and approach no more till they were sent for . They wondred much at the first Wind Mill which the English erected , for its strange whirking motion , and the sharp teeth , biting the Corn so small , and its long Arms , neither durst they stay in so tottering a Tabernacle . The first Plowman they saw was accounted a Jugler , the Plow tearing up more ground in a day , then their Clamshels could scrape up in a moneth . yet are they so ingenious , and dexterous in using the Ax or Hatchet , that probably they would soon learn any Trade , were they not so much wedded to idleness ; so that they had rather starve than work . In brief , they be wise in their carriage , subtile in their Trading , true in their promise , just in paying their Debts : Though their poverty may make them slow , yet are they sure : Some having died in the English debt , have by Will left Beaver for their satisfaction : They be constant in friendship , merrily conceited in Discourse , not Luxurious , in Youth , nor froward in Old Age. Of their Kings Government , and Subjects obedience . Their Kings inherit , the Son alwayes succeeding his Father . If there be no Son , the Queen Rules , if no Queen , the next of the blood Royal ; If any other intrude , he is counted a Usurper ; and if his fair carriage win not their love , they will soon unking him . The Kings have not many Laws to Rule by , nor have they any yearly Revenews , yet are they so feared , or beloved , that half their Subjects estates are at their service , and their persons at his command . Though he hath no Kingly Rules to make him glorious , no guard to secure him , no Courtlike attendance , nor sumptuous Pallaces , yet they account him their Soveraign , and yield chearful subjection to him , going and coming at his beck without questioning a reason , though the matter thwart their wills . Such as commit Treason , or lay violent hands on their lawful Soveraign , die without mercy . Once a year he takes his progress , attended with a dozen of his best Subjects , to view his Countrey , to recreate himself , and to establish good Order . When he comes into any house , without any other Complements , they desire him to sit down on the ground ( having neither Stools nor Cushions ) and after a while all that are present sit down by him , one of his Seniors making an Oration gratulatory to his Majesty for his love , and the many good things they enjoy under his Government . A King of large Dominions hath his Vice-Royes under him to mannage his State Affairs , and to keep his Subjects in good Decorum . For their Laws , as their evil manners come short of other Nations , so they need not so many Laws , yet some they have , which they inflict upon notorious Malefactors , as Traytors , Murtherers , &c. He that deserves death , being apprehended , is brought before the King ; and some of his wisest men , and if upon trial he be found guilty , the Executioner comes in , blindfolds him , and sets him in the publick , and brains him with a Club ; they have no other punishment save Admonitions , or reproofs for smaller offences . Of their Marriages . The Kings and great Pawwoos , or Connirers may have two or three Wives , yet seldom use it ; others have but one . When a man desires to marry , he first gets the good will of the Maid or Widdow , then the consent of her friends , then , if the King like , the match is made , her Dowry of Wamponpeag paid , and so the King joyns their hands never to part till Death , unless she prove a Whore , for which they may put them away . Of their Worship , Invocations , and Conjurations . As its natural to all Mortals to worship something , so do these . They acknowledge specially two , Ketar , who is their God , to Whom they sacrifice when they have a good Crop. Him they Invocate for fair weather , for Rain , for recovery of their sick , &c. But if they prevail not , their Powwows betake themselves to their Conjurations , and Charmes , by which they effect very strange things , and many times work great Cures . But since the English came amongst them , they are much reformed , and most of them have left these Diabolical practices . Of their Wars . For places of retreat in times of danger they make Forts of fourty or fifty foot square , of young Timber Trees ten or twelve foot high rammed into the ground , the Earth being cast up within for their shelter , and with loop holes through which they shoot their Arrows . In war their only Weapons are Bows and Arrows , only their Captains have long Spears , on which , if they return Conquerors , they carry the chiefest of their enemies heads ; for they use to cut off their heads , hands , and feet to carry home to their Wives and Children as Trophies of their renowned Victories : They also at such times paint their Faces with diversities of colours to make them the more terrible to their foes ; They put on also their rich Jewels , Pendants , Wampompeag , &c. to mind them that they fight , not only for their Lives , Wives and Children , but for their Goods , Lands , and Liberties ; they fight without all order , and when they have spent their Arrows , they run away . They are trained up to their Bows from their childhood , and are excellent Marks-men : They run swiftly , and swim almost naturally . Of their Huntings . They have neither Beagles , Hounds , nor Grayhounds , but supply all themselves : In the season of the year they have Hunting Houses in the places to which the Deer resort , in which they keep their Rendesvouze , with their Snares , and all the Accoutrements for that imployment . When they see a Deer Moose , or bear , they labour to get the wind of him , and coming neer they shoot him quite through , if the bones hinder not . They hunt also Wolves , wild Cats , Rackoones , Otters , Beavers , and Musquashes , trading both their Skins and flesh to the English : They have also other devises wherewith to kill their game . Of their Fishings . They are very expert in fishing , knowing all kinds of baits fit for each several sorts of fish , and for all seasons of the year . They know also when to fish in the Rivers , when at the Rocks , when in the Bayes , and when at the Seas : Before the English furnished them with Hooks and Lines , they made Lines of their own Hemp , curiously wrought , stronger than ours , and used bone-hooks ; They make also strong Nets , wherewith they , catch Sturgion ; and in the night they go forth in their canooes with a blazing Torch , which they wave up and down , with which the Sturgion being delighted , playes about it , turning up her white belly , into which they thrust a bearded Dart , her back being impenetrable , and so hale her to the shoar . They look out also for sleeping Seals , whose Oyl they much esteem , using it for divers things . Of their Arts and Manufactures . They dress all manner of Skins , by scraping and rubbing , and curiously paint them with unchangable colours , and sometimes take off the hair , especially if they be not in season . They make handsome Bows , which they string with Mooses sinews : Their Arrows they make of young Eldern , which they feather with Eagles feathers , and head them with Brass in shape of a Triangle . Their Cordage is so even , smooth , and soft , that its liker Silk than Hemp. Their Canows are either made of Pine-trees , which , before they had English Tools , they burned hollow scraping them smooth with the shels of Clams , and Oysters , cutting their out-sides with Hatchets of Stone : Others they make of Birch rinds , which are so light that a man may carry one of them on his back . In these tottering Boats they will go to Sea , scudding over the waves , rowing with a Paddle : If a Wave turn her over , by swimming they turn her up , and get into her again . Of their Death , Burials , and mournings . Though these Indians have lusty and healthful bodies , not knowing many diseases incident to others Countries , as Feavers , Plurisies , Callentures , Agues , Obstructions , Consumptions , Convulsions , Apoplexies , Dropsies , Gout , Stone , Toothach , Pox , Meazles , &c. so that some of them live to sixty , seventy , eighty , yea , one hundred years before death summons them hence ; yet when death approaches , and all hope of recovery is past , then to see and hear their heavy sobbs , and deep fetched sighs , their grieved hearts , and brinish tears , and doleful cryes , would fetch tears from an heart of stone . Their grief being asswaged , they commit the bodies of their friends to the Earth , over whose grave for a long time they weep , groan , and howl , continuing annual mournings , with a stiff black paint on their faces : They mourn without hope , and yet hold the immortality of the Soul , that it shall pass to the South-West Elysium , a kind of Paradise , wherein they shall for ever abide , solacing themselves in Odoriferous Gardens , fruitful Corn-fields , green Meddows , Bathing in cool streams of pleasant Rivers , and shelter themselves from heat and cold in state-Pallaces framed by Dame Nature ; at the Portal of this Elisium they say there lies a great Dogg , whose currish snarlings excludes unworthy intruders : wherefore they bury them with Bows and Arrows , and store of Wampompeag , and Mouhak● , either to affright the affronting Cerberus , or to purchase greater prerogatives in that in Paradise . But evil livers they go to the infernal dwellings of Abamacho , there to be tormented . Of their Women , their Dispositions , Imployments , Vsage by their Husbands , their Apparel , and Modesty . These Indians scorn the tutorings of their Wives , or to admit them as their equals , though their qualities , and industry may justly claim the preheminence , and command better usage , and more conjugal esteem , their persons and features being every way correspondent , their qualifications more excellent , being more loving , pitiful , and modest , mild , provident , and laborious than their lazy husbands . Their imployments are many , for they build their houses in fashion like our Garden Arbors , but rounder , very strong and handsome , covered with close wrought Mats of their own weaving , which deny entrance to a drop of Rain , though it be fierce and long , neither can the North winds find a crany whereat to enter ; they be warmer then ours : At the top is a square hole for the smoake to pass out , which is close covered in rainy weather : Yet when they have a good fire , they are so smoky , that they are fain to lie down under the smoake . Their Sommer houses when Families are dispersed upon divers occasions , are less : their winter houses are fifty or sixty foot long ; fourty or fifty men lodging in one of them ; and when their husbands require it , the Wives are fain to carry their houses on their backs to Fishing and Hunting places ; or to a planting place , where it abides the longest . The Wives also plant their corn , which they keep so clear from weeds , with their Clam-shell Hooes , as if it were a Garden rather than a Corn-field ; neither suffering Weeds nor Worms to hurt it . Their Corn being ripe , they dry it in the Sun , and convey it into their Barns , which be great holes digged in the ground like brass Pots , lining them with Rinds of Trees , into which they put their Corn , covering it from their Gurmundizing Husbands , who else would eat up all their allowed portion , and reserved Seed if they knew where to find it . But our English Hoggs having found a way to open their Barn-doors , and to rob their Garners ; they are fain to make use of their Husbands help to rowl the bodies of Trees over them , to secure them against these Swine , whose thievery they hate as much as they do to eat their flesh . Another of their imployments is , in their Sommer processions to get Lobsters for their husbands , wherewith they bait their hooks when they go a fishing for Bass & Codfish . This is their every days walk be the weather cold or hot , the Waters rough or calm , they must dive sometimes over head and ears for a Lobster , which often shakes them by the hands , with a churlish nip , and so bids them adieu . The Tide being spent they trudg home two or three miles with an hundred weight of Lobsters on their backs , but if they meet with none , they have a hundred scouls from their churlish Hsbands , and an hungry belly for two dayes after . When their Husbands have caught any fish they bring it in their Canows as far as they can by Water , and there they leave it , sending their Wives to fetch it home , or they must fast , which done , they must dress it , cook it , dish it , and present it , and see it eaten before their faces , and their Loggerships having filled their paunches , their poor Wives must scramble for their scraps . In the Sommer when Lobsters be in their plenty and prime , these Indian women dry them to keep for Winter , erecting Scaffolds in the hot Sun , and making fires underneath them , by the Smoake whereof the flies are driven away , till the fish remain hard & dry : Thus also they dry Bass , and other Fishes without salt , cutting them very thin that they may dry the sooner before the Flies spoil them , or the Rain wet them , having a great care to hang them in their smoaky houses in the night , and dankish weather . In Sommer also they gather Flags , of which they make Mats for Houses ; also Hemp and Rushes with dying stuff , of which they make curious Baskets with intermingled colours , and Pourtraictures of Antique Imagery . These Baskets are of all sizes , from a Quart to a Quarter , in which they carry their Luggage . In Winter they are their Husbands Caterers , trugging to the Clam-banks for their belly-timber : they are also their porters to lug home their Venison , which their laziness exposeth to the Wolves , till their Wives impose it upon their shoulders . They also sew thir husbands shooes , and weave Turkey Feathers for them , besides all their housholds drudgery which daily goes through their hands , and a big belly hinders no business , nor doth their childbirth hinder much time , but the young child being greased and sooted , wrapped up in a Beavers Skin , bound to his good behaviour , with his feet up to his Bum , upon a board two foot long , and one foot broad , his face being exposed to the most nipping weather , this little Pappouse travels about with his barefooted Mother , to paddle in the Icy Clamb-banks , being not above three or four dayes old . The womens carriage is very Civil , smiles being the greatest grace of their mirth . Their Musick is Lullabies to quiet their Children , who yet are generally as quiet as if they had neither Spleen nor Lungs . To hear one of these Indian Women unseen , a good ear might easily mistake their untaught voice for the warbling of a well tuned Instrument . Their modesty suggest them to wear more cloathes than their Husbands , having alwayes a short Coat of cloth , or Skin wrapped like a Blanket about their loins reaching to their hams , which they never put off in company . If a husband sels his Wives Beaver Petticote , as sometimes he doth , she will not put it off , till she hath another to put on . Their mild carriage and obedience to their husbands is very commendable ; notwithstanding all their churlishness , and salvage inhumanity towards them , yet will they not frown , nor offer to word it with their Lords , nor presume to proclaim their superiority to the usurping of the least tittle of their Husbands charter , but are contentedly quiet with their helpless condition , esteeming it to be the Womans portion . Since the arrival of the English comparison hath made their yoake more miserable : For seeing the kind usage of the English men towards their wives , they cannot but as much condemn their own husbands unkindness , as they commend the English mens love . But in the mean time , their husbands commend themselves for their wit in keeping their wives in subjection , and to labour as much as they condemn the English husbands for their indulgence and folly in spoiling such good working creatures . These Indian women do oft resort to the houses of the English wherewith those of their own Sex , they do somewhat ease their misery by complaining of their thraldom , and seldom part without some relief ; and if their husbands come to seek for their Spaws ( for so they call all women ) and do begin to bluster for their idleness , the English woman betakes her to her Arms , which are the warlike Ladle , and the scalding Liquor , threatning blistering to the naked Runaway , who is soon driven back by such hot comminations . In a word , the love of these women to the English , deserves no small esteem , whom they are ever presenting with something that is rare or desired , as Strawberries , Hurtleberries , Rasberries , Gooseberries , Cherries , Plums , Fish , and such other gifts as their poor Treasury affords . New Englands Prospect . Of their Religion . The Natives of New-England conceive of many Divine powers : but one whom they call Keihtan ( they say ) is the principal , and maker of all the rest , and himself is made by none . He created the Heavens , Earth , Sea , and all Creatures contained therein . He also made one man and one Woman , of whom oll mankind came . But how they came to be so far dispersed , they know not . At first ( they say ) there was no Sachem or King , but Keihtan , who dwells above the Heavens , whither all good men go when they die to see their friends , and have their fill of all thins . Thither bad men go also , and knock at his door , but he bids them walk abroad , for there is no piace for such , so that they wander in restless want , and penury . Never man saw this Kiehtan ; only old men tell them of him , and bid them tell their children ; yea , to charge them to tell it to their posterities , and to lay the like charge upon them . This power they acknowledge to be good ; and when they would obtain any great matter , they meet together , and cry unto him ; and when they have plenty and victory , &c. they sing , dance , give thanks , and hang up Garlands in memory thereof . Another power they worship called Hobbamock , which is the Devil ; Him they call upon to cure their wounds , and Diseases . And when they are curable , he perswades them that he sends the same for some conceived anger against them ; but upon their calling upon him , he can , and doth help them . But when they are mortal and incurable , he tells them that Kiehtan is angry , and sends them , whom none can cure , which makes them doubt whether he be simply good , and therefore in sickness they never call upon him . This Hobbamock appears in sundry forms unto them ; As in the shape of a Man , a Deer , a Fawn , an Eagle , &c. But most ordinarily like a snake . He appears not to all , but to the chiefest , and most judicious amongst them , though all of them strive to attain that Hellish honor . He chiefly appears to three sorts of persons : Of the first Rank they are few , and they are highly esteemed of , and they think that no weapon can kill them : The second sort are called Powahs : and the third Priests . The Powahs chief Office is to call upon the Devil , and to cure the sick and wounded . The common people joyn with him in his Invocations , by saying Amen to what he saith . The Powah is eager and free in speech , fierce in countenance , and joyneth many Antick and laborious gestures with the same over the party diseased . If the party be wounded , they suck his wounds ; but if they be curable , the Snake or Eagle sits on his shoulders and licks the same . Him none sees but the Powah . If the party be otherwise diseased , its sufficient if in any shape he but comes into the house , and it is an undoubted sign of recovery . The Powahs in their speech promise to sacrifice many Skins of Beasts , Kettles , Hatchets , Beads , Knives , and the best things they have to the Fiend , if he help the diseased party . When women are in desperate and extraordinary hard travel in in Child-birth , they send for the Powahs to help them . Many sacrifices they use , and sometimes kill their Children . The Nanohiggansets exceed in their blind Devotion , and have great spacious houses , into which their Priests only come . Thither at certain times most of the People resort and sacrifice almost all their riches to their gods , as Kettles , Skins , Hatchets , Beads , Knives , &c. all which the Priest casts into a great fire made in the midst of that house , where they are consumed . To this Offering every man brings freely , and he that brings most , is best esteemed . The Priests are men of great courage and wisdom , and to these the Devil also appears more familiarly than to others , and covenants with them to preserve them from death by wounds of Arrows , Knives , Hatchets , &c. One of these will chase almost an hundred of their enemies : They are highly esteemed of all , and are of the Sachems Councel , without whom he will neither make War , nor undertake any great matter . In War the Sachems for their more safety , go in the midst of them . They are usually men of the greatest stature and strength , and such as will endure most hardness , and yet are discreet , and courteous in their carriages , scorning theft , lying , and base dealing , and stand as much upon their Reputation as any men . And to encrease the number of these , they train up the likeliest Boyes from their Childhood unto great hardness , and cause them to abstain from dainty meat , and to observe divers other Rules , to the end that the Devil may appear to them when they are of age . They also cause them to drink the Juice of Centuary , and other bitter Herbs , till they vomit it into a platter , which they must drink again , till at length , through extraordinary pressing of Nature , it looke like blood : And this the Boyes will do at first eagerly , and so continue , till by reason of faintness they can scarce stand on their leggs , and then they must go forth into the cold . Also they beat their shins with sticks , and cause them to run through Bushes , Stumps , and Brambles to make them hardy and acceptable to the Devil , that so in time he may appear unto them . Their Sachems are not all Kings , but only some few of them , to whom the rest resort for protection , and pay them Homage : Neither may they make War without their knowledge and approbation . Every Sachim takes care for the Widdows , Fatherless , Aged , or maimed , if their friends be dead , or not able to provide for them . A Sachim will not marry any but such as are equal in birth to him , lest his Seed prove ignoble ; and though they have many other wives , yet are they but Concubines , or servants , and yield obedience to the Queen , who orders the Family , and them in it . The other Subjects do the same , and will adhere to the first during their lives , but put away the other at their pleasure . Their Government is successive , not elective . If the Sachims child be young when his Father dies , he is committed to the Protection , and Tuition of some one amongst them , who rules for him till he be of age . Every Sachem knows the bounds and limits of his Kingdom , out of which , if any of his men desire Land wherein to set their Corn , he gives them as much as they can use . In these limits , he that Hunts and kills any Venison , gives the Sachim his Fee ; if it be killed on the Land , he hath part of the flesh ; if in the water , then the Skin only : The great Sachems or Kings know not their bounds so well . All Travellers or Strangers usually lie at the Sachims house , and when they come , they tell them how long they will stay , and whither they are going ; during which time they are entertained according to their quality . Once a year the Priests provoke the People to bestow much Corn on the Sachim , and accordingly at a certain time and place , the people bring many Baskets of Corn , and make a great Stack thereof near to the Sachems house . There the Priests stands ready to return them thanks in the name of the Sachim , who fetches the same , and is no less thankful , bestowing many gifts upon them . When any are visited with sickness , their friends resort to them to comfort them , and oft continue with them till death or recovery ; If they dye they stay to mourn for them , which they perform night and morning for many dayes after their Burial : But if they recover , because their sickness was chargeable , they send them Corn and other gifts , whereupon they Feast , and Dance . When they bury their dead , they sew the Corps up in a Mat , and so bury it . If a Sachim dyes , they cover him with many curious Mats , and bury all his Riches with him , and inclose the Grave with a Pale . If it be a child , the Father will put all his own special Jewels , and Ornaments into the grave with it : Yea , he will cut his Hair , and disfigure himself , in token of his great sorrow . If it be the Master or Dame of the Family , they will pull down the Mats , and leave the Frame of the house standing , and bury them in , or near the same , and either remove their Dwelling , or give over house-keeping . The younger sort reverence the Elder , and do all mean Offices for them when they are together , though they be strangers . Boyes and Girls may not wear their hair like men and women , but are distinguished thereby . One is not accounted a man , till he doth some notable act , and shews his Courage and Resolution answerable to his place : The men take much Tobacco , but it s counted very odious in a Boy so to do . All their Names are significant and variable . For when they come to be men and women , they alter them according to their deeds , or dispositions . When a Maid is given in Marriage , she first cuts her hair , and then wears a covering on her head till her hair is grown again . Of their Women some are so modest , that they will scarce talk together whilst men are by , and are very chast : Others are light , lascivious , and wanton . If a Woman hath a bad Husband , or affect him not ; If there be War between that and any other people , she will run away from him to the contrary party , where she never wants welcome ; for where there be most women , there is most plenty . When a Woman hath her Courses , she retires her self from all other company , and lives in a house apart ; After which she washes her self , and all that she hath touched or used , after which she is received into her Husbands Bed or Family . The Husband will beat his Wife , or put her away for Adultery . Yet some common Strumpets there are , but they are such as either were never married , or are Widdows , or that have been put away for Adultery : For no man will take such an one to wife . In matters of injustice or dishonest dealing , the Sachim examines and punisheth the same . In cases of theft ; For the first offence he is disgracefully rebuked : For the second , he is beaten by the Sachim with a Cudgle on the naked back : For the third , he is beaten with many stripes , and hath his Nose slit , that all men may both know and shun him . If one kill another , he certainly dies for it . The Sachim not only sentenceth the Malefactor , but executeth the same with his own hands , if the party be present , otherwise he sends his own Knife , if he be sentenced to dye by the hands of another that executes the same . But if the Offender be to receive any other punishment , he will not receive it but from the Sachim himself , before whom being naked , he kneels , and will not offer to run away , though he beat him never so much , it being a greater disparagement for a man to cry when he is corrected , than was his offence and punishment . They are a very witty and ingenious people : They keep account of the time by the Moon , or by Sommers or Winters ; They know divers of the Stars by name : They have also many names for the Winds : They will guess shrewdly at the Wind and Weather before hand , by observations in the Heavens . Their Language is very copious and large , and hard to be learned ; And though in an hundred miles distance their Languages differ , yet not so much , but they can understand each other . Instead of Records and Chonicles , where any Remarkable Act is done , in memory of it , either in the very place , or by some Path neer adjoyning , they make a round hole in the Ground a foot deep , and as much over , which , when others passing by , behold , they enquire the cause and occasion of it , which being once known , they carefully acquaint others with it . And lest such holes should be filled , as men pass by , they will oft renew them . So that if a man travels , and can understand his Guide , his Journey will be less tedious , by the many Historical Discourses that will be related to him . You have heard before of the State of New-England in the year 1633. when she was but in her childhood , but being now grown up to more maturity ; Take this account of it , which was written by a Reverend Minister , in January 1668 / 9 , who had lived there 40. years , and therefore hath great reason , and good opportunities to be acquainted with the condition of it . WHen we came first to New-England in the year 169. there was then but one Town in the Country , viz. that of New-Plimmouth , which had stood alone for nine years . From that time to this year now beginning 1669. is just fourty years ; in which time there has been an increase of fourty Churches in this Colony ( but many more in the rest . ) And Towns in all New-England , 120. which for the most part lie along the Sea Coast for somewhat more than two hundred miles ; only upon Connecticut River , there are thirteen Towns lying neer together ; and about the Massacusets Bay , here are above thirty Towns within two , three , four , or five miles asunder . And from the Sea , which hath rendred Boston a very considerable place , and the Metropolis of New-England , all the other Towns on the Sea Coast , and those in the Country depending upon it . I have lately heard some Merchants that knew old Boston , say that this is far bigger , and hath ten times more Trade than that , having many Ships and Catches , and they say no less than an hundred Catches went from the Country this winter to trade in Virginia ; besides many others to the West Indies , and to several parts of Europe . It was doubted for some years , whether there would be a staple Commodity in New-England ; but God and time have shewed many , as Furs , Fish , Masts , Pipestaves , and Deal-board , and such plenty of Corn and Cattel , that abundance of Provision has been yearly transported for the supply of English Plantations , the West-Indies , and other parts ; in so much as though many Gentlemen of great Estates in the first year spent their Estates , and some of them that were very brave men of publick spirits , were brought very low , both they and theirs : Yet in the latter years , many that have risen out of the dust , by a way of Trading and Merchandising , have grown unto great Estates ; some to ten , others to twenty , yea thirty or fourty thousand pound estate . In the year 1643. began the combination of the united Colonies of New-England , which have much encrersed since then ; every one of them having their distinct Pattents , except New-Haven , which for want of a Pattent , was since the coming in of our King , taken into the Colony of Connecticut ; And though very many of the first commers are now dead and gone , yet there is grown up such a numerous Posterity here , that it 's thought there are twenty times more English people now in the Country , then ever came into it . And it 's believed by many observing men , that there are many above ten hundred thousand souls . Most of the first Magistrates are dead , and not above two left in the Massacusets ; but one in Plymouth , one at Connecticut , and not one at New-Haven . There came over from England at several times , chiefly before the year 1640. ninety fore Ministers , of which twenty seven returned to England again , and there are now dead in the Country thirty six ; and as yet living in the Country thirty one . The Ministers bred up in New-England , are one hundred thirty two , of which two are dead in the Country , fourty one have removed to England , most of them from our Colledges , besides other Schollars that have in England turned to other Professions , and eighty one that are now living in the Country , employed in the Ministery in several places . There have been several Synods in New-England ; The first at Cambridge , in the year 1637. wherein the Antinomian ▪ and Familistical Errors were confuted and condemned by the Word of God. The second at Cambridge in the year 1646. wherein the Magistrates power and Duty in Matters of Religion , and the Nature and Power of Synods was cleared . The third , in the year 1648. where it was declared , that in Point of Doctrine , these Churches consented to the Confession of Faith , put forth by the Assembly at Westminster ; and in Point of Discipline , the Platform of the Discipline of these Churches , was then published . The fourth was at Boston in the year 1662. concerning the Subject of Baptism , and Consociation of Churches . It hath pleased the Lord to give such a blessing to the Gospel among the Indians , that in divers places there are not only many civilized , but divers that are truly Godly , and shame the English , and are much hated by others of their own Country men , though that Work has met with many Obstructions and Remoraes ; chiefly by the Death of some of the Choicest Instruments , and many of the best of the Indians ; Yet it may be well believed , that there is such a Seed of the Gospel scattered among them , which will grow unto a further Harvest in God's time . THE 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 , 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 , in case they should at any time by foul Weather be driven to , or cast upon on this Island , that so they might there find fresh meat to serve them upon such an exigence . 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 , 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 moneth 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 usual Bay into which 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 , 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 . 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 , 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 free 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 , or 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 it s 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 , 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 , 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 , it s but in a little quantity , except they be over heated with working . The moisture of the Air causes all their Knives , 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 the 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 ; 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 , 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 rain-water , 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 , 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 , is not so good here as in England ; 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 , 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 , 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 ; 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 . The first , and that which is most used in the Island is Mobby ; a Drink made of Potatoes ; thus , They 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 , 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 moneth or two , and drink somewhat like our English Beer . Grippo is a third sort of Drink , but few make it well , and it 's rarely used . Punch is a fourth sort , 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 . 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 . It s 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 . The eighth sort of Drink they call Beveridge , made of Spring-water , White-Sugar , and Juice of Oringes . And this is not only pleasant , but wholesome . 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 , Macarel , 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 ; 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 , 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 , 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 . And if any Cattel die by chance , or by any disease , the Christian servants eat 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 , it s 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 , 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 Haven , 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 , 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 : As the Locust Trees which are so long and big as may serve for Beams in a very large room , 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 , but tougher . The Bully Tree is somewhat less , 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 , and Yellow prickled Wood are good Timber , and higher then the Locusts . The Cedar is the best of all , it works smooth , and looks beautifully ; Of it they make Wainscot , 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 : 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 . The Slaves and their Posterity being subject to their Masters for ever , 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 , 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 , wit hs , 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 , whole fields of Sugar Canes , and Houses have been burnt down : For if the Canes take fire , there is no quenching of them , they burn so furiously , and make a terrible noise ; 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 , 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 , 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 . 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 , 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 , the men by themselves , and the women by themselves , and sometimes the men wrestle amongst themselves . When any of them die , 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 . When they are sick , or inwardly distempered , a little Kill-Devil revives , and comforts them . The young Maids have usually large breasts that stand strutting out , 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 ; 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 , 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 , 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 : 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 ; and they use to sell them alive for 4 d. a pound , and sometime for 6 d. if they be dear . Sheep they have but few , neither do they thrive in that Pasture . 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 , but hop not as other Birds do . They have other like Feldefares with big heads , and therefore they call them Councellers , 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 , 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 . 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 , 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 ; 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 , their bellies inclining to yellow , very nimble and quick , they hurt none ; The Snakes and they will fight long , and in the end the Snake prevails , and devours the other . Frogs and Toads they have none . 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 , 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 . Next to these are 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 , which do much harm , devouring the Potato-plants to the very Roots . Flies they have of so many kinds , 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 , 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 ; so that there is no place safe from these over-busie Creatures . Another sort of Ants there are far larger , 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 moneth 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 . Their 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 : 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 moneth after . Of this Timber they make most of the Vessels wherein they cure their Sugar . There is a Mantionel Tree whose Fruit is Poison . 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 , 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 , 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 . 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 : 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 , and 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 . The Fig-Trees are very large , 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. 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 , 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 , 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 , and of a fragrant smell . The Lime tree is like a thick Holly-bush in England , and as full of prickles . 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 , 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 , 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 ; 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 ; 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 , the Leaves somewhat larger and stiffer ; the fruit of the bigness of a small Limon , and 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 , 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 Foot-ball , 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 , 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 , 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 , but the leaves longer . The Mangrave , 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 , 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 . There are Bay-trees whose Leaves are so Aromatick , 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 . 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 , 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 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 , 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 , 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 . 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 , 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 , 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 , but will not last . The Palmeto hath a body of fourty five or fifty foot high , the Diameter , seldom above sixteen inches : the rind , of a poor Ash color full of wrinkles ; 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 . 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 . Of 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 . The fruit of the Plantane is of great use , 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 , 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 , 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 . The Pine is excellent in the Superlative Degree , both for beauty and tast . It s 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 . When 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 , 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 moneth after their setting , and in a moneth 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 , and 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 Wit hs , 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 it s 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 . The 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 . WIT HS . 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 Wit hs , 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 . There are several kinds of these Wit hs , 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 , 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 . Another sort of Wit hs 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 , 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 . It 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 . Their 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 . An 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 onely 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 , Provisions 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 . ) EXAMPLES OF THE Wonderful Works OF GOD IN THE CREATURES . CHAP. I. Of strange Stones , Earth , and Minerals . 1. IN Cornwal , near unto a place called Pensans , is that famous stone called Main-Amber : which is a great Rock advanced upon some other of meaner size , with so equal a counterpoize , that a man may stir it with the push of his finger , but to remove it quite out of his place , a great number of men are not able . Camb. Brit. p. 188. The like is in the Country of Stratherne in Scotland . 2. In Summerset-shire , near unto Cainsham are found in Stone-quarries , stones resembling Serpents , winding round in manner of a wreath , the head bearing up in the Circumference , and the end of the tail , taking up the centre within : but most of them are headless . Camb. Brit. p. 236. 3. In Gloucestershire upon the Hills near Alderly are found certain stones , resembling Cockles , Periwinckles , and Oisters , which seem to be the gaimsome works of nature , or such shells turned into stone . Camb. Brit. p. 363. 4. In Yorkshire , about Whitby are found certain stones fashioned like Serpents , foulded and wraped round , as in a wreath , so that a man would verily think that they had been somtimes Serpents turned into stone . Camb. Brit. p. 718. 5. Also in the same Country at Huntly Nabb , there lye scattering here and there amongst the Rocks , stones of divers bigness , so Artificially by nature shaped round in manner of a Globe , that one would take them to be big bullets made by the Turners hand , for shot to be discharged out of great Ordnance ; in which , if you break them , are found stony Serpents , enwrapped round like a wreath : but most of them are headlesse . Camb. Brit. p. 721. 6. In the County of Cornwal near unto St. Neots , there are a number of good great Rocks heaped up together , and under them one stone of lesser size , fashioned naturally in the form of a Cheese lying in presse , whereupon it s named Wring-cheese . Camb. Brit. p. 192. 7. In Richmondshire amongst the ragged Rocks , are found stones like unto Periwinckles , Cockles , and other shell fish . Camb. Brit. p. 727. 8. In the County of Hereford , a hill which they call Marcley-hill , in the year 1571. ( as though it had wakened on a sudden out of a deep sleep ) roused it self up , and for the space of three dayes together moving and shewing it self ( as mighty , and huge an heape as it was ) with roaring noise in a fearful sort , and overturning all things that stood in the way , advanced it self forward , to the wondrous astonishment of the beholders . Camb. Brit. p. 630. 9. In Glamorganshire in a Rock or Cliffe , by the Sea side , there appeareth a very little Chink , unto which , if you lay your ear , you shall hear a noise as if it were of Smiths at Work , one while the blowing of the bellows , another while the striking of the sledge , and Hammer ; sometimes the sound of the grindstone , and Iron tools rubbing against it , the hissing Sparks also of Steel-Gads within holes as they are beaten , and the puffing noise of the Fire burning in the Furnace . Camb. Brit. page 643. This is called Merlins Cave . 10. At Aspley Gowick in Bedfordshire , near unto Woburn , there is a kind of earth that turns Wood into Stone : For proof whereof there was a Wooden Ladder in the Monastry of Woburn , that having lien a good while covered in that earth , was digged forth again all Stone . Camb. Brit. p. 401. I have a peece of Wood turned into Stone by that earth . 11. In Kile in Scotland , there is a Rock about twelve foot high , and as much in breadth , called the Deaf-Craig : For though a man call never so loud , or shoot off a Gun on the one side , yet his fellow on the other side cannot hear the noise . Description of Scotland . 12. In Argile there is a stone found in diverse places , which being laid under straw , or stubble , doth set it on fire , by reason of the great heat that it gathereth there . Idem . 13. It is most strange , yet true , that the Armes of the Duke of Rohan in France , which are Fusils , or Lozenges , are to be seen in the wood , and stones , through all his Country : so that if you break a stone in the middest , or lopp a bough of a Tree , you shall behold the the grain thereof ( by some secret cause in nature ) Diamonded , or streaked in the fashion of a Lozeng . Camb. Brit. 14. In Warwick-shire , the Armes of the Shugburies , which are starres , are found in the stones in their own Manner of Shugbury ; so that break the stone where you will , and there is the exact fashion of a star in the end of it . Idem , I have some of these stones . 15. In the Kingdom of Fesse in Affrica there is a Mountain called Beniguazeval , in the top whereof there is a Cave that casteth out fire perpetually . Pur. Pil. v. 2. p. 807. 16. In Prussia there is great store of Amber , which groweth like Coral in a mountain of the North-Sea , which is clean covered with water : by the violence of the waves beating against this Rock , the Amber is oft broken off , and cast up by the Sea into their Havens . 17. About Bever Castle in Lincoln-shire , are found the stones called Astroites , which resemble little stars joyned one with another , wherein are to be seen at every Corner , five beams , or rayes , & in the middest of every ray is to be seen a small hollownesse . Camb. Brit. 18. We have Corral , Amber , Emralds , Calcedony , Pearl , Onix , Sardonix , Sardis , Bezar , Hemathist , and the Turquoise from Arabia , Indostan , and Persia. Pearls , Berils , Saphires , and Adamants , from Zeilan . Jasper , Cornelion , Agate , Heliotrope , Jacinth , and Chrysolite , from Malabar , Narsinga , and Cochin-china . Diamonds from Borneo , and Gulkunda . Gold , Silver , Rubies , Saphires , Granats , Topaz , Emeralds , Smaradg , Espinels , Cats-eyes , and Porcellane , from Pegu , Siam , Bengala , Sumatra , Japan , and China . CHAP. II. Examples of the rare Works of God in the Creatures . Of Trees , Hearbs , Plants , and Gums . 1. OF Date-Trees some are Males , and other Females : the Male brings forth Flowers onely ; the Female Fruit , but the Flowers of the Female will not open unlesse the boughs , and Flowers of the male be joyned unto them : and if they be not thus coupled , the Dates will prove stark naught , and have great stones in them , Pur. Pil. v. 2. p. 823. 2. Neer unto the Grand-Cairo in Egypt , is a Garden environed with a strong Wall ; in the Garden is a large fountain , and in the middest of it groweth the only Balm-tree bearing true balm , that is in the world : it hath a short stock or body , and beareth leaves like unto Vine-leaves , but not altogether so long . Pur. Pil. v. 2. p. 838. 3. In the Country of Indostan they have a pleasant clear liquor which they call Taddy , issuing from a spongy Tree that grows straight , and tall , without boughs to the top , and there spreads out into branches , somwhat like to an English Colewort , where they make incisions , under which they hang earthen pots to preserve the influence : that which distils forth in the night , is as pleasing to the taste , as any white Wine , if drunk betimes in the morning ; and of a peircing , and medicinable quallity , excellent against the stone . But in the heat of the day the Sun alters it , so that it becomes heady , Ill-relished , and unwholesome . P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1469. 4. For Cotton Wooll , they plant seeds , which grow up into shrubs like unto our Rose-bushes : It blows first into a yellow blossome , which falling off , there remains a Cod about the bignesse of a mans thumb , in which the substance is moist , and yellow , but as it ripens , it swells bigger , till it break the Cod , and in short time becomes as White as Snow , and then they gather it . P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1470. 5. The Cynamon tree is a small tree , and low , having leaves like to our Bay-tree : In the month of March , or April , when the sap goeth up to the top of the tree , they cut the bark off the tree round about in length ; from knot to knot , or from joynt to joynt , above , and below , and then easily with their hands they take it away , laying it in the Sun to dry , and yet for all this the tree dyes not , but against the next year it will have a new bark , and that which is gathered every year is the best Cynamon : that which grows longer is great , and not so good . P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1709. 6. In India is a tree called Arbore de Ray's or the Tree of roots , it groweth first up like other trees , and spreadeth the branches , out of which there come strings , which seem a far off to be cords of hemp , which growing longer till they reach the ground , there take root again : so that in the end one tree will cover a great peece of ground , one root crossing within another like a Maze , each of these young trees will in time grow so big , that it cannot be discerned which is the principal trunk , or body of the tree . 6. There is also a tree called Arbore-triste , or the sorrowful-tree , so called , because it never beareth blossoms but in the night-time , and so it doth , and continueth all the year long : So soon as the Sun sets , there is not one blossom seen upon the tree , but presently within half an hour after , there are as many blossoms as the tree can bear , pleasant to behold , and smelling very sweet ; and as soon as the day comes , and the Sun is rising , they all presently fall off , and not one is to be seen on the tree , which seems as though it were dead , till evening comes again , and then it begins to blossom as it did before : it s as big as a Plumb-tree : it groweth up quickly , and if you break but a branch of the tree , and set it into the earth , it presently takes root , and grows , and within a few days after it beareth blossoms , which are like Orange-tree-blossoms , the flower white , and in the bottom somewhat yellow , and redish . P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1780. 8. There is also an herb in India , called by the Portugals , Herba sentida , or feeling Herb , which if a man touch , or throw Sand , or any other thing upon it , presently it becomes as though it were withered , closing the leaves together , and it comes not to it self a gain , as long as the man standeth by it , but presently after he is gone , it openeth the leaves again , which become stiffe , and fair , as though they were newly grown : and touching it again , it shuts , and becomes withered as before , so that its a pleasure to behold the strange nature of it P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1781. 9. Pepper is planted at the root of some other tree , and runs up it like Ivie : the leaves are like the Orange-leaves , but somewhat smaller , green , and sharpe at ends : the Pepper groweth in bunches like Grapes , but lesse , and thinner ; they are always green till they begin to drye , and ripen , which is in December , and January , at which time it turns black , and is gathered . Pur. Pil. v. 2. p. 1782. 10. The best Ginger grows in Malabar ; it groweth like thin , and young Netherland Reeds , two or three spans high , the root whereof is the Ginger , which is gathered in December , and January . P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1782. 11. The Clove-trees are like Bay-trees , the blossoms at the first white , then green , and at last red , and hard , which are the Cloves ; these Cloves grow very thick together , and in great numbers : In the place where these trees grow , there is neither grass , nor green herbs , but is wholly drye , for that those trees draw all the moisture unto them . P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1783. 12. The Nutmeg-tree is like a Pear-tree , but that its lesse , and with round leaves , the fruit is like great round Peaches , the inward part whereof is the Nutmeg ; this hath about it an hard shell like wood , and the shell is covered over with Nutmeg-flowers , which is the Mace , and over it is the fruit , which without , is like the fruit of a Peach . P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1783. 13. Gumme-Lac comes most from Pegu : where are certain very great Pismires with wings , which fly up the trees like Plumb-trees , out of which trees comes a certain Gumme which the Pismires suck up , and then they make the Lac round about the branches of the trees , as Bees make Wax ; and when it is full , the owners come , and breaking off the branches , lay them to dry ; and being dry , the branches shrink out , and the Lac remains . P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1783. 14. Amber-greese , is usually cast upon the Sea-shore , which as some suppose , is the dung of the Whale ; or as others , the sperme , or seed of the Whale consolidated by lying in the Sea. P. Pil. v. 2. p. 772. 15 The Herb Addad is bitter , and the root of it so venemous , that one drop of the juice will kill a man within the space of one hour . P. Pil. v. 2. p. 850. 16 Of Palm-trees , which they keep with watering , and cutting every year , they make Velvets , Satins , Taffaties , Damasks , Sarcenets , and such like , all which are spun out of the leaves cleansed , and drawn into long threads . P. Pil. v. 2. p. 985. 17. Frankincense grows in Arabia , and is the gumme that issueth out of trees . Idem . p. 1781. 18. In Mozambique , Manna is procreated of the dew of Heaven , falling on a certain tree , on which it hardens like Sugar , sticking to the wood like Rozen , whence it s gathered , and put into jars , and is used much for purging in India . Idem . p. 1554. 19. Mastick-trees grow only in the Island of Sio : the trees are low shrubs , with little crooked boughs , and leaves : In the end of August they begin their Mastick-harvest , men cutting the bark of the Tree with Iron instruments ; out of which the Gum distills uncessantly for almost three months together . Idem . p. 1812. 20. Spunges are gathered from the sides of Rocks , fifteen fathom under water , about the bottom of the Streights of Gibralter , the people that get them , being trained up in diving from their child-hood , so that they can indure to stay very long under water , as if it were their habitable Element . 21. In Manica , is a tree called the Resurrection-tree , which for the greatest part of the year is without leaf , or greenness : but if one cut off a bough , and put it into the water , in the space of ten houres , it springs , and flourisheth with green leaves ; but draw it out of the water , as soon as it is dry , it remaineth as it was before . Pur. Pil. v. 2. p. 1537. 22. There is in the Island of Teneriff ( which is one of the Canaries ) a Tree as big as an Oke of a middle size , the bark white like Hornbeam , six , or seven yards high , with ragged boughs , the leaf like the Bay-leaf . It beareth neither fruit , nor flower ; it stands on the side of an hill , in the day its withered , and drops all night ( a cloud hanging thereon ) so that it yeelds water sufficient for the whole Island , wherein are eight thousand souls , and about an hundred thousand Cammels , Mules , Goats , &c. The water falls from it into a pond made of brick , paved with stone ; from whence it s conveyed into several ponds , thorough the whole Island . They also water therewith their Corn-ground , for they have no other water in the Island , except Rain-water . The Pond holds twenty thousand Tun of water , and is filled in one night . Many of our English that have been there have attested the truth hereof . Idem . p. 1369. Concerning which Tree , Sylvester the Poet made these Verses : In th' I le of Iron ( one of those same Seven Whereto our Elders happy name have given ) The Savage People never drink the streams Of Wells , and Rivers , as in other Realms . Their drink is in the Air ! their gushing spring , A weeping Tree out of it self doth wring . A Tree , whose tender-bearded-Root being spread In dryest sand , his sweating-Leaf doth shed A most Sweet Liquor ; and ( like as the Vine Untimely cut , weeps ( at her wound ) the Wine In pearled tears ) incessantly distils A royal stream , which all their Cisterns fills Throughout the Island : for all hither hie , And all their Vessels cannot draw it drye ! 23. Aloes growes in the Island of Socotera , which is nothing but Semper vivum , it is so full of a Rosin-like juice , that the leaves are ready to break with it : which leaves they cut in small peeces , and cast them into a clean pit made in the ground , and paved : there it lies to ferment in the heat of the Sun , whereby the juice floweth forth , which they put in skins , and hang them up in the wind to drye , whereby it hardens . P. Pil. v. 1. p. 419. 24. Indico groweth in the Moguls Country , having a small leaf like that of Sena : the branches are of a wooddy substance like Broom : It grows not above a yard high , the stalk about the bignesse of a mans thumb : The seed is included in a small round Cod of an inch long . This once sowed lasteth three years : that of the first year makes a weighty reddish Indico , that sinks in water , being not yet come to its perfection : that of the second year is rich , very light , and of a perfect Violet-colour , swiming on the water : that of the third year is weighty , blackish , and the worst of the three . This herb , when it s cut , is put into a Cistern , and pressed down with stones , then covered over with water , where it remains till the substance of the herb is gone into the water : then it s drawn forth into another Cistern , and laboured with staves till it be like Batter , then they let it seeth , and so scum off the water two or three times , till nothing but a thick substance remains , which taking forth , they spread on a cloath , dry it in the Sun , then make it into balls , dry it on the sand , which causes the sandy foot : That is best , which is of a pure grain ; Violet-colour , is glossie , dry , and light . Idem . p. 430. 25. Sir James Lancaster in his East-Indy Voyage , in the Isle of Sombrero found on the Sea-sands , a young twig growing up to a tree , and offering to pluck up the same , it shrank down into the ground , and when it was by strength pulled up , a great Worm was the root of it , and as the Tree groweth in greatnesse , the Worm diminisheth : This Tree plucked up , the leaves and pill stripped off , by that time its dryed , is turned into a hard stone ; so that this Worm was twice transformed into different natures , after a wondrous manner : Of these he brought home many . P. Pil. v. 1. p. 152. 26. About Saffron Walden in Essex , there grows great store of Saffron , which was first brought into England , in the reign of King Edward the third . This in the month of July every third year , being plucked up , and after twenty dayes , having the root split , and set again in the earth , about the end of September it putteth forth a whitish-blew flower ; out of the midst where of there come three chives , which are gathered in the morning before Sun-rising , and being plucked out of the flower , are dried by a soft fire ; and so great is the increase that commeth thereof , that out of every Acre of ground , there are made fourscore , or an hundred pound weight of Saffron , whilst it is moist , which being dryed , yeeld some twenty pound weight . And the ground which three years together hath brought Saffron , is so enriched thereby , that it will bear very good Barley , many yeares together without dung , or manuring . Camb. Brit. p. 453. 27. All along the shores of the Red-sea are abundance of Palm-Trees of a very strange nature : They grow in couples , Male and Female : both thrust forth cods full of seed : but the Female is only fruitful , and that not except growing by the male , and having her seed mixed with his . The pith of these Trees is an excellent sallet , better than an Artechoke : Of the branches are made bedsteads , Lattices , &c. Of the leaves , Baskets , Mats , Fans , &c. Of the outward husk of the cod , cordage ; of the inward , brushes . The fruit it beareth is like a Fig , and finally it is said to yeild whatsoever is necessary for the life of Man. It is the nature of this tree , that if never so great a weight be laid upon it , it will lift & raise up it self the more ; for which it was given to conquerors in token of victory . Herb. Trav. 28. In Italy there grows an Herb called Balilisco , which hath this innate property ; that if it be laid under a stone in some moist place , in two days space it produceth a Scorpion : Raimunds Mercu. Ital. 29. The Assa-Faetida Tree is like our Bryer in height , the Leaves resemble Fig-leaves , the root is like our Radish : though the smell be so bace , yet the taste is so pleasing , that no meat , no sauce , on vessel is pleasing to the Gusarat● pallats where it grows , except it rellish of it . Herb. Trav. 30 Benjamin is either pure , cleer , and white , or yellow , and streaked : This Gum issues from an high tree , small , and furnished with fruitlesse branches ; the leaves are not unlike to those of the Olive : Pegu and Siam yeild the best . 31. The Coco tree is very rife in the East-Indies . In the whole world there is not a tree more profitable than this is , neither do men reap more benefit of any other tree than of this . The heart of the Tree makes good timber , planks , and masts for ships : with the leaves thereof they make sails , with the rind of it they make cordage : A Gum that grows out of it caulks the ship : the fruit of it is a kind of Nut , which being full of kernel , and a sweet liquor , serves for meat and drink : much wine also it yeilds , & of the wine they make Sugar , and Placetto . The wine they gather in the spring of the year out of the middle of the Tree , from whence there runs continually a white thin liquor , at which time they put a vessel under it , and take it away full every morning , and evening , and then distilling it , they make a very strong liquor of it . Of the Nuts also they make great store of Oil : out of the tree they make Bows , Bedsteads : of the leaves also they make very fine mats , which whilest green , are full of an excellent sweet liquor , with which if a man be thirsty , he may satisfie himself : with the bark they make spoons , dishes , and platters for meat . The first rind of the Nut they stamp , and make thereof perfect Ockam : and the store of these Nuts serve for merchandise . So that out of this one Tree , they build and rig ships , furnish them with meat , drink , utensils , and merchandise , without the least help of any other whatsoever . Pur. Pil. v. 2. p. 1466. and 1704. 32. Mr. Herbert in his Travels thus describes it . The Tree that bears the Coco , is strait , & lofty , without any branches , save at the very top , where it spreads its beautiful plumes , and Nuts like Pearles , or Pendants adorning them . It is good Timber for Canoes , Masts , Anchors : The leaves for Tents or thatching : the rind for sailes , Matteresses , Cables , and Linnen : the shels for furniture : the meat for victualling . The Nut is covered with a thick rind equal in bignesse to a Cabbage . The shell is like the skull of a man , or rather a deaths-head , the eyes , nose , and mouth , being easily discerned : within it is contained a quart of sweet and excellent liquor , like new white-wine , but far more aromatick tasted : the meat or kernel , is better relished than our Phelberds , and is enough to satisfy the appetite of two reasonable men . — The Indian Nut alone Is cloathing , meat , and trencher , drink , and Can. Boat , Cable , Sail , Mast , Needle , all in one . Herb. And Sylvester hath set them forth to the life in these verses . The Indian Isles most admirable be , In those rare fruits call'd Coquos commonly ; The which alone far richer wonder yeilds , Then all our Groves , Meads , gardens , orchards , Fields . What wouldst thou drink ? the wounded leaves drop wine . Lackst thou fine linnen ? dresse the tender rine . Dresse it like Flax , spin it , then weave it well , It shall thy Camrick , and thy Lawn excell . Longst thou for Butter , bite the poulpous part , For never better came to any mart . Do'st need good Oyle ? then boult it to , and fro , And passing Oyl it soon becometh so . Or Vinegar ? to whet thine appetite ; Why , Sun it well ; and it will sharply bite . Or want's thou Sugar ? steep the same a stownd , And sweeter Sugar is not to be found . 'T is what you will ; or will be what you would : Should Midas touch it , sure it would be gold . And God , all-good , to crown our life with Bayes , The Earth with plenty , and his Name with praise , Had done enough , if he had made no more But this one plant , so full of choicest store ; Save that the world ( where , one thing breeds satiety ) Could not be fair , without so great variety . 32. The Plantan Tree is of a reasonable height ; the body about the bigness of a mans thigh , compacted of many leaves , wrapped one upon another , adorned with leaves in stead of boughs from the very ground , which are for the most part about two ells long , and an ell broad , having a large rib in the middle thereof . The fruit is a bunch of ten , or twelve Plantans , each a span long , and as big almost as a mans wrist ; the rind being stripped off , the fruit is yellowish , and of a pleasant taste . Pur. Pil. p. 416. 33. The Cedars of Mount Libanus grow higher than Pines , and so big , that four or five men with their armes can but fathom them ; the boughs rise not upward , but stretch out a cross , largely spread , and thickly enfolded one in another , as if done by Art , so that men may sit , and lie along upon the boughs : the leaves are thick , narrow , hard , prickly , and alwayes green ; the wood is hard , incorruptible , and sweet smelling ; the fruit like the Cones of Cypress , gummy , and marvellous fragrant . Pur. Pil. v. 2. p. 1500. 34. In Africa are many Palmeta trees , whence they draw a sweet , and wholsome Wine , by cutting , or boring holes into the body of the Tree , into which a Cane is put that receives the sap , and conveys it into Gourds : It tastes like white Wine , but it will not last above four and twenty hours . Idem . 35. In New-Spain there are many trees which they call Manguey : It hath great , and large leaves , at the end whereof is a strong , and sharp point , which they use for pins , and needles , and out of the leaf they draw a kind of thred which they use much to few with . The body of the Tree is big , which when it is tender , they cut , and out of the hole proceeds a liquor which they drink like water , being fresh , and sweet . This liquor being sodden , becomes Wine , which being kept till it be sower , makes good Vinegar : Boil it it a litle more than for Wine , and it makes a fine Syrup ; and boil it till it be thick , and it makes Hony. Idem . v. 3. p. 957. 36. There is a certain Tree in New-Spain called Tunalls , in whose leaves breed certain small worms , which are covered with a fine web , compassing them in daintily . This in the season they gather , and let it drye , and this is that Cochenille , so famous , and dear , wherewith they Dye in grain . Idem . 37. The Jack , or Giack is an high tree , and uneasy to be ascended ; the Jack for shew and bigness resembles a Pumpeon : without , it is of a gold yellow , mixt with veins ; within , its soft , and tender , full of golden coloured cloves , each full of kernels , not unlike a great French Bean , but more round , each of them hath an hard stone within it , the fruit is somewhat unpleasant at the first taste ; t is glutinous , and clammy in the mouth , but very restorative , and good for the back . 38. The Ananas is not inferiour to the Jack in bulk , and roundnesse : It ariseth from no seed , or sowing , but from a root like an Artichok : when they are ripe they shew themselves , and are not above two foot high : without , it is covered with a drie rind , hard , and skaley ; within , its wholesome and pleasant , and though a little of it seems to satiate the appetite , yet the stomach likes it well , and its easie of digestion . 39. The Duroyen is somewhat like the Jack , in shape round , the inward vertue , is far greater than the outward beauty : at first opening it hath an unpleasant smell : the meat is whitish , and divided into a dozen cells , or partitions , filled with stones as big as Chesnuts , white and cordial . It s a fruit nutritive , and dainty , and may well be called an Epitome of all the best , and rarest fruits in the the Orient . 40. The Arec-tree is almost as high as a Cedar , but more like the Palmeto : I'ts of a fuzzie , hollow substance , adorned at every top with Plumes , wherein the fruit hangs in clusters ; it s in shape and bigness like a Wallnut ; white and hard within ; hath neither taste , nor smell : they never eat it alone , but wrap it in a leaf of Bettle , and are frequently chawing of it : some adde to it a kinde of Lime made of Oister-shels , it cures the Chollick , removes Melancholly , kills Worms , provokes lust , purges the maw , and prevents hunger . It s much used in the East-Indies . 41. The Palmeto-tree is long , strait , round , and soft , without leaf , bough , or branch , save at the top , and those are few , green , and sedgie : under which branches there appear certain codded seeds : Both the Male , and Female bear blossoms , but the Female only beares fruit , and yet not that , unlesse a flowring branch of the Male tree be yearly inoculated : The leaves serve for many uses . At the top of this tree there is a soft pith , in which consists the life of it : for that being cut out , the Tree dyes . This pith is in bignesse like small Cabbage , in taste like a nut kernel , and being boiled it eats like a Colly-flower . But of more value is the Palmeta Wine , which is sweet , pleasant , and nourishing in colour , and taste not unlike Muskadine : It purges , cures obstructions , and kills the Worms . If it stand two dayes in the Sun it makes good Vinegar . The Wine is thus gotten . They cut a small hole in two or three Trees that grow together , which in a short time are filled with the sap that issues in them , which with a Cane , or Quill , they draw forth . Pur. Pil. 42. In Summersetshire , near unto Glastenbury , in Wiral Park was that famous Hawthorn tree , which used upon Christmas day to sprout forth as fresh as in May ; but now it s cut down . Camb. Brit. p. 227. 43. In the Marishes of Egypt grow those sedgie reeds , called Papyri , whereof formerly they made Paper , and from whence ours that is made of rags assumed that name . They divide it into thin flakes , whereinto it naturally parteth : then laying them on a Table , and moistening them with the glutinous water of Nilus , they press them together , dry them in the Sun , and then they are fitted for use . Pur. Pil. v. 2 p. 898. CHAP. III. The wonderful works of God in the Creatures . Of strange Fountains , Rivers , and Waters . 1. IN the Bishoprick of Durham in Derlington field , there are 3 pits of a wonderful depth , called by the Vulgar Hell-Kettles , in which the water by an Antiperistasis , or reverberation of the cold air , striking thereupon , waxeth hot ; which pits have passage under ground , into the River Teese , as Archbishop Guthbert Tonstal observed , by finding that Goose in the River which he had marked , and let down into these pits . Camb. Brit. p. 737. 2. In Yorkshire , neer unto Knasburow Castle is a Well , in which the waters spring not up out of the veins of the earth , but distil , and trickle down , dropping from the Rocks hanging over it , whence it s called Dropping-Well : into which , what wood soever is put , it will in a short space be turned into stone . Camb. Brit. p. 700. 3. In Caermardenshire , neer unto Careg Castle , there is a fountain that twice in four and twenty hours ebbeth , and twice floweth , resembling the unstable motions of the main Sea. Camb. Brit. p. 650. 4. In Westmerland , hard by Shape , there is a Well , or Fountain , which after the manner of Euripus ebbeth , and floweth many times in a day . Camb. Brit. p. 762. 5. In Ireland is a Fountain , whose water killeth all those Beasts that drink thereof , but hurteth not the people , though they usually drink of it . Ortelius . 6. Near unto Lutterworth in Leicester-shire , there is a spring of water so cold , that in a short time it turneth straws , and sticks , into stone . Camb. Brit. p. 518. 7. In Derbyshire in the Peak-Forrest not far from Buxtone , is a Well which in a wonderful manner doth ordinarily ebb , and flow , four times in the space of one hour , or thereabouts , keeping his just tides . Camb. Brit. p. 558. 8. Also in the same Country at the spring head of Wie there rise , and walm up , nine Fountains of hot waters , commonly called Buxton Wells , very sovereign for the stomach , sinews , and whole body . Camb. Brit. p. 557. 9. In Scotland on the bank of Ratra neer unto Stang's Castle , there is a Cave , wherein the water distilling naturally by drops from the head of the Vault , is presently turned into Pyramidal stones ; and were not the said hole or Cave , otherwiles rid , and cleansed , the whole space as far as up to the vault , would in a short time be filled therewith . Camb. Brit. Scotl. p. 48. 10 In Scotland in the Countrey of Murray , there is a River called Naes , the water whereof is almost always warm , and at no time so cold that it freezeth , yea , in the most cold time of winter , broken ice falling into it , is dissolved with the heat thereof . Defcrip . of Scotl. 11. Also in Galloway , the Loch called Loch-Merton , is of such a strang nature , that the one half of it doth never freeze in the coldest winter . Descrip. of Scotl. 12. In Lenox is a great Loch or Meer , called Loch-Lowmond , in length twenty four miles , and eight in breadth , wherein are three strang things : First , Excellent good Fish without any sins : Secondly , a floating Island whereon many Kine feed : And thirdly , Tempestuous waves rageing without winds , yea , in the greatest calms . Desc. of Scotl. 13. There is a certain Island called Lounda in the Kingdom of Congo , wherein is no fresh water ( being a very sandy ground ) but if you dig but the depth of two or three hand breadths , you shall find sweet water , the best in all those Countryes : and ( which is most strang ) when the Ocean ebbeth , this water grows brackish , but when it flows to the top , it is most sweet . P. Pil. v. 2. p. 989. 14. Not far from Casbine , the Regal City in Persia is a fountain of a strang , and wonderful nature , out of which there continually springeth , and issueth a marvellous quantity of black Oil , which serveth in all parts of Persia to burn in their houses , and is usually carried all over the Countrey upon Kine , and Asses , whereof you may often meet three or four hundred in company . P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1431. 15. About three days journey from old Balylon , is a Town called Ait , and neer unto that is a valley of pitch very marvellous to behold , wherein are many Springs , throwing out abundantly a kind of black substance , like unto Tar , and Pitch , which serveth all the Country thereabout to staunch their barques and boats with : every one of which springs makes a noise like to a Smith's Forge in puffing and blowing out the matter , which never ceaseth day nor night , and the noise is hard a mile off : the Moors call it Hell-mouth . P. Pil. v. p. 1437. 16. Clitumnus is a River in Italy , which makes all the Oxen that drink of it , white . Fulk . Meteor . Lib. 4. 17. The River Melas in Boeotia makes all the Sheep that drink of it , black . Plin. 18. The Fountain of Jupiter Hammon , is cold in the day time , and hot at midnight . 19. The Fountain of the Sun hath its water extream cold , and sweet at noon ; and boiling hot , and bitter at midnight . Plin. lib. 2. c. 103. Augustine . 20. There is a River in Palestine called the Sabbatical River , which runs with a violent and swift stream all the week ; but every Sabbath it remains dry , Joseph . de Bel. Jud. l. 7. c. 24. Some question the truth of this . 21. In Idumae● is a Fountain called the Fountain of Job , which for one quarter of the year is troubled and muddy ; the next quarter bloody , the third green , and the fourth clear . Isiod . 22. The River Astaces in the Isle of Pontus uses sometimes to overflow the fields , after which whatsoever sheep , or milch-Cattle feed thereon give black milk . Plin. l. 2. c. 103. 23. Furius Camillus being Censor in Rome , the Lake Albanus being environed with Mountains on every side , in the time of Autumn when other Lakes and Rivers were almost dry , the waters of this Lake after a wondrous manner began to swell , and rise upwards , till at last they were equall with the tops of the Mountains , and after a while they brake thorow one of those Mountains , overflowing and bearing all down before them till they emptied themselves into the Sea. Plut. 24. The River d ee in Merionneth-shire in Wales , though it run through Pimble-Meer , yet it remaineth intire , and mingles not its streams with the waters of the Lake . Cam. Brit. 25. Ana a River in Spain , burieth it self in the earth , and runneth under ground fifteen miles together , whereupon the Spaniards brag that they have a bridg whereon ten thousand Catle feed dayly . 26. Pliny tells us of a Fountain called Dodon , which always decreaseth from midnight till noon , and encreaseth from noon till midnight . 27. He also tells us of certain Fountains in an Island neer Italy , which always increase and decrease according to the ebbing , and flowing of the Sea. 28. Aristotle writeth of a Well in Sicilie , whose water is so sharp , that the Inhabitants use it instead of Vinegar . 29. In Bohemia neer to the City of Bilen is a Well of such excellent water , that the Inhabitants use to drink of it in a morning instead of burnt wine . Dr. Fulk . 30. In Paphlagonia is a Well , which hath the taste of wine , and it makes men drunk which drink of it ; whence Du-Bartas , Salonian Fountain , and thou Andrian Spring , Out of what Cellars do you daily bring The oyl , and wine that you abound with so ? O Earth , do these within thine entrals grow ? &c. 31. Aelian mentioneth a Fountain in Boeotia neer to Thebes , which makes Horses run mad if they drink of it . 32. Pliny mentioneth a water in Sclavonia which is extream cold , and yet if a man throw his cloath cloak upon it , it is presently set on fire . 33. Other waters there are which discolour the fleeces of the sheep which drink of them : whence Du-Bartas , Cerona , Xanth , and Cephisus do make , The thirsty flocks that of their waters take , Black , red , and white : And neer the crimson deep , Th' Arabian Fountain maketh crimson sheep . 34. And again . What should I of th' Illyrian Fountain tell ? What shall I say of the Dodonean Well ? Whereof the first sets any cloathes on fire ; Th' other doth quench ( who but will this admire ) A burning Torch : and when the same is quenched , Lights it again , if it again be drenched . 35. In the Province of Dara in Lybia , there is a certain River , which sometimes so overfloweth the banks that it is like a sea , yet in the Summer it is so shallow , that any one may passe over it on foot . If it overflow about the beginning of Aprill , it brings great plenty to the whole region ; if not , there follows great scarcity of Corn. Pur. Pil. v. 2. p. 823. 36. In the Kingdom of Tunis neer unto the City El-Hamma , is a hot River , which by diverse Channels is carried through the City , the water of it being so hot that few can endure to go into it , yet having set it to cool a whole day , the people drink of it . Idem . p. 821. 37. In Africa , there is a River called Margania , and by it a salt spring which turns all the wood is thrown into it , into hard stone . Idem . p. 1547. 38. The River Meander is famous for its six hundred windings , and turnings , in and out : whence that of the Poet , Quique recurvatis ludit Maeander in undis . Maeander plays his watry pranks , Within his crooked winding banks . 39. Groenland in the Hyperborean Sea , was discovered Anno Christi 1380. it hath in it the Monastery of St. Thomas situate in the North-East part thereof at the foot of a Mountain , where there is a River so hot , that they use to boil their meat in it , and it serves for other such purposes as fire doth with us , Isac . Chron. p , 275. 40 The river Hypanis in Scythia every day brings forth little bladders , out of which come certain flies which are thus , bred in the morning , are fledge at noon , and dye at night . Fit Emblems of the vain , and short life of Man. 41 The famous River of Nilus in Egypt useth once in the year to overflow her banks , whereby the whole Country is watered . It usually beginneth to overflow upon the seventeenth of June , and increaseth daily , sometimes two , sometimes three fingers , and sometimes half a cubit high on a day . The increase of it is known by a Pillar erected in a Cistern , whereinto the water is conveyed by a Sluce ; which Pillar is divided into eighteen parts , each a cubit higher than the other . If the water reach no higher than to the fifteenth cubit , they expect a fruitful year : if it stay between the twelfth , and fifteenth cubit , the increase of that year will be but mean. If it reach not to the twelfth , it s a sign of scarcity . If it rise to the eighteenth , the scarcity will be greater , in regard of too much moisture . This River continueth forty dayes increasing , and forty dayes decreasing . Pur. Pil. v. 2. p. 838. 42. Another thing is wonderful , which is this : In the Grand Cairo ( which is the Metropolis of Egypt ) the Plague useth many times to be very violent , till the River begins to overflow its banks , at which time it doth instantly cease . So that whereas five hundred a day dyed the day before , not one doth die the day following . Idem . p. 897. 43. In the County of Devon , not far from the Town of Lidford , at a Bridg , the River Lid is gathered into a strait , and pent in between Rocks , whereon it runneth down a main , and the ground daily waxing deeper , and deeper under it , his water is not seen , only a roaring noise is heard , to the great wonder of those that pass by . Camb. Brit. p. 199. 44. In Warwickshire , at Nevenham Regis , three fountains arise out of the ground , strained through an Allom Mine : the water whereof carrieth the colour , and tast of Milk , which cureth ulcers in the bladder , or kidneys caused by the stone , and provoketh urine abundantly ; Green wounds it cleanseth , closeth up , and quickly healeth ; being drunk with salt it looseth , and with Sugar it bindeth the belly . About fifty years ago these Wells were famous , and in great request , many resorting to them , and the water by others was sent for far and near . Idem . p. 562. 45. In Herefordshire , a little beneath Richards Castle , Nature , who never disports her self more in shewing wonders , than in waters , hath brought forth a pretty well , which is alwayes full of little fish bones , although they be drawn out from time , to time , whence it s commonly called Bone-Well . Idem . p. 619. 46. In Yorkshire , upon the Sea-shore by Sken-grave , when the winds are laid , and the weather is most calm upon the Sea : the water lying level and plain without any noise : there is heard here many times on a sudden , a great way off , as it were , an horrible , and fearful groaning , which affrights the Fishermen at those times , so that they dare not launce forth into the Sea. Idem . p. 720. 47. Pliny tells us of the Fountain Chymaera , that is set on fire with water , and put out with earth , or hey . Plin. nat . Hist. Lib. 2. c. 106 , 107. 48. The same Author also tells us , that in the hot deserts of India grows a certain kind of Flax that lives in the fire , and consumes not : we have seen ( saith he ) table-cloathes made of it , burning in fires at feasts , by which they have been cleansed from their stains , and spots , and made whiter by the fire than they could be by water . 49. At Belgrad in Hungary , where Danubius , and Sava ( two great Rivers ) meet , their waters mingle no more than water and Oil : not that either flote above other , but joyn unmixed ; so that near the middle of the River I have gone in a boat ( saith Sir Henry Blunt in his voyage into the Levant ) and tasted of the Danow , as clear , and pure as a well ; then putting mine hand an inch further , I have taken of the Sava , as troubled as a street-channel , tasting the gravel in my teeth . Thus they ran sixty miles together , and for a dayes journey I have been an eye-witness of it . CHAP. IV. The wonderful works of God in the Creatures . Of strange Fishes . 1 ANno Christi 1204. at Oreford in Suffolk , a fish was taken by the Fishermen at Sea , in shape resembling a wild man , and by them was presented to Sir Bartholomew de Glanvil , Keeper of Oreford Castle . In all his limbs and members he resembled a man , had hair in all the usual parts of his body , only his head was bald . The Knight caused meat to be set before him , which he greedily devoured , and did eat fish raw , or sod : that which was raw he pressed with his hand , till he had squeezed out all the moisture : He uttered not any speech , though to try him , they hung him up by the heels , and grievously tormented him . He would get him to his Couch at the setting of the Sun , and rise again at the Sun-rising . One day they brought him to the haven , and let him go into the Sea , but to prevent his escape , they set three rows of very strong nets before him to catch him again at their pleasure : but he , straitwayes diving to the bottom , crept under all their nets , and shewed himself again to them , and so often diving , he still came up , and looked upon them that stood on the shore , as it were mocking of them . At length after he had sported himself a great while in the water , and there was no hope of his return , he came back to them of his own accord , and remained with them two months after . But finally , when he was negligently looked to , he went to the Sea , and was never after seen , or heard of . Fabians Chron. 2. Anno Christi 1404. some women of Edam in the Low-Countries , as they were going in their barks to their cattel in Purmer-Meer , they often saw at the ebbing of the water , a Sea-women playing up and down , whereat at the first they were afraid , but after a while , incouraging one another , they made with their boats towards her , and the water by this time being not deep enough for her to dive in , they took her by force , and drew her into the boat , and so carried her to Edam , where in time she grew familiar , and fed of ordinary meats : and being sent from thence to Herlem , she lived about fifteen years , but never spake , seeking often to get away into the water . Belg. Common-Wealth . p. 102. 3. In the Seas , near unto Sofala are many Women-Fishes ; which from the belly to the neck are very like a woman ▪ The Females have breasts like womens , with which also they nourish their young . From the belly downward they have thick , and long tails , with fins like a Dolphin : the skin on the belly is white ; on the back rougher , than a Dolphins . They have arms , which from the elbows end in fins , and so have no hands : the face is plain , round , and bigger than a mans , deformed , and without humane semblance : They have wide mouths , thick hanging lips like a Hound ; four teeth hanging out almost a span long like the tusk of a Boar : and their nostrils are like a Calves . Pur. Pil. v. 2. p. 1546. 4. Upon the coasts of Brasile are often found Meer-Men , which are like unto men of a good stature , but that their eyes are very hollow . 5. Captain Richard Whitburn in his description of Newfound-land , writes that Anno Christi 1610. early in a morning as he was standing by the water side , in the harbour of St Johns , he espied a strong Creature swimming very swiftly towards him like a women , looking chearfully upon him : Her Face , Eyes , Nose , Mouth , Chin , Ears , Neck , and Forehead were like a womans . It was very beautiful , and in those parts well proportioned , having hair hanging down round about the head : He seeing it come within a pikes length of him , stepped back , whereupon it dived under water , swimming to another place , whereby he beheld the shoulders , and back down to the middle , which was as square , white , and smooth as the back of a man ; from the middle to the hinder part it pointed in proportion like a broad-hooked Arrow : Afterwards it came to a Boat wherein some of his men were , attempting to come in to them , till one of them struck it a full blow upon the head : Others of them saw it afterwards also . 6. About Brasile are many Meer-Men , and Meer-Women , that have long hair , and are very beautiful . They often catch the Indians as they are swimming , imbracing them , and kissing them ; and clasp them so hard , that they crush them to death , and when they perceive that they are dead , they give some sighs , as if they were sorry Pur. Pil. v. 4. p. 1315. 7. There are also another sort of them , that resemble Children , and are no bigger , that are no ways hurtful . Idem . 8. The Torpedo is a strange kind of fish , which a man holding in his hand , if it stir not , it produceth no effect ; but if it move it self never so little , it so torments the body of him that holds it , that his arteries , joints , sinews , & all his members feel exceeding great pain , with a certain numness , and as soon as he layeth it out of his hand , all that pain , and numness , is gone also . P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1183. See more of it afterwards . 9. In Sofala are many River-horses , as big as two of our horses , with thick , and short hinder legs , having five clawes on each fore-foot , and four on the hinder ; the mouth is wide , and full of teeth , four of which are above two spans long a peece ; the two lower stand upright ; the two upper are turned like a Boars tush ; they live in the water , but feed on the land upon grass : they have teats wherewith they nourish their young ones : Their Hides are thicker than an Oxes ; they are all of an ash-colour Gray , with white strakes on their faces , or white Stars in their foreheads . Idem . p. 1544. 10. In the mouth of the River of Goa , there was taken a fish of the bigness of a Cur-Dog , with a snout like an Hog , small eyes , no ears , but two holes in-stead thereof : It had four feet like an Elephant : the tail was flat , but at the end round , and somewhat sharp : It snorted like a Hog ; the Body , Head , Tail , and Legs , were covered with broad Scals as hard as Iron , so that no weapon could peirce them : when he was beaten , he would rowle himself round like an Urchin , and could by no strength be opened , till he opened of his own accord . Idem . p. 1774. 11. There are also Toad-Fishes of about a span long , painted , having fair Eyes : when they are taken out of the water , they snort , and swell much : their poison lies only in the skin , and that being flaid off , the Indians eat them . Idem . p. 1314. 12. The Cuttle-Fish hath a hood alwayes full of black water , like Ink , which when she is pursued by other fishes that would devour her , she casts it forth , which so darkens and foileth the water , that she thereby escapeth . Idem . 13. There are a sort of fishes , whose wonderful making magnifieth their Creator , who for their safety hath given them fins , which serve in-stead of wings : they are of such a delicate skin interlaced with fine bones as may cause admiration in the beholder : These fishes are like to Pilcherds , only a little rounder , and bigger : they flye best with a side wind , but longer than their wings are wet , they cannot flye ; so that their longest flight is about a quarter of a mile . The Dolphins , and Bonitos do continually hunt after them , to prey upon them : whereupon for safety they take the air : but then there is a Fowle called an Alcatrace , much like a Hern , which hovers in the air to seize upon them . Incidit in Scyllam qui vult vitare Caribdim . Out of the frying Pan into the fire , as our Proverb hath it . 14. There is often a strang fight in the Sea between the Whale and his enemies , viz. The Swordfish , and the Thresher . The Swordfish is not great , but strongly made , and between his neck and shoulders he hath a bone like a Sword , of about five inches broad , and above three foot long , full of prickles on either side . The Thresher is a bigger fish , whose tail is broad , and thick , and very weighty . The fight is in this manner ; the Swordfish placeth himself under the belly of the Whale , and the Thresher above with his tail thresheth upon the head of the Whale , till he forceth him to give way , which the Swordfish perceiving , wounds him in the belly with the Sword , and so forceth him to rise up again . In this manner they torment him , that the fight is sometimes heard above three leagues off , the Whales roaring being heard much further , his onely remedy in this case is to get to the shore , which he laboureth to do as soon as he sees his enemies : for then there can fight but one with him , and for either of them hand to hand he is too good . Pur. Pil. v. 4. p. 1377. 15. Mr. Herbert in his East-Indy voyage , relates of a Shark taken by one of their men , that was nine foot and an half in length , and they found in her paunch fifty and five young ones , each of them a foot in length , all which go out and in at their pleasures : She is armed with a double row of venemous teeth : and is guided to her prey by a little Musculus , or Pilot-fish that scuds to and fro to bring intelligence , the Shark for his kindnesse suffering it to suck when it pleaseth . 16. The Sea Tortoise is not much differing from those at land , only her shell is flatter : by overturning them they are easily taken , being hereby dis-enabled either to sink , or help themselves : they taste waterish , and cause Fluxes : they superabound in eggs , one of them having in her neer two thousand , which eggs are pale , and round , and will never be made hard with boiling . Herberts Travels . p. 26. 17. In the Indian Sea is an Eagle-fish , whose eyes are five quarters asunder , from the end of one fin to the end of the other are above four yards : Its mouth and teeth resemble a Portcullis : it hath a long small tail , and it is rather to be wondered at then to be eaten . 18. In Le-Maires voyage about the world , a certain fish , or Sea monster , with an horn , struck against the ship with such violence , that shook it , whereupon the Master looking overboard , saw the Sea all bloody , but knew not what should be the cause , till coming into Port-Desire , where they cleansed and trimmed their ship , they found seven foot under water , a Horn sticking in the ship , for bignesse , and fashion like an Elephants tooth : yet not hollow , but all solid of hard bone , which had pierced through three double planks , and was entred into a rib of the ship , it stuck about half a foot deep in the ship , and by great force was broken off , which caused that great monster to bleed so much as discoloured the water . Pur. Pil. v. 1. p. 90. 19. The Mannaty is a strange fish resembling a Cow : Her face is like a Buffalo's , her eyes small and round , having hard gums instead of teeth : they feed much on the shore , which makes them taste like flesh of veal : their intrails differ little from a Cows : their bodies are commonly three yards long , and one broad , they swim slowly wanting fins , in the place whereof they have two things like paps , which are their stilts when they creep on the shore to graze , where they sleep long , sucking in the cool aire : they cannot keep under water above half an hour . The stone generated in their head is most esteemed , being soveraign against choller adust , the stone collick ; and dissenteryes , if beaten small infused in wine , and drunk fasting . Herb. Trav. p. 26. See more afterwards . 20. The Carvel comes of the foam of the sea , every where floating upon the surface of the Ocean , of a round form , throwing abroad her strings like so many lines , which she can spread at pleasure , therewith angling for small fishes , which she catches at leasure : you may call her a Sea-Spider : for when she sees her web too weak , she can blow an infectious breath foaming death , or such a sting as if she had borrowed it from a Scorpion . Idem . 21. In the East-Indies is a trade wind , which they call a Briese , or Monson , which blows West all April , May , June , July , August , and part of September , and East the rest of the year : Only on the East of Sumatra , it blows five months East , and five months West , and the other two variable . This is well known to our East-Indy Merchants . 22. The Torpedo is a Fish like a Bream , but somwhat thicker : some Marriners having one of them in a net , went to take it forth , but one of them presently cryed out that he had lost the use of his hands , and armes : another that was bare-legged putting his foot to it , lost the sence of his leg : but after a while their feeling returned again : whereupon calling their Cook , they bade him to take and dresse it , who laying both his hands thereon , made grievous moan that he felt not his hands : but when its dead it produceth no such effect , but is good meat . Pur. Pil. p. 1568. 23. About Jamica in the West-Indies , is a Fish called a Manati which is of a strange shape , and nature : It brings forth her young ones alive , and nourisheth them with Milk from her teats , feeding upon grass in the fields , but lives for the most part in the water : the hinder-parts of it are like unto a Cow , and it eats like veal . Idem . v. 3. p. 930. 24. In Brasile are Oxe-fishes , which are very good meat : For head , hair , skin , cheeks , and tongue , they are like Oxen : their eyes small with lids to open and shut ; which no other fish hath : It breatheth , and therefore cannot be long under water : Instead of fore-feet , it hath two arms of a cubit long , with two round hands , and on them five fingers close together , with nails like a mans ; under these arms the female hath paps wherewith she nourisheth her young , she brings forth but one at once . It hath no fins but the tail , which is also round and close : their bones are all maffie , and white like Ivory : of this Fish they make great store of sweet Oil : they feed most upon the land . Idem . v. 4. p. 1313. 25. In Sir Fran. Drakes voyage about the world , when they came to the Island of Celebes , which is wholly overgrown with wood : amongst the Trees night by night , they saw infinite swarms of fiery worms flying in the air , their bodies no bigger than of our English Flyes , which made such a shew , and gave such a light , as if every twig or tree had been a burning candle . In which place also were great store of Bats , as big as large Hens . Pur. Pil. v. 1. p. 56. 26. In Captain Saris his voyage to Bantam , about mid-night , they fell into the strangest , and fearfullest water that ever any of them had seen , the water giving such a glaring light about the ship , that they they could discern letters in a book thereby , whereas a little before it was so dark , that they could discern nothing . This made them fear that it had been the breach of sunken ground : But finding that they had failed half an hour in it , and saw no alteration , they perceived at length , that it was a multitude of Cuttle-fish that made this fearful shew . Pur. Pil. p. 352. CHAP. V. The wonderful works of God in the Creatures . Of strange Fowls , and Birds . 1. IN one of the Scottish Islands there is a rare kind of Fowl unknown to other Countrys , called Colca , little lesse than a Goose : They come thither every year in the spring , hatch , and nourish their young ones : About which time they cast all their feathers , and become stark naked all their bodies over , and then they get themselves to the Sea , and are no more seen till the next spring : Their feathers have no quill , as other feathers have , but are all like unto Down , wherein is no hardnesse . Descr. of Scot. 2. In the North Seas of Scotland are great loggs of Timber found , in which are ingendred after a marvellous manner , a sort of Geese , called Claik-geese : and they do hang by the beak till they are grown to perfection , and then they receive life and fall off : they are many times found , & kept in admiration for their rare manner of Generation : They are very fat , and delicious to be eaten . Idem . Some question the truth hereof . 3. Storks are so careful of their parents ? that when they grow old , and so are unable to help themselves , the young ones feed them : and when in passing the Sea their wings fail them , the young ones will take them on their backs , and carry them over . And this is remarkable about them . 4. The Town of Delph in the Low-Countries is so seated for the breeding , and feeding of those Birds , that it is hard to see an house wherein they do not build . In this Town upon the third of May , Anno Christi 1536. a great fire happened when the young Storks were grown pretty big : the old ones perceiving the fire to approach to their Nests , attempted to carry away their young ones , but could not , they were so weighty , which they perceiving , never ceased with their spread wings to cover them , till they all perished in the flames together . Belg. Common Wealth . p. 63. 5. In America there are certain small Birds called Viemalim , with small and long bills , that live upon the dew , and of the juice of Flowers , and roses , like Bees : their feathers are of very curious colours : they dye , or sleep every year in October , sitting upon the bough of a Tree in a warm place , and in Aprill following , when the Flowers are sprung , they awake again . I have one of them . 6. In the Arabian Deserts there are great store of Ostriches , that go in flocks , and often affright passengers that are strangers , with their fearful schr●eches , appearing a farr off like a Troop of horsmen . Their bodies are too heavy to be born up by their wings , which , though uselesse for flight , yet serve them to run with greater speed , so that a swift Horse can scarce overtake them : whatsoever they finde , be it stones or iron , they greedily swallow it down , and concoct it : when they have laid their eggs , ( which are as big as a Culverin Bullet ) they forget where they left them , and so return no more to them : but they are hatched by the heat of the Sun in the warm sands : hence those expressions , Lam. 4. 3. The Daughter of my people is become cruel , like the Ostriches in the wildernesse : whereupon she is made the Embleme of folly , Job 39. 14. &c. She leaveth her eggs in the earth , and warmeth them in the dust , and forgets that the foot may crush them , &c. 7. In Brasile there is a little bird , which they call The risen , or Awaken Bird , because it sleeps six months , and awakes the other six . It hath a Cap on its head of no one colour , but on what side soever you look , it sheweth Red , Green , Black , and other colours , all very fine , and shining : the Breast also shews great variety of colours , especially Yellow , more fine then Gold ; the Body is Grey , and it hath a very long small Bill , and yet the tongue is twice as long as the Bill : it flyes very swiftly , and makes a humming like a Bee. It always feeds flying . Pur. Pil. 8. In Socotera there are Bats , whose bodies are almost as big as a Conies , their Heads are like Foxes with an hairy Furr upon them : In other things they are like our Bats . One of them being killed by some English , his wings when they were extended , were an ell in length . their Cry is shril and loud . Idem . 9. In Italy are the Flies Cantharides , which by day are of a Green shining colour , but in the night they shine in the Air , like flying Glow-Worms , with Fire in their Tailes . Raimunds Mercu. Ital. 10. In China there is a Fowl of a prodigious shape , and bignesse : It is three foot high : the body being exceeding great , more than a man can fathom : their feathers are all white like a Swans , their feet broad like Fowls that swim : their neck half a fathom long , and their beak half an ell , the upper part of it being crooked . From the nether part of the beak there hangs a very great and capable bag of a yellow golden colour , resembling Parchment . With these Fowls the Natives use to fish , as we do in England with Cormorants . They will catch fish with great dexterity , and when they have filled their great bag , which will hold divers fishes of two foot long a peece , they will bring them to their Masters . Pur. Pil. v. 2. 1643. 11. In the African Desarts is a certain Fowle called a Nesir , some call it a Vultur . It s bigger than a Crane . In flying it mounts very high , yet at the sight of a dead carkass , it descends immediatly . She lives long , and in extream old age looseth her feathers , and then returning to her nest , is there fed by the young ones of the same kind . Idem . 12. Near unto the Streights of Magellane , there is an Island called Penguin Island , wherein are abundance of Fowls called Penguins that go upright , their wings , in stead of feathers , are only covered with down , which hang down like sleeves faced with white . They flye not , but walk in paths of their own making , and keep their divisions and quarters orderly . They are a strange Fowle , or rather , a miscellaneous creature , of Beast , Bird , and Fish : but most of Bird. Pur. Pil. v. 1. p. 536. 13. In the Isle of Man , there is a sort of Sea-Fowles called Puffins , they are of a very unctious constitution , and breed in Cony-holes ( the Conies leaving their burrows for that time ) they are never seen with their young , but very early in the morning , and late in the evening : they nourish their young ( as it is conceived ) with Oil drawn from their own bodyes , and dropped into their mouths ; for that being opened , there is found in their crops no other sustenance , save a single Sorrel-leaf , which the old give their young ( as is conjectured ) for digestions-sake ; the flesh of them , whilst raw , not savoury , but powdered , it may be ranked with Anchoves , and Caviare ; profitable they are in their feathers , and oil , which they use much about their Wooll . 14. the Isle of Mauritius is a Fowle called a Dodo ; Her body is round , and extream fat , which makes her pace slow : few of them weigh less than fifty pound : Her Wings are so small , that they cannot lift her above the ground : Her head is variously dressed , the one half-hooded with downy black feathers ; the other wholly naked , of a whitish colour , as if a transparent Lawn had covered it : her bill is very hooked , bending downwards , the breathing place being in the midst of it , from which part to the end , the colour is light green , mixt with a pale yellow : Her eyes are round , and small , and bright as Diamonds : her cloathing is of the finest down ; her train is of three or four short-feathers , her legs thick , and black ; her tallons sharp ; her stomach so hot , that she digests stones , or Iron , as doth the Ostrich . 15. In Lincolnshire there is a Bird called a Dotterel , so named of his doltish foolishness : It s a bird of an apish kinde , ready to imitate what it sees done : they are caught by Candle-light by the Fowlers gestures ; for if he put forth and arm , they stretch forth a wing : if he sets forward a leg , or hold up his head , they likewise do the same : In brief , whatsoever the Fowler doth , the same also doth this foolish bird , until it be caught within the net . Camb. Brit. p. 543. 16. There is an Island called Bas , bordering upon Lathaien in Scotland , unto which there resort a multitude of Sea fowls , especially of Soland Geese , which bring with them such abundance of Fish , that , as it is reported , an hundred souldiers that lay there in Garrison for defence of the place , fed upon no other meat , but the fish that was thus brought to them : And the said Fowls also bring such a number of sticks , and twigs , wherewith to build their nests , that thereby the inhabitants are also abundantly provided of fewel for the fire : and such a mighty gain is made of their feathers , and oil , that no man would scarcely beleeve it , but he that hath seen it . Camb. Brit. of Scotland . p. 12 , 13. 17. In Magallanes voyage about the world , the King of the Island of Bacchian sent the King of Spain two dead birds of a strange shape : they were as big as Turtle-Doves , with little heads , and long bills , long small legs , and no wings , but in-stead thereof certain long feathers of divers colours , and tails like Turtle-Doves : all their other feathers were of a tawny colour ; they flye not , but when the wind blows ; and they call them Birds of God. Pur. Pil v. 1. p. 44. 18. In Sofala in the East-Indies is a kinde of Bird called Minga , green , and yellow , very fair , about the bigness of a Pigeon , which never treads on the ground , their feet being so short , that they can scarce be discerned : they settle on trees , of the fruit whereof they live : when they drink , they flye on the tops of the water ; and if they fall on the ground , they cannot rise again ; their flesh is fat and savoury . Idem . p. 1546. CHAP. VI. The wonderful works of God in the Creatures . Of strange Beasts , and Serpents . 1. WHilst Sir Thomas Row , our English Ambassador , was at the great Moguls Court , he saw many stately Elephants brought before the Emperour : some of which being Lord-Elephants ( as they called them ) had their chain bells , and furniture of gold , and silver , each of them having eight , or ten other Elephants waiting on him : they were some twelve companies in all , and as they passed by , they all bowed down before the King very handsomely . Pur. Pil. v. 1. p. 550. 2. Though these Elephants be the largest of all beasts , yet are they very tractable , unless at such times when they are mad through lust : some of them are thirteen , and some fifteen foot high ; their colour is usually black , their skins thick , and smooth without hair ; they delight much to bathe themselves in water , and are excellent swimmers , their pace is about three miles an hour ; of all Beasts they are most sure of foot , so that they never stumble , or fall to indanger their rider : they lye down , and rise again at pleasure , as other beasts do ; they are most docible creatures , doing almost whatsoever their Keeper commands them . If he bid one of them affright a man , he will make towards him , as he would tread him in pieces ; and yet when he comes at him , do him no hurt : If he bid him abuse , or disgrace a man , he will take dirt , or kennel-water in his trunk , and dash it in his face , &c. Their trunks are long , grissely snouts hanging down betwixt their teeth , which ( as a hand ) they make use of upon all occasions . Some Elephants the great Mogul keeps for execution of malefactors ; who being brought to suffer death by that mighty beast , if the Keeper bid him dispatch the offender presently , he will immediately with his foot pash him in peeces : If he bid him torture him slowly , he will break his joynts by degrees one after another , as men are broken upon the wheel . 2. An English Merchant of good credit being at Adsmeer ( a City where the great Mogul then was ) saw a great Elephant daily brought through the Market-place , where an Hearb-woman used to give him an handful of hearbs as he passed by . This Elephant afterwards being mad ; brake his chains , and took his way through the Market-place ; the people being affrighted , hasted to secure themselves , amongst whom was this Hearb-woman , who through fear , and haste , forgat her little childe . The Elephant comming to the place where she usually sate , stopt , and seeing a child lye about her hearbs , took it up gently with his Trunk , and without harm , laid it upon a stall hard by , and then proceeded in his furious course . Idem . p. 1472. The Males Testicles lie about his forehead : the Females teates are betwixt her fore-legs ; they carry their young two years in their wombs : conceive but once in seven years : they are thirty years before they come to their full growth , and fulfil the accustomed age of a man before they die . 3. As Pyrrus King of Epyrus was assaulting the City of Argos , one of his Elephants called Nicon . i. e. Conquering , being entred the City , perceiving that his governour was stricken down to the ground from his back with terrible blows ; ran upon them that came back upon him , overthrowing friends , and foes , one in anothers neck , till at length , having found the body of his slain Master , he lift him up from the ground with his trunk , and carrying him upon his two tushes ; returned back with great fury , treading all under feet whom he found in his way . Plut. In vita Pyrri . 4. The Lion hath the Jackall for his Usher , which is a litle black , shag-haired beast , of the bigness of a Spaniel , which when the evening comes , hunts for his prey , and comming on the foot , follows the scent with open crye : to which the Lion as chief Hunt gives diligent ear , following for his advantage : If the Jackall set up his chase before the Lion comes in , he howles out mainly , and then the Lion seizeth on it , making a grumbling noise , whilst his servant stands by barking , and when the Lyon hath done , the Jackal feeds on the relicks Idem . p. 1575. See more afterwards , Example seventeen . 5. The Panther hath a very sweet smell , so that other Beasts are much taken therewith , but they are terrified with the ugly deformity of his face ; and therefore as he goes he hides that part between his legs , and will not look towards them till he hath gotten them within his compasse , which when he hath done , he devours them without mercy : so deals the Devil with wicked men , strewing their way to Hell with variety of worldly delights , and profits ( the thorns of affliction must not touch their flesh , nor Hells terrors come within their thoughts ) till he hath made them past feeling , then he devours them . Plin. nat . Hist. L. 8 C. 17. 6. The Rhynoceros is so called because of the horn in his nose : he is a large beast , as big as our fairest Oxe in England : His skin lyeth plated , and as it were in wrinkles upon his back : Their Horn , Teeth , Claws , yea flesh , and blood , are good against poyson , which , as is conceived , proceeds from the Herbs which they feed on in Bengala , where are most store of them . 7. The Camelopardalus is the highest of Beasts , so that a man on horseback may ride upright under his belly , his neck is long , so that he usually feedeth upon the leaves of trees : his colour is white and speckled , his hinder legs are shorter than his former , so that he cannot graze but with difficulty . P. Pil. p. 1381. He is also called a Jaraff . 8. In India is a certain beast called a Buffelo , which is very large , hath a thick and smooth skin , but without hair : She gives good milk , and her flesh is like Beefe . Idem . p. 1469. 9. In the same Country also are certain wild Goats , whose Horns are good against poison , Pur. Pil. p. 472. 10. In the Country of Indostan in the East-Indies , are large white Apes , as big as our Grey-hounds , which will eat young Birds , whereupon Nature hath taught their Dams this subtilty : they build their Nests on the utmost bowes at the end of slender twigs : where they hang them like Purse-nets to which the Apes cannot possibly come : yet many times with their Hands they will shake those boughs till the nests break , and fall down , and then they will devour them . Pur. Pilgrimage p. 1475. 11. The Camelion is of the shape , and bigness of a Lizzard , it is a deformed lean , and crooked creature , having a long and slender tail , like a Mouse , and is of a slow pace . It lives only upon Flys . It changeth colours according to the variety of places where it comes . It is a great Enemy to venemous Serpents ; for when it sees any lie sleeping under a Tree , it gets upon a bough just over the Serpents head , & voideth out of its mouth , as it were a long thred of spittle , with around drop hanging at the end , which falling on the Serpents head , immediately kills him P. Pil. p. 848. 12. There was lately found in Catalunia , in the Mountains of Cerdania , a certain Monster , that had humane shape as far as the waste , and downwards it was like a Satyre : He had many heads , Arms , & Eyes , and a mouth of extraordinary bigness , wherewith he made a noise like a Bull : His picture was sent by Don John of Austria ( now Governour of the Low Countrys ) to the King of Spain , and afterwards many Coppies thereof were drawn , and sent abroad by Ambassadors , and other persons to several Princes , and States in Europe . Hist. of this Iron age . 13. In Brasile is a certain Beast called a Tamandua or Ant-Bear of the bignesse of a great dog , more round than long , and the tail above twice so long as the body , and so full of hair that under it he shelters himself from rain , heat , cold , and wind . His head is small ; and hath a thin snout : his mouth round , with a tongue three quarters of a yard long : he is diligent in seeking Ant-hills , which he teareth with his claws , and then thrusts in his long tongue , upon which the Ants run , and when it is full , he licks them in ; and this is all his food . Pur. Pil. v. 4. p. 1301. 14. The Armadillo is of the bignesse of a Pig , and of a white colour : It hath a long snout , and the body is covered with shels like Plates , wherewith they are armed : for they are so hard that no arrow will pierce them except in the Flanks , where they are softer : their flesh is good to eat , they dig holes in the ground with their snouts , in which they lye . Idem . 15. The Porcupine hath bristles , or quils , white and black , of a span and an half long , which they can cast : and they have this quality , that where one of these bristles enters into the flesh , if it be not pulled out presently , it will work it selfe quite through ; they are of a good flesh , and taste . 16. The Civet-Cat exceeds the Castor for bignesse , her head is little , her eyes clear ; hath a long muzzle ; sharp , and offensive teeth . Her hair is parti-coloured , harsh , and bristley , yellow above , and whiter downwards ; The pocket wherein the Civet is bred is neer the genitory , which is taken forth with a spoon or stick ; But when she is wild , she casts it forth of her own accord , and by the scent it is found by the passengers . 17. The Lyons in Affrick , are more fierce than in colder Countryes ; here was one of their skins brought into England , which from the snout to the top of the tail , contained one and twenty foot in length . They engender backwards as do Camels , Elephants , Rhinoceroses , Ounces , and Tygers . They spare such men as prostrate themselves to them , and prey rather upon men than women , and not at all on Infants , except compelled by hunger . His tail is his Scepter , by which he expresses his passion . He shrinks not at danger , except some covert of woods hides him from witnesses , and then he will take the benefit of flight , which otherwise he seems to disdain . 18. The Hyaena hath no joints in her neck , and therefore stirs not her neck , but with the bending of her whole body . She hath one continued tooth through her whole mouth . 19. In Africk are many wild Asses , whereof one male hath many females , and he is so jealous , that he bites off the stones of the young males , if the suspicious female prevent him not by bringing forth in a close place . 20. The Dabuh is a simple Creature , like to a Wolf , but that his legs and feet are like to a mans , they which know his haunt , with a Taber , & singing , will bring him out of his den , and captivate his ears with their Musick , whilst another captivateth his legs with a rope . 21. The Zebra is a very beautiful Creature , resembling a curiously shaped horse , but not all out so swift , all over-laid with party coloured laces , and guards , from head to tail . 22. In Sofala there is a certain creature called Inhazaras as big as a hog , & somewhat like , with thin black hair , having on his hinder feet five fingers like unto a mans , and four on his forefeet ; they live meerly upon Ants , by thursting their tongues which are two spans and an half long into an Ant-hil , whereon the Ants running , they pull them into their mouths , and so eat them : some call them Ant-Bears . Pur. Pil. 23. There is in Affrica a certain monster called Pongo , in the whole proportion like unto a man , but that it is bigger . It hath a mans face , hollow eyes , long hair upon the brows , his face and ears being without hair : but his body is all hairy of a dunish colour , &c. He differs from a man only in his legs , which have no calves : he goes alwayes upright upon his legs , and he carries his hands clasped in the nape of his neck , when he walkes upon the ground : They use to sleep in trees , and live upon fruits and nuts . Idem . v. 2. p. 982. 24. In Congo there is a strange Creature as big as a Ram , that hath wings like a Dragon , a long tail , and great chaps , with diverse rows of teeth : They feed upon raw flesh . Idem . p. 1003. 25. In Affrica there is a beast called a Dabuk , in bignesse and shape , resembling a Wolf , saving that his legs & feet are like a mans . He useth to take dead men out of their graves , and eat them . Idem . p. 847. 26. In the Kingom of Mexico there are Kine , with bunches on their backs , about the bigness of our bulls , having little horns , and more hair on their foreparts than behind , which is like wooll : On the back-bone they have maines like horses , and long hair from their Knees downward , with much long hair on their throats : They are meat , drink , shooes , houses , fire , vessels , and their masters whole substance . 27. Other Creatures there are as big as horses , which the Spaniards for their fine Wooll call Sheep : One of their horns usually weigheth fifty pounds . P. Pil. v. 4. p. 1561. 28. In Virginia is a beast called a Possown , the female whereof hath a bag under her belly , from whence she letteth forth her young ones , and taketh them in again at her pleasure . Idem . p. 1772. 29. In Socotera are Sheep , whose tails weigh twenty eight pounds a peece , which therefore are usually cut off from the Ewes , least they should hinder their breeding . 30. In the Great Mogols Countrey there are Asses with horns , whereof they make diverse sorts of drinking cups , of excellent vertue . Some judging them to be the right Unicorns horn . Idem . p. 436. 31. Most certain it is , that the Irish Cows will not give down their Milk , unless their own Calves be set by their sides , either alive , or else the skin of the dead Calf must be stuffed with straw , and set by them . Camb. Brit. of Ireland . p. 1145. 32. In the Island of Orknay the Ewes are of such fecundity , that they bring forth constantly two , and many times three Lambs a peece ; There be neither ravenous nor venemous creatures there ; nor if transported thither , will they live in that Island . Description of Scotl. 33. There are three sorts of Camels : the first sort are gross , and tall of stature : these will usually carry one thousand pound weight a peece ; when they are to be loaden , being beaten on the knees , and neck with a cudgel , they will kneel down ; and when they feel their load sufficient , they will rise up again of themselves . The second sort of them have two bunches on their backs , and are fit either for burthen , or to ride on . The third sort are of a slender , and low stature , called Dromedaries , unfit for burthens , but they excel in swiftness , so that in the space of one day they will travel one hundred miles , and will so continue for eight , or ten dayes together , with very little provender ; and they will abstain from drink , eight , ten , and sometimes fifteen dayes together , without any inconvenience , as they travel through the Deserts . 34. Musk is taken from a little reddish beast , that they beat with many blows in one place , that so the blood may gather into it : and when the skin is by this means swoln , and full of blood , they bind it strait , that the blood may not issue forth , and being put into one , or more bladders , its dryed on the beasts back , till the bladder fall off of it self ; and so that blood after a month becomes excellent musk . Pur. Pil. v. 2. p. 1500. 35. Amongst the Blackmoors , there is a strange beast called a Carbuncle , which is seen only by night , having a stone in his forehead that shineth incredibly , and giving him light whereby to feed : But when he hears the lest noise , he presently lets fall over it a skin , which he hath as a natural covering , least his splendor should betray him . Pur. Pil. v. 1. p. 416. 36. In Abassia are Kine with horns like unto Harts-horns : Others there be that have but one Horn in the midst of their foreheads of about a span and an half long , turning upward . Pur. Pil. v. 2. p. 1495. 37. There is in the Country of Mexico a kinde of sheep , which all things considered , is a beast of the greatest profit , and least charge that is : For from them they draw meat and cloathing : They use them also to carry all their burthens , having need neither of shooes nor saddles , nor yet of Oats , so that they serve their Masters for nought , feeding only on Grass which they find in the fields : There are two kinds of these creatures , the one bearing Wooll , the other are bare , which are the better for burthen ; they are bigger than great Sheep , and less than Calves ; they have long necks like a Cammel . They are of divers colours , some white , some black , and others grey , or spotted ; Their flesh is good meat , but that of their Lambs is best : Of their Wooll the Indians make cloath some courser , other finer like half-silk ; they also make Carpets , and Coverings , and other exquisite works of it , which last long , and have a very good gloss ; they die it into sundry colours : upon these the Spaniards carry their bars of silver ; one of these sheep carrying about an hundred and fifty pound weight . 37. In the stomach , or belly of this beast , is found the Bezar's stone ; sometimes one alone , sometimes two , three , or foure : They are different in form , greatness , and colour ; some like Filbeards , others like Walnuts : Some as big as Pigeons Eggs , some as big as Hens Eggs : In form some are round , some oval , and of other formes . For their colour , some are black , some white , some grey , dark green , and some as if they had been gilded : they are all made of divers filmes , and skins one upon another . P. Pil. v. 3. p. 969. 38. There is in Italy the Tarantula ( a kind of Serpent ) the venome whereof hath such an operation , that whosoever is stung with it , falleth a dancing , and capering , and nothing can allay it but Musick . Raimunds Mercu. Ital. Examples of Dogs love to their Masters . 39. When the Athenians quit their City , and betook themselves to Sea , upon Xerxes his invasion of Greece , Xantippus the Father of Pericles had a Dog , which for sorrow that his Master had left him behind him , cast himself after him into the Sea , swimming still by the Gallies side wherein his Master was , till he came to the Isle of Salamina , where so soon as the poor Cur landed , his breath failed him , and he dyed presently . Plut In vita Themist . CHAP. VII . Admirable Works done by the art of man. 1. PRotogenes the Rhodian , an exquisite Painter , bestowed seven years in drawing a most curious picture , which when Apelles beheld , he stood amazed at the excellency of the workmanship , so that for a while he could not speak , but afterwards he said , This is an admirable work , and of huge labour , yet he wants an Orator to extol his workmanship to the skies . When King Demetrius besiedged the City of Rhodes , he took the suburbs , and in them this picture , whereupon the Citizens sent to him , requesting him not to deface it ; to whom he answered , That he would sooner burn the Picture of his Father , than hurt a peece of such admirable Workmanship . Diod. Sic. Plut. Glasses malleable . 2. Anno Christi 1610. amongst other rare Presents sent from the Sophy of Persia , to the King of Spain , were six drinking glasses so exquisitely tempered , that they could not be broken . Turk . Hist. p. 1273. Stone-henge Described . 3. About six miles from Salisbury , upon the plains , is to be seen a huge , and monstrous peece of work , such as Cicero calleth insanam substructionem . For within the circuit of a ditch , there are erected in the manner of a Crown , in three ranks , or courses , one whithin another , certain mighty , and unwrought stones , whereof some are twenty eight foot high , and seven broad ; upon the heads of which , others like overtwhart peeces do bear , and rest cross-wise with tenents , and mortesses , so as the whole frame seemeth to hang , whereof it s commonly called Stone-henge . Camb. Brit. 4. In Westmerland hard by Shape , there be hung stones in form of Pyramids , some of them nine foot high , and fourteen foot thick , ranged directly as it were in a row for a mile in length , with equal distance almost between them . Camb. Brit. p. 762. Mausolus his Tombe Described . 5. Artimesia Queen of Halicarnassus , when her husband Mausolus dyed , built him a stately Tomb , accounted for the rare workmanship , and costly magnificence one of the worlds Wonders . It was five and twenty cubits high , and supported with six and thirty curious pillars , of which Martial thus writeth : Are nam vacuo pendentia Mausolaea , laudibus immodicis Cares ad astra ferunt . The Mausolaea hanging in the skie , the men of Caria's praises Deifie . 6. When Sir Thomas Row was Ambassador there , the Great Mogul built a stately Monument for his Father : it was about twenty years in building , and three thousand men working daily at it : it was built square , three quarters of a mile in compass : it was made with seven heights one above another , and each narrower than other , till you come to the top where the herse is : At the outward Gate is a most stately Palace , and Gardens walled about , at least three miles in compass ; all built at a vast charge . Pur. Pil. p. 226. 7. Mr. Herbert , who saw it afterwards , thus describes it . It consists ( saith he ) of four large squares , each about three hundred paces long , the matter is Freestone polished , having at each Angle , a small Tower of party coloured Marble . Ten Foot higher is another Tarras , on each side beautified with three such Towers . The third Gallery hath two Towers , on each side . The fourth , one . The fifth , half , and a small square Gallery mounting to a Royal Pyree , within which is the Mummy of Ecbar ; bedded in a Coffin of pure Gold. The whole structure is built in the midst of a spacious and curious Garden , surrounded with a Wall of red stone , and planted with beautiful and odoriferous flowers . Porsennah's Tomb Described . Porsenna King of Hetruria● , not far from the City of Clusium , built for himself a Monument of square stone , each side of it was three hundred Foot broad , and fifty Foot High ; within which square Basis , there was an inextricable Labyrinth , into which whosoever adventured without a Clue , could find no passage out . Upon this square he erected five Pyramids , four in the corners , and one in the midst ; in the bottom they were seventy five Foot broad , and each of them one hundred and fifty Foot high , on the top was one Brass Circle , and covering for them all , from which there hung Bells fastened with Chains , which being moved with the Winde , gave a sound a far off : Upon this brazen Circle stood other four Pyramids , each of them one hundred Foot high ; and upon them ( being covered with another plain ) were again erected five other Pyramids , the height whereof my Author was ashamed to name : So foolishly did he waste the wealth of his Kingdom , that in the end the commendation of the Artificer should be the greatest . Pliny out of Varro ; and Greaves out of him . 8. In the Great Moguls Country , from Agra to Lahar ( which are the two chief Cities in this Empire ) is about four hundred English miles : The Country in all that distant , being even without Mountains or Hills : And the High-way betwixt them , is planted on both sides with Trees , like unto a delicate walk . P. Pil. v. 2. p. 1468. The Trees are Mulberry-trees . And in all this way , ever and anon , are Inns built by several Kings , and great men , for the Entertainment of strangers : In which you may have a Chamber for your self , room for your Hourse , and Horse-meat , but little for your Servant : When a man hath taken up his Lodging , no other may dispossess him . In the Morning about break a day , all make ready to depart , at which time the Gates are opened , and none suffered to depart sooner for fear of Theeves . P. 520. The first Invention of Printing . 9. Laurence Jans , a rich Citizen of Harlem in the Low-Countries , walking forth one day into the neighbouring Woods for recreation , began to cut in pieces of wood the Letters of his Name , Printing them on the back of his hand ; which pleasing him well , he cut three or four Lines which he beat with Ink , and printed them upon Paper , wherewith he much joyed , and determined to find out another kind of Ink more fastening , and holding , and so with his Kinsman Thomas Peterse , found out another way to print whole Sheets , but of one side only , which are yet to be seen in the said Town : Afterwards he changed his Letters of Wood into Lead , and after that into Tin , and so by degrees this famous Art of Printing grew to perfection . Belg. Common-Wealth . p. 57. 11. Some say that John Guttenburg of Strasburg , was the first Inventer of it , Anno Christi 1440. In which City he first practised it , and removing from thence to Mentz , there perfected it . They say that Tullies Offices was the first Book that ever was printed . P. Ramus Schol. Math. L. 2. 12. It doth with wonderful celerity convey Learning from one Country , and Age , to another . Imprimit ille die , quantum vix scribitur anno . The most famous Printers were . 13. Aldus Manutius , and after him Paulus his Son in Venice . In France , Crispinus , Henry Stevens , Father to Charles ; and Charles to Robert ; Robert to Henry , and Henry to Paul , all Printers . 14. Christopher Plantine of Antwerp , was a most Famous and Learned Printer . 15. Frobenius , that was Erasmus his Faithful Printer . 16. Daniel Bombergus , an excellent Printer of the Hebrew Bible , and many other Hebrew Books , &c. The first Invention of Guns . 17. A German Fryer of the Order of St. Francis , called Bertholdus Swart , being very studious of Chymistry , as he was one Evening ( for the finding out of some Experiment ) very busie in tempering Brimstone , Sulphureous powder of dryed Earth , and certain other Ingredients in a Morter , which he covered with a stone : When it grew dark , he took his Tinder-box to light him a Candle , a Sparke whereof by chance flying into the Mortar , caught hold of the Brimstone , and Salt-Peter , and firing , with a sudden flash blew up the stone . The cunning Chymist gues●ng what it was which wrought this effect , never left till he found out the certainty , and then taking an Iron Pipe , he crammed it full of the same Ingredient , together with some stones , and so putting fire to it , he saw that with great fury , and noise it discharged it self : Soon after which , he communicated this his Invention to the Venetians , who , having been often vanquished by the Genowayes , did by the help of these Bombards , or Guns , give them a notable discomfiture . Anno Christi 1380. Bucholtz . 18. At Middleburg in Zealand , in the Steeple of the Abby-Church , there is a Bell of eighteen thousand weight to strike the Hours on , and twenty four small ones which serve for the Chymes . Belg. Common-wealth . p. 162. A Description of the situation of Utrecht in the Low-Countries . Utrecht in the Low-Countries , is so situated , that one may go to what Town he please of fifty , that lye round about it in one day . And in a Summers day , if one go early from Utrecht , he may dine at any one of twenty six Towns , where he pleaseth , and return to his own House to Supper . Idem . p. 200. Trajan built a Bridge over the River Ister , or Danow , containing twenty Arches , each Arch being one hundred and fifty Foot high , sixty thick , and one hundred and seventy Foot distant one from another : So that the whole length of it was four thousand seven hundred and seventy Foot , which was almost a mile long . The River was very deep , and swift , and the bottom not firm ground , neither could the stream be diverted any other way ; all which made the Work far more difficult , and admirable . Ancus Martius , the fourth King of Rome , built a Wooden Bridge over the River Tybur , yet without Nails , or Pins , so that in times of War it might be taken down : Afterwards Aemilius the Consul built it of stone : And lastly Antoninus Pius the Emperour built it of Marble . FINIS . Soli Deo Gloria . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A33345-e190 Trees , Fowles Beasts Fishes Plants , Fruits , and Herbs , Virginia's Situation . Their Summers and Winters . The Natives described . Their Apparel . Habitations and Houses . Their Lodging and Beds . Their child-birth and children . Women laborious and men idle . Their several Diets . Their Bows and Arrows . Their weapons in War. The Fishing Boats , and furniture . Their Huntings . Their Wars . Their Musick . Their trading . Their Religion . Their Sepulchers , and Burials . Their mournings : The Priests Attire . Their Civil Government . The Kings Women and attendants . Their Goverment by Customs . Of the Plantation of the English. Elks Fruitfulness of the Deer . Their Beasts and Fowles ▪ Their Fish. Their Fruits . The qualities of the Natives . Their Priests . Their Government . The Countrey described . Strange Beasts . Their Hawks and other Fowl. Birds and Fish. Bermudas City . Powhatans Daughter converted baptized and married . She comes into England . Her death . Vrginia divided . How Governed : Persons sent over . Commodities , their Iron , Pot , and Sope ashes Pitch and Tar. Timber . Silk . Vines . Salt. Gifts to the Plantation . Persons sent over . Gifts to promote the Plantation . Notes for div A33345-e4680 The nature of its soil . The temperature of the air . It s fertility . Their Summers , and Winters . No venomous Creature there . Fish Fowl Trees and Plants . Tortoises or Turtles described . The prickl Pear . Fowls and Birds . Plants . Things offensive . Their number & bigness . Whale-fight . Strange Birds . Rat-plague Palm Trees . Shel-Fish . Other Fish Birds . More Planters sent over . Of Governours . Notes for div A33345-e6130 The good God , How they increase the Priests . Their Government . They maintain their Kings . Their charity . Their Burials , and mournings Their behaviour . Their names of their marriages , Their Women . Their modesty . Their Justice Punishments . Their integrity . Their Language . Their Chonicles . Notes for div A33345-e13150 Barbadoes first discovered . Hoggs found there . Hunted by the Indians . Fine Pots . The first Painters . Indico Planted . Cotton , and Fustick . Sugar Canes planted . The scituation of the Island . The chief Towns unhealthful . The Baies . The bigness of the Island . Ils beauty The length of the Days The temperature . Diseases , The moistness of the air . A want of water . The only River or Lake . Excellent Lobsters . Their ponds . Speedy warning of dangers Bread of C●ssury . How it s made . Bread of Maise , and Cussary together . Lob-Lolly Potatoes used for Bread. Their drink Mobby , how made . Perino how made . Grippo . Punch . Plantane drink . Kill-devil . Beveridge Pine-drink the best of all . Hogs flesh . Beef . Turkies . Pullin , and Muscovy Ducks . Turtle Doves . Pidgeons . Rabbets . Several sorts of fish . The green Turtle . Quasquechoses . Flesh and Fish. The Negroes alowance . An Inland Feast . A Feast near the Sea. Merchandize imported and exported . Timber Trees . Locusts . Mastick Trees . Bully Trees . Red wood Yellow wood . Cedars Iron-Wood . Stone for buildings . Of their servants and slaves . How their servants are used . Dreadful fire . How quenched . Of the Negroes . Their chastiy . Their jealousie . Of their easie travel Dancing . The Funerals , And Physick . Negro . Maids and Wives . Indians . Camels . Horses . Bulls and Cows . Asinegoes . Hoggs . Sheep . Goats . Birds and Fowls . Buzzards . Turtle Doves . Thrush . Blackbirds Stares . Counsellers . The Humming Bird. Teals , Oxen , Kine : A man of Wyr . Snakes . Scorpious Lizzards . Cochoaches . The Muskitoes . Merriwings . Caterpillars . Other flies . Ants and Pismires . Ants. Spiders . Negroes . Crickets . Crabs . The physick Nut. The poison tree . A mantionel tree . Cussavy . Coloquintida . Cassia Fistula . A strange Tamarine Trees . Palm-trees Figg trees . Cherry-trees . Citron Trees . Orange Trees . Limon Trees . Lime-trees Prickled Apple Trees . Prickled Pear-trees . Pomgranate Trees Papa-trees Gnaver Trees . Coco-trees Custard-Apple trees Mucow Trees . Date Trees , Mungrave Trees . Calibash Trees . Bay-trees . Cedar Mastick Trees . Bully Trees , Red-wood Trees . Prickled yellow wood . Iron Wood. Lignum vitae . Locust Trees , Bastard Locust trees . Palmeto trees . Palms to Royal Trees . Plantanes . Wild plantanes . tanes . Bonanoes . Sugar . Canes . Old wit hs . Aloes .