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Above: A Coconut tree
Above: Pineapples
Above: Bananas
Above:Mangoes
Above: Betel leaves ready for market
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high & mountainous, oranges, limes, pomegranates of extreme size & generally all the fruits found in the Indies, such as cocos, pineapples, bananas, mangoes, betel,[1] palms, mirabolans,[2] cinnamon, pepper, cloves, ginger, mastic,[3] benioin,[4] guaiac seed,[5] brazil[6] & many other fruits, woods & excellent drugs. At the entrance of the gulf at the middle is the Island of Corylee, lies a Volcano or Fizler, which continually throws a flame from the height of a bell tower, visable from the sea for more than thirty leagues; so that it was not necessary to build any lighthouse[7] to mark the entrance to this gulf, there being a natural one, the most marvelous in all the world. The island, for this reason, is nontheless very fertile & inhabited, there being two good towns at both ends with many boroughs & villages. It is in this place that the galleys guarding the gulf & the coast most often make their home, because from there they can see everything that enters & exits the rivers & the gulf. |
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1. "Betelle: f. A certain Indian Sallate heaebe, that resembles the Gilliflower plant; or, hastard pepper, called among
the Indians Betle, & Betre." [Cotgrave]
2. "Myrobalan: m. An East Indian Plumme called, the Myrobalan Plumme, whereof there bee divers kinds distinguished by Severall names (as Belleries, Chebules, Emblics, &c.) [Cotgrave] 3. "Mastic: m. Masticke, (a sweet Gumme.) Mastic Achantique. A Gumme which growes on the top of the calthrop, or Starre–thistle. [Cotgrave] 4. "Benjoin: m. The aromaticall gumme, called Benjamin, or Benzoin. [Cotgrave] 5. "Guayac. Guacum, Lignum vitae, Pockewood. [Cotgrave] 6. Bresil=Brazil Wood 7. "Phares: m. Towers, or high places neere the mouth of a haven, &c; wherein continuall nightly fires, or lights are kept." [Cotgrave] |