Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/225

 with Indian Corn and Cassabi Root, whereof they make Cakes, as is practis'd in the Islands. Their Trees and Fruits are the same as in other hot Countries. About the Town of Veracruz, there are Bushes of a Sort of Thorn, without Leaves, among which grows an extraordinary Plant; for tho' it has but a small Stem, it shoots out Leaves of a Cabbage Green, as thick as a Man's Finger, which grow out, one at the End of another, in the Shape of a Racket, and the Plant itself is so call'd. From those Leaves there grows out a Sort of red Figs, very juicy, with Seeds like those of the Pomgranate; the Juice is of a Violet Colour, but unsavoury. There is a Sort of Flies that cleave to it and are so fond of the Taste of the Fruit, that they burst and drop down dead. They are carefully gather'd and dry'd, and are the Scarlet Dye, call'd Cochinilla, which is brought into Europe, and makes that beautiful Colour. The Birds and Beasts are much the same as in other Countries of America. There is a Sort of Bird, all red, which for that Reason is call'd the Cardinal; this they often tame and teach to sing like a Canary Bird. This is what I have been told concerning the Town of Veracruz.

As for the Havana, a Town and Port no less famous, in the Island of Cuba, belonging as well as the other to the Crown of Spain, it stands towards the Western End, and on the North Side of that Island, almost under the Tropick of Cancer, and about four or five hundred Leagues on this Side of Veracruz. It is large and beautiful; the Port good, secur'd by two Forts on the two Sides, and good artillery, from twenty four to thirty six Pounds, the Entrance so narrow, that only one Vessel can go in at once. The Town is encompass'd by a good Wall, fortify'd with five Bastions, furnish'd with Cannon. The Streets are all as strait as a Line, and level, the Houses very handsome, but ill furnish'd. In the Midst of it is a fine Square, the