154 The Natural History 



treat of some of the smaller Reptiles or Insects that are most 

 remarkable, and to be met with in this Country ; but to give a 

 large Description of all the different Species that this Coun- 

 try produces, would require too large a Volum, wdiich is not 

 my intention at present. Besides the Indians give us many 

 strange and uncouth ISTames for various kinds of Beasts, 

 Birds, Eishes, Snakes, and Insects, that we are intire Stran- 

 gers to ; for the greatest part of this spacious and large Coun- 

 try lies waste at present, and undoubtedly there will be many 

 curious and considerable Discoveries made, when once this 

 Country is well settled and inhabited by the Christians, for 

 the Indians whilst they remain in their Idolatrous Practices, 

 never will be brought over to cultivate this rich and noble 

 Country, or even to make Discoveries of what they know of 

 it already. But to proceed to the Reptiles and Insects. 



The Bees are in great Plenty, not only in Hives, in the 

 Planter's Gardens, but are likewise to be met with in several 

 parts of the Woods in hollow Trees, wherein are frequently 

 found vast quantities of Honey, and Wax. The Uses and 

 Profits of these noble Insects, are so well known amongst us 

 in Europe, that it would be needless to trouble the Reader 

 about them. Their Bee-hives are generally made of some 

 piece of hollow Tree, and especially the sweet Gum Tree, 

 which they cut at proper lengths for that purpose, with a 

 Board at the top for a Covering ; these are all the sorts of Bee- 

 hives made use of in this Country, some whereof are larger 

 than our Barrel. The Ilumhle-hees are of the same sort in 

 this Province as those with us in Ireland, and other parts of 

 Europe. 



The 



