. I went to it, and followed the north coast of it, as I
had done that of Juana, for 178--[should be 188]--long leagues due
east.

"This island is very fertile, as well, indeed, as all the rest. It
possesses numerous harbours, far superior to any I know in Europe,
and what is remarkable, plenty of large inlets. The land is high,
and contains many lofty ridges and some very high mountains, without
comparison of the island of Centrefrey;--[Tenerife]--all of them
very handsome and of different forms; all of them accessible and
abounding in trees of a thousand kinds, high, and appearing as if
they would reach the skies. And I am assured that the latter never
lose their fresh foliage, as far as I can understand, for I saw them
as fresh and flourishing as those of Spain in the month of May.
Some were in blossom, some bearing fruit, and others in other
states, according to their nature.

"The nightingale and a thousand kinds of birds enliven the woods
with their song, in the month of November, wherever I went. There
are seven or eight kinds of palms, of various elegant forms, besides
various other trees, fruits, and herbs. The pines of this island
are magnificent. It has also extensive plains, honey, and a great
variety of birds and fruits. It has many metal mines, and a
population innumerable.

"Espanola is a wonderful island, with mountains, groves, plains, and
the country generally beautiful and rich for planting and sowing,
for rearing sheep and cattle of all kinds, and ready for towns and
cities. The harbours must be seen to be appreciated; rivers are
plentiful and large and of excellent water; the greater part of them
contain gold. There is a great difference between the trees,
fruits, and herbs of this island and those of Juana. In this island
there are many spices, and large mines of gold and other metals.

"The people of this island and of all the others which I have
discovered or heard of, both men and women, go naked as they were
born, although some of the women wear leaves of herbs or a cotton
covering made on purpose. They have no iron or steel, nor any
weapons; not that they are not a well-disposed people and of fine
stature, but they are timid to a degree. They have no other arms
excepting spears made of cane, to which