Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-23
LEAF FROM THE PAST.
What was Told of Florida Five GeA-
eratfous Ago.
From ne 81. August . Fla.l weekly.

From TIE 81. Augusti . FlG.) Weekly.
j. c. Sterling, of Watertown, n. Y,
sends the following quaint and curious
description of Florida as contained in
"Gordon's Grammar of Geography" pub
lished In London in the year 1744, more
than 6ve generations ago. Mr.. Sterling
thinks some one may know Of the tree re-
ferred to which possessed such poisonous
qualities. Ifanyone knows of any ground
for the statement he will please cOmmu-
nicate it to us. Here is the description:
FLORIDA-ThIs country is bounded on
the east by the main ocean. On the north
by Carolina and part of Terra Artica, and
on the south by Sinus MeXicanus.
Air.-The air of this country is said to
be so extraordinary temperate that,
according to our latest accounts, the
inhabitants live TO great age.
SOlt-The soil OF this country is Won
derfully fertile, Astounding in most sorts
OF grain, herbs and fruits, IL is also well
stored with venison and fowl-enriched
with considerable mines OF gold aud sill
yer, especially those Of the Appalachme
mountains and here they fish great num-
bers ofvaluabie pearls.
COnlnlOdjtteS-This country being sien-
derby known in the inland parts, and
even those next the sea but little fire..
quented by strangers, its commodities
are very few, yet very costly, viz: gold,
silver, pearls and furs.
RGrltieS.-In these parts of Florida
grows a certain tree about the bigness of
an ordinary apple tree, the juice OF which
the natives used to squeeze out and there
with annOint their arrows, being sort OF
rank poison. II there be no fruit they
break off branch and out OF it do press
milky substance, equally poisonous
with the juice of the fruit. So strong a
poison is the tree. that il a handful Of
leaves are bruised and thrown into a
large pond of standing water, al sorts Of
beast that happen to come TO drink there
of do suddenly swell and burst asunder.
MdpnerS-The Floridians are naturally
white, but by amounting themselves with
a certain ointment, they still appear OF an
olive color. They are tall OF stature,
well proportional, lovers of war, and or
dinarily go quite naked; except a small
piece of deer skin, which some wear
about the middle.
LdnGud0e.-The language OF the ma
tives do very much differ in dialect, &C
cording to the different parts of the coun-
try. The few SpanIards here residing do
still retain the Spanish.
GOUerRment-The natives of this coun-
try are subject to several lords OF their
own termed casiques. one OF which is
said to have the presidency and is gen.
orally respected by the rest as Emperor.
The Spanish colonies on the sea coasts
have their peculiar governors appointed
by his Catholic Majesty.
ReiigiOn-The natives of this country
are gross idOlatOrs, wOrshiping the whole
host Of heaven, especially the sun, to
whom they attribute the good fortune OF
all their victories and return him thanks
accordingly. They nightly respect their
priests who are generally sOrcerers. and
call them by the name of Joanas and in
some places Jawas.
Several missionaries were sent into this
country in the DAYS of Charles ", but the
savage inhabitants quickly destroyed
them.