Page 150
An.1684
Palmeto tree.
out into the Sea; from whence they can see all Ships that anchor at Point Arena. The Indians come thither in the morning, and return at night on Horse-back. From this watching point to Point Arena it is 4 leagues, all drowned Mangrove-land; and in the midway between these two Points is ano- ther small Point, where these Indians are oblig'd to keep another Watch, when they fear an Enemy. The Centinel goes thither in a Canoa in the morn- ing, and returns at night; for there is no coming thither by Land, through that Mangrove marshy ground. The middle of the Island Puna is Savannah or pasture. There are some ridges of good Wood- land, which is of a light yellow or sandy mould, producing large tall Trees, most unknown even to Travellers: But there are plenty of Palmeto Trees, which, because I am acquainted with, I shall de- scribe. The Palmeto Tree is about the bigness of an ordinary Ash: It is about 30 foot high; the body streight, without any limb, or branch, or leaf, ex- cept at the head only, where it spreads forth into many small branches, not half so big as a mans arm, some no bigger than ones finger: These branches, are about 3 or 4 foot long, clear from any knot: At the end of the branch there groweth one broad leaf, about the bigness of a large Fan. This, when it first shoots forth, grows in folds, like a Fan when it is closed; and still as it grows bigger so it opens, till it becomes like a Fan spread abroad. It is strengthned towards the stalk with many small ribs springing from thence, and growing into the leaf; which as they grow near the end of the leaf, grow thinner and smaller. The Leaves that make the brush part of the Flag-brooms which are brought in- to England, grow just in this manner; and are in- deed a small kind of Palmeto; for there are of them of several dimensions. In Bermudas, and elsewhere, they make Hats, Baskets, Brooms, Fans to blow the