tle should always, both in north and south
latitude, lay their eggs in the wet months. It might be thought,
considering what great rains there are then in some places where these
creatures lay, that their eggs should be spoiled by them. But the rain,
though violent, is soon soaked up by the sand wherein the eggs are
buried; and perhaps sinks not so deep into it as the eggs are laid: and
keeping down the heat may make the sand hotter below than it was before,
like a hot-bed. Whatever the reason may be why Providence determines
these creatures to this season of laying their eggs, rather than the dry,
in fact it is so, as I have constantly observed; and that not only with
the sea-turtle but with all other sorts of amphibious animals that lay
eggs; as crocodiles, alligators, iguanas etc. The inhabitants of this
island, even their governor and padres, are all negroes, wool-pated like
their African neighbours; from whom it is like they are descended;
though, being subjects to the Portuguese, they have their religion and
language. They are stout, lusty, well-limbed people, both men and women,
fat and fleshy; and they and their children as round and plump as little
porpoises; though the island appears so barren to a stranger as scarce to
have food for its inhabitants. I enquired how many people there might be
on the isle; and was told by one of the padres that here were 230 souls
in all. The negro governor has his patent from the Portuguese governor of
St. Jago. He is a very civil and sensible poor man; and they are
generally a good sort of people. He expects a small present from every
commander that lades salt here; and is glad to be invited aboard their
ships. He spends most of his time with the English in the salting season,
which is his harvest; and indeed, all the islanders are then fully
employed in getting somewhat; for they have no vessels of their own to
trade with, nor do any Portuguese vessels come hither: scarce any but
English, on whom they depend for trade: and though subjects of Portugal,
have a particular value for us. We don't pay them for their salt, but for
the labour of themselves and their beasts in lading it: for which we give
them victuals, some money, and old clothes, namely hats, shirts, and
other clothes: by which means many of them are indifferently well rigged;
but some of them go almost naked. When the turtle season comes in they
watch the sandy bays in the night to turn them; and having small huts at