S U R A T T E. 1750. ifi 



Yea- worms, which not only keep above water, 

 but likewife eat the wood of the anchor at the 

 bottom of the lea ; and if their piercers were 

 alfo ftrong enough to penetrate the paper, 

 pitch, and hair, which compote the ftieathing 

 on the outfide of the ihips, they would foon 

 fink them. 



The nearer! land is every where very flat, 

 and confiits of alternate plains and woods. On 

 the fields millet was commonly fown about 

 this time. The cocoa-trees are almofl facred 

 here; their juice is drawn off by tapping, and 

 therefore they bear no fruit. 



Banian-tree (Ficus Indica) is that peculiar 

 tree which ihoots new roots from its branches 

 which bend down to the earth. It feems to 

 have obtained this name, becaufe thefe idola- 

 ters look upon it as facred. Perhaps, without 

 this providential care, this fort of trees might 

 be entirely deftroyed. I obferved very atten- 

 tively, but could not find the leaff. remains of 

 fruit, flowers, or roots. It feems to grow but 

 flowly; and I think the high broad tree which 

 ferves as a fea mark on the harbour is very 

 old. It would have been extremely hazardous 

 at the time that we were here to have under- 

 taken 



