A description of a great variety of animals and vegetables: viz. beasts, birds, fishes, insects, plants, fruits, and flowers. Extracted from the most considerable writers of natural history; ... Being a supplement to A description of three hundred animals. Illustrated with above ninety copper plates, ...

A DESCRIPTION Of a great Variety of ANIMALS and VEGETABLES.

BOOK the First. Of Four-footed BEASTS.

Fig. 1. _IS a kind of WILD GOAT bred in the East-Indies, which is call'd, in Latin, Capricerva; because they partake of the Deer and Goat. The Inhabitants other|wise call them BEZOAR, from whence the Name of Bezoar arises. This Animal is very nimble, so that he will skip from Rock to Rock. and is dangerous to the Hunter; for he will defend himself, and some|times kills the Indians that pursue him. The Head of this Creature resembles that of the He-goat. The Horns are very black; and are bended almost to his Back. The Body is covered with an ash-colour'd Hair, inclining to red, much shorter than that of the Goat, and nearest to the Deer's. The Tail is short, and turns up again: The Legs are pretty thick; and the Feet are cleft, like those of the Goat. Bezoar is a Stone, produced in several Parts of the Belly of this Goat. It is taken, likewise, out of the Bellies of cer|tain other Animals in the East-Indies. It is found in Balls of different sizes and shapes; for some are as big

as a Wall-nut; others as a Hazel-nut, (this sort, they say, is taken from a kind of Ape, that is found parti|cularly in a certain Island of America) and some as a large Pea. Some are round, others oval, flat, or bunch|ed. The Superfices of all the sorts are smooth, polish'd, shining, of an olive or grey Colour; and is made use of in Medicine.

Fig. 2. The MUSK-GOAT is of the shape and colour of a Hind, only it has a longer Body: It is pro|duced in the Kingdoms of Boutan, Tunquin, and se|veral other Parts of Asia. It frequents the Woods and Forests, where they hunt it; and when it is kill'd, they cut out the Bladder, or Pouch, as big as a Hen's Egg, which is found under the Belly; then they separate the coagulated Blood, which they dry in the Sun, and reduce to a kind of light Moss, almost powder'd, of a dark reddish Colour. This acquires a strong disagreeable smell. They then wrap it up in Bladders for Transportation. And this is the Musk we use. There are a prodigious number of Animals that yield Musk, chiefly in the Kingdom of Boutan. They catch them usually at Spring-time, or in the be|ginning of Summer: For after they have been almost starv'd, during the Winter, because of the Snows, that fall in those Countries ten or twelve foot deep, they come to seek for Food; their Blood being then in a great heat, and violent fermentation. The Musk then taken is likewise strong and spirituous, which is the reason they do not expose it for some time to dry in the Air, lest it should quite destroy the smell. They cannot take a great deal of Musk from any one of these, Animals, because they have but one Cod a piece, which does not yield above three Drams of Musk dry'd. They say, that the Bag, during the rutting of this Creature, has an Abseess form'd in it; which when fully ripe, it makes the Beast itch, and rub himself against Stones, Rocks, and Stumps of Trees, till he breaks it; and it is this Corruption, that when it is spilt and dry'd in the Sun, becomes Musk. There is no impossibility in this Story; but yet it is not to be thought, that all she Musk we have, is taken from these Abscesses. For,

[figure]

Fig. 2. Musk Goat

[figure]

Fig. 3 Shamoy

[figure]

Fig. 4 The Shagreen

is it likely, that they can follow the tract of these wild Beasts, through the Woods and Forests, to gather up this matter; which they have thrown sometimes into Places inaccessible, into Mire and Sands? If we had no other Musk but that, it would be much scarcer and dearer than it is.

Fig. 3. The SHAMOY, or ROCK-GOAT, is a wild Goat no bigger than the common Kind, which frequents the Rocks and high Hills; as the Alps, Py|renees, &c. The Horns of this Animal are odly turn'd, for they rise upright first, and then wind forward like a Hook: It feeds upon the Plants that grows on the Sands, and tops of the Rocks. 'Tis a very shy and timorous Creature: It is coated like a Faun, having a streak running all along the Back. There is a great Trade carried on with these Shamoy Skins; by which they convey Oil, Wine, and other Liquids, out of the mountainous Countries; and of which they make several other Uses: for these Shamoy Skins, be|ing dressed, are converted into Gloves, Breeches, &c. Because they may be washed as Linnen is, and likewise be dyed into what curious Colour you please. Some|times in the Bladder of these Creatures is found a Stone, which is call'd German Bezoar, because the Germans e|steem this not inferior in Virtue to the Oriental Be|zoar. The volatile Salt and Oil, of which these Crea|tures, both Male and Female, afford abundance; are esteem'd of very excellent Use in Physick.

Fig. 4. The SHAGREEN is a Beast (as repre|sented by Mr. Pomet) very much like an Horse or Mule; and is very common in Turkey and Poland, which the Turks and Poles make use of to carry their Baggage, as in other parts they do Mules, Horses, &c. When this Animal is dead, they take the hinder part of his Skin, and hang it in the Air, after having strew|ed it, when raw, with Mustard-Seed. They leave 'em thus exposed to the Weather several Days, then take them in and tan 'em; and when they are dressed, export them. This Skin is very hard when dry, and soft when steep'd in Water. It is said, that what makes

this Skin so hard, is because the Animal sits down, and rests very much on his Buttocks. They bring two Sorts of Shagreen from Turkey, viz. the grey, or ash-colour'd, which is the best; and the white, or salted Shagreen. The Use of this Shagreen is very universal for all sorts of Pocket Utensils, Watch Cases, Toys, &c. They may dye these Skins what Colour they please; but the most common are black, green, and red. The most beautiful and dearest, is the red Co|lour, because of the Vermilion and Carmine with which it is dyed. Shagreen Skin is often counter|feited in Work.

Fig. 5. The ANTELOPE is shap'd very much like a Deer; and about the same bigness; of a chesnut Co|lour, and white under the Belly. His Horns are al|most straight from his Head up, tapering gradually, with Rings like a Screw, till within an Inch and an half of the top. It has fine large black Eyes; a long and slender Neck, Feet, and Legs. There are many of these Creatures in an Herd; when at the same time they have Scouts, who by running give them Notice of an approaching Foe. They are taken by shot, &c. being too swift for a Greyhound. The Antelope in shape and beauty excels most of the four-footed Race. This Creature is described in the Book of Three Hun|dred Animals; but the Figure there being very faulty, nothing like the Antelope; and having since an Op|portunity of a true Draught taken from the Creature itself; I hope giving it double will be excused.

Fig. 6. The SEA-SKINK is a small amphi|bious Animal, living both on Land, and in Wa|ter. It is pretty much like a small Lizard. Many of these little Creatures are to be found about the Ri|ver Nile in Egypt. They are about half a Foot long, and an Inch diameter, having a sharp Nose, cover'd with Scales. It has two little piercing Eyes. The Mouth is divided, reaching to the place where the Ears should be seated, had this Creature any. It has a great many little white and red Teeth: It goes upon four Feet, little more than an Inch long, which

[figure]

Fig 5. The Antelope

[figure]

Fig. 6. The Skink

[figure]

Fig. 8 The African Man-Tiger

[figure]

Fig: 7. The Indian Man-Tiger

are very much like those of an Ape's. It is cover'd with little round Scales, different from those of the Head, that are long and large. It is of a greyish Colour, inclining to brown upon the Back, and of a silver grey under the Belly. The Flesh of this Crea|ture is used in Physick.

Fig. 7. The MAN-TIGER is bred in Africa; &c. It is of the bigness of a large Ape or Baboon; of a brown Colour on the Back and Sides; the Belly, Neck, and Throat, of a whitish Colour; the But|tocks and Face of a light blue: It has a bunch of Hair standing up on the top of the Head; and ano|ther, resembling a Beard, hanging under the Chin: The Vent of this Animal is placed very high on the hinder part of its Back. It is a Beast that parti|cipates much of the subtle and mischievous Na|ture of Apes and Baboons; but much more bold and fierce. Some Writers have confidently asserted, that some of these Creatures have had the boldness to attack the Chastity of Women. Mr. Bradley men|tions one sort of Ape brought from the East-Indies, that is very vicious; and he knew one that had more than once attempted to force a Servant of the House where he was kept. The Man-Tiger is thought to approach the nearest the Human Species, both in Form and Sense, of all the Brute Creation.

Fig. 8. Is a MAN-TIGER brought from Africa; which differs something from the former. It is co|pied from the Figure Mr. Bradley exhibits, in the Works of Nature. Fig. 7. is from a Painting by a good Hand, from the Creature itself.

Fig. 9. This little Creature is found at Surinam. Merian calls it, a sort of WOOD DORMOUSE: It carries her young Ones with her, on her Back; five or six of which, she brings forth at a time. It is of a yellowish brown Colour, but its under part is of a whitish Colour. When she goes out to seek for Food, her young Ones run about her; which, when they are full, or in danger, or for weariness, immediately mount upon their Mother's Back, and twist their Tails round the Tail of the old one, who forthwith carries them into her Hole.

[figure]

Fig. 9. A wood Dormouse

[figure]

Fig: 1 The Avosetta

BOOK the Second. Of BIRDS.

Fig. 1. _THE AVOSETTA, is a Bird com|mon at Rome and Venice, and do also frequent our Eastern Coasts of Suffolk and Norfolk in Winter time. Its length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail, was fourteen Inches; breadth, when the Wings were expanded, twenty one Inches; its weight nine Ounces: Its Bill was three Inches long, slender, black, flat or depressed, reflected up|wards, which is peculiar to this Bird, ending in a very thin, slender, weak point; the Tongue is short, not cloven; the Head of a mean size, round like a Ball, and black above the Eyes; the Colour of the whole under Side of the Body was white, and the upper side partly white and partly black, or dark brown; its Legs are very long, of a lovely blue Co|lour, bare above the Knees, and the Claws black and little; it hath a back Toe, but a very small one. Mr. Albin says, he had this Bird from Newgate-Market; it was brought to that Place with other Wild-fowl.

Fig. 2. The BEARD-MANICA, or BEARDED-TITMOUSE, is in length from the tip of the Bill, to the end of the Tail, about six Inches and an half; in breadth, when the Wings are extended, ten Inches and a half; in weight nine Drams and a half: The Bill is short, thick, and of a yellowish Colour, (in the Hen dusky.) The Head is of a dark ash Colour; from the Eyes a Tuft of black Feathers hangs down, end|ing in a point, representing a picked Beard, from which Mark it has the Name of Beard-manica. The Back, upper part of the Wings, and lower part of the Belly, and Tail, are brown; under the Chin white; the Breast, Belly, and Thighs, of a pale yellowish white, with a tincture of brown; the Legs and Feet black. This Bird is very singular in the care and love which he shews to the Hen; when at Roost, he covers her all Night with his Wing. The Hen is something smal|ler than the Cock, and of a more beautiful yel|lowish brown; the Wings and Legs of the same Co|lour with those of the Cock: The Hen is without the Beard, and more pale on the Breast.—They are found in the Salt-Marshes in Essex, and likewise in the Fens in Lincolnshire.

Fig. 3. The JACOBINE-PIGEON, or as it is vul|garly call'd for shortness, the JACK, is, if true, the smallest of all Pigeons, and the smaller still the better: It has a range of Feathers inverted quite over the hin|der part of the Head, and reaching down on each side of the Neck to the Shoulders of the Wings, which forms a kind of a Fryar's Hood: From hence this Pi|geon has its name Jacobine, because the Fathers of that Order all wear Hoods to cover their bald crowns; hence the upper part of this range of Feathers is call'd the Hood: and the more compact these Feathers are, and the closer to the Head, so much the more this Bird is esteem'd. The lower part of this range of Feathers is call'd by us, the Chain, but the Dutch calls it the Cravat; the Feathers of this Chain ought to be long and close, so that if you strain the Neck a little, by taking hold of the Bill, the two sides will lap over each other in some of the best; but there are very few

[figure]

Fig: 2 The Beard-manica

[figure]

Fig: 3 The Jacobine Pigeon

[figure]

Fig. 4 Frigate Bird

now to be found in England compleat. The Jaco|bine ought to have a very short Bill, the shorter the better, and a clean Pearl Eye. As for their Colour, there are reds, yellows, blues, blacks, and mottles; but be the Colour of the Feathers what they will, they ought to have a clean white Head, white Feet, and white Tail. Of these Pigeons, some are fea|ther-legg'd and footed, others are not, and both sorts are equally esteem'd, according to the various Incli|nation of different Fancies.

Fig. 4. The FRIGAT Bird, which the Indians call so, because of the swiftness of its flight; has a Body no bigger than a Pullet's, but its Stomach is ve|ry fleshy: The Males are as black as Ravens. The Neck is pretty long, the Head small, with two great black Eyes, and the Sight more piercing than the Eagle's; The Bill is likewise pretty thick, and entire|ly black, about six or seven Inches long; the upper Beak is crook'd like a Hook: The Claws are very short, and divided as the Vulture's. The Wings of this Bird are very large, and not without a provident design of Nature, since his Wings are sometimes em|ploy'd to carry him above a hundred Leagues from Land. It is with a great deal of Trouble, that this Bird can raise himself upon the Branches, because of the extraordinary length of his Wings; but when he has once taken his flight, he keeps his Wings ex|tended almost without any Motion or Fatigue. If sometimes the weight of the Rain, or the violence of the Winds, force him, he mounts above the Clouds, beyond Sight, in the middle Region of the Air; and when he is at the highest, he does not forget where-about he is, but remembers the place where the Do|rado, or gold Fish, gives chace to the flying Fish, and then he throws himself down like Lightning; not so as to strike upon the Water, for then it would be difficult for him to rise again; but when he comes within twelve or fourteen Paces, he makes a large turn, and lowering himself, as it were insensibly, till he comes to skim the Waters where the Chace is given; in passing, he takes up the little Fish, either with his Bill, or his Talons, and sometimes both to|gether.

He has a great red Comb, like that of the Cock, not upon his Head, but under the Throat; and this Comb does not appear but in the old ones; The Females have none; the Feathers are whiter than those of the Males, especially under the Belly. These Birds, for a long time, made a little Island their Ha|bitation; in like manner, as the Rooks have a Rooke|ry, where all of that Species thereabout, come to roost at Nights, and build their Nest in the proper Sea|son. This little Island was called the Isle of Frigats, and bears the Name to this Day, tho' the Birds have left the Place; for in the Year 1643, and the follow|ing Year, several People chas'd them so severely, that they were forc'd to forsake the Isle. Father du Ter|tre, Apostolical Missionary in the Antillees, mov'd by the large Commendations give of the Oil drawn from these Fowls, with the Assistance of two or three more Persons, took above one hundred of them in less than two hours time. They surpriz'd the old ones upon the Branches of the Trees, or in the Nests; and as they rise with a great deal of Difficulty to take Wing, it was an easy matter to beat them down with long Sticks. The Oil, or Fat of these Birds, is a sovereign Remedy for Sciatica Pains; and for all others proceeding from a cold Cause: It is held in great esteem throughout all the Indies, as a precious Medi|cine.

Fig. 5. The BENGAL JAY is something big|ger than our English Jay: The Bill is of an ash Colour; the top of the Head blue; the Neck and Breast an ash, with a mixture of light brown and red; the Wings are blue, as also the under part of the Belly and Thighs; the Back and Rump are of a muddy green Colour; the Tail is of a dark blue next the Body, of a pale or bright blue in the middle, and dark towards the end: Its Legs and Feet are of a yellowish brown; and the Claws black.

Fig. 6. The BENGAL QUAIL is something bigger than our Quail: Its Bill is of a dark ash, inclin|ing to brown; the top of the Head is black, and under that a bed of yellow; then a line or bar of black crossing from the corners of the Mouth, and encom|passing

[figure]

Fig: 5 A Bengal Gay

[figure]

Fig: 6 Bengal Quail

[figure]

Fig. 7. Bohemian-Gay

[figure]

Fig. 8 Banana Bird

the under part of the Eye, and round the back part of the Head; and under that a Bed of white; the Breast, Belly, and Thighs, are of a pale yellowish buff Colour; the under part next the Tail spotted with red: The hind part of the Neck, Back, and covert Fea|thers of the Wings, are of a yellowish green, except|ing a large Mark of a pale bluish green on the Pinion of the Wings, and another of the same colour on the Rump: The Legs and Feet are of an orange Colour; the Claws of a dark muddy red.

Fig. 7. The BOHEMIAN JAY, or CHATTER|ER, is as big as a Blackbird; being in length, from the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail, nine Inches; breadth, when the Wings are extended, eighteen Inches; its Bill is of a greenish Colour; the Eyes of a beautiful red encompassed with black; the Head somewhat flatish, and of a chesnut Colour, a|dorned with a Crest or Tuft bending backward, of the same Colour, the top more faint: The upper part of the Neck, Back, and covert Feathers of the Wings of an amber Colour; the Breast, Belly, and Thighs more dilute; the Quill Feathers of the Wings are of a dark ash, inclining to black, the half of which have their Tips yellow; the Tail blackish, ex|cept the Tip which is yellow. This Bird is said to be peculiar to Bohemia: It feeds on Fruit, especially Grapes, which it seems very greedy of. It is ex|ceedingly voracious; flies in Companies, and is easily tamed.

Fig. 8. The BANANA Bird from Jamaica, is of the bigness of our English Sterling: The Head, Neck, and upper part of the Breast, part of the Back, and the Wings and Tail were black, except some white Spots in the upper covert Feathers of the Wing; all the rest of the Body is of a fine gold yellow. It re|sembles the Sterling in all its Actions, being very mis|chievous. It is a Native of Jamaica, and other of the Caribbee Islands. Four or five of these Birds, will set upon, and kill a large Bird or Fowl; and when dead, each one, according to his place of Mastership,

choose his part, viz. the Heart, Brains, &c. keepin•• the part which he makes choice of, till he has satiate•• himself. This, says Mr. Albin, I have been Eye witness too.

Fig. 9. The WARWOVWEN is almost as big a•• an Eagle; the top of his Head and Neck, were o•• a flesh Colour, bare of Feathers; the sides of the Face, Chin, and back part of the Head, of a dar•• brown Colour; the Bill long, and hooked at the and, of a red or saffron Colour, with a broad stripe of lead Colour in the middle, round the upper and under Mandible; on the base of its Bill, grew two broad flat scalloped Caruncles of an orange Colour: The Irides of the Eyes white, circled round with scarlet: The Ruff was thick set, with soft long downy Feathers, of an ash Colour; the Back and covert Fea|thers of the Wings, were of a pale buff Colour; the Quill Feathers black; the Craw was of a flesh Co|lour, and bare of Feathers, hanging down like a Bag on the Breast; The Breast, Belly, and Thighs were white; the Tail was composed of twelve white Fea|thers, tipt almost half way with black. The Legs and Feet were of a yellowish flesh Colour; the Claws black; its Food was raw Flesh. This Bird I saw at the George Tavern at Charing-Cross, with the Cassowares; his Keepers call'd him the King of the Vavows, or King of the Vultures. He was brought by a Dutch Ship from Pallampank in the East-Indies. It seems to be somewhat like that Bird which Mr. Willoughby de|scribes by the Name of Uruba, or the Brasil Vul|ture

[figure]

Fig. 9 The Warwovwen

[figure]

Fig. 11. The Little Owl

[figure]

Fig. 10. Little Horn Owl

Fig. 10. The Little HORN-OWl is in weight about ten Ounces; its length from the point of the Bill to the end of the Tail, fourteen Inches; its breadth, when the Wings are extended, three Feet four Inches; its Bill black, and a little above an Inch long; the Tongue fleshy and a little divided; the Face is encompassed with a double row of Feathers, the outer row variegated with small white, black, and red Lines; the inner row, under the Eyes, reddish. Its Horns were above an Inch long, of a yellowish white, with six indented transverse Lines of black; and in shape resembling the Ears of a Cat. The whole Bird was cover'd with a delicate Plume, beautifully varie|gated with white, black, red, yellow and brown Co|lours. The Legs of this Owl were feather'd down to the Feet, and of a light brown Colour; the Claws black. These Birds are found in mountainous and un|frequented Places, not delighting in the lower and plain Countries. That from whence this Figure was copied, was shot on Enfield Chace: in the Stomach of it was found Bones and Fur of Mice.

Fig. 11. Is call'd the LITTLE OWL: It was ta|ken on the Coast of Ushant by my Brother; it having lost its way at Sea, lighting on the Mast of the Ship, was so tired that it suffer'd itself to be taken without any Resistance, and was preserved and brought home by him, and given to me; and from that Bird this Figure was taken by Mr. Albin. This little Owl was about the bigness of a Blackbird; it weighed three Ounces; its length from the tip of the Beak to the end of the Tail, was seven Inches and a half; breadth when the Wings were extended, fourteen Inches: Its Bill was like that of other Owls; the Tongue a little divided, as in the rest of this Tribe; the Ears great,

the Eyes lesser than in other Owls. The Wreath or Circle of Feathers encompassing the Face, beyond the Ears less and less discernable; the upper part of the Body was of a dark brown, with a Mixture of red, having transverse white Spots, intermixed with lines and small specks of black; the Feathers about the Ears were more variegated with black and white; the Chin and Belly of a yellowish white; the Breast mark|ed with long dusky Spots, inclosed with a border of white; its Wings were prettily chequer'd with black and white: Its Legs feather'd down to the Claws; the Feet of a dark yellow; the Claws blackish: It had two fore Toes, and two back Toes.

Fig. 12. The HOOPOE COCK is in weight about ten Ounces; in length, from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail, twelve Inches; breadth, when the Wings are extended, eighteen Inches; its Bill two Inches and a quarter long, black, sharp, and some|thing bending. The shape of the Body approacheth to that of a Plover: The Head is adorned with a most beautiful Crest two Inches high, consisting of a double row of Feathers, reaching from the Bill to the Nape of the Neck, all along the top of the Head; which it can at pleasure set up and let fall; it is made up of twenty-four Feathers, some of which are longer than others; the tips of them are black, under the black they are white, the remaining part under the white being of a chesnut inclining to yellow; the Neck is of a pale reddish yellow; the Breast white.

Fig. 13. The HOOPOE HEN frequented a Gar|den at Woodford on Epping Forest, where they had observed it some time, and used all the means to take it they could; but it was so shy, that it avoided all

[figure]

Fig. 13. Hoopoe Hen

[figure]

Fig: 12. Hoopoe Cock

[figure]

Fig: 14 The Flammant

their Traps that were laid for it; which the Gen|tleman observing, order'd it to be shot; which was accordingly done, and sent to Mr. Albin to draw the Figure of it. A Cock Bird of this kind was shot near Winchester in Hampshire. These Birds are not very common in England; but about Cologn, and else|where in High Germany are frequent, where they call them Widehuppe: They sit for the most part on the Ground, sometimes on Willows, &c. They feed like Woodpeckers, on Beetles and other Insects.

Fig. 14. The FLAMMANT was in length, from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Claws, four Feet ten Inches and a half; in breadth, when the Wings were extended, four Feet; the Legs sixteen Inches from the Knee to the end of the middle Claw; its Bill five Inches and a quarter long, of a singular shape; the upper Mandible is flat and broad, crooked and toothed; the lower thicker than the upper; the tip black, in the young Birds of a dark blue. It is two Years before this Bird arrives to its perfect Co|lour; at which time it is entirely red, except the prime Feathers of the Wings, which are black when it is at its full bigness: its weight is about two Pounds and a half; its Legs are long, and of a red Colour, bare of Feathers a good way above the Knees; the Toes webb'd together; the Claws black. These Birds make their Nests on Hillocks, in shallow Wa|ter, on which they sit with their Legs extended down|wards. They breed on the Coast of Cuba and the Bahama Islands, and frequent the salt Water; a Man by concealing himself from their sight, may kill great Numbers of them, for they will not rise at the Report of a Gun; neither is the sight of those killed close by them, sufficient to terrify the rest, and warn them of

the Danger; but they stand gazing, and as it were astonished, till they are most or all of them killed. When they feed (which is always in shallow Water) by bending their Neck, they lay the upper part of their Bill next the Ground, their Feet being in conti|nual Motion up and down in the Mud; by which they raise a small round sort of Seed or Grain, resem|bling Millet, which they receive into their Bill; and as there is a necessity of admitting into their Mouths some Mud, Nature has provided the edges of their Bill with fine Teeth like those of a Comb, with which they retain the Food, and reject the Mud that is taken in with it. They are thought by some to feed on Fish likewise. This Figure was taken from the Bird itself by Mr. Albin: It was brought from Sir Robert Wal|pole's, where it had been kept alive in the Kitchen some time.

Fig. 15. The CARASOW COCK is almost as big as a Turky; its Bill thick, and hooked at the end, partly ash and partly yellow; on the Base of the upper Mandible is a round Excrescence of the bigness of a Nutmeg, of a yellow Colour; the Eyes black; the Head and Neck covered with Feathers of a deep black like Velvet: On its Head is a Crest of curled black Feathers with white tips turning up spirally as far as the beginning of the Neck, which it can erect or let fall at pleasure: All the rest of the Bird is black, excepting the lower part of the Belly about the Vent, which is white, with a Mark of the fame Colour across the Thigh; the Legs and Feet are of a pale rusty Colour.

Fig. 16. The CARASOW HEN is no less beau|tiful than the Cock; her Head and Neck were black; the tips of some of the Neck-feathers white, with a broad Stripe of white across the middle of the Crest; the Bill was of an ash Colour; the Excrescence on the Base as in the Cock, yellow: The Breast and lower part of the Neck, Back, and Wings were of a dusky brown, the middle of the Belly white; the tips of some of the Feathers black; the Thighs and Parts about the Vent of a pale yellowish brown; the Tail

[figure]

Fig: 15. Carasow Cock

[figure]

Fig: 16. Carasow Hen

[figure]

Fig: 17. The Red Bird.

[figure]

Fig: 18. Ganser

black, with four Bars of white at equal Distances across it; the Legs and Feet of an ash Colour. These Birds, like other domestick Fowl, are tame and sociable, eat|ing and drinking with any Company. The Cock of this Fowl came from the West Indies: They are gene|rally brought from Carasow, from whence they take their Name. They are called by the Indians, Tecue|choli, Mountain-Bird, or American Pheasant.

Fig. 17. The RED BIRD from Richmond. This Name is imposed on it, for want of knowing its real Name. It was kept at Richmond Palace, when Her present Majesty was Princess of Wales, amongst her Collection of Rarities of this kind. Mr. Albin drew the Figure from the Bird itself, but could not meet with any one to inform him from what Country it was brought, nor to answer some other Questions he want|ed to ask concerning it. Excepting in the Colour, it is pretty much like the Carasow Hen, and about the same bigness; its Head likewise is furnish'd with a beautiful Crest, very much resembling the Crest of that Bird; and indeed it seems to be of the same Spe|cies with that Fowl: The Disagreement that is be|tween them, may perhaps be only owing to the diffe|rent Places they are brought from, or such Difference as is common amongst tame Fowls. The outer edges all round the Crest was black; the lower part of the Crest next the Head, and part of the Neck, was of a lead Colour; all the rest of the Bird, a fine red, only the Wings and Tail somewhat darker than the Body; and the Legs and Feet black.

Fig. 18. The GANSER may be classed with those of the Goose-kind, the Bill and Feet being like theirs; the top and back part of the Head, Breast, Belly, and Thighs were of a pale yellowish buff-colour, with a light tincture of reddish brown, here and there in Spots, excepting a large Spot of reddish brown on the middle of the Breast: The Bill was red, flat, and toothed like that of the Goose: The fore-part of the Head round the Eyes reddish brown, with a ring of the same Colour round the upper part of the Neck,

joining to the Head: The back part of the Head and Back were of a reddish brown Colour: The Tail short and black. It was web-footed, its Legs very long, and bare above Knee, both Legs and Feet of a red Colour. Its Food was the same with that of Geese, eating Grass and Corn. The Difference be|tween the Cock and Hen could not be distinguished, either by the Colours or Shape, but only by the Cock's running to the Hen with open Wings, clasping or embracing her round with them.

Fig. 19. The RED-WING'D STARLING ve|ry much resembles the common Starling in shape and size. The whole Bird is black, except the upper part of the Wings, which is a bright scarlet, under that a yellow: The Legs, Feet and Claws are black. This Bird was shot near London; it was thought to be a Cage Bird, which had bot loose: In its Gizzard was found Grubs, Beetles, and small Maggots. It is a Native of Carolina and Virginia, in which Countries they are very numerous. Mr. Catesby makes mention of its flying in Companies with the Purple-Daws, and destroying the Corn wherever they come, being the most destructive Birds in those Countries. He says it makes its Nest over the Water amongst Reeds and Sedges, the tops of which they interweave so artfully, making an Arch or Covering, under which they hang their Nest, (after the manner of the Reed Sparrow) and so secure from wet, that where the Tide flows it is observed never to reach them. It is a very active and familiar Bird, and when kept in a Cage will learn to imitate human Speech.

Fig. 20. The RED-LEGG'D HORSEMAN is in length from the point of the Bill to the end of the Claws, sixteen Inches; in breadth, when the Wings were expanded, twenty four Inches; in weight eight Ounces; its Bill about two Inches long, and slender, reddish at the Base, and black at the Point. The top of the Head, and upper part of the Neck are of a light brown; the Feathers of the Back, and covert Feathers of the Wings in the middle black, then brown

[figure]

Fig: 19 Redwing'd Starling

[figure]

Fig: 20 Red Legg'd Horsman

[figure]

Fig. 22 Long. Tail'd Humming Bird

[figure]

Fig. 21. Green Crown Bird

edged with white, which continues down to within an Inch and a half of the Tail. The Legs are long, and of a pale reddish orange colour, bare above the Knee; the fore Toes long; the Claws small and black. This Bird was shot on the fandy Bank of a River in Essex. The Hen is much of the same Colour of the Cock, the Legs excepted, which are of a green Co|lour.

Fig. 21. The GREEN CROWN BIRD is a very stately fine Fowl, of the bigness of a large Turky. Its Body is cover'd with long Feathers resembling Hair; and of a dark green Colour, having a purplish cast on the Back and Sides, some broad Stripes of red on the Wings tending downwards, the Thighs of a yellow|ish buff-colour; the Legs and Toes long, of a pale yellow Colour; the Claws black. Upon the top of the Head of this Bird, grew certain shafts or stalks, bearing little round Balls on their tops, like those of an Earl's Coronet, of a yellowish Colour: On the fore-part of the Head, a little above the Bill, it has a small red Comb, and two red Marks on each side of the Head. The Bill is short, thick, strong, a little bowed; and of a pale yellow Colour. This Bird is found in the East Indies.

Fig. 22. The LONG-TAIL HUMMING-BIRD is the least of all the Species of this Kind of Birds, of which Naturalists reckon nine different sorts, and the least that we know of found upon our Globe. Its length from the beginning of the Head, or Insertion of the Bill, to the rise of the Tail, is two Inches and a half; that is, the Neck one Inch, and the Body an Inch and a half long: the Head small; the Bill a little more than an Inch long, black, round, sharp and almost straight. The Legs and Feet like those of the rest; the Feathers also of the Body and Wings are alike disposed, but differently coloured: It hath a Tail lon|ger than any of the rest, somewhat more than three Inches, consisting of Feathers, of which that which is nearer to its rise is shorter, the second always longer. The Tail is forked, and the Bird in flying spreads it

into two large Horns, so that the tips of the Horns are an Inch and an half distant from each other. The whole Head and Neck of this Bird is of a shining silken black Colour, inclining to or interchanging with blue, as in the Necks of Mallards; the whole Back and Breast are green, shining interchangeably with golden and sea-green, as in the second kind of these Birds. The Wings are of a liver-colour; the Tail of of a blackish blue, shining like polished Steel blued over. There are so great a variety of beautiful Co|lours, in the Feathers of all the Kinds of these Birds; and so wonderfully resplendent, that they cannot be well represented by any Painter: The Indians make of these Feathers the Representations of Saints, and other things, so dextrously and artificially, to the Life, that one would think they were drawn with a Pencil in Colours. These Birds are fed and nourished with Honey, Dew, and the Juice of Flowers, which they suck out of them with their Bill, or rather very long Tongue, provided and fitted by Nature for that Use; so that being taken alive, they cannot be kept for want of Food, but die in a short time.

Fig. 23. The PORPHYRIO is a kind of Water-Hen; its Body is all over of a purple blue Colour; the Tail of a whitish ash Colour: Its Bill, Legs and Feet, red. Pliny says, that when it drinketh, it seemeth to bite the Water; and hath this Property by himself, to dip and wet his Meat now and and then in Water, and then with its Foot instead of a Hand, to reach it to its Bill. The best of this Kind, he says, are in Coinagene. Mr. Willughby (in his Ornithology) says, neither Gesuer, nor Aldrovandus, nor himself, had ever seen this Bird, but Pictures of it only; and see|ing that the Pictures of it do much vary, and none of those who have compiled Histories of Animals, do profess themselves to have seen the Porphyrio; we did (says he) sometimes doubt, whether there were any such Bird in Nature; especially seeing some of those Things which the Antients attribute to it, as (for Ex|ample) that it hath five Toes on each Foot, are with|out doubt false and fabulous. But because all the Pic|tures

[figure]

Fig: 23 Porphyrio

[figure]

Fig. 24. Amadavad Bird

[figure]

Fig. 25. Crown Bird

of it do agree in the figure of its Bill, Legs, Feet, and some other Parts, we have now chang|ed our Minds, and are more apt to believe the Affir|mative, viz. that there is such a Bird as they picture. Let others (says he) who have the hap to see it, de|scribe it more exactly, and so remove all Doubt and Scruple concerning this Matter out of the Minds of the Learned and Curious. This Figure I here exhi|bit was copied from a curious Drawing, belonging to a Noble Person, whose Name I am forbid to mention.

Fig. 24. The AMADAVAD BIRD in bigness scarce exceeds the Golden-crown'd Wren. Its Bill in shape is like a Goldfinch's; for colour red: The upper side of the Body is of a dusky Colour, in some Birds lighter, in others darker; only the Feathers growing about the Rump are of a scarlet or deep orange; the Quill-feathers of the Wings and those of the Tail are black. The Tail itself is an Inch and half long, made up of twelve Feathers. In some Birds the up|per part of the Breast is of a scarlet red, in others it is wholly black, as is the rest of the Breast and Belly in all. The Colour of the Feathers of these Birds vary very much: The Legs and Feet are white; the Claws very long, like those of Larks, but more crook|ed. These Amadavad Birds are brought from the East Indies.

Fig. 25. The CROWN BIRD from Mexico is of the bigness of the Thrush; its Bill of a tawny Flesh-colour, thick and short, after the manner of the Gros|beaks.

It has a large Crest of green Feathers, which it can set up or lay down at pleasure: The Head, Neck, Back, Breast, and part of the Belly, green; the lower part of the Belly and Thighs of a dusky brown Colour; the first four Quill-feathers of the Wings scarlet, the fourth having fine long white Marks in the outer Web; the rest of the Quill-fea|thers purple, as was also the Tail; the covert and scapular Feathers of the Wings purple, with a Mix|ture of green; the Legs and Feet of a bluish lead Colour.

Fig. 26. The MANUCODIATA, or Bird of Para|dise, for bigness and shape of Body, comes near to a Swallow: The Feathers investing it are of several Co|lours, very beautiful and lovely to behold: The Head like that of a Swallow, and large for the smallness of the Body; the Bill somewhat longer than that of a Swallow. No less than ten sorts of Birds of Para|dise are described by Naturalists; which differ in size, figure, or colour, from each other. There has been divers Stories delivered by antient Authors concern|ing these Birds, that in former Ages were generally received and accepted for true, even by Men of Learning, which are now discovered to be Fables, and rejected and exploded by all Men: Such as their wanting Feet and Legs; that they lived upon Celes|tial Dew; that they flew perpetually without any in|termission, and took no rest but on high in the Air, their Wings being spread; that they were never taken alive, but only when they fell down dead upon the Ground, &c. These most beautiful Birds (as Aldre|vandus reports) are called by the Inhabitants of the Molucca Islands, Manucadiatoe, that is, GOD's Birds;

[figure]

Fig: 26. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Paradise

[figure]

Fig. 27. Cock Maccaw

and had in great Esteem and Veneration. They are call'd Birds of Paradise, both for the excellent shape and beauty of their Bodies, and also because where they are bred, whence they come, and whither they betake themselves, is altogether unknown, since they are found only dead upon the Earth; so that the Vul|gar imagine them to drop out of Heaven, or Para|dise. All which things are now sufficiently refuted, and proved to be false and fabulous, both by Eye|witnesses, and by the Birds themselves brought over entire. As for that particular of their wanting Legs, these Birds are now well known to have Legs and Feet as well as others; and those not short, small, nor feeble ones, but sufficiently great and strong, and arm'd with crooked Talons, as being the Members of Birds of Prey. They are brought from the East Indies.

Fig. 27. The COCK MACCAW: Its Head, Neck, Breast, Belly, and under part of the Tail are a fine scarlet, as is also some of the covert Fea|thers of the Wings; the Back, rest of the Wings, and upper part of the Tail, are of a rich blue: The Beak is of a light ash Colour, the upper Mandible tipt with black: The Legs and Feet are of a dark ash Colour.

Fig. 28. The HEN MACCAW from Jamaica, and other Parts of the West Indies: is in length from the tip of its Bill to the end of the Tail, thirty In|ches: The Body equals that of a well-fed Capon; The Bill hooked, and in that measure that it makes an exact Semicircle, a full Palm long. The top of the Head, the Neck, Back, Wings, and upper side of the Tail, of a very pleasant blue or azure Colour: The Throat, Breast, Belly, Thighs, Rump and Tail underneath all of a saffron Colour. The Tail was about eighteen Inches long: The Legs very short, thick, and of a dusky or dark Colour; as are also the Feet; the Toes long, armed with great, crooked, black Talons. It differs from the Cock, which is of a beautiful scarlet and blue Colour. These Maccaws are the largest of all the Parrot Kind, and bear a good Price, being commonly sold for ten Guineas. This Bird seems to be the same with that Aldrovandus calls the greatest blue and yellow Maccaw: and like wise the Maccaw call'd Ararauna by the Brasilians; described by Marggravius.

[figure]

Fig. 28. Hen: Maccaw

[figure]

Fig. 29. Yellow Sawrey

[figure]

Fig. 30. Green Paroqueet

Fig. 29. The yellow LAWREY, or PAROQUEET, is of the bigness of a Lark, hath a very hooked Bill, of a grey Colour: Its Legs and Feet are of an ash Colour: It hath a very long Tail, reaching about ten Inches beyond the ends of the Wings; both the Belly underneath, and also the Head, Neck, and Back above, are of a beautiful reddish Colour: but the Breast and lower Feathers of the Tail are of a pale rose Colour, which Tail-feathers end in a lovely blue, or Colour mingled of white and green. The Wings are chiefly green, but interwoven with red Feathers, the one half whereof is so variegated on each side with yel|low and rose Colour, that exposed to the Sun it re|presents a thousand varieties of shining Colours, and can hardly be expressed by a Painter: so that this Bird deserves to be highly prized by great Persons. These Paroqueets are brought from the East Indies, &c. and are found chiefly in the midland Countries: They roost and build on the highest Trees; they fly in Companies, and with great noise, as doth the whole Tribe of Parrots: They also learn to pro|nounce some Words, if they be kept tame.

Fig. 30. Is the small GREEN PAROQUEET; the top of the Head and the Throat are red; as is like|wise part of the Tail; the Pinions of the Wings and Rump bluish, all the rest of the Feathers of this Bird of a deep green: The Bill hooked, and of a pale yellowish Colour.

Fig. 31. The GREEN PARROT is on the top and sides of the Head, and Rump, of a fine yellow, or gold Colour, intermixed with red: The Shoul|ders of the Wings a fine scarlet; the first, second, and third rows of covert Feathers of the Wings, are of a beautiful green; the large Quill-feathers of a deep blue, with white edges: The outer edges of four Feathers in the Tail, the same Colour with those on the Shoulders of the Wings.

Fig. 32. The LAWREY is the most beautiful Bird of all the Parrot Kind: The top of its Head is of a fine purple; the Wings of a curious green, as is also the Thighs: It has a half Circle of bright yellow under the Throat: The Neck, Back, Belly and Tail, are of a lovely scarlet: The Legs of a lead Colour; and the tip of the Tail black. The Lawrey is as big as the large common Parrot.

[figure]

Fig 31. Green Parrot

[figure]

Fig. 32. The Lawrey

[figure]

Fig. 33. The Batt.

Fig. 33. The BATT, or FLUTTER-MOUSE, is a Creature between a Bird and a Beast, of which there are three Kinds that we know of, viz. the common sort, frequent in England; another sort about one fourth bigger than the common, with Ears twisted like Rams Horns, about an Inch and a half in measure; and a third kind brought to us from the West Indies, whose Body is as large as a Rat, and the Wings being extended, measure from point to point above two Feet. In these Creatures there is no remarkable difference, but the size of their Parts. These Animals partake of the four-footed Kind in the Make of the Head, which agrees very much with those of the Mouse or Rat kind; the shape of the Trunk of their Bodies likewise is much the same, and are both cover'd with Hair: They also bring forth their young ones perfectly formed, like the four-footed kind, and give them suck. They par|take of the Bird kind in having only two Legs, besides the Hooks at the pinions of their Wings; they have also the Power of flying. The Note or Voice of these Animals is between the chirping of Birds, and the cry of four-footed Beasts. These Creatures have not long Tails, like Animals with four Feet. It is said, the Batt sleeps all the Winter in Holes of old Houses and Walls; it very rare|ly appears in the Day-time, but flies in the dusk of the Evening only. The Wings of a Batt are won|derful strange, consisting of one entire Skin, webb'd together somewhat like the Feet of Water-Fowl. The Claws or Hooks on the tops of the Wings, this Creature makes use of to hang by to any thing it is minded; whilst it is either feeding, sleeping, &c. It feeds on Bacon, Cheese, &c. The Description of this Creature would more properly have come in between the Beasts and Birds; but being omitted there, I chose to place it here rather than leave it out.

BOOK the Third. Of FISHES.

Fig. 1. _THE CUTTLE-FISH is a Sea|fish, of a very odd shape: The Covering of the Back is a sort of Shell, Scale, or Bone, as thick as a Man's Hand, an Inch thick in the middle, but thinner on the sides, light, hard without and spungy within, very white, and some|thing of a saltish taste: The Body of this Fish is white: The Head, Feet, &c. red, blue and white intermixed. It has two large black Eyes, encircled with red: two Trunks or kind of Arms, fixed to the Head, which serve it for swimming, and to catch its Prey: Besides these it has six Feet that have Teeth on their upper part, and two much larger underneath, which shoot out from the Head like Horns: It lives on small Fish that it catches af|ter the manner of Angling, by letting down its two Arms or Feelers as it were a Line, with a Crook at the end of it. 'Tis accounted good Meat, and brought to the Table in several Parts of France: They are best when large, chiefly in the Months of January, February, and March; for the most part

[figure]

Fig: 1. Cuttle Fish.

[figure]

Fig: 2. The Croker.

they are boiled, and eat better than roasted: In Il|lyria the greater are salted, and from thence carried to Venice. The Cuttle-Fish carries under its Throat a Bladder, or Receptacle, full of an Hu|mour blacker than Ink, which it discharges into the Sea when in danger, to intercept the Sight of the Pursuer, and thereby maketh its escape. They ge|nerate by Embraces, in the Spring, and go (as they say) fifteen Days; their Eggs are first white, till they put forth their black Liquor thereon: The Young are excluded the Egg as Birds: The Male is known as being rougher, and is said to assist the Female when in danger. The Powder that is made of the inside of the Shell of this Fish is highly e|steemed in Medicine, and by some Persons preferred to that of Pearl.

Fig. 2. The CROKER is usually about four|teen Inches in length, of the size of a large Mack|rel, but thicker: In deeper Waters, as in the great Bay of Chesapeak they are sometimes taken three Feet in length: The Back and upper part of the Head of this Fish are of a brown Colour; the Sides and Belly of a light Colour, tinctured with red; the Tail entirely red: It has six Fins, two on the Back, two on the Belly, and one on each side below the Gills; the Fins are of a light Colour, striped with a faint red: The Iris of its Eyes are of a fine gold Colour; the Mouth large, furnish'd with very small sharp Teeth. These Fish are found in most of the Rivers of Virginia. They are accounted tolerable good Meat.

Fig. 3. The BONE FISH is on the upper part of the Head, Back, and Tail, of a dusky blue Co|lour; the Belly and Sides of a light ash Colour; the Eyes encircled with white; the Tail forked: It has four Fins; a long spiny one on the Back, one on the Belly, and one on each side under the Gills, near the upper part of the Belly. There are plenty of these Fish on the Coasts of the Bahama Islands.

Fig. 4. The ISING-GLASS FISH is twenty-four Foot long, and weighs four Hundred weight. It is usually met with in the Seas about Muscovy, in Hungary, and other Parts of the Danube. The Back of this Fish is so well furnish'd with Prickles; which stand up like the Teeth of a Saw, that there is not any Fish, how strong soever, will dare to bite it; and the Scales, though they are small, are very sharp, as represented in the Cut, which answers to the Original taken from the Fish itself. The Head of this Fish is very thick, heavy and large, the Mouth very long and open; from the Jaw hangs down two fleshy Barbels: Some have thought from the Nature and Bulk of this Fish, that it is of the Whale-Kind. They make the Ising-glass by cut|ting all the Parts of the Fish in pieces, which they steep in hot Water, and then let it boil over a gen|tle Fire, till it is dissolv'd and reduc'd into a Jelly. They spread this upon Instruments made for the Purpose, that it may dry, and be made into a kind of Parchment. When it is almost dry, they usually roll it up into Wreaths of different shapes and sizes.

[figure]

Fig: 3. Bone Fish.

[figure]

Fig: 5. Black Tail.

The Dutch furnish us with almost all we use. That which is clearest and whitest is best; and which be|ing boil'd in Water and Milk, will almost all dis|solve. Ising-glass is of very great use in Physick.

Fig. 5. The BLACK-TAIL FISH is common|ly from six to ten Inches in length, and proportio|nably thick: The Back, Fins, and upper part of the Head, are of a dusky Colour, inclining to black; the Tail black, with a broad Border of yellow round it, and forked: The Sides are of a bluish ash Colour; with five Lines of bright yellow ex|tending from the Head to near the Tail; the Eyes encircled with white; the Mouth large: The Head and Body in shape are pretty much like the Bone-Fish: It is furnish'd with Teeth like those of a Pearch.

Fig. 6. The SQUIRREL FISH is generally about twelve Inches in length, from the tip of the Snout to the end of the Tail; though some of them grow to four times that bigness: The whole Fish, excepting the first Fin on the Back, and the Sides which have a shade of white, is of a beautiful scar|let Colour; the Tail forked; the Eyes large, and the Mouth small: It has six Fins, of a singular form; the first on the Back is strengthned with many large sharp-pointed Bones, shap'd like Daggers; be|hind which shoots forth a long pliant sharp-pointed Fin, in shape exactly like one Fork of the Tail; the rest as express'd in the Figure, which is an exact Draught. This Fish is a well-tasted good eating Fish.

[figure]

Fig: 6, Sea. Squirrel, on Red Pearch

[figure]

Fig: 7 Skip-Jack

Fig. 7. The SKIP-JACK, so called in Carolina, from its frequent skipping out of the Water; but in Virginia it is called Green Fish, because when just taken, the Back and upper part of the Sides appear of a fine resplendent green Colour. This Fish is about twelve Inches in length; has a large wide Mouth, both Jaws armed with a single row of sharp Teeth; a bright Eye, encircled with yellow. It has five Fins, and a forked Tail. Its Scales are very small, and the Fish when alive is exceeding beautiful. It is a Fish of no disagreeable Taste, but accounted tolerable good Meat.

Fig. 8. The GREEN EEL is of the bigness of a large common Eel, and like it in shape. The whole Body is of a deep green, finely spotted with black. One kind of this Fish is of a light grey Co|lour sprinkled with innumerable black Spots; per|haps of different Sex only: The Inhabitants of the Bahama Islands will eat only the green sort, reject|ing those which are black, as thinking them poison|ous. It is customary for these Fish, as they are lurk|ing among the hollow Rocks and Corals, to bite Peoples Legs that are exposed to them, though their bite is of no worse consequence than fetching Blood.

Fig. 9. The FRESH-WATER PEARCH is usually small, seldom found as big as a Man's Hand: the Back of a dark brown dusky Colour; the Sides of a fine blue, extended from the Head to the Tail, but more fainter towards the Tail; the Belly of a lovely golden yellow; and the Tail of a dusky yellowish Colour: It has five Fins, that on the Back and those under the Belly of a bright yellow, those on the Sides under the Gills white: The Eye is en|circled with a golden yellow; across the Gills, which are of the same blue Colour as the Sides, are divers Lines of black pointing towards the Head; and just above the Fin on the side, near to the Gills, is a very remarkable beautiful red Spot, and joining to that a black one. Of these Fish there are plenty both in Carolina and Virginia: They are chiefly found in Mill-Ponds, and other standing fresh Wa|ters; and called by some Ground-Pearch, from their burrowing into, and covering themselves in the Mud or Sand.

Fig. 10. The RUDDER-FISH is of the size of a small Roach, about four or five Inches in length: The upper part of the Body is brown, with large Spots of dusky yellow; the lower part of the Body is alternately streaked with yellow and white; and in the yellow Lines Dots of black: This Fish is every way curiously mark'd, and beautiful to behold. These Fish are commonly to be met with in warm Climates, and in crossing the Atlantick Ocean Ships Rudders are seldom free from them: They seem to

[figure]

Fig: 9. Fresh water Pearch

[figure]

Fig: 10. Rudder-fish.

[figure]

Fig. 11. Lane Snapper

gather their Nutriment from the Slime adhering to the Rudder and Bottom of the Ships; and though so small a Fish, they keep pace with Ships in their swiftest Course.

Fig. 11. The LANE-SNAPPER is in length about nine or ten Inches; the whole Body is of a red Colour, darkest on the Back; with Lines, and Dashes of bright yellow all over the Body and Head: The Fins yellow, and the Tail red and forked. The Eye is large encircled with red.

Fig. 12. The SEA-HAWK is a slender Fish about fourteen Inches long; of a dark brown Co|lour on the upper part, the Sides and Belly light. The Fins and Tail are of a reddish brown; the Eye is encircled with the same Colour. The Mouth is very large for the size of the Fish, and well furnished with small sharp irregular Teeth; the Tail is forked. These Fish are sometimes taken on the Coast of Carolina, but very rare.

Fig. 13. The Bahama UNICORN-FISH is sometimes found three Feet in length: The Body is of a very odd singular Form, thick in the middle, and tapering at both ends; the Head resembles that of a Hog's: It has a very small Mouth, with six Teeth only; two in the upper and four in the un|der Jaw: The upper part of the Head, Back and Tail, of a dark olive Colour; the Belly white; the Fins are of a pale red. The Body and Head of this Fish was marked all over very oddly with Lines re|sembling Worms and Maggots; of a beautiful sky|blue Colour: The Eye is large, encircled first with yellow, then with olive, then with yellow again, and lastly the whole circumvested with blue of the same Colour with the marks on the Body: besides those blue marks, the Body is sprinkled thinly over with black round Spots, like Patches: It has a ta|pering sharp-pointed Fin or Horn, growing out of the top of the Back, a little behind the Eyes; which it can raise and point either backward or for|ward at its pleasure, and when laid along reaches to the Fin on the Back: This Bone is very brittle, and easily broke, by which one would not think it so defensive a Weapon as otherwise Nature seems to have design'd it for. These Fish are not eat, being thought poifonous: They most frequent those Seas amongst the Bahama Islands, where the Corals are most plentiful. Its Guts were full of small Shells and other coralline Substances, most of which was ground very small; which by the strength of its Jaws Nature has enabled it to perform.

[figure]

Fig: 13. Bahama Unicorn — fish

[figure]

Fig: 14. The Blew Fish

Fig. 14. The BLUE FISH is usually about a Foot in length; though sometimes they are found as large again: The Head is large; of an uncom|mon Structure, as the Figure represents, somewhat like the Whale's, which produces the Sperma Ceti: The Mouth small; the Eyes encircled with red; the Tail forked and strip'd with black Lines; the whole Fish of a sine blue Colour. They are fre|quently taken among the Bahama Islands; and in most of the Seas between the Tropicks.

Fig. 15. The Old PUDDING WIFE FISH is about a Foot in length; sometimes they are found sixteen Inches long: The Body of this Fish was of a dark olive Colour on the Back, the Belly and Sides lighter; cover'd with large Scales, hav|ing the upper edge of every Scale blue. It has a long yellow Fin on the Back, edged with a nar|row border of blue, like a Ribbon, another Fin on the Belly, near the Tail, of the same Colour, edg|ed in like manner: It has likewise a long Fin, shooting out from the upper part of the Belly, near the Gills, with the same Line of blue extending from the Basis to the Point. It has a broad beautiful Border that extends from the Fin on one side, quite un|der the Belly to the Fin on the other side, representing a Girt; with five Lines of blue and yellow alter|nately. The Eye is encircled with a lovely red, like Fire, from whence shoot forth seven bright blue Rays; which gives it the beautiful appearance of a resplendent Star. The Mouth of this Fish is not large; but its Jaws are armed with strong sharp Teeth; the upper Mandible is loose, and can be contracted, or drawn in upon occasion under the adjoining bony part of the Head, in like manner as in the Hog-Fish: The Tail is of a dark brown with a broad Border of yellow, inclining to red.

[figure]

Fig: 15. Old Pudding-wife Fish

[figure]

Fig: 16. Hog. Fish.

Fig. 16. The HOG-FISH is commonly about a Foot in length; yet sometimes they are found two Feet long: The Head, Tail, Fins, and whole Body of this Fish are of a yellowish red Colour; the Belly somewhat lighter than the rest of the Bo|dy: The Eyes are encircled with a pale red; the Tail forked. The Head something like that of a Hog's, being sharp-snouted: The end of its upper Jaw is furnished with large sharp Teeth; opposite to which in the under Jaw are two of the same size; the rest of the Teeth are small, sharp, and thick-set: The upper Jaw is gristly, and so dis|joined from the Head, that, like the Pudding-Wife Fish, it can either dilate or contract it at plea|sare.

Fig. 17. The GRUNT is in length, from the tip of the Snout, to the end of the Tail, about twelve Inches: The Back of this Fish is of a dark brown Colour; the Belly and Sides of a light ash, inclining to blue; the Fins and Tail of a light brown: The whole Body is covered with large Scales, edged with yellow: The Head is elegantly striped with a bright blue, and a golden yellow Co|lour, alternately placed; which makes it appear as if the Head was cover'd with a rich strip'd Sattin. The Mouth of this Fish is large, the Eye encir|cled with yellow, and the Tail forked.

[figure]

Fig: 17. Grunt Fish

[figure]

Fig: 18. The Pork Fish

Fig. 18. The PORK-FISH is commonly about twelve-Inches in length, and about five broad; with a rising Back: The Eyes of a bright yellow; its Mouth moderately wide, with many very small sharp Teeth: The Fins on the Back and Belly of a deep yellow, or orange Colour; the Tail of the same Colour, and forked; the Fins on the sides of a pale yellow: The Head, Back, and Sides of a dark blue or lead Colour, the Belly something light|er, six broad Lines extend from the Head to the Tail, of a bright yellow; it has likewise a mark of the same Colour between the Head and Back, pointing down a little behind the Eye. It is e|steemed by the Bahamians a good eating Fish.

Fig. 19. The SCHOOLMASTER FISH, (so called by Mr. Catesby, but why, I know not) is a small Fish about eight Inches in length; tho' some|times they grow to a Foot. The Head and Body is of a pale red Colour: Its Fins and Tail of a lovely gold Colour. It is remarkable this Fish has no Fins on the Shoulders, or Sides adjoining to the Gills, as usually found in most Fish; there are indeed some few others that want it likewise.

Since it is fall'n in my way in the above Descrip|tion to make mention of Mr. Catesby; I'll take this Opportunity of making Acknowledgment, of the very great Assistance I have had from His History of the Natural Rarities of Carolina, Virginia, &c. to which incomparable Book I am indebted for most of my Fish; and to which I refer such curious Persons as desire a more ample and particular Account of the Animals and Vegetables of those Countries; it con|taining the most perfect Draught of the Birds, Plants, &c. as well as Fish, of any extant.

[figure]

Fig: 19 School master Fish.

[figure]

Fig: 20 Old-wife Fish

Fig. 20. The OLD-WIFE FISH (of which there are several Kinds) is commonly about ten Inches in length, and five in breadth: It has a ris|ing sharp Back; the Belly flattish, three or four Fin|gers wide; from whence some have call'd it the Tri|angular Fish: It is cover'd with a hard crustacious Skin, of a brown Colour, without Scales, curiously mark'd all over with indented. Spots, large on the Sides, and smaller about the Head and Tail. It has a very small Mouth, with sharp Teeth, a large Eye plac'd high on the Head, of a remarkable Structure; two Nostrils or Vent-holes under the fore-part of the Eye; four Fins of a lighter brown than the Body, as is also the end of the Tail; the part of the Tail next the Body dark, long, slender, and which the Fish can, as it seems, draw ••p to its Body at pleasure, as it were into a Socket. These kind are seen in passing the Tropick, where they swim in large Shoals; and likewise in other Parts of the Indies: They are a white, firm, and wholesome eating Fish. It is taken with a small Hook.

Fig. 21. Is the Male to the Old Wife, and there|fore we call it the OLD-HUSBAND FISH. It answers to one of those Fish Mr. Willughby describes by the Name of Piscis Triangularis Cornutus. It is of a yellowish brown Colour like the Female, but more beautiful, finely mark'd all over the Body with large Marks, representing Stars, Marbling, and other curious Figures. It has two sharp Horns on the fore-part of its Head, growing from a thick Basis, about three quarters of an Inch in length, and tho' but slender yet very strong, with which it is capa|ble of defending itself, and like a Bull, give dange|rous Wounds to the Sides of its Enemy. His hin|der part is likewise well guarded with two long strong Bones or Fins, like his Horns, one on each side of the Belly, near the Tail; and when closely chased, he draws up his Tail, and bids. Defiance with these Horns to his hungry Pursuer. It is said these Fish swim in Companies, with their Females, for their mutual Defence; and notwithstanding they fre|quent the Ocean, exposed to the large, the bold, and voracious Kind, yet the Male being so well fortify'd by Nature, both with Weapons of Defence and Cou|rage to use them, few dare attack him. The Fi|gures of both Male and Female were taken from the Fish themselves; sent me by Mrs. Ann Tilly, a young Lady who is fond of such kind of Curiosities.

[figure]

Fig: 21. Old. Husband Fish.

[figure]

Fig. 22. Yellow Fish

Fig. 22. The YELLOW FISH is a small beau|tiful Fish, commonly about nine Inches in length, though some are found twelve. The Head and Bo|dy is cover'd all over with small Scales of a yellow Colour, the Back somewhat darker than the Belly and Sides. It has five Fins, a long prickly one on the Back, two under the Belly, and one on each side behind the Gills: The Head is large, the Mouth wide, in the under Jaw a double row of small Teeth; in the upper are three large Teeth, with some very small ones within the Roof of the Mouth: It has a brisk lively Eye encircled with red.

Fig. 23. The NEGRO FISH is a small Fish, from six to ten Inches in length, and in shape not unlike a Pearch; the upper part of a dark brown Colour; the under somewhat lighter: The Head and Body is sprinkled thick all over with small bright sky-blue Spots. The Fins are of a reddish brown Colour: The Eye is encircled with a gol|den yellow: The Mouth wide, with a single row of sharp Teeth in each Jaw.

Fig. 24. The TANG in the shape of its Body is something like the Bream; about ten Inches in length, and about eight wide; though some are ta|ken twice that bigness: The whole Fish is of a dark blue Colour: the Mouth of a very singular Form, as the Figure expresses, without Teeth. It has a large-prickly Fin on the Back, reaching from the Head almost to the Tail; two on the Belly, one large like that on the Back, and a long slender one towards the Head: The Tail is large, and spreads very wide, both sides shooting into sharp Points; and as it wants Teeth, Nature has supplied that De|ficiency by arming the Tail on each side with a strong sharp-pointed Bone, which in defence of him|self he extends when Danger approaches. This Weapon, with its prickly Fins, seem to deter the voracious Kind that prey on others, from attacking him. Yet I have seen (says Mr. Catesby) a Barra|cuda pursue and bite off a third part of him behind; which when he had swallowed, he deliberately bit off half the remaining part, and devoured the whole Fish at the third Mouthful. The Tang is account|ed a good eating Fish.

[figure]

Fig: 24. The Tang.

[figure]

Fig: 25. Rock Fish

Fig. 25. The ROCK-FISH is usually found from twelve to eighteen Inches in length; yet they are sometimes caught two or three Feet in length. The Head, Back, and Fins on the Back and Belly, are of a dusky blue or lead Colour, the Belly light|ish: The Fins behind the Gills are of lead Colour, yellow at the Ends. The Body is sprinkled all over with red Spots: It has a large Mouth, and a full Eye, of a lovely scarlet Colour. Mr. Catesby says, this Fish for its poisonous Quality, has the worst Character of any other among the Bahama Islands; but whether they are eatable from any particular Places he knew not; many of their poi|sonous Fishes being not so when taken in some Pla|ces; of which the Inhabitants can give a near guess, but sometimes they are miserably deceived.

Fig. 26. The HIND FISH is commonly about twelve or fourteen Inches in length, though some of them are found near twice that bigness. The whole Fish instead of Scales was cover'd with a thick▪ Skin variously coloured; viz. the Head of a muddy red, the Back of a dark reddish brown, the Side green, and Belly whitish with a Tincture of red▪ The whole sprinkled over thick with red Spots▪ The Fins on the Back, Belly, and Sides of a light brown; the Tail of a dark lead Colour, inclining to blue, striped and border'd with black. It has a large Mouth, with small Teeth; a full Eye, encircled with red and yellow mixed together: The Back o•• this Fish is well guarded with strong sharp Fins, or Bones, set up like sharp-pointed Stakes. The Hind-Fish are plentiful in the shallow Seas of the Bahama Islands, and are accounted good Meat.

[figure]

Fig. 26. Hind Fish

[figure]

Fig: 27. The Shad

Fig. 27. The SHAD is of a light grey, with some of its Scales tinctured with purple. It has a small Mouth, without Teeth: But what is most re|markable in this Fish is, that the fore-part of the Head was of a cartilaginous Substance, the back-part strong and bony; which seems design'd for a Shield to secure the defenceless part, which he contracts under it when Danger approaches. It is esteemed a good eating well-tasted Fish.

Fig. 28. The SOLDIER is a kind of Craw-Fish, found in several of the American Isles, parti|cularly in the Island of St. Dominico in the West In|dies, where there are great Numbers. It is about three or four Inches in legnth, and so called, because he is clothed and armed with a foreign Shell. These Creatures go down sometimes to the Sea-Coast; but whether it is to wash, and to cast their Eggs, as the Land-Crabs do, is not known; but this is certain, that they go to change their Shells, which every one endeavours to find out according to his size: and finding what may fit'em, they run themselves back|wards therein, and so cloath themselves anew: and being arm'd like Soldiers with these foreign Shells, they march up again to the Woods, and take up their Quarters among hollow Trees, &c. living up|on rotten Leaves, Fruit, &c. where increasing in Bulk, and the Shell becoming too straight for them, they are obliged to go down to the Sea-Coasts to

change their Houses again. The Curious, who have made Observations of what happens during this Ex|change, have own'd, they took a great deal of Pleasure in the sight; for these Creatures stop at every Shell they meet with, consider it diligently, and having met with one they like, immediately quit the old one, and run themselves so swiftly backwards in|to the other, that one would think they were either afraid of the Injury of the cold Air, or asham'd to to be seen naked; and if two of them meet at the same time stripp'd, to enter into one and the same Shell, they will bite each other, and battle it, till such time as the weaker yields, and quits the Shell to the Conqueror; who having cloath'd himself with it, takes three or four turns upon the Shore, and if he finds it does not fit him, quits it again, and has immediate recourse to his old one, and then seeks out for another; and thus they will change five or six times, till they meet with one for their Purpose. They carry in their Shells about half a Spoonful of clear Water, which is a sovereign Remedy against the Pustles and Blisters that the wet which drops from the Manchineel Tree raises upon the Skin.

[figure]

Fig. 28. Ther Soldier

[figure]

Caterpillar Fig: 1.

[figure]

Fig: 2.

BOOK the Fourth. Of INSECTS.

Fig. 1. _IS a curious CATERPILLAR; the Body of an uncommon Struc|ture, being exactly four-square; and of a dark green Colour, mark'd with yellow and red: The Edge of every Square was furnished with little round Heads or Balls, standing at an equal distance, one on the top of each Joint or Partition, all of them full of Hair, and of a fine scarlet Colour. Its Feet, and little Claws, were wrapped in a thin transparent Skin, as was also the covering of the Belly; that as it crawl|ed no Feet were seen; but by means of this little Skin, the Caterpillar sticks fast to any thing like a Snail. It was found crawling on a Leaf of the Bat|tattes: on the 22d of July it made itself a Web, of an oker Colour; from whence on the 23d of August, that beautiful FLYING INSECT, Figure 2. was produced.

Fig. 2. The upper part of the Body of this In|sect was black, finely mark'd with a golden yellow; the Head, and part of the Wings before black, vein'd

with gold; the outer part of a yellowish brown: The under Wings of a lovely rose Colour; the Legs and under part of the Body were black. These In|sects, and some of the following ones, are found in the Indies; described by Merian.

Fig. 3. Is an INDIAN Insect of the CHA••••ER Kind; very common to be met with upon the P••••e|granate Tree; of a heavy and sluggish Nature and therefore easily catch'd. It is furnish'd with a long Tube or Trunk, under its Nose; which it very dextrously fixeth in the sweet Flowers to suck the Honey out, thro' the same. When it prepares itself for its Transformation, it lies motionless for a consi|derable time, till at length the Skin on its Back break|ing of its own accord, there comes forth the FLYING INSECT, Figure 4. the Wings of which are transpa|rent, of a pale rose Colour, streaked and veined with scarlet, and border'd all round with a pale yellow: But what is remarkable, it preserves the same Trunk, or Body, which the foregoing Chafer has, from whence it is produced; leaving its old Skin or Shell, in Situation, Shape and Colour, resembling the pri|mitive Insect; which Colour was of a deep green. These Flies are very frequently found about Surinam; they are very swift in flying, insomuch that Merian. says, she spent several Hours in catching one only. This Fly makes a sound like an Harp, to be perceived at a distance by its Singing; for which reason it is cal|led Lyricen, and by the Dutch Lierman. From these kind of Flies, (as the Indians say) are produced the famous Fly called the Lantern-Bearer.

[figure]

Fig. 3.

[figure]

Fig. 4.

[figure]

Fig: 6.

[figure]

Fig: 7.

[figure]

Fig: 8.

[figure]

Fig: 5.

[figure]

Fig: 9.

Fig. 5, and 6. Are the Male and Female Moth-Flies, from whence the Silk-Worm is produced, which are hatch'd from an Egg of the bigness of a Mustard-seed. The SILK-WORM, Fig. 7. is of a pale cream-co|lour inclining to white. During this Form it con|stantly undergoes four Sicknesses, each lasting about three Days, wherein it feeds not at all, but grows thicker, shorter and clearer, and at each Sickness changes its Skin. It after changes from that of a Worm to an Au|relia or Chrysalis, Fig. 8. whereunto it is transformed after its spinning time; in which State it lies shut up in hot Countries for fourteen or fifteen Days, in more tem|perate ones eighteen or twenty Days, without any Food known to us: during which time this Insect leaves two Skins, both that of a Worm when it is changed into an Aurelia, and that of an Aurelia when it becomes a Moth in its Silk-case. Its last Transformation is from an Aurelia to a Moth, which eats its way out thro' the sharp end of the Case, Fig. 9. by a Hole just big enough to creep thro'. This last Change into a Moth-Fly is the Perfection of this Insect. In this State the Male and Fe|male couple, and soon after die; the Female having first laid her Eggs, which are of a pale yellow Colour, but in a few Days change into a dark grey or liver Colour. And, what is wonderful, these Eggs are kept ten Months in the Year as a dead thing, taking Life again in their Sea|son. The first Silk-worms that were brought into Europe was in the time of Justinian the Emperor, who began his Reign A. D. 526. till then the Europeans were so ig|norant as to the Knowledge of the Production of Silk, that they imagin'd it grew on the tops of Trees, as Cotton; and was in all those Western Parts for a long time very dear, being weight for weight of equal Va|lue with Gold, a Pound of one costing a Pound of

the other. Persia was the only Place which the Euro|peans frequented, for the sake of their Silk: and it is certain that the Persians took care, for many hundred Years, to keep their Silk-Manufactures to themselves, not permitting the Silk-Worms to be carried out of Persia, or any Persons to pass from thence into the West, who were skilled in managing them. Justinian looking on it as a great Hardship, that the Subjects of his Empire should buy this Manufacture of the Per|sians at so dear a Rate, in order to put an end to this Imposition, sent two Monks into India, (under|standing that there was plenty of Silk in those Parts) to learn there how the silken Trade was managed; and on their Return to bring with them (if it was possible to be procured) some of the Species, whether Vege|table or Animal, from which the Silk was produced; that so he might set up the Manufacture in his own Dominions. These Monks, when they returned, told the Emperor, That the Silk was produced by a living Creature, a Worm, which could not be brought so long a Journey alive. But understanding from them that its Eggs might be brought; from which the Creatures might be propagated; He sent them back a second time, to bring him of those Eggs: Who hav|ing effected what they went about, brought to Con|stantinople great Quantities, which they presented to the Emperor in great State on Horseback, (accom|pany'd by many of his Nobles, Senators and Magis|trates) enclos'd in a Roll or Horn of Paper, with In|structions how to breed, nourish, and draw Silk from the said Creatures: which was received with great Applause and Admiration; and from those Eggs have been propagated all the Silk-Worms, and their Silk in Europe.

At the Season of the Year for hatching the Silk-Worms

Eggs, which, as observed, is about the begin|ning of May, provide some Sheets of fine white Cap-Paper; each of these Sheets make into the form of a Dripping-Pan, by turning up the edges of the Paper about an Inch and half on every side: in these Paper Pans put the Silk-worms Eggs, placing them in a Chamber-Window, where the Sun shines powerfully upon them, and securing them from Cats, Birds, &c. there leave them Day and Night to hatch of them|selves; and when you perceive the Worms begin to come out of their Eggs, give them young Mulberry-Leaves, or for want of them, the Leaves of Lettuce, till they can have Mulberry-Leaves; and then keep them constantly to that Diet: After this manner, in these Paper Troughs or Pans feed them till their Spin|ning-time, taking care to clean them as often as Occa|sion requires; and if you are minded to remove the Worms to other Paper Troughs, that they may lie thinner and cooler, give them a few fresh Leaves, and the Worms will come presently upon them: These Leaves remove with the Worms; but if they are grown large, take them gently in your Hands, and put them into other Troughs. When the Worms have fed their full time, and are ready to spin their Silk, roll up white Paper like a Wafer, these pin up against the Hangings of a Room, or to Lines tied cross the Room; in these Papers put every single Worm, as you perceive it wants to spin, which it will begin to do generally as soon as it is put into the Paper. When the Worm has finished its Case, and changed into an Aurelia, which is known by hearing it rattle, when it is shaken at the Ear. Then proceed to wind off the Silk, never suffering the Moth-Fly to eat its way out of the Case, not even of those that are designed to

propagate Seed for the next Year. A Gentleman very curious in his Observations and Experiments upon the Silk-Worm, his Method in winding off the Silk is, as soon as the Worms have finished their Bottoms, and changed into Aurelias, to put the Bottoms into warm Water, with some Spirit of Wine in it, which he says facilitates the winding off the Silk very much; the Ends he finds more readily, and winds them on a Card in his Hand, without any Reel or Machine at all: And as the Silk-Bottoms are wound off, he takes the Aurelia of each, and places them in one of those clean Paper-Pans, erect upon the piqued end; and when its time is accomplished, to enter upon its last Transformation of a Moth-Fly, it will assume its new State, as well as if it had continued the whole time in its Silk-Case; and this Method is practised by divers other Persons, who wind off the Silk after the same manner. When the Silk-Moths are come out of their Cases, being per|fectly transformed, and are put into such Paper Drip|ping-Pans, or Troughs, as they are bred in, there they will couple and lay their Eggs: When that is over, the Papers with the Eggs upon them (never attempt to take the Eggs off) are to be put into a Chest or Trunk one upon another, among wollen Cloths; and without any other Art or Means, there let them re|main till the next Spring. Some Ladies who keep Silk-Worms, besides the Pleasure they take in feeding and observing these wonderful Creatures, make use of the Silk-Case, which they cut (after the outer Sleave or Down is off) into artificial Flowers to wear in their Heads, which they themselves paint and colour, to imitate Nature.

Fig. 10. The Caterpillar from whence this curious BUTTERFLY was produced, was of a fine scarlet Colour, strip'd with yellow: They are frequently found crawling on the Vanilla Plant, and likewise on that call'd the Passion-Flower. Merian says, she fed one of these Caterpillars till the latter end of May; it then, according to the usual Transformation of the Butterfly Kind, chang'd into an Aurelia, and on the seventh of June following, became the Butterfly in

[figure]

Butterfly Fig. 10.

[figure]

Fig: 11.

[figure]

Fig. 13.

[figure]

Fig. 12.

[figure]

Fig. 14.

[figure]

Fig. 15

the Plate, Fig. 11. the upper side of which was of a bright red, curiously mark'd with black; the inner side of a dusky yellow, or pale saffron, richly spotted with silver: The upper part of the inside of the Wings, next the Head, was of a pale red with black Spots, studded with silver. These kind of Butter|flies are found in the Indies.

Fig. 12. Is a curious Insect of the BEETLE or CHAFER Kind: Its Back was black, with a yel|low mark cross the middle, in the form of a Half|moon: The upper part of the Wings, the Horns, Feelers, and two Joints of the Legs next the Body, were all of a fine crimson Colour; the ends of its Legs of a pale yellow; the Body under the Wings of a bright yellow. This Insect turns its Horns back over its Body, the points of which meet and make a kind of Circle. It was produced from the Worm or Maggot, Fig. 13. which was found feeding on the Carduus, or Thistle, growing in the Fields of Suri|nam.

Fig. 14. The great black BEETLE, or CHA|FER, is produc'd from the Worm Fig. 15. called in Dutch the Palmyt-Worm, because it gets its Food in the Palmer Tree. The Worms are generated in the Trunk of this Tree in great abundance, which feed on the Pith of it; they are a little bigger than Mites in Cheese, at first, but at last grow to the bigness of the Figure represented in the Plate. The Indians lay these Worms on the Fire, and when roasted eat them very greedily, and think them a delicious Food.

Fig. 16. This Insect was produc'd from a Ca|terpillar of a bright red, and white Colour; with a black Spot on the last Crease or Partition of its Body; the middle of which was remarkable for its little white Skin, shining like Crystal; which as often as the Insect fetch'd Breath, did alternately rise and fall again. On the 26th of August, one of these, according to the usual Metamorphosis of Caterpillars, became the Aurelia, Fig. 17. on a Vine-Leaf, pret|tily twisted and folded up; and on the 15th Day of September, that beautiful Autumnal Fly (Fig. 16) came from it, of a green Colour, with six white Spots on the upper part of its Body, and two on each side toward the Tail. The under Wings were finely painted with a curious sky and red Colour, with a broad Border of pale yellow. This Insect is furnish'd with a very long, and remarkable Proboscis, or Trunk, with which it sucks the Juice of the Grape, and very dextrously fastens it in each Bunch; which is the Food it most delights in, as does the Caterpil|lar in the Leaf of the Vine.

[figure]

Fig. 16.

[figure]

Chirelia Fig. 17.

[figure]

Fig. 19.

[figure]

Fig. 18.

Fig. 18. This Worm, or Caterpillar was found crawling on the Root of the white Battattes; a Fruit of the Earth growing naturally about Surinam, which notwithstanding are not eat: It produces a fine white Flower. By digging in a Garden in the Month of April, some of these Caterpillars were discover'd lying at the Root of a Battattes, wrapp'd up in a narrow Compass: One of these had just put on the form of a beautiful Chaser; others were less changed, but approaching to the same. All as yet were manifestly soft, and whitish; but in a few Hours after growing hard, they were all gradually changed into such a kind of painted Chafer as is here represented Fig. 19. flying, which was of a deep green, a crimson, with Stripes of yellow, &c. The Wings of which appear'd in Colour much like unto a beautiful Tulip, variegated with curious Co|lours.

Fig. 20. This Insect, called in Dutch hel War|delende Blad, as being a sort of Locust; though Me|rian calls it a Glo-worm; is bred from an Egg, which after natural Conjunction the Female lays in that place, in which afterwards the young Creatures to be produced can get their Food at hand; (a provident Instinct implanted in the Parents of most, if not all Insects.) First these little Creatures become Worms, or Caterpillars; which feeding grow and increase; and when come to a complete bigness, they spin their Webs, and are transformed into Aurelia's: some of which want a shorter, some a longer time to at|tain their full vigor: All of which at last come out of their Shells, and break forth moist, and their Wings very much twisted; but sometimes their Wings grow dry, and are expanded in less than half an Hour, after they have stirr'd and shaken them|selves a little: so that they appear in every respect perfect as represented in the Figure: which being thus chang'd, seem ten times larger than the Aure|lia's in which they were just now shut up.

Fig. 21. Is a kind of Locust found in the Indies: Merian says, her Negro, whom she charg'd to search for Worms, Caterpillars, and other little Creatures, every where in the Woods; brought her a Leaf wrapp'd up, which being carefully open'd, presented to her sight green Eggs, as big as Coriander Seed; from which, in a few Days after, little black Crea|tures like small Pismires were hatch'd; which grew by degrees till they arriv'd to their full bigness, as the Figure shews: without being changed into Au|relia's, as the Glo-worms are, but by the Growth and Increase of their Parts only. Their Wings are like a green Leaf, strengthen'd with such-like Fibres. There are several-sorts of these Insects that differ in Colour: Some are of a bright green, others of a duller green, and others again of various and ash Colour: Besides there are some to be met with, whose Wings look like dried Leaves. Ignorant Peo|ple have thought these little Creatures themselves

[figure]

Fig: 20.

[figure]

Fig: 21.

[figure]

Fig. 24.

[figure]

Fig. 22.

[figure]

Fig. 23.

sprung from the Tree where they spin their Webs, because their Wings are green, and have the form of a Leaf.

Fig. 22. The COCK-ROCH, or as Merian calls them the Kakkerlacae, are the most remarkable of all Infects in America; because they every where do the Inhabitants the greatest Damage, by destroying their Wollen and Linnen, and spoiling their Victuals and Drink: All manner of sweet things are their beloved Food; for which reason they are much delighted with the Ananas, or Pine-Apple, which for the richness of its Flavour, is justly call'd the King of Fruits. These Insects lay their Eggs up in Heaps, which they wrap all round in a Bag, or Web, after the manner of some Spiders: When their little Eggs are hatch'd, and the young ones quite perfect, they break their Egg-shells with gnawing; and the little Crea|tures run out with prodigious nimbleness: and as they are no bigger when first hatch'd than Ants, they creep thro' Cracks and Key-holes, into Boxes, Chests, &c. with all the ease imaginable, where they gnaw and spoil all they can come at: till at last they grow to the bigness of the Figure 23. in the Plate, of a reddish brown Colour, mark'd with white: hav|ing two very long Horns; six hairy Legs, with two sharp Claws at their ends, like Forks: the Head black, with a reddish Circle round the upper part. When the Creature is arrived to this bigness, or full Growth; it sheds or casts its Skin; which Skin bursting on its Back, comes forth the Cock-roch, Figure 24. which is the Insect in its perfect State; with Wings sost and tender, at first whitish, after of a reddish Colour: The Head, Horns, legs, &c. both in shape and colour the same as before the Insect cast its Skin. Its Shell

or cast Skin remaining, preserv'd its primitive Form of an Insect.

Fig. 25. Is a large SPIDER seizing on the Hum|ming-Bird. Of these kind of Spiders, Merian tells us, she found many on the Guajava Tree, in which they make Nests, representing a Caterpillar's Web: Their Bodies are cover'd all over with Hair: they are besides furnished with sharp-pointed Teeth, with which they give dangerous Wounds; infusing some liquid Matter from them at the same time. Pismires are their common Food; in scarcity of which they take the young Birds out of their Nests, and suck all the Blood out of their little Bodies. The Hum|ming-Bird that this Spider preys on, is thought to be the least of all Birds; the Body, together with the Feathers, is scarce equal in bigness to a Spanish Olive: They are very richly beautified with various Co|lours, wonderfully resplendent, being finer than the very Peacock himself,-(see Page 19.) It makes its Nest in the Boughs of Trees, of the bigness of an Holland Schilling; and lays very white Eggs, two for the most part, of an oval Figure, not bigger than Pease. These Birds fly very swiftly, and suck Ho|ney from the sweet Flowers with their Wings ex|panded; that they hang in the Air as it were mo|tionless. In flying this little Bird makes a Noise like a Hornet, or Bee; hence it took its Name in English, of Humming-Bird. Merian says, she was told these Birds are the Food of the Priests of Surinam, who are forbid to eat any other Meat. Those kind of large Spiders, (Fig. 25.) shed their Coats now and then, just as Caterpillars do, but are not observ'd to change into the flying Kind.

[figure]

Fig. 26. A Large Spider seizing on the Humming Bird

[figure]

Fig. 31.

[figure]

Fig. 26.

[figure]

29.

[figure]

30.

[figure]

28.

[figure]

27.

Fig. 26. This small Spider was of a scarlet Colour: It was found in a Wood at the beginning of June. They are likewise found in Gardens on the Bodies of Trees; but are something smaller than those found in the Woods. These Spiders are accounted venom|ous; and are the only Species of the Spider Kind that are accounted so, excepting the Tarantula; Spiders being more frightful than prejudicial to Mankind: This Spider, and all the rest describ'd in this Book, are drawn from the Life, and are of the natural big|ness of the Spiders themselves.

Fig. 27. Is a Spider very remarkable for its Legs and Feelers; each Joint of the former appears as if it were plac'd in a Socket; the latter were globular and hairy; and on the outer side of each, there was a bright knob of white, incircled with yellow, which made it look as if a little Stone had been set therein. It had eight Eyes, standing as they are placed over the Spider in the Plate. This is a Male Spider, and was taken in a House in the Month of April: Its Colour was black where the Eyes stood; the other part adjoining to the Belly was of a reddish chesnut; the upper side of the Belly of a yellowish dark ash Colour; and the Legs of a reddish Colour.

Fig. 28. Is one of the Six-ey'd Spiders: It was ta|ken in a Wood in the Month of April. It was of a dark Colour, with a broad Streak of light hair Co|lour in the middle of its Back; and a mark of the same light Colour, in the form of a Diamond, on the upper part of its Belly: The Legs were finely spot|ted. One of these Spiders was taken at the begin|ning of June, with its Egg-bag under its Belly.

Fig. 29. The small Long-legg'd Spider was so fine|ly mark'd, that it is impossible to describe it, either in Words or Colours; there being so fine a Mixture of green, red, and black interchangeably put together in pretty Shapes; the Legs were also curiously mark'd in the same manner: The Eyes were so small as not to be discerned. It was taken on the Body-of a Tree in Cane-Wood, about the middle of April.

Fig. 30. Is one of the House-Spiders: It had eight Eyes. Its Legs were finely spotted with black, and from each Joint grew certain Hairs or Bristles: Its Feelers were long and slender. The thick Web of this, and all the House-Spiders, may be made use of, in the Cure of all Intermittent Fevers.

Fig. 31. Is one of the Jumping-Spiders: It had eight Eyes placed in a circular form, as over the Head of the Spider in the Plate; and it is observable that all the Spiders that have their Eyes standing in that form, catch their Prey by jumping on it, like a Cat at a Mouse. It is a Creature extreamly nimble in moving any way it pleases: 'twas taken in a Garden. If you look on it with a Microscope, it appears one of the most beautiful Spiders, that can possibly be seen; there is so great a Variety of Marbling, in pretty Figures of several Colours, viz. black, chesnut, red. dish, and white mix'd all over the Back, Belly, Legs and Feelers, as not to be expressed. It seems to the naked Eye to be a greyish speckled Spider, being all over rough and hairy. The late ingenious Dr. Hooke, in his Micrography, gives the following diverting Ac|count of this particular Spider; as observ'd by the most accomplish'd Mr. Evelyn, in his Travels in Italy.

Of all the sorts of Insects, says he, there is none has afforded me more Diversion than the small grey Jumping-Spider, prettily bespeck'd with black Spots all over the Body, which the Microscope dis|covers to be a kind of a Feathers like those on But|terflies Wings, or the Body of the white Moth. It is very nimble by Fits, sometimes running, and sometimes leaping, like a Grashopper, then stand|ing still, and setting itself on its hinder Legs, will very nimbly turn its Body, and look round it self every way. Such, says Mr. Evelin, I did frequent|ly observe at Rome, which espying a Fly at three or four Yards distance, upon the Balcony where I stood, would not make directly to her, but crawl under the Rail, till being arriv'd right under her, it would steal up, seldom missing its Aim: but if it chanced to want any thing of being perfectly opposite, would, at first Peep, immediately slide down again, till taking better notice, it would come the next time exactly upon the Fly's Back: but, if this happen'd not to be within a competent Leap, then would this Insect move so softly, as the very Shadow of the Dial seem'd not to be more imperceptible, unless the Fly mov'd; and then wou'd the Spider move also in the same pro|portion, keeping that just Time with her Motion, as if the same Soul had animated both those little Bodies; and whether it were forwards, backwards, or to either side, without at all turning her Body, like a well-managed Horse: But if the capricious Fly took wing, and pitch'd upon another Place behind our Huntress, then would the Spider whirle its Body so nimbly about, as nothing could be ima|gin'd more swift; by which means, she always kept

the Head towards her Prey, tho' to appearance as immovable, as if it had been a Nail driven into the Wood, till by that indiscernible progress, being ar|riv'd within the Sphere of her reach, she made a fatal Leap (swift as Lightning) upon the Fly, catch|ing him in the Pole, where she never quitted hold till her Belly was full, and then carried the Re|mainder home. I have beheld them instructing their young ones how to hunt, which they would sometimes discipline for not well observing; but when any of the old ones did miss a Leap, they would run out of the Field, and hide themselves in their Crannies, as asham'd, and not be seen abroad for four or five Hours after: for so long have I watched the Nature of of this strange Insect, the Contemplation of whose so wonderful Sagacity and Address has amaz'd me; nor do I find in any Chase whatsoever, more Cunning and Stratagem observ'd. I have found some of these Spiders in my Gar|den, when the Weather towards the Spring is very hot, but they are nothing so eager of Hunting as they are in Italy.

The Spider Fig. 32. was beautifully streaked, and speckled with black all over its Body and Legs. It had eight Eyes, standing as they are expressed over the Spider in the Plate: At the End of its Tail there were little short things like Feathers standing up, which it opened and shut like a Fan at pleasure. It was taken in a Chamber-Window, about the middle of July.

Fig. 33. Was taken closed up in a Leaf, near to a Web it had made. It had eight Eyes: The Back and Legs of this Spider looked transparent, like clear Horn.

[figure]

33 Spiders

[figure]

34. Spiders

[figure]

35 Spiders

[figure]

32 Spiders

[figure]

36 Spiders

The Spider Fig. 34. was curiously and regularly mark'd with Lines and Spots of white; the Legs were yellowish and very hairy, and spotted with dark brown; the Feelers were also spotted. It had six Eyes placed as they are expressed in the Plate. It was found in a Garden, at the latter End of July.

The Spider Fig. 35. was of a Hair-colour, mark'd with a Spot and broad Line of yellow: The upper side of the Belly had a Mark in the shape of a Cross, of a yellow Colour: The Legs were of a light Hair|colour spotted with black, having Bristles of the same Colour on the Joints. It had six Eyes standing as they are plac'd in the Plate. It was found in a Web in Bishops-Wood, at the Beginning of September.

Fig. 36. The Carter, or Long-legg'd Spider, for two Particularities has very few Creatures like it; the first, which is discoverable only by the Microscope, is the curious Contrivance of his Eyes, of which he has only two, and those placed upon the top of a small Pillar or Hillock, rising out of the middle of the top of its Back, or rather the Crown of its Head; for they were fixed on the very top of this Pillar, placed back to back, with the transparent Parts, or Pupils, look|ing towards either side, but somewhat more forward than backwards. These Eyes, to appearance, seem'd to be of the very same Structure with that of larger two-ey'd Creatures, seeming to have a very smooth and very protuberant Cornea, and in the midst of it to have a very black Puple, incompassed about with a kind of grey Iris. Whether it were able to move these Eyes to and fro, I have not observ'd; but 'tis not very likely he should, the Pillar or Neck seeming

to be cover'd and stiffen'd with a crusty Shell; but Nature, in all probability, has supply'd that Defect, by making the Cornea so very protuberant, and setting it so clear above the shadowing or obstructing of its Prospect by the Body, that 'tis likely each Eye may perceive, though not see distinctly, almost an Hemi|sphere; whence having so small and round a Body, placed upon such long Legs, it is quickly able so to wind, and turn it, as to see any thing distinct. This Creature, as do all other Spiders, differs very much from most Insects in the Figure of its Eyes; for the best Microscope does not discover its Eyes to be any ways knobb'd or pearl'd, like those of other Infects. The second Peculiarity which is obvious to the Eye, is also very remarkable, and that is the prodigious length of its Legs, in proportion to its small round Body, and which are jointed, just like those of a Crab, but every of the Parts are spun out prodigiously lon|ger in proportion; each of these Legs are terminated in a small Case or Shell, shap'd almost like that of a Muscle-shell, fasten'd to the Body in so ad|mirable a manner, as does not a little manifest the Wisdom of Nature in the Contrivance; for these long Leavers (as I may so call them) of the Legs, having not the advantage of a long end on the other side of the Hypomochlion, or Centers, on which part of the Legs move, must necessarily require a vast Strength to move them, and keep the Body balanc'd and sus|pended, insomuch, that if we should suppose a Man's Body suspended by such a Contrivance, an hundred and fifty times the strength of a Man would not keep the Body from falling on the Breast. To supply there|fore each of these Legs with its proper strength, Na|ture has allow'd to each a large Chest or Cell, in

which is included a very large and strong Muscle; and thereby this little Animal is not only able to sus|pend its Body upon less than these eight, but to move it very swiftly over the tops of Grass and Leaves. This Creature seems to throw its Body upon the Prey, not unlike a Jumping-Spider. The whole Fa|brick, when view'd by the Microscope, appear'd a very pretty one; and could it have been dissected, as many Singularities might have been found within it as without; perhaps, for the most part, not unlike the Parts of a Crab, which this little Creature does in many things very much resemble. I omit the De|scription of the Horns, of the Mouth which seem'd like that of a Crabs; the Speckledness of his Shell, which proceeded from a kind of Feathers, or Hairs, and the hairiness of his Legs, his large Thorax and little Belly, and the like, and shall only take notice, that the three Parts of the Body, namely the Head, Breast and Belly, are in this Creature strangely confus'd, so that 'tis difficult to determine which is which, as they are also in a Crab; and indeed, this seems to be nothing else but an Air-Crab, being made more light and nimble, proportionable to the Medium wherein it resides; and as Air seems to have but one thousandth part of the Body of Water, so does this Spider seem not to be a thousandth part of the Bulk of a Crab.

All kinds of Spiders seem to be Creatures of Prey, and to feed on other small Infects; but their ways of catching them are very different: The Shepherd Spi|der by running on his Prey; the Jumping Spider by leaping on it, other sorts weave Nets, or Cobwebs, whereby they insnare them; Nature having both fit|ted them with Materials and Tools, and taught them

how to work and weave their Nets, and lie perdue, and to watch diligently to run on a Fly as soon as en|tangled.

The Foot of a Spider is of an admirable and won|derful Mechanism, whereby he is able to spin, weave, and climb, or run on his curious transparent Clue. Mr. Albin, in his Natural History of Spiders, just pub|lished, has collected near Two Hundred different sorts of these Infects. Their Thread or Web seems to be spun out of some viscous kind of Excrement, lying in their Belly; which, tho' soft when drawn out, is presently, by reason of its smallness, harden'd and dried by the ambient Air.

Of the TARANTULA.

Fig. 37. IS the TARANTULA from Baglivi; Fig. 38. from the Natural Spider in Sir Hans Sloan's Collection. This Infect is a Spider of Apulia in Italy, of the eight-ey'd Kind, and spins Webs: It has eight Legs, four on each side, and in each Leg three Joints; from the Mouth proceed two Darts, in shape just like to a Crab's Claws; these are solid, and very sharp, so that they can easily pierce the Skin; and between those and the fore Legs there are two little Horns, or Feelers; which it is observ|ed to move very briskly when it approaches to its Prey.

This, as other Spiders do, propagates its Species by laying Eggs, which are very numerous; so that there are found sometimes in the Female, when dis|sected,

[figure]

Tarantula Fig. 37.

[figure]

Tarantula Fig: 38.

a hundred or more; and these are hatched partly by the Heat of the Mother, partly by that of the Sun, in about twenty or thirty Days time. In the Summer Months, especially when the Heats are greatest, as in the Dog-days, the Tarantula creeping among the Corn in the Fields, bites the Mowers and Passengers. In the Winter it lurks in Holes, and is scarcely seen; and if it does bite then, it is not veno|mous, neither does it induce any ill Symptoms. But in the hot Weather, altho' the Pain of its Bite is at first no greater than what is caused by the Sting of a Bee, yet the Part quickly after is discoloured with a livid, black, or yellowish Circle, and raised to an inflam'd Swelling; the Patient within a few Hours is seized with a violent Sickness, Difficulty of Breath|ing, universal Faintness, and sometimes Trembling, with a Weakness of the Head; being asked what the Ail is, makes no Reply, or with a querulous Voice and melancholy Look, points to his Breast, as if the Heart was most affected.

During this mournful Scene, all the usual Medicines apply'd to venomous Bites, and Cordials, are of no service; for, notwithstanding their repeated use, the Patient growing by degrees more melancholy, stupid, and strangely timorous, in a short time expires; unless Musick be called to his assistance, which alone, with|out the help of Medicine, performs the Cure. For, at the first Sound of the Musical Instrument, altho' the Sick lie, as it were, in an Apoplectick Fit, they begin by degrees to move their Hands and Feet, till at last they get up, and fall to dancing with won|derful Vigour, at first for three or four Hours; then they are put to Bed, refreshed from their Sweating, for a short time, and repeat the Exercise with the

same Vehemence, perceiving no Weariness or Weak|ness from it, but professing they grow stronger and nimbler the more they dance.

At this sport they usually spend twelve Hours a Day, and it continues three or four Days; by which time they are generally freed from all their Symp|toms, which do nevertheless attack 'em again about the same time the next Year; and if they do not take care to prevent this Relapse by Musick, they fall into a Jaundice, want of Appetite, universal Weakness, and such like Diseases; which are every Year increas|ed, if Dancing be neglected, till at last they prove incurable. As Musick is the common Cure, so they who are bitten are pleas'd, some with one sort of it, some with another; one is rais'd with a Pipe, ano|ther with a Timbrel; one with a Harp, another with a Fiddle; so that the Musicians make sometimes seve|ral Essays before they can accommodate their Art to the Venom; but this is constant and certain, notwith|standing this Variety, that they all require the quick|est and briskest Tunes, and are never moved by a slow, dull Harmony.

While the Persons affected are Dancing, they lose in a manner the use of all their Senses; like so many Drunkards, do many ridiculous and foolish Tricks; talk and act obscenely and rudely; take great Plea|sure in playing with Vine-Leaves, with naked Swords, and red Cloths, and the like; and on the other hand can't bear the sight of any thing black; so that if any By-stander happen to appear in that Colour, he must immediately withdraw, or otherwise they Re|lapse into their Symptoms with as much Violence as ever.

[figure]

Fig. 41. American Ants

[figure]

Fig: 40. Wood Ant Magnified

It may afford some Light towards understanding the Nature of this Poison, to observe that Apulia is the hottest Part of all Italy, lying Eastward, and hav|ing all the Summer long but very little Rain to tem|per the Heats; so that the Inhabitants, as one of that Country observes, do breathe an Air, as it were, out of a fiery Furnace: Hence their Temperament is dry, and adust, as appears by their being generally lean, passionate, impatient, ready to Action, quick|witted, very subject to inflammatory Distempers, Phrensies, Melancholy, and the like; upon which account there are more mad People in this, than in all the other Parts of Italy. As to the return of the Symptoms the next Year, that is owing to the same excessive Heat in those Months, acting again upon the small Remains of the venomous Ferment.

Fig. 39. IS the Large WOOD-ANT; Fig. 40. the same Magnified; Fig. 41. the American Ants, as described by Merian, seizing on a Cock|roch. This little Animal is that great Pattern of In|dustry and Frugality that Solomon sends the Sluggard to, that he may learn by the Example of the Ant; who borrows of none, and yet is not in danger to starve; laying up in store, by a notable Diligence, sufficient Provision in due Season against a time of Need. Dr. Hooke, in his Micrography, has some pret|ty Observations on this little Creature. The Ant, says he, is of a dark brown, or reddish Colour, with long Legs, on the hinder of which it would stand up, and raise its Head as high as it could above the Ground, that it might stare the further about it, just after the same manner as the Hunting-Spider is ob|serv'd to do: and putting my Finger towards them,

they have at first all run towards it, till almost at it; and then they would stand round about it, at a cer|tain distance, and smell, as it were, and consider whether they should any of them venture any fur|ther; till one more bold than the rest venturing to climb it, all the rest, if I would have suffered them, would have immediately followed: Many such other seemingly rational Actions I have observ'd in this little Vermin, with much Pleasure. I have observ'd a very large Kind, that inhabited under the Roots of a Tree, from whence they would sally out in great Parties, and make most grievous Havock of the Flowers and Fruits, in the ambient Garden, and re|turn back again very expertly, by the same Ways and Paths they went. It has a large Head, at the upper end of which were two protuberant Eyes, pear••••d like those of a Fly, but smaller: Out of the Nose, or foremost Part, issued two Horns, differing from those of a blue Fly, though indeed they seem to be both the same kind of Organ, and to serve for a kind of Smelling: Beyond these were two indented Jaws, which he open'd sideways, and was able to gape them asunder very wide; and the ends of them being arm|ed with Teeth, which meeting went between each other, it was able to grasp and hold an heavy Body, three or four times the Bulk and Weight of its own Body. It has only six Legs, shap'd like those of a Fly, which is an Argument that it is a winged In|fect; and though I could not perceive any sign of them in the middle part of its Body, which seem'd to consist of three Joints or Pieces; yet 'tis known that there are of them that have long Wings, and fly up and down in the Air. The whole Body was cas'd over with a very strong Armour, and the Bel|ly

was covered likewise with Multitudes of small white shining Bristles; the Legs, Horns, Head, and middle Parts of its Body were bestuck with Hairs also, but smaller and darker. In America, as Merian writes, there are very large Ants or Pismires, which will in one Night strip whole Trees of their Leaves. They have two crooked Teeth, cutting one upon another, like a Pair of Pincers; by means of these, they cut the Leaves of the Trees so that they fall to the Ground, and the Tree looks bare and naked; just as it looks in the Winter in Europe: Thousands of Ants waising for this Booty, catch up the Leaf as it falls on the Earth, to carry to their Homes; not so much for their own Food as their young ones, as yet but little Worms. This whole Proceeding seems, as if it were, done by a mutual Agreement amongst themselves; that one Party should go up in the Tree to cut the Leaves, whilst the other bears an equal share of the Labour in carrying them to their Cells. These Ants, when they are arriv'd to their full Growth, shed their Coats, or Skins, in like manner as do some other of the Insect Kind; and become winged: In this state they lay their Eggs just as the Gnats do; which are afterwards hatch'd into little Worms, or Mites; and for the Preservation of this their Offspring it is, that the provident Ants are so eager and vigilant to feed and nourish them: So great is their Concern in this particular, as appears by their indefatigable Toil, that they may very just|ly be esteem'd as great Patterns of Tenderness and Care of their Young, as they are for Industry and good Economy. These industrious little Creatures make Caverns in the Earth of a great Depth, so ar|tificially contriv'd, that one would affirm it to be a

piece of Man's Ingenuity. These Ants, they say, have a perpetual Enmity with the Spiders, and all other Infects of that Country, in the West-Indies, where they are found. When they fally out of their Caverns, which they do once a Year, an innumerable Multitude of them comes forth, which enter Peoples Houses, range from one Room to another; and kill divers small Creatures they meet with, by sucking them to Death; that large Spider, Page 62. was de|stroy'd by this means in a Moment almost; it was beset with such Heaps of 'em, that it cou'd not dis|engage, and free itself from Danger; 'tis said, that even Men themselves must fly for it, they make their way so in Troops from one Room to another; and having ransack'd, and as it were swept the whole House, they make to the next; till at last, they go back again to their Holes.

Fig. 42. Is the Blue FLY in its natural bigness; Fig. 43. the same Magnified. This kind of Fly is a very beautiful Creature, and has many things about it very notable. The Head, Eyes, Wings, and Feet, are full of Ornaments and Contrivances; and afford no less pleasing an Object to the Mind to speculate upon, than to the Eye to behold; there is a most admirable and curious Mechanism in the Foot of this little Animal; whereby the Flies are inabled to walk against the sides of Glass, perpendicularly upwards, and to contain themselves in that Posture as long as they please; nay, to walk and suspend themselves against the under Surface of many Bodies, as the Cieling of a Room, or the like; and this with as great a seeming Facility and Firmness, as if they had a natural Tendency upwards, as we are sure they

[figure]

Fig. 43. Blue Fly

[figure]

42

have the contrary; for they cannot make themselves so light, as to stick or suspend themselves on the under Surface of a Glass well polished and cleansed; their Suspension therefore is wholly to be ascrib'd to some mechanical Contrivance in their Feet; which what it is, being too long for my present Design, I refer the ingenious Reader to Hooke's Micrography, where this particular, as well as some others no less curious, are largely and philosophically treated of All the hinder part of the Body of this Fly, is co|ver'd with a most curious blue shining Armour, look|ing exactly like a polished piece of Steel, brought to that blue Colour by Annealing; all which Armour is very thick bestuck with abundance of tapering Bris|tles, such as grow on its Back, as is visible enough by the Figure. It is a Creature active and nimble, so as there are very few Creatures like it, whether bigger or smaller, insomuch that it will scape and avoid a small Body, tho' coming on it exceeding swiftly; and if it sees any thing approaching it which it fears, it presently squats down, as it were, that it may be the more ready for its rise. Nor is it less hardy in the Winter, than active in the Summer, en|during all the Frosts, and surviving till the next Sum|mer, notwithstanding the bitter cold of our Climate. One of these put in Spirit of Wine, was very quick|ly seemingly kill'd, and both its Eyes and Mouth be|gan to look very red; but upon the taking it out, and suffering it to lie three or four Hours, and heat|ing it with the Sun beams cast through a Burning|glass, it again reviv'd, seeming, as it were, to have been all the intermediate time dead Drunk, and af|ter certain Hours to grow fresh again and sober. The Eyes of a Fly are placed in two Clusters; and

the number of the Pearls or Hemispheres in the Clus|ters of a Drone Fly, according to Dr. Hooke's Cal|culation, with the help of a Glass, was near fourteen thousand: which he judged by numbering certain rows of them several ways, and casting up the whole Contents, accounting each Cluster to contain about seven thousand; three thousand of which were of a larger size, and four thousand to be the number of the smaller Pearls. Tho' this may seem strange, other Insects, he says, he has observ'd to have yet a greater number of Eyes, as the Dragon-Fly, or Adderbolt. In living Flies, he has observ'd, that when any small Mote or Dust, which flies up and down the Air, chances to light upon any part of these knobs of the Eyes, as it is sure to stick firmly to it and not fall, the Fly presently makes use of his two fore Feet, in|stead of Eye-lids, with which, as with two Brooms or Brushes, they being all bestuck with Bristles, he often sweeps or brushes off whatever hinders the Pro|spect of any of its Hemispheres; and then, to free his Feet from that Dirt, he rubs them one against the other, cleansing them in the same manner as I have observ'd those that card Wool to cleanse their Cards, by placing their Cards so as the Teeth of both look the same way, and then rubbing them one against another. In the very same manner do they brush and cleanse their Bodies and Wings: Other Creatures have other Contrivances for the cleansing and clearing their Eyes.

[figure]

Fig. 44. Book-worm

Fig. 44. Is the small silver-colour'd BOOK-WORM, Magnified. As among greater Animals there are many that are scaled, both for Ornament and Defence, so are there not wanting such also among the lesser Bodies of Insects, whereof this little Crea|ture gives us an Instance. It is a small white silver|shining Worm or Moth, found much conversant among Books and Papers; and is suppos'd to be that which corrodes and eats Holes through the Leaves and Covers: It appears to the naked Eya, a small glittering Pearl-colour'd Moth, which upon the re|moving of Books and Papers in the Summer, is of|ten observ'd to scud, and pack away to some lurking Cranney, where it may the better protect itself from any appearing Dangers. Its Head appears big and blunt, and its Body tapers from it towards the Tail, smaller and smaller, being shap'd almost like a Car|rot. The Body is divided into fourteen several Par|titions, being the appearance of so many several Shells, or Shields that cover the whole Body; every of these Shells are again covered or tiled over with a multi|tude of thin transparent Scales, which, from the multiplicity of their reflecting Surfaces, make the whole Animal appear of a perfect Pearl-colour. This Insect was furnish'd on either side of its Head with a Cluster of Eyes; and each of these Clusters were beset with a row of small Bristles, much like the Ci|lia or Hairs on the Eye-lids; and, perhaps, they serv'd for the same purpose. It had two long Horns; curiously ring'd or knobb'd, having at each knob small Hairs, or Bristles, here and there dispers'd among them: besides these, it had two shorter

Horns, or Feelers, which were knotted and fring'd, just as the former. It had three Tails, in every par|ticular resembling the two longer Horns that grow out of the Head. The Legs of it were scal'd and hair'd just like the rest, but are not express'd in this Figure, the Creature being intangled all in Glue, and so the Legs of this appear'd not through the Glass, which looked perpendicularly upon the Back. The Body is beset with sharp-pointed Bristles, like Spears. Dr. Hooke says, This Animal probably seeds upon the Paper and Covers of Books, and perforates in them several small round Holes. Mr. Albin calls it the Cloth Worm, or Moth, and says it is the very Creature that eats the woollen Cloth; and that it is produced from a small grey speckled Moth that flies a-nights, and creeps in among woollen Cloths, and there lays her Eggs, which are hatch'd in their Sea|son by the natural Heat of the Woollen; upon which these little Creatures feed, till they change into a fly|ing Insect like their Animal Parent. To prevent the Havock that this little Creature (which is one of the Teeth of Time) is wont to make among woollen Cloths, &c. They should sometimes be air'd and brush'd, before the warm Season comes on for the Eggs to hatch, which will absolutely destroy the Eggs, and preserve the Garments.

[figure]

Fig. 45. Book-spider

Fig. 45. Is the Crab-like Insect, or BOOK-SPI|DER. Reading one Day in September, I chanced to observe a very small Creature creep over the Book I was reading, very slowly; having a Microscope by me, I observ'd it to be a Creature of a very unusual Form, and that not less notable, as the Figure re|presents. Its natural bigness was about the size of a large Mite, or somewhat longer; it had ten Legs, eight of which were topt with very sharp Claws, and were those upon which he walk'd, seeming shap'd much like those of a Crab, which in many other things also this little Creature resembled; for the two other Claws, which were the foremost of all the ten, were exactly form'd in the manner of Crabs or Lobsters Claws; which this little Animal did open and shut at pleasure: It seem'd to make use of those two Claws both for Feelers and Hold|ers; for in its motion it carried these aloft extended before, moving them to and fro, just as a man blind|folded would do his Hands, when he is fearful of running against a Wall; and if I put an Hair to it, it would readily take hold of it with these Claws, and seem to hold it fast. The whole Body was cas|ed over with Armour-shells, as is usual in all those Kinds of crustaceous Creatures, especially about their Bellies, and seem'd of three kinds; the Head seem'd cover'd with a kind of scaly Shell, the Thorax with two smooth Shells, or Rings; and the Belly with eight knobb'd ones. I could not certainly find, whe|ther it had under these last Shells any Wings, but I suspect the contrary; for I have not found any wing'd Infect with eight Legs, two of those Legs being

always converted into Wings; and, for the most part, those that have but six, have Wings. This Crea|ture, though I could never meet with more than one of them, and so could not make so many Examina|tions of it as otherwise I would, I did notwithstand|ing, by reason of the great Curiosity that appear'd to me in its shape, delineate it, to shew that, in all like-lihood, Nature had crowded together into this very minute Infect, as many, and as excellent Contrivan|ces, as into the Body of a very large Crab, which exceeds it in Bulk, perhaps, some Millions of times: It being a general Rule in Nature's Proceedings, that where she begins to display any Excellency, if the Subject be further search'd into, it will manifest, that there is not less Curiosity in those Parts which our single Eye cannot reach, than in those which are more obvious. [Hooke's Microgr.]

Fig. 46. The WEVIL, or CORN-BEETLE; Fig. 47. the same Magnified. This little Creature was all over of a fine reddish brown Colour. Upon the Head, and upper part of the Body adjoining; and likewise upon the lower part of its Wings, were re|gularly placed divers black Spots, encircled with a resplendent white, shining like Silver, and a small Speck of the same silver Colour, plac'd exactly in the middle of each of those black Spots: It had a very remarkable Proboscis, or Trunk, long, and oddly shap'd, furnish'd with a Pair of sharp Forceps. Out of the end of this Trunk, the little Creature blow'd a small white, shining Bladder; with which it mois|tens the Corn before it eats it: This Bladder the Insect cou'd put out or draw in at pleasure, as might

[figure]

Fig. 47 Corn Beetle magnified

[figure]

Fig. 46 Wevil, or Corn Beetle

[figure]

Fig: 48. American Frog

[figure]

Fig: 49. Water Beetle

be very plainly observ'd by the Microscope. Its Horns or Feelers were knobb'd, as if they were turn'd by a Turner, tipt at the ends with white, shining like Silver. These Infects seed upon almost all kind of Grain; amongst which they breed, and do very great Damage, especially if the Corn be kept any consi|derable time. Such Ships as go long Voyages often experience this; it being very common to have their Corn over-run with the Wevils. Though this little Animal in its natural bigness scarce equals a Grain of Wheat, yet the Microscope discovers it to be a Creature of great Curiosity, in the Frame and Struc|ture of its Parts; as the Figure expresses, which was taken from the Life, and therefore not unworthy of a Description.

Fig. 48. Of these kind of FROGS, Meriana says, she saw several swimming in the Water at Surinam. Their Feet was furnish'd with a little Ball at the end of each Toe, by the singular Contrivance of Nature; that being so supported, they could not only swim, but also walk over the marshy and muddy Waters: They are of a brown, and pale green Colour inter|mixed together, as if they were water'd with it. These Frogs leave their Spawn on the Banks of the Waters; where such Persons as are curious to ob|serve the Change of these Creatures, gather it, and lay it in an earthen Vessel filled with Water, upon a green Turf, at the bottom: The Spawn or Seed ap|pears as a blackish Point, inclosed in a kind of white Glue; in which it lives, and by degrees increases its Motion, till about the eighth Day; after that they have Tails, and the little things begin to swim in the Wa|ter,

but they and shapeless young Frogs': In a few Days more their Eyes appear, and a little after thier two hind Feet; the two fore Feet likewise coming out of the Skin in about eight Days more: After which their Tails being rotted, drop off; and the Cremures become four-footed, and compleat Frogs, often seen scampering out of the Waters on the Land. But we must obsverve, that both the Water, and the Turf that the Spawn is put into, must be shifted every now and then; and the little Creatures, as soon as ever we perceive them to move, ought to be nourish'd in the Water with a bit of Bread.

Fig 49. Is a Water Insect that preys upon young Frogs, which the Inhabitants of Surinam, where it is found, call a WATER SCROPION: It seems to be rather to the Beetle kind; in the Month of May it changes to a flying Infect.

Having had occassion to make mention of Surinam, in some of the Descriptions of Infects; It may not be improper to infrom the Reader, that Surinam is a Dutch Settlement in Guiana, upon the Con|tient of America. It first belonged to the French, who built a Fort there; from them the English took it; and afterwards the Dutch took it from the English; in whose Hands it now re|mains. Madam Meriana, a Gentlewoman of the Dutch National, (if I am rightly inform'd) pub|lish'd a Natural History, with curious Figures, of the Insects, &c. found in and about Surinam, from which Book the Indian Flies contain'd in this Treatise are copied.

[figure]

A Branch of the Coffee Tree

BOOK the Fifth. Of PLANTS, FRUITS, and FLOWERS.

Thy Plants are an Orchard of Pomegranates, with plea|sant Fruits, Camphire, with Spikenard: Spikenard and Saffron, Calanius and Cinnamon, with all Trees of Frankincense, Myrrhe and Atoes, with all the chief Spices. SLOMON'S Song, IV. 13, 14.

_COFFEE is the Fruit of a Tree which grows in Arabia Fleix, and is brough to us from Mocha. The Flower of this Tree is like the white Jesfamine Flower, and the Leaf like the Bay-leaf: The Coffee Tree is propagated by Seeds, which shou'd be sown soon af|ter they are gather'd from the Tree; for if they are kept but a short time out of the Ground, they will not grow; which is the chief Reason that this Tree has not been spread into more different Countries: for the Seeds will not keep good long enough to be sent to any distant Place: So that in order to culti|vate this Plant in any Part of the World, it is abso|lutely necessary to have it carried thither growing. But as this Difficulty is now overcome, by the quan|tity

of these Trees there are now growing both in Europe and America; so we may expect to be furnish|ed with them from many different Parts, but espe|cially from the Caribbee Islands, where the Trees are found to succeed as well as in their native Soil; but whether the Coffee produced in the West-Indies, will prove as good as that brought from Mocha, Time will discover. The Berries of this Plant are commonly ripe with us in April. Coffee is of an excellent dry|ing Quality; it comforts the Brain, eases Pains of the Head, suppresses Vapours, dries up Crudities in the Stomach; prevents Sleepiness after eating, and gives Life and Gaiety to the Spritis, &c.

TEA is the Leaf of a small Shrub, which grows plentifully in several Parts of the East-Indies: It is brought over dry'd from China, Japan, and Siam. These Leaves they gather in the Spring, at which time they are little and tender, and of the shape of the Figure in the Plate. It bears a Flower composed of five white Leaves, form'd like a Rose, and some Stamina; which, when gone, is succeeded by a thick Cod, like a Hazel-nut, of a Chesnut-colour, in which is found two or three Nuts or Berries, which con|tain in each a little luscious Almond, of an ill Taste. The Root is fibrous, and spreads upon the Surface of the Earth. This Shrub flourishes equally in rich or poor Ground. The Tea which the English, Dutch, &c. bring over in curl'd or twisted Leaves, is thus prepar'd by the Natives of the Country; who, after they have gather'd it, dry it gently before the Fire, and the Leaves in drying curl up, just as we have them brought over. In buying Tea, choose that which is greenest, the best scented, and which is as little broke into Dust or small Powder as possible. They say, the chief reason that Tea is become such a Commodity throughout Europe, is because the Duth, &c. change Sage for it, which the Japonese and Chi|nese are great Lovers of: Which is not without Pro|bability, since we have not a Plant endow'd with more Virtues than Sage, especially that sort, which

[figure]

Tea

[figure]

Coca, or Chocolate Tree

for its singular Goodness is call'd Sage of Virtue among us; and doubtless, it would be much more valued here, if it grew in India, or as far off; but because it is common, we take little account of it, notwithstanding the Latin Proverb, Cur morictur homo, cum crescit salvia in horto? Why will any Body die that has Sage in his Garden? So that we need not wonder if the Chinese, &c. exchange Tea for it. Tho! this Liquor is more us'd for Pleasure than for any Medicinal Purpose, yet are there a great many good Qualities attributed to it.

The COCAO Tree, that bears the Chocolate Nut, much resembles our Heart-Cherry Tree; but at its full Growth spreads to a greater breadth in com|pass, and is something loftier: 'Tis well supplied with Leaves, that resemble those of the Orange Tree; but are longer, and more sharp-pointed: It is always flourishing, especially towards the two Solstices; for as the Leaves only fall off successively, and as others grow again; this Tree never appears naked. The Blossoms are regular, and like a Rose, but very small and without Smell: Every Blossom is joined to the Tree by a slender Stalk, and leaves in falling off long stringly Filaments, which are green, from which a yellow pointed Fruit is form'd, of the size of our Melons; which adhere to the thick Boughs or Branches, not admitting of any Intermedium, or Stem, as Ap|ples do. Each Fruit contains from fifteen to twenty-five little Nuts, or Almonds; they are each of them cover'd with a yellowish thin Skin; which being separated, a tender Substance appears, which is di|vided into several unequal Particles, that are olly, of good Nourishment, and leave a certain sharpness up|on the Palate. These Trees grow in all the Spanish West Indies, Jamaica, &c. They commonly bear Fruit within seven Years space, or less, after their first Plantation; tho' in the Interim they are some|times twice or thrice removed, and great Care is ta|ken to secure them with Shades, that they may not be injured by the over-powerful Heat of the scorch|ing Sun, of which they are not in danger, when

they once become great; for being planted in Ranks and regular Walks, shady Plantane Trees, &c. are rang'd with them; and one shelters the other, both from the parching Sun and boisterous Wind. As it is a Tree of singular Beauty, having large, broad, ablong green Leaves, which fall back, and hang like so ma|ny Shields, to preserve and defend the tender Fruit; so is it likewise a Tree of great Profit to the Own|er, arising from its most desirable Fruit, which grows after an admirable manner in Cods; studded, as it were in the very Body of the Tree, from the Earth up|wards, as well as the Arms and large Boughs: But the Fruit never grows at the Ends of the small Branches. And herein we may easily apprehend, that if Nature had plac'd such bulky Fruit at the ends of the Branches, their great weight must necessarily break them; and the Fruit would fall before it come to Maturity. The Nuts, they say, among the Indians and Spaniards, go for current Money, even in those Countries where Gold and Silver are naturally produc'd; being to them Food and Raiment, Riches and Delight, all at once. It seems almost unnecessary to tell the Reader, that the Use of these Nuts is to make that well-known Liquor call'd Chocolate, every one being acquainted with it.

The SUGAR-CANE grows plentifully in many Parts of the West Indies, especially the Caribbee Islands, as Barbadoes, Jamaica, Nevis, &c. This Plant bears on each Joint a Cane of five or six Foot high, adorn'd with long straight green Leaves, much like to some Flags, or Flower-de-luces, but not so broad, and car|ries on its top a silver-colour'd Flower, like a plume of Feathers. These Canes are not hollow; but the Stalk is stuffed with a porous Substance, moist and sweet in taste. When they come to Maturity, which the Planters know by several Signs, as well as we know when our Harvest is ready; they cut the Canes down at or above the first Joint from the Ground; laying them in Heaps, as we usually lay our Corn in Harvest time: then they clear them from their Leaves, and bind the Stalks in Bundles. The Sugar is made,

[figure]

The Sugar Cane

[figure]

Nutinegs and Mace

by pressing the Canes thro' the Rollers of a Mill, from whence there runs a great quantity of pleasant Juice; which being put into Boilers, the watry part is by the force of the Fire evaporated, till it comes to a Consistency: After which they cast it into a Mixture made of certain Ingredients, fit to cleanse and prepare it for graining. All the time it is boiling, they take off the Scum, which rises in great quantities, until it be fit to empty into Coolers, that is, till it arrives to its just Body: From the Coolers, it is again shifted into earthen Pots, with Holes in their Bot|toms, and other Pots they call Drips, under them, for receiving the Molosses; which in about a Month's time will be separated from the Sugar; this is then knock'd out of the Pots, and put into Casks or Hogs|heads, for Transportation. The Sugar-Cane in Eng|land is very tender, and cannot be preserv'd without a Stove; it is kept as a great Curiosity in the Gardens of such as love a Variety of Plants, as being the Plant from whence the Sugar is produced.

NUTMEGS are of two sorts; distinguished by Male and Female; the latter is the best, and most commonly used; The Male, which is a long and large Nut, is seldom used: The Female, which is the rounder and lesser Nut, is that generally sold in the Grocers Shops; and the Trees which bear the Female, or common Nutmegs, grow not but in cultivated or improv'd Lands; but the Males, or long Nutmegs, grow in Woods and Forests, which makes the Dutch call them Wild Nutmegs. The Tree that produces the common, or best sort of Nutmegs, is as large as a Pear-Tree, with Leaves shap'd like those of the Peach, but much smaller: The Blossom is in the shape of a Rose, of a pleasant Smell; after the Flower is fallen off, a Fruit appears, as large as a green Wall-nut; the Nutmeg is the Kernel of this Fruit, which is cover'd with two Barks; the first is very thick, and pull'd off when the Fruit is ripe; the second is much thin|ner and finer, of a reddish Colour inclining to yellow: It is separated from the Nutmeg in order to dry, and is what we call Mace. When the Nutmegs are sepa|rated

from their Barks, they dry and preserve them. The Nutmeg-Trees grow plentifully in the great Island of Banda, in Asia, and in several other Islands in the East Indies, belonging to the Dutch; it being a Commodity which none but themselves are Masters of. These Isles, they say, are so stock'd with Nut|meg-Trees, that it is almost incredible; and the Cli|mate so good, that the Trees are always loaden with this rich Fruit; and that they have three Crops a Year, viz. in April, August, and December. This Tree, according to Mr. Tavernier, is not planted, but grows by means of certain Birds, which swallow the Nutmegs whole, and throw them up again, without having digested them; and the Nutmeg being then cover'd with a viscous and gluey Matter, and being cast upon the Ground, they take Root, and produce a Tree, which grows just as if it had been planted after the manner of others.

CINNAMON is a thin Bark, taken from a Tree about the height of our Willow, which bears a Leaf shaped like the Indian Leaf called Malabathrum. The Flowers grow in little Cups of a light blue Colour, and odoriferous, succeeded by a Fruit of the shape and size of a small Olive, green at first, but growing black as it ripens. The Tree, which produces Cin|namon, grows without Culture in the Island of Cey|lon, and the Trade thereof is entirely in the Hands of the Dutch, who are Masters of the Coasts of that Island. There are nine or ten different sorts of Cin|namon; the best sort, which grows in great plenty in Ceylon, and is peculiar to that Island, is call'd by the Natives Rasse coronde, that is, sharp, sweet Cinnamon: It is exported yearly by the Dutch East India Com|pany, who have ordered under several Penalties that no other sort be mixed with it. All the several sorts of Cinnamon Trees, the best as well as the rest, must grow a certain number of Years, before the Bark is fit to be taken off. Those which grow in Vallies where the Soil is a sine whitish Sand, will be ripe in five Years: others which stand in a wet slimy Soil, must grow seven or eight Years; those are later

[figure]

Cinnamon Tree

which grow in the shade of other larger Trees; and their Bark hath not that Sweetness and agreeable Taste, observable in the Bark of those which grow in a white sandy Ground, where with little wet they stand fully exposed to the Sun; but it is rather of a bitterish Taste, something astringent, and smells like Camphire. If the Bark be fresh taken off, that Juice which remains in the Tree hath a bitterish Taste, not unlike that of Cloves: On the contrary, if you taste the inner Membrane of the Bark when fresh ta|ken off, you'll find it most exquisitely sweet, and ex|treamly agreeable to the Tasle; whereas the outer part of the Bark differs but very little in Taste from that of the common Trees; which shews plainly that all the Sweetness of it is owing only to the inner Membrane. But when the Bark is laid in the Sun in order to its being dried and wound up, this oily and agreeable Sweetness of the inner Membrane diffuses itself throughout the whole outward part of it, (which however hath been first stripped while yet upon the Tree of its outermost greenish Coat) and imbues it so strongly, that for the fragrancy of its Smell and the sweetness of its Taste it is coveted all the World over. The Bark may remain upon some Trees, without losing its Sweetness and Virtue, fourteen, fifteen, or sixteen Years, according to the quality of the Soil they stand in; but after that time it loses by degrees its agreeable Sweetness, and tastes stronger of Cam|phire: Besides, it is then grown so thick, that if it be laid in the Sun it will no longer shrink and wind itself up, but remain flat. In order to account for the vast quantity of Cinnamon that has been, and is still yearly exported from Ceylon; several Authors have affirmed, that when the Bark hath been stripped off the Cinnamon Trees, it grows again in four or five Years, and becomes fit to be stripped a second time: but this is utterly false; for tho' the Trees, after the Bark hath been once taken off, are cut down to the very Ground, yet the Root quickly pushes forth new Shoots, which grow up and ripen in five, six, seven, or eight Years, some sooner, some later, and then yield their Bark. Thus far the old Roots are instru|mental

to the Growth and Plenty of Cinnamon Trees, but their Fruit likewise contributes very much to|wards the same end: And it is particularly owing to a certain kind of wild Doves, which from their eat|ing the Fruit of this Tree they call Cinnamon-Eaters, that they grow so plentifully in this Island; for the Doves, when they fetch Food for their young ones, disperse vast quantities of the Fruit all over the Fields, which occasions the Rise of many thousand young Trees. The Oil drawn from Cinnamon by Fire, is reckon'd one of the strongest Cordial Medicines: The Camphire which comes out of the Root, is likewise of very great use in several Distempers; as are also the Oil of Camphire, a very costly thing; the Leaves of the Tree, and the Oil distilled out of them; and lastly the Fruits, with their Oil. In short, there is no part of the Cinnamon Tree, but what is of some singular Use in Physick.

CLOVES are the Foot-stalks of the Flowers of the Clove Tree, pluck'd before they are full blown: When the Fruit begins to appear, their Colour is of a whitish green; afterwards they grow red; and at last, when ripe, of a dark brown. These Trees grew plentifully in the Molucca Islands, till the Dutch, not being able to hinder the English, and some other Na|tions from going thither, and bringing away Cloves from thence, thought it advisable, to make them|selves entirely Masters of that Commodity, to pluck up all the Trees, and transport them to an Island of their own, called Ternate; by which means other Na|tions are forced to purchase that valuable Merchandise from them. There is no other Art used with the Cloves after they are pluck'd from the Tree, but to let them dry in the open Fields expos'd to the heat of the Sun, and after that to keep them carefully from the Air. There is also describ'd by some Au|thors, the Royal Clove; so called from bearing on its top a sort of Crown; for which reason the King of the Country keeps it in his own Possession; and be|cause there is 2 common fabulous Opinion; that the other Trees bow towards this as their King.

[figure]

Clove Tree

[figure]

Pepper

The Black East-Indian PEPPER, is the Fruit of a climbing Plant we commonly call a Creeper; and grows in small Clusters, or Bunches, like those of our Currants. The Seeds are small, round, and green at first; but the ripe fresh Fruit is about the size of a large Currant, and of a red Colour, which in dry|ing turns to black. They say, the common White Pepper is only the Black stripp'd of its outer Skin. This is done by first steeping it in Sea Water, then drying it, and rubbing it in Sand. There is how|ever another kind of Pepper, which is naturally white, but in all other respects is like the Black. The En|glish and Dutch bring from the East-Indies three sorts of Black Pepper, which differ not one from the other, but according to the Places where they grow: the finest is that of Malabar. The Tree or Bush that bears the Jamaica Pepper, grows almost after the same manner as the Barberry Tree, but not so lofty; and besides without Prickles; otherwise, both for Stock, Branch and Leaf, it is very much like that Tree. The Grains or Berries are about the size of Juniper-Berries, and of an aromatick Taste, which partaking of that of all the other Spices, it has by the English been called All-spice. This Pepper grows plentifully in many of the Plantations in Jamaica.

GINGER is the Root of a Plant called the small Club Reed: It represents in shape a sort of Foot at the end of every Root: Its Leaves are large, long, and of a deep green: It bears a reddish Flower, mix'd with a little green; the whole Head of the Flower resembling a Club; from whence by some it is called Ginger with the Club-Flower. There are two kinds of Ginger, the white or mealy, and the hard black; but the first is reckon'd by much the best. Ginger grows both in the East and West-Indies, and is very much cultivated in the Isles of the Antilles; but the greatest quantities come from the Leeward Islands, Barbadoes, Nevis, St. Christophers; and like|wise from Jamaica, and other Places thereabouts. We have now little out of the East-Indies, but what is brought thence in a Confection, call'd green Gin|ger; which they prepare in India; and is likewise made in England and other Parts, by steeping the fresh Root two or three Days in warm Water, keeping it in a Balneo all that time; by which means it will grow soft and swell: They then boil it up, either flit or whole, with refin'd Sugar, to a Syrup.

[figure]

Ginger Plant

[figure]

The Currant Vine

CURRANTS that are sold by the Grocers of London, &c. and are well known for their excellent use in Puddings, Cakes, &c. are the Fruit of the Vine, and called the Corinth Grape, or vulgarly, the Currant Grape: Of this kind there are two or three different Colours, as red, black, and tawney. The Vine that bears this Fruit is low, furnish'd with thick Leaves, very much indented, and like all other Vines sending forth Claspers at the Joints; by which it fas|tens itself to whatever Plant stands near it; and the Fruit is produced in Bunches. These Vines grow plentifully in a vast spacious Plain that is situated be|hind the Fortress of Zant in Greece. This Plain is surrounded with Mountains and Hills, and is divid|ed into Vineyards, in which are abundance of Cy|prus, Olives, and Houses of Pleasure, which make together with the Fortress and the Mount Discoppo, a Prospect perfectly beautiful. When these little Grapes are ripe, which generally happens in August, the Peo|ple of Zant gather and stone them, then spread them upon the Ground to dry, and when dry'd carry them into the Town, where they are thrown through a Hole into the great Magazine, call'd the Seraglio; and are there press'd so close together in a Mass, that they are oblig'd to use Iron Instruments to pull them out; which done, they put 'em into Casks or Bales of different sizes; and to make them so tight as they are brought to us, they employ Men to tread them with their Feet, for which purpose they rub 'em well with Oil beforehand. Currants are brought from several Places in the Levant; but the sort we use is chiefly brought from the Islands near the Mo|rea. They say, the People of Zant, where these Currants grow, believe that the Europeans use them to dye Cloths, not knowing that they are for eating. As Currants are the Fruit of the Vine, so likewise the several kinds of Raisins are only so many sorts of Grapes, differing according to the Countries where they are produced. When the Grapes are ripe, they gather the Bunches, and put them to dry in the Sun, turning them from one side to the other, by which means they dry equally; and when dry they put 'em

up into little Chests, &c. for Transportation: Tho', as some say, before they expose the Bunches to dry in the Sun, they first dip them into a certain Liquor prepared for that purpose.

The POMEGRANATE Tree is a Shrub, where|of there are two kinds; one cultivated in Gardens, and the other wild. The Branches of the first are small, angular, armed with Thorns; the Bark is red|dish; the Leaves small, and resemble those of the Myrtle, but less pointed, hanging by reddish Stalks, of a strong Smell, when they are crush'd or bruised. The Flower is large, of a beautiful red, inclining to purple, compos'd of several Leaves, like a Rose in the hollow of a Cup, representing a little Basket of Flowers; the Cup is oblong, hard, purplish, large at the top, having in some measure the figure of a Bell. At the bottom comes a Fruit, after the Flower is gone, which grows into a large round Apple, having a thick, smooth, brittle Rind, adorn'd with a Crown, form'd by the top of the Cup, of a purple Hue, dark without, and yellow within: this Apple is call'd the Pomegranate. The inside is divided into several Cells or Partitions full of Seed, heap'd one upon another, being fleshy, of a fine red Colour, abounding with a very pleasant Juice; and each contains in the mid|dle of them, an oblong Grain, of a yellow Colour, and sometimes very irregularly form'd. The Wild Pomegranate is a Shrub like the former, but more rough and thorny: They gather the Flowers when in their prime; these are dry'd to keep, which are brought to us from the Levant. The Wild Pome|granate grows only in the hot Countries. The Juice of the Pomegranate is much valued in Physick. There are with us in England reckon'd five sorts of Pome|granate Trees, chiefly cultivated for Ornament, viz. First, the common Pomegranate, second the sweet, third the wild, fourth the double flower'd, and fifth the American dwarf Pomegranate. The first of these Trees is now pretty common in the English Gardens, where formerly it was nursed up in Cases, and pre|serv'd with great Care, as was also the double Kind;

[figure]

Pomegranate Tree

[figure]

Rice

but now they are both hardy enough to resist the se|verest Cold of our Climate in open Air; and if planted against warm Walls, in a good Situation, the first sort will often produce Fruit, which in warm Seasons will ripen tolerably well: But as these Fruits do not ripen till late in the Autumn, so they are seldom well tasted in England: But notwithstanding the Fruit of this Tree seldom arrives to any Perfection in this Country, so as to render it valuable; yet for the Beauty of its scar|let Colour, together with the Variety of its Fruit, it well deserves to have one planted in every good Garden, since the Culture is not great which they re|quire. The chief Care is to plant them upon a rich strong Soil, and in a warm Situation. The double flowering kind of this Plant is much more esteemed than the other in this Country, for the sake of its large beautiful double Flowers, which are of a fine scarlet Colour; and if the Trees are supply'd with Nourishment, will continue to produce Flowers for near three Months successively, which renders it one of the most valuable flowering Trees yet known. A curious account of the whole Culture and Improve|ment of the Pomegranate Plant, as managed in Eng|land, may be seen in Mr. Miller's Gardener's Dictio|nary, under that Word Punica.

RICE is the Product of a Plant much cultivated in most of the Eastern Countries; and great quanti|ties of it are brought into England, and other Euro|pean Countries every Year; where it is in great esteem for Puddings, &c. it being too tender to be produc'd in these northern Countries, without the assistance of artificial Heat: But from some Seeds formerly sent to South-Carolina, there have been great quantities pro|duc'd; and it is found to succeed equally as well there, as in its native Soil; which is a very great Improvement to our American Settlements: it being a Seed of so great Use and Profit, that it is call'd the Manna of the Poor; and throughout several Coun|tries, it is the chief Support of the Inhabitants. This Plant bears its Stalk about three or four Feet high, much thicker and stronger than that of Wheat and

other Corn: The Leaves are long like the Reed, and fleshy; the Flowers blow on the top like Barley; but the Seed, which follows, is dispos'd in Clusters, each of which is enclos'd in a yellow Husk, ending in a spiral Thread, and of an oblong, or rather oval Figure. This Plant grows upon moist Soils, where the Ground can be flow'd over with Water after it is come up; so that whoever would cultivate it in Eng|land for Curiosity, should sow the Seeds upon a Hot|bed; and when the Plants are come up, they should be transplanted into Pots fill'd with rich light Earth, and plac'd in Pans of Water, which should be plung'd into a Hot-bed; and as the Water wastes, so it must from time to time be renew'd again. In July these Plants may be set abroad in a warm Situation, still preserving the Water in the Pans, otherwise they will not thrive; and towards the latter end of August they will produce their Grain, which will ripen tolerably well, provided the Autumn proves favourable. Tho' the chief use of Rice be for Food, it is sometimes made use of in Medicine: It nourishes well, stops Fluxes, is good in Armies, Camps, and Sieges; be|cause 'tis of light Carriage, and excellent Sustenance, and easily prepared. It increases Blood, and restores in Consumptions. choose the newest Rice, well cleansed, large, that is to say plump, or well fed, white, and not dusty.

There are several Species of the CORK-Tree mention'd in some of the Italian Catalogues of Plants; but the chief are the broad-leav'd ever-green Cork-Tree, and the narrow-leav'd Cork-Tree, with smooth Edges: I shall speak only of the first. The broad-leav'd Cork that is always green, is a Tree of a mo|derate height, very much resembling the Oak; but the Trunk is bigger, bearing fewer Boughs, and the Bark a great deal thicker, very light, spungy, and of an ash Colour, tending towards a yellow; which Bark is taken from the Tree first, and afterwards freed from an inner Bark. The Leaves of the Cork-Tree are something like those of the Oak, but much larger and longer, likewise foster, and greener on the outside, and

[figure]

Cork Tree

[figure]

Tobacco Plant

a little indented: The Cups and the Acorns are also like those of the Oak. This Tree grows in the hot Countries, as Spain, Italy, towards the Pyrenees, and in Gascony, &c. When the Inhabitants of those Parts wou'd make a Crop of this Commodity, they take off the Bark of these Trees from the top to the bottom, and lay one piece upon another, to a reasonable height, in a Pit or Ditch that is full of Water; and having loaded it with Weights to keep it down, they leave it in this Condition for some time; and when it is well soak'd, and laid straight, they remove it to an|other Ditch, and so to a third and fourth; and after that take it out of the Water to dry: which being done, it is transported in Bales to different Parts of the World. Choose your Cork in fine Boards, all of a piece, not full of Knots or Chinks, of a moderate thickness, yellowish both without and within; and when it is cut firm and entire, the less porous the bet|ter; we commonly call this Cork, white Cork of France, because this sort is made in Guienne, chiefly about Bayonne, from whence almost all that is used in France comes. There is brought from the same Parts another kind of Cork, they call Spanish Cork, which is likewise according to its usual quality, light, plain, blackish without as if it had been burned; which, as they say, proceeds from nothing else, but its being steep'd in Sea-Water instead of fresh; the inside yel|lowish and easy to cut, not rotten; but choose the thickest sort you can get, that being much more esteem'd, and dearer than the thin.

Of the TOBACCO Plant there are five different Species. The first is known by the Planters in America, under the Title of Oroonoko; of which there seems to be two sorts, varying in the largeness and tex|ture of their Leaves, some having very broad, rough, roundish Leaves; and others are narrower, smoother, and do terminate in a Point: But neither of these sorts are valued by the American Planters, because the Produce of this, tho' it is much greater than the narrow-leav'd sort, yet is not near so much esteem'd by the English. The second sort is the narrow-leav'd,

commonly call'd the sweet-scented Tobacco, from its having a much more agreeable Scent when smoak'd, than the broad-leav'd sort; the Smoak of which is very offensive to most Persons who have not been ac|customed to it. This sort is cultivated in great plenty in Virginia, Cuba, Brasil, and several other Parts of America; from whence it is brought to most Parts of Europe, but especially to England, it being prohibited to be cultivated in this Country, lest His Majesty's Revenues should be thereby lessen'd; excepting a finall quantity that is permitted to be cultivated for Medicinal Use. The third sort is, the greater narrow-leav'd Perennial Tobacco, brought from the French Set|tlements in the West Indies into the Royal Garden at Paris, where it is cultivated in small quantities for making Snuff. The fourth and fifth two smaller sorts of Tobacco, are preserv'd in Botanick Gardens for Va|riety, but are seldom propagated for Use. The Tobacco Plants are raised from Seed; which they sow first in a rich Ground, and when the Plants are come up, cover them every Morning with Branches of Trees, to defend them from the scorching heat of the Sun; and having clear'd a piece of Ground to re|ceive the Plants, they transplant them in a rainy or moist Season, planting them down again in rows, at about two or three Feet distance from each other, that they may have room to spread, without the Leaves touching one another, so as to make them rot and corrupt. After the Tobacco is thus planted, they will require no farther Care, but only from time to time to keep them clear from Weeds, until the Plants be|gin to shew their Flower-Stems; at which time they cut off the tops of them, that their leaves may be the better nourish'd, become larger, and of a thicker Substance; and likewise pulling off constantly the Leaves underneath, that hang on the Ground, so that they leave about ten or twelve Leaves upon a Stalk, by which means they increase prodigiously, and be|come much thicker. When the Tobacco is ripe, they cut and spread it upon the Ground; after which they string it upon certain Cords, in little Knots, so that the Plants may not touch one another; then they

[figure]

Cotton Plant

hang it up to dry in the Air, shelter'd from the wet fifteen or twenty Days: And when it is rightly pre|par'd, they make or roll it into what Form is best lik'd by the Buyer.

COTTON is the Product of a Plant which bears a Stalk about two Foot high, cover'd with a reddish hairy Bark, divided into several short Branches: The Leaves are a little less than the Sycamore Leaves, shap'd almost like those of the Vine, hanging to long Stalks, adorn'd with a kind of Nap, or Hair: The Flowers are numerous, fine and large, having the shape or form of a Bell, slit or cut into five or six Divi|sions to the bottom, of a yellow Colour, mix'd with red or purple: When the Flower is fallen, 'tis succeed|ed by a Fruit the bigness of a Filbert; which being ripe opens into three or four Partitions, from whence appears a: Flake of Cotton, white as Snow, which swells up or tumesies by Heat, to the size of a little Apple. It contains in it many gross Seeds, like small Peas, ob|long and cottony; each having in it a little oily Ker|nel, sweet to the Taste. There is another sort of Cotton Tree that differs from the former in bigness, for this grows to the height of four or five Feet: The Leaves indented deep into three Parts, without Nap or Down: The Flowers and Fruit are like those of the other Kind. Both these sorts of Cotton grow in Egypt, Syria, Cyprus, Candia, and the Indies. In Jamaica, Barbadoes, and other Places in the West Indies, the Cotton Tree usually grows to a reasonable height, spreading sorth its Branches on all sides; with small, green, pointed Leaves; and beareth a Flower in form almost like the Sweet-Briar Rose, but of a yellowish Colour: After the Blossoms are fallen, there followeth a kind of greenish round Button, or Knob almost as big as a Tennis Ball, having a thin crusty Shell; which when full rice is of a dark brown or blackish Colour: In these round Buttons is inclosed the Cotton, which open when ripe in several Parti|tions like the former, out of which the Cotton falleth, if not timely gather'd: it contains likewise a great number of small blackish Seeds, that grow inclosed in

the same Shell, which before the Cotton is made use of are pick'd out. There grow likewise in some of the American Plantations, Cotton Bushes, or Shrubs, which approach very near in likeness to those of Egypt, Arabia, &c.

The MANDRAKE Plant is distinguish'd by two Species; viz. the Common with a round Fruit, cal|led the Male Mandrake, and that with the purplish blue Flower, called the Female Mandrake. The Leaves of the former rise directly from the Root, above a Foot long, broader than a Man's Hand in the mid|dle, and narrow at both Ends, smooth, of a deep green Colour, and a disagreeable Smell. The Flow|ers of both these Plants are of the shape of a Bell, divided at the tops into several Parts, which after|wards becomes a globular soft Fruit, in which is con|rain'd many kidney-shap'd Seeds. The Root, as some say, represents, when it is whole, the lower Parts of a Man, from whence it is called Anthropomorpha, which signifies the Figure of a Man. But as to this feigned resemblance of an human Form, which the Root of this Plant is said to carry, 'tis all Imposture, owing to the Cunning of Quacks and designing Knaves, who deceive the Ignorant with fictitious Images shap'd from the fresh Roots of Briony and other Plants: And what is reported as to the manner of rooting up this Plant, by tying a Dog thereto, to prevent the cer|tain Death of the Person who should dare to attempt it, and the Groans it emits upon the Force offer'd, &c. it is all a fulsome Fable: for several large Roots of this Plant have been taken up; some of which have been transplanted into other Places, without observing any particular difference in this from any other deep|rooting Plant. Some Persons worthy of Credit, have deliver'd as a Truth, that one of these Roots will re|main sound above fifty Years, and be as vigorous as a young Plant; but they should never be remov'd af|ter their Roots have arriv'd to any considerable size, which would break their lower Fibres, and so stint the Plants, as that they will not recover their for|mer strength in two or three Years. The Female

[figure]

Mandrake Plant

Mandrake with the bluish purple Flower; differs from the former, in that its Leaves are smaller, nar|rower, more folded, blacker, trailing on the Ground, of a strong stinking Smell; and the Fruit less and paler, not form'd like a Pear, as some Authors will have it; but round, scented, full of Juice, and con|taining very small black Seeds. The Root is about a Foot long, divided into two Branches, brown with|out, white within, and furnish'd with some Fibres, but nothing like the Male Plant. Both sorts grow in hot Countries, in the Plains or mountainous Places; but the last much rarer. These Plants are propagat|ed in Gardens from Seeds, which shou'd be sown upon a Bed of light Earth soon after they are ripe; where they should remain till the latter end of Au|gust, (observing always to keep them clear from Weeds) at which time they should be taken up very carefully, and transplanted into the Places where they are to re|main, which should be a light deep Soil, for their Roots do always run downwards very deep; and if the Plants are not disturb'd, they will grow to a large size in a few Years, and will produce great quantities of Flowers and Fruit, and they will abide a great many Years. There are Mandrakes mention'd in the 30th Chap. of Genesis, which Reuben is said to have found in the Field, in the time of Wheat Harvest; and with which his Mother Leah purchas'd from her Sister Rachel no less a Favour than the Enjoyment of her Husband. What those Mandrakes should be that were so desirable to Rachel; whether she coveted them for their delectable Taste, their fragrant Smell, or their beautiful Colour, does not appear: And as our learned Commentators differ in their Opinions about it, I shall not venture to give my own; but only observe, that in the Canticles it is said, The Man|drakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits: Which seems to intimate, as if the Mandrakes were a Fruit of a pleasant Taste, a fragrant Smell, and delightful to the Eye: for when Solomon says, the Mandrakes give a smell; sure he must mean a grateful Smell, or methinks he would hardly have introduc'd them to adorn a Pastoral Song: and as he

immediately adds, at our gates are all manner of plea|sant fruits; it seems to imply, that the Mandrake was likewise a pleasant Fruit, which perhaps, was so both to the Eye and Palate: But be that as it will, this we may venture to affirm, that the Mandrake Plants known to us now, whether wild or cultivated; have no such desirable qualities, as to render them so va|luable to the good Women of our days, to give in exchange their Husbands for them: For these, con|trary to what is mention'd in Scripture, have a dis|agreeable Smell.

BALM of Gilead is a liquid white Balsam, that flows of itself (tho' sometimes they make Incisions, when the Liquor flows not freely) during Summer, from the Trunk of a Plant, called Balsamum Syria|cum folio Rutae; that bears Leaves like Rue; and white Flowers shap'd like Stars; in the middle of which rise little Berries, that are sharp at the end, in which is a small Kernel: It sticks to the Branches by means of a very small Stalk; is green at first, and grows brown as it ripens. When the Balsam first runs, it is of the consistence of Oil of sweet Almonds, but by Age becomes like Turpentine, loses much of its Smell, and grows sometimes blackish. When fresh, it is of a very agreeable aromatick Smell, and of a Taste like Citron Peel. Jerico was once the only Place in the World where this true Balsam was to be found; but since the Turks were Masters of the Holy Land, they have transplanted these Shrubs into their Gardens at Grand Cairc, &c. where they are guarded by Janisaries, or Soldiers, during the time the Balsam flows; at which time it is very difficult for a Christian to get a Sight of these Plants, which are desended with very high Walls, as well as Sol|diers, against their entering. And as to the Balsam, it is almost impossible to get any upon the Place, un|less it be by means of some Ambassador, to whom the Grand Seignior has made a Present of it, or by The Soldiers who watch this precious Liquor; by which we may understand, that what several Persons pretend to sell for true Balsam, is nothing but white

[figure]

Balm of Gilead

Balsam of Peru; which they prepare with Spirit of Wine rectified, or with some Oils distilled. Mr. Po|met says, a Friend of his made him a Present of one Ounce, which he brought from Grand Cairo; it was of a solid Consistence, like that of Turpentine of Chio, of a golden yellow Colour, and a Citron Smell.

The CEDAR of Libanus is a very large, thick, straight Tree: Its Leaves small and slender; being much narrower than those of the Pine-Tree, disposed in Clusters along the Branches; and the Fruit like our Pine-Apples; but grows upon the upper part of the Branches, and stands erect, having a strong woody central Style, by which it is firmly annex'd to the Branch, so as with difficulty to be taken off: which central Style remains upon the Branches, after the Cone is fallen to pieces; so that they never drop off whole as the Pine-Apples do. It is said, that from the Trunk, and the large Branches of this Tree, there flows, during the great Heats, without any Inci|sion, a sort of white Resin, very clear, and of a grateful Odour; which they call Cedar-Gum, of which the largest Trees yield not less than six Ounces a day. The Cones of the Cedar are brought from the Le|vant, which, if preserv'd intire, will continue their Seeds for several Years: The time of their ripening is commonly in the Spring, and are near one Year old before we receive them; for which they are not the worse, but rather the better. To get the Seeds out of the Cone, they split it, by driving a sharp piece of Iron through the Centre lengthways, and so pull the Seeds out with their Fingers; which Seeds are fasten'd to a thin leafy Substance, as are those of the Firr-Tree. For the ordering the Cedar Plant, see Miller's Directions in his Gardener's Dictionary. What we find mention'd in Scripture of the lofty Cedars, can be no ways applicable to the Stature of this Tree; since, from the Experience we have of those now growing in England, as also from the Testimony of several who have visited those few remaining Trees on Mount Libanus, they are not inclin'd to grow very losty, but, on the contrary, extend their Branches

very far: To which the Allusion made by the Psalm|ist agrees very well, when he is describing the flou|rishing State of a People, and says, They shall spread their Branches like the Cedar Tree. Mr. Maundrel, in his Travels, says, when he visited Mount Libanus, there were but sixteen large Trees remaining; some of which were of a prodigious Bulk, but that there were many more young Trees of a smaller size; he measur'd one of the largest, and found it to be twelve Yards six Inches in girt, and yet sound, and thirty seven Yards in the spread of its Boughs. At about five or six Yards from the Ground, it was divided into five Limbs, each of which was equal to a great Tree. The Wood of this famous Tree is accounted Proof against all Putrefaction of Animal Bodies: The Saw-dust of it is thought to be one of the Secrets used by those Mountebanks who pretend to have the embalming Mystery. This Wood is also said to yield an Oil which is famous for preserving Books and Writ|ings: and the Wood is thought by my Lord Bacon to continue a thousand Years sound. Of Cedar Wood was most of the Timber-Work of that glorious Struc|ture, the Temple of Jerusalem.

The ANANAS is a kind of Pine-Apple: adorn|ed on the top with a little Crown, and a Bunch of red Leaves like Fire: It has a scaly Rind or Shell, like the Pine-Apple; and the Fruit like the Cones of the Pine, in the Form of a Sugar-Loaf: The inside appears like that of the Melon; the Flesh is fibrous, but dissolves in the Mouth, having the delicious Taste of the Peach, the Quince, and the Muscadine Grape all together. It is call'd the King of Fruits, because, for the richness of its Flavour, it surpasses all the known Fruits in the World; and also for the Crown upon the Head of it, which is a peculiar Mark of its Royalty; and at its fall produces a young King, that succeeds in all his admirable Qualities. This Fruit is produced from an herbaceous Plant, which hath Leaves somewhat resembling those of an Aloe, and are for the most part saw'd on their Edges, but are much thinner, and not so juicy as the Aloe. From

[figure]

Cedar of Libanu

[figure]

The Ananus

[figure]

Great American Aloe

the Fruit's resembling the Cones of the Pine Tree, it is supposed to have its Name. Where this Plant is a Native, is not easy to determine; but it was brought from the Factories in the East Indies, and planted in the hottest Islands in the West Indies, where they are in great plenty and extraordinary goodness: But it hath been very lately, that it was introduc'd into the European Gardens, so as to pro|duce Fruit. The first Person who succeeded in this Affair, was Monsieur Le Cour at Leyden in Holland, who, after a great many Trials with little or no suc|cess, did at last hit upon a proper degree of Heat and Management, so as to produce Fruit equally as good (tho' not so large) as those which are produc'd in the West Indies, as hath been often affirm'd by Per|sons who have lived many Years there; and 'tis to this worthy Cultivator of Gardening, who did not spare any Pains or Expence to accomplish it, that all the Lovers thereof are oblig'd for introducing this King of Fruits amongst them; and it was from him that our Gardens in England were first supplied, tho' we have since had large quantities brought from America. From the Juice of this Fruit is made a Wine, almost equal to Malmsey Sack, and will intoxicate as soon as the strongest Wine.

The ALOE is a Plant whose Leaves are thick and succulent, and for the most part beset with Spines on the Edges: The Flower consists of one Leaf, is tubulous, and cut into six Segments at the top, like the Hyacinth: The Fruit is oblong and cylindrical; which is divided into three Cells, in which are confin'd flat, and for the most part semi|circular Seeds. There are a great variety of these Plants in the curious Gardens of Botany in England, near forty different sorts, which are Natives both of the East and West Indies; but the most curious sorts are brought from the Cape of Good Hope. Most of the African sorts of Aloes do produce Flowers with us Annually, when grown to a sufficient size, which is often the second, and seldom more than the third

or fourth Year, after planting from Off-sets; but the American Aloes (which do, for the most part, produce their Flower-stems immediately from the Center of the Plant) seldom flower till they are of a considerable Age, and this but once during the Life of the Plant; for when the Flower-stem begins to shoot from the middle of the Plant (which, for the most part, is of a large size, and grows to a great height) it draws all the Nourishment from the Leaves; so that, as that advances, the Leaves de|cay: and when the Flowers are fully blown, scarce any of the Leaves remain alive; but whenever this happens, the old Root sends forth a numerous quan|tity of Off-sets for increase: And it is not till this time, that some of these sorts can be increased. There is a vulgar Error or two relating to the large Ameri|can Aloe, which is, that it never flowers until it is an Hundred Years old: this is a Mistake; since we have had several of them flower in England, some of which were known not to exceed fifty Years old; and others, that flower'd many Years ago, cannot be suppos'd to have been in England so long as to arrive at that Age, since they were thought too tender for our Climate at that time, when Green|houses were not known. Another common Error is, that when the Flower opens, it makes a Report like that of firing a Gun: This is sufficiently confuted by all those, who have been where these Plants have flower'd: But probably the rise of this Story might proceed from some Persons saying, when one of these Plants flower'd, it made a great Noise; meaning thereby, that whenever one of them flower'd in England, it was spread abroad as an uncommon thing, and occasion'd a great Noise among the neighbouring Inhabitants; most of whom usually repair to see it, as a thing that rarely happens, and as a great Curiosity. In the Year 1729. in the Month of September, one of these great American Aloes flower'd in Mr. Cowell's Garden at Hoxton, and though it was above forty Years old, did not shoot forth its Stem till about eleven Weeks before, in which short time it shot up

[figure]

Sensible Plan

to the height of twenty-two Feet: The deserv'd Fame of this wonderful Plant being spread abroad, occasion'd a vast resort of People, of all Ranks, to see so great a Curiosity.

The Contexture of the SENSIBLE PLANT is very surprising; for, upon touching any of the Sprigs with Leaves on, all the Leaves on that Sprig contracting themselves by Pairs, joined their upper Superfices close together. Upon the dropping a Drop of Aqua-fortis on the Sprig betwixt the Leaves, all the Leaves above shut presently, those below by Pairs successively after, by and by the lower Leaves of the other Branches, and so every Pair successively, with some little distance of time betwixt, to the top of each Sprig, and so they continued shut for some time: But returning to the Garden the next Day, and several Days after, found all the Leaves dilated again on two of the Sprigs; but where the Aqua-fortis had dropped, upwards, dead and withered; but those below on the same Sprig, green, and clos|ing upon the Touch as before, and continu'd so. With a Pair of Scissars, as suddenly as it could be done, one of the Leaves was clipped off in the mid|dle; upon which that Pair, and the Pair above, clos|ed presently; after a little Interval those under, and so the rest of the Pairs to the bottom of the Sprig; and then the Motion began in the lower Pairs on the other Sprigs, and so shut them by Pairs upwards, though not with such distinct distances. Upon cut|ting off one of the harder Branches, there came out a Liquor, without pressure; very clear, and of a bright greenish Colour, tasting at first a little bitter|ish, but after leaving a liquorice like Taste behind:

which probably, the Motion of this Plant upon touching might proceed from this; that there being a constant Intercourse betwixt every Part of this Plant and its Root, either by a Circulation of this Liquor, or a constant pressing of the subtiler Parts of it to every Extremity of the Plant. The above Experiments were made by Dr. Hooke, on some of these Plants which grew in a Garden in St. James's Park. I have read, that in the Passage of the Isthmus, from Nombre de Dios to Panama, there is a whole Wood full of Sensitive Trees, of which, as soon as they are touch'd, the Leaves close and move with a rattling Noise, and twist themselves together into a winding Figure.