We Will Next Treat Of The Beasts, Which You Shall Have An Account Of,
As They Have Been Discover'd.
The Beasts of Carolina are the
Buffelo, or wild Beef.
Bear.
Panther.
Cat-a-mount.
Wild Cat.
Wolf.
Tyger.
Polcat.
Otter.
Bever.
Musk-Rat.
Possum.
Raccoon.
Minx.
Water-Rat.
Rabbet, two sorts.
Elks.
Stags.
Fallow-Deer.
Squirrel, four sorts.
Fox.
Lion, and Jackall on the Lake.
Rats, two sorts.
Mice, two sorts.
Moles.
Weasel, Dormouse.
Bearmouse.
The Buffelo is a wild Beast of America, which has a Bunch on his Back,
as the Cattle of St. Laurence are said to have. He seldom appears
amongst the English Inhabitants, his chief Haunt being
in the Land of Messiasippi, which is, for the most part, a plain Country;
yet I have known some kill'd on the Hilly Part of Cape-Fair-River,
they passing the Ledges of vast Mountains from the said Messiasippi,
before they can come near us. {Two killed one year in Virginia
at Appamaticks.} I have eaten of their Meat, but do not think it so good
as our Beef; yet the younger Calves are cry'd up for excellent Food,
as very likely they may be. It is conjectured, that these Buffelos,
mixt in Breed with our tame Cattle, would much better the Breed
for Largeness and Milk, which seems very probable. Of the wild Bull's Skin,
Buff is made. The Indians cut the Skins into Quarters
for the Ease of their Transportation, and make Beds to lie on.
They spin the Hair into Garters, Girdles, Sashes, and the like,
it being long and curled, and often of a chesnut or red Colour.
These Monsters are found to weigh (as I am informed by a Traveller of Credit)
from 1600 to 2400 Weight.
{Bear.}
The Bears here are very common, though not so large as in Greenland,
and the more Northern Countries of Russia. The Flesh of this Beast
is very good, and nourishing, and not inferiour to the best Pork in Taste.
It stands betwixt Beef and Pork, and the young Cubs are a Dish
for the greatest Epicure living. I prefer their Flesh before any Beef,
Veal, Pork, or Mutton; and they look as well as they eat,
their fat being as white as Snow, and the sweetest of any Creature's
in the World. If a Man drink a Quart thereof melted,
it never will rise in his Stomach. We prefer it above all things,
to fry Fish and other things in. Those that are Strangers to it,
may judge otherwise; But I who have eaten a great deal of Bears Flesh
in my Life-time (since my being an Inhabitant in America)
do think it equalizes, if not excels, any Meat I ever eat in Europe.
The Bacon made thereof is extraordinary Meat; but it must be well saved,
otherwise it will rust. This Creature feeds upon all sorts of wild Fruits.
When Herrings run, which is in March, the Flesh of such of those Bears
as eat thereof, is nought, all that Season, and eats filthily.
Neither is it good, when he feeds on Gum-berries, as I intimated before.
They are great Devourers of Acorns, and oftentimes meet the Swine
in the Woods, which they kill and eat, especially when they are hungry,
and can find no other Food.
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