m

THE

Natural HISTORY

O F

North-Carolina.

WITH AN

ACCOUNT

OF THE

Trade, Manners, and Cuftoms, of the
Christian and, Indian Inhabitants.
Strange Beafts, Birds, Fifties, Snakes, Infedts,
Trees, and Plants, &c.

Illuftrated with Copper-Plates.

By John Brick ell, JVL D*

Noftra nos in Urbe peregrinamur. Cic.

DUBLIN, Printed for the A u t h 6 r:

LONDON, Sold by Charles Corbett, ttAddifotfs
Head, oppofite St. Dunftan's Church, Fleetftreet.

Pnce

ice 6 s. S

i ■ mi 3

Ill

THE

PREFACE

IsiMPil

/

T will not be to my purpofe to enquire,
'whether America was known to the
Antients-, there being various Opinions
about it, yet with more Curiofity than
certainty^ whence this New World
was Peopled ; fame ajjigning that the
Hefperides (fo called from Hesperus Kjng of
Spain) and the Continent of America were Teopled
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-
babitedy after a progrefs of l 8 Months. Many
believe they were People carried by Storm, being
Chineffes failing on the Pacifick South Sea, or other
Nothern People (allozving the pojjibility of each

Opinion}

w

PREFACE,

Opinion) I will not pretend to take upon me to decide,
the Control erfy, being* altogether a fir anger to the
Certainty of the fad.

The Writings of many ILearned Men may befeen
en this Head*, who after having fearch]d all the
Records of Antiquity, fbew much Erudition, but
nothing of certainty ', concerning the Antient Affairs_
of America. I know the Memory of a, 'Deluge k
preferred amongfi thefe Teople, but whether it k
to be under flood of the universal Floods or the Inun-
dation offome particular Trovinces, I leave it to
ethers to difcourfe upon-, for I am willing to lay afide
all manner ofConjettures of this Nature, having
enough of Truth to treat of.

The fever al Climates of the World have influenc-
ed the People with Natures very Afferent from
each other, and even their different Speeches bear
fome proportion of Analogie with their Natures, as
x to befeen among/I the Whitesjndians, and Blacks,
that are to be met with in this part of the World,

But waveing thefe Difccurfes, we here prefent the
World with a Nafural-Hiftory r/North-Carolina,,
it. being a compendious CoUeftion, ofmoft "things, yet
known m that part of the World', wherein I have
laid down every thingwith Impartiality and Truth}
in the moft plain and e a/re Terms, which indeed is
the 'Duty of every Wr/ter, and preferable to a more
eloquent Stile, accompanied with many Falftties.

I have tUfefore endeavour'd in the following
Sheets to give as faithful ard exatt Account of Ca-

rolrna2

PREFACE.

roiina, as difcovctics yet made will Authorize, and
if any take offence at what is [aid about the Indians
and their wanton and lafcivious manner of livings
I hope they will Judge of every Paffage isoith due
deference to good Authority of the moft knowing and
fubftantial Planters in thofe Tarts. And confider
that the nature of the Work required my being fome*
what particular, in order to /hew the good and bad
Qualities of thefe poor Creatures, w ho at prcfent
have no light or benefit of the Gofpel.

And had we been as careful as the Spaniards and
French, in fending over proper Mifllonaries t o In*
ftruft thefe miferable People, we Jhou'd never have
had occafion to give this Relation of them. Befidet
if thefe Methods had been put in pra&ice, we un-
doubtedly had been better informed and aquainted
with the many hidden Secrets in this part of the
Worldywbich thefe People are well aquainted with,
and which they never will make knozvn to us till
they are Inftrufacd in the Chriftian Faith, and have
intirelj abolifjbed the many Idolatrous Cuftoms and
Praftices ft ill prevailing among ft them,

I have viewed not only moft part of the Lands
Inhabited l?y the Chriftians, but likewife vaftfpack
ous Tratts lying between them and the Mountains^
from whence our noblef? Rivers have their rifef
running for fever al hundreds of Miles towards the
Ocean, while they water and adorn as pleqfant and
fertil a Country as any in Europe, the great eft part
whereof is only inhabited by Savage Indians* who

covet

VI

PREFACE.

covet a Chriftian Neighbourhood for the advantage*
of Trade. But not to amufe the Reader any longer
with Encomiums on Carolina, / refer them to my
*Dcfcription of that Country, and it's Inhabitants^
which they will find in the folio-wing Natural Hif-
tory, in which I have been very exatt ; and for
Methods fake, have ranged each Species of Animals,
Vegetables, &c. under diflinft and proper Heads.

A Collection of the Natural Curiofittes of this J spa-
cious part of the World, will, I hope , not only give.
Satisfaction and Tleafure to each Reader, but like-
wife Profit, to all that are inclined to live in thofe
Parts.

If thefe my Endeavours meet with this good
Suecefs, 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 expelled
from it.

To conclude, Whatever *Defetls may be found in
this Undertaking, we hope in time they will be
fupphed by the Labours and Induftrj offuch asfhaU
come after \ and this we are made to expett chiefly
from thofe of our own Nation ; and that their lau-
dable Attempts may meet witbjufl Encouragement,
Shall, be my conjtant Wifb and Vefire.

SUBSCRIBERS.

VU

SUBSCRIBERS,

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

B.

EDwardBond, Efq;
Worfopp Brim, Efq;
Edmond Barry, M. D.
Mr. Peter Brandon.
Mr. James Brickell.
Mr. George Brickell.
Mr. William Brickell
Mr. Robert Bijar.
Mr. Jos. Burry, Attorney*
Mr. Thomas Brennan.
Mr, Stearne Brock, BookfellerJ

MrJ

Hit

SUBSCRIBERS..

Mr. Alexander Brown.

Mr. David-Bufh, of Philadelphia,

Mr; Henry Barton, Apothecary ^

Mr; John Brenan.

Mr. Richard Baxter.

Mr; Benjamin Brickenden.

Mr. Martin Bourke.

Mr. Arthur Brerton.

%Itrcharit%

TH E Honourable Thomas Coote, Efq;
TheRevd. Charles Carthy, A. Mi
William Clements, A. M. F. Ts C. I$i
Edmond Caftello, Efq;
John Curry. M. D.
Mr. John Clinch.
Mr. Patrick Connor.
Mr. James Connor.
Mr. Patrick Cailidy, Attorney;
Mr. Call. Mccarty.
Mr. Patrick Carrick.
Mr. John Carfon, of Rathmullin.
Mr. Nathanial Carfon, of KillongK
Mr. William Connor.
Mr. Samuel Card.
Mr. William Carlile.
Mr. John Common.
1\lr. Edmond Cumerford.
Mr. Samuel Cleapem, Chirurgiorf,
Mr. Robert Calderwood*
Mr Thomas Coote.

tME

1

SUBSCRIBERS.

III

* — - — *- -

Mr. Michael Barry, Attorney .1

Mt. Benjamin Bardon, Apothecary*

D.

Hp H E Revd. Patrick Delany ^De D„ %%t
JL Henry Davis, Efq;

Chap. Daw fon, EJq; &

Mr. Walter Davey.

Sam. Davey.

jofeph Davey, Efq;

Mr. Mofes Darling.

Mr. James Dover.

Mr. Oliver Delahoide*

Mr. Henry Delamain.

Mr. James Doyle.

Mr. James Dobbin.

Mrs. Judith Doran.

Mr. George Dogherty^

Mr. Walter Durham.

- Mr. William Dane;

E

TiyTR. Valentine Egan.

iVl Mr, James Engliih.

Mr. William Edwards, Apothec; %

i

Mr. James Eafdell, Saddler,

r

C X H William Fowns, Bart,
■«3 Lewis Falliot, Efq;

John Fitch, Eiq;

Johrl Fergus,^ 'M. D0

■ - U

i&

If

viii SUBSCRIBERS..

Captain Samuel Farra.

Captain Matthew Fitzgerald.

Mr. Charles Franck.

Mr. William Floyd.

Mr. Peter Fitch.

j | Mr. Richard Fitzrmons.

||| Mr. Robert Finlay.

flK Mr, Francis Fitzgerald. -. \

1

S T\ yf R. James Glafco.
W IVl Mifs. Sophia Gordon.

i[-m Mr. Thomas Gilbert, Architect,

i«j»'; Mr. Andrew Gore, Jun.

In; Mr. Matthias Gower.

;3|* H

TV >TR. ObadiahHill
IVl Mr. Samuel Hill

Mr. Thomas Hall.

Mr. Jos. Harper, Chirurgion*

Mr. Richard Harford.

Mr. William Hamilton,

Mr. John Hill.

Mr. William Heatly, Bookftlltr.

Mr. Phil. Hughes, A. B. T. C

Mr. Anthony Hay.

Mr. Nicholas Hadfor, Chirurgien.

Mr. John Hamilton.

Mr. Hans Hamilton.

Mr. James Hamilton*

! m Mr. JCaneOHara.

Mr,

SUBSCRIBERS. xl

Mr. Thomas Holt, Attorney.
Mr. Thomas Hartwell,
Mr. Richard Harney,
Mr. John Hitman.

MR, William Jackfon8.
Mr. John Johnfton,
Mr. William Johnfon.
Mr. Samuel Johnfon.

K

TH E Rt, Revd. Dr. Charles Cobbe^ Bifhop of KUdare.
Mr. William Keating, Chirurgion,
Mr. Charles Kelly.
Mr. Martin KillikeUy.
Mr. Nathaniel Mc Kinlie8
Mr. Charles Kelly.
Mr. Gilbert Kelly,
Mr. Nich. King.
Mr. James Keating, 6

TH E Revd. Edward Ledwich, A. M
Mr. Jofeph Lamb,
Mr. Richard Lincoln,
Mr. Thomas Lynch.
Mr. William Lamb.
Mr. James Lee.
Mr9 William Leasy; -

mm

-

kn

SUBSCRIBERS,

Mr. Edward Lynch.
Mr. Patrick Leary,

M

PAtrick Mitchel, Efq;
Topham Mitchel, Efq;
Thomas Morfe, Efq;
The Revd. John Maxwell, A. M„
The Revd, John Magill, A. M. -
The Revd. John Moore, A. M,
Mr. Sam. MonfelJ.
Mr. Patrick Murray,
Mr. Thomas Murphy.
Mr. Matthews, Attorney

.Mr. Bernard Meffink,

J

Ofeph Nelfon, A. M.
Mr. William Neale.
Mr. Thomas Noble.

N

COIonel Thomas Pollocxfen,
Gervas Parker, Efq;
Captain John Petry.
Mr. Samuel Parks, Chirurgion0
Mr. Matthev/ Pendergaft.
Mr. Ur. Pepys.
Mr. Richard Patefon,
Mr. George Parker, .
Mr, Robert Patten0 .

SUBSCRIBERS. xiil

Coleman Peirfon, Efq;

Mr. Abraham Panel, Apothecary,

Mr. William Philips.

MR. Jeremiah QuilL
Mr. John Quia,
Mr. Francis Quire*

CIR JOHN Rowdon, Bartq

|3 Francis Richardfon, Efq;

Mr. John Stanton, Chirurgion.

Mr. Richard Richardfon.

Mr. Edward Richardfon*

Mr. Thomas Reading.

Mr. Garret Ronan.

Mr. Chriftopher Ruffel, Chimrgioy

Mrs. Dorothea Rowdon.

Mr. Matthias Reliy, Attorney,

Mr. James Reily.

JOHN Smith, Efq;
Mr. Frank Smith, T, C D2
Mr. Matthew Slater,
Mr. Stephen Stretch*
Mr. John Shaw.
Mr. Hugh Shaw, Apothecary*
Mr. Robert Siffon.
Mr, Charles Seaton, Mf-3

XIV

SUBSCRIBERS,

Mr. James Simon, Merchant.

Mr. Samuel Smith.

Mr. Matthew Swiny, Attorney .

Mr. John Smith,

Mr. Edward Smith, Chirurgien^

Mr. Edward Sands.

Mr. Hugh Stafford,

Mr Philip Swettenham,

Mr. EliasShee.

Mr. Randal Stretch,

T

Richard Talbot, Efq;
JohnTaaffe, M/ Du
Mils Margret Tenifon,
Mr. Jofeph Taylor,
Mr. John Thornton.
Mr. Denis Tinan.
Mr. Thomas Tallon.
Mr. James Todderick.
Mr. Thomas ToddericL
Mr. James Thompfon.
Mr. Matthew Templeton,
Mr. Daniel Tracy.
Mr. William TerrilL

U

R. Thomas Vincent,

W

CHarnberlen Walker, M. D,
Mr, Samuel White,

Mr;

SUBSCRIBERS.

x?

Mr. Thomas Wren,

Mr. Thomas Wilkinfon of Kilkenny

Mr. Ifaac Wills.

Mr. Thomas Wetherlt.

Mr. Laurence Whyte«

Mr. James Wall.

Mr. Robert Whitehall.

Mr. Thomas Woods.

Mr. John Warham.

Mr. Cornelius Wynnes,

Mr. Jacob Weft.

Mr. Michael Waldron^

f ti 1

"

Zi»XM,

The N A T U R A L

HISTORY

O F

North Carolina.

H E Province of North Carolina is fepara-
ted from Virginia^ a due Weil: Line trorh
Currituck Inlet, in 3«5 Degrees and 30 Mi-
nutes of Northern Latitude, extending In-
definitely Weftward, and from thence to
the Southward, including South Carolina 3
as far as 20 Degrees North.

The Eaftern Parts of this Country are hemmed in
with a great number of Iflands and Sand Banks, which
defend it from the violence of the Atlantkk Ocean ; by
which Barrier, a vaft Sound is formed, and inclofed,
which fronts the Mouths of the molt pleafant and navi-
gable Rivers, in this fpacious and delightful Country.
There are vaft numbers of Creeks on the fides of thefe
Rivers, and moft of them Navigable for fmall Croiss^
and- abundance for Veflels of larger Burthen,
A

.-

T

;--

The Natural HISTORY of

Between thefe Iliands and Sand Banks, are Inlew of
feveral depths or Water, fome admitting only of Sloops
Scooners, Bngantines, and Veifel.s ot fmall Burthen,
anc fuch are Currituck Inlet, New Inlet, Roanoke, Gun
Inlet, Ha„era,,Neu , Inlet, Humrngton-auanerlrAct, Drum
Met, Bogue Inlet, Bear Inlet, Brown' s ln^, Little Inletj
N^Kmrlblet, .Winter, Sandy Ihkt, R,ch Inlet
Barren inlet £r<W Inlet, afc Inlet, C^%, Inlet
^«y«* Inlet, J^W Illlet> and Nmh foJ| >

o/tnde being only Navigable for Periaugers and fmall
Ctoh by reafon or their many Shoals which are corf,
mually fli.hing by the violence of Storms, and particu-

pofed Others are large and deep, and receive Ships
of Burthen fuch are Ocacok, Beaufort, or Top jail Inlcr-
and Cafe hear. '.' """»

1 w,ll here give an Account of the moil confiderable

t" if t Tnt th u C0Untry- And firft. Currituck
Inlet, it being the Northermoft of this Province, it lyes
.n the Latitude of 36 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 Hat-
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 ftifting, and Oyfler Banks, as not

L° !v 5-7 XhL?S -f ept Pe"auSers to Trade through
Llh, er%thrC riden«rrthe Inlet, it not being Na-
v.gable or fafe for any Croft that draws above four or
five Foot atmoft, to pafs through it, which renders it
very incommodious for Trade.

Roanoke Inlet, lyes in the Latitude of 3 j Degrees and
50 Minutes, and has about ten Foot and a half Water
upon the Barr; the Courfe over it is almoft Weft, which
brings you through the bcft of the Channel. This Birr,

at

a

North CAROLINA

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

Hatteras 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 clofetothe 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 fleer 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 Southermofl 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 almofl Weft.

It flows on thefe three Barrs S. E. by E % E. about
Eight of the Clock, uolefs there is a very hard Gale of
Wind at N.E. which will make it flow two Hours long-
er, but asiooti 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 fecn by
the turning thereof, but may be obferv'd by the rifing
of the Waters, and falling of the fame at the Shoars.

A a Ocacotk

~

The Natural HISTORY of

Ocacock Inlet lyes in the Latitude of 3 5 Degrees 8
Minutes. It is one of the bed Inlets in this Country,
having thirteen Foot at low Water upon the Barr. There
are two Channel?, One is but narrow, and lyes clofe
aboard the South Cape • the Other in the middle, viz..
Between the middle Ground and the South Shoar, and
is above halt a Mile wide. The Barr itfelf is but half
a Cables length over • then you ate in 7 or 8 Fathom
Water, and an excellent good Harbour. The Courfc
into the Sound is N. N. W. at High Water, and Neip
Tides here is 18 Foot Water. It lies S. W. from Hat-
was Inlet

Port Beaufort, or Topfail Inlet, lyes in the Latitude
34 degrees and 44 Minutes, and is above two Leagues
to the Weft ward of Cape Look-cut, where you have a
fair Channel over the Barr, and two Fathom Water
thereof and a good Harbour, in five or fix Fathom,
to come to an Anchor. Your Ccurfe ever this Barr is
almofl N. W.

Cape Fear Inlet lyes in the Latitude of 33 Degrees
53 Minutes, it is the beft 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 notwithstanding it is fo commodious for Navi-
gation, yet few or no Planters fettled here till within
thefe few Year?, but now in all Appearance, it feems to
be the moft rifing Part of all this Province ; there being
now many Subflantial Planters fettled there, and arc
become very Rich within the fpace of Nine or Ten
Years, it being little frequented or inhabited before
that Time, viz.: in the Year, 1723.

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

North CAROLINA. 5

little frtquented or reforted to, except it be by fmall
Crofts and Pcriaugers. I (hall therefore on it giving
any Yurther Account of them.

North Carolina has fome confidcrable Promontories or
Cares in it : That Cape called Hatteras, is the moil
Northern of this Province, it lyes in the Latitude of 35
Degrees and 20 Miniues, Longitude ,75. Cape Look- out,
is the largeft in this Province, extending a great way
into the Main Ocean, and is about two Leagues to the
Horthward or Mouth ofTopfail Inlet, in the Latitude
•of 34 Degrees and 46 Minutes, Longitude 75, $0 Cape
Fear lyes at the Mouth of the Inlet, in the Latitude or
33 Degrees and 53 Minutes, Longitude 77. 20. Cape
Carterett is. yzxx. of South Carolina, and is the Norther-
moft Promontorie in that Province, lying to the South-
ward of Santee River in Latitude 32 of Degrees, and
50 Minutes, Longitude 77. 55. Within thefe Capes is
a very large Sound, with abundance of Illands of feveral
Sizes, abounding with various kinds of Timber Trees,
many whereof are fine Cedar, with variety of Wild
Beads, 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 ac
prcfent.

I (hall in the next Place proceed to give an Account
of the Rivers that arc to be met with in this Province,*
many whereof arc very coniiderable and large, running
for feveral hundred Miles, and taking their Rile for the
moft part in or near the Mountains, others are but fmall
in comparifon with the former, as may be feen by the

Map.

I (hall therefore begin with the moft Northerly, and
fo proceed to the moft Southerly. And flrft, Blatk-Wa<°
W9 cr Ntfth River, which falls into Currituck Sound,

North

The Nafural H I S T O R Y of

North River, Pafquotanck Rtver, Little River, Peautmam
River, ana Yaupm Rtver, all thefe Water and ah
the Southern Pares of V.'rg.nia, and No«h n PW
this Province, which are very fetile. Moft of thefe Rl

««»» River likewife Waters the North Parts of
this Province, and part olV,rginia, and is very confide-
rable in thefePartsj the Inhabitants o„„s Banks are ve-
ry Rich by its Fertilty, and being fo commod ous for
Trade, it is the fifth large and constable R,ver in this
Province ; it falls into Albemarle Sound
. Keja River is likewife to the Northward of this Pro-
vmce, but is not very Confiderable '"> r»-

• fo^*' ^ver is the largeft in this Province, takine

and Watering feveral Parts of Virginia, „ it croffe he
due Weft Line that ieparates it lorn Virginia^ v%
commodious for Trade, being Navigable for a vaft 3
up the Country,moftofthe former Rivers empty hTm-
iclves into this Albemarle or Currituck Sound
Afcc« /W River is a Nonh firanch of

vSoftrfhr of sloops- *mkm #f

iWo* River is the fourth confiderable River in
thefe Parts, taking its Rife near or from theMoun ains
and falls imo Pamticoe Sound, with a very S&
Mouth, feveral Mile s m Breadth, and is net inferior fo
any of the other large Rivers, for the goodnefs of its
Navigation, as is mamfeft by the many Rich Inhabitant
dwelling upon us delightful and fertile Banks

Bay River is not very confiderable, beine fmall v»
its Trade is not defpifable. "™ V$S| MKIft ?«

,W«»

North CAROLINA.

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

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

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

Black, or Swampy River, is but fmall, and lyes to the
Northward of Cape Fear River.

Cape Fear River is the Second confiderable and large
River, and is one of the beft for Navigation in thefe
Parts : There is a large River which is the Northeafi
Branch of Cape Fear River, but is diittinguifhed 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 riot 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, are fcarce
to be perceived, 'till you travel feveral Hundcred Miles?
or near their Heads, Which is chiefly owing to theie
being fo large, and the Country fo very level.

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

arc

The Natural HISTORY of

are like wife many confiderable Minds in thefc Rivers
abounding with feveral forts of Trees, midB^Rs,
especially Deer, and various kinds of Fowl ; they are
Inhabited by few or no Chriftians at prefent. In feveral
partsoftbeie Rivers are likewife to be fccn great num.
ber of decayed Cypiefs and other large Trees, ftanding
at a great diftance in the Water, the Earth being entirelv
waftled away from them in the feries of many A-es

The next thing to be confidered, is the towns and
their beautiful Situation. And firft, Edemown is the larc-
eft, confifting of about Sixty Houfes, and has been the
Seat of the Governors for many Years, and is pleafantly
feated on a Creek on the North-fide of Roanocke RiVr ;
wnere you have a delightful Profped of the faid River

Bath Town is the Second confiderablc Town in this
Province and isrnoft delightfully feated on a Creek on
E!le;Nf;h-Me of Pamicoe River, wirfi the fame beau-
tiful Advantages of the former: It's Navigation is
much better being the mod considerable and commodi-
ous for Trade in this Province, except Cape Fear.

Newbernis fituated on the South-fide of New River
with a pleafant ProfpeS of that River : This Town
has but a few Houfes or Inhabitants in it -at prefent

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

Beaufort Town ftands on the North-fide of Newport
River, it s Pfofpeft being as pleafant as any of the for-
mer : It is finall, and thinly inhabited.

Bluf»ic\;rown. is moft delightfully feated, on the
Sourh-iideot that Noble River Ctfe&ar; and no doubt
but it Will be very confidence m a fliort time, by it's

great

North CAROLINA.

great Trade, the Number of Merchants, and rich Pi in-
ters, that are fettled upon it's Banks, -within tnele iew
Tears.

The Streets inthefe Towns areas level as a Bowling-
Green, there being no manner of Pavement to be mes
with over ail this Province.

The firft Settlement of this Country was tn2.de in
Queen Elizabeth's time, by Sir Walter Raliegh and o-
thers, at Roanoke, in Albemarle County ; bu continu-
ed not long, either by Sickncis cr otiier Misfortunes,
or by the Barbarity of the Indians, whowtrc very nii-
merons and powerful in thofe Days, but art now very
few, being for the moft part deftroyed by their con-
tinual Wars with each other, and European Diftempers,
brought in amongft them, and efpeciaily the Small- Pox,
which prov'd fatal to moft of the Indians tha nctt
feized wich it. This Diitemper, and many others un
known to thefe Savages, before the arrival of the Chrifti-
ans amongft them in thofe Parts. I hope it w:llnoi r,c
unplealinp to the Reader to infert here a pleaiant Stoi y
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-
1 nies, does often appear to them (in Albemarle Sound
< near Roanoke ) under Sail, in a moft gallant Pollute /'
Which they call' Sir Walter Raliegh1 s Ship.

The fecond Settlement was made in King Charles th#
Seconds Time, chiefly in Chowan zndBarty Pr anas, in
Albemarl County, by feveral Perfons from Virginia, and
other Northern Colonics, who finding the Soil fo very
good and fertile, fettled here, and are become very Nu-
merous and Rich; for the Lands here produce every
thing Planted in tbem in great abundance ; Horfes, Cows*
Sheep, and Swine, breeding in vail lumbers, the
B Winter

mm

10 The Natural HISTORY of

Winter, being vsry fhorr, and that fo mild, the Plan-
ters are at little or no Labour or £xpence in provi-
ding todder for their Stocks, to what other Northerly
Countries are. For m the Winter they only fell large
Trees, whereon grow long Mofs, wnich the Horfcs
and Cows reed upon, and makes them both fat and
ftrongj tne Cows will produce Milk, with this kind of
Fodder, all the Winter Seafon, in great plenty As for
Hay, I never oblerved any made in the Country, tho'
they have inch plenty of Grafs, that they are obliged
to burn ir off the Ground every id ,b. of March by fer-
tile of a Law made in the Country for that purpofe

Thefe inducements encouraged them to Settle here
though but a handful of People, feated at great diftancc
one fiom another, amid A fuch vaft Numbers of Savage
Indians, ot different Nations, who were then in Carolina
to be met withal.

The Fame of this Province foon fpread'itfclf to the
Neighbouring Colonies and in a few Years drew con-
fiderabk numbers of Families, not only from them, but
lik* w.fe from feveraf Parts of Europe, who all found
Lano enough to fettle themfelvcs in, had they been many
Thoufarids more, both for Pleafure and Profit • whicli
makes the Planters in a great meafure live after a moil:
luxurious manner, and void of Care, to what other
more Northerly Climates are obliged to, by providing
Necefianes for the Winter. So that it may properly be
faid that Nature produces everything here for the
Flcafure and Profit of the Inhabitant*.

tooft of the Plantations naturally'have a very noble
avd beautiful Profpecl of large and fpacious Rivers or
Creeks, abounding *j h variety of Fifh and Wildfowl ;
as alf > pleafant and delightful Savannas or Meddowr,
wi'n their Green Liyenes, interwoven with various

kinds

North CAROLINA. u

kinds of beautiful and moil glorious Colours, and fragrant
Odours, which the feveral Seafons afford, and fenced
in with pleafant Groves of the fine 1 ulip Tree, Laurel
and Bays,- equal-zing the Oak in bifnefs and growth,
likewifc the Myrtle, Jeifamine, Wood-bines, Honey-
suckles, and feveral other odpriferous Plants, the moil:
beautiful Vines and Ever-greens, fhadnw and interwave
thcmfelves with the moll lofty Timber, yielding a very
pleafant and delightful Profped, to thofe that travel
through the Woods of Carolina j that, turn your Eyes,
which way you will, you have nothing but pleafing and
diverting Objects, 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 Bleffings, are as hbfpitable 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 Provifions to Coaftcrs and Guefts,
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 S.tones are to be found, till you
come near the Mountains, and the Heads of the great
Rivers, where the beft Lands are generally to be met
with, abounding with all iorts of Clover, in great Plenty,
but is at prefenc only inhabited by Savage Indians, of
different Nations, or the Habitation of Wild Beads j
and is more healthful to live in, than where the Planta-
tions are already eftablifhed.

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

mm

12

The Natural HISTORY of

fevcral others, with great quantities of Grafs on them,
bur of a courier and ilrongcr Nature than up theRivers,
Where there is moitly Clover to be met with, notwith-
ftanding Horics, and other Cattle feed very well on the
former, and are fat, ftrong, and fit for Labour, molt
bealonsot the Year.

There are likewife Perkofom and Swamps, which are
good Pafturage for Cattle; fo that by the richnefs of the
Sou, and the many other Advantages and Bleflings that
attend the Planters, they live alter a lazy and indolent
Manner, to what thofe in New England do, and other
Northerly Countries are, by providing Neceflaries for
tW inter.

Lands arc fo very Cheap, that (after you have taken
out your Patten for Six hundred mid forty Acres, which
will colt three or four Pounds Mtrl. or the Value, in
Carolina Money) you pay at the deareit, lor the (aid
Number of Acres, Six Shillings and Sixpence Stetl. Yearly,
and at the loweft three Shillings and three Pence, free from
all Taxes at prefent : So that with moderate, Induftry
ma> be acquired all manner of Neceflarys for the Sup-
port of a Family, though never lo Numerous, nothing
being wanting there but a fufficient 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, and feveral Plantations have produced Indian
Corn, or fome other Grain every Year, face the Settle-
ment of the Chrift ians in thofe Parts, without any Ma-
nure, and yet feems not to be the leaft Impoveriffied,
producing continually a good Crop, unlefs a bad Seafon
prevents, which kldomc happens in Carolina.

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

fertikic

North CAROLINA 13

ferulae wi che Lands than this, which is one of the
greatett Buffings chat can attend a Country where there
are fo few H to Manufacture the Lands after that

laborious Manner, which is cuitomary with us, which
every ? aner in Ireland is well acquainted with, who
h at continual Expence for Servants, Horfes, and many
other iNcceflaries to improve his Lands to the bed Ad-
vantage.

The Lands of Carolina confift of different Sorts of com-
poft, in ieveral Places, . feme Stiff, others Light, fom^
Mark, otners 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 beft Wheat and Rice of any Land in
thefe Parts, as has been experienced by the Planters.

I have leen feveral of thefe Savannas fome Miles in
length and breadth, but are little regarded or made ufe
ot by the Planters, by reafon that they are at fome dis-
tance rrom their Plantations, fome being two, three, or
four Miles from the Water fide, and are only Pailuragc
for Cattle. The Reader muft underiiand, that all the
Inland in this Province lyes wafte at prefent.

Other Lands in this Province are Perkofom, where
large Cyprefs Trees grow, others Swamps, where hollow
Canes, Myrtle Trees and feveral (brts of Vines grow,
and produce good Paiiurage 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 vafl Numbers of them.

The

14

The Natural H I S T O R f of

The Planters for themoft part Jive by the \Va.s u le
few kor none Jiving in the In-lai.d r> its or che Counciy
atprcfent, though the Lands are as good and re as
any chat are yet inhabited ,• but not fo commoui.us
for Carriage as by the Water, ror moft part of che
Plantations run but a Mile backward into cat Woods
fo caac becwixt every River you (hail fee vail Tiacts of
Land lying wafte, or inhabited only by wild Beafts 5
What is worthy of Qbiervation is, SPrue altioit every
Planter may have a convenient Dock upon his Plantation*
and a fufKcicnt Quantity of good Timber to build
Ships and Boats withal.

Of the COR N of

.North CAROLINA.

THE Wheat of this Province is very good and faira
the Flower very White, but the Grain is not al-
together io large as ours, yet it feldom yields lefs than
thirty iMcaiures for one fown ; not but that there has
been Sixty Increafe for one (own in Piney Land, which is
accounted the worft Soil in the Country, and I have been
credibly inrorm'd, that the Wheat which was Planted in
the Savannas, and fuch like rich Soil, has produced a
Hunured for one Meafure Sown. Thefe confiderable
Increafes prevent the Planters to make Ariel: and nice
Observations of the Nature and Goodnefs of the Soil ;
for 1 never faw one Acre of Land managel as it ought to
be, and were they as Negligent in their Husbandry in
Euro^^ as they are in North Carolina, their Land would

produce

North CAROLINA. 15

prouiu e nothing but W eeds. And I mull conrcfs, when
fome of the Planters enquired of me how we managed
the Land in / eland, ana what Labour and Expence we
wax at in oracling them co the belt Advantage, it feemed
very furpnzing to them how we could live, and cipecially
when 1 toia him, that we paid from three Shillings to
Jour 01 five Pounds per Acre (befides many heavy Taxes)
which Relation they coula by no means give Credit
to, but lookea upon what I faid as meer Romances or
Tales, to impofc upon their Credulity.

Tat Rye thrives very well here, but they having fuch
Plenty or Maiz, in this Province, ihcy little regard or va-
lue it, and efpecially by Reafon of the Blacknefs of the
Bread it makes.

The Barley does much better here than may reafo-
nable be expe&ed from their Management of it, that
Grain requireing the Ground to be well Wrought, with
repeated Plowing* to make it Mellow, which their ge-
neral W ay of breaking with Hoes will never perform ;
though I have feen extraordinary Barley produced in
North Carolina, after that mannsr, or with one Plowing
only.

Gits does well here, but the vaft Plenty of other Grain
prevents their propagating of it in many Places, fo that
it is not common in thefe Parts of America at prefent.

The Rtce, whereof there are ieveral Sorts, fome Beard-
ed, others not, befide the White and the Red, but the
White is be ft. The Rice of Carolina is efteemed as good
as any brought to Europe ,znd is of a prodigious Increafe,
yielding from eight Hundred to a Thoufand for one
Meafurc that is fown. It grows bell in their Wet and
wild Land, that- hath not been cultivated or broken up
before. The Indian-Corn or Maize is moft commonly
Planted with the Hoe, and proves the moll uiefui Grain

in*

U.W1H

l6 7W Natural HISTORY of

in thcfe Parts, being in great Plenty all over this Pro-
vince; it is very nourilhing id Bread Sodden or other-
wife, as appears by thofe that continually feed upon it,
making them ftrong, able, and tit for hard Labour. It
grows in all manner of Ground except Barren Sands j
but when Planted in good Ground, produces for oiic
Meafure, Seven or eight Hundred, at the loweft Com-
putation that can be made. Pigs and Poultery kd
with this Grain, eat the fweetef! of all others.

The Millet does very wdl here, efpccialfy in light
and loofe Ground, they Tow it in April and May, and
profpers beft 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, viz,, the
European Wheat is generally cut down firft, and in their
Barns the beginning or June, then they immediately
Plow, Sow, or Plant the fame Ground with Buck-Wheat,
or Indian Corn, which wondesfully increa.es, ind isready
to be brought home in September , October, or Nove?nber9
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 are feveral fcrts of Pulfe in :nis Province ,• and
firfl, the Bujhel Bean, fo called from producing aBufhel
of Beans or more from one that is Planted -, they are a
Spontanious product in Carolina, and are Set in the
Spring round Arbours, or near long Poles fet in the
Ground for that purpofe, where they make a good
Shade to fit under in the extreamity of hot Weather ;
they continue Budding, Flu wing, and Ripening all the
Summer, until the approach of Froft, which prevents

their

North CAROLINA. 17

their farther Growth, and 10 dye; they climb prodigious
high, and their Stalk is about the thicknefsot a Man's
Thumb, the Pod grows like the Kidney Bean, but the
Bean is fiat, white, or mottled, with a purple Colour :
They are ext*aordinary good, and well relifhed Pulfe*
cither by themfclves or with Meat.

The Indian Roumival, or Miraculous Pea, 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 Christians and
Indians.

The Bonavis is another kind of Pulfe, and yields «
great Increafe, it doth not require io 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
moil of the Plantations amongft 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 Nanticoach are another kind of Pulfe, and re-
ferable the Calivances, and are in great plenty all over
this Province.

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

The Kidney-Bean, is I ike wife here in great plenty,
growing for the moft part in every Corn-Field. The
Indians had thefe four Sorts of Pulfe, viz,, the Bonavts,
Calivances^ Nanticoacks, and Kidney -Beans, and feveral
other fortss long before the Arrival of the Europeans
amongft them ; which Report I have had affirmed fe-
deral times, noi only from the Chriftians, but likewife
, from the Indians in thefe Parts.

G The

i8

The Natural HISTORY of

The large European- Bean, will in two or three YearS
degenerate into a dwarfifh Kind, if not prevented by a
new Supply of Foreign Seed, as I have experienced dar-
ing my ftay in thofe Parts ; yet thefe Dwarfifh fort
become fweetcr, and better relifti'd, than any Bean 65 the
iame Sort in Europe; but thele kind of Beans are very
little regarded or made ufe of, and therefore ieidom
Planted, by reafon the other Pulfe are in f uch Plenty all
over this Province.

I have obfetved feveral forts of European-Ptafe in this
Province come to as great Perfection, as in molt Parts of
Europe, particularly the white and gray Rounuval, the
Hot-Spur, theDwarf, the Field, and the Sicklc-Peafe ; 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 Parjnifs, Car-
rots, Shrrets, Turnips, Gwund-Artichoakes, Garden-ifo-
dijhts, Horfe- Radijbes , Potatoes of feveral forts, and very
large, fome whereof weigh four Pounds; Leeks, Onions hi
great plenty, and excellent good Shallots, Cives, Garlick,
and wild Onions, Beets, and mod other Roots that are
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 y Mint, the Dock or Wild Rhubarb, CrejJeS
of feveral forts, as Winter, Garden, Indian, Sciatica, Wa-
ter-CreJfes, and many more ; French and Englifi Sorrel,
Purfiqintwt) forts, viz. the Tame and the Wild ; which
are lo plenty, that they are common Weeds in their Gar-
dens, the Leaf is not as large as the Tame, but as good j
the Planters boil it with their 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 Beaft the Indians keep not amongft them.

Samphire,

North CAROLINA. 19

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

Mujhnoms, good and in great Plenty all over the
Fields. . .

Afparaaus, 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
goodnefsof the Soil, and it is found m Plenty in moit
Gardens in this Province, and as good as any in Europe,
As likcwife Selery and Clary.

Par/ley, 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 Negligence,it is not lo common as other?
wife it might. The Colly-Flower does not thrive well
here, by what tryals 1 have iecn made during my abode
in thofe Parts; but the plain and curled Coleworth, flou-
rifheth, .

The Ankhoak I have obferved but in two Places, in
this Province, which is tollerablc good, here arc likewjfe
great quantities of excellent good lf/attr~ Me lions of fc-
veral forts, MushMefons, very good and of feveral
forts, as the Golden, Green, Guinea, and Orange.
Cucumbers, long, fhort, and prickly, and all produced
from the natural Ground with great Incrcafe, without
any help of Dung, or refledio^ from Glaffes.

Pompom, yellow and very large Burmilliom, Cajbaws,
which is an excellent Fruit when boyi'd, Sqmfies, Sym-
nals, Horns and Gourds, befidcs variety ofother Specespt
lets value, fuch as the Poke, which is a kind of Mfj$ar
can, and grows in every Field, the tender Tops wherofc,
may be boiled and made ufe of as other Greens with all,
the fafety immaginablc, and are very good and nourifli-*
ing, but the Roots (which are as thick as a Man s Leg;

are

20

The Natural HISTORY of

arc nocto be medled with, being in their Nature violent
Purgers, and occafion thofe that eat of them to be fran-
tick for iome time, though I have never heard of any
farther Mifchiet done by them. Lamh- Quarter, and
various kinds of Salleting, too tedious to motion.

1 he Pot.Herbs, and others which are ufeful in Phy-
fick are common here, and are as follows, Angelica, two
forts, viz.. the Wild and the Tame, Balm, Muglofs, Bor-
rage, Burnet, Marygold, Pennyroyal, Rue, Marjoram, two
forts, Summer and Winter Savory, Thyme, Rofemary, La-
vender Hyjfop, which grows very large, Sweet Baz.il,
froundjel, Deng, red and white, Nep or Cat-mint, Mal-
lows feveral forts, Tanfay, Columbine, Dandelion, Worm-

W, Southernwood, Baflard Saffron; and feveral forts of
Muftard.

m The more Phyfical Plants are Ants, Afarahaua, grow-
ing in raoft Places in the Woods; Car dm, BenediUm,
Caraway, Cummin, Coriander, Scurvy-Graft, two iorts ; the
one from Europe, and the other Spontaneous.

In thefe Parts Tobacco of many forts, Dill, all the Eu-
ropean forts of Plantain, and two Spontancov.s,Elecampai»
Archangel, or Dead-NettU, the Stinging-Nettle, the Seed
being brought from Europe, there being none found
growing Spontaneous in North Carolini-Cemfery, Monks-
Rhubarb, Burdock, Feather few, Worm feed, Garden-Pvpptes
none yet being difcover^d growing Wild in this Province*
Ground-Ivy is Spontaneous, but much (mailer than the
European; Perewinkle growing in great plenty in moil:
parts or the Woods; Golden-Rod feveral forts of Hore-
bound, Melilot,Baflard-Lovage. ' The Ratth-Snake- Root,
wnerecr there are three forts, and is To called, becaufc it
alone _ cures the Bite of the Raule-Snak, ; h is very plenty
in all the Savanna and Woods. S*ake-Roct, four fores
in Lamina ; Purging Mmdweed or Scatnony /growing in
moic parts of this Province. Jhe

S

North CAROLINA. 21

The Ipecacuana grows likewife in great Plenty in this
Province, which I frequently made Ufe of during my
flay 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
diftar.ee one from the other, unlets at the Top, where
they grow one oppofite to the other, forriething like Pwf-
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 perjjfh 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
Defcription about it. This and the Scpmony grow in high
Sandy Gi ound, in many Places m-Carolina. Oak of jfa-
rujalem, Indian-pur ger. Swallow-wort, Palma-Chrifti, feve-
ral forts of Mint, Red-Dock, Jamefiown-Weed, fo called
from its being fo very plenty in Virginia, efpecially on
both (ides 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 affwaging 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 occasions a Giddinefs and Madnefs, fo that
you fhall fee thofe that take it (which molt commonly
happens to Children) run up and down the Fields in a
moft diffracted manner, during its Operation but does
no further Mifchief.

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

the

naa

22 The Natural HISTORY of

the fame Erfe^:, and poiTefTes the Party with Fear and
Watchings; though few have had the TryaI,or felt the
Efe&s of thefe intoxicating Plants, except Boys and Chil-
dren; it is likewife ufed withgood Succefs in Inflamma-
tions and Burns, as the former.

Camomil thrives well here, but it mufl be Planted under
a Shade, otherwifc-it comes to little or no Perfection.

The Red-Root, the Leaves whereof: are like thofe of
Spmmint, is ufed with good Succefs for Thrufties, and
fore Mouths.

Vet vim is very common here, being Spontaneous. Houfe
Letk, being firft brought from Europe. Ntght-jbade of
feveral kinds, Yarrow and Mullein, m plenty, both being
Spontaneous. Harts-Tongue, Polypodium of the Oak ; the
greater Centaury, in great plenty ; but I never obferved
any of the Lefler growing in this Province. Prickly Bind-
Weed, Larks-Spur, Hops, Flax and Hemp, the belt and fi-
ned in the known World groweth in North Carolina.

Jifinaw, or Baflard China-Root, thefe grow in great
Clutters together, and have a Stalk like a Brier, where-
on grow fmall Black-Berries, the Indians boil thefe Roots
and eat them, and fometimes make them into Bread.

SarfapariUa, White Hetiebor, feveral forts of 7hiftles,
Fern, Male and Female, Liquorice, Or is, Water-Mies, Peony,
Male and Female, Sokmons-Seal,dgarick, ColoquintidayGui-
nea-Pepper, Water-Flag, Flower de Luce, Betony, Shepherds*
Purfe, Chervil; Coffee, whereof they begin to plant much^
within thefe few Years i Jejfamine, Pelliiory of Spain,
Cloud Hereby the Indians call'd Taught li. Straw-herries
are in fuch Plenty in the Seafon, that they are Feeding
for Hogs; Nauijjm, Daffodil, Snow-Drops, Wall-Flowers,
Bloodwort, the white and red Lillie, Stargraff, which is
ufed withgood Succefs in moft Fevers in this Country ;
Rtijbes of feveral forts ; the Herb Maftick, Indian-all- heal,

Cinquefiil,

Nbrth CAROLINA. $3

Cinquefoil, or five leav'd Grafs, Rib-wort, which is a kind
ot Plantain ; Pellitory ot" the Wall, this Herb grows very
plentiful on the Ground, there being no Rocks or Stone
Walls for it to grow upon ; Shepherd*- Needle, Rofa-Solist
or Sun-dew; feveral torts or Sage being firft brought from
Europe; Mijfeltoe of the Oak, in great Plenty all over
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 ot that Inftrttmcnt^
and is of a beautitul Orange colour.

The May-Apple, fo call'd from its having Apples in
the Month or May 5 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 i This Plant is of a very ftrong Purg-
ing nature* and is frequently made ufeof in thefe Parts
for feveral Diforders with good Succefs.

The Sun-Flower, the Indian-Figg, or Prickly-Pear, the
Fruit of this Vegetable is frequently eaten, and is very
fwcet and lufcious, but occaiions fuCh a high Tin&ure inv
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 expe&cd 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 Senfcs,
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, yet not of the hundredth Part of

whae

24 The; Natural HISTORYo/

what remains ; a Catalogue of which, would be a Woik
of many Years, and more than the Age of one Man to
penect, or bring into a regular Claifes, this Country be-
ing {o very iarge* and different in its Situation and Soil »
fo that what one Place plentifully produces, another is
altogether a Stranger to : Yet it is generally to be ob-
ferved, that the greareft Variety is to be found in the
low Grounds and Savannas.

The Fleafure Gardens of North Carolina, are. not yet
arrived to any great Perfection, or Adorned with many
beautiful fragrant Flowers ,* there being only foroe few
Rofe-Trees, Eead^Trees, Orange -Trees, Clove Gi fly- Flower s
Pinks of feveral forts^ Sweet-lViUiam, Cow/lips, Lavender*
Spike, and Lavender-Cotton^ Violets, Princefs-Feather,
Ires-Colores, and fuch like : But their Kitchen Gardens
are very good, abounding with moil forts of Necefla-
ries for that Ufe.

I will give an Account of the Climate3 and io proceed
to the Prejent State oj North Carolina.

This Climate is very Healthful, and is not fo Hot in
the Summer as other Countries to the Eaftward, in the
fame Parallels of Latitude," neither is the Country fubje&
to Earthquakes, as Italy, and many other Hot Countries
are: The Sky is generally very ferene and clear, and the
Air very thin and pure ; and though we have but little
Rain, yet the constant 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
lharp and piercing Weather, the North Eaft Winds blow-
ing in the Winter, bring with them thick Weather, and
in Spring iome tim°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 molipleafant
and healthful we have in thefe Parts of the World.

An<J

North CAROLINA. 2j

And though thefe Northerly Winds cool the Air in
Summer and are very pearcing in the Winter, yet they
are of no Continuance.

Southerly Winds caufe very hoc and unwhoHona
Weather, and often occafion Fevers, and other Disor-
ders in thele Parts. The Spring and Fall are the moll
delightful and pleafant SeafonS of the Year, being nei-
ther too Hot or too Cold j and though thefe Sealons are
very pearcing, yet the Cold is of no Duration, and are
in a great Meafurc owing to the Winds fhirting rrom one
Point to the other; for Southerly Winds will occalion
it to be warm in the midil ok Winter, as with us in
April, and the North Eaft Winds will on the contrary3
make it cool in the midft of Summer.

The Weather is generally pretty moderate till after:
Chriftmas; then the Winter comes on apace, and cori*
tinucs variable 'till the mi die of Februiuy, according
to the Winds, fometimes warm and pleafantj at other
times Rain j Snow, or Froft. but the Ice is feldom fo
ftrong as to bear a Man'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 AuguB and September we frequently
have very great Storms and Squals of Wind* and it is re-
markable for two or three Days before they break forth,
that the Clouds feem to hang down very thick and pref-
fing towards the Earth, and fcarce a breath of Wind to
be perceived for the faid time ; they are fometimes fo
very violent, that they make Lanes through the Woods
by tearing up Trees by the roots.

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

26 The Natural HISTORY of

dreadful whilft they lafi,- and I have feen old decay 'd
Tre.s, and efpecially the Pitch-Pine, frequently let on
Fire by thefe violent claps of Thunder and Lightn-
ing, and fometiroc Trees in their Bloom tore and fplk
in Pieces, yet I have lUdom known or heard of any far-
ther Dammage.

There are prodigious JVater-Spouts to.be' feen in this
Country, which are the forerunners and "certain Sign* of
Storms and bad Weather, which quickly follow after.
them; Thefc Watcr-fpouts are vail 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 feldbm or never at Land ; and ate to be feen at a
great diftance, refembling all the colours in the Rain-
bow; it is faid they ai e dangerous to be met with at Sea,
for fear of falling upon their Veflels, for which reaioa
when rhey efpie them nearat Hand, they frequently fire
their great Guns to break them in the Air, before they
come near the farface of the Water, as I have been cre-
dibly informed by feveral Mailers of Ships; for I have
never feen them otherwife than at a great difhnce*
There art no regular Tides in Carolina, but what are
occalioned for the mofl part by the Winds {hiking from
one Point to another.

THE

Mrth CAROLINA.

z-\

THE

Prefent STATE

O F

North Carolina.

THIS Province, and South Carolina, were
granted by King Charles II. March the 24^
in the Fifteenth Year of his Reign, and
Confirmed by Letters Patents bearing Date,
June the 13 th. in the 17^. Year of his laid
Majefty's Reign, to the following LordsProprietors. (wz.)
Edward, Earl of Clarendon ; George, Duke of Albemarl;
William, Earl of Craven; John, Lord /Berkeley-, Anthony,
Lord JJbley; Sir George Carter ett, Knight, and Baronet;
Sir John Colleton, Knight, and Baronet; and Sir William
"Berkeley ; who poffefled them until the Year 1729 ; At
tohich time King George II. Purchafed them from all the
faid Proprietors, excepting. the Lord Carterett, who dill
retains his Eighth Paft. Whilft it remained in the Hands

D 3 e§

~

28 The Natural HISTORY of

ot the Proprietors, they had a Governor who acted for
them until the Year 175 1, at which Time his Majefty
fent over Governor Jfarrington, who was the firft Gover-
nor after the King had made the Purchale, and with him
came mod of the Superior Officers ; fuch as Secretary of
the Province, Chief Juftice, Attorney General, Provoft-
Marfhal, and Naval Officers, the reft were at his arrival
in the Country, but 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 or Parliament with us. The firfi or Upper-
ffoufe 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 confifts of thirty five Members,
being the moft knowing, difcreet and fubftantial Plan-
ters, chofeout of each Precinct and Borough. In this
and the Upper-Mufe, are made all manner of Laws for
the Safety and better Government of this Province.
But whatever Laws are here made muft be conformable
to the Laws or England, and in no wife repugnant
thereto. And fuch Laws as are made in thefe two
Houfes by the Governor, Council and Burgefies, are
all recorded, and are asauthentick and binding there,
as our A£s of Parliament are with us.

There are likewife two other Courts in this Pro-
vince, viz,, the Precinft-Court, which is held in every
Precinft of this Province, being much of the fame
Nature of our Court-Leets, or Court-Barons. The other
is called the General-Court, which is held twice every
Year, as the former is four times. This is much the

fame

North CAROLINA. 29

{ :i\x as our Ajfiz.es , where all Caufes relating to Life
a: j Death are heard, where the Chief Juftice fits as
Judge, and determines all Caufes within the Jurifdiction
of tins Couit. In the Precincl-Court, the Juitices of the
Peace fit on the Bench, and decide all Controver/ies
brought before them. This Court upon any Grievance
can Appeal to the General Court for JufHce, and the
General to Chancery. The Governor by the Power in-
verted in him, Commiffionsall Juftices of the Peace, and
all Officers in the Militia, who upon any Occafion
may call his Council, to advife with them, upon any E-
mergency that is neceffary, or expedient, for the good
and Tafety 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.

Thefe, and many other good Laws, that are to be
met within this Province, make it one of the bed 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 f 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 kaft uneafinefs or dif-
content.

mm.

30 The Natural HISTORYo/

'I llIM ««^—— g—n^ Mil ■■■ ^^Wii^i^^

The Planters by the richnefs of che Soil, live after
the moft eafie and pleafant Manner of any People I
have ever met with; for you fhall feldom hear them
Repine at any Misfortunes in life, except the lofs of
Friends, there being plenty of aU Neceilaries convenient
for Lite : Poverty being an entire Stranger here, and the
Planters the moft hofpitable 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-
pott themfelves ;j to fuch Objects as thefe, the Country
allows Fifty Pounds per Annum for their Support. So
there are no Beggars or Vagabonds to be met with
Strowling from place to place as is too common a-
jpongft us.

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

Thefe with many other Advantages, fuch as the
cheapness and fertility of the Lands, plenty of Fifha
Wild-fowl, Venifon, and other neceflaries 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 Neceflaries convenient for life 5
fo that Yearly we have abundance of Strangers that
come amongft us from Europe, New-England, Penfihaniat
Maryland, and from many of the lilands, fuch as An*

tegua*

~

North CAROLINA. 31

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

The Europians, or Chriftians of North-Carolina, area
{height, tall, well-limb'd and a&ive People y their Chil-
dren being feldom or never troubled with Rickets, and
many other Diftempers that the Europians are affli&ed
witti, and you fhall feldom fee any of them deformed in
Body.

The Men who frequent the Woods, and labour one
of Doors, or ufe the Waters, the vicinity of the Sun
makes Impreffions on them ; 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 with any
where, and have very Brisk. and Charming Eyes ; and as
well and finely fhaped, as any Women in the World.
And 1 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 5 and fhe that continues unmarried, until
Twenty, is reckoned a ftalc Maid, which is a very in-
differentChara&er in that Country. Thefe Marriages
for want of an Orthodox Clergyman, is performed by
the Governor, or the next Juftice of the Peace j who reads
the Matrimonial Ceremony, which is as binding there
as if done by the belt divine in Europe. The Women
are very fruitful, moft Houfes being full of Little Ones,
and many Women from other Places who have beem
long Married and without Children, have remov'd 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 ape

to

J

32 the Natural HISTORYo/

to learn any thing, as any Children in Europe ; and thofe
that have the advantage to be Educated, Write good
Hands, and prove good Accomptants, which is very much
coveted, and moft necehary in tnefe parts* The young
Men are generally of a bafhful, {ober Behaviour, few
proving Prodigals, to fpend what the Parents with
Care and Induftry have kit them, but commonly Im-
prove it.

The Girls are moft commonly handfome and well
Featur'd, but have pale or f warthy Complexions, and
are generally more forward then the Boys, not with-
Handing the Women are 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 of prudence and conduct, though they are
very young.

Both Sexes are very dexterous in paddling and manage
ing their Canoes, both Men, Women, Boys, and Girls,
being bred to it from their Infancy. The Women are
the moft Induftrious 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 Cloarh with which they decently Ap-
parel their whole Family though large. Others are fo
Ingenious that they make up all the wearing Apparel
both lor Husband, Sons and Daughters. Others are
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 Houle-
wifery. Both fexes are moft commonly fpareofBody
and not Cholenck, nor eafily call down at Difapoint-
merits and LofTes, and feldome immoderatly griveing at

any

■!

North CAROLINA.

33

Misfortunes in Life, excepting it be thelofs ot their near-
eft Relations. . „ .« .. ,
By the Fruit fullnefs ot the Women in North Cartlma,
and the great Numbers of Men, Women, and Chiiuren,
that art daily Tranfported from Europe, they are now,
become fo powerful, in this and moil cf the other Pro-
vinces in the Hands of the Englifi, that they arc able
to refift for the future any attempts the Indians may maks
on them. Add to this, the feveral Indian Kings that
at prefent are in the Chriftian Intereit, who pay fome
fmall Tribute as an Acknowledgment of their Subjecti-
on and are ready upon all occafions to afliit them
when ever they are required fo to do* thercrore they
live at prefent without any dread or fear of thole Sa-
vages to what they formerly did. _ -

The Men are very ingenious in feveral Handycrate
Bufineffes, and in buildiug their Canoes and Houles 5
though by the richnefs ot the Soil, they live for the molt
part after an indolent and luxurious Manner; yet
fome are laborious, and equalize with the Negro's lit
hard Labour, and others quite the Reverfe; for I have
frequently feen them come to the Towns, and there
remain Drinking Rum, Punch, and other Liquors for
Eicht 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 Frolnk%
as they call it, which is generally in two or three
Months. Thefe Exceffes are the occafions of many Dil-
safes amongft them. But amongfl the better Sort, or
thofe of good OEcbnomy, it is quite otherwise, who
feldom frequent the Taverns, having plenty of Wirte^
Rum, and other Liquors at their own Houfes, which
shey generoufly make ufc of amongft their Friends and
E JLcflittin*

J

34 The Natural H IS T O R Y of

Acquaintance, after a moft decent and difcfect Man-
ner and are not fo fub/ed to Diforders as thofe who
Debauch themfelves in fuch a Beaftly Manner. The
former fometimes bring their Wives with them to be
pertakers of theft Flicks, which very often is not
commendable or decent to behold. '

OF

North CAROLINA.

35

OF THE

Religion, Houfes, Raiment, "Diet, Liquors, Fir-
ing, T>iverfions, Commodities, Language T>i*
feajfcs, Guriofities, Cattle, Sec. o/NORTH
CAROLINA.

TH E Religion by Law cftablifhed, is the Pro*
te&ant, as it is profeffed 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 thefc Proteftant Clergy, is generally fupply'd
by fome School-Mafters, who read the Lithurgy, and
then a Sermon out of Do&or TtUitfon, or fome good
pra&ical Divine, every Sunday. Thefe are the moft
numerous, and arc difperfed through the whole Pro-
vince.

I (hall treat of the other Religions as they are to be
regarded according to their Numbers ; and firft of the
Quakers % Thefe People enjoy the fame Privileges as
with us in Inland, and live for the moft part in Albe-
marle County, wherein they ha,ve a decent Meeting*

Hpufc. ^L

E % The

J

36 The Natural HISTORY of

The Presbyterians fuccecd next, and have had a Mi-
ll iter of their own Order tor many Years pail: ; they arc
chiefly fettled in and about the River Neus.

Roman-Catholicks are the next coniidcrablc, and are
fettkd in many Parts or the Country, but moftly in and
about Bath-loum, they hare likewife a Clergyman of
their own Order among them at prefent.

Next fucceed the Anabaftisls, who live moilly in
Albemarle County

There are likewife many Sedaries in Carolina, who
have little or no appearance of Religion, except fome
few Forms of Prayers. This I take to be intirely ow-
ing 10 our want of Orthodox Divines, to inftrud them
in the true Notions of God, and right method of Wor-
shiping, 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 thofe Partf, and I have a&ually feen the Grand-
father, his Son, and Grandfon, receive this Sacrament
at one time. There are numbers who never require
Baptifm, and coufequenrly never covet to be made
Chriiiians, yet ufe fome few Forms of Prayer.

By what 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
Jive in the greateft Harmony imaginable, no Difputes
or Controverts are ever obferved to arrifc among them
about their Religious Principles. They always treat
each other with Friendship and Hofpitality, and never
depute 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 Affcaion, the Profperity of the Province has increaf-
cd from its fiift rife, to this Day, But though they are

(foul

™

North CAROLINA. 31

thus remarkable for their Friendfhip, Harmony and
Hofpitality, ycc in regard to Morals, they have their
iharc of the Corruptions of the Age, for as they live in
the greateft Eafe and. Plenty, Luxury of Conlequence
predominates, which is never without its attendant
Vices. Can it be admired, that the generality of them
live arter a k;ofe and lacivious Manner, when according
to my former Obfervation, they have no Clergy to in-
ftru&them, and recommend the Duties necefl'ary belong-
ing to a Chrifhan ; and is it not natural to believe that
Impiety and Imorality, when a People are void of thofe
Benefits, muft fway rhe major part of them. I would
aot be underilood here, as if I defigned to advance thefe
imputations of Vice againft the whole Body of the Peo-
ple ; No, there are certainly Perfons of both Sexes
Temperate, Frugal, good Occonemifls, remarkably kind
to Strangers, and thofe in Diftrefs, and zealous in the
pra&ice of Chriftanity.

Their Houfes arc built after two different Ways ;
viz,, the moft fubftantial Planters generally ule Brick,
and Lime, which is made of Oyiler-fhells, for there are
no Stones to be found proper for that pnrpofe, but neat
the Mountains ; the meaner Sort ereft with Timber,
the outride with Clap-Boards, the Roofs of both Sorts
of Houfes are made with Shingles, and they generally
have Safh Windows, and affed 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 Englandi The better fort have tollerable Quantities
of Plate, with other convenient, ornamental, and valu-
able Furniture.
~~~ ~ ~".-T The

The Natural HISTORY Qf

The Cioathings ufed by the Men arc E^glifi Cloaths*
Druggets, Durois, G*een Linnen, &c. .ine Women
have their Silks, Calicoes, Siamp-Li»flcn,Caiimaiichoc8
and all kind of Stuffs, (brae whereof are Maauf4aured
in the Province. They make lew Hats, tho' they nave
the beft Futrs in plenty, but with this Article, they are
commonly fuppikd from New-England, and fometimes
from Europe.

Their Diet confifls chiefly of Beef, Mutton, Pork,
Venifon in Abundance, Wild and Tame Fowl, Fifh of
feveral delicate Sorts ; Roots, Fruit, leveral kinds of
Sallads, good Bread, Butter, Milk, Cheefe, Rice, Indian
Corn, both which they concoct like a Hafty-Puddtng ;
But as I fhall treat more particularly of the Produ&ions
of the Country in the fuccetaing Pages, J fhail now pro-
ceed to their Liquors.

The Liquors that arc common in Carolina at prefent,
and chiefly made ufc or, are, Rum, Brandy, Maalt
Drink ; the|e they import. The following arc made in
Country, */*"&. Cyder, Pcrfimon-Beer, made of the Fruit
of that Tree, Ceder-Becr, made of Ceder-Berries • they
alfo make Beer of the green Stalks of Indian-Corn, which
they bruife and boyle : They like wife make Beer of
Mollo(fes,or common Treacle, in the following manner,
they take a Gallon of Mollofles, a Peckof Wheaten Bran,
a Pound of Hops, and a Barrel of Fountain Water, all
which they boile together, and work up with left, as
we do our Malt Liquors 5 this is their common Small*
Iteer, and feems to me to be the pleafanteft Drink, lever
tailed, either in the Indies or Europe, and I am fatisficd
more wholfom. This is made ftrongcr in proportion, as
People fancy.

It is necelTary to obferve that though there is plenty
©f Barly and Oats in this Province, yet there is no

Mal^

North CAROLINA. 39

Malt Drink made, nocwichftanding all kind of Male
Liquors beat a good Price, nor have any of the Planters
ever yet attempted it.

Chocolate, leas, and Coffee, are as common in Carolina
as with us in Ireland, particularly the iaft, which of late
Years they have induixrioufly raifed, and is now very
cheap .* Thele are fober Liquors, and taks off the better
Sort irom Drinking what are hot and fpirituous, who are
not fo addicted to Rum and Brandy as the inferior Sort*
Cafiena or Taupan, an Indian lea9 which grows here in
Abundance is indifferently ufed by Planters and Indians.

The Fining they ule 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 Diveifions here are Filhing, Fowling;
and Hunting, Wild Beafts, fuch as Deer, Bears, Racoons*
Hares, Wild Turkies, with feveral other forts, needlefs
to treat of here, 'till we come to defcribc each particular
Specie.

Horfe-Racing they arc fond of, for which they have
Race-Paths, near each Town, audin many parts of the
Country Thofe Paths, feldom exceed a Quarter of a
Mile in length, and only two Horfes Hart at a time, each
Horfe has nis peculiar Path, which if he quits, and runs
into the other, loofes the Race. This is agreed on to
avoid Jockying. Thefe Courfes being fovery fhort,
they uie no manner of Art, but pufh on with all the
fpeed imaginable; many of thefe Horfes arc very fleer.

It is common for People to come and go from this
Province to Virginia^ to thefe publick Diversions.

They are much addicted to Gaming^ efpecially at
Card/ and Dice, Hazard and All-fours, being the com-
mon Games they ufeg at which they play very high,
•:.<;. -.%"., ' nay

~

4o The Natural H I S T 0 R Y of

nay to fuch a pitch, that I have feeti fcveral hundred
Pounds won and loft in a fhorttime.

Cook-Fighting they greatly admire, which Birds they
endeavour to procure from England and Ireland, and to
that intent, employ Mafters of Ships, and other Trading
Perfons to fupply them.

IVreftlingy Leaping, and fuch Activities are much ufecj
fcythem; yet I never obferved any Foot Races.

Dancing they are all fond of, efpecially when they can
get a Fiddle, or B^g-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 Mufick,
they will fing for thcmfelves. Mufick, and Mufical In-
struments being very fcarcc in Carolina.

Thefe are the moft material Obfervations I have
made in refpect of their uf«al Diverfions.

But they have a particular Seafon, which is only at
their Wheat-Havvefi, not to be omitted j this they cele-
brate with great Solemnity, it is in the beginning of
June, at which time the Planters notify to each other*
that they defign to reap the aforcfaid Grain, on a cer-
tain Day, fome fend their Negroes to aflift, others only
go to partake of the great Feafts, &ct. Some will fre-
quently come twenty, nay thirty Miles on this Occafion,
the Entertainments are great,and the whole Scene plca-
fant and diverting ; but if they can get Mufick to in-
dulge this Mirth, it greatly adds to the Pleafurc of the
Featt, It muft be confeft* that this annual Revelling is
very expenfive to the Planters, but as its cuftomary8
few omit it, nor have they ever thofe publick Diverfi-
ons at the reaping any other Grain but the European
Wheat.

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

malicioufly

North CAROLINA

41

malicioufly endeavoured to reprefent, not only the VtQ*
vincc, but its Inhabitants, in a wrong L gnt j but as
they intirely take the Opportunity to talk either before
thole who were never there, or before Perfons incaps.
ble of judging* it is to be hopcd> that the fcandalous
reports ofiuch, will not be regarded. Several of thofc
trifling Nufances have to my knowledge, fcarcely been
©ut of the Town or Port where they tirft arrived, du«*
ring their Residence there; How therefore ccu'd they bg
acquainted with the Fertilty of the Country, the Con*
ititution, and Temper of the Inhabitants ; before the
learn'd, by whom they can be convided, they dare not
appear ? And if the credulous and ignorant will b£
amuled, all the Arguments Man can produce will not

avail*

The People live to as great A<res as molt European^
they are entire Strangers to Gonfumptionsi a Diftcmpec
fatal to us ; but they are much addided to aguiih Dis-
orders, which is incident to all Strangers, for they ge-
nerally have their Seafonings at their firft Arrival, OS?
foon after, though it feldom proves mortal, and is cafily
carried off by Emetkb, and orher Medicines properly

This Colony boafts more Advantages than feveral o-
thers on this Continent, both for Piealure, Eafe, and
Profit 1 Were the Inhabitants as induftrious as the Soil
is bountiful, they might fupply themfclves with all the
Keceflfaries of Life ? With little Induftry they may
have Wines, Oil, Silk, Fruits, and many forts of Drugss
Dyes, &c. Here the Curiou* may have a large Field
to fatisiic and divert their Curioiity ; here they may
colled ftrange Beafts, Birds, Fifties, Infeds, Reptiles,
Shells, Mines, Herbs, Flowers, Plants, Shrubs, Trees,
Gums. Tears, Roiin, Stones, and feveral other things

~

I

42 Tfa Natural H I S T O R ¥ of

■ I I .

that yield both Profit and Satisfaction - If t^ p]enty
and chcapnefsar Proviiiuns, and the low rate of Lanus
m$ tempt People co ibis delightful Country, hire tnofe
who have but imall B.ginni ngs, wich moderate mduf-
try, may here Jive more wmSofaibiy, and provide for
their Families better man w any place I have yet feeti
in Europe.

The Rivers are very, beautiful, pieafant, profitable,
large and Navigable for feveral Leagues up the Coun-
try : They rife tor the moft par-: in or near the Moun-
tains, ana abound not only with great Quantities of
delicate Fiih, but bkewiie with Wild-Fowl of diffe-
rent km&& In many of thde Rivers are to be ieen
large ana ddightfulIUancts, where is excellent Pafturage
ana iomc of them aitord large Stocks of Cattle and
.Beer, buc fcarce :any Wild Beafts, and few Beads of
Prey. In thele lflai:uj> frequently grow vaft quantities
ot- Cedar with feveral otuer kinds or valuable Timber
Trees, as I have already mentioned.
5 The c1v.jli2.ed Indiana are very ferviceable to the Pin-
ters m msyiy Cafes, particularly in making Weares to
catch Fifh.$ this they do for a fmall conilderation
and it proves very advantagious to large Families, be-
cause they not only take ?rcat Quantities of difiercnt
Sorts, but moreover what are very good and nourbh^ $s
thefe Weares are made after a met.': >d peculiar to nie
■Indians only. Others Hunt and F u for them at very
realbnable Rates, this Country being Us plentiful; v pt>-
vided with all forts of Game as any in "mfrtih p#&
Indians foretimes affift the poorer f>rt or Pinners hi
planting their Corn for fmall TniEc, wnen expeui-
tion is required.

The Mountains that are the mo^ & fi >ra' !c g ,c
Charohe, or Afltlapan Mountain^ tncy *V • I

t\ ■ •»

North CAROLINA. 43

from the North-weft part of South Carolina, and fo
continue in one Ridge to the Northward for ieveraj
hundred Miles, being in moft places five or fix hundred
Miles from the Sea j they are vaftly high, and abotu^
with Trees, Nvariouskinds of Plants,and Stonesor ievcral
different Natures. Beyond thefe Mountains you have
a profpedonly of large Woods, Savannas.difmal Swamps
and Forrefts, being as is fuppded, the Habitation or
Savage Mans, and wild Beafts of various kinds.

The Commodities convenient to bring to this Province
from Europe, are as fallows ; Guns, Powder, Ball, Snot,,
Flints, Linnens of all Sorts, but chiefly Blues; Brown
^nd Stampt Linnens, Oznabrigs, Men and Women s
Apparel ready made up ; fome few Broad-Cloaths, Blew
and Red Stuffs, Callimancoes, Druggets, Kerfies, Cam-
blets, all light Stuffs for Men and Women's Summer
Wear, Habberdafhers Wares, Stockings of all forts,
fome few Gloves, thin Wigs, Linnen Caps, Silk-Thready
common Thread of all Sorts, Needles, Pins, Tobacco
Pipes, Glafs for Saffiwindows, Looking Glafles, all
forts of hard Ware, fuch as Knives, Forks, Sizers, Saws,
Hatchets, Chifels, Bills, Hoes, Spades, Shovels, Grub-
jng Hoes, Wedges, Nails, and all manner of Tools tor
Carpenters, Shoemakers, Coopers Shave Locks, Locks
for Doors, Traps of all Sorts, and efpccially for Beavers,
what we commonly call Fox-Traps, Grindle- Stones,
all manner of Whet-Stones, Paper, Ink, Saddles, Bridles,
fifh-hoob. of aH Sorts, feveral Toys, as Fans, Necklaces,
Beads, Ribbons, tape, Thimbles, Shoe-buckles, and
the i«ke; Tradefmen of all forts, Honeft Servants and
Negroes. . „

fhenroduce of this Country for Exportation to E«ro/*
and the Illands, are, Beef, Porke, Tallow, Hides, Deer-
Skin*, Fucs. Wheat, /»^»-Cor»,Peafe, Potatoes, Rice,

Honey

~

m

44 T¥e Natural HISTORY of

Honey, Bees-wax, Myrtle-wax, Tobacco, Snake-root,
Turpentine, Tar, Pitch, Mails for Ships, Staves, Planki
arad Boards of moil lores or Timber, Cotton, and feveral
forts of Gums, Tears, with fome medicinal Drugs j
Bricks and Tiles are made here, likewife feveral ufcrui
Earths, fuch as bole, Fullers-Earth, Tobacco Pipe Clay,
and Oakcr, in great Plenty, excellent good Earth for
the Potters Trade, and fine Sand for the Glafimakers,
They export abundance of Horfcs to the Iilands of An^
tigua, Bavbadvei, &c.

Lead, Copper, Sulphure and Antimony, have beet*
found here, but for want of good Encouragemenr, few
or no endeavours have been made to difcover thefe fub-
terraneous Productions j here is likewife found in great
Plenty the true Blood-Stone, near the Mountains, as aifo
a very fine Earth, the fume with Bruxels Sand, which
the Goiolmiths ulc to cait with? which bears a good
Price in feveral parts of Europe. We have likewife Cba-
Ubtat Warns, of feveral Taftes, and different Qualities
lome Purging and others working by the EmunBories i
theft are feveral Waters alfo amongft the Inhabitants
that outwardly cure Ulcers, Tettars. and Sores (dilor-
ders they are very fubjecl to in this Country) by warn-
ing theraieives in it; neither do they want very good
Springs of frefh Water ; as for Pump-water, 'tis to be
had in mod paces in this Province.

We have an Account from the Indians, that there are
ho* Baths near the Hilly Country, where a great; likeli-
hood appears of tin :< king Salt Pecere, becaufe the Earth
in many places is '■ rongly mixed and impregnated with
$ "Nitron* Salt, which is much coveted by tnc Beafis of
th«* Country, wh) come at certain Sealoris of the
• fear in °rear Numbers, and by their Peking this Earth,
snake $iui Holes m tho/c Banks., which iometia e* lye

m

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 mofl Sweet and healthtul
Part of this Country is inhabited only by the Savage
Indians at prefent ; and a great deal thereof has no otner
Inhabitants but the wild Beads. For the Indians arc
not inclinable to fettle in the richeft Lanas, becaule the
Timbers are too large for them to cut down to make
Plantations of : A farther confirmation of the health-
fulnels of the Hilly parts of this Country, is very appa-
parent, in the large Stature and gray Heads fo common
to be met with amongit the Savages that dwell near
the Mountains.

The Chriflians or Planters of North Carolina, Barter
the Commodities that are produced in the Country fot
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 Iilands and other Places. The
Contents of the Bills in this Province arc as follows, viz.
Ibis Bill of ten Pounds [ball be current in all Payments in
North Carolina, according to an Ac~l of AJfembly made
November 9tb. 1729. This is the greateft Bill, and
twelve Pence the fmalleff, which is wrote after the fame
manner of the former. The Alterably nominate five of
their Members, who fign all thefe Bills with different
I-k; all thefe Bills arc numbered in figures at the top,
in the nature of Bank-Bills, and Seals fixe to each of
them ; there is about thirty or forty thoufand Pounds of
this kind of Money in North Carolina.
' There is a Trcafury Office kept wherein all the Bills
arc changed, and new ones given for. thofe thtf are old

and

_

^6 The Natural H I S T O R Y <?/

and torn j yet notwithftanding all the Care that is taken,
thefe Bills are counterfeited, and the publick very often
smpofed upon. The Money or North Carolina is in va-
lue five Shillings for one Sterling; and in South Carolina?,
the difference is Seven to One Sterling ; with thefc Bills
they purcnafe Lands, and all Necetfaries.

It is admirable to obferve the Profperity of federal
Adventurers to Carolina, in the memory of Man ; and
how many from the moft defpicable beginnings in a fnorc
lime, by Gods blefling, and their own Induftry, are ar-
rived to as fplendid Fortunes, as any have in the other
Britijh Provinces on this Continent. Ail manner ot 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
soeaneft Planter may, with as much Freedom, deft roy all
manner of Game, as he that is the mod Wealthy, or
Hgheft in Dignity. So that the pooceft Planter has as
xriuch Right to the delicaceies of this Country, as the
rictieft; nay the very Labourer is intituled to the fame
Friviledgc.

The language principally made ufe of in this Pro-
vince is' the English ; notwithstanding there are PJan-
ters fettled here from France, Germany, Holland, and
many other part*: of Europe, who have all learned and
(peak the Engltjb Tongue, many of the Indians alfo. ufe
it, and efpecially the three civilized Kings, and thofe
that Trade and Converfe with the Englijh ; there are
jjraany of the Planters that understand and fpeak the
Indian Language well.

The Dsfeafes that are moft common in Carolina are,
<4gues, or intermittent Fevers, Cachexia, Diarrhaa, Dy~
finreria, the Clap, and French Pox, the Taws, Chollich,CkQ~
leva- Morbus, Convulfiom, Hoopwg-Cough, Cutaneous Difor-
4Y**<Juch as letters^ Rmg-wormsx &afo&sipkkUyEeats9
*ud the Itch The

North CAROLINA

41

The Agues or intermittent Fevers, do generally admit
of the fame method of Cure as with us in Ireland, fo
that it would be needlcfs to repeat it here, which almoft
every old Woman pretends to have an infalible Cure for.
The Cachexy, or ill habit of Body* is a very common
Diitempcr in thefe Parts ; 'tis very ftubborn in its Ma-
ture, and tedious and difficult to be cured. In this
disorder, the Face is very pale and difcolour'd, and the
Body big and fwoln ; this Diftemper is principally ow-
ing to their eating great quantities of Fruit that this
Country produces, and to a fedentary way or living j- and
their eating Clay and Dirt, which the Children, both
Whites and Blacks, and fome of the old People are very
fubjeft to; by which means the whole Humours at the
Body are corrupted and vitiated to that degree (through
furfeits and ill digeftion) that they will hardly admit of
a Cure. Sreel'd Wines, and other Preparations of filings
and ruft of Iron, ftrong Purgers, and Exercifes, are the
only Methods to perfect the Cure of this Diftemper.

The Cholera- Morbus, is a vehement Perturbation of
the whole Body and Bowels, from a depraved Motion
of the Ventricle and Guts, whereby bilious, fharp, or
corrupt Humours, are plentifully and violently discharg-
ed upwards and downwards. This diforder is happily
carried off by giving proper Dbfes of the IpecauUcana9
that grows plentifully in Carolina, which I have already
made mention of.

The Cramp or Convulfions> is a Motion whereby the
ilufcles of Membranes are contracted and remitted,
without the Will. This Difordet is common in thefc
Parts, and especially amongft the Negroes or Blacks^
whereof many die, either for want, or before proper
Medicines can be adminiflcr'd ; it admits of the fame
method of Cure as with us in Europe .
■ ~ " The

mm

flS"™

48 The Natural HISTORYo/

The White and Bloody-Flux are common Diftempers
in Carolina, and fo are tnz Clap and French Pox; thefe
are curea after the fame manner as witn us.

The Taws, 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 Nocturnal Pains, torches, foul Errupti-
ons, and Ulcers in feveral pans of the Body, and is ac-
quired alter the fame manner as the Pox is, vi&. by Co-
pulation, &c. but is never attended with a Gonorrhaa in
the beginning. This Diftempec was brought hither
by the Negroes from Guinea, where it is a common Dif-
temper amongft taem, and is communicated to feveral
of the Europeans or Chriftians, by their cohabiting
with the Blacks, by which means it is hereditary in
many Families in Carolina, and by it fome have loft
their Palates and Nofes.

This Diftemper, though of a venereal kind, is fcldom
cured by Mercurials, asl have often experienced, tori
have known fome undergo the Courfe of three Salava-
tions to no purpofe, the virulency Hill continuing as bad
as ever : Wherefore I judge it not amils to let forth
the raoft effe&ual method for curing it, which I have
often experiene'd, and never without good iuccefs (du-
ring my refidence in thofe parts) though the Diftcm-
pcr was of ever fo violent a nature, or long continuance ;
it is as follows.

Tale jour Ounces of the Bark of the Spanifh Oak, two
Ounces of the middle Ba^k of the Pine Tree, two Ounces of
the Root of the Suir-ack that bear* the Buries, of thefe In-
gredients make a firong Decaffm*, uherejf let tht Pamnt
drink a full Pint milk-warm and h.ilf a Pint cold, this gives
a flrong Vmit, by which abundance vj JiUhy Matter is dif-

chaYgedf

r

North CAROLINA. 49

charged. This is what is to be done the firft 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 j and ij there he any outward Sores,
wajb them clean five or fix times a-Day with part of the fame
Deco&im, 'tiU they arc all healed up, and the Patient fa*
stmts well.

The Patient muft abftain from all forts of flefh Meat*
and ftrong Liquors during the faid Courfe, his princi-
pal Diet muft be Broth, Gruel, Penxda, and the like<>
They may boil the above quantity of Ingredients four
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 here'
given the true method of the Cure of this Diftemper, it
being little known in Europe.

The Cholick, 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 (6
contracted (and efpecially 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 in
thefe Fits, which are attended with fuch a violent con-
ization of the Bowels, that they cannot void any thing
cither upwards or downwards , Strong Vomits, Purges,
Clyftersj and Oyntments, for the contraded Limbs, ar®
the moft effe&ual Methods to carry off this Diforder.

Rajhes and Prikley-heut, are common Diforders here ;
in the extremity of the hot . Weather, which fuddenly
comes after cold, they are attended with extream Itch-
ings all over the Body, efpecially the Legs, which if
feratched immediately^ inflame, afld become inveterate
tats atid Ulcers^ t© prevent which, Spirit of Wine and
G Gamphirg

S© Thi Natural HISTORY' of

Camphir, or any other Spirit^ is cf excellent ufe, by ap-
plying it to the Farts.

Tetter* --and Ring-worms , are common in this Province
and arc caiily 'cur'd by fevefaj Plants in this Country'
and eipcciaJIy by the Juice ot the Sheep-Sorrel, by ap-
plying it to the Pare infected.

The Eocpmg-Cough, at my arrival in Carolina, was an
umvcrfal Diforder amongft young and old, whereof fc-
vcrai Negroes died. It continued in this Province for
fever* or eight Months fuceeffively, beginning in Septem-
ber, and ending in June; after Bleeding and VpQ&jnfl
I found the Jefuite-Bark to be of excellent uic in this
diforcer. I was afiured by many in Carolina, that they
never knew this Diflcmper m thefc Parts before that
time.

The Children are much afflided with the Worms%
which is owing to their eating vaft quantities of Fruit'
this excefs fometimes occasions Fevers amongft them
yet they arc cured after the fame manner as with us'
likewife with many Plants growing here.

As for Cutaneous Difordcrs they are feldom at a lofs
for a fpeedy Cure, not only from the PJaats, but like-
wife the Waters. Thus have I given an Account of the
moil common Difordcrs amongft the Christian Inha-
bitants.

The Curiofities here are, varietiy of ftrange wild
Bcafts, and leverai kinds of Birds, Fillies, Snakes, In-
feds, Reptiles, Herbs, Plants, Shrubs, Trees, and Fruits :
many whereof arc not to be met with ir\ Europe, which
the Reader will find infertcd in their prorter Places, when
I come to treat on thofe heads,, There is a large Cave
o he top of the- Mountains, that will hold a hundred
Men and more to (it in, but whether it be natural* or
aicificial, is not known by any that have fecn it ; but I

am

Norrb CAROLINA. 51

am of Opinion that it is natural, the Indians having had
no Tools to work in Vvood dr&otc, at the fir ft arrival
of the Europeans, fo that it cannot be rc^.f rt; Ij Lfin-
ed that a Work ctf this nature could be pcVfected with-
out popcr Inftrumcnts tor that purpofe.

As ail Grain and Pulfc thrive here to admiration fo
do the Stocks ot Catde,Horfes, and Swine multiply fur-
prizingly, there being as great numbers of each Species,
as in any Province poffefled by the Englijh in' America,

The Veql is very good and white, but they feldom
kill any for th$ Market, being fond to prefefve their
Calves to a larger growth. The Planter s make Penrolds
adjacent to their Habitations, wherein they milk their
Cows 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 fhut
up their Calves with fome few of the Cows, itt thole
Penfoids, which prote&s 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 are turned out as ufual ,• the Calves are turned
into the Tnclofures where they remain feeding and fate
all the Day, no wild Beait ever appearing near their
Plantations in that fpace of time I have feen one hun-
dred Calves' together m 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 not fufTcr any one to touch them.
tThc Milk is very pleaiant and rich.

Their Heifers bring forth Calves at eighteen or
twenty Months old; this early produdion makes iucn
a wonderful increafe, that many of the Planters, from
mean beginnings, are Mailers now of fuch large Stocks
of Cattle, that you may buy hundreds 111 the Scallop ;
G z incur

52

The Natural HISTORY of

Their method of killing, is generally to fhoot them in
the Fields, or in tfie Pcnfolds ; then they cut off rhe
Head and Feet, and take out the Intrails, which they
throw away as ufejefs, except the Fat, (which they
carefully preferve.) After this manner they continue
killing all the Year, as tjiey 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 OBober, and the other cool Months, efpecially wnen
they intend them for Salcing and Exportation, for at
thofe Seafons they are in their prime of Flefh, and beft
preferved. The Exportation of this Commodity is one
of the greatcft Branches of their Trade.

It may perhaps feem very ftrange to fome European;,
how the Planters can have fuch large Stocks of Cattle,
where there are fuch Numbers of Wolves, Tygers, Pan-
thers, and other Beafls of Prey ; but I 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 Foless
fearing their Dams, who vigorously defend them!
When a Cow hath once efpied a Wolf ox: any otker
voraicous Beaft near, fhc gives a Signal by bellow-
ing and roaring, upon which all the Black Cattle within
I er hearing will run to her affiftance, and moft refolute-
ly defend their own Species.

There are great Numbers of thofe Cattle wild, which
continually breed in the Woods, (fo arc there of Horfcs
and Mares) here you fhall fee great Droves feeding pro-
mifcoafly in the Savannas amongfl the Deer, fifty or
Sixty Miles diftant from any Inhabitants. This foci-
able Difpofition ampngft Beafls of different kinds we

obferved

North CAROLINA. $3

obfcrved in our Traveling up towards the Mountains,
which, together with the Beauty of the Country gave
us no fmall Satisfaction.
The Horfes are well fhaped, fwift, and generally about
thirteen or fourteen Hands high, they are durable and
will travel incredible Journies. They are never fhod,
partly by reafon of the foftnefs of the Ground, which
is covered over with Grafs, without any Gravel or
Stones ; .they have few or no Diftempers amongft them
as in European Countries,fuch as Spavin, Splint. Ringbones,
and the like , they are feldom or never blind, ana 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 ihort time ; the Country and
Paflurage being fo proper for that end.

The Planters are the woril Horfe-mafters I have ever
met with, for few or none allow Corn to their Horfes
after long Journies, for they frequently tye them to a
Tree for Hours together, and fomctimes for a Day or
two without any manner of fubfiftance, 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
ufage 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 how 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

m

54 The Natural HISTORY of

as foon as they efpie a wild Horfe, they purfue him, and
their Horicsarc fo well cr un'd to tms way of Hunting,
that they will neither i.urt themfeives nor the Riders
againft a Tree, though you ride them in full Speed, they
will perform this for Hours together, 'till Inch time as
the wild Horfe ftands ftilij then one or the Hunters a-
lightsand clap* a Bridle into his Mouth, and a Saddle
on his Back (tho' ten or fifteen Years old) and riocshim
to their own, or the next Plantation, where -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 to purfuc his wild Species in the
Woods at the next Hunting match, or any other uiethcy
have occafion to make of him.

, The Sheep thrive well, having two or three Lambs at
one Yeaning j they arc never fuffercd to ramble in the
Woods (as the other Cattle are) but are kept in Inclo-
fures in rhe Plantations, from whence they will come
every Evening to the Planters Houfes, having no De-
fence againft the wild Beafts (andcfpcceially the Wolves*
their mortal Enemy) at Night they are put up in their
Penfolds made of Timber, which every Planter has for
that Purpofe to defend them from all manner of wild
Btafts, but it fomctimes happens, through Negligence,
that if they are not Inclofed, they become a Prey to the
Wolves, who never fail to fearch and watch for them ac
Night. The Mutton is generally exceeding Fat, and
as well relifh'das any I have met with in Europe, Their
Wool is fine, and a good Commodity here. They fel-
dom kill any of their Lambs for the Market, but gene-.
rally preferve them to a greater Age; neither are the
native Planters fo fond of Mutton (which is of a mid-
ling Sue) as the Europeans generally are.

North CAROLINA. 55

Of Goats, they have but very few in Carolina, and
yet they would thrive very well there,- but they are fo
imfchievous to Gardens, Orchards, and other Trees,
that the Native Planters are not fond of keeping or pre-
ferving great numbers of them, though their Fkfh is fac
and well relilh'd, as any in Europe, and their Skins arc
as good.

The Swine are more numerous here than in any of
the Englijb 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 Tafle, and produces
great quantities of them \ fome Planters pofTefs feverai
hundreds, and vaft numbers are to be met with in the
Woods, which arc every perfons Property that can
kill them j 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 Wefi Indies, iuch as Barbadoes, Antegua, and
feverai other places where Provifions are icarce, for
fuch Commodities as they have occafion for.

They have plenty of all manner or Douscftick Fowlj,
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 £«-
rope.

Notwithstanding North Carolina yields to no Coun-
try in point of Fertility, cfpecially for Cattle, Venifon,
Fifh and Flefh, yet amongfi all this Plenty, there is a
fcarcity of fufficient Hands to cultivate this noble and
fertile Soil* It is caqable of producing as good Hemp
and Flax, as grow in moft parts of Europe, and Linnen
might here be brought to great pcrfe&ioti.

This

■H I

56 Tk M*am'/ HISTORY of

This Country likewife produces as good Tobacco,
as any to be met with in Virginia, Miry/and, or any o-
thcr Neighbouring Province in the Hands of the En-
glijb : But the Planters having fo many other valuable
Commodities proper for Exportation, they little regard
or improve it at prefent^ in proportion to what they do
In other Provinces.

J; liB

North CAROLINA. 57

OF THE

VEGETABLES

O F

North Carolina]

TH E Spontaneous Shrubs of this Country
are the La,fa-beel Tree; four lorts oi Money*
fuckh Tree, or (Voodbindy die tir;» always
grows in low moifi Grounds, the other in
clear diy Land*, the Flowers of which arc
more cut and lacerated; thefe grow about two or three
Feet high ; the third, which is of the fame height, is
one or' the moil beautiful Flowers of its Colour that is
to be met with, and is found growing tor the moft part
by the fides of Swamps, or on the Banks of the Rivers,
but never near the Salt Water. The Flowers of chefe
arc of a whitifli colour, but the laft is the molt beauti-
ful, growing in great bunches out of one Stem, and is
commonly the bignefs of a large Turnip. In kppl and
May, nothing can be more beautiful, being at tnattime
in their greatell fpkndor, which affords not only a pic af°
fant fight, but a moft grateful and fragrant Smell to thofc
that pafs through the Woods. There is another Honey-:
fuckh that grows in the Forrcft, and is about a Foot
high, bearing it's Flowers on fmall Stems, the main
Stock being no thicker than a Wheat Straw ; all thefe
forts differ very little from ours, only with this vaiiati-

6% MM shofe hefe' are larger,' '

ff Primes*

~

=

The Natural HISTORY of

Princes-feather, arc very large and beautiful, nor o ly
in the Gardens, but in feveral parts of the Woes. Tres
color es, Branched Sun- Flower 3 Double Poppies, Lupines of
fcveral forts, and all Spontaneous. T. e fenfibk Plant y
(as 1 have been informed) grows near the Mountaihf,
which I did not fee during my flay in tho'fe FaLts.

The Baftard Saffron is plenty in rhis Pron'nre, and I
do not doubc but that the true Saffron of England wouid
thrive well here it Planted, and the fame care taken.

The Cwon Plant being fo very profitable, I will give
a Defcnptiuii of, which is us follows : It hath (mall
Stalks about three Feet high, and fometimes higher, di-
vided ir.to feveral fmall branches, wherein are many
broad Leave?, cut tor the moll part into three Sections,
and fometimes more, indented about the Edges, not un-
like the Leaves of the common Mallows, but lefler, fofter,
and ot a grayiffo Colour, among wh'ch come forth the
Flowers, theEages whereof are o^ a Yellowifh Colour,
s ind the n jdle part Purple ; after which appears large
Burs or Husks, wherein theS.tdand Cotton is contain-
ed, as icon as it is ripe it opens into four Parts or Di vill-
ous, if Care be not taken, it cafteth forth its Seed and
Cotton upon the Grounr. This Plant bearcth but for
one Seafon, a'-d as fbon as the Seeds are ripe it immedi-
ate^ periiheth, as many o'her Plants do ; fo that the
pj ers i,re obliged to fow the Seed every Spring, whicli
i e in the Autumn, and they cut it down at that time
; ve do; Corn. It groweth in great Plenty in feverai
I ts of this Country, and is a beneficial Commodity to
t Planter^

1 he leilovi ^effamme grows wild in feveral parts of the

Vo ?, affo'rdii g a moft pleafant and grateful Smeil.

Ever -Gteens ate to be ^et with all over this Province,
cf icvual curious forts, of a very quick Growth, afford-
ing

North CAROLINA.

59

ing pleafant and rdrefhing Shades in the extremity of
hot Weather: And fuch are the lofty Cypreft or White
Cedar* the Red Cedar, the Pitch Pine, the fellow Pine,
i it IVuite Pine with Jong Leaves, and the fmaller ^Z-
miU-Fine: Hornbeam y Holly two forts, BajrTre?, two
> its o Myrtle, two forts ot Evergreen Oaks, Mtjjeltoe of
tr.e 0vJ&. Gailbeny-7uey Privet Savine,Yaupan,ov Cajfena,
whereof the Tea is made, fo very mik.a in requeU a-
«j ;. both the Indium, and Clniftians, with many oiher
£ er-gretns*

1 flfodl in the next Place treat of the Timber that this
Country produce*, viz,.

The Cbefnui Oak, is a very lofry Tree and clear of
Soughs aud Limbs, for fifty or fixty Feet high, and is
eoi. mot.ly four or five Feet Diameter, they are the larg-
th G^ks we have, and yield the faireft Planks, Thefe
kij d of Oaks grow chiefly in low Land that is fbtf and
rch; fome ot them are fo high that a £ood Gun will
hfcfdtj kill a Tuikey on the top of thenr though with
Swan Siiot. They are called the Lhefhut Oak trom the
l ctti tfs and largenefs of the Acorns ; the Leaves and
I a k of this and all the following Oaks are of a very
Binding Nature, and may fuceefsfuly be ufed to flop all
k( o. of Fluxes, the Salt isDmi'etick,,and the Wood of
fome ate of the fame Ufes and Virtues with Guajacum;
as is manireit in irs cure of the Taws and other Diioroers.
In mod of all the Oaks, grows a long Mofs^ whereof
the Cattle and Deer ate very fond, which I have already
Mentioned.

ThCWW..# ScaleyBark Oak-, this Is ufed as the former
in building Sloops, Brigantines3 Ships, and other Vef-
Llls of Burthen. And though it bears a larger Acorn,
yet it never grows to the bulk and height of the former.
Jl ms kind of Oak is found generally growing on drv
H a iil¥.

J

6o The Natural HISTORY of

{tiff Lands, and is fo called from the Scaly broken White
Bark which covers the Tree. This and the former
produce good Maft for Swine to feed on.

The Red Oak fometimes grows very large and iofty in
good Laao, but it is not ufed as the former in bulging
ot Veffels, being a very Porous Timber, « jd not du-
rable, yet it is foretimes ufed for Pipe Staves, and makes
good Fences and Clap-Boards, which are the oniy ufe
m ace of it in this C untry ; it is fo called from the recu
nefsof its Wook. It produces good Mail for Swine.

TheSpah'jk Oakhasa, wjutilh fmooth Bark, grows
pretty lai ge in wet iow Ground, and is very tree from
Limbs or Bou<4h» 5 u is durable Wood, and very eat y to
fplitjtherefoi c fomc ufe to build VeiTcls with it, it affords
good P!ank, C J:, •■-Hoards, Rails, for Fences, and alfo
excellent good M-u: for Swine; the Bark of this Tree is
wied lor tat Cure of the Terns.

> The Baftard-Spamf(j~Oak is betwixt the Red and Spa*
mjh-Oak, n is net as durable as the former, but makes
good Rails f^r fencing, and Clap-Boards, and is very
good Wood for the Fire, this being ail the Ufe that is
made hi it at prefent; Itlikcwiie bears a very good Maft
for Sivmeto feed on.

1 he Black-Oak grows large, and is durable Wood un-
der Water ; it is fekiom mude life ot in building Ships,
but is fometimes u'ed in Houfe-Vork ; it beats as good
Mail as any ot toe former for Swine.

J he White-Iron, or Ring-Oak, is fo called from the du-
rability and Sailing quality of the Wood; this Wooa is
found to be oni- of the bell Oaks we have in this Coun-
trv, or in America, for Pipe-ftaves and Building of all
kiiif! of Sv ips ; it is as large as the former, grows on dry
Lands, and fekiom tails of producing a good Crop of
Acorns It

LThe

H=

North CAROL lfr J. 61

The Turkey-Oaky fo called, from the fmall Acorns k
bears, whim are fweet,. and eat 1 ke the Acorns of the
Cbtftnut-Oak, 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-Oak, fo called, from its being Green all the
Year, it grows on dry fandy Ground, and is the moll: du-
rable Oak in all America, but it is fhort, and will not
afford Plank of any coniiderable Length, therefore unfit
to build Ships with. There are fome few Trees that
will afford a Stock of twelve Feet, but it being fo very
firm and weighty, they never makeufe of it upon thefe
Occafions, moreover the Wood being fo very hard, the
Sawyers feldom attempt the cutting of it: Ids obfer.
vable,that a Nail being once driven into it, it is next to
animpoflibility to draw it out again ; the Limbs there-
of are fo cured, that they ferve for excellent Timbers,
and Knees and makes the beft T runnels or any Ode in
the World for Ships and Vcffels 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 t© be diitinguifhed 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 on
its Acorns, are excellent fine Port.

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

The

62 The Natural HISTORY/

The Cyprefs is not an Ever-green in Carolina^ and is
therefore called the Bald Cyprefs, becauie tne Leaves dur-
ing the Winter Seafon turn Red, and do not recover their
verdure till the Spring. Thele Trees are the talicu and
thickeft of any we have in this Pa<c of the World ; fome
of them being above thirty Six Feet in c cimitcrcace ;
the Nuts which thefeTree^ bear yieid a aioii oaori --
rous Balfam, that moll efectually cures ail new aud^ an
Wounds, Gonorrhoea s^ and old G'eets, snd being di*uik
with Alicaat, iiop all kinds or fluxes of Blood, uad con-
folidate Ulcers in ftubborn Bodies, and dry upexceilive
Moiftures, and cure Ruptures, Polypus, Car hunch s, and
many other diLrders. The Planters and Indians mofl;
commonly make their Pe-iaugers and Canoes of this
Wood, with which they pafs over large Creeks and Bays,
toTranfport tneir Lumber from one River to another;
fome of thefe Periaugers arefo large Mat they will carry
thirty or forty Barrels of Pitch or Tar in them, though
of one entire Piece of Timber ; fome trade in them to
Virginia and other Places along the Coaft, with Pork
and other Produ&ions of the Country z Or thefe Trees
are likewife made curious Boats for Pleafure and other
NecefTary Crafts; this Wood is very lallmg and free
from the Rot by the Worms in the Water, whfca often
ruin many Veffels and B >ats made of Oak and otrwr
"Wood, which I (hall defcribe in its proper Place, when
I treat of thofe Infc&s % It is reported that no Moth or
other Vermine will abide in a Chefl made of this Wood.

The Pirn-Tree, whereof there are four forts, if not
more. The Pitch-Pine is a very large fafr Tree, free
from Boughs or Branches, *rili you come near the top,
and continues green all the Year like the Fir-?ree> L's
Timber is much redder than the former, and it's Leaves
narrower, ftiorter and more fiiarp pointed like the Pitt**

thek

North CAROLINA* 63

their Fruic is Scaly, the Bark of the Tree is blacker,
toughen and more ticxible tnan that or t«,e Fir-Tree* The
Wood or tnis Tree being fo $ till of BiUt me U, or Turpentine,
ana is fo durable, that it ieems to (utter no decay, though
expokd to all Weathers, or lying upon tiie Ground ot
in the Water for many Ages; and is ufedin many do-
meiticks Affairs. This Tree affords four excellent Com-
modities, viz.. Turpentine, Tar, Pitch, and Rofin, how
they are made, I ihatl treat of in another Place.

The White and Yellow- Vine, grow to be very large Trees
much after the fame form with the former, but it's Leaves
are larger, and the Wood is not fb tull ot Turpentine,
therefore more eafy to be la wed, it affords excellent
good Plank for Building, and feveral other ufes, they
make Mafis, Yards, and feveral other Neceffaries ot this
Vine, being the moft uferul Tree in the Woods.

The Almond-Vine, this laft bears Kernels in the Apple,
tailing much like Almonds ; for which Rcalon it is fo
caU'djitmuch reiembles the former inbigneis andgrow-
eth, is ufed for Mafts, Boards, Piles, Femes, and ieveral
other things.

The Dwarf-Pine, {Mom exceeds above Seventeen Feet
high, and is therefore of little or no ufe, except for (hew,
being an Ever-green, as all the reft are. There are many,
Virtues aicribed to the Produce of thefe Trees (which
they rightly defervt) not only in external, but internal
Diforders, wh'c'i are well known amongfi us.

The Cedar, whereof rhere are two forts, the Red and
the White. The Red Ledar is encompaffed with a vaft
number of Branches, w*.ich grow gradually lefTer and
fhorter, as they approach the top of rhe Tree, fo that
it grows exactly ia the Form of a Pyramid. The Leaves
arc fmull and round like thofe of the Pine Tree, but
ihorur. ana not fo (harp pointed i it beamh Berries all

times

64 The Natural HISTORY of

times of the Year, which are iweet and pleafaut to eat $
it is a mult beautiful Ever-green, and is herein great
Plenty. Thofe near the Salts grow generally -on Sand
Banks, and that in the Frelhes is found in the Swamps
and low wet Grounds. It is a foft Wood like Firr, and
of a reddifh Colour, but hardens in process of time ; of
this Wood, Tables, Wainfcot, and other Neccffaries are
made, 'tis efteemed for its iwect fcent, and it is as du-
rable and lading a wood as any we have in Carolina ; it
is much ufed in Ports for Houfes and Sills, as alfo to
build Sloops, Boats, &c. by reafon the Worms will not
touch it, thougn it remain in the Water, or upon Land3-
for leveral Years. Of cfetis Cedar, Snip loads my 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 reaioh or its lifting Quality, the Wood
or chis Tree is profitable againft the French Pox, and an
infufion in Vinegar helps Scabs and other cutaneous 'Dif*
Orders.

The White Cedar, fo called, 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 .• It is tough and durable, and makcth
good Yards, Top~mafts, Boms, and Boltfprits, the beft
Shingles for Houfes, Pails, and o her Veffets, neceflary
for feveral ules, ate made ot it's vVoods with the Bark
and the Red Cedar, the Indian* m ft commonly ufc to
make their Cabbins ofs which proves firm, and reMs all
Weather.

The Tulip Trees, wh°ch are called bv the Planters
Poplars, as being neareft h grain to that Wood. Thele
'Trees grow exceeding large and tall, fomc bein* found
Twenty one Foot and more in circumference as I have

frequently

North CAROLINA. 6$

frequently feen in many places in this Province. And I
have been informed, that foihe are found ten Feet Dia«
meter j feveral or chefe Trees bear a white Tulip, and o-
thers aparty-colour'd one : The Wood makes handfomc
Wainfcoc Tables, Shingles for Houfes, and Planks for
feveral ufes; it is very durable and lafting under Ground^
"and in the Water. The Planters frequently make ar*
Oyntment of the Buds, which is excellent good to cure
all manner of Inflamations, Scalds and Burns j The
Cattle are fond of its Buds, which gives a very odd tafle
to the Milk. r - .. .

The Afpen Trees are the fame here as in Europe, but
arefcarcely to be found in this Province ; the Bark is,
uled inwardly in the Sciatica, and other Rheumatick Dif-~
orders, and in the Strangury, but the Leaves being taken
inwardly, are faid to caufe Barrenefs, ,.

The Ajb Tree, whereof we have two forts j the frrii.
is only like the European in the Grain of the Wood, for
It differs from ours in 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 Beavers, both thefe lorts of
A(h%xow in wet low Swampy Grounds3 and on the
Banks of the Rivers. ;.

The Sycamore Tree grows in low and Swampy Landa'
and by River fides j the B irk is quite different from ours,
but very beautifuls being mottled and clouded with feve-
ral Colours, as White Blue, &c. The Leaves of this
Tree are exactly of the form and fhape with thofe m
Europe; Keys it bears none, but a Bur like the fweet
Gum, ox ux Chefnut, but its Grain is fine and beauti-.
MtymhM with" variety of Cololir% and" is made ufe.

66 The Natural HISTORY of

ef for feverai domeflick Neceflaries, inch as Wainlcot,
Tables, Chairs, Trenchers, Difhes, Slocks for Guns'
and the like. The Buds of this Tree boiled and appli-
ed, help the hardnefs of the Spleen, and other hardfwel-
lings ; the Fruit loofens the Belly, and the Tears that iiTue
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
fame as in Europe, and is in plenty all over this Province,
but is little regarded or made ufe of, only for Fire-wood^
not being durable Timber, yet affords plenty of Sweet"
Maft for Swim,, which makes the Pork very oily, except
it be hardned with Indian Corn before it is killed or
nlade ufe of.

There 'is another fort of Beech found here in feverai
places called Buck-Beech, and differs little from the former,-
only in the Bark and Leaf there isfome fmall difference'
and the Tree is generally not fo large. The Leaves
applied, help Swellings, Blifleis, and Excoriations of the
Skin ; the Juice that comes out of the Tree bored, is ex-
cellent agairift Scruffs, Tetters, Ring-worms, 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 arc two forts, the firft grows
on high Lands, and is like the European Elm. The Indians
take the Bark of the Root of this Tree, and beat it to a
Pulp whilit frelh, 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 Grounds,'
and differs but little from the former, only the Bark is fo
very tough, that the Europeans and Indians make Ropes of
It for fevcral life.*, which they flrip of in April or Mayr
when the Sap begins to run, this they can do with
the gceateft safe imaginable at chat time, there being fuch

plenty

North CAROLINA.

6n

plenty of other valuable Timber, there is little or no
other ufe made of it at preterit. The Decoction of the
Bark and Leaves of the Elm is of a clean fing, drying, and
binding Quality, and therefore good in Wounds and bro-
ken Bones ; the Liquor that iffueth 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, beflefc the different bignefs of fome Trees Fruit.
The firit is the common red Mulberry, whofe Fruit is
lone and tiper at the Ends, and is the earlieft in this
Province (except the Strawberries) they are fweet and
luicious,the Planters make ufe of their Fruit (which is
above an Inch long,) inftead of Raifom and Currans, for
feveral Bifhes; they yield a tranfparcnt Crimfon Liquor,
which I do not doubt would make good Wine, it the
Planters Inclination tended that way : The Parakee-
toes and other Fowl feed upon the Fruit in the Stafon,
andlikewife the Hogs y as they drop from the Trees.
Thefe Trees grow to be very large, and make the molt
delightful and pleafant Shades to fie under in the Sum-
mer, of any in thefe Parts of America, by their large
Boughs fpreading at great diftances, and growing as
round as any I have ever feen; you ftiall fee in iiabft of
their Plantations, and efpecially near their Dwelling
Heufes, thefe pleafant Arbours.

The other two forts bear afmooth Leaf fit for the
Silk-work; the firll of thefe bear a white Mulberry, which
is commoa : The fecond bears a 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 Locufi Tree, they ufe this, to make their Bows with.
Thefe Trees grow extraordinary round, and pleafant to
the Eves as any in thefe Parts, the Fruit, Leaves, and
-■' Is Barke

68

The Natural HISTORY of

Barke are ufed in Gargarifms for fore Throats and the
uooth-ach*

The Hickery Trees are or the WaHnut kind, and bears
a Nut as they do, whereof there are three iorts, viz, the
Common white, the red, and the flying Bark'd.

The common or white Hickery grows tollerably lar°e
but is not a durable Wood, for if it be cut down and
expofed 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 Iplit, and ma-
ke th the belt Hoops I have feen. It bears a Nut much
like the Wall-nut of this Country, with a Husk about it,
but of an Ovai Form j the Kernels are fweet, good to*
cat, and make Oil; the Hogs feed plentifully on them
in the Seafon, by which means they become Fat, and
make excellent Pork.

' The Indians gather great Quantities of thefe Nuts, and
the Black Wall-nuts (being ripe in Autumn) which they
prefetve and lay up in Stores for the Winter Seal-
on, whereof they make feveral Difhes and Banquets;
this is generally done afrer the following Manner, they
take thefe Nuts and bieak them very fmall between
two Stones, until the Shells and Kernels are indifferent:
fmall, and this Powder they prefent to Strangers upon
little 'Wooden "Difhes,' tne Kernel difolves in, the
Momh, th? Shell fp.it our; and taftes as well as Al-
mords. They likewife thicken their Venifon Broath
with this Powder, whilft the Shell precipitates and re-
mains a. the Son : • , making it very rich and agreeable
in t fte thefe] uts have much the fame Virtues with

■y, is fo called, from the Heart thereof

and durable, whereof are made walk-

lo'rtars, Pcftils, and feveral other fine Turn-

• ers

_

North CAROLINA. 69

cis Ware. Both thele forts are Plenty in this Province^
and are the beft Fire-wocd they have.

The third fort is called the Plying Bark'd Hichry,
from its britle aud fcaly Bark : It bears a Nut with a
bitter Kernel, and a foft Shell ; of this Wood they make
Coggs for Mills, and feveral other NecefTaries: The,
Leaves of ail thefe forts of Hickery 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 fiim 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 Tew Tree ; it isfo durable, that fome have
bottom'd Ships with it, it is likewife ported that it is
never eaten by Worms 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 mofl of the native TSutsoi America
are. This Fruit is very agreeable and pleafant to eat ;
when it begins to grow ripe and hath its yellow Husk
pr 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 WaU-nut from its black
Barck, to diftinguifh it I fuppofe from the other Hickery,
whereof it is a Species,.

The Chet-nut Tree in this Province grows moftly to-
ward the Heads of the Rivers, and hilly parts of the
Country 1 it is large and durable Wood, and is ufeful in
building of Houfes and many other Convenicncies. The
"Nut of the Cbss-nm Tree is fmaller than the European,

but

-

7© The Natural HISTORY of

but much fweeter and better relifh'd; they have the Vir-
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 Sweet-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,
Inflamations, Morphew, and many other cutaneous Dis-
orders : It is likewife a fovcraign Balfam for feveral in-
ternal Diforders, as I have often experienced; it bears a
Leaf partly like the Afpen Tree, a round Bur, with a
kind of Prickle like the Horfe Cbefnut, wherein is con-
tained the Seed ; fcarce any Wood has a finer or better
Grain, being very durable, and is frequently made ufe of
for Tables, Drawers, &i:

The Black Gum Tree, whereof there are two forts ;
the firft bears a black Berry well tafted, which the Indians
commonly mix with their Pulfe, and the fy'nd of Soups
they make, to which it gives a pretty flavour, and
Scarlet Colour % The Bears crop theie Trees for their
Fruits of which they are very fond, yet if they arekill'd
at that Seafon, they eat unfavoury, which no doubt is
occasioned by their eating thofe Berries, for at other
times, when they feed on Beech and other Malt, their
Flefh is well tafted and good Food.

' The fecond fort bears a Berry in fhape like the for-
mer, but bitter and ill tafted. 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 fplk it for LTfe; from whence I am
perfuaded the Indians took this Notion, that it is never
hurt as above, from its being fo very difficult to fplit.

The White Gum Tree bears a fort of long bunched
Flowers, and is a beautiful knotted and curled Wood,

and

North CAROLINA 7.1

and maketh curious Furnitureof feveral kinds, if wrought
by skillful Artifts.

The Locus! Tree bears a Leaf like the Liquortjh 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 moft durable Wood we
have, and is made choice of for all forts of work that is
expofed to theiWeather; 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 or
Subftance as thick and fweet as Honey, but of a dark
brownifh Colour. Of this Tree the Indians make their
choifeft Bows, being tough and flexible ; the Fruit of
this Tree is much of the fame Virtues and Ufes.wkh
Honey.

The Honey Tree is fo like the Locuft, that there is fcarce
any Difference between them, only the Honey Tree is more
prickley than the former; and arc a Species of the Locu/i
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 Locufl, and will
bear in five Years from the time of Planting ; they were
firft brought here by the Indian Traders, and propogated
by their Seed, but from what part of America is not
known : Thefe Trees, if planted, would make the beh:
of Hedges, being very prickley, and of quick growth ; I
have feen Orchards of thefe Trees in Virginia, where
excellent Metheglin is made of their Fruit, they fome-
times boil it to the confiflancc of Honey, and ufe ic after.
l he fame manner.

The Service Tree groweth to be very large, and bear«
eth long Leaves like thofe of the A[h Tree ; the Flowers
grow in great Clutters^ and are of a whicifh Colour, after

which

72 The Natural HISTORY of

which come forth f mall Berries, fomewhat long, which/
are unpleafanc to the Tafte, "cill they have Jam by for
fometime, then they become (oft and 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 Hop Fiuxes, and the*
Fruit is cooling, drying, and binding, (efpecially whets
they are hard, and not altogether ripej they (top Fluxes
in the Belly,and all other kind or Fluxes; they Strength-
en the Stomach, flop vomiting, and outwardly heat
Wounds, being dry'd and made into Powder.

The Birch Tree is plentiful in this Province, but ge-
nerally towards the Frefhes on the Ranks and Heads of
the Rivers, but never near the Salt Water,- it differs
fomething in the Bark from the Enropean Birch, and the
Leaves are fharper and fmaller ,• it buds in April, and the
Parakeetoes come from all Parts to feed on them at that
Seafon. Where this Wood grows there are no Planta-
tions; the Leaves are cleaning, difolve and purge watry
Humours, help Dropfies and Stone in the Bladder, the
Afhes of the Bark is effectual to heal fore Mouths, and
take away Scabs. The Mujbrooms are binding and cure
the" Piles, the Tears ate pleafant to drink and quench
Third. ...

- The Aldir Tree gfows in wet low Grounds near the
Frefhes and heads of the Rivers, but is not common a-
mongft the Planters,' or near the Salt- Water ; this Tree
is fo well known amohgft us, that it would be needlefs
to defcribe it. The Bark and Twigs are much ufed by
the Planters in dying Wool and Cloath black ; the Wood
Isfoft, but durable and Lifting in the Ground or Water/
makes good Piles, and other Neceffaries, the Leaves and
■Bai-k are cooling and binding ? and ufed in hoc Swdlin'gf
or Ulcers in the Body,

The'

■■

North CAROLINA.

1$

The Laurel Tree is plenty all over this Province, and
grows in low and iwampy Ground, m height, and bignefs
equalizing the lofty Oaks j the Planters dye a yellow-
Colour with the Leaves and Berries of this Tree, the
Wood is not durable in the Weather, yet ferves for feveral
Ufes when kept dry, its Virtues are doubtful, yet it is
faid to provoke Vomit, and bring down the Menfes* ,

The Afcbpo is a Tree,fo called by the Indians, very like
the Laurel in its Leaves, the Barkis of a hot ipicy Na-
ture, much like the Cajja Lignea ; I never faw this Tree
growing, but the Indian who procured me a Branch of
it aiTured' 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. J . ... .

The Bay Tree delights to grow in the lame 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 in burning af-
ford a pleating fmell, betides it is ufeful in Chirurgery,
the Leaves are of a bitter aftringcnt Nature, but grateful
to the Stomach, and refills Vomiting ;; when made into a
Pulfe, help all Inflamations, the' flinging of Bees, and
other venemous Beads, the Bark of the Root in Rhenifi
Wine provokes Urine, opens Obftruaions,curcs Drop-
fies and Jaundice, but kills the Fat**} the Berries expel
Wind and eafe alf manner of Pains proceeding from Colds
therefore good in the Cholick, Palfies, Convulfions, Epi-
lepfles, and many other Diforders; fome have the Leaves
tun'd up with Beer, which makes it plcafant and grate-
ful to the Stomach.

The Bay tulip Tree is another beautiful Ever- green,
is'very common, rand grows in the fame Ground with the
former j its Virtues are uncertain, neither have I known
Oftj uk nMe Of rto' ^T

■'

_

j

fflpw

If The Natural HISTORY of

The Hom-kam Tree, grows in fone places in this'
Province both plentiful and large, the Leaves are like
thofeof the Elm or Witch Haze I hbuz tenderer ; the Tim
ber ot the Tree becomes fo Ilrong, durable, and hard in
proccis of time, that it may rather be compared to a
Honuhan Wood, from whence it took the Name Horn-
hmm, or Hard-beam; it is excellent for making Arrows
Pullies, Shafts for Mills, and many other Ncceflarie< -
yet is little regarded, or made ufe of, by reafon of the
great plenty ot other Wood in thofe parts ; there may
be an- Oil drawn from it, which is of excellent ufe in the
cure- of the French Pox.

I lie Maple Tree, of which there are two forts, the
firh has an exceeding white Grain, and generally grows
in the plam and -champion Country j the fecond has a
much harde- and more curled Grain, and grows in the
Hilly ana Mountainous parts; both thefe forts are large,
with a'fmooth Bark, great Boughs, and Leaves much
like th ie -of the Vine, hanging by Jong reddifh Stalk,
which maxe delightful and refrefhing Shades to (it un-
der from the Heat of the Sun; The Flowers which
are of a whitifh-green Colour, hang in Clutters, after
which come forth long Fruit reiembling the Wings of
Grajs -hoppers, with white and little Kernels in them : Of
this Wood is made Wainfcots, Tables, Trenchers, Ditti-
es, Spinning-wheels, and the like ; the Leaves and Roots
are Aflrmgcnt, Hop all forts of Fluxes, and the Root
helps Pains of the fides and Liver.

The Perfimon Tree agrees with all Lands and Soils,
thev are common on all Plantations, the Fruit when ripe
is nearest to our Medlar, k is one of the greateft Aftrin-
genrs I have ever met with, for if eaten, or chew'd before
his ripe, it draws the Mouth up like a Purfe. The
Fruit when ripe, being applyM to a Foul wound, pre-
sently

i-

North CAROLINA.

fcntly cleanfes it, but caufes exquifite Pain ; The Fruit
foon rots after it is ripe, and contains four flat Stones,
refembling thole of the Tamarinds. The Planters make
Beer of its Fruit, which they call Perjimon Beer. There
are two forts of this Fruit, the one ripe in Summer, and
the other not before the Froft vifits thofe Parts, thefe
Trees fometimes grow to two Feet diameter, fome make
ufe of the bark, inftead of the Cortex peruviana^ or Je-
fuitsBark, for Agues, and it is reported that that Bark
[j& from the Ptrjimon Tree in New-Spain.

The HvBjf Tree, whereof there are two forts, one with
a large J-eaf, and the other with a fmaller, they gene-
rally are to be met with in low wet Grounds ; both forts
are in plenty, and grow tollerably large, yet I have fel-
dom feen any ufe made of their Wood, there being fuch
plenty of much better. Their Berries are faid to be
good in the Cholick, for ten or twelve being taken jnward-
ly, purge flrongly by Stool. The Birdlime which is
made ofthe Bark, being applied Plafterwife, consolidates
Wounds, eafes all manner of Pains, and ftrengthens the
Nerves, but if taken inwardly, it is mortal, for it glues
the Intrails together, fo that the paffages of the Ex-
crements are intirely fhut up.

The Chinkapin Tree is a kind of a Chef nut, and very
plentiful, they bear great quantities of Nuts which are
lefs than a Haz,le-nut, and of a Piranaedial Form, they
arc in Tafte like a Chefnut, but Iweeter : It's Nut has
a Husk or Bur about it like the former, which opens when
it is ripe, fo that the Fruit falls to the Ground, which
Is good feeding 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 thine that is to endure the Weather i
K % thia

_

B—

The Natural HISTORY of

this and the flicker) arc very tough Rods to whip Hor-
fes ^ 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 ufe to Hop Fluxes.

The SaJJafras is very common, and grows large, its
Wood being fomedmes above two Feet over, 'tis durable
and lading tor Bowls, Timber Polls for Houfes,and other
things that require Handing in the Ground, notwith-
Handing it is very brittle and light, it hath a pleafant fmell.
The Leaves are bt two forts, fome long and fmooth, the
others indented about the edges (efpecially thofe grow-
ing at the top of the Branches) fometimes like thofe of the
Fig-tree, it bears a fmall white Flower, which is cleanf-
ing to the Blood, if eaten in the Spring with other Salat-
sng ; it likewife bears a fmall Berry, which when ripe,
is black and very oily, carminative , and extreamly preva-
lent in Coughs ? The Bark and Root help moft Dika.ks
proceeding from Obitructions, and of lingular ufe in Diets
for the French Pox9 it flrengthens the whole Body, cures
Barrennefs, and isaSpecifick to thofe afRided with the
Gripes, or deflu&ions 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 j it is a beautiful and odoriferous Ever-green,
makes a delightful and fragrant Fire, but very fpark-
ling.

The Willow Tree differs from the European, both in
B^rk and Leaves, but the Grain is not to be diftinguifh-
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. 71

The Black Wild Cherry Tree, grows common in the
Woods in feveral places, and efpecially on light Lands, to
be very large, the Leaves ana Grain are like thofeof the
European Black Cherry, in May they are in their Bloom
of Flowers, at which 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 Turkies, Swine, and feveral other Bead and Birds
feed upon them at that time. Thefe Cherries are very
fweet and well tafted, and arc better for making of Cherry
Brandy than any I have ever met with in Europe, yield-
ing a fine Colour, and moil 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 Uies are much the fame of
thofe with us.

The Wild Plum Tree, whereer there are two forts,
if 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 (mooth, thefe Trees are
in "teat plenty t in thefe Parts, and efpecially amongft
the Indians, who are very fond of them- Thefe Trees
when they are in Bloffom, (mell as fweet as any JeJfamiHe,
and look as white as a Sheet, but are fomething Prick-
ly, you may make them grow to what Shape you pleafe ;
they arc very Ornamental about a Houfe, and make a
plcafant fight in the Spring with their beautiful white
Livery s : Their Fruit is red, and very cooling and
palatable t© the lick; they are of a very quick 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 Rcqueft amongft the Indi-
ans, which they femetimes dry md preferve for the
Winter. ^Therc

j8 The Natural HISTORY/

There is another fort of Plum, about the bignefs of a
Damfon, the Tree is but fraall, and feldom exceeds ten
Inches in thickaefs, the Plum has a very phyfical tafte
what may be its Virtues is aoubtful, but this I am fal-
lible of, that when it is chew'd in the Mouth, it is apt
to make that part fore; the Wood is iomething porous,
but exceeds the Box tor it's iine yellow Colour.

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

The% Tree, is to be met with growing wild in fomc
parts of this Province, and efpecially near the Moun-
tains, the Fruit of this is but f mall, notwithftanding the
Tree grows to be very large. The Leaves and Fruit
are good to diffolve and wafte all hard Kernels and fcro-
phulous Tumors.

The hawthorn, or white 7homTree, of thefe there arc
two forts, the firft is exadly 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 thofc with us
being considerably larger and longer, and of a very agre-
able tafte. Thefe Trees are near as large as the European,
but have few or no Prickles : There is no life made of
the Timber, neither do they plant this or the other in
Hedges, becaufe Timber is fo plenty at prefent. The
Leaves, Flowers., and Haws, are very binding, therefore

good

_

North CAROLINA. 79

good to flop all kinds of Fluxes; the Powder of the
Stone drank in Rhenifo Wine, is of very great fervice m
the Stone, Gravel, and Dropfie.

The Black Ihorn, or Aloe Tree grows plentifully in fc-
veral parts of this Province, (and is a Slender Tree about
the bignefs ot our Haz,el) 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 aftringent or
binding Nature than the former. The Bark of this Tree
being dryed and made into a fine Powder, and apply sd
to inveterate old Scies (and efpecially in the Legsj very
fpeedily cleanfes and drys them up, and is one of the belt
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 ruflei Colour
with fome Pith in the middle, like thatofJE/*fcr. it
flowers the firfl in the Woods, of any Tree in this Pro-
vince, making the Forreft very beautiful at that Seafon »
it bears a white BlofTcm in the Months of February and
March, much like the wild R»fe. The Leaves are full o£
Nerves ot Sinews, in form like thofe ot Plantain, of z
loathfome fmell and bitter tafte. Some of thefe Trees
are ten or twelve Inches diameter^ and have a very line
and beautiful Grain, and ferves for feveral ufes withim
Doors, but is not durable, being expofed to the Weather*
The Bark of the Root of this Tree, is frequently made
ule of by way or Infufion, and given to Children to kill
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
snake an excellent Shade to (it under in the extremity
©£ hot Weather,' The Leaves are vary large and broad

like

The Natural HISTORY of

like thofe of the V,nei but I never obferved auy Flowers
or Fruit growing on it, io 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 of Rivers, and near
the Mountains, but no where z\fc. The Indians tap ir
at certain Seafons of the Year, and place Gourds' to it to
receive the Liquor, and when they have gut a fufficient
quantity of juice, they boil it to the confidence ot Sugar,
which is as iweet, and ferves for the fame ufe, but what
other Virtues, ar U(es, it may be indued with, I am a
ftranger to.

The Hatel-mit Tree is fo well known, that it would
be irecdlcfe to fay much on that head, it grows plentiful-
ly in feme parts of this Province, and efpeciaily 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 feenc The Haz,el-nuts before they arc thoroughly
ripe are an excellent Altringent, and flop Fluxes of all
forts, a Decoftion of the inner Rind of the Tree, drank
for fome Days together, is good againft the Strangury
and kill Worms.

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

The Red-bud Tree, fo called from its red Buds; it
bears a beautiful purple Lark-heel Flower, and makes the
moll agreeable and beft Sallad of any Flowers I have e-
tfer met with \ its Frme is ripe in April and May, thefe

Trees

— J

North CAROLINA. Si

Trees are not large, feldom being above ten or twelve
Inches through. The Flowery and Fruit are very cool-
ing, and of an aftringent Nature.

The Sorrel, or Sower-wood Tree, fo Called from it's
Leaves, that tafte exactly like Sorrel. I have never known
any ufes made of thefc Trees, which are but fmalJ, be-
ing not quite as large as the former*

The Pettitory is a fmall Tree that grows in this Pro-
vince, efpecially near the Salts, Sand-banks, and Iflands*
The Planters ufe it frequently to cure the Tooth-acb,
by putting a piece of the Bark in the Mouth, which is
very hot, and caufsth much Rheum and Spittle to flow
from thence; and as lam credibly inform'd, is one of
the Ingredients that the Indians ufe when they Hufquenaw
their young Men and Boys, whereof 1 ihai) treat irtit's
proper Place, when I come to describe the Gufloms of
thofe People.

The Myrtle Tree, whereof are two forts, different
in Leaf and Berry. Theie Trees grow in great plenty
in wet fwampy Grounds, about ten or twelve Feet high,
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, arid
boil them in Water in large PanSj and fo skim off the
Wax it produces, which is of a greenifh colour ( but in
procefs of time becomes white) and yields a molt- fra-
grant and oderiferous fmell. This they drain and nuke,
into Cakes or Candles, which are not only very lading,
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 are
more durable in burning than Tallow or Bees- wax; arid
the bed in the World t© burn in Binaries in Ships thac
pafs the E^uino&iaj Lin?, and aU exceffive hot Countries,
L becauf^

.8*

The Natural HISTORY of

becaufc they will not melt with the cxtreamiry of the
heat, fo readily as the former. A Decoction of chefe
Berries cure the falling out of the Womb, Tettars, and
Scald Heads, by fomenting the Parts, and their Syrup
is good in Coughs, and the like difordersin the Breait.

The Sumach Tree grows about nine or ten Feet high.,
and has tough arid pliant Stalks, and Branches full of
Twigs (like Osiers) of a brownifh. colour, whereon grow
Leaves that are foft and hairy, having a red fine w ot 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 fmall reddifh Seeds 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-
fing Skins, andefpecially the Spatiijb Leather. There are
fmall 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 hety'thcHamprrhoides, all IfTues of Blood and weak-
nefs of the Stomach and Inteftines; outwardly they
refill putrefaction I drieup running Sores, heal old Ulcers,
Gangremy &c. the Gum put into the Teeth eafes the
Pains thereof.

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

The Ixdian-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 fharpat the point as Thorns, whereof the /«-
rffawwmake Needles, Bodkins, and many other Inftnunents

for

North CAROLINA. %

for their ufes, among thefe Leaves come forth clufters of
Flowers like thofcof 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 : la 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 found a raoft 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 of this Tree, and of the Hemp that grows on the
outfide of the Fruit, Ropes for feveral ufes ; from the Ker-
nel likewife is produced a moft 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 Chriflians fometimes
diftil this Liquor, from whence is produced a ftrong and
pleafant Spirit like our Aquavit^ 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 fUlks, ex-
a&ly in the fhape of a Fan. This Tree when it is at its
utmoft growth is about forty or fifty Feet in height, and

about two Feet diameter ; and it is obfervable that the
L ^ growth

:

§4 The Natural HIS TOR Y of

growth of this Vegetable is To very How, that it is fearcc
perceivable in the age of Man, the Experiment having
been often try'd in feveral places where it grows. The
Wood of it is very porous and ftringey, like fome Canes,
with the Leaves of this Tree the BermudUns ma&e fine
KUts for Women, Baskets, and many pretty Boxes
for feveral ufes, which are tranfported to the Northern
parts of America, where this Tree does not g ow, and to
Great- Britain and Ireland. In North Carolina, this Tree
Is a Dwarhfh fcind, ana the Planters make of the Fans of
this Tree, frooms to fweep their Houfes with, which is
all the ufe I ruiefeen them make of it.

The Holi^-Canes, or Reeds, fuch as Angling Rods are
jnade 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 bemet
Wi,ii co uk northward of James's River in Virginia. They
continue green all the Year, and are extraordinary good
Paflurage for Cattle and Holies 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
$ne joint will hold a Pint of any Liquor. When they
grow ol^ they bear an Ear like Oats, wherein is contain'd
their Seeds, exactly like the Grains of Rye (which being
boiled is good Meat, and often made ufe of by the In*
Hans) foon after which they decay both Root and Branch,
but the Seeds never fail to grow again. Thefe hollow
Canes are Lddgesfor vafl 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
fhall hear thefe Canes during the time that they are burn-
ing

W

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, iuppofing it to be the Indians coming to
War upon them^

The Arrou-IVoody fo called from the Indians making
ufe of it for Arrows for their Bows, and Rammers for their
Guns. It grows very {freight, of ieveral flzes, 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 ftrange to fee how the Indians
will harden the Points of thek Arrows, and how artfully
they can fix fharp Flint Stones to them, by which
means they kill Deer, Turkies, and feveral other Beafts
and Birds.

The Prickley-AJb, is fo called from fome refemblance
it has to the Afh-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 Cathartick 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, ana is beautiful to
behold, when it's Flowers are full blown. The Leaves
and Flowers are cooling and good in all Inflammations
and forenefs of the Eyes, Ulcers in the Mouth and
^hroat, loofenefs of the Gums, and to flop Fluxes.

The GaUberry Tree is a little Shrub, fo called from its
bearing a BhdrQaU or Berry, with which the Women

dye

—d

mgsm

$6 The Natural HISTORY 0/

dye their Cloth and Yarn. It is a beautiful Ever- green,
growing plentifully in Swamps, low Grounds, and Ponds
of frefh Waters and fometimes on the Banks of the Ri-
vers.

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
much 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 would
be needlefs to repeat them.

The Mijfehoe^oi Mtjjieltoe, that grows upon the Oak,
was formerly held in great veneration amongft the Pagans
in their Sacrifices ; and it is much to be admired to fee
luch a Dwarfifh Shrub grow without any vifible Root,
on fo tall, noble, and lofty Trees, as it does, and of
2 quite different Nature to them. Various are the Opi-
nions amongft Writers how this Plant is produced. Some
affign it's growth to a certain Moifture and Subftance
gathered together upoa the Boughs and Joints of Trees
through the Bark, whereof this vaporous moifture pro-
duceth and bringeth forth the MiJJdtoe. Others affign
it's produce from the Dung of Wood-Quefts, Black-Birds,
and feverai other Birds that feed upon it's Seeds, which
they difcharge upon leveral 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 I am certain of,thatfet the Seed
after what manner you will, it will never grow. It
grows in this Province in as great plenty as in any pare
of the World, efpecially upon all the fpecies of Oaks,
and feverai other Trees. It feldom exceeds above two

Fc«t

m

— -I

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 doch not recover 'till Spring :
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 HaUy 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 Language! is
called Taupan, and Cajfma, grows in great plenty in this
Province, efpecially on the Sand Banks and Iflands, bor-
dering on the Sea, none to be met with near the Frefhes
or heads of Rivers, that I ever could learn. This Taupan
is a Shrub, whereof there are three forts. The firfl 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 feidom
grows to be a Foot high, and is found both on the rich
low Ground and on the Sand Banks. It grows the molt
like -Sox of any Vegetable I know, being very like it in
Leaf, only dented about the edges like Tea, but the
Leaf fomewhat. flatter. It bears a fmall whiti/h Flower,
which continues not long, after comes fmall Berries a-
bout^the bignefs of a grain of Pepper, which are at fipffc
of a reddifh colour, but in the Month of December, when
s they are ripe, they become brown. All thefe forts dif-
fer very little from each other in tafte, when the infufi-
on is made, neither is. there any difference in the Leaves,
^ J <?ould ever perceive, only'tjjofc that grow in the

v I low

88

The Natural H 1 S TO KY of

low and rich Ground, are of a deeper Green, and
larger than thofe growing on the Sand Banks, and this
may be occasioned by the richnefs that attends the low-
Grounds, thus fituated. The Cattle, Sheep, and Deer
are very fond of thefe Plants, 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 rcafon of it's fafe
and fpeedy paflage through the Bowels and Ureters,
which I have often 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-
queft it is of amongft the Indians,, and how they cure it,
1 fhall inform the Reader when I come to treat of thefe
People.

The Pimento, or AU-fpice Tree, grows commonly in.
wet and low Grounds, about eight or ten Feet high,
though I have known fome tranfplanted to high Land,
where it thrives very well. It bears a Berry different in
lhape from thofe in the Eafi Indies, , being longer and
taper, yet not inferior to any of that iorr. The Leaves
©f 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 of thefe 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 Bufhes in the Savannas
and Woods, their Leaves are of a dark Green Colour,
much like the former, but larger, amongft which come
little hollow Flowers, which turn into Berries, and arc
longer than the former. " The

North CAROLINA. 89

The third fort grow on one fingle Stem, about three
or four Feet high, in low rich Lands, and on the Baiks
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 f mall of a
Man's Leg ; arc very pleafant, and bear wonderfully:
Thefe grow plentifully in wet low Grounds, in many
places in this Province ; the Planters gather gieai Quan-
tities of them Sri the- Seafon, d-y rhtm in the Sun, and
make ufe of them tor Puddings, Minc'd Pye % and many
other Ufes as We do Currans and Raifins : All thefe
forts ripen gradually one after another. The Indians gee
many Bu&ells of them, which they lik.wife dry on thelc
Mattsin the Sun, and prcferve and keep all cue Winter^
whereof they make Bread mix'd with Indian Corn- Meal,
like our Plum-Cakes, and kvetal other Eatables, which
are pleafant enough.

* mihw-Oak is a kiiad of Water-Oak, fo callV. front
its Leaves, which very much refemb'e tiiofe of the WiU
low. It grows in low Grounds and ponds of Water, and
is ufed for Fire, Fences, &c.

April- Currant, fo call'd, from their being rpe in that
Month, grow on the Banks of the Rivers, or where Clay
has been thrown up,* the Fruit when ripe, is red, and
very foon gone. They are collcrable good Fruit w hi tit
they laft, and the Tree (for it is not a Bufti they grow;
upon) is a pleafant Vegetable.

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

* This Tree by OfiiiffiOrt, hath hot been infected in its proper
fiattf SiS. amongft the Oakh Whereof it is a Speues.

-

9°

The Natural HISTORY of

of Carolina on a Bum, much like the Ewopum Curramy
but not Id agreeable to the Talte, being but an mdrlc-
rent Fruit, tnough frequently eaten by the Planters.

Winter-Qunan, . io cali'd, by reafon it bears Fruit
which are only ripe in October h k grows on a Bufh about
feven or eight Feet high, and the Fruit is like our Bill-
berry; the Planters make rhe fame ufes or" it as we do of
kaifvm and Currahs, for Puddings, Minc'd-Pyes, grc.
This Bufh is very beautiful to behold, growing round,
and is a plentiful Bearer. All thefe forts of Cur ram are
of a very cooling and binding Nature, therefore good in
Fevers and Fluxes..

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

The Rasberries are of a purple Colour when ripe, very
agreeable,, in Tafle, but are not as rich Fruit as the Eu-
ropean. They grow on a Stalk more like the Bramble than
the Rafsberry-Bujb, and are in many parts of this Pro-
vince, and its a difficult matter to root them out, when
once planted ; they have much the fame Virtues with
the European Rafsberry, but are more binding.

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

The Black-Berry grows after the fame manner as rhofe
with us, but their Brambles or Stalks are not fo thick or
long, and their Fruit is not to be compare4 with ours,

being

v

North CAROLINA. 91

being ill tailed and bitter, but has much the fame Vir-
tues, $& cooling and aftnngent; the Juice, with Honey,
Allum, and red Wine, Fallens look Teeth.

'The Dew- Berry s grow on frriall' 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-
krry 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 ail account of the Straw-berry
though it be not a Shrub- 1 he Strdw-berrys in.this Pro-
vince are notx>rtly: large, iweet, and good, but in as great
plenty as in any part of the World, growing almoft every
where, and ire the firft Fruit the Hogs feed, uppn inthe
Spring* The Planters in their Canoes goto the Iflands
(which are to be 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 thofe
parts where the Hogs can't come to feed. They quench
third, help inflammations of the Stomach, comfort the
Heart, and revive the Spirits, help difeafes 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) are 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 pectoral and t)iuretick,and cure Aflnmas 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 fore and dry mouths.

The reSowJeJfamine is to be met with here in feverai

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

M % time,

9?

The Natural HISTORY of

time, when it is in it's iplendor a moft delightful profpe£,
but l.kewife a pleafant ihade ana a graterul and fragrant
Xmeli to thofe that pais through the Woods. The Flow-
ers are an excellent perfume, an Oil made of them with
Oil of Oiive is of excellent ufe in Convulsions, Cramps,
and Stjtcbes in the hue. The Flowers are o£ the nature of
Camnnik, and are good in all hard and cold fwellings, in
CI) lie; s, help the Collide and pains of the Womb, and
cure the Scnirrus thereof, help delivery, Coughs, Qiort-
tiets or breath, Pieuriiics, pain of the Stomach and Bowels,

i (hall in the next Place give an account of the Vine's
that this Country produces,* and firft the European Vines,
which thrive well, and tiieir produce are extraordinary
great, the Lands of Carolina being as proper for Vines as
any in the World, yet rherc are but few Vineyards plant-
ed in this Colony at preient, for I have feen but one fmall
one ar Bath-Town, and aWpthie'r at Neus, of the white
Grape, the fame with the Madera, 1 have drank of
the Wine it produced, which was exceeding good,
TH'Uph of late they have got Slips or feveral Sores of
curious Vines, which no doubt wilf foon come to per-
fection, the.e being nothing wanting but induflry to make
this as fine a Wine and Oil Coimtry,as any in Europe, as
mav appear f"om tne few Tryals that have been already
nK'oV, Ripe, Grapes eaten largly, often can fe Diar-
ihe.i's "yet the Stones Hop vomiting and Fluxes, being
diitui aiui given in Powder. M hen they are drie^in the
Son, thev- are good againft Coughs, Aflhmas, Colds, Ob-
fiu&ions, Ulceus in- the Mouth, fw.gs, Kidneys, and '.many
oiiivi jo.trs • O! twaroly, they ripen Tumors, help' Gouts,
Gpngp emi and 'Mart fixations.

The Vines that are Spontaneous and produce Grapes
}n Cuiuliua are o~ fix Kinds, ana are as follows, The
fix-grape, whereof there are, four ions, two of which

aw

North CAROLINA 93

are caii'd the Summer- Fox-grape } becaufe they are ripe in

?#« . r

The other two are caii'd the Winter Fox-grape, becauie

they ate not ripe till September or Ottvber.

Tne Summer Fox-grapts do iiot^ow in clutters or great
bunches as the European do, there being only live or
fix upon one ftaik, and are as big as a large Damjon.
The BUck fort are very common and pientiful all over this
Prov nee, but the White are very fcarce andfeldom to be
met wirh. Thefe Vines ahva>s grow in Swamps and
wet low Lands, running fometimes very high according
to the growth ot the Timber which they meet andtwinc
about ror their fupport. They have the largeft Leaves ot
any Vine ieverfaw, therefore wou'd make delightful and
Shady Arbours to fit under in the extremity of the hot
Weather. This Fruit always ripens in the Shade, and
has a pretty Vinous tafte, but is not (o jucy as the Eu-
ropean Grape, having a much thicker Skin, and is of a
more glutinous Natuie, yet pleafant to eat.

Winter-Fox G>apeszxz much of the fame bignefs with
the former, ^and are very plenty in mod parts, refuiing
neither Swampy, Dry, HiJy, or Sandy Grounds to grow
in, and are greater producers than the former, and wnen
thorow ripe, have a Vinous Flavour and eat well, but
are as Glutinous, have as thick Skins, and the Leaves
as large as the othc fort.

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

V The fmall Biack Grapes grow plentifully in Carolina,
and have large Cluiters or Bunches growing togetrer

like

94 The Natural HISTORTo/

like the European. Thefe Grapes, though very fraall, arc
well reliuVd, and plentiful Bearers, they have a thick
Skin and large Stone, which makes them yield little Juice,
which is or a Crimfon Colour, ana nath a Vinous Fla-
vour. The Black Grapes and the following, are not ripe
until Autumn.

There is another Black Grape, exactly referobling the
other fmall Black Grape, only trie Juice is of a lighter
Colour, but as well relifhed as the former.

The fmall VPbite Grape is to be met with in this Pro-
vince, but is very fcarce, growing in few parts of the
Woods;, yet its Bunches or Quflers are as well knit to-
gether, and as well relifb/d, as any of the former ; all
theie Kinds of Grapes might be indifferently ufed in
Phyfick, as the Europeans 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 the 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 fhall in the- next place give an Account of feveral
other Ibrts of Vines (growing in this Province) that pro-
duce no Grapes, fome whereof are monY beautiful Ever-
greens, others affording moftpleafanc Shades and Fra-
grant Flowers, and are as follows. -'

Eir&j the Scarlet 'Trumpet, 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! 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 res Seed,
but I never faw any ufe made of its Bark, Leaves, Flow-
ers, or Seeds, in Phyfick or otherwifc.

— There

North CAROLINA. 95

There is another fort of Vine which I know no Name
for, but it is a beautiful Ever-Green, with Leaves like
the Jeffamine, but larger and or a harder Nature, this
grows to be a large Vine, and twines icfelf round the
Trees j it grows neard and makes a fine Shade. It bears
a Black Berry which is not ripe till Winter, It is a very
Ornamenral Plant, and worth tranfpknting ; for I never
faw any thing make a more pleaf ant and delightful Shade
to fit under in thecxtreamity of the Heat in the Summer,
and like wife rrom the Ram and feverity of Weather in
the Winter, But what 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 i weetnefs, mixt
with an acid Tafte. It is a bummer-Flue, and is naked
all the Winter 'till Spring, at which time it buds, ;and in
the Summer Seafon is very Ornamental. The Fruit of
this Vine is cooling and quenches Thirft.

The Oak-Fine is no Tree, but fo called, from a Burr
it bears like the Oak, and generally runs up thof e Trees,
it's Stalk or Stem is fo very porous, that you may fuck
Liquors through it at a length of two or three Feet ; I
know no other ufe it is for, never having feen it made ufe
of amongft either Cbrifitam or Indians, in any manner of
Diforder.

The PoyfonousVine, fo called, by reafon it colours the
Hands of thofe that handle it, of a ycllowifh Colour, but

what Ufes or Virtues it hath, is uncertain, no Experi-
ment as yet having been made of it. The Juice of ic

{tains Linnen> never to be wafti'd out by any Art. It

dyes a blackifh blue Colour, this is done by break-
ing a bit of the Vine, and prefTing with it's End what

Markyou think proper. It irons up any Tree it meets

with-,

lbs

96 The Natural HISTORY of

with, and Clafps round it. The Leaves of this Mint are
fhaped like Hemlock, and fall oft in the Winter.

The Small Bamboo is another kind or Vine, grows id
wet low Grounds^ and is feldom thicker than a Man's
Finger 5 the Seem is like the Sweet-brier, full of Prickles
and Joints, but very tough. Thefe Vines bear (mail
Black- berries, their Root is like a round Ball, which the
Indians boil ("as we do any Garden Root)' and eat, which
they fay is good and nourifhing.- When thefe Roots have
been out of the Ground for fome time, they become ex-
ceeding hard, and make Heads for Canes, on which
feveral Figures may be cut. I know of no other ufes made
of them at prefent.

Piickley Bind-weed, or Sarjaparifla, is a kind of Priclley
Vine, not unlike the former, it groweth plentifully in fe-
veral Places, but efpecially on dry Lands, or the Banks
of Rivers. It has many Branches let full of fharp prickles
with certain clafping Tendrels (like feveral of the other
Vines) with which it taketh hold upon Shrubs, or what-
ever is next to it. One (ingle Leat 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 Prickles. The Flowers are of a whitifh colour,
and fragrant fmell. The Berries are like thofe of the
wild Vine, green at firft, and red when they are ripe,
and of a biting Tafte, wherein is containM a black Seed,
like Hemp, the Roots are long, and grow deep in the
Ground. It is good againft Catham, all manner of De-
fluttions, Gow, and Pbx, being of a Sudor ifick Nature

The Indian Figg-lr'ee, commonly car'd rhe Prickley*
Pear. This itiange and admirable Plant call'd Ficui
■fndua, grows in great plenty, efpecially on the Sand-
banks and dry Land, and feems to be nothing but a mul-
tiplicity of Leaves $ that is^ a Tree made of Leaves,

wichows

North CAROLINA. n

without Body or Boughs, for the Leaves fet in the
Ground, do in a ihurc of Time take Root and pro-
duce other Leaves* that grow one above another, 'all
fuch nme as they are pretty tail 1 ke a Ttee> r neir Leaves
fpread'ng out like ^oughsjo me times more or lefs accord-
ing to the difference of the Soil it grows in, adding one
Leaf above another, whereby it ipreadsover a gieat
piece of Ground. Thefe Leaves are long? broad, and
tmckerthan a Man's Hand, of a deep green colour, ice
full of long fharp and flendcr Prickes. On the tops of
thefe Leaves come forth long Flowers, not unnke ihofe
of the Pcmgranate-Trec; and of a yellow coiuui* after
Winch is produced the Fruit, like the common £ig%
or fmall Pear, in (hape. The outlide or this Fruit is
of a grew nifh Colour, but wiihinit is full or red Pulp of
Juice, ftaining the Hands of tnofe that couch it with a
ian^u-ne or bloody colour. The tops of tnefe Pig* are
invironed with certain fcaly Leaves like a Gown,
whc-.eui are contained lmall Gains tnat are the Seeas,
wh ch being fown, bring forth Plants round bodied nke
the Trunk of other Trees, with Leaves placed thereon
like the former, which being planted in the Ground,
bring forth Trees ot Leaves alio. Tne Fruit of this
Plant is lufcious and fwect, and frequently eaten, but
muft be well cleaned from the Prickles, othcrwifc
wherever they enter, it's a hard matter to gee them
out, and tr.quently leave Knobs in the bkin. Upon
this Plant gtow certain Excrefcences, which in co htfc-
nuance of time become Infe&s, which are the Cocbcnele,
fo much valu d, for dying the bell and ricieft Scarlet
Colours I lave already made mention ot it's changing
the c lour of the Urine like Blood, whereby many at rtrlt
{ight doubted of their Recovery, imagining what they
. trofckd to be pu„e Bwod, being altogether Strangers

K to

9S The Natural HISTORY of

to it's Effeds upon the Urine; whereas it only gives this
high Tincture, without any Pain, as I have frequently
experienced. We have no certain Account, from the
Ancients, of the temperature or virtues of this plant ;
yet I am very certain, chat it is "tndowed with many ex-
cellent Qualities, and that the juice or it's Leaves are
good agamlt Ulcers of long continuance, Burnings, and
Inflammations in feveral parts of the Body.

Thus having given you the moll: exad Account that
I could learn of the Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, that this
Country naturally -produces (But undoubtedly there are
many other Species chat are not yet known, which time
and enquiery rnUfl diicover) I ihall theretore proceed to
give an Account or t-he European Fruit-trees that are to
be met with here, molt of which thrive well. And firft
of the Apples, and their different- Species.

The Golden- RuJJet is an excellent Fruit, and thrives
well ] this Apple, and the following forts, are loon ripe,
and have great produce.

The Red ihak'dgrow well, whereof they make Cyder
in many places : But for the moft part, thefe and the
other Fruits are only Food tor the Hogs, there being
fuch plenty of moft kinds, that they are little made ufe
ot or regarded. *

The Summer and Winter Pearmains are aut to fpeck and
taint on the Trees, efpecially the South-fide of the Fn»ir,
and the Trees are frequently damaged by fmall Worms,
that breed in feveral parts or the Bark, wh»ch cut Circles
auout the Branches, and fometimes round the Body of
the Trees and oeftroy the Bark that it fcon dies (efpe-
cially above thole Circles) for want of a (ufficient quan-
tity o? Juice or Nourifhment from the Roots, to produce
Leaves and Fruit, this frequently happens in the heat of
the Weather, when the Trees are Ioden with ft wit.

" * The

North CJItOLIiSfJ. 99

The M>Me -Queening'thrives well, and produces ex-
cellent- and' durable fc iuit, of which the Planters make:
good Cyder, and is feldom prejudiced by the Worms.

The Harvy-AppUy\Mtwiit thrives well, whereof they
make Cyder. , ' _

The Ltather-codts, both Apple, and Tree ftand well, ^ i!
have as great produce, and thrive as weU as any in this
Province ,v V „ i , 7 „ . .

Ttii'jkiiemg is an early Fruit, thrives well, but is
foon gene, in this warm Climate.

The Coddling looks as fine and fair to the Eye as any
Fruit in the World, yet' the Tree mffres after the fame
mariner as the Pearmainrdopi *¥&M woffe,for they com-
monly dye before they come to their full Growth. The
Planters make the firiFbf their Coddling Cyder againft
the Reaping rM the Wheat, which is in the beginning of
June, as I have already made mention.

The - Long-Hal^ is the lame here as in Europe, it
thrives well, and nukes good Cyder.

The Lady-Finger, or Doing- 'Apple, is the fame as in £«-
ro/*,- and full as good. There are fever al other forts of
Apples in this Country called by different Kames,accord-
ing to Peoples fancies, and moil: of therrv good for Cyder.
Ail thefe Fruits are very cooling, therefore good in In-
flammationsand Fever^they gently loofen the Belly,and
'are of eicellenr ufe in all Burnings, Scaldings, &c. and
take away the Heat of St. Anthony's Fire.

I never met with the Wilding or Crah-Tree grow-
in? in 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 are rhe Katherim, Sugar, Warden, Burgomot, Jen-
neting, Duma Pears, and many others, which are as well

m

=

loo The Natural HISTORY <f

reiifhed as any J have met with, but all thefe Fruits are
pi fhoa continuance, bemg loon ripe and alnaoft as loon
gone,

The £«/»«- Tree thrives well, and is in plenty, and
it's Fruit is a* well rehlhed as m any partof the World.
1 he fruit eaten raw, is pieaiant, of which the Planners
inake a Wine or Ljquor wnicn they call Q?iince-dt ink,
and is the befl D:ink that Country affords ac prefent,
though they have plenty of Cyder, and fome Perry
made there. They like wife draw a Spirit from this
Fruit, Apples, and Peaches, which is as pleafant and
grateful as any Brandy I have ever tailed, This Quince-
drink, moil commonly purges thofe that make ufe of it,
and clcanfes the Body, which is a contrary Effe& to
what it hath in Europe, being of an aftringent Nature
there ; wiiich com^ry Effect muft certainly be owing to
the difference of the Climates. The lead flip of this
Tree fluck in the Ground, comes to perfection, and will
bear in three Years.

The Peach, whereof chere are feveral forts (thefe Trees
do not differ in Shape, but in their Fruit oni>) viz. the
Queen's, the Nutmeg, the Newingtm, and the grand Car*
nation Peach ; the Black, the White, the Roman, and the
Indian Peach, and many other forts, called by different
Karnes, according to Peoples fancies, are all /landing
Trees like the Apple or Pear, wirh us ; for the Reader is
to underftand, that there is no fuch thing as Wall-FruiC
in this Province, there being Heat enough, therefore do
riot require it. Thefe Fruits thrive to admiration, ccm-
ming to Perfection without any Pains or trouble, for the
Ground in thefe parts is io natural for thefe forts of
Fruit, that a Peach-fane being Planted, or falling on the
Ground, will grow and bring forth a Peach-tree that will
bear in three Years., or fodner. .And kis to be obferved,

that

North CAROLINA. 101

that in their Peath Orchards, and many other places
where the Stones till, they giowTo thick, that they be*-
come a perfect Wildernefs ot Trees, that the Planters arc
obliged to pull them out of the Ground, as we do Weeds
out of our Gardens. They generally bear in luch plenty,
that the weight of the Fruit frequently break oft great
Limbs of the Trees. The Plantets iometimes take out
the Stones and dry the Fruit in the Sun, which chey
preferve for the Winter ; they are grateful to the Sto-
mach, and caufe a good Appetite :; They alfo make s.
Liquor of tnem which is very cooling, and good in Fe-
vers. The Flowers ippign the Jklty, kill Worms in
Children, and open Obilructions.

The Indum-Ptarh Tree, is a kind of Peach common
amongit the Indians, which they claim as their own, and
affirm that tney had it growing amongft them before any
Europeans came to America. This Tree prows as large
as any Apple Tree, the Flowers arc of a reddifh Colour,,
the Fruit is generally larger than the common yellow
Ptacb,z.nd more downy, it is an extraordinary good Fruit,
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 Indians, and thofe that
live remote from the Chriftians, have no other fort ;
They are a hardy Fruit, and fcldom damaged by tne
North-Eaft Winds, as the other are. Of this fort there
is made Vinegar, therefore fome call them Vinegar Peaches;
though this may ieem to be a Spontaneous Fruit of Ame-
jrrai,yetin thofe parts already inhabited by the Euro$eam%
I never cou'd karn that any of thefe Peach-Trets were
ever found growing wild in the Wo^ds. The Indians
have plenty of this iort of Peach, but fcarce any other
Is co be found amongft them. They have much the fame
Virtues with the former.

tb2 The Natural HISTORY of

The NMarjnet, whereof we have two forts, which are
ver> mi and Urge, viz. theReu. which chugs to the
Stones, and the Ydiow wnicn pans r rom them. I fee no
foreign Fruit like thefe for thriving m ail forts of Lands,
and oearing to admiration. Tne Piamers raife uicm
treat the Sk one, which never fails co produce the fame
fort the Stone carne from ; tor I never obierved much
Pains taken in either Inocuiadng or Pruning their Fruit
Trees, as is cuftomary in Europe, notwitnitanding they
bear in as great plenty. 1 his Fruit nas much the fame
Virtues with rhe former.

The Aprkock* free grows to be very Urge, exceeding
moft Apple Trees. They are great Bearers, if rhe Seaion
proves favourable, but it orren happens in an early Spring,
a!nd when the Trees are full blown, that trie North-Eait
Winds which happen in the latter end or Ftbruary or
beginning of March, blaft and rieftro'y ffloft part of it's
Fruit. The Flowers are of a whitifh. Colour, and the
Fruit round like a Peach, Yellow within and without,,
wherein is contained brown fmooth Stones, lefs thanthofe
.of the Peach, having a fweet Kernel. Thefe Trees are
generally railed from the Stone, and never fail to produce
as g">od 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 Kernel^ is much of the fame
Nature with the Oil of fweet Almond?:

The Medlar Tr*e, I never obferved growing in North
~€ardHm, but do not doubt it would thrive as well as any
Other Tree from Europe.

The European WaUnutiztt very large Trees and thrive
as well here as in any part of rhe World: There are two
W thefe Trees growing at Bath-Twin, which were pro-
duced from the Nut, and are exceeding great bearers,
and the moft beautiful and fragrant, when; in their prime,

of

— w

h7ortb CAROLINA

*°3

oi any Trees of chat Sore, 1 ever faw. Thefe Trees,
arrive (ooacr to Perfection here chan in any part of France
or dpaiu, are excellent guod Vim (when ripe) and ufed
inieieral Diiuruers of thv Bouy, iucn as malignant Fe-
vers. &c.

The Cherry Tree. The common red and black Cherry
bear exceedingly well from .he Stone, but would do much
better had they been grattea in cue Indian Plum Tree
Stocks, becaufc thefe acmit or no Succors or Scions to
grow round the Tree, which the Chtrry Tree is iuojeft
to, and proves very prejudicial to the Trees and Fruit.
Cfcrry Trees are not only iiable to this, but levetal Apple
Trees and other Fruit-T<ees, which might be foon re-
medied by a skiltul Gardener, or caretul Planter, whofe
Genius tends that way. The Cherries are ripe here a
Month iooncr chan thole growibg in Virginia. The Fruit
of the Black Cherry is good in EpUepfi?iyUirjulfions>Jp<h
fkxies, Palfes, and many other Difordeis; the red is
cooling, quenches Thirit, and go, d in Fevers, &c.

The large round Bl.<ck-l lums, thrive well, and be-
come 1 rge Trees, if planted in itift Grounds ; but they
will not anfwer if planted in lighc landy Ground, where
they are fubjed to be tome up by the Storms and Squals
of VVina, thar are frequent in this Country. The fame
misfortune attends both Foreft and Fruit Trees, growing
in thele kinds of Grounds. There are teveral 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* pi a cooling Narure,

The Daw/wTree thrives well, and the Planter's Wives
and Daughters make good Dilbes of it's Fruit. The
Leavts oi thefe Trees' are ufed with Rhenifi-lVint lotDt*
fiuQtwi and i weiiings in the Jaws and Throat.

104 The Natural HlSTQRYof

The i%-Tree, of which there are two forts viz.
the greater and the i*fler. The large Pig* Tree* hath
many Brandies full of Pith within, uke Eiafr, and large
Leaves of a dark green Colour, divided into ievcrai Dm-
(ions. The Fruit Comes out of the Branches without
any appearance of Fiowers, that 1 could perceive, winch
is in fhapc like Pears. This Tree, nocwithftanding iC
grows to be very large, yet ifcarcth tne letter Fruit which
it produceth in abundance, tfpecially if planted in lioht
Lands, for it thrives no wnere better than on the Sand
Banks, and ne?r the Sea flioar This Fruit being bro-
ken before it is ripe, yieldeth a white glutinous Liquor
but when the Figs are npe3 the Juice of it is like Honey
and as fweet. /f

The Ufjer or [mailer Fig Tree, is like the former in it's
Leaves and Fruit, but feloom exceeds feven or eight Feet
in height, growing more like a Bufli than a Tree. The
Fruit is ripe in July, very fweet and lufcious, and confi*
derably larger than the former. If the Froft proves fe-
vere in Winter, the Tops of this Shruo decay and dye*
As foon as the Spring approaches, it fproucs and bears
vaft quantities of Fruit I could never oofcrve any Flow-
ers it has f°r ic comes out of the Branches, like the
former. The Leaves of thefe Trees arc fliarp, opening,
and vulnerary; and being applied with the Roots of
Mtrfi-maBsw, wafleaway the King's-Evil and all hard
Tumors ; the Fruit i« likrwifc ufed with giod fuccefs in
the fame Dilordcrs, the Juice or Miik is Cofmetick, and
with Barley-meaT&nd Lad, help the Gam and files, &c.

The Filherd- free being planted here, in a few Years
degenerates into a f -all Dwarfifli Nut, no bigger than
the Ha%l., yet it's Fruit is as good as any in Europe, but
few are either fo induftrious or curious to plant thefc
Trees, there being fuch quantities of fpontaneous Fruit*'

The

North CAROLINA 105

The Orange-Tree groweth to be as large as a fmall Pear
Tree, having many thorny Boughs or Branches; the
Leaves arc partly like thole of the Bay-tree, theie, and
their Flowers (which are of a beautiful colour) yield a
mod fragrant Smell. The Chriftian Inhabitants have
planted many of thefe Trees of late, which thrive tolle-
rably wcll3efpecially near the Sca-Coaft and light Ground,
where they chieflly delight to grow. The Flowers are
of great Ufe in Perfumes ; a Water made of them is
Perioral, and helps Fevers, the outward Rind is very hot,
dry, and of thin parts,- it expells Wind, and comforts a
cold Stomach.

The Bead-Tut, fo called from it's Fruit refembling
Glafs- Beads at a diflance. It bears Flowers (much like
thofe of the Olive) which fmell iweet. It grows in a
round Bunch about four or five Feet high, and is to be
met with in many of their Gardens ; their Fruit are as
large as Peas, and hard when ripe, but eafily drill'd,
whereof are made Bracelets, and fcveral other Toys. It
is ornamental in Gardens, and the Flowers are good for
OhfiruBions in the Head. The Beco&ion of the Bark
with Fumitory and Myrobalans, help Agues. The Leaves
and Wood are accounted deadly to Bcafts, and the Fruit

• is very dangerous, if not poyfonous.

% . The Gtofeberry-Trzt, or Bufh, does not thrive here,
though I have frequently met with it in their Gardens,
but of a dwarfifli Kind to what we have in Ireland, and
other parts of Europe, but I am perf waded that if ic had
been planted in their Swamps ©r moift low Grounds, ic
would thrive and bear well.

| rJThe Red and White Currant thrive much better here
*3ian the former, and bear tollerably well when planted
near a ftiade, or in moift low Grounds.. The Fruit is
cooling and grateful roths Stormed

O The

106 Tbk Natural- HISTORY of

The Bwfarry -Tree or Bufh, whereof we have two (ores
which thrive well, viz, one wich, and the ocher without
Stones, wnerein couiiiis the difference; the colour and the
•tafte of the &pji t being the fame. Tne Flowers are of a
ycijow coiodr,: ataor grow m -.clutters upon long Stems, ut-
ter whicn art proceed long -{lender red Berries, when
they are ripe. The Leaves fpring forth in ATarch, and
the F.owers in AuguH. Tne Bark and Leaves open Ob-
BruB/om, and are of fibular Uie in the Jaundice. The
Fruit is very cooling m Fevers , grateful to cue Stomachy
and caufeth agood Appetite.

The R/?-Tree, and it's. Kinds. There are none to
be met wita growing Spontaneous in this Province. Thtfe
Trees have been brought from Europe, and- other Parts,
and are to burner with in molt Planters Gardens, efpeci-
ally "the common ubtie and ted Rofe,baz few of the other
forts.

The Rofemary is not a Spontaneous Shrub in Carolina,
as in Fnh.ce, Sp in, and many other parts of Europe, in
tne fame Latituue ; but is to be met with in mod ot their
Gardens, and thrives we ill

There are many other Fruits in tb's Country, that I
am a Stranger to, which are beneficial and advantagious
to rhc Planter-, not only for their own Ule, but likewifc
in feeding ti eir S^me, anrl m^keing thenv exceeding fat,
and as well uftecta*aiiy ibefre World.

OP

_

North CAROLINA

«P7

OF THE

BEASTS.

TH E Bufftlo, or wild Beef, is one of the largefl
wild Beaits that is yet known in thefe pares of
America j it hath a Bunch upon lt'sBatk, and
thick fhort Horns, bending forward. Pliny rc-
porteth in the eleventh Book of his Natural
Uiflory, that the Horns of one Buffekrs Head were fo large
tnac they contain'd or held two Meafures, call'd Um*>
wnich is about eight Gallons. This Monfler of the
Woods feldom appears amongft xheEuropean Inhabitants,
It'a chiefeft haunts being in the Savannas near the Moun-
tains, or Heads of the great Rivers. Their Fiefh is very
courfe, and nothing to be compared with our Beef, but
$heir Calves arc laid to be excellent good Meat, as in all
probability they are : And it is conje&ur'd, that thefe
JSufelo's being mix'd, and breeding wich our tame Cattle,
would much improve the Species for largenefs and Milk ;
O 2 fer

io8 The Natural HISTORY of

for rhefe Monfters (as I have been inrorm'd) weigh from
i<5oo co 2400 pounds Weight. They are a very fierce
Creatutc, and much larger than an Ox. The hdians
cue their Skins into Quarters, tor the e<de of Tranfporta-
tion or Carriage, ana rrequenrly make Beds or them to lie
on ; they likewife fpin their Hair into Garters, Girdles,
Sadies, and the like, being long and curled, and frequent-
ly of a black or ted Lhejnut colour. Of thefe Skins and
the mid Buli'sythc belt Buff is made. Their Horns wou'd
ferve for feveral ufes, fuch as drinking Cups, Powder-
horns, Lanterns, and may other l^eceiTaries, being tranf-
parent when wrought ; Rings made of them are fa id co
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 caken alive in the
Year 1730, by fome of the Planters living near Neus
River, bur whether they tranfported them to Europe, or
what other ufes they made of them, I know not, having
occafion to leave that Country foon after.

The Elk is a monftrous, large, ftrong and fwift Beaft,
in fhape exactly like a Deer, but bigger than a Horfe, and
is reported to be fearful, and fubjea to the Epi'epfy or
Falling fuknejs. They have two large Horns, which ex-
cteoin weight all Creatures that are yet known in the
New World. Their Neck is fhort and thick, but the
Ears and Back very long : Their Colour is likeaifow,
and fometimes all White. Their Flefh is not near fo
{ weet as the Fallow-Deer, being much courfer and ftron-
gcr. Thefe Creatures may be made Domeftick, and it is
faid, that they are fo fwift, that they will run more Miles
in one Day, than a Horfe can in two. Some take the
■Elk for the Red '-Deer of America, but I am credibly in-
formed,-that they are of two different kinds, and that they
will- never breed together: Their Horns generally

weigh

— — ■

North CAROLINA.

109

wei^h twelve or fourteen Pounds. Thefe Beafts arc plen-
tifully to be met with in the Savannas near the Moun-
tains, and Heads of Rivers: It is reported that feme of
tlum are feventteri Hands high. Several partsof this Ani-
mal arc uied with good Succefs in Phylick, and efpecial-
ly the Hoots of the Male's hinder Feet, which have a plea-
fant feent when they are burnt.

The Stags ate iwift in Motion, and are faid to be a
long-liv'd Creature, they arc plentifully to be met with in
or near the Mountains, but are not fo large as thofe in
Europe, yet much larger than any fallow-Deer. They are
fat all Seafons of the Year, and it is laid, that fome Deer
on the Mountains afford the Occidental Bezoar, and not
produced from the Goat, as fome have reported. The
Flefh nourishes almoit 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 this Deer, and ah the other forts, and
not undekrvedly, which are fo well known, that it would
be needlefs to infert them here.

The FaUow-Deer are taller and longer X-egg'd [n Caro-
lina, than thofe that arc to be met with in Europe, but
neither run fo fall, not are fo well Haunched. Their
Shingles arc likewifc much longer, and their Horns ftand
forward as the other incline backwards. Towards the
Salts, they arc not commonly fo fat and good as thofe on
the Hills, and near the Heads or the Rivers : They are
In great plenty all over this Province. Their Noftrils
arid Throats are frequently found ftiilof /fofxor Mag-
got's in the Spring, which make them very poor at that
time J but as the Summer approaches thefc Bots become the
moft beautiful Etttter-fties immaginable, being large, hav<-
hg blaek, white, red, and yellow ftripes in their Wings,
"" ;" ;- • ™- — ~ The

WSB

v.- ■■■ ■ ■- .

1 1 o The Natural H I S T QKY of

The Fawns are beautifully mottled with rows or ft ripes
of white and brown, which only continue \ill the) ace
one Year old. Deerskins are one af fre Beit Commodi-
ties that North Carolina affords, which the Planters ex-
port in great Quantities tor England unx other parts.

The ijw and 3TatM£ are iu^pofe'd to be in Carolina,
from an Account the Indians give us, who report that
near a Lake of Water, towards the Head of Neus River,
there is a Creature that haunts thofe parts, ano trigWens
them from Hunting. They fay that it is partly in co-
lour like a Panther, and that the only way they have to
avoid it is by climbing up Trees, which it cannot 'do.
They hkewife fay, that there is a f wife Creature which
remains with, and attends it, much like the Englifi Man's
Dog : This Account I had from feveral or the Indians ;
but whether or no there be any fuch Beafls in theie parts,
I cannot affirm the certainty thereof, for I never faw
either them or their Skins.

The Bears are very common in this Province, though
not quite lo large as in more Northerly Climates, fuch
as Greenland and RuQta. Their Flefh is good and nourish-
ing, not inferior to the be/t Pork in tafte, and is betwixt
Beefznd Pork: The young Cubs are a moft delicious
X)j£h, as moft of the Planters teftihe, who prefer their
Fiefh before Beef, Pork, Veal or Muthq, and it looks as
well as ic cats, their Fat being as white as Snow, <md
the fweeteii of any Creature in the World ; tor, if any
Ferfon drinks a Quart of it melted, it never rifes in the
Stomach, as other Oils and Fats are 'lubje&' to do, and
is preferr'd abbve all things for frying Fifh, 0 c. Thofe
that are Strangers to it may judge otherwile as it hap-
pened to me not long after my arrival in America, who
could rot be prevailed upon to eat J&pr's Flefh; but
Travelling m the Country with fame other Company, wc

were

North CAROLINA.

lit

were invited to Dine at a Planter's Houfe, wha *nter-
uinu us with a large Loyn or a NAdWg M»
it co b, a Loyn uk ****, tti*U as heartily of U«v4
feem'u co me to be the molt delicious Meat of that tad 1
c\er tailed } that I could not forbear all that Day to ex-
tol tne eoodntfsof it, ftill iuppofing it to be Pork, tho
the Company knew tne contrary,: but did not undeceive
me Tne ftefct Day we were invited to another Planter s
Houfe, who told us he had the nrieft pteceof Bear
that coulu be, juft roafted and ready for the Table. The
Company very readily accepted of his Invitation, but as
for my part, I could not be prevaii'd upon for feme time
to eat; the Company faid, they were much furpnzd
becaufe I rrais'd it fo much- he Day befure. tor I
never knew 'till then but that it had been Pork. 1 only
'ihention this to ihew what power Prejudice has over us,
i But to return. The Bacon made thereof is extraordi-
nary good, but mud be well faved, otherwife it will
mft 1 have (een very good Hams (not inferior to the belt
WejlPhaha) made or thefe JWi-fleftl. Thefe Beafts
feed'uponaU manner of wild Fruits, and are great de-
voured ofl everalfort of Fiflv efpecially Herrings, which
they catch ac the Brooks fide in the Months of March
ana April The -Flcfh of thofc Bears that feed upon
them is not good that Seafon, and eats filthily y neither
are they eood when they feed upon Gum Berries. _ They
ire ffrcardevourers of .Sw;«f, that they cake m the Woods,
evpechily When- they are hungry and can get no other
FoCni, wftfch is the only Flcfli-roeat they areiondof,
jT'Hcy Sometimes get into the lndianCorn-falds,orMaz.e,
Wheve they-gerieraUy fpoil ten times more than they cat.
nrhev are lo fond of the Potatoes, of this Country, tfeat
they'ieldom fail to deftroy and root out all clean when-
ever they chance to come where they are.

U2 The Natural HISTORY of

And netwithdanding they feem to be fuch a clumfy
Creature, yet they will very nimbly climb Tree* (when
purfued by Hunters and Dogs; where they generally re-
main till Chot; and it is drange to lee with what agility
they will go up and down the Trees, and in coming
down they always run tail foremoft. They are likewifc
very dexterous and expert in Fifhing,catching 'vaft Quan-
tities of federal forts of. Fiih, as they run up the narrow
Creeks and fhallow Waters to Spawn. There you fhall
fee thefc Beads fit, and take up Fifh as fait as it is pod-
fible for them to dip their Paws into the Water There
is one thing very drange and remarkable of this Creature,
which is, that no Man, either Qbriiimn or Indian, wet
killed a, She-Bear with. Young; for it is fuppofed,' that
after Conception (which is in the Winter) 'he Sbe-B ars
hide themfelves in the moll fecret places 'till they bring
forth their Young, which according to ? liny is in thirty
Days. But Elianus affirmeth not , 'till three Months,
which is the moil liktly and credible, becaufe all large
Creatures bear their Burthens longer than fuch as arc
fmall; when they Couple together, the Female lie th on
her Backhand the Male coupleth with her, which few
other Beads are known to do. They have commonly
three Or five Cubs at a time, which feem to be at fir ft a
lump of white F-iefh* void of Form, without Hair or
Eyes, .only there ; is, ( ome appearance or Claws. This
tilde. X-ump j '"hey falfrjon by degrees, by their conftant
licking* It ishk^wife reported chat after conception they
will Sleep (o foundly for fourteen Days ^ that. it Js npt
pofliblc by any m«^nv to awaken them, Tandr that' during
their aboile in thois fecret Places, they never appear -a-
broad for F >od, buto ly fuck their. Paws, which is all
they Tubjid; upon c^uriijg. uiac time, '• . ffiQ.,i s

North CAROLINA. i«J

It is moil certain, that they hide themfelves in the mofl
Secret Places, other wife the Indians, who conflantly hunt
in the Woods, and kill thoufands pi He ones, Would ae
fometimeor other have found them. Bear '-hunting is &
very great Diverfion amongfl the Xlhnjimns ana Indiana^
the former have a Breed or Dogs tit tor Mat kittdot Sport,
about the fize of Farmers Curs; chefeby praaie'e become
acquainted with the Scent of the Bedr§s Which -as foom
as they have found, they run him by the Note "till they
come up with him, and then bark and . jnap at him
"till he Trees. By the Noife of the Dogs the Huntf men;
repair to the place, and find the Bear in a large Tice,
where they generally fhoot one alter another, Mil they
Rill him : And chough they are not naturally voracious^
yet are they very fierce, ina will fight mofl defperateiy
when wounded, for which reafon there are three or four
of thele Huncfiuen together with Guns ready, for feat
Ehe firft fhot fbould mi'fs, or not quite kill him.

If any bfthefc Dogs ihoald fallen on a Bear, theHumf-
man looks upon him as not good, for the belt Dog in Eu-
rope is nothing in their Paws, for when ever they get
a Dog in their Clutches they either tear him in pieces,
or blow the Skiri from the Flefli like a Bladder, and fome-
time kill him ; but if he recovers, he never is good foe
any thing afterwards. As the Paws are accounted the
;6eft Model of this Geature,fo is the Head efleemed the
Vorft/M Is therefore cafl away, for the Brain is faid to
bePoif nods/ They ate not near fo plenty now as they
were foirit Years ago in this Province, where the Plan-
ters have knTci' four of five Hundred in one Seaion ; the
reafon is^be.caufe they are fo very cafiiy kill'd", for the lead
Dog will rnake them Tree, where they moil commonly
remain1 Mli (hot, for the Dog continues barking about the
"lYfce 'dlf the Planters come to their Affiftance. "fte
" T i "■ - ~ p Fares

1 14 The Natural HISTORY of

Parts of this Beaft are good in feverai Diforders .• The
Oil is uied in many Caks5 and e/pecialiy by cue Indians
to paint their Bouies withal. The fine. Furr at me bot-
tom of their Beiiies is ufed in making Hats, and the Sklas
for (ewal Uies, luch as Hammer-Cloths for Coaches,
Furniture For Saddles, &c. and the black Cub's Skins
for Mufts.

The Tyger is in fiiape fomewhat like a £Jon?fst but has
a fhort Keck. His Skin is moil beautifully mottled with
feverai kmdorfpots refembling the Panther, only the
former are notfo round, nor have fuch different Colours.
They are large, ftrong and fwirt Beafts, but ate never
to be met with in the Settlements, being more to the
Wefi ward, w* on this and the other fide of the Moun-
tains, but are very Icarce and feldom to be found in this
Province, by what 1 could learn from the Indians; and
in our Journy up towards the Mountains wefaw but one.
They have a great many young Ones at a time, and arc
ver) fierce and bold Creatures, and will fpare neither Man
nor Beafl to fatisiie their Hunger, as I have been inform'd
by rne Indians and fome of the Planters who have feen
and kiifd them. Pliny reporteth that the young Ones
are carried cfi in the following manner in India, viz.. The
Hunters lie in wait to efpy when the Tygrefs is abroad,
that they may have an opportunity to carry off the whole
Litrer of Whelps at once, upon very fwifc Horfes pre-
pared for that End. But when rhe Tygrtft returneth and
fi deth her young ones gone, fhe puriueth moft fwiftly
thofe that carried them away, by the Scejit. But asfoon
as they perceive the Tygrefi appt. aching near them, they
let fall one of the Cubs, which (he taketh in her Mouth*'
and runeth back to her Den with it, and immediately
purfueth again in que ft of tie reft of her Whelps, thus (he
runneth to and from her D^t9 yntii iuch time as the

Hunters

North C A ROLI N A. us

;i

Hunters have an Opportunity to embark and get off with
part of the young Ones. The Flefe of this Beaft is eaten
by the Savage Indians, who fay it is as fwcet and good as
Betf. The Tyger is much larger than a Gray-hound, with
fhining Eyes, crooked Nails, (harp Teeth, and Feec
having many Toes ; they love their young extreamly,
which may be tam'd by giving thero Opium, as it is re-
ported; the Fat is good againft Palfies, &c.

The Panther is of the fpecies or kind of Cats, is near
as large as the 7>£<?r,and much of the fame fhape, the Skin
is of a reddifh or whitifli Colour, finely mottled with
fmall round black Spots, and the Hair is fhort and mujfy.
It is (aid, all four-footed Beafts are wonderfully delighted
and enticed by the fmell of the Panther, but that their
frightful Countenances foon fcareth 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 a e 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 grayifh colour, yet look very fierce and fparkling.
They are very deftru&ive to the Planters, being a fwift
Beaft of Prey, devouring Swine, Deer, or any other Crea-
ture they can Mafter. No Creatures are fo nice and
cleanly as thefe in their Food, and when they have got
their Prey, they 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 liks a
Man, by which means many have been deceived, (up-
P % pofing

ii6 The Natural HISTORY of

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 fmalleit Dogs will make them take up
into a -Tree, where they generally remain 'till they
are ftiot by the Huntfmen, and if it happens that they
don't kill them our right, thefe and the Bears are a
very dangerous Enemy when they are wounded, to the
Huntfmen j but more efpecially to the Dogs that ap-
proach too near them. Their Flefh looks as well as
any Shambles-meat whatever, and abundance of People
cat them as choice Food. The Indiana make warm co-
vering for t'hemfelves in Winter of the Skins, though it
is not eflecmcd amongft. the choice Furs. Their Skins
drefled^' make Upper-leather for Shoes, or Gloves for
Men and Women0 The Fat is hot, dry, and cofmatick,
and helps the Vertigo, Palfie, Scabs, Ring-worms, and Va-
rices (or fwejling of the Veins.) The Gall being drank,
prelently kills, for it burns the Humours by its violent
hear, cauiing Convulfions, vomiting of Green Cbolor, and
Death. It is reported that lome Poyfon their Arrows
therewith, that they may kill the fooner.

: Tne Mountain-cat, fo called from it's living in the
Mountainous parts of America, feidom appeareth or ap-
proacheth near the Settlements. This is like wife a Beaft
or Piey, as the Panther is, and is nearcfi to him in bignefs
and Nature. They feldomd'o any Mifchicf to the Plan*
ters, becaule they are lo remote trom them, their conti-
nual haunts being m and near the Mountains, otherwise
they are mail: dcflructive and fierce Creatures. They
will nimbly climb Trees when purfucd by Huntfmen and
D gs, where they rembm till they ate (hot, but if only
'flighily wounded, will fight moftdefperately, tearing the
Dogs in -pieces' that they chance to meet with, which
ieldom happens, by rcafon (o many hunt ina Body to-
sNVj ' §ether3

North CAROLINA. ftn

geihcr, who are alway? well armed, and ready for fuch
Encounters, other wile thefe Beads would be dangerous
Enemies to meet with thus wounded, in the folitary parts
of the Woods. Whatufes are made of thefe Beads are
uncertain, becaule they feldom or never appear or are
kili'd by the Planters near the Plantations, and what ufe
the Indians make of them we know nothing of at pre-
sent.

The Wild-cat is likewife another Bead of Prey, and is
quite diffeient from thofe in Europe, being more fierce,
mmblc, and large ; they have a very large Head, yet
their Tails do not exceed four Inches in length. They
arc of a fine Tabby colour, and as large as a Fox. They
make an odd and frightful fort of Cry in the Woods at
Night. They arc 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 directly 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
us, fo that you ftiall iee the Deer run 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 9
$h *i, and every thing they meet that they are able
to conquer. The Furr is made ufe of in Stomachers

t weak and cold Stomachs, in lining of Muffs and
..oats in cold Countries. Their chief eft haunts are ira

Lamps> Perkorjans, and amongft the Hollow-Cams. They
.re not near fo numerous now as they were fome years
ago, the. Planters continually meeting and killing them

as

1 18 The Natural HISTORY/

as they hunt in the Woods. Their Fat is externally us'd
for ieveral Pains, and Aches, tor which it is good.

The Pol-tats ( by fome called Scunh ) of America, are
different from thofe in Europe, being much thicker, larg-
er, and of various Colours ; not all alike, but eacu dif-
fering from another in their particular Colours. They
fraell like the European Fqx, but if poflible, ten times
ftronger, and more offenfive .« When a Dog encounters
them, they pifs on their Tails and fprinkle ic on him, by
which means he ftiall fmella Month or more, fo that he
is not to be fuflfered to come into 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, Mice, Birds, and fometinus Fifli.
They are eafily made tame (and frequently come about
the Planters Houfes at Night) yet few covet to entertain
Guefts fo offensive in their fmell. There is another fort
of Pol-cat in moft refpe&s like taofe in Europe, and I have
been informed, that there are white ones to be met with
in and near the Mountains.* I know no ufe made of
their Furs, or any part of them in Phyiick.

The Minx is a fmall Animal, much like the Englifi
Fi'diman or Pol cat, being long, liender, and every way
like him. The haunts of thefe Beafts are chiefly in the
Marfhes by the Sea-fide and Salt-water, where they live
on Fifh, Fowl, Mice, and Jnfe&So They are very boH
Thieves, and will Ileal Fifh or Fowl from you in tb
Night, and will venture to take ic even from under your
Head when you are afleep. They are likewife found a
great way up the Rivers, in whofe Banks they make Hole*

and

— ,

North CAROLINA. 119

„mllmi_ 1 — — — ^^— — — — — - . — — — ^— ^— »— ~

and live, which is known by the great quantites of frefh
Water Muffel-fbells, that lye at the mouth of their Holes.
They are great Entmies to the 7 or tot ft and 7trefons,
whofe hggs they find and fcratch out of the Holes in the
Sand, which they quickly devour, as the Raccoons and
Crows do.

Thefc Beafts may be made tame, and are the greatefl
deftroyers of Rats and Mice in the World, and were it
not for their pa) ing unfeafonable Vifics 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 Seaton ; I never knew any ufe made
or this Animal in Phyfick, ex.ept the Fat for Pains and
Aches.

The Wolf9 is the Dog of the Woods, for it is reported that
the Indians had no otner Curs before the arrival or the
Chriftians amongft them. Thefe Wolves may be made do-
meftick, 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 M an, Horfe, or Dogs. They go in great Companies
together in the E enmgs and at Night (efpecially in the
Winter- time) and will hunt down a Deer in full Cry, as
well as the beft Pack of Hounds, one of them will hunc
down a Deer, but they arc frequently fo very poor that
they can hardly run or purlue their Prey. When they arc
very hungry, and can take no Game, it is reported, they
goto the Swamps and fill their Bellies full of Mud, and if
afterwards they chance to get any Flefh, or (linking Filli,
they will readily difcharge the Mud, and eac the other.
,Thcy make a moft hideous noife when they are in purfuic
of their Prey, and will follow the Indians in great droves
through the Woods, who only kill the Deer and other
Beafts for their Skins, and generally leave mofl part of

120 The Natural m STORYof

thedead Carcafs behind them, on wnich the Wolves feed,'
this being what induces them to follow the Indians after
that manner. Formerly there was a Reward (in this Pro-
vince) for all thofe that kiii'd them, which made the In-
dians to idtVc, that they brought in fucrrvaft quantities
ot their Heads,that in afhorttime it became too burthen-
fome 'to the Country, fo that it is now laid quite a(ide, and
i^z'InhahV^l tidi. kill' them. The Planters formerly
made 'H6le;f or Pits in the Earth to take them in, where
they "kilVe'if'^rtat Numbers, b%t their Dogs being led to
thofe Piacds fry the Scent of the Baiti> that were laid for
the 'iWWs "'tndft.of them were dellrdyed, fo that this
method^ entirely neglected^ and they are become as nu-
merous as ever, being ?as great Breeders as our Dogs
and Bitches. They ar^butfmkll, many being no bigger
than midiing Bogs, the/ are very Crafty, but fearful
Creatures; for they feldom* of never attack of kill either
Foles or Calves, but are very deftfuclive to Sheep, if they
are not carefully put up in their Pentolds at Night, and
especially ir" it prove ftdrrny Weather, at which timethe^
will come about the Planters Houles/ and ftnve to de^
vow their Sheep, but in good Weather they never dare
appear io nesr their Dwellings, which if they had done*
the Dogs would foon chafe them away, fo fenfibie and
craft v arc they td come when the Dogs' are all under fome
Cover to protect them from the violence of tHe Weather,
smd they generally1 kill all before they begin to eat, d%
toiriy h% tellified.* It is the Opinion of the moil Judi-
cious f^mters i in thefe Parts, that if they did not &e for
Hunger, or fome fecret unk Town way, which they have
for deftroying one another, they would be the moft rmtiK-
rous Beafts in America* being fuch prodigious Breeder*.
Their Skins dreft' to Parchment make the Deft $«fji
Itez&h and if Taa-ay gbo& Sh©es for. Summer Gotta $&
■ "* ~"~ ana

-^5"

North CAROLINA. 12*

and being laid on Beds, are faid to banifti Fleas, Bugs,
and all other kind of Vermine from thence. The tkm
worn about the Belly is good in the Cholick, and all cold
Diforders. The Flefti being boiled helps the Gout, and
Hany other Diforders. The Fat is much of the fame
nature and ufes with that of a Dog, being externally
ufed in al! 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 Frefhes.
They are very numerous in Carolina, there being bun-
dance of their Dams in mod parts of the Country where
I have travelled. They are like an Otter, but larger, and
have broad flat Tails, in ihape 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 theic
Dams. Their Heads are fhort, and the Ears are very
fmall and round, and the Teeth fo long and (harp, that
they will cut down Trees growing by the River licks, as
if it were done with an Ax or Chizel. Their Fore-reee
are like a Dogs, and their hinder Webbed like a Water-
Fowl, and they are one of the moft induftrious Beafts in
the World. They are very fubtil, and cut down Trees
in the Night (for they are fcarce to be feen in the Diy)
with which they make their Dams. The Food which
they chiefly feed on are Fifh, and the Harks of feveral
forts of Trees and Shrubs, fuch as &ijfafra[s, Sweet gum ,
Alh,Binh, and many others. If they are taken >oung3
they become tame and domeflick, but are very mifchie-
Vous in fpoiling Orchards, by barking the Trees, and
blocking up the Planter's Doors in the Night with the
Sticks and Wood khey bnng thither. If they eat any
Q thing

122 The Natural HISTORY of

thing that is Salt, it prefcntly kills them. Their Flcfh
is very i'wcecFood, and eipeciaily their I ails, which is
held as a great Dainty. They have fucli a Jargon a-
rnongit them when they are at Work, that one would
irnmagine them Difcouriing, or in a grand Debate about
their Building, wherein it is faid, they have fuch an or-
derly Government, that each k< ows his proper Bulinefs
and Station, and that the Overfters beat the Young ones
that loiter in their Bufinefs, and will make them cry,
and woik ftoutly. It is very furprizing to beljold with
what Pains and Labour they make their Dams, and how
artificially they build their Houfes, one Appartment a-
bove another, until they lie dry. They are fometimes
fhot, but are taken moit commonly afcter the following
imanner. The Planters break down part of their Darns,.
and by Traps in thoie places, which thQ Beavers attempt-
ing to repair and mend ac Night, are caught in them,'
Their Purr, which is of a brownifh colour isioiterand
finer than any Plume or Down ot Feathers, and a good"
fiaple Commodity in this Country. Their Skins being
drtis'd, make thick Leather,fit for Shoes, and wears well,
it is hkewile ufed in Mittens for Hedgers, and feveral o-
ther ways. From this Beaf: comes the Ca&oveum, which
is it's Stones., the Virtues whereof are fo well known, that
it would be needlefs to inferc them.

The Otters are plentifully to be met with near the
H:ads of the Rivers, and live on the fame prey in
Europe, viz,, on Fifh, and fometimes Fowl, and are the
lame in moft refpe&s as thole with us; Yet there have been
feen feme Otters to the Weft ward of this Province, which
weteoia whitilh gray Colour, a little inclining to Yellow.
Their Furr, it Black, is valuable 'o make Hats, Muffs,
and feveral other NecefTarics. Although the Fkfh be cold
and ill-fccnted, ytc fcme c at it, ths Blood mixed with

Vinegar,

^-J

NorPb CAROLINA

123

Vinegar, helps fwellingsof the Simvjs ; their Skins worn
about the Body, help Palftes, and other cold Disorders 3
the Tejlicks are good in the Epilepfy and Fits of the Mo-
ther, and have muclithe fame Virtues with the Cajioreum.

The Raccoon (which 1 take to be a Species of the
Monkey) is or a dark grey Colour, and in fhapcand big-
nets it partly refembles a Fox, but has large black Eyes,
with great V/hiskcrs like a Cat, the Nofe like a Pig, and
the Feet are form'd like a Hand, or thofe of a Monkey,
If thefe Animal* are tajcen Young, they are eafily made
tame and familiar like a Dog, yet they are very Apifli,
and thedrunkeneft Creatures in the World ; it they can
come at Liquors that are ftrong and fwcet ; and, if pof-
fibie, are more Mifchievous and unlucky than a Monkey;
they are very fubtile and crafty in taking their Prey,
Thole that live near the Salt-Waters feed much upon
Oyfiers, which they are fond of. Thefe Beads watch the
Oyfter when it opens, and nimbly put in their Paw, and
pluck out the Fifh, yet it fometimes happens that the
0)fter fhurs and holds faft their Paw 'till the Tide comes
in, by which means they are frequently drown'd notwith-
fbmding they fwim very well. This Animal is very fond
of Crabs, which are plenty in this Province, and the way
they take them is very remarkable and diverting, for
when he intends to make a Prey of this Fifh, he goes to
the Marfties on the Water fide, and (landing on the
Land he lets his Tail hang down in the Water, which
the Crab takes for a Bait, and fattens his Claws therein,
as foon as the Raccoon perceives it, he of a fudden fprings
forwards a considerable way on the Land, and brings the
Crab with him j as foon as the Crab finds himfelf out of
his Element, he immediately lets go his Hold, and then
the Raccoon encounters him, by getting him crofs-ways
In his Mouthy and fo devours him. There is a fort of
Q % Land*

0

124 The Natural HISTORYV

Land-Gabs in Carolina, which are commonly called hid-
lers, thefe live all along the Sea-fhoar, and have Holes in
the Sand, into which they run whenpurfued by any kind
of thing. Thefe Crabs the Raccoon takes by putting his
fore- Foot into their Hole and pulling them out, which
Is very civerting 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 Beaft and the Pqffum, are much
of a bignefs. They arc very dexterous in climbing of
Trees, and often make unieafonable Vifits among the
Poultry.' The Indians and Negroes frequently eat them,
and.efteem them very much. The Furr makes good Hats,
and Linings For Coats in cold Countries, and the Skins
clrefs'd make line upper-Leather for Women's Shoes, and
Gloves for Men. The parts of this Beaft are much of the
fame Nature and Virtues with thofe of the Otter, and
may be indifferently ufed after the fame manner.

The Foxes ave as large as thofe in Europe, but generally
of a gray Colour, they have red iih Hair about their Ears
and are mofl commonly fat, yet I have never known any
Perfon cat them, hotwithftanding they have not that
flrong fmell that th^ Foxes in Ireland, and other parts
have; yet they are asmifchievousin their Nature. When
they are Hunted, they run up the firft bending Tree they
meet with for Security from the T>ogs, 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, (for I never met any Fox-Boles in the Coun-
try) They are never to be made tame or familiar as the
Raccoons and other Beafts in that Country are. The Furr
of this Animal, if taken in the Seafon, is very good, and
is ufed for Muffs, and many other Ornaments. Their
Food is chiefly Birds, Fowls, Rabbets, and fuchlike fmall
Prey. The Fat or Oil helps Node's , contrasted Sinewi9
X ■ Pains

North CAROLINA.

125

Pains of the Joints, Gout, Palfit, and many other Difor-

ders.

The PoJJum is to be met with no where but in America^
that I comd ever learn, and is the wonder of all Land
Animals -, it is near as large as a Badger % and partly o£
that colour, but lighter. The Males Piiei is ret ogadcj,
and in time of Coition differs from mod other Animals,,
turning tail to tail as Dog and Bitch when tied together,,
The temale no doubt breeds her young ones at her Teats,
for I have frequently ieen them ltick faft thereto, when
they have been no bigger than the end of a Childs 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 inhere the young ones creep in and out,
for the Female wjfilye down upon a Bank, and the young
come out to fun themfelves, and return in at Pleafure3
yet the Female will contract this Pouch fo fecure and
clofe together, that fhe will fwim 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 fporting in and out
of this falfe Belly, till they areable to fend for themfelves.
They have long Tails without Hair, Ike a Rat, but as
thick as a Man's Thumb; and appear as if they were
Scaly, which they wi1' readily twine about your Finger
or Cane, in which Pofturc you may carry them where
you pleafc. They are a very Itupid Creature, being alto-
gether negligent of their own Safety, and never drive to
flie from their Enemies, as it is natural lor all other wild
Beafts to do. In fliape, they are moil like Rats of any
thing, and have very wide Months and fharp Teeth.,
They are hard to kill, for I have known their Sculls
mafhed and broken in pieces^ fo that they feemed to Ire

ejuite

ta6 The Natural HIS TORH/

quite dead, yet in a few Hours they will recover and
creep about again; and it is a comnon faying in Gar**
Una, that if a Ca* hxs niiicl/ves, a />«/:/•* has nineteen]
Their Feet are very wnite, lotc, lm oohv, ana* wiuumt
Hair, and have five Toes upon eacli Foot, juc tne len-
der Feet more referable a Man's Hand, with a Pnumb
and four Fi gers, than the tore- Fee: do. Tiui Fiefh is
generally rat, white, and well tafted, feveral Periods eat
of them, efpecially the Indians and Negroes, who prefer
them beLre 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 Fiefh, Poultry, Roots, and
molt kinds of Fruits. ^ Their Furr is not efteemrd' and
therefore made very little ufe of, only that the Indians
(pin it into Girdles and Garters, The Fat of this Beaft
is much or the fame Native of that orflpgs. The Tef-
ticles given with Honey ftir up Luft, and ciufe Concepti-
on. 7:

That Animal which the People of Carolina call a Hare,
is nothing but a Hedge-Coney, for I never met with or
heard of any of the bpecies of the European Haves being
in tnis Province. The Hedge-Conies never Burrow in
the Ground, b^t continually frequent the Woods and
Tnitkctf, and if" you ilart one of them and purfue it, it
generally runs up as far as it can into a hollow Tree,
in which cafe the Hunters ma£c a Fire and fmcke the
Tree, which brings it down, and moll commonly frao-
thers it ; tnough I have frequently feen them purfued and
taken by Dogs, yet I never obferved any taken after that
mannf-, but their Bladders were ready to burft, which
the Pe>ple in that Country would perfwade me was a
Diftemper amongft them, whereof they frequently die.
They hide their Young in fom^fecret place from the dif-
cpvery of the Bucksa as the European Rabbets do., and are

.. * '"-•'■ ■ • " of

North CAROLINA.

i5"j

of the fame S;ze and Colour. At certain Seafons of the
Year, great Bou or Maggits breed betwixt the Skin and
the Fiefh, which turns mtomoft beautitul Butterflies ,\ikz
thJe in the Deer. They eat much afur the fame man-
ner as thole in Europe do, but 1 never obferved any of
tlam io fat. Ik Planters frequently fire theMarfhes
and Thkkets, by which means they kill abundance of
them. The Fled a theie ncunftus mo^ than that of
the Hare.

Thofe of the European Species of Coneys or Rabbets arc
very fcaice in this Piovince, and are to be met with but in
few places, fo that it is thou ht that they are not natives
of this Country, but that they have been brought from
Europe, to thefe parts. They Burrow in the Ground
(but in two places that I know oQl.ke thofe with us,
Thefe as well as* the former breed Maggots in their
Teihclesand other parts of the Body, which become moft
beautiful Butter- flies ; they eat after the fame manner as
thofe with us, and their Furr is for the fame ufes, and the
parts of this Animal have the fame virtues in Phyfick
with the former.

The Squirrels whereof there are four forts in this Pro-
vince, viz,. The Fox- Squirrel, the Gray Squirrel, the flying-
Squirrel, and the Ground-Squirrel.

The Fox- Squirrel, lo cail'd, from its being the largeft*
and fmdling like a Fox. It is moft commonly larger than
a Rabbet and of a gray colour, yet I have feen fevcrai
Pyed tines, and lome white, red and Black. Their
chiefeft haunts are in Piney Lands where the Almond-pint
grows. They feed on pine Nuts and all other forts of
Nuts, and Fruits, of which they lay up a lufficient ftore
in hollow Trees lor the Winter, during which Sealonthey
never appear abroad. They may be made tame, and
are verv plenty, and good Meat in this Province, but

very

128 The Natural HISTORY^/

very diftruciive and pernicious in Corn Fields. The flefii
is fweet and good like that ol Goats or Rabbets.

The fmall Gray-Squirrel is much or' the fame nature
and bignefs with tnofe in England, there being only
fome fmall difference in the colour. They reed like the
former on Corn and Nuts* &c. and like the Bear9 are
never found with Yowng, neither are they to be met with
in Winter, but lie in the hollow Trees during that Seaf-
on : Their Fkfh eats rather better than the former. The
Fatofthefe Squirrels is Emollient, and good againii Pains
in the Ears, and the Teeth, are faid to be ufed by Ma*
giciam in foretelling things to come.

The Flying-Squirrel is or a 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 Bat) only a fine thin
Skin covered with Hair, as the reft or the Parts arc*
This istrom 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 fwifcnefs,and at greater
Pittances than any other kinds of Squirrels do, by their
jumping or fpringing. They lay in a iufficient Store of
Provisions for the Winter^ which are generally Nuts, Corn,
and feveral forts of Fruits, They are a tender Creature,
lie very warm in their Nefls (which are made of fine
Down) not appearing all the Winter'; being unable to
bear the Cold and le verity 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-folds (as all the other Squrirets are) and only eat
the germinating Eye or Bud or the Grain, which i$ very
fweet. The Flefli of this Squirrel is as good as any of
th« former.

*h&

— ■»

North CAROLINA

129

The Ground Squirrel, fo called^ becaufe they feldom
delight in running up Trees, or leaping Irom Branch to
Branch, as the other Squirrels do. They are the fmalleft
or all Squirrels, being not rtiuch bigger than a large Moufe,
and their Tails are not fo long or bufhy as the former,
but more flattifh. They are of a reddifh coluur,and finely
ftriped down each fide with black Rows like the young
Faxons, which make them very beautiful • they may be
kept tame in a little Box with Cotton in it, becaufe thefe
as well as the Flying Squirrels never flir or appear abroad
in the Winter, being a very tender Animal, and notable
to bear the Cold. Thefe have much the fame Virtues
and Ufes wich the other forts of Squirrels.

The Wtefel 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 fhape, colour, or bignefs. It
is very ft range what fome Writers have faid of the Gene-
ration and Conception of this Animal, who confidently
affure us, »hat they Tngender 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-ficknefs, Epilcpfies, and many other
Diforders.

There are four forts of Rats in this Province, viz,, the
Musk, the Marjh, the Water, and the Houfe-Rat.

The Musk-Rat is partly of the colour of a Rabhet, and
is in all things fhaped like our Water-Rax, only lome-
thing larger, and has Hair or Down upon it's Tail,
longer than the former. It frequents the Marflies 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

136 Tht Natural HISTORY of

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

The Marjb-Rat, fo called from its frequenting the
Marfhcs ; it differs from the former, being kfs and of a
darker colour, but is more Hairy and larger than the com-
mon Hwfe-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,
and othtr parts of Europe, the Water-Snakes frequently
devour thefe Rats, for I have killed feveral or theft Snakes
and found thefe Rats in their Bellies ; they teed upon
little fmall Fifisand Water-Infe&s that they meet with in
Rivers and Ponds of frefh Waters.

The Htufe-Rutjare the fame here as in Eun,pey and in
great plenty all over this Province, and as milchievous in
thefe parts, as in any part of the World, deftroying Corn,
Fruit, and many other things. The Tail of this Ani-
mal is Povfonous, and frequently kills Cats that eat it t
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 ufe againft the Palfie.

The Moles in this Province are of the fame fort as thefe
to be met with in England and other Places, but arc not
plenty here, being deltroyed by Snakes, and feveral other
kinds of Vermine, which this Country produces in great
abundance. Many a>-e the Virtues afcribed to this little
Animal, iuch as curing the King's-Evil, Gout, Leprotic,
and Fiftulas, the Afhes being outwardly applied, and
Inwardly drank in Wine tor fevcraj Days. The frefh

Blood

— .1

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 effectual in May,

The Mice, whereot there are four forts, «& The
Houfe-mice, the Shrew-mice, the Dor-mice, and the Bat,
or Rear-mouje.

The Houje-mice arc the fame here as thofe with us, and
thefe ana all other kinds of Mice are icarce here (except
the Rear-moufe) which may reaionably be fuppofed from
the great quantity of Verminc that continually deftroy
them, fuch as Hawks, Owls, Rattle- Snakes, Black-Snakes,
and the like. It is a (hort-liv'd letcherous Creature, and
breeds often in the Year. The Fleffi being applied, helps
the biting of Serpents ; the Fat is good againit the Scirr-
hm and Baldnels. The whole Moufe being calcined,
helps Tetters, Ringworms, Tiles, Epilefjies, and many o-
thcr Diiorders ; the Gail with Vinegar, dropt into the
Ears, bring out living Creatures got in ; the Urine cor-
rodeth 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 fhall become lame in the
Chine* and if it bite, he fwelleth to the Heart and dieth.
This Animal being burnt to Aflies, 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 Flefli bruifed, as alfo,
oxymel Cupping Glaffes, Scarification, Wormwood, Vi-
segar, Garlick, Cummin Seed, Vervain, Vc]

The Dor-moufe is of the fame kind here as in Europe ;
ihefe Animals are but fcarce in this Province, and it is

:■:; R « " fai4

I32

The Natural HISTORY of

faid, they will fkep a Month or two in Winter, and can
hardly be revived 'till juft the time of their going abroad.
The Body being roafted with Oil and Salt, and eaten,
helps wonderfully Ulcers in the Lungs ; the Fat drppt
into the Ear, helps Deafnefs. The Body burnt to Afhes,
mixt with Honey, and eaten every Morning, clears the
Eye-light; and with Oil, helps burnings.

The Bat, or Rear-moufe, whereof there are two forts,
viz.- one a large fort with long Ears, and particularly long
flragling 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 all 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 Flelh is abominable Food,
yer fome eat it, and it is frequently Roafted, and given to
Children that eat Dirt (which is very common amongft
the Chriftians and Negroes in this Province) and is held as
an infallible Medicine for that purpofe. The Blood caufes
the Hair to fall off, the Gall helps the biting or the Shrew-
moufe, and dimnefs of Sight.

Having thus given an Account of the 7erreflrial, or
Land- ■Animals, which are to be met with in Carolina, and
are already known to us; I fhall in the next place pro-
ceed to deferibe the Reptiles and Infetts. 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 iuch only as I can perfectly remember, and whofe
Qualities are befl known ; there being too great a diver-
iity of various kinds*, many whereof are not yet throughly

difcovered3

— J

Hom CAROLINA. 133

difcovcrcd, and others have flipt my Memory j befides
what the Mountainous pares of this Land may hereafter
lay open to our View; for whoever confider what a fmall
part of this large Province is inhabited ac prefent, can't
imagine but there will ftiil be greater Discoveries made,
by Time and Induftry,when the back parts of this Coun-
try, and near the Mountains ate once fettled ; tor the far-
ther we Travel Wtdward, we meet greater Differences in
the Soil, Air, Weather, growth of Vegetables/and feveral
Animals, which we at prefent are inure Strangers to 5
only what little Account we have from the Indians, fo
rhat no doubt every Age will make new DHcoveries.

The Alligators are Amphibious Creatures, living both
upon Land and Water, and by the beft 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 a Bean,
except that they are covered with Scales, inftead of Hair,
the Claws are fliarp and the Tail long, with Fins upon
it. 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-£des,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 cohfiderably above the furface of the
Water,where they lie dry ail the Winter,at which Seafon
they never appear abroadabut as it isfuppofed,{kep all that
-•- "" - time

134 The Natural HISTORY of

time without any manner of Provifion, which fome report
to be the fpaCe of threefcore Days. In Spring cncy come
forth from their Holes or Caves, and continually iwim
up and down the Rivers and Cretks 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 feck their Prey in
brackim and Salt-watcts, not near the open Shoar, but in
the Rivers and Creeks. They are never known to'dsvour
Men in Carolina, but on the contrary, always ftrive to
avoid them, as much as poffibly 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 Eggs
I never could be fatisfied, or rightly informed, for the
Indians with whom I converted Jay, it is moft part of the
Summer^nd only by the heat of the Sun ,• but fome of the
Chriltians aflured me, this was performed in fixry Days,
or thereabouts : Their young ones arc (haped exadlylikc
a Ltz,ard, Asker, or Effit, and they have fliort flat and
large Tongues. I faw one of the young ones taken and
brought to a Planters Houfe who had a Pond oi 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 ct Fowl and Other Flrih-
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 ieen or heard of afterwards.But to return to their Breed-
ing

■=51

North CAROLINA. 135

ing their young ones. The old ones throw up Banks of
Moid in the wet Swamps, in torm of a Sugar- Loaf, near
the iides or the frefh Water- Rivers and Creeks, whereon
they lay twenty or thirty Eges, it not more, in the Sea-
fon, where they remain 'till fuch time as they are Hatched,
and then they tumt-le into the Waters, and fend for ihem-
ielves in the like manner as the young Frogs do; I am
periwaded they ate one of the largeft Creatures in thc^
World to be produced out of fo fmall a Beginning as an
Egg not (o large as a Goofe\ 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
ofWood/till they comewithin 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 likewife very deftruftive 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 diicharge themfelves, fo break the
Wairs in pieces, being a Creature very large, and of great
Strength. It is almoft impoffiblc to kill them with a
Gun, except you chance to hit them in or about the
Eyes, or under the Belly, that part being fofterthan any
part of the Body j the reft of the Skin being fo hard,
that it will refill: a Bullet like Armour. They arc very
call I y avoided upon Land, being a very flow Creature,
by realon of the fhortnefs of their Legs, and they cannot
readily turn themfelves, for their Bodies arc fo ftiff and
hard, that they are obliged to go ftreight forward, fo
that they may be avoided by the Jeaft turning out of their
way, but they are very nimble and active in leaping cither
upon Land or Water. Some of thefc Creatures afford a

greas

136 The Natural HISTORY^/

great deal of Mush, and when their Tails are cue off,
they look very fair and white, feemingly like the Deft of
Vail, and fomc People eat thereof, ana fay it is moft de-
licious Meat, when they are not Musky. Their Teeth
are as white as Ivory, whereof I have fen 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 ftay in that Country, in the
Bellies whereof ( after they were opened ) were found
feverai 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 molt 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 Batb-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 ludden this Monfter
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 thegreateft dread and furprize I was ever in,
never having heard fo terrifying a Nolle before; it con-
tinued thus roaring for eight or ten times, like a Bittern,
but if poffible, a hundred times louder, which atfirftl
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 ajl the hafte I

could

— 1

— —

North CAROLINA.

131

could to a Planters Houfc, where I had lain the Night
be tore, who foon undeceived me* and told me what it
was, and that in a few Days 1 fhould fee the Creature
that made that hellifh Noife in the Creek before his Door,
which happened in a Day or two after. Their Flefh
it not Musky, is accounted good Meat, and helps thofe
that are afflicted with the Gout and Rhumatick Pains*
The Blood clears the Eyes, and the Fat is prevalent
againft all manner of Pains, Aches, Ulcers, and Cancers,
by Unction. The Gall is of excellent ufe in taking a-
way the CataraB and Web, growing in the Eyes ; the
Teeth of the right Jaw bound about the Arm, are faid to
provoke Venerj. The Skin calcined, and mixed with
Lees of Oil, is faid to ftupifie the Parts fo much, that
they cannot feel, though cut. I have ranked the Alliga*>
tor and the lortoife among the Infetts, becaufe they lay
Eggs.

The lortoife , vulgarly called the Turtle, whereof there
are three forts. The firft is the Green Tortoife, which is
not common, but is foraetime found on thefe Coafts ; it
lives both on Land and Water, and has a large flrong
Shell on it's Back, which defends it from it's Enemies.
The Lean of this Tortoife looks and taftes like Veal9
without any filhy favour, and the Fat is as green as
Grafs, yet very fweet ; fome are fo large, that they
Weigh four hundred Weight.

The fecond is the Hawh~BMy which is common here,
the Flefh of thefe two forts are incomparably good Food*
being inferior to none, and is ufeful in feveral Di forders,
fuch as tht Gouty HeEiitks, Epilepfy, fore Eyes, and is faid
to be an Antidote againft Poyfon.

The third is called the Logger-Head, which fcarce any
tone covets to eat, except it be the Negroet and Indiamr
yet the Eggs of this and ail the osher forts (which are
S covered

138 The Natural HISTORY of

covered with a Skin and not a Shell) are extraordinary
good Food and nourifh very much, yet none of theie
iorrs ot Creatures Eggs will admit in boiling the White
to be harder than a Jelly, notwithstanding the Yolk with
boiling 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 in the Sealon as
large as Pullet's, afterwards they cover them carefully
with Mould, which they beat hard and fmooth with
their Breads, where they remain till they are Hatched,
and they lay Eggs two or three times a Year, which
caufeth a prodigious Increafc. The common way of
taking thele Turtles is, to turn them on their Backs, in
which Pofture they cannot dive under the Water, fo that
thofe that Fifh for them tye a Rope about them, and
hawl them into their Boats, or tow them to Land^ and
it is reported, that they will fhed Tears when they are
taken j and though they have large Lungs within their
Scales, yet according to Pliny, they arc without Blood.
They are commonly found floating upon the Water, and
iometimes fait afleep, at which time they will fnort very
loud. They have neither Tongue nor Teeth, but a very
fliarp Bill, which ferves them inftead of Teeth ,• they
feed on Cockles, Mujcles, and other Sea-ftiel Fifh, tor
their Bills are fo hard and ftrong that they will readily
break thofe Fifties and eat them.

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

The Land lerebins are of feveral Sizes, but generally
round mouthed, and not Hawks-bill, as fome of the other
forts are, they are exa&Iy in fhape like the Turtles, and
move very (lowly, and if any thing touches them, they
readily draw their Head and Feet within their Shells;

(being

w

North CAROLINA.

139

(being fpeckled with reddifh f pots, which are hard and
ftrong) that fcarce any thing can hurt them. The In-
dians eat them, and moft of them are good Food, except
the very large ones, and thofe that are Musky. Thefe,
as well as the lonoifes, make Holes in the Sand-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 are out
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 Neck, and
fo draw his Head into their Shell, which makes the Snake
beat his Vail, and twift aboat with all the ftrength and^
violence imaginable to get away, but the Itrebm foon
difpatches him, by preffing him to Death between his
Shells, and there leaves him. In Europe they are called
the Land-tortois, and are plenty up and down the Woods
of Carolina', they feed on Snails, Tadpools, or young
Frogs, Graft, Mujbrooms, 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 Provision.

The Water-Terebins have a Shell on their Backs 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 of Eggs, which are hatched by the heat of the Sun
and Sands, as the former are. They come out about the
bigncfs of a fmall Cbefnut, 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 have fo many
S a Enemies

140 The Natural HISTORY of

Enemies that find them out (efpecially Hogs, Racoons and
Crows, &c.) that the hundredth part never come to' per-
fection. For during the time they arc laying, you will
fee the Hogs and Racoons hunting all along the Water iices
till they fold their Eggs, which they root out of the
Earth, and fo devour them ; this is the reafon they are
notfo plenty in this Province as formerly they were,
though they are ftill numerous enough. I have frequently
eat of them, which are as delicious a Morfel as ever
I tafted, if well drelVd. Their Virtues and Ufes are
much the fame with the Tortoife.

The Frogs, whereof there are feveral forts, but none
So remarkable as the BuU-Fngs, f0 called, from their bel-
lowing hke a Bull, which makes Strangers wonder
(when by the fide of aMaifh) what's the matter, km
they hear the Frogs bellow," and can fee no Caule s
They are the Urgeft that are known in America, being
generally as big as a Rabbet, I have known no Uie made
of them in Phyfick.

The Green Frog, f o called from it's Colour, it is one of
the fmallefl fort 1 ever met with ; theie climb up Trees,
and fing or make a noife much like the Grafs-hopper, but
much louder. The French eat the hinder Quarters of
them,

The common Land-Frog is like a Toad, only it leaps
snd is not poyfonous. Thefe Frogs are great devourers
of Ants, and the Snakes devour them. Thefe Animals
baked and beat to Powder, are taken with Omce-Root,
to cure the Tympany, and many other Difordtrs.

There are feveral other coloured fraall Frogs in thefe
parts ; and what is worthy of Observation 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

mmss[

North CAROLINA. a 4s

The Scorpion- Lizard, but why fo called I know not,
for it is not like a Scorpionin any retpe& ; It is ot the Liz-
ard kind, but much bigger than any I ever faw in Europe.
It's Back is ot a dark Copper-colour, and the Belly of an
Orange. It is very nimble in running up Trees, or up-
on Land, and is accounted very Poyfonous. This Ani-
mal hath the moil Sets of Teeth in the Mouth and
Throat of any I have ieen, but what they prey or feed
upon, lam an incite ftranger to, and iikewife their Ufe in
Phyfick.

The Green-Lizards, in this Province are as large as
thole to be met with in Europe, and are very harmlcfs
and beautiful, they frequently refort to the Walls of the
dwelling Houfes (efpecially in the Summer feafon, form
Winter they are not to be ieen) and fland gazing on the
Inhabitants, without any dread or fear, being veiy 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 io beautiful as the Green
ones Thcfe Lizards are mortal Enemies to the Spiders
and Toads, yet their Fiefh eaten is hurtful, caufing In-
flammations, Tumours, and Blindnefs; the Head be-
ing outwardly applied with Salt, draws out Darts,
Thorns, and things flicking in the Flefti , it Iikewife
wafteth Wens, and other hard Swellings. The Gall
caufeth the Hair to fall off, and their Eggs kill fpeedily,
except a i udden Remedy be exhibited made of Falcon's
Dung and Wine. If they bite, they leave their Teeth
behind them, which caufeth continual Pain, until they
are taken out. The Gray-Lizards are very common, and
the Snakes feed upon them j for I have taken feveral of
them out of the Bellies of the Snakes.

' "" ~ In

■M

f

143- The Natural HISTORY^

In the Month of June, 1730, as I was travelling in
the Woods together with otner Company, we found an
Infect Tuning ltfelf at the Root of a large Pine Tree,
about the thicknefs of a Man's Finger, and three Inches
long, it was beautifully if ripea with Circles of Black
and White. The Mouth was partly like the Mouth of
a Frog, but not fo large, it had tour fhort Feet, out iio
Tail ; it was very fott, but tne Skin exceeding tou^b,
and it moved very ilowly. Not one of 'the Company
could give me an Account wnat it was, neither could I
ever learn trom any I converfed with, or- (hewed it to
having prefeuved it a eonfiderable 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 difiinguifh it.

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

The Ratte-Snake, 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 designing thefe on purpofe
to give Warning of fuch an approaching Danger, as the
venemous Bite of thefc 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 give
Notice to fuch as approach their I Danger, by rattling
their Tails, which may be heard at a great Diftancej
they are lharp fightfd, and quickly difcovcr any thing

approaching

— ,1

North CAROLINA.

*43

approaching them a great way off. Their Skins are all
over full or thin tender Scales, with a Ridge through
the middle ot them, of an Orange-tawny, and blackifh
colour, beaucifuliy mottled on their Backs, and their
Bellys an Afti colour, inclining to Lead. The Male
is eafily diftinguifhed from the Femaie, by a Spot on
his Head of a black Velvet colour, and his Head is
fmaller fiiaped and longer. Their Bite is very venemous
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,7 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 majeftick
iort of Creature, and will feldom or never bite (except
they are provoked) which they cannnt do until they
gather themfelves into a Quoil or Circle, and then will
Fpringat a gooddiftance to bite whatever provokes or
injures them, otherwife they are moft 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 bit;
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 moft other forts of venemous Creatutes in thefe
parts. They have of late communicated the Method how
to cure the Bite of the Rattle-Snake to the Chriftianf^
which almoft every Planter is very well acquainted with.
This Cure is perfected by chewing in the Mouth the
Root of an Herb that beareth TufTts or Buttons at the
top like Scabions, 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 Rank- Snake-Root, from it's curing

the

144 Tbi Natural H I S T O R Y of

the venomous Bite of that Snake; there are three forts
©f it to be found almoft every where, this (as i laid be-
fore) they ehew in their Mouths, fwallow fame part of
the Juice, and apply the reft cothe Wound, wnich per-
fectly cures thofe that are bit in a rew moments. Ic is
furprizing to obfcrve how the(e Snakes will allure and
charm Squirrels, Hedge-Conneys, Partridges, and many o^.
frher fmall Beafts and Birds to them, wnijh they quickly
devour. The Sympathy is fo ftrong between tiiele, that
you (hall fee the Squirrel or Partridge (after they have
efpi'ed this Snake) 1 ap or fly from B >ugli to Bough i
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 Quoil 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 killed feveral oftheic
Snakes, with thirteen and fifteen and one with thirty
Rattles. They have feveral fmall Teeth, of which I
cannot fee they make any Ufe, for they (wallow every
thing whole, but the Teeth which poyfon, arc only four,
two on each fide o£ their upper Jaws ,• thefe are bent like
a Sickle and hang loofe, as if by a Joint. Towards the
letting on ot thefe, there is in each Tooth a little Hole
wherein you may juft get in the point or a fmall Needle i
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 vencmous according to the Seafon of the
Year, for the hotter the Weather, the more poyfonous
they are, efpecially in June, July, and Auguft. In Winter
they never appear, but lie hid in fome fecret Places in
the Earth, a.s all the other Snakes do, not being able to

endure

JULI

North CAROLINA. 145

end ore the cold Weather ; for you fhall fee feveral forts
ot them lying dead, at the approach of the Winter, not
being able to reach or crawl into their Holes, Neither
can we fuppote that they can renew their Poifon as loon,
or as often as they pleafe, tor we have known Inftances
to the contrary ot two that were bit in the Leg by one
Rattle-Snake ,as they were travelling in the Woods. The
raft was very painrul Come Days, not having an oppor-
tunity to get the Rattle-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 Moujey or any o-
ther Creature not vencmous ,- fo that we may reafonably
conjc&nre 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 feemed as ifaflafh or Fire had run through his
Body. The Indians frequently pull out their Teeth, fo
that they never afterwards can do any Mifchicf by bit-
ing; this maybe eafily done, by tying a bit of red Wol-
kn Cloth to the upper end of a long hollow Cane, and (o
provoking the Rattle- fnake to bite, and fuddenly pulling
it away from him, by which means the Teeth flick fait
in the Cloath, which are plainly to be feen by thofe
prefenti They have two Noftrils on each fide of their
Nofe, which is not common in many of the other forts of?
Snakes. They arc fo venemous that they frequently
bite and poyfon themfclves i For, oftentimes when we
have found out where they are (which is eafily known
by their continual Rattling with their Tails, which they
fhake and fhivcr with wonderful nimblcnefs when they
arc any way difturbed) we cut down long Poles or Reeds
and make the tops thereof fharp, wherewith we tickle
their fides, and provoke them, that at length they become
fo enraged, they bite themfelvcs, and dye in a fhort-time.

146 The Natural HISTORY of

I hope it will not be unpleafing to the Reader to in-
fert the following Account in relation to a Rattle-fnake
and a Dog, as it happened during my residence there,
viz. A Planter having taken a Rattle-fnake in 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 fhew them fome Diversion ,• that 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 confented 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 inflantly made
and every one cry'd out for fair Play, viz. That the
Snake fhould have time to gather itfelf into a QuoiJ,
or poflure of Defence, which it very quickly did, and
immediately began to Rattle it's Tail ; Every thing
being ready, the Dog was let loofe, and attacked the
Snake ; his ufual way of killing them, was, to (hake
them at full length out of their Quoil, in which Pofture
they can neither leap 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 itun'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 Mailer'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 Poyion both of Viper and Mad-dog ( I con-
ceive

ILJ

North CAROLINA. HI

ceive) kill, by thickning ot the Blood after the manner
that Runnet congeals Milk when they make Checfc.

Thefe Snakes caft their Skins every Year and com-
monly remain near the Place where the old Skin lies
thefe call Skins are frequently pulverifcd, and given with
good fuccefs in Fevers, fo is the Gall mixed with Clay,
made up in Pills, and given in peihlcntial 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 ; fo are the Rattles good to ex-
pedite the Birth, and no doubt but it has all thole excel-
lent Virtues that the Viper is indued with.

The Ground Rattle-fake, 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 tall
of the Leaf. It's Ufes and Virtues are unknown to any
in thefe Parts, except the Indians. < .

The Hom-fnakes, fo called, from a Horn growing in
their Tail like a Cock's Spur, with which they ftrike
and kill whatever they wound with it, except a fpeedy
Remedy be applied. They are like the Rattle-fnake in
colour, but a little lighter. They hifs exadly like a
Goofe when any thing approaches them. This Horn in
their Tail is all the Weapon they have with which they
ftrike anddeftroy their Enemy, for they never bite as
the Rattle-hake and other Snakes do. They give warn-
ing to fcich as approach their Danger by Hiffing. They
arc a very venemous Snake, hardly admitting of a cure
from the Indians j yet the mod effedual Method to per-
' T ji fc&

BE

1 4' The Natural HISTORY ^

fed this Cure is by the Rattk-fnake Root, cupping Glaf-
ies and Scarification, or cutting off the Fkfh to the
Bone, and hilly by Amputation of the Parts. Thefe
Snakes are near as long as the Rattte-fnake, but are not
plenty in this Province, and I have been credibly in-
termed by leveral of the Planters, that they have fCCn
them itrike their Horns into Trees, and particularly in-
to the Pme and Imu&9 which in a few Hours decayed
and died, though before that it was in it's full Bloom,
But be that as it will, I am certain of this, that it is a
dangerous Snake, and it's Wounds very difficult and
tedious to becuredi

The Water-fnakesy whereof there arc four forts. The
firft is of the Horn-make Colour, but not fo large, and
is as poyfonous as any of the other forts. The fecond 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 rhe Boughs of Birch
and feveral other Trees by the Water Tide, and fome-
times drop into the Cannoes as they are paffingby, they
are alfo very poyfonous. The third is of an Englifi Ad-
der colour, but always frequents the Salts, and lies ge-
nerally lender 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 nor fpeedily 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 wholeBody,
which when it comes to the Heart, the Creature imme-
diately falls down dead. Thefe and all the other Snake?
IaY %gs5 except the Viper. The Cure for the bite of

thefe

North CAROLINA. 149

thefe, is much the fame with that of the Horn-fnake3
and their Virtues and Uies the lame with the Piper.

The Swamp-fnakes, whereof there are three forts, and
are very like the Water-fnakes,andmay properly be rank-
ed amongil; 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
Urge, and the back is of the colour of the former, buc
the Belly is or a tawny and lijht Copper colour, beauti-
fully mottled,- thefe always abide in Swamps and Marfh-
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 likewife 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 of In-
lefts. The cure of thefe is much the fame with the
former, and may indifferently be ufed after the fame
manner.

The Red-hack Snakes (fo called from their Red-backs)
are long (lender Snakes, they are rare to be met with3
and are very poyfonous ; it is reported that the Indians
themfelves cannot cure the venemous bite or them : 1
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 grayifli colour like the Italian Piper^hc other black and
ihort. Both thefe forts are venemous, and fpread their
Heads flat when they are 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

fmali

150 The Natural HISTORY/

fmall fharp, and curled at the end. The Teeth upon the
upper Chop are very long and crooked like a Sickle,
and upon either fide it hath four ; thofe 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 ieen except you takeaway the little Blander in
which they lie concealed, in this Bladder it carries Poy-
ion, which it infufeth into the Wounds it makes with its
Teeth. The Scales of a Viper are more (harp than a
Snake's -, it lies for the moil part Quoiled up like a Rattle-
onake. In the Viper there is nothing venemous but the
Head and Gall, which are caft away as ufelefs. It is a
iharp lighted, crafty, and venemous Creature, biting
thole that iuddenly pafs by it. The Viper is faid to con-
ceive Eggs within her, which fhe 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 omy bring forth their Young with Life. It is like-
wife reported, that after they have ingendered, the Fe-
male deftroys 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
mis 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 J$ mortal, and kills within three Days
at fartheft, if not fpeedily cured ; the Poyfon is univerfal,
as if the Body were fet on Fire with violent Convuliions,
Weakness, cold Sweats* Vomiting, and then Death. At
Brit the Poy fon, may i>e. fucked out by applying the Anus
of a Heiuo the part after Scarification, or dfc a Piafler

' , . ,: . " Of

North CAROLINA.

i5:i

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

The Red-belly-fnakes, thefe frequent the Land, and are
(o called, from their Red-bellies, which inclines to an
Orange colour : They are not very vcnemous, for I have
known feveral Perfons bit by them, fome whereof were
not much hurt, and others have fuffered much by them.
But lam perfwaded that there are two different forts of
thefe Snakes, but fo like each other, that there has been
no difference made between them at prefent ; otherwife
their bites would not produce iuch contrary efc&s, as
they are known to do.

The Chichn-fnake, or Egg-Jnah, 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 fome 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 themf elves round, and flick to the fide
of it, where thee feems to be no manner of hold, above
twenty or thirty Feet high ; there fun themfelves, and
fleep 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
f wallow.

The Brimftone-fnake, fo called, from it's being almofi:
of that colour. They might as well hvae called it, the
Glafs, or bnttlc-Snake,for it is as brittle as Glafs, or a
Tobacco-Pipe, forgive it the leaft touch with a fmall

Twig,

IJ2 The Natural H I S T O R Y of

Twig it immediately breaks, or rather disjoynts into fe-
veral pieces > and feveral in thefe 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, I cannot tell, tor I never knew any Per-
fon hurt bythero.

The King-fnake is the longeft of ail other Snakes in
thefe parts, but are not common ; the Indians make Gir-
dles and Sallies of their Skins, and it is reported by them,
that they are not very venemous, and that no other
Snake will meddle with them, which I fuppofe is the
Reafon that they are fo fond of wearing their Skins about
their Bodies as they do.

The Com-fnake, fo called, from it's being met with in
Corn-fields, and fcarcc any where elfe. They are not
venemous, neither do they gather themfelves into a Quoii
like the Viper or Rattle-fnake. They are near a Yard
long, and of a Brown colour* mixt with Tawny.

The Green-fnakes arc very (mail, and are fo 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, becaule there is no
manner of harm in them.

The Black-truncheon-fnah might have Very well been
numbered amongft the Water-fnakcs i they arc fo called,
from their fhape, 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 Bowe What good or harm there
is in them I know not, fome of thefe Water-makes will
fwallow a black-land Snake, half as long again as them-
felves, as I obferved in one of them that I fliot.

The

North CAROLINA.

*53

The long Black- fnalte is very common* and generally
fix Feet in length, ic frequents the Land altogether,
and is the nimbleit Creature living, it has no manner of
Venom in it's bite, but the part fometimes fweils and
turns to a running Sore. Thefe Snakes are the bell
Moufers that can be, for wherever they frequent, they
deftroy Lizards, Frogs, Rats and Mice, leaving not one
or' thole V ermine alive, They arc very mifchievous a-
bout Dairies and amongft Eggs, skimming the Cream
of the former, and (wallowing the latter. They will
fometimes (wallow all the Eggs from under the Hen that
firs, and Quoil themfelves under her in the Heft, where
they are often round by the Houfe-wife 1 They kill
the Rattle-fnnke where-ever they find him, by twitting
their Head about his Neck, and fo whip him to death
with their Tails; and notwiihftanding 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 twill k
ieif in pieces. One of thefe Snakes, whofe Neck feems
to be no thicker than a Woman's little Finger, will
fwallow a Squirrel or Rat, which I have taken out o£
their Bellies^ fo much does that part ftretch in all thofe
Creatures. It likewife feeds on fmall Infers and Flies,
taking them betwixt the forks of its Tongue.

The Eelfmke, though improperly to called^ becauie
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, ok
the fame bignefs of thofe with us in Europe.

Having given as large an Account as is yet known o£

the Snahs in,thcfe Pans 1 I will in the nest Place pro-
tJ ccedt

m—m

1 54 The Natural HISTORY©/

ceedto treat of fome of the f mailer Reptiles or Infects
that are moft 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-
ient. Be fides the Indians give us many ft range and un-
couth Names for various kinds of Beafts, Birds, Fifties,
Snakes., and Infects, that we are inrire Strangers to ; for
the greateft part of this fpacious and large Country lies
wafte at prefent, and undoubtedly there will be many
curious and coniiderabie Difcoveries made, when
once this Country is well fettled and inhabited by the
ChriftianSj for the Indians whilft they remain in their
Idolatrous Pra&ices, 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 zhc- Reptiles and lnfe&$»

The Bees are in great Plenty, not only m Hives, in
the Planrer's Gardens, but arc likewife 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 Infe&s, arc fo well
known amongs us in Europ, that it 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 purpofej with a Board at the top for
a Covering ; thefe are all the forts of Bee-hives madcufe
of in this Country ^ fome whereof are larger than our
Barrel The Humble-bees are of the lame fort in this
Province as thofe wish us in Ireland* and other parts ©f
Europe.

The

North CAROLINA

155

The Silk- worms : In feveral of our Journics in this
Province, we found great numbers of them, with quan-
tities of Silk as large as our ordinary WaH-nut. And no
doubt thefe profitable Infers might be brought to greac
Perfcdion in Carolina, as in any part of Europe, if the
fame Care were taken there as is in Frame, 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 Butterflies, 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 Megrims, Virtigoes and Con-
vulsions, and the Allies of the Silk clean feth Wounds,

The Butter-flies are produced from fmall Eggs as the
Silk-worms are, and are very plenty all over this Pro-
vince, and of feveral forts : (ome large, and others
fmall, 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 fome of them larger in
this Province than any I have met with in Europe, for
you (hall frequently fee them chace rhe Humming-birds
away from the Flowers on which they feed. It is a
long lived Infea, after the Head is off; for I pulled off
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 Infe&s taken in-
wardly, provokes Urine, and have much the fame Vir-
tues with the Silk-worm.

The Grafs-hoppers are very plenty, whereof there

arc two Sorts 2 the firil are of a much larger fize than

U a fany

ffT»

156

The Natural HISTORY of

any I have met with in Europe* The fecond are much
or the fame bignefs as thofe with us. Both thefe lores
feern to be more lazy and dull Infects than thole iri Eu-
rope, for they are feldom heard ringing, but commonly
are groveling in the Duft. They are likewife bad fight-
odj for they will fcarce flir 'till you almolt tread upon
them. Of all Creatures that are known to live, the
Grafs-hoppers alone have no Mouth, only a (harp Pipe
in their Breads, wherewith they fuck in the D-w, on
which they live. Their Breafts are full of {mall fharp
Pipes, with which they make that ringing Nolle we
hear, and their Bellies, for the moft pan, 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 Hoies 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
firft little Worms or Maggots, which in proeds of"
lime become Grafs-hoppers. The Males are only faid to
iiug, and the Females to be always filent. 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 Atrfej with Rhenifh
Wine the Gravel.

Sows, or Hog-Ike, breed in moft places, efpecially un-
der Stones and rotten Wood, whereof there are two
forts in this Province, but not io plenty as with us, by
r.-afon that the Wood- peckers, and feveral other Birds and
Creatures continually devour them,, When they are
touched, they gather thcmfelvcs up as round as a Pea.
The whole InfeS is thin, and of volatile Parts, digefting,
cleanfing, opening, and a great difolver of all tartarous
Matter, therefore good in all Obihu&ions, Jaundice,
Cholick, King's Evil3 old fordid md rebellious Ulcers,

Convulfions^

North CAROLINA

3 51

Convulfions, Scone and Gravel, Rickets in Children,
dirancls of Sighc, French Pox, and many other ftubborn
and Ungring Ddorders.

The Fire-fly. (I would not have the Readers be mil-

taken, and take thefe life&s tor the Pyrales or Fire-flies

that are reprefented by Pliny 'in his Natural Htflory, 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 fhiiiing Sparks of Fire. They are as long

as the Drones amongft the Bees, but much thicker, and

are of a brownilh colour. Their Light is under their

'Wings, which appears frightrul to Strangers at firft

fight, although they have no manner of harm in them.

I have frequently taken them and broke off their Wingss

that they could not fly away, and placed them on a Book

in a dark Room, and whatever way they wcnts I could

plainly fee and diftinguifh each Letter. They appear in

May, and remain moft part of the Summer, and are at

fometimes in inch plenty, that the Woods feem to be

altogether Sparks of Fire j they are never 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 Infe&s like the Locufts, or
Grafs- hoppers, and are plentifully to be met 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 Wintw
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 likewifc
great devourers of Corn and all kinds ©f grain. The
Powder of them is (kid to provoke Urine§ and (irengthers

-5-P*

58 The Natural HISTORY©/

the Sight, their juice has the fame efka,and their Afhes
excellent againft Fluxes and the Gravel

The Lady Bird is a beautiful fmall Infect (with red
Wings and black fpots thereon) which the Children in
Inland frequently play withj it is to be met with inCaro-
lina in the Summer tinie>and is a wonderful Cordial,curing
all Fevers how poyfonous or malignant foever, by its
fudorihek quality. The Powder of its Body is of a
deep Purple colour, and emits its Tincture into Water
and Spirits of Wine, being not inferior to Saffron.

The Cantharides or Spanijh-flies, are here likewife t©
be met with in the Summer time. Thefe Infers arcpro-
duced from fmall Worms like the Catter-pUiar in F*g-Trees
/W-Trees, Wild-Pines or Pi^-Treesandthe Eglantine-
Brier 1 Their ufes and virtues are fo well known, that
it wou'd be needlefs to trouble the reader about them.

The P if mire or Ant, is a fmall, but induftrious and
wife infect, gathering its food in the Summer in the full
Moons and refting in the new ones: They are like a com-
mon wealth, and gather Com for their Winter provisions,
which they dry and bite at both ends that it may not
grow : They wear away Stones by their affiduity and
make beaten Road ways ; they help one another in
drawing their Burthens 1 dam out Water and bury their
Dead. The greater lead the way, and lefler drag the
Corn ; and when dirty, they cleanfe themfelves before
they enter into their habitations i They teach their
young to Labour, but expel the Idle, and whsn they car-
ry their grain, it is faid to be a fign or fowl Weather.
They caft 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. They generate in Wtnur% and briog forth Eggs,,

wEKh

North CAROLINA. 159

which in Spring arc Ants; when old they grow winged,
then fuddenly 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 clfe. It is the moil
poyfonous and largeft of all Spiders that are yet known
in America. Several forts of thefe Spiders make their
Webs or nets (o ftrong that they often take fmall Birds
in them. Thofe that have the Misfortune to be flung by
thefe infeds, are afflicted with different diforders, ac-
cording to the Nature of the Spiders, which have com-
municated the poyfon. For you fhall fometime find
them afflicted with violent pains at the heart, (hortnefs
of Breath, heats and colds all over the Body, tumors,
Inflammations, tremblings, cold fwcats, vomiting, Ting-
ing, laughing, talking, fleeping, flatting, and fometimes
fear, frenzy, and madnefs, with many other griveous
fymptoms, which often end in Death, without aipecdy
remedy be applied. The cure is done by bathing with
decoction of ftinking Trefoil and Oil ; fomenting the
part with Spungcs dipt in Vinegar, by application of the
mullet, lees of Wine and Juice o£ Ivy 1 giving inwardly
an electuary made oifXamariskiMithridatii&n& fometimes
Mujick. The Indians cure it by fucking the part with
their Mouths, and continually fpitting out the venom.
Thefe Infects being made intoaPlafter and applied to
the wrifts and Temples, cure Agues.

The Ear-wig is to be met with in this Province in the
Summer time5 and is the fame as in Europe i thefe Infers

being

i'6q The Natural HISTORY*?/

mi ■ niMwinw ii ii

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

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

The large Black-mackrel-fties are alfo plenty, efpeci-
ally in the Summer time, and are the fame as thofe with
us in Europe. The powder of thefe I;,fe&s and their
Juice cures Baldnefs.

The Ox} or Gad- flits > are (o 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 or July and Augufr, at
which time they are troublefome to Horfes, efpecially
about the Ears and head, and no where elfe; for which
reafon you (hall fee thofe that ride in the Woods, fix
green boughs on the Horics heads, to defend them from
thefe mifchievous Infects.

The Moth is there likewife, and differs in nothing from
thofe in Europe, being as mifchievous and deftru&ive to
Woollen Goths 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,^.

The Wetml% is a little fmall Worm, not much bigger
than a Miui and is very diftru&ive to Trees, but more
efpecially to Com, for I have feen Barrels tall of Indian
Wheat or Mai%, intirely ruined by thete Infe&s, when
there has not proper care been taken^ to prevent theis?

doing

North CAROLINA 16

doing mifehief. They never meddle with any grain (ex-
pofed in the weather J but when it is put up in clofe pla-
ces fuch as barrels and the like, yet this may be eafily
remedied by fhakinga little Salt at the bottom and top
of thofe veilels the Corn is in.

The Chinch WaU-toufe, or Buggs % thele are flat, red,
and in fhape and bigness like the Sheep4ouje, they have
an offensive fmell when they are killed, they haunt Beds,
fuck Men's Blood very greedily, efpecially about the Neck
and Face, which in many appeareth for a Day or two,
as it (lung with Nertles, and are as numerous in thig
Province as in frraiice or Spain. Pliny faith, they are
good againft all Poyfons and biting of Serpents. Mar-
cellus faith, that the Powder or' them cures all Fevers,
their Scent, the Fits of the Mother, and that they are
luccefsful to force away the Birth, and After-birth.

The Cock-roth, is a kind of Beetle, fomething larger
than a Cricket, and of a dark brown Colour; they fre-
quent the Houfes, and are very mifchievous among
Books and Linnen, by eating innumerable Holes in them,
if there be not eare taken to fweep and keep thofe piaces
clean where thoie things are laid up. When they are
killed, they ftink like Buggs; thek Ufes in Phyfick are
uncertain. *

The Tumble- turds, are a Species of the Beeths, and
To called, from their conftant rowling the Horfe-dung
(whereon they feed) from one place to another, 'till it is
no bigger than a fmall Bullet. They are one of the
ftrongeft Xnfe&s, of the lame Size I have ever ieen |
they frequently fly into Houfes, and I have feen one of
them move a Brafs Candleftick from one place to another
upon a Table, which fecrn d very Grange to me at firil ;
for not Song after mv arrival, being one Night at a
flames H©n% who had fcttctly conveyed two of
- - - ■' X ^cfe

i6cj The Natural HISTORY 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 in his
Hands on the Table. I was very defirous to fee this
performance ; he immediately takes his Hands from the
Candle-flicks, 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
Caadlefticks began to move backwards and forwards, to
my great furprize, for I could imagine nothing elfe but
rhat it had been fome fecret Charm he had got from the
Indians, who are great Conjurers. After the Company
had fufficiently diverted thcmfelvcs at my furpnze, and
how defirous I was to have this Charm communicated
to me, one or the Company rakes up the Candlcflick*
and di (covers thefe Infects, which are of the fame Shape!
but fomething larger than the common Beetles, that arc
to be met with in Ireland, which ked on the Cow-dung?
and make Holes in the Ground, There are feveral other
different Species or Beetles here, but none fo remarkable
as thefe, or fo beautiful, with variety of Colours, fuch
as Red, Green, Black, Yellow, &c (except the Homed-
Beetle, Bull-Fly, or Flying flag.) Thefe Beetles ieem to
be infe&ed with little fmaU Infe&s of a light brown ilh
Colour, which are commonly called the Lice of the
Beetles, Their Powder is ufed againft the falling out of
the Fundament, to expel Urine, and cure the bite of a
Mad-dog. The Juice cures Wounds, and in Plafteri
Buboes, and peftilential Carbuncles.

The Muskeetoes ( in the Indian Language called 7e«
quani) whereof there are two forts. The rirfl is fmall,
but pernicious and troublcfome, of a dark colour, and
are fo mifchievous3 and plenciful in fome places on this

Coiacintnc

— ,

North CAROLINA 163

Continent ( and especially on the Marfhes and low
Grounds) that fcarccany 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 thcmfelves with Bear's-greafe, and many other
Ointments, which they make and daub their Bodies

witn

The fecond fort are exa&ly the fame in fhape and iize
with the rormer, but are of a whitifh 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, in fuch vaft quan-
tities, that it is ftrange to behold them, they either die
iuddeniy, or are carried away with the Winds, fhifring
from the South. What Virtues they may be indued
with is uncertain.

The Musheetoe-Hawhy are Infers, fo called, from
their continually hunting after Muskeetces, and killing
and eating them ; they are a large Flie, with a long Bo-
dy, great Head, and Wings, refembling the Dragon-ftie,
whereof they are a Species. They are very plenty all
©ver this Province, efpecially in the latter end of Summer.
They feldom appear in the Day-time, but hunt the
Muikeetoes all night long. I know no other ufe they are
good for than in deftroying thole Infefts, fo pernicious
and mifchievousto Mankind ; fo that the Planters Icldom
kill them.

The Horned Beetle, Bull-pe, or Stagy are to be met
with in fcveral parts or Carolina. Thcie Infects have no
Stings, but a large pair of Horns on their Head, exa&ly
refembling the Horns of a Deer, for which reafon they
are called the Bying-ftagy thefe Horns they can at pleafure
bring together and bite withal Thefe Beetles are hung as
an Amulet about Children's Necks for feveral Diforders.
X % The

— ^

164

The Natural HISTORY of

The Sand-fit?, io called, from their breeding, and al-
ways being round in the Sand-banks, and near the Rivers,
they are very fmall, not much larger than a Gnat, and
are almoft as pernicious and troublefom as the Muskeetces,
especially about the Face and no where elfe.

The Wafps are very plenty in this Province, they build
their; Kelts in Trees, the lubflance whereof feems like
Cob-webs, or a kind of brown Paper, and it is faid they
ingender in Autumn, but never in the Spring, and ate
bred out of the iofter parts of Horfe-flefb, they live up-
on Flefh, and fevcral forts of Infe&s, which they hunt
after, and kill for their Provisions. The Wafps, like ma-
ny other Infects, are not to be feen all the Winter, but
lie in Holes or holfow Trees all that Scaion, and they
live not above two Years. They feldom are mifchicvous,
or do any harm, except you provoke them, or approach
top near their Nefts, which the Planters frequently fet
fire to, by fnooting at them with Gun-powder. (This
Is commonly done late in the Evening or early in the
^orning) and then they run away as faft as poffibly they
can, to avoid being flung, tor 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 Ccw-dung mixed with
iBarly-meal,ox Leaven mixed with 0//and Vinegar. The
Powder of them is good to open Obftructions of the
Reins, and Bladder, fome ufe them in all Cafes where
Sows ax Hog-lice are ufed, and with the famefuccefs.

The Hornets are in great plenty in this Province ; they
build their Nells in Caves and Holes in the Earth, much
like the former, and arc faid to be produced out of the
harder parts of Morfe-flefli, as the other is out of the
iofter. Their Decoftion, or diftilled Water, if touched:
on the Slpn, makes the place fwell as if there was a Drop-

— —

Norrl ,' CAROLINA. 16,5

1 —^mmm-m mm — II ■ ■■

Re or the Parts had been poyfoned, yet without pain;
The Cure for this, and their Scing is Ventce-tnarte taken
inwardly, and applying outwardly Cow-dung, fafimg S?tt«
tie, Barley-meal, Oil and Vinegar, &c.

The &&WI, are a Specie of -Hornets, and arefo cal-
led from the pains and labour which they take in build-
ing'their 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 out,
They are near as large as a Hornet, and or the lame
Shape and colour, they have long Legs, and always breed
their young ones in the Summer time. They are more
mild than the Hornets, and feldom or never fling j I have
ofcen obferved thefe Fiies to fcrape the Sand by the River
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 Sungs, yet they da
little harm, only they arc very troublefome m the Houfes
by fixing the Clay to theCieling, if there is not proper
Care taken to prevent them. Their ufes in Phyfick-are
unknown. . „ .,

The Fleas are very plenty in forae parts of this Pro«
vince efpecially in thofe places where the Indians drefs
their'Deer Skins, they have no Phyfical Virtues yet
known, but are certainly moft troubkfome Guefts. They
are generated by Duft, as alfo of putrified Sweaty and
are deflroyed by Decoctions made of Cokquintida,

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

The lick is a filthy Creature, ©r kind of Loufe that
troubles Oxen, Horfes, Deer, Goats, Sheep, Dogs, and fome«
times MeO. Thefe Vermine are plenty in this Country
' whereof

i66 The Natural H IS T O R Y of

whereof there are two Sorts, w*.thc M, or W Tick
and the [mad or Sea TuL r *

The large or Dog tick, is the fame as with us in Ire-
land, only it has a biown Spot on the Back, which dis-
appears as it grows large. It's Food is cue Blood of
leveral Animals, which it moil greedily lucks, yet it
hath no paffage co void the excrements by, and generally
fucks tiii it falls of, being fo full, and in procefs of time
burl'ts and dies. Tne Juice of the Dog-tick is a Depi-
latory, kills Ruv --Worms, the Eryfipdas, ana lech.
Thele vermine are deftroy'd by the Powder or deco&ion
of Coioqutntida.

The Sea Ticks are fo callM from their being fo plenti-
ful in the marfties on the water fides, they are fo fmall
that they are icarce as large as a fmall pins head, and are
very troub'efome to thofe tnat travel in the Woods and
near the fides of the Rivers, tor they ftick fo fait in the
Skin, that ic is impoffible to pluck them out, and are
apt to occafion Inflammations, Fevers, or inveterate Sores,
by fcratcning the part : And notwithstanding they are
(a ' troubkfome, yet they are eafily deflxoyed by warning
the parts in the Rivers, or by a decoction of che leaves of
lobacco or CQloquiniida. Thofe that travel the Woods
in their Boors are never peftcr'd with thefe verminc, or if
they anoint their limbs with Bears-greafe, as the Indians
do, who are never troubled with them. They feldom
appear till che Month of May\ and continue till Augufl-,
and are fuppofed to be the fpawn or the former, which I
am apt to believe, for I have frequently found the large
Ticks (after they have burfted) with vaft quandtesof
young ones in them.

The Locufc is an In-fed or fly with a head like a Horfe,
fix Legs and as many Wings, and are of divers colours-,
tThey fay Eggs in Autumn, which lie all Winter an the

Ground*

— J

North CAROLINA. 161

Ground, but in the latter end of Spring they are hatched,
and in Summer become Locufii. Tnefc InicCts burn
Corn, Grab, anu molt kmd ot plants by touching, and
devour the refidue j and it is reported that in India, there
be of them three Foot in length, wmch the People of
that Country do eat and uie their Legs and thighs tor
Saws when they are throughly dry : St. John the
Baftift fed upon tnem in the W ildernels. They are often
carried over great Seas, and continue their Bight tor fe-
deral Days together, in fuch vaft Numbers that they are
faid to darken the very Sun as they Hie, and to be cer-
tain prognoiticationsoUPiagueor famine, in whatever
Country they fettle, and burn and deitroy every thing
berore them, and 'tis likewife faid, that they will kill
Serpents; yet thefe pernicious and diftru&ive Infects are
not very common in Carolina. Their Eggs given in Rhi-
nijb Wine, help the Dropfie, and the fume of the fly helps
ftoppage of Urine in Women. ;

The Caterpillar, Palmer or Canker-worm, is the fame in
Carolina as is to be met with in IreUna, and many other
parts of Europe. Thefe Infecf s are vsry 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 Koftrils, flop
Bleeding. A powder made of them is faid to be good
In the Epilepfy, and their Web is faid to ilop the Flux
©f Women's couries.

The Gally-w^m is a fliort kind of Scolopenderi exceed-
ing in Number of Feet all other Infe&S. Some of them
arc fmooth, others hairy all over, they are about the
thicknefs of a Man's little F nger, and near two Inches
long. They are not plenty in this Province, having fe-
deral enemies that deflroy them, Thgjs Affo^s wonder-
■J- ■■ -- fully

-J

s6S The Natural H I S T O R Y of

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

The Tobacco-worm ; I am not certain whether it is call'd
by any other Name, but I have call'd it fo from its feed-
ing on the Tobacco- Leaves, it is exa&Iy fliaped like the
Gaily-worm, hut isfemething larger, and not hairy, and
has two fharp horns on its Head, the Body is white and
Black, with as many Feet as the former. This Imfcjfc I
take to be another Species of the Scohpenders 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
bullnefs that the Negroes are very much employed in
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 have been negligent m their Tobacco Fields,
and have not carefully gathered them from among!! the
Tobacco Leaves .• what phyfical 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 of Dew, they are moft commonly to be met
with in Swamps, and wet low Grounds, where they are
plenty they fhineat a great diftance like a Fire, which has
deceiv'd many in the dark Nights. They are Anodyne,
and are given with good Succcfs in the Gravel, being
made into Troches, with Gum Tragacamb, and Oil of
Almonds.

The Land-wood-worms are of a ihining Copper colour,
and never exceed four or five 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 j yet I have never known any
one hurt by them0

There

— j

North CAROLINA. 169

There are many other different foits of Worms found,
not only m rotten Trees, but Ukewiie in feVerai Trees in
their Bloom, and efpecially the Apple Trees, which I
have alreaay made mention of.

TheTeredinesov Warn -wood-worms So call'a from their
breeuing in Ships and otner 1 imoer lying in the Salt-
Waters. They have Imall foft wnite Bodies and large,
hard Black-heads; 1 have frequently fecn foffle of them
no thicker than a Horfe-hair, and others the iize ot a
Chiids finger. Thefe vermine are only mifchievous in
the extreme heat or the Summer, and the frefli Water is
an utter Enemy to them, wherein they perifh and die.
They are very deflective to Ships and Timber, efpeciaily
if they lie in the Mud or Sands, but whilft they float
they never come to any damage by them. I have feen
feveral planks taken out of Ships and Boats, that h«ve
been eaten by thefe Worms like a Honey-comb in fix
Weeks time, by the negligence of the Mailers to whom
they belonged, that fuffered them 10 lie n the ivlud
and Sands all that time, ana norwithftanding they cut
fuch large Holes within fide of the Plank, yet the Holes
on the out fide are fcarce to be feen, and no larger than
for the point of a fmail Needle to enter. The Afhes
mix'd with an equal weight of AnnifeeaSj and a little
Oil, are good againft all forts of Ulcers and Ca ;kers.

The Earth-worms, whereof there are feveral (orts, and
are the lame here as with us in Ireland. This lniect is a
great Duiretick, Sudorifick, and Anodyne; it difcuiles,
mollifies, increases Milk, opens obstructions, and cures
Wounds, principally or the Sinews and Ligaments, and
many other diiorders, being both externally and inter-
nally made ufe of.

The Snails are here likewife, but not (o plenty as with

us m Europe-, having many Enemies that continually

Y deilroy

jo The Natural H I S.T ORYo/

deftroy them, fuch as Birds, Snakes, Frogs, &c. The
flefh cools, chickens, confolidates, is pectoral, and Streng-
thens die Nerves, cures Coughs, Afthma's, fpitting of
Blood, and Confumptions. Outwardly they Ripen Tu-
mors Impofthumes, and Carbuncles, especially 'if mixM
with Gx-gaii, they ileal wounds of the Nerves and Ul-
cers ot 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 1NSE CTS that are to be met with here,
I fhall in the next place proceed to give a Deicription of
the BIRDS, and FOWLS rhat this Country pro-
duces, many whereof are not known, or to be met with
in EUROPE.

W

O F

fid

the

Bit-

mc
wii

cer

Nc

ma
111
the
<lu<
in

North CAROLINA.

1*71

O F T H E

BIRDS

THE EAGLES being accounted the King
of the Birds, I fhalj therefore begin with
them. Of thefe there are three Sorts, wi.
the Bald, the Black, and the Gray E-gle. The
Bald Eagle is the largeft, and is fo called, becaufe 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 or a dark brown colour. Thefe Birds are
very great breeders mot part of the Year, and always
build their Nefts in old decay 'd Cyprus, or Pme-trees near
the River's fide, where they generally lay two Eggs, and
fometimes three, but they feldom have four ; as foort.as
they are hatched, and the young Eagles have down on
them3 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
Y i room

-J

u,

l'#8 The Natural HISTORY of

room for the others that are juft hatched > thus they con-
continue breeding mofl part of the Year. They not only
prey upon Birds, Beans, and Fifties, but upon any thing
they are able to deitroy. They are very deitructive to
Poultry, Lambs, young Fawns, and Pigs, which they
frequently carry Squalling into theAir,and fo bring them
with tale to their young ones. They can fly from Morn-
ing till Night, and that very high, notwithstanding they
are heavy of flight, and cannot get their food by fwirt-
nefs, to help which, there is a Eilhing-Hawk, that catches
Fifh, which it fuffers the Eagle to take from it, notwith-
ftanding it is a large and iwift Fowl, and can make far
better way than the Eagle can, and it is very pleafant to
•behold the flight of theic two Birds, which Come times
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. Thefe Bald Eagles will likewife
attend the Hunts-men, in the Winter time for ieveral
Hours together (but at a great diiiance) till they fhoot
fome game, which they frequently flie away with, dead
or wounded. Their Nefts are made of Twigs, Sticks,
and feveral kinds or Rubbifh, and generally fo large that
it is enough to fill ahandfome Cart'sBody,and common-
ly fo full of nafly Bones and Carcafies that it froells moft
cfFenfivcly. It is the opinion of moft People in rhofe
parts that thefe Eagles are not Bald till they are two or
three Years old. They are the fhongeft Birds of prey
that are yet known in thefe parts of 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
Nefts after the fame manner in old Trees naked of
Boughs, and nigh the River fide, from whence as I fup-
pofe, they may have a profped of the Filing- Hawks, for

when

mmSl

North CAROLINA. i-J3

when they iee the F$ing- Hawk Mkc a Fifh, immediate-
ly tney cake Wing ana purfue Her. The Filing- Hawk
as ioon as fhe perceives herlelf purfued, will Scream and
make a moft terrible Noile, till at length ihe lets fall the
Fills to make her own efcape.

The Gray Eagle, is much of the colour of our Kiteot
Glead, it is not quite as large as the former, but Builds
and preys after the fame manner, and is frequently to be
met with all over this Province. All thefe fores of Eagles
are very fharp fighted, view their prey at great diftanceSj,
and have the belt fmcll or all living Creatures. They
are very bold Thieves, and live to be very old, and die
not for Age nor any Sickn els, but ofmeer hunger, by
reafon that the upper Beak of their Bill is fo far over
grown, and turneth inward io much, that they are not
able to open it to feed themfelves. They feldom fcek
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 thofc
of other Fowls, will rot and confume them, w^ich I
have not faith to believe. The Flefh, tho' fcar^e fit to
be eaten, is medicinal againft the Gout; the Bones of
the Skull, in powder, are good againft the Megrim ; the
Brain drank in Wine, helps the Jaundice, and the Gall is
of excellent vie 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.

The Fi/bing- Hawks, are fo called, from their continual
catching of Fifhes on which they live. They may like«
wile be called the Eagles Jad-aH; for commonly aftec
they have raken their prey (as I have already obfervM,)
they will flieatagreat height in the Air, and cry and
make a. noife till foch time as the Eagle comes3 and then

they

T1*"

174 The Natural HISTORY^

they will let the Fifh fall from them, which the EaiU
immediately carries off. They are a large and firong
Bird, being above two thirds as big as the Eagle, they
build their NefU after the fame manner as the Eagles do,
and that generally by the fides of Rivers and Creeks, and
the Eagles and thele Birds are feidom or never known to
fie upon any living Tree. They are of a Gray Pyed
colour, and the moil dexterous Fowl m Nature at catch-
ing of Fifh, for they never eat any Fiefk-meat. They are
a quick and fharp fightedFowl, will fly at a good height,
hover above in t;he Air, and watch their prey, which as
foon as they have discovered, they will dart themfeives
like an Arrow out of a Bow into the Waters, and break-
ing the force thereof with their Breafts, quickly catch up
the Filh and flie away. But it lornetimes happens that
they ftrike their Tallons fo fait in a large Fifh which they
are not able to carry, that the gffo fuddenly takes them
under the Water (before they can difcharge themielves)
and fo drowns them. This I have been Eye-wiuiefs to,
and in an Hour after it happened, got both the Fife
(which was a large Drum) and the Fjjbing-Hawk. Their
virtues andufes are much the fame with the Eagles,

The Turkey-Buzzard, is a kind offmall Vulture, which
lives on all manner of dead Carcafles. Their Flead and
red Gills referable very much thofe of a 7urkey, 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 moil: offenfive and nafty Smell of
any Fowl I have ever met with, They are a clear and
iharp lighted Bird, and their Flight is like that of our
Kites; they foar at a great height in the Air, for Hours
together over the Carrion, 'till inch time as they find an
Opportunity to prey on it. They fmejl at; vaft Diftan.ces,

and

— J

North CAROLINA.

H5

and will very readily find out where the Carrion or Prey

is, if it be even under the Leaves, or Boughs of Trees,

or (lightly buried in the Earth by wild Beafts or Dogs.

They are faid to be utter Enemies to all manner of

Snakes, kilting all they meet with, for which reafon the

Planters feldom or never deftroy them or their Eggs.

They do no manner of Harm, feeding for the moft part

on dead Carcaffes, which I fuppofe is the caule that

they are the ftinkingeft of any Birds in thefe Parts. The

Fat of this Fowl made into an Oil, is recommended a=

gainft old Aches, and Sciatica Pains.

The Kites are much the lame here as thole with us in

Ireland, ' but not commonly (o large. Thefe Birds moft

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 feldora to be feen, It is faid

that they are mortal Enemies to the Snakes, for which

reafon the Planters feldom kill them, or deftroy their

Eggs. Their Fiefn, though it be of grofs Nourishment,

yet" it is eaten by the poorer fort of People in fcveral

parts of Europe. They are a very bold Bird, and a great

deftroyer of young Poultry, and it is remarkable when

they fee a young Duck, Chicken, &c far from flicker,

and lying expofed, how they will fly round it for feve-

ral times, marking it, then of a ludden 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 Create is ErTeaual to the fame Intention,

and the Gall is an excellent Remedy in moil Diforders

of the Eyes.

The Snake-Hawk, or Herringt ailed- Hawk, fo called,

from it's beautiful forked Tail (like a Swallow)- and it's

killing and feeding on Snakes, which it will do with the

the largeft in thefe fcattTs, wich a great deal of dexterity
7.r~ - — ;--- - — -.- m(i

176 The Natural HISTORYo/

and cafe. It is about the bignefs of a Falcon, but a
much longer Bird. They are a beautiful Fowl, of a de-
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 tn Summer, and what
becomes of them in Winter is unknown. They are in. the
greace/l Requeft among!! the Planters (who will not
fuffer them to be lulled) by Reafon of their destroying
thofe pernicious Infects, fo hurtful to Mankind. They
are a tame and familiar Fowl, will fly near one, and
take their Prey, which is both diverting and plcafing to
the Europeans efpecially j as for the Indians they do not
regard them. It is ftrange to iee 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 fome of them; and it is always a certain
fign 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 fome diftancc before
they prey upon k^ which they do by tearing it in pieces.
It's Virtues and Ufes are unknown to any in thole
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 feem to be a very bold, iwifc and active
Bird in purfuing and taking their Prey, which is Geefe,
Ducks, Cranes, Hares, Rabbets, and the like. The
Flefh 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 fatting in Wine,
Is faid to caufe Conception.

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

and

■

— — H

Nor/* CAROLINA.

m

and quick-fighted Birds ; I have frequently feen them
kill Partridges, Parakeetoes, and che like. Thetc Hawks
are moll commonly to be feen in Evenings, flying to the
Wejiward, having, as it is luppofed, their abode and
Neils in or near the Mountains, where we may reafo-
nably exped to find them, and feverai other Species that
we arc intire Strangers to at prefent.

The Merlin, is a fmall Bird in Europe, but much
fmaller in America; yet it, as well as che 6r~^r Species
of Hawks, is a bold, ravenous, and quick-fighted Bird,
and nimbly kills ieveral forts of fmall Fowl, and fome-
times Partridges. It is a moft beautiful Bird, and would
be a great Rarity, if it could be caught alive, or their
Young ones found, but they never breed near che Settle-
ments, but as is fuppofed in the Mountains.

The Sparrow- Hawk is not as big as a Fieldfear, it fomc-
times flies at, and kills fmall Birds ,♦ but it's chiefeft
Food is Reptiles, fuch as Grafs-hoppers, Butter-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 Hobbies, are a Species of the Hawk% 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 in thefe
Parts of America.

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

The Owls, whereof there are three forts, viz. the White
the Brown, the Barn, and the fmall Screech~QwL

Z The

If?

The Natural H I S/T O R Y of

Ti«e firft *s the great large Owl, which is as big as a
middling Goofe, and has a prodigious large Head : Ic
is a delicate Feathered Bird, ail the Feathers upon the
Back and Bread being Snow-white, and uped with a
punctal of Jet-black. They are a bold and ravenous
Bird, .efpccially 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
inthofe Parts.

The fecund is of a Brown, or dark A(h Colour, and is
as large as the former. Thefe two buiid 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 fornctimes approach near the Plan-
ter's Dwelling Houfes, and kill Hens, and other Poul-
try.

The third is the common Barn-Owl, ab^ut the big-
neis of a Pigeon. This Bird has a beautiful Circle or
"Wreath or. white, foft, downy Feathers, encompaffed
with yellow ones, paffing round the Eyes, and under
the Chin, fo that the Eyes appear iunk in the Head.
The Breaft, Belly, and iniide of the Wings arc white,
marked with a few dark Spots ; being the moft elegantly
coloured of all Night-birds.

The fourth is the imall Sereech-Owlt and is the fame
as thofc in Europe. Thefe Owls and the former, are fre-
quently attacked by other Birds, when they find them
abroad in the Day-time 5 and when they find themfelves
overpowered, it is pleafant to fee how they will place
themfelves on their Backs, where fcarce any thing is to
be feen but their Beaks and Tallons, in which pofture
they will fight, and defend themfelves. The Flefli of
thefe Birds is eaten by the Indians and Negroes- It is

accounted

North CAROLINA 1-79

accounted good in Palfies and Melancholly. The Greafs
and Gall is good againft Spots in the Eyes, and to
firengthen the Eye-fight. The whole Bird, not plucked,
calcined, and taken into the Throat, opens the Impoft-
hums of the Quiniie to a wonder, and the Brain, eaten,
helps the Hcad-ach.

The Parakeetoes, are for the moft part of a fine Green
colour, only their Head, and part of their Wings, are of
2 beautiful 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 bignefs of a
fmall Pigeon. In Apil they ieed on the Birch buds, and
feldom come down arnongft the Planters until the Mull-
berriei are ripe, which they eat, and are extreamly tond
of. They are likewife very mifchicvous to Orchards, and
peck the Apples to eat the Kernels, fo that the Fruit
quickly rots and peri flies. They build their Nefts in
hollow Trees, in low fwampy Grounds. They lie hid-
den in the Winter, when the Weather is extream hard aad
rrofty, and never appear all that time. There are none
of thefe Birds or Alligators to be met with to the North-
ward of this Province, by the befl Information I could
learn, during my Residence in thofe parts. They are
often taken alive with Traps, Bird-lime, &c. and will
become tame and familiar m two or three Days time;
yet they are not fo docile or apt to learn to fpeak as Par-
rots generally are. They are moft commonly very fat in
the MuRberry and Fruit time, and are excellent good
Food, preferable to any Pigeon,

The Cuckow of Carolina is a Bird of the fame bignefs
and Feather with thefe in Eur op, and efucks thefmali
Birds Eggs as they do, yet it is never known to cry or
fing Cuckow in the Summer time like the former, neither
are thefe Birds to be feen in the Winw> at which time
Z a they

i8o

The Natural HISTORY of

they hide themfelves in hollow Trees, and their Feathers
come oft, and they are Scabby, they ufually lay but one
Egg, and that in the Neil or the Hedge Sparrow ; like
thoie jo Europe. Their Flefh is fweet and good Food,
and eaten by many in thele Parts. Their Afhes are good
againfl the Stone and Epilepfy. The Dung given in Ca-
nary is good againft the biting of a Mad Dog.

The Raily Jackdaw, and Magpyy are not to be met with
In Carolina or any of the other Neighbouring Provinces
as far <is 1 cou'd be informed.

The Ravens are very fcarce to be met with in thefe
Parts, yet they are the fame fort as thofe with lis in
Ir dandy and other parts of Europe y they are iaid to live
to a great Age, and lay about five or fix Eggs (before
they begin to Sit) which areof a Pale Green ifh Blew
colour, and full of Black Spots. The Fleili is unwhol-
fom, btcaufe they feed upon dead Bodies, yet the Allies
given for 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 Spken, but caufe Abortion. ' •' v'

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
nor care taken to prevent them. "They build their Neft's
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 lit to
watch the Nefl until it be fmifhed ; otherwife i( both
£0 abroad, and leave the unfinished Neft, the other
Rocks rob it, and carry the Sticks away to their own;
hence perhaps the Word Rooking is ufed for Cheating

Tbc

=J

North CAROLINA 181

The Black fmall-Crowsy whereof there are two forts.
The firft is bigger than our Black-bird, and exactly of
that Colour, but different in it's Notes. Thcfe Crows
are the moil hurtful and pernicious Vermine (efpecialiy
to Corn) in all America They flic fometimes infuch
vafl Flocks* that they deftly every thing befori thern^
Their Flefti 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 5
and the reft of the Body Black. Thefe are as good Meat
as the former, though very few trouble themfelves to kill
or drefs them, where large Fowl arc fo plenty. Both
thefe kinds continue here all 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 01 Sterling,
for they cry fomething like them, but do not fing, and
are about the fame bignefs.

The Turnkeys are here wild, in great plenty, and exceed*
ing large ; I have fhot fome or them which weighed forty
pounds, and I have been credibly informed, that fome
of them weighed fixty You fhall fee five hundred or
more of them in a Flock together j fometimes the wild
Breed with the tame, which they account makes them
very hardy, I am fatisfied it does, for the Indians fre-
quently find their Nefts, and bring their Eggs to the
Ckriftians, which are hatched under Hens, Ducks, tame
Turkics, &c. As Toon as they are out of the Shell, they
will fend for themfelves, and are more eafily brought up
than a Chicken with us. Notwithflanding they are thus
hatched, and familiarly bred up, yet they ftill retain 2
wild Nature, and commonly, when they are a Year and
a half oldj and grown largc^ run wild into the Woods,
*; ""*-.<-■ > and

H»

182 The Natural HISTORTo/

and can never be brought into the Houfe to Rooft, but

perch on lome high Tree near it, and are always 001 Jrved

to teperate themidves ftom the tame fort, aiihougu (at

the fame rimej uie) Tred and breed together. Tihere is

no manner or difference chad can fee between the wild

Tinkers and the tame, either 111 their Shape., Gobhng,

Call, or Notes, only the Feathers of the wild .are always

of a blackifli finning dark Gra>, that in the Sun, (hinc

like a Duck's Neck, very fpecious, and they have thicker

and larger Legs. They are a (harp lighted Fowl, and ex-

Celent good Food. The) feed on Acorns, Huckleberries,

and feveral other Berries and Fruits that ihe Country

produces, which makes them exceeding fat. I have been.

credibly informed , that if one take thefe wild Turkey

Eggs, juft when on the point of being hatched, and dip

them (tor fomefmall time) in a Bowl of Milk, or warm

Water, that it will take off their wild Nature, and make

them as tame and domeflick 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 it ; 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 thoDt.

that are wild near their Houfes, by which means they

fhoot many. They are feldom to be met with but in

the Morning and Evening, for at Sun-rife they go off to

feed, and at Sun-fet they return and perch on high

Trees, and fo continue all Night. At any other time of

the Day you (hail fcarce find one, except it be when they

arc Breeding, or in Snowy Weather, and then they are

to be feen m great Flocks together. They are a wary

Fowl, and (eldom dot but wmlft they are perching on

the Trees. They may be heard call or gobble, at a

great diftauce (Morning and Evening, but at no other

time)

~*

mm

North CAROLINA 183

time) wnich brings the Huntfmen to thofe places where
they are. They are a heavy Fowl, and cannot the tar,
but will run exceeding fait, tor if you fhould chance to
break one of their Wings in Shooting, without a- Dog,
you ieluom catch them. Their Ufcs in Phyfick are the
fame with the tame Turkey.

The Pheafants are lomcthing left, and differ tome fmall
mattei in their Feathers trom thofe in I> eland, but are no
ways inferior in delicacy, but rather better and finer
Meat. They are very plenty, but their chiefeft Haunts are
backwards in the Woods, and near the Mountains -, tor
they are feldome to be found near the Inhabitants. The
Pheafant is accounted better Meat than almoit all other
Fowl, becaufe it is or a moil delicate Tafte, and yields
fuch excellent Nourifhment. They reed on Acorns,
Berries, Grain, andfeveral lorts of Seeds of Plants. Their
Belli is good in heftick Fevers, the Gall lharpens the
Si^ht, and the Blood refill s Poyfon.

'"The Wood-cocks are not near as large in thefe parts or
Americans thofe Ifa Europe-, they differ nothing in fhape
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
thev are in the Northern parts of Europe, yet they are
as fine and delicate Meat as any of that kind in the
World 1 hey are to be met with in molt parts of this
Country, but efpecially in the low Grounds, Springs,
Swamps, and Percoarfons. Their Fiefh is beft in Winter
being then fattcft. It and all it's Parts have the Virtues
Or Partridges.

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

tho

184 The Natural HISTORY^

thofe with us do, viz,. Springs, Wet Ground, &c. Their
Fleihis tender, fweet, and ot excellent Nouriffament.

The Tut-cockty are a Species ot o^j-in theie parts 'and
are almoft like the former in Size and Feather ; they are
plenty in feveral Places or this Province, and nothing in-
ferior to the former in the delicacy of their Meat- but
thefe9 as well as molt other fmali Birds, are little regarded
or made ufe of at prefent, where large Fowl are to nu-
merous.

The Curliew, whereof there are three forts, and vaft
Numbers of each i They have all long Bills, and differ
neither in Colour or fhape^ only in (ize,from thofe in Eu-
rope. The largeft being as big as a good Hen, and the
fmalkfl as large as a (mall fVood-cosk, and thofe lorts are
excellent Meat, and nourifh very much.

The Sea-Pie, or Gray Curliew. This Bird is about
thebignels of a large Wood-cock, and has a long Bill as
the other Cur Hews have, which is of a yellowifh colour, and
fo are it's Legs. It frequents the Sand-banks on the'Sea-
fide, When killed, is inferior to no Fowl I have feen or
eat of j It'sFlefh being tender, well reliflied,and nourifh-
Ing.

The WiU-Whillet, is a Bird fo called, from it's Cry,
for it exactly repeats, or calls WiU-wittet, as it flies. The
Bill is like a Curliews or Wood-cocks, and has much fuch a
Body as the other, but not fo tali j it is good Meat, be-
ing nourilhing and well tailed. They are plenty along
the Shore, and the fides of Rivers, and are much of the
fame Mature 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 pretty
much like thofe with us, they differ little or nothing in
the Feathers, but are not near fo large, yet not inferior:

t@

— «

North CAROLINA.

183

to any of that Species, in the delicacy and goodncls of
their Meat. Their Afbes drank in Wine, isgoodagiimt
the Cholick, and a Cataplaim thereof, helps the biting
of Mad Dogs.

The Grey, or IVbiftling- Plover. Thefe Fowl are very
icarce and ieldom to be met with near the Settlements,
but there are great Numbers of them in the Vallies aud
Savannas near the Mountains, and Heaas ot R ve rs,
where they are to be met with in great flocks. Fhey
differ little from ours, either in Feather or Size, as far as I
could difcern, and cat as well as any of the fame fort in
Europe 1 the Flefh. is pleaiant, and much bcc::r Nouriih-
ment than the Green- Plover.

' The Partridges are not as large as thofe in Ireland, be-
ing not much bigger than our Quail. They frequently
percli upon Trees, and have a kind of Whi&ie or Call
quite different from thofe with us j but the fame Feathers,
only the Cock has a half Circle over each Eye, inftead
of the Horfe-fhoe. They are a beautiful Bird, bur
great deftroyers or Peafe, Wheat, and Indian Corn, in
the Plantations, where the Boys fee Traps and catch vaft
numbers of them; I have frequently bought a Dozen of
of them for lefs than a twelve penny Bdl They are e-
nerally exceeding fat, and are a far more delicious Mor-
fel than ours. Sed de gujiibusmh eft difputandum. ri hey
might be ealily tranfported from one Place 10 another,
becaufe they take to feeding immediately ar'ter they are
caught. The Rattle-Snake frequently deftroys ;the u%
however they are in great Plenty in this Province,
and refort in Covies as ours do. It is a very libidinous
Bird, for they will feerri to couple with their own Image
in a Glafs •. they lay ten or fifteen Eggs, and fit twice
in a Year, and are faid to live about fiiteen or fixtccn
Years. The Blood helps the Eyes3 wounded or Blood-
A a . ( fhos

¥bi Natural HI S.TORY of

feoc and the Gall is one or the moft eminent things in
the \V orid tor uerects m the Eyes. 6

The Turtle-Doves are very plenty in thefe parrs of A-
menca , and breed and remain here all the Year; they arc
iomething lefs than a common Pigeon, the head and back
are or a duskifh blue, or afh Colour; they have a more
mciancholly Tone or Note, than any of the other Species
or Doves, that are to be heard up and down in the
Woods, as you travel through them. They live eight
Years, are definitive to Corn-fields and Fcafe,for which
reaion the Planters make Traps, and catch great Num-
bers or them. I have frequently eat of them, and they
are a molt delicious Model. Their Flcfli has the fame
Virtues with the Pigeon, but is peculiarly good aeainfi
the Bloody Flux.

The Wild Pigeons are like the Wood-queft, or Stock-dove,
only they have longer Tails. They feldom or never ap-
pear amongft the Planters, or near their Settlements, but
in the Winter (as Wood-cocks do with us) they come down
m large Flocks, that it is furprizing to behold them.
After Sun-rile I have feen them fly, one Flock after ano-
ther, for above a quarter of an Hour together. They
come at thisSeafon of the Year in quell: of a Imall fort of
Acorn, that is called the Turky-Acom, which groweth on
the 7wky-0aky whereof I have already made mention. It
iscomm on in thefe Parts, and thereon thefe mid-Pigeons
feed in that Seafon, and are very fat. It is obfervable
that wherever they fettle, or rooft at Night, they fre-
quently break large limbs of Trees, in fcveral 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 perfuaded, confiderably to the North-
ward ot us, becaufc they never appear here but in the

extremity

North CAROLINA.

18")

extremity of the Winter, when it is hard Froity or
Snowy Weather) but whether they make their Neils 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 fleeing 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 fails. Not-
withltanding thefe Flocks are fo numerous, yet they arc
not to be mentioned in comparifon with the great and
infinite number of thofe Fowls that are to be met with
to the Weflward of thofe Places, where the Chnftiam at
prekht live (Specially on this and the other fide of the
Mountains) many of which Species we are little acquaint-
ed with, becaufe they feidom appear or come where we
are already fettled. 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 hotteft of all Fowls, and is wonderful
attractive, yet accompanied with an Anodyne force, and
helps the Head-ach, Megrim, pain in che 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 ftrfl is as big as a large Pigeon, or a dark
brown Colour, with a white Crofs on the Back, and a
white Circle round the Eyes, and on it's Head ftands 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 oa A a a The

The Natural HISTORY of

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

The thiru fort is about the fame bignefs with the fe-
cond, and is pied or mottled, with black and white, and
It's Head is of a beautiml Vermilion colour, but hath no
.Topping on it; they are destructive to Corn and Fruit,
efpecially Apples. They like wife open the Covering o£
the young Corn, io that the Rain gets in and rots it.

The fourth fort are finely fpeekled or mottled, with
beautiful white and black Feathers, the fined Iexerfaw.
(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 let
one come near them, but then they hop and fhift them-
felves on the other fide or the Tree from your fight, and
this they will do for a confiderable time; yet it is very
difficult to ihoot one of them by their fluffing fo often
from yon, notwithflandingthcy will fcarce leave the Tree.
Thefe arc about rhe 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 fpot. The Throat, Breaft,
Belly, and Wings, are of a Pale Green, the Rump of pale
Yellow, or Straw Colour. Its Tongue is of a great
length, with which it flrikes Ants and other InfeEls. The
Bills of all rhefe forts arefofharp, hard, and ftrong, that
you fball hear the ftroke of them found like a Chizzel a-
gainft a Tree. They are well aquainted in what Trees
Worms are bred in by the Sound. They climb Trees
upright, after the manner that Cats do, and bend their
Pead and look backwards on thofe that approach near

... . „ them

^=n

Sort b CJROLIN A. ^9

Birds is not good for Meat ^>nS d h Gal,

gcftion, outwardly . h dps to awn* ,

fh HScat "Trallon anfongft them, that the

longucwuiicu Therewith, and cure the

Sous) yet I thought fit to hint it that others may

v th Expet iment , tor fometimes Inch odd Stones refer

t0Ce particular Virtues, though all that « fa.d of them

bCTne "Z'-Birdsh called, from their crying or making a
Noile exaaiy fife the young Cats, f^*g*£
cover or hear any other Note amongft them. They nave
a black to Head, and an Afccoloured Body. They are
tbout the bignefs of our' Lark, wiU fight a CWand
■ \,Lr RWAo much larger than themfelves. They
TpCy goodtrgf buTwhat Phyfical Virtues they
mav be endued with, are unknown.

TteMockiug-Birk fo called, from the« mocking all
other Bfds inVirfinging, for they have fuch d.verfity
of Notes, that there is fcarce a Bird m thefe parts, that
ly hear, but what they will imitate ; an Ithey certain-
ly are one of the fineft finging Birds in the World. There
^e wo forts of thefe Birds. The firft h» > Feathers _mueh
of the Colour of our Grcm-Phvtr, with White in the
Win« like zMazm's. This has a more melodious
St^tffihe teand is generally about
5k bigprfs of our Wr* They arc *<»«*£

« 9° The Natural H I S T O R Y <f

Chorifters amongft the Birds of Mmma, aThZcTdTv
are, for they will ling with the grcatci^ivcrfit v of Now
that is poffiblc tor any Bird to change. TnJ aS

bold and brisk Birds yet ieem to be ot an extraordir^f
tender ConftKution 5 for they neither fing in the IZfer
nor in the midft of Sumfner^nd it is wuh great dSy
that any o them that are brought over, will live m^-
landot Ireland. They may be bred up tame, and wfll
fing m Cages- yet the Planters feldom t'ake rhtoartS
Young ones (except it be to kll to thofe trading to £«-
reM notwith landing they make their Nefts, and breed

fnTl'V^0^5' and other places near
the Dwellmg Houfes, becaufe they have their Company

Houles in the Summer ^ and fing all the Evening, and moft

fS^t p ghC' , P'7 fe£d °n ^^-4 and feve-
ral other Berries and Fruit, efpecially the Mechoacan-bmy
which grows plentifully in thefe Parts.

J ThcJ^n^ fort iscaIlcd thc Ground-mocking-Bird, and
is ota light Cinnamon colour, about the fame bignefs of
the former. This Bird fings excellently well, but is not
io common amongft us as the other, neither does it fre-
quent or refort our dwellings, but delights to live amongft
the Myrtle Trees (being of a wilder Nature than the
tint) where it breeds it's young Ones; and like the
the former, is never known to fing in Winter. Both thefe
torts of Birds continue here all the Year and are in great
rcqueil amongft the Planters.

Thc Red-birds, fo called from their beautiful Red co-
lour, whereof there are two forts, thc Cocks of both forts
are or a pure Scarlct,and the Hens of a duskifh Red. Idif-
tlnguifh them into two forts ; for the one has a fine Tufc
or Topping of Scarlet Feathers on the Head, and thc

other

=11

North CAROLINA. 19&

other is fmooth Fcatiiered. I never faw a Tufted Cock
with a fmootft-htaaed Hen,* they generally refort Cock
and Hen together, and always play in or near a Thicket,
where the Boys fet tneir Traps and catch, and fell
them to Perfons trading to Europe. They have ftrong
and thick Bills, ana are near as big as our Black-Birds
in Europe. They are very hardy, and continue here
all the Year. They Whittle and Sing like a Thrufh,
but are more melodious. They are good ior turning
Cages wich Bells, and if taught like the BuU-Finch, and
other Birds, I do not doubt would prove very docile ;
'tis pleafant to behold this Bird feeing it's own Image in
a Looking- Glafs, becaufe it hath fo many diverting and
ftrange Gefticulations, either making a biffing Noifc, or 1
lowring it'sCreft, fetcing up it's Tail, fhaking it's Wings,
ftriking at the Glafs with it's Bill, with many more too
tedious to Name. It they are taken at any time they
will feed and become tame j yet it has been obferved,
that when they are fhut up in Cages for fome Years, they
become Milk-white, and io ftupid that they icarcc know
how to feed themfelvcs, 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 Fie/d-fair, is much like thofe with us in Ireland^
but are never to be feen in this Province but in Winter,
they are then very fat, and excellent Food.

The Tbrufies arc the fame in thole parts of America, as
with us, only they are Red under their Wings. They
never appear amongft the Planters but in hard frofty
Weather, and quickly leave us again ,• 'tis fuppofed they
go to the Northward where they breed* They are fat in
thai; Scafon, and the Flefla is of good Nourifhraent.

I f 2 The Natural H I S T O R Y of

■mi * mri»M«M«iiiiii hiii ■ lima i n i ■ n«m»i Boxmaau

The Throftles are of the fame bignefs and Feather with
thofe in Europe, but are not to be admired tor their war-
bling Notes, as outs are, for I have ieldom heard them
ling. Thefe Birds are very fat ill the Winter,' and are
good eating. Being roafted with Myrth-bemes, they help
moft forts of Fluxes. The Throftle is calleu in Latin, Bsr-
biacenfiy from Berbiacum, a Village near Verona in Italy,
being there firft feen at the Battle between Otho and ViteU
its, where the former was overcome.

The Wbipo-mlli is a Bird fo called, rrom it's frequent
and exact repeating thofe Notes or Words. Thefe
Birds are about the bigncls of a T.hrujk> and are hard to
be feen, although they be heard never io plain, for they
conitantly run under Thickets and Bufhss where they
hide themfelves, and call their Notes. They are fcarce
in this Province, and feidom to be met with to theSouth-
ward of it ; but in Virginia and other Provinces to the
Northward, they are very plenty in moil 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 are
Blue, where ours are Brown, and not above half as large,
but have the fame Cry, and ludden jetting Motion. They
are mifchievous in devouring the Fruits of the Country,
and commonly fpoil more than they ear. The Flefh of
thefe Birds are much better Nourifhment than any of the
fame fort in Europe, where they are commonly eaten
by the poorer fort of People, and efpecially in France,
but are feidom made ufe of in thefe parts oi America,
where large Fowl are fo plenty.

The KM-Deery is a Bird in thefe parts, io called, from
It's frequent repeating thofe Words. It is about the big-
nefs of ovxRedfiank^nd of the fame colour, and frequents
the Banks and Rivet fides, as the former, Thefe Birds
* - - - continue

■5=

/*

forth CAROLINA. 193

continue here all the Year, are generally fat, excellent good
Meat, and eafily toot; but being a fmall Birda are hccie
regarded, or made ufc of.

The Sand-Birds, fo called, from their being always ore
the Sand-banks, andfcarceany where elfe. They are
about the bigncfs of a Lark, and ot a gray and bro vn
Colour. They are generally fat, and numerous in thefe
Parts; they are a moll delicious Morfel Co cat, yet fc W
fpend their Time or Amunicion to kill them.

The Runners, are Birds fo called3 from their continual
running and feeding along the Sands, They will furies
one to run after them a long time, and even to throw 4
Stick at them, before they will get up or fly away; fo that
they are often driven together in great Numbers, and
fliot. They are about the bignels of a fmall Snipe, partly
of that colour, andexcellent good to eat.

The Lark is heeled, and coloured as thofe with u'S arc*
but the Breaft is of a glittering fine Lemon colour, in
ihape like a Half Moon. Thcfe Birds frequent the S**
v annas, or natural Meads, and green Marfhes, and ar£
as large a$a Fieldfare, and they have a fort Note. They
breed twice a year, andarefaid to be troubled with he
£pilepfy. They nourifh very much, and are excel
good Meat. The Blood drank frefh, with Vin<
helps the Stone in the Bladder.

The Muriting-Larh, whereof there are two forts, though
the Keels of thefe Birds are not fc long as thofe in En, tfe*
The firft have an Orange colour on the tops of the
Wings, and are good Meat. They frequently aecom[ a -
ny the Black-bird, and fing as the Bunting-Larks do irf
Europe, differing very little in their Notes, and have
much the fame Virtues with themd

The fecond Sort is fomcthing. lefs than the former*
4fabg5ftereblou^aiid:difTer nothing in Feathers ot big-

1 94 The Natural H I ST O R Y of

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

The Blue-Bird, io called, from it's being all of a beau-
tiful line Blue-colour, except the Breail or the Cock
which is Red like the Robin Red-breS. They -have an odd
kind of Cry, or Whittle, very different, from the former.
Thefe Birds hide themieives in the Winter, fo that they
are not to be ieen ail that Seafon, but are plenty in the
Summer. They are but a fmall Bird, not fo large as our
Buntings, but arc excellent good Meat.

The Bullfinches 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 m Carolina being more beautiful. But whether
they are fo docil as thofe with us, I cannoc tell, never
having (cm any of them bred up in Cages. The Flefh
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 among!! the Myrtle-berries, where
they generally ling very prettily all Night ; but in the
Winter (like the Swallow) are neither to be heard or fecn.
They breed in May, and generally layabout four or five
Eggs in a Neft, near which they feldom ling, for fear of
being difcovered. The Flefh is fweet and good Food,
helping the Cachexia, and ffrcngthning 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 Neds in the
Eaves of Houles, as ours do. There arc fevcral forts of
Birds called Sparrow, horn their being lo plenty all over
this Province $ one kind ©f thele Sparrows exactly refem-

bles

. - - —

North CAROLINA. ^95

blcs the Bird we call the Corinthian Sparrow. All the
Species of Sparrow are extraordinary good Meat, and
the Boys catch great numbers of them m Traps, elpeci-
aliy in Winter. \

The Hedge-Sparrows are here, though there are few
Hcdpes, but what are made of Timber. They differ lit-
tle in either Plume or Bignefs; yet ,1 never heard them
Whittle as thole ip Europe do, and cfpecially after Ram.
Thcfe and the other Sparrows are aouriflimg, and preva-
lent in the decay of Nature.

The Red-Spavrow, to called, from the great refemblancc
it has to a Sparrcw in it's Size and Bill, and being one of
the molt common imail Birds in thefe Parts. They are
ftriped with a brown, red, and Cinamon colour, and the
Tail and Wings incline to black. t

v The Titmeufe, or Tom-tit, is the very fame as with us
in Europe, differing in neither fhape, foe, or feather.
Thefe fmall Birds are in plenty oil over this Province.
They are found for the moil part about Trees, and live
chiefly upon Infe&s which they find there.

The Snow-Birds, (I take to be fame with our Hedge*
Sparrow) are fo called, from the vaft numbers of them
that come into thofe Parts in hard Weather, and efpecial-
ly when there is any Snow, but are feldom 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 moft numerous.
They are a fmall Bird, about the bignefs of the Wheatear.
The Boys catch great quantities or 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 a

linnet on the Back and Brcaft, but in fwe lets, with

B b a Wingsr

}$$ Th? Natural HISTORY cf

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

The Weet Birds are about the bignefs of a Sparrow
and of a greyifh Colour, and arc fo called, from their
Weettm or cry before Rain. Thefe Birds frequent near
the fides of Rivers and Ponds of frefli Water, where

known '' WhSt PhyfiCaI UfcS they m^ H™ is n0t
The Goldfinches. There are a forr of Birds like thefe
g> be met with here, variegated with Orange and Mm
r earners, very fpecious and beautiful to behold ; yet I
never heard them Zing, as thofc in Europe are known
to do.

The Baltimore Birds, fo called from my Lord Baltimore,
being Proprietor or a\\ Mary-Land ; in which Province
they are very plenty. They are about the bignefs of a
Linnet, With yellow Wings, and variety of other beauti-
ful! Colours. They appear moil commonly in this Pro-
vince m the Winter Seafon, at which time they are fat
and good eating.

i The Eaft India Bats, or Musleetoe 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 Cqchw, and much of the fame
Colour but have fliort Legs, not difcernablc when they
tile. They appear here only in the heat of the Summer, and
at the approach of cold Weather, leave us again. They
are never ieen in the Day time, but are fcuddjng all Night,
like our Night Raven, in purfuit of Muskeetoes, Gnats,
|nd oilier Infers, on which they feed. And rhougji jt

is

North CAROLINA. i*i

is called a Bat, I fee no rcalon for it, becaufe it bears
no manner of Refemblance to the European Mat, the
Eaft- India Bat being a Fowl with Feathers, and the
ocner bodied like a Moufe, with Leather Wings. I ne-
ver knew any uie made of thefe Birds, for the Planters
never kill them; becaufe they deftroy thole pernicious
Infe&s the Mmkeeues.

The Bats, whereof there are two lorts, which I have
already given a Defcription ofamongft the Beafts, it bear-
ing the greateft refemblance %o that Species ; for though
it flies, yet it hath no Affinity to Bitds, not fo much as
a flying Serpent, and notwithilanding it be not properly
a Quadruped, it hath Claws in the Wings, which anfwer
to fore Legs. Thefe Bats are plenty in this Province, aqd
djffer only in being larger than thofe in Europe.

The Swallows are very plenty in the Summer, and differ
nothing from thpfe in Europe. The flefli or thefe Birds
is no good Nourifliment, yet often eaten, isfaidtohelp
Dimnefs of fight, the falling-ficknefs, and many other
Diforders. The Neft outwardly applied, is of excellent
ufe in Quinfies, rednefs of the Eyes, &c. Thefe Birds
feed on Fiics, Worms, and many other kinds of fmall
Infeds.

The Syaijt, 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 Afh-colqur; the Legs are (host, but thick9
and the Feet fmall. Thefe Birds feed as the Swallows
do, and have much the fame Virtues.

The Martin, or Martinet, whereof there are two forts.

The firft is exactly the fame as with us in feather and
fizc, and have the fame ufes aud virtue,- but what becom-
es of thefe and iome other Birds in the Winter, whether
they flic into other Countries, or flcep in hollow Trees*
'".■ I'"-. "" " " Rocks>

10 The Natural HISTORY^

Rocks, or other fecret Places, Natural Hiftorians are not
agreed, nor can they certainly deterrune. They con-
flancly come to theie parts in the beginning of March,
and one or two are generally ken hovering in the Air for
a Day or two before any large Flocks of them appear.

The fecond fort is near as large as our Black-bird,
they have white Throats and Bieaits, black Beaks and
Wings. The Planters are very fond of prefcrving them,
and frequently tye a number of Gourds on long ftandihg
Poles near their Dwellings, on purpofe for them 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 efpied a Snake crawling up one of thefe Poles, with a
defign to deft roy the Young ones or Eggs in thefe Gourds,
and it was furprizing to lee with what eagernefs the
Martins fought with the Snake, which ftill approached
nearer the Gourds. Seeing the Birds in this Diftracted
manner endeavouring to preferve their Species, I had the
Curiolity to come near the Pole, where I obferved the
approaches the Snake ftill made to procure it's Prey. I
immediately got along 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 fittiag;
It is wonderful flrange, that a Bird with fo fmall a Body,
fhould cover fuch a Number of Eggs, or that it fhould feed
fo many Young, and not mifs one of them. The Flefh
Is faiclto help the ftoppage of Urine, amd to have the fame
J/lrtues with the Sparrow* [The

*MH

North CAROLINA

199

The Humming Bird is the leaft of all Birds, yet well
known in the Worid, and may properly be faid to be the
miracle or all Winged Animals, tor it is Feather'd like a
Bird and gets its living as the Bee does, by fucking the
Honey from each Flower. They arc of different Colours,
but the Cocks are more beautiful than the Hens, with vae
ricty or Colours, fuch as Red, Green, Aurora, and teveral
other beautifol Colours, which being expoled to the Sun
Beams fhmes admirably. They have long Bills and Tails,
coniidenng their bignefs, which is fcarce equal to a Spa-
nish Olive. In fome of the larger fort of Flowers they ve-
ry often bury themfelves, fo 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 nourifbed and kept alive in Cages
for fix Weeks, on Honey. They fly very nimbly (but
more like Infeds than Birds) from Flower to Flower, to
feek their Food and make a humming noife like a Hornet or
Bee, hence it took it's Name in Englifi of Humming-bird.
They remain and breed here during the heat of the Sum-
mer, but what becomes of them in the Winter is not
known, for they never appear at that time, viz,, from
Ottober 'till April, They are fo very fmall that I have
frequently feen the Butter-flies chace them away from the
Flowers. Their Ncfts are a great Curiofity, and may
properly be faid to be one of the greateft pieces of Work-
manfhipthe whole fpecies of winged Animals can Chew,
for it commonly hangs on a fingle Bryer molt 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 raoft part but two
In Number which are no bigger than a fmall Pea. Whac

virtues thefe fmall Birds may be indued with, is unknown.

The

^5—

soo The Natural H I S T O R Y of

The Blue-Peters, or Water-Hem, are very plenty, and
differ from ours neither in foe or Feathers, but are feldom
or never eaten (except is be by the Indians and Negroes)
being very hard of Digeftmg and ill rafted.

The Marfi-Hen is much the fame as with us in Europe
in Gze and Blathers, but has a more different and (hrill
Note. Their Fiefh is teldom made ufe of except it be
by the Indians and Negroes, being Black and ill tailed.

The Bitterns, whereof there are three forts. The firft
is the very fame as with us m its iiie, Feathers, and
Notes.

The fecond fort is of a dark brown' Colour, with a Yel-
lowifli white Throat and Brtaft, with a large Creft or
Topping of Feathers on its Head, but is not quite (a
large as the former.

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

The Herons, of thefe there are three forts. The firft or
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 rour Jn-
cheshigh, and is in flze, Colour, Aand ail other rcfpe&s,
exa&ly the fame as is to be met with in Ireland,

The fecond is larger than the former and is FeatherM
much like the Spani/h-Goofe.

The third is not near as large as any of the former, but
Is ot the fame fhape, and of a moil beautiful white Co-
lour, with red Legs. Thefe Birds are only to be met with
ia Summer, and are the ineft of that kind I have ever

km

m

North CAROLINA. 20 is

fcen, and many in thefe Parts would perfwade me, that
they become the fame Colour with the common Heron,,
when they are a Year old, which I am not ape to believe^
but look upon them as a diftind Species from any of ih©
former. All thefe forts are plenty in thefc parts of Ameri-
ca, and hare the fame flow flight as thofe with us*'
They feed on Fifh, Frogs, &c, and like the Rusks, build
their Nefts in high Trees, and generally many together*
Their Fiefh is better than that of the Crane, but beft
when young, and eaten by many. The Bill m Powdery
eaufeth Sleep, the Greafe is Anodyne, eafes PainSj and
has much the fame Properties with the Bitterns.

The Crane is a large bodied Fowl, weigning 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 or a Cream colour ; they frequent the
Savannas, Marfhes, and low Grounds, and though they
are Water-fowl, yet it is thought that they do not feed
on Fifh, but only on Herbs, Grain, and feveral forts of
Seeds and Infects. They are eaflly bred up tame, and
are good in Gardens to defttoy Frogs, Worms, and 0-
ther Vermine. The Inhabitants boil their Fiefh, which
is tough and hard of Digeftion, but makes good Broath.
Their Quills make good Pens, and the Feathers ferve for
other uies. 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 faft, and
are faid to live about forty Years.

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

the fame Shapc^ only their Necks are thicker and Ihorter,

C 6 and

Q02 The Natural HISTORY of

;'ii.r

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 fink-
ing one Chap againft the other. It is reported by fede-
ral Perlons whom I have converfed with, that they are
to be found in no part of America but in this Province.
They feed on Frogs, Snails, and many other forts of In-
fects, The Flelh 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 oiSwans in thefe
parts. They come here in the Winter, and remain
with us 'till February, in fue'h great Flocks, that I never
faw more of any Water-fowl in ail my Travels than of
them, for at that Seafon, they are in iuch vail: Numbers
on each fide of the frefh Water Rivers and Creeks, that
at a diftance it feems to be Land covered with Snow-
About Chriftmas they are frequently fo fat, that fome of
them are fcarcc 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
goodnefs and delicacy of their Meat, and efpecially a
Cygnet, or laft years Swan, Thefe Swans are larger
than any I have fecti in Europe. Their ..Quills and
Feathers are in great requeft amongft the Planters As
to their Flefli and Parts, they have the fame Virtues
with that of the Geefe.

The Hoopers are a fecond fort of Swam, and are fo
called, from a hooping Noife they make. This fort
are as numerous as the former, and come to thefe parrs,
anji go at the fame time chat they do -, yet the latter

abide

—

North CAROLINA 203

abide more in the Salt Water than the former, are not
fo large, but their Flejh and Feathers are as valuable.
And it is obiervable, that neither thefe nor the other
have the black piece of horny Fiefh down the Head and
Bill as thole in Europe have. The Greale or Fat cleanfes
the Face trom Morphew, and other Vices, and their U.il
helps the Gout.

The Wild Geefe, whereof there are three borts, but
differ very little from each other, only in their Size,
having black Heads and Necks. They are plenty here
all the Winter, come and go with the Swam, and com-
monly feed with them; they eat as well as- thole in
Europe, being nourifhing, though hard of digeftion, , and
are apt to breed Agues in cold weakly Conftitutions;
The Oil or Greafe is exceeding hot, and of thin Parts,
piercing and difolving. It cures Baldnefs, helps Deaf-
ncfc pain and nolle in the Ears, is good againft Palfies
Lamenefs,Numbnefs, Cramps, pains and contractions of
the Sinews, and many other Diforders. The Dung is
uted withfucccfsin 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 inape like the
Wild Geefe, of an Afh and dark grey colour, fomething
lefs than the commen 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 eat
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 ot
certain Trees in the Iflands in Scotland ; others, on the
contrary affirm, that they are produced from Eggs,
hatched after the fame manner as Geefc Eggs are,
-' ~ ~ ~ C c 2 which

2o4 The Natural HISTORY of

which we are inrire Strangers to here, becaufe they are
never to be feen in thefe Parts of America bat mth

tZ .ML** generally come*nd *« ** **

The White Brants, are fomething larger than the
iormer, with which they agree in Nature and Virtues
and are very plenty in the Winter Seafon. Thefe Birds
are as white as Snow, except the tips of their Wines
which are Black They feed on tne Roots of Sedfe
and Grafs in the Savannas and Marfhes, which thev
tear and root up like Hogs. The Planters frequently fee
Fire to thefe Savannas and Marfhes, and as loon as the
Grafs is burnt off, thefe Fowl will come in great Flocks
to eat the Roots by which means they fhoot vail
> umbers of them. They are as good Meat as the other,
but their Feathers are flubbed and good for nothing.

The great 'GreyGuUs are as large as a But*, aW very
plenty in thefe parts, and accounted good Food. They
lay Eggs as large as a Houfe-Hen, which are found in
great Quantities in the Months of June and July, on
the Wands, m 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 GuBs, is good againft the Gout, and hard fwellings,
lengthens the Nerves, and eafes Pains in feveral parts
of the Body.

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

The

warn

North CAROLINA. 205

The little Grey -Gulls 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 nourifhing and well tafted. 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 Guti, 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 Flefh being black, hard of
digeition, and taftes Fifhy.

The Sea-Cock, fo called, from it's Crowing at break
of Day, and in the Morning, exactly like a Dunghill-Cock 5
it is another fort of Gull, or 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, fuppofmg
jome Inhabitants to be near them ; yet it is very pleafaat,
efpecially to Europeans, in thofe wild and uninhabited
places. Their Flefh 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 Sea-coh)
is the fame as in Europe. This Fowl is little regarded,
becaufe the Flefh is of an ill fcent, and odious to be
eaten ; yet it is faid to help the falling ficknefs ; and the
Afhes of the whole Bird, the Gravel in the Bladder and
Kidnys.

The Tropick Bird, fo called, being in great plenty
under the Tropicks and thereabouts, but are fcarceany

where

2o6 The Natural Hi STORY of

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

The Duck and Mallard are exa&ly 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 puch 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 or a beautiful pied
white and black Colour, and are very plenty in thefe
Parts. They generally build their Nefts contrary to mod
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 Whirling 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 Fowl, and excellent eating.

— * ' ~ —*-*- The

— 1

North CAROLINA.

261

The Wht(llers,2i\e another Species of Ducks, and arc
fo called, from the Whittling Noife they make as they
Ry. They are lefs than our wild Ducks, and very dif-
ferent in their Feathers from the Whifiling-Dutks, and
have a greater variety of beautituj Colours than the for-
mer. They arelikewife good to eat.

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

The Shell-Drakes, are the fame as in Europe, m 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 thickeft Necks of
any Fowl I have ever feen,of the fame bignefs. They
come here about Cktiftmat m great Flacks 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 fhoot,
and endure a great deal of Shot before they are kill'd.

The Water Pheajant ; but for what reafon to impro-
perly call'd, I know not, for it has no manner of Refem-
blance of that Bird. It is a Species of Ducks, having a
Creft or Topping of pretty Feathers on it's Head, which
is very Ornamental. They are about the fize of our
Wild Ducks, 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 pama and are good Meat.

-.--■- ~ The

2©8 The Natural H I S T O R Y of

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

The Red-beads, are another Species of Ducks, fo
called from their Red-heads, and are lefs than the" Bull-
necks. They are very plenty in the Rivers and Creeks,
are fwect Food, and very nourifhing.

The Swaddle-Bills, are another Species of Ducks, of
an A(h 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 fcijhermen, fo called, from their Dexterity in Fifh-
ing. They are like a Duck, only they have narrow
Bills, with fets of Teeth. They k^d on fmali Fifh and
Fry, which they catch as rfiey fwim. They eat Fiihy,
therefore not in much requeft among!! the Planters. The
bed: 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 fifliy tafte; as I have been credibly in-
formed by many in thefe Parts.

The Raft-Fotol, includes fcveral forts of Ducks, vizi
Divers, Teals, IVtgeons, and various other Kinds, that go
in Rafts, or great Flocks along the Shoar, which we
know no Names for at prefent.

The Divers, whereof there are two forts. The firft
arc of a Grey Colour,the other Pied, White, and Black.
JThey are both good Fowl, and eat well, but hard to

&300%

North CAROLINA. 209

fhoot, becaufeofc their dexterity in diving under Wa-
ter, which they will do as quick as any one can (hoot.
The Wigeons are the fame as in Europe, and in great
plenty in the Winter Seafon. They eat exceedingly well.
Tne Teal, whereof there are two forts. The firft
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 frefh Waters, and are
always obferved to be nodding their Heads when, they
are in the Water. Thefe forts are f mailer than the for-
mer, but finer and more delicious. They are both ver£
plenty here in the Winter Seafon.

The Dipper^ or Fijher ; thefe are fmall Birds about the
bignefs of a Teal, and much the fame a« thofe that are
to be met wich in the Iflands of Stilly, and many other:
Iflands in Europe. They are of a black and white Colour,
and are fo called, from their dexterfty in Fifhing and
catching fmall Fifh, on which they feed. They eat fiftiy,
for which reafon they are not in much Requefl arnongffc
the Planters.

The Black Flufterers; fome call thefe Old Wives %
they are jet black, only the Cocks have white Faces3
like the Bald-Coots. They always remain in the middle
of the Rivers, and feed on Drift, Graft, Carvels, or Sea
"Nettle. They are the fatteft Fowl in thcie Farts, and
are fometimes fo heavy that they cannot rife out of tne
Water. They makj an odd fort of a Noiie when they
fly, and are fometning larger than a Duck; fomc call
them the great Bald Coot. Their FleOl is not much ad*
mired, being ot a ftrong and fifhy tafte, and hard of
Digeftion, but their Eggs (which are as large as tiiofe o£
Hens) are good Nounfliment.

Dd , The

■

!, ,

21 o The Natural H IS T O R Y of

The Bald- Faces, or White- Faces, arealmoftas big as
a Duck, and are an extraordinary Fowl and eat well.
Thcic Birds cannot Divt^ and therefore are eaiy to be
Shot. :

The Water-Witch, or Ware-Coots, are a very ftrange
Fowl, having all over them Down, and no Feathers, and
neither fiy nor go, but are fo dexterous in Diving./ that
fcarce any Fowler can hit or fhoot them They often
get into the Fi(h- Wares, and are taken, becaufe they
cannot fly or get over the Rods or Poles, whereof the
Fifh-Wares are made. They are not much coveted or
efteemed, by reafon they eat fifhy and arc hard or
Digeftion.

The Kings-Fijher, whereof there are two Sorts. The
firft is fomethiug larger than a Jay, with a long Bill,
and large Crop, much of the Shape and colour of the
latter, though not altogether fo curiouily Feathered :
There Birds moft commonly frequent the Rivers, prey
on fmall Fifh, and build their Nefts on the Shoar!

The fecond is much the fame as with us in Europe ;
being a fine Bird, with red Feet, long Bill, and about
the bignefs of our Burning. The Chin is white with a
certain mixture of Red, and the upper part of the Belly
is or. the fame Colour. The lower Belly under the Tail
is of a deep red, fo arc the tides and Feathers under the
Wings. The Bread is red, the utmofl Borders of the
Feathers being of a beautiful bleuifh Green : From the
Neck through the middle of the Back to the Tail is of
a moft 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 rhe Rivers, and build their Nefts on the Shoar.
The Flefh roafted and eaten, is good in Convulsions and

Epileiksj,

^*n

North CAROLINA

211

Epilcfies,the Heart is foraetimes dryed and hung about
the Neck of Children for the fame Disorders.
. 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 almoil 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 of Fifh, 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-footed Fowl, like a Goofc,
but fhaped more like a Duck, and or a light grey Colour.
The Flefli is 'feldom eaten, having a ftrpng hlhy tafte,
and hard ofdigeftion; but being well boiled, mafceth
good Broth, and the Planters make handfom Tobacco-
pouches of it's Maw. They are plentifully to be -met
with in the Winter Seafon,efpecially 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, viz.. fixty Years or up-
wards. They are faid to be white in Guinea, and St.
Jerom faith, that there are two forts of them in Egypt,
viz,, the Land and Water Pelican. The Gall of this:
Bird cleanies Silver.

The Cormorants are the fame as in Europe, only thofe
of this Province are larger. They are as numerous ail
over thefe Parts of America, as in any part of the World,
cfpccially at the run of the Herrings, which is in March
and April; at which time they are feen fitting upon the
Sand Banks, or Logs of Wood in the Rivers, and catch
vaft quantities of Fifh, which is their only Food, and
whereof they are very ravenous and greedy. They lay
their Eggs in the beginning of the Spring, in thclflands,

in

12 The Natural HISTORY of

in the Sound, ana near the Sea Shoar in the Banks and
fomerimes on high Trees, as the Shags do ; they are
ycry Urcngtnmu, to the, Stomach, and cure the Bloody
Flux. The ficih is black, and nard of digellion, there-
fore ieluom made ule of.

Thityagis iomewhatlike the Cormorant, but much
kfs; it oilers in the colour of the Belly, which in this
is blackim, in the other white. It iwims in the Sea
with us Head erect, and it's Body almoft covered in the
Water. It isfo dextrous in diving, chat when a Gun
is dif charged at it, as foon as is fees the Fire fiafli im-
mediately it pops under Water, fo that it is a hard'mat-
ter lo fhoot them. I have never known or heard of any
Webb-footed Birds but this, and the Summtr-Duiks
that in upon Trees, and build their Neds in them The
Fit (h is black, ill-rafted, and hard of digefiion/ being
much of the fame Nature with the Cormorant.

The Gannett a very large white Fowi5 having one
part of it's Wings black. It lives on Fifh, as the Pelican
and Cormorant do ; it is reported, that their Fat or Greafe
(winch is as yellow as Saffron) is the bell thing known
to pitlerve fire-Aims from Ruft. The Flefh is of a
bad Tafle, and fcarcely good for Food or Phyfick.
■ The Shtar-Wattr y is a longer Fowl than a Ducket has
a much f n,ailer body. They are of a brownifh Colour,
and for themoft part upon the Wing, like iheSwatiow i
There are vaft Quantities of them on feveral parts of
thek Sea Goads (whilft others range the Seas all over)
for they are fometimes met with five hundred Leagues
from Land. I have frequently obferved them to ftrike
down upon a Sea-rack, o,r. Weed that grows in the Gulf
of Florida, which is plentifully to be met with in thefe
(jf^fe It hath many winding Stalks, yhkh appear like
' - ' :: ) , . .-. c . ■ :•• Car ah

Monk CAROLINA. 213

Coral whereon grow fhort Branches, fct 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 kina of narrow
kaf'd Sea-lentil) wherein I found ieveral iorts ot imall
ShcU-fiih, which -Lam perfuaded thefe Birds catch and
live upon. And it is the Opinion of many in theie
Parts, that thefc Birds never dni.kany Frefh Water, be-
cauic they are never (cen any where near the trefnes,
or Rivers. Tncir Fitto is of an ill Scent, therefore not
good to be eaten.

Thus have I fiaifhed the moft cacaft Account that is
yet known of the B I R D S that arc to be met with in
Worth Carolina ; though doubtlcfs there are many more
different Species ot them, that we are entire Strangers to
at prcfent, which is chiefly owing to the want ot En-
couragement to a felect number ot travelling Gentlemen,
Whofe Obfervations might tend to the Improvement ot
Natural Knowledge. For want of this, we are rendered
incapable of being (o well acquainted with this part ot
the World as the French and Spaniards are with theirs3
who generally fend abroad in Company with the Mjji<h>
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 likewife obliged to keep a itriet
Journal of all their Paflages, whereby many confiderablc
Pikoveries 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 Danger^ to be fcrvicable to theig

-^B5

214 The Natural H IS T O R Y of

King and Country. That Attempts of this Nature
may always be encouraged, I fincerely wiih, for the Ho-
nour and Grandure of the Btitifi Throne,

I Oiall in the next place proceed to give an Account
ot the Inhabitants of the wacry Elements, which at
prelent can be but very imperfectly treated of, for want
of Fifhermen, and the fitting Trade going on in thefc
Parts to perfedion Yet I am willing to fatisfie the Cu-
rious with the beft Account that is in my power, and
leave the reft to Time (which perfects all Things) to
difcover. The Fifhcs in the fait and frefli Waters of
Carolina^ arc as follows.

o r

I

^-J

North CAROLINA.

215

OF THE

FISH

O F

North - Carolina.

H E Whales differ from the Fin-Fijh in theif
Fins. The Fin-Ffo 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 reprelentation
of Houfes, Trees, &c. With thefe two Fins and his
Tail he fwims andfteers himfelflikea Boat with Oars*
1 he Head of this Monftcr is fomewhat flat, and flopes
downwards like the Ridge of i Houfe 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

Si6 The Natural HI S T O R Y of

the Fins ate his Eyes, which arc not much bigger than
thofc of a Bullock, with Eye-lids and Hair like Men's.
The Chryjftal of the if ye is not much bigger than a Pea,
which in fome is clear and tranfparent, and in others of
a white or yellowifh Colour. The Eyes lie low, almoft
at the end of the upper Lip, The Head is the chird
part of the Fifli, and in lomc more. Their Lips are plain,
fomewhat bending like an S. and underneath the £yes5
before the two Fins, they are fmooth, jet black, and
found like the quarter of a Circle, but when they draw
them together, they lock in one another. Within the
upperrnofl Lip is contained the Whalebone, (and not in
the Fins, as fome have imagined) winch is of a brownifh
black and yellow Colour, with itreaks of feveral other
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 are generally
Two hundred andfijty Pieces of Whalebone , and as many
on the other, befides the fmall Bone, which is not rcgard-
edj becaufc they cannot well come at it to cut it out.
The middlemolt is the greatest, and is iometimes eighteen
or ninteen Foot long. It lies in a flat row, one Piece
by another^ and is broaden: at the top, where it fticks
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 ror Knives, walking
Sticks, and the like.

The Tongue lies amongft. the Whalebone, and is clofe
fixed to the upper Chop, which is very large and whire,
with black Spots at the edges. It has a loft i>w i£y Fat,
and cannot be ea% cut,fo that it is generally flung awa^,

though

North CAROLINA.

and l r< UgN
: when ne is

the Sea

though it would yield (even or eight Barrels 6

Upon his Head there is a Bump, ana before

Fins at the top or" this Bump on each fid

holc,bendedlikean S. outofwh.c

ib hercely, that it roars like a great W \i-u, \

the under Lip, there is a Cavity or Hok, _ »

upper as exactly as a (heath does a Knite^

this hole he draws the Water he fpeuts Out ; v

wounded/ his blowing refembks the roaring

in a great Storm. Neither does he hear when he %outs

the Wacery and is eafieft (truck at that time The Belly

and Back are quite Red in fome,but undet the Belly they

are fometimes White, and fome of them Coal Black. Tiiey

look very beautiful when the Sun fhines on them, awathe

Irnall clear Waves over them, glitter like Silver. The

outward Skin is thin like Parchment,' and eafily pulled

off when the Fifh grows hot, which they frequently do

by fwiming, and then they ftink.

The Yard is a ftrong Sinew, and from fix to eight
Feet long, and where the Yard is fixed, the Skin is
doubled, ib that it lies like a Knife in a Sheath. The
Pudenda of the Female is fhaped like rhat of a large four
tooted Bead. They have Breafts, with Nipples at the
fides of it, like thofe of a Cow. When they couple to-
gether, they ftand upright, with their Heads out of the
Water, but how long they carry their Young, is uncer-*
tain. Neither are they ever obferved to have more than
two young ones at a time. When they are brought
forth, they are as big as an Hogfhead ; they fuck rheifi
Bams,< whofe Milk is very white and Cweec, but taftes
Fifhy, The Sperm, when frefti, fmelis like wheaten
Flower boild in Water,' and itaay be drawn out in Threads
like hot Sealing Wax or.Glew j when cold* it turns to
&MMZ mmt- tells ftrong, *tid is to be kept iwe.ee
I i bf

2i8 The Natural HISTORY of

by no means. At certain Seafons there may be whole
Pails full of it taken out of .the Water, lor it iwims upon
the Sea like Fat, as does char or 'the Sea-Horjes and Seals,
the Sailors frequently make twilled Whips of the Sinews
of the Yard. The Bones are hard like thoie of a great
four-footed Bead, but porous like a Spunge, and filled
with Marrow, but when that is confumed, the Holes are
as large as thofe of a Honey-Comb, They have two
large iirong Bones which hold up the under Lip, and
they lie oppofite to each other m form of an half Moon,
feme 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 lieswholy betwixt the Fie ill and the Skin.
When the Sailors have a mind to eat ot it, they cut great
pieces off before the Tail, which" is tendered, 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 Fle(h looks green and blue like powdered Beef. The
Far is mixed with Sinews, which hold the Oil, as a
Spurige does Water : The other ftrong Sinews are
chiefly about the Tail, with **hich he turns and winds
himfelf, as a Rudder does a Snip. He fwims asfwifc as
a Bird flies, and makes a track in the Sea like a large Ship
undev fail. Their Tails do not fraud up as the Tails
of meft other Fifties do, but lie horizontally as thole of
the Dolphin, and are from three to four Fathom broad.

The middling Whales are about fifty or fixty Feet
long, and con moniy yield feventy, eighty, or ninty Bar-
rels of Fat or Oil. Befides the uppermoft thin Skin,
there is hkewife another about an Inch thick, and of the
fame colour with the other, but both are fo brittle, when
dry, that they arc of no value ; and the ioftnefs of the
§kiu is reckoned to be the caufe why the JVhalc, though

the

ms\

North CAROLINA. 219

the ftrongeft and biggeft of Fifees in the Water, can-
not make much uk or his ftrength. The Guts are of
a flefh Colour, and the Dung within them yellow:
Their Food is chiefly Sea-Snails, Herrings, and other
imall Fifh ; when they fee a Man or a Long Boat,
they dive and run away ; but it they are wounded, or
in danger, they value a Man no more than a Straw, and
frequently beat the Long-Boat inv 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 fomc times run away
with fome thouiand fathom of Rope-line (after they are
ftruck with the Harpoon or Sharp-Iron, that is fixed to a
Stick, and reiembles a Dart) a great deal fwifter than a
Ship can fail, or a Bird flic, by which means the Lines
are' fometimes let on fire, when there is not proper Care
taken to prevent them, by conftantly throwing Water
on them as they run out. They fruit their Quarters, as
is fuppofed, according to the Seafons. They have Ail-
ments as well as other Beads, and are ftrangcly afflicted
witn Lice ; they will foraetimes leap out of the Water,
as it they were in an Agony. Before a Tempeft they
beat the Water about with their Tails like Dutt. They
are obferved to have the greateft Strength when they
ftnke fide-ways. 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.

Thele Monfters are very numerous on the Coafts of
North Carolina, and the Bone and Oil would be a great
Advantage to the Inhabitants that live on the Sand- Banks
alcng the Ocean, it they were as dexterous and induftrious
in Fifhing for them as they are Northwards ; but as I
obierved betore, the People in thefe parts arc not very
much given to Induftry, but wait upon Providence to
E e 2 throw

22Q The Natural HISTORY of

throw thofedeadMonftcrs on Shoar, which frequently
happens to their great advantage and Profit. For which
Reafon abundance of Inhabitants dwell upon the Banks
sicar the oea tor that Intent, and the benefit of Wrecks of
Veflels which are iometimes driven in upon thefe Coalts.
Hoc many Years ago there were two Boats that came
from the Northward co QcacoMfand, to titti, and earned
away that Scafon Three Hudred and Forty Barrels of Oil,
befide the Bone, but thefe Filhermen going away with-
out paying the Tenths to the Governor, they never ap-
peared to hfli on thefe Coafts afterwards, or any other
that I ever could hear of. I only mention this to (hew
with what Advantage the Fifhing totWbaks 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
firft is the Sferma-Ceti Whaley from whence the Sperma-
Cett is taken, and is the moft choice for its rich and va-
luable Commodities. Thefe fort are fometimes found
on this Coaft, aqd area rich Pu'se to'thofe that are io
fortunate as tQ find them. The other forts are of a pro-
digious large iize, and it is of thefe the Bone and Oil
Hre made, the Oil being only the Blubber or Oily Fleih
or. Fat of this Fifh boiled. Thefe differ not only in
Colour, fome being all White, others pied, and others
pot, but lifcewifc very much in Shape, one being called
the Bottk-Nofe, and the other the Shovel-Nofe, which is
a? different as ^Salmon from a Sturgeon.

Thefe Fifh are never found dead or floating to the
Shoar with their Tongues in their Heads, for it is the
Opinion of many in thefe parts, that the Tbrafbers and
&wr4:tyjlb (which, are mortal Enemies to the Whales
^rherc ever il^ i% ■■ect them) eat the Tongue out of their
. ..i :\; , '. ' .• . Head,

North CAROLINA. 221

Head as foon as they have killed him ; but whether tms
is done by the Fife abovementioned, or by others .of the
iame voracious Nature, I will not take upoa me to de-
termine, but leave it to the determination of every judici-
ous Reader.

Tncrc is another fort ofthefe Whales, or great Fifhes,
though not commonly found on theie Coaits, and are
contrary to all the others 111 (hape, that were ever found
in thcfe 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 fome 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 feeret Spell to make
them ftupid, to treat them after that manner. It is very
ftrange to fee how they will throw up the Water with
their Spouts, by which means they are ken or difcqvered
at great diftances. They cannot abide long under Wa-
ter for want of Air, which is common to mod large
Filhes; fo that they are frequently ieen to r|{e with thevr
Heads and Backs above the iurlace of the Water, and
fpouting it in the Air, after which it is kid, they draw in
Sufficient quantity of Air necefTary for their fupporting
of Life. *?.

The Crampois, is another large Filn, about twenty
five or thirty Feet long, and is accounted by many to be
a young Wbak, by reaion it has Spouts as the Whale has
and produces as good Oil as the former.

The Bottle-Nofes, are another Species of large Fifties*
between the Crampois and the Porpoifi. They are to be
met with for the moil 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
r-o - - — - ' abo.v^

§22 The Natural HISTORYo/

above the Water. Some make ufe of them, and specially
the French, who efteem them good Food, and eat them
both frefh and fait. Thefe as well as the Porpotfe, are
«ften heard to puff and blow very ftrong, as they are
Swimming.

I hope it will not be unpleafingto the Reader, to give
an Account what I faw done by thefe Fifties, viz,, la
our Pailage through Pamticoe Sound, we had very good
Diversion with them, which were in great Numbers about
the Ship; one of our Company fhot amongft them, with
a Brace of Balis, and happened to wound one of them,
which we could plainly difcover from iome 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 ftriving to
avoid the reft, 'till at laft it was quite {pent, (as we fup-
pofed) for we could not perceive it any longer leaping out
of the Water. The Mafter of the Veflel allured me,
that the reft devoured it, which they always do with
thofe wounded, ft ill purfuing the Blood, like a Pack of
Dogsafter a Deer. They are very fat and producegood
Oil.

The Porpoije, or Sea-Hog, is large, being above four
Feet long and two and a half thick, the Figure is (ome-
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 af! over the Ocean and Ri-
vers that are fait. We have a frefh-water Lake in the
great Sound of North Carolina, that has Porpcifes in it,
with feveral other forts of unknown Fifh (as the Indians
feport) that we are inure Strangers to„ As to the Por*

poijgf,

North CAROLINA. 223

poifes, thy are generally very fat, and make good Oil.
1 hey prey on other Fifh, fuch as Drums and Mullets, yet
are feldom or never known to take the Bait, fa as to be
catcned with a Hook. Some call thefe Herring Hogt,
from their feeding on thofe Fife, and their Flefli being
fo very fat, like Fork. They are much fatter than a
Dolphin, but not lo good; the Gentry bake it as Veni-
ion, but it is not pleaiant Food. They are always ap-
proaching the Shoars in great Numbers before Storms.

The Tbrajhers are likewife large, as I have been inform-
ed, and one of the mortal Enemies that purfue and kill
the Whale, as I faid before. They make good Oil, but,
are feidom found in thefe Parts.

The Sword- Ft/b, or Saw-Ffo, has a long broad Bone
fixed to his Nofe, with fharp Teeth like a Saw, on each
fide gj£ it. It has two Fins on the Back, that next the
Tail is hollow like a Sickle. He has four underneath
his Beily, piz,- 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 jftand high out of his Head ; his Nof-
triis are oblong, and his Mouth is directly under his
Eyes. They are from, twelve to twenty Feet long3
and are 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 likewiie joyn with
the Ihrajbers, to kill them, and it is reported that they
will feigly. attack a Whale. In calm Weather, the Fifti-
ers lye by till they kill the Whale, and upon the approach
of the Boats, the Sword-frfo being frighted, retires. The

Ficih

224 T^ Natural HISTORY^/

Fleftl is dry and (olid, but ic is faid to nourifti much;
and as good as a Sturgeon.

The Devi I- Fi(bi io called, from the large pair of Horns
it has upon its Head, and as near as I couid be inform-
ed j it is iliaped like a Scaie 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 Wi-
fe! for a League or two, and to bring her back again al-
moft to the fame Place, againft the Tide. This I have
been informed of by ieveral of the moil; credible and
fubftantial Planters in thde parts ; and that this itrange
and wonderful Adventute has happened more than once.
They are in moft of our Inlets, but I never heard of any
of them being killed or taken, therefore cannot inform
the Reader what Ules they are of, but doubdefs; they
would make good Oil as well as other large Fifties/ i^
they they could be taken ro make the Experiment."

The Shark, whereof there are two forts. The ..firft is
called the Pavacoda-Nofes, the other the Shovei-Nofes i
Both thefe are very large, bold, voracious and dangerous
Fiihes, efpecially to thofe that that have the misfortune
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 Watery
they immediately feize and fnap in two, having exceed-
ing (harp, and federal 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 fome Nzgroti 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, or wound him* fo that he turns Tail
md runs away. Their Fiefh is eaten in time of fcarcity^

fcettb CAROLINA. ^i

but is not very palatable, having a flrong fifty taftc;
Their Liver makes good Oil to drefs Leather with, and
the Bones found in their Head, are fold to halten the
Birch, and eafe the Stone, by bringing it away. Theit
Back-bone is of oneentire thicknefs, having many joints!
in it, whereof I have known Buttons nude by the b<i si-
ors a'nd others that live in thofe remote Places GiUim
(ays, that the People of Marseilles told hirri* that they had
caught one of them, in which they found a Man armed
with a Coat of Mail. _

The following Relation, will in fome meafure corro-
borate the former Account of the Negroes killing them o*
Auauil 1730, a Sloop failed from North Carolina, bound
to the Iflands in the Wtfi Indies, and after four Days
failing from the Bar, was moft unfortunately overfct,:
and all the Crew, except the Matter* two Sailors, and
one iSFegroky were drowned, thefe being upon Deck ae
the time when this misfortune happened, and had the
good providence to get upon the Keel of the Vcffel3
where they remained twenty one Days, and then were
taken up by a Vcffel trading to Europe i having neither
Water or any other Neceffaries to fupport Nature, but:
by Gods Providence, the Negroe killed a Shark, whereori
they lived, and was the only fupport they had during
the laid time, which was confirmed by the Matter ira
his Letter from London, to his Friends in North Caro-
lina

The Pilot Fifh is of a deep Blue, and the Belly of &
lighter Colour than the Back or Sides. The Scales are
Smooth like a Tench. It's Back is fpeckled like a Seal-skinl
When it is fwimming, it appears much like a Mackarel^
and looks as if it were painted Blue and White, like a
Barfats Pole. It is reported, that the Shark is always
it$£M$M b% csn*©r two of thefe Fiflies? which he wJl

226 The Natural H I S T O R Y of

not devour, though never fo hungry, becaufe they find
out tne Prey ici him, They are reckoned exceeding
good to eat.

The Dolphin, is a large Fife, not much unlike a Par-
poife. It has two ftrong Fins, which like the Arms of a
Man, are joined co the Shoulder-blades, and is faid to
be of that fwirtnefs, that it will eafily overtake a Ship
in full (ail before the Wind. They generate like rational
Animals, bringing for.cn 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 (aid co live two or three hundred Years.,
They iometimes fwim in Shoals, and at other times on-
ly the Male and Feisale 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 faid to be a certain fign of a Storm
fhortly to follow, when they are km fporting, and fre-
quently moving their Bodies m 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 wich 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 Fad, for they
are ftraight and not crooked. Their Flefh is eaten by
the Dutch> and is of good Account amongfl: the French ;
though according to the Accounts of fome, it yields no
very grateful Talk, 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
Aflies of the whole Fifh applied with Water, is good
againft the Tatars, Ring-worms, Scruff mi Leprofe,

- -"-" Thg

■**

NorthXARlOLINJ. 227

The Fly'mg-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 one of oup Mullets. Ic has two large Fins
near the Head, which refemble a pair of Wings, one
on the Back, and two underneath the Belly, with thefe
Fins, it flies near a Gun-fhot before it touches the Water3
and when it hath wet it's Wings ic 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 vait 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-fiih, is a fmall fort of the Shark kind, but ■
feldorn exceeds twenty Pounds. They are frequently
caught with the Hook and" Line when they fiih tor
Drum. They have a long tapering Body without Scales,
but covered with a fharp hard Skin, that is made ufe of
to polijGh fine Wood. Their Snout is a little long and
round at the point, the Flefh is white, ofeafy conco&ion,
but of no pleafant Tafte, and is therefore belt eaten
with Muftard or fome fharp Sauce. They are very nu-
merous m 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 Alligater.

The Spanijh Martarel, 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 Fifli, greedily fwallowing
either Beat or Fifh that comes in their way. They arc
a very fine hard Fifh, and^ of good Tafte The Livec
eaten, helps Obftm&ion of the Liver and Jaundice,

F f 2 the

■ '

p28 The Natural HISTORY of

The Cavallies are about the bignefs of a Mackard the
Fins and Tail are partly like a Dolphins. They 'have
large Eyes, and are of a brownifh' colour on their Backs,
and their Bellies white ; they have exceeding ima'!
Scales, and a very thick Skin. They are uken in the
fame places with the Spamjh-Mackarel, and are one of the
firmeit Fifties known in thefe parts, and will therefore
keep fweet (in the extremity of the hot Weather) two
or three Days without Salt, when others will Stink in
half a Day, if not Salted. Thpfe that catch them, im-
mediately take off their Scales, otherwife you muft pull
Off the Skin and Scales when boiled ; the Skin being the
ehoiceft part of the Fifli. Their Meat is exceeding
LWhite, and very rclifhing when it is. well Dreft.

The Bonetos are very fine and palatable Fillies, and
generally about a Yard long. They moft commonly
frequent the Inlets and Waters near the Ocean, and are
Itill'd with the Harpoon and Fijh-gig, but feldom or never
with the Hook and Line, though they arc very pletny
In feveral places on this Coaffc.

The Blue-Fi(h, fo call'd, from their being of that co-
lour, they are accounted one of the belt fort of Fifhes in
thefe parts, being very fat. They have a forked Tail,
and are partly fhaped like a Dolphin, They are as large
and as long as a Salmon, and as good. They come to
thefe Coafls in the fall of the Year, and after there has
been one black Froft, in great Shoals, fo that the Indians
and others who wade into the Waters ftrike and kill vaft
Numbers of them with their Fifi-gigs. Sometime"? many
Cart loads of them are found dead and left dry on the
SeaShore,- which is occafloned for the moft part by
their eager purfuit after the fmall Fiih ; by which means
they and feveral other Fifhes run themfelvesonShoar,and
she Tides leaving them oil the dry .Sand$. they .cannot
. , .-..■. !.,'u / . \.; '• recover,.

msm

North CAROLINA 229

recover the Water again and fo dye ; wherefore thofe
that are diipofed to get up early betore the Fowl come
to prey, may get what quantities they pleafe of feveral
torts or Fifties all along thele coafts. And notwith-
Handing thefc Blue- fifh are accounted fo extraordinary
oood, Kt they fomctimes occafion Sicknefs after eating
"hem viz,, violent heatsall over the Body with Shivenngs,
Head-ach,and the like, which is chiefly owing to the
Gall being broke in (omeof them, which is very hurtful,
as I found by giving it to a Dog.

The Dmmfilh whereof there are two forts, w*. the
Red and the Black. The Red is a large fcaly Fifh,
much bieger than die Blue- fib, fome or them being above
four Feet' long; the Body is excellent firm Meat, and
extraordinary good nourifhment; their Heads exceed m
^ooc-nefs all the Fifh in thefe parts, being the moil deli-
cious Difh I ever met with. There are greater Num-
bers of them to be met with in Carolina, than any other
fort of Fid. 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 (oft Grab, and
fo Salt them up and Traniport them to other parts that
are fcarce of Provifions. -,

The Black-Drums arc a thicker made Fifh, and much
fatter than the former ; they are an excellent good Fifh,
but not fo common here, as they are in the more Nor-
therly parts of this Continent, they arc taken after the
fame manner with the former, viz,, with Hook and Line
The Anrel-fijb, fo called from it's beautiful Goldeft
Colour, that fhines all about it's Head and Belly ; it is
infhapeexaaiylike the Bream, and is very good to eat,

The fame fore of Fifh is plentifully to be met with all
*-. — * — - -,,— along

%3° The Natural K I S T O R Y of

along the Coaft of Bermudas, and is very much efteemed
Dy the Inhabitants of that Maud.

The Bafs, or Rock-fijh, are to be met with both in the
iait and treih Water;; when they are young they very
much referable a Grey-Lmg, but t.iey grow to the tize of
the : large -Cod-fib. They are a good, firm,, and well rafted
*Uh, andarem great plenty in theie parts ; they are
good Fopd, efpecially the Heads of the large ones ioufed
make a choice Diffi.

The Mullets are the fame as with us in fize and good-
ncis, and are in greater plenty here, than in moft parts
ot Europe, efpecially where the Waters are fait and brack-
ing They are killed by ftriking them wich the Ft[h-gig
or caught in Nets, for they feldom or never take the
Bait. I have frequently known them at Night-time,
£0 leap into the Cannoes, and likewife vaft numbers of
them to be found dead o\i the dry Sands or Shears.
They are much of the Nature of the Pike. They
ftrengthen the Stomach, and are good againft the Choi
icti, €Xc.

The Sleeps-head, 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 fbaped like him, be-
ing flat. It has the vogue or being one of the choiceft
Fifties in this Province : Moll certainly it is a delicate
Fifli, and well reliflied, yet I think there are many
others as good. It is taken with the Hook and Line as
the Drum, . They are plenty in all our Salt-water Ri-
vers and Inlets, and generally weigh two to three Pounds,
and fometimes more.

The Plate* arc here very large and plenty, being the
fame as with us in Europe, they are of good nourifliment,
but more watry than Soalt. The beft Plaice have the
blacfeeH Spots, as the bell Flouuders have the reddeft.

--— -,---- "The

mm

North CAROLINA

231

The Soals are found here, but not in Such plenty as
generally other FiSh are, but are as good and as fweet
here, as in any pare of Euwfe. They are of the nature
or the Plaice and Flounder, but a much better Fifh, being
more firm and Solid, and afford more plenty of nourish-
ment. The Indians and others kill vaft quantities of
thefe two forts, and the Flounders, with their Fifo~gig$9
efpecially in the dark Nights, when the Weather is
calm, with Lights.

The Shads are the fame here as in Europe ; they ate
pleafant, fweet, and nourishing, but are full of Bones, that
it is dangerous to eat them without great care. They are
to be met with in great plenty at fome Seafons. They
are faid to be fomcthing Hypnotick in their Nature.

The Fat- backs, are lo called, from being one of the
fatteft Fifhes 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
arc an excellent fweet Fifh, cat well, and are very
nourishing.

The Guar, or Guard-Jijh, whereof there are two fort?,
viz,, the White and the Green. The White is Shap-
ed almoft like a Pike, but more {lender. It's Mouth
has a long Small Bill, Set with very Sharp Teeth with
which it catches it's prey which are Several forts of fry
andfmall Fifhes. They have if rong large Scales io firmly
knit together, that it is a hard matter to pierce through
them with the fiiarpeit Knife. When they drefs them,
they flit the Belly, where the Scale? are not fo ffrong or
Armor-like, and take off their Skin, which they throw
away as uSelefs. The Meat is white and firm, and looks
rather like Flefh than Fifli. It is but very indifferent and
courfe Food, therefore not much coveted by the Planters,
though the Indiansm rcry fond of them, ^The Gall

232 The Natural HISTORY of

is very Green, and a moil violent Catbartick it taken in-
wardly.

The Green-guard, is fhaped in all refpects like the o-
ther, oniric is not, fo large, and it's Scales are Finer.
The upper Jaw is the fame asm the Alligator , moveable.
It's Bones when fry'd crbroyl'd, remain as green as
Grafs, though the Meat be Of a white colour, and is but
indifferent Food. The lame fort of Fifti is generally to
be met with on the Coaits of Ireland, before the Seafon
of the Mackarel, and feidom afterwards.

The Scate, or Stingrej h altogether of the nature of
the Thornback, but itrotiger.' They are the fame here
as are to be met within fevcral parts of Europe, and are
very common ,• but the great plenty of other good Fifh
makes them little regarded, for few or none eat them
Sn this Province (except the the Negroes and Indians}
though they are at every Planter's Door,-as\tar.*s the fait
Waters are. The Skin is uled to polifh Ivory, and fine
Wood ; it is faid that they couple with the Ihornback*
and grow till they weigh One hundred and Sixty Pounds.
The Oil or the Liver is good in hard Swellings, and
She 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 Scats and Whip-Rays. Their Flefh
is moift, nourishes much, and reft ores in long and deep
Confumptions, the Liver is fweet, and has the fame vir-
tues. The Gall cures Difeafes or the Ears and Itch.

The Congtr9 or great Sea-Eel, always remains in the
Salt Waters, it is white, fat, and fwect Flefh, which
rjourifhes to exccfa, and is dangerous becaufe of Surfeits s
they arc beft when firft boiled in Water, Salt, Sweet-
Herbs, and Spices, then Broiled, or Collared, and them
they are exceeding good Meat, Thefe kind of FHr

£r€

North CAROLINA. ni

are better known to the Northward of America, than id
this Frovince.

The Lamprey, or Lampron, is not common iti thefe
Parts but plency to the Northward. They arc beft iti
March- and April* being then fatteft « in Stimmer 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 eai
Flefti, and when taken, arc faid to fly at the Firfiers,
and to be an Enemy to the Conger. They are fomecimeS
taken in the Fifh-wairs, but the Indians cannot endure
them, neither will they eat them, though they are fond
of moil: other forts of Fifli found in thefe Parts, Pliny re-
portecb, that they Spawn at all times of the Year, where«
as all other Fifh have certain Seafons. The Flefh is
fweet and of good Nourifhment, yet it is apt to caufe
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 Flcfli is very fweet,
and yields much Nourifhment, but apt to furfeit if much.
eaten. The Fat is good againil blows and difcolouring
of the Skin, dropt into the Ears, helps old Pains and
Deafnefs, The Gall Is excellent againft SufTufions of
the Eyes, and the Blood warm with Wine helps the CBq-
Hck.

The Sun~Fi(h\$ very fat and rounder than a Bream, it's
hinder part is invironed with a Circular t?in, which
ferves inftead of a Tail, fo that it may feem to be buc
the Head of a Fi&,or a Fifh in part rather rhan 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 ifoarp Skin, the colour,
Gg • whereof

8.34 The Natural HISTORY of

whereof on the Back is black, and on the Belly a light
filver grey. They arc extreamly well tailed, therefore
in great Eftecm among!! the Inhabitants.

The Toad- Fi(bt or rather the tea Urchin, becaufe they
are nothing but a Skin full of Prickles, and very few
Bones. 1 hey are as ugly as a Toad, and of no manner
of Ufe only to be preferved and hung up in Grottos to
look at. Their manner of fwimining is to rowl and
tumble round like a Ball.

The Sea-Tench is of a blackilh colour, but exactly 'in
fhape like a Tench, except in the back Fins, which arc
like thofe of a Perch. They are as good if not better
than the frefc-water Tench; they .are taken by Angling
with Hook and Line as the Drum and Pear eh, near the
Inlets, or a fmall diltance out at Sea, where they are in
great Plenty,

The ^Salt-Water Trouts, commonly called the White
Trouts, are exactly fhaped like the Trouts with us, only
thefe 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 Frbft 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 hotwithftanding 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 Bait, 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
Biit. They are in fhape like a Pmh% and in tafte like a
Wh'neing% and are very plenty.

The

North C ARID LIN A.

The Smelts, are the fame here "as I have.obfervcd^in
feveral parts of Europe. They are about eight or nine
Inches long, and one broad ; chey fraell like Violets, and
are of the fined, lightefr, fofteft, and beft Juice, of moft
other Fifti, efpecially in the Winter, and when full of
Spawn. They lye down a great way in the 5ound to-
wards the Ocean, where they are very plenty, and vail
numbers of them are taken at certain Scafons of the

Year.

The Sea-Bream is thin, broad, and flat, exadly re-
fembiing our Frefh-water Bream ; though there hath ,
not been any fuch Fifh difcovered yet m the frefh Wa-
ters of Carolina, that I could ever learn. Their Flelh is
white and folid, of good Juice and Nouriihment, and
eafy of Digcftion, They are very plenty in the Sound
and Salt- Water.

The Taylor is about the bignefs of a middling Trout,
but of a blueifh and green Colour, with a forked Tail
like a Mackrel. They are excellent fine and delicious,
Fiftics,very plenty in the fait and brackifh Waters, where
they are caught with the Bait.

The Herrings ate not quite fo large as thofe with us
in IrelandyZnd other parts of Europe. They come in fuch
great Shoals to Spawn in the Months of March and
4pril, that I have feen the Chrijlian Inhabitants catch as
many Barrels full as they pleafed, or as long as their Sale
lafted to prefer ve them, with Sieves and Shovels, Jnftead
of Nets i for at that Seafon they run up the Creeks and
imall Rivulets of Water in fuch Numbers, that the Bears
rake them out of the Water, as I have obferved elfe where,,
When they are frefh their Flelh is very white and more
delicious than the Herring with us in Europe, but when
they are Salted they become red, and ifdreft with Oil
and Vinegar referable an Anchovy very much, being far
G g a beyond

sg6 The Natural HISTORY of

beyond any J have ever met with in Europe, when well
Pickled, but if tnolc Fdh are eaten too greedily whilil
freffi are apt to breed leavers. The Planters export ft!
yeral Barrels from hence to the Iflands in the Weft. Indies
and other parts Ghat are icarce of Provifions.

THUS? have given you the raofl exaft and Impar-
tial account of the Salt-water Fift that came to mv
ftnowledge during my flay in thofe parts, though I have
eat offeveral pther forts of Fifli which 1 have omitred

U v^??' they are Ilot <Minguifoed by any certain
frighfli Names, that I couM learn, yet the Indians^
yell acquainted with them and have very uncouth Name-;
for, which no doubt the Cbrifiiam in time will difcover
|%ciaiiy when this Colony is better inhabited and the
Fifiimg 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
ma with in the frefti Waters,

The Sturgeon is the firft ofthefe whereof we have great
plenty, all the frefh parts of our Rivers being wellflored
with diem, fhe. upper parts of this fifli are of a fordid
Olive Colour, or betwixt a grey and a black : The
Belly of -a Silver Colour. They have a midline Head";
yery fmall Eyes, for the bulk of the Fifli. The Snout is
long, broad and Oiarp, and the Mouth without Teeth,
|hey have no Chops, from whence it appears that they
feed by fucking. They are a large Fifli with a long Body,
fifteen 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,
.pfe higher^ of thefe there are no certain Number; for
# has been ofcferved that fome have Eleven fome Twelve
an4 .Qthers. Thirteen ;. this row is extended from the
.-.•■- '...*. i. Head

m

North CAROLINA. 231

Head to the fin ofthc Back near the Tail. The Rows
on the iides extend from the Head to the very Tail ;
made up with about thirty (harp Thorns or Prickles.
The lower row which ■ begin at the firft pair of the Fins
and ena at the fecond, are each made up of Eleven,
Twelve or Thirteen j ail the Scales of the rows in ge-
neral, have on their Tops ftrong fharp Prickles bending
backwards. Befides thefe five rows, they have only
Wo Scales in the middle of the Belly, the reft of the Belly
being fmooth. They have a large forked Tail like that
of the Shark's, the upper part whereof moots out beyond
the lower a confidcrablc way. Thefe Fifhes fometimes
frequent the Salt Waters like the Salmonsb\xt come to their
created perfection in the Rivers, where they are found
twelve or fourteen Feet long, but thole in the Sea feldocn
exceed above a Foot and a half. They always are ob-
ferved to fwim faded againft the Stream, and grow till
they weigh above two hundred pound Weight. In the
Month of May (at which time they are belt in Seafon
especially 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
«>reat Numbers of them with their Fijb-gigs and Nets,
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 of the Rivers arc fond
of them, and frequently cat them, but thole near the falts
and Chriftiam will not make any ufe of them. Theie
Bones fcrve indifferently for Rafps or Graters to grate
Nut-megs, Bread, and the like withall. The Sturgeon is
an excellent Fifh when in Seafon, being flrengthning, and
is efteemed as good as Veal, if not better; of their Eggs
or Spawn is made the Caviary fo much efleemed amongft

238 The Natural HISTORY of

the Quality. The Liver is fo fweet,that without fomeof
the Gall, it caufeth loathing. The Flefh is good againft
hoarfnefs and clears the Voice, the Fat cures the Kibes %
and the Bones help the running Gout.

The Jack, Pih, or Pickerel, of thefe wc have two forts
(one living in the frefh, and the other in the Salt Water)
and are exactly of the fame fhape with thofe in Europe,
but differ very much infize, for they are feldom found in
thefe parts of America, above two Foot long, as far as I
have yet feco. They are very plenty wich us in this
Province, all the frefh Water Rivers and Creeks abound-
ing with them, and vaft quantities are frequently taken in
their Wairs at a time. The Flefh or this Fifh is whiter
and more excellent than that of the Carp, and is fo harm-
lefs that it may be given to fkk 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 thofe of the frefh Water.
They are laid to live above two hundred, Years, and that
from their greedinefs of eating, they will often difgotge
their Stomach of thofe Fifties they had taken in, and that
they will fometimes fwallowaFifh near as large as tfacm-
felves, taking the Head in formoft, the Tail hanging out
or the Mouth, and fo draw it in by little and little, till
they compafs the whole.

The Jrouts 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 hare
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.

TheGudgeom, there arc the fame forts found here, as in
leveral parts of Europe, they are of the nature of the Perch,
>] y -....■ and

North CAROLINA.

239

and the whiteft is the beft, they are good pleafant food
and ofeafy digeftion, nourishing much, and increafing
good 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 have 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 goodagainft Fevers, and the Stones in their
Heads near the Back bone are accounted good againft
the Stone in the Reins.

The fecond fort of: Perch is call'd the white Perch be-
caufe it is of a Silver colour otherwife it is like the for-
mer or Englijh Perch in fhape and fize, Thefe are in very
crreat 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 fort of Perches
we have in thefe parts, fome growing to be larger than
any Carp, ana are a very firm white and fwcet Fifh, and
are very plenty in the Rivers and Creeks.

The foarth fort are vulgarly cslVdlriJh -men, thefe are
a more flat Fid than any of the former, and much re-
fembling a Bream, being all over freckled or mottled with
Black and Blue fpots, they are a very good Fifh and are
never taken any where bat m the frefti Waters where
they are very plenty.

The fifthfort are diftinguifhed by the Name of round
Robins and are the leaft fort of all, they are flat and very
round lhaped like a Roach, are beautifully mottled with
red {pots, and are as good Meat as any o^ the former,
they are very eafily taken with a Bait,asall the reft of the
Perches are and are very numerous, each Creek and Ri-
ver of frefh Water abounding with them.

The

■Hi

240 The Natural H I S T 0 R Y of

The Roach is here Like wife but is not as large as thofe
in Europe. It is a good Fifh but its being fo full of fmall
Bones makes k dangerous and Little regarded. It is
repot ced to be a healthful Fifh and not Subject to any
diieafes, whence comes the Proverb as found as a Roach.
The Flefh is laid to excite Luft and cure Fevers.

The Carp is the fame as in Europe but is not quite fo
large. It nas a fhort Head without either Teeth or
Tongue, but infiead thereof a flefhy Palate that it may
reiifh its food. The Fins are broad, the Tail forked and
the Body covered with very large itrong Scales, Its flefh
is fat, foftjfwcet, and nourifhes very much, and is baft
in March, the Male being better than the Female, and
the White than the Yellow. The fat cures diieafes of
the Nerves, the Stones about the Eyes are faid to be good
againft the heat of Fevers, and likewife for the falling
Sickoefs, 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 flefh is fort, fweet in
tafle, and of good nduriftiment,- and when pickled like
Anchovies after the Italian manner, is Stomachical. They
are belt in February, March and April 9 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 thele Fifh have
Yellowifh fpots both on the Back and fins, and taftc very
much like 2iPlaife\ The Indians and others kill vaft quan-
tities of them not only with the Bait but likewife with
their Fifi-gigs> efpecially with Lights at Night. They
are an excellent Fifh and of good Nourifhment, ftrengthen
she Stomach, caufe Appetite and help the Spleen.

The

■*PHS

Worth CAROLINA,

241

The Loche is the fame here as in Europe. The Flcih
is very light and excellent nounihment, delicate in :aite,
wholfome, and good tor Women with Oihd.

The Suckim'hjk are neareft in caite to 9 Air% oly
they have no Barbs, they ate about * Foot an, a halt
long and are a very fort ana flaoby Fifh, and thaetore
are fcldoffl or never made ufe 01 except oy the ■. Negr.es
and Indians, they are generally taken with the bait and
are very plenty in our Rivers and Creeks.

The Cat-m, fo eall'd, from the Whiskers or fmall fins
they have about their Mouths. They are neauft m taite
to Eels of any Fifh I have ever met with. Tney are ge-
nerally boild and made into Soup or Broath, which is the
beft way of dreffing thetn. They are an excellent good
Fifh and nouriw very much. There is another kind ot
Cat-fib which frequents the Salt Waters exactly like the
former, both thefe forts are very plenty in thelc parts,
and are taken by angling with a Bait. They are a round
blackifh Fifh with a great flat Head and wiae Moutn,
and like the Eels have no Scales. . - ■/-

The Grindal,^* long fcaled Fifh with fmall Eyes,
and frequent Ponds, Lakes and flow running Creeks and
Swamps, but a very indiflfrcnt fott fifh, therefore not
much coveted or made ufe of except by the Negroes or /«-
dians, though fome eat them, and report they arc good

The OW-wit/«, thefe arc bright fcaly Fifh which fre-
quent the Swamps and frefh runs of Water,they have very
{mall Mouths and large Eyes, with a great Fin on chcic
Back, they feem to be between an European Roach and a
Bream, and eat much like the latter, they are in great
plenty up the Frefhes. The Indians take abundance ot
thefe Fifh and Barbakue them till they are Grifp, and to
Tranfport thcra on wooden Hurdles to their Towns and
Quarters. H h The

242 The Natural HISTORY <f

The Fountain-fib, fo call'd, from its frequenting the
Fountains and clear running Streams of Water, where
they breed and arc to be met with and no where elk-
They are of a whiiifo colour and as large as a midling
7>Mtf,andby the clearnefsof the Water are very difficult
to be taken, therefore! can't inform you how good they
are, having never taftcd any of them, but the Indians fay
they are a fine fifh. *

The Bar hut j, or Miller* s-Thumby 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 fcvcral fharp prickles or Thorncs,efpecially
in thole near the Head. Thefe fifh are very plenty in
Rivers and Creeks near the Sea Shoar where they feed on
watry Infe&s.

This is the bed Account I can give, or is yet known
of the FISHES in the frefh Waters, few more being
discovered, though I am fatisfied, and may with Juftice
and iafety fay, that there is not one third part of them
yet difcovered, or made known to us, therefore (hali
omit many ftrangc and uncouth fhapes and fort of Fifties
which we are told by the Indians , arc 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- fifh which are found in the Salt
Waters, as far as they are yet difcovered.

The OYSTER % whereof there are two Sorts, the
great and the fmall, both Ehefc arc in greater plenty here

than

«*

tfortb CAROLINA.

243

than in moft parts of the known World, for great Num-
bers of them are to be tound in almoft every Creek and
Gul or Salt Water, and frequently hanging upon Boughs
of Trees, as they bend into the Water, io that when
the Tide is out you (hall fee them fufpended in che Air,
which woud be a very uncommon fight in Ireland,io fee
Fi(h growing upon Trees. In the found in feveral places
there are iuch quantities of large Oyfter-hanks, thac they
are very troublefome to Veflels trading to thefe parts,
which happen to come in amongit tnem. They are
of a different fhapc, from thofe with us, for thofe 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,
cauie an Appetite, and breed good Juices, being light
and eafy of difgeition, and are good in Confumptions,
and feveral other disorders.

Thefe Oyflers pickled, are well relifhed, excellent good
for a Cold raw and fquafy Stomach. The Shells in
Powder cure Heartburnings,are good in Feavcrs and the
like, and are the only Lime we have for building in this
Country.

The Spanifi-Oyfters, are fo call'd, from their great plen-
ty in the Spanifi Weft-Indies -, they have a very thin Shell,
and rough on the outfide. They are excellent good
SheU-fijb, and fo large that half a Dozen are fufficient to
fatisfie a hungry Stomach. From thefe Oyflers come the
Pearls that are fo ufeful in Phyfick and fo Ornamental. ,
The Cockles, whereof there are two forts, the larger
and the fmallcr, and firft, the large Cockles are io very big
that one of them is as large as five or fix of thofe in Ire-
land. They are fo very plenty in ieveral parts, that they
arc often thrown upon the Sands on the found fide,
H h 2 where

244 The Natural H I S T O R Y of

where the Guffs and other Birds are always ready to open
and eat them. Thefe as well as the former are great
Strengthened of the Stomach, and increafe a good Ap-
petites provoke Urine, help the Cholick, reftorein Con-
sumptions, and in all decays of nature are very good.

The Small Cockles are about the bignefs of our largeft
Cockle, and differ in nothing from them except in the Shells
which are flriped 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 are thicker, and not ilreaked or ribbed as
the Cockles are. They are plenty in feveraJ places along
the Sound-fide, and Salt-water Ponds. They are very
good Pickled, and their Meat tafUs like other Cockle?;
they make excellent ftrong Broth, which ftrengthens
the Stomach, is nourifhing, breeds good Juices, is a
Reftorative in Confumptions, and other natural De-
cays.

The Conchs, fome of thefe are very large, but the leflfer
fort are the belt Meat -, and that, in my Opinion, not
extraordinary, notwithstanding feveral in thefe parts are
fond of them, and extol them very much .• The Fifh
within their Shells is fhaped exadly like a Horfe's Yard ;
of this- Shell the Indians make their Peak, or Wampum,
which is the richeft3 and moft. valuable Commodity they
have amongft them. They breed in a kind of Sub/lance
jruped like a Snake, which contains a fort of Joints, in
the hpliownefs whereof are thoufands or fmall Conchs, 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 thole found in the Iflands in the Weft
Indies. ■■• ' i \i .-•.... > ■. .

The Mufies are iruch larger than thofe with us, their
Shells Ueing thicker^ larger, and Griped with Dents :
&..„> a- , ,*., .'. .4 1 ".i ; ,, they

North CAROLINA.

245

thev grow by the fides of Fonds, and Creeks of Salt,
waters, where may be had what quantity they pleafe.
They are very apt to give Surfeits, yet there are thofe
who are fond of them, and prefer them to Ojftm. Some
boyl them, whereof they make Broth (which is the beft
way of dreffing them) which is nounfhing and purgeth
the Reins, therefore good for thoie that have the Drop-
fie, Jaundice, Stone or Gout. They alfo eat well when

they are Pickled. .;/.,■,, , L r r

TheWhale-Louft. Their Head is like that ofc a Loufc
with four Horns j the two rtiort ones that Hand out be-
fore have Knobs like the Sticks of Kettle-Drums. They
have fix plates on their Backs, and their Scales as hard
as Prauns. Their foremoft Legs are in fhape like a half
Moon, with fharp points, by which they fallen 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 fame height
out or the Waters in a rage. ' J- _

There is a little lmall Fifli in the frefli Waters in Ire-
land, fomething like the former, but has no Scales, which
is very troublefome to the Pike, but whether it raolefts
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 thofe that fifli, and dwell near the Ri-
vers, that one of thefe will kill the largeft Pike, by cut-
ting a hole in his Belly. .

The Crabs whereof there are two forts, viz. the large
gone Crab and the fmall flat Crab. The large flone Crabs
are the fame in Carolina as with us in Ireland, having
black tips on the ends of their Claws thefe forqs arc plen-
tifully to be met with near Cedtr-Jfl.wd, Core-Scund&nd
she Couth pares of this Province. The whole Crab is
\.t, --. - "-■ "• ~rrr. t-t^--: ,- excellent

•\\'

246 The Natural HISTORY^

excellent againft all forts of Fevers, Confumptions, Hec-
ticks, Afthmas, the Stone in cue Rein* and Bladder,
pains and Stopage of Urine, and many other diforders.

The imaller or flat Crab, in North Carolina is one of
thefweeteft and beft relifhed or an> of chat [pedes I ever
met with in any part of Europe^ when they are boyiecj their
flefh is very red and preferable in goodneis to any Lob-
Jiert they are as large as a Man's Hand, or rather larger.
Thefe arc innumcraole, lying in great quantities all over
the Salts,- I have known the little Boys take Bufhels full
of them in a tew Hours. They are taken, not only
to be eaten, but are one of the beft Baits for all manner
of Fifli that take the Hook. They are very mifchevious
to thoie that fee Night Hooks to catch Fifli, tor they
generally take away all the Bait; both thele forts caft
their Shells every Year, at which time they make Holes
in the Sand, and cover themfeives, or thofe with hard
Shells lye on them 'till their Shells harden, otherwile
they would be deftroyeH by other Fifh. Thefe fort
have the fame Virtues with the former.

The Fiddlers, arc a fort of fmall Crab that lie in Holes
in low, wet, and marmy Ground. The Racoons are very
fond of them, hunt for them in thofe places, and eat
them. I never knew any of them eat by the Chrijiians9
fo cannot inform you whether they are good or no.

The Runners or Sprits, fo called, becaufe they are
apt to pinch and bite PeopIesLegs in the Night, as they
walk near the Shoar, and likewife from their running (o
faft. They are a kind of a whitifli Crab, and though
they are (o fmall, they will run as faft 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

North CAROLINA.

this to be the Hitfcee, or Hi^eist rcprelented by
Pliny*

The Soldier, is a kind of Shell-fifh, fo called, but for
what reafon 1 know not, except it be for their often
changing their Houies, or Quarters, from one hollow
Concb-jhell to another j tor they are obfcrvcd to be itiil
changing their Habitations as they grow larger, having
no Shell of their own. They have Claws like a Crab,
anu may be reckoned a Species of them, but of the fmal-
left kind. They are good when well drefled, very nou-
rifhing, and create a good Appetite.

The Wilksy or Periwinkle, are not fo large as they
are in many parts of Europe, but asiweet and good, or
rather bettec, being good Food and Nouriftiment ; they
are reftorative in Confumptions and Hecticks, being fod*
den in their own Sea-wacer, or boiled in Milk.

The Skallops are pretty good, if well d relied, but if
only roafted, without any other Addition, are too luf-
cious to be made ufe of, and are apt to furfeit, but o-
therwife they are nourifhing, and comfortable to the
Stomach.

The Man of Nofes arc ShtU-fijb, commonly found in
thefe parts, and are much valued and efteemed for increaf-
ing vigour in Men, and preventing barrenefs in Women,
which is a thing feldom attends the Females here j foe
generally they are fruitful enough, without the benefit
of thefe Fifties. But mod certain it is, that they arc
very nourifhing, and create good Juice in the Blood s

The Platings fo called from their flat fhape. They^are
inclofed in a broad thin Shell, the whole fifti being flat.
They are a very good and delicious Fifti and inferior to
no Shell-fifh this Country affords.

The Sea Snail Horn is exactly ftiaped like as other
Snail Horns are. They arc a large and very good Shell-

Fife

248 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/

Fifli and their Meat is very noiirifhing 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 otae or two feet deep, and are an extraordinary good
Shell-Fifh.

The Shrimps arc 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 reiiorative and
good in Confumptions, Hc&icksand Afthmas, and are ars
excellent good Bait to catch Mullets, Pikes, and feveral
other forts of Fifli that are caught by angling with the
Bait.

The Sea- Nettles (by fome called Camels) whereof there
arc great plenty in the Weftern-Scas and Salt Waters on
the coaft of America. They feem to be nothing elfe but
Slime, or a lump of Jelly, with a cait of red, blue and green
colours in it, they Swim like a Bladder above the Water,
but downwards there are long Fibrous Strings, fome
of which are near half a Yard long ; fome will have
this Jelly to be a fort of Sea-plant, and the Strings its
roots growing in the Sea as Duck-wed does in Pends,
but theQuery is, if they be not a certain Species of Spawn
for 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 bhfter the
Hands or any other part of the Skin (like Nettles) where
ever they touch. I am perfuaded that they are of fo ve-
nemous a Nature that few Fifli prey upon them, other-
wife they woud not be fo numerous as they are, notwith-
landing I have known iome of them taken out of the

Sortb CAROLINA. 249

Guts of the Bawks-bdkd Turtle. They arc ca led &**
Kettle,, from the lunging and bliftcrmg quality cdcy
have like Nettles, occafioning burning Pains to what-
ever part 01 the Skin they happen to couch.
" The frefh-water Sheli-fijb are the Mujfets and CrfWjW
The Muffels are here piemy in Several pans of chct reftics,
and are much the tame as in Europe s they are only made
ufe ofby the Indians, who eat them after five or ux
Hours boiling to make them tender ; there are valuable
Pearls found in fome of them, the whiteft are the.boft,
being the whoifomeft. The B:oth is opening, and there-
fore good in the Drepfie, Jaundice, ana Gut.

The Craw M are very plenty in the Brooks and Imall
Rivers or Water amongft the Indians, and at the heads
of the Rivers near the Mountains ; they are as delicious
and eood here as in any part of the World. They are
fliaoed like a Scorpion, and the Srones in the Head are
accounted good againft the Jaundice and Stone in the
Reins The Black are much better cnan the White j they
nourifh and ftrengthen the Body, and the Soop made ofc
them is in very great Value and Eftcem amongit the
Quality.

Having thus given a Defcripticn of feveral Species, ot
Kinds of Fillies that are to be met with, and already
known in North- Carolina ; I (hall in the next place pro-
ceed to what remains of the Prejent State, having already
accounted for the Animals and Vegetables, as rar as this
Volume would allow of, and whate\er remains may oe
eafily gueffed at by any ingenious Man who confidcrs
what latitude Carolina lies in, which reacucs from 29
to 36 Degrees 30 Minutes of North Latitude, as I have
already obferved ; Moll: part of this fpacious Country
' I i being

1

sjo The Natural HISTORY/

being wile and uninhabited, atprefent, except by wild
Beans and Savage Indians, from whom we can have but
very imperte& Accounts, they being a People of little
or no Speculation, nor any way Curious.

THE

North CAROLINA.

251

FURTHER

OBSERVATIONS

On the Present 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 other;
times fubtile, and piercing ; and I am per-
iuaded, 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 exceflive 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, or
extream Loofenefs. The e is another thing to be obferv-
ed, Men guard themfelvcs lefs from the Air here, than in
li 2 moft

Q52 The Natural HISTORY of

*noft other Place, trufting to the heat of the Climate, and
receive the cool or che Evenings with only a Shire. I
think that tne Air, though not lo cc Id, is much more
fubtlc and piercing here than in Inland, ic corrodes Iron
much more, not by Moifture, tor it is not iomoifr .; and
foeiides it does it in the dry Weather.

Notwithftanoing this Country is as tertil and plcaf-
ant as any in the World (in the lame Latitude) for the
pounce of Minerals, Fruit, Grain, Wine, and ieveral
other rich Commodities, that are frequently to be met
with in it. All the Experiments that have been already
snaue pf the Fertility and natural Advantages of rheCoun-
*ry, have anfweied beyond expedation, as affording
fome Commodities, which other Places in the fame La-
titude do not.

As for Minerals, they being fubterraneous Products, fo
in all New Countries, they are the lait Species that are ge-
neially dilcovered, and will moft certainly be (p, where
the Indians never look for any thing lower than the fupcr-
ficies or the Earth, being a race of Men, the leaft ad-
dicted 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 goqd and rich Mines
here, that lie full to the Weft ward of us, as any the Spa-
niards pofTefs in America. The Lands near the Heads of
the R vers being Mountainous, and no doubt, have as
rich Minerals in them as any or thofe parts that are ai-
feaay-diicovered to be fo rich.

I fhall fay no more on this Subject at prefent, but give
you fome general Obfervations concerning North-Carols
ua ; which are, That it lies as convenient for Trade as
any Province 111 America, abounding with feveral rich
and valuable Commodities, fuch as Tar , Turpentine, Pitchy
fLofin> MaUs, lards, flanks, Boards3 Staves^ Lumber^
. ? 7imber,

1—1

North CAROLINA. 253

limber of many fores, fie for any ufes ; Skins of &W>
tones Buffelh, Elks, Bears, Panthers, and feveral other
2 L Furrs Ji Beavers, Racoons and many other
wifd Bcafts, which are in great Plenty here ; as alfo fee,
Ikeat, Indian Com, Barley, Oats *««f^r*^
dry torts of Piijfr Powttfi, and variety of fine .FnM,
F/L *«/, P«i ™™> Hides, Urfcs, Wkale-b„m%
MBeesMax, Mrtle-Mx, Honey, Cheeje Butter, Cotton
Tobacco, lndioo, Ccfee.wd no doubt would produce good
Silk Oil and Wine, the Soil of this Country being as
proper as any in the World for that purpofc.
V This Country is likewife adorned with plcafant Sa-
vannas or Meadows, Rivers, Mountains,; Vail les, Hills
and rich Paftures for Cattle, and blefled with a wholfome
pure Air, Specially a little backwards from the Sea
where only wild Bcafts inhabit at prefent, few of which
are fo voracious as to kill Men, Horfes or Cows, roe
there cannot be a richer Soil, no place abounding more
in Fiefh and Fowl, both wild and tame, beudes valt
numbers of excellent Fifh, Grain,Cyder,and many other
Dlcafant Liquors, together with moil Ncceffancs con-
venient for Life, that are daily found out, to the great
Benefit and Advantage of thofc that are already fettled

heThe Stone ot Gout feldom or never afflia the Chrj&ian
Inhabitants, and the Europeans that have been ^ff
with the Stone and Gravel, find prefent Eafe, by drink-

The Consumption we are entire Strangers to, no Coun-
try affording a better Remedy for that Diftcrnper tham
the purenefe of the Air; neither has the fmaS Pox ever
vifitcd this Country but once, and that m the late hdt-
m War, which deftroyed moil of thofc Savages that
;were (ciacd with it, -

254 Tbt Natural H I S T O R Y of

As for Trade, we lie fo near Virginia, that we might
have the advantage of tneir Convoys, if there were oc-
cafion for them, as alio Letters rrom thence in two or
three Days, and from iome places in a tew Hours. The
great numbers or Ships that come to New-England, New-
York, Penjilvama, Mary-Landy and Virginia, make a'ie Pro-
virions fcaice in thofe PJaces, fo that they are frequent-
ly obliged to North-Carolina for thofe NecelTaries, wnere
Provifions and Naval Stores never fail of a good Market.
Befides where thefe are produced and raifed 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, Peachet, Maiz., and feveral
other forts of delicate Fruits, which, are the natural pro-
duce of this Country, and make them the fweeteft Meat
the World can afford ; as is well known to all Strangers
that have been in that Country. And as for their Beef,
it proves extraordinary good, being fat and well relifhed.
We have not only Provifions 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 ;
otherwife there woud not be fuch continual calls for
thofe neceflarys from Europe. But this Climate being
vifited with fo mild and fliort Winters, fave abundance
of Cloaths. We likewife can go out with our Commo-
dites to any part ot the Wefl-Indeas, or eifewhere in the
•depth of Winter, whereas thofe in New- England, New-
York, and Penfilvania, and thofe Colonies to the North-
ward of us, cannot ftir for Ice, but are fall locked into
their Harbours all that Seafon.

We

North CAROLINA, 255

We have no frontier Town in North-Carolina, which
is an advantage in not being fo continually alarm'd by the
Enemy, and what has been accounted a detriment to us,
proves one of the greateft advantages any People cou'd
wifh or detire. This Country being Fenced with a
Sound near ten Leagues over in fome Places, through
which, although there be Water enough for as large
Ships to come in at, as any part hitherto feated in both
Carolina* s ; yet the difficulty of that Sound to Strangers
hinders them from Hofhlites againft us, fo that this na-
tural Bull-work proves very advantageous to us in fecur-
ing us from our Enemies.

Our diftance from the Sea likewise rids us from two
curfes or Plagues which attend moft other parts of 4me-
rica> viz, the Musketo's, and the water Wood-worms, that
eat Ships bottoms. Whereas at Bath and Eden^town, theft
is no fuch thing known, and as for Musketo's we are very
little troubled with them, except it be in low Mayflies,
and near the Salt-wafers, 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
Fifh for them, is another confiderable advantage not to
be met with fo commodioufly in any part of America as
in this Province.

As for the Climate (as I obferved) we generally enjoy
a very wholefome and ferene Sky, and a pure and thin
Air, the Wether feldom proving lo overcaft or Cloudy
but we have the blefling of the warm Sun, except it be
in Winter, and then as foon as the South and Weft- winds
begin to blow, the Horizon immediately clears up and
reftorcs the light of the Sun. The Weather in Summer is
very pleafant, being continually refrefhed with cool re-
viving Breezes from all Quarters except the South, which
is very fultry. Jht

256 The Natural H I S T O R 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 mild that it is rather like an Autumn, except
the Winds blow North-well, at which time it ispeircing
and cold, but proper enough for our conftitutions, and
very wholfome, freeing thefe parts from many dange-
rous diflempers that a continual Summer afflicts them
with, nothing being wanting as to the natural Orna-
ments or bleffings or a Country to the making reafonable
Men happy.

As ror the Conftitution of this Government, it is £0
mild and eafy in all refpecfo, to the Liberties and Pro-
perties of the Subjed, that it is the beft eftabliihed
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 foundation
that every government ought to be built upon, and regu-
lated by.

Bclides this Province has been fettled and continued
the moft free from the intuits and barbarities of the In-
dians of any Colony in America, which was one of the
greateft bleffings that cou'd attend fuch a fmall number
of People as they were, and how Iregularly fettled firft,
and at what diftance they are from each other, and yet
bow undiflurbed they have remained and free from any
Foreign danger or lofs, to what moft of the other Colo-
ny s have been expofed to, not only by the Indians, but
their own Slaves the Negroes. And what may well dc-
ferve Admiration is, that their Prifons arc never crowded
with MalefaBors or Dehors; as to Malefactors I never
knew buc 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

*mm

North CAROLINA

25?

falling afleep, his Friend importuned him to go h< mi
along with him, whicn the other reluiing to do, his
Friend told him, that lie would leave him, which he lud
no looner faid, but the other Siao'd him with his R dfe^
whereor he inftantly died -, the Murderer was immediate
ly apprehended, tried, and condemned to d ie, he con felt
tliat befijle he left Eurvpe he had murdered two, and
hotwithftanding his Condemnation, he round means td
make his eicape out of Prifon fome few Days before the
Execution.

As tor Debtors, few or none are connVa in Prifon '&*
bove four and twenty Hours, for the Sherriff generally
takes them Home to his Houie, or takes their Word
for their Appearance at the next Court, to be held, in
any of their precincts or Barronies^ where they Judge
him a Servant to the Creditor for as long time as they
imagine the Debt deferves, but ii the Per (on has been a
planter and by misfortunes has contracted Debr, or an
aged Pcrlon they frequently at thefe Courts make a
Colleftion amongft themfelves, by which means they
difchargc the Debt, or fatisfie the Creditor ; f© that
by thefe methods none are kept in confinement.

It is likewife ena&e4 by the Laws of the Contntryj
that no Perfon (hall be liable to pay above forty Shilling^
©f their Country Money for any publick- Houfe Scores
for Liquors, let the Perfons that keep fuch Houfes truil
them what they pleafe, yet by Law they can recover nd
more : This is done chiefly to prevent People, if pof-
iible, running in Debt, or fpending their Time idly
after that manner, efpecially .in a Country where Indus-
try is fo much wanting. Notwithstanding this Law9
fome will owe above One hundred Pounds at thefe
Jaierns, or publick Houfes, which Ehcy will juftly and
K k honeftly

■'■■'

258 The Natural HISTORY <f

h©neftly pay, looking upon it as the grcatcft Scandal in
, Nature to make ufe of this Law; neither would the
Country much regard them afterwards it they did. Yec
there are fome that are not 10 (crapulous, or fb flrictly
bound up to Principles of JufHce, that have taken the
advantage of this Law, to defraud their Creditors, when
they had an Opportunity.

There are fcvcral other good Laws in this 'Province,
and particularly, that no Vagabond, or inferiour Perfon
is fufkreu to travel through the Country without a Pais
froiB the Governor, oriome of the juftices of the Peace,
this is done to prevent Tranfports from Europe running
away from their Mailers.

They have no Frontier Towns, as I before obferved,
neither have they any Army, except their Militia, which
are both of Horfe and Foot, having proper Officers, who
are Commiflioned, or Nominated by the Governor, al-
though chey are feldom obliged to Mufter (as they are
in rnoft of the other Englifi Provinces in America) ex-
cept it be to apprehend Offenders that will not fubmie
themfelves to the Law, or be taken by the Authority of
their Juftices of Peace's Warrant ; in fuch caies, they
generally raife the Pojfe or Militia, to feize and bring
them to juftice ; Yec inftances of this Nature are but
feldom, for I never knew but two whilft I was in the
Country.

But to return to the Subject in Hand, there are made
throughout this Settlement, as good Bricks as any I
have ever met with in Europe : All forts of Handy-
eraks, fuch as Carpenters, Joyners, Coopers, Bricklayers,
Plai/ierers, Shoemakers Tanners, Curriers, Taylors, Weav~
ersy and moft other forts of Tradefm.cn, may with fmall
Beginnings, and good Induftry, foon thrive well in
this Fkce, and provide good Eftates, and all manner of

NecefTaries

m

North CAROLINA,

259

Neceflarics for their Families,; Lands being fold at a
cheaper rate here than in moft pares of America. ^

The Farmers that go thither (for which fort or Feo-
ple it is a very thriving place) ftou'd bring with them
fcveral forts of Seeds of Grafs,** Trefoil, Chver-Graji,a\l
forts of Sanfoin, and common Graf, and Specially thole
that have arofe and fprung in a waim Climate, that will
endure the heat of the Sun; like wife feveral Garden
Seeds, and choice FrUit-Trees, and European-gram, tor m-
creafe and hardnefs, and cipecially Olive-Trees and (eve-
ral forts of European-Grapes. The neceflarys tor Hus-
bandry I need not acquaint the Husbandman withal,
but Hoes of all forts, and Axes muil be had, Saws, Wedges,
Aueurs, Nails, Hammers, and what other things may be
neceffary to build witn Timber and Brick. For whoever
reads this Treatife with attention, mull 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 for
want of Lands for taking up, even in places moft delight-
fully feated on navigable Rivers and Creeks, without be-
ing driven to remote parts of the Country forfettlements,
as at prefent they are forced to do in New-England, and
feveral other Englijb provinces in America, which are al-
ready become fo populous, that a new comer cannot get
a beneficial and comodious feat, unlefs he purchafeit at a
very dear rate. a m

Another great advantage here is, that there is liberty
of Confcience fas I did before) allowed to all. Thefe,
things being duly weighed, any rational Man that has a
mind to purchafe Lands for a Settlement for himfelf and
Family, will foon difcover the advantages that attend the
titters and purchafcrs of Lands here above all the other
- Kka " Provinces

; !l

1

%6o

The Natural HISTORY 0f

Prou, c* ; in the £*^ Dominions in America, forEaf<
Am. asicicrtfpa c> of £^ m oe ac mired for its

Vines oj uncus Ions, affording not only retrelhinl
bntmoft leafam ftades to & uJct in tLL 2v S
I ""' W^her, and like wife abounding wirhva^us
k.n«ofw.ld Beads and Buds, which are ffiSdta
them, not only f,r diverfion o. Hunting, ChW-tn
vement and profitable for the fupportlf MaT 7

And LalUy. the large and Navigable Rivtrsind Creeks
that aie to be met with watringand adnrnJn.f i • r
,v we., ilored with vafi ^ gof ffiKftggJ
Fowl. T„ele ornaments and many advantages which it
enjoys, makes ,t one of the p.eafantefi placesif thlworld

Warfr y„w1 fOT nT-*^ °f thdr Commodities by
;J'er> "l"fh «? called .n thefe parts Ar&toi and
JW wh eh are the Boats made ufe of in tbi?&.„S£

and he/C"T'ly made, 0M °f °ne P£ice o( '«g« Timber
and that mofl commonly of the &M kind thich theJ

a7kSWrd 1J,2Ped ^ a B-^ with Mafo OS
of hde ' .aCC°rdlnS *? ^u fne and Wgwfi- Some
of cam i TZlZS' a'e/°J«g= *at the/are capable
oUamn.g f0,ty w fifty Barr6!$ of F.ub or Jar. In.

thefe

,

JSorPb CAROLINA.

261

thefe VeiTels i.kewife chey carry Goods, Horfes, and
other Cacclc from one Plantation to another over large and
fpaciuus Rivers ; they frequently trade m them to Vfrgm*
and other places on this continent, no Vellel of the iame
Burthen made after the European manner is able to out
Sail one of thefe Periaugers.

The Canoes are or leis Burthen than the former, lome
will carry two or three Horfes over thefe large Rivcrsa
and others Co (mall that they will carry only two or three
Men. Thefe are more ticklifh than Boats, but no Boat
in the World is capable to be rowed as raft as they are,
and when they are full of Water they will not in k, and
not only the Indians but even the Chilians are ver]?
dexterous in managing of them.

Before the arrival of the Ckrt&ians in thefe parts (as
I have been credibly inform'd) the Indians had no other
Method in mak ng thefe Periaugers and Cames> but by
Fire, burning them hollow with Gums and Rofms, and
Scraping them with fliarp Stones or Shells, prepared roc
that ufe, according to the fhape and fize they propuled
to make them, having neither Handlaws, Axes, Adds,
Chizel, or any other lnftrumenrs made of Iron or Steel,
wherewith to fafhion or make them ; but at prefent they
have all manner of Inftruments proper tor fuch ufes,
which they have purchafed from the Christians. It is
moft certain, that no People in the World are more han-
dy and dexterous in managing their Periaugers, and Ca~
noes, with either Sail, Oar, or Paddle, man they are |
^nd 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 2
Gourd with the other, and fo proceed on their intended
Voyage. They likewife very often fer their PmaugerS
£§d Canoes, along the Shoar with long Poles. V™

262 The Natural HISTORY of

The : Land Carriages are much after the fame manner
as thofe with us j mere being not only plent¥ of Horfcs,
but hkewife of Cans and Waggons, and feveral other
Neceflaries convenient for Carrying all manner of Com-
modities by Land from one place to another.

The Roads are as good as in mofl parts of the World
and the travelling as pieafant, efpecially the Road from
MsMmmm to Virginia s being made broad and conveni-
ent, for all forts of Carriages, fuchas Coaches, Chaifcs,
Waggons ana Carts, and efpecially for Horfemen, thefe
Lands lying fo level, and the beautiful and delightful
Obje&s they are entertained with in their Journey, ren-
der it both amufing and diverting. What is remark-
able is, that traveling from Edentown to Virginia, there
is a Poll fet up in the Divifion between thofe two Pro-
vinces, with North Carolina on the South, and Virginia
m rhe North, in large Capital Letters, to fhew to all
travellers the Bounds between thofe two Colonies.

In other parts the Roads are more like Paths than any
publick Road, only that they are made broad enough
tor Coach, Chaifes, and all manner of Carriages. But
this is a general Rule to be obferved throughout all Arm-
rka} that wherever you meet any of thofe Paths like
Roads, with the Trees marked or notched on each fide,
it is a fare figri that it is the publick Road from one
Cbri&ian Town to another. Notwithstanding there arc
kveral Paths of Horfes, Cows, and other Beafts in the
Woods, as large as the former, which are to be avoided,
by reafon that the Trees are not marked as above • nei-
ther do the Indians ever ufe this Method in making their
Roads, having fome fecret Knowledge to guide them
through thefe large Woods, which we are en ire Strang-
ers to j fo that feveral Chriftians not knowing, or regard-
Jefs of thefe Marks/ have been for fcvcwl Days loft m

the

«m

North CAROLINA

163

the Woods, before they could come to any Planters
Houfe, or meet with anv Ptrfon to inform them which
way to go ; yet I never heard or any penlh for want of
Provisions, under thefe misfortunes, there being not only
great Plenty of feveral good Fruits to be met with, all
over the Woods moft parts of the Year, but likewife va-
riety of Birds and Beafte, neceflary for the fupport of
Lite ; but 1 have known feme loft for eight, others foe
fourteen Days, before they could meet with any human
Creature to inform them what part of the Province they
were in.

The 2\&gw«fometimes make ufe of thefe Advantages
in the Woods, where they will flay tor Months together
before they can be found out by their Matters, or any o-
ther Perfon; and great Numbers of them would a& after
the fame manner ( which would be detrimental to the
Planters) were they not fo much afraid of the Indians 3
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 pretend
and not above two or three Water-Mills, which are for
the moft part continually grinding their Wheat; for the
fmall Shops 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 are
very foft 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 feem
more like a parcel of Oyf?er-Jhel/s petrified, than any na-
tural Stone/ for through the whole Grain of this Stone
there is no other appearance, but the exa& ihape of the

^64 The Natural H I S T O R f of

Qyfier falls. Of this kind of Scone there are feveral Quar-
nes and Rocks to oe met with towards the Heads or the
Rivers; norwitftftandhg there is plenty of Free-Stone
near the Mountains, and molt kings ot Greet proper to
make Millftoiies, yet the former being fo eafily acquired
are only made uie of at prefent, except iome tew brought
from England, for their Water-Mills. The Proprietors
of thefe Mills take moft commonly every other Barrel as
Toll, tor grinding 5 but the Laws of the Country allow
only every fixth.

There are abundance of excellent good Springs to be
met with in feverai parts of this Province, abounding
with as fweet and frefh Waters as any m Europe, and
efpecially near the Mountains, in which these can De
none belter. The Lands near thefe parts being for the
moft part very rich, with an extraordinary black Mold,
fome of a Copper colour, and both very good. Here
are likewife great quantities or Iron Mine, feverat ions of
Stone, divers kinas of Spaws, and chalibeat Springs, the
Water whereof being drank, make the Excrements as
black as Ink by its chalibeat Quality.

It is very remarkable, at certain feafons of the Year*
but efpecially in Winter, as Perfons travel up near the
Mountains, they hear at Night the moft hideous and
ftrange Noi(e, that ever pierced mortals Ear, which at
firfr. was very firightful to us, 'gill fuch time as we were
informed by our Indian Guides, that this Noife is cufto-
mary in thofe parts there being innumerable numbers o£
T anthers, Tygers, Wolves, and other Beafts of Prey, going
in whole droves to hunt the Deer, making this frightful
Noife all the Night, until Day appears, or that a Shot
or two is fired, then all will be ftill and quiet. There
are fevcral large Swamps to be met with here, which arc
the Habitation of thofs wild Beafb, where they make

thete

^M^M

■^B

North CAROLINA. 265

their abode in the Day, at which time they are not to
be fcen or heard in tne Woods*

But thefe kind of wild Beafts arc not very plenty (ex-
cept the Wolves) near the Settlements, the Planters con-
tinually deflroying them as they hunt and tr^vci in the
Woods, and in procefs of time will be ieiTened ais this
Country begins to be better Inhabited This Country
affords many and large Swamps, wnich ire generally
overflowed or under Water in the Winter, yet I nevee
met with any Bogs, but plenty of good Pit Coal id
many places, of which they make no manner of ufe at
prefent, all kind of Timber being fo plenty, and pro-
per for flreing ; fo that all other kinds of Fuel are disre-
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 Rofin arc
made, being all the produce of one Tree, and a very
good Staple Commodity in thefe parts. The Planters
make their Servants or Negress cut large Cavities oti
each fide of the Pitch-Pine Tree (which they term Box*
ink of the Tree) wherein the Turpentine runs, and the Afc-
croes with Ladles take it out and pur it into Barrels t
Thefe Trees continue thus running moil commonly for
three Years, and then decay, but in procefs of time fall
co the Ground, which is what they call Light-Wood, of
which their Pitch and Tar is made, (viz,.)

The Planters at certain Seafons of the Year, and efpe-
cially in Winter, make their Negroes gather grear quanti-
ties of this Light- wood, which they fplic aboiic tne thick-
aefs of the fmall of a Man's Leg, and two or three FeeC
In length ; when they have got a fufficienr quantity of
it in readinefs, they fet their Kilns on fome rifing;
Or@Und or Ear.th thrown up for. chac purpofe^ in the
L i ccntfft

s66 The Natural HISTORY^

center whereof they make a hollow place, from whence
they draw a Funnel fome diftance from the Kiln :
Then they take the Light- wood which they pile up with
trie ends of each, placed ilanting towards the center of the
Kilhj which is generally made taper from the Ground,
akerwards they cover it very fecure with Clay, Earth,
or Sods, to keep in the Flames, after this is done they
fet it on fire at the Top, the Weather permitting, which
mutt be neither too dry nor too wet. By this means the
Tar runs into thecenter,and from thence into the Funnel,
where they attend Night and Day (with Ladles to put
it into Barrels prepared for that purpofe) till the Kiln is
quite burnt out, which is generally in eight and forty
Hours or lefs, according to the dimenfions of the Kiln.
It fometimes happens through ill management, and cfpe-
cially in too dry Weather, that thefc Kilns arc blown up
as if a train of Gun-powder had been laid under them, by
which Accident their Negroes have been very much burnt
or fcaldcd. The Planters generally know very near
what quantity of Tar each of their Kilns will produce,
according to their dimenfions, for which reafon they are
always provided with a fufficicnt Number of Barrels tor
ghat end.

The Pitch is made of the Tar, which is done in the
following manner. They have large Furnaces made in
jfrvera! parts, and more now than ever, by reafon of a late
aci of Parliament made in the Reign of his prefent Ma-
jeity, which obliges every Perfon or Pcrfons that burn
Tar 'him in his Majefties dominions in America to make
jhalf of the firft running into Tar, and the other half into
J itch, the penalty being aforfetutc of the whole. With
tins fecond running they fill their furnaces, and fo place
a fire underneath it till inch time as it begins to boyl, then
they fet it on fire and burn it to th« cofilfteftccbf pHct.
~~ " The

North CAROLINA

q6t

The Rofin is very fcarce in thefe parts, few giving
themfelves the trouble ; but when made, it is done after
the following manner, viz,. Take Iwpemine, a&muci
as you think proper, put it into an Akmbick or a Cffier
Vefica, with four times its weight ofc fair Water, *nd
diftiiit which will produce a thin and clear Oil 1 ke
Water, and at the bottom of the VefTel will remain
the Rofin. The Indians never make cither Piuhs ?ar
or Jupentwe, ranging and hunting continually through
the Woods, beine all the Induflry they are given to, ex-
cept they plant lome (mall quantity of Indian Corn or
Maiz,, and drefs their Deer-Skins, being as well fatisfied
with this way of living as any among us, who by his
Induflry has acquired immenfc Trcafure.

I will in the next place give an account of thofc that
are Tranfported 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 ©f 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
Tranfported. Neither can any Servant give a fecosid
Indenture on himfelf before he is out of his Apprentiftiip,
and a Free-man in the Country; then he is at his Liber-
ty to make what bargain he pleafcs, but before that time
all contracts made by him are void and of no effed. For
by only applying to any of their Courts, he is immediatly
difcharged and fct free, notwithftanding he has received
a gratuity (from the Planter who claims him) for fo do-
ing. This being an cflabliihed law of the Country to
prevent Matters taking advantage of their Servants before
Shey have obtained their freedom. As foon as they have
* . : ~ - LU fulfilled;

£68 The Natural HISTORY of

fullhlia the Obligation of their Indentures, and are be-
come Free-men, their Mailers are obliged on their parts
to give each Man Servant a new Suit or Cloaths a Gun
Powder, bnot, Ball and ten Bufhels of Indian Corn'
and by the Laws of the Country, they are entitled to fifty
Acies or Land,wnich they feluOmtake up,but difpofe of
for Trifles, this quantity of Land being coo fmall for large
Stocks of Cattle (which moft Planter* here are pollened
of) or to make Pitch and Tar on, which is another Staple
of tins Country, fo that an Inftance of this Nature is not
to be n.et with in this Province.

Thus they appear after they have (erred their time
and have obtained their freedom, having no other vifible
Fortune to depend upon or'fupport them except their In-
jiuftryo The Qucftion then may be reafonably asked,
how it is poffibTcforthemto live, or make Fortunes from
fuch (mall and defpicable beginnings ? Concerning
which Qbje&ion, 1 fhall thus endeavour to fatisfie the
Reader.

" Thofe that are thus made Free-men, their former Mat
ters generally give a Charader of them, according to
their good or bad behaviour during their Apprentimip,
and thofe that have acted with prudence, care, and good
conduct/ whilft they were Servants never are at a lofsto
sneer with the belt ufage From their Matters, who recom-
mend rhem to other planters (if they have no Imployment
for them) to be their Stewards, or o>erfeers of their Plan-
tations (feveral of the Planters of this Country having
snanv) wherein are generally great Stocks of Cattle,
Horfes, and Swine.

Theoverfeer being thus employ'd, his bufinefsis to
mark all the Calves, Pole f, and young Pigs, with the Plan-
ters Mark or Brand, every Planter having his Brand or
Mark recorded -improper Boo|s3 kept for tharpiirpafe h
:, ' "' r " eacfe

SH

North CAROLINA. 269

each Prccind or Barony throughout this Province, This
is done to prevent the Planters having any difputes about
any of thefe Beads, each Planter claiming by thefe marks
nothing but what is juftly his own, and if there be any
Negroes, to fee them perform whatever Work the Planter
requites to be done J this being chiefly what the Over-
feer is employed in, for which Service he is allowed eve-
ry feventh Calf, ferenth Fob, and half of all the young
Hogs that are ored during his Stewardfhip, and likewife
the feventh part of all forts of Gram and Tobacco that is
produced on the faid Plantation. Whatever quantity
of Corn, fyce or Tobatco he plants by his own Induflry,
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 whish means many are become
as wealthy and fubftantial Planters, as any in the Govern-
ment. But I muff confefs, that few are fuch good Pro-
ficients in this way of Induflry, notwithstanding there
are fuch coniidcrablc advantages to be acquired thereby.
But on the contrary, thofe of ill behaviour, and fuch
as have been negligent in their Apprcntifhip, 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 the 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.
tThus, I hope I have fati*fied the Reader as to this Point.
I (hall only mention one particular in regard to thefe
Servants or Tranfports, which I had like to have omk«
t$d$ which i$3 that they run away from their .Mailer?,

370 Th< Natural HISTORY of

to prevent which, there is a Law made in this Coun-
try, whereby thofe that run away arc obliged ( ii a^e-
hended and taken, as they generally arc) to ferve double
the time they are ablent from their Mailers ; this they
are obliged to perform afcer the expiration of their /«-
dentures^ which is done to prevent their running away
before they have fcrved their time, which (o deters them3
that they are not fo guilty of this kind ei Practice of
Jate, as formerly.

Few Mailers of Ships will venture to carry on board
their Veflels any of thefe Servants or Debtors from this,
or any other of the Provinces, without their giving fuf-
ficient fecurity that they are not in Debt, and Freemen,
or publifh an Advert ifement femetime before their de-
parture out of the Province ,• wherein they require all
Perfon that they arc indebted to, To come, and they will
fay them what they can make appear t& be juftly due. And
likewife, That all Perjons indebted to them, are defired n
ctme and pay them before they quit the Country, in fuch or
fuch a Ship. This being the Subftance of this Advertife-
ment9 which is fixed on their Court-Houfe Door, for all
Per ions to perufe. Thefe Obligations being thus per-
formed, they arc at their Liberty to go where they pleafe,
and the Mailers liable to no Penalty ; but ii they (hould
aft contrary to the Laws (and they be difcovercd) both
their Perfons and Ships are liable to be arretted, and
fubjeft to pay whatever the Creditors can make appear
due to them, or any other Loffes they have fuftained
thereby. Notwithilanding 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 Testimonies of their good
behaviour to the contrary. Several Inflances ofr this Na-
ture I have been Eyc-witnefc to during my ftay m that
€ountry0 Thtf

Worth C AROLINJ.

2-]l

There is an Office here which is worth our Notice,
*w%.. the Gunpowder-Office, which hath continued ever
fincc the iail War with the Indians, at which time there
was a Law made, by which all Vtficls trading to thofe
Parts weie liable to pay three Shillings and four Pence,
Carolina Motiey per Ton, or the Value in Gun Powder,
except the faid Veifel was built in the Country, or that
the Merchant had a Plantation there, then the Veffels
were liable to pay hall Fees, or one Shilling and eight
Pence fir 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 Aflem-
folks fuch Perfons as they judged proper in each County
to receive the faid Fees, which were to be laid out in
a Efficient Magazine or Store of Gunpowder, which was
to be always in readinefs for the ulc or the Chriflians a-
gainft the Indians, whenever they made any Attempts,
which there is no danger of their ever doing for the fu-
ture; yet this Office continued 'till the Year 1733, being
about that time laid afidc as unneceflary, as I have been
informed fince my return from thofe parts.

The Planters arc very Hofpitable and Charitable to
each other, and efpecially if any have had the misfortune
so have their Houfes burnt, or any other grievous A fflic-
don befall them. On thefe occafions they readily con-
tribute to make up the lofsof the Sufferers, whereby they
generally become more wealthy than they were before thi*
misfortune happened.

Thus have I given an Account of the Advantages
and Difad vantages that attend the Chriftjan Inhabitants
of this Province; having nothing more in view than to
fatisfie my Readers with the beft Account I could learn
( during myRciidence there) I (hall proceed to give a

Jhorc

972 the Natural H I S T O R Y Qf

ihort Account of the Negroes or Blacks^ together with
a Description or* the Inaians, ana the Laws and Cufloms
now in force and uie amongft them.

The NEGROES are fold on the Coaft of Guinea,
to Merchants trading to thofc Parts, are brought irom
thence to Carolina, Virginia, and other Provinces in the
hands of the Enghjb, are daily increasing in cms Country,
and generally aftord a good Price, <£/*&. more or Ids ac-
cording to their Gxxinefs and Age, and are always fure
Commodities for Gold or Silver, moil other things be-
ing purchafed with their Paper Money. Some of therri
are (jld atfixteen, twenty .five y or twenty fix: Pounds fterL
each, and are looked upon as the greateft Riches in th'efc
Parts. There are great Numbers of them born heres
'which prove more induitrious, honeft, and better Slaves
than any brought from Guinea; this is particularly ow-
ing to their Education amongft the Chrifttans, which very
much polifbes and refines rhem from their barbarous and
ftubborn Natures that they are moll 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 fried a
Tear, which plainly mews them to be a People of very
harfh and ftubborn Difpofitions.

There are fcvcral Laws made againft them in this
Province to keep them m Subjection, and particularly
one, vie, That if a Ne$rot cut or wound his Matter
or a Chriftian with any unlawful Weapon, fuch as a
Sword, Scyntiter, or even a Knife^ and there is Blood-fhcd,
if it is known amongft the Planters, they immediately
meet and order him ro be hanged, which is always per-
formed by another Ne%roet and generally the Planters
bring moft of their Negroes with them to behold their
-t "" "T" Fellow

North CAROLINA.

^13

frilow Negroe fuffcr, to deter them from the like Vile
Practice. This Law may feem to be too naiih-amorlglt
us to put a Man to death tor Blood-fiied only; yet it
die icvercft Laws were not ftridly put in exsxiuion a- '
gainft thcte iPcopie, t'hcj wouldtoon overcomethe Chnp~
ms in this and moit ot ihc other Piovinces in the LLnuS
of the Engiijh. . . ft

"Nocwin.ilanding the many fevcte Laws mfcrceagaii it
them, vet they fbmedmes fife ana Rebel againit thciC
Ma: er and Planters, and do a great deal or mdcruer, be-
ii,c both treacherous and cruel in tner Natures, io that
mild L tws would be ot no ufe againft them when any
favourable Opportunity offered or executing their bar-
barities uppn the Chnftiam, as hath been too well expe-
rienced ui Virginia, and other Places, where they have
rebelled'and deitroyed many Families.

When ihcy have been guilty of thefe barbarous and
difebedient Pioceedings,they generally fly to the Woods,
but as f on as the Indians Uwe Notice from ttieCbrifitani
of their being there, they difperfe them ; killing lome,
others flying for Mercy 'to the Chriftiahs ( whom they
have i jured) rather than fall into the others Hands*
who have a natural averfion to the Blacks, and put them
to death with the rn^ft exquifue Tortures the> can in-
vent, whenever they catch them.

When any of the e Nerroes are put to death by the
Laws of the Country, the Planters rafter little or nothing;
by it, for toe Province is obliged co pay the full value
they judge them worth to the Owner ; this is the com-
mon Cuftom or Law in this Province, to prevent the
Planters being ruined by the lofs of their S ives, whorii
they have purchafed at fo dear a ra-.c ; neither is this too
burthenfom, for I never knew but one put to death her©;
for wouhdiiig, and alter attempting to kill his Ma&er,
&' Mm **»«

974 Tb§ Natural HISTORY/

who ufcd ail Means he could to fave his Life, but to no
purpolc, tor the Country iniuied on having the Law puc
in execution agamft him.

The JSfegYQej that mod commonly rebel, are thofc
brought iron, Guinea, uho have been inurcu to War
and Harufhip *ui their lives ; few born here, or iii the
other Provinces have been guilty ot chele vile Practices
except oier-^ciuaded by the former, whole Defigns tney
have forretimcs difcoicred to the Lhrifiians •> tome of
whom have been rewarded with their Freedom for
their good Services ; but the Reaoer muii obfervc, mat
they are not allowed to be Witndlcs in any Cafes what-
ever, only again 11 one another.

There a,e Tome Chilians fo charitable as to have the
Negroes born in the C untry, bapiizeu and inftiucted m
the Chrtftian Fai h in their Infjnc), which ghes them
an abhorauce of the Tempei and Practice of t hole who
are brought firm Guinea. This Fieeoom does not in the
leait exempt them from their Mailer'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 Baptifm. The planters call the'e Negroes thus
Baptized, by any whimfical Name their Fancy luggeits,
as, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Diana, Strawberry, Violet,
Drunkard. Readdy Money, Piper, Fidler, dec

Their Marriages are generally performed amongft
themfelves, there being ve. y lirrle ceremony ufed up >n
that Head , for the Man makes the Woman a Prehnr,
fuch SLSzEiafs Ring or (ome other Toy, which if fhe
accepts of, become* his Wife ; but if ever they parr from
each other, which frequently happens, upon any little
Dilguit, fhe returns his Prefenr : Thefe kind of Con-
tracts no longer binding them, than the W man keeps
ihc Pledge given her. Ic frequently happens, when thefe

Women

a—

North CAROLINA 275

Women have no Cnildren by the firit Husbaid, a C*
bein.; a Ycai or two coiuoiting together, the Planters
©Diigc c tm co cakeaitcond, thi d, fouitn, fitch, or more
Husbands or Bedfellows i a f.uutul Woman amongft
them being vety much valued by the Planters, anj a nu-
ir.erviis Iflue etleemed me greatest Riches m this Coun-
try. The Cnildrc-n all go wnh rue Morher, and ^re
the Property or the Planter to whom ihe bci >ng§. And
though they nave no other Coem shy jn tfieir Marriages
than what I nave reprdenud, yeL they e<an to be Jea-
loudy inclined, and fight rn >(t delperately amoneit tfte'in-
ftives whet) they Rival eacn cmer, which they common-
ly do.

Their Children are carefully brought up, and provided
for by the Planters, 'till they are able to, work in the Plan-
tations, where they have convenient Houfes built for
thenr; , and they are allowed to plant a fufficient quantity
©t TJaico tor their own ufe, a part of which they {ell,
and hkewife on Sundays, they gather Snake Rd, other-
wile n would be exceffi ve dear if the Chrifiiuns were to
guhcr it ; with this and the Tobacco they buy Hats, and
other Neceffaries for themfclves, as Linnen% Bracelets, Rib-
bons, and ievcral other Toys lor their Wives and Mif-
treffes.

There are abundance of them given to Theft, and
frequently fical from each other, and fometiraes from
the C/;r //£?<?«(, efpeciall) Rum with which they entertain
their Wive& and MiitrcfTesai Night, but are often de-
tected and pumfhed for it.

There are feven! Blach born here that can Read and
Write, others that are bred to Trades, and prove good
Artiitsin many or' them Ochers are bred to no Trades,
bu»- are very in !uftrir>us and laborious in improving rheic
Plantation*, planting abu dance of Com, Rice and To-
M m z bacco,

$76 The Natural H IS TOR V of

batco, ana making vait Quantities of Turpentine, Tar,
and Piub, being better able to us dergb fatigues in the
tx.um.t_y ot the hot Weather than an) Europam.

1 he Children ot both Sexes wearlitue 01 no Cioarhs,
except in the Winter, and many ot tjhe young Men and
V omen w rk ftafk i;aked m the Plantations in the hoc
Se«ion, except a pieceof Cloath (out of decency) ro co-
ver their Nakednefs; up oa which Account the) are not
very exptnine to the Planters tor their Uoatnn g. Xhc
Planters at then Death ufed to make iome of their rV< ou-
rite Negrots free, but there is now an/ eitabli&ed Law
(efpeciaily in Virginia) that if they do not quit the Pro-
vince in about Eleven Days after their Freedom, whoever
takes them they become his Property ; but bef re the
expiration of that time they either go to another Pro-
vince, or fell thernfeives to the Chijljam. The Planters
feeing the fncpnveniencies that m ght attend thefe kind
ot P. iviledges tc the Negroes, have this anu all other Laws
againft them continualiy put in praaice, to prevent all
Opportunities they might lay hold of to make tnemfehes
fouiiituble.

A H

Sartb CJliuLi A A.

ml

An Account of the

1! 0 IAN S

O F

j -Carolina,

^ HL dmmi it's well known were the
H N ;t m nd Inhabitants of America becne
te*.:. c.t i-amurdi ..nd Ewopean* made any dif-
Jf cover, cs'r >f ieveral parts of that C ourury.
llllpdi Amoi.-gft whom are frvefaj different Nations
and Kings to this Day. What is very
furp.i2ing and ftrance is, that icarce any two Nations xp
be met with, fpake the fa-ne Unguage, though they live
ever to near to each other, this being a common thing
all over this new World, as far as ever I cou d be
lr formed. What ihou'd occafion fuch a Diverfi y ofc
Languages or Speeches amongft the Savages, is what
ipoft writers can hardJy account for. But to return, the
Indians of N^h-Carolina, are a well ihaped clean made
f; People*

■nnn

378 Tkt Natural YilSTo&X of

People, of different Statures as the Europeans are, but
chiefly inclined to be tall, are very (freight and neat iimb'd
as are to be met with in any pa t or cne World, they ne-
ver Lena forwards or ftoop in cue Shoulders, except they
are much overpowered with plo Age, as ror their Ugs
and Feet they are as well proportioned and as handfome,
as any in t.iC World. They arc of a liro-g hale Contti-
tuticn, a. u their Bodies ve>y /height, but a little flat,
which is occaiioned by t;heir being laced or tyed hard
down, Upon a b ard in their I ifancy, this being all tlieit
Cradle, which 1 (hall defer i be in another place.

Theit E; es are full and Manly, ana oi a black or dark
Hazel culour, the V\ hue 'marbled with Red Strakes,
which is always common am ngit thefe People, unlefe
they have either a wnite Father or Mot.er.

Their Colour is Tawny, which wou'd nor be fo da k
did th y not daub themfelvcs To often with £ear'f~Qil,
and aCohmr like &*n# Cork,' which they practice from
their Iinaiicy, and continue foto doraoft part of their lives,
it fills up the pores, and enables them the better to endure
the Weather, and prevents mod forts of Infects and Ver-
min to be any wife troubiefome to them. They ate ne-
ver to be n«et with Heads bald, though very Old, which
I am periwaded isoccafioncd by their Heads being always
uncovered, and greafing their Hair and other Parts fo
often as the do with Bear's- jot, which undoubtedly is a
great noutifljer of the Hair, and caufeth it to grow fo
very faft. Amongit the gear's 0/7 (when the :ntend to
be fine) they mix a certain red Powder that produc-
ed from a kind of Scartet Root that they get in > Hilly
Country, near the foot of the great ridge of Mv itains,
and as it is rep™ ted by them, is no where elt to be
founds The) have this Scarier Root in' great Efteem, and
fell it at a great Fnce one to. another, and the Reafon of

it's

Isorth C AROLI NA.

279

its being (o very valuable is, becaufe they not only go a
gicai way for it, out are iiKewjfc in great Danger of the
bmugais, or loquis, who are mortal Enemies to all our
civilized Lamm, and are very ouen by them or others
be tore the. i return from this Vo)age, made their Cap-
tives or kined,

The Tuikeruros and other lnd;an^ have frequently
brought ti.e Seeds of this Plant trom the Mountains, out
it would nevtr grow in our Lana, delighting no where
but in the Hilly and Mountainous parts ; with this and
the Bear's gnaje they anoint their Heads and Temples,
which is eiteemed as Ornamental as Oil mdfiveet Powder,
or any other thing w- can ufe to our Heir; btlides it
has the Virtues to kill Lice, and fufter none to abide in
their Heads. For want ot this Root, they fometimes
u!e a Root called Pecoon, which is of a Cnmfon colour,
but apt to die the Hair of an ugly Hue, they likewifc
make ufe of an Herb called Wafebur, and fmall Roots
called Cbitpacor, ana the Baikof a Tree called Tango*
moikonommge ; ali thefe ar. Dyes forfeveral forts or Reds,
which the Indians ufe to paint their Faces, Matts and
Ba kets witn, but whether they would prove good in
Cloath, is not yet known. This, I am certain of, that
one of our civilized Indians brought me a hanaful of dry-
cd Flowers and deiited me to put them in a large Sauie-
pan filled witii Water, and boil them with a piece of
Linr.cn Cloath, which made it have fuch a deep Purple
Colour, that the fame could not be difcharged by any
Method ufed, but the oftner it was wafhed, the more
bcautirul and lively it appeared; the Indian would by
no means difcovej* the Plants the {aid Flower grew up-
on, but allured me, that he would procure any Perfon
what quantity they pleafed, if they would but fatisfie
him for his Trouble. They not only paine themlelves

&J,

Sio The Natural HI S T O R Y of

Red, but with many Oihtr Colours, fudi as Blacky Greeny
Blue, and White, by which tuey repr fear ail cue /itf its
in Life, fuch as ^Fu; , Peace, Feujts, Death, . and the
like.

They generally let the Hair on their Heads grow ve-
ry long, winch is lank, thick, and the flruiigeu or any
People I have ever met with, diid as black as J~.. They
always travel bare4ieaaeti, having -neither Hats, or any
artificial Covering for thole Parts, except ic be txveir ci-
vilized Kings and War Captains, who of late wear Hats,
cfpccialiy when they vilit the Chriftiam. Xhofe who have '
repaiented the Savages as 101 gh as Beaits, have never
had the Opportunity of teeing them, for they have na-
turally but little or no Beard?, or Hairs < n cheit F.,CcS,
and very feldome under tiieir Atm-piLS, .widen 'tis laid
they continually pluck out by the Root as it begins to
giow. Neither have they any upon their Privities, ex-
cept fomefew that wear Brieechcs or rail-clouts, how-
ever, though thc-fc People are gene ally fmoath and free
from Hak, yet I have known fome th-at were old, hairy
down their Backs, and thofe Hairs very long: It is to be
obferved, that the Bead of the Penis is c >vcred throug-
hout the whole Nations ol the Jnaiam tl at 1 ever faw^ I
am credibly informed, that this is common with all. both
©Id and young tn America. They have extraordinary
good Teeth, but generally of a yellowifti Colour, occasion-
ed by their imoaking Ttoceo which incy are very much
addided to ; this Plane tne) report co have had, many
ages before the arrival of the Chnflums amongft rhem.

They never cut or pair their Nads, but let them grow
very Ions, (aying, that mat is use ufe they were made f n\
and bugh at the European* tor pa. ring theirs. Ion? Nails
being aFwaysefteemed amonpit them as a Beauty, which
the Uancas at their Feails genera*! y have, wno rather

reptcicnt

North CAROLINA. *8i

rcprefcnt the figure of Harpies than Men, with thefekind
fef Ornaments. They have long and taper Fingers as
any People whatever* and k is to be admired how
dexterous and fteady they are in their Hands and Feet;
for they will walk over deep Brooks and Creeks on the
fmalleit Poles, and that without any Fear or Concern,
which no People in thefe Parts can perform but thersi-
felves. I have km an Indian walk on the ridge of a
Houfe without any manner of fear, and look from off
the Gable, and ipit down as unconcerned as if he had
been walking on Terra Firnta ; as for Running, Leaping,
or any fuch like Exercife, their Legs feldom fail or mif-
carry. To as to give them a fall j as for letting any chmg
fall out of their Hands, I never knew ah Example. Their:
Gate is very upright and majeftick, neither are they
ever feen to walk backwards and forwards as we do, or
contemplate on the Affairs of Lofs and Gain, and many
other things which daily perplex us. It is this fteadi-
nefs in their Limbs (which are as well proportioned and
as handfom as any in the World) that makes them fo
dexterous at the Gun, for it is remarkable that theie
People generally fhodt and kill their Game with one
fingle Bail, and the Boys with their Bows and Arrows
are fo well experienced in that kind of Exercife, that
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-witnefs.

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 NecciTaries of Life, as the Europeans
do. They will learn any thing very foon, and feem cd
be indued with very good Genius's, for I have feen

■ - ,-- ■ ' }$ u feveral

2^2 The Natural HISTORY of

feveral Guns Stocked by them, better than mofl of ou*
Joyners, having no Instrument or Tool to work whk
only a ftiort Knife : I have iikewife known feveral of
them that were taken. Pri Toners in the laft War, and
made Slaves to the Englijb, learn handycrafr Trades well
and ipeedily.

I never law a Dwarf amongft them, and only one
that was Hump-back'd. Though the Indians are a tali
People, yet they are not of fo robuft and itrong Bodies
as to lift great Burthens, to endure hard Labour, or Ha-
vim Work, as the Europeans do, yet fome that are Slaves
prove very induflnous and laborious. Amongft them-
felves they never work, taking little or no care or pains
but what is absolutely neceffary to Support Life, the
Grandureand Riches of this World being utterly tiefpif-
ed 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 the Englijh, with whom
they conflantly trade; yet near the Mountains they are
very numerous and powerful, but have littje 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, fince they have furniilied
themfelves with Fire-Arms from the Europeans, becaufe
they can kill at greater diflances with their Guns, than
the other ean with their Bows and Arrows.

They have three Paricojf/j, or Indian Kings in this
Province, who are civilized, viz. King Blunt, King
Dttrant, 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
she fc three Kings, whofc JDreffes were as follows:

King

™-

Nortb CAROLINA

283

King Blunt appeared before the Governour 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 of Dar^ Skins, drefTed after the Indian manner.

Complements being palled between him and the Go-
yernour (which I (hall describe in another place) they
were defired to fit down and dine with his Excellency, .
which . I .em generally do, whenever they come to

Town, where the Governour is 1 Several Difcoutfes paft
between fneni, and amongil other things, that they
were afraid ot mcSimgars, os ■ Jrequois Indians (who are
not in iubjection to the Englijk) coming to invade them,
and defining the Affiflanee of the Governour, if there
Jhoulu. 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
fpeak Englifi tolerably well, and are very wary and cun-
ning in their Difcourfes, and yo" would be furpriied to
hear what fubtile and witty Anf'wers 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 mofl powerful of thefe I have
mentioned, had a Suit of Englijh Broadcloth on, and a
pair of Women's Stockings, of a blue Colour, with white
Clocks, a tolerable good Shirt, Cravat, Shoes, Hat, &c.

King Durant had on an old Blue Livery, the Wafte-
coat having fome remains of Silver Lace, with all other
3Steceflfaries fit for wearing Apparel. men 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,

■::;

■I

?84 The Natural HISTORY of

that after their return home to their Towns that they
never wear thefe Cloaths till they make the next State
LV nit amongft the Usriftiatts.

After this manner appeared the three civilized Kings
with each of them his Queen, Children, Phyfaian, Capl
tarns of War, and his Guards : After Dinner was over
the Governuor ordered Rum for the Queens,, and the reft
of the Retinue, who remained at fome diftance from the
Governorus Houfe during the time the Kings were m
Company with him. In a few Hours after they all
withdrew from the Governorus Houfe, and went into
Town to difpofe of their Deer-Skins that were remain-
Jog, for Blankets, Guns, Powder, Shot, Ball, and other
Keceflarics they had occafion for, and cfpccially Rum
whereof they are very fond. ;■

What is worthy of Obfervation amongft the whole
Retinue, is thi?, That you fhall not fee two but what
have fome Mark to diftingui/h them fiom each other 3
fometimes very long black Hair, with feveral bits of Stuff*
inch as Green, Blue, Red, Whin, and Yellow, tied in it j
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 feverai Marks in different
parts of their Bodies and Faces, as if they had been
parked with Gun-Powder, fo that if you lee an hundred
of them, you ihall always obfervc fome difference in
eacji of them, either in their Painting, Tonfure of their
Hair, or the marjb made in their Skins. All thefe
Guards were well Armed, with each Man a Gun, good
ilore of Powder ,and. Ball, and a 'famahawk by his fide,
which is a kind of fmall Hatchet. It is like wife to be ob-
served, that fcarce any of the whole Retinue, except the
War Captains, had any Cloathing, only 1 ail-Clouts (for
(keeney) to cover their Nakedncfs, and fome few with

North CAROLINA.

*&$

* Blanket, or fome fuch like piece of Cloth about their
Shoulders. . „. . r . ,

As foon as they have fold their Deer-Shm for thole
Ncceflaries they had occafion for, and had drank what
quantity of Rum they were allowed, or thought fat to
make uie or, they came out into the Street, to aft theiw-
dian War. which to any one bred in Europe, ieemed ra-
ther like a Scene of Madnefs, than a Warlike Excrcife,
for one while they were Hooping and Hollowing, ano-
ther while fiamping altogether like Madmen, another
time creeping, as if they were furprizing their Enemies,
and many other antick Poftures and Geiturcs, tootcdi-
pus to name. Though thefe Kings may feem defpica-
ble and meane to us, yet arc they molt abfolutc, putting
to death thofc they judge worthy of it; therefore ic
may not be amifs to give fome Inftances, becaufe they
fcem cruel and barbarous, if compared with our Laws
for puniihing Offenders, as may appear by the follow-
ing Acconnt, viis .

An Indian 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 foe not complying with
his Defires, he wasfo provoked, that to be revenged, he
fhot the Planters Dog as he was going away. The Plan-
ter complained to the Governour of the injury the Indian
had done him, in order to have him puniflied for the of-
fece. A MelTenger is immediately difpatched to their
King to demand Satisfadion for the trefpals the Indian
had been guilty of. The Meflcnget coming late that
Evening to the Indian-town the King courteously received
him and prevailed upon him to ftay aU Night, and tha
the next Day when the Sun was up ; at fuch a height (at
he expreflcd it) he would deliver him the Offender. A c-
sordingly he remained there all Night, in hopes to hav-

£ ~ .. ~~ " ~„ ' . * » • i- ■■,''' ^n§

286 The Natural HISTORY^

the Indian brought before^ the Gomnour, in order to
be punifhed according to the Englfo Law ; but at the
time appointed, the King defircd the Meflcnger to walk
with him into the Plantation, where to his great aftonifli-
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 forry he had been
the Meflenger, or oecafion to have a Perfon put to death,
for fo fmali a Crime, which only defer ved Whipping, or
fome fuch kind of Punifhmcnt ; that he only came m or-
der to have him brought before the Governour, to have
him punifhed. But the King replied, That he might
then take him where he plealed, but he had put it out
of his power ever aftetwards to be guilty of doing any
roguifh Tricks. But to return • Their Queens, "Sons,
and 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 Houfc.

The firft of thefe Queens was dreft 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, iq that to an European file rather feem'd
like a Woman out of Bedlam, than a Queen. She like-
wife had a large Belt about her full ot 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
parts of the Body from the Wafte upwards were all nak-
ed. The other two Queens were drefl much after the
fame manner, but none like the firft, having not fuch
rich Beits of Money about their Bodies, which to us in
EnroPe woud not be worth one Farthing.

*" -— jht

n

North CAROLINA ^

The Indian Women, as well as the Men, are fwarthy,
but their features are very agreeable and fine as any Peo-
ple youfliall meet with, and few have better and fhar-
per Eyes than they have. Neither did I ever fee but
one Blind Man amongft them, and they never would give
me any account how he became blind, though I impor-
tun'd them to know the realon. 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
ferviceable after that manner upon feveral Occaflons.

The firing they chiefly burn is Pich-Pim, that docs
not only (Ircngthen the Eyes,but preferves them, which I
do not doubt but it does, becawfe the Smoak never offends
the Eyes though you ifiould hold your Face over a great
Fire thereof, which is occasioned by the Volatile parts
of the Turpentine, which rifes with the Smoak, being of fo
friendly and Balfamick nature to them, that they arc
much relieved thereby, for the Afhes of the Pine-tree af-
lord little or no fixt Salt.

The Indians in general are great Smoakers of Tobacco
(in their Language Uppotuoc) which they tell us they had
before the Europeans made any diicoveries or that Country,.
It differs in Leaf from the fweet [anted and OroqnoU%
which are the plants we raife and cultivate in America,
Theirs like wife differs very much in the fmell when it is
Green from oux Tobacco before it is cured, neither do they
life the fame method in curing it as we do, therefore the
difference muff be very considerable in taftc and fmell, 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 relifli it poffeffes when Green. They
make the heads of their Pipes very large, which are ge-
nerally cut out of Stones, the Shanks whereof arc made
of hollow Cane, and although they arc great Smoakers,

yet

SS8 The Natural HI S T O R Y &f

ii in tttmmmm n mil mi i in miiiini in ■ihiiiij ■■■iiiiiiiimiwiiijiui _ ___ _- ^ ^^— -— ■■

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-
pean s Box.

The Indians are Strangers to fuch delicacies as are in
vogue amongft yet they have plenty of feveral kinds of
Food, as Buffeloes, Venifon, and Fawns in the Bags of the
Does Bcllys, Bears, Beavers, Panthers, Pole-Cats, Wild-
Cats, Raccoons, Pojjums, Hares, Squirrel r, roafted with their
Guts iiij wild Bull's Beefy Mutton, and Pork, which two
latter they have from the Ckrifiiam. The Deer, which
is fo highly eftecffied in European Countries, for the
delicacie of It's Flefh, is little valued amongft thefe Sa-
vages, only for the plunder of his Skin. All manner of
wild Fowl that are eatable, vix.. Swans, Geefe, Brants,
Ducks, Turkeys, Pigeons, and feveral other forts of Fowl
that are to be met with in Carolina.

Fijhes of all lorts, both in the frefii and fait Waters, and
all manner of fhcll-fifh, as Tortoifes, Terebins, Oyfters^
Clams, and the Sting-ray, or State, drycd and moil other
fort of Fifties that are known ip 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 Freflies eat them. And as for Snakest they fcarce
either kill or eat them, yet fome of the Savages near the
the Mountains are faid to do both. All manner of Wild
Fruits that are palatable, ibme of which they dry and
keep againft the Winter, fuch as Huckle Berries, and feve-
ral other forts of Berries, Wall-nut sy CbeJ nuts, Hazel- Nuts,
Chinkapins, Acorns, and many other Fruits, as Peaches
which they dry and make Quidonits and Cakes of, that
are very pleafant, grateful, and cooling, but a little Tar-
tifh.

Rockahomine-Meal, which is made of their Maze, or
Indian-Corn parched or goundedj and made into feveraf

forts

■5—

North CAROLINA. 289

forts of Bread, Ears of Cent roafted in the Summer, and
prefer ved againft fVinter.s Ground-Nuts , or Wild Potatoes,
Oil of Acorns and Wild Pigeons, which they make uie of
as we do Butter, and feveral other things chat are to oe
met within great plenty amongft them. Tncy eac
young Wafps when they are whice in the Combs, b'f ore
they can fly, which is cfteerned a very great dainty a*
mongft them, as hkewife Gourde Mellow, Cucumbers^
Squafhes, Sembkns, and Puljt of all forts. Tho' tiieic
O rounds 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-
ilead of Ploughs (of which they have none, nor Creatures
fit for tillage) cultivate and dig the Ground with IVoodcti
Spades and Hoes made after their own Fafhion, the Me a's
minds being wholly taken up in Hunting, efpecially till
they are about 50 Years of Age.

The ViBuals 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 diftindion
obferved among!!: them in their eating. It is very ft range
to fee in all the Places where they have been formerly
fettled, or had their Towns near the Salt Waters, whac
vaft quantities of Oyfier-jbells are to be met with on the
Banks of the Rivers, in iuch heaps, that it is furprizmg
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 mud have been fet-
tled many hundred Years in one Place, which is not com-
mon amongft them, being a People always fhiftjng from
one place to another 5as their Fancies lead them.

O o Thcfs

2 9° The Natural H 1 SJT O R Y of

Thefe Savages live in Wigwams, or Cabins, built with
Poles and the Bark of Trees ; their Houfes are made
oval, or round like an Oven9zo 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 Roor,righc above the Fire,
to let out the Smoak. Thefe Dwellings are as hot as
Stoves, where they fwcat and fieep all Night; the Floors
are never paved or Iwepr, fo that the Earth is always
loofe, much refembling the poor Cabbins that are to be
met with in feveral parts of Ireland, only the Indian shav-
ing fuch plenty ot Wood, make no earthen Walls to
theirs. The Bark they generally make their Cabbins
with is Cypefs, or red or white Cedar ; fometimes when
they are a great way diftant from any of the Woods, they
make ufe of the Pine Bark, which is the worft fort to cover
their Houfes with. In building thefe Houfes they get
long Poles of Pine, Cedar, jf/h, Hicktryy or any Wood that
will bend; thefe Poles are generally about the thicknefs
of a Man's Leg at the thickeft end, ftript of the Bark,
and well warmed in the Fire, which makes them tough
and pliable. Then they make fliarp points on the thick-
eft ends, and ftick them faft in the Ground, about two
yards afunder, in a circular Form, the diftance they de-
sign the Cabin, then they bend the tops and bring them
together, after which they bind their Ends with Bark
of Trees, that is proper for that ufe, fuch as Elm, or
the long black Mofs that grows on Trees, which fcldom
rots ; then they brace them with other Poles to make
them ftrong and firm ; laftly, they cover them all over
with Barks of Trees (except a hole ro ier out the Smoak)
that they are warm and tight, and will k*.cp firm againft
Wind and Weather. Thefe are all the kind of Dwel-
lings that are to be mes with throughout ail the Nations

of

— ,

North CAROLINA 99!

of the Indians, in thefe parts of America, except the civi-
lised Kings, who ot iate have Houfes faftiioned and
built after the manner that the Ckiftians build theirs.

Thtfe Dwelling-Houfes have Benches all round., ex-
cept where the Door ft and s, whereon they lay Beafls
Skins and Mats made of Rujks, on which they ficep and
loll, having no other Beds but thefe. In one of thefe
Houfes feveral Families commonly live together, all re-
lated to one another, for thefe Savages do not feern fo
very careful of their Females as the Europeans^ having no
Bars or Partitions to keep the Men at a diftance from
the Women. They have other forts or Cabins made
without Windows or Holes at the top, whichnre their
Granaries, where they keep their Corn and Fruit for
Winter, or Score-Houfes for their Deer or Bever Skins,
and all other kind of Merchandize that they deal in]
They have Cabbins of another kind made like aShead,
being only coveted over head, the reft left open to the
Air; thefe have Reed Hurdles like Tables to Uc and fit
on in Summer, and ferve for pleafant Banqueting Houfes
in the extremity of the hot Weather.

As for liquors they have little or none made amongft
them, neither were they acquainted with any kind of
intoxicating Liquors before the arrival ot the Chriftians %
contenting themfelves with the pure Element, but they
are now become very great Drinkers of Rum, and will
part with anything they have to purchase it ; when they
are a little mellow, they are the moil impatient Crea-
tures living, 'till they have enough to make them quite
drunk, and then they are often the mod miferable Spec-
tacles in Nature, frequently tumbling into the Fire, and
burning their Arms and Legs to that degree}< that the
Sinews are contracted, and they become Cripples all
their Lives after; bdides feveral other misfortunes which
O o 2 attend

292

The Natural HISTORY of

them during their Drunkenncfs, as breaking their Bones
31.1. J ints, with many other meiancholly Accidents, yet
1 one luiEcicnL to deter them from this Practice. Drunk-
thtsiji is a Vice (0 common amongft them ( if they can
obi ain itrprig Liquors) that they drop down and lie quite
i»*kcd, in inch brutifh Poftures as are not fie -to be nam-
ed. Thtie bafe Diipoiitions are principally owing to
the meannefs of theit Education, being Grangers to all
Arts and Sciences, and the Knowledge of other Coun-
tries* which renders them infenfiblc or' that Virtue and
Decency which other Nations value at (0 high a Rate. •

The chief- and only Liquor they admire is Rum, which
they generally drink without any mixture ; this the Eu-
ropeans bring in amongft them, and buy Deer- Skins,
furrs, and other Commodities with ; they will freely,
fell or part with any thing they have in the World (ex-
cept their Wives and. GhjldrenJ rather than not accom-
plifll their Deiign*. They fomerimes commit fuch bru-
taiiuts and enormous Vices, as are not fit to be menti-
on ed •■ jettheieare lomc few amongft them that will

In the Year 1708. the Goveruour fummoned all the
not drink any ftrong L'quors..

Indian Kings and Rulers in North-Carolina to meet, in
crocr to nuke a firm and lailing Peace between the
Cbnftiam and Indians : At which publick Meeting, the
Indian Kings and Rulers deircd, that in the conclufion
or tins Peace, it might be enacted that no Rum fhou'd
be Sold ro them, which was accordingly granted, and a
Law mzde by the Englijb- which infli&ed a penalty on
any white Men that iold Rum to the Indians. But this
Law was never ftrictly obferved or pne in force, becaufe
the young Indians were fo difguftcd at that Article^ that
rhey-threatn'd to kill the Indians that had a Hand in
soaking it, unlefs it were fpecdily laid afide, and that
... . ... ■ • . . '::. ..- they

HH"

Nonb CAROLINA

293

they might have Rum fold them as ufual when they
went to the Chnftians Houfes to buy it .

Thcv hkewiie often times in their Drunken troiicKS
cut oft' their Hair and fell it to the Chrifiians, which is
looked upon amongit themasthegreaccit d if grace, nnagi-
nabl ; and the only affront that can be oftered them is
tacefue them to fell their Hair, when they are fobcr and
ftec from Liquors. ,

The Indians arc very rcvengful, notwithstanding they
always conceal their refentments, but never forget an
iniurydone till they have veceived Satisfaction ; yet they
are the freed People from Heats and paffions (which to
frequently poflefs the European*) of any People I have
ever feen or heard ot. 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 Chnftmns Houfe that is given to Paffion, nor will
ever buy or fell with him, if they can get the fame com-
modities they have occaiion for from any other Pcrion ;
for they fay fuch kind of People are mad Wolves and no
Men They feldom or never fight with one another,
unlefe when they are Drunk, nor fhall you ever hear any
Scolding amongft them. For they fay the Europeans are
always railing and uneafy with each other, and won-
der they do not go out of this World, fince they are fo
uneafy and difcontented in it. Neither do they mew the
lcaft fign of being dejected or caft down at the greatcft
calamities that can attend them, except it be the loft
oi Friands. For it is remarkable, that all other lodes and
misfortuues end in Laughter, for if their Cabbins fhould
take Fire, and all their Goods be burnt therein (notwith-
ftand ing all will ftrive to fave what they can whilft there
is any poffibility, and prevent any farther damage) yet

294 The Natural HISTORY^

fuch a misfortune generally ends in a hearty fit of Laugh-
ter, Bur if any or their kinsfolks have loft their Lives in
the Flames, it is then the Cafe is altered, and they become
\xry penfive and mourn for a confiderable 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 chat time.

The Indian Women are never known to icold, and it is
a thing jrapoffible to hear them make ufc of that unruly
Member the Tongue, w-'th fuch Rage and Malice as our
European Dames are iubjeci to, whom I could wiih would
let chefs Indians for a Pattern^ by which means there
would be more Quietnci's ar.d better Harmony in moft
Families,- than at present is to be mzz with. For when
thete lidian Women are provoked or affronted by their
Husbands, or any other Fwfong, they refent the Indigni-
ty offered them in Silence, Tears, or by rcfufing their
Meat; theie being always certain Signs that they have
been injured dnd Affronted.

Neither are the Men Paffionate, or over hafty to ad
any Aftiir with too much hade or impetuoficy, never de-
termining any Bufinefs of Moment without the greateft
Deliberation and Wmnds imaginable, being more con-
tent with common Accidents and Misfortunes incident
to human Nature (fuch as Loffcs, contrary Winds, bad
Weather, Poverty and the like) than People of more ci-
vilized Nations. I never felt any ill or unfavoury fmell
in their Cabins, whereas fhould we live in our Houfes as
they do, we lhould be poifoned with our own Naftinefs ;
which confirms thefe Indians to be, as they certainly
are, forae-of the fweeteft People in the World.

Their Women when they are young, and at Maturity,
are fine ihaped Creatures ( take them in general ) as any
in the Univerfe ; and chough they ate of a tawny Com-
plexion

North C A RO LIN J. 295

plexion (which is very much occaiioned by their being
fo much expoled to the Weather, and their continual
daubing and painting themfeives with Bear's Gil, and ci-
ther Ingredients mixed with it) yet their Featuies are
very good, their Eyes Black and Amorous, and their
Smiles afford the finefl compofure a Face can poflefs.

Their Hands are of the fined make, with (mall long
taper Fingers, and as foft as their Cheeks, the whole Bo-
dy being of a fmooth Nature, with Limbs of the mod
exquifite fhape. They arc Mercenary, except the Mar-
ried Women, who iomctimes beftow their Favours on
whom they like bell, in their Husbands abfence, be
which they never ukt any Reward : As for the report
thatfomc might have heard of them, that they are never
found inconftanttlike the European Women, it is intirdy
falfe ; for were the old World and the New, put into a
pair of Scales (in point of Conftancy and ChafHty) ic
would be a hard matter to uefcern which was the heavier.
As for the Trading Girh3 which are thofc defigncd to
get Money by Proititution, thefe are eaniy known, by a
particular Tonfure, or cut of their Hair, differing from
all others of that Nation, who are not of their Profcffion;
which Method is to prevent Miftakes, for thefe Savages
are defirous (if poffible) to keep their Wivesto them-
feives as well as thofe in other Parts of the World.

When any Address arc made to one of thefe Girls,
ftie immediately acquaints her Parents therewith, and
they tell the King of it (provided he that courts her foe
a Bedfellow be a ftranger) his Majefty being moft com-
monly principle Baud of the Nation he sules over, there
being feU'om any of thele Love-bargains made or con-
cluded without his Royal Aflent. He likewile advffes
her what Bargain to make with her Gallant, who fhextfs
feme Toys he has to prefent her with: But if it hap-
pens

296 The Natural H I S T O R Y <f

pens to be an Indian Trader, that wants one of them for
a Bedfellow, and has got Rum to feil, he always fees the
King with a Urge Dram, to confirm the Match.

When any inch Qxieflion is propoied to thefc Savages,
they will debate the Matter amongfl themfelves with all
the fobriety and ferioufnefs imaginable^ every one of the
Girls Relations arguing the Advantage or Difadvantage
that may eniue from fueh a Nights Encounter, all which
is done with as much fteadmefs and reality, as it it
were the greatefl Concern in the World, not fo much
as one Perfon ihal! be feen to fmile fo long as the De-
bate Urts, making no manner of difference betwixt an
Agreement of tins Nature, and any other Bargain. If
they comply with the Men's defire, then a particular
Bed is provided ror 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 nowifc
offering to diflurb thtm, and that the Man may have
the Satisfaction of his new purchaie, which pleafure is
iometimes bought at too dear at rate. If it be an Indian,
of their own Town or Neighbourhood that wants a
Mift refs, 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 like wife 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. 297

fee withdraws her Face from him and fays, / cannot Jee
you, either you or I muft have this Cabin and jleep \ Joms .
where elje this Night, Inis cepu;ic mukes nun iinrnedi-
atiy wicndraw, and addrcis himfelf to ionic more kind
Miitreis, that will accept of his favours. Neuher dock
itdifpleafe the Parents, that their Daughters are thus
acquainted, knowing by thefe Means that they can com-
mand the young Men to help them in any Work or iiu-
finefs they have occaliorr to ule them in,

They fet apart the youtigeft and pritneft Faces foe
trading Girls, who a>e remarkably known oy a jjarti-
cular Tonfurc in their Hair (as I faid before) which
diiUnguifhcsthem from thole engaged to Husoands; tot
what is accounted amongft us as moil Criminal, are tak-
en for (lender Trefpaffes amongft chem ; tor if a young
Man can get a Favour or his Neighbour's Dm-hrer,
it is looked upon as a flight Offence, becaulc they arc
not permitted to Marry without the King's Approba-
tion, which is feidom before they are twenty Years ■ of
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 Cabbm being very often the chief
Brothel Houfe. As they grow in Years, the hot afftults
of Love grow cooler, and then1 they become more it did
and conitant to their Husbands, if engaged • many of
them after their Engagement or Marriage, are (o re-
ferved, that they will admit of no other to their Embrac-
es but their Husbands.

Thefe trading Girls, after they have led that courfe

of Life feveral Years, in which, time chey fcarce ever have

a Child, for it isluppofed that they have fomc particular

P p Secret

998 The Natural H I ST OR Y of

Secret, or Method (with Herbs) by which th;y prevent
Conception, 'cill they arc married, and then never tail
to be fruitful. But if it £hould happen, that fhc brings
forth a Child whilft fhe follows this lewd courfe of Life,
ihe is not only accounted a Fool, but her Reputation
is very much leflened thereby, at laft they grow weary
of the Addrefs of fo many Men, and betake themfclves to
a married State, or to the Company of one Man ; nei-
ther does their having been common to fo many, occafi-
on any Blemilh 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* acceptance y
and never makes a good Wife.

The Men are never to boait of Intrigues with the We*
men, if they do, none of the Girls 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, for there is no fuch thing (on
that Account) known amongft them -, although we may
reckon them the greateft Libertines in the purfuit of
their Pleafures, and moft extravagant in their Embraces,
yet they retain and poflefs a modefty that requires thofc
Faffions never to be re vailed, 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, which is the Law of Na-
tions, and practifed amongft all the Indians ; the Gallant
that flrives to evade fuch Satisfaction as the Husband
demands lives daily in danger of his Life: Bui when
thofe Reparations are made him, that he is fatish*ed,with
all Animofities ceafe, and he is laughed at by the whole
Nation, for carrying on his Intrigue with no better Con-

dua,

North CAROLINA. *99

dud, than to be difcovered, and pay fo dear tor his
Plcafure.

The Indians fay, that a Woman is a weak Creature,
and eatily drawn away by the Man's perfusion ; for
which rcalon they feldom or never lay any blame on the
Woman, but the Man (chat ought to be Matter of his
his Paffions) for perfuading her to it.

They are of very hale found Conftitutions, and their
Breath as Tweet as the Air they breach in: The Wo-
men are or fo tender a Compofidon, that they ieem ra-
ther ddigned for the Bed than Bondage ; yet their Love
is never of that exteniivc force oi continuance, that any
of them ever run mad or make away with themfelves on
that fcore. They never love beyond retrieving their
firft indifltercncy, and when flighted, are as ready to
untie the Knot at one end, as you arc at the other.

I knew an European Man that lived many Years a-
mongft the Indians, and had a Child by one of their Wc-
menr having bought her as they do their Wives, and af-
terwards married a Chnfiian : Sometime after he cane
to the Indian Town, not only to buy Deer-Skins, but
likewife to pais away a Night with his former Miftrefs
as ufual, but fhe made anfwer, That fie then had forgot
that fie ever knew him, and that (he never lay with another
Woman s Husband ; fo fell a crying, took up the Child
flic had by him, and went out of the Cabin in great
Diforder, although he ufed all poflible means to pacitie
her, by offering her Prefents of feveral Toys and Rum,
but aU to no purpofe, for (he would never fee him af-
terwards, or be reconciled.

There are feveral Europeans and other Traders which
travel and abide amongft them for a long fpace of Time,
focnetimes a Year, two or three, and thofe Men com-
monly have their Indian Wives or MiftrefTes, whereby
P p % they

,

3 oo The Natural HISTORY of

they toon learn the Indian Tongue, and keep in eood
Pr c.dihip with them, befides the fetis&aion they have
or a iteureilow, they find thefe Giris very ferviccable
to mem upon feveral cccaiioiis^ especially in dreffin**
their Victuals, and initructiug them in the Afrairs and
Cuhoms ot the Country ; moreover they get a great
Trat - ogftthemj but the Perfon that is referred,
and doth not thus converfe with their Women, it is
difficult for him to accomphfh his Deiigns amount
the Natives. & °

One great misfortune that general] - attend the Cbrifti-
ans chat converfe with thefe u omen as Husbands, is,
that they get Children by them, which ate felcom other'
wife brought up or ecucuied than in the wretched ftate
or Infideht) ; for it is a certa;n Rule and Cuftom amongfi
all the savage* in America (as far as I could learn) rolet
ah the Chiidj en fall to the Woman's Lot; ibr it frequent-
ly happens, that two Indians, thathave lived together as
Man and Wife for many Years, in which time they
have had feveral Children, if they parr, and another takes
her to be his Wife, all the Children go along with the
Mother ; and therefore en this Account is is a ciffcult
matter for the Cbrifttans 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 rhe Chriflian Faith, that they live in a
miierabie ftate of Darknefs and Infidelity all the Days of
their lives. It is very Jurprizing, that "feveral Chrifimus
ti , re- accuftomed tothe Conversation of thefe Wo-
men and rheir way of living, have been (o infatuated
itn that carlefs fort of life, as to continue
v- - ? Indian V ire, and her Relations fo long as
tncy r »t ever defiring to return again a-

mong the Chriftians, though ihcy ^had feveral Opportu-
nities

North CAROLINA. 3o1

nities and confiderable Advantages offered them. Of

thele'ioft and unfortunate fort or People (as I may pro-
perly termthem) there are tome living amongft the za-
hmhI Indium or Carolina to this Day, with whom I have
frequently c nvcrfed, and exhorted them to return to
the Omftians, from -the Indians, and their abominate
Practices, andhkewife aminomg them ci what oar 5a-
Viour fesus Christ fain. That where two or three are
fathered together w his Name, he wtli grant their Request,
which they woula not accept, but voluntary remained
amongft them. I likewife ur^ed many other Rcafons
and Texts of Scripture, but all to no purpofe nether
couia i have any fatisfactory Aniwer trcm them for tneir
obitmate and dangerous way of living.

The Indians being of feveral Nations, have as diffe-
rent Culioms amongft them, and he that is the gieateft
Warrior, or tiie beft Hunter, is fure to be the greateft
favorite amongft the Women. The prettied Girls are
alwavs beftowed upon the chief Men, and ugheft up-
on the lazy and ufelefs Luboers, as to the Ceremony
of Marriage they have non: amongft them, tor the Crrls
at Twelve or Fourteen years of Age, or as foon as Na-
ture l rompts them, freely beftow their favours on lome
Youth about the fame Age, and to c. tint es them to
whom ilie likes beft, changing her Mate as often as fhe
pleafts ; for few or none of them are cdriftant to one,
'till the greater number of Years has made her capable
or managing her Domdtick Affairs ; and that (be hath
try'c the vigour o" mod or the Nati >n fhe belongs to;
tor the multiplicity of Gallants beforehand are no objecti-
on or ftain to a Females Reputation, or hindrance to her
advancement, for ti >refee ha:h followed that courfc
of Li^r cd and refpeded, and covet-

ed by thofe of the nru Rank amongft them to make a
' Wife

302 The Natural HISTORY^

of: So that a Virgin, fc much cftcemed and coveted
by the European?, is in little \alue or requcil amongil
them. ^ &

When a Man or Woman is arrived at a certain age
of Maturity, and has palled the Ceremonies pracrifed
by their Nation, and other Graduations and Qualifi-
cations amongit them, and are allowed to be Houfe-
kcepers, it is then he makes his AddreiTes to one or other
of thefe for a Wife : When he has obtained her confenr,
the Parents of both Parties ( with the conlcnt of the
King) agree about the matter, making a promife of
their Daughter to the Man that requires her tor a Wife";
and it often happens that they converfe and travel to-
gether feveral Moons before they are acknowledged as
Man and Wife, or the Marriage publifhed openly, thefe
being Cuftoms allowed among!! them in all parts. After
this, the Man upon the leaft difguft or diftikc may turn
her away, and take another : But if fhe fhoujd difap-
prove of his Company, a Price is fct 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
litters 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 either European or /«-
dian that will accept of their Favours.

The Husband is never fo difplcas'd or enrag'd with
the Adultrefs,as to put her to Death, or even to inflict
any grievious punifliments on her, though fhe be caught
in the very fad. But the rival becomes Debtor to the
cornuted Husband in fome few trifles of little value
amongfl the Europeans (yet much cfteemed amongft them)

which

North CAROLINA. 3°3

which when paid, a!I animofities ceafe and are laid afidc
between the Husband and the Wife's gallant, otherwifc
they are a treacherous generation when thus injurd. ~ "
'I hey will even fometimes let out their Wives for a
Night or two tor a graruity, and fometimes to oblige
their Neighbours or intimate Friends, efpecially their
great Men, nor do they reckon their Wives Whores for
lying with thofe that are as good or better then them-
felvcs, and fometimes to gratific their Wives Inclinations.
A cuftom much like this we read of amongft the Britain,
which was a Society of WTives among certain Numbers,
and by common confent. Every Man married a (ingle
Woman, who was always after, and alone, efteem'd his
Wife. Butit wasufualfor 5. 6. 10. 12. or more either
Brothers or Friends as they coud agree to have all their
Wives in common, fo that encounters happen'd 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 ffure in the
care and defence of rhe whole Society, finccno Man knew
which were his own. Such were the People and the
cuftoms of the Britons when the Romans invaded their
Ifland un<fer the Enfignes of Julim Cafar.

But to return, when a young Indian has a mind for
fuch a Girl for his Wife, he, or iome one for him goes
(as I before obferved) to the young Woman's Father or
Mother, if living, if not, to the neareft Relations, where
he or they make offers of the Match betwixt them; the
Relations reply, they will confider of it: This ferves for
afiifficient Anfwer, 'till there be a fecond meeting about
it, where they lerioufly debate the Affair amongft them-
felves, the King being commonly present, and moft oi
the great Men, who all give their Opinion about it,
which if they agree upon, the Woman is immediately

called

304 The Natural HISTORY^

called co know how fhe approves of the Man (for as it is
reported, they never give their Children m Marriage
without their conleut) ior a Husband ; if (lie approves
and is fatistied, the Man paysTo much for his Wire,
and the handiomer file is, bears cue greater price. It
fomcumes happens that mc Man has not Effects enough
to pay the Purchafe for her ; but if he be known to be a
a good Bunter, that he can raife and pay the Fine agreed
upon in to many Moons, or inch a limited Time as they
prppofcj me is obliged to go along with him asbethroth-
ed, bat he is not to have carnal Knowledge or l;er 'till
all the Obligation or Payment is difcharged. This is
punctually obierved, and then ilie is his Wife.

Thus they live together under one covering for feveral
Months (till the obligation is rullfili'd) and the Woman'
remains the fame as fhe was when Hi. nrft came to him,
as I have been informed by the Indians themfeiyes. I am
perl waded that there are but few of the Europeans but
what wou'd break through theie cuftoms, if they hud the
lame opportunities and Liberties allowed them. But the
Indians are not (o vigorous and irnpetient in the purfuit
ot Love, and gratifying theit delires as the Europeans
arc, yet the Women are quite contrary ; and thofc Indi-
an Girls that have frequently converfed with the Europe
ans, never much care for the converfation of their own
Country-men afterwards.

They never marry fo near as a firft Coulin, yet they
are allowed to marry two Sifters or his Brothers Wife;
and although there is nothing more coveted amongft
them than to marry a Woman of their own tribe or Na-
tion, which confifts ot very few People, fo that they
are all of them rela ed to one another, yet they are obli-*
ged to look out for tfu>bar\A*> and Wives amonsit (Grang-
ers and People of another Nation. If an Indian fliould

Uc

sa

North CAROLINA.

303

lie with his own Sifter (and chat fhe proves with Chiidj
or it isotherwjfe known) or any other near Re-lac 101 is*
his Body is immediately Burnt, and the Attics a rcof
thrown into the River, as unwortney to (remain up$f
the Earth. Neither is Sodomy, that beaitiy Action
known amongit them, nor have they a Name fortnae
abominable Sin in all their Languages.

, Thefe Marriages among/f. them are no longer bind-
ing than the Man and Woman agree together, for cichcc
have liberty to leave each osher upon any frivolous ex-
cufc. Both Men and Women commonly marry tour or
five times before they can fettle to their Content j tor
when they thus marry, they do not intend to bind them-
felves for as long time as they (hall live, but for as long
only as they (hall agree together aud love each other s
If they grow weary or difcontented with each other,
they may feparate, which is equally allowed to both Par-
ties , Thus they^ part without any clamour or noife,
and perfectly indifferent to each other afterwards, and
take no more Notice when they meet> than if they had
never feen one another, and wonder that the Europeans
do not follow the fame courfe i But whoever takes the
Woman that was anotherMan's before, and bought by
him (as they all are) muft certainly pay to her formec
Husband whatfocver he gave for her ; But if he feuds
her away without any Caufe, fhe 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 5 for the Woman is not required or oblig-
ed to pay any thing (unleis (he is willing fo to do) that
was owing from her Husband, fo long as (he lives (ingle.
But if a Man courts her for a Nights Lodging, and b-
tains itj if the Creditors have knowledge of it, they w 1
Q 9 nuke

go6 The Natural H I S T O R Y of

make him pay the Husband's Debts, then he may if he
pleafes, take her to be his Wife, or fell her to another
for his own or a lcfs Purchaie.

There are feveral of theft kind of Bargains made in a*
Day amongft them (the Women never living the worle
for this kind or Traffick) for the Men mil fell their
Wives at their publick Meetings, as Men do Horfes and
other Cattle at a Fair or Market with us : A Man is
not only allowed to change as often as he pleafes, but
likewife to have as many Wives as he is able to main-
tain, though they are feldom known to live with more
than one at a time, except it be their great Men, fuchr
as IVar-Captaim, &t. 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 difadvantage ; not but that
they have Midwives as well as DcRors amongft them,
•who make it their Profeffion (for Gain) to affift and de-
liver Women : Some of theft Mid-wives are very know-
ing in leveral Medecins that the Country naturally pro-
duces, which mod certainly expedite and make eafy
Births, belides they are unacquainted with thofe fevere
Pains that follow the Birth in European Women. Their
Remedies arc a great caufe of this cafinefs in that ftate,
for the Women will run up and down their Plantations
the fame Day they are delivered, without any fign of
Pain or Sicknefs ; 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 Coutfes of Nature never vifit them in fuch quan-
tities as the European Women have ,• although they
always have plenty of Milk, I never faw an Indian
Woman have large Breads, which is common amongft
the Blacks or Negne Women, they having the largeft and

uglieft

=

North CAROLINA. 3°1

uglieft of any thac are to be met with j neither does the
ioungeft Wire amongit the Indians ever tail or proving
fogood a Nurfe, as to bring up her Child free from the
Rickits, and diiaflers that proceed from the Teetfa with
many other Diftempers which are frequent arnongft 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 Child fooner than uluai. They always
nurfe their own Children themfelves, unlefs Sickncfs ot
Death prevents them. I only once fawa Nurfe hired to
give Suck to an Indian Woman's Child, the Mother hap-
pening to have a fit of fickuefs not long aften her deli-
very i 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 wafh it in cold Water in the next
Stream or 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 wafh themfelves in the
Waters, and abient themfelves from the Company of
Men for forty Days. The Husband takes care to pro-
vide a Cradle, which is foon made, comlfting only of a,
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 fanned about two Inches
from the Board, for the Child's Breech to reft on, undeu
this they put a Wad of Mofs that receives the Child's Ex-
crements, by which means they can very readily fhifc
the Mofs, and keep all clean and fweet. They are ape
to have the Bodies and Heads of their Children flat,
which is owing tothefe kind of Cradles, yet they are the
moft portable things that can be invented, there being a
String from one corner of the Board to the other, where-
9J\ » b£

mSA

The Natural HISTORY of

by the Mother flings the Child on her Back, fo that the
Infant s Buck is towards hers, and it's Face to the Sky •
if it rains ihc throws her tmher or Woden Match-coat
over herHead, wnich covers her ail over, and fecures her
£hd the Child rrom the injury of the Weather. Thefe be-
ing the only kind of Cr (idles that are common through-
put all America. &

The Women quit all manner of' Companv, neither do
they drefs their own Victuals during their Purgation ;
after they have hzd ievtral Children, they grow iirangc-
ly out of Shape in their Bodies ; as for Barrenefs it is
feldom or never known amongft them, their Women
moil commonly proving very Fruitful, efpecially after
Marriage, every, Cabin being Full of Children, who are
taught, as foon as they grow up to Fi/h, and Hum in the
Woods, and to do what is neceffary about their Houfe^
viz.. to bear Indian Cam, and the like, for they do not
take the leaft Care of their Education, being (hangers
to all Arts ajid Sciences, fo that they lead a very idle
JLife,

They name their Children according to their own
Fancies, which is quite different to cither the Father or
Mother's Name. This Name they keep (if a Boy) 'till
they arrive to the Age of a Hunter, or a Warrior, which
Is cemmoniy at fixtccn or fevenceen Years, then thev rake
a Name to the mftlvcs as they think proper, fome being
called Eagle, T)ger, Panther, Migmor, or fome fuch
wild Creature, t deeming nothing bn Earth worthy to
give them a- Name but fuch kind of Wildfowl or Beafts.
Some hke wife rake the Names of Fome Fi/b, which they
feep as long as they live.

1 hey -number their Age by Moons or Winters, and fay
i Woman or a ls/Un is lo many Moons or Winters old,
§nd fo they do with all memorable Actions in life,

accounting

North CAROLINA

309

accounting it to be fo many Moons or Winters fince fuch
or fuch a thing happened. They likewiie 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
Moon, yet they underltand the latters Age, having no
other Computation of Time but after this manner.

They have no Sabbath , or certain Days of Reft ap-
pointed for Devotion amongft them, that I ever could
oWerve, except we will allow of their Feafts to be their
feftival Days, fet appart for that purpofe. However
thofe that are frequently amongft the Chnjlians, and
(peak the EngUJh Tongue, know very well when it is
Sunday, or the Englijh Mans Gods Day, as they term it.
In thefe Parts they havelikewife a particular and diftincl;
Name for Chrifimas, which they call IVimck-keJhufe , or
the Englijh- Man's Gods Moon.

They name the Months according to what moftly is
produced or taken in each of them, as one is called
Htr ring-month , which is March, another the Strawberry-
month, which is April, another the Mulberry-month, or
May ; others name them by Trees that bud or blojGfom 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 Turtey
Cocks, which is in March, and April; for when they are
out in their Hunting matches they fay they will rcturne
Home when the lurkey Cock begin to Gobble.

The Indians are not Jealous like the Spaniards and
other European Nations, neither do they know what
Jealoufly is, becaufe they never think their Wives un-
conftant unUis thev are Eye witnefles thereof. They
are gencraMy bafhful, etpeaslly the young Maids, who
whea they come into a. tenge Cabin where they are

not,

310 The Natural HISTORY^

not acquainted, never ask for any thing, though they be-
ever io Hungry or Thirfty, but fit down without fpcak-
a Word, till lome of the Houfe ask them fomc Quciti-
ons, or tali into difcourfe with the Stranger.

The Women fas I obferv'd before) never Scold with
each other, and no People in the World more tender and
Inuulgent of their Children, (o that they feldom or ne-
ve; corred or chaftiie them, which I am perfwaded is a
very great reafon that they are not given to Scold (like
the Europeans) when they come to Men and Women's
Eftatc.

They have few or no complements amongft them,
except iliakmg of Hands, and fcratching on the fhoul-
dcr, which are the greateft marks of affe&ion and fince-
rity that can be fliewed amongft them, not only to
Strangers but to each other. And it is worthy of obfer-
vation, to fee when the War Captains (who are Men
of the greateil efteem amongft them, next the King)
Come to the Cabins of the inferior Indians, that at his de-
parture they fcratch his fhouldcr, 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, J go ftraight away,
which is to intimate their departure, and if the Man of
the Houle has any Meffage to fend by the Pcrfon 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 Twng-
Man, which refpeft the ftations and Circumftances, that
Men are employed in or arrived to, and not Ceremony.
Neither is the Name of Mafter fo much as known amongft
them. Aod as for Servant, thty have so fuch thing,

except

North CAROLINA

311

except Slave, for their Dogs, Cats, Wild and Domefikk
Btaftsand Birds are call'd by the fame Name, for the In-
dian-word for Slave includes them all ; fo when an Indian
tells you, be has got a Slave for yon, it may (in general
terms as they uie) be a young Eagle, a Dog, Pojfam, Ottor%
or any other thing of that Nature, which is obfequioufly
to depend on the Matter for its Suflenance.

W hen the Europeans come in amongft them to their
Towns, though perhaps the Indians are well acquainted
with fome of them, yet not one of them will fpeak to
them, till the King pays the firfl complement, which is
Shaking of Hands, and biding them welcome, after him
the Wat Capains, Dotlors or Priefts fo on gradually from
high to low, nor one of all thefe (peaking to the Europe-
an till his fuperior has ended his Salutation. After all
this Ceremony is over then every Indian has liberty to
ipcak and converfc with his European acquaintance, this
being an honour due to the King and his great Men5
which is moft itrictly 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 necelTiries
that they find in them, fuch as Indian Corn, Peas, Beanst
Chinkapin, Nuts, Wall-nuts, and fcveral other Nuts, and
Fruits, Pigeon s, -Oil, Barbacu'dVenifon, Peaches, and
Peach-Bread, thefe Peaches are likewife made into a
Quiddony, 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
Chnftian Traders to do, in lieu whereof they molt com-
monly leave fome fmall gratuity- fuch as T "bafco, B«ads9
or fome other Trifles of chis Nature, (which arc kindly
received and acknowledged by tiicm) and then proceed
on their intended Journey,

The

3A2 The Natural HIS TORY of

■ iiin — i -i • mm ii.ii. m bwAbm.^wm ,,.

The Women's drefs in feverc and cold Weather are
Peticoais, Blankets, or Taii-clouts ( which of late they
have purchaied from the Europeans ) or a Hairy Match-
coat made in the nature of a Piad of the Skins of feve-
ral 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 better
than half a Yard deep, to cover the Privities, which is
done only for decency, both Men and Women being ac-
cuftomed from their infancy to an entire Nakednefs, 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 in at the Cornersi to fatten that
kind of Garment, and at other times they make it fall
with a Belt: Sometimes they wear Meggiz,ons or Indian
Shoes made of Deer-Skins, after the manner as the Men's
are. Some of them iikewife 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-taily and adorned or bound round with Ronoak
or Proceian, a kind of Beads they make of Conk-(heQst
which is the Money the Indians make ufe of in thefeparts*
Others that have not this, make a Leather firing or
forne pieces of Green or Red Stuff fervc, others adornc
their Hair with Beautiful Flowers and Feathers of fc-*
verai Birds : After this manner they make their appear-
ance, when they come along with their Husbands a-
mongft the Chriftians.

The Men have Match-coats of Hair, Purs, Feathers,
or Clothy and their Hair rolled upon each Ear as the
Women's, only much fhorter, and frequently a Roll
on the Crown of their Head and Temples^ as they fan-
cy,

North CAROLINA.

513

cy, there being no great nicety or flri&nefs in their
Brefs. They make their Stockins of pieces of Blue or
Red Cloath, which they fallen about their Legs with
fmall Splinters made of bits of the Pitch fine-wood, or
any other Wood. Others fallen them on with Strings orf
the out fide of the Leg like Buskins. Sometimes they
wear great Bobs in their Ears, others in the holes thereof
put Eaglet 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
1 hem appear more frightful than Ornamental, and more
like People diflra&ed than in their Senfes : At other
times both Men and Women wear great Belts and Neck-
laces of their Money made olCoufcfieRs, and often times
Bracelets made of Brafs and Iron- wire, and feveral other
Toys which they purchafe from the Chrijiians.

Others have their Hair made up in long rolls, where-
in are tied feveral bits of Stuff of various colours, (uch
as TeBowt 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
Uriel: obfervers, though never pra&ifcd before the Chrijii"
. ans came amongft them. Some wear Shoes of Buck or
Bear Skins, which they will tan in an Hour or two with
the Bark of Trees boiled, wherein they put the Leather
whilft 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 Moggiz,om or Shoes have no
Heels, but are made as fit for the Feet, as a Glove for
the Hand, and eafie to travel in when one is a little
ufed to them.

The Feather Match-coats are exceedingly pfetty, fomS

or which are beautifully wrought wich variety of Colour!

R t and

I

314 The Natural HISTORY of

and Figures, which feem at a diftancc like a fineflowr-
td Si!k-fiagt when new and frefh, they ierve a Bed in-
fed ot a Quilt. Some Match-coats arc maue of Hair, as
Racoons, Beavers, or Squirrell's Skim, which are very
warm. Others again are made of the green part of
the Skin of the Mallards head, and other Fowls which
they flitch o£ fow perfectly well together, their Thread
being. either the Sinews of a Deer divided very fmall, or
Silk-grafs, when thefc are finished they look molt beau-
tifuly, though they mull needs be very troubiefome and
tedious to make. But thofe that have plenty of Deer
Skins frequently buy the Englijb made Coats, Blankets,
&c. yet few are ever known to buy or wear Breeches
(except their Kings and great Men) laying they arc too
much confined in them, and prevents their fpeed id run-
ning, leaping, and other exercifes.

There was formerly a Nation of Indians called the
Vafquotani. Indians, who kept Cattle and made Butter,
but at prelent there is no fuch thing to be found amongfl
them or any other Nation in thefe Fans; had thefe in-
clinations in thofe poor Savages met with that encourage-
ment (from the Englijb and other Europeans fettled in
Worth-Carolina ) which in jufiice, Piety and Virtue
(ought to be the practice of every Ckriftian) I do not
doubt but that they wou'd foon be converted, and with
joy embrace the Chrifiian-faiih, and be live us to be a
more worthy race of People than themfelves, by our
good A&ions and Morals. But oa the contrary, they
have been formerly defrauded of the Lands allotted them,
which was the occafion or a long and vexatious War to
the Chriftians, and it frequently happens (at this Day)
that the Europeans (winch I am forry I have occafion to
abentionj meet, thofe poor Indians in the Woods, and not
only bea,t mi abufc them,- but commonly rob them of

their

North CAROLINA 315

their furs, Deer Skim, and other commodities which they
have acquired Wicu Io much pains and fatigue. I have
known leverai complaints to the Governor or fuch ufag'e
during my abode in rhat Country, which ihews the
greateit ingratitude in Nature, when we confider how
ready ihefe poor Creatures are to ierve and oblige us, in
what ever affiftance we want from them. And that in
moft ot the Colonics already well Peopi'd with Chriflians>
it woud be impoffible for them to live (for their own
Slaves the Negroes wousd dcflroy them) only for them
who upon all occafions are ready to fupprefs them when
they Rebel againft their Mailers, which they frequently
do in Virginia an j many other parts of America belong-
ing to the Crown ot England.

Their dreifes are as different as the Nations to whom
they belong, fo that it is impoffible to recount all the
whimfical Figures that they commonly make by their
Antick drelTes. BzfidcsCaroIina is a warm Country, and
very mild in its Winters to what Mary-Land, Penfilvania,
New-Tor k, the Jfrfies9ot New-England are, wherefore our
Indian Habits differ very much from the d relies that are
uled by the Savages that inhabit thofe cold Countries ;
in regard their chiefeft cloathing for the Winter Seafon
is made of the Furs of Severs, 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 we are unacquainted with heie.

Their drefs in Peace and War are quite different from
fome Nations before they go to War, the Women comb
out their Hair and anoint it with Bears-greafe, and the
Red Root, and likewise adorn it with Feathers of various
beautiful colours, befides Copper, Iron Rings, and fome-
times Wampum or Peak in their Ears. Moreover they
buy red Colours of the Indian Trader^ wherewith they
Rra V inc

A

3 i 6 'The Natural HISTORY*/

Paint their Faces ail over as red as Vermillion, and com-
monly make a circle of Black abou: one Eye, and another
circle of White about the others,whM other bedaub their
Faces with lobaccopipe Clay9 Lamp- black, Black Lead, and
divers others colours, fuch as Green, Blue, and the like,
thefe they make with feveral forts of Herbs, Minerals,
and Earths, that they get m different parts ofc the Coun-
try where they Hunt and Travel. When thefe People
are thus Painted they make the moft frightful Figures
that can be imitated by Men, and fecm more like Devils
out of Hell than any human Creature upon Earth, the
reafon why they thus Faint themfelves is becaufe they
believe it adds to their Courage and flrikes a terror in
their Enemies.

It is worthy of Obfervation, that whenever you meet
them thus difguis'd or Painted, you may be fure thac
they are about fome mifchief or other, for in all HofH-
lities that have ever been a&cd againft the Ckrifiians at
any time in (cveral 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 llioud 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 (o often
at your Houfe, and you were moft intimatly acquainted
with him before he put on this difguife.

As for the Women, they feldom or never ufe any
Paine on their Faces, except Bear's-Greafe, or Lamp-black,
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 parts of the gaftren Country) but always leave them
at home with the old Men and Children, to provide all
mariner of Nectaries foz them. By their different
"'. ., " ' way.

North CAROLINA.

317

way of Painting, they rcprefent moft of the A&ions ifi
Lite, fuch isWar, Peace, Feajts, Death, and the like,
ufine different Colours or Paintings fuitablc to each oc-
cafion. When they are thus Painted, they go to Battle
in the following manner : Each Man takes his Gun,
and a fufficicnt quantity of Powder and Bail, or if he
has not thefe, his Bow (which is about an £11 long)
and Arrows, about eighteen Inches, made of lmall Canes $
feme of them are very artificially headed with fharp
Stones, Sbetif, Teeth of Fijb, or hardned after their manner,
the other End being Feathered with two Feathers, and
tied with the Guts of fame Beafi when green and moift ;
each of them has likewife a Tamahawk or final! Hatch-
et, and Cutlajhes, when they can get them purchafed by
any means from the Europeans. They alio ufc Clubs
or long Poles ( in the ends whereof they fallen very
artificially fharp Stones, or the Horns of Beafts ) and
wooden Swords, hardened after their manner •, foxne-
times they have wooden Breaft-plates for their defence ;
thefe being all the Weapons that arc made ufc of amongft
the civilized, and Savage Indians in thefe parts.

The way of waging War is fo harfti, that one mult
have a Body of Steel to bear the Fatigues they are 0=
bliged to undergo. They give but little Quarters, and
if they arc taken Prifoners, they are never exchanged :
When one Nation is engaged in War with another*
there is little Valour ufed, though they accomplish no-
table Exploits by Craft and Stratagem, for they do not
attaefceach other by open Force, but dividing thcmfelvcs
into fmall Parties, twenty five or thirty Men lie in Am-
buffi near the Village they defign to attack, 'till Night;
then they fet upon the Huts that lie difperfed in the open
Country, if they meet with any aged Men they kill them,'
cut of their HcadSj Hm&% gMlfat* nay, if they have
~ . :~ sime9

™

31 8 ■ The Natural HISTORY/

time, cue them all into fmall pieces, that every one
may take along with him a pan, as a fignal of his Bra-
very : But it the Enemy are alarmed, they are glad co
&e Contented with the Head alone, or perhaps a Lock
of the Hair, which they carry home in triumph, as an
undoubted fign of their Bravery. When they intend to
do a boiu Exploit, they enter a Village at Night, force
open d Houie, kill aji they meet with, and then betake
theplelvesto thtir Heels, tor tear or* being purfued by
their Enemies, if they engage in the open Field, their
chief Deiign is to draw one another into an Ambufh j
but the death of one or two Men commonly decides the
Quarrel, that Farcy which has loft them, returning im-
mediately.

When they go to War, they carry their Idol with
them, of whom they tell incredible Stories, and ask
Council, as the Antients were wont to do with the Ora-
cle or Apollo, and then proceed upon their intended Ex-
pedition, with their Kings 01 War Captains, who march
fiiit, with a Club in one Hand, and a Bow in the other,
with a Quiver rull of Arrows, all the reft follow him to-
wards the Battle, with fuch Weapons as they can con-
veniently get, finging Songs inftead of Drums and
Trumpets, and whilft they fight, there is nothing to be
Beard 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 (ddom ceafe 'till they have Sa-
dsraction, bur before they go upon any Expeditions they
often affemole in Council together, and there debate the
Matter in hand, and take thofc Resolutions that they
judge moft advifable to be done, being a People never
©vee haily in what they do,

They

North CAROLINA.

3*9

They make great Feafts after they have obtained a
Victory 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, ihewing all
the figns of Joy imaginable, their young Men and Wives
finging Songs of Praife to their War Captains and great
Men, for their late Conqueft over their Enemies; they
likewife make the moft. antient Women of the Country
Dance, holding the Hair or their Enemies in their
Hands.

Their manner of War among® thtmfelves, is either
by fuddenly furprizing each other, which is mofl com-
monly done about the dawning of the Day, Moon-light,
or by AmbufheSj fet Battles being very rare, except it
be where there are many Trees, to have a place of Re-
fuge or Defence after every Shot, or the delivery of their
Arrows, by leaping behind them, or fome other fhelter.

When they go to War or their Hunting Matches, the
Viduals which they generally carry with them hBread^
Indian Corn, dried Fruits, of feveral forts, Homy, and
Meal made oiMaiz, parched in the Fire, this they can
preferve for a long time without receiving any damage;
they likewife carry dried fijb upon thefe occasions, and
thefc are mofl commonly all the Provisions they take
with them.

The Cruelty they ufe to their Prifoners of War, is
fcarce to be paralel'd, becaufe they if rive to invent the
moft inhuman and barbarous Butcheries for cnefe mi-
ferablc Wretches that happen in their power, that is pof-
fible for tberafcives or Devils o invent, Thefe Savages
efteem Death to be rv> Fani(hm£niy bur a.n advancemerve
so him chat m taken put. of the- World into another ;

therefor*

a.

gao The Natural HIS TORY of

therefore they inflift on them thefe cruel Torments, in
prolonging Life in that miferable ft ate, as long as they
can, and never mifs Sculping or thefe Wretches (as they
call it) which is to cm 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 iometimes take the top
of the Scull along with it, all which they 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 ; whilft 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 ftrive
to get a Bone or iome 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 fets fuch a Value on himfelf, that he fcarce knows
how to contain in his Senfes. In all their Wars they ne-
ver deftroy the Women or Children that they make
Captives, but carefully preferve them.

The Iroquois, or Sannagersy and Charohes, are the moft
powerful and warlike Iridtam 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 Perfuafi-
ons wnatfoever. They live near the Mountains, and
there has been feveral Methods ufed by the Ckiftians to
— perfuade

n

North CAROLINA.

gii*

perfwade them to live peaceably with the luskeruros
(who are one of the Civilized Niu.it -ns, amongil the
Englifk that live near the Sea) notwithftanding theie /«-
dians very much dcflrc to make Peace, and w >id { uDixiit.
to the former, yet their anfwer is, that they cannot live
without War, which they have ever been accultomed to^
and that if peace be made with them or any other Nati-
on they War withal, they muft find out (am-: otners 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,*nd value themfelves
for. Yet they have not molefted the lushmros, o^ iacei
Years, and it is fuppofed that they arc now at War 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 Christians, and ufe them with all
manner of civility when they meet them in the Moun-
tains where they constantly trade with each other.

When they take a Prifoncr, and intend to keep him as
a Slave to Work in their Fields, tney 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 efcape, for he can neither run faft or go any-
where but his feet or Stumps arc more eafily traced and
difcovered, yet 1 have fcenfomc that made their efcape
from their Enemies though they weredifabled after this
manner.

The Indians ground their Wars chiefly on Enmity;
not on Jntereft, as the Europeans generally do, for cue
lofsof the mcaneft Pcrfon in tne Nation, they wit! go*
to War and lay ail at Stake, and profecute their defign
to the utmoft, till the Nation they were injured by be
§ f wholly,

322 The Natural H I S T 0 R Y of

wholly deftroyed, or make them that fatisfaction which
they demand.

They maintain continual War$ one Nation againft
another, which iometimes hold tor Ages, killing and
making captive all they can, till they become To weak
that they are often forced to make peace for want of a
fufficicnt number of Recruits to fupply their Wars, fo-
that by thefc continual Wars, and the art they have and
often practice or Poyfoning one another, which they do
with a large white Spongy Root that grows in their
frcfli Marffrcs, many numerous and formidable Nations
are dwindled away to a handful of Men in comparifon
to what they were (ixiy Years ago. and it's flrange to
imagine how many hundred Miles they come to make
War on each other ; without any vifibic view of Intcreft
in Lands, or Riches, which arc the chief motives of all
European Princes, waging War againft each other.

They arc very Politick in waging and carrying on
their War, fi'rft by advifing with all the antient Men of
conduct and rcafon that belong to their Nation j fuch as
fupcranuated War Captains, and thofc that have been
Counfellors amongftthem for many Years, whofe Advice
has fucceeded weH. They have likewifc their field
Ccunfellors, who are accuftomed to Ambufcades and Sur-
prizes which methods arc commonly ufed by them in
thefe parts, for you (hall feldom hear of a Field or fee
Battle fought amongft them.

Yet before they undertake any enterpnzes, tney meet
feveral Mornings together in their State-Hcufcs, where
the Kire rcpaireth, and is placed on a {cat which is ge-
nerally higher than any of his Retinue's, where all of
them falute him 5 as foon as the Salutation is over, every
<one fits down according to their Degrees or Seniority,
and ifthcrebeany thing to be debated, the King, calls

his

North CAROLINA.

in

his Prieiis and the moft antient Men of his Nation and
asks their Advice. After wards he commands Cafftna to
be orought, and when he has drank a Cup full ot the
Liquor (which holds about a Pine and a half) they all,
one after another drink the fame proportion out of the
fame Cup.

This drink is in fuch great rcqueit amonglt them, that
no Man is permitted to taftc thereof in. this publick Af-
fembiy unlefs he has (ignalizcd himfelfin the Wars a-
gainft his Enemies; Valour being highly efteemed a-
hiongft them : They drink this Tea very warm, which
makes them (wear plentifully, and has the virtue to take
away Hunger and Thirit for twenty four Hours.

Thcie Indians exercifc their young Men very much in
Shooting with their Bows and Arrows, the Strings
whereof 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 s
there being plenty of feveral beautiful Dies in this Coun-
try, which they are well acquainted with, they likewife
take great pleafurc in Hunting and Frfhing, wherein
they are very expert.

I will give you fame few Infancies of their Politicks
and Expeditions, which arc worth mentioning. The
firft was thus, two Nations were at War with each o-
shcr, and both Parties were in the Woods or Forreft
ranging to fee what Enemies they c®ud take or deflroyv
The leffer Number found they were difcovered 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
fuperior, they immediately called a Council, which being
met, and having weighed and debated their prefent cir-
eumftances, with many arguments for a considerable tims;

3?4

The Natural HISTORY of

ana found their Enemies advantage, and that they could
not poffibly expect apy fuccefs in engaging luch 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 ' Aould
srake a great Fire, which they were certain would
Je cuJcpvcrdby the adverfc party, and there drefs up
Log. ot Woodm their Cloths, and make them ex-
actly ieem like Indians that were fall adcep by the Fire-
fide (which is their way when they are Hunting ot
othcrwifc in the Woods) fo faid they, our Enemies will
fcre upon thele Images, fiippofing them to be Men, while
we lye m Ambufcadc, and after their Guns arc unloaded
isye (hall deal well enough with them.

This refult was immediately put in execution, and the
Fire was made by the fide of a Valiy where they lay
perdue, very advantagioufly all Night. Thus a little
bcrore break of Day they came down to the Fire, and at
once fired in upon thefc Logs in the Indian Cloaths and
irur. up to them expe&ing they had kill'd every Man
dead upon the Spot, but they foon found thcmfelves to
fee miftaken, for then the other Indians who had lain all
the Night ftark-naked, attacked them with their loaded
Pieces, which fo furpm'd them, that every Man was
taken Prifoncr and brought in bound to their Town*
iome or" whpm were fold to the Englijb for Slaves.

There was another extraordinary Inftanccof this Na-
ture that happened betwixt the Maehafunga Indians and
xhc Coranines, living on the Sand-banks near Macha^unga
River , which carries a great deal of Treachery and Bar-
barity in It, and is as follows. The Machapungas were
invited to a feaft by the Cormine s (which two Nations
Md been a long time at War together, but had lately
concluded a Peace) thereupon the Mai bapun^a Indians
a. ^ • ••■ t.- : i\ ... u'-.l.. ■ \y ~ . ' took

North CAROLINA

325

took the advantage of coming to the Coranim teafts
and to avoid all fafpicion, and that there was a good
harmony and understanding now amongfl themj the
Macffipuhga King who though of a Savage nature, was a
great Politician, and very flout, ordered all his Men to
carry their Tamahawfo along with them under their
Match- coatu which they did, and being acquainted when
to fall on, by the Word given, they ail (upon this de-
fign) let forward tor the feaft, and came to the Cora-
nine-town, who made them welcome, and had gotten
Visuals, Fruit3 and fuch things as make an Indian En~
tertainment ; having provided all things ncceifary t©
make their new Guefts welcome, after Dinner towards
the Evening ( as it is cuftoraary amongfl them) they
went to Dancing all-together; when the Machapunga
King faw the beft opportunity offer, he gave the Word,
and immediately his Men pulled out their Tamahawks, or
Hatchets from under their Match- coats, killed icvcral,and
took the reft of them Prifoners, except (omc few that were
not at the Feaft, and about tour or five that made their,
cfcape ; fome of thefc they fold as Slaves to the Englijh.
At the time this was done, thefe Indians had nothing but
Bows and Arrows, being intire Grangers to Guns and
their ufes; neither are any of the two former Nations to
be met with (at this Day) living near Mahcafmga jfc-
ver, which place is well inhabited by Chvtfiiam.

Their Dances are of different Nature! , and for every
fort they have a different Song or Tunc, which is allot-
ted for each Dance. Upon thefc occafions they will con-
tinue dancing for feveral Nights together, with the great-
eft bri knefs imaginable, their Wind never failing them z
In a IVar-Dance they have Warlike Smgt^ wherein they
ezprefs with all the paffion and vehemcacy imaginable

what they intend to do with their Enemies 1 h<ow they

r__. -_.* ___ ----- -- ~_~ ■_--— - - ■ ^

326 The Natural HISTORY^*

will kill, roaft, fculp, beat, and make Captives fuch and
fuch numbers of them, and how many they have deiiroy-
ed already : Whatever Trophies they have gained in
War are fct up for all thole prefent to oehoid, round
which they Fcailand Dance with the greatat extafie of
Joy that can be cxpreft or fiiewn by them.

All the Songs are made new for every Feaft, neither
is one and che fame Song fung at two feveral Feftivals ;
fame one of the Nation (who hath the belt gift of cx~
preffing their Dcfigns) is appointed by their King and
War Captains to make thefe Songs; tncfe Ptrrfons or Po-
ets being in great recjueft with the King, and Nation to
whom they belongs.

^ Their Peace Dances arc generally made at their
Feafts, and are of another Nature; as when feveral
Towns, and fometimes different Nations have made
Vczqc with one another, then it fuits both Nations, and
relates how the bad Spirit made them go to War and de-
flroy one another, that it fhall never be fo again, but
that their Sons and Daughters (hall marry together, and
die two Nations love each other, and become as one
united People.

They' have a third fort of Feaft and Dances which are
■when the Harveft of Corn is ended, and in the Spring ;
she on? to return Thanks to the good Spirit tor the Fruits
of the Earth, the other to beg the fame Blcflings for the
Ibcceeding 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-
firument made of Wood, which was fafliioned like a
btosd Afoiwl, but at prefent they havs Hoes from the

ChriJHani$

Xonb Carolina

321

Chriftianst and commonly plant two or three Grains to-
gether: They never Dung then Land, tut fee Fire to
the Weeds, which makes very good Manure; when the
Land is to be planted, the King commands one ot the
Men to affcmble his Subject tvery Day to Labour, and
when the Mane is gatnercd, it is all carried into ace m-
mon Storc-Houlc, where it is diftributed to every one as
there is occafion > they fcldom fow more than what will
fcrve them for fix Months, and that very fparingly ; foe
during the H'inttr they retire into the Woods to hunt,
or fi(h, where they have plenty of various kinds of wild
Beafts, Birds and Fifties. To encourage the young Mm
to labour in planting their Maze and Puife, they place £
kind ot Idol in the Field, dieffed up exactly like an lndian%
with a great quantity of Wampum, or Money that is made
of Conk-ShtHiy hanging about his Keck. This Image
none of the young Men dare prefume to approach, the old
ones will not fuflfcr them, but tell them that it is lome
famous Warrior that died 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 fpcaktohim.
to fend them plenty of Corn, and to make them expert
Hunters, and mighty Wariors -t and many other incredi-
ble Stories, with which they amufc their Youth. All
this while the King and the old Men fit round the Image^
and feemingly pay the moll profound Refpe&and Vcne«
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 Feafts, which are let out with all the Mag-
nificence imaginable, or that their Fare will allow of,
the Mafquerade begins always at Night. There h a
Fire commonly made in the middle of she largcil Houfe

In

328 The Natural HI S T O R Y of

in the Town, which frequently happens to be that of
their King or War Captain, or a Houle made for that
purpofe, where two Men arc placed on a Mat on the
Ground, the one with a Rattle made of a Gourd, with
feme Indian Corn or Beans in it ; the other with a Drum
made of an Earthen Pet, covered with a dreffed Dee? Skin,
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 Rattles; this is all
she artificial Mufick of their own making that lever faw
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 arc formed with that equality and exa&nefs, that
to us it fcems very ftrange and admirable how they
Ihould continue thefe Songs without once miffing to a-
grce with each others Note and Tune.

As for their Dancing, were there Mailers of that Pro-
feflion among ft them, as there ate 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 down5 as If Water were powred on
their Backs.

Th«y bring up their Youth in many laborious Exer-
crcifes, 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 difpoflefs
them of it, there being fevcral Games amongft them that
is won by him chat hath the longeft 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 hare knewn> foisie of them very ftrong, and

particularly

155

North CAROLINA.

329>

particularly remarkable for their running and leaping i
The agility of both Men and Women are fuch, chat they
will very readily fwim over great Rivers, and fometimes
tarry their Children ^ they hkcwile very nimbly climfy
the higheft Trees in the Country.

Thefe People (aslfaid before) have folemn Feafts np-t
on ieveral occaflons, fuch as for War, iJeace> the Fruits*
of the Earth, and the like, at thefe Feitivais tney have
grear plenty of Pro vi lions, fuch as Venifon, Birds, Ftjhes^
and fcveral forts of Fruits and Roots. Tncir firing is made
of Wood, which they kindle by ftrenuouily rubbing one
ftick againft another (the Sticks being of different kinds)
and fo road their flefh Meat on wooden Spits, or Boyi it
in Earthen Pots, of their own make, and fometimes oioil
it on the Embers.

They are for the moil part very gentle, loving and
faithful, void of Guile or Treachery ( except they arc
highly injured) and live after the manner or the Golden
Age, tor they only take care how to defend themfeives
from the Cold in their fliort Winters, and to teed them-
feives with fuch Victuals as the Soil produceth. They
fometimes have plenty of Rum at theie Entertainments,
which they purchafe from the Europeans, but the common
drink they make uie of to quench their thirft is Water,
and it is to be admired that they never yet found out the
method of making Wines in thefe parts, where fcveral
iorts of Graces arefo plenty, and thefe People in general
being extreamly fond of ilrong Liquors.

At Night their Revels begin, which is commonly in as
Houfc made for that purpofe being the largcit amoigft
their dwellings, this Houfc 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 tranfa&ed all
£ t publick

5J0 The Natural H I S T 0 R Y of

jjublick and private bufinefs relating to the Affairs of the
Government, and the audience of Foreign Ambafladors
from, other Indian Kings; like wife their confutations for
wageingand making of W^w,Propofals of Trade with their
Neighbouring Indians or Europeans, who happen co come
amongft them, and there determine what may be moil
convenient for them to acr, and what to omit, old Age
being always held in as great veneration amongft them,
as any People you fhall find in any part of the World.

Ir 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 finifh'd what he thinks proper to fay on that
Subject, he fits down and then the fecond proceeds after
the fame method, and fo ail 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
fhnds up. The whole Affcmbly giving a great deal of
attention to what each Pcrfon relates on that head, a
profound iilence and tkaM 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
he has to fay on the Subject. This practice I am pcr-
fwaded wou'd be of great ufc and advantage to the Eu-
ropeansy who are fo fubjed to interrupt each other, before
they can utter their intentions, frequently fudging from a
few Words fpoken, the whole Cauie before they have
heard the Merits of it.

Thefe People are naturally very fubtile and fharp wit-
ted, and ready to conceive our meaning by Signs, and
to make anfwers to be underftood again. If they have

mi

North CAROLINA.

33*

siot feen the thing whereof you ask them, they will wink
or cover their Eyes with their Hand to intimate there-
by that k hath been hid from their fight, and if they un-
derhand not thofe things whereof you enquire, they
will flop their Ears, and by many other fuch like figns,
eafie to be underftood, they are apt Co learn any thing
of: us, and are very willing to teach us the Names of each
thing in their Language we demand of them.

Ail their dwelling Houfes are covered with the Barks
of Trees, But this Smate-Houfe differs very much from
them, being artificially Thatch'd with Sedge and Rufies^
at the building whereof every one affifts till it is finifhed.
and as foon as it is compleatly rlnifhcd, the King places
fome one of his chicfeft Men to dwell therein, charging
him with a diligent prefcrvation thereof, in like manner
as European Princes commit the charge and Government
of Forts and Caftlcs to fome favorite fubjec"fc they judge
worthy of fo great Honours and Truft.

They frequently fend- AmbafTadors to each other, who
make very odd and ftrange Figures at their Arrival, hav-
ing their Faces and Hair painted all over as red as Ver-
million,, a Fufee or Bow and Arrows in their Hands, and a
Cutlajh or lamahawk Ituckin their Girdle. As foon as they
arrive they are brought to the Kings Houfc, from thence
are conducted to the State~Houfe> where they take the
place that is affign'd them, and there treat ot thofe im-
portant Affairs with which they are commiffion'd from
their Kings and Nations to whom they belong.;

I have frequently made ufe of the word Civilized ludi-
®ns, and for the better information of my Readers they
are thofe that affifted the Chriflians againft the other §a-
vages of that Country in the late War when the Hon,
Colonel Barnwell intirely defeated them in Bath County^,
Jpm Dom, 17114

T t 2 But

332

The Natural HISTORY of

But to returne to their Feafts, in thefe State-Houjes,
khc King being come, and feated invites the Europeans.,
if there beany amonglt them at that time, who are al-
fways placed next the King, with his War Captains oa
each fide ; being thus feated, there is a circular Fire
jnade of fplk Canes in the middle of the Houfe, which
totherwiic would be as dark as a Dungeon, and is as hot
as a Dutch Stove. One Man is coniiantly employed to
lupply Ipiit Canes as the others arc contained. The
«Guefts being all ieated on Benches or Mats on the Ground,
ahey bring in feveral pieces of Bears-flejb and Vem[on%
ffoaftcd and boiled ; Wild Turkeys in great plenty, dref-
fed after their manner; various kinds of other Wild
Bcafts and Fowl, Fijh, and feveral kinds of Mediies made
of Maiz,, ftcwed Peaches, dried Peaches, and variery of o-
ther Fruits. Every one or the Indians bringing fomething
■with him, to enlarge their Banquet, according to their
Degree and Quality.

When all their Dainties are brought in, the firft En-
tertainment begins with kicking out the Dogs, which are
like the Waives in thefe parts ; for it is fuppofed that
they are a Species of them, made tame by beating and
itarving, They arc the worft Dog-mafters m the World ,
for you fhall never fee an Indian Dog that is fat amongfl
them i neither do I find that they make any ufe of them2
for they never bring them to their Hunting-matches.

They are of a quite contrary Difpofition to their
Morfes, to whom they are the befi of Mailers, for they
are continually feeding them with Maz,e,or whatever he
-will eat, until he is as fat as a Hog, yet they never ride
or make any manner of ufe of him, except only to carry
a Deer home that they have killed near the Plantations ;
or Firewood for their Houfes. li ■

}: : , .-77 , ,.; ;, -•',■.; A$

North CAROLINA.

333

Asfoon as the Dogs arc discharged, the Company arc
iummoned by bear of Drum and the Rattle % which two ,
Inftmments I have already mentioned, and whilft the
one rattled the other in Confort beat the Drum, others
at the fame time fung mournful Ditties, the burthen of
their Songs being in remembrance of their former great-*,
nefs and numbers of their Nation, the famous Exploits
of their renowned Anceftors3 and all Actions of moment
that had been performed by their forefathers in former
Days,

No fooner does this kind of Contort begin to play
and fing, but prcfently come in fomc Indians finely diet-
led up with Feathers, their Faces covered with Vizards
made 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
Stage ; m this Drcfs they dance about an Hour or
more, fhewing many ftrange Geftures, brandiihing their
Weapons as if they were going to fight each other, often-
times walking round the Room with fo much dexterity
and nimbienefs, that you may not hear their Bells make
the leaft noifc, which is very ft range to fee them per-
form, turning their Bodies, Arms and Legs, into fuch
ftrange and frightful Poll u res, that to an European they
would feem like a parcel of Bedlamites, void of Senfe 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 Girles, each
taking place according to their degree in Stature, the tal-
left leading the Dance, and the leaft of all placed laft.
They then form thcmfelves into a Ring, representing
the Fire they dance about. Several of them having Bells
about their Legs, dreffed with Flowers and Feathers
like the Men, others with fmall Pells about their Nccks<>

though-

«=5

334 The Natural HISTORY^

though their way of Dancing is nothing but a fort of
ftamping, which they continue for feveralHours together,
till they are all of them in as great a fwcat as if they had
bem clipped in the River.

During thefe Dances the Spectators do not neglect to
fill their Bellies with the Provisions that arc there, more
or lefs of them being continually eating : When the
Dancing is ended, every Youth that is fo uifpofed, takes
hold of the Girl he fancies to be his Bedfellow for that
Night, few Ceremonies being ufed upon that head a-
mongft them.

At theie Feftivals and publick AfFcmblies they give a
traditional Relation of what happened amonglt them for
many Years paft, 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
Hieroglip hicks, being entire Strangers to Letters or Learn-
ing.

1 hey have another fort of Fcafl where their Pricfts
or Conjurers pretend to converie familiarly, and demand
clivers ftrangc things from Spirits by their Invocations,
$nd the Magical Charms which they make ufcof. This
Feaft they celebrate in the open Fields, where a large
Circle is made ,* ail the Indians that come to it arc vari-
©ufly painted and adorned with rich Feathers of divers
Colours i they have tinging and dancing at this as at the
others : After they have fung and danced for aquar-
ter of an Hour, and turned about three times, they run
like diftra&ed 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 ftiarp Shells of Fijhes, 'till the
JBlood follows, which they cafi into the Air, with lou4
SJsreeks and Cries,

"■ '"" Thole

North CAROLINA

335

Thole that begin this Fcaft (which is always in the
Morning) art their Pricfts or Conjurers, to whom they
give gttac credit and belief, not only becaufc they arc
very i'ubtile and crafty Magkians, and find out things
loft,' but likewife becauie they heal Difeafes by their
Charms and Knowledge in Plants. They firft run to the
Woods, from whence they returu in two Days, and then
begin to Sing and Dance in the middle of the Circle
(which the Women fweep and nuke very clean againft
their return) and are very chearful and merry with the
old Indian Fathers that ftay'd behind, by rcafon ofc their
natural Indifpofitions and fceblencfs.- When all thefe
Ceremonies are ended, they begin to eat with fuch gree-
dinefs, that they feccm rather to devour their Meat than
cat it, becaufe they neither eat nor drink during their
two Days continuance in the Woods.

At thefe Feafts moft of all the Nations that are In
Peace with each other meet, though feventy or eighty
Miles diftan* from each other, where they fell and buy
fcvcral Commodities as we do at our Fairs and Markets.
They are very much given to Gaming at thefe publick
Meetings, and often ftrip one another of all they have in
the World j and what's more to be admired is, that they
frequently play themfelvesaway, and remain the Winners
Servants 'till their Relations or themfelves pay the Monty
to redeem them ; and it is obfervabJe, that the Loofcr
is never deje&ed or caft down at his misfortune, bue
fecms contented and as chearful as if he he had been the
Winner. They never differ at Gaming, neither did I
ever fee a Difpute about the legality thereof fo much as
ariie amongft them.

The chief Game is a Ymd of Arithmakk, which i$
managed or played with a parcel offmail (plit Reeds abouc
the thicknefe of a foal! Bern \ thefe are mask very nicely,

336 The Natural HISTORY/

that they part and are tradable in their Hands. They
are fifty one in Number, and their length about feven
Inches ; when they play they throw part to their Anta-
gonist, 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 ; lome are fo expert in gueffing the
Numbers they gave, and what they have remaining, that
they will not mifs once in ten times ; they are fo taken
with this particular Game, that feveral of them have
loft large Indian Efiates. A good Set of rhefe Reeds to
play with, are generally valued and fold for a dreffed
Doe-Skin.

They have feveral other Games and Plays wherewith
they frequently divert themielves, as with the Kernels or
Stonei of the Fruit of the Perfimon Tree, which are in
cffe& the fame as our Dice, bscaofe 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 fqusre 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, winneth

. the Game. . . . .

They have another Game which is managed with a
Bottom, and very much refembles our Trap-Ball; as the
Nations differ lo do their Games and Paihmes, having
feveral peculiars themfelves which are not praftifcd by
©thers ; yet thefe I have mentioned are the chief that
1 have obferved amongft them. .

They are charitable and kind to each other, efpeculiy
to thofe of their own Nation ; for if any one of them
has fuffered lofs by Fire or other wife, they order him
to make a Feaft (their Viduals being in common) and
to Invite them all to it : On she Pay appointed they aU
-- — - -■- ■ -— come*

North CAROLINA.

331

come, and after every Man's Victuals is dealt to huus
one of their Speakers, or grave old Men makes an Ha-
rangue, to the Company to this cfft&, that That Mans
Houfe bath been defiroyed) together with all his Goods. 'That
he and bis Family very narrowly efcaped. That be is every
Mans Friend in that Company \ and that it is all their Du-
ties i9 help him, m he would do any of them, hrd the like

Misfortune befallen them. * In fuch like Speeches he

accofls all that are prefent, to a charitable complia ce irt
behalf of the diilrefled Perfon. After this Oration is
over, every Man according to his Quality and Abiliry,
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 affiftanCe 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 s
For, they fay, it is every Man's Duty fo to do, there
being fevcral Works that one Man cannot cfFc&, there-
fore they muft give him their help, otherwife the Socie-
ty would foon fall, and they fhould be deprived of thofe
urgent Nece0aries which Life requires.

Their Charity is no lefs extenfive towards Widows;
for it often happens that a Woman isdeftitutc or a Hus-
band? either by Wars or otherwife, and hach a great
many Children to maintain, fuch a Perfon they always
help, and make their young Men Plant, Reap, and da
every thing (he is not capable of doing hericlf • yet they
will not allow any one to be idle (efpecially in tne
Harveft time) but employ themfelves in fome Work or
other. As they are unaquainted with the value of Gold
©r Silver, they prefer their Indian-Money bef -.re it, which
Is of different Sorts, but all made of Shells, that are found
m She Coaft a£ Carolina, and efpecially the Ccnck-JhtUs ;
V a ihefe

33s T^ Natural HISTORY of

thefe are very large and hard and difficult to be cut, yet
tome European Smiths have tried to drill thefe Shells,
thinking to get an advantage by them, but it proved (b
hard and tedious in the working, that nothing could be
gained chereby, that they have intirely laid it afide for
the Indians to manage, who never value their Time,
fo that they can make them according to their Fan-
cy.

They frequently male of thele Shells feveral forts of
Figures, in imitation or Gorges, Crojfes, 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 Specks amongft all the Indians of Carolina,
and I believe all over the Continent as far as the Bay of
Mexico, that which we call Peak and Ronoak, but Peak
more efpecially. This is that which they call Wampum
at New York, and has been made ufe of as current Coin
for many Years amongft the Euopeam fettled in that Pro-
vince. This is what many Writers call Proclean and
was formerly made at New Tork in great quantities,
and with us in fome Meaiure, Four Cubits of this
purchafe X dreffed Doe Skin, and fix or feven are the
purchafes of a dreifed Buck Skin : An European could
not afford to make fo much of this Wampum for five
times the Value ; for it is made ©ut of a very large Shell
of which that Country affords plenty.

This Shell they grind fmaller than the fmall End of
a Tobacco 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
ihey are as ftrong as Beads, A Cubit of the, Indian Mea-

furs

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 ftand to qusflion whether he is a tall or fhorc
Man that raeafures it ; but if this Wampum or Peak be
of a black or purple Colour, as fome part of the Shelly
then it is twice the Value.

They gtind thefc Shells upon Stones and other things,
'till they make them curtcnt, 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 Shel!s,is uncertain. They
rowl it continually on their Thighs with their right
Hand, and hold the bit of Shell with their left j 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 (carcemake on length ot Wampum.

The Indians in general are a People ( as I obferved )
that fct very little value on their Time, and need never
be under any apprehenfion or fear that the Chriftians
will take the Trade out of their hands. This is the
Money with which you may buy Skins, Furs}SIaves9 or
any thing they have except their Children, it being
their Mammon ( as our Money is to us ) that perfuades
and intices 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 fufficicnt to purge him of it, and have it buried
in Oblivion for ever, fuch an influence hath this Almigh-
ty Gain over them, that the moft inhuman pra&ices
rfiall appear innocent and laudable, and engage them
In the moft fcandalous and barbarous Actions, without
once reflecting or condemning thcmfelres in the leaft for

Uti » ' They

TSSm

340 The Natural HISTORY of

Formerly in their hunting Matches they ufed to drefs
Ithemfcives very artfuelly in Deer Skim, by which coun-
tccrtet they would come as near the Deer as they pleafed,
by mimicking each Gefture of that Beaft as they ap-
proached, by which means they killed vaft numbers of
shem, but fomc of themfelves being fliot in this difguife,
it is now intirely laid afide and that pra&icc difallowcd
of by the exprefs Orders of their Kings.

They have particular Methods by wh?ch they can
prefer ve the Eyes of Beafls as if they were ftill living,
shis they will by no means difcover to the Chnfiians ;
they have many other curious things that the Europeans
are deiirous to know and learn from them, but they will
by no means difcover or make known to them, being a
People that are fecret, crafty, and fubtile in ail their
Affairs, though of ever fo (mall a moment.

Although thefe Indians, in refpc&of us, are a poor
People, and their want of Skill and Judgment in the
Knowledge and ufe of the Sciences, generally efteem
Trifles to things of real value, not having the advantages
of improving themfelves as the Europeans ; yet in their
own manner and way oi Thinking, they feem to be in-
genious, and fhew excellency of Wit, notwithftanding
the many inconveniencics they labour under, and their
%vant of Tools and Jnfirumcnts to affiH them in any of
their Undertakings, for 1 have, during my continuance
^mongft them, fcen many ufeful Inftruments made for
Several ufes, with nothing but an indifferent Knife.

They commonly barbecuor dry thinVenifon on Mats
or Hurdles in the Sun, firft falting it with their Sait3
which is made of the Ames of the Hickery Wood-, this
Venifonfo cured, they keep and make ufe of in time ot
Scarcity, and bad Weather, which they tear to pieces
with their Hands and Teeth (fpr wan; of Knives) and

North CAROLINA.

331

then put it into a Morcer and pound it very fine, ad-
ding the Powder of the Hickery Nuts or WaU-nuts and
pthcr ingredients, whereof they make a favory Difh.

Their Kings, as chey are raoft abfolute, put to death
any of their Subjc&s that have committed thofe Crimes
that they think worthy of io great a Punifhment; which
is ftriftly obferved, and put in execution by the Wast
Captains after different and barbarous Methods,, ac-
cording to the King's Will and Pleafure-

Their Sculping and fticking them full of Splinters of
Light-woody and letting thefe Wretches on Fire, their,
flcaing and cutting their Feet at the Inftep, I have al-
ready made mention of ; during which time they never
ccafe feafting, dancing, Zinging, and playing a thoufand
antick Tricks, cfpecially 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 Intrails are out, or their Strength is
intirely ipent, that they can fliew no more Diverlion to
the Spectators, who delight in fuch inhuman Actions :
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 feeming to bemoan
themfelves, 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 Tamahawk, of which
Wound he inftantly died. The Offender was imroedi«
$tly brought forth, and two other Indians were ordered
to get a couple of Ropes tyed up in the nature of Noofcs,
with which they flrangled the Offender, one pulling one
way and the other the contrary, 'till he was dead; the

nearcft

34^ The Natural HISTORY^

neareft Relations of the deceafed ftriking him on the
Head with great Clubs. Thefe are the molt common
Methods that are yet known amongft them, by which
they torture and put one another :o death, out doubt-
\tk there are many other barbarous Methods that they
make ufe ofj which as yet we are ftrangersto.

The King moit commonly gives orders to p. it the of-
fender to Death, yet the punifhmene due co the offender
is very often left to the neareft Relation of the deceas'd,
who profecutcs him with all the rage and fury imagin-
able, being both Judge and Executioner till he is fully fa-
tisfied , yet this revenge is oftentimes bought or with
their -wampum, Beads, Tobacco, and fuch like commodities,
whereof they are very fond, and are ufeful amongft them,
though the crimes were of the higheft Nature, Villany,
or Barbarity that cou'd be aded by Mankind, yet thefe
trifles make a fufEcient attonement for all.

They have a ftrange cuftom or Ceremony amongft
them, to call to mind the perfections and death of the
Kings their Anceftors flain by their Enemies, at certain
Seafons, and particularly when the Savages have been at
War with any Nation, and return from their Country
without bringing home fome Prifoners of War, or the
Heads of their Enemies. The King caufes as a perpe-
tual remembrance of all his predeceffors to beat and
wound the beft beloved of all his Children with the fame
Weapons wherewith they had been ktll'd in former
times, to the end that by renewing the Wound, their
Death ftiould be lamented a frefh.

The King and his Nation being affemblcd on thefe
Occafions. a Fcaft is prepared, and the Indian who is
authorifed to wound the Kings Son, runs about the
Houfelikea diftra&ed Pcrfon crying and making a moft
Ihidioui noife all the time with the Weapon in his Hand,
' wherewith

North CAROLINA

343

wherewith he wounds the Kings Son, this he performs
three federal times, during wiiich interval he prefentsthe
King with V.ctuaisor Cajfena, and it is very ftrange to
fee the Indian that is thus ftruck never offers to ftir till
he is wounded tnc tnird time, after which he falls down
backwards ft reaching 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, yec with fuch profound fi-
lence for fome Hours, that not one Word, or even a
Whifper is to be heard amongft them, after this manner
they continue till Night, which ends in Singing, Danc-
ing, and the greateft joy imaginable.

The Sapona Indians live at the Weft branch of Cape
Fear, or Clarendon River, which is very beautiful, and
has good Land about it $ 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 refiding here are very power-
full, but feldom make vifits amongft us except it be their
^Traders who bring us Skins and lurs.

The Totems are neighbouring Indians to the Saponass
and live Weft-ward in the Mountains ,• I have been in -
formed by fome of them that Trade amongft the Euro-
peans, that they have Bazoar-ftone, but I never faw any
of it whilft I was in thofc parts.

The Keyawees live likewife on a Branch of Cape Fear
River which lies to the North-weft. The Lands here
are very Fertile and in many places abounding with
Rocks of feveral forts of Stones^ fcclus lime- float, Mar-*
#*, and the like.

1 have

344 Tb* Natural UISTORYcf

I have frequently conversed with their Do&ors, who*
arc in great requeft and efteem amongft thcra, they told
me of many great cures that they have performed, but
woud never difcover any thing of what they knew, or
by what Herbs or plants they perfected them, ndtwith-
ftanding I importuned them and even offered rewards,
Thefe Swages in general being a very wary People,
feldom or never revealing any of their fecrets to the Eu-
ropeans, yet arc willing to aiHft them in any Indian dif-
order that fiiould afflict them, as in the biting of Snakes
or any other misfortune oithat Nature wherein they have
any Knowledge, bus as to European DHorders they arc!
entire Strangers^ which moft commonly prove fatal
amongfl them.

The Indium in Carolina have no Fences to part each'
others Lots in their Corn-Fitlds, but every Man knows
his own proportion, and it fcarce ever happens that they
rob one another of fo much as an Ear of Corn ; which
if any is found to do, he is fentenced by the Elders td
Work and plant for him that was Robb'd, till he is fully
reeompene'd for all the damage or lofs he has fuftaind in
his Corn-Field; this is very punctually performed, and
the Thief held in difgraee that fteals from any of his
Friends or the Nation he belongs to.

When thefe Savages live near the Waters they frcquens
the Rivers in Summer-time very much where both Men
and Women often in a Day go in naked to wafh them-
felves, not both Sexes together, yet this is not out of
any point of modefly, that being a virtue or qualifi-
cation that is very little regarded or make ufcof amongffc
thefe People.

Thefe Indians generally are the beft marks Men with
Guns that arc to be met with in moft parts of the World,
and commonly kill what they Shoot at with a Angle
1 r- - Baiij

-\

North CAROLINA. 345

Bail j this is principally owing to the fteadinefs in thei^
Limbs and the fharp Sight with which they are endued.'
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 flock and cut a Notch in
a Tree where they make it ftrcight, if there be occafion,'
and after ihoot feveral times at markes, that they may,
be acquainted with its faults and perfections, this theyj
do before they go to kill Deer3ot any other kind of Game
that is to be met with as they hunt in Woods. It is re-
markable in them that they will feldom ftir or go abroad
into the Woods to Hunt before the Sun is an Hour oc
two heigh, and hath exhaled moil part of tHfe Dew From
the Earth, then are they indefatigable in walking from?
Morning till Night in purfuit of their Game. When
they are Traveling in the Woods together, they always
keep a conffant Pace, neither will they flride over a Tree
that lyes crofs a path in their way, but always go
round it, which is a quite contrary cuftom to the Euro*
ftans, but for what reafon the Indians ufe this Ceremo-
ny I never cou'd learn, though I have frequently im-
portuned them on that Head. And what is worthy of
Obfervauon is, that none of the Indians in North-Carolina.
are to be met with Lett Handed ; whether tnis be ow-
ing to their method of Nurflng, or othcrwife, I can-
not account for. When ever they cut with a Knife,'
they alway turn the Edge towards themlelves, whereas
the Europeans cut and Whittle from them.

Before the Arrival of the Europeans in thefe parts of
America, thefe Savages not knowing the ufe or Steel
and Flints, they got their fire from Sticks, which by ve-
hement colliilon or rubbing together kindle and take fire.'
This method they will fometimes practice even now
when it has happen'd through rainy Weather, or fomc
X x othes

346 The Natural H I S T O R Y of

other accident, that they have wet their S/?««£, or Touch-
wood, which is a fort of foft Corkcy fubftance, generally
of a Cinamon colour, and grows in che Concave or hollow
part of 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 infisad of Touch-wood and Ten-
der > both which it exceeds.

It is very furprizing to find fo many different Lan-
guages amongft them as there are, there being few Na-
tions that underftand each other. But I believe the
principal reaffln ©f this great difference and eonfuticn of
Languages asjare to be met with amongft them, is ow-
ing to thefe People feldom or never converling with any
Nation but their own. And I have often obferved fe-
veral of the Indians with whom I have been acquainted
aud freely converied with at Bath and Edentewn, that
when I chane'd to meet them in the Woods, they wou'd
not fpeak one Word oiEnglifh (which they could do to-
lerably well) but would either anfwer me in their own
Language or by figns ; the reafon whereof I coud never
underftand, though I made all the flrift enquiry I could.
Thefe differencs in their Languages caufc Jealonfies
and fears amongflthem, which often occafion Wars,
wherein they deftroy each other ,■ otherwife the Chrifii-
ans had not in all probability fettled themfelves fo eafily
as they have done5 had thefe tribes of Savages united
themfelves into one People, or general intcrcft, 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 fcems a
miracle to us how they bring about their defigns as they
do, when their ways are commonly ouitc contraty to
- *-- - - guts,

North CAROLINA

341

ours. I am perfwaded that were it not for the continu-
al Wars they have amongft themfelves,they wou'd enjoy
the happicft ftatc in this World of all Mankind, being
• neither Slaves to Riches or Grandure, which bewitches
thcgrcatcftpartofthe World, and occafions daily care
and trouble in thofe that are thus in Love with it, which
thefe Savages are entirely free from.

Drunkenefs and feveral other Vices were intirely un-
known to them before the Arrival of the Cbriftians a-
mongft them, and Swearing, their Language cannot ex-
prefs, yet thofe that learn Englifi foon learn that fafhion-
ablc 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 iee and hear daily pra&ifed by the Cbriftians,
have in a great meafurc perverted thefe rniferableCreatures,
that they never dcfire to be inftruded in the light of the
Gofpely but rather look upon us as a more unworthy race
of People than themfelvc*; -that at this very Day they
are no nearer Chriftiamy (in all appearance) than they
were at the firft difcovcry made by the Cbriftians 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, if the Europeans woud fhow
thofe good examples of Virtue, Piety, and Morality,
which are effentiaily necefTary for every Cbriftian 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 cwy Mail theX

"

34$ The Natural H I S T O R Y 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
jVi&uals is to us. The Indians m Carolina call Rum and
Tbyfick by the fame Name, and the reafon they Five is,
fcecaufe Rum makes People fick, as if they had taken any
Phyfical or Poyfonous Plane, notwithstanding they can-
mot forbear drinking it to excefs, when they can by any
■mean* purchafe it or any other Spiritous Liquor.

They arc a craving People, and if you give them any
jthmg by way of Prefcnt, they imagine that it obliges
jyou to give them another, and fo on, until you have
given them all you have ; fo infatiable and unrcafortabie
are they in their Demands, that they have no bounds to
them. If they give any thing as a Prcfent, it is with a
(View to receive twice the Value, for they have no con-
sideration that you ihall want or have any occafion for
srhofe things you give them -, for their way of Living is
fo contrary to ours, that neither we nor they can fathom
•one anothcrs Dcfigns or Methods.

They fct the leafl value upon Time of any people in
jthe World, for if they are going out to Hunt, Fifh, or
&ny other indifferent Buiinefs, you may keep them as
Song as you plcafe, provided you entertain them in Dif-
courfe, and feem pleafed with their Company ; yet no
People are more expeditious and fafer Meflengers than
ffhey, when any extraordinary Buflnefs that they are fenr,
^about requires it.

The Indian Womras Work in this Province is gene-
rally to drefs their Vi&uals for the whole Family, and
iriake Mats, Baskets, Girdles of Pojjum's Hair, and fuch
like things, which they commonly fell to the Europeans.
The Mats they make arc of Ru/bes, about five Feet broad,
and %WQ, Fathom long* fowed double, whereby they be-
come

North CAROLINA

349

come very commodious to lay under our Beds, or to flcep
upon in the Summer Scalbn in the Day, and for our Slaves
at Night. There arc other Mats made of flags, which
the luskeruro Indians make and fell to the Planters. The
Baskets our neighbouring Indians make are all of a very
fine fort of Builrujhes, and fometimes of .iilk-grajs, which
they work with the figures of Beafis, Bird , Ftfies, and
the like ; in thefe they carry feveral forts or" Fruits, Flow-
ers, and many other things of that nature, which they
cither fell or make Prcfcnts of to the Chriftians. .The
Savage Indians who live a great way from the Chriftians.,
make both their Baskets or Mats of fpiit Reeds, which
are exceeding neat and handfome, being made only of
the outward fhining part of the Cane ; with theic I have
ieen Mats, Baskets, and Dreffin* Boxes, very artificially
done, they fell theic to the Planters when they come
down amongft them to difpofe of their Deer-Skins, Furs,
and other Commodities.

The Indians that live near the Chriftians frequently Buy
or rather Barter Deer-Skins and other Commodities for
Rum, which they carry to the Indians thit 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 Journics, and fit down in the Woods and drink
It all up ,* then they begin to Hollow and Shout after
fuch a manner, that the molt diftra&cd Perfens can
fcarcc be compared to them. When they happen to car-
ry it fafe (which they feldom do without drinking fome
part of is. which they fupply by filling up the VefTel
with Water) and come amongft the Indian Towns ; thofc
that buy the Rum of them have fo many Mouthfulls for
a Bnr-Skm, the/ never ufe or Jsave any other kind o£
• Meafure

35© The Natural HISTORY^

Meafure at prefent : for this purpofe the Buyer always
makes choife of his Man who hath generally the widefl
Mouth, whom he brings with him to the Place where it
is to be difpofed of, with a Bowl to put it in.

The Indian Merchant, or Seller, looks very narrowly
eo the Man's Mouth that meafures it, tor fear heihould
iwallow any down, either throngh wilfulnefs, or o-
therwife, which it he fhould happen to do, the Mer-
chant or fome or his Party do not fcruplc immediately
to knock the fellow down, exclaiming at the fame time
againit him for falfe Meafurc, 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) otherwifc they would
find out fome decent Method or other to meafure their
Liquor. This way of Trading muft not only fcem
firange, but very diverting to the European Spectators,
to fee fo much Quarreling and Controvcriy, 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 affift him, as his
War Captains and CouufeSors, who are chofen out of the
moil ancient and wife Men of his Nation. Theic he
confults in all general Debates, concerning War or
.Peace, Irade, Hunting, and all the Adventures and Ac-
cidents of human Affairs, that appear or come within
their Jurifdiaion, where all thefe Matters are difcourf-
ed of and argued fro and con very deliberately (without
making any Parties or Diviflons) with the g»eateft Cen-
du& and Prudence immaginable, having nothing more at
Heart than what may be intircly for the publick Good
and fafety of their Nation, always valuing that before
their own private Intersil, After every Man has giver*

North CAROLINA

35*

his Opinion freely as he thinks proper, yet he that has
the moil Voices, or in fumming up what hath been of-
fered, and is found to be the moft reafonable, that they
make ufe of without Jars or Wrangling,and put it in exe-
cution the fir/t Opportunity that offers ; thefe being a
People that difcharge their Duty with all the integrity
and juflice immaginable ; every town amongft them has
a Ruler or Governor over it, yet the King is abfolutc
over his whole Nation.

The Succeffion falls not dire&ly to the King's Son, but
to his Sillers, which is a furc way to prevent Irapoftures
in the Succeffion. They fometiraes poyfon the Heir
that they do not approve of, or judge incapable not to
govern them. The King himfelf is commonly the chief
Perfon concerned in this wicked and abominable Pra&ice.
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
ioon aiter infallibly dye. When the Offender is difGover-
ed, 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 mofl
publick manner that is poffible for fuch a Tragical Scene
to be adted, fo great is their abhorrence of fuch wicked
Practices. 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 poffible to ac-
quaint them) are fummoned to come and appear at fuch
a Time and Place, to fee and, re Joyce at the Torments
and Death of fuch a Perfon, who is the common and
profefled Enemy to all the friendly Indians thereabouts,
who now lies under the Condemnation of the whole

Nation

— —

352 The Natural HISTORY of y

Nation, and accordingly is to be put to Death at fuch a
time as they prefix.

Upon this Summons or Notice, all that are able ap-
pear from all the adjacent parts, with all the Joy ima-
ginable, as if they were going to celebrate fame Flay or'
other Diverfion 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 : They
bring the Prifoner 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 dejected Countenance to be feen amongft them :
Every thing being thus prepared, the Perion appointed
to be chicr Executioner takes a Knife, and bids the
Criminal hold out his Hands, which he docs, then ano-
ther cuts the Skin round the Wrift, which is drawn
off like a Glove, and flead off at the Fingers end, break
his Joints and Bones with great Clubs, and buffet and
sormcrtt him, 'till fome violent Blow puts an end to his
wretched Life : They burn him to Ames, which they
earefuly gather and throw down the Rivers, as un-
worthy that the Earth fhouid contain them.

As foon as this tragical Scene is over, they begin
their Feaft, and eat and drink chearfully, repeating all
the A&ions of the Tormenters, with the Prifoners be-
haviour during his Tortures ; thus they fpend the
Night in one continued Scene of Mirth and Jollity, in
having put to Death the common Enemy of their Na-
tion, and all the others in Friendship with them.

Thcle Accufations are often wrongfully laid againfi:

Indian Heroes, or a great Man they have a mind to gee

rid of, that has more Courage and Conduct than his

Neighbouring Kings, or War Caftajns s it is then they

*» alledgc

North CAROLINA.

353.

aliedge the Practice of Poyfoning Indians againft him^
and make a rehcarfai of every Pcrfon mat died tor 2
Year or two, and give out they were poyfoaed Dy fuch
an Indian ; this Report being once fpreaa *j oad, ftirs
up all the Relations of the dccealed againft cne laid Pcr-
fon i by fuch means they take an advantage agdinit hims
and he is prefently put to death.

They are very refcrved and politick in thefe AfTairsa
and will attend a long time with a great deal ot Pati-
ence to bring about their defigns, thefe People being ne-
ver impatient or over hafty in executing any of their de-
figns of revenge >• yet they never forget injuries done
by their Enemies, but always take a proper time to ac-
complish them, for they will endure a great many Mis-
fortunes, Lofles, and Difappointmcnts without ever:
Showing themfelves vexed or uneafy at them.

If at any time they go by Water, and there happens
a Head or contrary Wind, they never fret, or make them-
felves uneafy as the Europeans are moil fubjeel: to do I
and let what troubles or misfortunes fo ever attend thens'
they never feem to relent, but carry it off with as muck
rcfolution as any People upon Earth. Neither are the/
guilty of that vice fo common amongft. the Europeans o£
envying each others happinefs, becaufe their flation is
not equal or above their Neighbours: Of this Sin I ne-
ver knew an example amongft them, though they are z
People that fet as great a value upon themfelves as an/
fort of Men in the World, upon which account they
find fomething valuable in themfelves above Riches oc
Grandure.

Thus he that is a good Warriour is the proudeft cre-
ature living, and he that is an expert Hunter is cfteem'd
very much by the People and himfelf ; yet all thefe are
natural virtues or Gifts and not Richer which are as
Y y often

354 ^ Natural HISTORY of

often in the pofleflion of a Fool as a wife Man. Several
of them are poflefs'd of great Quantities of Deer, and
Sever Skins, Wam^um^ Amunition, and many other things
which are eftecmed Riches amongfl thern, yet fuch an
Indian is no more eftecmed or regarded by them than
any ordinary Fellow, provided he has no Perfonal En-
dowments, which are the only Ornaments and Perfecti-
ons that muft gain him credit and efteem amongfl thefe
People, for a great dealer ahiongft them is no otherwite
valued or relocated, than a Man that (trains his Wits,
and fatigues himfelf to furniili others with rjeceffaries
of Life.

There is fooicthing furprizingly undaunted in their
Behaviour when they are taken Captives, and expect to
dk after the mod miferable and tormenting manner that
Savages can invent againft fuch unfortunate Creatures,as
happen to be their Prifoncrs ; for at the very approach
of Death they are obferv'd to fing, and iliew the great-
eft rclolution and bravery of any People in the World ;
having no dread or fear to die ; for they know by in-
ftinct 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 the greateft refignation imaginable, and value
nothing that attacks them in this Life.

Thgy are never fearful in the Night, neither do the
thoughts or dread of Spirits ever give tbem the leaft
trouble, fuch as the Hobgoblins and Bug-bears, the Appre-
henfions 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-
effions on us in our tender Years, that at maturity we
art molt commonly afraid of our own Shaddows, and
carry Pigmk-fouls in Gmm-kdks ever aft cr? by which

means

s

North CAROLINA,

355

means wc arc fo much depriv'd of reafon and unman'd,
that wc arc never afterwards able to be Matters of
half the Courage and Bravery nature defigned for us,
whilft we remain in this World. Several inilances where-
of arc daily to be met with amongft us, which I oraic
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 fubjc& to inform their Children. The
old Men amongft them bring themfelves into very great
cfteem by making the others believe their 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 greatcft refpect and
veneration imaginable ; and whatever they impofcupon
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 fecit and wad of Mofs, to
cover their Nakednefs ,* thefe arc fuch as are lazy, or.
will not Work or Hunt, and are given to Gaming and
Drunkenefs ; yet thefe get Victuals as well as the reft,
becaufe that is in common amongft them all : If they
are caught in Theft amongft themfelves, the Offfcndcr
is made a Slave until fuch time as he makes full fatis-
fa&ion to the Injured Perfon ; but to ftcal from the
Chrifiians they reckon no Crime, nor think any harm in
io doing; notwithftanding they are feldom guilty of this
LVice amongft themfelves or the Chrifiians.
\ The Indians (as 1 obferv'd before) arc indefatigable
and expert Travellers in the Woods, and though they
have not the ufc of our artificial Compafs to guide them,
yet they are never at a lols to find their way, and let
them be m never fo great a Wlldtrnefs, they underftand
Yy 2 the

356 The Natural HISTORY of

the North Point perfcdly well, the principle Guide they
have to inftrud them, being altogether Natural, which
jis a Alert Mofi that grows on feme Trees exa<% on the
Worth jide thereof.

They have likewife Names for eight of the thirty
two Points, and call the Winds by their fever al Names
as we do, but indeed more properly ; for the North -Weft
Wind they call the cold Wind, the Nonh-Eaft, the wet
Windytht South y the warm Wind, and fo agreeably of the
reft, according to what Weather is produced by each
©fthem.

It frequently happens that they have large Rivers or
jiakes to pals over, and if the Weather be fo foggy, as
it fometimes happens, efpeciaily in the Spring and tall o£
jfthe Leaf, that they cannot fee what Courfc to fleer, in
this cafe, they being on one fide of the River or Lake,thcy
Isnow what courfe fuch a Place (which they intend for)
bears from them : Their Method in fuch cafes is this,
rthey get a great many Sticks and Chunks of Wood in their
Canoe, and kt off directly for their intended Port, and
as they proceed,, they keep throwing over Board a piece
of Wood, which directs them ,• for by feeing how the
Stick bears from the Sterne of the CaHoet they obferve to
ikecp right aft ,• this is their Compafs, 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 of fuch or fuch a River, where per-
haps not one of them ever had been, yet they fhall ren-
dezvous there exa&ly at the time prefixed. If they meet
with any Obllructions in their Journey, they leave cer-
tain Marks in the way, that thofe who come after them
will understand how many iuve pafied before them, and
T ■ ' " ■ "**..* is ' i *? ' '"""'' which

North CAROLINA.

351

which way they arc gone. It is not to be imagined
how they will trace and find out each other in thelc fo-
litary and dcfolate Woods and Defarts, where there are
no Roads to guide, or any humane Creature to tell the
way. They are alfo very expeditious in finding out the
Negroes that frequently run away from their Maftcrs in-
to the Woods, where they commit many outrages againft
the Chrifiians, as it happened in Virginia not long fince,
where above three Hundred joined together, and did a
great deal of Mifchief in that Province before they were
iupprefied. The Indian Kings are fene for on thefe Oc-
cafions, who foon find our their Haunts, and commonly
kill many of them whenever they arc lent 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 purl uic
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 averfion to the
Negroes, and take Pleafure in putting them to the moil
exquiiite 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 againft their Mafters, who had
taken Sanauary in the Woods for fome time before they
were difcovered, 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 Englifh.

Another Infiance 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 ha4 taken one of their Wives by

furprize.

flr=

358 The Natural HISTORY/

furprize, and carried her away ; the Governor defired
them immediately to purfuc them, and if it were p:,ffiole
to recover the Woman, which two of them accordingly
did : In travelling fome Days, they brought back the
Woman, and the Skins of the Heads of their Enemies ;
though they had been three Days gone off with the Wo-
man before the otners purfucd them ,• aiow they c mid
diicovcr which way they went, in thole Woods and
Defarts, is not a little furprizing, and few or none can
account tor but themfelves.

In their War Expeditions they have certain Hieto-
glyphicks,whetcby each Party inform the other of thefuc-
ceis or lofles they have met with ; all which is {o exactly
performed by their Sylvan Marks and Characters, that
they are never at a Ids to underftand one another, yet
there never were found any Letters among the People in
this Province, and I am pcrfuaded that there are neither
Letters or Learning to be met with amongft any of the
the Natives in ail America-
It is admirable to fee howexa&iy they will draw Mags
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 imall matter of La-
titude, reckoning by the Days Journies. Thefe Maps
they-will draw in the Ames of the Fire, and fometimes
©n a Mat or piece of Bark.

I have likewife 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, but
whenever they make thefe Difcoverics to us, we muft
be very much in their Favour, othcrwifc they will not
ihow you any thing they do or know.
h\ ;;T.- "-; ■ There

!^

North CAROLINA.

359

There arc (cvcral forts of rich Mines in this Country,
fomc of which the Indians are well acquainted with,
and particularly one, whereof they make Bullets for their
Guns to fhoot Deer and other Game: I have feen fomc
of this Okv with them, which is Lead, and of the rich-
eft fort, but they will not difcover to us where they get
it, efpccially 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 Konoak) which if they fliould
difcover to the Cbriftians, 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 or
inhabited j fo that by that Means they (hall be driven
out ok' their Country to feme unknown parts to live,
hunt, and get their Bread in.

Thcfe are the Reafons that they %ivt far not difcover-'
ing what they know of this Nature. But among!! the
Cbriftians there have been few or no Enquiries made at
preient, but what were discovered by Chance ; yet I
am fatisfied that the Mines and Minerals that this
Country produces are extraordinary godd and valuable,
fevcral Pieces whereof are daily to be fcen amongft them,
who make no other ufc of it than what I have already
mentioned.

The principal Reafon of our want of Knowledge In
the Mines and Minerals, and many other valuable Se-
crets in Nature that are produced in this part of the
World (as the Spaniards are with theirs) is tor want of
Encouragement amongft us ,• for I am certain were fuch
an Affair managed and carried on by a Company of
Wealthy Members, they would not only mid their Ac-
count in (o advantagious an Undertaking, but like wife
be a great Means to enrich the Britifi Monarchy. This
I teftifie from the Knowledge and Bifcovery of fome

Mines

T=

360 The NaturalHlST O RY of

Mines that were made known to me during my flay in
that Country, which I fiiall 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 Ncceffaries for Life
111 great plenty, but likewife all other Conveniences pro-
per for carrying on fuch an Affair, to be had ia it. I
coud fay a great deal more on this Head, having travel-
led in feveral parts of this Province to make the beft
difcoverys I pofftbly cou'd of the valuable produce ©fthc
Country.

As for Iron-Mirny It is no where better and in greater
plenty, yet there is none of it Manufactured at prefent,
I will juil 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 Flant«rs in this
Province, and told them he wou'd difcover a Mine for
fome fmall gratuity, but &t the fame time conjured them
to Secrecy, tor if it were known to his Nation, they
wood put him to Death, and likewife that he never
durft come amongft them the Second time for fear of be-
ing difcovered by his Gountry-mett. Things being a-
grecd upon, the Indian brings them to the Mine, and
defired that they wou'd cake particular care to remem-
ber and find out the place again, and immediatly left
them, and retired into the Woods ; with tranfports of
Joy they rcturnc home, bringing fome of the Oar with
them, which was a very rich Copper-Mine, for I have
fecn both the Oar and fome of it that was Smelted,'
but when they had prepared all things nceefifary to
dig and fcarch for it, yet they cou'd never find out the

place again, or meet with she Indian afterwards.

r & i._. „.. ^en

^s

North CAROLINA.

3§i

When they arc difpofed to hunt in the Woods, they
generally go out in great Numbers together, and fcve»at
Days journies from home. They always begin tntfe
Hunting matches at the approach of Winter, when the
Leaves, arc fallen from the Trees, and become dry, ot
when Skins and Furs arc beft in Seafon. 1c is chen they
burn the Woods, by fctting fire to the withe: 'd Leaves,
Bent, and dry Grafs, which they do with matches nude
of' the Black Mofs that hangs on the Trees, which is
fomctimes above fix Feet long. This Mefs when dead
becomes black (chough of an Afh colour before) <nd
will then hold Fire as well as the beft Match in Europe*
In places where this Mofs is not to be found (as towards
the Mountains and Heads of the Rivers) they make
Lenteis of the Bark of Cyprefs, which fcrves as well.

Thus they frequently leave their Houies and retire in-
to the Woods for four or five Months together, vizil
November ■, December, January, February and March, at
which time the Skins are in Seafon, and fet Fire to
the Woods for many Miles together to drive out the
Deer and other Game into fmall Necks of Lands, and
other places where they fix their Guards, by whiclt
means they kill and deftroy what they pieafe, especially
fuch as ftrive to efcape the Fire and get through the
paffes they have made for that purpofe.

In thefe Hunting matches they bring their Wives and
Miftreffes along with them, where they eat fevcrai kinds?
of Fruits which that Country produces, and live in all
the Mirth and Jolity than it is poffible for fuch People
to entertain themfelves with. It is m thefe Hunting
matches they get their complement of Beer-Skim \ Furs;
and many other commodities to trade with the Chri'ftia>;sj
the Deer-Skins being in Seafon here in Winter, whicti'
ii contrary in England and Ireland $ moil of all their
Zz fma$

362 The Natural HISTORY of

final! Game they kill with their Bows and Arrows^
fuch as Ghmb\ Turkeys, Ducks, and various kinds of wild
Beafts, as Raccoons, Pojfums, Squirrels, and feveral other j
forts of Vermine, judging it not worth throwing Pow-
der and Shot after thenjj

The wild Turkeys being very plenty in North-Carolina,
efpecially in the Qak Lands, as moil of it is that lies any
diftance backwards ; i omc of thefe they Roaft or Boyl,
others they Barbecue and eat wish Bears-greaje, this is
accounted amongft them a good Difh,- and indeed I do
not doubt but it is for the Bears-greafe (as I laid before)
is the fweeteft and lcaft offenfive to the Stomach of any
Fat of Animals yet known in America; 2nd I am very
certain that the Turkeys arc Fat, and exceeding good
eating, if well drcfs'd«

The Men never beat their Com to make Bread, 'thajf
is the Women's Work, and efpecially the Girls, where
you (hall fee four of them beating with long Peftils
in a narrow wooden Mortar, and every one keeping her
flrokc fo exa&ly, 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,
dreffing their Venifon after different Methods, according
fo each one's Fancy, this being the Women's bufinefs :
The Hunting makes them Hungry, and they arc a Pco«
pie that eat very often, and frequently get up at Mid-
night, and other unfeafonablc Hours to cat and fatis-
fic their craving Appetites, notwithfUnding you fhatf
never fee any of them Corpulent or Fat.

They plant feveral forts of Pulfe, part of which they
sat green in the Summer, keeping fufficienc quantities
for their Winter Provifion ? this they carry with them to

eas

*

North CAROLINA

3*3

eat in their Hunting Matches. The fmall Red Peafe
are very 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 aecounted no 111 Manners
amongii them ; but the Women are feldom known to
be guilty, of that indecent Cuftom.

At their fetting out either for War or Peace, or upon
any other extraordinary Expedition, there arc feveral For-
malities amongft. them, and they whofe Bufinefs it is to
attend their hunting Camp, are generally thole that ate
not good or expert Hunters, therefore are employed to
carry Burthens, to get Bark tor their Cabins, and aft
other fcrvile Work, likewife 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 arc likewife obliged to carry their Loads
of Grain and other Provifions with them to thefe ran-
dezvous, and provide Firewood to drefs Victuals j for a
good Hunter or Warrior, in thefc Expeditions if cm-
ployed in no other Bufincfs 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 arc alfo the
Cakes and Quiddmitt of Peaches ; with this Fruit and
the Bill-berries dried, they flew and make fruit Bread
and Cakes, and have variety of other forts of Fruits
preferved, which arc brought out upon thefc oceaflons.

In fomc parts of this Province, efpecially near the
Mountains, and amongft the Indians in thofe Places,
they have feveral hundred Gallons of Pjgem** Oil or Fat,
which they prefcrve for their Winter Stores, ufing it
With their Pulfe, Rogts, and Bread, as we do Butter :
Z% % Theft

S64

The Natural HISTORY of

Thcfe Fowl are fo plenty, that Millions of them arc fcen
in Flocks in a Day, they iometimes break large Boughs
bf the Pint) and other Trees whereon they perch or roofl
at Night, making the Ground as white as Snow with
$heir Dung, and deftroying every Herb or frnall Plant
where it falls, being in iomc Places above half a Foot
deep. The Indians cake a Light of Pitch-Vine in one
Ha"d, a long Pole in the other, and go into the Woods
at iNight where they are, and kill thousands of them
by knocking them off the Trees ; this is always done
In the Winter, at which time they appear in Floeks.

Thus they remain in thele hunting Camps all the Win-
ter, and part of the tyring, 'till fuch time as the Scafon
approaches for planting their Maze, Pulje, and other
^Fruits, In thefe Quarters at fpare Hours, they make
baskets and Mats to lie upon, and thofe that ace not ex-
traordinary Hunterss make Bowls, Diflies and Spoons*
of Gym-Wood md Tulip-Tree. Orhen where they find a
fVcin oiWhitt Clay fit for their Purpofe, make Tobacco
Pipes, and fcvcral other things, which are often trans-
ported and bartered with other Indians that have plenty
hi Deer Shins, ©r fuch Commodities as they have occa-
sion for. They buy with thefe Manufactures, their
Raw Skins with the Hair ©n, which our neighbouring
'Indians bring to their Towns, and in the Summer make
their Slaves and bad Hunters drefs them ; the Winter
Sun being hot ftrong enough to dry them ; thofe that
are dried in their Cabins arc black with the Light-wood
Smoak, which they commonly burn.

Their way of dreffing their Skins is by foaking them
in Water; they get the Hair off with an Inflrumenc
made of the Bone of a Beer's Foot ({omc ufe a fort of
Iron Drawing 'Knife, which they pur'chaie from the Eu-
fppmgj after tnz flair i? sake ofE, they diifolve Deer's
"*• r.'- <*< "• t i ' r: "■ ft ' : -:' :'~ r- ■ Brains:

North CAROLINA.

3H

Brains (which they have made into Cakes and baked m
the Embers) in a Bowl of Water, where they foak and
rub tnc Skins 'till they have fucked up all the Water,
then they dry them gently, and -keep continually work-
ing them with an Ojfter-Jbeli, or fomefuch thing to (crape
withal 'till they arc dry, by which means they become
lott 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 Brains to drels
their Skins, they ufe the young Indian Corn beaten to
pulp, which hath the fameMeft as the former, far they
are never at a lofs for one or the other to Cure them, but
whether they have any other Method is unknown to the
Chri&ians, which I am apt to believe they have j for I
have fecn abundance of them 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 Beafts and Game of the Foreft, but likewife very-
dextrous in taking the Fifh in the Rivers and Waters
near which they inhabit, and are acquainted with. Thus
they that live a great way up the Rivers pradice flriking
Sturgeon, Rock-Jijh or Baft, and fcveral other forts of fift*
with lights, that corse up the Rivers and Creeks to
Spawn.

They have Fifh-gigs that are made of the Reeds or
Hollow Canes, thefe they cut and make very fharp, with
two Beards, and taper at the Poiut like a Htrpm ; be-
ing thus provided, they either wade into the Water, or
go into their Games, and paddle about the Edges of the
Rivers or Creeks, ftriking all the Fiflh they meet with
p the depth of five or fix Feet Water, or as far as they
cat* fee them ; this they comraanJy do in dark cairn
<- ~ ~~~ "^ • Nights

g66 The Natural HISTORY^"

Nights, and whilft one attends with a Light made of
™ePfak-pwe, the other with his Fi/k^ig ftnkesana kills
tftc i-ilh: It is diverting to {Cc themtitii after tins man-
ner, which they fometimes do in the Day; how dexte-
rous they are in finking, is admirable, and the great
quantities they kill by this Method.

They likewiie kill vaft quantities of Sturgeon, which
they take in Snares as we do Pike and Trout in Europe.
The Herrings in March znd April run a great way up the
flivers and rrcfh Streams to Spawn, where they make
large Wears with Hedges of long Poles or Hollow Canes%
that hinder their paflage only in the middle, where an
artificial pond is made to take them in, fo that they can-
not return. Thcfe Wears are common all over the Ri-
vers, and frefii Water Streams in thefe parts, where they
take vaft- quantities of Hearings, Treuts, Pikes, and fevc-
pi other forts of Fifh that are plentifully to be met with
in them.

; The taking of Craw Fifh is likewiie very pleafant and
diverting, for when they arc difpofed to get rhefe Shell
Fifh, they take a piece of Venifon and half Barbcue or
Roafi it, then they cut it into thin Slices, which they
fiick through with Reeds about fix Inches diftance be-
twixt each piece, the Reeds arc made fharp at one
end, and they iirike a great many of them down in the
Bottom of the Water (thus baited) in fmall running
Brooks where the Craw fifh conftantly frequent. Thus
they fit by and attend thofc baited Sticks, every now and
then taking them up to tec 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 fcveral Bufhels foil, which are
as good as any in Ewofe,

Thofc

5=

North CAROLINA.

361

Thofc that live or frequent near the Salt Water take
abundance oi Fife of fevcral forts, fomc of them arc
very large, which to prefcrvc, they firft Barbecue, then
pull them to pieces, and dry them in the Sun, and keep
them for their NcceiTitics ; as for Scate, Oyjlers, Cockles^
and feverai other forts or Sheli-riib, they open and dry
upon Hurdles, keeping a conflanr Fire under them ; thefe
Hurdles aremaae of Reeds or Holtov) Cams, in fhape of a
Griairon. Thus they ary feverai Bufeels of them, and
keep for their Provifion in time of fcarccty.

At the time when they arc on the Saks and Sea Coafts,
they have another fort of Filhcry for little Shell- ftjb, sal-
led in England, Blackmoor's Teeth ; thefe they catch by
tying bits of Oyfiers to a long String, and lay it in fuch
places as they know thefe Fifties haunt,- they get hold
of the Oyften and fuck them in, that they pull them up
by the Strings in great Quantities ; they carry jhcfe z
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 efleern-
ed by them that live near the Salts-
It is an efUblifecd Cuftom amongft all the Natives in
thefe Parts, that the young Hunters never eat of that
Buck, Bear, Pijh, or any other fort of Game which hap-
pens to be the firft they kill, becaufcthcy believe if they
ihould cat thereof, they never would be afterwards for-
tunate in Hunting. The like foolife Cuftom they hold
when they make a Wear to take Fife in, if a Woman
with Child eat of the firft Dife caught therein, they
fay that Wear will never take much Fi£h in it after-
wards.

The Tobaao is in fuch great Eileem amongft fome
Nations of the Indians, that they think their Goiis are
delighted therewith, whereupon they make Fires and cafl

iome

368

The Natural HISTORY^

fome of the Powder thereof into it for a Sacrifice, and
beiag in a Storm upon the Waters, to pacific the Bad
Spirit, they caft ioxhc up into the Air and the Water ;
likewifc a Wear to take Fiib, being newly made, they
call Tome thereon, and into the Air, as aifo for an elcape
from Danger, All this is performed with' ftrange Cere-
monies and Geftures, one while Stamping, Leaping,
Dancing, clapping of Hands, arid uttering of ftrange
Words.

As for killing of Snakes, ffloft Indians avoid if, and i!
they even lye in their way, they will not moleft them,1
but pafs by on the other fide, bccatifc their Opinion is,"
that if they Should kill them, the Serpent's kindred would
deftroy fome of their Brethren, Friends, or Relations,
in return. They have a thotifand of thefe foolilh' Ce-
remonies and Cuftoms amongfl them, which they fted-
faftly believe, and arc firict 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 Jewijh Cui-
tam o$ Circumcijtpn, though this kind of Pra&ice is but
leldom uted amongfl; them ; 1 never knew but two Fami-
lies in ali the Nations of Indidm I have convcrfed with.,
that were fo ; the Rcafon whereof I could never learn,
notwithstanding I was very intimate with them, and
have often urged them to give me an account on thac
Head, but could get no manner of Anfwer, which with
shem is as much as to fay, / will not tell you. They have
masiy other ftrangc Cuftoms amonglt them, that they
will render no Reafon for, or give any Account of to
the Europeans,

The Savages in thefc part* are never known to be guil-
ty of that abominable Sin called Sodomy, as many in
she miiflian JJlmds m faid to be. Mr. Candifi in. his

North CAROLINA,

369

Travels rcporteth, * That the Savage t in Capul, an ifl-
s and near Manila m the pf-e /? Indies, have a very itrange
*. Cuftom amongft them, winch is this^ every Man and
' Male Child hath a Nail of Tin thruft through the

* Head of his Prifatc Member, being lplic and nviied

* at the lower End,. his is done whilit they are youngs

* and the place growcth up again without any gcac
c pain to the Child, this Nail they ean take out and in
e as there is occafion,' And the lame Anchor, as a
Confirmation of the Truth hereof, fays, < We ourfelves
' have taken one of thefe Nail? out of the Private Mem«
« ber of a King's Son, who was ten Years '.id/ This
Cullom he like wife fays, was granted at the Requeft of
the Women in that Country, 'who finding their Men
to be given to Sodomy, defired fome Remedy againifc
that Mifchicf, and obtained this of the Magubates.

They are very great Conjurers, or' whom there are fe-»
veral ftrange Stories related who perform ;r.cir Exurcifm,

after the following Manner. The Scraerer apparells
himfclf in a clean drefs'd Deer Skin; they make a large
Fire in the middle or the Plantation, the Indians all fit-
ting round it ; the Conjurer is blindfolded very iecure3
and far-rounds the Fire three times; leaving the Com-
pany at the Fire, he went fome dittance into the Woods*
where he flayed a ihort time, at his Return he fur-
rounded the Fire as before, aiid leaving them a fecond
time, he went into the Woods, whete he remained about:
half an Hour, he performed this Exorcifm the third time,
after this he made a very ftrange and frightful Howling,,
which being finifhed, an Indian immediately caught
hold of him, and led him to the Fire ; by this time he
was fo feeble and weak that he could not (tend alone,
being all over in a Sweat, and as wet as if he had fallen
into the River 9 after fome little time he recovers his
Au Strength 9<

I

3 7o The Natural H I S T O R Y of

Strength, and gives them an Account of what they de-
mand*

It is reported by fevcral Planters in thofc parts, that
they raik great Storms of Wind, and that there are ma-
ny frightful Apparitions that appear above the Fires
during the time of their Conjugation, that large Swarms
of very ftrange and uncommon forti of Flies have been
feen to hover over the Fire for fome time and then to
fall into it, where they were all vifibly cohfum'd, and
likewifc the Appearance of feveral frightful forts of
Birds, and laftly a ftrong fmell of Brimfiom; whiift they
are performing. thefe Charms.

Ifhall mention fome of their practices, and fo leave
them to the Judgment of every Reader,- thefe Conjurers are
the Priefts and DoBors of every Nation amongit the In-
dians, to whom the common People giv^ great Credit
and Refpcft, becauie they believe them to be great Ma-
£icians:xtha.t they frequently converfe with the good and
bad Spirit. They hkewile make the Orations at every
Feait or publick Meeting,

Thefe Conjurers likewife ferve theminfkad of Phyfni-
ans and Surgeons, who conftantly attend the fick, and
always carry about them a bag full of Herbs to cure
their diiorders, thefe make Harangues about the deceased,
let his Death be occafioraed after ever lo 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 Dottor
makes an Oration fuitable to the Oceafion.

F©r it happen'd not many Years ago, that an Indian
was kill'd by Lightning, and before the Interment, accord-
ing to their Cuftom, every one had fome hot Vi&uals or
Tanpan-lea given him* waich he did wish what he pleaf-

H5

North CAROLINA.

31

cd. Then the Dottor began to talk, and told the Peo-
ple what Lightning was, that it kill'd every thing upon
the Earth, that the very Fifhes did not efcape, for it often
reach'd the IVhaks, Porpoifes, and other Fifties, and des-
troyed them,- that every thing ftrove to fhun it, except
the Mice, who he faid were the bufieU in eating theic
Com in the Fields when it Lightned and Ihuuderd 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 mat Tree a great many times to enter there-
in, but couM not cffecT: it. Now you muft underftand
that fort ot Gum will not fplit or rive ; therefore I fup-
pofe the Story might anfe from thence. Laftly he be-
gan to tell ridiculous abfurd lyes about Lightning, thac
cou'd be invented; as that mi Indian of their Nation had
once got Lightning in the likenefs of a Partrige, that no
other Lightning cou'd hurt him whilft he had that about
him, thac after he had kept it for feveral Years it got
away from him, and that tnen he became as liable to be
{truck with Lightning as any other Man j thus they a-
mule the People with a Thoufand fuch like ridiculous
ftories, which they receive for the moil: infallible Truths.
They likewiie deliver the hearers feveral traditional
flories of great Battles that were fought by their Ances-
tors, of ftrangc Beafts and Birds thac were to be met wick
many Years ago, and that a great Rattle Snake that
lived in a Creek in North-Carolina kiird abundance o£
Indians, but at laft a Bald Eagle kill'd it, and they were
rid of a Strpent that us'd to devour whole Cances full ot
Indians at a time. So that you may fee how eafie thefe
Wretches arc to be imposM upon by thefe old Cuming
Knaves, who I am perfwaded underftand a little better
than to give credit to any fuch Foolcrios.

A aa 2 ?

3V

The Natural HISTORY of

I will in the next place give fomc account of their
Phyfck anu Surge* y. Thefe Doctors or Conjurors arc thofe
(as I laid be lore j that yifit and attend the lick, who ufe
many charms oi Witchcraft, and to gain a greater efteem
and credit amongit cheie* People, they tcirthcra that ail
their Dcftempers are the effects of the bad or evil Spirit,
who has ftruck them with this or that malady. There-
fore none of theft DoBors undertake any diftemper, but
lhat he firit comes to an Exorcifm to effect the Cure, and
acquaints the fick parties Friends or Relations, that he
3nuft convcrfc with the good Spirit, to know whether the
jPatient will recover or not ; if to, then he will drive out
the bad Spirit, and then the fick Pcrfon will recover and
iaecome well.

When an Indian is fick, if 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. Ths Doffor is immediately fent for, and as foori
as he comes into their Cabin, the fick Perfon is placed on
a Mat or Skin ftark naked, lying on his Back all unco-
vered, except lome fmall trifle that covers their nakednefs
when ripe, otherwife in Children, or young People there
Is nothing about them, in this manner the Patient lies
when the Conjurer or Dotlor appears, and generally the
King of that Nation comes ro attend him with a Rattle
made of a Gourd with Peafe or Indian-Corn in it, which
the King delivers into the Dc&ors Hands, whilft another
brings a Bowl of Water and fets it down.

Things being thus prepared, the DoSlor then begins
and utters fome few Words foftly ; afterwards he fmells
to the Patients Navel, and fometimes Scarifies him a
little with a P//»*,-or an Instrument made of Rattle-Snake* s
leeth for that purpofc, then he Sucks the part, and gets
©ut a Mouthful of Blood *nd £erttm9 but Serum, chiefly,
i; ; «iiT,; ," b^-x." .,r ' :. : tv ~ ■ "". -i -which

=

"1

North CAROLINA.

313

which he fpics into the Bowl of Water, by which means
he pretends to Suck out what occasions the Diftcm-
pcr.

Then he begins to mutter and talk apace ; and z.%
laft to cut Capers and clap his Hands on his Britch and
fides till he is all over in a Sweat, which to an European
woud not only feem a very odd and ftrange Sight, but
likewife that he was running Mad, every now and then
Sucking the Patient, till {uch time as he gets great quan-
tities of Blood and ill colour 'd Matter, out of the Betty,
Armes, Breaft, Forehead, Temples, Neck, and moil other
parts of the Body, ftillcont inning his Grimaces and An-
tick Poflures, which to Europeans woud feem more like
the Actions of Men in Bedlam than Dottors attending
the Sick.

At laft you will fee the DoSior all over in a Sweat, and
fo feeble, that he is fcarce able to ftand or utter one
Word, having quite {pent himfelf, then he will ceafe foe
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 DoEior, the fick Perfon never fo much as moves, al-
though doubtleis the Scarifying and Sucking muft be z
great punifhment to him.

But they are the moft patient under the Misfortunes
of Life, of any People I ever faw in all my Travels^:
Laftiy, 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 immediatly Buries it very fecretly in
the Ground, the Place being unknown to any but he
that inters it.

■i

3 74 The Natural HISTORY^

Thefc People arc great Iachanteri, and ufc many
Charms of 'IVinberaft, for when they are doubled with
the Headach, they tye a great Stone with a String to a
Stick or Pole, and with certain Prayers, or bewitching
cxpreffions, they lift up the Scone irom the Ground to
the top or tiie Pole, which fornetimcs with all a Man's
ftrength they cannot .ftir from the place,- and at other
times they lift as eafy as a Feather ^ by this Spell and cer-
tain Ceremonious Words,they expect to have immediate
cafe and help for the Patient. I am throughly fatisflcd
that theie Conjurors arc very great Impoftures, yet I have
feldom or never known their Judgment fail in regard of
the Patients living or dying, thougn I have fecn them
give their opinion after this manner feveral times : Some
affirm that there is a fmell of Brimflom in the Cabins
whilft they are thus Conjuring, which I cannot contradict,
por will I take upon me to argue how it came there, but
fhall proceed to another relation of one of their Indian
Kings being lick, and the metnod us'd by the Doftor for
the recovery of his health, which is fomething like the
former yi&.

One of their Kings being fick, the DoEior was imme-
diately fent for, and as foon as he arrif'd, he orderd a
Bowl of Water to be brought him and placed before
the King, on whom he fpnnkled (ome part out of his
Mouth, then he took a firing of Ronoak about ton Feet
long (which is like a itring of fmall Beads) this he held.
at one end between his Fingers, and the other touched
the Kings Stomach , he began to mutter many exprefli-
ons or. Words, an<: p ufc many grimaces for (omctime,
at length the firing of Beads that hung thus perpendicu-
lar, turn'd up as an Qel woud do, and without any mo-
tion of his Hand came ail up in a Lump under his Hand,
and tcmain'd fo for a eonfidcrablc time, he never clofing

his

North CAROLINA^ 3-75

his Hand all the while ; at laU: they returned to their
former fhape and length; at which the European Specta-
tors were much turpi ized, fome of them confidently af-
firmed, chat they ncard f jmeihing anlwer him whilft he'
muttered fome Words, though there was nothing to be
fcen. The DqBqy told the Company thattheKing would
recover, and thai: his Diforder would remove into his
Leg, that it would be much inBamM and fwcll'd, which
happened exactly as he foretold.

They alf© conjure for flollen Goods, though Robbery
and Theft are not common Vices amongft them, yet
they are fometimes guilty of thefe Crimes; and ileal
Ronoak and Deer Skins from each other ; when they can-
not diicover the Thief, they immediately lend for the
Conjurer to find him out, and as focin as he appears, he
begins after the following manner. Firfl: he orders three
Fires to be made after a triangular Form, which is
accordingly done ; he is then hoodwinked very ieou>
ly with a Deer Skin, doubled two or three times, over
his Face ; when this is done, he is placed in the center
of the three Fires : after he has made fome Motions (as
always tfaefe Conjurers do) he went dirc&ly out of one
of the three gaps of the Fire, as dire&ly as if he could
fee, muttering to hirnfelf, having a Stick in his Hand9
with which, after fome time, he gives two ftrokes very
hard upon the Ground, and made thereon a kind of a
Crofs, after which he told them the Name of the Perfon
that had ftolen the Goods, and faid he weuld have a
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 molt fubftantial and credible Planters in thefe parts
affirm for Truths aad that they have been Eyc-wfc netfes

m

316

The NaturalHlST OKY of

to. They alio report that they have feen one of thefe
Conjurers take a Hollow 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 flew over a Creek about a quarter of a Mile broad,
as it he had been running upon Terra Firma I (hall
urge no Man's belief in this, having never kca it done
by any of them, and only give it as reporred above; but
fome of the former I have been a Witnefs to, therefore
dare boldly aflert as Fad.

As to their Religion, k is impoffible to give any true
Defcriptionor it, for as they can neither read nor write,
whatever they have of this kind is founded mcerly upon
Tradition. There are a great many Cuftoms, or rather
Abfurdities amongft them, which they keep as the moll:
profound Secret ; that they never will acquaint any of
the Cbriftians with the Knowledge thereof, notwith-
ilanding the many Methods ufed, fuch as making them
Drunk, the promife ol Rewards, &c. but to no purpofe,
for fo fubtile and cunning are they, that it is next to an
Impoflibility to make them difcover it, or to fathom out
their fecret Dcfigns, whether they do this becaufe they
are fenfible of their own Weafcncfs 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 fliall fee them amongft their Idols and
dead Kings in their Quiogofon or Char ml Houfe, where
Khc Bones of the deceafed are laid (a Cuttom like this we
read of pra&ifed by the Indians in the Kingdom of Pegu
In the Eafi Indies) into which place the King, with the
Conjurers and fome few old Men are admitted to go, but
as tor the young Men, and the chiefeft Number of the
Indians, they are kept as ignorant of what the Elders

mm CAROLINA.

311

arc as any European, let him be in ever fo great Efteem
and Frkndihip with the King or great Men ; he is aoc
admitted to enter the Houlc at thofe times, or to hive
Knowledge of their Secrets or what they are doi.njg.

They are generally very ignorant of the firft Creation
of Man, or from whence they came, for fotne fay they
arc defcended from an old Man who came thither in a
Boatj which they call a canoe i but whether this was
before or after the Flood, they can give little 6'* no fa-
tistactory Account. Owners (witti whom 1 have fre-
quently converfed on that Head) believe that they arc
made out of the fine white Mould or Earch^ahd that the
Blacks or Negroes are formed oui of the black Dirt and
fwampy Earth ; this was/ll that 1 could ever learn from
them on that fub/ect. They all believe that me World
is round, and that there ate two Spirits, the one G >od
and the other Bad. The Good one the, rcckv.itobc
the Author and Maker of all Things,and fay tnat i is he
that gives them thefirft Fruits of the Earth, and teaches
them to Hunt, Fifh, and be wife cuuugh to overcome
the Beafts of the Wildernefs, and ail other Creature'',
that they may be affiftant unto Man. To which they
add, that the Quern, or Good Spirit has been very k ad
to the Europeans, in teaching them how to make Guns
and ^munition, belidcs a great many other Ncccfl" r*~$
that are helpful to Man, ail which they fay wiM be ^j-
livered to them when the Good Spirit llia.fl think lies
They alfo believe the Good Spirit does no: p<iniffi any
one in this World or that tocome, but mat m delights
in doing good to Mankind, m giving them plenty of
the Fruits of the Earth, inftrucriog them to make many
uicful Things, an I all the Advantages and Pleafurcs
— they enjoy. But asf^r the Bad Spirit (who lives feps.-
sate from the Good one) they izy h is he that torments
B b If thtms

3*]8 The Natural HISTORY of

them with Sickncfs, Difappointments, Loffcs, Hunger,
Cold, Travel, and all other Misfortunes that are inci-
dent to human Life, whom they worfhip to appcafe his
Wrath. As to what concerns their Treatment in the
other World, I ftwll treat or it hereafter, when 1 come
to make mention of their Notions concerning Heaven and
Hill.

Though the Indians arc very refolute, and die with a
great deal of Courage and Bravery, in the Hands of their
Enemies ,* yet I have known them tremble, and be in the
greateft fear and agony imaginable, when they had fen-
tence of Death pronounced againft them by the Engli/h,
for Capital Crimes, whereof they have been fometimes
guilty. 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 Chriflians, than they do amongft themfelves,
who only hang them on Trees for their Offences. Thefe.
Savages fometimes fhew the greateft Reluctance 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
Chriflians by way of Exchange for an Innocent Perfon to
die in the room of the Guilty : fo fond are they to pre-
fervc their own Men if poffibly rhey can j but thefe be-
ing Requefts 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 wilt never play any

more

North CAROLINA

379

more roguijb Trkks in this World, and whether art thou gone
now to j>hy thy Tricks. Wiien the Criminal is dead and
taken down, they are perfectly eafy, and free from all
manner of Concern about him, though a few Days be-
fore fo unwilling to deliver him up ; tney generally end
thefe Tragedies in Feafting and a fit of Laughter, which
puts an end to their Mourning for the iofs of theirjFriend,
and never chink of the deceas'd more.

Their Burials are different from each other, every Na-
tion having peculiar Methods of their own ; fome of
which I fhall here give an account of, viz,. They raife
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 Perfon deceasM, whole Monu-
ment it is, over which there is a Shade or Umbrella,
made Ridge-ways, like the Roof of a Houfe, this is
fupported by nine Stakes or fmali Polls driven into the
Ground, the Grave being about fix or eight Feet iu
length, and near four Feet in breadth, about which they
hang Gourds, Feathers, and fuch like Trophies placed by
the dead Mao's Relations, in relpedt to him in the
Grave. The other parts of the Funeral Rights arc thus :
As loon as the Party is dead, they lay the Corps upon a
piece oi the Bark of a Tree in the Sun, ieafoning or em-
balming it with a fmall Root beaten to Powder, which
they have in plenty, but will never difcovcr to the Eu~>
topeans where it grows, it looks as red as Vermillion, which
they mix with Bearys-oil> to beautific 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 purpofe to fupport it from the Earth ; they anoint
it all over with the above-mentioned Oyntmentmade of
the Red Root and Bear's~greafei when this is done, they
cover it all over very exa&ly with the Barks of the Pine,
B b b a og

B

gSo

The Natural HISTORY of

fine, or Cj/w/f Tree, to prevent the Rain falling upon it,
and other injuries of the Weather, frequently fwccpirtg
the Ground very clean about it. Some of his near eft:
Relations bring all the Temporal Eitatc hewaspoiTe&
ot at his IXa^h, fuch as Guns, Bows and Arrows, Beads,
fearers, Dear Skim, Matcbcoa s, and the like, wherewith
they aoom the Grave. The ncarcft Relation is the prin-
cipal Mourner, being clad in Mois ( that grows upon
Trees) after a very odd and ftrangc manner, with a
?tick in his Hand, keeping a mournful Ditty for three
or tour Days, fris Face ueing made as black *szNegroe
with the Smoak and Soot of the Pitch Pine, mingled with
Bear's greafe; during this time he tells all the Spectators,
tn at approach near him, or pafs by, who the deccaled
was, and what great Fears he performed in his lire time,
all tending to the Praife of the defunct,

Wi:cn the Flefli grows Mcliow, and cleaves from the
BoneSj 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
PoJJunrs Hair ox aduflui Deer Skin Which they every
lear or ohner, clear fe and anoint witn the RedOyntmem,
by thefe Means they prefer \ e them for many Ages ; they
likewife carry them from place to place as they remove
iheir Dwellings 5 that -t- is common to fee an Indian in
the Pofleffion ot the B nes ot his Grandfather, Father,
or foipe Relation of longer Antiquity.- ■.'■■--

They have oi her forts of Monurmnts or Tombs for
the dead, as where *t.c- was fHn, in that very Place
they raife a heap < t Stones r.y are robe met wih

in $hc Place, if not, with >i 'cis, to hi* Memory ; tnac
ev^rj. one that paffeth • j that place augments the Heap
ifn t efpe !$ of the oV - a-s'd. Some Nanr m or theie Indians
havt %iz%% rejaj §ift§ and Feafts at their Burials. •• ■> *
M ;; -~ . , : '* \ T'-u T.. ■■"} V<~ \Y ...- There

North CAROLINA.

3««

There are 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 is his
Funeral, and performed with the greater Ceremony:
When a King dies, they bury him with a great deal of
Solemnity ; (according to their Method) upon his Grave
they fetthc Cup wherein he ufed to drink out of, about
the Grave they {tick many Arrows, weep and 4 aft three
Pays fuccefiively without ceafing ; all 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 or fix Moons (fo fome 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. AH the goods of the K;ng are put into his
Houfc, and then they fet it on Fire wherein they con-
fume all. They likewife bury the Body of the Prieffs
or Conjurors in their Houfcs, which rhcy fet on Fire with
all the Goods. '■■•-. ;:

For it is to be obferv'd, notwithstanding thcie People
are fo very illiterate and bred after fuch a Savage man*
ner : Tct they have as great regard and refpeo* for thcie
Kings and great Men, as any People to be met with:
When any of thefc great Men dye, their methods in their
Burials are different from the former, for the firft thing
that is done is to place the ncareft Relations nigh the
Corps, who Mbum and We$p very much, having their.
Hair hanging down their Shoulders in a very Forlorn
manner. After the dead Perfon has lain a Day and a
Ni^ht upon their Hurules made of Canes, commonly
lb fome out Houfe prepared for that purpofc. Thofe
that Officiate about the Fwucral go into the Town3 and

382 The Natural HISTORY^

the firft young Men they meet with that have Blankets
or Match-coats on, which they think fit for their turn,
they itnp them from their Backs, who fuffcr them fo to
do without any manner of refiftance ; this being common
amongft fcvcral of their Nations ; thefe they wrap the
dead Bodies in,and cover them with two or three Mats,
which xht Indians make of Rttfies, and laft of ail they
have a long Web of woven Reeds or HuQqvi Canes, which
is their Coffin, and is brought round the Corps fevcrai
times and eyed at both ends, which indeed looks very
decent, and well ampngft theie Sai/ages.

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 kveral
other Nations in alliance wich them, they all fit down
upon Mats on the Ground, fpread for that purpofe, every
one feemingly dejected for the lofs ot their deceas'd
Friend and Pountry-man, but more efpecially the Re-
lations.

Things being thus accomodated, their Prieits or Con-
jurers appear, and after having commanded their Atten-
tion, and every one is filent, he paufes for feme fhort
time, then begins to give an Account who the deceafed
Perfon was, how flout a Man he approved himfelf,how
many Enemies and Captives he had kill'd and taken, how
ftrong, tall, and nimble he was,, that he was a great
Hunter, a lo'er p| his Country, and pofTeflcd of a great
many beautiful Wives and Children; which is eftcemed
the greateft of Blefjrngs amongft. them, in which they
have a very true Notion Thus this Orator runs on
highly estolUng the dead Man for his Valour, Conduct,
Strength, Riches, go$d Humour, and even enumerating
fiif Guns, SUves, and all he was poilcft of when living;,

Afe

North CAROLINA.

383

After this he addreflfes himfdf to the People of that
Town or Nation to whom the deceafed belonged, aad
bids them fupply his Place by following his Steps, who
he allures them is gone into a Country (which lies a great
way off in this World, that the Sun vifits in his ordi-
nary Courfe) where he fliall meet with all his Relations
and Friends who are gone there before him, that he (hall
have the enjoyment of handfome Women, great (lore of
Deer to hunt, and never meet with Hunger, Cold or
Fatigue, but every thing to anfwer his Expectation and
Dcfire.

This is the Heaven which they propofe to themfelves,
but on the contrary,for thofe Indians that are Lazy and
Thievifh amongft 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 conftantly to feed upon ; after this manner they
difcribc their Heaven and Hell.

Alter all this Harangue, he amufes the People with
forr.e of their traditions, as when there was a violent
hot Summer, or very hard Winter, when any notable dif-
temper rag'd amongft them, when they were at War with
iuch and fuch Nations, how vi&orious they were, what
were the Names of the War Captains, and many other
things of Antiquity ; and to prove the times more ex-
actly, he produces the Records of the Country, which
are a parcel 0{ Reeds of different lengths, with variety of
diftinct markes, and Notches, known to none but them-
ielvcs, (by which they feem to guefs very cxa&ly at acci-
dents that happen'd many Years ago, nay two or three
Ages or more.

They

3«4

The Natural H I S T O R Y of

They like wife give an Account that in the Year i6o8j
there was fuch a hard Winter in North-Carolina, that che
great Sound was fo Frozen, that the Wild Geefe and
other Fowl came into the Woods to eat Acorns, that they
were Co tame (I fuppofe through want,) that they kill'd
abundance in the Woods by knocking them on the Head
with Sticks, and it is very ftrange how exaftly one Na-
tion will agree with another as to the time when thefe
things happened, having no manner of Records to guide
them but thefe bits of Sticks.

But to rcturne to the dead Man, when this long Tale
is ended by the Conjuror that {poke firft ; perhaps a
lecond begins another long ftory, a thirdj and fourth,
if there be fo many of thefe Priefltox Do&trs prefent,
which all tell partly one and the fame thing, at laft the
Corps is brought away from the Hurdle to the Grave by
four young Men, attended by the Relations, the King, old
Men and raoft part of the Nation.

When they come to the Sepulchre which is about fix
Feet 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 fliall presently defenbe) 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 Bekr, that the Indians carry their
Burthens with1) very leafurely on the faid Bark, then
they lay overaPole of the fame Wood into the two Forks,
having a great many Pieces of Pitch-Pine-logs about two
Feet and a half long, they ftick down one End or them
in the fides of the Grave, and the other End lies on the
frdge-Pole, that they decline like the Roof of a Houfc,
being thus placed, they cover them (many Rouble) with

North CAROLINA. 3I5

Barks of Trees, and throw the Earth thereon that was
taken out of the Grave, and beat it down very firm :
By this means the dead Body lies as in a Vault 9 nothing
touching it, which I cfteem a very decent way arfiongft
them, having (ctn fever-al Cbriftiaris buried without the
tenth part of that Ceremony and Decency.

As toon as the Flefh begins to cleave from the Bonesj
they take up the CarcafTes and fcrape them clean, which
they joint in the nature of a Skeleton ; afterwards they
drets them up in pure white Deer Skins, and dcpolitc
themamongft their Kings and Grandees in their Quiogo-
kofc, which is their Royal Tomb, or Burial Place of theic
Kings 2tXi&War Captains, This is a large and magnifi-
cent Cabin araongft them (according to their way or me-,
thod or Building) raifed at the publick Charge of the
Nation, and maintained in due form and neatnels. A-
bout (even Feet high is a Floor or Loft, whereon lye the
Bones of all the Princes and Great Men that have died
for feveral hundred Years paft, attired in the Drejfed Deer
Skins, as I have before "Remarked No Per fori is allow-
ed to have nis Bones lie in this Quiogoton ov Charnel
Heufe, and to be thus drefs'd, unlefs he gives a good Surra
of their Money tovthe Rulers for Admittance.

It is to be observed, that if they remove to any part
of the Continent, rhey kkiom fail to carry thefe Bones
along with them, though the tedioufnefs of their ihorc
daily Marches keep them never fo long on their Journies.
They reverence and adore this QuiogQz,ony with all the
Veneration and Refpect that is poilibie for fuch a Peo-
ple to discharge 5 they had rather loofe all they are pbf-
feffed of than have any Violence or Injury offered there--
to \. by this we may fee what a Refpe£t they have foe
their deceased Anccftors.

' CcC' Theyj

386 The Natural HISTORY of

They differ fome fmali matter in their Burials ftotfi
each other, fome burying right upwards, and fome o-
therwife, as I have before intimated ; yet for the moil
part they all agree in their Method or Mourning, which
is to appear every Night, or oftner, at the Sepulchre,
and weep and howl after a difmal manner, having their
Faces daubed over with Ligkt-wood~Soott and Bear's-oil,
whjch makes the Face as black as Oil and Lamp-black
could do. In this black Figure they remain for a Year
or longer, according to the Dignity or the deceafs'd.

If the deceafs'd Rerfon was a Grandee, fuch as a 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 arc
feveral Perfons of both Secxs that practice this for a live-
lyhood, and are expert at fhedding abundance of Tears,
and howling like a Parcel of Wolves, or diftra&ed People
in Bedlam ; by this means they difeharge their Office
with abundance of Art3 and great Applaufc from the
Indians. Thefc People regarding thofc kind of Perform-
ances or Ceremonies very refped fully, looking upon them
as Rights juftly due to the deccafs'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 the Indian Men expect to go after
death, which I have before made mention of. Yet thefe
Women have more Wit than fome of the Eaftern Nati-
ons (as we arc informed) who facrifice themfelvcs to ac-
company their Husbands 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,

Gouiins.

North CAROLINA.

387

Coufins, that mourn in carneft ; the Wives thinking their
Duty difcharged, and that they are become free when
their Husbands are Dead, all their Care being to look
out as fail as they can For another to fupply his Place.

Thus I have given the mod exact Account of the In*
diam of Carolina Conjuring over the Sick, slolen Goods,
and the Nature and Manner of burying their dead. I
fhall therefore make a fmall Degtcflion, to inform my
Readers with the manner of our Travelling up to the
Charokee Mountain*, having already fct forth the many
and different Obferyations we made in this fpacious
Country, and then proceed to the Indian Dtilempers ;
fome of which I have been Eyc-witnefs to.

The latter end o£ February, Anno. Dom. 1730, we fee
out on our intended Journey, being in Number Tea
White Men, and Two Indians, whofcrved for our Huntf-
men and Interpreters. Having provided a fufficienc
quantity of Fire- Arms, Amunition, Horjts, two Mariners
Compajjes, Kufn, Salt, Pepper, Inaian Corn, and other Nc-
cefTanes, we began our Journey ; and after we had paft
the Cbri/iian Plantations, our Accommodations were as
follows : All the Day we were diverted with variety
of beautiful and ftrangc Objects ,• in the Evening we
encamped an Hour before Sunfet, tycd our Horfes to
Trees near us, which wc 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 fome large Tree : Our next Bufi-
nels was to fend the Indians to Hunt ; our Care in the
mean time was to make a large Fire of the broken pieces
of Timber which we found in plenty lying difperfed up
and down the Woods ; this we piled up in order to con-
Ccc % tinue

3??

The Natural HISTORY of

tinue burning all Night, which prevented all manner of
\Vild Beads and pernicious Infefts being troublefomc, or
approaching us or pur Horfes,

As loon as our Indian* had diicharged one or two fhots,
and given us a iignal or their Succefs by Hollowing, we
immediately difpatched Ionic of our Party to their afTift-
ance,to bring home the Game they had killed ; for they
feldom return'd without more than a fufficient quan-
tity of Venifon, wild purines, and other Game for tiic
fupport of all our Company, during our whole Journey 0
Being thus provided with Provifions, our next bufinefs1
was to perform our Cookery, which coniiftcd chiefly in
Roafting and Broiling, according as each Perfon was dif-
poied. When Supper was ready, and a fufficient quan-
tity of Indian Com roailcd, which we made ufe of inflead
of Bread, wc iatdown upon the Ground, and generally
cat with a good Appetite, the Air being no where better
cbr purer than near the Mountains. In this manner wc
fupped each Night, ourKitchin Furniture being a Wooden
Spit, and ourt Table, .t)i[bes and Trenchers the Barks of
Trees. Supper being ended, we made our Punch (the
Bowl being a large Gourd) wr.ich.wc diftributed equally
ro each Perfon a good Harmony being obfervtd among ft
us during the whole Journey, At Night when our Com-
pany were difpofed to reft, we made ourBeds ot Mofs near
the fire, where we'flcpt comfortably, keeping a conftant
Watch by turns every four Hours, Thus w.c enjoyed our-
ielves 'till our arrival at the Mountains, and what conti-
nually rendered our Journey more agreeable was the
beautiful Profpect of the Country, be^ng.adorned with
Woods; Savannas, fpacious Rivers, together with various
kinds ot'Meafts, Birds, '.pijhes, &c.

It would not be proper to trouble the Reader with the

Adventures of each Day j, and the many Qbfcrvations we

v '''n'i\ , made

North CAROLINA.

3S9

made therein, thefe being fufficiently fet forth already :
Let it (ufficc to inform them, that after fifteen Days
Journey, we arrived at the foot of the Mountains, hav-
ing met with no Human Specie all the way. It feems
upon our firil arival we were difcovcred by a Party of
the Iroquois Indians, who, as I faid before, are very pow-
erful, and continually at War, wandering all over the
Continent betwixt the two Bays of Mexico and St. Law- 0
rence. As foon as they had difcovercd us they difapcar-
cd, (as we were afterwards informed ) and gave Notice
thereof 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 of his Men, armed
with Bows and Arrows.

When they appeared the fecond time, the Retinue fealt-
ed at about half a Mile xliftant 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 underftand
that he was fent to us by Order of his King, who defired
to know whether we came for Peace or War, or what
other Bufinefs had brought us to thofe Parts ; In fuch
like Speeches he accofted u?. We aflured 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 thus fatisfied him
he fat down with us, and difpatched the other Perfon
that attended him, to acquaint the King with the Rea-
fons of our coming.

During his Abfence, we entertained the Ambaflador
with Punch, and made him a Prefent of fomefew Toys,
which he accepted of, and was highly pleafed therewith.
About four Hours after the Meffenger returned, whor$
the Ambaflador received at a little diftance from us,
v r- ' - - ; < where

39° The Natural HISTORY^"

where they difcour/ed for fomc time, and at his return
told us, that the MefTagc from the King was, to defire
us to make him a Vifit, afTuring us at the fame Time of
his Friendfhip. 1 his MefTage occafioned feveral De-
bates to arife amongft us, Concerning the confequence
that might attend it ; we leemed unwilling to go, which
be perceiving, affured us in the flrongeft Terms of our
fatety, and the Sincerity and Friendfhip of the King. At
length, rather than incur his Difplcafure (notwithstand-
ing we were determined to fell our Lives at the dearcft
rate, if we met with any oppofition) we complied, and
arrived about fix g 'Clock at the Indian Town (attended
with the Guards that came with the Ambafiador, who
matched at (nine diftance from us) and were conducted
to the State Houfc, where the King was fcatcd with his
War Captains and Councillors, who got up and placed us
next to him ; after we had paid our due acknowledge
ments to him, and made him fome Prefents, he then be-
gan to enquire the Reafons of our coming thither, and
among other things, How bis. Brother did, meaning the
Governor ; and many other fuch like Speeches paired
between us. A fter we had fatisfied him in each particular
that he demanded, he bid us welcome, fhaking Hands
with each of us; afTuring us of his Friendfhip, and the
great Regard he had for thofcof our Nation, The few
Prefents we gave (which were Knives, Glafs Beads, Punch,
and the like) had made fo favourable an Imprcffion in the
Br?aft of his Mafcfty, and all his Gounccllors, in our be-
half, that the King's Orders were ifTued out immediate-?
1y, ftri&ly charging all his Subjects to treat us in the
inoft friendly manner, and fupply us with whatever we
fiad occafion for during our Pleafure to ftay amongft
them. After all thefe Speeches were ended, towards
Wght.we were di'fmifled. and conduced to oik of the

King's

North CAROLINA.

391

King's Houfes (being an Apartment prepared for us)
where we lay upon Benches, with the Skins of Beafts
tor our Covering ,• and this was the beii Lodging wc
met with iince our departure from the Chnftians. They
took particular Gare of our Horfes, and treated us
with all the good Nature poffibly to be expected from
them, fupplying us with fufficicnt quantities of Provisi-
on, fuch as Venifin^ Wildfowl, Fijh, and various Kinds
or dried Fruits; Pulfe, and JVatery no ftrongcr Liquors
are to be met with amongfl thefe People.

The King's Houfes arc partley in the Center of the
Town, the reft of the Buildings being ere&ed in a con-
fufed Order, no regular Streets, Shops, or even Handy-
Graft Trades, are to be met with amongft them.

The news of our arrival brought prodigious Num-
bers of Men and Women to us, as alio Boys and Girls,
who were ftark Naked ; thefe would come and touch
our Cloaths, and view us with admiration, having 51
am fatisfied, never had an opportunity to behold any
thing of this Nature before. The King diverted us eve-
ry Day with Men and Women Dancing, fhooting with
Bows and Arrows, their Warlik Exercifc, and feverai
other kinds of Diverfions, wherein he imagined we took
any Pleafure. Finding our felvcs thus in favour witk
the King, the firft requeftwc made was, that wc' might
have leave to fee the Quiogox,on> or Charnel Houfey whieh
was the largcft of that Nature we had ever beheld : He
eafily complied with our Rcqueft, but with a ftrid;
Charge, that we fhould do no hurt, either to the Bones.,
or any other thing that we fhould obferve there.

Two Days arter our Arrival, we requcftcd the King
to have Liberty to depart, in order to view the Moun-
tains, which he feemed very unwilling to comply with,
preffing us co continue longer with him, urging rrany

Arguments

392

The Natural HISTORY of

Arguments to pcrfuade us; and that we had not as yet
fufficiently refrcfhcd outfelves after our late Fatigue i
But we affured him that our Governor had given us
ftrict Ciders at our Departurej to be as expeditious
as poflibly we could in our return home. Thefe Con-
iidcrationsat length moved him to a compliance foon-
er than he intended. But the chief Reafcn of our de-
parting fo foon was, that if we had remained there
much longer, wc fllould be deprived of all our Runis
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 we fhould be
molefted by any Indians that might be Hunting in them,
during our flay there. We moll gratefully returned hini
our due Acknowledgments for his kind offer, and the
many Favours he had already conferred upon us, and
moil humbly beg'd to be excufed, which he readily
granted us.

Having thus obtained our Licence of Departure, we
made him a Prefent of a Bottle of Rum, in lieu whereof
he gave us Indian Corn, Vemfon> and fomc dried Fruits^
for our fupport in the Mountains, where Provifions arc
Icarce. All things being prepared as ufual, we fetout the
next Morning about fix o'Clock, continuing our Jour-
ney fill] tVeftward: The King and his Guards conduc-
ted us about half a Mile, wirtiing us Health, and in-
treating us at the fame time, to make him a Vifit at out
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
perfect Health. Here wc had the greateft difficulty to be
fuppliedwith Mofs for Provifion for our Horfcs, but af-
ter fume time iearching, wc found what was, fufficicnt
for them i then making a great Fire, and but' Beds fo^

that

Nonb CAROLINA.

391

Nightof the withered Leaves- of the Tiees,which we ga-
ther ud for mat Purpofc. The next M jrnmg very early
having re fre fried oitrfeives, we fee forward, asd in tue
livening got on the other fide of tne fL.ft t(idge: of Moun-
tains into a moft beautilui bailey, adorneuVkh W^ds%
Savannas, and- a very rich Sod ; here we encamped i'iiii
Night, being the longeft Davsjourney-wc made from
our firlt fctting out, -by rcaion that we were destitute of
Water in t-he-fc barren placed, for our fcW$i$i H h#SJJ
only what wc met with by chance m the hoilow parts
of the Recks, which our Horfcs would hardly uri.-k.

The next Morning we fee forward witii a -great deal
of Chcarfulae&j having plenty of Water, ;ard all man-
ner of ProviftonsV In this Days J umey weditcovcred
an Indian i n- Ih e- foli tar y parts of tne Woods, but as foora
as heefpyedusjie-fled, notwithstanding vVe'madc figns,-
to him to come to us, buX; in vain, for he quickiyr
vanifhed out of our fight, that we. could not learri what:
Nation he belonged to, or whether there were any
more with him- in -thole Parts. After two Days Jour-
ney we arrived air another Ridge.of rocky Moiihta insj
with large Trees ,in icvcral Places, but little or no,faf-
titfe-like the former, but much higher, having a beaiiriruf
Frofped bf large Woods and Forrefts,as far is"oiir fi>hc
would permit. From ihis Mountain we returned, muk^
ing our Journey Eaft ward , meeting with nothing wor-*
thy of Obfervatibn, but what 'we have already made
mention of,- and in thirty two DMys, to our 'great Sa-
tisfa&ion, arrived amongft the Chnfliam, our Company
being all in perfed. Health, having had no Misfortune
all the way, but the lofs of one of our Compares,

As there are in this Country many poyfonous Herbs

#d Creatures, To the Indian People have excellent Skill

D d d m

394 The Natural H I S T 0 R Y of

in applying effectual Antidotes to them ; for Medicinal
Herbs are here found in great Plenty, the Woods and Sa-
vannas being their Apothecary's Shops, from whence they
feLch Herbs, Leaves, Barks of ¥rees> with which they
make all their Medicines, and perform notable Cures;
of winch it may not be amifs to give fome Inftances,
tecai.fe they fcem lirange, if compared with our Method
of curing Diltempcrs. They have a certain Method in
po> ibmng their Arrows, and they win temper them fo
'as to work flow or fwitt as they pleaie; they can make
It fo ftrong, that no Art can fave the Perfon or Beail
that is wounded with them, except it be by their Kings
and Conjurers, their young Men being ignorant of it.

They ufe Sweating very much, cfpecially if violent
Pains feizc the Limbs, or any other part of the Body,
which i.v performed by .certain Vegetables which they
are well acquainted with ; for as foon as they are afflic-
ted with thefe kind of Diiorders, they take Reeds or
fm'all "Wands and bend them, with thele they make little
Huts, covering them with Deer Skins, Blankets, or their
MatchcpatSf and the like ; they have other Sweating
Hcufes built in £hapc like large Ovens ) they have Fires
niati-j'uk far from thefe Sweating Houfes, wherein they
Beat Stonis? or (where thefe arc wanting) the Bark of
Tree's, putting them into thefe Stoves, which occaiiofi
an extraordinary Heat, by the help of which, and the
Herbs' which are boiled in a Pot, they fweat very plen-
tifully. They like wife uk Bathing often in. the Wa-
ters for the like Diforders.,

They never mifs curing mod kinds of Cutaneous Erup-
tions by the Plants that arc produced in this Country :
They infallibly cure Scald Heads, which they chiefly
perform with Oil of Acorns, but from which Oak I ne-
ver could be rightly informed, they being very fecret in
"~ : ■ * whas

North CAROLINA.

395

what they know. They cure Burns beyond Credit -, I
hare Teen of thtfe Wretches burnt in their Drunkuiefs af-
ter iuch a miierable manner, that in ail Appearance they
eouid no; live j yet I have teen them cured in a, very fhort
time, contrary to all expectation i that they have been
capable of ruing abroad in ten or twelve Days. 1 have
kuown others to be miferably burnt with Gun Powder,
winch they have cured in a fhort time ; but by what In-
gredients they perform thefe fpeedy and wonderful Cures
is kne wn to none but themielvcs. They (eldom or ne-
ver make 'known any Seciets of this Nature to the £«-
roptansy but are very ready to ferve them upon fuch Oc-
casions, if required, tor a imall Gratuity.

Whac-is worth) of CH (ervation is, that amongfi; all
thefe fadiam there «4e no running inveterate Ulcers to be
met with, neither do their Wounds turn to a Gangrene,
and they are *erv expert in healing all manner of green
Wounds and Diflocatiom, which tiiey perform fo fpeedily,
that I dare boldly fry, that they are thegreatcft Ar-
tifts in thefe kind of Performances of any People in tftc
known World.

Theic was a Planter in North Carolina who had 2
grievous Ulcer in his Leg for many Years, which was
deemed incurable by all thofe that beheld it j and many
attempts were made by the bed Chriflian Artiftsin that
Country to pertect the Cure, but ail to no purpole, for
his Leg ftill grew worfe and worfe ; at laft he was pre-
vailed upon to apply himfelf to one of thofe Indiant)oc~
tors, who performed the Cure in a very fhort time for
the value of three Shillings Sterling, though it had coft
him above one hundred Pounds before to little or no
Purpofe.

The Indian Do&or performed this Cure after the fol-
lowing manner $ firft he mace a drone Deco&ion of the
D&dz Basil

396 The Natural HISTORY of

Bark of the Root of Sajjajras, in which he bathed
the Patients Leg very well, then he took the rotten
Grains of the A*aiz,, cr Indian Com, well dried and beat-
en 10 Pow.'er, a..d the fort Down that grows upon the
%V>WP J&ufnp, with this he quickly dried up the filmy
Ulcer, and made a per ted Cure, of what was thought
incurable, to the great Joy and Satisfaction of the Plan-
ter, who had fo long laboured under it. This I had
sffirmed to me by the Planter hirofelf, arid feveral others
that were Eye-witncfles to the whole Affair.

The Pox is to be riiet with amongil fome Nations of
thefe Indians, being as it is Reported, communicated
to them by the Kuropans, it "being a Diflempcr in-
tirely unknown to them before their Arrival. By this
Pilorder, fome. of them have loft their Noies, and par-
ticularly one of their greateft Conjurers, whom I have
Teen and converted with ,• but whether or no this Dif-
temper was known to them before the Chrifliam came
amongft them, I will not take upon me to decide it, be-
liig 110 way material to my prefent Defign, which is
only to fatisfte my Readers with the Advantages and
^advantages that are to bs met with in this Spacious
part of the World,

Thdc Savages of late cure this Diftemper with ccr«
tain Berries (that grow in this Province) which Sali-
vate like Mercury, rorwithftahding they ufe Sweating
and ftrong Beco&ions with it, as they do almofl upon
every Occaiioh. and when they are in the greateft
Extreamity pf Heat, leap into thcRivcrs or Ponds of
"Water, by which Praaice many have loft their Lives,
yet at prefent it us not fufficient to deter them from this
■ Jbnd or Practice* ' ■. .:

T i.c: Xm% is a Veneris! Difordcr (as I faid before )
In ail lelptt.s like the iqx, only it is not attended with

North CAROLINA

391

a Gononhaa in the beginning, but having ail theoc.oer
Symptoms ch^t attend that Diibcder, fnch as Cutaneous
Erttpth-M, N&umal Pains, &c. Tnis Diftemper of
late iias been communicated to the Indians by the Chris-
tian Traders, and though it is no: very common a-
mongft them, yet fome few have loft their Nofcs by it5
and others ate become imft miferabie Spcaacies by ne-
glecting ids Cure; at laft they make a fbift to cure or
patch themieives up, and live lor many Years after ;
fuch Men commonly turn DoSlors amungft them, and
lame of thefe No-Nofe Dolors arc in very great Eileem
amongft them. The Juice ot ihe Tulip Tree is ufed by
the Indians as a proper Remedy for this Diftemper.

The Small Pox proved very fatal amongft them in the
late War with the Chriftians, few or none ever clcaping
Peaththat were feized with it. This Diftemper was
intirely unknown to them before the arrival of the Eu-
ropeans amongft them. Their Method in this, as in
all other Fevers, is to run dirediy into the Water in the
extremity of the Difeafe, which ftrikes it in and kills
snoft that ufe that Method.

They ufe Scarifa&ion in molt Diitempers ,• their chief
Inftrumcnts are the Teeth of the &attk-Smkey which
they poyfon with upon occafion. They take out the
Teeth of the Snake, and fuck out the Venome with their
Mouth, which they Ipit on the Ground, and receive no
damage thereby ; it is of a green ifh Colour, as I have
frequently obferved. Thefe Teeth they keep for the
ufes above-mentioned, having no Notion of Lancets, or
other Inftrument proper in thofe Operations.

The Spleen is a common Diftemper with the Indians
in this Province, which they cure by burning on the
I3elly with a Reed or HoSow Cane, after the following
manner: They take the Cans and put the End into the
;- ;"V* ; '" Fire

398 The Natural HIS TO R Y of

Fire, where they burn it 'till k is red hot, then they lay
the Patient on his Back, ana p:*a a p;ecc or thin L^u«vr
on his Belly, between the Pit or. the ScotrMch ana the
Navel, io preis the hot Reed on tne Leather, wnich
burns the Patient to char, degree, that uxy ever afi.ee
have the Irripreffian c?i chc Reed wherever ic was laid :
This Methbd is iorneumes uiect amon^/i thtm for tne
Belly Ach.

The Plague was never known amongft the Indians
that 1 could ever lean; yet 'chc Small Pox, their conti-
nual Wars with each other, thcit po, i.>nmg, and leverai
other Diitempcrs ana Methods amongft them; and par-
ticularly their drinking Bum to excels, have made iuch
great cleitrudion amongit them, that I am well inform-
ed, rhat there is not the tenth Indian in number, to
what there was fixty Years ago.

They have a, kind of Rheumatifm, which generally
afflids their Legs with grievous Pains, and violent
Heats ; whilit they are thus tortured, they employ the
■young People continually to power cold Water upon the
part aggrived, 'till fuch time as the Pains are abated; and
they become perfectly eafy, ufing no other Method for
this kind of Diforder.

They are never troubled with theSc«>i>y, neither are
they afflicted with the Drapfy, Diakttei, Gout, £tines
Pthifick, Consumption, Aflhma, or Palfie, which DUtem-
pcrs are too well known amongft us, and frequently at-
tended with moft fatal Cpnlequences. Neither is the
Struma to be met with amongit them, and many other
European Di /tempers roo tedious to name.
* Thev have feveral Remedies winch they ufc for the
Tooth-ach, which frequently carries off the Pain; but if
all their Endeavours fhould fail, they have rccourfe to
punching owe sue Tooth, which is dotje with a frnail
'." " ' ■ .: . Cna$

North CAROLINA.

399

Cane placed againft it, on a bit of Leather, then they
flnke the Reed ana pufh out the Tooih, this they per-
form with a gicat deal of Dexteiky,and never endang-
er the Jaw, whicn other fciftrumenrs are apt to do.

They feldom make ufe &i 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. Bat
in any immoderate defections of Blood, or any other
Humour from any part or the Body, they are never at a
lofs for a fpeedy Cure.

I neper obierved any of them to pra&ice Anatomy,
neither do I believe that they have any Knowledge there-
in, unlefs as I obferved berore, that they maki Skelitons
of their Kings an! great Men's Bones. They can co-
lour the Hair Black, though or a Reudifli Colour, or any
other Colour, which they do with a certain Seed or &
Plant that grows m their Plantations. They make ufe
of no Minerals in Phyficl, and very little of Animals,
but chiefly depend on Vegetables, for all Diforders a-«
mongft them. They are well acquainted with thefyon*.
taneous Plants that are 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 Rofms in their Phyfick ; as for Cathanicks and Erne-
ticks, fo much in fafhion in Europe^ they do not eite£m
or make ufe of, unlefsit be immoderate Drinking fuch
vaft quantities of their Vatican tea, and vomiting it up
again, this they continue every Morning, or oftner*
where they can have this Plant, from which they receive
great Benefit, not only in difcharging and clcanfing the
Stomach trom the peccant Humours there lodged, but
likewife by its great Diuretisk quality which carries off
thofc Humourf by the Uritcrs, that might be prejudicial

m

4©o The Natural H I S T O R Y of

to their Health, £nd occafion Fevers, Agues, and many
Other Diitempers, which they are not lo iuoject to as
the Europeans i which lam iansiicd is owing m a great
meafure to their conitant ufe of this Plant, wntch takes
away both Hunger and Thirft for fuur and twenty
Hours. <*._

There is no Plant in chefc Parts in greater Venerati-
on and Efteem amongft rhem than this is, and they fre-
quently carry it to the Wejlwdrd Indians , who give Deer
Skins, and other Neceflaries they want for it. They
take the Leaves and {ma II Twigs, bruife them in Wood-
en Mortars, 'till they become of a biackifh Colour, and
wholly defaced : Then they take and put them intoEar-
then Pots, over the Fire, till they Smoak, ftirring thcjri
all the time 'till they are cured ; Others take them
thus bruifed, and put them into Earthen Bowls, under
which they puc live Coals and cover them with Toupan
Leaves, 'till they have done Smbaking, often turning
them over, then they fpread them on Mats and dry
tfeem in tne Sun or Shade tor ufe.
i They commonly in irioft of their Diforders make ufe
of the Juices of Plants, not out of any Foppery orFafhi-
©n, as many Europeans and other Nations are often fond
of,' but purely to relieve and frc Nature of thcOppref-
ion and Burthen tint flic labours under.

They neither ufe Unguents ox 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 of the Sajfafrafs Tree is very
much ufed by them; which they generally :Torr efy in the
Embers, and ftrip off the Bark from the Root,; beating
ft into a Pafte3 Or a Confiftance fie to fprea^T© apply it

North CAROLINA.

40 &

to the grieved parts, which . not only cieanfes a fowl
fjicer, but after Scarification, being applied to theCon-
tufion or Swelling, carries off the Pain, and adwages
the Tumor. Yet rheie People in general are very care-
lefs and negligent of their .Health.,

fn fome Places theie. Savages Boyl and Roaft their:
Meat extraordinary well, and eat abundance of ' Broatb
except thole Savage? whom we call the Naked Indians,
who never make ufe of any Soup0 Theie travel rrom
the Banjos of the Meftfypi to War againft the Sinagars
or Iroquois Indians, and are commonly too Hard for cnem,
except they are over power'd by unequal Numbers,
Thele naked Indians will lye and deep in the Woods
without any Fire or covering, being in ur'd thereto rrora
their Infancy. They are the molt hardy of all Indians
that are known, and run fo faft that they are never taken
by any other Indians thatpurfue them. Their Enemies
fay that their Nimblenefs and long Wind proceeds from
their never making ufe of any Broath.

The Salts that the Indians in theie parts make ufe of
in their Meat, Bread, and Soup, to give them a grateful
relifh are Alkalies, viz,. Allies 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~
tard, they imagine us to be no better than Madmen to
make ufe of them at our. Victuals,

The VefTels that our Neighbouring Indians make ufe
©f and moil other Nations are3; Earthen-Pots of fe ve-
nd fizes. Their Diflicsand Wooden Platters are made
of the fweet Gum7ree9 Poplar* Sycomore, and the like.
% Thus I have releated their manner in curing feveral
Biftempers 1 I fhall now only, mention on ftrange Ac-
count more, which wasattefted by the Planter himfeif;
and feveral other credible Perfons in thofe Parts.

E e e There

, —

402

The Natural HISTORY of

There was an honeft and fubftantial Planter in thofe
Parts who was afflicted with a fhange and lingringdif-
temper, not ufual amongit the Chriftians, under which
he emaciated and grew every Month worfe and worfe j
this Diiorder continued for fome Tears, during which
time he had made ufe of the bell: and ableft DoSlors and
Surgeons in thofe parts, but all to no purpofe, for the
Diiorder ftill perfever'd. In the beginning of this Dif-
temper trie Patient was very wealthy, and had feveral
Slaves which he was obli§ed to fell to iatisfie the Do&qys.
But one Day it happen'd, ss he and his Wife were"
comiferating his miferable Condition, and that in all ap-
pearance he coud not expect to recover, and that Death
muft ipeedily put a period to his Days, and then in what
mifery hs fhoud leave his poor Wife and Family, ilnce
all his Negroes were already gone and difpos'd off.
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
Houie, 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 ficknefs, you
have given away your Slaves to the EngliftDo&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 yon, and they know not the Nature of it.
If it had been a Diftempcr known in their Country, pro-
bably they cou'd have cured you. But had you cm-
ploy'd me atfirft, I coud have cur'd you for a f mall mat-
ter without taking your Slaves from you that provided
Corn and other NecefTaries for you, and your Family's
%port. And yet if you will give me a Blanfa to keep

North CAROLINA. 403

me warm and fome Powder and Shot, to kill Deer with, I
will do my bed Hill to recover your Health.

The Poor-man being very much dejected with the
Misfortunes that he had already met with, made the In-
dian this reply. I know my Diiiemper is now pail the
power of Man to cure, and if our Englijh DoBor's cou'd
not cure it, 1 am throughly perfwad'ed that the Indians
cannot.

But his Wife accofted him in the moft endearing and
mild terms and told him, he did not know but God
might be pleasM to give a greater blefljng to the Indians
undertaking than he had done to the Englijh, and like-
wife faid, if it fhou'd plcafe God that you fhou'd dye, I
cannot be much more miferablc by -giving that fmall
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 confirmed. And when the
bargain was concluded, the Indian went into the Woods
and brought with him feveral kinds of Roots and Herbs,
whereof he made a ftrong Decoction and gave it to the
Patient to drink, and immediately orderd him to go to
Bed, adding that it would not be long before he wou'd
return again to vifit him. The Patient punctually per-
formed every thing as he was orderd by the Indian, and
had not been long in Bed before the Potion that was ad-
miniftcr'd made him Sweat after the moft violent man-
ner that could be, and during its operation he fmell'd fo
offensively to himfelf and a!) thofethat 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 vifit the Pa-
tient with a great Rattle-Snake alive ( which terrified
the Family almoftout of their Senfcs) and told the Sick-
Ec-c 3 man

404 The Natural HISTORY of

man that he muft take it to Bed with him, at which the
PiUKtit was in the greateft condemnation in the Worlds
snu told the Indian that he might as well dye of the Dif~
temper he had, as to oe kill'd with the Bite of the Rattle-
Snake. To which the Indian leplyed he cou'd not bite
him nor cio him any harm, for he had already taken out
his Poyion and Teeth, and (hewed him by opening and
putting his Finder into the Snakes Mouth, that they all
twere gone. -At laft by many perfwafions and Intreatics
of all that were prefenr, he admitted of the Snakes com-
pany, which the Indian put about the Patients middle and
©rucr'dno Body to take it away, or even to meddle with!
It upon any account, which wasftnctly obferv'd, altho*
the Snake girded him as hard for a great while as if he
lhad been drawn in by a. Belt. At laft he found the
prefiure grow weaker and weaker, till by degrees he felt
3t not ; and opening the Bed the Snake was found deads
and the Patient thought himfelf grown much better
The Indian returned the next Morning to vifit his Pa-
tient, and finding the Snake dead, was very much trans-
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 after this
itrange and wounderful Cure.

And what is remarkable in many parts of this Province
as you travel up towards the Mountains and through the.
Woods, when ever you come to any places where the
Indians formerly dwelt and had Towns, you fhall find
abundance of Flowers with variety of beautiful Colours^;
©f feveral forts, and divers Qualities, and Ufe ; fome be-
ing Phyfical others Poyfonous, others for Ornament and
fweet Odor, which at a diftance have a fine profped, and
look like a beautiful Flower Garden^ the ufes whereof the1
i^'sj'r.Vv. • Indian's

North CAROLINA.

405

Indians are well acquainted with. I am pcrfwaded that
the reafon why they took all thefe pains in planting thcfe
Simples was owing to their DoBor's Care, that upon all
Occalions they might be provided withthofe Vegetables
that were proper for the Indian J)iftempers, or any other
ufe they might have occasion to make of them.

Thefe Savages have one of the moft diabolical Cuftoms
amongft them, that is to be met with in any part of the
known World, which they call Hufquenawing their young
Men and Girls, Once a Year, or at fartheft, once in two
Years, thefe Savages take up fo many of them as they
think are able to undergo this rigid Difcipline, and Hup
quenaugh them, which they fay is to make them obedient
and relpe&ive to their Superiours and inures them to all
manner of Fatigues and Hardships, and without it they
never wduM 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 wou'd have been a Burthen and dif-
grace to their l^ation.

This Houfe of Corre&ion, or where they undergo
this rigid Discipline, is a large flrohg 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 Hujyienaugh their youth
is always about Cbriflmas, 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 tfiem Pellitory, and feveral intoxicating
Plants that make them go raving Mad, they make the
moft difmal and hidious cries and howlings that human'
Creatures are capable of expreffmg, all which continues
- '< ■ - ;,; " about

_

——■■a

406 The Natural HIS T O R Y of

about five or fix Weeks, and the little Meat they are al-
lowed to eat is the naftieft loathfome Jituff imaginable.
After the time is expired they are brought out of the
Cabin, which is not in the Town, butatfome difhnce
from it, and is guarded by an Indian or two, nominated
for that purpofe, who Watch by turns. When they
appear or firtt come abroad, they are as poor and Meager
as it is poffible for any Creatures to be, refcmbling ra-
ther Skeletons than living Men ; Teveral of them dying
under this Diabolical difciplihe. 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 this Difcipline is over, they have
intirely forgot all the Adioris of their paft Lives.

Thefe Savages are deferibed in their proper Colours but
by veryfew,forthofe that generally write Hiftoriesof 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 Laplanders. If we wili
make juft Remarks, how near iuch Relations approach1
Truth, we fhall find few worthy of Entertainment, and
many parts of their Works ftuft with Invectives againft
the Government they liVd under, on which Stage is com-
monly acred greater Barbarities in murdering worthy
Men's Reputations, than all the Savages of the New.
World are capable of equalising, or even imitating.
Thefe Authors likewife pretend to various and ftrange
accounts, about them, but their Relations feem much'
fitter to fill a Novel than a Hiftory. I muft therefore
beg leave of the Gay Part of the World, who feem in-
finitely plcafed with fuch Relations in not gratifying them
with the Particulars, which they thcmfelves will give
Ids Credit to every Day as their Judgment ripens.

' ~l ??■ ' ' ' ' Lasliy,

II
North CAROLINA. 407 J

Lalily, I (hall mention fomc few Words of the Indian &[

Language,

together with the Emlijb, and fo conclude Si

this Trcatife. J J

Englijh.

Tuskeruro 1 Pamcicoe Indi-

Woccon Indi- *?r

. Indians. I ani

ans; jl

One.

j

Unche. Weembot.

'Tone. B

Two.

Nefa.

Nefhin-nauhy

Numperre, % i

Three.

Ohs-fah.

Nijh-woner.

Nam-mee. 11

Four.

Untoc.

Tau Ooner.

Punnum-punne* 1

Five.

Ouch-iuhe.

Umperren.

Webftau. 1

Six.

Hone-yoc*

Whoyeoc.

Is-tto. "J

Seven.

Chauh-noc.

Top-po-cjb

NotfHhii-faib 11

Eight.

Nec-kara.

Nau-haujb-[hoo.

Nupfau.

Nine.

Wear ah.

Pach-ic-conk.

Weihere. II

Ten.

Wartfauh.

Cofi,

Soone-noponne* j

A Blanket

Oorewa.

Mattofi.

Rooiune.

A Coat.

Kaiuhitchra.

Taiis-won.

Rummijfati. .

Englifh-

NiskreYMQuh. Tofi-(honts.

Wintfohore.

man.

n

The Fire.

Utchar.

linda.

Idtf. j

A Gun.

Auk-noc.

Gau-hooptop.

Wittape,

A Hat.

Trojja.

Mottau-quahan.

Intome-poJfvMk

Indians.

Unqua.
Oofocke-riaub.

Nuppin.

Tau-hsi

A Knife.

Rig-cofque.

me

Rum.

Onaquod,

Weefaccon.

Tup-fi.

Shot,

Cauna.

Ar-routtfer,

W«k.

Tobacco.

Char ho*

Hooh-pau,

Vu-CQMt.

A Wife.

Kateoca»

Squaha*

Tecau-au*

■K 11

at

408 The Natural H I S f 6 R Y of

To enlarge any more upon this Indian Jargon, would
be altogether needlefs, and troublefome to the Reader |
they have luch a ftrange way of abbreviating their Speech
when they ar£ Debating in thejr grand Councils, than
the young 5 Men do not understand what they fay or
treat of. It is to be admir'd, what hath occasioned lo
many different Speeches as they have $ for the three Na-
tions wbefe i Languages I have now mentioned, are but
a fmall diftance from each other. Thefe Differences in
their Speech frequently occafion Jealoufies and Fears a-
mongft them, and are often the .Motives of their continual
Wars with each other ; and werejt not for thefe, conti?
dual Feuds and Animolities amongft themfelves, they
would be as happy a People, as to this Life, as any
eipota the Earth.

ff I N 1 8,

T=^