C4?8 1 
f^fras, Locuft, a Tree of very quick growth, and ve- 
ry durable in Building, Hiclcery, of which he have 
two forts, Red and White, this ferves chiefly for fire 
Wood, being the befl for that ufe. Wc have alfo 
plenty of Chefnuts and Chinquapine another Species 
of Chefnut ; and a fort of Elm like a Dutch Elm, 
which we call the Sugar-Tree, from the fweetnefs of 
its Juice, with which fome have made good Sugac. 
Here is alfo a fort of Elder, whofe Bark isclofcly guarded 
with Prickles hke thole of a Briar. Tulip-bearing- 
Laurel, and Myrtle of feveral forts ; one whereof bears 
a Berry with which they make in the Eaftern Shore 
green Wax, very proper to make Candles if mixed 
with Tallow. 
Among the Inhabitants of the Air, which are ve- 
ry numerous. The humbing Bird is the mofl: curi- 
ous, they continue with us all Summer, feeding on- 
ly upon Flowers like Bees. The mocking Bird, for 
various Notes, exceeds all the Birds, 1 believe, in the 
World ; but it is bard to raife one, by reafon of the 
hardnefs of the Winter that Kills them in their Cages : 
it is a very tender Bird, and requires a great deal of 
Attendance, and the Seamen will not give it them, elfo 
I had fent your Son one before now, purfuant to his 
requeft. Of all our Reptiles, the Rattle-Snake is the 
moft noted ; and what is commonly reported of its 
charming Birds, and Squirrels, &c. is not grouadleft, 
for it hath been affirmed to me by feveral Eye Witnef- 
fes. As for the Nature of the Clime, the Air is now 
more wholefome than formerly, which I fuppofe pro- 
ceeds from the opening of the Country, that givingSthe 
Air a freer motion. Our Summers are not extreme hot, 
as in the firft fearing; and our Winters are generally 
ftvere towards what they are in England. The North- 
Weft Wind is very fliarp in Winter, and even in tlie 
