86 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK. i. 



the maniock. t The West Indians, notwithstanding 

 that they possessed almost every variety of vegetable 

 nature which p;rew in the countries I have mentioned, 



o 



the bread-fruit excepted, raised also both the maize 

 and the maniock in great abundance; and they had 

 acquired the skill of watering their lands from distant 

 rivers, in time of drought. It may likewise be ob- 

 served, that although the Otaheiteans possess the 

 shrub which produces cotton, they neither improve it 



brick-mould, is not only superior to most others in fertility, but requires 

 very little trouble in cultivation. Among our islanders, to whom the use 

 of iron was unknown, instruments were ingeniously formed of stone, 

 and of a certain species of durable wood, which were endued with nearly 

 equal solidity and sharpness. We find them felling large trees, building 

 canoes and houses, and forming domestic utensils of exquisite workman- 

 ship. Possessing the tools and mateiials necessary for these purposes, 

 they cculd not be destitute of proper implements for the ruder operations 

 cf husbandry, on a soil incapable of much resistance. 



J L'Abbe Raynal, in opposition to the testimony of all the early Spa- 

 nish historians who have treated of the discovery and productions of Ame- 

 rica, (none of whom indeed does he appear to have consulted), asserts, that 

 the maniock plant was originally introduced into the West Indies from 

 Africa, and that the Indians were first instructed by the negroes in the 

 art of converting the poisonous root into wholesome food. For the satis- 

 faction of such of my readers as are not intimately acquainted with the 

 American History, I think it necessary to observe, that P. Martyr, in 

 his first decad, which bears date November, 1493, seven months only af- 

 ter the return of Columbus from his first voyage, particularly mentions 

 the maniock, or jucca> as furnishing great part of the food of the island- 

 ers, and he describes their manner of making the cassavi bread from it j 

 observing that the raw juice is as strong a poison as aconite. Negroes were 

 not imported into the islands till many years after this account was pub- 

 lished. 



Martyr, decad. iii. 



