aves thereof being dried
and brought into powder, they use to take the fume or smoke
thereof by sucking it through pipes made of clay into their
stomacke and heade, from whence it purgeth superfluous
fleame and other grosse humors; openeth all the pores and
passages of the body; by which means the use thereof not
only preserveth the body from obstructions, but also if any
be so that they have not beene of too long continuance, in
short time breaketh them; whereby their bodies are notably
preserved in health, and know not many grievous diseases
wherewithall we in England are oftentimes affected. This
uppowoc is of so precious estimation amongest them that they
thinke their gods are marvellously delighted therewith;
whereupon sometime they make halowed fires, and cast some of
the powder therein for a sacrifise. Being in a storme uppon
the waters, to pacifie their gods, they cast some up into
the aire and into the water: so a weave for fish being newly
set up, they cast some therein and into the aire; also after
an escape of danger they cast some into the aire likewise;
but all done with strange gestures, stamping, sometimes
dancing, clapping of hands, holding up of hands, and staring
up into the heavens, uttering there withal and chattering
strange wordes, and noises.

"We ourselves during the time we were there used to suck it
after their manner, as also since our returne, and have
found many rare and wonderful experiments of the virtues
thereof; of which the relation would require a volume of
itselfe; the use of it by so manie of late, men and women,
of great calling as else, and some learned phisitions also
is sufficient witnes."

The natives also when Drake[12] landed in Virginia, "brought a little
basket made of rushes, and filled with an herbe which they called
Tobah;" they "came also the second time to us bringing with them as
before had been done, feathers and bags of Tobah for presents, or
rather indeed for sacrifices, upon this persuasion that we were gods."

[Footnote 12: The World Encompassed. London, 1628.]

William Strachey[13] says of tobacco and its cultivation by the
Indians:

[Footnote 13: "The Historie of Travaile into Virginia
Britannica."]

"Here is great store of tobacco, which the salvages call
a