flows through the Countrey of the _Tapuyans_, causes (it he thinks fit)
to be publish’d through the whole Camp of the Enemy, whither he will go
the next Morning, and what he will do all the Day following, having
first consulted with his Council of Sorcerers. Before they march they
wash their Bodies in the River; rub themselves all over with Sand, and
afterwards wash it off again, then stretch themselves till all their
Joynts crack, run to the Fire, and when throughly warm, scratch their
Bodies with certain Fish-Teeth, insomuch that the Blood gushes out of
several places, all which they judge to be good against wearisomness.
About a Stones-cast from the King’s Tent lie two thick Logs, a large
Stride one from the other, against which the whole Multitude stand
divided into two Parties, each of whom chuse the strongest Man accounted
amongst them to carry the Log for a Wager, and when these two are tir’d,
they are releas’d by others, and he that comes last to the appointed
place with the Log, is laugh’d at by the Party to which he belong’d that
was there first, where they all stay for the Youths that bring their
Arms, which when they have deliver’d, they all fall to work, cutting
down Trees, breaking off the Boughs, sticking them in the Ground, and
tying them together on the top for Tents, which are built in rows one
against another, leaving a broad Path between. Mean while the Women and
Children coming with their Baggage, the Men run to Fish and Hunt, or to
seek Honey. The old Women dig up Roots, which stamp’d serve them for
Bread, whilest the young Women help one another to prepare the Meat in
the Huts. Moreover the Men spend their time in several Exercises, as
Wrestling and Running, of which two Women, appointed for that purpose,
are the Judges. When the Evening draws on upon them, then the Youths
dividing themselves into Companies, go Singing from one Tent to another,
and are follow’d by the Maids Dancing and Leaping, every one standing
behind him whom she loves best; and this is look’d upon as a singular
sign of affection. When a young Man is inclin’d to Marry, he carries
Honey and Venison to his Mistresses Father, who if he hath more than one
Daughter acquaints the Soothsayers with it, who inform the King
concerning it; he then causes all the young Men and Maids to be call’d
together out of the Camp, sends them into the Woods to Hunt out a wild
Beast, which they no sooner see, but they return and acquaint the
Multitude therewith, who immediately surrounding the Place, soon catch
the Beast, whose Entrails they pull out and throw to the Dogs, and give
the Flesh to the Women to roast, which when ready they make merry with,
Singing and Dancing after they have eaten; then if the Youth hath
behav’d himself well in pursuing of the wild Beast, the King grants him
the Maid which he desires for his Wife: Four days before the Wedding
they bore a Hole through each of the Bridegrooms Cheeks with a sharp
piece of Wood, which done they solemnize the Marriage; at which the King
himself distributes the Meat to every Guest as he thinks fit; after
Dinner they extol the Mothers Care, in preserving her Daughters
Virginity for the Bridegroom in strange Songs. If a Maid be
Marriageable, and no Suitor comes to her, then the Mother draws red
Strokes under her Eyes, and conducts her to the King, who sets the Maid
down by him on a Mat, warms his Hands against the Fire, then stroaks
himself and the Maid, and also blows Tobacco-Smoak on her and himself,
which done, he performs the part of a Husband with her. But their making
Holes through their Ears and Lips is done whilest they are Children,
after this manner: The Boys who undergo this Ceremony, come to the Place
appointed, where the whole Multitude Dance and Sing, and the Conjurers
(who are the onely Priests they have) sit in two rows opposite to one
another; one of them starting up, takes a Boy by the Head, ties him Hand
and Foot that he cannot stir at all; which done, a second Sorcerer comes
to his assistance, and with a sharp-pointed Stick bores Holes through
his Ears and Lips, whilest the Mother of the Boy makes a sad
Lamentation. Women refuse to have any familiarity with their Husbands as
soon as they perceive themselves to be with Child; and as soon as any
Woman is Deliver’d, she runs into a neighboring Wood, where with a Shell
she cuts off the Childs Navel, which boyling she eats with the
After-birth; then washes her self and the Child every Morning and
Evening in cold Water; as long as she gives Suck her Husband lies not
with her, unless it be a Man that hath but one Wife. If a Woman commit
Adultery, her Husband beats her out of his House, but if he takes her in
the Act, it is lawful for him to kill both. In the middle of the King’s
Tent stands a great _Calabash_ full of Stones call’d _Kehnturah_,
cover’d with the corner of a Mat, which none dares approach without the
King’s leave, unless it be to smoak the same with Tobacco, or to lay
Venison or Honey before it.”
[Sidenote: Strange manner of curing the Sick amongst the _Tapuyans_.]
It is also remarkable how the Sorcerers deal with their Sick; the
aforesaid _Jacob Rabbi_, in Eye-witness relates, That the King _Drarugh_
being extreamly troubled with pains in his Sides and Legs, and finding
no help amongst his Sorcerers, who pretended to be Physicians, went to
the neighboring King of the _Tapuyans_, where three undertook to cure
him, which they did after this manner: One of them blew Tobacco-smoak on
his Body, suck’d his Knees, roar’d like a Lyon, and after much ado
vomited a little Eel into his Hand, which he pretended had put the King
to so much pain; whilest the second suck’d his Belly, and also roar’d
exceedingly, and vomited forth at last a Stone, on which appear’d a
Rose; the third suck’d his left Side, till he vomited something like a
Root; after which the King is said immediately to have recover’d.
[Sidenote: Their Feasting in honor of the Stars.]
There is but little Ceremony of Religion to be found amongst the
_Tapuyans_, onely they shew Reverence to the Seven-stars when the Fruits
of the Field are ripe, after this manner: First they spend three days in
Dancing and Singing, then the Youths prepare themselves to Fight with
Lances and Clubs, tie tough Twigs about their Legs, pour Honey on their
Heads, tie their Hair behind in Knots after it is powder’d with red
Powder, Paint their Faces and Bodies with several Colours, stick a long
Feather in their Necks betwixt their Hair, and on their Heads set
Garlands of red Feathers pleited, down their Backs hang Bundles of
Branches like Tails, and have their Arms adorn’d with the Wings of the
Bird _Kosetug_; thus dress’d they fight three days, at the end whereof
the Conquerors shew great joy.
It deserves special observation what the Learned _Gerard Vossius_
relates of them from the Mouth of _Christopher Arcisseusky_, a _Polish_
Nobleman, famous for his heroick Exploits for the _United Netherlands_
in _Brasile_.
[Sidenote: _Arcisseusky_’s Relation of the Manners of the new Married.]
“The _Tapuyans_ (saith he) are a People that range up and down, never
staying long in one place, between _Siara_ and _Meranthon_, a vast Tract
of Land, and go almost naked, having onely a slight Covering about their
Middle. When the _Hollanders_ gave them Clothes, they admir’d the
strange Fashion thereof, and after two days return’d them again: In
their Lips, Nostrils, Ears and Cheeks they hung Ornamentals of Wood,
Bones, Feathers, or Stones; a great Club, and a strong Bowe made of hard
Wood serve them for Arms; Gold and Silver they esteem’d not, wherefore
they barter’d whole Chests full (buried there by the _Portuguese_ and
discover’d by them) with the _Hollanders_ for Greyhounds: They judge
themselves to be better than other Man-eaters, because they eat not the
Flesh of their Enemies, but of their own Relations, and those neither
kill’d in the Wars, nor dying a natural Death; by which they pretend to
express their exceeding love to the Deceased, who else would, say they,
be eaten by the Worms and rot, wherefore they rather chuse to eat them,
that they may receive the nourishment themselves.”
[Illustration]
The same Author relates also, That he saw a _Tapuyan_ yield up the Ghost
not far from the Castle _Rio Grande_, after which his nearest Relations
taking the Body, wash’d the same, together with the Entrails, and
cutting the Corps into several pieces, roasted the same on a Spit,
preserving the Fat that dropt from it in Pans, and eat the Flesh with a
greedy Appetite. None were admitted to this Feast but his chief
Relations; and that which they could not eat, as the Hair, Teeth, Nails,
and Bones, they burnt to Ashes, which gathering up they mix’d with their
Liquor till it was all drunk up.
[Sidenote: The Religion of the _Tapuyans_.]
The _Tapuyans_ acknowledge two Deities, the one good and the other bad;
to the good they shew no Reverence, because, say they, he is bountiful
of himself, and doth them no hurt; whereas on the contrary they
zealously call upon their Devil-Deity, because they think he destroys
all those who worship him not.
[Sidenote: Their foretelling of things to come.]
They never Travel nor go to War before they have consulted with their
angry God, and that not without great Ceremonies; whereupon they ascribe
to themselves the knowledge of future things; and indeed they often
foretel future things which are beyond humane apprehension; as a
testimony whereof that may serve which _Sapo Amama_, a _Friezland_
Gentleman, found by experience: for he keeping Guard before _Conjahu_
with a Troop of Horse against the _Portuguese_, had several _Tapuyans_
in his Service, who foretold, That the following day the Lieutenant
_Amama_ and a Trooper should be kill’d by a Shot from a great Gun;
which, though slighted, was confirm’d by the exact fulfilling of the
Prediction. The like Passages hapned daily, and amongst many
_Arcisseusky_ relates one very remarkable Accident, _viz._ He remov’d a
considerable number of Men of the Garrison _Rio Grande_, to surprize the
_Spanish_ Fort _Barra-Canium_, and nothing could more promote the Design
than secrecy; but fifty _Tapuyans_ having joyn’d with the _Hollanders_,
_Arcisseusky_ fear’d they might discover his Plot, wherefore he charg’d
them that they should not stir a foot from his Company, which they
accordingly promis’d, and having march’d three days through By-ways,
they daily perform’d their Devotion in open view, and _Arcisseusky_
desir’d that they would call him when their Devil appear’d, which they
granted, on promise that he should not do him any hurt: On the third day
the Army being sufficiently refresh’d, he being call’d, found the
_Tapuyans_ sitting in a Semi-Circle, with their Feet spread asunder;
opposite to them sat their Priest on the Ground, whom they ask’d
concerning all manner of Affairs, and he question’d them again, on which
they gave their several Answers, but could not be understood for want of
Interpreters, for those whom the _Hollanders_ us’d spake only two
Languages, one of which is us’d commonly by the _Brasilians_ along the
Sea-Coast, and the other by the _Portuguese_, in which they Interpreted
to the _Hollanders_ as much as possibly they could understand of what
the _Tapuyans_ said, whose Language differs very much from the vulgar
_Brasile_ Tongue, because they live up in the Inland, and are divided
into divers Tribes, so that the Interpreters could not understand the
_Tapuyans_, but judg’d their meaning more by nodding of the Head, and
the like signs: after the Assembly had done speaking, the Priest rose up
and went out of their sights into the Wood, where with a loud voice he
call’d three times upon the Devil; but he not answering, the Priest
return’d to his Company, who began their Questions and Answers afresh,
which could not be understood by the Interpreters; and soon after the
Priest (seeming to be commanded by the rest) went again to the Wood, but
calling still in vain, return’d; then going a third time, and calling as
before, was by a small, but shrill Voice, answer’d from the middle of
the Wood, from which the _Tapuyans_ concluded that their Business would
come to perfection, and that the Devil would soon appear to them: The
Priest hereupon going backwards and forwards three times one after
another to his Company, they began to talk as before; at last going into
the Wood again, they all spoke louder, and with more vehemency than
before, whilest the fore-mention’d shrill Voice approached nearer and
nearer, and at last the supposed _Dæmon_ came forth with the Priest, who
commanded him to sit opposite to the Congregation, which had a great
deal of Discourse, and sometimes the Priest speaking was answer’d by the
Devil in his shrill Voice; but some of the People calling aloud, catch’d
up their Arms, and threatned to beat the Devil, as they often us’d to do
upon the like occasions. At the departure of the _Dæmon_, the Multitude
conducted by the Priest into the Wood, cry’d out in so terrible a
manner, that they affrighted the _Hollanders_, who judg’d it rather to
be Lyons and Tygers that roar’d than Men. During these Transactions, a
_German_ Soldier in the Rere quitted his Arms and fled, but being miss’d
was pursu’d, found in a Hedge, and laid Hold on as a Person suspected to
carry Advice to the _Spaniards_, and being brought before _Arcisseusky_
and Examined, gave such ridiculous Answers as increas’d the suspicion,
insomuch that he was led to a Tree to be tortur’d; where as he stood
ty’d he solemnly declar’d, That the reason of his running away, was
because he had not Pray’d in ten years, so that he was exceedingly
afraid, lest when he saw the Devil amongst the _Tapuyans_, he would have
known him, and carry’d him away to the Place prepar’d for all such
Wretches.
[Sidenote: The Imposture.]
The Learned _Gerard Vossius_ made a particular Enquiry after this Story,
whether the Spirit’s appearance were a Reality, or an Imposture; and the
truth is it was no better than a subtile Cheat, and so it was
apprehended by _Arcisseusky_, who not long after, on a convenient time,
ask’d the _Tapuyans_ why they feign’d him to be a Devil that was a Man,
whom he had often seen before? which they denying, affirm’d that it was
a real Devil; but _Arcisseusky_ knew their pretended Friend, who spake
so shrill by reason of a Grass-blade which he held in his Mouth.
However, though the main of the Fable was acted by Man, yet the Devil
without doubt play’d his part with them, as appear’d by those
Predictions, which no Man could possibly know, _viz._ That the
_Portuguese_ Fort should with the loss but of three Men fall into the
_Hollanders_ hands; for so accordingly it hapned. But because the Devil
cannot foresee all things, therefore they often erre; for they said that
the _Hollanders_ should cross the Moat on Boards nail’d together in
stead of a Bridge, and that the Enemy should not perceive it; and indeed
_Arcisseusky_ had resolv’d so to do, but was discover’d by the
_Portuguese_, who defended themselves with great Guns, which so
affrighted the _Tapuyans_, not us’d to such a noise, that they ran away
and never return’d, so that by Morning the Fort was conquer’d, and all
things quieted.
[Sidenote: A pleasant Story between _Arcisseusky_ and a _Tapuyan_
Priest.]
After this _Arcisseusky_ burnt several _Portuguese_ Ships in the River
_Monguoape_, and kept one, carrying ten Demi-Culverins, laden with Sugar
and _Spanish_ Wine; which to carry to a safe Harbor a short Way, he
requir’d the _Tapuyans_ assistance; but they refus’d to enter,
pretending the Ship would perish by some or other unfortunate Accident,
which accordingly hapned as they had said; for the Ship was split
against a Rock in the Mouth of a narrow Haven, insomuch that nothing of
it was sav’d; all which the _Tapuyans_ knew beforehand by the Devil’s
information, for they never go upon any Business of consequence before
they have consulted with him, and done him worship. Yet, it seems, they
cannot secure this Devil of theirs from the Stripes of a Mortal, as
appears by this pleasant Story: A _Tapuyan_ Priest was promis’d a Shirt
from _Arcisseusky_, upon condition the Devil should pull the same out of
his Hand and carry it up in the Air: The _Tapuyan_ liking the Proposal,
promis’d immediately to call the Devil; but when _Arcisseusky_ desir’d
leave to Drub him with a Stick which he had in his Hand, he could by no
means perswade the Priest to call for his _Dæmon_; at which every one
began to laugh: and to carry on the Mirth farther, _Arcisseusky_ Joking
with the Priest, said, _I will shew you that I am a greater Artist than
you, for to Morrow I will bring it about by my Art, that great Horns
shall grow on your Head, so big, that you shall not be able to pass
these Doors_; which so affrighted the _Tapuyans_, that all of them fled,
onely the Priest return’d the next day with an Interpreter to
_Arcisseusky_, desiring him that he would use him mercifully, and not
cause any Horns to grow on his Head.
At the time when _Jacob Rabbi_ convers’d amongst the _Tapuyans_, they
were Govern’d by _Janduy_, a Man of above a hundred years old, whose
chief Seat was on each side of the River _Otschunogh_, and round about
the Lake _Igtug_, in which none durst Swim, because of the many biting
Fishes in the same.
The King _Pritigaba_ having entred into a strict League with _Janduy_,
Warr’d continually against the Kings _Arygpoygh_, _Wanasewasug_,
_Tshering_, and _Dremenige_; and had not the _Portuguese_ taken the four
last into their Service to aid them against the _Hollanders_, they could
never have held out long against the Forces sent by _Janduy_, who
destroy’d Man, Beast, and Houses, sparing nothing they met with; for
they murther and destroy all things where e’re they come.
[Sidenote: _Brasile_ by whom possess’d at present.]
The several Nations that now possess _Brasile_, besides its native
Inhabitants, are _Portuguese_, _English_, _Hollanders_, _Germans_, and
_French_, which the _Brasilians_ by a general Name call _Ajuru-juba_;
otherwise they call all Strangers _Caraiba_ or _Pero_. But from the
commixing of several Nations proceeds a fifth sort, for one that is born
of _European_ Parents in _Brasile_ is call’d _Mozombo_; of an _European_
Father and _Brasilian_ Mother, _Mameluc_; of an _European_ Father and a
_Moor_, _Mulatto_; of a _Brasilian_ and _Moor_, _Curiboca_, or
_Cabocles_; of two _Negro_’s, _Criolo_. But above all others the
_Portuguese_ are the strongest along the Sea-Coast, who when first they
began to settle on _Brasile_, found great resistance; and had not the
Natives been at Wars amongst themselves, they could never have got so
much footing, but now they are sufficiently Masters; for they have
either slain all the old Inhabitants, or driven them up into the Inland:
However, the _Brasilians_ are so valiant, that they will Encounter a
great Army, being brought up in the Wars from their Cradle. When they
Engage one with another they shoot their Arrows exceeding thick,
Hooting, Hollowing, and Leaping from one side to the other to shun the
Arrows with a wonderful dexterity: The Conquerors spare none, but kill
all, and Feast on the slain Bodies; but some they hale away Prisoners
with a Rope about their Necks, to each of whom they allot a young Maid,
who cherishes and fattens them up for five Moneths, at the end of which
they make a great Feast, and drink to a pitch beyond Sense or Reason,
having first fill’d their Bellies with the Flesh of the slain Prisoners
roasted. If the Woman be got with Child by the Slain, they imagine that
they can take no greater revenge of their Enemy, than to devour the
Child as soon as it comes into the World; but it often happens, that the
Woman really loving her Husband the Prisoner, runs away with him, and so
bereaves her Friends of a Banquet.
SECT. II.
St. Vincent.
[Sidenote: Places of note in the _Præfecture_ of _St. Vincent_.]
The continual Wars which the _Portuguese_ have maintain’d against the
_Brasilians_, have hindred them from Setling any where but along the
Sea-side, where their Residences are divided into thirteen _Præfectures_
or Lordships, by them call’d _Capitanias_; the Southermost whereof being
1. _St. Vincent_, hath a City of the same Denomination, which lies near
a River that coming out of the Ocean runs round in the Countrey, and so
returns into the Sea.
2. _Sanctos los Leyes_, which reckons four hundred Houses and three
Sugar-Mills. Here great Ships take in their Lading in the middle of the
City.
3. _Hitauhacin_, the most Southern, is inhabited by the _Portuguese_.
Twelve Leagues from thence up into the Countrey the _Jesuits_ have built
the Village _St. Paulo_, near the Gold-Mines that lie in the Mountains,
extending from East to West thirty Leagues. This Village, long since
containing eighty Houses, is inhabited by _Brasilians_ and a mix’d
People; the Way thither is troublesom, over rough Mountains, and Ways
overgrown with Brambles.
On the Island _Britioga_, at a sandy Inlet which makes a good Harbor,
lies a Fort for defence of the Haven _St. Vincent_: and since the
_English_, _Anno 1582._ sunk a Ship there, a second Fort hath been built
to prevent the coming in up the River; yet notwithstanding Captain
_Thomas Candish_ ran by both the Forts, and burnt _St. Vincent_, but
spar’d _Sanctos_.
Before the River which washes _St. Vincent_, appears the Island
_Sebastian_, pretty large, wooddy, and well stor’d with Venison; It hath
wholsom Water, good Herbage, and a secure Road for Ships against all
Winds.
Farther into the Sea appears the high and rocky Isles _Alcatraces_, as
also _Victorio des Busires_, _Porto des Castellanos_, _Monte de Frigo_,
_Muella_, and _Queimadas_.
[Sidenote: The Nature of the _Tupinikinsi_, Natives of _St. Vincent_.]
The Natives of _St. Vincent_, which are in League with the _Portuguese_,
are call’d _Tupinikinsi_, inhabiting the Mountains which extend above
twenty eight Leagues up into the Countrey: They maintain continual Wars
against the _Carioes_, a civiliz’d People, and white of Complexion, as
also against the _Cupin Imbas_ on the North, and a nameless People
bordering on _Peru_. Moreover, the _Miramumins_, a very wild People,
range all the Countrey over, but are much lessen’d since the
_Portugueses_ Arrival.
SECT. III.
Rio de Janeiro.
[Sidenote: First Discovery and Possession of _Rio de Janeiro_.]
The second Lordship _Rio de Janeiro_, formerly by the _French_ call’d
_Ganabara_, was discover’d _Anno 1515._ by _Juan Dias de Solis_; but the
_French_ first Setled themselves here forty years after _Dias de Solis_:
for setting Sail from _Havre de Grace_ with three well Mann’d Ships,
Commanded by _Nicholas Durandus Villegagnon_, they arriv’d at _Rio
Janeiro_ in _November_, and at the Entrance into the River, which is
about half a League broad, built a woodden Fort of a hundred Foot long,
and sixty broad, and giving it the Name of the _French_ Admiral
_Coligni_, put several Guns into the same to secure the Entrance,
inclos’d on each side by two steep Mountains. In the River, which is
very broad, lie several wooddy Isles, on one of which, near the Fort
_Coligni_, _Villegagnon_ Setling himself, suffer’d great Inconveniences
for want of Water, because he durst not Land on the Main, for fear of
being surpris’d by the Natives. Here he stay’d a year and a half in a
deplorable Condition, when _Philip Corguileray_ and _Du Pont_ set Sail
with three Ships from the Haven _Honfleurs_; but they also, though they
had many Men, yet were ill stor’d with Provisions, insomuch that Hunger
increas’d amongst them daily: wherefore _Villegagnon_ return’d home
without any farther Exploits.
[Sidenote: _Jean Leri_ his Description thereof.]
_Jean Leri_, who went with _Corguileray_, describes _Rio Janeiro_ after
this manner:
“The River (saith he) lies twenty three Degrees Southward of the
_Equinoctial Line_; the Inlet of the Sea, twenty four thousand Paces
broad, and in some places broader, is hemm’d in by hills; the Mouth of
the Inlet is somewhat dangerous, by reason of three rocky Isles; beyond
the large Bay is a narrow Channel, on the left-hand whereof there rises
a high Mountain, which the _French_ call’d _Le Pot de Beure_, because it
resembles a Butter-pot. Somewhat farther lies the Rock _Ratier_, where
_Villegagnon_ thought to build a Fort, but the Water in stormy Weather
washing over the Rock, he was forc’d to give over his Design. Half a
League farther is an Island a thousand Paces in length, and a hundred
and fifty in breadth, surrounded with Rocks, on which the _French_
resided: at each end of the Isle rises a Hill, and from the middle a
Rock sixty Foot high; on the Hill _Villegagnon_ pitcht his Tent till he
had built him a handsom House on a Rock; the other Houses were built in
the Valley. Three Leagues and a half farther lies a fruitful Isle nine
Miles in circumference, inhabited by a salvage People call’d
_Touoebinambauti_: there are several other Isles, on which breed good
Oysters with little Pearls, which stick so fast to great Stones, that
they can scarce be pluckt off. The River _Janeiro_ abounds with Fish.”
[Sidenote: Towns and Places of chief note.]
The _French_ once possess’d this Island, but were dispossess’d by
_Emanuel de Sa_, Governor of _Brasile_, for the _Portuguese_.
The City _Sebastian_, which contains three hundred Houses, is built on
the Southern Point of _Janeiro_; opposite to which, on the Northern
Point, lies the Fort; a large Church, the _Jesuits_ Cloyster, and two
Sugar-Mills, give no small lustre to the City, where the chief Trade
consists in _Brasile_ Wood and Cotton. The _French_ Storm’d this Town
_Anno 1581._ but march’d off without any success. _Dirk Ruiters_, an
Eye-witness, gives us this Description of _Sebastian_:
“The Town (says he) lies two Leagues up the River _Janeiro_, in a Bay,
about which it is built like a Semi-Circle in a sandy Soil along the
Water, and is about a Mile long; at each end rise steep Mountains,
besides which it hath neither Walls nor Gates; but its strength consists
of four Forts, the chiefest whereof stands towards the East on a Rock in
the Mouth of the River; the second towards the West, an Isle which on
the South-East rises with a Mountain resembling a Sugar-Loaf: the third
crowns a Rock South-East from the Town; and the fourth, in the
North-West, a high Mountain. The Natives, call’d _Tououpinambauti_, are
very serviceable to the _Portuguese_.”
Besides the fore-mention’d Towns _Coligni_ and _St. Sebastian_, some
make mention of another in this _Præfecture_, call’d _Angra de los
Reyes_, twelve Leagues distant from _St. Sebastian_ Westward.
The Burroughs of the Natives are populous, but neither strong by Nature,
nor fortifi’d, and so not by any one thought worthy the naming.
SECT. IV.
De Spirito Sancto.
[Sidenote: Description of the Lordship _De Spirito Sancto_.]
[Sidenote: Several strange sorts of Fish.]
Next to _Rio Janeiro_ lies the Lordship or County _De Spirito Sancto_,
exceeding fruitful, having divers Woods abounding with Venison. The
Rivers _Parayva_, _Manangea_, _Itapemeri_, _Iritibi_, and _Guarapari_,
are stor’d with all sorts of Fish, and amongst others the Fish
_Piratiapua_, which in the Winter Moneths lives in the Rivers, and
against the Summer returns to the Rocks wash’d by the Ocean. This Fish
hath a wide Mouth full of Teeth, a reddish Tongue, little Fins, except
those on their Backs, divers colour’d Scales, yet most of a dark Red,
and generally weighs fifty Pound.
Here is also the Fish _Paru_, full of yellow Scales like Half-Moons over
a black Skin; it hath long Fins near the Tail, and a little Head.