370

A DISCOURSE

. Jamaica , affirm there is nothing necefsary for life (si efset rebus humanismodus) which these Polychrests afford not.

nut (as hath been said); the seams are caulked with okum of Cayro, after laid over (as isusual) with the fat of fish, serving instead of hot pitch : where there is any use of nails,that is supplied by wooden pins, made of a certain species of the Palm-tree; the mastis provided by the same tree, and requires not much pains to fashion it: Ropes ofall sizes are made of Cayro, i. e. the rind of the Coco. Sails are woven of the leaves ofihe Palm-tree, called Cajuris, of which are also made sacks, (called Macondas) in whichthey carry Millet , or any other thing at pleasure. Bread (before mentioned) the same nutsupplies, either dry, then called Copra, or green, when named Puto; which grated andput into hollow canes is Cuscus : Water proceeds from the same nuts being green, beforethe kernel arrives to a due consistency, clear as rock water, fresher and better. Oil ismade of Copra (i. e. the nut dried in the sun) in great quantity, used by all people inIndia , having no other of their own growth, besides what is drawn from a seed calledGergelim , of small value, used only by the poor. The wine requires more pains andafsiduity. When the Palm-tree puts forth her shoot or Poyo (shaped like a Moorishscimetar) before the cluster appears, they cut three fingers-breadth from the point, andtying it near the incision with a reed to prevent slitting, put the end of the shoot intoa pitcher made for that purpose, called Gorgo; leaving it there, the shoots, like vinespruned, but in greater abundance, weep that juice, which should have produced Cocoes.This liquor is twice drawn in the natural day; in the morning that which was wept bynight, and in the evening the distillation of the day: At these times, a man, deputed tothat businefs, and of a certain extraction, called Bandarins, with a gourd hung at hisgirdle, and with a pruning-hook in his hand, climbs the tallest Palm-tree; some of whichpeculiarly those called Cajuris, are of a prodigious height, they climb, as on a ladder, bynotches made in the trunk of the tree, and with as much security as seamen run up to themain-top. In other lefs Palm-trees, (seeming to be of that clafs which yields Dates) theymake a hole in the trunk, there lodging a cane through which the liquor distills, whichwhen the tree affords, she bears no Cocoes. This liquor is sweet, medicinal, clears the ’body from humours, is drunk for a regallo, and called Sura ; set to the fire in great vefsels,is distilled as in a limbeck, but with this caution, that they continually cast cold water uponthe vefsel,'lest as strong water it should take fire. This is the wine made of the Palm-tree called by the natives Urraca, it intoxicates in little quantity, flies to the head, and isof a strange effect ; much more powerful if distilled over again, when it becomes a quint-efsence. Of this Urraca is made excellent vinegar, by putting into it two or three firedsticks, or a great stone well heated. Sugar is made of the sweet Sura coming fresh fromthe tree, which boiled till it coagulates becomes good sugar, perfect in taste and colour.—The merchandize afforded by the Palm-tree, and laden on vefsels, are dried Cocoes, ornuts, the rind, and many other commodities before mentioned: this justifies the Palm-tree’s building, rigging, and lading a vefsel with goods, and ship-provisions for themariners, all her own product.

“ The Palm-tree being so beneficial and advantageous to human life, doubtlefs no treein any known part of the world may come into competition with it; and amongst all her