VOL. LXVIII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 393 



sulphureous steams issuing out in thousands of places, so that native sulphur is 

 found in every chink, and the ground covered with it like hoar frost ; even the 

 bushes near these places are covered with pure brimstone, condensing from the 

 steam that issues out of the ground, which in many places is covered over with 

 a substance like burnt alum. In these small caverns, where the steam issues out, 

 the people often boil their yams (inhames.) Near these boiling fountains are 

 several mineral springs ; two, in particular, whose waters have a very strong 

 mineral quality, of an acid taste and bitter to the tongue. 



About half a mile to the westward, and close by the river side, are several hot 

 springs, which are used by sick people with great success. Also on the side of 

 a hill, west of St. Ann's church, are many others, with 3 bathing houses, 

 which are most commonly used. These waters are very warm, though not 

 boiling hot ; but at the same place issue several streams of cold mineral water, 

 by which they are tempered, according to every one's liking. About a mile 

 south of this place, and over a low ridge of hills, lies a fine lake about 2 leagues 

 in circumference, and very deep, the water thick, and of a greenish colour. At 

 the north end is a plain piece of ground, where tiie sulphureous steams issue out 

 in many places, attended with a surprising blowing noise. The other springs 

 immediately form a considerable river, called Ribeira Quente, or hot river, 

 which runs a course about 2 or 3 leagues, through a deep rent in the mountains, 

 on each side of which are several places where the smoke issues out. It dis- 

 charges itself into the sea on the south side, near which are some places where 

 the water boils up at some distance in the sea. 



This wonderfiil place had been little noticed till very lately ; so little curiosity 

 had the gentlemen of the island, that scarcely any of them had seen it, till of 

 late some persons afflicted with very virulent disorders, were persuaded to try 

 its waters, and found immediate relief from them. Since that time it has be- 

 come more and more frequented ; several persons who had lost the use of their 

 limbs by the dead palsy have been cured ; and also others who were troubled 

 with eruptions on their bodies. A clergyman, who was greatly afflicted with the 

 gout, tried the said waters, and was in a short time perfectly cured, and has had 

 no return of it since. Several old gentlemen, who were quite worn out with the 

 said disorder, were using the waters, and had received great benefit from them ; 

 in particular, an old gentleman, acout dO years of age, who had been tor- 

 mented with that disorder more than 20 years, and often confined to his bed for 

 6 months together ; having used these waters about 3 weeks, had quite re- 

 covered the use of his limbs, and walked about in great spirits. A friar also 

 who had been troubled with the said disorder about 12 years, and reduced to a 

 cripple, by using them a short time was quite well, and went a hunting every 

 day. There are several other hot springs in the island, particularly at Ribeira 



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