Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 003.djvu/83

 head, give great ease to the head-ach, as I have tried in my self; and it is the onely remedy of the Indians and Negro's.

21. About the Manchinei-Tree, I shall only say, it is a wood of an excellent grain, equalling the Jamaica-wood, but large to four foot Diameter. The Spaniards turn it into beds, and the English usually flour their rooms with it in Jamaica; yet it is as malignant, I am told, as 'tis described.

22. The Birds, called by some Fregati, we call Men of war; their fat is good against aches, &c; so is that of A1legators, or the shell-fish, call'd Soldats, or Souldiers.

23. Of the shining or Fire-flies there is a great difference in Hispaniola and Jamaica, as to bigness. They can contract and expand their Light as they fly, I am sure; and their light continues some days after they are dead: So that I am not of their mind, who affirm, that 'tis the flammula cordis in their tail.

24. The Wood-lice will eat Covers and Books, though printed, as I found to my cost. Of their eating of Timber, it is true they will eat some forts of Timber, but not all.

25. Of the Cirons or Chegos enough is said by Ligon. I knew a man who burnt his Negro alive, because he was over-run with them. When they come among the nervous and membranous parts, they are very painful, and not to be pull'd out, lest your needle touch the nerves; and in other places the hole you cut, to take them out, equals a pease.

26. I could never hear of any Hurrican about Jamaica; yet Vincent le Blanc saith, he was in one not far from it. I enquired of some, that had been in Hurricans, if it were so cold then, as the said Vincent relates it? They said, they had not found it to be so cold; but yet in comparison of other times, it was much colder then. I enquired of the nature of those Tempests, whether the wind varied all the points of the Compass, as 'tis said? They answer'd, No; but it began always wit a North-wind, and when it came East, it ceased: but betwixt the North and East-point it varied so fast, and with such a violent gust always, that it was impossible for any ship in the water to answer the Vering of the wind: Whence it hapned, -that the backs of the ships are broken, and the Sails carried by the boord the masts. I saw a vessel of about 400 tun, whose back was broken, and the laid up at Rh