An Account of Some Particulars, Referring to Those of Jamaica, Numb. 27. and 36, Communicated by Mr. Norwood the Younger, an Eye-Witness

The whole complex of Ingredients is known to consist only of vulgar Aqua fortis (abstracted from two parts of Vitriol, and one of Salt-peter) and Quick-silver, and a small quantity of Silver, far less than you may reap in a small time from those Silver-speigs; yet gain there is none, there being more expenses blown away into smoak by continuance of fire in one month, than can be recover'd from this Silver-harvest in a longer time. And though this seem but a toy, yet 'tis very Philosophical, much informing the understanding, however it enrich not the purse. For here we see crude Mercury manifestly turn'd into Silver, notwithstanding 'tis deny'd by so many. So far this generous Observer for this time; with the last part of whose relations may be compared Numb. 39. p.779, 780. 'Tis hop'd, that hereafter more particulars of this Curious Traveller, concerning both the Subject, he hath here begun to discourse of, and others of a Philosophical nature, will be further communicated by him. An Account Of some particulars, referring to those of Jamaica, Numb. 27. and 36, Communicated by Mr. Norwood the younger, an Eyewitness. 1. Alligators are ship'd like Lizards, being four footed they walk with their Belly at distance from the ground, like Lizards. Those of a full growth, have Teeth like a Mastiff, and a Mouth of 1½ foot wide. They are of so strong a scent, that you may smell them at a pretty distance, when they lie on the land. They may be master'd and kill'd by any, dextrous and skill'd in the way of doing it, which is, that a Man be arm'd with a good long Tronchion, and fall upon them side-wayses; for doing it front-ways, they are too nimble for the assailant, and may, by leaping upon him, (which they can do the length of their whole Body) spoil him: but if he lay his Club on them against their shoulder, and behind their fore-feet, and lime them there, the beast being thereby rendred unable to move, is easily subdued. 2. Tortoises, if their blood be heated, they dye, and if they shall live, their blood must not be hotter, than the Element, they live in. 3. The Chigo's, described by Ligon, are not felt to have got into the body, till a week after. They will breed in great numbers, and shut themselves selves up in a bagg, which when you feel, there are certain skilfull Men who with little pain will take them out; having great care to take out the bagg entirely, that none of the brood (which are like Nits) may be left behind, for fear of giving rise to a new generation.* 4. The shining Flyes are a kind of Cantharides, looking green in the day time, but glowing and shining in the night, even when they are dead; this relator affirming, that he hath applyed them dead to a Printed and Written paper in the dark, and read it. 5. The Manchineel-Apple is one of the most beautiful fruits to the Eye, of the agreeablest to the smell, and of the pleasantest to the taste (being thence call'd by many the Eve-Apple), but if eaten, certain death. The wood of it yet green, if rubb'd against the hand, will fetch off the skin, or raise blisters; and if any drops of rain, falling from this Tree, light upon one's hand, or other naked part of the Body, it will also have the aforesaid effect. A Continuation of Dr. Wallis his second Letter, publish't in Numb. 39, to the Printed Paper of Mr. Du Laurens. This other part of Dr. Wallis's second Letter to Mr. Du Laurens, though written and sent to the Publisher at the same time, when the first part was, yet came not then abroad, upon a consideration intimated, in Numb. 38, p. 750, and the same could not find room in these Tracts, till this Month, when 'tis publish't, rather from a desire, further to comply with the said Du Laurens, demanding the reasons of the Animadverter's Censure, than from any proper occasion to disputes. The Publisher can bona fide assure the Author of the Paper, here further animadverted upon, of the reality of what is here affirm'd and profess'd by him, and in particular, that the original of this, what follows, came