(638)
23. Whether the skin of Sea-Calfs, otherwise call'd Lamantins, be so hard, when dry'd, that they serve the Indians for Shields?
24. Whether the Ashes of the Fresh-water Tortoises do hinder the falling of the Hair, being powder'd therewith?
25. Whether the Land-Crabs of these Islands do at certain times hide themselves all under ground for the space of 6 weeks, and during that time change and renew their shells? And whether in hiding themselves thus, they do so carefully cover themselves all about with Earth, that the opening thereof cannot at all be perceived, thereby shutting out the Air, by which they might else be annoyed when they are quite naked, after they have shed their shells, there then remaining no other cover on them, but a very thin and tender skin, which by little thickeneth and hardeneth into a Crust, like the old?
26. Whether the Serpents in those parts, that have black and white spots on their backs, be not venomous? To send over some of such Serpents skins.
27. To send over some of the skins of those huge Lizards, they call Ouayamaca, which, when come to their full bigness, are laid to be five foot long, Tail and all: And especially to send some of those that are said to have the scales of their skins so bright and curious, that at a distance they resemble Cloth of Gold and Silver.
28. Whether the shining Flies, called Cucuyes, hide almost all their light, when taken, but when at liberty, afford it plentifully?
29. Whether there be a sort of Bees brown and blew, who make a black Wax, but the Honey in it whiter and sweeter than that of Europe.
30. Whether in those parts the Indians do cure the bitings of Serpents by eating fresh Citron Pills, and by applying the Unguent, made of the bruised Head of the wounding Serpent, and put hot upon the wound?
31. Whether the Wood lice in those Countries generated out of rotten Wood, are able, not only to eat through Trunks in a day or two, and to spoil Linnen, Clothes, and Books, (of which last they are said to spare only what is written or
printed;)
