QUAINT DESCRIPTION. 43 
called by the inhabitants uppowoc. In the West Indies it 
hath divers names, according to the severall places and coun- 
tries where it groweth and is used; the Spaniards generally 
call it Tobacco. The leaves thereof being dried and brought 
into powder, they use to take the fume or smoke thereof by 
sucking it through pipes made of clay into their stomacke. 
and heade, from whence it purgeth superfluous fleame and 
other grosse humors; openeth all the pores and passages of 
the body; by which means the use thereof not only preserv- 
eth the body from obstructions, but also if any be so that 
they have not beene of too long continuance, in short time 
breaketh them; wheréby their bodies are notably preserved 
in health, and know not many grievous diseases wherewithall 
we in England are oftentimes affected. This uppowoc is of 
so precious estimation amongest them that they thinke their 
gods are marvellously delighted therewith ; whereupon some- 
time they make halowed fires, and cast some of the powder 
therein for a sacrifise. Being in a storme uppon the waters, 
to pacifie their gods, they cast some up into the aire and into 
the water: so a weave for fish being newly set up, they cast 
some therein and into the aire; also after an escape of danger 
they cast some into the aire likewise; but all done with 
strange gestures, stamping, sometimes dancing, clapping of 
hands, holding up of hands, and staring up into the heavens, 
uttering there withal and chattering strange wordes, and 
noises. ! 
“We ourselves during the time we were there used to suck 
it after their manner, as also since our returne, and have 
found many rare and wonderful experiments of the virtues 
thereof; of which the relation would require a volume of 
itselfe; the use of it by so manie of late, men and women, 
of great calling as else, and some learned phisitions also is 
sufficient witnes.” 
The natives also when Drake* landed in Virginia, 
“brought a little basket made of rushes, and filled with an 
herbe which they called Tobah;” they “came also the 
second time to us bringing with them as before had been 
done, feathers and bags of Tobah for presents, or rather 
indeed for sacrifices, upon this persuasion that we were 
gods.” . 
William Stracheyt+ says of tobacco and its cultivation by 
the Indians: 
*The World Encompassed. London, 1628. 
+ The Historie of Travaile into Virginta Britannica." 
