MDPOD - Masson du Parc Online Database

If, after storms, large pieces of amber are found as in other seas? If fishermen go to the sea or coastal residents along the coast to look for amber, as the Indians do, or if they find it by chance. If there is any way to make this known.To fishermen and sailors, make an in detail figure of floating amber to inform them. Note the feelings of Africans and [Colous?] about the formation of amber, where they believe it comes from, and how it is formed. We need details about this production to report to the various people who wear it. From the produce of foreign fisheries. Whether European and other traders bring to Dauphin Island and along the coast of Zanzibar goods from their fisheries and from which nations these traders are. Whether these goods are sardines or fish from fisheries operated by Europeans or others, what species they are, and whether the trade is sought after and profitable for those who engage in it. Whether amber, coral and other goods are traded there, and where these goods go once they arrive. What kinds of goods are loaded and unloaded in the islands and along the coast of Africa by those who trade there. Details of anything that may be relevant to passive trade that may take place along the coast in relation to goods for foreign fishing. Shells and seashells. Whether the coasts of Zanzibar and those of the islands of the same walls are laden with many or few shells. Whether the coastal inhabitants collect them for their own consumption. If they are of good quality and which areas are the most abundant. If certain species are usually fished in particular seasons. If mussels and oysters are found and if they are used. If mother-of-pearl or pearl oysters are found and if they produce beautiful pearls. A list of the names of the most common seabirds and maritime birds on the coast. Whether any species similar to scoters are caught, which are eaten as duck breast on days of abstinence. Whether seaweed, kelp or seaweed are of any use there. The person who will take the rest at the bottom of the Surat Memorandum.

If, after storms, large pieces of amber are found as in other seas? If fishermen go to the sea or coastal residents along the coast to look for amber, as the Indians do, or if they find it by chance. If there is any way to make this known.To fishermen and sailors, make an in detail figure of floating amber to inform them. Note the feelings of Africans and [Colous?] about the formation of amber, where they believe it comes from, and how it is formed. We need details about this production to report to the various people who wear it. From the produce of foreign fisheries. Whether European and other traders bring to Dauphin Island and along the coast of Zanzibar goods from their fisheries and from which nations these traders are. Whether these goods are sardines or fish from fisheries operated by Europeans or others, what species they are, and whether the trade is sought after and profitable for those who engage in it. Whether amber, coral and other goods are traded there, and where these goods go once they arrive. What kinds of goods are loaded and unloaded in the islands and along the coast of Africa by those who trade there. Details of anything that may be relevant to passive trade that may take place along the coast in relation to goods for foreign fishing. Shells and seashells. Whether the coasts of Zanzibar and those of the islands of the same walls are laden with many or few shells. Whether the coastal inhabitants collect them for their own consumption. If they are of good quality and which areas are the most abundant. If certain species are usually fished in particular seasons. If mussels and oysters are found and if they are used. If mother-of-pearl or pearl oysters are found and if they produce beautiful pearls. A list of the names of the most common seabirds and maritime birds on the coast. Whether any species similar to scoters are caught, which are eaten as duck breast on days of abstinence. Whether seaweed, kelp or seaweed are of any use there. The person who will take the rest at the bottom of the Surat Memorandum.

What species of fish do the Negroes and other inhabitants catch during the year on this coast of Africa? Is all the fish they catch consumed solely by the fishermen, or do they trade some of it? What species of fish are caught in the rivers of Senegal and Gambia and other estuaries? Is there a fixed season for fishing the fish caught there, or are they fished throughout the year? Is the coastline rich in fish, and if so, what species? Are there many mackerel and sardines, and if so, what species, and are they commonly fished off the coast of Guinea as they are further north towards Cap Blanc? Whether whales are often seen off the coast of Guinea and whether they sometimes wash ashore. Whether there are large numbers of porpoises. Whether extraordinary sea monsters are seen or have been seen on occasion. Whether any have been seen or caught that resemble what might be called tritons and mermaids. Note their shape and appearance and the time when this happened. If fish women are caught in the seas of Guinea or in the lakes and rivers, note anything curious, true and unusual about this catch. If ambergris is sometimes found near the coasts and in the seas of Guinea, where is it thought to come from? If sea turtles are seen off the coast of Guinea and if they are caught, in what manner, in what season, and what species they are. From the produce of foreign fisheries If some merchants from the ports of Europe bring to Guinea and the neighbouring coasts of Africa some species of goods from foreign fisheries, what trade is done in the country. Where do these kinds of goods come from and what nationality are the sailors and merchants who trade in them? What kinds of goods do those who bring such goods to Guinea load there, and could the trade be profitable? If coral is brought there, where does it come from? Any details that may be relevant to this matter. Rocks and shells. Are the coasts of Guinea covered with many shells? Which species are most prized and which are found in greatest abundance, and do the coastal inhabitants use them for food?

What species of fish do the Negroes and other inhabitants catch during the year on this coast of Africa? Is all the fish they catch consumed solely by the fishermen, or do they trade some of it? What species of fish are caught in the rivers of Senegal and Gambia and other estuaries? Is there a fixed season for fishing the fish caught there, or are they fished throughout the year? Is the coastline rich in fish, and if so, what species? Are there many mackerel and sardines, and if so, what species, and are they commonly fished off the coast of Guinea as they are further north towards Cap Blanc? Whether whales are often seen off the coast of Guinea and whether they sometimes wash ashore. Whether there are large numbers of porpoises. Whether extraordinary sea monsters are seen or have been seen on occasion. Whether any have been seen or caught that resemble what might be called tritons and mermaids. Note their shape and appearance and the time when this happened. If fish women are caught in the seas of Guinea or in the lakes and rivers, note anything curious, true and unusual about this catch. If ambergris is sometimes found near the coasts and in the seas of Guinea, where is it thought to come from? If sea turtles are seen off the coast of Guinea and if they are caught, in what manner, in what season, and what species they are. From the produce of foreign fisheries If some merchants from the ports of Europe bring to Guinea and the neighbouring coasts of Africa some species of goods from foreign fisheries, what trade is done in the country. Where do these kinds of goods come from and what nationality are the sailors and merchants who trade in them? What kinds of goods do those who bring such goods to Guinea load there, and could the trade be profitable? If coral is brought there, where does it come from? Any details that may be relevant to this matter. Rocks and shells. Are the coasts of Guinea covered with many shells? Which species are most prized and which are found in greatest abundance, and do the coastal inhabitants use them for food?

What species of fish do the Negroes and other inhabitants catch during the year on this coast of Africa? Is all the fish they catch consumed solely by the fishermen, or do they trade some of it? What species of fish are caught in the rivers of Senegal and Gambia and other estuaries? Is there a fixed season for fishing the fish caught there, or are they fished throughout the year? Is the coastline rich in fish, and if so, what species? Are there many mackerel and sardines, and if so, what species, and are they commonly fished off the coast of Guinea as they are further north towards Cap Blanc? Whether whales are often seen off the coast of Guinea and whether they sometimes wash ashore. Whether there are large numbers of porpoises. Whether extraordinary sea monsters are seen or have been seen on occasion. Whether any have been seen or caught that resemble what might be called tritons and mermaids. Note their shape and appearance and the time when this happened. If fish women are caught in the seas of Guinea or in the lakes and rivers, note anything curious, true and unusual about this catch. If ambergris is sometimes found near the coasts and in the seas of Guinea, where is it thought to come from? If sea turtles are seen off the coast of Guinea and if they are caught, in what manner, in what season, and what species they are. From the produce of foreign fisheries If some merchants from the ports of Europe bring to Guinea and the neighbouring coasts of Africa some species of goods from foreign fisheries, what trade is done in the country. Where do these kinds of goods come from and what nationality are the sailors and merchants who trade in them? What kinds of goods do those who bring such goods to Guinea load there, and could the trade be profitable? If coral is brought there, where does it come from? Any details that may be relevant to this matter. Rocks and shells. Are the coasts of Guinea covered with many shells? Which species are most prized and which are found in greatest abundance, and do the coastal inhabitants use them for food?

Cayenne, Fish found in the province of Guyana. The manatee has a woman's breast, a cow's snout and two fins which it uses to carry and nurse its young. It grazes on grass along rivers. It is an excellent fresh salted fish. It provides meat as tender as pork. One was caught in Cayenne that yielded eight hundred and sixty pounds of meat. It is very common in all large rivers. It is very healthy. Sieur Barr?re, a doctor, drew one. There are five or six species of turtles. Those of the Amazons are caught in fresh water. Their meat is white and their fat is yellow. It is the best. Some weigh forty to fifty pounds. Land turtles are round and long. Sea turtles are caught in the coves in March, April and May, when they go to lay their eggs. We work in shifts at night, turning them over. Two turtles usually make a barrel of two hundred pounds of meat. They purify the blood. The caouanne is a larger turtle used to make oil. The negroes eat it. It is roughly shaped like an imperial carriage. Sieur Barr?re has drawn one. All these turtles are very common. The carr? (caret) is rare. It is said to be common in the Devil's Islands, twelve or fifteen leagues from Cayenne. The labrus is a very good fish that is caught with a line.

Cayenne, Fish found in the province of Guyana. The manatee has a woman's breast, a cow's snout and two fins which it uses to carry and nurse its young. It grazes on grass along rivers. It is an excellent fresh salted fish. It provides meat as tender as pork. One was caught in Cayenne that yielded eight hundred and sixty pounds of meat. It is very common in all large rivers. It is very healthy. Sieur Barr?re, a doctor, drew one. There are five or six species of turtles. Those of the Amazons are caught in fresh water. Their meat is white and their fat is yellow. It is the best. Some weigh forty to fifty pounds. Land turtles are round and long. Sea turtles are caught in the coves in March, April and May, when they go to lay their eggs. We work in shifts at night, turning them over. Two turtles usually make a barrel of two hundred pounds of meat. They purify the blood. The caouanne is a larger turtle used to make oil. The negroes eat it. It is roughly shaped like an imperial carriage. Sieur Barr?re has drawn one. All these turtles are very common. The carr? (caret) is rare. It is said to be common in the Devil's Islands, twelve or fifteen leagues from Cayenne. The labrus is a very good fish that is caught with a line.

Cayenne, Fish found in the province of Guyana. The manatee has a woman's breast, a cow's snout and two fins which it uses to carry and nurse its young. It grazes on grass along rivers. It is an excellent fresh salted fish. It provides meat as tender as pork. One was caught in Cayenne that yielded eight hundred and sixty pounds of meat. It is very common in all large rivers. It is very healthy. Sieur Barr?re, a doctor, drew one. There are five or six species of turtles. Those of the Amazons are caught in fresh water. Their meat is white and their fat is yellow. It is the best. Some weigh forty to fifty pounds. Land turtles are round and long. Sea turtles are caught in the coves in March, April and May, when they go to lay their eggs. We work in shifts at night, turning them over. Two turtles usually make a barrel of two hundred pounds of meat. They purify the blood. The caouanne is a larger turtle used to make oil. The negroes eat it. It is roughly shaped like an imperial carriage. Sieur Barr?re has drawn one. All these turtles are very common. The carr? (caret) is rare. It is said to be common in the Devil's Islands, twelve or fifteen leagues from Cayenne. The labrus is a very good fish that is caught with a line.

Cayenne, Fish found in the province of Guyana. The manatee has a woman's breast, a cow's snout and two fins which it uses to carry and nurse its young. It grazes on grass along rivers. It is an excellent fresh salted fish. It provides meat as tender as pork. One was caught in Cayenne that yielded eight hundred and sixty pounds of meat. It is very common in all large rivers. It is very healthy. Sieur Barr?re, a doctor, drew one. There are five or six species of turtles. Those of the Amazons are caught in fresh water. Their meat is white and their fat is yellow. It is the best. Some weigh forty to fifty pounds. Land turtles are round and long. Sea turtles are caught in the coves in March, April and May, when they go to lay their eggs. We work in shifts at night, turning them over. Two turtles usually make a barrel of two hundred pounds of meat. They purify the blood. The caouanne is a larger turtle used to make oil. The negroes eat it. It is roughly shaped like an imperial carriage. Sieur Barr?re has drawn one. All these turtles are very common. The carr? (caret) is rare. It is said to be common in the Devil's Islands, twelve or fifteen leagues from Cayenne. The labrus is a very good fish that is caught with a line.

Makouma is pretty much like pasani. Common, it is fished by arrow, line and senne. The swordfish is a very large, curious fish. It's caught with a folle net to make oil. It is common.The demoiselle is is caught with aline. It's a big fish like the machauran which weighs up to two hundred pounds.The pig is a very curious fish. Mr. Barraire drew some as a part of all others which are above. The lizard is very good and very common. The crayfish is larger than in France and less delicate. They are taken in the rivers. The toad is very good. It gets caught in the rocks in the sea. Shrimp is like in Europe. The crab is excellent. In January, February and March there are plenty of them.There is a sea pig called cabiaye (Capybara), quite common in some rivers. It is amphibious. It is claimed that Maipourri (tapir) is also amphibious. It is rare in Cayenne and very common inland. It has the horse's hair, his feet of pig. It's a very good meal. The sole is like plaice.There is a very bad kind of aurans. Lapas, a small fish, is caught at low tide in the mud. It is good. The pacou, a good fish, is caught in rivers.The commaron is red, very good. Aymara, good. The pike. Patayal is caught in holes. Coubani is pretty much like monkfish.The jayre is a small fish, not much. The eel is of two species. One trembling. It is to remark about this one that when it is caught on a line, the one who catches it becomes like lost. Usually when you catch them, you first need to take the mouth of the water. The negroes kill them right away either with a billhook or something else. The billhook jumps from his hands as he hits the eel. When it is dead, it has no longer any effect. We handle them or we skin them without anything happening. They say they are good and very big. Parsisy, a river fish, very large, very good, they are bearded. Coconut is caught by line, very common and good. The cachini is very large. It resembles salmon. It has a tongue half a foot long. The Indians use it as a file. This fish is preserved like the Lamentin. The eaglefish is very good. The pailla is a very good red fish. The sioure is a very good species of sea bass. The rock barbe is a very good fish, without scales, much better than tench and guimbarde. Father Charbonnier, a Jesuit who arrived from Camopy, told me that there was a sea tiger in this river. The front part is like a tiger with fur. It has tusks like a boar and half of its body is like a fish with scales. This sea monster is dangerous. It has caused the Indians to abandon the place where it live. I saw a small sea horse. It has the head and neck of a horse. Sieur Barraire drew it. Sieur Macaye, the counsellor, told me he saw one at the beginning of this year, 1723, and that its rump could be ten feet wide, as it sometimes appears. The Negroes claim that when these sea horses appear, it is a bad omen. There are still a few other fish that I am not familiar with. There are also more than thirty different species of snakes. Done at Cayenne on 29 September 1723.

Makouma is pretty much like pasani. Common, it is fished by arrow, line and senne. The swordfish is a very large, curious fish. It's caught with a folle net to make oil. It is common.The demoiselle is is caught with aline. It's a big fish like the machauran which weighs up to two hundred pounds.The pig is a very curious fish. Mr. Barraire drew some as a part of all others which are above. The lizard is very good and very common. The crayfish is larger than in France and less delicate. They are taken in the rivers. The toad is very good. It gets caught in the rocks in the sea. Shrimp is like in Europe. The crab is excellent. In January, February and March there are plenty of them.There is a sea pig called cabiaye (Capybara), quite common in some rivers. It is amphibious. It is claimed that Maipourri (tapir) is also amphibious. It is rare in Cayenne and very common inland. It has the horse's hair, his feet of pig. It's a very good meal. The sole is like plaice.There is a very bad kind of aurans. Lapas, a small fish, is caught at low tide in the mud. It is good. The pacou, a good fish, is caught in rivers.The commaron is red, very good. Aymara, good. The pike. Patayal is caught in holes. Coubani is pretty much like monkfish.The jayre is a small fish, not much. The eel is of two species. One trembling. It is to remark about this one that when it is caught on a line, the one who catches it becomes like lost. Usually when you catch them, you first need to take the mouth of the water. The negroes kill them right away either with a billhook or something else. The billhook jumps from his hands as he hits the eel. When it is dead, it has no longer any effect. We handle them or we skin them without anything happening. They say they are good and very big. Parsisy, a river fish, very large, very good, they are bearded. Coconut is caught by line, very common and good. The cachini is very large. It resembles salmon. It has a tongue half a foot long. The Indians use it as a file. This fish is preserved like the Lamentin. The eaglefish is very good. The pailla is a very good red fish. The sioure is a very good species of sea bass. The rock barbe is a very good fish, without scales, much better than tench and guimbarde. Father Charbonnier, a Jesuit who arrived from Camopy, told me that there was a sea tiger in this river. The front part is like a tiger with fur. It has tusks like a boar and half of its body is like a fish with scales. This sea monster is dangerous. It has caused the Indians to abandon the place where it live. I saw a small sea horse. It has the head and neck of a horse. Sieur Barraire drew it. Sieur Macaye, the counsellor, told me he saw one at the beginning of this year, 1723, and that its rump could be ten feet wide, as it sometimes appears. The Negroes claim that when these sea horses appear, it is a bad omen. There are still a few other fish that I am not familiar with. There are also more than thirty different species of snakes. Done at Cayenne on 29 September 1723.

Memory for Martinique. When does turtle fishing begin? If it is done there all year round or only in particular seasons? (Answer in the margins) Turtles are only caught in Martinique by chance and that is why fishermen go to catch them in the Grenadines and Tabac (Tobago?) and bring them here where they sell them for 10 sols per pound. In what various ways is this fishing done and what species of turtles are we most likely to see in Martinique?(Answer in the margins). Same as in the attached memo. Are there any that are covered with leather at the corners and have no scales?(Answer in the margins) No. If land turtles are seen in large numbers and of what size? (Answerin the margins) Few. The largest are a foot wide by 18 (inches) long. If manatee is caught a few times and if it is rare or ordinary. Give an exact description of this fish since the figures we see of it do not agree with what we write about it elsewhere. If there are several species or just one, how many females have babies at a time?(Answer in the margins) Not at all. If we still import salted manatee flesh to Martinique as we did in the past before the trade in salted beef and meat from Europe?(Answer in the margins) Not at all.

Memory for Martinique. When does turtle fishing begin? If it is done there all year round or only in particular seasons? (Answer in the margins) Turtles are only caught in Martinique by chance and that is why fishermen go to catch them in the Grenadines and Tabac (Tobago?) and bring them here where they sell them for 10 sols per pound. In what various ways is this fishing done and what species of turtles are we most likely to see in Martinique?(Answer in the margins). Same as in the attached memo. Are there any that are covered with leather at the corners and have no scales?(Answer in the margins) No. If land turtles are seen in large numbers and of what size? (Answerin the margins) Few. The largest are a foot wide by 18 (inches) long. If manatee is caught a few times and if it is rare or ordinary. Give an exact description of this fish since the figures we see of it do not agree with what we write about it elsewhere. If there are several species or just one, how many females have babies at a time?(Answer in the margins) Not at all. If we still import salted manatee flesh to Martinique as we did in the past before the trade in salted beef and meat from Europe?(Answer in the margins) Not at all.

Memory for Martinique. When does turtle fishing begin? If it is done there all year round or only in particular seasons? (Answer in the margins) Turtles are only caught in Martinique by chance and that is why fishermen go to catch them in the Grenadines and Tabac (Tobago?) and bring them here where they sell them for 10 sols per pound. In what various ways is this fishing done and what species of turtles are we most likely to see in Martinique?(Answer in the margins). Same as in the attached memo. Are there any that are covered with leather at the corners and have no scales?(Answer in the margins) No. If land turtles are seen in large numbers and of what size? (Answerin the margins) Few. The largest are a foot wide by 18 (inches) long. If manatee is caught a few times and if it is rare or ordinary. Give an exact description of this fish since the figures we see of it do not agree with what we write about it elsewhere. If there are several species or just one, how many females have babies at a time?(Answer in the margins) Not at all. If we still import salted manatee flesh to Martinique as we did in the past before the trade in salted beef and meat from Europe?(Answer in the margins) Not at all.

Memory for Martinique. When does turtle fishing begin? If it is done there all year round or only in particular seasons? (Answer in the margins) Turtles are only caught in Martinique by chance and that is why fishermen go to catch them in the Grenadines and Tabac (Tobago?) and bring them here where they sell them for 10 sols per pound. In what various ways is this fishing done and what species of turtles are we most likely to see in Martinique?(Answer in the margins). Same as in the attached memo. Are there any that are covered with leather at the corners and have no scales?(Answer in the margins) No. If land turtles are seen in large numbers and of what size? (Answerin the margins) Few. The largest are a foot wide by 18 (inches) long. If manatee is caught a few times and if it is rare or ordinary. Give an exact description of this fish since the figures we see of it do not agree with what we write about it elsewhere. If there are several species or just one, how many females have babies at a time?(Answer in the margins) Not at all. If we still import salted manatee flesh to Martinique as we did in the past before the trade in salted beef and meat from Europe?(Answer in the margins) Not at all.

If we also bring turtle flesh and where does this kind of cured meat come from?(Answerin the margins) Sometimes, they come from Cape Verde and Tabac (Tobago?) but rarely.What fish species do we see in Martinique for which there is fishing of some importancefor the food of the inhabitants? Make a list of the names of all the fish such as thazard, sardes, beaumes, dorades, etc. and mark those which are most common and in greatest number.(Answer in the margins) The same as in Guadeloupe.If there are a lot of crocodiles and lizards?(Answer in the margins) No crocodiles, a few lizards.If the first are dangerous and if they leave the waters to come ashore to find their food? If we sell lizards publicly to eat them and make stews or in what other ways do we prepare them?
(Answer in the margin)
We rarely sell them, there are few large ones that can be eaten, but there
are large quantities of small ones called anolis of which houses are full even though cats destroy them. We prepare them like chickens, in fricassee.
If green and dry cod are brought to Martinique and where does it come from? (Answer in the margins)
Some green comes from Canada and around 2000 quintals per year of dry cod which is not enough for a quarter of what would be consumed.
If other kinds of salted fish are brought there, what are they and where do they come from?
(Answer in the margins)
We sometimes bring thazard,vieille and other fish from Cape Verde.
If we sometimes find ambergris on the coast and in what season and after what time?
(Answer in the margins)
None. If calves or sea wolves, oxen or sea cows are seen and their uses and if they are there in large
numbers?
(Answer
in the margins)
None.
If sea lions are seen and which are of the same species
and in this case, give a description?
(Answer
in the margins)
None.
If sometimes whales appear on the coast and if you catch them?
(Answer in the margins)
Sometimes mulardes or blowers but rarely and we take none.
If sea bears are seen there and if merman
(tritons) or mermaids (sir?nes) were caught a few times?
(Answer
in the margins)
None.
If porpoises are sometimes or often caught there and what color are they?
(Answer in the margins)
We often see them but we very rarely take them. They are like those
in Europe.
If there are a large number of shellfish on the coast and what species?
(Answer
in the margins)
Same as in Guadeloupe.

If we also bring turtle flesh and where does this kind of cured meat come from?(Answerin the margins) Sometimes, they come from Cape Verde and Tabac (Tobago?) but rarely.What fish species do we see in Martinique for which there is fishing of some importancefor the food of the inhabitants? Make a list of the names of all the fish such as thazard, sardes, beaumes, dorades, etc. and mark those which are most common and in greatest number.(Answer in the margins) The same as in Guadeloupe.If there are a lot of crocodiles and lizards?(Answer in the margins) No crocodiles, a few lizards.If the first are dangerous and if they leave the waters to come ashore to find their food? If we sell lizards publicly to eat them and make stews or in what other ways do we prepare them?
(Answer in the margin)
We rarely sell them, there are few large ones that can be eaten, but there
are large quantities of small ones called anolis of which houses are full even though cats destroy them. We prepare them like chickens, in fricassee.
If green and dry cod are brought to Martinique and where does it come from? (Answer in the margins)
Some green comes from Canada and around 2000 quintals per year of dry cod which is not enough for a quarter of what would be consumed.
If other kinds of salted fish are brought there, what are they and where do they come from?
(Answer in the margins)
We sometimes bring thazard,vieille and other fish from Cape Verde.
If we sometimes find ambergris on the coast and in what season and after what time?
(Answer in the margins)
None. If calves or sea wolves, oxen or sea cows are seen and their uses and if they are there in large
numbers?
(Answer
in the margins)
None.
If sea lions are seen and which are of the same species
and in this case, give a description?
(Answer
in the margins)
None.
If sometimes whales appear on the coast and if you catch them?
(Answer in the margins)
Sometimes mulardes or blowers but rarely and we take none.
If sea bears are seen there and if merman
(tritons) or mermaids (sir?nes) were caught a few times?
(Answer
in the margins)
None.
If porpoises are sometimes or often caught there and what color are they?
(Answer in the margins)
We often see them but we very rarely take them. They are like those
in Europe.
If there are a large number of shellfish on the coast and what species?
(Answer
in the margins)
Same as in Guadeloupe.

If we also bring turtle flesh and where does this kind of cured meat come from?(Answerin the margins) Sometimes, they come from Cape Verde and Tabac (Tobago?) but rarely.What fish species do we see in Martinique for which there is fishing of some importancefor the food of the inhabitants? Make a list of the names of all the fish such as thazard, sardes, beaumes, dorades, etc. and mark those which are most common and in greatest number.(Answer in the margins) The same as in Guadeloupe.If there are a lot of crocodiles and lizards?(Answer in the margins) No crocodiles, a few lizards.If the first are dangerous and if they leave the waters to come ashore to find their food? If we sell lizards publicly to eat them and make stews or in what other ways do we prepare them?
(Answer in the margin)
We rarely sell them, there are few large ones that can be eaten, but there
are large quantities of small ones called anolis of which houses are full even though cats destroy them. We prepare them like chickens, in fricassee.
If green and dry cod are brought to Martinique and where does it come from? (Answer in the margins)
Some green comes from Canada and around 2000 quintals per year of dry cod which is not enough for a quarter of what would be consumed.
If other kinds of salted fish are brought there, what are they and where do they come from?
(Answer in the margins)
We sometimes bring thazard,vieille and other fish from Cape Verde.
If we sometimes find ambergris on the coast and in what season and after what time?
(Answer in the margins)
None. If calves or sea wolves, oxen or sea cows are seen and their uses and if they are there in large
numbers?
(Answer
in the margins)
None.
If sea lions are seen and which are of the same species
and in this case, give a description?
(Answer
in the margins)
None.
If sometimes whales appear on the coast and if you catch them?
(Answer in the margins)
Sometimes mulardes or blowers but rarely and we take none.
If sea bears are seen there and if merman
(tritons) or mermaids (sir?nes) were caught a few times?
(Answer
in the margins)
None.
If porpoises are sometimes or often caught there and what color are they?
(Answer in the margins)
We often see them but we very rarely take them. They are like those
in Europe.
If there are a large number of shellfish on the coast and what species?
(Answer
in the margins)
Same as in Guadeloupe.