The Plant Nuchtly, which bears speckled Pears, grows betwixt the Rocks which are drench’d with Sea-water.
The Hogs which above a hundred and fifty years since swam ashore out of the Spanish Wrack, are exceedingly increas’d there, but because of their poorness are scarce eatable, they feeding onely on the sweet Berries which fall from the Palmito-Trees.
About the white and red Mulberries, which grow plentifully there, breed thousands of Silk-worms, which spin Silk according to the colour of the Mulberries.
The Sea produces some quantity of Pearls and Ambergreece.
From the beginning of the year till May, the Whales are seen to swim not far from the Shore.
A strange sort of Sea-Fowl breed in Holes like Rabbets; and amongst other Birds, here are also store of Cranes.
The Tobacco which the English have planted here grows very well.
Tortoises Laying of Eggs.
Here are likewise great Tortoises, which Lay their Eggs in the Sand on the Shore, where they are Hatch’d by the Beams of the Sun, and are taken after this manner: In the Night some are set to watch where they Land, and whilest they are digging a deep Hole in the Ground, are thrown on their Backs, and not being able to get upon their Legs again, they lie and groan very pitifully: some of them having above two Basons full of Eggs in their Bellies; which being about the bigness of a Tennis-Ball, have a thin Shell, which incloseth a Yolk and White. If these Eggs lie buried six years, then the young Tortoises breaking the Shell, come out of the Sand, and instantly creep into the Sea. Their Flesh is not onely wholsom but toothsom. The Oyl made of them is not inferior to Butter.
Cedars of an excellent kind.