CL. Bk.. THE ETHEL CARR PEACOCK MEMORIAL COLLECTION Matris araori monumentum TRINITY COLLEGE LIBRARY DURHAM. N. C. 1903 Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Dred Peacock %. ^ ^^- -.. The Natural HISTORY OF jSorfij ' Carolma. WITH AN ACCOUNT or THE Trade, Manners, and Cuftoms of the Christian aind'I n d i a n Inhabitants. II- luftrated with Copper -Plates^ whereon are curioufly Engraved the J/^p of the Country,^ feveral {itauge-'iBeafisy Birdsj Fijbes-, Snakes^ Infedsi Trees J and Tlarips, Sec. S)! J O H N B R I C K E L tj M. D. ^ , tfoftrd nos in utbe peregrinamur* CiCo D V B L I N .^ ^ t'rinted by J a m e s C a r s o n, in Coghill's-CoHrt, Dame- , (Ireet, oppofit* to the CaftU-AL^r^'et.. For the Author^' <^ i^ ^W^R TO The Right Honourable AND T R U L r NOBLE RICHARD EAKLof (^NGLESET, Vifcount V A LENT I A, Lord Baroa ALTHAM, Lord BaroX MOUNT N ORRIS, Lord Baron ot NEWPOl^T PAGNELj and Cuftos Rotuloruiii jof the Count jr of W £ X F O R D. Afay it fleafe Tour Lordship, THOUGH I know how prefump- tuous it is, to affix fo great a Name to tnefe inconfiderable Papers, yet the Necedity Dedication- 1 fhall only add, than God raises up great and virtuous Men, to make Prin- ces and Nations happy, by the Infkience oftheir Wisdom and good Examples. The deep Senfc of thefc Your great JMerits, has even infpired me with this Ambition, to teftifie with what Refped I am, My mofi Honoured Lord, Tour Lordjhifs moft ohliged-) and moft humble Servant-^ John Brickell. Ill THE PREFACE. T wiUnot be tomy pUYpofe to enquire 'whether America layas knovcn to the Jlnt/entSj there being uarious Opinions about it, yet 'with more Curioftty than certainty-^ 'whence this New World ijoas Peopled \ fome ajjigning that the Hefperides {fo called from Hesperus ¥iing of Spain) and the Continent of America 'were Teopled by the Spaniards. Others^ affirm that the Ameri- cans are the Race 0/ Jews carried into captivity by Salamanazer and placed in Country s till then not In- habited, after a pro^refs of 1 8 Months, Many believe they voere People carried by Stormy being Chincfles failing on the Pacifick South Sea, or other Nothcrn People {allowing the po£ibility of each Opinion) iv PREFACE. Opinion) I iviU not pretend f;p take upon me to decide^ fh Coritroverjy-, bein^ altog^thcY (i flrangef t&, the certainty of the FaU. The Writir/p of many JLearnad Men may befeen on this Heady vc'ho after having fearch'd all the 'Records cfjintiquityyfheiv much Erudiciion^ but nothif^'g of certainty', concerning the Ant tent Affairs 0/ America'. Iknoiso the Aicmory cf a^Delage k, '•preferred amongjl thefe Teoplcj but ichether it hi to be underflood of the universal Floods or the Inun- 'dation offome particular Trovinces-, I leave it to others to difcourfe upon-, fox I am vo filing to lay afi^e aUmfianner of Conj-eciures' of this Nature^ having enough of Truth to treat of. ' The feveral Climates of the World have influeyic- ed the People 'with I^ature^ yery different from each other-) and everi their different Speeches bear fome proportion of Amlogic zvith their Natures^as 16 to be feen among/1., the VYhites^lndians, and Blacks, that are to be met voitb it^ this part of the World. But voaveing thefe T)ijCourfes-,'we here prefent the World ivitk a Natural-Hiftpry (/■NortU-Carolina^ 7t being a compcji4.ious CoUedion, ofmofi things yet hiovcn in that p/jytofphe World -^ tvherein I have laid dovon every ifhiiigvoith Impartiality and Trutby in the mojl plain and eafie Te,rmsj vohich indeed is the 'Dut.y of every. Writer^ and preferable to a more eloquent^ Stile^ qccompanied ^itj) many Falfisies, I ha%)( therefore endeavoftr^d {n the foUovcing Shetj togivi^ as faithful and. exa.^ Account c^Ca- ■ ^ ■" ' ' roHnaj PREFACE. '.< f . ^ i rolina, as dffcoveiies jet made vt^^Jll Authorize, and < if any take offence at ivhat is {aid about /-.^fr Indians ^^ and their wanton and lafcivious manner of living'^ > I hope they 'will Judge of every Pajjage voith due deference to good Authority of the moji knovoing and, fubjiantial Tlanters in thofe Tarts. And conjider that the nature of the Work required my being Jvme- isohat particular-, in order to jheiv the good and bad ^alittes of thefe poor Creatures-, m ho at prefent have no light or benefit of the Gofpel. And had ive been as careful as the Spaniards and French, in fending over proper MifTionaries ro /«- JlruCt thefe miferab'.e People-, zve Jhou'd never have had occajion to give thU Relation of them. Bejidet- if thefe Methods had been put in praCiicc-, voe un- doubtedly had been better informed and aquainted with the many hidden Secrets in this part of the World^ijohich thefe People are 'well aquainted voith^ and ivhich they never voiU make knezvrt to us till they are Injiruhed in the Chriftian Faith, and have intirely abolifhed the many Idolatrous Cujioms and Fra^ices /i ill prevailing among ft them. I have vievoed not only mo/i part of the Lands Inhabited by the Chriftians, but Ukevoife vafifpaci-,- ous Tra6h lying between them and the M^ountainSf from vohence our noble fi Rivers have their rife^ running for fever al hundreds of Miles to'wards tJye Ocean-, u?hile they ivater and adorn as pl^afant and fertil a Country as any in Europe, the greateji part whereof ii only inhabited by Savage Indians, isoho^ ' covcf ) vi PREFACE. covet a Chriftlan Neighbourhood for the advantage of Trade. But not to amufe the Reader any longer -with Encomiums on Carolina, / refer th^m to my "Defcriptfon of that Country^ and it's Inhabitants^ 'which they iviUfind in the foUovoing Natural Hif- tory, in which I have been very exact •, and for Adethods fake-i have ranged each Species of Animals, Vegetables, i^c. under dijiind and proper Heads. A Collection of the Natural Curiojities of this f pa- cious part of the fVorld-, voillf I hope ^ not only give Sattsfadion and Tleafure to each Reader^ but like- » 'i!oife Projity to all that are inclined to live in thofe Parts, If thefe my Endeavours meet voith this good Suecefs-, I am thoroughly fat is fie d^ having nothing more at Heart than to be in any Degree fervid feable to the Tublick \ this bein^ the principal Mo- tive that induced me to undertake any IVork of this Nature, ( the Task being not only Laborious but Difficult } and not out of any Traife I expired from it. To conclude^ Whatever T>efeds may be found in this Undertakings ive hope in time they voill be fupplied by the Labours and Indujlry offuch asfhaU come after ; and this voe are made to expert chiefly from thofe of our oivn Nation ; and that their lau- dable Attempts may meet voithjuft Encouragement^ fhall be my conflant Wifh and 'Defire, Subscribers. ?u SUBSCRIBERS. A. TH E Honourable Capt. Richard Allen; Stephen Allen, M. D. Mr. Pat. Archbold. Mr. John Archbold. Mr. Richard Armftrong. B. EDward Bond, Efq; Worfopp Bufh, Epi'y Edmond Barry, M. D^ Mr. Peter Brandon. Mr. James Brickell. Mr. George Brickell. Mr. William Brickell, Mr. Robert Bijar. ; ,,, Mr. Jos. Burry, Attorney. Mr. Thomas Brennan. Mr, Stearne Brock, BookrellcrJ Mr. i\n SUBSCRIBERS.. t ' ' ' * m Mr. Alexander Brown. ^ Mr. 0.av.id,'B'uili^'6f P//fi?4^<(f7^/;/.i, :^:^S^chant:' ^^ Mr. Henry Barton, .^JJorWifrj', Mr. John Brenan. . , , M r. Richard Baxter. Mri' Benjamin Bricke'nden. Mr. INlartin Bourke. Mr. Arthur Brerton. C. TM E Honourable 't'homas Coote, £/^'; TheRevd. Charles Carthv, A. M. William Clements, A. M. F. T. C. D. Edmond Caftello, £/^; John Curry. M. l3. 'Mr. John Clinch. Mr. Patrick Connor. INlr. James Connor. Mr. Patrick CalTldy, Attorney. Mr. Call. McCarty. Mr. Patrick Ca,rrick. Mr. John Carfon, of Raihmullin. Mr. Nathanial Carfon, of KilloHgh^ Mr, William Connor; Mr. Samuel Carf the Waters, and falling of the facie at the Shears. A 2 Ccamk The Natural HISTORY of Ocacock Inlet lyes in the Latitude of 3 5 Degrees 8 MmiULcs. It is one of the beft Inlets in this Country^ having thirteen Foot at low Water upon the Barr. There arc- two Channels, One is but narrow, and lyes clofe abcrd the South Cape i the Other in the middle, 'uiz.. Between the middle Ground and the South Shoar, and is above halt a Mile wide. The Barr itfelf is but half a Cables length over ; then you aie in 7 or 8 Fathom Water, and an excellent good Harbour. The Courfe into the Sound is N. N. W. at High Water, and Neip Tides here is 18 Foot Water. It lies S. W. from Hat^ teras Inlet Port Beaufort^ or Topfail Inlet, lyes in the Latitude 34 Dervees and 44 Mmutes,and is above two Leagues to the Weflward of Cape Look-out, where you have a fair Channel over the Barr, and two Fathom VV^ater thereon 3 and a good Harbour, in five or fix Fathom, to come to an Anchor. Your Courfe over this Barr is almofl N. W. ' ^ Cape Fear Inlet lyes in the Latitude of 35 Degrees 53 Minutes, it is the beft in slW North Car olim, where you have 7 Fathom Water at the Barr. You have like- wife a fine Harbour, and can come with fafety to an Anchor $ or 6 Leagues up the River^ And notwithflanding it is fo commodious for Navi- gation, yet- few or no Planters fettled here till within thefe few Years, but now in all Appearance, it feems to be the moft rifing Part of all this Province -, there being now many Subftantial Planters fettled there, and arc become very Rich within the fpacc of Kine or Tea Years, it being little frequented or inhabited before that Time, viz, in the Year, 1723. Moft of the other Inlets that I have already mention^ cd, 4re fo very incommodious for Trade, that they are " - '' "' little North CAROLINA. link frequented or rcforted to, except it be by fmall Crofts and Periaugers. I (hail therefore or^it giving any further Account of them. N(jrth CaYolma has fome confiderable Promontories or Capes in it : That Cape called Hatterasy is the moft Northern of this Province, it lyes in the Latitude of 35 Degrees and 20 Minutes, Longitude 75. Ca^e Look-outy is the largeft in this Province, extending a great way int© the Main Ocean, and is about two Leagues to the Northward or Mouth of Topfaillnkt, in the Latitude of 34 Degrees and 46 Minutes, Longitude 75, 50 Cape Fear l>es at the Mouth of the Inlet, in the Latitude of 33 Degress and 53 Minutes, Longitude 77. 20. Cape Carterett is part of Seuth Caroiinay and is the Norther- moft Promontorie in that Province, lying to the South- ward of Santee River in Latitude 3 2 of Degrees, and 50 Minutes, Longitude 77. 55. VVithin thele Capes is a very large Sound, with abundance of Iflands of feveral Sizes, abounding with various kinds of Timber Trees, many whereof arc fine Cedar, with variety of Wild Beafts, efpecially Deer, and great Quantities of Birds, according to the Seafons of the Year, but there are fcarce any of them inhabited by Chriftian Planters ac prtfent. I fhall in the next Place proceed to give an Account of the Rivers that arc to be met with in this Province.; many whereof arc very confiderable and large, running for feveral hundred Miles, and taking their Rile for th« moft part in or near the Mountains, others arc but fmall in comparifon with the former^ as may be fecn by the Map. 1 fhall therefore begin with the moft Northerly, and fo proceed to the moft Southerly. Andfirft, Black-JVa-' ur^ or N^nh River, which falls into Currituck Sound, North The Natural HISTORY of North River, Pafquotanck River, Little River, Pequtmani River, and Taupn River ^^ ail thcfe Water and Adorn the Souchern Parts ot Virginia, and Northern Parts of this Province, which are very Fertile. Moft of thefc Ri- vers being Navigable for Sloops, Brigantines, and other Vcflels of Burthen. Chowan River likewife Waters the North Parts of this Province, and part oi Virginia, and is very confide- rablc in thefe Parts; the Inhabitants on its Banks are ve- ry Rich by its Fertilty, and being fo commodious for Trade, ic is the fifth large and conCderable River in this Province ; it falls into Albemarle Sound. Keja River is likewife to the Northward of this Pro- vince, but is not very Confiderable. Roanoke River is the largeft in this Province, taking its noble Rife from the Charokee orAppelapean Mountains, and Watering feveral Parts of Virginia, as it erodes the due Weft Line that leparates it from Virginia, it is very commodious for Trade, being Navigable for a vaft way up the Country, moft of the former Rivers empty them* fclves into this Albemarle on Currituck Sound. Maca Punga River, is a North Branch of Pamticoe River, and admits of Sloops, Brigantines, and other Veflels of Burthen. Pamticoe River Is the fourth confiderable River in thefe Parts, taking its Rife near or from the Mountains, and falls into Pamticoe Sound, with a very large Mouth, feveral Miles in Breadth, and is not inferior to any of the other large Rivers, for the goodncfs of its Navigation, as is manifeft by the many Rich Inhabitants dwelling upon its delightful and fertile Banks. Bay River is not very coniidewble, being fmall, yet its Trade is nQC dtfpiiabk. Neui NorPh CAROLINA. Neus River is the Third large River in this Province, but is not lo good as Pamicoe, for Navigation, not- withflanding its Rife is near the Mountains. Treut River is a South Branch of Neus River, which falls into Pamticoe Sound. North River lyes to the Southward of Neus, and cm- ties itfell: into Cour Sound ; as do likewife Newport Ri- ver, M^'eemk River, and Nev) River; but are not very confiderable, being only Navigable for Sloops andfmall Crotts. Blacky or Swampy River, is butfmall, and lyes'to the Northward ot Cape Fear River. Cape Fear River is the Second confiderable and large River, and is one ot the beft for Navigation in thefc Parts : There is a large River which is the Northeaft Branch of Cafe Fear River, but is difttinguifhcd or called by no proper Name that I know of at prefcnt. Waggamau River is a Northeaft Branch of Ptdte Ri- ver, and is large, taking its Rife from a great Lake to the Northward of the faid River. Little Pedee River is a North Branch of the following, and is not large. Pedee River is the Third large and confiderable River in North Carolina. Black River, and Satttee River arc the two Southcr- moH: in thofe Parts, being part of South Carolina. One thing worthy of Obfervation is. That the Cur- rent of all the Rivers in this large Country, are fcarcc to be perceived, 'till you travel fevcral Hundered Miles, or near their Heads, which is chiefly owing to theic being fo large, and the Country fo very level. In many of thele noble and fpacious Rivers, arc abun- ^ncc of Creeks, feveral whereof are very commodious for Trade, being Navigable for fevcral Miles i there arc S The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ are likewife many considerable lOands in thefc Rivers, abounding with fevcral forts of Trees, Wild Eeiills, cfpecialiy Deer, and various kinds ot Fowl ; they are Inhabited by few or no Chriftians ac prefent. In fevcral parts of thcfc Rivers are likewife to be fccn great num- ber of decayed Cyprcfs and other large Trees, ftanding at a great diflance in the Water, the Earth being entirely wafhed away from them in the feries oi many Ages. • The next thing to be confidered, is the Towns and their beautiful Situation. And firft, Edemoion is the larg-- cft, confifting of about Sixty Houies, and has been the Seat ot the Governors for many Years, and is pleafantly fcated on a Creek on the North-fide of Roanocke River ; where you have a delightful Profped of- the faid River. Bath Towttj is the Second confiderable Town in this Province, and is moft delightfully feated on a Creek on the North-fide of Prtw^/cof River, with the fame beau- tiful Advantages ot the former: It's Navigation is much better^ being the mo(t confiderable and commodi- ous for Trade in this Province, except Cape Fear. Neiiihern is fituated on the South-fiJe of Neus River, with a pleafant Profped ot that River : This Town has but a few Houles or Inhabitants in it at prefent. Handcock Town is feated on a North Weft Branch of ^eus River, being above two Hundred Miles from the Mouth of that River, and is icarce worth taking Notice of, only for its being formerly an Indian Town^ and where they had a Fort in time of War. Beaufort Town ftands on the North-fide of Newport River, it's Profpeft being as pleafant as any of the for- mer : It is fmall, ahd thinly inhabited. Brunfwick Town is moft delightfully feated, on the South-fideof that Noble Kivtr Cape Ftar ; and no doubt but it will be very confiderable in a fliort time, by it's great North CAROLINA. great Trade, the Number of Merchants, and rich Plan- ters, that are fettled upon it's Banks, within thelc few Tears. The Streets in thefe Towns areas level as a Bowling- Green, there being no manner of Pavement ro be met with over all this Province. The firil Settlement of this Country was made in Queen Eltz,abeth's time, by Sir Walter Kaliegh and o- thcrs, at Roanokey in MbtmaYle County j but continu- ed not long, either by Sickncls or other Misfortunes, or by the Barbarity of the Indians, who were very nu- merous and powerful in thole Days, but arc now very few, being for the moft part dcftroyed by their con- tinual Wars with each other, and European Di/iempers, brought in amongft them, and elpccially the Small- Poxy which prov'd fatal to moft of the Indians that were feizcd with it. This Diftcmper, and many others un- known to thcfe Savages, before the arrival of the Chrifti- ans amongft them in thofe Parts. I hope it will not be unpleafing to the Reader to infert here a pleafant Story which ftill prevails amongft them ; and is attcfted by the moft fubfiantial and credible Planters of this Place, which is, ' That the Ship that brought the firft Colo- ' nies, does often appear to them (in Albemarle Sound * near Roanoke ) under Sail, in a moft gallant Pofture." Which they call Sir Walter Raliegh's Ship. The fccond Settlement was made in King Charles the Seconds Time, chiefly in Chowan and Barty Precinds, in Albemarl County y by feveral Pcrfons from Plirginiay and other Northern Colonies, who finding the Soil fo very good and fertile, fettled here, and are become very Nu- merous and Rich; for the Lands here produce every thing Planted in tbem in great abundance ; Horfes, Cows, Sheep, aad Swine, breeding in vaft Numbers, the B Winter lo The Natural HISTORY of Winter, being very fiiort, and that fo mild, the Plan- ters arc at liccle or no Labour or Expencc in provi- ding Fodder for their Stccks, to what other Northerly Countries arc. For in the Winter they only tell large Trees, whereon grow long Mofs, which the Horles and Cows feed upon, and makes chem both fat and ftrong ; the Cows will produce Milk, wiihthis kind oi Foduer* all the Winter Seafon, in great plenty. As for Hay, I never obferved any maoe m the Country, cho* they have fuch plenty of Grafs, that they arc obliged to burn it oft" the Ground every loh.oi March, by vcr- tue of a Law made in the Country for phat purpoic. Thefe Inducements encouraged them to Settle here, though but a handful of People, fcated at great diftance one from another, amidft fuch vaft Numbers of Savage Indians^ of different Nations, who were then in Carolina to be met withal. The Fame of this Province foon fpread itfdf to the Neighbouring Colonics, and in a few Years drew con- fidet able numbers of Families, not only from them, but lik'wife from (cveral Parts of Eur op, who all found Land enough to fettle thcmfelves in, had they been many Ti^oufands more, both for Pleafure and Profit j which makes the Planters in a great meafure live after a moft luxurious manner, and' void of Care, to what other more Northerly Climates are obliged to, by providing Necefl'aries for the Winter. So that it may properly be faid, that Nature produces every thing here for the Pleafure and Profit of the Inhabitants. Moll of the Plantations naturally have a very noble and beautiful Profpcdt of large and fpacious Rives oc Creek , abounding -vi h variety of Fifh and Wildfowl ; as alfo, pij.-.fanr and delightful Savannas or Meddotof, wrh theit Green Livw'ries, interwoven with various kinds North CAROLINA. ii kinds of beautiful and moft glorious Colours, and fragrant Odours, which the fevcral Seafons afford, and fenced in with plcafant Groves of the fine Tulip Tree, Laurel and Bays, equalizing the Oak in bigncfs and growth, like wife the Myrtle, Jeflaminc, Wood-bines, Honcy- iuckles, and fevcral otlicr odoriferous Plants, the moft beautiful Vines and Ever-grcens, fhadow and interwavc themfclvcs with the rooll lolty Timber, yielding a very pleaiant and delightful Profpc<5t, to thofe tha: travel through the Woods of Carolina ; that, turn your Eyes, wh;ch way you will, you have nothing but pleafing and diverting Obje(^8, and the more to be admired, being the Work of Nature, and not of Art. The Lands being thus richly adorn *d, and the Plan- ters ei joying all thcfe Bleffings, are as hofpitable Peo- ple as any in the World, to all that come to vilit them, there being few Houle-keepers, but what live decently, and give away more Provifions to Coafters and Gucfts, that come to fee them, than they expend amongfl their own Families. The Lands in Carolina lie indifferently low and level, no Rocks, or even fmall Stones are to be found, till yo\i come near the Mountains, and the Heads of the great Rivers/ where the beft Lands arc generally to be met with, abounding with all forts of Clover, in great Plenty, but is atprefcnt only inhabited by Savags Indians, of different Nations, or the Habitation of Wild Beafts ; ind is more healthful to live in, than where the Planta- tions are already eflablifhed. Here arc ' in feveral Places large Savannas, beautiful to behold, which at certain Seafons, appear at a diftancfc like fo many Pleafure Garden$,being intermixt with va- riety of Spontaneous Flowers of vaiious Colours, fuch as the Tulip^ Trumpet-flowcp, Princcfs-fcather, and B 2 feveral 1 2 The Natural HISTORY of fcveral others, with great quantil ies of Grafs on them, but of I. courfer and ilronger Nature than up theRivers, where c^cre is moitly Clover to be met with, notwich- flanding Horfes, and other Cattle feed very well on the former, and are fat, flrong, and fit for Labour, moft Scafonsot the Year. There arc likewife Perkofom and Swamps, which arc good Pafturage for Cattle^ fo that by the richnefs of the boil, and the many other Advantages and Bleflings that attend the Planters, they live alter a lazy and indolent Manner, to what thofe in New England do, and other Northerly Countries arc, by proviuing Necellaries for Winter. Lands arc fo very Cheap, that (after you have taken out your Patten for Six hundred and foity Acres, which will coft three or four Pounds .brer/, or the Value, in Carolina Money) you pay at the deareft, tor the laid Kumber of Acr:cs,Stx Shmngs and Six fence Ste; I. Yearly, and at the loweft three Shillings and three Pence, free from all Taxes at prefent : So that with moderate Iiidulh-y may be acquired all manner of Neceliarys for the Sup- port of a Family, though never lo Numerous, nothing being wanting there but a fu fficient Number of Hands, and Induftry, to make it as fine a Country as any in the World. They Plant or Sow all their Corn by one Plough, or the Hoc, and feveral Plantations have produced Indian Corn, or fome other Grain every Year, iincc the Settle- ment of the Chriftians in thofe Parts, without any Ma- nure, and yet fcems not to be the lead Impoveriflbed, 'producing continually a good Crop, unlefs a bad Seafon prevents, which ieldomc happens in Carolina. And, I am fatisfied, that there cannot be one greater ArguCient in the World, to prove the goodncfs and fcrtiltic North CAROLINA. 13 fertiltic of the Lands than this, which is one of the greatelt Bleffings that can attend a Country where there are fo tew Hands to Manufadure the Lands after that laborious Manner, which is cuitomary with us, which e\ery Farmer in Ireland is well acquainted with, who is at continual Expencc for Servants, Horfcs, and many other Neceflaries to improve his Lands to the befl Ad- vantage. The Lands of Giro///!^ confift of different Sorts of com- pott, in ieveral Places, fome Stiff, others Light, fome Marie, others a rich Black Mold, fome Sandy, one Part Pieny, another large Timber Trees, others Savan- nas, with variety of bcauBiful Flowers and long Grafj, a rich black Earth, where fcarce any Tree will grow, yet produces the beft Wheat and Rice of any Land in thefc Parts, as has been experienced by the Planters. I have (cen fevcral of thefe Savannas fome Miles in length and breadth, but are little regarded or made ufe ot by the Planters, by reafon that they arc atfomedif- tance from their Plantations, feme being two, three, or four Miles from the Water fide, and are only Pafturagc for Cattle. The Reader mpfl underiland, that all the Inland in this Province lyes wafle at prefcnt. Other Lands in this Province are Perkofons, where large Cyprefs Trees grow, others Swamps, where hollow- Canes, Myrtle Trees and (everal forts of Vines grow, and produce good Pafturage for Cattle, but are generally the Habitation of wild Bcafts j both thefc being very wet and low Lands, and fo full of Canes and Under- wood, that there is no pafllng through them, many of which are feveral Miles in length. The Indians in their Hunting Matches fet thefe Places on Fire at certain Sea- fons of the Year, by which Means they drive out the G^me, and kill vafl Numbers of them. The t4 The Natural HI3 TOR Y of The Planters for the moft part live by che vV ater fide, fsw or none Jiving in the In-land parts ot tnc Country atprefcat, though the Lands are as good and crtile as any chat ^re yet inhabited ; but not fo commodi us for Carriage as by the W^ater, for moft part of the Plantations run but a Mile backward into the Woods, fo thac betwixt every River you Ojall fee vaft Traits oi Land lying waitc, or innabited only by wild Beads : What is worthy of Oblcr vation is, That almoin every Planter may haveaconveuicnt Dock upon his Plantation, and a fufjicicnt Quancicy of good Timber to build Ships and Boats withal. OftheCOllN of North CAROLINA. TH E Wheat of this Province is very good and fair, the Flower very White, but the Grain is not al- together {o large as ours, yet it feldom yields Icfs than thirty Meaiurcs for one (own ; not but that there has been Sixty Increafe for one fown in Piney Land, which is . accounted the worft Soil in the Country, and I have been credibly informed, that the Wheat which was Planted in the Savannas, and fuch like rich Soil, has produced a Hundred for one Mcafure Sown. Thefe confiderablc Incrcafes prevent the Planters to make ftric^ and nice Obfervations ofthe Nature and Goodncfs of the Soil ; for I never faw one Acre of Land managed as it ought to be, and were they as Negligent in their Husbandry in Eurofe, as they are in North Carolinaj their Land would produce North CAROLINA. 15 prouucc nothing but Weeds. And Imuft contcfs, when fonie of the Planters enquired of me how we managed the Lano ml dandy and what Labour and Expcnce wc were at in ordering them to the beft Advantage, it fecmed Very lurprizing to them how we could live, and cfpccially when 1 told him, that we paid from three Shillings to four 01 five Pounds /»rr Acre (befidcs many heavy Taxci) which Relation they could by no means give Credit to, but looked upon what I faid as meer Romances or Tales, to impofc upon their Credulity. Tnc Rye thiives very well here, but they having fuch Plenty ot Maiz, in this Province, they little regard or va- lue it, and eipecially by Reafon of the Blacknefs of the Bread it makes. The Barley does much better here than may rcafo- nable be cxpefted from their Management of it, that Grain rcquireing the Ground to be well Wrought, with repeated Plowings tg make it Mellow, which their ge- neral Way of breaking with Hoes will never perform; though 1 have fecn extraordinary Barley produced in North Carolina, after that mannsr, or with one Plowing only. O^its docs well here, but the vaft Plenty of other Grain prevents their propagating ofitinmany Places, fo that it is not common in thcfe Parts of America at prefent. The Rice, whereof there are levcral Sorts, fome Beard- ed, others not, bcfidethe White and the Red, but the White is beft. The Rice oi Carolina is efteemed as good as any brought to £«»-o/>e,and isof a prodigious Incrcafe, yielding from eight Hundred to a Thoufand for one Mcafure that is fown. It grows beft in their Wet and •wild Land, that hath not been cultivated or broken up before. The Indian-Corn or Maize is moft commonly Pi^nt^d with the Hue, and proves the moft ufcful Grain ia l6 The Natural • H I S T O R Y 0/ in thcfc Parts, being in great Plenty all over this Pro- vince; it is very nourilhing in Bread Sodden or other- wife, as appears by tho/'e that coiuinually Feed upon it, making them ftrong, able, and He for hard Labour. It grows in all manner of Ground except Barren Sands,- but when Planted in good Ground, produces for one Meafure, Seven or eight Hundred, at the I o weft Com- putation that can be made. Pigs and Pouirery fed with this Grain, eat the fweetcft of all others. The Millet does very wtil here, efpceial/y in light and loofe Ground, they fowitin April and May, and profpers beft in moift and rainey Weather; The Plenty of other Grain, prevents the Planters from fowing much of it, being only made Ufe off in Carolina to fatten their Poultry with. There arc two Crops of Corn m the Year, viz.. the European Wheat is generally cut down iirft, and in their Barns the beginning of Juney thgi they immediately Plow, Sow, or Plant the fame Ground with Buck-Wheat, or Indian Corn y 'which wondeilully increa(es,and isready to be brought home in September^ Otiober, or November^ with which they generally feed their Horfes, Hogs, and Poultry. The Guinea Wheat thrives likewife very well here, and ferves for tJie Ufcs of the former. There arc fcveral fcrts of Pulfe in this Province ; and firfl, the BtiJJiil Beany fo called from producing a Bufhel of Beans or more from one that is Planted -, they are a Spontanious produA in Carolina^ and are Set 'm the Spring round Arbours, or near long Poles fet in the Ground for that purpofe, where they make a good Shade to lit under in the extreamity of hot Weather ; they continue Budding, Flowing, and Ripening all the Summer, until the approach of Froft, which prevents their H North CAROLINA i^ their fanhcr Growth, and fodyc; they climb prodigious high, and ihcir Stalk js about the thickncfsof a Man's Thumb, the Pod grows like the Kidnty Bean, but the Bean is Hat, whitcj or mottled, with a purpie Colour i They are extFaordinary good, and well relifhtd Pulfdj cither by themfclves or with Meat. The Indian Roundvaly or Miraculous Pedy to caiiled from their long Pods and great Increafc. Thcfe are a late Pea, and require a pretty long Summer to ripen and bring them to Perfedion, they arc a good Pulfe, and in great plenty all over this Province with Chriflians and Indians. The Bonavis is another kind of Pulfe , and yields % great Increafe, it doth not require lo long a Summeif to ripen as the fotmer, they grow like Kidney-Beafts^ and are very plenty m this Province. The Calivames are another kind of Pitlfii i"erembling the former, but are m)t io flat, they are in great plenty in mofl of the Plantations amongfl the Indian Corn. Thefc and the Bonavis ^ afford two Crops in the Year, and are generally ripe and in full pcrfedion in fix Weeks time. The Namicoach arc another kind of Pulfe^ and rc-^' fcmblc the Caltvances, and arc in great plenty all over this Province. There are feveral other kinds of Pulfg in this Prorince that we have no Name for, which are well known amongft the Initans, and arc excellent Food. The Kidney-Bean, is likewifc here in great plenty^ growing for the moil part in erery Corn-Field. The Indians had thefe four Sorts of Pulfe^ viz.. the Bonavts^ CalivanceSf Namicoacksy and Kidney -Beans, and leveral other forts, long before the Arrival of the Europeans amongft them ; which Report I have had affirmed fe- veral rimes, not only from the Chrijiigns, but likewifc from the Indians in thefe Parts. - - c The i8. The Nufural HISTORY of Tlic large European- Be an^ wiii in two or three Years degenerate inio auw*iaih ivind, it I'ct prevcutcu by a new Supply of Foieign Seed, as 1 have cxpencuced uor- ing my flay in thofe Parrs ; yet thcle Dvyarfiili fort bee. me fweeter, and bctier relilh'd, than any Bean or the lame Sort in Europe; but thek kind ot Beans are very little regarded or made ufe of, and therefore fcldom Planted, by reafon the other Puffe slvc in luch Plenty all over this Province. I have obfcrved feveral forts o( European-Pfafe in this Provinec ccme to as great Perfection, as in m'oft Parts of Europe^ particularly the white and %i2iy Rj^n^ivaly the Bot-Spur, ih^Diuarfy the Fialdy and the Sickle-Peafe 5 and there is no doubt but that all other kinds of Eunpenn- Peafe would thrive well here had any ' tryal been made. The Garden Roots that thrive here arc Parjmps^ Car- rots, SkirretSj Turnips, Ground-ArtichoakeSf Garden-Art- dijhts, Hoxi'C'RudiJbesj Potatoes of fcvcral forts, and very lar^e, lome wiiereof weigh four Pounds; Leeks, Onions in great plenty, and. excellent good Shallots, Gives, Garlick, and wild Omens, Beets, and moit other Roots that arc to be met with in Europe. The .tal^ads are the curl'd Cabbage, S:ivoy, Lettke^ round prickly Spinage, th? fwcet and common Fennel, Endive, Suuoy y^ M' yd, tht Dock or Wild Rhuharb, Crejjes of fcvcral fortb, as Wtnier, Garden, Indian^ Sciatica, Wa- terXrfJJ'es, and many more i E>ench ^nd Englijb Sorrel, Puxjlaini'^'d furts, ^'/z.. the lame and tiie Wild ,* which 'are 10 picncy, that they arc common Weeds in their Gar- j 'dchs, the Leaf i*^ ) ot as large as the Tame, but aii good; ( ; the Planters boil it . with rh'ir Salt Meat for Greens, "- , this is never to be met with in the /»^y«« Plant ationijy and is fuppofcd to be produced from che Cow-Dung, Vi . wiiich Bcaft xkz Indians keep not amongft them. i Samphirtfj } North C Alio LIN A, 19 Samphire, is in yery great Plenty along the Marfhcs near the Sea and Sale Water, and is very good. Mujhrooms, good and in great Plenty all over the Fields. ' Afparagusy thrives in this Province to a miracle, without the afliitance or benefit of Hot-Beds, Dung, or other Manure, being only produced from the natural goodnefs of the Soil, and it is found in Plenty in molt ^pardcns in this Proviace, and as good as any in Europe,, As iikcwife Stlery and Clary. ParJIey jtwa Sorts, the White-Cibbagc, from European Seeds thrive well here, but the Planters feldom or never take Care or Pains to preferve good Seed of tiicir own ; fo that by their Negligence,it is not lo cominon as other- wife it might. T\\t Colly -Floiuer does not thrive well here, by what tryals 1 have lecn made during my abode in thofePart§; but the plain and curled CoUviorth, Ron- rifheth. The Anichoak I have obfcrved but in tvro Places in this Province, which is tollerablc good, here arc like wife great quantities of excellent good IVatar-Mellom of fc- veral forts, Aiush Mellons, very good and of feveral forts, as the Golden, Green, Guinea, and Orange. ^ Cucumhen, long, fhort, and prickly, and all produced from the natural Ground with great Incrcafe, without any help of Dung, or refledion from GlafTes. Pompions, yellow and very large BurmiliionSi Ca/hawf, which is an excellent Fruit when boyl'd, Sqmfifs, Sytn- nalsy Horm and Gourds, bcfidcs variety of other Speces of ^ lefs value, fuch as the Poke, which is a kind of Mfchoaf cattf and grows in every Field, the tender Tops whereof may be boiled and made ufe of as other Greens with all. the fafety imraaginable, and are very good and nourifli-' ing, but the Roots (which are as thick as a Man's Leg) , are Qo The Natural HISTORY of arc not to be mcdled with, being in their Natyre violent Purgers, and occafion thofe that eat ot them to be tran- tick for forac time, though 1 have never heard of any farther Mifchict done by them. Lambs- Quarter , and various kinds oFSallcting, too tedious to mention. The Pot-Herbs, and others which are ufeful in Phy- fick are common here, and arc as follows, Angelica, two forts, viz,, the Wild and the Tame, Balnty Buglofa, Bor- vagty Burnety Marygold, Pennyroyal, Rue, Marjoram^ two forts, Summer and Winter ^avory^ Thyme, Rojemary, La-' vender, Liyjfup, which grows very large, Sweet Bciz.il, Groundfel, Derg, red and white, Nep or Cat-mtnt, Mai- loius feveral forts, Tanfay, Columbine, Dandelion, IVorm-^ wood, Southernwood, Bajiard SaffrcKi and fcvcral lorts of Aiuftard. The more Phyjical Plants are Anis^ Afarabacca, grow- ing in moft Places in the Weeds -, Cardus, Beneaj^uf, Caraway, Cummin, Coriandtr, Scurvy-Grafs, two lores j the one from Europe, and the other Spontaneous. In thefe Partj tobacco of many forts. Dill, all the £«- rcpean forts of Plantain, and two Spontaneous, £/fi:«w/'rt/>7, Archangd, or Dead-Nettle, the Stinging-Nettle, the Seed being brought irom Europe, there being none found growing Spontaneous in North Carolin i-Comfery, Monks- Rhubarb, Burdock, Featherfew, formfeed, Garden-Popptes, none yet being difcover^agrowingWildin this Province-. Ground-Ivy is Spontaneous, but nuich fmalle" than the £uropean ; Perewinkle growing in great plenty in moit parts of the Woods ; G^ldin^Rod, feveral forts of Hore^ houady MdiLt, Baftard-Lovage, The Rattk-'Snake-'R.oot, whereof there are three forts, and is fo called, bccaufc it alone cures the Bite of the /^^//^/t'-in/iifcf',- it is very plenty MO all the Savannas and Woods. S'take-Rcot, four forts in Carolina.', Purgirtg Bwdweed or Scamony, growing in aiofl; parts of this Province. The North CAROLINA, ai The Jpecacuana grows likewife in great Plenty in this Province, which 1 trequently made Ufe of during my ilay in that Country, with as good Succefsas any I have cvtr met with in Euyope. This Herb bringeth forth one or more Stalks, which are Quadrangular, about a Foot high, whereon grow Leaves confufedly let at certain diitancc one trom the other, unlefs at the Top, where they grow one oppofite to the other, fomcthing like Purf- lain^ but more fharp, and of a dark green colour, with a red circle about the Edges, and divided with Threads or Sinews in the middle, which perifh in Winter. I am not certain whether it beareth Flowers or Seed j the Root is fo well known in every Apothecary's Shop, that it would be needlefs to trouble the Reader with a farther Dcfcription about it. This and ihzScamony grow in high Sandy Ground, in many Places in Carolina. Oak of Je^ rujalem, Indian-purser, SwaUow-wort, Palma-Chrijii^ feve- ral forts of Mint, Rei-Dcck, 'Jamefl')vin-lVeed, fo called from its being fo very plenty in Virginia, efpccially oa both fides of James*s River : The Seed i: bears is exadly like that of an Onion, but it's Leaves are very courfe and large, and indented about the Edges ; it is excellent good in affwaging all manner of Inflammations, and curing Burns, by applying it outwardly, with which the Indians are well acquainted, but if it be taken Inwardly, it im- mediately occafions a Giddinefs and Madnefs, fo that you fhall fee th©fe that take it (which moft commonly happens to Children) run up and down the Fields in a mofl diftrafted manner, during its Operation, but does no further Mifchiefi There is another Weed, vulgarly called the Swamp- Lilliey which grows in the Marfhesf "and low Grounds, and is fomcthing like out X>0(k in it? Leaves, and haih ''■ ■■ iKc ^2 The Natural HISTORY of the fdmc Effcft, aod pofTefTes the Party with Fear and Watchings; though few have had the Tryal,or felt the EffcAs of thele intoxicating Plants, except Boys and Chil- dren; it is like wife ufed with good Succefs in Inflamma- lions and Burns, as the former. Camomil thrives well here, but it mufl be Planted under a Shade, otherwilc it comes to little or no Perfedion. The Red-Rooty the Leaves whcreot are like thofe of Sfewmiint, is ufcd with good Succefs for Thrulhcs, and fore Mouths. Vervine is very common here, being Spontaneous. Houfe Leeky being firft brought from Europe. Ntght-jhade of fcveral kinds, Tarrov) and Mullein, in plenty, both being Spontaneous. Harts-Tongue, Polyfodium of the Oak j the greater Centaury y'm great plenty; but I never obferved any of the Lefl'er growing in this Province. Prickly Bind- fVeedy Larks-Spur J Hops, Flax and Hemp, the beft and fi- neft in the known World groweth in North Carolina. Jijinaw, or Ba/lar^ China-Root, thefe grow in great Clulters together, and have a Stalk like a Brier, where- on grow fmall Black-Berries, the Indians boil thefe Roots and eat them, and fometimes make them into Bread. SarfapanOa, White Hellekor, feveral forts of Jhiftles, Fern, Male and Female, Liquorice, Oru,Water-liliies, Peony, Male and Female, Solomons-Seal, j^garick, Coloquinti da, Gui- nea- Pepper, Water-Flag, Flower de Luce, Betony, Shepherds* Purfe, Chervil; Coffee, whereof they begin to plant much, within thefe few Years; Jejfamine, Pellitory of Spain, Cloud Her If, by ihclndians caM*dTaughtli. Stra-w-hrriei are in fuch Plenty in the Seafon, that they arc Feeding for Hogs; lS[aniJ/M,paffodH, Snow-Drops, fVaH-Ploivers, Bloodwort, the white and red Lil/i^; iitargraff, which is ufcd with good Succefs in mofl Fevers in this Country ; Kujbes of fcveral forts ; the Herb Ma/iick, Indian-all-heal^ Cinquefoil^ North CAROLINA. q^ Cinquefoil, or fivelcav'd Grafs, Rib-ixiort, which is a kind ot l^l^ncain j Pellitory ot the Wal],this Herb grows very plcntitul on the Ground, there being no Rocks or Stone Walls for it to grow upon ; Shepherdi-NeedUy Rofa-Solis, or Sun-dew; feveral iortsot J^^f being firfl brought from Europe; Mijfeltoe of the Oaky in great Plenty all ovec this Province, whereof good Birdlime is made. There are feveral forts of Beautiful Tulips growing Spontaneous in this Province: The Trumpet- Flower , fo call'd from its refcmbling the Form ot that Inflrumenr, and is of a beautitul Orange colour. The May-Appliy fo call'd from its having Apples in the Month ot May ; k grows iqjon one Scalk like the iVood-Sorrel, about half a Foot high, and has Leaves like it, but very near as large as a Man's Hand, underneath which grow one Apple on each Stalk, about the bignefs of a Musket Ball : This Plant is of a very ftrong Purg- .ing nature, and is frequently made ufeof in thefe Parts for feveral Diforders with good Succefs. The Sun-Flower, the Indian-Figg, or PricUy^Pear, the Fruit of this Vegetable is frequently eaten, and is very fwcct and lufcious, but occafions fuch a high Tin(^ure in theUrine, that it feems like pure Blood; by which means levcral Perfons that have been unacquainted with its - Effc6ts, have been fo furprizcd, that they expc(5ted no- thing but immediate Deaih j yet it docs no manner of harm, and as foon as its Operation is over, which is in lefs than twenty four Hours, the Urine refumes its na- tural Colour, and the Patient, tho' almofl: out of his Senfcs, becomes eafy and well. There arc various Kinds of Phyfical Planes growing in their Gardens, the Seed be- ing brought from Europe and other Parts. Thus have I given an Account of fdmc of the Plants growing in this Country, yecnoc of the hundredth Part of whac 84 The Natural H I S f O R Y 0/ ^ what remains ; a Catalogue of which, would be a Work of many Years, and more than the Age of one Man to perfect, or bring into a regular Clafles, this Country be- ing (o very large^ and diftercnt in its Situation and Soil ; fo that what one Place plentifully produces, another is altogether a Stranger to : Yet it is generally to be ob- fcrved, that the greateft Variety is to be found in the low Grounds and Savannas. The Pleftfure Gardens of iVi/r^/j Carolina jZve not yet arrived to any great P-erfeftion, or Adorned with many beautitul fragrant Flowers ; there being only fome few Rofe "Trees ^ Bead'TreeSy Orange -Irers, Clove GiUy- Flower^ Pinks of ievcral forts, Sweet-William^ Cow/lips, Lavender- Spike y and Lavender-Cotton, Violets , Primers -Feather^ IreS'CeloreSy and fuch like : But their Kitchen Gardens are very good, abounding with mofl forts of Necefla- ties for that Ufe* , I will give an Account ot the Climate, and (o proceed to the Prefent State of North Carolina. This Climate is very Healthful, and is riot fo Hot in the Summer as other Countries to the Eaftward, in the fame Parallels of Latitude; neither is the Country fubjed to Earthquakes, as Italy, and many other Hot Countries are: The Sky is generally very fcrenc and clear, and the Air very thin and pure; and though we have but littk Jlain, yet the conflant Dews that fall in the Night, f uf- ficiently refrefli the Ground, and fupply the Plants with Moifturc. The North Weft Winds in the Winter, pccafibn very fharp and piercing Weather, the North Eaft Winds blow- ing in the Winter, bring with them thick Weather, and in Spring lomc tim^s Blight the Corn and Fruits of the Earth, but they very feidom continue long, being car- ried off by Wefterly Winds, which are trie mod pleafant and healthful we have in thcfc Parts of the World. And North CAROLINA. 23 And though thcfe Northerly Winds cool the Air in Summer and are very pearcing in the Winter, yet the/ arc (jf no Continuance. Southerly Winds caufc very hot and unwhoHom Weather, and often cccafion Fevers, and other Difor- ders in theic Parts. The Spring and Fall are the njoft delightful and pleafant Seafons of the Year, being nei- ther too Hot or too Cold; and though thefc Seafons are Tery pearcing, yet the Cold is of no Duration^ and are in a great Meafurc owing to the Winds Hutting from one Point to the other; for Southerly Winds will occafion it to be warm in the midft of Winter, as with us in Afriiy and the North Eaft Winds will on the contraryj make it cool in the midft of Summer. The Weather is generally pretty moderate till after Chriftmas; then the Winter comes on apace, and con- tinues variable 'till the midic of February, according to the Winds, fomctimes warm and pleafant, at orher times Rain, Snow, or Froft but the Ice i$ feldom fo ftrong as to bear a Man's weight. In the Year 1730, we had the moft agreeable and plcalant Summer that has been known for many Years, and the Winter moft feverc. In the Months ot AugufI and September we frequently have very great Storms and Squals ot Windj and it is re- markable for two or three Days before they break forth, that the Clouds fecm to hang down very thick and pref- fing towards the Earth, and icarce a breath of Wind to be perceived for the faid time j they are fometimes fo very violent, that they make Lanes through the Woods by tearing up Trees by the roots. Thefe Storms are generally attended with moft vio- lent Claps of Thunder and Lightning, and pouring with Rain all the time they continue, which are very D dreadful 26 The Natural HISTORY of dreadful whilfl they Uft ; and I have fcen old decay'd 1 re.s, and efpecially the Pitch-pine y frequently let on Fire by thcfe violent claps of Thunder and Lightn- ing, and iometimc Trees in their Bloom tore and fplic in Pieces, yet I have fcldom known or heard ot any far- ther Dammage. • There are prodigious Water-Spouts to be {tQ^ in this Country, which are the forerunners and certain Signs of Storms and bad Weather, which quickly follow after them; Thefc Water-fpouts are vafl exhalations of Wa- ter running out of the Clouds like little Rivers, and arc generally to be met with at Sea and near the Shores, but (eldom or never at Land i and are to be fecn at a great diftance, refembling all the colours in the Rain- bow; it h faid they arc dangerous to be met with at Sea, for fear of falling upon their VefTels, for which rcafon when rhcy efpie them nearat Hand, they frequently fire their great Guns to break them in the Air, before they come near the furfacc of the Water, as I have been cre- dibly informed by feveral Mailers of Ships j for I have never feen them otherwife than at a great diftance. There art no regular Tides in Carolina, but what are occafioned for the moft part by the Winds Ihifting from one Point to another. THE North CAROLINA. 27 THE Prefent STATE OF North Carolina. THIS Province, and South Carolinay were granted by King Charles II. Marcb the i^th in the Fifteenth Year of his Reign, and Confirmed by Letters Patents bearing Date, Jme the 13th. in the I'jth. Year of his faid Majefty's Reign, to the following Lords Proprietors, (wz.) Edward, Earl o^ Clarendon ; George, Duke of Albemarl; William, Earl of Craven; John, Lord Berkeley-, Mthony, Lord Ajhley-y %\t George Carter ett, Knight, and Baronet? Sir John Colleton, Knight, and Baronet; and Sir William Berkeley ; who poflefled them until the Year 1729 : At which time King George II. Purchafed them from all the laid Proprietors, excepting the Lord Carterett, who ftill retains his Eighth Part. Whilft it remained in the Hands D 2 of (28 The Natural HISTORY of oi the Proprietors, they had a Governor who afted for them until the Year 17^1, at which Time his Majefty fent over Governor Burrington, who was the firft Gover- nor after the King had made the Purchaie, and with him came moft of the Superior Officers ; fuch as Secretary of the Province, Chief Jnltice, Attorney General, Provoft- Marfhal, and Naval Officers, the reft were at his arrival in the Country, but Nominated by the King, fuch as Sur- veyor General, Judge of the Admiralty, Comptrollers and CoUeftors. They have two Houfes, which referable the two Houfcs of Parliament with us. The firft or U^per- Houfe confifts of twelve Members and the Governor ; in this Houfe are heard all Chancery Suits, and other Caufes that cannot be decided in the inferior Courts; from whence there can be no Appeal, except to Eng- land. The Lower-Houfe confifts of thirty five Members, being the moft knowing, difcreet and (ubftantial Plan- ters, chofeout of each Precin(5t and Borough. In this and the Vpper-Houfe, are made all manner ot Laws for the Safety and better Government of this Province, But whatever Laws are here made muft be conformable to the Laws of England., and in no wife repugnant thereto. And fuch Laws as arc made in thcfc two Houfes by the Governor, Council and Burgefles, arc all recorded, and are asauthentick and binding there, as our A(5ts of Parliament are with us. There are like wife two other Courts in this Pro- vince, viz,, the PrecinB-Court, which is held in every Piev;in(5t of this Province, being much of the fame Na uvQ of OUT Court-Leets^ or Cott>t-Barom. The other is ailed the General-Court^ which is held twice every Year, as the tormer is four, times. This is much the ' -'-'■• ^ fame North CAROLINA 29. fame as our J/Jiz.es, where all Caufes relating to Life 5ind Death are heard, where the Chief Juftice fits as Judge, and determines all Caufes within the Jurifdidion of this Court. In the PrecinEi-Court^ the Jultices of the Peace fit on the Bench, and decide all Controverfies brought before them. This Court upon any Grievance can Appeal to the General Court for JufHce, and the General to Chancery. The Governor by the Power 'm- veiled in him, Commiflionsall Jufliccs of the Peace, and all Officers in the Militia, who upon any Occafion may call his Council, to advife with them, upon any E- naergency that is neceflary, or expedient, for the good and (afecy ot the Country. There are abundance of Attorneys in this Province, who are Licenced by the Governor, yet all Law-Suitcs are quickly uecidcd m Carolinay to prevent the Planters ruining each other, as ii too frequent to be met with jimongft us. The(e, and many other good Laws, that are to be met within this Province, make it one of the beftand mildeft Governments to live under in all America. Who- ever confider the Latitude and convenient Situation of Carolinay may eafily inform themfelves, that it is a moft delightful and fertii Country, being placed in the fame Latitude or part of the World which produces Wine, Oil, Fruit, Grain and Silk, with many other rich Commodities, befides a fweet moderate and health- ful Climate to live in with all manner of Plenty, which are as great bleflings as can attend any People upon Earth, which the Planters of Carolina at this Day en- joy, being fubjed to no vexatious Taxes, or Racking Landlords, to give them the leafl uneaHnefs or dif- content. ,Thc 30 Thff Natural H 1 6 T O R Y 0/ The Planters by the richnels of ci.e Soil, livt af:cr the mpft cafie and pleafant Manner or any Pe^.ple I have ever met wi^hj tor yojy ftiall feldom near them Repine at any Mislortuncs in life, except the lofs of J^ricrids, there being plenty of all NccefTaries convenient for Lite : Poverty being an entire Strange: here, and the Planters the mi)ft hi-fpitable People that are to be met with, not only to Strangers but like wife to thofe who by any Misfortune have loft the ufe of their Limbs or are incapable to Work, and ha\ e no vifible way to fup- port themfelves,* to fuch Objects as tiiefe, the Country allows Fifty Pounds per Annum for their Support. So there are no Beggars or Vagabonds to be met with Strowling trom place to place as is too common a- mongft us. The Country in general is adorned with large and Beautiful Rivers and Creeks, and the Woods with lof- ty Timber, which afford mo/t dclij^htful and pleafant Seats to the Planters, and the Lands very convenient and cafie to be fenced in, to fccure their Stocks of Cattle to more ftrid Bounde les, whereby with (mall trouble of Fencing, alir.oft every Man may enjoy to himfelf an intire Plantation. Thefe with many other Advantages, fuch as the cheapncfs and fertility of the Lands, plenty of Fifh, Wild-fowl, Venifon, and other nereffaries that this Country naturally produces, has induced a great many Families to leave the more Northerly Plantations, and come and fettle in one of the mildeft Governments in the World, in a Country that with moderate Induftry majr be acquir'd all Neceffaries convenient for life; fo that Years y we have abundance of Strangers that come amongft us from Europe^ New-England, Pen/thania, /Maryland, and from many o£ the Iflands, fuch as An^ North CAROLINA. 31 tegua, Barbadosy and many Others, to fectlc hcre^ many ot whom with Imall Beginnings, are become very Rich in a few Years. The Europians, or Chrijiiam of Nonh-Carolinay are a ftreight, call, wcU-limb'd and active People j their Chil- dren oeing lelaom or never troubled with Rickets, and many other Diitempers that the Europians are afflifted vntiiy and you (hall feldom fee any ot them deformed in Bod). The Men who frequent the Woods, and labour out of Doors, or ufe the Waters, the vicinity of the Sun makes Imprcffions on them ; but as tor the Women that do not expofe themlclves to Weather, they arc often very fair, and well featured, as you fhall meet with any where, and have very Brisk and Charming Eyes j and as well and hncly (haped, as any Women in the World.. And I have feldom obfcrv'd any Red-hair*d Women, or Men, born in this Country. They marry generally very young, forrc at Thirteen or Fourteen ,• and ihe that contiques unmarried, until Twenty, is reckoned a ftale Maid, which is a very in- different Charader in that Country. Thefe Marriages for want of an Orthodox Clergyman, is performed by the Governor, or the next Juftice of the Peace; who reads the Matrimonial Ceremony, which is as binding there as if done by the bell divine in Europe. The Women arc very fruitful, moft Houfes being full of Little Ones, and many Women from other Places who have been long Married and without Children, have remov'd to Carolma, and become joyful Mothers, as has been often obferv'd. It very feldom happens they mifcarry, and they have very cafie Travail in their Child-bearing. The Children at nine Months old arc able to walk and run about the Houfe, and are very Docile and apt 10 32 The Natural HIS T O R Y 0/ to learn any thing, as any Children in Europe; and chofc thac have the aa vantage to be Educated, Write good Hands, and prove good Accomptants, which is very much Coveted, and aioit neceflary in thefe parts. The young Men arc generally ot a balhful, fober Behaviour, few proving Prodigals, to fpend what the Parents with Care ana Induftry have lett them, but commonly Im- prove it. The Girls are moft commonly handforae and well Featured, but have pale or iwarchy Complexions, and are generally more forward then the Boys, notwith- ftanding the Women are very Shy, in their Dilcourfes, till they are acquainted. The Girls are not only bred to the Ntedle and Spinning, but to the Dairy and do- meftick Affairs, which many of them manage with a great deal ot prudence and condu&, though they are very young. Both Sexes are very dexterous in paddling and manag- ing their Canoes, both Men, Women, Boys, and Girls, being bred to it l^rom their Infancy. The Women are the moft Induitrious in thefe Parts, and many of them by their good Houfewifery make a great deal of Cloath 01 their own Cotton Wool, and Flax, and fome of therti weave their own Cloath witti which they decently Ap- parel their whole Family though large. Others are (o Ingenious that they make up all the wearing Apparel |)oth for Husband, Sons ana Daughters. Others are very ready to help and aflift their Husbands in any Servile Work, as planting when the Seafon of the Year requires expedition : Pride feldom bumfhitig Houle- wifery. Both fexes are moft commonly fpa»^XofBody and not Cholcnck, nor eafily cafl. down at Difapoint- mems and Lofl'es, and feidorac immoderatly grivcing ac any North CAROLINA, 33 Misfortunes in Life, excepting it be the lofs ot their near* eft Relations. By the Fruitfullnefs ot the Women in North Cartiiua, and the great Numbers of Menj Women, and Children, that arc daily Tranfported from Eurofe, they arc now become fo powerful, in this and moft of the other Pro- vinces in the Hands of the EngUfi, that they are able to refifl for the future any attempts the Indians may make on them. Add to this, the (everal Indian Kings thac at prefent are in the Chriftian Intereft, who pay forae fmall Tribute as an Acknowledgment of their Sub je6ti- on, and are ready upon all occafions to aflift them when ever they are required fo to do ; therefore they live at prefent without any dread or fear of thofe Sa- vages to what they formerly did. The Men are very ingenious in feveral Handycrafc Bufineflcs, and in buildiug their Canoes and Houfes ; though by the richnefs ot the Soil, they live for the molt part after an indolent and luxurious Manner ; yet fome are laborious, and equalize with the Negro's in hard Labour, and others quite the Reverfei for I have frequently feen them come to the Towns, and there remain Drinking Rum, Punch, and other Liquors foe Eight or Ten Days fucceflively, and after they have committed this Excefs, will not drink any Spirituous Liquor, 'till fuch time as they take the next Frohik, as they call it, which is generally in two or three Months. Tliefe Excefles are the occafions of many Dif- cafes amongft them. But amongft the better Sort, oc thofe of good OEconomy, it is quite otherwile, who fcldom frequent the Taverns, having plenty of Wine, Rum, and other Liquors at their own Houfes, which they gcneroufly make ufe of amongft their Friends and E Ac^fuain- 34 The Natural HISTORY of Acquai-.tance, after a moft decent and difcrect Man- ner, and are not fo fubjcd to Diforders as thofc who Debauch thcmlclves in fiich a Bcaftly Manner. The former Icmccinies bring their Wives vritii them to be pertakcrs of thefe Froiicks, which Very often is not commendable or decent to behold. O F North CAROLINA. 35 OF THE Religion^ Houfesy Raimenty T>iet-, Liquors^ Fir- ingt 'I)iverfions^ Commodities', Language, IDi' feafes, Curiofities^ Cattle, &c. 0/ N O R T H CAROLINA. TH E Religion by Law cftabli filed, is the Pro- teflanty as it is profefTed in England ; and tho' tiiey feldom have Orthodox Clergymen an:iong them, yet there are not only Glebe Landslaid out for that Ufe, commodious to each Town, but likewife convenient for building ChurcheJ. The want of thefe Proteftant Clergy, is generally fupply'd by fome School- Mafters, who read the Lithurgy, and then a Sermon out of Doftor TiHitfony or feme good pra&ical Divine, every Sunday- Thefe are the moft numerous, and arc difperfed through tiie whole Pro- vince. I fhall treat of the other Religions as they are to be regarded Recording to their Numbers j and firfl of the Quakers : Thefe People enjoy the fame Privileges as with us in Inland , and live for the moft part in AWe^ marie County, wherein they have a. decent Mceting- Houfc. E 2 The 36 TheNaturalHlSrOKY of The Prusbyteriam fuccecd next, and have had a Mi- niflei of t heir own Order tor many Years pail ; tfacy arc chiefly fettled in and about the River Neus. Roman-Cat holkks are the next conlidcrable, and arc fettled in many Parts of the Country, but moUly in and about Bath'lown, they hare likewife a Clergyman of their own Order among them at prcfent, Kext fucceed the Anaba^tiRsy who live moflly in 'Albemarle County There are likewife many ScAaries in Carolina, whp have little or no appearance of Religion, except fomc few Forms of Prayers. This 1 take to be intirely ow- ing to cur want of Orthodox Divines, to inftruct them in the true Notions of God, and right meuiod uf Wor- ihiping, according to the tenor of revealed Religion. It is common to fee here numbers of Men, Women, and Children, Biptizcd all together, when a Clergyman ai-^ rives in thofc Parti, and I have a^cually fcen the Grand- father, his Son, and Grandfon, receive this Sacrament at one time. There are numbers who never require Baptifm, and coufequenrly never covet to be made Chriftians, yet ufe ferae few Foriis of Prayer. By what I have already urged, my Readers will na- turally obfcrvc, that there is Liberty of Confcicnce al- lowed in the whole Province ; however, the Planters live in the gre.ateft Harmony imaginable, no Difputes or Controvcrfics aree^er obfcrved to arrife among them about their Religious Principles. They always treat each other with Friendfhip and Hofpitality, and never difpute over their Liquor, which is a Cu/toip too fre- quent and too much indulged with us, and from whence dangerous Confequences have arifcn : By this Unity oi Affciftion, the Profperity of the Province has increaf- cd from its firft: rife, to this Day. But though they are thus North\CAROLINA. 3-7 thus remarkable for their Friendfhip, Harmony and Hofpitality, yet in regard to Morals, they have their (hare of the Corruptions of the Age, for as they live in the greatcft Eafe and Plenty, Luxury of Conlequencc predominates, which is never without its attendant Vices. Can it be admired, that the generality of them live after a luofc and lacivious Manner, when according to my former Obfervation, tiiey have no Clergy to in- ftruftthcm, and recommend the Dirties neccfl'ary belong- ing to a Chriftian -, and is it not natural to believe that Impiety and Imorality, when a People are void of thofc Benefits, muft fway the major part ot them. I would not be underilood here, as if 1 deligned to advance thefe imputations of Vice againllthc whole Body of the Peo- ple : No, there arc certainly Perfons of both Sexes Temperate, Frugal, good Occoneraifts, remarkably kind to Strangers, and thofe in Diftrefs, and lealous in the praftice of Chrifitanity. Their Houfes arc built after two different Ways; vix,. the mofl fubftantial Planters generally ule Brick, and Lime, which is made of Oyfter-fhells, for there arc no Stones to be found proper for that pnrpofe, but near the Mountains ; the meaner Sort ercd with Timber, the outfide with Clap- Boards, the Roofs of both Sorts of Houfes are made with Shingles, and they generally have Safh Windows, and affefl large and decent Rooms with good Clofets, as they do a mofl beautiful Profpeft by fome noble River or Creek. Their Furniture, as with us,confifls of Pewter, Brafs, Tables, Chairs, which are imported here commonly from England: The better fort have toUerable Quantities of Plate, with other convenient, ornamental, and valu- able Furniture. The 3? ThcNamal HISTORY of The Cloathings ufcd by the Men arc Englijh Cloaths» pruggcts, Ourois, Green Linncn, dXc. The Women jiavc their Silks, Calicoes, Stamp-Linnen, Cahmaachces and al] kind of Stuffe, forac whereof are Manufadured ift the Province. Tiiey make few Hats, tho' they have jhe befl Furrs in plenty, but with this Article, they are (Commonly fupplicd from Nevi-England, and fometimes from Europe. Their Diet confifls chiefly of Beef, Mutton, Pork, Venifon in Abundance, Wild and Tame Fowl, Fifli of feveral delicate Sorts ; Roots, Fruit, fevcral kinds of Sallads, good Bread, Butter, Milk, Cheefe, Rice, Indian Corn, both which they concoft like a Hujiy-Pudding : ^ut asl fhall treat more particularly of the ProdujStions of the Country in the fucceeding Pages, \ (hall now pro- ceed to ;heir Liquors. The Liquors that are common in Carolina at prcfcnt, and chiefly made ufe of, are. Rum, Brandy, Maalt Prink ; thele they import. The following are made in Country, viz,. Cyder, Perfimon-Beer, made ot the Fruic pf that Tree. Cedcr-Becr, made of Cedcr-Berrics^ they alfo make Beer oi the green Stalks of Indian-Corn, which they bruife and boylc : They likewifc make Beer of JylollofleSjOr common Treacle, in the following manner, they take a Gallon of MollofTeSja Peck of Wheaten Bran, a Pound of Hops, and a Barrel of Fountain Water, all which they boilc together, and work up with Yeft, as we do our Malt Liquors ; this is their common Small- Beer, and fecms to me to be the pleafanteil Drink, I ever tailed, either in the Indies or Europe, and I am fatisfied more wholfoni. This is made ftronger in proportion, as People fancy. It is necelTary to obferve that though there is plenty of Barly and Oats in this Province, yet there is no Malt North CAROLINA. 39 Male Drink made, notwichflanding all kind of Malt Liquors bear a good Price, nor have any of the Planter* ever yet attempted it. Chocolate^ Teas, and Coffeet are as common in Carolina as with us in Ireland^ particularly the laft, which of late Years they have induftrioufly raifcd, and is now very cheap : Thele «re fober Liquors, and take off the better Sort from Drinking what are hot and fpirituouj, who arc not fo addided to Rum and Brandy as the inferior Sort, Caflena or Taupan, an Indian lea, which grows here in Abundance is indiftcrently ufcd by Planters and Indians, »,v The Fireing they ufe is Wood, and efpeciaUy Hickcry, though we dilcoyered Pit-Coal in our Journics towards the Mountains, yet it is not worth their while to be at the cxpencc of bringing it. Timber being fo plenty. The chicfcft Diverfions here arc Fifhing, Fowling; and Hunting, Wild Beafts, fuch as Deer, Bears, Racoons, Hares, Wild Turkies, with fcvcral other forts, needlcfs to treat of here, 'till we come to dcfcribe each particular Specie. Horje-Racing they arc fond of, for which they hare Race- Paths, near each Town, and in many parts of the Country. Thofe Paths, fcldom exceed a Quarter of a Mile in length, and only two Horfcs ftart at a time, each Horfc has his peculiar Path, which if he quits, and runs into the other, loofes the Race. This is agreed on to aToid Jockying. Thefc Courfes being fovery fliort, they ufe no manner of Art, but puffk on with all the Ipeed imaginable ; many of thefe Horles arc rery fleet. It is common for People to come atid go from this Province to Virginia^ to thefe publick Diverfions. They arc much addidcd to Gaming^ efpecially at Cards and Dice, Hazard and All-fours, being the com- mon Games they ufej at which they play very high, nay 40 The Natural H IS T O R Y 0/ nay to fuch a pitch, thac I have ken fcveral hundred pounds won and lofl in a fhorcn.-r.c. Ook-Fightm£ they greatly admire, which Birds they endeavour to procure from England a.nA Ireland^ and to that intent, employ Maftcrsot bnips, and other Trading Perfons to fupply them. tVieftlwg, Leapingy and fiich Adiviriesare much ufed by them; yet I never obfcrved any Foot Races. Dancing they are all fond of, efpccially when they can get a Fiddle, or Bag-pipe ; at this they will continue Hours together, nay, fo attached arc they to this dar- ling Amufement, that if they can'c procure Mufick, they will fing for thcmfelves. Mufick, and Mulical In- ttrumcnts being very fcarce in Carolina. Thefe arc the moft material Obfervations I have made in refpcd of their ufaal Diverfions. But they have a particular Seaion, which is only at their Wheat-Harvefly not to be omitted ; this they cele- brate with great Solemnity, it is in the beginning of ^uney at which time the Planters notify to each other, that they dcfign to reap the aforcfaid Grain, on a cer- tain Day, fomc fend their Negroes to alfift, others only go to partake of the great Feafls, &c.. Some will fre- quently come twenty, nay thirty Miles on this Occafion, the Entertainments are great,and the whole Scene plca- fant and diverting; but if they can get Mufick to in- dulge this Mirth, it greatly adds to the Plcafurc of the Feail, It muft be confeft, that this annual Rebelling is very expenfive to the Planters, but as its cuftomary, few omit it, nor have they ever thofe publick Diverfi- ons at the reaping any other Grain but the European Wheat. 1 am fenfible that many Ferfons, who by their Mis- behaviour in this Country, were obliged to quit it, have malicioufly Nmh CAROLINA, 4t tr.alicioully endeavoured to reprefent, not only the Pro- vince, buc its Inhabitants, in a wrong Light j but as thty intircly cake the Opportunity to calk either before thole who were never there, or before Perfons incapa- ble of judging, it is to be hoped, that the fcandaious reports of fuch, will not be regarded. Several of tliofc trifling Nulances ha^e to my k iOwiedge, fcirccly been out oi: the Town or Port where they Hrft arrived, du- ring their Re('dence tiicre; How therefore cou'd they be acquainted with tiac Fercilty of the G untry, the Con- liicucion, and Temper of the Inhabitants; before the icarn'd, by whom they can be convided, they dare nbc tppear ? And if the credulous and ignorant will be amufed, all the Arguments Man can produce will noe avail. The People live to as great Arcs as fnofl: Murffeanf^ they are encirc Strangers to Confumptions, a Diticmper fetal to us ; but chty are much addi6ed to aguifh Dil^ orders, which is incident to all Strangers, for they ge- nerally have their Scafonings at their firft Arrival, or foon aTter, though it fcldom proves mortal, and is cafily carried off by Emeticks^ and orher Medicines properly given. This Colony boafls more Advantages than feveral 6- thers on this Continent, both for Piealure, Eafe, and Profit : Were the Inhabitants as indufh ious as the Soil i<; bountiful, they might fupply themf elves with all the Neccffarics of Life? With little InduHry they may have Wines, Oil, Silk, Fruits, and many forts of Drugs, Dyes, djc. Here the Curiou^ may have a large Field to farishe and divert their Cilriofity ; here they may Collc6: ftrange Beads, Birds, FiHies, Infefts, Reptiles, Sntlls, Mines, Herbs, Flowers, Plants, Shrubs, Tree^, GumSj TcarSj Rofm, Stones, and feveral other things F chac ^42 The Natural HIS T OR V^ of that yifld both Profit and Satisfaction: If the pkiny and ciieapncfsot Proviiions, and the low rate of La iu.sj may tempt People CO cliis delightful Cout.Lry, iuie niolc \vhb ha\c but Imail Beginnings, witn aiodcrate inuul- try, may here live more comfurtably, and piovidc for their Families, better than in any place I lia\c yci fcea in Europe. '■ The -Rivers are very beautiful, pleafanr, profitable* " targe and Navigable for feveral LeaijiKS up the Coun- try : They nie for the moft part in o. near the Moun- tains, and abound not only vvi:h great Q_-.i an titles of delicate Pifh, but likcwife with Wild-Fowl «f diffe- rent kinds. In many of thefc Rivers are to be ieea large and dtlightfullilands, where is excellent Paftuiage ' and fomc of ciiem afford large Stocks of Cattle and Deer, but fcarce any Wild Beafts, and few Beaftf of Prey. In thcfe liUnds frequently grow vaft quantities of Cedar with feveral other kinds of valuable Timber Trees, as I have already mentioned. ^ 'J'hc civilized Lidiaus are very ferviceablc to the Plan- ters in many Cafes, particularly in making Wcares to catch Filh ; this they do for a fmail coniiJeration, and it proves very advantagious to large Families, be- caufe they not Oiily take great Q^iantities of dift'ercnt Sorts, but moreover what are very good and nourilhingi thefc Weares arc made after a method peculiar to the hdims only. Others Hunt and Fowl for them at very reafonable Rates, this Country being a& plentifully pro- 'vided with a^ll forts of Game as any in A^nerica , tiie '.in'^ians fometimes alliil the poorer fort of Planters m f'platlting their Corn for imall Triples, when expedi- , jipn is required. ^ '! 'jyk^ Mouuuins that arc the mofl confidcrabie are the '^ihaYQkst^oi JpJ^tlape.an Mounmns, tiiey cake their r fc iroixi North CAROLINA. - ^^y from the North-veft part of South Carolimy and fo cuiinnuc in one Ridge to the Northward for feveral hundred Miles, being in moft places live or fix hundred Miles trom the Sea; they are vaftly high, and abc,ui.,-d with Trees, variouskinds of Plants,and Stonesot feveral difterent Natures. Beyond thele Mountain s you have a proipedonly of large Woods, Savann as, difmai Swamps and ForrcHs, bcini^ as is fuppofed, the Habitation of Savage I/uitaxi, and wild Beaits of various kinds. The Commodities convenient to bring to this Province from Europe J are as follows; Guns, Powder, Ball, Siiot, Eii.ics, Linnens of all Sorts, but chiefly Blues; Brown and Stampt Linriens, Oznabrigs, Men and Women's Apparel ready made up; fome few Broad-Cloaths, Blew and Red Stuffs, Callimancoes, Druggets, Kerfics, Gam- blers, all light Stuffs for Men and Women's Summer Wear, Habberdafhers Wiares, Stockings of all forts, fome few Gloves, thin Wigs, Linnen Caps, Silk-Thread, common Thread of all Sorts, Needles, Pins, Tobacco Pipes, Glafs for S^fli windows, Looking Glafres,.al! forts of hard Ware, fuch as Knives, Forks, Sizers, Saws, Hatchets, Chifcls, Bills, Hoes, Spades, Shovels, Grub- ing Hoes, Wedges, Nails, and all manner of Toolg for Carpenters, Shoemakers, Coopers Shave Locks, Locks for Doors, Traps of all Sorts, and efpecially for Beavers,, what we commonly call Fox-Traps, Grindlc-Stones, all manner of Whet-Stones, Paper, Ink, Saddles, Bridles, Fifh-hook-! of all Sorts, feveral Toys, as Fans, Necklaces, Beads, Ribbons, Tape, Thimble?, Shoe-buckles, and the like; Tradefmen of all forts, Honeft Servants and Negroes. Thcproduce of this Country for Exportation to £«>'o/'# and the IQands, arc. Beef, Porke, Tallow, Hides, Dcer- Skins, Furs, Wheat, /«f//4»-Cor«, Pcafe, Potatoes, Rice, Honey 44 Thf Natural HISTORY of Honey, Bees- wax. Myrtle- wax. Tobacco, Snake-rooc, TurpentiiiCj Tar, Pitch, Malls for Shipi, bcaves, Plaiikf ^a Boards of moll lorti oi Timber, Cotton, and levcrai forts of Gums, Tears, with fome mcdiciii;il Drugs | Bri<'ksand Tiles arc made here, likcwifc feveral liittui Eartns, I'uchas Bole,Fuilcrs-Earth, Tobacco Pipe Clay, and Oakcr, in great Plenty, excellent {^ood Earth tor the PoLtcri Trade, and fine Sand for the GUlimakcrs, They export abundance of Horfcs to the ifland;* ot An^ Lead, C )pper, Sulphure and Antimony, have been found here, but tor want of good Encouragcmenr, few or no endeavours have been made to d.fcuver ihtk fub- tcrrancous Produ(^ions J here is hkcwifc found in great Eicnty the true Blood-Stone^ ne^r tLe Mountains?, as alio a very fine Earth, the lame with BruxeJs Sapd, which the Goldfmiths u/c tocaft with, which bearfa good Price in feveral pans of Europf. We have hkewik Lha-^ ti-i^ut WatsrSi of" feveral Talles, and d ftercnt Qualities ipme Purging and others working by the Emunclortes } there art icveral Warcu alfo amongll the inhabitants. that outwardly cure Ulcers, Tettars, and Sores, (difof'.! ders they arc very fubj-ct to in this Country) by waflaN; jng ihem(elvcs in it; neither do they want very gojd Springs of frefti ^yater ; at for Pump-water, 'tis to L>5 had in moil places in this Proa^ince. We have an Ac<;ount irom the Indians, that there are hot Baths near the Hilly Country, where a gr^at/ likeli- hood appears of making Sak-Pctcrc, bccaufe th^ E!^arth in many places, isllrongly mixed and impregiiatcd with 3 Nitrous Salt, which is much coveted by the Bcail9o6 this Country, who come aiC ec.rtaiii Scalon« ot the Year in great Numbers and by tbc"r litkmg this Earthy make greaf Holc^mthoic &ai)^j w^ich ipxsk<^m^)y9 North CAROLI NJ. 45 at the Hcaus o/g,itac Frccipices, wacrcthcy oiun luna- l^lc Quwii and arc ti^ih'd in pieces. Ic is \OKy cptxamthiLt tiie inoft Sweec and healthful Fait ot ciiii> Country i** inhabitc4i ouly by tiie Sav-ij^c hduiM ac prtlcr.c ; ana a ^rci: cr 5?»/). 1729. This is the grcaccfl: Bill,, and twelve Pence th^ fmallefl, which is wroccafterthe feme manner of the former. The Afllmbly nominaic five of tlieir Members, who fign all thefe Bills vrrth difl-brcnc Iftk; all thefe Bills arc numbered in figures ^clic top, in the natiwe of Ban k- Billy, ind Seals fixtito xach of thtm ; there is about thirty or forty thoufand Pounds of this kind of Money in Nor^h Carolina. There i& a;Trcarury Office kept wherein all the Bills aie changed, and new ones given for thofc. that are old and V 46 The Natural HIS TOR Y 0/ and torn ; yet notv/ithftanding all the Care that is taken, thefe Bills arc counterfeited, and the publick very ot ccn impofcd upon. The Money of North Carolina is in va- lue five Shillings for one Sterling; and in South Carolina ^ the difterence is Seven to One Sterling ; with thefe Bills they purchafe Lands, and all NccefTaries. It is admirable to obfcrve the Profperity of fcvcral Adventurers to Carolina, in the memory of Man ; and how many from the moft defpicable beginnings m a fhort time, by Gods blcffing, and their own Induftry, are ar- rived to as Iplendid Fortunes, as any have in the other Britifi Provinces on this Continent. All manner of Game is here very plenty, neither ate there any Laws here to- bind their Priviledges, as it is with us in Ireland, for the sncaneft Planter may, with as much Freedom, deltroy all manner of Game, as he that is the moft Wealthy, or..' higheft in Dignity. So that the pooreft Planter has as much Right to the delicaccies of this Country, as the richcft ; nay the rery Labourer is intituled to the fame Priviledge. The Language principally made ufe of in this Pro- vince is the Englijh ; notwithftanding there arc Plan- ters fettled here from France, Germany, Holland, and many other parts of Europe, who have all Icarn'd and ^ fpeak the Engltjh Tongue, many of the Indiam alfo ufc \ it, and efpccially the three civilized Kings, and thofc that Trade and Converfe with the Englijh ; there arc many, of the Planters that underftand and fpeak the /«^/a« Language well. . The Difeafes that arc moft common in Carolina zxc^ Agues, or intermittent F^i/?*'/, Cachexia, Diarrhaa-, Dyy femeriay the Clap, and French Pox, the Taws, CholIicksfihOf lera-iVi9Ybus, Convulfions, Hooping-Cougb, Cutaneous Difor^ ^^ri, fuch as l^etterSf Ring-worms^ Rc^ts, prickUyHeatt, and the kcb. Th? North CAROLINA. 47 The j^gues or imermittent Ptvers, do generally admit of Che lame method of Cure as with uf in Irelandy fo that it would be needlcfs to repeat it here, which almoft every old Woman pretends to have an intalibk Cure for. 1 he Cachexy, or ill habit of Body, is a very common Diliempcr in thcfe Parts ; 'tis very llubborn in its Na- tuve, and tedious and difficult to be cured. In this diforuer, the Face is very pale and difcoiour'd, and the Body big ana fwoln; this Diftempcr is principally ow- ing to their eating great quantities of Fruit that this Country pioduces,and to a fedcntary way oHiving, and their eating Clay and Dirt, which the Children, both Whites and Blacks, and fome of the old People are very fubjcd- to, by which means the whole Humours of the Body are corrupted and vitiated to that degree (through furteits and ill digefiion) that they will hardly admit of a Cure. Steel'd Wines, and other Preparations of filings and ruft of Iron, flrong Purgers, and Excrcifes, are the only Methods to perfeift the Cure of this Diftemper. The Cholera- Morbus, is a vehement Perturbation of the whole Body and Bowels, from a deprav'd Motion of the Ventricle ana Guts, whereby bilious, Iharp, oc corrupr Humours, are plentifully and violently difcharg- cd upwardsand downwards. This diforderis happily earned off by giving proper Dofes of the Jpecanacana^ that grows plentifully in Carolina, which I have already made mention of. The Cramp or Convulfans, is a Motion whereby the • ^ufcles or Membranes are contra(fted and remitted, without the Will. This Difordcr is common in thefc Parts, and cfpcrially amongft the Negroes or Blacks^ Avhtrcof many die, either for want, or before proper Medicines can be adminiiier'd ,* it admits pf the fame -ine&hod of Cure 4$ wich us in Enro^f* ^. ■ - • The imrtWiilii 48 The Natural HISTORY of The Whitt and Bloody-Flux are common Diftempers in Carolina^ ana fo arc the Clap and Ftsmh i^ox-^ thefe dire curcQ after che lame manner as wicn us. The Tavis, are a Diforxier not well known in Europe^ but very eommon and famihar here ; it n» like the Lues venerea, having moft ot the Symptoms that attend the Pox, fuch as Noaurnal Panis^ borehes, foul Errupti- ons, and Ulcers in federal parts ot the Body, and isac- ijuired after the fame manner as tlic Posi is, vtz,. by Co- pulation, CiTc. but is never attended with a Goncn haa in the beginning. This . Diflemper was brought hither by the Negroes from GutneUy where it is a common Dif- temper amonglt them, and is commuiiicatcd to fevera! of the Europeans or Chriiiianj., by their cohabiting with the Blacks, by whicn means it is hereditary in many Families in Carolina, and by it lome have loft their Palates and Nofcs. This Diiiemper, though of a venereal kind, isfcliomi Cured by Mercurials, asl have often experienced, tori have known fome undergo the Coutie of three Salava- tions to no purpofe, tijc viruleney iiill continuing as bad as ever : Wherefore I judge it not amifs 10 let forth the mod efFecti.al meth )d tor curing ic, which I have 4>ften experienc'u, and never without good fucccfs ( du- ring my refide^fc in c-iofe parts) ihoiigh the Diflcm- pcr was of e*tr Ij violent a nature, or long continuance j it \i as follows. TaJitjvur OuYires ^fthe Br/i of the Spaflifh Oak, two Ouhcts oj thf mtujft iiu k^iithe Pine Tree, two Ounces of ihi R ot if the 6n ack tt?at bifan the Berries, of thefe fn-" greaie..ti inikif a (iroyi^, i^em'^toft^ •u.herenf let the Patreni a> Uik afuU Him mi'.k ij)aiy''m^ and hat), a t nt told this gives a jtruhg Vsjifiiii bj -miiuk atrundanct vf fiuhj Matter is mf- chargtd^ North CAROLINA. 4>' charged. This is what is to be done the firft Day. Then let the Patient drink half a Pint three times a Day^ viz. in the Morning, at one o'clock in the Afternoon, and at Night, for fix Weeks j and ij there ba any outward Sorer, luajh them clean Jive or fix times a- Day viith fart of the fame DecoHion, 'till they art all heakd «/», and the Patient be* ctmes luell. The Patient muft abftain from all (brtsofflefli Mcatj and ftrong Liquors during »he laid Courfe, his princi- pal Diet muil be* Broth, Gruel, Pen«da, and the like* They may boil the above quantity of Ingredients four times, if more, it will be too weak ; this Method effec- tually cures the Taws in the faid time, and the Patient becomes as ftrong and healthy as ever. I have here given the true method of the Cure of this Diftemper, it being little known in Europe. The Cholicky or Dry Bdly-jich,\s another common Dif- temper in this Country, and is often attended with fucll riolent Convulfions, that frequently the Limbs are fo * contraded (and efpecially the Hands) that for want of Care and good Advice, they have continued fo all jheir life time ; though I have known fomc of them die iii thcfe Fits, which are attended with fuch a violent con- llipation of the Bowels, that they cannot void any thing either upwards or downwards ; Strong Vomits, Purges, Clyftcrs, and Oyntments, for the contra6ted Limbs, ar< the moftcffeftual Methods to carry oft this Difotdcr. Rajhes and Prikley-heat, arc common Diforders here ; in the extremity of the hot Weather, wMch fuddtniy comes after cold, they are attended with extream Itch- ings all over the Body, efpecially the Legs, which if fcratchcd immediately, inflame, and become inrcteratc Sores and UlcctSj to prevent which/ Spirit of Wine and G Camphif^ 50 Th Natural HISTORY. 0/ Camphir, or any other Spirit, is of cxcclleiic ufe, by apa plying icto tiie Farts. Ittitrs and Ring- worms , 2ixc common m this Province, and aic eafily cur'a by icveral Plants in tins Countiy^ and clpecially by the Juice ot the Shtcp-Sorrti, by ap- plying it to cne Pare iiittuted. ^ lie Hooping-Cougby at my arrival in Carolina, was an univcrlai Diiordcr amongft young and bid, wncitotfc- vcrai iSiegroei died. It eontiilued in this Piov ncc i<)r. ftvcn or eight Months fuccciTively, beginning ni Se^tern-' beVy and ending injune; after Blceuing and Vomuingj I found the Jefuite Bark to be ot excellent ule in this diiorder. I was aflured by many in Carolina, that they never knew tiiis Diilcmpcr in thek' Parts before that time. The Children are much afEided with the tVormii which is owing to their eating vaft quantities ot Fruity this excels fometimcs occahons Fevers amongft them, yet they are cured after the fame manner as with us, iikewile with many Plants growing here. yvs for Cutaneous Difordci.s they are (eldom at a lofs for a fpeedy Cure, not only from the Plants, but like- wift'the Waters. Thus ha\e 1 given an Account of the moft common Difordcrs amonglt the ChrilUan Inha- bitants. The Curiofities here arc, varicriy of ftrangc wild Bcaits, and fevcral kinds ot Birds, Fifties, Snakes, In- fers, Reptiles, Hcrb^, Plants, Shrubs, Trees, and Fruits : many wheicot aie not to be rnct with in Europe, which the Reader will find inferred in their proper Places, wheri I come to treat on thofe heads. There is a large Cave •o 1 the top of the Mountains, that will hold a hundred Men ard more to fit in, but whether it be natural or artificial, is not knovn by any that haye fccn it ; but £ am North CAROLINA. 51 n: ^ ----.--__- am of Opinion that it is natural, the Indians having had no Tools' 10 work in Wood or Stone, at rue firft arrival of the Europ^ansgio that it cannot be rcafonably imagin- ed that a Wo.rk of this nature could be perfected with- out popcr InflruiBcnts tot that purpofe. As all Grain and Pulle thrive here to admiration, fo dp the Stocks ot Cattle, Horfes, and Swine multiply fur- prizingly, there being as gieat numbers of each Species, as in any Province polielied by the Englilh in America, The Veal is very good and white, but they feldom kiil any for the Market, being fond to preferve their Calves to a larger gro w-tii. The Planters make Pcnfolds adjacent to their Habitations, wherein they milk their Cows every Morning and Evening ; atter which, they turn them into the Woods, where they remain feeding all Day ; when they return at Night, they carefully fliut up their Calves with jome few of the Cows, in thofc Pcnfolds, which prote(5ts them from the Wolves, or any other voracious wild Beafts : \h the Mornings and Evenings the Cows return frora'the Woods to be milk- ed, and arc turned out as ufuai,- the Calves are turned into the Inclofures where they remain feedii>g and fafc all the Day, no wild Beaft ever appear''ng near their Plantations in chat fpace of time. I have feen one hun- dred Calves togethei in one of thefe Penfo'ds, being all the Property of one Planter. The Calves generally fu( k their Dams all the time they arc milking, other- wife the Cows would not fuffcr any one to touch them. The Milk is very plealant and rich. Their Heifers bring forth Calves at eighteen or twenty Months old ; this earlv' Drodudion makes fuch a wonderful incrcafc, that many of the Planters, from mean beginnings, are Mailers now ok fuch large Stocks of Cattle, that you may buy hundreds in the Sealon : G 2, Thcnp 53 Thg Natural H I S T R Y 0/ Xhcir rocchod of killing, is generally to Ihoot them in .the Ticlds, or in the Penfolds j then they cut off the Head and Feet, and take out the Inq^ails, which they throw away as ufdcfs, except the Fat,, (which they carefully prcferve.) After this manner they continue killing all the Year, as they have Occafion. If ihe Catile be (uficred to live to a proper Age, their Beef proves as large and fat as any in the neigh- bourip;. Colonies. They kill vaft Qiianticies of Beeves in OBcber, and the other cool Montiis, efpecialJy wiicn they intend them for Saking and Exportation, for at thofe $eafpns they arc in their prime of Flefh^ and bcft prefervcd. The Exportation "of this Commodity is one of the greateii ^ranches ot their Trade. Jt may perhaps fc cm very ftrange tofome Europeans, how ihc Pianters can have lucli large Stocks of Cattle, where there arc i'uch >Jurnbers of Wolves^ Tygt^^t P<^»' thersy and other Beafts of Prey j but lean aflure thera that they gi\e thcmfelvcs no further trouble than what I have already obfcrved, few or no wild Beafts ever daring or atrempciiij^ to kill either Calves or Foles, fearing tUeir Dams, who vigoroufly defend them. When a Cow hath once cfpitd a ff'vlj or any otber Vorarcous Beafl; near, Ihc gives a Signal by bellow- ing and roaring, upon which all the Black Cattle within her hparing will run to her afliiiance, and moft refolute- iy defend their own Species. Tht-re are great Nu^ibers oi thofe Cattle wild, which continually breed in the W( ods, (fo are there or Horfcs and Mares) here you fhall fee great Droves Keding pro- mifcoufly in the Savunna6 amongft the Deer, iirty or Sixty N^iles diftanc trcm any Inhabiiants. This fori- abk Di/pofition amongft Bcaiis of diftcrent kinds wc obfcrved NorPh CAROLINA. 53 obfcrvcd in our Traveling up towards the Mountains, which, together with the Bcapty of the Country gave us no fmali SacisfaiSion. The Horles are well (hapedjfwift, and generally about thirteen or fourteen Hands high, they are durable and • will travel incredible Journits. They arc never ftiod, parily by reafon of the foftnefs oi the Ground, which is covered over with Grafs, without any Gravel or Stones ; they have few or no Diftempers amongft them as in European Countries,fuch as Spavin^ SpltHt,Ringbones, and the like ; they are (eldom or never blind, and ge- nerally live twenty Years or more, moft commonly dying of old Age. If there were but good Stallions and Marcs fcnt here from England^ orrany other Parts, we £ould not fail of a good Breed in a ihort time ; the Colntry and Pailurage being fo proper tor that end. The Planters are the worft Horfe-mafters I have eve? met with, for few or none allow Corn to their Horfes after long Journies, for they frequently tyt them to 2 Tree for Hours together, and fomctimcs for a Day or two without any manner of fubfiftancc, from whence it fometimes happens that they break loofe, and take into Woods, where they remain for Weeks together, with the Saddles on their Backs, before they are found oiit, and had not they been fuch good Orudges as they are, there \yould be but few in this Province, with the bad ufagc they give them. The Horfes which they keep within the Inclofurcs, and fometimes feed with Indiart'Corny are rendered very durable for Journies and Hunting in the Woods. I hope it will not be improper here to give tlie Reader an Ac- count how they take the Wild Horfes in the Woocl?, which is as follows. The Planters generally, two or more kunt on Horlcback in the Woods together, and as 54 TheNatural HISTORY of as foon as they cfpie a wild Horfe, they purfue him, and their HorJesare fo well train'd to this way ot Hundng, that they will neither hurt themfelvcs nor the Riders againft a Tree, though you ride them in full Speed* they will perform this for Hours together, 'till fuch time as the wild Horlc ftands ilill; then one ot the Hunters a- lightsand cljips a Bridle into his Mouth, and a Saddle on his Back (iho* ten or fifteen Years old) and rides him to their own, or the next Plantation, where tticy feed fiim with Indian-Corn and ^a/;, which feeding, in a little time, makes him as tame and domeltick, as any m their Plantation, and fit to purluc his wild Species in the Woods at the next Hunting match, or any other ufe they have occafion to make of h;m. Thc^eep thrive well, having two or three Lambs at one Yeaning i they are never fuffercd to ramble in the Woods (as theo^her Cattle are) but are kept in Inclo- fures in the Plantations, from whence they will come every Evening to the Planters Houfcs, having no De- fence againft the wild Beafls (arid efpeceially the lVulves» their mortal Eneniy) at Night they are put up in their Penfolds made of Timber, which every Planter has for that Purpofe to defend them from all manner of wild Beafls, but it fonietimes happens, through Negligence, that if they arc not Inclofed,they bpcomc a Prey to the Wolvtf^ whenever fail to fearch and watch for them^t Night, The Mutton is generally exceeding Fat, and ^s well relifh'das any Ih4ve met with in Europe. Their Wool -is fine, and a good Commodity here. They fel- dom kill any of their Lambs for the Market, but gene- rally preferve them to a greater Agej neither arc the native Planters fo fond of Mutton (which is of a mid- line Size)as the Europeans generally are. North CAROLINA. 55 Oi G(jatiy they have but very few in Carolina, and yet they \vculd thrive very well there j but they are fo niilchic\ous to Gardens, Orchards, and other Trees, that the Native Planters are not fond ot keeping or pre- ierving great numbers of them, though thtir Ficfli is fat and well rtlifh*d, as any in Europe, and their Skins arc as good. The Swint arc more numerous here than in any of the Engliib Provinces ; and the Pork exceeds any in Europe for Goodnefs. The plenty of Acorns, Nuts, and other Fruits, which the Woods naturally aflPord, make their Flefh of an excellent Tafie, and produces great quantities of them \ fomc Planters poflefs fevcral hundreds, and vaft numbers are to be met with in the W( odj, which are every perfons Property that can kill them j for no one claims them as his own, except they bear his ow.n Mark or Brand, and it is fo with Horfes and Cows, that are wild in the Woods. The Planters export vaft quaiitities of Pork to the Iflands in the Wefi hdteSy luch as Barbadoes, Antegua, and fevcral other places wbert Provifions arc fcarce, foe fuch Commodities as they have occafion for. They have plenty of all manner of Domcftick Fowlj fuch as Gecfe, common Ducks, Mufiy^vy Ducks, Tur- keys, Cocks and Hens^ Pigeons, and the like, to be purchafed at cheaper Rates, than in any pare of £m- rope. - Notwithflanding Nonb Carolina yields to tie Coun* try in point of Fertility, efpecially for Cattle, Venifon, Fi(h atid Flelh, yet amongft all this Plenty, there is a fcarcity of fufficient Hands to cultivate this noble and fertile SoiK It is caqable of producing as ^ood Hemp and Flax, as grow in moll parts oi Europe, "and Linnea might here be brought to great pcrfe^ioti. This ] 56 The Napural HIS T O R V 0/ This Country likcwife produces as good Tobacco, as any to be met with in Virginia^ Maryland, or any o- thcr Neighbouring Province in the Hands of the En- glijh : But the Planters having fo many other valuable Commodities proper for Exportation, they little regard or improve it at prefent, in proportion to what they do in other Provinces. THE North CAROLINA. 57 ■ ■ II I I I I. OF THE VEGETABLES O F North Carolina, TH E Spontaneous Shrubs of this C:.unfry are the Larks-heel Tttc; four ioits oiH reey^ fucJile TKCQyOx IVoodbindy tlic firft always grows in low moift Grounds, the other in clear dry Landi, the Flowers of which are more cut and lacerated; thefe grow about two or three Feet high; the third, which i$ of the fame height, is one of the moft "beautiful Flowers of its Colour that is to be met with, and is found growing for the moft pare by the fides of Swamps, or on the Banks of the Rivers, but never near the Salt Water. The Flowers of thele arc of a whitifh colour, but the laft is the moft beau::i- fiil, growing in great bunches cut of one Stem, and is commonly the bignefs of a large Turnip. In April and May, nothing can be more beautiful, being at that time in their greareft fplendor, which aftbrds notonlya pleaf- fant fight, but a moft grateful and fragrant Smell tothofc that pafs throueh the Woods. There is another Honeys fuckle that grows in the Forreft, and is about a Fooc high, bearing it's Flowers on fmall SremSj the main Stock being no thicker than a Wheat Stra-wr; all thefe forts difrer very litrle from ours, only v»ith this variati- pn^ ciiac thofe here arc larper. H Princts* ^8 Thff Natural HISTORY of Princes-feather, arc very large and beautiful, not only in the Gardens, but m Icveral parts of int Woods. Trcs coloyes. Branched Sun Fiuwer, DMble Pu^fuSy Lupines of Several CjtiS, and all Is^^oucaucous. Tnc JenfibU Plant, (as 1 have ueen intormed) grows near the iv^ioiuitain*^, which I did not fee during myftay in tnoie Parts. The Ba/iard Saffron is plenty ia this Province, and I do not doubt but ihat the true ^offfon of England would thrive well here if Planted, arid tiie fame care taken. The CtffiJW Plant being fo very profitable, 1 will give a Defcription of, which is as follows ; Ic hath lii.all Stalks about three Feet high, and fometimcs higher, di- vided into le\eral fmall Branches, wherein aie many broad Leaves, cut for the moft pare into three Stdioi.s, and fonr.ctimcs more, indented about the Eugcs, not un- like ti.e Leaves of the common Mallowi, but leflcr, foftcr, and ot a grayidi Colour^ among vvh ch come forth the Flowers, tne Edges ^' hereof are of a Yeilowifti Colour, ar.d the middle p.irt Pr.pie; after which appears large Burs or F'ucks, vaerein u:t Seed and Cotton is contain- ed j as foon as it is ripe it opens into four Parts or Divifi- ons, if Cai i be r.ot taken, it ca'teth tortli its Seed and CotronV -on the Ground. This Plant bearcth but for one Se: ion, <.v,<\ as foon as the Seeds are ripe it inimedi* a tly , -rifl-j ch, as many other Plants do ; fo that the Plan'^ fS are >bliged to fow the Seed every Spring, which is rf'r., in the Autumn, and they cut it down at that time s^ ec'oCorn. It groweth in great Plcny in feveral \ .5 of rhis Country, and is a be.jcficial Commodity to t; Planners. The Tellovi ^effamine grows wild in fcveral parts of the Wno-'s, affording a moft plcafant and grateful Smell.. Ever-Greens arc to be met with all over this Province, of levcral curious forts, of a very quick Growth, afford- ing North CAROLINA, 59 ing p'eafanc and rcfrefliing Shades in the exc»cmicv of hoc W^arhcr : And lucli are the lofty C)preff or White Cedar ^ the Red Cedar, the Pitch Pint, the Telloix) Pinty tiic IVhite Pme with Jong Leaves, and tne Smaller Al' mmd-Pine : Hornbeam ^ Hoilj two forts, Bay-^ree^Xvio forts Oi M\rt4e, two lorts ot Evergreen Oaks, MiJJeltoe of the Oak, Giillberiy-%te, Prfvet, Savine ,Taupan, or CaJJtna, vhtuot mc 'lea is made, to \try much in rcqucit a- monft both the Indians, and Chvijiians, with many other Ever-greem. 1 (hali in the next Place treat of the Timber that this Country p'^oduces V/z.. Tht Che [nut Oak, is a very lofry Tree and clear of Poiighs auu Limbs, for iif y or lixty Feet high, and is commouly four or five Feet Diameter, tht:y are the larg- eft 0;:ks we have, and yield the fairell Planks, Thefc k)i d of Oaks grow chiefly in low Land that is ftiff" and rich; fcire of them are io high that a good Gun will hardly kiii a Tu key on the top of them, though with Swan Shot. They are called the Chefmt Oak trom the {wcttntfs and largcncfs of the Acorns ; the Leaves and Baik of this and all the following Oaks are of a very Binc^ing Nature, and may fucccfsfuly be ufed to flop all k'nd of Flaxes, the Salt isDiuretick, and the Wood of lome arc of the fame Ufes and Virtues with Gunjacum; as is m.nifeft in its-cure of the Tiws and other Dif orders. In mod of all the Oaks, grows a long Mofs, whereof the Carole and Deer arc very fond, which 1 have already mentioned. The IVhite ScaleyBark Oak; this is ufed as the former itix Puilding Sloops, Brigantines, SHip^, and other Vcf- fcii» of Burthen. And though it bears a larger Acorn, yet it ncvtr grows to the bulk and height of the fowncr. ^This kiiid ot Oak is found generally growing on dry H 2 . ftiff 6o The Natural HISTORY of f i ft Lands, and is fo called from the Scaly broken White b«rk w.iich coders tnc Tree. 'This and the former piotiiu e g od Malt tor Swine to feed on. TliC i\tcl Oak fomeiimei grows very la"ge and lofty in gooo L*iv , out ic is not ulcd as the former m building oi Vviicis, being a very Porous Timber, and not du- rable, 'ec it isfwmeriTies ufed tor Pipe Staves, and makes ^'o.u Pcncc.s ai a Clap-Boards, which arc the only ufe 1. act ot it in ti.is Ccuhrty ; it is fo cJled from the red* rthof its Wood It pLooucesg;^od Malt for Swine. ''I'ixSpnniJh Oakhas gi whirjlh fmooth £ark, grows f cay large in wet iow Groui^d, and is very tree front X- mbsor Ijjii;ji.s 5 it is durable Wood, and very eafy to i^ iir,theKtois. fomc uk ^o Liii'd Veflcis with it, it arfords gfod Plauk, Clap lioaKls, Rails, for Fences, and alfo ticciknr good M H for Swine j the Bark of this Tree is wled f r the Cuie of the 1}/!^/. The Eaftiiid- Sfaaijh Oak is betwixt the Red and Spa- pijh-rCt!>^\ it is iio*^ as d, rable as tiic former, but makes g«ud Rai'ii tor Fencing, and Clap-Boards, and is very good 'Wood tor the Fire, ma, being all the Ufe that is mace ot 11 at piefc.u,- ithkcwife beats a ver) good Maft for Swim- to (ccd on. i ii. Biack-Onk grows large, artd is durable Wood un- c^pr Wattri it i*- fcidom made ire ot in building Ships> luL IS fomciimes u(ed in Hou'e-\\ ork j it bears as good ]M"lr ?* any ot he forint r for S-wine, 'I ht kVk(itp'liun, or Ring-Ouh, is fA called from the du* i"'biiiLv *;; diaiUn^ quiiiiy i^f t'.e Wood i this Wood is nw CO be ont of ide bd Oaks wc h.ve in this Coun- Li yj or in Ametiiai for lipe (tavts and building of all 'k d»M Ships; ii is as large as thcfcumer, grows on dry •cs, and fcldom i>ils of producing a good Crop of The North CAROLINA. 6i The Turkey-Oak, fo called, from the fmall Acorm k bears, wUich are fweec, and eac like the Acorns of the thiftnut Oaky on v^'.iicii the VViid Turkies feed, and arc very facin the bcafon ; this Wood is only ufed f.r tir- ing and Fences not being io durable as Uie former are. The Live-Ouky fo called, tion[i iCi being Green ail the Year, it grows ^ n dry fand) Ground, and is the moft du- rable Oak in all Amertcay but it is fhort, and will not aftbrd Plank of an) confiJcrable Length, therefore unfit to build Snips with. '1 iicrc ^re lome few Trees that will afford a Stock of twelve Feet, but it being fo very firm and weighty, they never make ufe of it upon thcie Occafions, moreover the Wood being fo very hatd, the Sawyers feldom aitcmpt the cutting of it: Icis obfer- vable,that a Nail being once driven into it, it is next to animpoffibility to draw it out again j the Limbs mere- of arc fo cured, that they ferve for excellent Timbers, and Knees and makes the bcft Trunnels of any Oak in the World for Ships and Vefl'els of any fore ,• the A- corns thereof are as fweet as any ChefnutSy and the Indians draw an Oil from them *srvce. and palatable as that from the O/m, though of au Amber Colour i with thefc Acorns fome have connterfeJted and made Chocolate not to be di/lingufflied by a good PaUte ; this Wood makes excellent Window Frames, Mallats, and Pins for Blocks. They are of an indifferent quick growth ; there are two forts of this O^k, and Swine that feed on its Acorns, are excellent fine Pork The F>ejh Waur 0^)&, grows in Ponds of frefli Water, in Swamps by the River fides, and in low Grounds over- flown with Water, they continue Green all the Year y there is little or no ufe made of it, except for Fire or fences. The 6-2 The Natural HISTORY of The Cypreft is not an Ever-green in Carolina^ and is therefore culled the Bald C)pyefs, bccaule the Leaves dur- ing the Winter Scafon mrn Kcd,and do not recover their Verdure till the Spring. Tneic Tiees are the callell and tiiickv^fl ot any wc have in this Part of tne World ; fome otchem being above tmrty Six t^eec in ci'Cu.nkrence ; the Nuts which thefe T ecs bear yield a moa odoriTc- t'-.us Balfanty that moft eff. ituaUy cures all new and^^^^tf H^ounds,GonurrhaaSy and old Gieets, and tc ng dra.k with AlUant, flop ail kinds or /^/«xff of Blood, and ton- folidate C//cerf in ftubborn B )dies, and dry upe^ictffi.e Moifturcs, and cmt Ruptures, i'dypus, CaYkun>.lts, and many other difi»rders. The Planttn and Indians molt Commonly make their Pe^ iaugers and Canoes of tiiis Wo(^d, with Which they pafs over large Creeks and Biys, toTranfport tneir Lumber from one River tj aiorher; fome oi il^^^Q Per iaugers arefo large that they will c«,rry thirty or forty Barrels oi Pitch or lar in them, tn 'Ugh ot one entire Piece of Timber ; fon.e trade in then* co Virginia and other Places along the Coaft, wun Pork and o'her Produdions of the Cv)untry: O^ chefe TVees arcl kewife made curious Boats for Plcalure and other ^Nectffary Crafcs; this Wood is very lafling and free from the Rot by the Worms in the* Wafer, wh:'ch otren ruin many Vcffels and Bjats made nfOika J other Wood, which I (hall defcribe in its proper Fu-c, when I t^eat of thofe, Jaicfts : It \s reported that no Moth or other Vfrmine will "bide in a Cheft made of this Wood. The Pine-T/ee, wh^^rcof there are four forts, if not more. The Pitch- Pine is a very large fair Tree, free from Boughs or Branches, 'all you come near the top, and continues green all the Year like the Fir-lree, it's Timber is much redder than the farmer, and it's Leaves narrower, ihorccr aiKl more ftarp pointed like the Pine\ thsir NorPbCAROLINA. 63 their Fruic is Scaly, the Baik of ihe Tree is blacker, tougker, and more tlcxible than that of the Fir^Tne. Tiie Wood ot cais T ree being fo full o^ Bitumen y or Tur^enttiie^ . and is fo durable, ihat it feems to fufier no decay, though expofed to ail Weathers, or lying upon the Ground or in the Water for many Ages ; aid is ufed in many do- mefticks Affairs. This Tree affords four excellent Com- modities, 1//Z,. Turpentine, Tar, Pitch, and Rojin, how t»ic> are made, I fhaii crear of in aaotiier Place. The l4/hite and Xtliovi ■ Pine, ^ro w to be very large Trees much atter tnc fame lorm wi.h the former, but it's Leaves are larger,^ and the Wood is not fo full of Turpentine, therefoie more eafy to be iawed, it affords excellent good Plank for Building, and feveral other ufes, they make Mafis^ Yards, and feveral other NccefTaricsot this fine, being the moft ufetul Tree in tiie Woods. The Almond-Pine, this laft bears Kernels in the Afplt^ tafting much like Almonds-, for which Reafon it is fo caird,it much relembles the former inbignels andgrow- eth, is ufed tor Majis, Boards, Piles, Fences, and Icvcral other things. Tiie £)^^K/^P/«ff,feldom exceeds above Seventeen Feet high, and is therefore of lirtle or no ufe, except for (hew, being an Ever-green, as all the reft are. There are many Virtues alcnbed to the Produce of thefe Trees (which, they rigntly deferve) not only in external, but internal Dilordtrs, uhich are well known arrongfl: us. The C^da , v'hcreof there are two forts, the Red ind the li'hitt. Tne Red Ceda-^ isencompaffed wicn a vafl nuTibsr of Branches, w icn grow gradually leffer and ihorter, as they approacN f-c top of the Tree, fo that ic grows '.xa6tly in tne Fo* m of a Pyramid. The Leaves are fmul arid round like tn.)fe of the Pine Tree, but Ihoricr and not fo iharp pointed j it beareth Eerries all times 64 Thff Natural WlSTOKY of timcs of the Year, wmca are Iweet and p'cafant to eat; it is a moll beautiful Ever-grccn, and is Here 'n\ great; plenty. T»iOlc near the Salts grow generally o.i i>«ind Banks, and that in the Frcfnes is found in the Swamps and low wet Grounds. It is a loft Wood lilie Firr, and of a reddilh Colour, but h^rd.ns in proccfs of time ; of this Wood,. Tables, Wainfcot, and other Neccfluries arc made, 'tis eftecmcd for its Iweet fccnt, and it is as du- rable and lading a wood as any we have in Carolina ; it is much uied in Polls for Houles and Sills, as alfo co build Sloops, Boats, (Jc. by realon the Worms will not touch It, though it remain in the Water, ur upon Land, forleveral Years. Or this Cedar, Snip loads my be ex- ported, and it was formerly io very plentiful and com- mon in this Province, that they have fenced large Plan- tations with it; the Coffins for the Dead are frequently made of it, by realon of its lafting Quality, the Wood of this Tree is piohtablc againft the French Pox, and ati infiifion in Vinegar helps Scabs and otiiCr cutaneous Dif- Orders. The White Cedar ^ To called, becaufe it nearly ap- proaches tne other Cedar in Smell, Bark, and Leases, only this grows taller, is exceeding llreight, very lijiht, and free to Iplit ; Ic is tough and durable, and m^kcth ^ood Yards, Top-malls, Boms, and Boitfprits, tft^ belt bhingles for Houfcs, Paih a d otiier Velfels, ncceilary forleveral ules, ate made ot it's Wood* with the Bark and the Red Gdar, the Indians moft commonly nfe to make rhe>r Cabbins of, wnich proves firm, and refills all Weaiher. i he Tulip Trees, which are called bv the FUntert Poplars, as oemg ncareit in grain to that Wood. Thelc Trees gro-jw exceeding large and tall, fomc being found Twenty one Fool and more iu circumference as I h^ve frcqutmly North CAROLINA. 65 • ■ ffequenrly feen in many places in this Province. And I have been informed, that foifte are found ten Feet Dia->* mete'r ; feveral oF thcfe Trees bear a white Tulip, and o- thers aparty-colour'd one : The Wood makes nandfomc Wainfcot Tables, Shingles for Houfes, and Flanks foe feveral ufcsi it is very durable and lafting under Groundj and in the Water. The Planters 'frequently make anj Oyntment of the Buds, which is excellent good to cure all manner of Inflamations, Scalds and Burns ; The Cattle are fond of its Buds, which gives a very oddtaftc to the Milk. ThtAfpen Tree^ arcSthe fame here as m Europe y but aire fcarcely to be found in this Province ; the Bark is uled inwardly 'n\ the Sciatica, and other Rheumatick Dif- ordersj and in the Strangury, but the Leaves being taken' inwardly, are faid fo caufe Barrenefs, The Ajh Tree, whereof we h^e two forts? the firft is only like the European in the Grain of the Wood, for it differs from ours in *hc Leaves and the Bark, and Keys, It bears none.; the Wood is very tough, but there is ligtle ufs made of of it at prefent. The fecond fort is what they call in thefe Parts by the Name of the Water- Jlfi^ and differs from the former by only being brittet and the Bark is food for the Beaver i, both thefe Iprts of Alh'grow in wet low Swampy Grounds, and on the Banks of the Sivers, * • The Sycamore Tree grows in low and Swampy Landj and by River fides j the Bark is quite different from ours^ but very beautiful, being mottled and clouded with feve- ral Colours, as White Blue, &c. The Leaves of this Tree are cxadly of the form and fhape with thofe iu Europe ; Keys it bears none, but a Bur like the Aveei GurhfOt the Chefnut, bu^ its Grain is fine and benuti- Mt-j a&'oitjcd with' variety of Colours, atid is made ufi 66 The Natural HISTORY of of for fevcral domefticR Neceflarics, fuch as Wainfcor, fables, Ctiairs, Trenchers, Difhes, Siocks for Guns, and the like. The Buds of this Tree boiled and apply- ed, help tJje hardnefs of the Spleen, and other hardlwel- lings ; the Fruit loofcns the Belly, and the Tears thac iiTuc out of the Tree in Spring, the' biting of Serpents. The Beech Tree is trequenrly to be met with very large, wlicrcof there are two forts ; the firft is much the. •fame as in Europe, and is in plenty all over this Province, but is little regarded or made ujs of, only for Fire-ivood', nor being durable Timber, yei aff*rds plenty of Sweet Maft for Swine, which makes th&.Por^, very oily, except it be hardned wirh Indian Gm.before it it killed or made ufe of. There is aitother fort of Beech bund here in feveral places culled Buck-Beesh, and differs h"t^Ie from the formerj only in the Ba:k and Leat there is Tome fmall difference,. -i^,d rhe Tree is generally not' fo large The Leaves ^pr.r, <' ; ,• Ip S'vvcliings, Biifters, and Excoriations of the S' Jnice th4,t comcs out oTthe Tree bored/ is ex- celLi.i igajnil Scrufts, Tetters, Ring-worms, Scabs, and IbreMpudis; the Kernel of tne Nut helps the Grivel anJ Stone in the Kidneys, fo doth the Aftics. The Bin Tree, #hfrcof arc two forts, the firflgrdws c.". hi^h L^.nds,and is lik^-the European Elm, The Indians take th" Ba.rk oi,thc*Root of this Tree, afid beat it .to a P-uip whllil frefh, and then dry it in the Chimney, witfe whlchthey 1 eal aCut-orgrceiv V/ound, very fpcedily. The other kind of Etm grows in wet t)r low Grounds, ' and differs but lii.:kfr-?m the i; ;rrrcr, only the Bark is fo very toughs that die Eur.peam and Uians make R-^pcs of it foe fevcialufc^, which rhey ftiip of n Api! .c M^iyj,- when the Sap begin: to tun, thi* u.. > wi;h th;; greateft eafe imaginable at that cic-^ i^ fuch pkftty North CAROLINA. 6-7 •plenty of other valuable Timber, there is little or no other uie made of- it at preient. The Decoftion of the BaiK And Leaves of the Elm is of a cleanfing, drying, and binding Quality, and therefore good in Wounds an dbro*- ken Bonei>; tht Liquor that iflTiicth outot the Tree takes away Scrurf, Pimples, Spots and Freckles from the Facci one Ounce of the inner-Bfirk in Wine, Purges Fkgm. Tlic Mulberry Tree, whereof there arc three forts here, bcfids the different bignefs of feme* Trees Fruit. The firft is the common red MulbeYryy whofe Fruit is ' long and taper ar. the Ends, and is the eariieft in this Province (except the Straiuhrries) they ate (weeC and lufcious, the Planters make ufe of their Fruit (which is abovean lach long^ inftead oi Raifom and C«n72K/, for fevcral Difiies; :hey yield a tr^iilpai.ent Crimfon Liquor, which I do t\ot doubt would make good Wine, if the Planters Inclination tended that way : The Parakee- toes and -^^'Chei Fowl feed upon tivc . Fruit in tlie S«afon, andlike'''Jle the //^;^/, as they drop fronj the Trees. Tnek Tiees grow to be very large, and mike tluc moft deli;:m ai and pleafant Shades to fit under in the Sum- mer , ot any in thcfe Parts oi America, by their large Roughs fpieading at ^eat diflances, and growing as round as any I have ever fecn; you fhall fee in mofl of their Plantations, and efpecially near their Dwelling Houfes, thcfe pleafant Arbours. The other two forts bear afmooth Leaf fit for the Silk'Work; thefirfl of thefebeara white A/w/^tf^ryj which is commoii : The fecond bears a Fruit like a fmall Blac^ berry which is very fweet; the Wood of thefc Trees arc ▼ery durable and tough, and when the Indians can't get the Locufi T/ee, they ufe this, to make their Bows with. Thefc Trees grow extraordinary round, and pleafant to the Eye, as any in thefe Parts, the Fruit, Leaves, and I 3 Barke 68 The Natural HISTORY of * Ba ke are ufed in Gargdrifms for fore Throats and th^ \louth aih. , ■ J he Hickery Trees are ot tbc IVallnut kind, and bears a Nut as the) do, wherex)f there are three lorts, viz** the Common white, the red, and the flying Bark'd. The common* or white Hickery grows tollerably large, but is not a durable Wood, for if it be cut oown and expoled to the Weather, it will be quite rotten and fpoiled in th^ee Years (as will likewife the Beech of this . C'Duntry) but it is very tough, eafy to fplit, and ma- keth the bed Hoops I have leen. It bears a Nut much like the Wali-nut of this Country, with a Husk about it, but of an Oval Form ; the Kernels arc fwect, good to eat, and make Oil i the Hogs feed plentifully on them in the 5eafon, by which means they become Fat, and jnake excellent Pork. . .'The Indians gather great Quantities of thefe Nuts, and the Black Wall-nuts (being npe in Autumn) which they preferve and lay up in Stores for the Winter Seaf- on, whereof they make feveral Difties and Banquet? ; this is generally done after the following Manner, tliey take thefe Nuts and break them very fmall between two Stones, until the Shells apd Kernels ate indifterent fmall, and this Powder they prefcnt ro Strangers upon little Wooden Difhes, the Kernel difolves in, "the Mouth, the Shell is fpit out, and tafles as well as Al- monds. They likewife thicken their Venifon Broath with this Powder, whilfl the Shell precipitates and re- mains at the bottom , making it very rich and agreeable in Tafte J thefe Nuts.have much the fame Virtues with the Wall-nuts." • The Red Hickery, Is fo called, from the Heart thereof being red, firm, and durable, whereof are ntade walk- ing-flick?, MortarSj Pcflils, and feveral other fine Turn- • 'its. NorPh CAROLINA, 69 crs Ware. Both thcfe forts are Plenty in this Province, and are the beft Fire-wood they have. The third fore is called the Flying BarTCd Bkkcry, from its britle and fcaly Bark : It bears a Nut with a bitter Kernel, and a foft Shelf^ of this Wood they make Coggs for Mills, and Teveral other Neceflaries : The Leaves of all thefe forts of Hickery^ "have a fragrant (mell, and are'inuch like our WalUnut in Eurofe. The Black WaU-nut Trees arc plenty and large in this Province, and the Wood fitm and durable,' whereof , beautiful Wainfcot Tables, Chefls of Drawers, aild fe- veral other NecefTaries are made. Some of this Wood is very Knotty, but fine Qrain'd, and partly of the Co- jour of the Tew Tree ,• it is fo diirable, that {ome have bottom'd Ships with ic, it is likewife reported that it is never eaten by Worms bred in the fait Water. The Kernels of thefe Nuts are good to eat, but after fome time they grow rank and oily. It grows, exadly in the lhapcof*the European WaU-nut j but the Shell is much thickcr^nd harder, as moft of the native ^uisoi America are. This Fruit is very agireeable and pleafant toea^j when it begins to grow ripe and Hath its yellow Hujk or Coat on, ij looki. exadly like a Lemon. The old Hogs feed plentifully 6n thefe Nuts, which make them fat', and good Pork, but the young Swine are not able to cracR them, fo rfiat great .quantities lye under the Tree^ It is called the BlacJt Wall-nut from its black Barck, to diflinguifh it I-fuppofe from the other Hickery^ whereof it isa Speci-..i. The Chtt-nut Tree in this Province gro-^s moflly to- ward the Heads of the Rivers, and hilly parts of the Country j it is large and durable Wood,and is ufeful in building of Houfes and. many other Convcnicncies. The Nut of x)xtChes_'mt Tree is fmaller than the European^ but 70 The Natural HIS T O R Y 0/ but much fwectcr and better relilh'd; they have the Vir- tues ot Almonds and Hazie-nuts, but more nourifhing, the Leaves or Bark ot the Tree boiled in Wine are good againfl the Bloody Flux^ and all other kind of Fluxes. The iivieet-Gum Tree, fo called, from the fwcct and fragrant Gum it yields in the Spring, by making an Inr cifion in the Bark and Wood. It cures the Herps, Tettars, Inflamations, Morphcw, and many other cutaneous Dif- orders :. It is likewife a fovcraign Balfam for fcvcral in- ternal Diforders, as I have often experienced ,• it bears a Leaf partly like the Affen Tree, a round Bur, with « kind of Prickle like the Horje Cbefnut,* wherein is con- tained the Seed ; fcarce any Wood has a finer or better Grain, being very durable, and is frequently made ufe of for Tables, Drawers, (S'i. * • The Black Gum Tree, whereof there are two forts i the firil bears a black Berry well tafted, which the Indians commonly mix with their Puife, and the kind of Soups they make, to which it gives a pretty flavour, and Scarlet Colour : The Bears crop thefe Trees for their Fruit, of which they arc very fond, yet it they are kiil'd at that Seafon, they cat unfavoury, which no doubt is occafioned by their eating thofe Berri^, for at other times, when they feed oa Beech and other Maft, tkeic Flefh is well tafted and good Food. Thc.fecond fort bears a Berry infhapc like the for- mer, but bitter and ill tafted. This Tree the Indians k- port is never hurt or wounded by Lightning, as other Trees genci;ally are. It has no certain Grain, and it is almoft impofliblc to fplit it for Ufe; from whence I am perfuaded the Indians took this Notion, that it is never hurt as above, from its being fo very difficult to Iplit. The l^oite Gum Tree bears a fort of long bunched Flowers, and i% 4 beautiful knotted and curled Wood, . " and North CAROLINA. * 71. ■ " • 11 '' 1 J 1 and mak?th curious Furniture of fevcral kinds, if wrought by skillful Artifls. The Locufi Tree bears a Leaf h'fcc the Liquorifi Plant, and has large and long Prickles (like the Hawthorn Tree, but as long as the Quills of a Porcupine) in the Boughs and Body of the Tree : It is the moft durable Wood wc have, ai^d is ma*dc choice of for all forts of work that is cxpotcd to thciWeatheti it grows pretty tall and large, there arc two forts of it, the White and the Yellow, it bears Cods like Kidney- Beans , but much larger, wherein are contained fome few Seeds, and a certain Juice oc SulDfTance as thick and fweet as Honey, bur of a dark brownifh Colour. Of this Tree the Indians make their choifcft Bows, being tough and flexiWc ; the Fruit of this Tree is much of the fame Virtues and Ufcs with Honey. ' • The Honey Tree is fo like the Locuft, that there is fcarce any Difference between them, only the Honey Tree is more prickley than 'the former; and arc a Species of the Locufi though caird by different Names ; it bears long Cods • like the former wherein is contained the Seeds and the Honey. This Tree grows as large as the Locufi, and will bear in five Years from the time of Planting ; they were firfl brought here by the Jndian Traders, and propogated by their Seed, but from what pan of America is not known : Thefe Trees, if planted, would make the beft of Hedges, being very prickley, and of quick growth ; I hare fcen Orchards of thefe Trees in Vtrginia^ where excellent Metheglin is made of their Fruit, they fome- times boitit to the condilancc o( Honey^ andufe ic after chefame manner. The Service Tqx groweth to be Tcry large, and bcar« eth long Leaves lilce thofe of the A[k Tree ; the Flowers 8i^o>? ^? Si^^^ f^l^A^^^i ^^^ ^^^ ?f ^ whjcinr.Colour, aftec which 72 T^jc Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ which come forth fmall Berries^ fomewhac long, which are unplcafaiu to the Taftc, 'tilL they have Jam by for fooic time, then they become fofc and mellow ; they are in tade and operation like the Medlar^ bux feldom made ufeof but by the Indians the Planters^ not regarding them: The Leaves are aftringcnt, and Hop fluxes, and the Fruit is cooling, drying, and binding, (crpeciallywhen they are hard, and not altogether ripe^ they flop Fluxes in the Belly,and. all other kindot Fluxes,- they Strengch- xn the Stomach, flop vomiting, and outwardly heal Wounds, being dry 'd and made into Powder. T-he Birch Tree is plentiful in this Province, but ge- nerally towards the Frefhes on the Banks and Heads of the/ Rivers, but never near the Salt Water ; it differs fomething in the Bark from the Enrgpean Bircbt and the Leaves are'ftiarper and fmailer j it buds in A^ril^ and the Parakeetoes come from ail Parts to feed on them at that Scafon. Where this Wood grows there are no Planta- tions; the Leaves are cleanfing, difolve and purge watry Humours, help Droplics and Stone in fhe Bladder, the* Afhes of the Bark, is efteftual to heal fore IVfouths, and take away Scabs. The Mu/brooms are binding and cure the Piles, the Tears are pi eafanc to drink and quench Thirfto * . * The Alder Trtt grows in wet low Grounds near the Frefhej and heads of the Rivers, but is not common a- mongfl the Planters, or near the Salt- Water ; this Tree !s fo well known .amongft us, that it would be needlef^ to defcribe it. The Bark and Twigs are much ufed by Che Planters in dyitig Wool and Cl<5ath^ black ; the Wood is fofc, but durable and lafling in the Ground of Water, makes good Piles, and other Neceflfari/s, the Leaves and Bark are cooling and binding, and ufed in hot SweHihgi' or Ulcers in xhc fiody. North CJROlInA. 73 The Laurel Tttc is plenty all over this Province, affd grows in low and fvranipy Ground, in height and bignels equalizing the lofty Oaki; the Planters c;ye a yellovy Colour with the Leaves and Berries of this Tree, the Wood is not durable in the Weather, yet ferves for feveral Ufes vyhen kept dry, its Virtues are doubtful, yet it is faid to pi:ovoke Vomir,^ and bring down the Menfes^ The Afcopo is a Tree,f() called by the Indians , very like the Laurel ivi its Leaves, the Barkis of a hot fpicy Na- ^ ■ ture, much like x.\\^ Ca^ilLignea ; I never faw this Tree C^i^ growing,, but the tndtan who procured me a Branch ot it affured me, that they are plentifully to be met with at the Heads of the Rivers, and near the Mountains, and that they grow pretty large. The Bay Tree delights to grow in the fame Ground with the Laurel/it is a beautiful Ever-green, the Wood of this as well as the Laurel^ are of little ufe only for Fire, and is plenty all over this Province j the Berries yield a Wax whereof they maJce Candles, which in burning af- ford a pleafing fmcll, befidesitis ufeful in Chirurgcry, the Leaves are of a bitter aftrlngcnc Nature, but grateful to the Stomach, and refills Vomiting ; when made into a Pulfe, help all Inflaniations, the flinging of Bees, and ot^cr vencmous Beads, the Bark^ of the Root in Rhenifi Wine provokes Urine, opens Obflrudions,curcs Drop- lies and Jaundice, but kills the Fatm; the Berries expel , Wind and eafe all manner of Pains proceeding from Cold, therefore good in the Chplick, Palfies, Convulfions, Epi- Icpfies, and many other Diforders j fome have the Leaves tun'd up with Beer, which makes it pleafant and grate- ful to th^ Stomach. 'ThQ Bay Tulip Tree is another beautiful Ever-green, is very common^ and grows in the fame Ground with the forrner j its Virtues arc uncertain, neither have I known liftjy ufe ma^? of iu -^ K- The ']4 The Natural HISTORY of The Horn-beam Tree, grows in fons places ii\ this ■Province both plentiful and large, the Leaves are like thoft ofthe Eint or IVnch Hax,el'^b\xi tenderer ; the Tim- ber ot the Tree becomes fo Itrong, durable, and hard, in proccfs of titnc, that it may rather be compared to a Horn than Wood, from whence it took the Name Horn- 'learn, or Hard-bsam; it is excellent: for makinj^ Arrows, Pullies, Shatts for Mills, and many other Ncceflaries ; )^t is lictle regarded, or made ufe of, by reafon of the great plenty ot other Wood in thofe parts -y there may be an Oil drawn from it, whicff is of excellent ufe in the cure of the French Pex. The Maple Tree, of which there are two forts, the firft has an exceeding white Grain, and generally grows in the plain and champion Country j the fecond has a much harder and more curled Grain, and grows in the Hilly and Mountainous parts; both thefc forts are large, with a fmooth Bark, great Boughs, and Leaves much like thofe of the Vine, hanging by long reddifh Stalks, which make delightful and refreftiing Shades to fit un- der from the Heat of ihc Sun f The Flowers which are of a whitish-green Colour, hang in Clufters, after which come forth long Fruit refembling the Wings of Grajs- hoppers, v/ich white and little Kernels in them : Of this Wood is made Waini'cots, Tables, Trenchers, Difh- es, Spinning-wheels, and the like ; theLeaves and Roots are Aftringcnt, flop all forts of Fluxes^ and the Root- helps Pains of the fiies and Liver. '.'"' " i he Perjrmon Tree agrees with all Lands and Soil^,: thcy/Sre common on al! Plantations, the Pmit when ripe is neareft to our Medlar, it isone of the greateil: Aflrin- gents I have ever met with, for. if eaten, orchew'd before it is ripe, it oraws the Mouth-'iip like a Purfe'. The Frjjit when ripe, being apply'd'Co a Foul wound, pre- feiidy North CAROLINA. 75 fcntly cleanfes it, but caufes exquifite Pain : The Fruic foon rots after it is ripe, and contains four flat Stones, rclembling thofeofthe Ta7narinds. The Planters make Beer of its Fruit, which they call Ptrfimon Beer. There are two fcrts of this Fruit, the one ripe in Summer ^ and tne other not before the Froft vifits thofe Parts i thefc Trees fometimcs grow to two Feet diameter, fome make ufe of the Bark, inftead of the Cortex peruviiina, or Jg' fuits Barky for Agues, and it is reported that that Bark is fr. m the Perjimon Tree in Ndiu-Sfain. The HcUy Tree, whereof there are two forts, one with a la.gc Leaf, and the other with a fmaller, they gene- rally are lQ bp met with in low wet Greunds ; both forts are in j^le.uy, and grow tollerably large, yet I have fel- dom feen «iny ufe made of their Wood, there being fuch plenty or much better. Their Berries are faid to be good in ti.e ChJichj for ten or twelve being taken inward- ly, purge Itron^'ly by SrOol. The Birdlime which is made ofthc Baik, being applied Plaflerwife, confolidates Wounds, cafes all manner of Pains, and ftrengthens the Nerves, but if taken inwardly, it is mortal, for it glues the Intrails together, fo that the paflages of the Ex- crements are intirely fhut up. The Chinkapin Tree is a kind of a Chefnut, and very plentiful, they bear great quantities of Nuts which arc lefs than a HaUe-nut, and of a Piramedial Form, they are in Taftc like a Chefnut, but Iwcerer : It's Nut has a Husk or Bur about it like the. former, which opens when it is ripe, fo that the Fruit falls to the Ground, which is good feeding for Hogs, making them fat and excellent Pork. The Grain of the Wood and the Leaves on the Trees arc very like the Chefnut, but the Timber is not fo large, yet it is ufed to Timber Boats, Shallops, &c, and makes any thing that is to Qidure the Weather ; K 2 thif 76 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ i.nis and the Hickery are very tough Rods to whip Hor« fcs with, yec this Wood is in Subftance very briulc. This Tree the Vine delights to cwift about, it is good Fire-wood, but very fparkling as well as the Sajf^ras ; the Nut or Kernel of tnis Tree has much the fame Vir- tues with thofe of the Chefnw, but more binding, and are of excellent u(e to flop Fluxes. The SaJJnfras is very common, and grows large, its Wood bemg fomctimes above two Feet over, 'tis durable and lading for Bowls, Timoer Poftsfor Houfes,and other things that require (landing in the Ground, notwith- flanding it is very brittle and light, it hath a pleafant fmell. The Leaves are ot two forts, feme long and fmooth, the others indented aoou. the edges (efpecially thofe grow- ing at tne top of the Branches) fomctjmes like thofe oi tht Fig-tree^ it bears a fmall white Flower, which is cleanf- ing to the Blood, if eaten in the Spring with other Salat- ingj it like wife bears a Iraall Berry, which when ripe, is black knd very oily, a^minative^ and cxtreamly preva- lent in Coughs: The Bark and Root help moft Difeafes procfcui. 4tfom Ooitrucaons, and of (ingular ufc in Diets fc'rihf:F'e,ich Pox, it. i rengthens the whole Body, cures Barreniicf^), anii is'aSptciffrk to liiufe afflicted with the GripeSj or dcfluciipris of Kheum ; the fame in Powder, lid ilrong lotions btiiig made rherev'l-, is much ufed by cnc Savage Indians, to mui.diry old Ulcers, ana feveral oJ '" ' ' -"' " 'c ^^ a beautiii;! and odoriferous Ever- green^. r 'itui jnd fragrant F re, but very fpark- ^ree Giffers from the Euy>pe Contained a white Kernel, firm and folid, which taftes ..kv an Almond; and within theCavity or hollowing there- ot IS found a moft beautiful Liquor hke Milk, and of a plealant Tafte. This Tree continues green all the Year, the Timber, though large, is vcryfpungy within and hard without. The Jndiam tie Ropes about thcfe Trees for more eafe in gathering the Fruit, and they fometimes cut off tender Twigs and Branches towards the Evening, at the ends whereof they tye Gourds to receive the Liquor that diltills from the Branches thereof, which they drink as Europeans do Wine, and very much cools and re- frefhes their wearied Spirits. They fometimes make Ca- noes ot rh'S Tree, and of the Hemp that grows on the outfide of the Fruit, Ropes for feveral ufes ; Somthe Ker- nel likewile is produced a moft precious Oil, wherewith the Indians anoint their feeble Limbs after long Journies, which not only refrefbes them, but Hkewife mitigates ail manner of Pains and Aches. The Chriflians fometimes diilil this Liquor, from whence is produced a ff rong and pleafant Spirit like our Aquavitaj and is ufed as a great Cordial for many Difeafes in thefe parts. The Palmeto Tree, the Leaves whereof grow in great Cluff ers, only on the tops of the Trees arc long flalks, ex- aftly in the (hape of a Fan. This Tree when it is at its utmofV growth is about forty or fifty Feet in height, and about two Feet diameter ; and it is otafcrvable chat the La growth S4 The Natural H I S TOR Y 0/ growth of this Vegetable is fo very flow, that it is fcarcc perceivable in the age of Man, the Experiment having been often try'd in fevcral places where it gruws. The Wood of it is very porous and flringey, like fome Canes, with the Leaves of this Tree the BermudUnf make fine Hats for Women, Baskets, and many pretty Boxes for feveral ufes, which are tranfported to the Northern parts ot America, where this Tree does not grow, and to Great- Britain and Ireland, In North Carolina, this Tree is a Dwarfifh kind, and the Planters make of the Fans of this Tree, Brooms to Iwcep their Houfes with, which is all the ufe 1 havcfeen them make of it. The Hollow-Canes y or Reeds, fuch as Angling Rods arc made of, and Weavers ufe for their Rccds, grow in great plenty in many places in this Province, efpecially in wet low and Swampy Grounds, though there is none to bcmct with to the northward of James's River mVirginia. They continue green ail the Year, and are extraordinary good Paflurage tor Cattle and Horfes in the Winter, and in the Month oi March, when the Planters are obliged by the Laws of the Country to burn off the old Grafs in their Fields and Woods, as the Heath is burnt off the Moun- tains in Ireland, by the Farmers in thofe Places. They arefn very large towarus the Heads of the Rivers that ont join: will ht Id a Pint of any Liquor. When they glow old they bearan Ear like Oats, wherein is contained their Sctds, exactly like, the Grains of Rye (which being boiled is good Meat, and often made ufe of by the /«- diamj foon after which they decay both Root and Branch, but the Seeds never fail to grow again. Thefe hollow Canes are Lodges for vaft Numbers of wild Beafts, which the Indians frequently fet on fire to drive them our, by which means ihey kill vaft Numbers of them, and you Chall hear thefe Canes during the time that they are burn-* North CAROLINA. 85 ing ac a great diftaiice cracking and making a Nofe like two Armies engaged, and firing at each other, which hat deceived many, iuppofing it to be the Indians coming to War upon them. Tne AnowPFood, fo called from the Indians making ufe of it for Arrows for their Bows, and Rammers for their Guns. Ic L,rows very flreight, of feveral fizes, and is tough and pliable, as the fmalleft Canes, of which it is a kind, and grows in great plenty on the Banks and River-fides. Ic is very flrange to fee how the Indians will harden ihe Points of their Arrows, and how artfblly they can fix fiiarp Flint Stones to them, by which means they kill Deer, Turkies, and feveral other Beafts and Birds. The Prjckley-A/b, is fo called from fome refemblance it has to the A.fli-Tree in its Leaves : It grows up like a Pole, whereof tne Europeans and Indians make Poles to fet their Canoes along the Shallow Waters, it is very light and full oi Pith like the Elder, but is full of prick- les and Thorns like the Sweet Brjar, but larger. It bears Berries of a purple colour in large Clufters like the Alder Tree. The Root of this Tree is Catbanick and Erne- tick, and is frequently made ufe of in Cachexies, with good fuccefs. There is a kind of Prim, or Privet, that grows in this Province on dry barren and fandy Banks, by the Sound fide, it differs little from ours, only this bears a fmaller fort, and grows into a round Bufh, and is beautiful to behold, when it's Flowers are full blown. The Leaves and Flowers are cooling and good in all Inflammations and forenefs of the Eyes, Ulcers in the Mouth and Throat, loofcnefs of the Gums, and to flop Fluxes. The Gallherry Tree is a little Shrub, fo called from its bearing a ^lachrGaU or Berry, with which the Women dye S6 Th Natural HISTORY/ dye their Cloth and Yarn. It is a beautiful Ever-green, growing plentifully in Swamps, low Grounds, and Ponds oi frefh Water; and fometimes on the Banks of the Ri- vers. The SaviH€i is a low Shrub, and is plentifully to be met with in this Province, cfpecially in dry Ground and Banks on the River fides. It beaceth Leaves and Berries much like thofc of the Cedar^ it rs a beautiful Ever-green, but is not as prickley, neither has it fuch a (Irong fmell a^ the Barren Savine that grows in our Cirdens. The Virtues of this Plant are To well known, that it wo Id be needlefs to repeat them. The Mijfeltoe^oi Miftehoe, that grows upon the O >k, was formerly held in great veneration amongft tlie Paga,. in their Sacrifices ; and it is much to be admired to fee luch a Dwarfifti Shrub grow without any viiible Root, on fo tall, noble, apd lofty Trees, as it doer;, and of a quite different Nature to them. Various are the Opi- nions amongft Writers how this Plant is produced. Some aflign it's growth to a certain Moiflure and Subftance gathered together upon the Boughs and Joints of Trees through the Bark, whereof this vaporous moifturc pro- duceth and bringeth forth the AdiJJeltoe. Others affign it's produce from the Dung oi IVood-Que/is, Blacl-Birds^ and feveral other Birds that feed upon it's Seeds, which they difcharge upon feveral Branches and Barks of Trees, and that the Seed will not grow without fuffering a change in thefe Birds Bodies, But which of thefe Opi- nions may approach neareft Truth, I will not take upon me to decide. But this I am certain of,thatfet the Seed after what manner you will, it will never grow. It grows in this Province in as great plenty as in any part of the World, efpecially upon all the fpecies of Oaky, and fevergl other Trees. It feldoni exceeds above twp " Fcft North CAROLINA. 87 Feet in height, and there are two forts of it. The firfl beareth Seed, and is full of green Branches all the Year. The iecond is barren and fruitlefs,and Iheddeth its Leaves in the Winttr, which it doth not recover 'till Spring : The Leaves of this Shrub is of a very bitterilh Taftc, and the Berries are fo tranfparcnt, that one my fee thro' them, and within is a fmall black Seed or Kernel. The Leaves and Berries are of a vifcous and clammy nature, whereof the befl Bird-lime is made, far exceeding that which is made of the HoUy Bark. The Deer and Sheep are very fond of it's Leaves,, croping them wherever they can reach, which makes them very fat. It's Ufes in Phyfick are too well known, to be inferred here. The Indian-Tea Tree, which in their Language^ is called Taupatty and Ca/fena, grows in great plenty in this Province, efpecially on the Sand Banks and Iflands, bor- dering on the Sea, none to be met with near the Freflies or heads of Rivers, that I ever could learn. This Taupan is a Shrub, whereof there are three forts. The firft is a Bufh of about twelve Feet high, and groweth in rich low Grounds. The fecond is about four or five Feet high, and grows on the Sand Banks. The third feldom grows to be a Foot high, and is found both on the rich low Ground and on the Sand Banks. It grows the mod like Box of any Vegetable I know, being very like it in Leaf, only dented about the edges like Tea, but th« Leaf fomewhat flatter. It bears a fmall whitifh Flower, which continues not long, after comes fmall Berries a- . bout the bignefs of a grain of Pepper, which are at firft of a reddifh colour, but in the Month oi December , when ^ they are ripe, they become brown. All thele forts dif- fer very little from each other in tafte, when the infufi- ; on is made, neither is there any difference in the Leaves, thac I ^ould ever perceive, only thofc that grow in the ' > low S8 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ low and rich Ground, are of a deeper Green, and larger than thofe growing on the Sand Banks, and this may be occafioncd by the richnels chat attends the low Grounds, thus fituated. The Cattle^ Sheep, and Deer are very fond of thefc Plants, and crop them wherever they can reach or find them. The Wood is very brittle, and its Bark of a light ^-colour. The Planters fre- quently make ufc of it with Phyfick, by lealon of it's fafc and fpeedy paflage through the Bowels and Ureters, which i have often experienced, and is of excellent ufc in the Stone and Gravel, by it's diuretick Quality. Ic is likewife ufcd as Tea^ and in making Punch. What rc- qucft it is of amongft the Indians, and how they cure it, 1 (hall inform the Reader when \ come to treat of thefc People. The Piememo, or AU-fpice Tree, grows commonly in wet and low Grounds, about eight or ten Fcec high, though I have known fome tranfplantcd to high Land, where it thrives very well. It bears a Berry difterent in fliapc from thofe in the Eafi Indies, being longer and taper, yet not inferior to any of that lort. The Leaves of this Tree are much like the Hurtst and fo is the Bark. The Hurts y Huckle-Benies, Bill'Berries, or Blues, of this Country, whereof there are four lorts that we are well acquainted with. The firft fort is the fame Blue or Bill-Berry which grows plentifully in the Mountains in irtlandy and many other places. The Juice ofthcfc Ber- ries are of a very binding and cooling Nature, there- fore good iu Fluxes and Fevers, they cool and comforc jhc Stomach, and flop Vomiting. The fecond fort grow on fmall Baflies in the Savanmt and Woods, their Leaves are of a dark Green colour^ much like the former, but larger, amongft which come little hollow Flowers, which turn inco Bcrri^, and arc longer than inc former. ' - - - - - t^^ North CAROLINA, ^ The third fort grow on one (ingle Stem, about three or four Feet high, in low rich Lands, and on the Banks ot the Rivers; their Fruit are as large and good as the former, and are very plenty in many places ot this Pro- vince. The fourth fort grow on Trees about ten or tweire Feet high, and about the thickncfs of the faull of a Man's Leg ; arc very plcafant, and bear wonderfully: Thefc grow plentifully in wet low Grounds, in many places in this Province i the Planters gather great Qi_ian- tities ot them in the Seafon, dry them in the Sun, and mak« ufe ot them tor Puddings, MincM Pyes; and many other Ufcs as wc do Curram and Raifonsi ,A11 thcfe forts ripen gradually oiie after another. Tiic Indians gee many BuQiclls of them, which they lik^wifc dry on theic Macts in the Sun, and prclcrvc and keep all the Winter, whereof they makt Bread raix*d with Indian-Corn- A feal^ like our Plum-Cakes, and feveral other Eatables, which arc pleafant enough. * Willow-Oak is a kind of Water-Oak^ fo call'd from its Leaves, which very much reiemblc ciiofe of the Wil- low. It grows m low Grounds and ponds of Water, and is ufed for Fire, Fences, &c. jipril-Currans, fo call'd, from their being rrpe in that Month, grow on the Bank*; of the Rivers, or where Clay has been thrown up; the Fruit when ripe, is red, and very foon gone. They are tollerablc good Fruit whilft they lafl, and the Tree Cf^r it is not a Bufh they grow upon) is a plcafant Vegetable. Befmudas-Cuyrans, to Call'd, from their growing plen- tifully in that Ifland, are very common in the \Vood$ U of ♦.ThTs Tree by OrfiilTion, hath not heen inferted in its proper fUtei m^ didoagU ifk Oaksj Whereof it is a Spec res. 90 The Natural HISTORY of of Carolina on a Bufli, much like the Eurvpum Cunaus, but notlo agreeable to the Talte, being but an indffe- renc Fruit, tnough frequently eaten by the Planters. IVinter-Currany io call'd, by reafon it bears Fruit which are only ripe in OSlober 5 it grows on a Bufh about feven or eight Feet high, and the Fruit is like our Bill- berry ; the Planters make rhe fame ufcs of it as we do of Raifons and Currans, for Puddings, Minc'd-Pjes, O^c. This Bufh is very beautiful to behold, growing round, and is a plentiful Bearer. All thefe Ions of Currans are of a very cooling and binding Nature, therctore good in Fevers and Fluxes. The Brier-Rofe, or Hip-Tree, is to be met with in Tome places, elpecially on dty Lands, but is generally of a Dwarfifh kind, but its Fruit h as good as ours. The Pulp is cooling and agreeable to the Stoirach, good in Fevers or vioUnt Heats, and is of excellent ufe in the Fluxes of this Country. The Rasberries are of a purple Colour when ripe, very agreeable in Taile, but are not as rich Fruit as the £«- Yofean. They gi*oW on a Stalk more like the Bramble than the Rajsbeny-Bujhj and are in many parts of this Pro- vince, and its a difficult matter to root them out, when once planted ; they have much the faftie Virtues with the European Rnfsberry. bur arc more binding. The European Raf berry thrives and bears in Carolina to admiration, and is as grateful and pleafant truit in it's kind, as any in the World j and are to be met with growing in moft ol their Gardens. This Fruit has much the lame Virtues with the Black-Berry, but is more Cor- dial and lefs Binding. The Black-Berry grows after the fame manner as thofc with us, but their Brambles or Stalks are not fo thick or long, and their Fruic is not to be coaDpare4 with ours, bciog North CAROLINA. 91 being ill tafted and bitter, but has much the fame Vir- tues, viz,, cooling and aftringent; the Juice, with Honey, Allum, and red Wine, faftcns loofe I'ceth. The Dew-Benys grow on fmall Brambles or Stalks a- bout two or three Feet long exactly like the Black-heYry, This Fruit is fweet and good to eat, arid like our Black'' herry in fhape, but is as red as a Rai-herry when ripe, and has much the fame Virtues with the tormer. I will in this place give an account of the Strawberry though it be not a Shrub. The Straiu-herrys in this Pro- vince are not only large, Iwect, and good, but in as greac plenty as in any part of the World, growing almoft every where, and are the firft Fruit the Hogs feed upon in the Spring. The Planters in their Canoes go to the Iflands (which are to be met with in feveral parts of the Rivers) and pull what quantities they pleafe, bringing generally home their Canoes full of this pleafant Fruit, from thofc parts where the Hogs can't come to feed. They quench thirfl, help inflammations of the Stomach, comfort the Heartland revive the Spirits, help difeafes of the Spleen, and Reins, provoke Urine, are good againft the Stone and Gravel, and are ufefull in Fevers, by cooling and comforting the inward parts. The Honey- Suckles or Wood-bind ( whereof there are four Sorts I have already given an account of) arc very plenty in this Province, and are much the fame as thofe with us, but do not grow fo large. The Leaves and Flowers are peroral and Diuretick,and cure Afthmas and Coughs, outwardly they are Cofmctick, and take away Scabs and Pimples in the Face, the juice is vulnerary, cafes wounds in the Head, flrengthens the Neryes, and makes an excellent gargle tor fore and dry mouths. The TeHow-JeJfamine is to be met with here in feveral parts of the Woods, and not only affords in the Summer- M 2 time. 92 The Natural H 1 3 T O R Y 0/ time, when it is in it's fplcndor a moft delightful profpect, but likewife a pkafant IhaUe and a graictul andfrat^ranc fmdl CO thok th it pais through the Woods. The Flow- ers ate an cxtciitnt petiumc, an (Jil made of them with Qii ot Olive IS of excciknt uie in Convullions, Cramps,. a^d Sucehjisin the fie The Flowers are of the nature of Camomiley and are good in all nard and cold (welWngs, in Ciyiteis, help the CoUick and pains of tne Womb, and cur? the Schirrus thereof, help delivery. Coughs, fhort- ne(s of breath, Pieurilics, pain of the Stomach and Bowels. Ifhail in the next Place give an acc^unc of the Vmes that this Country produces; and firlt the European Vtmsy wnicii thrive well, and their produce are extraordinary great, the Lands of Carolina being as pr.-pcr iot Vines as ;any in the W orld, yet there are but few Vineyards plant- ed in this Colony at preierit, for 1 have (etn bur one (mall one at Bath-Town, and another at A'irwj, of the whire Grape, the fame with the Madera, 1 have drank of the Wine it produced, which was exceednig good. Though of late they have got Slips of feveral Sorts of curious Vi^esy which no doubt wall fooii come iQ per- fection, there being nothing wanting but inUuftrv tomake this as fine a Wine and Oil Country,as any in Europe, a$ mav appear f.om the few Tryals that have been already inade. Ripe Grapes eaten largly, often caule Diar^ rkea's yet the Stones (lop vomiting and Fluxes, being dried and given in Powder. When they are dri^-^ in the Sun, they are goodagainft Coughs , Afthmoi, Colds, Qb" firuBionSy Ulcers in the Mouth, Lungs, Kidneys, and many other parts; ontwardly, they ripen Xwwor^, help Gouts, Cangreues and Mortrfications, Tic. Fines that are Spontaneous and pcoducc Grapes in Caralina, are of fix Kinds, and arc as follows. The Fox-giape^ whereof ther^^^y.^, ^r iQr.t^jLlWOof which - - ' "" arc ^ N9ftb:QAROLlH4. 9^ are call'd the ikimmffr-Fox-gra^^^ becaule tiiey are ripe in Ti^e other tyfo ^f^c eali*d the Winter Fox-grape^ i^iecaufe they are noc rip^ till Jc/'^fw^^r or f th^ fiirtie bignefs^with the former, and are very plenty jn mofl parts, refilling neither Swampy,^Dry,^Hi:.y^oc.Sandy Grounds to grow in,, and are gre^f er prodnejcVs ?han rh^ former, and when thorow ripe, hav^ a Vinous Flavour and eat well, but are as Glutinous, have a^ (i)^c^,J^i)l$> and th^ Leaves as large as the other ifort* H- i ?£ ji/j ;..! , The White are very dear atnd' trafjfparent» and have indifferent fmall Stone?. They jjjake very pleafant Shades in all parts of the Wppdswhi^re they grow; and if they are tranfplantedj thrive wondcjrfuUy. I have feen Sfems of thele kind ot Vmh ^^^f ^ex4 thiclar than a Man's TlVgh. ■ - ...,:h.:.0 •-: \:. :■ .o A , The fmall J^ck' Grapes grow plentifully in Carolina^ and have large Quiisrs or Bunches growing together like 94' Th Natural HIS T O R Y 0/ like the European. Thefc Grapes^ though very froall, arc well rclifli'd, and plentiful Bearers, taey have a thick Skin and large Stone, which makes chem yield little Juice, which is of a Crimlon Colour, and hath a Vino as Fla- vour. The Black Grapes znd the following, are not ripe until Autumn. There is another Black Grape, exadly referobling the other fmall Black Grape, only the Juice is of a lighter Colour, but as well reliflied as the former. The fmall ff^hite Grape is to be met with in this Pro- vince, but is very fcarcCj growing in few parts ot the Wood§, yet its Bunches or Clufters are as well knit to- gether, and as well relifli'd, as any of the former ; all thefe Kinds of Grapes might be indifferently ufed in Phyfick, as the European's are. The Planters pull and eat fome of thefe Grapes when they are ripe, and frequently juice them, whereof they make Vinegar, which is all the ufe I have feen made of them, as alfo of all the -Other Spontaneous forts growing in Carolina. What remain in the Woods ate devoured by feveral Beafts (that climb high Trees) and the Birds. I (hall in the 'next place give an Account of feveral other forts of i^/Kf/ (growing in this Province) that pro- duce, no Grapes, fome wHefeof afe moft beautiful Evcr- Greens, others affording moft plestfaht- Shades and fra- grant Flowers, and are as f-)llowsi"' : 'firffy the Starlet "if umpet Vme\ fo called, from the glorious red Flowers^- like a Bill or Trumpet, which it bears, and makes a fine Shade in the' Woods where it ■growis,' inferior tb nbhel ever fa^i ; It lofes its Leaves jfwb'ich. are large)^ in'thfc Winter, anid -remains naked un- til the Spring. It bears a large Cod chat iiolds ics Seed, Jbuc I never fawany ufe made of itS'Baiy Lea Ves, Flow- ers, or Seeds, in; fhyfickolr othet^ifc* ' ^ 'd^\ - Ther^ North CAROLINJ. 93 There is another lort of Vine which I know no Name for, but ic is a beautiful Evcr-Gtccn, with Leaves like the Jtjfammey but larger and ot a harder Nature, this grows to be a large Vine, and twines itfelf round the Trees i it grows near, and mnkcsa fine Shade. It bears a B/ack Berry which is noL ripe ciil Winter. It is a very Ornamei,ral Plant, and worth tranfpUnting ; for I never faw any thing make a more pieaianc and delighiful Shade to fit under m thecxtrcamity of the Heat in the Summer, and likewilehom the Rain and feverity of Weather in the fVinter. But what Virtues it may be endued with, is uncertain. The May-Cocky is a Vine (o called, from an Apple which it bears, and is ripe in that Month, it has a beautiful Flower, and the Fruit is of an agreeable f vreetnefs, mixt with an acid 1 afte. Ic is a iummer-Viue, and is naked all the Winter 'till Springs at which time it buds, and in the Summer Sealon is very Ornamental. The Fruit of this Vine is cooling and quenches Thirfl. The Oak'Ftne is no Tree, but fo called, from a Burc it bears like the Oak, and generally runs up thole Trees, it's Stalk or Stem is fo very porous, that you may iuck Liquors through it at a length of two or three Feet j I know no other ufe it is for, never having fecn it made ufc of amongfl either Chnjitans or Indians, in any manner of Diforder. The PoyfonouiViney fo called, by reafon it colours the Hands of thofe that handle it, of a yellowifh Colour, buc what Ufes or Virtues it hath, is uncertain, no Experi- ment as yet having been made of it. The Juice of ic ftains Linnen, never to be wafh'd out by any Art. Ic dyes a black. (h blue Colour, this is done by break- ing a bit of the Vine, and preiTing with it's End whac ^ark you chuik pi^oper. Ic ^uns up any ^ree ic meets with ^ The Natural H 1 S 1: O R Y of witli, and clafps round it. Tne Leaves of this Vine are {hapcd like Hemlock, and tali oti: in the IVmter. '^^ hi: Smul/ Bumifoo isanoiiier kind ol- Vne, grows in wet low Grounds, and is feldom chicker than a Man'^ f ingtF J ».hc Si.em is like Uie Sweet-^nef, hill of Prickles and Joints, buc very tough. Tliele Vines bear fmall Black-berries, their Root is like a round Bail, which the Indians boii ("as we do any Garden Root) and ear, which they iay is good and i»ouri(hir>g,' Wliet) thefe Roots have beta GUI of tne Groui.d for lome time, tiicy becoue ex- ceeding hard, and niakc Heads for Canes, on wnich feveral Figures may be cut. I know of n6 oriier ufeS made of them at pre lent. Prickley Bind-weed^ or SarJafariSa, is a kiiid of Prickley VinCy not unlike aie former, it groweth plentifully in le- vcral Places, but efpccialiy on dry Lanos, or the Banks of Rivers. It nas many Branches ta full of iharp phtkfes with certain clafping Tcndrcls Oike feveral of tht other Vines) with which it takech hold upon Shrubs, or what- ever is next to i:. One (ingle Leaf groweth at each Joints like that of Jvy, frequently mark'd with little white Spots, and guarded or bordered about the Edges with crooked fbarp Pritkles. The Flowers are of a whitifti colour, and fragrant fmell. The Berries are like thofe of the , wild Vine, green at firft, and red wl^n thty arc ripe, and of a biting Taftc, wherein is contain'd a black Seed,' like Hemp, the Roots arc long, and grow deep in the Gr<'und. It is good againft Catharrsy all manner of Dt^ fu^ionsj (jouty and PoXy being of a Sudtrijkk Nature The Indian Figg^ltee. commonly ca ;*d the Prtckhy< Pear. This ftrange and admirable Plant, caH'd fitu^ Indita, grows in great plenty, especially on the Sand- bank' and dry Land, and feems lo be nothing but a mnl- tipiicicy of Leiives i (hat i$> a Ties made of Leares^ wichowt i^orth CAROLINA. 97 ivichouc Body or Boughs, for the Leaves fct in che Ground, do in a fliorc c/ T.me take R ot aiid pro- duce otiier Leaves, cha: grow one abo e aaotiier, 'cdl luch lime asthey arepreir^ tall 1 ke a Titt;, their Leaves Ipread.ng out like Houghs,! imetimes mo c or kfs acc^rd- ing to the difference ot uie Soil it grows in, addi ig oae Le^f above a-.other, wnereby it Ipreads over a great piece of GroUiid. Thefe Leaves ate loj.g, broaf^, and thicker than aMai.'s Hand, of a cieep green colour, fee full of lo. g ftidrp and (lender Prickles. On the tops of thefe Leaves come forth long Flowers, not unlike chofc of che Pcmgranact-TiQt, and of a yellow colour, after which is produced the Fruit, like the common i^/^, or fmall Pear, in fhape. The outfideof this Fruit is of a gre.nilh Colour, but within it is full oFred Pulp ot Juice, ftaining the Hands of li.ofe that touch it with a languine or bloo.iy colour. The tops of thefe Pi£s are invironed with certain fcaly Leaves like a Crown, wherein are contain'u fmall G^aln^ that are che Seeds, which being fown, bring forth Piants round bodied like the Trunk of other Trees, with Leaves placed thereon like ihe former, which being planted in the Ground, bring forth Trees ot Leaves al(o. The Fruit ot this Plant is lufcif^us and Iwect, and frequenrly eaten, buc mull be well cleaned from the Prickles, otherwifc wherever they enter, it's a hard matter to gee tiiem out, and fr.quencly leave Knobs in the Skin. Upon this Plant grow certain ExcrekenceSi which in conti- nuance of time become InfedSj which are the Co':hcnete, To much valu:;d, for oying the bed and richeil Scarlet Colours. I have already made mention ot it's changing the t >lour of the Urine l;ke B'ood, whereby many at firlt figat doubted of their Recovery, imagining what they . ^Qi^%^ Id hi puce Bivod, being altogether Strangers ^% The Natural HISTORY of CO ii's tffedsupon the Urine; whereas it only gicschis high Tiuaure, without any Paui, as I nave frequently experienced. We have no certain Account, from the A'iticnts, ot the remperaiuie or virtues of this Plant ; yet 1 iini very certain, mat it is inuowed with many ex- cellent Qualitie J and that the Juice of it's Leaves are goou agauik Uicers ot long continuance. Burnings, a.id inflammations in levcral parts of the Body. 1 iius naving given you the moll exact Ace .unt that V Icoula iearn of the Ttees, Shrubs, and Vines, that;his Country naLurally prv»duccs (Bur undoubtedly there arc many ocne bpee-ies tnac are not yet known, whicn time and cnquicry mult oilcovti) 1 (hall tlicretore proceed to give an Account oi the Euroitan Fruit-trees tnat areto be met with here, rnoit of wnich thrive well. And firft oi UK AppLij and tneir d iff;- rent SjCcies. 1 ns GJden-RujJet is an excellent Fruit, and thrives well J this Apple, and the following forts, arc loon ripe, and have grcdt pi uuce. Tne Red ihak*d^row well, whereof they make Cyder in many placei : But for the moft part, tlule and the other FruKS are only Food tor the Hogs, there being fuch plenty ot moft kinds, that they are little made ufc oi or ref;ardtd. The Summer and IVtnter Pearmaint are apt to fpeck and taint on tlie 1 rec;»,efpecially the South-(ide of the Fruit, arid the Trees aie tiequcntly damaged by (mall vVorms, that brtcd in fcveral piirts of the Bark, which cut Circles atout tiiC Brai chcs, anu fomecimes round the Body of the Trees and ;eliroy the Bark that it f .on dies (efpe- cially above thole Circles) for want of a (ufficicnt quan« tity ot Juice oi Nourishment from the Roots, to produce Leaves and Fruit, this frequcn iv happens in the heat of the Weather, whwn the 1 icts are lodcft WACh F uic. The ISiorth CAROLINA. 99 The M'^imer 'Queening thrives well, and produces ex- celkiit and durabiC ^init, of whicn the Flauccrs make good Cyder, and is feldom prejudiced by che Woims. The Harvy-AffU^ hkewiic thrives well, whereot they make Cyder. The Lbiither-coats, both Apple, and Tree fland well, have as great pr^uuce, and thrive as weJl as any in this Province Tne Jenneting is an early Fruit, thrives well, but is fcon gone, in this warm Climace. The Coddling looks as fine and fair to the Eye as any Fruit in the World, yet the TreeTutiies aiccr the lame m.ini>er as the Pearmains do,or rather worfcjfjr they com- monly cije before they come to their full Growth. The Planters make the firft of thtir Coddling Cyder againft the Reaping < t ihe WhcJt, which is in the beginning of Jum^ as I nave already made mention. The Long-ffalk, is the lame here as in Europe, it thrives well, and m^kes good Cyder. The Lail)'Ftmer^ or Long- Apple, is the fame as in £«- Yope^ and tull as good. Tne re arc feveral other lorts 06 Apples in this Counrry called by different Namej;,accord- ing to Peoples fancies, and mofl of thtm good for Cyder. All thefe Fruits are very cooiii'g, therefore go'^d \a In- flammations and Fevers, they gently looftn :hc Btlly,and are of excellent ufc in all Burnint's, Scaldings, tXc, and 'take away the Heat of St. Anthony* s Fire. I never met with the Wilding or Crab Tree grow- ing in this Province, or any other part of America that I have been in. There are feveral forts of Pears in this Country, all which thrive well, and are as good as any in Europe^ fuch are he Katherine^ ^^g^^-y Warden, Burgomot, Jen^* netingf Quince Pears, and many others, which are as well N 2 rchlhcd I oo The Natural HISTORY of reliftied as an) I have met with, but all thefc Fruits arc oi (hort continuance, bci.»g lojn ripe and alnaoll as iooii gone. The Qjiincf'Tiz^ uiri»es well, and is in plenty, and it's Fruic js as well relifhcu as m any part of the World, The Fiuit ea.en raw, is pieafant, of which the Planters |n.ike a Wme or L.qtior whicn they call Qumce-d/ink, aiiU is the btft D.iiik rhai Country aftords at prefent, thoi-gh they have pkncy of Cyuer, ana fome Perry m 'tie there. The) likewife draw a Spirit from this Fruit, Ajples, ana Peaches, which js as pleafjnt and grateful as any Brai.dy I have ever lafied. This Quince' d'ink, nioft commonly purges thole ch^t make ulc ot ir, and cleapies the. Btd), which is a contrary Effed to wh3t it ha'h m'Europe, being or an alitingeni Nature there; which contrary Etfedt muft cercainiy be owing to the difference ot the Climates. The lealt fl'p of this Tree liuek in the Ground> comes to perfed^ion, and will bca" in three Years. The Peachy whereof there are fevcral forts (thefe Trees do rot differ in Siiape, but in thiir Fruit onlv) viz, the Queen* fy the Nutmegs the iN/^-ty/w^^/W, and the grand C^r- nat.on Peacb\ the blacky the White^ the iiow i?, and the Indian Peath, and many other lorts, called by different Karnes, according to Peoples fancies, arc all /landing Treeslike the Apple or Pear, with us; for the Reader is to c.nderltand, that there is no (uch thing as Wall-Frnit in this Provmcc, there being Heat enoui,h, therefore do fiot require it. Thefe Fruits thrive to admiration, ccm- ming to Perfedion without any Pains or trouble, for the ground in thefe parts i"; io natural for thefe forts of Fruit, that a P acL-Bine being Planted, or failing on the Ground, wi'l t.'row and bring *brth a I eacb-tree that will Uar in three Years, or fooner. And it is to be obferved, that mrth CAAOLINJ, ici that in cheir Peach Q'chardi, and many other places where rhe btoncs tall, chey g.ow lo ch ck, cnat they be- come a perica Wiluerntlb or Trees, uuz the Planters arc obi gcd to pull Uum out ot the Gioui>d, as wc do Weeds put of our Gardens. Tiiey cenc-aliy bear L> lach plenty, ti at the Weight ot tl;e f ^uu :r q. e .c!y break oti- g-eaC L.mu'^ of Lhe I rces. The PUnters lometimes take .>ut tne btones .*iid cry the Fruit in tl e Sun, wn.ch tuey prcfc ve lor the Wmrer ; they arc giatcfnl co the Sto- nivCn, and caufe a good Ape ic: They alio n.alj^c a. Liquor oi them which is ytry cooIii»g, and good n Fe- vers, The Fioweis lopien the Be4;, kill Worms in Children, and open Obltruaions. '\ iii. Ittdum-Ptach Tree, is a lead of Peach commoti amoPglt the Indians^ which ihey cUim as their own, a.)d affirm that they had it g-owingamo. gil them before a »y Eurepeans came to America This Tree grows as large as any Apple Tree, che Fiowe s at ot a rcduifh Colour, the Fruit is gei.etaiiy larger than the common yedow Ptrtc/?,and more uownyjt is an extraordinary good Fruit, very fott ami tul' of Juice, will freely part from tnc Stone, wnich is much thicker than any of the former. Tiiefc Peacnes arc common amongft the Ldi m, and ihofe that live remote hom the Chriilians, liave no other fort : They arc a haniy Fruit, and fddom damaged by the Koith-Eaft Winds, as the other are. Of this fort there is made j^/w^j^^r, therefore fome call them Vinegar Peaches', though this may feem to be a Spontaneous Fruit, of Ant^" y;Vfl,yerin thofe parts already inhabited by the Europeans ^ I never cou'd learn that any of thcfe Peach-Trees were ever found growing wild in the Woods. The 7«^/^«.f have plenty of this fort of Peach, but fcarce any other is to be found anaongft them. They have much the faipc Virtues with the fprmcr. '-"'-— ^- ■ :rhf t02 The Natural HIS T O R Y 0/ The N. Barims^ whereof we have two forts, which are very fair and Urge, viz,, the Red, Mvhicn clings to cue Stones, and the Yellow which pares from them. I fee no foreign Fruic like thele for muviiig in ail fores ot Lauds, and ocdring to admiration. Tne Pianrcrs raile mcna from the Scone, which never fails to produce mc tame fore the Stone came from j tor 1 never obfcrvcd much Pains taken in either Inoculating or Pruning cacir Fruit Trees, as is caftomary in Europe^ notwichltanding they bear in as great plenty. This Fruit has much the fame Virtues with i he former. The Apricock-Trcc grows to be very large, exceeding mofl Apple Tiees. They are grcac Bearers, if the Seafoii proves favourable, but it otren happens in an early Spring, ^pd when the Trees arc full blown, that the North- EaTt Winds which happen in the latter end ot Ftbruar) or beginning of Marthy blaft and deftrciy mofl part of it's fruit. The Flowers are of a whitifh Colour, and the JFruit round like a Peachy Yellow within and wichout. Wherein is contain'd brown fmooch Scones lefs thamhofe of the i'^^cib, having a fweet Kernel. Thefe Trees arc generally raifed from the Stone, and never tail to produce las good Fruit as the Stone came from. The Fruit is • cooling and pleafing to the Stomach, but apt to fur- fcit; an Oil made of the Kernel is much of the fame Nature with the Oil o^ fweet Almondf. The Medlar ^v^c, I never obfcrvcd growing in No>th Carolina, but do not doubt it would thrive is well as any othit Tres irom Europei -i^^';^*^ Thi^ European WaS-mtszr^ very large Trees, and thrive is well hcfre as in any part df the World. There are two of thefc Ttees growing at Baih-Towny which were pro- duced from the Nut, and are exceeding great bearers, an^ the moft beautiful and fragrant, when iti their prime, of North CAROLINA. ,o| ol any Trees of tiiac Sort, I ever faw. Thcfe Trees arrive (ooiier to Fcrfe&ion here than in any part of France or Ufaitiy are excellent good Fruit (when ripe) and ufed infcveral Dilorucrs of the Body, fuch as malignant Fc* vers, Cc. The Cherry Tree. The common red and black Cherrf bear exceedingly well from the Stone, but would do much better had tncy been grattcd in the Miati Plum Tree Stocks, becaufe thefc admit ot no Succors or Scions to grow round the Tree, which the Cherry Tree is (ubjca to, and proves very prejudicial to the Trees and Fruit* Cherry Trees are not only liable to this, but (everal Apple Trees and other Fruit-Trees, which might be foon re- medied by a skillul Gardener, or careful Planter, whofc Genius tends that way. The Cherriei are ripe here a XKonch fooncrthan thofe growing in Virginia. The Fruic of the Black Cherry is good in EpiUpJies, Convulfions, Apo- plexies, Palfies, and many other Difordcrs ; the red is cooling, quenches Thirii, and good in Fevers, c^c. Tiie large round Hl.ck-Plunts, thrive well, 'and* be- come hrge Trees, if planted in Itift Grounds ; but they will not anfwer if planted in light iandy Ground, wherd they arc lubjed to be tome up by the Storms and* Squals of Wind, that are treqi-cnt in this Country. The lam« misfortune attends both Foreft and Fruit Trees, growing in thcfe kinds of Grounds. There arc fevcral oincr kinds of thefc Trees that bear Fruit of various Colour Fi- gure, Magnitude, and Tafte, but have much the fame yirtues with the Cherries, being of a cooling Nature. The Damfn Tree thrives well, and the Planter's Wires and Daughters make good Difces of it's Fruit. The Lcavts of thefc Trees are ufed with Rhenifi IVine'ioi Dt* fiuSims and fwdlings in the Jaws^nd Throat, The 104 ne Natural H I S T O K T 6/ r ^ ~~ — ~ r The F/^-Trce, of which there arc two forts, i//i; the greater and ihc Lifer. Tlie large Figg Tree hath" many Brancues full ot Pith wirhin, like Lider, and large Leaves of a dark green Coloui", divided into fevcrai Divi- fions. The Fruic comes out of the Branches wUiouc any appearance of Flowers, that I could perceive, waich is in fhaj c like Ptars, This Tree, nocwitliliauding ic' grows to be very large, yet beareth ti.e Iclfer Fruit, which it produceth in abundance, efpecialfy if planted in U^^hc Lands, for ic thrives no wnere better than on the Sand Banks, and near the Sea (h )ar. This Fruit being bro- ken i^ef )re it is ripe, yieidwCh a white glutinous Liqaor^ but w^cn the Figs are ripe, the Juice of it is like Honey ^ and as fweet. The lejjer or [mailer Fig Tree, is like the former in it's Leaves and Fruit, but (eluom cx.eeus feven or eight Feet in height, growing more like a Bulh than a Tree. The Fruit IS ripe in Julyt very Iweet and lufcious, and confi- derably larger than the tormer. If the Froit proves fe- vere in IVinter^ the Tops cf this Shrub decay aad dye. As foon as ihc ^-^prtng approaches, it fprouts ind bears vaft quantities of Fruic 1 tould never obfcrve any Flow- ers it ha9, for it c,omes oat of the Branches, like the former. The Leaves oftbefe Trees arc /harp, opening, and vulnerary; and being appiie 1 with the Roots of Marjh-mallows , wafle away the Kin^s-Evil, and all hard Tumors ; the Fruic '\\ lik.:vvifc uied wiwn good fuccefs in the fame Diiorders, the Jucc or Miik is Cofmctick, and with Bar ley-meal Ski^di La d, help the Gout and Piles ^ 8cc. The Filhrd- 1 ree beini^ planted here, in a few Years degenerates into a fnall Dwarfifh Ni*ty no bigger tllaa th^Ha^h, yet \i*s Fruic is as gwd as any ir» Europe^ buc few are cither fo iniuflr'ous or curious to plant rhefe Trces^ there being lu^aqianticies of ipwinca/teous FruiCi Xh« ( North CAROLINA, 105 The Orange-Tree groweth to be as large as a fmall I'ear Tree having many thorny Bougi.s or braiiciiesi the Leaves are partly like thoic of the Buj t>ee,. thcie, and their Flowers fwhfch are ot a bcauuful colour) yitid a moll fragrant Smell. The Chriftiiiii Inhabitants have planted many of thefe Trees ok late, which ciuive toUe- rably well, elpecially near the Sca-Coafl and light Groui^d, where they chieflly oeiighc to grow. The Fl wer.^ arc of great Ule in Perfumes ; a Water maae of them is Peroral i and helps fevers ^ the outward Rmd is very iiut, dry, ana of thin parts; itexpeiis Wind, and comf' res a cold Stomach. The Bead-Tut J fo called From it's Fruit refembl'ng • Glafs-Beads at a diftan> t. It bears Flo'A-t-s '''nuch like thofe of the Olive) which fmcll Iwtet. Ir tfows in a round Bunch about four or five Feet high, and is to be met with in many of their Gardens ', their Fruic are as large as Peas, and hard when ripe, b) afily driU'd, tvhereof are made Bracelets, and icveral other Toys. It is ornamental in Gardens, and the Flowers are good for Oh/lru^ions in the Head. I'he Decodion of the Bark with Fumitory and Myrohalans, help Agues. The Leaves and Wood are accounted deadly to Bcafts, and the Fruit is very dangerous, if not poyfonous. The Gaofeberry-Txtt, or Bufh, does not thrive here, though I have frequently met with it in their Gardens, but of a dwariifh Kind to what we have in leliind, and other parts o( Europe, bur I am peifwaded that if ic had been planted in their Swamps or moiit low Grounds, ic would thrive and bear well. The Red and fVhite Currans thrive much better here than the former, and bear tollerably well when planted near a fhade, or in moift low Grounds. The Fruit is Cooling and grateful lothe "^tomach, ^ O ^ The Io6 The Natural HISTORY o^e, and o-her Pitts, ana are to be mtt with in moft Planters Gardens, efpeci- ally the common luhne and rtd Rofeyhwx. kw of the other forts. The Roftrnavy is not a Spontaneous Shrub In Carolina, as in France, Sp in, and many other pans oi Europe, in the (ame Latitude 3 bur is to be m«c with in moil ot their -Gardens, and thrives well. There are many other Frui s in this Country, that I am a Stranger to, which are hercficia! and advantagious to the Planter.*:, not only for their own Ule, l>ut likcwifc in ftcding their Swine, and makein^j them exceeding fat, and as well uiled as aii> in the Wotld. OF V Ground Squirrel le pollum l^lyin^ Squirrel .•■^■— ■~""^ Sorth CAROLINA. 107 OF THE BEASTS. TH E BuffelOy or viild Btef, is one of the largeft wild Beaiis that is y«t known in thefe parts of America ; it hath a Bunch upon it's Back^ and thick (hort Horns, bending forward, lliny rc- portcih in the eleventh Book of his Natural JJtf}oryy zhsiZ the Horns oi one Buff elo's Head were fo large tnac they contained or held two Meafures, call'd Urnay which is ab.>ut eight Gallons. This Monftcr of the Woods fcldom appears amongft thcEuropean Inhabitants, it's chiefeft haunts being in the Savannas near the Moun- uins,or Heads of the great Rivers. Their Flcfti is very courfe, and nothing to be compared with our Beef, but their Calves are (aid to be excellent good Meat, as in all probability they are : And it is conjeciur'd, that thefc Bufelo^s being mix*d,and breeding with our tame Cattle, vrould much iopcove the Species for Urgenefs and Milk ; O % f«r jo8 The Natural HISTORY of for thefe Mongers (as I iiave been intorm'd) weigh from 1600 to 2400 pounds Weight. Tliey are a very fierce Creatuit, and mucti laigcr clian an Ox. The ludiam cut Liv^ '- bkiiis vito Quarters, tor the cafe oi J'ranfporta- tion OL ^wfriage,anu frec|ucnrly maKe Beds ot them to lie on ; they 1 kewife fpin tncir Hair into Garters, Girdles, Sufhes, ana tuc i,ii'*,oeing long and curled, and Ircquent- ly of a black or red C/>£j/ii«j colour. Or thefe Skins and the H'iid BuU'Sfthc belt Buff iS made. Their Horns wou'd ferve tor feveral ufes, lucli as drinking Cups, Powder- liorns, Lanterns, and may other Neceflaries, being tranf- pareni wheri wrought ; Rings maue of them are faid to help the Cramp, and the Liver the Spleen ; the other Putts have much the fame Virtues with the Ox. There were two of the Calves of this Creature taken alive in the Year 1730, by (omc of the Planters living near Neus River, but whether they tranfported them to Europe j or what other ufes they made of them, I know nor, having ©ccafion to leave that Country foon after. The Elk is a monflrcus, large, ftrong and fwift Beaft, in fliape cxadly like a Deer, but bigger than a Horfe, and is repoJted to be fearful, and fubjed to the Epi'epfy or Falling fuknefs. They have two large Horns, which ex- ceed in weight all Creatures that are. yet known in the Ntw World, Their Neck is fliort and thick, but the Ears and Back very long: Their Colour is likca/Zizm, ai d fometimes all White. Their Flefh is not near lo iweet as the Falkw-Deer, being much courfer and ftron- gcr. Thefe Creatures may be made Domeftick, and it is faid, that they arc fo fwift, that they will run more Miles in one Day, than a Horfe can in two. . Some take the J^lk for the Red Deer oi America, but I am credibly in- formed, that they are of two different kinds, and that they \vill nfver breed together. Their Horns generally weigh North CAROLINA, 109 weigh twelve or fourteen Pounds. Thefe Beads are plen- titully to be met wuh in the Savannas near the Moun- tains, and Heads of Rivers: It is reported that fome of them are Icvcnccen Hands high. Several partsof this Ani- mal are uicd with good Succels in Phyfick, and efpecial- ly the Hoots of the Mak's hinder ^eet, which have a plea- lant fcent when they are burnt. The Stags are iwift in Motion, and are faid to be a lopg-liv'd Creature, they arc plentituUy to be met with in or near the Mountains, but are not fo large as thofe in Eurofe, yet much larger than any Fahtu-Deer. They are fat ail Seafons of the Year, and it is laid, that fome Dttr on the Mountains afford the Occidental Bez^oar, and not produced from the Goat, as fome have reported. The Flelh nouriflies almoft like Beef, but breeds much more melancholy Juice. The Taiiow makes incomparable fine Candles, and their Horns and Skins are a good Com- modity. There arc many valuable Virtues afcribed to the fcveral parts of this Deer, and aU the other iorts, and not undcicrvedly, which are fo well known, that it would be ncedlefs to infert them here. The Fallow-Deer are taller and longer Legg'd in Caro^ Una, than thofc rhat arc to be met with in Europe, but neither run io fall, nor arc fo well Haundicd. Their Shingles arc likewife much longer, and their Horns fland forward as the other incline backwards. Towards the Salts, they are not commonly fo fat and good as thofe oti the Hills, and near the Heads ot the Rivers : They arc in great plenty all over this Province. Their Noftrils and Throats are frequently found full of Bots or Mag- gots in the Spring, which make them very poor at that time; but as the 5'«»fwey approaches thcfe^c/j become the moft beautiful Butter- fiies immaginable, being large, hav- ing black, wiiitc, red, and yellow ilripes in their ^'ings. - "' The no The Natural HISTORY (f The Fuviits are beaucituUy moLtlcd with rows or ifripcs of whifc and brown, winch omy continue 'till they Arc one Year old. Dccr-skiJis arc one orrnc bell Commodi- ties that ISoyth Catolina attords, wJiicli the Planters cx-» pore ill greai Qiiantines toe England aind otiicr parts. The Lyon ana Jack-uU, are lu,>poied to be m Carolina^ from an Account the Indians give us, who rtporc mat near a Lake cf V/accr, towarus ihe Heaa ot Ntus River, there is a Creature th' IS in (hape iomewhat likcaL;<§i/j, but has a (hoit >Ji;ck. His Skin is mofl beautifully mottled with (tveral kind ot (pots refembling the Panther^ only the former are hot fa round, nor have fuch difterent Colours. They are large, ftrong and fwift Beads, but ate never to be met .with . in the Settlements, being more to the Weilwardjwi on this and the other fide of the Moun- tains, but are \ery fcarce and feldom to be found in this province, by what I could learn from the Ldtans; and in cur Journy up towards the Mountains wefaw but one* They iiave a great many young Ones at a time, and arc very iicrcc and bold Creatures, and will fpare neither Man nrr Beafl to fatisiie their Hunger, as I have been informed by the Indians and feme of the Planters who have feen and kiird them. Pliny rcporteth that the young Ones 2rc carried off in the following manner in India^viz,. The Hunters lie in wait to efpy when the Tygrejs is abrOad, that they may have an opportunity to carry off the whole Litter of Whelps at once, upon very fwift Horfes pre- pared for that End. But when xht'tygrefs returneth and til deth her young ones gene, fhe purlueth moft fwiftly thofe that carried them away, by the Scent. But as foon as they perceive the Tygnft approaching near them, they let fall one of the Cuh, which fhe taketh in her Mouth,' and runeth back to her Den with it, and immediately purfueth again in queft of the reft of her Whelps, thus fte runneth Co and from her Z^rw, unci! luch time as the Hunters North CAROLINA. 115. Hunters have an Opportunity to embark and get off with part of the young Ones. The Flefli of this Bcaft is eaten by the Savage Indians^ who fay it is as fweet and good as Beef. The Tvier is much larger than a Gray-hound, with Ihining Eyes, crooked Nails, fiiarp Teeth, and Fcec having many Toes ; they love their young extreamly, which may be tam'd by giving them Opium, as it is re- ported i the Fat is good againft PalfieSy &c. The Panther is of the fpecigs or kind of Cats, is near as large as the T>/er,and much of the fame fhape, the Skin is of a reddifh or whiti(h Colour, finely mottled with fmall round black Spots, and the Hair is fhort and mojfy. It is laid, all four-footed Beads are wonderfully delighted and enticed by the fmell of the Panther, but that theic trightful Countenances foon fcareth them away, where- fore they hide their Heads 'till they come within reach of their Prey, which they leap upon and quickly devour. They climb Trees with the greateft agility imaginable: They ae very ftron^ limb'd, and will catch and take a piece of Meat from any Creature they ftrikc at. Their Tails are exceeding long, and their Eyes are large and of a grayifli colour, yet look very fierce and fparkling. They arc very deftrudive to the Planters, being a fwifc Bcaft ol Prey, devouring Swine, Deer, or any other Crea- ture they can Mafter. No Creatures are fo nice and cleanly as thcfe in their Food, and when they have got their Prey, they fill their Bellies with the flaughter, and carefully lay up the remainder, covering it very neatly with Leaves and Boughs of Trees, which if any other Creature happens to touch, they will never cat any more of it. They pur like a Cat, and fuch is the wildncfs of their Nature, that altho' taken young, they are never to be tamed. They will hollow in the Woods like a Man, by which means many have been deceived, fup- P 2 poling 116 The Natural HISTORY of pofing it to be fome of their Acquaintance that hol- lowed, yet 1 never hcar*(i of any Body being hurt by them i and th^ fmalleft Dogs will make them rake up into a Tree, where they generally remain 'till they ire fliot by the Huntimcn, and if it happens that they don't kill them outright, thefe and the Bears are a very dangerous Enemy when they are wounded, to the fluntfmen j bur more cfpecially to the Dogs that ap- proach too near them. Their Flefh looks as well as any Shambles-meat whatever, and abundance of People eat them as choice Food. The Indians make warm co- vering for themfeWes in Winter of the SKins, though it is not cftecmcd amongft the choice Furs. Their Skins drcffed, make Upper-leather for Shoes, or Gloves for Men and Women, 'The Fat is hot, dry, and cofmatick, and helps the Vertigo^ Palfie^ Scah, Ring-viormSy and Va- rices (or fwelling of the Veins.) The Gall being drank, prefently kills, for it burns the Humours by its violent heat, c2LU'Cm^ConvulJtonSi vomiting of Crrfn Cholor, and Death. It is reported that iome Poyfon their Arrows therewith, that they may kill the fooner. The Mount ain-caty To called from it's living in the Mountainous parts oi Amertca, fcldora appeareth or ap- proacheth near the Settlements. This is likewifc a Beaft of Prey, as the Panther is, and is neareft to him in bigncf^ and Kature. They feldom do any Mifchief to the Plan- tcrs, bccauie they are fo remote from them, their conti- nual haunts being in and near the Mountains, otherwife they are moft deftru^ivc add fierce Creatures. They wiP niiiiSly climb Frees when purfucd by Humfmen and Dogs, where they remain till they aie fliot, but if only {lightly woanded, will fight moft Ilefperately, tearing the Dogs in pieces that they chance to meet with, which {eldom happens, by reifon (o many hunt in a Body to- ■' ' £«her^ North CAROLINA. 117 gether, who are always well armed, and ready for fuch Enc.mricers, ocherwilc thcfe BeaQs would be dan crous Eiicrnics to meet withchus wounded, in chefolitary part* ot the Woods. Wfaacufes are made oi thefe Beafts are uncertain, bccauie they fcidom or never appear or arc kill'd by the Planters near the Plantations, and what ufc the Indians make of chcm wc know nothing of ac pre- lent. The Wtld-eat is likewife another Bcafl of Prey, and is quite different from thofc in Europe, being more fierce, nimble, and large ; they have a very large Head, yet their Tails do not exceed four Inches in length. They arc of a fine Tabby colour, and as large as a Fox. They make an odd and frightful fort of Cry in the Woods at Night. They are dextrous in climbing ot Trees, which they do with the greatefl Agility imaginable, and Prey as the Panthers do, being great deftroyers of young Swine. They take moft of their Prey by furprize, for they get up into the Trees and kill Deer as they feed or pafs by near them, by leaping dircSly upon them, and fo fallen their Teeth into their Shoulders, and thus fuck their Blood -till they die, as a IVeefel does a Ral>ht with us, (o that you fiiall lee the Deer run through the Woods in this manner, 'till at length for want of Strength he falls to the Ground, and becomes a prey to his Enemy. Thus they take every thing by furprize. not being able to catch any thing by running. They delfroy Harer, Birdi, and every thing they meet that they are able to conquer. The Furr is made ufe of in Srcmachcrs for weak and cold Stomachs, in lining of Muffs and Coats in cold Countries. Their chiefcft haunts are ioi Sviumps, PerkQrJanSy and amongft the HoSovi-Canes. Tliey are not near fo numerous now as they were feme years ago, the Planters continually meeting and killing chem as u8 The Natural HIS T O R Y 0/ as they hunt in the Woods. Their Fac is externally us'd for feveral Pains, and Aches, tor which it is good. The Pol'cati ( by fome called Scunks ) of AmerUay arc di0erent from thole in Europe^ being much thicker, larg« er, and of various Colours ; not all alike, but each dif- fering from another in their particular Colours. They fnjell like the Eurofcan Fox, but if pofTible, ten times ilronger, and more offenflve ; When a Dog encouuccrs them, they pifs on their Tails and fprinkle it on him, by whicn means he (hall fraella Month or more, fo that he is not to be fuffered to come into the Houfes ; and if it fhould happen to touch ones Cloaths, the fmcil by no means can ever be difcharged, except they be buried in the Ground for fome time, which Method ends general- ly in the lofs of the whole Suit. The Indians love to eat their flefh, which has no man- ner of ill fmeil when the Bladder is out. They feed in the Woods on Rats, Mice, Birds, and fomctimes Fifh. They arc eafily made tame (and frequently come about the Planters Houfes at Night) yet few covet to entertain Gueftb fo -offenfive in their fracll. There is another fort ot Pol-cat in moft refpetts like tnofe m Europe, and I have been informed, that there are \ynite ones to be met with in and near the Mountains: I know no ufc made of their Furs, or any part of them in P.hyfick. The Minx is a fmall Animal, much like the Enjlifi J^iiliman or Pol-cat, being long, (lender, and every way like him. The haunts of thefe Beafts are chiefly in the Mardicsby the Sca-'^de and Salt-water, ^hcre they live on Fifh, Fowl, Mice, and Infe&s. They are very bold Thieves, and will fteal Fifli or Fowl from you in the Night, and will venture to take it even from under your Head when you arc afleep. They are like wife found a great way up the Rivers, in whofe Banks they make Hole* and Norph CAROLINA. 119 and live, which is known by the great quantites of frefh Water Mu/fel-Jhells, that lye at the mouth of their Holes. They are great Enemies to the lortoife and lerehm, whoie Eggs they find and fcratch out of the Holes in the Sand, which they quickly devour, as the Racc$ons and Crows do. Thefe Beads may be made tame, and are the greateft deflroyers of Rats and Mice in the World, and were ic not for their paying unfeafonable Vifits now and then to the Poultry, they would be in great efteem amongft the Planters. Their Skins are g©od and valuable, provided they are kill'd in the Seafon j I never knew any ufe made ot this Animal in Phyfick, except the Fat for Pains and Aches. The Wolfy is the Dog of the Woods ^ for it Is reported that the Indians had no other Ctjrs before the arrival of the Chrifiians amongA them. Thefe Wolves may be made do- meilick, but they are not fo large or fierce as thofe in Europe^ they are no Man-flayers, neither are there any Crcaturs in Carolina (except they be wounded) will at- tack Man, Horfe, or Dogs. They go in great Companies together in the Evenings and at Night (efpccially in the Winter-time) and will hunt down a Deer in full Cry, as well as the befl Pack X)f Hounds, one of them will hunt down a Deer, but they are frequently fo very poor that they can hardly run or purfuc their Prey. When they arc very hungry, and can take no Game, it is reported, they go to the Siuamps and fill their Bellies full of Mud, and if afterwards they chance to get any Flefh, or {linking Fifh, they will readily difcharge the Mud, and eat the other. They make a moft hideous noife when they are in purfuic of their Prey, and will follow the Indians in great droves through the Woods, who only kill the Deer and other Bealls for chei( Skins, and generally leave mofl part of , " * ' the l2o' The Natural H 1 S T O R Y a/ the dead Carcafs behind them, on which the (f^ohts feed; this being what induces chcm co follow tiie Indians atter that mai.ner. Formerly there was a Rt;ward (in ihis Pro- vince) for all thofe that kill'd them, wi.ich made tne In- iiam to adtive, that they brought m fuch vaft q^jantitics ohiieirHeadSjthatin afhorttimc it became too burthen- {omc t6 the Country, /u that it is now Jaidquue alide, and the Indians wiM not kill them. The Planners formet-ly made Hoies\'r P. rs in the Earth to take them in, where they killed great Numbers, but their Dogs being led to thofe Places by the Scent of the Baits that were laid for the Waives, Eftoil of them were deftroyed, fo that thii method is entirely ncgleded, and they are become as nu- merous as ever, beijig. as great Breeders as our Dogs and Bitches.' Tliey arc bntfma;ll,miny being no bigger than midling D>)gs, rhe)^ ate ^ery crafty, but fearful Creatures, for chey feldom of never ^fttack or kill either Foles or Calves, but are very deftrudive to Sheep, if they are not carefully put up in their Pentolds at Night, and cfpecially if it prove ftormy Weather, at Whiluck out the Filb, yet it {omt times happens that the Ojfter fhurs and holds fail their Paw 'till the Tide comes in, by which means they are frequently drown'd notwich- ftandiog tney fwim very well. This Animalis very fond . of Crahsy which are plenty in this Province, and the way they take them is very remarkable and diverting, fqr when he intends to make a Prey of this Fifli, hegoes to the Marfhes on the Water fide, and Handing on the Land he lets his Tail hang down in the Water, which the Craif takes for a Bait, and faftens his Claws therein, as foon as the Rac0tn perceives it, he of a fuddci' fprings forwards a comiderablc way on the Land, and brings the Cralf with him ; as foon as the Craif finds himfclf out of his Element, he immediately lets go his Hold, and then the Raccoon encounters him, by getting him crofs-ways in his Mouth, and fo devours him. There is a f tt of 124 The Natural HISTORY of Laud-Crabs in Cmdina, which are commonly called i'ld- /erjjthele live ail along the Sea Ihoar, and have Holes m the Sana, intowliich they run whenpurfued by any kind of thing. Thefc Crabs the Raccoon takes by puttuig his fore Foot in-o their Hole and pulling ihem out, which is very cliv crtmg with a tame one. The chief of his other Food IS wild and tame Fowl, all manner oi Fruits, Green O rn, and the like. ThisBcaft and the Poffum, arc much ofabignefs. They arc very dexterous in climbing of Tiecs, and often make unleafonable Vifit-S among the Poultry- Tbe Indians and Negroes frequently* eat them, andtftccm them very much. The Furr makes good Hats, and Linings for Coats in cold Countries, and the Skins drcfs'd make fine upper-Leather for Women's Shoes, and Gloves for Mtvi. The parts ol this Bcaft arc much of the fame Nature and Virtues with tl'ofe of the Otter^ and may be indifferently ufcd after i he fame manner. Tht Foxeszvczs largeas thofe in Europe^ but generally of a gray Co i ur, they have rcdifh Hair about their Ears and are molt commonly fat, yet 1 have never known any Perfon c.t thdm, notwiihftanding they have not that flronci (mtll that the Foxes in Ireland^ and other parts have j yer they are asmifchievousin their Nature. When chey are Hunted, they run up the firft bending Tree they ireet with for Security from the Dogs, where they gene- rally remain 'till forced down or fhot by the Huntfmcn, but whether they Burrow in the Ground, I cannot inform the Reader, (fori never metany Fox-Holes m the Coun- try) They are never to be made ta:^!^ ^^ familiar as the Raccoms and other Bealls in that Country are. The Furr of this Animal, if taken in the Seafon, is very good, and is ufedfor Muffs, and many other Ornaments. Their Food is chiefly Birds, Fowls, Rabbets, and fuchlike fmall Prey. The Fat or Oil helps Nodes ^ coniraBtd. •Sinewr, - . Pains North CAROLINA. 11$ Pains ot the Joints, Gout, Palp, and many other Difor- The PoJJum is to be met with no where but in America, that 1 couid ever learn, and is the wonder of all Land Animals j it is near as large as a Badger, and partly of that colour, but lighter. The Klales i-iki is cec ogade, and in time of Coition differs from moll other An,mals, turning tail to tail as Dog and Bitch when tied together. The Female no doubt breeds her young ones at her Teats, for I nave frequently (een them Itick faft thereto, when they have been no bigger than the end of a Ch.lds little Finger, and feemingly to move and be alive. The She one has a falfe Belly or Pouch, which owers her Teats and wherein (he carries her Young ; in the middle ot* which is a Hole where the >oung ones creep in and out, for the Fcmalp will 1)C down upon a Bank, and the young come out to fun themfelves, and iteturn in at Pleafure, yet the Female will contrad: tiiis Pouch fo ferure and clofe togerher, that fhe will Iwim over large Ponds and Creeks of Water with h^r Young, without any danget of their being drowned. They have about five or fix young ones at a time, which remain fporting in and ouc of this falfe Belly, till they are able to fend for themfelves. They have long Tails without Hair, like a Raf, but as thick as a Man's Thumb; and appear as if they were Scaly, which they wi ■■ readily twine about your Finger or Cane,. in which Pofturc you may carry them where you plcafe. They aie a very flupid Creature, being alto- gether negligent of their own Safety, and never ftrivc to flie from their Enemies, as it is natutal for all other wild Beafts to do. In ihape, they are moft like Rats of any thing, and have very wide Months and (harp Teeth. They are hard to k 11, for I have known their Sculls mafhed and broken in pieces^ fo that chey Teemed to he ia6 The Natural H IS T O R Y^ 0/ quite d«ad, yet in a few Hours they will recover and creep about again ; and it is a common faying in Caro- lina, that if a Cat has nine Lives, a Pojfum has nineteen. Their Feet are very white, lott, fmootti, and without Hair, and have five Toes upon each Foot, but the hin- der Feet more refemblc a Man's Hand, with a Thumb and four Fingers, than the tore-Fecc do. Their FJefla is generally fat, white, and well talted, feveral Perfons cat of them, efpecially the Indians and Negroes^ who prefer them before Porky but their ugly Tails are enough to put one out of Conceit with them. They climb Trees as the Racoons do, and feed on Fielh, Poultry, Roots, and moft kinds of Fruits. Their Furr is not efteemed, and tnerefore made very little ufe of, only that the Indians fpin it into Girdles and Garters, The Fat of this Beaft is much of the fame Nature of that of Hogs. The Tef- ticlcs given with Honey ftir up Luft, and caufe Concepti- on, That Animal which the People of Carolina call a Harty is nothing but a Hedgs-Cottey, for I never met with or heard ot any of the Species of the European Hares being in this Province. The Hedge-Conies never Burrow in the Ground, but continually frequent the Woods and Thickets, and if you ftart one ot them and purfue it, it generally runs up as far as it can into a hollow Tree, in which cafe the Hunters make a Fire and fmuke the Tree, which brings ir down, and moft commonly fmo- thcrs it i though I have frequently feen thcra purfucd and taken by Dogs, yet I never obferved any taken after that manner, but their Bladders wctc seady to burft, whicii the People in that Country would perfwade me was a Diftempcr amongft them, whereof they frequently die. They hide their Young in fom fecret place from the dif- covery of'the Bucks, ^% thz European Rakkets do, and are of Sorth CAROLINA, 12-] ot the fame Size and Colour. At certain Scafons of the Year, giear^o^i 01: Maggots breed betwixt the bkm and the Flcfh, which turns mtomoft beautiful Buttevfiies^Wkz thv ie in the Deer. They eat much ahcr the fame man- ner as tdole in Europe do, but 1 never obferved any of them lo fat. 1 he Planters frequently fire the lilarlhes and Thickets, by which means ihey kill abundance of them. The Fitfli ot thele nburifhes more than that of the Hare. 1 hofe of the European Species of Conej/i or Rabbets arc very fcaicc in this Province, and are to be met with but in iew places, fo that it is thought that they aie not natives oi this Country, but that they have been brought from EuropCy to thefc parts. They Burrow in the Ground (bit in two places that 1 know ol) like thofe with us, Ti efe as well as the former breed Maggots in their Telticlesand other parts of the Body, which become moft beautiiul Butter-jlus ; they eat after the fame manner as thofe with us, aiiU their Furr is for the fame ufcs, and the parts of this Animal have the fame virtues in Phyiick with the former. The Squirt eh whereof there are four forts in this Pro- vince, v/x. The Fox- SquirrelythtGra)'Squtrrel, the flyings Squiriely and the Gound -Squirrel. The Fox-Squnrel, fo cali'd, from its being the largcft, and fm-lling like a Fox. It is moft commonly larger than a Rabbtt and of a gray colour, yet I have fecn fevcral Pyed ones, and fome white, red and Black. Theic ch cfeft haunts are inPincy Lands where the Almond-pine grows. They feed on pine Nuts and all other (orts of >^uis, and Fruits, of which they lay up a fufficient ftorc in hollow Trees for the Winter, during which Scafonthey rcvcr appear abroad. They may be made tame, and arc very plenty, and good Meat in this Province, but very 128 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ very diflruCiive and pcrnicicus in Corn Fields. The flelh is iwcec and good iike chac ot Gcati or Rabbets. T ne fmall Gray-^qunrel is much ot the fame nacurc and bignefs with tuolc in Eag/and, there being only fomc fmall difference in the coiour. They tccj like the former on Corn and Nuts, (7c. and iiKc the Bear^ arc never found with Young, gcither arc they to be met with in \J inter, but lie in the hollow Trees during thac Seaf- on : Their Fltfh eats rather better than the former. The Fatofthcfc ^iquirreli is EmoUienty and good againfl Pains in the Ears, and tix Tccih, are faid to be uicd b'^ Ma- gicians in foretelling things to come. The Flyini'Squirrel is of a light dun Colour, or Gray, like the tormci, but much fmailer than any of the other two. It has nu Wings (like a End or B^it) only a fine thin Skin covered with Hair, as the reft of the Parts are. This is from the Fore- feet to the Hinder- feet, which they puti'fuilof Wind at plcafue; and this buoys them up, that they will fly witih incredible fwiftnefs,a[nd at greater . Diftanccs than any other kinds of Squirrels do, by their jumping or (pringing. They lay in a lufficicnt Store of Pro^ ifions for the ff^'mar, which arc generally Nuts, Corn, and fcveral forts of Fruits. They are a render Creature, lie very warm in their NeAs ^which arc made of fine Downj not appearing all the If ?k^k, being unable to bear the Cold ana fevcrity of the Weather, arid generally half a dozen 6r more lie together in one Neff,' which is always in a holiow Tree, and have their Stores of Pro- vifions near them, whereon they feed during tht cold Weather. They are eafily made tame, but Entrtiies to Com-ficlds (as all the other Sqnrirels arc) and only cat the germinating Eye or Bud of the Grain, which is very fwcct. The Fielh oi this Squirrel is as goQd as any of the former. North CAROLINA. 129 The Ground Squirt tty To called, becaufe they feldom delight ill running up Trees, or leaping trora Branch to Branch, as the other Squimls do. They are the Imalleft ot all Squirrels, being not mu^h bigger than a large Muufgy and their Tails are not fo long or bufhy as ihe tormer, but more flattilh. They are of a reddiih colour,and finely flripcd down each fide with black Rows like the young Favmiy which make them very beautiful; they rr ay be kept tame in a little Box with Cotton in it, bccauft. chefc as well as the Flying Squirrels nevet flir or appear aoroad in the IVimerj being a very tender Animal, ana not able w bear the Cold. Thefe have much the laimc Viitues and Ufes with the other forts of SqMrrels. The IVtefel is likewife to be met with here, but not io common as in feme parts ot Europe ; I fee no manner of diftererxc between them in Ibape, colour, or bignefs. It is very itrange what fbme Writers have laid of the Gene- ration and Conception of this Animal, who confidently afTure us, tliat they Ingcndcr at the Ear, and bring forth thtir Young ac the Mouth. Pliny reporteth, that whca they encounter and tight with Rats^ they ufe Rue as 3L piefervative againft their Bite. The Parts of this Ani- mal are good in Fevers, Gouts, and Pains of the Joints^ Head-aches, Falling-ficknefs, Epilcpfies, and many other Diforders. Tliere are four forts oi Rats in this l^rovince, ^;/z..thc Mushy the Marjhy the Heater ^ and the Houfe-Rat. The Musk-Rat is partly ol the colour of a Rabbet, and is ift all things fhapcd like our IVater-Ratj only lome- thing larger, and has Hair or Down upon it's Tail, longer than the foimcr. It frequents the Marflies near the Frefli-Water Streaiiis ( as the Bcai/ers do) and no where clfcj and builds in the Marfhcs, having thr^e lodg- ing Rin foon difpatchcs him, by preifing him to Death between his Shells, and there leaves him. In Europe they are called the Land-tortois, and ace plenty up and down the Woods of Carolina; they feed on Snails, Tadpools, or young Fro^s^ Grajs, AluJhroomSj and Dew and flime of the Earth and Ponds. Their Eggs are very nourilhing, and exceed- inggood Food. They never appear in Winter, but lie all that Seafon in Holes in the Earth, without any man- ner of apparent Provifion. The Water-Terebins have a Shell on their Backs and another underneath, like the former ; they ate but fmall, containing about as much Meat as a Pullet, and are ex- traordinary good Food in May and June, at which time they make Holes in the Earth, where they lay vaft quan- tities oi Eggs, which are hatched by the heat of the Sun and Sands, as the former are. They come out about the bigncfs of a fmall Chejnuty and feek their own living : It is incredible what quantities of Eggs, thefe as well as the pthcrs will lay in the Seafon, but they^have fo many S 2 ' Enemies 140 The Natural HISTORY of Enemies that find them out (efpecially Hvgs^ Racoons^ and O'otuf, &c.) that the hundredth part never come to pcr- fedion. For during the time they arc laying, you will fee the Hogs andjR^foowjhuncing all along the Water iices till they find their Eggs, which they root out of the Earth, and lo devour them ; this is the reafon they are rot fo plenty in this Province as tormcrly they were, though they are ftiU numerous enough. I have frequently eat of them, which are as delicious a Morfel as ever I tailed, if well drefs'd. Their Virtues and Uies are much the fame with the Tortoife. The FifigSf whereof there are feveral forts, but none fo remarkable as the Bul^-Frcgs^ fo called, horn their bcl- lowiog like a Bull, which makes Strangers wonder (when by the fide of aMaifh) what's the uiatrei, h^r they hear the Fr/o«in any relpciS : It is otthc £/z,- ard kind, but much bigger than any I ever faw in Europe. It's Back isot a dark Copper-colour, and the Belly of an Orange. It is very nimble in running up Trees,or up- on Land, and is accounted very Poyfonous. This Ani- mal hath the moit Sets of 1 eeth in the Mouth and Throat of any I iiave feen, but what they prey or feed upon, lam an intire ftrangcr to, and likewife their Ufe in Pnyfick. The Green-Lizardsy in this Province are as large as thole to be met with in Europe, and arc very harmicfs and beautiful, they frequently refortto the Walls of the dwelling Houfcs (efp.tcially in the Summer fcafon, for in IVinter they aie not to be ken) and (land gazing on the Inhabitants, without any dread or fear, being very tame: They arc of a mofl beautiful Green colour and have a little Bladder under their Throat, which they fill with Wind, and evacuate at pleafure. There are fcveral other forts of Lizards of various and changable Colours, but none fo beairtiful as the Green ones Thcfc Lizards are mortal Enemies to the Spiders and Toadsy yet their Fiefli eaten is hurtful, caufing In- flammations, Tumours, and Blindnefs ; the Head be- ing outwardly applied with Salt, draws out Darts, Thorns, and things flicking in the Flefh , it likewiG: wafleth Wcas, and other hard Swellings. The Gall caufeth the Hair to fall off, and their Eggs kill fpeedily, except a f udden Remedy be exhibited made of Falcon's Dung and Wine. If they bite, they leave their Teeth behind them, which caufeth continual Pain, until they arc taken our. The Gray^Lizards are very common, and the Snakes feed upon them ; for I have taken feveral of them out of the Bellies of the Snakes. In 142 The Natural HISTORY^ In the MoJitb of June, ^73^f « I was travelling in~ the Woods together with ociier Company, we tound an InCedt fulling itlelf at the Root of a large Pine Tree, about t;h€ thicknefs of a Man's Finger, and three Inches long, it was beautifully ftriped with Circles of Black- and White. The Mouth was partly like the Mouth of a Frog, but not fo large, it nad tour (hort Fcec, but no Tail; it was very iott, but the Skin exceeding tough^ and it moved very flowly. Not one of the Company could give me an Account what it was, neither could I ever learn from any I converfcd with, or fhewed it to, having preferved ic a confiderable time in Spirits ; but I take it to be a Species of the Lizards, and have there- fore ranked it amongft them, not knowing by what other Name to diftinguifh it. Having thus given an Account of the Frogs and LitL- ards, I fhall in the next place proceed to give an Ac- count of the SNAKES that this Country produces, beginning with the moft poyfonous, and concluding w-ith thofc that have none. And firft. The Ratte-Snake, fo called from the Rattles at the End of their Tails, which is ^a connexion of Joints (and kern as if decayed) with a thin covering of an excrcmen- titious Matter, between the fubftance of a Nail and a Horn,- Nature undoubtedly defigning thefe on purpofc to give Warning of fuch an approaching Danger, as the venemous Bite of thefe Snakes are. Some of them grow very large, as fix or fcvcn foot in length, and about the thicknefs of the fmall of a Man's Legg. They give Notice to fuch as approach their Danger, by rattling rheir Tails, which may be heard at a great Diftancej they are (harp fightcd, and quickly discover any thing: approaching. North CAROLINA, 143 approaching them a great way off. Their Skins are all over full ot thin tender Scales, with a Ridge through the middle of them, of an Orange-tawny, and blackifh colour, beaucifully mottled on their Backs, and their Bcllys an Afh colour, inclining to Lead. The Male is eaiily dil^inguiflied from the Female, by a Spot on his Head of a black Velvet colour, and his Head is fmallcr fhaped aad longer. Their Bite is very vcnemous if not fpeedily remedied, and cfpecially if it happens in a Vein, Nerve, Tendon, or Sinew, where it is diffi- cult to be cured. The Wound grows black, or of a livid colour, caufing afwelling in the Parts j dimnefsof the Eyes, palenefs of the Face, Swooning, and Death, if a Cure be not applied in time. They arc a majeftick lort of Creature, and will fddorh or never bite (except they are provoked) which they cannnt do until they gather themfclvcs into a Quoil or Circle, and then will fpring at a good diftancc to bite whatever provokes or injures them, otherwife they are moft peaceable Crea- tures, and never attack or moleft any one. The Indians pretend to charm them, fo that they can take them up in their Hands, without any danger of being bit; but how far they may be expert in this kind of Prac- tice, is /till a Secret among them, but this I am certain of, that they arc famous in curing the Bite of chefc and moft other forts of venemous Creatutcs in thcfc parts. They have of late communicated the Method how to cure the Bite of the Rattle-Snake to the Chnfiians, which almofi every Planter is very well acquainted with. This Cure is perfedcd by chewing in the Mouth the Root of an Herb that bcareth Tuffts or Buttons at the top like Scalfions, but not of that Colour ; this Root is as hot in the Mouth as Ginger j and about the fame thick- ncfs, it is called the Rattle- Snake'Rooty iiosn it's curing - -' the 144 ^^ one gets hold of it at the other end, it will twit't ic felf in pieces. One of thefe Snakes, whofe Neck feems to be no thicker than a Woman's little Finger, v^'ill fwallow a Squirrel or Rat, which I have taken out of their Bellies^ fo much does that part fire cch in al! tiiofe Creatures. It likewife feeds on fmall Infects and Flies, taking them betwixt the forks of its Tongue. The Eel-fnakcy though improperly fo called, becaufc it is nothing but a kind of Leech that fucks and cannoc bite, as other Snakes do, but is very large, being com- monly eighteen or nintcen Inches long, and has all the Properties that other Leeches have, and lives in Ponds as they do. " There is likewife a Leech in this Province, of the famebignefs of thofc with us in Europe Having given as large an Account as is yet known of the Snahs in thefe Parts ; I will in the next Place pro- U ceed 154 The Natural HISTORY of cced to treat of fome of the fmalkr Reptiles or Inftds that are moil remarkable, and to be met with in this Country i but to give alarge Defcription of all the dif- ferent Species that this Country produces, would require too large a Volum, which is not my inicncion at pie- fent. Belides the Indians give us many Ttrange and un- couth Names for various kinds of Bcalls, Birds, Filhcs, Snakes, and Infeds, that we are intire Scrangers to ; for the greateft part of this fpacious and large Couiicry lies ■wafte at ptclent, and undoubtedly there will be many curious and confiderable Difcoveries made, when once this Country is well fettled and inhabued by the Chriflians, for the Indians whilfl they remain in their Idolatrous Practices, never will be brought over to cul- tivate this rich and noble Country, or even to make Difcoveries of what they know of it already. But to proceed to the Reptiles aad InfeBs, The Bees are in great Plenty, not only in Hives, in the Planrcr*s Gardens, but arc like wife to be met with in fcvcral parts of the Woods in hollow Trees, wherein are frequently found vaft quantities of Honey, and Wax. The Ufes and Profits of thefe noble Infers, arc fo well kuown amongs us in Europe, that it would be ncedlcfs to trouble the Reader about them. Their Bee-hives arc generally made of feme piece of hollow Tree, and efpecially the fweet Gum Tree, which they cut at pro- per lengths for that purpofe, with a Board at the top for a Covering ; thefe are all the iorts of Bee-hives madcufe of in this Country, fome whereof are larger than our Barrel. The Humble-bees arc of the lame fort in this Province as thofe wich us in Irekndy and oth:r parts of Europe, The North CAROLINA. 155 The Silk- "worm s '. In feveral of our Journies in this Province, we found great numbers of thcra, with quan- tities of Silk as large as our ordinary Wad-nut. And no doubt thcfe profitable InfeEis might be brought to great Pertcdion in Carolina, as in any pare of Europe, if the fame Care were taken there as is in France ^ Spam^ and many other Places, iince this Country doth naturally produces them. In proccfs of time, they leave off Spin- ning, and receive Wings like Butter-fliei, and after three or four Days Copulation, the Male presently dies, and the Female having lay*d many Eggs, dies alio. The whole Worms dried, powdered, and laid to the Crown of the Head, are good in Megrims, Virtigoet and Con- vulfionsy and the Alhcs of the Silk cleanieth Wounds, Crc. The Butter-Jiies are produced from fmall Eggs as the Silk'worms are, and are very plenty all over this Pro- vince, and of feveral forts : lome large, and others fmall, and moft beautifully Mottled with variety of fine Colours. They generate in Mi^, June, and July, and lay vaft quantities of Eggs in the Seafon, from whence they are produced. There are fomc of them larger in this Province than any I have met with ia Europe, for you (hall frequently fee them chacc rhe Humming-birds away from the Flowers oji which they feed. It is a long lived Infeft, after the Head is off; for I pulled off the Head from one of them in the middle of Summer, that lived above thirty five Days, and could flie all that time. This any one that pleafes may try and prove the Truth ef it. The Powder of thefe Infers taken in- wardly, provokes Urine, and have much the fame Vir- tues with the Silk-worm. The Grafs-hoppers 2ixz very plenty, whereof there are two Sorts ; the firft are of a much larger fizs than U 2 any 136 The Natural HISTORY of any I have met with in Europe, The fecond are much of the fame bignefs as thofe with us. Both theie forts fecm to be more lazy and dull Infeds than thole in Eu- rope, for they arc feldom heard finging, but commonly are groveling in the Dufl. They are likewife bad fight- cd, for they will fcarce ftir 'till you almoft tread upon them. Of all Creatures that are known to live, the Grafs-hcppers alone have no Mouth, only a fharp Pipe in their Breafts, wherewith they fuck in the Dew, on which they live. Their Breafts are full of fmall fharp Pipes, with which they make that ringing Nolle we hear, and their Bellies, for the mofl part, are found empty. They engender with their Bellies upward, and have a roughnefs on their Backs, which is fharp, and it is with this that they make Holes in the Earth, where they lay their Eggs, and breed. When thefe Eggs arc hatched (which is by the heat of the Sun) there appear firft little Worms or Maggots, which in procels of time become Grafs-hoppers. The Males arc only faid to fing, and the Females to be always (ilent. They are never to be met in thele parts in the IVinter Seafon. The Powder of them dried and given with Pepper, helps the Cholick, difficulty of Urine, and the Afhcs with Rhenijh ^Wine the Gravel. Stwsy or Hog-lkey breed in moft places, efpicially un- der Stones and rotten Wood, whereof there are two forts in this Province, but not fo plenty as with us, by rcafon that the Wcod-peckersy and fevcral other Birds and Creatures continually devour them. When they arc touched, they gather thcmielfcs up as round as a Pea, The whole Infed is thin, and of volatile Parts, digelling, cleanfing, opening, and a gvcat difolver of all tartarous Matter, therefore good in all Obftrudions, Jaundice, Cholick, King's Evil, old fordid and rebellious Ulcers, Convullions^ North CAROLINA. 151 Convuliions, Scone and Gravel, Rickets in Children, dimne{$ of Sighr, French Pox, and many other ftubborn and lingring Dilotders. The Ftre-fly. (I would not have the Readers be mif- caken, and take thefe Infers for the Pyrales or Firt-fiies that are reprefented by Tliny in his Natural Hiftwy, as bred and living in the Fire.) Thefe live in the open Air, and are fo called, from their appearing at Night like fo many fhining Sparks of Fire. They are as long as the Drones amongft the EeeSy but much thicker, and are of a brovrnifh colour. Their Light is under their Wings, which appears frightlul to Strangers at fitft fight, although they have no raannet of harm in them. I have frequently taken them and broke o£f their Wings, that they could not fly away, and placed them on a Bock in a dark Room, and whatever way they went, I could plainly fee and diftinguifli each Letter. They appear in Mayy and remain moil; part of the Summer, and are at fometimcs in fuch plenty, that the Woods fecm to be altogether Sparks of Fire ; they are never to be feen in the Day, but fly all the Night. What Virtues they may be indued with, are uncertain ; for I never knew any ufe made of them in this Country. The Crickets are winged Infers like the Locuflsy or Grafs- hoppers, and are plentifully to be met with in this Province. They feldom frequent the dwelling Houfes as thofe with us in Ireland do, but are often heard and fecn in the Woods and Corn-fields (efpecially in the Summer) where they Sing almoft continually, in Hunter they approach near the Houfes and other warm places, they are very mifchicvous, for they frequently cut large holes in Linnen and Woollen, and are likewife great devourers ot Corn and all kinds of grain. The Powder of them is laid to provoke Urine, and flrengthen the 158 The Natural HIS T O R Y 0/ the Sight, their Juice has the fame effed, and their Afhcs excellent againft Fluxes and the Gravel. The Lady Bird is a beautiful fmall Infect (with red Wings and black fpots thereon) which the Children in /re/«K^ frequently play withj it is to be met witn inCaro- lina in the 'Summer time,and is a wonderful Cordial,curing all Fevers how poyfonous or malignant foever, by its fudorifick quality. The Powder of its Body is ot' a deep Purple colour, and emits its Tindure into Water and Spirits of Wine, being not inferior to Saft'ron. The Cantharides or Spani/h-fites, are here likewife to be met with in the Summer time. Thefe Infers are pro- duced from fmall Worms like the Catter-pUiar in F/g-Tree$ P^^r-Trees, W/i\d-Pims or Pitch-T rccssind the EgJantine- Brier: Their ufes and virtues are fo well known, that it wou'd be necdlefs to trouble the reader about them. The Pifmire or Anty is a fmall, but induftrious and wife infed, gathering its food in the Summer in the full Moons and reding in the new ones: They are like a com- mon wealth, and gather Corn for their Winter provifions, which they dry and bite at both ends that it may not grow : They wear away^tones by their afliduity and make beaten Road ways ; they fielp one another in drawing their Burthens; dam out Water and bury their Dead. The greater lead the way, and lefler drag the Corn ; and when dirty, they cleanfe themfelves before they enter into their habitations : They teach their young to Labour, but expel the Idle, and when they car- ry their grain, it is faid to be a fign oi fowl Weather. They caft up the Earth over the Mouths of their Caves (that the Water may not enter in^ wherein they have three Cells ; in the one they live, in another they breed and bury their Dead, and in the third they keep their Corn. They generate in fVimtr^ and bring forth Eggs, which North CAROLINA. 159 which in Spring arc AntSy when old they grow winged, then fuddcnly atter die. The Ants are of a hot and dry Nature, excite luft, and wonderfully refrefh the Spirits, their Eggs help dcafnefs, and many other excellent virtues are atributcd to them. The Spider is a poylonous Inlcd, which hurts by flinging. There are divers forts of thefe Infeds in Ame- ricaj but the moft remarkable is the Mountain-Spidery fo called, for its being found commonly in the Woods near the Mountains, and fcarce any where clfe. It is the moft poyfonous and largeft of all Spiders that arc yet known ill America. Several forts of thefe Spiders ' mzkc thtii: Webs or nets (o ftrong that they often take fmail ^irds in them. Thofc that have the Misfortune to be Iruug by thefe infeds, are afHided with different diforders, ac- cording to the Nature of the Spiders, which have com- municated the poyfon. For you Ihali fometime find them afflided with violent pains at the heart, fhortnefs of Breath, heats and colds all over the Body, tumors. Inflammations, tremblings, cold fwcats, vomiting, fing- ing, laughing, talking, fleeping, flatting, and fometimes fear, frenzy, and madnefs, with many other griveous fymptoms, which often end in Death, without a fpecdy remedy be applied. The cure is done by ba'thing with decodion of ilinking Trefoil and Oil ; fomenting the part with Spungcs dipt in Vinegar, by application of the mullet, lees of Wine and Juice of Ivy ; giving inwardly an tlcStusLvy msidQ oi 7amariskyMithridatey^nd fometimes Mujick. The Indians cure it by fucking the part with their Mouths, and continually fpitting out the venom. Thefe lafeds being made intoaPlafler and applied to the wrifls and Temples, cure Agues. The Ear-viig is to be met with in this Province in the Summer tirae^ and is the fame 4s in Europe-, thefe Infeds being l6o Tfjc Natural HISTORY/ being boiled in Oil and applied to the Arteries of the Temples and Wrifts, arc (aid to cure Convulfions, by caufing a Fever. Their Powder mixt with Hare's pifs, and fo put into the Ears Evening and Morning, cure Deafcncfs. The common SmallMack-flies are plenty in the(e parts, and are more troublefome here than in Frame or Spain, cfpecially about the Legs, and no where elfe, for they will pierce through a pair of Stockings, and bite like the Clegs or Gad-fiies in Ireland The large Black-mackrel -flies are aI(o plenty, efpeci- ally in the Summer time, and are the fame as thofc with us in Europe. The powder of thefc Infei^s and their Juice cures Baldnefs. The Ox, or Gad-flies, arc (o called, from their torment- ing the Cattle in the Summer time ,• they are of various colours, but moftly yellow and green, and are plenty in this Province in the Months ot July and Auguft, at which time they are troublefome to Horfcs, efpecially about the Ears and head, and no where eifc; for which rcafon you ftiall fee tfeofc that ride in the Woods, fix green boughs on the Horfss heads, to defend them from thefe mifciievous Infcds. The Moth is there likewife, and differs in nothing from thofein Europe, being as mifchievous and dellrudivcto Woollen Cloths and Books as thofe with us. An Oil made of them isfaid to cure Deafnefs,* Warts, and the Leprofy, and being mixed with Tar, to be good in all forts of rebellious Ulcers, Botches, Scabs, Whittles, ifcourics, he told me, he would make the Candle-flicks move about the Table by a certain Spell, as he pretend- ed : He had all this time kept the Candk-fiicks in his Hands on the Table. 1 was very defirou-s to fee this performance ; he immediately takes his Hands trora the Candle-flicks, and ftruck three times' under the Table, and feerned to mutter fome tew Worus (as Juglers are known to do) which he had no fooncr ^nd^d, but the Candiefticks began to move backwards and forwards, to my great iurprize, for I could imagine nothing elfe but that it had been fome fecret Charm he had go: froin the Indi/iyiii who are great Conjurers. After the Company had fufficienrly diverted thcmfclvcs at my furprize, and how uciirous I was to have this Charm communicated to me, one ot the Company takes up the Canuicflicks, a,nddifcovers thcfe Inlects, which are of the fame Shape, but fomcthing larger than the common Beetifs, that arc to be met with in Ireland^ which feed on the Cow-dung, and make Holes in the Ground. There are fevcral other different Species oi Beetles here, but none fo remarkable as thefe, or fo beautiful, with variety oF Colours, (uch as Red, Green, Black, Yellow, 0^c. (except the Horned- Beetle. Buu-fly, or Flying- fiag.) Thefe Beetles leem to be m.'ei;:tene; it difcuiles, moliihes, inc. cafes Mi:k, opens o.>ffruaions, and cures Uounds, principally .t the Sinews and Ligaments, and many o-her diforders, being both exccrnaUy and inicr- naliy made ufe nt. Trc -iuuiLs are here likewife, but not fo picntv as with ws in Europe-, having many Enemies thac conrinujily Y dellroy I -JO The Natural H I S,T O R Y 0/ deftroy them, fuch as Birds, Snakes, Frogs, &C. The flefh cools, thickens, confolidates, is pectoral, and Streng- thens the Nerves, cures Coughs, Afthma's, fpitting of Blood, and Confumptions. Outwardly they Ripen Tu- mors, Impollhumes, and Carbuncles, efpecially if mix'd with Ox-gatl, they heal wounds of the Nerves and Ul- cers of the Legs, cure Ruptures and flop Bleeding at the Nofe, and many other Diiorders too tedious to Name. Having thus given an Account of fome of the moft re- markable INSECTS that are to be met with here, I fhall in the next place proceed to give a Defcription of the BIRDS, and FOWLS that this Country pro- , duces, many whereof are not known, or to be met with in EUROPE. OF Wiia Turke North CAROLINA. n» O F T H E I R D S THE EAGLES being accounted the King ot the Birds, I fhall therefore begin with them. Of thefe there are three Sorts, 'viz,. the Bald, the Black,2iX\(\ the Gray Eagle. Ths Bald Eagle is the largeft, and is fo called, becaufe his Head to the middle of the Neck is covered with a white fort of downy Feathers, whereby it looks very bald, and the Tail is as white as Snow, the rell of the Body being of a dark brown colour. Thcfe Birds are very great breeders mofl part of the Year, and always build their Nefts in old decay'd Cyprm, or Pine-trees near the River's fide, where they generally lay two Eggs, and fometimes three, but they feldom have four -y as foon as they are hatched, and the young Eagles have down on them, with white woolly Feathers, the Hen Eagles lay again, which Eggs are hatched by the warmth of the young ones in the Neft, fo that the flight of one makes Y 2 room 1-72 The Natural HISTORY of room tor the others that are jult hatched j thus they con- continLe brcet^iiig moft pait of tiic Year. Tiiey not only prey upon JBirui, bcaiis, ana Filhes, but upon any thing they are able to deliroy. They are very deitructive to Pcultiy, Lambs, young Fawns, and Pigs, which they fitquently carry Squalhng into theAir^anu fo briny them •with tale to tiieir ) oung ones. They can fly trom Morn- ing till Night, and that very high, notwiLhltaiiding ihey are heavy of flight, and cannot get their food by fwitt- nef">, to help which, there is a Fijbin^-Haxuky that catches Filh, \vh;chit iufters the Eag/e to take from it, notwith- flanding it is a large and f wife Fowl, and can make far better way than the Eagle c an, and it is very plealant to behold the flight of thcic two Birds, which {omctimes continues for above half an Hour, at length it lets fall the Fifh which the Eagle frequtnfly catches before it touches the Eartii or Water. Theie Bald Eagki will likewife attend the Kunts-mcn, in the Wmttr time for leveral Hours together (but at a great diftance) till they fhoot fome ganae, which they frequently flie away with, dead or wounded. Their Nefls are made of Twigs, Sticks, and fevcral kinds ot Rubbifh, and generally fo large that it is enough to fill ahandlome Cart'sBody,andcommon- 1\ fo full ot nafty Bones and Carcafles that it Imells mofl oftenfively. It is the opinion of moft People in thofc parts that thefe Eagles are not Bald till they are two or three Years old. They are the fliongcii Birds ot prey tTiat are yet kr-own in thefe parts oi America, The Black-Eagles arc much the fame fort as are to be met with in Ireland, but not altogether fo large as the former, yet in all other refpe^s as mifchievous, and build Nefls after the lame manner in old Trees naked of Boughs, and nigh the River fide, from whence as I fup- pofcj they may have a profpeft of the Fifiing-Ha'wksy for when North CAROLINA, i']3 when they lee tiie Fijhmg- Hawk ihikea Fifh, immediate- ly they«take Wing and purlue Her. The Fijhmg-Hawk as loon as fhe perceives herlelf pur(ued, will Scream and make a moft terrible Noife, till at length fhe lets fall the Fiihy to make her own efcape. The Gray Eaghy is mucn ot the colour of our Kiteoi Glead, it is not quite as large as the tormer, bet Builds and preys atcer the fame manner, and is frequently to be met with all over this Province. All thcfe forts ot Eagles are very fLarp fii^hiedj view their prey at great diflances, and have the bell fmell ot all living Creatures. They are very bold Thieves, and live, to be very old, and die not for Age nor any bicknefs, bur ofmeer hunger, by reafon that the upper Beak of their Bill is fo far over grown, and turneth inward (o muchj that they are not able to open it to feed themfelves. They feldom fcek their prey in the Forcnt^on, for they are found fitting Idle and perched upon Trees all the Morning. It is reported that the Quills or Feathers of Eagles laid amongft thofc of other Fowls, will tot and confume them, which I have not fii|h to believe. The Flefh, tho' fcarce fit to be eaten, is medicinal againft the Gout ; the Bones of the Skull, in powder, are good againft the Megrim ; the Brain drank in Wine, helps the Jaundice, and the Gall is of excellent tile in mofl diforders of the Eyes, and appli- ed helps the bitings ot Serpents and Scorpions, &c. The Dung opens obftructions, and applied outwardly, ripens Tumors and pcftilential Buboes. The Fj/hing- Hawks, are fo called, from their continual catching of Fifhes on which they live. They may like- wife be called the Eagles Jack-alli for commonly aftec they have taken their prey (as I have already obferv'd,) they will flic at a great height in the Air, and cry and make a noife till fwch cime as the E^'JgU comes, and then they 174 The Natural HISTORY/ they will lee the Fifh fall from them, which the Eagle immediately carries otf. They ate a large and^itrojig Bird, beiny above two thirds as big astnc Eagle^ tney build their Neils after the laniemannei: as tht Eagles do, and thac generally by the fides or Rivers and Creeks, ^nd the Eagles and thelc Birds are leidom or n€vtr known to fie upon any living Tree. Tney are of a Giay Pyed colour, and xiie moit dexterous Fowl in Nature at catch- ing of Fifh, for they never eat any Fk(h-mcac. They arc a quick and Iharp fightcdFowl, will fly at a good iieighr, hover above in tne Air, and watch their prey, which as {oon as they have difcovcrcd, they will dart tnemtelvcs like an Arrow out of a Bow into the Waters, and break- ing the force thereof wich their Brealts, quickly catch up the Fifh and flie away. Butit fometimes happens thac they firike their Tallom fo faft in a large Fifh which they are not able to carry, that the fifh fuddenly tak^-s them under the Water (before they can difchargc themfeives) and fo drowns them. This I have been Eye-wimefs to, and in an Hour after it happened, got both the Fifh (which was a large Drum) and the Fijhing-Hawk. Their virtues andufes are much the fame with the Eagles. ThcTurkey-Butiz.ardyis a kind of fmall Vulture, which lives on all manner or dead Carcafl'cs. Their Head and red Gills refcmble very much thofe of a 7urkey, from whence it has it's Name. They are near as big as an Eagle^ and their Feathers are of a footy brown Colour. They are in great plenty here, and in the Northern Pro- vinces, and have the moft offenfive and nafty Smell of any Fowl I have ever met with. They arc a clear and fharp (ighted Bird, and their Flight is like that of our Kites; they (oar at a great height in the Air, for Hours together over the Carrion, 'tilliuch rioie as they find an Opportunity to prey on it. They fmcll at vafl Diftances, and North CAROLINA. ns and will very readily find out where the Carrion or Prey is, if it be even unacr the Leaves, or Boughs of Trees, or flightly buriea in the Earth by wild beafls or Dogs. They are iaia to be uttei Enemies to all manner of Snakes, killing all they meet with, for which reafon the Planters (eldom or never deflroy ^em or their Eggs. 1 hey do no mai nerof Harm, feeding for the moft pare on dead CarcalVes, which I fuppofe is the caufe that they are the itinkingeft of any Birds in thefe Parts. Tho Fat of thiS Fowl made into an Oil, is recomnoended a- gainlt old Achcb, and Sciatica Pains. The Kites are much the fame here as thofc with us in Ireland, but not commonly fo large. Thefe Birds moft commonly frequent the Northern parts of the Country, there benig but few to be met with in this Province ; and in South Carolina they are feldom to be feen. It is faid that tiiey are mortal Enemies to the Snakes^ for which reafon the Planters feldom kill them, or dcftroy their Eggs. Their Fiefh, though it be of grofs Nourifhmcnt, yet it is eaten by the poorer fort of People in fcveral parts of Europe, They are a very bold Bird, and a great deliroyer of young Poultry, and it is remarkable when they fee a young Duck, Chicken, dTc. far from fhelter, and lying expoied, how they will fly round it for fere- ral times, marking it, then of a ludden they dart down as fwift as Lightning, and catch it up before it is aware. A Powder made of them eales the Gout, and helps the Epilepfy J the Greaie is Effedual to the fame Intention, and the Gali is an excellent Remedy in moft Difordets of the Eyes. The Snake-Haiuky or Herringtailed'Haiuky fo called,' from it's beautitul forked Tail (like a SwaDow) and it's killing and feeding on Snakes, which it will do with the the largeil in thefe patts, with a great deal of dexterity and 176 The Natural HI S T O R Y 0/ andeafe. It is about the bigneis of a Falcon^ but a, much longer Biid. Thty are a beautiful Fowl, of a de- licate Aurora Coloinr, the Pinions of their Wings, and ends of their Tails, ate ot a jet Black. They never ap- pear abroad in this Province but in Summer, and wnac beconrics ot them in Winter is unknown. They are in the greatcft Requeft amongfc the Planters (who will not fufter them to be killed) by Reafon of their deitroying thofe pernicious Infeds, fo hurtful to Mankind. They are a tame anu familiar Fowl, will fly near one, and take their Prey, which is both diverting and plcaling ro the Eurppeans cfpecially • as for the huliam they do not regard them. It is ilrange to lee how they arc brought to thofe places where the Snakes are, about which they will flie for Hours together, 'till they have an Opportu- nity of killing fome of themj and it is always a certain fign of Snakes being near thole places where ever you meet them thus flying. I have obfcrvcd, when they take a Snake, that they always feize it in tneir Talluns near the Head, and fiie or drag if fome diltancc before they prey upon it, which tney do by tearing it in pieces. It's Virtues and Ufes are unknown to any in thole Parts. The Gofs'Havjks are very plency here, but do not ap- pear to be as large as thofe from the Northern parts of Europe^ yet fecm to be a very bold, Iwjfc and a&ive Bird in purfuing and taking their Prey, which is Geefc, Ducks, Cranes, Hares, Rabbets, and the like. The Flefli is fat and Jwcer, may be ufed as Food and hath much the fame v irtues with that of the Kite. The Dung is exceeding hot, and being drank fafting in Wine, is faid to caufe Conception. The Falcons are much the fame as in Europe ^ but Teem to be not aUogethcr lo large, yec they are i brave, brisk, and North CAROLINA. i']-) and quick-fighced Birds ; I Iiavc frequently feen rhenti kill Partridges, Parakeeites, and chc like. Thefc Hawks are moft comnaonly-to be (ten in Evenings, flying co the tf^e/iward, having, as it is luppoied, their abode and "NeiiS in or near the Mountains, where we may leafo- nably expect to hnd them, and feveral other Species thac we are iiitire Strangers to at prefent. The Mirlitiy is a fmall Biru in Europe^ but much fmaller in America ; yet it, as well as tiie other Species of Hawks, is a bold, ravenous, and qaick-iignted Bid, and nimbly kills leveral forts ot fmall l^owl, and iomc- times Partridges. It is amofl beautiful Bird, and would be a great Rarity, if it could be caught alive, or theic Young onei found, but they never breed near the Settle- ments, but as is fuppofed in the Mountains. The Sparrow- Hawk i$ not as big as a Fieldfear ^it fomc- timcs flies at, and kills fmall Birds ,• but it's chicFcIt Food is Reptiles, fuch as Grafs-hoppers, B'ltter-flies, Beetles, aud fuch like fmall Infedts. This Hawk is ex- adly the fame Colour of the Sparrow-Hawk in Ireland^ only it has a Black-hood by it's Eyes. The Hoblties, are a Species of the Hawk?, fomething lefs than the European Sparrow-Hawks, and much of the fame fize and colour with them ; yet there are but few of thefe kinds of Hawks to be met with in thefc Parts of America* The RingtaiUd-Hawky f© called, from it's round Tail, is another fmall Species of Hawks, with very fhorc Wings. They are trequcntly to be met with in feveral pares of the Woods : they prey chiefly on Mice, Rats, and fuch like Vcrmine, that are to be met with in the Marfhcs near Rivers and Creek's fide. The Owls, whereof there are three forts, viz,, the White, the Bnwn^ the Barn, and the fmall Screech-Owl. Z The I'^S The Natural HIS.TORY gf Tlic firft is thq great Urge OW, which is as big as a middhng Goofe, and has a prodigious large Head : It ij^ a delicate Feachered Bird, all the -Feathers upon the Back and Breall being Snow-white, and tiped with a puncial of Jet-black. They are a bold and ravenous Bird, clpcciaily in the Night, at which time they make fuch a karful howling, like a Man^ that they have often dgccived Strangers, and made them ioofe their way in the Woods, as I have been credibly informed by many inthofe Parts. The fecond is of a Brcwn, or dark Ajk Colour, and is as large as the former. Thefc two build their Ncfis in hollow Trees, where they lie concealed all the Day, but at Night flic up and down the Woods, where they feek their Prey ; yet they fomccimes approach near the Plan- ter's Dwelling Houlcs, and kill Hens, and other Poul- try. The third is the common Barn-Owl, about the big- nels of a Pigeon. This Bird has a beautiful Circle or Wreath ot white, foft, downy Feathers, encompalTed ■with yellow ones, paffing round the Eyes, and under the Chin, fo that the Eyes appear funk in the Head. The Brcall, Belly, and iniide of the Wings arc white, marked with a few dark Spots ; being the moft elegantly coloured of all Night-birds. The fourth is the Imall Screech-Ovjl, and is the fame as thofc in Europe. Thcfe Owls and the former, arc fre- quently attacked by other Birds, when they find them abroad in the Day-time; and when they find thcmfelves overpowered, it is plcafant to fee how they will place themfelves on their Backs, where fcarce any thing is to be feen but their Beaks and Tallons, in which pofturc they will fight, and defend thcmfelves. The Flefh ot thele Birds is eaten by the Maus and Ne^rees. It is ;iccouDtcd I North CAROLINA. 179 accounted good in Palfies and Mclancholly. The Grcafii and Gall is good agaiiill Spots in the hyes, and to (Irengthcn the E)c-(ignt. 'I'ne whole Bird, not plucked, calcined, ana taken into the Throat, o^ ens the Lnpolt- hums of the Quinfie to a wonder, and the Brain,. eaten, helps the HcaU-ach. The Parakeeioesy are for the moft parr of a fine Green colour, only tneir Head, and pare of their Wings, are of a bcautitul Oiange colour. They have thick Beaks or Bills, cxactl) like thole of the Hawks. They are a Spe- cies of the ParrotSy and generally about the bigneisof a fmall Pigeon. In April they leedon the Birch-buds, znd, feldum conne down amofigft the Planters until the MuU- terriei are ripe, which they eat, and are extreamly fond of. They are likewifc very mifchicvous to Orchards, and peck the Apples to eat the Kernels, fo that the Fruit quickly ruts and pcrifhes. They build their Nefts in h.Uow Trees, in low fwampy Grounds. They lie hid- den in the W inter , when the Weather is extream hard aad trofiy, and never appear all that time. There are none of thefc Birds or Alligator i to be met with to the North- ward of this Province, by the beft Information I could learn, during my Refidence in thofe parts. They arc often taken alive with Traps, Bird-lime, &c. and will become tame and familiar in two or three Days time; yet they are not fo docile or apt to learn to fpeak as Par^ rof J generally are. They are moft commonly very fat in the MuQberry and Fruit time, and are excellent good Food, preferable to any ?igeon. The Cuckovi of Carolina is a Bird of the fame bignefs and Feather with thefc in Europe, and Jfucks the fmall Birds Eggs as they do, yet it is never known to cry or iing Cuckow in the Summer time like the former, neither are thcfe Bird$ Co be fecn in the IVimer, at which time Z i they iSo Ty Natural HISTORY of they hide themrelves in hollow Trees, and their Feathers come oft, and they are Scabby, they ulually lay but one Egg, and that in the Nelt ot the Hedge Sparrow ; like ihofe in Europe. Their Flefh is fweet and good Food, and eaten by many in thefc Parts. Their Alhes are good againll the Stone and Epileply. The Dung given in Ca- nary is goOjd againft tiie biting of a Mad Dog. i'he Rail, Jackdaw, and Magfy\ are not to be met with in Carolina nx Si^) of the otiici Neighbouring Provinces as far aS 1 touM be informed. The Ravens art very fcarcc to be met with in thcfe Parts, yet they are the fame fort as thofe with us io Jrtlandy and other parts of Europe, they are laid to live to a great Age, and lay about five or fix Eggs (before they begin to Sit) which are of a Pale Grcenifti Blew colour, and full of Black Spots. The Flclh is unwhol- fom, becaufe they feed upon dead Bodies, yet the Aftic* given for two or three Days together, cures the Epilepfy and Gout. The Brain performs the fame thing, the Greafe, Blood and Eggs, make the Hair Black. The Eggs htlp the Spleen, but caufe Abortion. The Rooks are lefs in Carolina than in Europe. They are good Food when Young (becaufe they never feed on Carrion) but their Skins are tough. Black and bitter. They are very great Enemies to Corn Fields, if there be not care taken to prevent them. They build their Nefls after the fame manner as the Rooks with us do, but differ much in their Cry or Notes, which ate more like the barking of a Dog, than that of Rook?. And it is faid that when Rooks build, one of the Pair always (it to watch the Keft until it be finifhed ; otherwife if both fo abroad, and leave the unfinifhcd Nefl, the other Rooks rob it, and carry the Sticks away to their own; bcfice perhaps the Word Rooking is uUd for Cheating. Jhe North CAROLINA. i%% The Black fmaO-CrowSf whereof there are two forts. The firll li bigger than our Black-bird, and exudly of that Colour, but different in it's Notes. Thcfe Crows are the moft hurtful and pernicious Vern^ine (eipecially to Corn) in all America They flie fometimes in fuch vafl Flocks, that they dcftroy every thing before them Their Flefh is white and excellent Food. The lecond arc bigger than the former, and that part of the Head next the Bill and the Pinions of their Wings, are ot an Orange and moft beautiful Crimfon Colour ; and the reft of the Body Black. Thefe are as good Meat as the former, though very few trouble themfelves to kill or drcfs them, where large Fowl arc fo plenty. Both thefe kinds continue here all the Year, are generally fat, and excellent good Meat, and I have frequently cat of them. They build their Neft in hollow Trees as the Parakeetoes do ; I look on them to be a fort of Sterling, for they cry (omcthing like them, but do not fing, and are about the fame bigncfs. The Turkeys arc here wild, in great plenty, and exceed- ing large ; I have Ihot fome ot them which weighed forty pounds, and I have been credibly informed, that fome of them weighed fixty. You Ihall (ce five hundred ot more of them in a Flock together ; fometimes the wild Breed with the tame, which they account makes them very hardy. I am fatisfied it does, for the Indians fre- quently find their Ncfts, and bring their Eggs to the Chriftians, which are hatched under Hens, Ducks, tame Turkics, &c. As foon as they are out of the Shell, they will fend for themfelves, and are more eafily brought up than a Chicken with us. Notwithftanding they are thus hatched, and familiarly bred up, yet they flill retain a wild Kature, and commonly, when they arc a Year and ^ half old, and grown large, run wild intg thf Woods, r ■ ■'' ■ ' and i82 Thff Natural RlSTQKXcf and can never be brought into the Houfe to Rooft, but perch on iome high I'rcc near it, and arc always obtcrved to lepcratc thcmlelves fcom the tame fort, alchough (at the fame time^ cnc) Tred and breea togctiier. There is no manner ot difference that I can Ice oet^^cen the wild Tuikeysand the tame, cither in their bnapc, Gubling, Call, or Notes, only the Feathers of the wild are always of a blackilh fhining dark Gray, that in the Sun, Ihine like a Duck's Neck, very fpecious, and Uiey have thicker and larger Legs. They arc a fliarp fightcd Fowl, and ex- celent good Food. They feed on Acorns, Huckle-berrieSy and feveral other Berries aad Fruits that the Country produces, which makes them exceeding fat. I have been credibly informed, that if one take thefe wild Turkey Eggs, jufl when on the point of being hatched, and dip them (tor fomcfmall time) in a Bowl of Milk, or warm Water, that it will take off their wild Nature, and make them as tame and domeftick as the others. But how true this may be, I know not, never having made an Experiment thac way i neither can I fee any Reafon to believe it ; yet I thought fit to infcrt it, that others may try. The Indians have frequently thefe wild Breed hatched at home, to be a Decoy to bring thofe that are wild near their Houfes, by which means they fhoot many. They are feldom to be met with but ia the Morning and Evening, for at Sun-rife they go oft po feed, and at Sun-fet they return and percli on high Trees, and fo continue all Night. At aay other time of the Day you fhall fcarce find one, except it be when they arc Breeding, or in Snowy Weather, and then they arc to be fccn m great Flocks together. They are a wary Fowl, and (eldom (hot but widlfl; tbcy arc perching on the Trees. They may be heard call or gobble, at a gr«ac diitaiice (Morrung and Evening, but at no other time) l^onh CAROLINA, 183 time) which brings the Huntfmen to thofe places where thty are. They are a heavy Fowl, and cannot flie tar, buL will run exceeding faft, tor if you fhould chance to break one of their Wings in Shooting, without a Dog, you ieiuom catch them. Their Ufes iii Phyfilk are the fame witli the tame Turkey. The Pheafants are iomething lefs, and diflfcr feme fmall matter in cheir Feathers from thofe in Ireland, but are no ways inferior in delicacy, bur rather better and finer Meat They are very plenty, but their chiefeft Haunts are backwards in the Woods, and near the Mountains ; for they are feldome to be fqund near the Inhabitants. The Pheafant is accounted better Meat than almoft all other Fowl, becaufc it is ot a moft uclicate Tafte, and yields fuch excellent Nourifhment. They feed on Acorns, Btrries, Grain, and fcveral lorts of Seeds of Plants. Their Flefh is good in hedick Fevers, the Gall parpens the Sight, and the Blood refifts Poyfon. The H^ood-cocks are not near as large in thefe parts of America, as thofe in Europe ; they differ nothing in fhapc and Feather, only their Breads are ot a Carnation colour, and they make a Noile (when on the Wing) like the Bells about a Hawk's Legs. They breed and continue here all the Year, and though they arc not as plenty here as they are in the Northern parts of Europe, yet they are as fine and delicate Meat as any of that kind in the World. 1 hey are to be met with in moft parts of this Country, but cfpecially in the low Grounds, Springs, Swamps, and Percoarfons. Their Flefh is bcfl in Winter being then fattefl. It and all it's Parts have the Virtues of Partridges. The Snipes atjC plenty in fcveral parts of this Province, and are the only wild Bird that are not different from the fame Species in Europe. They frequent jthc fame Places as tho l84 l^he Natural HI S T O R Y 0/ thofc with us do, viz,. Springs, Wet Ground, (src. Tlieir Flefh is tender, fweec, and ot excellent Nouriflinicnc. The Tut-cocksy arc a Species ot Snipes in thele parts, and are almoll like the former in Size and Feather ; they are plenty in fevcral Places of this Province, and nothing in- ferior to the former m the delicacy of their Meacj but thcfe, as well as moft other Imall Birds, are little rcgardeil or made ufe of at prcfent, where large Fowl are fo nu- merous. The Curiiewy whereof there are three forts, and vaft Numbers of each : They have all long Bills, and differ neither in Colour or fhape, only in (ize, from thofe in Eu- rope. The largeft being as big as a good Hen, and the fmalleft as, large as a fmall (Vood-cotk, and thofe lorts arc excellent Meat, and nourifti very much. The Sea-Pie, or Gray Curliew. This Bird is about the bigneis of a large IVood-cock, and has a long Bill as the other C«r//>tuj have, which isof ayellowiflicolourj and fo are it's Legs. It frequents the Sand-banks on the Sea- fid*. When killed, is inferior to no Fowl 1 have feen or eat ofi It's Flefh being tender, well relifhcd,and nourifh- ing. The mU'lVhtllet, is a Bird fo called, from it's Cry, for itexadly repeats, or calls PVtli-mllety as it flies. The Bill is like a Cur Hews or Wood-cocks, and has much fuch a Body as the other, bur not fo tall -, it is good Meat, be- ing nouriftiing and well tailed. They are plenty along the Shore, and the (ides of Rivers, and are much of the ifame Nature and Virtues with the Curliews. The Lapwing or Green-Plover : Thefe Fowl are very plenty in (cvcral parts of this Province, cfpccially in the Savannas, and near the Mountains. Their Cry is pretty much like thole with us, they differ little or nothing in the Feathers, but are noc ne^ fo large, yet not inferior t0 North CAROLINA, to any of that Species, in the delicacy and goodncfs of* their Meat. Their Afhes drank in Wine, is gooa agaiuft the Cholick, and a Cacaplalm thereof, helps tne biting of Mad Dogs. The Greyy or Whiflling- Plover. Thefc Fowl ard very Icarce, and leJdom to be met with near the Settlemencs, but there are great Numbers of them in the Vullics and Savannas near the Mountains, and Heads ot R vers, where they are to be met with in great FiockSi i .../ difter little from ours, cither in Feather or Size, as U. as I could difccrn, and eat as well as any of the fame fo t in Europe j the Flefh is plealant, and much better Nourifh- mcnt than the Green-Plover^ The Partridges are not as large a$ thofe in leland, be- ing nor much bigger than our Quail. They frequently perch upon Trees, and have a kind of Winftle or Call quite different fromthofc with us; but the lamc Feathers, only the Cock has a half Circle over each Eye, inftead of the Horfe-fhoe. They are a beauaful Brd, but great deflroycrs of Peafe, Wheat, and Indian Corn, in. the Plantations, where the Boys let Traps and carch vaft numbers of them; I have frequently bought a Dozen of of them for lefs than a twelve penny B;ll The> are ge- nerally exceeding far, and are a far moie delicious Mor- fel than ours. Sed de gujlibusnun tfl difputandum. They might be eafily tranfported from one Place to another, bccaufe they take to feeding immediately after they are caught. The Rattle-Snake frequently deftroys rhem, however they arc in great Plenty iti this Province, and rcfort in Co vies as ours do. It is a very libidinous Bird, for they will fecm to couple With their own Image in a Glafs : they lay ten or fifteen Eggs, and fit tvcicc in a Year, ^nd are faid to live about fifteen or fixtecn tearSj The Blood helps the Eyes, wounded or Blood- A a ftloe 1 86 Thtt Natural H I S.T O R Y 0/ (hot, and the Gall is one ot the moft eminent things in the World for defeds in the Eyes. The Turtle-Doves are very plenty in thefe parts of A- mericay and breed and remain here all the Year ; they arc fomeihing lefs than a common Pigeoriy the head and back arc ot a duskifh blue, or alh Colour; they have a more melanchoUy Tone or Note, than any of the other Species of Dovesy that arc to be heard up and down in the Woods, as you travel through them. They live eight Years, are dellrudive to Corn-fields and Pcafe,for which reafon the Planters make Traps, and catch great Num- bers of them. I have frequently cat of them, and they are a moft delicious Morfel. Their Flcfh has the fame Virtues with the /'/g <■()«, but is peculiarly good againft the Bloody Flux. The IVild Pigeons are like the tVooi-quefly or Stock-dove^ only they have longer Tails. They feldom or never ap- pear amongft the Planters, or near their Settlements, but in the Winter (as Wood-cocks do with us) they come down in large Flocks, that it is furprizing to behold them. After Sun-rife I have feen them fly, one Flock after ano- ther, for above a quarter of an Hour together. They come at this Scafon of the Year in queft of a Imail fort of Acorn, that is called the Turky-Acorn, which groweth on the 7urky-0aky whereof I have already made mention. It iscomm on in thefe Parts, and thereon thefc IVtld-Pi^eons feed in that Seafon, and are very fat. It is obfervable, that wherever they fettle, or rooft at Night, the)r frc- '^uently break large limbs of Trees, in feveral places in the "Woods. When they come in thefe numerous Flocks, they generally clear all before them, fcarcc leaving one Acorn on the Ground. It is faid they breed ia the Moun- tains (and I am perfuaded, confiderably to the North- viard ot us, becaufe they never appear here but in the •xtrcmity North CAROLINA 187 xxtrcraity of the Winter, when it is hard Frofly or Snowy Weathcrj but whether they make their Nefts in the Rocks, or in Trees, is not known, by any that ever I converled with. I Ihould rather think they made theni in Trees, becaufe ot their frequent (ii:ting and roofting on them at Night. Their Dung will lie above half a Foot thick about thofe Trees, which kills Shrubs, Grafs, and every thing tliat grows near where it falls. Not- withflanding thefe Flocks are fq numerous, yet they arc not to be mentioned in comparifon with the great and infinite number of thofe Fowls that are to be met with to the Weftward of thofe Places, where the Chrifliam at preient live (elpecially on this and the other (ide of the Mountains) many of which Species we are little acquaint- ed with, becaufe they feldom appear or conje where we are already fettled. The Flefh is very nutritive and ex- cellent Food. The Blood helps diforders in. the Eyes, the Coats of the Stomach in Powder, cures bloody Fluxes. The Dung is the hotteft of all Fowls, and is wonderful attradive, yet accompanied with an Anodym force, and helps the Head-ach, Megrim, pain in the Side and Sto- mach, Pleurify, Cholick, Apoplexy, Lethargy, and ma- ny other Diforders. .. , V rr ' The Moor-hen. I never faw any in this Gbuntry, yet 1 am credibly informed, that they arc to be met with in the Mountains, and high Country, for they never ap- pear in any part of the Settlements. The Wood-pecker, whereof we have five forts, if not more. The firft is as big as a large PigeoUf ot a dark brown Colour, with a white Crofs on the Back, and a white Circle round the Eyes, and on it's Head ftands a Tuft of beautiful Scarlet Featiiers. Their Cry is to be heard at a great Diflance, and they fly from one rotten Tree to another to get Gruh and H^orwi/, which is what they live on ' A a 2 Th« i88 The Natural HISTORY of Tiic (econd fort arc of an Olive colour, ftriped with" Yeliow. They are about the bigncfs of thofc in England. Tiic) feed after the fame manner with the former, on Qrubs and IVormi, Tnc third fort is about the fame bigncfi with the fe- con(j,andjs pied or mottled, with black snd white, and it's Head is of a beautiful Vermilion colour, but hath no .Topping on it ; they are dcftrudive to Corn and Fruir, efpecially Apples. They likewife open the Covering of fhe young Corn, lo that the Rain gets in and rots ir. The fourth fort arc finely ipeckled or mottled, with beautiful white and black Feathtrs, the fined I e\er faw. The Cock has a beautiful red Head, but rrot near as big as the former. Their Food is Gruhs and other creeping Infeds, and Corn. They arc not wild, for they will let one come near them, but then they hop and ftiift them- fclves on the other fide of the Tree from your fight, and this they will do for a confiderable time ; yet it is very difficult to Ihoot one of them, by their fhifting fo often from youynotwithflandingthey will fcarce leave the Tree, Thefe are about rhe bignefs of our Lark. The fifth fort is about the bignefs of a 'Jay. The top of the Head is of a Ciimfonor Vermilion Colour, fpot- cd with Black, round each Eye is a circle of Black, and on each {\6it is a Vermilion /pot. The Throat, Breaft, Belly, and Wings, are of a Pale Green, the Rump of pale Yellow, or Straw Colour." Its Tongue is of a great lengrh, with which it flrikcs Ants and other JnfeBs. The Bills of all thcfe lorts arefofharp, hard, and itrong, that you fhall I)car the ftroke of them found like a Chizzel a- gainfl: a Tree. They arc well aquaintedjn what Trees Worms are bred in by the Sound. They climb Trees iipright, after the manner that Cats do, and bend their Head and look backwards on thofc that approach ncajp th^m North CAROLINA, 189 chern. They make Holes in Trees where they build their Neils, and it is reported that it'thefc Holes were ftopt up ever fo fecure with a Wedge or Pin of Wood, that tney will foon take it out again, lo dextrous are they to work in Wood with their Bills. The Flefh ot thefc Birtis is not good for Meat, being harlh and hard of 1^1- geftion, outwardly it helps Inflammations, and the Gall with Honey and Juice of Rue is ufcd in diforders of the Eyes. There is a Tradition amongft them, that the Tongue of one ot thefe JVcod-Peckers drycd, will make the Teeth drop out if pricked Therewith, and cure the Tooth-ach (though I believe little of it, but look on iias ridiculous) ytt I thought fit to hint it, that others may try the Experiment ; for fometimesluch odd Stories refer to feme particular Virtues, thongh all that is faid of them be not true. The Cat-Birds fo called, from their crying or making 2 Noife exadly like the young CaUt for I never could dif- cover or hear any other Note amongft them. They have a blackifli Head, and an Afli-coloured Body. They arc about the bignefs of our Lark, will fight a Croyj^ and many other Birds much larger than themfelves. They are pretty good eating, but what Phyfical Virtues they may be endued with, are unknown. The Mocking-Birds, fo called, from their mocking all other Birds in their Hnging, for they have fuch diveriity of Notes, that there is fcarcc a Bird in thefc parts, that they hear, but what they will imitate j and they certain- ly are one of the fincft finging Birds in the World, There arc two forts of thefe Birds. The firft has Feathers much of the Colour of our Green-Plover^ with White in the Wings, like a Magpye's, This has a more melodious and ioft Note than the latter, and is generally about the bignefs of onr Jhrufi. They arc held to be the • - - - - Choriftcrt 190 The Napural HISTORY^ Choriftcrs amongft the Birds of Amtrieay as indeed they are, for they will ling with the greaccit diverfity ot Notes that is pofliblc for any Bird to change. They are fond of our Dwellings, and frequently refort thither ; being bold and brisk Birds, yet feem to be ot an extraordinaary tender Conftitution ; for they neither fing in the Winter^ nor in the midft of Summer, lind it is with great difficulty that any of them that arc brought over, will live in Eng- land ot Ireland. They may be bred up tame, and will ling in Cages ; yet the Planters feldom take them or their Young ones (except it be to fell to thofe trading to Eu- rope) notwithftanding they make their Nefts, and breed moll commonly in the Orchards, and other places near the Dwelling Houfes, bccaufe they have their Company as much as if in Cages, for they frequently fit on their Houies in the Summery and fing all the Evening, and mofl; part of the Night. They feed on Mulberries y and fevc- ral other Berries and Fruit, efpccially the Mechoacan- berry which grows plentifully in thefe Pans. The fecond fort is called the Ground-mocking-Bird, and isofa light Cinnamon colour, about the fame bignefs of thC'tormer. This Bird fings excellently well, but is not ffo common amongft us as the other, neither does it fre- quent or refort our dwellings, but delights to live amongft kht MynleTxtCs {bting oi 2L wilder Nature than the yfirlb) where it breeds it's young Onesj and like the the former, is never known to fing : in IVimer. Both thefe - forts of Birds continue .'here all the ^ac and ^re.in ■great * Tcquelt amongft the Plkiircrs. ihnrl -■•X'i lo :?fjj f.^ . ; The Red-birdsy:{Kyczi\td from th"teii? . beautiful Red co- 16UT, whereof there arc^wo forts, cbc Cocif« of both Corts 4rt of-a pure Scarkt,and the HeH's.<>f a Siu^kiihRcd. Idif- ^tinguilh them into two fores ; fortheonc has a fine Tuft ^ or Topping of Scarlet Feathers .on the Head, and the othct North CAROLINA. 191 other is fmooch Feathered. I never faw a Tufted Cock with a fmooth-headed Hctij they generally refort Cock and Hen together, and always play in or near a Thicket, where the Boys iet their Traps and catch, and fell them to Pcrfons trading to Europe. They have ftrong and thick BiUs, and are near as big as our Black-Birds in Europe. They arc very hardy, and continue here all the Year. They Whiftle and Sing like a Thrufh, but are more melodious. They arc good tor turning Cages with Bells, and if taught like xhcBuO'Finch, and other Birds, I do not doubt would prove very docile ; 'tis pleafant to behold this Bird feeing it's own Image in a Looking-Glafs, bccaufe it hath fo many diverting and ftrange Gefliculations, either making a hifTing Noife, or lowring it'sCreft, fetting up it's Tail, Ihaking it's Wings, ftriking at the Glafs with it*s Bill, with many more too tedious to Name. If they arc taken at any time they will feed and become tame j yet it has been obferved^j that when they are Ihut up in Cages for fomc Years, they become Milk-white, and lo ftupid that they Icarcc know how to feed thcmfclvcs, which is never known to happen whilfl they are in the Woods and free from Confinement. They feed on Indian Corn and feveral forts of Berries and Seeds, produced in this Country. Thefe Birds and the former, eat much like our Thrulhcs. The Fte/d-fair, is much like thofe with us in Ireland^ but arc never to be feen in this Province but in Winter, they arc then very fat, and excellent Food. The Thrujhes arc the fame in tholc parts oiAmerica^Zf with us, only they are Red under their Wings. Thcjr never appear amongft the Planters but in hard frofly Weather, and quickly leave us again ; 'tis fuppofed they go to the Northward where they 'breed. They are hvivk that Seafon, and the Flefh is of good NoariihmencJ The 192 The Natural HI S T O R Y 0/ The Throftles are of the fame bignefs and Feather with ihofc in Europe, but are not to be admired tot their war- bling Notes, as ours are, for I have feldom heard them fing. Thefc Birds arc very fat in the IVinter^ anti are good eating. Being roafted with Alyrth-ifernes, they help moft forts of Fluxes. The Jhroflle is called in Latin, Ber- Ifiacenfisy from Berbiacum^ a Village near Verona in /w/y, being there firft fcen at the Battle between Otho and Vitel- ur, where the former was overcome. The IVhipoo-njoiOj is a Bird fo called, from it's frequent and exad repeating thofe Notes or Words. 1 bclc Birds are about the bigneis of a Ihyujh^ and are hard to be feen, although they be heard never io plam, for they conltantly run under Thickets and Buflies where they hide thcmfelves, and call their Notes. They are fcarce in this Province, and fcldvm to be met with to thcSouth- ward of it ^ but in Virginia and otiicr Provinces to the NortLward, they arc very plenty in molt of the Plantati- ons, and are tolerable good eating. The Jays arc here very common, but more beautiful and finer Feathered than thofe in Europe, tor thefe are Blue, where ours *re Brown, and not abo\e halfas large, but have the fame Cry, and ludden jetting Motion. They are mifchievous in devouring the Fruits of the Country, and commonly fpoil more than they eat. The Fie ill of thefe Birds are much better Nourifhrnent than any of the fame fort in Europe, where they are commonly eaten by the poorer fort of People, and efpecially in France^ but are feldom made ufe of in thefe parts of America, where large Fowl are fo plenty. The KiU-Deer, is a Bird in thefe parts, fo called, from it's frequent repeating thofe Words. It is about the big- nefs o( o\xiRedjhank,3ind of the fame colour, and frequents the Banks and River fides, as the former. Thefe Birds .". " ' continwf ,: — ■ ■"■'7 North CAROLINA, 195 continue here all the Year, are generally far, excellent good Meat, and cafily fhot; but being a fraall Bird, ^re little regarded, or made ufc of. The Sand-Birdsy lo called, from their being always on! the Sand-banks, andfcarceany where eifc. They are about the bignefs of a Lark, and of a gray and brown Colour. They are generally fat, and numerous in thefe Parts ; they arc a moft delicious Morfel Co cat, yet few fpend their Time or Amunition to kill them. , The Runners, are Birds fo called, from their continuai running and feeding along the Sands. They will futlif one CO run after them a long time, and even to throw a Stick at them, before they will get up or fly away ; fo chac they are often driven together in great Numbers, and fhot. They arc about the bignels ot 1 fmali ^nipe, partly of tJiat colour, at^dexcellent good to eat. The L.7rk is heeled, and coloured as thofe witi'. us zve^ but the Breafl is of a glittering fine Lemon colou-'. ini fliape like a Half Moon. Thefe Birds frequent the S.z- vaimas, or natural Meads, and green MarfhwS, and aref as large as a Fieldfare, and they have a loft Note. They breedtwice a year, andarefaid to be troubled wichihe Epilepfy. They nourifh very much, and are excellenc good Meat. The Blood drank frefli^ with Vinegar^; helps the Stone in the Bladder. The i5«;/?/«g-I<2r^f, whereof there are two forts, though' the Heels of thefe Birds arc notfo long as thofe in Europe. The firfl haive aa Orange colour on the tops ot tneir Wings, and are good Meat. They frequently accompa- ny the Black-bird, and fing as the Bunting-Larks :o in? Europe, differing very little in their Kotes, and have ^uch the fame Virtues with them, "the fecond Sort is fomcthing Icfs than the formers^' *ilt\i^ti Coburj and differ nothing in Feathers or big- Bb neff 1 94 Thg Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ fiefs from thole with the Tufc or Creft on their Heads, that are commonly to be met with iii lyeland, and many other parts of Europe, and their Flcfh is good to cat. The Blue-Birdj lo called, from ir's being all of a beau- tiful fine Blue-colour, t-xcepc the Brcaii: ot the Cock, which is Red like the Robm Red-brefi. They have an odd kind of Cry, or VVhiltle, very ditferenr hom the toimer. Thefe Birds hide themklvcs in the fVimer, lo that they are not to be Icen ail that Seafon, but arc plenty in the Summer, They are but a fmall Bird, not So large as our BunttngSy but arc excellent good Meat. The BuU-fittches in thele parts oi America, are of the fame lize and bignefs of thofe with us, but difter fomc fm:iU matter in their Feathers, from thofe in Europe ; thole in Carolina being more beautiful But whether they are lo docil as thofe with us, I cannot tell, ncv'er having ieen any of them bred up in Cages. The Fiefli of thelc are much the fame with that of the Sparrow. The Nigbtingali differ fomething in their Feathers from thofe m Europe but have much the lame Notes : They are as big as a Goldfinch, and always frequent low Grounds, efpecially amongfl the Myrtle-berries, where they generally fing very prettily all Night i but in the Winter (like the SwaHoiu) arc neither to be heard or fecn. They breed in M^y, and generally layabout four or five Eggs in a Neft, near which they feldom fing, for fear of being difcovercd. The Flefh is fwcet and good Food, helping the Cachexia, and ftrcngthning the Brain. The Gall mixed with Honey, helps Diforders in the Eyes. The Sparrows differ in Feather from thofe in Europe^ and are never known to rcfort or build tfecir Ncfls in th« Eaves ot Houles, as ours do. There arc feveral forts of Birds called Sparrowf^ftom their being lo plenty all over this Province ; one kind of thele Sparrows cxa^^Iy refem- blcs Norrb CARIOLINJ. 195 blcs the Bird we call the Corinthian Sparrow. All the Species of Sparrows are extraordinary good Meat, and the Boys catch great numbers of them in Traps, efpcci- ally in tVinter. The Hedge-Sparrows are here, though there are few Hedges, but what are made of Timber. They diflfer lit- tle hi either Plume or Bignefs; yet I never heard them Whiiile as thole m Europe do, and cfpceially after Rain. Thelc and the other Sparrows are nourifliing, and preva- lent in the decay of Nature. The Red-^parrovij lo called, from the great refemblance it has to a Sparrcw in it's Size and Bill, and being one of the moit common Imall Birds in thefc Parts. They arc ftriped with a brown, red, and Cinamon colour, and the Tail and Wings incline to black. The Titmoufej or Tom-tit^ is the very fame as with us in Europe, differing in neither fhape, fize, or feather. Thefe fmall Birds are in plenty oil over this Province. They are found for the moft part about Trees, and live chiefly upon Infects which they find there. The Snow-Birds, (I take to be fame with our Hedge" Sparrow) are lo called, trom the vaft numbers of them that come into thofe Parts in hard Weather, and efpecial- ly when there is any Snow, but are fcldom or never to be met with at any other time. For the Weather no fooner changes, than they are gone to the more Norther- ly* parts of America, where they are moft numerous. They are a fmall Bird, about the bignefs of the IVheatear, The Boys catch great quantities oi them in Traps, dur- ing their abode in thefe patts. They arc fat, nourifhing, and good eating. The Telloixi-viings are fmall Birds, fo called, from theic beautiful yellow Wings, They are of the colour of 2 Linnet on the Back and Breaft, but in iizc leis, with B b 2 Wings 196 The Natural HISTORY of Wings yellow as Gold. They frequent high up the ficfl^ Water Rivers and Creek (ides, where they breed. They hide themfelves in the thick Bufhes, and are very diffi- cult to be feen in the Spring, but in Summer they appca;: ^nd (ing all the Seafon. What other properties they may be indued with, is uncertain. The U^eet Birds are about the bignefs of a SparroWt and of a greyilh Colour, and are (o called, from their JVeeting or cry before Rain. Thefe Birds frequent near the (ides ot Rivers and Ponds of fredi Water, where they Breed; What phyfical Ufes they may have is not known. The Goldfinches. There are a forr of Birds like thele to be met with here, variegated with Orange and TtOovj t^eathers, very fpecious and beautiful to behold ; yet I pever heard tliem fing, as thofe in Europe are known todo. The Baltimore Birds, fo called from my J^ord Baltimore ^ being Proprietor of d^\ Mary-Land i in which Province they are very plenty. They are about the bignefs of a ^innet, with yellow Wings, and variety of other beauti- full Colours. They appear moil commonly in this Pro- vince in the Winter Seafon, at which time they are fat and good eating. The Eafi India Bats^ or Muskeetoe HawJis, are fo cal- led from their killing and feeding on Muskeetoes, and.be- caufe the fame fort of Birds are found in the Eaft Indies : They are as large as a Cuckoiv, and much of the fame Colour, but have (hort Legs, not dilcernable when they flip. They appear here only in the heat oithtSu?7imer,Sind at the approach of cold Weather, leave us again. They are never feen in rhe Day time, but arc fcudding all Nighr, like our Night Raven^ in purfuit of Muskeetoes, Gnats j, and other InfedS;, on which they fscd. And rhough it IS North CAROLINA. 127 is called a Baty I fee no rcaion for it, bccaufe it bears no manner of Refemblance to the European Bat^ the Eaft India Bat being a Fowl with Feathers, and the ocner bodied hkc a Muufe, with Leather Wings. I ne- ver knew any uie made of thefc Birds, for the Planters never kill them; bccaule they deftroy thofc pernicious In feds the Mufkeetoes. Thf Biitfy whereof there are two lorts, which I have already given a Defcnpcion ofamongftthc Beafts, it bear- ing the gieateft refemblance to that Species i for though it flies, yet it hath no Affinity to Birds, not fo much as a flying Strpcnr, and notwithftanding it be not properly a Quadruped^ it hath Claws in the Wings, which anfwcr to fore Legs. Thefc Batf arc plenty in this Province, and differ only in being larger than thofc in Europe. Tiie Svoallows are very plenty in the Summery and differ nothing trora thofe in Europe. The flcfll of thefe Birds is no good Nourifhment, yet often eaten, isfaidtohelp Dimncfs of fight, the falling-ficknefs, and many othcc Diforders. The Ned outwardly applied, is of excellent ufc in Quinfies, rcdncfs of the Eyes, &c. Thefe Birds feed on Flies, Worms, and many other kinds of fmall In feds. The Sviijti or Diveling, has a great Head and Wide Mouth, but a fmall Bill. The colour of the Feathers of the whole Body is black, only under the Chin is a Spot of white or Afli-colour; the Legs are fhost, but thick, and the Feet fmalh Thefc Birds feed as the Swallows do, and have much the fame Virtues. Th^ Martin, or Martinet, whereof there arc two fortSo The firfl: is exaftly the fame as with us in feather and fize, and have the fame ufcs aud virtue ; but what becom- es of thefe aud fome other Birds in the Winter, whether they flic into other Countries, or flccp ia hollow Trees, IgLocks;, 198 The Napural HISTORY^ Rocks, or other fccrec Places, Natural Hiftoriant are not agreed, nor can chcy ccrcaiuly dctcrrmine. 'I'hey con- liantly come to thcie parts in tne beginning of Marchj and one or two arc geutrally ken hovering in the Air for a Day or two before any large Flocks ot them appear. The fccond fort is near as large as our Black-bad^ they have white Throats and Brealts, black Beaks and Wings. The Planters are very fond of preferving them, and frequently tye a number of Gourds on long ftanding Poles near their Dwellings, on purpole for them to breed in, becaufe they are a warlike Bird, and beat the CrowSy and many other kind of Birds much larger than them- felves from their Plantations, One Morning, very early, I efpied a Snake crawling up one of thefe Poles, with a defign to deftroy the Young ones or Eggs in thefe Gourds, and it was furprizing to fee with what cagernefs the Martins tought with the Snake, which ftill approached nearer the Gourds. Seeing the Birds in this Diltraded manner endeavouring to preferve their Species, I had the Curiofity to come near the Pole, where I obfcrved the approaches the Snake ftill made to procure it's Prey. I immediately got a long hollow Reed and killed the Snake (which was one of the Chicken-Snakes^ whereof I have al- ready made mention) and placed it near the Pole, which the Martins ftill attacked, and would not be pacified 'till it was conveyed from the Place. The Wren is fcarcc, and fcldom to be met with, bwt is the fame in (ize. Feathers and Notes, as in Europe, This fmall Bird builds it's Neft in the Mofs on Trees, it lays Nine or Ten, and fomctimes more Eggs at a fitting; It is wonderful ftrange, that a Bird with fo fmall a Body, fhould cover fuch a Number of Eggs, or that it fhoufd kzdi fo many Young, and not mifs one of them. The Flcfh is faid to lielp the ftoppage of Vrini^ and to have the fame yirtues with the ^^rrcT;?. J'hc North CAROLINA, 199 The Humming Bird is the Icaft of all Birds, yet well known in the World, and may properly be faid to be the miracle ot all Winged Animals, tor it is Feathered like a Bird and gets its living as the Bee docs, by fucking the Honey from each Flower. They are of different Colours, but the Cocks are more beautiful than the Hens, with vae ricty of Colours, fuch as Red, Green, Aurora, and levetal orher beautiful Colours, which being expofed to the Syn Beams (hints admirably. They have long Bills and Tails, confidcring their bigncfs, which is (carce equal to a Sp^' mjh Olive. In fome of the larger fort ot Flowers they ve- ry often bury themlelves, fo that they are quite covered, to fuck the bottom of them, by which means the Chil- dren commonly catch them whilft they are thus feeding; and I have feen of them nouriflied and kept alive in Cages for fix Weeks, on Honey. They fly very nimbly (but morffiike Infeds than Birds) from Flower to Flower, to fcek tS^r Food and make a humming noife like a Hornet or Bee, hence it took it*s Name in Englijh of Hummmg-bird. They remain and breed here during the heat of the Sum^ mer, but what becomes of them in the Winter is not known, for they never appear at that time, viz.. from OBober 'till April. They are fo very fmall that I hxve frequently feen the Butter-fiies chace them away from the Flowers. Their Nefls are a great Curiofity, and may properly be faid to be one of the greateft pieces of Work- manfhip the whole fpecies of winged Animals can fhew, for it commonly hangs on a fingle Bryer moft artificially Woven like a round Ball, with a fmall Hole to go in and out, where it lays and Hatches its Eggs, vrhich arc very White, of an Oval figure, and for the raoft part but two in Number which are no bigger than a fmall Pea. What virtues thcfe fmall Birds may be indujcd with, is unknown. Tbcr 200 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ Thz Blue-Peter SyOt Water-Hens^ SL^t very plenty, and differ from ours neither in (ize or Feachcrs, but are fcldom: or never eaten (except it be by the Indians and Negroes) being very hard of Digeftfng and ili raited. The Marfi-Hen is much tht fame as with us in Europe in fize and Efeathcrs, but has a more diftercfft and fhrill Note. Their Flefti is feldom made ufc of except it be by the Indians and Negroes^ being Black and ill talted. The Bitterns, whereof there are three forts Tlic firft is the very fame as with us in its Cut, Feathers, and Notes. The fecond fort is of a dark brown Coloirr, with a Yel- iowifh white Throat and Breaft, with a Iarg6 Crcft or Topping of Feathers on its Head, but is not ^ite to' large as the former. The third fort is no bigger than a IVood-coch, 6t the ..jCaflje Colour with the firft, and is accounted by many to' '^^ be fine eating, yet the Flelh of the former i$ of the nature of the Stork and Heron, oi no good nutriment. The Skin and Feathers calcin'd, flop Bleeding. The Greafe cafes pains of the Gout, helps Deafnefs, clears the fight, and is excellent bait to catch Fifti with. The Herons, of thcfe there are three forts. The firfl: or common Heron is from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Claws four Feet long to the end of the Tail about thirty eight Inches. It hath a black Cud on the Head four In-> ches high, and is in fize. Colour, and all other refpeds, cxaftly the fame as is to be met with in Ireland, The fecond is larger than the former and is Feather'd much like the Spanifi-Goofe. The third is not near as large as any of the former, but is ot the fame fhape, and of a mofl beautifiil white Co- lour, with red Legs. Thcfe Birds are only to be met with m Su?nmgri and are the ^neft of that kind I have evec '>; ' " " fecBf hlorth CAROLINA. Qot fccn, and many in thcfe Parts would pcrfwadc me, that chcy become the fame Colour wich the common Heron^ when they arc a Year old, which I am not ape to believe, but look upon them as a diftindt Species from any of the former. All thele forts are plenty in thefe parts oi Ameri- cay and have the fame ilow flight as thofe with us. They feed on Fifh, Frogs, &c, and like the Roeks, build their Nefts in high Trees, and generally many together. Their Flefh is better than that of the Crane, but belt when young, and eaten by many. The Bill in Powder^ caufech Sleep, the Greafe is Anodyne, eafes Pains, and has much the fame Properties with the Bitterns. The Crane is a large bodied Fowl, weighing fome- times above ten Pounds. It's Neck and Legs are long, being five Foot high when extended. The Head is black, with a fine crimfon Spot on the Crown of it, the reft of the Body is oi sl Cream colour ; they frequent the* Savannas, Marfhes, and low Grounds, and though they arc Water-fowl, yet it is thought that they do not feed. on Filh, but only on Herbs, Grain, and feveral forts of Seeds and InfeAs. They are eafiiy bred up tame, and are good in Gardens to deft toy Frogs, Worms, and o- thcr Vermine. The Inhabitants boil their Flefh, which is tough and hard of Digeftion, but makes good Broath. Their Quills make good Pens, and the Feathers ferve for other ulcs. The Indian f eat their Eggs, which have a ftrong Imell, arc hard ot Digeftion, and of an unpleafanc tafte. The Gall is good againft Palfies, Confumptions, Blindnefs and Dcafnefs. The Fat or Greafe helps all hardncfs, being of the Nature of Goofe-grcafc. They 6ie with the Wind, make a great Noifc, run faft, and are faid to live about forty Years. The Storkes arc a larger Fowl than the former, and 06 ${)e fame Shape, only their Necks arc thicker and fhorter, C c and 202 Thg Natural H I ST O R Y ^ and arc of a dark grey Colour. They are frequently to be met with amongft the Cranes^ they make a clattering Noifc with their Bills, by the quick and frequent ftrik- ing one Chap againft the other. It is reported by feve- ral Perfons whom I have converfcd with, that they arc to be found in no part of America but in this Province. They feed on FrogSy Snails^ and many other forts of In- \tGis. The Fiefh nourifhes as that of the Herons and Bitterns, and the other Parts of this Fowl have the fame Virtues with them. The i'xu^w/, whereof there are two lorts. The firft are called the Trumpeters, from a trumpeting fort of noife they make, and are the largeft fort oi Swans in thefc parts. They come here in the M^^imer, and remaia with us 'till February, in fuch great Flocks, that I never faw more of any Water-fowl in all my Travels than of them, for at that Seafon, they are in luch vaft Numbers on each fide of the frefti Water Rivers and Creeks, that at a diftance it feeras to be Land covered with Snow. About Chriftmas they are frequently lo fat, that feme ot them are fcarce able to fly. In Spring they go to the Northern Lakes to breed. I have fevcral times eat of them, and do prefer them before any Goofe, for the goodnels and delicacy of their Meat, and efpecially a Cygnety or laft years Swan. Thefe Swans are larger than any I have fecii in Europe. Their Quills and Feathers arc in great requeft amongft the Planters. As to their Flefli and Parts, they have the fame Virtues with that of the Gee[e. The Hoopers are a fccond fort of Swans, and are fo called, from a hooping Noife they make. This fore are as numerous as the Former, and come to, thefe parts, and go at the fame time thac they do i ycc the latter al^ide North CAROLINA. 203 abide more in the Salt Water that* the former, arc not {o large, but their Flefli and Feathers are as valuable. And it is obfervable, that neither thefe nor the other have the black piece ot horny Flelh down the Head and Bill as thofe in Europe have. The Greafe or Fat cleanfes the Face from Morfhew, and other Vices, and their Oil helps the Geut. The Wild Geefe, whereof there are three Sorts, but difter very little from each other, only in their Size, having black Heads and Necks. They are plenty here all the Winter^ come and go with the Swans, and com- monly feed with them j they eat as well as thofe in EuYofe, being nourifhing, though hard of digeftion, and are apt to breed Agues in cold weakly Conftitutions; The Oil or Greafe is exceeding hot, and of thin Parts, piercing and difolving. It cures Baldnefs, helps Deaf- ncfe, pain and noife in the Ears, is good againft Palfies, Lamenefs, Numbnefs, Cramps, pains and contradtions of the Sinews, and many other Diforders. The Dung is u(ed with fuccefs in the Jaundice, Scurvy, Dropfy, and Gout. The green Dung gathered in the Spring, and gently dried, is beft. The Grey Earnets, or BarnacleSy are in fhape like the Wild Geefe y of an Afh and dark grey colour, fomething lefs than the comm«n Goofe, with which they agree in Nature and Virtues. They are very plenty in this Pro- vince all the Winter, at which time they arc fat and eat extraordinary well ; there is no difference between them and the Barnacles in Europe. Some Writers affurc us, that they breed unnaturally of the Leaves or Apples of certain Trees in the Iflands in Scotland ; others, on the contrary affirm, that they are produced from Eggs, hatched aftec the fiimc manner as Ccefc Eggs are, C c 2 which 204 Th Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ which wc are intire Strangers to here, becaufe they are never to be feen in thefc Parts of America but in the Winter time, for they generally come and go with the Swans and Gceie. The White Brants, are fomething larger than the former, with which they agree in Nature and Virtues, and aic very plenty in the Winter Seafon. Thefe Birds are as white as Snow, except the tips of their Wings, which are Black. They feed on the Roots of Sedge and Grafs in the Savannas and Marfhes, which they tear and root up like Hogs. The Planters frequently fee Fire to thefe Savannas and Marfhes, and as loon as the Grafs is burnt ofj, thefe Fowl will come in great Flocks to eat the Roots, by which means they fhoot vaft Kumbcrs of them. They are as good Meat as the other, but their Feathers are ftubbed and good for nothing. The great Grey-GuUs are as large as a Ducky and very plenty in thele parts, and accounted good Food. They lay Eggs as large as a Houfe-Hcn, which are found in great Quantities in the Months of June and '^uhy on the Iflands, in the Spunds, and near the Shear. Thefe and the Young ones, which are callM -^quahsy are good Food, and prove relief to Travellers by Water, that have fpent their Provifions, The Greafe of thefc, and the other (?«/?/, is good againft the Gout, and hard fwellings, flrengthens the Nerves, and eafes Pains in feveral parts of the Body. The great Pied'QuUs^zxt alfo plenty here j they area large Fowl with black and \Yhite Feathers, and their Heads beautifully adorned with a black-hood. They lay large Eggs, which are good to eat,{o are their Squabs or Young ones in the Seafon ; they are of the fame Na- ture and Virtues with the former. The North CAROLINA, 205 The little Grey-GuUi arc likewife numerous near ;hc Sea Shoar. They are of a curious grey Colour, about the bigncfs of a grey or H/hiJilmi Plover, and good Food, being nouriHiing and well rafted. Their Nature and Virtues are much the fame with the for- mer. The Old-wives ybut why fo called, I know not, for they are a black and white pycd GuO, with extraordinary long Wings, their Feet and Bill of a fine Golden Colour. They make a ft range and difmal Noife as they flie, and are frequently dipping their Bills in the Salt- Water, and arc larger than the former, but feldom eaten, only by the Indians and Negroes^ their Flefli being black, hard of digeftion, and taftes Filhy. The Sea-Coci, fo called, from it*s Crowing at break of Day, and in the Morning, exadly like z Dunghill-Cock j it is another fort of GuD, of a light grey and white Co- lour. They are to be met with in great Numbers near the Sea-Shoar, and arc larger than the former : Their Cry being fo Domeftick, hath deceived many, fuppofing lome Inhabitants to be near them ; yet it is very pleafant, efpecially to Europeans, in thofe wild and uninhabited places. Their Flefli is not good, therefore feldom or never made ufe of, except it be by the Negroes and In- dians. The GuS, or Sea-mew (this Bird is alfo called Sea-colf) is the fame as in Europe. This Fowl is little regarded, becaufc the Flefli is of an ill fcent, and odious to be eaten ,• yet it is faid to help the falling fickncfs ; and the A flics of the whole Bird, the Gravel in the Bladder and Kidnys. The Tropiek Btrdj fo called, being in great plenty ^^^^l^^hc Tropicks «iQd thereabouts^ bu( arc fcarce ^ny where 2o6 The Natural HISTORY^ where dfc. They are a white MeiUy with a forked Tail. They are a fwitc Fowl, and continually Bying like the ^waUow. What ufes or virtues they may be indued with, is uncertain, becaule they are feldomor never taken. The Duck and MaUard arc cxadly of the lame fizc and Feather with thofe in Europey they are very nume- rous, efpecially in Winter^ but their Meat is not to be compared to our tame Ducks for goodnefs, and are ac- counted one of the courfeft Ibrt of Water-fowl in all this Province, fo that they are little regarded and feldom made ufe of except by the Indians and Negroes. The Black-Vuck. io called, from it's black colour, is full as large as the former, and is good Meat. It ftays here all the Summer, and breeds. They are pretty nu- merous, and the Planters take their Eggs, and have them hatched at their dwelling Houfcs, and they prove extra- ordinary good domeftick Fowl. The Summer-Ducks^ fo called, from their continuing here all that 6'eafon. They have a large Creft or Top- ping of Feathers on their Head, are ot a beautiful pied white and black Colour, and are very plenty in thefe Parts. They generally build their Nefls contrary to mofl web-footed Fowl, in the Holes that Wood peckers make in large Trees, very often fixry or fevcnty Foot from the Ground, where they hatch their Eggs -, they are an ex- traordinary good Fowl, and cat well. The Whiftling Ducky fo called, from it's Whiflling when it flies and feeds.. They are of a pretty white and black Colour, but not fo large as our Wild Duck. They arc to be met with in great Flocks in feveral places of this Country, and efpecially near the Mountains, and Hilly parts thereof, where 'tis thought they breed ; they are good Fowl, and excellent eating. The North, Q ARO LJ,N A, so-j The Whifilers, HQ another Species oi Ducks, and arc fo called, from the Whiftling Noife they make as they flj'. They are lefsthan our wild Ducks, and very dif- ferent in their Feathers from the Whifllwg- Ducks, and have a greater variety of beautitul Colours than thq for- mer. They are like^yile good to cat. . .j; , The Scarlet Eyed Duck, fo called, from their red Eyes, and a red Circle of Flefli for their Eye-lids. They arc of various beautiful Colours, and arc to be met with in fcveral Places, but efpecially near the Mountains, and the Heads of Rivers.. They are alfo good Meat, The Shell-Drakes, are the fame as jn Europe, in Fea- ther and Size. They are in great plenty here, and are very good Meat. The Bull-Necks, (o called from, their thick Neclcs. They are a Species of Ducks, but as large as Barnacles, ofawhitifh Cplourj and have the thickeft Necks of any Fowl I have ever feen, of the fame bignefs. They come here about Chriflmas in great Flocks to the Creeks and Rivers, They are good Meat, but hard to kill, being a very wary Fowl ; will dive as foofi as you can fhoot, and endure a great deal of Shot before they are kill'd. Th^ Water PheaJoMt ', but fpr. what reafon lo impro- perly call'd, I know not, for.it hasqo manner of Rcfem- blance of that Bi/d. |t is a Specict of Ducks, having 2 Creft or Topping of pretty Feathers on it's Head, which is very Ornamental. They arc about the fizc of out Wild Ducks, of a light brown coiour, ^ihcy are in great Plenty, and fine eating. ,, { -. ~ , The Shovellers, are another kii^d of Ducks, fo called,' from |:heir broad and flat Bills. They are Grey, with black Heads, and fomcthing larger than our Wild Ducks. They uc plenty in fcveral parts, and are good Meat. The 208 The Natural H I S T O R Y a/ The Blut-WingSy arc another Species of Ducks, and arc fo called, from their beautiful Blue-Wings. J hey arc lefs than a Wild Duck, but excellent good Meat. Thefe are the firft Fowl that appear to us in the fall of the Leaf, at which time they come in large Flocks, as is luppofed iTOTXiCandda, and other great Lakes that lie to the Northward of us. The Red'headi, are another Species of Ducjis, fo called from their Red-heads, and are Icfs than the" Bull- necks. They arc very plenty in the Rivers and Creeks, arc fweet Food, and very nourifhing. The Swaddle-Bills, are anochcr Species of Ducks, of an Afli colour, and are fo called, from their extraordina- ry broad Bills. They arc excellent good Meat, but not fo plenty in thcle parts, as the other Species of Ducks arc. The HJhermen, fo called, from their Dexterity in Fifh- ing. They are like a Duck, only they have narrow Bills, with fcts of Teeth. They feed on fmall Fifh and Fry, which they catch as they fwim. They eat Filhy, therefore not in much requeft amongft the Planters. The bcfl way in ordering them is, to take out their Fat and Guts, then bary them under Ground for five or fix Hours, which will make them eat well, and take away their ftrong and fifhy taftc; as I have been credibly in- formed by many in thefe Parts. The Rajt'Fiml, includes fcveral forts of Ducks, viz.'^ Divers, Teals, IVtgetns, and various other Kinds, that go in Rajts, or great Flocks along the Shoar, which we know no Names for at prefent. The Divers, whereof there arc two forts. The firft arc of a Grey Colour,the other Pied, White, and Black. They arc both good Fowl, aod cat well, but hard to (hoot. North CAROLINA. 209 fhoor, becauleot their dexterity in diving u dei vVa- icr, which cliey will do as quick as any one c-.i fl>o«jc. The Wigeons are tiic fame as in Euiope^ and in greit plencyinthe W^iiuer Seaion. They cue exceeain^ly w^ii. Tiic Tealy whereor there arc twu ioiris. I'ne firfl is exactly the fame as in Europe, and as good Eating, be- ing more delicious than cither Divers or Wigeon. The fecond fort frequent tiie trclh VVaiers, and are always ob(erved to be nodding their Heads when, they are in the Water. Thefc forts are ImaiLr than tnc tor- mer, but finer and more delicious. They are both very plenty here in the Winter Seafon. The Dipper^ or Fijher ; thefe are fmall Birds about the bignefs of a Te^l, and much the fame a«^ itiofe that arc to be rnet wi:n in the Iflanus of Scil/y^ and m^ny other lOands in Europe. They are ot a black and white Colour, and are fo called, from their dexterity in Filhiuu arid catching fmall Fifh, on which they feed. Tlie\ eat fifhy, for which reafon they are not in much Requell amoi»git the Planters. The Black Flufieren ; fome call thefe Old IVi'ves i they are jet black, only the Cocks have white Faces^ like the Bald-Coots. They always rerriain in the middle of the Rivers, and teed on Drift, Grafs, Carvels, or Sea Nettle. They are the fatted Fowl in thele Parts, and are fometimes fo heavy that they cannot rife out of the Water. They make an odd fort of a Noife wnen they fly, and are fomething larger than a Duck i foi-nc call them the great Bald Coot. Their Flerti is not muc:h ad-^ mired, being ot a itrong and filhy tafte, and hard cf Digeftion, but their Eggs (which are as large as chofe os:' Hens) are good NourifSment. D d The 2IO The Natural HISTORY (f The Bdid Faces, or White-Faces, arealmoftas big as a Duck, and are an extraordinary Fowl and cat well. Thtic Birus cannoc Due, and therefore arc eafy to be Shot. I'he tVater-Witcbj or Ware-Coots, are a very ftrange Fowl, having ali over them Down, and no Feathers, and neither fly nor go, but are fo dexterous in Diving, that fcarce any Fowler can hit or ihoot them They ofcen get into the Fi(h- Wares, and are taken, becaufc they cannot fly or get over the Rods or Poles, whereot the Fi(h-Wares are made. I'hey are not much coveted or cflcerred, by reafon they eat fifliy and arc hard ot Dif^cftion. The Kings-FiJhtY, whereof there arc two Sorts. The firft is lomcthiiig larger than a Jay, with a long Bill, and large Crop, much of the fhape and colour of the latter, though not altogether fo curioully Feathered : Tliclc Birds moft commoi^ly frequent the Rivers, prey on fmall Fifli, and build their Ntfts on the Shoar. The lecond is much the fame as with us in Europe ; being a line Bird, with red Feet, long Bill, and about the bignefs of our Bunting. The Chin is white with a ceitain mixture of Red, and the upper part of the Belly is oi the fame Colour. The lower Belly under the Tail is of a deep red, fo are the fides and Feathers under the "Wings. The Bread is red, the utmoft Borders of the Feathers being of a l^autiful bleuifh Green : From the Neck through the middle of the Back to the Tail is of a mofi lovely bright Purple or pale Blue, which by its fplendour is apt to hurt the Eyes of thofc that look long and ftedfaftly upon it. Thefe Birds, like the former, frequent rhe Rivers, and build their Nefls on the Shoar. The FleCfci roaftcd and eaten, is good in Convulfions and Epilcfies, r North CAROLINA. 211 Epileiit s, the Heart is fometimes dryed and hung about the Neck of Children for the fame Difordtrs. The Pelican in Carolina is a large Wacer-Fowl, being five Feec in length, From the point of the Bill to the end of liic Tail, and almoft equal in bigncfs x.0 2.Svian. U has a long thick Neck and Beak, and a great natural Wen or Pouch under the Throat, in which it keeps it's Prey ot Fifh, which it hves upon. This Pouch it will fometimes contra(5t and draw up to the Bill, that it iz fcaicc to be leen. It is a Wcb-Footed Fowl, like a Goofc, but fhaped more like a Duck, and ot a light grey Colour. The Fkfli is feldom eaten, having a flrong fiftiy tafte, aiid hard of digeflion; but being well boiled, maketh good Brorh, and the Planters make handlbm Tobacco- Poiuhcs of It's Maw. They arc plentifully to be met with in tiie IVinter Seafon,cfpecialIy near the Sounds and Sea Shears. In Spring they go into the Woods to breed, and return again in Autumn. They have an odd kind of Note, much like the Braying of an Af(, and are re- ported to live to a great Age, vix.. fixty Years or up- wards. They are faid to be white in Guinea^ and St. Jerom faith, that there are two forts of them in Egypt, viz.. the Land and Water Pelican. The Gall of this Bird cleanfes Silver. The Cormorants are the fame as in Europe, only thofc of this Province are larger. They are as numerous all over thcfe Fins of Amertca, as in any part of the World, cfpecially at the run of the Herrings, which is in March and ^pril; at which time they arc fccn fitting upon the Sand Banks, or Logs of Wood in the Rivers, and catch vafb quantities of Fifh, which is their only Food, and whereof they are very ravenous and greedy. They lay jchcir Eggs in che beginning of the Spring, in thclilands, in 212 The Natural HISTORY of in the Sound, and near the Sea Shoar in the Banks, and fcmcLimes on iiigh Trees, as the Shags do i they are very Itrtngrhnuv to the Stomach, and cure the Bloody Flu>. i ne Fie^ is black, and hard of dit^eiiion, there- fore iciuom made uic of. Tne ^hiiff is iomewhat like the Cormorant, but much \t{T\ n diftersin the colour of the Belly, which in this is biavkifh, in the other white. It iwims m the Sea ■witli its He.td cred:, and it's Body almoit covered in the Water. Ic is io dextrous in diving, chat when a Gun isoilch^irgca at it, as foon as is fees the Fire tlafh, im- meoiacely ic } ops unaer Water, fo that ic is a hard mat- ter t'l (hcot them. I have never known or heard of any ^\ ebb-fooceo Birds but tiiis, and rhe .V«wwtr- Ducks that lie upon Trees, and build their Nefis m them. The Fltfh IS black, lil-tafted, and hard of tiigeftion, being jnuch ot tiie iitme Nature wich the Cormovam. ThzGanneth a very large while Fowij having one pare o- k's Wings black. It lives on Fjfh, as the /'t//tvi» anci Cormorant I'o ; it is reported, chat their Fat or Greaie (^wLich IS as yellow as Saffron) is the beft thing known to prelerve Fiic-Arms from Ruft. The Flcfii is of a bad 1 afle, and fcarccly good for Food or Phyfick. Tilt .hear-M^ater^ is a longer Fowl than a £)«c^,butha$ a mucii rrr;aller Body. They are of a browniili Colour, and for the moft part upon the Wing, like the SwaSoiti : There are vaft Quantities of them on feveral parts of thele Sea Coafts (whilft others range the Seas all over) for they are fomecimes met with five hundred Leagues from Land. I have frequently obfervcd them to ftrike down upon a Sea-rack, or Weed chat grows in the Gulf of Floviday 'which is plentifully to be met with iw thefe Seas,. It hath many winding Stalks, which appear like Oral, North CAROLINA. 213 Coralj whereon grow fhort Branches, fct thick with nar- row Lcavt«, amongft wnich arc many lound Berries, wituouc either Seeds or Grams in them I have often taken up ot this Sea-wreck (wnich is a kind of"^Ja^^o^» leaf d S^a-lenulj wherei.. I found fevcral (orts of fmill Shell- lilli, which I am perfuaaed chcic Birds catch, and li\c upon. And ic is ciic Opinion of many in tliefc Pans, that thefe Birds nercr drink any Freih Water, t>c- cai\jk ihey are never (cen any where near the Frcfhrs, or Rivers. Their Fltlh is of an ill Scent, therefore not good to be caccn. Thus have I finifhed the mod cxad Account that is yet ki.own of the BIRDS that are to be met with in North Carolina ; chough doubtlcfs there arc many more diftcrent Species ot them, chat we arc entire Strangers to at prefect, which is chiefly owing to the want of En- couragement to a feledt number ot travelling Gentlemen, whole Obfervations might tend to the Improvement of Natural Knowledge. For want of this, we are rendered incapable of being fo well acquainted with this part of the World as tne French and Spaniards are with theirs, who generally fend abroad in Company with the Mifjio' naries fome of their young Gentlemen, with handfomc Penfions for their fupport, who foon become acquainted with the Savages of America, and their Languages. Thefe Gentlemen are likewifc obh'gcd to keep a flri& Journal of all their Paflages, whereby many confiderablc Dilcoveries have been made in a tew Years. Such lau- dable Encouragements as thefe, would undoubtedly breed an honorable Emulation amongft the Gentlemen of our own Nation, to outdo one another even in all manner of Facigues and Dangers, to be fcrvicable to their . ' " " King 214 '^^^ Natural H IS T O R Y 0/ King and Country. That Attempts of this Naurc may always be encouraged, I iinccrdy wiih, for the Ho- nour and Granuurc of the Bntijh Thronc. I (hall in the next place proceed to give an Account of the Inhabitants of the watry Elements, which jx prefent can be but very impcrfcdly trcaied of, for want of Fifhcrmen, and the fifliing Trade goinc on in uicle Parrs to pertcdion. Yet I am willing to fatistie the Cu- rious with the beft Account that is in my power, and leave the reft to Time (which perfcds all Things) to difcovcr. The Fifties in the fait and fre(h Waters of Carolina, arc as follows. / " O P Old Wife North CAROLINA. 5fl5 OF THE FISH o F North - Carolina. H E Whales differ from the Fm-Fifi in theit Fins. The Fin-Fijh having a large Fin on the Back, where the Whale has none, but he has two behind his Eyes, covered with a thick black Skin, finely Marbled, with white Stroaks, and the rcprelentation of Houfcs, Trees, t^c. With thefc two Fins and his Tail he (wims and fleers himfclflikca Boat with Oars. The Head of this Monftcr is fomewhac flat, and dopes downwards like the Ridge of a Houfe to the nnder Lip, which is broader than any part of his Body, and broad- cfl ill the middle behind (he Bump^ for between that and the ai6 The Natural HI S T O R Y 0/ the Fins arc his Eyes, which arc noc much bigger than thofc ot a Bullock, with Eye-lias and Hair like Men's. The Chryltal of che Eye is noc much bigger than a Pea, which in fomc is clear and tranfparcnt, and in others ot a white or ycliowifh Colour. The Eyes lie low, almoit at the end of the upper Lip. The Head is the third part of the Fiflj, and in iome more. Their Lips arc plain, fomewhat bending like an S. and underneath the Eyes, before the two Fins, they are fmooth, jet black, and round like the quarter of a Circle, but when they draw them together, they lock in one another. Within the uppcrmoil Lip is contained the IVhaltbone, (and noc in the Fins, as fome have imagined) which is of a brownifn black and yellow Colour, with ftreaks of feveral other Colours, but the IPhalebone of the young ones, is gene- rally Blue. The IVhalehne hangs down on both fides within the Mouth, all hairy like a Horfcs Tail, and in forac it is bended like a Scymetevy and in others like a half Moon. In one fide, in a Row, there arc generally *Ivio hundred and fijty Pieces of IVhalebme^ and as many on the other, befides the fmall Bone, which is not regard- ed, bccaafc they cannot well come at it to cut it out. The middlemofl is the greatefl:, and is iometimes eighteen or ninteen Foot long. It lies in a f^at row, one Piece by another, and is broadellat the top, where it flicks to the upper Lip , towards the Root it is covered with "White Sinews, which v/hsn boiled, fmell pleafandy. There grows fmall Whalebone at the Root of the greater, whereof they make Boxes, Handles tor Knives, walking Sticks, and the like. i. The Tongue lies amongft the Whalebone^ and is clofe fixed to the upper Chop, which is very large and white, -wit'h black Spots at the edges. It has a foft fpungy Far, andiJaonotbceafily cut/o that it is generally flung away, though Korth CAROLINA, 'ix-) though ic would yield (even or eight Barrels of train Oil. Upon his Head there is a Bump, and before his Eyes and Fins at the top ot this Bump on each (ide, there is a (pout hole, bended hke an S. out ot which he blows the Watet io hcrceiy, that ic roars like a great Wind. Jalt before in the under Lip, there is a Cavity or Hole, waich fits the upper as exadly ai a ftieach does a Knife, and through tnis hole he draws the Water he fpQuts cut; when he iS Vvounded, his blowing refembles the roaring of the Sea in a great Storm. Neither does he hear When he fpouts the Water, and is eafiefl ftruck at that time. The Belly dnd Back are quite Red in fome, but undet the Belly they are fometimes White, and fome of them Coal Black. They look very beautiful when the Sun fliineSdn them, and the Imall clear Waves over them, glitter like Silver. The outward Skin is thin like Parchment, and eafily pulled oft' when the Fifli grows hot, which they frequently do by fwiming, andchen they Ifink. The Yard is a flrong Sinew, and from fix to eight Feet long, arid where the Yard is fixed, the Skin is doubled, fo that it lies like a Knife in a Sheath. The Pudenda of the Female is (haped like chat of a large fouc footed Beaft. They have Brcafls, with Nipples at the fides of it, like thofe of a Cow, When they couple to- eethcr, they fland upright, With their Heads out of the Water, blit how long they catty their Young, is uncer- tain. Neither are they ever obferved to have more thad two youfig ones at a time. When they are broughc forth, they are as big as an llogfhead ; they fuck thei^ Dams, whofe Milk is vcty white and fWeCt, but taltes Fiftiy. The Sferniy when frefh, fmells like wheatcii Flower boild m Water, and may be dtiwn out in Threads !ike hot Seiling Wax or Gtew i when cold, it turns i6 i M^k tobtii^ ffeiUs ilrong, slnd is to be kept iW^et 21 8 The Natural H I ST O R Y 0/ by no means. At ccrcain Scafons there may be whole Pails full of it taken out oi: the Water, tor it Twims upon the Sea like Fat, as does thac oixh^^iea-Horjts and Seals ^ the Sailors Irequently make twilled Whips .of the Sinews of the Yard. I'he Bones are hard like thofe of a great four-footed Beafi, but porous like a SpuDge, and filled with Marrow, bi.t when that is confumed, the Holes are as large as thofe of a Honey-Comb, They have two large llrong Bones which hold up the unoer Lip, and they lie oppofitc ro each other ni form ot an half Moon, fome of which are twenty Feet long of a fide. The Flefli is courlc and hard, like that of a Bull, mixed with many Sinews, and is very dry and lean when boiled, be- caufe their Fat lies wholy betwixt the Flefli and the Skin. When the Sailors have a mind to eat ot it, they eut great pieces off before the Tail, which is tcndereft, and boil it. Others report the Tongue to be good Food, and whenever they kill any of them cat part of it ,• fome of the Flefli looks green and blue like powdered Beef. The Fat is mixed with Sinews, which hold the Oil, as a Spnnge does Water : The other flrong Sinews arc chiefly about the Tail, with vhich he turns and winds himfelf, as a Rudder docs a Ship. He fwims asfwift as a Bird flies, and makes a track in the Sea like a large Ship under fail. Their Tals do not fland up as the Tails of moft other Fifhes do, but lie horizontally as thole of the Dolphin, and arc from three to four Fathom broad. The middling Whales arc about fifty or fixty Feet long, and coramonly yield fcventy, eighty, or ninty Bar- rels of Fat or Oil. Bcfides the uppermoft thin Skin, there is likewife another about an Inch thick, and of the fame colour with the other, but both arc (0 brittle, when dry, that they are of no value -, and the loftnefs of the Skill h reckoned to be the caufc why the H^aU^ thougb the North CAROLINA 219 the ftrongcft and biggcft of Fifees in the Water, can- noc make much uie ot his ftrength. The Guts are of a flcfh Colour, and the Dung within them yellow; Their Food is chiefly Sea-SnailSy Herrings, and other Imall Fi(h j when they fee a Man or a Long Boar, they dive and run away ; but if they are wounded, or in danger, they value a Man no more than a Straw, and frequently beat the Long-Boat in pieces, but great Sh.ps are too many for them, for when they ftrike a- gainit them with their Tails, they generally receive more Damage than they give. They fometirties run away with fome thouland fathom of Rope-line (after they are ftruck with the Harpoon or Sharp-Iron^ that is fixed to 2 Stick, and refembles a Dart) a great deal I'wifcer than a Ship can fail, or a Bird flie, h^ which means the Lines are f metimes fet on fire, when there is not proper Care taken to prevent them, by conftantly throwing Water on them as they run out. They fhift their Quarters, as is fuppofed, according to the Seafons. They have Ail- ments as well as other Beafls, and arc ftrangcly afflided with Lice j they will fonactimes leap out of the Water, as if they were in an Agony. Before a Tempeft they beat the Water about with their Tails like Dult. They are obferred to have tKc grcatcft Strength when they ftrike fide- ways. If they cfcape, their Wounds are quick- ly healed up, becaufc of their Fat ; but the Wound al- ways leaves a white Scar behind it. Thcfe Monfters are very numerous on the Coafts of North-Carolina^ and the Bone and Oil would be a great Advantage to the Inhabitants that live on the Sand- Banks along the Ocean, it they were as dexterous and induftrious in Fifliing for them as they are Northwards ; but as I oblerved before, the People in thefc parts are not very much given to Induftry, but wait upon Providence to E c 2 " throw 220 ThQ Natural HISTORY of throw thofe dead Monftcrs on Shoar, which frequently happens lo their great advantage and Profit. For whicn Reafbn abundance of Inhabitants dwell upon the Banks near the Sea for that Intenc, and the benefit of Wrecks of Vefleis which are lometimes driven in upon thcfe Cuaits. Kot many Years ago there were two Boats that came from the "Northward to Owfoc/^ Ifland, to Hlh, and earned aw^y that Scafon Three Hudrcd and Forty Barrels of Oil, be(idc the Bone, but thcfe Fifhermen going away with- out paying the Tenths to the Governor, they never ap- peared to Hfh on thcfe Coafts afterwards, or any other that I ever pould hear of. I only mention this to (hcw with what Advantage the Fifhing \ox Whales mignt be carried on here, when only one Tryal carried oft lo rich 3nd valuable a Cargoe. There are four forts of IVbaki in thefe parts : The firft is the Sp$rma-Ceti JVhale^ from whence the Sperma- Ceti is taken, and is the moft choice for its rich and va- luable Cororaodities. Thcfe f'ort arc fometimes tound Qn this Coaft, and are 4 rich Piizc to thofe that are iq fortunate as to find tliem. The other forts are of a prp- ^digious large fize, and it is of thefe the Bone and Oil are made, tiie Oil being only the Blubber or Oily Ficlh or Fat of this Fiih boiled. Thele differ not oply in Colour, feme being all White, others pied, and others jiot, but likewifc very much in Shape, one being called the Bottk-Nofe, and the other the Shovel-Nofe^ which is as ditterent as uSalmon from a Sturgeon. Thcfe Fifh arc never found dead or floating to the Shoar with thcjr Tongues in their Heads, for it h the Opinion of many in thefe parts, tiiat the Thrafien and ^werd-Fif^y (which arc mortal Enemies to the Whalei Where £,vcr they meet them^ cat the Tongue out of their |ic^d. North CAROLINA. 221 Head, as foon as th.ey luvc killed him ; but whether this IS done by tlie Fifh abovementioiied, or by others of the lame voracious N.itiire, I will not cake upoM me to de- termine, but leave it to the determination of every judici- ous Reader. Tiiere IS another fort of thcfe IVhaleSy or great Fifljes, tljough not comrroniy found on thcfe Coalts, and urc con.r^iy to all u\q ochtrs in fhape, that were ever found in thcfe Parts, being about Sixty Feet in length, and not above four Feet and a half Diameter j I never fa w but one of them. Ic is reported that feme Indians in America will go out to Sea and get on the IfVhale^s Back, and peg, and plug up iiis Spouts, and lo kill him, which 1 cao fcarce believe, except they have fome fecrct Spell to make them ftupid, to treat them after that manner. It is very ilrangeiofce how they will throw up the Water with their Spouts, by which means they are leen or difcovered at great diflances. They cannot abide long under Wa- ter for want of kit, which is common to mo(l large Fifties; fo that they are frequently fcen to rife with their Heads and Backs above the furfacc of the Water, and fpouting ic in the Air, after which it is faid, they draw in a lufficient quantity of Air neceflary for their fuppoiting of Life. • The Crampoifj is another large Fifh, about twenty five or thirty Feet long, and is accounted by many to be a young Whale, by reafon it has Spouts as the Whale has and produces as good Oil as the former. The Bottle-Nofes, are another Species of large Fifties, between the Crampois and the Porpoife. They arc to be met with for the mofl part near the Soundings, and arc never obferved to Swim leifurely, as fometimcs other Fifties do, but are continually in purfuit of their Prey, in gr^at Shoals, like wild Horfes, leaping now and then above «ia The Natural HISTORY^ above the Water. Some make ufe of them,anddpecially the French, who cfteem them good Food, and eat chcm both frcfh and fait. Thefc as wtll as the Porpoife, are often lieard to puff and blow very iirong, as they are Swimming. I hope it will not be unpleafingto the Reader, to give an Account what I faw done by thcfe Fifhes, viz.. In our Puffage through Pamtkoe Sound, we had very good Diverfion with them,which were in great Numbers about the Ship J one of our Company (hot amongft them, with a Brace ot Balls, and happened to wound one of them, which we could plainly difcover from fome of it's Blood in the Water, the Weather being very calm ; which was nofooner done, but all the reft left us in purfuit of the one that was wounded, and we could ofcen fee it leaping above the Water, for near half an Hour, ftill ftriving to avoid the reft, 'till at laft it was quite fpenr, (as we fup- pofed) for we could not perceive it any longer leaping out of the Water. The Mafier of the Vcflei aflured me, that the reft devoured it, which they always do with thofe wounded, ftill purfuing the Blood, like a" Pack of Dogs after a Deer. They are very fat and produce good Oil. The Porpoije, or Sea-Hog, is large, being above four Feet long and two and a half thick, the Figure is (ome- vrhat long and round, continually taperii^g towards the Tail. It is covered with a llendcr thin Skin, of a black- ifli colour, and has only three Fins like the Dolphiriy It has a large Head, fmall Eyes, and a forked Tail. They are frequently to be met with all over the Ocean and Ri- vers that arc fait. We have a frc(h-water Lake in the great Sound of N^rth Carolina, that has Porpoifes in it, with feveral other forts of unknown Fifti (as the Indians report) that we are intire Strangers to. As to the Por- North CAROLINA. 223 foijesy thy arc generally very fat, and make good Oil. 1 hry prey on other Fifh, fuch as Drums and Mullets^ yet arc feldom or never known to take the Bait, foas to be catched with a Hook. Some call thefe Herring Hogi, from their feeding on thofe Fi£h, and their Flefh being fo very fat, like Pork. They are much fatter than a Dolphin, but not lo good; the Gentry bake it as Vcni- fon, but it is not pleafant Food. They are always ap- proaching the Shears in great Numbers before Storms. The Thrajherf are likewife large, as I have been inform- ed, and one of the mortal Enemies that purfue and kill the Whale, as I faid before. They make good Oil, but are ieldom found in thefe Parts. The Sword-Fijh, or Saw-Fijb, ha$ a long broad Bone fixed to his Nofe, with fharp Teeth like a Saw, on each fide of it. It has two Fins on the Back, that next the Tail is hollow like a Sickle, He has four underneath his Belly, viz. two on each fide. The Tail is like a piece of Board, painted behind and underneath, but not divided, his Shape from Top to Tail, is like a Man's Arm. His Eyes ftand high out of his Head ; his Nof- trils are oblong, and his Mouth is diredly under his Eyes. They are from twelve to twenty Feet long, and are generally very fat on the Back, almoft like a Hog. I'hcy are mortal Enemies to the IVhale, about which they gather in great Numbers, and when they kill him, only cat out his Tongue, as is fuppofed, and then the Whale floats to Shoar, which is an extraordinary Prize to thofe that find him. They likewiic joyn with the Ihrajhers, to kill them, and it is reported that they will fingly attack a Whale. In calm Weather, the Filh- crs lye by till they kill the Whale, and upon the approach of the Boats, the S-mrd-Fifi being frighted, retires. The Ficflf 224 ^he Natural HI S T O R Y 0/ Flelh is dry and fdlid, but it is faid to nourifh much, and as good as a Sturgton. Th^Devil-Fifi, (0 called, from the large pair of Horns it has upon its Head, and as near as I could be inform- ed ; it is ihapcd like a Scateox Stingray. Ic is of a mon- ftrous large Size and Strength, for it hath been known to weigh a Sloop's Anchor, and fUn away with the Vc(- fel for a League or two, and to bring her back again al- moft to the fame Place, againft the Tide. This I have been informed of by ieveial of the moft credible and fubftantial Planters in theic parts; and that this ftrangc and wondertul Adventuce has happened ttiott than once. They are in moft of our Inlets, but I never heard of any of them being killed or taken, therefore cannot inform the Reader what Ules they are of, but doubtlcfs they would make good Oil as well as other large FifhcSj if they they could be taken to make the Experiment. The Sharky whereof there are two iorts. The firft i^ called the Paracoda-Nofesj the other the Shovel- Nofes j Both thefeare very large, bold, voracious and dangerous Fifiies, efpecially to tliofe that that have the misfortune to fall over board. It is reported, that they will follow Ships for Hours together, and if either Man or Dog, of any other living Animal happen to fall into the Water, they imrticdiately feize and fnap in two, having exceed- ing fharp, and feveral Rows of Teeth in their Heads .- Some of them are lo large, that they arc faid to weigh about four thoufand Weight. They are eafily caught livith a Bait, but can never take their Prey 'till they turri themfelves on their Backs, wherefore fome Nigrots and others that can fwim and dive well, go naked into the Waters with a Knife in their Hands, and fight them, and commonly kill, or wound him, fo that he turns Tafi and runs away. Their Flefh is cacen in time of fcarcity^ ' - • bat North CAROLINA. 225 but is nor very palatable, having a ftrong filhy taftc. 'I'heir Liver makes good Oil to drefs Leather with, and the Bunes found in chcir Head, arc laid to haflcn the Birch, and cafe the Scone, by bringing it away. Their Back-bone is of one entire thicknefs, having many Joints in it, whereof I have known Buttonsmadt oy the Sail- ors and others that live in thofe remote Pf.ees. Gillius iays;, chat the People of Marjeilles told nim, that they had caught one of them, in which they found a Man armed wich a Goat of Mail. The following Relation, will in fomcmeafurc cdrrc?-' borate the former Account of the Negroes killing them *• Augufl 1730, a Sloop failed from iVorf A Carolina, bound to the Iflands in the IVtfi Indies^ and after four Days failing from the Bar, was moft unfortunately overfct^ and all the Crew, except the Mafterj two Sailors, and one Nsgrocy were drowned, thefe being upon Deck ac the time when this misfortune happened, and had the good providence to get upon the Keel of the VefTcIj where they remained twenty one Days, and then were taken up by a Veffel trading to Europe ; having neither Water or any other Necefl'arics to fupport Nature, but by Gods Providence, the Negroe killed a Sharky whereon they lived, and was the only fupport they had during the laid time, which was confirmed by the Mafter in his Letter from London, to his Friends in North Cara^^ lina The Pilot Fi/h is of a deep Blue, and the Belly of a lighter Colour than the Back or Sides. The Scales arc fmooth like a Tench. It's Back is fpecklcd like a Seal-skin^ When it is fwimming, it appears much like a Mackarel^ and looks as if it were painted Blue and White, like 2 Earhets Pole. It is reported, that the Shark is always mmdtA by one or two of thefe Fifhes, which he will ■ Ff not 226 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ not devour, though never fo hungry., becaufc they find out the Prey for him. They are reckoned exceeding good to eat. The Dolphin^ is a large Fifii, not much unlike a Pur- foife. It has two flrong Fins, which like the Arms of a Man, are joined to the Shoulder-blades, and is faid to be ot that {wiltnefs, that it will eafily overtake a Ship in fulUail before the Wind. They generate like rational ! Animals, bringing forclr their Young alive, not from Spawn but Seed, and have but one or two at a time. They go with young t?n Months, breed only in the I Summer, and are faid to live two or three hundred Years. They lomctimes fwim in Shoals, and at other times on- ' ly. the Male and Female together. It is reported that when they are taken, they are obfcrved to deplore their Condition by Groans, Lamentations, and a flood 1 of Tears. It is alfo faid to be a certain fign of a Storm / Ihortly to follow., when they are lecri fporting, and fre- ^ quently moving their Bodies in the Water. They have '^- a groaning Voice, fharp Sight, and are faid to be lovers { of Mufick and Men. Thera are great numbers of them to be met with in thefe Seas, and are faid to live out of ^ the Water fur two or three Days. They are much de- ceived who imagine Dolphins to be of the Figure they arc ufually reprefentcd on Signs; that Error being more owing to Painters, than any fuch thing in Fad, for they are flraight and not crooked. Their Flefh is eaten by tht Dutchj and is of good Account amongft iht: French; though according to the Accounts of fome, it yields no very grateful Tafte. The Liver is of a tender Subflancc, and very nourifhing, fo is the Tongue. The Bowels fmell and taftc like Violets, and help the Spleen. The Afhes of the whole Fifh applied with Water, is good againft the lemrs^ Ring-wirmSi Scruff ^n^ U^^ope, ■ " "" "" The North C Am LIN J. M^ 3 The hiying-fih is flendcr and long, the Eyes large, and the 1 ail torked. The Body is in (hape like a Seal's, and in colour like one oFoup Mullets. It has two large Fins near rhe Head, which refemble a pair of Wings, one on the Back, and two underneath the Bell/, with thcfe Fins, it flies near a Gun-ftioc before it touches the Water, and when it hath wet it's Wings it will mount up again. They are conllantly chafed by the Dolphins^ which fwim fo fall, that they are ottcn catched by them as they drop into the Water. There arc vaft Shoals of them inthefc Seas, and when they rife out of the Water, at a diflance, appear like a large flock of fmall Birds. The Do£-fih, is a fmall fort of the Shark kind, but fcldom exceeds twenty Pounds. They are frequently caught with the Hook and Line 'when they fifh tor Drum. They have a long tapering Body without Scales, but covered with a fharp hard Skin, that is made ufe of to polifh fine Wood. Their Snout is a little long and round at the point, the Flefli iswhite, ofeafy concodion, but of no pleafant Taftc, and is therefore befl eaten with Muflard or feme fharp Sauce. They are very nu- merous in thefe Parts, but little regarded or made ufe of, where there are fo many delicate forts to be had in fuch plenty. The Fat of thefe Fifh, and the S/jark, have touch the fame Virtues with the AlligatQr. The Spanijh Mackarel^ they are in fhapc and colour like the common Mackarel, only thefe are much thicker, and generally about two Feet long ; there are vaft num- bers of them in thefe Seas. They are caught with Hook and Line in the Inlets, and fometimes a fmall diftancc out at Sea, being a voracious Fifh, greedily fwallowing cither Beat or FiQi that comes in their way. They arc a very fine hard Fifh, and of good Tafte. The LiveC eaten, helps Obftrudion of the Liver and Jaundice. Ff 2 The ?228 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ ^ __«_»_ ^ The Cavalliei are about the bignefs of a Mackarel, the Fins and Tail are partly like a Dolphins. 'I'hey have large Eyes, and are ot a brownifh colour on their Backs, and their Bellies whiter they have exceeding Imall Scales, and a very thick Skin. They aie taken in the fame places with the Spamjh-Mackarel^znd are one ot the r fiimeit Fifllcs known in thefe pans, and will rhcrctore keep fweet (in the extremity of the hot Weather) two or three Days without Salt, when others will Stink in ^ half a Day, if not Salted. Thofe that catch them, im- t piediately take off their Scales, othcrwiie you mull pull off the Skin and Scales when boiled ; the Skin being the choiceft part of the Fifli. Their Meat is exceeding [ White, and very rclifhing when it is well Dreft. The Boneto*s are veyy fine and palatable Fifhcs, and 1 generally about a Yard long. They moft commonly / frequent the Inlets and Waters near the Ocean, and arc ( Jiill'd with the Harpoon and Fifi-gig, but ieldom or never (^ with the Hook and Line, thougii they arc very plecny , in feveral places on this Coalt. The Blue-Filh, fo call'd, from their being of that co- ' lour, they are accounted one of the bed fort of Filhes in thefe parts, being very fat. They have a forked Tail, and are partly (hapcd like a Dolphin^ They arc as large and as long as a Salmon, and as good. They come to thefe Coafts in the fall ol the Year, and after there has been one black Froft, in great Shoals, fo that the hdinns \ and others who wade into the Waters flrikc and kill vaft ( ^umbers of them with their i^^-^?^/. Sometimes many Cart loads of them are found dead and left dry on the Sea Shore j which is occaiioned for the moft part by their eager purfuit after the fmall Filh ; by which means they and feveral other Fifties run themfelves on Shoar, and the Tides leaving them on ths dry Sands they cannot recover \ North CAROLINA. 229 reco\cr the Water again and fo dye ; wherefore thofc that are difpofed co get up early betorc the Fowl come to prey, may get what quantities they plcafc of fcvcral lores oi Fifhes all along thefe coafts. And notwith- ibnding thefc B!nc-fi(h arc accounted (o extraordinary good, yet they fomciimes occafion Sicknefs after eating them, viz.. violent heats all over the Body with Shivcrings, Head-ach, and the like, which is chiefly owing to the Gall being broke in fomeof them, which is very hurtful, as I found by giving it to a Dog. The Drumjfijh, whereof there are two forts, viz,, the Red and the Black. The Red is a large fcaly Fifh, much biggei' than chc Blue-fijhy fome of them being above four Feet long; the Body is excellent firm Meat, and e:xtraordinary good nourifhmcnt j their Heads exceed in goodnefs all the Fifh m thele parts, being the moft deli- cious Difh I ever met with. There are greater Num- bers of them to be met with in Cardinay than any other fort of Fifh. Thofe that arc difpofcd to fifh tor them, efpecially every hew Flood, catch as many Barrels full as they plcafe, with Hook and Line, for at that time they will catch them as faff as they can throw their Bait into the Water, which is generally a foft Crab^ and fo Salt them up and Tranlport them to other parts that are fcarce of Provifions. The Black-Drums arc a thicker made Fifh, and much fatter than the former ; they are an excellent good Fifli, but not fo common here, as they are in the more Nor^ therly parts of this Continent, they arc taken after the fame manner with the former, viz,, with Hook and Line. The Aniel-fijb, io called from it's beautiful Golden Colour, that ftiincs all about it's Head and Belly ,• it is in fliape exadly like the Bream, and is very good to eat. yhe fame (§rt of Fiih is picnufully to be met with all '.7. ■ ' - -' ^ along 230 The Natural H I S T O R Y i/- along the Coafl oi Bermudas y and is very much efteemc4 by the Inhs^raats of thaL Ifland. The Bajsy or Rock-fijhj are to be met with borh in the fait and frefh Water i Wiicn they are youny taey very ^ much refemble x Grey-Ling^ but they grow to tne lize of the large Cod-fjh. Tiicy are a good, firm, and wctl taited Fifii, and are in great plenty in chele parts j they are r good Food, efpctially the Heads of the large ones foufcd, make a choice Difh. ^ The Mullets are the farne as with us in lize and good- \ nefs, and are in greater plenty here, than in molt parts of Europey tfpccially where the Waters are ialt ana brack- ifh. They are killed by ftrikingthem with ttie Dih-gigy t or caught in NttSy for they feldom or never take the *; Bait. I have frequently known them at Night-time, ( to leap into the Cannoesy and likewife vaft numbers of f them to be found dead oYi the dry Sands or Shears. / They arc much of the Nature of the Pike. They I ftrengthen the Stomach, and are good againfl the ChoU , icky Cc. I The Skeeps-heady is a Fiih, fo called, from it's having ' Teeth in it's Head like a Sheep. It is much about the bignefs of the Angel-fijhy and partly Ihaped like him, be- ing fiat. It has the vogue of being one of the choiceft Fifties in this Province: Moll certainly it is a delicate Fifti, and well reliflied, yet I think there are many others as good. It is taken with the Hook and Line as the Drunty . They are plenty in all our Salt-water Ri- \ vers and Inlets, and generally weigh two to three Pounds, ; and lomctimes more. The Plaicf are here very large and plenty, being the fame as with us in Europey they arc of good nourifhment, but more watry than SoaU, The beft Plaice have the ( blackeil Spots, as the bell Flounders have the rcddeff. North CAROLINA 531 The Soals 2.TC found here, but not in fuch plenty as generally other Fifti *rc, but are ss good and as fwcet here, as in any part vt Europe. They arc of the nature oi the Plaice anu Fkundcr^ but a much better Fifti, being more firnfi anci 1 jlid, and afford more plenty of nourifh- ment= The Indians and others kill vaft quantities of thefc two forts, and the Flounders, with their Ftfi'^igs^ Specially in the dark Nights, when the Weather is calm, with Lights. The Shadi are the fame here as in Europe ,• they arc plcafant, fweet, and nourifhing, but are full ot Bones, that It is dangerous to eat th^ without great care. They ar« to be met with in great plenty at fome Seafons. They are faid to be foracthing Hypnotick in their Nature. The fat- backs, are lo called, from being one ot the fattefl Fifhes ever yet known, for when they are fryed in a Pan, they neither ufe Oil or Butter for that pur- pofc. They arc like the Mullet, but not fo large, they arc an excellent Iweet Filh, cat well, and are very nourifhing. The Guar, or (?«W-)5^, whereof there are two forts,, viz,, the White and the Green. The White is fhap- ed almofl like a Pike, but more flender. It's Mouth has a long fmall Bill, fet with very fharp Teeth with which it catches it's prey which are feveral forts of fry and fmall Fifhes. They have flrong large Scales f o firmly knit together, that it is a hard matter to pierce through them with the fliarpefl Knife. When they drefs them, they flit the Belly, where the Scales arc not fo flrong oc Armor-like, and take off their Skin, which they throw away asufdefs. The Meat is white and firm, and looks rather like Flefh than Fifli. It is but very indifferent and courfc Food, therefore not much cov«tcd by the Planters, though the IndiansKQ rcry fond of thcra. ^Thc Call i| 232 The Natural HI S T O R Y 0/ is very Green, and a moft violent Cathartick it taken in- wardly. Tht Green-guardy is fhaped in all rcfpeds like che 0- thei, only it is not fo large, and it's Scales are Finer, The upper Jaw is the fame as in the Alligator, moveable. It's Bones when fry'd or broyl'd, remain as green as Grafs, though the Meat be oi a wiiite colour, and is but indiffefcnt Food. The iame fort of Fifh is generally to- be met with on the Conih of Ireland, bctore the Seafoa of the Mackarely and ieidOm atcerwarcis. The Scate, 01 Stingre, is Altogether of the nature of che Thornback, but Itronger, They are the fame here as are to be met with in levcral parts of Europe, and are very common j but the great plenty of other good Fifli makes them little regarded, tor few or none eat thetn In this Province (except the the Negroes znd Indiam) though they are at every Planter's Door, as tar as the fait Waters are. The Skin isufed to polith Ivory, and fine Wood ; it is faid that they couple with the Ihomback, and grow till they weigh One hundred and Sixty Pounds. The Oil ot the Liver is good in hard SwellingSs and the Afhcs of the Skin help running Ulcers of the Head and Baldnefs. The Thornbach arc the fame here as in Europe, but not fo plenty as the Scate and Whip-Rays. Their Fiefli' is moifl, nourifljes much, and reftores in long and deep Confumptions, the Liver is fweet,and has the fame vir- tues. The Gall cures Difeafes ot the Ears and Itch. The Conger, or great Sea-Eel, always remains in the Salt Waters, it is white, fat, and fweet Flefh, which nourilhes to exccfs, and is dangerous becaufe of Surfeits ; they are bell when firft boiled in Water, Salt, Sweet- Herbs, and Spices, then Broiled, or Collared, and thenr they arc exceeding good M«ac^ Theie kind of ¥i(h t North CAROLINA. 233 are better known to the Northward oi America^ than in this Province. The Lamprey, or Lampron, is not common in thefc Parts but plenty to the Northvjird. They arc beft iii March and Aprih being then tactcft j in Summer they are harder and leaner. They are about a Yara lung, live in the Sea in Rocky places, and in the Mouths ot Ri- vers, and wfigh about twelve pound Weight : They eat Fklh, and when taken, arc faid to fly at the Fifhers, and to be an Enemy to the Conger. They arc fometiraes taken in the Fifh-Wairs, but the Indians cannot cadurc them, neither will they eat them, tnough they arc fond ot moft other forts of FiOi found in thefe Parts. Pliny re- portech, thdt they Spawn at all times of the Year, where- as all other FiOi have certain Scafons. Tne Flcfh is fwcec and ot good Nourifhment, yet it is apt to caufc Surfeits like the former, with which it agrees in Nature and Virtues. The Eels are plenty" in all our Rivers, and eat as well as in any part of the World. Their Flefli is very fweet, and yields much Nourifhment, but apt to furfeit if much eaten. The Fat is good againfl blows and dlfcolouring cf the Skin, dropt into the Ears, helps old Pains and Deafnefs. The Gall is excellent againft Suffufions o£ the Eyes, and the Blood warm with Wine helps the Cho^ lick. The Sun-Fijh'is very fat and rounder thati a Breams it*s hinder part is invironed with a Circular Fin, wnich ferves inftead ot a Tail, fo that it may fccm to be but the Head ot a Fifb,or a Fifh in part rather than a whole one. They are plenty in thcfe parts ot America, and fomctimes weigh a hundred Weight j they are commonly two or three Feet in length, they have no Scales, but are covered with a hard thick and flurp Skin, th-colo^^ G 2 -whereof 234 '^ke Natural HISTORY a. Barbk^cvAy they have no Barhs, they are abouL a Foo: anj a half long, and are a very fotc and flaJoy Fifli, a. id therefore are feldom or never made ufe ot except by the Negroes and Indtansy they are generally taken witn the Bait and are very plenty in our Rivers and Creeks, The Cat- f lib, fo call'dj from the Whiskers or fmall fins they have about their Mouths. They arc nearclt m taftc to Eels of any Filh I have ever met with. Tfacy are ge- nerally boildand made into Soopor Breath, which is the bell way of dreffing them. They -are an excellent good Fifti and nourifli very much. There is another kind 06 Cat-Jijb which frequents the Salt Waters exadly like the former, both thcfc forts arc very plenty in thcle parts, and are taken by anghng with a Bait. They arc a round blackifli Fifti with a great flat Head and wide Mouth, and like the Eels have no Scales. The Grindaly are a long fcaled Fifli with fmall Eyes, and frequent Ponds, Lakes, and flow running Creeks and Swamps, but a very indiffrcnt fott fifh, therefore noc much coveted or made ufe of except by the Negroes or /«- dians, though feme cat them, and report they arc good FiOi. The Old-wives^ thefc are bright fcaly Fifh which fre- quent the bwamps and frefh runs of Warer,they have very fmall Mouths and large Eyes, with a great Fin on their. Back, they feem to be between an European Roach and 2 Breantj and cat much like the latter, they arc in great plenty up the Frcfhcs. The Indians take abundance 06 thcfe Fifh and Barbakue them till they are Crifp, and fo Tranfport them on v^ooden Hurdles Cocheic Towns and Quarters. " H h " ^ The 342 The Natural HISTORY / The Foumain-Jifhy fo call'd, from its frequenting the Fountaini and ckar running Streams of Water, wiierc they breed and are to be met witn and no where elfe: They are of a whitiih colour and as large as a midling TivutjdUd by the clearnels of the Water are very difiicult to be taken, theretore 1 can't inform you how gcod they arc, having never tailed any of them, but the Indians fay they are a fine fifli. 'rhe Barbuuts, or Miller* s-Thumb, are the very fame here as tiiofe in Eugland and other parts of Europe. They arc about three or four Liches long, have no Scales, anci the Back is Yellowifli with a few little black Spots. The head is large, and the Mouth wide and round. Out of the Fins grow ievcral fliarp prickles or Thorncs,efpecially in ihoie near the Head. Thefe hfii are very plenty m Rivers and Creeks near the Sea Siioar where they feed on watry Infeds. This is the beft Account I can give, or is yet known of the FISHES in the frefh Waters, few more being difcovered, though I am fatisfied, and may with Jufticc and iafety fay, that there is not one third part of them yet difcovcred, or made known to us, thereiorc (hall omit many flrangc and uncouth fliapes and fortof Fifhcs which we are told by the Indians, arc to be found in the Rivers and Lakes, whereof I can give no certain Infor- mation to my Readers, having no farther account of them than only hear fay from thofe People, fo (hall pro- ceed to treat of the ShtU-f^ which are found in the Salt Waters, as far as they are yet difcovered. The OTSTERS, whereof there arc two Sorts, the great and the imall, both chefc arc in greater plenty here than North CAROLINA, 243 than in moft parts of chc known World, for great Num- bers of them are to be tound in almoft every Creek and Gut ot Salt Water, and frequently hanging upon Boughs ot T'rtts, as they bend into the Water, io that when the Tide is out you (hall fee them fufpended in the Air, which woud be a very uncommon light in Ird.md^to lee Fi(h growing upon Trees. In the found in (cveral places there are luch quantities of large Oyfter-banki^ chat they are very troublelomc to Veflels trading to thcfe parts, which happen to come in amonglt them. They are of a diftcient ftiape, from thcfe with us, for thofe in Carolina arc very long and large, and not round as ours are. They are excellent good, and nouriftl as much as any Fifh whatever, and that without any manner of danger of Surfeiting. They ftrcngthen the Stomach, caule an Appetite, and breed good Juices, being light and eafy of difgeftion, and are good in Confuraptions, and feveral other di (orders. Thefe Oyfters pickled, arc well relifhed, excellent good for a Cold raw and (t]ua(y Stomach. The Shells in Powder cure Hcartburnings,are good in Feavcrs and the like, and are the only Lime we have for building in this Country. The Spani[h-0)fler!, arc fo caU*d, from their great plen- ty in the Spanifi IVeft-lndies; they have a very thin Shell, and rough on the outfide. They are excellent good Shell- fijh, and fo large that Haifa Dozen arc fufficient to fatisfie a hungry Stomach. From thefe Oyfiers come the Pearls that are fo ufeful in Phyfick and fo Ornamental. The Cockles, whereof there arc two forts, the larger and the fmallcr, and firft, the large Cockles are io very big that one of them is as large as five or fix of thofe in Jre" land. They are fo ve v plenty in leveral parts, that they are pfcen thrown upon the Sands on the found fide, H h 2 wher© S44 The Natural HISTORY of where the Gulis and other Birds are always ready to open and eat them. Thefe as well as the former are great Strengthencrs of the Stomach, and increale a good Ap- petite, provoke Urine, help the Cholick, reltore m Con- fumptions, and in all decays of nature arc very good. The Small Cockles diXQ about the bignefs of our largeft CoclkydiVid differ in nothing from them except in the Shells which are itriped crofs-ways,as well as long-ways, they are as good, and have the fame virtues with the former. The Clami are a kind of Cockles , only differing in the Shchs, which arc thicker, and not ftreaked or ribbed as the Cockles are. They arc plenty in fcveral places along the Sound-fide, and Salt-water Ponds. They are very good Pickled, and their Meat taftes like other Cockles'i they make excellent ftrong Broth, which flrengthcns the Stomach, is nourifhing, breeds good Juices, is a Rcftorative in Confumptions, and other natural De- cays. The Co«c^i, feme of thefc arc very large, but the leflcr fort are the beft Meat ; and that, in my Opinion, not extraordinary, notwithftandingfeveral in thcle parts are fond of them, and extol them very much .♦ The Fifh within their Shells is (liaped exadly like a Horfe's Yard ; of this Shell the Indians make their Peak^ or Wampum, which is the richcft, and moft valuable Commodity they have amongft them. They breed in a kind of Subllance ihspcd like a Snakej which contains a fort of Joints, in the hollo wnefs whereof are thoufands ot fmall Conchs, no bigger tiian fmall Grains of Pepper. They are plenty along the fides of the Sounds and Salt-waters, buc are noc as Urge here as thofc found in the Iflands in the Weft Indies, The Mujles arc much larger than thofe with us, their Shells being|thickerj larger, and ilripcd with Dents : they North CAROLINA. 245 they grow by the fideS ot Ponds, and Creeks of Salt^ waters, where may be had what quantity they pleafc. They are very apt to give Surfeits, yet there are thofc who are fond of them, and prefer them to Oj/ittrs. Some boyl them, whereof they make Broth (whicn is the bcft Way of dreffing them) which is nourilhing and purgcth the Rems, therefore good for thole that have the Drop- iie, Jaundice, Stone or Gout. Theyalfo eat well when they arc Pickled. The fVhale-Loufe. Their Head is like that of a Loufe, with four Hoinsi the two ihort ones tnac Hand out De- fore have Knobs like the Sticks of Kettle Drums. They have fix plates on their Bicks, and tncir Scales as hard as Prauns, Their foremoft Legs aie in /hape like a half Moon, with fharp points, by which they faftei. in the Skin of the Whaky and then bite pieces out of them. The Whales are moftly annoyed with them in warm Weather, and frequently at that time leap to fomc height out of the Waters in a rage. There is a little Imall Fifh in the frclh Waters in /k<- landj fomething like the former, but has no Scales, which is very troublcfome to the hikcy but whether it molefls any other Fifh, I cannot inform the Reader i but I have known the Pike to leap our of the W^terupon dry Land with one of thefe ff icking faft 10 his Belly ; I have alfo been afTured by thofc that fiih, and dwell near the Ri- vers, that one of thefe will kill the largcft Pike, by cut- ting a hole in his Belly. The Crabf whereof there arc two forts, viz. the large flone Craif and the fmall flat Crab. The large flone Crais are the fame in Carelma as with us in I inland, having black tips on the endsot their Claws, thef^ forts arc plen- tifully to be met with near Ceder-Iflmd, Core-Scundind the fouth pares of this Province. The whole Crah is ^ '" " ' ^' excellent a^6 The Natural HISTORY^ excellent againft all forts of Fevers, Confunipcions, Hec- ticks, Ailhmas, the Scone in tne Rein- ai.d Ijuiuder pains and Seepage of Urine, anu many ocner waurders. The imalicr or tiac CVa^, in North-La, olma is one of thefweeteft and bell reiilhed ot any of tnac ip^c es I e^cr mec with in any pai tot £«rt;^e, when they are uoyicd cueir fiefli is very red and preferable in goodnels co any Lob^ jieYy they areas large as a Man's Ha.id, or rather i^rjjer. Thcl'eare innun:ierable, lying m great qiiancuics all over the Sales; 1 have known the little Boys cake Bulhels full ot them in a few Hours. They are taken, not only to be ea':en, but arc one of the beft Baits ror all manner of Fifli chat take the Hook. They are very mifchevious to thoie that fet Night Hooks to catch Fife, for they generally take away ail tlie Bait i both thefe forts caft their Shells every Year, at w'ach time they irake Holes in che Sand, and cover thcrrjfeives, or thofe with hard Shells lye on chem 'till their Shells harden, otherwife they would be deftroyed by other Fifli. Thcle fort have the fame Virtues with the former. The Fiddlers^ are a fort of fmall Crab that lie in Holes in low, wet, and matlhy Ground. The Aaco'/«i are very fond of them, huac for them in thofe places, and cat them. I never knew any of tncm cat by rhe Chriftianr, {o cannot inform you wncther they are good or no. The Runnen or "pints, fo called, becaufe they are apt to pinch and bite Peoples Legs in the Night, as they w^ilk rear the Shoar, and likewile from their running io fait. They ar^ a kind of a whitilh Crab, and though they are fo Im^Jl, they will run as tail as a Man ; and are good for orbing but to look at. They live chiefly on the Sand Breaches, where they have their Holes. But vrill frequently run into tiic Sea when purfued. I take this North C AROLI NX 247 this to be the Jii/fceej or HipfeiSy rcprefcnted by Plm). T r.e Soldier, is a kind of Shell-fifh, fo called, but for what reafon 1 jfenow not, except it be for their ohea chaiigiig tiieir Houfes, or Quarters, from one hollow Coruh Jheli to another j tor they are obfcrvcd to be ilill ciiaUj^uig tht;r Habitations as they grow larger, having no btull of their own. They have Claws like a Crab, anu may De reckoned a Species of them, but of the fmal- leit kiiicl. They aie good when well dreffed, very nou- rifhing, and create a good Appetite. The IViikSy or Periwinkle, are not fo large as they are in many parts of Europe, but aslwect and good, or ratner better, being good Food and N^ urifhmcnt ; they arc reitorativein Confumptions and Hedicks, being fod« den 111 their own Sca-warer, or boiled in Milk. 'i'he Skal/op.f are pretty good, if well diclled, but if only roalud, without any other Addition, are too luf- cious ro be made ufe of, and are apt to furfeit, but o- therwife they are nourifhing, and comfortable to the Stomach. Tirx Man of Nofes arc ShtU-ffh, commonly found ia thefe parts, and are much valued and eitecmed for increaf- ing vigour in Men, and preventing barrcncfs 'in Women, which is a thing feldom attends the Females here ; for generally rhey are fruitful enough, without the benefit of thtfc Fifties. But moft certain it is, that they arc very nourifhing, and create good Juice in the Blood.* The Hatingi fo called from their flat fhapc. They arc inclofed in a broad thin Shell, the whole fifti being flat. Thty are a very good and delicious Fifh and inferior to no Siicll-fifti this Country affords. The Sea Snail Horn is exadlv ftiaped like as other Snail Horns arc. They arc a large and very good Shell- ¥ifk 248 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ Fiflj arid their Meat is very nourifliing and communicates good Juices to the Blood. The Finger fijh, fo called, from their being about the length of a Man's Finger, they are very pleiicy in this Province, but generally lye at the bottom of the Waters about one or two feet deep, and are an extraordinary good ShcU-^Fifh. Tnc Shrimps arc very plentiful in North Carolina, and vaft quantities of them are taken by the Boys and Girls with a (mall bow Net. They are very rcftorative-and good in Confumptions, Hedjcksand Afthmas, and are an excellent good Bait to catch Mullets, Pikes^ and fcveral other forts of Fifh that are caught by angling with the Bait. Tht Sea-NmUi (by fome called C^kWj) whereof there arc great plenty in the Wcftern-Scas and Salt Waters on the coafl: oi America. They (cem to be nothing elfe but Slime, or a lump of j^i'^^, with a call; of red, blue and green Colours in it, tiiey Swim like a Bladder above the Water, but downwards there are long Fibrous Strings, (ome ct which are near half a Yard long -, fome will have this Jelly to be a fort of Sea-plant, and the Strings its roots growing in the Sea as Duck-weed does in P»nds, but theQuery is, if they be not a certain Species of Spawn for when they arc taken out of the Water, or any thing touches them (though they fcarce feem to have Life) yet they will very fuddenly change their colours, which they quickly recover again. They may be reckoned araongft Potential Cauterie«?, becaufe they are apt to blifter thd Haids or any other part of the Skin (like Nettles) where ever they touch. I am pcrfuadcd that they are of fo ve- ncmous a Nature that few Fifli prey upon them, other- wife they woud not be fo numerous as they are, notwith- ftanding I hjivc known iome of them taken oucof the Guts North CAROLINA. 249 Guts of the Haiuki-biBtd Turtle. They arc calkd Sea-- I^ettles, from the Ibn^ing and bliitcnng quaiicy ihcy have like Nettles, occ-Iioning burning PauiS to what- ever parto^ the Skin they happen co ^aich. Tiiefrcfli-watcr .b/>t/i'j^>6 arc the Mujfeh and Cravs fiih. The A/uJJeli ..re here plcmy in fcvcrai pacts of the FrcUiWi, and arc much ciie (ame as in Europe i they arcouiy made uic I't by the IndtanSy who cat incm after five or lix: Hours boiling tv make tliem tender j there are valuaijlc Pearls found in fomc of them, the wniccfl are the belt, being the wholfomeft. The B oth is opening, and thcte- fore good in tne Drepfiey Jaundice^ anu Guut. The Cravifijh are very pknty m tne Brooks and {mall Rivers ot Water amongit the Indians, and at tne heads of the Rivers near the M uiitains i ihey are as c.elicious and good here as in any part of the World. They are Ciaped like a Scorpion, and the Stones in the Head are accounted g' >od againil the Jaundice and Stone lu the Ren/s. The Black are much better than the White ; they nourifh and ftrcngchen the Body, and the Soop made of them is in very great Value and Eftcem amongli the Quality. Having thus given a Defcription of feveral Species, or Kinds oi Fifhes that are to be met with, and already known in North- Carolina ; I fliall in the next place pro- ceed to what lemains of the Prejent State^ having already accounted for the Animals and Vtgetables, as tar as this Volume would allow of, and whatever remains may be eafily guclfed at by any ingenious Man who conlidcrs what 'LdLum^z Carolina lies in, which reaches imm 29 to 36 Degrees 30 Minutes of North Latitude, as I ha 'e already obfcrvcd : Moft pare of this fpacious Country I i being Q50 Thi Natural HISTORY/ being wafle and uninhabited, at prefent, except by wild Beads and Savage IndianSy from whom wc can have but very imperfedt Accounts, they being a People ot little or no Speculation, nor any way Curious. THE North CAROLINA, 951 ) FURTHER OBSERVATIONS On the Present State of North - Carolina. S to the A IK, I do*nt know what fault it has, except what I have laid before of it's being fomctimes cxtreamly hot, at othcc times fubtilc, and piercmg ; and I am per- luaded, it enters a Man's Body eaficr than that in Ireland ; yet I think that much of the Mortality that happens among Strangers, is ow- ing in a great mcafure to the ill government of themfelves, for they eat but little, having dedroyed their Stomachs by Surfeits of Fruir, or cxceffive Drinking hot Spirituous Li- quours ; and if any rather chufc the cold, his Stomach is chilled, and he is immediately in danger of a Flux, ot extream Loofcnefs. The c is another thing to be obfcrv- €d, Men guard 'thcmfdvcs 'cfs from the Air here, than in li 2 mod 252 The Natural HISTORY of pioft other Place, crufting to the heat of the Chmatc, and receive tne cool of the Evenings wich only a Shirt. I y think that the Air, though not fo cold, is much more Jubtie andpieicmg here ih2LV\iv\ Idandy it corrodes Iron mueh more, not by Moiiture, tor it is not fomoiftj and befices It does it in the dry Weather. Isloiwithftanding this Country is as fertil and pleaf- ant as any in the World (in the fame Latitude) for the procuce of Minerals, Fruit, Grain, Wine, and (everal OTher rich Commodities, that are frequently to be met with in it. All the Experiments that have been already mauc of the Fertility and natural Advantages of theCoun- try, have anfwcrcd beyond expectation, as affording {ome Commodities, which other Places in the fame La- titude do not. As for Minerali, they being fubterrancous Produds, fo in all New Countries, they are the laft Species that are ge- netally oilcovered, and will molt certainly be fo, where thtlndiim never look for any tiling lower than the fupcr- ficies ot the Earth, being a race of Men, the leafl ad- dided to fearch into the Bowels of the Earth, of any in the World, that inhabit fo fine a Country as Carolina ; and I am (ati.«^^fied, that there are as good and rich Mines heic, that 1 e full to the Wcflward of us^ as any the S^a- tiiards poflels in Ameitca. The Lands near the Heads of the R vtrs being Mountainous, and no doubt, have as rich MineYuls in them a.' any of thofe parts that are al- reauv dilcovered to be fori^^h. 1 {b..ll fay no more on this Subjeft at prefcnt, bur give you iome getieial Obfervations concerning North-Cardi" na J which are, That it lies as convenient for Trade as any Province in America, abounding with feveral rich and valuable Commodities, fuch as Tar,Turpentint, Pitchy RJtn, Mafii^ Taids, Planks^ Budtdi^ Stavis^ Lumber ^ North CAROLINA. 253 7imbtr of many forts, fit for any ufcs ; Skins of Deers, Beeves ^ BujeWsy Elks, Bears, Panther s, and fevcral other Beaits. 1 liC Furrs oi Beavers, Racoons, and many other wild Beafts, which arc in great Plenty here ; as alfo Rice, Wheat, Indian Corn, Barley, Oats, Buck-wheat, and fun- dry lorts ot" Pulft, Potatoes, and variety of fine Fruits, Flax, Beej, Pork, 7 allow. Hides, Horfes, fVhale-kne, Oil, Bees -wax, Myrtle-vaax, Honey , Chetje, Butter, Cotton, Tobacco, lidico, Cvffee,z.x\'agcs thac ^cr« Icizcd with it. As 254 '^^f Natural HISTORY^ As for Trade, wc iic fo near Pirginia; that we might have the advantage of tijeir Convoys, it there were oc- cafion for them, as alfo Letters from ihence in two or three Days, anu from fome places in a few Hours, The great numbers of Ships that come to New-England^ New Torky Penfilvania, ALry-Land^ ind Virgtm a, m^kc the Pro- virions Icarce in tho{e Piaces, fo that thcy are frequent- ly obliged to No, th-Carolina for thofe NecelTarics, where Provifions and Naval Stores never fail or a gcd Maikct. Befities where thefe are produced and raifed in fuch plenty, there appears good Houfe-kceping, and plenty of all manner of delicate Eatables. The Porke is excellent good, from their Hogs feeding on Straw- berriesy IVall-nutSy Peachef, Maix., and feveral other forts of delicate Fruits, which, are the natural pro- duce of this Country, and make them the fweetefl Meat the World can afford; as is well known to all Strangers that have been in that Country. And as for their Beef, it proves extraordinary good, being fat and well relifhed. We have not only Provifions very plenty, but Cloaths of our own Manufadure, which are made and daily increafe in thefe parts ; fuch as Cottotty IVool, Hemp and Flax, be- ing all the growth of this Country. But the Women do not over burthen themfelves with care and Induftry; othetwile there woud not be fuch continual calls for thofe neceflarys from Europe. But this Climate being vifited with fo mild and fhort Winters, fave abundance of Cloaths. We likewife can go out with our Commo- dites to any part ol the IVeft Jndeas, or clfewhere in the depth of Winter, whereas thofe in New-Englandy New Torky and Ptnfilvaniay and thofe Colonies to the North" lua/doi us, cannot flir for Iccy but arciafl locked into their Harbours all that Scafon. Wc ( NorPh CAROLINJ. 255 We have no frontier Town in North-Car oltnay which is an advantage in noc being fo continually alarmM b) the Enem} , and what has been accounted a detnn-.ent to us, proves one of the grtaicit adva.tages any People cou*d wi(h or dcfire. This Country bem^ Fenced with a Sound near ten Leagues ove in fome Places, through wniCh, although there be Water enough for as large Ships to come jn at, as any p4rt hitherto feared in both Caroimas, ; yet the djfHeuii) of that Sound to Strangers hinoeis them from H.-'itilites again ft us, fo that this na- tural Bull-work proves very advantagiouj to us in fecur- ing us from vur Enemies. Our diitance from the Sea likewife rids us from two curfes or Plagues which attend moft othrr parts of 4me- rica, viz, the Musketo'sy and rhc water Wood-worms, than eat Ships bottoms. Whereas at Bath and Eden-toiun, there is no fuch thing known, and as for Mmheto's we are very little troubled with them, except it be in low Marflies, and near the Salt-warers, which are only habitations for wild Bcafts, Birds, and Snakes of various kinds. The vaft quantities likewife of Fiih that this great Sounder Water fupplics us with, when ever we take the pains to Fifh tor tlicm, is another confiderable advantage not to be met with fo commodioufly in any part of America as in this Province As for the Climate (as I obferYcd) wc generally enjoy a very whole! c me and fcrene Sky, and a pure and thin Air, the Wether fcldom proving fo overcaft or Cloudy bur we have the blcffing of the warm Sun, except it be in J^mfer, and then as foon as the South and Weft-winds begin CO blow, the Horizon immediately clears up and Tcftorcs the light of the Sun. The Weather in Summer is very plcafant, being continually refrcfhcd with cool re- viving Breezes from siU Quarters except the South, which is very fukry. - - Xhc Q56 The Natural HI S T O R Y 0/ The Spring here is as pleafant and as beautiful as in any place 1 luve ever been in, and the Winter generally proves fo mild that it is rather hkc an Autumn^ exiepc the Winds blow Norch-weft, at wnich cime it is peircmg and cold, but proper enough for our confticutions, and very wholfome, freeing thcfc parts from many dange- rous dillempers that a continual Summer afflids them with, nothing being wanting as to the natural Orna- ments or bleffings of a Country to the making reafonable Men happy. As tor the Conftitution of this Government, it is fo mild and cafy in all rcfpccts, to the Liberties and Pro- perties of the Subjed, that it is the beft eflabliflied Government in the World, and a Place where a Man may peaceably erj )y his own without being invad- ed by another; rank and fuperiority always giving place to Juftice and Equity, which is the foundation that every go\crment ought to be built upon, and regu- lated by. Befides this Province has been fettled and continued the moft free from the infults and barbarities of the /«- dians o^ iny Colony in America^ which was one of the greateft bleffings that cou*d attend fuch a fmall number of People as tiiey were, and how Iregularly fettled fiift, and at what diftance they are from each other, and yet how undifturbed they have remained and free from any Foreign danger or lofs, to what moll oi the other Colo- ny s have been ex poled to, not only by the Indians ^ but their own Slaves the Negroes. And what may well dc- ferve Admiration is, that their Prifons are never crowded with MakfaBoYs or Dtkors; as to MalefaSiors I never knew but one that was guilty of death, for Murder, which happened as follows ; two Pcrfons well known to each other, being at the Tavern^ one of them was falling L. North CAROLINA, 25^ falling aflctp, his Friend importuned him to go home along wuti tiim, which the other rcfufing to do, his Friend told him, that he would leave nim, which 1 e had no iooncr faid, buttne other Stab'd him with his KDite^ whereot he inftantly died j the Murderer was immejiac- ly apprehended, tried, and condemned to die, he contcft that before he left Eur of e he had murdered two, and notwithftanding his Conuemnacion, he found means to make his efcape ou: ot Prifon fome few Days before the Execution. As tor Dehors, few or none areConfiri*a in Prifon a- bove four and twenty Hours, tor the Sherriff generally takes them Home to his Houle, or takes their Word for their Appearance at the next Court, to be held, in any of their precinds or Barronics, where they Judge him a Servant to thc^ Creditor for as long rime as they "■' imagine the Debt deferves, but it the Perlon has been n Planter and by misfortunes has contracted Debts, or ari aged Pcrfon they frequently at thcle Courts make 2 Colkdion amongft themfelves, by wiiich means thejr difcharge the Debt, or fatisfic the Creditor ; (o that by thefe methods none arc kept in confinement. It is like wife enadcd by the Laws of the Countr/, that no Perfon (hall be liable to pay above forty Shillings of their Country Money for any publick- Houfe Scorei for Liquors, let the Perfons that keep fuch Houfes truft them what they pleafc, yet by Law they can recover no more ; This is done chiefly to prevent People, if pof- fible, running in Debt, or fpending their Time idly ahcr that manner, cfpccially in a Country where Induf- iry is fo much wanting. Notwithftanding this Law, fome will owe above One hundred Pounds at thefc I'avernSj or publick Houfes, which chcy will juftly and K k ' honcftly V 258 The Natural HISTORY (f honellly pay, looking upon it as the grcatcft Scandal in Nature to make ufc of this Law; neither would the Country much regard them afterwards if they did. Ycc there arc feme that are not f ) fcrupulous, or fo ftriitly bound up to Principles of Juflice, that have taken the advantage of this Law, to defraud their Creditors, when they had an Opportunity. There are fcveral other good Laws in this Province, and particularly, that no Vagabond, or infcriour Perfon is futfereu to travel through the Country without a Pafs from the Governor, oriome of the Juflices of the Peace, thi«^ li d6ne to prevent Tranfports from Europe running away frt^ra their Maflers. They have no Frontier Towns, as I before obferved, neither have they any Army, except their Militia, v;hich are both of Horfc and Foot, having proper Officers, who are Commiffioned, or Nominated by the Governor, al- though they are feldom obliged to Mufter (as they arc in moil of the other EngUJh Provinces in America) ex- cept It be to apprehend Offenders that will not fubmic thcmfclves to the Law, or be taken by the Authority ot ihcir Juftices of Peace's Warrant ; in fuch cales, they generally raife the Pcjfe or Militia, to feize and bring them to Juflice ; Yet inflances ot this Nature arc but feldom, for I never knew but two whilft I was in the Country. But to return to the Subjed in Hand, there arc made throughout this Settlement, as good Bricks as any I have ever met with in Europe : All forts of Handy- crafts, fuch as Carpenters J Jojuers, Coopers ^ Bricklayer s^ Plai/ierers, Shoemakers^ Tanners^ Curriers, Taylors, ff^eav' ers, and mod other forts of Tradefmcn, may with fmall Beginnings, and good Indullry, foon thrive well in this PUce, and provide good Eftatcs, and all manner of NecciTaries vr*^-''-- North CAROLINA, 259 Ncceflaries for their Families,,' Lands being fold at a cheaper rate here than i\\ raoft parts of America. The Farmers that go thither (for wliich fort of Peo- ple it is a very thriving place) fiiou'd bring with them fcveral forrs of Seeds of Grafsy as Trefoil, Clover-Grafj^ all forts of Sanfoin, and common Graff, and eipccially thofe that have arofe and (prung in a waim Climate, that will endure the heat of the Sun ,• likewifc feveral Gardens Seeds J and choice Fruit-Trees, and European-grain, for in- crcafe and hardncfs, and elpecially Olive-Trees and feve- ral forts ot European-Grapes. The necefifarys for Hus- bandry I need not acquaint the Husbandman withal, but Hoet of all forts, and Axes mufl be had. Saws, Wedges, Augurs, Nails, Hammers, and what other things may be neceffary to build with Timber and Brick. For whoever reads this Treatife with attention, muft needs be ac- quainted with the nature of the Country, and therefore cannot but be Judges what will be chiefly wanting in ir. Whoever goes to this Province need not complain foc want of Lands for taking up, even in places mod delight- fully featcd on navigable Rivers and Creeks, without be- ing driven to remote parts of the Country for fettlcmcnts, as at prcfcnt they are forced to do in New-England, and feveral other Englifi provinces in America, which are al- ready become fo populous, that a new comer cannot get a beneficial and comodious feat, unlcfs he purchafeic at 2 very dear rate. Another great advantage here is, that there is liberty ofConfcience Caslfaid before) allowed to all. Thefe, things being duly weighed, any rational Man that has a mind to purchafe Lands for a Settlement for himfelf and Family, will foon difcover the advantages that attend the fettlcrs and purchafcrs of Lands here above all the other Kka Provinces 36o The Natural HISTORY 0/ Provinces in che Englijh Dominions in America j forEafCj |*leafu.t.,Saristattion, anti all necelVaric6 ot Life. And asfeveral parti of Eurvfe may be admired for its artificial, lo may Carolinu iur its natural Beauty ; tor the C laicry in general iS level, exctpt lome Hiils near the Charoketi and Apfelafean Mi)u:itains, and moft agreeably ^iveiiititd with nnt arable L^nds, producing vaftincrtaic, and iwo Cropsin one Sculuii, wiih large and (pacious Savamtsor Meadows, moil: bcauLiiulJ) adorn'd withva- iriety ot Of'oriterous and lint Flowers, intermixt with pltn< y ct good Grals for Palturc tor Citile. The large woods and Forcfts with their Lotty Trees and fpreading Vines of various forts, affording not only retrefhing, but moft , leafant ihades to (it under in the extremity of the hot Weather, and likewife abounding with various Itindsof wild Beafts and B:rds, which are prcierved in them, not only f t d'Verfion or Hunting, bui likewife con- venient and profitable for the fupport ol Man. And LaiUy the large and Navigable Rivers and Creeks that are to be met with watringand adorning thisCoun^ Uy, well itored with vaft quantities of Fifli and Water- Fowl. Thefe ornaments and many advantages which it enjoys, makes it one oi the pleafantefl places in the World to live in, Sed^ Ne/cio qua natale Jolum dukedine capco, ducit & hnmemores mn Jinit ejfefui. They make very ntccffary Vcflels for carriage of their Commodities by Water, which arc called in thefe parts Periaugers and Canoes^ which arc the Boats made ufe of in this Country, and aic generally made out of one peice o( large Timbers and that moQ commonly of the Cyprefs kind, which they ifnake hollow and fhaped like a Boat, with Mails, Oars, anU Padles, according to their fize and bignefs. Some of thefe PeriaiigerSf arc fo large that they arc capable of carrying forty or fifty Barrels of Pitch or 7ar. In fihcCc. Norpb CAROLINA. q6i thefe Vcirds likcwife they carry Goods, Horfes, and otner Cacde fri m one Plantation to another over large and fpacious Rivers i they frequently trade in them to Virginm and othct places on this continent, no Veffel of the fame Burthen made after the European manner is able to out Sail one of thcle Periaugers. The Canoes arc ot Icls Burthen than the former, feme will carry two or three Horfes over thefe large Rivers, and others fo (mall that they will carry only two or three Men. Theie are more ticklifh than Boats, but no Boat in the World is capable to be rowed as faft as they are, and when they are full of Water they will not fink, and not only the Jndiam but even the Chrifiiam are very dexterous in managing of them. Before the arrival of the ChriRians in thefe parts (as I have been credibly informed) the Indians had no other Method in mak ng thele Periaugers and Canoes, but by Fire, burning them hollow with Gums and Rofins, and fcraping them with fharp Stones or Shells, prepared foe that ufe, according to the fhape and fize they propofed to make them, having neither Handfaws, Axes, Adds, Chizel, or any other Inftrumcnts made of Iron or Steel, wherewith to fafhion or make them j but at prefeiit they have all manner of Inftrumcnts proper for fuch ufes, which they have purchafed from the ChriHians. It is mod certain, that no People in the World are more han- dy and dexterous in managing their Periaugers, and Ca^ noes, with either Sail, Oar, or Paddle, than they arc ; and when ever it happens that their Canoes arc tull oi Water, they will very nimbly leap out, and holding the Canoe with one Hand, throw out the Water with a Gourd with the other, and fo proceed on their intended Voyage. They likewife very often fet their Periaugers, and Camei^ along th$ Shoar with long Poks,. 562 The Napural H I S T O R Y 0/ The Land Carriages arc much after the fame manner as thofc with us ; there Dcmg not only plenty of Horfcs, but likewjfc oF Carts an^ Waggons, and feveral ochcc Neccfl'aries convenient for Carrying all manner of Conv- modities by Land from one place to anoLUcr. The Roads arc as good as in mofl pares of the World, and the travelling as plcafant, cfpecially the Road from Edemown to Virginia, being made broad and c>)nv'eni-. ent, for all forts of Carriages, fuch as Coaches, Chailcs, Waggons and Carts, and efpecially for Horlemeu, chcfe Lands lying fo leycl, and the beautiful and delightful Objcds they arc entertained with in their Journey, ren- der it both amufing and diverting. What is remark- able h, that traveling from Edemown to Virginia^ there is a Pofl fet up in the Divifion between thofe two Pro- vinces, with North Carolina on the South, and Virgini.t on the North, in large Capital Letters, to fhew to all Travellers the Bounds between thoie two Colonies. / In other parts the Roads are more like Paths than any ^^ publick Road, only that they are made broad enough for Coach, Chaifes, and all manner of Carriages. But this is a general Rule to be obferved throughout all Amt" ricay that wherever you meet any of thofe Paths like Roads, with the Trees marked or notched on each fide, it is a furc fign that it is the publick Road from one ChriBian Town to another. Notwithftanding there are feveral Paths of Horles, Cows, and other Beafts in the Woods, as large as the formec, which are to be avoided, by rcafon that the Trees arc not marked as above j nci- J ther do the Indians ever ufe this Method in making their Roads, having fome fecret Knowledge to guide them ihrough thefe large Woods, which wc are entire Strang- ers to ; fo that feveral Chriftians not knowing, or regard- Icis of thefe Marks^ have been iov feveiral Pays loft in Norpb CAROLINA 563 th:! Woods, before they could come to any Planters liouk, or mcec with any Perfon to inform them which iK. y to ^o i ycc 1 never heard oi any perifh for want of Pioviliuns, under chelc misfortunes, there being not only j,rtat Plcnt) ot leveral good Fruits to be met with, all over uic Woods moft parts of the Year, but likewifc va- riciv of Birds and Beafli, neccflary for the fupport of Lire ; but I have known fome loll for eight, others foe fouitten Days, before they could meet with any human Creature to inform them what part of the Province they were in. The Negroes [omQtimcs make ufe of thefe Advantages > in the Woods, where they will ftay tor Months together before they can be found out by their Mafters,orany o- ther Perfon i and great Numbers of them would aftaftec the fame manner ( which would be detrimental to the Planters) were they not fo much afraid of the Indians^ who have fuch a natural averfion to the Blacks, that they commonly (hoot them when ever they find them in the Woods or folitary parts of the Country. There are no Wind-Mills in this Province at prefent, and not above two or three Water-Mills, which are for the moft part continually grinding their Wheat; for the fmall Shop and Periaugen are continually coming and going with Corn and Flower : But the common method that the Planters ufe to grind their Corn is with Hand- Mills, which almoft every one of them has. The Stones for thefe Mills are got up the River Neus, which are very foft when dug out of the Earth, but grow exceeding hard and durable after they are fome time in the Air, and are fcrviceable upon thefe occafions. Thefe Stones fccm more like a parcel of OyRer-Jhel/s petrified, than any na- tural Stone, for through the whole Grain of this Stone there is no other appearance, but the exa^ ftapc of the 264 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ Oyfter-JhtSt. Of this kind of Stone there are fcvcral Quar- ries and Rocks to be met with towards the Heads or the Rivers ; nocwithftandiiig there 1$ plenty of Free-Stone near the Mountains, and moit kinds oi Greet proper to make Miliftones, yet the former being fo cafily acquired, are only made uie of at prefent, excepc fomc l^ew biought from England, for their Water-MiUs. The Proprietors of thcle Mills take molt commonly every other Barrel as Toll, for grinding ; but the Laws of the Country allow only every fixth. There arc abundance of excellent good Springs to be: met with in feveral parts of this Province, abounding with as fweet and frefh Waters as any in Europe ^ and cfpecially near the Mountains, in which there can be none better. The Lands near thefc parts being for the moft part very rich, with an extraordinary black Mold, fome of a Copper colour, and both very good. Here are likewifc great quantities oi Iron Mine, ieveral iorts of Stone, divers kinds of Spaws, and chaltbeat Springs, the Water whereof being drank, make the Excrements as black as Ink by its chaltbeat Quality. It is very reraaikabie, at certain feafons of the Year, but cfpecially in Winter^ as Pcrfons travel up near the Mountains, they hear at Night the moH: hideous and ftrangc Noilc, that ever pierced mortals Ear, which at firft was very firightful to us, 'till fuch time as we were informed by our /«^/tf« Guides, that this Noifeiscufto- mary in thofe parrs there being innumerable numbers 06 Tanthers, Tygers^ Wolves, and other Bcafts of Prey, going in whole droves to hunt the Deer, making this frightfuJ Noife all the Night, until Day appears, or that a Shot or two is fired, then all will be ftill and quiet. There are feveral large Swamps to be met with here, which arc the HabiMtion of thofe wild Bcjifls^ where chey make cheit North CAROLINA. 265 their abode in the Day, at which time they arc noc to be fecii or heard in the Woods. But thcfe kind of wild Bealts arc not very plenty (ex- cept the M^oives) near the Settkmtnts, the Pi^arcrs con- tinually dcftro^ing them as they hunt and travel in ihc Woods, and in proccfa ot time wiii be icHeuea iS this Country begins to be better Inhabited 1 his Country affords many and large Swamps, wnich aic gc craliy overflowed or under Water in the Winter, yet i ncvec met with any Bogs, but plenty of good Pir Coal ia many places, of which they make no manner* or u(e .x.t prcfent, all kind of Timber being lb plenty, and pr ;- per for tireing ; fo that all other kinds of Fuel are difrc- garded and made no u{e of by tne Innabiiaiits of chis Province. It will not be improper, in this place, to give an ac- count how the Turpentine^ Tar, Pitch, and Rojin arc made, being all the prodjjce ot one I'rce, and d vay good Staple Commodity in thefe parts. T e Planters make their Servants or Negrots cut large Cavities oa each fide of the Pitch- Pine Tree (which they term Box^ ing of the Tree) wherein the Turpentine runs, and the A^.-- groei with Ladles take it out and pur it into Barrels : Thefe Trees continue thus running moft commonly foe three Years, and then decay, but in proccis o- time fall to the Ground, which is what they call Light-l^ood^ of which their Pttth and Tar is made, (viz^.) The Planters at certain Seafons of the Year, and efpc- cially in Winter make their Negroes gather great quanti- ties ofthis Light-iuoody which they iplit about the th''ck- nefs of the fmall of a Man's Leg, and two or three Feec in length ; when they have got a fufficicnt quantity of it in rcadinels, they fet their Kilns on fomc rifing Gr«uad or Earth thrown up for chuc purpofc, in the Li center 266 The Natural HISTORY^ center whereof they make a hollow place, from whence they draw a Funnel fome diftancc from the Kiln ; Tiicn they take the Light-wood which they pile up wuh the ends of each, placeG llanting towards the center of tiie Kiln, which is generally made taper from the Ground, aticrwards they cover it very fecure with Clay, liarth, or Sods, to keep in the Flames, after this is uonc they fct it on hrc at the Top, the Weather permitting, which muft be neither too dry nor too wet. Qy this means the lar runs into thecenrer,and from thence into the Funnel, v^here they attend Night and Day (with Ladles to put it into Barrels prepared for tharpurpofe) till the Kiln \s quite burnt out, which is generally in eight and forty Hours or Icfs, according to the dimenfionsof the Kiln. It fomctimes happens through ill management, and cfpe- cially in too dry Weather, that thcfe Kilns arc blown up as if a train of Gun-powder had been laid under them, by which Accident their Negroes have been very much burnt or fcalded. The Planters generally know very near what quantity of lar each of their Kilns will produce, according to their dimcnfions, for which reafon they arc always provided with a fufficicnt Number of Barrels tor that end. The Pitch is made of the Tavy which is done in tlic following manner. They have large Furnaces made in fcvcral parts, and more now than ever, by reafon of a lae ait of Parliament made in the Reign of his prefent Ma- jefty, which obliges every Pcrfon or Pcrfons that burn Tar-hlns in his Majeftics dominions in America to make half of the firft running into ^ar, and the other half 'nio Pitch, the penalty being aforfeturc of the whole. With this (ccond running they fill their furnaces, and fo place ft fire uodcn cathit till fuchtimc as it beg Ins to bo)l, then they ict it on fire and burn it to the confidence oi Pitch. \ — ■ ----- - The \ North CAROLINA, 267 The R^/in is very fcirce in thefe parts, few giving themleives tne trouDle j but vvhcn made, it is done after tne toliowing manner, vz.. Take Iwpemiuej as much a NOLI chink proper, puc it inio an Alembick or a Coppsv V-fica, w ui f ur ti.i.es its weight of fair Waicr, and diiiii ir, waxii will produce a thin and clear Oil like Water, and at the boctom of the VefTel will remain tiiC Rfin The Indians never make either Pitchy Tar ot Tu^entine, ranging and hunting continually through the Wooes, being all the Induftry they are given to, ex- cept they plajic lome (mall quantity ot Lidian Corn or Mmz., and drcfs their Dter-6ktni, being as well facisfied vsittJ this way ot living as any among us, who by his lu^ullry nas acquired immcnfe Treaiurc. I will in the next place give an account of thofc that are Tranfponed to chefc pans from Europe^ and the ma- ny advantages that attend them in this Province, accord-i iiig to their good behaviour. Thc(c are indented for fuch a 1 miration oF time, as appears by each odhciv Indentures, and aredifpofed and maae Servants of during that time, Caen of them being more or lefs regarded according to thcjr good or bad behaviour, and the reafon of their being Tranfported. Neither c^n any Servant give a fecond Indenture on himfelf before he is out of his Apprentifhip, and a Free-man in the Country; then he is at his Liber- ty to make what bargain he pleafcs, but before that time all contraiSls made by him are void and of no eflfeft. For by only applying to any of their Courts, he is imracdiatly difcharged and fet free, notwithflanding he has received a gratuity (from the Planter who claims him) for fo do- ing. This being an eftablifhed law of the Country to prevent Matters taking advantage of their Servants before they have obtained the.r freedom. Asfoon as they have LI a fulfilled $68 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ fuhnU'd the Oo\\%^non oiihzix Indentures, and are bc^ c<'ine free-men, tncir Mk.ftcrs are obliged on their parts to give ea».h Mii^ Servant a new Suit ot Cioaths, a Gun, I'owuer, Shot, Bali ad ten JBufhels ot Indian Corn, 9nd it) the Laws of the Country, they are entitled tu fifty Acres of LanU, which they rcl'Omtakc up,but difpofe of foi 1 rincs, ihis quantit) ot Land being too fmall for large Stocks of Cattle (which moft Planters here are poflefled of) or to make Pitch ana Tar on, which is another Staple ot this Country, fo that an Inftance of this Nature is not to be met with in this Province. Tims they appear after they have (erved their time and have obtained their tree om, having no other vifible Foriui.c to depend upon or fupport them except their In- ciultry. The Qjieftion then may be re^fonably asked, how it is poflible for them to live, or make Fortunes from fuch fmall and defpicablc beginnings / Concerning ■which Objii^ion, 1 fliall thus endeavour to fatisfie the Reader. Thofe that arc thus made Free-men, their former Maf- ters generally give a Charadcr of them, according to ibcir guod or bad behaviour during their Apprcntifliip, and thofe rhat have afted with prudence, care, and good conduft, whilft they were Servants never arc at a lofsto meet with the bcfl ufage from their Maftcrs, who recom- mend them to other planters (if they have no Imployment for ihem)to be their Stewards, or overfcers of their Plan- tations (feveral of the Planters of this Country having many^ wherein are generally great Stocks of Cattle, Horfes, and Swine. The ovcrfcer being thus cmploy'd, his bufincfs i$ to ynark all the Calves, Poles, and young Pi^s, with the Plan- ters Mark or Brand, every Planter having his Brand or Mark recorded m proper Books, kept for thatpurpofe in cacia North CAROLINJ. 269 each Prccindt or Barony throughout this Province. Tnis is GOne to prevent the Planters having any difputes about any of thefe Bcafts, each Planter claiming by thefc marks noching out what js juftly his own, and if there DC any JSIegroesy to fee them perform whatever Work the Planter requires to be done i this being chiefly what the Over- fcer is employed in, for which Service he is allowed eve- ry fevcnth lalf, ieventh Fo/e, and half of all the young Hogs chat are ored during his Stewardiliip> and likewifc the levemh part of all forts of Gram and Tobacco that is produced on the faid Plantation. Whatever quantity ot Corn^ Rice or Tobacco he plants by his own Induftry, is all his own Property, the Mafter having nothing to do with it. Thus in three or four Years time, with good managment, he has a fufficicnt Stock of Cattle, Grain, Money, and all other Neceffaries proper to pur- chafe a Plantation, by which means many are become as wealthy and fubAantial Planters, as any in the Govern^ mcnt. But I muft confcfs, that few are fuch good Pro- ficients in this way of Induftry, norwithftanding there are fuch confiderable advantages to be acquired thereby. But on the contrary, thofe of ill behaviour, and fuch as have been negligent in their Apprentifhip, are noc thus recommended, but generally get their lively hood by the fwcat of their Brow, yet live after a very loofe and indolent manner i for if they work two Days in the Week, they generally drink and are idle all the refl ( Provifions and Liquors being fo very cheap) and are rather greater Slaves when made free, than they were during their Ap- prentifhip, never making any advantage of their Time. Thus, I hope I have fatisfied the Reader as to this Point. I fhall only mention one particular in regard to the(e Servants or Tranfports, which I had like to have omit- ted J which is, ;hat they run away from their Maftcrs, • - • " ~ ' ^ ~ . " to i 270 The Napural HIS T O R Y 0/ to prevent which, there is a Law made in this Coun- try, Whereby thufe chat run away arc obliged ( if d^>prc- hcndcd and caken, as they generally arc^ to ferve uouolc the time thty are abicnt from their Maiters ; this liicy arc obliged to perform at:er the expiration of their in- dentures ^ which is done to prevent their running away before they have fcivcd their time, which lo deters tlicm, that they are not io guilty of this kind of Praaice of late, as formerly. Few Mailers ot Ships will venture to carry on board their Vclieh any of thefe Servanis or Debtors from this, or any other ot the Provinces, without their giving fuf- ficient lecuriiy that they are nor in Debt, and Freemen, or publiih an Advertifement fcmetime before their de- parture out of the Province ; wliercin they require all P< rfon that they are indebted rh. To come, and they mU fay them what they can make appear tQ be jufily due. And iikcwiie, Ihat all I'irjons indebted to them, are dejired to come and pay them bijore they quit the Country y in Jut h or fuch a Ship. This being the Subftance of this Advertifc' nienty which is fixed on their Court-Houfe Door, for all Pcrlons to perufe. The^e Obligations being thus per- formed, they are at their Liberty to go where they pleafe, and the Mailers liable to no Penalty ; but it they (hould aft contrary to the Laws (and they be difcovered) both their Perfons and Ships are liable to be arreOed. and fubjeft to pay whatever the Creditors can raaki appear ■due to them, or any other LolTes they have furtaTucd >( thereby. Notwithftanding all thefe Laws, fome of them run away, and when they are taken, likc^ the Negroes^ have Neck-yoaks put on them, which they cnnftantly wear, 'till they give fufficient Teflimonies of their good behaviour to the contrary. Several Inflances ot this Na- ture I have been Eye-witncis to during my flay in ^'hat Country: There North C JROLINJ, -jfi There is an Office here which is worth our Notice, ^ viz,, the Gunpowder-Office t which hath contiiiUcd ever ' fince the laft War witli the Indiarts^ at which time there was a Law made, by which an Veiiels trading to thofe Parts were liable to pciy ihttc Shillings and four Pence, Ca;olina Movcy per Toiij or the Value in Gun Pi^iuder, except the {am Vclici was built in the Country, cr that the Merchant had a Plantation there, then the Vcflels were liable to pay halt Fees, or one Shilling and eight Pence per Ton to the Poiuder-Office. The leflcning of ihefc Fees was to encourage Merchants to build and fettle in this Country. They nominated at their General AiTem- blics luch Pcrfons as they judged proper in each County to receive the faid Fees, which were to be laid out in a fufiicient Magazine or Store olGunpovider, which was to be always in readinefs for the uic of the Clmftiam a- gainft the Indians, whenever they made any Attempts, which there IS no danger of their ever doing for the fu- ture j yet this Officecontinued 'till the Year 1733. being about that time laid afide as unneceffary, as 1 have been informed fince my return from thofe parts. The Planters are very Hofpitabic and Charitable to each other, and efpcciaUy if any havt had the misfortune to have their Houfcs burnt, or any other grievous A fflic- tion befall them. On thefe occafions they readily con- tribute to makeuptne lofs of the Sufferers, whereby they generally become more wealthy than they were before this mistortune happened. Thus have I given an Account of the Advantages and Difadvantages t at attend tnc Uoriflian Inhabitants of this Province; having nothing more in view than to fatisfic my Readers with the bed Account J could leirn ( dutmg myRciidcnce thcie)! ihall proceed to gi^e a Ihorc a^a The Natural HI S T O R Y < fhort Account of the Negroei or Blacks, together with a Dcfcription of the Inaiuns, and the Laws and Cuftoms novr m force and ulc amongfl them. The NEGROES arc 4oId on the Coafl of Guwfa, to Merchants trading to thofc Parts, are brought trorn thence to Carolina, Virginin, and other Provinces in the hands of the EngUJh, are daily increafing in this Country, and generally atford a good Price, •z;/x-. more or lels ac- cording to chcir Goodncfs and Age, and are always furc Commodities tor Gold or Silver, mod other things be- ing purchafed with their Paper Money. Some ot them are fold zt/ixteen, twenty five, or tuemy Jix Poands /ierh each, and are looked upon as the greateft Riches in the/e Parts. There are great Numbers of them born here, which prove more induftrious, honeft, and better Slaves than any brought from Guinea ; this is particularly ow- ing to their Education amongft the Chriflians, which very much polifhes and refines rhem from their barbarous and ftubborn Natures that they are mofl commonly endued with. I have frequently feen them whipt to that degree, that large pieces of their Skin have been hanging down their Backs; yet I never obferved one of them fhed a Tear, which plainly fhcws them to be a People of very harfti and ftubborn Difpofitions. There arc fcvcral Laws made againfl them in this Province to keep them in Subjection, and particularly one, v/ft. That if a Negroe cut or wound his Mafter. or a Chriftian with any unlawful Weapon, fuch as a Staord, Scymiter, or even a Knife ^ and there is Blood- fhed* if it is known amongft the Planters, they immediately meet and order him to be hanged, which is always per- formed by another Negiroe, and generally the Planters bring moft of chcir Negroei with them to behold their "• FcUoW" North CAROLtlSA. 273 fellow NegYO€ fcfFcr, to deter them frbii the like vile Practice. Tnis Law m^y fccm to be too na-lii amoii-it ub, to put a Man to deach tor Bloou-jQied owiv, yet i£ the fevered Laws were nut Untxy pur in cxecu.-on a- gainll chcle People, mcy would loon overcomecnc Lh tfit^ arts in this and moH oi che ocher Provinces iu the H«aaS ot the Engljjh. Notwiii. Handing the many fevcteLawJ in force agair.ft them, )et they iomenmes rife and Kebel agamlt cticic Mal*er anu PUnter^aiid do a great deal or milch ict, be- ing boih treacherous and cruel in their NituriS, lo thac mild Laws would be of no ufe agaiuft tiiem when any favourable Opportunity offered of executing their bar- barities upon ci;e Chr,jlians^ as hath been too well cxpc- riencea in Vvginia, and other Places, where they have rebelled and deitroyea many Families. When they have been guilty of thefe barbarous and difobedient Proceeding*;, they generally fly to the Woods, but as foon as the Indiansh^sc Notice from the Chriflims of chcir being there, they difperfe them ; killing lome, others flying for Mercy to the Chriflhns ( whom they have i jurtd) rather than fall into the others Hands, who have a natural averfion to the Blacks, and put them to deal) wich the moll txquilite Tortures the) can ia- Vent, wncnever they catch tnem. When any of theic Ne^r(,es arc put to death by the Laws of the Country,the Planters lufter lit: le or no ning by it, for the Province is obliged to pay the full value thev judge them worth to the Owner ; chis is thecom- tnon Cuftom or Law in this Province, to prevent tiie Planters being ruined by the lofs of their S-aves, wht^m they nave purchafed atfo dear a ra;e; neither is th-s .oo burthenfom, for I never knev<* but one pur codeach 'lerc ioi wouiiding, anU after attempting to kill his Mailer, Mm Wh® 2']4 ^^^ Natural HISTORY / who ufed all Means he could to fd\e his Lite, bur to no purpolc, tor the CounLry iuiilicu on ha\iiv tj.c Law puc in execution againR him. The Neg)ces that m;>fl: commonly rebel, are tliofe brought tiiii. Guimay vho i)a\c Liccii inured to War and Harufliip nA tijcir Incs ; few born here, or in tne other Pn vinccs navt b^tii guilty o. mclc \ jlc Practices, except over-pc<'fu0':n in tiK v^ uutr), baptized and inlhucttd Jii liic Chiifiniii Fai.h in their Inf aicy, which gives tiiem a■, yV;*//i, P'''' the Man makts the Woman a Prel nr,- 1 .i : i R:Kff cr ume OLher Toy, which it fhc h • -A .fc J ,;ut if ever they pc^rr from ly happens, upon any licilc .>nr : Thefc kiui o Con- T, rha*' the W man ke"p5 ;u;:ntly iiapf ens, when -hele Womca Norrb CAROLINA, 0^5 Women have no Children by the firit Husba id, atter bemg a Year or cwo coluoicing together, cue PUmers obhge them to take a recond, thi d, tourtii, li.th, or more Husbands or Bcatcllows; a frurtul Woman amonglt them being very much \aluea by the Planters, an J a nu- merous Ifliie eltecmvU tne gictvcll Riches in this Coun- try. The Ci.ildrfn ail go wich tuc Viother, and nre the Property ot the Plaiucr to whom Ihe oclongs. And though they have no ochcr Ceremony in tneir i\Iarria(_es than what I have repreiented, yei thty .'eem to be Jca- loufly inclined, ana right mjll delperarely amongit rhcm- felves when they Rival eiicn other, whicn they common- ly do. • Their Children arc carefully brought up, and provided for by the Planters, 'till they are able to work in tne Plan- tations, where cney have convenient Houfes built foe them, and they arc allowed to plant a fufficient quan" ity or Tulxuco for their own ufc, a part of which they fell, and like wile on .*^ttK^/7rf, tiiey githcr Stiake- Root , other- wife ic would be excelfne dear if the Chrijlians were to gather it i vv.th this atid the Ul>acco they buy Hats, and orhcr NvccflLiries for thcrafelvc% as Linnen^Bracthts^ Rib- boniy and levcrul other Toys lor their Wives and Mif- trtifcs. There are abundance of them given to Theft, and frequently deal from each other, and fo.r.etiroes from the C7;r?/?.'^«i,cfpecially Rum with which they entertain their Wives and Miftrcflfes at Night, but are often de- teded and punifhed for it. There are feveral Blaeh born here that c-^n Read and Write, others that are bred to Trades, and prove good Artiftsin many of them. Others a-'c bed to no Trades^ bur arc very induflrious and laborious in improving '';eic Plantations, planting abtn lancc of Corn, Rice ^nd To-*- M m 2 bacc^ 216 The Natural HISTORY of ^aucy and ii);.kii g vaft Quantities of Turpentine, 7ar, ai iJ Puthy being bccicr ab;c co undergo tatij^ucs in tue cx«uiiiiC} ot II. c iiot Wcatnci" chan an^ Europeans. i iic Chilaiien i-t botn bcxcs wc^ilii.. c or no Cloarhs, ^xccpt in liie Hintey^ and many oi the y ung Men and Vomcii work lurk uaktu m tnc PiaiicaC;ons in uic hoc Scai^ II, except a picctot Cloath (out ot dLceucy) coco- %tr their Nakcoucfs; upon wjdcn Account ti/cy arc noc teiy cxptnltvc to ihc i'lanters tor their Cioatin g. Tnc FUi crs at theii Death uled to make lome of their tavou- tiic Nig'ocs fee, but there is now an cltablilheu Law /crpeciai.y in Vi>ginia) that if ijicy do not quit the Pro- vince in about Eleven Days arur their FretUum, whoever takes tbtm ilicy become his Prop.rty; but befrc the ^xpnaiion of chat time they either go to another Pro- ViiKC, or fell ihemfthes to ihtChn/lians. The Planters Jccing the inconveniencies that mg he attend thefe kind Qt Priviledgestothc A/ifg>'(^fi,liavc this and all other Law5 aj'ainft them continuaiiy put in practice, to prevent all <5. portunities (hey might lay hold of to make chemCelves iQimid^blc. North CAROLINA, 217 An Account of the INDIANS OF North 'Carolina. HE Indians, it's well known were the Natives and Inhabitants oi America betore the Spaniards and Europeam made any dif« lovencs of fevcral parts of that Couniry.. Amongft whom arc fevcral diftereiu Nations and Kings to this Day. What is very furprizing and flrange is, that fcarce any two Nations to be met wiih, fpakc the fame Language, though they live ever lo near to each other, this being a conomon thing all over this new World, as far as ever I cou'd be Informed. What ihou'd occafion fuch a Diverit(y o£ Languages or Speeches amongft the Savages, is what moft writers can hardly account for. But to return, the Mans of Nmb'Cmoltm^ are a well ihapcd clean made Fcoplcj) 578 Thf Natural H I S T O R V ^ People, of different Statures as the Europeans are, but chiefly inclined to be t«ill, arc v ery iircigiic and neat imib'd as are to be met with m <.ny pait ot cnc World, tncy ne- ver benu tor wards or ftoop in the Snouiuers, except they are much over powered with old Ai^c, as tor tneir Legs and Feet they arc as well proportioned and as hand feme, as any in the World. They are ota flrong hale Coniti- tLition, and their Bodies very ftreighr, but a little flat, which is occafioned by their being laced or tyed h^d down upon a b ard in their Infancy, tnis being all taeic Uadliy which I fhall defcribe in another place. Thtir Eyes arc full and Manly, ano of a black or dark pazcl colour, the White marbled with Red Srrakes, wiiich is always common amongft thefe Peopie, unlefs they have either a white Father or Mother. Their Colour is Tawny, which wou'd not be fo dark did thfy not daub themfelves fo often with Bear*(-Oil, and a Colour like Burnt Corky which they practice from their Infancy, and continue foto do mod part ot their lives, it fills up the pores, and enables them the be ter to endure the Weatlier, and prevents raofl forts of Inlcits and Vcr- miiuo be any wile troublefome ro them. The) ae ne- ver to be met with Heads bald, though very Old, which I am peri waded soccaiioned by rheir Heads being always uncovered, and greaiing rheir Hair and other Parts fo often as the do with Bxa'^Jut, which undoubtedly is a great nourifher of ^hg Hiit, ana caufcth it to grow fo very fail. Amongft the Bear's 0^7 (when they intend to be fine) they mix a certain red Powder that is produc- ed from a kind oi Scarlet Root that they get in the Hilly Country, near the foot of the great ridge of Mountains, and as it is reported by them, is no where clfe ta be found. They have this Scarlet Root in great Efteem, and fell it at a great Price one co another, and the Rcafon o£ it'« North C AROLI NJ. ^219 its being To very valuable is, bccaufe they not only go a greac way hT u, but aie iikcwircin grtac Danger ot the \l ^tuaqarjy or J oquii, wlio arc mortal Encm'csto all our A, civilized hiiiianiy aid are very often by tiiem or others ' bctoic ihc.r return trom this Voyage, made their Cap- tives or killed, 'I'he Tiiikeruros and other Indiam, have frequently broutjiic tne ^ccds ot this Plant from the Mountains, buc it would never grow in our Land, delighting no where buc in the Hill) and Mountamous parts ; wuh this and the Beur'i-^reaje they anoint their Heads and TcmplcSj which is citeemed as Ornamental as OU lindfiveet Powder , or any other thing we can ufe to our Hiir ; belides it has the Virtues to kill Lice, and fuft'er none to abide in their Heads. For want of this R(W)t, they fomeiimes uic a Root calkd Pecoon, which is of a Crimfon colour, buc apt to die the Hair of an ugly Hue, they likewifc make ufe of an Herb called Wafebur, and fmall Roots called Chippacorj and the Baikof aTrce called Tango- mockommmge y all thefe are Dyes forfeveral forts of Reds^ which the Indians ufe to paint their Faces, Matts and Baskets with, but whether they would prove good in Cloath, is not yet known. This, I am certain of, that one of our civilized Lidians brought mc a handful of dry- cd Flowers, and defircd me to put them in a large Saule- pan filled with Water, and boil them with a piece of Linncn Cloath, which made it have fueh a deep Purple Colour, that the fame could not be difcharged by any Method ufcd, but the oftner it was wafhed, the more beautiful and lively it appeared j the Indian would by no means difcover the Plants the (aid Flovc^er grew up- on, but affured rac, that he would procure any Perfon what quantity they pleafed, it they would but fatisfie him for his Trouble. They not only paint themf elves 2&0 The Natural HISTORY^ Red, but with many Oihtr Colours, fuch as BlackyGreen^ hluiy and White, by which thcy rcpreicnt all ciie Atfairs iu Life, fuch us fVar, Peace, Feafis, Death, and the like. Thcy generally let the Hair on their Heads grow ve- ry long, winch IS lank, thick, and the ftrungelt of any People 1 iiavc ever met with, and aS black as Jet. Tncy alwa)^ travel bare-headed, having ncitner Hats, or any artificial Covering tor thofe Parts, except it be their ci- vilized Kings aiid War Captains, whoof late wear Hats, cfpecialiy wiicn diey vifit the Chnftiam. I'liofe who have reprclcijied the ^uvage^ as rough as Beads, have never had the Opporiiiiny oi feeing them, for thcy have na- turally but liitlc or no Beards, or Hairs on theit Fjces, and very feldome under their Arm-pits, which 'tis fdid they coniinually pluck out by the Root as it begins to grow. Neither have thev any upon their Privities, ex- cept fome Few that wear Brieechcs or Tail-clouts, how- ever, though thcic People arc generally fmooth and free from Hair, yei 1 nave known fomc that were old, hairy down their Backs, and thofe Hairs very long : It is to be obfcrved, that the Head of the Penis is covered throug- hout the whole Nations of tne Inaians that 1 ever fawj I am credibly informed, that this is common with all, both old aid young in America* Thcy have extraor inary gr,r.d Teeth, bur generally of a ycUowiflj Colour, occafion- cdby their imoaking libaccOy wnich they arc very much addicted to J this Plant they report ro have had, many a^rf bffotc the arrival of che Chifiiam aroongft them. They never cut or pair their Nails, but let them grow Vciy lon<:, laying, that that is the ufe they were made for, and 1 iugh at the Europeam for pairing theirs, lang Nails being always efteemcd amongft them as a Beauty, which the i^iincecs gi ihcic Feaits generally havc^ who rather rcprdcnt North CAROLINA. ^8t reprefent the figure of Harpies than Men, with thefekind of Ornaments. They have long ana caper Fingers as any People whatfoevrr, and it is to be admired how dexterous and Ibady they are in their Hands and Feer, for ihey will walk over deep Brooks and Greeks on th6 fmallelt Poles, and that without any Fear or Concern^ \vhich no People in thefe Parts can perform but them- felves. I have feen an Indian walk on the ridge of i Houfc without any manner of fear, and. look from off the Gable, and fpit down as unconcerned as n he had been walking' on Terra Firma j as for Running, Leaping, or any fuch like Exercife, their Legs fcldom fail or mif- carry, fo as to give them a fall i as for letting any thing fall out of their Hands, I never knew an Example. Theic Gate is very upright and maj'eftick, neither are they ever feen to walk backwards and forwards as we do, oc Contemplate on the Affairs of Lofs and Gain, and many Other things which daily perplex us. It. is this Aeadi- ncfs in their Limbs (which are as well proportioned and as handfom as any in the World) that makes them fo dexterous at the Gun, for it is remarkable that thefe People generally fhooc and kill their Game with on^ fingle Ball, and the Boys with their Bows and Arrows are fo well experienced in that kind of Exercife, that they will kill a Bird flying, or a Deer running, with as much certainty, as others with a Gun, of which 1 have been an Eye-witncfs. They have no manner of Mufical Inftruments, fuch as ?ife^ Fiddle, or any other Arts, Sciences, or Trades, worth mentioning, amongft them, which may be owing to their carelefs way of living, taking little or no Pains to provide for the Neccffaries of Life, as the Europeans do. They will learn any thing very foon, and feem to be indued with very good Genius's, for I have feen N n feveraJ aSa Tht Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ fcvcral Guns Stocked by them, better than moft of our ^oynersj having no Inflrument or Tool to work with only a fhoit Kiute : I have likewiie known feveral of J. them that were taken Prifoncrs in the laft War, and made Slaves to the Englijh, learn handycraft Trades well and fpeedily. 1 never faw a Dwart amongft them, and only one that was Hump-back'd. Though the Indians are a tali People, yet they are not of fo robull and ftrong Bodies as to lift great Burthens, to endure hard Labour, or fla- vifh Work, as the Euro^tam do, yet lome that are Slaves prove very induftnous and laborious. Amongft them- felves they never work, taking litde or no care or pains, but what is abfolutely necelTary to fupport Life, the Grandureand Riches of this World being utterly defpif- ed by them. The Indians in North-Carolina that live near the Plan- ters are but few (as I obferved before) not exceeding lifteen or Sixteen hundred Men, Women and Children, and thofe in good harmony with the Englijb, with whom they conflantly trade ; yet near the Mountains they are very numerous and powerful, but have little or no firs Arms amongfl them, fo that the three following Kings are not fo much in dread or fear of thofe near the Moun- tains as they formerly were, fincc they have furnilhcd themfclvcs with Fire-Arms from the Enropeans, becaufe they can kill at greater diflances with their Guns, than the other can with their Bows and Arrows. ^ They have three Paricojffs, or Indian Kings in this _ l>rovince, who are civilized, viz.. King Blunt, King Buram, and King Htghter ; but they may rather be com- pared to Heads of Clans than Kings, according to their Appearances. I have frequently feen and converfed with thefe three Kings, whofc Drelfcs were as follows: ^ King North CAROLINA, 283 King BluHt appeared before the Governour to pay his Tribute, which he, as well as the reft, generally do once or twice every Year j and this Tribute is a quanti- ty ot Deer-Skins^ drelTed after the Indian manner. Complements being palled between hiiu and the Go-' vernour (which I fhall dekribe in another place) they were defired to fit down and dine with his Excellency, which all of them generally do, whenever they come to Town, where the Governour is : Several Difcourfcs paft between them, and amongft other things, that they were afraid of the Smigdrs, or Jrequois Indians (who arc / not in fubjed:ion to the Euglijh) coming to invade them, and defiring the Affifiance of the Governour, if there Ihould be any Occafion, which he afliired them of. Dinner being ended, the Glafs went round very merrily, and whenever they drank tathe Governour, they always ftiled him by the Name oi Brother. Thefe three Kings ^ rpeak Englijh tolerably well, and are very wary and cun- ning in their Difcourfes, and you would be furpriled to hear what fubtile and witty Anfwers they made to each Queftion propofed to them, notwithftanding they arc in general Illiterate People, having no Letters or Learn- ing to improve them. King Blum being the mofl: powerful of thefe I have mentioned, had a Suit of Englijh Broadcloth on, and a pair of Women's Stockings, of a blue Colour, with white Clocks, a tolerable good Shirt, Cravat, Shoes, Hat, &c. King Durant had on an old Blue Livery, the Wafte- coat having forae remains of Silver Lace, with all orhec NecefTarics fit for wearing Apparel, fuch as Shirt,Stock- ings, Shoes, dTc. made after the Englijh manner. King Highter had on a Soldiers red Coat, Wadecoat, and Breeches, with all other conveniencies for wearing Apparel, like the former : And it \s to be obferved, that 584 The Natural HISTORY of that after their return home to their Towns, that they never wear thefe Cloaths till the) make the next State [Viiic amongft the Cbrifiians. After this manner appeared the three civilized King?, with each of them his QueeUy Child}\nj Phyjician, Ca^-^ tains (jj Wary and his Guards : Atter Dinner was over, the GovernflflMf'ordcrcd Rum for the Queens, and the reft pf the Retinue, who remained at fome dillance from the Gosernorus Houfe during the time the Kings were in Company with him. In a fev*; Hours after they all withdrew from the GovcrnoinSjHoulc, and went into Town to difpofc of their De^r-^^/wi that were remain- ing, for BlanketSy Guns^ Po-aider, Shot, Bali, and other >«lecefl'aries they had occafion for, and cfpeciaily Rurn, whereof they are very fond. . What is worthy of Obfervauon amongft the whole Retinue, is thi--. That you fhall not fee two but what have ibrae Mark todiftinguifh them from each other; fometimes very long black Hair, with fcveral bits of Stufl, i'uch as Green, Blue, Red, White, and TcUow, tied in it ; others with their Hair cut clofe, only a Circle left on the Head, the Hair whereof is about half an Inch longer than the reft. Others with feveral Marks in different parts of their I^odies and Faces, as if they had been marked with Gun-Powder, fo that if you fee an hundred of them, you fliall always obfervc force difference in each of them, cither in their Painting, 'I'onfurc of their Hair, or the mark;s made in their Skins. All thefe 0uards were well Armed, with each Man a Gun, good ilorc of Powder and Ball, and a Jamahaivk by his fide, which is a kind of fmall Hatchet.. It is likewifc to be ob- served, that fcarcc any of the whole Retinue, except the War Captains, had any Cloathfng, only 1 ail-Clouts (for d.cecncy) co cover their Na^kcdncfs, and fQme few wi^th North CAROLINA. 285 a Blanket, or fomc fuch like piece of Cloth about their Shoulders. As foon as they have fold their Dter-Skim for thofc ISJccclIaries they had occafion for, and had drank what quantity of Rum they were allowed, or thought fit to make ul'c ot, they came out into the Street, to aft the In- dian War. which to any one bred in Europe, leemed ra- ther like a Scene of Madnefs, than a Warlike Excrcife, for one while they were Hooping and Hollowing, ano- ther while flampiPig altogether like Madmen, another time creeping, as if they were furprizing their Enemies, and many other antick Poftures and Geltures, too tedi- ous to name. Though thefe Kings may feem dcfpica- ble and mcane to us, yet are they moft abfolute, putting to death thofe they judge worthy of it; therefore it may not be amifs to give fome Inftances, becaufe they feem cruel and barbarous, if compared with our Laws for punifhing Offenders, as may appear by the follow- ing Acconnt, i//x.* An Indian came to a Planters Hpufe in this Province,' and finding no body a( home but a Servant Maid, he attempted to lie with her, but fhe not complying with his Defires, he was fo provoked, that to be revenged, he (hot the Planters Dog as he was going away. The Plan- ter complained to the Governour of the injury the Indian had done him, in order to have him punifhed for the of- fcce. A Meifenger is immediately difpatchcd to their King to demand Satisfadion for the trefpafs the ladian had been guilty of. The Mcflcnger coming late that Everting to the Indian-town the Kingcourteoufly received him and prevailed upon him to (lay all Night, and tha^ the next Day when the Sun was up, at fuch a height (i% he cxprefTed it) he would deliver him the OflFcndcr. A c- cordingly he remained there all Night, in hopes %o hav- a86 Th Napural H I S T O R Y 0/ the Indian brought bcforcj the Govcrnour, 'm order to be puniilicd according to the EniUjh Law i but at the time appointed, the King defircd the Mclicnger to walk witli him into the Plantation, where to his great aftonifh- ment, he found the Indian dead, and hanging upon a 'J'lec. The Mcilenger complained to the King, of tt.c raihnefs and cruelty of this Proceeding, adding, that he did noc defervc Death, and that he was forry he had been the Mclknger; or oecaiion to have a Pcrfon put to death, for fo fraaii a Crime, wnich only dcferved Whipping, or ferae fuch kind of Puuilhmcnti that he only came in or- der to have him brought before the Goveinour, to have him punilhed. But the King replied, That he might then take him where he plealcd, but he had put it out of his power ever afterwards to be guilty of doing any roguifh Tricks. But to return : Their Qtiecns, Sons, and Daughters, are never permitted to dine at the Go- vcrnour's Table with the Kings, but remain with their Children and Guards at forae diftancc from the Houfe. The firfl of thcfe Qiieens was dreft with a Peticoac made after the European manner, and had her Hair, which is generally long, thick, and Black, tyed full of bits of Stuff, fuch as Red, Green, Yellow, and variety of other Colours, fo that to an European flie rather feem'd like a Woman out of Bedlam, thsLW a Queen. Shelikc- vrife had a large Belt about her full ot their Peackj or tvampum, which is their Money, and what they value above Goldot Silver, but to me it fecm'd no better than pur common Snails, or other ordinary Shells i the other parts of the Body from the Wafte upwards were all nak- ed. The other two Queens were drcfl much after tlic fame manner, but none like the Hrft, having not fuch rich Belts of Money about their Bodies, yfhi(^ to us in Europe woud noc be worch one Farthing. ~:" ' ' " " Tf^€ ^ North C A RO LIN A, u^-^ The Indian Women, as well as the Men, arc fwarchy, but dieir features are very agreeable and fine as any Peo- ple you ihall mcec with, and ftw have better and fhar- per Eyes than they have. Neither did I ever fee but one Blind Manamongft them, and they never would give mc any account huw he became blind, though I impor- tun'd them to know the reaion. This blind Man was kd about with a Boy or Girl by a firing, fo they put what burthens they plcas*d on his Back, and made him fcrviceabic after that manner upon feveral Occafions. The ficing ihey chiefly burn is Pich-Pine, that docs not only llrengthen the Eyes,but preferves them, which I do noc doubt but it docs, becaule the Smoak never offends the Eyes though you fhould hold your Face over a great Fire tb.ereof, v.^hith is occafioncd by the Volatile parts oFthc 'Turpentine^ which rifcs with the Smoak, being of fo friendly and Balfamick nature to them, that they arc much relicvedthcreby, for the Alhesof the Pine-tree sS^ tord little or no fixt Salt. The Indians in general are great Smoakers of Tobacco (in thejr Language Vppoimc) which they tell us they had before the Europeans made any dikovcrics ot that Country. It differs in Leaf from tlic fiueet fcented and Oroonolio, which arc the plants we raife and cultivate in America, Theirs likewife differs very much in the fraell when it is Green from ouv Tobacco before it is cured, neither do they ufc the fame method in curing it as we do, therefore the difference mufi: be very confidcrable in tafU and fmcll, for all Men (that know Tobacco) muft allow, that it is the ordering thereof that gives a hogn to the Weed, rather than any natural relifh it pofTefTes when Green. They make the heads of their Pipes very large, which are ge- nerally cut out of Stones, the Shanks whereof arc made of hollo\Y Cane, and although they arc great Smoakers, "" yec 288 The Natural HIS TOKY cf yet they arc never known to chew, or make it itiro Snuffs but will very freely take a pinch of Snuft" out of an Emo- pans Box. The Indians are Strangers to fuch delicacies as a:ein vogue amongft^J'ec they have plenty of fe\cral kinds of Food, as BuffeloeSj Vemfon, and Fawns in ihe Bags of the Does Bellys, Bearsy Beavers, Panther. f^ Pole-Cats, IVtld- Cats, Raccoons, Po/fums, Hares, Squirrel f, voiiUd with their Guts illy wild Bul/'s Beef, Mutton, and Pork, which two latter they have from the Chriftians. The Deer, which is fo highly eflecmed in European Countries, for the delicacie of It's Flefli, is little valued amongft thefe Sa- vages, only for the plunder of his Skin. All manner of wild Fowl that are eatable, viz.. Swans, Geefe, Brantf, Ducks J Turkeys, Pigeons, and feveral other forts of Fowl that are to be met with mCarohna. Fijhes of all lorts, both in cijc rrtlh and fait Waters, and all manner of fhell-fiOi, as Turtoifes, TereBins, Oyfters^ Clams, and the Sting-ray, or Scate, drycd and mofl other fort of Fifties that are Ifnown in thefe parts, except the Conner, Lamprey-Eel, and Sturgeon, our civilized Indians that live near the Salt-Water will not touch, though thofe up the Frefties ear them. And as for Snakes, they fcarce either kill or eat tnem^ yet fome ot^ the Savages near the the Mountains are laid to do both. All manner of Wild Fruits that arc palatable, fome of which they dry and keep againft the li'^tnter, fuch as Huckle Berries, arid feve- ral other forts of Berries, fVaU-nuts,Chtfnuts,Hatel-NutS, Chinkapins, Acorns, and many other Fruits, as Peaches which they dry and make Qutdonies and Cakes of, that are very plealant, grateful, and cooling, but a little Tar- tiftl. Rochihontine-Meal, which is made of their Maz,e, or Indim-Corn parched or po^mdcd, aad made into Icvcral forts North CAROLINA. 2S9 forts of Bread, Ears of Cam roaftcd in the Summer , and jpreferved againit Winttr. Ground-NuUy or Wild Fotatoet, Oil of Acornf and Wild Pigeons y which they make ufc of as we do Butter, and feveral ocher things chat are to be met with in great plenty amongft them. They eat young Wafps when they are white m the Combs, before they can fiy, which is cfteemeda very great dainty a- monglt them, as likewife Gourds, Mellons, Cucumbers^ Squajhes, Sembkns, and Puljt of all lores. Tho' theic Grounds be very fertile and able to produce much more than they do; yet they arc contented to live upon a liicle, and what fmall quantity of Indian-Corn they have is brought forth by the Induftry of their Wives, who in- flead of Ploughs (of which they have none, nor Creatures fit for tillage) cultivate and dig the Ground with Wooden Spades and Hois made after their own Fafhion, the Men's minds being Vvholly taken up in Hunting, efpecially till they arc about 5 o Years ci Age. The ViBuals are common throughout the whole kind- red and relations, and often to the whole Town, and efpecially when they are m their Hunting Quarters, theti they all fare alike, there being little or no diftinctiom obferved amongfl: them in their eating. It is very flrangc to fee in all the Places where they have been formerly fettled, or had their Towns near the Salt Waters, whac vaft quantities of Oyfler-jhells are to oe met with on the Banks of the Rivers, in luch heaps, that it is furprizing to behold them : One might reafonably imagine (by fuch great quantities as are there) that they fcarce liv- ed upon any thing elfe, or that they muft have been fet- tled many hundred Years in one Place, which is not com- mon amongfl them, being a People always Ihifting from one place to another ,as their Fancies lead them. O o Thcfc 290 Thi Natural HISTORY^ Thcfe Savages live in H^i^ivafns, or Calkins, builc wirl> poles and the Bark of Trees ^ chcir Houlcs arc made oval, or round like an OveNjio prevent any Damage by hard gales of Wind, which arc common in this Country. 7 hey make the Fire in the middle" of the Houfe, and have a Hole at the top of the Roof,right above the Fire, to let out the Smoak. Thcfe Dwellings are as hot as Stoves, where they fweat and flcep all Night j the Floors are never paved or fwcpr, fo that the Earth is always Joofe, much rcfembling th poor Cabbins that are to be met with in fevcral parts ot Ire/and, only the /«(^/a«( hav- ing fuch plenty ot Wood, make no earthen V^'slls to theirs. The Bark they generally make their Cabbins with is Cypreffy or red or ivhite Cedar ; fomctimes when they are a great v/ay diftant from any ofe' th^yWoods, they make ufe of the Pine Barky which is the worlt fort to cover their Houfes with. In building thefe Houfes they gee long Poles of Pinej Cedar, j^Jh, Hickny^ or any Wood that ■will bend; thefe Poles are ijencrally about the thickncls of a Man's Leg at the thickcft end, ilript of the Bark, and well warmed in the Fire, which makes them rough and pliable. Then they make fharp points on the thick- eft ends, and flick them faft in the Ground, about two yards afunder, in a circular Form, the diftancc they dc- fign the Cabin, then they bend the tops and bring them together, after which they bind their Ends with Bark of Trees, that is proper for that ufe, fuch as Elm, or the long black Mofs that grows on Trees, which fddom rots ; then they brace them with other Poles to make them ftrong and firm j laftly, they cover them all over with Bark> of Trees (except a hole to let out the Smoak) that they are warm and tight, and will keep firm againii Wind and Weather. Thefe arc all the kind of Dwel- lings chat arc to be met with throughout all the Nations of North CAROLINA. 291 of the Indians, in thefc parts oi America, except the civi- lized Kingi, who of late have Routes faft^ioncd and built attcr the manner that the Ch.ijiiam build theirs. Thcfe Dwell ing-Houfes have Beaches all round, ex- cept where the Door itands, whereon they lay Beads Skins and Macs made of Rujhes, on which they fleep and loll, having no other Beds but thefe. In one of thefe Houfcs feveral Families commonly live together, all re- lated to one another, for thefe Suvages do not fecm fo very careful of their Females as the Europeam, having no Bars or Partitions to keep the Men at a diftance from the Women. They have other forts of Cabins made without Windows or Holes at the top, which are their Granaries, where they keep their Corn and Fruit foe fpinter, or Storc-Houfcs for their Dei^r or Btver Skins, and all other kind of Merchandize that they deal in. They have Cabbins of another ^ind njade like a Shead, being only covered over head, the reft left open to the Airi thefe have Reed Hurdles like Tables to lie and fie on in Summery and ferve for pleafant Banqueting Houfef in the extremity of the hot Weather. As for Liquors they have little or none made amongft them, neither were they acquainted with any kind of intoxicating Liquors before the arrival ot the Chrifiians j ,.. contenting themfelves with the pure Element, but they N arc now become very great Drinkers of Rum^ and will pan Nvith any thing they have to purchafc it ; when they arc a little mellow, they arc the moft impatient Crcar tures living, 'rill they have enough to make them quite drunk, and then they are often the moft miferablc Spec- tacles in Nature, fret]uenrly tumbling into the Fire, and burning their Arms and Legs to that degree, that the Sinews arc contradcd, and they became Cripples all their Lives after; bcfides feveral other misfoctuacs which O o 2 atcead 292 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ them during their Drunkennefs, as breaking their Bjnes and Joints, with many other melancholiy Accidents, yet none fufficient to deter them from this Practice. Drunk- tnnefs is a Vice fo common amongft them ( it they can obtam itrong Liquors) that they drop down and lie quite naked, in fuch brutifli Poftures as arc not lit to be nam- ed. Thcfc bafe Difpofitions are principally owing to the meanneis of their Education, being flrangers to all Arts and Sciences, and the Knowledge of other Coun- tries, which renders them infenfible ol: that Virtue and Decency which other Nations value at lo high a Rate. The chief and only Liquor they admire is Rum, which they generally drink without any mixture ; this the £«- vofeam bring in amongft them, and buy Deer- Skins, j^uYYSy and other Commodities with ; they will treely fell or part with any thing they have in the World (ex- cept their Wives and Children^ rather than not accom- plifh their Defigns. They fomctimcs commit fuch bru- talities and enormous Vices, as are not fit to be menti- oned ; }ec there are fomc few jmougfc them that wiU-K J>< In the Year 1708, the Governour fummoncd all the -^ not drink any ftrong Liquors. Jndian Kings and Rulers in North-Carolina to meet, in order to make a firm and lafting Peace between the Chrifliam and Indians : At which publick Meeting, the Indian Kings and Rulers dcfircd, that in the conclufion of this Peace, it might be cnadcd that no Rum fiiou'd |)c Sold to them, which was accordingly granted, and a Law made by the EngUjhy which inflided a penalty on any white Men that fold Rum to the Indians. But this Law was never ftri(^ly obferved or put in force, becaufe the young Indians were fo difgufted at that Article, that they threatn'd to kill the Indians that had a Hand in jHiakiBg iiy unlcfs it were fpecdily laid alidc, and that - * they Nonh CAROLINA. 293 they might have Rum fold them as ufual when they went to the Chrijlians Houfes to buy it. They Iikewilc oicen times in their Drunken trolicks cut cfr their Hair and fell it to the Chrifiiam, which is looked upon amonglt thcmas thegreaieit dilgrace imagi- nable ; and thv only aflfronc that can be oftcred them is to ceiire them to fell their Hair, when they arc fober and free from Liquors. The Indians are very revengful, notwichdanding they always conceal their refentmcnts, but never forget an injury done, till they have received Satisfaction ; yet they arc the freeft People from Heats and palTions (which fo frequently poflefs the Eur&pcanf) of any People I have ever feen or heard oL They never call any one to an Account for what they do when they are Drunk, but fay it was the Drink that caufed his misbehaviour, therefore he ought to be forgiven : Neither will ti^y frequent any Chrijhans Houfc that is given to Paffion, nor will ever buy or fell with him, if they can get the fame com- modities they have occafion for from any other Pcrfon ; i for they fay fuch kind ox People arc mad Wolves and no"/ X Men. They feldom or never fight with one another, unlefs when they are Drunk, nor fhall you ever hear any Scolding araongft them. For thcy fay the Europeans zrt alwaysvrrangling and uneafy with each other, and won- der they do not go out of this World, lincc they arc fo uneafy and difcontented in it. Neither do they (hew the leaft fign of being dejedcd or caft down at the greateft x calamities that can attend them, except it be the lofs o[ Friends. For it is remarkable, that all other lofles and misfortuues end in Laughter, for if their Cabbins ihould take Fire, and all their Goods be burnt therein (notwith- ftanding all will ftrive to fave what they can whflft there is any poflibility, and prevent any farther damage) yet fuch 094 ^-^^ Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ fuch a misfortune generally ends in a hearty fie of Laugh- ter. But it any of their kinsfolks have loft their Lives in the Flames, it is then the Cafe is altered, and they become very pen{ivc and mourn for a confiderable time, which always bears Proportion to the dignity of the Pcrfon dc- ccaled, and the number of Relations he had near him, who make a horrid howling during that time. '^ The Indian Women are never known to Icold, and it is a thing impoilible to hear them make ufe of that unruly Mcmbci the Tongue, with fuch Rage and Malice as our European Dames are lubjed to, whom I could wifh would ict thclc Indians for a Pattern, by which means there would be more Quictncfs and better Harmony jn moil Families, th«n at prcfcnt is to be met with. For when tiiefe Indian Women are provoked or affronted by their Husbinds, or any other Pcrlons, they refent cnc Indigni- ty oflfcied them m Silence, Tears, or by refusing their Meat; thcfe being always certain Signs that they have been injured and Affronted. Neither arc the Men Paffionatc, or over hafly to aft any Affair with too muchhaftc or impetuofity, never de- termining any Bufinefs of Moment without the greareft Deliberation and Warinefs imaginable, being more con- tent with common Accidents and Misfortunes incident to human Nature (fuch as Loffes, contrary Winds, bad "Weather, Poverty and the like) than People of more ci- vilized Nations. I never felt any ill or unfavoury fmell in heir Cabins, whereas (hould wc live in our Houfes as they do, -we (hould be poifoned with our own Naftinefs ; which confirms thcfe Indians to be, as they certainly are, fome of the f weeteft People in the World. X Their Women when they arc young, and at Maturity, arc fine Ihaped Creatures ( take them in general ) as^ny in the Univcrfe j and though they are of a tawny Com- plexion biorth CAROLINA. 295 plcxion (which is very much occa/ioned by their being lb much expofed to the Weather, and cheir continual daubing and painting themfelves with £ear*s Oil, and o- thcr Ingredients mixed with it^ yet their Features arc very good, their Eyes Black and Amorous, and their Smiles aftbrd the fincft compofurc a Face can poflcfs. 1 heir Hands are of the fineft make, with fmall long taper Fingers, and as foft as their Checks, the whole Bo- dy being ot a fmooth Nature, with Limbs of the moft cxquifite fhape. They arc Mercenary, except the Mar- ried Women, who lometimes beftow their Favours on whom they like bcH, in their Husbands abfence, iot which they never take any Reward : As for the report that fomc might have heard of them, that they are never found inconltant like the European Women, ic is intircly fjlfe ; for were the old World and the New, put into z pair of Scales (in point of Conftancy and Chaftity) it would be a hard matter to defcern which was the heavier. As tor the Trading Girls, which are thofc defigncd to get Money by Proilitution,thcre are eafily known, by a particular Tonfure, or cut ot their Hair, differing from all others of that Nation, who are not of their ProfciHon; which Method is to prevent Miftakes, for thefe Savages are defirous (if polfiblc) to keep their Wivesto them- felvcJ, as well as thofc in other Parts of the World. When any AddrcfTes arc made to one of rhefe Girls,' fhe immediately acquaints her Parents therewith, and they cell the King of it (provided he that courts her for a Bedfellow be a ftranger) his Majefty being moft com- monly prmciplc Baud ofthe Nation he rules over, there being fcldom any of thcfe Love-bargains made or cqii- cluded without his Royal Afl'ent. He like wife ad'- lies her what Bargain to makt* with her Gallant:, who fheWf ibme Toys lie h^s to prcftnc her with : But if it hap- pens 296 The Natural HI S T O R Y (f pens to be an Indian Trader, that wants one of them For a Bed Fell ow, and has got Rum to felJ, he always fees the King with a large Dram, to confirm the Match, When any (ucij Queflion is propoied to thefc Savaues^ they will debate the Matter amongft themfelves with\ll the fobriety and ferioufnefs imaginable, every one of the Girls Relations arguing the Advantage or Difadvantagc that may enfuc from fuch a Nights Encounter, all which is done with as much fleadincfs and reality, as if it were the greatcft Concern in the World, not (o much as one Perlon fhall be izzxi to fmile fo long as the De- bate lafts, making no manner of difference betwixt an Agreement of this Nature, and any other Bargain. It they comply with the Men's defire, then a particular Bed is provided for them either in a Cabin by them- felves, or clfe all the young People turn out to another Lodging, that they might not fpoil Iport betwixt thefc Lover:., and if the old People are in the fame Cabin a- long with them all Night, they lyc as unconcern'd as if they were fo many Statues or logs of Wood, in nowife offering to diflurb them, and that the Man may have the Satisfadion of his new purchafc, which pleafure is Sometimes bought at too dear at rate. If it be an Indian of their own Town or Neighbourhood that wants a Miftrcfs, he comes to none but the Girl who receives what prefents Ihc thinks fit to ask, and fo lyes with him all Night without the knowledge or previous confent of her Parents ox Relations. This familiarity fo kindles luft, that the young Men will likewifc go in the Night time from one Houfe to another to vifit the young Wo- men, after which rambling manner they frequently fpcnd the whole Night. In their adreffcs they find no delays, for if fhcis willing to entertain the Man, fhe gives him encouragement, and grants him admittance^ othcrwife " ' ^ flie Nmh CAROLINA. 29-] Oic withdraws her Face from him and fays, / cannot Jee you, either you or I mufi leave this Cabin and Jleep fome ivhere eife this Night. Tins ic^uife makes iiiin immedi- atly wjcndraw, ai.d addrcls himfelt to lomc more kind Milireis, that will accept of his favours. Ncitner doth it dilpleafc the Parents, that their Daughters are thus acquainted, knowing by tlicfe Means that they can c^un- mand the young Men to help them in any Work or .jU- fincfs they have occalion to ufe them ia. They ftt apart the youngeft and pritticft Faces ior trading Girls, who aie remarkably known b^ x parti- cular Tonfure in their Hair (as I faid before) which diftinguifhesthcm trom thofe engaged to Husbands; toi: what is accounted amongfl us as moll Criminal, arc tak^ en for flcnder Trefpaffes amongft them j for if a young Man can get a Favour of his Neighbour's Diughrcr, it is looked upon as a flight Offence, becaufe they arc not permitted to Marry without the King's Approba- tion, which is fcldom before they arc twcncy Years o£ age. Thefe Girls arc generally very Mercenary, and who- ever make ufe of them, engages them with fome gratui- ty or other, the principal part whereof is for the King's life, exercifing his prerogative over all the Stews of his Nation, his own Cabbin being very often the chief Brothel Houfe. As they grow in Years, the hot aif^ults of Love grow cooler, and then they become more itaid and conltant to tiieir Husbands, if cn^a^ed ,* many of them after their LiiL'agement or Marriage, arc- !o rc- ferved, tiaat they win admit of no other to tne/'r Era^jrac- cs but their Husbands. Thefc trading Girls, after they have led that ourfe of Life feveral Years, in -Jenich timethcv icarcc ever have a Child, for it is (uppofei tnat chey have fome particular P p Stcrec ^98 Tht Natural HISTORY/ Secret, or Method (with Herbs) by whieh th:y prevent Conception, 'till they arc marncd, and then never Uit ' to be tiuitful. But if it fliould hippen, that fhc brings forth a Child whilft fhc follows this lewd eourfe ot Lite, fhe is not only accounted a Fool, but her Rcpuiacion is very much leflencd thereby, at laft they grow weary of the Addrcfs of fo many Men, and betake them lei vcs to a married State, or to the Company of one Man i nei- ther docs their having been common to fo many, occaH- on any Blemifh in their Reputation, or hiiidcrancc to a Husband, but rather a Promotion ; for they fay, That a Woman living other lui ft., is not worth a Mans acceptance^ and never makes a good IVije, The Men arc never to boait of Intrigues with the Wc- men, if they do, none of the Girls will admit ot their Company to their Beds, or have any regard for them afterwards. This is not outof any tender Regard they have for their Reputation, for there is no fuch thing (on that Account) known amongft them ; although we may reckon them the greateft Libertines in the purfuit of their Pleafures, and moft extravagant in their Embraces, yet they retain and poiTefs a modefty that requires thofc Faffions never to be revailcd, or made known to the .World. The Woman is not punifhcd.for Adultery (this and Fornication being not fo much as looked upon as a Sin amongit them) but the Gallant is obliged to make the injured Husband Satisfadion, which is the Law of Na- tions, and piaftifed amongft all the Indians ,* the Gallant that ftrivcs to evade fuch Satisfadion as the Husband demands, lives daily in danger of his Lite: But when thofc Reparations arc made him, that he is fatisficd,with all Animoficies ceafe, and he is laughed at by the whole Xationjfoi: carrying on his Intrigue with no better Gon- dii^, North CAROLINA, 399 dud, than :o be dircovercd, and pay fo dear tor his PJcafurc. Tiie Indian! fay, that a Woman is a weak Creature, and caiily drawn away by the Man's perfuafion i for which rcalon they fcldom or never lay any blame on the Woman, but the Man (thac ought to be Mafter of his his Pallions) for perfuading her to it. They are of very hale found Gonflitutions, and tlieir Breath as fweet as the Air they breath in : The Wo- men are oi fo tender a Compolicion, thac they leem ra-- ther dcfigned for the Bed than Bondage ; yet their Love is never of that extenlivc force or continuance, that any of them ever run mad or make away with themfelves on that Icore. They never love beyond retrieving their firft indififerency, and when flighted, arc as ready to untie the Knot at one end, as you are at the other. I knew an European Man that lived many Years a- mongft the Indians, and had a Chijd by one of their \Vc- men, having bought her as they do thcjr Wives, and af- terwards married a Chnftjan : Sometime after he canrx to the Indian Town, not only to buy peer-Skint, but likcwife to pais away a Night with his former Miftrcfs as ufual, but (he made anfwcr, 7hat Jhe then had forgot that flje ever knew him, and that [he never lay with another JVomans Hmband ; fo fell a crying, took up the Child (he had by him, and went out of the Cabin in great Diforder, although he ufed all pofTibie means to pacific her, by offering her Prefcnts of feveral Toyi and Rum^ but all to no purpofe, for (he would never fee him af- terwards, or be reconciled. There arc feveral Europeans and other Traders which travel and abide amongft them for a long fpace of Time, fotnetimes a Year, two or three, and thofc Men com- monly have their Indian Wives or MillrelTes, whereb/ Pp a ' they 300 The Natural HISTORY ^ they toon learn the Indian Tongue, and keep in good tfjciicflijp vviih tliem, befidcs the latisfadtion they have of a Bei'ttJl /Wj tney fii d thc(e Girls very fcrvjccablc to the Hi upon ievcral occafions; especially in drcffing thar V ;CU!*.ls, and inlt>uding them in the Affairs and CuiiORii ot inc Counu V ; moreover they get a great Tiade au.cnj,il tiiem ; but the Peilon that is refcrved, and diih not ii)us com eric with their Women, it is c Children in £ttJ'o/?f.. ,-4;',.. They let their Children (amongft whom are m:^ny Olive Beauties) fuck 'till they are well grown, unlefsthcy prove big with Child fooncr than ufual. They always -(, nurfe their own Children themfelvtrs, unlefs Sickncfs or Death prevents them. I only once fawa Nurjs hired to give Suck to an Indian Woman's Child, the Mother hap- pening to have a fir of" ficknefs not long afcen her deli- very ; by which not only her Strength was much impair- ed, but like wife the Milk in her Breafts. As foon as the Child is born, they walh it in cold Water in the next Scream or River, then anoint or bedaub it all over with £ear*s Greafe and other Ingredients, as I have before ob- ferved ; aher their Delivery they wafh themfelvcs in the Waters, and ablent themfelves from the Company of Men for forty Days. The Husband takes care to pro- vide a Cradle^ which is foon made, conlifting only of a piece of flat Wood that they hew with their Hatchetsio the likcnefs of a Board, about two Feet long and a Foot broad, to this they brace and tie the Child very clofe, having near the middle a Stick fadned about two Inches from the Board, for the Child's Breech to reft on, undcc this they put a Wad of Mofs that receives the Child's Ex- crements, by which means they can very readily Ihifc the Moffy and keep all clean and fwect. They are apt to have the Bodies and Heads of their Children Hat, which is owing to thefe kind of Cradles, yet they are the moft portable things that can be invented, there being a String from one corner of the Board to the other, wherer 3o8 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ by the Mother flings the Child on her Back, fo that the Intani's Back iS towards hers, and it's Face to ihc Sky ; if ic rains, Ihc tnrows her Le ther or Woolen Match-coat over her Head, which covcrs> her all o\cr, aiiu kcures ner and the Child trom the injury 01 the Weather 'I'hele be- ing the only kind of Cradhs that arc common through- put all Amtrica, The Woir.cn quit all manner of Company, neither do ihey drefs their own Viduals during their Purgauoii ; after they have had fcvcral Children, they grow itrange- lyout of Snape in their Bodies; as tor Barrcnefs it is feldom or never known amongft them, their V/omen moft commonly pioving very fruitful, cfpecially after Marriage, every C^/?/« being full ot Children, who arc taught as foon as they grx)w up to Fijh^ and Hum in the Woods, and to do what is neccflary about their Houfcs, vix.' to beat IndiiH Corn, and the like, for they do not take the leaft Care of their Education, being llrangcrs to all Arts and Sciences, fo that they lead a very idle Life. ;■ ' \ They name their Children according to their owa Faiicics, which is quite different to either the Father or Mother's Nanne. This Name they keep (if a Boy) 'nil they arrir? ro the Age of a hunter y or a Warrior, which rs crmmonly at fixtccn or (evenceen Years, then they take a ISuOic to thcmldvts as they think proper, lome being called Eagle, Tyger-, P/inther,'' Alligator, or fome fuch vild Creature, elfrcminj» nothing on Earrh worthy to give them a Nsmc. but Inch kind oi Wildfowl or Beafts. Some likcw ifc take the Karaes of fome Fifi, which they keep is lone; as they live. • T hey iiumbcr their Age by Moons or Winters, and fay a Wcnan oi a Man is fo many Moms or Winters old, and (0 tUy do with all memorable Actions in life, ".. •; ^ . , ^ -^ j^' accounting Noah CAROL IN A, 309 accounting icto be fo many Moom or IVmters (ince fuch or fuch a tning happened^ Tliey liUew){c can guefji tul- Icrably well ac the time of the i'ay by the height of the Sun. Though they have no different Names tor Sun or Moon^ yet they undcrftand the latters Age, having no other Cumpuraiion of Time but after this manner. They have no Sabbaih^ or certain Days of Reft ap- pointed for Devotion amongft them, that I ever could observe, except we will allow of their Feafts to be their feftival Days, fet appart for that purpofe. However thofc that are frequently amongft the Chrifltansy and fpcak the E^g'/jh foiigue, know very well when it is Sunday y or the Englijh Man s Gods Day, as they term it. ^ In thefe Parts they havelikewife a particular aud diftind Name for Chrifimasy which they call IVimck-keJhufe, or the Enghjh-Man'i Gods Moon. They name the Months according to what moftly is produced or taken in each of them, as one is called Herring- month, which is Muvcky another th^ Strawberry- yt, monthy which is Apul, another the Mulberry-ntonhy or May -y others name them by Trees that bud or bloffom at particular Seafons of the Year, fuch as tiie Dogwood-tree^ lulip tree, and many others. Others again make out their Seafons from the flight of Birds, fuch as Swam, and ma- ny other Fowl, and fome from the Gobling ot Turkey C^cks, which is in March, and j^pril; for when they are out in their Hunting ni itches they fay they will rcturne Home whtn -.he Turkey Cock begin to Gobble. The /nr'iam are not Jealous like the Spaniards and other Euiovean Nations, neither do they know what Jealoufl^ ii, t'craufc they never think their Wives un- conllani unkls they arc Eye witncfles thereof. They arc generally bafhful, r{ ecially the young Maids, who when they co*iic into a ftrange Cahin where ihey arc not 3to The Natural HISTORYeT not acquainted, never ask for any thing, though they be ever lo Hungry or Thirity, but lit down without fpcak- a Word, tiilfomeot the Houfc ask them fomc Quciti- ons, or fall into difcourfc with the Stranger. T['he Women (as I oblerv'd before) never Scold with each other, and no People in the World more tender and Indulgent of their Children, fo that they leldom or ne- ver corred or chaflifc them, which I am periwaded h a very great reafon that they arc not given to Scold (like the Europeans) when they come to Men and Women's Eftate. They have few or no complements araongft them, except Ihaking of Hands, and fcratching on the fhoul- der, which are the greateft marks of affedion and fincc- rity that can be fhewed amongft them,- not only to Strangers but to each other. And it is worthy of obfec* vation, to fee when the War Captains (who are Men of the greateil cfteem amongft them, next the King) Come to the Cilfim of the inferior Indians, that at his de- parture they fcratch his flioulder, which i& iook*d upon amongft them, as the greateft honour. Complement, oc maike of diftindion they can confer on io great a Man. They do not exprefs Fare you vjell, but when they leave the Houfe or Company will fay, I go flraight away, which is to intimate their departure, and if the Man of the Houle. has any Meflage to fend by the Perfon going he may acquaint them therewith. Neither does their Language allow them to fay. Sir, Jam your Servant, be caufc they have little or no Degrees of Quality or Titlei for Man, only King, War Captain, Cld-man, or Toung^' Man, which refpcft the ftations and Circumftanccs, that Men are employed in or arrived to, and not Ceremony. Neither is the Name of Maftcr fo much as known amongft them. And as for S«rvant, they luvc no fuch thing, except Nmh CAROLINA, 311 except Slave, for their Dogs, Cats, Wild and Domeftkk Beajisdud Ends ate call'd Dy the fame Name, for the In- -^. diati-vjord tor Slave includes them all ; fo when an Indian tells you, ht has got a Slave jor yon, it may (in general terms asihcy ux) oe a young Eagle, a DogyPojfam, Ottor^ or any other thing of chat Nature, which is obfequioufly to depend on the Mafler ior its Suftenance. When the Eunfeans come in amongft them to theic Towns, though perhaps the Indians arc well acquainted with fome of them, yet not one of them will fpcak to * them, till the Kmg pays the firft complement, which is fhaking of Hands, and biding them welcome, after him the IVar Captains, Dolors or Prieftf fo oo gradually from high to low, not one ot all thefe Ipeaking to the Europe^ an till his fuperior has ended his Salutation. After all this Ceremony is over then every Indian has liberty lo fpcak and convcrfe with his European acquaintance, this being an honour due to the King and his great Men, which is moft ftri^ly obfervcd amongil them. It is common amongft the European traders who tra- fick with the Indians, if they find no Body at Home, to make ufe of their Huts, or Calvns and other nccciTarics that they find in them, fuch as Indian Corn, Peas, Beans^ Chinkapin, Nuts, H^aH-nuts, and feveral other Nuts, and Fruits, Pigeon s, 'Oil, Barbacu*dVenifon, Ptackes, and Peach-Bread, thefe Peaches arc likewife made into a Qutddony, and then into Loaves like Barley Cakes, which cut into thin Slices and difolved in Water, make a very grearful and cooling Drink, all which they allow the Chrijlian Traders to do, in lieu whereof they moft com* inonly leave fome frnall gratuity fuch as Tobacco, Beads^ or fome other Trifles of this Nature, (which arc kindly received and acknowledged by thcm^ and then proceed on thcic intended Journey. Thi 3i'2 The Natural HISTORY^ The Women's drcfs in fcverc and cold Weather arc PccicuitLS, bUiikcts, or Tail cJoucs ('which of late they have purchalcd trom the Eurcpeans ) or a Hairy Match- ioat made in the nature at a Piad ot the Skins of feve- ral wild Bcalts, wnich keeps out the Cold, and (as I faid before) defends their Children from the prejudices of the Weather, at other times chcy have only a kind of flap or Apron containing two Yards in length, and better than half a Yard deep, to cover the Privities, which is done only for decency, both Men and Women being ac- cuitomed from their infancy to an entire Nakcdnefs, foe they go with their Feet, Body, and Head bear, all fca- fons of the Year. Others wear Blue or Red Flaps made of Bays and Plains, which they buy from the Europeans^ both of which they tuck in at the Corners, toUlten that kind of Garment, and at other times they make it fail with a Belt: Sometimes they wear Meggiz.oni or Indian Shoes made oi Deer-Skins, after the manner as the Men's are. Some of ihem likewifc have in Winter Blue or Red SiufF faftned about their Legs inftead of Stockins, . The Hair of their Head is made into a long Roll like a Horfes-tail, and adorned or bound round with Ronoak or Procelan, a kind of Beads they make of Conk-(beSs, which is the Money the Indians make ufe ot in chefc parts. Others that have not this, make a Leather firing oc lorne pieces of Green or Red Stuff fervc, others adornc thcir Hair with Beautiful Flowers and Feathers of fe- veral Birds : After this manner they make their appear- ance, when they come along with their Husbands a- mtw^j^ft the Chn/iians. The Men have Match-coats of Hair, Furs /Feathers, or Chtby and their Hair rolled upon each Ear as the Women's, only much fhorter, and frequently a Roll on the Crown of their Head ;ind Temples, as they fan- ! Norfb CAROLINA. 313 cy, there being no great nicety or ftridnefs in thcic Dicls. They make their Scockins of pieces of £/«* or Red Cloach, which they fallen about their Legs with fmall Splinters made of bits of the Piuh pne-iuood, or any other Wood. Others faften them on with Strings on the out fide of the Leg hke Buskins. Sometimes they w^ar grcac Bobs in their Ears, others in the holes thereof put£^^/ej and other Birds Feathers for a Trophy j when they kill any Fowl, they commonly pluck of the downy Feathers and Hick them ail over their Heads, which make them appear more frightful than Ornamental, and more like People diftrafted than in their Senfes: At othec times both Men and Women wear great Belts and Neck^ laces of their Money made oi Coak-fiel/s, and often times Bracelets made of Brafs and Iron-iuire, and fevcral othec Toys which they purchafe from the Chrifiians. Ochers have their Hair made up in long rolls, where- in are tied feveral bits of Stuff of various colours, luch as TehiUy Greejfy and Red^ and the like, as the Women do, Betwixc their Legs comes a piece of Cloth that is tuck'd in like a Belt both before and behind ; this is contrived to hide their Nakednefs, of which Decency they arc ilrift obfcrvers, though never pradifed before the Chrijli" ans came amongfl; them. Some wear Shoes of Buck or Bear Skins, which they will tan in an Hour or two with the Baik of Trees boiled, wherein they put the Leather whilff hot, and let it remain a fhort time, whereby it be- comes fo qualified, as to endure Water and Dirt with- out growing hard. Thcfe Moggtz,on$ or Shoes have no Heels, but are made as fit for the Feet, as a Glove for the Hand, and eafie to travel in when one is a little ufed to them. ^ The Feather Match-toats Hxt exceedingly pretty, fomS i)t which arc beautifully wrought with variety of Colours R r and SI4 ^-^^ Natural HISTORY of \ and Figures, which fccm at a diftancc like a Hneflowr- \ cd ^ilk-p^ag, when new and frcfb, they ferve a Bed in- ilead ot a Q}iilt. Some Match-coats ^xc made of Hair, as iizcQvns, Beavers y or Squirrel/* s Skins, which arc very warm. Orhcrs again are made of the green part of the Skin of the Mallards head, and other Fowls which they flitch ot fow perFcdIy well together, their Thread being either the Sinews of a Z^f^r divided very fmall, or Stlk'grafsy when thefc are finillied they look mofl bcau- tifuly, though they mnft needs be very troublefome and ' tedious to make. But thofc that have plenty of Deer Skins frequently buy the Englijh made Coats, Blankets, C^f. yet few are e\cr known to buy or wear Breeches (except their Kings and great Men) faying they are too much confined in them, and prevents their fpeed in run- ning, leaping, and other exercifes. There was formerly a Nation of Indians called the Tafqiiotank Indians, who kept Cattle and made Butter, feut at prelcnt there is no fuch thing to be found araongd them or any other Nation inthcfe Parts; had thefc m- clinacions in thofe ^oox Savages met with that encourage- ment (from the Englijh and other Europeans fettled in f<[QYth'Carolifia ) which in juftice. Piety and Virtue ("ought to be the pra(5cice of every Chriflian) I do not (doubt but that they wou*d foon be converted, and with Joy embrace the Chifti an- faith, and belive us to be a more worthy race of People than thcmfelves, by our jgood Adions and Morals. But on the contrary, they have been formerly defrauded of the Lands allotted thcm^ ■which was the occafion of a long tnd vexatious War to rht Chriflians, and it frequently happens (at this Day) that the Europeans (which I am forty I have occaiion to mention) meet thofe poer Indians in the Woods, and not only beat , inch as our Gladiators commonly ufc upon the Stage i in this Drcfs tncy dance about an Hour or more fhiwmg many ftrange Gciiures, brandishing their Weapons as i) they were i.oing to fight each otiicr, okcn- timei waik.ng loui.d the Room With fo much dexterity and nimblc-cis, cn^c you may n(>t hear their Bells make the lc«ilt noilc, aah ch is very llrange to iee them per- form, turning .neir Boiies, Arms and Legs, into fuch ilrangc ^n.} f igiitiul Poilures, that to an European they would fccm like a parcel of Bedlamitei, void ot Scnie or Reafon ; artcr they have cue two or three high Capers, they immediately leave the Room. As (oon as they dif- ' appear, come in a parcel ot Women and Girlcs, each taking place according to their degree in Stature, the tai- led leading the Dance, and the leaft of all placed laft- Tbey then form thcmfelvcs into a Ring, reprefenting the Fire they dance about. Several of them having Bells about their Legs, drcffed with Flowers and Feathers like the Men, others with fmall BcUs about their Necks^ though 334 ^^ Natural HI S T O R Y qf though their way of Dancing is nothing but a f . rt of ftamping, which they continue for icvcralHours togciiKi^ till they arc ail of them in as great a fwcat as if rhcy jjad been dipped in the River. During thcfe Dances the Spcftatcrs do not negicd to fill their Bellies with the Provifions tha": are tiiere, more or Icfs of them being continually eating : WIicm the Dancing is ended, every Youth that is fo difpofcd, takes hold of the Girl he fancies to be his Bedfellow fv»r that Klighr, few Ceremonies being ufcd upon that head a- mongft them. y At thelc Feflivals and publick AfTcmblics they gwc a traditional Relation of what happened amongil them iot many Years paft, to their young Men ; having no otner Method to record what their Anceftors have done, or known only by Tradition from Father to Son, and their HieYogli^hkhi being entire Strangers to Letters or Learn- rhey have another fort of Feaft where their Pric/ls or Conjurers pretend toconverlc familiarly, and demand divers ftrangc things from Spirits by tncir Invocations^ and the Magical Charms which they make ufcof. This Feaft they celebrate in the open Fields, where a large Circle is made -, all the Indium that come to it are vari- oufly painted and adorned with rich Feathers of divers Colours ; they have finging and dancing at this as at the others : After they have fung and danced for aquar- tcr of an Hour, and turned about three times, they run like diftraaed Men into the Woods ; then the Wo- men continue the reft of the Day in Tears, and as me- lancholy as poffible, then in a Rage they cur the Arms of the young Girls with (harp SheBs of F\[heSy 'till the Blood follows, which they caft into the Air, wich loud Shrcekj and Cries. _. , North CAROLINA, 335 ThoCc that begin this Fcaft (which is always in the Morning) arc their Piiefts or Conjurers, to whom they -^ivc great crciiic and belief, not only bccaufc they arc •vei) lubtiie and ciatcy Magicians^ and find out things loit, but likswile bccau(c they heal Difcafes by their Cha ms ana Knowledge in Plants. They firft run to the Woods, trom whence they reruru in two Days, and then begin to Sin>i and Dance in the middle ot the Circle (which the Women fwecp and make very clean againft their return) and are very chearful and merry with the eld Indian Fathers that Itay'd behind, by reafon ol thcic ^atmal Indifpofitions and fccblencfs; When all thefc Ceremonies are ended, they begin to cat with fuch gree- dincls, that they (cecm rather to devour their Meat than eat it, becaufe they neither cat nor drink during their «wo Days continuance in the Woods. At chefe Fcafts moft ot all the Nations that are ia Peace with each otner meet, though feventy or eighty ^'ISiJcsdiftant trom each other, where they fell and buy fcveral Commodities as we do at our Fairs and Markets, They arc very much given to Gaming at thcfe publick Meetings, and ofccn ftrip one another of all they have in the World j and what's more to be admired is, that they frequently play themfelves away, and remain the Winners Servants 'till their Relations or themfelves pay the Money to redeem them ; and it is obfervable, that the Loafec is never dejected or cafl down at his misfortune, but fccms contented and as chearful as if he he had been th^ Winner. They never differ at Gaming, neither did I ever fee a Difpute about the legality thereof (0 much as arifc amo- g(l them. The chief Game is a kind of Arithmftick, which is manaptd or played with a parcel of fmall fplit^f^^x about the tiiickncfs of a fmall Bern 1 thcfe ate ma^e ^?ry nicely. 336 The Natural HISTORY^ y that they part and are trai^table in their Hands. They arc fifty one in Number, and their length abour. fcven Inches ; when they play they throw part to their Anta- gonift, the Art in this kind of Game is to dilcovcr upon, light how many you have, and what you throw to him that plays with you ; (ome arc fo expert in gucffing the "Numbers they gave, and what they have remaining, that they will not mifs once in ten times ,• they arc {o takent ■with this particular Game, that feveral of th^m hive loft large Indian Efiates. A good Set ot xhz^z Reeds to play with, arc generally valued and fold for a drelTcd Doe-Skin, They have feveral other Games and Plays wherewith they frequently divert thamielves, as with mz Kermis or Stones oi the Fruit of the Perjimon Tree, which arc in cffed the fame as our Dice^ bccaufe winning or loofing depend on which fide appears uppcrmoft, and how they happen to fall togccncr. I'hcir manrier of playing Ball is after this manner, viz.. they place a fquare Mat made of Reeds or Bulirujhes ac the top of a Tree eiglit or nine Fathom from the Ground, and whoever hitteth the Mat in playing thereat, winncth the Game. They have another Game which is managed with a Battoon, and very much refembles our Trap-Ball \ as the Nations differ io do their Games and Paltiraes, having feveral peculiar to thcmfelves which are not pradifcd by others ; yet thefe I have mentioned are the chief that I have obferved amongft them. They are charitable and kind to each other, cfpccially to thofe of their own Nation -, for if any one of them has futf:rcd lofs by Fire or otherwife, they order him to make a Feaft (their Vi«5tuals being in common) and to invite them all co ic : Oo (he Day sppoipced they all come. North CAROLINA. 35-) come, and after every Man's Viduals \% dealt to him,' one of their Speakers, or grave old Men makes an Ha- rangue, to the Company to this tfFt^, that that Mans Houfe hath been defiro)ed, together with all his Goods That he and his Family very narrowly efca^ed> That he it every Mans Friend in that Company y and that it is all their Dw ties t9 help him, aa he -would do any oj them^ had the like Misfortune befallen them.— — In fuch like Speeches he accofls ail that arc prefent, to 2 charitable compliance in behalf of the diltrcfled Perfon. After this Oration is over, every Man according to his Quality and Ability, throws down upon the Ground Tome Prefent, which is commonly Beadfj Ronoak, Peak, Skins, or Furs, which often amounts to treble the lofs he has. fuftained. The fame affiliance they give to any M*n that wants to build a Cabin or make a Canoe, or any other Convenience that he is not able to perform, and ftands in need of • For, they id.y, it is every Man's Duty fo to do, there being feveral Works that one Man cannot effcft, there- fore they muft give him their help, otherwifc the Socie- ty would foon fall, and they (hould be deprived ofthofe urgent Neceflaries which Life requires. Their Charity is no lefs extcnlivc towards Widowy," for it often happens that a Woman isdeftitutc of a Hus- band, either by Wars or otherwifc, and hath a great many Children to maintain, fuch a Perion they always help, and make their young Men Plant, Reap, and do every thing fhc is not capable of doing herfelf • yet they will not allow any one to be idle (cfpccially in the Harvcft time) but employ themfelves in fpme Work oc other. As they arc unaquaintcd with the value oiGold or Silver^ thcy prefer their Indian-Money before it, which 3S ot d.fifcrcnc Sorts, but all made of Shells, that arc fonnd Oft tht Coaft of Carolina, and efpecially the Conck-Jbells ; U u Khcfe 338 The Natural HISTORY of thcfe arc very large and hard and difficult to be cut, ycc fomc European Smiths have tried to drill thcfe ^hel^ty thinking to get.an advantage by them, but it proved fo hard and tedious in the working, that nothing could be gained [hereby, that they have intircly laid it afide for the Indians to manage, who never value their Time, fo that they can make them according to their Fan- cy. They frequently make of theic ShtUs fevcral forts of Figures, in imitation oi Gorges, Croffes, Stan, or any other odd kind of Figure thatcheir imagmation fuggefts, thcfe they wear about their Necks and Arms tied with a String ; there are fome of thefe Gorges that will fell for three or four Buck Skins ready dreft, whilft others arc only valued and fold for one Doe Skin. ' But the general and currant Species amongft all the Indians of Carolina, and I believe all over the Continent as far as the Bay of Mexico, that which we call Peak and Romak, but Peak more efpecially. This is that which they call Wampum at Nfw Torky and has been made ulc oi as current Coin for many Years amongft the Euopeans fettled in that Pro- vince. This is what many Writers call Proclean and was formerly made at New Tork in great quantities, and with us in fomc Mealure. Four Cubits of this purchafe a dreifed Doe Skin, and fix or feven are the purchafes of a drefled Buck Skin : An European could not aflford to make fo much of this fVampum for five times the Value ; for it is made out of a very large Shell of which that Country affords plenty. This Shell they grind fmaller than the fmall End of a Tvhacc9 Pipe, or a large Wheat Straw ; four or five of thcfe are about an Inch in l«ngth, and every one drilled through, polifhed and made as fmooth as Glafs, yet they are as ilrons a$ Beads, A Cubit of the Indian Mea- furc North CAROLINA. 339 fare contains as much in length as will reach from the the Elbow to the end of the little Finger. They never regard or ftandtoqu*:ftion whether he is a tali or ftiorc Man that mcafures it j but H this JVampum or Peak be of a black or purple Colour, as fomc pare ot the Shell, then it is twice the Value. They grind thefe Shells upon Stones and other things, *cill they make them current, but the Drilling is the moft difficult to the Europeans^ which the Indians do with a Nail ftuck in a Cane or Reed, but whether they have any Method in foftning thefe Shells, is uncertain. They rowl it continually on their Thighs with their right Hand, and hold the bit of Shell with their left ; thus by degrees they drill a hole through it, which is a te- dious Work, but cfpccially in making their Ronoak, four of which will fcarce make on length oilVampum. The Indians in general are a People ( as I obferved ) that fet very little value on their Time, and need never be under any apprehenfion or fear that the Chriftiant will take the Trade out of their hands. This is -the Money with which you may buy Skins, Fur j, Slaves, or any thing they have except their Children, it being their Mammon ( as our Monf y is to us ) that perfuades and intices them to do any thing. With this they will buy off Murders, or whatever a Man can do that is 111, and be his Crime of never fo black a Nature, this Mo- ney is fufiicient to purge him of it, and have it buried in Oblivion for ever, (uch an influence hath this Almigh- ty Gain over them, that the moft inhuman pradicef ihall appear innocent and laudable, and engage them in the mod fcandalous and barbarous Actions, without once rcflcfting or condemning thcmfelfcs in the leaft for it. U u 2 They 340 The Natural HISTORY of ^ Formerly in their hunting Matches they ufcd to drefs themfclvcs very artfuelly in DeerSktns, by which coun- tcitet they would corac as near the Deer as they pleafed, by mimicking each Gefture of that Bead as they ap- proached, by which means they killed valt numbers of them, but Icmc of thcmfelvcs being fhot in. this difguifc, it is now intircly laid afidc and that practice dilallowcd cf by the exprefs Orders of their Kings. They have particular Methods by which they can prefervc the Eyes of Beafis as if they were ftill living, ihis they will by no means difcover to the Chnfltam ; they have many other curious things that the Europeans arc dcfirous to know and learn from them, but they will by no means difcover or make known to chcm, being a People that are fccrct, crafty, and fubrile in all their Affairs, though of ever fo fmall a moment. Although thcfe Indians , in refpeftofus, arc a poor People, and their want of Skill and Judgment in the "Knowledge and ufe of the Sciences, generally eftcem Trifles to things of real value, not having the advantages ^ of improving thcrafelves as the Europeans ; yet in thcic own manner and way oi Thinking, they fccm to be in- .gcnious, and llicw excellency of Wit, notwithftanding the many inconvenicncies they labour under, and their want of Tools and Inllrumcnts to ailift them in any of their Undertakings, for i have, during my continuance amongft them. Teen many ufeful Inflruments made foi: feveral ufes, with nothing but an indifferent Knife. They commonly barbecuor dry thtiiVenifon on Mats or Hurdles in the Sun, firft falting it with their Salt, which is made of the Alhes of the Hickery Wood; this Venifonfo cured, they keep and make ufe of in time of fcarcity, and bad Weather, which they tear to pieces with thdr Hands and Teeth (fci; wan; of Koives) and North CAROLINA 331 then pur ir into a. Mortcr and pound ic very finc^ ad- ding the Powder ot the Hkkery Nuts or WaU-nuts and other ingredients, whereof they make a favory Difh. Their Kings, as they are moft abfoluce, put to death any of their Subjcds cnat have committed thofe Crimes that they think worthy of fo great a Puniihmcnt j which is ftridly obferved, and put ia execution by the War Captains after different and barbarous Methods, ac- cording ro the King's Will and Pieafure. Their Sculping and flicking them full of Splinters of Light-woody and letting thcfe Wretches on Fire, their flcaing and cutting their Feet at the Inilcp, I have al- ready mide mention ot ; during which time they never ccafe feafting, dancin^r, Zinging, and playing a thoufand antick Tricks, efpecially if it be one of their Enemies 1 at other times they rip open the Bcllys of thc(e wretches, fallen their Bowels to a Tree, and force them round 'till fuch time as their Intrails arc out, or their Strength is intirely ipcnr, that they can ftiew no more Divcrfion to the Spedacors, who delight in fuch inhuman A&ions : It is incredible to fee with what Courage and Bravery thele Wretches behave in the midft of the(e Tortures and agonies of Death, not once fecming to bemoati themfelves, believing and imagining their Enemies will have the lame Fate when they h\[ into the Hands of thof« belonging to their Nation. There was an Indian put ro death whilH; I was in the Country by the Kings Order, for cleaving the Scull of one of his own Nation with a Tamahaiuky of which Wound heinflantly died. The Offender was immedi- atly brought forth, and two other Indians were ordered to get a couple of Ropes tycd up in the nature of Noofes, with which they flrangled the Offender, one pulling one way and the other the concrar/^ 'till he was dead ; the neareft 342 The Natural HISTORY^ ncareft Relations of the dcccafed flriking him on the Head with great Clubs. Thc(c arc ttie raoft common Methods that arc yet known amongfl chcm, by which they torture and put oneanother io death; but doubt- kfs there are many other barbarous Methods that they make ufe of, which as yet we are ftran^crs to. The King moft commonly gives orders to put the of- fender to Death, yet the punifhmcnt • ue to the offender h very often left to the nearcft Relation ot the deceased, who profccutcs him with ail the rage anU fury imagin- able, being both Judge and Executioner till he is fully fa- tisfied I yet this revenge is oftentimes bought ot with their wampum, BeadsyT^lfacco, and fuch like commodities, whereof they are very tend, and arc ufef^l amongft them, though the crimes were of the higheft Nature, Villany, or Barbarity that cou'd be aded by Mankind, yet thcie trifles make a fufficieni attonement for all. y( They have a ftrange cullom or Ceremony amongft them, to call to mind the perfccutions and death of the Kings their Anceftors (lain by their Enemies, at certain Seafons, and particularly when the Savages have been at War with any Nation, and return from their Country without bringing home fome Prifoners of War, or the Heads of their Enemies. The King caufes as a perpe- tual remembrance of all his predeceffors to beat and wound the beft beloved of all his Children with the fame Weapons wherewith they had been kiU'd in former rimes, to the end that by renewing the Wound, their Death fliould be lamented a frcrti. The King and his Nation being affembled on thcfe Occafions, a Fcaft is prepared, and the Indian who is authorifcd to wound the Kings Son, runs about the Houfe like a diftraftcd Perfon crying and making a raoft hidious noil> all the time vrith the Weapon in his Hand, wherewith North CAROLINA, 343 wherewith he wounds the Kings Son, this he performs three fcvcral cimcs, during which interval he prcfcnts the King with Victuals or Cajfena, and it is very flrange to fee the Indian that is thus flruck never offers to ftir till he is wounaed the third time, after which he falls down backwards flreaching out his Arms and Legs as if he had been ready to expire, then the reft of the Kings Sons and Daughters, together with the Mother' and vaft Numbers of Women and Girls fall at his Feet and La- ment and Cry moft bitterly ; during this time the King and his retinue are Feafting, yet with fuch profound ii- lencc for fome Hours, that not one Word, or even a Whifper is to be heard amongft them, after this manner shey continue till Night, which ends in Singing, Dane- ^ ing, and the greateft joy imaginable. /^ The Sapona Indians live at the Weft branch of Cape FeaVy or Clarendon' Rtver, which is very beautiful, and has good Land about it 5 it is five or fix Days Journey over the Mountains to go to the South-Sea. Thefe' Mountains are very Barren, with abundance of Rocks and Marble, but no Fowl or Water are to be found in thefe Parts. The Indians rcfiding here arc very power- full, but fcldom make vifits amongft us except it be their Traders who bring us Skins and lurs^ The Toteras are neighbouring Indians to the- Saponas, and Vivt We/l-ward in the Mountains ,• I have been in- formed by fome of them that Trade amongft the Euro- feanSf chat they have Baz.oar-ftone, but I never faw anjr of it whilft I was in thofe parts. The Keyawees live likewife on a Branch of Cape Fear River which lies to the Nonh-viefl. The Lands here are very Fertile and in many places abounding with Rocks offeveral forts of Stones, f«chas Lime-fione, Mar- hle^ and the like. I have 344 1^^<^ Natural HISTORY^ I have frcqucurjy conversed with their DoBort, who arc in great icqucll and ciieem amongft them, they told mc of many great cures chat they have performed, but woud never difcover any thing of what they knew, or by what Herbs or plants they perfedcd them, notwith- ftanding I importun'd them and even offered rewards. Thcfe Mva^es in general being a very wary People, fcidom or never rcveahng any of their fccrets to the Eu- ropeans ^ yet are willing to alfill them in any Indian dif- ©rdcr that (hould afflict them, as in the biting oi Snakes or any other niisfortune otthat Nature wherein they have any Knowledge, but as to European DiCordcrs they arc entire Strangers, which moft commorily prove fatal amongfl them. The Indians in Carolina have no Fences to part each others Lots in their Corn-Fields, but every Man knows his own proportion, and it fcarcc ever happens that thef rob one another of fo much as an Ear of Corn ; which if any is found to do, he is fenrenccd by the Elders to Work and plant for him that was Robb'd, till he is fully reeompencM for all the damage or lofs he has fuftaind in his Corn-Field; this is very pundually performed, and the Thief held in difgrace that deals from any of his Friends or the "Nation he belongs to. When thele ravages live near the Waters they frequent the Rivers in Summer-time very much where both Men and Women often in a Day go in naked to wafh them- fclves, not both Sexes together, yet this is not out oE any point of modefty, that being a virtue or qualifi- cation that is very little regarded or make ufeofamongil thefe People. Thele Indians generally are the bed marks Men with Guns that are to be met with in moft parts of the World, and commonly kill what they Shoot ac with a /ingle " Ball I North CAROLINA. 345 Ball \ ihis is principally owing to the fteadincfs in thcic Y LimDs and the fharp Sight wich which they are endued. They cake a great deal ot pains when they buy a Gua firfl, CO find out if ic has any fault in the Barrel, wnich they generally take out of the ftock and cut a Notch in a Tree where they make it ftrcight, if there be occafion, and after (hoot fevcral times at markes, that they may be acquainted with its tauits and perfe^ions, this they do bctbrc they go to kill Deer^oz any other kind of Game that is to be m:c wich as they hunt in Woods. Ic is re- markable in them rhat they will fcldom ftir or go abroad into the Woods to Hunt before the Sun is an Hour ot two heigh, and hath exhaled moft part of the Dew from the Earth, cnq^ are they indefatigable in walkiiig from Morning till Night in purfuic of their Game. Uneti they arc Traveling in the Woods together, they always keep a conftanc Pace, neither will they flridc over a Tree that lyes crofs a path in their way, but always go round it, whicli is a quite contrary cuftora to the £«ro- ftans, but for what rcafon the Indians ufc this Ceremo- ny 1 never cou'd learn, though I have frequently im- portuned them on that Head. And what is worthy of Obfervation is, that none of the Indians in North-Carolina are to be met with Lekt Handed ; whether this be ow-« ing to their method of Nurfing, or othcrwifc, I can- not account for. When ever they cut with a Knite^ they alway turn the Edge towards thcmlclves, whereas the EuYopedns cut and Whittle from them. Bzforziht kxxivz\ oi the Europeans in thefc parts of America^ thcfe Savages nOt knowing the ufc ot Steel and Flints, they got their fire from Sticks, which by ve- hement collifion or rubbing together kindle and take fire* This method they will fometimes practice even now ^hcn it has happened through rainy Weather, or fomc X X other 34^ ^he Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ other accident, that they have wet their ^punh^ ot Totich- ■woody which is a fort of fofc Corkcy fubftance, generally ot a Cinamon colour, and grows in ihc Concave or lioUow part ot an Oak, Hickory, and Teveral other forts of Wood, which they dig out with an ^x as they have occafion. It is in great plenty in Carolina^ and is always kept by the Europeans and Indians inllcad of Touch-iiood Siud Ten- der, both which it exceeds. It i$ very furprizing. to find fo many different Lan- guages amongft them as there arc, there being few Na- tions that underftand each other. But I believe the principal reafon ot this great difference and confuiion of Languages as are to be met with aniongil; rfjcm, is ow- ing to thefe People feldom or never conva|ni^g with any Kation but their own. And I have often obfcrvcd fe- veralof the Indians with whom I have been acquainted and freely converted with at Bath and Edemoiun, that when I chanc'd to meet them in the Woods, they wou'd not fpeak one Word oiEnglijIi (which they could do to- lerably well) but would cither anfwer me in their own Language or by figns ; the reafon whereof I coud never underftand, though I made all the flrid enquiry I could. Thefc diffcrcncs in their Languages caufe Jealonfies and fears amongfl them, which often occafion Wars, wherein they deilroy each other -, otherwifc the Chrifii- am had not in all probability fettled themfelvcs foeafily as they have done, had thefe tribes of" Savages united themfelvcs into one People, or general intcrcfl, or were they fo but every hundred Miles together. In fhorr, they are a flrange fort of People under their prefcnt Circumftances, and have fuch odd and uncouth ways in their management and courfe of living, that it feems a miracle to us how they bring about their defigns as they do, when their ways arc commonly quite contraty to ours. North CAROLINA, 34-7 ours. I am perfwaded that were it not for the continu- al Wars they have amongft thcmf elves, they wou'd enjoy the happieft ftatc ix\ this World of all Mankind, being neither Slaves to Riches or Grandure, which bewitches the grcatcft part of the World, and occafions daily care and trouble m thofe that are thus in Love with it, which thefe Sav.iges are entirely free from. Drunkenefs and fcvcral other Vices were intirely un- "^ known to them before the Arrival of the Chnflians a- mongft them, and Swearingy their Language cannot ex- pref s, yet thofe that learn Englijf) foon learn that fafliion- ablc vice of Siuearjng, and ic is generally the firll thing they can talk, hearing thofe vile and abominable exprc- fions fo often repeated by the Europeans. The many Vices they lee and hear daily pradifed by the Chriflians, have in a great racafure perverted thefe miferableCreatures, that they never dcfire to be inftruded in the light of the Gofpelj but rather look upon us as a more unworthy race of People than therafelves; that at this very Day they are no nearer Chriftianitj (in all appearance) than they were at the firft difcovery made by the Chriflians of this part of the World. Yet it is mofl certain, that they have Icveral abominable vices amongft them, which no doubt they might be brought off, if the Europeans woud fliow thofe good examples of Virtue, Piety, and Morality, which are eifentially nccefTary for every Chrifiian to do and pradicc. They have likcwifc feveral good Qualities a- raongft them, and are very Hofpitable and fond of the Europeans ^ who generally look upon them with all the difdain immaginable, and very often return ill Offices for their gratitude. They have a flrangc and odd Cuflom amongft them in f making offerings of their firft Fruits, and likcwifc throwing the firft Bit or Spoonful of every Mail thc7f Xx 2 fie The Natural HISTORY of ■ W* I (it down to, into the Afhcs near the Fire, and all the rca-» fon they give for fo doing is, that it is the fame to them as the pulling of our Hats and talking when we go to jViiSuals is to us. The Indians ia Carolina call Rum and J'hyjick by the fame Name, and the realon they give is^ jbecaule Rum makes People (ick, as if they had taken any jphyfical or Poyfonous Plant, notwithftanding they can.- uot forbear drinking it to excc{s, when they can by any jneans pprchafe it or any other Spiritous Liquor. They arc a craving People, and if you give them any thing by way of Prelcnt, they imagine that it oblige's ryou to give them another, and I'o on, until you have given them all you have ; fo infatiabic an4 unrcafonable arc they in their Demands, that they have no bounds to ;thcm. It they give any thing as a Prefent, it is with a vV"iew to receive twice the Value, for they have no con- sideration that ypa fhall want or have any occafion for thofe things you giv? them ,• for their way ot Living is io contrary to ours, that neither we nor they can fathom one anothcrs Dcfigns qr Methods. Thcyfet the leafl value upon Time of any People in the World, for if they are going out to Hunt, Fifh, or $ny other indifferent Bulinefs, you may keep them as long as you plcafe, provided you entertain them in Dif- courfc, and feem pleafed witii their Company ; yet no people arc more expeditious and fafcr Meflengers than t how they will trace and find out each other in thefc fo- litary and defoiace Woods and Defarcs, where there are no Roads to guide, or any humane Creature to tell the way. They arc alfo very expeditious in finding out the JNegrces that trequently run away from their Mafters in- to ihc Woods,whcre they commit many outrages againft the Chriflians, as ic happened in Virginia not long fincc, where above three Hundred joined together, and did a great deal ot Mifchitf-in that Province before they were iuppreffed. The Indian Kings arc fent for on thefe Oc- calions, who (oon find our their Haunts, and commonly kill many of them whenever they are fent m purfuit af- ter them, for they never ccafc purfuing 'till they deftroy or hunt them out of the Woods : this they will do in the tenth part of the Time that the Europeans could do. Thefc Negroes whenever they find the Indians in purluic of them, they return, and chu{e rather to fubrait to the Chrijiiansj whom they have injured, than fall into the Hands of the others, who have a natural averfion to the Negroes, and take Pleafurc in putting them to the moft fxquifitc Torments, when ever they find them thus in the Woods, being allowed fo to do by the Chrifiians. I faw four and twenty of thefe Negroes ':\zr\gzd in Vir^ ginia, for confpiring againft their Mafters, who had taken SanAuary in the Woods for fome time before they were difcorcrcd, or hunted out by the Indians, who arc very fcrviccable to the Chrtjiiam in thofe Parts, and many other Provinces in the handi of the Englifh. Another Inftance of this Nature happened not many Years ago in this Province; fome of our neighbouring Indians made their Complaint to the Governor, that two Indians from the Mountains came to their Town when «hey were abroad, and had taken one qi their Wives by furprizcj 358 The Natural HIS T O R Y (f furprizc, and carried her away ; the Governor defircd them immediately topurfuc thcra,andific v/crc poffibic to recover the Woman, whicii two of them accordingly did : In travelling tome Days, they brougl.c back the Woman, and the Skins of the Heads of cncir iii-cuiics ; though they haa been three Pays gone off with the vVo- man before the others purfued them ; how they could difcover whicli way they went, in thole Woods and Dcfarts, is not a little lurprizmg, and few or none can account for but themklves. In their War Expediti-jns they have certain Hieyo- glyphichiVfhcrcby each Party inform the other of the fuc- cels orlofles they have met with ; all which is (o exactly performed by their Sylvan Marks and CharaiScrs, that they are never at a lofs to undcrftand one another, yet there never were found any Letters among the People in this Province, and I am pcrfuaded chat there are neither Letters or Learning to be met with amongft any of the the Natives in all America. It is admirable to fee howexadly they will draw Maps cii all the Rivers, Towns, Mountains, and Roads, or ■what you ftiall enquire of them, which may be drawn by their Diredions, and come to a fmall matter of La- titude, reckoning by the Days Journies. Thefc Maps they will draw in the Aflies of the Fire, and foraetimcs on a Mat or piece of Eark. I have likcwifc fcen a Pen put into one of their Hands, wherewith he has pot only drawn the Rivers, Bays, and other parts oi this Country, but likcwife has imitated the Hand Writing of thofe in Company very nicely, but whenever they make thefc Difcoverics to us, we muft be very much in their Favour, otherwifc they will not Chow you any thing they do or know. ' . There North CAROLINA. 359 There arc fcvcral forts of rich Mines in this Country, feme of which tiie Indians arc well acquainted with, and particularly one, whereof they make BuQets for theic Guns to (hoot Deer and other Game : I have fcen fome of this Oar with them, whic h is Leady and of the rich- eft fort, but they will not difcovcr to us where they get it, efpccially if it be near their hunting Quarters ; tor, they fay, it is this Metal the Europeans (o much covcc (as they do their Peak and Romak) which if they fhould difcovcr to the Chrifiians, they would fettle near them, and fo deprive them of the beft hunting Matches they have, as they have already done where they are fettled or inhabited ; (0 that by that Means they (hall be driven out ok their Country to fome unknown parts to live, hunt, and get their Bread in. Thcfe are the Reafons that they give for not difcovcr- ing what they know of this Nature. But amongft the Cbriflians there have been few or no Enquiries made at prelent, but what were difcovercd by Chance ; yet I am fatisfied that the Mines and Minerals that this Country produces are extraordinary good and valuable, fevcral Pieces whereof arc daily to be fcen amongft them, who make no other ufe of it than what I have already mentioned. The principal Rcafon of our want of Knowledge in the Mines and Minerals, and many other valuable Se- crets in Nature that are produced in this part of the World (as the Spaniards are with theirs) is tor want of Encouragement amongft us ; for I am certain were fuch an Affair managed and carried on by a Company of Wealthy Members, they would not only find their Ac- count in fo advantagious an Undertaking, but likcwife be a great Means to enrich the Bntijhyicimxchy , This I teftifie from the Knowledge and Difcovcry of fome Mines 360 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ Mines chat were made known to me during my ftay in that Country, which I fhall be ready to difcover when ever there is juft Encouragement given. Such a benefi- cial Undertaking might be carried on very cheap in this Country, where there is not only the benefit of a fine healthful Climate, and all manner of Ncccfl'arics for Life in great plenty, but likcwilc all other Convcnicncics pro- per for carrying on I'uch an Affair, to be had in it. I coud fay a great deal more on this Head, having travel- led in fcveral parts of this Province to make the bcfi: difcoveryi I poflibly cou*d of the valuable produce of the Country. As for Iron-Mine, it is no where better and in greater plenty, yet there is none of it Manufadured at prcfcnr. I will juft mention one thing more about the Minesy which I had like to have forgot .• Not many Years ago an Indian came privately to fomc of the Planters in this Province, and told them he wou'd difcover a Mine tor fpmc fmall gratuity, but at the fame time conjured them to Secrecy, for if it were known to his Nation, they woud put him to Death, and likewifc that he never durft come amongft them the Second time for fear of be-* ing difcovercd by his Country-men. Things being a- greed upon, the Indian brings them to the Mine, and defired that they wou*d take particular care to remem- ber and find out the place again, and immediatly lef: them, and retired into the Woods ; with tranfports of Joy they returne home, bringing fome of the Oar with them, which was a very rich Copper-Mine, for I have fecn both the Oar and fomc of it that was Smelted, but when they had prepared all things ncccffary to dig and fcarch for it, yet they cou'd never find out th« place again, or meet with the Indian afcecwards. ^ ■- ' - - ^'^ ,Wh§ft North CAROLINA, 361 When they arc difpofcd to hunt in chc Woods, they generally go out in great Numbers cogcthcr, and fcvcral Days Journies from home. They always bcg'n thefc Hunting matches at the approach of Winter^ wiicn the Leaves, are fallen from the Trees, and become dry, o? when Skins and Furs arc beft in Seafon. It ij then chey burn the Woods, by fctting fire to the witncr'd Leaves, ^e-wf, and dry Grajs, which they do with matcnes m^dc. of the Black Moji chat hangs on ihe Trees whicn is fomctimes above fix Feet loug. Tnis M«fs when dead becomes black (though of an Afh colour before) ai.d will then hold Fire as well as the beft Match in Europe^ In places where this Mofs is not to be found (as towards the Mountains and Heads of the Rivers) they make Lcntels of the Bark of Cyprefs, which (erves as well. Thus they frequently leave their H mlcs and retire in- to the Woods for four or five Montlis together, viz,, November, December, yanuaryy February, and March, aC which time the Skins are in Sealon, and fct Fire to the Woods for many Miles together to drive out the Deer and other Game into fmall Necks of Lauds, and other places where they fix their Guards, by wh cii means they kill and deftroy what they pleafe, efpccii 1/ fuch as drive to efcape the Fire and get tnrough the pafles they have made for that purpofe. Inthcfc Hunting matches they bring their Wives and Miftreflcs along with them, where they cat fcveral kinds of Fruits which that Country produces, and live m di the Mirth and Jolity that it is poflible for fuch Peooic to entertain thcmfelvcs with. It is in thefc Hun mg matches they get their complement of Deer-Skin^, Furs, and many other commodities to trade with the Chnft.a.t, the Deer-ikms being in Seafon here in Winter^ wnicii is contrary in England and Ireland; moft otall t^ enr Z z fmail 362 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ faiaii Gaaic they kill .with their Bows and Arrows fuch as Gtefe, Turkeys, Ducks, a.nd various kinds of wild Bcalts, as Raaoonsy Fojfums, Squirrels, and ieveral other] forts of Vermine, judging it not worth throwing Pow-* der and Shot after their. The wild Turkeys being very plenty in North-Carolina^ cfpecially in the Oak Lands, as moft of it is that lies any ciftancc backwards ; fomeofthclc they Roaft or Boyl, others they Barbecue and eat wish Bears-greafe, this is accounted amongfl them a good Difh,- and indeed I do not doubt but it is for the Bears-gre^ife (as I iaid before) is the fwcctefl and lead offenfiveto the Stomich of any Fat of Animals yet known in America-, and I am ycry certain, that the Turkeys arc Fat, and exceeding good eating, if well drcfs'd. - The Men never beat their Corn to make Bread, that is the Women's Work, an3 efpecially the Girls, where you fliall fee four ot them beating with long Pefltls in a narrow wooden Mortar, and every one keeping her flrokc fo exadly, that it it worthy of admiration, and curious to behold them when they are thus at Work ; for thefe Indtam have no manner of Mills, or any other way to make their Meal but with Mortars.. Their Cookery continues from Morning till Night, drcffing their Venifon after different Methods, according to each one's Fancy, this being the Women's buiincfs : ,The Hunting makes them Hungry, and they arc a Peo- ple that eat very often, and frequently get up at Mid- night, and other unleafonable Hours to cat and fatis- fie their craving Appetites, notwithilanding you fhail never fee any of them Corpulent or Fat. They plant fcvcral forts of Pulfe, part of which they eat green in the Summer, keeping fufEcient quantities for their Winter Provifion ; this they carry with them to ' ' ""' ■ '"""^ ■" «as North CAROLINA. 363 cat in thiir Hunting Matches. The fniall Red Peafe arc very common with them, and fcveral other forts, whicli they buylc with their Meat, or with Pigeon s oc Bear's Fac i this Food makes them break Wind back- ward j, which the Men frequently do, fecm well plcaf- ed, and laugh heartily, being aecountecl no 111 Manners araongft them ; but the Women are fcldom known to be guilty of that indecent Cuft( m. At their fetting out cither for War or Peace, or upon an) other extraordinary Expedition, there arc feveral For- maliti«s amongit uicm, and they whole B^linefs it is to attend their hunting Camp, arc gtncially thofe that arc nor good or expert Hunters, therctorc are employed to carry Burthens, to gee Bark for their Cabins, and all other fcrvilc Work, likevvifc to go too and fro to their Towns, and bring News to the old People (whom they leave behmd) of their Succefs and Welfare. The Women are hkcwife obliged to carry their Loads of Grain and other Provifions with them to thcfe ran- dczvous, and provide Firewood to drefs Viftuals ,• for a good Hunter or Warrior, in thefe Expeditions if cm- ployed in no other Bufincfs than the Affairs of Game or Battle. The great quantities of Fruit that they dry in the Summer over Fires and Hurdles, and in the Sun, arc at thefe times brought into the Field j as are alfo the Cakes and Quiddoniet of Peathes j with this Fruit and the BiU-beriries dried, they flew and make fruit Bread and Cakes, and have variety of other forts of Fruits prcferved, which are brought out upon thefe occafions. In fome parts of this Province, efpccially near the Mountains, and amongfl the Indians in thofc Places; they have fereral hundred Gallons of Piieotis Oil or Far, which they preferve for their Winter Stores, ufing it with their Pulfe, Roots, and Bread, as wc do Butter t ~ ~ Zz J Thefe 364 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ Thcfc Fowl are fo plenty, that Millions of them arc fcen in Flocks in a Day, they iomctimcs break large Boughs of the Pine, and other Trees whereon they perch or rooft at Night, making the Ground as white as Smiu with their Dung, and deftroying every Herb or (mall Plant .where it falls, being in lume Places above half a Foot deep. The Indians take a Light of Pitch-Pine in oac Hand, a long Pole in the other, and go into the Woods at Might where they are, and kill thoufands of them by knocking them off the Trees ; this is always doHC in the Winter^ at which time they appear in Flocks. Thus they remain in thcfc hunting Camps all the ^Vin- ter, and part of the Springy \\\\ fuch time as the Scafon approaches for planting their Maz.e, Pulje, and othcc Fruits, In thefc Quarters at fpare Hours, they make Baskets and Mats to lie upon, and thofc that arc not ex- traordinary Hunters, make Bowls, DiAies and Spoons, of Gum-fVood znd Tulip-Tree* Orhers where they find a [Vein of IVhite Clay fit for their Purpofe, make Tobacco ^Fifes, and fcveral other things, which are often tranf- portcd and bartered with other Indians that hare plenty aiDeer Skins, «r fuch Commodities as they have occa- fion for. They buy with thcfc Manufadurcs, their Raw Skins with the Hair on, which our Neighbouring Indians bring to their Towns, and in the Summer make their Slaves and bad Hunters drefs them ; the Winter Sun beiog not ilrong enough to dry them -, thcfc that sire dried in their Cabins arc black with the Liiht-viQoi Smoak, which they commonly burn. Their way of drcfiing their Skins is by foaking them in Water; they get the Hair off with an Inftrumenc made of the Bone of a Deer's Foot (fome ufe a fort oi Iron Drawing Knife, which they purchaic from the £«- rcpeans} after the Hair is take off, they di^olve Deer's > '■ . . ' " ' • Bretim North CAROLINA. 365 Brains (which they have made inco Cakes and baked in the Embers) in a Bowl of Water, where they foak and rub tile Skins 'till they have fucked up all the Water, then they dry them gently, and keep continually work- ing them with an Q)fter-§iell^ or fomc fuch thing to fcrape withal ^tiU they are dry, by which means they become Toft and pliable. The Skins drefled after this manner, will not endure Wet, but become hard ; they therefore Cure them in the Smoak, or Tan them with the Bark of Trees : When they have not the Brains to drefs their Skins, they ufc the young Indian Corn beaten to pul^y which hath the fame fiffcd as the former, for they are never at a lofs for one or the other to Cure them, but whether they have any other Method is unknown to the ChriRianii which I am apt to believe they have ; for I have feen abundance of them dred, which would endure the Water, and were as pliable as any in Europe, and would wafh as well. They arc not only good and expert Hunters of the Wild Beaih and Game of the Forelt, but likewile very dextrous in taking the Fifb in the Rivers and Waters near which they inhabit, and are acquainted with. Thus they that live a great way up the Rivers pradice ftriking Sturiton, RmcK-J^ or Bafs^ and fcveral other forts of fifla with lights, that come up the Rifers an^ Creeks to Spawn. They have Fi/b-gigs that are made of the Reeds or HtBovj Canes, thcfe they cut and make very iharp, witli two Beards, and taper at tkc Point like a Harpoftt j be- ing thus provided, they either wade into the Water, or go into their Cantes, and paddle ab^ut the Edges of the Rivers or Creeks, iiriking all the Fiili they meet with in the depth of five or fix Feet Warcr, or as far as chey caa fee them ; this they commonly do in dark calm "" ' / Nights 366 The Natural H I S T O R Y 3^ Nights, and whilft one attends with a Light mxdz of the Pitehpine, the ochcr with iiis ^h-gig itrikcs > k .)$ the Filh : It IS diverting to lec thcnr. riiii afccr diis ..man- ner, wtuch they fomctimcs do in the Day i how dexte- rous tiiey arc in ilriking , is admirable, and che ^r-rat. quansitjcs they kill by thii Mctiiod. They Ijkcwife kill vaft quantities ^i Stur-eotty which they take in bnarcs as we uo Pike and Trout m t.urofe. The HtrrtHgi in March md April tuii a great way up the Rivers and trcfli Streams to Spawn, Wuere they m.'ke large Wears with Hedges of long Poki or Hollow CaneSy that hinder their paiTage only in the middle, where an artificial pond is made to take them in, fo that they can- not return. Thefc Wears are common all over the Ri- vers, and frefli Water Streams in thcfe parts, where they take vaft quantities of Herrings^ Trcuts, Pikes, and fevc- ral ochcr forts .of Fifli that are plentifully to be met witb in them. The taking of Craw Fi/h islikcwiic very pleafant and diverting, for when they arc dilpofed to get thefe Shell Fj(1i, they take a piece of Venijon and half BaYbme or Roafi it^ then they cut it into thin Slices, which they flick through with Rccds about fix Inches diftancc be- twixt each piece, the Reeds arc made fharp at one end, and they ftrike a great many of them down in the Botrom of the Water (thus baited) in fraall running Brooks where the Craw fifli conflantly frequent. Thus thcy.fit by and attend -thofe baited Sticks, every now and then taking them up to fee how many are at the Bait, where they generally £nd abundance, fo take them off and put them in Baske.s provided for that purpofc, and jhen itUk down the Rccds again, by this method in a little time they will catch fcreral Bufhels full, which arc a« good « any iu Ewj^epf. Thffc tiorth CAROLINA, 36^ Thofc that live or frequent ncur the Sal: Water take abundance ot Fifli ot feveral iorts, fomc of them arc very large, which to prcfcrvc, they firft Barbecue, then pull them to pieces, and dry them in the Sun, and keep ihem for their Ncceflicies i as for ctcatCy O^fters, CocJdes, and feveral other forts of Shell-fifij, they open and dry upon Hurdles, Keeping a conftant Fire under them ; thefc Hurdles are made ot Reeds or Holiow Canes, in Ihape of a Gridiron. Thus they dry feveral Bufhels of them, and keep for their Provifion in time ot fcarcety. At the time when they are on the baits and Sea Coafts, they have another fort of Fifhery for little Shell-fjh^ cal- led \n England, Blackmoor's Teeth; thefc they catch by tying bits of OyRers to a long String, and lay it in fuch places as they know ihefe Fifhes haunt j they get hold of the 0)Rers and fuck them in, that they pull them up by the Strings in great Quantities ; they carry thcfe a great way into the Main Land to trade with the remote Indiam, where they arc of great value, but never near the Sea, being common, and therefore not mweh cAeem- ed by them that live near the Salts. It is an cftablifhed Cuftom amongfl all the Natives in thefe Parts, that the young Hunters never eat of thac Buck^ Bear, Fijh, or any other fort of Game which hap- pens to be the firft they kill, becauic they believe if they ftould cat thereof, they never would be afterwards for- tunate in Hunting. The like foolifh Cuflom they hold when they make a Wear to take Fifli in, if a Woman with Child cat of the firft Difh caught therein, they fay that Wear will never take much FiUi in it after- wards. The Tobacco \s in fuch great Eflccin amongft foro^ Nations of the Indians^ that they thi/ik their Gods a,re delighted !ch?rew«b, whereupon they wake Fires and c;a{t 1.0IIIC 368 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ fomc of the Powder thereof into it for a Sacrifice, and being in aSti.rm upon the Waters, topacifie the Bad spirit, they caft fomc up into the Air and the Water ; likcwifc a Wear to take Fifti, being newly made, they caft fomc thereon, and into the Air, as alfo tor an cf cape from Danger All this is performed with ftrange Cere- monies and Geftures, one while Stamping, Leaping, Dancing, clapping of Hands, and uttering of ftrange Words. As for killing of Snakes, moft IndUns avoid ir, and ilr ^ ihcy even lye in their way, they will not moleft them, but pafs by on the other fide, becaufc their Opinion is, that if they (hould kill them, the Serpent* s kindred would deftroy {omc of their Brethren, Friends, or Relations, in return. They have a thoafand of thet foolifh Ce- remonies and Cufloms amongfl them, which they fled* faftly bcJicfc, and are ftridt obfcrvers of, but are too tedious to mention, and would be of little or no advan- tage to the Readers. There arc feme few of them that u(c the Jeviijh Cuf- tom of Cinuntiijion, though this kind of Praftice it but icldom uled amongft them ; I never knew but two Fami- licsjn all tnc Nations of Indians I have convcrfed with, that were fo ; the Rcafon whereof I could never learn, notwithftandxng I was very intimate with them, and have often urged them to give me an account on that Head, but could get no manner of Anfwer, which with them is as much SiS to fay, / viiU not tell you, Tncy have many other ftrange Cuftoms amongft them, that they (Mrill render no R«cafon for, or give any Account of to i ^he Europeam* The Savage f in thefc parti are never knolfv'n to be guil- ty of that abominable Sin called Sodomy, as many io the Philippian IJlaitsds are faid to be* Mr- Candtib in his ~ ~ .--.-- I'ravcla Nonh CAROLINA. 369 Travels rcpoi tech, ' That the Savaga in Ca^ul, an ifl- * and near Manila in the fft;^Ii2dies,hi.vc a very Ibange * Cuftom amongil cnem, wincii is this, every Man and * Male Child hatu a Naii ot Tin chruft through the ' Head of ins Private Member, Dcing fpiit and rivited ' at the lower End, iliis is done whilil tncy are youngs * and the place growcth up again without any g cac ' pain to the Child, this Nail they can take out aad in ' as there is occafion,' And tnc lame Aucnor, as a Confirmation of the Trucn hereof, lays, * We oun-lves * have taken one oi thclc Naii«out of thcPavaLeMem- * bcr of a King's Son, who wiS ten Years old/ fnis Cufrom he likcwife fays, was granted at the R^queft of the Women in chat Country, who finding their Men to be given to Sodomy, dciired lomc Remedy againlt that Mifchief, and obtained this ot the Magiltraccs. They arc very great Conjurers^ ot whom there are fe- veral flrangc Stories relatea who perform zi\c\r Exorcifnt^ after the following Manner. The Soraerer appaiclls himfclf in a clean drcfs'd Deer Skin; they make a large Fire in the middle of the Plantation, the Indiam all fit- ting round it j the Conjurer is blindfolded very fecurc, and fnrrounds the Fire three times; leaving the Com-* pany at the Fire, he went fome diftance into the Woods^ where he ftaycd a (hort time, at his Return he fur- ' rounded the Fire a& before, and leaving them a fecond time, he went into the Woods, where he remained abouC half an Hour, he performed this Exorcifm the third time, after this he made a very ftrange and rrightful Howling, which being fin idled, an Indian immediately caught hold of him, and led hira to the Fire ; by this time he was fo feeble and weak that he could not fland alone, being all over in a Swe7t, and as wet as if he had fallen into the River , after fome littk time he recovers his A a a Strength, 370 The Natural HISTORY of J^ Strength, and gives them an Account of what they de- mand. Ic is reported by fevcral Planters in thofc parts, that they raiie great Storms of Wind, and that there are ma- ny trightful Apparitions that appear above the Fires during the time of their ConjuYation, that large Swarms of very ftrange and uncommon forti of Flia have been feen to hover over the Fiieforfome time and then to fall into it, where they were all vifibly confum'd, and likewifc the Appearance of feveral frightful forts of Birds, and laftly a flrong fraell of Brimjionej whilfl they are performing thefe Charms. I fhall mention feme of their pradiccs, and lo leave them to the Judgment of every Reader^ xXid^ Conjurers are the Priejis and DoBors of every Nation amonglt the In- dians, to whom the common People give great Credit and Rcfpcft, bccaule they believe them to be great Ma- £idans, thzt they frequently conycrfe with the good and lad Spirit. I'hcy likcwile make the Orations at every Feaif or publick Meeting. y Theic Omjurers iikcwife ferve them inftead of Phyfiti- am and Surgeons, who conftantly attend the fick, and always carry about them a bag full of Herbs to cure their dilorderSjthefc make Harangues about the deceased, let his Death be occaiioned after ever lo different a man- ner, for if it (hou'd be occaficn'd by Sicknefs, then he tells the People that it is the l^ad Spirit that occafion'd his Death. But it it fhoud happen that an Indian comes to an uncimcly Death by any accident, then the DoBor makes an Oration fuitable to the Occafion. For it happened not many Years a^o, that an Indian. was kili'd by Lightning, and before the Interment, accord- ing to their Cuftom, every one had fome hot Vi<^uals or Tauj^an-Jea givsn him, waich he did with what he plcaf- €d. North CAROLINA. 311 cd. Then the DoEior began to talk, and told the Peo- ple what Lightning was, that it kiU'd every thing upon the Earth, that the very Fifiics did not efcapc, for ic often reached the IVhaks, Porpoifes^ aad other Fifhes, and dcf- troyed themi that every thing Itrovc to fhun ir, cxcepc the Micty who he faid were the bufieft in eating their Corn in the Fields when it Lightned and Thunderd the moft. Helikcwife added, that no Wood or Tree cou'd withfland it, except the Black-Gum, and that it wou'd run round that Tree a gicat many times to enter there- in, but cou'u not eftcd it. Now you rauft undcrfiand that fott of Cum will not fplit or rive; therefore I fup- pofe the Story might arife from thence. Laftly he be- gan to tell ridiculous abfurd lyes about Lightning, chac cou'd be invented; as that zn Indian of their Nation had once got Lightning in the likcnels of a PartrigCy that no other Lightning cou'd hurt him whilft he had that about him, that after he had kept it for fcveral Years it got away from him, and that then he became as liable to be ftruck with Lightning as any other Man ; thus they a- mule the People with a Thoufand fuch like ridiculous (lories, which they receive for theraoft infaUiblc Truths. They likewife deliver the hearers levcral traditional florics of great Battles that were fought by their Ancef- tors, of ftrange Beads and Birds that were to be met with many Years ago, and that a great Rattle Snake that lived in a Creek in North-Carolina kill'd abundance of Indians, but at laft a Bald Eagle kill'd it, and they were rid of a Strfent that us'd to devour whole Canoes full oi Indians at a time. So that you may lee how cafie thefe Wretches are to be impos'd upon by thefe old Cuntiug Knaves, who I am perfwaded underftand a little better ihan to give credit to any fuch Foolcrie*. ' A iia a ' ' I 372 The Natural HISTORY of I will ill the next place give fomc account of their I^hyftck and Surgery. I helc DoBors or Conjurors arc thofe (as 1 laid betore) that viiic ana attend the lick, whoufe many charms t^l Wttchaajf, and to gain a greater efteem and credit amongll thefe People, they tell chcin that all their Dtltempcrb arc tije eflfc6ts.of thc^<7f^or evil Spirit, ■who has ftruck them witn this or that malady. There- fore none of thelt DoBon undertake any dii'tcmpcr, but that he tuft comes to an Exorcijm to cflect the Cure, and acquaints the fick parties Friends or Relations, that he 3nuft convcrfe with the good Spirit, to know whether the f atient will recover or not j it ('>, then he will drive out Xhe had Spirit, and then the iick Pcrfon will recover and become well. When an Indian is iick, if they think there is much danger of Life, and that he is a great Man, or hath good Friends, their method or behaviour in curing is as follows. The DoBor is immediately fent for, and as fooa as he comes into their Cahin, the fick Pcrfon is placed on ^ A'lat or Skin itark naked, lying on his Back all unco- vered, except iomeiraali trifle that covers their nakednefs when ripe, otherwife in Children, or young People there IS nothing about them. In this manner the Patient lies ■when the Conjurer or DcEior appears, and generally the King of that Nation comes ro attend him with a Rattle made of a Cowr^ with Peafe or Indian-Corn in it, which the King delivers into the DoEiors Hands, whilft another brings a Bowl of Water and (ets it down. Things being thus prepared, the Do^or then begins •and utters lome few Words fiftly ; afterwards he fmells to the Patients N.-njel, and fometimes Scarifies him a little with a F/Zwi, or an Inftrument m&dc of Rattle- Snake's leeth for that purpofc, then he Sucks the pare, and gets ipuc a MouUiful ot Blood and Serum j^ but S^rum, chiefly, >5^hich North CAROLINA. 373 which he fpits into the Bowl of Water, by which means he pretends to Suck out what occafions the Diitcm- pcr. Then he begins to mutter and talk apace ; and at !all to cut Capers and clap his Hands on his Britch and lides dll he is all over in a Sweat, which to an European woud not only fcem a very odd and ftrange Sight, but likewifc that he was running Mad, every now and then Sacking the Patient^ till fuch time as he gets great quan- tities of Blood and ill coloured Matter, out ot the BeUy^ )( Armei, Breafly Forehead, Temples, Necky and raoft other parts of the Body, flili continuing his Grimaces and An^ tick Poflures, which to Europeans woud feem more like the Actions of Men in Bedlam than Dolors attending the Sick, At lafl you will fee the DoEioriXX over in a Sweat, and fo feeble, that he is fcarcc able to ftand or utter one Word, having quite fpent himfclf, then he will ceafe for a while to recruit his Spirits, and begin again, 'till he comes to the fame pitch of raving and fecming Madnefs as before j during all this time and thefc performances of the DoEior, the lick Pcrfon never fo much as moves, a!'- though doubtlels the Scarifying and Sucking muft be a great punilhmcnt to him. But they are the moft patient under the Misfortunes of Life, of any People I ever faw in all my Travels: Laftiy, the DoSior makes an end, and tells the Patient's Friends whether the fick Perfon will Live or Dye, and then fomc one that waits at this Ceremony takes the Blood away (which remains in a Lump in the middle of the Water) and immediatly Buries it very fecrerly in the Ground, the Place being unknown to any but he that int^r? ix, Thefc 374 The Natural HISTORY^ Thcfc People arc great Inchatuers, and ufc many ChsLXms of fVitchcraftj for when tiicy are doubled with the Headach, chcy eye a great Scoiic wuh a blcring co a Stick Ol Pole, and wkh certain Prayers, or oc witching cxprelfions, they litt up the Stone troin ciic Ground to the top ot the Pole, which fometimes with ail a Man's ftrength they cannot ilir from the place i and at other times they life as cafy as a Feather 5 by thi^ Spell m^^ cer- tain Ceremonious \Vords,they cxpcd: to have immediate cafe and help for the Patient. I am throughly fatisficd that thefe Conjurors are very great Impofiurcs, yetlhavc feldom or never known their Judgment fail in regaid of the Patients living or dying, though I havc/fecn them give their opinion after this manner fevcral times T Some affirm that there is a fmell of Brimjljne in the Cabins whilit they are thus Conjuring^ which I cannot contradict, nor will I take upon me to argue how it came there, but fhall proceed to another relation of one of their IndiaK' Kings being {ick, and tiic method us*d by the Dotior for the recovery of his health, which ii fomething like the former viz.. One of their King* being fick, the DoSior wasimn^c- diacely fent for, s.nd as foon as he arrit'd, he orderd a Bowl of Water to be brought him and placed before the Ring, on whom he fprinkled feme part out of his Mouth, then he took a firing of Romak about too Feet long (which is like a Itring of imail Beadt) this he held at one end between his Fingers, and the other touched the Kings Stomach -, he began to mutter many exprefli- ons or Words, and to ufe many grimaces for lometime, at length the ftring of Beads that hung thus perpendicu- lar, turn'd up as an Eel woud do, and without any mo- tion of his Hand came all up in a Lump under his Hand, 9lRd remained io for «i confid^rablc time* he never cIoHng North CAROLINA. 3'75 his Hand all the while j at lali they returned to their foroicr Ihapc and length; at which the European Spcda- tors were much furprized, fome ot" them coHfidcntly af- firmed, that they heard lomething anfwer him whilfl he muttered fome Words, though there was nothing to be fcen. The DtBor told the Company that the King would recover, and that his Diforder would remove into his Leg, that it would be much inflam'd and fwcll'd, which happened exadly as he torctold. They aK« conjure ior ftollen Goods, though Robbery and Thctt arc not common Vices amongft them, yet they are fomecimcs guilty ot thefe Crimes,- and ileal Rcnoak and Deer Skins from each other • when they can- not difcovcr the Thief, they immediately fend for the Conjurer to find him out, and as foon as he appears, he begins after the following manner. Firfl he orders three Fires to be made after a triangular Form, which is accordingly dote; he is then hoodwinked very fecur- ly with a Detr SkiUy doubled two or three times, over his Face ; when this is doi;c, he is placed in the center of the three Fires : after he has made fome Motions (as alwavs thcfe Conjurers do) he went diredly out of one of the three gaps of the Fire, as direftly as if he could fee, muttering to himfelf, having a Stick in his Hand, with which, arter fome time, he gives two ftrokes very hard upon the Ground, and made thereon a kind o( z Crols, after which he told them the Name of the Pcrfon that had flolen the Goods, and iaid he weuld have a Mark like a Crofs on his Back, which proved according- ly, for when he was taken and fearch'd, there appeared two great Wheals on his Back one crofs the other. There arc feveral other Stories of this Nature, which the moft fubffantial and credible Planters in thefc parts affirm for Truth, iind that they have 4)cen Eye- wi^ncffes to. 316 The Natural HIS TORY of to. They alfo report that they have iccn one of thcfc Conjurers take a Hollow Cane about two Feet long, m his Mouth, and Itand by a Creek fide, where he calicd with the Reed two or three times, at laft opened his Aims, and flew over a Creek about a quarter ot a Mile broad, as it he had been running upon Terra Firma I (hall urge no Man's belief in this, having never fcen it done by any ot them, and only give it as reported above i but feme of the former I have been a Wicnefs to, therefore dare boldly aflcrt as Fact. As to their Religion, it is impoflible to give any true Dcfciiptionot it, for as they can neither read nor write, whatever they have of this kind is founded mccrly upon Tradition. There arc a great many Cuftoms, or rather Abfurditiesamongft them, which they keep as the mod profound Secret ; that they never will acquaint any of the Chrifiiam with the Knowledge thereof, notwith- ftanding the many Methods ufed, fuch as making them Drunk, the promife ot Rewards, dTc. but to no purpofc, for fo fubtile and cunning are they, that it is next to an impoflibility to make them dilcover it, or to fathom out their fecret Dcfigns, whether they do this becaufe they are fcnfiblc of their own Wcakncfs in pradifing them, or any other Motive they may have to induce them fo to do, is known to none but therafelvcs, let other Writers pretend what they will to give a true Notion of their Wor&ip ; you fhail fee them amoDgft their Idols and dead Kings in their Quiogofon or Chamel Houfe, where the Bones of the deceafed are laid (a Cuftem like this we read of pradifed by the IndiaHt in the Kingdom of Pegu in the Eajl Indies) into which place the King, with the Conjurers and fome few old Men are admitted to go, but as tor the young Men, and the chicfeft Number ot the Indians, chey aco kept as ignoraac of what chc £iders are North CAROLINA. 3^7 arc as any European^ let him be in ever f > great Eft^cm and Fricndihip with the King or great Men ; he is not admitted to enter the Houfc at thaic times or to have Knowledge ot their Secrets or what they are .loing. They are generally very ignorant of the hrit Creation cf Man, or trom whence they came, for fome Uy they are defcendcd from an old Man wno came thither in z Boat, which they call a Canoe; but wnechcr this was before or after the Flood, tftcy can give litulc c* no fa- tista&ory Account. Ocners ( with whom 1 have fre- quently convcrfed on that Head) oeileve that tiiey arc made out of vhc fine white Mould or Earth, and that the Blacks or Negroes are formed out of the black Dia and fwarapy Earth ; this wassail that 1 could ever learn from them on that fubjeit. They all believe that rhc W )rld is round, and that there arc two Spirits, the one Good and the otiier Bad . The Good one they reck jn to be the Author and Maker of all ThiQgs,and fay that it is he that gives them the firft Fruits of the Earth, and tcachcS them to Hunt, Fifh, and be wile enough to overcome the Beads of the Wilderncfs, and all other Creatures, that they may be affiftant unto Man. To which they add, that the Quern, or Good Spirit has been very kind to the Europeans, in teaching them how to make Gunt and Amunitton, bclides a great many other Neccflfarieg that are helpful to Man, all which they fay will be de- livered to them when the Good Spirit (hall think fit : They alfobeh'evc the Good Spirit docs not punifh an/ one in this World or that to come, biir that he delights in doing good to Mankind, in givins^ them plenty of the Fruits of the Earth, inftrufting them to mak;; mmy ulcful Things, and all the Advantages and Pica fares they enjoy. But as for the Bad Spirit (who lives fepc- rate from the Good one) they fay it is he that torments B b b chcm^ 3-38 The Natural HISTORY of i thenl with Sickncfs, Difappointments, Loflcs, Hunger^ Cold, Travel, and all other Misfortunes that are inci- dent to human Life, whom they worfhip to appcafe his Wrath. As to what concerns their Treatment in the other World, I ihall treat of it hereafter, when 1 come to make mention of their Notions concerning Heaven and Hell. Though the Indians arc very refolute, and die with a great deal of Courage and Bravery, in the Hands of their Enemies i yet I have known them tremble, and be in the greateft fear and agony imaginable, when they had fen- tence of Death pronounced againft them by the Engli/h, for Capital Crimes^ whereof they have been fomctimcs gailty. Whether this Fear was owing to their not being put to death by their common Enemies, or being deli- vered up to the Englijh by their own Nation, I cannot determine. I am certain they meet with more Favour from the Chrifiiansy than they do amongft themfelves, who only hang them on Trees for their Offences. Thefe Savages fometimes fhew the greateft Reludance and Concern imaginable to deliver up thefe Offenders to the Europeans^ efpecially if he was a great Warrior or Hunter amongft them; yet for their own fafety they will comply, and put the Offender into their Hands, to be dealt with according to their Laws. Thefe Kings have been known to make offers to the Chriflians by way of Exchange for an Innocent Perfon to die in the room of the Guilty : fo fond are they to pre- fcrve their own Men if poflibly they can ,• but thefe be- ing Requefts contrary to the C^r/y?/^« Principles, are ne- ver granted or complied with. When a Criminal is hanged, the King with the Rela- tions of the dcceafed come and pull him by the Hand and fay Words to this purpofc : 27;?« w/i mvcr flay any more North CAROLINA, 379 more roguijh Tricks in thitPPorld, and whether art thou gone now tu pl.ay thy Tricks. When the Criminal is dead and taken down, they are perfeftly eafy, and free from all manner of Concern about him, though a few Days bc- tore fo unwilling to dehvcr him up i they generally end thefe Tragedies in Feafting and a fit of Laughter, which puts an end to their Mourning for the lofs of theiriFricnd, and never chink of the dcccas'd more. Tiieir Burials are different from each other, every Na- tion having peculiar Metnods of their own ; fome of which I fhall here give an account of, viz.. They raifc a Mole of Earth, the Mould whereof they take great pains to make fmooth, and is higiier or lower according to the Dignity of the Perfon deceased, whole Monu- ment it is, over which there is a Shade or Umbrella, made Ridge-ways, like the Roof of a Houfe, this is fupporccd by nine Stakes or fmall Polls driven into the Ground, the Grave being about fix or eight Ftet ia length, and near four Feet in breadth, about which they hang Gou'dsy Feathers, and fuch like Trophies placed by the dead Man's Relations, in refped to him in the Grave. The other parts of the Funeral Rights arc thus : As loon as the Party is dead, they lay the Corps upon a piece of the Bark of a Tree in the Sun, leafoning or em- balming it with a fmall I^oot beaten to Powder, which they have in plenty, but will never difcover to the £«- yopeans -whcTC it grows, it looks as red as VermiSion yV/hich they mix with Bear's-cil, to beautific and preferre their Hair. After the Carcafc has lain a Day or two in the Sun, they remove and lay it upon Crotches made for that purpofc to fupport it from the Earth ; they anoint it all over with the above-mentioned Oyntmentmade of the Red Root and Bear's^greafei when this is done, they cover it all over very cxadly with the Barks of the Pine^ Bbb £ '~ 01; 380 The Natural HISTORY of Pint, or Cipr^/f Tree, ro prevent the Rain falling upon it, and oiiier injuries oftiic VVtacher, frequently fwceping the Giound very clean about it. Some of" liis uearell Relations bring all the Temporal Eftatc he waj pofl'eft ot at his Deadi, fuch as Guhs, Bows and Arrows^ Btadiy Feathers^ Deer Skms, Matchcoa s, and the like, wherewith they adorn the Grave. The ncarcll Relation 15 the prin- cipal Mourner, beii g claa in Mofs ( that grows upon Trees ) after a very odd and itrange manner, with a Stick in his Hand, keeping a mourntul Dirty for three or four Days, his Face being made as black as a Negroe with the Smoak and Soot oi the Pitch Pme, mingled with Bear*s-gyea[e; during this time ht tells all the Spcdators that approach near him, or pafs by, who the decealcd was, and what great Feats he performed in his lite time, all tending to the Praile of rhe defunCt. When the Fleih grows Mellow, and cleaves from the Bones, they take it off and burn it, making the Bones very clean, and anoint them with Ointment, wrapping the Scull up very carefully in a Cloth artificially woven of PiJJum'i Hair or a drcfled Deer Skin, which they every Year or ohner, clcanfe and anoint with the RedOjntmenty by thelc Means they prefer vc ihem for many Ages ; they likewife carry them from place {.o place as they remove .their Dwellings j that it is common to fee zn Indian in the Pofl'cfTion of the BoiKS oJ his Grandfather, Father, or fomc Relation of K npcr Antiquity. They hare other ibrcs of M'" numents or Tombs for the dead, as where ore w?i (lain, in that very Place jhey raife a heap of Stones, if any are to be met with an ihc Place, if nor, with Sticks, to his Memory ; thac every one that paffeth by thac place augments the Heap in rtfpe^t of the deccas'd.- Some Nations of thefe Indians jiayc grsat rejoycing and Feafls iic their Burials, ■' ■ ■ • ' " ' " •"" ""■ "■'"' There North CAROLINA, 381 There arc other Nations who differ from the former in burying their Dead : When one of chtm dies, ihe greater he was in Dignity, the more Expcnfive is his Funeral, and performed with the greater Ceremony : When a King dies, they bury him with a grsat deal of Solemnity , (according to their Method} upon his Grave they fct the Cup wherein he ufed to drink out of, about the Grave they ftick many Arrows, weep and Ufl th cc Days fucceffively without ccafing; all the Kings who were his Friends make the like Mourning, in token of the Love they had for him -, they cut off more than the one half ot their Hair, the Women as well as the Men : During the fpacc of fix Moons (fo fomc Nations reckon their Months) there arc certain Women appointed which lament the death of the King, crying with a loud Voice three time a Day, viz,. Morning, Noon, and in the Evening. All the goods of the King are put into his Houfc, and then they fee it on Fire wherein they con- fume all. They like wife bury the Body of the Prieffs or Conjurors in their Houfes, which they fct on Fire with all the Goods. For it is to be obferv'd, notwithflanding thefe People arc fo very illiterate and bred after fuch a Savage man- ner : Tct they have as great regard and rcfpeft for theit Kings 2nd great Men, as any People to be met withS "When any of thefe great Men dye, their methods in their Burials arc dift'erent from the former, for the firft thing that is done is to plare the nearcft Relations nigh the Corps, who Mourn and Weep very much, having their Hair hanging down their Shoulders in a very Forlora manner. After the dead Perfon has lain a Day and a Night upon their Hurdles made of Canes, commonly in fome out Houfc prepared for that purpofc. Thofe that Officiats about the Fancr^l go into the Town, and 3S2 The Natural HISTORY/ the firft young Men they meet with chat have Blankets or Match -cents on, which they think ht for their turn, they Itrip tncm trora their Backs, who fufter them fo to do without any manner of refiitancci this being commoa amongft fcvcral of their Nations j thefe they wrap thq dead Bodies in,and cover thera with two or three Mats, wnich iht indiam make of R«/,6f/, and laft of ail they have a long Web of woven Reeds or Hi'lloixj CimeSj wliich is their Co^«, and is brought round the Corps feveral times and eyed at both ends, which indeed looks very decent, and well amongft thefe Savages. • Then the Corps is brought out of the Houfe into their Orchard of Peach Trees, where another Hurdle is made to receive it, about which come all the Relations and Nation chat the dead Perfon belong'd to, befides feveral other Nations in alliance with thern, they all (it down upon Mats on the Ground, fpread for that purpofe, every one fecmingly dejcfted for the iofs of cheir deceas'd Friend and Councry-man, but more efpecially the Re- lations. Things being thus accomodated, their Priefts or Con- jurers appear, and after having commanded their Atten^ tion, and every one is filent, he paufcs for fome fhorc time, then begins to give an Account who the deceafed Perfon was, how ftout a Man he approved himfclf,how many Enemies and Captives he had kill'd and taken, how ftrong, tall, and nimble he v/as, that he was a great Hunter, a lover of his Country, and pofTcffed of a great many beautiful Wives and Children; which isefteemed the grcateft of Bleffings amongft them, in which they have a very true Notion. Thus this Orator runs on highly extolling the dead Man for his Valour, Conduft, Strength, Riches, good Humour, and even enumerating his Guns, Slaves, and all he was poffcft of when living. ' " " ' ' Afce? North CAROLINA. 383 After this he addrefles himklf to the People ot that Town or Nation to whom the deccafed belonged, aftd. bids them lupply his Place by following his Steps, who he afl'ures them is gone into a Country (which lies a great way oft in this World, that the Sun vifits in his ordi- nary Courfe) whe:e he fhall meet with all his Relations and Friends who arc gone there before him, that he Ihall hnvc the enjoyment of handfome Women, great ftore o£ Deer to hunt, and never meet with Hanger, Cold oc Fatigue, but every thing to anfwer his Expe(3:ation and Dcfire. This is the Heaven which they propofe to thcmfelves, but on the contrary, for thofe Indians that are Lazy and Thievilh amonglt them, bad Hunters, and no Warriors, nor of muchufe to the Nation, to fuch they allot in the other World, or the Country that they are to go to. Hunger, Cold, Fatigues, Trouble, old Ugly Women for their Companions, Snakes^ and all forts of Naflinefs for them connancly to feed uponj after this manner ihey difcribc their Heaven and HeU. Alter all this Harangue, he axnufes the People with fome of their traditions, as when there was a violent ' hot Summery or very hard Wmter, when any notable dif- -,^ temper rag'd amongft them, when ihey were at War with } (uch and fuch Nations, how vii^orious they were, what J ^ere the Names of the fVar Captains, and many other j things of Antiquity ; and to prove the times more ex- / adly, he produces the Records of the Country, which are a parcel ot Reeds of different lengths, with variety of diftind markes, and Notches, known to none but them- iclvcs, (by which they feem to guefs very exadly at acci- dents that happened many Years ago, nay two or three Ages ot more. 384 The Natural HIS TORY of They likcwifc give an Account that in the Year i5o8, there was fuch a hard fVinter in North -Carolina, that the great Sound was io Frozen, that the IVtld Gteje and other Fowl came into the Woods to eat Acorns, that chey were To tame (I fuppofc through wantj that they kill'd abundance in the VVoods by knocking them on the Head with Sticks, and it is very ftrangc how cxaftly one Na- tion will agree with another as to the time when thefc things happcnM, having no manner of Records to guide them but chefe bits oF Sticks. But to recurnc to the dead Man, when this long Talc is cnacd by the Conjuror that Ipoke firfl , perhaps a Iccond begins another long flory, a third, and fourth, if there be fo many of thefc Priefls or DoEiors prefcnt, which all tell partly one and the fame thing, at laft the Corps is brought away from the Hurdle to the Gravt by four young Men, attended by the Relations, the King, old Men and moft part of the Nation. When they come to the Sepulchre which \s about fix Feet deep, and eight Feet long, having at each end (char is at the Head and Feet) a Li^ht-wood or Pitch Pine-fork driven down clofe to the fides of the Grave, firmly into the Ground fthefe two Forks are to contain a Ridge Pole , as I (hall prclcntly dcfcribe) before they lay the Corps into the Grave, the bottom is covered two or three times over with the Barks of Trees, then they let down the Corps (with two Beltf^ that the Indians carry their Burthens with) very leafijrely on the faid Bark, then they lay over a Pole of the fame Wood into the two Forks, having a great many Pieces of Pitch-Pine-logs about two Feet and a half long, they flick down one End oi them in the fides of the Grave, and the other End lies on the Ridge-Pole, that they decline like the Roof of a Houfc, being thus placed^ chey cover them (many double) with Barks North CAROLINA, 385 Barks of Trees, and throw the Earth thereon that was taken out of the Gravej,ax\d beat it down very firm x By this means the dead Body lies as in a Vault, nothing touching it, which I cfteem a very decent way amongft them, having Teen fsveral Chrtftians buried wiciiout the tenth part of that Cerejidony and Decency. As foon as the Fieftt begins to cleave frjmi the Bones,' they take up the Carcafl'cs and fcrap^ them clean, which ihcy joint in the nature of a Skeleton; ifcerwards the/ drcls them up in pure whk^ Deer Skins^ and dcpoficc them amongft their Kings and Grandees in their QuiogO" zon^ which is their Royal Tomb^ or Burial Place oi cheic Kings and^/ir Captains. This is a large andmagnifi-^ cent Cabin amongft them (according to their way or me- thod oi Building) raifed at the publick Charc^c of the Nation, and mamtaincd in due form and neacncis. A- bout feven Feet high is a Floor or Lofc, whereon lye the Bones of all the Princes and Great Men that have died for feveral hundred Years pad j. attired in the Drejjed Deer Skins y as I have before Remarked. No Pcrfon is allow- ed to have his Bones lie in this QtiiogQz.on or Charnel Hmfe, and to be thus drefs'd, unlcfs nc gives a good Sam ;of their Money to the Rulers for Admittance. It is to be obferved, that if they remove to any parC of the Continent, they Icldom fail to carry thefe Bones along with them, though the tcdioufncfs of their IhorC daily Marches keep them never fo long on their Journiej. They reverence and adore this Quiogtz^on^ with all the Veneration and Refpcd that is poffible for fach a Peo- ple to difchargcj they had rather loofe all they are pof-" fefled of than have any Violence or Injury offered there- to ; by this wc may fee what a Refpe^t they have fo^ thcic dcccas'd Anceltors. C c c 7hrf r\ 386 The Natural HISTORY of They dift'cr fomc fmall itiattcr in their Burials ftom each other, fomc burying right upwards, and fome o- therwife, as I have before intimated ; yet for the moft part they all agree in their Method ot Mourning, which is to appear every Night, or oftncrj at the Sepulchre, and Weep and howl atter a diimai manner, having their J Faces daubed over with Light-wood-i^ooti and Bear's-vil, ^ which makes the Face as black as Oil and Lamp-hlack (iould do. In this black Figure they reihain for a Year< or longer, according to the Dignity of the deccafs'd. , If the deccafs'd Perfon was a Grandee, fech as a King or War Cnptairiy and the like, to carry on the Funeral ' Ceremonies with greater Formality and Pomp, they hire People to cry and lament over the deceased : There arc feveral Perfont of bothSeexs that praftice this for a live- lyhood, and are expert at ftiedding abundance of Tears, and howling like a Parcel oilVolveSj or diftraded People in Bedlam ; by this means they difcharge their Office with abundance of Art, and great Applaufc from the Indians. Thefe People regarding thofc kind of Perform- ' ances or Ceremonies very refpedfully, looking upon them as Rights jufily due to the deceafs'd. Their Women arc never accompanied with with thefe Pomps or Ceremonies after Death ; and to what World they allot that Sex, I could never learn, unlefs it be to wsAt on their deccafs'd Husbands, or to be mctamorphofed into ihofe pretty and ugly Women in the other World or Country where the Indian Men expcd to go after death, which I have before made mention of. Yet thefe "Women hate more Wit than lome of the Eaflem Nati- ons (as we arc infornacd) who facrifice thcitifelvcs to ac- company their Husbands ki the other World, which the, former never do It is the deceafed Ferfon's Relations by Blood, as his Sons, Daughters, Brothers, Sifters, Uncles, North CAROLINA 387 Coufiiis, that mourn in carneft i the Wives chinking their Duty diicharged, and that they are become free wiieii their Husbands are Dead, all their Care being to look out as fait as they can tor another to fupply his Place. Thus I have given the moft exad Account of the /«- diam of Carolina Conjuring over the Skk, Rolen Goodie and the Nature and Manner of burying their dead. I fhall therefore make a Imali Dcgrcflion^ to inform my Readers with the manner of our Travelling up to the Charokce Mountains., having already fct forth the many and difterent Obferrations we made in this fpacious Country, and then proceed to the Indian DtiJempr^s ; fome of which 1 have been Eyc-witncfs to. The latter end oiFehruary^ Anno. Dum. 1730, we fet ' out on our intended Journey, being in Number Ten Whtte Men, and T'^o Indians, whofcrvcd fo.r our Huntf- raen and Interpreters. Having provided a fufficienc quantity of Ftre-Arnts, Ainumtion^ Horjes, two Maimers Compajfes, Rum, Salt, Pepper, Inaian Com, and other Ne- ccflaries, we began our Journey j and after we had paft the Cbriftian Plantations, our Accommodations were as Tollaws : All the Day we were diverted with variety j of beautiful and ftrangc Objeds ; in the Evening we ^encamped an Hour before Sunfet, tycd our Horfes to Trees near «$, whith we made the Indians climb up to procure a fufficient quantity ofMofs for their Foodj and > to make Beds tor us to lie upon, which was generally / under the ftiade of fome large Tree : Our next Buii- ^ ncis was to fend the Indians to Hunt ; our Care in the mean time was to make a large Fire of the broken pieces of Timber which we found in plenty lying difpcrfed up and down the Woods ; this we piled up in order to con- Ccc 1 tinue 388 Ths Natural HISTORY of tinue burning all Migm, which prevented all manner of Wild Bcaits and pcniicious Lje^s Dciug troublcforac, or approaching us or our Horks. As loon as pur IndianAi^^ dilchargcd one or two fhotSj and given us a iignal or their bucccfs by Hulio-wingj wc immediately diipatched lomc of our Party to their alfill- ancCjto bring home the Game chcy had killed ; toi they ' ieldcm return'd without more than a fufiicicnt quan- tity of Vtrnjoriy wild Turktes, and other Game tot the fupport of all our Company, during our whole Journey. Being thus provided with Provilious, our next bufinelV ' was to perform our Cookery y which conliftcd chiefly in J^oafting and Broiling^ according as each Pcrfon was dit-; poicd. When Supper was ready, and a fuiEcierw: quaa- . tity of Indian Corn roaftcd, which wc made ufe of in/lead , of Bread, we latdown i^pon the Ground, and generally " cat with a good Appetite, the Air being no where better or purer than near the Mountains. lu this manner wc fuppcd each Night, ourKitchin Furniture being a Wooden Spt, and ouvfe 'laiile, Dijhes and Trenchers the Barks of Trees. Supper being ended, we made our Punch (the Bowl being a livgzGourd) which wediftributcd equally u> each Pcrfon a good Harmony being obfcrved ainongJi lis during the whole Journey. At Night when our Com- pany were difp^.-led ro reft", we made ourBeds oi Mofs ncaif the fiic, where we ficpt coratortably, keeping a conftant Watch by curns every four Hours. SThus we enjoyed our- lelves 'lill <>ur arrival at the Mountains, and what conti- nually rendered our Journey more agreeable was the bcauciful Proipcd of tl.c. Country, being adorned wii'h ' Woods, Sa^^annas, fpacious Rivers, together with vadous ^ kinds oiJBf^/fi, Birdf;,'FiJheSy ike. . , ' It would not be pvopcr to trouble the Reader with the Auver*tUi'cs ofcapl'i D?.y.ii,ad vh? many Obfervations m'c ' ' ^ !^ I made. North CAROLINA. 389 made therein, thefe being fufficiendy fct forth already : Lee it fufficc to inform them, that after Hfcten Days Journey, we arrived at the fooc o( tliC Mountains, hav- ing met with no Human Specie all the way. Ic feems upon our firil arival wc were difcovered by a Party of the Iroquois Indians, who, as I faid before, are rcry pow- erful, and continually at War, wandering all over the Continent betwixt the two Bays pf I^kgi^co and St. Lavt" rence. As loon as they had difcovetcous they difapear- cd, (as wc were afterwards informed ) and gave Notice thereof to their King, who fenr immcuiatcly an Ambaf- fador, or one of his Attendants, painted as red as Vermil- lion, together with a ftrong Party ot his Men, armed with Bows and Arrows. - When they appeared the fecond time, the Retinue halt- ed at about half a Mile diftant from us and the Ambaf- iador attended with one Perfon, came to the Place where we were (which was in a large Savanna) with a grcep Bough in his Hand, and gave us to under/land" that he wasfcni to us by Order of his King, who defired to know whether we came for <*eacc or War, or what other Bufmefs had brought us to thofe Parts ; In fuch like Speeches he acccifed u«. We aflured him by our J»duui Imerprcters, that we were come in a friendly manner, with no other Deiign than a Curioficy of view- ing tne Mountains. When we had thus fatisfied him he fat down with us, and difpatched the other Perfon that attended kirn, to acquaint th« King with the Rea- ions of our coming. During his Abfrnce, wc cntertafned the AmbafTador with P.un<.h, and made him a Prefent of fome few Toys, which he accepted of, and wa? hi(,'hly pJeafed therewith. About four Hours after the Mcffengcr returned, whom the AmbaiTador received ac a. Uttlc diftaiice from us, where 390 The Natural HISTORYqT f". where they d'l^comizd for fomc time, and at i)i$ rctura '' told us, that riie Mcflagc from the King was, to dcfirc us to make hira a Vifit, afliiriDg us at the fame Time of his Frieadfli'p. This Meliagc ocxai^oueu kveral Dc- i bates to ariic amoijglt us, ccnccrrang the conlcqueiicc ihat might attend it ; we Iccmed unwiihngio go, which Uc perceiving, aflurccl us in the firongcit Terms or our L fatecy, and the ^j^crity and FtiCnoIhip oi the King. At length, rather tnan incur his Difpkafure (notwithiund- ing we were determined to fell our Lives at the dearelt race, if we met wuh any oppoficion) we complied, and arrived about (ix ©'Clock at the Indian Town (attended with the Guards that came wkh the AmbafTador, who marched at lorae dillatace from us) and were, concluded to the State Houfe, where the King was fcatcd with his War Captains and Counceliors, who got up and placed us next to iiim ; after we had paid our due acknowledge ments to him, and made him fome Prefents, he then be- gan to enquire the Reafons of our coming thither, and among other things, Nov: his Brother did, meaning the Governor J and manyothcr fuch like Speeches pafled between us. A ftcr we had fatisfied him in each particular that he demanded, he bid us welcome, (baking Hands with each of us ,• aflhring us of his Fricndfhip, and the / great Regard he had for thufeof our Nation. The few < Prefents we gave (which were Kniva^ Glafs Beads, Punch,^ and the like) had made fo favourable an Imprcflion in the Brcaft of his Majefly, and all his CounccUprs, in our be- half, that the King's Orders were iflued cut immediate- ly, ftrictly chargii% all his Subjeds to treat us in the mo ft hriendly manner, and fupply us with whatever we ^ bad occafion for during our Pleafurc to flay amongft (, them. After all thefe Speeches were ended, towards Night we were difmiflcd, and conducted to one of the King s Isortb CAROLINA, 391 King's Houfes (being an Apartment prepared for us) where wc lax upon Bciiches, wiih the Sk ns of Beads tor GUI Cover,ng ,• and this was ihe bcii: Lodging h'c met with iince oui departure from the Ch'ifiiaHs. They took particular Caic of our Horfes, ana treated us with all ihe good Nature poiUbiy to be expected froiii them, lupplying us with fiifficicnc quantities uf Provifi- on, fuch as Vemfin, li^ildfoiul, F/jh, and various Rinds ot dried Fruits, Pulfe, ana IVater, no ftrongcr Liquors arc to be met with amongft chefe People. The King's Houles arc partlcy in the Center of the Town, the reft of the Buildings being ereded in a con- fufcd Order, no regular Streets, Shops, or even Handy- craft Trades, arc to be met with amongft therai. The news of our arrival brought prodigious Num- bers of Men and Women to us, as alfo Boys and Girlj^ who were ftark Naked j thefe would come and touch our Cloaths, and view us with admiration, haring 51 am fatisfied, never had an opportunity to behold any thing of this Nature before. The King diverted ui eve- ry Day with Men and Women Dancing, fliooting with Bo^^s and Arrows, their Warlik Exercife, and fcvcral other kinds of Diverfions, wherein he imagined we took any Pleafure. Finding our fclves thus in favour with the King, the firft reqneft we made was, that we might have leave to fee the Quiogoz^otty or Charnel Houfe, which was the largcft of that Nature wc had ever beheld : He cafily complied with our Rcqueft, but with a ftrid Charge, that vve fliould do no hurt, either to the Bones, or any other thing that we ffiould obfervc there. Two Days aher our Arrival, we rcqucfted the King to have Liberty to depart, in order to view the Moun- tains, which he Teemed vtry unwilling to comply with, preffing u? co continue Ipcger with hun, urging many Arguments 392 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ Arguments topcrfuade us; and that wc had not as yctr fufficiently rctrcfhcd ourlelrcs after our lacc Fatigue : But we aflured him that our Governor had given us Itritt Orders at our Departure, to be as expeditious as poffibly wc eould in our return home. Thefe Con- lidcrations at length moved him to a compliance foon- er than he intended. But the chief Rcafon of our de- parting fo foon was, that if we had remained there much longer, wc fhould be deprived of all our Rum^ which was a great fupporc to us m this long and tedi- ous Journey. The King then offered us a Party of hix Men to guard us m the Mountains, lead we fhould be molcftcd by any Indians that might be Hunting in them, during our ftay there. We moft gratefully returned him our due Acknowledgments for his kind offer, and the ^ many Favours he had already conferred upon us, and ': moft humbly beg*d to be excufcd, which he readily / granted us. ^ Having thus obtained our Licence of Departure, wc made him a Prcfcnt of a Bottle of Rum, in lieu whereof he gave us Indian Corny VeMifon, and fomc dried Fruits, for our fupport in the Mountains, where Provifions arc Icarce. All things being prepared as ufual, wc fetout the next Morning about fix o'Clock, continuing our Jour- ^ ney ftill ff^efiward: The King and his Guards conduc- / ted us about half a Mile, wifliing us Health, and in- ; treating us at the fame time, to make him a Vifit at one Return, which wc did not, taking a Tour another way. About the Evening we approached to the top of one of thefe Mountains, where we refreflicd, being all io pcrtedt Health. Here wc had the greateft difficulty to be fuppliedwith Mofs for Provifion for our Horfcs, but af- ter lome time learching, we found what was lufficicnt iot them ^ then making a great Fire, and out: Beds for North CAROLINA 393 Night of the withered Leaves of che Tiee* which we ga- thered tor chac Puipole. Tiic next Morning very cany having rcfrefhed ourfelvcs, Wc let torward, a u wi the Evening §oC on the oriicrlide of che fiiil Kidge or Moun- tains into a moil beauuiul V^ilcy, adouied with iVoodi^ Savann^is, ai;d a very nchSoil i ncre wc encartipea this Nighr, being the longed Days Journey wt m-iuv; troiA our hrfirctcing out, by reafon tndt wc were Cvituute of Water in thefc barren places, rur our fdvcs anu Hoifes, only what wc met with by chance m the Iio'lnw parts of the Rocks, whicn «.>ur Horfcs wouia hardly rink. The next Morning we fet to'rwaia with a |j,icat deal of Chcarfulnefs, having plenty of Water, and aii man- ner of Provifions. In vh.s O^ys Journey wcviilcovcrcd an Indian in the folitary pares of the Woods, bur as foon as he efpycdus, he fled, iiotwithlU.acting *fc ma.e ngns to hiiii to come to us, but in vain ror he qjicicly vanifhid out of our figar,that we could no: l.arn waat Nation he belonged to, or whether therf w.ic any tnore with him in chole Parts. After two D .ys Jiuc- ncy wc arrived at another Rid^^eof rocky M.|tin.u«;is,' with large Trees in fcveral Places, out llrrle or no Pif-] ture hke the former, butmucih hig.icr, having a tjeauti.'ut Profped ot large Woods and Forreil:s,as Ui as cir fi^'iC would permit. From this Mountain wt re turnetf, mak- ing our Journey Eiltward , meeting with nothing wor- thy ot Obtervation, but waat w-^ hive already made menrion of j and in thirty two Diys. to ou: great Si- tistattion, arrived amongftthe Ch^ijliansy ourCompr'y being all in periled Health, having had no Misfoccuuc all the way, but the lofs of one of our Compafles. As there are in this Country' mmy poyf'^nous HerbJ and Creatures, fo the Indian People hare excellent Skill 394 ^^^ Natural HISTORY of in applying cffcdual Antidotes to them ; for Medicinal Jie-ils are he: c fou:.d in greac Plenty, the Woodi and Sa- 'vannai btiiig Uic'n Apothecary* i ^hops^ trom whence they fetch Her if I, Leaves, Barki of IreeSy with which thsy make all their Meuicinc6, and perform iiotaDle Cu es; ot which it may not be amifs to give Tome Iniur.ccs, bccauie they Icem hrange, ii compared wichour Mctnod of curing i irterapers They nave a certain Method int po\fonmg their Arrows, and tiiey will temper them Co as to work flov/ or fwik as they pleaie; they can make it (o iirong, that no Art can lave the Perfon or Healt thiit is wounded with them, except it be by their Kings ana Coujurc;S, their >oungMcn being ignorant ot it. They ufc Sweating -ciy much, cfpccially if violent pains feize'tiic LimUs, or any ocher pare of the B dy, which is performed oy certain Vcgccablcs which rhey are well acquainrcu with ; for as fuun as they arc afflic- ted with tiicfe kind of Diloider*, they take Rctds or fmall Wand"^ ana bend them, witn thele they make little Huts, covering them with Deer Skins, BlanketSy or their Matchfoats^ and the hke j they have other Swearing Houks built in fliapc like large Ovens ,• they have Fires made n-.t tar from thefc Sweating Houfes, wherein they heat Stones; or (Wi,ere thefc arc wanting) the Bark of Tiees, putting incm into thefe Stoves, wh.ch occafion an extraordinary Heat, by tne help of which, and the Herbs which are boiled m a Pot, thty f wcat very plen- titully. They likewife ufc Batliing often in the Wa- ters for the like Diforders. They never mifs curing moft kinds of Cutaneous Erup^ tions by the P.ants that are produced in tiiii C untry : . They infallibly cure 5" Id Heads, which thcv < hiefly |: perform with Oil ot Acorns, but from wnicli Oik I nc- 4 ycr could be rightly informed, they being very f*crer vor North CAROLINA. 395 what they know. They cure Burns beyond Credit ; I have (cen of thtle Wretches burnt in tlieir IXunkci^tfs af- ter fuch a mifcrabJc manner, that in ailAppcarar.ct they eould not live; yet I have feen them cured in a ver) (hort time, contrary to all expedatipn j that thc) have been capable of going abroad in ten or twelve Days, I have known others to be miferably burnt with Gun Powder, which they have cured in a fhorr time; but by what In- gredients they perform tiicic fpccdy and wonderful Cures is known to none but thtmielves. They feldom or ne- ver make known any Seciets of this Nature to the Eu- roptanSy but are very reaciy to fcrve thcra upon iuch Oc- calions, it required, for a fmall Gratujty. What is worthy of Obfervation is, that amongft all thc(c Indiam there are no running inveterate Ulcers to be met wun, neither do their W punds turn to a Gangtctiey and they are very expert in healing all manner o\ i)eert Wounds and Dijlccatiom, which they perform (o Ipcidily, that I dare boldly fay, that they are thcgreateft Ar- tifts in thefe kind of Performances ot any People in the known World. Thcie was a Planter in North Carolina who had 2 grievous Uker in his Leg for many Years, which was 3ccmcd incurable by all thofe that beheld it ; and many attempts were made by the befl LhrijUan Artifts in that Country to perfe(!t the Cure, but all to no purpcfc, for his Leg flill grew worfc and worfe ; at iaft he was pre- vailed upon to apply himfelf to one of thofe bidian Doc- tors, wlu) performed the Cure in a vjry fhort rime for the value of three Shillings Sterlmg, though it had coft him above one hundred Pounds before to little or no Purpofc. The IndianDoGtot pcrFormcd this Cure after the fol- lowing manner i firll he made a ftrong Dccqdion of the ~ -^ Pdd a Bark 396 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ 3Bark of the Root of Sajjajras, in which he bathed the Paticnis Leg very vveli, then he took the rotten grains of the Maiz,y or Indian ttrtty well dried and beat- en 10 Powder, and the Tott Down that grows upon the 'turkeys Rump,- with this he quickly dried up the filthy plcer^ and made a peit^'ct Cure, of what was rhou2;hi: incurable, to the great Juy and Satisfad:ion of the Plan- ter, who hacf fo long laboured under it. This 1 had affirmed to me by the Planter hirorclf, and levcral others that were Eyc-witncfTes to the whole Affair. The Pox is to be met with amongfl (ome Nations of thcfe Indians^ being as it is Reported, communicated 10 them b) the Europeans, it being a Diftcmpcr in- tircly unknov.'n to them before their Arrival. By this Diiorder, fome of them have loft their Noies, and par- ticularly one of their great c.; Conjurers ^ whom I have fecn and conveifcd with ^ but whether or no this Dif- temper was known to them before the Chyifiians came amoiigftthcm, I will not take upon mc to decide it, be- ing no way material to my prcfent Defign, which is only to faiisfic my Readers with the Advantages and Difadvanta^es that are to be met with in this Spacious part of the World. Thtk- Savages of late cure tli is Diflempcr with cer- tain Berries (that grow in this Province) which Sali- vate like Mercury, riotwithflariding they ufc Sweating and flrong DccodJions with it, as they do almoft upon every Occafion. and when they are in the grcatcft Extrcamity of Heat, leap ipto theRivers or^onds pf \Vatcr, by which Pradice many have loft their Lives, yet at prefent it is not fufficient to deter them from this Kind of Piradicc. ' ' ' ' ' TheT^Wj is a Vcnerial Difordcr fas I faid before) in all refpcets like the Pox^ only ic is no; attended with i Norph CAROLINA. ^97 SL Gonorrhea iii chc beginning, but having ail thie other Sympcoms inat attend that JJiforder, fuch as Cutaneous Erujitionsy NoBurnal PainSy ^c. This Diftcmpcr of late has been communicated to the Indians by the Chrtf' tiM Traders, aiid enough it is not very common a- rnongft them, ycc foroe few have loft their Nofes by it, ana others arc become m^ft mifcrabie Spectacles by ne- glc(5i:ii>g n^ Cure,- at laft they make a fhift to cureoc patch themlelvcs up, and live tor many Years after ; fucli Men commonly turn DoSlors amongft them, and iome of thefc No-^ofe DoBors arc in very great Efteem amongft them. The Juice of the TuUp Tree is ufed by xhc Indians z% a proper |lcmedy for this Diitcm per. . The Small Pox proved very fatal amongft them in the late War with the Chri/iians, few or none ever cfcaping Death that were feizeu with it. This Dillemper was jntirely unknown to them before the arriral of the £«- ropeans amongft them. 1 heir Method in this, as in all other Fevers, is to run diredly into the Water in the extremity oi: the Difeafe, which ftrikes it in and kills moft that ufe that Method. They ufe ScarifaBwn in moft Diftcmpers j their chief Inftruments aie the Teeth of the Rattk'Snake^ which they poyfon with upon occafion. They take out the Teeth of the SnaktyZnd fuck out the Vcnome with their Mouth, which they ipit on the Ground, and receive no damage thereby ; it is of a grccnifh Colour, as I have frequently obferved. Thefc Tceih they keep for the ufes above-mtntioned, having no Notion of LJcicher is the Struma to be met with amongil them, and many othe? Enrofean Diftempers too tedious co name. They have fcveral Remedies which they ufc for the Toeth-ach, which frcqacntly carries off the Pain; but if all their Endeavours fhould fail, they have rccourfe to punching out the Tooth, which is done with SL fmall North CAROLINA, 39^ Cane placed againft it, on a bit of Leather, then they ftnke the Reed and pufli out the Tooth, this they per- form with a great deal of Dexterity, and never endang- er the Jiw, which other Inftrumenrs arc apt to do. They feldom make ufe of Amputation, except ic be to the Captives that they take in Wat, when they cut off the Feet, which I have mentioned in another Place. But in any immoderate defluctions of Blood, or any other Humour from any part of the Body, they are never at 2 lofs for a fpccdy Cure. I never obferved any of them to pradicc jinatomy, neither do 1 believe that they have any Knowledge there- in, unlcfs as I obferved before, that tiicy make Skelit wis of their Rings and great Men's Bones. Tney can co- lour the Hair Black, though 01 a Reddilh Colour, or any otiicr Colour, which they do with a certain Seed or a Plant that grows in their Plantations. They make uTe of no Minerals in Phyjicky and very little of Animals^, -L but chiefly depend on Ve^ftah/tSy for all Diforders a- mongft them. They are well acquainted with the-^oa- taneous Plants that arc produced temper, not ufual amongit the Chrijiiansy under which . he emaciated and grew every Month worfe and worfe ; this Dilorder continued for forne Years, during which time he had. made uic of the beft and ableft DoBors and Surgeom in thofe parts, but all to no purpofe, for the Dilorder ftill perfcver'd. In the bcgimiing of this Dif- temper the Patfenc was Very wealthy, and had feveral Slaves which he was obliged to fell to fatisfic the DoBors. But one Day it happened, as he and his Wife were comiferating his miferable Condition, and that in all ap- pearance he coud not expcd to recover, and that Death mud ipcedily put a period to his Days, and then in what mifery he fhoud leave his poor Wife and Family, fince all his Negreex were already gone and difpos'd efF, Whilii he and his Wife were thus debating the Mis- fortunes that in all probability might attend the Family after his Death. An Indian happened to come into the Houfe, who was well acquainted in the Family, and hearing their Difcourfe (and having a very great regard and value for the Sick-man from whom he received nuny Favours) made this Reply to what he had heard them talk off. Brother^ you have had a long fit of fickuefs, you have given away your Slaves to the Englifh DoSiers, what made you do fo, and now become Poor ? They do not know how to cure you, for it is an Indian Diftcmper that troubles you, and they know not the Nature of it. If it had been a Diftemper known in their Country, pro- bably they cou'd have cured you. But had you cm- ploy 'd me atfirfl, 1 coud have cur'd you for aimall mat- ter without taking your Slaves from you that provided Corn and other NeccfTaries for you, and your Family's fupport. And yet if you will give me a Blauht to keep mc North CAROLINA. 403 mc warm and fome Powder and Shot, to kill Df^r with, I will do my bed ftill to recover your Health. The Poor-man being very much dcjeded with the Misfortunes that he had already met with, made the /«- dian this reply. I know my Dilleraper is now paft the power of Man to cure, and if our Englijh DoSior'i cou*d not cure it, 1 am throughly perfwadcd that the Indians cannot. But his Wife accofted him in the moft endearing and mild terms and told him, he did not know but God might be pleas'd to give a greater blefling to the Indians undertaking than he had done to the Englijhy and like- wife faid, if it ftiou'd pleafc God that you fhou'd dye, I cannot be mixh more mifcrablc by giving that fmall trifle to the Indian which he demands. Therefore I beg of you to take my advice andcry him. At length by the naahy perfwafions and Importunities of his Wife and Family he collected. And when the bargain was concluded, the Iftdiun went itito the Woods and brought with him (evcral kinds of Roots and Herbs, whereof he made aftrong Decoftionarid gave it to the Patient to drink, and immediately' o'rderd hini to go to Bed, adding that it would not be lon^ before he wou'd return again to vifit him. The Patient pundually per- formed every thing as he was orderdby the Indian^ and had not been long in Bed betore the Potion that "was ad- minifter'd made him Sweat after the raofl: violent man- ner that could be, and during its operation he fineird fo offenfively to himfelt and all thofe that were near him, that fcarce any one cou'd bear to go into the Houfe or Room where he lay. ^ Late in the Evening the Indian comes to vifit the Pa- tient with a great Rattle-Snake alive ( which terrified ihc Family almoft out of their Scnfes) and told thcSick- 404 The Natural HISTORY of man that he muft take it to Bed with him, at which the tacicnt was in the grcatclt conflernation in the World, and told the Indtan that he might as well dye of the Dif- temper he had, uS to be kiil'd With the Bite of the Rattle- 'Snake. To which thr /«^/^« reply cd he cou'd not bite him nor do him any ^ narm, tor he had already taken out iiis FoyTon and J ecth, and fliewcd him by opening and putcmg his Finger into iht Snakes Mouth, that they alt jWere gone. At laft by many perCwafions and Intreatics cf ail that were prefenr, he admitted of the Snakes corn- J?any, whidi thelndian put about the Patients middle and jDrdcr'dno Body to take it away, or even to meddle with it upon, any account, which wasftriftl'y cbfcrv'd, altho" the Snake girded him as hard for a great while as if he Jiad been drawn in by a Belt. At laft he found the prclfurc grow weaker and weaker, till by degrees he felt it not i and opening the Bed the Snake was found dead, and the Patient thought himfelf " grown much better. The hdian returned the nextMotriing ro'vifit his Pa- tient, and finding the Snake deaif, W^s very much trans- ported, and told the Sick-man the diltemper was dead ilong with the Snake, which proved as he faid, for the ^an very fpeedily afterwards recovered his Health, and became perfect well, and lived for many Years after this flrange and wcundcrful Cure. And What is remarkable in many parts of this Province as you travel up towards the Mount«lins and through the "Woods; when ever you come to any places where the Indians formerly dwelt and had Towns, you fliall find abundance of Flowers with vatiety of beautiful Colours, of feveral forts; and divers Qualities, aiid Ufei fomc bc- iug Ph\(jcal others Poyfonous, others for Ornament and . fvvcct Odor^ which at a diftance have a fine profpeft,and ?ogk \ikt abeauiiful Flower Garden, the ules whereof tHe :■'•'.' ' ' ' ' hdiam North CAROLINA. 405 Indians arc well acquainted with. I am pcrfwadcd that tbc rcafon why they took all thcfe pains in planting thcfc Simples was owing to their Dolor's Care, that upon all Occalions they might be provided withthofc Vegetables that were proper tor the Indian Diftempers> or any other ufc they might have occafion to make of them. • Thcfe Savages have one of the moft diabolical Cuftoms amoDgft them, that is to be met with in any part of the known World,which they call Hufjuenawin^ their young Men and Girls. Once a Year, or at farthcli, once in two Years, thefe Savages take upiQmauy oi them as they think are able to undergo this rigid Difciplinc, and Huf- qutnaugh them, which they fay is to make them obedient and relpe6tive to their Supcriours and inpres them to alt manner of fatigues and Hardfhips,and without it they never WDU*d be fit to be their War-Capains^ or Capable to ad in their Councils; by this Method they fay their Children have the fame benefit as the European Children kave at their Schools, where they are taught good breed- ing and Letters. Befides it carries off thofe Weak and Infirm Bodies that wou'd have been a Burthen and dif- grace to their Nation. This Houfe of Correftioti, or where they undergo this rigid Difcipline, is a large flrong Caiiitj made on purpofe for the reception of thefe young Men and Girlcs that have not already pafs*d thefe Graduations. The Seafon of the Year wherein they Hufquenaugh their youth is always about Chrifintasy at this time they are brought into this Houfe,which is made as dark as any Hungcon, and almoft ftarvcd during the time they remain there. Befides they give them Pel/itorj, and fevcral intoxicating plants that make them go raving Mad, they mate the mod diimal and hidious cries and howlings that hui^an Preaturcs arfc capable of exprcfling, all which Continues ' * abQuc 4o6 The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ about five or fix Weeks, and the little Meat they are al- lowed to cat is the nafticft loathfome Ittuff imaginable. After the time is expired they are brought out of the Cabiriy which is not in the Town, but at fome diltance from it, and is guarded by an Indian or two, nomina cd for that purpofe, who Watch by turns. When they appear or firlt come abroad, they are as poor and Meager as it is poffible for any Creatures to be, refembhng ra- ther Skeletons than living Men ', feveral of thtm dying under this Diabolical difcipline. Moreover they either really are or pretend to be Dumb, and do not Ipake for a Month after they are out of their Confinement. It is like wife faid that after this Difciplme is over, they have intircly forgot all the Aftions of their paft Lives. Thefe Savages arc dcfcribed in their proper Colours but by very few, for thofe that generally write Hiftoriesof this Nero World are fuch as Intereft, P^:etermcnr, or Mer- chandize draw thither, who know no more of the People or Country, than I do of the Laplanders, If we will make jufl Remarks, how near fuch Relations approach Truth, we fhall find few worthy of Entertainment, and many parts of their Works ftuft with Invectives againft the Government they liv'd under, on which Stage is com- monly a(3:cd greater Barbarities in murdering worthy Men's Reputations, than all the Savages of the Nevt World are capable of equalizing, or even imitating. Thefe Authors likewife pretend to various and llrangc accounts, about them, but their Relations fcem much fitter to fill a Novel than a Hiflory. I muft therefore beg leave of the Gay Part of the World, who fcem in- finitely plcafed with fuch Relations in not gratifying them vjvith the Particulars, which they themfelves will give lefs Crctjit to every Day as their Judgment ripens. North CAROLINA, 40-] Lalilyi I ftiall mention fomc icw Words of the Indian Language, together with the Englifi^ and lo conclude this Treatife. .• EngUp). One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. A Blanket A Coat. Englilh- man. The Fire. A Gun. A Hat. Indians. A Knife. Rum. Shot. Tobacco. A Wife. Tuskeruro Pamticoe Indi- Woccon Indi- Indians. ans. ans. Unche. IVeembot. Tone. Ne^t. Ne/hin-nauh, Numperre. Ohs-fah. Nijh-'woner. Nam-mee. Untoc. Yau Ooner, Punnum-pifme, Ouch-ivhe. Vm^erran. IVcbflau, Hom-yoc. Whoyeoc. IsRo. Chauh-noc, Top-po-ojb Nominif-fau, NeC'kara, Nau-haujh-{hoo. Nupfau. IVtarah. Pack-iC'Conk. IVeihere. IVartfauh. Co[h. Sobne-noponne, Oorewa. ! Muttcjb. ^ ■ Rooiune. Kaivhitchra. Taus-viOH. Rummijfau. NkkreniYOuh. ToJh-(bonti. Wintjohore. Utchar. Tinda. Yau, Auk- me. Gau'hooptop. Wktape, TroJJa. Mottau-quahan,, fntome-pDjfwai Unqua. Nuppin. Yau-he; Oofocke-nauh, Rig-cofque» IVee Onaquod. IVeefaccm. Yup-fe, Cnuna, Ar-YOunfeY. IVetk, Char ho. Hooh-pau. Vu'CQGnf. Katma* Squaba, .. Hcau-au, V T« 468 :> 7'he Natural lUStOKY of To enlarge any more upon this Ifidtan Jargoh, would be altogether needlcfs, and troublefomc to, the Reader / theyhave fuch aflrange way of abbrewatlng their Speech' Vvhen they arc Debating in their grand Councils, that the young Men do not undcrAand what they fay or treat of. It is to be admir'd, what hath occaiiohed fa many different Speeches as they have j for the three Na- tions whofe Languages I have now mentioned, arc bur a fmall dillance from each other. Thefc Difttrences in their Speech frequently occafion Jcaloufics and Fears a- mongft them, and arc ottcn the Motives of their continual Wars wiih each other i and were it not for thefc conti- nual Feuds and Animofities amongft therafelvcs, they would be as happy a People, as to this Life, as any ujl^cn the Earth. FINIS '^ett^S' •iSarJ***^ ' r-'X-: •'■h -^•f:^*5^.^^^ ''-'Af