20 A Voyage to JAMAICA.
Myrtus septima seu sylvestris foliis acutissimis, C. B pin. p. 469.
I found this very plentifully growing wild in the Hedges by the waysides in the Island of Madera. This is used for Currying Leather, as Rhus or Lentisk, Cusalp. The ripe Berries are used for Sauce, Math. Before Pepper was found, as Pliny tells us, the Fruit of this was made use of in its place.
Lycium folio oblongo, ferrato acuminaito spinis minoribus armatum. Cat. pl. Jam. p. 171. This seemed to differ very little from the common Lycium, only the Tab.5. Fig.4. Leaves were longer, serrated, and pointed, and the Prickles were not so large.
Palma prunifera foliis yuccae, fructu in racemis congestis cerasi formi, duro, cinereo, pisi magnitudine, cujus lachryma sanguis draconis est dicta. Comm. cat. Amst. p. 260. An Dragon-Tree of Dampier, cap. 16?
I found this in the island of Madera in the Hedges very plentifully though not very large. It is found in the Island Socotora, Borneo, Canaries, Madagascar, and (Aluise de cadamosto ap. Ramn. pr. vol. p. 105) at Porto Santo. where they cut the Trees at the Feet, and next Year find the Gum, which they Defecate in Water by Boiling and Purging. The Fruit is Yellow and Ripe in March, and good to Eat.
The tree is pierced near the bottom, and so yields the Gum. The Fruit Cools and Alters, and is proper in Fevers. Cinaber du Dioscorid. Thevet
It is adulterated with Rubrica and Colophony. Caesalp.
Lobels Leaf is the Spatha in all likelihood. Lugd.
The Gum is used by Goldsmiths for a Foile and Enamel, and by Glasiers for colouring Glass, Park.
It is used to strengthen the Gums and Teeth, in the bloody Excretions, Fluxes etc. Jonst.
Opuntia maxima, foliis majoribus crassioribus & atrovirentibus, spinus minoribus & paucioribus obsitis.
Cat. pl. Jam. p. 195. An ficus Indica seu opuntia maxima, folio spinosa latissimo & longissimo. Herm. cat. pl. p. 243?
This Indian Fig was in every part exactly the same with the Common, only each Leaf was broader, thicker, of a darker green colour, and not so prickly, having a very few white, short Prickles; and sometimes only it is not quite so free of Prickles as that.
It grows in a Gully near the Town of Funchal in Madera, and in the Canaries.
On Sunday 23. Having taken Wines and some fresh Provisions on Board, we weighed Anchor and set Sail, we having little Wind; two days after we saw the Body of the Island, being about Twenty five Leagues, or Seventy five Miles from us, and then we first took Dolphins with Fisgigs, or sharp arrow-headed or bearded Irons, fitted with Poles of about Ten Foot long, Lead for the more convenient striking them, and a Rope or Line tied to them to hold the Fisgig, which is shot at them by the strength of Hand when they come within reach of those waiting for them, usually on some of the Yard-Arms, Beak-Head, or Poop; in which fishing the great matter seems to be to allow for the refraction of the Water. They were laid in wait for not only so, but likewise with Lines and Hooks, which were hung out baited with Rags in the shape of flying Fish, and so adjusted as to hang sometimes to touch the Water, at others not, according to the Waves, thereby imitating the Flying-Fish, which the Dolphins pursue with great greediness. Dolphins are reckoned the swiftest Swimmers that are, their Bodies being contrived
for that purpose there is as much pleasure in seeing them pursue the Flying-Fish, as in Hunting or Hawking, the Flying-Fish geting out of the Water, where the Dolphins cannot
