made of hemp; and the body and branches make floats for ſeins, or fiſhing-nets, equal to any made of cork, and as durable.
The black crabs are excellent, and ſafe eating, if caught in places where the Mahaut tree does not grow; particularly thoſe brought from a part of the iſland, called "Souffriér;" where they are to be had nearly as large as ſea crabs, and in great plenty. They are extremely fat when in ſeaſon; and the females are full of a rich glutinous ſubſtance, called the eggs, which is perfectly delicious.
The red crabs are as ſmall as the common ſort of crabs in England, but are by far preferable to them; the females being full of the ſame rich glutinous ſubſtance as the black fort, when in ſeaſon; at which time, the red crabs make their appearance in aſtoniſhing numbers: ſo that it is common for
