Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/236

 up in the Goat-skins, as was mention'd already. He was told by these antient People, that they have above twenty Caves of their Kings and great Persons, with their whole Families, yet unknown to any but themselves, and which they will never discover. Lastly, he says, that Bodies are found in the Caves of the Grand Canaria in Sacks, and quite consumed, not as these in Teneriffa. Thus far of the Bodies and embalming.

"Anciently when they had no Knowledge of Iron, they made their Lances of Wood hardned as before, some of which the Doctor hath seen. He hath also seen Earthen-pots so hard, that they cannot be broken; of these some are found in the Caves and old Bavances, and used by the poorer People that find them, to boil Meat in. Likewise they had Curor Stone itself, that is to say, a Kind of Slate called now Tobona, which they first formed to an Edge or Point as they had Occasion to use it, either as Knives or Lancets to let Blood withal.

"Their Food is Barley roasted, and then ground with little Mills, which they made of Stone, and mixt with Milk and Honey: This they still feed on, and carry it on their Backs in Goat-skins.

"To this Day they drink no Wine, nor care for Flesh. They are generally very lean, tall, active and full of Courage.

"He himself hath seen them leap from Rock to Rock, from a very prodigious Height, till they came to the Bottom, sometimes making ten Fathom deep at one leap.

"The manner is thus:

"First they teretate their Lance (which is about Rh