Of Beades, which bee called the Beades of Sainct Elen.
* 1.1FRom the Florida they bring certayne rounde Rootes which are called the Beades of Sainct Elen. And they take this name by reason that they grow in a place of that Country that is so called: they are greate large Rootes, deuided into seueral peeces,* 1.2 and cuttinges, euery peece by it selfe, they remaine rounde as Beades, which be∣ing bored in the midst, they make of them Beads for to pray vpon, which the Souldiers do hang about their necks, for a thing of great estimation. They dry them, and they are as ha••de as a bone, on the outwarde part they are blacke, and within white, and the Rinde is ioyned in such sorte, that the harte and it is made alone, they are wrought after they bee dry, and this Roote beeing tasted, hath a sweete smel, with a good taste. And it seemeth by the taste that it is a kinde of Spyce, for it i•• lyke to Galanga, they are of the thickenesse of a mans thombe, somwhat lesse, the Plant hath a great stalke: the Bowes doe spread by the grounde,* 1.3 and cast out the leaues broade and greate, and very greene. It groweth