University of Virginia Library

Chap. IV.

THe spacious fields of this Island, do commonly
extend themselves, to the length of
five or six leagues. The beauty whereof is so pleasing
to the Eye, that, together with the great variety
of their natural productions, they infinitely
applaud, and captivate the senses of the
contemplator. For here at once, they not only,
with diversity of objects recreate the sight
but with many of the same, do also please the
smell, and with most contribute abundancy of
delights unto the taste. With sundry diversities
also they flatter and excite the appetite;
but more especially with the multitude of O-

renges, and Lemons: Here growing both sweet
and sower, and those that participate of both
tastes, and are only pleasantly tartish. Besides
which here abundantly grow several other
sorts of the same fruit, such as are called Citrons,
Toronjas, and Limas; in English not imperly
called Crab-Lemons. True it is, that as
to the Lemons, they exceed not here the bigness
of an Hens egg; which smallness distinguisheth
them, from those of Spain most frequently
used in these our Northern Countries.
The Date Trees, which here are seen to cover
the whole extent of very spacious plains, are
exceedingly tall in their proportion; which
notwithstanding doth not offend, but rather
delight the view. Their highth is observed to be
from 150. unto 200. feet; being wholly destitute
of Branches unto the very tops. Here it is,
there groweth a certain pleasant white substance
not unlike unto, that of white Cabbage, from
whence the Branches, and leaves, do sprout,
and in which also the seed, or Dates are contained.
Every Month, one of those branches
falleth to the ground, and at the same time,
another sprouteth out. But the seed ripeneth
not, but once in the year, The Dates are
food extreamly coveted by the Hedge-Hogs.
The white substance, growing at the top of the
Tree, is used by the Spaniards, after the same
manner, for common sustenance, as Cabbage
in Europe; they cutting it into slices, and boyling
it, in their Ollas, with all sorts of meat.
The leaves of this sort of Date Tree, are seven
or eight foot in length, and three or four in
breadth; being very fit to cover houses withal.
For they defend, from Rain, equally with
the best Tiles, though never so rudely huddl'd
together. They make use of them also to
wrap up smoaked Flesh withal; and to make
a certain sort of Buckets, wherewith to carry
Water; though no longer durable than the
space of six, seven, or eight days. The Cabba-
ges of these trees, for so we may call them,
are of a greenish colour, on the out side,
though in wardly very white, from whence may
be separated a sort of rind, which is very like
unto parchment, being fit to write upon, as we
do upon Paper. The bodies of these Trees
are of an huge bulk or thickness, which two
Men can hardly compass with their Arms.
And yet they cannot properly be termed Woody,
but only three or four inches deep, in thickness;
all the rest of the internal part being very
soft. Insomuch that paring off those three,
or four inches of woody substance, the remaining
part of the Body, may be sliced like unto
new Cheese. They wound them three or
four foot above the Root, and making an incision,
or broach in the body, from thence
gently distilleth a sort of Liquor, which in short
time, by fermentation, becometh as strong,
as the richest wine, and which doth easily in-
ebriate, if not used with Moderation. The
French call this sort of Palm-trees Frank-Palms,
and they only grow, both here, and elsewhere,
in saltish grounds.

Besides these Palm-trees, of which we have
made mention, there be also in Hispaniola four
other species of Palms, which are distinguished
by the Names of Latanier, Palma Espinosa or
Prickle-palm, Palma a chapelet or Rosary-palm,
Palma-Vinosa or Wine Palm, The Latanier-palm

is not so tall, as the Wine-palm: Although it
hath almost, the same shape, only that the
leaves are very like unto the Fans our Women
use. They grow mostly in gravelly, and sandy
ground, their circumference being of seven foot
more or less. The body hath many prickles
or thorns, of the length of half a foot, very
sharp and pungent. It produceth its seed after
the same manner with that abovementioned,
which likewise serveth for food unto the
wild beasts.

Another sort of these Palm-trees is called
Prickle-Palm as we said before, by reason it is

infinitely full of prickles, from the Root unto
the very leaves thereof much more then the
precedent. With these prickles, some of the
barbarous Indians use to torment their prisoners
at War, whom they take in battel. They
tye them unto atree, and then taking these
thorns, they put them into little pellets of
cotton, which they dip in oyl, and thus stick them
in the sides of the miserable Prisoners, as thick
as the brizles of an hedg hog; which of necessity
cause an incredible torment unto the
Patient. Afterwards, they set them on Fire,
and if the tormented Prisoner singeth in the
midst of his torments and flames, he is esteemed
as a valiant and couragious Soldier, who
neither feareth his Enemies, nor their torments.
But if on the contrary, he cryeth out they
esteem him but as a Poltron or Coward, and
unworthy of any memory. This custom was
told me by an Indian, who said he had used
his Enemies thus oftentimes. The like cruelties
unto these many Christians have seen,
while they lived among those barbarians. But
returning unto the Prickle-palm, I shall only tell
you, that this palm-tree is in this only different
from the Latanier, that the leaves are like
unto those of the Frank-palm. Its feed is like
unto that of the other palm-trees, being only
much bigger and rounder, almost as a farthing,
and inwardly full of little kernels, which are
as pleasing to the taste, as our Wallnuts in
Europe. This tree groweth for the most part
in the Marshes, and low grounds of the
Sea-coast.

The Wine palm, is so called from the abundance
of Wine, which is gathered from hence.
This palm groweth in high and rocky
Mountains, not exceeding in tallness the heigth
of forty or fifty foot: But yet of an extraordinary
shape or form. For from the root,
unto the half of its proportion, it is only three
or four inches thick. But upwards something
above the two thirds of its higth, it is as
big, and as thick, as an ordinary bucket or
Milk Pail. Within it is full of a certain matter,
very like unto the tender stalk of a white
cabbage, which is very juicy of a liquor that
is much pleasing to the palate. This liquor
after fermentation, and settling of the grounds,
reduceth it self into a very good and clear
wine, which is purchased with no great industry.
For having wounded the tree with an
ordinary hatchet, they make a square incision
or orifice, in it, through which they bruise the
said matter, until it be capable of being squeesed
out, or expressed with the hands, they needing
no other instrument, then this. VVith
the leaves they make certain vessels, not only
to settle and purifie, the aforementioned liquor,
but also to drink in. It beareth its friut
like unto other palms; but of a very small
shape; being not unlike unto Cherries. The
taste hereof, is very good; but of dangerous consequence
unto the threat, where it causeth
huge and extream pains, that produce malignant
Quinzies in them, that eat it.

The Palm a Chapelet, or Rosary-palm, was
thus called both by the French, and Spaniards,
because its seed is very fit to make Rosaries
or Beads, to say prayers upon, the beads
being small, hard and capable of being easily
bored, for that use. This fourth species
groweth on the tops of the highest Mountains
and is of an excessive tallness; but withall
very strait; and adorned with very few leaves.

Here groweth also in this Island a certain

sort of Apricott-trees, whose fruit equalleth in
bigness, that of our ordinary Melons. The
colour is like unto Ashes, and the taste, the very
same with that of our Apricotts in Europe,
the inward stones of this fruit, being of the
bigness of an Hens egg. On these the wildBores
do feed very deliciously, and fatten even
to admiration.

The trees called Caremites, are very like un-

to our Pear-trees, whose fruits resemble much
our Damascene plums or Pruants of Europe,
being of a very pleasant and agreeable taste, and
almost as sweet as milk. This fruit is black
on the inside, and the Kernels thereof, sometimes
only two in number, sometimes three,
others five; of the bigness of a Lupine. This
plum affordeth no less pleasant food unto the
wild-Bores, then the Apricotts abovementioned,
only that it is not so commonly to be found
upon the Island, nor in such quantity, as those
are.

The Genipa-trees are seen every where, all

over this Island, being very like unto our
Cherry-trees, although it's branches are more
dilated. The fruit, hereof, is of an ash-colour,
of the bigness of two fist's, which interiourly,
is full of many prickles, or points, that are
involved under a thin membran, or skin;
the which, if not taken away, at the time of
eating, causeth great obstructions, and gripings
of the belly. Before this fruit groweth
ripe, if pressed, it affordeth a juice, as black
as ink, being fit to write withal upon paper.
But the letters disappear within the space of
nine days, the paper remaining as white, as if
it never had been written upon. The wood
of this tree is very strong, solid, and hard;
good to build Ships withal, seeing it is observed,
to last many years in the water, without
putrefaction.

Besides these, divers other sorts of trees,
are natives unto this delicious Island, that
produce very excellent, and pleasant fruits. Of
these I shallo mit to name several, knowing
there be entire volums of learned Authors,
that have both described, and searched them
with greater attention, and curiosity, then my
own. Notwithstanding, I shall continue, to
make mention of some few more, in particular.
Such are the Cedars; which trees, this part of

the world produceth, in prodigious quantity.
The French Nation calleth them Acajou: And
they find them very useful, for the building
of Ships, and Canow's. These Canows are
like unto little wherry-boats, being made of one
only tree, excavated, and fitted for the Sea.
They are withal so swift, as for that very property,
they may be called Neptunes post-horses.
The Indians make these Canows without the
use of any iron instruments; by only burning
the trees, at the bottom, nigh unto the
root; and afterwards, governing the fire,
with such industry, as nothing is burnt more
then what they would have. Some of them
have hatchets, made of flint, wherewith they
scrape, or pare, off, whatsoever was burnt too
far. And, thus, by the sole instrument of fire,
they know how to give them that shape,
which rendereth them capable of Navigating
threescore, or fourscore leagues, with ordinary
security.

As to Medicinal productions, here is to be
found the tree, that affordeth, the Gum Elemi,
used in our Apothecaries Shops. Likewise Guaiacum
or Lignum Sanctum; Lignum Aloes, or
Aloe-wood, Cassia Lignea, China-roots, with several
others. The tree called Mapou, besides
that it is medicinal, is also used for making of
Canow's as being very thick. Yet is it much inferiour
unto the Acajou, or Cedar, as being
something spongy, whereby it sucketh in
much water, which rendreth it dangerous in
Navigation. The tree called Acoma hath its
wood very hard, and heavy, of the colour of
Palm. These qualities render it very fit to
make Oars for the sugar-mils. Here are also
in great quantities, Brasilete, or brasil-wood, and
that which the Spaniards call Mancanilla.

Brasil wood is now very well known in the

Provinces of Holland, and the Low Countries.
By another name it is called, by the
Spaniards, Lenna de Peje palo. It serveth
only or chiefly, for dying, and what belongeth
to that trade. It groweth abundantly along
the Sea coasts, of this Island; especially in
two places called Jacmel, and Jaquina. These
are two commodious Ports or Bays; capable
of receiving Ships of the greatest bulk.

The tree called Mancanilla, or Dwarf apple-

tree, groweth nigh unto the Sea Shoar; being
naturally so low, that its branches, though
never so short, do always touch the water.
It beareth a fruit, something like, unto our
sweet sented apples; which notwithstanding
is of a very venemous quality. For these apples
being eaten by any person, he instantly
changeth colour, and such an huge thirst doth
seize him as all the Water of the Thames cannot
extinguish, he dying raving mad within a
litle while after. But what is more the Fish
that eat as it often happeneth, of this fruit
are also poysonous. This tree affordeth, also
a liquor, both thick, and white; like unto the
Fig-tree; which, if touched by the hand, raiseth
blisters, upon the skin, and these are so
red in colour, as if it had been deeply scaldded,
with hot water. One day, being hugely
tormented with Mosquitos or gnats, and as yet,
unacquainted with the nature of this tree, I
cut a branch thereof, to serve me instead of
a fan; but all my face swelled the next day,
and filled with blisters, as if it were burnt to
such a degree, that I was blind for three
days.

Ycao is the name of another sort of tree, so
called by the Spaniards, which groweth by
the sides of Rivers. This beareth a certain
fruit, not unlike, unto our bullice, or damson
plums. And this food is extreamly coveted
by the wild boar, when at its perfect maturity;
with which they fatten as much as our
hogs, with the sweetest acorn's of Spain. These
trees love sandy ground: Yet are so low, that,
their branches being very large, they take up
a great circumference, almost couched upon
the ground. The trees named Abelcoses bare
fruit of like colour, with the Ycaos abovementioned,
but of the bigness of Melons; the
seeds, or kernels, being as big as eggs. The
substance of this fruit is yellow, and of a pleasant
taste; which the poorest, among the
French, do eat, instead of bread; the wildBore
not caring at all for this fruit. These
trees grow very tall, and thick; being somewhat
like unto our largest sort of Peartrees.

As to the Insects, which this Island produ-

ceth, I shall only take notice of three sorts of
Flies, which excessively torment all human
bodies; but more especially such, as never before,
or but a little while, were acquainted
with these Countries. The first sort of these
flies are as big as our common horse flies in
Europe. And these darting themselves upon
mens bodies, do there stick, and suck their
blood, till they can no longer flie. Their
importunity obligeth to make, almost, continual
use of branches of trees, wherewith to
fan them away. The Spaniards in those parts
call them Mosquito's, or Gnats; but the French
give them the name of Maranguines. The se-
cond sort, of these Insects, is no bigger then a
grain of sand. These make no buzzing noise,
as the precedent species doth; for which reason
it is less avoidable, as being able also, through
its smalness, to penetrate the finest linnen, or
cloth. The Hunters are forced to anoint their
faces, with hogs-greece, thereby to defend
themselves from the stings of these little Animals.
By night, in their Huts, or Cottages,
they constantly, for the same purpose burn
the leaves of Tobacco, without which smoke
they were not able to rest. True it is, that
in the day time, they are not very troublesome,
in case any Wind be stirring; for this,
though never so little, causeth them to dissi-
pate. The Gnats, of the third Species, exceed
not the bigness of a grain of Mustard.
Their colour is Red. These sting not at all,
but do bite so sharpely upon the Flesh, as to create
little Ulcers therein. From whence it often
cometh, that the Face swelleth, and is rendred
hideous to the view, through this inconvenience.
These are chiefly troublesome by
day, even from the beginning of the Morning,
until Sun-setting; after which time, they take
up their rest, and permit humane Bodies to
do the same. The Spaniards gave these Insects
the Name of Rojados; and the French
that of Calarodes.

The Insects, which the Spaniards call Cochinillas,
and the English Glow-worms are also to
be found in these parts. These are very like
unto such, as we have in Europe, unless that
they are somewhat bigger and longer then
ours. They have two little specks on their
heads, which by Night give so much light,
that three or four of those Animals, being
together upon a tree, it is not discernable, at
a distance from a bright shining Fire. I had
on a certain time, at once three of these Co-
chinillas, in my Cottage, which there continued
until past midnight, shining so brightly,
that without any other Light, I could easily
read in any Book, although of never so
small a print. I attempted to bring some of
these Insects into Europe, when I came from
those parts, but assoon as they came into a
colder climate, they dyed by the way. They
lost also their shining, upon the change of Air
even before their death. This shining is so
great, according to what I have related, that
the Spaniards, with great reason, may well call
them from their luminous quality, Moscas de
fuego, that is to say, Fire-flies.

There be also in Hispaniola an excessive num-

ber of Grillones, or Crickets. These are of an
extraordinary magnitude, if compared unto
ours; and so full of noise, that they are ready
to burst themselves with singing, if any person
cometh near them. Here is no lesser number
of Reptils, such as Serpents are, and others.
But by a particular providence of the Crea-
tor, these have no poyson. Neither do they
any other harm, then unto what fowl they
can catch. But more especially, unto Pullets,
Pigeons, and others of this kind. Oftimes
these Serpents, or Snakes, are useful in houses
to cleanse them of Rats, and Mice. For
with great cunning, they counterfeit their
Shreeks; and hereby both deceive and catch
them at their pleasure. Having taken them,
they in no wise eat the guts of these Vermin,
but only suck their blood at first. Afterwards
throwing away the guts, they swallow almost
entire the rest of the body; which as it should
seem, they readily digest into soft excrements,
of which they discharge their bellies. Another
sort of Reptils belonging to this Island, is called
by the name of Cazadores de Moscas, or
Fly-catchers. This name was given unto this
Reptil by the Spaniards, by reason they never
could experiment, it lived upon any other food
then flies. Hence itcannot be said, this creature
causeth any harm unto the Inhabitants,
but rather benefit; seeing it consumeth by its
continual exercise of hunting the vexatious and
troublesome flies.

Land-Tortoises here be also in great quantities.
These mostly breed in mud, and feilds
that are overflown with water. The Inhabitants
eat them, and testifie they are very
good food. But a sort of Spiders, which is
here found, is very hideous. These are as big as
an ordinary egg; and their feet as long as
those of the biggest Sea-crabs. Withal, they
are very hairy; and have four black teeth,
like unto those of a Rabbet, both in bigness,
and shape. Notwithstanding their bitings are
not venomous; although they can bite very
sharp, and do use it very commonly. They
breed for the most part in the roofs of houses.
This Island also is not free from the Insect cal-
led in Latin Millepes, and in Greek Scolopendria,
or Many-feet: Neither is it void of Scorpions.
Yet by the providence of nature, neither
the one nor the other, beareth the least
suspicion of poyson. For although they cease
not to bite, yet their wounds require not the
application of any medicament, for their cure.
And although their bitings cause some inflamation,
and swelling at the beginning; however
these Symptoms disappear of their own
accord. Thus in the whole circumference of
Hispaniola, no Animal is found that produceth
the least harm with its venom.

After the Insects abovementioned, I shall

not omit to say something of that terrible
Beast, called Cayman. This is a certain species
of Cocodrile, wherewith this Island very plentifully
aboundeth. Among these Caymanes,
some are found to be of a corpulency, very
horrible to the sight. Certain it is, that such
have been seen, as had no less then threescore
and ten foot in length, and twelve in breadth.
Yet more marvellous, then their bulk, is their
cunning and subtilty, wherewith they purchase
their food. Being hungry they place
themselves nigh the sides of Rivers; more especially
at the Fords, where Cattel come to
drink or wade over. Here they lie without
any motion, nor stirring any part of their
body, resembling an old tree fallen into the
River, only floating upon the waters, whether
these will carry them. Yet they recede
not far from the bank-sides, but continually
lurch in the same place, waiting till some wild
Bore, or salvage Cow cometh to drink, or
refresh themselves, at that place. At which
point of time, with huge activity they assault
them, and seizing on them with no less
fierceness, they drag the prey into the water
and there stifle it. But what is more worthy
admiration, is, that three, or four days before
the Caymanes go upon this design, they eat
nothing at all. But diving into the River
they swallow one, or two hundred weight of
stones, such as they can find. With these they
render themselves more heavy, then before,
and make addition unto their natural strength
(which in this animal is very great) thereby
to render their assault the more terrible and
secure. The prey being thus stifled, they suffer
it to lie four or five days under water untouched.
For they could not eat the least bit
thereof, unless half rotten. But when it is arrived
at such a degree of putrefaction, as is
most pleasing to their palate, they devour it
with great appetite and voracity. If they can
lay hold on any hides of Beasts, such as the
Inhabitants oftimes place in the feilds for drying
against the Sun, they drag them into the
water. Here they leave them for some days,
well loaden with stones, till the hair falleth off.
Then they eat them with no less appetite,
then they would the animals themselves, could
they catch them. I have seen my self many
times, like things unto these I have related.
But besides my own experience, many Writers
of natural things, have made entire Treatises
of these Animals, describing not only their
shape, magnitude, and other qualities, but also
their voracity, and brutish inclinations;
which, as I have told you, are very strange.
A certain person of good reputation and cre-
dit, told me, that one day he was by the
River side, washing his Baraca, or Tent, wherein
he used to lie in the feilds. As soon as he
began his work, a Cayman fastned upon the
Tent, and with incredible fury, drag'd it under
water. The man desirous to see if he
could save his Tent, pulled on the contrary
side with all his strength, having in his mouth
a Butchers knife, (wherewith as it happened
he was scraping the Canvas) to defend himself,
in case of urgent necessity. The Cayman
being angry at this opposition, vaulted upon
his body, out of the River, and drew him with
great celerity into the water, endeavouring
with the weight of his bulk, to stifle him under
the banks. Thus finding himself in the
greatest extremity almost crushed to death by
that huge and formidable Animal, with his
knife he gave the Caman several wounds in
the belly, wherewith he suddenly expir'd. Being
thus deliver'd from the hands of imminent
fate, he drew the Cayman out of the
water, and with the same knife open'd the
body, to satisfie his own curiosity. In his
stomack, he found nigh one hundred
weight of stones, each of them being almost
of the bigness of his fist.

The Caymanes are ordinarily busied in hunting
and catching of flies; which they cagerly
devour. The occasion is, because close unto
their skin, they have certain little scales, which
smell with a sweet sent, something like unto
Musk. This aromatick odour is coveted by
the flies, and here they come to repose themselves
and sting. Thus they both persecute
each other continually, with an incredible hatred,
and antipathy. Their manner of pro-

creating, and hatching their young ones, is as
follows. They approach the sandy banks of
some River, that lies exposed to the rays of
the South Sun. Among these Sands they lay
their eggs, which afterwards, they cover with
their feet: And here they find them hatcht,
and with young generation, by the only heat
of the Sun. These as soon as they are out of the
shell, by natural instinct, run unto the water.
Many times those eggs are destroyed by Birds
that find them out, as they scrape among
the Sands. Hereupon, the Femals of the
Caymanes, at such times, as they fear the
coming of any flocks of Birds, do ofttimes,
by night, swallow these their eggs, and
keep them in their stomack, till the danger is
over. And from time to time, they bury them
again in the Sand, as I have told you bringing
them forth again out of their belly, till
the season is come, of being excluded the
Shell. At this time, if the Mother be nigh
at hand, they run unto her and play with her
as little Whelps would do with their Dams,
sporting themselves according to their own
custom. In this sort of sport, they will oftentimes
run in and out of their Mothers belly,
even as Rabbets into their holes. This I have
seen them do many times, as I have spyed
them at play, with their Dam, over the water,
upon the contrary banks of some River.
At which time, I have often disturb'd their
sport by throwing a Stone that way, causing
them on a suddain, to creep into the Mothers
Bowels, for fear of some imminent danger.
The manner of procreating of those Animals,
is always the same, such as I have related;
and at the same time of the year, for they
neither meddle, nor make with one another
but in the month of May. They give them
in this Country, the name of Cocodriles;
though in other places, of the West-Indies,
they go under the Name of Caymanes.