tNTEODUCTION* 3cvli 



\vho had fuffered from the tinhealthfulneft 

 of Madagafcarj formed a refolution of qwiit- 

 ting that large ifland, in order to fettle in 

 the fmall Lfland of Bourbon, the air of which 

 is exceedingly falubrious. 



It was in the year 1 664 that they put 

 this defign in execution ; and they took the 

 wife precaution of carrying along with 

 them fome Iheep and cows, together with 

 a young bull* 



The lfland, at that time, was uninhabited, 

 and the foil uncultivated: but the coaft 

 abounded with fi{h, and the ground was 

 covered with tortoifes of an immenfe fize* 

 At firft^ the colonills lived upon fifh, turtle, 

 rice, potatoes and yams. They were for- 

 bid the ufe of butcher's meat, becaufe the 

 prefervation of their live flock was a mat- 

 ter of the utmoft importance. 



When the fcafon became favourable, they 

 planted fugar-canes, and fowed wh^at. 



b Their 



