Town to Mexico, for its trading in Gold and Silver, Cochenille, and Sarsaparilla. It has a situation very happy, likewise in this respect, that it is near the Caymanes, the Cayos or desert Rocks or Isles, of Cuba, and the Isle de Vacas, des Vaches, or of Ash, where the Turtlers seldom fail of getting plenty of Turtle or Tortoises, to furnish the inferior sort of people with good Food, at an easie and moderate price.
The Latitude of St. Jago de la Vega, or Spanish Town in Jamaica is 17°. 30′. North of the Ecquinotial, between it and the Tropic of Cancer, so that it is placed in the Torrid Zone. Its Inhabitants are Amphiscii, that is, have their Shadows thrown South of them, that part of the Year when the Sun is to the North of them, and North the greatest part of the Year, viz. when the Sun is to the Southwards of them. When the Sun is vertical, or directly over their Heads, they are Ascii, that is, their Bodies at Noon have no Shadow at all, and this happens twice a year, that is, when the Sun is going to the Tropic of Cancer, and returning from the same.
It is easie to find from its Latitude, that 'tis in the Arabic, or second Climate, according to that division of the Earth, whereby 10°. of Latitude is allowed each Climate, and which has its Name from Arabia, which is comprehended in it, It is also plain, that the days and nights must be very near equal the year round; so that there will be only an hours difference between the length of the longest day in Summer, and the shortest in Winter. This Latitude, likewise demonstrates that the Twilight here, between the Sun's setting, and no perception of any of his Rays at night (which is when it is about 18°. under the Horizon) or some of his Rays being seen, and his Body visible in the morning, will be very short, or not near so long, as the same continues in places that are situated in an oblique Sphere.
The Longitude of the middle of this Island is about 76°. West of London, this has been ascertain'd by Observations of several Eclipses by Mr. Charles Boucher, who sent these Observations to Mr. Halley, so that I cannot but wonder how Christopher Columbus could mistake so much as ** Cap. 59. to say that by an Observation of an Eclipse of the Moon, the East end of Hispaniola was five hours twenty three minutes West of Cadiz, whereas by Mr. Boucher's, and later Observations, it is certain Jamaica is not much over five hours West of London. That is to say, when 'tis about twelve a Clock at Noon at London, 'tis about seven in the morning at Jamaica, and when 'tis five a Clock in the evening in London, 'tis about twelve at Noon at Jamaica. But the value of the Philippine Islands, which were to belong to the Crowns of Spain or Portugal, by the Popes Bull, ac-cording
