America: Being the Latest, and Most Accurate Description of the Nevv VVorld / Containing the Original of the Inhabitants, and the Remarkable Voyages Thither. The Conquest of the Vast Empires of Mexico and Peru, and Other Large Provinces and Territories, with the Several European Plantations in Those Parts. Also Their Cities, Fortresses, Towns, Temples, Mountains, and Rivers. Their Habits, Customs, Manners, and Religions. Their Plants, Beasts, Birds, and Serpents. With an Appendix, Containing, Besides Several Other Considerable Additions, a Brief Survey of What Hath Been Discover'd of the Unknown South-land and the Arctick Region.

by John Ogilby

The Island of St. Vincent, South-West from St. Lucia, and having sixteen Degrees of North-Latitude, was so call’d by the Spaniards, as having discover’d it on that Saint’s Day, being the fifth of April: It is accounted eight Leagues long and six broad, and rises round about with high Grounds and several Mountains, which are seen at a great distance.

This Island hath a very fruitful Soil, and for the bigness of it hath been long since well peopled with Caribbeeans before the arrival of the Spaniards, possessing here several Villages, to whom they are still sworn Enemies, but Truck’d with the Hollanders for Provisions, Horns, Axes, Knives, and other Trifles. At the West and South sides are convenient Bays to lie at Anchor and take Water in.

The Fruit Momen.

The Inhabitants highly esteem the Momen, growing to the bigness of an Apple-Tree; the Fruit which it bears resembles a green Cucumber, and is of a pleasant Juice, the Skin always green and prickly; the Seed which is in the same about the bigness of a French Bean, is generally black, and streak’d with Golden-colour’d Veins.

The Granadilla.

Here is also that Plant mention’d elsewhere, by the Spaniard call’d Granadilla, by the Dutch Rhang-Apple, and La Fleur de la Passion by the French; and it is so call’d, as being fancied to represent the thorny Crown of our Saviour, together with the Cross, Nails, Hammer and Pillar; the Plant runs along the Ground, unless it meet with a Pole by which it runs up.

Sect. XXV.
Bekia.

Situation of Bekia.

Not far from St. Vincent lies the Island Bekia, which reckons twelves Leagues in circumference, and lies at twelve Degrees and twelve Scruples of Northern Latitude: It hath a secure Harbor against all Winds; but because it is without fresh Water, it is onely frequented by the Caribbeeans that dwell on St. Vincent, who come hither to Fish, and visit certain little Gardens which they have there for their pleasure.

The Soil produces store of Water-melons, whose red juicy Pulp yields, when squeez’d, a great quantity of sweet Liquor, which is very refreshing, and good to create an Appetite; their white Flowers, notch’d at the end of the leaves, afford a delightful smell.