Op. XIV. The Caribby-lflands. 



write, and read tbefmallefr Print that may be. A Spanijh Hi- 

 ftorian relates, that the Indians of Hijpaniola , having thefe 

 Flies faften'd to their hands and feet, they ferv'd them inftead 

 of Torches to go a hunting in the night time : it is affirmed al« 

 fo by others, that fome other Indians extra& that luminous 

 liquor which thefe Flies have in their eyes and under their 

 wings, and that they rub their faces and breafts therewith in 

 their nocturnal meetings,^ which makes them appear in the 

 dark to the beholders, as if they were covered with flames, 

 and like dreadful apparitions. 



Thefe Flies are eafily taken in the night time; and that i3 

 done by turning a lighted ftick in the air : For as foon as thole 

 which at the clofe of the evening are re-ady to come out of 

 the woods perceive that fire, imagining it to be one of their 

 companions , they immediately flye to the place where that 

 light appears to them, and fo they may be either ftruck down 

 with a Hat, or flying of tbemfelves againft the lighted ftick, 

 they fall to the ground, not knowing where they are. 



Nor will it be amifs to infert in this place what a learned 

 arid curious French Gentleman, one Monf. du Montel , from 

 whofe generous liberality came feveral other remarks which 

 enrich this Hiftory, lately Writ to a friend of his concerning 

 thefe Flies. 



i; "Being in the Iflandof Hijpamela, (faith he) I have often at 

 " the beginning of the night walk'd about the little Huts we 

 " had fet up for our abode there while our Ship was repairing, 

 * c to confider how that the Air was in fome places enlightried by 

 " thofe little wandring Stars : But the moft pleafant fight of all 

 cc was, when they came neer thofe great Trees which bear a 

 cc kind of Figs, and were not far from our Huts 5 for fometimes 

 cc they flew about them, fometimes they would be within the 

 <c thick boughs, which for a time obfeur'd and eclips'd thofe lit- 

 " tie Luminaries , yet fo as that their beams might ever and 

 " anon be feen to break through, though weakly, the inter- 

 " pofed leaves : thofe pretty interruptions of light came to us 

 " fometimes obliquely, fometimes in a ftraight line, and per- 

 " pendicularly : Afterwards thofe glittering Flies extricating 

 " themfelves out of the obfeurity of thofe Trees, and coming 

 " neerer us, we had our pleafure heightned by feeing them on 

 ct the adjacent Orange-trees, which they feem'd to fet a fire, 

 "gilding thofe beautiful fruits, enamelling their flowers, and 

 cc giving fuch a luftre to their leaves, that their naturally de- 

 " lightful verdure was extreamly encreas'd by the pleafant 

 " combination of fo many little lights. I wifh'd my felf at 

 " that time the Art of Painting or Drawing, that I might re- 

 " prefent a night enlightned, and as it were turnd into day by 

 " fo many fires, and fo plealant and luminous a piece of Land- 

 " fkip. Think it not much that I am fo long about the ftory of 



M ^ "a 



