The Hijlory of Book I. 



S te C K 0 I X. 



THelaftof all the Caribbies of the Lee-ward Iflands is the 

 Ifland of Sante Croix , or the Holy Crofs. It lyes at 18 

 degrees and fome minutes. The Caribbians who were forc'd 

 thence by the Spaniards, call \tAyay : It was much efteem'd 

 among them, becaufe it was the firft Ifland that Nation poffefs'd 

 themfelves of when they came from the North to feek a con- 

 venient habitation to lay the foundations of their Colonies, as 

 fhall be reprefented particularly in the Second Book of this 

 Hiftory. 



The Soil of this Ifland returns with good intereft whatever 

 is fown in it : there are in it fair and fpacious Plains, of a black 

 earth, and ealie to be manured : there are alfo feveral fair and 

 precious kinds of Trees good for Dying and Joyners work. 

 The Air is good, but the Waters not fo wholfbm, if drunk im- 

 mediately after they are drawn : To take away the ill quality 

 they have, they are put to reft a certain time in earthen veffels, 

 which makes them good 5 and thence it is conceiv'd that the 

 bad quality proceeds from their mud, as is obferved in thofe of 

 the Nik. 



This Ifland is now poffefs'd by the French, who have rais'd 

 it to a great height after its feveral changes of former Mafters. 

 The French General fupplies it with Inhabitants at his own 

 charge. 



It may be nine or ten Leagues in length, and neer as much 

 in breadth, where it isbroadeft. The Mountains are neither 

 fohigh nor (huffied fo neer together, but that people may get 

 up to the tops of them, and that there is good ground enough 

 befides to find work for many thoufands of men. 



CHAP. VI. 



Of Trees growing in thefe I(lands, whofe Fruit 

 may be eaten. 



OF the Trees growing in thefe Iflands fome bear good 

 Fruits, which contribute to the nouriftiment of the 

 Inhabitants 5 others are fit for Building, Joyners work, 

 or Dying : There are fome alfo very fuccefsfully ufed in Me- 

 dicine , and fome which only delight the Smelling by thdr 

 fweet fcent, and the Sight by their ever verdant Boughs and 

 Leaves. 



Of thofe which bear Fruits fit for Food, and may be feen in 



Europe, 



28 



