Plate Number: II 79

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.