New Jerfey, Raccoon, 131 



floWer. The former grew in a rich mould, 

 the other in a poorer foil. 



The Laurus ceftivalis, which fome'peo- 

 ple call Spice-wood, likewife began to blof- 

 fom about this time ; its leaves were not 

 yet broke out; it liked a moift foil in the 

 Woods. 



April the 9th. Apocynum Cannabimmi 

 was by the Swedes called Hemp of the In- 

 dians-,* and grew plentifully in old corn- 

 grounds, in woods, on hills, and in high 

 glades. The Swedes have given it the name 

 of Indian hemp, becaufe the Indians formerly, 

 and even now, apply it to the fame pur- 

 pofes as the Europeans do hemp , for the 

 ftalk may be divided into filaments, and is 

 eafily prepared. When the Indians were 

 yet fettled among the Swedes, in Penjy/vaw'a 

 and New 'Jerfey, they made ropes of this 

 Apocynum, which the Swedes bought, and 

 employed them as bridles, and for nets. 

 Thefe ropes were ftronger, and kept longer 

 in water, than fuch as were made of com- 

 mon hemp. The Swedes commonly got 

 fourteen yards of thefe ropes for one piece 

 of bread. Many of the Europeans ftill buy 

 fuch ropes, becaufe they laft fo well. The 

 Indians likewife make feveral other fluffs 

 of their hemp. On my journey through 

 I 2 the 



* Wiljkt Hampa. 



