of the ‘commodities’ or valuable productions, of daily use and commercial value, which were found here.  Thus, under the Indian name of Uppowoc, Hariot gives a description of the tobacco-plant,[O] which had been previously known to the Spaniards.  This, however, seems to have been its earliest introduction to the English, and it was carried home by them ‘to the nobility.’  In the account of this plant, we are told that it is so esteemed by the Indians that they even think their gods are delighted with it.  Our chronicler further says:  ’We were in the habit of using this plant for our diseases, as the natives did, and have continued the practice since our return.’  It was only used to smoke; the natives were never guilty of chewing it.’  Among the roots, it mentions Openauk, which must have been what we call the pea-nut, which is now largely cultivated along that coast, and is quite an article of commerce.  They also found here the sweet potato and various kinds of squashes and melons, as well as many varieties of beans, some of which are still cultivated extensively in that region.

It also describes a root which grows sometimes as large as a human head; this must have been what is now known as the tanger.  But the greatest discovery of all was the potato, which has been of such inestimable benefit to mankind.  This, which they carried home, was cultivated by Raleigh, on his estate in Ireland, and thence disseminated through Europe.  Doubt has been thrown over this statement by the fact that botanists have been unable to find this plant in North-America in an indigenous state, and so have concluded that it never grew here at all.  Our volume, however, proves that it was cultivated by the natives, as were corn, beans, and tobacco.  Of it, Hariot speaks as follows: 

’Kaishuopenauk is a kind of white root of the size of a hen’s egg, and almost similar in form; it did not seem to be of a very pleasant taste, and consequently we did not take any particular pains to learn its history, yet the natives cook and eat them.’

Scarcely any part of our country has a greater variety of plants and trees than this vicinity.  It will be found an interesting field for botanists.

Only a few days had elapsed after the departure of the colonists, when a ship, prepared and furnished with supplies from Raleigh, arrived at Roanoke.  After some days spent by her commander in searching for his countrymen, he set sail for home.  Fifteen days after the departure of this supply-ship, three vessels, under the command of Sir Richard Grenville, made their appearance before the place, and when he ascertained the state of affairs, his disappointment was extreme.  He, however, made extensive explorations, and leaving fifteen men to reside at Roanoke and keep possession of the country, departed for home.  One would suppose that Raleigh, by this time, would have become disheartened by his disappointments in