The Scarlet Muscle, at Paschatawey a Plantation about fifty leagues by Sea Eastward from Boston, in a small Cove called Bakers Cove there is found this kind of Muscle which hath a purple Vein, which being prickt with a Needle yieldeth a perfect purple or scarlet juice, dying Linnen so that no washing will wear it out, but keeps its lustre many years: We mark our Handkerchiefs and Shirts with it.[100]
Fish of greatest Esteem in the West Indies.
The Indians of Peru esteem of three Fishes more than any other, viz. the Sea Torteise, the Tubaron, and the Manate,[101] or Sea Cow; but in New-England the Indians have in greatest request, the Bass, the Sturgeon, the Salmon, the Lamprey, the Eel, the Frost-fish, the Lobster and the Clam.
{38} Fourthly, Of Serpents, and Insects.[102]
The Pond Frog.[103]
The Pond Frog, which chirp in the Spring like Sparows, and croke like Toads in Autumn: Some of these when they set upon their breech are a Foot high; the Indians will tell you, that up in the Country there are Pond Frogs as big as a Child of a year old.
For Burns, Scalds, and Inflammations.
They are of a glistering brass colour, and very fat, which is excellent for Burns and Scaldings, to take out the Fire, and heal them, leaving no Scar; and is also very good to take away any Inflammation.
The Rattle Snake.[104]
The Rattle Snake, who poysons with a Vapour that comes thorough two crooked Fangs in their Mouth; the hollow of these Fangs are as black as Ink: The Indians, when weary with travelling, will {39} take them up with their bare hands, laying hold with one hand behind their Head, with the other taking hold of their Tail, and, with their teeth tear off the Skin of their backs, and feed upon them alive; which they say refresheth them.