Cap. VIII. The Caribby-lflands. 



return into their abyfles $ that only the Mountain dedicated 

 to his honour, and wherein his Temple was, was preferv'd 

 from that deluge, and that their Predeceflbrs, and all the 

 beafts which are at prefent in the woods and upon the earth, 

 having retir'd to the fa id Mountain, were preferv'd for the 

 repopulation and recruit of the whole earth : So that they 

 conceive themfelves to be the mod ancient people of the 

 worlds And they affirm, that from that time they have ac- 

 knowledge the Sun for their God. 



They were of opinion, that the Sun had built himfelf the 

 Temple which is in the Mountain of Olaimi 3 the afcent where- 

 of is diftant from the City of Melilot fomewhat lefs than a 

 league $ and that the Tonatzuli (which are certain little birds 

 about the bignefi of a Quail, and whofe bellies and wings are 

 of a bright yellow, the back of a sky-colour, and the head of 

 a plumage, partly red, and partly white) are the meflen- 

 gers and children of the Sun, which alwaies celebrate his 

 praifes. 



The fervice they rendred the Sun confifted in falutinghim 

 at his riling, and ringing hymns in honour of him : They ob- 

 ferved the fame Ceremonies alfo in the evening, entreating 

 him to return,and to bring the day along with him : Andbe- 

 fides this daily fervice which every one performed at the door 

 of his houfe, they had alfo another publick and folemn fervice, 

 which confifted in facrifices and offerings, and was perform 'd by 

 the Jaousf, four times in the year, to wit, at the two feed-times, 

 and after the two harvefts, upon the Mountain of Olaimi^ with 

 great pomp, and a general concourfe of all the Inhabitants of 

 the lix ?' evinces. 



This Mountain oioliimih feated, as we faid before, in the 

 Province of Bemarin, about a league diftant from the Royal 

 City of Melilot 5 but there is about another league of afcent 

 and winding from the foot of it, ere a man can get to the top 

 of it : It is certainly one of the moft pleafant and mod mira- 

 culous Mountains in the world : Its figure is perfectly round, 

 and the natural defcent extream fteepys but to facilitate the 

 accefs thereof to fuch as are to go up, they have cut a good 

 broad way all about it, and there are here and there feveral 

 refting places gaind out of the Rock, like Co many neeches: All 

 the circumference of it, from the foot to within two hundred 

 paces of the top, is naturally planted with goodly trees of 

 Sdxa.fr as , Cedar , and Cyprefs^ and feveral others from which 

 there ifiue B.ofnt 3 and Aromatich^ gums^ of a very delightful 

 (cent : On the top of it there is a fpacious plain, fmooth and 

 eavenall over, and fomewhat better than a league incompafs? 

 it is covered with a delightful green livery of a fhort and (mall 

 grafs, which is intermixt with Thyme, Marjoram, and other 

 fweet fmelling herbs : And it was upon the top of this Moun- 



