| Notes |
Cyprus- Hariot p.23 Hariot reports that he has not seen Cyprus but that others have reported seeing it when “they wandered in some places where I have not bene” Rakiock- see Cypres; Hariot; p.23 Indians make their canoes from this sweet wood, with the help of hatchets, shells, and fire. Single canoe can carry 20 men. Suggests this might be good wood for ships masts.; This tree must certainly be Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum (L.) Richard.; Radford p. 40 Few other trees could provide large straight trunks free of knots needed for making large canoes.; Lawson; p. 103 Cypress. “Cypress is not an Ever-green with us, and is therefore call’d the bald Cypress, b ecause the Leaves, during the Winter-Season, turn red, not recovering their verdure till the Spring. These Trees are the largest for Height and Thickness, that we have in this Part of the World; some of them holding thirty-six Foot in Circumference. Upon Incision, they yield a sweet-smelling Grain, tho’ not in great Quantities; and the Nuts which these Trees bear plentifully, yield a most odoriferous Balsam, that infallibly cures all new and green Wounds, which the Inhabitants are well acquainted withal. Of these great Trees the Peraugers and Canoes are scoop’e and made; which sort of Vessels are chiefly to pass over the Rivers, Creeks, and Bays; and to transport Goods and Lumber from one River to another. Some are so large, as to carry thirty Barrels. Tho’ of one entire Piece of Timber. Others, that are split down the Bottom, and a piece added thereto, will carry eighty, or an hundred. Several have gone out of our Inlets on the Ocean to Virginia, laden with Pork, and other Produce of the Country. Of these Trees curious Boats for Pleasure may be made, and other necessary Craft. Some Years ago, a foolish Man in Albemarle and his Son, had got one of these Canoes deck’t. She held, as I take it, sixteen barrels. He brought her to the collectors, to be clear’d for Barbados; but the Officer took him for a Man that had lost his Senses, and argu’d the Danger and Impossibility of performing such a Voyage, in a hollow Tree; but the Fellow would harken to no Advice of that kind, till the gentleman told him, if he did not value his own Life, he valu’d his Reputation and Honesty, and so flatly refus’d clearing him; Upon which, the Canoe was sold, and, I think, remains in being still. The Wood is very lasting, and free from Rot, a Canoe of it will outlast four Boats, and seldom want Repair. They say, that a Chest made of this Wood, will suffer no moth, or Vermine, to abide therin.; |
