Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/74

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It belonged to Major Ballard, who told me that formerly there used to resort great numbers of Pigeons and breed there; but the Inhabitants going thither and loading Boats with their young, they were disturbed, and left the place. In the Plains or Savannas, about Old Harbour, grows that fine Flower which I found in St. Christophers, and is hereafter described, and called commonly in Jamaica White Lillies.

Near Old Harbour is a place called the Canoes, which is the chief place for Fishing hereabout.

A little Westward of Old Harbour are Woods, and some few Hills, beyond which is a large Savanna or Plain, call'd Palmetto Savanna, from the great number of Palm-Trees growing in it. From Palmetto Savanna I went into the Seven Plantations, where at going into the place I fonnd a very bad smell and Air, which is occasion'd, as I was told, by the River call'd the Dry River. This River had at bottom great numbers of large round Stones, and was dry when I saw it, as it is often, but it is full of running water at some Seasons, and it then brings along with it Fishes of several sorts. When the River does not run these Fishes are left in holes in its bottom, where they are either taken by the Inhabitants, eat up by the Herns, or other Fowl feeding on them, or dye and corrupt the Water and Air. I was sensible of this corrupted Air when I was here. This dry River is swallowed up into the Earth, and rises again in some parts of it. It comes down from the Mountains when it Rains violently on them, so suddenly and impetuously, that I was told it had drowned a Boy, and six Horses he was watering, though no signs of its swelling appeared beforehand at the place where the accident happen'd. This place is cooler than the Town of St. Jago de la Vega, and Sir Francis Watson, who lived here, used to be more troubled with the Asthma then when in Town. For this purpose he had made a Chimney in one of the Rooms of his House, which was the only one I ever saw in this island, except in Kitchens.

Sir Francis Watson had made here a Refining-house for Sugars, which serv'd most part of the Island with fine Sugar, and that candied, little Refin'd being Exported. They dissolve the Moscovado or course Sugar in water, which they call melting, then they mix a strong Lixivium of quick Lime with it, and clarifie this mixture in a Furnace with Whites of Eggs over a Fire, then they strain it through a Blanket plac'd in a Basket over a Cistern, whence it is carried into Brass Coolers, and then is put into Pots. The Surface of it is evened and leveled with a Trouel in these Pots, and then 'tis cover'd with moist Clay, by which in seven Weeks, 'tis purg'd, knock'd out, and put into a Stove to be per-