ANEW
VOYAGE
DESCRIPTION
ISTHMUS of AMERICA
Giving an Account of the
Author's Abode there,
The Form and Make of the Country, the Coajls, Hills, Rivers, Sec. Woods, Soil, Weather, &c. Trees * Fruit, Beafls, Birds, Fijh, Sec.
The Indian Inhabitants, their Features, Complexion, &c, their Manners, Cuftoms, Employments, Marriages, Feafts, Hunting, Computation, Language, &e.
With Remarkable Occurrences in the South-Sea and elfewhere.
By LIONEL WAFER. The Thirp Edition,
To which arc added,
The Natural History of thofe PARTS, By a Fellow of the Royal Society :
AND
Davis* s Expedition to the Gold Mines, in 1702, ' Illuftrated with fever al COPPER-PLATES.
LONDON,
printed for James John Knap ton, at the Crown in St, Paul's Church- Yard. Mpccxxix*
fffffffffffffffffffffff
To His Grace
JOHN Duke of Marlborough, Mar que fs of Blanford, Earl of Marlborough, Baron Churchill of Sandridge, and Lord Churchill of Aymouth in Scotland, Captain-General of Her Majeftys Forces Mafier-General of the Ordinance^ Her Majeftys Ambajfador Ex- traordinary to the States-General, One of Her Majeftfs moft Honourable Trivy-Coun- cily and Knight of the moft Noble Order of the Garter.
May it pleafe Tour Grace,
TH E enfuing Treatife, is a Second Edition of my Account of the Ifthmus of Darien^ with Additions \ which I publilh at this Time, not fo much becaufe the firft Impreflion is wholly fold off, as chiefly to give Oceafion to the Miniftry (whereof your Grace holds no fmall Share) to think of making a Settlement on one of the moft va- luable Spots of Ground in the World, thereby ei- ther to enhaunce a Part of the Mines, which are lodg'd in its Bowejs, or entirely to banifh thence the Enemy, who is now poflefs'd of them befides, that by fuch a Settlement, a free Paffage by Land from the Atlantkk to the South-Sea might eafily be effe&ed, which would be of the gceateft Confe- rence tp the Ea!t-India Trade,
264 The Dedication.
The Mifcarriage, My Lord, of the Scots in this Defign, can be no Difcouragement to England* confidering that we have at Hand, within our own Plantations, Provifions, and every Thing ufeful for Subfiftence, which they wanted : And their Efcapes will furnifh us with Precautions, by which we may avoid their Misfortunes. I can afTure your Grace, that a Friendfhip may be eafily cultivated with the Natives* who are entirely in our Intereft. And befides the peculiar Advantage of fuch a Settle- ment, England would derive by their Vicinity to Portobel* and Carthagena* a ready Sale for their Slaves brought from the Coaft of Africa.
T h e French* My Lord, being now our Rivals for this Settlement, it highly imports England to prevent them, by endeavouring to become Mailers of this Neck of Land, of which being once pofief- fed, they may command thofe inexhauftible Trea- sures, which at Pleafure give either Peace or War.
And how eafily that might be effected,' will eafily appear, if your Grace will be but pleas'd to take Notice, with how little Difficulty Captain Rafh and his AfTociates made themfelves Mafters of all thofe Mines with a Handful of Men, and in a very inconfiderable Space of Time, according to the particular Relation given of that Expedition, jtnferted by Mr. Davis at the End of this Book.
Tis true, my Lord, they had a pretty uneafy Paffage through thofe Rivers, Woods and Moun- tains in the By-ways, by which the Smallnefs of their Number obligM them to march, the better to prevent a Difcovery. But if their Forces had been more confiderable, they would haye kin under nq Neceffity of taking fuch troublefome Precautions'; and thereby would feavc avoided the jnanifold
Toils
The Dedication.
Toils and Fatigues to which they happen'd to be expos'd.
The High-Poft of Honour your Grace now enjoys, and whereto your Merits do fo juftly en- title you, has given me the Boldnefs to fhelter this fmall Work under your Grace's Name believ- ing it Natural for your Grace to make a right Judgment, whether the Thing herein recommended be well grounded, and will anfwer the End pro- pofed.
I a m not infenfible, My Lord, that this Ad- drefs is as much a Preface as a Dedication ; but con- fidering that your Grace's Hours are not to be taken up with Trifles, I was the eafier led to give your Grace, at one View, my main Defign in this Publication.
I humbly beg your Grace, to vouchfafe the Honour of your Protection to my plain and ho- neft Intentions, for the Welfare and Advantage pf my Country, being with all imaginable Refped^
May itpleafe your Grace, . Tour Graces moft Humble, and moft Devoted Servant \
Lionel Wafer.
TO
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•fcil&4»** i$?.«&j*S»t tSfce&t «&a$>j. e&it&j tAatifooA* o&afo
TO THE
I READER.
THE Defign of this Second Publication of my Defcription of the Ifthmus of Darien, Im- proved with a Late Expedition to the Gold- Mines, fince the Beginning of the prefent War \ and alfo with the Natural Hiftory pf thofe Parts giving an Account of feveral Beafts, Birds, Fifties, Rep- tiles, &c. and particularly many Trees, Shrubs and Herbs, with their refpettive Names, Ufes and Virtues \ communicated by a Fellow of the Royal Society, being only to reprefent to the World, how far it would be the Intereft cf England to make an Eftablifhment upon that Continent ; the Product of whofe Bowels enriches the other 'Three Parts of the World. Becaufe I am un- willing to weary the Reader with a tedious Difcourfe upon this Subjeff, I [hall only tell him, in few Words , that if I plainly demonftrate the Thing might be very taftly effected, and that the Advantages that would thereby accrue to the Nation, would more than anfwer their Charges, I think there will remain but little to be faid again]} fo glorious an Undertaking.
"Thai fuch a Thing might be fuccefsfully performed by the Englifh in this prefent Conjuncture and that they would eajfly be able to maintain the?nfelves in the Pojfef fion of that valuable Conqueft, notzvithjlanding the greateft Efforts that the French could be able to make a- gair/i them, can farce well be denied by any Man that he $t the Pains to confider% that we bem^ vafly fa
periour-
The P R E F A C E.
periour to them by Sea, whatever Number of Land- Forces they might be in a Condition to [pare from Eu- rope, 'tis our own Fault if ever they tranfport them thither. And as to the Number of Men that fuch an Expedition would require of us, confidering the favou- rable Difpofition of the Indians (who are entirely our Friends) and the Weaknefs andDivifions of our Enemies^ the Spaniards, / believe it needed 'not be fo confederablt as fome People are apt to apprehend,
For the American Spaniards, accuftomed only to do* mineer and tyrannize their miferable Slaves, have now langui/h9d fuch a confiderable iime in Sloth and Idlenefs^ that it would require fome Tears to innure them to the Hardfhips and Fatigues of War : And under their pre- fent Circumftances, who knows but we might find them lefs averfe to give the Englilh a kind Reception than we are now aware of?
'The Vicinity of the Englifh Colonies to the Spanifh. in America would render it an eafy Matter to them to fupport one another upon all Occafions\ though the Be- nefits that the Kingdom would thereby reap, be in them- fehes apparent, beyond all Poffibility of Contradiction. 1* o conclude : I fhall only defire all Men of Senfe and Judgment to confider how much the Intereft of England would be advanced in Europe by the Addition of the Spanifh Weft-Indies, to their other Acquifitions in America ; fince thereby the common Enemies would be deprived of the mofi certain Fund they have for carrying on the War. In a Word ; the Difficulty and Ex pence are not at all, by any reafonable Man, to be brought in Competition with the Glory and Advantage of fuch an Expedition.
As to the Book it [elf, though it partly bears the Flame of Voyages, you are not to expert a compleat Journal, or Hiftorical Account of all Occurrences in the Scene of my T ravels, but principally as particular a De~ fcription as I could give, of the Ifthmus of Darien„ where -f was left amongfi thf wild Indians : For in the
precedent
The *P R E FACE.
Precedent and fubfequent Relations , I have only briefly represented the Courfe of my Voyages, that the Reader might not be deprived of the Pleafure of knowing by what Adventure I happened to fall into that Country y and how I found Means to make my Efcape out of it.
There now remains but one Thing to be faid % and that is, to tell you, that I think it very convenient to take this Opportunity of vindicating my felf to the Worlds concerning fome Circum/lances in the Relation I have given of the Indian way of conjuring ( called by them Pawawing) and of the White Indians ; at which fever al of the moft e?ninent Men of the Nation feem'd ve- ry much ftartled. But I hope that the Teftimony of all the Scotch Gentlemen and others, who have been there jince me, will be looked upon by all good Men, as a fuffi- dent Authority to confirm the Truth of what I have af feried concerning thofe Matters \ fince none of the?n9 neither by their Writings, nor otherway, have contra- dialed me but, on the contrary 9 confirmed what I have faid in every Article, which has been no fmall Sa- tisfakion to me. And Mr, Davis likewife {who is the jiuihor of theforefaid Relation of the Late Expedition to the Gold Mines ) deft red me, in a late Conference I had with him, to acquaint the JVorld, that if the faid Relation had not been printed off before I talked with him about it, he would himfelf have given a large Ac- count of it ; declaring, that the Pawawing of the Indi-* ans that followed Don Pedro in thai Expedition, was the principal Reafon that indue' d fome of the Eng- lifh, who were more Juperftitious than others, to leave the Mines much fooner than they at firft intended to have done ; becaufe the Uneafinefs in which the Indians then feemed to be, made them likewife apprehenjjve of fome extraordinary Danger from the Spaniards,
$6?
Mr. WaferV Voyages \ and Defcription of the Ifthmus of America.
MY firft going abroad was in the Great Annerht A's of London, Capt. Zachary Browne Comman-fifftVoy* der, bound for Bantam in the Ifle of Java, a8e# in the Eajl-Indies ; in the Year 1677. I was in the Service of the Surgeon of the Ship ; but being then very young, I made no great Obfervations in that Voyage. My Stay at Bantam was not above a Bantam* Month, we being fent from thence to Jamby in the Ifle of Sumatra. At that Time there was a War between the Malayans of Iihor on the Promon- nh0r. tary of Malacca, and thofe of Jamby ; and a Fleet Malacca. of Proe's from Iihor block5d up the Mouth of the River of Jamby. The Town of Jamby is about 100 jamby* Mile up the River : But within 4 or 5 Mile of the Sea, it hath a Port Town on the River, confiding of about 15 or 20 Houfes, built on Pofts, as the Fafhion of that Country is : The Name of this Port is ^uolla ; though this feems rather an Apella-^y^ tive than a proper Name, for they generally call a Port Quolla : And 'tis ufual with our Englifh Sea- men in thofe Parts, when they have been at a Land- ing-place, to fay they have been at the Quolla, call- ing it fo in Imitation of the Natives \ as the Portu- gueze call their Landing-places, Barcadero's. This Barcadero* "War was fome Hindrance to our Trade there ; and we were forc'd to ftay about 4 Months in the Road, before we could get in our Lading ©f Pepper : And
thence
270 Mr. WAFERS Voyages, &c
thence we returned to Bantam, to take in the reft: of our Lading. While I was afliore there, the Ship fail'd for England: So I got a Paflage home in ano- ther Ship, the Bombay, Capt. White Commander ; who being Chief Mate, fucceeded Capt. Bennet, who dy'd in the Voyage. The A's I arrived in England again in the Year 1679. and zd.Voy- after about a Month's Stay, T entred my felt on a a*e' 2d Voyage, in a VefTel commanded by Capt. Buck* enham, bound for the JVeft-Indies. I was there alfo in the Service of the Surgeon of the Ship : But when Jamaica, we came to Jamaica, the Seafon of Sugars being not yet come, the Captain was willing to make a lhort Voyage, in the mean while to the Bay of Campeachy, to fetch Logwood : But having no Mind to go fur- ther with him, I ftaid in Jamaica. It proved well for me that I did fo ; for in that Expedition, the Captain was taken by the Spaniards, and carried Prifoner to Mexico : Where one Rujfel faw him, who was then alfo a Prifoner there, and after made his capt. Efcape. He told me he faw Capt. Buckenham, with Bucken- a Log chain'd to his Leg, and a Basket at his Back, Wortunt drying Bread about the Streets for a Baker his Ma- tter. The Spaniards would never confent to the ranfoming him, though he was a Gentleman who had Friends of a conliderable Fortune, and would have given them a very large Sum of Mony.
I had a Brother in Jamaica, who was imployed under Sir Thomas Muddiford, in his Plantation at the The An- Angels : And my chief Inducement in undertaking geU Plan- this Voyage was to fee him. I ftaid fome time with - and he fettled me in a Houfe at Port-Royal, Al where I followed my Bufinefs of Surgery for fome Months. But in a while I met with Capt. Cook, and Capt. Linch, 2 Privateers who were going out from Cartagena Port-Royal, toward the Coaft of Cartagena, and took me along with them. We met other Priva- teers, on that Coaft \ but being parted from them
by
Mr. WAFERS Voyages, &c 27 i
by Strefs of Weather about Golden- Ijland, in the Samballoe's, we ftood away to the Bafti?nentoys, Golden-u where we met them again, and feveral others, who had been at the taking of Portobel, and were rendef- JJJJjW vouzed there* Here I firft met with Mr, Dampier, Mr. Dam* and was with him in the Expedition into the S. Seas. pier. For in fhort, having mufter'd up our Forces at Golden-IJland, and landed on the Ilihmus, we march'd iflhmus^ over Land, and took Santa Maria ; and made thofe Santa Excurfions into the S. Seas, which Mr. Ringrofe re- lates in the 44th Part of the Hijlory of the Bucca- Hift. of fliers. the Buc.
Mr. Dampier has told, in his Introduction to hisMr.D*^ Voyage Round the World, in what Manner the Com-^*r- pany divided with Reference to Capt. Sharp. I wascapt* of Mr. Dampier 's Side in that Matter, and of thenar/. Number of thofe who chofe rather to return in Boats to the Ifthmus, and go back again a toilfome jfihmusl Journey over Land, than ftay under a Captain in whom we experienced neither Courage nor Condudt. He hath given alfo an Account of what befel us in that Return, till fuch Time as by the Carelefsnefs of our Company, my Knee was fo fcorch'd with Gun- powder, that after a few Days further March, I was left behind among the Wild- Indians, in the Ifthmus of Darien.
It was the 5th Day of our Journey when this Ac-^c a: cident befel me-, being alfo the 5th of May, in theieftinthe Year 1 68 1 . I was fitting on the Ground near one ifibmus. of our Men, who was drying of Gun-powder, in a Silver Plate : But not managing it as he fhould, it blew up and fcorch'd my Knee to that Degree, that His Kne^ the Bone was left bare, the Flefh being torn away, ^mrxU , - and my Thigh burnt for a great Way above it. I apply ed to it immediately fuch Remedies as I had in my Knapfack : And being unwilling to be left be- hind my Companions, I made hard Shift to jog on, and bear them Company for a few Days j during
which
27z Mr. W A F E R's Voyages, &c:
which our Slaves ran away from us, afid among them a Negro whom the Company had allow'd me for my particular Attendant, to carry my Me- dicines. He took them away with him, together with the reft of my Things, and thereby left me deprived of wherewithal to drefs my Sore ; inio- much that my Pain increafing upon me, and being not able to trudge it further through Rivers and Woods, I took leave of my Company, and fet up my Reft among the Darien Indians.
This was on the ioth Day ; and there ftaid with R.Gopfon. me Mr. Richard Go pfon, who had ferved an Ap- prenticelhip to a Druggift in London. He was an ingenious Man, and a good Scholar he had with him a Greek Teftament which he frequently read, and would tranflate extempore into Englifh to fuch of the Company as were difpos'd to hear him. Ano- y. Ring- ther who ftaid behind with me was John Hingfon Ma- fon- riner : They were both fo fatigued with the Jour- ney, that they could go no further. There had been an Order made among us at our firft Landing to kill any who fhould flag in the Journey : But this was made only to terrify any from loitering, and being taken by the Spaniards who by Tortures might extort from them a Difcovery of our March. But this rigorous Order was not executed but the Company took a very kind Leave both of thefe, and of me. Before this we had loft the Company of 2 more of our Men, Robert Spratlin and Willi- am Bowman, who parted with us at the River Con- go, the Day after my being fcorch'd with Gun-pow- der. The PalTage of that River was very deep, and the Stream violent by which Means I was born down the Current, for feveral Paces, to an Eddy in the bending of the River. Yet I got over ; but thefe two being the hindmoft, and feeing with what Difficulty I crofs'd the River, which was ftill rifing, they were difcourag'd from attempting it, and chofe
rather
Mr. WAFER 7 Toy ages, Sccl 273
rather to ftay where they were. Thefe 2 came to me ; and the other 2 foon after the Company's De- parture for the North Sea, as I fliall have Occafion to mention ; fo that there were 5 of us in all who were left behind among; the Indians,
Being now forc'd to ftay among them, and ha-The/«A« ving no Means to alleviate the Anguifh of my4WCUrfi Wound, the Indians undertook to cure me \ and1 cA* apply 'd to my Knee fome Herbs, which they firft chewT'd in their Mouths to the Confiftency of a Pafte, and putting it on a Plantain-Leaf, laid it upon the Sore. This prov'd fo effectual, that in about 20 Days Ufe of this Poukefs, which they applied frefh every Day, I Was perfectly cured \ except only 4 Weaknefs in that Knee, which remain'd long after, and a Benurnmednefs which I fomecimes find in it to this Day. Yet they were not altogether fo kind in other Refpe&s ; for fome of them look'd on us ve- ry fcurvily, throwing green Plantains to us,, as we fat cringing and fhivering, as you would Bones to a Dog. This was but forry Food 5 yet we were forc'd to be contented with it : But to mend our A kind Commons, the young Indian, at whofe Houfe Indian. Were left, would often give us fome ripe Plantains, unknown to his Neighbours ; and thefe were a great Refreshment to us, This Indian, in his Childhood was taken Prifoner by the Spaniards \ and having liv'd fome time among them, he had learn'd a pretty deal of their Language, under the Biihop of Pa- nama, whom he ferv'd there till finding Means to efcape, he was got again among his own Country- men. This was of good Ufe to us ; for we having 1 fmattering of Spanifh^ and a little of the Indians Tongue alfo, by paffing their Country before^ be- tween both thefe, and with the additional Uf e of Signs, we found it no very difficult Matter to undierftand one another. He was truly generous and hofpitable towards us % and fo careful of that if in the
Vol, III T Day-
274 Mr. WAFER'* Voyages, Sec. -
Day-time we had no other Provifion than a few fer- ry green Plantains, he would rife in the Night, and go out by Stealth to the Neighbouring Plantain- walk, and fetch a Bundle of ripe ones from thence, which he would diftribute among us unknown to his Country-men. Not that they were naturally in- clinAl to ufe us thus roughly, for they are generally a kind and free-hearted People ; but they had taken feme particular Offence, upon the Account of our Friends who left us, who had in a Manner awed the Indian Guides they took with them for the Remain- der of their journey, and made them go with them very much againft their Wills ; the Severity of the rainy Seafon being then fo great, that even the In- dians themfelves had no Mind for travelling, tho* they are little curious either as to the Weather or Ways.
When Gopfon^ Hingfon^ and I had lived 3 or 4 n.. sprat- Days in this Manner, the other 2, Spratlin zndBow- lit*- mun% whom we left behind at the River Congo^ on w how- tjie gth Day of our Journey, found their way to us 5 being exceedingly fatigued with rambling fo long among the wild Woods and Rivers without Guides, and having no other Suftenance but a few Plantains they found here and there. They told us G.Camys of George Gainfs Pifafter, whofe drowning Mr. drowning; IMfipur relates p. 17. They faw him lie dead on the Shore which the Floods were gone off from, with the Rope twifted about him, and his Money at his Neck but they were fo fatigued, they car'd not to meddle with it. Thefe after their coming up to us, continued with us for about a Fortnight linger, at the fame Plantation where the main Body of our Company had left us \ and our Provifion was ft] 11 at the fame Rate, and the Countenances of the Indians as ftern towards us as ever, having yet no News of their Friends whom our Men had taken as their Guides, Yet notwichftanding their pifguft,
they
Mr. WAFERS Voyages, 8cc. 27 y
they took care of my Wound ; which by this Time was pretty well healed, and I was enabled to walk about. But at length not finding their Men return as they expefted, they were out of Patience, and feem'd refolved to revenge on us the Injuries which they fuppofed our Friends had done to theirs. To this End they held frequent Confultations how they fhould difpofe of us : Some were for killing us, o- AConfult thers for keeping us among them, and others fort0(ieftro7 carrying us to the Spaniards, thereby to ingratiate ^ c*m- themfelves with them. But the greateft Part ofpani0^s. them mortally hating the Spaniards, this laft Pro- je£t was foon laid afide ; and they came to this Re- folution, to forbear doing any thing to us, till fo much Time were expir'd as they thought might rea- fonably be allow'd for the Return of their Friends, whom our Men had taken with them as Guides to the North Sea-Coaft ; and this, as they computed would be 10 Days, reckoning it up to us on their Fingers.
The Time was now aim oft expir'd, and having Preparati- no News of the Guides, the Indians -began to fufped: that our Men had either murther'd them, or carried them away with them ; and feem'd refolv'd there- upon to deftroy us. To this end they prepared a great Pile of Wood to burn us, on the 10th Day ; and told us what we muft truft to when the Sun went down ; for they would not execute us till then. z
But it fo happened that Lacenta, their Chief, Lacent& paffing that way, diffwaded them from that Cruelty, ^vcs and propofed to them to fend us down towards the1 ein; North-fide, and 2 Indians with us, who might in- form themfelves from the Indians near the Coaft, what was become of the Guides. They readily and fends hearkn'd to this Propofal, and immediately chofe 2 a" Men to conduit us to the North-fide. One of thefeV'ay* had been all along an inveterate Enemy to us but
T .2 the
2j 6 Mr. WAFER'* Voyages, &c.
the other was that kind Indian^ who was fo much oar Friend as to rife in the Night and get us ripe Plantains.
Bad Tra- The next Day therefore we were difmified with our veiling. 2 Guides, and marched joyfully for g Days being well affured we fhould not find that our Men had done any Hurt to their Guides. The firft 3 Days we march' d- through nothing but Swamps, having great Rains,- with much Thundering and Lightning \ and lodg'd every Night under the dropping Trees, upon the cold Ground. The third Night we lodg'd on a fmall Hill, which by the next Morning was become an Ifland : For thofe great Rains had made fuch a Flood, that all the low Land about it was cover5 d deep with Water. All this while we had no Provifi- on, except a Handful of dry Maiz our Indian • Guides gave us the firft 2 Days: But this being fpent, they returned Home again, and left us to fhift for our felves.
At this Hill we remained the 4th Day and on the 5th, the Waters being abated, we fet forward, fleering North by a Pocket Compafs, and marched till 6 a Clock at Night : At which Time we arrived at a River about 40 Foot wide, and very deep. Here we found a Tree fallen jCrofs the River, and fo we believ'dour Men had paft that way \ therefore here we fat down, and confulted what Courfe we fhould take.
They are And having debated the Matter, it was concluded be wild- Upon to crofs the River, and feek the Path in which j they had travelled : For this River running fome- what Northward in this Place we perfwaded our felves we were pad the main Ridge of Land that di- vided the North-part of the Ijlbmtis from the South ; and confequently that we were not very far from the North-Sea. Befides, we did not confider that the great Rains were the only Caufe of the fudden Ri- ling and Falling of > the River; but thought the
Tide
Mr. WAFERS Voyages, Sec. 277
Tide might contribute to it, and that we were not very far from the Sea. We went therefore over the River by the Help of the Tree : But the Rain had made it fo flippery, that 'twas with great Difficulty that we could get over it aftride, for there was no walking on it : And tho' 4 of us got pretty well over, yet Bowman, who was the laft, flipt off, and Bowman the Stream hurried him out of Sight in a Moment, Me to be fo that we concluded he was drown'd. To add to^rown^- our Afflidlion for the Lofs of our Confort, we fought about for a Path, but found none ; for the late Flood had fill'd all the Land with Mud and Oaze, and therefore fince we could not find a Path, we returned again, and paffed over the River on the fame Tree by which we crofs'd it at firft ; intending to pafs down by the Side of this River, which we ftill thought difcharged it felf into the North-Sea. But when we were over, and had gone down with the Stream a Quarter of a Mile, we efpy'd our Companion fitting on the Bank of the River who, when we came to him, told us that the Violence of the Stream hurried him thither, and there, being in an Eddy, he had Time to confider where he was ; and that by the Help of fome Boughs that hung in the Water, he had got out. This Man had at this time 400 Pieces of Eight at his Back : He was a weakly Man, a Taylor by Trade.
Here we lay all Night and the next Day, being Great the 5th of our prefent Journey, we march' d further ^rd" down by the Side of the River, thro' Thickets of llps" hollow Bamboes and Brambles, being alfo very weak for want of Food : But Providence fuffer'd us not to perifh, tho' Hunger and Wearinefs had brought us even to Death's Door : For we found there a Mace aw Tree, which afforded us Berries, ofMaccaw*. which we eat greedily ; and having therewith fome- berries? what fatisfied our Hunger, we carried a Bundle of
Ti 3 them
273 Mr. WAFER'* Voyages, Sec.
them away with us, and continued our march till Night.
They are The next Day, being the 6th, we marched till befct wiih^jn the Afternoon, when we arrived at another Ri- Rivers. vej^ wj1jc]1 p'm>d with that we had hitherto coafted ; and we were now inclos'd between them, on a little Hill at the Conflux of them. This laft River was as wide and deep as the former ; fo that here we were ' put to a Non-plus, not being able to find means to ford either of them, and they being here too wide for a Tree to go a-crofs, unlefs a greater Tree than we were able to cut down; having no They mi- Tool with us but a Macheat or long Knife. This flake their ]aft River alio we fet by the Compafs, and found it way* run due North : "Which confirmed us in our miftake, that we were on the North-fide of the main Ridge of Mountains ; and therefore we refolv'd upon making two Bark-logs, to float us down the River, which we unanimoufly concluded would bring us to the North-Sea Coaft. The Woods afforded us hollow Bamboes fit for our purpofe ; and we cut them into proper lengths, and tied them together with Twigs of a Shrub like a Vine, a great many on the Top of one Another.
By that time we had finifhed our Bark-logs it was Night, and we took up our Lodging on a fmall Hill, where we gathered about a Cartload of Wood, and made a Fire, intending to fet out with our Bark- logs the next Morning. But not long after Sun-fet, Violent it fell a Raining as if Heaven and Earth would Rains. meet % which Storm was accompanied with horrid Claps of Thunder, and fuch Flafhes of Lightning, of a fuiphurous Smell, that we were almoft ftifled in the open Air. Great- Thus it continued till 12 a-Clock at Night; Floods. wjlen to our great Terror, we could hear the Ri- vers roaring on both fides us ; but 'twas fo dark, thap we could fee nothing but the Fire we had made,
except
Mr. WAFERS Voyages, &c. 279
except when a flalh of Lightning came. Then we could fee all over the Hill, and perceive the Water approaching us \ which in kfs than half an Hour carried away our Fire. This drove us all to our fhifts, every Man feeking fome means to fave him- felf from the threatning Deluge. We alfo fought for fmall Trees to climb : For the place abounded with great Cotton Trees, of a prodigious bignefs from the Root upward, and at leaft 40 or 50 Foot clear without Branches, fo that there was no climb- ing up them.
For my own Part, I was in a great Confirmation, The A< and running to fave my Life, I very opportunely ^|™bs a met with a large Cotton Tree, which by fome acci- dent, or thro9 Age, was become Rotten^ and hol- low on one Side \ having a Flole in it at about the Heighth of 4 Foot from the Ground. I immediate- ly got up it as well as I could : And in the Cavity 1 found a Knob, which ferv'd me for a Stool ; and there I fat down almoft Head and Heels together, not having room enough to fland or fit upright. In this condition I fat wifhing for Day : but being fatigued with Travel, though very hungry withal, and cold, I fell afleep : But was foon awaken'd by the Noife of great Trees which were brought down by the Flood ; and came with fuch force againit the Tree, that they made it fhake.
When 1 awoke I found my Knees in the Water, Heisbele though the loweft Part of my hollow Trunk was, ^e^f as I faid, 4 Foot above the Ground ; and the Wa- ter was running as fwift, as if 'twere in the middle of the River. The Night was ftill very Dark, but only when the fiafhes of Lightning came: Which made it fo dreadful and terrible, that I forgot my Hunger, and was wholly taken up with praying to God to fpare my Life. While I was praying and meditating thus on my fad Condition, I faw the Morning-Star appear \ by which I knew that Day
T 4 was
his Com- panions,
iSq Mr. WAFERS Voyages, Seel
.was at hand : This cheared my drooping Spirits ; and in lefs than half an Hour the Day began to The dawn, the Rain and Lightning ceafed, and the Wa- ^J°0<k S°ters abated, infomuch that by that time the Sun was up, the Water was gone off from my Tree.
Then I ventur'd out of my cold Lodging ; but being ftiff and the Ground flipper/, I could fcarce iland : Yet I made a ftiift to ramble to the Place where we had made our Fire, but found no Body there. Then I call'd out aloud, but was anfwer'd only with my own Eccho \ which ftruck fuch Terror into me, that I fell down as dead, being opprefs'd both with Grief and Hunger ; this being the 7th Day of ourFaft, fave only the M^caw-btxn^ be- fore related,
pejneets Being in this Condition, defpairing of Comfort \^Tr 7uh ^Qr want °f my Conforts, I lay fometime on the wet Ground, till at laft I heard a Voice hard by me which in fome fort revived me ; but efpecially when I law Mr. Hmgfon one of my Companions, and the reft found us prefently after; having all fav'd them- felves by climbing fmall Trees, We greeted each other with Tears in our Eyes, and returned Thanks to God for our deliverance*
The firft thing we did in the Morning was to look after our Bark-logs or Rafts which we had left tied to a Tree, in order to profecute our Voyage down (he River 5 but coming to the Place where we left them, we found them funk and full of Water, which had got into the hollow of the Bamboes, con- trary to our Expectation ; for we thought they would not have admitted fo much as Air, but have been like large Bladders full blown: But it feems there were Cracks in them which we did not per- ceive, and perhaps made in them by our Carelefnefs in working them \ for the Veffels made, of thefe hollow Bamboes are wont to hold Water very well.'" " ' \
This
Mr. WAFERS Voyages, &c. 281
This was a new Vexation to us, and how to pro- In danger ;ceed farther we knew not , but Providence ftilt di-of g°inS reded all for the better: For if we had gone down^rn|nc- this River, which we afterwrds underftood to be a mies. River that runs into the River of Cheapo, and fo to- River of wards the Bay of Panama and the South Sea, it cheapo. would have carried us into the midft of our Ene- xnies, the Spaniards, from whom we could expedfc no Mercy.
The Neighbourhood of the Mountains, and - Steepnefs of the Defcent, is the caufe that the Rivers rife thus fuddenly after thefe violent Rains ; but for the fame Reafon they as fuddenly fall again.
But to return to my Story : being thus fruftrated of our Defign of going down the Stream, or of croffing either of thefe Rivers, by Reafon of the finking of our Bark-logs, we were glad to think of returning back to the Indian Settlement, and Coaft- They are ed up the River-fide in the fame Track we earned ^ home by. As our Hunger was ready to carry ourrcturn' Eyes to any Object that might afford us fome Re- lief, it hapned that we efpied a Deer fail afleep : Which we defign'd if poffible to get, and in order ; to it we came fo very near, that we might almoft have thrown our felves on him : But one of our Men putting the Muzzle of his Gun clofe to him, and the ihot not being wadded, tumbled out, juft before the Gun went olf, and did the Deer no hurt ; but flatting up at the Noife, he took the River and fwam over. As long as our way lay by the River fide, we made a fliifc to keep it well enough : But . being now to take leave of the River^ in order to feek for the Indians Habitation, we were much at a lofs. This was the Eighth Day, and we had no Suftenence befide the Maccaw-Bzrrics we had got, and the Pith qf a Bibby-Tree we met with, which |jre fplit and eat very favour]^.
After
zZz Mr. WAFERS Voyages, &c
After a little Confideration what Courfe to fleer next, we concluded it belt to follow the Track of a Pecary or Wild -Hog, hoping it might bring us to lbme old Plantain-Walk or Potato-Piece, which/ thefe Creatures often refort to, to look for Food : This brought us, according to our expectation, to an old Plantation, and in fight of a new one. But here again fear overwhelmed us, being between two Straights, either to ftarve or venture up to the In- The are dian Houfes, whom being fo near, we were now in fear of afraid of again, not knowing how they would re- ans ceive us. But Iince there was no avoiding it, it was concluded that one fhould go up to the Houfe, while the reft ftaid behind to fee the Iffuc. In con- clufion I went to the Plantation, and it proved the fame that we came from. The Indians were all a- mazed to fee me, and began to ask many Queftions: But I prevented them by falling into a Swoon, occafion'd by the heat of the Houfe, and the fcent The indi of the Meat that was boyling over the Fire. The ans re- Indians were very officious to help me in this Extre- them roky,* and when I revived they gave me a little to Ipndly. eat. Then they enquired of me for the other 4 Men; for whom they prefently fent, and brought all but Gobfony who was left a little further off, and treated us all very kindly : For our long~expe£ted Guides were now returned from the North-fide, and gave large Commendations of the Kindnefs and Ge- nerofity of our Men \ by which means all the In- dians were become now again our very good Friends. The Indian who was fo particularly kind to us, perceiving Mr. Gobfon was not yet arrived at the Plantation, carried out Vidtuals to him, and after he was a little refrefhed with that, brought him up to us. So that now we were all together again, and had a great deal of care taken of us.
Here
Afr. WAFERS Voyages, &c. 183
Here we flayed 7 Days to refrelh our felves, and They fet then took our March again : For we were defirousout aSail1, to get to the North-Seas as foon as we could, and they were now more willing to guide us than ever before; fince the Guides our Party took with them, had not only been difmifs'd civilly, but with Pre- fents alfo of Axes, Beads, &c. The Indians there- fore of the Village where we now were, order'd 4 lufty young Men to conduft us down again to the River, over which . the Tree was fallen, who going now with a good will, carried us thither in one Day whereas we were 3 Days the firft time in going thi- ther. When we came thither, we marched about a Mile up the River, where lay a Canoa, into which we all imbarked, and the Indians guided us up the fame River which we before thro* miftake, had ftrove to go down. The Indians padled ftoutly againfl: the Stream till Night, and then we lodged at a Houfe, where thefe Men gave luch large Commendations of our Men, who were gone to the North-Sea, that the Matter of the Houfe treated us after the beft Manner. The next Day we fet out again with 2 Indians more, who made 6 in all, to row or pad- dle us ; and our Condition now was well altered.
In 6 Days time after this^ they brought us to La- centals Houfe, who had before faved our Lives.
This Houfe is fituated on a fine little Hill, on Lacentas which grov/s the ftatelieft Grove of Cotton Trees p*lace. that ever I faw. The Bodies of thefe Trees were Large generally 6 Foot in Diameter, nay fome 8, 9, 10, Cotton 1 1 ; for 4 Indians and my felf took hand in hand Tr€es- round a Tree, and could not fathom it by 3 Foot. Here was likewife a ftately Plantain-walk, and a Grove of other fmall Trees, that would make a Pleafant artificial Wildernefs, if Induftry and Art were beftowed on it.
The
284 Mr. WAFERS Voyages, Sec.
The Circumference of this pleafant little Hill, contains at leaft 100 Acres of Land; and is a Penin- fula of an oval Form, almofk furrounded with 2 great Rivers, one coming from the Eaft, the other from the Weft 5 which approaching within 40 Foot of each other, at the Front of the Peninfula, feparate again, embracing the Hill, and meet on the other Side, making there one pretty large River which runs very fwift. There is therefore but one Way to come in towards this Seat ; which as I before ob- ferved, is not above 40 Foot wide, between the Ri- vers on each Side and 'tis fenced with hollow Bam- boes, Popes- heads and Prickle-pears, fo thick fet from one Side the Neck of Land to the other, that 3tis impofiible for an Enemy to approach it.
On this Hill live 50 principal Men of the Coun- try, all under Lacenta's Command, who is a Prince over all the South-part of the IJlhmus of Darien the Indians both there and on the North-fide alfo, paying him great Refped*: But the South-fide is his Country, and this Hill his Seat or Palace. There is only one Canoa belonging to it, which ferves to ferry over Lacenta and the reft of them. Latent a When we were arrived at this Place, Lacenta dif~ keeps charged our Guides, and fent them back again, tel- them with]jng us^ t{lat 'twas not poffihle for us to travel to the North-fide at this Seafon ; for the rainy Seafon was now in its Heighth, and Travelling very bad ; but told us we fliould ftay with him, and he would take care of us : And we were forc'd to comply with him.
We had not been long here before an Occurrence happened, which tended much to the increafing the good Opinion Lacenta and his People had conceiv'd of us, and brought me into particular Efteemwith
the m ,
Mr. WAFERS Voyages; &c* 2 8 5
It fo happen'd, that one of Lacenta's Wives be- ing indifpofed, was to be let Blood ; which the Indians The indU perform in this Manner : The Patient is feated on Stone in the River, and one with a fmall Bow fhoots Biood^ little Arrows into the naked Body of the Patient, up and down ; fhooting them as faft as he can, and not miffing any Part. But the Arrows are gaged, fo that they penetrate no farther than we generally thruft our Lancets : And if by chance they hit a Vein which is full of Wind and the Blood fpurts out a little, they will leap and skip about, fliewing ma- ny Antick Geftures, by way of Rejoycing and Tri- umph.
I was by while this was performing on Lacsntcfs Lady : And perceiving their Ignorance, told Lacen-jhs A. tay that if he pleafed, I would fliew him a better bleeds Za- way, without putting the Patient to fo much Tor-"*'*'s ment. Let me fee, fays he ; and at his Command een* I bound up her Arm with a Piece of Bark, and with my Lancet breathed a Vein : But this rafh At- tempt had like to have coft me my Life. For La- centa feeing the Blood iffue out in a Stream, which us'd to come Drop by Drop, got hold of his Lance and fwore by his Tooth, that if fhe did any other- wife than well, he would have my Heart's Blood, I was not moved, but defired him to be patient, and I drew off about 12 Ounces, and bound up her Arm, and defired lhe might reft till the next Day : By which Means the Fever abated, and fhe had not another Fit. This gained me fo much Reputation, that Lacenta came to me, and before all his Atten- dants, bowed and kifs'd my Hand. Then the reft came thick about me, and fame killed my Hand, others my Knee, and fome my Foot: After which The A, I was taken up in a Hammock, arid carried on rnuch re~ Men's Shoulders, Lacenta himfelf making a Speech f^.^ ioz in my Praife, and commending me as much fuperi-' ' our to any of their Do&ors, Thus I was carried
about
2 86 Mr. WAFERS Voyages, &c.
about from Plantation to Plantation, and lived in great Splendour and Repute, adminiftring both Phyfick and Phlebotomy to thole that wanted. For though I loft my Salves and Plaifters, when j the Negro ran away with my Knapfack, yet I preferv'd a Box of Inftruments, and a few Medi- ! caments wrapt up in an Oil Cloth, by having them in my Pocket, where I generally carried them.
I lived thus fome Months among the Indians , who in a Manner ador'd me. Some of thefe Indi- ans had been Slaves to the Spaniards ^ and had made their Efcapes ; which I fuppofe was the Caufe of ! their expreffing a Defire of Baptifm : But more to have an European Name given them than for any thing they know of Chriftianity. He goes a During my Abode with Lacenta^ I often accom- Hunting panied him a Hunting, wherein he took great De- wnh La- jjgh^ jiere being good Game. I was one Time a- bout the Beginning of the dry Seafon, accompany- ing him toward theSouth-Eaft part of the Country, and we pafs'd by a River where the Spaniards were GoldRi- gathering Gold. I took this River to be one of thofe vcr. which comes from the Gulph of St. Michael. When we came near the Place where they wrought, we ftole foftly through the Woods, and placing our felves behind the great Trees, looked on them a The way good while, they not feeing us. The Manner of |>f gather- t[ieir getting Gold is as follows. They have little mg Gold. WOO(jen Difhes which they dip foftly into the Water, and take it up half full of Sand, which they draw gently out of the Water ; and every dipping they rake up Gold mix'd with the Sand Water, more or Ids. This they Ihake, and the Sand rifeth, and goes over the Brims of the Dilh with the Water but the Gold fettles to the Bottom. This done they bring it out and dry it in the Sun., and then pound it in a Mortar. Then they take it out and
fpread .
Mr. WAFERS Voyages^ &c 287
fpread it on Paper, and having a Load-ftone they move that over it, which draws all the Iron, from it, and then leaves the Gold clean from Ore or Filth \ and this they bottle up in Gourds or Cala- bashes. In this Manner they work during the dry Seafon, which is 3 Months \ for in the wet Time the Gold is wafhed from the Mountains by violent Rains, and then commonly the Rivers are very deep ; but now in the gathering Seafon, when they are fallen again, they are not above a Foot deep. Having fpent the dry Seafon in gathering, they im- bark in fmall Veffels for Santa Maria Town ; and gant* if they meet with good Succefs and a . favourable Maria. Time, they carry with them, by Report (for I learnt thefe Particulars of a Spaniard whom we The Gold took at Santa Maria under Captain Sharp) 18 or carried to 20000 Pound Weight of Gold : But whether they sfnta Ma~ gather more or lefs, 'tis incredible to report the Store of Gold which is yearly waih'd down out of thefe Rivers.
During thefe Progreffes I made with Lacmta, my 4 Companions ftaid behind at his Seat ; but I had by this Time fo far ingratiated my felf with Lacenta, that he would never go any where without me, and I plainly perceiv'cl he intended to keep me in this Country all the Days of my Life ; which raifed fome anxious Thoughts in me, but I conceal'd them as well as I could.
Purfuing our Sport one Day, it hapned we ftart- ed a Pecary, which held the Indians and their Dogs in Play the greateft Part of the Day ; till Lacenta was almoft fpent for want of Viftuals, and was fo troubled at his ill Succefs that he impatiently wifh'd for fome better Way of managing this Sort of Game.
I now underftood their Language pretty well, A.'
and finding what troubled him, I took this Oppor-f^ve*for 0 7 rr . leave to
Canity depart.
23 8 Mr. W A F E R's Voyages, &c
tunity to attempt the getting my Liberty to depart, by commending to him our Engli/h Dogs, and ma- king an Offer of bringing him a few of them from England, if he would futfer me to go thither for a and 'tis fhort Time. He demurred at this Motion a-while ; granted. j)ut at iength he fwore by his Tooth, laying his Fingers on it, that I fhould have my Liberty, and for my Sake the other 4 with me \ provided I would promife and fwear by my Tooth, that I would re- turn and marry among them ; for he had made me a Promife of his Daughter in Marriage, but fhe was not then marriageable. I accepted of the Con- ditions : And he further promifed, that at my Re- , turn he would do for me beyond my .Expectation.
He returns I return'd him Thanks, and was the next Day towards difmifs'd under the Convoy of 7 lufty Fellows ; and Houfc- S we kac* 4 Women to carry our Provifions, and my Cloaths, which wrere only a Linnen Frock and a pair of Breeches. Thefe I faved to cover my Na- kednefs, if ever I fhould come among Chriftians again f6t at this Time I went naked as the Salvages, and was painted by their Women ; but I would not fuffer them to prick my Skin, to rub the Paint in, as they ufe to do* but only to lay it on in little Specks.
and arrives Thus we departed from the Neighbourhood of there. the South Seas, where Lacenta was hunting, to his Seat or Palace, where I arrived in about 15 Days, ro the great Joy of my Conforts ; who had ftaid there during this hunting Expedition I made with Lacenta to the South-Eaft.
After many Salutations on both Sides, and fome joyful Tears, I told them how I got my Liberty of Lacenta, and what I promifed at my Return and they were very glad at the Hopes of getting away* after fo long a Stay in a Salvage Country,
\
I frayed
Mr. WAFERS Voyages, Sec. 289
I ftaid here fome few Days till I was refrefhed* and then with my Companions marched away for the North-Seas, having a ftrong Convoy of armed Indians for our Guides.
We travelled over many very high Mountains ; The main at laft we came to one furpafiing the reft in Heighth, R,d§e ot to which we were 4 Days gradually afcending, tho' an " now and then with fome Defcent between while. Being on the Top, I perceiv'd a ftrange Giddinefs in my Head ; and enquiring both of my Compani- ons, and the Indians, they all allured me they were in the like Condition ; which I can only impute to the Height of the Mountains, and the Clearnefs of the Air. I cake this part of the Mountains to have been higher than either that which we crofs'd with Captain Sharp, or that which Mr. Damper and the reft of our Party crofs'd in their Return : For from this Eminence, the Tops of the Mountains over which we paffed before, feem'd very much below us, and fometimes we could not fee them for the Clouds between ; but when the Clouds few over the Tops of the Hill, they would break, and then we could difcern them, looking as it were thro' fo many Loop-holes.
I defired 2 Men to lie on my Legs, while I laid my Head over that Side of the Mountain which was mod perpendicular ; but could fee no Ground for the Clouds that were between. The Indians car- ried us over a Ridge fo narrow that we were forced to ftraddle over on our Breeches ; and the Indians took the fame Care of themfelves, handing their Bows, Arrows, and Luggage, from one to ano- ther. As we defcended we were all cured of our Giddinefs.
When we came to the Foot of the Mountain we found a River that ran into the North-Seas, and near the Side of it were a few Indian Houfes, which jn&tani afforded us indifferent good Entertainment, HereScttle"
vol. III. U we
29o Mr. WAFERS Voyages, &c,
we lay one Night, it being the firft Houfe I had feen for 6 Days \ my Lodging by the way being in a Hammock made fall to 2 Trees, and my Co- vering a Plantain-Leaf. They The next Morning we fet forward, and iri 2 Days come to Time arrived at the Sea-fide, and were met by 40
fidV*Ca" °^ t'ie ^ort °^ ^n^ians m thz Country, who congratulated our coming and welcomed us to their Indians in Houfes. They were all in their fineft Robes, which ^Llcir are long white Gowns, reaching to their Ancles, owns* with Fringes at the Bottom, and in their Hands they had half Pikes. But of thefe Things, and fuch o- ther Particulars as I obferv'd during my Abode in this Country, I (hall fay more when I come to de- fer ibe it.
We prefently enquired of thefe Indians when they expected any Ships ? They told us they knew not, The /»- but would enquire ; and therefore they fent for one dians fall of their Conjurers, who immdiately went to work to con)*- to rajfe the Devil, to enquire of him at what Time fl*1' a Ship would arrive here ; for they are very expert and skilful in their Sort of Diabolical Conjurations. "We were in the Houfe with them, and they firft be- gan to work with making a Partition with Ham- Fawawing mocks, that the Pawawers, for fo they call thefe Conjurers, might be by themfelves. They conti- nued fome time at their Exercife, and we could hear them make moft hideous Yellings and Shrieks ; imi- tating the Voices of all their kind of Birds and Beafts. With their own Noife, they joyn'd that of feveral Stones ftruck together, and of Conch-fhells, and of a forry Sort of Drums made of hollow Bam- boes, which they beat upon ; making a jarring Noife alfo with Strings faften'd to the larger Bones of Beafts. And every now and then they would make a dreadful Exclamation, and clattering all of a fudden, would as fuddenly make a Paufe and a profound Silence, But finding that after a confide-
rable
Mr. WAFERS Voyages, Sec. 291
rable Time no Anfwer was made them, they con- cluded that 'twas becaufe we were in the Houfe, and fo turn'd us out, and went to work again. Bun (till finding no Return, after an Hour or more, they made a new Search in our Apartment ; and finding fome of our Cloaths hanging up in a Basket againft the Wall, they threw 'em out of Doors in great Difdain. Then they fell once more to their Pawawing ; and after a little Time they came out with their Anfwer, but all in a Muck-fweat j fo that they firft went down to the River and. waflied themfelves, and then came and delivered the Oracle The An* to us, which was to this Effe6t : That the loth Day i™f^^e from that Time there would arrive 2 Ships ; andj^g that in the Morning of the 10th Day we flhouldhear firft one Gun, and fometime after that another ; that one of us fhould die foon after ; and that go- ing aboard we fhould lofe one of our Guns : All which fell out exaftly according to the Prediction.
For on the 10th Day in the Morning we heard the Guns, firft one, and then another, in that Manner TwoShips that was told us \ and one of our Guns or Fufeesarr^v ^ was loft in going aboard the Ships ; For we 5, and 3 of the Indians went off* to the Ships in a Canoa ; but as we crofs'd the Bar of the River it overfet, where Mr. Gopfon, one of my Contorts, was like to be drowned ; and tho' we recovered him out of the Water, yet he loft his Gun according to the Pre- diction. I know not how this happen'd as to his Gun ; but ours were all lafh'd down to the Side of the Canoa : And in the Weft-Indies we never go in-* to a Canoa but a little Matter overfets, but we make faft our Guns to the Sides or Seats : And I fuppofe Mr. Gopfon, who was a very careful and fenfible Man, had lafh'd down his alfo, tho' not faft enough,
Being
29z Mr. WAFERS Voyages, &c.
Being over-fet, and our Canoa turn'd upfide down, we got to Shore as well as we could, and dragg'd Mr. Gopfon with us, tho' with Difficulty. Then we put off again, and kept more along the Shore, and at They go length flood over to La Sound's Key, where the 2 •off to the Ships lay, an Englifh Sloop, and a Spanifh Tartan, ShlPs' which the Englijh had taken but 2 or 3 Days before. We knew by the Make of this laft that it was a Spanifh Veffel, before we came up with it: But feeing it in Company with an Englifh one, we thought they muft be Conforts ; and whether the Spani/h Veffel fhould prove to be under the Englifh one, or the Englijh un- der that, we were refolv'd to put it to the Venture, and get aboard, being quite tir'd with our Stay a- mong the wild Indians. The Indians were more afraid of its being a Veffel of Spaniards, their Enemies as well as ours : For this was another Particular they told us 10 Days before, when they were Pawawing, that when their Oracle inform'd them that 2 Veffels would arrive at this Time, they underftood by their Daemons Anfwer, that one of them would be an Englijh one j but as to the other, he fpake fo dubi- ously, that they were much afraid it would be a Spanifh one ; and 'twas not without great Difficulty that we now perfwaded them to go aboard with us ; which was another remarkable Circumftance, fince this Veffel was not only a Spani/h one, but actually under the Command of the Spaniards at the Time of the Pawazving, and fome Days after, till taken by the Engli/h.
They and went aboard the Englijh Sloop, and our Indi-
xYieindians an Friends with us, and were receiv'd with a very ^c^ d a_ hearty "Welcome, The 4 Englijhmen with me were prefently known and carefs'd by the Ship's Crew ; but I fat a while cringing upon my Hams among the Indians, after their Fafhion, painted as they were, and all naked but only about the Waift, and with my Nofe-piece (of which more hereafterj hang-
in or
Mr. WAFER 'j Voyages, &c. 29?
ing over my Mouth. I was willing to try if they knew me in this Difguife ; and 'twas the better Part of an Hour before one of the Crew, looking more narrowly upon me, cry'd out, Here's our Doffor ; and immediately they all congratulated my Arrival among them. I did what I could prefently to waihTheA. off my Paint; but 'twas near a Month before ^*p"°ff could get tolerably rid of it, having had my Skin 1S a,nt* io long ftain'd with it, and the Pigment dry'd on in the Suft: And when it did come off, 'twas ufually with the peeling off of Skin and all. As for MxMxGopfm Gopfon^ we brought him alive to the Ship, yet he^es' did not recover his Fatigues, and his drenching in the Water, but having languifh'd aboard about 3 Days, he died there at La Sounds Key ; and his Death verify 'd another Part of the Pawazver's Pre- diction. Our Indians, having been kindly entertain-The indfc ed aboard for about 6 or 7 Days ; and many others^*™*nm of them, who went to and fro with their Wives and Children, and Lacenta among them, vifiting us a- bout a F01 tnight or 3 Weeks, we at length took leave of them, except 2 or 3 of them who would needs go with us to Windward ; and we fet fail, with the Tartane in our Company, firft to the more EafternT^ey
Ides of the Samballoes, and then towards the Coaft*^ l?m r n wards of Lartagene. Cartagem,
But I fhall not enter into the Difcourfe of our
Voyage after this, Mr. Dampier, who was in the fame
VefTel, having done it particularly. It may fuffice
juft to intimate, That I was cruifing with him up The A's
and down the Weft-India Coaft and Ifland, partly ^^"^
under Capt. Wright, and partly under Capt. Tanky *w^nfm
till fuch time as Capt. Tanky left Mr. Darnpier and with Mr.
the reft under Capt. Wright, at the Ifle of Salt Tor^mpUr^
hga, as Mr. Darnpier relates in the 3d Chapter of his^rwith
Voyage round the World, p. 58. I went then awayr*»*y.
with Capt. Tanky firft to the Ifle of AJh where thel.of Jjh,
French tookus, as he relates occafionally. Chap. 4,
U 3 p. 63,
294 Mr. WAFERS Voyages, Sccl
p. 68. as alfo their turning us there aftiore ; our being taken in by Capt.Thy/zVz;/ another Frenchman ; his carrying us with him almoft to Petit-Guaves ; our Men feizing the Ship when he was gone afhore, carrying it back to the Ifle of A(h^ and there taking in the reft of our Crew : The taking the French Ship with Wines, and the other in which Capt. Cook, who was then of our Crew, went afterwards to the South- His Arri- Seas, after having firft been at Virginia : So that we val in arrived in Virginia with thefe Prizes about 8 or 9 Virginia. Months after Mr. Dumpier came thither. I fet out into the *n r^at new Expedition to the South-
S. Seas Seas under Capt. Cooky though he forgot to mention with Mr. me in that Part of his Voyages. We went round jpampier, ^rr& fcl Fuego, and fo up the South-Sea Coaft, along (f bilii Peru, and Mexico^ as he relates at large in his 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Chapters, p. 223. There he tells how Capt. Davis, who had fucceeded Capt. Cook at his Death, broke off Confortlhip with Capt. Swan, whom we had met with in the Southl- and parts Seas. That himfelf being defirous to ftand over to with him the Eaft-Indies, went aboard Capt. Swan : But I remain'd aboard the fame Ship, now under Capt. Davis , and return* d with him the way I came. Some few Particulars that I obferv'd in that Return, I TbisRela-lhall fpeak of at the Conclufion of the Book : In tion dif- tjlc mean while, having given this Summary account €d, to de* °f ^e Courfe of my Travels, from my firft parting fcribe the with Mr. Dampier in the Ifthmus, till my laft leaving jjlhmus. him in the South-Seas, I Khali now go on with the particular Defcription of the Ifthmus of America, which was the main Thing I intended in publishing thefe Relations,
Mr,
Mr. WAFER'; Voyages, &c. 295
Mr. Wafer; 'Defcriptionof the Ifthmus of America.
^Tl HE Country I am going to defcribe is theifthmusot
JL narroweft Part of the Ifth?nus of America, Da"*n*
which is moft peculiarly call'd the Ifthmus of Darien ;
probably, from the great River of that Name,
wherewith its Northern Coaft is bounded to the Eaft : River of
For beyond this River the Land fpreads fo to theS*™*" .
j ± Jixtcnt Of
Eaft and North-Eaft, as that on the other Coaft ^ jjih,
does to the South and South-Eaft, that it can nomus.
further be called an Ifthmus. It is moftly compre- Breadth.
hended between the Latitudes of 8 and 10 N. but its
breadth in the narroweft Part, is much about one
Degree. How far it reaches in length Weftward un- Length;
der the Name of the Ifthmus of Darien whether
as far as Honduras, or Nicaragua, or no further than
the River Chagre, or the Towns of Portobel and
Panama, I cannot fay.
This laft is the Boundary of what I mean to de- fcribe and I fhall be moft particular as to the mid- dle Part even of this, as being the Scene of my A- bode and Ramble in that Country : Tho5 what I fhall have occafion to fay as to this Part of the Ifthmus, will be in fome Meafure applicable to the Country even beyond Panama.
Were I to fix particular Limits to this narroweftBounds of Part of the American Ifthmus, I would affign for its what is WefternTerm, a Line which fhould run from Mouth of the River Chagre, where it falls into the North-Sea, to the neareft Part of the South-Sea, Weftward of Panama ; including thereby that City3 and Portobel, with the Rivers of Cheapo and Chagre, And I fhould draw a Line from Point Garachina, or
U 4 the
296 Mr. WAFERS Voyages, &cJ
the South-part of the Gulph of St. Michael, direft- ly Eaft, to the neareft Part of the great River of ItsSituati- JHurien^ for the Eaftern Boundary, fo as to take on- Caret Bay into the Ifthmus. On the North and v South it is fufficiently bounded by each of thefe vaft Oceans : and confidering that this is the nar- I roweft Land that disjoins them, and how exceeding great the Compafs is that muft be fetched from one ihore to the other by Sea, fince it has the North and South America for each Extreme, 'tis of a very fingu- lar Situation, very pleafantand agreeable. Jflands on Nor doth either of thefe Oceans fall in at once up- each fide, on the Shore, but is intercepted by a great many valuable Iflands, that lie fcatter'd along each Coaft : The Baftimento's and others ; but efpecially the long Range of the Samballoe's, on the North-fide % and Bay of the King's or Pearl Iflands, Perica and others in the Vamma. gay Gf pamma^ Gn the South-fide. This Bay is causM by the bending of the Ifthmus : And for the bignefs of it, there is not, it may be, a more plea- fant and advantageous one any where to be found. The Face The Land of this Continent is almoft every where of the 0f an unequal Surface, diftinguifh'd with Hills and Hms^and Valleys, of great Variety for Heighth, Depth, and Vales. Extent. The Valleys are generally water'd with Waters. Rivers, Brooks, and Perennial Springs, with which the Country very much abounds. They fall fome into the North, and others into the South; and do mod of them take their Rife from a Ridge or Chain Main of higher Hills than the reft, running the length of
in a manner parrallel to the Shore ; which for diftinciionVfake, I Jfhall call the Main Ridge,
This Ridge is of an unequal Breadth, and trends along bending as the Ifthmus it felf doth. 3Tis in mo ft part neareft the Edge of the North-Sea, fel- dom above 10 or 15 Miles diftant. We had always a fair and clear View of the North-Sea from thence,
and
Mr. WAFER V Voyages, &c- 297
and the various Makings of the Shore, together with Fine Prof- the adjacent Iflands, rendered it a very agreeable Pcca- Profpett but the South-Sea I could not fee from any Part of the Ridge. Not that the diftance of it from the South-Sea is fo great, as that the Eye could not reach fo far, efpecially from fuch an Eminence, were the Country between a Level or Champian : But though there are here and there Plains and Valleys of a confiderable Extent and fome open Places, yet do they lie intermix* d with confiderable Hills ; and thofe too fo cloath'd with tall Woods, that they much hinder the Profpeft which would otherwife be. Neither on the other fide is the main Hills to Ridge difcern'd from that Side, by Reafon of thofe the S. of Hills that lie between it and the South-Sea : upon*^*** afcending each of which in our Return from the * South-Sea, we expedted to have been upon the main Ridge, and to have feen the North- Sea. And tho* ftill the further we went that way, the Hills we crofs'd feem'd the larger ; yet by this means, we were lefs fenfible of the Heighth of the main Ridge, than if we had climb' d up to it next way out of a low Country.
On the North-fide of the main Ridge, there are N. fide all either no Hills at all, or fuch as are rather gentle a Foreft. Declivities or gradual Subfidings of the Ridge, than Hills diftind from it : And though this Side of the Country is every where covered with Woods, and more univerfally too, for it is all one continued Fo- reft, yet the Eye from that Heighth commands the lefs diftant Northern Shore with much eafe and Pleafure.
Nor is the main Ridge it felf carried on every Breaks fi where with a continued Top y but is rather a Row the mai* or Chain of diftinft Hills, than one prolonged :RidSe- And accordingly hath frequent and large Valleys disjoining the feveral Eminencies that compofe its length : And thefe Valleys, as they make even the
Ridge
29S Mr. WAFERS Voyages, &c.
Ridge it felf the more ufeful and habitable, fo are they fome of them fo deep in their Defcent, as e~ ven to admit a Paffage for Rivers, For thus the R.Chagre. River Chagre^ which rifes from fome Hills near the South-Sea, runs along in an Oblique North Wefter- ly Courfe, till it finds it felf a Paffage into the North- Sea, tho* the Chain of Hills, if I miftake not, is ex- tended much farther to the Weft, even to the Lake of Nicaragua
The Ri- The Rivers that water this Country are fome of vers, them indifferent large ; though but few navigable, and°kS as havin§ Bars and Sholes at the Mouths. On the Springs of North-Sea Coaft the Rivers are for the moil Part the N. very fmall ; for rifing generally from the main Coaft- Ridge, which lies near that Shore, their Courfe is R of Da-very Ihort. The River of Darien is indeed a very rien. large one ; but the depth at the Entrance is not an- fwerable to the widenefs of its Mouth, though 'tis deep enough further in : But from thence to Cbagre^ the whole length of this Coaft, they are little better River of than Brooks: Nor is the River of Conception any Comep- other, which comes out over-againft La Sound's Key jljzhagre. m ^ Sambalkes. The River of Chagre is pretty con- siderable ; for it has a long bending Coaft, riling as it does from the South and Eaft-part of the Ifthmus, and at fuch- a diftance from its Outlet. But in ge- neral, the North-Coaftis plentifully watered yet it is chiefly with Springs and Rivulets, trickling down from the Neighbouring Hills.
The Soil on this North-Coaft is various , gene- rally 'tis good Land, rifing in Hills ; but to the Sea there are here and there Swamps, yet feldom a- bove half a Mile broad. The Soil Inclufively from Caret Bay, which lies in the by Caret RjVer of Darien^ and is the only Harbour in it, to Bay# the Promontory near Golden I/land^ the Shore of the JJlhmus is indifferently fruitful, partly Sandy Bay ; but part of it is drowned, fwampy, Mangrove Lanct>
where
Mr. WAFERS Voyages, &c. 299
where there is no going afhore but up to the Middle in Mud, The Shore of this Coaft rifes in Hills prefently ; and the main Ridge is about 5 or 6 Miles diftant. Caret Bay hath 2 or 3 Rivulets of frefli Water falling into it, as I am informed ; for I have not been there. It is a little Bay, and two fmall Wands lying before it, make it an indifferent good Harbour, and hath clear Anchoring Ground, without any Rocks. Thefe Iflands are pretty high Land, cloathed with variety of Trees.
To the Weftward of the Cape, at the Entrance B^y near of the River Darien, is another fine fandy Bay. In |^aen^en"of the Cod of it lies a little, low, fwampy Ifland ; th^River about which 'tis fhole Water and dirty Ground, notof Darkn. fit for Shipping ; and the fhore of the Ifthmus be- m the hind and about it, is fwampy Land overgrown with^0*thc Mangroves; till after 3 or 4 Miles the Land afcends up tp the main Ridge. But though the Cod of this Bay be fo bad, yet the entrance of it is deep Wa- ter, and hard fandy bottom, excellent for anchor- ing ; and has 3 Iflands lying before it, which make it an extraordinary good Harbour. The Eaftermoft of thefe 3 is Golden Ifland, a fmall one, with a fairG^» deep Channel between it and the Main. It is rocky and fteep all round to the Sea, fand thereby natu- rally fortified) except only the Landing-place, which Good is a fmall fandy Bay on the South-fide, towards HarD0UYc the Harbour, from whence it gently rifes. It is mo- derately high, and cover'd with fmall Trees or Shrubs. The Land of the Ifthmus oppofite to it, to the South-Eafc, is excellent fruitful Land, of a black Mold, with Sand intermix'd ; and is pretty level for 4 or 5 Mile, till you come to the foot of the Hills. At this place we landed at our going into the South-Seas with Capt. Sharp. I have been afiboYe at this Golden Ifland, and was lying in the Harbour near it for about a Fortnight together be- fore J went into the South-Seas, Near the Ealtern-
Paint
300 Mr. WAFERV Voyages, &c.
Point of the Bay, which is not above 3 or 4 Fur- longs diftant from Golden IJland, there is a Rivulet of very good Water. Another Weft of Golden IJland lies the biggeft of the 3 Ifland. tjiat face t{ie gay . \t jSj as a large low fwampy I-
fland, fo befet with Mangroves, that it is difficult to go afhore ; nor did any of us care to attempt it, having no Bufinefs in fuch bad Ground. It lies ve- ry near a Point of the IJlbmus, which is fuch a Sort of Ground too for a Mile or 2 farther Weil ward ; and fuch alfo is the Ground on the other Side, quite into the Cod of the Bay. This Ifiand is fcarce part- ed from the Ifthmus but at High-water ; and even then Ships cannot pafs between. Ifland of The IJland of Pines is a fmall Ifland to the North fines- of the other 2, making a Kind of Triangle with them. It rifes in 2 Hills, and is a very remarkable Land off at Sea. It is cover'd all over with good tall Trees, fit for any Ufe and has a fine Rivulet of frefh Water. The North of it is rocky, as is the oppofite Shore of the Ijthmus. On the South you go aftiore on the Ifland at a curious Sand-bay, inclofed between 2 Points like a Half-Moon *, and there is very good Riding. You may fail quite round the Ifland of Pines ; but to go to Golden I- fland Harbour, you muft enter by the Eaft-end of Golden Iflands, between that and the Main \ for there is no pafling between it and the great low I- fland.
TheShore From thefe Iflands, and the low fwampy Point to Point: oppofite to them, the Shore runs North- Wefterly to |p*Mto?Point Samballas ; and for the firft 3 Leagues, 'tis guarded with a Riff of Rocks, fome above, and fome under Water, where a Boat cannot go afhore : The Rocks lie fcatter*d unequally in Breadth, for a Mile in fome Places, in others 2 from the Shore. At the North- Weft-End of thefe Rocks, is a fine little fandy Bay, with good anchoring and going
afhore
Mr. WAFER'; Voyages, &c 3oi
afliore, as is reported by feveral Privateers : And the End of the Rocks on the one Side, and fome of the Samkalloes Iflands, (the Range of which begins from hence ) on the other Side, guard it from the Sea, and make it a very good Harbour. This, as well as the reft, is much frequented by Privateers ; and is by thofe of our Country call'd, Tickle fnexkhUtw quickly Harbour. quickly
All along from hence to Point Sanballas^ lie theHarbour- Samballoes Iflands, a great Multitude of them fcat-^w/w tering in a Row, and collaterally too, at very une- qual Diftances, fome of one, fome 2, or 2 Mile and a half, from the Shore, and from one another ; which, with the adjacent Shore, its Hills and perpe- tual Woods, make a lovely Landfchape off at Sea. There are a great many more of thefe Iflands than could well be reprefented in the Map ; fome of them alfo being very fmall. They feem to lie parcell'd out in Clufters, as it were ; between which general- ly, there are navigable Channels, by which you may enter within them \ and the Sea between the whole Range and the Ifihmus is navigable from End to End, and affords every where good anchoring, in hard fandy Ground, and good Landing on the Iflands and Main. In this long Channel, on the In- fide of fome or other of thofe little Keys or Iflands, be the Winds how they will, you never fail of a good Place for any Number of Ships to ride at ; fo that this was the greateft ^Rendezvous of the Priva-l4 Sounj>s teers on this Coaft but chiefly La Sound's Key, orKey. Springer's Key, efpecially if they ftaid any Time springer 9 here ; as well becaufe thefe 2 Iflands afford a goodKey% Shelter for careening, as becaufe they yield Wells of frefli Water upon digging, which few of the reijt do. The Sa??tballoe9s are generally low, flat, fandy Iflands, cover'd with Variety of Trees ; [efpecially Trees in with Mammees, Sapadilloes, and Manchineel, &c.the$*m- beade the Shell-fifh, and other Refreshments they'4""'-
afford
soz Mr. WAFERS Voyages, &c.
afford the Privateers.] The outermoft Keys to- wards the main Sea, are rocky on that Side (and are called the Riffe Keys ;) their oppofite Sides are fandy, as the innermolt Keys or Iflands are. And there is a Ridge alfo of Rocks lying off at Sea on the Out- fide, which appear above Water at fome half a Mile diftance, and extend in length as far as ha Sound's Key, if not farther, and even the Sea between, and the Shore of the Samb allocs it felf on that Side, is all rocky. Channel The long Channel between the Samballoes and the ofthe. Iftbmus is of 2, 3 and 4 Miles breadth; and the Samba fc"g]lore Qf t]ie Ijlhmus is partly Sandy Bays, and part- ly Mangrove Land, quite to Point Samballas. The Mountains are much at the fame Diftance of 6 or 7 R. of c^- Mile from the Shore ; but about the River of Con- cej?ttonzri&ception^ which comes out about a Mile or 2 to the Coaft! Eaftward of La Sound's Key, the main Ridge is fomewhat further diftant. Many little Brooks fall into the Sea on either Side of that. River, and the Outlets are fome of them in the Sandy Bay, and fome of them among the Mangrove Land ; the Swamps of which Mangrove are fon this CoaftJ made by the Salt Water, fo that the Brooks which come out there are brack ifh ; but thofe in the Sandy Bay yield very fweet Water. None of thefe Out- lets, not the River of Conception it felf, are deep enough to admit of any Velfel but Canoas, the Ri- vers on this part of the Coaft being numerous but fhallow but the fine Riding in the Channel makes Good any other Harbour needlefs. I have been up and Landing, down moft Parts of it, and upon many of the I- (lands, and there the going afhore is always eafy. But a Sea-wind makes a great Sea fometimes fall in upon the Ijlhmus^ efpecially where a Channel o~ pens between the Iflands fo that I have been over- let in a Canoa going afhore in one River, and in put- ting off to Sea from another. The Ground herea-
abouts
Mr. WAFERS Voyages, &c. 303
bouts is an Excellent Soil within Land, rifing up gently^to the main Ridge, and is a continued Foreft of ftately Timber-Trees.
Point Sanballas is a rocky Point, pretty long and Point San* low, and is alfo fo guarded with Rocks for a Mile**'*"* off at Sea, that it is dangerous coming near it. From hence the Shore runs Weft, and a little Nor- therly, quite to PortobeL About 3 Leagues Weft- ward from this Point lies Port Scrivan. The Coaft between them is all rocky, and the Country within Land all woody, as in other Parts.
Port Scrivan is a good Harbour, when you zxt Scrivan^ got into it; but -the Entrance of it, which is fcarcePort- a Furlong over, is fo befet with Rocks on each Side, but efpecially to the Eaft, that it is very dan- gerous going in : Nor doth there feem to be a Depth of Water fufficient to admit Veflels of any Bulk, there being in moft Places but 8 or 9 Foot Water. The Infide of the Harbour goes pretty deep within the Land and as there is good Riding, . in a fandy Bottom, efpecially at the Cod of it, which is alfo fruitful Land, and has good frefli Water, fo there is good Landing too on the Eaft and South, where the Country is low for 2 or 3 Miles, and very firm Land ; but the Weft-fide is a Swamp of red Mangroves. It was here at this Red Mat^ Swamp, as bad a Paffage as it is, that Capt. Coxon, groves. La Sound, and the Privateers landed in the Year 1678-9, when they went to take PortobeL They had by this Means a very tedious and wearifome March ; but they chofe to land at this Diftance from the Town, rather than at the Baftimento's or any nearer Place, that they might avoid being difcover'd by the Scouts which the Spaniards always keep in their Neighbourhood, and fo might furprize them. And they did, indeed, by this Means avoid being difcern'd, till they came within an Hour's March of the Town ; tho* they travelled along the Coun- try
304 Mr. WAFERS Voyages, Sec.
try for 5 or 6 Days. The Spaniards make no Ufe of this Pore Scrivan ; and unlefs a Privateer, or a rambling Sloop put in here by Chance, no Veffel vifits it in many Years.
From Port Scrivan to the Place where flood for- merly the City of A 1 ombre de Dios, 'tis further Weft- ward about 7 or 8 Leagues. The Land between is very uneven, with fmall Hills fteep againft the Sea; the Valleys between them watered with forry little Rivers. The Soil of the Hills is rocky, producing but fmall fhrubby Trees ; the Valleys are fome of good Land, fome of Swamps and Mangroves. The main Ridge here feems to lie at a good Di- ftance from the Sea for it was not difcernible in this March of the Privateers along the Shore to Por- Kcrnfa-edetobel. The Place where Nombre de Dios ftood is the Bios. Bottom of a Bay, clofe by the Sea, all over-grown with a Sort of Wild-Canes, like thofe us'd by our Anglers in England. There is no Sign of a Town remaining, it is all fo over-run with thefe Canes. The Situation of it feems to have been but very in- different, the Bay before it lying open to the Sea, and affording little Shelter for Shipping ; which I have heard was one Reafon why the Spaniards for- fook it : And another, probably, was the Un- healthinefs of the Country it felf, it being fuch low fwampy Land, and very fickly ; yet there is a Ri- vulet of very fweet Waters which runs clofe by the Eaft-fide of the Town. The Mouth of the Har- bour is very wide ; and tho* I have heard that there lie before it 2 or 3 little Keys, or Rocks, yet they afforded no great Security to it. So that the Spani- ards were certainly much in the right, for quitting this Place to fettle at Portobel which tho* it be al- fo an unhealthy Place, yet has it the Advantage of a rery good and defenfible Harbour,
About
of the Ifthmus of America. 305
About a Mile or 2 to the Weftward of thefe fmall Iflands, at the Mouth of the Bay of Nomhre de DioS) and about half a Mile or more from the Shore, lie a few Iflands call'd the Baftimento's^ forf- Vafi}~ the moft part pretty high, and one peeked, and ^\\mentot' cloath'd with Woods. On one of them, (part of which alfo was a fandy Bay, and a good Riding and Landing-place; there is a Spring of very good Water. I was afhore at this Ifland, and up and down among the reft of them ; and all of them to- gether make a very good Harbour between them and the Ifthmus. The Bottom affords good ancho- ring ; and there is good coming in with the Sea- wind between the Eaftermoft Ifland and the next to it, and going out with the Land-wind the fame way, this being the chief Paflage. Further Weft, before you come to PortGbel, lie 2 fmall Ifiands, flat, and Two o- without Wood or Water. They are pretty clofcthcr Illef* together ; and one of them I have been afhore up- on. The Soil is fandy, and they are environ'd with Rocks towards the Sea ; and they lie fo near the Ifthmus that there is but a very narrow Channel be- tween, not fit for Ships to come into.
The Shore of the Ifthmus hereabouts confifts moftly of fandy Bays, after you are paft a Ridge of Rocks that run out from the Bay of Nombre de Di- Cs^ pointing toward the Baftimento's. Beyond the The Baftirnento's to Portobel^ the Coaft is generally Neigh- rocky. Within Land the Country is full of high^nJf and fteep Hills, very good Land ; moft woody, the unlefs where cleared for Plantations by Spanifh Indi-mus. Wf, tributary to Portobel^ whither they go tof^f3ln^ Church. And thefe are the firft Settlements on iam% this Coaft under the Spanifh Government, and lie fcattering in lone Houfes or little Villages, from hence to Portcbel and beyond \ v/ith fome Look- outs or Watches kept towards the Sea, for the Safe- ty of the Town. In all the reft of the North-fide
Vol. IIL X of
3 o6 Mr. WAFER V T>efcri$tiori.
of the Ifthmus, which I have defcribed hitherto, the
Spaniards had neither Command over the Indians r nor Commerce with them while I was there, though there are Indians inhabiting all along the Continent yv. one has told me fince, that the Spaniards have won them over to them. portobeL r or label is a very fair, large and commodious TheHar- H rbour, affording good Anchoring and good hour. Shelter for Ships, having a narrow Mouth, and fp reading wider within. The Galleons from Spain find good Riding here during the Time of their Bufmefs at Portobel% for from hence they take in 1 fucb of the Treafures of Peru as are brought thither TheForts. over Land from Panama, The Entrance of this Harbour is fecur'd by a Fort upon the left Hand going in ; it is a very ftrong one, and the Paffage is made morefecure by a Block-Houfe on the other Side, oppofite to it. At the Bottom of the Har- bour lies the Town, bending along the Shore like a Half-moon : In the Middle of which upon the Sea is another fmall low Fort, environed with Houfes, except only to the Sea : And at the Weft-end of the Town, about a Furlong from the Shore, upon a gentle Rifing, lies another Fort, pretty large and very ftrong, yet over looked by a Neighbouring Hill further up the Country, which Sir Henry Mor- gan made ufe of to, take the Fort. In all thefe Forts there may be about 2 or 300 Spanifh Soldiers in Gar- The rifon. The Town is long and narrow, having two Town, principal Streets befides thofe that go a-erofs with a fmall Parade ab6ut the Middle of it, furrounded with pretty fair Houfes. The other Houfes alfo and Churches are pretty handfome, after the Spani/h Make. The Town lies open to the the Country without either Wall or Works ; and at the Eaft- Road to fide of k, where the Road to Panama goes out (be- Panama. caufe 0f Hills that lie to the Southward of the Town, and obftrudt the direct Paffage) there lies a
of the Ifthrnus of America. 307
long Stable running North and South from the Town to which it joins. This is the King's Stable The Krs for the Mules that are imployed in the Road betwixt StabIe- this and Panama. The Governour's Houie is clofe The Go- by the great Fort, on the fame Rifing, at the Weft vemour's of the Town. Between the Parade in the Middle Houfc- of the Town, and the Governour's Houfe, is a little Creek or Brook, with a Bridge over it *, and at the Eaft-end, by the Stable, is a fmall Rivulet of Rivulet, frefh Water. I have already faid that it is an un- Bad Air. healthy Place. The Eaft-fide is low and fwampy and the Sea at low Water leaves the Shore withiri the Harbour bare, a great way from the Houfes •> which having a black filthy Mud, it ftinks very much, and breeds noifom Vapours, through the Heat of the Climate. From the South and the Eaft-fides the Country rifes gently in Hills, which are partly Woodland and partly Savannah ; but there is no great Store either of Fruit-trees or Plan- tations near the Town. This Account I have had from feveral Privateers juft as they return3d from Portobel ; but I have not been there my felf
The Country beyond this Weft-ward, to theThe^oaft Mouth of the River Chagre, I have feen off at Sea : ^^JJ2L But not having been afliore there, I can give no o- ther Account of it, but only that it is partly hilly, and near the Sea very much fwampy and I have heard by feveral that there is no Communication between Portobel and the Mouth of that River.
I have been yet further Weftward on this Coaft, before I went over the Ifthrnus with Capt. Sharp, ranging up and down and carreening at Bocca Toro Boca Tor* and Bocca Drago y but this is without the Verge of an<* Bo"* thofe Bounds I have fet my felf. Dr**°-
Having thus furvey'd the North-Coaft of the The s. Sea Ifthmus, I fhall take a light View of the South al- lb: But I fhall the lefs need to be particular in it, *
X 2 becaufe
jo8 Mr. WAFER; *Defcription
becaufe Mr. Dampier hath in fome Meafure de- fcrib'd this part of it in his Voyage round the World. Point G*- To begin therefore from Point Garachina, which raehina. makes the Weft-fide of the Mouth of the River of Sambo i this Point is pretty high faft Land ; but within towards the River, it is low, drowned Man- Cape St. grove, and fo are all the Points of Land to Cape Lorenzo. Saint Lorenzo.
r. sambo* The River of Sambo I have not feen ; but it is faid to be a pretty large River. Its Mouth opens to the North ; and from thence the Coaft bears
Gulph of North -Eaft to the Gulph of St. Michael This
S. M'uhael Gulph is made by the Outlets of feveral Rivers, the inoft noted of which are the River of Santa Maria , and the River of Congo \ tho' there are o- thers of a confiderable Bigneis. Of thefe Rivers, to the Southward of Santa Maria, one is called
Gold R. the Gold River, affording Gold Duft in great Plen- ty f For hither the Spaniards of Panama and Santa Maria Town bring up their Slaves to gather up the Gold Duft.
"R. Santa, The next to the Gold River is that of Santa Ma- Mana. r'ia^ fQ called from the Town of that Name feated on the South-fide of it, at a good Diftance from the Sea. It was along this River we came, when we firft entred the South Seas withCapt. Sharp, Hand- ing over it, from the Bay by Golden Ifland, where we Santa landed. We then took the Town of Santa Maria Maria \n our way ; which was garrifon'd with about Tovvn' 200 Spanifh Soldiers, but was not very ftrong, ha- ving no Walls and the Fort it felf was fecur'd with Stockadoes only, or Pallifadoes. This is but a new Town, being built by the Spaniards of Pana- ma, partly for a Garrifon and Magazine of Provisi- on, and partly for Quarters of Refreftiment, and a retiring Place for their Workmen in the Gold Ri- The ver. The Country all about here is woody and Country ]ow? aiMj very unhealthy 5 the Rivers being fo oazy,
of the Ifthmus of America.' 309
i that the fcinking Mud infe&s the Air: But the little [ Village of Scuchadero lies on the Right-fide of the River of Santa Maria, near the Mouth of it, is™V* feated on faft rifing Ground, open to the Gulph of St. Michael, and admitting frefh Breezes from the Sea fo that this is pretty healthy and ferves as a place of Refrefhment for the Mines 5 and has a fine Rivulet of very fweet Water whereas thofe Ri- vers are brackifh for a confiderable way up the Country.
Between Scuchadero and Cape St. Lorenzo, which R.C^*. makes the North-fide of the Gulph of St. Michael, the River of Congo falls into the Gulph ; which Ri- ver is made up of many Rivulets, that fall from the Neigbouring Hills, and join into one Stream. The Mouth of it is muddy, and bare for a great v/ay at low Water, unlefs jufl in the Depth of the Channel \ and it affords little Entertainment for Shipping. But further in, the River is deep enough ; fo that Ships coming in at high Water might find it a very good Harbour, if they 1 lacl any Bufinefs here. The Gulph it felf hath feveral I- Gulph of fiands in it ; and up and down in and about them, St. Mi* there is in many Places very good Riding ; for€**ae*" the mod Part in oazy Ground. Thelfiands alio, efpecially thofe towards the Mouth, make a good Shelter ; and the Gulph hath room enough for a Multitude of Ships. The Sides are evfcry where furrounded with Mangroves, growing in wet fwam- py Land.
North of this Gulph is a fmall Creek, where we The Land landed at our Return out of the Seas \ and the Land to the N. between thefe is partly fuch Mangrove Land as the°f ^ other, and partly Sandy-Bays. From thence' the » Land runs further on North, but gently bending to the Weft : And this Coaft alfo is much fuch a mix- ture of Mangrove Land and Sandy Bay quite to the River Cheapo ^ and in many Places there are
X 3 ' Sholeai
316 Mr. WAFERS Defcription
Sholes, Sholes, for a Mile, or half a Mile off at Sea. In feveral parts of this Coaft, at about 5 or 6 Miles diftance from the Shore there are fmall Hills ; and the whole Country is covered with Woods. I know but one River worth obferving between Congo and Cheapo : Yet there are many Creeks and Out- lets but no frefh Water, that I know of, in any part of this Coaft, in the dry Seafon ; for the Stag- nancies and Declivities of the Ground, and the very Droppings of the Trees, in the wet Seafon, afford Water enough. R. Cheapo. Cheapo is a considerable River, but has no good entring into it for Sholes. Its Courfe is long, rifing near the North-Sea, and pretty far from towards The Land the Eaft. About this River the Country fomething ^er^# changes its Face, being Savannah on the Weft fide
though the Eaft-fide is Wood-land, as the other. cheapo T. Cheapo Town Hands on the Weft- fide, at fome dif- tance from the Sea ; but is fmall, and of no great Confequence. Its chief Support is from the Paftu- rage of black Cattle in the Savannahs. $zvm~ Thefe Savannahs are not level, but confift of aahs, fma|l Hills and Valleys, with fine Spots of Woods intermixed \ and from fome of thefe Hills not far jL.cfagre. from Cheapo , the River of Chagre, which runs into the North-Sea, takes its rife. It runs Weft for a while y and on the South-fide of it, at no great di- yentade ftance from Panama, is Venta de Cruxes, a fmall Cruwu Village 5 of Inns and Store-houfes ; whither Mer- chandises that are to be fent down the River Chagre are cafriejd from Panama by Mules, and there em- barked in Canoa's or Pereagoe's ; but the Plate is Carriage carried all the way by Land on Mules, to Portobeh toPorsobel Xhe Country here alfo is Savannah and Woodland intermixed ; with thick Ihort Hills, efpecially to- wards Panama,
Between
of the Ifthmus 'of America." jii
Between the River of Cheapo and Panama^ fur- ther Weft, are 3 Rivers, of no great Confequence, 3 Rivers, lying open to the Sea. The Land between is low even Land, molt of it dry, and cover'd here and there by the Sea, with lliort Buflies. Near the mod Wefterly of thefe Old Panama was feated, once a°M^ large City •, but nothing now remains of it befides^* Rubbifh, and a few Houfesof poor People. The Spaniards were weary of it, having no good Port or Landing-place ; and had a defign to have left it, be- fore it was burnt by Sir Henry Morgan. But then they no longer deliberated about the Matter ; but inftead of rebuilding it, rais'd another Town to the Weft ward, which is the prefent City of Panama. The River of Old Panama runs between them; but \l. of pa- rather nearer the new Town than the Old $ and into*****, this River fmall Barks many enter.
The chief advantage which New Panama hath a- New Pa- bove the Old, is an excellent Road for fmall Ships, nama- as good as a Harbour ; for which it is beholden to The Har- the Shelter of the neighbouring Ifles of Perica,h°w> which lie before it, 3 in Number, in a row parallel ^otPt to the Shore. There is very good anchoring be- tween, at a good diftance from the Town ; but be- tween the Road and the Town is a Shole or Spit of shole. Land fo that Ships cannot come near the Town, but lie neareft to Perica \ but by this means the Town has them lefs under command. Panama ftands on a level Ground, and is furrounded with a high Wall, efpecially towards the Sea. It hath no Fortbefides the Town-Walls upon which the Sea, which wafhes it every Tide, beats fo ftrongly, fometimes, as to throw down a part of them* It Fine Pro- makes a very beautiful Profped oif at Sea, theU^elot Churches and chief Houfes appearing above the Fanama° reft. The Building appears white ; efpecially the Walls, which are of Stone ; and the Covering of the Houfe? red, for probably they are Pan-tile, which
X 4 y h
Panama.
li z Mr. WAFERS Ttefcription
is much ufed by the Spaniards all over the Weft- Indies. The Town is furrounded wit'h Savannahs, gentle fiat Hills, and Copfes of Wood, which add much to the Beauty of the Profpeft ; and among Eftantions thefe are fcattered here and there fome Eftantions or Farm-houfes for the managing their Cattle, which The great are Beeves, Horfes and Mules. This Town is the reiort to great Rendezvous of this Part of the South-Sea Coaft ; being the Receptacle of the Treafures from Lima, and other Sea-ports of Peru ; trading alfo towards Mexico, though very little beyond the Gulphof Nicaragua. The King of Spain hath a Prefident here, who a£ts in Concert with his Coun- cil ; and the Governour of Portobel is under him. His Jurifdiftion comprehends Nata, Ravelia, Leon? Realeja, &c. till he meets with the Government of Gnatimalce and Eaftward he commands over as much of the Ifthmus, on both Seas, as is under the Spaniards. The place is very fickly, though it lies in a Country good enough ; but poffibly 'tis only fo to thofe who come hither from the dry pure Air of Lima and Truxillio, and other parts of Peru ; who grow indifpos'd prefently, and are forc'd to cat off their Hair. Yet is it very healthy in com- parison of Portobel.
About a League to the Weft of Panama is ano- ther River, which is pretty large, and is called by JttfGVawfefome Rio Grande. It is fhole at the Entrance, and runs very fwift ; and fo is not fit for Shipping. On the Weft-banks of it are Eftantions and Plantati- ons of Sugar ; but the Shore from hence begin- ning to trend away to the Southward again, I fhall here fix my Weftern Boundary to the South-Sea Coaft of the Ifthmus, and go no further in the De- fcription of it.
The Shore between Point Garachina and this Ri- ver, and fo on further to Punt a Mala, makes a ve- ry regular, and more than femiciijcular Bay, called
/ by
Its Jurif-
Bad Air.
of the Ifthmus of America. 313
by the Name of the Bay of Panama. In this Bay of are feveral as fine Iflands, as are any where to be Panama. found, the Kings or Pearl Iflands, Pacheque, Cbe- pelioj Perica, &c. with great Variety of good Ri- ding for Ships : Of all which Mr. Dampur hath gi- ven a particular Account in the 7th Chapter of his Voyage round the World ; fo that I fhall forbear to fay any thing more of them. 'Tis a very noble de- lightful Bay ; and as it affords good Anchoring and Shelter, fo the Iflands alfo yield Plenty of Wood, •Water, Fruits, Fowls, and Hogs, for the Ac- commodation of Shipping,
The Soil of the Inland part of the Country is The Soil generally very good, for the mofl part of a black fruitful Mould. From the Gulph of St. Michael, to the Ridge of Hills lying off Caret Bay, it is a Vale Country, well water'd with the Rivers that fall into that Gulph : But near the Gulph 'tis very fwampy and broken, fo as that it is fcarce poffible to travel along the Shore thereabouts. Weftward of the River of Congo, the 'Country grows mere hilly and dry, with pleafant and rich Vales inter- mixed, rill you are paft the River Cheapo and thus far the whole Country is all, as it were, one conti- nued Wood. The Savannah Country commences here, dry and grafly with fmall Hills and Woods intermix'd : And the Hills are every where fertile to the Top (though more fruitful nearer the Bot- tom) and even the Tops of the main Ridge are cover'd with very flourishing Trees. Yet the Hills from which the Gold Rivers fall, near Santa Maria, are barren towards the Top, and bear fhort Shrubs fcatter'd here and there. The Soil feems capable of any Productions proper to the Climate: I be- lieve we have nothing that grows in Jamaica but what would thrive here alfo, and grow very lux- uriantly, confidering the exceeding Richnels of the Soil;
The
3 14 Mr, WAFERS T>efcription
The The Woods of this Country are not the fame
woods. on the Tops or S}des of the Hills in the Inland
Country, as they are near the Sea, For in the drier and more rifing Inland Country, the Woods are ra- ther a large Foreft of Timber-trees, or a delightful Grove of Trees of feveral kinds, very large and tall, with little or no Under-wood : And the Trees are placed at fuch a Diftance from each other, as that a Horfe might gallop among them for a great way, and decline them with eafe. The Tops of thefe Trees are generally very large and fpreading ; and, I prefume, 'tis the Shade and Dropping of thefe which hinder any thing elfe from growing in the rich Ground among them : For in the open Sa- vannahs, or where the Ground is cleared by Induf- try for Plantations, there grow fmaller Vegetables Swampy in greater Abundance. But on the Sea-Coaft9 ihicivecs. where the Soil is often fwampy drown'd Land, efpe- cially near the Mouths of Rivers, the Trees are not tall but fhrubby as Mangroves, Brambles, Bam- boes, £5?*; not growing in the manner of Groves or Arbours, fcattering at convenient Diftances \ but in a continued Thicket, fo clofe fet, that 'tis a very difficult Matter to work one's way through thefe MorafTes.
TheWea- The Weather is much the fame here as in other tlier- Places of the Torrid Zone in this Latitude, but in- Seafon of clining rather to the wet Extreme, The Seafon of the Rains. Rajns begins in April or May \ and during the Months of June, July and Auguft, the Rains are very violent. It is very hot alfo about this Time, where-ever the Sun breaks out of a Cloud s For the Air is then very fultry, becaufe then ufually there are no Breezes to fan and cool it, but it is all glowing hot. About September the Rains begin to abate : But 'tis November or December^ and, it may be, part of January e're they are quite gone : So th^c 'tis a very wet Country, and has Rains for 2
Thirds^
of the Ifthmus of America. 315
Thirds, if not 3 Quarters of a Year. Their firfl: coming is after the Manner of our fudden April Showers, or hafty Thunder Showers, one in a Day at firft. After this, 2 or 3 in a Day ; at length a Shower almoft every Hour ; and frequently ac- companied with violent Thunder, and Lightning : Thunder During which Time, the Air has often a faint ful- andLight- phureous Smell, where pent up among the Woods. ninS-
After this variable Weather, for about 4 or 6 Weeks, there will be fettled continued Rains of fe~ veral Days and Nights, without Thunder and Lightning, but exceeding vehement, confidering the Length of them. Yet at certain Intervals be- tween tftefe, even in the wetteft of the Seafon, there will be feveral fair Days intermix'd, with on- ly Tornado's or Thunder-Showers; and that ibmetimes for a Week together. Thefe Thunder- Showers caufe ufually a fenfible Wind, by the Clouds preffing the Atmofphere, which is very re~ frefhing, and moderates the Heat : But then this Wind fhaking the Trees of this continued Foreft, their dropping is as troublefome as the Rain it felf. When the Shower is over, you fhajl hear a great way together the Croaking of Frogs and Toads, the humming of Moskito's or Gnats, and the hif- fing or fhriekings of Snakes and other Infedts, loud and unpleafant ; fome like the quacking of Ducks, The Moskitoes chiefly infeit the low Moskuou fwampy or Mangrove Lands, near the Rivers or Seas ; But however, this Country is not fo pefter'd with that uneafy Vermin, as many other of the warm Countries are* * When the Rains fall a- Land- mong the Woods, they make a holloWL^^ ratling Floods^ found : But the Floods caus'd by them often bear down the Trees ; as I obferv'd in relating my Paf- iage over Land. Thefe will often barricado and dam up the River, till 'tis clear'd by another Flood that Hull fee the Trees all afloat again, Sometimes
• * alfo
r
3i6 Mr. WAFERS Ttefcription
alfo the Floods run over a broad Plain ; and for the Time make it all like one great Lake. The cooleft Time here is about our Chriftmas, when the fair Weather is coming on.
Of the Trees, Fruits , &c. in the lfthmus of
America.
Trees, o^. AS this Country is very woody, fo it contains XV great Variety of Trees, of feveral Kinds un- known to us in Europe, as well Fruit-Trees as o- thers.
Cotton- The Cotton-T ree is the largeft: of any, and grows Trees. 'm great p]enty in moft parts of the lfthmus ; but I do not remember that I have feen it in the Sambal- loeSj or any other of the adjacent IJlands. It bears a Cod about as big as a Nutmeg, full of Ihort Wool or Down, which when ripe burfts out of the Cod, and is blown about by the Wind, and is of little ufe. . The chief Advantage that is made of thefe Trees, is by forming them into Canoas or Pe- riago's; which laft differ from the other as Lighters and fmall Barges do from Wherries, The Indians burn the Trees hollow ; but the Spaniards hew and chizzel them ; and the Wood is very foft and eafy to work upon, being fofter than Willow. Cedar. The Cedars of this Country are valuable for their heighth and largenefs ; there -are very ftately ones on the Continent, but I remember not any in the Iflands. They grow towards each of the Sea-Coafts, but efpecially towards the North. The Wood is very red, of a curious 'fine Grain, and very fra- grant. But thefe are put to no better ufe than the "Cotton-Threes, ferving only to make Canoas and Pe-
riago's:
of the Ifthmus of America. 317
rlago's : And their Plenty you may judge of by this, that if the Indians want to cut one for a Ca- noa, they will not trouble themfelves about any a Furlong off, tho' never fo fine having enough u- fually to fell by the Side of the River into which they intend to launch it.
There are on the Continent feveral Trees of thcMaccaw- Palm-kind, of which fart we may reckon the Mac- tree- caiv-tree. It grows in great Plenty in fwampy or moift Grounds ; and I remember not that I faw them any where but on the South-fide of the lfth- mus, which is moftly of fuch a Soil. It is not very tall, the Body rifing ftreight up to about 10 Foot or more, furrounded with protuberant Rings at cer- tain Diftances, and thofe thick-fet with long Prickles. The Middle of the Tree is a Pith like Elder, taking up above half the Diameter of the Body. The Bo- dy is naked without Branches till towards the Top , but there it puts out Leaves or Branches 12 or 14 Foot long, and a Foot and an half wide, leffening gradually towards the Extremity. The Rib or Seam of this Leaf is befet all along with Prickles, on the Out-fide ; and the Leaf it felf is jagged a- bout the Edges and as thick as one's Eland, at the broader End of it. At the Top of the Tree, and amidft the Roots of thefe Leaves grows the Fruit, a Sort of Berries fprouting up in Clufters, each a- bout the Size of a fmall Pear, but many Score of them together. They incline to an Oval Figure, and are of a yellow or reddifh Colour when ripe. There is a Stone in the Middle, and the Out-fide is ftringy, and flimy when ripe ; of a tart Tafte, harfh in the Mouth, yet not unpleafant : And the way of eating the Fruit is to bite the fleihy Part from the Stone, and having chew'd it, to fpit out the remaining ftringy Subftance. The Indians fre- quently cut down the Tree only to get the Berries ; but fuch of them as are moft low and flender, you
may
3i8 Mr. WAFERS "Defer iptiori
may bend down to your hand. The Wood 6f the Tree is very hard, black, and ponderous, and is of great ufe. It fplits very eafily ; and the Indians make of it many Conveniences for their Building and other Occafions, fplitting the Trees into fmall Planks or Rafters which they ufe about their Houfes. The Men make Arrow-heads of this Wood ; the Women Needle-Shuttles to weave their Cotton, &c.
BiWy-tree Upon the Main alfo grows the Bitty Tree, fo called from a Liquor which diftills from it, and which our Englifb call Bibby. The Tree hath a ftreight (lender Body no thicker than one's Thigh, but grows to a great Heigth, 60 or 70 Foot. The Body is naked of Leaves or Branches, but prickly. The Branches put out at the Top, and among them grow the Berries abundantly, like a Garland round about the Root of each of the Branches. The Tree hath all along the Infide of it a narrow Pich ; the Wood is very hard, and black as Ink. The Indians do not cut but burn down the Tree to get at the Berries. Thefe are of a whitifh Colour,
Nut Oil. anc* ab°ut che Size of a Nutmeg. They are very oily ; and the Indians beat them in hollow Mortars or Troughs, then boil and ftrain them s and as the Liquor cools they skim off a clear Oil from the Top. This Oil is extraordinary bitter : The Indi* dians ufe it for anointing themfelves, and to mix with the Colours wherewith they paint themfelves.
TheJWify.When the Tree is young they tap it, and put a Leaf into the Bore ; from whence the Bibby trickles down in great Quantity. It is a wheyifh Liquor, of a pleafant tart Tafte ; and they drink ic after it hath been kept a Day or two.
Coc». There are CV^trees in the Iflands, but none on
the Ifthmus that I remember ; and Cacao-trees on either.
On
of the Ifthmus of America. 3i£
On the Main grows a Tree that bears a Fruit Anony- like a Cherry \ but full of Stones, and never foft. mous-
On the Main alfo art Plantains in great Abun- vlantains. dance, which have a Body confiding of feveral Leaves or Coats, that grow one from under ano- ther, fpiring upwards into an oblong Fruit at the Top; the Coats or Leaves, which are very long and large, fpreading from the Body, and making a Plume all round. None of them grow wild, unleis when fome are brought down the Rivers in the Sea- fon of the Rains, and being left a ground, fow themfelves. The Indians let them in Rows or Walks, without Under-wood ; and they make very delightful Groves. They cut them down to get at the Fruit ; and the Bodies being green and fappy, they are cut down with one Stroke of an Axe.
The Bonano's alfo grow on the Ifthmus very plen- Bonano's. tifully. They are a fort of Plantains. The Fruit is fhort and thick, fweet and mealy. This eats beft raw, and the Plantain boil'd.
On the I/lands there are a great many Mammee- Mammee. trees, which grow with a clear, ftreight Body, to 60 Foot high, or upwards. The Fruit is very wholfome and delicious Sfhap'd fomewhat like a Pound-pear, but much larger, with a fmall Stone or two in the Middle.
The Mammee Sappota differs fomething from the Mammee other, and is a fmaller and firmer Fruit, of a fxneSatfofa- beautiful Colour when ripe. It is very fcarce on the Iflands : and neither of thefe grow on the Conti- iinent.
So neither are Sapadilloes found growing on the SapadiiWi Ifthmus^ though there is great Plenty of them in the Iflands. The Tree is not fo high as thofe laft y it grows without Branches to the Top, where it fpreads out in Limbs like an Oak. The Fruit is very pleafant to the Tafte. It is as fmall as a Bsrga- mafco Pear, and is coated like a Rufiet-Pippin.
3 20 Mr. WAFERS "Defcrlption
Vint- On the Iftbmus grows that delicious Fruit which
we call the Pine-Apple, in Shape not much unlike an Artichoke, and as big as a Man's Head. It grows like a Crown on the Top of a Stalk about as big as one's Arm, and a Foot and a half high. The Fruit is ordinarily about 6 Pound Weight ; and is inclos'd with fhort prickly Leaves like an Artichoke. They do not ftrip but pare off' thefe Leaves to get at the Fruit ; which hath no Stone or Kernel in it. 'Tis very juicy \ and fome fancy it to referable the Tafte of all the mod delicious Fruits one can imagine mix'd together. It ripens at all Times of the Year, and is rais'd from new Plants. The Leaves of the Plant are broad, about a Foot long, and grow from the Root. Prickle- On the Main aifo grows the Prickle-pear, which is Pear. a thick-leav'd Plant about 4 Foot high, full of Prickles all over. That which they call the Pear grows at the Extremity of the Leaf. It's a good Fruit, much eaten by the Indians and others. Pefes There are Popes Heads, as we call them, on the He&du Main. They are a Plant or Shrub growing like a Mole-hill, and full of Spurs a Span long, fharp, thick and hard, with a black Point. They make a very good Fence, galling the Feet and Legs of any who come among them. suzar- They have Sugar-Canes on the IJlhmus but the Canes. Indians make no other ufe of them, than to chew
them and fuck out the Juice. Manchi- There is on the I/lands, a Tree which is called nuL Manchineel, and its Fruit the Manchineel Apple. *Tis in Smell and Colour like a lovely pleafant Ap- ple, fmall and fragrant, but of a poifonous Na- ture, for if any eat of any living Creature that has happen'd to feed on that Fruit, they are poifon'd thereby, tho5 perhaps not mortally. The Trees grow in : green Spots ; they are low, with a large Body, fpreading out and full of Leaves* I have
heard
of the Ifthmus of America. 321-
heard that the Wood hach been us'd in fine carved or inlayed Works ; for it is delicately grain'd. But there is danger in cutting it, the very Sap being fo poifonous, as to blifter the part which any of the Chips flrike upon as they fly off, A French-man of our Company lying under one of thefe Trees, in one of the Samballoes, to refrefh himfelf, the Rain-water trickling down thence on his Head and Breaft, blifter'd him all over, as if he had been be- ftrewed with Cantharides. His Life was faved with much Difficulty ; and even when cured, there re- mained Scars, like thofe after the Small-Pox.
The Maho-Tree, which grows here, is about asM*£*- big as an Afh. Another Sort of Maho^ which isTree- more common, is fmaller, and grows in the moift fwampy Places, by the Sides of the Rivers, or near the Sea. Its Bark is ragged like tatter'd Canvafs ; if you lay hold on a Piece of it, 'twill rip off in Strings to the Top of the Tree > the Strings are of a great Length, (lender, and very ftrong. Ropes are made of it for Cables, and Rigging for fmall VefTels. The way the Indians order it is thus : They ftrip off the Bark in great Flakes : Out of them they draw greater or lefTer Strings as they pleafe. Thefe they beat and clean, and twift into Threads and Cords, by rolling them between the Palm of the Hand, and the Knee or Thigh, as our Shoomakers twift their Ends, but much quick- er. Of thefe they make Nets for fifliing, but only for great Filh, as Tarpoms, or the like.
The Tree which bears the Calabajh is fnort and calabafk- thick ; the Calabafh grows up and down among the Tr^e. Boughs, as our Apples do. It is of a globular Fi- gure, the Out-fide of it is an hard Shell, holding the Quantity of 2, 3, 4, or 5 Quarts. Thefe Shells the Indians ufe as VefTels for many Occafions. There are 2 Sorts of thefe Trees, but the DifFe- ' rence is chiefly in the Fruit \ that of one being fweer,
Vol. IIL Y the
3 2 2 Mr. WAFER'* Defer iption.
the other bitter. The Subftance of both is fpongy and juicy. That of the fweeter doth yet incline to j a tart, fouriflh Tafte. The Indians, however, eat- them frequently in a March, tho' they are not veryV delightful. They only fuck out the Juice, and i fpit out the reft. The bitter Sort is not eatable, but very medicinal. They are good in Tertian's and a Decodtion of them in a Clyfter is an admirable Specifick in the Tortions of the Guts or dry Gripes. The Calabafh Shells are almoft as hard as thofe of the Coco-nuts, but not half fo thick. The Darien Calabajh is painted, and much efteem'd by the Spa- niards.
Gourds. There are Gourds alfo which grow creeping along the Ground, or climbing up Trees in great Quanti- ; ties, like Pompions or Vines. Of thefe alfo there are i Sorts, a fweet and a bitter : The Sweet eata- ble, but not defireable ; the Bitter medicinal in the Pajfio Iliaca, Tertian's, Coftivenefs, &c. taken in a Clyfter. But the Indians value both Sorts chiefly for their Shells ; and the larger Sort of thefe ferve them by way of Pails and Buckets, as Calabafhes do for Diflies, Cups and Drinking- Veffels..
slll^Grafs. They have a Plant alfo which is of good ufe to them, call'd by us Silk-Grafs \ tho5 'tis indeed a kind of Flag. Tt grows in great Quantities in moift Places on the Sides of Hills. The Roots are knob- bed, and fhoot out into Leaves like a Sword Blade, as thick as one's Hand in the Middle of the Leaf towards the Root, thinner towards the Edges and the Top ; where it ends in a fharp Point, altogether like our Flags, fave that the Leaf is much broader, and a Yard or two in Length, and jagged at the Edges like a Saw or fome Reap-hooks. The Indi- ans cut thefe Leaves when of a convenient Growth, and having dried them well in the Sun, they beat them into Strings like fine Flax, extraordinary ftrong, beyond any of our Flax or Hemp : For the
Leaf
of the Ifthmus of America. * 323
Leaf it felf feems to be nothing but a Congeries of Strings inclos'd with a Skin on each Side. They twift thefe Strings as they do thofe of the Maho- tree, and make of them Ropes for Hammocks, Cordage of all Sorts, but efpecially a finer kind of Nets for fmall Fifh. In Jamaica the Shoomakers ufe this to few with, as being ftronger than any other. The Spantfh Women make Stockings of it, which are called Silk-grafs Stockings^ and are fold very dear. They make of it alfo a kind of yellowifh Lace* which is much bought and worn by the Mo- fiefa- Women in the Weft- Indian Plantations.
There grows here a Tree about the Bignefs of an Light- Elm, the Wood of which is very light, arid - we therefore call it Light-wood. The Tree is very ftreight and well-bodied, and has a great Leaf like a Wall-nut. A Man may carry a great Quantity of the Wood when cut down : Its Subflance reiembles Cork, and is of a whitifh Colour but the Grain of it is rougher than Fir, or coarfer yet, Jike that of the Cotton-Tree. I know not whether it has that fpongy Elafticity that Cork has \ yet I Ihould think it an excellent Wood for making Tomkins or Stop- ples for Muzzles of great Guns. 5Tis fo very light in Water that 3 or 4 Logs of it, about as thick as one's Thigh and about 4 Foot long, ihall make a Rafter on which 2 or 3 Men may go out to Sea. The Indians make large Rafters of it upon Occafi- on after this Manner : They take Logs of this Wood not very big, and bind them together colla- terally with Maho Cords, making of them a kind of Floor. Then they lay another Range of Logs a-crofs thefe, at fome Diftance from each other, and peg them down to the former with long Pins of Maccaw-wood and the Wood of the Float is fa foft, and tenacious withal, that it eafily gives Ad- mittance to the Peg upon driving, and clofes fait about it. The Floats, were they boarded, would
Y 2 refemble
324 ^ WAFEtlV T>efcripthn
refemble our Dyers-floats in the Thames at London % and the Indians ufe them chiefly for Paflage crofs a great River where Canoas or other Trees are want- ing *, or for Fiftiing.
white- Another Tree they have which we call White-wood.
wood. The Body of it grows in Heighth about 18 or 20 Foot, like a large Willow, and about as thick as one's Thigh. The Leaf is like Sena, very fmall. The Wood is very hard, clofe and ponderous, and exceeding white, .beyond any European Wood that ever I faw, and of a very fine Grain : So that i can- not but think it would be very good for inlaying, or other Cabinet-work. I never faw this Tree any where but in this Ifthmus.
Tama- They have 'Tamarinds here of the brown Sort,
rinds. and good, but not well manured. The Tree is a fair fpreading one, and very large of the kind. The Tree grows ufually in a fandy Soil, near a River.
Locuft- The Tree alfo that bears the Locutt-i ruit, grows Tree- here. The wild Sort is found in great Abundance,
'tis not much unlike the Tamarind. Baflard- They have a Badard-Cinnamon alfo, bearing a cinnamon q0& fhorter than a Bean-cod, but thicker, it
grows only on the Main. Bawbees. Bamboes grow here but too plentifully, like a Briar, whole Copfes of them. The Branches or Canes grow in Clufters 20 or 30 or more of them from one Root, and guarded with Prickles. They render the Places where they grow almoft impaffa- ble, which are generally fwampy Grounds, or the Sides of the Rivers. They are found moftly on the Main, the IJlands having only fome few of them.
Hollow- The Hollow Bamboes are on the Main only. They Bamlms. grow 20 or 30 Foot in Heighth, and as thick as one's Thigh. They have Knots all along at the Diftance of about a Foot and a half. All the Space
from
of the Ifthmus of America. . 325
from Knot to Knot is hollow, and of a Capacity ufually of a Gallon or more, and thefc are fervicea- ble on many Occafions. The Leaves of this Shrub are like Eldenn-leaves, in a Clufter at the Top of each Cane, and thefe alfo grow thick together in Copfes.
Mangrove-Trees grow out of the Water both m Mangrove, Jflands and Main, rifing from feveral Roots like Stilts entangled one among another. The Roots or Stumps appear fome Feet above Water, rifing from a pretty Depth alfo from under the Surface of it, and at length they unite altogether, Arbour-wife, into the Body of a lufty tall Tree, of a Foot or two Diameter. There is fcarce any palling along where thefe Trees grow, the Roots of them are fo blended together. The Bark of the Mangroves that grows in Salt Water is of a red Colour, and is us'd for tanning of Leather. I have fome Reafon to think that the Tree from whence the Peruvian or Jefuifs Bark is fetch is of the Mangrove kind ; for when I was laft at Arica in Peru, I faw a Caravan of about 20 Mules with this Bark juft come in, and then unlading at a Store-houfe. One of our Company, who fpake Spani/b, ask'd a Spaniard who guided the Drove, from whence he fetch'd that Bark ; He anfwered from a great frefh Water Lake behind a Mountain a great way within Land * at the fame Time pointing at a very high Ridge of Hills we faw at a great Diftance from us and the Sea. Being further examined as to the Tree it grew on, he fo defcrib?d it, by thole intangled Stilts, and other Particulars, that our Interpreter laid to him, fure it muft be a Mangrove-Trzz \ The Spaniard anfwer'd, Yes, a freftv water Mangrove : Yet he faid it was a very fmall Tree, which the Mangrove is not, unlefs this fhould be a Dwarf-kind of it. We brought av/ay with us feveral Bundles of this Bark, and I found it to be the right Sort, by the frequent
3 26 Mr. WAFERS Tfefcription
ufe I made of it in Virginia and elfewhere ; and I have fome of it now by me.
Pepper. They have two Sorts of Pepper, the one called Bell-Pepper, the other Bird-Pepper, and great Quali- ties of each, much ufed by the Indians. . Each Sort grows on a Weed, or Shrubby Bufh about a Yard high. The Bird-Pepper has the fmaller Leaf, and is by the Indians better efteemed than the other, for they eat a great deal of it.
Zed-Wood. There is on the Main a Red Sort of Wood that might be of good ufe for Dyers. It grows moftly towards the North-Sea Coaft, upon a River that runs towards the Samballoes, about 2 Miles from the Sea~fhore. I faw there great Quantities of thefe Trees: They are 30 or 40 Foot high, about as big as one's Thigh, and the Out-fide is all along full of Cavities or Notches in the Bark. When the Wood is cut, it appears of a Yellowifh Red. With this, and a kind of Earth which they have up the Coun- try, the Indians dye Cottons for their Hammocks and Gowns. , I tried a little of it, which upon boil- ing two Hours in fair "Water, turned it red as Blood. I dipt therein a Piece of Cotton, which it died of a good Red ; and when I wafh5d it, it turn'd but a little paler, which I imputed to the want only of fomething to fix the Colour ; for no wafhing could fetch out the Tin&ure. 5Twas a bright and gloffy Red, very lively.
Fotatofs. The Indians have feveral Roots which they plant ; * efpecially Potatoes, which they roaft and eat.
Tame. They do the fame alfo by Tarns \ of which they have 2 Sorts, a White and a Purple.
Caffava. They have a Root call'd Cajfava, not much un- like a Parfnip. There are 2 Sorts alfo of thefe, a fweet, and a poifonous. The fweet Sort they roaft and eat as they do Potatoes or Yams. Of the poi- fonous they make Bread, having firft prefs'd out the Juice, which is noxious. Part of the remaining
Subflance
of the Ifthnuis of America. ' 327
-Subftance they grate to a Powder ; and having a Baking-ftone, or Trivet fet over a Fire, they ftrew the Flower over the hot Stone gradually, which bakes it all to a Cake, the Bottom hard-bak'd and brown, the reft rough and white, like our Oat- cakes ; they ufe to hang them on the Houfes or Hedges, where they dry and grow crifp. In Ja- maica they ufe them frequently inftead of Bread i and fo in other of the Weft-Indian Ifiands.
Thefe Indians have Tobacco among them. hrdaece. grows as the Tobacco in Virginia, but is not fo ftrong : Perhaps for want of tranfplanting and ma- nuring, which the Indians don't well underftand *, for they only raife it from the Seed in their Planta- tions. When 'tis dried and cured they ftrip it from the Stalks ; and laying 2 or 3 Leaves upon one a- nother, they roll up all together fideways into a long Roll, yet leaving a little Hollow. Round this they roll other Leaves one after another, in the fame Manner, but clofe and hard, till the Roll be as big as one's Wrift, and 2 or 3 Feet in length. Their way of fmoaking when they are in Company Indian together, is thus : A Boy lights one end of a Roll way of 3nd burns it to a Coal, wetting the part next it to &mo*kin< keep it from wafting too faft. The end fo lighted he puts into his Mouth, and blows the Smoak through the whole Length of the Roll into the Face of every one of the Company or Council, though there be 2 or 300 of them. Then they, fitting in their ufual Pofture upon Forms, make, with their Hands held hollow together, a kind oi Funnel round their Mouths and Nofes. Into tfais they receive the Smoak as 'tis blown upon them, fnuffing it up greedily and ftrongly, as long as ever they are able to hold their Breath, and feeming to blefs themfelves, as it were, with the Refrefliment k gives them.
Of
9 "■
32S Mr. WAFERS *Defcripio»
****************************
Of the Animals; and Jirft of Beafts and Reptiles.
'TT H E Variety of Beafts in this Country is not A very great ; but the Land is fo fertile, that upon clearing any confiderable Part of the Woods it would doubtlefs afford excellent Paflure for the maintaining black Cattle, Swine, or whatever other Beafts 'tis ufual to bring out of Europe into thefe Climates.
The Country has of its own a kind of Hog, Ptcary. which is called Pecary, not much unlike a Virginia Hog. 'Tis black, and has little fhort Legs, yet is pretty nimble. It has one thing very ftrange, that the Navel is not upon the Belly, but the Back : And what is more ftill, if upon killing a Pecary the Navel be not cut away from the Carcafs within 3 or 4 Hours after at fartheft, 'twill fo taint all the Flefh, as not only to render it unfit to be eaten, but make it ftink infufferably. Elfe 'twill keep frefh feveral Days, and is very good wholefome Meat, nourifliing and well tailed. The Indians barbecue it, when they would keep any of it longer : The Man- ner in which they do it I fhall defcribe elfewhere. Thefe Creatures ufually herd together, and range about in Droves ; and the Indians either hunt them down with their Dogs, and fo ftrike them with their Lances, or elfe (hoot them with their Ar- rows, as they have Opportunity. Wkrr$$.[ The Warree is another kind of Wild-Hog they have, which is alio very good Meat. It has little Ears, but very great Tusks ; and the Hair or Bri- ftles 'tis covered with are long, ftrong and thickfet, like a coarfe Furr all over its Body. The Warree is
fierce,
of the Ifthmus of America, 329
fierce, and fights with the Pecary, or any other Creature that comes in his way. The Indians hunt thefe alfo as the other, and manage their Flefli the fame way, except only as to what concerns the Navel the Singularity of which is peculiar to the Pecary.
They have confiderable Store of Deer alfo, re- Deer. fembling moft our Red Deer ; but thefe they never hunt nor kill ; nor will they ever eat of their Flefh, though 'tis very good ; but we were not fhy of it. Whether it be out of Superftition, or for any other Reafon that they forbear them, I know not : But when they faw fome of our Men killing and eating of them, they not only refus'd to eat with them, but feem'd difpleas'd with them for it. Yet they preferve the Horns of thefe Deer, fetting them up in their Houfes ; but they are fuch only as they fhed, for I never faw among them fo much as the Skin or Head of any of them that might fhew they had been kilPd by the Indians-, and they are too nimble for the Warree, if not a Match for him.
The Dogs they have are fmall, not well fhap'd, Dogs. their Hair rough and ftragling, like our Mungrels. They ferve only to bark and ftart the Game, or by their barking give Notice to the Hunters to fhoot their Arrows. They wiU rpn about in this Manner from Morning to Night ; but are fuch meer whiff- ling Curs, that of 2 or 300 Be&fts ftarted in a Day, they fhall feldom kill above 2 or 3 ; and thefe not by running them down, but by getting them at a Bay and befetting them, till the Hunters can come up with them. Large flrong Dogs would make better Work hefe ; and it might be a very accepta- ble Thing to the Indians to tranfport hither a Breed of fuch : But then they muft keep to their Houfes, or they would be in Danger of running wild in this Country.
Her$
33o Mr. WAFERS Ttefcription
Rabbits. Here are Rabbits, call'd by our Englifh, Indian Conies. They are as large as our Hares \ But I know not that this Country has any Hares. Thefe Rabbits have no Tails, and but little fhort Ears ; and the Claws of their Feet are long. They lodge in the Roots of Trees, making no Burrows ; and the Indians hunt them, but there is no great Plenty of them. They ate very good Meat, and eat ra- ther moifter than ours. Monkeys. There are great Droves of Monkeys, fome of them white, but moil of them black ; fome have Beards, others are beardlefs. They are of a middle Size, yet extraordinary fat at the dry Seafon, when the Fruits are ripe and they are very good Meat, for we ate of them very plentifully. The Indians were fhy of eating them for a while ; but they foon were perfwaded to it, by feeing us feed on them fo heartily. In the rainy Seafon they have Worms in their Bowels. I have taken a Handful of them out of one Monkey we cut open ; and fome of them y or 8 Foot long. They are a ve- ry waggilli Kind of Monkey, and plaid a thou- fand antick Tricks as we march'd at any Time through the Woods, skipping from Bough to Bough, with the young one's hanging at the old one's Back, making Faces at us, chattering, and, if they had Opportunity, pilling down purpofely on our tleads. To pafs from Top to Top of high Trees, whole Branches are a little to far afunder for their Leaping, they will fometimes hang down by one another's Tails in a Chain ; and fwinging in that Manner, the lowermoft catches hold of a Bough of the other Tree, and draws up the reft of them. No Euro- Here are no Bullocks, Horfes, Affes, Sheep, pan Cat- Goats, or other fuch Beafts as we have for Food or tle- Service. They are exceedingly pefter'd with Mice M?ce! anc* ^ats> which are nioftly grey \ and a Brood of c^nmuchCats therefore to deftroy thefe, might be as accep- citeefo'd. tabl<j
of the Ifthmus of America. 331
table a Prefent to them as better Dogs for their hunting. When I left the Ifthmus, two of the Indi- ans who came aboard the fame VefTel at the Sambal- loes^ went a cruifing with us towards the Corn- I/lands and Cartagena : And when they were difpos'd to return, and we were ftudying to oblige 'em with ■ fome Prefent, one of them fpied a Cat we had a- board, and begg'd it • Which we had no fooner given him, but he and his Confort, without flaying for any other Gift, went immediately into their Canoa, and paddled off* with Abundance of Joy. They had learnt the Ufe of Cats while they were a- board.
They have Snakes, but of what kind I don't well Infe&s remember ; nor did I fee or hear any Rattle Snakes. and Ver" "Spiders they have many, very large, but not poifo- llrio nous. They have Lice in their Heads which they feel out with their Fingers, and eat as they catch them.
There is a fort of Infe£l like a Snail in great Plen- Soldier-ln- ty among the Samballoe's, which is called the So!dier-k&, Infeft ; but I don't remember I faw any of them upon the Main. The Reafon of the Name, is be- caufe of the Colour -3 for one third part of his Bo- dy about his Head, which is out of the Shell, is in Shape and Colour like a boil'd Shrimp, with little Claws, and two larger like thofe of a Crab. That part within the Shell, the Tail efpecially, is eata- ble, and is good Food, very well tafted and delici- ous, like Marrow. We thruft a Skuer through Delicious this part, and roaft a pretty many of them in aMeat- row. The Forepart is bony and ufelefs. They feed upon the Ground, eating what falls from Trees : And they have under the Chin a little Bag, into which they put a Referve of Food. Befide this they have in them a little Sand-Bag, which muftsand- always be taken out when they are to be eaten, bag. This Bag is commonly pretty full of Sand : And
Conch
33*
Poifon- ousif fed with
The Oil an excel kntSalye
Land- Crabs)
where.
Angullla
Crab- Ifland. Good Meat.
Mr. WAFERS "Defcription
Conch and Welks, and other Shell-fifh, have ufu- ally a Sand in a Veflel that runs the length of the Body in Manner of a Gut ; which we are forc'd to take out, for elfe they would be gritty in one's Teeth. If thefe Soldiers eat of any of the Manchi- neel- Apples which drop from the Trees, their Flefh becomes fo infe&ed with that virulent Juice, as to poifon in a Manner thofe who eat of it : And we have had fome of our Company very fick by eating fuch as had fed on Manchineei but after a while 'twould wear off again, without further Damage. The Oil of thefe Infefts is a mod Sovereign Reme- dy for any Sprain or Contufion. I have found it fo, 'as many others have done frequently : The Indians ufe it that way very fuccefsfully, and many of the Privateers in the Weft-Indies : And our Men fought them as much for the Oil, as for the fake of eating them. The Oil is of a yellow Colour, like Wax, but of the Confiflency of Palm-Oil,
On the Samballoes I think there are alfo Land- Crabs^ tho* but few: But in the Caribbee-lildinds, a- mong which I have been crufing, and efpecially on Anguilla^ they are very numerous, and fome very large, as big as the large ft Sea-Crabs that are fold at London. They have them alfo in other of the Weft-India Iflands ; but on Anguilla they fwarm ; and a little Ifland near it has fuch Multitudes of them, that 'tis calPd Crab-Iftand. They are excel- lent good Meat, and are the main Support of the Inhabitants, who range about a Crabbing, as they call it. After a Shower of Rain they will come abroad ; and then is the beft Time , to look out for them. They live in Holes or Burrows like Rabbits, which they dig for themfelves with their Claws, When they are upon the March they never go about, nor turn their Backs, but crawl over any thing that lies in their Way, guarding with their great Claws while they creep with the fmall ones \ and whatever
they
of the Ifthmus of America, tj 3 3
they lay hold of they pinch very feverely. The Inhabitants of fome of thefe Ifles, when they take'fatten'd' any of them, put them for 3 or 4 Days into a Piece with Po- of Potato-ground to fatten them , for which they tato$s. are faid to eat much the better.
Alligators and Guano's, which are alfo very good Alligators. Meat, efpecially the Tail of the Alligator, I have eaten in feveral Parts of the Weft-Indies ; but I don't remember my feeing either of them in the IJlhmus. The Guano is all over very good Meat, preferr'd toGmnoes, a Pullet or Chicken, either for the Meat or Broth. Their Eggs alfo are very good \ but thofe of the Alligator have too much of a musky Flavour, and fometimes fmell very ftrong of it. There are up and down the IJlhmus a great many Lizards, Lizards* green, and red-fpeckled , but thofe in the fwampy Land and Thickets look more black or rufty. They are none of them large, generally lefs than a Span. I never faw the Indians eat of them. They are pretty innocent familiar Creatures, and the Indians fuffer them to creep up and down their Houfes.
They have Frogs and Toads, and other fmal- ler Infefts i but I took no particular Notice of them.
fhfi
^5 cm
# % %•
334 Mr. WAFERV Ttefcription
«$? «S? & cf^ ^fc £h $h '-ft* of? & ^ ^» ^
Birds, ^ flying Insects.
TP HEY have feveral Sorts of Birds, fome of A Kinds unknown to us ; and remarkable both for their Beauty, and the good Relifh of their Flefli.
There is one ftately Kind of Land-bird, pretty common among the Woods on the Ifthmus^ which chicaly- is called by the Indians ChicalyChicaU. Its Noife chicaiy. js fomewhat like a Cuckow's, but lharper and quicker. 5Tis a large and long Bird, and has a long Tail, which he carries upright like a Dunghill Cock. His Feathers are of great Variety of fine lively Colours, red, blue, £sf<r. The Indians make a Sort of Aprons, fometimes, of the Feathers which grow on his Back \ but thefe they feldom wear. This Bird keeps moftly on the Trees, flying from one to another, and but rarely to the Ground. He feeds on Fruit. His Flefh is blackifh, and of a coarfe Grain, yet pretty good Meat. Qyams. The Quam is alio a long and large Land-bird. He feeds alfo upon Fruits, and flies up and down the Trees. His Wings are of a dun Colour, but his Tail is very dark, fhort, ftumpy, and upright. This Bird is much better Meat than the other. Anony- There is alio a Ruflet-colour'd Land- bird, fhap'd mous. not un]ike a Partridge ; but has a longer Neck and Legs, yet a fhort Tail. He runs molt on the Ground, and feldom flies. His Flefh is very good Meat.
Corrcfou. The Corrofiu is a large, black Land-bird, heavy and big as a Turkey-hen ; but the Hen is not fo black as the Cock. The Cock has on his Head a fine Crown or Comb of yellow Feathers, which he
moves
of the Ifthmus of America. 335
mtoves to and fro as he pleafes : He has Gills alfo like a Turkey ; but the Hen has neither Plume nor Gills. They live on the Trees, and feed on Fruits. They fing and make a Noife big and grofs, yet ve- ry fweet and delightful ; efpecially to the Indians^ who endeavour to imitate them : And the Indians and they will fometimes anfwer one another this way, and the Indians difcover their Haunts by it. The old ones alfo call their young ones by this Sound. The Flelh is fomewhat tough, but other- wife very good and well-tafted Meat. The Indians either throw the Bones of the Corrofou into the Ri- ver, or make a Hole and bury them, to keep them from their Dogs, being thought unwholfome for the Dogs to eat ; and the Indians fay they will make the Dogs run mad : Neither do the Engli/h in the TVeft-Indies let the Dogs eat of them. The Indians fhoot down all thefe Birds with their Arrows.
They have Parrots good Store, fome blue, and Parrots. fome green, for Shape and Size like the Generality of the Parrots we have from Jamaica. There is here great Variety of them, and they are very good Meat.
They have alfo many Parakites, mo ft of thtm Parakites. green ; generally much the fame as in other Places. They don't fort with the Parrots, but go in large Flights by themfelves.
Macaw-birds are here alfo in great Plenty. 'TisMacaw- fhap'd not much unlike a Parrot, but is as large a- birds- gain as the biggeft of them. It has a Bill like a Hawks, and a bufhy Tail with 2 or 3 long flrag- gling Feathers, all red or blue : The Feathers ail over the Body are of feveral very bright and lovely Colours, blue, green and red. The Pinions of the Wings of fome of them are all red, of others all blue, and the Beaks yellow. They make a great Noife in a Morning, very hoarfe and deep, like Men who fpeak much in the Throat,* The Indians
336 Mr. WAFERS "Defer iptidft
keep thefe Birds tame, as we do Parrots or Mag- pies : But after they have kept tliem clofe fome Time, and taught them to fpeak fome Words in their Language, they fuffer them to go abroad in the Day-time into the Woods, among the wild ones ; from whence they will on their own Accord return in the Evening to the Indian Houfes or Plan- tations, and give Notice of their Arrival by their fluttering and prating. They will exadtly imitate the Indians Voices, and their way of finging and they will call the Cbicaly-Cbicaly in its own Note, as exa&ly as the Indians themfelves, whom I have ob- ferv'd to be very expert at it. 5Tis the moft beau- tiful and pleafant Bird that ever I faw \ and the Flefh is fweet- tailed enough, but black and tough. Wood* There is alfo a Sort of Wood-pecker^ with fuch a faker. longflender Bill as that kind of Birds have. Thefe have ftrong Claws, wherewith they climb up and down the Bodies of Trees, and flick very clofe to them. They are pied like our Magpies, white and' black ; but more finely, being a fmaller Bird. The Flefh is of an earthy unpleafant Tafte. I tafted of them as I was travelling with my Companions, for Hunger then made us glad of any thing of Food ; but the Indians don't eat of them. Dunghill- They have great Plenty of Poultry tame about Fowl. their Houfes of two Sorts, a greater and a lefs. The larger Sort are much like ours, of different Colours and Breed, as Coppie-crown'd, the com- mon Dunghill Cock and Hen, and of the Game kind 5 though thefe Indians don't delight in Cock- v fighting as thofe of Java do. The fmaller Sort are feather'd about the Legs like Carrier-pidgeons, and have very bufiiy Tails, which they carry up- right and the Tips of their Wings are generally black. This fmall Sort keep apart from the other. They all keep the fame Crowing Seafon, before Day, as our Cocks do. They are conftantly about
of the Ifthmus of America. 337
the Houfes, not ranging far into the Woods ; and both their Flefh and their Eggs are as well tailed as any we have in England ; and they are generally fatter ; for the Indians give them Maize good Store, which is very fattening.
Thefe are all the Kinds of Land-birds I noted a- mong them: Though there are many fmall ones Small which I did not fo particularly obferve ; and thefe Birds. I generally very pretty and mufical.
About the Samballoes and other the Iflands and the Sea-Coaft, on the North-fide efpecially, there are great Numbers of Sea-fowl. The South-Sea- Sea- fowL; Coaft, more to Windward, has many of them too but whether it be that the Bay of Panama does not afford fo many Fifh to invite them ; for 'tis not near fo well ftock'd with Fifh as the Coaft about the Sam* bailees, there are but very few Sea-fowl on the South-Sea-Coaft of the Ifthmus, to what there are on Pelican. the North- Coaft; and as to Pelicans particularly, which are very frequent among the Samballoes, and all along the Weft-India Coafts, I don't remember that I ever faw one of them any where in the South-Seas.
The Pelican is a large Bird, with a great Beak, fhort-legg'd like a Goofe ; and has a long Neck, which it holds upright like a Swan. The Feathers are of dark grey ; 'tis web-footed. Under the Throat hangs a Bag or Pouch, which, when fill'd, is as large as both one's Fills. The Subftance of it is a thin Membrane, of a fine grey afhy Colour, The Seamen kill them for the fake of thefe Bags, to make Tobacco-pouches of them; for, when dry, they will hold a Pound of Tobacco and by a Bul- let hung in them, they are foon brought into Shape. The Pelican flies heavy and low ; we find nothing but Fifh in his Maw, for that is his Food. His Pouch, as well as Stomach, has Fifh found in it : So that it feems likely that the Pouch is a Bag in- tended to keep a Referve of Food, I have never
Vol.. Ill, Z feen
3 3 8 Mr. WAFERS Ttefcription.
feen any of the old Pelicans eaten ; but the young ones are faid to be Meat good enough, but I have never eaten of any of them. Cormo- There are Cormorants alfo among the Samballoes, rants. which for Size and Shape are like Ducks, but ra- | ther lefs. They are black, but have a white Spot on the Breaft. Tho' they are Web-footed, as other Water-fowl are, yet they pitch on Trees and Shrubs by the Water-fide. I have never heard of any one's eating of thefe, for their Flefli is j thought to be too coarfe and rank. Sea Gulls There are a great many Sea-Gulls alfo and Sea- and sea- pieS) on that Coaft ; both of them much like ours, but rather fmaller. The Flefh of both thefe is eat- en commonly enough, and 'tis tolerable good Meat, but of a Fifhy Tafte, as Sea-fowl ufually are. Yet to correft this Tafte, when we kill'd any Sea-Gulls^ Sea-Pies, Boobies, or the like, on any Shore, we 11 us'd to make a Hole in the hot Sand, and there bu- ry them for 8 or 10 Hours, with their Feathers on, and Guts in them : And upon drefling them after** wards, we found the Flefh tender, and he Tafte i not fo rank nor fifty, Bats. There are Bats, on the Ifihmus, the Bodies of
which are as large as Pidgeons, and their Wings extended to a proportionable Length and Breadth j with Claws at the Joints of the Wings, by which < they cling to any Thing. They much haunt okl Houfes and deferted Plantations. Flying In- Of flying Infedts, befide the Moskitoes or Gnats feds. | before-mention'd, there are up and down the
tfz^Wafps and Beetles, and Flies of feveral Kinds 1 1 particularly the Alining Fly, which fhines in the Shining Night like a Glow-worm ; and where there are ma- j Fly* ny of them in a Thicket, they appear in the Nightl like fo many Sparkte of Fire,
They
of the Ifthmus of America^ 3 j 9
They have Bees alfo, and confequently Honey and Wax. The Bees are of two Sorts ; the one Ihort and thick, and its Colour inclining to red ; the other blackifh, long and flender. They neft on the Tops and in Holes of Trees \ which the In- dians climb, and thruft their Arms into their Neft, to get the Combs. Their Arms will be covered with Bees, upon their drawing them back ; yet I ne- ver perceiv'd they were flung by them : And I have had many of them at a Time upon my naked Body, without being ftung fo that I have been inclin'd to think they have no Stings : But that's a thing I ne- ver examined. The Indians fometimes burn down the Trees to get at the Combs, efpecially if they be high and difficult to climb. The Honey they Honeyl mix with Water, and drink it : But they make no ufe of the Wax, that ever I faw ; ufing for Candles Waxi a Sort of light Wood, which they keep in their Houfes for that Purpofe.
They have Ants with Wings, large and long, as Ants. well as thofe which are Reptiles only. They raife Hillocks like ours : They fting, and are very trou- blefome; efpecially when they get into the Houfes, as they frequently do. They fwarm up and down the Samballoes and the other Neighbouring Ifles, as well as on the Ijlbmus it felf ; and there is no lying down to Reft on any Piece of Ground where they are. Neither do the Indians care to tye their Hammocks to any Trees near the Ant-hills ; for the Ants would climb up fuch Trees, and foon get into their Ham- mocks.
Of
340 Mr. WAFERS Tpefcriptton
I
Of the FISH.
Sca-Fifo. HP HE North-Sea Coaft, as I intimated, abounds A in Fifli, and has great Variety of them. Thole which I have had the Opportunity of feeing, are chiefly thefe :
TArfom. The "Tar^om^ which is a large and firm Fifh, eat- ing in Flakes like Salmon or Cod. They are fome of 50 or 60 Pound weight and upwards. One of them afforded a good Dinner once to about 10 of us, as we were cruifing towards the Coaft of Carta- gene ; befide a good Quantity of Oil we got out of the Fat.
shares. Sharks are alfo found in thefe Seas ; tho9 not fo commonly about the Samballoes> as on other of the Weft -India Coafts.
There is a Fifii there like the Shark, but much fmaller and fweeter Meat. Its Mouth is alfo longer and narrower than the Shark's ; neither has he more than one Row of Teeth. Our Seamen us'd to
Dog fi/h. call this the Dog-fijh;. (
Cavally. The Cavally is found among the Samballoes. *Tis a fmall Fifh, clean, long and {lender, much about the Size of a Mackarel a very fine lively Fifh, with a bright large Eye ; and 'tis very good Meat, moift and well-tafted. - %
old-wives Old-wives, which is a flat Kind of Fifli, and good Meat, are there alfo.
Tsracoods. They have Paracoods alfo, which are a long and round Fifh, about as large as a well-grown Pike, but ufually much longer. They are generally very good Meat ; and here efpecially : But there are fome particular Banks off at Sea, where you can take no Paracoods but what are poifonous. Whe- ther
of the Ifthmus of America. 341
ther it be from fome particular Feed they have there, or from what other Caufe, I know not ; but I have known feveral Men poifon'd with them, to that De- gree as to have their Hair and Nails come off; and fome have died with eating them. The Antidore for this is faid to be the Back-bone of the Fifh, dri- ed and beaten to a Powder, and given in any Liquor. I can't vouch for the Succefs of this my felf ; but feveral have told me, that they have us'd it then> felves, when they have found themfelves fick with eating any Paracood\ but that upon taking the Bone thus powder'd, they have found no other ill Effeft, but only a Nummednefs in their Limbr, and a Weaknefs for fome Time after. Some will pretend to diftinguifh a poifonous Paracood from a wholefome one, by the Liver ; which as foon as they have taken the Fifh, they pull out and tafte. If it tafte fweet, they drefs and eat the Fiflh. without any Fear but if the Liver be bitter, or bite the Tongue like Pepper, they conclude the Fifh to be naught, and throw it away.
There is another Sort of Fifh on the North-Sea Gar~SSh. Coaft, which our Seamen call Gar-Rfti; fome of them are near 2 Foot long. They have a long Bone on the Snout, of about a third Part the Length of the Body ; and 'tis very fharp at the End. They will glide along the Surface of the Water as fwift as a Swallow, gliding thus on the Surface, and leaping out of the Water alternately, 30 or 40 Times together. They move with fuch a Force, that as I have been inform'd, they will run their Snout through the Side of a Canoa and 'tis dangerous for a Man who is Swimming to meet with them, left they ftrike through him. The Back- bone looks blueifh, of a Colour towards a Saphire, The Flefh is very good Meat.
There
342 Mr. WAFERS Ttefcription
'Scutyins. There are Sculpins alfo, a Fifli about a Foot long, with Prickles all about him : They ftrip them of their prickly Skin, and then drefs them. They are very good Meat. sung rays, There are in the North-Sea many other Fifli befide ^J^'^thefe, as Sting-ray J, Parrot-fifh, Snooks^ Conger-Eels, Conger- &c- and many others probably, that I have neither Eels, &c. feen nor heard of; for 'tis a Sea very well ftor'd with Filh.
Shell-fifti. Of Shell-fifli, there are Conchs all along the Sam- Gonchs. ialloes }n Abundance. Their Shells are very large, winding within like a Snail-fliell -9 the Mouth of the Shell is flat, and very wide, proportionably to the Bignefs of the Shell. The Colour of it within is like Mother of Pearl ; but without 'tis coarfe and rugged. The Fifli is flimy, the Out-parts of it, cfpecially, and muft therefore be fcour'd with Sand before 'tis drefs'd for Eating. But within, the Sub- ftance is hard and tough ; for which Reafon they beat them after they have fcour'd the Out-fide : But when they have been thus managed, they are a very fweet and good Fifh. Teriwinc- There are Periwinckles good Store among the kles. Rocks ; which are alfo good Meat. We pick them
out of the Shells with Pins. Limpits; The Limpits alfo ftick to the Rocks hereabouts ; and are rather better Meat than the other.
There are no Oyfters nor Lobfters on the Coaft Sea-Crabs, of the Ifthmus ; but a few Crabs, and a Sort of Craiv-filh. Craw- fifh among the Rocks of the Samballoes, as large as fmall Lobfters, but wanting the two great Claws. Thefe laft are very delicious Meat ; but the Sea-Crabs are not very good. Frefh- There are Fifh in the Rivers alfo of the Ifthmus % jvaterFifli-but I am not acquainted with many of the Kinds of them.
There
of the Ifthmus of America, 343
There is one Sort like our Roach, blackifh andAnony- very bony, in length about a Foot, very fweet, mQUS* firm, and well tafted.
There is another Fifli in Shape like the Paracood, but much fmaller, and a very good Fifli.
There is a Fifli like our Pike or Jack for Shape ; but not above 8 or 10 Inches long. His Mouth is fomewhat like a Rabbit's, his Teeth a little way within : His Lips are cartilaginous. 'Tis a very good Fifh.
What other Fifh their Rivers yield, I know not, for I took no particular Notice even of thefe.
But I was more obferving of the Indians manner Manner of Fifhing, at which they are very expert, and ma-of* nage it differently, according to the Place wherelng* they fifh. In the Rivers Mouths and upon the Sea- Coafts, in fandy Bays where there are no Rocks, they ufe Nets, like our Drag-nets, made of Maho- bark, or Silk-grafs ; which they carry out in their Canoas. But in the Hill Country, where the Streams are clear, and the Banks in many Places Rocky, they go along the Banks up the River, looking narrowly into the Water to view the Fifli. When they fpy any to their Mind, they leap into the Water, and wade or fwim up and down after them •, and if the Fifh through Fright betake them- felves into the Holes in the Banks for Shelter, as they frequently do, the Indians feel them out with their Hands and take them thence, as we do Chubs or Craw-fi/h in our Rivers. By Night they bring with them Torches of Light-wood, and with thefe they fpy out the Fifh, and fo jump in, and purfue them into their Holes.
For dreffing their Fifh ; xhey firft: gut them, and Dreffing then either boil them in an Earthen Pot, or eife theirFl^ft barbecue or broil them.
Far
344 Mr. WAFER'* Ttefcriptton
Salt, how For Salt, they have it out of the Sea- water ;
made. which they boil up and evaporate in Earthen Pots, till the Salt is left in a Cake at the Bottom, which they take out and break in Pieces for ufe : But as this is a tedious way, fo they have but little, and are very choice and fparing of it. They don't fait their Fifh for keeping •, but when they eat it, they boil Abundance of Pepper with it, as they do with every thing elfe. But their Cookery I fhall fpeak of elfewhere.
Of the Indian INHABITANTS; their Manners, Cuftoms, &c.
Indian In- HP H E Indian Inhabitants of the Ifthmus are not habitants. A very numerous, but they live thickeft on the North-fide, efpecially along the Sides of Rivers. The wild Indians of the South-fide live moil to- wards Peru: But there are Indians fcatter'd up and down; all Parts of the Ifthmus. Their Sta- The Size of the Men is ufually about 5 or 6 Foot, tare. They are ftreight and clean-limb'd, big-bon'd, full- Shape, breafted and handfomly fliap'd. I never faw a- mong them a crooked or deformed Perfon. They are very nimble and adtive, running very well. But the Women are fhort and thick, and not fo lively as the Men. The young Women are very plump and fat, well-fhap'd, and have a brisk Eye. Features. The elder Women are very ordinary ; their Bellies and Breads being penfile and wrinkled. Both Men and Women are of a round Vifage, with fliort bot- tle Nofes their Eyes large, generally grey, yet lively and fparkling when young. They have a high Forehead^ white even Teeth, thin Lips, and
Mouth
of the Ifthmus of America. 345
Mouth moderately large. Their Cheeks and Chin are well proportion' d and in general they are handfomly featur'd, but the Men more than the Women.
Both Sexes have ftreight, long, black Hair, lank, Hair, coarfe and ftrong, which they wear ufually down to the Middle of the Back, or lower, hanging loofe at its full length ; only the Women tie it together with a String juft behind the Head, below which it flows loofe as the Mens. Both Men and Women pride themfelves much in the Length of the Hair of the Head ; and they frequently part it with their Fin- gers, to keep it difentangled ; or comb it out with a Sort of Combs they make of Macaw- wood. ThflScoifiWof Comb is made of feveral ftnall Sticks, of about 5 Macaw or 6 Inches long, and tapering to a Point at each'fticks- End like our Glovers Sticks. Thefe being tied 10 or 12 of them together about the Middle where they are thick, the Extremities of them both ways open from each other, and ferve at either End for a Comb : which does well enough to part the Hair ; but they are forc'd to ufe their Fingers to fetch the Lice out of their Heads. They take great Delight in combing their Hair, and will do it for an Hour together. All other Hair, except that of their Eye-brows and Eye-lids, they eradicate : For tho* the Men have Beards if they would let them grow, yet they always have them rooted out : And the Women are the Operators for all this Work ; ufing two little Sticks for that Purpofe^ between which they pinch the Hair, and pluck it up. But the Men upon fome Occafions cut off the Hair even of their Heads ; it being a Cuftom they have to do fo by way of Triumph, and as a diftinguifhing Mark of Honour to him who has kill'd a Spaniard^ or o- ther Enemy. He alfo then paints himfelf black {which is not ufual upon any other occafion ) conti- nuing
346 Mr. WAFERV ^Defcttption
nuing painted of this Colour till the firft New-moon (as I remember ) after the Fa6l is done. Complex- Their Natural Complexion is a Copper- Colour, ion. or Orange-tawney ; and their Eye-brows are natu- rally black as Jet. They ufe no Art to deepen the Colour either of their Eye-brows, or the Hair of Anointing their Head ; but they daub it with Oil to make it them- fhine ; for, like other Indians, they anoint them- felves. felves all over, whether for Beauty to make the Skin fmooth and fleek, or to fupple it and keep it from parching, or to hinder too much Perfpiration in this hot Country, I know not. white In- There is one Complexion fo lingular among a diam. Sort of People of this Country, that I never faw nor heard of any like them in any Part of the "World. The Account will feem ftrange ; but any Privateers who have gone over the IJlbmus muft have feen them, and can atteft the main of what I am going to relate, though few have had the Op- portunity of fo particular an Information about thefe People as I have had.
They are white, and there are of them of both Sexes yet there are but few of them in Comparifon of the Copper-colour'd, poflibly but i to 2 or 300. They differ from the other Indians chiefly in Re- fpeft of Colour, though not in that only. Their Skins are not of fuch a White as thofe of fair People Milk- among Europeans, with fome Tin6ture of a Blulh white or Sanguine Complexion ; neither yet is their Com- 5kms. plexion like that of our paler People, but 'tis ra- ther a Milk-white, lighter than the Colour of any Europeans, and much like that of a white Horfe.
For there is this further remarkable in them, that their Bodies are befet all over, more or lefs, with a Down, fine fhort Milk-white Down, which adds to the Whitenefs of their Skins : for they are not fo thick* fet with this Down, efpecially on the Cheeks and Forehead, but that the Skin appears diftind from it.
The
of the Ifthmus of America.' 347
The Men would probably have white Briftles for Beards, did not they prevent them by their Cuftom of plucking the young Beard up by the Roots con- tinually : but for the Down all over their Bodies, they never try to get rid of it. Their Eye-brows are Milk- white alfo, and fo is the Hair of their and Hair. Heads, and very fine withal, about the Length of 6 or 8 Inches, and inclining to a Curl.
They are not fo big as the other Indians ; and Smaller what is yet more ftrange, their Eye-lids bend andthanthc open in an oblong Figure, pointing downward tt0J^iln~ the Corners, and forming an Arch or Figure of a Crefcent with the Points downwards. From hence, and from their feeing fo clear as they do in a Moon- Moon- fhiny Night, we us'd to call them Moon-efd. For eyU they fee not very well in the Sun, poring in the 'cleareft Day their Eyes being but weak, and run- ning with Water if the Sun fhine towards them fo that in the Day-time they care, not to go abroad, un- lefs it be a cloudy dark Day. Befides, they are but a weak People in Comparifon of the other, and not fit for Hunting or other laborious Exercife, nor do they delight in any fuch. But notwithstanding their being thus fluggifh, and dull, and reftive in the Day-time, yet when Moon- fhiny Night's come, Afliveby they are all Life and Adtivity, running abroad, Mooa- and into the Woods, skipping about like Wild-**1*06, Bucks ; and running as faft by Moon-light, even in the Gloom and Shade of the Woods, as the other Indians by Day, being as nimble as they, tho5 not fo ftrong and lufty.
The Copper-colour'd Indians feem not to refpedt thefe fo much as thofe of their own Complexion, looking on them as fomewhat monftrous. They are not a diftind: Race by themfelves, but now and then one is bred of a Copper-colour'd Father and Of Cop- Mother; and I have feen a Child of lefs than a Year j^,^0* old of this Sort. Some would be apt to fufpeit parents
tfiey
j 4* Mr. WAFER 3s "Defcription
they might be the OfF-fpring of fome European Fa- ther : But befides that the Europeans come little here, and have little Commerce with the Indian-Wo- men when they do come, thefe white People are as different from the Europeans in fome Refpefts, as from the Copper- colour'd Indians in others. And befides, where an European lies with an Indian-Wo- man, the Child is always a Moftefe, or Tawney, as is well known to all who have been in the Weft-In- dies ; where there are Moftefa's, Mullatto's, of fe- veral Gradations between the White, and the Black or Copper-colour' d according as the Parents are ; even to Decompounds, as a Mullatto-Fina, the Child of a Mullat to -Man , and a Moftefa wo- man,
and Pa- But neither is the Child of a Man and Woman of rents of thefe white Indians, white like the Parents, but iucb. Copper-colour'd as their Parents were. For fo La- centa told me, and gave me this as his Conje&ure how thefe came to be white, that 'twas through the Force of the Mother's Imagination, looking on the Moon at the Time of the Conception ; but this I leave others to judge of. He told me withal, that they were but fhort-liv'd. Painting Both thefe and the Copper- coloured Indians ufe their Bo- painting their Bodies, even of the fucking Children Faces' f°met*mes- They make Figures of Birds, Beafts, Men, Trees, or the like, up and down in every Part of the Body, more efpecially the .Face: But the Figures are not extraordinary like what they re- present, and are of differing Dimenfions, as their Fancies lead them. Women The Women are the Painters, and take a great Painters. Delight in it. The Colours they like and ufe molt are red, yellow and blue, very bright and lovely. They temper them with fome kind of Oil, and keep them in Calabafhes for ufe ; and ordinarily lay them on the Surface of the Skin with Pencils of
Wood,
ofthelRhmus of America. 349
Wood, gnaw'd at the End to the Softnefs of a Brufh. So lay'd on they will laft fome Weeks, and are renew'd continually. This way they painted me.
But finer Figures, efpecially by their greater Ar- tifts, are imprinted deeper, after this Manner. They firft with the Brufn and Colour make a rough Draft of the Figure they defign ; then they prick all over with a lharp Thorn till the Blood gufties Pricking out then they rub the Place with their Hands, firft the skin* dipp'd in their Colour they defign ; and the Pi&ure fo made is indelible : But fcarce one in forty of them is painted this way.
One of my Companions defired me once to get out of his Cheek one of thefe imprinted Piftures, which was made by the Negroes, his Name was Bull- ?nan which yet I could not effedtually do, after much fcarifying and fetching off a great Part of the Skin. The Men when they go to War, paint the Faces all over with red ; and the Shoulders, Breafts, and the reft of the Bodies, here with black, and there with yellow, or any other Colour at Pleafure, in large Spots ; all which they walh off at Night in the River before they go to fleep.
They wear no Cloaths ordinarily ; but only the Womens Women have a Clout or Piece of Cloth about their Garba Middle, tied behind with a Thread, and hanging down to their Knees or Ancles, if they can get one large enough. They make thefe of Cotton but fometimes they meet with fome old Cloaths got by trucking with their Neighbouring Indians fubje£t to the Spaniards \ and thefe they are very proud of. Mr. T)a??ipier relates how we prevailed with a morofe Indian, by prefenting his Wife with a Sky-colour'd Petticoat : And nothing will oblige the Women more than to give them Cloaths, efpecially of gau- dy Colours.
The
3 5 o Mr. WAFE R's "Defer option
Men The Men go ordinarily quite naked, without fo
naked. much as a Clout about them, which few other In- dians are without. But thefe have only a fmall Vef- fel of Gold or Silver, if they are able, or at leaft a Piece of Plantain-leaf, of a Conick Figure, like the Conick Extinguifher of a Candle. They forceably bear Veflcl. back the Perns within its owrn Tegument, clofe to the Pubes \ and they keep it there with this Funnel tied hard upon it with a String coming from it, and going about their Waifts, They leave the Scrotum exposed, having no Senfe of Shame with Reference to that, as they have with Refpe£t to the Penis, Modefty which they never fhew uncovered : But the Men will of both turn away their Faces even from one another, if by Sexes. any Accident it be uncovered ; and when they would make Water, they turn their Backs to their Companions, and fquatting down flip off the Funnel with one Hand, and having done, put it on again very nimbly. When they would go to Stool, they choofe always to go into the River, both Men or Women ; having a great Senfe of Shame as to that particular : And in general, they are both a modeft and a cleanly People. TheMen's Yet the Men alfo have a Value for Cloaths, and if Robes, on any of them had an old Shirt given him by any of particular he WOuld be fure to wear it, and ftrut about at cca ionsno orcjjnary Rate> Befides this they have a Sort of long Cotton Garments of their own, fome white, others of a rufty black, fhap'd like our .Carter's Frocks, hanging down to their Heels, with a Fringe of the fame of Cotton about a Span long, and Ihort, wide, open Sleeves, reaching but to the Middle of their Arms. Thefe Garments they put on over their Heads ; but they are worn only on fome great Occafions, as attending the King or Chief, either at a Feaft, a Wedding efpecially ; or fitting in Council, or the like. They don't march in them : But the Women carry thefe and their o-
ther
of the Ifthmus of America^ 351
ther Ornaments in Baskets after them ; which they put on when they come to the Place of Aflembly, and there make themfelves as fine as they can. When they are thus aflembled, they will fometimes walk about the Place or Plantation where they are, with thefe their Robes on : And I once faw Lacenta thus walking about with 2 or 300 of thefe attending him, as if he was muftering them : And I took Notice that thofe in the black Gowns walk'd before him, and the white after him, each having their Lan- ces of the fame Colour with their Robes.
For an Ornament to the Face, befide their gene-pjajes ral painting and daubing their Cheeks with red hanging when they go to War, the Men wear at all Times a over the piece of Plate hanging over their Mouths, general- ut " ly of Silver, but the principal Men have it of Gold. *Tis of an oval Figure, covering the Mouth from Corner to Corner ; and this is the length of it. It reaches fo low as to lye upon the Under-lip with its loweft Side, and there is a piece cut out of the Up- per-fide, near the Extremity of it ; which Edge being cut afunder, the whole Plate is like the Figure of a Half-moon, only inclining more to an Oval ; and gently pinching the Bridle of the Nofe with its Points, it hangs dangling from thence. It is in the Middle of about the Thicknefs of a Guinea \ but grows thinner gradually towards the Edge. The Plates of this Size are fuch as they ufe when they go to a Feaft or Council : But thar which they wear abroad upon a long March, Hunting, or at ordinary Times, is of the fame Shape, but much fmaller, and does not cover their Lips, Such an one I wore among them of Gold.
Inftead of this Plate, the Women wear a Ring The Wo-" hanging down in the fame Manner ; and the Metal mensNofe and Size alfo differing according to their Rank, and Rings' the Occafion. The larger Sort is of the Thicknefs of a Goofe-quil! s and not Oval as the Men's Plate,
but
3 52 Mr. WAFER'* "Defcription
but circular. It goes through the Bridle of the Nofe which many Times, by its Weight and long Ufe, efpecially in Elder Womeh^ it brings down to the Mouth.
Both Men and Women, at folemn Meals or Feafts, when they wear their larger Plates or Rings, take them out and lay them afide till they have done Eating ; when rubbing them very clean and bright, they put them in again. At other Times when they eat or drink, they content themfelves with lifting up with the left Hand, if need be, the fmall Plates or Rings they then wear, (and the Womens Rings are feldom fo fmall but they lie upon the Lipsj while they ufe their Right in taking up the Cup or feeding themfelves. And by the way, they always make the chief ufe of their right Hands : None of And I never perceiv'd a Left-handed Perfon among Le?Han r^em' Neither the Plates nor Rings hinder much ded! an" their Speaking, tho' they lie bobbing upon their Lips.
Ear pen- The King or Chief, and fome few of the great dants. Ones, at extraordinary Times, wear in each Ear, faftned to a Ring there, two large gold Plates, one hanging before to the Breaft, and the other behind on the Shoulder. They are about a Span long, of an Heart-fafhion fas that is commonly painted) with the Point downward ; having on the upper Part a narrow Plate or Label, about 3 or 4 Inches long,, by a Hole which it hangs to the Ring in the Ear, It wears great Holes in the Ears by frequent Ufe. Diadems I once faw Lacenta, in a great Council, wear a of Gold, Diadem of Gold-plate, like a Band about his Head, 8 or 9 Inches broad, jagged at the Top like the Teeth of a Saw, and lined on the Infide with a Net- work of fmall Canes. And all the armed Men, who then attended him in Council, wore on their Heads fuch a Band, but like a Basket of Canes, and fo jagged, wrought fine, and painted very
hand-
of the Ifthmus of America. 353
handfomely, for the mo ft part red ; but not cover'd over with a Gold-plate as Lacentcfs was. The Topandof of thefe was fet round with long Feathers, of fevc-j^?? ral of the moft beautiful Birds ftuck upright in athers. Ring or Crown : But Lacenta had no Feathers on his Diadem.
Befide thefe particular Ornaments there are yet o~ Chains of ther general ones, which they all wear, Men, Wo- Beads, } men and Children of 7 or 8 Years old, in Proporti-^* on to their Age. Thefe are feveral Strings or Chains of Teeth, Shells,- Beads, or the like, hang- ing from the Neck down upon the Breaft, and to the Pit of the Stomach. The Teeth-chains are cu- their rioufly made with Teeth jagged like a Saw in feve- greatMens ral Rows, fo contrived as that the Prominences of the one Row may lie in the Notches of the other, and look like one folid Mafs of Bone. This was worn only by Lacenta, and fome few of the princi- pal Men, on particular Occafions ; and they put them on over the reft of their Beads. We us'd to call thefe Tygers-teeth, though I know not for whatT7-ers- Reafon, for 1 never faw any fuch Creature there :teet^- Yet I have been informed there are Tygers on theTygers Continent. Some of our Men who crofs'd the IJIb- °" the mus9 told me, they killed one there ; and at ano- mHs* ther Time, when we went over with Capt. Sharp, fome of the Men faid they faw a Tyger, who flood at a ftnall Diftance, and ftar'd upon them. I have heard alfo that there is a fmall Sort, but very fierce, in the Bay of Camp each y.
But for the reft of them, both Men and Women, The they wear not any Teeth, but only a few Scattering ^^ins
! fometimes here and there in the Chains among themacjc, reft of the Baubles. Each of them has, it may be, about the Neck 3 or 400 Strings of Beads, Shells,
I or the like, but thefe divided into 7 or 8 Ranks ;
,and the Strings of each, by being turn'd a little a- bout one another, make, as it were, fo many Vox, IIL A a Ropes
3 54 Mr. WAFER x IXefcription.
Ropes of them. Thefe hang ufually one below a- nother, yet in no great Order \ and the Women generally have theirs hanging all on a Heap or Clufter. Whatever Bugles or other fuch Toys they : get, they find a Place for them among their Chains u which the heavier they be, the more ornamental. Their She is a poor Woman who has not 15 or 20 Pound u?a-Ch • Weight upon her; fome have 3c or more ; and ' the Men have commonly near twice as much in Weight as the Women, according as their Strength is, and their Ability to compafs them, when When they are in the Houfe, or on Hunting, or worn. going to War, they wear none of thefe Chains ; but only when they would appear in State, upon Occafion of a Feaft, Wedding, Council, or the like. As tfyey go to the Place of Rendezvous, the Women carry them for them, as they do their other Trinkets, in Baskets 5 one at each End of a Pole laid a-crofs the Shoulder. When they come to the Place, they put them on, and walk about and fometimes will dance in them ; till with the Motion and Weight they fweat extremely. When they fit down to eat, they take them off till they have done.
The Children have only a few fmall Chains ; and a String or two of Beads or Bugles they will put upon their very Infants. And the Women, befides thefe Chains, have fometimes Bracelets about their Woraens Arms, of a fmall Quantity of the farjrte Materials] Bracelets twifted feveral Times abotit. Both Men and Wo- °f the men, when painted, and let out -with all thefe Fine-! ame' ries, make no ordinary Figure. Their Their Houfes lie moftly thin and fcattering, ef- Houfes 1 peclally in new Plantations, and always by a River fide. But in fome Places there are a pretty many together, fo as to make a Town or Village yet not Handing clofe or orderly in Rows or Streets, but and how difpers'd here andr there, like our Villages or Com- ***** *mons,i
of the Ifthmus of America. 355
mons, or in Wood-lands. They have Plantations ly- ing about them, fome at a nearer, others at a great- er Diftance, referving ftill a Place to build the com- mon War-houfe on. They change not their Seats or Houfes, unlefs either for fear of the Neighbour- ing Spaniards, if they think them too much ac- quainted with the Place of their Abode \ or to mend their Commons, when the Ground is worn out of Heart ; for they never manure it.
In building th£y lay no Foundations, only dig an<j buat# Holes 2 or 3 Feet afunder ; in which they fet fmall Pofts upright, of an equal Heighth, of 6, 7, or 8 Foot high. The Walls are walled up with Sticks, and daub'd over with Earth : And from tlfefe Walls the Roof runs in fmall Rafters, meeting in a Ridge, and covered with Leaves of fome Trees of the Palm-kind.
The Building is all irregular. The Length is a- bout 24 or 25 Foot; the Breadth proportionable. There is no Chimney, but the Fire is made in the Middle of the Houfe, on the Ground the Smoke going out at a Hole on the Top, or at the Crevifes in the Thatch. The Houfe is not fo much parted into Rooms, as all of it a Clufter of Hovels, join- ing together in one Houfe. No Stories, no Doors, nor Shelves, nor other Seats, than Logs of Wood- Every one of the Family has a Hammock tied up, hanging from End to End of the Hovel or Room.
Several Houfes in a Village or Neighbourhood, War- have one War-houfe or Fort in common to them ^p^g301' which is generally at leaft 120 or 130 Foot long, about 25 broad, the Wall about 9 or 10 Foot high *, and in all to the Top of the Ridge about 20 Foot \ and cover d with Leaves as* their other Houfes. The Materials and Method of Building are alfo much the fame as in the other Houfes ; but there are no Partitions. The Sides and Ends of thefe War- houfes are full of Holes, each about as wide as one's
A a 2 Fift %
356 Mr. WAFERS Ttefcription
Fiflr ; but made here and there at Random in no regular Figure or Order. Out of thefe they view an approaching Enemy, and (hoot their Arrows. They have no way of flanking an Enemy. Thefe Floufes are always feated on a Level, on the Nap or Edge of a gentle Hill ? and they clear the Coalt of Woods and Shrubs, for a Bow's-ftioot quite round it. There is a Door- way at each End and to barricado it, a Sort of Door made of Macaw- wood and Bamboes, both fplit and bound together with Withs ; 'tis about a Foot thick : This they have ready to fet up againft: an Enemies Entrance, and 2 or 3 Polls in the Ground to fupport it. 5Tis a great Inconvenience of thefe Forts that they are eafily fet a Fire , and the Spaniards fhoot into the Thatch, Arrows with long Shanks made red hot, for that Purpofe. There is ufually a Family of In- dians living in the War-houfe, as a Guard to it, and to keep it clean : And they are always kept pretty neat, as their private Houfes alfo are. The War- houfes ferve them alfo to hold their Councils, or o- ther general Meetings. Plantati- In the Plantations, among their Houfes, they fet onsand fo much of Plantains, Maiz, or the like, as ferves Pusban- t^[r Occafions. The Country being all a Foreft, y' the firft Thing of their Husbandry is ufually to cut down the Trees and clear a piece of Ground. They often let the Trees lie along the Place 3 or 4 Years after they are cut down ; and then fet fire to them and the Underwood or Stumps, burning all toge- ther. Yet in the mean time they plant Maiz a- mong the Trees as they lie. So much of the Roots of the Trees as are under Ground, they fuf- fer to lie there and rot, having no way to grub them up. When the Ground is pretty clear, they hough it up into little Ridges and Hillocks ; but in no very good Form nor regular Diftance. In each of thefe Hillocks they make a Hole with their Fingers, and
throw
of the Ifthmus 0/* America.' 357
throw in 2 or 3 Grains of Maiz as we do Garden- beans ; covering it up with Earth. ' The Seed-time is about April \ the Harveft about September or October. They pluck off the Ears of the Maiz with their Hands, as is ufual alfo elfewhere : And tho* I was not there in their Harveft-time, yet I faw the Maiz in the preceeding Harveft laid up in the Husk in their Houfes. . Initead of ThrefJiing, they rub off the Grain. They make no Bread of Maiz it, nor Cakes, but ufe the Flower on many Occafi- Flower, ons ; parching the Corn, and grinding it between two Stones, as Chocolate is made. One ufe they put the Flower to, is to mixt it with Water in a Cala- bafh, and fo drink it off ; which they do frequently when they travel, and have not leifure to get other Provifions. This Mixture they call Chichab, which, I think, fignifies Maiz.
They make a Drink alfo of their Maiz, which Com they call Chiehah-Co-pah ; for Co-pah fignifies Drink. Drink. They fteep in a Trough of Water a Quantity of Maiz bruifed, about 20 or 30 Bufhels, if it be a- gainft a Feaft or Wedding ; letting it lie fo long till the Water is impregnated with the Corn, and be- gins to turn foure. Then the Women, ufually fome old Women, who have little elfe to do, come to- gether and chew Grains of Maiz in their Mouths, howfer-. which they fpit out into a Gourd or Calabafh : merited. And when they think they have a fufficient Quan- tity of this Spittle and Maiz in the Calabafhes, they empty them into the Trough of Water, after ha- ving firft taken out the Maiz that was infus'd in it ;: and this ferves inftead of Barm or Yeail, fetting all the Trough of Liquor in a fmall Ferment. When it has done working, they draw it off clean from the Sediment into another Trough, and then 'tis ready for ufe. It taftes like foure fmall Beer, yet 'tis ve- ry intoxicating. They drink large Quantities of it, and are very fond of it : It makes them belch very
A a 3 muck
35? Mr. WAFERS Defcription
much. This is their Choice Drink ; for ordinarily they drink plain Water or Mijlaw. Mi/law of Miflawis a Drink made of ripe Plantains : There Plantains, is of two Sorts, one made of Plantains frefh-ga- ther'd, the other of dry ones. The former they roaft in its Cod, which peeling off, they put the Plantain into a Calabash of Water, and mafh it with their Hands, till 'tis all diifolved ; and then they drink it up with the Water. The other is made of Cakes or Lumps of Plantain dried for the Plantains when ripe and gather'd, will not keep, but quickly grow rotten if left in the Cod. To preserve them therefore, they make a Mafs of the Pulp of a great many of the ripe Plantains, which they dry with a gentle Fire upon a Barbecue or Grate of Sticks, made like a Gridiron. This Lump they keep for ufe, breaking off a piece of it when they pleafe, and mafhing it in Water for Mijlaw. They carry a Lump of Plantain with them for this End when ever they travel ; efpeci- ally into Places where they can't hope to get ripe Plantains, tho' they prefer the dried ones. Green and half ripe ones they eat inftead of Bread with Flefh ; but they boil them firft. They do the fame with their Yams and Potato's, which they fome- times roaft y as alfo the CalTava-root : And their Plantations are never without fome or other of thefe, and ufually in good Plenty ; efpecially the old Plantations.
1 faw no Herbs or Sallading in their Plantations, neither did I ever fee them eat any kind of Herbs. But they never forget to have in their Plantations fome of their beloved Pepper ; and they ufually are pretty well ftor'd with Pine-Apples, which they have very plentiful, and eat of them every Day,
The
of the Ifihvr.us of America. 3 59
The Men firft clear the Plantations, and bring Women them into order, but the Women have all the mer$* Trouble of them afterwards ; the digging, hough- ing, planting, plucking the Maiz, and letting Yams, and every thing of Husbandry, is left to them, but only the cutting down Trees, or fuch Work that requires greater Strength. The Women alio have the managing Affairs within Doors, for they are in genera] the Drudges of the Family ; especi- ally the Old Women, for fuch Works as they are able to do, as Cooking, Wafhing, and the like. And abroad alfo the Women are to attend their Husbands, and do all their fervile Work. Nay, they are little better than their Pack-horfes, carry- ing all the Luggage of their Houfliold-Utenfils, Viftuals, fcrV. and when they come to the Place where they are to lodge, the Wife dreffes Supper, while the Man hangs up the Hammocks ; for each of them lies in their own Hammock.
But notwithftanding the Women are put thus to The Wo- all Manner of Drudgery about the Houfe and Plan- j?en* tations, and in travelling abroad, and are little bet- voluruary ter than Slaves to their Husbands ; yet they do their Work fo readily and chearfully, that it ap- pears to be rather their own Choice than any Ner ceffity laid upon them. They are in general very Their good condition^, pitiful and courteous to one ano-S0?dC°n- ther, but efpecially to Strangers s ready to give any ltlons> juft Attendance or Afliftance they can. They ob- ferve their Husbands with a profound Refped; and Duty upon all Occafions ; and on the other Side and their their Husbands are very kind and loving to them, Hl^sban^ I never knew an Indian beat his Wife, nor give her any hard Words : Nor even in the Quarrels, which they are wont to have in their Cups, do they fhew any Roughnefs towards their Women who attend them.
A a 4
Refide
?6o Mr. WAFERS T)efcription
Care of Befide thefe Cares, the Women have that which Children more immediately belongs to them, the Care of Lying in. their Children. When a Woman is delivered of a Child, another Woman takes it in her Arms with- in half an Hour or lefs after it is born, and takes the lying-in Woman upon her Back, and goes with both of them into the River and wafhes them there. Nurfing. The Child for the firft Month, is tied upon a Board, or piece of Ma^aw -wood fplit (Tor that ferves them ufually for Boards, having no Saws) and this piece of Wood is fwathed to the Back of the Child ; and their Children generally grow very ftreight. When there is Occafion to clean the Child, they take it off from the Board, and wafh it with cold Water ; and then fwathe it on again. The Mother takes up the Child to give it Suck, Board and all, and lays it down again in a little Hammock made for that Purpofe ; the upper Part of which is kept open with flhort Sticks. Educati- As the Children grow up, the Boys are bred to on of the their Fathers Exercifes ; efpecially fhooting with ^oys# the Bow and Arrow, and throwing the Lance ; at both which they are very expert. I have feen Things performed by them with a Dexterity almoft Their incredible : For Inflance, a little Boy of about 8 Pexterity. Years old, would fet a Cane up on end, and going about 20 Paces from it, would fplit it with a Bow and Arrow, and not mifs once in feveral EfTays. This I have feen, and this is the chief of their Exer- cife : And as they generally accompany their Fathers onFIunting, (efpecially when about 10 or 12 Years old, and big enough to carry their own Provifion, and a Calabafh of Corn-Drink) fo they will fhoot little Birds they meet with, and ftrike in with the Hunt. Their young Children they never carry a- broad with them on a Journey, or on a hunting or fighting Expedition. The Boys, when grown fome- what big, always go abroad with the Father an4
Mother.
of the Mhrnus of America. 361
Mother, and do what little Services they can \ but the Girls ftay at home with the old Women.
They feem very fond of their Children, both Fa- Indul- thers and Mothers ; and I have fcarce feen them uleScncc* any Severity towards them. And the Children are fuffer'd to divert themfelves which way they will. Swimming in the Rivers and catching Fifh, is a great Exercife even ror the fmall Boys and Girls ; and the Parents alfo ufe that Refrefhment. They go quite naked, both Boys and Girls, till the Age of Puberty ; when the Girls put on their Clout, and the Boys the Funnel.
The Girls are bred up by their Mothers to their Girls Em- domeftick Employments. They make them help ploy- to drefs the Victuals, and fet them to draw Strings niems% out of iW^-bark, and to beat 5i/£-grafs, for Thread, Cordage, and Nets. They pick the Cot- ton alfo, and fpin it for their Mothers weaving. For weaving, the Women make a Roller of Wood, The Wo- about 3 Foot long, turning eafily about between 2 ™fns . Polls. About this they place Strings of Cotton, Vlns' of 3 or 4 Yards long, at moft, but oftner lefs, ac- cording to the ufe the Cloth is to be put to, whe- ther for a Hammock, or to tie about their Waifts, or for Gowns, or Blankets to cover them in their Hammocks, as they lie in them in their Houfes ; which are all the Ufes they have for Cloth : And they never weave a Piece of Cotton with a Defign to cut it, but of a Size that ihall juft ferve for the particular Ufe. The Threads thus coming from the Roller are the Warp ; and for the Woof, they twift Cotton-yarn about a fmall piece of Macaw- wood, notch'd at each End 5 and taking up every other Thread of the Warp with the Fingers of one Hand, they put the Woof through with the other Hand, and receive it out on the other Side : And to make the Threads of the Woof lie clofe in the Cloth, they ftrike them at every Turn with a long
362 Mr. WAFERS ^Defcriptwn
and thin piece of Macaw-wood like a Ruler, which lies a-crofs between the Threads of the Warp for that Purpofe.
The Girls alfo twift Cotton- Yarn for Fringes, and prepare Canes, Reeds, or Palmeto-Leaves, as The Mens the Boys alio do, for Basket-making. But the ma- Basket- king up the Baskets is the Men's work ; who firft making. dye the Materials of feveral curious lively Colours, and then mix and weave them very prettily. They weave little Baskets like Cups alfo very neat ; with the Twigs wrought fo very fine and clofe, as to hold any Liquor, without any more to do, having no Lacker or Varnifh : And they as ordinarily drink Woven out °f thefe woven Cups, as out of their Cala- Cups. bafhes, which they paint very curioufly. Theymak£ Baskets of feveral Sizes, for carrying their Cioaths, or other Ufes, with great Variety of Work ; and fo firm, that you may crufh them, or throw them a- bout, how you will almoft, with little or no Da* mage to them.
Modefty The young Maids are fhut up in private by their of the Parents'at the Time of Puberty, and will not be M°iids§ ^een ky any> but put a piece of Cotton as a Veil o- ver their Faces, if any one fhould come accidental- ly into the Place where they are, though it be their Father. This Confinement lafts not long, but they foon go abroad again. They are very modeft ; and though they will lay hold of any Part of a Man, yet they do it with great Simplicity and Inno- cence.
Plurality Lacenta had feveral Wives, as others of them al- pf wives. f0 had. Lacenta's were 7 in Number. When he went a Progrefs or long Journey, 'twas fo contri- ved, that he ftill found one of hi§ Wives at every new Stage he came to.
Adultery
of the Ifthmus of America.1 363
Adultery is punifhed among them with thePunifli-' Death of both Parties. Yet if the Woman confef- S°rfr fes the Faft to her Husband, and fwears fhe was U forc'd, fhe finds Favour : But if fhe conceals it, and it be prov'd againft her, fhe is burnt. Their Laws are fevere alfo in other Refpe&s for a Thief Theft, dies without Mercy.
If a Man debauches a Virgin, they thruft a Sort and de- of Briar up the Paflage of his Penis, and then turnflounnS it round ten or a dozen Times : Which is not only VirSins# a great Torment, but commonly mortifies the Part ; and the Perfon dies of it ; but he has L iber- ty to cure himfelf if he can. Thefe Fafts mull be proved by Oath ; which is by their Tooth.
When they marry, the Father of the Bride, orThefr the next Man of Kin, keeps her privately in the fame Marriage, Apartment with himfelf the firft feven Nights > whether to exprefs an Unwillingnefs to part with her, or for what other Reafon 1 know not j and fhe is then deliver'd to her Flusband.
When a Man difpofes of his Daughter, he invites all the Indians within 20 Miles round, to a great Feaft, which he provides for them. The Men whoPrefents come to the Wedding bring their Axes along with brou*lir- them, to work with : The Women bring about half a Bufhel of Maiz : The Boys bring Fruit and Roots : The Girls Fowls and Eggs for none come empty-handed. They fet their Preients at the Door of the Houfe, and go away again, till all the reft of the Guefts have brought theirs ; which are all receiv'd in, and difpos'd of by the People of the Houfe.
Then the Men return firft to the Wedding^ and Vamag<» the Bridegroom prefents each Man with a Calabafh 'Ceremo- of ftrong Drink, and condufts them through theRles# Houfe one by one, into fome open Place behind it. The Women come next, who likewife receive a Ca- labafh of Liquor, aad march through the Houfe.
Then
3 <S4- Mr. WAFER'/ "Defcription
Then come the Boys, and laft of all the Girls j who all drink at the Door, and go after the reft.
Then come the Fathers of the young Couple, with their Son and Daughter : The Father of the Bridegroom leads his Son, and the Father of the Bride leads his Daughter. The former makes a Speech to the Company ; and then dances a- bout with many Antick Geftures, till he is all on a Sweat. Then kneeling down he gives his Son to the Bride ; whofe Father is kneeling alfo and holds her, having danc'd himfelf into a Sweat, as the o- ther. Then the young Couple take each other by the Hand, and the Bridegroom returns the Bride to her Father ; and thus ends the Ceremony. Working Then all the Men take up their Axes, and run ^rwth^ou-fhouting and hollowing to a Trad: of Woodland, pie. which before is laid out for a Plantation for the young Couple. There they fall to work, cutting down the Woods, and clearing the Ground as fait as they can. Thus they continue about feven Days, working with the greateft Vigour imagineable : And all the Ground which they clear, the Women and Children plant with Maiz, or whatever elfe is agreeable to the Seafon. They alfo build a Houfe for the new-married Couple to live in. The Mar- The feven Days being ended, and the young riageFeaftMan fettled with his Wife in his new Houfe, the Company make merry there with Cbicbah-Co-pab, the Corn-drink before defcribed, of which they arc fure to provide good Store. They alfo make Provifion for Feafting ; and the Guefts fall too very heartily. Hard When their Eating is over, the Men fall to hard Drinking. Drinking : But before they begin, the Bridegroom Care to takes all their Arms, and hangs them to the Ridge- prevent pQ]e Qf ^ Houfe, where none can get at them but " himfelf : For they are very quarrelfome in their Drink : They continue drinking Night and Day, till all the Liquor i& fpent > which lafls ufually 3
or
of the Ifthmtis of America. 365
Of 4 Days. During which fome are always drink- ing, while others are drunk and fleeping : And when all the Drink is out, and they have recover'd their Senfes, they all return to their own Homes.
They have Feafting on other Occafions alfo; as other after a great Council held, or any other Meeting ; Fcafts and which they have fometimes only for Merriment. Meals. The Men conftantly drink to one another at Meals, fpeaking fome Word, and reaching out the Cup to- wards the Perfon they drink to. They never drink to their Women but thefe conftantly ftand by and attend them while they are eating \ take the Cup of any one who has drank, thr6w due the Re- mainder of the Liquor, rinfe it, ancI^P^e it full to another. The Women at all Feafts, and in their own Houfes, wait on their Husbands till they have done ; and then go and eat by themfelves, or with one another.
The Men, when they are at home, trouble them- The Mens felves little with any Bufinefs ; but that they may not Employ- be quite idle, they will be often making them Cupsments* and Baskets, Arrows and Heads for them, Lances, Nets, and the like.
The Men make alfo a Sort of Pipes of fmall hoi- Their Re- low Bamboes, and fometimes of a fingle Reed, creation. They cut Notches in it, and blow it ftrongly, ma- king a whining Noife, but without any diftinft Notes : And they frequently entertain themfelves with fuch Inftruments, as they us'd in their Paw aw- ing. They will do any thing to make a Noife, which they love much ; and they keep every one a Humming at the fame Time to themfelves.
They hum alfo when they dance, which they do Dancing." many Times 30 or 40 in a Ring, Men only toge- ther. They ftretch out their Hands, laying them on another's Shoulders. Then they move gently fide- ways round in the fame Circle \ and lhake all
the
3 66 Mr. WAFERV Ttefcription
the Joints of their Bodies with a wrigling antick Gefture, as they move along the Ring.
They pipe and drum often, even at working Times but their dancing they ufe chiefly when they get together to make merry. When they have danc'd fome Time, one or other of the Com- pany goes out of the Ring, jumps about, and plays antick Tricks, throwing and catching his Lance, bending back towards the Ground, and fpringing forward again, with many other Motions, like our Tumblers; but with more Activity than Art: And when one is tired with his Tricks, another fteps out ; and fometimes two or three together. As foon as evei^lKs over, they jump into the River, all in a violent Sweat as they are. and there wafh them- felves clean ; and when they come out of the Wa- ter, they ftroke it off from their Hair and Bodies with their Hands. A Dancing-bout, if the Meet- ing be large, lafts fometimes a whole Day, feldom lefs than 5 or 6 Hours ; and 'tis ufually after having a fhort drinking Bout : But they don't dance after they have drank very hard.
Thefe, and the Huntings and Shooting at a Mark, are fheir chief Divertifements ; for both Men and Boys will be letting fly at any thing they fee, though for nothing but Exercife or Trial of The Wo- Skill. The Women have Dancings and Merri- ment Di- ments by themfelves, when their Husbands Paftimes verfions. are over . fQT never feaft nor p]ay together
with the Men : But they will drink by themfelves till they are fuddled. Their care ^e Women take great Care of their Husbands of their when they have made themfelves drunk. For when drunken they perceive him in fuch a Condition that he can u s bear up no longer, they get 1 or 2 more Women to affift them to take him up, and put him into his Hammock , where as he lies fnoring, they ftand by and fprinkle Water on his Body to cool him, walk- ing
of the Ifthmus of America* 367
ing his Hands, Feet and Face ftroking off that Water with their Hands as it grows warm, and throwing on frefh. I have feen 10 or 12 or more, lying thus in their Hammocks after a Feaft, and the Women Handing by to look after them.
The Men never ftir abroad upon the mod ordina- Hunting ry Occafion, if it be but juft without the Door toExpectiti- make Wate*, but they take with them fome or o-onSo ther of their Weapons, their Bow and Arrow, Lance, Hatchet, or Macheat or Long-knife. Their mod frequent Expeditions in Time of Peace, are to go a Hunting. For this is their way of fupplying themfelves with Flefli and they go out as often as it fails at home. They fometimes go out a Family or two only by themfelves ; but they have often larger and more folemn Huntings, of a great many in Company together: And there is feldom a Coun- cil held, or Feaft, but there is fome hunting Match concluded on before they part \ and a Time fet for every one to appear with their feveral Neceffaries, at the general Rendezvous.
A hunting Expedition lads fometimes 3 or 4, fometimes 10, 12, 17 or 18 Days, according as they meet with the Game, and as the Courfe is which they fteer to find it : For fometimes they will range to the Borders, to vifit or traffick with their Neighbouring Indians \ And they will hunt all the way as they go and return. They hunt more or lefs at all Seafons of the Year ; never regarding whether their Venifon be in Seafon or not. They take with them one or two Dogs a piece, to beat, about ; and there go as well Women as Men. When I went with them a hunting a young Woman was appointed me to wait on me, and carry my Basket of Provifions.
The Women carry in their Baskets, Plantains, Provifions Bonanoes, Yams, Potatoes and Caffava-roots, rea- dy roafted \ but in the Woods, among the ruin -d
Plant.a-
3 68 Mr. WAFERS Tfefcrlption
Plantations, they often meet with green Plantains v which they drefs there, and with thefe Roots : So
that if they go defignedly among fuch Plantations* they carry the lefs with them. They carry alfo fome parch'd Maiz in Meal or Flower* and fome ripe Plaintains raw to make Mijlaw with. This is all their Provifion. Every Woman carries a Cala- bafh ; and there are one or two Pipkins among them all. The Men carry Bows and Arrows* a Tamahock or little Axe, and a Macheat. All go Barefoot, and are often fcratch'd in the Woods, but matter it not. They hunt Pecary, Warree^ TheGame Quaums^ Cbicaly-C hie alee Corrofou's^ or any other Beafl or Bird they meet with, except Monkeys and Deer. The Fowls, and what will not be fo eafily prcferv'd, they eat prefently. They lodge all Night at any place where they happen to be at Sun- fet, fo it be near a Brook or River, and on the Nap of the Hill. They hang up their Hammocks be- tween two Trees, and cover themfelves with a Plantain-Leaf, for Shelter from Rain, Wind, with a Fire all Night by the Hammock. They ne- ver hunt after Sun-fet ; and begin not again till Sun-rife. Their chief Game are the Pecary and Warree ; neither of which are fwift of Foot. They go in Droves, often 2 or 300; fo that if the In- dians come upon them unawares, they ufually kill fome by random Shot among them. But elfe, they are many Times a whole Day without getting any *, or fo few, confidering how many they ftart, that it feems a great Toil to little Purpofe. I have feen about a thoufand ftarted, in feveral Droves, when I was a hunting with them \ of which we kilPd but two, as I remember. Sometimes when they are flhot, they carry away the. Arrows quite. When the Bead is tir'd, it will ftand at a Bay with the Dogs which will fet him round, lying clofe, not daring to feize, but fnapping at the Buttocks ; and
when
' of the Ifthmus of America. 369
when they fee their Mafter behind a Tree ready to flioot, they all withdraw to avoid the Arrow. As foon as an Indian hath fliot a Pecary or Warree, he runs in and lances them \ then he unbowels them, throwing away the Guts, and cuts them in two a- crofs the Middle. Then he cuts a piece of Wood jharp at both Ends ; fticks the Forepart of the Beaft at one End, and the Hinder-part at the other. So each laying his Stick a-crofs his Shoulder, they go to the Rendezvous, where they appointed the Women to be \ after which they carry their Meat Home, firft barbecuing it that Night.
. When they take ar Beaft or Bird, they pierce it with the Lances, or flioot Arrows into it, to let out the Blood. Then they quarter it (firft cutting off the Head 5) and if it be a Pecary they fcald off Curing the Hair with hot Water ; if a Warree, they flea it. the Meat. From fome of the Birds they ftrip the Feathers on- ly, from others the Skin alfo : And this not regular- ly, while the Carcafs is whole, but Piece-meal, af- ter they have difmember'd it ; efpecially in their Journies.
If they intend to preferve any, having little Salt, they ereft four forked Sticks. 8 or 9 Foot afunder* on which they lay two parallel Staves that fhall be above a Foot from the Ground, and fo make a Barbecue. A-crofs thefe Staves they lay the pieces of the Beafts or Birds j and fpread underneath a few live Coals, to make which they burn a Parcel of Wood on purpofe 5 and turn the fame pieces, and renew this fmall Fire for 3 or 4 Days, or a Week, till the Meat be as dry as a Chip, or like our fmoak'd Beef. This they do abroad if they kill a great many Pecary, Birds, &c. and bring the pieces home ready dried: And if there be much of it, the Men help the Women to carry home the Ve- nifon. Thefe pieces will keep a great while 5 and when the Stock is almoft out, they go again a hunt-
Vol. III. B b ing.
370 Mr. WAFERS Ttefcription
ing. They make a Barbecue at home alfo, heap- ing up thefe dried pieces a-crofs, and often putting fome Embers underneath, to keep them from gi- i ving, or growing mufty in that moift Country. From thefe pieces they cut off Bits for ufe as they want them.
Their If they take any Parcels of their dried Flefh, or \ Cookery; any newly killed, they cut it into fmall pieces, and throw them into the Pipkin ; putting into it fome of the Roots and green Plantains or Bonano's, or any , other Eatable, and a great deal of Pepper ftewing >all together by a fimmering gentle Heat, never boiling it. The Veffel ftands thus clofe covered . tfor 7 or 8 Hours ; for 'tis fet on very early in the I Morning, and they flay till all be brought to Pulp or Mafh. This is for fet Meals for Plantains and I Bonano's they eat all Day ; but this fet Meal of Flefh they eat but once, about Mid-day only. The and man- Mafh they pour out into a large Earthen Difh oi J ner of Calabafh, fetting it on the great Block, which is in Bating. every Houfe as a Table, fitting round on little I Blocks as on Stools. But at great Feafts, for large j Companies, they make a great Barbecue, io, 12, ] 6r 20 Foot long, or more, as the Company is, and i broad proportionably : They fpread on it 3 or 4 Breadths of Plantain-leaves for a Table-Cloath. j Every one has a Calabafh of Water Handing by1 him at his Right-Hand, on the Ground. In eating, they dip the two Fore- fingers of the Right-Hand bent Hook-wife, and take up therewith out of th6 I Difh, as with a Spoon, as much as they can, ftro- I king it a-crofs into their Mouths. At every mouth- ■! ful they dip their Fingers into the Calabafh of Wa- ter by their Side, whether for Cleanlinefs or Cool- I ing, I know not ; for they eat their Meat excefllve r\ hot, as well as violently pepper'd. They eat no- l thing with it as Bread ; but when they have a Lump j of Salt (which is rarej at every 3 or 4 Mouthfuls cj
they J
ef the Ifthrnus of America. 371
they ftroke it over their Tongue, to give a RelHh, and then lay it down again.
The Indians^ when they travel, guide themfelves TheirTra* either by the Sun, when it fhines, or by fleering to- veiling. m wards fuch a determinate Point, obferving the bending of the Trees, according as the Wind is. If they are at a lofs this way, they notch the Barks of Trees, to fee which Side is thickeft which is always the South, or Sunny-fide ; and their Way lies generally through Woods. They go alfo through Swamps, Boggs, Rivers, &c. where there is no Sign of a Path, and are often forced to turn afide yet will keep their way pretty dire£t for feveral Days together j clearing their way through Thick- ets with their Macheats, efpecially if of hollow Bamboes •, for there is no getting through without it. They fwim over Rivers, Men, Women and Children, without felling Trees, as we did there* But down the River they ufe either their Canoas, or Bark-Logs made of Light-wood.
When any enquire the Way of them, as we had Shewing feveral Times occafion to do in palling and repaf-theWay fing the Ifthrnus^ their ulual Method of informing *nd_TimC them as to the Bearing of Place they enquire after, y ,gn * is by pointing towards it and as to the Time in which they may hope to arrive there, by pointing to fome part of the Arc the Sun defer ibes in their Hemifphere : For according as they point higher or lower# either to the Eaft or Weft of the Meridi- an, they fuggeft the Time of the Day, Morning or Afternoon, in which you may hope to arrive at the River, Plantations, or whatever 'tis you enquire after. So the Middle diftance between the Eaftern Limb of the Horizon, and the Meridian, figftifies 9 a Clock in the Morning % £ths of the South-weft Arc of the Sun's diurnal Courfe denotes 4 in the Afternoon, &c4 If the Time they would intimate be not of Hours but Days, they turn their Faces
6b 2 South-
372 Mr. WAFERS Defcriftion
Southward, and describing with their Hand the Arc of the Sun's diurnal Courfe from Eaft to Weft,, when they have brought their Hand to point to the Weftern Horizon, they then bring it to the Side of their Head \ and laying down their Head on that Side upon it, and flxutting their Eyes, counter- feit for a Moment their being afleep. Then re- peating the Motion with their Hand, and the inter- vening deeping Times, they make you underftand that there will be fo many ileeping Times or Nights before you arrive at the Place you feek. Computa- I oblerv'd among them no Diftin&ion of Weeks, of Time, or particular Days, no parting the Day into Hours, or any Portions, otherwife than by this Pointing: And when they ufe this, or any other Sign, yet they fpeak at the fame Time, and exprefs their Meaning in their own Language, tho* to Europeans who underftand it not. They reckon Times paft by no Revolutions of the Heavenly Bodies, but the Moons : For Lacenta fpeaking of the Havock the Spaniards had made to the Weftward, intimated 'twas a great many Moons ago. Numbers Their Computation is by Unites and Tens, and andCalcu Scores, to an Hundred ; beyond which I have not ktions. hearcl them reckon. To exprefs a Number above this, they take a Lock of their Hair, little or great ("in Proportion to the Number they would intimate) and hold it up in their Hands,1 forting it gradually with their Fingers, and fhaking it. To exprefs a thing innumerable, they take up all the Hair on one Side of the Head, and ihake it.
When we went into the South Seas under Captain Sharps we were in Number about 3 36, as I remem- ber and a pretty many of the Indians of the ljth- mus bore us Company in our March. They were willing to take Account of our Number as we march' d ; fo one of the Indians fat in the Path, and having a little Heap of Maiz-grains by him, for
every
of the Ifthmus of America. 373
every Man of ours that pafs'd by him he, put one Grain into his Basket. When he had thus taken a great Part of our Number, one of our Men in paffing by, gave his Basket purpofely a Tofs, a..nci threw out his Corn, and fo fpoil'd his Account This feem'd to difpleafe them : Yet one ol them got a little before, and fitting clofe in the A- at a fmall Diftance from the narrow Path, which we were to pafs one by one, he there took Number in Grains of Maiz. But when he had v.- ken his Account, they were put to it to caft it u: For 2 or 3 Days after, in the Progrefs of out March, coming among fome of the Southern JhM- dians^ we faw fome 20 or 30 of the graver Men got together, and trying their Skill to compute the Grains in the Basket ; which when they had laid up- on a Plantain-leaf, feveral of them indeavour'd to tell one after another : But when they could tell no further, (the Number probably exceeding their A- rithmetick) and feem'd to grow very hot, and ear- neft in their Debates about it, one of them ftarted ■up, and forting out a Lock of his Hair with his Fingers and fhaking it, feem'd to intimate the Num- ber to be great and unknown ; and fo put an end to the Difpute. But one of them came after us5 and enquir'd our Number in broken Spanijh.
Their Capital Numbers, One, Two, Three, they name thus :
1. Conjugo.
2. Poquab.
3. Pauquab.
4. Pakeqxab.
5. Eterrab.
6. Indricah.
7. Coogolab,
8. Paukopab,
9. Pakekopab.
Bb 3
Numeral Names,
10. AmvegK
$74 Mr. WAFERS Defcription
10, Anivego.
11. Anivego Conjugo.
12, Anivego Poquab,
13. Anivego Pauquab, &c. 20. 700/4 Boguab,
40. 700/4 Guannab.
And fo on to 100.
Under 10 they content themfel vcs with naming the particular Number at once; which they do rea- dily. But at the fame Time that they name Anivego, or 10, they clap together their expanded Hands. And for 11, 12, 13, £s?r. to 20, they clap toge- ther their Hands, and fay Anivego ; and then fepa- rating them, they ftrike in order their Fingers of the Left-hand, one by one with the Fore-finger of the Right, laying, Anivego Conjugo, Anivego Poquab, Anivego Pauquab, &c, to the Number they would exprefs, i£ under 20.
When they would exprefs 20, they clap their Hands twice, (once at every 10) and fay 7*00/4 Bo- guah. Toola feems to fignify the fame with them, as Score with us. For 21, they fay 7*00/4 Boguab Con- jugo ; 22, 700/4 Boguab Poquab, &c. To exprefs 30, they clap their Hands thrice, and fay Toola Boguah Anivego, (20 and 10J for 31, 700/4 Boguab Anivego Conjugo, C2oand 11, ) and fo on to 40 ; when again they clap their Hands 4 Times, and fay Toola guan- nab, implying another Score; 41, 700/4 guannab Conjugo, Sec. 50, 700/4 guannab Anivego, (two Score and Ten \) 51, 700/4 guannab Anivego Conju- go, (Two Score and Eleven, &c<) The Name of the other Scores to 100, I know not; and there are few of them can reckon fo far : For while I was among them, I was induftrious to learn their Numbers, and 'twas a Diverfion I had with them ; for they liked well my trying to imitate them ; and WOyld be very merry upon it : BuC 'twas not every
on©
of the Ifthmus of America^
375
one could readily carry me much farther than I have now reckoned, or fet me right if I was out.
Their way of Reckoning thus from Score tOReckoa- Score, is no more than what our old EngUJh wayingby was: But there faying inftead of 31, 32, OneScores* Score and Eleven, One Score and Twelve, is much like the High-landers of Scotland and Ireland, reck- oning Eleven and Twenty, Twelve and Twenty, So for 53. the High-landers fay Thirteen and two Score, as the Darien Indians would, two Score and Thirteen, only changing the Place. In my Youth I was well acquainted with the High-Land, or primitive Irijh Language ; both as it is fpoken in the North of Ireland, particularly at the Navan upon the Boyne, and about the Town of Virgini upon Lough Rammer in the Barony of Caftle Raghen, in the County of Cavan and alfo in the High- lands of Scotland, where I have been up and down in feveral Places. Their way of Reckoning may be a Curiofity to fome ; for which Reafon I have here inferted a Table of it ; fpelt not according to the Orthography, but the Pronunciation,
Bb 4
16. Shaedagg*
irijh and
Scotch
Highland- ers Num- bers.
376 Mr. WAFERS <Defcrij>tion
1 6. Sbaedeegg.
17. Schauchtdeegg.
18. Oachtdeegg.
19. ffinyedesgg*
20. 'Feb. A Score.
21. Heanaugusfeb Briefly [ausfeb ; augus fignifies and.
22. augus [eh. Two and a Score
23. TV* augus feb. Three, €sV.
30. Z)^ ^z/g^ Ten and a Score.
3 x. Heaneegg augus feb. Eleven and a Score.
32. DZeegg augus. feb.
40. Yoyibt.
41. tfagtfj yoyibt . 43. Z)£ ^»g«j yoyibt. 50. yoyibt.
5 f . Heaneegg tb* yoyibt. 52. Deoeegg augus tb* 'yoyibt,
60. fehtb.
61. augus Tree febtb. 70. Tra fehtb. Sol Careb-fehth.
90. i>£ Careb-fehth. 1 00. Codigfehtb ; or Caed, a Hundred. 20O. Gychead. 1000. MeelaL ioocooc. Meelioon*
Indian My Knowledge of the High-Land Language Pronun- made me the more capable of learning the Darien compar d ^ndians -Language, when I was among them. For with there is feme Affinity, not in the Signification of theirs the Words of each Language, but in the Pronun- ciation, which I could eafily imitate ; both being fpoken pretty much in the Throat, with frequent Afpirates, and much the fame fharp or circumflex Tang or Cant. I learned a great deal of the Dari- Language in a Month's Converf&tion with them ; 1 ■ for
of the Ifthmus of America. 377
for I was always asking what they call this and that : And Lacenta was continually talking with me ; who fpake alfo a few Words of broken Spanijh. I took no Care to retain any of the Indians Language ; but fome few Words that I ftill remember, I have here put as a Specimen.
Tautab, Father. Indian Naunab, Mother. Words. Poonab, Woman. Roopab, Brother.
Bidama foquab Roopab ? How do you Brother ? Neenab, a Girl. Nee, the Moon, Chaunab, Go.
Cbaunab Weeynacab ; Make hafte, run. Shennorung ; big, a great Thing. Eetbab, ugly. Paecba, foh ! ugly !
Eechab Malooquab, (an Expreflion of great Diflike.J Cotcbah, Sleep. Caupab, a Hammock.
Cotchab Caupab ? Will you go fleep in the Ham- mock ?
Pa poonab eetab Coupab ? Woman have you got
the Hammock ? Doolab, Water.
Doolab Copab ? Will you drink Water ? Cbicba-Copab, Maiz-Drink. 'Mamaubab, Fine. Cab, Pepper.
Aupab eenab ? What do you call this ?
Mr.
■ cm 1 ■$>
37*
Mr. WAFER'* Voyages, &c
MR • ?®S SSPS ?®5 M
fi^S iSsfc t^£j5> iS
cJ7V/r- Wafer^ Voyages, &c
TheRela- X-I^ving t^lus gone over the Ifthmus, and made tionof fuch Obfervations about it as occurr'd to me,
theVoy- I fhall now refume the Thread of my Voyage, tufueT" w^ck I broke in the South Sea, at Realeja on the Seep.294.C0aA: of Mexico, where I parted with Mr, Dampier, Harbour after my fecond being with him in thofe Seas. Cap- oiKealeja.t2i[n $wan \n the Cygnet, was going to the Weft- ward ; and Mr. Dampier, chofe to go with him. I flaid with Captain Davis in the Batchelors Delight and he was for going again to the Southward. SeeD*w- So we left them in the Harbour of Realeja, when ;wrWoy-we fet out Aug. 27. 1685. with three other Veflels i8p%23 our C°mPany- But our Men growing very fick ' when we were got out to Sea, we foon put into the Gulphof Gulph of Amapalla. There we lay feveral Weeks Amapallazt a fmall Ifland, on which we built Huts for our fick Men, whom we put afhore. In our 4 fmall Ships, we had then above 130 fick of the Spotted- Fever, many of whom died : Yet tho* I attended them every Day, I thank God I efcap'd the Infect- ion. But 'tis not my Intention to particularize as to all the Places or Occurrences we met with for I kept no Journal : But fome fuch Things as I took more particular Notice of, and thought worth re- marking I fhall briefly fpeak of as I go along.
Being in great want of Provifion while we lay here, we went alhore, in order to fupply our Ne* ceflities at a Beef-Eftantion on the Continent, at the South of the Cod of the Bay, which lay from the Landing-place about three Miles. In our way we
were
Mr. WAFERV Voyages, &c. 379
#?ere forced to pafs a hot River in an open Silvan- Hot Rivet nah, although we made fome Difficulty at it by Rea- fon of its Heat. This River iffued out from under a Hill : But it was no Vulqan, tho* there are feve- ral on this Coaft. I had the Curiofity to wade up the Stream as far as I had Day-light to guide me : The Water was clear and ftiallow, but the Streams under the Hill were like thofe of a boiling Pot, and my Hair was wet with them. The River without the Hill reek'd for a great way. Many of our Men who had the Itch bath'd themfelves here, and growing well foon after, they imputed it to the Sul- phuroufnefs, or other Vertue of this Water. In this Place are a Multitude of Wolves , which are the Fierce boldeft that ever I met with : for they would come Wolves- fo near, as to bealmoft ready to pull the Flefli out of our Hands: Yet we durft not Ihoot them for fear the Noife of our Guns fhould call more to their Afliftance ; and we went but ftragling up and down.
Our Men being tolerably well recover'd, we ftood away to the Southward, and came to the Jfland Cocos, in 5 Deg. 15 Min. N. Lat. 'Tis fotcwug called from its Coco-Nuts, wherewith 'tis plentifully ftor'd. 'Tis but a fmall Ifland, yet a very pleafant a pleafant; one : For the Middle of the Ifland is a fteep Hill, Placc- furrounded all about with a Plain, declining to the JSea. This Plain, and particularly the Valley where you go aftiore, is thick fet with Coco-nut Trees, which flourilh here very finely, it being a rich and fruitful Soil. They grow alfo on the Skirts of the Hilly Ground in the Middle of the Ifle, and Matter- ing in Spots upon the Sides of it, very pleafantly. But that which contributes moft to the Pleafure of the Place is, that a great many Springs of clear and fweet Water rifing to the Top of the Hill, are there gathered as in a deep large Bafon or Pond, the Top fubfiding inwards quite round ; and the Wa- ter
3 So Mr. WAFERV Voyages, &c.
ter having hy this Means no Channel whereby to flow along, as in a Brook or River, it overflows the Verge of its Bafon in feveral Places, and runs trick- ling down in many pretty Streams. In fome Places of its overflowing, the rocky Sides of the Hill being more than perpendicular, and hanging over the Arched Plain beneath, the Water pours down in a Cataraft, Cararafts. as out of a Bucket, fo as to leave a Space dry under the Spout, and form a kind of Arch of Water ; which together with the Advantage of the Profpeft, the near adjoining Coco-nut Trees, and the Frefh- riefs which the Falling Water gives the Air in this hot Climate, makes it a very charming Place, and de- lightful to feveral of the Senfes at once.
Our Men were very much pleas'd with the En- tertainment this Ifl^nd afforded them : And they al- fo filPd here all thfeir Water-Casks ; for here is ex- cellent frefh Water in the Rivulet, which thofe little Catarafls form below in the Plain, and the Ship lay jufl: at its Outlet into the Sea, whdre there was very good Riding : So that 'tis as commodious a Water- ing-place as any I have met with.
Nor did we fpare the Coco-nuts, eating what we would, and drinking the Milk, and carrying feveral Hundreds of them on board. Some or other of our Men went afhore every Day : And one Day a- mong the reft, being minded to make themfelves very merry, they went afhore and cut down a great many Coco-trees from which they gathered the Fruit, and drew about 20 Gallons of the Milk. Then they all fat down and drank Healths to the King, and Queen, They drank an exceflive
Quantity \ yet it did not end in Drunkennefs : But Numbed- however, that Sort of Liquor had fo chilled aud be- nefswith numb'd their Nerves, that they could neither go Coco- * nor ^and : Nor could they return on board the milk. Ship, without the Help of thofe who had not been
, Parta^
Mr. WAFER y$ Voyages, &c. 3 g 2
Partakers in the Frolick : Nor did they recover k under 4 or 5 Days Time.
From hence we ftood on ftill to the South, and r Gall#~ came to one of the Gallapago-lftands, lying under pages. the Line. Upon one of thefe Iflands. we found a LandTor-. great many very large Land-Tortoife, of that Sore toife, arc. which we us'd to call Hecate. Upon this Ifland is no Water to be found, but in one Place, whirher I obferv'd thefe Animals frequently go to drink 5 but they go not into the Water.
At this Ifland there was but one Watering-place, and there we careen'd our Ship. Hither many Tur- tle-Doves and other Birds reforted for Water ; which were at firft fo familiar with us, that they would light upon our Heads and Arms ; infomuch that for feveral Days we maintained the Ship's Com- pany with them : But in a little Time they began to- be fo fhy, that we could kill none but what we Ihot. Heo are alfo Guano's very plentiful, which are very Guano** good Food. There grows a Sort of Wood in this Ifle very fweet in fmell. 'Tis but a low Tree, not fhrubby, but like a Pear-tree, tho' thicker ; and full of very fweet Gum. While we lay here at the Gallapago's, we took in at one of the Iflands there 500 Packs of Flower, which we had formerly left there upon the Rocks ; but the Turtle-Doves hadp]ower devoured a great deal of the Flower, for the Bags left there lay expos'd to the Air.
When we left the Gallapago's we went cruifing upcruifiug and down about feveral of the Iflands and Coalts of on the Peru \ the Particulars of which I fhall not trouble ^°*ftof the Reader with. We had Engagements at Guvray Guacha, and Pifca ; and the two laft very fharp ones, yet we took the Towns. There was v/ith us then in Company Captain Knight only ; for the other two Veffels that came with us from Amapalla, had left us at the Ifland Com. Twas July 1 63 6. when we
were
3 82 Mr. WAFERS Voyages, &c.
were at Pifca, and Cape. Knight and we kept Com- pany almoft all that Year. Monkeys Among other Places we were at the Ifland Gorgo- and Oy- nia, where we clean'd ; and I took notice of feve- Iters at ral Monkeys there who lived partly upon Oyfters, orgonta. ^jy^jj gQt QUt Qf ^ Sea at low Water,
Their way was to take up an Oyfter, and lay it upon a Stone, and with another Stone to keep beating of it till they had broke the Shell in pieces.
We were together alfo at La Nafta, which is a JaKafca fmall Port, in the Lat. of 15 S. It affords Abun- Wme. dance of rich ftrong Wine, fas Pifca and other Pla- ces on that Coaft alfo doj tailed much like that of Madera. 'Tis brought down out of the Country to this Port, to be fhipt for Lima, Panama, or o« ther Places. It lies here fometimes many Years flopt up in Jars of about eight Gallons apiece : But the Jars are under no Shelter, but ftand expos5 d to the hot fcorching Sun •, being placed along the Bay, and between the Rocks, every Merchant having his own mark'd. We took in Store of this Wine. Ccyuimbo. We were alfo together at Coquimbo, a large Town with nine Churches in it, lying in about 29 S. Lat. Here we landed upon a deep Sand, in a large Bay, which had a fmall River that ran through the Country, and made its way out 3 Mile below the Town. In this River the Spaniards get Gold Its Gold higher up in the Country ; and the Sands of the Ri- River. ver by the Sea, as the whole Bay, are all befpang- led with Particles of Gold ; infomuch that as we travelled along the Sandy Bays, our People were covered with a fine Gold Duft , but too fine for any thing elfe ; for it would be an endlefs Work to pick it up. This Obfervation I have made infome other Places along the Coaft, where any of thefe Gold Rivers make their way into the Sea through Sandy Bays ; for there the Sand is in a manner gild* ed by them ; But all that is worth looking after is
Mr. WAFER'* Voyages, &c; 335
up near the River's Head, or towards the Mountains they fall from, where the weightier Grains lodge ; for none but this meer Dull of it is walh'd down to the Sea.
We went after this to the Ifland of John Fernan-\tj0tjn do, where wecareen'dv and there Captain Knight Fernanda left us, making the beft of his way round Terra del Fuego to the JVeJI-Indies. But we were for coafting it back again toward the Line : having with us a Bark we had taken off Pifca.
Going off therefore from John Fernando9 s we flood yet further South in going over to the Conti- tinent, to the Latitude of 39 S. as well to gain a Wind as to have the more of the Coaft before us. We fell in firft with the Ifland of Mocha, which lies I. Mocha, in about 38 Deg. 20 Min. S. and wanting Water and Provifion we came to an Anchor, and put a- fliore there, about the Middle of December, 1686. and ftay'd 5 or 6 Days. Here we were very well relieved, for the Ifland afforded both Water and frefli Provifion for our Men, all the Time we ftay'd. The Land is very low and flat, and upon the Sea- coaft fandy ; but the middle Ground is good Mould, and produces Maiz and other Wheat:, Barley, with Variety of Fruits, &c. Here were feveral Houfes belonging to the Spanijh Indians, which were very well ftor'd with Dunghil-Fowl. They have here al- fo feveral Horfes : But that which is mod: worthy of Note, is a Sort of Sheep they have, which the In* Its Sheep: habitants call Cornera de 'Terra. This Creature is about 4 Foot and an half high at the Back, and a very ftately Beaft. Thefe Sheep are fo tame, that we frequently ufed to bridle one of them, upon whofe Back two of the luftieft Men would ride af once round the Ifland, to drive the reft to the Fold. His ordinary Pace is either an Amble or a good Hand-gallop i nor does he care for going any other Pace, during the Time his Rider is upon his Back,
384 Mr. WAFERS Voyages^ &c.'
His Mouth is like that of a Hare-, and the Hair-lip above opens as well as the Main-lips, when he bites the Grafs, which he does very near. His Head is much like an Antelope^ but they had no Horns when we were there \ yet we found very large Horns, much twitted, in the Form of a Snaikfhell, which we fuppos'd they had fhed : They lay many of them fcattering upon the fandy Bays. His Ears referable thofe of an Afs, his Neck fmall, and re- fembling a Cammels. He carries his Head bend- ing, and very {lately, like a Swan ; is full-chefted like a Horfe, and has his Loyns much like a well- fhap'd Grey-hound. His Buttocks refemble thofe of a full-grown Deer, and he has much fuch a Tail. He is Cloven-footed like a Sheep, but on the In- fide of each Foot has a large Claw, bigger than ones' Finger, but lharp, and refembling thofe of an Eagle. Thefe Claws ftand about 2 Inches above the Divifion of the Hoof; and they ferve him in climbing Rocks, holding fail by whatever they bear againft. His FJeflb eats as like Mutton as can be : He bears Wool of 12 or 14 Inches long upon the Belly ; but 'tis fliorter on the Back, fhaggy, and but inclining to a Curl. 'Tis an innocent and very ferviceable Beaft, fit for any Drudgery. Of thefe we kill'd 43 ; out of the Maw of one of which I took 13 Bezoar-iioncs, of which fome were ragged and of feveral Forms ; fome long, refem- bling Coral ; fome round, and fome oval, but all green when taken out of the Maw : Yet by long keeping they turn'd of an Afh-colour ; and I have fome of them now by me.
The Spaniards told us, that thefe Creatures are extraordinarily ferviceable to them at the Mines of Potofiy (which lie a great way up in the Country) in bringing the Silver from thence to the Cities that lie toward the Sea ; between which Cities and the Mines are fuch cragged Ways and dangerous Precipices,
Mr. WAFERV Voyages, Sec. 385
that it were almoft impoffible for any Man, or any other Beaft: to carry it. But thefe Sheep being la- den, and led to the Precipices, their Mafter leaves them there to themfelves for above 16 Leagues, and never meets them till he himfelf has alfo fetch'd a Compafs about 57 Leagues round. This their Surenefs of Foot confifts folely in their aforefaid CJaws, by which they hold themfelves fo faft upon the leaft Footing, that they can go where no other Beaft can. The Spaniards alfo inform'd us, that at a City they named, which has no Water within a League of it, thefe Beafts, being bred up to it, were wont to be laden with two Jars, like Panniers, upon their Backs, and away they would go, with- out Guide or Driver ; and when they came to the River, would lye down and rowl themfelves in the ! Water until both the Jars were full, and then of their own Accord, would return home with their Water. The Spaniards added, that this Creature will not nor can be forc'd to work after Day-light : And we found them obftinate enough ; for when once lain down, no Beating fhould make them rife \ but they would lie and make a whining or groaning, though they were not tir'd, being but newly ta- ken up.
• We went from Mocha to the Continent, and kept failing and touching along the Coaft of Chilly often fending ourCanoas afhore, till we came to Copaya-R.ofco* pOj in the Lat. of about 26 S. We wanted Water, payafo. and fo got afhore to fee if we could find the River that bears the Name of the River of Copayapo. As foon as we came afhore we afcended a Hill, in hopes to defcry that River from the Top thereof ; but contrary to our Expedition, when we came to the Top, we had yet another fteep and very high Hill to climb, and another after that ; infomuch that before we reach'dthe utmoft Heighth, I fainted for want of Water : But refreshing my felf with that Vol, III, Cc of
386 Mr. WAFERS Voyages, &c
of my own, I at laft came to the Top of the third Mountain, where we fat down and refted our felves Sea-fhells under the Shade of a vaft craggy Rock. The Place to* ^of Wlllcre we ^at was cover'd with Sand and Sea-fhells of j!Jfj| ° divers Shapes and Forms ; tho' indeed, which I No shell- wonder'd at, there were no Shell-filh on the Shores fiftionthea.il along this whole Coaft. I have landed at many Coaft. piaces of it, but could never find any. When we had refted our felves in this Place, which was as near as we could compute 8 Miles from the Sea, and at leaft a Mile in perpendicular above it, we looked; round us to fee for the River ; but to our great Grief could difcover none. All this Land, as well high as low Ground, is covered with Sand and Sea- fhells, many of which are of the Shape of a Seal- lop-ihell and thefe in vaft Quantities, in fome Places, efpecially at the Feet of the Rocks, from whence they are crumbled and driven down by the Winds: For in the very Mafs of the "Stones of Rocks there were, as I remember, of the very fame Sorts of Shells. We were told by the Spaniards^ that at one Time of the Year, the Sun melting the Snow that lies upon the Top of Mountains that are a great way up in the Country, makes the River that we looked for overflow. It may as well pofli- bly be from Rains falling on thefe Mountains far within Land ; for I never knew it rain on all the NoRain Sea-Coaft of Chili and Peru •, but we could fee on the Clouds hovering over the Tops of the Mountains within Land, as we fail'd along the Coaft : And once at Arte a we could not fee the Mountain's peek* ed Top for Clouds that hung about it ; though at another Time we faw it plain enough ; the Rains then probably, being gone off from the Hill-Coun* try i But as for Arica it felf and its neighbouring Sea-Coaft, we were told by old Spaniards. Inhabi- tants there, that they never had any Rain, I have alfo been at one Time of the Year aihore at the
River
Mr. WAFERS Voyages, Sec. 387
River of Ylo, but could find little or no Water : Yet at. another Time of the Year there was Water .enough ; although I never knew of any Rain on that Coaft, and the Spaniards told us, it never rain'd there, unlefs far within Land : Yet they have very great Dews. At Copayapo the Coaft is barren Barren and deiblate, and fo on each Side all along both Chi- Land, /iand Peru ; nothing is to be feen but bare Sands, iand naked Rocks, unlefs in a Valley now and then : JNo Trees, Herbs, or other green Thing. Nor did we fee any Sort of Fowl, nor Beaft or other li- ving Creature i No People, nor fign of any ; un- lefs here and there a poor Town or Village, at as forry a Port, with fcarce Water enough, at moft of thenij to admit a Cock-boat, unlefs at a Flood: Elfe little or no Water, nor any Thing for Accom- modation or Ufe.
Getting no Water at Copayapo, we were fore'd to put to Sea again, and ftood along the Coaft to A- rica, which is a Town of Peru, handfomely feated Arica, in the bending of that Coaft, in the Lat. of between the Port 18 and 19 S. Hither the Silver of Potcfi is brought SfcJsof down to be fhipt off for Panama, for the Harbour Fotofu is tolerably good, having a Road made with a little Ifland lying before it, breaking the Swell of the Sea, which is here very great and continually rowling in upon the Shore, though fmooth as the Surface of a River, here being little or no Wind to curl ,the Waves. It dafhes fo violent againft the Shore, The^^ which is all along a high bold Coaft, though rib- de?. thing fo high as the Mountains far within Land, that there is fcarce any Landing hereabouts but juft at Arica it felf. There is a little River which Arica ftands upon, and we would have taken in Water there ; bu t there was no getting at any frefh, for its Outlet was among little craggy Rocks, and the Sea-water dafh'd in among it. We landed here, and ranfack'd the Place, meeting with little or no Re- 1 C c 2 fiftance >
3 S 8 Mr. WAFERV Voyages, &c
fiftance ; we got a few Hogs and Poultry, Sugar and Wine ; and faw a whole Houfe full Of Jefu- its Bark, as I have faid already. I was here al- to formerly with Captain Sharp, when we had fo fmart an Engagement that we loft a great Number of our Men , and every one of our Surgeons was kill'd befide my felf, who was then left to guard the Canoas.
R. xlo: We went hence a little further to Leeward, and watered at the River Tlo, where we got Oil-Olive, Figs, and Sugar, with feveral Fruits ; all which grow there very plentiful. There is an Oil-work, and 2 or 3 Sugar-works. There are extraordinary good Oranges, of the China Sort. 'Tis the fineft A fine Valley I have feen on all the Coaft of Peru ; very Valley, fertile and well furnilh'd with a Multitude of Vege- tables : Though it has no Moifture but that of the little River, (which they carry winding up and down among their Grounds in artificial Channels) and the great Dew which falls every Night. The Valley is the pleafanter, and fo are all thofe of Pe- ru and Chili, for the difmal barren Mountains that lies all about, and ferve as a Foil to them : They are moftly fandy or black Rocks, like Cinders or Iron-ftones for Colour.
% In failing along upon this Coaft we were fome- times put to it for Food as well as Water; and once were fo Hunger-pinch'd, that meeting with fome Sea-crabs on the Coaft, one of our Men* Mr. Smallbones, eat them raw, and even Sea-weeds : But others of us, whofe Stomachs would not ferve for that Food, looking about found a lean gall'd Horfe graifing in a little Spot at the Foot of the Hill ; which we prefently kill'd, cut in pieces, and making a Fire with Sea-weeds, eat the Flefh while 'twas hardly warm, leaving none, but carrying the very Guts aboard.
IfhaN
Mr. WAFER 's Voyages, &c. 3 8 9
I fhall not purfue all my Coafting along this Shore with Captain Davis ; but two Particulars more I itnuft not omit : The one is, that we put afliore at Vermejo^ in io Deg. S. Lat. There we landed a- bout 30 Men fof whom I was onej to fee for Wa- ter, or any other Refrefhment that we wanted. Verne}*. pfter we were landed, we marched about 4 Miles up a fandy Bay ; all which we found covered with the Bodies of Men, Women and Children ; which lay fo thick, that a Man might if he would, have walked half a Mile, and never trod a Step off a Dead Bo- dead human Body. Thefe Bodies to Appearance, . feem'das if they had not been above a Week dead NumbefSa [but if you handled them, they proved as dry and light as a Spunge or piece of Cork. After we had been fome Time afliore we efpyed a Smoak and jimaking up to it, found an old Man, a Spanijb In- Jian^ who was ranging along the Sea-fide, to find fome dried Sea-weeds, to drefs fome Fifh which his Company had caught for he belonged to a Fifh- ing Boat hard by. We asked him many Queftions, in Spani/hj about the Place, and how thofe dead Bo- dies came there ? To which he returned for anfwer, that in his Father's Time the Soil there, which now- yielded nothing, was green, well- cultivated and fruitful : That the City of Wormia had been well inhabited with Indians: And that they were fo nu- merous, that they could have handed a Fifh, from Hand to Hand, qo Leagues from the Sea, until it had come to the King or Tanca'% Hand : That the River was very deep, and the Current ftrong : And that the Reafon of thofe dead Bodies was, that when the Spaniards came, and block'd up and laid Siege to the City, the Indians rather than lie at the Spaniards Mercy, dug Holes in the Sand, and buried themfelves alive. The Men as they now lie, have with them their broken Bows 1 and
Cc 3
390 Mr. WAFERS Voyages, &c,
the Women their Spinning-wheels, and DiftafFs with Cotton-yajn upon them. Of thefe dead Bo- dies I brought on Board a Boy of about 9 or 10 Years of Age, with an Intent to bring him home for England : But was fruftrated of my Purpofe by the Sailors ; who having a fooliih Conceit, that the Compafs would not traverfe aright, fo long as a- ny dead Body was on Board, threw him over-board, to my great Vexation.
This Place is a deep fandy Ground, of little Hills and Valleys of Sand. 5Tis like the reft of this part of Peru, without Rain ; but it has Dews, and there was the Channel of a fmall River ; yet 'twas dry when we were there.
The other Particular I would fpeak of, is of our Santa, touching at a Place called Santa^ a fmall Town in the Lat. of 8 Deg. 40 Min. S. Here I went afhore, and fo up to the Town, which was 3 Miles or there*? abouts from the Sea. In our way to the Town we crofs'd a fmall Hill ; and in a Valley between the Ships caft Hill and the Town we faw 3 fmall Ships of about farafhore 60 or 1 00 Tuns a-piece lodg'd there, and very rui^ Earth- nous- % caufed in us great Admiration, and we quake. were puzzled to think how thofe Ships could come there : But proceeding toward the Town,- we faw an Indian^ whom we called, and he at the firft Mo- tion came to us. We asked him feveral Queftions, and among the reft, how thofe Ships came there?. He told us, that about 9 Years before, thefe 3 Ships were riding at Anchor in the Bay, which i$ an open Place about 5 or 6 Leagues from Point t& Point.; and that an Earthquake came, and carried the Water out of Sight; which ftayed away 24 Hoars, and then came in again, tumbling and rowlihg with fuch Violence, that it carried thefe Ships over the Town, which then flood on the Hill which we came over, and lodged them there ; and
that
Mr. WAFER'/ Voyages, &c. ffl
that it deftroyed the Country for a confiderable way along the Coaft. This Report when we came to the Town, was confirmed to us by the Parifh-Prieft, and many ocher Inhabitants of the Town.
We continued thus rambling about to little Pur- pofe, fometimes at Sea, and fometimes afiiore ; till having fpent much Time, and vificed many Places, we were got again to the Gallapago's, under thel.G<&*- Line ; and were then refolved to make the belt afW>s' our Way out of thefe Seas.
Accordingly we went thence again for the South- ward, intending to touch no where till we came to the Ifland of John Ferdinando. In our way thither, about 4 a Clock in the Morning, when we were in the Lat. of 12 Deg. 30 Min S. and about 150 Leagues from the Main of America, our Ship and Earth-' Bark felt a terrible Shock J which put our Men la-J0*^ to fuch a Confirmation, that they could hardly tell where they were, or what to think •, but every one began to prepare for Death. And indeed the Shock was fo fudden and violent, that we took it for granted the Ship had ftruck upon a Rock : But when the Amazement was a little over, we caft the Lead, and founded, but found no Ground •, fo that after Confutation, we concluded it muft certainly be fome Earthquake. The Suddennefs of this Shock made the Guns of the Ship leap in their Carriages, and feveral of the Men were lhaken out of their Hammocks. Captain Davis, who lay with his Head over a Gun, was thrown out of his Cabbin. The Sea, which ordinarily looks Green, feem'd then of a whitifii Colour ; and the Water which we took up in Buckets for the Ships, ufe, we found to be a little mixed with Sand. This at firft made us think there was fome Spit of Sand ; but when we had founded, it confirm'd our Opinion of the Earth- Earth. quake. Some Time after we heard News, that at quake at that very Time there was an Earthquake at Callao rcf™m
CC4 SKW-W
393 Mr. WAFERS Voyages, Sec.
which is the Road for Lima ; and that the Sea eb- bed fo far from the Shore, that on a fudden there was no Water to be feen : And that after it had been away a confiderable Time, it returned in rowl- ing Mountains of Water, which carried the Ships in the Road of Callao a League up into the Country, overflowed the City of Callao, though it flood up- on a Hill, together with the Fort, and drowned Man and Beaft for 50 Leagues along Shore ; do- ing Mifchief even at Lima, though 6 Miles within Land from the Town of Callao. This feems to have been much fuch another Earthquake as that, the Effefts of which we faw at Santa. New Having recovered our Fright, we kept on to the
Landdif- Southward. We fteer'd South and by Eaft, half Eaft- coverd, cvly, until we came to the Latitude of 27 Deg. 20 Min. Si when about 2 Hours before Day, we fell in with a fmall, low, fandy Ifland, and heard a great roaring Noife, like that of the Sea beating upon the Shore, right a-head of the Ship. Whereupon the Sailors, fearing to fall foul upon the Shore before Day, defired the Captain to put the Ship about, and to ftand off till Day appear'd ; to which the Captain gave his Confent. So we plied off till Day, and then flood in again with the Land ; which proved to be a fmall flat Ifland, without the Guard of any Rocks. We flood in within a Quarter of a Mile of the Shore, and could fee it plainly ; for 'twas a clear Morning, not foggy nor hazy. To the Weft- ward, about 12 Leagues by Judgment, we faw a Range of high Land, which we took to be Iflands, for there v/ere feveral Partitions in the Profpe6t. This Land feem'd to reach about 14 or 16 Leagues in a Range, arid there came thence great Flocks of Fowls, I, and many more of our Men, would have made this Land, and have gone afhore at it ; but the Captain would not permit us. The fmall ffland bears from Capayapo aJmoft due Eafl 500
^Leagues. 1
Mr. WAFERS Voyages, Sec. 393
Leauges ; and from the Gallapago's, under the Line, 600 Leagues.
When we were arrived again at John Fernando' 's, \. Mocha which was at the latter End of the Year 1687, welaidwaftej clean'd our Ship there, having quitted our Bark, and flood over to the Main ; intending to get fome of the Sheep of Mocha, for our Voyage round 'Ter- ra Ad Fuego. But when we came there, the Spani- ards had wholly deftroyed, or carried away the Sheep, Horfes, and all other living Creatures. We \. santa went then to Santa Maria, an Ifland in 37 Deg. S. Maria, in Expe&ation of frefh Provifion ; but this Ifland aIfo' was likewife deftroy'd ; So we were forc'd to con- tent our felves with fuch Provifion as we had brought from the Gallapago's ; which were chiefly Flower, Maiz, Hecatee, or Land-Tortoife falted, and the Fat of it tried, or made into Lard or Oil, of which we got there 60 Jars. The Spaniards had fet Dogs aftiore ztjohn FerdinandoH, alfo, to de-and?^» ftroy the Goats there, that we might fail of Provi- Fernanda's fion : But we were content with killing there no more than we eat prefently ; not doubting but we fhould have found Sheep enough at Mocha, to vic- tual the Ship.
Three or four of our Men having loft: what Mo-Someftay ney they had at Play, and being unwilling to re- afhoreat turn out of thefe Seas as poor as they came, would J/J^^ needs ftay behind at John Fernando**, in Expectati- on of fome other Privateers coming thither. We gave them a fmall Canoa, a Porridge-pot, Axes, Macheats, Maiz, and other Neceffaries. I heard fince that they planted fome of the Maiz, and tam'd fome of the Coats, and liv'd on Fifh and Fowls ; of which there is one Sort grey, and about the Size of a fmall Pullet, that makes Burrows in the Ground like a Rabbit \ lodging there in the Night, and going out to catch Fifli in the Day 1 FQr 'tis a Waser-Fpwl, and qats a little fifty, ye£
pretty
394 Mr. WAFERV Voyages, &c
pretty well tafted after a little burying. I heard alfo that thefe Men were taken by a Privateer- Vef- fel which came thither a Year or two after ; and that one of them is fince come to England.
We were now ftanding out to Sea again, to dou- Terra del ble Terra del Fuego : We were in a terrible Storm juego. for about 3 Weeks before we came off Cape Horn : A storm. We did not fee Cape Horny being a great way to the ■ Honu South of it, and in the Lat. of 62 Deg. 45 Min. S. nor did we well know what Courfe to fteer, having but very indifferent Seamen aboard. It was now about the Heigth of Summer here for I remember that upon Chriftmas day, 1687. we were juft clear of the Storm, and in the Latitude we mentioned, off Cape Horn. Running hence to the Northward Mandsof again, being now got out of the South Sea, we met lce* feveral Iflands of Ice % which at firft feem'd to be real Land. Some of them feemed a League or two in length, and fome not above half a Mile. The big- geft feem'd, as we fail'd by them, which we did be- fore the Wind for feveral Days, to be about 4 or 500 Foot high. We founded near them, but found no Ground ; fo that it may reafonably be conclu- ded they were afloat and perhaps reached as deep into the Water, as their Heighth was above it. We faw no fuch Ifland of Ice as I went into the South Sea with Mr. Dampier y neither did I ever hear that Capt. Sharp met with any in his Return out of that Sea. Thefe Iflands appeared to us fo' plain at Night, that we could eafily fee how to fleer clear of them : But there were fome which lay under Water, which we could not poflibly fhun, but fometimes they would fhake our Ship: Yet they never did us much Damage. From thefe Hills of Ice came very cold Blafts of Wind infomuch that our Men, newly coming out of a hot Country, could hardly ensure the Deck,
In
Mr. WAFERS Voyages, Sec. 395
In all our PafiTage round tferra del Fuego, the Weather was fo ftormy for 3 Weeks, that we lay to the Southward of Cape Horn, and the Sun and Stars fo obfeur'd, that we could take no Obferva- tion of our Lat. yet, by our Reckoning, we were in very near 63 Deg. S. Lat. which is the farthefi to the South that any European, probably, ever yet was, and perhaps any Man. When we were in Lat. 62. Deg. 30 Min. we began to think of fliift- ing our Courfe to the Northward again, toward the JEthiopick and Atlantick Seas ; and we foon brought ^ur felves to ftand E. N. E. and E. and by N. and kept much thofe Courfes for a great way* In our PafTage, we had allow'd for 3 Points Weft- erly Variation : But when we came to have a good Obfervation v/e found that we had gone to theMifreck- Eaftward, making our way E. and by S. WeorJInSth<? found therefore that we had miftaken the Variation Variatl0IV of the Compafs, fo that we concluded the Varia- tion to be Eafterly, and fteer'd away N. N. E. and N. E. and by N.
By this Means, when we came into the Latitude of the River of Plate, along which we intended to run, we reckon'd our felves to be about 100 Leagues off Land \ and flood in dire&ly for the Shore, not doubting but we fhould find it at that Diftance. But we were then really 500 Leagues off-, and having run fome hundreds of Leagues to the Weft in the fame Latitude, and yet finding no Land, our Men were out of Heart, fearing we were ftill in a wrong Courfe, and being all in Dan- ger of perifhing at Sea, through want of Provifi- 6ns *, having little Food, andlefs Water. It pleas'd A feafon- God, during this Exigence, to fend us a Day's able Ram, Rain, which fell very plentiful ; and we fav'd of it feveral Casks of W ater, which was a great Refrefh- ment to us, and made our Men pluck up their Hearts for fome Time, But having run 450 Leagues . ' " in
3*6 Mr. WAFERS Voyages, &c.
in this Latitude, and ftill finding no Land,' which they had expe£ted to have feen in 100, this bred a frelh Commotion, and we had like to have been al- together by the Ears upon it. The greateft part were for changing their Courfe, which they thought Deliver- mull needs be wrong : But Captain Davis, and ance from Mr. Knott the Mafter, begg'd of them for God's a ganger Sake to keep the fame Courfe two Days longer, iDgat Sea.w^^c^ they did, though we had but a fmall Wind : And in that Time a Flight of Locufts and other Infefts coming off with a Flurry of Wind from the Weft, affur'd us there was Land there, not far off. Had not this providentially hapned, we fhould have chang'd our Courfe, for the Men would not be per- fwaded to the contrary for a great many of them were fo ignorant, that they would not be perfwa- ded but that they were in the South Sea : And had we chang'd this Courfe, we fhould have flood out to Sea again, and muft have perifh'd there. Coaflby The Land we made, following the Direction of the R. of the Flurry and the Locufts, and fetting the Point plate* they come from by the Compafs, was a little to the North of the Mouth of the River of Plate. We put afhore here to get Water and frefh Provifion, of which this Country afforded Plenty : And here our Men having with them their Fufees, fpy'd a Sea-fwine.Herd of Sea-Swine, as we call them, upon a Point of Land * and were thereupon refolved to kill fome of them to bring on board. In order thereunto they contrived, that fome Men fhould flop the Pafs that led up to the Mountain, whilft others went in among them, and with their Cutlafles did what Execution they could. But ftill as the Men came near them, the Herd walked toward the Sea, contrary to our Mens Expe&ation ; for they hither-* to took them to be Land-Swine. There they ftood on the Shore, flaring at and admiring our People : But when the Men came near enough* and were
Mr. W A f E R V Voyages, &c. 3 97
juft going to ftrike among them, the whole Herd jump'd into the Sea, leaving the Men in Amaze- ment, and forely vex'd at their Difappointment* But at another Time they fnot and brought on Board two of them which eat like Land-pork, ex- cept fome fifliy Tafte it had. They were fhap'd much, like Swine, and had fhort Hair more briftly than that of Seals ; and like them had finny Stumps to fwim with, and were of a black Colour. The Country hereabouts is well water'd, but without any Inhabitants. Here is notwithftanding Abun- dance of black Cattle, of which for feveral Scores of Leagues we obferv'd many Herds ; with Deer alio and Eftridges.
We faw a great many of thefe Eftridges, and Eflridges- found Abundance of their Eggs on the Sand : For there fhe drops her Eggs upon the Ground, and 'tis faid fhe never takes any farther Care of them ; but that they are hatched by the Sun, and the young one fo foon as hatched follows the firft Crea- ture it meets with. I my felf had fometimes a great many young Eftridges following me. They are a foolifh Bird ; and will follow a Deer or any Crea- ture. The old Birds are here very large : I mea- fur'd the Thigh of one of them, and thought it little lefs than my own. We have had feveral of them on Board, and fome we eat but the old ones were very rank, coarfe Food. Some fancy that the Eftridge eats Iron : I believe juft as truly as Poultry eat Pebble Stones, not as Food, but for Digeftion, and toferveas Mill-ftones, or Grinders, to macerate their Food in the Maw. The Eftridge will indeed fwallow Nails or Stones, or any thing you throw to it ; but they pafs through the Body as whole as they went in.
Putting off to Sea again, we coafted along Brafil, BrafiL and thence toward the Caribbee-Ittznds where meeting with one Mr, Edwin Carter, in a Bwba-
does
39 S Mr. WAFERV Voyages, &c.
does Sloop, I and fome others went aboard him, and had of him the News of King Jame£% Procla- mation to pardon and call in the Buccanniers. So we went in his Ship to the River de la Ware*, and up
The A. into Pel filvania, to the City of Philadelphia; where
arrivesin I arriv'd in May, 1 688.
Penjilva- There I flayed fome Time ; after which I came nia ' down the River de la Ware, as far as Apokunnumy- creek, with Capt. Davis and John Hingfon, who was left with me on the Ifthmus : There we carted our Chefts, with other Goods, over a fmall Neck of Land into Bohemia River, which leads down the great Bay of Chifapeck to Point-Comfort in James- and Fir- River in Virginia. There I thought to fettle : But ginia. meeting with fome Troubles, after a 3 Years Re- Conclu- fidence there, I came home for England in the lioiu Year, 1690*
An
The Natural Hifory
An Additional Account of feveral Beafts, Birds, Fifties* Reptiles, &c. and particular- ly many Trees, Shrubs, and Herbs, with their Names, Ufe, Vermes, &c. as has been obferv'd in thofe Parts. Communicated by a Member of the Royal Society.
CHAP. I. Of the Beasts.
i, * | ^ HE great Armadillo. Thefe live chiefly A under Ground in watry Places ; they eat Rabbits, dead Birds, &c.
2. The lefler Armadillo. This is excellent Meat.
3. Round-headed Armadillo. This differs from the two laft, in having but four Lifts round his Bo- dy, the others have as many more.
4. Great Ant-Bear. His Food is Pifmires, which he fucks in with a long Chameleon-like Tongue.
5. Small Ant-Bear. About the Bignefs of a Ra- coon, he fleeps all Day, with his Head between his Fore-Legs : His Flelh fmells like a Fox.
6. The Musk-Boar. He has fhort Ears, and no Tail, eats like our Hogs, but is not fo fat.
7. The Bofchratte. A long (lender Animal with a Woolf-like Head, its Hair fhines, is white tipt with black ; they live on Fowl.
8. Wild-Cats. Here are of them of divers Colours they live on Fowl which they greedily devour, af- ter
of thefe Tarts.
ter ftripping them of their Feathers ; they arc not to be tamed*
9. The Goat. Whilft a Month or two old, they are finely fpotted with white, which wears out as they gro\y older.
10. The Monkey Hare. He is covered with brown BrifBes, arucHeeds fitting like a Squirrel, is a very fwift voracious Animal.
11. The Elephant Hog. Has a long flit Snout, which he extends or contrails at Pleafure : He is an excellent Swimmer.
12. The River-Hog. Feeds on Grafs and divers Fruits, can fwim and dive well they make a hideous Noife in the Night, braying like an Afs.
13. The Black Monkey. Is as big as a Woolf^ a a fnappifh Animal, and not eafily tamed.
14. Satyr Monkeys. Are bigger than the laft, and black like them, with very long Beards \ thefe are very leacherous, and often fall foul on the Negro Women.
15. The Shrew Moufe. Thefe are brown, with three blacl> Lifts along the Back, the Cats and they are very friendly.
16. The Otter. Is black all but the Head, which is brown, and a particular yellow Spot on his Throat.
17. The great Pongie. Is of an Alii Colour, with a Mixture of black, their Tails are brown, and near a Foot and half long.
18. The leffer Pongie. Is a very fmall Ape, in length not above fix Inches, but his Tail ten, his Head no bigger than a fmall Apple, has a fharp Voice, and leaps nimbly \ they are very tender, and cannot endure cold.
19. The Porcupine. Climbs Trees flowly, and in coming down frequently holds by the Tail Cfor he cannot leap ) to prevent falling s they are very good Meat, efpecially roafted.
20. The
of theje *Parts.
20. The Pojfum. Is a ftrange Animal, and faid to breed its Young at its Paps it having a double Belly or Pouch, whofe Orifice may be ftretched a- bove two Inches wide ; it climbs Trees and catches
! Birds.
21. The Rackoon. Runs from Tree to Tree and eats its Fruit ; they love alfo the Flelh of Sheep and Fowl.
22. The Black Rackoon. Their Hair very lhort, rough and knotted. #
23. The Collar & Rabbit. This is bigger than the long Nofed, and is diftinguilh'd from the Common by a white Ring about its Neck.
! 24. The Hog Rabbit. Is grofs and fat, with Hair fhort, hard, and dark, fpotted on the Edges with grey.
25. The Long-nofed Rabbit. Has lhort round Ears and a long Snout, lives and eats like ours.
" 26. The Spotted Rabbit. Thefe have round Ears, with white, black, and reddilh Spots : When tame they grunt for their Food.
27. The Sloath. Is a very flow-paced Animal, ta- king a whole Day in going fifty Paces : he is about the Bignefs of a middling Fox \ living on Trees, eating the Leaves, but never drinks.
28. The Jirip'd Squirrel. Is a pretty tame Crea- ture, of a pale yellow, mixt with brown, having a white Lift on each Side.
• 29. Tygers. Here are of two or three kinds, all very fierce ; but their Flelh good Meat,
Vol. HL Dd CHAP.
WW
402
The Natural Hiftory
CHAP. II. Of the Birds.
i. HP HE Hunch-bach A Water Fowl, with a A DuckVbill, its Head black, Belly white, Back brown. •
2. The Spoon-Bill. Its Back and Wings Flefh co- loured, the reft white ; is good Meat.
3. The greater Bill-Bird, or Toucan. Its Breaft bright Gold, the Belly or Thighs red, Tail black tipt with red.
4. The leffer Bill-Bird. The Body and Breaft moftly yellow, with a red Circle crofs the laft.
5. The Chriftmas-Bird. Is almoft as big as a Pidgeon, it has about the Throat many Inch-long black Watles ; it never cries but in December and Beginning of January, but then may be heard a great way off.
63 The King-Bird. An elegant Sort of Bird of Paradife.
j. The Muftacbo-Bird. He has on each Side eight or ten thick Briftles Sanding both forwards and fide- ways ; the Tail eight Inches, the two outfide Fea- thers longer than the reft.
8. The Unicorn-Bird. Has a Horn on his Head above two Inches long, which is faid to be a great Counter-poifon. The Female bigger than a Swan, and the Male twice that Bignefs.
9. The Tellow-Breaft. About the Bignefs of a Sparrow, partly yellow and Steel-blue ; thefe arc kept in Cages, and love to be five or fix together.
10. The Green-Cap. Is of the Chaffinch Size, partly yellow and Steel-blue, but when it flies it ap- pears ftreakt with black and yellow.
11. Th<
of thefe Tarts.
11. The Chaffinch. Has a Mixture of Afh-colour and Sea-green ; which laft in the Backs and Wings fhines wonderfully in the Sun.
12. The Chatt. Has a black Tail with white Tips.
13. The Curlew. His Head and Neck fprinkled with white, the reft brown. It's pretty good Meat.
14. The greater Curlew. Is about the Bignefs of a Goofe, moftly black. It's good Meat roafted.
1 5. The leifer Curlew. Is no bigger than a Hen, found with the laft about Rivers.
16. The Scarlet Curlew. Is both a Land and Water-Fowl ; and feeds as well on Flefh as Fifh.
17. The Silk-Diver. From the Softnefs of its Feathers, its Neck a Foot long, and very (lender.
18. The Black- tufted Duck. The Shoulders of the Wings white, the reft black, with a fhining green Glofs : They are good Meat. Thefe fettle on high Trees.
19. The black-legg'd Buck.
20. The red-legg'd Duck. The Feet of thefe when roafted dye both Hands and Linnen red.
21. The crefted Eagle. His Cry is like a Hen that has loft its young.
22. The Pied-tail Eagle. Its Tail nine Inches long \ the fix firft are white and the Tip, the reft black.
23. The Bull-finch. Head and Neck of a bloody red, the Tail black, and three Inches long.
24. The Steel-finch. His Feathers black, with a fhining Glofs like polifht Steel.
25. The Tellowfinch. His Wings and Tail of a greenifti yellow mixt with brown, the reft all yellow.
26. The RufTet King's Fijher. Is known by a white Ring about his Neck.
27. The Gip. From its Note, of a Lark's Size ; it's variegated with red, brown, and white.
D d 2
28. The
The Natural Hi/lory
28. The Hook-bill* d Goofe. Is moftly black and white, with a Hew of green ; it's very common a- bout Rivers.
29. The Yellow-hammer. Is of the Lark's Size, moftly yellow and black, except Tail and Wings, which are brownifli ftreakt with green.
30. The Black-Head. Its Breaft and Belly of a Mixture ©f white and yellow ftreakt with black Lines.
31. The Blue-headed Water-hen. A beautiful Bird, about the Bignefs of a Pidgeon, its Feathers green and black they are very common in moor- ifti Places.
32. The Horn-wing d Water-hen. Like the laft in Shape and Bignefs, but Ihort in Colour it hath on the Infide of each Wing a ftreight Horn or Spur for its Defence.
33. The Black Horn-wing d Water-Hen. Like the laft, but moftly black, the reft green and brown, the Horns are yellow.
34. The Red-headed Horn-wing'd Water-Hen. Its Bill yellow and Spurs Saffron-coloured.
35. The Crefted-Heron. Is moftly^ grey and white, from its Creft hang two black Feathers each five Inches and a half long. The Meat is good.
36. The Notch-bill Heron. The Quill Feathers are half black and green tipt with white.
37. The Pidgeon Heron. From its Bignefs, the Body being fcarce 4 and the Neck 7 Inches long.
38. The White Heron, Its whole Body Milk- white.
39. The White-Heron^ with a Saffron-bill. His Neck near one Foot and half long, and Bill 5 Inches.
40. The Yellow-Speckled Heron. The Back and Wings are black, fpeckled with yellow.
41. Short-bill9 d Humming-Bird. Like Numb. 45. but more beautiful near the Vent is a large Spot of pure white,
42. The
of thefe Tarts. 405
42. The Grey Humming-Bird. Is of an Aft co- lour, with here and there a Mixture of ftiining red.
43. The Green-Golden Humming-Bird. For Shape and Bignefs like Numb. 45. its Tail an Inch long, pretty broad, and blue like poliflit Steel.
44. The Rubine-headed Humming-Bird. This is the moft beautiful of all5 the Head and Throat ber ing of an admirable Rubine furpafling Defcription.
45. The Blew-tail'd Humming-Bird. It's wonder- fully mixt with green, gold, flame colour, and yellow, which fliine admirably in the Sun ; its Tail blue like polifht Steel.
46. The Brown-Tail' d Humming-Bird. The Tail an Inch long, of a fine brown, with a glofs of blue about the Edges.
47. The Fine-Tail' d Humming-Bird. His Body moft Gold, half Fire-colour, and a little green, his Tail handfome, broad, and an Inch and a half long, of party-coloured Feathers, fome like the Body, others half white and green.
48. The Fork-Tail' d Humming-Bird. This is Jef- fer then Numb. 41. and 45. and is known by its forked Tail which is three Inches long.
49. The Tip-Tail9 d Humming-Bird. This is thd leaft of all, yet its Bill is an Inch and a half long, its Tail ends with its Wings, is of a greenilh black with white Tips.
50. Jacu. A Sort of Pheafant fo call'd from its Note.
51. The Kite. Its Feathers tawny, with white and yellow Specks.
52. The JVhite-breafted Kite. Like the laft, but Breaft and Belly white.
53. The Sea-lark. Has a white Ring about hh Neck, and near it a Semicircle of dark grey \ it's frequent on the Sea-ftiores, and Salt River Banks.
54. The Red-Maccaw.
D d 3 55* The
406 The N antral Hi (lory
55. The Yellow -Mace aw. Thefe are two Sorts of large Parrots.
56. Meeuwe. Is as big as a Hen, and lays Eggs in the Sand, which are like them, and well tailed, but their Flefh is not efteem'd.
57. The Tit-Moufe. Is wholly black and blew.
58. The Green-headed Tit-Moufe. Has a black Spot above the Bill, and Circle of black encompaf- fes the Beginning of the Back.
59. The Scarlet-headed Tit-Moufe. The Body, "Wings, and Tail fhining black, the Thighs white with Scarlet Spots.
60. The Great Wide-Mouth. Is as big as an Owl ; when it gapes one may eafily put in one's Fift.
61. The Lejfer Wide-Mouth. Is no bigger than a Swallow \ it's black, fpeckled with white.
62. The Black and Red Hang-Neft. This and the next build their Nefts at the Ends of the Boughs
• of Trees.
63. The Black and Yellow Hang-Neft.
64. The American Oftricb. Its whole Body is covered with grey Feathers. The Flefh is good Meat.
65. The Heart-Owl. The Feathers have a Mix- ture of white and pale yellow, fpotted with brown.
66. The Tricolour Horn'd Owl. Thefe are as big as Geefe, finely mixt with black, white, and yellow.
67. The Little Tame-Owl It's of the Bignefs of a Tbroflle ; and plays with Men, making divers an- tick Faces.
68. The Black Parrot. Has an ere£l Tail fix Inches long, common in Woods, it has but one Tone, which it raifes in the Middle,
69. The Black and Red Parrot.
70. The Red-breajled Parrot. His Head, Breaft, and Shoulders, viz, the Top of his Wings red, the reft green.
71, The
of thefe "Parts. 407
71. The Blewi/h-grey Parrot. Is very large, and feeds on the Marocock Fruit.
72. The Blew-crowrfd Parrot. Is of many Co- lours, viz. yellow, green, faffron, and blew.
73. The Cripple-crown9 d Parrot. His Creft is blue with a Glofs of Black, and a yellow Spot in the Middle.
74. The Yellow-crown* d Parrot. With the yel- low is a Mixture of white.
75. The Greater-green Parrot.
76. The Lejfer-green Parrot.
77. The Oe-Parrot. From its Cry. His Wings above green with blue Tips, below fcarlet.
78. Yellow-bellied Parrakeet. The Shape and Tail like Numb. 74.
79. B lew-edged Parrakeet. As big as a Lark, the whole Body light Green, the Beginning of its Wings and the Borders of its Feathers are blue.
80. The Green Parrakeet. Thefe will grow tame, learn to talk, and bear Handling.
8 f . The Brown-headed Parrakeet. Is a beautiful Bird.
82. The Scarlet-headed Parrakeet. Its Body of a pale yellow, this builds on Trees in forfaken Ant- hills.
83. The Yellow-headed Parrakeet. His Back, Wings, Tail, and Belly, are green.
84. The Long-taii'd Parrakeet. Is about the Size of a Sparrow, all green.
85. The Short-tailed Parrakeet. Otherwife like the yellow-bellied, Numb. 78.
86. The Yellow Parrakeet. Is all yellow except the Tips of the Wings which are green \ has a long Tail, and is eafily tamed.
87. The Partridge. Like ours, but of a dark yellow, fpotted with brown.
Dd4
88. The
The Natural Hiftory
88. The Great Partridge. Has as much Flefh as two ordinary Hens, and is well tafted, its Eggs
are of a blueifh green.
89. The Bare-Neckt Pelican. The greateft Part of the Neck is one half white, the other black and bare.
90. The Feather-Neckt Pelican. Has long Fea- thers hanging about his Neck. The Flelh is well tailed.
91. The Crefted Pheafant. His Bill Saffron-co- loured, its Head covered with twifted fpiral curl Feathers, which it raifes on Occafion.
92. The Turky Pheafant. Is moftly black, roofts on high Trees, and is eafily tamed. The Meat good and favoury.
93. American Sparrow. Is all red except the Wings, Top of the Head and Tail, which are black, the laft three Inches long.
94. The Black Sparrow. Has on his Head a bloody Spot, moft of the Feathers on the Back and part of the Wings have a blue Caft, the reft as black as a Crow,
95. The Blueijh Sparrow. His Wings referable % Sea-green, the reft a blue Afh-colour. except the Belly and Throat, which are of a fhining Silver.
96. American Starling. All his Feathers are of a Ihimng black, except fome fcarlet Spots on his Throat.
97. The Tettow-breafted Starling. Hath on his Head a white Crown.
98. The Red-bill' d Starling. His Throat yellow, Breaft and Belly white, fpeckled with brown.
99 . The Red-beaded Starling. Is Male to the next.
100. The Ydlow -headed Starling. The yellow places on the Head and Neck are fpotted with red.
tot 4 The Long-tail' d Starling. Hath long Fea- thers alfo on his Head, which he can ered like two Horns*
jQ2. The
of thefe Tart si 409
102. The Pied-Stork. Its Bill nine Inches, the Body black and white •, the Flefh eatable.
103. The Swallow. Is moftly white below, and above brown, mixt with grey.
104. The Black-tail. The Body three Inches long, and Tail four : it's moftly black and yellowy with a white Spot in each Wing.
105. The Ring-tail. Is green above, mixt with a fiery Gold, fo that it Ihines wonderfully ; about its Neck it hath a Ring of the fame, below it's dark yellow, like Bees-wax, the Tail above three Inches long.
106. The Tufted Feather-tail. Has a fmall Body, but feems as large as a Pidgeon ; Its Colours are ve- ry beautiful ; the Tail has but two Feathers, and they very long, viz. ten Inches, and but one broad, except near the Tip, which is twro Inches.
107. The Black-Throat. Is of a Gold-finch Size, part Gold colour, the reft pale green.
108. The Throftle. Its Head and Bill bigger in Proportion than the Body,
109. The Water Turkey. Eats very well ; he hath a Tuft of Feathers ftanding upright on his Head, its Cry like a Hen Turkey , and is heard a great way off.
no. The Red-legg d Turtle. Has a Mixture of grey and brown.
in. The White-leg^ d Turtle. Are good Meat and very fat.
112. The Black Vulture. Feeds on dead Carcafies.
113. The Crejled Woodcock. Has a Vermillion Head, the reft black and white.
1 1 4. The Red-breafied Woodpecker. The End of its Tail is bordered with black, the reft, am} the Back of a fhining green, with a Glofs of gold and blue.
115. The Hang-neft Woodpecker. Has a Mixture of black and sky colour ; it builds an admirable Neft, at the Ends of the Boughs of Trees,
116. The
The Natural Htftory
1 1 6. The Crefted-yellow Woodpecker. Is moftly yellow, the Tip of the Tail white, the reft dusky.
117. The Black-headed Zip. Its Breaft and Belly whitifh, Back and Wings brown.
118. The White-headed Zip. Is like a Sparrow, but black, with a white Head ; both thefe from their Note.
CHAP. III. Of Fishes.
1. HTHE Aivl-fijh. Its Fins black, and befides JL thefe it hath thiee or four Awl-like Prickles on its Back and Belly.
2. The Silver Awl-fijh. The Awl-like Spikes black, the reft Silver ; it's often eat.
3. The Brown-Barbel. Is fpotted with black, ta- ken in Rivers : It's good Meat.
4. The Fin-bearded Barbel. About the Mouth it has two fhort Beards, and two others eight Inches long, and another pair as long near its Gill-fin ; and what is particular, at his Back-fin he has one nine Inches long.
5. The Four-bearded Barbel. Two of which are very fhort, the other eight Inches long ; at the Back-fin it hath a Thong nine Inches in length: this is fomewhat paunch Bellied.
6. The Gold yellow Barbel. The Fins and Tail grey it has fix Beards ; the outer four Inches long, the reft fhorter : It eats well.
7. The Saffron Barbel. Is full of brown Spots and Warts.
8. The Saw-finn" d Barbel. Has a Lift of Prickles along each Side s it's not much efteemed, having but little Meat.
9. The
of thefe Tarts.
9. The Silver Barbel. Has four Beards each an Inch and half long, and two others as long as the Fifh ; the Bite of this Fifli caufes great Pain and is hard to cure, neverthelefs it's good Meat.
10. The Spotted Barbel. This eats well, and is very fat.
it. The Water-Batt.
12. The Rock-beard. Is fat and good Meat, ea- fily skinn'd.
13. The Prickle-belly. Is a Foot long, with fil- ver Scales, and towards the Back lhaded with brown : an edible Fifh.
14. The BilUfi/h. Its Bill fharp, hard andboney, and the upper Jaw fixteen, the lower ten Inches long, without Teeth or Notches ; its Back-fin very large and prickly.
1 5. The Blood-fijh. Is fix Inches long, and one and a half broad ; its Scales of a fliining Silver ; along its Side is a broad white Lift, which lhines not : thefe are eafily caught with Bread, &c. this Fifh often bites Men, being very greedy of Hu- mane Blood.
16. Bocamolle^ or foft Mouth. Becaufe without Teeth : it lives in the Sea Mudd, but dies as foon as taken out : it's good Meat.
17. Green Bodiano. About ten Inches long, and three broad ; this is a beautiful Fifh and eatable.
1 3. Yellow Bodiano. Is moftly Gold yellow, Head and Back Purple : good to eat.
19. The Bonito.
20. The Bra/em. It's about a Foot long, "and five Inches where broadeft, of a Silver colour.
21. The Cannibal. Is a Foot long, and half as thick, very greedy of Humane Blood, thefe chiefly delight in muddy Rivers.
22. The hejjer Cannibal. Has a Snout (harper than the next, is Silvery with a Shade of blue \ this is not fo ravenous as the lait
23. The
The Natural Htjloty
23. The Sand Cannibal Has a Mixture of Gold* red and blue, and are caught at the Bottom of fan" dy Rivers : they are all eatable.
24. The River-Carp. Its fhape, colour and tafte refembles ours.
25. Sea-Carp. It's ten or twelve Inches long, and three or four broad : It eats well.
26. Cloud-fifh. Having four blackifh Clouds on each Side its Back.
27. The fmall Corcovado. Is an edible Fifli, its Belly-fins white, the reft, with the Tail, Gold co- lour.
28. The Dolphin. Its Head, Back, Sides and Fins, are green mixt with white, elegantly fprinkled with blue Specks of feveral Sizes, it's a very fwift Swimmer, and good to eat.
29. The Lake Eel-kin. Is moftly brown, darker on the Back, the Belly Liver-coloured, the Tail like a Snake : It's caught in Lakes and Ponds, and is good Meat.
30. Jacob Evert/on, A large Fifh, greyifh brown, full of black Specks : Is good Meat.
31. The Beard-fin. Is about a Foot long, with Silver Scales : It eats well, and is taken in fandy Places.
32. The Bloody Fins. Its Scales are red and fil ve- ry, the Belly-fins are white tipt with red, the reft of a Bloody colour ; they are often prefervedin Pickle.
33. The Party-fin. Is moftly deep red and fpot- ted with divers Colours •, the Back-fin next the Head is prickly, the other End larger and fmooth.
34. Speckled Party-fin. Is Moon-fcaled, fpeckled with black ; the Flefh tender and good.
35. The Sail-Fin. A fiat Fifh three Inches broad and four long, its Scales black, and fhining like Silk, and moft of them edged with yellow Semicir- cles, he is remarkable for three broad Lifts, two ex- tend into his Back-fin, the third round his Head,
36, The
of thefe Tartf.
36. The Sword-fin. Is a large Fifli eleven or twelve Foot long, and as thick as a Man its Scales are very like Silver fhining through ablueifh Shade, which is on his Back only \ its Flefh very boney, and ought to be boiled long.
37. The White-fin. Is two or three Inches long ; it's moftly white and Olive colour, along the Mid- dle of the Side is a broad lhining filver Lift : It's edible.
38. The Flying FiJIj. Is fomewhat bigger than a Herring and fhines like them ; its Fin-wings arc very large and fpotted with black.
39. The Eel-Gar. Is two Foot long and very {lender ; along the Side is a greenifh Lift, which parts the filver Belly from the olive coloured back : It's good Meat, efpecially fryed, is not boney ; it frequents Salt Rivers coming from the Sea.
40. The Gate-fijh, Is pale yellow, fully fprinkled with fmall bloody Spots : It's good Food.
41. The River-Gilt. Hath fmall Scales with a Blufh of Gold towards the Back. They eat it.
42. The Gold Head. Has blue Streaks along the Sides ; it's found amongft the Rocks ; and eats well.
43. The Hard-head. Is covered with Gold, Sil- ver, and fine coloured Scales, good to eat.
44. The Black Hard-head. Is a Fifh found only in Lakes and Ponds, his Belly whitifh, but all his Fins, Back, &c. are black : It eats well.
45. The Brown Hermet. Is four Inches long ; he hath two red Threads above*his Eyes.
46. The Striped Hermet. Has deep Purple crook- ed Lines on his Sides ; both thefe live amongft the Rocks, and often fhelter thcmfelves in Sea-ftiell§.
47. The Horned-Hog. A fmall flat Fifh, with a Horn on his Head, notcht on one Side only.
48. The Smooth Horn' d Hog. Is much larger than the laft, being near a Foot long, and four Inches
where
The Natural Hijlory
where broadeft j its Horn four Inches long and taper.
49. The Sea-hog. Its Back blue, alfo two Lifts near the Gills, the Scales beautiful, being fpeckled with green ; it's good fryed, but of no Account boiled.
50. The Hound- jjh. Is two Foot and a half long the Flefh is dry, yet often eat.
51. The jacket-jijh. Hath five black Girdles and Tail of the fame Colour, a Peach-finn'd Back : It's good to eat.
52. The Iron-fijh. Is half a Foot long, the Bel- ly whitilh.
53. The Lejjer Iron-jijh. Has whitifh Scales, with a round Tail, thefe two, and the next are edible.
£4. The Sojt Iron-fifh. Has a broad and wide Mouth.
55. The Awl-pointed Knije-jjh. Its Tail running into a Point of three Inches long, found. in Rivers.
56. The Spotted Kmje-fijh. Is a flat Fifh, blunt on the Back, and Belly fharp like a Knife s it's caught in Lakes and eaten.
57. The Spotlefs Kmje-fijh. Not half fo broad as the firft ; it's taken in Lakes : Eats well, but boney.
58. The Lattice Fijh. Is very large, fome weigh- ing above a hundred Pounds ; the Side-fins have golden Edges, the reft Liver-coloured.
59. The Loufte Fijh. Has cruftaceous Lice often found on him. #
60. The Great Mackarell. Is feven Foot long, and as thick as one's Body, it hath a crooked Line on* its Side, compofed of very minute Scales : It eats well.
61. The Spotted Mackarell. Is like the Iaft, but much fpotted on the Sides with brown : It's good Meat, but dry ; this is a Ihy Fiih, and difficult to be caught.
62. The
of thefe Tarts.
62. The Moon-fifh. Is black and full of yellow 1 Semicircles : good to eat.
63. Tne Red- Mouth. His Back and Gill-fins fcarlet, the reft edged with white ; has a broad black Lift : Is very good boiled.
64. The Stone-Mouth. Is like a Carp, its Fins are filvery with a Caft of Gold : It eats well.
65. The Bloody Mullet. From its Colour; it's fpotted with black, and has a golden Tail.
66. The Needle Ftjh. It's line-fpotted with blue and green.
67. The Gilt Pearch. Has feven Streaks on each Side, fome golden, others of a fhining brown : Is good Meat.
68. The Red-lifted Pearch. Is good to eat ; has large filver Scales with a fcarlet Glofs ; near its Tail is a large Spot.
69. The Rock-Pearch. Its Head is covered with a rough Cruft, Flefh coloured, the reft filvery.
70. The Silver -lifted Pearch. The Scales are round, fmall, and of a fhining Silver, as is a Lift along its Side : it eats well, is fometimes two Foot long.
71. The Spotted Pearch. Has a large black Spot in the Middle of each Side, and another near the Tail it's found in frefh Rivers and eaten.
72. The Yellow-headed Pearch. Has on each Side two golden Lifts •, it's good Meat, found amongft Rocks.
73. The Yellow-ftrip'd Pearch. Is found with the laft, and eaten,
74. Pieterman. A thick-headed Fifh fprinkled with black Specks ; it's eaten if the Liver and Gall be taken out, otherwife poifonous.
75. The Frog-mouth9 d Porcupine. Has near each Fin a black Spot, both above and below each Gill, and another near his Tail, his Prickles yellow,
76. The Sea-Porcupine. Is 14 Inches long, and 22 round it's full of Prickles inftead of Scales.
77. The
The Natural Hiftory
77. The Tellow-finn'd Porcupine. Has near each Fin a black Spot ; it fwe]ls and grows lank at Plea- fore,
78. The Sand-fijh. Its Flefh very white, and eats lhort.
79. The Saw-fi(h. Is large and taper, with a rough Skin and flanting Tail : They eat well, ef- pecially the young ones.
80. The Seale. A Sort of Shark.
8 1. The Shark. Has three Rows of Teeth on each Jaw ; they are great Devourers : the young are pretty good Meat.
82. The Heart Shark. From the Shape of its Head : this is not fo dangerous as the laft, having but a fmall Mouth.
83. The Thorn-back Shark. His Body black and Belly very white, is accounted a very choice Fifh.
84. The Sole. Is caught in fandy Waters ; eats well.
85. The River Souldier. It's maiPd fomewhat like a Sturgeon^ the Meat good ; they fay it gets on Land to feek for Water when the Rivers are near dry,
86. The Sprat. Is of the Shape and Size of a Gudgeon, has no Gills ; is eaten.
87. The Meer Sprat. Never exceeds an Inch and: a half in length ; the Fins yellow with a black Spot near the Tail > it's found in frefh Lakes and Ponds, is eaten.
88. Tellow-ftreakt Stock-fijh. Has nine yellow Lifts ori each Side, the Belly filvery, is found both at Sea and in Rivers : It eats very well.
89. The Sucking-fijh or Remmora. Thefe are of- ten found flicking to the Shark, and taken with them.
90. The Gold-tail. A little Fifh, rarely exceed- ing 4 or 5 Inches, it fwims ftrongly againft the Stream in frefh Rivers : they are often eat roaft in the Embers, firft wrapt in Leaves.
91. The
of thefe *Parts. 417
91. The Male Hard-tail. Is 8 or 10 Inches long and 2 broad, on his Side is a Row of round Pea- like black Spots fprinkled with blue Specks ; its Tail covered with a black Shell : it's a River Fifh and good Meat*
92. The Female Hard-tail. Is like the Male ; but without blue Specks \ its Belly alfo towards the Tail is reddifh.
93. River Tairera. Has a hard fhelly Head and is much thicker than the next : it's edible, but very boney.
94. The Sea Tairera. Is a Foot long and half as thick, has a forked Tail, otherwifelike an Eel ; it's lifted with yellow Streaks and green : it eats better than the laft.
95. The Great fmooth Thorn-back. Its Belly white, above Iron coloured with white Spots ; the Skin is wholly fmooth its Tail above 4 Inches long and taper •> not far from the Rump are two Fifh-hooks
t like Thorns 3 Inches long : one Fifh affords Meat fufficient to fatisfy 40 Men.
96. The Smooth-tail' d Thorn-hack. Is like the next, but wants Waddles ; it's of a dark Colour, fprinkled with black Specks : the Meat is good.
97* The Waddle-tail' d Thorn-back. Is white be- low, and Afh-brown above : it's good Meat.
98. The Whip-tail' d Thorn-back. Its Tail 3 Foot and a half long, thick at fetting on, but ends taper, and is very plyable it's full of black Warts.
99. The Warty Thorn-back. Is flat and round, about 9 Inches over, his Tail 4 Foot long, with 2 thick horny Pricles in the Middle, fet backward to offend the Belly white, Back Iron colour, with black Warts in the Middle.
100. The Sea-fcad. Is of a dark red with black Spots, has a Horn on his Nofe which he turns back ; its eafily skinn'd and ftuft.
Vol, in.
Ee
101. The
/ The Natural Hiflory
101. The Stone- tongue. A boney Fifh : but good to eat.
102. The Triangle with Horns. Is full of black Spots on the Back.
103. The Homlefs Triangle. Lefler thanth^laft, but broader Bellied and longer tail'd.
104. The Sea Trout. His Scales are filver with grey Lines between, all his Fins are whitifh.
105. The'Sfi^ The Scales blackHh ; its Rapier or Tuck is hid in his Side ; it's good Meat.
106. The Violin. It's taken in the upland Rivers in ftormy Weather ; the Flefli intoxicates.
107. The River Whisker. Has fix long black "Whiskers, but no Scales : it taftes well, and is fre- quently eaten.
108. The Cod-jijh. Is two Foot long; the Up- per-part dark grey, the lower filvery ; it's very fat, and may be eaten either boiled or fryed without But- ter or Oyl: thefe are faked and dryed in great Numbers, or otherwife kept in Pickle.
109. The Ling. Is much lefs than the laft, but faked like them and dryed ; the Flefli is dryer, and and the Fat in boyling turns yellow.
CHAP. IV.
Of Crujiaceous^isu^ and Teftaceous Animals.
1. I P-Barnacles. Are compofed of five *3 white Shells, but where joined, yellow.
2. The Ambergreafe Crab. Becaufe he loves it5 and comes often afliore at low Water to find it. Of a Wallnut Size, his Hookers white, his Legs and Body grey and pale yellow.
3 . The Apple Crab. Is finely fpotted and paint- ed, with red, green, blue, white and brown, with
a red
of theje 7 arts. 419
a red Spot on each Side ; its Legs pale yellow ftreakc with brown : it's good Meat.
4. The Bogg-crabb. Is as big as a Hen's Egg, his right Claw much the bigger, with fharp Warts be- low, its Belly pale yellow, above Olive coloured, with yellow Edges : the Meat good.
5. The Great Bogg-Crab. Differs only in Bignefs and Colour from the laft.
6. The Female Bogg-Crab. Is lefler than Numb. 4. ithe left Claw bigger than the right, and very little hairy.
7. The 'Tborny-edg'd Crab. Its Claws are hairy tipt with black. He is of a lively red* and holds his Colour after boiling.
! 8. The Brown Heart-Crab. Its Legs and Claws are white, blue and green mixt : they eat well, and are fometimes taken at the going out of the Sea.
9. The Round Land-Crab. Runs Side-ways, and fwiftly : They are good Meat, and found Plenty in [boggy Woods.
ro. The Square Land-Crab. Is of divers Co- lours, as blue, white, and dark brown, with red varioufl) fpotted ; its Legs alfo variegated*
11. The Olive Spotted Crab. Is of a dark Colour; the Tips of his Claws, and Hookers blue, his Bel- ly whitifh mixt with fcarlet.
ii. The Mandevill Crab. Comes out of his Holes only at the Recefs of the Sea his right. Claw above 3 Inches long, very thick, and can hide his whole Body, the Shoulder warty, the Claws ferra- ted : it's eaten.
13. The Moon-Crab. Is a large beautiful varie- gated Animal : it fpouts Water out like a Fountain.
14. The Plumb-Crab. Its Body rufty coloured, Legs deep Purple covered with pale Hair ; lives in Salt Rivers.
1 5. The Three-pointed Crab. Is as big as a Hen's Egg ; the Body fpotted with brown, the Legs with purplifh Specks, the reft white.
Ee 2 16. The
42° The Natural Hipry
1 6. The Square Crab. Is very fmall, of a Liver j colour, his Hookers dark red.
1 7. The Brown Cray-fijh. Is four Inches long I they eat it boiled.
18. The Long-legg d Cray-fijh. Hath a pale Cruft, long ftriped with thick grey Streaks ; its Meat good to eat.
19. The Black Crevife, differs from Numb. 21I only in Colour, and the Slendernefs of its Legs.
20. The Land-Crevife. Climbs Trees, his Shell black, fprinkled with many yellow Specks.
21. The WhitiJJo Crevife. Is all over fpeckled; with brown : Are found plentifully in the rainy Sea- foris, and eaten boil'd.
22. Five Fingers. Each Ray half a Foot long; thick-fet with curious Warts.
23. The Brancht Five Fingers. Thefe Rays dif- play themfelves each into feveral Ramifications,, netting one into another.
24. Nine Fingers. A Sort of Star-fifh with cut Rays.
25. The Sea-kidney. From its Shape ; it's flat, and five Inches long, is brittle, and hath a Navel or Orifice on the under Side.
2 6. The Sea-Loeujl. His Body is full of Prickles, as are its Horns •, between which are two Pair of fmooth Feelers.
27. The Sea-Mantifs. Is about a Foot in length, and flender : it's of Kin to the Cray-filh.
28. Ship-Nuts. Are hard Shells, which com- i monly adhere to Ships like the Barnacles. !
29. The Tree-Oyfier. Found commonly on the • Branches of the Mangrove, which grows by the Sea-fide. i
30. The Shrimp. Is not much bigger than 3 1 Filbert the Shell brown, the reft, with its Legs > yellowiih : it's eaten.
31. The Hermet Shrimp. Thefe are of different : Sizes and Colours ; are frequently found in Shells ' on the Banks of Rivers. 32. The
of thefe Tarts.
32. The Short-horn' 'd Shrimp. Like Numb. 30. but its Horns or Feelers are fhorter.
33. The Broad-fquill. Has a fhort broad Body, with notcht Edges ; its Legs very fttort. ,
34. The Flat perforated Sea Urchin. This has a Star in the Middle, with Holes thro' the Shells.
CHAP. V. Of Reptiles, as Snakes, Lizards, &c.
1, HpHE Crocodile. Is 8 or 9 Foot long his X Mouth very large, opening beyond his Eyes, their Eggs white, hard, and as it were warty ; they tafte well ; you often find near 30 of them toge- ther : the Flefh of the Crocodile is often eaten by the Blacks.
2. The Tree Frog. Is of a midling Size, above pale yellow, below deeper ; its Sides and Hind-legs are ftreakt with black.
3. The Guana. Is green, with black and white waved Lifts along his Back ; from Head to Tail is a notable green Welt, whofe Seam gradually leffens downwards : boiled or roafted they eat as well as Fowl or Rabbits.
4. The Smooth-back Guana. Is black finely fprinkled with white ; towards the End of the Tail it has as it were fix white Prickles, they love raw Eggs : its Fleih is eaten.
5. The Houfe Lizzard. Is a friendly Animal, for if it fees you in Danger of any hurtful Creature whilft afieep, it will come and awake you. They are very common in Gardens and about the Houies.
6. The Blue-tail' 'd Lizzard. Is not thicker than a Swan-quill, and but 3 Inches long •, its Body imooth and fquarim \ thefe are faid to be poifonous
Ee 3
422 The Natural Htftory
and thirfl after the Blood of breeding Women : and they report, that if a Woman, or but her Cloaths do touch this Creature, flie will afterwards prove barren.
y. The Fork- tail9 d Lizzard. Refembles in all Things the Houfe Lizzard, except his Tail, which ends in two ftrait Horns.
8. The Long-tail' d Lizzard. Is no thicker thaq one's little Finger ; its Belly white vHfh bloody * Spots, its Back finely ftrip'd and waved wifh-3pecks between.
9. The S potted-tail9 d Lizzard. Is waved on the Back with brown Lifts, and has four Spots on the Tail.
10. The Small Venomous Lizzard. Is four or five Inches long ; it's brown markt with white Lines mixt with yellow.
1 1 ; The Coral Snake. Is two Foot long, and as thick as one's Thumb, it's alternately fpotted very elegantly with white, black and fcarlet ; the firft and laft are edged with black : it's venomous.
12. The Frog Snake. From his Food he is fe- ven or eight Foot long, and as thick as a Man, is taper and ends very lharp he is Olive coloured, with a yellowifh Belly.
13. The Great Goat-fnake. Becaufe fo large they ean fwallow them whole, being above 8 Foot long, and 1 5 Inches about ; finely markt with black and white : its Flefh is eaten.
14. The Horn-bellied Snake. Near fix Foot long, and half a Foot about ; it has near its Vent two fmall Bird-like Claws.
15. The Houfe-fnake. Its Belly white, and Back Iron coloured ; about 3 Foot long, and two Fin- gers thick : thefe deftroy the Hens Eggs.
16. The Green Houfe-fnake. About as thick as ones little Finger, and 2 or 3 Foot long ; has a large Mouth, and is very poifonous,
37. The
of thefe Tarts. 423
17. The Rattle-fnake. Is pale yellow, with black Spots : It's faid to be fo poilonous, that there is no Remedy for it.
18. The Circle-f potted Snake. Is brown, with two Rows of alternate yellow Spots fet in dark red Circles.
19. The Great [potted Snake. Is venomous and fpotted like the Rattle Snake*
20. The Ring- tail9 d Snake. Hath a fhining fil- ver Belly, the reft black and white ; he hath fix fil- ver Rings in his Tail, and as many fharp Teeth in both Jaws.
21. The Veado-fnake. In Length about 8 Foot, with a Chain of black Spots along the Back, with white Spots on the Sides furrounded with black.
22. The Terrapin or Land-turtle. Is covered with a black Shell, the Scales triangular ; its Liver is delicious. a
23. The Sea- turtle. Has the Nofe of a Bird, Fin-like Feet ; and is of feverai Sizes and Colours : its Flefti and Eggs are good Meat.
24. The Lejfer Turtle. Is about 10 Inches long, and 9 broad its Tail fhort and pointed ; each Foot has 4 black Claws ; their Eggs white, round,, and about the Bignels of Pidgeon9^ eat well fryed.
25. The Blind-worm. Is white and fliining like Glafs, with copperifh Rings and Streaks, lives on Ants; it's faid there is no Remedy againfl its Poifon*
Ee4 CHAP.
4H
The Natural Hiftory
CHAP. VI. Of Insects.
i. \ NTS. Are in great Numbers both in the Jl\ Woods and Fields ; and are univerfal De- vourers, as well of Animals as Vegetables.
2. The Black Ant. Is about an Inch long.
3. The Flying Ant. Hath four tranfparent yel- lowish Wings, with fad red Vein and Edges : the Blacks eat the Bodies of them.
4. The Hairy- Ant. Thefe have Wings, but on- ly at certain Seafons,
5. The Scarlet- Ant. Has a very Ihining Head.
6. The Birds-neft Bee. The Hiv#s of thefe are black and hard, hanging from the Trees like Birds- jiefts.
7. The Bujh-bee. Yields the befl: and fweeteffc Honey ; it hives on Shrubs and low Trees, its Combs hang down half a yard long.
8. The Ground-bee. Thefe are found out by fmoaking them.
9. Another Ground-bee. Whofe Paper-like Hive refembles a Sugar-loaf*, thefe three laft fting like ours
10. The Tree* bee. Sticks his Honey to the Bo- dies of Trees, inclofed in round Balls of Wax : this and the next fting not.
11. The Tree-hole Bee. Lives in hollow Trees': Its Honey is well tafted and very wholefome.
12. The fmall Black-beetle. Is round and fhining.
13. The Bull-beetle. Is very large, with two Horns on his Shoulders* and one from his Snout turning upwards.
14. The
ef thefe Tarts. 425
14. The hair Bull-beetle. A large Sort of black Ihining Beetle, covered with yellowifh Hairs.
!$♦ The crofs Goat-beetle. Is of a dark red mixt with a fliining Blacknefs ; thwart his Back is a yel- low Lift his Horns yellow and black.
16. The Saphire-beetle. Has green Wings with a Gold Glofs.
17. The Snap-beetle. Its Shoulders black with yellow Edges, its Cruft-wings ftreakt with black.
18. The Tortoife-beetle. The Body of a golden Luftre, the Edges Copper.
19. The Unicorn-beetle. Has a Mixture of black, green, and gold, fhines ; yet covered with fine Hair. It fmells like a Goat, and has often fmall ones about his Body.
20. The Green-bugg. His Head yellow, above mixt with green ; it ftinks much.
21. The Scorpion-bugg. Is two Inches long, and one broad \ its Legs dark yellow, with black Spots, and hairy.
22. The black Butterfly, Has flant green Lines gloft with Gold.
23. The Black-rimmed Butterfly.
24. The Striped-olive Butterfly.
25. The pale Butterfly with yellow Wings. The Edges of this is markt with black and white,,
26. The Silver-fpotted Butterfly.
27. The white Butterfly with brown Spots.
28. The great yellow Butterfly with differing co- loured Spots.
29. The black Velvet Caterpillar. Has nine yellow Rings crofs its Back > its Head, Tail and Feet fcarlet. -
30. The Golden Lifted, black Velvet Caterpillar.
31. The Grey-ring d Caterpillar.
32. The green Caterpillar. Is fpeckled with black? and has white flant Lines on ics Sides.
33, The
The Natural Hifloty
33. The green and white Catter pillar. Has two yellow Lines its Length, and flant ones of the fame.
34. The fcarlet Horn'd Catter pillar. Has fome white mixt with its deep red, the Belly, Sides, and Tail green.
35. The Mar acock Caterpillar. Is hatcht from the Eggs of the Silver-fpotted Butterfly, Numb. 26,
36. The Nightfloade Caterpillar. Is very black, but Head and Sides white fpotted ; it's covered with yellow Briftles : When thefe touch a Man's Skin, it burns like Fire.
37. The Silk-worm Caterpillar.
3?. Chegoes. Are like Fleas, and frequently get under the Nails of both Hands and Feet ; and there raife a great Itching and Lodge, except they are pickt out with a Needle.
39. The Locuft-r cricket. Is fomewhat like and of Kin to our Mole^cricket.
40. The Black-hairy Drone. Is fliining and vel- vety the Forepart of a whitifli yellow, with a black Spot.
41. The black Silk Drone.
42 0 The fhining yellow Drone. Is covered with fine Hair.
43. The Great Earwig. Is two Inches long, partly black and pale yellow.
44. The black Fly. Has fhining Saphirine Eyes.
45. The Dew Fly. Thefe towards the Evening flock in great Numbers on Trees, and make a long continued Noife.
46. The Fire-fly. On each Side of the Upper- part of his Body, is a round white fliining Spot, no bigger than a'Muftard -feed through which it cafts its amazing Light.
47. The Green Fly. Has a golden Glofs, with a Saphire coloured Head \ it* Wings fpotted with dark red,
48, Th&
of thefe Tarts. 427;
48. The Hairy Toddy-fly. A very large Beetle, with a long Horn from each Jaw.
49. The Scarlet Fly. Frequent in Gardens, "Woods and Fields in the rainy Seafons.
50. The Scarlet Fly with f potted Wings. Its Bo- dy brown and green, the Wings round and black.
5 1 . The Scarlet-wing d Fly. The Head and Up- per-parts of a fhining black, the Tips brown.
52. The Silver and Brown Fly. Has tranfparent Wings fpeckled with brown.
53. The yellow Fly. Is a troublefome Infe£t.
54. The Green-golden Gnat. Has two Wings of the Colours of the Rainbow ; its Legs and Body hairy.
55. The barmlefs Gnat. Is a bufie Fly, but has no Sting.
56. The flinging Gnat. Thefe are very trouble- fome, efpecially in the Night.
57. The ftreak'd Hog-loufe. Has crofs Lines of dark yellow and black.
58. The Variegated Knot-horn. Is finely markt with yellow, brown and blue the Legs yellow and black party coloured.
59. The Brown Locuft. Lefler than the next.
60. The Gretn Locuft, His B.ack *and Belly red ; his under Wings are latticed with red, black, aflh, and green Squares.
61. The Grey Locuft. Is three Inches long, his Pincers red.
62. The Leaf-like Locuft. His Body fhorter than Numb. 60. his Back flat, and Head fmooth.
63. The Greater Shiill-Lpcufi. The Body of this is warty.
64. The Lejfer Quill-Locuft. Is a long flender grey Infeft, with fpotted Lines.
65. The Green Mantifs. Somewhat like a Lo- cuft > but has a lorjg flender Necij like a Cameh
66, The
The Natural Hiftory
66. The Rufty Mantifs. Refembles a dead Leaf*
67. The Silver Millepodes. Are larger than ours % have fix Legs towards the Head, the laft pair longeft.
68. The great brown Moth. Its Wings are three Inches and a half long, and one and a half broad.
69. The Scolopendria. Is about four Inches long and has twenty Legs on each Side.
70. The Flat-ring'd Scolopendria. Is black, with yellow Edges on the Rings.
71. The Scorpion. Is common in Houfes, and very large ; with two Spines in his Tail.
72. The triangular -backt Spider. On his Sides are fix fharp white Points, fpotted with dark brown.
73. The Great-hairy Spider. Thefe are very common : they live on Flies and other Infefts ; yet can fubfift under Confinement a great while without*
74. The Houfe Spider. Its Back and Legs are fpotted with black ; thefe cafl their Skin like the laft.
75. The Leffer Houfe Spider. Carry their Young in a round Bag under their Belly they fpin in the Night,
76. The Grey-fpider* Is hairy like Velvet, and fpeckled with black;.
77. The Silver-fpider. Is elegantly fhaped.
78. The great Silver-fpider. Like the laft, but bigger.
79. The Silver and Tellow Spider, This is ftreakt with brown Lines, and makes Webs like the com- mon.
80. The Tortoife-fpider. No bigger than a Pea ; its Shell hexangular, Silver coloured with black Spots.
81. The Tick. A fmall flat roundifli Loufe t if any Body fits down in the Woods or Fields, this Vermine prefently attacks him, and gets into his Flcfh.
82. The
of thefe Tarts.
82. The Steel-wafp. Has a very hard Body, not cafily penetrable with a Needle, yet flick as Silk.
83. The Glafs-wing. h a fmall oval Infe£t, half an Inch long.
\ 84. The Houfe-worm. A Sort of Scolopendria3 as thick as one's little Finger, and half a Foot long.
85. The Palm-worm. About two Inches long, and as thick as the laft.
CHAP. VII. Of Trees.
1. r I ^ H E Anda. Is a large handfome Tree, with A fine yellow Flowers ; the W ood is put to many Ufes: The Natives catch Fifli with the Bark, by throwing it into the Water, which fuddles them.
2. Angelin-tree. They ufe the Wood hereof to build their Houfes,
3. The Ball- Apple. Has Leaves growing by Pairs eight or nine Inches long, and 2 or 3 where broadeft ; the Apple dark yellow, with 3 Seeds in each.
4. The Bread- Apple. Its Flowers fmall and yel- low growing in a long Spike. Half a Dram of the Kernel drank in Water is an excellent Remedy for the Flux.
5. The Musk-Apple. Bears fmall whife Flowers full of Thread : The ripe Fruit big as an Egg and yellowifh : It flowers in July and Auguft \ and bears ripe Fruit in March.
6. The Stone- Apple. Is a fweet edible Fruit, as large as an Orange, yet its Infide fmells rancid.
7. The Copaiba Balfam. This Tree yields great Plenty of a Baliam, very good in all Fluxes of the
Bowels.
The Natural Hijlory
Bowels. The Leaves are 4 or 5 Inches long and 2 and a half broad ; the Wood is very red, and the Boards they put to feveral Ufes.
8. The Banana. Its Fruit ftrait, ftiort, round and fragrant ; they are to be had all the Year.
9. Red-dye Bark. Becaufe it's ufed in dying that Colour, by boiling it in Water \ its Outfide is grey, within white.
10. Soap Bark. Is a Tree whofe inner Bark they ufe either green or dry inftead of Spanifh-foap it wafhing Cloaths beyond the Soap-berries.
ill The Bird-grain Berry. Its Leaves grow by Pairs ; are finely veined, white and woolly below, the Fruit foft and fweet, and eaten by the Birds.
12. Blue-berry. Becaufe ufed in dying that Co- lour ; they will keep dry a long time when ripe they are about the Bignefs of a fmall Cherry, and are mightily coveted by the Pidgeons.
13. The Black- Ink Berry. This the Portuguese call Preta.
14. The White- Ink Berry, Is a Pear-like Tree, with large five leaved yellow fragrant Rofes ; which flowers in October and November*
15. Soap-berry. This Tree grows in many pla- ces ; of the Fruit they make Buttons.
16. The Suck-berry. Is a tall Tree Tree ending with 3 Leaves : the Fruit is ripe in Aprils which they fuck the Juice of only, fpitting out the Skins,
17. The Two Berry -tree. Its Leaves grow by Pairs, as does its Fruit, which is yellow, of a Plumb Size, and round : it may be eaten plentifully with- out Danger.
18. Birch-wood. Becaufe like it, which they put to feveral ufes.
19. Bird-lime Tree. Bears fmall Leaves like the fenfible Plant; yields a clammy Pitch-like Gum, which they rub on Sticks to catch Birds with, as we do our Bird-lime.
20. Braftl-
of thefe Tarts.
^20. Brafil-wood. Is a tall thorny Tree, with Box- like Leaves •> it flowers in December *, they are red and yellow, and fmell like Lillies of the Vallies.
n. The Calabafh-tree. Bears white and green Lilly-like Flowers, but they ftink egregioufly : The Trees at certain Seafons lofe all their Leaves in one Day, and in 2 or 3 more they will grow again.
22. The Canow-Tree. Is very large and much brancht ; its Flowers are partly yellow and greenifh, very fragrant ; the Fruit about as big as an Apple, covered with Hair, and when ripe breaks into three Parts : Of the Wood they make Fifhing and Fer- ry-boats.
23. Cajhew-tree. Bears a Kidney-like Fruit, at the end of a larger ; whofe Kernel roafted eats be- yond a Chefnut : The Natives make Canows of its Timber.
24. Wild Cajhew* Like the laft, but thefe Leaves are very rough and hard.
25. HorfeCaffia. Is a tall great Tree, with Fleffi Flowers, which may be feen at a great Diftance.
26. The Char done. Is a Sort of Indian-Fig or Prickle-Pear ; with an edible deep red Fruit, as big again as a Goofe Egg : good to eat.
27. The Cochineel-Chardone or Tuna. Its Leaves from one to 4 Foot long ; fomc 3, others 4 Square ; die Flowers much lefs than the next, the Fruit 3 Inches long and 4 about, which by preffing fplits Lengthways, containing a white juicy Pulp full of Seeds : Thefe are eaten with the Pulp, and for Pleafantnefs exceed our common Figs.
28. The Knobbed Char done.
29. The three Square Chardont.
30. Birds Cherry. Bears a black Fruit much co- veted by the Birds.
31. Myrtle Cherry. Its Fruit black *, the Leaves have an Aftringent or dry Tafte, but being rubb'd betwixt the Fingers, fmell very ftrong.
32. Pepper
The Natural Hifiory
32. Pepper Cherry. The Fruit fcarlet, with eight I Furrows, taftes bitterifh, and fomething hot, like I
Capftcum or Cod-pepper.
33. The Trefoil, Spotted Cherry. Its Flowers five Leaved ; the Fruit when ripe Cwhich is in Fe- 1 bruary) blackifh, fpeckled with white, the Skin j peel'd off they are fweetifh, each as big as aGoofe- berry, and contain 3 fmall white Kernels.
34. Yellow-cherry. Thefe they often eat.
35. The Coco-tree. Is a Sort of Palm every Bo-* dy knows.
36. Coral-tree. Grows about as big as a Crab* is thorny and trifoliated ; its Bloffoms equal the Flower-de-luce, are fcarlet and feen at a great Di- flance, but quickly fall off; the Pods are 1, 3, and fome 5 Inches long, with as many Partitions as Seed. !
37. The Cork-tree. Is about the Size of a Line or Bafs-tree, the Leaves like Walnut but fharper ; it bears pale yellow Flowers in great Tufts, and a yellow Plumb, the Wood is reddifh and light : of which they make Corks and Stopples.
^8. Ebony. Is a large Tree, with fmall dark green Leaves ; the Heart of the Tree is a fad Olive- colour near black : it's bitter whilft growing.
39. Thrum- Elder '. Its Wood, Bark and Pith, refemble Elder, and the firft fmells of it ; the Flow- ers are fragrant, large and yellow like Primrofes made of five Leaves, and fill'd with yellow and faffron coloured Threads an Inch and a half long ; the Tree very beautiful.
40. The Torch-Fig. A Sort of prickly Pear, on the Leaves of which grow certain Warts or Excref- cencies.
41. Silk-finger Tree. This bears 8 or 10 Leaves on a 2 or 3 Inch Footftalk ; Star-faftiioned like the Fire-root, fmooth above, and filky below : finely veined.
42, Curl
of thefe Tarts.
42. Curl Flower. This Tree is large and fhady ; of the Wood, which is very hard, they make Wheels for their Su&ar-mills : the Tree looks beautiful when in Flower, which is in October and November, they being of a blue and white Colour.
43. Sweet Flower Tree. At the Top of the Leaves, which are whicifli underneath, grow Tufts of fmall white fix leaved Flowers of a pleafant Scent.
44. Tellow Hang Flower. Is a Tree with foft long oppofite Leaves ; at the Top of the Branches grow a Spike of beautiful yellow Flowers, which by a crooked Foot-ftalk hang downwards ; its Fruit of a Currran Size.
45. Wall-Flower Tree. Becaufe its Flowers are like our fingle Stock-gillowflower, yellow and rather fweeter than them, which are to be feen in December and January.
46. All- Fruit. From its Plenty, being fo thick fet round its Body, you c^n fcarce fee its Bark they are about the Bignefs of a Lime, fweet, tem- perate, and wholefome, pleafant in Fevers.
47. The Fufiick. Grows every where in the Woods ; its Fruit is ripe in March.
48. The Genipat, or Ink- Apple. A Tree whofe Fruit ftains like Ink.
49. Gum- Idea. The Bark of this Tree being cut, yields a fragrant Rozin fmelling like Dill \ much ufed in all Wounds of the Head.
50. Tellozv Gum-Tree. From the Bark of this al- fo flows a purging yellow Gum, which the Portu- guefe call Gum Lacra.
51. The Chefnut Gourd. Each Fruit, has 5 or 6 very white Cbefnut-Wko. Kernels, which eat well.
52. The Orange Gourd. Contains 2 or 3 large Kernels, which are not edible, but the Pulp about- them is, being fharp and a little bitterifh. A faf- fron Milk flows from the Tree being cut.
Vol, III. Ff 53 ■ The
The Natural Hiftory
53. The Ginger Hazel. Becaufe it bears a Katkin fomewhat like it, which fmells of Gipger > the Root has alfo the fame Tafte and Smell.
54'i The Greater or Male Iaracatia. Is a tall ft rait thorny Tree, the Fruit of a faffron Colour both within and without when ripe it's eaten either raw or boy I'd : in March it renews its Leaves, and in April and May it flowers and fruits.
25, The Female Iaracatia. Differs from the Male, only in being lefs in all its Parts.
36. Coil'd Inga. Is diftinguilht from the follow- ing in having its Fruit 6 or 7 Inches long, but odly turn'd about like Pennid Sugar.
57. Feather-lnga. Bears a Tuft of fmall white Flowers filPd with white filken Hair two Inches long, tipt with yellow ; thefe fmell fweet like thofe of the Lime-tree.
58. Joynted Inga. They eat its Fruit, which is well tafted ; it's ripe in May.
59. Rujly Inga. The Pods of this are flat and covered with arufty coloured Hair.
60. Iron-Wood. Is a great branched Tree with Iharp pointed Heart-like Leaves 3 or 4 Inches long : the Wood extream hard.
61. Black Lignum-Vitte. The Wood hard and fmells well.
62. White Ugnum-Vitcr. Its Flower buds fome- what bigger than a Cherry-ftone, which opens into 5 Parts, difcovering a fingle, round, fweet, yellow Leaf, on which are many white Threads, tipt with yellow.
63. The Wood-Limon. Has a thin Skin and ve^ ry juicy, with a few fmall Seed, which are hurtful to the Teeth.
64. The Mangrove-tree. The Flowers of a yel- lowilh green > the Fruit is Food for the Terrapines.
6s. Match*
of theje *Part$i 435
65. Match-tree. The Natives make Ropes of the Bark of this Tree, as alfo Match-cord like ours made of Paper.
66. Mullein- tree. The Leaves very like them ; it bears a Spike of yellow Flowers, and a Goofe-berry- like Fruit, which they eat.
67. Bread Palm. Avery ufeful Tree to the Na- tives, not only in making Flower of the Wood flit and beaten, which they eat inftead of Ca/fava-br^zdy but with the Leaves they thatch their Huts, and alfo being pliable they ufe them as Cords : Of the Fruit they make an Oyl, the Kernel they eat ; and of the Bark they make Match to light their Pipes with.
68. Egg Palm. Of the faffron coloured Pulp ; they make a croceous Oyl, which they burn in their Lamps, and from its Kerpcl they exprefs a clear Oyl, which they cook their Meat .withal whilft frefli •, of the Bark of the Nut they make Tobacco- pipes, and with its Leaves they thatch their Hou- fes, make Mats, Baskets, fsfb.
69. Hurdle-Palm. Bears pale yellow three leaved Flowers, and an Olive-like Fruit ; they make Bas- kets, and cover their Huts with its Leaves, and of the Wood is made Hurdles to fold their Sheep and other Cattle.
70. Yellow-Palm. Its Flowers three leaved, and very fmall, with Threads, which and the Palm-bag are all yellow ; its Fruit fmall, and Wood taper, which they ufe in Building.
71. Bread-Peach. The Fruit of this they eat boil'd with Flefh and Fife inftead of Bread \ it hath a large Kernel, which they alfo eat with it.
72. The Pitoma. Is a large branched Tree, the Leaves grow by Pairs of divers Sizes, viz. from 3 to 8 Inches long the Flowers fmall, 4 leaved, of a Straw colour, the Fruit oval, the Meat of a plea- fant fharp Tafte, with a Stipticity or Drynefs.
F f 2 73, Amber
The Natural Hlfiory
73. Ambtr Plumb. Its Branches thorny, the Flower 5 leaved, but very fmall ; its Fruit yellow, pleafant, tho' fomewhat four and bitterifh : it ri- pens in January and February.
74. Bay Plumb. The Fruit when ripe black, but before yellow.
75. The Kidney-Plumb. The Skin and Flefli is yellow, and fmells like Spanifh-foap.
76. Mangala Plumb. Its Flowers are like Jejfa- mine, and very fragrant ; the Fruit of a greenifti yellow, frequently fpotted on one Side with red ; the Kernel is very white and fweet tafted-, and therefore eaten with the Fruit, but not until they fall pff themfelves.
77. Fire-root. The Natives make a Flole in a Piece of this Root dryed, into which they put a Stick of a cer^ii^liard Wood \ and by conftant turning routfel, it creates Fire.
78. River Tree. Becaufe it always grows on its Banks, and fhoots its Roots on the Water ; it bears a beautiful Umbel of fmall 5 leaved fcarlet Flowers.
79. Balfam Rofe, Its Leaves fmell like Rofemary and Marjerom the Fruit dark red, eats fweetilh and gummy. It flowers in January and February : the Fruit is ripe in April and May.
80. Heart Rofe. Bears an 8 leaved white Flower refembling a Rofe, and as fweet.
81. The Cup-tree. Is very tall, the Leaves like Mulberries notcht and crumpled ; it's Wooden Fruit as big as a Child's Head ; having a Stopple or Cover for its Crown, which it drops in March and April, when ripe : Of the Wood they make the Spokes of their Sugar-wheels, becaufe it bears Moifture without Damage.
82. The Salt-tree. Looks like a Willow \ from its Leaves come 4 or 5 fmall 4 leaved pale yellow Flowers, with as many black Threads in them : thefe Leaves yield a kind of Salt, as much of which,
you
af thefe Tarts. 43 7
you may take from 3 or 4, as will feafon a Mefs of Broth.
83. Yellow-tree. From its Plenty of large yel- low Flowers, by which it may be known at 2 or 3 Miles diftance ; at that Time having no Leaves, they coming afterwards.
84. The flat podded Yellow-tree. Has 3, 4 or 5 Leaves from one Bafe on 3 Inch Foot Stalks ; it flowers in December: they are Bell-fafhion'd, 2 In- ches long, and cut on the Brims into 5 Parts.
85. "Thorny V/aga. A prickly Tree, with very fmall Leaves, and thrummy white Flowers.
86. Cabinet-wood. Is a high Tree with blue Flowers: the Wood ismixt with red and black, and is much ufed in Carving, Inlaying, 13 c.
87. Camel-wood. Is a great Tree with a green Ball-like Fruit, red within, full of fmall Fig-like Seed : Thefe are eat by fome, but not much valued.
88. Milkey Camel-wood. This Tree bears a white Rofe-Wkt Flower, with reddifh Bottoms, each on a long Footftalk : In the Middle of the Flower, is a yellow roziney Pea-fized Button like Turpentine, but of an unfavoury Smell.
89. Gum-wood. The Leaves of this Tree are pointed, ihine, and grow oppofite 5 or 7 in a Branch ; the Fruit red, in Shape and Size like a Pijlachio ; which with the Wood fmell like the Gum Icica.
90. Boat-wood. Becaufe the Natives make their Boats and Canows of this Wood, either green jor dry.
91. Holy-wood. Is a large Tree, with a fmooth grey Bark; its Wood very hard: On the Top Boughs of this Tree grow frequently an odd Sort of Mifletoe fpringing from feveral fharp pointed ftreakt yellow Balls ; whofe Leaves are of a yellow green., fix or feven Inches long, and very narrow.
92. Sugar-
The Natural Hiftory
92. Sugar-wood. Is yellow; of the Planks they make Sugar Cheft^ : the Tree is tall, and yields a brown fcentlefs Balfam ; with which the Natives by anointing, cures the Worms in their Feet, a Difeafe frequent amongft them.
CHAP. VIII. Of Shrub s.
i/|aHE Thorny Globe Acacia. Grows 8 or "9 A Foot high the Ste^n full of fmall crooked Spines, the Leaves grow in Pairs, very lik:e Solo- mon* s Sea^ with 2 fmall Thorns between each Pair : its Flowers pale yellow, and globular, compofed of many fmall Threads the Pod a Foot or 15 In- ches long, befet with fmall Prickles.
2. The Great Aloes. Bears a greenifh yellow Flower, made of 5 Star-fafhioned Petalce or Flow- er Leaves ; they make good Cloath of the Leaves of this Plant \ and thefe or its Roots thrown into Ponds, fuddles the Fifh ; fo that you may take them with your Hand.
3. Mijletoe Aloes. This grows from the Boughs and rotten Trunks of Trees j the Leaves are very like Aloes.
4. Arnotto. Is a Shrub, with large cordated Leaves 3 with 5 leaved Rofe-like Bluih-colour'd Flowers growing in Clufters : they make a fafFron coloured Indico of the Seed, call'd Arnotto ; with which they dye raw Silk.
5. The Burr. Has broad Leaves ferrated and pointed ; its Burs grow in Rundles, 12 or more to- gether : they are very troublefome in travelling both to Man and Beaft, flicking to their Hair, &c.
6. Button*
of thefe Tarts, 439
6. Button-tree. Its Flowers fmall and yellowifli ; tfre-Heads are. like Alder Cones.
7. Brafrf Calavancies. Its Flowers yellow, with red Veins ; the Pods flat and twifted, each holding
4 white Peafe, which tafte well : they flourifti all the Year.
8. Caffada. Rifes 7 or 8 Foot high, thick as one's Thumb, 6 or 7 Leaves gr ow from one Stalk, Star fafliion'd ; its Flowers fmall 5 leaved, pale yellow, and very thrummy in the Middle : its Root large as one's Thigh, 3 or 4 Foot long, and yields a thick Milk, which is deadly Poifon : Ne- verthelefs, by boiling and ordering of it, they make a wholefome Bread.
9. Cotton-bufh. Has a Rofe-like Flower, yellow, with a Purple Bottom ; its Fruit bears the Cotton.
10. Bay-leaved Granadilla. The Fruit Pear- fafhion'd ; when ripe of a greenifh yellow, plea- fant to the Tafte and Smell it's full of black flat fhining Seed.
11. Broad-leaved Granadilla. The Flower fweet and party-coloured ; Fruit like the laft.
12. Ivy-leaved Granadilla. Each Leaf Hands 2 Inches and half diftant on an Inch Footftalk ; on which grows a fmall, round dentated Leaf, with a reddifti Tendrel joining to it ; the Fruit oval, of the Size of a large Plumb.
13. Fiddle-pointed Granadilla. Has a Leaf with
5 Segments, and the Middle often finuated like the Sides of a Fiddle ; the Fruit yellowifli, and plea- fant both in Smell and Tafte ; the Pulp croceous, and will dye the Tongue of a Saffron colour.
14. The Trefoil Granadilla. Its Flowers moftly white, and fmells well > the Fruit yellow when ripe, but before fpotted with white.
15. The Trefoil Auriculated Granadilla. The Ear? confift of 3 ferrated Leaves the Fruit fweet,
F f 4 greenifh
\
440 The Natural Hiftory
greenifft and white ; the Middle of the Threads Purple.
16. The {linking, hairy, Bladder' d Granadilla. The Leaves' cordated, and fmell like Henbane.
17. Hot-tree. Bears Willow Leaves and mem- branaceous Fruit, fomewhat like Hops ; grows in fandy places.
1 8. Indico. Grows 3 or 4 Foot high, and bears pale purplifn Flowers.
19. White Indico. Lias a fpungy Stalk, hairy Leaves, a white Flower of a Daifie Make and Size the Stalks or Roots broken yield a blue Juice.
20. Love Apple. Grows about a Yard high ; the Leaves finuated, foft and prickly, on the middle Rib of the under Side; the Flowers 5 leaved, of a greenifh yellow : the Fruit edible of a Medlar Size ; yellow when ripe, but before whitilh with green Streaks.
21. White-flavored Love Apple. Its Stalks thorny and hoary, as are its Leaves, and fomewhat jagged ; the Fruit of an Apple Size, hoary, yellow and filming when ripe ; its Shell brittle as an Egg, the Pulp very fweet, and a grateful Food to the Ants.
22. Hoary Love Apple. Its Branches and Leaves 'ah hoary and thorny ; the laft: has generally 7
Angles : the Flower of a faint blue, refembling a five-pointed Star.
23. The Melon Apple. Bears a yellow five leaved Flower in Size and Shape like & Daffodil-, thefe grow 15 or 20 together on very long Pedicles : the Fruit finning anc) black, but when ripe are often found empty.
24. Heart-leaved Mifletoe. Its Flowers brown yel- low, fix leaved, with yellow Threads : its Fruit like a Clove.
25. Nettle-berry. Has its Stalks and Leaves hai- ry *, the Lift fofi, grow oppofite, and are lightly
notcht :
of thefe Tarts.
notcht : the Fruit like Juniper, and black, fweet tafted ; and are eaten by the Negroes. f 26. Palma Chrifii. From the Kernels of this they prefs an Oyl to burn in their Houfes, &c.
27. The Nettle Palma Chrifti. The Leaves and Stalks are thick-fet with flinging Hairs ; the firft are generally divided into 3 Parts ; its Flowers fmall, white and five leaved.
28. Goat Pea. Each Stalk hath 6 Pair of Leaves an Inch long, with one at the End, underneath woolly : it bears a Spike of frqall, white Flowers mixt with Purple ; after which come many half Inch Pods like Goats Horns, each containing 6 or 8 Seeds.
29. Tree Pea. Bears knotted taper Pods about 4 Inches long \ the Peafe dark yellow, fharp at one end, with a Chink or Furrow along its Sides.
30. Pellitory Tree.^ The Root is hotter than our Pellitory, and like it draws a great deal of Rheum from the Head : it's an excellent Remedy for a Go- norrhea drank in a Morning as Tea ; it relieves alfo in the Stone and Stoppage of Urine.
31. Holey Pellitory. Refembles our common; but the Leaves are perforrated like thofe of Oranges and St. John's-wort.
32. Penguins. Bears an edible Fruit, 5 Inches long ; its Flowers blueifh, with white Threads, the Leaves very like Aloes.
33. Tail Pepper. Grows 5 or 6 Foot high ; taftes like long Pepper ; is gathered in October and Novem- ber, 5 or 6 Inches Jong, and fomewhat crooked : The Root fmells like Thime, and wonderfully cures Impofthumes.
34. Narrow leaved Tail Pepper. Is common in the Woods the Fruit longer than the laft.
35. The Dwarf Plumb, Grows about a Foot high, bears Willow-like Leaves in Pairs ending
fingle.
The Natural Hijloty
fmgie, the Flowers yellow, as is its Fruit, and fweet, but neverthelefs is not eaten. - 36. The Clufter^ Plumb. Has Leaves thick, roundifh and fhining : The Flowers 5 leaved, j fmall and whitifti 5 the Fruit edible, when ripe of a dark red.
37. The Granat Plumb. Is fweetilh and well tailed, yellow when ripe, and full of fmall Grains ; a Tea made of the Root, is excellent in Fluxes : Of the Fruit they make a Marmalade like that of Quinces.
38. Rats-bane. The Leaves of this grow 2 or 3 together ; the Flowers red, but Footftalks Saffron coloured ; the Root is an Antidote againft the Poi- ibn of its Flowers and Leaves.
39. Blue-berried Rats-bane. Is a certain Poifon, both to Man and Beaft.
40. Balfamick Golden Rod. The Flowers or Leaves bruifed, fmell like Stcrax ; the laft they ufe in Pain and Rcdnefsof the Eyes.
41. Shrub Golden Rod. The Leaves when dry are black above, but white and woolly underneath.
42. The hairy Star-podded Senfible Plant. Is thorny with Leaves about one Inch and half long, which grow in Pairs, and are hairy underneath ; the Flowers are a fmall white thrummy Head ; with a Blufh of Purple, which produces 10 or 12 hairy Pods, which grow Star-wife, each about an Inch long: The Leaves of this Plant fhut themfelves up on the leaft Touch, but open again a while after.
43. The Round feeded Senfible. The Flowers pur- plifh fet clofe into a Head; the Pods about 3 In- ches long, rdugh and hairy : the Roots fmell like T nrnips.
44. The Square feeded Senfible. As large as a Slow Bulh ^ the Flowers and Pods like the laft, but bigger.
At. The
of thefe Tarts. 44?
45. The Rofe Senfible. The Leaves and Pods grow like an open Rofe.
46. Shrub Solomon's Seal. Has fhining Leaves growing by Pairs, each an Inch and half long, and almoft as broad \ the Flowers white.
47. Golden Spike. A Shrub with oppofite Leaves, fomewhat whitifh below ; at the Top of the Bran- ches grow Spikes 6 or 7 Inches long, with 5 fmall leaved yellow Flowers, whofe Edges are deep red.
48. The Sugar Cane. Grows generally 6 or 7 Foot high, and 4 Inches thick, and about that Di- I fiance betwixt each joynt, but if longer they are the better efteemed.
49. Thorn-berry. Its Thorns grow by Pairs, as does its Leaves, which are like Box, and generally 6, or 3 Couple ; its Flowers long, pale purple,
I hang down ■> are 4 leaved, with as many fmall ! white Threads : The Berries of the Bignefs of El- 1 der, of a dark Purple and ftain like black Cherries ; each has one fmall white flat Stone.
50. The Waved Torch. Its Leaves are thick as Aloes \ the Edges of a dark red, and notcht.
51. The White Tuft. A Shrub bearing at the Top of its Branches a Clutter of white 4 leaved Flowers, full of the fame coloured Threads, an Inch and half long : they fmell fomewhat like a
j Rofe, and make a pleafant Shew.
51. Yellow Violet Tree. The Leaves finely veined,
oval and ferrated towards the Points ; its Flowers 5 I Leaved, yellow and fweet as our Wall-flower, buc
of a deep red before they are opened.
CHAP,
The Natural Hiftory
CHAP. IX. Of Herbs.
f.jyOUND Mam's Apple. Its Flowers five XV leaved with Purple Veins ; the Fruit round fmooth, and when ripe yellow •, fomewhat bigger than a Crab : thefe are eaten boiled with Oyl and Pepper.
2. Pine Apple. Its Leaves referable Aloes ; the Flower three leaved, and blue ; its Fruit very plea- fant and well known.
3. Amur ainth-like Herb. Is woody, and grows a- «Uj 2rFoor hi§h ' at every Branch comes a red Head of fmall Flowers on an Inch Footftalk fuftain- edby a fmall Nettle-like Leaf.
4. White Arfmart. Bears long (lender white Flow- ers, Willow Leaves, and knotty Stalks.
5. Avens. Rifes a Yard or higher, Branches at the Joynts, where are generally 5 Leaves wing'd and cut like ours.
. 6- Tway blade Avens. Grow fometimes a Yard nigh ; it Branches from the Joynts, where are 2 fer- rated Leaves 5 or 6 Inches long ; at the Tops grow fmall 5 leaved yellow Flowers, fcenting fomewhat like Chamomil.
7. Battata's. Have Leaves fome cordated, o- thers angular, bears neither Flower nor Fruit the Root is milkey, very white within, and pale yellow without.
8. Red Battata's. Thefe are red throughout, and tinge the Hands blue, and a Knife black.
• 9. Sea-berry. Bears thick juicy Leaves like Purf. hm, but much bigger ; the Flowers like a Gilly- flower, 5 leaved and white, with black mining O-
iive
. of thefe Tarts.
live fized Berries : the Flelh like that of a Black Cherry.
10. Befom weed. From the Ufe they put it to ; it's a Bulh half a yard high, with oppofite Vervain Leaves \ from whence proceed fmall white 4 leaved Flowers, which are fucceeded by round little Berries full of dufty Seed.
11. Hand leaved Bindweed. Climbs Trees and Bufhes, the Stalk hairy and fpotted \ has plain Cinquefoil Leaves and a white Flower.
12. White Bindweed. Has cordated Leaves, with a white pentangular Flower.
13. The Blite. Bears a Spike of green Flowers : it's boyPd for a Sallet, and eats well.
14. Welted Broom. Rifesayard high, with hai- ry welted Stalks ; at the Top grow yellow Flow- ers, with Pea-like Pods and greenifh Seed \ which are generally Worm-eaten.
15. Bur-budds. Its Branches, fome are upright others bending ; at the Joynts grow 3 or 4 fofc Inch-long Leaves hoary below ; at the Top of the Stalks are fmall pale Purple Flowers, whofe Bud is fo fat and burry, that it eafily clings to your Cloaths.
16. Yellow Buttons. Is alow Plant, with Hyf- fop Leaves, and a Head of yellow Flowers cut to the Middle in 6 Notches, with as many white Threads.
17. The "Three leaved Calabajh. Climbs tall Trees ; it Leaves like the Cowitch : the Fruit lefs than the common Calabafh, elfe very like it.
1 8. Ground Calavances. Has Trefoil Leaves with fmall yellow Flowers ; it creeps on the Ground with many netty Roots: to thefe grow Hazel-like Nuts, in which are one or two fweet edible Kernels, as pleafant as Peafe,
19, The
The Natural Hiftory
19. The Red Camara. Smells finer than Mint ; the Leaves ferrated and grow oppofite, the Berries green.
20. The White Camara. The Flowers fweet, and the whole Plant has a Minty Smell.
21. The Yellow Camara. The Flowers yellow ; otherwife like the red.
?2. The Clammy yellow Camara. Grows very tall y the Leaves rough and hairy like Nettles ; the Flowers 9 Leaved, with black Threads.
23. Star Campion. Grows about 2 Foot high, with leveral woolly Moufe-ear Leaves ; at the Top grow 5 or 6 blue five leaved Flowers, with a white Star at the Bottom, and fome Threads of the fame Colour.
24. Cone Cane. The Leaves 8 or 9 Inches long, and 3 where broadeft ; at the Top grows a yellow and fcarlet Cone \ between the Scales come pale pur- plifh Flowers, with many black Seed wrapt in a Sort of Lint. The Stalk of this chewed for 8 Days together is faid to be an infallible Remedy againft a Gonorrhea^ without ufing any other Medicine.
25. Red Cone Cane.
26. Blue Cone Cane. Its Flowers four leaved and blue.
27. Red edg'd flouring Cane. Has taper pointed veiny Leaves, with red Edges : Its Flowers made of 3 or 4 crooked Leaves, of a Fire colour, the Root cures Ulcers : they alfo eat it boyl'd or roafted in hard Times.
28. Grape flowring Cane. Its Flowers of a blufli red; the Fruit grows in Gutters, the Bark juicy, ftains like Black Cherries : they ufe it therefore for Ink, the whole Plant very fweet, fmelling like Ginger if bruifed.
29. The Fire coloured Flowring Cane.
30. The Yellow flowringGane. Like the laft, but Leaves narrower.
31. Cemmon
of thefe Tarts.
I 31. Common Capftcum, Grows 3 or 4 Foot high, with a fcarlet pyramidal Fruit ; much fharper than the reft.
32. Cherry Capftcum. The Fruit refembling it.
33. Small Cherry Capftcum. The Fruit much lefs than the laft, and pale red or yellowifh.
34. Crooked Capftcum. The Fruit of thefe hang down.
35. Great Capftcum. Like the Common, but the Fruit thicker and deeper red \ the Leaves of this grow fingle.
36. Narrow Capftcum. The Leaves much long- er and narrower than the laft ; the Fruit 3 Inches long, red and taper.
3 7. Dock-leaved Catkin. Its Julus like that of a Walnut, 5 or 6 Inches long, thick and compofed of 4 fquare Buds of a fine fcarlet ; the Fruit hangs by 3 fine Threads, has a white Pulp and Kernel.
38. The Char done. A Sort of Indian- fig grow- ing on Trees and Shrubs ; the Flowers are compofed of many Leaves, green, white and yellow ; the Fruit oval, with triangular Points of a curious red, the Seed black, and eaten with the Pulp.
39. The Winter Cherry. The Flowers are fmall pale yellow, and five angled, with as many Spots ; the Fruit of a Cherry Size : is eaten.
40. 'Tall Chickzveed. Grows 4 or 5 Foot high, with fingle narrow hairy Willow Leaves ; the Flow- ers are white with purple Bottoms.
41. Fifh-Climer. Has a welted Stalk with 5 fer~ rated Leaves, viz. two pair, and one at the End ; its Beans are red, with a black Kernel : thefe being bruifed and caft into Rivers, intoxicate the Fifii.
42. Snake-Climer. Its Leaves whitifh underneath, cordated and umbilicated ; it's 8 leaved, Flower is yellowifh, fmall, and of an odd Make the con- torted Root an approved Remedy in the Stone, the
Leaves
The Natural Hiftory
heaves bruifed and applied, an excellent Antidote againft all venomous Bites.
43. Three feeded Climer. Has cordated Leaves, with fmall white 5 Starred Flowers, with a purple Spot in the Middle ; the Fruit 3 Square, with as many Cells, having in each one brown Seed.
44. Brown Cocks-foot. Grows 3 or 4 Cubits high, the Spikes divided into 12 or 15 brown Fin- gers ; each 8 or 9 Inches long.
45; Green Cocks-foot. Like the kit, but the Spikes green, as alfo longer and finer.
46. Sweet Cotton weed. Its heaves woolly and curl'd like Groundfel ; the Flowers grow towards the Top of the Herb, refembling Wormwood, but fmell like Dittander of Creet,
47. Wild Cucumber. Its heaves trifid, notcht and hairy \ the Fruit of an Egg Size, prickly, yet. eaten.
48. The Grand Cow-itch. A Sort of Kidney Bean with yellow Flowers \ its Pods broad, hairy and rugged it climbs Trees, flowers in June and July.
49. Umbellated Cyperus. Grows 3 or 4 Foot high, and branches into 4 or 5 Stalks,
50. White headed Cyperus. Rifes a Foot high, at the Top comes 7" or 8 white Heads {landing on Ihort Footftalks, guarded with 6 fharp heaves.
5 1. Hairy naked Daifie. Like the next but Stalks and Leaves hairy and notcht about.
52. Smooth naked Daifie. Its Leaves 3 or 4 In- ches long, and one and a half where broadeft, whi- tifh below: it's a great Counter-poyfon, and very good in Fluxes.
53. Slender Dock. Grows half a Yard high, with many narrow heaves and flender Spikes, with very minute yellow Flowers.
54. Stinking Dogsbane. Is a climing milky Plant, with a yellow Flower and Fruit, fomewhat prickly
like
of thefe Tarts. 449
like the Thorn-apple, in which are many Seed ad- hering to a beautiful filver Down.
55. Apple-rooted Dragons. From the Refemblance of its Bulb,* grows 2 Foot high, its Stalk fpeckled with green, yellow and white ; its Peflel when ripe fpotted with yellow and red.
56. Four-lcaved-Earthnuts. Grows about half a yard high, with two pair of Liquorifh Leaves, and yellow Pulfe Flowers to its Roots are Pods fixed, in which are two pleafant Kernels that tafte like Pi- flacheo9s, and are eaten boyl'd in their Deferts.
57. The broad Edder. The Leaves of this are more pointed and broader, than the Round, and double veined round the Edges ; they eat the Root boyl'd as Potatoes, and the Leaves as a boyl'd Sallet.
58. Narrow-leaved Edder. Has Leaves about a Foot long, it flowers in April, green without and white within.
59. Round Edder. Has a round cordated milky Leaf-, the Root of an Onyon fize, yellow within, but reddifh without.
60. Scarlet Elder. The Leaves 5 or 6 Inches long, trifoliated and ferrated : It flowers like £Mt ; they are of a bloody Colour, without Petalee.
61. Elecampane Everlafling. Becaufe its i?00/* have the fame Scent the Flowers are compofed of fhining filvery Scales which never decay.
62. Climing Fern. This twines about feveral Shrubs and Plants.
63. Notcht-leaved Fern. Grows 3 or 4 Foot high,, its Leaves 5 or 6 Inches long, bearing its Seed on the Edges only. .
64. Miter-headed Flax. Rifes about two Foot high, and branches much its Stalks hairy, as alfo its Leaves, which are long and pointed, putting out here and there blood-red Flowers, with Flax-like Heads mitred and bluntly triangular.
Vol. Ill,
65. Dead
450 The Natural Hiflory
65. Dead-fee n ted Fleabane. Grows half a yard high, dividing into oppofite Branches, where grow 3 or 4 plain Leaves one bigger than another ; from thefe on 2 or 3 Inch Footftalks come yellow Daifie- like Flowers, without any Smell.
66. Dwarf Flower-fence. Rifes a yard high, each Stalk hath 12 or more pair of Leaves like the Senfible Plant , the Flowers yellow and Pods 2 or 3 Inches long.
67. Feather-flower. Grows half a yard high its Stalks angular and knotty at every Joynt, where it branches with two ferrated Leaves, but more in the leffer, whence proceed fmall 4 leaved white feathery
Flowers.
68. The Horn-flower. Grows a yard high, the Leaves 6 or 8 Inches long, fomewhat wrinkled and lightly notcht ; the Flowers long, hollow and of a curious red ; its Fruit round and ftriated, with fmall Seed divided within like a Poppy Head.
69. The Paunch^ flower. Is a fcandent Plant with roundifh Leaves \ the Flower is of a whitifh yellow ; its Shape Angular, refembling a humane Paunch : to this is annexed a broad Membrane full of red Veins.
70. ^win-flowers. Has from one Root 9 or 10 Branches, each near 2 Foot high, on thefe grow Willow-like Leaves by pairs ; at the Top come out white Flowers like Tanfy, but 6 Times lefs, on 4 Inch Footftalks, but always 2 together.
71. Scarlet Fox -Glove. Grows 3 or 4 Foot high, with 'Nettle Leaves oppofite y the Flowers grow in Spikes like the common.
72. Purging Germander. Its Leaves grow oppo- fite, round and ferrated, Flowers white, but very fmall. A Drink of this purges and vomits ftrongly.
73. Ginger. Grows about two Foot high, with Flag Leaves.
74, Bottle
of theje Tarts.
74. Bottk Gourd. Bears a large white 5 leaved Flower ; the Seed flat and as it were forked at each End.
75. Ivy Gourd. A fcandent Plant with Ivy Leaves: In the Fruit of this are 12 Seed in 3 Cells', of whofe Kernels they make a clear Oyl, to burn in their Lamps 5 but like the Kernel, it's too bitter to be eaten.
76. The long Gourd. Its Fruit 15 Inche3 long, and 11 about its Meat yellow, tafte unpleafant ^ and therefore not eaten.
77. Trifid-leaved Gourd. Runs amongfl: other Herbs and Shrubs, the Stalks winged ; the Leaves rough and green with pointed Edges.
78. Grafs-flower. Has graffy Leaves about the Root \ its Stalk near half a yard high ; at the Top grows a fingle fcaly Head, out of which proceeds a 3 leaved Flower.
79. Feather-grafs. Near a yard high, divides at Top into 25, or 3 flender Spikes each 3 or 4 Inches long.
80. Square-headed Grafs. Its Stalk triangular, 15 and fometimes 20 Inches high ; the Heads 4 Square, and feem to be made up of 5 Glands as big as a Rai/in, with 4 Leaves coming from its Bofom ; thefe Heads fmell like Chamomil.
81. Pleated Millet-Grafs. Grows 4 or /$ Foot high, Reed-like its Leaves finely pleated, like the young Palmetto ; the Spikes half a Foot long.
82. ffoir^ Oat-grafs. At the Top of the Stalk comes 7 narrow fharp Leaves, about 2 inches long, the Infide very white at firft fetting on \ in the Middle of thefe grow Oat-like Seed.
83. Silver Quaking-Grafs. Bears 5 or 6 (lender Spikes 2 Inches long, no thicker than a Packthread ; this from filvery, turns purplilh, and trembles with the Wind,
G g 2 84. Prickley-
/ ' - <:
4 52 The Natural Htfiory
84. Prickley-feed Grafs. Grows from a 3 Square Stalk to about 4 Foot high, where grows many ftiarp Grains, as it were fet with Prickles.
85. S'take-Grajs. Grows about a yard high, the middle Vein of the Leaves is white : If you are bit in the Hand by any venomoas Snake, the Poifon will not fpread, if you tye it about with this Grafs.
86. White flrlfd Grafs. Rifes 2 Yards high, and has a white Lift in, the Midft of each Leaf.
87. Itcbey Groundsel. For the Leaves which have a fharp and hot Tafte, being boyl'd and wafh'd with it, cures that Diftemper in any Part of the Body : It grows a Yard high, full of long, narrow, notcht, foft Leaves ; at the Top it branches into many yellow Flowers, with downey Seed.
88. Blue- Heart-wort. The Flowers which come at the Ends of the Stalks are wrapt in a fingular cor- dated Leaf, which alfo covers the Seed.
89. Scarlet Heart-wort.
90. Marfh Hemlock. Grows 2 or 3 Foot high in the Water near the Banks, v/ith Leaves 3 or 4 In- ches long cut into 8 narrow pointed Segments, re- fembling Horns, of a Smallage Tafte.
gt. Clammy Horehound. Rifes near a yard highr and at every Joynt has 2 or 3 Branches \ its Flowers blue and 3 leaved.
92. Red Jeffamine. Riles with a fihgle StaJk, ha- ving oppofite Leaves 3 or 4 Inches long ; at the Top grows many red Flowers fomewhat cut like the Honey-fuckle.
93. Broad-leaved Knot-wort. Is a leaning Plant, L e. between upright and lying on the Ground its Leaves like Hyffop, grow 2 or 4 at a Joynt and hoary ; from whence proceed Heads or globular Whorles fet clofe together.
94. Narrow-leaved Knot-wort. Like the laft, but Leaves narrower and Knobs white..
95. Baft
of thefe Tarts.
95. Safe Indico. Grows a yard high with Sena- like Leaves 4 or 5 pair on a Stalk : Flowers yellow, Pods 6 or 7 Inches long, flattifh and fomewhat crooked, containing 50 or more Seed ; it flourilh.es all the Year. Applyed Poultifwife, it's good for Pains in the Sides.
96. Round-leaved Bafe Ipdico. Like the laft, but Leaves rounder and end not fingle they clofe in the Night ; the Seed round, black, and fmall.
97. White Water-lillsj. Is very like ours, has 12 white Leaves in each Flower, and 4 green ones un- der them.
98. Yellow-codded Loofe-ftrife. Grows 4 Foot high, branches much •, the Leaves hairy and taper at both Ends : on a 2 Inch Footftalk Hands a Flower com- pofed of 4 yellow Leaves, which are with the Cods ripe from Auguft to November.
99. The lejfer Yellow-codded Loofe-ftrife. The Flowers ftand on Inch Pods, and the whole Plant grows not two Foot high.
100. Clammy Mallow. A beautiful Plant, often 10 Foot high, with hairy notcht Leaves, and Flefh coloured Floivers ; the black Seed, fhining and 3 Square, the whole Plant very clammy.
101. Mar(h Mallow. Grows 2 or 3 Foot high, with a 5 leaved Flefh coloured Flower.
102. Musk Mallow. Its Leaves notcht, angu- lar and hairy ; the Flowers purple at the Bottom, the reft yellow and ftrip'd with the fame ; the fweet Seed grow in a 5 angled hairy Pod, in which Divi- fions are 70 or more Seed.
103. The yellow Mallow. Is ufed mftead of tne common.
104. Mechoacan. A Sort of blum-coloured Bindweed, purple within ; its Root very thick and large.
105. Balfam Mint. Grows a Foot or 2 high, it s Stalks and "Leaves hairy, the laft notcht, grows fcy
G g 3 Pairs>
45+ The Natural Hifiory
pairs, and refembles thofe of Nettles : it flowers all the Year they are compofed of white and blue, in Shape and Manner of growing like Tanfy.
ic6. Gray Mofs Mijletoe. Hangs down from ve- ry tall Trees almoft covering them it's like Thread, with here and there a few Rofemary Leaves.
107. Palm Mijletoe. Ffom an oval fat Bulb-like Knob, grows a Squill Leaf a Foot or more long, with 3 Ribs its full Length : thefe are faid to be cooling, &nd very effectual in eafing Pains.
108. The Monorchis. Has a round Root of a Filbert fize, with 2 or 3 velvety Leaves from 4 In- ches to a Foot long ; thefe have 2 Rows of fquare blackifh Spots on both Sides, as in fome Ferns at the Top grow 3 or 4 yellow fcentlefs two-leaved Flowers, one of which is fpotted.
109. The Mujhroom Antidote. Grows 2 Foot high, the Leaves foft and infoliated ; its Flowers fmall, white and 4 leaved, fet in a double Spike of little Leaves the Root of a biting Tafte like Pelli- tory : it's a great Counter-poyfon, and of Angular Virtue againft the eating of venomous Mujhrooms.
1 1 6. Thrum Mujlard. Has fingred Leaves like Lupines 1 of a Marjerome Smell ; the whole Plant is clammy, and at the fetting on of the Leaves thorny.
in. The Nettle. Grows 8 or 9 Foot high, and the Flowers much more branched than ours.
112. Nickars. From the Likenefs of the Seed to Marbles fuch as Boys play with ; it's a thorny Bufh about the Bignefs of Bryar ; its Leaves like Liquorifli, the Flowers yellow, and the Pods prickly.
113. Black Uight-Jhade. They ufe it much in Phyfick ; the Birds love their Berries.
114. Qccoembo. Has a thick crooked biting Root, with broad Leaves, green above, but rufty
below like a Fern,
115. Short
of thefe Tarts.
115. ShoYtOker. Grows about a yard high, the Flowers yellow like the Holly-osk, with a dark Pur- ple Bottom : they eat the green Pods boyPd with Pepper , Oyl and Vinegar.
116. Cone Orchis. Has a Tulip-llk$ Bulb, which boyPd, they eat as Tarns \ it bears 3 or 4 long white fcaly Flowers, at the Top of a fingle Stalk.
1 1 7. Hollow-leaved Orchis. From one Root grow 5 or 6 Stalks, with a fingle hollow Leaf on each, from whence rifes a Spike of fix-leaved purplifh Flowers.
118. Star Parfly. Grows half a yard high, and its Leaves fomewhat like Herb Paris ; its Flowers pale Purple, final], and grow in Spikes, the Root fmells like Parfly.
119. Pearl Seed. From its Shining and Hard- nefs ; it rifes with 4 or 5 yellowifh Stalks from one Rooty with hairy Leaves, finely ferrated.
120. Run die Plantain. Becaufe it bears its Flow- ers in Whorles, compofed of 3 white Leaves, which grow on a Plantain-like Stalk near a yard high ; angular above, but round below.
121. Serrated Polypody. Grows about a yard high, with ferrated Leaves four Inches long, alter- nately fet.
122. Trifoliate Polypody. Rifes 3 or 4 Foot high ; its Leaves have a fourfold Row of Spots on each Side the middle Rib.
123. Great Pumkin. Its Fruit ftriated, round, but fomewhat flattilh, mixt with white and red, but within yellow ; boyl'd or roafted in the Embers it eats well.
124. White-headed Purflain. This they pickle and eat with Fifh and Flefh ; it taftes well, and is diuretick.
125. Smooth-purple Purflain. The Leaves like Lavander, thick and juicy, the Stalks take Root
Gg4 at
45 6 The Natural Hiftory
at every Joynt ; its Flowers pentapetalous and purple.
126. Woolly Purjlain. Bears a five-leaved yellow Flower like ours, fet in a Rofe of 8 green Leaves ; its Seed fmall and black, lying in Wool, with which alfo the Branches are covered.
127. Black Maiden Hair. Grows 2 Foot high, and bears rufty Seed.
128. White Maiden Hair. Becaufe the Stalks are covered with a white Meal, otherwife like the laft.
129. Green Melon. From the Colour of its Meat : thefe are often eat before Meals.
130. Water Melons. Are very pleafant, growing as big as one's Head, and round ; it's red where the Seed lies, and white near the Shell ; they are to be had all the Year, but moft plentiful about Chrijl- mas.
131. The Arrow Reed. From its Ufe; they grow about 20 Foot high, has fometimes a Branch or 2 towards the Top, the Leaves near 2 yards long.
132. The Thorny Reed. Grows 20 Foot or high- er, its Leaves about a yard and half long, grow al- ternately, 7, 8 or 9 on a Branch, which is thorny at fetting on : thefe, if not cut down in a few Months, flop up the Roads, fo that Travellers can- not pafs ; they ufe them in their Journeys over De- ferts to carry Water in.
133. Clammy Reft-harrow. Has many hairy clammy Stalks, partly creeping and upright, its Flowers yellow.
134. Rofe podded Reft-harrow. Grows a Foot and half high, dividing it felf into many Branches ; its Seed black and-warty.
135. Dwarf Rofe. Its Flowers pale Purple, re- fembling our Oleander, but the Seed-veffel very fmall, including a flattifh brown Seed ; the Leaves fomewhat hairy and grow by pairs.
136, White
of thefe Tarts.
136. White Rott. RefemWes ours, but the Leaves are notcht : they ufe the Roots ( Which fmell and tafte like Parfly) to take out Freckles.
137. Angola Sallet. Becaufe the Leaves and Flowers are eaten by their Blacks ; it bears a Leaf about 4 Inches long, with 3 cordated fmall Leaves about a Bell-flower.
138. Sarfaparilla. Is a thorny Bramble ; at the fetting on of each Leaf, which is 3 or 4 Inches broad, and fometimes 10 or 12 long, come out 2 Tendrels which fix themfelves to the neighbouring Plants : Its Berries grow in Clufters, of near the Cherry Jize, and wrinkled like them when dry, each has 1 or 2 hard Stones, with a white Kernel.
139. Oil Seed. Its Leaves whitifh, grow moftly oppofite ; the Flowers of the Shape of Fox-gloves y but fmall and white ; the Pods are 4 Square, which when ripe flheds its brown Seed.
140. Semper vive. Sends forth 20 or morefharp thorny edged thick Leaves^ a Foot or 2 long ; whence rifes a double Stalk of yellow hollow Flow- ers cut into fix Parts.
141. Silver-head. A fmall leaning Plant, bear- ing a filvery Head, with purplifh Threads, which fmell faintly of Violets.
142. Snake-Herb. Is fomewhat hairy ; the Leaves grow oppofite, ferrated and whitifh under- neath ; at the Joynts come fmall green Flowers with a Blufh of red ; the whole Plant is milky : being bruifed and applied, it's an excellent Remedy a- gainft the Bites of Serpents or other Wounds.
143. White Snake Herb. Somewhat larger than the lafi: ; the Flowers tetrapetalous and white : the Milk of this is faid to be good to take away the Pain and Rednefs of the Eyes.
144. Soldanella or Sea-bindweed. The whole Plant is very milky : it fhuts its Flowers after Noon.
145. Rofemary
The Natural Hiflory
145. Rofemary-leaved Solomon's Seal. Grows near a Foot high, and divides into many Branches,
146. Purple Sorrel. Its Leaves and Stalks very juicy like Purjlain ; the Top of the Stalk fhuts in- to another 3 fquare one, with triangular Branches, on which grow many purple five-leaved Flowers : the Plant has a grateful Sowernefs, and is much ef- teemed as a Sallet.
147. White Sorrel. Grows 7 or 8 Inches highr with Leaves like Muftard at the Top grows a long Spike of fmall white Flowers like our Sheep Sorrel.
148. The Squill. Has 3 or 4 Leaves near half a yard long, and about 4 Inches where broadeft, net- ted with green Veins.
149. Rats Tail. Grows near 2 Foot high, each Joynt hath 4, 5, or more narrow notcht Leaves of different Sizes at the Top grows a taper Spike a Foot long, filPd all about with blueifh Flowers of 5 Leaves, each fmelling fomething like a
150. Broad Rats Tail. Like the laft, but Spikes broader.
151. Germander Rats Tail. Its Leaves grow in pairs, ferrated and hairy, the Flowers ftand on a long Spike, are four-leaved and red, refembling Batchellofs Buttons.
152. Citron Thime. Grows 4 or 5 Foot high, branches at each Joynt, where grows 2 fharp-point- ed notcht Leaves ; its Flowers fmall and pale blue, growing in a Spike 2 or 3 Inches long : This Plant has a grateful Scent of Citrons mixt with Bawm, which it retains fome Years dry.
153. Toad-bane. Becaufe it's faid the Leaves or Seeds rubb'd on a Toads Back immediately kills him : This Herb is alfo a great Counter-poyfon againft all venomous Creatures, the Leaves chewed bite like Mujlard > they boyl it with Fifhu
154. Love
of tkefe Tarts.
154. Love Trefoil Bears a Spike of purple Flowers ; its Pods refemble the Horfe-Shoe Vefck, but being rough, they eafily flick like a Burr to the Cloaths.
155. Prickly Trefoil. Grows about 2 Foot high, fpreading into many prickly Branches ; its Flowers of a greenifh white, ftand on Inch Footftalks the Plant fmells like Fanugreed.
156. Blueijh Turnfole. Grows a yard high, has hairy Borrage Leaves ; at the Top grows a Spike 10 or 12 Inches long, befet with blue and yellow Flowers, which produce triangular Seed, like Buck- wheat.
157. White Turnfole. Like the laft, but Stalks bigger, Leaves fofter, Flowers five-leaved and white, Seed round.
158. The DiJJentrick Vomit. This is a leaning Plant towards the Top of which grow 6 or 8 vei- ny foft Leaves ; amidft thefe ^omes a fmall Head of a dozen or more five-leaved white Flowers, which are fucceeded by dark red Berries, each in- cluding 2 fmall Seed ; it grows in moift Woods.
159. Umbellated Wharle. Is a fmall leaning Plant, with a quadrangular hairy Stalk and Nettle Leaves growing oppofite; from thefe come a Tuft of deep Purple galeated Flowers ftanding on a long Footftalk.
160. Yellow-willow Herb. Grows a Foot highy has Swellings on the Stalks near the Root ; its Leaves grow alternately, are notcht and hairy, at the Top grow 3 or 4 yellow five-leaved Flowers, with Threads of the fame.
161. Twine-wood. Bears Tufts of fmall white five-leaved fweet Flowers ; the Leaves are 4 Inches long, ferrated and pointed.
162. Purple Tarn. Its Root, Stalk, and Veins of its Leaves being of that Colour.
163. St.
The Natural Hiftory, Sec.
163. St. Tboma Tarn. Is fo vaft a Creeper, that one Plant will quickly cover a fmall Garden ; its Stalks welted, the Leaves grow by pairs and corda- ted, the Root large ; its outer Coat brown, the Inner yellowifli ; the Meat white and full of milky Juice.
164. Round Yarn. From the Root which is white raw, but when boyPd red : it's a drayling Plant, with cordated Leaves, and fometimes ear'd.
165. White Yam. Its Root being of that Colour* the Leaves Angle and cordated.
o
4<SI
Expedition of a Body of Eng- liih-men to the Gold Mines of Spanilh America, in 1702. with the many ftrange Adven- tures that hefel them in that bold Undertaking. By Na- thaniel Davis,
€ T3 ^*nS feeble that many Times there is but
' fj ^tr^e Credit given to Adventures of this
4 kind ; and that the bare affirming of this
4 Relation in particular to be true, will hardly go
4 down with fome People, without better Autho-
c rity : The Reader for his further Satisfa6tion, is
4 defired to take Notice; that this is really an Ac-
4 count given more at large by one of the Adven-
4 turers, of what was but .very briefly and defeft-
4 ively inferted in the London-Gazzttt, of February
4 8. 1702. in Words to this Effed, which fhall
4 ferve here as the Contents of that which is to
4 follow. That 9 or 10 Englijh Privateers, had at-
4 tacked a Place upon the Continent called Tolou
4 (or rather Telu) about 10 Leagues from Cartha-
4 gena^ which they took, plunder'd and burnt ;
4 and that from thence they failed to Caledonia,
4 rowed up the River of Darien, and ingratiating 4 themfelves with the Indians, were by them con- 4 dueled to the Gold Mines of SanSta Cruz de Cana,
4 near
4<S£ D A V I S's Expedition
4 near SanSla Maria \ and that after they had march- 4 ed 9 Days, they fell in with an Outguard of the 4 Spaniards, of whom they took 9 ; but the others 4 efcaping, gave Notice at the Mines of their Ap- 4 proach. So that the richeft of the Inhabitants 4 fled with their Money and Jewels : that however, 4 the Englifh xook the Fort and poffefled themfelves 4 of the Mines, where about 70 Negroes remained, 4 whom they fet to work during the one and twen- * ty Days they continned there ; in which Time 4 they got about 80 Pounds Weight of Gold, be- 4 fides feveral Pieces of Plate, which they found 4 buryed in the Ground by the Inhabitants ; and 4 that at their Return they burnt the Town, and 4 brought away the Negroes.
D a v 1 s's Expedition to the Gold-Mines.
IN the Year 1702. Colonel Peter Beckford, Lieu- tenant-Governour of the Ifland of Jamaica, ha- ving granted Commiffions to the 4 following Sloops to go a Privateering againft the French and Spani- ards, viz. the Baftamento, having 74 Men and 8 Guns, under the Command of Captain John Rajh \ the Thomas and Elizabeth, Captain Murray, 63 Men and 8 Guns ; the Phcenix, Captain Plowman, 56 Men and 8 Guns, and the Bleffing, Captain Brown, 79 Men and 10 Guns. We fet Sail from Jamaica the 24th of July, in order to make the beft of our way to the Spanijh Coaft.
On the 28th, at 6 in the Evening, they made the Ifland of Palma: And next Morning, the Baft amen- to and the Blejftng, flood clofe in to the Shore ; it
being
to the Gold Mines, &c.
being agreed that the other Sloops ihould ftand in to the Weft-end of the Ifland ; and about 9 Captain Rajh ordered the Canoa, to be mann'd and arm'd, and went himfelf to fee if they cou'd take any Peo- ple in order for Guides ; but at 6 in the Evenings return' d without any Prifoners.
However, obferving 2 petty Oagers ( that were cut out of a Tree all of one piecej under the Shore, the Captains Rajh and Browne took one of them, with an old and young Man in it, but no Money. The other in Company, Captain Browne fired at, but could not come up with ; fo he made his Efcape. But for all this, our 2 Prifoners could give us but little Intelligence, for they knew nothing of a War but faid it was expedted by the Spani- ards. Neither could Captain Murray's 2 Prifoners he took upon the Ifland, which were an Indian and a Negroe> give but little Account of any Thing we defir'd to be informed in.
Hereupon our Commanders confulting together what to undertake, it was agreed, that Capt. Browne and Capt. Murray fhou'd go into tfholoe which is a rich Town, and Detachments to be made from the other two Sloops, which we left at Palina, one of the Friends Iflands, for furthering our Defigns; all the Commanders went with us, except Plowman, who was indifpofed : They landed on the 31ft at Night in a fandy Bay, about 4 Miles from the Town, and Orders were prefently given to march, Capt. Rajh with his Company in the Van, Capt. Browne in the Center, and Capt. Murray with Plow- man's Men was in the Rear : Our Guide was the Indian before mentioned : We marched, being in all Two Hundred and Seventeen, along the Sea- fide, very faft, up to the Knees in Water, and I be- lieve we were not above an Hour before we halted at the Walls of the Caftle, not Piftol-Shot off, we having Orders from our Commanders to march
clofe
Davis his Expedition
clofe up to the Wails : We were prefently challen- ged by the Centinel, who called for the Captain of the Guard, and fired on us not above one Volley of fniall Shot \ they were anfwered by us in the Van in the fame Language ; after which we prefently entered the Fort, they all forfaking it, as they did the Town, without making any Oppofition we in the Van had like to have had much Damage by our own Men's Mifmanagement : For no fooner was the Van engag'd, but the Center and Rear fired in amongft us, and being dark, and not having Room enough for 6 Men to march abreaft, it wras very good Fortune we loft no more Men than we did. I cannot affert it for Truth, but believe Capt. Browne was foot through the Head by our own People, of which Wound he inftantly dyed one John Elis was Ihot through the Body, and likewife one Edward Raggett into the Shoulder, both of our Sloop's Crew: We took Care as foon as we took the Town, to fet a Main-guard at the Caftle, and another in the Church, and Centinels all round it : Then we began to look about for Plunder, but the Inhabitants having fome Intelligence of our Defign, had 2 Days before conveyed all their Riches into the Country ; fo that there was not left fo much as a filver Candleftick in their Churches, which was Very mortifying to us, fince we reckoned upon the fharing near 200 Pounds a Man. All the People we found here was a Mullatta-Wom&n, and one Man ; we took 4 Slaves, and redeemed 4 Englijh- Men, who were taken Prifoners by them in Tra- ding. When we had plundered as much as we could, Orders were given to fire the Town, which we did, and fpiked up their Guns ; but we could not carry them off, by Reafon our Craft was but Canoes and Petty-Oagers, and hardly big enough to carry off our Men and Plunder. We embarkecl at 2 in the Afternoon, and no fooner were we a-
board,
to the Gold Mines, Sec.
board, and out of the Reach of Shot, but fome Spaniards that lay fculking in the Woods, came out and fired at us, to fhow us they were not all kiJPd. I cannot tell what Number of them was flain, but believe there were feveral, by Reafon of our firing into the Woods and Bufhes, whole Vol- leys, but could not lee them, it being fuch a woody Country, and it would not have been fafe for us to follow them, having a whole Country to en- gage with a Handful of Men: About 4 the fame Afternoon we all got aboard our Sloops, and made the beft of our way to the Ifland of Palma, where our other 2 Sloops lay ; about 7 we anchored therer and made ready for the burying of Capt. Brown's Corps, which was carryed afhore, and interred on that Ifland, with all the Solemnity that the Place and our Circumftance would allow of: This done, they fet Sail on the 3 ift in the Evening for thtSam- balloes-Keys, in order to joyn the reft of their Con- forts,
On the 3d of Augufl, we loft Company with the Thomas and Elizabeth, and Phcenix\ and in the Inte- rim it was agreed, that Capt. Brown's Sloop fhould be commanded by Capt. Chriftian, who was a Vo- luntier on board us ; he being an old experiene'd Soldier and Privateer, very brave and juft in all his Actions.
On the 4th at 9 in the Morning we made the Land, it bearing North Weft about 6 Leagues, which proved to be Golden Ifland. On the eighth we ftood in clofe to the Land, the Wind at N. we Hood along the Shore, N. W. by W. in order to get in amongft the Keys, for there we defign'd to anchor.
On the 9th, we law 2 Sail, under the Shore, and fending our Canoa to difcover what they were, they proved to be the Dragon-Gally Capt. Pilkington, and the Grey-hound^ Capt. John Golding* who had
Vol. Ill, Hh been
to the Gold Mines, &c.
been treating with fome French Pyrates on Articles ; that if they would fubmit and come in, they flhould be pardoned.
On the ioth, there was a Canoa fent afhore for Water, the Pyrates giving them leave, and to Wood alfo; they put up a Flag of Truce, in Order to have Commerce with us, and feveral of them came aboard: We treated them very handfomely, but were forced to leave 2 of our Men afhore for Hofl- ages : Moft of them were French, I think there was but one Engljh-m&n and 2 Dutcb-mcn among them, they being in all about 800 Perfons. Their Craft is no bigger than Petty-Oagers, but they have done a great deal of Mifchief, both to the Spaniards and all other Nations they could mailer, and have been very barbarous in their Aftions, by mur- dering of feveral that have fallen into their Hands. They have lived among thefe Indians 10 Years, moft of them are marry'd among them, and have got very confiderable Sums of Money : They would have ventured to come aboard us, and ftay'd with us, if their Pardon could be cer- tain ; for they feem'd to be weary of the Courfe of Life they followed. As foon as we got our Wa- ter aboard, we in the Baftamento failed in order to joyn our Conforts at the Samballoes Keys we having agreed to meet there before our going out of Jamai- ca, from whence they fet out 5 Days before us. Capt. Pilkington informed us, that the Glocefier and Sea-Horfe Men of War, had been engaged with the Fort at Portobel, and that they landed above 300 Men from the Sloops ; but that before they could get into the Town, the Glocefier Spring of his Ca- ble, gave way, which made them leave off firing, and go off ; but Capt. Pilkington the Day before, had deluded fome Spaniards off, making them be- lieve he came to trade, detained about 7000 Pieces of Eight, before they had any Intelligence of (he War£
D A V I S 's Expedition 45 5;
and had got a confiderable Summ more, had It not been difcovered by one Allen, an 7n/#-Man, who was Interpreter to the Glocefter ; and fo our Defiga mifcarried on that Place.
All our Company being met together at the Sam* hallo's Keys, the foremention'd French Pirates came aboard us, and we fent a Meflenger up to Don Pe- dro, King of the Indians, to know if he would come down, and agree to fuch Articles as we fhould propofe to him, to join with us againft the Spaniards he readily complied, and propofed to take 300 Indians with him, in order to cut a Paf- fage thro1 the Woods, for our Men to march up to the Mines ; the French Pirates refolved alfo to go with us, provided they fhould have an equal Share with us, and (if poffiblej we procured them their Pardon : But an unadvifed Word dropped by one of our Captains, made them decline the Expedition, and quite break off: However, they were fo honou- rable, that they promifed to keep the Spaniards they had clofe Prifoners for 5 or 6 Weeks, by which Time we might have finifhed our Defign, that fo no Intelligence might be given of the Ene- my : The King of the Indians continued aboard the Neptune with his Retinue ; he is a very fenfible Man, and was brought up amongft the French atMartinico, fpeaks French , Spanijh, and broken Englijh, and al- fo writes it, which no other Indian can do in his Country, and feemed very defirous of a Corref- pondence with us ; and on the 14th in die Evening there came 130 of the beft of the Pirates, with the Confent of the reft, on Board.
On the 15th Don Pedro, accompanied by fome of our Captains and others, went afhore, and treat- ed them at his Houfe very nobly, after the Man- ner of his Country ; they had Provifions very Plenty of all Sorts, but they had no other Drink but Mujhlaw% made of Plantains, and Cbity made
H h 2 of
DAVIS 's Expedition
of Indian Corn and Water boiled, the manner of it is thus, a parcel of Old Women chew the Corn, and then drop it into a Calabajh^ from whence they put it to boil, and fo drink it.
On the 1 6th Don Pedro returned, with our Captains, and brought feveral of his Wives and Grandees to attend him, with 14 Indians^ which were to ferve for Pilots up the River in our Canoes ; one of the Women was Pedro's Wife, who was very richly drefl, with Corals, and other Stones, which were put on Strings, round her Hands, Arms, Legs, and Neck, to a very great value : I j was informed by Captain Chrifiian that he had feveral Wives more, and that he had had a Child by one of his own Daughters, and that that is very common among them ; it is their way, that when- ever they Marry their Daughters, that the Father (if able) lies with them firft, if fhe is a Maid, and if the Father is very Old, and pad his Labour, then the Eldeft Son does that Office, and the next day all his and her Friends meet, and put them to- gethey : This Captain Chriftian is very well acquain- ted with all their Methods, for he lived among them fome Years, when he was out a Roving on the Ac- county as the Jamaica Men call it, but it is downright Pirating, they making their own Commiffions on the Capflane.
This done we fet Sail, and on the 19th arrived near the Barkadeers, or the place of landing, the River we went up was one of the pleafanteft that ever I was in, being very broad, and deep enough for any Ship to ride in, if they could get over the Bar that lies at the Mouth of it *, there were very pleafant Trees on both fides, and all manner of Fifh and Fowl in it ; Parrots were as plenty here as Sparrows are at a Farmer's Barn Door in England at Thrafhing time, and Monkeys like Flocks of Sheep on a Common, but we durft not fire for fear
to the Gold Mines, &c 4<S>
of any Spanijh- Indian fhould be looking out and difcover us : About twelve we turn'd into another River on the Right-hand, not fo broad as the other which brought us into a Lagoone ; about four we got into it, it being a large Bay \ Land all round us, only fmall Creeks, which carry us up to- the Barckacleers or landing Places, but no Houfes near you, except it were Huts, which are built by tra- velling Indians : We landed about five, at a very muddy Place, having nothing but Swamps to march through, and but one Man could go in the Path, which was but juft cut by the Indians for us ; when we got out of that Path, we came to a Ri- ver, which was full as bad marching as before, oc- cafion'd by the great Rains defecending from the Mountains, it took us fometimes up to the middle, and when out of it, had nothing but Rocks to climb over, and before we came to the Town (as they call it) we croft this River thirty three times in ten Miles March, and in moil Places it runs fo ftrong, that it is as much as a Man can do to ftand on his Legs. Some of the Men tumbled, and loft their Arms and Ammunition, and almoft themfelves, each having with him a Gun, Piftol and Cartouch Box, with thirty Cartridges befides fpare Shot, Powder and Provifions, burthen enough for a City Porter, confidering the way : We kept marching that Night till it was quite dark, and then we cut Wood and built our felves Huts to llielter us from the Weather ; at break of Day, on the twentieth, we fet forward to the Town after the reft of our Men, who had landed the Day before and about ten a-Clock we came to the Place of Rendezvous, where all our Men met together and lodged their Arms, only Captain Plowman and Captain Pi/king- ton were ordered to ftay with the Sloops ; at the fame time there was Provifion brought us for all the People, as Hogs, Pickery's, Fowls, £sfc. a Pic-
H h 3 kery
450 D A V I S's Expedition
kery is a Creature like a Hog, and as fweet Meat. On the twenty firft at three in the Afternoon, Or- ders were given to march, which we all did, down the fame River we came up, but did not go above a quarter of a Mile before we mounted one of their Mountains the Path was fo narrow, that but one Man could march, and almoft Perpendicular; fo that we were forced to hawl our felves up by Twigs of Trees it was above a Mile and a half high, and not twenty Yards of plain Ground on it, fo that fome of the Men fainted, and were ordered back a- gain to the Houfe we came from: Don Pedro ha- ving given Directions to all the Indians to take them into their Houfes, and to let them not want for any thing that could be got for them by Women and Children, left in that Country, for he took all the Men along with him. About feven in the Evening we got to the Top of this Mountain, where we lodg'd that Night in a Houfe, but not big enough to hold our People, the reft lay without, we being in all 482 Englijb, befides Indians , of whom at that time they had no more than a Hun- dred under Pedro, but moft of them very brisk young Fellows, each of them having two Lances, two Bows, and about twenty Arrows. They are all naked, having long black Hair hanging down to their Waftes, and a Horn which they put their Yards into, ty'd with a String, and a very large piece of Gold, with a Ring in the fhape of a half Moon, reaching from Ear to Ear, and a Hole in their Nofe, into which the Ring goes; and for the Women they have a Clout about their Pofteriors, and only a Ring in their Nofes : They value not Money, for they had rather have fmall Beads, which are but of little value. Since the French Py- rates have been amongft them, they have learnt how to make ufe of Fire- Arms, but very unhandi- ly 1 Don Pedro had a very good Gun and Hanger,
to the Gold Mines] Sec. , 451
and two or three more of the Captains, which were all I faw amongft them.
Next Day, after a very hard march, we refted at Night on the Top of a very high Mountain, which according to the beft of my Computation could not be lefs than four or five Miles in heighth.
We had a very difficult March for the two fol- lowing Days, efpecially by reafon of the narrow- nefs of the Path, and the rapidity and depth of a River we were forced twice to crofs and therefore, on the 25th, refted among the Indians, who for the moft part live upon Plantains, Caffador, and Beans ; their Drink is Chilly made of Corn and Water boyled, mdiMu/hlaw made with ripe Plantains boyled.
On the 26th we crofied the foremention'd Ri- ver again, and befides many other Inconveniences, were incommoded with getting up to a prodigious Mountain, which, I believe, could not be lefs than fix Miles high : Nothing remarkable hapned next Day, only that we came up to a Spanijh Houfe, in which we found a Boy fent from the place which we defign'd to attack, in order to get In- telligence. Our March on the 28th was exceeding difficult, by reafon of the badnefs of the Way, fteepnefs of the Mountains, and the many Rivers we had to pafs over ; fa that our Men fell fick in great Numbers.
On the 20th we came up to a Houfe where there was a Guard kept to look after us, confifting of a Spanijh Captain and nine more, whofe Orders were to give all the Intelligence they could to the Mine, whom we all killed, or took Prifoners, except one who made his efcape to the Mine, and gave them an account of our approach. We loft on our fide one Indian, whom we bury'd in the Houfe. This Day we marched over the higheft of all the Moun- tains, and fuch a one as I thought Man could not be able to get up : I do really believe it could not be lefs than feven or eight miles high, Some of
H h 4 ©ur
\jz D A V I S's Expedition
our Men imagin'd it to be within a Stone9s caft of Heaven, and would willingly have tarry'd there, efpecially being much wearied with the Fatigue they underwent, and fuppofing they fhould never come again fo near the blifsful Region. We paffed over three Rivers on the 30th; and being within two miles of the Town of Cava, a Spaniard who was fet on the look-out, was difcover'd by our Forlorn, and was fhot dead by Captain Goulding ; we got into the Savannah fas they call it) about eleven, but fuch an one, as I believe, was never feen before, for we were up to the Crutches, go- ing up to the Town in Mud and Dirt ; feveral of our Men damnify'd their Arms and Ammunition. Captain Gandy and Goulding with Pedro, being in the Van, with about fifty Englijb and thirty Indians? fell on as foon as they came within Gun-fhot, and our People not coming up, as faft as they could, if it had been dry, Gandy made a halt, but it was not above two or three Minutes, the reft marching as faft as poflible to joyn them. The Spaniards fee- ing no more of us in Number ftood a fmall Brufli, but difcovering the reft, quickly retired from the Town to a Hill in the Woods ; however, we took fome Prifoners, and thence marching up to the Hill, which was naturally very ftrong, we quickly drove them thence, and feizing what Booty they 3eft there, we carryed it into the Church, as we did next Day, what Gold and Silver, with Rings #nd other rich Moveables, we could get in the Town.
On the firft of September we fent out a Company of our Men, with Spaniards and Negroes? to wafh the Gold from the Oare; the Mine is on the fide of a great Hill, above Thirty Yards deep, and feveral Caves run into the Hill farther than any one would venture to go the Oare they dig out of it is a fort of a mixture of Rock, which aftex it is dug out of the Mine is brought to the Mill,
which
to the Gold Mines, &c? 473
which grinds it fmall, and then 'tis wafted, made up into the form of Bricks, and lodged in Houfes built at the Mine for that purpofe, over which a Guard is fet, with a Captain and Governour to fee that the King is not cheated : After it has lain fome fhort time in thofe Houfes, then it is wafh'd a fecond time, and fo cleared of the Drofs or fome rocky Part wherewith it's intermixed till there re- mains pure Gold. They make a great quantity of Gold every Day they work ; we made five pound weight and nine Ounces in lefs than a Day. Every thing here fells at an Extravagant Rate, as a pound of Sugar at fifteen Shillings, and fo proportionably for all things elfe v they carry what Gold they make every fix Weeks to Panama, which is feven Days Journey from this Town. The Town was now fearch'd more narrowly, when we found more Gold and Plate.
Next Day our Scouts brought in more Spaniards and Negroes, than we had already in our Power, fome of whom we fent with a Guard to the Mine to wafli the Oare, of which they made fix pound weight.
We fent twenty four Negroes on the third into the Mine, who brought eight Pounds of Gold : Now it was, that we began to puniftt fome of the Spaniards and Negroes, to make them difcover where they had hid their Treafure ; the Captain of the Mine ( who was our Prifoner) we ty'd up by the Neck fo long, till he was almoft dead, yet could get nothing out of him, nor the reft, whom we punifhed in the fame manner ; the Priefts having it feems, given them the Sacrament not to dif- cover any thing upon pain of Damnation. But though we could procure nothing this way, we made however fourteen pound weight of Gold on the 4th, as we did fixteen on the next > when we thought it time to kill Beef, and other Provillons, and get Mules ready to carry our lick Men over
4<5 z D A V I Expedition
the Savannahs : As we were leaving the Town on the 7th, there was an old Prieft who could hardly creep, at whom Pedro fired his Gun, but feeing it had not done any Execution, he took up a great Stone and beat the poor Fellows Brains out, which Barbarity the white Men much difliked ; then we fired the Town, wherein I guefs there might be a- bout nine hundred Houfes, but one Church ; it lyes from Caledonia S. W. about fixteen Leagues i fo that our defign in marching fo far about, was to come upon them undifcovered. Indeed, fuch a March, was never undertaken before, by any, but fome French Pyrates, who after they went fome part of the way, returned again.
Having got over the Savannah on the 7th, we were the three fucceeding Days much incommoded in our March, efpecially with our fick Men ; but on the eleventh, we got up to a large Indian Town, where we joyned all together ; but the Indians were very unkind to us, for we could get little of any fort of Provifions without ten times the value of it 5 fo that fcarcity began to creep in among us, moft of our Shoes were worn out; fo that forty or fifty Shillings was a common Price for an old pair ; others gave as much to have their Guns carry'd ; if we had fuch a Train of Women after us, as ufually follows a Camp, they might have got more Plunder, than forty fhares amounted to, for any thing above a Pound weight was fo trouble- fome, that it was furely flung away ; it is indeed almoft incredible what Hardfhip we endured, we having throughout the whole Expedition, except when at the Town, endured exceffive hunger, travelling ftill over nothing but Mountains and Rivers, lying always in the Rain, for we never had it fair in the Night, and nothing to comfort us. Things went no better with us the fucceeding iDays, but at length on the eighteenth we arrived
within
to the Gold Mines, &c.
within five Miles of the Barkadeers ; from whence Capt. Chriflian was fent with a Party of Men to Capt. Robins, to fee if it was poffible to get the Pirates down aboard the Sloops, but few of them would truft us : Captain Robins, who was an Indian* and of confiderable Authority there, having been difobliged before our fetting out upon our Expe- dition, becaufe he was not invited to dine with Don Pedro and the reft of the Captains, threatned to kill any Englifh-mtn that came to them for the future.
Having got all things in a readinefs, and em- barked on board our Sloops by the 21ft, the Com- manders held a Confutation, wherein it was agreed, that Articles fhould be drawn to renew the Confort- fhip for one Month, and that we fhould divide in- to three Squadrons ; the Neptune, Blejfing, Edward and Sarah, fhould cruize off Portobel for one Month, and the Phenix, Thomas, Elizabeth and Content, fhould cruize off Carthagena, and the Baftamento's, Greyhound and Dragon, fhould be at the Rivers Mouth of Jacco, till they all returned, which was agreed upon in a Months time, and then we defigned to go up the River.
It will be unneceffary, as well as too tedious for us, to follow thefe three fmall Squadrons in their refpeftive Cruifings ; 'tis fufficient to obferve, that they met with no great matter of Booty, efpeci- ally thofe whofe Station it was to be about the Mouth of Jacco, who in the fpace of five Months, that they continued in thefe Parts, could never hear of any Tidings of 201 white Men, befides Negroes* who fome time before went up the River of Jacco* in order either to trade with the Jacco Indians* who have a great deal of Gold, or to join with them againfl a rich Spanijh Town in that Country i ar>d fo gave them over in a manner for loft.
FINIS,
I N D EX
To Mr. WA F ER's Voyages.
A.
f A Vulteryy how punifhedVzg.
jf\ 363 Air at Portobel> 307
at Panama, 212
Alligator Sy 333 Amapal'a Cu/ph, 378 Anguilla, its Land-Crab sy 332 Animals of the Ifihmus, 328 Ants, 339 Arica, 387 Afli-//&, 295 Authors fir ft Voyage t 269. fe- cond Voyagey 270. fir ft meets Mr. Dampier, 271. Misfor- tune in faffing the Ifthmus, ib. great Hard//ypsy 272, to 283. narrowly ef capes Drowning , 280. to /J?tfr <?/ Indians, 28 u fets out for the North- Sea a fecond time, 28 3 . bleeds Lacenta % Ladyy 285. his re* pute among the Indians, ib. gets leave of Lacenta to depart , 288. fets out a third time for the .North-Seas, ib. arrives -at the Sea-fide^ 290. meets with the Privateersy 292. his wafting about the Weft4ndie&
with Mr. Dampier, 293. ar- rival at Virginia, 294. goes a fecond time with Mr. Datn- pier into the South-Seay and parts with him therey ib. Voy- age continued \ 378. arrives at Penfilvania, 398. and Vir- ginia againy ibid,
B.
Bantam, 267 Barcaderoes, or Landing places^
268
Baftimento s lfie% 271, 303 BatSy 338 Beesy 339 Bezozx-ftones in Mocha Sheepy
384
Bibby-tree and Fruity 281, 3 18 and Oily 318 Birds of the Ifthmus. 3 34, 3 37 Blood-lettingy 285 Bocca Drago, 3 ©7
Toro, 507
Bonano s, Tra? FrwiJ, 3 19 Bowman (William) Ai* narrow Efcapey 277 Brafil, ' 397 Buckenham (Capt.) taken Prifo- fonery 270. hard Ufagey 271
INDEX,
Diet,
C. Diver/Ion, Dogs,
Calabafi-tree, 321 Canes, 320 Caret- Bay, 296, 298
Cartagena, 270, 293
Cajfava Roots and Bread, 326 Catsy much efteemed by the In- dians, 330 Cavally-fi/h, 34.0 Cedars, 316 Chagre-ffzwr, 298,307,310 Chains, Ornamental, 335 Cheapo River, 28 1, 3 [ o
Chepelio-jJ/7d?/ 313 Chicaly-Chicaly, Bird, 334 Coco- l(le, 379
■ M/f Trw, 318, 38a
Combs uCd by the Indians, 345 Conception-Kiwr, 298, 302 Congo-ffi7W, 309 Conjuring^ 290 Cookery, 37° Copayapo-jfo'wr, 385 Coquimbo, 382 Cormorants, 338 Corcfou-Bird, 334 Cotton-Tree, 283, 336
Conchs, 342 Crabs^ Land) 332
Drink*
17* 366 329 340 357
1 — Crab-7/W, Cravo-fifh, Cups^
342 332 342 362
D.
Dancing, ^ 365
Dead Bodies found in abundance,
389
D^r, 329 Dexterity of the Indians, 360 J^iadepis of Gold, &c. 352
E.
Earthquake felt at Sea, 391,
57;i/u caft far on Land by
them, 590, 391
Eating, 370
Education, 360
Employments, 359, 36$
Eftantions (what) 31 2
F.
E?tf/?.r, 365
John Fernando 583, 393
B£*, 388
of the Ifthmus, 340, 343
lifting, : 343
F/y, jhiriing, 138
Floods, 278,315
fbrfr, <?r War-houfes, 355
F<w/ 0/* ^ Ifthmus 336
Fruits of the Ifthmus, 3 16
G.
Gainy (George,) drowned, 274 Gallapago s-^, 381, 391
Gar-fi(b, 341 Garachina, 308, 312
Guatimala Government, 312 Gopfon (Richard) dies, 293
286
Go\den-If!and, 271, 299
Gold-River, 286, 308, 382 Gorgonia, 382 Gourds, 322 Guacha, 381 Guanoes, 333, 381
Guavra, 381
Sea-
Sea-Gulls^
I N D
338
Habits of the chief Indians, 350, 3 53- of the other Men and Women^ 354, 359, &c.
Hair, 345> 347
Bills, 289, 296
Hogs, 328
Hony, 339
Horn, Cape, 394
Horfes, 393
Houfes, 354
Hunting, 367
Husbandry, 3 58
I.
Jamaica, 270 Jamby 269 Ice-lflands, 394 jfc/itff j Jfc*r*, 375j 388
Iihor, 269 Indians cure the Author, 273. are dijpleafed, 274. confult to kill the Author and his Com- fany, 275. afterwards receive them kindly, and why, 282. Conjuring, 290. their Sta* ture, Features, 8cc. 344 tutting off their Hair on kil- ling an Enemy, 345. white Indians, 346. painting them- f elves, 348. Ornaments of both Sexes, ^o, dec. Houfes, 354, &c. Plantations, and Husbandry, 3 56. Womens Em- ployments, 359. Lying-in, 360. Education of Children, ib. 361, &c. iW^i Employments, 362. Marriages and Feafis, 363, ^64. Recreations, 365. Hunt- ing and Cookery, 367, 370. Travelling, 371, Numbers
E X.
<2#i Calculation, 372, &cj Language and Pronunciation, 377. Ctffli Qualities, 273, 274, 282,367,380. jW, 366,367 InfeBs, 33^338 J/lands on each fide the Ifthmus, 296, 291
Iflhmus 0/ Darien ; 7fr breadth, &c 294. Situation, 396. H///x, &c. 396. Rivers^ 298. North- Sea Co aft defcribed, 298. &c. South-Sea Coaft, 307, &c. 313. Jx, 297, 3 14. ^4/> Weather, 3 16. Floods, 281, 315. Vegetables,^ 6. Beafts and Reptiles, 328. Sinir <z«i Flying InfeBs, 338. Inhabi- tants, 344
L.
Lacenta Aw Civility, 275. Palace, 283. detains the Author, &c. 2H4. RefpeB to the Author, 287. A/w £0
/wf, 288. for VFiwi 362 Land, barren, 387
-Floods, 279, 315
• -»£tp dif covered, called by
Mr. Dampier," Davis V Land,
392
Language, 377
Laveha, Leon, Lightning, Limpits, Lizards, Locufl-tree, Lorenzo, Cape,
312 ib.
3*5
342
333 324
3^5
M.
Macaw-berries % and Tree, 277,
3*7 Macaw \
INDEX.
Macaw-birds, 335 Maho-tree, 321 Maiz, Flower, and Drink, 357 Malacca, 269 Mammee-tree and Fruit, 3 1 9 Mammee-Sappota, 3 1 9
Manchineel tree and Fruit, poi- fonous, 320 Mangrove trees, 303, 325
Marriages, 363
Mice^
3?
St. Michaels Gulph, 296, 308,
309
Mi flaw of Plantains, 3 58
Mocha-//?**, 383,3*3 Modeftyof Indians, 350,362 Monkeys, 330, 382
iW<?0# J Indians, 347 Moskito s^ or Gnats, 315
LaNafca, 382 Nata, 312 Nicaragua Lake, 298 Nombre de Dios, 304 North-Sea Coafi of the Iflhmiis,
Nofe-nngs, 351 Numbering andNumeralNatnes,
Numbednefs with drinking Coco- milk) 380
O.
Oi/ 0/ Bibby-be rrles, 318
O/iw, 388
of the Soldier-InfeBs* its
Vertues, 332
Oranges, 388
Ojf/?w, 382 P.
)Pachegu§ ^wi, J13
Panama, ^ 295,306,31! Paracoods, Tz/Ij, 340 Par a kites, 335 Parrot'fijh, 342., Pawawmg^ or Conjuring, 292 Y^xVlfLands, 296, 315
Pecary, Beafi, 328 Pelf can, 337 Penfilvania, 398 Pepper, 326 Perica 311,315 Periwinkles, 342 Sea-Pies, 338 Pine-app7esy Fruity 320 Pines 1/land, 300 Pifca, 381 Plantains, 319 Plantations, 358 iYtfto 0/ Go/4, &c. ornamental^
Popes-heads, a Shrub, 32O Portobel, 271,307, 310
Port Royal, 270 Potato's 1,26 Prickle-pear, Fruit, 320 Privateers make an order to kill thofe that flag, 272. Ze/fc 0« f A* Ifthmus filt Author, ib. ^ Ifthmus, tffli
cruife in the W. Indies, 294, crwi/tf 0« (&r G?^ 0/ Peru,
381
Proviftons, 367 Punta mala, 31a
a
Quolla, or Landing-place^ 269 Quam, J?;VJ, 334
Rabbits,
Raint
Rats,
330 a78, 3 H> 59$
fUakja,
Realej'a,a Recreationsy Rio-grande, RiverSy « hot.
I N D
378
365 312 298, 302,
379
S.
Salt hoxo madey 344 Sambo-River, 308 Samballoes Channel^ 302 SambdUoes Ijlesy
Samballas Point, 303 Santa, Ships caft a-ground there^
390
Santa Maria, 271, 308, 393 Sappadilloes Tree and f ruity 3 1 9 Savannahs, 3 10
Scrivan Port, 303 Sculpinsy Fifh% 342 Sea-Gulhy 138 Sea-pies, ib. Scuchadero, 309 Sharks ) 340
Shell-fib^ 342 fome Miles on the Shore y 390
Shining Fly> 138 Sholesy 310 Silk-graft) 52 *
Smoakingy 327 Snakes y 331 5«00Jb 342 0/ Ifthmus, 298, 313 Soldier Infefty 33 1
La Sounds if^y, 30 1
,SWA G?<z/? 0/ ife Ifthmus,
307
Spanifh Tnd i ans, 4 3 0 5
Spaniards deftroy Mocha^ £$fc.393 Spidets, 331 Springer'* ^jr, 301 Stingrays Fifa 342
E X.
Stortnsy Sugar,
Sugar -Canes 1
320
T.
Tamarinds. Tarpom, Fi//)y Terra del Fuego, Theft, Thunder^ Tigers,
Teeth,
324 340
?94 363
315 lb.
Timey the Indians computation of ity 372 Tobacco y 327 Tortoifey 381 Travellings 17 6y 371
Trees) 30^ 316
V.
ValleySy 296 Venta de Cruzes, 3 10
Verminy 331 Vermejo3 dead Bodies there \ 389
Weavingy
Wine La Nafca, Pifca,
Women, 3 54,
Woody lights
r^i,
« wAife,
Y.
Ylo River, Yanky f Captain)
328 269 296
539 314 361 382 361 314 336 323 326 324
326 388
INDEX
INDEX to the Additions,
A.
438
ib. ib.
A Caci^ x^dam s Apple Amarinth-like Herb Aloes Anda Angelin
Ants ; feveral forts 424 Ant* Bear, two forts $99 Apple, Ball, Bread, £ffc. 429. Love, white flowered^ Hoary, gfc. Apples, 440. Apple (Pine)
444
Armadillo great, lelTer and Round- headed 399 Arnotto 438 Arfmart 444 Avens ib. Awl-filh, two forts, 410 B.
T) Arbel, feveral forts, 410, 41 1 Bottatas 444 Bees; feveral forts 424 Beetle; feveral forts 425 Berries 430 Berry (Sea) 444 Befom-weed 445 Bill- Bird ; the different forts, 402 BUl-fifh 411 Bindweed 445 Blite ib. Blood-fifli 41 1
Bodiano, two forts : ib.
Bofchratte, 399 Brafil-wood 43 1
Calavancies 439 Broom ( welted) 44 5
Bugs 425 Bur 438
Bur-buds 44$
Bulh (Cotton ) 449
Button-tree ib*
Buttons (yellow) 445
Butterflies 425
c
Alabafh-tree, 431. ' Three-
^ leaved 44$
Calavances ( ground) 445
Camaras 446
Campion (Star) ib.
Canibal ; feveral forts 411
Canes 446
Canow-tree 4^1
Capficums 447 Carp, two forts 412,
Caffia 431 Caterpillars, 425, &c.
Catkin 447
Cats ( wild) 399
Chaffinch 403
Chardone, 447. yellow, ib. Cherries** 43*>£2fc-
Chickweed 447
Chitty, how made 468
Climers 447
Cocks-foot 448
Coco and Coral Trees 432
Cod 418
Copaiba-Balfom 429
Cotton- weed 448
Crabs ; feveral forts, 41 8, .
Cray-filh 420
Crevife ib„
Crocodile 42 1
Cucumber 448
Cup Tree 436
Curlew 5 feveral forts 403
Cy perns 448
Ii D»
INDEX.
443 448 ib. 412
449
■V Bock Dogsbane Dolphin
Dragons (Apple-rooted) Duck 5 feveral forts, E.
EAgle, two forts 403 Earthnuts 449 Ebony 4^2 Edders / 449 Eel-gar 4J3 Elder (thrum ) 4^2 Elecampane 449 Elephant-Hog 4*0 Eftridges 4°6 F.
Erns * 449
* Finbeard, and the other Jbrts,
412, 413
Fire- Root 4; 6
Filh, Hound, Jacket, Iron, gfc.
414,415
Flax 449 Fleabane 450 Flies 426,427 Flower, Tree, Cure, Sweet, £sf 433. Flower- fcence, Dwarf, Feather, Horn> 450 Foxglove z£» G.
GErmander 450 Ginger
Gnats 427 Gold Mines defcribed 472 Gourds, 432. Bottle Ivy, &c.
451
Gum tree
H.
433
Granadillas
39
Grafs, Flower, Feather, g«fc. 451,
452
Groundfel 452 Guana 421
IT Ang-nefl, two forts 406 Head Gold, hard, g^fc. 41 3 Heart- wort 452 Hemlock 452 Heron, federal forts 404 Hog, Horned, Sea, gfo 413,414 Hop-tree 440 Horehound 45 2
Humming-bird; feveral forts, 404,
4°5
Hunchback 402
T Racacia s 434
J- jeffamine 452 Indians^ their Incefhious way of living, 468. Defcribed, 450
Indico, Bafe, &c. 453
Ingas 434
Iron-wood 434 K.
Notwort 452
T IgnunnvitA 434 Water Lilly 453 Lizzard 421,422 Looflrifes 455 Locufts 427 M.
M Ackarel 414 iYl Maiden Hairs 456"" Mallows 453, 454
Mangrove-tree, 434 Meeuwe 406 Mechoacan 453 Melons 456 MintfBalfam) 453 Mifletoe (Heart-leaved ) 440,454 Monkey- Hare, 4C0. Black, Satyr,
401
Monkeys, where plenty 469 Monorchis 454 Mountains,
INDEX.
Mountains, vaftly high 450, 451
Mullein 4*5
iusk Boar 399
Muftuoom f Antidote) 454
Muftacho-Bird 402
Muftard (Thrum) 454 N.
\[ Ettle-berry 44°
Nettles 454
Nichars w»
Nightihade (black) ib.
o«
f\ Ccoembo 454
%-f Okcrs ffliort) 455
Orchis's 455
OwL feveral forts 406 P.
p Almas 44 1
A Palms 4^5
Parrakeet, the feveral forts 407
Parrot, the feveral forts, 407
very numerous 468
Fariley (Star) 465
Partridges 407, 408
Peach (BreadJ 435
Pearch, feveral forts 415
Pearl-feed 455
Peas .44* Pedro (Don^King of the Indians^
455. defcribed ib.
Pellican, two forts 408
Pellitories 44 1
Penguins ib.
Peppers ib*
Pheafants, two forts 408
Pickery, what it is 450
Pitoma 435
Plantane 455 Plumbs 436>44*> 442
Polipody's 455
Pongie, great and fmall 400
Porcupine 400>4I5
Portobel, attempted by the Glo- cefter^ 8cc. ^66 PolTum 401 Privateers, arrive at the Ifles of Valma^ 465 They take Tholoe, 464. fet out for the Gold Mines, 469, take SanBa Maria de Canay 472, their Afiions at the Gold Mines, ib. Return, with the Particulars, 462, gfc. Pumpkin 455 Purflains 45 5>40
Py rates, {French) 455 R.
"D Abbit, collar'd, Hog, long- £^ nofed and fpotted 48 c Rackoon ib. Reeds, Arrow, thorny, gjfc. 456 Reft-Harrows ib. River-Hog 400 River-Tree \ 436
Rod, Balfamick, &c, 442 Rofe-Trees, 436 Rot ; white) 457 S.
C Allet (Angola) 457 ^ Salt-Tree^* 436 Sarfaparilla 457 Sea-Swine 396 Seed (Oil) 457 Sempervive ib. Senfible Plants 442 Shark, feveral forts 416 Ship-Ndts ; 420 Shrew- Moufe 400 Silk-Finger Elder 452 Silver- Head 457 Sloath 401 Snakes, feveral forts, 422, &c.
Snake Herbs ^.57 Soldanella 457 Solomon*
INDEX.
Solomons Seal 443
Sorrel, (Purple) -458
Sparrow feveral forts 408
Spiders 428
Spikes (Golden) 443
Spoonbill 402
Squill 458
Squirrel (failed) 40 1
Starling, feveral forts 408
Stock-Fifli 416
Sugar-Cane 443 T.
TAil, Hard, Gold, £«f c. 416,417
Ratstail 458
Tairera, two forts 412 *Xholoe CTelu) taken by the
Privateers 464 Thornback; feveral forts 417
Thornberry 443
Time (Citron^ 458
Titmoufe, two fort$ 406
Jbad-bane 458
45? 4°9 45?
402 ■ 459
Trefoils
Turtle 5 feveral forts Turnfole
U,
T T Nicorn-bird
^ Vomit (Diffentrick) W.
WAgafthofny) 437 f r Water Hen $ feveral forts,
404
Waved Torch 443 Wharle (umbellated) 4551 Wide-mouth, two forts 406 Yellow Willow Herb, 459 Wood-pecker ; feveral forts 409 Wood Cabinet, Camel 437 Wnodftwine^ 459
XT Ams 459, 460
Yellow-trees 437 Yellow Violet-tree f 445
\