Description of Pernambuco.
Northward from Bahia de Todos los Sanctos lies Pernambuco, which extends along the Coast above seventy Leagues, between the River St. Francisco and the Countrey of Hamaraca.
Pernambuco, which signifies Hells-Mouth, is on the East wash’d by the Northern Ocean; in which grows a Weed much like an Oaken Leaf, and so thick, that unless it be cut to make their Way, impedes the Sailing of Ships.
Several sorts of Fish.
The Sea is also very full of Fish, which in calm Weather are visible sixty Fathom deep, and are taken in greater abundance than they are able to spend; for they no sooner let down a Bait, cover’d with Feathers and Tallow, but the Fish immediately swallowing the same, are taken.
Here are in the first place abundance of Hays, a Fish so rank and oylie, that they are not eatable, but their Brains are accounted good against the Stone.
There are also hereabouts a sort of flying Fish like Herrings, but not so big; they have Wings like Bats, which carry them above Water whilest they are wet; they swim in shoals, and are chased by all other Fishes, which endeavoring to escape by flight out of the Water, they become a prey to the Sea-pies.
The Sea-Breams are as well tasted as the flying Fish; the Mariners cover them in Salt, or stuff them within full of Salt and Pepper, and so hang them to dry in the Sun.
Pernambuco it self lying in five Degrees Southward from the Equinox, produces abundance of Brasile Wood and Sugar-Canes, which last is no proper Brasilian Plant, for the first Plants thereof were by the Portuguese first transplanted thither from the Canary Islands.
First Discovery.