QUAINT DESCRIPTION. 4.3 



called by the inhabitants uppowoc. In the West Indies it 

 hath divers names, according to the severall places and coun- 

 tries where it groweth and is used ; the Spaniards generally 

 call it Tobacco. The leaves thereof being dried and brought 

 into powder, they use to take the fume or smoke thereof by 

 sucking it through pipes made of clay into their stomacke 

 and heade, from whence it purgeth superfluous fleame and 

 other grosse humors ; openeth all the pores and passages of 

 the body ; by which means the use thereof not only preserv- 

 eth the body from obstructions, but also if any be so that 

 they have not beene of too long continuance, in short time 

 breaketh them ; whereby their bodies are notably preserved 

 in health, and know not many grievous diseases wherewithall 

 we in England are oftentimes affected. This uppowoc is of 

 so precious estimation amongest them that they thinke their 

 gods are marvellously delighted therewith ; whereupon some- 

 time they make halowed fires, and cast some of the powder 

 therein for a sacrifise. Being in a storme uppon the waters, 

 to pacific their gods, they cast some up into the aire and into 

 the water : so a weave for fish being newly set up, they cast 

 some therein and into the aire ; also after an efecape of danger 

 they cast some into the aire likewise ; but all done with 

 strange gestures, stamping, sometimes dancing, clapping of 

 hands, holding up of hands, and staring up into the heavens, 

 uttering there withal and chattering strange wordes, and 

 noises. 



"We ourselves during the time we were there used to suck 

 it after their manner, as also since our returne, and have 

 found many rare and wonderful experiments of the virtues 

 thereof; of which the relation would require a volume of 

 itselfe ; the use of it by so manie of late, men and women, 

 of great calling as else, and some learned phisitions also is 

 sufficient witnes." 



The natives also when Drake* landed in Virginia, 

 " brought a little basket made of rushes, and filled with an 

 herbe which they called Tobah;" they "came also the 

 second time to us bringing with them as before had been 

 done, feathers and bags of Tobah for presents, or rather 

 indeed for sacrifices, upon this persuasion that we were 

 gods." 



William Stracheyf says of tobacco and its cultivation by 

 the Indians : 



The World Encompassed. Londoa, 1628. 



t" The Historic of Travaile into Virginia Britannica." 



