[ch11 is page 305-323] 305 An.1686 They design for Mindanao. [---+++] C H A P. XI. [---+++] They resolve to go to Mindanao. Their depar- ture from Guam. Of the Philippine Islands. The Isle Luconia, and its chief Town and Port, Manilo, Manila, or Manilbo. Of the rich Trade we might establish with these Islands. St. Johns Island. They arrive at Mindanao. The Island described. Its Fertility. The Lib- by Trees, and the Sago made of them. The Plantain Tree, Fruit, Liquor, and Cloth. A smaller Plantain at Mindanao. The Bonano. Of the Clove-bark, Cloves and Nutmegs, and the Methods taken by the Dutch to monopo- lize the Spices. The Betel-nut, and Arek tree. The Durian, and the Jaca-tree and Fruit. The Beasts of Mindanao. Centapes or Forty Legs, a venomous Insect, and others. Their Fowls, Fish, &c. The Temperature of the Climate, with the Course of the Winds, Torna- does, Rain, and Temper of the Air through- out the year. [---+++] WHile we lay at Guam we took up a Resolu- tion of going to Mindanao, one of the Phi- lippine Islands, being told by the Frier and others, that it was exceedingly well stored with Provisi- ons ; that the Natives were Mahometans, and that they had formerly a Commerce with the Spaniards ; but that now they were at wars with them. This Island was therefore thought to be a convenient place for us to go to : for besides that it was in our way [+++---] 306 Departure from Guam. 1. of St. John. An.1686 way to the East Indies, which we had resolved to visit; and that the Westerly Monsoon was at hand, which would oblige us to shelter some where in a short time, and that we could not expect good Harbours in a better place than in so large an Island as Mindanao : besides all this, I say, the Inhabitants of Mindanao being then, as we were told (tho falsly) at Wars with the Spaniards, our Men, who it should seem were very squeamish of plundering without Licence, derived hopes from thence of getting a Commission there from the Prince of the Island to plunder the Spanish Ships about Manila, and so to make Mindanao their common Rendezvouz. And if Captain Swan was minded to go to an En- glish Port, yet his Men, who thought he intended to leave them, hoped to get Vessels and Pilots at Mindanao fit for their turn, to cruise on the Coast of Manila. Asfor Captain Swan, he was willing enough to go thither, as best suiting his own design: and therefore this Voyage was concluded on by general consent. [---+++] Accordingly June 22d, 1686. we left Guam, bound for Mindanao. We had fair weather, and a pretty smart gale of Wind at East, for 3 or 4 days, and then it shifted to the S. W. being rainy, but it foon came about again to the East, and blew a gentle gale; yet it often shuffled about to the S. E. For though in the East Indies the Winds shift in A- pril, yet we found this to be the shifting season for the Winds here ; the other shifting season being in October sooner or later, all over India. As to our course from Guam to the Philippine Islands, we found it (as I intimated before) agreeable enough with the account of our common Draughts. [---+++] The 21st day of July we arrived at the Island St. John, which is one of the Philippine Islands. The Philippines are a great company of large Islands, ta- king up about 13 deg. of Lat. in length, reaching [+++---] 307 Philippine Islands. Luconia, Manilo. An.1686 near upon, from 5 d. of North Lat. to the 19th de- gree, and in breadth about 6 deg. of Longitude. They derive this Name from Philip the 2d, King of Spain; and even now they do most of them belong to that Crown. [---+++] The chiefest Island in this range is Luconia, which lies on the North of them all. At this Island Magellan died in the Voyage that he was making round the VWorld. For after he had past those Streights be- tween the South end of America and Terra del Fuego, which now bear his Name, and had ranged down in the South Seas on the back of America; from thence stretching over to the East Indies, he fell in with the Ladrone Islands, and from thence steering East still, he fell in with these Philippine Islands, and anchored at Luconia; where he warr'd with the native Indi- ans, to bring them in obedience to his master the King of Spain, and was by them kill'd with a poy- foned Arrow. It is now wholly under the Spani- ards, who have several Towns there. The chief is Manilo, which is a large Sea-port Town near the S. E. end, opposite to the Island Mindora. It is a place of great strength and trade : The two great Acapulco Ships before-mentioned fetching from hence all sorts of East-India commodities; which are brought hither by foreigners, especially by the Chinese, and the Portuguese. Sometimes the English Merchants of Fort St. George send their Ships hither as it were by stealth, under the charge of Portu- gueze Pilots and Mariners : for as yet we cannot get the Spaniards there to a commerce with us or the Dutch, although they have but few Ships of their own. This seems to arise from a jealousie, or fear of discovering the riches of these Islands ; for most, if not all the Philippine Islands, are rich in Gold: and the Spaniards have no place of much strength in all these Islands that I could ever hear of, besides Manilo it self. Yet they have Villages [+++---]308 Philippine Islands. Isle of St. John. An.1686 and Towns on several of the Islands, and Padres or Priests to instruct the native Indians, from whom they get their Gold. [---+++] The Spanish Inhabitants, of the smaller Islands especially, would willingly trade with us if the Go- vernment was not so severe against it ; for they have no goods but what are brought from Manilo at an extraordinary dear rate. I am of the opini- on, that if any of our Nations would seek a trade with them, they would not lose their labour; ifor the Spaniards can and will Smuggle (as our Sea-men call Trading by stealth) as well as any Nation that I know; and our Jamaicans are to their profit sen- sible enough of it. And I have been informed, that Captain Goodlud of London, in a Voyage which he made from Mindanao to China, touch'd at some of these Islands, and was civilly treated by the Spa- niards, who bought some of his Commodities, giv- ing him a very good price for the same. [---+++] There are about 12 or 14 more large Islands ly- ing to the Southwards of Luconia ; most of which, as I said before, are inhabited by the Spaniards. Be- sides these there are an infinite number of small Islands of no account, and even the great Islands, many of them, are without Names; or at least so variously set down, that I find the same Islands named by divers Names. [---+++] The Island St. John and Mindanao are the Southern- most of all these Islands, and are the only Islands in all this Range that are not subject to the Spani- ards. [---+++] St. Johns Island is on the East side of the Minda- nao, and distant from it 3 or 4 leagues. It is in lat. about 7 or 8 North. This Island is in length about 38 leagues, stretching N. N. W. and S. S. E. and it is in breadth about 24 leagues, in the middle of the Island. The Northermoft end is broader, and the Southermost is narrower: This Island is of a [+++---] 309 Their arrival at Mindanao. 309 An.1686 good heighth, and is full of many small hills. The Land at the South East end (where I was ashore) is of a black fat mould ; and the whole Island seems to partake of the same fatness, by the vast number of large Trees that it produceth: for it looks all over like one great Grove. [---+++] As we were passing by the S. E. end we saw a Canoa of the Natives under the shore: therefore one of our Canoas went after to have spoken with her; but she run away from us, seeing themselves chaced, put their Canoa ashore, leaving her fled into the Woods; nor would be allured to come to us, altho we did what we could to entice them: besides these Men we saw no more here, nor sign of any Inhabitants at this end. [---+++] When we came aboard our Ship again we steered away for the Island Mindanao, which was now fair in sight of us: it being about 10 leagues distant from this part of St. Johns. The 22d day we came within a league of the East side of the Island Min- danao, and having the Wind at S. E. we steered toward the North end, keeping on the East side, till we came into the lat. of 7 d. 40 m. and there we anchored in a small Bay, about a mile from the shore, in 10 fathom Water, rocky foul ground. [---+++] Some of our Books gave us an account, that Mindanao City and Isle lies in 7 d. 40 m. we guest that the middle of the Island might lye in this lat. but we were at a great loss where to find the City, whether on the East or West side. Indeed, had it been a small Island, lying open to the Eastern Wind., we might probably have searched first on the West side; for commonly the Islands within the Tropicks, or within the bounds of the Trade- Winds have their Harbours on the West side, as best sheltered: but the Island Mindanao being guarded on the East side by St. Johns Island, we might as rea- sonably expect to find the Harbour and City on the East side, by [+++---] 310 Isle of Mindanao. Libby-trees, Sago. An.1686 this side, as any where else: but coming into the lat. in which we judg'd the City might be, found no Canoas, or People, that might give us any um- brage of a City, or place of Trade near at hand, though we coasted within a league of the shore. [---+++] The Island Mindanao is the biggest of all the Phi- lippine Islands, except Luconia. It is about 60 leagues long, and 40 or 50 broad. The South end is in about 5 d. N. and the N. W. end reacheth almost to 8 d. N. It is a very mountainous Island, full of Hills and Valleys. The Mould in general is deep and black, and extraordinary fat and fruitful. The sides of the Hills are stony, yet productive enough of very large tall Trees. In the heart of the Coun- try there are some Mountains that yield good Gold. The Valleys are well moistned with plea- sant Brooks, and small Rivers of delicate Water; and have Trees of divers sorts flourishing and green all the year. The Trees in general are very large, and most of them are of kinds unknown to us. [---+++] There is one sort which deserves particular no- tice; called by the Natives Libby Trees. These grow wild in great Groves of 5 or 6 mile long, by the sides of the Rivers. Of these Trees Sago is made, which the poor Country People eat instead of Bread 3 or 4 months in the year. This Tree for its body and shape is much like the Palmeto-tree, or the Cabbage tree, but not so tall as the latter. The Bark and Wood is hard and thin like a Shell, and full of white Pith, like the Pith of an Elder. This Tree they cut down, and split it in the mid- dle, and scrape out all the Pith; which they beat lustily with a wooden Pestle in a great Mortar or Trough, and then put into a Cloth or Strainer held over a Trough; and pouring Water in among the Pith, they stir it about in the Cloth: so the Water carries all the substance of the Pith through the Cloth down into the Trough, leaving nothing in the [+++---] Sago. The Plantain-tree or Shrub. 311 the Cloth but a light sort of Husk, which they throw An.1686 away; but that which falls into the Trough settles in a short time to the bottom like Mud; and then they draw off the Water, and take up the muddy substance, wherewith they make Cakes; which being baked proves very good Bread, [---+++] The Mindanao People live 3 or 4 months of the year on this food for their Bread kind. The Na- tive Indians of Teranate, and Tidore, and all the Spice Islands, have plenty of these Trees, and use them for food in the same manner; as I have been in- form'd by Mr. Caril Rosy, who is now Commander of one of the Kings Ships. He was one of our company at this time; and being left with Captain Swan at Mindanao, went afterwards to Teranate, and lived there among the Dutch a year or two. The Sago which is transported into other parts of the East Indies, is dried in small pieces like little Seeds or Comfits, and commonly eaten with Milk of Almonds by those that are troubled with the Flux; for it is a great binder, and very good in that distemper. [---+++] In some places of Mindanao there is plenty of Rice; but in the hilly Land they plant Yams, Po- tatoes, and Pumkins; all which thrive very well. The other Fruits of this Island are Water-Melons, Musk-Melons, Plantains, Bonanoes, Guava's, Nutmegs, Cloves, Betel-nuts, Durians, Jacks, or Jaca's, Coco-nuts, Oranges, &c. [---+++] The Plantain I take to be the King of all Fruit, not except the Coco it self. The Tree that bears this Fruit is about 3 foot, or 3 foot and an half round, and about 10 or 12 foot high, These Trees are not raised from seed, (for they seem not to have any) but from the roots of other old Trees. If these young suckers are taken out of the ground, and planted in another place, it will be 15 months be- fore they bear, but if let stand in their own native Soil [+++---]312 The Plantain-tree. An.1686 Soil they will bear in 12 months. As soon as the Fruit is ripe the Tree decays, but then there are many young ones growing up to supply its place. When this Tree first springs out of the ground, it comes up with 2 leaves, and by that time it is a foot high, two more springs up in the inside of them; and in a short time after two more within them, and so on. By that time the Tree is a month old you may perceive a small body almost as big as ones Arm, and then there are 8 or 10 leaves, some of them 4 or 5 foot high. The first leaves that it shoots forth are not above a foot long, and half a foot broad; and the stem that bears them no bigger than ones finger; but as the Tree grows higher the leaves are larger. As the young leaves spring up in the inside, so the old leaves spread off, and their tops droop downward, being of a greater length and breadth by how much they are nearer the root, and at last decay and rot off; but still there are young leaves spring up out of the top, which makes the Tree look always green and flourishing. When the Tree is full grown the leaves are 7 or 8 foot long, and a foot and half broad; towards the end they are smaller and end with a round point. The stem of the leaf is as big as a mans Arm, almost round, and about a foot in length, between the leaf and the body of the Tree. That part of the stem which comes from the Tree, if it be the outside leaf, seems to inclose half the body as it were with a thick hide, and right against it on the other side of the Tree, is another such answering to it. The next two leaves in the inside of these grow opposite to each other, in the same manner, but so that if the 2 outward grow North and South, these grow East and West, and those still within them, keep the same order. Thus the body of this Tree seems to be made up of many thick skins, growing one over another, and when it is full grown, there springs [+++---]The Plantain-fruit. 313 springs out of the top a strong stem, harder in sub- An.1686 ftance than any other part of the body. This stem shoots forth at the heart of the Tree, is as big as a mans Arm, and as long; and the Fruit grows in clusters round it, first blossoming, and then shoot- ing forth the Fruit. It is so excellent that the Spa- niards give it the preheminence of all other Fruit, as most conducing to Life. It grows in a Cod a- bout 6 or 7 inches long, and as big as a mans Arm. The Shell, Rind or Cod, is soft, and of a yellow colour when ripe. It resembles in shape a Hogs- gut pudding. The inclosed Fruit is no harder than Butter in Winter, and is much of the colour of the purest yellow Butter. It is of a, deli- cate taste, and melts in ones mouth like Marmalet. It is all pure pulp, without any seed, Kernel or Stone. This Fruit is so much esteemed by all Eu- ropeans that settle in America, that when they make a new Plantation, they commonly begin with a good Plaintain-walk, as they call it, or a Field of Plantains; and as their family increaseth, so they augment the Plaintain-walk, keeping one man pur- pofely to prune the Trees, and gather the Fruit as he sees convenient. For the Trees continue bear- ing, some or other, most part of the year; and this is many times the whole food on which a whole Family subsists. They thrive only in rich fat ground, for poor sandy will not bear them. The Spaniards in their Towns in America, as at Ha- vana, Cartagena, Portabel, &c. have their Markets full of Plantains, it being the common food for poor people: Their common price is half a Rial, or 3 s. a dozen. When this Fruit is only used for Bread, it is roasted or boiled when it's just full grown, but not yet ripe, or turn'd yellow. Poor people, or Negroes, that have neither Fish nor Flesh to eat with it, make Sauce with Cod-pepper, Salt and Lime-juice: which makes it eat very savory; much better than a crust of Bread alone. Sometimes for a [+++---]Plantain-fruit and Drink. 314 An.1686 a change they eat a roasted Plantain, and a ripe raw Plantain together, which is instead of Bread and Butter. They eat very pleasant so, and I have made many a good meal in this manner. Sometimes our English take 6 or 7 ripe Plantains, and mashing them together, make them into a lump, and boyl them instead of a Bag-pudding; which they call a Buff-Jacket: and this is a very good way for a change. This Fruit makes also ve- ry good Tarts: and the green Plantains sliced thin, and dryed in the Sun, and grated, will make a sort of flour which is very good to make Puddings. A ripe Plantain sliced and dried in the Sun may be preferved a great while; and then eats like Figs, very sweet and pleasant. The Darien Indians pre- serve them a long time, by drying them gently over the fire; mashing them first, and moulding them into lumps. The Moskito Indians will take a ripe Plantain and roaft it; then take a pint and half of Water in a Calabash, and squeeze the Plantain in pieces with their hands, mixing it with the Water; call Mishlaw, and it's pleasant and sweet and nourishing; somewhat like Lambs-wool (as 'tis then they drink[it all off together : this they call d) made with Apples and Ale: and of this Fruit alone many thousands of Indian Families in the West Indies have their whole subsistence. When they make drink with them, they take 10 or 12 ripe Plantains and mash them well in a Trough: then they put two gallons of Water among them; and this in two hours time will ferment and froth like Wort: In 4 hours it is fit to drink; and then they bottle it and drink it as they have occafion: But this will not keep above 24 or 30 hours. Those therefore that use this drink brew it in this manner every morning. When I went first to Jamaica I could relish no other drink they had there. It drinks brisk and cool, and is very pleasant. This drink is windy; and so is the fruit eaten raw: but 315 An. 1686 Plantain Cloath. boyd'or roafted it is not fo. If this drink is kept above 30 hours it grows fharp: but if then it be put out into the Sun, it will become very good Vine- gar. This fruit grows all over the Weft Indies (in the proper Climates) at Guinea, and in the Eaft Indies. [---+++] As the Fruit of this Tree is of great ufe for food, fo is the Body no lefs ferviceable to make cloaths; but this I never knew till I came to this Ifland. The ordinary People of Mindanao do wear no other cloath. The Tree never bearing but once, and fo being fell'd when the Fruit is ripe; they cut it down clofe by the ground, if they intend to make Cloath with it. One blow with a Macheat, or Long Knife, will ftrike it afunder: then they cut off the top, leaving the Trunk 8 or 10 foot long, ftripping off the outer Rind, which is thickeft towards the lower end; having ftript 2 or 3 of thefe Rinds, the Trunk becomes in a manner all of one bignefs, and of a whitifh colour: Then they fplit the Trunk in the middle, which being done, they fplit the 2 halves again, as near the middle as they can. This they leave in the Sun 2 or 3 days, in which time part of the juicy fubftance of the Tree dries away, and then the ends will appear full of fmall threads. The women, whofe employment it is to make the Cloath, take hold of thofe threads one by one, which rend away eafily from one end of the Trunk to the other, in bignefs like whited brown thread, for the threads are naturally of a determi- nate bignefs, as I obferved their Cloath to be all of one fubftance and equal finenefs; but 'tis ftubborn when new, wears out foon, and when wet feels a little slimy. They make their pieces 7 or 8 yards long, their wafp and woof all one thicknefs and fubftance. [---+++] There is another fort of Plantains in that Ifland, which are fhorter and lefs than the others, which I never faw any where but here. Thefe are full of [+++---] 316 An. 1686 Bonano's, Clove bark, Cloves, Nutmegs. of black Seeds mixt quite through the Fruit. They are binding, and are much eaten by thofe that have Fluxes. The Country people gave them us for that ufe, and with good fuccefs. [---+++] The Bonano Tree is exactly like the Plantain for fhape and bignefs, nor eafily diftinguifhable from it but by its Fruit, which is a great deal fmaller and not above half fo long as a Plantain, being alfo more mellow and foft, lefs lufcious, yet of a more delicate tafte. They ufe this for the making drink oftner than Plantains, and it is beft when ufed for drink, or eaten as Fruit; but it is not fo good for Bread, nor doth it eat well at all when roafted or boiled; fo 'tis only neceffity that makes any ufe it this way. They grow generally where Plantains do, being fet intermixt with them purpofely in their Plantain-walks. They have plenty of Clove- bark, of which I faw a Ship-load, and as for Cloves, Raja Laut, whom I fhall have occafion to mention, told me, that if the Englifh would fettle there, they could order matters fo in a little time, as to fend a Ship load of Cloves from thence every year. I have been informed that they grow on the boughs of a Tree about as big as a Plumb-tree, but I ne- ver happened to fee any of them. [---+++] I have not feen the Nutmeg-trees any where; but the Nutmegs this Ifland produces are fair and large, yet they have great ftore of them, being unwilling to propagate them or the Cloves, for fear that fhould invite the Dutch to vifit them, and bring them into fubjection, as they have done the reft of the Neighbouring Iflands where they grow. For the Dutch being feated among the Spice-Iflands, have monopolized all the Trade into their own hands, and will not fuffer any of the Natives to difpofe of it, but to themfelves alone. Nay, they are fo careful to preferve it in their own hands, that they will not fuffer the Spice to grow in the un- [+++---] 317 An. 1686 The Dutch monopolize the Spice. uninhabited Iflands, but fend Soldiers to cut the Trees down. Captain Rofy told me, that while he lived with the Dutch, he was fent with other men to cut down the Spice Trees; and that he himfelf did at feveral times cut down 7 or 800 Trees. Yet altho the Dutch take fuch care to deftroy them, there are many uninhabited Iflands that have great plenty of Spice-trees, as I have been informed by Dutch- men that have been there, particularly by a Cap- tain of a Dutch Ship that I met with at Achin, who told me, that near the Ifland Banda there is an If- land where the Cloves falling from the Trees do lye and rot on the ground, and they are at the time when the Fruit falls, 3 or 4 inches thick under the Trees. He and fome others told me, that it would not be a hard matter for an Englifh Veffel to pur- chafe a Ships Cargo of Spice, of the Natives of fome of thefe Spice Iflands. [---+++] He was a free Merchant that told me this. For by that name the Dutch and Englifh in the Eaft In- dies, diftinguifh thofe Merchant who are not Ser- vants to the Company. The free Merchants are not fuffered to Trade to the Spice Iflands, nor to many other places where the Dutch have Factories; but on the other hand, they are fuffered to Trade to fome places where the Dutch Company them- felves may not Trade, as to Achin particularly, for there are fome Princes in the Indies, who will not Trade with the Company for fear of them. The Sea-men that go to the Spice Ilands are obliged to bring no Spice from thence for themfelves, except a fmall matter for their own ufe, about a pound or two. Yet the mafters of thofe Ships do common- ly fo order their bufinefs, that they often fecure a good quantity, and fend it afhore to fome place near Batavia, before they come into that Harbour, (for it is always brought thither, firft before it's fent to Europe,) and if they meet any Veffel at Sea that will [+++---] 318 An. 1686 The Betel-Tree and Nut. will buy their Cloves, they will fell 10 or 15 Tuns out of 100, and yet feemingly carry their comple- ment to Batavia; for they will pour water among the remaining part of their Cargo, which will fwell them to that degree, that the Ships hold will be as full again, as it was before any were fold. This trick they ufe whenever they difpofe of any clan- deftinely, fot the Cloves when they firft take them in are extraordinary dry; and fo will imbibe a great deal of moifture. This is but one inftance, of many hundreds, of little deceitful arts the Dutch Seamen in thefe parts have among them, of which I have both feen and heard feveral. I believe there are no where greater Thieves; and nothing will perfwade them to difcover one another; for fhould any do it, the reft would certainly knock him on the head. But to return to the products of Min- danao. [---+++] The Betel Nut is much efteemed here, as it is in moft places of the Eaft Indies. The Betel-tree grows like the Cabbage-tree, but it is not fo big, nor fo high. The body grows ftreight, about 12 or 14 foot high, without Leaf or Branch, except at the head. There it fpreads forth long Branches like other Trees of the like nature, as the Cabbage-tree, the Coco-nut Tree, and the Palm. Thefe Branches are about 10 or 12 foot long, and their ftems near the head of the Tree, as big as a mans Arm. On the top of the Tree among the Branches, the Betel-nut grows on a tough ftem, as big as a mans Finger, in clufters much as the Coco-nuts do, and they grow 40 or 50 in a clufter. This Fruit is bigger than a Nutmeg, and is much like it, but rounder. It is much ufed all over the Eaft Indies. The way is to cut it in four pieces, and wrap one of them up in an Areck leaf, which they fpread with a foft pafte made of Lime or Plaifter, and then chew it altogether. Every [+++---] 319 An. 1686 Betel and Arek, Durians, Tree and Fruit. Every man in thefe parts carries his Lime box by his fide, and dipping his finger into it, fpreads his Betel and Arek leaf with it. The Arek is a fmall Tree or Shrub, of a green Bark, and the Leaf is long and broader than a Willow. They are packt up to fell into parts that have them not, to chew with the Betel. The Betel-nut is moft efteem'd when it is young, and before it grows hard, and then they cut it only in two pieces with the green husk or fhell on it. It is then exceeding juicy, and therefore makes them fpit much. It taftes rough in the mouth, and dies the Lips red, and makes the Teeth black, but it preferves them and cleanfeth the Gums. It is alfo accounted very wholefom for the Stomach; but fometimes it will caufe great giddi- nefs in the head of thofe that are not ufe to chew it. But this is the effect only of the old Nut, for the young Nuts will not do it. I fpeak of my own experience. [---+++] This Ifland produceth alfo Durians and Jacks. The Trees that bear the Durians, are as big as Ap- ple Trees, full of Boughs. The Rind is thick and rough; the Fruit is fo large that they grow only about the Bodies, or on the Limbs near the Body, like the Cacao. The Fruit is about the bignefs of a large Pumkin, covered with a thick green rough Rind. When it is ripe the Rind begins to turn yellow, but it is not fit to eat till it opens at the top. Then the Fruit in the infide is ripe, and fends forth an excellent fcent. When the Rind is opened, the Fruit may be fplit into 4 quarters; each quarter hath feveral fmall cells; that inclofe a certain quantity of the Fruit, according to the bignefs of the cell, for fome are larger than others. The largeft of the Fruit may be as big as a Pullets Egg: 'Tis as white as Milk, and as foft as Cream, and the tafte very delicious to thofe that are ac- cuftomed to them; but thofe who have not been ufed [+++---] 320 An. 1686 Jaca-tree and fruit. The Animals here. ufed to eat them, will diflike them at firft, becaufe they fmell like roafted Onions. This Fruit muft be eaten in its prime, (for there is no eating of it before it is ripe) and even then 'twill not keep a- bove a day or two before it putrifies, and turns black, or of a dark colour, and then it is not good. Within the Fruit there is a ftone as big as a fmall Bean, which hath a thin fhell over it. Thofe that are minded to eat the Stones or Nuts, roaft them, and then a thin fhell comes off, which inclofes the Nut; and it eats like a Chafenut. [---+++] The Jack or Jaca is much like the Durian, both in bignefs and fhape. The Trees that bear them alfo are much alike, and fo is their manner of the Fruits growing. But the infide is different; for the Fruit of the Durian is white, that of the Jack is yellow, and fuller of Stones. The Durian is moft efteemed; yet the Jack is very pleafant Fruit, and the Stones or Kernels are good roafted. [---+++] There are many other forts of Grain, Roots and Fruits in this Ifland, which to give a particular defcription of, would fill up a large Volume. [---+++] In this Ifland are alfo many forts of Beafts, both wild and tame; as Horfes, Bulls, and Cows, Buf- faloes, Goats, Wild-hogs, Deer, Monkies, Guano's, Lizards, Snakes, &c. I never faw or heard of any Beafts of Prey here, as in many other places. The Hogs are ugly Creatures; they have all great Knobs growing over their Eyes, and there are mul- titudes of them in the Woods. They are com- monly very poor, yet fweet. Dear are here very plentiful in fome places, where they are not di- fturbed. [---+++] Of the venenous kind of Creatures here areScor- pions, whofe fting is in their Tail, and Centapees, call'd by the Englifh 40 Legs,both which are alfo com- mon in the Weft Indies, in Jamaica, and elfewhere. Thefe Centapees are 4 or 5 inches long, as big as [+++---] 321 An. 1686 Fowl, Fifh, Rivers and Air. a Goose quill, but flattifh; of a dun or reddiſh co- lour on the Back; but Belly whitiſh, and full of Legs on each fide the Belly. Their fting or bite is more raging than the Scorpion. They lye in old Houfes, and dry Timber. There are feveral forts of Snakes; fome very poifonous. There is another fort of Creature like a Guano both in colour and fhape, but 4 times as big, whofe Tongue is like a fmall Harpoon, having two beards like the beards of a Fishook. They are faid to be very venenous, but I know not their names. I have feen them in other places alfo, as at Pulo Condore, or the Iftand Condore, and at Achin, and have been told that they are in the Bay of Bengal. [---+++] The Fowls of this Country are Ducks and Hens: Other tame Fowl I have not feen nor heard of any. The wild Fowl are Pidgeons, Parrots, Pa- rakits, Turtle-dove, and abundance of fmall Fowls. There are Bats as big as a Kite. [---+++] There are a great many Harbours, Creeks, and good Bays for Ships to ride in; and Rivers navi- gable for Canoas, Proes or Barks, which are all plentifully ftored with Fifh of divers forts, fo is al- fo the adjacent Sea. The chiefeft Fifh are Bonetas, Snooks, Cavally's, Bremes, Mullets, 10 Pounders, &c. Here are alfo plenty of Sea Turtle, and fmall Manatee; which are not near fo big as thofe in the Weft Indies. The biggeft that I faw would not weigh above 600l. but the flefh both of the Turtle and Manatee are very fweet. [---+++] The weather at Mindanao is temperate enough as to heat, for all it lies fo near the Equator; and efpecially on the borders near the Sea. There they commonly enjoy the breezes by day, and cooling Land-winds at night. The Winds are Eafterly one part of the year, and Wefterly the other. The Eafterly winds begin to fet in October, and it is the middle of November before they are fettled. Thefe [+++---] 322 An. 1686 The Winds and Weather. Thefe Winds bring fair weather. The Wefterly Winds begin to blow in May, but are not fettled till a month afterwards. The Weft Winds always bring Rain, Tornadoes, and very tempeftuous Weather. At the firft coming in of thefe Winds they blow but faintly; but then the Tornadoes rife one in a day, fometimes two. Thefe are Thunder-fhowers which commonly come againft the Wind, bringing with them a contrary Wind to what did blow before. After the Tornadoes are over, the Wind fhifts about again, and the Sky be- comes clear, yet then in the Valleys and the fides of the Mountains, there rifeth a thick fog, which covers the Land. The Tornadoes continue thus for a week or more; then they come thicker, 2 or 3 in a day, bringing violent gufts of Wind, and terrible claps of Thunder. At laft they come fo faft, that the Wind remains in the quarter from whence thefe Tornadoes do rife, which is out of the Weft, and there it fettles till October or Novem- ber. When thefe Weftward Winds are thus fettled, the Sky is all in mourning, being covered with black Clouds; pouring down exceffive Rains, fometimes mixt with Thunder and Lightning, that nothing can be more difmal. The Winds raging to that degree, that the biggeft Trees are torn up by the Roots, and the Rivers fwell and overflow their Banks, and drown the low Land, carrying great Trees into the Sea. Thus it continues fome- times a week together, before the Sun or Stars appear. The fierceft of this weather is in the latter end of July and in Auguft, for then the Towns feem to ftand in a great Pond, and they go from one houfe to another in Canoas. At this time the Water carries away all the filth and naftinefs from under their Houfes. Whilft this tempeftuous feafon lafts, the weather is cold and chilly. In September the wea- ther is more moderate, and the Winds are not fo fierce, [+++---] 323 An. 1686 The Wind and Weather. fierce, nor the Rain fo violent. The Air thence- forward begins to be more clear and delightfome; but then in the morning there are thick Fogs, con- tinuing till 10 or 11 a clock before the Sun fhines out, efpecially when it has rained in the night. In October the Eafterly Winds begin to blow again, and bring fair weather till April. Thus much concern- ing the natural ftate of Mindanao.