252 The Natural Historg 



other Place, trusting to the heat of the Climate, and receive 

 the cool of the Evenings with only a Shirt. I think that the 

 Air, though not so cold, is much more subtle and piercing 

 here than in Ireland, it corrodes Iron much more, not by 

 Moisture, for it is not so moist ; and besides it does it in the 

 dry Weather. 



J^otwithstanding this Country is as fertil and pleasant as 

 any in the World (in the same Latitude) for the produce of 

 Minerals, Fruit, Grain, Wine, and several other rich Com- 

 modities, that are frequently to be met with in it. All the 

 Experiments that have been already made of the Fertility 

 and natural Advantages of the Country, have answered be- 

 yond expectation, as affording some Commodities, which 

 other Places in the same Latitude do not. 



As for Minerals, they being subterraneous Products, so 

 in all E'ew Countries, they are the last Species that are gen- 

 erally discovered, and will most certainly be so, where the 

 Indians never look for any thing lower than the superficies 

 of the Earth, being a race of Men, the least addicted to search 

 into the Bowels of the Earth, of any in the World, that in- 

 habit so fine a Country as Carolina; and I am satisfied, that 

 there are as good and rich Mines here, that lie full to the 

 Westward of us, as any the Spaniards possess in America. 

 The Lands near the Heads of the Rivers being Mountainous, 

 and no doubt, have as rich Minerals in them as any of those 

 parts that are already discovered to be so rich. 



I shall say no more on this Subject at present, but give you 

 some general Observations concerning N ortli-C arolina ; which 

 are. That it lies as convenient for Trade as any Province in 

 America, abounding with several rich and valuable Commod- 

 ities, such as Tar, Turpentine, Pitch, Rosin, Masts, Yards, 

 Planhs, Boards, Staves, Lumber, Timber of many sorts, fit 



for 



