# A Voyage to the Islands Madera, Barbados, Nieves, S. Christophers and Jamaica/Volume 1/A Voyage to Jamaica

A VOYAGE TO JAMAICA.
When our intended Voyage to Jamaica was drawing near, I was desir'd by several who were to go the same Voyage, to give them my Advice what Physick would be best to prevent their being Sick at Sea, and receiving injury thereby, and by the change of the several Climates we were to pass through; to which my Answer was, that I thought the best Counsel I could give, was, to eat and drink what was fitting, and to use Exercise, and the other six non-naturals with that moderation, that their Bodies might be kept in a healthful state, and made strong and able to endure any Disease should through unavoidable contingences attack them; for that when one is well, if Physick be taken; it must either make no alteration at all on the Body, and then it will not deserve the name of Physick, but be a Chip, and so consequently a needless trouble and good for nothing; or it must make an alteration on those, who being supposed perfectly well in Health, must by it be changed and made Sick. Some of those who would take Physick not withstanding this warning, felt this true to their Cost, being by Purges thrown into Gripes, and other troublesome Distempers from which they were not so easily freed. The same Argument might be urg'd against those, who when perfectly well will Preventive Physick consider'd.take preventive Physick, who if they escape Death (which the famous Machiavel did not) or Sickness, will at least by Custom, which will become at last necessary, make themselves Slaves to bleeding and purging every Fall and Spring to prevent Diseases, which are much rather brought by these means than hindered. And it seems as reasonable to me that a Soldier should before a Fight come to a Chirurgeon to ask a remedy to prevent his being Shot, as when one is altogether Well, to a Physician for a Remedy againd Sickness. And to confirm this necessary Caution a little further, I have seen more than once in Seasons for Epidemical Diseases, as the Small-pox, &c. that those who have been over-wise, in either taking Medicines or Journies to shun the common Distempers, have, by the agitation they put their Bodies into, been taken with what perhaps otherwise they might have avoided.
On Monday the 12. day of September 1687. I went on Board the Assistance Frigat, one of the King's Ships, of forty four Guns, and two hundred Men, Commanded by Captain Laurence Wright, lying at Anchor at Spithead near Portsmouth. She had in Company two large Merchant Ships, and the Dukes Yacht, carrying His Graces Provisions and Servants. We weighed that ​Afternoon, the Wind being North-West Northerly; but next Morning the Wind coming South South-East, and blowing hard with Rain, we came back to St. Helens Road, where we lay in eleven Fathom water, Oosie Ground, and at about three miles from the Land, till the 19. the Wind being South-westerly all this while, with rainy dirty Weather. We who had not been accustomed to the Sea, at first setting Sail, or even on first going aboard, by the Heaving and Setting, as Seamen term it, or the Motion of the Ship by the Waves, were all The Common Sea-sickness consider'd.of us almost Sea-Sick. This first appeared by a great uneasiness and load about the Stomach, disorder and aching in the Head, high colour'd Urine, and Vomiting at first what has been lately eat or drunk, then a great quanitity of serous Matter insipid to the Tast, and mixt with Ropy Phlegm. Then if the Vomiting continues, comes the Yellow bitter Bile or Choler, pump'd up by the inverted motion of the Duodenum out of the Gall-Bladder, as well as the subacid Juices from the Pancreas and neighbouring Glands, which give a greenish Tincture to whatever comes up, and sometimes a sour Tast; and after these Liquors vomited up, as after a Natural or Artificial Vomit, the Persons generally from desponding and not caring what happens to them, come to be very easie. There are great Controversies among learned Men concerning the Acosta's Opinion concerning it refuted.Cause of this Sickness. Joseph Acosta ascribes it to the Sea-Air, but I think without any manner of Reason, for it seems only to proceed from the unaccustomed motion of the Ship*,* Martens, cap. 6. which is sometimes higher or lower, or on one side or t'other, according to the Waves on the top of which the swims, or the Sail she carries; few People are Sick when the Waves are small, and the motion of the Ship inconsiderable, and those unaccustom'd to the Sea are always out of order more or less in proportion to the motion of the same, and are extremely sick in great Storms, when even the Seamen themselves, who have used that life many years, are not free from it, as many have related to me. It seems to be a greater or lesser Vomit, according to the Weather, and that, as Artificial Vomits, they sometimes work easily on some Tempers, and on other People of a different Constitution not at all. That a very small unaccustom'd motion of Man's Body will produce Vomiting, is very plain from those not used to Coaches, or to ride backwards in them, which altho it is not a very extraordinary motion; yet in some will produce the same effects as if they were at Sea. And that a greater will seldom miss, is evident from the Vomitings which mostly follow violent or Consumptive Coughs, which seem only to affect the Stomach in making it move irregularly with its Contents, by the great motion of the Diaphragma and Muscles of the Belly: and this is more plain by that sort of punishment used in Switzerland, and some other Countries, Malefactors being put into a sort of Cage, which being turn'd round makes them so Sick as to Vomit with uneasiness. As to the two Arguments used by Acosta to prove his Position, they do not move me; for his first, that the farther off Land, one is the sicker, is not true, for People are generally sickest when they go first on Board, and although the motion of the Ship, because of the largeness of the Waves then is greater, yet by Custom they become not so Sick: and for that other Reason of his, that he was once at Land sick on a great Sea-breeze, I believe his sickness was accidental, otherwise those that live on small Islands far remote from Continents, as St. Helena, would have a sickly time on't. Why this unaccustom'd motion should produce this effect, is beyond my giving any tolerable account of, only this is obvious, that Water in any open Vessel, if not lash'd so as to remain Horizontal in whatever Position the Ship be, will on alterations of the posture of the Ship overflow; even so the Contents of the Stomach, if Liquid, may run impetuously several ways, touch or make an irritation on some parts of the Body or Stomach it did not touch before, and how sensible those nervous parts are, need not be told any who have seen Vivisections, where the least, but super​ficial easie touches, even when the Guts and Stomach are in some Animals out of the Abdomen, will cause a sensible and vigorous Peristaltick motion.
The Effects thereof;As to the so much celebrated Salutary effects said to ensue Sea-Sickness in all diseased Persons, and its no less famed ones in preventing Sickness in those that are Sound, I confess my self to dissent from those Opinions; for although in several Distempers very frequent now adays from Intemperance, &c. cleansing the Stomach by Vomit be a very good remedy, yet I think it neither universal in every Distemper, nor this by Sea-sickness to be able to do more than a good ordinary Vomit, having likewise this very great Inconvenience, that it is not in the power of the Physician to stop this, or moderate the working of it, as he may a Vomit, no more than he can command the Waves, or stop the raging of the Sea; whence many People by the lasting of this perpetual Vomiting, in long Voyages, have been brought to even Death itself, and others extremely weakened thereby. For all those Arguments from the filthiness of the Substances vomited up are very frivolous; for I question not but many perfectly sound People vomit them up, who would not have any Sickness, if they had not so vomited them, and to the Oeconomy of whose Bodies they were absolutely necessary; the Serous Matter or Spittle to be a Menstruum to their Victuals, the Phlegm to defend the Tunicles of the Stomach and Guts, and the Gall as well as subacid Juices from the Glands to help the Digestion of our Victuals and forward the Secretion of the useful Juices and Excretion of the Excrements, which so necessary Substances, either simple in their own Colours, or mixt together, and so making a new Colour, are usually so much and undeservedly blamed.
And probable Remedies. Rauwolf, cap. I. For Remedies for this Sickness (which not one in near fifty escapes*) I know none perfectly so; but keeping in a quiet posture, in a place where is the least motion without any noisome smell or sight, is the best. I usually at first desired them to drink quantities of warm Water, or Small-Beer to make all come up easily, on which they found Relief, and in some days they grew better. Or with the Ships motion this Sckness abates, and then when there is only Squeamishness, eating of Victuals relieves rather than hurts. Marmalade of Quinces, Candy'd Citron-Peel, burnt Wine with Spices, and generally all Cordial hot Waters, gave me no ease but sometimes made me sicker: having been, notwithstanding tryal of all these things, troubled with this Sickness for a Month together in going to the West-Indies, and six Weeks in coming Home, upon every the least puff of Wind extraordinary. At the worst a Foot on Land always set me free from all these Symptoms and Maladies immediately, altho my Head would turn round and seem'd to have an odd motion within it for some time after.
'Tis very ordinary for Sea-Sick People to be very much bound in their Bellies, because of the Peristaltick motion's being inverted, the Gall or natural Glister voided by the Mouth, and that they have no Appetite for Solids, neither digest so much Food as usually. To remedy which I used to give gr v. extr. Rud. a little Manna, or some easie Medicine to Stimulate Nature, and to hinder the baking of the Excrements in the Cells of the Colon, and by that means hinder a Colick. But one need not be over-solicitous about this matter; because if they Eat not as they use to do at Land, they cannot expect the same quantity of Excrements. This consideration may be of some use likewise in the practice of Physick, where Physicians for the same reason in diseased Bodies ought not to expect Excrements as in Health.
The 19. of September we Weighed Anchor, the Wind being at North-East in the Morning, it chang'd at eleven at Night, when we Tackt, and was variable from South-East to South-West, and for the most part a fresh Gale. On We arrive before Plimouth. Wednesday the 21. the Wind being at South and South by West, thick Weather, much Rain, and like to blow-hard, we went into Plymouth Sound, where we ​lay in seven Fathom water, and struck our Topmasts, being a hard Gale and much Rain.
We lay here at Anchor moor'd till Wednesday the 5. of October, nothing memorable passing, the Wind being for the most part South-Westerly, and blowing hard, with dirty rainy Weather and great Seas rowling in upon us from the Ocean, which made me (who was obliged to visit Sick People on Shore) several times wish it were customary for Men of War to go nearer the Land; where we had been well defended by Hills from the injuries of the Wind; but by lengthening the Cables and our good Tackle the Anchors held firm, and we received no injury. It deserves here to be noted that from our coming on Board to this time, twenty two days, we have had, except one day, almost always South-West Winds, which for the most part reign here this time of the year, making it very hard for outward-bound Ships to get out of the Channel; but there will be occasion to speak more of this hereafter.
We Weighed Anchor from Plimouth on Wednesday the 5. of October, the Citadel saluting his Grace with twenty one Guns, and the Island of St. Nicolas with nineteen, the Wind being at East South-East, a fresh Gale, we steered to get clear of the Land, and the next day we got thirty or forty Leagues to Sea, sailing more Westerly than our Course required, the Seamen desiring to clear themselves of that as much as conveniently they can, that when a contrary Wind comes to cross them they may have room to Tack, and not be afraid of a Lee-Shore, which is so formidable to them, that they rather chuse in such a case to take a Harbour than to lie at Sea, where if the Head Sea be not very considerable, by tacking they always get something forward be the Wind never so contrary. I observed at about fifty Leagues or more, of the Lands end, at Sea, many of a kind of Larus, or Gull, very like to that describ'd by Mr. Willughby in his History of Birds by the name of Hirundo Marina, or Sea-Swallow, only larger, for which Reason I shall call it Hirundo Marina major.Hirundo Marina major described. This Bird was bigger than a Pigeon, it was of a dark grey colour on the Back, and white below, it was sharp-winged, and did not fly high, but very close to the Surface of the Water, which it dextrously shun'd touching, after the manner of Swallows, and closer to it than the before-mentioned common Hirundo Marina; being very intent on its Prey, and getting what Fish it could spy there; so as one would admire how they can avoid being wetted by the Seas. When they had wearied themselves on the Wing, they would usually in Companies together, set themselves on the Surface of the Water, especially towards the Evening, which made me inclinable to think that they seldom went to Land; if so, it is not easie to imagine, if it be necessary for them, how they provide themselves with Fresh-Water, for as to Meat, the breaking Waves discover to them sufficient quantities of smaller Fish, which they greedily devour. The further off Shore we went, we had the fewer of these Birds, altho we never were entirely for several days without seeing some of them; but most when we were about the Madera islands, there being some uninhabited Islands and Rocks between that place and the Canary Isles, known by the name of Salvages, where they multiply and increase yearly in prodigious numbers, not being interrupted by mankind. I am very apt to believe these Birds to be what Oviedo**Coron. l. 14. c. 1. Ramnus. p. 261. †Tom. 2. p. 51. calls Patines. What Denis† calls Croiseurs, who were at top of the Water to take small Fish, having met them most of the way to Canada: and what Ligon meant when p. 5. he speaks of a Bird not much bigger than a Castril turning about every Wave. I am in doubt whether this be the Gargaio of Colon. f. 29? or Avis a Lusitanis Garayos dicta Aldrov.**Ornith. Tom. 3. p. 546. or Willockes of Purchas p. 556? and whether these be the same with the Mews mentioned by Martens of Spitzberg, that stay so long as the Sun, then fly away in Flocks, and rest on the Water by the way. When we could find ​no more any Ground, or were got clear of the Soundings, that is commonly counted about One hundred Leagues from the Coast of England towards the South-West; the Flag was hoisted on the Main-top-mast-head, and several Huzzas, and Guns discharged at drinking his Grace the Duke of Albemarle's Health, who was then Vice-Admiral of those Seas. The Ships in Company likewise shew'd their Respect, in discharging their Guns, by way of Salute to the Flag; the like was done by some Ships Bound for Guinea, who kept Company with the Frigat to avoid hazard from the Sally Men of War, who are very busie about these parts: one who was some Leagues a Head, hal'd up his Sails, and lay by till the Frigat was past, when he likewise, by a Salute of all his Guns, paid the respect was due to the English Commander of those Seas.
On Friday the 7th. of Octob. 1687. we had a Grampus, or small Whale, follow'd us: This sort of Whale which is the least, and of the same kind with the Dolphin or Porpesses, is about forty Foot long, and proportionably broad, is smooth, and of a dark brown colour in the Back, and has two Channels in the Head, through which he spouts out Water in two small Streams when he rises from the bottom above the Surface of the Sea to breath, which he does very frequently, blowing and so going down again. This sort is very The Grampus described. frequent in the great Western Ocean. The Sailers commonly shoot at them with small Shot, but without any seeming hurt to the Creatures. They are very devouring, and chase into the Shore the greater Whales, and are frequently thrown on Shore in Scotland, where they are about Twenty five Foot long. It is called Balæna minor in utraque Maxilla dentata que Orca vocatur. Sibbald. obss. de balænis, p. 6. Orca Rondeletii, p. 483. & Bellonii, p. 16. Raii, p. 40. Granpasses. Purchas, 569. where it was observed in 73°. N. lat. Granpisce of Terry, p. 8. Baleine de Rochef. 195. D'Abbeville, p. 30. Grampose of Pool. Purchas, p. 707. The Grampus of Smith, Virg. p. 28. New-England, p. 227.
We had also Porpesses came about us. There are multitudes of these (which are well described and figured by Mr. Ray, p. 31. Tab. A.1. Fig. 2.) in the great Western Ocean; they go generally many together, and when they appear about a Ship they are counted to Presage a Storm; and that the Wind will blow that way whither they go: they are not so frequent between Porpesses described. the Tropicks as in the Northern parts. They are much swifter in Swimming in the Water than a Ship under Sail with a good Gale of Wind; they are taken by Harping-Irons, and the Fat being taken off (especially Fins and Tail) are eaten by some Seamen, but are no way delicate Food, having a very noisome fishy, and rancid Tast.
I believe this, and the Delphinus to be much the same; they leap up about a Foot out of the Water, (tumultuating and being uneasie or sick by the weather, ** Martens.) sometimes more, and sometimes less, and are so quick in returning that they seem to be crooked, whence the Painters took their Figures.
These are mentioned by the following Writers by the names of Porcpisces of Smith, New-England, p. 227. Porpisce of Ligon, p. 3. Marsovin appelle poursille de Denis, Tom. 2. p. 258. Guaperva Marcgr. 191. du Pyrard de la Val. p. 6. de Cauche. p. 141. D. Abbeville, p. 30. Marsovin, called by the Portuguese Tonana of Mandelslo, p. 197. Phocæna Rond. p. 473. Gesn. Raii, p. 31. Tab. A.1. Fig. 2. An Botos & Toninas of Anonym. Portug. Purchas, 1314? Phocæna seu Tursio Bellon. p. 15. Scalig. Porpisces or Hog-Fish. Terry p. 11. An Ambizeangulo seu Porcus aquatilis. Pigafet. p. 10? Porpasse, Butskopf, or Places-Head of Martens. cap. 2. The Porpesse of Escarbot. Nova Francia, p. 69. (From which Authors a larger account may be had of them.)
​I had very often heard, but never observ'd before, the sparkling light of Sea-Water, which appears thus: In a dark Night (the darker the better will you observe it) if you look attentively on the Surface of the Sea, you shall see now and then a little sparkling light sometimes broader, and at other times narrower, which presently vanishes. If you row in the same, you see it very plain where the Oars touch the Water. On a part of the Sea where a Wave breaks or curls you see it much plainer, and by the Ships side, or Bow, where the Water is more broken, you see it most of all. Sometimes you shall see as it were a Spark of Fire leap up into the Air as if a Flint and Steel were struck together, which nevertheless vanishes very soon, though sometimes I have seen a sparkle left by the Water on the entring Ladder of a Ships side, which has continu'd there shining for some half a Minutes time, like the icy Noctiluca or Phosphorus, the light of this being as to colour, &c. like that of the other: Concerning the sparkling light of the Sea-water. the Seamen told me that they were more ordinarily to be seen in Southerly Winds than any other, how true I know not, but am sure the more the Sea is broken or white, the more you see of them: I endeavoured with a Swab several times dipt into the Water to pull some of those Sparkles up, but could not, for they would not stick to it, wherefore I had a Bucket of Water drawn, and by moving it up and down with my Hand saw some of them appear now and then on its Surface; but once had the good luck to move it in such a manner that one of those Sparkles hit on the Bucket-Rope, and sticking there gave me the opportunity of squatting it with my Thumb, and making it by that means give a larger light, which it did for some small time, and then went out. I did not observe that it had any actual heat on touch. Nicolas Papin, who wrote a Treatise in French about this, giving it the Title of Mer lumineuse ou traite de la lumiere de la Mer, tells us, that agitation without Froth produces it even at bottom, p. 129. how true I cannot tell.
This strange and surprising Phænomenon is by several People taken notice Apud Clus. in Cur. poster. of; Vanderhagen speaks of it as extraordinary in some places, so that it was like a Lanthorn giving light, Martens cap. 2. tells us that the Sea shines like the lustre of a Diamond, and foretels South or West Winds. Ligon when he takes notice of it p. 7. thinks it comes from the Saltness of the Sea and the hard Boat striking Fire, and that it would be Fire if not quenched. Not to recite the several Opinions about this, I am very inclinable to believe that it may proceed from some of the smaller Particles of Fishes floating in the Water, although so small as to fly the quickest sight, for I could not observe any difference between that and the most limpid Sea-Water I ever The reason of this Appearance. saw. I am the more inclinable to believe this, in that I have seen on the Sands, left uncovered by the ebbing of the Tide, several Portions of fishy matter shining after that manner, only larger; the same is to be seen in Oysters, Lobsters, &c. And I see no improbability in supposing small corrupted parts of Fishes to roul up and down in the Sea-water, and when they come to its Surface either by themselves or in Bubbles, whereby they are more exposed, to the Air (broken-water being nothing but a heap of Bubbles) they shine in the same manner that a Piece of rotten Fish will shine in the dark, and the relation of Seamen may well enough agree with this, the South-Winds being warmer, and more promoting of Putrefaction, or aiding to Fermentation than any other Wind whatever. If it be objected, that it seems unreasonable to believe that all parts of the Sea should be furnished with them, I answer, that it is certain, most parts of the Sea are very full of them, and not to mention the relations of several Seamen, who have told me, that both in the North and South Seas they have sailed a great many hours through Fishes Spawn; I myself have done so for more than two days. It seems to me that such Fish-Spawn or fishy Matter, if in great quantities, ​discolours variously the Sea-water in the day-time, and makes it, if dark, appear more or less shining, as it is more or less in quantity. Lopes de Gomara Hist. Gener. cap. 8. Pag. 56. Pap. 618. Ib. p. 632. Ib. p. 310. Ib. p. 810. and 811. Ib. p. 815. tells us, that about Cubagua the Sea is at some times Red by the Oysters Spawn or Purgation, and Terry takes notice of Sea-water white as Milk not near Land. Hatch in his Voyage publish'd by Purchas speaks of Water white as Whey, yet no Ground, and Heynes of White Water no Ground, in 4°. South Lat. Dountoun tells us of Water muddy and thick, with spots of clear, near India. And Weymouth of Water as black as Puddle, and clear again, yet without bottom, at 120 Fathoms. And Hall Sailed in Black Puddle Water for three Hours. But to come nearer our matter in proving this Conjecture. BattellIb. p. 1129. in the Red-Sea falls in the Night on whitish Spots, raising and casting Flames like Lightning, he wondering at it, took in the Sails presently, believing they were on some Banks or Shoals, and commanded to cast the Lead, and found Twenty six Fathoms. Pilots of the Country not fearing went on again, ib. SarisApud Purchas, p. 352. met with Cuttle-Fish in sailing from the Red-Sea to India in 8°. 12′; the Wind was at West-South-West, Sep. 22. at midnight very dark, saw shining Water, strange and fearful, so as to discern a Letter in the Book thereby, he sailed in it half an Hour, not without fear of Rocks, but he tells us it was from Cuttle-Fish; and Cuache, p. 20. tells us that the Worms that eat the Vessels, shine in the Night.
When we were about Forty Leagues off the Land, we had a Lark which had come, or been driven too far from Land by a Storm, perch'd on the Ships Rigging; it was so tir'd that it suffer'd any Body to come within Arms length of it before it would stir, and would have permitted us to have A Lark driven forty Leagues to Sea. caught it rather than have gone into the Sea, had it not espied the other Ships, to some of which it went for resting itself when 'twas scar'd from ours. 'Tis very ordinary for Land-Birds thus to be driven off to Sea, and to light on Ships, being lean and wearied on the Wing; so Martens, cap. 2. tells us that Blackbirds, Starlings, and all small Birds lose their Way in a Storm, and cannot recover it but either drop and are drowned, or sit on Ships: and that a Crow he saw (at Spitzberg) by mistake had thus come astray.
On Tuesday 11. When we were in about Forty six Degrees of Northern Latitude I first saw what the Seamen call a Caravel or Portuguese Man of War, A Caravel described. which seems to be a Zoophytum, or of a middle Nature between a Plant and an Animal; it is of that kind of the soft Fishes called Urtica from their Stinging quality, and to me seems different from any describ'd by any natural Historian. I shall call it Urtica Marina, soluta, purpurea, oblonga, cirrhis longissimis.
It is taken notice of by Stevens apud Hakluyt, p. 99. where it is called a Ship of Guinea, and by de Lery, p. 399. under the name of Immondicites Rouges. Martens calls it the other sort of Sea-Nettle in the Spanish Seas that Weighs several Pounds, of a Blue, Purple, Yellowish, and White colour, that burn more violently than those of the North-Sea, they do suck themselves so close to the Skin that they did raise Blisters, and cause sometimes St. Antony's Fire. He says further that one sort of this is called Sea-Spider, and is the Food of Whales, which may, by the way, explain a Passage of Peyrere in his Anonymous Book, called Relation de Groenland, where the Author tells us, that Whales feed on Aranees du Mer. Ligon calls it Carvile, and observ'd it Pag. 6. Five hundred Leagues from Land, and they are named Grandes Urtica by de Laet, who takes notice of them in Brasil.Lib.15.c.11 p. 573.
This floated on the Surface of the Water, and consisted of two parts, the one was an oblong Cylindrical Bladder not so big as a Turkey-Egg, it was as it were blown up, and full of Wind; almost like the Swim of a Fish, widest ​at bottom, and grew straiter or narrower to its top, where round about was a corrugated or curled Ledge or Band, something like a Cocks-Comb, Convex on one side, and Concave on the other, which Seamen said was for its more convenient sailing; all this part of it was of a purple and bluish colour and Pellucid: the other part was a great number of blackish and Red Fibres, Strings or Cirrhi; they were long and White, here and there Purple, having several Knots like Nits on it, taking their Original from the bottom of this Bladder, which if stretched were several Feet long, but if curled up were very short, stinging much worse than Nettles, whence it is by some reckoned Poisonous. They are very often to be met with at Sea, and Seamen do affirm that they have great skill in sailing, managing their Bladder or Sail with judgment, as may be most for their purpose, according to their different Winds and Courses; allowing them more Reason, than I, at present, am willing to do of Life, there appearing to me no other parts than the Bladder and Cirrhi abovementioned.
On Tuesday the 18. at Night we lay by, because we were afraid of running upon the Island of Madera, or Rocks about it in the Night when dark, being in its Latitude, or very near it by observation, and by the Dead-Reckonings, Corrected by Observations, it appearing that we should be so far West as those Islands are placed. But after sailing several Leagues, next Morning we could not make any Land, and several of our Seamen being of Opinion that we were to the Westward of it; it was ev'n almost resolvd that we should hold on for Barbadoes the nearest way, seeing with this Wind we could not easily get back thither, and that it might retard us considerably the going to Palma, or any of the Canaries; although Fresh Water, Provisions, and Wine were a great inducement to our going to one of them. One of the Captains who had made many Voyages to the Canaries, being call'd, and coming on Board with the others, (who according to their Instructions and Signals, were to come to consult for the Publick welfare) told the others, that having made this Island usually in his Voyage to the Canaries, he knew that as yet we were not come so far West, but if the Wind held we might be there to Morrow; and that the Reason to him seemed this, that either the Island ought to be placed a Degree more West; or that we, as every Body else, sailing through this Sea at this time of the year had met with Westerly Winds, which bringing great Seas, and making a Current which always goes with Wind; ** Purchas p. 10. Towerson Voy. 1. to Guinea ap. Hacluyt, pag. 32. and there being in the Ocean, we had sail'd through a great Current of Water to the Eastward, he thought we had had more Lee Way than we had allowed for, and been more Easterly carried than we computed, and therefore advised that we should persist till Night, then lie by for fear of the worst; which on his positive affirmation we did, and on Thursday the 20th about Twelve at Noon we made the Desarts, which are three small Islands or great Rocks, lying on the East side of the Island of Madera about Three Leagues from the Land. Being about Ten Leagues from it, we came in sight of Porto Santo, an Island belonging to the Portuguese, Three Leagues long, and one and a half broad, in 33° North Lat. Twelve Leagues to the North-East of Madera. It had Five hundred Inhabitants, and yet was taken by Preston with Sixty Men, as Davies tells us, Purchas, 579.Decad.2.c.2. It was first Discovered according to Jo. de Barros, by Giovan Consalvo Larco, and Tristan Vaz, who were sent out to discover Guinea beyond Cape Bajador, and were carried against their intention by a Tempest to Porto Santo, which they called so for their being saved thereby from Shipwreck. They return'd to Portugal, and gave an account of it, and went thither again with Three Barks, one Bartolomeo Perestrello (whose Widow Christopher Columbas married) joyning with them: they carry'd Fruits ​and Seeds, with a Rabbit big with Young, which multiplied so fast as in two years its Offspring destroy'd every thing was planted in the Island. Barros cap. 2. Dec. 1.
When Perestrello was return'd to Portugal, Tristan Vaz, and Giovanni Consalvo Zarco, discover'd Madera from Porto Santo, it appearing as a Cloud.Of the first discovery of Porto Santo and Madera. It was almost every where full of Wood (as most uninhabited Countries are) and peopled in 1420. Consalvo to free it of Wood set Fire to it, it burnt and destroy'd so the Woods that the Inhabitants soon wanted for making their Sugars, and were commanded to Plant. Ib. cap. 3.
We lay by all Night, and the next Morning being Friday, October 21. and Sixteen days from Plymouth, we came to Anchor in the Madera Road, the Castle bearing North, distant one Mile, in Forty one Fathom Water.
The Island Madera, was so called from its being all Woody that word in Portuguese signifying Wood. When the Trees were fired, they burnt so impetuously, that the People were forc'd to go into the Water up to their Necks. Cadam. 105. Jo. Barr. Dec. 1. It was discovered by Macham in 1344. which was before that of Giovanni Consalvo, according to Galvanos Portugal Chronicle, Purchas, p. 1672. It is Situated in 32°. 30′. of Northern Latitude, 9°. some odd Minutes West of the Lizard, is high Land, very rocky and steep, six Leagues broad, and eighteen long; inhabited by Portuguese, and Populous, having about, at present, Eighty thousand Inhabitants, whereof Fifty thousand are Communicants, that is above Eight years old. It has a healthful Air, some People living here to an Hundred years Of the Name, Air, Inhabitants, &c. of Madera. of Age. It is fruitful in Cattle, viz. small Cows, Swine and Sheep, the latter being Lean, and having long Wooll, almost like to that of Goats, not curled as our Sheep. The Air here is very Temperate, refreshed for Nine Months of the Year by a Sea-breeze in the Day, from Eight in the Morning till Four in the Afternoon, and a Land-breeze in the Night, from Eight at Night to Four the next Morning; between which Breezes generally there is a Calm: from the latter end of November till the beginning of March, the Wind is at between South and West, and then the Weather is stormy, making great Shipwrecks in the Harbour of the Principal Town Funchal, it being exposed to those Winds, and only secure in one place, where a Rock Perpendicular and high, keeps off the force of the Wind from Ships Riding between it and the Shore. Some few Years before I was here, the most part of the Ships in this Harbour had suffered Shipwreck, the Winds being violent, and the Water so deep, that the Cables cannot so firmly hold as in other Roads, whence Ships are forc'd to put to Sea on any extraordinary puffs of South-Westerly Winds, the danger of which frighting Seamen, does not a little hinder the Trade of this Island. The Winters are here so Temperate, as that usually no Snow lies, except on the top of the Mountains, neither is Hail very common, though the Winter in the Year 1683. which was so extraordinary hard to Europe, reached this Place likewise, the Inhabitants assuring me they had not felt the like. So I find by Smith, that in 1607. there was an extraordinary Frost in Europe, and that it was as extreme in Virginia, P. 21. And so it happens when there is very hard or extraordinary Weather in one place, it generally is so in others, contrary to what one would think. They have Apples, Pears, Walnuts, Chesnuts, Mulberries and Figs; of our European Fruits in great quantities, Apricocks and Peaches growing Standard Trees, ripening their Fruit without the help of a Wall, as also Bonano's, Plantains, Oranges, Lemons, Citrons, &c. Common to the hotter parts of the World; so that this Island seems to be fit for producing the Fruits of both Hot and Cold Countries: of the first in its Valleys or lower Land, and of the last in the tops of the Mountains, where 'tis much Colder, and where many large Ches​nut Trees grow. The greatest part of the Island is one very high Hill, reckoned four Miles from bottom to top, which for the most part is clouded, the descent of which being very steep, makes the small rivers very rapid and their Cliffs or Banks very perpendicularly high. This Island is very fruitful, having formerly furnished great quantities of Sugar which was here planted, and was at first excellent, and yet what they have here is extraordinary but very little; the Reason of which is, that there are so many Sugar Plantations in the West-Indies, 'tis not worth their while to make it, although being once refin'd or clayed 'tis very White and one Pound of it will do as much as a Pound and a half of any other; so that although they make some which is dearer, yet they find so much more Profit in manuring their Vines, that they scarce make what is sufficient for their own Spending in their Families and Sweetmeats, but buy that of their own Plantations in Brasil for that purpose. The greated part of this Island is at present planted with Vines, the Soil being very proper, for it is rocky and steep; they keep their Vines very low with Pruning, in that agreeing with the Culture of the Vines in France, as also in that these Wines grow on the same Soil with those most esteemed there, as the Hermitage Wines, which grow on the rocky steep Hills on the sides of the Rhosne. The Grapes are of three sorts, the White, Red and great Muscadine, or Malvasia; of which three the first are most plentiful, for out of the White is made the greatest quantity of Wine, which is made Red by the addition of some Tinto,Of the Wines of Madera. or very Red wine made out of the Red Grapes, which gives deeper Tincture than that of Champagne, and helps it to preserve it self much better. It is sufficiently known that White-Wines, generally speaking, perish very soon, and that Red ones are much easier preserved, the deeper their Tincture be; so in France they suffer the Husks or Skin, and Juice of the Grapes to lie longer or shorter time in the Cuve together after bruising, according to the Stipticity or Tincture they desire, or which is all one, the time they would have their Wines to keep. The Virgin Wine, or that made of the Juice running of the Husks immediately without standing or pressure, is soon ready to drink, fine, and very soon perish'd, the Husk impregnating the Wine with something equivalent to Hops in Beer. The same likewise happens in Oil Olive; for it is to be observed, that that sort of Oil void of all manner of Tast and Smell, call'd Virgin Oil, which runs off the Olives without pressing, will without the addition of Salt, in two Months turn rancid, whereas that which has by strong pressing and standing been impregnated with some small parts from the Rind, or Stone of the Olive and Kernel, is able to keep for a very long time without any addition. The Malvasia or Wine made of the Muscadine Grape, does not keep, but Pricks very soon, and so is made in very small quantities. The great quantity of Wine here made, is that of the White mixt with a little Tinto, which has one very particular and odd Property, that the more 'tis expos'd to the Sun-beams and heat the better it is, and instead of putting it in a cool Cellar they expose it to the Sun. It seems to those unaccustomed to it to have a very unpleasant Tast, though something like Sherry, to which Wine it comes near in Strength and other Properties. It is Exported in vast quantities to all the West-India Plantations, and now of late to the East; no sort of Wine agreeing with those hot Places like this.
They have here some Corn of their own growth, about as much as may maintain them four Months of the year, but most comes to them from Dantzick, Ireland, New-England, &c. in Exchange for their Wines to be carried to the hot East and West-Indies, and some few Sweet-meats, as Marmelade of Quinces, Citron-Pills, &c. which they here make up with Brasil Sugar, or that of their own Island. The Sea round this Island is very deep, (as it is in most places where the Land is high) within a Mile of the Shore 'tis Fifty Fathom Water, ​of one quarter of a Mile further to Seaward 'tis Fifty more. In deep Water the colour of it is Blue, and in shallow Green. It seems to me that the difference of the Colour of Sea-water (without troubling our selves with many Opinions about it) comes either from the depth of it, which when very deep and diaphanous is of a deep Blue as the Sky when clear, or if shallow it takes its Colour from the Colour of what lies at the bottom. And that it is so, appears by Purchas, p. 1131. where 'tis taken notice that Water appears Red, Green, or Dark in the Sea, according to the bottom, and that the Red-Sea is called so from Red Coral, or Coral-Stone lying at bottom, making the Water, which is to be seen into Twenty Fathoms, look Red, or White if White Sand is at bottom; or Green, if Green Oozy, Id. p. 1147.
The Sea hereabout is very well provided with Albacores, or Thynni whose Description follows.
This Fish was Five Foot long from the end of the Chaps to that of the Tail, the Body was of the make and shape of a Mackarel, being roundish or torose, covered all over with small Scales, White in some places, and Darker colour'd in others, there was a Line run along each side. The coverings of the Gills of each side were made of two large and broad Bones covered Albacores described. with a shining Skin, the Jaws were about Six Inches long, having a single row of short strong sharp Teeth in them, and were pointed. The Eyes were large, and the Gills very numerous, behind which were a small pair of Fins. Post anum was a Foot long Fin, about Three Inches broad at bottom, and Tapering to the end. It had another on its Back answering that on the Belly, and from these were small Pinnulæ every Two Inches distance to the forked Tail, which was like a New Moon falcated, before which on the Line of the two sides was a membranous thick horny Substance, made up of the Fishes Skin, stood out about three quarters of an Inch where it was highest, something like a Fin. It was about Three Foot Circumference a little beyond the Head, where it was thickest. The Eye was about an Inch and a half Diameter. The Figure of this Fish is here added, Tab 1. Fig. 1. taken from a dried Fish, where every thing was perfect save the first Fin on the Back, which I suppose was accidentally rub'd off.
It is frequently taken by Sailers with Fisgigs or White Cloath, made like Flying-Fish, and put to a Hook and Line for a Bait; The Flesh is coloured, and Tasts as the Tunny of the Mediterranean, from whence I am apt to believe it the same Fish. It is to be found not only about Spain, and in the way to the West-Indies; but in the South-Seas about Guayaquil, and between Japan and New Spain every where.
This is called Tunnyes of Oviedo sum. p. 214. Albicores of Terry, p. 9. Albocores of Mandelslo, p. 196. Dolphin or Tunin of Marten, Orcynus Rondelet, p. 249. Thunnus Gesner. 1158. Aldrovand. p. 307. Mus. swammerd. Raii. Hist. p. 176. Tab. M.1. Corett. Thynni Species ejusd. app. p. 5. & 24. Tab. 9. No. 1. where the Figure seems not good. Thynnus Bellon. p. 106. Salvian. p. 124. An palamite of Oviedo Sum. p. 211? Guarapucu Brasiliensibus, an Cavala Lusitanis, nostratibus Coninghvisch. Marcgr. p. 178? Pis. Ed. 1658. p. 59? vel an Curvata pinima ejusd. p. 150? Ed. 1650. p. 51? Tons of Escarbot Nova Francia, p. 35. du Raveneau de Lussan p. 171. An Albacoretta Pis. Ed. 1658. p. 73? Toni di Fernan Colon vita di Christof. f. 29. An Ox-Eye of Anonymus Portugal. ap. Purchas, p. 1313? vel Toninas Ejusd. ib. p. 1314? Tunnies of Francis Gualle. Purchas, 806. Albacoras Ejusd. p. 446. Hakl. of Smith New-England, p. 227. of Galvanos Purchas, in 42°. North Lat. South-Seas, p. 1685. Ton ou tasard de Cauche, p. 138. An tonine Ejusd. p. 142? Ulasso a Tuny Fish of Duddeley. p. 576. Albacore of Ligon. p. 6. Abbeville. p. 30. An a Spanish Macquerel of Ligon? Albachores Pyrard. de Laval. p. 6. 137.
​It has hard Fat, Flesh of a sharp Tast, opening the Hæmorrhoids either by its Acrimony, or because it breeds Melancholy Blood. Rond.
They are taken by the way (to the West-Indies) playing about the Ships, by Spears thrown at them. Oviedo Sum.
They (at Maldives) are taken with White-Line, where they Boil these with Dolphins and Bonetos in Sea-water, and dry them after by Fire on Hurdles, which makes them keep a long time for Traffick. La Val, p. 138.
Dolphins, Boneto's, and other Fishes loving very deep Water, are also found here. This Sea has so great a Surff, that there is no Landing at the Town of Funchal without taking the advantage of coming in with a Wave, and being pull'd on dry Land with it, from whence you are again to be lanch'd to go on Board. The Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea is not here considerable, if I remember right. There are some few Towns in it, the Principal of which is Funchal or Foncal in the South-East part of the Island. The Town has about Ten thousand Inhabitants, whereof One hundred are for the Governors Guard, paid by the King. The Governor of this Island is a Portugeuse sent from Lisbon hither, and lives in the Castle of Funchal; he Commands on Shore, and cannot come off, having about Twelve hundred Crowns per ann. Salary from the King, besides what he can get by Trading. Here is a very fine Cathedral Church, and about Eight hundred Friars. They have here a large Hospital, and in it a private Corner for those who are incognito to be treated for the Pox, a Distemper very common in this Place. The Town of Funchal is well provided with good Water, and commanded by a Citadel, whither they retire in time of Danger. It has a Cistern hew'd out of the Rock, to receive Rain-water, which maintains many People, and is very good. They cannot Hang any here, but only Banish to the Cape de Verd Islands. Considering that this Island had not been very antiently Inhabited, being but discover'd in the Fourteenth Century, and that Common Fame relates all the Inhabitants hereof to be Criminals banish'd hither, I expected to have found a great deal of Barbarity and Rudeness here, and nothing almost else; but on going ashore I was very much disappointed, for I have not seen any where more accomplished Gentlemen than here, having all the Civility one could desire but most of them whether bred to Letters or not, are sent for their Breeding to Portugal. The Scholars, whether Physicians, Divines or Lawyers, are bred up at Salamanca, and thence return in some time for their own Island to live. I met with a very Ingenious Physician here, who spoke good Latin, and understood his Profession very well. Their Manners are much the same with those of the Portuguese. Their Women never stir abroad but to Mass, and appear not in their Houses to Company. They are very much serv'd by Negros, and their Women come out of Bed the first Week after lying In. They carry every thing on a Log drawn by Oxen, the Country being so steep and rocky, and the ways narrow, that no other Carriage can go. Every Tradesman wears his short Doublet, and for the most part black Cloak, under it a long big hilted Dagger, with a sharp Knife in his Pocket. No Man here dares go in the Street after 'tis dark, lest any who has a grudge at him should shoot him, or lest he should be taken in the dark for another man. I was told half a Piece of Eight to a Negro would purchase any Man's life. Their Bread is good, and they Eat much of it, as also Poor Jack. They are so biggotted to their own Customs, that the Soldiers before this Governor's time wore Cloaks, but neither himself wears them, nor will he suffer his Guards to put them on. The King has about the tenth part of all Merchants Goods Exported or Imported into this Island, besides something to be paid the Friars. They have here the Inquisition, and are very strict even on Merchants themselves: they compell'd the French Protestants to change their Religion. A ​few Leagues West lies Three or Four small Islands or Rocks, called the Dessarts, which are Till'd by Eight or Nine Men sent from Madera, One of them commanding the rest. The Commander some Years before carrying over his Wife and Daughters, he was kill'd, and they abus'd by the Murderers. They make some red earthen Ware which is very thin and brittle, cooling Water, or whatever is put in them; the Red colour coming likely from the iron lying in the Clay. I saw several pieces of Ore here which seem'd to be very rich in that Metal.
People here having a great Opinion of the Skill of English Physicians, they pray'd the Consul I might come ashore and see those who were were Sick, among others they desir'd my directions in the following Cases.
A Clergy-Man of about Thirty Five or Forty Years of Age, had some while before been shot at by a mistake in the Night, by some who took him for one they ow'd some Prejudice to; the Gun was loaded with small Shot, which lighted about his Temples, he told me from that time he began to lose the sight of one Eye, till it was a while after entirely gone, and a Cataract (which I saw) grown in it; the other Eye, (which is usual, when one is hurt) Observations of the Diseases of Madera. decaying so much that he could scarce see any thing with it. I told him, I thought this might have been remedied if at first they had taken out the small Shot, which in all likelyhood had weakned the Eye, made a small breach or (lying near it) Compression of the Optick Nerve, by that means hindering the passage of the Images of Objects from the Eye into the Brain; but that now there seem'd to be no Remedies left, but to let some small quantity of Blood, Purge with Pil. Coch. and use Millepedes in great quantities for a good time, with a White Vitriol Water, outwardly dropt on the Eye, to eat away the Films as much as might be.
Many here had been very severely Clap'd, several of which (by means of an ill-manag'd or protracted Cure) had been troubled with Caruncles and Carnosities, and now had great pain in making Water, and a Stillicidium Urinæ, so that they were forc'd to have dry Napkins applied to keep them from being wetted and Excoriation. These last Symptoms were common to those likewise who had their Carnosities eaten out of the Urethra, and cur'd; but violent pains in making Water remaining, (for which most part of the famous Physicians of Europe had been consulted without success.) I advised them to foment outwardly, to use inwardly large quantities of Decoctions of Mallows, Marsh-mallows, and other such Emollient and Anodyne things, to Emulsions and other temperers of heated sharp Urine, and to Gum Arabick powdered and taken in very large quantities.
I was desir'd by the Abbess of the Nunnery of the Order of Santa Clara to come to that Monastery, and give my Opinion concerning some under her care, who were Sick. I was brought first into a Room where one lay abed, and the others retiring she shew'd me a small Tumour upon the Os Pubis, it had a small blackish spot on the Head, and was very hard, she found very little pain in it at most times, but at others when she used to be purged by her Catamenia, she had most intolerable trouble there, and a great Menstum Fluxus out of that Speck, with very huge pain. There was no Livid Veins, nor any sign of a confirm'd Cancer, but concluding it to be very much inclining that way, I desired them in the first place to abstain very religiously from all outward Applications, especially hot smelling Plaisters, which they told me had done her very much prejudice, I advised her next to a Steel Course, and some opening Medicines, as decoct. Amar. Milleped. easie Purges, &c. as the way to open Obstructions, sweeten the Blood, and send it the right way, but what success they had I know not.
​Although this Climate be very hot, some of these were troubled with true Consumptions, for which I ordered them some easie Opiates, and other Medicines. I have observed the same Disease about Montpelier, amongst the the Inhabitants of that place, though the Air be esteemed a Remedy for it.
But the greatest part of the Patients I had in this place were troubled with Chlorosis, a great many of them from their Single, Melancholy, and Sedentary Life, want of due and proper Exercise, &c. Falling into several kinds of several kinds of Diseases, bringing along with them variety of Symptoms, according to the different parts of the Body on which they fell, for their Blood wanting those Evacuations Nature design'd them; it is easie to imagine to what ill Circumstances in some time they may be brought. I generally for this ordered them first bleeding, thereby to avoid the danger there might be from too much Blood, it generally abounding in Persons thus Diseased, and then after some Vomits, or bitter easie Purgers, prescribed a Steel Course, with Exercise. Thus having seen most of those Sick in this place, I went away after having received a very handsome and neat Treat of Fruits, Sweet-Meats, &c. both the Preserves and Furniture of the Room being of the Nuns own Work, than which I never yet saw any thing of their kinds so pretty.
As for the Birds of this Island, those I saw were,
Of the Birds of Madera.Phasianus, or the Pheasant.
Perdix Ruffa, Aldrov. The Red-legg'd Partridge, which is in most parts of Africa, and some about Montpelier, and in Italy.
Merula Vulgaris, or the Common Black-Bird, all three to be met with in Europe.
Passer Canariensis, or the Canary-Bird of Boile of Air, 178. Paxaros de Canaria de Lopez de Gomara, cap. 224. Canary-Birds of Galvanos, Port. Chron. Purchas. 1673. They are here in the Fields in Flocks, sitting on the ripe-headed Thistles and Plants, feeding on their Seeds, and making a noise not unlike, but much pleasanter than our Sparrows. These Birds are brought into Europe in great quantites, and sold for Singing-Birds to be kept in Cages, but those of these Islands are so much accustomed to the heat of the Climate, that they do not thrive so well as such which breed and are sent into England for that purpose from Switzerland.
Wild Peacocks and Pigeons were here caught in abundance with Perches at first, Cadam. 105. And Peacocks are to be found now wild in some parts of the Continent of Africa.
The Plants I gathered, or saw in the Fields, were these.
Of the Plants of Madera.Oleastri Species ut quidam putant, ut alii Zizyphus alba. Gesn. hort. Germ. fol. 269. Olea Sylvestris folio molli incano, C.B. Pin. p. 472. Zizyphus Cappadocia quibusdam, olea Bohemica, J.B. Oliva Bohemica sive Eleagnos, Math. ed. Bauh. p. 174. Lugd. p. 111.
Lapathum pulchrum Bononiense sinuatum, J.B. Fidle Dock.
Fasminum tertium seu humilius magno flore, C.B. p. 398. Catalonicum. Park. Parad.
Arum maximum Ægyptiacum, quod vulgo Colocasia, C.B. Pin. p. 195. This is here planted by River sides in great quantities for the Roots sake, which is eaten, and very much esteemed, the leaves being good for nothing but to wrap up things in.
Arundo Donax sive Cypria Dod. p. 602. Arundo domestica Matth. Δὸναξ. Donax sativa nostras, Adv. Lob. & Pen. p. 27. Lugd. p. 999. Arundo secunda sativa seu Donax Dioscoridis & Theophrast, C.B. Pin. p. 17. Arundo Quarta aquatica quæ Donax vocatur, Lon. fol. 173. Arundo vel harundo magna ​textoribus experta Gesn. Hort. Ger fol. 248. The great Spanish or Cyprus Reed and Cane.
Ruta quarta seu ruta silvestris minor, C.B. Pin. p. 336. Ruta sylvestris per omnia similis Hortensi sed undiquaque minor, Gesn. Hort. Germ. fol. 277. Rutula sylvestris Pena & Lobelii, Lugd. p. 973. Ruta sylvestris tennifolia, C.B. Not. Math. p. 541. Ruta sylvestris Lob. Ruta sylvestris minim. Dod. p. 120. Sylvestris montana ruta, Bod. à Stapel not. in Theoph. p. 798. Ruta sylvestris. Trag. p. 69.
Hypericon minus. Dod. p. 75. Hypericon exiguum, Trag. p. 74. Hypericum quintum seu minus supinum, vel supinum glabrum, C.B. Pin. p. 279. Supinum glabrum, Ger. Hypericum minimum Septentrionalium. Bod. à Stapel not. in Theophrast. p. 1050. The least trailing St. John's Wort.
Muscus marinus plumiformis ramulis & foliis densissimis capillaceis. Cat. pl. Jam. p. 6.Tab. 2. Fig. 1 This from a broad base sticking to Stones, or other Solids at the bottom of the Sea, rises to be about three Inches high, being divided into several Branches, and they into Twigs, which were subdivided into smaller Branches, set with long round short Leaves, no bigger than Hairs, coming out of opposite sides of the middle Rib or Stalk, of a glue or dark yellowish colour, which did not crackle under the Teeth; they look just like Feathers, and were more thick branch'd and set with Twigs than any of the Abies-Marina-Belgica Kind I ever saw.
I found this thrown up by the Waves on the Shore of the Island of Madera, near the Town of Funchal.
Lenticula palustris sexta vel Ægyptiaca, sive stratiotes aquatica foliis sedo majore latioribus, C.B. pin. p. 362. For the synonimous names of this Plant, as of the others here mentioned, I refer the Reader to my Catalogue of Jamaica Plants, p. 11. to which he may subjoin Lenticula palustris ex insula Jamaicæ, sedi arborescentis folio subrotundo molli. Plukenet. Alm. p. 401.
I found this Plant either in the Island of Madera or Barbados floating onTab. 2. Fig. 2 the Water, having several Capillary brown Fibres for its Roots, and appearing Nerves on the upper sides of the Leaves, which because, it seems to differ very little from that of Alpinus, this being not Hirsute, I take to be the same, and his differing from that of Veslingius but in little, I think them not to be two Plants.
It is used for the same Diseases as Plantain, either outwardly or inwardly in Juice or the Powder to a Drachm.
Because there is no account of the Seeds of this, or whether it has any or no, I think this a more proper name for it than that of Stratiotes.
Hemionitis Asari folio, Cat. pl Jam. p. 14. Filix hemionitis dicta Maderensis, pediculis splendentibus nigris, crenatis foliis Asari rotundioribus crenarum segmentis oblongo quadratis ob semina adnascentia per ambitum circumcirca reflexis, Plukenet. Alm. p. 155. Tab. 287, Fig. 5.
The Root of this most elegant Plant was made up of many brown Fibrils, which towards the Surface of the Earth were covered with a Ferrugineous Down, the Stalks were many from the same Root, blackish, round and shining, about seven Inches high, on the top of which was a round Leaf, exactly like that of Asarum, about two Inches Diameter, having Veins running from the top of the Foot-Stalk as from a common Centre through the Leaf, which was of the consistence of Hemionitis or Lingua Cervina. Round the edges on the under-side lay the Seed in a Welt, being Ferrugineous, as of other Ferns, and making the Leaf appear as if it were indented.
It was brought from Madera to Dr. William Sherard, by one sent to that Island in search of Plants for Sir Author Rawdon, and by him given me.
Lonchitis aspera Maranthæ, J.B. Raii Hist. p. 139.
​Adiantum ramosum majus, foliis seu pinnulis tenuibus longis profunde laciniatis obtusis, Cat. pl. Jam p. 22. An Filix ramosa Canariensis rutæ murariæ pinnulis angustis, altius incisis, mediæ costæ alternatim alligatis. Plukenet. Almag. p. 156. Tab. 291. Fig. 2?
Tab. 2. Fig. 3.This rises to be a Foot and a half, or two Foot high, having a reddish pale brown Stalk, cornered in the inside, and round on the other, at Nine Inches or a Foots distance from the Ground branch'd; those Branches undermost, or next the Root, being the largest about a Foot long having their Twigs, on which stand the Pinnulæ or Leaves alternatively, they being long, thin, pale green coloured, and divided into long blunt narrow Sections or incisures, by several very deep Laciniæ.
It grew in the Island of Madera, about half a Mile beyond the Town of Funchal, by a Road side going towards the Mountain.
Gramen paniceum spica simplici lævi. Raii Hist.
Gramen dactylon Siculum multiplici panicula spicis ab eodem exortu geminis. Raii Hist. p. 1271. Plukenet. Tab. 92. Fig. 1.
Gramen tremulum maximum. C.B. Raii Hist. p. 1274.
Gramen miliaceum angustifolium altum locustis minimis, Cat. pl. Jam. p. 35. An Gramen montanum panicula miliacea sparsa. C.B. prod. p. 17? pin. p. 8? Theat. bot. p. 131?
Tab. 2. Fig. 4.This had a round small hard green Stalk or Culmus, frequently jointed, at each joint, having three or four Inches long narrow grassie Leaves, and rising to be four or five Foot high, the Panicle was about six Inches long. The little Twigs or Strings going out of the upper part of the Culmus, and to which the Locustæ were fastened were about two inches long, taking their beginning from the same part of the Stalk, standing round about like so many Rays from the Centre, at about an Inch distance more or less from one another after the manner of Oats. The Locustæ were not Scaly, but standing singly by one another, being many and small, having within clay-coloured Glumæ or Chaff, one shining roundish small Seed, like that of Millet. This same Plant which grew of Italian Seed in Oxford Garden, being given by Dr. Sherard, who found it in Italy, to Mr. Bobart, was much larger by Culture, than the same Wild.
Gramen avenaceum, panicula minus sparsa, cujus singula grana, tres aristas longissimas habent, Cat. pl. Jam. p. 35.
This Grass had a Panicle of about six Inches long, not very sparse, when ripe of a reddish yellow colour, the Spikes were placed alternatively at long Tab. 2. Fig. 5. and 6.Intervals, and had set on them by small Foot-stalks several very long Grains, each of which had on their uppermost ends three very long Aristæ, by which it may be sufficiently distinguish'd; the Glumæ were of the same colour with the Panicle, and not awned: the Spikes were not many in number,
Urtica, caule lignoso, foliis tenuioribus atrovirentibus, Cat. pl. Jam. p. 38. An urtica urens ramosa Lusitanica Comm. Cat. Amst. p. 369.
This had an upright corner'd woody Stem, solid, and having a Fungous Pith, being cover'd with a smooth reddish brown Bark, rising two or three Foot high, having Joints and Branches set opposite to one another, on which stand likewise opposite to one another at the Joints the Leaves on three quarters of an Inch long, Foot-stalks. They are very thick set with burning small Prickles, being Inch long, and three quarters broad at round base where broadest, from whence they decrease to their ends, being very much cut in, on the edges thin, and of a dark green colour.
This (which comes so very near the Urtica urens minor, C.B. that I doubt if it differ any otherways than in its Stature and Duration from it) found on the Madera Island, near the Town of Funchal.
​Persicaria procumbens longissima, angustifolia, non maculosa, spica longiori, laxiori & graciliori. Cat. pl. Jam. p. 48.
The Root of this Plant has several Protuberancies here and there, as also great numbers of redish Brown Strings or Filaments scattered up and down Tab. 3. Fig. 1. in the muddy ground. The Stalks are spread round, trailing on the Surface of the Earth for about four Foot in length, they are round, redish, smooth, jointed at every Inches interval, having a swelling at every joint, and near the top one Leaf, exactly like that of the ordinary Hydropiper, only much narrower and longer; the Flowers stand on Foot-stalks, ex alis fol. and on the tops of the Branches, like those of the ordinary Arsmart, only they are not so closely put together, but more lax and slender, and to them follows in a green Husk a small shining black Seed angular, and having two prickly ends, very like to the Persicaria pusilla repens. Ger. emac. only the Stalks are much longer.
It grows in the Island of Madera, in a Rivers Bank, half a Mile beyond the Town of Funchal towards the Mountain, and in low Banks of the Rio Cobre, &c. very Copiously.
Blitum vulgare minus surrectum. Munt. pl. cult. p. 291. An Blitum Virginianum Polyspermon erectum viride D. Sherard, Plukenet. Alm. p. 68?
The other Synonyma of this Plant, and of the rest hereafter mention'd may be seen in my Catalogue of Jamaica Plants.
I found it in the Madera Island near the Town of Funchal, and it differed Tab. 3. Fig. 2. in nothing from the ordinary wild small white Blite, only it seemed to be more erect.
Psyllium majus erectum, C.B. J.B. Raii Hist. p. 881.
Convolvulus altheæ foliis Clus. rar. pl. hift. lib. 4. p. 49.
I found this plentifully in Madera Island near the Town of Funchal.
It is good to cure Wounds, Clus.
Salvia major, folio glauco, serrato. Cat pl. Jam. p. 64.
This hath square whitish or glaucous Stalks, rising two or three Foot Tab. 3. Fig. 3. high, having two Leaves standing opposite to one another; on Inch Footstalks, being two Inches long, and one broad near the Base where broadest, being cut in very deep on the edges, of a dirty green colour on the upperside, and very white underneath, having one middle, and several transverse Ribs.
It grew near Funchal in the Island Madera, where I gather'd it without Flowers or Seed, so that I am not able to determine its Family; perhaps it may be a Marrubium nigrum, or of some other kind.
Horminum luteum glutinosum, C.B. Raii Hist. p. 547. Colus Jovis Ger. p. 769.
Origanum spicis latioribus. Cat. pl. Jam. p. 65. An origanum Maderense nostrati simile odoratius capitulis albicantibus Pluken. Alm. p. 278?
I found this wild in Madera Island; it has very broad Spikes in which it seems chiefly to differ from Origanum vulgare.
Hedera terrestris. Cæsalp. p. 453.
I found this in the Island Madera near the Town of Funchal.
They use to Boil it in their Flesh Broths in Germany, Cord.
Trifolium bituminosum seu trifolium cæruleum aut violaceum bitumen redolens. Moris. Hist. pl. part. 2. p. 136.
I found it in the Island Madera. The Seed from Italy, in Germany produces one with the smell and tast, but the Seed of the German Sown has neither tast nor smell, C.B.
Fumaria quinta seu lutea, C.B. pin. p. 143.
Genistella tinctoria Ger. p. 1316.
Scorpioides bupleuri folio, C.B. Raii p. 931.
Cicer sativum, C.B. Raii Hist. p. 917.
​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/190 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/191 ​Myrtus septima seu sylvestris foliis acutissimis, C. B pin. p. 469.
I found this very plentifully growing wild in the Hedges by the waysides in the Island of Madera. This is used for Currying Leather, as Rhus or Lentisk, Cusalp. The ripe Berries are used for Sauce, Math. Before Pepper was found, as Pliny tells us, the Fruit of this was made use of in its place.
Lycium folio oblongo, ferrato acuminaito spinis minoribus armatum. Cat. pl. Jam. p. 171. This seemed to differ very little from the common Lycium, only the Tab.5. Fig.4. Leaves were longer, serrated, and pointed, and the Prickles were not so large.
Palma prunifera foliis yuccae, fructu in racemis congestis cerasi formi, duro, cinereo, pisi magnitudine, cujus lachryma sanguis draconis est dicta. Comm. cat. Amst. p. 260. An Dragon-Tree of Dampier, cap. 16?
I found this in the island of Madera in the Hedges very plentifully though not very large. It is found in the Island Socotora, Borneo, Canaries, Madagascar, and (Aluise de cadamosto ap. Ramn. pr. vol. p. 105) at Porto Santo. where they cut the Trees at the Feet, and next Year find the Gum, which they Defecate in Water by Boiling and Purging. The Fruit is Yellow and Ripe in March, and good to Eat. The tree is pierced near the bottom, and so yields the Gum. The Fruit Cools and Alters, and is proper in Fevers. Cinaber du Dioscorid. Thevet
It is adulterated with Rubrica and Colophony. Caesalp.
Lobels Leaf is the Spatha in all likelihood. Lugd.
The Gum is used by Goldsmiths for a Foile and Enamel, and by Glasiers for colouring Glass, Park.
It is used to strengthen the Gums and Teeth, in the bloody Excretions, Fluxes etc. Jonst.
Opuntia maxima, foliis majoribus crassioribus & atrovirentibus, spinus minoribus & paucioribus obsitis.
Cat. pl. Jam. p. 195. An ficus Indica seu opuntia maxima, folio spinosa latissimo & longissimo. Herm. cat. pl. p. 243?
This Indian Fig was in every part exactly the same with the Common, only each Leaf was broader, thicker, of a darker green colour, and not so prickly, having a very few white, short Prickles; and sometimes only it is not quite so free of Prickles as that.
It grows in a Gully near the Town of Funchal in Madera, and in the Canaries. On Sunday 23. Having taken Wines and some fresh Provisions on Board, we weighed Anchor and set Sail, we having little Wind; two days after we saw the Body of the Island, being about Twenty five Leagues, or Seventy five Miles from us, and then we first took Dolphins with Fisgigs, or sharp arrow-headed or bearded Irons, fitted with Poles of about Ten Foot long, Lead for the more convenient striking them, and a Rope or Line tied to them to hold the Fisgig, which is shot at them by the strength of Hand when they come within reach of those waiting for them, usually on some of the Yard-Arms, Beak-Head, or Poop; in which fishing the great matter seems to be to allow for the refraction of the Water. They were laid in wait for not only so, but likewise with Lines and Hooks, which were hung out baited with Rags in the shape of flying Fish, and so adjusted as to hang sometimes to touch the Water, at others not, according to the Waves, thereby imitating the Flying-Fish, which the Dolphins pursue with great greediness. Dolphins are reckoned the swiftest Swimmers that are, their Bodies being contrived for that purpose there is as much pleasure in seeing them pursue the Flying-Fish, as in Hunting or Hawking, the Flying-Fish geting out of the Water, where the Dolphins cannot ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/193 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/194 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/195 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/196 ​We were now in very hot weather, which fhow'd its felf on every one, not only by Sweating, but by their breaking out all over into little Whales, Pimples, or Puftles, (which is ordinary in other places of the fame Lati- tudes.<ref>Great heat in Monomotapa occasions Pushes to come out, Dos Sanct Purchas, p.1556. ) This befides its unfeemlinefs in difcolouring the Skin, which was very Red, was very troubleſome by itching, and this last symptom was chiefly about the Back Bone, though sometimes these reddish Pustles co- vered the whole Body, and at other times they were as it were all ga- thered into one small Carbuncle, very uneasie and painful, and such an one I my self had, on the side of my Hand. I did not at all doubt but that these Eruptions were the effect of the Sun Beams, which throwing in- to our blood some fiery parts, put it into a brisker motion, whereby it was purg'd of those Heterogeneous and unaccustom'd Particles it had from the warm Sun, and perhaps by that fermentation was likewise clear'd of some other parts might be hurtful to it, and therefore instead of prescribing a Re- medy for its Cure, I told those who importun'd me, that I thought this Distemper was the greatest advantage they could have, and that this was the effect of the change of Climate, and a proper seasoning, and what might secure them from future Sickness by purging the Blood from hot and sharp parts, and rather than check it, wish'd them to help the expulsion with a little Flos Sulphuris or any other innocent Diaphoretick. If their Humour was to be com-
Of the changes in the Blood from the alteration of the Climate.
plied with, Bleeding firſt, and then Purging were infallible Remedies, which by cooling the Blood, diminiſhing its quantity, and at the ſame time making an irritation on the Glands in the Guts, caufes the Humour to come that way, fo in fome meafure by artifice fupplying the natural Evacuation by the Skin. But becauſe the other was Natural, and this Artificial, and not fo certain nor fafe, I was conftantly for the firft. Here were grounds to admire the contri- vance of our Blood, which, on fome occafions, fo foon as any thing de- ftructive to the Conftitution of it, comes into it, immediately by an Inte- ftine Commotion endeavours to thruft it forth, and is not only freed from the new Gueft, but fometimes likewife what may have lain lurking therein (occafioning fmall difturbances without breaking out into any violent Difeafe) for a great while. And from hence it comes that moft part of Medicines when they are duly adminiftred in fuch cafes are, not only fent out of the Body themſelves, but likewife great quantities of Morbific Matter, as may appear very plainly in Salivation, where not only the Mercury, but like- wife all the Humours caufing thofe dreadful Pains, Ulcers and Diſorders, are fpit out together with it by the help of the Bloods Fermentation. If it be here objected that the Sun Beams are too fpiritual and cannot be thought to be fo poyfonous: I anſwer, that it is certain the Sun Beams when concen- tred will do by a Burning Glafs moft, if not every thing, can be done by a Fire, which every Chymift knows will not only add to Lead, and fome other Bodies, thofe Particles that will weigh in a Balance, and that very confider- ably; but likewife will make fuch a change in Mercury barely Precipitated by it, as to make it almoft as great a Poifon as is commonly known.
Of other signs of the alteration of the Climates. This alteration of the Climate was discovered likewise by the very great and sudden Putrefaction of Urine, which in some few Hours would stink intollerably, and all other Fermenting Liquors would Sour immediately : Flesh, and all other Aliments would Corrupt and Spoil likewise in a little time: Tallow Candles would scarce be able to stand upright, and Butter would be of the same Consistence as if half melted over a Fire in England.
It is a commonly received Opinion by some Ingenious Men that Lice dye. on change of the Winds from being variable to be constant, or passing the Equator; and that to the South of the Tropick of Cancer are none to be found, but this notion is certainly falfe ;Of Lice in the Torrid Zone. for although I think the great Sweatings, and little Apparel of the Inhabitants and Travellers in the Torrid Zone, ​occasion less disturbance from this sort of Vermine, yet I am certain both Indians, Moors, and Europeans, who live there are subject to them, though they be not in so great plently as in more Northerly Countries where the Inhabitants Sweat less, and go better Cloathed, in the Plies of which Apparel these Creatures find good shelter. I cannot on this occasion pass by a Matter of Curiosity relating to the Plica Polonica, a strange Diseafe frequent in Poland, which comes from the intangling many Locks of the Hair, and has very odd Symptoms attend it, one of which is, that on cutting of it off, it endangers the Person who had it. There are several Opinions about it, but many believe it to be only the effect of Laziness, and not Combing the Hair; I am very apt to believe this, because Dr. Connor gave me some of the Plica he cut off a Person in Poland, in which was an innumerable quantity of Lice and Nits lodged amongst, and at the bottom of the Hair. 'Tis very odd that when these Locks are cut off they should grow sickly, but it may be this way easily answered, that carrying off so much humor, or being a Nesst for so many Lice, they do something like a Pea in an Issue, discharge the Blood, which when it is cut off is no longer done. That Lice constantly suck the Blood is certain from Persons Fluxed whose Blood is no sooner impregnated with Mercury than all these kind of Vermine swell, drop off, and dye.
When we came near to the Tropick we were call'd upon for our Tropick-Money, that is to say, we who had never before crossed that Line to the South, must now give either so much Money, as by the usage of Seamen we shall be tax'd, to make them Drink, or be duck'd thrice into the Sea from the Yard Arm, we chose rather the first, and so were free.
The sixth Day was taken a Fish which was thought to be a Barracooda, but was not so, it was taken with a Flying-Fish Bait, such as are made use of for Boneto's. I called it Serpens Marinus, compressus, lividus.
This Fish was three Foot feven Inches long, an Inch and a half broad near the Head, where broadest, having a long Head, sharp, or ending in a point, with the Mandibles Prominent, in which were many Teeth in each of the Jaws, very fharp and threatning, the Under Jaw was longer than the Tab.1. Fig.2. Upper, and ended in a Callous Substance, the Tongue was bony, and shap'd like an Arrow-Head, the Gills very red: its Eyes were round of an Inch Diameter: it had two Fins at the Gills, one long one all over the Back, and one from the Anus wav'd towards the Tail, which was forked, it was all over smooth without Scales, of a Livid colour, and its flesh was full of Bones. Its Efophagus, if any, was very fhort, its Ventricle fill'd with small Fish like Anchovies. The Guts had one or two Circumvolutions. The Cæcum was very long, extending its self to the Anus, and fill'd with the Contents of the Stomach, its Diaphragme Membranous: its Liver large, with a Gall-Bladder, containing in it watery Gall. There were under the Guts two long Bodies went to the Anus, which I take to be the Kidnies: It had in it two forts of Worms, the one round and Cristalline, the other long, rowling themselves spirally like a Snail.
This Fish was taken about the Tropick of Cancer, with a Bait, such as is used for Dolphins and Boneto's, viz. a flying-Fish, or Hook dressed like it. It was a great dispute among the Seamen whether it should be eaten or not, most People saying its Livid colour was a sufficient Argument against it; but this is no manner of Reason, for Fishes much Swarthier are eaten in many places. One who had been a Privateer, and in the South-Seas, where sometimes they had hard Fare, and met with new kinds of Fishes, assured us, that in such Disputes they usually tasted the Heart, which if sweet they thought a good Argument for the use of them in Victuals, if not, they were usually rejected as poisonous, how far true my Relator must answer, for my part I believe it as little as the former: but there is a very good Reason to ​object against the eating of a new Fish in the West-Indies, for there are certainly some of them, which if eaten, prove poisonous at some seasons of the Year, at least many People have told me so.
If this be the Fish spoke of by Lact, p. 27. where he calls it Piscis congro forma similis venenatus; he says 'twas venemous both to Dutch and English.
After two or three days Calm, being carried Weft with rouling Seas, on the Sixth we had about the Tropick a small North-Easterly Gale, which began low, rising by degrees till it came to a pretty strong Wind, and was fixed for a while between North and East, being concluded by the Seamen to be the Trade-Wind, which blows not always from the fame Point, but generally on the North-side of the Equinoctial within this Tropick; in this Sea it blows Of the Trade-Wind. between North and East, though at several times of the Year 'tis ufually more Southerly or Northerly according to the Suns place in the Zodiack. Neither does this Trade-Wind keep the same Point, but varies every hour, though those two Points are uſually the utmost bounds: neither is the Trade-Wind constantly of the same vehemence, but sometimes blows very hard, though rarely Stormy; and at other times very easie, though seldom Calm. There is very seldom Rain with this Wind, though when it comes the Drops are thick, and it is violent. The Weather here was generally clear, though sometimes Hazy, especially about the Horizon, the Zenith being seldom over-clouded.
We had feveral days without any remarkable matter happening, save that flying-Fishes were here very frequent: the Description and Figure of which is common in most Natural Hiſtorians, therefore I shall not say more, only that it is a kind of Herring with very large Fins, with which it can fly some time Of Flying-Fishes. in the Air when pursued by Dolphins, Boneto's, &c. and that it is taken notice of by Voyagers, and Natural Historians as follows, to me it seems to deserve the name of Harengus Alatus.
Flying-Fishes of Cocks. Purchas, 398. Of Best. ib. p. 466. Purchas, 37. Pesci Rondini di Col. f. 32. Hirundo Salviani, p. 185. Volatiles Pisces, Laet. p. 572. Bokery, a Flying-Fish of Duddeley, 576. Hirundo, Bellon, p. 193. Mugil Alatus Rondelet. p. 267. Fernand. p. 87. Flying-Fidhes of Cliffe, Hakl. part. 3. p. 750. Of Ligon. p. 4. Of Terry, p. 11. Hirundo Salviani, quoad iconem. Willughby, Tab. p. 4. Poissons Volans de Cauche, p. 140. De Lambert. p.42. Abbeville, p. 30, 31. Peces que bolan Lop. de Gom. cap. 91. Pirabebe 2. Pison. ed. 1658. p. 61. Flying-Fishes of an Anonymus, Portugal in Brasile, Purchas, lib. 7. cap. I. p. 1314. Of Mandelslo, p. 196. and 211. Of Hawkins Hakl. p. 520. Sir Rich. Hawkins, p. 42. Of Drake, p. 732. Hakl. p. 3. Of John Davis, Purchas, 132. Of Layfield, ib. 1157. Poissons Volans de Rochef. p. 183. de Du Tertre, 212. de Feynes, p. 205. Du Molinet. p. 205. Du Pyrard. de la Val. p. 6. Linfehot. Descr. Pescados Boladores, de Oviedo, lib. 13. cap. 2. and cap. 5. Volatori ejusd. sum, p. 132. who is of Opinion they are not the Golondrinos of the Spanish Seas, at least he saw them not in those Seas; they fly Two hundred Paces, and when their Fins are dry fall down. They fly sometimes on one, sometimes on the other side: and are pursued and taken by Giltheads, and out of the Water by Sea Mews and Cormorants, id. sum.
They came on Board our Ship every where between the Tropicks, flying out of the Water and lighting thereon by accident. They are very good Victuals, tasting like a Fresh-Herring They are common in most parts of the East and West-Indies; in Japan, and the Isles Ladrones, where they are eaten. They are sometimes more in one place of the Sea than another, for Oviedo who cross'd the Seas many times to the West-Indies, tells us that the Seas are like Provinces, some are Fertile in Fishes, others not, according to the Winds.
​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/200 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/201 ​member it was likely they had come Originally from Barbary. Those who have a mind to consult Authors about them may see, among others these who discourse of them under the following Names, viz.
Locuste Rosse and Gjalle di Cadamosto, f. 17. and 109. Grashoppers of Escarbot. Nova Francia, 210. Of Giros. Purchas, 1425. Of Jo. Dos Sanctos, ib. 1554. Locusts of Schnirdel. Purchas, p. 1359. Ludolf. cap. 10. lib. 1. vers. 16. Comm. 1. 96. p. 168. Numb. 11. 31. Selaw, Coturnix or Quails. Juan de Barros, lib. 1. Decad. 2. p. 16.
When we came into 13°. 10′. Lat. we went due Wedt for Barbados, which is the way not to miss it, because Sailers being sure of the Latitude by Observation they keep in it least they should run by the Island, which being very low Land, and so consequently not visible far off at Sea, may be easily overrun by unwary Seamen. We saw here several Tropick-Birds, and Men of War Birds, the last of which is mentioned by the following Writers.
Caripira de Lact. lib. 15. cap. 13. p. 575. Caripira forked Tails, bringing news of Ships, Anonymus Port. Purchas, p. 1317. Coda inforcata, that is the forked Tail. Ovied.fum. p. 202. An Sea-Mews or Cormorants, Ejusd. ib. p.214? Birds which the Portuguese call Garayos, or Rabos forcados, with Tails like a Taylor's Shears, of Mandelslo, p. 196. Rabi horcados todos Negros, de Oviedo, lib. 14. cap. I. Rabi forcati. Ej. ap. Ramnus, p. 161. Fregattes de Raveneau de Luffan. p. 116. and 218. who observed them at Villia and Guatulco, a Rock in the South-Seas. Fregattes entierement Noirs, Roches, p. 164. Rabi-horcado Hernandez. Birds attending the rising of Flying-Fishes of Ligon, p. 4. Rabo-forcado, and Rabi-horcado, Clus. exot. p. 107. Oyseaux faisans la Chasse aux Poissons. d' Abbeville, p. 52. Fourcades, Ejusd. p. 53? aves furcatæ Laet. p. 601. Fregattes du Tertre, p. 269. Ciseaux de Consturier de Cauche, p. 133. Aves dictæ Rabos forcados, canda bifurcata, Aldrov.Ornith. tom. 3. p. 544. Sea-Fowl chasing the Flying-Fish of Hawkins, Hakl. p. 520. A Man of War of Ligon. p. 61. Of Jo. Davis Purchas, 132.
Of Men of War-Birds This Bird seems very large, bigger than a Kite, and Black; they fly like Kites very high, and often appear immoveable over the water, to wait for, of Men of and catch small Fish appearing on its Surface; they are sharp winged, and War-Birds. their Tail is forked. When Flying-Fishes are persecuted under water by Dolphins, Bonitos, &c. They rise and fly for some space in the Air, and are often devoured by these Birds in that time.
We saw them first when we came near Barbados. The Sailers guess themselves not many days, or about Two hundred Leagues off the Islands when they say them first, and it is wonder'd at how they can direct their Course to the Land at Nights, being so far distant, it seems no very strange matter, because they are very high in the Air, and can see Land much farther then those on the Deck or Top-Mast of a Ship. The Reaſon of their flying so high may be to have a greater Field before them, for Prey, because they may go where they see the Dolphins follow or hunt the Flying Fishes.
They are commonly thought in the West-Indies to foretel the coming in of Ships, for when they see a Man of War-Bird come into their Ports, they reckon Ships will soon follow, and 'tis very often true, for they love to Fish in not very rough Weather, fo that when it blows hard at Sea they come into the Ports and Bays to Fish, where the Wind is broken off by the Land, and the same Wind blowing them in, brings in the Shipping after them.
Where are more of these in the firm Land of America than in the Isles. The Indians of Cuera say the Axungia or Fat of them is very good for taking out Cicatrices and marks, and for the withering of Arms or Legs, and other Diseases. One of these Birds at Panama coming to take Sardinas that were a curing in the Sun a Negro broke his Wing with a Stick he had in his Hand; the Body after it was clear of its Feathers was little bigger than a Pigeon. The ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/203 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/204 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/205 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/206 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/207 ​Boats in that Country. Bull-rushes are now used by some for floating Bodies.
Cyperus maximus paniculâ minus sparsa ferrugineâ capitalis compactis crassioribus.Cat. pl. Jam. p. 35.
This has a great many rough three-cornered grassy cutting Leaves, about three Foot long, and near an Inch broad at Root where broadest, and whence they decrease, ending in a point, and all of them make a large tuft round the Surface of the Earth where it grows. From among the middle of them rise three-cornered Stalks as big as ones Finger, solid, and filled with a rushy fungous Pith, Tab. 9. about three Foot high, on the top of the Stalks under the Spikes, stand two Foot long Leaves, tho there are many others shorter, being of like make with the Leaves at bottom. Above these stand several Spikes on several three-cornered Petioli of divesfe lengths, as in others of this kind, the longest being of Six Inches, and some of them being branched into Two or Three other Petioli, all of which have some Ferrugineous scaly, round, pointed Apices, or smaller Spikes, made up of Ferrugineous Scales lying on one another, sticking close to the tops of the Petioli which make the Panicle. The Seed is brownish, red, shining and Triangular.
It grew near Bridgetown in Barbados.
Gramen cyperoides panicula conglomerata è plurimis spicis cinereis constante. Cat. pl. Fam. p. 36.
Tab. 10. Fig. 1. This had a roundish Tuberous Root which had many Fibers as those of a Leek, it was not Odoriferous but covered over with several dry Skins, and from thence rose several Four or Five Inches long, narrow Leaves of a grass green colour, like others of this kind; the Stalk was slender three-cornered, about a Foot and a half high, on the top of which stood several small Spikes clustered together without any Foot-stalks into one Head, each of them being made up of many Gray Scales between which lay roundish edged Seeds of a reddish colour; under this Head or Panicle stood some short Leaves, as in others of this kind.
It grew in Barbados, but where I do not remember.
Ricinus Americanus tenuiter diviso folio Breyn. cent. I. p. 116. Cat. pl. Fam. p. 40. Mansanilla de las avellanas para purgar de Oviede, lib. 10. cap. 4. Ben Magnum Medicorum vulgo Wormmus, p. 187. Avellana Purgatrix, Contant. p. 1. An Castanea purgatrix, Mus. Mosc. p. 254?
Spanish Physick Nuts. I found these in Mr. Draxe's Plantation in Barbados, where they were planted in a Garden they agreed as to every thing with Breynius's Description and Figure; they had Flowers of a fine Scarlet colour.
They were put out of use by Mechoacan, Frag. When Hispaniola was first discovered, the Indians used this much for Purging, then the Spaniards through necessity used the same, not without hazard of Life. They purge Phlegm and Choler violently up and down, their vehemence is taken off with roasting. They are good for the Colick, and they Purge being put into Glysters. Hot in the third, and Dry in the second Degree. Dos. à 3s. ad 3s. Tosted. Oviedos says one was killed in Spain with half of one; and yet Nine did not work in Espaniola: they kill'd several at first, his own Children were almost dead, had they not been vomited with Oil.
The Fruit is an easter Purger than the Common-Physick-Nut, the Flower dryed and powdered, and given to halt a Crown weight purges Hydropick-Water plentifully, Du Tertre.
Convolvulus exoticus annuus foliis myriophylli millefolii aquatici flore sanguineo. Mor. hist. p. 20. Cat. pl. Fam. p. 58.
​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/209 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/210 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/211 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/212 ​a Membrane a thin Pulp, covering a very large and smooth Stone, which is hard, and includes a white Kernel.
It grew every where in the Island of Barbados.
Malus arantia, fructu rotundo maximo pallescente humanum caput excedente. Cat.pl. Fam. p. 112. Vencu Sinensium Martin. Atl. Sinens. Lusitan. Jamboa. Raii hist. plant. p. 1793. Malus Arantia utriusque Indie fructu omnium maximo & suavissimo; Belgis orientalibus Pompelmus, Virginiensibus nostratibus (ab Inventoris nomine qui ex Ind. orient. ad oras Americanas primo transtulit) Shaddocks audiunt.Pluken. Almag. p. 239.
Tab. 12. Fig. 2, 3.
This Tree is in every thing like an Orange-Tree, only larger, the Leaf has a small Leaf before the other larger, as has the ordinary Orange. The Fruit is round as big as a Mans Head. The Rind is yellow and smooth, not thick, and the Pulp is very Aromatick, besides it has sweetish a four Tast. There is a variety or another sort of this with the Pulp and Rind of an Orange colour.
They are planted in Jamaica, and thrive extremely well, though I must confess, I think, that as in Jamaica their China Oranges are better than those in Barbados; so in Barbados their Shaddocks surpass those of Jamaica in goodness.
The Seed of this was first brought to Barbados by one Captain Shaddock, Commander of an East-India Ship, who touch'd at that Island in his Passage to England, and left its Seed there.
of Santa Lucia. After Ten Days stay at Barbados we set Sail, and came the next Morning, December 6. in sight of Santa Lucia. This is inhabited by a small number of of People from Barbados, (within sight of which it lies) who keep it on the account of its Wood, which it has in plenty, and they at Barbados very much want. It has been disputed by the French whether the English were Proprietors of it, or they; but I was told that being in the Possession of the English at the time of the Signing the Treaty of Neutrality with France in 1687. it should remain quietly to them hereafter. I have heard that it abounds with great variety of Serpents.
Of Martinico The same day we had fight of Martinico, by some Matalina, Matinino or Martinino, an Island belonging to the French: called by Columbus Matinino, distant Ten Leagues from Dominica, Col. 195. In 14°. North-Latitude, and 322. Longit. Philips. Hakl. 477. It was the first Plantation the French had in the Caribes, and if I was not misinform'd, the Mother of their other Plantations: the Inhabitants are reckoned Twelve hundred.
of Dominica We came the Seventh in sight of Dominica, which is an Island belonging to the Caribe Indians, who are at present Inhabitants of it. It was discovered in Columbus's Second Voyage to the West Indies, after Twenty Days Sail of Seven hundred and fifty, or Eight hundred Leagues from Gomera, and in Fifteeen Days from the Canaries by Laudoniere. It was so called because discovered on a Sunday It has two Hot Baths in it, and used to afford Refreshment to the English Sailing that way.
Of Guadalupe Afterwards we came in fight of Guadalupe, which is an Island inhabited by the French. It had its Name from S. Maria di Guadalupe, and was discovered November 4. by Christopher Columbus in his Second Voyage.
Of Guada- lupe.
of Monserat On December 8. we came within Thirteen Leagues of Monferrat, fo called from its heighth, and diſcovered in Columbus's Second Voyage: it is not very large. This Island is very well furnished with good Water. It has a River, a small Town, and many Sugar-Works. It has about Two thousand Whites, rat. (mostly Irish,) on it, and is Subject to the English. The Captain-General of the Leeward Caribe Islands, who generally Resides at Nieves, has always the Command of it, and a Deputy-Governor there. They are furnished here with some Money for Traffick ​Of Redondo.Between Monserrat and Nieves lies a very small Island called Redondo or Rotonda, discovered by Columbus in his Second Voyage, who gave it the Name of Santa Maria Rotonda, from its Figure. It consists of one Rock very Perpendicular and high, looking like a Pyramid, and as if there were nothing but Rock; but I was inform'd by those who have been upon it, that there is on its top an Acre or two of very good Ground, that it has a very good Landing Place, and a Well of very good fresh Water. It has also great store of Iguanas of a blackish colour. Many Boobies, and other Birds that come hither to lay their Eggs at proper Seasons.
On Friday the 9th. of December we came to Anchor in Nevis Road, in Seven Fathom Water.
Nieves, sometimes Mevis or Meves, was inhabited in 1628. It Consists of one Mountain of about Four Miles heighth to the top, whence is an easie descent to all parts of the Island; but steepest towards the Town where is the Road. They have neither Springs nor Rivers, but have what Water they make use of from Cisterns receiving the Rain-Water. The Ground is cleared almost to the top of the Hill, where yet remains some Wood, and where are Run-away Negros that harbour themselves in it. There are about Two thousand Inhabitants here, who being gathered together for the Duke of Albemarle to Review, I found more Swarthy, or of a yellowish sickly look, than any of the Inhabitants of these Islands. The Town or Road is well fortified with Batteries, and a Fort. They have little Money, but Buy and Pay with Sugars which are blackish. Their Horses, which are small, as well as many of their Provisions, come from Barbuda, an Island not far distant where Cattle are bred. I went to the top of the Hill to gather Plants, and though it had nor did not Rain at bottom; yet I was taken there in so great Showers that I was wet unto the Skin. There is here an hot Spring affording a constantly running Rivulet of Water, made use of for all purposes as common Water. I found here the following Plants.
Filix arborea ramosa, caudice non diviso, pinnulis angustis raris obsusis integris. Cat. pl. Jam. p. 22.
As to the Trunk, and the manner of its growth (as well as I can remember) this was the same with the Tree Fern of Jamaica, in the whole Face of the Tree and Leaves, resembling a young Tamarind-Tree. The Foot-stalks and middle Ribs of this Trees Leaf were not prickly, but their Stalks smooth, large, and of a reddish green colour: the Branches and Twigs rose out of it alternatively, and the Pinnulæ were blunt, even, not dented about the Edges, and were about half an Inch long, being join'd at bottom to the Twig, but having a defect between them because of their narrowness. The Pinnulæ were of a dark green colour, and pretty thick.
This I gathered in the Mountain which makes the Island of Nieves, towards the top, in a Gully where it grew very plentifully.
Gramen dactylon bicorne tomentosum maximum, spicis numerosissimis. Cat. pl. Jam. p. 33.
This has many strong Thongs, or large white Filaments, which are Two or Three Inches long tapering, and taking firm hold of the Earth. The Stalk rises Three, Four, or Five Foot high, and has at bottom many Leaves enclosing it, and one another, after the manner of some of the Cyperus-Grasses;Tab. 14. each of them being Two Foot long, with a sharp Back, being harsh, narrow, and something like those of the Cyperus-Grasses. The Stalk is streight, round, pale green, as big as a Goose-Quill, made up of Four or Five Joints, the spaces between them being covered with a Leaf, from the uppermost of which towards the top go Twenty, Twenty four, or a great many Petioli or Foot-stalks jointed, and from whose Joints go other smaller Petioli, making in all, both a little under, and at the top itself, a vast number of Pannicles, each of ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/215 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/216 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/217 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/218 ​Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/219
* ↑ Col. 93.
* ↑ Sir Anthony Shirley, 599. Purchas.
* ↑ Col. f. 97.
* ↑ Col. 97.
* ↑ Harcourt. Smith.
* ↑ Laet. 26′. Of Nieves.