120 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
of which being odoriferous, tasted of all man¬ 
ner of spices; and of this, whoever drank for a 
few days upon a fasting stomach, was quickly 
cured of every internal disorder with which he 
might be afflicted. To this description he added, 
it was certain those who lived near, and drank 
frequently of it, had a wonderful appearance of 
youth through their whole lives, and that he him¬ 
self drank of it three or four times, and imagined 
his health was better afterwards. The expedition 
which led to the discovery of Florida was under¬ 
taken not so much from a desire to explore un¬ 
known countries, as to find an equally celebrated 
fountain, described in a tradition prevailing among 
the inhabitants of Puerto Rico, as existing in 
Binini, one of the Lucayo Islands. It was said to 
possess such restorative powers as to renew the 
youth and vigour of every person who bathed in its 
waters. It was in search of this fountain, which 
was the chief object of their expedition, that Ponce 
de Leon ranged through the Lucayo Islands, and 
ultimately reached the shores of Florida.* Although 
it may throw no light on the origin of the South 
Sea Islanders, nor furnish any evidence of their 
former connexion with the inhabitants either of 
India or America, the coincidence is striking 
between these fabulous traditions, and those so 
circumstantially detailed by the natives of some of 
the islands of the Pacific, especially in the Ha¬ 
waiian account of the voyage of Kamapiikai, to 
* In reference to this enterprise, Robertson remarks : 
“ That a tale so fabulous should gain credit among the 
uninstructed Indians, is not surprising; that it should 
make any impression on an enlightened people, appears, 
in the present age, altogether incredible. The fact, 
however, is certain. 
