An Extract Of a Letter, written to the Publisher from the Bermudas by Mr. Richard Stafford; concerning the Tydes there, as also Whales, Sperma Ceti, strange Spider-Webbs, some rare Vegetables, and the Longevity of the Inhabitants. Sir,

Yours, Dated Feb. 10. 1667/8, came to the hands of my honour'd Friend Mr. Richard Norwood, together with the History of the R. Society and the Phil. Transactions, which he hath received as a singular favour. But having at this present weighty business lying upon him, which hindred him from answering your desires by this Ship with his own hand, he sollicited (793) me to do it for him; which I am very willing to comply with him in, as far as I am able. But I shall come short in many things at present; but what is wanting now, may be supply'd hereafter. For, the reason of the * The things desired, as to Vegetables, were: 1. To gather the smaller Fruits, and dry them in the Air, and in the Shade, till they are as dry, as Raisins or Figgs are usually made. 2. To open Fruits of a larger kind, and the Stones or Kernels being taken out, to dry them. 3. To send Seeds, or Berryes, when they are ready to drop off, with as much husk or skins upon them, as may be. 4. To wrap up Roots in Mosse or light Earth, and to keep them, as much is possible, from any dashing of Sea-water in the Voyage. 5. To set Plants or young Trees in halfe Tubs of Earth, arched over with hoops, and cover'd with Matts to preserve them from the dashing of Sea-water; giving them Air by all means every day, the weather being fair, and watering them with fresh water once a day. 6. To send of all the sorts of Potatoes in Earth. 7. To send all sorts od Berries, Grasses, Grains and Herbes, wrapping up the Seeds very dry in paper. year will not afford many things, which you desir's in your Letter.* By the next opportunity there shall be Roots, Seeds, and Fruits provided for you. —

At present I shall informe you, that the Water about our Island does not flow, by any Mans Observation, above five Foot; and that but at one season of the year, between Michaelmas and Christmas; at other times not above three Foot. It is High-water, when the Moon is about an hour high; and the like after her going down. It flowes in from the North-West and runs to the South- East nearest, and in that part of the Land, which lies most to the North-West, there it is High-water soonest. But the Tyde does not always ebb and flow directly that course round about our Coast; but, I suppose, the reason is, that some points of Land, or Sholes, may turn its North-West and South-East course.

We have herabout very many sorts of Fishes. There is amongst them great store of Whales, which in March, April and May use our Coast. I have my self killed many of them. Their Females have abundance of Milk, which their young ones suck out of the Teats, that grow by their Navell. They have no Teeth, but feed on Mosse, growing on the Rocks at the bottom during these three Moneths, and at no other season of the Year. When that is consumed and gone, the Whales go away also. These we kill for their Oyl. But here have been Sperma-Ceti-Whales driven upon the shore, which Sperma (as (794) they call it) lies all over the Body of those Whales. These have divers Teeth, which may be about as big as a Mans wrist; and I hope by the next opportunity to send you one of them. I have been at the Bahama-Islands, and there have been found of this same sort of Whales dead on the Shore, with Sperma all over their Bodies. My self with about 20 more have agreed to try, whether we can master and kill them, for I could never hear of any of that sort, that were kill'd by any man; such is their fierceness and swiftness. One such Whale would be worth many hundred pounds. They are very strong, and inlay'd with sinews all over their Body, which may be drawn out thirty fathom long.

There is an Island among the Bahama's, which some of our People are setled upon, and more are going thither. 'Tis called New-Providence; where many rare things might be discover'd, if the People were but encouraged: And I am of opinion, there is not a more healthful place in the World. 'Tis stored with variety of Fish and Fowl, and with divers sorts of Trees and other Plants, whose qualities are not yet known.

As to the Age of our Inhabitants here, some do live to an hundred years and something upwards; many live till they are nigh a hundred, but few above: And when they dye, 'tis age and weakness, that is the cause, and not any disease that attends them. The general distemper that is yearly amongst us, is a Cold; and that is most gotten in the hottest weather. The Air here is very sweet and pleasant. Our Diet is but ordinary, and the People generally poor; and I observe, that poor People are most healthful.

You shall receive of Captain Thomas Morly, the Commander of our Magazeen-Ship, such things, as I could at present procure. * But these particulars could not be found in the Ship. *Among which you shall find of the Leaves and Berries of that Weed you inquire after, which we call Poyson-weed, growing like your Ivy. I have seen a Man, who was so poyson'd with it, that the skin peel'd off his Face, and yet the Man never touch'd it, onely look'd on it as he pass'd by: but I have chaw'd it in my mouth, and it did me no harm. It is not hurtful to all.

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Here are Spiders, that spin their Webbs betwixt Trees standing seven or 8 fathom asunder; and they do their Work by spirting their Webb into the Air, where they Wind carries it from Tree to Tree. This Webb, when finisht, will snare a Bird as big as a Thrush. Your self may prove it, for I have sent you some.

As to the Bark of a Tree, with which we are said to cover our Houses, that is an error; for 'tis not the Bark, but the Leaves of a Tree, which we put to that use. And 'tis the Palmetto; without which Tree we could not live comfortably in this place. The Leaves of some of these Trees are eight or ten foot long, and nigh as broad. I know no Tree in the World, that can equal it in the number of Commodities it affords.

'Tis reported, that in Virginia and upon the Coast of Florida the Indians live to a very great age; and that some of the People are of a Gigantick Stature, and stronger by farr than others.

As for the Eclipses of the Moon, you would have observ'd here, and be inform'd about, I can say little of them: but, I suppose, my worthy Friend Mr. Norwood will give you an account thereof to your content. If any thing should cause him to faile, it will be Age and weakness. He hath a great desire to serve the R. Society in every respect; which shall engage me also to serve both them and you to the utmost of my ability, remaining, &c. Bermuda, July 16. 1668.