et 
The Natural Aiftory of JAMAICA. 
339 
VIII. Ff pis viridis. 
Spleen-Stone. 
This Stone which is very hard, is frequently found on the Shores 
of this Ifland, among the Stones or Pebbles common there. I have 
taken them up my felf about Port-Royst, and have had them cut 
in Exgland, and they prov’d to be the fame with that Stone out of 
which the Indians made their Hatchets, wherewith they ferv’d them- 
felves in Place of Iron and Steel Tools, before the coming thirher of 
Europeans. Of which Hatchets I have fome I found in this Ifland. 
This Stone is opaque of a green Colour, with fome pale Veins run- 
ning through it very hard, and capable of a very fine Polifh. 
‘They are cut intothin fquare Pieces, and Strings being ty’d to Holes 
made in their Corners, they are faltned about the Arm, and thought 
very much to help io the Stone and Hypochondriac AffeCtions, This 
Opinicn I take to be owing to a fuperftitious Cuftom the Turks 
and Mahometans have of wearing Sentences out of the Alcoran in 
Arabick, @c. wrote upon Cornelians, cs. and lodg’d in thefe. greafy 
Stones which are hung about their Necks or Arms, to keep them 
from the Power of the Devil, Difeafes) cc. 
This is the Predra Hiyada of the Spaniards, and Pierre de Jade of 
the Freach Authors, who magnify the Vertues of it fo.as to. make them 
incredible, nay, Mr. Labat, a French late Author wonld make us be- 
lieve it cures epieptic Fits. Sir Walter Raleigh fir brought fome of 
them to England, giving vaft Encomiums of them. | | 
IX. Selenites. 
Chryftal, or Sparr. 
This is bere in. great Lumps and Plentys chriftallized on the up- 
per Parts of the Rocks, being often {mall Pieces conglomerated to- 
gether, fome of which are larger than others, it breaks off in Lamune 
that are of Shape, as is ufual with the Sclenites. 
X. Sal marinus. 
Sea-Salt. 
Salt, is here very common on the Sea Shores, where the Sea Water 
ftagnates. either among Rocks or otherwife, tho” the great Quantity 
usd in this Ifland, is. brought from an Lfland mear Sta. Martha, 
calf’d, Salt tertudos. 
XI. Nitrum. 
Nutre. 
Is to be made here as in other Places, the beft I ever faw was 
made after the ordinary Manner in other Countries, from the Earth 
of large Caves wherein Bats had their Habitations. What are com- 
monly call’d here Salt-Peter Grounds, which are generally barren, are 
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