Page 390
An. 1687
Ifles of Condore. The Tar-tree.
by Eaft from the mouth of the River of Cambo- dia. Thefe Iflands lye fo near together, that at a diftance they appear to be but one Ifland.
Two of thefe Iflands are pretty large, and of a good heighth; they may be feen 14 or 15 leagues at Sea; the reft are but little Spots. The biggeft of the two (which is the inhabited one) is about 4 or 5 leagues long, and lies Eaft and Weft. It is not above 3 mile broad at the broadeft place, in moft places not above a mile wide. The other large Ifland is about 3 mile long, and half a mile wide. This Ifland ftretcheth N. and S. It is fo conveniently placed at the Weft end of the biggeft Ifland, that between both there is formed a very commodious Harbour. The entrance of this Har- bour is on the North fide, where the two Iflands are near a mile afunder. There are 3 or 4 fmall Keys, and a good deep Channel between them and the biggeft Ifland. Towards the South end of the Harbour the two Iflands do in a manner clofe up, leaving only a fmall paffage for Boats and Canoas. There are no more Iflands on the North fide, but 5 or 6 on the South fide of the great Ifland. See the Table.
The Mold of thefe Iflands for the biggeft part is blackifh, and pretty deep; only the Hills are fomewhat ftony. The Eaftern part of the biggeft Ifland is fandy, yet all clothed with Trees of di- vers forts. The Trees do not grow fo thick as I have feen them in fome places, but they are gene- rally large and tall, and fit for any ufes.
There is one fort of Tree much larger than any other on this Ifland, and which I have not feen any where elfe. It is about 3 or 4 foot diameter in the Body, from whence is drawn a fort of clam- my juice, which being boiled a little becomes per- fect Tar; and if you boil it much it will become hard as Pitch. It may be put to either ufe; we used