3. The _Turtle_ that lives in Lakes and is called in _Virginia_ a
_Terrapine_.
_The Soile._
The _Soile_ or _Sea Calf_, a Creature that brings forth her young
ones upon dry land, but at other times keeps in the Sea preying upon
Fish.
{35} _For Scalds and Burns, and for the Mother._
The Oyl of it is much used by the _Indians_, who eat of it with their
Fish, and anoint their limbs therewith, and their Wounds and Sores:
It is very good for Scalds and Burns; and the fume of it, being cast
upon Coals, will bring Women out of the Mother Fits. The Hair upon
the young ones is white, and as soft as silk; their Skins, with the
Hair on, are good to make Gloves for the Winter.
_The Sperma Ceti Whale._
The _Sperma Ceti Whale_ differeth from the _Whales_ that yield us
Whale-bones, for the first hath great and long Teeth, the other is
nothing but Bones with Tassels hanging from their Jaws, with which
they suck in their prey.
_What Sperma Ceti is._
It is not long since a _Sperma Ceti Whale_ or two were cast upon the
shore, not far from _Boston_ in the _Massachusetts Bay_, which being
cut into small pieces and boiled in Cauldrons, yielded plenty of Oyl;
the Oyl put up into Hogsheads, and flow’d into Cellars for some time,
Candies at the {36} bottom, it may be one quarter; then the Oyl is
drawn off, and the Candied Stuff put up into convenient Vessels is
sold for _Sperma Ceti_, and is right _Sperma Ceti_.
_For Bruises and Aches._
The Oyl that was drawn off Candies again and again, if well ordered;
and is admirable for Bruises and Aches.
_What Ambergreece is._
Now you must understand this _Whale_ feeds upon _Ambergreece_, as
is apparent, finding it in the _Whales_ Maw in great quantity, but
altered and excrementitious: I conceive that _Ambergreece_ is no
other than a kind of Mushroom growing at the bottom of some Seas; I
was once shewed (by a Mariner) a piece of _Ambergreece_ having a
root to it like that of the land Mushroom, which the _Whale_ breaking
up, some scape his devouring Paunch, and is afterwards cast upon
shore.
_The Coccle._[99]
A kind of _Coccle_, of whose Shell the _Indians_ make their Beads
called _Wompampeag_ and _Mohaicks_, the first are white, the other
blew, both _Orient_, and beau{37}tified with a purple Vein. The white
Beads are very good to stanch Blood.
_The Scarlet Muscle._
The _Scarlet Muscle_, at _Paschatawey_ a Plantation about fifty
leagues by Sea Eastward from _Boston_, in a small _Cove_ called
_Bakers Cove_ there is found this kind of _Muscle_ which hath a
purple Vein, which being prickt with a Needle yieldeth a perfect
purple or scarlet juice, dying Linnen so that no washing will wear it
out, but keeps its lustre many years: We mark our Handkerchiefs and
Shirts with it.[100]
_Fish of greatest Esteem in the West Indies._
The _Indians_ of _Peru_ esteem of three Fishes more than any other,
_viz._ the _Sea Torteise_, the _Tubaron_, and the _Manate_,[101]
or _Sea Cow_; but in _New-England_ the _Indians_ have in greatest
request, the _Bass_, the _Sturgeon_, the _Salmon_, the _Lamprey_, the
_Eel_, the _Frost-fish_, the _Lobster_ and the _Clam_.
{38} Fourthly, Of Serpents, and Insects.[102]
_The Pond Frog._[103]
The Pond _Frog_, which chirp in the Spring like _Sparows_, and croke
like Toads in Autumn: Some of these when they set upon their breech
are a Foot high; the _Indians_ will tell you, that up in the Country
there are Pond _Frogs_ as big as a Child of a year old.
_For Burns, Scalds, and Inflammations._
They are of a glistering brass colour, and very fat, which is
excellent for Burns and Scaldings, to take out the Fire, and heal
them, leaving no Scar; and is also very good to take away any
Inflammation.
_The Rattle Snake._[104]
The _Rattle Snake_, who poysons with a Vapour that comes thorough two
crooked Fangs in their Mouth; the hollow of these Fangs are as black
as Ink: The _Indians_, when weary with travelling, will {39} take
them up with their bare hands, laying hold with one hand behind their
Head, with the other taking hold of their Tail, and, with their teeth
tear off the Skin of their backs, and feed upon them alive; which
they say refresheth them.
_For frozen Limbs, Aches, and Bruises._
They have Leafs of Fat in their Bellies, which is excellent to
annoint frozen Limbs, and for Aches and Bruises wondrous soveraign.
Their Hearts swallowed fresh, is a good Antidote against their
Venome, and their Liver (the Gall taken out) bruised and applied to
their Bitings is a present Remedy.