of North Carolina. 137 



the haste I could to a Planters House, where I had lain the 

 Night before, who soon undeceived me, and told me what it 

 was, and that in a few Days I should see the Creature that 

 made that hellish Xoise in the Creek before his Door, which 

 happened in a Day or two after. Their Flesh if not Musky, 

 is accounted good Meat, and helps those that are afflicted 

 with the Gout and Ehumatick Pains. The Blood clears the 

 Eyes, and the Fat is prevalent against all manner of Pains, 

 Aches, Ulcers, and Cancers, by Unction. The Gall is of 

 excellent use in taking away the Cataract and Web, gTOwing 

 in the Eyes; the Teeth of the right Jaw bound about the 

 Arm, are said to provoke Venery. The Skin calcined, and 

 mixed with Lees of Oil, is said to stupefie the Parts so much, 

 that they cannot feel, though cut. I have ranked the Alli- 

 gator and the Tortoise among the Insects, because they lay 

 Eggs. 



The Tortoise, vulgarly called the Turtle, whereof there are 

 three sorts. The first is the Green Tortoise, which is not 

 common, but is sometime found on these Coasts ; it lives both 

 on Land and Water, and. has a large strong Shell on it's 

 Back, which defends it from it's Enemies. The Lean of 

 this Tortoise looks and tastes like Veal, without any fishy 

 savour, and the Fat is as green as Grass, yet very sweet ; 

 some are so large, that they weigh four hundred Weight. 



The second is the Hawhs-Bill, which is common here, the 

 Flesh of these two sorts are incomparably good Food, being 

 inferior to none, and is useful in several Disorders, such as 

 the Gout, Hectichs, Epilepsy, sore Eyes, and is said to be 

 an Antidote against Poyson. 



The third is called the Logger-Head, which scarce any one 

 covets to eat, except it be the Negroes and Indians, yet the 

 Eggs of this and all the other sorts (which are covered with 



S a 



