without partaking of a softer soil. Hence it comes that their roots, for
the greatest part, are seen naked, entangled among the rocks like the
branching of ivy against our walls. That part of this island which
stretches to the north is totally uninhabited: the reason is, first,
because it is incommodious, and unhealthy: and, secondly, for the
ruggedness of the coast, that gives no access to the shore, unless among
rocks almost inaccessible: for this cause it is peopled only on the
south part, which hath only one port indifferently good: yet this
harbour has two entries, or channels, which afford passage to ships of
seventy guns; the port itself being without danger, and capable of
receiving a great number of vessels. The inhabited parts, of which the
first is called the Low-Lands, or Low-Country: this is the chief among
the rest, because it contains the port aforesaid. The town is called
Cayona, and here live the chiefest and richest planters of the island.
The second part is called the Middle Plantation: its soil is yet almost
new, being only known to be good for tobacco. The third is named Ringot,
and is situate towards the west part of the island. The fourth and last
is called the Mountain, in which place were made the first plantations
upon this island.

As to the wood that grows here, we have already said that the trees are
exceeding tall, and pleasing to the sight; whence no man will doubt, but
they may be applied to several uses. Such is the yellow saunder, which
by the inhabitants is called bois de chandel, or, in English,
candle-wood, because it burns like a candle, and serves them with light
while they fish by night. Here grows, also, lingnum sanctum, or
guaiacum: its virtues are very well known, more especially to those who
observe not the Seventh Commandment, and are given to impure
copulations!--physicians drawing hence, in several compositions, the
greatest antidote for venereal diseases; as also for cold and viscous
humours. The trees, likewise, which afford gummi elemi, grow here in
great abundance; as doth radix Chinae, or China root: yet this is not so
good as that of other parts of the western world. It is very white and
soft, and serves for pleasant food to the wild boars, when they can find
nothing else. This island, also, is not deficient in aloes, nor an
infinite number of the other medicinal herbs, which may please the
curiosity of such as are given to their contemplation: moreover, for
buildin