PREFACE TO THE THIRD VOLUME. vii 



more numerous, adtive, and conftant; fo the means whereby their 

 malignancy is obviated and decompofed, muft be more powerful or 

 more abundant than in Northern counries. We cannot then fiiffi- 

 ciently admire and extol the very ample refources of this fc^rt, which 

 are obfervable in our ifland. In every part of it v/e find the reme- 

 dies diftributed with an unfparing hand. The atmofphere itfelf 

 feems to be intimately blended with fome fpecies of elaftic acid air, 

 or vapour, which renders it invigorating to the animal fpirits, which 

 refrigerates heated liquors, abates the fcnfation of thirft, and keeps 

 the blood in a cool and diluted ftate, fo tliat ardent fevers and canine 

 madnefs are almoft unknown here. The rapidity of vegetation 

 mocks the toil of the labourer j the earth abhors infecundity, and 

 refufes to continue uncloathed. Rivers ftream around, defcending 

 from the very fummits of high mountains, not in filent gentle 

 flreams, but dafhing from rock to rock, and impetuoufly agitated in 

 their courfe, in order the better to forward the procefs of nature. 

 The lofty hills lift their thick forefls to the clouds, and embrace 

 the frefli gales; an infinite variety of fucculent plants and trees fpring 

 up in almoft every foil and fituation, but moft numerous in thofe v/hich 

 are low and fwampy, where their fervices, and their multitude, may 

 be mod neceffary. 



The plantane, the palma Chrifti, trumpet- tree, water-vines, witlies, 

 and gourds ; the arums, bambu, Scotch grafs, lotus, and many others, 

 feem to love thefe humble fcites, and are excellently adapted to the 

 medicinal intention, by the celerity and luxuriancy of their growth, 

 the expanfion of their leaves, and the large diameter of their tubes. 



I need not fpeak of the innumerable aquatic plants, and the va- 

 rieties of rank herbage, which carpet over the oozy beds of all our 

 bays and harbours ; of the gentler rivers and the lagoons ; affording 

 fubfiftence and fhelter to the manati, the turtle, and a myriad of 

 other creatures, which inhabit or graze upon them ; whilfl they are 

 fo many drains at the fame time, to imbibe and draw from the at- 

 mofphere above, thofe foulnefTes that are offenfive to mankind. 

 Such are then, in part, the wife and good means, which are pre- 

 pared to guard againft, or to dilarm, the atmofphere of this countr ■, 

 of the hoflile inflruments which the warmth of climate may dii- 

 pofe it inceflantly to generate ; and which can only prove baneful to 

 4 the 



