Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/192

 A. Not answered.

Q. 27.To inquire after, and get, if possible, some of the Bones of the Fish called Caballa, which are so powerful in stopping Blood.

A. 'Tis done, and they shall follow with the Dutch Ships.

Q. 28.Whether at Hermita, a Town in Ethiopia, there are Tortoises so big, that Men may ride upon them?

A. It is reported, that there be extraordinary great ones there; I have seen some Sea Tortoises here, of four Foot broad, in oval Form, very low leg'd, but of that Strength, that a Man may stand on one: The manner of catching them, is to turn them with a Fork upon their Backs.

Q. 29.Whether there be a Tree in Mexico, that yields Water, Wine, Vinegar, Oil, Milk, Honey, Wax, Thread and Needles?

A. The Cokos Tree yields all this and more; the Nut, while it is green, hath very good Water in it; the Flower being cut, drops out great Quantity of Liquor, called Sury, or Teywack, which drank fresh, hath the Force, and almost the Taste of Wine; grown sour, is very good Vinegar; and distilled, makes very good Brandy, or Areck: The Nut grated, and mingled with Water, tasteth like Milk; pressed, yields very good Oil: Bees swarm in these Trees, as well as in others; Thread and Needles are made of the Leaves and tough Twigs. Nay, to add something to this Description; in Amboyna, they make Bread of the Body of the Tree, the Leaves serve to thatch Houses, and likewise sails for their Boats.

Q. 30.Whether about Java, there be Oysters of that vast Bigness, as to weigh three hundred Weight?

Rh