The greatest Quantity, and best Commodity they took in here, was of [The Nutmeg Tree.] are few and weak; but in Banda there is a plentiful Crop, and they have much more Virtue. Nature has cloath'd its Mountains and Plains, with Woods and Groves of these Plants. They are like the European Pear-Trees, and their Fruit resembles Pairs, or rather in Roundness the Melocotones. When the Nutmegs blosom, they spread a cordial Fragrancy; by degrees they lose their Native Green, which is original in all Vegetables; and then succeeds a Blew, intermix'd with Grey, Cherry-Colour, and a pale Gold Colour, as we see in the Rainbow, tho' not in that regular Division, but in Spots like the Jaspar Stone. Infinite Numbers of Parrots, and other birds of various Plumage, most delightful to behold, come to sit upon the Branches, attracted by the sweet Odour. The Nuts, when dry, cast off the Shell it grows cover'd with, and is the Mace, within which is a white Kernel, not so sharp in Taste as the Nut, and when dry is converted into its Substance. Of this Mace, which is hot and dry in the second Degree, and within the third, the Bandeses make a most [Oil of Nutmeg.] precious Oil to cure all Distempers in the Nerves, and Aches caus'd by cold. Of these Nuts they choose the freshest, weightiest, fattest, juiciest, [Virtues of Nutmeg.] and without any Hole. With them they cure, or correct stinking Breath, clear the Eyes, comfort the Stomach, Liver, and Spleen, and digest Meat. They are a Remedy against many other Distempers, and serve to add outward Lustre to the Face. The Bandeses call the Mace of their Aromatick Nuts, Buna Pala. It was not known to the Greeks nor to Pliny, according to Averrois; tho' Serapion, whether the true, or the suppositious, when he describes it, alledges Gallen's Authority. It is true, the Chrisabolans he treated of, agree well enough with the Nutmegs in Colour and Shape.
The Javaneses, Chineses, and Natives of the Moluccos resort to the City Mora, to barter for this precious Fruit, and load their Ships with it; and [Merchants way of living at Banda.] this is the Trade of that People, as is that of Clove to Ternate, Tydore, and the other Moluccos. The Merchants arriving in this Island, many of them contribute to make up a Sum, wherewith they purchase a Woman, to dress their Meat, and attend them. The Dutch did so from this first Time. When they go away she is left Free, till they return the next Year; so that her Slavery commences with the Return of her Masters, and their Absence gives it an Intermission. Some of the Natives are Idolaters; but the greater Part Mahometans, and so superstitious, that the very Soldiers do not mount the Guard, till they have pray'd in the Mosques, so loud, that all [Religion of Banda.] the Neighbourhood can hear them. Nor must any Man go into them without washing his Feet, in great Vessels of Water, provided at the Door, by the publick. Their Prayers consist in these Words, Estagfer Ai'lah Estagfer Al'lah, Asgiv'd Ai'lahe, Asgiv'd Al'lahe, La Il'lahe Inla Ai'lah, Mu.amed resul At'lahi. When they utter these last Words, they stroke their Faces with their Hands, a Ceremony denoting much Devotion. The Words in English are; Pardon O God, Pardon O God. I prostrate my self to God. I prostrate my self to God. There is no other God but God, and Mahomet his Messenger: By these Words, There is no other God but God, they deny the eneffable Mystery of the most blessed Trinity. Then they proceed to several Blasphemies. They say other Prayers, at which they scarce move their lips; when they do this they stand three and three upon a Mat, lifting up their Eyes to Heaven three Times, and bowing down their Heads to the Ground. The Dutch Author, who gives this Account, does not mention any other Religion in this Island, nor in any of the others their Fleets touch'd at; tho' it is so well known, that the Catholick Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ has been preach'd many Years before, throughout them all, with the Glory of Martyrdom; but those People conceal it, to what Intent is well known.