TO dive into the deep Secrets of the Waters to take a 

 view of all the excellent Creatures fporting themfelves 

 therein, and obferve the vertues and occult qualities 

 wherewith they are endow'd, is a work might be expected from 

 that Wifdom which was communicated to Solomon^ who treat- 

 ed of Trees, from the Cedar in Libanon to the Hyilbp growing 

 on the Wall .* For the watery Element is furniiried with fuch a 

 miraculous plenty, that it abundantly produces not only Fifties 

 of (everal kinds fit for the fuftenance of man, and thofe of ex- 

 traordinary bulk and monftrous figures, as hath been (hewn in 

 the precedent Chapters 5 but alio fuch a multitude of precious 

 Shells, and other Rarities, that we may well acknowledg that 

 the Divine Wifdom hath difplay'dall thefe rich beauties of its 

 inexhauftible Treafures, to (hew its Omnipotency in the midft 

 of the Waves, and gently to win us into an admiration of his 

 Ooodnefs and adorable Providence, which humbles it felf to 

 defeendinto the Abyfles of 'the Sea to people them with fome 

 excellent Creatures not to be feen elfewhere, and an infinite 

 number of others bearing the Characters and Idaeas of the moft 

 confiderable Bodies that either adorn the Heavens, flye in the 

 Air 3 or embellifti the Earth. Hence it comes, that there are 

 found in the Waters, Stars, Cornets, Trumpets, Purcelains, 

 Trees, Apples, Cheft-nuts, and all the delightful curio/ities 

 wjiich are fo highly efteemed among men. 



Quoted from an ancient natural history of the Caribby Isles, originated in Paris, by several 



authors who benefitted by Father Raymond's long residence in the Carribies; 



translated into English by John Davies of Kidwell and published in 



London, 1666. 



