Kieft suspected some valuable mineral to be concealed in this operation, proposed to satisfy Agheroense ; subjected it to the crucible ; obtained two pieces of gold worth three guilders. He kept the matter secret ; obtained fortunately from the mountain pointed out by Agheroense,a bucket full of the material, for it furnished gold. Kieft now imagined he had made a great discovery & despatched Arend*Corsen from New Haven to Holland with the stuff. But

Water melons

Corn.

Peas

'Nature of the hills.

* Their disease.

118 DESCRIPTION OF NEW NETHERLAND.

as the ship never made its appearance--which was also the fate subsequently of the fly boat, the . Princess, in which the governor was a passenger, who had a supply of the abovementioned mineral, all further exploration

ceased. The natives divided into various tribes venice' mutually agree in respect to painting their bodies,

shields, war clubs and the lath work within their huts. For this they use colours extracted either from plants or from finely crushed stones. The principal plant is not unlike the Orach or Golden herb, except that the stalk has many shoots and red-brown berries ; the juice of which collected in the inner bark of trees, is laid in the sun to dry, and when dried is preserved in little pouches. The inhabitants temper the paint with water, and then streak the body ; it produces the most beautiful purple that can any where be found. Their pictures represent canoes, trees and animals, but very indifferently executed. Instead of plumes they bedeck themselves with hair tied with small bands. The hair is of a scarlet colour and surprizing brilliancy which is permanent and ineffaceable by rain. The horses in Vew Netherland are brought from England or from the diocese of Utrecht'. Those trom the bishopric far excel the English.