There is a kind of grass in Virginia, which the English call silk-grass. It has long small leaves, on which is a fine shiny substance, from which is drawn excellent silk, which is spun and woven into different kinds of stuffs. The ground in New Sweden is covered with all sorts of shells, which are also found in the water and on the sea-shore, and seem to indicate that the land was formerly under water. The earth has this peculiar property, that one may sow rye in it and reap wheat, and sometimes sow wheat which will produce rye. So it is related by the engineer, P. Lindstrom. In New Sweden, as Rudman relates, there grows a little tree, which looks like Juniper, and is called the Savan; it has the property of making a mare barren, or bring out her foal before the time. For that purpose you need only give her a handful of it. In Hispaniola, there is a very high mountain, at the foot of which there is a very large cave, at the distance of five hundred feet from the sea. The entrance to it, in the form of an arch, is like the gate of a large temple. Once a sea captain, by order of the Spanish Governor, ventured into that gulf with a ship, and narrowly escaped with life. He related that the water runs into it through hidden channels, and rises into water-spouts, making a horrible noise. In the year 1549, on the 29th of August, in Florida, half a mile from the French fort, a flash of lightning fell from heaven, which burned all the verdure on the ground, and all the birds in the air, and the water was so heated that a great quantity of fish died. This conflagration continued three days, after which the air was so unhealthy, and there was such a stench that many men died in consequence. This is related by Capt. Laudonniere, in his Travels, among several other remarkable things. In conclusion we must say: "Great are the Lord's works in all lands, and among all nations; those who reflect well thereon, have attained the highest degree of wisdom." APPENDIX. A LIST OF THE SWEDISH FAMILIES RESIDING IN NEW |