8 The Hijiory of Book I. 



B E K I A. 



/ | ^He Ifland of Bekia is diftant from the Line twelve de- 

 J_ grees and 2 5 fcruples. It is ten or twelve leagues about, 

 and would be fruitful enough;, if it were cultivated. There is 

 in it a good Haven for Ships 5 but inafmuch as it is not furnifti'd 

 with freih water, it is not much frequented , unlefs it be by 

 fome Caribbians of St. Vincent's, who fometimes go thither a 

 fifhing, or to drefs fome fmall Gardens they have up and 

 down there for their diverfion. 



S c VINCENT. 



THe Ifland of St. Fifteenth the moft populous of any pof- 

 fefs'd by the Caribbians. Its Altitude is fixteen degres 

 North from the Line. Thofe who have feen the Ifland Ferro, 

 or Fietro, one of the Canaries, affirm, that this is much of the 

 fame figure. It may be about eight leagues in length, and fix in 

 breadth. There are in it feveral high Mountains, between 

 which are very fruitful Plains, if they were cultivated. The 

 Caribbians have many fair Villages, where they live pleafantly, 

 and without any difturbance. And though they have a jea- 

 jloufly of the ftrangers that live about them, and ftand on their 

 Guard when they come to their Roads, yet do they not deny 

 them the Bread of the Country, which is Cajfava , Water, 

 Fruits , and other Provisions , growing in their Country, if 

 they want them, taking in exchange, Wedges, Hooks, and 

 other implements of Iron, which they much efteem 



BARB A DOS. 



THe Barbados, which is the fame that is called by the French 

 Barboude, lyes between the 13 and 14 degree, North 

 from the Equator, and Eaft ward from St. Aloufie, and St. Vin- 

 cent. The Englifh, who planted a Colony there in the year 

 M.DC. XXVII. allow it to be about 25 leagues in compafs, but 

 greater in length then breadth. There is in the whole Ifland 

 but one River , which truely deferves that name : but the 

 Countrey lying low f and even, there are, in feveral places, 

 Pools and Refervatoriesof frefh water, which fupply the fear- 

 city of Springs and Rivers. Moft houfes have alfo Citterns, 

 and Wells which are never dry. 



At the firft Cultivation the Earth promifed not much 3 but 

 experience hath evine'd the contrary, it plentifully producing 

 Tobacco, Ginger, Cotten, and efpecially Sugar-Canes, info- 

 much that, next to St. Chriiiophers, it is the moft frequented 

 by Merchants , and the moft populous of all the Antilles. 



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