[ 115 ] island. Hence it appears, that it is in all respects most convenient for commerce, and tho it be true* that having fo many places that admit of eafy landing, and lying in the neighbourhood of warlike Indian nations, it must of necessity require proper fortifications, the many obvious and extraordinary advantages thereby afforded to trade, when the island shall be once fettled, will amply compensate the expence, that may be found necessary to provide for, and to preferve its fecurity. This ifland is covered with all that vast variety of valuable timber, that is to be found in most countries in the Weft-Indies, and many of thefe as extraordinary in their size, as excellent in their nature. The fame may be faid, with respect to fruit-trees, and amongft thefe, there are some that are peculiar to Tabago. Such for inftance as the true nut meg-tree, which the Dutch ,
who of all nations could not in that refpedt be deceived, affirm to have found here. It is true, they fay it is a wild nutmeg, that the mace is ' less florid, and the tafte of the nut itfelf more pungent, though larger and fairer to the eye, than the fpice of the fame kind brought by them, from the Eaft-Indies. The cinnamon'tree grows like wife in this island, though the bark is faid to have a taste of cloves as well as cinnamon. Here likewife grows that tree which produces the true gum copal, resembling that brought from the continent of America, and very I 2