The History of the Discovery and Settlement; To the Present Time, of North and South America, and of the West Indies

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1806. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... islands, is generally called the Mexican Gulf; but it is divided iuto three distinct basins, --the Gulf of Mexico properly so called, the Bay of Honduras, and the Caribbeean sea. The latter takes its name from that class of islands that bounds this part of the ocean to the east; of which the greater part were formerly possessed by Indians, that were the scourge of the inoffensive natives of Hispaiiiola, who frequently expressed to Columbus their dread of those fierce aud warlike invaders, styling them Caribbees. Of this class, a group nearly adjoining to the eastern side of St. John de Porto Rico, is called the Virgin Isles. The cluster of small islands, which stretch in a north-westerly direction, from the northern coast of Hispaniola to the strait opposite the Florida shore, go by the name of the 13ahamas. On one of these, called by the Indians Guanahani; by the Spaniards, St. Salvador; and by our own seamen, the Cat Island; Columbus landed after his first magnificent but perilous voyage. The whoje group is called by tie Spaniards the Lucayos. Most of the West India islands being situated under the tropic of Cancer, the climate is nearly the same with respect to the whole. Their year comprehends two distinct seasons, the wet and the dry $ out as the rains form two great periods, the year may be considered under four divisions. The sprmg commences with May, when the trees become more vjvid, and the burnt savannas begin to change their Jiue, even before the rains, which generally set in about the middle of the mopth. These come from the south; and are much less violent than those which pour down in the autumn. They commonly fall about noon, and break up'with a thunderstorm, exhibiting a beautiful verdure, aud a luxuriant, ant vegetation. The aver...