Of Redondo.Between Monserrat and Nieves lies a very small Island called Redondo or Rotonda, discovered by Columbus in his Second Voyage, who gave it the Name of Santa Maria Rotonda, from its Figure[1]. It consists of one Rock very Perpendicular and high, looking like a Pyramid, and as if there were nothing but Rock; but I was inform'd by those who have been upon it, that there is on its top an Acre or two of very good Ground, that it has a very good Landing Place, and a Well of very good fresh Water. It has also great store of Iguanas of a blackish colour. Many Boobies, and other Birds that come hither to lay their Eggs at proper Seasons.
On Friday the 9th. of December we came to Anchor in Nevis Road, in Seven Fathom Water.
Nieves, sometimes Mevis or Meves[2], was inhabited in 1628[3]. It Consists of one Mountain of about Four Miles heighth to the top, whence is an easie descent to all parts of the Island; but steepest towards the Town where is the Road. They have neither Springs nor Rivers, but have what Water they make use of from Cisterns receiving the Rain-Water. The Ground is cleared almost to the top of the Hill, where yet remains some Wood, and where are Run-away Negros that harbour themselves in it. There are about Two thousand Inhabitants here, who being gathered together for the Duke of Albemarle to Review, I found more Swarthy, or of a yellowish sickly look, than any of the Inhabitants of these Islands. The Town or Road is well fortified with Batteries, and a Fort. They have little Money, but Buy and Pay with Sugars which are blackish. Their Horses, which are small, as well as many of their Provisions, come from Barbuda, an Island not far distant where Cattle are bred. I went to the top of the Hill to gather Plants, and though it had nor did not Rain at bottom; yet I was taken there in so great Showers that I was wet unto the Skin. There is here an hot Spring affording a constantly running Rivulet of Water, made use of for all purposes as common Water. I found here the following Plants.
Filix arborea ramosa, caudice non diviso, pinnulis angustis raris obsusis integris. Cat. pl. Jam. p. 22.
As to the Trunk, and the manner of its growth (as well as I can remember) this was the same with the Tree Fern of Jamaica, in the whole Face of the Tree and Leaves, resembling a young Tamarind-Tree. The Foot-stalks and middle Ribs of this Trees Leaf were not prickly, but their Stalks smooth, large, and of a reddish green colour: the Branches and Twigs rose out of it alternatively, and the Pinnulæ were blunt, even, not dented about the Edges, and were about half an Inch long, being join'd at bottom to the Twig, but having a defect between them because of their narrowness. The Pinnulæ were of a dark green colour, and pretty thick.
This I gathered in the Mountain which makes the Island of Nieves, towards the top, in a Gully where it grew very plentifully.
Gramen dactylon bicorne tomentosum maximum, spicis numerosissimis. Cat. pl. Jam. p. 33.
This has many strong Thongs, or large white Filaments, which are Two or Three Inches long tapering, and taking firm hold of the Earth. The Stalk rises Three, Four, or Five Foot high, and has at bottom many Leaves enclosing it, and one another, after the manner of some of the Cyperus-Grasses;Tab. 14. each of them being Two Foot long, with a sharp Back, being harsh, narrow, and something like those of the Cyperus-Grasses. The Stalk is streight, round, pale green, as big as a Goose-Quill, made up of Four or Five Joints, the spaces between them being covered with a Leaf, from the uppermost of which towards the top go Twenty, Twenty four, or a great many Petioli or Foot-stalks jointed, and from whose Joints go other smaller Petioli, making in all, both a little under, and at the top itself, a vast number of Pannicles, each ofwhich
