Cuniculus Bahamensis: The Bahama Coney.
This Creature is a little less than the common Wild Rabbit, and
of a brown Colour, without a Mixture of gray Hairs. Its Ears, Feet
and Tail resemble those of a Rat, in other Parts it is somewhat
like a Rabbit. They feed wholly on wild Fruit and other Vege tables:
When surpriz'd by Hunters they retreat to Holes in Rocks. Their
Flesh is esteemed very good, it has more the Taste of a Pig than
that of a Rabbit. I take it to be nearly of the Kind of the Mus
Alpinus, or Marmot, Raii Syn. Quad. p. 221.
Pittoniae similis, Laureloae foliis, floribus albis, baccis rubris.
This Shrub rises to the Height of twelve Feet, more or less; the
Leaves grow alternately on long Footstalks; the Flowers grow many
together on Footstalks half an Inch long, on the Tops of the Branches:
They are tubulous, monopetalous, and divided round the Edges by
five Sections, as is the Calyx: The Flowers are succeeded
by spherical red Berries, of the Size represented, inclosing several
Seeds, like those of the white Thorn. This Plant grows on many of
the Bahama Islands, and is called there Strong Back.
The Inhabitants there make Decoctions of its Bark, of which they
make much Use, attributing to it great Virtues, as strengthening
the Stomach, restoring lost Appetite, and other like Virtues, as
the Cassena is said to have on the Continent. The Coneys,
Guana's and Birds are great Lovers of the Berries. They grow on
Rocks on many of the Bahama Islands.
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