New Torky Sfaten JJland. 235 



monly grows in fwampy grounds ; for as 

 the tide comes up in this river, thefe low 

 plains were fometimes overflowed when the 

 water was high. The people hereabouts 

 are faid to be troubled in fummer with im- 

 menfe fwarms of gnats or mufquetoes, 

 which fling them and their cattle. This 

 was afcribed to the low fwampy tneadows, 

 on which thefe infedts depofite their eggs, 

 which are afterwards hatched by the heat. 



As foon as we had got over the river, we 

 were upon Staten IJland, which is quite 

 furrounded with fait water. This is the 

 beginning of the province of New Tork. 

 Moft of the people fettled here were Dutch- 

 meriy or fuch as came hither whilft the 

 'Dutch were yet in polfefTion of this place. 

 But at prefent they were fcattered among 

 the Engiijh and other European inhabitants, 

 and fpoke Englip for the greateft part. 

 The profpedt of the country here is ex- 

 tremely pleafing, as it is not fo much in- 

 tercepted by woods, but offers more cul- 

 tivated fields to view. Hills and vallies flill 

 continued, as ufual, to change alternately. 



The farms were near each other. Mofl 

 of the houfes were wooden ; however fome 

 were built of flone. Near every farm-houfe 

 was an orchard with apple trees : the fruit 

 was already for the greatefl part gathered. 



Here, 



