AaH

3nlm Carter #n*m.

The Natural

HISTORY

O F

North - Carolina.

WITH AN

ACCOUNT

O F T H E

Trade, Manners, and Cuftom* of the

Christian and Indian Inhabitants. II-
luftrated with Copper -Plates, whereon are
curioufly Engraved the Map of the Country,
feveral ft range Mwjts, Birds, Ftjbes^ Snakes^
Infetts, Trees, and TlanPs, &c.

3jl J O H N B R I C K E L L, ML D.

Ni^rtf wo j /n &rfe peregrinamur*

Cic.

Printed by J a m e s Carson, in Coghill's-Court, Dame^
fireet, oppofit* to the Caftle-M*rk$t* For the Auth o r.,'
if!*

:\

T O

The Right Honourable

AND
TRULY NOBLE

RICHARD

EARLof zANG LESET,

Vifcount VOLENTI A, Lord Baron ALTHAM,
Lord Baron MOUNT N ORRIS, Lord Baron of
NEWPORT PAGNEL; and Cuftos Rotulorua
of the County c\f W £ X F O R D.

May it pleafe Tonr Lordship,

TH O U G H I know how prefump-
tuous it is, to affix (o great a Name
to thefc inconiklerabie Papers, yet the

Neceflity

Dedication.

Neceflity of a Patron, both to Men and
Booksj againit the unavoidable Cenfures
of bulie Aden3 may perhaps, help to ex-
otic my Ambition> tho5 exceeding its
due Meafure*

I muft confefs, tho' there may be no-
thing worthy in this Undertaking, yet at
kaft, it may have the Splendour and
Warmth .of a Burning-GIa(s5 which bor-
rowing a Flame from the Eye of Heaven,
Ibines and bums by the Rays of the Sun
its- Patron*.

Be pleafed5 my Lord, to caft yourEye
on thefe my Endeavours,, which, thro'
lour benignity, cannot go without their
hoped for Effedts ; for under Your
I&rdjhifs- Protedion^ they will not only

live,

Ekdicatioa

live now in Eftimation and Rcfpcft, but:
(land as afignal to future Times of your,
Lord/hifs unlimited Goodnefs, fruftiat—
ine the Defigris of malicious Men.

. May the great GoD'itiil preferve Your
Healthy and infpire you with ail Wifc -
dom and Honour* fo peculiar to Your
Noble Anceftors, whofe Virtuous and
Heroick Adtions, are lading Monuments
to future, Ages.,

To give any farther' Encomiums, . on
Your Lordjhifs Perfe&ionsr I muft ac-
knowledge would' be far-furpaffing my
weak Abilities, when I confider,- that
You are the Head of that great and illuf-
trious Family, whole many fliining Vir-
tues^ have diftinguiftied them (elves ms
the greateft Courts in Eur of e^.

I

'

Dedication.

I fliall only add, chat God raifes up
arcatand virtuous Men5 to make prin-
ces and Nations happy, by the Influence
of their Wifdom and good Examples.

The deep Senfe of thefe Your great
Merits, has even infpired me with this
Ambition, to teftifie with what Refpe<&

I am,

My mofl Honoured Lord,
Tour Lord/hip moft oblige^

md meft humble Servant^

John Brickell,

Ill

THE

PREFACE

T will not be to my purpofe to. enquire
whether America was known to the
JnttentSj there being various, Opinions
about it, yet with more Curiofity than
certainty, whence this New World
was Peopled \ fome aligning that the
Hefpe rides (Jo called from Hesperus King of
Spain) and the Continent of America zvere T copied
by the Spaniards. Others affirm that the Ameri-
cans are the Race of Jews carried into captivity by
Salamanazer and placed in Country s till then not In-
habited^ after a progrefs of 18 Months. Many
believe they were People carried by Storm, being
Chineffes failing on the Pacifick South Sea, or other
Nothern People (allowing the poffibility of each

Opinion),

s

iv

PREFACE.

Opinion) I will nop pretend to take upon me to decide
the Controversy, bein% altogether a fix anger to the
certainty of the Fa&.

The Writi gs of many Learned Men may befeen
on this Heady who after having fearcVd all the
Records of Antiquity, Jbew much Eruditlion, but
nothing of certainty, concerning the Antient Affairs
of America. I know the Memory of a 'Deluge is
hreferved amongft thefe Teoplc, but whether it k
to be underjlood'ofthe univerfal Flood, or the Inun-
dation offome particular Provinces, I leave it to
ethers to difcourfe upon, for 1 am willing to lay afide
all manner of Conjectures of thk Nature, having
enough of Truth to treat of

Thefeveral Climates of the World have influenc-
ed the' People with Natures very different from
each other, and even their different Speeches bear
fome proportion of Analogie with their Natures, as
is to befeen among/} the Whites,lndiani, and Blacks,
that are to be met with in this part of the World.

But waveing thefe T>ifcourfes7we here prefent the
World with a NaiuraLHiftory V/North-Carolina,
it being a compendious CoUe$ion% ofmofl things yet
known in that part of the World) wherein I have
laid down every thing with Impartiality andTruth,
in the mofl plain and safe Terms, which indeed is
the 'Duty of every Writer, and preferable to a more
eloquent Stile, accompanied with many Falfities.^

I have therefore endeavoured in the following
Sheets to give as. faithful and ex all Account qfCz-

rolina3

PREFACE.

v

rolinz, as difcoveties jet made 'will Authorize, and
ifanj take offence at what is f aid about the Indians
and their wanton and lascivious manner of livings
I hope the j will Judge of ever j Faff age with due
deference to good Authoritj of the moft knowing and
fubftantial Planters in thofe Tarts. And confider
that the nature of the Work required mybemgjome-
what particular^ in order to fbezv the good and bad
Qualities of thefe poor Creatures, w ho at frefent
have no light or benefit of the Gofpel.

And had we been as careful as the Spaniards and
French, in fending over proper Miflionaries to In-
ftruft thefe miferabie People, we jhou'd never have
had occafton to give this Relation of them. Be/idet
if thefe Methods had been put in pra$icey we un-
doubtedij had been better informed and acquainted
<with the manj hidden Secrets in this part of the
IVor Id, which thefe People are well aquainted with,
and which thej never will make knozvn to us till
they are Inftruftcd in the Chriftian Faith, and have
intirely abolished the manj Idolatrous Cujloms and
Practices ft ill prevailing among ft them.

I have viewed not onlj mofl part of the Lands
Inhabited by the Chriftians, but likewife vaft fpacu
ous Trafts lying between them and the Mountains^
from whence our noblef? Rivers have their rife9
running for fever al hundreds of Miles towards the
Ocean, while thej water and adorn as pleafant and
fertil a Countrj as any in Europe, the great eft part
whereof is onlj inhabited by Savage Indians, who

coveP

VI

PREFACE.

covet a Chriftian Neighbourhood for the advantage
of Trade. But not to amufe the Reader any longer
with Encomiums on Carolina, / refer th-m to my
*Defcription of that Country, and it's Inhabitants,
which they will find in the following Natural Hif-
tory? in which I have be a very exacf ■ and for
Methods fake, have ranged each Species of Animals,
Vegetables, $fc. under dijlincl and proper Heads.

, A Colleftion of the Natural Curiofities of thi spa-
cious part of the World, will, I hope, not only give
Satisfaction and Tleafure to each Reader, butltke-
wife Profit, to all that are inclined to live in thofe
Parts.

If thefe my Endeavours meet with this good
Succefs, I am thoroughly fatisfied, having nothing
more at Heart than to be in any ^Degree fervid
feable to the Tublick ; this bein% the principal Mo-
tive that induced me to undertake any Work of this
Nature, ( the Task being not only Laborious but
Difficult ) and not out of any Traife I expecled
from it.

To conclude^ Whatever *Defetts may be found in
this Undertaking, we hope in time they will be
/applied by the Labours and Induflrj offuch asfbaU
come after ; and this me are made to expeCt chiefly
from thofe of our own Nation ; and that their lau-
dable Attempts may meet witbjuft Encouragement^
fhuUbe my conftant Wifh and "Defire.

Subscribers-,

m

SUBSCRIBERS.

TH E Honourable Capt. Richard Allen.
Stephen Allen, M. D.
Mr. Par. Archbold.
Mr. John Archbold.
Mr. Richard Armftrong.

&

EDwardBond, Efq;
Worfopp Bufh, Ejqi
Edmond Barry, M. D.
Mr. Peter Brandon.
Mr. James BrickelJ.
Mr. George Brickell
Mr. William Brickell*
Mr. Robert Bijar0>
Mr. Jos. Buny, Attorney }
Mr. Thomas Brennan.
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Mr-'

mn

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Arthur Brerton;

Mr.

Mr.
Mr.

C.

THE Honourable Thomas Coote, Efq;
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D.

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M. D.-

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K

TH E Rt. Revd. Dr. Charles Cobbe, Bimop of Kildare.
Mr. William Keating, Chirurgion.
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TH E Revd. Edward Ledwichj A=
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M,

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Mr

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Bernard MeiTmk.

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Mr-. Michael Waldrom

THE

■;■'

!

:, «!

I

The N A T U R \ L

HISTORY

OF

North Carolina*

H E Province of North Carolina is fepn-a*
ted from Virginip, by a due W tit L>; e 1 1 cm
Currituck Ink r, in 36 Degrees ahti 30 Mi-
nutes of Northern Lacicude, extending In-
definitely Weftward, and from thence to
the Southward, including South Carolina^
as far as 29 Degrees North.

The Eaftern Parts of this Country are hemmed in
with a great number of Iilands and Sand Banks, which
defend it from the violence ot the Atlantic* Ocean ; by
■which Barrier, a vaft Sound is formed, and inctr-fcd,
which fronts the Mouths of the moft pieafant ana n vi-
gable Rivers, in this fpacious and delightfii'l Cpuriiry.
There ate vaft numbers of Creeks on the fi ,es of chefe
Rivers, and moft of them Navigable foi fmai! Crofts,
and abundance foe VefTels of larger Burthen,
A

The Natural HIS TORT of

Between thefelliands and Sand Banks, are Inlets of
feveral depths of Water, fome admitting only of Sloops
Scooners, Brigantines, and Veffels ot fmall Burthen
and fiich are Currituck Inlet, New Inlet, Roanok,, Gun
Inlet, Hatteras,New Inlet, Huntington- qua, ttr Inlet Drum
Inlet, Bogue Inlet, Bear Inlet, Brown's Inlet, ^ Inlet,
Ato W Inlet, oW*. Inlet, &«^ I,u«t, *«/, Inlet
Barren Inlet Aw Inlet, Shde Inlet, C^%, Inlet

WwYf ' F&&&*** and Airrt Inlet: many*
oftndebe.ngonly Navigable for Penaugersand fmsll
Crofts, by reafon ot thW many Shoals which are con-
tinuallyfhifting by the violence of Storms, and particu-
lar y North Eaft Winds, to which they art St
pofed. _ Others are large and deep, and receive Ships
of Burthen, fuel, are Ocacok, Beaufm.ot T„pja,l Inlet
and Cape Fear. J '

I will here give an Account of the mod conflderable
In to and Havens of this Country. And firft, Cmritmi
Inlet, it bang the Northermofi of this Province, it lyes
in the Latitude of 35 Degrees and 30 Minutes, and the
Courfe over it is S. W. by W. having not above feven
or eight Foot Water on theBarr, though a good Har-
bour when you are over, where you may ride fafe and
deep enough. But this part of the Sound is fo full of
Shoals, continually fhifting, and Oyfter Banks, as not
to fufrer any thing except Periaugers to Trade through
it to VelTels that ride near the Inlet, it not being Na-
vigable or fafe for any Croft that draws, above four or
five toot atmoft, to pa fs through it, which renders it
very incommodious for Trade.

Roawkelitei, lyes in the Latitude of 55 Degrees and
50 M:nures, and has about ten Foot and a half Water
upon the Barri the Courfe over if is almoft Weft, which
brings you through the bcii of the Channel. This Barr,

as

North CAROLINA.

as well Currituck, often drifts by the violence of the N.
E. Storms ; both thefe Inlets lying expofed to the faid
Winds. Notwithstanding a considerable Trade is car-
ried on by the Atfiftance of Pilots, this part of the
Country being very Fertile, and the Planters Rich.

Hatterai Inlet lyes in the Latitude of 35. Degrees and
20 Minutes, it lyes to the Weft ward of the Cape, round
which is an excellent Harbour, when the Wind blows
hard a N. or N. E. If you keep a fmall League from
the Cape Point, you will have three, four, or five Fat-
thorn Water, the outermoft Shoals lying about feven or
eight Leagues from the Shoar. As you come into the
Inlet, keep clofeto the South Breakers, till you are over,
whereon you may have two Fathom at low Water. You
may come to an Anchor at two Fathom and a half;
when you are over, then fteer clofe aboard the North
Shoar, where is four Fathom clofe to a Point of Marfh;
then fleer up the Sound a long League, till you bring the
North Cape of the Inlet to S. S. E. half E. then fteer
W. N. W. the laft Point of the Bluff Land at Hutterar,
bearing E. N. E. the Southermoft large Hamock, towards
Ocacock, bearing S. S. W. half S. then you are in the
Sound, over the Barr of Sand, whereon is but fix Foot
Water, then your Courfe to Pamticoe is almoft Weft.

It flows on thefe three Barrs S. E. by E J E. about
Eight of the Clock, iiplefs there is a very hard Gale of
Wind at N. E. which will make it flow two Hours long-
er, but as loon as the Winds are down, the Tides will
have their natural Courfe, A hard Gale at N. N. W;
will make the Waters Ebb fometimes 24 Hours, but
ftill the Tides will Ebb and Flow, though not feen by
the turning thereof, but may be obferv'd by the rifing
of the Waters, and falling of the fame at the Shears.

A a

Ocatcch

The NaPurki ii i 5 T O R Y of

OcacGck Inlet lyes in the LutLu c of' 35 Degrees 8
Mnm.es. ic is one or the bell la.ecs in tnis Country,
having thirteen Foot at low W tet upon the Barr. There
ate two Channel*, One is but na'iow, and lyes dole
aboard the bouth Cape -3 the Other in the middle, viz,,
Between the m ddlc G ound and the South Shoar, and
is < bove hah a Mle wide. The B«ri itfelf is but halt
a GaUe€ lt» gth over j then you ate n 7 or 8 Fathom
# V .uer, anu. an excellent good Harbour. The Courfe
11 6 ti.e Sated i N. N. W. at High Water, and Neip
Tiots herein 18 i oot 'water. It lies S. W.frcm Hat-
t'tr*as Inlet

fv,t Benufovt, or To}: fail Inlet, lyes in the Latitude
34 Degrees and 44 Minute*, and is above two Leagues
u the Vv'cliward of Cape Look out, where you have a
fair Channel ovet tie ?arr, and two Fathom Water
thereobj and a good Haibour, in five or fix Fathom,
to come to an Anchor. Your Courie over tiiis Barr is
almoft N. W.

Cafe Fear Inlet lye<= in the Latitude of 33 Degrees
53 Minutes, it is the bell in all North Carolina, where
you have 7 Fathom Water at the Barr. You have like-
wife a fine Harbour, and can come with fafety to an
Anchor 5 or 6 Leagues up the River

And notwjrhflanding it is id commodious for Navi-
gation, yer few or no Planters fettled here till within
the<e few Ye, rs but now in all Appearance, it ftems to
be the moil riling Part of all this Province ; there being
now many bubftantial Planters fettled there, and arc
become very Rich within the fpace of Nine or Ten
Years, ir being little frequented or inhabited before
tha* \ime, viz. in the Year, 1723.

Moft of the other Inlets that I have already mention-
ed, are io very incommodious for Trade, that they are

liute

North CAROLINA.

5

little frequented or referred to, except it be by fmall
Crofts and Periaugers. I fhall therefore omit giving
any further Account of them.

North Carolina has icrrte considerable Promontories or
Capes in ic ; That Cape calied Hatteras, is the moil
Northern of this Province, it lyes in the Latitude of 35
Degrees and 20 Minutes, Longitude 75. Cafe Look-out,
is the laigeft in this Province, extending a great way
into the Main Ocean, and is about two Leagues to the
Northward or Mouth of Top/ail Inlet, in the Latitude
of 34 Degrees and 46 Minutes, Longitude 75, $0 Cafe
Fear lyes at the Mouth of; the Inlet, in the Latitude of
33 degrees and 53 Minutes, Longitude 77 20. tape
Carterett is part of South Carolina, and is the Norther-
moil Promontorie in that Province, lying to the South-
ward of Santee River in Latitude 3 2 of Degrees, and
50 Minutes, Longitude 77. 55. Within thefe Capes is
a very large Sound, with abundance of Iflands of feveral
Sizes, abounding with various kinds of Timber Trees,
many whereof are fine Cedar, with variety of Wild
Beafts, efpecially Deer, and great Quantities of Birds,
according to the Seafons of the Year, but there are
fcarce any of them inhabited by Chriftian Planters ae
prefent.

I fhall in the next Place proceed to give an Account
of the Rivers that are to be met with in this Province;
many whereof are very confiderable and large, running
for feveral hundred Miles, and caking their Rile for the
moft part in or near the Mountains, others are but fmall
in comparifon with the former, as may be ieen by the
Map. *

I fhall therefore begin with the moil Northerly, and
fo proceed to the moft Southerly. And firft, Black-JVa~
ury or North River^ which falls into Currituck Sound,

Nortk

b

The Natural HISTORYo/

North River, Pafyuotanck River, Little River, Pequimans
River , and Taupin River, ail thefe Water and Adorn
the Southern Parts or Virginia, and Northern Parts of
this Province, which are very Fertile. Moll: of thefe Ri-
vers being Navigably for Sloops, Brigan tines, and other
Vetfels of Burthen,

Chowan River likewife Waters the North Parts of
this Province, and part of Virginia, and is very confide-
rable in thefe Parts,- the Inhabitants on its Banks are ve-
ry Rich by its Fertilty, and being fo commodious for
Trade, it is the fifth large and considerable River in this
Province ; it falls into Albemarle Sound.

K.eja Rirer is likewife to the Northward of this Pro-
vince, but is not very Confideratye.

Roanoke River is the largeft in this Province, taking
sts noble Rife from the Charokee or Appelapean Mountains,
and Watering feveral Parts of Virginia, as it croffes the
due Weft Line that f eparates it from Virginia, it is very
commodious for Trade, being Navigable for a vaft way
up the Country, moil of the former Rivers empty the m-
felves into this Albemarle or Currituck Sound.

Maca Punga River, is a North Branch of Pamticoe
River, and admits of Sloops, Brigantines, and other
Veffels of Burthen.

Pamticoe River is the fourth confidcrable River in
thefe Parts, taking its Rife near or from the Mountains,
and falls into Pamticoe Sound, with a very large
Mouth, feveral Miles in Breadth, and is not inferior to
any of the other large Rivers, for the goodnefs of its
Navigation, as is manifeft by the many Rich Inhabitants
dwelling upon its delightful and fertile Banks.

Bay River is not very confiderable3 being fmall, yet
its Trade, is not defpifable.

New

North CAROLINA.

Neus River is the Third large River in this Province,
but is not io good as Pamticoe, for Navigation, not-
withftanding its Rife is near the Mountains.

Trent River is a South Branch of Neus River, which
falls into Pamtme Sound.

North River lyes to the Southward of Neus, and em-
ties itfelf into Cour Sound ; as do likewife Newport Ri-
ver, IVeetQik River, and New River,- but are not very
confiderable, being only Navigable for Sloops and fmali
Crofts.

Black, or Swampy River, is butfmall, and lyes to the
Northward ok Cape Fear River.

Cape Fear River is the Second confiderable and large
River, and is one of the beft for Navigation in thefc
Parts : There is a large River which is the Northeaft*
Branch of Cape Fear River, but is difttinguifhed or
called by no proper Name that I know of at prefent.

Waggomau River is a Northeaft Branch of Pedee Ri-
ver, and is large, taking its Rife from a great Lake to
the Northward of the faid River.

Little Pedee River is a North Branch of the following,
and is not large.

Pedee River is the Third large and confiderable River
in North Carolina.

Black River, and Santee River are the two Souther-
moft in thofe Parts, being part of South Carolina.

One thing worthy of Obfervation is, That the Cur-
rent of all the Rivers in this large Country, arc fcarce
to be perceived, 'till you travel fevcral Hundcrcd Miles,
or near their Heads, which is chiefly owing to theis
being fo large, and the Country fo very level.

In many of thefe noble and fpacious Rivers, are abuiW
dance of Creeks, feveral whereof are very commodious
for Trade, being Navigable for feveral Miles j there

arc

8

The NaPural HIS TORT of

are iikewife many confiderabie Iflands In theic Rivers,
abounding with feveral farts of. Trees, Wild Beads,
especially Deer, and various kinds of Fowl ; they are
Inhabited by few or no CnnUians ac preknt. In feverai
pares of thefe Rivers are Iikewife to be feen great num-
ber of decayed; Cyprefs and other large Trees, {landing
at a great diftance in the Water, the Earth being entirely
waihed away from them in t/he feries of many Ages.

The next thing co be comidered, is the Towns and
their beautiful Situation. And firft, Edentown is the Urg-
ed, confiding of about Sixty Houics, and has been the.
Seat ot the Governors for many Years, and is pieafandy
feated on a Creek on the North-fide of Roanocka Rivet ,
where you have a delightful Profped or the (aid River.

Bath Town, is the Second considerable Town in this
Province, and is mvR delightfully feated on a Creek on.
the North- fide of Pamticoe River, with the fame beau-
tiful Advantages ot the former: It's Navigation is
much better, being the mod confiderabie aid commodi-
ous for Trade in this Province, except Cape Fear.

■ Newhern is ; iituated on the South-fide of New River,
•with apleafant Profpe& of that River : This Town
has but a few Houles or Inhabitants in it at prefent.

Handcock Town is feated on a North Weft Branch of
Neus River, being above two Hundred Miles fron the
Mouth of that River, and isicarce worth taking Notice
of only for its being formerly an Indian Town, and
where they had a Fort in time of War.

Beaufrt Town ftands on the North-fide of Newport
River, it's Profped being as pieafapt as any of the for-
mer : It is fmall, and thinly inhabited.

Brunfwick Town is moil delightfully feated, on the
South fideofbt Noble RiyetCape Fear .; and no doubt
but it Will be very eonfidetable in a ihort time, by u's

great

North CAROLINA.

great Trade, the Number of Merchants, and rich Plan-
ters, that are fettled upon it's Banks, within thefe -icw
Tears.

The Streets in thefe Towns areas level as a Bowling-
Green, there being no manner of Pavement to be met
with over all this Province.

The firft Settlement of this Country wa<* made in.
Queen Elizabeth's time, by Sir Walter Rake?h and o-
thers, at Roanoke, in Albemarle County ; btit--cbnti&u-
cd not long, either by Sickneis or other Mfsfortu \%$±
or by the Barbarity of the Indians, who were vcr) nu-
merous and powerful in thofc Days, but are now very
few, being for the moft part deftroyed by their con-
tinual Wars with each other, and European Diftemperx,
brought in amongft them, and efpccially the Small- Pux9
which prov'd fatal to moft of the Indians that were
feized with it. This Dif temper, and many others un .
known to thefe Savages, before the arrival of the Cnriit.-
ans amongft them in thofe Parts. I hope it w 11 not be
unpleafing to the Reader to infert here a pleafanc Story
which ftill prevails amongft them ; and is attefted by
the moft fubftantial and credible Planters of this Place,
which is, ' That the Ship that brought the firft Colo-
c nies, does often appear to them (in Albemarle Sound
c near Roanoke ) under Sail, in a moft gallant Pofture/*
Which they call Sir Walter Ralicgh's Ship.

The fecond Settlement was made in King Charles ihe
Seconds Time, chiefly in Chowan znd Barty Precincts, in
Albemarl County, by feveral Pcrfons from Virginia, and
other Northern Colonies, who finding the Soil fo very
go6d and fertile, fettled here, and are become very Nu-
merous and Rich; for the Lands here produce every
thing Planted in them in great abundance ; Horfes, Cows,
Sheep, and Swine, breeding in vaft Numbers, the
B "Winter

M

U!.:l

10 The Natural HISTORY of

Winter* being very fhorr,- and that fo mild, the Plan-
ters are at little or no Labour or Expence in provi-
ding Fodder for their Stocks, to what other Northerly
Countries are. For in the Winter they only rell large
Trees, whereon grow long Mofs, which the Hori'cs
and Cows reed upon, and makes them both fat and
ftrong ; the Cows will produce Miik, with this kind of
Fodder, all the Winter Seafon, in great plenty. As for
Hay, I never obferved any made in the Country, tho*
they hare fuch plenty of Grafs, that they are obliged
to burn it off the Ground every io;h. of March, by ver*
tue of a Law made in the Country for that purpose.

Thefe Inducements encouraged them to Settle here,
though but a handrul of People, feated at great diflance
one from another, amidft fuch vaft Numbers of Savage
Indians, or different Nations, who were then in Carolim
to be met withal.

The Fame of this Province foon fpread itfelf to the
Neighbouring Colonics, and in a few Years drew con-
fiderable numbers of Families, not onjy from them, but
lik:w>fe from feveral Parts of Europe, who all round
Land enough to fettle themfelves in, had they been many
Thoufands m.re, both for Pleafure and Profit,- which
makes the Planters in a great meafure live a:tcr a moil
luxurious manner, and void of Care, to wnat other
more Northerly Climates are obliged to, by providing
Neceffaries for the Winter. So that it ma/propcrly be
faid, thar Nature produces every thing here for the
Pleafure and Profit of the Inhabitants.

Mo& of the Plantations natural! Vave a very noble
a-d beautiful Profpecl of large ^nd fpscious Rivers or
Creeks* abounding wi h varcv ofFi Ti and Wildfowl ;
as^lfo, pleafant and delightful Savannas or Meddow,
,wh their Green Liveries, intcrwpven with various

kinds

North CAROLINA.

ii

kinds of beautiful and rooft glorious Colours, and fragrant
Oaours, which the feveral Scafons afford, and ferice4
in with pkaiant Groves of the fine Tulip Tree, Laurel
and Bays, equalizing the Oak in bignefs and growth,
like wife the Myrtle, Jeiiamine, Wood-bines, Honey-
luckles, and feveral other odoriferous Plants, the moft
beautiful Vines and Ever-grcens, fhadow and interwavc
themfelves with the moft lofty Timber, yielding a very
pleafant and delightful Profpecx, to thofc thar travel
through the Woods of Carolina ; that, turn your Eyes,
which way you will, you have nothing but pleaflng and
diverting Ob/e&s, and the more to be admired, being
the Work of Nature, and not of Art.

The Lands being thus richly adorn'd, and the Plan-
ters enjoying all thefe Bleflings, are as hofpitable Peo-
ple as any in the World, to all that come to vifit them,
there being few Houfe-keepers, but what live decently,
and give away more Provisions to Coailer's and Guefls,
that come to fee them, than they expend amongft their
own Families.

The Lands in Carolina lie indifferently low and level,
no Rocks, or even fmall Stones are to be found, till you
come near the Mountains, and the Heads of the great
Rivers, where the befl Lands are generally to be met
with, abounding with all forts of Clover, in great Plenty,
but is at prefent only inhabited by Savage Indians, of
different Nations, or the Habitation of Wild Beafts ;
and is more healthful to live in, than where the Planta-
tions arc already eltablifhed.

Here are in feveral Places large Savannas, beautiful
to behold, which at certain Seafbns, appear at a diftancc
like fo many Plcafure Gardens,being intermixt with va-
riety of Spontaneous Flowers of various Colours, fuch
as the Tulip, Trumpet-flower, Princefs-feather, and
B 2 feveral

12 The Natural HISTORY of

federal others, with great quantities of Grafs on them,
but of a courfer and ftronger Nature than up theRivers,
where there is moflly Clover to be met with, notwith-
itanding Horfes, ana other Cattle feed very well on the
former, and are fat, ftrong, and fit for Labour, raoft
Seafonsor the Year.

There arc likewife Perkofons and Swamps, which arc
good Pailurage for Cattle -, fo that by the richnefs of the
Soil, and the many other Advantages and Bleffings that
attend the Planters, they live after a lazy and indolent
Manner, to what thofe in New England do, and other
Northerly Countries are, by providing Neceflaries for
W inter.

Lands are fo very Cheap, that (after you have taken
out your Patten for Six hundred and forty Acres, which
will coft three or four Pounds &terl. or the Value, in
Carolina Money) you pay at the deareft, for the laid
Number of Acres, Six Shillings and Sixpence Sterl. Yearly,
and at the ioweft three Shillings and three Pence, free from
all Taxes at prefent : So that with moderate Induitry
may be acquired all manner of Neceflarys for the Sup-
port of a Family, though never io Numerous, nothing
being wanting there but a fuificient Number of Hands,
and Induftry, to make it as fine a Country as any in the
World.

They Plant or Sow all their Corn by one Plough, or
the Hoe, an«i feveral Plantations have produced Indian
Corn, or fome other Grain every Year, fince the Settle-
ment of the Chriftians in thofe Parts, without any Ma-
nure, and yet fcems not to be the leaft Impoverished,
producing continually a good Crop, unlefs a bad Seafon
prevents, which leldome happens in Carolina.

\ nd, I am fatisfied, that there cannot be one greater
Argument in the World, to prove the goodnefs and

fen il tic

North CAROLINA.

«5

fertiltie of the Lands than this, which is one of the
greateit Bieffings that can attend a Country where there
are fo few Hands to Manufacture the Lands after that
laborious Manner, which is cuftomary with us, which
every Farmer in Ireland is well acquainted with, who
is at continual Expence for Servants, Horfes, and many
other Neceflaries to improve his Lands to the befl Ad-
vantage.

The Lands of Carolina confift of different Sorts of com-
poft, in ieveral Places, fome Stiff, others Light, fome
Marie, others a rich Black Mold, fome Sandy, one
Part Pieny, another large Timber Trees, others Savan-
nas, with variety of beautiful Flowers and long Grafs,
a rich black Earth, where fcarce any Tree will grow.,
yet produces the belt Wheat and Rice of any Land in
thefc Parts, as has been experienced by the Planters.

I have feen feveral of thefe Savannas fome Miles in
length and breadth, but are little regarded or made ufe
or by the Planters, by reafon that they are at fome dis-
tance from their Plantations, fome being two, three, or
four Miles from the Water fide, and are only Paflurage
for Cattle. The Reader mull: understand, that all the
Inland in this Province lyes waftc at prefent.

Other Lands in this Province arc Perkofms, where
large Cyprefs Trees grow, others Swamps, where hollow
Canes, Myrtle Trees and feveral forts of Vines grow,
and produce good Pafturage for Cattle, but are generally
the Habitation of wild Beafts; both thefe being very
wet and low Lands, and fo full of Canes and Under-
wood, that there is no paffing through them, many of
which are feveral Miles in length. The Indians in their
Hunting Matches fet thefe Places on Fire at certain Sea-
fons of the Year, by which Means they drive out the
Game, and kill vaft Numbers of thenu

The

r

!; ;

H,''1

14 The Natural HIS TORY of

The Planters for the mod part live by the Water fide,
few or none living in the In-land parts of the Country
at prefeat, though the Lands are as good and fertile as
any that arc yet inhabited ; but not fo commodious
for Carriage as by the Water, for mi part of the
Plantations run but a Mile backward into the Woods,
fo that betwixt every River you (hall fee vaA Traces of
Land lying wafte, or inhabited only by wild Beads :
What is worthy of Obfervation is, That almofl every
Planter may have a convenient Dock upon his Plantation^
and a fufKcient Quantity of good Timber to build
Ships and Boats withal,

Of the CO UN of

North CAROLINA.

TH E Wheat of this Province is very good and fair,
the Flower very White, but the Grain is not al-
together lo large as ours, yet it feldom yields lefs than
thirty Mcaiures for one fown ; not but that there has
been Sixty Increafe for one fown in Piney Land, which is
accounted the worft Soil in the Country, and I have been
credibly informed, that the Wheat which was Planted in
the Savannas, and fuch like rich Soil, has produced a
Hundred for one Mcafure Sown. Thefe confiderablc
Increafes prevent the Planters to make ftrict and nice
Observations of the Nature and Goodnefs of the Soil ;
for I never faw one Acre of Land managed as it ought to
be, and were they as Negligent in their Husbandry in
Europe , as they arc in North Carolina^ their Land would

produde

North CAROLINA.

*5

produce nothing but Weeds. And I mutt conf efs, when
fome of the Planters enquired of mc how we managed
the Land in // eland, and what Labour and Expcnce we
were at in ordering them to the beft Advantage, it fecmed
very furprizing to them how we could live, and efpecially
when I told him, that we paid from three Shillings to
four or five Pounds per Acre (befides many heavy Taxes)
which Relation they could by no means give Credit
to, but looked upon what I faid as meer Romances or
Tales, to i.mpofc upon their Credulity.

The Rye thrives very well here, but they having fuch
Plenty or Maiz, in thib Province, they little regard or va-
lue it, and efpecially by Reafon of the Biacknefs of the
Jkead it makes.

The Barley does much better here than may reafo-
nable be expected from their Management of it, that:
Grain requireing the Ground to be well Wrought, with
repeated Plowings to make it Mellow, which their ge-
neral Way of breaking with Hoes will nerer perform;
though I have feen extraordinary Barley produced in
North Carolina, after that manner, or with one Plowing
only.

Oats does well here, but the vaft Plenty of other Grain
prevents their propagating ofitinmany Places, fo thac
it is not common in thefe Parts of America at prcfent.

The Rice, whereof there are Jeverai Sorts, fome Beard-
ed, others not, befide the White and the Red, but the
White is belt. The Rice of 'Carolina is efteemed as good
as any brought to Europe, and is of a prodigious Increafe3
yielding from eight Hundred to a Thoufand for one
Meafure that is fown. It grows beft in their Wet and
wild Land, that hath not been cultivated or broken up
before. The Indian-Corn or Maize is moft commonly
flamed with the Hw9 and proves the moft ufeful Grain

in

86

The Natural HISTORYo/

iT-'l

in thefe Parts, being in great Plenty all over this Pro-
vince; it is very nourifhing in Bread Sodden or other-
wife, as appears by thofe that continually feed upon it9
making them ftrong, able, and fit for hard Labour. It
grows in all manner of Ground except Barren Sands;
but when Planted in good Ground, produces for one
Meafurej Seven or eight Hundred, at the loweft Com-
putation that can be made. Pigs and Poultery fed
with this Grain, eat the fweetcft of all others.

The Millet does very well here, efpeeialfy in light
and loofe Ground, they fow it in April and May, and
profpers bell: in moift and rainey Weather: The Plenty
of other Grain, prevents the Planters from fowing much
of it, being only made Ufe off in Carolina to fatten their
Poultry with.

There are two Crops of Corn in the Year, wa. the
European Wheat is generally cut down firft, and in their
Barns the beginning of June, then they immediately
Plow, Sow, or Plant the fame Ground with Buck-Wheat^
or Indian Corn, which wonderfully increafes,and is ready
to be brought home in September, OEiober, ox November s
with which they generally feed their Horfes, Hogs, and
Poultry.

The Guinea Wheat thrives likewife very well here^
and ferves for the Ufes of the former.

There arc feveral forts of Pulfe in this Province ; and
firft, the Bujhel Bean, fo called from producing a Bufhel
of Beans or more from one that is Planted ,• they are a
Spontaneous product in Carolina, and are Set in the
Spring round Arbours, or near long Poles fee in the
Ground for that purpofe, where they make a good
Shade to fit under in the extreamity of hot Weather *
they continue Budding, Flowing, and Ripening all the
Summer, until the approach of Froft, which prevents

their

North CAROLINA

17

their farther Growth, and lb dye; they climb prodigious
high, and their Stalk is about the thicknefsoi a Man's
Thumb, the Pod grows like the Kidney Bean, but the
Bean is Hat, white, or mottled, with a purple Colour ;
They are extFaordinary good, and well relifhtd Pulfe3
cither by themfclves or with Meat.
The Indian Rouncival, or Miraculous Ped, fo called
from their long Pods and great Increafe. Thefe are a
late Pea, and require a pretty long Summer to ripen and
bring them to Perfection, they are a good Pulfe, and in
great plenty all over this Province with Cbrislians and
Indians.

The Bonavis is another kind of Pulfe, and yields %
great Increafe, it doth not require lo long a Summer
to ripen as the former, they grow like Kidney-Beans, .
and are very plenty in this Province.

The Calivances are another kind of Pulfe, refembling
the former, but are not ioflat, they are in great plenty in
molt of the Plantations among!! the Indian Corn. Thefe
and the Bonavis, afford two Crops in the Year, and are
generally ripe and in full perfection in fix Weeks time.

The Nantkoach arc another kind of Pulfe, and re^
femble the Calivances, and are in great plenty all over
this Province.

There are feveral other kinds of Pulfe in this ProTince
that we have no Name for, which are well known
amongft the Indians, and are excellent Food.

The Kidney-Bean, is like wife here in great plenty,
growing for the moft part in every Corn-Field. The
Indians had thefe four Sorts of Pulfe, viz,, the Bonavis,
Calivances, Namicoacks, and Kidney -Beans, and feveral
other forts, long before the Arrival of the Europeans
amongft them ; which Report I have had affirmed fe-
veral times, not only from the CbrifiianSy but likewife
from the Indians in thefe Parts.

C The

The Natural HISTORY of

The large European- Bean, will in two or three Years
degenerate into a dwarfifti Kind, if not prevented by a
new Supply of Foreign Seed, as I have experienced dar-
ing my ft ay in thofe Parts ; yet thefc Dwathtri fort
become fweetcr, and better relifti'd, than any Bean or the
lame Sort in Europe; but thefe kind of Beans are very
little regarded or made ufe of, and therefore feldom
Planted, by reafon the other Pulfe are in iuch Plenty all
over this Province.

I have obferved feveral forts of European-Peafe in this
ince cume to as great Perfection, as in moit Parts of
Europe, particularly the white and gray Rounaval, the
Hot-Spur, theDwarf, the Field, and the Sicklc-Peafe h and
there is no doubt but that all other kinds of European-
Peafe would thrive well here, had any tryal been made.
The Garden Roots that thrive here are Parjnips, Car-
rots, Skirrets, Tumips^Ground-Artichoa&es, Garden-ita-
dijhes, Hor ic-Rad/Jhes, Potatoes of feveral forts, and very
large, fome whereof weigh four Pounds; Leeks, Onions in
great plenty, and excellent good Shallots, Cives, Garlick,
and wild Onions, Beets, and moft other Roots that arc
to be met with in Europe.

The Ballads are the curl'd Cabbage, Savoy, Lettice,
round prickly Spinage, the fweet and common Fennel^
Endive, Succory 9 Mint, the Dock or Wild Rhubarb, CreJJes
of feveral forts, as Winter, Garden, Indian, Sciatica, Wa-
ter-CreJfes, and many more ; French and English Sorrel,
Pwflainwo forts, viz. the Tame and the Wild ; which
are 10 plenty, that they are common Weeds in their Gar-
dens, the Leaf is not as large as the Tame, but as good;
the Planters boil it with thn'r Salt Meat for Greens,
this is never to be met with in the Indian Plantations;
and is fuppofed to be produced from the Cow-Dung,
which Ecaft the Indians keep not amongft them.

Samphire,

North CAROLINA.

19

Samphire, is in very great Plenty along the Marfhes
near the Sea and Salt Water, and is very good.

Mufiroomsy good and in great Plenty all over the
Fields.

Afparagust thrives in this Province to a miracle,
without the affiftance or benefit of Hot-Beds, Dung,
or other Manure, being only produced from the^natural
goodnefs of the Soil, and it is found in Plenty in moft
Gardens in this Province, and as good as any in Europe,
As likewife Stlery and Clary.

Parjley ,two Sorts, the White-Cabbage, from European
Seeds thrive well here, but the Planters feldom or never
take Care or Pains to preferve good Seed of their own ;
fo that by their Negligencc,it is not fo common as other-
wife it might. The Colly- Flower does not thrive well
here, by what tryals 1 have leen made during my abode
in thofc Parts ; bat the plain and curled Coleworth, flou-
riftieth.

The Artkhoak I have obferved but in two Places in
this Province, which is tollerablc good, here are likewife
great quantities of excellent good Wattr-MeUons of fc-
veral forts, Mush Mellons, very good and of feveral
forts, as the Golden, Green, Guinea, and Orange.
Cucumber^ long, fhort, and prickly, and all produced
from the natural Ground with great Increafe, without
any help of Dung, or reflexion from GlafTes.

PompiottSy yellow and very large BurmiUionsy Ca(baius>
which is an excellent Fruit when boyl'd, Squa[hes% Sym=
nahy Horns and Gourdsy befides variety of other Specesof
lefs value, fuch as the Pokey which is a kind of Mechoa-
can, and grows in every Field, the tender Tops whereof
maybe boiled and made ufe of as other Greens with all
the fafety immaginable, and are very good and nourifli-
ing, but the Roots (which aK as thick as a Man's Leg)
• "' : are

?o

The Natural HISTORY of

arc not to be medled with, being in their Nature violent
Purgers, and occafion thofe that eat or" them to be fran-
tickf'or fome time, though I have never heard of any
farther Mifchict done by them. Lambs- Quarter, and
various kinds of Salleting, too tedious to mention.

The Pot-Herbs, and others which are ufeful in Phy-
iick are common here, and are as follows, Angelica, two
forts, viz.. the Wild and the Tame, Balm, Buglofs, Bor-
rage, Burnet, Marygold, Pennyroyal, Rue, Marjoram, two.
forts, Summer and Winter Savory, Thyme, Rofemary, La-
vender, Hyffop, which grows very large, Sweet Baz.il,
Groundfel, Derg, red and white, Nep or Cat-mint, Mal-
lows feveral forts, Tanfay, Columbine, Dandelion, Worm-
wood, Southernwood ', Ba/iard Saffn-tt; and feveral forts of
Muftard.

The more Phyjical Plants are Ants, Afarabacca, grow-
ing in moft Places in the Woods; Car dm, BenediBus^
Caraway, Cummin, Coriander, Scurvy-Grafs, two lores ; the
one from Europe, and the other Spontaneous.

In thefe Parts Tobacco of many forts, Dill, all the Eu-
ropean forts or Plantain, and two §pontmzous,Elecampain%
Archangel, or Dead-Nettle, the Stinging- Nettle, the Seed*
being brought from Europe, there being none found
growing Spontaneous in North Car olim-Comfery, Monks-
Rhubarb, Bur dock, Feather jew, Wormfeed, Garden-Poppies^
cone yet being difcover'd growing Wild in this Province.
Ground-Ivy is Spontaneous, but much fmaller than the
European', Perewinkk growing in great plenty in moft
parts of the Woods ,• Golden-Red. feveral forts of Hare-,
bmdj Mdilot, Baflard-Lovage. The Rattle-Snake-Root,
m bj .-.■ .or there are three forrs, and is fo called, becaufc it
alone cure? the Bite o$ the Rattle-Snake ; u is very plenty
i the Savannas and Woods. S'take-Root, four forts
- - Umj fW-ging Bindweed or Scamony, growing in
i this Province. The

North CAROLINA.

21

The Ipecacuana grows like wife in great Plenty in this
Province, which I frequently made Ufe of during my
ftay in that Country, with as good Succefsas any I have
ever met with in Europe. This Herb bringeth forth one
or more Stalks, which are Quadrangular, about a Foot
high, whereon grow Leaves confufedly let at certain
diftance one from the other, unlefs at the Top, where
they grow one oppofite to the other, fomething like Purf-
lain, but more fharp, and of a dark green colour, with
a red circle about the Edges, and divided with Threads
or Sinews in the middle, which perifti in Winter. I am
not certain whether it beareth Flowers or Seed ; the
Root is fo well known in every Apothecary's Shop, that
it would be needlefs to trouble the Reader with a farther
Pefcription about it. This and the Scantony grow in high
Sandy Ground, in many Places in Carolina. Oak of Je~
rujalem, lndian-purger, Swaffow-wort, Palma-Chrifti, feve-
ral forts of Mint, Red-Dock, Jamefiown-iVeed, fo' called
from ks being fo very plenty in Virginia, efpecially oa
both fides of James's River : The Seed it bears is exactly
like that of an Onion, but it's Leaves are very courfe and
large, and indented about the Edges ; it is excellent good
in ah* waging all manner of Inflammations, and curing
Burns^by applying it outwardly, with which the Indians
are well acquainted, but if it be taken Inwardly, it im-
mediately occafions a Giddincfs and Madncfs, fo that
you fhall fee thofe that take it (which mofl commonly
happens to Children) run up and down the Fields in a
moft diftra&ed manner, during its Operation, but does
po further Mifchief.

There is another Weed, vulgarly called the Swamp-
LiUie, which grows in the Marfhes and low Grounds
$ad is fomething like our Dock in its Leaves, and hath

the

The Natural HISTORYo/

the fame Effc&, and poifeiTcs the Party with Fear and
Watchings ; though few have had the Tryal, or felt the
Effects of thefe intoxicating Plants, except Boys and Chil-
dren; it is likewife ufed with good Succefs in Inflamma-
tions and Burns, as the former.

Camomil thrives well here, but it mufl be Planted under
3 Shade, otherwile it comes to little or no Perfection.

The Red-Root, the Leaves whereon are like thofe of
Spearmint, is ufed with good Succefs for Thrufhes, and
lore Mouths,

Vervine is very common here, being Spontaneous. Ilmji
Leek, being firfl brought from Europe. Nightshade of
feveral kinds, Yarrow and Mullein, in plenty, both being
Spontaneous. Ham-Tongue, Polypodium of the Oak ; the
greater Centaury, in great plenty; but I never obferved
any of the Leffer growing in this Province. Prickly Bind-
Weed, Larks-Spur, Hops, Flax and Hemp, the beft and h>
neft in the known World groweth in North Carolina.

Tijinaw, or Ballard China-Root, thefe grow in great
Clutters together, and have a Stalk like a Brier, where-
on grow [mzX\ Black-Berries 9x\\t Indians boil thefe Roots
and eat them, and fometimes make them into Bread.

Sarfapqnila, White HeUebor, feveral forts of Ihiftles,
fern, Male and Female, Liquorice, Oris, Water-Mies, Peony y
Male and Female, Solomons-Sed,Agarick, Coloquintida,GutT
nea- Pepper , Water-Flag, Flower de Luce, Betony, Shepherds*
Purfe, Chervil; Coffee, whereof they begin to plant much,
within thefe few Years; Jeffamine, Pellitory of Spain,
Cloud Herb, by the Indians call'd Taughtli. Straw-berries
are in fuch Plenty in the Seafon, that they are Feeding
for Hogs; Nauiffm, Daffodil, Snow-Drops, Wall- Flowers,
BLodwort, the white and red Liflie, Stargrafs, which is
ufed with good Succefs in moil: Fevers in this Country ;
Rujhes of feveral forts ; the Herb Maffick, Indian-all-heal^

Cinc[uefiil9

North CAROLINA.

23

Cinque/oil, or five leav'd Grafs, Rib-won, which is a kind
ot Plantain ; Pellitory of the Wall, this Herb grows very
plentiful on the Ground, there being no Rocks or Scone
Walls for it to grow.upon ; Shepherds-Needle, Rofa-Solht
or Sun-dew, fever al iortsof Sage being firft brought from
Europe-, Mijfeltoe of the Oak, in great Plenty all ©vet
this Province, whereof good Birdlime is made.

There are feveral forts of Beautiful Tulips growing
Spontaneous in this Province : The Trumpet- Flower, fo
call'd from its refembling the Form or that Inftrumenr,
and is of a beautiful Orange colour.

The May-Apple, fo cail'd from its having Apples in
the Month of May; it grows upon one Stalk like the
Wood-Sorrel, about half a Foot high, and has Leaves like
it, but very near as large as a Man's Hand, underneath
which grow one Apple on each Stalk, about the bignefs
of a Musket Ball : This Plant is of a very ftrong Purg-
ing nature, and is frequently made ufeof in thefe Parts
for feveral Diforders with good <Succe fs.

The Sun-Flower, the Indian-Figg, or Prickly-Pear, the
Fruit of this Vegetable is frequently eaten, and is very
fweet and lufcious, but occafions fuch a high Tin&urc in
theUrine, that it feems like pure Blood; by which means
ieveral Perfons that have been unacquainted with its
Effe&s, have been fo furprized, that they expected no-
thing but immediate Death ; yet it docs no manner of
harm, and as foon as its Operation is over, which is in
lefs than twenty four Hours, the Urine refumes its na-
tural Colour, and the Patient, tho* almoft out of his Scnfes,
becomes eafy and well. There are various Kinds of
Phyfical Plants growing in their Gardens, the Seed be-
ing brought from Europe and other Parts.

Thus have I given an Account of fome of the Plants
growing in this Country, yetnoc of the hundredth' Part of

whac

24 The Natural HISTORY of

what remains ; a Catalogue of which, would be a Work
of many Years, and more than the Age of one Man to
perfect, or bring into a regular Claries, this Country be-
ing fo very large, and different in its Situation and Soil $
fo that what one Place plentifully produces, another is
altogether a Stranger to : Yet ic is generally to be ob-
ferved, that the greateil Variety is to be found in the
low Grounds and Savannas.

The Pleafure Gardens of North Carolina, are not yet
affivedtoany great Perfection, 'or Adorned with many
beautiful fragrant Flowers,- there being only fome few
Rofe-Trees, Bead-Trees, Orange -Irets, Clove Gilly-Flower,
Pinks of feveral forts, Sweet-William, Cow/lip s, Lavender-
Sptke, and Lavender-Cotton, Violets, Princefs- Feather,
Ires-Colores, and fuch like : But their Kitchen Gardens
are very good, abounding with* mod forts of Nccefla-
ries for that Ufe,

1 will give an Account of the Climate, and fo proceed
to the Prefem State oj North Carolina.

This Climate is very Healthful, and fs not fo Hot in
the Summer as other Countries to rhe Eaftward, in the
fame Parallels of Latitude; neither is the Country fubjed
to Earthquakes, as Italy, and many other Hot Countries
are: The Sky is generally very ferene and clear, and the
Air very thin arid pure ; and though we have but little
Rain, yet the conftant Dews that fall in the Night, fuf-
ficiently refrefh the Ground, and fupply the Plants with
Moifture.

The North Weft Winds in the Winter, occafion very
iharp and piercing Weather, the North Eaft Winds blow-
ing in the Winter, bring with them thick Weather, and
in Spring iome tinv=s Blight the Corn and Fruits of the
Earth, but they very feldom continue long, being car-
ried off by Wefterly Winds, -which are the moftpleafant
and healthful wc have in thefc Parts of the World-

Jfa§

North CAROLINA

25

And though thefe Northerly Winds cool tne Air in
Summer and are very pearcing in the Winter, yet they
are of ao Continuance.

Southerly Winds caufe very hot and unwnoliom
Weather, and often occaiion Fe\ trs,~and otnst Ditor-
dcrs in thele Parts. The Spring and Fall ais the moft
delightful and pleafant Seafons of the Year, neing nei-
thcr too Hot or too Cold; and though thefe Sea ons are
▼ery pearcing, yet the Cold is ofno J Jurat, on, and are
in a great Meafurc owing to the Winds (hitting from one
Point to the other; for Southerly Winds will oceafioa
It to be warm in the midft of Winter, as with m in
jtyril, and the North Eait Winds will on the contrary,
make it cool in the midft of Summer.

The Weather is generally pretty moderate til! aftet
Chriftmas; then the Winter comes on apace, and con-
tinues variable 'till the mi die of February* according
to the Winds, (ometimes warm and pleafant, at other
times Rain, Snow, orFroft out the Ice is feldom fo
ftrong as to bear a Mar's weight.

In the Year 1730, we had the moft agreeable and
plealant Summer that has been known for many Years,
and the Winter moft fevere*

In the Months or AuguU and September we frequently
have very great Storms and Squals ot Wind, ana it is re-
markable tor two pt three Days before they break forth,
that the Clouds feem to hang down very thick and prci-
fing towards the Earth, and icarce a breath of W ind. fci
be perceived tor the faid time ; they are iometimes io
very violent, that they make Lanes through tii& Woods
by tearing up Trees by the roots.

Thefe Storms are generally attended with moft vio-
lent Claps of Thunder and Lightning, and pouring
wish Rain all the time they continue* which are very
J> dreadful

■

i

26 The Natural HISTORY of

dreadful whM theylaft; and I have feen old decay 'd
Trees, and* efpecialJy the Pitch-pine, rrequeml) fee on
Fire by thefe violent claps of Thunder and JLgn, fl-
ing, and fometime Trees in their Bloom tore and fplit
in Pieces, yet I have fddom known or heard of at y far-
ther Dammage.

There are prodigious Water-Spouts to be feen in this
Country, which are the forerunners and certain Signs of
Storms and bad Weather, which quickly follow after
them: Thefc Water-fpouts are va-ft exhalations of Wa-
ter running out of the Clouds like little Rivers, and are
generally to be met with at Sea and near the Shores,
but fcldom or never at Land ; and are to be feen at a
great diftance, refembling all the colours in the Rain-
bow; it is faid they are dangerous to be met with at Sea,
for fear of falling upon their V effete, for which region
when rhey efpie them near at Hanu, they frequently 'fire
their great Guns to break them in the Air, before they
come near the Surface of the Water, as I have been cre-
dibly informed by fever ai Matters of Ships ; for I have
never feen- them otherwife than at a great dift nee.
There arc no regular Tides in Carolina, but what are
occafioned for the moft part by the Winds lifting from
one Point to another.
.

•

.THE

North CAROLINA. C 27

T H E

Prefent STATE

O F

North Carolina.

THIS Province, and South Carolina, were
granted by King Charles II. March the 24th
in the Fifteenth Year of his Reign, and
Confirmed by Letters Patents bearing Date,
June the 13th. in the ijth. Year of his faid
Majefty's Reign, to the following Lords Proprietors, (wz.)
Edward, Earl of Clarendon ; George, Duke of Albemarl;
William, Earl of Craven; John, Lord Berkeley-, Anthony,
Lord AJbley; Sir George Carter ett , Knight, and Baronet;
Sir John Colleton, Knight, and Baronet; and Sir William
Berkeley ■ who poffeffed them until the Year 1729 ; At
which time King George II. Purchafed them from all the
laid Proprietors, excepting the Lord Cartereu, who ftill
retains his Eighth Part. Whilft it remained in the Hands
A a of

The Natural HISTORY of

ct tne Proprietors, they had a Governor who a£ted for
then* until the Year 1751, at which Time his Majefty
ferr over Governor durrington, who wasthefirft Gover-
nor after the Ring had made the Purchafe, and with him
came moft of the Superior Officers ; fuch as Secretary of
the Province, Chief Juftice, Attorney General, Provofi>
Marihal, and Naval Officers, the reft were at his arrival
in the Country, bur Nominated by the King, fuch as Sur-
veyor General, Judge of the Admiralty, Comptrollers and
Colleftors.

They have two Houfes, which refemble the two
Houfes ot Parliament with us. The firft or Upper*
Jloufi confifts of twelve Members and the Governor ;
in this Houfe are heard all Chancery Suits, and other
Caufes that cannot be decided in the inferior Courts;
from whence there can be no Appeal, except to Eng~
land

The Lower- Houfe eonfifts of thirty five Members,
being the molt knowing, difcreet and fubftantial Plan-
ters, ( hofe out of each Precinft and Borough. In this
and the Ufper-Hcufe, are made all manner of Laws for
{he Safety ap4 better Government of this Province.
£ut whatever Laws are here made muft be conformable
to tf|e Laws of England, and in no wife repugnant
thereto. And fuch Laws as are made in thefc two
jioufes by the Governor, Council and BurgefTes, are
all recorded, and are asauthentick and finding there,
as our Afts of Parliament are with us. , ,

There are likewife two other Courts jn this Pro-
vince, viz,, the Precinft-Court, which is held in every
Precinct pf this Province, being much of the fame
Nature of our £ourt-Leets> or Court-Barons* The other
is a* led the General-Court, which is he|d twice every
Year, as the former h four times. This jjs much the

fame

North CAROLINA.

29

fame as our Affiz.es, where all Caufes relating to Life
and Death are heard, where the Chief Juftice fits as
Tudgc, and determines all Caufes within the Jurifdiaion
of this Court. In the PrecinB-Court, the Jultices of the
Peace fit on the Bench, and decide all Controverfies
brought before them. This Court upon any Grievance
can Appeal to the General Court for Juftice, and the
General to Chancery. The Governor by the Power in-
vefted in him, Commiflionsall Jufticcs of the Peace, and
all Officers in the Militia, who upon any Occafion
may call his Council, to ad vife with them, upon any E-
inergency that is neceflary, or expedient, for the good
and fafety of the Country.

There are abundance of Attorneys in this Province,
Who are Licenced by the Governor, yet all Law-Suites
are quickly decided in Carolina, to prevent the Planters
ruining each other, as is too frequent to be met with
amongft us. . , :i . . :

Thefe, and many other good Laws, that are to be
met with in this Province, make it one of the beft and
mildeft Governments to live under in all America. Who-
ever confider the Latitude and convenient Situation of
Carolina, may eafily inform themfelves, that it is a
moft delightful and fertil Country, being placed in the-
fame Latitude or part of the World which produces
Wine, Oil, Fruit, Grain and Silk, with many other
rich Commodities, befides a I weet moderate and health-
ful Climate to live in with all manner of Plenty, which
are as great bleffings as can attend any People upon
Earth, which the Planters of Carolina at this Day en-
joy, being fubject to no vexatious Taxes, or Racking
Landlords, to give them the leaft uneajinefs or dis-
content*

The

'■

30 The Natural HISTORY 0f

The Planters by the richnefs of the Soil, hvt after
the moft eafie and pleafant Manner or any People I
lave ever met with; for you fhall feldom hear them
Repine at any Misfortunes in life, except the lofs of
Friends, there being plenty of all NecefTaries convenient
for Lite : Poverty being an entire Stranger here, and the
Banters the moil: hofpitablc People that are to be met
with, not only to Strangers but likewife to thofe who
by any Misfortune have loft the ufe of their Limbs or
are incapable to Work, and have no vifible way to fup-
portthemfelvesi to fuch Objeds as tiiefe, the Country
allows Fifty Pounds per Annum for their Support. So
there are no Beggars or Vagabonds to be met with
Strowhng from place to place as is too common a-
aiongft us.

The Country in general is adorned with lame and
Beautiful Rivers and Creeks, and the Woods with lof-
ty Timber, which afford m'oft delightful and pleafant
Seats to the Planters, and the Lands very convenient
and eafie to be fenced in, to fecure their Stocks of
Cattle to more find Boundenes, whereby with fmall
trouble of Fencing, almoft every Man may enjoy to
himfelf an intire Plantation.

* Thefe with many other Advantages, fuch as the
cheapnefs and fertility of the Lands, plenty of Fifh
Wild-fowl, Venifon, and other necefTaries that this
Country naturally produces, has induced a great many
Families to leave the more Northerly Plantations, and
come and fettle in one of the mildeft Governments in
the World, in a Country that with moderate Induftry
may be acquir'd all NecefTaries convenient' for' life;
fo that Yearly we have abundance of Strangejrs that
come amongft us from Europe, New-England, Penfthania,
.Maryland, and from many of the Iflands, fuch as An-

tegua,

North CAROLINA.

31

tegua, Barbados, and many others, to fettle here ; mmy
or' whom with fmall Beginnings^ are become very Rich
in a few Years.

The Eur opt am, or Chriftiam of North-Carolina, are a
{height, tall, well-Iimb'd and adive People § their Chil-
dren being feldom or never troubled with Rickets, and
many other Diftempers that the Europiam are afflicted
with, and you fhall feldom fee any of them deformed m
Body.

The Men who frequent the Woods, and labour out
of Doors, or ufe the Waters, the vicinity of the Sun
makes Impreffions on them j but as for the Women that
do not expofe themielves to Weather, they are often
very fair, and well featur'd, as you fhall meet wich any
where, and have very Brisk and Charming Eyes ; and as
well and finely fhaped, as any Women in the World.
And I have feldom obferv'd any Red-hair'd Women,
or Men, born in this Country.

They marry generally very young, fome at Thirteen
or Fourteen; and fhe that continues unmarried, until
Twenty, is reckoned a ftale Maid, which is a very in-
different Character in that Country. Thefe Marriages
for want of an Orthodox Clergyman, is performed by
the Governor, or the next Juftice of the Peace; who reads
the Matrimonial Ceremony, which is as binding there
as if done by the beft divine in Europe. The Women
are very fruitful, moft Hodes being full of Little Ones,
and many Women from other Places who have been
long Married and without Children, have removed to
Carolina, and become joyful Mothers, as' has been often
obferv'd. It very feldom happens they mifcarry, and
they have very eafie Travail in their Child-bearing.

The Children at nine Months old are' able to walk
and run about the Houfe, and are very Docile and apt

to

■!i:!f

f '

32 Tk Jtoar*/ HIS T O R Y of

■ — — 1 1 n — — — —mi wmmm*

to learn any thing, as any Cnildren in Europe ; and thofc
that have the advantage to be Educated, Write guod
Hands, and prove good Accomptants, which is very much
covetcu, and moft neceflary in thefe parts. The young
Men are generally of a b^fhful, lober Behaviour, few
proving Prodigals, to fpend what the Parents with
Care and Induftry have lett them, but commonly Im-
prove it.

The Girls are moft commonly handfome and well
Featur'd, but have pale or twarthy Complexion ., and
are generally more forward then the Boys, notwith-
ftanding the Women arc Very Shy, in their Difcourfes,
till they are acquainted. The Girls are not only bred
to the Needle and Spinning, but to the Dairy and do-
meftick Affairs, which many of them manage with a
great deal or prudence and conduct, though they are
very young.

Both Sexes are very dexterous in paddling and manag-
ing their Canoes, both Men, Women, Boys, and Girls,
being bred to it from their Infancy. The Women are
the moft Indubious in thefe Parts, and many of them
by their good Houfewifery make a great deal of Cloath
of their own Cotton, Wool, and Flax, and fome of them
weave their own Cloath with which they decently Ap-
parel their whole Family though large. Others arc fo
Ingenious that they make up all the wearing Apparel
both for Husband, Sons and Daughters. Others arc
very ready to help and affift their Husbands in any
Servile Work, as planting when the Seafon of the Year
requires expedition : Pride feldom banifhing Houfe-
wifery. Both fexes are moft commonly fpareofBody
and not Cholcrick, nor eaflly call down at Difapoint-
ments and Lofies, and feldome xmmoderat'ly griveing at

any

Norpb CAROLINA

33

Misfortunes in Life, excepting it be the Ms of their near-
eft Relations.

By the Fruitfuilnefs of the Women in North Carolina^
and the great Numbers of Men, Women, and Children,
that are daily Tranfponed from Europe, they are now
become fo powerful, in this and mod of the other Pro-
vinces in the Hands of the EngUjh, that they are able
to refift for the future any attempts the Indians may make
on them. Add to this, the fevcral Indian Kings that
at prefent are in the Chriftian Intereft, who pay fome
fmall Tribute as an Acknowledgment of their Subjecti-
on, and are ready upon all occafions to afliit diem
when ever they are required fo to doj therefore they
live at prefent without any dread or fear of thofe Sa*
vages to what they formerly did.

The Men are very ingenious in feveral Handycrafc
Bufinefles, and in buildiug their Canoes and Houfes ;
though by the richnefs of the Soil, they live for the raoft
part after an indolent and luxurious Manner ; yet
fome are laborious, and equalize with the Negro's in
haru Labour, and others quite the Reverfe; tor I have
frequently feen them come to the Towns, and there
remain Drinking Rum, Punch, and other Liquors for
Eight or Ten Days fucceflively, and after they have
committed this Excefs, will not drink any Spirituous
Liquor, 'till fuch time as they take the next Froliuk,
as they call it, wnich is generally in two or three
Months. Thefe Exceffes arc the occafions of many Dif-
cafes amongft them. But amongft the better Sort, or
thofe of good OEconomy, it is quite otherwife, who
feldom frequent the Taverns, having plenty of Wine,
Rum, and other Liquors at their own Houfes, which
they generoufly make ufe of amongft their Friends and
E Acguain-

The Natural HISTORY of

Acquaintance, after a moil decent and difcreet Man-
ner, and are not (o fubject to Diforders as thofe who
Debauch themfelves. in fuch a Beaftly Manner. The
former fometimes bring their Wives with them to be
per takers of thefe Froiicks, which very often is not
commendable or decent to behold.

North CAROLINA.

35

OF THE

Religion, Houfes, Raiment, "Diet, Liquors, Fir-
ing, 'Diver (ions, Commodities, Language^ aDi-
feafes, Cunofities, Cattle, &c.' o/NORTH
CAROLINA.

TH E Religion by Law eftablifhed, is the Pro-
tectant, as it is proreffed in England ; and tho*
they feldom have Orthodox Clergymen among
them, yet there are not only Glebe Lands laid
out for that Ufe, commodious to each Town,
but likewife convenient for building Churches. The
want of thcfc Protefiant Clergy, is generally fupply'd
by fomc School-Mafters, who read the Lithurgy, and.
then a Sermon out of Doctor TMitfin, or fome good
pra&ical Divine, every Sunday. Thefe are the mofl
numerous, and arc difperfed through the whole Pro-
vince.

I fhall treat of the other Religions as they are to be
regarded according to their Numbers ; and firft of the
Quakers i Thefe People enjoy the fame Privileges as
with us in Ireland, and live for the moft part in Albs*
marie County, wherein they have a decent Meeting-
Houfe.

E 3 The

56

The Natural HISTORY of

%

The Presbyterians fuccccd next, and have had a Mi-
njite-qf .heir own Cider tor many Years paft ; they arc
erneA./ f ttleu in and about the River 2\fr«*.

Rcman-Catholicks are the next confiderable, and are
fettld in many Parts of the Country, but moitly in and
about Bath-lown, they have likewife a Clergyman of
their own Order among them at prefent.

Next iucceed the Anafapi&s, who live raoftly in
Albemarle County

There are likewife many Se&aries in Carolina, who
have little or no appearance of Religion, except fome
few Forms ot Prayers. This I take to be intirely ow-
ing to our want of Orthodox Divines, to inftrud them
in the true Notions of God, and right method of Wor-
ftiiping, according to the tenor of revealed Religion. It
is common to fee here numbers of Men, Women, and
Children, Baptized all together, when a Clergyman ar-
rives in thole Parts, and I have actually feen the Grand*
father, his Sen, and Grandfon, receive this Sacrament
at one time, There are numbers who never require
Baptifm, and couiequenrly never covet to be mads
■Chviftians, yet ufe fome few Forms of Prayer,

By wnai I have already urged, my Readers will na-
turally obferve, that there is Liberty of Confcience al-
lowed in the whole Province ; however, the Planters
live in the greateft Harmony imaginable, no Difputes
or Controverfies are ever obferved to arrife among them
about their Religious Principles. They always treat
each other with Friendfhip and Hofpitality, and nevec
difpute over their Liquor, which is a Cuftom too fre-
quent and too much indulged with us, and from whence
dangerous Confequences have arifen : By this Unity
of AfYe&ion, the Profperity of the Province has increas-
ed from its firfl rife5 to this Day. But though they are

thui

:

North CAROLINA.

37

thus remarkable tor their Friendihip, Harmony and
Hofpicalny, yet in regard to Morals, they have their,
(hare of the Corruptions of the Age, for as they live in
the greateft £a(e and Plenty, Luxury of Confequcnce
predominates, which is never without its attendant
Vices, Can it be admired, that the generality of them
live after a loofe and lacivious Manner, when according
to my former Qbfervation, they have no Clergy to in-
ftru&them, and recommend the Duties neceflary belong-
ing to a Chrift lan y and is it not natural to believe thac
Impiety and Imorality, when a People are void of thofc
Benefits, muft fway rhe major part of them. I would
not be underilood here, as if I defigned to advance thefc
imputations of Vice againft the whole Body of the Peo-
ple : No, there are certainly Perfons of both Sexes
Temperate, Frugal, good Oeconemifts, remarkably kind
to Strangers, and thofe in Diftrefs, and zealous in the
practice of Chriftanity.

Their Houfes are built after two different Ways ;
yiz,. the moft fubftantial Planters generally ufe Brick,
and Lime, which is made of Oyfter-fhells, for there are
no Stones to be found proper for that pnrpofe, but near
the Mountains ; the meaner Sort erect with Timber,
the outfide with Clap-Boards, the Roofs of both Sorts
of Houfes are made with Shingles, and they generally
have Safh Windows, and affeft large and decent Rooms
with good Clofets, as they do a moft beautiful Profpeft
by fome noble River or Creek.

Their Furniture, as with us,confifts of Pewter., Brafs,
Tables, Chairs, which are imported here commonly
from England % The better fort have tollcrable Quantities
of Plate, with other convenient, ornamental, and valu-
able Furniture,

The

38

The Natural HISTORY of

The Coachings ufed by the Men. are Englijb Cloaths'
DruggecSj, Ourois, Green Limien, pc. The Women
have their Silks, Calicoes, Stamp-Linnen, Cai'imanchoes
and all kind of Stuffs, forae whereof are Manufactured
in tke Province. They make few Hats, the/ they have
the befl Furrs in plenty, but with this Article, they are
commonly fugplied from New-England, and femetimes
from Em ope.

Then Diet confifts chiefly of Beef, Mutton, Pork,
Venifon in Abundance, Wild and Tame Fowl, Fifii of
feveral delicate Sorts ; Roots, Fruit, feveral kinds of
Sailads, good Bread, Butter, Milk, Cheefe, Rice, Indian
Corn, both which they concoft like a Hafty- Padding ;
But as I fhajl treat more particularly of'the Productions
of theCountry in the fucceeding Pages,! fliall now pro-,
ceed to their Liquors.

The Liquors that are common in Carolina at prefent,
and chiefly made ufe of, are, Rum, Brandy, Mault
Drink ; thefe they import. The following are made in
Country, viz,. Cyder, Perfimon-Beer, made of the Frui$
of that Tree. Ceder-Beer, made of Ceder-Berries ; they
alfo make Beer of the green Stalks of Indian-Corn, which
they bruife and boyle : They likewife make Beer of
Molloflls, or common Treacle, in the following manner,
they take a Gallon of Mollofles, a Peck of Wheaten Brans
a Pound of Hops, and a Barrel of Fountain Water, all
which they boile together, and work up with Yelt, as
we do our Malt Liquors ; this is their common Small-
Beer, and feems tome to be the pleafanteft Drink, lever
tailed, either in the Indies or Europe, and I am fatisfied
more wholfom. This is made-ftronger in proportion, a?
People fancy.

It is neceffary to obferve that though there is plenty
pf Parly and Oats in this Province, yet there is no

Malt

North CAROLINA.

39

Male Drink made, notwithstanding all kind of Male
Liquors bear a good Price, nor have any of the Planters
ever yet actemptcd it.

Chocolate, Itas, and Coffee, are as common in Carolina
as with us in Ireland, parcicularly the laft, which of late
Ytars they have induitrioufly raifed, and is now very
Cheap : Thele are fober Liquors, and take off the better
Sort from Drinking what are hot and fpirituous, who are
not fo addicted to Rum and Brandy as the inferior Sort,
Caflena or Taupan, an Indian lea, which grows here in
Abundance is indifferently ufed by Planters and Indians.

The Fireing they ufe is Wood, and efpecially Hickery,
though we diicovered Pit-Coal in our Journies towards
the Mountains, yet it- is not worth their while to be at
the expence of bringing it, Timber being fo plenty.

The chiefeft Diversions here are Fifhing, Fowling;
and Hunting, Wild Beafts, fuch as Deer, Bears, Racoons,*
Hares, Wild Turkies, with feveral other forts, needlefc
to treat of here, 'rift we come to defcribe each particular
Specie.

Horje-Racing they are fond of, for which they have
Race-Paths, near each Town, and in many parts of the
Country, Thofe Paths, feldom exceed a Quarter of z
Mile in length, and only two Horfes ftart at a time, each
Horfc has his peculiar Path, which if he quits, and runs
into the other, loofes the Race. This is agreed on to
avoid Jockying. Thefe Courfes being fovcry ihorts
they ufe no manner of Art, but pufh on with all the
ipeed imaginable -, many of thefe Horfes are very fleet.

It is common for People to come and go from this
Province to Virginia, to thefe publick Diverfions.
^ They are much addicted to Gaming, efpecially at
Cards and Dice, Hazard and All-fours, being the com-
mon Games they ufes at which they play very high3

oaf

&

4o The Natural HIS TORY/

nay to fuch a pitch, that I have fecn feveral hundred
Pounds won and loft in a fhorc time.

Cook-Fighting they greatly admire, which BiVds they
endeavour to procure from England apd Ireland., and to
that intent, employ Matters or Ships, and other Trading
Perfons to fupply them.

IVreftiing, Leaping, and fuch Activities are much ufed
by them; yet I never obferved any Foot Races.

Darning they are all fond of, eipecially when they can
get a Fiddle, or Bag*pipe ; at this they will continue
Hours together, nay, fo attach'd are they to this dar-
ling Amufement, that if they can't procure Muiick,
they will fing for themfeives. Muflck, and Mufical In-
itruments being very fcarce in Carolina.

Thefe arc the moft material Obfervations I have
made in refpeel: of their ufaal Diverfions.

But they have a, particular Seaion, which is only at
their Wheat-Harvest f not to be omitted ; this they cele-
brate with great Solemnity, it is in the beginning of
June, at which time the Planters notify to each other3
that they defign to reap the aforcfaid Grain, on a cer-
tain Day, fome fend their Negroes to affift, others only
go to partake of the great Feaits, &c. Some will fre-
quently come twenty, nay thirty Miles on this Occafion,
the Entertainments are great,and- the whole Scene plea-
fant and diverting ; but if they can get Mufick to in-
dulge this Mirth, it greatly adds to the Pleafure of the
Feaft, It mutt be conreft, that this annual Revelling is
very expenfive to the Planters, but as its cuftomary,
few omit it, nor have they ever thofer publick Diverfi-
ons at the reaping any other Grain but the European
Wheat.

I am fcnfible that many Perfons, who by their Mis*
behaviour in this Country^ were obliged to quit it, have

inalicioufly

North CAROLINA

4*

malickmfly endeavoured to reprefent, not only the PrO^
vince, but its Inhabiunts, in a wrong Light ; but as
they mtirely take the Opportunity to talk cither before
thole who were never there, or before Perfons incapa-
ble of judging, it is to be hoped, that the fcanciaious
reports ofiuch, will not be regarded. Several of thofc
trifling Nufances have to my knowledge, fcarcely been
out of the Town or Port where they tirft arrived* Ou«
ring their Refidence there.0 How therefore cou'd they be
acquainted with the Fertilty of the Country, the Con*
ititution, and Temper of the Inhabitants ; before the
learn'd, by whom they can be convi&ed, they dare not
appear? And if the credulous and ignorant will be
amuted, all the Arguments Man can produce will nog

avail.

The People live to as great Ages as moil: European^
they are entire Strangers to Confumptionsi a Diftcmpec
fatal to us j but they are much addicted to aguifti Dif-
orders, which is incident to all Strangers, for they ge-
nerally have their Seafonings at their firft Arrival, or
i'oon after, though it feldom proves mortal, and is eafily
carried off by Emetkh, and orher Medicines properly
given. „ .

This Colony boafts more Advantages than feveral ci-
thers on this Continent* both for Pleaiure, Eafe, and
Profit : Were the Inhabitants as induftrious as the Soil
is bountiful* they might fupply themfelves with all the
Neceflaries of Life ? With little Induftty they may
have Wines, Oil, Silk, Fruits, and many forts of Drugs.,
Dyes, &c. Here the Curiou* may have a large Field
to fatisfie and divert their Curiority^ here they may
colled ftrange Eeafts, Birds, Fifhes, Infe&s, Reptiles,
Shells, Mines, Herbs, Flowers, Plants, Shrubs, Trees,
Gums, Tears, Rofin, Stones, and feveral other things
• F that

4*

The Natural HISTORY of

that yield both Profit and -Satis fadion : If the plenty
and cheapncfs or Provitions, and the low rate or" La.idsj
may tempt People to this delightful Country, hire thofe
wno-ha\c but imall Beginnings, with moderate inuuf-
try, may here live more comfortably, and pro viae for
their Families better than in any place 1 havfe yet ken
in -hurofti

The Rivers are very beautiful, pleafant, profitable,
large and Navigable rot ieveral Leagues up the Coun-
try : They rife'for the moll part in or near the Moun-
tains, ana abound not only with great Quantities of
delicate Fifh, but likewife with Wild-Fowl of diffe-
rent kinds. In many of t'hefc Rivers are to be km
large and, delightful Iilands, where is excellent Pafturage
and fome of them afford latge Stocks of Cattle and
Deer, but -fearce any Wild Beafts, and few Beau1 s of
Prey. In thefe Iflauds frequently glow vaft quantities
of 'Cedar with feveral other kinds ot valuable Timber
Trees, as I have already mentioned.

The civilized hdians are ve*-y fervieeable to the Plan-
ters in many Cafes, particularly in making Weares to'
catch Fifh $ this they do for a fmall coniideration3
and it proves very advantagious to large Families, be-
caufc they not only take great Quantities of different
Sorts, but moreover what are very good and noiirifhing;-
tbefe Weares arc made after a method peculiar to the
lndiins only. Others Hunt and Fowl for them at very
"reafonable Rates, this Country being' as plentifully pro-
vided with all forts of Game as any in America -, the
Indians fo me times affift - the poorer fort of Planters in
planting their Cora for imall Trifftes, when expedi-
tion is req uiied.

The Mountains that are the mod considerable are the
Chanter-, or dppetepean Mountains, they take tneir r.fe

from

North CAROLINA

43

from the North.*- weft part of South Carolina, and fa.
continue in one Ridge to the Northward for {cveral
hundred Miles, being in moft places rive or fix hundred
Miles from the Sea; they are vaftly high, and aoound
with Trees, various tods of Plants,and Stonesot fevc.nl
diikrent Natures. Beyond thefe Mountain you hayl
a profpect only of large Woods, §avannas,diimal Swamps
and Forrciis, being as is fuppoied, the Habitation of
Savage Ldians, and wild Beaits of various kinds. _

The Commodities convenient to bring to this Province
from Europe, arc as follows; Guns, Powder, Bail, Snot,
Flints, Linnens of all Sorts, but chiefly Blues ; Browti
and'Stampr Linnens, Oznahrigs, Hen and Women's
Apparel ready made up; fome few Broad-Cloaths, Blew
and Red S tufts, Callimancoes, Druggets, Kerfics, Can>
blets, all light Stuffs for Men and Women's Summer
Wear, Habberdafliers Wares, Stockings of all forrs,
fome few Gloves, chin Wig*, Linnen Caps, Silk Thread,
common Thread of all Sorts. Needles, Pins, Tobacco
Pipes, Glafs for Safhwindows, Looking Glades, ail
forts of hard Ware, fuch as Knives, Forks, Sizers, Saws,
Hatchets, Chifels, Bills, Hoes, Spades, Shovels, Gtub-
ing Hoes, Wedges, Nails, and all manner of Tools for
Carpenters, Shoemakers, Coopers Shave Locks, Locks
for Doors, Traps of all Sorts, and efpecially for Beavers,
what we commonly call Fox-Traps, Grindle- Stones,
all manner of Whet-Stones, Paper, Ink, Saddles, Bridles,
Fifti-hooks of all Sorts, feveral Toys, as Fans, Necklaces,
Beads, Ribbons, Tape, Thimbles, Shoe-buckles3 and
the like; Tradefmen of all forts, Honeft Servants and
Negroes.

The produce of this Country for Exportation to Europe

and the Wands, are, Beef, Porke, Tallow, Hides, Deer-

Sfcios, Furs, Wheat, Indian-Corn, Pcafe, Potatoes, Rice,

■ - Honey

The Natural HISTORY of

Honey, Bees-wax, Myrtle-wax, Tobacco, Snake-root,
Turpentine, Tar, Pitch, Malts for Ships, Staves, Pianks
and Boards of mod forts ot Timber, Cotton, and feveral
forts of Gums, Tears, with fome medicinal Drugs s
Bucks and Tiles are made here, iikewife feveral ufefui
Earths, fuchas Bole,Fiulers-Earth, Tobacco Pipe Clay,
and Qaker, in great Plenty, excellent good Earth for
the Pottcri Trade, and fine Sand for the GlaiTmakers.
They export abundance of Horfes to the Iflands ot An-
Ugun, Barbados, &c.

Lead, Copper, Sulphure and Antimony, have been
found here, but for want of good Encouragemenr, few
or no endeavours have been made to difcover thelefub-
terraneous Productions ; here is Iikewife found in great
Plenty the true Blood-Stone, near the Mountains, as aifq
a very fine Earth, the lame with firuxels Sand, which
the (joldfmiths ufe to ca/l with, which bears a good
Price in feveral parts of Europe. We have Iikewife Chan
lib eat Waters, of feveral Taftes, and different Qualities
jome Purging and others working by the Emunftories ;
there are feveral Waters alfo amongft the Inhabitants
that outwardly cure Ulcers, Tettars. and Spres, (diior-f
ders they are ve-*y fubjed to in this Country) by waft-
ing themielves in it; neither do they want very good"
Springs of frelh Water ; as for Pump-water, 'tis to be,
had in mofi places in this Province.

We have an Account rrom che Indians, that there are
hot Baths near the Hilly Country, where a great likeli-
hood appears of making Salr-Pctere, becaufe the Earth
in many places ishronglv mixed and impregnated with
a Nitroui Salt, which is much coveted by the Beafts of
this Country, who come at certain Seaforis/bf the
Year in great Numbers and by their licking this Earth,
make gteat Holes in tboie Banks, which foraetiaics Jyc

as

North CAROLINA.

45

at the Heads of great Precipices, where they often tum-
ble down and are dafh'd in pieces.

It is very certain that the moft Sweet and healthful
Part of this Country is inhabited only by the Savage
Indians at prefent ; and a great deal thereof has no other
Inhabitants but the wiid Beads For the Indians are
not inclinable to fettle in the richcil Lands, becaufe the
Timbers are too large for them to cut down to make
Plantations of : A farther confirmation of the health-
fulnefs of the Hilly parts ot this Country, is very appa-
parent, in the large Stature and gray Heads fo common
to be met with amongft the Savages that dwell near
the Mountains.

The Chriflians or Planters of North Carolina, Barter
the Commodities that are produced in the Country foe
Rum, Sugar, Mollofles, Negroes, and the like.

The current Coin or this Country is at prefent only
made of Paper Bills, which pafs throughout all this Pro-
vince ; not but that the Gold and Silver Coin of all Na-
tions pafs here, according to, their Weight or intrinfick
Value, which the Planters carefully preferve to buy
Negroes with in the Iflands and other Places. The
Contents of the Bills in this Province are as follows, wM.
Ihis Bill of ten Pounds [haU be current in all Payments in
North Carolina, according to an Ad of Ajfembly made
November 9 th. 1720. This is the greatest Bill, and
twelve Pence th. fmallefl, which is wroteafter the fame
manner of the rormer The AiTembly nominate five of
their Members, who fign all thefe Bills with different
Ink 1 all thefe Bills arc numbered in figures at the top,
in the nature of Bank-Bills, and Seals fixe to each of
them j there is about thirty or forty thoufand Pounds of
this kind ot Money in North Carolina.

There is a Trcaiury Office kept wherein all trie Bills
are changed^ and new ones given tot thofe tlist are old

mi

"

46

The Natural HISTORY of

and torn ; yet notwithftanding all the Care that is taken,
thefe Bills are counterfeited, and tiie publick very often
impofed upon. The Money of North Carolina is in va-
lue five Shillings for one Sterling; and in South Carolina^
the difference is Seven to One Sterling j with thefe Bilis
they purchaie Lands, and all NeceiTanes.

It is admirable to obfeve the Profperity of feveral
Adventurers to Carolina, in the memory of Man ; and
how many from the moil: defpicable beginnings in a more
time, by Gods bleffing, and their own Induftry, are ar-
rived to asiplendid Fortunes, as any have in the other
Britijh Provinces on this Continent. All manner of Game
is here very plenty, neither are there any Laws here to
bind their Privi ledges, as it is with us in Ireland, for the
meaneil Planter may, with as much Freedom, deftroy all
manner of Game, as he that is the moft Wealthy, or
Iiigheft in Dignity. So that the pooreft Planter has as
much Right to the delicaceies of this Country, as the
ncneft ; nay the very Labourer is intituled to the fame
J?riviledge.

The Language principally made ufe of in this Pro-
vince is the Englijb ; notwithstanding there are Plan-
ters fettled here from France, Germany, Holland, w&
many other parts of Europe, who have all learn'd and
{peak the £wg/'/& Tongue, many of the Indians alfo ufe
it, and efpecially the three civilized Kings, and thofc
that Trade and Convetfc with the Englijb ; there are
jnany of the Planters tha,t underfland and fpeak the
Indian Language well.

The Dsfeafes that are moft common in Carolina are,
Agues, or intermittent Fevers, Cachexia, Diarrhaa, Dy-
feweria, the Clap, and French Pox, the Taws, Cbollicks £kQ-
ler a- Morbus, Convulfiow,Haopwg-Cougby Cutaneous Dtjor-
dtrs ,(uch as Tetters, Ring-Wtrms, ^jji^yprklUyBeats9
and the Itch. WM

North CAROLINA.

47

The Agues or intermittent Fevers, do generally admit
of the fame method of Cure as with us in Ireland, fo
that it would be needleis to repeat it here, which almoft
every old Woman pretends to have an inralible Cure for*

1 ne Cachexy, or ill habit of Body, is a very common
Diiiemper in thefe Parts ; 'tis very fiubborn in its Na-
ture, and tedious and difficult to be cured. In this
diforder, the Face is very pale and difcolour'd, and the
Body big and fwoln ; this Diftempcr is principally ow-
ing to their eating great quantities of Fruit that this
Country produces, and to a fedentary way or living, and
their eating Clay and Dirt, which the Children, both
Whites and Blacks, and fome of the old People are very
fubject to j by which means the whole Humours ot the
Body are corrupted and vitiated to that degree (through
furfeits and ill digeftion) that they will hardly admit of
a Cure. Steel'd Wines, and other Prepararions of filings
and ruft of Iron, flrong Purgers, and Exercifes, are the
only Methods to perfect the Cure of this Diiiemper.

The Cholera- Morbus, is a vehement Perturbation of
the whole Body and Bowels, from a depravM Motion
of the Ventricle and Guts, whereby bilious, ifliarp, or
corrupt Humours, are plentifully and violently difcharg-
cd upwards and downwards. This diforder is happily
carried off by giving proper Dofes of the Jpecauacanaa
that grows plentifully in Carolina, which I have already
made mention of.

The Cramp or Convuljions, is a Motion whereby the
&lufcles or Membranes are contracted and remittedft
without the Will. This Diforder is common in thefc
Parts, and especially amongfl: the Negroes or Blacks9
whereof many die, either for want, or before proper
Medicines can be adrainifter'd ; it admits of the fame
method of Cure as with as in Europe.

The

-

4B

The Natural HISTORY/

The White and Bloody-Flux are common Diftempers
in Caroling ana io are the Clap and Pi emh Pox; thefe
are curea after the fame manner as with us.

The 7W, are a Diforder not well known in Europe
but very common and familiar here ; it is like the Lues
venerea, having moil of the Symptoms that attend the
Pox, fuch as iSfocturhal Pains, Botches, foul Errupn-
ons, and Ulcers in feveralpans of the Body, and is ac-
quired after the fame manner as the Pox is, vil. by Co-
pulation, &c» but is never attended with a Gonorrhea in
the beginning. This Diftcmper was brought hither
by the Negroes from Guinea, where it is a common Dif-
temper aroongft them, and is communicated to feverai
of me Europeans or Chriftians, by their cohabiting
with the Blacks, by which means it is hereditary it!
many Families in Carolina, and by it fome have loft
their Palates and Nofes. m .

This Diftemper, though of a venereal kind, islcldom
cured by Mercurials, as I have often experienced, roc I
have known fome undergo the Courfe of three Salava-
tions to no purpofe, the virulency ftill continuing as bad
as ever : Wherefore I judge it not amifs to let forth
the mod effectual method for curing it, which I have
©icen experienced, and never without good fucccls( du-
ring my refidei.ee in thofe parts) though the Diitcm-
pcr was of ever fo violent a nature, or long continuance;
it is as follows.

Take jour Ounces oftheBarh of the Spanifh Oak, two
Ounces of the middle Bn>k of the Pine Tree, two Ounces of
the Rot of the S/ri;atk, that bears the Berries,ef thefe In*
oredients make a flrong Deco3iony whereof let the Patient
drink a full Pint mdkwarm, and half a Pint cold, this gives
a Boh Vomit, fa which abundance of filth) Matter is dih

J * - ihargedi

North CAROLINA.

49

charged. This is what is to be done the firfl Day.
Then let the Patient drink half a Pint three times a Day,
viz. in the Morning, at one o' Clock in the Afternoon, and at
Night, fw fix Weeks ; and if there be any outward Sores,
wajb them clean five or fix times a-Day with fart of the fame
Decoftion, 'till they are all healed up, and the Patient h*
ctmes well.

The Patient rnufl abftain from all fbrtS of flefli Meat3
and ftrong Liquors during the laid Courfe, his princi-f
pal Diet mull be Broth, Gruel, Penasda, and the like.
They may boil the above quantity of Ingredients four1
times, if more, it will be too weak ; this Method effec-
tually cures the Taws in the faid time, and the Patient
becomes as ftrong and healthy as ever. I have herd
given the true method of the Cure of "this Diflemper^ it
being little known in Europe.

The CholUk, or Dry Belly-ach, is another common Dif-
temper in this Country, and is often attended with fuch
violent Convulfions, that frequently the Limbs are fo
contracted (and efpeeially the Hands) that for want of
Care and good Advice, they have continued fo all their
life time ; though I have known fome of them die ix\
thefe Fits, which are attended with fuch a violent cori-
ftipation of the Bowels, that they cannot void any thing
either upwards or downwards ; Strong Vomits, Purges,
Clyfters, and Oyntments, for the Contracted Limbs, ars
the moft effe&ual Methods to carry off this Diforder.

Rafbes and Prihley-heat, arc common Difdrders here ;
in the extremity of the hot Weather, which ftiddenly
comes after cold, they are attended With extream Itch-
ings all over the Body, efpeeially the Legs, which if
fcratched immediately* inflame, and become inveterate
SCtflS <Sftd Uks rsj to prevent which, Spirit of Wine and
Q €amphir5

'

5 o Tbs Natural H IS TORY of

Camphir, or any other Spirit, is of excellent ufe, bv ap-
plying it to the Farts.

letters and Ring-worms, ate common in this Province
and arc cafily cur'd by .feveral Plants in tins Country'
and efpeaally by the Juice of the Shecp-Scrrei, bv apl
plying it to the Part infected.

The Hoiping-Cough, at my arrival in Carolina, was an
•umverlal Dnoidcr amongfl: young and old, whereoffc-
verai Ni^reei dm. Ic continued in this Province lor
fevtH or eight Months fucceffively, be<?irming in Septem-
ber y and ending in Jum j after Bleeding ana Vomiting
I found the Jefuite Bark to be of .excellent ufe m this
dilotcer. I was allured by many in Carolina, that they
never knew' this Diftcmper in thefe Parts before that
time.

The Children are much afflicted with the Worms
which is owing to their eating vail .quantities of Fruit'
this excels fometimes occaiion* Fevers amongft them'
yet they are cured, after the fame manner as with us'
likewiie with many Plants growing here.

As iovCutamms Diforders they arc feldom at a lofs
ifora fpeedy Cure, not only from". the Plants, but like-
wife the Waters. Thus have 1 given an Account of the
ipoft common Diforders amongft the Chriltian Inha-
bitants.

The Curiofities here are, varietiy ©f Grange wild
Bcafts, and feveral kinds of Birds, Fifhes, Snakes, In-
feas, Roptiics, Herbs, Plants, Shrubs, Trees, and Fruits ;
many whereof are not to be met with in Europe, which
the Reader will find inferted in their proper Places, when
I come to treat on thofe heads. There is a large Cave
o 'M-ne top of the Mountains, that will hold a imndred
Men and more to fit in, but whether it be natural or
artificial, is not known by any that have feen it ; but I

am

North CAROLINA.

5*

am of Opinion that it is natural, the Indians having had
no 'Tools to work hi Wood or Stone, at the firit arrival
of che Europeans Jo that it cannot be rcafonabiy imagin-
ed that a Work of this nature could be perfected with-
out popcr Inftruments tor that purpo-fe.

As all Grain and Pulfc thrive here to admiration, fo
do the Stocks or Cattle, Horfes, and Swine multiply fur-
prizingly, there being as great numbers of each Specks,
as in any Province poffeflcd by the Engltfi in Amsnut,

The Veal is very good and white, but they i'erdota
kill arty for the Market, being fond to preferve their
Calves to a larger growth. The Planter s make Pen folds
adjacent to their Habitations, wherein they milk their
Xows every Morning and Evening ; after which, they
turn them into the Woods, where they remain feeding
all Day ; when they return at Night, they carefully ihut
up their Calves with fome few of the Cows, in thofe
Pcnfolds, which protects them from the Wolves, or
any other voracious wild Beafts : In the Mornings and •
Evenings the Cows return from the Woods to be milk-
ed, and ate turned out as ufual; the Calves are turned
into the Inclofures where they remain fading and fafe
all the Bay, no wild Beaffc ever appearing near their
Plantations in that fpace of time I have feen one hun-
dred Calves together in one of thefe Penfoids, being
all the Property of one Planter. The Calves generally
fuck their Dams all the time they are milking, other-
wife the Cows would notfuffer any one to touch them.
The Milk is very pleaiant and rich.

Their Heifers bring forth Calves at eighteen or
twenty Months old ,- this early production makes fuch
a wonderful increafe, that many of the Planters, from
mean beginnings, are Matters now oi fuch large Stocks
of Cattle, that you may buy hundreds in the Scafon;.
G 2 Thei*

'

5*

The Natural HISTORY of

Their metkod of killing, is generally to fhoot them in
the Fields, or in the Pcnfolds ; then they cut off rhe
Head ana Feet, and take out the Intrails, which they
throw away as ufekfs, except the Fat, (which they
carefully prefervc.) After this manner they continue
killing ail the Year, as they have Occafion.

If the Cattle.be fuffered to live to a proper Age,
their Beef proves as large and fat as any in the neigh-
bouring Colonies. They kill vaft Quantities of Beeves
in Offohr, and the other cool Months, efpecially when
they intend them for Salting and Exportation, for at
thofe Seafons they are in their prime of Flefti, and beft
preferved. The Exportation of this Commodity is one
of the greatefl Branches of their Trade.

It may perhaps fecm very flrange to fome Europeans,
how the Planters can have fuch large Stocks of Cattle,
where there are fuch Numbers of Wolves^ Tygtrs, Pan-
thers, and other Beafts of Prey ; but 1 can aflure them
that they give themfelvcs no further trouble than
what I have already obferved, few or no wild Beafts
ever daring or attempting to kill either Calves or Foles,
fearing their Dams, who vigorously defend them.
When a Cow hath once efpied a ffrolf or any other
vpratcous Beaft near, flic gives a Signal by bellow-
ing and roaring, upon which all the Black Cattle within
l.'gr hearing will run tp her affiitance, and moil refolute-
ly defend their own Species.

There are great Numbers of thofe Cattle wild, which
continually breed in the Woods, (fo are there of Horfes
and Mares) here you (hall fee great Droves feeding pro-
mifcoufly in the Savannas amongft the Deer, fifty or
Sixty Miles diftant from any Inhabitants. This foci-
able Difpofition amongft BeaHs or different kipds we

obfervetf

North CAROLINA.

53

obfcrved in our Traveling up towards the Mountains,
which, together with the Beauty of the Country gave
us no (mall Satisfaction.
The Horfes are weii ftiaped, fwift, and generally abouc
thirteen or fourteen Hands high, they are durable and
will travel incredible Journies. They are never fhod,
partly by rcafon of the foftnefs of the Ground, which
is covered over with Grafs, wichout any Gravel or
Stones ; they have few or no Diftempers amongft them
as in European Countries,fuch as Spavin, Splmt, Ring fanes t
and the like ; they are feldom or never blind, and ge-
nerally live twenty Years or more, moft commonly dying
of old Age. If there were but good Stallions and Mares
fent here from England, or any other Parts, we could not
fail of a good Breed in a fhort time ; the Country and
Pafturage being fo proper tor that end.

The Planters are the worft Horfe-mailers I have ever
met with, for few or none allow Corn to their Horfes
after long Journies, for they frequently tye chem to a
Tree for Hours together, and fometimes for a Day or
two without any manner of fubfiftancc, from whence it
fometimes happens that they break loofe, and take into
Woods, where they remain for Weeks together, with
the Saddles on their Backs, before they are found out,
and had not they been fuch good Drudges as they are,
there would be but few in this Province, with the bad
ufagc they give them.

The Horfes which they keep within the Inclofures,
and fometimes feed with Indian-Corn, are rendered very
durable for Journies and Hunting in the Woods. I hope
it will not be improper here to give the Reader an Ac-
count bpw they take the Wild Horfes in the Woods,
which is as follows. The Planters generally^ two or
more hunt on Horfcback in the Woods together, and

as

'

54 The Natural HISTORY^/

as foon as they cfpic a wild Horfe, they purfue him, and
their Horiesare fo well train'd to this way of Hunting,
that they will neither hurt themfelves nor the Riders
againft a Tree, though you ride them in full Speed, they
will perform this for Hours together, 'till fuch time as
Che wild Horie ftands ilill,- then one ot the Hunters a-
lights and claps a Bridle into his Mouth, and a Saddle
on his Back ftho' ten or fifteen Years old) and rides him
to their own, or the next Plantation, wiiere they feed
him with Indian-Corn and Salt, which feeding, in a little
time, makes him as tame and domeitick, as any in their
Plantation,, and fit topurlue his wild Species in the
Woods at thenext Hunting match, or any other ufe they
have occaiion to make of him.

The Sheep thrive well, having two or three Lambs at
one Yeaning; they are never fuffercd to ramble in the
Woods (as theother Cattle are) but are kept in Inclo-
fures in the Plantations, from whence they will come
every Evening to the Planters Houfcs, having no De-
fence againft the wild Bcafts (andcfpcceially the Wolves*
their mortal Enemy) at Night they are put up in their
Fenfolds made of Timber, which every Planter has for
that Purpofe to defend them from all manner of wild
Beafts, but it fometimes happens, through Negligence,
that if they are not Inclofed, they become a Prey to the
Welws^ who ttever fail to fcarch and watch for them at
Night. The Mutton is generally exceeding Far, and
as well rclifri*das any I have met with in Europe Their
Wool is fine, and a good Commodity here. They fel-
$om kill any of their Lambs for the Market, but gene-
rally prefcrve them to a greater Age; neither are the
native Planters (o fond of Mutton (which is of a mid-
Sing Siic)as the Europeans generally are.

Of

North CAROLINA.

5:5

Of Gcats, they have but very few in Carolina, and
yet they would thrive very well there,- but they are £o
miichievous to Gardens, Orchards, and other Trees,
that the Native Planters are not fond of keeping or pre-
fcrving great numbers of them, though their Flefh is fat
and well relifU'd, as any in Europe, and their Skins arc
as good.

The Swine are more numerous here than in any of
the Englijh Provinces ; and the Pork exceeds any in
Europe for Goodnefs. The plenty of Acorns, Nuts,
and other Fruits, which the Woods naturally afford,
make their Flefh of an excellent Tafte, and produces
great quantities of them ; fome Planters poflefs fevcral
hundreds, and vaft numbers are to be met with in the
^oods, which are every perfons Property that can
kill them ; for no one claims them as his own, except
they bear his own Mark or Brand, and it is fo with
Horfes and Cows, that are wild in the Woods. The
Planters export vail quantities of Pork to the Iflands
in the Weft Indies, fuch as Barhadoes, Antegua, and
fevcral other places where Provifions arc fcarce, for
fuch Commodities as they have occailon for.

They have plenty of all manner of Donieftick Fowl,
fuch as Geefe, common Ducks, Mufcovy. Ducks, Tur-
keys, Cocks and Hens, Pigeons, and the like, to be
purchafed at cheaper Rates, than in any part of Eu-
rope.

Notwithftanding North Carolina yields to no Coun-
try in point of Fertility, efpecially for Cattle, Venifoa,
Fifli and Flefh, yet amongft all this Plenty, there is a
fcarcity of fufficient Hands to cultivate this noble and
fertile SoiU It is caqable of producing as good Hemp
and Flax, as grow in moil parts of Europe, "and Linncr.
might here be brought to great perfection.

this

'

56 The Natural HISTORYo/

This Country likewife produces as good Tobacco3
as any to bt mec with in Virginia, Maryland, or any o-
ther ]N i^hbouring Province in the Hands of the En-
glijh : But the Planters having fo many other valuable
Commodi- -s proper for Exportation, they little regard
or improve it at prefent, in proportion to what they do
in other Profinccsf*

f HE

North CAROLINA.

57

OF THE

VEGE T A B LES

O F

North Carolina,

TH E Spontaneous Shrubs of this Country
are the Larks-heel Tree,- four forts of Honey-
fuckk Tree, or Woodbind, the firft always,
grows in low moift Grounds, the other in
clear dry Landf, the Flowers of which are
more cat and lacerated ; thefe grow about two or three
Feet high ,• the third, which is of the fame height, is
one of the moft beautiful Flowers of its Colour 'that is
to be met with, and is found growing for the moft part
by the fides of Swamps, or on the Banks of trie Rivers^
but never near the Salt Water. The Flowers of thefe
are of a whitifh colour, but the laft is the mofl beauti~
ful, growing in great bunches out 01 one Stem, and is
commonly the bignefs of a large Turnip. In April and
May, nothing can be more beautiful, being at that time
in their greatefl fplendor, which affords not onlyfa pleaf-
fant fight, but a moft grateful and fragrant Smell to thofc
that pafs through the Woods. There is another Honey*
fuckk that grows in the Forreft, and is about a Foot
high, bearing it's Flowers on fniall Stems, the main
Stock being no thicker than a Wheat Straw ; all thefe
forts differ very little from ours,- only with this variati-
■ fefy that thefe here arc larger,

H Primes*

'

5S

The Natural HISTORY of

Princes-feather, arc very large and beautiful, not only
jn the Gardens, but in feveral pares of the Woods. Tres
colores, Branched Sun-Flower, Double Poppies, Lupines of
feveral, fores, and all Spontaneous. Tue fmfiblt Plant,
(as 1 nave been informed) grows near the Mountains*
which I did not fee during my ftay in thofe Parts.

The Bajiard Saffron is 'plenty in this Province, and I
do not doubt but that the true Saffron of England would
thrive well here if Planted, and tne fame Care taken.

The Cotton Plant being fo very profitable,! will give
a Defcription of, which is as follows : It hath fmall
Stacks about three Feet high, and fometimes higher, di-
vided into feveral fmall Branches, wherein are many
broad Leaves, cut for the moit pare into three Se&ions,
and fometimes more, indented about the Edges, not un-
like the Leaves of the common Alailows, but kfler, fofter,
and or a grayifh Colour, among which come torch the
Flowers, the Edges wheieof are of a Yellowifh Colour,
and the middle part Purple; after which appears large
Purser Hu.ks, wherein the Seed and Cotton is contain-
ed, as fee,) as it is ripe it opens into four Parts or Di viri-
ons, it Care be nor taken, it cafteth forth its Seed and
Cotton uppri the Grow it:. This Plant beareth but for
one Seafon. and as foon as the Seeds are ripe it immedi-
ately perfflkthj as many o;her Plants do j fo that the
Planters . »e obliged to fow tie Sesd every Spring, which
Is ripe In the Autumn, an J the" cue it down at that time
5>s we do Corn. Ir growerh in great Plenty in feveral
Farts ex t! is Cow nn , and is a berv.fi cial Commodity to
the Planters.

The fellow Jeffa^jine gro ws wild in feveral parts of the
Woods, . foioiug a. ir of] pjeafant and grateful Smell.

Ever-Gteensare r be met with all over this Province,
of ieveral curious i^rts, of a very «juick Growth, afford-
ing

North CAROLINA.

59

ing f learnt and refrefhing Shades in the extremity of
hec 'Weather: And fucn are the lofty Cypreft or White
Cedar, ths Red Cedar, the Pitch Pine, the fellow Pine,
the Wmte Pine wiiii long Leaves, and the imaller Al-
mnd-Pine: Hornbeam, Holly two forts, Bay-Tree, two
foits of Myrtle, two iorts ot Evergreen Oaks, Mijjekoe of
the Oak, Galifarry-Tree, Privet, Ravine, Yaupan, or LaJJena%
whereof the Tea is made, fo very much in requeit a-
monit both the Indians, and Cbriftians, with many other
Ever-greens:

I ftuU m the next Place treat of the Timber that this
Country produces, viz,.

The Chefnut Oak, is a very lofty Tree and clear of
Foughs aud Limbs, for fifty or iixty Feet hi^h, and is
commouly four or five Feet Diameter, they are the larg-
eit Oaks we have, and yield the fairtfl Planks. Thefe
kind of Oaks grow chiefly in low Land that is fliff and
rich; fome ot them are fo high that a good Gun wdl
haraiy kill a Turkey on the top of them, though with
Swan Shot. They are called the Chefnut Oak trom the
fueeti tfs and largcneis of the Acorns ; the Leaves and
Ba k of this and all the following Oaks are of a very
Binding Nature, and may fueeefsfuly be ufed to flop all
k.« a of Fluxes, the Salt isDiuretick, and the Wood of
fome are of the fame Ufes and Virtues with Guajaatm;
as is manifeft in its cure of the Taws and other Diforders.
In moft of all the Oaks, grows a long Mofs, whereof
the Cattle and Deer are very fond, which I have already
mentioned.

The Whie ScaleyBark Oak', this is ufed as the former
in building Sloops, Brigantines, Ships, and other Vef-
felli of Burthen. And though it bears a larger Acorn,
yet it never grows to the bulk and height of the fo&mer.
LTms kind oi Oak is found generally growing on dry
.Ha *w

'

6o

The Natural HISTORY of

fliff Lands, and is fo called from the Scaly broken White
Bark wh;cn covers the Tree. This and the former
produce gooa Man rn Swine to feed on.

The Red Oak fomeumei ferows very large and lofty in
good Land, buc it is not ufed as the tormcr in building
of Vvilels, being a very Porous Timber, and not du-
rable, yet it is fometimes ufed for Pipe Staves, and makes
goou Fences and Clap-Boards, which are the only ufe
maae 01 ic.in this C untry j it is fo called from the red.
nelsof itsWoci 1c produces good Maft- for Swine.

Tie Spanijb Oak has a whinifh fmooth Bark, grows
preuv arge in wet low Ground, and is very free from
Limbs j B ughs 5 it is durable Wood, and very eafy to
fplit, therefore fome ufe to build Veffels with it, it affords
good Plank, Clap-Boards, Rails, for Fences, and alfo
excellent good Maft. for Swine ; the Bark of this Tree is
ufed for the Cure of the Taws,

The Bajtard-Spanijh-Oak is betwixt the Red and Spa-
nifi-Oak, it is non as durable a* the former, but makes
good Rails for .Fencing, and Clap-Boards, and is very
good Wood for the Fire, this being all the Ufe that is
made of it at prefent; itlikcwife bears a very good Maft
for Swine to feed on.

ThtBlack-Oal grows large, and is durable; Wood una
der Water ; itisfeldom made ufe of in building Ships,
bur is fometimes ufed in Houfe-Work ; it bears as good
Maft as any of the former for Swine. ■

The White-Iron, or Ring-Oak, is fo called from the du-
rability andlafting quality of the Wood,* this Wood is
found to be one of the belt Oaks we have in this Coun-
try, or in Amenta, for Pipe- flaws and Building of all
kind of Ships ,• it is as large as the former, grows on dry
Lands, and feldom fails of producing a good Crop of
Awns^

The

North CAROLINA.

61

The Turkey-Oak, fo called, from the fmall Acorns it
bears, which arc fweet, and eat like the Acorns of the
Cheftnut-Oaky on which the Wild Turkies feed, and are
very fat in the Scafon ; this Wood is only ufed for Fir-
ing and Fences, not being fo durable as the former are.

The Live-Oaky fo called, rrom its being Green all the
Year, it grows on dry fandy Ground, and is the moft du-
rable Oak in all America, but it is fhort, and will not
afford Plank of any confiacrable Length* therefore unlit
to Duild Ships with. There are iome few Trees that
will afford a Stock of twelve Feet, but it being fo very
firm and weighty, they never make ufe of it upon thefe
Occalions, moreover the Wood being fo very hard, the
Sawyers feldom attempt the -cutting of it: It is obfer.
vable,that a Nail being once driven into it, it is next to.
ammpoffibility to draw it out again,- the Limbs there-
of are fo cured, that they ferve for excellent Timbers,
and Knees and makes the beft Trunnels of any Oak in
the World for Ships and Veflels of any fort ; the A-
corns thereof are as fweet as any Che/nuts, and the Indians
draw an Oil from them as fweet and palatable as that
from the Olive, though of an Amber Colour ; with
thefe Acorns fome have counterfeited and made Chocolate
not to be diftinguifhed by a good Palate ; this Wood
makes excellent Window Frames, Mallats, and Pins for
Blocks. They are of an indifferent quick growth;
there are two forts of this Oak, and Swine that feed ora
its Acorns, are excellent fine Pork.

The Frefi Water Oak, grows in Ponds of frefh Water1
in Swamps by the River fides, and in low Grounds over-
flown with Water, they continue Green all the Year j
there is little or no ufe made of it, except for Fire or
Fences.

The

'

62 The Natural HISTORY of

The Cyprefs is not an Ever-green in Carolina, and is
therefore called the Bald Cyprefs, becaufe the Leaves dur-
ing the Winter Seafon turn Red, and do not recover their
verdure till the Spring. Thefe Trees are the talleft and
thickeft of any we have in this Part of the World ; fome
of them being above thirty Six Feet in circumference ;
the Nuts which thefe Tiees bear yield a moil odorife-
rous Balfam, that moft effectually cures all new and green
Wounds , Gonorrhoea's, and old Gleets, and bc'ng d.s'ik
with Alicanty itop all kinds of fluxes of Blood, and con-
folidate Ulcers in ftubborn Bodies, and dry up excefiive
Moiftures, and cure Ruptures, Polypus, Carbuncles, and
many other dif >rders. Tne Planters and Indians molt
commonly make their Pe iaugers and Canoes of this
Wood, with which they pafs over large Creeks and E~ys,
toTranfport their Lumber from one River to a^orher;
fome of thefe Periaugers are fo large that they will ca«ry
thirty or iorty Barrels of Pitch or 'Jar in them, though
of one entire Piece of Timber , fome trace m them to
Virginia and other Places along the Coaft, wuh Pork
and other Productions of the Country.- Of thefe Trees
arelikewife made curious Boats for Flexure and otucr
Neceffary Crafts ,• this Wood is very laiiiug and free
from the Rot by the Worms in the Water, wnich ottea
ruin many Veflfels and Boats made of Oak and other
Wood, which I {hall defcribe in its proper Place, when
J treat of thofe Infects : It is reported that no. Moth or
other Vermine will abide in a Cneft made of this Wood.

The Pine-Tree, whereof there are four funs, if ot
more. The Pitch-Pine is a very large fair Tree, free
from Boughs or Branches, 'till you come near the top,
and continues green all the Year like the Jur-7reet it's
Timber is much redder than the former, and it's Leaves
narrower, fhortcr. and more (harp pointed like the Pine\

their

North CAROLINA.

their Fruit is Scaly , the Bark of the Tree is blacker,
toucher, and more flexible than that: of the Fir-Tree* The
Wood of this Tree being fo full of Bitumen , or Turpentine,
and is fo durable, that it feems to fufter no decay, though
expofed to all Weathers, or lying upon the Ground or
in me Water for many Agesj and is ufedin many do-
meflicks Affairs. Tfhis Tree affords four excellent Com-
modities, viz. Turpentine, Tar, Pitch} and Rojin, how*
they are made, 1 flij.ll treat of in another Place.

The White and Yellow- Pine, grow to be very large Trees
much arter the fame form with the former, but it's Leaves
are larger, and the Wood is not fo full of Turpentine,
therefoie imre eafy to be iawed, it affords excellent
good Plank for Building, and feveral other ufes, they
make Ma(is% Yards, and feveral other NecefTaries of this
Vimi being the moft uferu! Tree in the Woods.

The Almond- line, this laft bears Kernels in the Apple,
tailing much like Almonds; for which Reafon it is fo
call'd, it much rekrrblcs the former in bignefs and grow-
eth, is ufed tor Mofts, Boards^ Piles, Femes, and feveral
Other things.

The Dwarf-Pine, feldom exceeds above Seventeen Feet
high, and is therefore of lirtle or no ufe, except for (hew,
being an. Ever-green, as all the reft are. There are many
Virtues afcribed to the Produce of thefe Trees (which
they rightly deferve) not only in external, but internal
Difordet s, which are well known amongft us.

The Cedar, whereof there are two forts, the Red and
the White. The Red Cedar js encompaffed with a vait
number of Branches, which grow gradually lefler and
fhorter, as they approach the top of the Tree, fo that
ii grows exactly in the Form of a Pyramid. The Leaves
are fmall and round like rhofe of the Pine Tree, but
Alerter and not fo iharp pointed ? k bearech Berries ail

times

'

64 The Natural HISTORY/

times of the Year, which are fweet and pleafant to eat;
ic is a moil beautiful Ever-green, and is here in great
Plenty. Thofe near the Salts grow generally on Sand
Banks, and that in the Frefhes is found in the Swamps
and low wet Grounds. It is a (ok Wood like Firr, and
of a reddifh Colour, but hardens in procefs of time ; of
this Wood, Tables, Wainfcot, and other Neceffaries are
made, 'tis efleemed for its fweet fcent, and it is as du-
rable and lading a wood as any we have in Carolina j it
is much ufed in Pofls for Houfes and Sills, as alfo to
build Sloops, Boats, (frc. by reafon the Worms will not
touch it, though it remain in the Water, or upon Land,
for fevcral Years. Of this Cedar, Ship loads ray be ex-
ported, and it was formerly fo very plentiful and com-
mon in this Province, that they have fenced large Plan-
tations with it; the Coffins for the Dead are frequently
made of it, by reafon of its lading Quality, the Wood
of this Tree is profitable againft the French Pox, and an
infufion in Vinegar helps Scabs and other cutaneous Dif-
orders.

The White Cedar, fo called i becaufe it nearly ap-
proaches the other Cedar in Smell, Bark, and Leaves,
only this grows taller, is exceeding flreight, very light,
and free to fplit s It is tough and durable, and makcth
good Yards, Top-mafls, Boms, and Boltfprits, the beft
Shingles for Houfes, Pails, and other Vcfiels, neceffary
for feveral ufes, arc made of it's Woodf with the Bark
and the Red Cedar, the Indians moft commonly ufc to
make their Cabbins of, which proves firm, and reMs all
Weather.

The Tulip Trees, which are called by the Planters
Poplars, as being neareft in grain to that Wood. Thefc
Trees grow exceeding large and tall, fome being found
Twenty one Foot and more in circumference as I have

frequently

North CAROLINA.

65

frequently feen in many places in this Province. And I
have been informed, that iome are found ten Feet Dia-
meter ; fevcral or thefe Trees bear a white Tulip, and o-
thers aparty-colour'd one : The Wood makes handfome
Wainfcot Tables j Shingles for Houfes, and Planks for
feveral ufes; it is very durable and lafting under Ground;
and in the Water. The Planters frequently make an
Oynrment of the Buds, which is excellent good to cure
all manner of Inflamations, Scalds and Burns ,* The
Cattle are fond of its Buds, which gives a very oddtaite
to the Milk.

The A/pen Trees are the fame here as in Europe, but
are fcarcely to be found in this Province j the Bark is
•uled inwardly in the Sciatica, and other Rheumatiek Dif-
6rders,"and in the Strangury, but the Leaves being taken
inwardly, are faid to caufe Barrenefs.

The Afb Tree, whereof we have two forts r the ftrffi"
is only like the European in the Grain of the Wood, for
it differs from ours m the leaves and the Bark, and
Keys, it bears none ; the Wood is very tough, but there
is little ufe made of of it at prefent. The fecond fort is
what they, call in thefe Parts by the Name of the Water-
jifi, and differs from the former by only being brittel
and the Bark is food for the Beaver s, both thefa'iorts of
A(h grow in wet low Swampy Grounds, and on-' the'
Banks of the Rivers.

The Sycamore Tree grows in low and Swampy Land,"
and by River fides ; the Bark is quite different from ours,
but very beautiful,, being mottled and clouded with feve-
ral Colours, as White Blue, &c. The Leaves of this
Tree are exa&ly of the form and fhape with thofe in
Europe ; Keys it bears none3 but a Bur like the fweet
Gum, or the Chefnut, but its Grain is fine and beauti-.
fiailf mottled with variety of Colour^ and is made ufe
I ' 4

'

66

The Natural H IS T O R T of

of for feveral domeftick NecefTaries, fuch as Wainfcot,
Tables, Chairs, Trenchers, Bifhes, Slocks for Guns^
a- ci the like. The Buds or" this Tree boiled and applyl
ed, help the hardnefs of the Spleen, and other hard Swel-
lings,- the Fruit loofens the Belly, and the Tears that iifue
out of the Tree in Spring, the biting of Serpents.

The Beech Tree is frequently to be met with very
large, whereof there are two forts ; the firft. is much the
faros as in Europe, and is in plenty all over this Province,
but is li tele regarded or made ufe of, only for Fire-wood,
not being'durable Timber, yet affords plenty of Sweet
Ma ft tor Swine, which makes the -Pork very oily, except
it be hardneti with Indian Corn before it is killed or
made' ufe of.

There is another fort of Beech found here in feveral
places called Buck-Beech, and differs little from the former,
only m the Bark and Leal there is fome fmall difference,
and the Tree is generally not fo large. The Leaves
i -p^lied, help Swellings, Bnfters, and Excoriations of the
Skin ; the Juice that eomes out of the Tree bored, is ex-
cellent agamft Scruffs, Tetters, Ring-worrrrs, Scabs, and
lore Mouths; the Kernel of the Nut helps the Gravel
and Stone in the Kidneys, fo doth the Allies.

The Elm Tree, whereof are two forts, the. firft grows
on high Ltfnds, and is like the European Elm. The Indians
take the Bark of the Root of this Tree, and beat it to a
Pulp "'---vhiilt frefh, and then dry it in the Chimney, with
which they heal a Cut or green Wound, very fpeedily.
The other kind of Elm grows in wet or low Ground's,
and differs but little from the former, only the Bark is fo
very tough, that the Europeans and Indians make Ropes of
it for feveral ufes, which they ftrip of in April or May,
when the Sap begins to run, this they can do with
the greateft cafe imaginable at that time5 there being flieh

plenty

North CAROLINA.

67

plenty jof other valuable Timber, there is little or no
other ufe made of k at prelent. The Decoction of the
Barte and Leaves of the Elm is of a cleanfing, drying, and
binding Quality, and therefore good in Wounds and bro-
ken Bones; the Liquor that ififueth out of the Tree takes
away Scruff, Pimples, Spots and Freckles from the Face;
one Ounce of the inner-Bark in Wine, Purges Flegm.

The Mulberry Tree, whereof there are three forts
here, befide the different bignefs of fome Trees Fruit.
The firft is the common red Mulberry , whofe Fruit- is
long and taper at the Ends, and is the earlieft in this'
Province (except the Strawberries) they are fweet and
lufcious, the Planters make ufe of their Fruit (which is
above an Inch long) inflead of Raifons and Currents, for
feveral Difhes; they yield a tranfpa'rent'Crimfoti Liquor,.
which I do not doubt would make good Wine, if ths
Planters Inclination tended that way : The Parakee-
ts and other Fowl feed upon the Fruit m the Sea fori,
and like wife the Hogs, as they drop from the Trees,
Thefe Trees grow to be very large, and make the moft
delightful and pleafant Shades to fit under in the Sum-
mer, of any in thefe Parts of America, by their large
Boughs fpreading at great diflances^and growing as
.round as any I have ever feen; you fhali fee in moil: of
their Plantations, and efpecially near their Dwelling
Heufes, thefe pleafant Arbours.

The other two forts bearafmoorh Leaf fit for the
Silk-work ; the firlt of thefe bear a white Mulberry, which
is common : The fecond bearsa Fruit like a fmall Blae-
berry which is very fweet; the Wood of thefe Trees are
very durable and tough, and when the Indians can*t get
the Locufl Tree, they ufe this, to make their Bows with.
Thefe Trees grow extraordinary round, and pleafant to
the Eye, as any in thefe Parts, the Fruit, Leaves, and
I % ; Bark*

'

The Natural HISTORY of

Barkc are ufed in Gqrgarifms for fore Throats and the
looth-acb.

The Htckery Trees are or the Wallnm kind, and bears
a Nut as they do, whereof there are three forts, viz.* the
Common white, the red, and the flying Bark'd.

The common or white Hickery grows tollerably large5
but is not a durable Wood, for if it be cut down and
cxpofed to the Weather, it will be quite rotten and
fpoiled in three Years *(as will likewife the Beech of this
Country) but it is very tough, eafy to fplit, and ma-
keth the beft Hoops I have leen. It bears a Nut much
like the WaU-nut of this Country, with a Husk about it,
but of an Oval Form i the Kernels are fweet, good to
eat, and make Oil ■; the Hogs feed plentifully on them
In the Seafop, by which means they become Fat, and
paake excellent Pork0

' The Indians gather great Quantities of thefe Nuts, and
the Black Wail-nuts (being ripe in Autumn) which they
prelerve and lay up in Stores for the Winter Seai-
pn, whereof they make feveral Difhes and Banquets ;
this is generally done after the following Manner, they
take thefe Nuts and break them very fmall between
two Stones, unUl the Shells and Kernels are indifferent
fmall, and this Powder they preient to Strangers upon
little Wooden Pifhes , the Kernel difolves in, the
Mouth, the Shell is fpit out? and taftes as well as Al-
monds. They likewife thicken their Venifon Broath
with this Powder, whilft the Shell precipitates and re-
mains at the bottom , making it very rich and agreeable
inTafle; thefe Nuts have much the fame Virtues with
the Wall-nuts.

The {ted Hickery^ is fo called, from the Heart thereof
being red, firm, and durable, whereof are made walk-
Sng-fticks, Mortars,, Peft ils, and feveral other fine Turn-
ers ■

North CAROLINA.

69

crs Ware. Both thefe forts arc Plenty in this Province^
and are the beft Fire-woid they have.

The third fort is called the Flying BartCd Hicktvy^
frow its bride aud fcaly Bark : It bears a Nut with a
bitter Kernel, and a foft Shell ; of this Wood they make
Coggs for Mills, and fever al other Neceflaries: The
Leaves of all thefe forts of Hkkery have a fragrant fmell,
and are much like our Wall-nut in Europe,

The Black Wall-nut Trees are plenty and large in this
Province, and the Wood firm and durable, whereof
beautiful Wainfcot Tables, Chefts of Drawers, and fe-
veral other Neceflaries are made. Some of this Wood
is very Knotty, but fine Grain'd, and partly of the 'Co-
lour of the Yew Tree 5 it is fo durable, that fome have
bottom'd Ships with it, it is likewife reported that it is
never eaten by Worm's bred in the fait Water. The
Kernels of thefe Nuts are good to eat, but after fome
time they grow rank and oily. It grows exa&ly in the
fhape of the European Wall-nut, but the Shell is much
thicker and harder, as moft of the native Nuts of America,
are. This Fruit is very agreeable and pleafant to eat 1
when it begins to grow ripe and hath its yellow Husk
or Coat on, it looks exa&ly like a Lemon. The old
Hogs feed plentifully on thefe Nuts, which make them
fat, and good Pork, but the young Swine are not able
to crack them, fo that great quantities lye under the
Trees. It is called the Black Wall-nut from its black
Barck, to diflinguifh it I fuppofe from the other Mckery,
whereof it is a Species,

The Ches-nut Tree in this province grows moilly tc£
ward the Heads of the Rivets, and hilly parts of the
Country ; it is large and durable Wood, and is ufeful in
building of Houfes and many other Conveniences. The
Kilt of the Ckes~mt Tree is (mailer thap the European^

but

/jo The Natural HISTORY 0/

but much f#eeter and better reliih'd; they have the Vit>
tues or Almonds and Hazle-nuts, but more nourifhing,
the Leaves or Bark of the Tree boiled in Wine are good
againft the Bloody Flux, and all other kind of Fluxes.

. The hweet-Gum Tree, fo called, from the fweet and
fragrant Gum it yields in the Spring, by making an In-
cifion in the Bark and Wood. It cures the Herps, Tettars,
Incarnations, Morphew, and many other cutaneous Dif-
jorders ; It is likewife a foveraign galfarn for feveral in-
ternal Diforders, as J have often experienced ; it bears a
Leaf partly like the Afpeji Tree, a round Bur; vvith a
kind of Prickle like the fforfi Cbefnut, wherein is con-
tained the Seed j fcarce any Wood has a finer or better
Grain, being very durable, and is frequently made ufe of
for Tables, Drawers, &c.

The Black Gum Tree, whereof there are two forts ;
the firlt. bears a black Berry well tafted, which the Indians
commonly mix with their Pulfe, and the kind of Soups
they make, to which it gives a pretty flavour, and
Scarlet Colour s The Bears crop thefe Trees for their
Fruit, of which they' are very fond, yet if they are kiii'd
at that Seafon, they eat unfavoury, which no doubt is
occafioned by their eating thofe Berries, for at other
times, when they feed on Beech and other Maft, their
Flefh is well tafted and good Faqd.

The fecond fort bears a Berry in fhape like the for-
mers buc bitter and ill tailed. This Tree the Indians re-
port is never hurt or wounded By Lightning, as other
Trees generally are. It has no certain Grain, and it is
almoft impoffible to fplit* it for Ufe j from whence I am
perfuaded the Indians took this Notion, that it is never
hurt as above, from its being fo very difficult to Iplit.

The White Gum Tree bears a fort of Jong bunched
Flowers., and is a beautiful knotted and curled Wood2

$nd

North CAROLINA.

It

and maketh curious Furniture of feveral kinds, if wrought
by skillVul Artifts.

The Locu.fl Tree bears a Leaf like the Liquorijb Plant,
and has large and long Prickles (like the Hawthorn Tree,
but as long as the Quills of a Porcupine) in the Boughs and
Body of the Tree: It is the molt durable Wood we
have, and is made choice of for all forts of work that is
cxp'ofed to thejs Weather; it grows pretty tall and large,
there are two forts of it, the White and the Yellow, it
bears Cods like Kidney-Beam, but much larger, wherein
arc contained fome few Seeds, and a certain Juice et
Subftance as thick and fweet as Honey, but of a dark
brownifh Colour. Of this Tree the Indians make thek
choifeft Bows, being tough and flexible ; the Fruit of
this Tree is much of the fame Virtues and Ufcs with
Honey.

The Honey Tree is fo like the Locufli that there is feared
any Difference between them, Onty the Honey Tree is more
' prickley than the formers and are a Species of the Locufi
though call'd by different Names ; it bears long Cods
like the former wherein is contained the Seeds and the:
Honey. This Tree grows as large as the Loctffi, and will
bear iri five Years from the time of Planting ; they were
firft brought here'by the Indian Traders, and propog^led
by their Seed, but from what part of America is not
known :. Thefe Trees, if planted, would make the befib
of Hedges, being very prickley/and of quick growth \ t
have ieen Orchards of thefe Trees in Virginia^ where
excellent Metheglin is made of their Fruit, they fome-
times boil it to the eonfiftance of Honey, and ufe it aftct
the fame manner. *

The Service Tree groweth to be very large, and bear-
eth long Leaves like thofc of the Afa Tree; the Flowers
grow in great Gutters, anj, are of awhiuft Colour, after

whicfi

72 The Natural HISTORYo/

which coneforch fmall Berries, iomewhat long, which
arc unpleafant to the Tafte, 'till they have lain 'by for
fomc time, then they become fofcand mellow; they are
in tafte and operation like the Medlar, but feldom made
life of but by the Indians the Planters, not regarding them:
The Leaves are aftringent, and (tap Fluxes, and the
Fruitis cooling, drying, and binding, (cfpecialiy when
they are hard, and not altogether ripe) they flop Fluxes
in the Beliy,and all other kind or Fluxes/ they Strength-
en the Stomach, flop vomicii^g, and outwardly heal
Wounds, being dry 'd and made into Powder.

The Bitch Tree is plentiful in this Province, but ge-
nerally towards the Freihes on the Banks and Heads of
the Rivers, but never aear the Sale Water ; it differs
fomething in the Bark from the European Birch, and the
Leaves arc fharper and fmaller ; it buds in April, and the
Parakeetoes. come from all Parts to feed on them at. that
Scafon- Where this Wood grows there are no Planta-
tions; the Leaves are cleanfing, difolve and purge watry
Humours, help Droplies and Stone in the Bladder, the
Aftes of the Bark is effectual to heal fore Mouths, and
take a\vay*>cabs. The Mujhrooms are binding and cure
the Piles, the Tears are pi caf ant to drmjc and quench
jftyrft.

The AMerTteegxom in wet low Grounds near the
Freflies and heads of the Rivers* but is not common a-
mongft the Planters, or near the Salt- Water ; this Tree
Is fo well known amongft us, that it would be needlefs
to defcribe it. The Bark and Twigs are much ufed by
the Planters in dying Wool arid Cloath black; the Wood'
is foft, but durable and lafting in, the Ground or Water,'
makes good Piles, and other NecefTaries, the Leaves and'
Bark are cooling and binding, and ufed in hot Swellings
m Ulcers in the Body*

North CAROLINA

73

The Laurel Tree is plenty all over this Province, and
grows in low and fwampy Ground, in height and bignefs
equalizing the lofty Oaks ; the Planters dye a yellow
Colour with the Leaves aod Berries of this Tree, the
Wood is not durable in the Weather, yet fervesfor feveral
Ufes when kept dry, its Virtues are doubtful, yet it is
faid to provoke Vomit, and bring down the Mmfes.

The Afcopo is a Tree,fo Called by the Indians, very' like
the Laurel in its Leaves, the Barkis of a hoc fpiey Na-
ture, much like the Cagi&ignca ; I never faw this Tree ^
growing, but the Indian who procured me a Branch of
it aflured me, that they are plentifully to be met with at
the Heads of the Rivers, and near the Mountains, and
that they grow pretty large.

The Bay Tree delights to grow in the fame Ground
with the Laurel, it is a beautiful Ever-green, the Wood of
this as well as the Laurel, are of little ufe only for Fire,
and is plenty all over this Province ; the Berries yield a
Wax whereof they make Candles, which id burning af-
ford a pleating fmell, befides it is ufeful iri Chirurgcry,
the Leaves are of a bitter aftringent Nature, but grateful
to the Stomach, and refifts Vomiting i when made into a
Pulfe, help all Inflamations, the flinging of Bees, and
other vencmous Beads, the Bark of the Root in Rhenifi
Wine provokes Urine, opens ObftrudionSj cures Drop-
lies and Jaundice, but kills the P*m ; the Berries expel
Wind and safe all manner of Pains proceeding from Cojd,
therefore good in the Cholrck, Palfies, CotivuKions, Ep>i«
lepfies, and many other Difordersj fome have the Leaves
tu'n'd up with Beer, which makes it plcafant and grate-
ful to the Stomach.

The Briy Tulip Tree is another beautiful Ever-green,
is very common, and grows in the fame Ground with the
former $ its Virtues are uncertain, neither have I known
&nj txfc taxis of it* - -.

74

Tb* Natural HISTORY of

The Horn-beam Tree, grows in foiie places in this
Province both plentiful and large, the Leaves are like
thofe of the Elm or Wucb Hazelnut tenderer ; the Tim-
ber or the Tree becomes fo fhong, durable, and hard, in
procefs of time, that it may rather be compared to a
Horn than Wood, trom whence it took toe Name Horn-
beam, or Hard-beam; it is excellent for making Arrows,.
Puliies, Shafts for Mills, and many other Nccefiaries ,*•
yet is little regarded, or made ufe of, by reafon of the
great plenty of other Wood in thofe parts ; there may
be an Oil drawn from it, which'is of excellent ufe in the
cure of the Fnmh Pm.

The; Maple Treey of which there are two forts, the
firft has" an exceeding white Grain, and generally grows
in the plain and champion Country j the fecond has a
much harder and more curled Grain, and grows in the
Hilly and Mountainous parts; Both thefe forts are large,
with a fmoocii Bark, great Boughs, and Leaves much
like thofe of the Vine, hanging by long reddifh Stalks,
which make delightful and refrefh-ing Shades to fit un-
der from the* Heat of the Sun i- The Flowers which
are of a whitiib- green. Colour,. -hang in Clutters, after
which come forth long, Fruit reiembling the Wings of
Grafs hoppers i with white and, little Kernels in them : Of
this" Wood is made Wainfcots,*.T'ablcs, Trenchers, Difh-
es,. Spinning- wheels, and. phe like ; the Leives.andTvoots
are Axiringent, Hop all forts of Fluxes, and. the Root
helps Pains of the fides and Liver* ... ..

The l-erfimon Tree agrees with all Lands, ind Soils,
they are common on "all-Plantations, the Fruit when ripe
is neareft to our Medlar, It is one of the ?reateft- Aitrin-
gents i have ever met wi.rh, ivr ifeaten, orchew'd before
It is Hpe, it draws the Mouth up like a Eurfe. The
Fruit- when ripe, being apply 5d to a Foul /wound, pre-
sently

North CAROLINA.

1$

fently cleanfes it, but caufes exquifite Pain; The Fruit
foon rocs after it is ripe, and contains four fiat Stones,
reiembling thole or the Tamarinds. Trie Planters make
Beer of its Fruit, which they call Ptrjhncn Beer. There
are two forts of this Fruit, the one ripe in Summer, and
the other not before the tftoft vifits thofe ''-.res, thefe
Tres iometimes grow ro t n o Feet diametei ! 3&ie make

mviaha, or /<?-

ule of the Bark, miu

inat tnaL

bark

£««.

ri-

ot

/«/'** 2fo/£, for Agues', and it h i:.
is from thePerfimonTrze in A^w-

The A'^ Tree, where if there are two forts, one with
a latge Leaf, and ^he ot
rally are to be met with i
are in plenty, and grow
(dom feen any ufe ns ide
plenty of much better,
good in the Chotick, for «
ly, purge ftrongly by !
made ofthe Bark, behij : ;
Wounds, cafes ?1. marine

Nerves, but if .takea inwardly, if is mortal, for it glues
the Ii. trails together, fo that the paiTages of the, Ex-
crements are jhtirciy fhut up.

The Lhmkaun Tree is a kind of a Chsfnut, and very
plentiful, they ":n-«r great quantities of Nuts which arc
lefs than a HhzJe-Mft, and of a Piramedial Form, they
are in Tafte i ke a Ckefmt, but Iweeter : It's Hut has
a Husk or Bur about it like the former, which opens when
it is ripe, io that the Fruit falls to the Ground, which
is good reeding for Hogs, making them fat and excellent
Pork. The Grain of the Wood and the Leaves on the
Trees are very like the Chefnut, but the Timber is not
fo large, yet it is ufed to Timber Boats, Shallops, &c.
and makes any thing that is to endure the Weather ;
K 2 thit

with a iin;lier, they gene-
<ti vet Grounds ; both forts
Eft • ge, ye^ i have fel-
?ir h 10 I there being (v,ch
Be :: Ben r- are fai S to be
:welve being takf ~ ard-
. The Bjrdl tit hich is
ed P afterwife, coilfolidates
fans, and ftrengthens the

76

The Natural HISTORY of

this and the Hkkery are very tough Rods to whip Hor?
fcs with, yet this Wood is in Subftance very brittle.
This Tree the Vine delights to twift about, it is good
Fire- wood, but very fparkling as well as the Sajfajras ;
the Nut or Kernel of this Tree has much the fame Vir-
tues with thofe of the Chefnut, but more binding, and
are of excellent uie to flop Fluxes.

The Sajfafras is very common, and grows large, its
Wood being fomctimes above two Feet over, 'tis durable
andlaftingfor Bowls, Timber Pods for Houfes,and other
thipgs ti at require ftanding in the Ground, notwith-
ftanding it is very brittle and light, it hath a pleafant fmell.
The Leaves are of two forts, fome long and fmooth, the
others indented about the edges (efpecially thofe grow-
ing at the top o f the Branches) ibmetimes like thofe of the
Fig-tree, it bears afmall white Flower, which is.cleanf-
Ing to the Blood, if eaten in the Spring with other Salat-
sng; it likewife bears afmall Berry, which when ripe,
Is black and very oily, Carminative, and extreamly preva-
lent in Coughs : The Bark and Root help moil Oifeafes
proceeding from Obftru&ions, and of lingular ufe in Diets
for the French Pox5 it ftrengthens the whole Body, cures
Barrennefs, and is a Specifick to thofe afflicted with the
Gripes, or deductions of Rheum ; the fame in Powder,
and ftrong lotions being made thereof, is much ufed by
the Savage Indians, to mundify old Ulcers, and feveral
other ufes; it is a beautiful and odoriferous Ever-green,
makes a delightful and fragrant Fire, but very fpark-
ling.

The IVMow Tree differs from the European, both in
Bark and Leaves, but the Grain is not to be diftingqiflh-
ed from the former, and is commonly to be met with
growing on the River fides, and Banks of frefh Water,
as the Birch does.

The

North CAROLINA.

11

The Black Wild Cherry Tree, grows common in the
Woods in feveral places, and efpecially on light Lands, to
be very large, the Leaves and Grain are like thofeof the
European Black Cherry, in May they are in their Bloom
ot Flowers, at whiph time they appear all over as white
as a Sheet ; it bears fmall black Cherries, in prodigious
Quantities, which are ripe in June, the Parakeeto\
Wild Tutkies, Swine, and feveral other Beaft and Birds
feed upon them, at that time. Thefe Cherries are very
fweet and well tailed, and are better for making of Cherry
Brandy than any I have ever met with in Europe, yield-
ing a fine Colour, and mod grateful Flavour to the
Brandy, and have the fame Virtues with the European
Cherries.

The Red Cherry Tree, is very fcarce, and rarely to be
met with, it's Virtues and Ufes are much the fame of
thefe with us.

The }tfild Vlum Tree, whereof there are two forts,
\i not more, one is much fooner ripe than the other^
and differ in the Bark, one being very Scaley like the
American Birch, aud the other lmooth, thefe Trees are
in great plenty in thefe Parts, and efpecially amongft
the Indians, who arc very fond of them. Thefe Trees
when they are in BlofTom, frcell as fweet as any Jeff amine,
and look as white as a Sheet, but are fomething Prick-
ly, you may make them grow to what Shape you pleafe ;
they are very Ornamental about a Houfe, and make a
pleafant fight in the Spring with their beautiful white
Liverys : Their Fruit is red, and very cooling and
palatable to the fick ; they are of a very quiel$ growth,
and bear in five Years from the Stone. The Englijb large
Black Plumb, , thrives well, as does the Cherry, being grafted
thereon ; this Fruit is in great Requefl amongft. the Indi~
am, which they {©metimes dry and preferve for the
^Winter. J^here

"'

^8 The Natural HISTORY/

There is another fort of Plum, about the bignefs of. a
Damfon, the Tree is but fmall, and feldom exceeds ten
Inches in thicknefs, the Plum has a very phyfical taite,
what may be its Virtues is doubtful, but this I am fen-
fible of, that when it is chew'd in the Mouth, it is apt
t© make that part fore j the Wood is fomething porous,
but exceeds the Box tor it's fine yellow Colour.

The Damfon Tree, whereof there arc two forts, the
black and the white, and are about the bignefs or our
European Damfons, they grow any where if planted from
the Stone or Slip, they bear a whitiih Bloflbm, and are
a good Fruit, they are found growing in great plenty
on the Sand-Banks, and all along the Coaft, they never
grow large, but are plentiful Bearers. The Fruit of
this and the Plum Trees are very cooling and good in
Fevers.

ThzFig Tree, is to be met with growing wild in fomc
parts of this Province, and efpetialiy near the Moun-
tains, the Fruit of this is but fmall, notwithstanding the
Tree grows to be very large. The Leaves and Fruit
are good to dififolve and wafte all hard Kernels and fcro-
phulous Tumors*

The hawthorn, or white IhomTret, of thefe there are
two forts, the fii ft is exactly the fame with ours in Ire-
land, and grows commonly near the Frefhes and heads of
Rivers, but never near the Salt Waters. The fecond
fort grows plentifully in fome parts of this Province, the
Fruit, or Haws, are quite different from thofe with us
being considerably larger and longer, and of a very agre-
ablc tafie. Thefe Trees are near as large as the European,
but have few or no Prickles : There is no ufe made of
the Timber, neither do they plant this or the other in
ikedg if, hecauie Timber i* fo plenty at prefent. The
Reaves, Flowers, and Haw*, are very binding, therefore

good

North CAROLINA.

19

good to flop all kinds of Fluxes; the Powder ol the
Scone drank in Rbenijb (Vine, is of very great kcviCc in
the Stone, Gravel, and Dropfie.

The Black Thorn, or Sloe Tree grows plentifully in fe-
veral parts of this Province, (and is a Slender Tree about
the bignefs of our Hazel) but is quite different from our
Sloe Tree in Ireland, the Fruit being generally twice as
large and as long as ours ; this is of a more aftringenr or
binding Nature than the former. The Bark of this Tree
being dryed and made into a fine Powder, ana apply'd
to inveterate old Sores (and efpecially in the Legs) very
fpeedily cleanfes and drys them up, and is one of the beft
Remedies on thofe occafions, I have ever met with.

The Dog-wood Tree, grows very plentifully in this
Province, on light and rich Grounds, the Trunk or Body
whereof, is covered with a rough Bark of a ruflet Colour
with fome Pith in the middle, like that of Elder. It
flowers the firft in the Woods, of any Tree in this Pro-
vince, making the Forreft very beautiful at that Seafon;'
it bears a white BloiTom in the Months of February and
March, touch like the wild Rofe. The Leaves are fullof
Nerves or Sinews, in form like thofe of Plantain, of &
loathfome fmeli and bitter tafte. Some of thefe Trees
are ten or twelve Inches diameter, and have a very fine
and beautiful Grain, and fcrves for feveral ufes within
Doors, but is not durable, being expofed to the Weather*
. The Bark of the Root of this Tree, is frequently made
uje of by way of Infuiion, and given to Children tokill
the Worms | thefe being the only ufe made of it at pre-
fent.

The Sugar Tree grows very beautiful and high, ; with

a fmooth Bark and large fpreading Branches, which

. make an excellent Shade to fit under in the extremity

of hot Weathers The Leaves are v&ry large and broad

like

"'

8o

The Natural HISTORY of

like thofc of the Vine, but I never obferved any Flowers
or Fruit growing on it, k> can't fatisfie the Reader as to
that Point. It is of a very tedious growth, and is com-
monly to be met with at the heads or" Rivers, and near
the Mountains, but no where elfe. The Indians tap k
at certain Seafons of the Year, and place Gourds to it to
receive the Liquor, and when they have got a fufficienc
quantity of Juice, they boil it to the confidence or Sugar,
which is as iweet, and fcrves for the fame ufe, but what
other Virtues, oc Ufes, it may be indued with, I am a
Granger to.

The Hazel-nut Tree is fo well known, that it would
be needtefe to fay much on that head, it grows plentiful-
ly in fome parts of this Province, and efpccially near the
Mountains and heads of Rivers, but its Nut is not as
good as the European^ having a much thicker and harder
Shell, and fo have mod of the Fruits in America that I
have feen* The Haz,el-ntits before they are thoroughly
ripe arc an excellent Afiringent, and flop Fluxes of all
forts, a Decoction of the inner Rind of the Tree, drank
for fome Days together, is good againft the Strangury
and kill Worms,

The Papau'Tvei is not large, being only about eight
or ten Inches diameter, but has the broadeft Leaves of
any Trees! I ever faw in the Woods of Carolina ; it
bears an Apple, about the bignefs of a Hens Egg, which
contains a large Stone in it, when it is ripe it is of a
beautiful yellow colour, and as foft and fwect as any
Fruit can be. The Planters make Puddings, Tarts, and
many other Difhes or the Fruit of this Tree.

The Red hud Tree, fo called from its red Buds ; it
bears a beautiful purple Lark-bed Flower, and makes trie
mofl: agreeable and beft Sallad of any Flowers I havee-
ver fate with j- its Fruit is ripe ixvAgril and May, tfiefe

fries'

North CAROLINA.

ii

Trees are not large, feldom being above ten or twelve
Inches through. The Flowers and Fruit are very cool-
ing, and ofanaftringent Nature.

The Sorrel, or Sower-wood Tree, fo called from it's
Leaves, that tafte exa&lylike Sorrel. I have never known
any ufe's made of thefe Trees, which are but fmail, be-
ing not quite as large as the former.

The Petttory is a frriall Tree that grows in this Pro-
vince, efpecially near che Salts, Sand-b'nks, and Elands.
The Planters ufe it frequently to cure the Tooth-achs
by putting a piece of the Bark in the Mouth, which is
very hot, and caufeth much Rheum and Spittle to flow
from thence ; and as I am credibly informM, is one of
the Ingredients that the Indians ufe when they Hufquenaw
their young Men and Boys, whereof I (hall treat in it's
proper Place, when I come to defcribe the Cuftoms of
rhofe People.

The Myrtle Tree, whereof are two forts, different
in Leaf and Berry. iThele Trees grow in great plenty
in wet fwampy Grounds, about ten or twelve Feet higha
and bear fmall white Berries in great quantities, which
the Planter's Wives and Children pull in the Months of
OBober and November, at which time they are ripe, and
boil them in Water in large Fans* and fo skim off the
Wax it produces, which is of a greenifh colour (but in
procefs of time becomes white) and yields a moft fra-
grant and oderiferous fmefl. This they ft rain and make
into Cakes or Candles, which are not only very lafting,
but grateful and pleafant for Ladies to burn in their
Chambers. Some mix half Tallow with them to make
Candles, others without any mixture at all, and arc
more durable in burning than Tallow or Bees- wax; and
the beft in the World to burn in Bimcles in Ships that
pafs the Equinoctial Line, and aU exceffive hot Countries,
t, becauf®

"

"

gs

The Natural HISTORY of

becaufe they will not mek with the extieamity of the
hear, (o readily as the former. A DccoCtion of thefe
Berries cure the falling out or the Womb, Tettars,.and
Scald Heads, by fomenting the Parts, and their Syrup
is good in Coughs, and the like difordersin the Breath

The Sumach Tree grows about nine or ten Feet high,
and has tough and pliant Stalks, and Branches full of
Twigs (like Osiers) of a brownifh colour, whereon grow
Leaves that are (oft and hairy, having a red finew or ridge
growing through the midft of them, and indented all
about the edges. The Flowers which come forth in
July are of a greenifh yellow colour, and grow with the
Leaves upon long and red Stalks in clufters, after which
follow (mall reddifh Sttds in bunches like Grapes, which
are ripe in Autumn. This Plant is in very great plenty
all over this Province, but little or no ufe is made of it at
prefent. Yet it is of great value and ufe in Europe in dref-
ling Skins, and efpecially the Spamjh Leather. There are
frriall Birds that feed on it and the Myrtle Berries in the
Winter. This is one of the Ingredients ufed in the cure of
the Taws. The Leaves and Seeds ftop all kind of Fluxes,
and help the Hamorrboides, all IfTues of Blood and weak-
.nefs of the Stomach and Inteftines ,• outwardly they
refill putrefaction ; drie up running Sores, heal old Ulcers,
Gangrem, &c, the Gum put into the Teeth eafes the
Pains thereof.

The Indico Tree (which is a kind of Woad, fuch as
Dyers ufe to dye Goth) grows plentifully in this Pro-
vince, but I have never known any ufes made of it.

The Indian- Nut Tree grows to be very tall, large, and
fmooth, and free from Branches 'till you come near the
top, whereon grow Leaves like thofe of the Date, but
broad and fharp at the point as Thorns, whereof the /»-
dians make Needles, Bodkins, and many other Inftruments

for

North CAROLINA.

83

for their ufes, among thefe Leaves come forth clutters of
Flowers like thofeof the Chef-nut Tree, from whence are
produced large Fruit of an oval Form : In that end next
the Tree, are two Holes, and fometimes three quite
through the Fruit ; the outfide of this Fruit is covered
with a fubftance not unlike Hemp, or Flax, before it be
beaten foft : In the middle whereof is contain'd a great
Nut, with a very hard fhell, of a brown colour, wherein
is contained a white Kernel, firm and folid, which taftes
like an Almond; and within the Cavity or hollowing there-
of is fonnd a molt beautiful Liquor like Milk, and of
a pleafant Tafte. This Tree continues green all the Year,
the Timber, though large, is very fpungy within and hard
without. The Indians tie Ropes about thefe Trees for
more eafe in gathering the Fruit, and they fometimes
cut off tender Twigs and Branches towards the Evening,
at the ends whereof they tye Gourds to receive the Liquor
that diftills from the Branches thereof, which they drink
as Europeans do Wine, and very much cools and re-
frefhes their wearied Spirits. They fometimes make Ca-
noes or this Tree, and of the Hemp that grows on the
outfide of the Fruit, Ropes for feveral ufes ; from the Ker-
nel likewile is produced a raoft precious Oil, wherewith
the Indians anoint their feeble Limbs after long Journies,
which not only refreshes them, but likewife mitigates all
manner of Pains and Aches. The Chrift ians fometimes
diftil this Liquor, from whence is produced a flrong and
pleafant Spirit like our Aquavita, and is ufed as a great
Cordial for many Difeafes in thefe parts.

The Palmeto Tree, the Leaves whereof grow in great
Clufters, only on the tops of the Trees are long ftalks, ex-
actly in the fhape of a Fan. This Tree when it is at its
utmoft growth is about forty or fifty Feet in height, and
abowt two Feet diameter ; and it is obfsrvable that the
L 2 growth

84

The Natural HISTORY of

growth of this Vegetable is fo very flow, that it is fcarcc
perceivable in the age of Man, the EKperiment having
been often try'd in leveral places where it grows. The
Wood of it is very porous and ftringey, like fome Canes,
with the Leaves of this Tree the Bermudians make fine
Hats for Women, Baskets, and many pretty Boxes
for feveral ufes, which are tranfported to the Northern
parts ot America, where this Tree does not gow, and to
Great- Britain and Ireland, In North Carolina, this Tree
Is a Dwarfifh kind, and the Planters make or the Fans of
this Tree, Brooms to iweep their Houfes with, which is
all the ufe I havefeen them make of it.

The Hollow-Canes, on Reeds, fuch as Angling Rods are
made of, and Weavers ufe for their Reeds, grow in great
plenty in many places in this Province, efpecially in wet
low and Swampy Grounds, though there is none to be met
with to the northward of James's River mVngima. They
continue green all the Year, and are extraordinary good
Paflurage for Cattle and Horfes in the Winter, and in the
Month of March, when the Planters are obliged by the
Laws of the Country to burn off the old Grafs in their
Fields and Woods, as the Heath is burnt off the Moun-
tains in Ireland, by the Farmers in thofe Places. They
are fo very large towards the Heads of the Rivers that
one joint will hold a Pine of any Liquor. When they
grow old they bearanEar like Oats, wherein is contain'd
their Seeds, exa&ly like the Grains of Rye (which being
boiled is good Meat, and often made ufe of by the In-
dians) foon after which they decay both Root and Branch,
but the Seeds never fail to grow again. Thefe hollow
Canesare Lodgesfor vail Numbersof wild Beafts, which
the Indians frequently fet on fire to drive them out, by
which means they kill vaft Numbers of them, and you
fhail hear thefe Canes during the time that they are burn-
ing

North CAROLINA. 85

ing at a great diftance cracking and making a Nofe like
two Armies engaged, and firing at each other, which has
deceived many, fuppofing it to be the Indians coming to
War upon them.

The Arrov-Wood, fo called from the Indians making
life of it for Arrows for their Bows, and Rammers for their
Guns. It grows very ilreight, of ieveral fizes, and is
tough and pliable, as the fmalleft Canes, of which it
is a kind, and grows in great plenty on the Banks and
River-fides. It is very llrange to fee how the Indians
will harden the Points of their Arrows, and how artfully
they can fix fharp Flint Stones to them, by which
means they kill Deer, Turkies, and feveral other Beaits
and Birds.

The Prickley-A(h, is fo called from fome refemblance
it has to the Afli-Tree in its Leaves : It grows up like a
Pole, whereof the Europeans and Indians make Poles to
fet their Canoes along the Shallow Waters, it is very
light and full of Pith like the Elder, but is full of prick-
les and Thorns like the Sweet Bryar, but larger. It bears
Berries of a purple colour in large Clutters like the Alder
Tree. The Root of this Tree is Catbartick and Eme~
tick, and is frequently made ufe of in Cachexies, with
good fuccefs.

There is a kind of Prim, or Privet, that grows in this
Province on dry barren and fandy Banks, by the Sound
fide, it differs little from ours, only this bears a fmaller
fort, and grows into a round Bufh, and is beautiful to
behold, when it's Flowers are full blown. The Leaves
and Flowers are cooling and good in all Inflammations
and forenefs 06 the Eyes, Ulcers in the Mouth and
Throat, loofenefs of the Gums, and to flop Fluxes.

The Gallberry Tree is a little Shrub, fo called from its
bearing a Black-Gall or Berry, with which the Women

dye

86

The Natural HISTORY of

dye their Cloth and Yarn. It is a beautiful Ever-green,
growing plentifully in Swamps, low Grounds, and Ponds
ol freih Water; and fometimes on the Banks of the Ri-
¥ers.

The Savitte, is a low Shrub, and is plentifully to be
met with in this Province, efpecially in dry Ground and
Banks on the River fides. It beareth Leaves and Berries
Bmch like thofe of the Cedar, it is a beautiful Ever-green,
but is not as prickley, neither has it fuch a flrong fmell
as the Barren Savine that grows in our Gardens. The
Virtues of this Plant are To well known, that it world
be needleis to repeat them.

The Miffeitoe,or Miffteltoe, that grows upon the Oak,
was formerly held in great veneration amongfl: the Pagans
In their Sacrifices ; and it is much to be admired to fee
fuch a Dwarfifh Shrub grow without any vifible Root,
on fo tail, noble, and lofty Trees, as it does, and of
a quite different Nature to them. Various sre the Opi-
nions amongfl: Writers how this Plant is produced. Some
affign it's growth to a certain Moifture and Subftance
gathered together upon the Boughs and Joints of Trees
through the Bark, whereof this vaporous moifturc pro-
ducers and bringeth forth the MiJJeltoe. Others affign
it3s produce from the Dung of IVood-Quefts, Black-Birds,
and feveral other Birds that feed upon it's Seeds, which
they difcharge upon icveral Branches and Barks of Trees,
and that the Seed will not grow without fuffering a
change in thefe Birds Bodies. But which of thefe Opi-
nions may approach neareft Truth, I will not take upon
me to decide. But this! am certain of, that let the Seed
after what manner you will, it will never grow. It
grows in this Province in as great plenty as in any part
of the World, efpecially upon all the TpecieS of Oaks,
and feveral other Trees. It feldom exceeds above two

Feet

North CAROLINA.

87

Feet in height, and there are two forts of it. The firft
beareth Seed, and is full of green Branches all the Year.
The fecond is barren and fruitlefs,and fheddeth its Leaves
in the Winter, which it doth not recover 'till Spriwgx
The Leaves of this Shrub is of a very bitterifh Tafte,
and the Berries are fo tranfparent, that one my fee thro*
them, and within is a fmall black Seed or Kernel. The
Leaves and Berries are of a vifcous and clammy nature,
whereof the beft Bird-lime is made, far exceeding that
which is made of the Holly Bark. The Deer and Sheep
are very fond of it's Leaves, croping them wherever
they can reach, which makes them very fat. It's Ufes
in Phyfick are too well known, to be inferted here*

The Indian-Tea Tree, which in their Languagej Is
called Taupan, and Cajffena, grows in great plenty in this
Province, efpecialiy on the Sand Banks and Iflands, bor-
dering on the Sea, none to be met with near the FreHies
or heads of Rivers, that I ever could learn. This Taupau
is a Shrub, whereof there are three forts. The firft is
a Bufh of about twelve Feet high, and groweth in rich
low Grounds. The fecond is about four or five Feet
' high, and grows on the Sand Banks. The third feldom
grows to be a Foot high, and is found both on the rich
low Ground and on the Sand Banks. It grows the moll
like Box of any Vegetable I know, being very like it in
Leaf, only dented about the edges like Tea, but ths
Leaf fomewhat flatter. It bears a fmall whitijflfi Flower,
which continues not long, after comes fmall Berries a*
bout the bignefs of a grain of Pepper, which are at firft
of a reddilh colour, but in the Month of December, when
they are ripe, they become brown. All theie forts dif-
fer very little from each other in tafte, when the infafl-
on is made, neither is there any difference in the Leaves,
that I could ever perceive, only thofe that grow in the

low

82

The Natural HISTORY/

low and rich Ground, are of a deeper Green, and
larger than thofe growing on the Sand Banks, and this
may be occafioned by the richnefs that attends zhc low-
Grounds, thus fituated. The Cattle, Sheep, and Deer
are very fond of thefe Planes, and crop them wherever
they can reach or find them. The Wood is very brittle,
and its Bark of a light ^-colour. The Planters fre-
quently make ufc of it with Phyfick, by reaion of it's fafe
and fpeedy pafTage through the Bowels and Ureters,
which I have oftert experienced, and is of excellent ufe
In the Stone and Gravel, by it's diuretick Quality. It is
likewife ufed as Tea, and in making Punch. What re-
qucft it is of amongft the Indians, and how they cure it,
1 fhall inform the Reader when I come to treat of thefc
People.

The Piemento, or All-fphe Tree, grows commonly in
wet and low Grounds, about eight or ten Feet high,
though I have known fome transplanted to high Land,
where it thrives very well. It bears a Berry different in
lhape from thofe in the Eaft Indies, being longer and
taper, yet not inferior to any of that fort. The Leaves
of this Tree are much like the Hurts, and fo is the Bark.

The Hurts, Huckle-Berries, Bill-Berries, or Blues, of
this Country, whereof there are four forts that we are
well acquainted with. The firft fort is the fame Blue
or Bill-Berry which grows plentifully in the Mountains in
Ireland, and many other places. The Juice ofthele Ber-
ries are of a very binding and cooling Nature, there-
fore good iu Fluxes and Fevers, they cool and comfort
the Stomach, and flop Vomiting.

The fecond fort grow on fmall Bullies in the Savannas
and Woods, their Leaves are of a dark Green colour,
much like the former, but larger, amongft which conic
little Hollow Flowers, which turn into Berries, and arc
longer than the former. Thg

North CAROLINA.

89

The third fort grow on one tingle Stem, about three
or tour Feet high, in low rich Lands, and on the Bai.ks
of the Rivers ; their Fruit are as large and good as the
former, and are very plenty in many places of this Pro-
vince.

The fourth fort grow on Trees about ten or twelve
Feet high, and about the thicknefs of the Imali of a
Man's Leg; are very pleafant, and Dear wonderfully:
Thefe grow plentifully in wet low Grounds, in many
places in this Province; the Planters gather great Quan-
tities of them in the Seafon, dry them in the Sun, and
make ufe of them for Puddings, Minc'd Pye^ and many
other Ufes as We do Currans and Raifons: All thefe
forts ripen gradually one after another. The Indians gee
manyBufhells of them, which they likewife dry on their
Mates in the Sun, and prefcrve and keep all the Wincer,
whereof they make Bread miVd with Indian-Corn- Me cil,
like our Plum-Cakes, and ieveral other Eatables, whicii
are plcafant enough.

* WnhtM-Oak is a kind of Water-Oak, fo call'd from
its Leaves, which very much refemble thofe of the Wil-
low. It grows in low Grounds and ponds of Water, and
is ufed for Fire, Fences* &c.

Apni-Currans, fo call'd, from their being npe in that
Month, grow on the Banks of the Rivers, or where Clay
has been thrown up 3 the Fruit when ripe, is red, &nd
very foon gone. The^ are cotlcrablc gtfod Fruic whilft
they laft, and the Tree (for it is not a Bufh they grow
upon) is a pleafant Vegetable.

Bermudas- Currans, fo call'd, from their growing plen-
tifully in that Iftand, are very common in the Woods
M of

***xaT^T*S ®y Om'{ri0n' **ath ntft keen fnferted Sn its proper
Plate* mm. £mri£& she Qaksi Wta#£ ft h& Spccses,

9o The Natural HISTORY of

of Carolina on a Bufli, much like the Euro]), an Currams,
but not io agreeable to the T-alte, being but an indfte-
rent Fiuit, chough frequently eacen by the Planters.
v W inter -Cur ) an > io call'd, by reafon it bears Fruit
which are only ripe in Otlober $ it grows on a Bufh about
feven or eight Feet high, and the Fruit is like our Bill-
berry i the Planters make rhe fame ufes or it as we do of
Raijvns and Curram, for Puddings, Minc'd-Pyes, 0*c.
Tins Bufh is very beautiful to behold, growing round,
and is a plentiful Bearer. All thefe lor ts of Currant are
of a very cooling and binding Nature, therefore good in
fevers and Fluxes.

The Brkr-Rofe, or Hip-Tree, is to be met with in fomc
places, Specially on dry Lands, but is generally of a
Dwarfifhkind, but its Fruit is as good as ours. The
Pulp is cooling and agreeable to the Stomach, good in
Fevers or violent Heats5 and is of excellent ufe in the
Fluxes of this Country.

The Rasttrriei are of a purple Colour when ripe, very
agreeable in Tafte, bus ate not as rich Fruit as the £«-
ropean. They grow on a Stalk moielike the Bramble than
the Rajsberry-Bujh, and are in many parts of this Pro-
vince, and its a d'fficult matter to root them out, when
once planted ; they have much the fame Virtues with
the European Rafsberry. bur arc more binding.

The European Rajiberry thrives and bears in Carolina to
admiration, and is as grateful and pleafant FVuit in it's
kind, as any in the World ; and are to be met with
growing in molt ot their Gardens. This Fruit has much
the fame Virrues with the Black-Berry, but is more Cor-
dial and lefs Binding.

The Black-Berry grows after the fame manner as thofe
with us, but their Brambles or Stalks are not fo thick or
long, and their Fruit is not to be compared wich ours,

being

North CAROLINA. 91

being ill tafted and bitter, but has much the fame Vir-
tues, viz,, cooling and aftringent; the Juice, with Honey,
Allum, and red Wine, fattens loofe Teeth.

The Dew-Berrys grow on fmall Brambles or Stalks a-
bout two or three Feet long exactly like the Black-berry.
This Fruit is fweet and good to eat, and like our Black'
berry in fhape, but is as red as a Ras-berry when ripe,
and has much the fame Virtues with the former.

I will in this place give an account of the Straw-berry
though it be not a Shrub. The Straw-berrys in this Pro-
vince are not only large, iweet, and good, but in as great
plenty as in any part of the World, growing almoft every
where, and are the firft Fruit the Hogs feed upon in the
Spring. The Planters in their Canoes goto the Iflands
(which are to t>e met with in feveral parts of the Rivers)
and pull what quantities they pleafe, bringing generally
home their Canoes full of this pleafant Fruit, from thofc
parts where the Hogs can't come to feed. They quench
thirft, help inflammations of the Stomach, comfort the
Heart, and revive the Spirits, help difeaies of the Spleen,
and Reins, provoke Urine, are good againft the Stone
and Gravel, and are ufefull in Fevers, by cooling and
comforting the inward parts.

The Honey-Suckles or Wood-bind ( whereof there are
four Sorts I have already given an account of) arc very
plenty in this Province, and are much the fame as thofe
with us, but do not grow fo large. The Leaves and
Flowers are pe&oral and Diuretick,and cure Afthmas and
Coughs, outwardly they are Cofmetick, and take away
Scabs and Pimples in the Face, the juice is vulnerary,
cafes wounds in the Head, flrengthens the Nerves, and
makes an excellent gargle tor lore and dry mouths.

The Tel/ow-Jetfamine is to be met with here in feveral

parts of the Woods, and not only affords in the Summer-

M a time.

9*

The Natural HISTORY of

jtirae, when it is in it's fpiendor a moil delightful profpect,
but likewile a pleaiant fhade and a gratetul and fragrant
fmell to tbofe that pais through the Woods. The Flow-
ers art an excellent f ertume, an Oil made of them with
Oil of O.ive vs of excellent ufe in Convuifions, Cramps,
and Stitches in the ik;e. The Flowers are or cue nature of
Cmwmifey andarego&d in an hard and coitt iweliings> in
Qy iters, help the Collide and pains of cue Womb, and
cure the Schirrus thereof, hdp delivery, Coughs, fhort-
nefs of breach, Plenuhes, pain of tHe Stomach and Bowels.

I Hull in the next Place give an ace nun of the Vme$
that tin's Country procures; and firlt the European Vines,
which thrive well, and their produce are extraordinary
great, the Lands of Carolina oeing as proper ror Vines as
any in the world, yet there are but few Vineyards plant-
ed in this- Colony at prejent, for I have feen but one fmall
one at .&u7> To .vn, aj*d another 2X.Neus, of the whke
Grave, the feme with rhe Madera, i have drank of
jthe Wine u procured, which was exceeding good.
.Though of hue tfeey have got Siips or (everal Sorts of
curious Vines, which no doubt will foon come to per-*
fectinn, there being nothing wanting but induiiry to make
this as fine a Wire and On Country,as any in Europe, as
mav appear from the few Tryals that have been already
made. Ripe Grapes eaten largly, often caufe Diar-
rhea's yet the Stones flop vomiting and Fluxes, being
dried and given in Powder. , U hen they are drie ' in the
Sun, they are goodagainft Coughs, AftbmcVj Colds, Ob-
ihuBions,. Ulcer i in the Mouth, Lugs, Kidneys, and many
or bet parts; outwardly, they ripen Tumors, help Goutsa
Gangrenes and Mortifications.

The Vmes that are Spontaneous and produce, Grapes
in Carolina, are of gx Kinds, and are as follows, The
Fox-grape, whereof there are four, lores, two of, which

are

North CAROLINA.

93

are cail'd che Summer- Fox-grape, becaufe they are ripe in

July.

The other two are call'd the Winter Fox,-grape, becaufe
they are not ripe till September or OCiuber.

Tne Summer Fox-gmpti do not giow in clutters or great
bunches as the European do, there being only £yt oc
fix upon one ftalk, and are as big as a large Damjon.
The Black fort are very common and plentiful ali o\ci .ms
Province, but the White are very fcarce andfeidom toDe
met with. Thefe Vines always grow in Swanr ps and
wet low Lands, running funaetimes very high according
to the growth of the Timber which they meec and twine
about tor their fupport. They have the largefl. Leaves of
any Vine I ever law, therefore wou'd make delightful and
Shady Arbours to fit under in the extremity of tae hot
Weather. This Fruit always ripens in the Shade, and
has a pretty Vinous tafte, but is not fo jucy as the Eu-
ropean Grape, having a much thicker Skin, and is of a
more glutinous Nature, yet pleafant to eat.

Winter-Fox Grapes are much of the fame bignefs with
the former/ and are very plenty in molt parts, refuting
neither Swampy, Dry, Hi; y, or Sandy Grounds to grow
in, and are greater producers than the former, and when
thorow ripe, have a Vinous Flavour and eat well, but
are as Glutinous, have as thick Skins, and the Leaves
as large as the other fort.

The White are very clear and tranfparent, and have
indifferent fmall Stones. They make very pleafant Shades
in all parrs of the Woods where they grow ; and it they
are tranfpl anted, thrive wonderfully. I have feen Stems
of thefe kind of Vines, that were thicker than a Man's
.Thigh.

- The fmall Black Grapes grow plentifully in Carolina,

and have large Quiters oc Bunches growing together

~ .•"' like

'"

94 The Natural HISTORY/

like the European, Thefe Grapes, though very fro ail, are
well relifh'd, and plentiful Bearers, they have a thick
Skin and large Stone, which nukes them yield lictle Juice,
which is or a Crimfon Colour, and hath a Vinous Fla-
vour. The Black Grapes and the following, are nut ripe
until Autumn.

There is another Black Grape, exa&Iy referobling the
other imall Black Grapef only tiie Juice is of a lighter
Colour, buc as well rel fhed as the former.

The Imall White Grape is to be met with in this Pro-
vince, but is very icarce, growing in few parts or the
Woods;, yet its Bunches or Chillers are as well knit to-
gether, and as well relifh'd, as any of the former ; all
thefe Kinds or Grapes might be indifferently ufed in
Phyiick, as the European's are.

The Planters pull and eat fome of thefe Grapes when
they are ripe, and frequently juice them, whereof they
make Vinegar, which is all tne ufe I have feen made of
them, as alfo of all the other Spontaneous forts growing
in Carolina. What remain in the Woods are devoured by
feveral Beafts (that climb high Trees) and the Birds.

I (hall in the next place give an Account of fevcrai
other forts of Vines (growing in this Province) that pro-
duce no Grapes, fome whereof are moft beautiful Ever-
Greens, others affording moft pleafant Shades and fra-
grant Flowers, and are as follows.

Firtt, the Starlet Irumpet Vine, fo called, from the
glorious red Flowers like a Bell or Trumpet, which it
bears, and makes a fine Shade in the Woods where it
grows, inferior to none I ever faw. It lofes its Leaves
(which are large) in the Winter, and remains naked un-
til the Spring. It bears a large Cod that holds ics Seeda
but I never faw any ufe made of its Bark, Leaves, Flow-
ers, or Seeds, iivPhyiick or otherwile. •

There

North CAROLINA.

95

There is another lore of Vine which I know no Name
for, but it is a beautiful Ever-Green, with Leaves like
the Jejfamwe, but larger and of a haroer Nature, this
grows to be a large Vine3 and twines itfelf round the
Trees; it grows near* and nukes a fine Shade, it bears
a Black Berry which is not ripe till Winter. It is a very
Ornamei-rai Plant, and worth transplanting ; for I never
faw any thing make a more pleafant and delightful Shade
to fit under in theextreamity of the Heat in the Summer,
and like wife rrom the Rain and feverity of Weather in
the Winer. But wnat Virtues it may be endued with,
is uncertain.
The May-Cock, is a Vine fo called, from an Apple which
it bears, and is ripe in that Month, it has a beautiful
Flower, and the Fruit is of an agreeable fweetnefs, mixt
with an acid Tafte. It is a Summer-Vine, and is naked
all the Winter 'till Spring, at whicn time it buds, and in
the Summer Seafon is very Ornamental. The Fruit of
this Vine is cooling and quenches Thirft.

The Oak-Vine is no Tree, but fo called, from a Burr
it bears like the Oak, and generally runs up thoie Trees,
it's Stalk or Stem is fo very porous, that you may luck
Liquors through it at a length of two or three Feet ; I
know no other ufe it is for, never having fecn it made ufe
of amonglt either Chriftians or Indians, in any manner of
Piforder.

The PoyfonousVine, fo called, by reafon it colours the
Hands of thoie that handle it, of a ycllowifh Colour, but
what Ufes or Virtues it hath, is uncertain, no Expert
.ment as yet having been made of it. The Juice of it
ftains Linnen, never to be wafti'd out by any Art. It
dyes a blackifh blue Co'our, this is done by break-
ing a bit of the Vine, and prefling with it's End what
Mark you think proper. It iwns up any jfree " meets

with

96

The Natural HISTORY of

with, and chips round it. The Leaves of this Vine are
fhaped like Hemlock, and fall off in the Winter.

The Small Bamboo is another kind of Vine, grows in
wet low Grounds, and is feldom thicker than a Man's
Finger i the Seem is like the Sweet-brie/, full of Prickles
and Joints, but very tough. Thele Vines bear (mall
£lack-berriesy their Root is like a round Bail, which the
Indians boil fas we do any Garden Root) and ear, which
they fay is good and uourifhing. When thefe Roots have
been out of the Ground for forne time, they become ex-
ceeding hard, and make Heads for Ganes, on which
feveral Figures may be cut. I know of no other ufes made
of rhem at prelent.

Pricklty Bind-weed, or SarjafariUai is a kind of Prickle*
Vine, not unlike the former, it groweth plentifully in fe-
veral Places, but dpecisLlly on dry Lands, or the Banks
of Rivers. It has many Branches let lull of /harp prickles
with certain clafping Tendrels (like feveral of the other
Vines) with which it uketh hold upon Shrubs, or what-
ever is next to it One iingle Leaf groweth at each Joint*
like that of Ivy, frequently mark'd with little white Spots,
and guarded or bordered about the Edges with crooked
fharp Prick.es. The Fiowers are of a whitifh colour,
and fragrant fmell. The Berries are like thofe of the
wild Vine, green at iirft, and red when they are ripe,
and of a biting Tafte, wherein is contain'd a black Seed*
like Hemp, the Roots are Ion?, and grow deep in the
Ground. It is good againft Catharrs, all manner of De-
fiu&ims, Gout, and Pox, bem*? o£a Sudor fick Nature

The Indian Figg-lree, commonly ca.'d the Prickhy*
Pear. Tins it range and admirable Plant, call 'a Pitui
IndUa, grows in great plenty, efpecially on 'he Sand-
banks and dry Land, and feems to be nothing bur a mul-
tiplicity of Leaves ; that is, a Tree made of Leaves,

without

North CAROLINA.

91

without Body or B oghs, for the Leavts kt in the
Ground, do m a Jlrjrt j«^3\me take R Ot and pro-
duce ot! er Leaves, that grow one abCe another, 'till
fuch iimt as <:he) ate pretty tall 1 ke a Tree, their Le.ves
fpreading out like HoUghsJomc times more or lefs accord-
ing to the dffi cnce of Urt! Soil it grows in, adding one
Leaf above another, wercby it Jpreads over a gtear
piece of Gr und. Tnca. Leaves are long, broad, and
thicker than a Man's Handj of a deep green colour, let
full of lo.,g flurpand flnder PnckeS. On the tops of
thefe Leaves c^rne forth long Flowers, not unlike thofe
of the Pomgranate-T ttc, and of a yellow colour, after
which is produced the F uir, like the common Ptg%
or fmall Pear, in fhape. Toe budide Or this Fruit ts
of a greoiifli Colour, but within it is full or red Pulp or
Juice, ftaining the Hands of tnofe that touch it witii a
iangume or bloody Colour. The tops of thefe Figs are
invircned with certain fcaly Leaves like a CroWti,
wherein are contain'^ imall Grains that are the Seeds,
which being fown, bring forth Plants round bodied like
the Trunk of other Tree's, with Leaves placed thereon
like the former, which being planted in the Ground,
bring forth Trees ot Leaves alio. The Fruit of this
Plant is lufcious and fweet, and frequently eaten, but
muft be well clean ed from the Prickles, other wife
wherever they enter, it's a hard matter to gee then*
out, and fr quently leave Knobs in the Skin. Upon
this Plant grow certain ExCrefcehbeS, which iri conti-
nuance of time become Infeds, Which are '€he Cochenek,
fo much valued, for dying the bed and rjcHe'ft Scarlet
Colours 1 have already made mention Of it's changing
the c MOur of the Urine like Blood, Whereby miny-at firit
fight doubted of taeir Recovery^ imagining whar they
Veiskd Id kt pttds &L0d, being altogether Strangers
N to

%

I ;,.(

98 T^ Nfpfi HISTORY of

to it's Erfe&s upon the Urine ; whereas it only gi> es this
high Tiridure, without any Pain, as I have frequently
experienced. We have no certain Account, from the
Antients, of the temperature or virtues of this Plant ;
yet I am very certain, that ic is indowed with many ex-
cellent Qualities, and that the Jaice of it's Leaves arc
goodagamlt Ulcers of long continuance, Burnings, and
Inflammations in feveral parts of the Body.

Thus having given you the mod exad Account that
I could karri of the Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, that this
Country naturally produce* (Bu» undoubtedly there are
many othei Species that are not yet known, which time
and enquiery muft diicover) I ihall therefore proceed to
give an Account of the European Fruit-trees that are to
be met with here, rnoft of which thrive well. And firft
of the Apple* , and their different Species.

The Golden-Rujjet is an excel, ent Fruit, and thrives
well ; this Apple, and the following forts, are loon ripe,
and have great produce.

The Red-lhak'd 'grow well, whereof they make Cyder
in many places : But for the mod part, thcie and the
other Fruits are only Food roi the Hogs, there being
fuch plenty or moil kinds, that they are little made ufe
or or regarded.

The Summer and Winter V ear maim are ant to fpeck and
taint on the Tiees,efpecially the South-fide of the Fruir,
ana the Trees are frequently damaged by imall Worms,
that breed in feveral parts of the bark, which cut Circles
about tne Branches, and iometimes round the Body of
the Trees, and deftroy the Bark that it foon dies (efpe-
cially above thole Circles) for want of a iufficicnt quan-
tity of Juice, or Nourishment from the Roots, to produce
Leaves and Fruit, this frequent/ v happens in the heat of
, the Weather, when the Trees areioden with F uit.

The

North CAROLINA.

99

The Himer-Queenmg thrives well, and produces ex-
cellent and durable Fmit, * f which tne Planters make
good Cycler, and is feldom prejudiced by the Wornis.
' The Harvy- Apple, l.kewife tnnvcs wcli, whereor they
make Cyder.

The Leather-coats, both Apple, and Tree ftand well,
have as great produce, and thrive as well as any in this
Province

Tne Jenneting is an early Fruit, thrives well, but is
foon gone, in this warm Climate.

The Coddling looks as fine and fair to the Eye as any
Fruit in the World, yet the Tree fufffes after the fame
manner as the Pearmalns do,or rather worfo_faf they com-
monly dye before they come to their full Growth. The
Planters make the firft of thtir Coddling Cyder againft
the Reaping of the Wheat, which is in the beginning of
yum* as I have ahead y made mention.

The Long-slalk, is the fame here as in Europe, it
thriven well, and makes good Cyder.

Tne Lady-Finger, or Long- Apple, is the fame as in Eu-
rope, and ti.il as good. Tneie are feveral other forts of
Applet m this Country called by d fferem Name%accord-
ing to Peoples fancies, and moft of them g »od iqx Cyder.
All the'e Fsuits are very cooling, theruorc god in In-
flamroaci ns and Fevets,they gently loofen the Btlly,aod
are of excellent ufe in all Burnings, Scaldings, &c. and
take away the Heat of St. Anthony'* Fire.

I never mec with the Wilding or Crab Tee giow-
inp n this Province, or any other part of America that
I have been in.

There are feveral forts of Pears in this Country, all
which thrive well* and are as good as any in Europe,
fuch arc he Kaiherine, Sugar, Warden, Burgomot, Jen-
neting* Quince Pears, and many others^ which are as well
>I 2 rehflied

■Ml

IOO

The Natural HISTORY of

rehihed as any I have met with, but all rhefe Fruits are
g ihort continuance, being i'oon ripe ana airaoil as loon
gone.

The Quince- Tree thrives well, and is in plenty, and
It's trua is as wen rehih.u as in any partof trie World.
Tne Fruit eaten raw, is. piealant, of which the Planters
make a Wine or Liquor wnich they call Quince-d mk9
and is the belt Dunk chat Country afford* at prde it,
Ihough they have plenty of Cycer, and f :me Ferry
mde there. They likewife draw a Spirit from this
F»uit, Apples, ana Peaches, which is as pleafant and
grateful ..sany Brandy I ha< eem rafted. "This Quince-
drink, moft commonly puigesthofe that make ufe or it,
anu clean! es the Body^ which is a contrary Effect to
what it harh in Europe, being of an aftringent Naure
tl ere,* winch contrary Effect muft certainly be owing to
the inference of the Ci. mates. Tne leait fl.p or* this
"j ree ftutkin the Giound, comes to perfection, and will
bear in three Years.

The Peach, whereof there are feveral forts (thefe Trees
do rot difer in Shape, but in their Fruit onlv) viz* the
Queen's, the Nutmeg, he Newiagibn, and the grand Car-
nation Peach; the Stack, me White y the Roman, and tlfe
Indian Peach, and many other forts, called by different
Names, accoro ing to Peoples fancies are all /landing
TfttsStke the Apple or Pear, with us; for the Reader is
to •■nderitand, that there is no (uch thing as Wall-Fruit
ill this Province, there being Ffeat enough, therefore do
not squire it. Thefe F uits thrive to admiration, com-
mi g to F rfe&ion without any Pains or trouble, for the
Ground in thefe parts i< io natural for thefe forts of
F uit, that a P acb-'Bim be'ng Planted, or falling on the
Giound, wi'l grow and bring forth a Peach-tree that will
.btar in three Years, or fooner. And it is to be obferved,

l that

North CAROLINA

191

that in their Peach Orchards, and many other places
where the Scones rail, they grow fo thick, that they be-
come apeHect WildernefsotTiees, tnai the Planters a.e
obligcu to pull them out of the Ground, as we ao Weeds
out of our Gardens. They g*ne al'y bear in iucn plenty,
that the weight ©f the Fruit frequently break ott great
Limbs of the Trees. The Planters iometimes take out
the Stones and dry the Fruit in the Sun, whiciv they
prefer ve for ^he Winter; they are gtatefuj to the Sto-
macn, and caufe a good Appetite: They alfo make a
Liquor or them which is very cooling, and good in Fe-
vers. The Flowers looien the Belly, kill Worms in
Children, and open ObftiuCtions.

Tht hdum~Pta h Tree, is a kind of Peach common
amongit the Indians, which they claim as their own, and
affirm that they had it growing amongft them before any
Europeans came to America This Tree grows as large
as any Apple Tree, the Flowers are ot a reddfh Colour,
the Fruit is generally larger than the common yellow
Pe demand more downy,it is an extraordinary good Fiuit,
very foft and full of Juice, will freely part from the Stone,
which is much thicker than any of the former. Thefe
Peaches are common amongft the Indium, and thofe that
live remote trom the Chriftians, have no other fort z
They are .a hardy Fruit, and fddom damaged by the
North-Eaft Winds, as the other are. Or this fort there
as made Vinegar, therefore fome call them Vinegar Peaches*
though this may ieem to be a Spontaneous Fruit of Ante-
r;o*,yetin thofe parts already inhabited by the Euro$eans%
I never cou'a learn that any of thefe Peach-Tret s were
ever found growing wild in the Woods. The Indians
have plenty of this fort of Peach, but fcarce any other
is ro be found amongfl them. They have much the fame
■Virtue* with the former, %

I'-* '■■" ^ * The

1 02 The Natural HISTORY©/

The NMarines, whereof we have two forts, which are
very f*ir 2nd Urge, viz*, rhe Red, which ciiags to tue
Stones, and the Ywilow which parts irom them 1 fee no
foreign Fruit like thele for thriving in all lores of Lands,
and rearing to aumrration. The Planters raiie them
from the Stone, which never fails to produce the lame
fort the Stojie came fr >m ; for I never obletved much
Fa;ns taken in euiier Inoculating or Pruning cneir Fruit
Trees, as is enftomary in hujope, notwithifandmg they
besr in as great plenty. This Fruit has much the fame
Virtues with Uie former.

The Aprkuk-Ttee grows to be very Urge, exceeding
moft Apple Tees. They are great Bearers, if the Seaion
proves favourable, but it often nappeus in an early Spring,
and when the Trees are full blown, that the North- Eall
Winds which h-ppen in the latter end of February or
beginning of March, blafl and deilroy moil part of it's
Fruit. The Flowers ate of a whitifh Colour, and the
Fruit round like a P§afb9 Yellow within and without,
wherein is contam'd brown fmooth Stones, lefs than hofe
of the Peachy having a fweer Kernel. Thefe Trees are
generally railed from tre Sione, and never failto prouuee
as good Fruit as the Stone came from. The Fruit is
cooling and pleafing to the Stomach, but apt to fur-
kit ; an Oil made of the IQerncl is much of the fame
iNature with the Oil of fweet Almonds.

The Medlar Tr e, I never obferved growing in North
Carolina, out do not doubt it would thrive as well as any
other Tree from Europe.

The European Wall-nuts zxe very large Trees, and thrive
as well here as in any part of rhe World. There are two
or thefe Trees growing at Bath-Town, which were pro-
duced from the Nut, and are exceeding g* eat bearers,
and the molt bcautilul and fragrant, when in cheir prime,

of

North CAROLINA.

103

of any Trees of that Sort, I ever faw. Thefe Trees,
arrive iooner to Pd fection nere than in any part of France
or Spain, are excellent good Fruit (when ripe) and uied
in ieveral Diioruers of the Body, fuch as malignant Fe-
vers, (7c.

The cherry Tree. The common red and black Cherry
bear exceedingly well from the Stone, but would do much
better had tney been grafted in the Indian Plum Tree
Stocks, becaufe thefe admit of no Succors or Scions to
grow round the Tree, which the Cherry Tree is fubje&
to, and proves very prejudicial Co the Trees and Fruit.
Chrry Trees are not only liable to this, but leveral A^U
Trees and other Fruit-Trees, which might be foon re-
medied by a skilful Gardener, or careful Planter, whofe
Genius tends that way. The Cherries are ripe here a
Month fooner than thofe growing in Virginia. The Fruit
of the Black Cherry is good in Epilepfes, Ccnvuljtons, Apo-
plexies, Palfies, and many other Diforders j the red is
cooling, quenches Thirit, and good in Fevers, &c.

The large round BLck-Plums, thrive well, and be-
come lrge Trees, if planted in ItifT Grounds ; but they
will not anfwer if planted in light fandy Ground, where
they are fubjed to be torne up by the Storms and Squals
of Wind, that are frequent in this Country. The lame
misfortune attends both Foreft and Fruit Trees, growing
in thefe kinds of Grounds. There are feveral other kinds
of thefe Trees that bear Fruit of various Colour, Fi-
gure, Magnitude, and Tafte, but have much the fame
(Virtues with the Cherries, being of a cooling Nature.

The Damfn Tree thrives well, and the Planter's Wives
and Daughters make good Diibes of it's Fruit. The
Leaves of thefe Trees are ufed with Rhemfi-lVine for Z?#«
JiuSitons and iweliings in the Jaws and Throat.

~*

104 The Natural H I S T 0 R Y of

The /v&g-Tree, of whi-.h there are two forts, %>i^c
the gredter ana the leffer. The iargt Figg Tree hath
many Branches full or Pith within, iikc Elder, and iarge
Leaves ot a dark ^reen Cjiour, uivicLd into ieveral Divi-
fions. The Fruit comes out ot the Braucnes without
any appearance ot Flo .vers, that 1 coula perceive, winch
is in fhape like Pears. This Tree, nbtwithftanding ic
grows to oe very large, yet beareth the lcifer Fruit, which
it produceth in aoundance, efpecially it planted in light
Lanus, tor it thrms no where beccer than on the Sand
Banks and near the Sea fli >ar This Fruit being bro-
ken before it is ripe, yieldeth a white glutinous Liquor,
but when the Figs *re ripe, the Juice of it is like Honey,
and as fweet.

The lejjer or [mailer Fig Tree, is like the former in it's
Leases and Fruit, but feiaom exceeds feven or eight Feec
in height, growing more like a Bufti than a Tree. The
Fruit is ripe in July* very lweet and lufcious, and conll-
derably larger tnan the former. If the Fro.l proves fe-
vere in Winter, the Tops of this Shruo decay and dye<
As foon as the Spring approaches, it fprou^s and bears
vaft quantities of Fruit I could never obferve any Flow-
ers it has ror lt comes out of the Brancnes, like the
former. The Leaves of thefe Trees arc ill irp, opening,
and vulnerary ; and being applied with the Roots of
MarJh-nt.iSotos, wade away tne Kings-Evil, and all hard
Tumors ; the Fruit is liktWife ufed with good fuccefs in
the fame Diforders, the Jntcc or Mt k is Cofmetick, and
with &Ur ley-meal and Lad, help tne Gout and Pies, &c.

The F.&erd- Free bein.: planted here, in a few Tears
degenerates into a f-ail Dwarfifh jV«, no bigger than
the Haz.1 , yet ii'i F uit is as good as a-iy in Europe, but
few arc either fo injuflrious or curious to plant thefc
Trees, there being iuch ^luucicus ot iponwneous Fruit*

Tht

North CAROLINA.

105

The Orange-Tree groweth to be as largw as a fmaU Pear
Tree, having many thorny Boughs or Branches; the
Leaves are partly like thole of the Bay-tree, thcie, and
their Flowers (which are of a beautiful colour) y itld a
moft fragrant Smell. The Chnftian Inhabitants have
planted many of theft Trees dilate, which thrive tolle-
rably well, cfpccially near the Sea-Coafl and light Ground,
where they thieflly delight to grow. The Flowers are
of great Ufe in Perfumes j a Water made of them is
Peftoral) and helps Fevers, the outward Rind is very hot,
dry, and of thin parts ; it expells Wind, and comforts a
Cold Stomach.

The .E^-Tree, fo called from it's Fruit refembling
Glafs-Beads at a diitance. It bears Flowers (much like
thofe of the Oliv.) which fmell {weet. It grows in a
round Bunch about four or five Feet high, and is to ne
met with in many of their Gardens ; their Fruit are a£
large as Peas, and hard when ripe, but eaiily drill'd,
whereof arc made Bracelets, and leveral other Toys. Ic
is ornamental in Gardens, and the Flowers are good foe
ObflruBions in the Head. The Decoction of the Bark
with Fumitory and Myrcbalans, help Agues. The Leaves
and Wood are accounted deadly to Beails, and the Fruit
is very dangerous, if notpdyfonous.

The Goofeberry-Tree, or Bufh, does not thrive here,
though I have frequently met with it in their Gardens,
but of a dwarfifh Kind to what we have in Ireland, and
other parts oi Europe, but I am perf waded that if it had
been planted in their Swamps or mont, low Grounds, it
would thrive and bear well.

*The Red and White Currans thrive much better here
than the former, and bear tollerably well when planted
near a (hade, or in moift low Grounds. The Fruit is
pooling and grateful to the Stomach,

O The

io6 The Natural HISTORY of

The Barberry-Tree or Bufh, whereof we have two forts
which thrive well, viz,, one with, and the other without
Stones, wherein confifts the difference; the colour and the
tafte of the Fruit being the fame. The Flowers are of a
yellow colour, and grow in clutters upon long Seems, af-
ter which arc produced long (lender red Berries, when
they are ripe. The Leaves fpring forth in March, and
the Flowers in Augutt. The Bark and Leaves open Ob-
flruftiom, and are of lingular Uie in the Jaundice. The
Fruit is very cooling in Fevers, grateful to the Stomach,
andcaufetha good Appetite.

The Rofe-Tvee, and it's Kinds, There are none to
be met wit^i growing Spontaneous in this Province. Thefe
Trees have been brought from Europe, and other Parts,
and are to be met with in moil: Planters Gardens, efpeci-
ally the common white and red Rofe,buz few of the other
forts.

The Rofemary is not a Spontaneous Shrub in Carolina,
as in France, Spain, and many other parts oi Europe, in
the fame Latitude ; but is to be met with in moft of theic
Gardens, and thrives well.

There are many other Fruits in this Country, that I
am a Stranger to, which are beneficial and advantagious
to the Planters, not only for their own Uie, but likewife
in feeding their Swine, and makeing them exceeding fat,
and as well ufted as any in the World.

OF

%

, r Lyitig Squirrel

North CAROLINA.

io-)

OF THE

B E AS T S.

TH E Buffehj or wild Beef, is one of the Iargeft
wild Beafts that is yet known in thefe parts of
America ; it hath a Bunch upon it's Back, and
thick fhort Horns, bending forward. Pliny re-
porteth in the eleventh Book of his Natural
Hiftory, that the Horns of one Bufelo's Head were fo large
that they contained or held two Meafures, call'd Urna,
which is about eight Gal'bns. This Monfter of the
Woods feldom appears ambngft theEuropean Inhabitants,
it's chiefeft haunts being in the Savannas near the Moun-
tains, or Heads of the great Rivers. Their Flefti is very
courfe, and nothing to be compared with our Beef, but
their halves arc faid to be excellent good Meat, as in ail
probability they are : And it is coftjeciur'd, that thefe
Buffers being mix'd,and breeding with our tame Cattle,
would much improve the Species lor largenefs and Milk ;

O 2 foff

io8

The Natural HISTORY of

for theie Muniters (as I have been intotm'dj weigh from
1600 to 2^00 pounds Weignt. Tney are a very fierce
Creature, ana much larger tnan an Ox. The Indians
cut their Skins into Quarters, for tne eafe of Tranfporta-
tion or Carriage, and trequenrly make Beds of them to lie
on; they likewife ipin their Hair into Garters, Girales,
Saihes, and the like, being long and curled, and frequent-
ly of a black or red Che\«ut colour. Or chefe Skins and
the Wild Bull's,ihe beit Buff is made. Their Horns wou'd
ferve for feveral ufes, fucn as drinking Cups, Powder-
horn?, ^amerris, and may other Neceflaries, being trans-
parent when wrought ; Rings made pf them are faid to
help the Cramp, and the Liver the Spleen ,• the other
Parts have much the fame Virtues with the Ox. There
were two of the Calves of this Creature taken alive in the
Year J73o, by fome of the Planters living near Neps
River, but whether they tranfported them to Europe, or
what other ufes they made of them, I know not, having
occafion to leave that Country joon after.

The Elk is a mpnftrous, large, ftrong and fwifc Beaft,
jn fhape exactly like a Deer, but bigger than a Horfe, and
is reported to be fearful, and fubjed to the Epi'epfy or
FciCingJiihnefs., They have two large, Horns, which ex-
ceed in weight aft Creatures that are yet known in the
New World. .Their Neck is fliort and thick, but the
Ears and Back very long: Their Colour is like a Havts%
and (ometimes all White. Their Flefh is oat .near io
iweet as che Fallow-Deer, being much courfer and ilronr
gcr. Thefe Creatures may be made Domeffciek, and it i$
faid, that they are fo fwifc, that they will run;more Miles
in one Day, than a f3pr{e can in two. .Some; take the
Elk for the Red Deer of America, but I am credibly in-
formed, that they are oft wo different kinds, and that they
will never breed together, \ Their Horns generally

weigh

North CAROLINA.

109

weigh twelve or fourteen Pounds. Thefe Beafts arc plen-
tifully to be met with in the Savannas near tjie Moun-
tains, and Heads of Rivers: It is reported that fome of
them are feventeen Hands high. Several parts of this Ani-
mal are ufed with good Succefs in Phyfick, and efpecial-
ly the Hoots of the Male's hinder Feet, which have a plea*
fant fceiit when they are burntr " ~

The Stags arc iwift in Motion, and are faid to be a
long-hVd Creature, they are plentiruHy to be met with in
or near the Mountains, but are not fo large as thofe in
Europe, yet much larger than any FaSuw-Deer. They arc
fat all Seafons of the Year, and it is f aid, that fome JDeer
©n the Mountains afford the Occidental -Bezoar, and not
produced from -the- Goto, as fome have reported. The
Flefh nouriflies almoft like Beef, but breeds much more
melancholy Juice. The 'Tallow makes' incomparable fine
Candles, and their Horns and Skins are a good Com-
modity. There arc many valuable Virtues afcribed to
the feveral parts of fhis Deer, and ail the other forts, and
not undeiervedly, which are fo well known, that it would
be needlefs to ihfert them here.

The Fallow- Deer are taller and longer Legg'd in Cayi-
{inay than thofe that arc to be met with in Europe, but
neither run fo faft, nor are fo well Haiinched. Their
Shingles arc likewise much longer, and their Horns ftand.
forward as the other incline backwards. Towards the
Baksythey are not commonly fo tat and good as thofe ©n
the Hills, and near the Heads of the Rivers : They arc
in great plenty all oyer this Province.' Their Noftrils
and ^Throats are frequently found full of Bots or Mag-.
£e&4rithc 'Spring, Which make triem very poor at that
time; but as the Summer approaches thefe Bots become the
mOft beautiful Butter-fies immaginablc, being large, hav-
ing black, wftite, red, and yellow flripes in their Wings. *

1 1 o The tftfural HIS TO R X of

The Fawns ase beautifully mottled w»th rows or lirjpes
of whi'te and browiY, wmen only . continue 'till the; a. ft
oneYea^old. " Deer >kius arc one ot the beft Com.noui-

^^^Mii^l&hWk^^^A^ w^lG£l &b§ Peters, ex-
portr' in. great Qu^iues for England 4nd other parts.
\The^o« and" Ja<i-a$, aie. iuppoied to -be in Carolina,
from an Account the Indians, give -us, wno report mat
^S^X^P^^^ipWigl^s (,he;Head of Afew River,
tfie^e'is a Creature' thajt; haunts chafe par.ts^and trig itens
themfriom Hunting. "1 Xh§^ fay that jt/^t partly in.,con
lour like a Panther, arid that the only way, .'tuey have tq
ayqid"" it is by climbing' up Trees* wh*£h it cannot do.
They likewiie fay, that, there is a -fwift Qreat ure which
r'eftjatois wichfand attends it, much like the Enghfi Man's
Dog ; This Account I had from feveral ot the Indians j
but whether or qa;there be any fuch Beafts in c-hcie pa«sa
I cannot affirm ^the, certainty thereof, ior I never (aw
either them or, their Skins. £ ,.

^Tht Bears are. very common in this, Province, though
riot quite io large as in more Northerly Climates, fuch
as G) emland and Ruffia. Their; Fleflfi if good and noun il;-
jng?not interior to the belt Pork in tafte, and ivbetwixt
B (find Pork : ;T,her ypung Cubs are a moll ( deljci£H\$
fefh, as mplt ot the; planters te&ifie&iphQi prefer, tjif^r
flefti before Beefa PorJt\. Veal or M^ift* . «md it looferflS
^ell'is it eats, their Fat being as wh^e as Sno^ fi" ,a#4
tneTweeteit o^^^^^gf^ifh^^^fiiii for, if-^apy
Mfb!fd|inks a Quart p| it i^eltejfe it:»e.ver rifes, j(itl?f
Stomac^ as other Oils/aW Fats, a^e ftij>je$;te ^%#l?.4
is prefefr*4 above all rhirigs fo? frvjng §*©* Otto /Tfeic
that are. Strangers tp^rnay ju^ge, ,othe£W*fe, 3$ ifeth&p?-
p'eriecLto me not lon£ after my- arrival, ij\ 4mm(4,;y?h9
could not be prevail'a upon to eat gear's Flefhj!;b#£
travelling in the Country, with iqm other Company, we

; ~" ' " & ■ •-■--■ Were

North C A ROLL N A

in

were invited to D ne at a Planter's Houfe, who enter -
taino us wiJi a Lrge Loyn ot a roafteu Bear. 1 imag.in'4
it to be a Loyn of lorky and eat as heattily of itv which,
feem'd to me to be the molt delictus Meat of that kind I
ever tailed; that Icoulu not loibear all that Day to ex-
tol the goodntfs of it, Hid iuppcfing it to be Porky tho'
the Company knew the contrary, but did not undeceive
me. The next Day we were invited to another Planter's
Houfc, who tola us he had the fineft piece oLBear
that could be, juii roafled and ready for the Tables The
Company very readily accepted of his Invitation, but as
for my part, I could hot be prevaii'd upon for fome time
to eat; the Company faid, they were much furpriz'd
becaufe I prais'd it fo irjuch the Day before. For I
never knew 'till then but that it had been Pork. I only
mention this to fhew what power Prejudice has over us.
But to return. The Bacon made thereof is extraordi-
nary good, but muff, be well faved, otherwise it will
ruft. I have leen very good Hams (not inferior to the beft
Wejlphaha) made of thefe £fflr'j-fiefh. Thefe Beafts
feed upon all manner of wild Fruits, and are great de-
voured ofi everalfort of Fifh, efpecially Herrings, which
they catch at the Brocks fide in the Months of March
and April. The Flefh of thofc Bears that feed upon
them is not good that Seafon, and eats filthily 5 neither
arc they good when they, feed upon Gum-Berries. They
arc great devourers of Swine.thsx they take in the Woods,
efpecially when they are hungry and can get no other:
Food, which is the only Ficfti-meat they are fond of.
,Thcy fometimes get into the lndianCorri' fields , or Maze,
where they generally fpoil ten times more than they eat.
They are fo fond of the Potatoes, of this Country, that
they feldom fail to deftroy aid root out all clean when-
ever they chance to come where they are.

- - And

i "iniriir-

Ama&sgtj

112 The Natural HISTORYo/

And notwithstanding they feem to be fuch a ciumfy
Creature, yet they will very nimbly climb Trees (when
purfucd by Hunters and Dogs) where they generally re-
main till ftiot; and it is ftrange to fee with what agility
they will go up and down the Trees, and in coming
down they always run tail foremoft. They are likewtic
very dexterous and expert in Fi(hing,catching vaftQuan-
titics of feveral forts of Fifh, as they run up the narrow
Greeks and (hallow Waters to Spawn. There you fhall
fee thefc Beads fit, and take up Fifh as fall: as it is pof-
fible for them to dip their Paws into the Water. There
Is one thing very ftrange and remarkable of this Creature,
which is, that no Man, either Chriftian or Indian, ever
killed a She-Bear with Young ; for it is fuppofed, that
after Conception (which is in the Winter) rhe She-B?ar$
hide themfelves in the moft fecret places 'till they bring
forth their Young, which according to P/^isin thirty
Days. But Elianus afErmeth not 'till three Months,
which k the moft likely and credible, becaufe all large-
Creatures bear their Burthens longer than fuch as are
fmatl; when they Couple together, the Female licth on
her Back, and the Male coupleth with her^ which few
other Bcafts arc known to do. They have commonly
three or five Cubs at a time, which feem to be at firft a
lump ot white Fleflh, void of Form, without Hair or
Eyes, only there is fome appearance of Claws. This
rude Lump they fafhion by degrees, by their conftartt
licking. It is likewife reported that after conception they
will Sleep fo foundly for fourteen Days that it is not
pofllblc by any means to awaken them, and that during
their abode in thofe fecret Places, they never appear a-
broad for Food, but only fuck their Paws*- which is all
they fubfift upon during that time. . ll

I

North CAROLINA.

i*3

Icis mod certain, that they hide themfelves in the moft
Secret Places, other wife the Indians •, who c^nflantly hunt
in the Woods, and kill thoufands of He nes, would at
fomc time or other have found them,, Bear- bunting is a
very great Diverfion amongft the Chrtftiansana Indian/ 9
the former have a Breed of Dogs lit tor that kind ot oporr,
about the fize of Farmers Curs; thefeby pra&icebecome
acquainted with the Scent of the Bears, which is' > ioora
as they have found,' they run him by the Nofe 3till they
come up with him, and then bark ard ftiap at him
'till lie Trees. By the Noife of the Dogs the Huntfmen
repair to the place, and find the Bearing large Tree*
where they generally ftioot one alter another, "till they
Kill him: Andjhough they are not naturally .voracious^
yet are they very fierce, and will fight molt defperately
when wounded, for which reafon there are three or four
of thefe Huntfinen together with Guns ready, for tzit
the firft (lioc fhould mifs, or not quite kill him.

If any of thefe Dogs fhould Men on a Bear, the Huntf-
man looks upon him as not good, for the beftDog in Mtt-
rope is nothing in their Paws, for when ever they gee
a Dog in their Clutches they either tear him in pieces,,
or blow the Skin from the Flefh like a Bladder, and fome-
time kill him; but if he recovers, he never is good tot
any thing, afterwards. As the Paws are accounted the
fceft Model of this Creature, fo is the Head eiteemed the
worft, and is therefore caft away, for the Brain is faid to
be Poifonous. They ate not near fo plenty now as they
were fome Years ago in this Province, where the Plan-
'-tecs have fcill'd four or five Hundred in one Seaion ; the
reafon isijecaufe they are fo very eafily kill'd, fot thc.ieafc
Dog will make them Tree, where they moil commonly
remain ftill (hot, for the Dog continues barking about the

Iffwe *M §m FMnte tome to thefc Affiffcnce. The

>— » p i part*

114 The Natural HISTORY of

Parts of this Beaft are good in feveral Diforders '• The
Oil is uied in many Cafes, and especially by the Indians
to paint their Bodies withal. The fine Furr at the oot-
tom of their Bellies is ufed in making Hats, and the Skins
jor feveral Ufes, iuch as Hammer-Cloths tor Coaches,
Furniture for Saddles, CTc and the black Cub's Skins
tor Mufts.

TheTyger is in (hape fomewhat like a Lknefs, but has
a fhorc Neck. His Skin is moit beautifully mottled with
feveral kind oHpots refembhng the Panther, only the
former are not Co round, nor have fuch different Colours*
They are large, fkong- and fwiic Beads, buc ace never
to be met with in the Settlements, being more to the
W eft ward ,?vif* on this and the other fide of the Moun-
tains, but are very fcarce and ieldom-co be found in this
Province, by what I could learn from the Indians; and
in our Joarny up towards the Mountains wc faw but one.
They have a great many young Ones at a time, and are
•very fierce and bold Creatures, and will fpare neither Man
tior Beaft to fatisfie their Hunger, as I have been kiform'd
by the Indians and fome of the Planters who have feeu
and kilPd them. Pliny reporteth that the young Ones
are carried off in the following manner in IuUia\ viz* The
Hunters lie in wait to efpy when the Tygrefs is abroad,
that they may have an opportunity to carry off the whole
Litter of Whelps at once, upon very fwifc Horfes pre-
pared for that End. But when the Tygrefs returneth and
tindeth her young ones gone, fhe puriueth moft fwiftly
thofethat carried them away, bytheScent. Butasfbon
as they perceive the Tygrefs approaching near them, they
let fall one of the Cubs^ which fhe taketh in her Mouth,
and runeth back-to her Den with kt and immediately
purfueth again in quefl of the reft <»f her Whelps, thus fhe
runneth to and from her Den, until fuch time as the

Hunters

North CAROLINA.

115

Hunters have an Opportunity to embark and get off with
part of the young Ones. The Flefli of this Beaft is eaten
by the Savage Indians, who fay it is as fweet and good as
Beef. The Tiger is much larger than a Gray-hound, with
ihlnmg Eyes, crooked Nails, &arp Teeth, and Feet
having many Toes; they love their young extreamly,
which may >e tam'd by giving them Opium, as it is re-
ported j the Fat is good againft Palfies, &c.

The Panther is of the fpecies or kind of Cats, is near
as large as the 7)£er,ana much of the fame fhape, the Skin
is of a reddifti or whitifh Colour, finely mottled with
fmall round black Spots, and the Hair is fbort and m-Jfy.
It is laid, all four-footed Beafts are wonderfully delighted
and enticed by the fmell of the Panther, but that their
frightful Countenances foon (careth them away, where-
fore they hide their Heads 'till they come within reach of
their Prey, which they leap upon and quickly devour.
They climb Trees with the greateft agility imaginable:
They aie very ftrong limb'd, and will catch and take
a piece of Meat from any Creature they ftrike at. Their
Tails are exceeding long, and their Eyes are large and
of a grayilh colour, yet look very fierce and fparkhng.
They are very definitive to the Planters, being a fwift
Bcaft of Prey, devouring Swine, Deer, or any other Crea-
ture they can Mafter. No Creatures are fo nice and
cleanly asthefe in their Food, and when they have got
their Prey, th<?y fill their Bellies with the (laughter, and
carefully lay up the remainder, covering it very neatly
with Leaves and Boughs of Trees, which if any other
Creature happens to touch, they will never eat any more
of it. They pur like a Cat, and fuch is the wildnefs of
their Nature, that altho' taken young, they are never
to be tamed. They will hollow in the Woods like a
Man, by which means many have been deceived, fup-
P % pofmg

1 16

The Natural HISTORY <f

pofing it to be fome of their Acquaintance that hol-
lowed, yet I never hear'd of any Body being hurt by
them j and the { malleft Dogs will make them take up
Into a Tree, where they generally remain 'till they
are Ihat by the fiuntlmen, and if it happens that they
don't kill them outright, thefe and the Bears are a.
very dangerous Enemy when they are wounded, to the
Huntfmen ; but more efpccially to the Dogs that ap-
proach tod near them, Their Flefh looks as well as
any Shambles-meat whatever, and abundance of People
eat them as choice Food. The Indians make warm co-
vering for themfelvcs in Winter of the Skins, though it
is doc efteemed amongit the ciioice Furs. Their Skins
drdiei, make Upper-leather for Shoes, or Gloves for
Men and Women. The Fat is hot, dry, and cofmatick,
god helps the Y^tigQ% Palfie, Scabs, Ring-worms, and Va-
rices (or f welling of the Veins.) The Gall being drank,
preiently kills, for it burns the Humours by its violent
heat, capUBg totjvttljzw, vomiting of Green Ctolor% and
Death, I c is reported thai iome Poyfon their Arrows
therewith;, that they may kill the fooner.

The Mountain-cat, To called from it's living in the
Mountainous ''part.* of America, fcldom appeareth or ap-
proaches near the Settlements, This is hkewife a Beaft
of Prey, as the Panther is, and is nearcft to him in bignefs
and Nature. They feldom do any Mifchief to the Plan*
itifrs,, becauie they are k> remote from them3 their conti-
nual haunts being in and near the Mountains, othcrwife
they aie m^ft deilru&ive a«d fierce Creatures. They
will nimbly climb Trees when purfued by Huntfmen and
Dogs, where they remain till they aie fhot, but if only
(lightly wounded, will fight mofl defperately, tearing the
pogs in pieces that they chance to meet with, which
, feldom happenss by reafon fo many hunt in. a Body to-
l:< " ' ' gcther^,

North CAROLINA

117

gethcr, who are always well armed, and ready for fuch
Encounters, other wife theft Beafts would be dangerous
Enemies to meet with thus wounded, in thefolitary parts
of the Woods. Whatufes are mad? of thefe Beafls are
uncertain, becaufe they feldom or never appear or are
kili'd by the Planters near the Plantations, and what ufc
the Indians make of them we know nothing of at pre-
sent.

The Wild-cat is likewife another Beaft of Prey, and is
quite different from thofe in Europe, being more fierce,
nimble, and large -, they have a very large Head, yet
their Tails do not exceed four Inches in length. They
are of a fine Tabby colour, and as large as a Fox. They
make an odd and frightful fort of Cry in the Woods ac
Nieht. They are dextrous in climbing of Trees, which
they do with the greateft Agility imaginable, and Prey
as the Panthers do, being great deflroyers of young
Swine. They take mod of their Prey by furprize, for
they get up into the Trees and kill Deer as they feed or
pafs by near them, by leaping dirc&ly upon them, and
fo faften their Teeth into their Shoulders, and thus fuck
their Blood 'till they die, as a Weefel does a Rabbet with
ws, fo that you (hall lee the Ikcrrun through the Woods
in this manner, 'till at length for want of Strength he
falls to the Ground, and becomes a prey to his Enemy*
Thus they take every thing by furprize, not being able
to catch any thing by running. They deftroy Hares,
Bird*, and every thing they meet that they are able
to conquer. The Furr is made ufe of in Stomachers
for weak and cold Stomachs, in lining of Muffs and
Coats in cold Countries. Their chiefeft haunts are its
Siuamps, Perkorfans, and amongft the Hollow-Canes. They
arc not aear fo numerous now as they were fome years
ago, the Planters continually meeting and killing them

U8 The Natural HIS T O R Y <f

as they hunt m the Woods. Their Fat is externally u 'd
For feveral Pains, and Aches, for which k is good.

The Pol-cats ( by fome called Scunks ) of America, are
different from thofe in Europe, being much thicker, larg-
er, and of various Colours ; not all alike, but each dif-
fering from another in their particular Colours. They
fmell like the European Fox, but if poflible, ten times
ftronger, and more offenfive .• When a Dog encounters
them, they pifs on their Tails and fprinkle it on him, by
which means he frjall fmella Month or more, fo that he
is hot to be fuffered to come mco the Houfes; and if it
fhould happen to touch ones Cloaths, the fmell by no
means can ever be difcharged, except they be buried in
the Ground for fome time, which Method ends general
ly in the lofs of the whole Suit.

The Indians love to eat their flefh, which has no man-
ner of ill fmell when the Bladder is out. They feed in
the Woods on Rats, *4<'ce, Birds, and fometimes Fifh.
They are eafily made tame (and frequently come about
the Planters Houfes at Night) yet few covet to entertain
Guefts fo offenfive in their fmelll There is another fort
of Pol-cat m moft. refpe&s like srhofe in Europe, and I have
been informed, that there are white ones to be met with
In and near the Mountains; \1 know "no ufc made of
their Furs, or any part of them in Phyfick.

The Minx is a fmall Animal, much like the Englijk
Fillimart or Pol cat, being long, flender, and every way
like him. The haunts qf thefc Beafts are chiefly in the
Marfhes by the Sea-fide and Salt-water, wHere they live
on Fifh, Fowl, Miqe,and InfecW They are very bold
Thieves, and will fteal Fifli or Fowl from you in the
Night, and will venture to take it even from under your
Head when you are afleep. They are like wife found a
great way up the Rivers,, in whofe Banks they make Holes
" •'"■ '" ' ' and

North CAROLINA

119

and live, which is known by the great quantites of frefh
Water Muffel-jbells, that lye at the mouth of their Holes.
They are great Enemies to the lortoife and lerehns,
whole Eggs they find and feratch out of the Holes in the
Sand, whieh they quickiy devour, as the Raccoons and
Crows do.

Thefe Beafts may be made tame, and are the greateft
deftrovers of Rats and Mice in the World, ana were ic
not tor their paying unfeafonable Vilus now and then to
the Poultry, they would be in --great efteem amongft the
Planters* Their Skins are good and valuable, provided
they are kill'd in the Seafon ; I never knew any ufe made
or this Animal in Phyfick. except the Fat for Pains and
Aches

The Wolf, is the Dog of the Woods, for it is reported that

the Indians had no other Curs before the arrival or the

Chrifttans amongft them. Thefe Wolves may be made do-

meitick, but they are not fo large or fierce as thole in

Europe, they are no Man-flayers, neither are, there any

Creaturs in Carolina (except they be wounded) will at-

tack Man, Horfe, or Dogs. They go in great Companies

together in the Evenings and at Night (efpecially in the

Winter-time) and will hunt down a Deer in full Cry, as

well as the belt Pack of Hounds, one of them will hunt

down a Deer, but they are frequently fo very poor that

/they can hardly run or purfue their Prey* When they are

very hungry^ and can take no Game, it is reported, they

go to the Swamps and fill their Bellies full of Mud, and if

^afterwards they chance to get any Flcfh,orftinkingFifh3

s they will readily, difcharge the Mud* and eat the other.

They make a mbft hideous nqife when they are in purfuit

of their Prey^ and will follow ih^ Indians in great droves

a through jhel Woods, who only feijl the Deer and other

t Beafts for thek Skins, and generally leave moft partoE

the

i ;

1 20 The Natural HISTORY*,/

the dead Gareais behind them, on wnich the Wolvti reed,
this being what infuses them to follow the Indnwi airer
that manner. Formerly there was a Reward (in chis Pro-
vince) for all choie that kill'd them, which made the la-
&iam -io *&ive» that they brought in fuch vaft quantities
oftheirHcaus,thatin afhorttime it became too burthen-
lome to the Cuuntry,fo that it is now laid quite a(ide,.and
the Indian* will not kill them. The Planters formerly
made Holes' >r Pits in the Earth to take them in, where
they killed great Numbers,' but their Dogs being led to
thole Place* by the Scent of the Baits that were laid for
the- MMve^ rnoit of them were deflroyed^ fo that this
ir.er.hod is entirely .= ncgk&ed,: and they are became as nu-
merous as ever3 being as great Breeders as our Dogs
and B HK hes: .They are but finally man y be ing no big ger
than mid hog Dogs, they are very crafty,' but fearfu!
Creatures, for they Xeldom.or never attack or kill either
Foles or Calves, but are -very defttu&ive to Sheep, if they
are sot carefully put up in their Fentoids at Night, and
especially if it prove ftorniy Weather,, at which time they
wi 11 come about the Planters Houfes, and .ft rive to de-
vout their Sheep, but in good Weather they never dare
appear io near their Dwell ingSj which if they had done*
the Dogs would foon chafe tfaem away, fo fenlible and
crafty are they to come when the Dogs are all under fome
Cover to pored them from the violence of the Weather,
and they generally kill all before they begin to eat,, as
inany have teftified. ■ I U isithe Opinion ^f the moft judi-
cious Hunters in -their Parts, that if &hey did not die for
Hunger., or fome fecret' unknown way, which they have
fordeftroying one another, they would be che:moft nume*
-rouS'Beafts in America, being fuch prodigious Breeders,
Their $kvns dreft to Parchment make//the belt Drum
Haas, andiiTaa'd, good Shoes for Summtr Coun riesj

North CAROLINA,

I2X

and being laid on Beds, are faid to banifti Fleas, Bugs,
and all other kind of Vermine from thence The iWa
worn about the Belly is good in the Cholick, and all col4
Diforders. The Flefh being boiled helps the Gout, and
many other" Diforders. The Fat is much of the fame
nature and ufes with that of a Dog, being externally
ufed in all kinds of Aches, Palfies, Luxations, and frac-
tures. The Dung and Blood are excellent good to ex-
pediate the Birth, and after-Birth.
' The Beavers arc amphibious Animals, like the Otter,
living both on Land and Water, yet they never go into
the Sea, their Haunts being altogether in the Frelhes.
They arc very numerous in Carolina, there being abun-
dance of their Dams in moft parts of the Country where
I have travelled. They are like an Otter, but larger, and
have broad flat Tails, in fhape like a Soal, and covered
with a Skin like the Scales of a Fifh, upon which they
carry the Mud and Earth, with which they make their
Dams. Their Heads are fhort, and the Ears arc very
fmall and round, and the Teeth fo long and (harp, thac
they will cut down Trees growing by the River (ides, as
if it were done with an Ax or Ch zel. Their Fore-reec
are like a Dogs, and their hinder Webbed like a Water-
Fowl, and they are one of the moft indubious Beafts in
the World. They are very fubtil, and cut down Trees
in the Night (for they are fcarce to be ieen in the D*y)
with which they make their Dams. The Food which
they chiefly feed on are Fifh, and the Parks of feveral
forts or Trees and Shrubs, inch as Saffaftafs, Sweet -gum%
M, Birch, and many others. If they are taken young,
they become tame and domeftick, but arc very milchic-
vousin fpoiling Orchards, by barking the Trees, and
blocking up the Planter's Doors in the Night with the
Sticks and Wood they bring thither. H they eat m?

■

122 The Natural HISTORY of

thing that is Salt, it presently kills them. Their Fkfh
is very iwettFood, and eipecialJy their Tails, which is
held as a great Dainty. They have fucn a Jargon a-
mongit them when they are at Work, that one would
immagine thtm Difcouriing, or m a grand Debate about
their Building, wherein it is faid, they have fuch an or-
derly Government, that each knows his proper Bufmefs
and Station, and that the Overfeers beat the Ycungones
that loiter in their Bufinefs, and will make them cry,
and woik floutl). It is very furprizing to behold with
what Pains and Labour they nuke their Dams, and how
artificially they build their Houfes, one Appartment a-
bove another, until they lie dry. They are fometimes
(hot, but are taken molt commonly arter the following
wanner. The Planters break down part of their Dams,
and by Traps in thofe places, which the Beavers attempt-
ing to repair and mend at Night, are caught in them.
Their Furr, which is of a brownifh colour, isfofterand
finer than any Plume or Down or Feathers, and a good
Itaple Commodity in this Country. Their Skins being
drels'd, make thick Leather,fit forShces, and wears well,
it is hkewile ufed in Mittens for Hedgers, and feverai o-
ther ways. From this Beaft comes the Ca&oreum, which
is it's Stones, the Virtues whereof are fo well known, thac
it would be needlefs to infert them.

The Otters are plentifully to be met with near the
Heads of the Rivers, and live on the fame prey in
Ewope, viz, on Fiih, and fometimes Fowl, and are the
fame in moil reflects as thofc with us: Yet there have been
fcen feme Overs to the Weft ward or this Province, which
weieof a whitifh gray Colour, a little inclining 10 Yellow.
Thtir Furr, it Black, is valuable o mske Hats, Mutfs,
and fevetal other Neceffarics. Although the Fl (h be cold
aadill-fcsiued, yu fomc cat ic^the Blood mixed with

yinegary

North CAROLINA

123

Vinegar, hrlps lwellingsof the Smews ; their Skins worn
about the Body, help Palps, and other cold Disorders;
the Te/ticks are good in the Epilepfy and Fit r of the Mp*
ther, anti-have mucnthe fame Virtues with tht Gaftorem*

1 he Haccoon (which 1 take to be a Species of the
Monkey) is or a dark grey Colour, and in fhapeand big-
ness it partly rcfcmbles a Fox, but has large black Eyes,
with great Whiskers like a Gat, the Note like a /'/g, and
the tcet arc foiin'd like a Hand, or thofc of a Monkey.
It thefe Animals are taken Young, they are eafily made
tame and familiar like a Dog, yet they arc very Apifll,
and thedrunkeneft Creauires in the World ; it they can
come at Liquors that are ftrong and fwcet ; and, if pof-
fible, are more Mifchievous and unlucky than a Monkey;
they arc very motile and crafty in taking their Prey.
Thcfe that live near the Salt-Waters teed much upon
Oyflers, which they are fond of. Thcfe Beafts watch the
Ojfter when ic opens, and nimbly put in their Paw, and
puck out the Fifh, yet it fometimes happens that the
Ofter friars and holds taft their Paw 'till the Tide comes
in, by which means they are frequently drown'd notwith-
fhnding they fwim very well. This Animal is very fond
of Crabs, which are plenty in this Province, and the way
they cake them is very remarkable and diverting, for
when he intends to make a Prey of this Fifh, he goes to
the Marfhes on the Water fide, and fianding on the
Land he lets his Tail hang down in the Water, which
the Crab cakes tor a Bait, and fattens his Claws therein,
as loon as tne Raccoon perceives it, he of a fudden fprings
forwards a conhderablc way on the Land, and brings the
Crab with him j a< foon as the Crab finds himfclf put of
his Element, he immediately lets go his Hold, and then
the Raccoon encounters him, by getting him crofs-ways
in his Mouth, and fo devours him. There is a f tt of
Q a Landd

124 The Natural HISTORY of

Land-Crabs in Carolina, which are commonly called hf&<
fautiteU live ail along the Sea fhoar, and ha?e Holes in
the $diid3 into which they run whenpurfued by any kind
of thing Thefe Crabs the Raccoon takes by putting his
fort Foot into their Hole at,u pulling them out, which
3$ very diverting with a tame one. The chief of his other
Food is wild and tame Fowl, all manner of Fruits, Green
Corn, and the like. This Beafl and the PoJJum, are much
of a bignefs. They are vtry dexterous in climbing of
Trees, and often make unicafonable Vifits among the
Poultry- The Indians and Negroes frequently eat them,
andl ft eem mem very much. The Furr makes good Hats,
and Linings for Coats in cold Countries, and the Skins
drefs'a makefine uppei -Leather for Women's Shoes, and
Gloves for Men. The parts of this Beaft are much of the
fume Nature and Virtues with thofe of the Otter, and
rr.ay be indifferently ufed after the fame manner.

The Foxes are as large as thofe in Europe, but generally
of a gray Colour, they have redifh Hair about rheir Ears
and are mofl commonly fat, yet I have never known any
3Perfon cat them, -notwithstanding they have not that
ilrong firiell that the Foxes m Ireland, and other parts
have j yet they are asmifchievousin rheir Nature. When
chey are Hunted, they run up the firft bending Tree they
gneet with for Security from the Dogs, where they gene-
rally remain 'till forced down or (hot by the Huntfmen,
but whether they Burrow in the Ground, I cannot inform
the Reader (fori never metany Fox-Holes in the Coun-
try) They are never to be made tame or familiar as the
Isaaoins and other Beafts in that Country are. The Furr
of this Anima', if taken in the Seafon, is very good, and
Is nfed tor Muffs, and many other Ornaments. Their
Food is chief!) Birds, Fowls, Rabbets, and fuchlike fmall
Prey. The Fat or Oil helps Nodes, comraBtd Sinews,

■ .' ;? Pains

North CAROLINA.

125

Pains ot the Joints, Gout, Paljie, and many other Difor-

The PoJJum is to be met with no where but in America^
that 1 could ever ieara, and is the wonder of all Land
Animals ; it is near as large as a Badger, and partly of
that colour, but lighter. The Males Fiiel is ret.ogade^
and in time of Coition differs from mofl other Animals,
turning tail to tail as Dog and Bitch when tied together.
The Female no doubt breeds her young ones at her Teats*
for I have frequently feen chem it ick fait thereto, when
they have been no bigger than the end of a Child s little
Finger, and feemingly to move and be alive. The She
one has a falfe Belly or Pouch, which covers her Teats,
and wherein fhe carries her Young; in the middle of
which is a Hole where the young ones creep in and out,
for the Female will lye down upon a Bank, and the young
come out to fun themfeives, and return in at Pleafure,
yet the Female will contra£ this Pouch 10 fecure and
clofe togecher, that fhe will (wim over large Ponds and
Creeks of Water with her Young, without any danger
of their being drowned. They have about five or fix
young ones at a time, which remain {porting in and out
of this falfe Belly, till they are able to fend for themfeives.
They have long Tails without Hair, like a Rat, but as
thick as a Man's Thumb; and appear as if they were
Scaly, which they wfll readily twine about your Finger
or Cane, in which Pofture you may carry them where
you plcafe* They are a very ftupid Creature, being alto-
gether-negligent of their own Safety, and never ftrive to
flie from their Enemies, as it is natutal for all other wild
Beafts to do. In ftiape, they are raoft like Rats of any
thing, and have very wide Months and fharp Teeth.
They are hard to kill, for I have known their Sculls

maftied and broken in pieces, £0 that they feemed to he

^ - - — ~; - ■ - ~\ . ' " . ~ quit©

'! :

136 The Natural HIS T O R Y of

quite dead, yet in a few Hours they will recover and
creep about again,- and it is a common faying in Ga,*-
Ima, that if a Cat ha* nine Lives, a Pujfum has nineteen.
Their Feet are very white, tort, (booth, and wirnout
Hair, and have five Toes upon each Foot, but the hin-
der Feet more refemble a Man's Hand, with a Thumb
and four Fingers, than the fore-Feec do. Their fJefh is
generally fat, white, and well taftcd, fcveral Ferfons eat
of them, efpecially the Indians and Negroes, who p^eter
them before Pork, but their ugly Tails are enough to put
one out of Conceit with them. They climb Trees as
the Racoons do, and feed on Flefh, Poultry, Roots, and
mod kinds of Fruits. ^ Their Furr is not ef teemed', and
tnerefore made very little ufe of, only thac the Indians
fpin it into Girdles and Garters, The Fat of this fieaft
is much of the fame Nature of that of Hogs. Tne Tef-
ticles given with Honey ftir up Luft, ana caufe Concepti-
on,

That Animal which the People of Carolina call a Hare,
h nothing but a Hedge- Coney, for I never met with or
heard ofr any of the Species' of the European Ha>et being
in this Province. The Hedge-Conies never Burrow in
she Ground, but continually frequent the Woods and
Thickets and if you ftart one of them and purfue it, it
generally runs up as far as it can into a hollow Tree,
in which cafe the Hunters make a Fire and far ke the
Tree, which brings it down, and moft commonly i mo-
thers it ; though J have frequently feen them purfued and
taken by Dogs, yet I never obferved any taken after that
manne , but their Bladders were ready co burft, whicii
the People in that Country would perfwade me was a
Diftenipcr amongft them, whereof they frequently die*
They hide their Young in fome fecret place from the dis-
covery ©f the Bucks, as the European Rabbets do3 and are

of

North CAROLINA.

127

of the fame Size and Colour. At certain Seafons of the
Year, great Both or Maggas breed betwixt the Skin and
the Ficfh, winch turns into moil beautiful Butter flits, like
thJe in the Deer. They eat much after the fame man-
ner as thcie in Europe do, but I never obfervtd any of
them fo fat. The Planters frequently fire theMarfhes
and Thickets, by which means they kill abundance of
them. The Flefli or thefe ncurifhes more than that of
the Hate.

1 tide or the European Species of Coneys or Rabbets are
very lcarce in this Province, and are to be met with but in
few places, fo that it is thought that they aic not natives
of this Country, but that they have been brought from
Europe, to thefc parts. They Burrow in the Ground
(but in two places that I know of) 1 ke thofe with us,
Thefe as well as the former breed Maggots in their
Teit ides and other pans of the Body, which become mofl
beautitul Butter-flits ; they eat after the fame manner as
thole with us, and their Furr is for the fame u(es,and the
parts of this Animal have the fame virtues in Piiyfkk
with the forn er.

The Squirrels whereof there are four forts in this Pro-
vince, i//i. The Fox- Squirrtl,thz Gray-Squirrel, the Flying-
Squirrel, and the G> ound-Squirrel.

The Fox-Squirrel, fo call'd, from its being the largeft,
and fmdlinghke a Fox. It is moft commonly larger than
a Rabbet and of a gray colour, yet I have feen feveral
P\ed ones, and fome white, red and Black. Their
ch efeft haunts are in Piney Lands where tne Almond-pine
grows. They feed on pine Nuts and all other forts of
Nuts, and Fruits, of which tney lay up a iufficient (lore
in hollow Trees for the Winter, during which Seafonthey
rcver appear abroad* They may be made tame, and
are very plenty, and good Meat in this Province, but

very

m'i The Natural H I S T O R Y of

very diftructive and pernicious in Corn Fields. The fklh
is fweet and good like that of Goats or Rabbets.

The fmaii Gray-Squirrel is much ot the fame nature
and bignefs with thcJe in England, there being, only
fome (mall Giffcrence in the colour. They feea like the
former on Corn ana Nuts, &c. and like the Bear, arc
never round with Young, neither are they to be met with
in Winter, but lie in the hollow Trees during thatSeaf-
on : Their Flcfti eats rather better than the former. The
Fat ofthefc squirrels is Emollient, and good againft Pains
in the-Ears, and the Teeth, are faid to be ufed by Ma-
gkians in foretelling things to come.

The Flying-Squirrel is ota light dun Colour, or Gray,
like the former, but much fmaller than any of the other
two. It has no Wings (like a Bird or ifa*)only a fine thin
Skin covered with Hair, as the reft of the Parts are*
This is from the Fore-feet to the Hinder-feet, which they
puff full of Wind at pleafure ; and this buoys them up,
that they will fly with incredible fwiftnefs,and at greater
Diftances than any other kinds of Squirrels do, by their
jumping or fpringing. They lay in a iufficient Store of
Provifions for theWinter, which are generally Nuts, Corn,
and feveral forts of Fruits. They are a render Creature,
lie very warm in their Nefts (which arc made of fine
Down J not appearing all che Winter, being unable to
bear the Cold and fevcrity of the Weather, and generally
half a dozen or more lie together in one Neft, which is
always in a hollow Tree, and have their Stores of Pro-*
virions near them, whereon they feed during .the cold
Weather. They are eafily made tame, but Enemies to
Corn-fields (as all the other Squrirels are) and only eat
the germinating Eye or Bud of the Grain, which is very
Tweet. The Fleih of this Squirrel is as good as any of
the former.

Norpb CAROLINA.

129

The Ground Squirrel, (o called, becaufe they fcldom
delight in running up Trees, or leaping from Branch to
Branch, as the other Squirrels do. They are the Imalleft
or' all Squirrels, being not much bigger than a larip Moufe,
and their Tails are not fo long or bufhy as the former,
but more flattifh. They are ofaceddifli colour,and finely
ftripeddown each fide with black Rows like the young
Fawns, which make them very beautiful; they may be
kept tame in a little Box with Cotton in it, becaufe tnefc
as well as the Flying Squirrels never flir or appear abroad
in the Winter, being a very tender Animal, and not able
to bear the Cold. Thefc have much the fame Virtues
and Ufes with the other forts of Squirrels.

The Weefel is likewife to be met with here, but not io
common as in fome parts or Europe \ I fee no manner of
difference between them in fliape, colour, or bignefs. It
is very it range what fome Writers have (aid of the Gene-
ration and Conception of this Animal, who confidently
affure us, that they Ingender at the Ear, and bring forth
their Young at the Mouth. Pliny reporteth, that when
they encounter and fight with Rats, they ufe Rue as a
prefervative againft their Bite. The Parts of this Ani-
mal are good in Fevers, Gouts, and Pains of the Joints,
Head-aches, Falling-fickneis, Epilcpfies, and many other
Diforders.

There are four forts of Rats in this Province, viz.. the
I Muslt, the Marjb, the Water, and the Houfe-Rat.

The Musk-Rat is partly or the colour of a Rabbet, and
is in all things ftiaped like our Water-Rat, only tome-
thing larger, and has Hair or Down upon it's Tail,
longer than the former. It frequents the Marines near
the Frefh-Water Streams ( as the Beavers do) and no
Where elfe, and builds in the Maries, having three lodg-
ing Rooms, one higher than the other, very neat and
R finely

mamm

!#

The Natural HISTORY of

finely daubed within, where it lies dry and fecure from
the violence of the Weather. It has a Cod or Musk
that is very valuable, fo is it's fine Furr. h is the Opi-
nion of many in thefe parts, that this Animal lives moft-
ly onFifh.

The Marjh-Rat, fo called from its frequenting the
Marines -, it differs from the former, being lefs and5 of a
darker colour, but is more Hairy and larger than the com-
mon Houfe-Rat. It is a very deftru&ive and mifchievous
Animal^ eipecially to Corn, and all manner of Fruits;
of what ufe it may be in Phyfick, is uncertain.

The Water-Rat is found here the fame as in England,
2nd other parts of Europe, the Water-Snakes frequently
devour thefe Rats, for I have killed feveral of thefe Snakes
and found thefe Rats in their Bellies,- they reed upon
little (mall Fiihand Water- Infeds that they meet within
Rivers and Ponds of frefh Waters.

The Hcufe-Ras are the fame here as in Europe, and in
great plenty all over this Province, and as mifchievous in
thefe parts, as in any part of the World, deftroying Corn,
Fruit, and many other things. The Tail of this Ani-
mal is Poyionous, and frequently kills Cats that eat it:
The Urin falling upon the bare Skin, caufeth the Flefli
to rot even to the Bones, if there be not good care
taken to prevent it, by a fpeedy Cure, yet the Fat is of
excellent uk againft the Palfie.

The Moles in this Province are of the fame fort as thoff
to be met with in England and other Places, but are not
plenty here, being deftroyed by Snakes, and feveral other
kinds of Vermine, which this Country produces in great
abundance. Many are the Virtues afcribed to this little
Animal, inch as curing the King's-Evil, Gout, Leprofie,
and Fifiulas, the Allies being outwardly applied, and
inwardly drank in Wine for Xeveral Days. The frefh

Blood

North CAROLINA.

131

Blood put on bald places caufeth the Hair to grow, and
the Liver being applied, is faid to wafte away Wens,
and the Powder of the Heart to cure Ruptures. They
are moft efre&ual in May.

The Mice, whereof there are four forts, viz,. The
Houfe-mice, the Shrew-mice, the Dor-mice, and the Bat,
Dr Rear -moufe.

The Houfe-mice are the fame here as thofe with us, and
thefe and all other kinds of Mice are fcarce here (except
the Rear-moufe) which may reafonably be fuppofed from
the great quantity of Vermine that continually deftroy
them, fuch as Hawks, Owls, Rattle- Snakes, Slack-Snakes,
and the like. It is a fhort-livM letcherous Creature, and
breeds often in the Year. The Flefh being applied, helps
the biting of Serpents -, the Fat is good againil the Scirr-
hm and Baldneis. The whole Moufe being calcined,
helps Tetters, Ringworms, Tiles, Epleffies, and many o-
ther Diiorders ; the Gall with Vinegar, dropt into the
Ears, bring out living Creatures got in ; the Urine co£-
rpdeth after the fame manner as the Rat.

The Shrew-moufe, or Poyfonom- moufe, fo called, from
poyfoning Cats after they have eat of them ; it is very
like the former, but is a Field-moufe, for it never reforts
or comes near the dwelling Houfes. It is faid, if it go
over the Back of any Beaft he fiiall become lame in the
Chine, and if it bite, he fwelleth to the Heart and dieth.
This Animal being burnt to Afhes, and applied with
Goofe-greafe, helps all Swellings in the Fundament, Fel-
ons and Tumors behind the Ears. Their biting is cured
by the application of their own Flefh bruifed, as alfo,
oxymel Cupping Glaffcs, Scarification, Wormwood, Vi-
negar, Garlick, Cummin Seed, Vervain, &c]

The Dor-moufe is of the fame kind here as in Europe ;

thefe Animals are but fcarce in this Province, and it is

" ' R 2 hid

132 The Natural HISTORY of

faidj they will fleep a Month or two in Winter, and can
hardly be revived acill juft the time of their going abroad.
The Body being roafleu with Oil and Salt, and eaten,
helps wonderfully Ulcers in the Lungs ; the Fat dropt
into the Ear, helps Deafnefs. The Body burnt to Allies,
mixt with Honey, and eaten every Morning, clears the
Eye-fight; and with Oil, helps burnings.

The Bat, or Rear-moufe, whereof there arc two forrs,
viz.. one a large fort with long Ears, and particularly long
ilragling Hairs. The other is of the fame kind here as
with us in Europe, only fomething larger, and is plen-
tiful all over this Province, yet it never appears all the
Winter. The Bat alone, of ail Creatures that fly, brings
forth it's young alive, and fuckleth them with Paps^ and
giveth Milk; itlikewife will convey or carry them from
one place to another as it flies. I have put this Animal
amongft the Beafts, tho' it partakes of both Natures, of
the Bird and Moufe kinds. The Fledi is abominable Food,
yet fome eat it, and it is frequently Roafted, and given to
Children that eat Dirt (which is very common amongft
the Chrifliam and Negroes in this Province) and is held as
an infallible Medicine for that purpofe. The Blood caufes
the Hair to fall off, the Gail helps the biting of the Shrew-
moufe, and dimnefs of Sight.

Having thus given an Account of the Terre/lrial, or
Land- Animals, which are to be met with in Carolina, and
&re already known to us ; I fhall in the next place pro-
ceed to defcribe the Reptiles and InfeBs. Not that I pre-
tend to give an ample Account of all the different Species,
(which would require a larger Volume than is here de-
signed) they being very numerous ; my Purpofe is to dif-
cribe fuch only as I can perfectly remember, and whofe
Qualities are beft known ; there being too great a diver-
fi:y of various kinds, many whereof are not yet throughly

difcovered,

North CAROLINA.

131

difcovercd, and others have ilipt ray Memory ; befides
what the Mountainous pares of this Land may hereafter
lay open to our View; for whoever confider what a fmaU
part of this large Province is inhabited at prefent, can't
imagine but mere will ihll be greater Dilcoveries made,
by Time and Induftry, when the back parts ot this Coun-
try, and near the Mountains are once fettled ; for the far-
ther we Travel JVe/lward, we meet greater Differences in
the Soil, Air, Weather, growth of Vegetables, and fevera!
Animals, which we at prefent are intire Strangers to ;
only what little Account we have from the Indians, (o
that no doubt every Age will make new Discoveries.

The Alligators are Amphibious Creatures, living both
upon Land and Water, and by the belt Defcription I
can learn concerning the Crocodile, I fee little or no diffe-
rence between them, only in the Name ,• this being the
receiv'd Opinion of the Naturalifts, that it is no other
than a Crocodile not arriv'd to it's full growth. They are
a large Creature with four Feet, which are like z Bears,
except that they are covered with Scales, inftead of Hair,
the Claws are ftiarp and the Tail long, with Fins upon
ir. They have a large broad Head and wide Mouth,
the Snout is like a Swims, and the Teeth, which are ex*
ceeding fharp, meet within each other like the Edges of
two Saws. The Tails of thefe Animals are near as long
as the whole Body, and the fame is very rough and armed
with a hard Skin. Their haunts are chiefly between the
Frefhes and Salt Waters. They make their Dwellings in
the Banks on the River-fides, a great way under Ground,
the entrance whereof is generally two or three Foot un-
der Water, which rifes gradually as they burrow under
Ground, 'till it rifes considerably above the furface of the
Water,where they lie dry all the Winter,at which Seafon
they never appear abroad,but as it is fuppofed,flcep all that

time

S34 The Natural HISTORY of

time without any manner of Provifion, which fome report
to be the fpace of threefcore Days. In Spring they come
forth from their Holes or Caves, and continually fwim
up and down the Rivers and Creeks in the Day time,
but at Night they are to be met with in the Woods and
Marfhy low Grounds. They always breed near the frefh
Water ftreams, or clear Fountains, yet fcek their Prey in
brackifh and Salt-waters, not near the open Shoar, but in
the Rivers and Creeks. They are never known to'devour
Men in Carolina, but on the coatrary, always ftrive to
avoid them, as much aspoffibly they can. Yet they fre-
quently kill Swine and Dogs, the former as they come to
feed in the Marines and at the fides of the Rivers and
Creeks, and the latter as they are fwiming over them.

The Alligators lay Eggs as Ducks do, only they are
longer fhap'd, and have a larger and thicker Shell than
they have ; but how long they are in Hatching their E<*gs
I never could be fatisfied, or rightly informed, for the
Indians with whom I converged, lay, it is molt part of the
Summer, and only by the heat of the Sun ; but fome of the
Chriftians affured me, this was performed in fixty Days,
or thereabouts : Their young ones are fijaped exactly like
a Lizard, Asker, or Effit, and they have ihort flat and
large Tongues. I (aw one of the young ones taken and
brought to a Planters Houfe who had a Pond of Water
before his Door (out of which he dug Clay for Building)
wherein he put the young Alligator, it remained there for
half a Year, feeding on Guts of Fowl and other Flefh-
meat and Frogs that happend to come into the Pond. It
grew fo very domeftick, that it would frequently come
Into the Dwelling Houfe, and return again to the Pond :
But at length it ftole away to the Creek before the Plan-
ters Dwelling Houfe, as was fuppofed, for it never could
be feen or heard of afterwards.But to return to their Breed-
ing

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a
ac

North CAROLINA.

135

ing their young ones. The old ones throw up Banks of
Mold in the wet Swamps, in form of a Sugar- Loaf, near
the fides or the frefh Water-Rivers and Creeks, whereon
they lay twenty or thirty Egos, if not more, in the Sea-
ion, where they remain 'till fucn time as they are Hatched,
and then they tumble into the Waters, and fend for them-
felves in the like manner as the young Frog s do; I am
periwaded they are one of the largeft Creatures in the
World to be produced out of fo fmall a Beginning as an
Egg not fo large as a Goofes, for they fometimes exceed
eighteen Foot in length, they have Sixty Teeth, Sixty
turning Joints, and are faid to live no longer than Sixty
Years. They are very crafty and fubtile in taking their
Prey in Waters, whereon they float as if dead, or like a log
of Wood, 'till they come within reach of their Prey, which
they will moft nimbly feize by leaping upon them, and
then dive under Water with it, which they quickly
devour. They are like wife very deftru&ive andmifchic-
vous to Wairs made for catching Fifh, into which they
come to prey on the Fifh caught in them, from whence
they cannot readily difcharge themfelves, fo break the
Wairs in pieces, being a Creature very large, and of great
Strength. It is almoft impoffible to kill them with a
Gun, except you chance to hit them in or about the
Eyes, or under the Belly, that part being fofter than any
part of the Body ,* the reft of the Skin being fo hard,
that it will refill; a Bullet like Armour. They are very
cafily avoided upon Land, being a very flow Creature,
by reaion of the fhortnefs of their Legs, and they cannot
readily turn themfelves, for their Bodies are fo ftiff and
hard, that they are obliged to go ftreight forward, fo
that they may be avoided by the leaft turning out of their
way, but they are very nimble and a&ivein leaping either
upon Land or Water. Some of thefc Creatures afford a

great

836 The Natural HISTORY 0/

great deal of Musk, and when their Tails are cue off*
they look very fair and white, feemingly like the belt of
Vail, and fome People eat thereof, and fay it is moil de-
licious Meat, when they are not Musky. Their Teeth
are as white as Ivory, whereof I have feen Chargers for
Guns of leveral fizes, Snuff- Boxes, and many other Toys
made. The upper Jaw of this Monfter is moveable, and
not the under, and it is doubtful whether they have any
Paffage for their Excrements, except the Mouth. After
the Tail is cut off from the Body of this Creature, it will
freely move for four or five Days, as if it had been alive,
and ftill joined with the other parts. I faw two of
them killed during my flay in that Country, in the
Bellies whereof ( after they were opened ) were found
feveral forts of Snakes, knots of Light-wood^ and parti-
cularly one of them with a large folid Stone, that weigh-
ed about four Pound weight.

Thefe Monfters roar and make a moft hideous Noife
againft bad Weather, and before they come out of their
Dens in the Spring. I was very much frighted by one of
them in a Creek near Bath-Town, where thefe Animals
are very plenty, which happened after this Manner : As
I was walking near the Creek fide one Evening, not long
after my arrival in thofe Parts, on a fudden this Monfler
began to roar after fuch a dreadful manner, that the very
Earth fcemed to tremble where I flood. I am not able
to exprefs the confternation I was in ; for I am fatisfied
it gave me the greateft dread and furprize I was ever in,
never having heard fo terrifying a Noife before; it con-
tinued thus roaring for eight or ten times, like a Bittern,
but if poflible, a hundred times louder, which at firfl I
imagined to be fome diabolical Spirit breaking through
the Bowels of the Earth, for in the fright I was in, I could
think or imagine nothing elfe* I made all the hafte I

could

North CAROLINA,

13?

could to a Planters Houfe, where I had lain the Night
xrore, who foon undeceived me, and told me what it
was, and that in a few Days I fhould fee the Creature
:hat'made that hellifh Noife in the Creek before his Door,
which happened in a Day or two after. Their Flcfh
it not Musky, is accounted good Meat, and helps thofe
that are affli&cd with the Gout and Rhumatick Pains*'
The Blood clears the Eyes, and the Fat is prevalent
aeainft all manner of Pains, Aches, Ulcers, and Cancers,
by Undion. The Gall is of excellent ufe in taking a-
way the Qatar att and Web, growing in the Eyes ; the
Teeth or the right Jaw bound about the Arm, are faid to
provoke Venery. The Skin calcined, and mixed with
Lets of Oil, is faid to ftupifie the' Parts fo much, that
they cannot feel, though cut. 1 have ranked the Alliga-
tor and the lonoife among the Infetls, becaufe they lay,
Es?s.

The Tortoife, vulgarly called thcTurtle, whereof there
are three forts. The firft is the Green Tortoife, which is
not common, but is fometfme found on thefe Coafls ; it
lives both on Land and Water, and has a large ftrong
Shell on it's Back, which defends it from it's Enemies.
The Lean of this Tortoife looks and taftes like Veal,
without any fifhy favour, and the Fat is as green as
Grafs, yet very fwcet ; fome are fo large, that they
Weigh tour hundred Weight.

The fecond is the Hawks-Bill, which is common here,
the Flefh of thefe two forts are incomparably good Foods
being inferior to none, and is ufefui in feveral Diforders,
fuch as the Gout, HeBitks, Epilepfy, fore Eyes, and is faid
to be an Antidote againft Poyfon.

The third is called the Logger-Bead, which fcarce any

©ne covets to eat, except it be the Negroes and 1 Mans,

yet the Eggs of this and all the other forts (which are

S covered

38 The Natural H IS T O R Y of

covered with a Skm and not a Shell) are extraordinary
pod Food and nouriih very much, yet none of thefe
forts or Creatures Eggs will admit in boiling the White
to be harder than a Jelly, notwithstanding the Yolk with
boi mg becomes as hard as any other Egg. They make
Holes in the dry Sandy-Land, and on the River fides
where they lay above an hundred Eggs m the Seaion as
large as Pullets afterwards they cover them carefully
with Mould, which they beat hard and fmooth with
their Breafts, wiiere they remain till they are Hatched
and they lay Eggs two or three times a Year which
cauferh a prodigious Increafe. The common 'way of
taking thefe Turtles is, to turn them on their Backs in
wnich Pofture they cannot dive under the Water fo that
thofe that Fifh for them tyc a Rope about them, and
hawl them into their Boats, or tow them to Land and
it is reported, that they will fried Tears when they are
taken ; and though they have large Lungs within their
Scales, yet according to Pliny, they are without Blood.
They are commonly found floating upon the Water and
fometimes fail afleep, at which time they will fnorc verv
loud. They have neither Tongue nor Teeth, but a very
fharp Bill, which ferves them inftead of Teeth • they
feed on Cockles, Mujcles, and other Sea-fhel Fifh for
their Bills are fo hard and ftrong that they will readily
break thole Fifhes and eat them. J

The Terebins, whereof there are divers forts, which I
fhall comprehend under the diftin&ion of Land and Wa-
ter Terebins.

The Land Terebins are of feveral Sizes, but generally
round mouthed, and not Hawks-bill, as fome of the other
forts are, they are exactly in fhape like the Turtles, said
move very flowly, and if any thing touches them, they
readily draw their Head and Feet within their Shells ,-

(being

North CAROLINA.

139

(being fpeckled with reddifh fpots, which are hard and
ftrong) that fcarce any thing can hurc them. The In-
dians eat them, and moft oi: them are good Food, except
the very large ones, and thofe that are Musky. Thefe,
as well as the lortotfes, make Holes in the Saud-Banks
above High-water-mark, where they lay vaft quantities -
of Eggs in the Seafon, which are hatched by the heat
of the Sun, and the young Ones, as foon as they areout
of the Shell, crawl back to the Water, where they feek
their Living. They are mortal Enemys to the Rattle-
Snakes, killing them wherever they meet, which they
do by catching the Snake a little below the Neck3 and
fo draw his Head into their Shell, which makes the Snake '
beat his Tail, and twift aboat with all the ftrength and
violence imaginable to get away, but the Terebm foon
difpatches him, by prefling him to Death between his
Shells, and there leaves him. In Europe they are called
the Land-torms, and are plenty up and down the Woods
of Carolina; they feed on Snails, Tadpools, or young
Frogs, Grajs, Mujhrooms, and Dew and flime of the Earth
and Ponds. Their Eggs are very nourifhing, and exceed-
ing good Food. They never appear in Winter, but lie
all that Seafon in Holes in the Earth, without any man-
ner of apparent Provifipn.

The Water-Terebins have a Shell on their Baeks and
another underneath, like the former; they are but fmall,
containing about as much Meat as a Pullet, and are ex-
traordinary good Food in May and June, at which time
they make Holes in the Earth, where they lay vaft quan-
tities oi Eggs, which are hatched by the heat of the Sun
and Sands, as the former are. They come out about the
bignefs of a fmall Chefnut, and feek their own living ; It
is incredible what quantities of Eggs, thefe as well as the
others will lay in the Seafon, but they Jiave fo many
S % Enemies

140

The Natural HISTORY of

Enemies chat find them our (efpecially Hogs, Racoons, and
Crcw<3 &c.) that the hundredth part never come to per'
fecuon. for during the time they arc laying, you will
fee the Hogs zn&RacQons hunting all along the Water fides
till they find their Eggs, which they root out of the
Earth, and fo devour them -3 this is the reafon they are
not fo plenty in this Province as formerly they were,
though they areftill numerous enough. I have frequently
eat of them, which are as delicious a Morfel as ever
I rafted, if well drefs'd. Their Virtues and Ules are
much the fame with the Tortoife.

The Frogs, whereof there are feveral forts, but none
fo remarkable as the Bull-Frogs, fo called, horn their bel-
lowing like a Bull, which makes Strangers wonder
(when by the fide of a Masfh) what's the matter, for
they hear the Frcgs bellow, and can fee no Caule :
They are the largeft that are known in America, being
generally as big as a Rabbet, I have known no Uk made
of them in Phyfick.

The Green Frog, fo called from it's Colour, it is one of
the fmalleft iort 1 ever met with ; theie climb up Trees,
and fing or make a noife much like the Grajs-h^er, but
much louder. The French eat the hinder Quarters of
them.

The common Land-Frog is like a Toady only it leaps
and is not poyfonous. Thefe Frogs are great devourers
of Ants, and the Snakes devour them. Thefe Animals
baker and beat to Powder, are taken with Orrice-Koot,
to cure the Tympany, and many other Dilorders.

There are feveral other coloured fmall Frogs in thefe
parts; and what is worthy or Obfervation is, that they
in general have fuch variety of Notes from the Spring to
the Fall, that it is very ftrange to hear them, reprefent-
ing as it were all the Crys, Calls, and Notes of Beafts and
Birds in thefe Parts, The

North CAROLINA.

141

The Scorpion-Lizard, but why fo called I know not,
for it is not like a Scorpion in any reipect : It is or the Liz,-
ard kind, but much bigget than any I ever faw in Europe.
It's Back is or a dark Copper-colour, and the Belly or an
Orange. It is very nimble in running up Trees,or up-
on Land, and is accounted Very Poyfonous. This Ani-
mal hath the moft Sers of Teeth in the Mouth and
Throat of any I have km, but what they prey or feed
upon, I am an mtiie Granger to, and likewife their Ufe in

Pnvfick.

The Green-Lizards, in this Province are as large as
thole to be met with in Europe, and are very harmlcis
and beautiful, they frequently refortto the Walls of the
dwelling Houfes (efpecially in the Summer feafon, form
Winter they are not to be feen) and (land gazing on the
Inhabitants, without any dread or fear, being very tame:
They are of a moft beautiful Green colour and have a
little Bladder under their Throat, which they fill with
Wind, and evacuate at pleafure. ;

There are feveral other forts of Lizards of various and
changable Colours, but none fo beautiful as the Green
ones Thcfe Lizards are mortal Enemies to the Spiders
and Toads, yet their Flefh eaten is hurtful, caufmg In-
flammations, Tumours, and Blindnefs j the Head be-
ing outwardly applied with Salt, draws out Darts,
Thorns, and things flicking in the Flefli , it likewise
*vafteth Weas, and other hard Swellings. The Gall
caufeth the Hair to fall off, and their Eggs kill fpeedily,
except a f udden Remedy be exhibited made of Falcon's
Pung and Wine. If they bite, they leave their Teeth
behind them, which caufeth continual Pain, until they
arc taken out. The Gray-Lizards are very common, and
the Snaies feed upon them ; for I have taken feveral of

them out of the Bellies of the Snakes*

In

1 42 The Natural UlSTORYof

In the Month of June, 1730, as I was era veiling in
the Woods together with other Company, we found an
Infect fuiiing itfelf at the Root of a large Pine Tree
about the thicknefs of a Man's Finger, and three Inches
long, it was beautifully ftriped with Circles of Black
and White. The Mouth was partly like the Mouth of
a Frog, but not fo large, it had four fhort Feet, but no
Tail; it was very ioft, but the Skin exceeding tough
and it moved very (lowly. Not one of the Company
could give me an Account what it was, neither couid I-
ever learn from any I converfed with, or fhewed it to
having preterved it a confiderable time in Spirits ; but I
take it to be a Species of the Lizards, and have there-
fore ranked it amongft them, not knowing by what
other Name to diiiinguifh it.

Having thus given an Account of the Frogs and £/*-
ards, I iliall in the next place proceed to give an Ac-
count of the SNAKES that this Country produces,
beginning with the moil poyfonous, and concluding
with thofc that have none. And firft,

The Ratte-Snafo, fo called from the Rattles at the
End of their Tails, which is a connexion of Joints (and
ieem as if decayed) with a thin covering of an excremen-
titious Matter, between the fubftance of a Nail and a
Horn,- Nature undoubtedly deligning thefe on purpofe*
to give Warning of fuch an approaching Danger, as the
venemous Bite of thefe Snakes are. Some of them grow
very large, as fix or feven foot in length, and about the
thicknefs of the fmall of a Man's Legg. They giv*
Notice to fuch as approach their Danger, by rattling
their Tails, which may be heard at a great Diftancei
they arc fharp lighted, and quickly difcpver any thing

approaching

North CAROLINA,

143

approaching them a great way off. Their Skins are ail
over full or' thin tender Scales, with a Ridge through
the middle of them, of an Orange-tawny, and blackifh
colour, beautifully mottled on their Backs, and .their
Beilys an Aib colour, inclining to Lead. The Male
is ealily diftinguifhed from the Female, by a Spot on
his Head of a black Velvet colour, and his Head is
fmaller ffaaped and longer*, Their Bite is very vcnemous
if not fpeedily remedied, and efpecially if it happens in
a Vein, Nerve, Tendon* or Sinew, where it is diffi-
cult to be cured. The Wound grows black, or of a
livid colour, caufing afwelling in the Parts; dimnefsof
the Eyes, palencfs of the Face, Swooning, and Death,
if a Cure be not applied in time. They are a majeitick
fort of Creature, and will feldom or never bite (except
they are prov©ked) which they cannnt do until they
gather themfelves into a Quoil or Circle, and then will
fpringat a good diftatice to bite whatever provokes, or
injures them, other wife they are mod peaceable Crea-
tures, and never attack or molefl any one. The Indians
pretend to charm them, fo that they can take them up
in their Hands, without any danger of being bitj
but how far they may be expert in this kind of Prac-
tice, is ftill a Secret among them, but this I am certain
of, that they are famous in curing the Bite of thefe
and moil other forrs of venemous Creatutes in thefc
parts. They have of late communicated the Method how
to cure the Bite of the Rattle-Snake to the Chriftiam^
which almoft every Planter is very well acquainted with.
This Cure is perfected by chewing in the Mouth the
Root of an Herb that bcareth TufTts or Buttons at the
top like Seasons, but not of that Colour ; this Root is
as hot in the Mouth as Ginger, and about the fame thick-
nefs, it is called the Rattle- Snake-Root) fcom it's curing
~ " "" ' " " the

The Natural HISTORY*?/

the venomous Bite of chat Snake; there are three forts
of it to be found almoft every where, this (as 1 (aid be-
fore) they chew in their Mouths, ("wallow fome part of
the Juice, and apply the reft to the Wound, winch per-
fectly cures thofe that arc bit in a tew moments. It is
furprizing to obfcrve how chele Snakes will allure and
charm Squirrels, Hedge-Conneysy Partridges, and many o-
ther fmall Beafts ana Birds to them, which they quickly
devour. The Sympathy is Co ftrong between chele, that
you fhall fee the Squirrel or Partridge (after they have
efpi'ed this Snake) 1-ap or fly from B >ugh to Bough,
until at laft they run or leap directly into it's Mouth,
not having power to avoid their Enemy, who never ftirs
out of the Pofture or Qtioil until he obtains his Prey*
It is reported, they have a Rattle for every Year they
are old, which does not begin to grow until they are
three Years old, which I am apt to believe, for the young
ones have none, and I have feenand kiiled feverai of thefe
Snakes, with thirteen, and fifteen, and one with thirty
Rattles. They have feverai fmall Teeth, of which I
cannot fee they make any Ufe, for they i wallow every
thing whole, but the Teeth which poyfon, are only four,
two on each fide of their upper Jaws ,* thefe are bent like
a Sickle and hang ioofe, as if by a Joint. Towards the
fetting on of thefe, there is in each Tooth a little Hole
wherein you may juft get in the point of a fmall Needle ;
here it is that the Poyfon comes out (which is as green
as Grafs) and follows the Wound made by the point of
the Teeth. Their Bite is not always of the fame force,
but more orlefs venemous according to the Seafon of the
Year, for the hotter the Weather, the more poyfonous
they are, efpecially in Jum , July, and Augufl. In Winter
they never appear, but lie hid in fome fecret Places in
the Earth, as all the other Snakes do, not being able to

endure

North CAROLINA.

*45

endure the cold Weather ; for you fhail fee feveral forts
or them lying dead, at the approach of the Winter, not
bcin<* able to reach or crawl mco their Holes. Neithet
can we iuppole chat they can renew their Poifon as (oon,
or as often as they pleafe, tor we have known Infhnces
to the contrary or two that were b:t in the Leg by one
Rattle-Snake32LS they were travelling in the Woods, The
hrft was very painrul fome Days, not having an oppor-
tunity to get the Ractle-Snake Root, in fome Hours af-
ter he was bit. The other received no more harm by
that Bite than if he had been bit by a Moufe, or any o-
ther Creature not venemous ; fo that we may reafonably
conjccmre from this Obfervation* that their Poyfon is
not always of the fame efficacy. I enquired of the firft
Perfon, what he felt when the Snake firft bit him ; he
faid, it feemedas ifafiafh or Fire had run through his
Body. The Indians frequently pull out their Teeth, fo
that they never afterwards can do any Mifchier by bit-
ing; this maybe eahly done, by tying a bit of red Wol-
len Cloth to the upper end of a long hollow Cane, and fo
provoking the, Kattle-fmke to bite, and fuddenly pulling
it away from him, by which means the Teeth flick raft
in the Cloath, which are plainly to be feen by thofe
prefent. They have two Noftrils on each fide of their
Nofe, which is not common in many of the other forts of
Snakes. They are fo venemous that they frequently
bite and poyfon themfclves ; For, oftentimes when we
have found out where they arc (which is eafily known
by their continual Rattling with their Tails, which they
fluke and fhivcr with wonderful nimblenefs when they
arc any way difturbed) we cut down long Poles or Reeds
and make the tops thereof (harp, wherewith we tickle
their fides, and provoke them, that at length they become
fo enraged,they bite chemfelves, and dye in a fhorc time,
T i

146 The Natural HISTORY of

I hope it will not be upgeafyig to the Reader to in-
fere the following Account in relation to a Rattle-fnake
and a Dog, as it happened during my refidence there,
viz,. A Planter having taken a Rattle-fnake m a Noofe^
put it into a Barrel, and brought it to Edentown, and'
told the Inhabitants, that if they would make him drink,
he would (hew them feme Diverfion ,• chat he had a
living Rattle-fnake, and a Dog that would fight it, who
had killed feveral in his time; the propofal was readi-
ly confentcd to by all that were prefent. The Planter
immediately turned out the Snake ( which was very
large) whilft another held the Dog, as we generally
do our Bull-Dogs. A large Ring was inftantly made .
and every one cry'd our for fair Play, viz,. Thar the
Snake mould have time to gather itfelf into a Quoil,
or poflure of Defence, which it very quick! y did, and
immediately began to Rattle it's Tail; Everything
being ready, the Dog was let loofe, and attacked the
Snake \ his ufual way of killing them, was, to fhake
them at full length out of their Quoil, in winch Pofture
they can neither lap nor bite ; but this Snake being fo
large, the Dog had not ftrength enough to do it. In
the firft encounter he only bit it, which the Snake as
readily returned, biting the Dog by the Ear, which made
him cry and quit his hold, and feemed to be ftun'd, or
like one in a Megrim. But the Company encouraged
the Dog, and fet him on again : In the fecond encoun-
ter it bit the Dog by the Lip, and immediately after
bit itfelf, the Dog in a little time began to cry and reel
about as if drunk or in a Megrim, grew regardlefs of
his Matter's calling him, and in half an Hour dyed, and
the Snake in about a Quarter. I had not related this,
had I not been an Eye-witnefs to the whole proceed-
ing. The Poyfon both of Viper and Mad-dog ( I con-
ceive

North CAROLINA.

HI

ceivc) kill, by thickning of the Blood after the manner
that Runnet congeals Milk when they make Cheefc.

Thefe Snakes call their Skins every Year, and com-
monly remain near the Place where the old Skin lies,
thefe caft Skins are frequently pulverifed, and given with
good fucceis in Fevers, fo is the Gait mixed with Clay,
made up in Pills, and given in peftilential Fevers and the
Small Pox, for which it is accounted a noble Remedy,
and a great Arcanum, which only fome few pretend to
know, and to have had the firft Knowledge and Experi-
ence of for many Years j fo are the Rattles good to ex-
pediate the Birth, and no doubt but it has all thole excel-
lent Virtues that the Viper is indued with.

The Ground Rattlesnake, but why fo improperly cal-
led, I know noReafon for, becaufe it has no Rattles,and
only refembles the Rattle- fnake a little in colour, but is
darker, and not fo large, feldom exceeding a Foot or
fixteen Inches in length, and is reckoned one of the molt
poyfonous and worft of Snakes, and is faid to be the
lateft Snake we have that returns to it's Hole in the fall
of the Leaf. It's Ufesand Virtues are unknown to any
in thefe Parts, except the Indians.

The Hom-fnakest fo called, from a Horn growing in
their Tail like a Cock's Spur, with which they flrike
and kill whatever they wound with it, except a fpeedy
Remedy be applied. They are like the Rattle-fnah in
colour, but a little lighter. They hifs exactly like a
Goofe when any thing approaches them. This Horn in
their Tail is all the Weapon they have with which they
ftrike and deftroy their Enemy, for they never bite as
the Rattlesnake and other Snakes do. They give warn-
ing to fuch as approach their Danger by Hilling. They
are a very venemous Snake, hardly admitting of a cure
from the Indians i yet tne mofl effectual Method to per-
T 2 feet

148

The Natural HISTORY of

fe& this Cure is by the Rattlesnake Root, cupping Glaf-
fes and Scarification, or cutting cff the Flefh to the
£one, and lailly by Amputation of the Parts. Thefe
Snakes arc near as long as the Rattk-fnake, but are not
plenty in this Province, and I have been credibly in-
formed by ieveral of the Planters, that they have fecn
them {hike their Horns into Trees, and particularly in-*
to the Pine and LocuR, which in a few Hours decayed
and died, though before that it was in it's full Bloom.
But be that as it will, lam certain of this, that it is a
dangerous Snake, and it's Wounds very difficult and
tedious to becurech

The Water-fnakesy whereof there are four forts. The
fitft is of the Horn-fnake Colour, but not fo large, and
is as poyfonous as any of the other forts. The iecond is
a long Snake, and differs from the other in colour, being
more dark. Thefe Snakes will frequently fwim over
laige Rivers, and often hang upon the Boughs of Birch,
and feveral other Trees by the Water fide, and fome-
times drop into the Cannoes as they are paffingby, they
are alfo very poyfonous. The third is of an Englijh Ad-
der colour, but always frequents the Salts, and lies ge-
nerally under the drift Sea- weed, where they are in a-
bundance, and are accounted very mifchievous when
they bite. The fourth is of a footy black Colour, and
frequents Ponds and Ditches, and is as Poyfonous as
any of the former. When thefe Snakes bite (if a Reme-
dy be not (peedily applied) there enfueth great Pain, In-
flammation, blacknefs in the Wound, the Vertigo, and
Death within three Days; for the Poyfon is fo malig-
nant, that it forthwith difperfes through the whole Body,
which when it comes to the Heart, the Creature imme-
diately falls down dead. Thefe and all the other Snakes
lay Eggs, except the Viper. The Cure for the bite of

i j.i thefe

North CAROLINA

149

thefe, is much the fame with that of the Horn-fnake,
and their Virtues and Uies the fame with the Viper,

The Swamp-fnakes, whereof there are three forts, and
are very like the Water -fnakes,and may properly be rank-
ed amongft them. The firft is of a dirt Brown colour on
his Back, and the Belly is of a Carnation or Pink co-
lour, and is large, but not venemous. The fecond is
large, and the back is of the colour of the former, buc
the Belly is of a tawny and li-ht Copper colour, beauti-
fully mottled; thefe always abide in Swamps and Marin-
es, and are poyfonous. The third is mottled, with a
dark brown Colour on the Back, and the Belly of a
livid and Orange colour. They are very poyfonous, and
remain like wile in Swamps and Ponds, and have pro-
digious wide Mouths, they are commonly as thick as
the Calf of a Man's Leg, though they are not very long,
they feed on Water-rats, Mice, and feveral forts or In-
lefts. The cure of thefe is much the fame with the
former, and may indifferently be ufed after the fame
manner.

The Red-back Snakes (fo called from their Red-backs)
are long flender Snakes, they are rare to be met witbs
and are very poyfonous ; it is reported that the Indians
themfelves cannot cure the venemous bite of them : I
never knew any one bit by them, and I faw but one
during my abode in thofe Parts.

The Vipers whereof there are two forts. The firft is of
a grayifh colour like the Italian piperjhc other black and
ftiort. Both thefe forts are venemous, and fpread their
Heads flat when they arc provoked. They lie hid in
the Ground all the Winter Seafon, and are generally a-
bout a Foot and a half, or two Feet in Length. Their
Heads are very broad compared with the Body, and the
Neck much narrower than the Head. Their tails are
------ fmall

1 50 The Natural HIS T O R Y of

fraail {harp, and curled at the end. The Teeth upon the
upper Chop are very long and crooked like. a Sickle y
and upon either fide it hath four ; thole upon the
lower Chop, are fo fmall that they can (carce be ob-
ferved by the naked Eye, neither can the length of the
Teeth be ken except you takeaway the iittle Bladder in
which they lie concealed, in this Bladder it carries Poy-
fon, which it infufeth into the Wounds it makes with its
Teeth. The Scales of a Viper are more (harp than a
Snake i \ it lies for the moli part Quoiled up like a Rattle-
snake. In the Viper there is nothing venemous but the
Head and Gail, which are caff away as ufelefs. It is a
(harp lighted, crafty, and venemous Creature, biting
thofe that fuddenly pafs by it. The Viper is faid to con-
ceive Eggs within her, which (he does not lay after the
manner of other Serpents,- but in her Body they are
hatched into living Vipers. For as Pliny reporteth, that
of ail Creatures that want Hair, the Viper and the Dol-
phin oniy bring forth their Young with Life. It is like-
wife reported, that after rhey have ingendered, the Fe-
male deft roys the Male, and feeds on him ; and that the
Young Ones eat their way out of their Female's Belly,
when fhe is ready to bring them forth, and feed on her
'till they are able to fend for themfelves. But how true
this may be, I will not take upon me to determine ; but
this I am certain of, that I have killed feveral of them
and after having opened them, have found fifteen or
more young ones alive in the Female's Belly. The bit-
ting of the Viper is mortal, and kids within three Days
at fartheft, if not fpeedily cured ; the Poyfon is univerfal,
as if the Body were fet on Fire with violent Convurfions,
Weakness, cold Sweats, Vomiting, and then Death. At
firft the Poyfon may be fucked out by applying the Anus
of a Hen to the part after Scaufica^ion,, or die a Plafler

of

North CAROLINA.

151

of Garlick, Onions, and Venice-Treacle, drinking French
Wine, Garltck Broth, with Mithridate, Bazaar-miner aly
Myrrh, and the Rattle- fnake Root. .The Virtues of the
Vipers are fo well known, that it would be needlefs to
trouble the Reader with, them, only that they are more
valuable than any of the other Snakes.

The Ked-beUy-jnalR.es, thefc frequent the Land, and arc
fo called, from their Red-bellies, which inclines to an
Orange colour : They are not very vcncmous, for I have
known feveral Perfons bit by them, fame whereof were
not much hurt, and others have fuftered much by them.
But lam peifwaded that there are two different forts of
thefc Snakes, but fo like each other, that there has been
no difference made between them at prefent ; otherwiie
their bites would not produce luch contrary effects, as
they are known to do.

The Chicken- fnake, or Egg- fnake , fo called, from it's
frequenting about Hen-yards, and devouring Eggs and
Chickens. They are commonly of a dusky foot colour,
though I have feen iome of them dark, yellow, and mot-
tled. They are about four Foot long, and the thicknefs
of a Man's Wrift, they frequently climb up large Pine
Trees, will rowl themlelves round, and ft ick to the fide
of it, where the e feems to be no manner of hold, above
twenty or thirty Feet high ; there fun themfelves, and
deep in the heat of the Day. I cannot find that they are
venemous, but are mifchievous about Houfes, and will
imitate exactly the call and cry of Chickens, and allure
and decoy them, which they will quickly feize and
fwallow.

The BrimRone-foake, fo called, from it's being almoft
of that colour. They might as well hvae called it, the
Glafs, or brittle-Snakc,for it is as brittle as Glafs, or a
Tobacco-Pipe, forgive it the leaft touch with a (mall

Twig,

i$2 The Natural HISTORYo/

Twig it immediately breaks, or rather disjoynts into fe-
veral pieces ; and feveral in thefc parts confidently affirm,
that if they remain in the fame place untouched, they
will joyn together again. What harm there may be-in
this brittle-ware, 1 cannot tell, tor I never knew any Per-
Ton hurt bythero.

The King-fnake is the iongeft of all other Snakes in
thefc parts, but are not common j the Indians make Gir-
dles and Sallies of their Skins, and it is reported by them,
that they are nor very venemous, and that no other
Snake will meddle with them, which 1 fuppofe is the
Reafon that they are f o fond of wearing their Skins about
their Bodies as they do.

The Com-fnahe^ io called, from it's being met with in
Corn-fields, and fcarce any where elle. They are not
venemous, neither do they gather themfelves into a Quoil
like the Viper or Rattie-makc. They are near a ^ard
long, and of a Brown colour, mixt with Tawny.

The Green-fnakes arc very fmall, and are lo called, from
their beautiful green Colour (if any Beauty may be al-
lowed to Snakes) the Planters make themfelves very fa-
miliar with them, and will frequently put them in their
Bofoms, without any dread or fear, becauie there is no
manner of harm in them.

The Black-truncheon-fnake might have very well been
numbered amongft the Water-fnakes : they are fo called,
from their fhapc, being the thickeft and fhorteft kind of
Snakes I ever faw ; they lie on the Banks, and at the
Roots of Trees by the Water fides, and when any thing
difturbs them? they dart themfelves into the Salt-water
like an Arrow out of a Bow. What good or harm there
is in them I know not, fome of thefe Water-fnakes will
f wallow a black-land Snake, half as long again as them-
felves. as I obferved in one of them that 1 (hoc.

The

North CAROLINA.

153

The long Bhck-fnake is very Common, and generally
fix Feet in length, it frequents the Land altogether,
and isthcnimbleit Creature living, it has no manner of
Venom in it's bite, but the part fometimes fwells and
turns to a running Sore. Thefe Snakes arc the beft
Moufers that can be, for wherever they frequent, they
deftroy Lizards, Frogs, Rats and Mice, leaving not one
of thole Vermine alive, They are very mifchievous a-
bout Dairies and amongft Eggs, skimming the Cream
of the former, and fwailowing the latter* They will
fometimes (wallow all the Eggs fromjmder the Hen that
fits, .and Quoil themfelves under her in the Ned, where
they are often round by the Hoafe-wife : They kill
the Rattle-fnake where-ever they find him, by twifiing
their Head about his Neck, and fo whip him to death
with their Tails; and notwithftanding the Agility of
this Snake, yet it is fo brittle, that when it is purfued,.
and gets it's Head into the hole of a Tree or Wall, if
any one gets hold of it at the other end, it will twift it
felf in pieces. One of thefe Snakes, whofe Neck feemS
to be no thicker than a Woman's little Finger, will
f wallow a Sorrel or Rat, which I have taken out of
their Bellies; fo much does that part ftretch in all thofe
Creatures. It likewife feeds on fmall Infeas and Flies,
taking them betwixt the forks of its Tongue.

The Eelfnake, though improperly fo called, becaufe
it is nothing but a kind of Leech that fucks and cannot
bite, as other Snakes do, but is very large, being com-
monly eighteen or ninteen Inches long, and has all the
Properties that other Leeches have, and lives in Ponds as
they do. There is likewife a Leech in this Province, ofc
the fame bignefs of thofe with us in Europe.

Having given as large an Account as is yet known of
the Snahs in thefe Parts ; I will in the mxz Place pro-
XT ceed

154 The Natural HISTORY of

ceed to treat of fome of the fmaller Reptiles or Infeds
that are moil remarkable, and to be met with in this
Country ; but to give a large Defcription of all the dif-
ferent Species that this Country produces, would require
too large a Volum, which is not my intention at pre-
lent. Befides the Indians give us many flrange and un-
couth Names for various kinds or Beads, Birds, Fifties*
Snakes, and Infeds, that we are intire Strangers'to ; for
the greateft part of this fpacious and large Country lies
wafte at prcfent, and undoubtedly there will be many
curious and confiderable Difcoveries made, when
once this Country is well fettled and inhabited* by the
Chriflians, for the Indians whilfl they remain in their
Idolatrous Practices, never will be brought over to cul-
tivate this rich and noble Country, or even to make
Difcoveries of what they know of it already. But to
proceed to the Reptiles and Infers.

The Bees are in great ?knty3 not only in Hives, in
the Pianrcr's Gardens, but arc like wife to be met with
in feveral parts of the Woods in hollow Trees, wherein
are frequently found vaft quantities of Honey, and Wax.
The Ufes and Profits of thefe noble Infers, are fo well"
kuown amongs us in Europe, that ie would be needlcfs
to trouble the Reader about them. Their Bee-hives
are generally made of fome piece of hollow Tree, and
efpecially the fweet Gum Tree, which they cut at pro-
per lengths for that purpofe, with a Board at the top for
a Covering ; thefe are all the forts of Bee-hives made ufe
of in this Country, fome whereof are larger than our
Barrel. The Humble-bees arc of the lame fort in this
Province as thefe with us in IrtUnd^ and other parts ©f
Europe*

The

North CAROLINA.

The Silk-worms : In fevcral of our Journies in this
Province, we found great numbers of them, with quan-
tities of Silk as large as our ordinary Walnut. And no
doubt chefe profitable Infers might be brought to great
Pertcdion in Carolina, as m any part of Europe, it the
fame Care were taken there as is m France, Spain, and
many other Places, fince this Country doth naturally
produces them. In procefs of time, they leave off Spin-
ning and receive Wings like Butter-fiies, and after three
or four Days Copulation, the Male prefently dies, and
the Female having lay'd many Eggs, dies alio. The
whole Worms dried, powder'd, and laid to the Crown
of the Head, are good in Megrim, Vimgoet and Con-
vulfivns, and the Allies of the Silk clcanfeth Wounds,

&c

The Butter-foes are produced from final) Eggs as the
Silk-worms arc, and are very plenty all over this Pro-
vince, and of feveral forts : iome large, and others
fmail and moft beautifully Mottled with variety of fine
Colours. They generate in May, June, and July, and
lay vaft quantities of Eggs in the Seafon, from whence
they are produced. There are foinc or" them larger in
this Province than any I have met with m Europe for
you fhall frequently fee them chace rhe Humming-birds
away from the Flowers on which they feed. It is a
long lived Infeft, after the Head is off; for I pulled oft
the Head from one of them in the middle of Summer,
that lived above thirty five Days, and could flie all that
time. ; This any one that pleafes may try and prove the
Truth of it. The Powder of thefe Infeds taken in-
wardly, provokes Urine, and have much the fame Vir-
tues with the Silk-worm.

The Grafs-hoppers are very plenty, whereor there
are two Sorts ; the firft are of a much larger fize than

U 2

i$6 The Natural HISTORY of

any I have met with in Europe. The fecond are much
of the /ame bignefs as thofe with us. Both thefe forts
feem to be more lazy and dull Infeds than thofe in Eu-
rope, for they are feldom heard finging, but commonly
are groveling in the Dull. They are hkewjfe bad figur-
ed, for they will fcarce ftir 'till you almoft tread upon
them. Of all Creatures that are known to live, the
Grafs-hoPpers alone have no Mouth, only a fharp Pipe
in their Breafts, wherewith they fuck in the Dew, on
which they live. Their Breafts are full of fmall fharp
Pipes, with which they make that ringing Noilc we
hear, and their Bellies, for the molt part, are found
empty. They engender with their Bellies upward, and
have a roughnefs on their Backs, which is fharp, and it
is with this that they make Holes in the Earth, where
they lay their Eggs, and breed. When thefe Eggs are
hatched (which is by the heat of the Sun) there appear
firfl little Worms or Maggots, which in procefs of
time become Grafs- hoppers. The Males are only faid to
ling, and the Females to be always iilent. They are
never to be met in theie parts in the Winter Seafon. The
Powder of them dried and given with Pepper, helps the
Cholick, difficulty of Urine, and the Afhes with Rhenifh
"Wine the Gravel.

Sows, or Hog-Ike, breed in molt places, efpecially un-
der Stones and rotten Wood, whereof there are two
forts in this Province, but not io plenty as with us, by
reafon that the IVood-peckers, and fevcral other Birds and
Creatures continually devour them. When they are
touched, they gather thcmtelvcs up as round as a Pea.
The whole Infect is thin, and of volatile Parts, digefting,
cleanflng, opening, and a great difolver of all tartarous
Matter, therefore good in all Obftruclions, Jaundice,
Cholick, King's Evil, ©lc] fordid and rebellious Ulcers,

Convulsions,

North CAROLINA

151

Convulsions, Scone and Gravel, Rickets in Children^
dimnds of Sight, French Pox, and many other ftubborn
and lingring Diiorders.

The Fire-fly, (I would not have the Readers be raif-
taken, and take thefe Infers- for the Pyraks or Fire-fim
that are reprefented by Pliny in his Natural Hijiory, as
bred and living in the Fire.) Thefe live in the open
Air, and are fo called, from their appearing at Night
like fo many filming Sparks of Fire. They are as long
as the Drones amongft the Bees, but much thicker, and
are of a brownifh colour. Their Light is under their
Wings, which appears frightful to Straagers at firft
fight, although they have no manner of harm in them.
I have frequently taken them and broke off their Wings,
that they could not fly away, and placed them on a Book
in a dark Room, and whatever way they went, I could
plainly fee and diflinguifh each Letter. They appear in
May, and remain moft part of the Summer, and are at
fometimes in fuch plenty, that the Woods feem to be
altogether Sparks of Fire ; they are neUr to be feen in
the Day, but fly all the Night. What Virtues they
may be indued with, are uncertain ; for I never knew
any ufe made of them in this Country.

The Crickets are winged Infects like the Locufts, or
Grafs- hoppers, and are plentifully to be mtt with in this
Province. They feldom frequent the dwelling -Houfes
as thofe with us in Ireland do, but are often heard and
feen in the Woods and Corn-fields (efpecially in the
Summer) where they Sing almoft continually, in Winter
they approach near the Houfes and other warm places^
they are very mifchievous, for they frequently cut
large holes in Linnen and Woollen, and are likewife
great devourers ot Corn and all kinds of grain. The
Powder of them is faid to provoke Urim9 and ilrengthen

the

1 58 The Natural HISTORY/

the Sight, their Juice has the fame effedt, and their Afhes
excellent againft Fluxes and the Gravel.

The Lady Bird is a beautiful fmail Infect (with red
Wings and black fpots thereon) which the Children in
Ireland frequently play with; it is to be met vvith inCaro-
lina in the Summer time,and is a wonderful Cordial,curing
all Fevers how poyfonous or malignant foever, by its
fudorihck quality. The Powder of its Body is' of a
deep Purple colour, and emits itsTin&ure into Water
and Spirits of Wine, being not inferior to Saffron.

The Cantharides or Spani/h- flies, are here likewife to
be met with in the Summer time. Thefe Infe&s are pro-
duced fromfmall Worms like the Catter-pUiar in F/g-Trees
/W-Trees, Wild-Pines or Pitt£-Treesand the EgJantine-
Brieri Their ufes and virtues are fo well known, that
it wou'd be needlefs to trouble the reader about them.

The Pifmire or Ant, is a {mall, but induftrious and
wife infect, gathering its food in the Summer in the full
Moons and retting in the new ones: They are like a com-
mon wealth, an&gather Corn for their Winter provifions,
which they dry and bite at both ends that it may not
grow : They wear away Stones by their affiduity at\d
make beaten Road ways ; they help one another in
drawing their Burthens; dam out Water and bury their
Dead. The greater lead the way, and leffer drag the
Corn ; and when dirty, they cleanfe themfelves before
they enter into rheir habitations : They teach their
young to Labour, but expel the Idle, and when they car-
ry their grain, it is faid to be a fign o£ fowl Weather.
They call up the Earth over the Mouths of their Caves
(that the Water may not enter in) wherein they have
three Cells ; in the one they live, in another they breed
and bury their Dead, and in the third they keep their
Corn. Tbey generate in Wmnr^ and bring forth Eggs,

which

North CAROLINA.

159

which in Spring arc Ants; when old they grow winged,
then fuddcnly after die. The Ants are of a hot and dry
Nature, excite luft, and wonderfully refrefh the Spirits,
their Eggs help deafnefs, and many other excellent virtues
are atributed to them.

The Spider is a poyfonous Infect, which hurts by
flinging. There are divers forts of thefe Infects in Ame-
rica, but the moft remarkable is the Mountain-Spider, fo
called, for its being found commonly in the Woods near
the Mountains, and fcarce any where elfe. It is the moft
poyfonous and largeft of all Spiders that are yet known
in America. Several forts of thefe Spiders make their
Webs or nets fo ftrong that they often take fmall Birds
in them. Thofc that have the Misfortune to be ftung by
thefe infe&s, are afRi&ed with different diforders, ac-
cording to the Nature of the Spiders, which have com-
municated the poyfon. For you fhali fometime find
them affti&ed with violent pains at the heart, fhortnefs
of Breath, heats and colds all over the Body, tumors,
Inflammations, tremblings, cold fweats, vomiting, (ing-
ing, laughing, talking, fleeping, flarting, and fometimes
fear, frenzy, and madnefs, with many other griveous
fymptoms, which often end in Death, without a fpecdy
remedy be applied. The cure is done by bathing with
deco&ion of ftinking Trefoil and Oil ,• fomenting the
part with Spunges dipt in Vinegar, by application of the
mullet, lees of Wine and Juice of Ivy % giving inwardly
an electuary made of lamarisk^Mithridate, and fometimes
Mufich The Indians cure it by lucking the part with
their Mouths, and continually fpitting out the venom.
Thefe lafe&s being made into a Plafter and applied to
the wrifts and Temples, cure Agues.

The Ear-wig is to be met with in this Province in the
Summer time^ and is the fame as in Europe* thefe Infects

being

1 6© The Natural HISTORY of

being boiled in Oil and applied to the Arteries of the
Temples and Wrifts, are faid to cure Convulsions, by
caufing a Fever. Their Powder mixt with Hare's pifs,
and fo put into the Ears Evening and Morning, cure
Deafcnefs.

The common Small- black- flies are plenty in thefe parts,
and are more troublefome here than in France or Spain,
efpecially about the Legs, and no where elfe, for they
will pierce through a pair of Stockings, and bite like
the Clegs or Gad-flies in Ireland

The large Black-mackr el- flies are alfo plenty, efpeci-
ally in xhe Summer time, and are the fame as thofe with
us in Europe. The powder of thefe Infects and their
Juice cures Baldnefs.

The Ox, or Gad-flies, are (a called, from their torment-
ing the Cattle in the Summer time ,• they are of various
colours, but moftly yellow and green, and are plenty in
this Province in the Months ot July and Auguft, at
which time they are troublefome to Ho'rfes, efpecially
about the Ears and head, and no where elfe; for which
teafon you fhall fee thofe that ride in the Woods, fix
green boughs on the Hortes heads, to defend them from
thefe mifchievous Infe&s.

The Moth is there likewife, and differs in nothing from
thofe in Europe, being as mifchievous and deftru&ive to
Woollen Cloths and Books as thofe with us. An Oil
made of them is faid to cure Deafnefs, Warts, and the
Leprofy, and being mixed with Tar, to be good in all
forts of rebellious Ulcers, Botches, Scabs, Whittles, &c.

The Weevil, is a little fmall Worm, not much bigger
than a Mite, and is very diftru&ive to Trees, but more
efpecially to Corns for I have feen Barrels full of Indian
Wheat or Maiz, intirely ruined by thefe Infe&s, when
there has not proper eare been taken, to prevent their

doing

North CAROLINA.

i6x

doin<* mifchief. They never meddle with. any grain (ex-
pofed in the weather J but when it is put ur> in dole pla-
ces, fuch as barrels and the like, yet this may be eai:ly
remedied by fhaking a little Salt at the bottom and cop
of thofe veflels the Corn is in.

The Chinch IVall-loufe, or Buggs -, thefe are flat, red,
and in fhape and bi'gnefs like tne Sheep louje, they have
an ofYenfive fmell when they are killed, rney haunt Beds,
fuck Men's Blood very greedily, efpecially about the Neck
and Face, which in many appeareth for a Day or two,
as ii flung with NertJes, and are as numerous in this
Province as in France or Spain. Pliny faith, they are
good againft all Poyfons and biting of Serpents. Mar-
alius faith, that the Powder or them cures all Fevers,
their Scent, the Fics of the Mother, and that they are
fuccefsful to force away the Birth, and Atter-birth.

The Cock-roch, is a kind of Beetle, fomething larger
than a Cricket, and of a dark brown Colour ; they rrc-
quent the Houfes, and are very mifchievous among
Books and Linnen, by eating innumerable Holes in them,
if there be not care taken to fweep and keep thofe places
clean where thole things are laid up. When they are
killed, they flink like Buggs; their Ufes in Phyfick are
uncertain.

The Tumble-turds, are a Species of the Beetles, and
fo called, from their conftant rowling the Horfe-dung
(whereon they feed) from one place to another, 'till it is
no bigger than a lmall Bullet. They are one of the
ftrongeft Infe&s, of the lame Size I have ever feen ,*
they frequently fly into Houfes, and I have feen one of
them move a Brafc Candleftick from one place to another
upon a Table, which feem'd very flrange to me at firft ;
for not long after my arrival, being one Night at a
Planter's Hcufe, who had fecretly conveyed two of
X tbefc

HH

i62 The Natural H I S T O P. Y of

Infe&s under two different Candle-flicks ; amongft other
Difcourfcs, he told me, he would make the Candle-flicks
move about the Table by a certain Spell, as he pretend-
ed : He had all this time kept the Candle-flicks m his
Hands on the Table. I was very defirous to fee this
performance 5 he immediately takes his Hauds trom the
Candle-it icks, and flruck three times under the Table,
and feemed to mutter fome few Words (as juglers are
known to do) which he had no fooner ended, but the
Candlefticks began to move backwards and forwards, to
my great furprize, for I could imagine nothing elfe but
that it had been fome fecret Charm he had got from the
Indians, who are great Conjurers, After the Company
had fufficiently diverted themfelvcs at my furprize, and
how defirous I was to have this Charm communicated
to me, one of the Company takes up the Candlcfticks,
' and difcovers thefe Infects, which are of the fame Shape,
but fomething larger than the common Beetles, that arc
to be met with in Ireland, which feed on the Cow-dung,
and make Holes in the Ground, There are feveral other
different Species of Beetles heres but none fo remarkable
as thefe, or fo beautiful, with variety of Colours, fuch
as Red, Green, Black, Yellow, &c. (except the Horned-
Beetle, Bull-Fly, or Fifing- flag) Thefe Beetles feem to
be infected with little fmall Infe&s of a light brownifh
Colour, which are commonly called the Lice of the
Beetles. Their Powder is ufed againil the falling out of
the Fundament, to expel Urine, and cure the bite of a
Mad-dog. The^ Juice cures Wounds, and in Plafters
Buboes, and peftilential Carbuncles.

The Muskeetoes ( in the Indian Language called 7a-
quani) whereof there are two forts.^ The firil is fmall,
but pernicious and troublefome, of a dark colour, and
are fo mifchievousa and plentiful in fome places on this

Concincn:

North CAROLINA

163

Continent ( and efpeciaily on the Marftics and low
Grounds) that fcarce any one can live there, except the
Indians, whom they do not bite or moleft ; this I am per-
fwaded is owing in a great meafure to their fo frequently
anointing themielves with Bear's-greafe, and many other
Ointments, which they make and daub their Badics

The fecond fort are exa&ly the fame in fhape and fize
with the former, but are of a whitiih Colour; thefe are
not troublefome to the Inhabitants, neither do they bite
like the former, they are generally brought here by
Southerly Winds in July and Auguft, m fuch vaft quan-
tities, that it is flraoge to bcholu them, rhey either die
iuddenly, or are carried away with the Winds, fhifcing
from the South. What Virtues they may be indued
with is uncertain.

The Muskeeioe-Havih, arc Infects, fo called, from
their continually hunting after Muskeetoes, and killing
and eating them 5 they are a large Flie, with a long Bo-
dy great Head, and Wings, refembling the Dragon-flie,
whereof they are a Species. They are very plenty all
over this Province, eipeciaily in the latter end oi Summer.
They feldora appear in the Day-time, but hunt the
Muskeetoes all night long. I know no other ufc they are
good for than in deftroying thole Infers, fo pernicious
and mifchievousto Mankind • fo that the Planters ieldom

kill them.

The Horned Beetle, Bu^pe, or Stag, are to be met
with in fcvcral parts or Carolina Thtie Infeds have no
Stings, but a large pair of Horns on their Head, exactly
refembling the Horns of a Deer, for which reafon they
are called the Flying-flag, thefe Horns they can at plcafure
bring together and bite withal Thefe Beetles are hung as
an Amulet about Children's Kecks for fcveral Dtforders.
% a 3%

iS4 The Natural HISTORY of

The Sandfiie, io called, from their breeding, and al-
ways being found in the Sand-banks, and near the Rivers*
they are very final], not much larger than a Gnat, and
are almoft as pernicious and troublefom as the Muskeetoes,
eipecially about the Face and no where elfe.

Trie Wafps are very plenty in this Province, they build
their Neiis in Trees, the iubflance whereof feems like
Cob-webs, or a kind of brown Paper, and it is faid they
engender in Autumn, but never in the Spring, and are
bred out of the fofter parts of Horfe-flefh, they iivt up-
on FJefh, and ieveral forts' of In feds, which they hunt
after and kill for their Provifions. The Wafts, like ma-
ny other Infe&s, are not to be feen all the Winter, but
lie in Holes or hollow Trees all that Scaion, and they
live not above two Years. They feldom are mifchievous/
or do any harm, except you provoke them, or approach
too near their Nells, which the Planters frequently fet
fire to, by fhooting at them with Gun- powder. (This
is commonly done late jn the Evening, or early in the
Morning) and then they run away as faft as poflibly they
cat?, to avoid being flung, for when they are provoked^
they will purfue in great Numbers thofe that have mo-
lefted them, Their Sting is worfe than that of the Bees,
and is cured by application of Cow-dung mixed with
Barly-mealyox. Leaven mixed with Oi/and Vinegar. The
Powder of them is good to open Obftrudions of the
Reins and Bladder, fome ufe them in all Cafes where
Sows or Hog-lice are uled, and with the famefuccefs.

The Hornets are in great plenty in this Province j they
Mid their Neils in Caves and Holes in the Earth, much
like the former, and are faid to be produced out of the
harder parts of Horfe-flefh, as the other is out of the
{ofter. Their Deco&ion, or diftilled Water, if touched
on the Skin^ makes the place fwcll as if there was i Drop-
fa

North CAROLINA.

165

fie or the Parts had been poyfoned, yet without pain.'
The Cure for this, and their Sting is Venice-treacle taken
inwardly, and applying outwardly Covi-dungjafimg Spit*
tie, Barley-meal, Oil and Vinegar, &c.

The Labourers, are a Specie of i&r»«/, and areio cal-
led from the pains and labour which they take in build-
in Aheir Nefts with a kind of yellow Clay, they make
Rooms or Cells wherein they breed their young, which
is wrought io clofe, and after fuch a manner, that it is
hard to break it when dry, to get the young ones outs

They are near as lar£e as a Hornet> and of the ^ame
fhapcand colour, they have long Legs, and always breed
cheir young ones in the Summer time. They are more
mild than the Hornets, and feidom or never fting j I have
often obferved thefe Flies to fcrape the Sand by the Rivet
fides and moift places, where they make deep Holes and
are buried under Ground before they can come at the
yellow Clay. Some of them have Stings, yet they do
little harm, only they arc very troublefome in the Houfes
by fixing the Clay to the Cieling, if there is not proper
Care taken to prevent them. Their ufes in Phyfick are
unknown. " . rt

The Fleas are very plenty in iome parts of this Pro-
vince, efpecially in thofe places where the Indians drefs
their* Deer Skins, they have no F*hyfical Virtues yet
known, but are certainly moft troublefome Guefts. They
are generated by Duft, as alfo of putrifkd Sweat, and
are deftroyed by Decoctions made of Cokquintida,

The Loufe is not plenty in this Province. They are
eaten by Rufticks for the Jaundice, and Confumpion, and
to provoke Urine.

The Tick is a filthy Creature, or kind of Loufe that
troubles Oxen, Horfes, Deer, Goats, Sheep, Bogs, and Tome-
times Men. Thefe Vcrminc are plenty in this Country,
------- : ' " " whereof

i66 The Natural H IS T O R Y of

whereof there are two Sorts, viz.. the Dug, or large Tick^
and the fmaU or Sea Tick.

The large or Dog tick, is the fame as with us in Ire-
land, only it has a brown Spot on the Back, which dis-
appears as it growi large. It's Food is cue Blood of
feveral Animals, whicn it moil greedily lucks, yet it
hath no paffage to void the excrements by, and generally
fucks till it falls of, being fo full, and in procefs of time
burlts and dies. The juice of the Dog-iick is a Depi-
latory, kills Rin^ -Worms, the Eryfipelas, and Itch.
Theie vermine are deftroy'd by the Powder or decodion
of Coioqumtida.

The Sea Ticks are fo call'd from their being fo plenti-
ful in the marines on the water fides, they are fo fmall
that they are fcarce as large as a fmall pins head, and are
very troublriome to thole that travel in the Woods and
neat the iidesof the Risers, tor they Hick fofalt in the
Skin, that it is impoffiblc to pluck them out, and are
apt to occaiioo Inflammations, Fevers, or inveterate Sores,
by icratching the part : And notwithftanding they are
£o troublefome, yet they are eafily deftroyed by wafhing
the parts in the Rivers, or by a decoction of the leaves of
lobacco or Coioqumtida. Thofc that travel the Woods
in their Boots are ne« er pefter'd with thefe vermine, or if
they anoint their limbs with Bears-grcafe, as the Indians
do, who are never troubled with them. They feldom
appear till the. Month of A%, znd continue till Auguft;
and are fuppoled to be the fpawn ol the former, which I
am apt. to believe, for I have frequently found the large
%ifkl (after they have burited) with vail quantitcsof
young oi esin them.

The Locufi, is an Infect or fly with a head like a Horfe,
fix Legs and as many Wings, and arc ol divers colours.
.They lay Eggs in Amrnnn^ which lit all Winter in the

G rounds

North CAROLINA.

Ground, but in the latter end of Spring they are hatched,
and in Summer become Locujis. Thefe Infects bum
Corn, Grais, and moft k*nd or plants by touching and
devour the refidue; and it is reported that in India, there
be of them three Foot in length, which the People of
that Country do eat and uie their Legs and thighs fot
Saws when they are throughly dry ■ St. John the
Baptift fed upon them in the W ildernefs. They are often
carried over great Seas, and continue their flight tor fe-
deral Days together, in fuch vaft Numbers that they m&
faid to darken the very Sun as they flic, and to be cer-
tain prognofticationsor a Plague or famine, in whatever
Country they fettle, and burn and deflroy every thing
before them, and 'tis like wife faid, that they will kill
• Serpents ; yet thefe pernicious and diftructivc Infe&s are
not very common in Carolina. Their Eggs given in Rhe-
nifi Wine, help the Dropfie, and the fume ot the % helps
itoppage of Urine in Women.

The Caterpillar, Palmer or Canker-worm, is the fame in
Carolina as is to be met with in Ireland, and many other
parts of Europe. Thefe Infe&s are very deftructive. to
Herbs and Corn, if there be not care taken to prevent
them, which is done by the fume of Brimftone. They
change like Silk-worms, and in proceis of time become
Butter- flies. Their Afhes put into the Noftrils, flop
Bleeding. A powder made of them is faid to be good
in the Epilepfy, and their Web is faid to ftop the Fte
of Women's couries.

The Gally-worm is a fliort kind of Scolopender, exceed-
ing in Number of Feet all other Infe&s. Some of I hem
are fmooth, others hairy all over, they are about the
thicknefs of a Man's little Finger, and near two Inches
long. They are not plenty in this Province, having kr
Yeral enemies that deilroy them. Th|ir. Allies wondct-
i " - - fully

j68 The Natural HISTORYo/

fully provoke Urine, the Blood with the Juice of Hog-Ike^
take away white Spots in the Eye.

The Tobacco-worm ; I am not certain whether it is callM
by any other Name, but I have call'd it (o from its feed-
ing on the Tobacco- Leaves, it is exadly fhaped like the
GaUy-worm, but is fomething larger, and not hairy, and
has two (harp horns on its Head, the Body is white and
Black, with as many Feet as the former. This Infcd I
take -to be another Specks o£ the Scolopenders and is des-
tructive and pernicious in the Tobacco Plantations, if there
be not care taken to Search for and kill them, which is a
bufinefs that the Negroes are very much employed m
during the Tobacco Seafon. I don't find that they are
any way Poyfonous, for I have known fome of the Plan-
ters make their Negroes eat them by way of punifhment,
when they laave been negligent in their Tobacco Fields,
and have not carefully gathered them from amongfl the
Tobacco Leaves ; what phy ileal virtues they may be in-
dued with is uncertain.

The Glow-worm has Wings, and it fhines in the dark
like Fire; their light is under their Wings, and they are
generated oi Dew, they are mod commonly to be met
with in Swamps, and wet low Grounds, where they are
plenty they ihineat a great diftance like a Fire, which has
deceiv'd many in the dark Nights. They are Anodyne,
and are given with good Succefs in the Gravel, being
made into Troches, with Gum Tragacantb, and Oil of
Almrnds.

The Land-wood-worms arc of a fliining Copper colour,,
and never exceed four or live Inches in length, and fcarce
as thick as a Man's little Finger. They are fo called
from being" found in old rotten Trees, and accounted ve-
nemous in cafe they bite; yet 1 have never known any
one hurt by them.

Thers

North CAROLINA.

69

There are many other different foits of Worms founds
not only in rotten Trees, but like wile in feveral Tree in
their Bloom, and efpecially the Apple Trees, which I
have already made mention of.

rTht7eredines ox tVater-wood-iuormsfo call'd from cheic
breeding in Snips and ocner 1 lmoer lying in the Salt-
Waters. They have lmall foft w;fite Boeder and U\ es
hard Black-heads; I have frequently ieen fome o* them-
no thicker than a Hotfe-hair, and others tnc lize of a
Childs finger. Thefe vermine are only miicnievous in
the extreme heat or the Summer, and the ireih Water is
an utter Enemy to them, wnerein they perifh an die.
They are very deitru&ive to Snips and Timber efpec*aily
if they lie in the Mud or Sands, out whjift tney float
they never come to any damage by them. 1 ;<ave feeft
fevcral planks taken out of Ships and Boats, that have
been eaten by thefe Worms like a Honey-c^mb iv fix
Weeks time, by the negligence of the Matters to wnotn
they belonged, that fuffered them vo lie in the Mud
and Sands all that time, and notwithstanding they cut
fuch large Holes within iide of the Plank, yet he Holes
on the out fide are fcarce to be feen, and no larger trim
for the point of a fmail Needle to enrer. The AfheS
mlx'd with an equal weight of Anmteeds, and a little
Oil, are good againiT: all forts of Ulcers and Cai.kers.

The Earth-worms, whereof there are feveral lorn, and
are the lame here as with us in Ireland. This Infect is a
great Duiretick, Sudorifick, and Anodyne; it diic lies,
mollifies, increafes Milk, opens ooftructions, and cures
Wounds, principally or the Sinews and Ligaments, and
many other diforders, being both exiernaliy and inter-
nally made ufe of.

The Snails are here likewife, but not fo plenty as with

ns in Europe; having many Enemies that continually

1 1 deikoy

1 70 The Natural H I SX O R Y of

deftroy them, fuch as Birds, Snakes, Frogs, &c. The
fkih cools, thickens, confohdares, is pectoral, and Streng-
thens the Nerves, cures Coughs, Afthma's, fpitting of
Blood, andConfumptions. Outwardly they Ripen Tu-
mors, Impofthumes, and Carbuncles, efpecially if mix'd
with Ox-gan, chey heal wounds of the Nerves and Ul-
cers or the Legs, cure Ruptures and flop Bleeding at the
Nofe, and many other Diiorders too tedious to Name.

Having thus given an Account of fame of the moft re-
markable INSECTS that are to be met with here,
I fhall in the next place proceed to give a Defcription of
the BIRDS, and FOWLS that this Country pro-
duces, many whereof are not known, or to be met with
an EUROPE.

OF

'

Wild

Turke

North CAROLINA.

»1»

O F T H E

BIRDS.

THE EAGLES being accounted the King
oi the Birds, I fhall therefore begin with
them. .Of thefe there are three Sorts, viz,.
the Bald, the Black, and the Gray Eagle. The
Bald Eagle is the largeft, and is fo called, oecaufe his
Head to the middle of the Neck is covered with a
white fort of downy Feathers, whereby it looks very
bald, and the Tail is as white as Snow, the reft of the
Body being of a dark brown colour. Thcfe Birds arc
very great breeders moft part of the Year, and always
build their Nefts in old decay'd Cyprus, or Pine-trees near
the River's fide, where they generally lay two Eggs, and
fometimes three, but they feldom have four ; as foon as
they are hatched, and the young Eagles have down on
them, with white woolly Feathers, the Hen Eagles lay
again, which Eggs are hatched by the warmth of the
young ones in the Neft, fo that the flight of one makes
J & y 3, room

172

The Natural HISTORY of

room tor the others thatare juft hatched ; thus they con-
continue breeding moll part of the Year. They not only
prey upon Birds, Beans, and Fifties, but upon any thing
they are able to deiiroy. They are very deflructive to
Poultry, Lambs, young Fawns, and Pigs, which they
frequently carry Squalling into theAir,andfo bring them
with eale to their young ones. They can By from Morn-
ing till Night, and that very high, notwithstanding they
are heavy of flight, and cannot get their food by fwitt-
neii>, to help which, there is a Fijbmg-Haivk, that catches
Fiin, which it luffers the Eagle to take from it, notwith-
ftanding it is a large and f wife Fowl, and can make far
better way than the Eagle can, and it is very pleafant to
behold the flight of thefe two Birds, which fometimes
continues for above half an Hour, at length it lets fall the
Fife which the Eagle frequently catches before it touches
the Earth or Water. Theie Bald Eagles will likewife
attend the Hunts-men, in the Winter time for leveral
Hours together (but at a great diftance) till they flioot
fome game, which they frequently flie away with, dead
or wounded. Their Neils are made of Twigs, Sticks,
and Jeveral kinds oi Rubbifh, and generally fo large that
it i4 enough ro fill ahandfome Cart'sBody, and common-
ly io ft it of na'fly Bones and CarcafTes that it fmells moft
cfitnfively. It is the opinion of moft People in thofe
parrs that thefe Eagles are not Bald till they are two or
three Years old. They are the ftrongeft Birds of prey
that are yet krown in thefe parts oi America.

'The Black- Eagles are much the fame fort as are to be
met with in Ireland, but not altogether fo large as the
former, yet in all other refpe&s as mifchievous, and build
Neils after tfu fame manner in old Trees naked of
Borghs, and nigh the River fide from whence as I fup-
pofe, they may have a piofpect of the Fifimg- Hawks, for

when

North CAROLINA

H3

when they iee the Bfwg-Hawk ftrike ^Mf^
lv they like Wing and purfuc Her. The Fjhmg-Hawk
I loon as ihcpciScivcs herfeif purfued, wiU Scream and
make a moft terrible Noife, till at length fhc lets fall the
Fiifi, to make her own efcape. -

Thenar £<^ is much of the colour of our Kneor
Glead, it is not quite as large as the former, but Bunds
and preys after the fame manner, and is frequently to be
met with all over this Province. All thefe lorts or Eagles
are very fharp lighted, view their prey at great diftanccs,
and have rhc beft fmcil of all living Creatures. 1 hey
are very bold Thieves, and live to be very old, and die
not for Aec nor any Sicknefs, but of meet hunger, by
reafon that the upper Beak of their Bill is fo far over
grown, and turneth inward fo much, that they are not
able to open it to ked themfelves. They feldom eek
their prey in the Forenoon, for they are found fitting Idle
and perched upon Trees all the Morning. It is reported
that the Quills or Feathers of Eagles laid amongft thole
of other Fowls, will rot ana confume them, which 1
have not faith to believe. The Flelh, tho' icarce fit to
be eaten, is medicinal againft the Gout; the Bones ofc
the Skull, in powder, are good againft the Megrirn ; the
Brain drank in Wine, helps the Jaundice, and the Gall is
of excellent uie in moft diforders of the Eyes, and appli-
ed helps the bitings of Serpents and Scorpions, &c. The
Dung opens obftru&ions, and applied outwardly, ripens
Tumors and peftilential Buboes. o .

The Ftfbing- Hawks, are fo called, from their continual
catching of Fifties on which they live. They may like-
wile be called the Eagks Jack-all; for commonly attet
they have taken their prey (asl have already oblerv d,l
they will fl;e at a great height in the Air, and cry and
make a noife till foch time as the Eagle comes, and then

The Natural H IS T O R Y of

they will let the Fifh fall from them, which the Eagle
immediately carries off. They are a large and ftrong
Bird, btiog above two thirds as big as toe Eagle, ihey
build their Nells after the feme manner as die Eaglet do,
and that generally by the fides of Rivers and Greeks, and
the Eagles and tnefe Birds are leldom ur nCvcricno^n to
fie upon any living Tree. They are of a Gray Pyed
colour, and the moit dexterous Fowl in Nature at caJch-
ing of Fiffa, for they never eat any Fiefh-meat. f hey are
a quick and iharp figluedFowI, will fly at a good height,
hover above in the Air, and watch their prey, which as
oon as they have difcovercd, they will dart themlelvcs
like an Arrow out of a Bow into the Waters, and break-
ing the force thereof with their Breafts, quickly catch up
the Fiffa and flie away. But it lometimes happens that
they itrike their Talions fo fait in a large Fifli which they
are not able to carry, that the fids (udd^nly takes them
under the Water (before rhey can difciiarge themieives)
and fo drowns them. This I have been Eyt-witnefs to,
and m an Hour after it happened, got both the Fifh
(which was a large Drum) and the Fyhing-Hawk. Their
.virtues and ufes are much the fame with toe Eagles.

The Turkey-£utizardyi$ 2, kind offmall Vulture, which
lives on all manner ot dead Cascades. Their Head and
fed Gills refcmble very much thofe of a lurkey, from
whence it has it's Name. They are near as big as an
Eagle, and their Feathers are of a footy brown Colour.
They are in great plenty here, and in the Northern Pro-
vinces, and have the mod: offenfive and nafty Smell of
any Fowl I have ever met with. They are a clear and
lharp lighted Bird, and their Flight is like that of our
Kites; they (bar at a great height m the Air, for Hours
together over the Carrion, 'til! inch time as they find an
Opportunity to prey on it. They find! at vail Difiances,

and

North CAROLINA.

H5

and will very readily find out where the Carrion or Prey
is, if it be even under the Leaves, or Boughs o£ Trees,
or (lightly buried in the Earth by wild Beafts or Dogs.
They are laid to be utter Enemies to all manner of
Snakes, killing all they meet with, for which reafon the
Planters feidom or never deitroy them or their Eggs.
They do no manner of Harm, feeding for the molt part
on uead Carcaifes, which I fuppafe is the caufe that
they are the ftinkingeft of any Birds in thefe Parts. The
Fat of this Fowl made into an Oil, is recommended a-
gainftoid Aches, and Sciatica Pains.

The Kites are much the fame here as thole with us in
Ireland, but not commonly fo large. Thefe Birds mod
commonly frequent the Northern parts of the Country,
there being but few to be met with in this Province; and
in South Carolina they are feidom to be feen. It is faid
that they are mortal Enemies to the Snakes, for which
reafon the Planters feidom kill them, or deitroy their
Eggs. Their Flefti, though it be of grofs Nounfhraent,
yet it is eaten by the poorer fort of People in feveral
parts of Europe. They are a very bold Bird, and a great
deitroy er of young Poultry, and it is remarkable when
they fee a young Duck, Chicken, &c. far from fhelter,
and lying expofed, how they will fly round it for feve-
ral times, marking it, then of a fudden they dart down
as fwift as Lightning, and catch it up before it is aware.
A Powder made of them eales the Gout, and helps the
Epilepfy ; the Greafe is Effedual to the fame Intentioo,
and the Gall is an excellent Remedy in moft Diforders
of the Eyes. , ,

The Snake-Hawk, or Herringtailed-Hawk, Io called,
from it's beautiful forked Tail (like a Swallow) and its
killing and feeding on Snakes, which it will do with the
the largeft in thefe parts, with a great deal of dexterity

i-)6 The Natural HISTORY/

and eafe. It is about the bignefs of a Falcon, but a
mucii longer Bird. They are a beautiful Fowl, of ade-
licate Aurora Colour, the Pinions of their Wings, and
ends of their Tails, are of a jet Black. They never ap-
pear abroad in this Province but in Summer, and what
becomes of them m Winter is unknown. They are in the
greateil Requeft amongft the Planters (who will not
fuffer them to be killed) by Reafon of their deftroying
thofe pernicious Infects, fo hurtful to Mankind. They
are a tame and familiar Fowl, will fly near one, and
take their Prey, wh'ich is both diverting and. pleafing to
the Europeans specially ; as for the Indians they do not
regard them. It is ftrangeto fee how they are brought
to thofe places where the Snakes are, about which they
will flie for Hours together, 'till they have. an Opportu-
nity of killing feme of them; and it is always a cercain
lign of Snakes being near thole places where ever you
meet them thus flying. I have obferved, when they
take a Snake, that they always feize it. in their Tallons
near the Head, and flie or drag it fom'e diftance before
they prey upon it, which they do by tearing it in pieces.
It's Virtues and Ufes are unknown to any in thofe
Parts.

The Gofs-Hawks are very plenty here, but do not ap-
pear to be as large as thefe from the Northern parts o£
Europe, yet fecm to be a very bold, fwifc and a&ive
Bird in purfuing and taking their Prey, which is Geefe,
Duckss Cranes, Hares, Rabbets, and the like. The
Fled is fat and fweet, may be ufed as Food and hath
much the fame Virtues with that of the Kite. The
Dung is exceeding hot, and being drank failing in Wine,
Is faid to caufe Conception.

The Falcons are much the fame as in Europe, but fcem
to be not altogether io large, yet they are;* brave, brisk,

and

North CAROLINA

IT)

and quick-fighted Birds ; I have frequently ken them
kill Partridges, Parakeetoes, and the i ike. Thefe Hawks
are moil commonly co be feen in Evenings, flying to the
Wejiward, having, as it is iuppofed, their abode and
Nells m or near cue Mountains, where we may reaso-
nably expect to rind them, and feveral other Species that
we arc intire Strangers to at prcfe'm.

The MtrUn> is a fmall Bird in Europe, but much
fmaller in America; yet it, as well as the other Species
of Hawks, is a bold, ravenous, and quick-lighted Bird,
and nimbly kills leveral forts ot fmall Fowl, and j one-
times Partridges. It is a moil beautiful Bud, and would
be a great Rarity, if it could be caught alive, or their
Young onei found, but they never breed near the Settle-
ments, but as is fuppofed in the Mountains

The Sparrow- Hawk is not as big as a Fitldfear, it fome-
times flies at, and kills fmall Birds' j but' it's chiefelt
Food is Reptiles, fuch as Grafs-hoppers, Batter-flies,
Beetles, aud fuch like fmall Infe&s This Hawk is ex-
actly the fame Colour of the Sparrow-Hawk in Ireland,
only it has a Black-hood by it's Eyes.

The HoMies, are a Species of the Hawks, fomething
lefs than the European Sparrow-Hawks, and much of
the fame fizeand colour with them ; yet there are but
few of thefe kinds of Hawks to be met with m thefe
Parts of America,

The Ringtailed-Hawk, fo called, from it's round Tail, is
another fmall Species of Hawks, with very (Vior Wings.
They are frequently to be met with in fcvtrai parts of
the Woods : they prey chiefly on Mice, Rats, and tuch
like Vermine, that are to be met with in the Marfhes
s^ear Rivers and Creek's fide.

The Owls, whereof there are three forts, viz,, the White x
the Brown, the Barn, and the fmall Screecb-Owl.

Z The

1 7 8 the Natural H I ST ORY <f

Tiie firft is the great large Owl, which is as big as ■ a
middling Goofe, and has a prodigious large Head : Ir.
is a delicate Feathered Bird, all the Feathers upon the
Back and Breaft being Snow-white, and tiped with a
punctal of Jet-black. They are a bold and ravenous
Bird, efpecially in the Night, at which time they make
fuch a fearful howling, like a Man, that they have often
deceived Strangers, and made them loofe their way in
the Woods, as I have been credibly informed by many
in thole Parts.

The fecund is of a Brown, or dark Afi Colour, and is
as large as the former. Theft two build their Nefts in
hollow Trees, where they lie concealed all the Day, but
at Night flic up and down the Woods, where they feek
their Prey ; yet they fomc times approach near the Plan-
ter's Dwelling Houfes, and kill Hens, and other Poul-
try.

The third is the common Barn-Owl, about the big-
nels of a Pigeon. This Bird has a beautiful Circle or
Wreath or white, foft, downy Feathers, eneompaffed
with yellow ones, paffing round the Eyes, and under
the Chin, fo that the Eyes appear funk in the Head.
The Breaft, Belly, and infide of the Wings are white,
marked with a few dark Spots ; being the moil elegantly
coloured of all Night-birds.

The fourth is the imall Screech-Owl, and is the fame
as thofe in Europe. Thefe Owls and the former, are fre-
quently attacked by other Birds, when they find them
abroad in the Day-time,- and when they find themfelves
overpowered, it is pleafant to fee how they will place
themfelves on their Backs, whtre fcarce any thing is to
be km but their Beaks and Tallons, in which pofturc
they will fight, and defend themfelves. The Flefh oi
theie Birds is eaten, by the Indiam and Negrees. It is

accounted

North CAROLINA.

accounted good in Paliies and Mclancholly. The Greafe
ana Gall is good againft Spots in the Eyes, and to
ftrengthen the Eye-fight. The whole Bird, not plucked,
calcined, and taken into the Throat, opens the Impoft-
hums of' the Quinlie to a wonder, and the Brain, eaten,
helps the Hcad-ach.

The Patakeecoef, are for the moll part of a fine Green
colour, only their Head, and part of their Wings, are of
a beautiM Orange colour. They have thick Beaks or
Bills, exactly like thole of the Hawks. They are a Spe-
cies of the Parrots, and generally about the bigneis of a
fmall Pigeon. In April they feed on the Birch buds, and
feldom come down amongft the Plantets until the MuS-
berriei are ripe, which they eat, and are extreamly tond
of They are likewife very mifchievous to Orchards, and
peck the Apples to eat the Kernels, fo that the Fruit
quickly rots and pcrifhes. They build thei^Nefh in
hdlow Tiees, in low fwarapy Grounds. They lie hid-
den in the Winter, when the Weather is extream hard aad
trofty, and never appear all that time. There are none
of thefe £irds or Alligators to be met with to the North-
ward of this Province, by the beft Information I could
learn, during my Refidence in thofe parts. They are
often taken alive with Traps, Bird-lime, &c. and will
become tame and familiar in two or three Days time;
yet they are not fo docile or apt to learn tofpeak as Par-
rots generally are. They are moft commonly very fat in
the MuBerry and Fruit time, and are excellent good
Food, preferable to any Pigeon.'

The Cucfow of Carolina is a Bird of the fame bignefs
and Feather with thefe in Europe, and Tucks the fmall
Birds Eggs as they do, yet it is never known to cry or
fmg Cuchow in the Summer time like the former, neither
are thefe Birds to be feen in the Winter, at which timg
2 a they

i8o The Natural HISTORY of

they hiuethemieives in hollow Taes, and their Feathers
■ccme oft, and they are Scabby, they ufually lay but one
Egg, and that in the Nell or the Hedge Sparrow ; like
thole in Europe. Their FlefTi is fweet and good Food,
and eaten by many in thefe Parts. Their Allies are good
againil the Stone and Epilepfy. The Dung given in Ca-
nary is god againft the biting of a Mad Dog.

The Rail, Jackdaw, and Magpy} are not to be met with
in Carolina or any of the other Neighbouring Provinces
as far as I cou'd be informed.

The Ravens are very fcarce to be met with in thefe
Parts, yet they are the fame fort as th< fe with us in
irelandy and other parts of Europe, they are laid to live
to a great Age, and lay about five or fix Eggs (before
they begin to Sit) which are of a Pale Greenifh Blew
colour, and full of Black Spots. The Fleih is unwhol-
fom, becaufe they feed upon dead Bodies, yet the Afhes
given fo%two or three Days together, cures the Epilepfy
and Gout. The Brain performs the fame thing, the
Greafe, Blood and Eggs, make the Hair Black. The
Eggs help the Spleen, but caufe Abortion.

The Rooks are lefs in Carolina than in Europe. They
are good Food when Young (becaufe they never feed on
Carrion) but their Skins are tough, Black and bitter.
They are very great Enemies to Corn Fields, if there be
not care taken to prevent them. They build their Nefts
after the fame manner as the Rooh with us do, but differ
much in their Cry or Notes, which are more like the
barking of a Dog, than that of Rooks. And it is faid
that when Rooks build, one of the Pair always fit to
watch the Neft until it be finifhed ; other-wife if both
j?o abroad, and leave the unfinifhed Neft, the other
Rooks rob it, and carry the Sticks away to rheir own;
hence perhaps the Word Rooking is uted for Cheating

The

North CAROLINA.

181

The Black fmaU-Crows, whereof there are two forts.
Tnefiiit 15 bigger than our Black-bird, and exactly of
that Colour, but different in u's Notes. Thefe Crows
are the moft hurtful and pernicious Vermme (eipecially
to Corn) in all America They flic fornctimes in luch
vaft Flocks, that they deftroy every thing before them.
Their Flefh is white and excellent Food.

The iecond are bigger than the former, and that part
of the Head next the Bill and the Pinions of their Wings,
are of an Orange and moft beautiful Crimfon Colour ;
and the reft or the Body Black. Thefe are as good Meat
as the former, though very few trouble themfelves to kill
or drefs them, where large Fowl are fo plenty. Both
thefe kinds continue here ail the Year, are generally fat,
and excellent good Meat, and I have frequently eat of
them. They build their Neft in hollow Trees as the
Parakettoes do; I look on them to be a fort of [Sterling,
for they cry fomething like them, but do not fin g, and
are about the fame bignefs.

The Turkeys are here wild, in great plenty, and exceed-
ing large ; I have fhot fome ot them which weighed forty
pounds, and I have been credibly informed, that fome*
of them weighed fixty You (hall fee five hundred or.
more of them in a Flock together ; fometimes the wild
Breed with the tame, which they account make^ them
very hardy. I am fatisfied it does, for the Indians fre-
quently find their Nefts, and bring their EeP,s to the
Chriftiam, which are hatched under Hens, Ducks, tame
Turkics, &c. As foon as they are out of the Shell, they
will fend for themfelves, and are more eafily brought up
than a Chicken with us. Notwithftanding they are thus
hatched, and familiarly bred up, yet they ftili retain a
wild Nature, and commonly, when they are a Year and
a half old, and grown large, run wild into the Woods,

ana

The Natural HISTORY^

and can never be brought into the Houfe to Rooft, but
perch on lome high Tree near it, and are always oblcrved
to feperate themselves ftom the tame fort, although (at
the fame time; che> Tred and breed together. There is
no mariner or difference thar I can fee t et ^een the wild
Turkeys and the tame, either in their Shape, Gobling,
Call, or Notes, only the Feathers of the wiid are always
or a blackifh fhining dark Gray, mat in the Sun, fhine
like a Duck's Neck, very fpecious, and they have thicker
and larger Legs. They are a (harp lighted Fowl, andex-
celent good Food. They feed on Acorns, Huckleberries,
and feveral other Berries and Fruits that the Country
produces, which makes them exceeding fat. I have oeen
credibly informed, that if one take thefe wiid Turkey
Eggs, juft when on the point of being hatched, and dip
them (tor fome fmall time) in a Bowl of Milk, or warm
Water, that it will take off their wild Nature, and make
them as tame and domeftick as the others. But how
true this may be, I know not, never having made an
Experiment that way ; neither can I fee any Reafon to
believe n ; yet I thought fit' to infert it, that others
may try. The Indians have frequently thefe wild
Breed hatched at home, to be a Decoy to bring thofe
that are wild near their Houfes, by which means they
Ihoot many. They are feldom to be met with but in
the Morning and Evening, for at Sun-rife they go off to
Teed, and at Sun-fet they return and perch on high
Trees, and fo continue all Night. At any other time of
the Day you (hall fcarce find one, except it be when they
arc Breeding, or in Snowy Weather, and then they are
to be fetn in great Flocks together. They are a wary
Fowl, and feldom fliot but whilft they are perching ori
the Trees. They may be heard call or gobble, at a
greas diiUnce (Morning and Evening, but at no other

time)

biorth C AROLINJ.

183

time) wiiich brings the Huntfmen to thole places where
they are. Ttiey are a heavy bowl, and cannot flie far,
but will tun ex^eeaing fait, tor if you fhould chance to
break one of their Wings in Shooting, without a Dog,
|ou leldom catch them. Their Ufes in Phyfick are the
fame with the tame Turkey.

The Pheajants are iomtthing lefs, and differ fomc fmall
matter in their Feathers rrom thofe in Ireland, but are no
ways inferior in delicacy, but rather better and finer
Meat. They are very plenty, but their chicfeft IJauncsare
backwards in the Woods, and near the Mountains ; for
they are fcldome to be found near the Inhabitants. Tnc
Pbeafant is accounted better Meat than almoit all other
Fowl, becaufe it, is of a moft. delicate Tafte, and yields
fuch excellent Nourifhment. They reed on Acorns,
Berries, Gram, and feveral iorts of Seeds oi Plants. Their
Flefti is good in hedick Fevers, the Gail fharpens the
Sight, and the Blood re lifts Poyfon.

The Wood-cocks are not near as large in thefc parts of
Americay.2LS thole in Europe ; they differ nothing in fhapC
and Feather, only their Breafts are of a Carnation colour,
and they make aNoife (when on the Wing) like the Bells
about a Hawk's Legs. They breed and continue here
all the Year, and though they are not as plenty here as
they ate in the Northern parts of Europe, yet they are
as fine and delicate Meat as any of that kind in the
World- S hey are to be met with in moft parts of this
Country, but efpecially in the low Grounds, Springs,
Swamps, and Percoarfons. Their Flefh is bell in Winter,
being then fatteft. It and alt it's Parts have the Virtues
©i Partridges.

The 'Snipes are plenty in feveral parts of this Province,1
and are the only wild Bird that are not different from the
fame Species in Europe, They frequent the faose Places as

th®

1^4 The Natural HI S T O R Y of

thofe with us do, viz,. Springs, Wet Ground, &c. Their
Flelhis tender, fweet, and of excellent Nounfhmentr

TheTut-cocks, arc a Species ot «&//>« in thele parts, and
are almoft like the former in Size ana Feather j they are
plenty in feveral Places ot this Province, and nothing in-
ferior to trie former in the delicacy or their Meat; but
thefe, as well as molt other fmail Buds, are little regarded
or made ufe of at prefent, where large Fowl are fo nu-
merouSi

The Curiiew, whereof there are three forts, and vaft
Numbers ot each : They have ail long Bills, and differ
neither in Colour or mape, only in fizc, from thofe in Eu-
rope. The largeft being as big as a good Hen, and the
fmallcit as large as a fmall fVood-mk, and thofe forts are
excellent Meat, and nourifh very much.

The Sea-Pie, or Gray Cur Hew. This Bird is about
the bignels of a large Wood-cock, and has a long Bill as
the other Curliews have, which is of a yellowifh. colour, and
fo are it's Legs. It frequents the Sand-banks on rhe Sea-
fide. When killed, is inferior to no Fowl I have (qq[-\ or
eat of ; It'sFlefh being tender, well relifhed,and nourifh-
Ing.

The WiU-WbiUets is a Bird fo called, from ifi Cry,
for it exadly repeats, or calls WiU-wiUet, as it flies; The
Bill is like a Curliews or Wood-cock, and has much fuch a
Body as the other, but not fo tall ; it is good Meat, be-
ing nourishing and well tailed. Theyfare plenty along
the Shore, and the fides of Rivers, and are much of the
fame Nature and Virtues with the Curliews

The Lapwing or Green-Plover : Thefe Fowl are very
plenty in feveral parts of this Province, efpecially in the
Savannas, and near the Mountains. Their Cry is prettj
much like thofe" with us, they differ little or nothing in
the Feathers3 but are not neat fo large, yet not inferior

to

North CAROLINA.

185

to any of that Species, in the delicacy and goodnefs of
their Meat. Their Allies drank in Wine, is good agamit.
the Cholick, and a Cataplaim thereof, helps the biting

°f TteGreh or Wbiflling-Plwer. Thefe Fowl are very
fcarce and fcldom to be met with near tne Settlements,
but there are great Numbers of them in the Valhes and
Savannas near the Mountains, and Heads or R vers,
where they are to be met with in great Flocks, i uey
difter little from ours, cither in Feather or Size, as tor, as I
coulddifccrn,andeataswell as any of the fame fo t in
Europe ; the Fiefh is pleafant, and much better Nounin-
ment than the Green-Plover. \

The Partridges are not as large as thole in Ireland, be-
ing not much bigger than oat Quail. They frequently
perch upon Trees, and have a kind of Wiultlc or Call
quite different from thofe with us ; but the fame B earners,
only Che Cock has a half Circle over each Eye, in Head
of the Horfe-fhoe.- They are a beautiful B^ro, but
great deftroyers or Peafe, Wheat, and Indian Corn, in
The Plantations, where the Boys fet Traps and catch vaft
numbers of them; I have frequently bought a Dozen ot
of them for lefs than a twelve penny Bill Y hey ate ge-
nerally exceeding fat, and are a far more -delicious Mor-
fel than ours. Sed de guftibus non eft difputandum. They
might be eafily tranfported from one Place to another*
becade they take to feeding immediately atter they arc
caught. The Rattle-Snake frequently deftroys the*,
however they are in great Plenty in this Provnce,
and refort in Covies as ours do. It is a very libidinous
Bird for they will feem to couple with their own Image
in a Glafs : they lay ten, or fifteen Eggs, and fit twice
in a Year, and are laid to live about fitteen or fixteen
Years. The Blood helps the Eyes3 wounded or Blood-

1 86 The Natural H 1ST OR Y rf

&ot, and the Gall is one or the moft eminent things in
the World for defe&s in the Eyes.

The Turtle-Doves are very plenty in thefe parrs of A-
merica, and breed and remain here all the Year ; they are
fomeihing lefs than a common Pigeon, the head and back
arc ot a duskiih blue, or afh Colour; they have a more
melancholly Tone or Note, than any of the other Species
o£ Doves, that are to be heard up and down in the
Woods, as you travel through them. They live eigne
Years, are deftrudive to Corn-fields and Pcafe,for which
reafon the Planters make Traps, and catch great Num-
bers of them. I have frequently eat of them, and they
are a moft delicious Morfel. Their Flcfh has the fame
Virtues with the Pigeon, but is peculiarly good againft
the Bloody Flux.

The IVitd Pigeons are like the Wood-qutfi, or Stock-dove,
only they have longer Tails. They fddom or never ap-
pear amongft the Planters, or near their Settlements', buc
in the Winter (as Wood-cocks ;do with us) they come down
in large Flocks, that it is furprizing to behold them.
After Sun-rife I have fcen them fly, one Flock after ano-
ther, for above a quarter of an Hour together. They
come at thisScafon of the Year in queii of a imall fort of
Acorn, that is called the Turky-Acorn, which groweth on
the lurky-Oak, whereof I have already made mention. It
iscommon in thefe Parts, and thereon thefe Wtld-Pigeom
feed in that Seafon, and are very fat. It is obfervablc,
that wherever they fettle, or rooft at Night, they fre-
quently break large limbs of Trees, in feveral places in the
Woods. When they come in thefe numerous Flocks,
they generally clear all before them, fcarce leaving one
Acorn on the Ground. It is faid they breed in the Moun-
tains (and I am pcrfuaded, considerably to the Norths
ward ot us, becaufc they never appear here but in the

extremity

North CAROLINA.

i*l

extremity of the Winter, when it is hard Frofty or
Snowy Weather; but whether they make their Nefts in
the Rocks, or in Trees, is not known, by any that ever
I converted with. I fhould rather think they made them
in Trees, becaufe or their frequent fitting and roofting
on them at Night. Their Dung will lie- above half a
Foot thick about thofe Trees, which kills Shrubs, Grafs,
and every thing that grows near where it falls. Not-
withstanding thefe Flocks are fo numerous, yet they are
not to be mentioned in comparifon with the great and
infinite number of thefe Fowls that are to be met with
to the Weft ward of thofe Places, where the Chrifiiam at
prelent live (elpecially on this and the other fide of the
Mountains) many of which Species we are little acquaint-
ed with, becaufe they feldom appear or come where we
are already {ettled. The Flefh is very nutritive and ex-
cellent Food. The Blood helps diforders in the Eyes, the
Coats of the Stomach in Powder, cures bloody Fluxes.
The Dung is the hottcft of all Fowls, and is wonderful
attractive, yet accompanied with an Anodyne force, and
helps the Head-ach, Megrim, pain in the Side and Sto-
mach, Pleurify, Cholick, Apoplexy, Lethargy, and ma-
ny other Diforders.

The Moor-hen. I never faw any in this Country, yet
I am credibly informed, that they are to be met with
in the Mountains, and high Country, for they never ap-
pear in any part of the Settlements.

The Wood-pecker, whereof we have five forts, if not
more. The firft is as big as a large Pigeon, ofc a dark
brown Colour, with a white Crofs on the Back, and a
white Circle round the Eyes, and on it's Head Hands a
Tuft of beautiful Scarlet Feathers. Their Cry is to be
heard at a great Diftancc, and they fly from one rotten
Tree to another to get Grubs and Worms, which is what
they live oe A a % The

m

The Natural HISTORY of

The fecond fort are of an Olive colour, flriped with
Yellow. They are about the bignefs of thole in England.
They feed after the fame manner with the former, on
Grubs and Worms.

Tnc third fort is about the fame bignefs with the fe-
cond, and is pied or mottled, with black and wnitc, and
it's Head is of a beautiful Vermilion colour, but hath no
Topping on it; they are deftructive to Corn and Fruit,
efpecially Apples. They like wife open the Covering of
the young Corn, io that the Rain gets in and rots it.

The fourth fort are finely fpeckled or mottled, with
beautiful white and black Feathers, the fined Fever law.
The Cock has a beautiful red Head, but not near as big
as the former. Their Food is Grubs and other creeping
Infe&s, and Corn. They are not wild, for they will Ice
one come near them, but then they hop and fhift them-
felves on the other fide of the Tree from your iighti and
this they will do for a confiderable time; yet it is very
difficult to fhoot one of them by their mifting fo often
from you, notwithftanding they will fcarce leave the Tree.
Thefe are about she bignefs of our Lark,

The fifth fort is about the bignefs of a Jay. The top
of the Head is of a Crimfonor Vermilion Colour, fpot-
ed with Black, round each Eye is a circle of Black, and
on each fide is a Vermilion fpor. The Throaty Breaft,
Belly 5 and Wings, are of a Pale Green, the Rump of pale
Yellow, or Straw Colour. Its Tongue is joi a i great
length, /with which it Rrikes dnts and other IhfeBs. The
Bills of all thefe ions are fo jfharp, hard, and ftrong, that
you fhall hear the ftroke of them. found like a Ghizzel a-
g'ainft a Tree, They are well aquainted in what Trees
\V t.rms are- bred in, by the Sound. They climb Trees,
upripht, after the manner that Cats do, and bend their
Head and look backwards on thofe that approach near

them

North CAROLINA.

189

them. They make Holes in Trees where they build
tbeii Melts, and it is reported that if thefe Holes were ftopt
up ever fo fccure with a Wedge or Pin of Wood, that
they will foon take it out again, io dextrous are they to
work in Wood with their Bills. The Flefh of thefe
Biros is not good for Meat, being harfh and hard of Di-
geftion, outwardly it helps Inflammations, and the Gail
with. Honey and Juice or Rue is ufed in diforders of the
Eyes. There is a Tradition amongft them, that the
Tongue of one or thefe Wood-Peckers dryed,will make
the Teeth drop out if pricked Therewith, and cure the
Tooth-ach (though I believe little of it, but look on lias
ridiculous) yet I thought fit to hint it, that others may
try the Experiment ; for fometimes luch odd Stories refer
to fome particular Virtues, though all that is faid of them
be not true.

The Cat-£irds[o called, from their crying or making a
Noife.exa&ly like the young Cats, for I never could dis-
cover or hear any other Note amongft them. They have
a blackifh Head, and an Afl»-coloured Body. They are
about the bignefs of our Lark, will fight a Crow, and
many other Birds much larger than chemf elves. They
are pretty good eating, but what Phyfical Virtues they
may be endued with, are unknown.

The Mocking-Birds, fo called, from their mocking all
other Birds in their Tinging, for they have fuch diversity
of Notes, thatthcre is fcarce a Bird in thefe parts, that
they hear, but what they will imitate ; and they certain-
ly are one of the fineft finging Birds in the World. There
are two forts of thefe Birds, The firft has Feathers much
of the Colour of our Green- Plover, with White in the
Wings, like z Magpye's. This has a more melodious
and (oft Note than the latter, and is generally about
r the bignefs of our Tbrufi* They, are held to be the

19° The Natural H IS T 0 R Y of

Chorifters amongft the Birds of America, as indeed they
are, for they will fing with the greatcft.divtrfity ot Notes
that ispoffible for any Bird to change. They arc t,,nd
of our Dwellings, and frequently ufort thitnet i ^eing
bold and brisk Birds, yet feem to be ot a® extraordinary
tender Conftitution ; for they ntkhei ling i, Jie Winter,
nor in the midft of Summer,a.nd »t is wish great uimaiicy
that any of them that arc brought over, Will live in Eng-
land or Ireland. They may be Dud uo tame, *nu wu!
fing m Cages ; yet the Planters iduom take them 1 1 crietc
Young ones (except it be co fell to thole craning to Eu-
rope) notwithstanding they make their Neits, and uiced
moil commonly in the Orcnarus, and other places near
the Dwelling Houlcs, becaule they have their Company
as much as if in Cages, for chey frequently lie on tneir
HoulfS in the Summer, and ling -il the Evening, aid moft
part of the Night. They feed on Mulberries, and feve-
ral other Berries and Fruit, specially the Mechoacan berry
which grows plentifully in thefe Parts.

The fecond fort is called the Ground- mocking-Bird, and
is of a light Cinnamon colour, about the fame bigaefs of
the former. This Bird fings excellently well, but is' not
fo common amongft us as the other, neither docs it fre-
quent or re-fort our dwellings, but delights to live amongft
the Myrtle Trees (being of a wilder Nature than the
firft) where it breeds it's young Ones,- and like the
the former, is never known to ling in Winter. Both thefe
forts of Birds continue here all the Year and are in great
xequeft amongft the Planters.

The Red-birds, fo called rrom their beautiful Red co-
lour, whereof there are two forts, the Cocks of both forts
arc of a pure Scarlct,and the Hens of a duskifh Red. Idif-
tihguifh them into two forts ; for the one has a fine Tuft
®r Topping of Scarlet Feathers on the Head, and the

* '" other

North CAROLINA.

191

other is fmooth Feathered. I never law a Tutted Cock
witn a fmooth-headed Hen,* they generally reforc Cock
ami kt.ii together, and always play in or near a Thicket,
wht c the Boys let their Traps and catch, and fell
them to PcrCcins trading to Europe. Tney have ftrong
and in ck Bills, aaa are near as big as our hlack-Birds
in Europe. They are very haru>, and continue here
all cue Year. They Whittle and Sing like a Thrufli,
but are raore mtioaious. They are good tor turning
Cages with Bells, and if laugru like thzButi-Finch, and
other Birds, I do hot doubt would prove very docile ;
'tis pleaiant to behold this Bird feeing it's own Image in
a Looking-Glafs, becaufe it hath fo many diverting and
ftrange Gefticuktions, cither making a hiffing Noife, or
lowring it'sCreit, fettingupit's Tail, ftiaking it's Wings,
ftnking at the Glafs with it's Bill, witn many more too
tedious to Name. If they are taken at any time they
will feed and become tame ; yet it has been obferved,
that when they are fhut up in Cages for fomc Years, they
become Milk-white, and 10 ftupid that they icarcc know
how to feed themfelves, which is never known to happen
whilft they are in the Woods and free from Confinement.
They feed on Indian Corn and feveral forts of Berries and
Seeds, produced in this Country. Thefe Birds and the
former, eat much like our Thruihes.

The Field-fair, is much like thofe with us in Ireland;
but arc never to be feen in this Province but in Winter \
they arc then very fat, and excellent Food.

The Tbrufies are the fame in thole parts or America, as
with us, only they are Red under their Wings. They
never appear amongft the Planters but in hard froity
Weather, and quickly leave us again ; 'tis fuppofed they
go to the Northward where they breed. They arc fat ia
that Scafon, and chc Fieflusof good Nouriftrment,

The

I92 The Natural HIS TORY of

The Thro/Iks are of the fame bignefs and Feather with
thofe in Europe, but are not to be admired for their war-
bling Notes, as ours are, for I have feldom heard them
ling. Thefe Birds are very fat in the Winter, and arc
good eating. Being roafted with Myrtk-bernes, they help
moft forts or Fluxes. The Throjile is called in Latjn, Ber-
hiacenfisy from Berhiacum, a Village near Vevona in Italy,
being there firft feen at the Battle between Otho arid Vitel-
us where the former was, overcome.

'The IVhipOQ'ivill, is a Bird fo called, from it's frequent
and exact repeating thofc Notes or Words. Thefe
Birds are about the bignefs of a Ihwjh, and are hard to
be feen, although they be heard never fo plain, tor they
conftantly run under Thickets and Bufh.es where they
hide themfelves, and call their Notes. They are fcarcc
in this Province, and feldom ro be met with to theSouth-
ward of it ; but in Virginia and other Provinces to the
Northward, they are very plenty in moft of the Plantati-
ons, and are tolerable good eating.

The Jays are here very common, but more beautiful
and finer Feathered than thofe in Europe, for thefe arc
Blue where ours are Brown, and not above half as large,
but have the fame Cry, and 1 udden jetting Motion. They
are mifchievous in devouring the Fruits of the Country;
and commonly fpoil more than they eat. The Flefo of
thefe Birds are much better Nourifhment than any of the
fame fort 4n Europe, where they are commonly eaten
bv the poorer fort of People, and efpecially in France,
but arc feldom made ufc of in thefe parts of America,
where large Fowl are fo plenty.

The Kill-Deer, is a Bird in thefe parts, fo called, from
it's frequent repeating thofc Words. It isabout the big-
nefs oi our Redjbank, and of the fame^colour, and frequents
the Banks and River fides, as the former. Thefe Birds

North CAROLINA.

m

continue here all the Year, are generally fat, excellent good
Meat, and caflly ihot; but being a fmall Bird, are little
regarded, or made ufe or".

The Hand-Birds, f o called, from their being always oil
the Sand-banks, andfearceany where elfe. They arg
about the bigneis of a Lark, and or a gray and brown
Colour. They are generally fat, and numerous in thefe
Parts j they are a moft delicious Morfel to eat, yet few
fpend their Time or Amunition to kill them.

The Runners, are Birds fo called, from their continual
running and feeding along the Sand& They will fufe
one to run after them a long time, and even to throw sg
Stick at them, befor^iiey will get up or fly away ; fo thac
they are often driven together in great Numbers, and
Shot. They are about the bigneis of a fmall Snipe, parti/
of that colour, andexcellent good to eat.

The Lark is heeled, and coloured as thole with uS'aref*
but the Breaft is of a glittering fine Lemon colour iij
fliape like a Hair Moon. Thele Birds frequent the Sa-
vannas, or natural Meads, and green Marfhes, and are
as large as a Fieldfare, and they have a foft Note. They
breed twice a year, andarefaid to be troubled with the
Epilepfy. They nourifh. very much, and are excellent:
good Meat. The Blood drank frefh, with Vinegar,
helps the Stone in the Bladder.

The Bunting-Larh, whereof there are two forts, though*
the Heels of thefe Birds are notfo long as thofe in Europe.
The firft have an Orange colour on the tops ot their*
Wings, and are good Meat. They frequently accompa-
ny the Black-bird, and ung as the Bunting'Larks do in
Europe, differing very little in their l>Jotcs, and have
much the fame Virtues with them;

The fecond Sort is fomcthing lefs than the former,

©fa lighwf colour, arid differ nothing in Feathers or big-

B b self

f 94 The Natural H I ST DRY of

"efs from thofc with the Tuft or Creft on their Heads
that are commonly to be met with in Ireland, and many
other parts of Europe, and their Fiefh is good to eat.

The Blue-Bird, f'o called, from it's being ail of a beau-
tiful fine Blue-colour, except the Breafc of the Cock,
which is Red like the Robin Red-bresJ. They have an odd
kind of Cry, or Whittle, very different from the foimer.
Thefe Birds hide theml elves in the Winter, fo that they
are not to be fcen all that Seafon, but are plenty m the
Summer. They are but a fmall Bird, not fo large as our
Buntings, but are excellent good Meat.

The Bull Jim he s in thefe parts of America, are of the
fame fize and bignefs of thofe with us, but differ fome
fmall matter in their Feathers, from thofe in Europe;
thofe in Carolina being more beautiful But whether
they arc fo docil as thofe with us, I cannot tell, never
having feen any of them bred up in Cages. The Fiefh
of thefe are much the fame with that of the Sparrow.

The Nightingah differ fomething in their Feathers
from thofe in Europe but have mueh the fame Notes :
They are as big as a Goldfinch, and always frequent low
Grounds, efpecially amongfl the Myrtle-berries, where
they generally ling very prettily all Night ; but in the
Winter (like the Swallow) are neither to be heard or feen.
They breed in May, and generally layabout four or five
Eggs in a Neft, near which they feldom fing, for fear of
being difcovered. The Flefh is fwcet and good Food,
helping the Cachexia, and ftrengthning the Brain. The
Gall mixed with Honey, helps Diforders in the Eyes.

The Sparrows differ in Feather from thofe in Europe,
and are never known to refort or build their Neils in the
Eaves of Houfes, as ours do. There arc fevcral forts of
Birds called Sparrows % from their being lo plenty all over
this Provincej one kind of thefe Sparrow esa&Iy refem-

bles

North CAROLINA.

195

blcs the Bird we call the Corinthian Sparrow. All the
Species of Sparrows are extraordinary good Meat, and
the Boys catch great numbers of them in Traps, efpeci-
ally in Winter.

The Hedge-Sparrows are here, though there are few-
Hedges, but what are made of Timber. They differ lit-
tle in either Plume or Bignefs; yet I never heard them
Whiitle as thole m Europe do, and efpecially after Rain.
Thefe and the other Sparrows are nourifhing, and preva-
lent in the decay of Nature.

The Red-Sparrow, fo called, from the great refemblancc
it has to a Sparrcw in it's Size and Bill, and being one of
the molt common Imall Birds in thefe Parts. They are
ftriped with a brown, red, and Cinamon colour, and the
Tail and Wings incline to black.

The Titmoufe, or lorn-tit, is the very fame as with us
in Europe, differing in neither fhape, fize, or feather.
Thefe imall Birds are in plenty oil over this Province.
They are found for the raoft part about Trees, and live
chiefly upon Infects which they find there.

The Snow-Birds , (I take to be fame with our 'Hedge-
Sparrow) are io called, from the vail numbers of them
that come into thofe Parts in hard Weather, and efpecial-
ly when there is any Snow, but are fcldom or never to
be met with at any other time. For the Weather no
fooner changes, than they are gone to the more Norther-
ly parts of America, where they are moil numerous.
They are a fmall Bird, about the bignefs of the Wheatear.
The Boys catch great quantities of them in Traps, dur-
ing their abode in thefe patts. They are fat, nourishing,
and good eating.

The Yellow-wings are fmall Birds, fo called, from their

beautiful yellow Wings, They are of the colour of 2

linnet on the Back and Breaft, but in fm kts, with

B b 2 Wingf

296

Tbs Natural HISTORY of

Wings yellow as Gold, They frequent high up the fieih
Water Rivers and Creek fides, where they breed. They
hide themfelves in the thick Bufhes, and are very diffi-
cult to be feen in the Spring, but in Summer they appear
and fing all the Seafon. What other properties they may
be indued with, is uncertain.

The free* Birds are about the bignefs of a Sparrow,
and of a greyifh Colour, and are fo called, from their
Weeing or cry before Rain. Thefe Birds frequent near
the fides o£ Rivers and Ponds of frefh Water, where
they Breed ; What phyfical Ufes they may have is not
known.

The Goldfinches. There are a forr of Birds like thefe
to be met with here, variegated with Orange and Yellow
Feathers, very fpecious and beautiful to behold ; yet I
never heard them fing, as thole in Europe are known
to do.

The Baltimore Birds., fo called from my Lord Baltimore,
being Proprietor of all Mary-Land ; in which Province
they are very plenty. They are about the bignsfs of a
Linnet, with yellow Wings, and variety of other beauti-
full Colours. They appear moft commonly in this Pro-
vince in the Winter Seafon, at which time they are fat
and good eating.

The Eaft India Bats, or Mushetce Hawks, are fo cal-
led from their killing and feeding on Muskeetoes, and be-
caufe the fame fort of Birds are found in the Eaft Indies :
They are as large as a Cuckow, and much of the fame
Colour, but have fhort Legs3 not difcernable when they
Pie. They appear here only in the heat of the Summer, and
at the approach of cold Weather, leave us again. They
are never feen in the Day time, but are feud ding all Night,
like our N'ght Raven, in purfuit of Muskeetoes, Gnati,
and other Infers, on which they feed. And rhough it

is

North CAROLINA.

127

is called a Bat, I fee no reafon for it, becaufe it bears
no manner of Refemblance to the European Eat, the
Eafi-India Bat being a Fowl with Feathers, and the
other bodied like a Moufe, with Leather Wings. I ne-
ver knew any uk made of thefe Birds, for the Planters
never kill them; becauie they deftroy thofe pernicious
Infects the Muskeews- .

The Bats, whereof there are two torts, which 1 have
already given a Defcription of amongft the Beafts, it bear-
ing the greateft refemblance to that Species ; for though
it flies, yet it hath no Affinity to Birds, not fo much as
a flying Serpenr, and notwithstanding it be not properly
a Quadruped.it hath Claws in the Wings, which anfwer
to fore Legs. Thcfe Bats are plenty in this Province, and
differ only in being larger than thofe in Europe.

The Swallows are very plenty in the Summer, and differ
nothing from thofe in Europe. The flefh of thefe Birds
is no good Nourifhment, yet often eaten, isfaidtohelp
Dimncfs of fight, the falling-ficknefs, and many other
Diforders. The Neft outwardly applied, is of excellent
uk in Quinfies, rednefs of the Eyes, &c. Thefe Birds
feed on Flies, Worms, and many other kinds of fmall

The Swift, or Diveling, has a great Head and Wide
Mouth, but a fmall Bill. The colour of the Feathers of
the whole Body is black, only under the Chin is a Spot
of white or Afli-colour; the Legs are fho&t, but thick,
and the Feet fmall. Thefe Birds feed as the Swallows
do, and have much the fame Virtues.

The Martin, or Martinet, whereof there arc two forts:

The firft is exaftly the fame as with us in feather and
fize, and have the fameufes aud virtue j but what becom-
es of thefe and lome other Birds in the Winter, whether
they Hie into other Countries, or flcep in hollow Trees,

• " Rockf^

198 The Natural HISTORY of

Rocks, or other fecret Places, Natural Hifioxians are not

agreed, nor can they certainly determine. They con-

flantly come to thele parts in the beginning

and one or two arc generally feen hovering

a Day or two before any large Flocks c p ,-n

The fecond fort is near as large k-bird>

they have white Throats and Breafts, bl ks aed

Wings. The Planters are very fond of preferving them,
and frequently tye a number of Gourds on longstanding
Poles near their Dwellings, 011 purpoie for thera to breed
in, becaufe they are a warlike Bird, and beat the Crows,
and many other kind of Birds much larger than them-
felves from their Plantations. One Morning, very early,
I eipied a Snake crawling up one of thefe Poles, with a
defign to deftroy the Young ones or Eggs in thefe Gourds,
and it was iurprizing to fee with what cagernefs the
Martins fought with the Snake, which ftill approached
nearer the Gourds. Seeing the Birds in this Diftrafted
manner endeavouring to preferve their Species, I had the
Curiofity to cose near the Pole, where I obferved the
approaches the Snake flill made to procure it's Prey. I
immediately got a long hollow Reed and killed the Snake
(which was one of the Chicken-Snakes, whereof I have al-
ready made mention) and placed it near the Pole, which
the Martins ftill attacked, and would not be pacified 'till
it was conveyed from the Place.

The Wren is fcarce, and fcldom to be met with, but
Is the fame in fize, Feathers and Notes, as in Europe.
This fmall Bird builds it's Neft in the Mofs on Trees, it
lays Nine or Ten, and fometimes more Eggs at a fitting.-
It is wonderful ftrange, that a Bird with fo fmall a Body,
fhould cover fuch a Number of Eggs, or that it fhouid feed
fo many Young, and not mifs one of them. The Fiefti
is faidto help the ftoppage of Urine, and Eo have the fame
[Virtues with the Sparrow. The

North CAROLINA.

199

I'he Humming Bird is the Icaft of 'all Birds, yet well
n in the World, and may properly be laid to be the
[e or all Winged Animals, lor it is Feather'd like a
flird and gets its living as the Bee does, by fucking the
Honey trom each Flower. They arc of different Colours,
bur the Cocks are more beautiful than the Hens, with vae
riety o\ Colours, fuch as Red, Green, Aurora, and leveral
other beautiful Colours, which being expoied to the Sun
Beams (bines admirably. They have long Bills and Tails,
considering their bigneis, which is fcarce equal to a Spa-
nijh Olive. In iome oi the larger fort of Flowers they^ve-
ry often bury themfelves, lo that they are quite covered,
to fuck the bottom of them, by which means the Chil-
dren commonly catch them whilft they are thus feeding;
and I have feen of them nourifhed and kept alive in Cages
tor fix Weeks, on Honey. They fly very nimbly (but
more like Infects than Birds) from Flower to Flower, to
feek their Food and make a humming noifc like a Hornet or
Bee> hence it took it's Name in Englijb of Humming-bird.
They remain and breed here during the heat of the Sum-
but what becomes of them in the Winter is not

mer.

known, for they never appear at that time, viz,, from
Ottober 'till April. They are fo very fmall that I have
frequently feen the Butterflies chace them away from the
Flowers. Their Nefts are a great Curiolity, and may
properly be faid to be1 one of the greateft pieces of Work-
manfhip the whole fpecies of winged Animals can &ews
for it commonly hangs on a fingle Bryer moft artificially
Woven like a round Ball, with a fmall Hole to go in and
out, where it lays and Hatches its Eggs, which are very
White, of an Oval figure, and for the moil part but two
In Number which are no bigger than a fmall Pea. What
virtues thefe fmall Birds may be indued withes unknown.

The

soo The Natural HI S T O R Y of

The Blue-Peters, or Water^Hens, are very plenty, and
differ from ours neither in fize or Feathers, but are fefdorri
or never eaten (except it be by the Indians and Negroes)
being very hard of Digesting and ill rafted.

The Marjh-Hen is much the fame as with us in Europe
in fize and F&atners, but has a more different and drill
Note. Their Fiefh is feldom made afc of except it be
by the Indians and Negroes, being Black and ill tafted.

The Bitterns, whereof there are three forts. The fir It"
is the very fame as with us in its fize, Feathers, and
Notes.

The fecond fort is of a dark brown Colour, with a Yd-"
lowifli white Throat and Breaft, with a large Creft or
Topping of Feathers on its Head, but is not quite fa
large as the former.

The third fort is no bigger than a Wood-cock, of the'
fame Colour with the firft, and is accounted by many to
be fine eating, yet the Flefh ot the former is of the nature
of the Stork and Heron, of no good nutriment. The
Skin and Feathers calcin'd, flop Bleeding. The Greafe
safes pains of the Gout, helps Deafnefs, clears the fight,
and is excellent bait to catch Fifti with.

The Herons, of thefe there are three forts. The nxft of
common Heron is from the tip of the Bill to the end of the
Claws four Feet long to the end of the Tail about thirty
fight Inches. It hath a black Creft on the Head four In-
ches high, and is in fize, Colour, and all other rcfpeels,
exactly tht fame as is to be met with in Ireland,

The fecond is larger than the former and is Fcather'd
much like the Spanifi-Goofe.

The third is not near as large as any of the former, bat
is ot the fame iliape, and of a moft beautiful white Co-
lour, with red Legs. Thefe Birds are only to be met with
in $ummert and are the fineft of that kind I have ever:

km

North CAROLINA.

201

fcen, and many in thefe Parts would pcrfwade me, that
[hey become the fame Colour with the common Heron,
when they are a Year old, which I am not apt to believe,
but look upon them as a diflind Species from any of the;
former. All thefe forts are plenty in thefe parts of Ameri-
ui, and have the fame flow flight as thofe with us.
They feed on Fifh, Frogs, &ct and like the Roeks, build
their Nefts in high Trees, and generally many together.'
Their Flefh is better than that of the Crane, but beft
when young, and eaten by many. The Bill in Powder,
caufeth Sleep, the Greafe is Anodyne, eafes Pains, and
has much the fame Properties with the Bitterns.

The Crane is a large bodied Fowl, weighing fome-
times above ten Pounds. It's Neck and Legs are long,
being five Foot high when extended. The Head is
black, with a fine crimfon Spot on the Crown of it, the
reft of the Body is of a Cream colour j they frequent the
Savannas, Marfhes, and low Grounds, and though they
are Water-fowl, yet it is thought that they do not feed
on Fifli, but only on Herbs, Grain, and feveral forts of
Seeds and Infects. They are eafily bred up tame, and
are good in Gardens to deftroy Frogs, Worms, and o-
ther Verraine. The Inhabitants boil their Flefh, which
is tough and hard of Digeftion, but makes good Broath.
Their Quills make good Pens, and the Feathers ferve for
other ufes. The Indians eat their Eggs, which have a
ftrong fmell, are hard of Digeftion, and of an unpleafanc
tafte. The Gall is good againft Palfies, Confumptions,
Blindnefs and Deafnefs. The Fat or Greafe helps all
hardnefs, being of the Nature of Goofe-greafe. They
flie with the Wind, make a great Noifc, run fail, and
are faid to live about forty Years.

The Storkes are a larger Fowl than the former, and of

the fame Shape, only their Necks are thicker and fliorter,

C c and

202 The Natural HISTORY of

and are of a dark grey Colour. They are frequently to
be met with amongft the Cranes, they make a clattering
Noife with their Bills, by the quick and frequent ftrik-
ing one Chap againft the other. It is reported by feve-
ral Perrons whom I have converfed with, that they are
to be found in no part of America but in this Province.
They teed on Frogs, Snails, and many other forts of In-
jects. The Flefli nouriihes as that of the Herons and
Bitterns, and the other Parts of this Fowl have the fame
Virtues with them.

The Swans, whereof there are two forts. The firft
are called the Trumpeters,' from a trumpeting fort of
noife they make, and are the largeft fort of Swans in thefe
parts. They come here in the Winter, and remain
with us 'till February, in fuch great Flocks, that I never
law more of any Water-fowl in all my Travels than of
them, for at that Seafon, they are in iuch vaft Numbers
on each fide of the frefti Water Rivers and Creeks, that
at a diftance it teems to be Land covered with Snow,
About Chriftmas they are frequently fo fat, that fome or
them are fcarce able to fly. In Spring they go to the
Northern Lakes to breed. I have feveral times eat of
them, and do prefer them before any Goofe, for the
goodnels and delicacy of their Meat, and efpecially a
Cygnet, or laft years Swan. Thefe Swans are larger
than any I have fecn in Europe. Their Quills and
Feathers are in great requeft amongft the Planters. As
to their Flefh and Parts, they have the fame Virtues
with that of the Geefe.

The Hoopers are a fecond fort of Swans, and are fo
called, from a hooping Noife they make. This fort
are as numerous as the former, and come to thefe parts,
arj^ go at the fame time chat they do ; yet the latter

abide

North CAROLINA

203

ibide more in the Salt Water than the former, arc not
o large, but their Flefh and Feathers are as valuable.
And it is obfervable, that neither thefe nor the other
have the black piece or" horny Flefti down the Head and
Bill as thofe in Europe have. The Greafe or Fat deanfcs
the Face trom Morphew, and other Vices, and their Oil
helps the Gout.

The Wild Geefe, whereof there are three Sorts, but
differ very little from each other, only in their Size,
having black Heads and Necks. They are plenty here
all the IVinttr, come and go with the Swans, and com-
monly feed with them j they eat as well as thofe in
Europe, being nourifbing, though hard of digeftion, and
are apt to breed Agues in cold weakly Conflitutions;
The Oil or Greafe is exceeding hot, and of thin Parts,,
piercing and difolving. It cures Baldnefs, helps Deaf-
nefs, pain and noife in the Ears, is good againft Palfies,
Lamenefs, Numbnefs, Cramps, pains and contractions of
the Sinews, and many other Diforders. The Dung is
iited with fuccefs in the Jaundice, Scurvy, Dropfy, and
Gout, The green Dung gathered in the Spring, and
gently dried, is beft.

The Grey Barnets, or Barnacles, are in fhape like the
WildGeefe, of an Am and dark grey colour, fomething
lefs than the comm©n Goofe, with which they agree in
Nature and Virtues, They are very plenty in this Pro-
vince all the Winter, at which time they are fat and cat
extraordinary well ; there is no difference between them
and the Barnacles in Europe. Some Writers affure us,
that they breed unnaturally of the Leaves or Apples of
certain Trees in the Iflands in Scotland 1 others, on the
contrary affirm, that they are produced from Eggs,
hatched after the fame manner as Geefe Eggs are,
Ccs which

2Q4 The Natural HISTORY of

which we are inrire Strangers to here, becaufe they are
never to be feen in thefe Parts of America but in the
Winter time for they generally come and go with the
Swans and Geefe.

The White Brants, are fomcthing larger than the
iormer, with which they agree in Nature and Virtues
and are very plenty in the Winter Seafon. Thefe Birds
arc at white as Snow except the tips of their Wings,
which are Black. They feed on the Roots of Sedge
and Grafs m the Savannas and Marfhes, which thev
tear and root up like Hogs. The Planters frequently fee
Fire to thefe Savannas and Marfhes, and as ioon as the
Grafs is burnt off, thefe Fowl will come in great Flocks
to eat the Roots by which means they fhoot vaft
Numbers of them. They are as good Meat as the other,
but their Feathers are fiubbed and good for nothing

The great Grey-Gulls are as large as a Duck, and very
plenty in thefe parts, and accounted good Food. They
lay Eggs as large as a Houfe-Hen, which are found m
great Quantities in the Months of June and July, on
the lllands,in the Sounds, and near the Shoar. Thefe
and the Young ones, which are call'd Squabs, are good
Food, and prove relief to Travellers by Water, that have
ipent their Provisions. The Greafe of thefe, and the
other Gulls, is good againfl the Gout, and hard fwellines,
firengthens the Nerves, and eafes Pains in feveral parts
of the Body. r

The great Pied-GuHs, are alfo plenty here ; they area
large Fowl with black and white Feathers, and their
Heads beautifully adorned with a black-hood. They
lay large Eggs, which are good to eat,fo are their SquJs
or Noting ones in the Seafon; they are of the fame Na-
ture and Virtues with the former.,

The

North CAROLINA.

205

The little Grey-Gutls arc likewife numerous near
the Sea Shoar. They are of a curious grey Colour,
about the bignefs of a grey or Whiflling Plover, and
good Food, being nourishing and well rafted. Their
Nature and Virtues are much the fame with the for-
mer.

The Old- wives, but why fo called, I know not, for they
are a black and white pyed QuU, with extraordinary
long Wings, their Feet and Bill of a fine Golden Colour,
They make a ftrange and difmal Noife as they flie, and
are frequently dipping their Bills in the Salt- Water, and
are larger than the former, but feldom eaten, only by the
Indians and Negroes, their Flelh being black, hard of
digeflion, and taftes Fifhy.

The Sea-Cock^ fo called, from it's Crowing at break
of Day, and in the Morning, exactly like aDungbill-Cock |
it is another fort of Gull, of a light grey and white Co-
lour. They are to be met with in great Numbers near
the Sea-Shoar, and are larger than the former : Their
Cry being fo Domeftick, hath deceived many, fuppofing
lome Inhabitants 10 be near them ; yet it is very pleafant,
efpecially to Europeans, in thofe wild and uninhabited
places. Their Flelh is not good, therefore feldom or
never made ufe of, except it be by the Negroes and In-
dians.

The Gull, or Sea-mew (this Bird is alfo called f§ea~col>)
is the fame as in Europe. This Fowl is little regarded.,
becaufe the Flelh is of an ill fcent, and odious to be
eaten ; yet it is faid to help the falling (ickaefs ,* and the
A flies of the whole Bird, the Gravel in the Bladder and
Kidnys.

The Trcpick Bird, fo called, being in great plenty
wnderthe Tropicks and thereabouts, but are fcarceany

where

2o6 The Natural HISTORY^*

where elfe. They are a white Mew, with a forked Tail.
They are a fwifc Fowl, and continually flying like the
Swallow. What ufes or virtues they may be indued with,
is uncertain, becaufe they are feldorn or never taken.

The Duck and Mallard are exactly of the fame fize
and Feather with thofe in Europe, they are very nume-
rous, efpecially in Winter, but their Meat is not to be
compared to our tame Duch for goodnefs, and are ac-
counted one of the courfeft fort ot Water-fowl in all
this Province, fo that they are little regarded and feldom
made ufe of except by the Indians and Negroes.

The Black-Duck. fo called, from it's black colour, is
full as large as the former, and is good Meat. It flays
here all the Summer, and breeds. They are pretty nu-
merous, and the Planters take their Eggs, and have them
hatched at their dwelling Houfes, and they prove extra-
ordinary good domeftick Fowl.

The Summer-Ducks, fo called, from their continuing
here all that Seafon. They have a large Creft or Top-
ping of Feathers on their Head, are of a beautiful pied
white and black Colour, and are very plenty in thefe
Parts. They generally build their Nefts contrary to moft
web-footed Fowl, in the Holes that Wood peckers make
in large Trees, very often fixty or feventy Foot from the
Ground, where they hatch their Eggs ; they are an ex-
traordinary good Fowl, and eat well.

The Whiflling Duck, fo called, from it's Whittling
when it flies and feeds.. They are of a pretty white and
black Colour, but not fo large as our Wild Duck. They
are to be met with in great Flocks in feveral places of
this Country, and efpecially near the Mountains, and
Hilly parts thereof, where 'tis thought they breed % they
are good Fow^ and excellent eating.

The

North CAROLINA.

<2C)

The Wbiftlers,&ie another Species of Ducks, and arc
Co called, from the Whittling Noife they make as they
fly. They are lefs than our wild Ducks, and very dif-
ferent in their Feathers from the Wkifiling- Dusks, and
have a greater variety of beautiiul Colours than the for-
mer. They arelikewife good to eat.

The Scarlet Eyed Duck, fo called, from their red Eyes,
and a red Circle of Flefh for their Eye-lids. They are
of various beautiful Colours, and are to be met with in
feveral Places, but efpecially near the Mountains, and
the Heads of Rivers. They are alio good Meat.

The Shell-Drakes, arc the fame as in Europe, in Fea-
ther and Size. They are in great plenty here, and are
very good Meat.

The Bull-Necks, fo called from their thick Necks.
They are a Species of Ducks, but as large as Barnacles^
ofawhitifh Colour ; and have the thicken: Necks of
any Fowl I have ever feen, of the fame bignefs. They
come here about Chrijimas in great Flocks to the Creeks
and Rivers. They are good Meat, but hard to kill, being
a very wary Fowl ; will dive as foon as you can (hoot,
and endure a great deal of Shot before they are kill'd.

The Water Pheajant ; but for what reafon io impro-
perly call'd, I know not, for it has no manner of Refcm-
blance of that Bird. It is a Species of Ducks, having &
Creft or Topping of pretty Feathers on it's Head, which
is very Ornamental. They are about the fize of our
WildDuch, of a light brown colour, they are in great
Plenty, and fine eating.

The Shovellers, are another kind of Ducks, fo called,
from their broad and flat Bills. They are Grey, with
black Heads, and fomething larger than our Wild Ducks.
They are plenty in feveral parcs? and are good Meat.

2©8 The Natural HI S T O R Y <?/

The Blue-Wings, are another Species of Ducks, and
are fo called, from their beautiful Blue-Wings. They
are lefs than a Wild Duck, but excellent good Meat.
Thefe are the firft Fowl that appear to us in the fall of
the Leaf, at which time they come in large Flocks, as
is luppofed from Cantda, and other great Lakes that lie
to the Northward of us.

The Red-heads, are another Species of Duc&s, fo
called from their Red-heads, and arc lefs than the" Bull-
necks. They are very plenty in the Rivers and Creeks,
arc fwect Food, and very nourilhing.

The Swaddle-Bills, are another Species of Ducks, of
an Afli colour, and are fo called, from their extraordina-
ry broad Bills. They are excellent good Meat, but not
fo plenty in thele parts, as the other Species of Ducks
are.

The Zijhermen, fo called, from their Dexterity in Fifh-
ing. They are like a Duck, only they have narrow
Bills, with fets of Teeth. They feed on fmall Fifh and
Fry, which they catch as rfiey fwim. They eat Fifhy,
therefore not in much requcft amongft the Planters. The
beft way in ordering them is, to take out their Fat and
Guts, then bury them under Ground for five or fix
Hours, which will make them eat well, and take away
their ftrong and fifhy taftc; as I have been credibly in-
formed by many in thefe Parts.

The Raft-Fovtl, includes feveral forts of Ducks, viz.1
Divers, Teals, IVigems, and various other Kinds, that go
in Rafts, or great Flocks along the Shoar, which wc
know no Names for at prefent.

The Divers, whereof there are two forts. The firft
are of a Grey Colour,the other Pied, White, and Black.
uThey are both good Fowl, and eat well, but hard to

(hoot,

North CAROLINA.

209

fhoot, becauieot their dexterity in diving under Wa-
ter, which tiiey will do as quick as any one can (hoot.

The Wigeons are the fame as m Europe, and in great
plenty in the Winter Scaion. They eat exceedingly well:

The 'Teal, whereof there are two fons. The firfl
is exactly the fame as in Europe, and as good Eating, be-
ing more delicious than either Divers or Wigeon.

The fecond fort frequent the rrefh Waters, and are
always obferved to be nodding their Heads when they
are in the Water. Thefc forts are {mailer than the for-
mer, but finer and more delicious. They are both very,
plenty here in the Winter Seafon.

The Dipper, or Fijher *3 theie are fmall Birds about the
bignefs of a Teal, and much the fame a? thofe that are
to be met wkh in die Iflands of Stilly, and many othec
Iflands in Europe. They are of a black and white Colour,
and are fo called, from their dexterity in Fifhing and
catching fmall Fifh, on which they feed. They eat fifhy,
for which reafon they are not in much Requeft amongft
the Planters.

The Black Flufterers ; fomc call thefe Old Wives ;
they are jet black, only the Cocks have white Faces,
like the Bald-Coots. They always remain in the middle
of the Rivers, and feed on Drift, Grafs, Carvels, or Sea
Kettle. They are the fatten: Fowl in thefe Parts, and
are fometimes fo heavy that they cannot rife out of the
Water. They make an odd fort of a Noi(e when they
fly, and are fomething larger than a Duck; fome call
them the great Bald Coot. Their Flefh is not much ad-
mired, being of a flrong and fifhy tafte, and hard of
Digeftion, but their Eggs (which are as large as thofe 06
Hens) are good Nounfhment.

D d

The

**

210 The Natural HISTORY tf

The Bald- Faces, or White-Faces, areaimoftas big as
a Duck, and are an extraordinary Fowl and eat well.
Theie Birds cannot Dive, and therefore are cafyto be
Snot.

The Waier-Wiich, or tt?an-CoQtsy are a very ftrange
Fowl, having .ail over them Down, ana no Feathers, and

go, but are fo dexterous in Diving, that

neither £y nor _

fcarce any Fowler can hit or ihoot them They 'often

get into the Fiih- Wares, and are taken, becaufc they

cannot fly or get over the Rods or Poles, whereof the

Filh-Wares are made. They are not much covered or

efteemed, by reafon they eat fifhy and are hard of

Digeiiion.

The Kings-Fifier, whereof there are two Sorts. The
firfl: is fomethiug larger than a jay, with a long Bill,
and large Crop, much of the fhape and colour of the
latter, though not altogether fo curioufly Feathered :
Theie Biros moil commonly frequent the Rivers, prey
on frpall Fiih, and buiid their Nefts on the Shoar.

The fecond is much the feme as with us in Europe ;
being a fine Bird, with red Feet; long Bill, and about
the bignefs of our Bunting. The Chin is white with a
certain mixture of Red, and the upper part of the Belly
is of the fame Colour. The lower Belly under the Tail
is or a deep red, fo are the fides and Feathers under the
Wings. The Breaft is red, the ucmoft Borders of the
Feathers being of a beautiful bleuifh Green : From the
Keck through the middle of the Back to the Tail is of
a mod lovely bright Purple or pale Blue, which by its
fplendour is apt to hurt the Eyes of thofe that look long
and ftedfaftly upon it. Thefe Birds, like the former,
frequent the Rivers, and build their Nefts on the Shoar.
The Flcfh roaftcd and eaten, is good in Convulsions and

EpildieSj

North CAROLINA.

211

Epilefies, the Heart is fometimes dryed and hung about
the Neck of Children for the fame Disorders. m

The Pelican in Carolina is a large Water-Fowl, being
five Feet in length, from the point of the Bill to the end
of the Tail, and almoR equal in bignefs to a Swan. It
has a long thick Neck and Beak, and a great natural
Wen or Pouch under the Throat, in which it keeps it s
Prey or Fifti, which it lives upon. This Pouch it will
fometimes contrad and draw up to the Bill, that it is
fcarce to be feen. It is a Web-rooted Fowl, like a Goofe,
but fhaped more like a Duck, and or a light grey Colour.
The Flefh is feldom eaten, having a ftrong fifiiy taite,
and hard oFdigeftion; but being well boiled, makcth
good Broth, and the Planters make handfom Tobacco-
Pouchcs of it's Maw. They are plentifully to be met
with in the Winter Seafon,cfpecially near the Sounds and
Sea Shoars. In Spring they go into the Woods to breed,
and return again in Autumn. They have an odd kind
of Note, much like the Braying of an Aft, and are re-
ported to live to a great Age, vfe. fixty Years or up-
wards. They are (aid to be white in Guinea, and St.
Verm faith, that there are two forts of them in Egypt,
w*. the Land and Water Pefcw The Gall of this
Bird cleanies Silver.

The Cormorants are the fame as in Europe, only thole
of this Province are larger. They are as numerous all
over thefe Parts of America, as in any part of the World,
cfpecially at the run of the Herrings, which is in March
and April \ at which time they arc feen fitting upon the
Sand Banks, or Logs of Wood in the Rivers, and catch
vaft quantities ofFifh, which is their only Food, and
whereof they arc very ravenous and greedy. They lay
their Eggs in the beginning of the Spring, in thclflands,

212

The Natural H I S T O R Y of

in the Sound, and near the Sea Shoar in the Banks and
fomctimes on high Trees, as the Shag, do ; t& «e
very iirengthmn, to the Stomach, and %« rhe Bloody

I f u F>f* f h{fk' and h«d-0f digeftioa, there-
fore feldom made uic of. '

The 5% is fomewhat like the Cormorant, but much
left; it ai£Fersid the colour of the Belly which in this
.s .blackdh, in the other white. It fwims ,\he Sea

Wate'r" iff, ?*?' ^ '* B^ almoft *>*««"„ S
• a- h V ° deX"r0US W d,vmS> that when a Gun
is discharged at it, as foon as is fees the Fire flaft im-
mediately it pops under Water, fo that it is a hard mat-

Webb-footed Birds but this, and the .SWr-Ducks
that fit upon Trees, ana build their Nefts in them. The
Fleih is black, dl-tafied, and hard ofdigeftion, being
much of the fame Nature with the Cormorant S

The Gamut K a very large white Fowl, having one
part of it s Wings black. It liveson Filh, as the P.licm
and Cormorant do ; it is reported, that their Fat or Greafe
( which is as yellow as Saffron) is the beft thing known
to prefetve Fire-A.ms from Ruft. The Flefh is of a
ba£Tafe> and Scarcely good for Food or Phyfick.

TUSbear-mter is a longer Fowl than a Ducket has
- much foaller Body. They are of a browniah Colour,
and for the moft part upon the Wing, like theWcm, :
There are vaft Quantities of thcm on fevera, of

thele Sea Coafts <>h,Ifl others range the Seas all over)
for they are lometimcs met with five hundred' Leagues
from Land. I have frequently obferved them to flrike
down upon a Sea-rack, or Weed rhat grows in the Gulf
ot Flor.rla whmb is plentifully to be met with in thefe
&eas. it hath many winding Stalks, which appear like

Coral,

North CAROLINA.

213

Coral, whereon grow fhort Branches, fet thick with nar-
row Leave*, amongft which are many round Berries,
without either Seeds or Grains in them. I have often
taken up or this Sea-wreck (which is a kind or" narrow
leaf ?d Sea-lentil) wherein I found feveral forts of fmali
Srieil-fim, which I am perfuaded thcte Birds catch, and
live upon. And it is the Opinion of many in thefc
Parts, that thefe Birds ncfer drink any Frefh Water, bc-
cauie they are never feen any where near the Frefhss,
or Rivers. Their Flefh is of an ill Scent, therefore not
good to be eaten.

Thus have I fmifhed the moil exa& Account that is
yet known of the BIRDS that are to be met with in
North Carolina ; though doubtlefs there are many more
different Species of them, that we are entire Strangers to
at prefent, which is chiefly owing to the want of En-
couragement to a felect number of travelling Gentlemen,
whofe Obfervations might tend to the Improvement of
Natural Knowledge. For want of this, we are rendered
incapable of being 10 well acquainted with this part oi
the World as the French and Spaniards are with theirs,
who generally fend abroad in Company with the Mijfio-
naries fome of their young Gentlemen, with handfome
Penfions for their fupport, who foon become acquainted
with the Savages of America, and their Languages.
Thefe Gentlemen are like wife obliged to keep a ftri&
Journal of all their Paifages, whereby many confiderablc
Dikoveries have been made in a few Years. Such lau-
dable Encouragements as thefe, would undoubtedly
breed an honorable Emulation amongft the Gentlemen
of our own Nation, to outdo one another even in all
manner of Fatigues and Dangers, to be fervicable to their

" ' King

214 The Natural H IS T O R Y of

King and Country. That Attempts of this Nature
may always be encouraged, I fincerdy wifh, foe the Ho-
nour and Grandute of the Britifi Throne.

I fhall in the next place proceed to give an Account
of the Inhabitants of the watry Elements, wnich at
prefect can be but very imperfectly treated of, for want
of Fiftiermen, and the fifhing Trade going on in thefe
Parts to perfe&ion. Yet I am willing to fatisfic the Cu-
rious with the beft Account that is in my power aud
leave the reft to Time (which perfe&s all Things) to
difcovcr. The Fifties' in the fait and frefli Waters of
Carolina, are as follows.

O F

Old Wife

■■■■■■a

North CAROLINA.

215

OF THE

FISH

O F

North - Carolina.

H E Whales differ from the Fiu-Fijh in their.
Fins. The Fin-Fijh having a large Fin
on the Back, where the Whale has none,
but he has two behind his Eyes, covered
with a thick black Skin, finely Marbled,
with white Stroaks, and the repreientation
of Houfes, Trees, &c. With thefc two Fins and his
Tail he fwims and fleers himfelf like a Boat with Oars.
The Head of this Monftcr is fomewhat flat, and flopes
downwards like the Ridge of a Houfc to the under Lip,
which is broader than any part of his Body, and broad-
eft in the middle behind the Bump, for between that and

the

216 The Natural HI S T O R Y of

the Fins arc his Eyes, which are not much bigger than
thofe or a bullock, with Eye-lids and Hair like Men's."
The Chryftal of the Eye is not much bigger than a Pea,
which in fome is clear and tranfparent, and in others of
a white or yeliowifh Colour. The Eyes lie low, almoft
at the end of the upper Lip. The Head is the third
part of the Fifli, and in f omc more. Their Lips are plain,
fome what bending like an S. and underneath the Eyes,
before the two Fins, they are fmooth, jet biack, and
found like the quarter of a Circle, but when they draw
them together, they lock in one another. Within the
uppermofl Lip is contained the Whalebone, (and not in
the Fins, as fome have imagined) wnich is of a browmfh
black and yellow Colour, with ftreaks of fcveral otner
Colours, but the Whalebone of the young ones, is gene-
rally Blue. The Whalebone hangs down on both fides
within the Mouth, all hairy like a Horfes Tail, and in
fome it is bended like a Scymeter, and in others like a
half Moon. In one fide, in a Row, there arc generally
Two hundred and fifty Pieces of Whalebone , and as many
on the other, befides the fmali Bone, which is not regard-
ed, becaufe they cannot well come at it to cut it&out.
The middlemoftis the greateft, and is fometiuies eighteen
or nintcen Foot long. It lies in. a flat row, one Piece
by another, and is broaden: at the top, where it flicks
to the upper Lip , towards the Root it is covered with
white Sinews, which when boiled, fmell pleafantly,
There grows fmall Whalebone at the Root of the greater,
whereof they make Boxes, Handles for Knives, walking
Sticks, and the like.

The Tongue lies amongft the Whalebone, and is clofc
fixed to the upper Chop, which is very large and white,
with black Spots at the edges. It has a foft I pungy Fat,
and cannot be eafily cut,fo thac it is generally flung away,

though

North CAROLINA.

chough it would yield feven or eight Barrels of trafn Oil.
Upon his Head there is a Bump, and before his Efes and
Fins at the top of this Bump on each fide, thfcreitfa fpbtit
hole, bended like an S. out of which he bWwstHe.WateC
[o fiercely, that it roars like a great Wind. Juft betor^irk
the under Lip, there is a Cavity or Hole, which fits rfcej
irpper as exactly as a fiheath does a Kaire3 and £firbug#
this hole he draws the Wacet he fpouts but,- when he is
wounded, his blowing refembles the roaring of the Sea
in a great Storm. Neither does he heat when he fpoutss
the Water, and is eafieft (truck at that time. The Belly
and Back are quite Red in fome^but under the Belly they
are fomedmes White, ana fome of them Coal Biack. They
look very beautiful when the Sun fliines Cn them, and the
Imall clear WTaves over them, glitter like Silver. The
outward Skin is thin like Parchment, and eafily pulled
off when the Fifh grows hot, which they frequently dd
by fwiming, and then they fiink.

The Yard is a ftrong Sinew, and from fix to eight
Feet long, and where the Yard is fixedj the Skin is
doubled, fo that it lies like a Knife in a Sheath. The
Pudenda of the Female is fhaped like rhat of a large four:
footed Beaft, They have Breafls, with Nipples at the
fides of it, like thoie of a Cow. When they couple to-
gether, they {land upright, with their Heads out of the
Water, but how long they carry their f oung, is uncer-
tain. Neither are they ever obferved to have More tharif
two young ones at a time. , When they are brought:
forth, they are a§' big as an Hogfhead ; they fuck their
Dams, whofe Milk is very white and fwee't, but tafteS
Fifhy. The Sperm, when frefri, fmells like wheatent
Flower boild in Water, and may be drawn out in Threads
fike Hot Sealing Wai dr "Giew -, when cold, it turns to
i WMk £m&h VMM iirong, arid is to be kept l^fcec,
fee hf

2i8 The Natural HISTORY of

by no means. At certain Scafons there may be whole
Pails full of it taken out of the Water, tor it fwims upon
the Sea like Fat, as does that of the Sea-Horfes and Seals,
the Sailors frequently make twifted Whips of the Sinews
of the Yard. The Bones are hard like thofe of a great
four-footed Bead, but porous like a Spun'ge, and filled
with Marrow, but when that is confumed, the Holes are
as large as thofe of a Honey-Comb, They have two
large ftrong Bones which hold up the under Lip, and
they lie oppofite to each other in form of an half Moon,
fome of which are twenty Feet long of a fide. The
Flefh is courfe and hard, like that of a Bull, mixed with
many Sinews, and is very dry and lean when boiled, be-
caufe their Fat lies whoiy betwixt the Flefh and the Skin.
When the Sailors have a mind to eat ot it, they cut great
pieces off before the Tail, which is tenderer!:, and boil
it. Others report the Tongue to be good Food, and
whenever they kill any of them eat part of it ,* fome of
the Flefh looks green and blue iike powdered Beef. The
Fat is mixed with Sinews, which hold the Oil, as a
Spunge does Water : The other ftrong Sinews are
chiefly about the Tail, with which he turns and winds
himfelf, as a Rudder does a Ship. He fwims asfwift as
a Bird flics, and makes a track in the Sea like a large Ship
under fail. Their Tails do not ftand. up as the Tails
of moft other Fifhes do, but lie horizontally as thofe of
the Dolphin, and are from three to four Fathom broad.

The middling Whales arc about fifty or fixty Feet
long, and commonly yield feventy, eighty, or ninty Bar-
rels of Fat or Oil. Befides the uppermoft thin Skin,
there is likewife another about an Inch thick, and of the
fame colour with the other, but both are fo brittle, when
dry, that they are of no value ; and the foftnefs of the
Skin is reckoned to be the caufc why the Whak> though

the

■HHH

North CAROLINA.

219

the ftrongeft and biggeft of Fiftes in the Water, can-
not make much ufe or his ftrength. The Guts are of
aflefh Colour, and the Dung within them yellow;
Thtir Food is chiefly Sea-Snails, Herrings, and other
{mall Fifli ; when they fee a Man or a Long Boat,
they dive and run away ; but if tney are wounded, or
in danger, they value a Man no more than a Straw, and
frequently beat the Long-Boat in pieces, but great
Ships are too many for them, for when they ftrike a-
gainft them with their Tails, they generally receive more
Damage than they give. They fometimes run away
with fomethoufand fathom of Rope-line (after they are
ftruck with the Harpoon or Sharp-Iron, that is fixed to &
Stick, and ref enables a Dart) a great deal fwifter than a
Ship can fail, or a Bird flic, by which means the Lines
are fometimes fet on fire, when there is not proper Care
taken to prevent them, by conftantly throwing Water
on them as they run out. They fliift their Quarters, as
is fnppofed, according to the Seafons. They have Ail-
ments as well as other Beafts, and are ftrangely affti&ed
with Lice ; they will iometimes leap out of the Water,
as if they were in an Agony. Before a Tempeft they
beat the Water about with their Tails like Duft. They
are obferved to have the greateft Strength when they
ftrike fide- way s. If they efcape, their Wounds are quick-
ly healed up, becaufe of their Fat ; but the Wound al-
ways leaves a white Scar behind it.

Thcfe Monfters are very numerous on the Coafts ©f
North-Carolina, and the Bone and Oil would be a great
Advantage to the Inhabitants that live on the Sand-Banks
along the Ocean, it they were as dexterous and induftrious
in Fiihing for them as they are Northwards ; but as I
obierved before, the People in thefe parts are not very
much given to Induftry, but wait upon Providence to
E e 2 throw

22p Tbf Natural HISTORY of

throw thofedead Mongers on Shoar, which frequently
happens to their great advantage and Profit. For which
Rcakm abundance of Inhabitants dwell upon the Banks
near the Sea for that Intent, and the benefit of Wrecks of
Veflels which are fomecimes driven in upon thefe Coafts.
Not many Years ago there were two Boats that came
from the Northward to Ocacocklfand, to fifh, and earned
away that Scafon Three Hudredand Forty Barrels of Oil,
focfjdc the Bone, but thefe Fifliermen going away wxthj
out paying the Tenths to the Governor, they never ap-
peared to fifh qn thefe Coafts afterwards, or any other
that I ever could hear of. I only mention this to (hew
witii what Advantage the Fidiing tor Whale* might be
carried on here, when only one Tryal carried off io rich
and valuable a Cargoe.

There are four forts of Whales in thefe parts: The
pritis t\he Sperma-Ceti Whale, from whence the Sperma-
€eti is taken, and is the mod choice for its rich and va«
luable Commodities. Thefe fort are fometimes round
on this Coaft, and area rich Piize to thofe that are fcj
fortunate as to find them. The other forts.are of a pro-
digious large file, and it is of thefe the Bone and Qil
#re made, the Oil being only the Blubber or Oily Fleih
or Fat of this Fifh boiled. Thefe differ not only in
Colour, fome being aii White, others pied, and others
pot, but likewife very much in Shape, one being called
the Bottle-No] e, and the other the Shovel-Nvfe, which is
as different as ^Salmon from a Sturgeon,

Thefe Fi [h are never found d^d or floating to the
|hoar with their ^Tongues in their Heads, for it is the
Opinion ot many *n theie parts, that the Thrafen and
S'Mrd-'Ptfh, (which sue mortal Enemies to the tVhajes
inhere fit ihti mcc't d&m) eat the Tongue out of .heir

..Head.,

North CAROLINA, 22 1

Head, as foon as they h$ve killed him ; but whether this
is done by the Fiih abuvementioned, or oy others of the
iame voracious Nature, I will not take upoa me to de~
termine, buc leave it to the determination of every judici-
ous Reader.

Tnere is another fort ofchefe Whales, or great Fifiies,
though not commonly found on rheie Coafts, and are
contrary to all the others in fhape, that were ever found
in thefe Parts, being about Sixty Feet in length, and not
above four Feet and a half Diameter; I never faw but
one of them. It is reported that foroe Indians in America
will go out to Sea and get on the Whale's Back, and peg,
and plug up his Spouts, and io kill him, which I can
fcarce believe, except they have fome fecret Spell to make
them iiupid to treat them after that manner. It is very
flranae to fee how they will throw up the Water with
their Spouts, by which means they are ieen or difcovered
at great diflances. They cannot abide long under Wa-
ter for want of Air, which is common to molt large
Fifties; fo that they are frequently fcen to rife with their
Heads and Backs above the furface of the Water, and
fpouting it in the Air, after which it isfaid, they draw in
a fufficient quantity of Air neceffary for their fupporting

of Life- ':l ,

The Crampw, is another large Fifti, about twenty
five or thirty Feet long, and is accounted by many to he
a young Whale, by realon it has Spouts as the Whale has
and produces as good Oil as the former.

The Bottle-Nofes, are another Species of large Fifhes,
between the Cramp pis and the Porpoife. They are to be
met with for the moft part near the Soundings, and are
never obferved to Swim leifurely, as fometimes other
Fifties do, but are continually in purfuit of their Prey,

In great Shoals, like wild Horfes, leaping now and then

^ .0 ,_ -. «*. - — -^ % above

222 The Natural H IS T O R Y of

above the Water. Some make ufe of them, and efpecially
the French, who efteem them good Food, and eat them
both frefh and fait. Thefc as wdl as the Porpoift, are
often heard to puff and blow very ftrong, as they are
Swimming. "

I hope it will not be unpleafing to the Reader, to give
an Account what I faw done by thcfe Fifhes, viz,. Iri
our PafTage through Pamticoe Sound, we had very good
Diver ihn with rhem, which were in great Numbers about
the Ship; one of our Company fhot araongft them, with
a Brace oi Balls, and happened to wound one of them,
which we could plainly difcover from fome of it's Blood
in the Water, the Weather being very calm • which was
no fooner done, but all the reft left us in purfuit of the
one that was wounded., and we could often fee it leaping
above the Water, for near half an Hour, {till driving to
avoid the reft, 'till at laft it was quite fpent, (as we fup~
pofed) tor we could not perceive it any longer leaping out
of the Water. The Mafter of the Vcfl'eJ aflured me,
that the reft devoured it, which they always do with
thofe wounded, ftill purfuing the Blood, like a Pack of
Dogs after a Deer, They are very fat and produce good
Oil.

The Porpoije, or Sea-Hog, is large^, being above four
Feet long and two and a half thick, the Figure is fomc-
what long and round, continually tapering towards the
Tail. It is covered with a {lender thin Skin, of a black-
Ifh colour, and has only three Fins like the Dolphin, It
has a large Head, fmall Eyes, and a forked Tail. They
are frequently to be met with all over the Ocean and Ri-
vers that are fait. We have a frefh-water Lake in the
great Sound of Nmh Carolina, that has Porpoifes in it,
with fevcral other forts of unknown Fiih (as the Indians
report) that we are incire Strangers to. As to the Por-

poips,

;■

North CAROLINA

293

poifes, thy are generally very fat, and make good Oil.
1 hey prey on other Fifb, fuch as Drums and Mullets, yet ,
are feldom or never known to take the Bait, foas to be
catcned with a Hook. Some call thefe Herring Hogi,
from their feeding on thofe Fifli, and their Flefii being
fo very fat, like Pork. They are much fatcer than a
Dolphin, but not fo good; the Gentry bake it as Veni-
fon, but it is not pleafant Food. They are always ap-
proaching the Shoars in great Numbers before Storms.

The Thrajhers are likewife large, as I have been inform-
ed, and one of the mortal Enemies that purfue and kill
the Whale, as 1 laid before. They make good Oil, but
are feldom found in thefe Parts.

The Sword-Fjjb, or Saw-Fijh, has a long broad Bone
fixed to his Nofe, with fharp Teeth like a Saw, on each
fide of it. It has two Fins on the Back, that next the
Tail is hollow like a Sickle. He has four underneath
his Belly, viz, two on each fide. The Tail is like a
piece of Board, painted behind and underneath, but not"
divided, his Shape from Top to Tail, is like a Man's
Arm. His Eyes Hand high out of his Head ; his Nof-
trils are oblong, and his Mouth is dire&ly under his
Eyes. They are from twelve to twenty Feet long,
and ate generally very fat on the Back, almoft like
a Hog. They are mortal Enemies to the Whale, about
which they gather in great Numbers, and when they kilL
him, only eat out his Tongue, as is fuppofed, and then
the Whale floats to Shoar, which is an extraordinary
Prize to thofe that find him. They likewife joyn with
the Ihrajhers, to kill them, and it is reported that they
will fingly attack a Whale. In calm Weather, the Fifh-
ers lye bv till they kill the Whale, and upon the approach
of the Boats, the Sword- Zi(h being frighted, retires. The

Fleflif

Q24 Tbt Natural HISTORY of

Flefh is dfyaral fc'Iid, but it is faid to nourifti much,
and as good as a Sturgeon.

ThtDevit-Fijby Co called, from tjie large pair of Horns
it has upon its Head, £nd as near as I Could be inform-
ed ; it is fhaped like a Scdit or Stingray. It is of a mon-
ftrous large Size and Strength, for it- hath been known
to weigh a Sloop's Anchor; and runaway with the Vef-
fel for a League or two, and to bring her back again al-
mofl to the fame Place, againft the Tide. This I have
been informed of by feveral of the rrtoft credible and
fubftantial Planters in thele parts ; and that this ftrange
and wonderful Adventure has happened more" than' once.
They are in mod of our Inlets, but I never heard of any
of them being killed or taken, therefore earfnot inform
the Reader what Uies they are of, but doubtlefs they
would make good Oil as well as other large Fifhess if
they they could be taken to make the Experiment;

The Shark, whereof there are two forts. The jfirTt- is
called the Paracoda-Nofes> the other the Shovel- Nofes *
Both thefe are very large, bold, voracious and dangerous
Fifhes, efpccially to diofe that that have the misfof tone
to fall over board. It is reported, that they will follow
Ships for Hours together, and if either Man or Dog, or
any other living Animal happen to fall into the Water,
they immediately feize and fnap in two,. having exceed-
ing ftiarp, and feveral Rows of Teeth in their Heads :
Some of them are fo large, that they are faid to weigh
about four thoufand Weight. They are eafily caught
with a Bait, but can never take their Prey 'till they turn
themfelves on their Backs, wherefore force Negroes and
others that can fwim and dive well, go naked into the
Waters with a Knife in their Hands, and fight them,
and commonly kill,- ot wound him, fo that he turns Tarl
and runs away. Their Fkfh is eaten in time of fcarcity,

but

Bfefe.

North CAROLINA.

2*5

but is not very palatable, having a ftrong flfhy taflc.
Their Liver makes good Oil to drefs Leather with, and
the B uies found in their Head, are laid to hafkn the
Bitth, and cafe the Stone, by bringing k away. Theic
Back- bone is of one entire thicknefs, having many Joints
in it, 'whereof I have known Buttons made by the Sail-
ors and others that live in thofe remote Places. GtSitis
(ays, that the People of Marseilles told him, that they had
caught one of them^ in which they found a Man armed
with a Coat of Mail. ,.

The following Relation, will in fom'6'mcafure corro-
borate the former Account of the Negroes killing them £
Akauft 1730, a Sloop failed from North Carolina, bound
to the Iftands in the IVefl Indies, and after four Days
failing from the Bar, was moil unfortunately overfet^
and all the Crew, except the Matter, two Sailors, and
one Negro*; were drowned, thefe being upon Deck a£
the time when this misfortune happened, and had the
good providence to get upon the Keel of the VetTc!*
where they remained twenty one Days, and then were
taken up by a Veffel trading to Europe j having neither
Water or any other Neceffarics to fupport Nature, but
by Gods Providence, the Negroe killed a Shark, whereon
they lived, and was the only fupport they had during
the faid time, which was confirmed by the Mafter in
his Letter from London, to Ms Friends in North Caro*
Una

The Pilot Fi[B is of a deep Blue, and the Belly of d
lighter Colour than the Back or Sides. The Scales are
fmooth like a Tench. It's Back is fpeckled like a Seal-skin:
When it is fwimmingj it appears much like a Mackarelj
and looks as if it were painted Blue and White, like a
Marias Pok* It is reported,' that the Shark is always
•ttett&d fey ©nf or two of thefe FiiheS, which he will

t i not

■

326 The Natural HISTORY of

though never fo hungry, becaufe they find
y fo* him. They are reckoned exceeding

not devour^

out the Prey
good to eat.

The Dolphin, is a large Fife, not much unlike a iV-
poife. It has two ftrong Fins, which like the Arms of a
Man, are joined to the Shoulder-blades, and is {aid to
be of that fwifmefs, that it will eafily overtake a Ship
in full (ail before the Wind. They generate like rational
Animals, bringing forth their Young alive, not from
Spawn but Seed, and have but one or two at a time.
They go with young ten Months, breed only in the
Summer, and are laid to live two ©r three hundred Years.
They fomctimes fwim in Shoals, and at other times on-
ly the Male and Female together. It is reported that
when they are taken, they are obferved to deplore
their Condition by Groans, Lamentations, and a flood
of Tears. It is alio faicl to be a certain fign of a Storm
fhortly to follow, when they are leen fporting, and fre-
quently moving their Bodies in the Water. They have
a groaning Voice, fharp Sight, and are faid to be lovers
of Mufick and Men. There are great numbers of them
to be met with in thefe Seas, and are faid to live out of
the Water for two or three Days. They are much de-
ceived who imagine Dolphins to be of the Figure they
are ufually reprefented on Signs; that Error being more
owing to Painters, than any fuch thing in Fac"fc, for they
are ftraight and not crooked. Their Flefh is eaten by
the Dutch, and is of good Account amongft the French j
though according to the Accounts of fome, it yields no
very grateful Tafte. The Liver is of a tender Subftance,
and very nourifhing, fo is the Tongue. The Bowels
fmell and tafte like Violets, and help the Spleen* The
Aihes of the whole Fifli applied with Water, is good
againft the Tatars, J&ing-vmnts* Scrttf %nd Leprofie.

The

North CAWOLINJ.

227

The Vhing-fijh is (lender and long, the Eyes large, and
the Tail forked. The Body is in fhape like a Seal's, and
in colour like oneofou* Mullets. It has two large Fins
near the Head, which referable a pair of Wings, one
on the Back, and two underneath the Belly, with thefe
Fins, it Hies near a Gun-fhot before it touches the Water,
and when it hath wet it's Wings it will mount up again.
They are conftantly chafed by the Dolphins, which fwim
fo fall, that they are often catched by them as they drop
into the Water. There are vaft Shoals of them in thefe
Seas, and when they rife' out of the Water, at a diftance,
appear like a large flock of fmall Birds.

The Dog-fib, is a fmall fort of the Shark kind, but
feldom exceeds twenty Pounds. They are frequently
caught with the Hook and Line when they fifh for
Drum. They have a long tapering Body without Scales,
but covered with a fharp hard Skin, that is made ufe of
to polifti fine Wood. Their Snout is a little long and
round at the point, the Flefh is white, of eafy concoction,
but of no pleafant Tafte, and is therefore belt eaten
with Muftard or fome fharp Sauce. They are very nu-
merous in thefe Parts, but little regarded or made ufe
of, where there are fo many delicate forts to be had in
fuch plenty. The Fat of thefe Fifh, and the Shark, have
much the fame Virtues with the Alligator.

The Spanijh MacUrel, they are in fhape and colour
like the common Mackarel, only thefe are much thicker,
and generally about two Feet long ; there are vaft num-
bers of them in thefe Seas, They are caught with Hook
and Line in the Inlets, and fometimes a fmall diftance
out at Sea, being a voracious Fifh, greedily {wallowing
either Beat or Fifh that comes in their way* They are
a very fine hard Fifh, and of good Tafte. The Livec
Wen, helps Obfiru&ion of the Liver and Jaundice,

028 The Natural HISTORY of

1 he CavaUies are about the bignefs of a M*c^/ the
Fins and 1 ail arc- partly like a Dolphins. They have
large Eyes, and are or a brown iih "colour on their Backs
and their Bellies white; they have exceeding hnall
Scales and a very thick Skin. They are taken m xhc
fame places with the Spum^Mackarel^d are one of the
Jirmcft Fifoes known m theft pans, and will therefore
Iceep fwcet (m the extremity of the hot Weather) two
hJfTn D%s wfr^, when others will Stink in
halt a Day, if not baked, Thofc that catch them im
ipeciaccjy take off their Scales, othcrwile you muit pull
off the Skin anu Scales when boiled ; the Skin bans the
chpjccft part of the Fim. Their Meat is exceeding;
.White, and very relifhing when it is well Dreft.

The Bomto's are very fine and palatable F]fhcs and
generally about a Yard long. They moft commonly
frequent the Inlets and Waters near the Ocean and are
fuil'd with the Harpoon and Fijh-gtg, but ieidom or never
with the Hook and Line, though they are very pietnv
in ieveral places on this Gpaft. •

The Blue-m, Co call'd, from their being of that co-
lour, they are accounted one of the bnft fort of Fifhes in
thefe parts, being very fat. Thev have a forked Tail
and arc partly ftaped like a Dolphin, They are as large'
and as long as a Salmon, and as good. They come to
thcleXoafts m the fall of the Year, and after there has
been one black Froft, in great Shoals, fo that the Indian*
and others who wade into the Waters ftrike and kill vaft
Numbers of them with their Ft^gigi. Sometiracsmany
<Lart loads of -them are found dead and left drv on the
aea Shore; which isoccafioned for the moft 'part by
their eagf* purfu it after the fmall Fifh • by which means
diey and fcyeral other Fifhes run them/elves on Shoar, and
che Fides leaving- them on the dry Sands they cannot

- • . ■ recover

North CAROLINA.

229

recover the Water again and fo dye; wherefore thofe
that are difpofed to get up early betorc the Fowl come
to piey, may get wnat quantities they pleafe of feveral
tofts or Fiihcs all along cheie coails. And notwith-
ftandii;g ihefe Biue-iiih are accounted fo extraordinary
good, yet they fometimes occafion Sicknefs after eating
them, viz,, violent heats all over the Body with Shiverings,
Head-ach, and the like, which is chiefly owing to the
Gall being broke in fomeor them, which is very hurtful,
as I found by giving it to a Dog.

The Drumfjh, whereof there are two forts, viz.. the
Reel and the Black. The Red is a large fcaiy Fifh,
much biuger than the Bhte-Jtjb3 fome of- them being above
four Feet long; the Body is excellent, firm Meat, and
extraordinary good nourifhment; their 'Heads exceed in
goodnefs all the Fifh in thefe parts, being the moil deli-
cious Difli I ever met with. There are greater Num-
bers of them to be met with in Carolina, than any other
fort of Fifh. Thofe that are difpofed to fifh for them,
efpecially every new Flood, catch as many Barrels full
as they pleafe, with Hook and Line, for at that time
they will catch them as faft as they can throw their
Bait into the Water, which is generally a foft Crab, and
fo Salt them up and Traniport them to other parts that
are fcarce of Provifions.

The Black-Drums are a thicker made Fifh, and much
fatter than the former ; they are an excellent good Fifbd
but not fo common here, as they are in the more Nor*
therly parts of this Continent, they are taken after the
fame manner with the former, viz,, with Hook and Line*

^ The Angel-fijh, fo called from it's beautiful Golden
Colour, that fliines all about it's Head and Belly ; it is
in fiiape exa&Iy like the Bream, and is very good to eat.
111? i^z fe? 9? ?l& is plentifully to be met with all

alopg

230 The Natural HISTORY^

along the Coafi of Bermudas, and is very much efteemcd
by the Inhabitants of mat Ifland.

The Bafs, or Ruk-fijh, are to be met with bo:r in e
fait and frefh Water ; when they are young they very
much refemble a Grey-Ling, but they grow to the iize of
the large Cod-fijh. They are a good, firm, and we'll tailed
Fifli, and are in great plenty in tneie parts ; they are
good Food, efpecially the Heads of the large ones foufed,
make a choice Difh.

The Mullets are the fame as with us in fize and good-
ncfs, and are in greater plenty here, than in raoft parts
of Europe, efpecially where the Waters are fait ana brack-*
Ifh. They are killed by linking them with the Ftlh-gig,
or caught in Nets, for they feldom or never take the
Bait. I have frequently known them at Night-time,
to' leap into the Cannoes, and likewife vail: numbers of
them to be found dead 6ft the dry Sands or Shoars.
They are much of the Nature of the Pike. They
ftrengthen the Stomachj and are good againft the Choi-
ick, 0-c.

The $heep-bead> is a Fifh, fo called, from it's having
Teeth in it's Head like a Sheep. It is much about the
bignefs of the Angel-fijh, and partly fhaped like him, be-
ing flat. It has the vogue of being one of the choiceft
Fifhesin this Province: Moil: certainly it is a delicate
Fifh, and well relifhed, yet I think there are many
others as good. It is taken with the Hook and Line as
the Brum, . They are plenty in all our Salt-water Ri-
vers and Inlets, and generally weigh two to three Pounds,
and fometimes more.

The Plaice are here very large and plenty, being the
fame as with us in Europe, they are of good nourifhment,
but more watry than Soals. The belt Plaice have the
b|ackeft Spots, as the befl Flounders have the reddeft.

^^■■■MM

North CAROLINA

231

The Seals are found here, but not in fuch plenty as
genetiill) otner Fifh are, but are as good and as fweet
here, a in any part of Europe. They are of the nature
of the Plaice anu flounder, but a much better Fifh, being
more firm and folid, and afford more plenty of nourifh-
ment. The Indians and others kill vaft quantities of
thefe two forts, and the Flounders, with their Fijh-gigs^
efpecially in the dark Nights,' when the Weather is
calm, with Lights.

The Shads are the fame here as in Europe ; they are
pleafant, fweet, and nourifhing, but are full of Bones, that
it is dangerous to eat them without great care, 'f'hey are
to be met with in great plenty at fome Seafons. They
are (aid to be fomcthing Hypnotick in their Nature.

The fat-backs, are fo called, from being one or the
fatteft Fillies ever yet known, for when they are fryed
in a Pan, they neither ufe Oil or Butter for that pur-
pofe. They are like the Mullet, but not fo large, they
are an excellent Iweet Fifh, eat well, and are very
nourifhing.

ThcGuar, or Guard-fifo, whereof there are two forts,
viz,, the White and the Green. The White is fhap-
ed almoft like a Pike, but more flender. It's Mouth
has a long fmall Bill, fet with very fharp Teeth with
which it catches it's prey which are feveral forts of fry
and fmall Fifties. They have ftrong largeScalesfo firmly
knit together, that it is a hard matter to pierce through
them with the (harped Knife. When they drefs them,
they flit the Belly, where the Scales are not fo ftrong oc
Armor-like, and take off their Skin, which they throw
away as ufelefs. The Meat is white and firm, and looks
rather like Flefh than Fifh. It is but very indifferent and
courfe Food, therefore not much coveted by the Planters,
though the Indianstxs ycry fond of them. LThe Gall

1%

232 The Natural HISTORY/

I| very Green, and a moft violent Cathartkk if taken in-
ward iy. . : ,

Trdt Grem-guard, is fiiaped in all refpecis like the o-
ther, outfit is not io large, and it's Scales are Finer.
The upper Jaw is the fame as in the Alligator, moveable.
It's Bones when fry'd or broyl'd, remain as grten as
Grafs, though the Meat be pi a white colour, and is bin
indifferent Food. The fame fort of Fifh is generally to
be met with on the Coafts of Ireland, before the Seafort
of the Mackarel, and f'elddm arterwarxis.

The Scate, pr Stwgr>e$ is altogether of the nature of
the Tbomback, but itronger. They are the fame here
as are to be met with in ieveral parts of Europe, and are
very common ; but the great plenty of other good Fifh
makes them little regarded, ror few" or none eat them
In this Province (except the the Negroes and Indians)
though they are at every Planter's Door,as rar as the (ale
Waters are. The Skin isufed to polilh horj, and fine
Wood ; it is faid that they couple with the ihomback,
and grow till they weigh One hundred and Sixty Pounds.
The Oil or the Liver is good in hard Swellings,' and
the Afhes of the Skin help running Ulcers of the Head
and Baldnefs.

The Thornbach are the fame here as in Europe, but
not fo plenty as the Scate and Whip-Rays. Their F'leflt
as moilt, nouriibes much, and reftores in long and deep
Confuroprions, the Liver is fweet, and has the fame vir-
tues. The Gall cures Difeafes of the Ears and Itch.

The Conger , or great Sea-Eel, always remains in ths*
Sale Waters, it is white, fat, and fwect Flefh, which
nourifiies to excefs, and is dangerous becaufe of Surfeits i
they are beft when firft boiled in Water, Salt, Sweet-
Herbs, and Spices, then Broiled, or Collared, and therf
Ehey are exceeding good Meat Thefe kind of Ftffr

■■ ■

North CAROLINA

233

are better known to the Northward of America, than in
this Province. m ■

The Lamprey, or Lampron, is not common in thele
Parts but plenty to the Northward. They are bell in
March and April, being then fatteft ; in Summer they
are harder and leaner. They are about a Yard long, live
in the Sea in Rocky places, and in the Mouths of Ri-
vers, and weigh about twelve pound Weight : They eat
Flefh, and when taken, arc faid to fly at the Fifhers,
and to be an Enemy to the Conger. They arc fometimes
taken in the Fifli-Wairs, but the Indians cannot endure
them, neither will they eat chem, though they are fond
«r moft other forts of Fifli found in thefe Parts, Pliny re-
ported^ that they Spawn at all times of the Year, where-
as all other Fim have certain Seafons. Tne Flefti is
fweet and of good Nourifhment, yet it is apt to caufc
Surfeits like the former, with which it agrees in Nature
and Virtues. ,

The Eels are plenty in all our Rivers, and eat as well
as in any part of the World. Their Flefh is very fweet,
and yields much Nourifhmenr, but apt to furfeit if much
eaten. The Fat is good againft blows and difcolouring
of the Skin, dropt into the Ears, helps old Pains and
Deafnefs. The Gall is excellent againft Suffufions of
the Eyes, and the Blood warm with Wine helps the Cbo-
lick. m.

The Sun-Fijhh very rat and rounder than a Bream, it s
hinder part is invironed with a Circular Fin, which
ferves inftead of a Tail, fo that it may feem to be but
the Head of a Fifh,or a Fifh in part rather than a whole
one. They are plenty in thefe parts of America, and
fometimes weigh a hundred Weight; they are commonly
two or three Feet in length, they have no Scales, but
are covered with a hard thick and fharp Skin, the colour
G g whereof

234 The Natural HISTORY of

whereof on the Back is black, and on the Belly a light
diver grey. They are extreamly well tafted, therefore
in great Eiteem amongfi the Inhabitants.

The Toad Fi(h, or rather die Sea Urchin, becaufe they
are nothing but a Skin full of Prickles, and very few
Bones. T ney are as ugly as a Toad, and of no manner
of Ufe only to be preferred and hung up in Grottos to
look at. Their manner of fwimming is to rowl and
tumble round like a Ball.

The Sea-Tench is of a blackifh colour, but exactly in
fhape like a Tench, except in the back Fins, which are
like thofe of a Perch. They are as good if not better
thkn the frefli-water Tench; they are taken by Angling
With Hook and Line as the Dmmmd Pearcb, near the
Inlets, or a fmall diitance out at Sea, where they are in
griat Plenty. '

(The Salt-Water Trouts, commonly called the White
Ttjcuts, are exactly fhaped like the Trouts with us, only
taefe have blackifh and not Red Spots. They are in
great plenty in the Sounds, near the Inlets, and Salt Wa-
/ters ,* but they are not red within like fome Trouts.
They are excellent good, but fo tender, that if they are
in or near the frefli Waters, and a fudden Fro ft come on,
they are fo benumb'd, that they float as dead on the fur-
face of the Water, at which Seafon they take Cannoes
full of them,yet notwithftanding they are thus benumb'd
they will recover again by the heat of the Sun, or put
them into warm Water they will become brisk and live-
ly. They are taken with the Bak3 in or near the Salt
Waters.

The Crocus, fo called, from the croaking Noifc it
makes in ones Hand when it is taken with the Hook and
Bait. They are in fliape like a Perch, and in tafte like a
Whiteing) and are very plenty.

The

^■■^WHP

H

North CAROLINA.

Q35

The Sw/w, are the fame here as I have observed m
feveral parts of Europe. They arc about eight or nine
Inches long, and one broad ; they fmell like Violets, and
are of thefineft, lignceft, fofreft, and beft Juice, ot moft
other Fifli, eipecially in the muter, and when tuil of
Spawn. They lye down a great way in the bound to-
wards the Ocean, where they are very plenty, arid vait
numbers ot them are taken at certain Seafons ot the

Year

The Sea-Bream is thin, broad, and flat, exadly re-
(embling our Frefli-water Bream ; though there ham
not been any fuch Fifli difcovercd yet in the frefli Wa-
ters of Carolina, that I could ever learn. Their Heih is
white and folid, of good Juice and Nourifhment and
eafy of Digcftion. They are very plenty in the Sound
and Salt- Water. ' .

The Jaykr is about the bignels of a midaling ±rout,
but of a biueifh and green Colour, with a forked Tail
like a Mackrd. They are excellent fine and delicious,
Fiihes,very plenty in the fait and brackifh Waters, where
they are caught with the Bait.

The Herrings are not quite fo large as thole with us
in Irelandyind other parts of Europe. They come in fuch
great Shoals to Spawn in the Months of March and
April, that I have fcen the Chriftian Inhabitants catch as
many Barrels full as they pleafed, or as long as their Salt
lafted to preferve them, with Sieves and Shovels, initead
of Nets ; for at that Seafon they run up the Creeks and
{mall Rivulets of Water in fuch Numbers, that the Bears
rake them out of the Water, as I have obferved elfewhere.
When they are frefh their Flefli is very white and more
delicious than the Herring with us in Europe, but wnen
they are Salted they become red, and if dreft with Uil
and Vinegar referable an Anchovy very much, being tar
G g 2 beyond

ag6 The Natural HISTORY of

beyond any I have ever met with in Europe, when well
Pickled, but if cboie Fifh are eaten too greedily whilft
frefh, are apt to breeu Feavers. The Planters export fe-
deral Barrels trom hence to the Iflands in the Weft-Indies
^nd other parts that are fcarce of Provifions.

THUS I hive given you the mod exa&and Impar-
ml account of the Salt-water Fifh that came to my
knowledge during my flay in thofe partSj tho . j fa *
eat of ieveral other forts of Fifh which 1 have omitted

^ 'f aii°nvT at I afC n0t diftingwfocd by any certain
E'iglifli Names, that I cou'd learn, yet the Indians^
well acquainted with them and have very uncouth Name-
for, which no doubt the Chriftiam in time will difcover
cfpecially when this Colony is better inhabited and the
Fifliing Trade is well carry'd on. I (hall therefore pro«
ceed to give an account of the F I S H that are to be
met with in the frefli Waters.

The Sturgeon is the firft of thefe whereof we have great
f)lenty3 all the frefh parts of our Rivers being well ftbred
with them. The upper parts of this fifh are of a fordid
Olive Colour, or betwixt a grey and'a black : The
Belly of a Silver Colour. They have a midling Head ;
very fmall Eyes, for the bulk of the Fifh. The Snout is
long, -broad and fharp, and the Mouth without Teeth,
they have no Chops, from whence it appears that they
feed by fucking. They are a large Fifh with a long Body,
fixteen Fins and five rows of Scales ; two on each fide,
and one on the back : The Scales of the upper row which
are in the middle of the Back, being greater than the reft,
rife higher; of thefe there are no certain Number,- for
it has been obferved that fome have Eleven fomc Twelve
and ethers Thirteen; this row is extended from the
•- ' • ' <-' 's Head

PPP^BUBMBBMMB

North CAROLINA.

231

Head to the fin of the Back near the TaiL The Rows
on the tides extend from the Head to the very Tail ;
made up with about thirty fharp Thorns or Prickles.
The lower row which begin at the firft pair of the tins
and end at the fecond, are each made up of Eleven,
Twelve or Thirteen ; all the Scales of the rows in ge-
neral have on their Tops ftrong (harp Prickles bending
backwards. Befides thefe five rows, they have only
two Scales in the middle of the Belly, the reft of the Belly
being fmooth. They have a large torked Tail like that
of the Shark9 sy the upper part whereof moots out beyond
the lower a confidcrable way. Thele Fifhes fomctimes
frequent the Salt Waters like the Salmonfrut come to their
created perfection in the Rivers, where they are found
twelve or fourteen Feet long, but thole in the Sea feldom
exceed above a Foot and a half. They always are ob-
ferved to fwim fafteft agalhft the Stream, and grow till
they weigh above two hundred pound Weight. In the
Month of May (at which time they arc bed in Seafon
efpecially the Females) they run up towards the Heads
of the Rivers to Spawn, where you (hall fee vaft quanti-
ties of them in a Day and efpecially before Rain, leap-
ing at a great height out of the Water. The Indians kill
great Numbers of them with their Fijh-gigs and Nets3
which they make and fix at the ends of long Poles; for
they are feldom or never taken with Hooks. The Indians
that live up towards the Heads or the Rivers arc fond
of them, and frequently eat them, but thole near the faks
and Chrifiians will not make any ufe of them. Thek
Bones ferve indifferently for Rafps or Graters to grate
Nut-megs, Bread, and the like withall. The Sturgeon is
an excellent Fifh when in Seafon, being ftrengthning, and
Is efteemed as good as Veal, if not better ; of their Eggs
or Spawn is made the Caviary fo much efteemed amongft
• • -- ■ ■;— ' the

238 The Natural H I S T O R Y of

the Quality. The Liver is fo fweet,that without fomeof
the Gail, it caufeth loathing. The Fiefh is good againil
hoarfnefs and clears the F#/<*, the Fat cures tnt Kibes^
and the Bones help the running Gout.

The Jack, Pifa, or Pickerel, of tneie we have two forts
(one livmg in the freih, and the other in the Salt Water J
and are exactly of the fame fhape with thofe in Europe,
but differ very much in fize, for they are feldom round m
thefe parts or America, above two Foot long, as far as I
have yet feen. They are very plenty with us in this
Province, all the frefli Water Rivers and Creeks abound-
ing with them, and vaft quantities are frequently taken in
their Waits at a time. The Fiefh or this Fifh is whiter
and more excellent than that of the Carp, and is fo harm-
iefs that it may be given to fick Perfons. The Spawn or
Row provoke both Vomit and Stool, and feveral other
virtues arealcribed to them. Thofe of the Sea are a more
delicate and better Fifh than thole of the frefh Water.
They are laid to live above two hundred Years, and that
from their greedinefs of eating, they will often difgorge
their Stomach of thofe Fifties they had taken in, and that
they will lometirnes f wallow a Fifh near as large as them-
felvei, taking the Head in formoft, the Tail hanging out
of the Mouth, and fo draw it in by little and little, till
they compafs the whole.

The 7 routs are the fame in Carolina as with us ; but
are not to be met with till you come up to the Heads of
the Rivers, and where the Streams are fwift and have
Stony and gravelly Bottoms. Thefe Fifties are equal
in goodnefs to any Fifh that live in the frefli Waters.
The fat is very good for the Haemorrhoids and clefts in the
Fundament.

ThzGudgeom, there arc the fame forts found here, as m
kvsral partsof Europe, they are of the nature of the Perch,

VBHMMHHI

North CAROLINA.

239

and the whiteft is the beft, they are good pleafant food
and of eafy digeftion, nourifhing much, and increafing
goud Blood, and are good againft the Cholick arifing
from cold or Tartarous humours, they help the Bloody
flux, and other fluxes of the Belly, and being applied help
the biting of Mad-dogs and Serpents.

The Perch whereof we nave five forts in Carolina. The
firft is the fame as is to be met with in Europe, but is not
quite fo large. They are an excellent Fifh and very
wholfom, and good againft Fevers, and the Stones in their
Heads near the Back bone are accounted good againft;
the Stone in the Reins.

The fecond fort or Perch is call'd the white Perch be-
caufe it is of a Silver colour otherwife it is like the for-
mer or Euglijh Perch in fhape and fize, Thefe are in very
great plenty and preferable to the red onesingoodnefs.

The third fort which are commonly call'd Welch-men^
are of a Brown colour and are the largeft iort of Perches
we have in thefe parts, fome growing to be larger than
any Carp, and are a very firm white and fweet Fifh, and
are very plenty in the Rivers and Creeks.

The foarth fort are vulgarly call'd b'ijh-men, thefe are
a more flat Fifh than any of the former, and much re~
fembling a Bream, being all over freckled or mottled with
Black and Blue Ipots, they are a very good Fifh and are
never taken any where bat in the frefh Waters where
they are very plenty.

The fifth fort are diftinguifhed by the Name of round
Robins and are the leaft fort of all, they are flat and very
round fhaped like a Roach, are beautifully mottled with
red fpots, and are as good Meat as any of the former,
they are very gafily taken with a Bait9asall the reft of the
Perches are and are very numerous, each Creek and Ri-
ver of frefh Water abounding with them,

h

24o The Natural HISTORY of

The Roach is here Likewife but is not as large asthofe
in Europe. It is a good Fifh but its being io full of fmall
Bones makes it dangerous and Little regarded. It is
reported to be a healthful Fifh and not Subject to any
difeafes, whence comes the Proverb as found as a Roach,
The Flefli is laid to excite Lull; and cure Fevers.

The Carp is the fame as in Europe but is not quite fo
large. It has a fhort Head without either Teeth or
Tongue, but inftead thcicof a fiefhy Palate that it may
relifli its food. The Fins are broad, the Tail forked and
the Body covered with very large ftrong Scales, Its flefli
is fat, foft,fweet, and nourifhes very much, and is bell
in March, the Male being better than the Female, and
the White than the Yellow. The fat cures difeafes of
the Nerves, the Stones about the Eyes are faid to be good
againft the heat of Fevers, and likewife tor the falling
Sicknefs, and the Gall helps dimnefs of fight.

The Dace is the fame here as in Europe, but is not fo
large or plentiful as with us. The fkfh is fort, fweet in
tafte, and of good nourilhmcnt; and when pickled like
Anchovies after the Italian manner, is Stomachical. They
are bed in February, March and April, and are excellent
good food roafted and fcafoned with Salt and Pepper,
The fat helps pains in. the Ears. The Gall mixt with
the fat or Oil is good againft Dimnefs of the Sight.

The Flounders are here in very great plenty and as large
and good as any in Europe. Some of thete Fifh have
Yellowifli fpots both on the Back and fins, and tafte very
much like a Plaifi. The Indians and others kill vaft quan-
tities of them not only with the Bait but likewile with
their Fifh-gigs, efpecially with Lights at Night. They
are an excellent Fifh and of good Nourifhment, ftrcngthen
the Stomach, caufe Appetite and help the Spleen.

Th@

North CAROLINA.

241

The Loche is the fame here as in Europe. The Flclh
is very light and excellent nourifhrnenc, dencate m raite9
whoifome, and good for Women with Child.

The Sucking- fifi are ncateil in taite to a Barbie, nly
they have no Barbs, they are about a Foo, and a naif
long, and are a very fort and flaouy Fifh, aud therefore
are feldom or never made ufe or except by the Negroes
and Indians, they are generally taken with the Bait and
are very plenty in our Rivers and Creeks.

The Gat-Fiih, fo call'd, from the Whiskers or fmall fins
they have about their Mouths. They are neareit in ia(te
to Eels of any Fiih I have ever met with. They are ge-
nerally boilo and made into Soopor Broath, which is the
belt way of dreifmg them. They are an excellent good
Fifh and nounfh very much. There is another kind of
Cat-fib which frequents the Salt Waters exactly like the
former, both thefe forts are very plenty in theie parts,
and are taken by angling with a Bait. They arc a round
biackim Fifh with a great flat Head and wide Mouth3
and like the Eels have no Scales.

The Grindal, are a long fcaled Fifh with fmall Eyes,
and frequent Ponds, Lakes, and flow running Creeks and
Swamps, but a very indiftrent foft fifh, merefore nod
much coveted or made uk of except by the Negroes or /«-
dians, though fome eat them, and report they are good
Fifh.

The Old-wives, thefe are bright fcaly Fifh which fre-
quent the Swamps and frefh runs of Water,they have very
fmall Mouths and large Eyes, with a great Fin on their
Back, they feem to be between an European Roach and %
Bream, and eat much like the latter, they are in great
plenty up the Frefhes. The Indians take abundance of
thefe Fifh and Barbakue them till they are Crifp, and fo>
Tranfport them on wooden Hurdles Co their Towns and
Quarters. H h The

242 The Natural H I S T O R Y <f

The Fountain fih, (o call'd, from its frequenting the
Fountains and clear running Streams of Water, where
the) breed and are to be met with and no where elfe;
They are of a whkifh colour and as large as a midling
7>e«*,and by the clearnefs of the Water are very difficult
to be taken, therefore 1 can't inform you how good they
are, having never tailed any of them, but the Indians fay
they are a fine fifh.

The Barbouts, or Miller' s-Thumb, are the very fame here
as thofe in England and other parts of Europe. They are
about three or four Inches long, have no Scales, and the
Back is Yellowifh with a few little black Spots. The
head is large, and the Mouth wide and round. Out of
the Fins grow feveral (harp prickles or Thornes,efpecially
in thoie near the Head. Thefe fifh are very plenty in
Rivers and Creeks near the Sea Shoar where they feed on
watry Infects.

This is the heft Account I can give, or is yet known
of the FISHES in the frefli Waters, few more being
difcovered, though I am fatisiied, and may with Juftice
and iafety fay, that there is not one third part of them
yet difcovered, or made known to us, therefore (hall
omit many flrange and uncouth fhapes and fort of Fifhes
which we are told by the Indians , are to be found in the
Rivers and Lakes, whereof I can give no certain Infor-
mation to my Readers, having no farther account of
them than only hear fay from thofe People, fo (hall pro-
ceed to treat of the Shell-J^b which arc found in the Salt
Waters, as far as they are yet difcovered.

The OTSTERS, whereof there are two Sorts, the
great and the fraall, both chefc are in greater plenty here

than

!■■■■■

North CAROLINA.

243

than in mod parts of the known World, for great Num-
bers of them are to be round in almoft every Creek and
Gut or' Salt Water, and frequently hanging upon Boughs
of Trees, as they bend into the Water, io mat when
the Tide is out you (hall fee them fuipended in the Air,
which woud be a very uncommon light in /relmd,to fee
Fi(h growing upon Trees. In the found in feveral places
there are luch quantities of large Oyfter-hanks, that they
are very troubiefome to Veflels trading to chcfe parts,
which happen to come in amonglt them. They are
of a different fhape, from thofe with us, for thofc in
Carolina are very long and large, and not round as ours
are. They are excellent good, and nourifh. as much as
any Fifh whatever, and that without any manner of
danger of Surfeiting. They ftrengthen the Stomach,
caufe an Appetite, and breed good Juices, being light
and eafy of difgeftion, and are good in Confumptions,
and feveral other di (orders.

Thefe Oyfters pickled, are well relifhed, excellent good
for a Cold raw and fquafy Stomach. The Shells in
Powder cure Heartburnings,are good in Feavers and the
like, and are the only Lime we have for building in this
Country.

The Spanifh-Oyflers, are fo call'd, from their great plen-
ty in the Spanijh IVeft-lndies ; they have a very thin Shell,
and rough on the outride. They are excellent good
SheU-fijh, and io large that half a Dozen are fufficient to
fatisfie a hungry Stomach. From thefe Oyfters come the
Pearls that are fo ufeful in Phyfick and fo Ornamental.

The Cockles , whereof there are two forts, the larger
and the fmailer, and firft, the large Cockles are fo very big
that one of them is as large as five or fix of thofc in Ire-
land. They are fo ve y plenty in feveral parts, that they
arc often thrown upon the Sands on the found fide,
H h a where-

944 The Natural HISTORY of

where the Gulls and other Birds are always ready to open
and eat them. Thefe as well as the former are great
Strengthencrs of the Stomach, and increafe a good Ap-
petite, provoke Urine, help the Choiick, reltorein Con-
fumptiuns, and in ail uecays of nature are very good.

T nc Small Cockles avc about the bignefs of our largefl
Cod/^and oiftVr in nothing from them except in the Shells .
which are itnped crofs-ways,as well as long-ways, they
are as good, and have the fame virtues with the former.

The Clams are a kind of Cockles, only differing in the
Shells, which arc thicker, and not ftreaked or ribbed as
the Cockles are. They are plenty in feveral places along
the Sound-fide, and Salt-water Ponds. They are very
good Pickled, and their Meat taftes like other Cockles ;
they make excellent ftrong Broth, which flrengthens
the Stomach, is nourishing, breeds good Juices, is a
Eeftorative in Confumptions, and other natural De-
cays.

The Conchi Somt of thefe are very large, but the leffer
fort are the bed: Meat ; and that, in my Opinion, not
extraordinary, notwithstanding feveral in thefe parts are
fond or them, and extol them very much „• The Fifh
within their Shells is Hiaped exactly like a Horfe's Yard ;
of this Shell the Indians make their Peak, or Wampum,
which is the richeft, and moil valuable Commodity they
have amongft them. They breed in a kind of Subilance
fhaped like a Snake, which contains a fort of Joints, in
the hollownefs whereof are thoufands or fmall Cenchs, no
bigger than fmall Grains of Pepper. They are plenty
along the fides of the Sounds and Salt- waters, but are not
as large here as thofe fouud in the Iflands in the Weft
Indies.

The Mufles are truch larger than thofe with us, their
Shells beiog^chicker, larger, and flripcd with Dents :

they

Norph CAROLINA.

245

,y the fides of Ponds, and Creeks of Salt.
waters, where may be had what quantity they pleafe.
Thev are very apt to give Surfeits, yet there are thofc
who are fond of them, and prefer the* to Otfm. borne
boyl diem, whereof they make Broth (which is the beft
way of dreffing them) which is nourifhing and purgcth
the Reins, therefore good for thole that have the Drop-
fie, Jaundice, Stone or Gout. They alfo eat well when
thev are Pickled. , , , , >

The Whale-Loufe. Their Head is like that or a Loufe,
with four Horns i the two fhort ones that ftand out be-
fore have Knobs like the Sticks of Kettle-Drums. They
have fix plates on their Backs, and their Scales as hard
as Praunu Their foremoft Legs are in fhape like a half
Moon, with fharp joints, by which they fallen 1 in the
Skin of the Whale, and then bite pieces out of them.
The Whales are moftly annoyed with them in warm
Weather, and frequently at that time leap to fome height
out of the Waters in a rage. " .

There is a little imall Fifh in the frefh Waters in **.
land, fomething like the former, but has no Scales, which
is very troubleiome to the Pile, but whether it molefts
any other Fifh, I cannot inform the Reader ; but I have
known the Pike to leap out of the Water upon dry Land
with one of thefe flicking faft to his Belly ; I have alfo
been allured by thofc that fifh, and dwell near the Ri-
vers, that one of thefe will kill the iargeft Me, by cut-
ting a hole in his Belly. .

The Crabs whereof there are two forts, viz. the large
{lone Crab and the fmall flat Crab. The large ftone Crabs
are the fame in Carelma as with us in Ireland, having
black tips on the ends ot their Claws, thefe forts are plen-
tifully to be met wirh near Ceder-Jfl.md, Core- Sound, and
the fottb parts of this Province. The whole Crab is
r r -■* - -= - " excellent

246 The Natural H I S T 0 R X of

excellent againfl all forts of Fevers, Consumptions, Hec-
ticks, Afthmas, the Stone in tac Rein;, and Bladder,
pains and Stopage of Urine, and many other diforders.

The fmallcr or fiat Crab, m North-Carolina is one of
the fweeteft and bell relifhed ot any of Lhat ipecies 1 ever
met with in any part of Europe, when they are boy led their
fleftl is very red and preferable in goodnefs to any Lob-
fier, they are as large as a Man's Hand, or rather larger.
Thefe are innumerable, lying in great quantities all over
the Sales I have known the Little Boys take Bufoels full
or them in a lew Hours. They arc taken, not only
to be eaten, but are one of the belt Baits for all manner
of Fifh that take the Hook. They are very mifchevious
to thefe that fet Night Hooks to catch Fifh, tor they
generally take away ail the Bait ; both thefe forts caft
their Shells every Year, at which time they make Holes
in the Sand, and cover thcmfelves, or thofe with hard
Shells lye on them 'till their Shells harden, otherwife
they would be deftroyed by other Fifh. Thefe fort
have the fame Virtues with the former.

The Fiddler f, are a fort of fmall Crab that lie in. Holes
in low, wet, and marfiiy Ground. The RacQomzLYC very
fond of them, hunt for them in thofe places, and eat
them. I never knew any of them eat by the Chriftians,
fo cannot inform you whether they are good or no.

The Runners or Spirits, fo called, becaufe they are
apt to pinch and bite Peoples Legs in the Night, as they
walk near the Shoar, and likewife from their running fo
faff. They are a kind of a whitifh Crab, and though
they are (0 imall, they will run as fail as a Man ,• and
are good for nothing but to look at. They live chiefly
on the Sand Breaches, where they have their Holes. But
will frequently run into the Sea when purfued. I take

this

■MHHHMMHB

North C AROLI N J.

247

this to be the Htftze, or Hipfeis, rcprefented by
tliny*

The Soldier, is a kind of Shell-riff), fo called, but for
what reafon 1 know noc, except it be for their often
changing their Houfes, or Quarters, from one hollow
Cimib jbett to another ; tor the) are obferved to be fliil
changing their Habitations as they grow larger, having
no Shell or" their own. They have Claws like a Crab,
and may be reckoned a Spec.es of them, but of the final-
left kind. They ate good when well drefled, very nou-
ri filing, and create a good Appetite.

The Wilks, or Periwinkle, are not fo large as they
are in many parts of Europe, but as fweet and good, or
rather bettec, being good Food and Nourishment ; they
are reftorative in Confumptions and He&icks, being fod-
den in their own Sea-water, or boiled in Milk.

The SkaUops are pretty good, if well d relied, but if
only roaftcd, without any other Addition, are too luf-
cious co be maue ufe of, and are apt to furfcit, but o-
therwife they are nourifhing, and comfortable to the
Stomach.

The Man of Nofes arc Shtll-fijb, commonly found in
thefc parts, and are much valued and eflecmed for increaf-
ing vigour in Men, and preventing barrenefs in Women,
which is a thing feidom attends the Females here ; foe
generally they are fruitful enough, without the benefit
of thefe Fifties. But moft certain it is, that they arc
very nourifhing, and create good Juice in the Blood ;

The Platings fo called from their flat lhape. They are
inclofed in a broad thin Shell, the whole fifh being flat.
They are a very good and delicious Fifh and inferior to
no Shell-fifh this Country affords.

The Sea Snail Horn is exactly fhaped like as other
Snail Horns are. They arc a large and very good Shell-
Fife

2 48 The Natural HISTORY*?/

Fifb and their Meat is very nourifiiing and communicates
good Juices to the Blood.

The Finger fijb, fo called, from their being about the
length of a Man's Finger, they are very plenty in this
Province, but generally lye at the bottom of the Waters
about cmc or two feet deep, and are an extraordinary good
Shell-Fiih.

The Shrimps are very plentiful in North Carolina, and
vaft quantities of them are taken by the Boys and Girls
with a fmall bow Net. They are very reftoratiye and
good in Consumptions, He&icksand Afthmas, and are an -
excellent good Bait to catch Mullets > Pikes, and leveral
other forts of Fiili that are caught by angling with the
Bait.

The Sea- Nettles (by fome called Carvels) whereof there
arc great plenty in the Weftern-Seas and Salt Waters on
the coaft of America. They feem to be nothing elfe but
Slime, or a lump of Jelly, with a calf of red, blue and green
Colours in it, they Swim like a Bladder above the Water,
but downwards there are long Fibrous Strings, fome
ot which are near half a Yard long ; fome will have
this Jelly to be a fort of Sea-plant, and the Strings m
roots growing in the Sea as Duck-weed does in Ponds,
but theQuery is, if they be not a certain Species of Spawn
lor when they are taken out of the Water, or any thing
touches them (though they fcarce feem to have Life) yet
they will very fuddenly change their colours, which they
quickly recover again. They may be reckoned amongft
Potential Cauteries, becaufe they are apt to blifter the
Hands or any other part of the Skin (like Nettles) where
ever they touch. I am perfuaded that they are of fo ve-
memous a Nature that few Fifh prey upon them, other-
wife they woud not be fo numerous as they are, notwith-
Sanding 1 have known iome of them taken out of the
-'" " Guts

HH

mm

m ' : ■

North CAROLINA.

249

Guts of the Hawks-billed Turtle. They arc called &a«
Nettles, from the lunging and bliiicrng q ancy .tie?
have like Nettles, occasioning burning Pains to what-
ever part ot the Skm fhey happen to touch.

The frefh-water dheH-Jijb are me Mujfels and Craw fib*
The Mujfels are litre plenty in fever al pa: ts of theFreuicSj
and are much the (ame as in Europe ; they are only made
ul'e of by the Indians, who eat them after five or iix
Hours boiling to make them rentier 5 there are valuable
Pearls found in fame of them, the whittll are the beit9
being the wholfomeft. The Both is opening, and there-
fore good in the Dropjte, Jaundice, anu G,ut.

The Crawfijb are very plenty in the Brooks and {mall
Rivers ot Water amongit the Indians, and at the heads
of the Rivers near the Mountains j they areas nehcious
and good here as in any part of the World. They are
fliaped like a Scorpion, and the Stones in the Head are
accounted good againft the Jaundice and Stone in the
Reins. The Black are much better than the Wn*'tc j they
nourifh and ftrcngthen the Body, and the Soop made o£
them is in very great Value and Elteem amongft the
Quality.

Having thus given a Defcriptionoffeveral Species, ot
Kinds of Fifties that are to be met with, and already-
known in North-Carolina ; I fhafl in che next place pro-
ceed to what remains of the Prejent Statey having already
accounted for the Animals and Vegetables ■, as far as this
Volume would allow or, and whatever remains may be
eafily guefled at by any ingenious Man who coniiders
what Latitude Carolina lies in, which reaches from 29
to 36 Degrees 30 Minutes of North Latitude, as I have
already obferved ; Moft part of this ipacious Country
1 i being

^5° Th* Natural HISTORY <f

being wafte and uninhabited, atprefent, except by wild
Beafts and Savage Indians, from whom wc can have but
very imperfed Account*, they being a People or little
©r no Speculation^ nor any way Curious.

THE

North CAROLINA

251

FURTHER

OBSERVATIONS

OnthePaisiNT State of

North - Carolina.

S to the Air, I do'nt know what fault it
has, except what I have laid before of it's
being fometimes extreamly hot, at othet
times fubtilc, and piercing ; and I am per-
luaded, it enters a Man's Body eaficr than
that in Ireland; yet I think that much of
the Mortality that happens among Strangers, is ow-
ing in a great meafure to the ill government of themfelves,
for they eat but little, having deftroyed their Stomachs by
Surfeits of Fruit, or exceffive Drinking hot Spirituous Li-
quours; and if any rather chufe the cold, his Stomach is
chilled, and he is immediately in danger of a Flux, ot
extream Loofenefs. The e is another thing to be obfery-
sd^ Men guard themfelves lefs from the Air hercj than ira
li 2 mod

%$2 The Natural HISTORY of

inoft other Place, trufting to the heat of the Climate, and
receive the cool or the Evenings with only a Shirt. I
think that the Air, though not io cold, is much more
Subtle and piercing here than in Ireland, it corrodes Iron
much n,ore, not by Moifture, tor it is not fomoift; and
befit* e* it does it in tiic dry Weather.

Noiwithitanumgthii Country is as fertil and pleaf-
ant as aii) m the World (in the lame Latitude) for the
pioouce oi Minerals, Fruit, Grain, Wine, and Several
other rich Commodities, that are frequently to be met
with in it. v All the Experiments that have been already
xnaue ot the Fertility and natural Advantages of thcCoun-
try, have anfwered beyond expectation, as affording
lome Commodities, which other Places in the fame La-
titude donor.

As for Minerals, they being fubterraneous Produds, (o
in all New Countries, they are the lad Species that arc ge-
ne.ally difcovered, and will moft certainly be \o, where
the Indians never look for any thing lower than the fuper-
ficies ot the Earth, being a race of Men, the leafi ad«
di&ed to fearch into the Bowels of the Earth, of any
In the World, that inhabit fo fine a Country as Carolina ;
and I am fatisfied, that there are as good and rich Mines
here, that le full to the Weil ward of usy as any the Spa-
niards poffds in America. The Lands near the Heads of
the Rivers being Mountainous, and no doubt, have as
rich Miner: Is m th^ni a? any of thofe parts that are al-
ready difcovered to be h rich.

1 fhail fay no more on this Subject at prefenr, but give
you fome general Obfervations concerning North-Carols
na ; which are, That it lies as convenient for Trade as
any Province in America, abounding with feveral rich
and valuable Commodities, fuch as Tar^Turpentine, Pitch,
n fm, Maslsy Yards, Planks, Board* 9 Staves, Lumber,

limber

y

North CAROLINA

253

limber of many forts, fir for any ufes ; Skins of Deers,
Beeves, Bujfelos, Elks, Bears, Panthers, and fevcral other
Beaits. Tne Furrs of Beavers, Racoons, and many other
wild Beafts, which are in great Plenty here 1 as alfo Rice,
Wheat, Indian Corn, Barky, Oats, Buck-wheat, and fun-
dry iorts of Pulfe, Potatoes, and variety of fine Fruits^
Flax, Beej, Pork, Tallow, Hides, Hcrfes, Whale-hone t
Oil, Bees-wax, Myrtle-wax, Honey , Chetje, Butter, Cottons
Tobacco, Indico, Coffee ,and no doubt would produce good
Silk, Oil, and Wine, the Soil of this Country being as
proper as any in the World for that purpofe.

This Country is iikewife adorned with pleafant Sa-
vannas or Meadows, Rivers, Mountains, Vailies, Hills,
and rich Paftures for Cattle, and blefled with a wholfome
pure Air, efpecially a little backwards from the Sea,
where only wild Beaits inhabit at prefent, few of which
are fo voracious as to kill Men, Horfes or Cows, for
there cannot be a richer Soil, no place abounding more
in Fiefh and Fowl, both wild and tame, befides vafl
numbers of excellent Fifh, Grain,Cyder,and many other
pleafant Liquors, together with mod Neceflarics con-
venient for Life, that are daily found out, to the great
Benefit and Advantage of thofe that are already fettled
here.

The Stone or Gout feldom or never afflift the ChnRian
Inhabitants, and the Europeans that have been afR.&ed
with the Stone and Gravel, find prefent Eafe, by drink-
ing Taupan Tea.

The Consumption we arc entire Strangers to, no Coun-
try affording a better Remedy for that Diftempe than
the purenefs of the Air; neither has the fmaU Pox ever
vifitcd this Country but once, and that in the late Indi-
an War, which deftroyed moll of thofe Savages that
were icized with it»

254 Th Natural HIS T O R Y gf

As for Trade, we lit (o near Virginia, thac we might
have the advantage of their Convoys, it tnere were og-
cafion for them, *s alfo Letters rrom nentc in two or
three Days, and from fome places in a h v Hours. The
great numbers of Ships that come to Ntw- England ', New-
Tor k, Penfilvania, Mary-Land^ and Virginia, make the Pro-
vinons fcarcc i.) thotc Pkces, io thac they are frequent-
ly obliged to Ninth-Carolina for thofe NeceiTaries, where
Proviiions and Naval Scores never fail of a good Market.
Beiioes where tneie are produced and railed in fuch
plenty, there appears good Houfe-keeping, and plenty
of all manner of delicate Eatables.

The Porke is excellent good, from their Hogs feeding
on Straw-berries, Wall nuts, Peacher, Main, and feveral
other forts of delicate Fruits, which, are the natural pro-
duce of this Country, and make them the fweeccft Meat
the World can afford; as is well known to all Strangers
that have been in that Country. And as for their Beefy
it proves extraordinary good, being fat and well reliihed.
We have not only Proviiions very plenty, but Cloaths of
our own Manufacture, which are made and daily increafe
in thefe parts ; fuch as Cotton, Wool, Hemp and Flax, be-
ing all the growth of this Country. But the Women
do not over burthen themfelves with care and Induftry ;
DCherwife there woud not be fuch continuai call* for
thofe neceflarys from Europe. But this Climate being
vifited with fo mild and fhort Winters, fave abundance
of Cloaths. We like wife can go out with our Commo-
dites to any part or the JVefl-lndeas, or clfewhere in the
depth of Winter, whereas thofe in New-England, New*
Tork, and Penfilvania, and thofe Colonies to the North-
ward of us, cannot ftir for Ice, but arc tail locked into
sheL Harbours ail thac Scafon.

wmmmmmmm

North CAROLINA.

*55

We have no frontier Town in North-Carolina, which
is an advantage in not being fo continually alarm'd by the
Enemy, and what haa been accounted a detriment to us*
proves one of the greateft advantages any People cou'd
wifh or defirt. This Country bein-- Fenced with a
Sound near ten Leagues over in lomc Places, through
which, although there be Water enough Tor as large
Ships to come mat, as any part nirhcrto feated in both
Carolmas, ; yet the difficulty of that Sound to Strangers
hinders them from Hoiliiites again!* us, fo that this na-
tural Bull- work proves very advantagious to us in fecur-
ing us from our Enemies.

Our distance from the Sea likewife rids us from two
curfes or Plagues which attend moil other parts of Ame-
rica,viz the Musketos, and the water Wood-worms, that
eat Ships bottoms. Whereas ac Bath and Eden-town,therc
is no fuch thing known, and as for Mushto's we are very
little troubled with them, except it be in low Marfhes,
and near the Salt-waters, which are only habitations
for wild Beafts, Birds, and Snakes of various kinds. The
vaft quantities likewife of Fifh that this great Sound or
Water fupplies us with, when ever we take the pains to
Fiih tor them, is another conquerable advantage not to
be met with fo commodioufly in any part of America, as
in this Province

As tor the Climate (as I obferved) we generally enjoy
a very wholefome and fcrene Sky, and a pure and thin
Air, the Wether ieldom proving io overcaft or Cloudy
bur we have the bleffing of the warm Sun, except it be
in Winter, and then as toon as the S mth and Weft-winds
begin to blow, the Horizon immediately clears up and
reftorcs the light <*( the Sun. The Weather in Summer is
very pleafant, being continually refrefhed with cool re-
viving Breezes from ail Quarters except the South, which
isyeryfulrry. r ~ The

256

The Natural HI ST OR Y of

The Spring here is as pleafant and as beautiful as in
any place I have ever been in, and the Winter generally
proves fo miid that it is racher like an Autumv, except
the Winds blow North-welt, at which time ir is peircing
and cold, but proper enough for our conftitutions, and
very wholfome, freeing thefe parts from many dange-
rous diftempers that a continual Summer affl-i&s them
with, nothing being wanting as to the natural Orna-
ments or bleffings or" a Country to the making reafonabk
Men happy.

As tor tne Conflitution of this Government, it is fo
mild and eafy in all refpecb, to the Liberties and Pro-
perties of the Subject, that it is the bell; eftablifhed
Government in the World, and a Place where a Man
may peaceably enjoy his own without being invad-
ed by another; rank and fuperiority always giving
place to juftice and Equity, which is the foundation1
that every goverment ought to be built upon, and regu-
lated by.

Bcfides this Province has been fettled and continued
the mod tree from the infults and barbarities of the In-
dians or any Colony in America, which was one of the
greatest bieffings that cou'd attend fuch a fmall number
of People as they were, and how Iregularly fettled flrft,
and at what diftance they are from each other, and yet
tiow undifturbed they have remained and free from any
Foreign danger or lofs, to what moll of the other Colo-
nys have been expofed to> not only by the Indians, but
their own Slaves the Negroes. And what may well dc-
fervc Admiration is, that their Prifons are never crowded
with MakfaBors ©r Debtors; as to MalefaBors I never
knew but one that was guilty of death, for Murder,
which happened as follows ; two Perfons well known
to each other, being at the Tavern, one of them was
~ ""■: - falling

-. .__

North CAROLINA.

*H

falling afkep, his Friend importuned him to go hotri

along with him, which the other tcfufing to do, his

Friend told him, that he would leave him, which i>e had

po looner faid, but the other Siab'd him with his Enifej

whereof he inftantiy died ; the Murderer was immediati

tv apprehended, tried, and condemned to die, he coufeft

that before he left Europe he had murdered two, and

notwithftanding his Condemnation, he round means to

make his efcape out of Prifon fome few Days before th€

Execution. j . . _ . , , .

As tor Debtors, few or none are confin d in Prifon a-

bove four and twenty Hours, for the Sherriff generally

takes them Home to his Houfe, or takes their Word

far their Appearance at the next Court, to be heJd, iti

any of their precin&s or Barronies, where they Judge:

him a Servant to the Creditor for as long time as they

Imagine the Debt deferves, but if the Perlon has been a

Planter and by misfortunes has contracted Debts3 or ara

aged Pcrfon they frequently at thele Courts make 2

Collection amongft themfelves, by which means they

difeharge the Debt, or fatisfie the Creditor | fo that

by thefe methods none arc kept in confinement*

It is likewife enaded by the Laws of the Country
that no Perfon (hall be liable to pay above forty Shillings
of their Country Money for any pubiick- Houfe Scores
for Liquors, let the Perfons that keep fuch Houfes trufl
them what they pleafe, yet by Law they can recover no
more : This is done chiefly to prevent People, if pof-
fible, running m Debt, or fpending their Time idly
after that manner, elpccially in a Country where lnduf-
try is fo much wanting. Notwithftanding this Law»
fome will owe above One hundred Pounds at thele
Taronsa or puWick Houfes, which they will juftly and

258 The Natural H I S.T O R Y cf

boneftly pay, looking upon it as the grcatcft Scandal ji
Nature to make ufe of this Law,- neither would the
Country much regard them afterwards it they did. Yet
there are fome that are not fo fcrupulous, or fo flridtly
bound up to Principles of Juftice, that have taken the
advantage of this Law, to defraud their Creditors, when
they had an Opportunity.

There ate feveral other good Laws in this Province
and particularly, that no Vagabond, or inferiour Perion
isturlered to travel through the Country without a Pafs
from the Governor, oriome of the Jufticcs of the Peace,
this is done to prevent Tranfports from Europe running
away from their Mailers.

They have no Frontier Towns, as 1 before obferved,
neither have they any Army, except their Militia, which
are both of Horfe and Foot, having proper Officers, who
are Commiffioned, or Nominated by the Governor, al-
though they are feldom obliged to Mufter (as they arc
in moil of the other Eng&fi Provinces in America) ex*
cept it be to apprehend Offenders that will not fubmic
themfelves to the Law, or be taken by the Authority of
iheir Juftices of Peace's Warrant ; in fuch caies, they
generally raife the Pcjfe or Militia, to feize and bring
them to Juftice ; Yet iaftances of this Nature are but
feldom, for I never knew but two whilft I was in the'
Country.

But to return to the Subjeft in Hand, there arc made
throughout this Settlement, as good Bricks as any I
have ever met with in Europe : All forts of Handy-
crafts, fuch as Carpenters, Joyners, Coopers, Bricklayers,
Plaiflerers, Shoemakers, Tanners, Curriers, Taylors, Weav-
ers, and mofl other forts of Tradefmen, may with fmall
Beginnings, and good Induftry, foon thrive well in
this Place, and provide good Eftates, and all manner of

NecefTarief

wmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmaaz

North CAROLINA

*59

Neceffaries for their Families,; Lands being fold at a
cheaper rate here than in molt parts or Arnica,

The Farmers that go thither (for which fort of Peo-
ple it is a very thriving place) flibuM bring with them
Feveral forts of Seeds of Grafs, as TrefotlChver-GrafrM
forts of Sanfiin, and common Graff, and eipecial y iiwle
hat have arofe and fprung in a waim Climate that will
endure the heat of the Sun; likewile feveral Garden,
Seeds, and choice Fruit-Trees, and European-gram, tot m-
creafe and hardnds, and elpeciaily OUve Trees and feve-
ral forts ot European-Grapes, rhc neceffarys for Has-
bandry I need not acquaint the Husbandman withal,
but Hoes of all forts, and Axes muft be had, Saws, Wedges,
Awurs, Nails, Hammers, and what other tnings may be
ncceffary to build with Timber and Brick. For whoever
reads this Treatife with attention, muft needs be ac-
quainted with the nature of the Country, and therefore
cannot but be Judges what will be chiefly wanting in it.
Whoever goes to this Province need not complain tor
want of Lands for taking up, even in places moll delight-
fully feated on navigable Rivers and Creeks without be-
ing driven to remote parts of the Country for fettlements,
as at prefent they are forced to do in New-England, and
feveral other Entlijb provinces in America, which are al-
ready become fo populous, that a new comer cannot get
a beneficial and comodious feat, unlcfs he purchafeit at a
very dear rate. . ,..

' Another great advantage here is, that there is liberty
of Confcience fas I raid before) allowed to all. Thele,
things being duly weighed, any rational Man that has a
mindtopurchafe Lands for a Settlement for himfclf and
Family, will foon difcover the advantages that attend the
icttlcrs and purchafers of Lands here above all the other
- J£ k a Provinces

S6p The Natural HISTORY of

provinces ip the En&HJh Dominions in America, forEafe
Fleafure, Satisfaction, a«u ail necefl'anes of Lire

arlinewl>.oin,> fwfc tor its natural Beauty; tor the
C Pntrym general ls level, except ,0me Hills near the
CW« and 4*ftfty«tf Mountains, and moil agreeably
d«i,taw,r»I,„t^lcLj„d S)prod uci ngvaHmtn°k
gndiwpC.opsinoneSeafpn, wan large anu bacoos
W.ne.o. Meadows, moft beautifully S^M S va-
riety < f O ..(ileus and fine Floors intermivr «,; h
piepty of good Grafs f» paftur, tor £ tI£ ™ S
U; oris and Fo. efts with their Lofty Trees and foTeaS
Yu.es of various forts, affording not only 12
btu mpi pleafam fhades to fit under in the ex « l\
the not Weather, and likewife abounding w,t™ ,
fc.idsofw.ld Beafts and JB,rds, which ar! p fervedt
them, .,ot only for d.verfion of Hunting, bu. liWe con
yemen, and profitable for the fupport of Man

And Laftly. the largeano Navigable Rivrrsand Creels
that are tobe met with watringand adSthisS

Fowl. Thefe ornaments and many advantages which it
to" It t, 7 Zr *' piCafa"te" P,ac«'" tte World
^WO" faimra mn finit ejfefm. Thev make ven/
^ceffary Vefte.s for carriage' oitheirSmottieb?
Water, which are called » thefe parts Ptriau^s and
Pmp, wh.ch are the Boats made uferf in this Country,
and ,,e generally made out of one peiceoHarge Timber
and that moft commonly of the c/frefi kind, fvhfch they
yake h„ low and Japed like a Boat, with Mafts, Oars,
ana Padles, according to their fize and bignefs. Some
of thefe JW, are fo large that they are capabte
of carrying %ty «r fifty Jarfels %M p??Tl*

PHHi

■■MMHMHHHBB

North CAROLINA.

261

theie VeiTels Lkewife they carry Goods, Horfes, and
other Cattle from one Plantation to another over large and
(pacious Rivers i they frequently trade in them to Virginia
and other places on this continent, no VeiTel of the fame
Burthen made after the European manner is able to ©ut
Sail one of theie Periaugers.

The Canoes are ot lets Burthen than the former, fome
will cany two or three Hones over thefe large Rivers^
and others (9 imallthat thty Will carry only two or thiee
Men. Thefe arc more ticklifli than Boats, but no Boat
m the World is capable to be cowed ss raft as they are,
and when they are full of Water they " ill not fu.fc, and
not only the Indians but even the Ctyifliaus are Very
dexterous in managing of them.

Before the arrival of the Christians in thefe parts (as
I have been credibly inform'd) the Indians had no other
Method in mak ng thefe Periaugers and Games, but by
Fire, burning them hollow with Gums and Roiins8 and
fcraping them with fliarp Stones or Shells, prepared foe
that ufe, according to the fhape and fi?e they propofed
to make them, having neither Handfaws, Axes, Addsa
Chizel, or any other Inftruments made of Iron or Steel,
wherewith to fafhion or make them ; but at prefect they
have all manner of Inftruments proper for fuch ufcs9
which they have purchafed from the ChriBians. It is
moil certain, that no People in the World are more han-
dy and dexterous in managing their Periaugers, and Co*
noes* with either Sail, Oar, or Paddle, than they are ;
and when ever it happens that their Canoes are full o£
Water, they will very nimbly leap out, and holding the
Canoe with one Hand, throw out the Water with a
Gourd with the other, and fo proceed on their intended
Voyage. They lifcewife very often fet their Periaugers
md Canoes* along the Shoar with long Poles*

■ \: :®/-T-^~ ~;V~T= [The

262 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/

The Land Carriages are much after the fame manner
as thofe with us ; there being not only plenty of Horfes,
bat likewife of Carts and Waggons, and feveral other
Neceilaries convenient tor Carrying all manner of Com-
modities by Land from one place to another.

The Roads arc as good as in moll parts of the World,
and the travelling as pleaiant, efpecially the Road from
Edeniowa to Virginia, being made broad and conveni-
ent, for all forts of Carriages, fuch as Coaches, Chaifes,
Waggons and Carts, and efpecially for Horfemen, thefe
Lands lying fo level, and the beautiful and delightful
Objects they are entertained with in their Journey, ren-
der it both amuling and diverting. What is remark-
able is, that traveling from Edentown to Virginia, there
is a Poll (ct up in the Divifion between thofe two Pro-
vinces, with North Carolina on the South, and Virginia
on the North, in large Capital Letters, to fhew to all
Travellers the Bounds between thole two Colonies.

In other parts the Roads are more like Paths than any
piiblick Road, only that they are made broad enough
for Coach, Chaifes, and all manner of Carriages. But
this is a general Rule to be observed throughout all Ame-
rica, that wherever you meet any of thofe Paths like
Roads, with the Trees marked or notched on each fide,
it is a furc fign that it is the publick Road from one
Chniiian Town to another. Notwithstanding there are
feveral Paths of Harks, Cows, and other Beafts in the
Woods, as large as the forme*;, which are to be avoided,
hy reafon that the Trees arc not marked as above ; nei-
ther do the Indians ever life this Method in making their
Roads, having fome fecret Knowledge to guide them
through thefe large Woods, which we are entire Strang-
ers to i fo that feveral Chriftians not knowing, or regard-
Ms of thefe Markvhave been for feveral Days loil ia
hTl^ ~: ~- ■ ' " ~ ■•"*. -•""" " the

North CAROLINA.

'.6%

the Woods, before they could come to any Planters
Houfe, or meet with any Perfon to inform them which
way to go } yet I never heard of any perifli for want of
JProvifions, under thefe misfortunes, there being not only
great Plenty offeveral good Fruits to be met with, all
over the Woods moft parts of the Year, but likewife va-
riety of Birds and Beafts, neceffary for the fupport of
Life j but I have known fome loft for eight, others for;
fourteen Pays, before they could meet with any human
Creature to inform them what part of the Province they
were in.

The Negroes fometimes make uk of thefe Advantages
m the Woods, where they will flay tor Months together
before they can be found out by their Mailers, or any o-
ther Perfon,- and great Numbers of them would a&aftee
the fame manner ( which would be detrimental to the
Planters) were they not fo much afraid of the Indians,
who have fuch a natural averfion to the Blacks, that they
commonly fhoot them when ever they find them in the
Woods or folitary parts of the Country,

There are no Wind-Mills in this Province at prefent^
and not above two or three Water-Mills, which are for
the moft part continually grinding their Wheat; for the
fmall Sloops and Periaugers are continually coming and
going with Corn and Flower : But the common method
that the Planters ufe to grind their Corn is with Hand-
Mills, which almoft every one of them has. The Stones
for thefe Mills are got up the River Neus, which arc
veryfoft when dug out of the Earth, but grow exceeding
hard and durable after they are fome time in the Air, and
are ferviceable upon thefe occafions. Thefe Stones fcera
more like a parcel of Oyiler-fiel/s petrified, than any na-
tural Stone, for through the whole Grain of this Stone
vTO¥ *? no. other appearance^ but the exa& ftapc of the

OysJer*

S64 The Natural HI S T O R Y of

Gyfttr-JbeBs. Of this kind of Scone there are feveral Quar*
ries and Rocks to be met with towards the Heads or the
Rivers j notwiehftandi.ig there is plenty of Free-Scons
near the Mountains, and moft kinds or Greet proper to
make Miliftones, yet the former being fo eafiiy acquired.,
are only made tile of at pre fent, except tome tew brought
from England, for their Water-Mills. The Proprietors
of cheie Mills take moil: commonly every other Barrel as
Toll, for grinding -, but the Laws or the Country allow
only every fixth.

There are abundance of excellent good Springs to be
met with in feveral parts of this Province, abounding
with- as fweet and frefh Waters as ariy in Europe, and
efpecially near the Mountains, in which there can be
none better. The Lands near theft parts being for the
moil part very rich, with an extraordinary black Mold,
Come of a Copper colour, and both very good. Here
arc likewife great quantities or Iron Mine, feveral forts of
Stone, divers kinds of Spaws, and cbalibeat Springs, the
Water whereof being drank, make the Excrements as
black as Ink by its cbalibeat Quality.

It is very remarkable, at certain feafotis of the Year3
but efpecially in Winter % as Perfons travel up near the
Mountains, they hear at Night the moft hideous and
ftrangc Noifc, that ever pierced mortals Ear, which at
fkft was very firightful to us, 'sill fuch time as we were
informed by our Indian Guides, that this Noife is cufto-
mary in thofe parts there being innumerable numbers o£
Tanthers, Tygers, Wolves, and other Beafts of Prey, going
in whole droves to hunt the Deer, making this frightful
Koife all the Night, until Day appears, or that a Shot
©r two is fired, then all will be ftill and quiet. Jhere
are feveral large Swamps to be met with here, which ar«

the Habitation ©f thofe wild Bcafls? where they make

. _ - . ttim

North CAROLINA.

265

their abode in the Day, at which time they are not to
be fecn or heard in the Woods.

But thefe kind of wild Beaits are not very plenty (ex-
cept the Wdxts) near the Settlements, the Planter* con-
tinually dcitroying tnem as they hunt and travel in the
Woods, and in procefs ofc time will be ieflcncd as this
Country begins to be Detter Inhabited This Country
affords many and large Swamps* which are generally
overflowed or under Water *n the H/mm, yet 1 never
met with any Bogs, but plenty of good Pit Coal ax
many places, of which they make no manner 01 ule ac
prefenr, all kind of Timber being fo plenty, and pro-
per for fireing ; fo that all other kinds of Fuel arc uif re-
garded and made no ufe of by the inhabitants of this
Province.

It will not be improper, in this place, to give an ac-
count how the Turpentine, Tar, Pitch, and Rojn ate
made, being all the produce of one Tree, and a vevy
good Staple Commodity in thefe parts. The Planters
make their Servants or Negroes cut large Cavities on
each fide of the Pitch-Pine Free (which they term ifo*-
ing of the Tree) wherein the Turpentine runs, and the M-
groes with Ladles take it out and pur it inro Barrels :
Thefe Trees continue thus running mod: common!;* foi
three Years, and then decay, but in procefs of time fail
to the Ground, which is what they call Light-Wood, o£
which their Pitch and Tar is made, (viz..)

The Planters at certain Seafons of the Year, and e{pe-
cially in Winter, make their Negroes gather great quanti-
ties ofthis Dght-wood, which they fplit about the thick-
fiefs of the fmall of a Man's Leg, and two or three FeeC
in length ; when they have got a fufficient quantity of
jt in readinefs, they fee their Kilns on fomc fifing
<Gt©und or Earth thrown up for that purpofc, in the
L I center

266 The Natural HISTORY/

center whereof they make a hollow place, from whence
they draw a Funnel (ome diflance from the Kiln ;
Then they take the Light-wood which they pile up with
the ends of each, placed (tearing towards ihe center of the
Kiln, which is generally made taper from the Ground,
arterwards they cover it very fecure with Clay, Earth,
or Sods, to keep in the Flames, after this is done they
let it on hre at the Top, the Weather permitting, which
mull be neither too dry nor too wet. By tiiis means the
Tar runs into thecenrer,and from thence into the Funnel,
where they attend Night and Day (with Ladles to put
it into Barrels prepared for thar purpofe) till the Kiln is
quite burnt out, which is generally in eight and foity
Bi nrs or lefs, according to the dimenfionsof the Kiln.
It fometimes happens through ill management, and cfpe-
cially in too dry Weather, that thefe Kilns arc blown up
as if a train of Gun-powder had bten laid uhdtr them, by
which Accident their Negroes have been very much burnt
or fcaldeu. The Planters generally know ver> near
what quantity of Tar each of their Kims will produce,
according tojhcir dimeniions, for which reaf n they are
always provided with a fufficicnt Number of Barrels tor
that end.

The Pitch is made of the Tar, which is done in the
following manner. They have large Furnaces made in
fcveral parts, and more now than ever, by reafon of a late
act of Parliament made in the Reign of his prcfent Ma-
jjetly, which obliges every Perfon or Pcrfons that burn
tZar-hlns in his M jefties dominions in America to make
half of the firft running into Tar, and the other half into
Pitch, the penalty being aforfeture of the whole. With
this fecond running they fill their furnaces, and fo place
a fire underneath it till fiich time as it begins to boyl, then
they let it on fire and burn it to the confidence of Pitch*

\)

North CAROLINA.

267

The Rofm is very fcarce 111 thefe parts, few giving
themfelvcs che trouble • but when made, it is done after
the following manner, v a Take Turpentine, as much
as you think proper, puc ic into an dlemhch or a Copper
Vefica, with four times us weight or fair Water, and
diltil it which wiil produce a thin and clear Oil like
Water' and at the bottom of the VelTel will remain
the Ktfitt Tlie Indians never make either Pitch, Tar
or Tu entine, ranging ana hunting continually through
the Woods, being all the Induftry they are given to,cx-
eepi they plan; fome (mall quantity ot Indian Corn or
Mai*., and drefs their Deer-Skins, being as well fatisfied
with this way of living as any among us, who by his
Induftry has acquired immenfe Trcaiurc.

I will in the next place give an account of thofe that
arc Tranfponed to thefe parts from Europe , and the ma-
ny advantages that attend them in this Province, accord-
ing to their good behaviour. Thefe are indented for fuch
a limitation of time, as appears by each of their Indentures,
and aredifpofed and made Servants of during that time,
each of them being more orlefs regarded according to
their good or bad behaviour, and the reafon of their being
Tranfponed. Neither can any Servant give a fecond
Indenture on himfelf before he is out of his Apprentiihip,
and a Free-man in the Country,* then he is at his Liber-
ty to m. ke what bargain he pleafcs* but before that time
all contracts made by him are void and of no effect. For
by only applying to any of their Courts, he is immediatly
d (charged and fct tree, notwithstanding he has received
a gratuity (from the Planter who claims him) for fo do-
ing. This being an citablifhcd law of the Country to
prevent Matters taking advantage of their Servants before
they have obtained their freedom. As foon as they have
'' "" Lis fulfilled

MM

s>68

The Natural HISTORY of

fullfiirj the Obligation of their Indentures, and are be
con.e Free men, tftcir Mafters are obliged on their parts
to give each Man Servant a new Suit orCIoaths, a Gun
Powder, Snot, Ball and ten Bufliels of Indian Corn'
and by the Laws ofthe Country, they are entitled to fifty
Acres or Land, winch they Seldom take up,buc difpofe of
for TnBes, this quantity of Land being too fmall for large
Stocks oi Catrk (winch moft Planters here are poflefled
of) or to make Ptnb and Tar on, which is another Staple
of this Country, lo that an Inftance or this Nature is not
to be n.et with in this Province.

Thus they appear after they have ferved their time
and have obtained their tree om, having no other vifible
Fortune to depend upon or fupport them except their In-
dultry. The Queftion then may be reafonably asked
how it is poffibk tor them to live, or make Fortunes from
iuch I mall and defpicabk beginnings/ Concerning
which Objc&ion, I ihali thus endeavour to fatisfic the
Reader.

Thofe that are thus made Free-men, their former Maf-
ters generally give a Charader of them, according to
their good or bad behaviour during their Apprentifhip
and thofe that have aded with prudence, care, and good
conduct, whilft they were Servants never are at a loisto
meet with the bell ufage from their Matters, who recom-
mend them to other planters (if they have no Implcyment
for them) to be their Stewards, or overfeers of their Plan-
tations (ieveral of the Planters of this Country having
many; wherein are generally great Stocks of Cattle,
Hones, and Swine. ■

Theoverfeer being thus employed, his bufinefsis to
mark all the Calves, Mites, and voung Pigs, with the Plan-
ters Mark or Brand; every Planter having his Brand or
24ar* recorded zn proper Boob, kept for thatpurpofe m

■■■■

North CAROLINA.

269

each Precind or Barony throughout this Province, This
is done to prevent the Planters having any dilputes about
any of theie Beafts, each Planter claiming by thcic marks
nothing but what is jufily his own, and if there be anjj
Negroes, to Tee them perform whatever Work the Planter
requires to be done; this being chiefly what the Over-
feer is employed in, for which Service he is allowed eve™
ry feventh Calf, feventh Fole, and half of ail the young
Hogs that arc ored during his Stewardship, and likewife
the feventh part of all forts of Grain and tobacco that is
produced on the faid Plantation. Whatever quantity
of Corn, Rice or Tobacco he plants by his own lnduftry,
is ail his own Property, the Mailer having nothing to
do with it. Thus in three or four Years time, with
good managment, he has a fufficient Stock of Cattle,
Grain, Money, and all other Ncceffaries proper to pur-
chafe a Plantation, by which means many are become
as wealthy and fubftantial Planters, as any in the Govern-
ment. But I muft confefs, that few are fuch good Pro-
ficients in this way of Induitry, notwithftanding there
are fuch considerable advantages to be acquired thereby.
But on the contrary, thofe or ill behaviour, and fuch
as have been negligent in their Apprentilhip, are not
thus recommended, but generally get their livelyhood by
the fweat of their Brow, yet live after a very loofe and
indolent manner ; for if they work two Days in th^ Week,
they generally drink and are idle all the reft ( Provifions
and Liquors being fo very cheap) and are rather greater
Slaves when made free, than they were during their Ap-
prentifhip, never making any advantage of their Time.
Thus, I hope I havefatisfied the Reader as to this Point.
I fhall only mention one particular in regard to thefe
Servants or Tranfports, which I had like to have omit*
ted 1 which is3 that they run away from their Mailers*

w

270 The Natural HISTORY^"

■

to prevent which, there is a Law made in this Coun-
try, whereby thofe that run away are obliged ( if appre-
hended and taken, as they generally are) to ferve uuuble
the time they are abiem from tneir Matters ; chis cney
are obliged to perform ifcer the expiration of their /«-
dentures, which is done 10 prevent their running away
before they have fcrved their t<me,whKn fodetm them,
that they arc not fo guilty of this kind of Practice of
late, as formerly.

Few Mailers of Ships will venture to carry on board
their VMFels any of thefe Servants or Debtors from this,
or any other of the Provinces, without their giving tuf-
ficient fecurity that they are n^t in Debt, and Freemen,
or publifh an Advertisement fometime before cheir de-
parture out of the Province ; wherein they require all
Perfon that they are indebted to, To come, and the) will
fay then what they can make appear te be juftly due. And
likcwKc, That a& Perjons indebted to them, are defied to
come and pay them btfore they quit the Country, in juch or
fuch a Ship. This being the Subftance of this Advertife-
ntent, waich is fixed on their Courc-Houfe Door, for all
Perions to perufe. Theie Obligations being thus per-
formed, they areat theirLiberty to go where they pleare,
and the Matters liable to no Penalty ; but it they ihould
ad contrary to the Laws (and they be difcovercd) both
their Perfons and Ships are liable to be arretted, and
fubject to pay whatever the Creditors can make appear.
due to them, or any other Loffes they have fuftained
thereby. Notwithstanding all thefe Laws, fome of them
run away, and when they are taken, like the Negroes,
have Neck-yoaks put on them, which they conftantly
wear, 'till they give fufficient Teftimonies of their good
behaviour to the contrary. Several Inttances of this Na-
ture I have fcieen Eye-witnefs to during my ftay in that
Country. Th«e

North C AROLINA.

Q71

There is an Office here which is worth our Notice,
viz,, cue Gunpowder-Offiuy which hath continued ever
fines the Jail War with tht Indians, at; which time there
was a Law made, by which ail Veflels trading to thofc
Parts were liable to pay three Sellings and four Pence,
Carolina Money /w Ion, or the Value in Gun Powder,
except the (aid V eflcl was built in the Country, or that
the Merchant had a Plantation there, then the Veflels
were liable to pay halt Fees, or one Shilling 5and eight
Pence per Ton to the Powder-Office. The leflcning of thefe
Fees was to encourage Merchants to build and fettle in
this Country. They nominated at their General AfTem-
blies fuch Perfons as they judged proper in each County
to receive the faid Fees, which were to be laid out in
a fuffiuent Magazine or Store of Gunpowder, which was
to be always in readinefs for the uie or the Chrifiians a-
gainft the Indians, whenever they made any Attempts,
which there is no danger of their ever doing tor the fu-
ture; yet this Office continued 'till the Year 1733, being
about that time laid afide as unnecelTary, as I have been
informed fince my return from thofe parts.

The Planters are very Hofpitable and Charitable to
each other, and efpecialJy if any have had the misfortune
to have their Houfcs burnt, or any other grievous A fRic-
tion btfall them. On thefe occafions they readily con-
tribute to make up the lofs of the Sufferers, whereby they
generally become more wealthy than they were before thk
misfortune happened.

Thus have I given an Account of the Advantages
and Difad vantages that attend the Chriflian Inhabitants
of this Province; having nothing more in view than to
fariirie my Readers with the befl Account I could lcam
( during my Residence there) I ihall proceed to give *

Uxors

9f<» The Natural H I S t O R Y of

fhort Account of the Negi oe s or Blacks, together with
.a Defcription of the Indians, and the Laws and Cuitomg
now m force and«uie amongft them.

The NE GROES are fold on the Coaft of Guinea,
to Merchants trading to thofe Parts, are brought from
thence to Carolina, Virginia, and other Provinces in the
hands of the Enghjb, are daily increasing in this Country/
and generally aftord a good Price, viza more or leis ac-
cording to their Goodnefs and Age, and are always fure
Commodities for Gold or Silver, mod other things be-
ing purchafed with their Paper Money. Some or them
are fold it fifteen, twenty five, or twenty fix Founds fieri.
each and are looked upon as the greateft Riches in thefc'
Parts. There are great Numbers of them born here,
which prove more induftrious, hooeft, and better Slaves
than any brought from Guinea; this is particularly ow-
ing to their Education amongft the Chrifiians, which very
much polifhes and refines them irom their barbarous and
llubborn Natures that they are moil commonly endued
with. I have frequently feen them whipt to that degree,
that large pieces of their Skin have been hanging down
their Backs,* yet I never obferved one of them fhed a
Tear, which plainly (hews them to be a People of very
foarfh and flubborn Difpofitions.

There are feveral Laws made againft them in this
Province to keep them in Subject ion, and particularly
©ne, *«t, That if a Negroe cut or wound his Matter
or a Chriftian with any unlawful Weapon, fuch as a
Sword, Scymiter, or even zRmfa and there is Blood-flicd,
if it is known amongft the Planters, they immediately
meet and order him to be hanged, which is always per-
formed by another Negroe, and generally the Planters
king moft of their Negroes with them to behold their

_- » * Fellow

North CAROLINA.

311

fellow Negroe fuffer^ to deter them from the like vile
Praaice. Tins Law may feem to be coo hailh amongtfc
us, to put a Man to oeath tor Biuou-fhea only, yet if
the levered Laws were not ftrictly put in execution a-
gainil thele Pe .pie, they would (oon overcome the Ch-tftt*
am in this and moil of the other Provinces in the HanuS
or' the Englijb.

Notwithstanding the many fevcre Law& in force againft
them, yet they fometimes rile and Rebel againit their
Ma* er and Planters, and do a great deal or m.lch.er, be-
ing Loin treacherous and cruel in their Nature, <0 that
mild Laws would be of no u(e agair.ft them wnen any
favourable Qppoitunity offered or executing their bar-
barities upon the Chrjftians, as hath been cob well expe-
rienced in Virginia, and other Places, wnere they na^e
rebelled and deilroyed many Fam;lies.

When they have been guilty of thefe barbarous and
difobedient Proceedings, they generally fly to the Woods,
but as icon as the Indium have Notice from the Chriftiuns
of'thti; being there, they difperfc them ; killing lome,
others flying for Mercy to the Cbrifium ( wnom they
have i jured) rather than fall into the others Hands,
who have a natural averilon to the Blacks, and put them
to death with the moft exquifite Tortures they can in-
vent, whenever they catch tnem.

When any of thele Negroes are put to death by the
Laws of the Cjuntry,the Planters luft'er little or no iihig
by it, for the Province is obliged to pay the full value
they judge ihcm worth to the Owner ; this is the cor -
mon Cuflom or Law in this Province, to prevent t.>e
Planters being ruined by the lof§ of their Saves, whom
they have purchafed at Io dear a rate ; neiuer is this too
burthenfom, fot I never knew but one put to dea.h here
for wounding, and after attempting to kill his Mailer,
M m

9 74 3fl# Natural HISTORY/

who ufcd all Means he could to fave his Life, but to ira
purpofc, for the Country infilled on having the Law put
in execution againft him.

The Negroes that moil commonly rebel, are thoie
brought fium Guinea, who have been inured to War
and Hardfkip ail their lives,- few born here, or in the
ouier Provinces have been guilty ok theie vile F radices,
except over- pe» luadeo by the former, whofe Deiigns they
have fometimes -dif coveted to the Chrifiiam ; iome of
whom have been rewarded with their Freedom for
their good Services ; but the Reader mud ooiervc, that -
they aie not allowed to be Witntifes in any Cafes what-
ever, only againft one another.

there ate ibme Christians fo charitable as to have the
Negroes bom in the Country, baptized and inftrueted in
the thnjiian Fai.b in their Infancy, which gives them
an abhorance of the Temper and Pra&ice of thofe who
ate brought from Guine a. This Freedom does not in the
kail exempt them kom their Maker's Servitude, what-
ever others may imagine to the contrary, who believe
them to be at their own Liberty as foon as they have
received Baptiim. The Planters Call theie Negroes thus
Baptized, by any whimfical Name their Fancy fugperls,
as, Jupiur, Mars, Venus, Diana, Strawberry, Violet,
Drunkard, Ruaddy Money, Piper, F idler, &c.

Their Marriages are generally performed amongil
therrfeives, there being very little ceremony ufed upon
that Head ; for the Man makrs the Woman a Preknr,
iucb ai a Brafs Ring or iome other Toy, which if fhe
SvCeptS(f,bfcCon:e: his Wife ; but if ever they part from
each other, which frequently happens, upon any little
Difguft, file returns his Prdent: Theie kind of Con-
tacts no longer binding thrm, than the Woman keeps
Che Pkdge given her. It frequently happens, when thefe

Worries

North CAROLINA

215

Women have no Children by the fir ft Husband, after
beint; a Year or two cohabiting together, the Planters
oblige tHm to take a iecond, third, fourth, fifth, or more
Husbands or Bedfellows j a fiuhful Woman amonglfc
them being very much valued by the Planters, and a nu-
merous liiue eiteemed the greateft Riches m this Coun-
ts y. The Children all go with the Mother, and are
the Property ot the Planter to whom (he belongs. And
though they have no other Ceremony in their Marriage*
than 'what I i.ave repreieuced, yet they ecm to b Ja-
louflj inclined, and fight moll defperately amongft them-r
fcives when they Rival each other, which ihey common-*
ly uo.

Their Children are carefully brought up, and provided
for by the Planters, 'till they aie able to work in the Plan-
tations, where they have convenient Houles built for
them, and they are allowed to plant a fufficient quantity
©r Tobacco for their own ufe, a part of which they fell,
andhkewife on Sunday*, they gather Snake-Root, other-
wife it would be exceffive dear if the Chriftians were to
gather it ; with this and the Tobacco they buy Hats, and
other Neceflfaries for therafelves, as Linnen, Bracelets, Rib-
bons, and feveral other Toys for their Wives and Mif-
trefles.

There are abundance of them given to Theft, and
frequently ileal from each other, and fometimes front,
the Chriftians, efpecially Rum, with which they entertain
their Wives and Miftrefles at Night, but are often de-
tected and punifhed for it.

There are feveral Blacks born here that can Read and
Write, others that are bred to Trades, and prove good
Artifts in many of them. Others arc bred to no Trades,
but are very induftrious and laborious in improving ^heic
Plantations^ planting abin lance of Com, Rice and To*
M m. % b.aQCU

$76 The Natural HISTORY of

facco, and making vaft Quantities of Turpentine 7ar
and Piub, bung better able to undergo faLuesin the

1 he Children ot both Se^es weai lu.e or no Cloaths
except in che Winter, and many or the young Men and
V omen work ffark naked in the Plan tat ions§in the Zz
Scafoiy except a pitceof Cloath (out of decency) to co-
ver their Naltednefsj upon which Account they are not
very cxpeniivc to the Planters for their Cloathmg. The
Planters at their Death ufed to make fome of their favou-
rite Negrots free, but there is now an eitablifoed Law
(tipeciahy m Virginia) that if they do not quit the Pro-
Vince in about Eleven Days after their Freedom, whoever
takes them they become his Prop, rty • but before the
expiration of that rime they either go to another Pro-
vince, or le.l rhemfdves to the Llmfuam. The Planters
feeing ihelnconvcmencies that might attend thefe kind
StPnvitedoes to the mgms, hare ithis ano all other Laws
agamfttnem continually put in p.- act ice, to prevent all
prportt.ii.ties they might lay hold of to mat tocmfdv«

A®.

^a^mmmmmmm

North CAROL lis A.

An Account of the

INDIANS

O F

North -Carolina.

H E Indians, it*s well known were the
Natives and Inhabitants of America before
the Spaniards and EutOftans made any dis-
coveries of feveral pares of that Country.,
Amongft whom arc feveral different Nations
and Kings to this Day, What is very
ffurprizing and ftrange is, that icarce any two Nations to,
be met with, fpake the fame Language, though they live
ever 10 near to each other, this being a common thing
all over this new World, as far as ever 1 cou'd be
Informed. What ftiou'd o<caflon fuch a Diveifity oC
Languages or Speeches amongft the Savages, is what
snort writers can hardly account for. But to return, the
Indians of North-Carolina, are a well fhaped clean made

Fcople*

%-]% The Natural HISTORY of

People, of different Statures as the Europeans are, but
chiefly inclined co be uii, are very (freight and neat imib'd
as ate to be men with in any part or" the World, they ne-
ver oend forwards or itoop in uie Shoulders, except chey
are much overpowered with old Age, as toi their L gs
and Feet they are as well proportioned and as, handfome,
as any in the World. They are or a ftroug haje Coniti-
tution, and their Bodies very ftreighr, but a little flat,
which is occafioncd by their being laced or tyed hard
down upon a board in their Infancy, thisbeing all their.
Cradle, which I fhall defenbe in another place.

Their E>es are mil and Manly, ano or a black ordatk
Haxel colour, the White marbled with Red Sirakes,
which is always common amongft thefe People, unlefs
they have either a white Father or Mother.

Their Colour is Tawny, which wou'd not be fo dark
did they not daub themfelvcs fo often with Bear\-Qil9
and a Colour like Burnt Cork, which they pra&ice from
their Infancy, and continue foto do moil; part ot their livcs9
it fills up the pores, and enables them the better to endure
the Weather, and prevents moil forts of In feds and Ver-
min to be any wife troublefome to them. They arc ne-
ver to be met with Heads bald, though very Old, which
I am perfwaded isoccafioned by their Heads being always
uncovered, and grcafing their Hair and other Parts fo
often as the do with Bvar's-fat, which undoubtedly is a
great nourifher of the Hair, and caufeth it to grow fo
very fait. Amongft the Beards 0*7 (when they intend to
be fine) they mix a certain red Powder that is produc-
ed from a k'nd of Scarlet Root that they get in :he HJly
Country, near the foot of the great ridge of Mountains,
and as it is reported by them, is no where elfe to be
found* They have this Scarlet Root in great E(1teem, and
fell ic at a great Price one to another, and the Rcafon qi

its.

North CAROLINA.

ai9

its being To very valuable is, becaufe they not only go a
great way for it, but are like wife in great Danger of the
kinagars, or Iroquois, who are mortal Enemies to ail our
tivihzed Indians, and are very often by them or others
before their return horn this Voyage, made their Cap-
tives ot kiileu.

The Tuikeruros and other Indian*, have frequently
brought the ^eeds ot this Plant from the Mountains, but
it would never grow in our Land, delighting no where
but in the Hilly and Mountainous parts ; with this and
the Bear's-greaje they anoint their Heads and Temples,
which is eiteemed as Ornamental as Oil zndfweet Powder,
or any other thing we can ufe to our Hair ; bdides ie
has the Virtues to kill Lice, and fuffcr none to abide in
their Heads/ For want of this Root, they fometimes
ule a Root called Peccon, which is of a Crimfon colour,
but apt to die the Hair of an ugly Hue, they likewife
make ufe of an Herb called Wafibur, and fmall Roots
called Cbippacor, and the Bark of a Tree called Tango-
mochnominge ; all thefe are Dyes forfeveral forts of Reds,
which the Indians ufe to paint their Faces, Matts and
Baskets with, but whether they would prove good in
Cloath, is not yet known. This, I am certain of, that
one of our civilized Indians brought mc a handful of dry-
cd Flowers, and defired me to put them in a large Sauie-
pan filled with Water, and boil them with a piece of
Linntn Cloath, which made it havefuch a deep Purple
Colour, that the fame could not be difcharged by any
Method ufed, but the oftner it was wafhed, the more
beautiful and lively it appeared ; the Indian would by
no means difcover the Plants the I aid Flower grew up-
on, but afTured me, that he would procure any Perion
what quantity they pleafed, if they would but fadsfic
hira for his Trouble. They not only paint themfelves

Red,

2So The Natural HISTORY^*

Red, but with many other Colours, fuch as Black,Green9
Blue, ana M bite, by which the) repreient ail tne Afcf.irs
in Life, iuch as fVar, Peace, Feafis, Death, and the
like.

They generally let the Hair on their Heads grow ve-
ry long, Wijicn is lank, thick and ihe ftivngeit of any
People I nave ever met with, and as black as Jet. Tney
always travel baie-hcaoed, having neither Hats, or any
artificial Covering for thole Parts, except it be their ch
vilized Kings and War Captains, who of iate wear Hats^
cfpeciall) when they vifit the Chnliians. Thofe who have
reprefened the Savage* as rough as Beads, have never
had tnc Opportunity of leeing them, for they have na-
turally but little or no Beards, or Hairs on theit F ces,
and very feldome under their Arm-pits, which 'tis kid
they continually pluck out by the Root as it begins to
grow. Neichcr have they any upon their Privities, ex-
cept fomefew that wearBrieech.es or Tail-clouts, how-
ever, though thclc People are generally fmooth and free
From Hair, yet I have known fome that were old, hairy
down their Backs, and thofe Hairs very long : It is to be
obferved, that the Head of the Penis is covered throug-
hout the whole Nations of the Inaiam that I ever faw; I
am credibly informed, that this is common with all, both
old and young in America. They have exrraor, inary
good Teeth, but generally of a yellowifh Colour, occasion-
ed by their Imoaking Tobacco, which they are very much
addided to ; this Plant they report co have had, many
ages before the arrival of the Chnftiam amongft them.

They never cut or pair their Nails, bat 'et them grow
Very long, faying, that tnat is the ufe they were made f t,
and laugh at the Europeans for pairing theirs, long Nails
being always efteemed amongft them as a Beauty, which
the cancers «u their Feails generally have, who rarher

repreient

_

North CAROLINA.

281

reprefent the figure of Harpies than Men, with thefekind
of Ornaments. They have long and caper Fingers as
any People whatfoever, and it is to be admired how
dexterous and fleady they are in their Hands and Feet,
for they will walk over deep Brooks and Creeks on the
fmalleit Poles, and that without any Fea or Concern*
which no People in thefe Parts can perform but them-
felves. I have feen an Indian walk on the ridge of a.
Houfe without any manner of tear, and look J:
the Gable, and fpit down as unconcerned as if he
been walking on Terra Firma ; as for Etunnin
or any fuch like Exercife, their Legs feldom fail or 1
carry, To as to give them a fall ; as forgetting any t
fall out of their Hands, I never knew an Examp
Gate is very upright and majeftick, neither ar< the/
ever feen to walk backwards and forwards as we i . or
contemplate on the Affairs of Lofs and Gain, and a ,,y
other things which daily perplex us. It is this fteadi-
nefs in their Limbs (which are a;- well proportioned and
as handfom as any in the World) that makes them fo
dexterous at the Gun, for it is remarkable that thefe
People generally fhoot and kill their Game with one
fingle Ball, and the Boys with their Bows and Arrows
are fo well experienced in that: kind of Exercife, thac
they will kill a Bird flying, or a Deer running, with as
much certainty, as others with a Gun, of which 1 have
been an Eye-witncfs.

They have no manner of Mufical Instruments, fuch
as Pipe, Fiddle, or any other Arts, Sciences, or Trades,
worth mentioning, amongft them, which may be owing
to their carelefs way of living, taking little or no Pains
to provide for the Neceflaries of Life, as the Europeans
do. They will learn any thing very foon, and feem to
be indued with very good Genius's, for I have feen
~ Nn fcveral

The Natural H I S T 0 R Y of

fevcral Guns Stocked by them, better than mod of our
Joyners, having no Inftrument or Tool to work wich
only a fhort Knife : I have likewife known feveral of
them that were taken Priibners in the laft War, and
made Slaves to the Englijb, learn hand yeraft Trades well
and fpeedily.

I never faw# a Dwarf amongft them, and only one
that was Hump-back'd. Though the Indians are a tail
People, yet they are not of fo robuft and ftrong Bodies
as to lift great Burthens, to endure hard Labour, or (la-
vim Work, as the Europeans do, yet iome that are Slaves
prove very induftrious and laborious. Amongft them-
felves they never work, taking little or no care or pains,
but what is abfotuteJy neceffary to fupport Life, the
Grandure and Riches of this World being utterly defpif-
«d by them.

The Indians in North-Carolina that live near the Plan-
ters, are but few (as I obferved before) not exceeding
fifteen or Sixteen hundred Men, Women and Children,
and thofe in good harmony with thtEngUJh, with whom
they conftantly trade ; yet near the Mountains they are
very numerous and powerful, but have little or no fire"
•Arms amongft them, fo that the three following Kings
are not fo much in dread or fear of thofe near the Moun-
tains as they formerly were, fmce they have farnifhcd
themfelvcs with Fire- Arms from the Enropeans, becaufe
they can kill at greater diftances with their Guns, than
the other can with their Bows and Arrows.

They have three Paricojfy's, or Indian Kings in this
Province, who are civilized, viz,. King Blunt , King
Duranty and King Higher ; but they may rather be com-
pared to Heads of Clans than Kings, according to their
Appearances. I have frequently feen and converfed with
thefe three Kings, whofe Drcffes were as follows:

King

North CAROLINA.

283

King Blunt appeared before the Govcrnour to pay his
Tribute, which he, as well as the reft, generally do
once or twice every Year; and this Tribute is a quanti-
ty or Deer-Skinsy drefled after the Indian manner.

Complements being palled between him and the Go-
vcrnour (which I fhall defcribe in anctfgtr place) they
were defired to (it down and dine with his Excellency,
which all of them generally do, whenever qfigy come to
Town, where the Governour is : Several Difcourfes pad
between them, andf*mongft other things, that they
were afraid of the Sinagars, or Jrequois Indians (whoare
not in fubjection to 'the Englijh) coming to invade them,
and defiring the Affi fiance of the Governour, if there
fhould be any Occafion, which he allured them of.
Dinner being ended, the Glafs went round very merrily,
and whenever they drank to the Governour, they always
filled him by the Name of Brother, Thefe three Kings
{"peak Englijh tolerably well, and are very wary and cun-
ning in their Difcourfes, and you would be furprife'd to
hear whatfubtile and witty -Anfwers they made to each
Queftion propofed to them, notwithstanding they are
in general Illiterate People, having no Letters or Learn-
ing to improve them.

King Blunt being the moil powerful of thefe I have
mentioned, had a Suit of Englijh Broadcloth ony and a
pair of Women's Stockings, of a blue Colour, with white
Clocks, a tolerable good Shirt, Cravat, Shoes, Hat, &q.
King Durant had on an old Blue Livery, the Wafte-
coat having fome remains of Silver Lace, with all other
NecefTaries fit for wearing Apparel fuch as Shirt,Stock-
ings, Shoes, &c. made after the Englijh manner.

King Higher had on a Soldiers red Coat, Waftecoat,
and Breeches, with all other conveniences for wearing
Apparel^ like the former : And it is to be obferved,

that

284 The Natural HISTORY of

that after their return home to their Towns, that they
never wear thefe Cloaths till they make the next State
[Vifit amongft the Chrifiians.

After this manner appeared the three civilized Kings
with each of them his Queen, Children, Phfidan, Call
tains of War, and his Guards : After Dinner was over
the Governfttifordercd Rumior the Queens, and the reft
of the Retinue, who remained at fome diftance from the
Gove'rnoMJfcf Houfe during the time the Kings were in
Company* with him. In a few Hours after they all
withdrew from the Governo&uWlHouie, and went into
Town to difpofe of their Deer-Skins that were remain-
ing, for Blankets, Guns, Powder, Shot, Ball, and other
NecefiarieS they had occafion for, and e/pecially Rum
whereof they are very fond.

What is worthy of Obfervation amon^/t the whole
Retinue, is thr, That you fhall not fee two but what
have fome Mark to diftinguifli them from each other,
fometimes very long black Hair, with feveral bits of Stuff,
jfuch as Green, Blue, Red, White, and Yellow, tied in it ;
others with their Hair cut clofe, only a Circle left on the
Head, the Hair whereof is about half an Inch longer
than the reft. Others with feveral Marks in different
parts of their Bodies and Faces, as if they hid been
marked with Gun- Powder, f0 that if you fee an hundred
of them, you fhall always obferve fome difference 'in
each of them, either in their Painting, Tonfure of their
Hair, or the marks made in their Skins. All thefe
Guards were well Armed, with each Man a Gun, good
ftore of Powder and Ball, and a lamahawk by his fide,
which is a kind of fmall Hatchet. It is like wife to be ob-
ferved, that fcarce any of the whole Retinue, except the
War Captains, had any Cloathing, only lail-Clouts (for
decency) to cover their Wakcdntfe and fomtcw y$k

IHHHHHkHtf

North CAROLINA.

285

a Blanket, or fome fuch like piece of Cloth about their

Shoulders. . _ . e , ,

As loon as they have {old their Deer- Skim tor thole
Ncceflaries they had occafion for, and had drank what
quantity of Rum they were allowed, or thought fit to
make ule ot, they came out into the Street, to act thc/«-
#ian War. which to any one bred in Europe, itemed ra-
ther like a Scene of Madnefs, than a Warlike Exercife,
for one while they were Hooping and Hollowing, ano-
jhei while ftamping altogether like Madmen, another
time creeping, as if they were furprizing their Enemies,
and many other antick Poftures and Geiiures, too tedi-
ous to name. Though thefc Kings may feem defpica-
\>k and meane to us, yet are they mod abfolute, putting
to death thofe they judge worthy of it; therefore ic
may not be amifs to give fome Inllances, becaule they
feem cruel and barbarous, if compared with our Laws
for pun 1 Hung Offenders, as may appear by the follow-
ing Acconnt, viz.*

An Mian came to a Planters Houfe in this Province,
and finding no body at home but a Servant Maid, he
attempted to lie with her, but fhe not complying with
his Defires, he was fo provoked, that to be revenged, he
fliot the Planters Dog as he was going away. The Plan-
ter complained to the Gpvernour of the injury the Indian
had done him, in order to have him puni&ed for the of-
fece. A Meffenger is immediately difpatched to their
King to, demand Satisfadion for the trefpafs the Indian
had been guilty of. The Meffenger coming late that
Evening to the Indian-town the King courteoufly received
him and prevailed upon him to ftay aU Night, and that
the next Day when the Sun was up, at fuch a height (a*
he cxpreffed it) he would deliver him the Offender. A c-
cordihgly he remained there all Night, in hopes to hay-

286 The Natural H I S T O R Y of

the Indian brought before^ the Governour, in order to
be punifhcd according to the Englijb Law ; but at the
time appointed, the King defired the Meflcnger to walrk
with him into the Plantation, where to his great aftonifh-
ment, he found the Indian dead, and hanging upon a
Tree. The Meflenger complained to the King, of the
rafhnefs and cruelty of this Proceeding, adding, that he
did not deferve Death, and that he was lorry he had been
the MeiTengcr, or oecafion to have a Perfon put to death,
for (o fmall a Crime, which only deferved Whipping, or
fome fuch kind of Pimifhment; that he only came in or-

" der to have him brought before the Governour, to have
bim punifhed. But the King replied, That he might
then take him where he plealed, but he had put it out
of ifis power ever afterwards to be guilty of doing any
roguilh Tricks. But to return: Their Queens, Sons,
snd Daughters, are never permitted to dine at the Go-
vernor's Table with the Kings, but remain with their
Children and Guards at fome diftance from the Houfe.

The fir ft of thefc Queens was drcft with a Peticoat.
made after the European manner, and had her Hair,
which is generally long, thick, and Black, tyed full of
bits of Stuff, fuch as Red, Green, Yellow, and variety of
Other Colours, (o that to an European fhe rather feemsd
like a Woman out of 'Bedlam, than a Queen. She like-
wife had a large Belt about her full of their Peack, or
•wampum, which is their Money, and what they value
above Gold or Silver, but to me it feem'd no better than
our common Snails, or other ordinary Shells; the other
•^ jparts of the Body from the Wafte upwards were all nak-

;*d. The other two Queens were dreft much after the
fame manner, but none like the firft, having not fuch
rich Belts of Money about their Bodies, which to us in
Europe woud not be worth one Farthing.

North CAROLINA.

to

The Indian Women, as well as the Men> arc fwarthy,
but their features are very agreeable and fine as any Peo-
ple you fhall meet with, and few have better and Shar-
per Eyes than they have. Neither did I ever fee but
one Blind Manamongft them, and they ig&ver would give
me any account how he became blind, though I impor-
tun'd them to know the reaion. This blind Man was
kd about with a Boy or Girl by a firing, fo they put
what burthens they pleas'd on his Back, and made him
fcrviceablc after that manner upon feveral Occafions.

The firing they chiefly burn is Pich-Pine, that does
not only itrengthen the Eyes,but preferves them, which I
do not doubt but it does, becaufe the Smoak never offends
the Eyes though you fhould hold your Face over a great
Fire thereof, which is occafioned by the Volatile parts
of the Turpentine, which rifes with the Smoak, being of fo
friendly and Balfamick nature to them, that they are
much relieved thereby, for the Afhesof the Pine-tree af-
ford little or no fixt Salt.

The Indians in general are great Smoakers of Tobacco
(in their Language Uppowoc) which they tell us they had
before the Europeans made any discoveries or that Country.
It differs in Leaf from the fiveet fcented and Oroonolo,
which are the plants we raife and cultivate in America,
Theirs likewife differs very much in the fmel! when it is
Green from our Tobacco before it is cured, neither do they
uiethe fame method in curing it as we do, Therefore the
difference muft be very confiderable in tafte and fmcll, for.
all Men (that know Tobacco) muft allow, that it is the
ordering thereof that gives a hogo to the Weed, rather
than any natural relifti it poffefles when Green. They
make the heads of their Pipes very large, which are ge-
nerally cut out of Stones, the Shanks whereof are made
of hollow Cane, and although they are great Smoakers,

yet

;

,if:

In

the Natural HISTORY <f

yet they arc never known to chew, or make it into Snuff,
but will very freely take a pinch of Snuff out of an Euro-
pan s Box.

The Indians are Strangers to fueh delicacies as ate in.
vogue amongft^et they have plenty of feveral kinds of
Food, as Buffeloes, Vemfon, and Fawns in the Bags of the
Does Bcllys, Bears, Beavers, Panthers, Pole-Cats, Wild-
Cats, Raccoons, Pojjums, Hares, S/juirrepyiiaikgi. with their
Guts in, wild Bull's Beef, Mutton, and Pork, which two
latter. they have from the Cbriftlans. The Deer, which
is fo highly efteemed in European Countries^ for the
delicacie of It's Flefb, is little valued amongfl thefe Sa-
vages, only for the plunder of his Skin. All manner of
wild Fowl that are eatable, viz. Swans, Geefe, Brants ,
Ducks, Turkeys, Pigeons, and feveral other forts of Fowl
that are to be met with in Carolina.

Fijhes of alliorts, both inthefrefla and fait Waters, and
all manner of fhell-fifh, as Tonoifes, Terebins, Oy/iers,
Clams, and the Sting-ray, or Scdte, dryed and molt other
fort of Fifh.es that are known in thefe parts, except the
Conger, Lamprey-Eel, and Sturgeon, our civiliz'd Indians
that live near the Salt-Water will not touch, though thofe
up the Frefhes eat them. And as for Snakes, they fcarce
either kill or cat them, yet fome of the Savages near the
the Mountains are faid to do both. All manner of Wild
Fruits that are palatable, fome of which they dry and
keepagainft the Winter, fuch as Buckle Berries, and feve-
ral other forts of Berries, Wall-nut s, Chef nuts, Haze I -Nuts,
Chinkapins, Acorns, and many other Fruits, as Peaches
which they dry and make Quidonies and Cakes of, that
are very pleafant, grateful, and cooling, but a little Tar-

tifh.

Rockabomine-Meal, which is made of their Maze, or
Indian-Corn parched or pounded, and made into feveral

- - - forts

North CAROLINA.

289

forts of Bread, Ears of Cmt roaftcd in the Summer, and
preferved againft Winttr. Ground-Nuts, or Wild Potatoes,
Oil of Acorns and Wild Pigeons, which they make ufe of
as we do Butter, and feveral ocher things that are to be
met with in great plenty amongft them. They eat
young Wafps when they are white in the Combs, before
they can fly, which is efteemeda very great dainty a-
monglt them, as likewifc Gourds, Meltons, Cucumbers^
Squajbes, Semblens, and Pulje of all forts. Tho' their:
Grounds be very fertile and able to produce much more
than they do; yet they are contented to live upon a little,
and what fmall quantity of Indian-Corn they have is
brought forth by the Induftry of their Wives, who in-
ftead of Ploughs (of which they have none, nor Creatures
fit for tillage) cultivate and dig the Ground with Wooden
Spades and Hots made after their own Faihion, the Men's
minds being wholly taken up in Hunting, efpecially till
they are about 5 o Years ot Age.

The Villuals are common throughout the whole kind-
red and relations, and often to the whole Town, and
efpecially when they are in their Hunting Quarters, then
they all fare alike, there being little or no diftin&iom
obferved amongft them in their eating. It is very ftrange
to ice in all the Places where they have been formerly
fettled, or had their Towns near the Salt Waters, whac
vaft quantities of Oyfter-lhells are to be met with on the
Banks of the Rivers, in luch heaps, that it is furprizing
to behold them : One might reafonably imagine (by
fuch great quantities as are there) that they fcarce liv-
ed upon any thing elfe, or that they mull have been fet-
tled many hundred Years in one Place, which is not com-
mon amongft them, being a People always fiiifting from
one place to another ,as their Fancies lead them.

O o Thcfs

^o The Natural H I ST OR Y of

Thefe Savages live in Wigwams y or Cabins , built with
Poles and the Bark of Trees j their Houies are made
oval, or round like an Cven^to prevent any Damage by
hard gales of Wind, which are common in this Country,
They"make the Fire in the middle of the Houfe, and
have a Hole at the top of the Roof,right above the Fire,
to let out the Smoak. Thefe Dwellings are as hot as
Stoves, where they f wear and deep all Night; the Floors
are never paved or fwepr, fo that the Earth is always
loo(e, much refembling the poor Cabbins that are to be
met with in fcvcral parts of Ireland, only the Indians hav-
ing fuch plenty of Wood, make no earthen Walls to
theirs. The Bark they generally make their Cabbins
with is Cyprefi, or red or white Cedar ; fometimes when
they are a great way diftant from any o£ the/Woods, they
make ufe of the Pine Bark, which is the word fort to cover
their Houfes with. In building thefe Houfes they gee
long Poles of Pine, Cedar, Jjh, Hicfory, or any Wood that
will bend; thefe Poles are generally about the thickneis
cf a Man's Leg at the thickeft end, ftript of the Bark, .
and well warmed in rhe Fire, which makes them tough
and pliable. Then they make iharp points on the thick-
eft ends, and flick them faft in the Ground, about two
yards afunder, in a circular Form, the diftance they de-
fign the Cabin, then they bend the tops and bring them
together, after which they bind their Ends with Bark
of Trees, that is proper tor that ufe, fuch as Elm, or
the long black Mofs that grows on Trees, which feldom
rots ; then they brace them with other Poles to make
them ftrong and firm ,• laflly, they cover them all over
with Barks of Trees (except a hole to let out the Smoak)
that they are warm and tight, and will keep firm againft
Wind and Weather. Thefe are all the kind of Dwel-
lings that are to fee mec with throughout all the Nations

of

North CAROLINA.

291

of the Indians, in thefe parts ot America, except the cm*
lized Kings, who or late have Houtes Fafhioned and
built alter the manner that the Chriflians build theirs.

Thefe DwelHng-Houfes have Benches ah round, ex-
cept where the Door ftands, whereon they lay Beafts
Skins and Macs made of Rubes, on which they deep and
loll, having no other Beds but thefe. In one of theie
Houfcs feveral Families commonly live together, all re-
lated to one another, for thefe Swages do not feem fo
very careful of their Females as the Europeans, having no
Bars or Partitions to keep the Men at a diflance from
the Women. They have other forts or Cabins made
without Windows or Holes at the top, which are their
Granaries, where they keep their Corn and Fruit for
Winter, or Store-Houfes for their Deer or Sever Skins,
and ail other kind of Merchandize that they deal m.
They have Cabbins of another kind made like a Shead,
being only covered over head, the reft left open to the
Air; thefe have Reed Hurdles like Tables to be and fit
on in Summer, and ferve for plcafant Banqueting Houfef
*"m the extremity of the hot Weather.

As for Liquors they have little or none made amongit;
them, neither were they acquainted with any kind of
intoxicating Liquor* before the arrival ot the Chriflians -t
contenting themfelves with the pure Element, but they
are now become very great Drinkers of Rum, and will
part with anything they have to purchaie it; when they
arc a little mellow, they are the molt impatient Crea-
tures living, 'till they have enough to make them quite
drunk, and then they are often the mod mifc able Spec-
tacles in Nature, frequently tumbling into the Fire, and
burning their Arms and Legs to that degree, that the
Sinews are contraded, and they become Cripples *A
their Lives after; befides feveral other misfortunes which,
O o a *ttCild

The Natural HISTORT of

them during their Drunkennefs, as breaking their Bones
and Joints, with many other meiancholly Accidents vet
none lufficienr to deter them from this Practice Drunk-
tnnefs is a Vice fo common amongft them ( if they can
obtain ftrong Liquors) that they drop down and lie quite

*a 4^f W^-? P~oilures as are not fit to be nam-
ed. Thefe bafc Difpoiitions are principally owing to
the meannefs of their Education, being dangers to ail
Arts and Sciences, and the Knowledge of other Coun-
tries, which renders them infenfible of that Virtue and
Decency which other Nations value at fo high a Rate

The chief and only Liquor they admire is Rum, which
they generally drink without any mixture ,• this the £«-
rofeans bring in amongft them, and buy Deey-Skins%
Furrs, and other Commodities with ; they will freely
fell or part with any thing they have in the World f ex-
cept their Wives and Children; rather than not accoai-
plifli their Defigns. They fometimes commit fuch bru-
talities and enormous Vices, as are not fit to be menti-
oned ; yet there are fome few amougft them that will*
In the fear 1708, the Governour fumrnoned ail the
% not drink any ftrong Liquors.

Indian Kings and Rulers in North-qarolina to meet in
order to make a firm and lafting Peace between'the
CMhmm and Indians : At which publick Meeting, the
Indian Kings and Rulers defired, that in the conclufion
or this Peace, it might be enaScd that no Rum fhou'd
be bold to them, which was accordingly granted, and a
Law made by the Englijh, which inflided a penalty on
any white Men that fold Rum to the Indians. But this
Law was never ftndly obferved or put in force, becaufe
the young Indians were fo difguftcd at that Article, that
they tnreatn d to kill the Indians that had-*. Hand in
making it, unlefs it were fpedily laid afide, and that

they

North CAROLINA.

293

they might have Rum fold them as ufual when they
went to the Chriftians Houfes to buy it.

They likewiie oiten times in their Drunken kolicks
cut off their Hair and fell it to the Chriftians, which is
looked upon amongft them as the greatcitdilgrace imagi-
nable ; and the only affront that can be offered them is
to defire them to fell their Hair, when they are fober and
free from Liquors.

The Indians are very revengful, notwithstanding they
always conceal their refentments, but never forget an
injury done, till they have received Satisfaction ; yet they
are the freed People from Heats and paffions (which fo
frequently potfefs the Europeans) of any People I have
ever feen or heard or. They never call any one to an
Account for what they do when they are Drunk, but fay
it was the Drink that caufed his misbehaviour, therefore
he ought to be forgiven : Neither will they frequent
any Chriftians Houfe that is given to Paffion, nor will
ever buy or fell with him, if they can get the fame com-
modities they have occafion for from any other Perfon ;
for they fay fuch kind of People are mad Wolves and no
Men. They feldom or never fight with one another,
uniefs when they are Drunk, nor fhall you ever hear any
Scolding amongft them. For they fay the Europeans arc
always*rangling and uneafy with each other, and won-
der they do not go out of this World, fince they are fo
uneafy and difcontentcd in it. Neither do they (hew the
leaft fign of being deje&ed or caft down at the greateft
calamities that can attend them, except it be the lofs
ofc Friends. For it is remarkable, that all other lofles and
misfortuues end in Laughter, for if their Cabbins fhould
take Fire, and all their Goods be burnt therein (notwith-
standing all willftrive to fave what they can whilft there
is any poffibility, and prevent any farther damage) yet

fach

The Natural HISTORY^

foch a misfortune generally ends in a hearty fit of Laugh-
ter. But if any of their kinsfolks have loft their Lives in
the Flames, it is then the Cafe is altered, and they become
very penfivc and mourn for a coniiderabie time, which
always bears Proportion to the dignity of the Perfon de-
ceafed, and the number of Relations he had near him,
who make a horrid howling during that time.

The Indian Women are never known to icoid, and it is
a thing impoifiblc to hear them make ufe of that unruly
Member the Tongue, with fuch Rage and Malice as our
European Dames are iubject to, whom I could wifh would
itt thefe Indians for a Pattern, by which means there
would be more Quietncfs and better Harmony in mod
Families, than at prefent is co be met with. For when
thefe Indian Women are provoked or affronted by their
Husbands, or any other Pcrfons, they refent the Indigni-
ty offered them in Silence, Tears, or by refufing their
Meat; thefe being always certain Signs that they have
been injured and Affronted.

Neither are the Men Paffionate, or over hafty to %8t
any Affair with too much hade or impetuofity, never de-
termining any Bufinefs of Moment without the greateft
Deliberation and Warincfs imaginable, being more con-
tent with common Accidents and Misfortunes incident
co human Nature (fuch as Loflcs, contrary Winds, bad
Weather, Poverty and the like) than People of more ci-
vilized Nations, I never felt any ill or unfavoury fmeli
in their Cabins, whereas (houid we live in our Houfes as
they do, we fhould be poifoned with our own Naftinefs ;
which confirms thefe Indians to be, as they certainly
are, fome of the f weeteft People in the World.

Their Women when they are young, and at Maturity,
are fine (haped Creatures ( take them in general ) as any
in the Univerfc ; and though they are of a tawny Com-
plexion

North CAROLINA

295

plexion (which is very much occa/ioned by their being
ib much expofed to the Weather, and their continual
daubing and painting themfcives with Bear's Gil, and o-
chcr Ingredients mixed with ir) yet their Features are
very good, their Eyes Black and Amorous, and thejr.
Smiles afford the fmeft compofure a Face can poflefs.

Tk heir Hands are of the fineft make, with fmall long
taper Fingers, and as foft as their Cheeks, the whole Bo-
dy being of a fmoodi Nature, with Limbs of the moil
exquifite iliape. They are Mercenary, except the Mar-
ried Women, who (ometimes beftow their Favours on
whom they like beft, in their Husbands abfence, for
which they never take any Reward : As for the reporc
thacfomc might have heard of them, that they are never
found inconfiant like the European Women, it is intircly
falfe ; for were the old World and the New, put into a
pair of Scales (in point of Conftancy and Chaftity) it
would be a hard matter to deteern which was the heavier.
As for the Trading Girlsi which are thofe defigned to
get Money by Proftitution,thefe are eahly known, by a
particular Tonfure, or cut of their Hair, differing from
all others of that Nation, who are not of their Profeffion ;
which Method is to prevent Miftakes, for thefe Savages
are defirous ( if poiTiblc ) to keep their Wivesto them-
felves, as well as thofe in other Parts of the World.

When any AddrefTes arc made to one of thefe Girls;
fhe immediately acquaints her Parents therewith, and
they tell the King of it (provided he that courts her for
a Bedfellow be a ftranger) his Majefly being mod eom*
monly principle Baud ofthe Nation he rules over, there
being feldom any of thefe Love-bargains made or con-
cluded without his Royal Aflent. fte likewife advifes
her what Bargain to make with her Gallant, who fhews
Ibme Toys he has to prefent her with : But if it hap-

pens

296

The Natural HISTORY^

pens to be an Indian Trader, that wants one of them fog
a Bedfellow, and his got Rum to k\\, he always fees the
King with a large Dram, to confirm the Match.

When any inch Queftion is propofed to thefc Savaaesi
they will debate the Matter amongft themfelves with all
the fobriety and ferioufnefs imaginable, every one of the
Girls Relations arguing the Advantage or Difadvantage
that may enfue from fuch a Nights Encounter, all which
is done with as much fteadinefs and reality, as if it
were the greateft Concern in the World, not fo much
as one Perion fhall be feen to fmile fo long as the De-
bate lads, making no manner of difference betwixt an
Agreement of this Nature, and any other Bargain. If
they comply with the Men's deiire, then a particular
Bed is provided for them either in a Cabin by them-
felves, or elfe all the young People turn out to another
Lodging, that they might not fpoil lport betwixt thefe
Lovers, and if the old People are in the fame Cabin a-
long with them all Night, they lye as unconcern'd as if
they were fo many Statues or logs of Wood, in nowife
offering to difturb them, and that the Man may have
the Satisfaction of his new purchafe, which pleafure is
lometimes bought at too dear at rate. If it be an Indian
of their own Town or Neighbourhood that wants a
Miftrefs, he comes to none but the Girl who receives
what prefents Hie thinks fit to ask, and fo lyes with him
all Night without the knowledge or previous confent of
her Parents or Relations. This familiarity fo kindles
luft, that the young Men will likewife go in the Night
time from one Houfe to another to vifit the young Wo-
men, after which rambling manner they frequently fpend
the whole Night. In their adreffes they find no delays,
for if fheis willing to entertain the Man, (he gives him
encouragement, and grants him admittance, otherwise

North CAROLINA.

29-j

(he withdraws her Face from him and fays, / cannot Jee
youy either you or I muft leave this Cabin and Jltep fame
where elfe this Night. This repuiie makes him immedi-
atly withdraw, and addrefs himfelf to fome more kind
Miftrels, rhat will accept of his favours. Neither doth
it difpieafe the Parents, that their Daughters arc thus
acquainted, knowing by thefe Means thac they can com-
mand the young Men to help them in any Work or Bu-
finefs they have occaiion to ufe them in.

They fee apart the youngeft and pritticft Faces for
trading Girls, who are remarkably known by 4 parti-
cular Tonfure in their Hair (as 1 faid bctorc) which
diftinguifhes them from thofe engaged to Husbands; for
what is accounted amongft us as moil: Criminal, are tak-
en for (lender Trefpaffes amongft them ; tor if a young
Man can get a Favour or his Neighbour's Daughrcr,
it is looked upon as a flight Offence, becaufe they are
not permitted to Marry without the King's Approba-
tion, which is feldom before they are twenty Years o£
age.

Thefe Girls are generally very Mercenary, and who-
ever make ufe of them, engages them with fome gratui-
ty or other, the principal part whereof is for the King's
ufe, exercifing his prerogative over all the Stews of his
Nation, his own Cabbin being very often the chief
Brothel Houfe. As they grow in Years, the hotaftaults
of Love grow cooler, and then they become more (taid
and conftant to their Husbands, if engaged ; many of
them afrer their Engagement or Marriage, are fo re-
fcrved, that they will admit of no other to cheir Embrac-
es but their Husbands.

Thefe trading Girls, after they have led that courfe

of Life feveral Years, in which time they fcarce- ever have

a Child, for it is fuppofed thac they have fome particular

P p ~ Secrec

Tfo Natural HISTORY^

Secret, or Method (with Herbs) by which they prevent
Conception, 'till they arc married, and then never tail
to be fruitful. But ii it Should happen, that fhc brings
forth a Child whM fhe follows this lewd courfe of Lite,
fhe is not only accounted a Fool, but her Reputation
is very much leilened thereby, at lait they grow weary
of the Addreis of fo many Men, and betake themlelves to
a married State, or to the Company or one Man ; nei»
ther does their having been common to fo many, occaii-
on any Blemifh in their Reputation, or hinderance to a
Husband, but rather a Promotion ; for they fay. That
a Woman living other "wife, is not worth a Man s acceptance 9
and never makes a good Wife.

The Men are never to fcoaft of Intrigues with the We-
rner*, if they do, rsone of the Giris will admit or their
Company to their Beds, or have any regard for them
afterwards. This is not out of any tender Regard they
have for their Reputation, rot there is no fuch thing (on
that Account) known amongft them ; although wc may
reckon them the greater! Libertines in the purfuit of
their Pleafures, and moft extravagant in their Embraces,
yet they retain and poffefs a modefty that requires thofc
PaiTions never to be revailed, or made known to the
World.

The Woman is not punifhed for Adultery (this and
Fornication being not fo much as looked upon as a Sin
amongft them) but the Gallant is obliged to make the
Injured Husband Satisfaction, whirh is the Law of Na-
tions, and pra&ifed amongft all the Indians ; the Gallant
that ftrives to evade luch Satisfaction as the Husband
demands, lives daily in danger of his Life: But when
thofe Reparations arc made him, that he is fatisfied,with
all Animollties oeafe, and he is laughed at by the whole
Nation, for. carrying on his Intrigue with no better Con-
duct,.

North CAROLINA

199

du&, than :o be discovered, and pay fo dear tor his
Pleafure,

The /«<#<*«* fay, that a Woman is a weak Creature,
and eafily drawn away by the Man's perfuafion ; for
which rcaion they feidom or never lay any blame on the
Woman, but the Man (that ought to be Mailer of his
his Pailions) for perfuading her to it, ^

They are of very hale found Conftitutions, and their
Breath as i weet as the Air they breath in : The Wo-
men are of fo tender a Competition, that they ieem ra«;
ther deiigned for the Bed than Bondage ; yet their Love
is never of that attentive force or continuance, that any
of them ever run mad or make away with themfelves ort
that Icore. They never love beyond retrieving their:
firft inditferency, and when flighted, are as ready to
untie the Knot at one end, as you are at the other.

I knew an European Man that lived many Years a-
mongft the Indians, and had a Child by one of their Wo-
men having bought her as they do their Wives, and af-
terwards married a Cbnflian : Sometime after he came
to the Indian Town, not only to buy Deer-Skins, but:
likewife to pais away a Night with his former Miilrefs
as ufual, but fhe made anfwer, 7hat jhe thm had for gat
that jhe ever knew him, and that (be never lay with another
Woman's Husband ; fo fell a crying, took up the Child
£be had by him, and went out of the Cabin in great
Diforder, although he uied all poflible means to pacific
her, by offering her Prefents of feverai Toys and Rum9
but all to no purpofe, for fhe would never fee him a%
terwards, or be reconciled.

There are feverai Europeans and other Traders which
travel and abide amongft, them for a long fpace of Time,
fometimes a Year, two or three, and thofe Men com-
monly have their Indian Wives or MiftrefTes, whereby
'-'■' P p a the J

The Natural HISTORY of

they toon learn the Indian Tongue, and keep in good
Fnendflrip with them, befides the fatisfa&ion they have
of a Beutcllow, they find thefe Girls very ferviceable
to them upon feveral occasions; efpecially in dreffino-
their Vi&uals, and inftruding them in the Affairs and
Cuftoms ot the Country -, moreover they get a great
JJradc among!! them ; but the Perion that is referved,
$md doth not thus converfc with their Women it is
difficult for him to accomplifh his Defigns amoneft
the Natives. ■ &

One great misfortune that generally attend the Cbrifth
mt that converfe with thcfe Women as Husbands, is,
that they get Children by them, which are feldom other'
Wife brought up or educated than in the wretched ftate
of Infidelity -, for it is a certain Rule and Cuftom amongft
all the Savages in America (as far as I could learn) to lee
all the Children fall to the Woman's Lot; for it frequent-
ly happens, that two Indians, that have lived together as
Man and Wife for many Years, in which time they
have had feveral Children, if they part, and another takes
her to be his Wife, ail the Children go along with the
Mother $ and therefore on this Account isfis a difficult
matter for the Cbriflians ever to get the Children they
have had by thefe Indian Women away from them, to
bring them up in the Knowledge of the true God, and
the Principles of the Chnftian Faitb,"j}at they live in a
mn'erablc ftate of Darknefs and Infidelity all the Days of
their lives. It is very /urprizing, that feveral Chriftiam
that are accuftomed to the Convention ^ of thefe Wo-
men and their way of living, have been (o infatuated
and allured with that carlefs fort of life, as to continue
with their Indian Wife, and her Relations fo long as
they lived, without ever defiring'to return again a-
snong the Cbriflians, though they had feveral Qpportu-
"'^' - ,; • -.-.... nicies

North CAROLINA,

nicies, and confiderablc Advantages offered them. Of
thefe loft and unfortunate fort or People (as I may pro-
perly term them) there are fome living amongft the Sa-
vage Indians or Carolina to this Day, with whom I have
frequently converted, and exhorted them to return to
the Chriftians, from the Indians, and their abominable
Pradices, and likewife reminding them of what our Sa-
viour Jesus Christ faid, That where two or three are
gathered together in his Name, he wiS grant their RequeH,
which they would not accept, but voluntary remained
amongft them. I likewife urged many other Reafons
and Texts of Scripture, but all to no purpofe, neither
could I have any (atisfa&ory Anfwer from them for their
obftinate and dangerous way of living.

The Indians being of fcveral Nations, have as diffe-
rent Cuftoms amongft them, and he that is the greateft
Warrior, or the beft Hunter, is fure to be the greateft
favorite amongft the Women. The prettieft Girls are
always beftowed upon the chief Men, and uglieft up-
on the lazy and ufelefs Lubbers, as to the Ceremony
of Marriage they have none amongft them, lor the Girls
at Twelve or Fourteen years of Age, or as foon as Na-
ture prompts them, freely bellow their favours on fome
Youth about the fame Age, and io continues them to
whom flic likes beft, changing her Mate as ofcen as fhe
pleafes ; for few or none of them are conftant to one,
'till the greater number of Years has made her capable
of managing her Domeftick Affairs ,• and that fhe hath
try'd the vigour of moft of the Nation fhe belongs to ;
tor the multiplicity of Gallants beforehand are no obje&i-
on or ftain to a Females Reputation, or hindrance to her
advancement, for the more (he hath followed that courfc
of Life, the more (he is valued and refpe&ed, and covet-
ed by thofe of the ftrft Rank amongft them to make *
5r ' -—r. ~' r r, ------ ~- r ' ' Wife

The Natural HISTORY^

of: So that a Virgin, fa much eifceemed and coveted
by the European?, is in little value or requeft amonglt
them.

When a Mao or Woman is arrived at a certain age
ol Maturity, and has palled the Ceremonies practifed
by their Nation, and other Graduations and Qualifi-
cations amongft them, and are allowed to be Houfc-
keepers, it is then he makes his AddreiTes to one or other
of thefe for a Wife : When he has obtained her confent,
the Parents of both Parties (with the content of the
King) agree about the matter, making a promife of
their Daughter to the Man that requires her tor a Wife j
and it often happens that they convcrfe and travel to-
gether fever*! Moons before they are acknowledged as
Man and Wife, or the Marriage publifhed openly, thefc
being Cuiioms allowed among!! them in all parts, After
this, the Man upon the Icaft difguft or diOike may turn
her away, and take another ; But if {he fhould difap-
prove of his Company; a Price is fet upon her, and who-
ever takes her, is obliged to pay the Fine to the former
Husband, then fhe becomes free from him, and is the
la iters Wife.

Sometimes their Captains of War and great Men keep
three or four of thefe Girls for their own ufe, when at
the fame time they are fo impotent and old as to be in-
capable to make ufe of one of them, but thefe will al-
ways have their Due, if there be cither European or /«-
dian that will accept of their Favours.

The Husband is never fo difpleas'd or enrag'd with
the Adultrefs.,astoput her to Death, or even to inflid
any gricvious punifhments on her, though (he be caught
in the very fa<5t. But the rival becomes Debtor to the
cornutcd Husband in iome few trifles of little value
amongft the Europeans (yet much efteemed amongft them)

which

North CAROLINA,

303

which when paid, all animolidcs ceafc and arc laid aildc
between the Husband and the Wife's gallant, otherwife
they are a treacherous generation when thus iojurd.

They will even fomeiimes kt out their Wives for a
Night or two tor a gratuity, and farnedrncs to oblige
their Ncighbonrs or intimate Friends, especially their
great Men, nor do they reckon their Wives Whores foe
lying with thole that are as good or better then them-
selves, and fometimes to gratihe their Wives Inclinations.
A cuftom much like this we read of amougft the Britains%
which was a Society of Wives among certain Numbers,
and by common content. Every Man married a fingle
Woman, who was always after, and alone, efteem'd his
Wife, But it wasufualfor 5. 6. 10. 12. or more cither
Brothers or Friends as they coud agree to have all their
Wives in common, fo that encounters happened amongft
them as they were invited by defire, or favourd by op-
portunity. Yet every Woman's Children was attributed
to him that had Married her, but all had a fhare in the
care and defence of rhe whole Society, fince no Man knew
which were his own. Such were the People and the
cuitoms of the Britons when the Romans invaded their
Ifland dhdtr the Enfignes of "Julius Cafar.

But to return, when a young Indian has a mind for
fuch a Girl for his Wife, he, or fome one for him goes
(as I before obferv;ed) to the young Woman's Father or
Mother, it living, if not, to the neareft Relations, where
he or they ir^x cfreisofthc Match betwixt them; the
Relations rep'ry, they virU cwfider of it: Thisferves for
afufficiem Ahfwer^ 'rill there be a fecond meeting about .
it, where they ierioufly debate the Affair amongft them-
felvcsy th ; hcing commonly preient, ?nd moft oE
the gjfeai '-'ho all give their Opinion about it,

ydiich if they agree- upoos the Womm is immediately

called

304 The Natural HISTORY^"

called to know how fhe approves of the Man (for as it is
reported, they never give their Children in Marriage
without their confent) tor a Husband ; if fhe approves
and is fatisfied, the Man pays fo much for his Wife,
and the handiomer file is, bears the greater price. It
fomeumes happens that the Man has not Effects enough
to pay the Purchafe for her ; but if he be known to be a
a good Hunter, that he can raife and pay the Fine agreed
upon in fo many Moons, or fuch a limited Time as they
propofe, foe is obliged to go along with him asbethroth-
ed, but he is not to have carnal Knowledge of her 'till
all the Obligation or Payment is difcharged. This is
punctually obierved, and then fhe is his Wife.

Thus they live together under one covering for feveral
Months (nil the obligation is fulifiJ I'd) and the Woman
remains the lame as flie was when lhe firft came to him,
as I have been inform'd by the Indians themselves. I am
petf waded that there are but few of the Europeans but
what wou'd break through thefe cuftoms, if they had the
fame opportunities and Liberties allowed them. But the
Indians are not fo vigorous and impetient in the purfuit
of Love, and gratifying their defires as the Europeans
arc, yet the Women are quite contrary ; and thofe Indi-
an Girls that have frequently converfed with the Europe-
ansr never much care for the convention of their own
Country-men afterwards.

They never marry fo near as a firft Coufin, yet they
are allowed to marry two Sifters, or his Brothers Wife ;
and although there is nothing more coveted amongfl
them than to marry a Woman of their own tribe or Na-
tion, which confifts of very few People, fo that they
are all of them related to one another, yet they arc obli-
ged to look out for Husbands and Wives amongft ftrang-
ers and People of another Nation. If aa Indian fhould

tiMt CAROLINA.

3.05

lie with his own Sifter (and that flic proves with Child*
or it is otherwife known) or any oilier near Relations,
his Body is immediately Burnt, and the Athes thereof
thrown into the River, as unwotuiey to temain upon
the Earth. ' Neither is Sodomy* that beaftiy Action
known amongft them, nor have ihey a Name format
abominable Sin in all their Languages.

Thefe Marriages amongif them are no longer bind-
ing than the Man and Woman agiec together, tor either
have liberty io leave each other upon any frivolous ex-
cufc. Bo.h Men and Women commonly marry tour or
five times before they can fettle to their Content ; for
when they thus marry, they do not intend to bind chem-
fclves for as long time as they (hall live* but tor a> iong
only as they lhall agree together aud love each other %
If they grow weary or dilcontented with each other,
they may feparate, which is equally allowed to both Par-
ties; Thus they part without any clamour or noifea
and perfectly indifferent to each other afterwards, and
take no more Notice when they meet, than if hey had
never feen one another, and wonder that the Europeans
do not follow the fame courfe ': But whoever takes the
Woman that was another Man's before, and bought by
him (as they ail art) muit certainly pay to her former
Husband whatibever he gave for her ; But if he fends
her away without any Caufe, (lie keeps the Prefents
given her before Marriage.- If (he be a Widow, and
her Husband died in Debt, whoever takes her to be his
Wife, pays all her late Husband's Obligations, be they
never fo many ; for the Woman is not required or oblig-
ed to pay any thing (unlefs ffie is willing fo to do) that
was owing from her Husbanu, fo long as fhe lives /ingle*
But if a Man courts her for' a Nights Lodging, and ob-
tains it3 if the Creditors have knowledge of it2 they wilt
Q. q makS;

The Natural H I S T O R Y of

make him pay the Husband's Debts, then he may if he
pleaies, take her to be his Wife, or kli her to another
ior his own or a lcfs Purchafe.

. There are feveral of thefe kind of Bargains made in a
Day amongil them (the Women never living the worfe
for this kind or Traffick) for the Men will fell their
Wives at their publick Meetings, as Men do Horfes and
other Gattle at a Fair or Market with us: A Man is
not only allowed to change as often as he pleafes, but
lifcewife to have as many Wives as he is able to main-
tain, though cbey are feldora known to live with more
than one at a time, except it be their great Men, fuch
as l¥ar*Caf tains, &e. The Women have very eaiy tra-
vail with their Children ; fometime* they bring forth
Twins, and are frequently brought to Bed by them-
felves, when taken at a difadvanrage i not but that
they have Midwives as well as Dotiors amongft them,
who make it their Profeffion (for Gain) to affiil and de-
liver Women s Some of thefe Midwives are very know-
ing in-ieverai Medecins that the Country naturally pro-
duces, which moft certainly expedite and make eafy
Births, beiides they are unacquainted with thofe feverc
Pains that follow the Birth in European Women. Their
Remedies «re a great caufe of this eafmefs in that flate,
for the Women will run up and down their Plantations
the fame Day they are delivered, without any fign of
Pain or Sickncfs ; yet they look very meager and thin,
not but that we muft allow a great deal to be owing to
the Climate, and the natural Conftitution of the Women,
whole Courfes of Nature never viiit them in fuch quan«
titics as the European Women have ,• although they
always have plenty of Milk, I never faw an Indian
Woman have large Breafts, which is common amongft
the Blacks or Ntgw Women^they having the largeft and

uglicft

North CAROLINA

3°1

wglieft of any that are to be met with ; neither does the
youngeft Wife amongft the Indians ever fail of proving
(o good a Nurfc, as to bring up her Child free from the
Rickits, and difaftcrs that proceed from the Teeth, with
many other Diftempers which are frequent amongft the
Children in Europe.

They let their Children (amongft whom are many
Olive Beauties) fuck 'till they are well grown, unlefs they
prove big with Cmld fooner than ufual. They always
.nurfe their own Children themfelves, unlefs S<cknefs or
Death prevents rhem. I only once fawa Nurje hired to
give Suck to an Indian Woman's Child, the Mother hap-
pening to have a fit of ficknefs not long afcen her deli-
very ; by which not only her Strength was much impair-
ed, but like wife the Milk in her Breafts. As foon as the
Child is born, they waft it in cold Water in the next
Stream 01 River, then anoint or bedaub it all over with
Bear's Greafe and other Ingredients, as I have before ob-
ferved ; after their Delivery they wafli themfelves in the
Waters, and abfent themfelves from the Company of
Men for forty Days. The Husband takes care to pro-
vide a Cradle, which* is foon made, confiding only of 2
piece of flat Wood that they hew with their Hatchets to
the likenefs of a Board, about two Feet long and a Foot
broad, to this they brace and tie the Child very clofe,
having near the middle a Stick faftned about two Inches
from the Board, for the Child's Bre.cn to reft on, under
this they put a Wad otMoft that receives the Child's Ex-
crements, by which means they can very readily Ihift
the Mofs, and keep all clean and fweet. They are apt
to have the Bodies and Heads of their Children flat,
which is owing tothefe kind of Cradles, yet they are the
moil portable things that can be invented, there being a
String from one corner of the Board to the other, where-
Q.q a H

m

|o8 The Natural HISTORY of

■£y the Mother flings the Child on her Back, fo that the
Want s Back is towards hers, and it's Face to the Sky i
%i it rains flic throws her Leather or Woolen Match-coat
pver her Head, which covers her all over, and fecures her
gffld the Child irom the injury of the Weather. Thefc be-
ing the «?nly kind of Cradles that are common through-
put ail America, b

The Women quit all manner of Company, neither do
they crefc their own Victuals during their Purgation ;
after they hive had feverai Children, they grow Irangfe.
Jyout of Shape in their Bodies ; as for Barrenefs it is
fedora or never known amongft them, their Women
molt commonly proving very fruitful, efpecially after
Marriage every Cabin being full of Children, who are
taught as foon as they grow up to Fijb, and Hunt in the
Woods, and to do what is neccflary about their Houfcs,
*u* to beat Indian Com, and the like, for they do not
take the leaft Care of their Education, being Grangers
to all Arts and Sciences, fo that they lead a very idle
Life. ' ■ - .-

They name their Children according to their own
'fancies,^ which is quite different to either the Father or
Mother s Name. This Name they keep (if a Bov) 'cili
they arrive to the Age of a Hunter, ox a Warrior, which
is commonly at fixtecn or leventeen Years, then they take
a Name to tiumfdves as they think proper, fome being
called > Eagle, Jyger, Panther, AStgator, or fome fuch
wild Cn^unc, eitteming- nothing on Earth worthy to
give them Name, but fuch kind of Wildfowl or Beafts
Some hfcwife take the Names of fome Fr/b, which they
«&eep as long as they live. ■•:-•...-. *

They number their Age by Moons ox Winters, and fay
a Woman or a Man is fo many Moons or Winters old,
md (q ihey do with all memorable A&ions in life,
1 ' accounting

North CAROLINA.

309

accounting it to be (o many Moon* or Winters fince fuch
or fuch a thing happened. Tney likewise can guefs tol-
lerably well at the time of the Day by the height of the
Sun. Though they have no different Names tor Sun or
Moon7 vet they undcriland the la iters Age, having no
other Computation of Time but alter this manner.

They have no Sabbath, or certain Days of Reft ap~
pointed for Devotion amongft them, that I ever could
oMerve, except we will allow of their Feafts to be their
feftival Days, fet appart for that purpofe. However
thofe that are frequently amongft the Chnjiians, and
(peak the Englifi Tongue, know very well when it is
Sunday, or the Englifi Man s Gods Day, as they term it.
In thefe Parts they havelikcwife a particular and diftinft
Name for Chrifimas, which they call Winkk-kejhufe , ot
the Englijh-Mans Gods Moon.

They name the Months according to what moftly is
produced or taken in each of them, as one is called
Herring-month, which is March, another the Strawberry-
month, which is April, another the Mulberry-month, Ot
May j others name them by Trees that bud or bloffom at
particular Seafons of the Year, fuch as the Dogwood-tree^
lulip-tree, and many others. Others again make out their
Seafons from the flight of Birds, fuch as Swans, and ma-
ny other Fowl, and fome from the Gobling of Turkey
Cocks, which is in March, and April; for when they are
out iti their Hunting matches they fay they will returne
Home when the Turkey Cock begin to Gobble.

The Jnaians are not Jealous like the Spaniards and
other European Nations, neither do they know what
Jealouflv is, becaufc they never think their Wives un-
conftant unlets they are Eye witneffes thereof. They
are generally bafhful, efpccialiy the young Maids, who
when they come into a ftranee Cabin where they arc

not

3io The Natural HIS T O R Y of

not acquainted, never ask for any thing, though they be
ever fo Hungry or Thirfty, but lit down without fpeak-
a Word, tiii fome of the Houie ask them fome Qucftf-
ons, or fall into ciifcourfe with the Stranger.

The Women (as I obiervM before) never Scold with
each other, and no People in the World more tender and
Indulgent of their Children, fo that they feldom or ne-
ver coired or chaftife them, which I am perfwaded is a
very great region .thac they are not tfiven to Scold (like
the European*) when they come to Men and Women's
Eftate.

They have few or no complements amongft them,
except fluking of Hands, and fcratching on the ftioul-
der, which are the greater* marks of affection and fince-
rity that can be (hewed amongft them, not only to
Strangers but to each other. And it is worthy of obfer-
vation, to iee when the War Captains (who are Men
of the greateft efteem amongft; them, next the King)
Come to the Cabins of the inferior Indians, that at his de-
parture they fcratch his fhoulder, which is look'd upon
amongft them, as the greateft honour, Complement, or
marke of diftin&ion they can confer on fo great a Man.

They do not exprefs Fare you well, but when they
leave the Houfe or Company will fay, I go ftraight away,
which is to intimate their departure, and if the Man of
the Houie has any Meflage to fend by the Perfon going;
he may acquaint them therewith. Neither does their
Language allow them to fay, Sir, lam your Servant, be-
caufe they have little or no Degrees of Quality or Titles
for Man, only King, War Captain, Old-man, or Toung-
Man, which refpect the ftations and Circumttances,that
Men are employed in or arrived to, and not Ceremony.
Neither is the Name of Matter fo much as known amongft
?hem. And as for Servant, they have no fuch thing,

except

North CAROLINA

311

except Slave, for their Dogs, Cats, Wild and Dome/iick
Btaftiznd Birds are call'a by the (am: Name, for the /«-
dura-word tor Slave includes them aii ; fo when an Indian
tells you, he has got a Slave jor yon, it may (in general
terrm as they uiej be a young Eagle, a Dog, Pojfarn, Ottor,
or any other thing of that Nature, which is obfequioufly
to depend on the Matter for its Sufler-ance.

When the Europeans come in amongft them to their
Towns, though perhaps the Indians are well acquainted
with feme of them, yet not one of them will fpeak to
them, till the King pays the firft complement, which is
flaking of Hands, and biding them welcome, after him
the War Captains, Dotlors or Priefts fo on gradually from
high to low, not one of all thefe fpcaking to the Europe-
an till his fuperior has ended his Salutation. After all
this Ceremony is over then every Indian has liberty to
fp^ak and convcrfc with his European acquaintance, this
being an honour due to the King and his great Men5
which is moil ffrictly obferved amongft them.

It is common amongft the European traders who tra-
fick with the Indians, if they find no Body at Home, to
make ufe of their Huts, or Cabins and other neceffaries
that they find in them, fuch as Indian Com, Peas, Beans,
Chinkapin, Nuts, Wall-nuts, and feveral other Nuts, and
Fruits, Pigeon s,-Oil, Barbacu'd Venifn, Peaches, and
Peach- Bread, thefe Peaches are like wife made into a
Qutddmy, and then into Loaves like Barley Cakes, which
cut into thin Slices and difolved in Water, make a very
greatful and cooling Drink, all which they allow the
Chriftian Traders to do, in lieu whereot they moft com-
monly leave forxie fmalJ gratuiry fuch as Tobacco, Beads,
or fome other Trifles of this Nature, (which are kindly
received and acknowledged by them) and ihm proceed
m their intended Journey,

The

3i2 The Natural HIS TOR I of

I

The Women's drefs in fevere and cold Weather are
Peticoats, Blankets, or Tail-clouts ( which of late they
have purchaied from the Europeans ) or a Hairy Match-
coat made in the nature or a Plad of the Skins of fe ve-
ra! wild Beafts, which keeps out the Cold, and (as I
faid before) defends their Children from the prejudices
of the Weather, at other times they have only a kind of
flap or Apron containing two Yards in length, and bettsr
rhan half a Yard deep, to cover the Privities, which is
done only for decency, both Men and Women being ao
cuftomed from their infancy to an entire Nakedncfs, for
they go with their Feet, Body, and Head bear, all fca-
fons or the Year. Others wear Blue or Red Flaps made
of Bays and Plains, which they buy from the Europeans^
both of which they tuck ki at the Corners, to fatten thac
kind of Garment, and at other times they make it fail
with a Belt: Sometimes they wear Meggiz>ons or Indian
Shoes made oiDeer-Skins, after the manner as the Men's
are. Some of them like wife have in Winter Blue or Red
Stuff faftned about their Legs inftead of Stockins.

The Hair of their Head is made into a long Roll like
a Horfes-tail, and adorned or bound round with Ronoak
or Procdan, a kind of Beads they make of Conk-fieRs,
which is the Money the Indians make ufe of in chefe parts.
Others that have not this, make a Leather firing or
iome pieces of Green or Red Stuff fervc, others adornc
their Hair with Beautiful Flowers and Feathers of f<£»
veral Birds : After this manne. they make their appear-
ance, when they come along with their Husbands a*
naongft the Chnfliam.

The Men have Match-coats of Hair, Furs, Feathers 3
or Cloth, and their Hair rolled upon each Ear as the
Women's, only much fliorter, and frequently a Roll
on the Crown of their Head and Temples^ as they fan-

fit

North CAROLINA.

3*3

cy, there being no great nicety or flri&nefs in their
Drefs. They make their Stockins of pieces of Blue or
Red Cloath, which they fallen about their Legs with
(mail Splinters made of bits of the Pitch fine-wood, or
any other Wood. Others fallen them on with Strings on
the out fide of the Leg like Buskins. Sometimes they
wear great Bobs in their Ears, others in the holes thereof
gut Eagles and other Birds Feathers for a Trophy ; when
they kill any Fowl, they commonly pluck of the downy
Feathers and flick them all over their Heads, which make
them appear more frightful than Ornamental, and more
like People diftra&ed than in their Senfes* At othec
times both Men and Women wear great Belts arid Neck-
laces of their Money made of Couk-fiells, and often times
Bracelets made of Brafs and Ion-wire, and fevcral other
"Toys which they purchafe from the Chrijiians.

Others have their Hair made up in long roils, where-
in are tied feveral bits of Stuff of various colours, inch
as Yellow, Green, and Red, and the like, as the Women do.
Betwixt their Legs comes a piece of Cloth that is tuck'd
in like a Belt both before and behind ; this is contrived
to hide their Nakednefs, of which Decency they are
find obfervers, though never pra&ifed before the Chrifli"
am came amongft them, Some wear Shoes of Buck or
jBear Skins, which they will tan in an Hour or two with
the Bark of Trees boiled, wherein they put the Leather
whilfl hot, and let it. remain a fhort time, whereby it be-
comes fo qualified, as to endure Water and Dirt with-
out growing hard. Thcfc Moggii.ont or Shoes have no
Heels, but are made as fie fur the Feet, as a Glove for
the Hand, and eafie to travel in when one is a little
ufed to them.

The leather Matcfawats are exceedingly pretty, fome

jbfc which are beautifully wrought with variety of Colours

R 1 arid

gi4 The Natural HISTORY of

and Figures, which feem at a diftance like a fineflowr-
id Silk-fiag, when new and frefh, chey ferve a Bed in-
ftead ot a Quilt, Some Match-coats art made of £fa/r, as
Racoons , Beavers, or Squirrel? s Skins, which are very
warm. Others again are ms.de of the green pare of
the Skin ot the Mallards head3 and other Fowls wnich
they flitch ot fow perfectly well together, their Thread
being either the Sinews of a Deer divided very imail, or
JSilkrgrafs, when thefc are finifliid they look mod beau-
tifuly, though they mud needs be very troublcfome and
tedious to make. But thofe that have plenty of Deer
Skins frequently buy the Englifa made Coats > Blankets,
&c, yet few are ever known to buy or wear Breeches
(except their Kings and great Men) faying they are too
much confined in them, and prevents their fpeed in run-
ning, leaping, and other exerafes.

There was formerly a Nation of Indians called the
Pafquotank Indians 3 who kept Cattle and made Butter,
but at prelcnt there is do Such thing to be found amongit
them or any other Nation in thefe Parts ; had thefe in-
clinations in thofe poor Savages met with that encourage-
ment (from the Englifi and other Europeans fettled in
North-Carolina ) which in juftice, Piety and Virtue
(ought to be the practice of every Chrifiian) I do not
doubt but that they wou'd foon be converted, and with
joy embrace the Ckifti an- faith, and belivc us to be a
snore worthy race of People than themfelves, by our
good Actions and Morals. But on the contrary, they
have been formerly defrauded of the Lands allotted them,
which was the occaiion of a long and vexatious War to
the Chriftians, aid it frequently happens (at this Day)
that the Europeans (which I am furry I have occaiion to
mention) meet thofe poor Indians in the Woods, and not
only beat and abufc thsra, but commonly rob them of

their

North CAROLINA 315

their Furs, Deer Skins, and other commodities which they
have acquired with fo much pains and fatigue. I have
known teveral complaints lo the Governor of fuchufage
during my abode in mat Country, which Hiews the
grcaceit ingratitude in Nature, when we con&dcr how
ready thefc poor Creatures are co ferve and oblige us, in
wiut ever ailiftance we want from them. And that in
moil of the Colonics already well Peopl'd with Chriftiatts9
it woud be impoffible for them to live ( for their own
Slaves the Negroes wou'd deftroy them) only for them
who upon all occasions are ready to fupptefs them when
they Rebel againft their Mailers, which they frequently
do in Virginia and many other parts of America belong-
ing to Che Crown of England,

Their dreflfes are as different as the Nations to whom
triey belong, fo that it is impolTiblc to recount all the
whimfical Figures that they commonly make by their
Aritick dreiies. Bt fides Carolina is a warm Country, and
very mild in its Winters to what Mary-Land, Penjtlvsnia?
Ntvi-Tork, the J erfie 1,01 New-England are, wherefore our
Indian Habits d.ffer very much from the dreffes that are
ulcd by the Savages that inhabit thofe cold Countries s
In regard their chiefeft cloathing for the Winter Scafora
is made of the Furs of Bevers, Raccoons, and other Nor*
thren Furs, as the Monack-Meor, Marten, Black-Fox, and
many other Beafts that are to be met with to the North-
ward, that wc are unacquainted with here.

Their drels in Peace and War are quite different froim
fomc Nations before they go to War, the Women comb
out their Hair and anoint it with Bears-grtafi} /and ^thc
Red Root, and likcwife adorn it with Feathers ©f various
beautiful colours, befides Copper, Iron Rings, md fome~
times Wampum or Peak in their Ears. Moreover they
buy red Colours of the Indian Traders, wherewith they
■ *-- r[2 " film

gi-6 The Natural HISTORY of

Paint their Faces all over as red as Vermillion, and com-
monly makca circle of Black about one Eye, and another
circle of White about the other.-, whM otherjbedaub their
Faces with 7obaccopij)eClay% Lamp-black, Black Lead, and
divers other' colours, fuch as Green, Blue, and the like,
thefe they make with feveral forts of Herbs, Minerals,
and Earths, that they get in different parts ot'th'e Coun-
try where they Hunt and Travel When thefe People
are thus Painted they make the nioft frightful Figures
that can be imitated by Men, and feem more like Devils
out of Hell than any human Creature upon Earth, the
reafon why they thus Paint themfelires is becaufe they
believe it adds to their Courage and ftrikes a terror in
j heir Enemies.

It is wort jiy of Gbfervation, that whenever you meet
them thus difguis'd or Painted, you may be fure that
they are about fome mifchief or other, for in all Hofti-
lities that have ever been a<5ted againft the Chriftians at
any time in feveral of the Plantations of America, thefe
Savages always appear'd in thefe difguifes, whereby they
might never after be difcovered or known by the Chrif-
tians that friend happen to fee them after they had made
their efcape ; for it is impoffible ever to know an Indian
under thefe Colours, although he had been ever fo often
at your Houfe, and you were molt intimatly acquainted
with him before he put on this difguife.
., As for the Women, they feldom or never ufe any
Paint on their Faces, except Bear's-Greafe, or Lamp~bfoch%
when they mourn for their dead ; neither do they carry
their Women along with them into the Field of Battle,
or when they intend any Expedition (as they do in ma-
ny payts of the Eaftren Country) , but always leave them
at home with the old Men and Children, to provide all
Banner of Neccflkries for diem, By their different

North CAROLINA

3*1

way of Paintinf, they rcprefent moft of the A&ionsm
Lite, fuch as War, Peace, Feafis, Death, and the like,
ufmg different Colours or Paintings iuitable to each oc-
caiion. When they are thus Painted, they go to Battle
ia the following manner : Each Man takes his Gun,
and a fufficient quantity of Powder and Bali, or if he
has not thefe, his Bow (which is about an £11 long)
and Arrows, about eighteen Inches, made of (mail Canes,
fomc ot them are very artificially headed with fharp
Stones, SheBt,Teetb of Fifi, or hardned after their manner,
the other End being Feathered with two Feathers, and
ped with the Guts of fome Beaft when green and moift ;
each of them has likewife a Tamakawk or fmali Hatch-
et} and Cutlajhes, when they can get them purchased by
any means from the Europeans. They alfo ule Clubs
or long Poles (in the ends whereof they fallen very
artificially {harp Stones, or the Horns of Beaits ) and
wooden Swords, hardened after their manner ; fome-
times they have wooden Bread-plates for their defence ;
thefe being all the Weapons that are made ufe of amongfl
the civilized, and Savdge Indians m thefe parts.

The way of waging War is fo harfh, that one mult
have a Body of Steel to bear the Fatigues they arc o-
bliged to undergo. They give but little Quarters, and
ifthcy are taken Prifoners, they are never exchanged :
When one Nation is engaged hi War with another,
there is little Valour ufed, though they accomplish no-
table Exploits by Craft and Stratagem, for they do not
attack each other by open Force, but dividing themfel ves
into fmali Parties, twenty five or thirty Men lie in Am-
bufti near the Village they defign to attack, 'till Night,
then they fct upon the Huts that lie difperfed in the open
Country, ifthcy meet with any aged Men they kill them,
woffthcic Hads. Hands* and Feet, nay, if they have

--------- -- -;-;-- ■ -;-— ; * " Eimea

gig The Natural HISTORY^

time, cue them ail into fmall pieces, that every one
ma> cake a.ong with him a part, as a iignal of his Bra-
vtt) : But if the Enemy are alarmed, they are glad to
be contented with the Head alone, or perhaps a Lock
or the Hair, which they carry home in triumph, as an
unuoubtcd ligii of their Bravery. When they intend to
do a bold Exploit, they enter a Village at Night, force
crcn a Hau(e, kill all they meet with, and then betake
t.,cmfelvesto their Heels, tor fear of being purfued by
ijsen Enemies. If they engage in the open Field, their
ehier Uchgn is to draw one another into an Ambufli;
but the deach of one or two Men commonly decides the
Quarrel, that Party which has loft them, returning im-
mediately.

Whcn^ they go to War, they carry their Idol with
them, of whom lUy tell incredible Stones, and ask
Council, as the Antients were wont to do with the Ora-
cle ot Apollo, and then proceed upon their intended Ex-
pedition, with their Kings or Wat- Captains, who march
firft, with a Club in one Hand, and a Bow in the other,
with a Quiver full of Arrows, all the reft follow him to-
wards the Battle, with fuch Weapons as they can con-
veniently get, (inging Songs inftcad of Drums and
Trumpets, and whilft they fight, there is nothing to be
heard but Skrecches and Cries amongft them, and it is
accounted a great Battle amongft them where three or
four arc killed, or made Captives.

They are a People that never forget Injuries done
by their Enemies, and feldom ccafe 'till they have Sa-
tisfaction, but before they go upon any Expedition, they
often affemble in Council together, and there debate the
Matter in hand, and take thofc Resolutions that they
judge moil advifable to be done5 being a People never.
m§i hafty in what they do*

They

wmmawm m

North CAROLINA

319

They make great Feafts after they have obtained a
Vi&ory over their Enemies, for feveral Days together,
where they drink great quantities of Taupan Tea, and
whatever Trophies they obtain in Battle, they carefully
bring home to their Towns, and place them all together,
round which they Dance for feveral Hours, (hewing all
the figns of Joy imaginable, their young Men and Wives
iinging Songs of Praife to their War Captains and great
Men, for their late Conqueft over their Enemies,* they
like wife make the molt antient Women of the Country
Dance, holding the Hair of their Enemies in their
Hands.

Their manner of War amongft thcmfelvcs, is either
by fuddenly furpming each other, which is moft com-
monly done about the dawning of the Day, Moon-lighr,
or by Ambufhesj fet Battles being very rare, except ic
be where there arc many Trees, to have a place or Re-
fuge or Defence after every Shot, or the delivery of tneir
Arrows, by leaping behind them, or fome other fheltcr.
When they go to War or their Hunting Maiihe& the
Vi&uals which they generally carry with them \^B>tad%
Indian Corn, dried Fruits, of feveral forts, Honey, and
Meal made of Maix. parched in the Fire, this they can
prefervc for a long time without receiving any damage;
they likewife carry dried lijb upon chefe ocrafions, and
thefe are moil commonly all the Frovifions they take
■with them.

The Cruelty they ufe to their Prifoners of War, is
fcarce to be paralel'd, becauie they ftrive to invent the
moft inhuman and barbarous Butcheries for thefe mi-
serable Wrenches that happen w rbeir power, that is pof-
fible for rheooielves or Devil* to invent. Thefe Savages
efteem Death to be no Puniihmcist, bur an advancement
s® ham thac is t$km out of the World Into another 1

shereiore

The Natural BIS TORY of

therefore they infiict on them thefe cruel Torments, in
prolonging Life in that miferable (late, as long as they
can, and never mifs Sculping oi thefe Wretches (as they
call it) which is to cut oft the Skin from the .Temples,
and take the whole Head of Hair along with it from
the Scull, like a Cap ; this they hang at their Belts,
and carry to their Towns for their Wives and Chil-
dren to be fpe&ators of. They foirietimes take the tog
of the Scull along with it, all which thcy^ preferve
and carefully keep by them to fhew their Conqueft, and
Victory over their Enemies". Some of them keep their
Enemies Teeth, which are taken in War ; wh'ilft others
fplit the Pitch-Pine and flick the Prifoners Bodies (whilft
alive) full of them, which they fet fire to, and burn like
fo many Toarches : In this manner they make him
dance round a great Fire, every one buffeting and de-
riding him 'till he expires ; then every one prefent ft rive
to get a Bone or Come other Relick of this unfortunate
Captive, Whatever Weapons they kill or wound their
Enemies with, they let the Blood remain on it as a Tro-
phy of their victory.

It is remarkable, that if any of the young Fellows
who have been at at the Wars, and had the fortune to
take a' Captive, returns the proudeft Creature upon Earth,
and fetsfuch a Value on himfelf, that he fcarce knows
how to contain in his Scnfes. In all their Wars they ne-
ver deflroy the Women or Children that they make
Captives, but carefully preferve them.

The Iroquois, or Sannagers, and Charohss, arc the moft
pewerful and warlike Indians that we know of in thefe
Parts, being always at War, and not to be perfuaded
from that way of living by any Arguments or Pcrfuafi-
ons whatlbever. They live near the Mountains, and
there has been fcycral Methods ufed by the Chriftians to
------- - perfwade

North CAROLINA.

32s

petfwade them to live peaceably with the Tusktrurot
(who are one of the Civilized Nations, amongft the
Englifk that live near the Sea) notwithstanding thefe In-
dians very much defire to make Peace, and woud i ubmit
to the former, yet their anfwer is, that they cannot live
without War, which they have ever been accuftomed toa
and that if peace be made with them or any other Nati-
on they War withal, they mult find out fome others to
wage War againft. But for them to live in peace is to
live out o£ their element, War, Conqueft, and Murder,
being what they always delight in, and value thcmfelves
for. Yet they have not molefted the lusktruros, of late
Years, and it is fuppofed that they are now at Wat with
the Indians on the other fide of the Mountains, and
though they may feem fuch a Barbarous People, yet they
are very fond of the Chriftians, and ufe them with all
manner ot civility when they meet them in the Moun-
tains where they conflantly trade with each other.

When they take a Prifoner, and intend to keep him as
a Slave to Work in their Fields, they flea the Skin from
the letting on of his Toes to the middle of his Foot, cue
of one half of his Feet, wraping the Skin over the
Wounds and then healing them. By this cruel and Bar-
barous method the Indian captive is hindred from mak-
ing his cfcape, for he can neither run faft or go any,
where but his feet or Stumps are more eafily traced and
difcovered, yet 1 have fcen fome that made their efcape
from their Enemies though they weredifabled after this
manner.

. The Indians ground their Wars chiefly on Enmity^
not on Intereft, as the Europeans generally do, for the
lofsofthc meaneft Perfon in the Nation, they will go
to War and lay all at Stake, and profecute their defign
to the mmoft, till the Nation chey were injured by be
§ f wholly

322 The Natural HISTORY of

wholly dcflroycd, or make them that fatisfa&ion whicb
they demand.

They maintain continual Wars one Nation againfl
another, which fometimes hold for Ages, killing and
making captive all they can, till they become fo weak
that they are often forced to make peace for want of a
fufficicnt number of Recruits to fupply their Wars ,• fo
that by thefe continual Wars, and the art they have and
often practice of Poyfoning one another, which they do
with a large white Spongy Root that grows in their
frcih Marfllcs, many numerous and formidable Nations
are dwindled away to a handlul of Men in comparifon
to what they were fixty Years ago. and it's flrangc to
imagine how many hundred Miles they come to make
War on each other ; without any vifiblc view of Interest
in Lands, or Riches, which are the chief motives of all
European Princes^ waging War againft each other.

They are very Politick in waging and carrying on
sheir War, firfl by advifing with all the anticnt Men of
conduct and reafon that belong to their Nation ; fuch as
fuperanuated War Caf taint, and thofe that have been
Counfellors amongftthem for many Years,, whofc Advice
has fucceeded well. They have likewife their Field
CcuHfeOorSy who are accuftomed to Ambufcadcs and Sur-
prire*, which methods arc commonly ufed by them in
thefe parts, for you fhall feldom hear of a Field or fee
Battle fought amongft them.

Yet before they undertake any enterprises, they meet
ievcral Mornings together in their State»Houfes, where
the King repaireth, and Is placed on a feat which is ge-
nerally higher than any of his Retinue*s, where all of
them falute him ; as foon as the Salutation is oyer, every
om fits down according to their Degrees or Seniority,
and if there be any thing to be debated, the King calls
- '" '" r his

North CAROLINA.

323

his Priefts and the mofl anticne Men of his Nation and
asks their Advice. Afterwards he commands Cajftna to
be urought, and when he has drank a Cup full of the
Liquor (which holds about a Pint and a half) they ail,
one after another drink the lame proportion out of the
fame Cup.

This drink is in fuch great requelt amonglt them, that
no Man is permitted to taftc thereofin this publick Af~
fembly unlefs he has fignalizcd himfclf in the Wars a*
gaiv.ft his Enemies; Valour being highly cflccmed a-
laongft them : They drink this Tea very warm, which
makes them iweat plentifully, and has the virtue to take
away Hunger and Tbirfl for twenty four Hours.

Thefe Indians exercifc their young Men very much in
Shooting with their Bows and Arrows, the Strings
whercor are made of the Guts of the Stag, or of a Stag's
Skin, which they know how to drefs as well as any
People in Europe, and with as different forts of Colours j
there being plenty of feveral beautiful Dies in this Coun-
try, which they are well acquainted with, they likewife
take great plcafurc in Hunting and FIfliing, wherein
they are very expert.

I will give you fome few Inftances of their Politicks
and Expeditions, which are worth mentioning. The
firft was thus, two Nations were at War with each o-
thcr, and both Parties were in rhe Woods or Forrcft
ranging to fee what Enemies they ceud take or deftroy*
The leffer Number found they were difcovercd by
the greater, and that they cou*d not well get over a Ri-
ver (that lay betwixt them and their Home) without
engaging the other party, whofc Numbers were much
kperior, they immediately called a Council, which being
met, and having weighed and debated their prefent cir~
cumftances, with many arguments for a confiderable time,
S f a and

3^4 The Natural HISTORY 0f

and found their Enemies advantage, and that they could
"°t Poffibl) 'expect any fucctfs in engaging inch an une-
qual Number. They at laft concluded on this Strata-
gem, which in my opinion carried a great deal of policy
along with it. It was, that the fame Night they fhould
make a great Fire, which they were certain would
fee difcoverd by the adverfe party, and there drefs up
Logs of Wood ir i their Cloaths, and make them ex-
actly feem like Indians that were raft aflcep by the Fire-
fide (which is their way when they are Hunting or
©therwife in the Woods) fo faid they, our Enemies will
fire upon thefe Images, fuppofing them to be Men, while
we lye in Ambufcade, and after their Guns are unloaded
4we lhail deal well enough with them.
^ This refult was immediately put in execution, and the
Fire was made by the fide of a Vally where they lay
perdue, very advantagioufly all Night. Thus a little
before break of Day they came down to the Fire, and at
once fired in upon thefe Logs in the Indian Cloaths and
run up tothem expeding they had fciU'd every Man
dead upon the Spot, but they foon found themfelvcs to
fee miftakefl, for then the other Indians who had lain ail
she Night flark-naked, attacked them with their loaded
Pieces, which fo furpriz'd them, that every Man was
taken Pnfoner and brought in bound t© their Town
lome of whom were fold to t\\zEngliJb for Slaves.

There was another extraordinary Inftanceof this Na-
ture that happened betwixt the Machapunga Indians and
the Corallines, living on the Sand-banks near MacbaPuura
Rtver, which carries a great deal of Treachery and Bar-
parity m it, and is as follows. The Macbapungas were
snvited to a fcaft by the Ccranines (which two Nations
had been a long time at War together, but had lately
concluded a Peace) thereupon the Macbapunga Indians

■■■ ~- * ■■■•" so©k

North CAROLINA,

3*5

took the advantage of coming to the Coranims reaft9
and to avoid all iufpicion, and that there >vas a good
harmony and understanding now amotrgft them; the
Machapunga King who though of a Savage nature, was a
great Politician, and very flout, order'd all his Men to
carry their Tamahawks along with them under their
Match-coath which they did, and being acquainted when
to fall on, by the Word given, they ail (upon this de-
fign) fet forward for the feaft5 and came to the Cora-
nine-uvm, who made them welcome, and had gotten
Victuals, Fruit, and fuch things as make an Indian En*
tertainment ; having provided all things neceffary to
make thcis new Guelts welcome, after Dinner towards
the Evening ( as it is cuftomary amongft them) they
went to Dancing ail-together i when the Machapunga
King faw the beft opportunity offer, he gave the Words
and immediately his Men pulled out their Tamahawks, or
Hatchets from under their Match-coats, killed ieveral,and
took the reft of them Prifoners, except iome few that were
not at the Feah\ and about four or five that made their
efcape ; fomc of thefc they fold as Slaves to the Englifi*
At the time this was done, thefe Indians had nothing but
Bows and Arrows, being intire ftraftgers to Guns and
their ufes; neither arc any of the two former Nations to
be met with (at this Day) living near Mahcapunga Ri*
wer, which place is well inhabited by Chriflians.

Their Dances are of different Natures, and for every
fort they have a different Song or Tune, which is allot-
ted for each Dance. Upon thefc occasions they will con-
tinue dancing for fcveral Nights together, with the great-
eft brisknefs imaginable, their Wind never failing them s
In a War-Dance they have Warlike Songs, wherein they
esprefs with all the paffion and vehemency imaginable
what they intend to do with Eheir Enemies i how they

will

h ;| ,::•;;;

!l|

The Natural HISTORY©/

will kill, road, fculp, beat, and make Captives fuch and
fuch numbers of them, and how many they have destroy-
ed already : Whatever Trophies they have gained in
War are fct up for all thofe prefent to behold, round
which they Feafl and Dance with the greateft cxtaiic of
Joy that can be cxpreft or fhewn by them.

All the Songs are made new for every Feaft, neither
Is one and the fame Song fung at two fevcral Feftivals •
fome one of the Nation (who hath the beft gift of ex-
preffing their Dcfigns) is appointed by their King and
War Captains to make thefe Songs j thefe Perfons or Po-
ets being in great requcfl with the King, and Nation to
whom they belong-.

Their Peace Dances are generally made at their
Feafts, and are of another Nature • as when fevcral
Towns, and fometimes different Nations have made
Peace with one another, then it fuits both Nations, and
relates how the bad Spirit made them go to War and de-
Itroy one another, that it fhall never be fo again, but
that their Sons and Daughters (hall marry together, and
the two Nations lowc each other, and become as one
united People.

They have a third fort of Feafl and Dances which are
when the Harveft of Corn is ended, and in the Spring ;
the one to return Thanks to the good Spirit for the Fruits
of the Earth, the other to beg the fame Blcffings for the
fucceeding Year, They plant their Maze or Indian Corn
twice a Year, viz,, in March and June, all in the lame
Soil, for as loon as one Crop is ripe, which is in three
Months, they immediately gather it and plant the fame
Grounds over again. Before the Europeans arrived in
thefe Parts, they'ufed to dig their Grounds with an In-
strument made of Wood, which was fafhioned like a
broad Matock, but at prefent they have Hoes from the

Cbriftians^

Worth CAROLINA.

rn

Chriftians, and commonly plant two or three Grains to-
gether: They never Dung their Land, but fct Firs to
the Weeds, which makes very good Manure ; whea the
Land is to be planted, the King commands one of the
Men to aiTcmble his Subjects every Day to Labour, and
when the Maxe is gathered, it is ah tarried into a com-
mon Store-Houfe, where it is diftributed to every one as
there is occafion ; they fcldom fow more than what will
ferve them for fix Months, and that very fparingly ; foe
during the WmttY they retire into the Woods to hunt,
or fifli, where they have plenty of various kinds of wild
Bcafts, Birds and Fifties. To encourage the young Men
to labour in planting their Maze and Pulfe, they place a
kind or Idol in the Field, drefled up exactly like an India*,
with a great quantity of Wampum, or Money that is made
of Conk-ShiSs, hanging about his Neck. This Image
none of the young Men dare prefume to approach, the old
ones will not fufrer them, but tell them that it is lomc
famous Warrior that ciied many Ages ago, and now is
come among them, to fee if they work well, which if
they do, he will go to the good Spirit, and fpeaktohim
to fend them plenty of Corn, and to make them expert
Hunters, and mighty Wariors ; and many other incredi-
ble Stones, with which they amufc their Youth. All
this while the King and the old Men fit round the Image,
and fecmingly pay the molt profound Refpc&and Vene-
ration imaginable to the fame. One great help to them
in carrying on thefe Cheats, and inducing their Youth to
do what they pleafc is, the uninterrupted Silence which
is ever kept and obferved amongft them.

At thefe Fcafls, which are fet out with all the Mag*
nificenee imaginable, or that their Fare will allow ofa
the Mafqucrade begins always at Nighr. There is a
Fire commonly made in. the middle of the largeft Houfe

in

328

The Natural HISTORY/

in the Town, which frequently happens to be that of
their King or War Captain, or a Roufe made for that
putpoic, where two Men arc placed on a Mat on the
Ground, the one with a Rattle made of a Gourd, with
iomz Indian Corn or Beans in it; the other with a. Drum
made of an Earthen Pet, covered with a drciTed Deer Sktn,
with one Stick in his Hand to beat thereon ; thus they
begin the Song appointed for that purpofe, at the fame
time the one Drums, and the other Ractles ; this is all
the artificial Mufick of their own making that lever few
amongft them. To thefe two Inftruments they fing,
which may be fuppofed to make but indifferent Mufick,
for Europeans, and yet the Cadencies and railing of their
Voices are formed with that equality and exa&ne(s, that
to us it feems very flrange and admirable how they
fhould continue thefe Songs without once miffing to a-
gree with each others Note and Tune.

As for their Dancing, were there Mailers of that Pro-
fefiion amongft them, as there are in Europe, I am cer-
tain they would dearly earn their Money ; for thefe Peo-
ple take the moft Pains that Men are able to endure : I
have fecn thirty dancing together, and every one with
the Sweat dropping down, as if Water were powred on
their Backs.

They bring up their Youth in many laborious Exer-
ercifes, to make them able to endure Fatigues, and im-
prove their Wind, which is indeed very long and dura-
ble, being a hard matter in any Exercife to difpoffefs
them of it, there being feveral Games amongft thera that
is won by him that hath the longcft Breath. In travel*
ing and hunting they arc moft indefatigable, being bred up
after that manner from their Youth, to which they have a
double inducement, as it carries both Pleafure and Profit
with it. I have known foms of them very fttong, and

particularly

North CAROLINA

3*9

particularly remarkable for their running and leaping $
The agility of both Men and Women are fuch, that they
will very readily fwim over great Rivers, and ibmetimei
carry their Children ; they likewifc very nimbly climb
the faighefi Trees in the Country.

Thefe People (aslfaid before) have folemn Feafls up-
on feveral occafions, fuch as for War, Peace, the Fruits
of the Earth, and the like, at theft Festivals they have
great plenty of Provi lions, fuch as Venifon, Birds, Fijbes9
and feveral fons of Fruits and Roots. Their firing is made;
of Wood, which they kindle by ftrenuoufly rubbing ones
Hick againft another (che Sticks being of different kinds)
and fo roaft their flefh Meat on wooden Spies, or Boyi ic
in Earthen Pots, of their own make, and iomeumes bioil
it on the Embers.

They are for the moil part very gentle, loving and
faithful, void of Guile or Treachery ( except they .are
highly injured) and live after the manner of the Golden
Age, tor they only take care how to defend thcmfclves
from the Cold in their fhort Winters, and to feed them-
feives with fuch Victuals as the Soil produceth. They
fometimes have plenty of Runt at thele Entertainments,
which they purchafc from the Europeans, but the com-nom
drink they make uie of to quench their thirft is Water m
and it is to be admired that they never yet found out the
method of making Wines in thefe parts, Where feveraf
lorts of Grapes arcfo plenty, and thefe People in general
being extreamly fond of flrong Liquors.

At Night their Revels begin, which is commonly in z
Houfe made for that purpofc being the largcft amongft
their dwellings, this Houfe is built in form of a Pyramid
wherein are made handfome white Benches artificially of:
fine Canes, joining along the Walls, and the Door or en-
trance very low, In thefe State-Houfes are tranfacted all
J c publick

M

^o The Natural H I S T 0 R Y of

publick and private bufinefs relating to the Affairs of che
Government, and the audience of Foreign AmbafTadors
from other Indian Kings; likewife their confiiltations for
wageing and making ot^FjPropoials of Trade with their
Neighbouring Indians or Europeans, who happen co corns
gmonglt them, and there dtmrrmne what may be molt
convenient for them to a&, and what to omit, old Age
being always held in as great veneration amongft them,
as any People you ihall find in any part of the World.

It is to be obferved, that during their confutations no
manner of interuption is given to the Speaker, who gets
up and declares to the Auditors what he thinks mod ad-
vifable to be done in the Affair then depending ; as foon
as he has finifti'd what he thinks proper to fay on that
Subject he fits down and then the fecond proceeds after
the fame method, and fo all the reft in their turns, and
laftly their King, not one Word to be heard, or even a
whifper during their whole conference but from him that
Hands up. The whole Affembly giving a great deal of
attention to what each Perfon relates on that head, a
profound filence and exael: decorum being ufed during the
Oration.

And it is even remarkable amongft them in their com-
mon Difcourfe, that they never interupt each other, none
offering to open his Mouth till the other has finifhed what
lie has to fay on the Subject This practice I am per-
fwaded wou'd be of great ufe and advantage to the Eu-
ropeans, who are fo fubjed to interrupt each other, before
they can utter cheir intentions, frequently fudging from a
few Words fpoken, the whole Caufe before they have
heard the Merits of it.

Thcfe People are naturally very fubtile and fliarp wit-
ted, And ready to conceive our meaning by Sign?, and
t® make anfyms to be wuterftood again. If they have

not

North CAROLINA.

33*

not feen the thing whereof you ask them, they will wink
or cover the it Eyes witu their Hand to intimate there-
by that it hath been hid from their fight, and if they un-
derfland not thofe things whereof you enquire, they
will Hop then- Ears, and by many other fuch like fighs,
cafu to be undcrftood, they are apt to learn any thing
or u.,and arc very willing to teach us the Names of each
thing in their Language wc demand of them,

AU their dwelling Koufes are covered with the Barks
of Trees, But this Senate- Houfe differs very much from
them, being artificially Thatch'd with Sedge and Rujhes^
at the building whereof every one affifts till it is finifhed,
and as foon as it is compleatly finifhed, the King places
fome one of his chiefeft Men to dwell therein, charging
him with a diligent prefervation thereof, in like manner
as European Princes commit the charge and Government
of Forts and Catties to fome favorite fubjed they judge
worthy of fo $,reat Honours and Truft.

They frequently fend Ambaffadors to each other, who
make very odd and ftrange Figures at thsir Arrival, hav-
ing their Faces and Hair painted all over as red as Ver*
miUiou, a fitfte or Bqid and Arrows in their Hands, and a
Cutlajh or lamahawk {tuck in their Girdle. As foon as they
arrive they arc brought to the Kings Houfe, from thence
arc conducted to the State-Houfe, where they take the
place that is aflign'd them, and there treat of thofe im«
portant Affairs with which they are commiflion'd from
their Kings and Nations to whom they belong.?

I have frequently made ufe of the word Civilized Itidi-
40j, and for the better information of my Readers they
are thofe that affiftcd the Chrifiians againft the other Say.
wages of that Country in the late War when the Hon,1
Colonel Barnweii intirely defeated them in Bath County*
Anno Bom, 111%,

Ti% ■ m

3|2 The Natural HISTORY of

Buttoreturne to their Feafts, in thcfc State~Houless
she King being come, and feared invites the Europeans
st there beany amongit them at that time, who arc al-
ways placed next the King, with his War Captains on
each fide ; being thus feared, there is a circular Fire
wade of fplic Canes in the middle of the Houfe, which
tothcrwife wouldbe as dark as a Dungeon, and is as hot
as * Dutch Stove. One Man is conltantiy employed to
Supply ipht Canes as the others arc confumed. The
Guefts being all ieated on Benches or Mats on the Ground
fhcybrmg in feveral pieces of Bears-fiejh and VnHfm\
roafted and boiled ; mid Turkeys in great plenty, drcf-
led after their manner ; various kinds of other* Wild
Beaftsand Fowl, Ftfi, andleveral kinds of Medlies made
pi Maiz,, (lewed Peaches, dried Peaches, and variety of o-
iher Fruits. Every one or the Indians bringing fomethine
with him to enlarge their Banquet, according to their
JDegreeand Quality.

When all their Dainties are brought in, the firft En*
tertainmcnt begins with kicking out the Dogs, which are
2ike the Wolves m thefe parts ; for it is fuppofed that
ahey are a Speeies of them, made tame bv beating and
ilarving. They are the worft Dog-mafter's'm the World,
for you fliall never fee an Indian Dog that is fat amongft
sthem -, neither do 1 find that they make any ufe of them,
for they never bring them to their Hunting-matches.

They are of a quite contrary Difpofition to their
Borfes, to whom they are the belt of Mailers, for they
are continually feeding them with Maze.ot whatever he
will cat, until he is as fat as a Hog, yet they never ride
or make any manner of uic of him, except only to carry
alter home that they have killed near %ht Plantations j
or Firewood for their Houfe& ■ -

A$

North CAROLINA.

333

As foon as the Dogs arc difcharged, the Company arc
fummoned by beat of Drum and the Rattle 3 which two
Inftrumcnts I have already mentioned, and whilft th«
one rattled the other in Contort beat the Drum, others
at the fame time fung mournful Ditties, the burthen of
rheir Songs being in remembrance of their former great-
nefs and numbers of their Nation, the famous Exploits
of their renowned Anceftors, and all Anions of moment
that had been performed by their forefathers in former
Days.

No fooner does this kind of Confort begin to play
and ling, but prefently come in fome Indians finely dref-
kd up with Feathers, their Faces covered with Vizards
maae of Gourds ; round their Ancles and Knees are hung
Bells of feveral forts, having wooden Falcions in their
Hands, fuch as our Gladiators commonly ufe upon the
Scage ; in this Drefs they dance about an Hour or
more, (hewing many flrange Gcfturcs, brandiihing their
Weapons as if they were going to fight each other, often-
times walking round the Room with fo much dexterity
and nimblenefs, that you may not hear their Bells make
the leaft noife, which is verv Grange to iee them per-
form, turning their Bodies, Arms and Legs, into fuch
flrange and frightful Poflures, that to an European they
would feem like a parcel of Bedlamites, void or Sente or
Reafon ; after they have cut two or three high Capers,
they immediately leave the Room. As foon as they dif-
appear, come in a parcel of Women and Girlcs, each
taking place according to their degree in Stature, the tai-
led leading the Dance, and the lead of all placed laft.
They then form themfelves into a Ring, rcprefenting
the Fire they dance about. Several of them having Bells
about their Legs, dreffed with Flowers and Feathers
like the Men, others with fmall Bells about their Necks,

though

:

The Natural HISTORY^

though their way of Dancing is nothing but a fore of
ftamping, which they continue for feveralHours together,
sill they arc all of them in as great a fwcat as if they had
been dipped in the River.

During thefe Dances the Spectators 4o not neglect to
fill their Bellies with the Provifions that: are there, more
or lefs of them being continually eating : When the
Dancing is ended, every Youth that is fo difpofed, takes
hold of the Girl he fancies to be his Bedfellow for that
Niglit, few Ceremonies being ufed upon that head a-
mongft them.

At theie Feftivals and publick Affcmblies they give a
traditional Relation of what happened amongft them for
many Years pad, to their young Men ; having no other
Method to record what their Anceftors have done, or
known only by Tradition from Father to Son, and their
HteYogliphkh) being entire Strangers to Letters or Lcarn~
fag-

They have another fort of FeaM where their Priefts
or Conjurers pretend to converie familiarly, and demand
divers fliangc things from Spirits by their Invocations^
and the Magical Charms which they make ufcof. This
Feaft they celebrate in the open Fields, where a large
Circle is made -3 all the Indians that come to it arc vari-
oufly painted and adorned with rich Feathers of divers
Colours ,• they have iingiag and dancing at this as at the
other* % After they have fung and danced for aquar-
ter of an Jlour, and turned about three times, they run
like diffracted Men into the Woods ; then the Wo-
men continue the reft of the Day in Tears, and as me-
lancholy as poffible, then in a Rage- they cut the Arms
of the young Girls with (harp Shells of Fftes, 'till the
Blood follows, which they cafl into she 'Air, with Iou4
Shrccks and Cries*

* m [Thole

North CAROLINA.

335

Thofc that begin this Fcaft (which is always in the
Morning) arc their Priefts or Conjurers, to whom they
give great credit and belief, not only becaufe they are
very fubtile and crafty Magicians, and find out things
ioit, but like wife becauie they heal Difeafes by their
Charms and Knowledge in Plants. They firft run to the
Woods, from whence they return in two Days, and theft
begin to Sing and Dance in the middle of the Circle
(which the Women fweep and make very clean againft
their return) and are very chearful and merry with the
old Indian Fathers that flay'd behind, by reafon of their
natural Indifpofitions and feeblenefs .- When all thefe
Ceremonies are ended, they begin to eat with fuch grec-
dinefs, that they fcecm rather to devour their Meat tham
eat k, becaufe they neither eat nor drink daring their
two Days continuance in the Woods.

At thefe Feafts moft of all the Nations that arc in
Peace with each other meet, though feventy or eighty
Miles diftant from each other, where they fell and buy
feveral Commodities as we do atour Fairs and Markets.
They are very much given to Gaming at thefe publick
Meetings, and often flrip one another of all they have in
the World , and what's more to be admired is, that they
frequently play themfelves away, and remain the Winners
Servants 'till their Relations or themfelves pay the Money
to redeem them ; and it is obfervablc, that the Loofcr
is never deje&ed or cafl down at his misfortune, but
feems contented and as chearful as if he he had been the
Winner. They never differ at Gaming, neither did 1
ever fee a Difpute about the legality thereof fo much is
arife amongft them.

"The chief Game is a kind of Arithmetic^ which h
managed or played with a parcel of fmall fplit Reeds abous
the thlckncfs of a {ball Bent 5 thefe are raa^te very nicely,

tint

_

336

Tba Natural HI S T O R Y of

that they part and arc tractable in their Hands. They
are fifty one in Number, and their length about fevers
Inches ; when they play tney thtow part to their Anta-
gonift, the Art in this kind of Game is to difcover upon
light how many you have, and what you throw to him
that plays with you ; fome arc fo expert in gueffing the
Numbers they gave, and what they have remaining, that
they will not mifs once in tzn times ; they are fo taken
■with this particular Game, that feveral of them have
Soft large Indian Eftates. A good Set of thefe Reeds to
play witb3 arc generally valued and fold for a dreffed

They have feveral other Games and Plays wherewith
they frequently divert thsmfelves, as with the Kernels or
Stones of the Fruit of the Perjtmon Tree, which are in
effect the fame as our Dice, becaufe winning or loofing
depend on which fide appears uppermoft, and how they
happen to fall together.

Their manner of playing Ball is after this manner, viz,.
they place a fquare Mat made of Reeds or BuUruJhes at the
top of a Tree eight or nine Fathom from the Ground,,
and whoever hitteth the Mat in playing thereat, winncth
she Game.

They have another Game which is managed with a
BattGon^ and very much refcmbles our Trap-Ball', as the
Nations differ io do their Games and Paftimes, having
feveral peculiar to themfelves which are not practifed by
others ; jet thefe I have mentioned are the chief that
1 have obferved amongft them.

They are charitable and kind to each other, efpccially
to thofe of their own Nation ; for if any one of them
hsLs fuffered lofs by Fire or otherwifc, they order him
to make a Feaft (their Victuals being in common) and
to invite them all to it s On the Day appointed they all

come,

North CAROLINA.

331

come, and after every Man's Vi&uals is dealt to him,
one of their Speakers, or grave old Men makes an Ha-
rangue, to the Company to this ifftit, rhat That Man's
Houfe hath been deftrojed, together with all his Goods That
he and his Family vrry narrowly efcaped. That he is every
Mans Friend in that Company ; and that it is all their Du-
ties to help him, m he would do any of them, had the like
Misfortune befallen them.— — In fucft like Speeches he
accolls all that are prefent, to a charitable compliance in
behalf of the diilrefied Perfon. After this Oration is
over, every Man according to his Quality and Ability,
throws down upon the Ground fome Prefent, which is
commonly Beads, Ronoak, Peak, Skins, or Furs, which
often amounts to treble the lofs he has fuftained. The
fame afSitance they give to any Man that wants to build
a Cabin or make a Canoe, or any other Convenience
that he is not able to perform, and ftands in need of:
For, they fay, it is every Man's Duty fo to do, there
being feveral "Works that one Man cannot efFe&, there-
fore they muft give htm their help, otherwifc the Socie-
ty would foon fall, and they fbould be deprived ofthofc
urgent Necellaries which Life requires.

Their Charity is no lefs cxtenfive towards Widows,"
for it often happens that a Woman is deititute of a Hus-
band, cither by Wars or otherwifc, and hath a great
many Children to maintain, fuch a Perfon they always
help, and make their young Men Plant, Reap, and do
every thing (he is not capable of doing herielf - yet they
will not allow any one to be idle (efpecially in the
Harveft time) but employ thcmfelvcs in fome Work or
©ther. As they arc unaquainted with the value ox Gold
or Silver, they prc'icr their Indian- Money before ix, which.
is of different Sorts, but all ma;c of Shells, that a* • found
©8 tht Goift of Carolina, ana efpecially the Cenck-Jbells ;
V u thefe

<M

338 The Natural HISTORY of

thefe are very large and hard and difficult to be cut, ycc
fome European Smiths have tried to drill thefe ShtUs,
thinking to get an advantage by them, but it proved io
hard and tedious in the working, that nothing could be
gained thereby, that they have intirely laid it aficie for
the Indians to manage, who never value their Time,
fo that they1 cm make them according to their Fan-
cy.

They frequently make of thefe SbtUs feveral forts' of
Figures, in imitation of Gorges, Crcjfes, Stars, or any
other odd kind of Figure that their imagination fuggefts
thefe they wear about their Necks and Arms tied with
a String ; there are fome of thefe Gorges that will fell for
three or four Buck Skins ready^dreft, whilft others arc
only valued and fold for one Dee Skin. But the general
and currant Species amongfi all the Indians oi Carolina,
and I believe all over the Continent as far as the Bay o£
Mexico, that which wc call Peak znd Romak, but Peak
more efpeciaiiy. This is that which they call Wampum
at New York, and has been made ule of as current Coin
for many Years amongfi the Euofeans fettled in that Pro-
vince. This is what many Writers call Proclean and
was formerly made at New York in great quantities,
and with us in fome Mealure. Four Cubits of this
purchafe a dreffed Doe Skin, and fix or feven are the
purchafes of a drefled Buck Skin : An European could
not afford to make fo much of this Wampum for five
times the Value ,• for it is made out of a very large Shell
of which that Country affords plenty.

This Shell they grind fmaller than the fmall End of
a Tobacc9 Pipe, or a large Wheat Straw ; four or five of
thefe are about an Inch in length, and every one drilled
through, polifhed and made as fmooth as Glafs, yet
they arc as ftrong j*5 Beads. A Cubit of the Indian Mea-

fure

■■■■■■■to

North CAROLINA

339

fure contains as much in length as will reach from the
the Elbow to the end of the little Finger. They never
regard or ftandtoqueftion whether he is a tall or ftiort
Man that meafures it ; but if this Wampum or Peak be
of a black or purple Colour, as fome part of the Shell,
then it is twice the Value.

They grind thefe Shells upon Stones and other things,
'till they make them current, but the Drilling is the moft
difficult to the Europeans, which the Indians do with a
Nail ftuck in a Cane or Reed, but whether they have
any Method infoftning thefe Shells,is uncertain. They
rowl it continually on their Thighs with their right
Hand, and hold the bit of Shell with their left ; thus
by degrees they drill a hole through it, which is a te-
dious Work, but efpecially in making their Ronoak, four
of which will {circe make on length otlVampum.

The Indians in general are a People ( as I obferved )
that fet very little value on their Time, and need never
be under any apprehenfion or fear that the Chrifliant
will take the Trade out of their hands. This is the
Money with which you may buy Skins, Furs, Slaves, or
any thing they have except their Children, it being
their Mammon ( as our Money is to us ) that perfuades
and inticcs them to do any thing. With this they will
buy off Murders, or whatever a Man can do that is 111,
and be his Crime of never fo black a Nature, this Mo-
ney is fufficientto purge him of it, and have it buried
in Oblivion for cvcis foch an influence hath this Almigh-
ty Gain over them, that the moft inhuman pradices
fhall appear innocent and laudable, and engage them
in ,thc moft fcandalous and barbarous Anions, without
once rcflc&ing or condemning thcmfclves in the teaft for

V u » Th*y

I

§40 The Natural HISTORY of

Foimerly in their hunting Matches they ufed to drefs
ehemfeives very artfudly in Deer Skins, by which" coun-
sertet they would corae as near the Deer as they pleated
by mimicking each Geftuie of that Beaft as they ap*
proachrj, by which means they killed vaft numbers of
shem, bur Lome of themlelvcs being foot in this difeuifc
K is now wtirelv laid afidc and that practice difaliowed
0t by the exprefs Orders of their Kings.

They have particular Methods by which tW can
preferve the Eyes of Beafis as if they were ftil) li vine
this they will by no means difcover to the Chnfliaw*
they have many other curious things that the Europeans
ne tiefirous to know and learn from them, but they will
by no means difcover or make known to them bcisg a,
People that are fecret, crafty, and fubtile m ail their
Affairs, though of ever fo Imall a moment.

Although thefe Indians, in refpecVof us, are a poor
People, and their want of Skill and Judgment in the
Knowledge and ufe of the Sciences, generally eftcem
Trifles to things of real value, not having the advantages
of improving thcmfelves as the Europeans ; yet in their
own manner and way o£ Thinking, they kern to be in-
genious, and fhew excellency of Wit, notwithstanding
the many mconveniencics they labour under, and the?
want of Tools and Instruments to affift them in any of
their Undertakings, for 1 have, during my continuance
amongft them, leen many ufeful Instruments made for
Several ufes, with nothing but an indifferent Knife.

They commonly barbeca or dry their Ve^ifon on Mats
or Hurdles m the San, firft faking it with their Salt
which is made of the Allies of the Hickery Wood; this
Venifonjto cured, they keep and make ufe of in time of
fcarcity,:a-ndbad Weather, which they tear to pieces
V/irn their Hands and Teeth (for want of Knives) and

North CAROLINA.

331

then put it into a Hotter and pound it very fine, ad-
ding chc Powder of the Hickery Nuts or WaU-nun and
other ingredients, whereof they make a favory Dilh.

Their Kings, as they are moll abfolute, pot to death
any of shear Subjcds that have committed thofe Crimes
that they think worthy of fo great a Punishments which
is ilridtly obferved, and put in execution by the War
Captains after different and barbarous Methods, ac-
cording to the King's Will and Pleafure.

Their Sculping and flicking them full of Splinters of
light-wood, and letting thefe Wretches on Fire, their
flcaing and cutting their Feet at the Inftep, I have al-
ready made mention or ; during which time they never
ccafe feafting, dancing, Zinging, and playing a thoufand
antick Tricks, cfpccially if it be one of their Enemies ;
at other times they rip open the Bellys of thefe wretches,
fallen their Bowels to a Tree, and force them round 'till
fuch time as their Intraiis are out, or their Strength is
intirely ipent, that they can fhew no more Diverfion to
the Spectators, who delight in fuch inhuman Actions s
It is incredible to fee with what Courage and Bravery
thefe Wretches behave in the midft of thefe Tortures
and agonies of Death, not once fceming to bemoan
thcmfelves, believing and imagining their Enemies will-
have the fame Fate when they fall into the Hands of thofe
belonging to their Nation.

There was an Indian put to death whilft I was in the
Country by the Kings Order, for cleaving the Scull of
one of his own Nation with a Tamaha-uik, of which
Wound heinilantly died. The Offender was immedi-
atly brought forth, and two other Indians were ordered
to get a couple of Ropes tyed up in the nature of Noofes,
with which they flranglcd the Offender, one pwlling one
way and the other the contrary 'till he was dead 1 the

neaxeft

,;::

% i

_

342 The Natural HISTORY^

neareft Relations of the deccafed iTriking him on the
Head with great Clubs. Thefe are the moil common
Methods that are yet known amongit chem, by which
they torture and put one another to death ; but doubt-
lefs there are many other barbarous Methods that they
make ufe of, which as yet we are Grangers to.

The King moft commonly gives orders to put tne of-
fender to Death, yet the pur ifhmcnt due to tne offender
is very often left to the neareft Relation o^ the deceased,
who profecutcs him with all the rage and fury imagin-
able, being both Judge and Executioner till nc is fully 1a-
tisficd ; yet this revenge is oftentimes bought of with
their wampum, Beads,Ttlaccot3Lnd fuch like commodities,
whereof they are very fond, and are ufeful amongit them,
though the crimes were of the higheft Nature, Villany,
or Barbarity that cou'd be a&ed by Mankind, yet thefe
trifles make a fufficient attonement for all.

They have a ilrange cultom or Ceremony amongft
them, to call to mind che perfecutions and death of the
Kings their Anceftors (lain by their Enemies, at certain
Scafons, and particularly when the Savages have been at
War with any Nation, and return from their Country
without bringing home fome Pnfoners of War, or the
Heads of their Enemies. The King caufes as a perpe-
tual remembrance of all his predecefTors to beat and
wound the bell; beloved of all his Children with the fame
Weapons wherewith they had been kill'd in former
rimes, to the end that by renewing the Wound, their
Death fhould be lamented a freffi.

The King and his Nation being affemblcd on thefe
Occafions, a Feaft is prepared, and the Indian who is
authonfed to wound the Kings Son, runs about the
Houfelikea diftraded Perfon crying and making a moft
tidious noife all the time with the Weapon in his Hand,

wherewith

■■■■■■

■_ ■■■

North CAROLINA.

343

wherewith he wounds the Kings Son, this he performs
three feveral times, during which interval he prefents the
King with Victuals or Cajfena, and it is very ftrange to
fee the Indian that is thus ftruck never offers to ftir till
he is wounded the third time, after which he falls down
backwards ftreaching out his Arms and Legs as if he
had been ready to expire, then the reft of the Kings Sons
and Daughters, together with the Mother and vaft
Numbers of Women and Girls fall at his Feet and La-
ment and Cry moft bitterly ; during this time the King
and his retinue are Feafting, yet with fuch profound fi-
lence for fome Hours, that not one Word, or even 2
Whifper is to be heard amongft them, after this manner
shey continue till Night, which ends in Singing, Danc-
ing, and rhe greateft joy imaginable.

The Sapona Indians list at the Weil branch of Cape
fear y or Clarendon River, which is very beautiful, and
has good Land about it 5 it is five or fix Days Journey
over the Mountains to go to the South-Sea. Thefe
Mountains are very Barren, with abundance of Rocks
and Marble, but no Fowl or Water are to be found in
thefe Parts. The Indians reflding here arc very power-
full, but feldom make viiits amongft us except it be their
Traders who bring us Skims and Furs.

The Toteras are neighbouring Indians to the Saponas,
and live Weft- war d in the Mountains ; I have been in-
formed by fome of them that Trade amongft the Euro-
pans, that they have Bazoar-fione, but I never faw any
of it whilft I was in thofc parts.

The Keyawees live hkewife on a Branch of Cape Fear
River which lies to the North-weft. The Lands here
arc very Fertile and in many places abounding with
Rocks of feveral forts of Stones, fuch as Lime-ftone, Mar-
Me, and the like,

I have

■

m
m

344 Tbf Natural HISTORY of

I have frequency convers'd with their Doftors, who
arc in great requeft and eiieem amongft them, they told
me of many great cures that they have performed, but
woud never dilcover any thing of what they knew, or
by what Herbs or plants they perfected them, notwith-
standing I importuned them and even offered rewards,
Thefe Savages in general being a very wary People,
feldom or never revealing any of their fecrets to the Eu-
ropeans^ yet are willing to afliifc them in any Indian dis-
order that mould afflict thera, as in the biting of Snakes
or any other misfortune of that Nature wherein they have
any Knowledge, but as to European Diforders they are
entire Strangers, which mofr. commonly prove fatal
amongft them.

The Indians in Carolina have no Fences to part each
others Lots in their Com- Fit ids, but every Man knows
his own proportion, and it fcarce ever happens that they
rob one another of io much as an Ear of Corn; which
if any is found to do, he is fentenced by the Elders to
Work and plant for him that was Robb*ds till he is fully
recompene'd for all the damage or lofs he has fuftaind m
his Com- Field; this is very pun&uaily performed, and
the Thief held in difgrace that fteals from any of his
Friends or the Nation he belongs to.

When thefe Savages live near the Waters they frequent
she Rivers in Summer-time very much where both Mtu
and Women often in a Day go in naked to wafh them-
fclvcs, not both Sexes together, yet this is notour of
any point of modefty, that being a virtue or qualifi-
cation that is very little regarded or makeufcofamongH
thde People.

Thefe Indians generally are the beft marks Men with
Guns that are to be met with in moil pares of the Worlds
and commonly kill what they Shoot ac with a finglc

Ball |

North CAROLINA.

34S

Ball % this is principally owing to the fteadinefs in thcic
Limbs and tnc fharp Sight with which they are endued*1
They take a great deal of pains when they buy a Gum
firft, to find out if it has any fault in the Barrel, which
they generally take out of the ftock and cut a Notch in
a Tree where they make it ftrcight, it there be occa(iona
and after moot feveral times at markes, that they may,
be acquainted with its faults and perfections, this they,
do before they go to kill £tor,or any other kind oi Game
that is to be met with as they hunt in Woods. It is re-
markable in them rhat they will fcldom ftir or goabroad
into the Woods to Hunt before the Sun is an Hour oE
two heigh, and hath exhaled moft part of the Dew front
the Earth, then are they indefatigable in walking from*
Morning till Night in furfuit of their Game* Wheri
they are Traveling in the Woods together, they always
keep a conftant Pace, neither will they ilride over a Tree
that lyes crofs a path in their way, but always go
round it, which is a quite contrary cuftora to the Euro*
pans, but for what reafon the Indians ufc this Ceremo-
ny I never, cou*d learn, though I have frequently im-
portuned them on that Head. And what is worthy of
Obfcrvation is, that none of the Indians in North-Carolina-
arc to be met with Lett Handed J whether this be ow-
ing to their method of Nurfing, or othcrwifc, Ican«
not account for. When ever they cut with a Knitc,
they alway turn the Edge towards thcmlclves^ whereas
she Europeans cat and Whittle from them.

Before the Arrival of the Europeans in thefe parts of
America, thefe Savages tfot knowing the ufe. ot Steel
and Flints, they got their fire from Sticks, which by ve-
hement collifion or rubbing together kindle and take fire.
This method they will fometimes practice even now
when it has happen'd through rainy Weather^ or fome

X X Olh'€£

346 The Natural H I S T O R Y of

other accident, that they have wet their Spunky or Touch-
woody which is a fort of foft Corkcy fubftance, generally
of a Cinamon colour, and grows in the Concave or hollow
part or an Oak} Hickory , and feveral other forts of Wood,
which they dig out with an Ax as they have occafion.
It is in great plenty in Carolina^ and is always kept by
the Europeans and Indians inftcad of Touch-wood and Ten-
der, bsth which it exceeds.

It is very furprizing to find fo many different Lan-
guages amongfl them as there arc, there being few Na-
tions that underfland each other. But I believe the
principal rcafon of this great difference and eonfuiicn of
Languages as are to be met with amongft them3 is ow-
ing to thefe People feldom or never converging with any
Nation but their own. And I have often obferved fe-
veral of the Indians with whom I have been acquainted
aud freely converled with at Bath and EdentQvm, that
when I chane'd to meet them in the Woods, they wou'd
not fpeak one Word of Englifh (which they could do to-
lerably well) but would either anfwer me in their own
Language or by iigns ; the reafon whereof I coud never
ynderftand, though I made all the ftrict enquiry I could,
Thefe diftcrencs in their Languages caufe Jealonfies
and fears amongfl them, which often occafion Wars,
wherein they deftroy each other -3 otherwife the Chrifti-
ans had not in all probability fettled themfelvcs fo eafiiy
as they have done, had thefe tribes of Savages united
themfelves into one People, or general intereft, or were
they fo but every hundred Miles together. In fhort,
they are a ftrange fort of People under their prefent
Circumftances, and have fuch odd and uncouth ways in
their management and courfe of living, that it feems a
miracle to us how they bring about their defigns as they
do, when their ways are commonly quite contraty to

ours.

North CAROLINA.

341

ours. I am perfwaded that were it not for the continu-
al Wars they have amongft thcmfelves,they wou'd enjoy
the happicft ftatc in this World of" all Mankind, being
neither Slaves to Riches or Grandure, which bewitches
the grcatcft part of the World, and occafions daily care
and trouble in thofe. that are thus in Love with it, which
thefe Savages are entirely free from.

Dmnkenefs and feveral other Vices were intirely un-
known to them before the Arrival of the Chriftians a-
mongft them, and Swearing, their Language cannot ex-
press, yet thofe that learn Englifi foon iearn that fashion-
able vice of Swearing, and it is generally the firft thing
they can talk, hearing thofe vile and abominable expre-
fions fo often repeated by the Europeans. The many
Vices they fee and hear daily pra&ifed by the Chriftians,
have in a great meafure perverted thefe rnifer able Creatures,
that they never defire to be inftru&ed in the light of the
Gofpel, but rather look upon us as a more unworthy race
of People than themfclvefi; that at this very Day they
are no nearer Christianity (in all appearance) than they
were at the firft difcovery made by the Chriflians of this
part of the World. Yet it is mod certain, that they have
feveral abominable vices amongft them, which no doubt:
they might be brought off, ii the Europeans woud fhow
thofe good examples of Virtue, Piety, and Morality,
which are effentially nccefTary for every Chriflian to do and
pra&ice. They have likewife feveral good Qualities a-
mongft them, and are very Hofpitable and fond of the
Europeans, who generally look upon them with all the
difdain immaginable, and very often return ill Offices
for their gratitude.

They have a ftrange and odd Cuftom amongft them in

making offerings of their firft Fruits, and likewife

throwing the firft Bit or Spoonful of every Mail theft

X X 3 fi?

■■* V".

m

ii 11..1

*

The Natural HISTORY of

fit down to, into the Afhes near the Fire, and all the rea-
fon they give for fo doing is, that it is the fame to them
as the pulling of our Hats and talking when we go to
fVi&uals is to us. The Indians ia Carolina call Rum and
'Pbyjtck by the fame Name, and the reafon they give is,
Ibecauf e Rum makes People fick, as if they had taken any
Phyfical or Poyfonous Plant, notwithftanding they can-
Slot forbear drinking it to excels, when they can by any
sneans purchafe it or any other Spiritous Liquor.
' They are a craving People, and if you give them any
thing by way of Prefent, they imagine that it obliges
ryou to give them another, and fp on, until you have
given them all you have ; fo infatjable and unreafonablc
Sire they in their Demands, that they have no bounds to
piem; If they give any thing as a Prefent, 'it is with a
[View to receive twice the Value, for they have no con-
sideration that yoa fhali want or have any occafion for
fthofe things you give them ,• for their way of Living is
fo contrary to ours, that neither we nor they can fathom
one anothers Defigns or Methods.

Theyfet the leail value upon Time of any People in
the World, for if they are going out to Hunt, Fifh, or
any other indifferent Bufinefs, you may keep them as
long as you pleafe, provided you entertain them in Dif-
courfe, and feem pleafed with their Company ,• yet no
People are more expeditious and fafer Mcffengers than
*hey, when any extraordinary Bufinefs t|iat they are fent
about requires it.

■ The Indian Women's Work in this Province is gene-
inerajly to direfis their Victuals for the whole Family, and
make Mats, Baskets, Girdles of Pojjum's Hair, and fueh
like things, which they commonly fell to the Europeans.
$The Mats they make are ofRujfaes, about five Feet broad,
$nd twa.F^thoaUong, fowed <JouWe4 whcrebjthey.be-
&-u : \ ' I* " corns

V.

North CAROLINA.

349

come very commodious to lay under our Beds, or to deep
upon in the Summer Scafon in the Day, and for our Slaves
at Night. There arc other Mais made of Flags, which
the luskeruro Indians make and fell to the Planter!. The
Baskets our neighbouring Indians make are all of a very
tine fort of Bullrujbes, and fometimcs of Silk-grajs, which
they work with the figures of Beafls, Birds, Ftfies, and
the like ; in thefe they carry fevcral forts of Fruits, Flow-
ers, and many other things of that nature, which they
either fell or make Prefents of to the Chriftians. The
Savage Indians who live a great way from the Chriftians,
make both their Baskets or Mats of fplit Reeds, which
arc exceeding neat and handfome, being made only of
the outward Ihining part of the Cane \ with theie I have
ken Mats, Baskets, and Dreffing Boxes, very artificially
done, they fell theic to the Planters when they come
down amongft them to difpofc of their Deer-Skins, Furs,
and other Commodities.

The Indians that live neat the Chriftians frequently Buy
or rather Barter Deer-Skins and other Commodities for
Rum, which they carry to the Indians that live Weft-ward
on this and the other fide of the Mountains, who never
knew what it was 'till within thefe few Years : This
Liquor they carry in Rundlets for many hundred Miles,
but fometimes they cannot forbear breaking their Cargo
in their Journies, and fit down in the Woods and drink
it ail up; then they begin to Hollow and Shout after
fuch a manner, that the moil diitra&ed Perfens can
fcarce be compared to them. When they happen to car-
ry it fafe (which they fcldem do without drinking fome
part of it, which they fupply by filling up the Vcffel
with Water) and come amongft the Indian Towns i thole
«hat buy the Rum of them have fo many Mouthfulls for
a Qw-Shmx they never ufc or have iny at.her kind @£
~- -~ -—-*—-- Meafurc

m

m

I I

M

The Natural HISTORY/

Meafure at prefent : for this purpofe the Buyer always
makes choife of his Man who hath generally the wideft
Mouth, whom he brings with him to the Place where it
is to be difpofedof, witn a Bowl to put it in.

The Indian Merchant, or Seller, looks very narrowly
to the Man's Mouth that meafures it, for fear he fhould
fwallow any down, either through witfulnefs, or o-
therwife, which it he fhould happen to do, the Mer-
chant or fome or his Party do not fcruple immediately
to knock the fellow down, exclaiming at the fame time
againft him for falfe Meafure, fo that the Buyer is obliged
to get another Mouth Piece to meafure it by ; moft cer-
tain it is, that the Indians have not fuch puny Palates
(as many of the Europeans have) otherwife they would
find out fome decent Method or other to meafure their
Liquor. This way of Trading muft not only fcem
firangc, but very diverting to the European Spc&ators,
to fee fo much Quarreling and Controverfy, as frequently
happens in this new and uncommon way of Dealing or
meafuring Rum.

The Indian King is the Ruler of the Nation he be-
longs to, and has others under him to affifl him, as his
War Captains and CouufeRors, who are chofen out of the
moft ancient and wife Men of his Nation. Thefc he
eonfults in all general Debates, concerning War or
'Peace 9 Trade, Hunting, and all the Adventures and Ac-
cidents of human Affairs, that appear or come within
their Jurifdidion, where all thefe Matters are difcourf-
cd of and argued pro and con very deliberately (without
making any Parties or Divisions) with the greater Con-
duct and Prudence immaginable, having nothing more at
Heart than what may be intirely for the publick Good
and fafety of their Nation, always valuing that before
their own private Intersil, After svery Man has given

■■■HI

North CAROLINA,

35«

his Opinion freely as he thinks proper, yet he that has
the moil Voices, or in iurijining up what hath been of-
fered, «ind is found to be the moft reasonable, that they
make ule of without Jars or Wrangling,and put it in exe-
cution the flrft Opportunity that offers; thefe being a
People that difcharge their Duty with all the integrity
and juftice immaginable ; every town amongft them has
a Ruler or Governor over it, yet the King is abfolutc
over his whole Nation.

The Succcflion falls not dire&ly to the King's Son, but
to his Sifters, which is a fure way to prevent Impoftures
in the Succeffion. They fomctimes poyfon the Heir
that they do not approve of, or judge incapable not to
govern them. The King himfelf is commonly the chief
Fcrfon concerned in this wicked and abominable Practice,
The Indians are fo well acquainted with the Poyfons
that this Country produces, that they have been known
to poyfon whole Families, and moft part of the Town ;
and it is certain, that they can poyfon a running Spring
or Fountain or Water, that whoever drinks thereof, will
foon after infallibly dye. When the Offender is difisovcr-
edj his own Relations urge for his being put to death,
whom nothing will appeafe but the moft cruel Tortures
Imagination can invent, and thefe executed in the moll
publick manner that is poffible for fuch a Tragical Scene
to be afted, fo great is their abhorrence of fuch wicked
Pradices. All the Nations to whom the Offender be-
longs, and the other Nations in Peace with them with-
in a hundred Miles or more (if it be pofliblc to ac-
quaint them) are fummoned to come and appear at fuch
a Time and Place, to fee and rejoyce at the Torments
and Death of fuch a Perfou, who is the common and
profeffed Enemy to all the friendly Indians thereabouts,
who now lies under the Condemnation of the whole

Nation

m

35*

The Natural HISTORY/

Nation, and accordingly is co be put to Death at fuCh a
time a$ they prefix.

Upon this Summons or Notice, all that are able ap-
pear from ali the adjacent pares, with all the Joy ima-
ginable, as if they were going to celebrate fame Flay or
other Diversion for the Entertainment of the whole Com-
pany. At this Meeting they generally have' a Fcaftpre-
parcd before they begin the Execution of the Criminal,
which they perform in the manner following j They
bring the Prifoncr to the place appointed tor his Exe-
cution, where he is fet down upon the Ground, all the
Company get about him, and there is not one forrow-
ful or dejefted Countenance to be fcen amongft them :
Every thing being thus prepared, the Pcrfon appointed
to be chiet Executioner takes a Knife, and bids the
Criminal hold out his Hands, which he does, then ano-
ther cuts the Skin round the Wrift, which is drawn
off like a Glove, and Head off at the Fingers end, break'
his Joints and Bones with great Clubs, and buffet and
torment him, *tiii fome violent Blow puts an end to his
wretched Life: They burn him to Ames, which they
carefuly gather and throw down the Rivers, as un-
worthy that the Earth fhould contain them.

As foon as this tragical Scene is over, they beg m
gheir Feaff, and eat and drink chearfully, repeating all
she Actions of the Tormenters, with the Prifoners be-
haviour during his Tortures; thus they fpend the
Night in one continued Scene of Mirth and Jollity, irs
having put to Death the common Enemy of their Na«
don, and all the others in Fricndfhip with them.

ThcCe Accufations are often wrongfully laid againft
Indian Heroes, or a great Man they have a mind to get
fid of, that has more Courage and Condud than his
Neighbouring Kings> or War Captains ; it is then they

alledgf

■■■■■■i

North CAROLINA.

333

alledgc the Practice of Poyfoning Indians againft hira^
and make a rehcarfal of every Pcribn chat died for a
Year or two, and give ouc chcy were poyfoned by fuch
an Indian ', this Report being once 1'prcad abroad, ftirs
up all the Relations of the deceated againft the faid Per-
fon \ by fuch means they take an advantage againft himi
and he is prefencly put to death.

They arc very rclervcd and politick in thefe Affairs^
and will attend a long time with a great deal of Pati~
ence to bring about their defigns, thele People being ne-
ver impatient of over ruiiy in executing any of their de-
igns of revenge,* yet they never forget .juries i one
by their Enemies, but always take a proper time to ao
cornplifh them, for they will endure a great many Mis-
fortunes, LolTes, and Diiappointmcnts without ever
ihowing thcmfelvcs vexed or uneafy at them.

If at any time they go by Water, and there happens
a Head or contrary Wind, they never fret, ot make them-
f elves uneafy as the Europeans are molt fubject to do?
arid let what troubles or misfortunes Co ever attend rjh m
they never feera to relent, but Carry it off wi:h as rauchs
fcfolution as any People upon Earth. Neither ^re the/
guilty of that vice fo common amongft the Europeans o£
envying each others happinefs, becaufe their Itation is
not equal or above their Neighbours- Of this Sin I ne^
ver knew an example amongft them, though they arc &
People that fet as great a value upon themfelves as any*
fort of Men in the World, upon which account they
find fomething valuable in themfelves above Riches oti
Grandure.

Thus he that is a good Warriour is the proudeft cre-
ature living, and he that is an expert Hunter is efteern'M
very much by the People and htm'felf; yet all rhefe are
natural virtues or Gifts and not Riches^ whien are as
Y y ©km

~'

f:

m

ml

554 Tb? Natural H I S T O R Y of

often in the poffeffion of a Fool as a wife Man. Several
of them are poflefs'd of great Quantities of Deer, and
Bcuer Skim, IVampum> Amunition, and many other things
which are eftcemed Riches amongfl them', yet fuch an
Indian is no more eilcemed or regarded by them than
any ordinary Fellow, provided he has no Perianal En-
dowments, which are the only Ornaments and Perfecti-
ons that muft gain him credit and efleem amongft thefc
People, for a great dealer amongil them is no otherwiic
valued or refpc&ed, than a Man that (trains his Wits,
and fatigues himfclf to furnifh others with ncccflaries
of Life.

There is fomcthlng furprizingly undaunted fin their
Behaviour when they are taken Captives, and expect to
die after the xnoft miferablc and tormenting manner thae
Savages can invent againfl fuch unfortunate Crcatures,as
happen to be their Pnfoners ; for at the very approach
©f Death they are obferv'd to flng, and fllew the great-
eft rcfolution and bravery of any People in the World ;
having no dread or fear to die j for they know by in-
£Hn& of Nature, and daily Experience, that all things
living are fubjed to Death, wherefore they have that
great and noble gift to fubmit to every thing that hap-
pens, with thc.greateli reflgnation imaginable^ and value
nothing that attacks them in this Life.

They are never fearful in the Night, neither do the
thoughts or dread ©f Spirits ever give them the leaf!
trouble, fuch as the Hobgoblins and Bug-bears, the Appre«
heniions of which we fuck in in our Infancy from Nur«
fes and Servants^ who fugeft to us, ftrange and Idle
Talcs of Fairies and Witches, which make fuch impr-
sffions on us in our tender Years, that at maturity wc
are moil commonly afraid of our own Shaddows, and
carry Pigmie-[Qul$ m Gjm~fadns ever after, by which

mszm

^

1£l

Nor^ CAROLINA. 355

means wc arc fo much depriv'd of reafon and unman'd,
that we arc never afterwards able to be Matters of
half the Courage and Bravery nature defigned for us,
whilft we remain in this World. Several inftanccs where-
of are daily to be met with amongft- us, which I omit
as being Foreign to what we treat of. Not but that
the Indians have as many lying Stories of Spirits and
Conjurers as any People ,* but they never tell them with
that difadvantage, or after that frightful manner, that
the Europeans arc fubjed to inform their Children. The
old Men amongft them bring themfelves into very great
eftecm by making the others believe tfreir familiarity
with Devils and Spirits, and what great advantage they
have thereby, which if it once gain credit amongft them,
they are ever afterwards held in the greateft refpeft and
veneration imaginable ; and whatever they impofeupon
thefe People for the future is received ascertain Truths.
Some of them arc fo very poor, that they have no
manner of Cloaths, only a Belt and wad of Mofs, to
cover their Nakednefs ; thefe are fuch as are lazy, or
will not Work or Hunt, and are given to Gaming and
Drunkencfs; yet thefe get Vi&uals as well as the reft,
becaufe that is in common amongit them all % If they
are caught in Theft amongft themfelves, the OfTfcnder
is made a Slave until fuch time as he makes full fatit-
fa&ion to the Injured Pcrfon ; but to fteal from the
Chriftians they reckon no Crime, nor think any harm in
io doing; notwithftanding they arc fcldom guilty of this
Vice amongft themfelves or the Chrifttans.
' The Indians (aslobfcrv'd before) are indefatigable
and expert Travellers in the Woods, and though they
have not the ufe of our artificial Compaft to guide them,
yet they are never at a lots to find their way, and let
ekm be in never fo great a Wilderncfs, shey andcrftarid
T" Yy 2 the

h j

356 The Natural HISTORY of

the North Point perfectly well, the principle Guide tb-y
have to mftru& them, being altogether Natural, which
is a fhort Mofs that grows on iome Trees exadly on the
Ncrthjtde thereof.

They have likewife Names for eight of the thirty
two Points, and call the Winds by their feveral Names
as we do, but indeed more properly -, for the North Wefl
Wind they call the told Wind, the Nonh-Ea/i, the wet
Jfrindjbz South, the warm tVind,m& Co agreeably of the
xefi, according to what Weather is produced by each
pf them0

it 'frequently happens that they have large Rivers or
JLakcs to pais^over, and if the Weather be fo foggy, as
it fometimes happens, efpccially in the Spring md fall of
the Leaf, that they cannot fee what Courfc to fleer, in
this cafe, they bcing.on one fide of the River or Lake,they
know what courfe fnch a Place (which they intend' for)
bears from them : Their Method in fuch cafes is this,
they get a great many Sticks and Chunks of Wood in their
Canoe, and fct off directly for their intended Port, and
as they proceed, they keep throwing over Board a'piece
of Wood, which dirc&s them,- for by feeing how "the
Stick bears from the Sterne of the Canoe, they obferve to
ireep right aft j this is their Ccmpafs, by which they will
go over a Water often or twenty Leagues broad.

They know the Head of any River, though five, fix,
or feven hundred Miles off, although they were never
there before, as is often proved by their appointing to
meet on the Head or fuch or fuch a River, where per-
haps not one of them ever had been, yet they frail ren-
dezvous there exactly at the time prefixed. If they meet
with any Obitm&ions in their Journey, they leave cer-
tain Marks in the way, that thofe who come after them
fill undcriiantj how many hfvc puffed before them, and

which

North CAROLINA.

351

which way they are gone. It is not to be imagined
how they will trace and find ont^cach other in theic fo-
litary and dcfolate Woods and Defarts, where there are
no Roads to guide, or any humane Creature to tell the
way. They arc alio very expeditious in finding out the
Negroes that frequently run away from their Matters in-
to the Woods,whcre they commit many outrages againft
the Chrifiians, as it happened in Virginia not long fin.ee,
where above three Hundred joined together, and did a
great deal or" Mifchitf in that Province before they were
iupprefled. The Indian Kings are fent for on thefe Oc~
cafions, who foon find our their Haunts, and commonly
kill many of them whenever they are fent in purfuit af-
ter them, for they never ccafc purfuing 'till they deftroy
or hunt them out of the Woods: this they will do in
the tenth part of the Time that the Europeans could do.
Thefe Negroes whenever they find the Indians in purfuit
of them, they return, and chufe rather to fubmit to the
Chrifiians, whom they have injured, than fall into the
Hands of the others, who have a natural avcrfion to the
Negroes, and take Pleafure in putting them to the moft.
cxquifitc Torments, when ever they find them thus in the
Woods, being allowed fo to do by the Chrifiians.

I faw four and twenty of thefe Negroes hanged in Vir-
ginia, for confpiring againfl; their Mailers, who had
taken Sanc\uary in the Woods for f ome time before they
were discovered, or hunted out by the Indians, who are
very ferviccable to the Chrifiians in thofe Parts, and
many other Provinces in the hands of the Englijh.

Another Inftance of this Nature happened not many
Years ago in this Province; fome of our neighbouring
Indians made their Complaint to the Governor, that two
Indians from the Mountains came to their Town when
they were abroad, and had taken pas of theft Wives by

furprize5

II;;

M

35s The Natural HISTORY^

furprize, and carried her away > the Governor deiired
them immediately to purfuc them, and if it wc, q gy 4v&$
to recover the Woman, which two or th"e#i >;ccorait:^ y
did : In travelling fome Days, they brou^.t back tue
Woman, and the Skins of the Heads pf their Enemies;
though they had been three Days gone otlwichtbe Wo-
man before the others purfued them ; now chcy could
difcovcr which way they went, in thole Woods and
Befarts, is not a little furprizing, and few ox none can
account for but themfelves.

In their War Expeditions they have certain Hieto-
gljphichy where by each Party inform the other or thcliu>
eels or lofles they have met with ; all which is io exactly
performed by their Sylvan Marks and Characters, that
they are never at a lofs to under/land one another, yet
there never were found any Letters among the People in
this Province, and I am perfuaded that there are neither
Letters or Learning to be met with amongft any of the
fehe Natives in all A?nerka.

It is admirable to fee how exa&ly they will draw Maps
of all the Rivers, Towns, Mountains, and Roads, or
what you fhall esquire of them, which may be drawn
by their Directions, and come to a (mall matter of La-
titude, reckoning by the Days Journies. Thcfe Maps
they will draw in the Ames of the Fire, and fometimes
on a Mat or piece of Bark.

I have like wife fecn a Pen put into one of their Hands,
wherewith he has not only drawn the Rivers, Bays, and
other parts of this Country, but likewife has imitated
the Hand Writing of thofe in Company very nicely, bur
whenever they make thefe Difcoveries to us, we tnuft
be very much in their Favour, otherwifc they will not
Ihow yow any thing they do or knoWo
^'- - There

North CAROLINA

359

There arc fcvetal forts of rich Mines in this Country,
fome of which the Indians arc well acquainted with,
and particularly one, whereof they make Bullets for their.
Guns to (hoot: Deer and other Game : I have fcen fome'
of this Oar with them, which is Lead, and of the rich-
eft fort, but they will not dtfeover to us where they get
it, efpeeially if it be near their hunting Quarters ; tor,
they lay, it is this Metal the Europeans fo much covet
(as they do their Peak and Ronoak) which if they fhouid
dif cover to the Chriftians, they would fettle near them,
and fo deprive them of the beft hunting Matches they
have, as they have already done where they arc fettled oi
inhabited h fo that by that Means they (hall be driven
out ok their Country to fome unknown parts to live.,
hunt, and get their Bread in.

Thcfe are the Reafons that they give for not discover-
ing what they know of this Nature. But amongft the
Cbriftians there have been few or no Enquiries made at
prefent, but what were difcovercd by Chance ; yet I
am fatisfied that the Mines and Minerals that this
Country produces are extraordinary good and valuable,
feveral Pieces whereof arc daily to be fcen amongft them,
who make no other ufe of it than what I have already
mentioned.

The principal Reafon of our want of Knowledge m
the Mines and Minerals, and many other valuable Se-?
crets in Nature that arc produced in this part of the
World (as the Spaniards are with theirs) is tor want or*
Encouragement amongft us ; for I am certain were inch
an Affair managed and carried on by a Company of
Wealthy Members, they would not only find their Ac-
count in fo advantagious an Undertaking, bu£ likewife
be a great Means to enrich the Britijh Monarchy. This
I teftifie from the Knowledge and Difcovcry of fome

Mines

■WW'[\

m

il

m

II ;:

i;i; ;: ;

L

360 The Natural H I S TX> KY of

I

Mines that were made known to me during my flay in
chat Country, which I fhall. be ready to difcover when
ever there is juft Encouragement given. Such a benefi-
cial Undertaking might be carried on very cheap in this
Country, where there is not only the benefit of a fine
healthful Climate, and all manner of Neceflaries for Life
in great plenty, but Ukewife all other Conveniences pro-
per for carrying on fuch an Affair, to be had is it. I
coud fay a great deal more on this Head, having travel-
led in fcveral parts of this Province to make the bed
difcoverys I poffibly cou'd of the valuable produce of the
Country.

As for Iron-Mine, it is no where bcrter and in greater
plenty, yet there is none of it Manufactured at prefent.
I will juft mention one thing more about the Mines,
which I had like to have forgot ; Not many Years ago
an Indian came privately to fome of the Planters in this
Province, and told them he wou'd difcover a Mine for
fome fmall gratuity, but at the fame time conjured them
to Secrecy, for if it were known to his Nation, they
woud put him to Death, and likewife that he never
durft come amongft them the Second time for fear ot be-
ing discovered by his Country-men. Things being a-
greed upon, the Indian brings them to the Mine, and
defired that they wou'd take particular care to remem-
ber and find out the place again, and irnmediatly left
them, and retired into the Woods ; with tranfports of
Joy they returne home, bringing fome of the Oar with
them, which was a very rieh Copper-Mine, for I have
fecn both the Oar and fome of it that was Smelted*
but when they had prepared ail things ncceffary to
dig and fearch for it, yet they cou'd never find out the
place again, or meet with she Indian afterwards.

3 When

North CAROLINA.

36*

When they are cifpofcd to hunt in chc Wood*, tney
generally go out in great Numbers togctner, and feverat
Days Journies from nome. They always Dcgin chefs
Hunting marches at the approach of Winter, wnen the
Leave.% are fallen from the Trees, and become dry, or
when Skins and Furs are belt m Scaion. It is :hen they
burn the Woods, by letting lire to the withered Leaves^
Bentyind dry Grafs, which they do with matches m de
of the Black Mcjs that hangs on the Trees waicii s
fomctimes above fix Feet long* This Mtfs wacndtAd
becomes black (chough of an Afh colour befotc) i».d
will then hold Fire as well as the belt Match in Europe*
In places where this Mofs is not to be found (as tows-as
the Mountains and He-ds of the Rivers) they make
Lentels of the Bark of Cjprefs, which serves as well.

Thus they frequently leave cne;'r H. .ufesand retire in-
to the Woods for tour or five Months together, was*
November, December, January, February, and March, ac
which time the Skins are ia Seafon, and fct Fire to
the Woods for many Miles together to drive out thd
Deer and other Game into final I Necks of Lands. iad
other places where tney fix their Guards, by whicti
means they kill and defhoy what they picaie, efpcciaHy
fuch as drive to efeape the Fire and get tnrough the
palTes they have made for that purpofe.

In thefe Hunting matches they bring tneir Wives and
MiitreiTes along with them, where they eat fcvcral kinds
of Fruits which that Coantry produces, and live in all
the Mirth and Jolity that it is poffiblc for fuch People
to entertain themfelvcs with. It is ia thefe Han ing
matches they get their complement of Deer-Skim FurSj
and many other commodities to trade writh the Cbriftiansi
the Deer-Skins being in Seafon here in Winter, w iich
is sontrary in England and Ireland', moft of ail t c t
Z 2 fmal

362 The Natural HISTORY of

fmail Game they kill with their Bows and Arrows -
fuch as Geefe, Turkeys, Ducks, and various kinds of wild
Beaits, as Raccoons, F'oJJums, Squirrels, and feveral other ;
forts of Vermine, judging it not worth throwing Pow-
der and Shot after then'. '

The wild Turkeys being very plenty in North-Carolina,
especially in the Oak Lands, as moil of it is that lies any .
diftance backwards ; iomc of theie they Roaft or Boyl3
others they Barbecue and eat with Bears-greafe, this is
accounted amongft diem a good Difti, and indeed I do
not doubt but it is for the Bears-greafe (as I iaid before)
is the fweeteft and leaft offcnlive to the Stomach of any
Fat of Animals yet known in America-, and I am very
■certain, that the Turkeys art Fat, and exceeding good
eating, if well drefs'd.

The Men never beat their Com to make Bread, thai
h the Women's Work, and efpcciaily the Girls, where
you (hall fee four oi: them beating with long, Peftils
in a narrow wooden Mortar, and every one keeping her
itroke fo exactly, that it is. worthy of admiration, and
curious to behold them when they are thus at Work ;
for thefe Indians have no manner of Mills, or any other
way to make their Meal but with Mortars.. '

Their Cookery continues from Morning till Night$
dreffihg their Venifon after different Methods, according
to each one's Fancy, this being the Women's bufinefs :
The Hunting makes them Hungry, and they arc a Peo~
pie that eat very often, and frequently get up at Mid«
night, and other unfeafonable Hours to cat and fatis-
fic their craving Appetites, notwithftanding you fhail
never fee any oi them Corpulent or Fat.

They plant feveral forts of Pulfe, part of which they
eat green in the Summer, keeping fufficient quantities
for their Winter Provifion y this they carry -with them to

ca£

■■i

North CAROLINA

eat in th-ir Hunting Matches. The fmall Red Peafe
are rery common with them, and feveral other forts,
which they boyle with their Meat, or with Pigeon 's or
Bear's Fat ; this Food makes them break Wind back-
wards, which the Men frequently do, feem well pleaf-
ed, and laugh heartily, being accounted no 111 Manners
amongit them ; but the Women are fclaom known to
be guilty of that indecent Cuftom.

At their fetting out cither for War or Peace, or upon
any other extraordinary Expedition, there are feveral For-
malities amongft them, and they whofe Bufinefs it is to
attend their hunting Camp, are generally thole that are
not good or expert Hunters, therefore are employed to
carry Burthens, to gst Bark for their Cabins, and all
other fervile Work, like wife to go too and fro to their
Towns, and bring News to the old People (whom they
leave behind) of their Succefs and Welfare.

The Women are likewifc obliged to carry their Loads
of Grain and other Provisions with them to thefe ran*
dezvous, and provide Firewood to drefs Victuals ; for a
good Hunter or Warrior, in thefe Expeditions is cm-
ployed in no other Bufinefs than the Affairs of Game or
Battle. The great quantities of Fruit that they dry in
the Summer over Fires and Hurdles, and in the Sun, arc
at thefe times brought into the Field ; as are alio the
Cakes and Quiddmitt of Peathes ; with this Fruit and
the BiU-berrks dried, they flew and make fruit Bread
and Cakes, and have variety of other forts of Fruits
preferred, which are brought out upon thefe occafions.

In fome parts of this Province, cfpecially near the
Mountains, and amongil the Indians in thoie Places,
they have feveral hundred Gallons of Paeon's Oil or Fat,
which they prefervc fo* their Winter Stores, ufing it
with their Puift, Roots, and Bread, as we do Butter :
" J 7 Z% % ' ' Theft

§64 The Natural HISTORY of

Thefe Fowl arc Co plenty, that Millions of them arc fecn
in Flocks in a Day, they iornecimes break large Boughs
pf the Pine, arid other Trees whereon they perch or rooft
at Night, making the Ground as white as Snow with
their Dung, and deftroying every Herb or fmail Plant
where it fails, being in fomc Places above half a Foot
deep. The /imhmw take a Light of Pitch-Pine in one
Hand, a long Pole in the other, and go into the Woods
at Night where they arc, and kill thoufand* of them
|>y knocking them off the Trees ; this is always done
in the Winter, at which time they appear in Flocks.

Thus they remain in thefe hunting Camps all the Win-
ter > and part of the Spring, WW fuch time as the Seafon
approaches for plantiag their Maze, Pulje, and other
frujts, In thefe Quarters at fparc Hours, they make
Batfats and Mats to lie upon, and thofe that arc not ex-
traordinary Hunters, make Bowls, Diflies and Spoons,
pf Gum-Wood and Tulip-Tree. Oihers where they find a
\Vein of White Clay fit for their Purpofc, make Tobacco.
Wipes, and feveral other thiags, which arc often tranf-
ported and bartered with other Indians that have plenty
©i Deer Skins, ®r fuch Commodities as they have occa-
fion for. They buy with thefe Manufadures, their
Raw Skins with the Hair ©n3 which our Neighbouring
Indians bring to their Towns, and in the Summer make
their Slaves and bad Hunters drefs them ; the Winter
Sun being not flrong enough to dry them ; thofe thac
are dried in their Cabins are black with the Light-wood
Smoak, which they commonly burn.

Their way of dreffing their Skins is by foaking them
In Warer ; they get the Hair off with an Inffrument
ma.de of the Bone of a Deer's Foot (fomc ufc a fort o£
Iron Drawing JLnife, which they purchafe from the Eu-
ryeims) after the Hair is take of£, they diifolvc Deer's

,:• . _

North CAROLINA.

36$

Brains (which they have made into Cakes and baked in
the Embers) in a Bowl of Water, where they fpak and
rub the Skins 'till they have fucked up all the Water,
then they dry them gently, and keep continually work-
ing them with an Oyfter-jbell, or fomc fuch thing to fcrape
withal 'till they are ary, by which means they become
fort and pliable. The Skins dreffed after this manner,
will not endure Wet, but become hard ; they therefore
Cure them in the Smoak, or Tan them with the Bark
of Trees : When they have not the Brairas to drefs
their Skins, they ufc the young Indian Com beaten to
Pulp, which bach the fameEffeft as the former, for they
are never at a lofs for one or the other to Cure them, but
whether they have any orher Method is unknown to the
Christians, which I am apt to believe they have ; for I
have feen abundance of chem dreft, which would endure
the Water, and were as pliable as any in Europe, and
would wafh as well.

They are not only good and expert Hunters of the
Wild Bcafts and Game of the Forcffc, but likewise very
dextrous in taking the Fifii In the Rivers and Waters
near which they inhabit, and are acquainted with. Thus
they that live a great way up the Rivers pradke {hiking
Sturgeon, Kock-fifi or Bafs, and fcveral other forts of filh
with lights, that come up the Rifers and Creeks to
Spawn.

They have Fifi-gigs that are made of the Rccds of
Hollow Canny thefe they cut and mafcc very fliarp, with
two Beards, and taper at the Point like a Harpoon j be-
ing thus provided, they cither wade into the Water, ot
go into their Canoest and paddle about the Edges of this
Rivers or Creeks, {hiking all the Fifl* they meet with
In the depth of five or fix Feet Water, or as far as they
can fee them ? this they commonly do in dark calm
:"■ r-r-. —.'",-, — . t\ ; -~-;- - ; ~> - lights

S&& The Natural HISTORY^

Nights, and whilft one attends with a I>ht made of
the jjPW-/tfi», the other with his fijb-gig ft:r«$ana kills
the fifti: It is diverting to fee them ink after this man-
ner, which they fomctimes do in the Day; how dexte-
rous they are in finking, is admirable, and the great
quantities the) kill by this Method.

They likewife kill vaft quantities of Sturgeon, which
they take m Snares as we do Pike and Trout in Europe.
T he Herrings m March&nd April run a great way up the
Rivers and rrcfh Streams to Spawn, where they make
large Wears with Hedges of long Poles or HJow Cane<
that hinder their pafTagc only in the middle, where an
artificial pond is made ro takethem m, fo that they can-
not return. Thcfc Wears are Common ail over the Ri-
vers, and frefh Wafer Streams in thefe parts, where they
take vafc quantities of Herrings, Trouts, Pikes, and feve-
ral other forts of Fifh that are plentifully to be met wish
in them.

_ The taking of Craw Fife is like wile very pleafant and
diverting, for when they arc difpofed to get thefe Shell
Fifh, they take a piece of Venifon and halt Bar hue or
Roaft it, then they cut it into thin Slices, which they
itick through with Reeds about fix Inches diftance be-
twixt each piece, the Reeds are made fharp at one
end, and they firike a great many of them down in the
Bottom of the Water (thus baited) in (hull running
Brooks where the Craw fifh confhntly frequent. Thus
they fit by and attend thofc baited Sticks, every now and
then taking them up to fee how many arc at the Bait,
where they generally find abundance, fo take them off
and put them in Baskets provided for that purpofe,and
then Hick down the Reeds again, by this method in a
little time they will catch fevcrai Buffols full, which are
|s good as any in Europ, • ~:

:n*fe

ISorth CAROLINA.

367

Tnofc that live or frequent near the Salt Water take
abundance of Fifh or feveral forts, fomc of them are
very large, which to prefcrvc, they firft Barbecue, then
pull them to pieces, and dry them in the Sun, and keep
them for their Ncceffitics 1 as for Scate, Oy/iers, Ccckles9
and feveral other forts of SheU-fiih, they open and dry
upon Hurdles, keeping a conftant Fire under them ; thefe
Hurdles arc made of Reeds or Hollow Canes , in fhape of a
Gridiron. Thus they dry feveral Bufhels of them, and
keep for their Provifion in time of fcarcety.

At the time when they arc on the Salts and Sea Coafts,
they have another fort of Fifhery for little Shell-fifo, cal-
led in England, Blackmoor's Teeth; thefe they catch by
tying bits of Oyfiers co a long String, and lay it in fueh
places as they know thefe Fifties hauntj they get hold
of the Qy&ers and fuck them in, that they pull them up
by the Strings in great Quantities ; they carry thefe a
great way into the Main Land to trade with the remote
Indians, where they are of great value, but never near
the Sea, being common, and therefore not much cfteem-
ed by them that live near the Saks.

It is an cftablifhcd Cuftom amongft all the Natives in
thefe Parts, that the young Hunters never cat of that
Buck, Bear, Fijh, or any other fort of Game which hap-
pens to be the firft they kill, becaufc they believe if they
Should cat thereof, they never would be afterwards for-
tunate in Hunting. The like foolifh Cuflom they hold
when they make a Wear :to take Fifh in, if a Woman
with Child eat of the firft Difh caught therein, they
fay that Wear will never take much Fifli in it after-
wards.

/The Tobacco is in fuch great Eftcem amongft fome
Nations of the Indians^ that they think their Gods are
delighted therewith, whereupon they make Fires and call

iome

t%

36B

The Natural HISTORY of

feme of the Powder thereof into it for a Sacrifice, and
being in a Storm upon the Waters, to pacific the Bad
Spirit, they caft fomc up into the Air and the Water;
likewife a Wear to take Fi£fo5 being newly made, they
caft fomc thereon, and into the Air, as alfo for an ef cape
from Danger. All this is performed with ilrange Cere-
monies and Geflurcs, one while Stamping, Leaping,,
Dancing, clapping of Hands, and uttering of Grange
Words,

As for killing of Snakes, mod Indium avoid it, and if
they even lye in their way, they will not moleft them,
but pafs by on the other fide, becaufe their Opinion isj
that if they fhould kill them, the Serpent's kindred would
deftroy (ome of their Brethren, Friends, or Relations,
in return* They have a thoafand of thefe fooliih Ce-
remonies and Cuftoms amongft them, which they fted=
faftly believe, and are ftrict obfervers of, but are too
tedious to mention, and would be of little or no advan-
tage to the Readers.

There arc fome few of them that ufc the Jewifb Cuf-
tom of Cinttmcifion^ though this kind of Practice it but
leldom uied amongfl: them ; I never knew but two Fami-
lies in all the Nacions of Indians 1 have converted with,
that were (o ; the Reafon whereof I could never learn*
motwithftanding 1 was very intimate with them, and
have often urged them to give me an account on that
Head, but could get oo manner of Anfwcr, which with
them is as much as to fay, / will not tell you. They have
many other ftrange Cuftoms amongft them, that they
will render no Reafon for, or give any Account of to
the Europeans.

The Savages in thefc parti are iievcr known to be guil-
ty of that abominable Sin called Sodomy, as many ip
die PhiliPPian Bands arc fajd so b%* Mu Candilh in his

t is

North CAROLINA,

Travels reported], ' That the Savaged in Caput, an Iff-

* and near Manila in the We& Indies ,nave a very ilrange

e Cuftom amuiigit them, which is chis^ every Mar. and

Male Child hath a Nad of Tin uiruft through the

Head of his Private Member, being fpiic and riviteti

at the lower End, this is done whilft they are youngs

and the place gioweth up again without any great

pam to the Child, this Nail they can takeout am

as there is occalion,' And the lame Author, as z

Confirmation of the Truth hereof, (ays, * We otirfelveg

6 have taken one or theie Nails out of thePiivaceM«-tn-

8 bcr of a King's Son, who was ten Years old.' Vhk

Cuitom he iikewife fays, was granted at the Rcqueft of

the Women in that Country, who findng their Mil

to. be given to Sodomy, dclired fome Remedy againf^

that Mifchief, and obtained this of enc Magiftrates.

They are very great Conjurers, of whom there are fc-
veral ftrange Stories related who perform their Exorcifm,
after the following Manner. The Sorccerer appavells
himfelf in a clean drefs'd Deer Shin; they make a Urge
Fire in the middle of the Plantation, the hdi.ms all fit-
ting round it ; the Conjurer is blindfolded very fecurc,
and furrounds the Fire three times ; leaving the Com-
pany at the Fire, he wentforrie diftane'e'into he Wdods*
where he flayed a ft ort time, at his rietdrn he fur-
rounded the* Fire as before, and leaving them* 'd
time, he went into the Woods, where ne remained auUtl:
half an Hour, he performed this BxbrcifM che third time^
after this he made a very ftrange and frfghrhal Howl'ng,
which being finiiried, an Indi.m immed.ateiy caught
hold of him, and led him to the Fire ; by this time he
was fo feeble and weak that he could nor (land alone9
being all over in a Sweat, and as wer as if he had fallen
into the River, after fome little time he-recovers his
A a a Strength,'

3^0 The Natural HISTORY of

Strength, and gives them an Account of what they de-
mand.

It is reported by feveral Planters m thofe parts, that
they raiie great Storms of Wind, and that there are ma-
ny frightful Apparitions that appear above the Fires
during the time of their Conjuration, that large Swarms
ol very ftrange and uncommon forts of Flies have been
feen to hover over the Fire for fome time and then to
fall into it, where they were all vifibly confum'd, and
likewife the Appearance of feveral frightful forts of
Birds, and laftly a flrong fraell of Brim/lone 9whi\(t they
are performing thefe Charms.

1 fhall mention fome of their pradices, and fo leave
them to the Judgment of every Reader; thefe Conjurers are
the Pr lefts and DoBors of every Nation amongit the In-
dians, to whom the common People give great Credit
and Refpec~t, becaufe they believe them to be great Ma-
frkiam 3lhzt they frequently converfe with the good and
bad Spirit. They likewiie make the Orations at every
Feaft or publick Meeting.

Thefe Conjurers likewife ferve them inftead of Pbyfni-
ans and Surgeons, who conftantly attend the fick, and
always carry about them a bag full of Herbs to cure
their dilorders, thefe make Harangues about the deceased,,
let his Death be occaiioned after' ever fo different a man-
ner, for if it fhou'd be occafion'd by Sicknefs, then he
tells the People that it is the bad Spirit that occafion'd his
Death. But if it fhoud happen that an Indian comes to
an untimely Death by any accident, then the Do&or
makes an Oration fuitable to the Occalion.

For it happened not many Years ago, that an Indian
was kilf d by Lightning, and before the Interment, accord-
ing to their Cuitom, every one had fome hot Vi&uals or
Taupan^Im given him, waich he did with what he pieaf-

£ r t- -" ed,

_.

9k£fc

North CAROLINA.

3V

cd. Then the DoHor began to talk, and told the Peo-
ple wnat Lightning was, that it kill'd every thing upon
the Earth, that tiic very Fifhcs did not cfcape, for it often
reached the Whales, Porfoifes,3Lnd other Fifties, and des-
troyed them ; that every thing ftrove to fhun k$ except
the Mice, who he faid were the bufieft in eating theic
Corn in the Fields when it Lightned and Thunder d the
molt. He like wife added, that no Wood or Tree cou'd
withftand it, except the Black-Gum, and that it wou'd
run round that Tree a great many times to enter there-
in, but cou'd not efteel: it. Now you mult underftand
that fort QiGum will not Split or rive; therefore I fup-
pole the Story might ariie from thence. Laftly he be-
gan to ^eli ridiculous abfurd lyes about Lightning, that
cou'd be invented; as that an Indian of their Nation had
once got Lightning in the likenefs of a Partrige, that no
other Lightning cou'd hurt him whiift he had that about
him, that after he had kept it for feveral Years it got
away from him, and that then he became as liable to be
ft ruck v/ith Lightning as any other Man ; thus they a-
mule the People with a Thoufand fuch like ridiculous
ftories, which they receive for themoft infallible Truths.
They likewife deliver the hearers ieveral traditional
ftories of great Battles that were fought by their Ances-
tors, of ftrangc Beads and Birds that were to be metwitn
many Years ago, and that a great Rattle Snake that
lived in a Creek in North-Carolina kill'd abundance of
Indians, but at laft a, Bald Eagle kill'd it, and they were
rid of a Serpent that.us'd to devour whole Canoes full o£
Indians at a time. So that you may lee how cafie thefe
Wretches arc to be impos'd upon by thefe old Cuming
Knaves, who 1 am perfwaded underftand a little betteS!
than to give credit; to any fuch Fooleries.

A aa a I

M

912

The Natural HISTORY of

J will in the next place give fome account of their

j.,k and Surgery. Thefc DoBor s or Conjurors arc thofc
{us 1 laid before) that vifit and attend the lick, who ufe
xnany charms \ Witchcrafts and to gain a greater efteem
and credit amongit thefe People, tnej 'tell them that all
jdieit Ecftempaw are the effects of the ^ or *t/j7 ^/V/j,
wtiv has muck them with this or that malady. There-
fore none J f chefe Doctors undertake any diflcmpcr, but
thai he ficfl comes to an Exvrcijm to effect the Cure, and
acquaints the h k parties Sriends or Relations, that he
snuff couvcdc with, the g<W $w#, to know whether the
JPaEieni will tecovcr or not ,- if fa, then he will drive out
the had Spirit, and then the lick Perfpn will recover and
Jbecon?e well.

When an Indian is fick, it they think there is much
danger of Life, and that he is a great Man, or hath
good Friends, their method or behaviour in curing is as
follows. The DoBor is immediately km for, and as fooa
as he comes into their Cabin, the f]ck Perfon is placed on
a Mat ox Skin ftark^aked, lying on his £ack all unco-
vcr'd, except fome (mall trifle that covers their nakednefs
when ripe, ocherwifc in Children, or young People there
Is nothing about them. In this manner the Patient lies
•when the Conjurer or DoBor appears, and generally the
King of that Nation comes ro attend him with a Rattle
made of sl Gourd with Peafe or Indian-Corn in it, which
the King delivers into the Dolors Hands, whjJft another
brings a Bowl of Water and fers it down.

Things being thus prepared, the DoBor then begins
and utters Tome few Words foftly ,- afterwards he fmells
to the Patients Navel, and fometimes Scarifies hira a
little with ai#/»|,oranInitrument made of Rattle-Snake *j
Yeeth for that purpofc, then he Sucks the part, and gct$
our a Mouthful of Blood and £erum3 but Serum, chiefly s

North CAROLINA.

313

which he (pits into the Bowl of Water, by which means
he pretends to Suck out what occafions thfe Ihitem-

per*

Then he begins to mutter and talk apace ; and at
lad to cut Capers andclap his Hands on hi* Hritcli and
{ides till he is all over in a Sweat, which to an Eui 'fern
woud not only leem a very odd and flrange Sigir. but
likewife that he was running Mad, every now fttij then
Sucking the Patient, nil {uch time as he gets* great quan-
tities of Blood and ill coloured Matter, out of the Belly,,
Armet, Breaft, Forehead, Temples, Neck, and mod ptnet
parts of the Body, dill continuing his Grimaces and Art-
pick Pollutes, which to Europeans woud ieem more like
the Actions of Men in Bedlam than Potters attending

At lad you will fee the Do-all over in a Sweat, and
fo feeble, that he is fcarce able to dand or utter one
Word, having quite fpent himfelf, then he will ceale for
a while to recruit his Spirits, and begin again, 'till he
comes to the fame pitch of raving and feeming Madnefs
as before ; during all this time and thefe performances of
the Do&or, the fick Perfon never fo much as moves, al-
though doubtlcfs the Scarifying and Sucking muft be a
great punifhment to him.

But they arc the mod patient under the Misfortunes
of Life, of any People I ever faw in all my Travels^
Ladly, the Doftor makes an end, and tells the Patient s
Friends whether the fick Perfon will Live or Dye, and
then fome one that waits at this Ceremony takes the
Blood away (which remains in a Lump in the middle
of the Water) and imraediatly Buries it very fecretly in
the Ground, the glace being unknown to any but he
that inter? it* _,, r

374 The Natural HISTORY^"

Thcfc jpeopie are great Inchanters, and ufe many
Charms oi Witchcraft, for when they are troubled with
the Readach, they cye a great Scone with a String to a
Sack or Pole, and with certain Prayers, or bewiLchiflg
cxpreffions, they lift up ciic Stone rrom the Ground to
the top or the Pole, which fomctimes with ail a Man's
iirength they cannot ftir from the place; and at other
times they lift as cafy as a Feather * by chh Spell and cer-
tain Ceremonious Words,they expect to have immediate
eafe and help for the Patient. I am throughly fatisfied
that thefe Conjurors are very great Impofturcs, yet I have
feldom or never known their Judgment fail in regard of
the Patients jiving or dying, though I have feen them
give their opinion after this manner feverai times : Some
affirm -that there is a fined of Bnmftom in the Cabins
whilft they are thus Conjuring, which I cannot contradict,
sjor will I take upon me to argue how it came there, but
fhall proceed to another relation of one of their Indian
Kings being fkk, and the method us'd by the Dottor tor
the recovery of his health, which is fomething like the
former viz.,

^X3ni of their Kings being fick, the DeEi.tr was imme-
diately fent for, and as foon as he arrived, he orderd a
Bowl of Water to be brought him and placed before
the King, on whom he ipnnkled fome part out of his
Mouth, then he. took a firing of Ronoak about too Feet
long (which is like a firing of fmali Beads) this he held
at onc^ end between his Fingers, and the other touched
the Kings Stomach ; he began to mutter many exprefli-
oms of Words, and to ufe many grimaces for fometime,
at length the firing o*7 Beads that hung thus perpendicu-
lar, turn'd up as an Eel woud do, and without any mo-
tion of his Hand came ail up in a Lump under his ftand,
$ »;d remained (o for a considerable time, he never doling

his

North CAROLINA

315

his Hand all the while; at laft they returned to their
former fhape and length ; at which the European Specta-
tors were much iurprized, fome of them confidently af-
firmed, that they heard iomething anfwer him whilft he
muttered fome Words, though there was nothing to be
feen. The DnUor told the Company that the King would
recover, and that his Diforder would remove into his
Leg, that it would be much inflamM and fwcll'd, which
happened exactly as he foretold.

They alfo conjure for ftollen Goods, though Robbery
and Theft are not common Vices amongft them, yec
they arc fometimes guilty of thefe Crimes,* and ileal
Ronoak and Deer Skim from each other • when they can-
not difcover the Thief, they immediately lend for the
Conjurer to find him out, and as foon as he appears, he
begins after the following manner. Firft he orders three
Fires to be made alter a triangular Form, which is
accordingly done • he is then hoo i winked very lecur-
ly with a Deer Shu, doubled two or three times, over
his Face ; when this is done, he is placed in the center
of the thrat Fires : after he has made fome Motions (as
always thefe Conjurers do) he went dirc&ly out of one
ot the three gaps of the Fire, as directly as if he could
fee, mutrering to himfelf, having a Stick in his Hand,
with which, after fome time, he gives two ftrokes very
hard upon the Ground, and made thereon a kind of 2
Crofs, after which he told them the Name of the Perfor*
that had ftolen the Goods, and faid he would have z
Mark like a Crofs on his Back, which proved according-
ly, for when he was taken and fearch'd, there appeared
two great Wheals on his Back one crofs the other.

There are feveral other Stories of this Nature, which
the moft fubftantial and credible Planters in thefe parts
affirm for Truth, and that they have been Eyc-witneiFe$i

316

The Natural HISTORYo/

to. They alfo report that they have km one of rhcfe
Conjurers take a Hol/ow Cane about two Feet long, in his
Mouth, and Hand by a Creek fide, where he called with
the Reed two or three times, at lad opened his Arms,,
and fiew over a Creek about a quarter of a Mile broad,
as it he had been running upon Terra Fir ma I (hall
urge no Man's belief in this, having never (ccn it done
by any of them, and only give k as reported above ; but
fome of the former 1 have been a Witnefs to, therefore
dare boldly aifert as Fad.

As to their Rel/gion, k is tmpoifiblc to give any true
Dcfciiptionoi it, for as they can neither read nor'write,
whatever they have of this kind is founded mecrly upon
Tradition. There are a great many Cufioms, or rathe i:
Abfurdities amongtt them, which they keep as the mo ft
profound Secret ,* that they never will acquaint any of
the Chilians with the Knowledge thereof, notwirh-
ftanding the many Methods ufed, fuch as making them
Drunk, the promifc of Rewards, £rv. but to no purpofe,
for fo lubtile and cunning are they, that it is next to an
impoflibility to make them dilcover it, or tA fathom out
their (ecret Defigns, whether they do this becaufe they
are fenfiblc of their own Weaknefs in pra&ifing them,
or any other Motive they may have to induce them fo to
do, is known to none but themfelves, let other Writers
pretend what they will to give a true Notion of their
Worfhip ,• you fhall fee them amongft their Idols and
dead Kings in their Quiogofon or Charntl Houfe, where
the Bones of the deceaicd arc laid (a Cuftom like this we
read of pra&ifed by the Indians in the Kingdom of Pegu
in the Baft Indies) into which place the King, with the
Conjurers and fome few old Men are admitted. to go, but
as ror the young Men, and the chicfcft Number ot the
Indians, they are kept as ignorant of what the Elders

M9

!;?

North CAROLINA.

317

are as any European, let him be in ever fo great Efteem
and Friendship with the King or great Men ; he is not
admitted to enter the Houfe at thofc times, or to have
Knowledge of their Secrets or what they arc doing.

They are generally very ignorant of the firft Creation
of Man, or from whence they came, for fome fay they
arc defcended from an old Man who came tnither in a
Boat, which they call a Canoe } but wnether this was
before or after the Flood, they can §ivc lictle or no fa-
tisfa&ory Account. Ochcrs ( with whom 1 have fre-
quently converfed on that Head ) believe that they arc
made out of the fine white Mould or Earth, and that che
Blacks or Negroes are formed out of the black Dirt and
fwampy Earth $ this wassail that I could ever learn from
them on that fubje£t. They all believe that the World
is round, and that there are two Spirits, the one Gwod
and the other Bad . The Good one they reckon to be
the Author and Maker of al) Thiogs5and fay that it is he
that gives them the firft Fruits of the Earth, and teaches
them to Hunt, Fifh, and be wile enough to overcome
the Beads of the Wildernefs, and ail other Creatures,
that they may be afliftant unto Man. To which they
add, that the Quera, or Good Spirit has been very kind
co che Europeans, in teaching chetn how to make Guns
and Amunition, befides a .^reat many other NeccfTaries
that are helpful to Man, all which they, (ay will be de-
livered to them when the Good Spirit fhall think fit :
They alfobelieve the Good Spirit does not punifll any
one in this World or that to come, but that he delights
in doing good to Mankind, in giving them plenty of
the Fruits of the Earth, inftructing them to make many
uieful Things, and all the Advantages and Pleafures
they enpy. But as for the Bad Spirit (who lives Ope-
rate from the Good one) they fay it is he that torments
B b b thern,,

'&

378 The Natural HISTORY of

them with Sicknefs, Disappointments, Lodes, Hunger,
Cold, Travel, ana all other Misfortunes that are inci-
dent to human Life, whom they worfhip to appcafe his
Wrath. As to wnat concerns their Treatment in the
other World, I ftiall treat of it hereafter, when I come
to make mention of their Notions concerning Heaven and
Hell.

Though the Indians are very refolute, and die with a
great deal of Courage and Bravery, in the Hands of their
Enemies ; yet I have known tiiem tremble, and be in the
greateft fear and agony imaginable, when they had fen-
tence oi: Death pronounced againit them by the Englijb,
for Capital Crimes, whereof they have been fomcumes
gvulty. Whether this Fear was owing to their not being
put to death by their common Enemies, or being deli-
vered up to the Englijb by their own Nation, I cannot
determine. I am certain they meet with more Favour
from the Chnfliam, than they do amongft themfelves,
who only hang them on Trees for their Offences. Thefe
Savages fomenmes fhew the greateft Reluclance and
Concern imaginable to deliver up thefe Offenders to
the Europeans, efpecially if he was a great Warrior or
Hunter amongft them; yet for their own fafety they
will comply, and put the Offender into their Hands, to
be dealt with according to their Laws.

Thefe Kings have been known to make offers to the
Chrifiiam by way of Exchange for an Innocent Perfon to
die in the room of the Guilty : fo fond are they to pre-
serve their own Men if poflibly they can ; but thefe be-
ing Requefls contrary to the Chriftian Principles, are ne-
ver granted or complied with.

When a Criminal is hanged, the King with the Rela-
tions of the deceafed come and pull him by the Hand and
fay Words to this purpofe ; Thou viilt never flay any

more

North CAROLINA

319

more rogutfi Tricks in this World, and whether -art thou gone
now to Pliy thy Tucks. When the Criminal is dead and
taken down, they are perfectly eafy, and free from all
manner or" Concern about him, though a few Days be-
fore fo unwilling to deliver him up ; they generally end
thefc Tragedies in Feafting and a fit of Laughter, which
puts an end to their Mourning for the lofs of theirjFricnd,
and never think of the decca&'d more.

Their Burials arc different from each other, every Na-
tion having peculiar Methods of their own ; fome of
which I fhall here give an account of,, wxa They raiie
a Mole of Earth, the Mould whereof they take great
pains to make fmooth, and is higher or lower according
to the Dignity of the Pcrfon deceased, whole Monu-
ment it is, over which there is a Shade or Umbrella,
made Ridge- ways, like the R«.of of a Houie, this is
{imported by nine Stakes or fmali Polls driven into the
Ground, the Grave being about fix or eight Feet in
length, and near four Feet in breadth, about which they
hang Gourds, Feathers, and fuch like Trophies placed by
the dead Man's Relations, in relpe<5t to him in the
Grave. The other parts of the Funeral Rights arc thus :
Asioon as the Party is dead, they lay the Corps upon a
piece of the Bark of a Tree in the Sun, (earning or em-
balming it with a fmall Root tteaten to Powder, which-
thev have in plenty, but will never difcover to the Eh*
yopeans where it grows, it looks as red as Vermillion, which
they mis with Bear's-otl, to beautifie and preferve their
Hair, After the Carcafe has lain a Day or two in the
Sun, they remove and lay it upon Crotches made for
that purpofc to fupport it from the Earth ; they anoint
It all over with the above mentioned Oyntroent made of
the Red Root and Bear's-greafe; when this is done, they
cover it all over very exadly with the Barks of the F\ne,
Bbbs <*

380

The Natural HISTORY of

Pint, or Cyprefi Tree, to prevent the Rain falling upon it,
and other injuries of the Weather, frequently fweeping
the Ground very clean about it. Some of his neareft
Relations bring all the Temporal Eftatc he was poffeft
©1 at his Death, fuch as Guns, Bows and Arrows, Beads,
Feathers, Deer Skins, Matchcoas, and the like, wherewith
they adorn the Grave. The neareft Relation is the prin-
cipal Mourner, being clad in Mois ( that grows upon
Trees) after a very odd and itrange manner, with a
Stick in his Hand, keeping a mournrul Ditty for three
or tour Days, his Face being made as black as a Negroe
with the Smoak and Soot of the Pitch Pine, mingled with
Bear's-gveafe ; during this time he tells all the Spectators
that approach near him, or pafs by, who the deceafed
was, and what great Feats he performed in his life time,
all tending to the Praife of the defunct.

When the Flefh grows Mellow, and cleaves from the
Bones, they t«ke it off and burn it, making the Bones very
clean, and anoint them with Ointment, wrapping the
Scull up very carefully in a Cloth artificially woven of
Pojjum's Hair ox a dreffed Deer Skin which they every
Year or oftner, cleanfc and anoint with the RedQymment,
by thefe Means they preferve them for many Ages ; they
likewife carry them from place to place as they remove
their Dwellings 3 that it is common to fee an Indian in
the Poffeflion ct the B nes or his Grandfather, Father,
or fome Relation of longer Antiquity.

They have other forts of Monuments or Tombs for
the dead, as where one was (lain, in that very Place
they raife a he; p of Stones, if any are to be met with
in the Place, if not, with Sticks, to his Memory ; that
f very one that paffeth by that place augments the Heap
in refpect. of the deceased. Some Nations of thefe Indians;
have great rejoycing and Feafts at their Burials.

There

North CAROLINA.

381

There arc other Nations who differ from the former
in burying their Dead : When one of them dies, the
greater he was in Dignity, the more Expense js his
funeral, and performed with the greater Ceremony :
When a King dies, they bury him with a grsat deal of
Solemnity ; (according to their Method) upon his Grave
they fctthe Cup wherein he ufed to drink out of, about
the Grave they ftick many Arrows, weep and fall three
Days fucceffivcly without ceafing; ail the Kings who
were his Friends make the like Mourning, in token of
the Love they had for him ; they cut off more than the
one half of their Hair, the Women as well as the Men:
During the fpace of fix Moons (To iomc Nations reckon
their Months) there are certain Women appointed which
lament the death of the King, crying with a loud Voice
three time a Day, viz,. Morning, Noon, and in the
Evening. Ail the goods of the King are put into his
Houfe and then they fet it on Fire wherein they con-
fume all. They likewife bury the Body of the Prtetts
or Conjurors in their Houfes, which they fct on Fire with

all the Goods. . „■ ,. , r n 1

For it is to be obferv'd, notwithstanding thele People
arc fo very illiterate and bred after fuch a Savage man-
ner : Yet they have as great regard and refpeft for their
Kings and great Men, as any People to be met with;
When any of thefe great Men dye, their methods «i thcic
Burials are different from the former, for the hrft thing
that is done is to place the neareft Relations nigh the
Corps, who Mourn and Weep very much, having their
Hair hanging down their Shoulders m a very Forlorn
wanner. After the dead Perfon has lain a Day and a
Night upon their Hurdles made of Canes, commonly
in fome out Houfe prepared for that purpofe. TholC
that Officiate about the Fancral go into the Town, ana

382 The Natural H IS T O R Y of

the firfl young Men they meet with that have Blankets
or Mutcb-coats on, which they think fit for their turn,
they itnp them nom their Backs, who futfer them fo to
do without any manner of refinance; this being common
smongft feveral of their Nations; thefe they wrap the
dead Bodies inland cover thera with two or three Mats,
wmch tlie Indians make oi Ruhes, and laft of all they
have a long Web of woven Reeds or fallow Canes, which
is their Coffin, and is brought round the Corps fevcral
times and tyed at both ends, which indeed iooks very
decent, and well amongfl thefe Sai/2ges. .

Then the Corps is brought out of the Houfe into their
Orchard of Peach Trees, where another Hurdle is made
to receive it, about which come all the Relations and
Nation that the dead Perfon belong'd to, befides feveral
other Nations in alliance with them, they all fit down
upon Mats on the Ground, fp re ad for that purpofe, every
one feemingly dejected for the lofs or their deceas'4
Friend and Country-man, but more efpecially the Re-
lations.

Things being thus accomodated, their Priefts or Con-
jurers appear, and after having commanded their Atten-
tion, and every one is filent, he paufes for fome fhort
time, then begins to give an Account who the deceafed
Perfon was how flout a Man he approved himfclf,how
many Enemies and Captives he had kill'd and taken, how
flrong, tall, and nimble he was, that he was a great
Hunter, a lover of his Counrry, and pofTefTed of a great
many beautitul Wives and Children; which isefteemed
the greatefr of Bleffings amongfl them, in which they
have a very true Notion. Thus, this Orator runs on
highly extolling the dead Man for his Valour, Conduct,
Strength, Riches, good Humour, and even enumerating
his Qi\n?3 Slaves, iid ail he waspoffefl of when living

Aftey

North CAROLINA

383

After this he addrefl'es himfelf to the People ofc that
Town or Nation to whom the deceafed belonged, aad
bids them lupply his tfiace by following his Steps, who
he allures them is gone into a Country (which lies a great
way oft" in this World, that the Sun vifits in his ordi-
nary Courfc) where he fhall meet with all his Relations
and Fnenus who are gone there before him, that he fhali
have the enjoyment of handlome Women, great flore of
Deer to hunt, and never meet with Hunger, Cold or
Fatigue, but every thing to aniwer his Expectation and
D elite.

This is the Heaven which they propofe to themfelves,
but on the contrary, for thofe Indians that are Lazy and
Thie villi amongit them, bad Hunters, and no Warriors,
nor of muchufe to the Nation, to fuch they allot in the
other World, or the Country that they are to go to,
Hunger, Cold, Fatigues, Trouble, old Ugly Women
for their Companions, Snakes, and all forts of Naftinefs
for them conflantly to feed upon;- after this manner they
diicribe their Heaven and Hell.

Alter all this Harangue, he amufes the People with
fome o£ their traditions, as when there was a violent
hot Summery or very hard Winter, when any notable dif-
temper rag'd amongit them, when they were at War with
(uch and fuch Nations, how victorious they Were, what
were the Names of the War Captains, and many othee
things of Antiquity ; and to prove the times more ex-
actly, he produces the Records of the Country, which
are a parcel of R eds of different lengths, with variety of
diftinct markes, and Notches, known to none but them-
felves, (by which they fcem to guefr very exactly at acci«
dents that happen'd many Years ago, nay two or three
Ages or more,

tThey

3§4

The Natural HISTORY/

They likewife give an Account that in the Year i6oZs
there was fuch a hard Wintex in North-Carolina, that the
great Sound was fo Frozen, that the Wild Geefe and
other Fowl came into the Woods to eat Acorns, that they
were To tame (I fuppofe through wantj that they kill'd
abundance in the Woods by knocking them on the Head
with Sticks, and it is very ftrange how exactly one Na-
tion will agree with another as to the time when thefc
things happen'd, having no manner of Records to guide
them but thefe bits of Sticks.

But to returne to the dead Man, when this long Tale
is ended by the Conjuror that {poke firft ; perhaps a
lecond begins another long ftory, a third* and fourth,
if there be fo many of thefe Priefts or Dotlors prefent,
which all tell partly one and the fame thing, at lafl the
Corps is brought away from the Hurdle to the Grave by
four young Men, attended by the Relations, the King, old
Men and moft part of the Nation.

When they come to the Sepulchre which is about fix
Fe^t deep, and eight Feet long, having at each end (that
is at the Head and Feet) a Light- wood or Pitch Pine fork
driven down clofe to the fides of the Grave, firmly into
the Ground (thefe two Forks are to contain a Ridge Pole,
as I fhall ptelently defcribe) before they lay the Corps
into the Grave, the bottom is covered two or three
times over with the Barks of Trees, then they let down
the Corps (with two Belts, that the Indians carry their
Burthens with) very leafurely on the faid Bark, then
they lay over a Pole of the lame Wood into the two Forks,
having a great many Pieces of Piuh-Pine-logs about two
Feet and a half long, they ftick down one End of them
in the fides of the Grave, and the other End lies on the
Ridge-Pole, that they decline like the Roof of a Houfc,
being thus placed, they cover them (many double) with

Barks

North CAROLINA.

m

Barks of Trees, and throw the Earth thereon that was
taken out of the @Mt, and beat 'it down very iirm :
By this means the <iead Body lies as in a Vault, nothing
touching it, which 1 efteem a very decent way amongft
them, having, feen feveral C&riftians buried without trie
tenth part of that Ceremony and Decency.

As loon as the Flefh begins to cleave fr< rri the Boftes|
they take up the Carcades and (crape theni clean, winch
they joint in the nature of a Skeleton ; afterwards the/
dreis them up in pure white peer ^km}> and depoiltc
themamongfl their Kings and Grandees in their Quiogo-
%.on^ which is their Royal Tomb- or Burial Place dt'clicic
Kings zxniWar Captains. This1 is a large arid magnifi-
cent Cabin amongft them (according Co tnt r wav or me-
thod of Building) raifed at the pubiitk Charge of the
Nation, and maintained in due fofttt and ucatnds. A-
bout feven Feet high is a Floor or Loft, where n lye the
Bones of all the Princes and Great Men thai kkift died
for feveral hundred Years pail, attired in the Dreffed Deer
Skins, as I have before Remarked N > Perfda is allows
ed to have his Bones lie in this Qtiiogown or Char net
Heufe, and to be thus drefs'd^unlefs he gi^es a good Surd
of their Money to the Rulers far Admittance.

It is to be obferved, that if they remove to any part
of the Continent, they kldom fail to carry theie Bones
along with them, though the tcdioufneis of their fhort
daily Marches keep them never fo long on their journies*
They reverence and adore this Quiogo&on, with all the
Veneration and Refped that is poffible for fuch a Peo-
ple to dikharge; they had rather loofe all they ate pof-
icfTed of than have any Violence or Injury offered there-
to ; by this we may fee what i Refpect ihtf have for
thdr deccas'd Anccftors.

€ C C ■ Thef;

386 The Natural HISTORY of

They differ fome fmall matter in their Burials horn
each other, fome burying right upwards, and fome o-
therwife, as I have before intimated ; yet ror the moft
part they all agree in their Method of Mourning, which
is to appear every Night, or oftner, at the Sepulchre,
and weep and howl after a difmal manner, having iheir
Faces daubed over with Light-wood- Soot ,- and Bear's-vi^
winch makes the Face as black as 6il and Lamf-black
could do. In this black Figure they remain for a Year
or longer, according to the Dignity of the deceafs'd.

If the deceafs'd Perfon was a Grandee, inch as ji King
or War Captain, and the like, to carry on the Funeral
Ceremonies with greater Formality and Pomp,. they hire
People to cry and lament over the deceased • There are
feveral Perfons of bothStexs that practice this for a live-
lyhood, and are expert at fhedding abundance of Tears,
and howling like a Parcel oHVolvts, or diftra&ed* People
in Bedlam; by this means they difcharge their Office
with abundance of Art, and great Applaufe.from the
Indians. Thcfe People regarding thofc kind of Perform-
ances or Ceremonies very refpectfully, looking upon thera
' as Rights juftly due to the deceafs'd.

Their Women are never accompanied with with thefe
Pomps or Ceremonies after Death ; and to what World
they allot that Sex, I could never learn, unlefs it be to wait
on their deceafs'd Husbands, or to be metamorphofed
Into thofe pretty and ugly Women in the other World
or Country where trie Indian Men expect to go after
death, which I have before made mention of. Yet thefe
"Women have more Wit than fome of the Uafttm Nati-
ons (as we are informed) who facrificc themfclves to ac-
company their ffu-sbands in the other World, which the
former never do" It is the deceafed Perfon's Relations by
Blood, as his Sons, Daughters, Brothers, -Sifters, Uncles,

C9ulin%

North CAROLINA

387

Coufins, that mourn in earneft j the Wives thinking their
Duty dilcharged, and that tflcy are become free wnea
their Husbands are Dead, all their Care being to look
out as fait as they can for another to iupply his Place.

Thns I have given the raoft exa& Account of the ln^
diam of Carolina Conjuring over the Sick, Rolen Goods,
and the Nature and Manner of burying their dead. I
fhall therefore make a imall Degreflion, to inform my
Readers with the manner of our Travelling up to the
Cbarokce Mountains, having already let forth the many
and different Obfervations we made in this ipacious
Country, and then proceed to the Indian Di Hempen ;
forae of which I have been Eye-witncfs to.

The latter end oi February, Anno. Dom. 1730, we fet
out on our intended Journey, being in Number Ten
White Men, and Two Indians, who fcrved for our Huntf-
men and Interpreters. Having provided a fufficienc
quantity of Fire- Arms, Amunhion, Horjes, two Mariners
Compares, Rum, Salt, Pepper, jndiqn Com, and other Ne-
ceflanes, we began our Journey ; and after we had paft
the Chrifiian Plantations, our Accommodations were as
follows: All the Day we were diverted with variety
of beautiful and ftrange Objects j in the Evening we
encamped an Hour before Sunfet, tycd our Horfes to
Trees near us, which we made the hdians climb up to
procure a fufficient quantity of Mofs for their Food, and
to make Beds tor us to lie upon, which was generally
under the (hade of fomc large Tree : ■ Our next Bufi-
neis was to fend the Indians to Hunt ; our Care in the
mean time was to make a large Fire of the broken pieces
of Tinnbcr which we found in plenty lying difperfed up
and down the Woods ; this wc piled up in order to con-
Ccca tinue

i88

?be Natural HIS TORT of

timit burning ail Night, which prevented ail manner of
\v ilu Be alts and pernicious Injects bring ircubiefomc or
approaching us or our Hoifes.

As loon as our Indians had dif charged one or two liiots3
and given us a ifignal or their Succefs by Hollowing, we
Immediately difpatched (omc of our Party to their affiii-
ancc,to bring home the Game they had killed ; fbi they
feldom reiurn'd "without more than a fufficient quan-
tity qi Venifin, wild Turkies, and other Game ror the
fupport of all our Company, during our whole Journey „
Being thus provided with Proviii/ns, our next bufinefs
Was lO perform our Cookery, which confiftcd chiefly in
jLoaflmg and Broiling, according as each Perfon was dif-
poled. When Supper was readyi and a fufficient quan-
tity of Indian Corn roaited, which we made vfc of inflead
of B cad, we far .down upon the Ground, and generally
eat with a good Appetite, the Air being no where better
cr purer than near the Mountains |u this manner we
■tapped tach Night, ourKitchin Furniture being a Wooden
Sj>h, and P ;t1 T-'cible, D'ijhes and Trenchers the Barks of
Trees. Supper being ended, we made our Punch (the
Bv>wi being a \pgfGowd) which wc diftributcd equally
to each Pcrion'agcod Harmony being obferved amonglt
us curing the whole ]cnmtya Ac Night when our Com-
pany were (iifpofed tq nix, we made ourBcds of Mofs ncas?
tiK liitj where we ftept comfonably,. keeping a conitane
"Wau h h> i.iirns ej pr$ four Oours. Thus we enjoyed our-
feivti» JLJIJ our a. i ival at, the. Mountains, and what conti-
puahy tei deied oir Journey more agreeable was tl >e
beautiful Pi cfpect of the Gentry, being' adorned with
W'ped^ Savannas, fpaeig.u| Rivers, together with various
kind's tf'Eeafts,' Binhyl^^y, &c. . '< ■

It- would, ncg De proper Co triable the Reader wirh the

i&$in|Pi:<f$ of CrtCh:pay> ^i r.he raany.Qbfcn'ations we

t-'nl . a .. . Tn 1. •'■ .■;.";«; ..',.' r. . - mads

North CAROLINA.

3S9

made therein, thefe being fufficiencly fct forth already :
Lee it iufticc to inform them, that after fifteen Days
Tourney, we arrived at the foot or the Mountains, hav-
ing met with no Human Specie all the way. It feems
upon our firft arival we were difcovered by a Party of
the Iroquois Indians, who, as I faid before, arc my pow-
erful ana continually at War, wandering all over the
Continent betwixt the two Bays of Mexico and St. Law-
rence. As loon as they had difcovered us they difapcar-
cd, (as we were afterwards informed ) and gave Notice
thereor to their King, who fent immediately an Ambaf-
fador, or one of his Attendants, painted as red as Vermil-
lion, together with a ftrong Party or his Men, armed
with Bows and Arrows.

When they appeared the fecond time, the Retinue halt-
ed at about half a Mile diftant from us and the Ambaf-
fador attended with one Perfon, came to the Place
where we were (which was in a large Savanna) with a,
green Bough in his Hand, and gave us to understand
that he was fent to us by Ofder of his King, who defired
to know whether we came for Peace or War, or what
other Bufineis had brought us to thofe Parts ; In iuch
like Speeches he aceofted us; We affured him by our
Indian Interpreters, that we were come in a friendly
manner, with no other Dcfign than a Curiofity of view-
ing the Mountains. When we had thws fatisfied him
fee im down with us, and difpatched the other Perfon
that attended fegm, to acquaint the King with the Rea-
fons or oar coding.

During h'.s Absence, we entertained the Ambaffadoc
wiiii Puncfi W4 made him a Prcfent of fomc few Toys,
which he »cc pted : f and was highly pleated therewith.
About four gfousi aftec <he Mcffenger returned, whom

the Amb^ikaar rfcCttY$4 at a ^tie &$*&& &om us»

where

9°

The Natural HISTORY/

where they difcouifed for fome time, and at his return
CQid us, that the MeiTage from the King was, to defire
us to make him a Viiit, afluriag us at the fame Time of
his Friendship. 7'his Mcflagc occasioned leveral De-
bates to ariie amongft us, concerning the confequencc
that might attend it ; we leemed unwilling to go, which
&c perceiving, allured us in the ftrongeft Terms of our
fatety, and the Sincerity and Friend £hip of the King, At
length, rather than incur his Difpleafure (notwithstand-
ing we were determined to fell our Lives at the deareft
rate, if wc met with any opposition) we complied, and
arrived about fix ©'Clock at the Indian Town (attended
with the Guards that came with the Ambaflfador, who
matched at iome diilawce from us) and were condu&ed
tothe State -Houfe, where the King was feated with his
War Captains and Councilors, who got up and placed us
next to him j after we had paid our due acknowledge
roents to him, and made him fome Prefents, he then be-
gan to enquire the Reafons of our coming thither, and
among other things, How his Brother did, meaning the
Governor ; and many other fuch like Speeches pa(Ted
between us. A fter we had Satisfied him in each particular
that he demanded, he bid us welcome, fluking Hands
with each of us ,• afturing us or his Friendship, and the
great Regard he had for thofeof our Nation. The few
Prcfents we gave (which were Knives, Glafs Beads, Punch,
and the like) had made fo favourable an Impreffion in the
Brcaft ofhis Mayfly, and all his Councillors, in our be-
half, that the King's Orders were ifTued cut immediate**
ly, ftrictly charging all his Subje&s to treat us in the
moO: friendly manner, and fupply us with whatever we
had occafion for during our Pleafure to ftay amongft
them. After ail thefe Speeches were ended, towards
Night we were difraifled3 and conducted to oik of the

King's

■■■B

North CAROLINA.

39*

King's Houfes (being an Apartment prepared for us)
where we lay upon Benches, with the Skins of Beails
for our Covering; and this was the bell: Lodging wc
met with fince our departure from the Christians. They
took particular Care of our Horfes^ and treated us
with all the good Nature poifibly to be expected from
them, fupplying us wich fufficient quantities of Provisi-
on, fuch as Fenifon, Wildfowl, Fijh, and various Kinds
or dried Fruits, Pulfei and Water, no ftronger Liquors
are to be met with amongft theie People.

The King's Houfes are partlcy in the Center of the
Town, the reft of the Buildings being ere&ed in a con-
futed Order, no regular Streets, Shops, or even Handy-
craft Trades, arc to be met with amongft them.

The news of our arrival brought prodigious Num-
bers of Men and Women to us, as alio Boys ana Girls,,
who were flark Naked ; thefe would come and touch.
our Cloaths, and view us with admiration, having?!
am fatisfied, never had an opportunity to behold any
thing of this Nature berorc. The King diverted us eve-
ry Day with Men ana Women Dancing? fhooting with
Bows and Arrows, their Warlik Exercifc, and fcveral
other kinds of Diverfions, wherein he imagined we took
any Plcafure. Finding our felves thus in favour with
the King, the firft; requeft we made waSjthat we might
have leave to fee the QuiQgcx,on, or Charnel Houfe, which
was the iargeft of that Nature we had ever beheld : He
eaiily complied with our Requeft, but with a ftricT:
Charge, that we ftould do no hurt, either to the Bones,
or any other thing that we fhould obferve there.

Two Days after our Arrival, we requested the King
to have Liberty to depart, in order to view the Moun-
tains, "which he fee med very unwilling to comply with,
preffing us co continue longer with him, urging many

Arguments

392

The NaturalHlST O R Y of

Arguments to pcrfuade us; and that wc had not. as yet
fufficiently refrefhed oud elves after our late Fatigue i
But we allured him that our Governor had given us
itriet Orders at our Departure, to be as expeditious
as poflibly we could in our return home. Thefe Con-
fiderations at length moved him to a compliance foon-
er than he intended. But the chief Reafon of our de-
parting fo foon was, that if we had remained there
much longer, wfc mould be deprived of all our Rum9
which was a great fupport to us in this long and tedi-
ous Journey. The King then offered us a Party of his
Men to guard us in the Mountains, leaft wc fhould be
molefled by any Indians that might be Hunting in them,,
during our ftay there. We moft gratefully returned him
our due Acknowledgments for his kind offer, and the
many Favours he had already conferred upon us, and
moft humbly beg'd to be exeufed, which he readily
granted us.

Having thus obtained our Licence of Departure, we
made him a Prefcnt of a Bottle of Runt, in lieu whereof
he gave us Indian Corn, Veuifon, and fome dried Fruits,
for our fupport in the Mountains, where Provifions are
fcarce. All things being prepared as ufn'al, we fetout the
next Morning about fix o'Clock, continuing our Jour-
ney ftill Weftiaardi The King and his Guards conduc-
ted us about half a Mile, wifliing Us Health, and in-
treating us at the fame time, to make him a Vifit at our
Return, which wc did not, taking a Tour another way.

About the Evening we approached to the top of one
of thefe Mountains, where we refrefhed, being all in
perteft Health. Here we had the greateft difficulty to be
fuppliedwith Mofs for Provifion For our Horfes, bur af-
ter lome time fearching, wc found what was fufficient
for them ; then making a gfcat Fire, and out Beds for

that

■■

North CAROLINA

39:

Night of chc withered Leaves of the Trees,which wc ga-
thered tor that Purpoie. The, next Morning -ve fy ca"'ly
having reftefhed ourfelves, .we let forward, a?;i in the
Eveninggoton the other fide of the fifft&tfjgti of ivioua-
tains inio amoftbcauurui .tf alley, adorned with Woods ^
Savannas, and a .very tidi Soils; here we enempeu chis
Night, being '.the longer! Days Journey we made from
our firft letting oat, by teafon that we We destitute of
Water in theie barren places, tor our felves and Horfcs,"
only what we met with by chance in the woilow parts
of the Rocks, which our Horfes would hardly drink.

The next Morning we fee forward with a great deal
of Chearfuinefs, having plenty of Water, and all man-
ner of Provisions. In this Days Journey wedifcovered
an Indian in the (olitary parts of ;nc Woods, but as foori
as he efpyed us,he fled, notwithstanding we male figns
to .him to come to us, but in vain, tor- he quickly,
vamftied out of our fight, that we could not learn what
Nation he belonged to, or whether there were any
more with him in thole Parts. After two Days Jour-
ney wc arrived at another Ridge of rocky Mountains j
with large Trees in feveral Places, but little or no Paf-
ture like the former, but much higher, having a beautiful
Profped of large Woods and Forrefts,as far as our fighc
would permit. From this Mountain we returned, mak-*
jng our Journey Eastward, meeting with nothing wor-
thy of Obfervation, but what we have already mads
mention of; and in thirty two Days, to our great Sa-1
tisfadion, arrived arnongft the Chriflians, our Company'
being all in perfect Health, having had no Misfortune
ail the way, but the lofs of one of our Compaffw;

As; theuc-are in this Country many poyfonous Herbs

md Cfcatnres,' fo the Indian People have excellent Skill

3D dd ii

394

The Natural HISTORY of

in applying effectual Antidotes to them ; for Medicinal
Berks areheie fouud in great Plenty, the Woodi ana Sa-
vannas being their apothecary's Shops, from whence they
fetch Herbs, Leaves, Barks of 7rees, with which they
make all their Medicines, and perform notable Cues;
ot which it may not be amifs to give iome Inftarxes,
becaufe they feem ilrange, if compared with our Method
of curing Diilempers. They hare a certain Method in
po) foning their Arrows, and they will temper them fo
as to work flow or fwitt as they pleafe j they can make
it fo ftrong, that no Art can favc the Perfon or Beafi
that is wounded with them, except it be by their Kings
and CpBJurers, their young Men being ignorant of it.

They ufe Sweating very much, efpecially if violent
Pains feize the Limbs, or any o;her part of the Body,
which is pe* formed by certain Vegetables which they
are well acquainted with ; for as foon as they are afflic-
ted with tneic kind of Diforders, they take Reeds or
fmaU Wands and bend them, with thefe they make little
Huts, covering them with Deer Skins, Blankets, or their
Matchcoats, and the like j they have other Sweating
Houfes built in fhape like large Ovens ; they have Fires
made not far from thefe Sweating Houfes, wherein they
heat Stones^ of (where thefe arc wanting) the Bark of
Trees, putting them into thefe Stoves, which occafion
an extraordidary Heat, by the help of which, and the
Herbs which are boiled in a Pot, they f weat very plen-
tifully. They likewife ufe Bathing often in the Wa-
ters for the like Diforders.

They never mifs curing moil kinds of Cutaneous Erup-
tions by the Plants that are produced in this Country :
They infallibly cure Scald Heads, which they chiefly
perform with Oil of Acorns, bur from which Oak I ne-
ver could be rightly informed, they being very lecret m

North CAROLINA.

395

what they know. They cure Bums beyond Credit ; I
have feeiiof thefe Wretches burnt in cneir Drunkencis ar-
tei fuch a miserable manner, that in all Appearance they
couitinoilive- yet I have ieen them cured ma very fhort
time, contrary to all expectation ; that they have been
capable of going abroad in ten or twelve Days. I have
known others to be mifetably burnt with Gun Powder,
which they have cured in a fhort time ; but by what In-
gredients they perform thefe fpecdy and wonderful Cures
is known to none but themlelves. They fcldom or ne-
ver make known any Secrets or this Nature to the £«-
roptans, but arc very ready to ferve them upon fuch Oc-
canons, it required, for a fmal) Gratuity.

What is worthy of Obfervation is, that amongit all
thefe Indians there aie no running inveterate Ulcen to be
met with, neither do their Wounds turn to a Gangrene,
and they arc very expert in healing all manner of green
Wounds and Dijlocatiom, which they perform fo fpecdily,
that I dare boldly fay, that they are thegrcateft Ar-
tifts in thefe ku.d of Performances or any People m the
known World. * , ,

There was a Planter in North Carolina who had a
grievous Ulcer in his Leg for many Years, which was
deemed incurable by all thofe that beheld it ; and many
attempts were made by the beft Cbriflian Artiftsm that
Country to perfed the Cure, but all to no purpofe, for
his Leg ftill grew worfc and worfe ; at laft he was pre-
vailed upon to apply himfclf to one or thofe Indian Uoc-
tors, who performed the Cure in a v^ry (hort time tot
the value of three Shillings Sterling, though it had coil
him above one hundred Pounds before to little or no

Purpofe. i_-f ! r

The Indian Dodor performed this Cure after the fol-
lowing manner i iirft he ma e a ftrong DGCO&on of the
D d d a Ba£]t

The Natural H I S T Q R Y of

Bark of the Root of Sajfafras, in which he bathed
the Patients Leg very well, thcri he 'took the rotten
Grainsof the Maiz,,ov Indian Com, well dried and beat-
en to Powder,, and the loft Down that grows upon the
Turkeys Rump, .with this Jhe quickly dried up the filthy.
Dicer, and made, a perfect Cure, bf wnat was 'nought-
incurable, to the great Joy and Satisfaction of the Plan-
ter, who had fo long laboured uwder k. This I had
affirmed to me by the Planter himfelf] and tevetal others
that were Eyerwitncflcs.to the whole Affair.

The Ppxiito be met with -arnongfi feme Nations of
thefc Indians, being as: jt ;s Reported, communicated
to them by the Europeans,* it being a Diftemper in-
SJrety unknown to them oefore their Arrival. By this
Diiorder, fome of them have loll their Noies, and par-
ticularly, one of their greateft Conjurers, whom I have
(ten and convetied. with ; but whether or no this Dif-
temper was- known to them before the JChriflians came
amongft them, I will not take upon me to decide it, be-
ing no way material to my pfefent Ddign, which is
only to fatisfie my Readers with the Advantages and
Biiadvantages that are to be met with in this Spacious
part of the World. : , , .. \.A . &

'Thek' Savages of late cure this Diftemper with ccr-
tain Berries (chat grow ,uj4 this Province) which Sali-
vate like Mercury, ' noiwithitahding theyufe Sweating
and ftrong Deeodions with it, as they do aim oft upon
every O.ccafiori. and when they are m the greateft
Extrcamity of Heat, leap into theRivcrs or Ponds o£
Uatcr3 by-which Practice many have loll their Lives,
yet at prtfent it is n-ptiwfficient to deter. them from this
Ikind ot Practice. '■■*-'-.'

j The Tdwvis a Vcnerial Difordcr (as I faid before )
m all refpeft* like the Pox, only it is not attended with

North CAROLINA,

39-1

a Gonorrhaa in the beginning, but having all the other

Symptoms that attend that Diforckr, fuch as- Cutaneous

Eruptions, NSurnal Pains, &c This Diftcropcr of

late nas been communicated to the Indians by the LhrtJ-

tian Traders, and though it is no: very common a-

mongft them, yet Come tew have loft their Nofes by it,

and others arc become nvrft referable Spectacles by ne-

glecting it's Cure; at lift they make a ftuft to cure or

patch taemfeives up, and live tor many Years after;

fuch Men commonly rum DoBors amongft them, and

iome of thde No-Nofe DoBors are in very great Eftcem

amortgft them. Tnt-Juicc or the Tulip Tree is ufed by

the Indians as a proper Remedy for this Diftem pen ,

The Small Pox proved very ratal amongft them in the
late War with the Chrifiians, few or none ever cfcapmg
Death that were feized with it. This Diftemper was
intirely unknown to them berore the arrival of the Eu-
ropeans amongft them. Their Method in this, as m
aTl other Fevers, is to run dire&ly into the Water in the
extremity of the Pifeafc, which firikes it in and kills
moll that ufe that Method.

Theyuie Scarifa&ton'm mpft Diftempers ; their chiet
Inftruments are the Teeth of • the Rattle-Snake, which
they poyfon with upon occafion. They take out the
Teeth of the Snake, md fuck out the Venome with their
Mouth, which they ipic on the Ground, and receive no
damage thereby; it is of a greenifli Colour, as I have
frequently obferved. Thefe Teeth they keep for the
tifes above-mentioned, having no Notion of Lancets, or
Other Inftrument proper in thofe Operations.

The Spleen is a common Diflemper with the Indians

|n this Province, which they cure by burning On the

Belly with a Reed or HoBow Cane, after the following

manner: They take the Cam and put the End into the

. , ■ - d - v;---; — t— i --' Fire

igS The Natural H I S T O R Y of

Fire, where they burn it 'till it is red hot, then they lay
the Patient oii nis Lacji, anu place a piece ot thin Leather
qn njs Belly, between me Pit ot the 6comuch anu thq
Nayti, iv) p»eis the hot Reed on the Leather, w.itgh.
burns tne Pacient to tu*c aegrte, that chey ever after
have the Li-pieffion ot the Reed wnercver \c was laid;
This Method is iomeumes iUen amongft tnem for the
Belly Ach.

'The Plague was never known amongit the Indians
that I could ever learn ; yet tne Small Pox, their conti-
nual Wars with eacn other, their pojfoning, and feveral
other Difterrpers and Methods amongft them, and par-
ticularly their drinking Rum to excefs^ have mauc iuch
great deftruaion amongft them, tnac I *rn well inform-
ed, .rhat there is not the tenth Indian in number, iq
what there was fixty Years ago.

They have a kind of Rheumatism, which generally
afflicts their Legs with grievous Pains, and violent
Heats ; whilft they arc thus tortured, they employ the
jpung People continually to power cold Water upon the
part aggrived, 'till fuch time as the Pains are aba ed. and
jp'ey become perfedly eafy, ufing no other Method for
Shis kind of Diforder.

They are never troubled with the Scurvy, neither are
trjey afflicted with the Drapfy, Diabetes, Gwty 6>«#,
Vthificks ConfumptioHy Ajibma, or Palfie, which iQiitem.-
pers are too well known amongft us, and frequently at-
tended with mo/l fatal Confeqaences. Neither is the
Struma to be met witii amongft them, and many other,
European Diftempers too tedious to name.

They have feveral Remedies wh»ch they ufe for the
Toeth-ach, which frequently carries off the Pain; but if
all their Endeavours fhould fail, they have rccourfe to
punching out the Tootha which if done wkh a fmali
i >■ ., *'«* '>:< i ■■■;'■■' '"- '■ Qnm

North CAROLINA.

399

Cane placed againft iti on a bit of Leather, theti they
ftnke the Reed and puih out die Tooth, this they per-
form viui t great deal of Docterkvi and never endang-
er the Jaw, wmch other Inftrumenrs arc apt to do.

They ieloom make ufe of Amputation, except it be to
the Captives that they take in War, when they cut off
the Feet, which 1 have mentioned in another Place. But
in any immoderate deflucuons of Blood, or any other
Humour from any part ot the Body, they are never at a
lois for a fptcdy Cui.e.

I never obferved any of them to practice Anatomy,
neither do 1 believe that they have any Knowledge there-
in, unlefs as 1 obfei vci betore, that they make Skeletons
oftheir Kings and great Men's Bones. They can co-
lour the Hair Black, though of aRedd.fh Colour, or any
other Colour, which they do with a certain Seed or a
Plant that grows in their Plantations. They make ufc
of no Minerals in Phyfick, and very little of Animals,
buc chiefly depend on Vegetables, for all Diforders a-
mongft them. They arc well acquainted with the fyon~
tamous Plants that arc produced in thefe Parts of the
World; and a Flux of Blood feldom or never follows
any of their Operations.

They are fcarce ever known to make ufe of any Gums
or Mat in their Phyfick ; as far Cathanicks and Eme-
jjeib, fomuchin fafhion inEur<,pey they do not eftcem
or make ufe of, unlefsit be immoderate Drinking fuch
vaft quantities of their Taufan lea, and vomiting in up
again, this they continue every Morning, or oftner,
where they can have this Plant, from which tbey receive
great Benefit, not only in difcharging and cleaniing the
Stomach from the peccant Humours there lodged, buc
likewifc by its great Diuretisk quality which carries of£
thofc Humours by the Uretm9 that might be prejudicial

4©o

The Natural HISTORY^/

to their Health, and oecafion Fevers, Agues, and many
other Diltempcrs, which they are not io fubjeci to as
the Europeans ; which lam farisfied is owing -in a great
meutme ,o tneir conftant u/e of this Plant, which takes
away both Hunger and Thirlt for four and twenty
Hours.

There is no Plant in thc'fe Parts im greater Venerati-
on and Eitcem amongft them than this is, and they fre-
quently cany it to the tVefiward Indians, who give' Deer
SkinS} and otner Neceilanes they want for it. They
take the Leaves and fmall Twigs, b'ruife them in Wood-
en Mortars, 'till they become of a blackiih Colour, and
wholly defaced : Then they take and put them in to Ear-
then Pots, over the Fire, till they Smoak, flirring them
all the time 3till they are cured : Others take them
thus bruifed, and put them into Earthen Bowls, under
which they put live Coals and cover them with Toufaii
Leaves, 'till they have done Smoaking, often turning
them over, then they fpread them oil Mats and, dry
them in the Sun or Shade tor ufe.

They commonly in moft. of their Difordcrs make ufe
of the Juices of Plants, not out of any Foppery or Fafhi-
©n, as many Europeans and other Nations are often fond
of, but purely to relieve and free Nature of theOppref-
jion and Burthen that flic labours under.

They neither ufe Unguents or Fats in any external
Application for Wounds or Ulcers, but they fometimes
ufe the Fat of Animals to render their Limbs more pli-
able, and when they are weary to relieve the Joints.

The Bark of the Root or the Sajfafrafs Tree is very
touch ufed by them, which, they generally Torrefy in the
Embers, and ftnp off rhe B^ k from the Root, beating
it into a Paftea or a Coniiftance & to fpnttdyfo apply It

North CAROLINA.

405,

;o the grieved parts, which not only cleanfes a tow!
Ulcer, but after Scarification, being applied zo the Con-?
tuiion or Swelling, carries, off the Fiu% and ail wages
the Tumor. Yet thefc People in general are very care-
lefs and negligent of their , Health,

In (ome Places thefe Savages Boyl and Roaft their;
Meat extraordinary well, and eat abundance oi-Broath
except thofe Savages whom we call the Naked Indians,
who never make ufe of, any Soup, Thefe travel from
the. Banks of the Mefftfippi to War againft the Sinagars
or Iroquois Indians, and. are commonly too hard for uieiri.
except they are over power'd by unequal Numuersa
Theie naked Indians will lye and deep in the Woojs
without any Fire or covering, being inur'd theier>irom
their Infancy. They are the moft. hardy of all Indians
that are known, and run fo fa ft that they are never takefl
by any other Indians thatpurfue them. Tneir Enemies
fay that their Nimblenefs and long Wind proceeds trora
their never making ufe of any Broath.

The Salts that the Indians in theie parts make ufe of
in their Meal, Bread, and Soup, to give them a grateful
relifh are Alkalies, viz,, Afhes made of the Wood o£
Hickery and calcinM Bones of Deers and other Animals.
They never eat any Sallads, and as for Pepper, and Muf*.
tatd, they imagine us to be no better than Madmen id
make ufe of them at our Victuals,

The Veifels that our Neighbouring Indians make ufe
of and moft other Nations are, Earthen- Pots of feve-
ral fizes, Their Difhes and Wooden Platters are made
of the fweet Gumlree, Poplar}, Sycomore, and the like.
: Thus I have releatcd their manner in curing feveral
piftempers 1 I fhall now only mention on ftrange Ac«
£punt more, which was attefted by the Planter himfelf,
&id feveral other credible Perfons in thofe Parts.

Eee There

402 The Natural H I S T 0 R Y of

There was an honeft and fubitantial Planter in thofe
Parts who was afflicted with a ftrange and lingringdif^
temper, not ufual amongft the Chnftians, under which
he emaciated and grew every Month worfe and worfe ;
this Diiorder continued for fcfrne Years, during which
time he had made ufe of the beft and ableft DoEiors and
Surgeons in thofe parts, but all to no purpofe, for the
Diiorder (till perfcver'd. In the beginning of this Dif-
temper the Patient was very wealthy, and had feveral
Slaves which he was obliged to fell to iatisfie the Doftors*
But one Day it happen'd, as he and his Wife were
comiierating his miferable Condition, and that in all ap-
pearance he coud not expect to recover, and that Death
muft ipgedily put a period to his Days, and then in what
mifery he fhoud leave his poor Wife and Family, fince
all his Negroes were already gone and difpos'd eff,
Whilft he and his Wife were thus debating the Mis-
fortunes that in all probability might attend the Family
after his Death. An Indian happen'd to come into the
Houte, who was well acquainted in the Family, and
hearing their Difcourfe (and having a very great regard
and value for the Sick-man from whom he received many
Favours) made this Reply to what he had heard them
talk off, Brother, you have had a long fit of fkknefs, you
have given away your Slaves to the Englifi Do&ers, what
made you do fo, and now become Poor ? They do not
know how to cure you, for it is an Indian Diftempcr
that troubles you, and they know not the Nature of it.
If it had been a Diftemper known in their Country, pro-
bably they cou'd have cured you. But had you em-
ploy'd me atfirft, I coud have cur'd you for a f mall mat-
ter without taking your Slaves from you that provided
Com and other Ncceffaries for you, and your Family's
fupport. And yet if you will give me a Blanfot to keep

mm

North CAROLINA

403

me warm and Tome Powder and Shot, to kill Deer with, I
will do my bell ftill to recover your Health.

The Poor-man being very much deje&ed with the
Misfortunes that he had already met with, made the In-
dian this reply. I know my Difleraper is now pad the
power of Man to cure, and if our Englijb Dottor's cou'd
not cure it, 1 am throughly perfwaded that the Indians
cannot. ,

But his Wife accofted him in the moll endearing and
mild terms and told him, he did not know but God
might be pleasM to give a greater blefling to the Indians
undertaking than he had done to the Englijb, and like-
wife faid, if it fhou'd plcafc God that you fhou'd dye, I
cannot be much more miferablc by giving that fmali
trifle to the Indian which he demands. Therefore I beg
of you to take my advice and try him.

At length by the many pcrfwafions and Importunities
of his Wife and Family he confented. And when the
bargain was concluded, the Indian went into the Woods
and brought with him fevcral kinds of Roots and Herbs,
whereof he made a ftrong Decodion and gave it to the
Patient to drink, and immediately orderd him to go to
Bed, adding that is would not belong before he wou d
return again to vifit him. The Patient pun&ually per-
form'd every thing as he was orderd by the Indian, and
had not been long in Bed befcore the Potion that was ad-
minifterM made him Sweat after the mod violent man-
ner that could be, and during its operation he fmcll'd fo
olfenfively to himfelr and all thofe that were near him,
that fcarce any one cou'd bear to go into the Houfe or
Room where he lay.

Late in the Evening the Indian comes to viht the Pa-
tient with a great Rattle-Snake alive ( which terrified
she Family almoftout of their Scnfes) and told thcSick-
Eeca *W

4°4

The Natural HISTORY of

man that he mi it uke ft to Bed with him, at which the
JPatient was k tne greatefl consternation in the World,
and told the Indian that he might as well dye of the Dip
temper he had, as to be kiil'd with the Bite of the Rattle-
snake. To which the Indian replycd he cou'd not bite
him nor do him any has m, ror ne hatt already taken out
liis P.oyfob and Teeth, and fhewed him by opening and
puamg his Finger into the Snakes Mouth, that rhey all
$ve-re gone. At lair, by many perfwafions and Intreaties
of ail that were piefenr, he admitted of the Snakes com-
pany, which the Indian put about the Patients middle and
crdcr'dno Body to take it away, or even to meddle with
It upon any account, which was flricrly obferv'd, altho*
the Snake girded him as hard for a great while as if he
liad been drawn in by a Belt. At laft he found the
preflurc grow weaker and weaker, till by degrees he felt
it not 'y and opening the Bed the Snake was found deads
and the Patient thought himfelf grown much better
The Indian returned the next Morning to viiit his Pa-
tient, and finding the Snake dead, was very much trani-
ported, and told the Sick-man the diftemper was dead
along with the Snake, which proved as he faid, for the
Man very fpeedily afterwards recovered his Health, and
Became perfect well, and lived for many Years alter this
grange and won nderful Cure.'* •'

And what is remarkable in many parts of this Province
as you travel up towards the Mountains and thrdugh the
Woods, when ever you come to any places where the
Indians formerly dwelt and had Towns, you fliall find
abundance of Flowers with variety of beautiful Colours^
of feveral forts, and divers Qualities, and Ufe; fome be-
ing Phyfical others Poyfonous, others for Ornament and
fweet Odor, whfch at a diilance have a fine profped, and
look like a beautiful Flower Gai'den^ the ufes whereof the

hdiam

North CAROLINA.

405

Indians are well acquainted with. I am perfwaded that
the reafon why they took all thefe pains in planting thefe
Simples was owing to their Do&or's Care, that upon all
Occasions they might be provided withthofe Vegetables
that were proper for the Indian Diftempers, or any other
ufe they might have pecafion to make of them.

Thefe Savages have one of the mod: diabolical Cuftoms
amongft themy that is to be met with in any part of the
known Worldjwhich they call Hufquenawing their young
Men and Girls, Once a Year, or at fartheft, once in two
Years, theie Savages take up fo many of theni as they
think are able to undergo this rigid Discipline, and Huf-
quenaugh them, wnich they fay is to make them obedient
and relpe&ive to their Superiours and inures them to all
manner of Fatigues and Hardfhips, and without it they
never WDu'd be fit to be their War-Captains, or Capable
to ad in their Councils -, by this Method they fay their
Children have the fame benefit as the European Children
have at their Schools, where they are taught good breed-
ing and Letters. Befides it carries off thofe Weak and
Infirm Bodies that wow'd have been a Burthen and dif-
grace to their Nation.

This Houfe of Correction, or where they undergo
this rigid Discipline, is a large ftrong Cabin, made on
purpofe for the reception of thefe young Men and Girles
that have not already pafs'd thefe Graduations. The
Seafon of the Year wherein they Hujauenaugh their youth
is always about Qhriftntas, at this time they are brought
into this Houfe, which is made as dark as any Dungeon,
and almoft ftarved during the time they remain there.
Befides they give them Petitory, and fe vera! intoxicating
Plants that make them go raving Mad, they make the
moft dHnaal and hidious cries and bowlings that human
Creatures arc capable of exprcfllng, all which continues
■ V * "' ' ! ' aboug

SS?!x?SSp

4o6 The Natural H I S T O R Y of

about five or fix Weeks, and the little Meat they are al-
lowed to eat is the naftieft loathfome itturT imaginable.
After the time is expired they are brought out of the
Cabin, which is not in the Town, but at Tome diftance
from it, and is guarded by an Indian or two, nominated
for that purpofe, who Watch by turns. When they
appear or firit comeabroad,they are as poorand Meager
as it is ppflible for any Creatures to be, refcmbling ra-
ther Skeletons than living Men ; feveral of them dying
tinder this Diabolical difcipline. Moreover they either
really are or pretend to be Dumb, and do not fpake for a
Month after they are out of their Confinement- It is
likewife faid that after thi$ Difcipline is over, they have
intirely forgot all the Actions of their paft Lives.

Thefe Savages are deferibed in their proper "Colours but
by very few, Tor thofe that generally write, Hiitbriesof this
New World are fuch as Intereft, preferment, or Mer-
chandize draw thither, who know no more of the People
or Country, than I do of the LapMtders. If we will
make juft Remarks, how near fuch Relations approach
Truth, we fhall find few worthy of Entertainment, and
many parts of their Works ftuft with Invectives againft
the Government they liv'd under,on which Stage is com-
monly acted greater Barbarities in murdering worthy
Men's Reputations, than all the Savages of the New
World are capable of equalizing, or even imitating.
Thefe Authors likewife pretend to various and flrange
accounts, about them, but their Relations fecm much
litter to fill a Novel than a Hiftory. I muft therefore
beg leave of the Gay Part of the World, who fecm in-
finitely pleafed with fuch Relations in not gratifying them
with the Particulars, which they themfelves will give
Jefs Crctfic to every Day as their Judgment ripens.

;:/ ;; :■'/. '. ■ . >> • u&iyi

Notth CAROLINA.

4*1

Lattly, I (hall mention fomc few Words of the Indian
Language, together with the Englijb, and lo conclude
this Treatife.

Englifh.

Tuskeruro
Indians.

iPamticoe Indi-
ans.

Woccon Indi-
ans.

One.

Unche.

Weembot.

Tone.

Two.

Netie.

Ne[hin-nauky

Numperre.

three.

Ohs-fab.

Nifi-womr.

Nam-mee.

Four.

Untoc.

Yau Ooner.

Punnum-punnu

Five.

Ouch-whe.

Umperrtn.

IVebftau.

Six.

Hone-yoc.

Whoyeoc.

ls-ffo.

Seven.

Cbauh-noc.

Top-po-ofi-

Nomims-jfau.

Eight.

Nec-kara.

Nau-haujh-(hoQ.

Nupfau.

Nine.

Wear ah.

Pach-ie-conk.

Weihere.

Ten.

fVartfaub.

Cojb.

Soone-nopQime*

A Blanket

Oorewa,

Mattofi.

Rooiune.

A Coat.

Kaiubitchra.

Taus-won.

Rummijfau.

Englifh-

NiekmuYQuh.

Tofi-(bome.

IVintfobore,

man.

The Fire.

Utcbar.

Tinda.

Tau*

A Gun.

Auk-noc,

Gau-hooptop.

Wittapu

A Hat.

TroJJa.

Mottau-quahan.

IntQme-pcJfvsm

Indians.

Unqua.
Oofocke-nauh.

Nuppin.

Tau-bti

A Knife.

Rig'Cofque,

me

Rum.

Onaquod.

fVeefaccen.

Tup-ft.

Shot.

Cauna.

Ar~romfer.

Week.

Tobacco.

Charbo.

Hooh-pau.

Vu-coent,

A Wife.

1

Kateoca.

Sqitaba.

Tcfau-tm*

t%

is 16

4©g The Natural H I S T O R Y of

To enlarge any more upon this /wfow Jargon, would
be altogether needlefs, and troublefome to the Reader J
they have fiich a ftrange way of abbreviating their Speech
when they are Debating in their grand Councils, that
the young Men do not underftand what they fay or
treat of. It is to be admir'd, what hath occasioned (o
many difTerent Speeches as they have ; for the three Na-
tions whofe Languages I have now mentioned, are but
a fmall diftancc from each other. Thefe Differences in
their Speech frequently occafion Jealouiies and Fears a-:
mongft them, and are often the Motives of their continual
Wars with each other; and were, it not for thefe conti7
trail Feuds and Animofkies amongft therafelves, they
would be as happy a People, as to this Life, as any
ibpou the Earth.

ff I N 1 S.

■:■■ ■« . .;";.

I

JC7rs