On seeing t]\e head of 'maKhwhe Tnurus^ oue of the signs ^ of the Zodiac, the w^omen uppci luui.iij.,^^^^^^^, y^^^_^^ ,.^ explain tliat it is a horned liead of a big,

wild animal wh.ich inhabits the distant country, but not their'sj and whiCn it rises in a certain part of t;ie heavens, at a time knov.-n to them, tlien is the season for planting ; then they begin to break up t'le soil vvith axes [lylen) and to throw in the seed; like tiie Boors in Italy who appear by Virgil m Bucolicis to take their proper time from tlie signs.

The science of prognostication, or foretelling of events is altoget::er dark and unknown to them ; uttering or delivering no oracles about the one or the other, as they have very little knowledge of future or past things.

Wliat's very strange is, th.at among these^ almost Barbarous

people, there are few or none, c]-oss-eyed, blind, criptlHio,r«rti'c pled, lame, hunch-backed or limping; all are well

fas'iioned people ; strong in constitution of body, well

proportioned without blemish.

FIRST SETTLEMENT OF NEW-YORK BY THE DUTCH. 33

In some places tliey liave abundant means, with lierbs and leaves or roots, to administer to their sick. There is scarcely an ailment they have not a remedy for ; but in other localities they are altogether devoid of succour, leaving the People to perish hke cattle.

Chastity appears to be of some repute among them, for the Chastity of women are not all equally loose. There are some who the «omen. ^^q^I(\ jjot cohablt wlth ours for any compensation. Others hold it in small esteem ; especially as they are free, living without law. Whilst rearing their offspring, they exliibit great tenderness ; nevertheless as children rapidly increase with these people, they forbid theirs (the house) as not beseeming ; yea, command them not to return back.