Natural History of the West Indies

Abstract

Classic ethnohistorical text with detailed discussion of flora and fauna. Also discussion of Etymology of place names, dogs, animals, Good descriptive data of Indigenous house constructions describing several styles, pavillions/caney "In Hispaniola there is another type of house, built over the water. In Tierra Firme these are called bohios. Both are made of substantial framing, with walls of canes tied with lianas, which are round vines or filaments that grow on large trees and interlaced with them....the houses are covered with straw or long grass" p. 39 good water ref "All those Indians, men as well as women, are good swimmers, for from the time they are born they practically live in the water. To understand how skillful those Indians are in swimming it is necessary only to refer to what I have already said concerning the way the Indians of Cuba and Jamaica capture wild geese" p.42 Fishing too Manatee etc. "Since these fish, and many others too, often swim on the surface of the water, they are killed by bowmen in dugouts and boats. When such a fish is sighted, the Indians shoot it with a heavy arrow to which is tied a thin strong cord which has been tarred" p.113