¶ A treatise of the new India, with other new found lands and Islands, aswell eastward as westward, as they are known and found in these our days, after the description of Sebastian Munster in his book of universal cosmography: wherein the diligent reader may see the good success and reward of noble and honest enterprises, by the which not only worldly riches are obtained, but also God is glorified, & the Christian faith enlarged.  
Translated out of Latin into English. By Ryrcharde Eden.  
☞ Praeter spem sub spae.   

¶ To the right high and mighty Prince, the Duke of Northumberlande, his grace.  
I Read in ancient writers (most noble prince) how that mighty king and conqueror of the world, Alexander the great, at such time as he beheld the tomb of fierce Achilles, & therewith called to his remembrance how excellently the Poet Homer had set forth his heroical facts, which notwithstanding he thought to be much inferior unto his, he sighed & said: Oh the most fortunate, which haste found such a trump to magnify thy doings, meaning hereby, that the fame of Achilles was no less notable to his posterity by homers writing, then it was in his life time by his own martial affairs. Whereby we may perceive such magnanimity to have been in our predecessors, men of noble & stout courage, that they thought it not sufficient in their life time to deserve praise & honour, except the same might also redound to their posterity, that they might thereby be encouraged to do the like. Which thing truly hath been the cause, that in all ages, noble enterprises have been commended, & such as have attempted the same, have been honoured. Wherefore if honest commendations be a just reward dew to noble enterprises, so much do they rob & spoil from the dignity thereof, which in any point diminish the same: no less confounding the order of things, than he which cloteth an ape in purple, & a king in sackcloth. This I speak the rather, because there chanced of late to come to my hands, a shiete of printed paper, (more worthy so to be called then a book) entituled of the new found lands. The which t●tle when I read, as one not utterly ignorant hereof, having before in my time read Decades, and also the navigations de novo orb, there seemed too me no less inequality between the title and the book, then if a man would profess to write of England, and entreated only of Trumpington a village within a mile of cambridge. Wherefore partly moved the good affection, which I have ever borne to the science of cosmography, which entreately of the description of the world, whereof the new found lands are no small part, & much more by the good will, which of duty I bear to my native country & countrymen, which have of late to their great praise (whatsoever succeed) attempted with new viages to search the seas and new found lands, I thought it worthy my travail, to their better comfort, (as one not otherwise able to further their enterprise) to translate this book out of latin into English. The which, albeit it do not so largely or particularly entreat of every part, region or commodity of the said new found lands, as the worthiness of the thing might require: yet sure I am that aswell they which set forth or take upon them this voyage, as also they which shall hereafter attempt the like, may in this small book as in a little glass, see some clear light, not only how to learn by the example damage, good success, and adventures of other, how to behave themselves & direct their voyage to their most commodity, but also if due success herein should not chance according unto their hope & expectation (as oftentimes chanceth in great affairs,) yet not for one foil or fall, so to be dismayed as with shame and dishonour to leave with loss, but rather to the death to persist in a godly, honest, & lawful purpose, knowing that whereas one death is dew to nature, the same is more honourably spent in such attempts as may be to the glory of God & commodity of our country, then in soft beds at home, among the tears & weeping of women. Which manly courage (like unto that which hath been seen and proved in your grace, aswell in forene realms, as also in this our country) if it had not been wanting in other in these our days, at such time as our sovereign Lord of noble memory King Henry the eight about the same year of his reign, furnished & sent forth certain ships under the governance of Sebastian Cabot yet living, & one sir Thomas part, whose faint heart was the cause that that voyage took none effect, if (I say) such manly courage whereof we have spoken, had not at that time been wanting, it might happily have comen to pass, that that rich treasury called Perularia, (which is now in Spain in the city of Civil, and so named, for that in it is kept the infinite riches brought thither from the new found land of Peru,) might long since have been in the tower of London, to the kings great honour and wealth of this his realm. What riches the Emperor hath gotten out of all the new found lands, it may well appear, whereas only in the Islands of Hispana or Hispaniola and Cuba & other Islands there about, were gathered in two months twelve thousand pounds weight of gold as your grace may read in this book, in the description of the Islands. Yet speak I here nothing of pearls, precious stones, and spices. Neither yet of the great abundance of gold, which is engendered almost in all regions near unto the equinoctial line. And whereas I am advertised that your grace have been a great fortherer of this voyage, (as you have been ever studious for the commodity of your country,) I thought my travail herein could no ways be more worthily bestowed, then to dedicate the same unto your grace: Most humbly desiring your honour so to accept mine intent herein, as one whose good will hath not wanted to gratify your grace with a better thing if mine ability were greater. Thus Almighty God preserve your grace in health and honour long to continue.  
¶ Your grace's poor orator Richard Eden.   

¶ Richard Eden to the reader.  
WHereas in this Book (well-beloved Reader) thou mayest ●eade ma●ye strange things, a●d in manner incredible, except the same were proved most certain by daily experience, & approved authority, (as shall hereafter appear) I thought it good for thy bett●r instruction to make this Preface, whereby t●●u mightest more plainly & sensibly comprehend ●he reasons & causes, if not of all, yet of some of the chiefest things, which are contained in the same● Therefore whereas thou shalt r●ade of the great abundance of gold, precious stones & spices, which the Spaniards & Portugals have brought from the South parts of the world, as from the new found lands & Islands, the sudden strangeness or greatness of the thing shall not so much amaze thy wits, and gender in thee incrudelity, if thou consider the saying of wise Solomon, who affirmeth that there is no new thing under the Sun, 
nothing new under the Sun.  & that the thing that hath been, cometh to pass again: which saying doth greatly confirm the truth, of such things as are spoken of in this Book, whereas the same perhaps to some men might otherwise seem in manner incredible, if the like had not been seen in ●yme paste, & approved by authority of most holy scripture, which declaring the great wisdom, riches, & noble viages of King Solomon, 
3. Reg. 4  saith that God gave him wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and a large heart, and that he prepared a navy of ships, 
3. Reg. 9  in the port of Azion Gaber, by the brink of the red sea, which sailed to Ophir, & brought from thence xxi score hundredth (which is. xl●. M.) weight of gold. Again, 
3. Re. 10.  that the weight of gold which was brought to Solomon in one year, was vi hundredth, three score & vi talents of gold, whereas the Hebrew talent, called Talente Haebraicum sanctuarii, was of our st●rling money 500 pound, & Talent Haebrai●um vulgare, was half so much. Likewise that silver was nothing worth in the days of Solomon, and that he made silver & gold in Jerusalem as plenteous as stones Agay●, 
2. Par. ●  that he overlaid the house of the Lord with precious stones beautifully, 
1. Par. 3.  and the gold wherewith he covered it, was gold of Paruaim. Also that the kings navy of ships went once in three year to Tharsis, 
Tharsis Gold Apes Elephants.  and brought Gold, Silver, Apeses Peacocks, and Elephants teeth, Which words surely seem so to confirm such things as are spoken of in the navigations whereof this book entreateth, that nothing can make more for the truth of the same: 
Salomon'S ships.  and briefly to speak of the places whether salomon's ships sailed for Gold, as Tharsis and Ophir. 
Ophir.  This aught to be considered for a general rule, that nearest unto the south parts of the world between the two Tropikes under the Equinoctial or burning line, where the sun is of greatest force, 
Where Gold is engendered.  is the chiefest place where gold is engendered, although it be sometimes found in cold regions as in Scotland, in Crayford more, likewise in H●ngary, 
Scotland Hungary  yet neither pure of itself, nor in great quantity: the reason whereof is largely declared in the ●ookes of George Agric, & Albertus Magnus. And whereas it is written in the ●oke of Kings in the Acts of Solomon that he prepared his ships in Azion Gaber, 
3. Reg. 9 Azion Gaber.  being by the brink of the read s●a, and sailed from thence to Ophir for Gold, it is apparent, that (howsoever the names of things have altered and perished in time) he sailed from thence southward toward the Equinoctial line, 
the Equinoctial line.  for asmuch as there is none other passage out of the narrowness of the read sea, but only into the main South sea, by the which the Portugals even at this day make their voyage to Calicut, 
Calicut.  Samo●ra, Madagascar, and such other Islands in the South east parts of the world, where Gold, spices, Apes, and Elephants are now found in like manner. 
Tharsis in cilicia.  But as for Tharsis being a city of Cilicia in Asia the l●sse & the native country of S. Paul the Apostle, and situate much more toward the North, than is judea, and in manner directly over against judea on the otherside of the sea called Mare Mediteraneun, & in the same clime, in the which standeth the Island of Sicilia, 
Sicilia.  and the city of Civil in Spain, 
Civil in Spain  it hardly agreeth with the principles of Philosophy & common experience, that gold should be there engendered in like abundance as in Regions more toward the south, much less Elephants and Apes, which are no where engendered far from the equinoctial line, or beyond the two Tropikes, nor yet will engendre if they be brought into those parts of the world. The like is to be understand of popinjays and spices, 
spices.  and divers other beasts, fruits, and trees, which are engendered in certain climes of the world, and will not prosper in other places: the reason whereof were here to long declare. 
Pepper.  For like as pepper will not grow in Spain, no more will the Orange tree bring forth fruit in England. 
Orange tree.  Wherefore, it may seem by good reason, that the Gold, Apes, and Elephants teeth which were brought from Tharsis (if it were Tharsis of Cilicia) were not engendered there, but rather brought thither by merchants from the south parts of the world, out of Mauritania, Marmarica, Ethiopia, Libya, & Arabia, or otherwise by land, from the East India, 
East India.  like as at this day, the great multitude of spices, Gold, Precious stones, Silk, and ivory, which is at Calicut and Cambaia, grow not all in the regions there about, but are brought thither from divers other countries, as doth more largely appear in this Book. And that salomon's factors for exchange of other merchandise, bought the same in Tharsis, 
Solomon bought gold of merchants.  be●●g brought thither from other countries, as it is written in the third Book of the Kings, that Solomon had great plenty of Gold of Merchants & Apothecaries. So that to conclude, I would rather think (saving reformation of o●her better learned) that this Tharsis (& not Tharsis of Cilicia,) from whence Solomon had so great plenty of Gold and ivory, were rather some other country in the south parts of the world, than this Tharsis of Cilicia. For● not only old and new Histories, daily experience, and the principles of natural Philosophy do agree, that the places most apt to bring forth gold, spices, & precious stones, 
the south & south east.  are the South and Southeast parts of the world, 
Mat 12  but also our Saviour Christ approveth the same, 
●. Reg. x 2. Par. 9 the queen of Saba, the queen of the south  declaring that the Queen of the South (meaning the Qu●ne of Saba) came from the utmost parts of the world to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And like as by the authority of these words it is plain fro● what parts of the world she came, the same to a philosophical head is apparent by s●che r●ches & presents as she brought with her. For albeit that in the chronicles of Solomon it is ●ot written by expressed words that she came from the south, yet is it written that she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, 
2, par. 9 3. Reg. x  with camels laden with spices, sweet odours, & exceeding much gold & precious stones, which description doth well agree, 
Saba in Ethiopia under Egypt.  both with the situation of the city of Saba in Ethiopia under Egypt: and also with the cou●trey of Saba, being in the middle of Arabia, 
Saba in Arabia.  environed about with great rocks wherein is a great wood of Precious trees, some of Cinomome & Cassia, & some bringing forth frankincense and myrrh, as writeth Plinius lib. 12. and Theophrastus li. 9 de Hist. Plant. Wherefore the Queen of ●aba might worthily be called ●he queen of the South, forasmuch as both Saba (or rather Sabat) in Ethiopia, which josephus thinketh to be the Island of Meroe, now called Elsaba, being in the river of Nilus, & that the queen came from thence, & also Saba in Arabia, are situate far southward from Jerusalem, even in manner in the midst of the line, called Tropicus Can●ri, and the Equin●ctinal line, 
the queen of Saba came from the Island of Meroae.  ●here the Pole Arctic is elevate not passing. 1●. degrees or thereabout (as in Meroae) where as the same pole is elevate at Jerusalem. 22. degrees: whereby it may appear that the queen of Saba (whom Christ calleth the queen of the south,) came from the south parts about xi hundredth & xl miles from Jerusalem, for the same distance is from Saba in Meroe to Hier●salem, as between Rome & England. 
From Rome to England.  ●ut as touching this matter, it shall suffice to have said thus much. Now therefore to return home from these far countries, 
The voyage of our men to cathay  and to speak somewhat of this voyage which our countrymen, have attempted to sail into the east parts, by the coasts of Norway, Lappia, and Finmarchia, 
Norway Lappia, Finmarchia.  and so by the narrow tract of the Sea by the coasts of Grovelande, into the frozen sea, called Maroae, Congelatum, & so forth to Cathay (if any such passage may be found) which only doubt doth at this day discourage many faint hearted men, specially because in the most part of Globes & Maps they see the continente or firm land, 
Globes & maps.  extended even to the North Pole without any such passage. Which thing ought to move no man greatly, forasmuch as the most part of Globes a●d maps are made after Ptolomeus Tables: 
Ptolomeus.  Who, albeit he was an excellent man, yet were there many things hid from his knowledge, as not sufficiently tried or searched at those days, as manifestly appeareth in that he knew nothing of. 
America.  America with the hole firm land adherent thereunto, which is now found to be the fourth part of the earth. Neither yet knew he any thing of the passage by the West into the east, by the straights of Magellanus as you shall read in this Book, 
The straights of Magellanus.  Neither of the Islands in the West Ocean Sea, 
the Islands of Molucca  nor of the Islands of Molucca situate in the main east Indian Sea. And as touching this passage, albeit, it were not known in Ptolomeus days yet other authors of later time, who perhaps have had further experience of the thing (as good reason is) do write not only that there is a passage by the north Sea into the main east Sea, 
Passage by the north sea into the East.  but do also further declare, how certain ships have safely sailed through the same, 
Pius secundus. lib. i Capit. two. note well the passage by the North sea.  as Pius secundus (otherwise called AE●eas Silvius) an excellent aucto●e describeth in his Book of cosmography, where he hath these words following. Of the North Ocean Sea, whether it may be sailed about or not, the contention is greater, yet is it apparent that the greatest part thereof about Germany, 
Augustus' th'emperor.  hath been searched by the commandment of Augustus' th'emperor, even unto the promontory or lands end of the people, 
Cimbria.  called Cimbri. 
Caspia. the wars of the Macedonians  The seas also and coasts of Caspia were so searched during the wars of the Macedonians under the dominion of Seleucus & Anthiocus, that all most all the North on every side was sailed about. Pliny rehearseth the testimony of Cornelius Nepos, 
Plinius. Cornelius Nepos Su●uia, called also Succia near unto ●o●●●and and norway.  who writeth that the king of Suevia (or Swethelande) gave to Metellus celer, proconsul or leavetenaunte of France, certain judians or men of Jude, which sailing out of India for mar●haundyse, were by tempest driven into Germany. We also read in Otho, that under th'empire of the germans, there was a ship of Indians taken in the North sea of Germany, 
A ship of Indians driven from the East into the North seas.  and driven thither by contrary wind from the East parts: which thing could by no means have comen to pass, if (as many men think) the North sea were not navigable by reason of extreme cold & Ise. And these be the very words of Pius Secundus, whereunto I add, that this, notwithstanding, if it should so chance, that either there can no such passage be found, or the same so dangerous, or otherwise that the very cut thereof by which only perhaps any ships might pass, could not be found, yea, or to cast the worst, if they should perish in this voyage, yet I would wish all men to be of such courage and constancy in these affairs, as are valiant captains in the wars: who, if by misfortune they take a foil, do rather study how by some other ways to recover their honour and reputation diminished by the same, then with shame, loss, & dishonour, ever afterward to give place to their enemies, or forswear the wars. Wherefore, to conclude, if no good can be done this way, it were worthy the adventure to attempt, if the same voyage may be brought to pass, another way, as by the straight called Fretum trium fratrum, 
The voyage to Cathay Westward & by north  westward & by North from England, which voyage is sufficiently known to such as have any skill in geography. As for other lands and Islands in the west sea, where the Eagle (yet not in every place) hath so spled his wings, that other poor birds may not without offence seek their pray within the compass of the same, 
the earth compassed abou●  I will speak nothing hereof, because I would be loath to lay an egg, whereof other men might hatch a serpent. Wherefore to let this pass, & to enter into another matter. Forasmuch as in these our days hath chanced so great a secret to be found, as the like hath never been known or heard before, (what soever God meant to keep this mystery hid so long) I thought it good to speak somewhat hereof: trusting that the pleasant contemplation of the thing itself, shall make the length of this preface less tedious, especially if it find a reader whose soul delighteth to praise God in his works. The thing therefore is this, how the hole globe of the world (of the earth and wate● I mean) hath been sailed about, by the West into the East, as doth more largely appear in this book in the navigations of Magellanus, 
The vi●ge of magellanus.  who from Spain sailed Westward to the Islands of Molucca being in the East sea, 
The Islands of Molucc●  far beyond the furthest parts of East India: & the portugals came to the same Islands from Spain sailing Eastward by the coasts of Aphrica, Arabia, & the uttermost India beyond the river of Ganges where, in the Indian sea the said Islands of Molucca are situate. A thing surely most wondered, and in manner incredible, but that the same is proved most certain by experience, 
Experience, that teacher of all sciences  the teacher and mestres of all sciences, for lack of whose aid (experience I mean) like as many great wits have fallen into great errors, so by her aid, many base and common wits have attained to the knowledge & practice of such wonderful effects, 
Sense & understanding.  as could hardly be comprehended by the discourse of reason. Which thing or other like, I suppose was the cause why the noble Philosopher Aristoteles said: 
A sentence of aristotel.  Quod nihil est in intellectu ꝙ non fuit prius insensu, that is, that nothing is in understanding, but the same was first in sense, that is to say subject to the senses. Yet would I not that any rash wit should hereby take hold, as thought either Aristotle or I, meant that sense were more excellent th● reason, but rather that reason using sense, taketh his principles and first sedes of things sensible, & afterward by his own discourse & searching of causes, increaseth the same from a seed to a tree, as from an acorn to an oak. 
Experience joined with speculation  Nought else to say, but that experience to be most certain which is joined with reason or speculation, and that reason to be most sure which is confirmed with experience, according as the physicians determe● in their science, that neither practise i● safe without speculation, nor speculation with out practise. Wherefore, whereas men of great knowledge and experience, are to great affairs, their attempts have for the most part good success, 
A per●●ler proveth no universal.  as doth most plainly appear in all histories: notwithstanding that some ignorant men will allege that certain rash adventures have prospered well: which saying proveth no more than if a man should say, that twice or thrice a man unarmed slew a man armed (as did sometime the wild Irishmen at bullen) Ergo, 
what is knowledge and learning.  it were better to fight unarmed than armed. And whereas I have here spoken of knowledge joined with experience, I mean by knowledge that which we commonly call learning, whether it be gotten out of books (which are the writings of wise and expert men) or otherwise by conference & education with such as are learned: meaning nought else by learning, but that gathering of many men's wits into one man's head, & the experience of many years, and many men's lives, to the life of one, whom we call a learned wise, and expert man. The which defynition and effect of learning, 
Baltassar Castaglionae.  the noble & learned cortier Baltassar Castaglione (the author of the book called in the Italian tongue il cortegiono,) diligently considering, 
A false persuasion of y● frēshm●  doth greatly blame and reprove the frenshmen in that they think that the knowledge of letters doth hinder the affairs of war, that which persuasion he proveth by many reasons and examples to be most false. But as concerning the matter whereof this book entreateth the great Philosopher Albertus Magnus, 
Albertus Magnus  only by learning, without experience, affirmed that habitable or temperate Regions might be under the Equinoctial or burning line, 
separate regions under the Equinoctial line  as appeareth in his Book de Natura locorum, contrary to the opinion of other writers which were before his time, and yet is now proved by experience to be most true, albeit not in all places under the said line, the cause whereof were here to long to declare. And like as Albertus Magnus by knowledge of astronomy (wherein he excelled) came to the understanding hereof, even so that great Clerk (but better divine than Philosopher,) Sayncte augustine and also Lacta●tius, 
An error of s● Augustine & Lactantius.  for lack of like knowledge in that science, fell into a childish error, denying that there is any people, called Antipodes, 
antipodes  of whom the great Astronomer of one time, 
Ap●anus.  Apianus writeth in this manner. Antipodes are they, which walk with their feet dyrectelye contrary against ours, and have the heaven dyrectelye over their heads as we have. Yet have we nothing common with them, but all things contrary: for when the Sun causeth Summer with us, then is it Myddewynter with them: and when it is day with us, it is night with them: And when the day is longest with us, then is the longest night with them, and the shortest day. Which, Lactantius, 
Lactantius.  a man otherwise well learned, in his third Book. Capittulo four and twenty, childisshelye erring, with his light and opinionate arguments, denieth that there is any such, and mocketh the Astronomers, because they affirm the earth to be round, 
the roundness of the earth.  which nevertheless they prove with most certain and apparent demonstrations of geometry, and un`ayleable experiments. Whom, 
S. augustyne.  saint augustine following, in his sixteenth Book. de Civitat, Dei. Capittu. ix. writeth after this sort. Such as fable that there is Antipodes, that is to say, men of the contrary part, where the sun riseth when it falleth to us, and to have their feet against ours, we ought by no reason to believe. Those be the words of saint augustine. notwithstanding (sayeth Apianus) put thou no doubt Gentle Reader, 
Apianus.  that the Apostles of Christ were Antipodes the one to the other, 
The apostles, Antipodes the one against tother.  and stood fe●te to feet the one against the other, when james th'elder and brother to john the evangelist, the son of Zebedens', was in Spain in Galitia, and Thomas the Apostle in the higher India, they were most certaynelye Antipodes, walking feet to feet one against the other, almost as directly as a diametrical line. For the spaniards are Antipodes to the Indians, 
The spaniards & the Indians are Antipodes.  and the Indians in like manner to the spaniards. Which thing also the excellent and ancient Author Strabo confirmeth to be true, and likewise Plinius Nat. Hist. lib. 2. Cap. 67 Volateranus also, and all other Cosmographers & Astronomers. Hitherto Apianus: and to declare my opinion in few words, I think it no great marvel that Saint augustine should fall into an error in the science of Astronomy in which he travailed but as a stranger, forasmuch as he erred in many things in divinity which was his chief profession: 
S. augustine of the heresy of manicheus  and was long of the heresy of Manicheus before he was converted by Saint Ambrose: 
S. augustines book of retractes.  and writ also at the length a Book of retractes, in which he correcteth his own errors. And I believe plainly that, that excellent wit of his, could not have remained long in that error if he had been well exercised in Astronomy, or had known any such experience as is spoken of here before, how the spaniards by the West and the Portugals by the east compassed about the earth, which could never have come to pass if the earth were not round (Quantum ad maximas sui parts) as they call it. For, as for hills and Mountains, 

Mountains, let not the roundness of the earth.  
A gall.   though they be never so great, yet in respect to the bigness of the earth, they do no more let the roundness hereof, then do the little knobs of the berry, which we call a gall, let the roundness of the same. Wherefore I am certainly persuaded, that if saint augustine had continued his study in astronomy (as it had been pity he should) or were alive at this day, he would also have retracted this error. But if here any superstitious head shall think it a heinous matter in any point to contrary Saint augustine, let him hearken how Augustine himself sayeth: that he will neither his writings or other men's, of how great name or fame soever they be, 
A Sentence of S. augustines.  otherwise to be believed then the same shall, by reason be approved to be true: Neque quorumlibet disputaciones● etc. And like as the great Philosopher Aristotel, when he write against his master Plato of the question de ●dais, and against Socrates who by the oracle of Apollo was proved to be most wise, and certain of his friends asked him why he durst be so bold, he answered that Plato was his friend, and so was Socrates: but truth his friend more than they both, even so I think it no injury nor contumely to saint augustine, if the same were said of him also giving him otherwise his dew commendations, 
Commendation of s. augustin  as he was surely an excellent man, of divine wit, and knowledge, and so travailed in setting forth Christ's true Religion in those turmoylous days, in perpetual combat, against learned heretics and Princes of the world, that he is worthily called a Doctor and Pillar of Christ's Church. And as for Lactantius, 
Lactantius.  the intent of whose writings was chiefly to this end, to dyminisshe th'estimation of philosophy, (as at those days it was necessary to do among the gentiles) and to advance God's word, (which they contemned for the simplicity of the same,) albeit, he attempted as far as his learning would serve him, to make all things in Philosophy uncertain, yet are his arguments so slender, that unless GOD by the secret working of his spirit, had called the gentiles to the true Faith, I fear me least few or none of them, (specially of the great wits) would have been converted by ●actantius arguments. How he dallieth in denying the earth to be round, and that it is possible that it might be long and round, (like an Egg,) or otherwise long and hollow like a boat, (meaning I suppose that the Sea might be contained in the hollowness of the same, with such other opinions grounded of no reason, it were to long to rehearse. Yet, forasmuch as he was a learned man, and for the better satisfying of such wits as ar● desyreous to know some appearance of truth by natural reason and demonstrations, 
Of the roundness of the earth.  let us admit that the earth were round after any of those fashions which he describeth: yet can it not be denied, but that it is contained within the holowenesse (if I may so call it) of the air, 
the earth hangeth in the air  having the heaven in every place dyrectelye over every part of the same, as sayeth the Poet and Philosopher Virgil, Caelum undique sursum: Except perhaps Lactantius should think that it hung by some thing, or were otherwise borne up with pillars as the poets Fable, that the giant Atlas beareth the world on his shoulders, 
the fable of Atlas.  whereby they mean that a man of valiente mind must stoutly bear the chances of the world. Of which hangeinge or bearing of the earth, 
the word of God beareth up the world●  I read a better and more true saying in the holy Scripture, where it is written, Fert omnia verbo or●s sui, that is, that God sustaineth and beareth all things with the word of his mouth.  

job. 26.  Holy job also sayeth, that the LORD ●tretcheth out the north over the empty, and hangeth the earth upon nothing: Meaning by nothing, the air, because to our senses it appeareth in manner as nothing: Or otherwise that it is not depending of any other substance, but to be sustained only by the power of GOD who hath appointed the Elements their places and limits, 
The elements.  and causeth the heavy to stand fast: as wyt●esseth Moses in his song, saying: 
Exo. xv.  By the wind of thy nostrils the waters gathered together, the bloods stood still as an heap, and the deep wa●er congealed together in the heart of the Sea. Wherefore if the heaven be round (which no man can reasonably deny that ever saw the Sun and stars move.) And if the earth be the centre of the world depending as we have said before, then m●ste it needs follow, that they which inhabiting the Northweste parts of the earth, have the Pole Arctic elevate thirty degree●, 
The elevation of ●he pole.  must needs be Antipodes to them which inhabiting the southeast parts of the earth, have the Pole Antarctic elevate in the same degree, and so the like to be understand of all other elevations and degrees. And if here any will object, that either the earth or firm land is not so large, or so far extended, 
the largeness of the earth  or other wise not inhabited although it were so large, or that the sea i● greater than the land, to this I answer, that no man knoweth further hereof then is tried and found by experience, as we have said before. And albeit that the sea were larger than the firm land, yet forasmuch as there are Ilande● found in all places of the main Sea, 
Il●●des  and in manner all inhabited, there is no reason to the contrary, but that the people of those Islands may be Antipodes to such as dwell on the firm land, on the contrary part, whether the earth be round and long, yea or square, (if you will) notwithstanding. But with what certain demonstracion● the Astronomers and Geometricians, 
Astr●n●mers & Geometricians.  prove the earth to be round, and the Spherical or round form to be most perfect, it were to long to declare● I will therefore make an end of this matter with the saying of saint Paul in his Oration, 
Act. xv●  to the men of Athens. That GOD made of one blood, all nations of men, to dwell upon the hole face of the earth.  
¶ I had intended here (well beloved Reader,) to have spoken somewhat of such strange things and Monsters, whereof mention is made in this Book, to th'end that such as by the narownes of their understanding are no● of capacity to conceive the causes and natures of things, might partly have been satisfied with some sensible reasons● But being at this time otherwise hindered, it shall suffice all good and honest wittes● that whatsoever the Lord ha●h pleased, 
Psa. 135  that hath he done in heaven and in earth, and in the Sea, and in all deep placest  
¶ Ecclesiasticus. Capit. i.  
¶ The eye is not satisfied with sight, & the ear is not filled with bearing.   

¶ The Table.  

¶ Of the Island of java.  
Of the Island of Madagascar.  
Of the Island of zanzibar.  
Of the two Islands in the which men and wome● dwell a sunder. 

Of the mighty Empire of Cathay, subject under the dominion of the great Cham or Cane, Emperor of Tartary.  
Of certain Provinces subject under the dominion of the great Cham.  
Of the Province of Mangi.  
Of the Region of Tangut.  
Of the new Islands, how, when, and by whom they were found.  
Of the two Islands johanna and Hispana.  
Of the Canibales, which eat man's flesh.  
Of the manners of the inhabitants of Hispana.  
How Christophorus Columbus, after that he had found the new Islands, returned to Spain: and preparing a new navy, sailed again to the Canibales.  
How Columbus the Admiral, passed many Islands and what chanced to him & his in that voyage.  
Of the new India, as it is found and knowe● in these our days.  
Of the Adamant stone, otherwise called the Diamant.  
Of the Kingdons' & cities of Narsinga & Canonor  
How the Elephants in India are prepared to the wars.  
Of the beast called Rhinoceros.  
Of Calicut, the most famous market town of India.  
Of the manners of the Indians in Calicut.  
Of Pepper and other spices which grow in the Region of Calicut.  
Of the birds and beasts which are found in the Region of Calicut: and of the wine of the tr●e.  
From whence all kinds of spices are brought to ●he city of Calicut.  
Of the Island of zaylon, & of the cinomome tree.  
Of the city of Tarnasseri, and of the manners of the citizens.  
Of the excellent city and Kingdom of Pego.  
Of the Island of Sumatra, or Taprobana.  
Of the Island of Bornei.  
Of the Island of Giava.  
How the spaniards abused the submission & friendship of the inhabitants of the Islands.  
How the Portugals sought new Islands in the East parts, and how they came to Calicut.  
How Magellanus by a straight or narrow arm of the Sea, sailed by the West into the east to dy●ers Islands, where also he was slain.  
How the spaniards came to the Islands of Molucca, & of the people with great hanging ears.  
The third navigation of Christophorus Columbus.  
How Pinzonus companion to the Admiral, sought new Islands.  
The four navigations of Americus Uesputius to the new Islands.  
The first voyage of Uesputius.  
The second voyage of Uesputius.  
The third voyage of Uesputius.  
The fourth voyage of Uesputius.  
How the King of Portugal subdued certay●●●laces in India, and of the rich city of Malacha.  
Of the Island of Medera, and the fortunate I●●●●es, otherwise called the Islands of Canaria.     
¶ Finis.   

¶ Of the new India, as it is known & found in these our days. In the year of our Lord. M.D.LIII After the description of Sebastian Munster in his Book of the universal cosmography. Libr. v. De terris Asiae Maioris. And translated into English by Richard Eden.  
THere are two viages or navigations made out of Europa into India. The one southeast from spain, 
The ●●ther i● southwest.  by the coasts of Aphrica and Ethiopia, even unto Arabia to the city called Aden. And from thence to the Island of Ormus, and from Ormus to the city of Cambaia, 
The city of Cambai●  and from thence even unto the city of Calicut. 
Calic●●.  Cambaia is situate near unto the blood Indus. This city is of great power, rich, and abundant in all kinds of grain & corn. The soil hereof bringeth forth sundry kinds of sweet ointments, and cotton which groweth on certain trees called Gossampini, 
Gossipium, B●mbage o● cotton of the tre●s.  this cotton, is otherwise called Bombage or silk of the trees. The King of Portugal subdued this city, and builded hard by the same a strong fortress: with which thing the Turk b●eing sore grieved, 
The ●urkes navy against the king of Portugal.  commanded a great navy of ships with great sumptuousness to be furnished in the gulf called Sinus Arabicus: to the end that he might drive the Portugals out of India, and the better to accomplish this his purpose, he appointed one Soliman a noble man of war (being also the Captain of Alcayre,) to be the admiral general, or governor of his navy, having in his retinue twenty thousand soldiers beesyde mariners & gonners, which were in numbered four thousand. This navy was appointed in the haven Suezio, being a port of the red sea, in the year of Christ .1538. And arrived first at the city Aden: 
The city of Aden.  where laying anchor. the governor of the navy sent letters to the king of Aden, certifying him that he would take his voyage into India, from thence to expel the King of Portugal. The King of Aden which was then tributary to the King of Portugal, received the Turks letters thankfully, 
The king of Aden is hanged.  offering himself & all that he might make, to so mighty an Emperor, desiring the governor to come forth of the ship, and to behold the city obedient and ready at his commandment, in the which also according unto his dignity & office, he should be worthily entertained: but the governor again alured and enticed him to come out of his city, and so by craft circumvented him, that he took him prisoner, and commanded him to be hanged on the sail yard of the ship, & with him four other of the rulers of the city of Aden, affirming that he was commanded of the Turk so to handle them, because the cytiezins of Aden had not only made a league with the Portugals, 
The destruction of the city of Aden.  but had also paid them tribute: which nation the Turk plainly intended to drive out of India. And thus after the Kings death, that most rich and beautiful city, was ●uer a pray to thieves, spoilers, and murderers without resistance. Then the governor departing from thence, left there behind him a garrison of two thousand men of war, and sailing forward on his voyage, he came to the city called Dium, 
The turk besiegeth th●●yti● of Dium.  which the Portugals held: & his army was greatly increased by the way, as well by land as by sea, by reason of the great confluence of the Turks which on every side resorted to him, so that in a short space they rolled before them a bulwark or countremure of earth, in man●r as big as a mountain, which by little and little they moved near unto the trench or ditch of the castle, so that they might safely stand behind the bulwark, (thus raising a mount.) they besieged the castle on every side, & battered the walls & towers thereof very sore: yet that notwithstanding, were at the length enforced to depart, 
The turk is repulsed.  not without great loss and slaughter of their soldiers: for this Dium, is the strongest city that is under the dominion of Cambaia: but the city of Cambaia, 
The excellency of the city of Cambaia ●  is situate in the gulf called Guzerat, and is well inhabited, and in manner most excellent of all the cities of India, and is therefore called Cayrus, or Alcay●, or Babylon of India. It is environed with a wall, & hath in it very fair buildings, the Sultan or chief ruler hereof, is of Mahumets' sect as be the Turks. 
Lacha is gum of a tree, & is used in dying o● silk.  Lacha groweth there more plentifully than in any other country. The inhabitants, for the most part go naked, covering only their privy parts: they bind their heads about with a cloth of purple colour. The Sultan or prince of this city, hath in a readiness for the wars twenty thousand horsemen, he hath also a mighty and magnifical court. When he waketh in the morning there is heard a great noise of cymbals, drunslades, tyrants, shames, pipes, flutes, trumpets, and diverse other musical instruments, hereby signifying that the king liveth & is in health and merry: in like manner do they while he is at dinner. To the kingdom of Cambaia, 
The ●yngdom of joga.  is the Kingdom of joga next adjoining, which reacheth far on every side. In this kingdom, by reason of the great heat of the son, the bodies of men begin to wax black and to be scorched: the people of this country have rings hanging at their ears and colers about their necks of sundry sorts, albeset and shining with precious stones. The soil hereof is not very fruitful, this region is rough with mountains, the byldinge are despicable, and ●uyl to dwell in: there is beyond this, an other Kingdom called Dechan: 
The kingdom of ●echā  this city is very beautiful to behold, & fruitful in manner of all things: the king hereof useth great pride, and solemnity: his pomps & triumphs are in manner incredible, they that wait upon the king, wear on the upper parts of their shoes certain shining precious stones, as Piro●i (which are a kind of Rubies or Carbuncles) with Diamandes & such other. But what manner of jewels they use in the stead of collars, earrings, and rings, you may well consider, whereas they give such honour to their f●te. In this kingdom is said to be a mountain, 
The diamond stone.  out of the which Diamandes are digged.  

¶ Of the Diamande stone, called in Latin Adamas.  
THe Diamande is engendered in the mines of India, Ethiopia, Arabia, Macedonia, and Cyprus, and in the gold mines of the same countries. That of India excelleth all other in beauty and clearness: that which is of the colour of iron, is called Siderites, 
The stone ●iderites.  it is oftentimes found in colour like unto crystal, & though it be sometimes like thereto in whiteness, yet doth it differ from crystal in hardness, in so much that if it be laid upon an anuil, 
The hardney of the di●●ond.  and strongly stricken with a hammer, the anuyl and hammer shall sooner be wounded and leap away, than the stone perished or diminished: it doth not only refuse the force of Iron, but also resisteth the power of fire, whose heat is so far unable to melt it, that it can not so much as heat it, if we give credit to Pliny, and is also rather made purer thereby, than any ways defiled or corrupted: nevertheless, 
How the diamonds is made soft.  the singular & and excellent hardness of this stone, is made so soft with the hot blood of a Goat or a Lion, that it may be broken: and if it be put with molten lead in hot furnaces, it waxeth so hot that it willbe dissolved: yet are not a●l Diamandes of such hardness, for that of Cyprus, and also that of the colour of Iron called ●iderites, may be broken with hammers and pierced with another Diamand: his virtue is to be bewray poisons, and to frustrate th'operation thereof, and being therefore greatly esteemed of Kings and Princes, it hath ever been of great price. 
The montayne of diamantes.  The mountain of India out of the which the Diamandes are digged, is compassed with a wall on every side, & kept with a strong defence.   

¶ Of the kingdoms & cities of Narsinga and Canonor.  
THe king of Narsinga, in riches and dominion excelleth all other Kings in those parts. The chief city where the King is resident, 
The city of Narsin●●.  is in situation and fynenes, much like unto the city of milan, but that it stands in a place somewhat declining and less equal. This king hath ever in a readiness many thousands of men of arms, as one that is ever at war with other countries, borderers near about him. He is given to most vile Idolatry, and honoureth the devil, even as doth the king of Calicut. The manners and fashions of the inhabitants, are after this sort. The gentlemen or such as are of greatest revenues. use to wear an inward cote or petticoat, not very long: having their heads bound about with lists & rolls of sundry colours after the manner of the Turks. The common people, cover only their privy parts and are beside all together naked. 
The king of Narsinga  The King weareth on his head a stately cap made of the rich cloth of Asia, being two handfulles in length. When he goeth to the wars, he weareth a vesture of the silk called Gossampine, which he covereth with a cloak adorned with plates of gold: the hem or edge of his cloak is beset with all manner of ouches & jewels. 
the rich trapping of the kinge● horse.  His horse is judged to be of such valour if you respect the price, as is one of our cities. And this is by the means of the innumerable multitude & sundry kinds of precious s●ones, & pearls where with the ●rappers, barbs, & other furnitures of his horse are covered, with an incredible pomp & glori. The soil of Narsinga, beareth neither wheat nor grapes, and ●s in manner without all kind of fruits, except citrons and gourds: the inhabitants eat no bread, but rice, fish and flesh, and also walnuts, which that country beareth, there begin spices to be found, 
apexes of Narsi●ga.  as ginger, pepper, mirabolanes, Cardamome, Cassia, and divers other kinds of spices.  

The city of Ca●●nor.  Cananor is a very excellent city, fair and beautiful in all things, saving that the King thereof is an Idolater. This city hath a haven whether the horses of Persia are brought, but their tribute or custom, is exceeding great: the inhabitants live with rice, flesh, and fish as do they of Narsinga: in the wars they use the sword, the round target, spears and bows, & have now also the use of gonnes, they are all naked saving their prievie parts, and go bear headed, except when they go to the wars, for than they cover their heads with a red hat which they fold double, and bind it fast with a list or band. In the wars they use neither horse, mule, or ass, neither that kind of camels which we commonly call dromedaries: 
The use of ●lepha●t●● in the wars.  but use only Elephants. There is also in the kingdom of Narsinga another godly city called Bisinagar: 
The ●●tie Bisinagar.  it is compassed about with a wall, & situate on the side of a hill, being eight miles in circuit having also in it a famous market place. The soil is very fruitful, there are all delicate things to be found that may increase the pleasures of this life. There may no where be found more pleasant fields and woods for hawking & hunting, 
Hawking and hu●tinge.  a man would think it were a very paradise of pleasure. 
The king of bisinagar  The king of this city is of great power, he keepeth daily many thousands of men at arms, using Elephants in the stead of horses. And hath ever four hundredth Elephants prepared for the wars.   

¶ How the Elephants in India are prepared to war.  
THe Elephant is a beast very docible and apt to be taught, and little inferior from humane sense, excelling all other beasts in fortitude and strength. Therefore the Indians, when they prepare them to the wars, put great packsaddels upon them, which they bind fast with two chains of Iron, coming under their belies. Upon the packsaddels, 
The E●●phāte●●●wre.  they have on every side a little house or tower, or cage, (if you list so to call it) made of wood These towers are made fast to the neck of the beast with certain sawed boards of the thickness of half a hand breadth. Every tower receiveth three men. And between both the towres● upon the back of the beast sitteth an Indian, a man of that country which speaketh unto the beast. 
Elephants understandeth the language of thayr country.  For this beast hath marvelous understanding of the language of his native country, & doth wonderfulli bear in memory benefits showed unto him. It is also most certain that none other beast draweth so near to the excellence of human sense or reason as doth this beast, as may most plainly appear, if we consider, how he is given to love & glory, to a certain friendly gentleness & honest manners, joined with a marvelous discretion, to know good from evil, more ready to recompense benefits than revenge injuries, which excellent properties are not to be found in other brute beasts. Therefore when the Elephants go forward to the wars, 
Seven armed men upon one Elephant  seven armed men are appointed to be carried upon one Elephant, bearing with them, bows, javelins, swords and targets: also the long snout of the Elephant (which they call his hand) is armed with a sword of two cubits in length, and in breadth & thickness a handful, standing right forth, tied fast to the snout of the beast, & thus being furnished, they proceed to the battle: and whereas occasion requireth to go forward or backward, the ruler of the beast giveth him warning, whose voice he understandeth & o●eyeth: 
The ruler speaketh to the Elephant.  strike him, saith the ruler, forbear him, be fierce against these, abstain from these, the beast obeyeth him in all things, as though he had human reason, but if it so chance that being made afraid with fire (which thing they fear above all other) they begin to fly, th●y can by no means be alured to stop their course, or return again, for the people of that nation, can with many subtle devices as often as then listeth, raise up fires to make those beasts afraid. 
The elephants ioynte●.  There be some men which think that Elephants have no joints in their legs, which opinion other affirm to be untrue, for they have joints as have other beasts, but that they are very low & almost at their feet. The females are of greater fierceness than the males, and of much greater strength to bear burdens: they are sometime taken with madness, declaring the same by their furious running. An Elephant exceedeth in greatness three wild oxen called Bubali, 
The bigness and shape of the Elephant●  and is much like of hear, and eyed like a swine, having a long snout, hanging downward, with the which he putteth into his mouth whatsoever he eateth or drinketh, for his mouth is under his throat, not much unlike the mouth of a swine: his snout hath holes in it, and is hollow within, with this they overthrow the stumps of trees: & that of such bigness, that the force of xxiiij men is not able to do the same. The two great tusks which they have coming far ●ute of their mouth, 
the painters err herein.  or placed in the upper jaw, having on every side laps hanging down of the bigness of two hand breath. Their feet are round like unto a flat trene dish, having five toes like hoeves undivided, of the bigness of great oystershelles. 
Understand the handebredth with the thumb stretched forth.  Their tails are like unto the tails of wild oxen, three handful in length, having but few hears. The males are higher than the females. They are of sundry bigness: some are of. xiij● handfulles high, some of xiiij and some xvi Their pace in going, 
the elephants pa●e.  is somewhat slow and walowinge, by reason whereof, some which ride on them and have not been accustomed thereto, are provoked to vomit, even as they were tossed on the sea. Yet it is great pleasure to ride on the young Elephants, for they go as softly as ambeling moils. When you attempt to get up, to ride on them, they bow down toward you, as though they would ●ase you with a sterope, that you may the easilier get up, which nevertheless cannot well be done with out help. They are all unbridled, having neither with nor collar about their necks, but go with their heads altogether lose. And because they are not covered with bristles or big hears, they have not so much as in their tail any help to drive away flies. 
The Elephante is vexed with flies.  For even this great beast also (sayeth Pliny) is troubled with this little vermin. Their skin is very rough, and full of chaps, and rifts, like the bark of a tree, being somewhat filthy and full of sweat, which by heat resolved into vapour, by savour draweth flies unto it: 
How the Elephant killeth flies.  therefore when any flies or other creeping vermin are entered into the said rifts of their skins, suddenly bending and drawing together their skin, they hold them fast and kill them, and this is to them in the stead of a tail, a mane, or rough and bristeled hear.   

¶ Of the beast called Rhinoceros.  
Rhinoceros is commonly found in the same country, where Elephants are engendered, 
Enmity between the Elephant & Rhinoceros.  and is borne an enemy to the Elephant (as saith Pliny) no less seeking his destruction then doth the dragon: wherefore the Romans considering the natures of these beasts, were wont to put them together upon the theatre or stage, for a spectable, thereby to declare the natures of enemies. 
The Rhinoceros two. horns  This Rhinoceros hath two horns, whereof the one is of notable bigness, growing out of his nostrils, and is of flat form, and as hard as Iron. The other groweth above in his neck, and is but a little one, but wonderful strong: when this beast attempteth to invade the Elephant, he fileth & whetteth his horn on a stone and strike that the belly of the Elephant, which place he knoweth to be most open to his stripes, and easiest to receive hurt, because of the softness thereof, which he cutteth with his horn as with a sword. 
the fight between Rhinoceros & the Elephant  Some auctors writ that Rhinoceros is unequal in bigness to the Elephante: but ●ulius Solinus saith, that he is as long as the Elephante, but hath ●horter legs: when Rhinoceros therefore & the Elephant join together in fight, they use their natural weapons: the Rhinoceros his horn, and the Elephante his tusks, wherewith he so violently beateth and teareth the ●kinne of Rhinoceros being as hard as horn or shell, 
Rhinoceros naturally ar●ed.  & scarcely able to be pierced with a dart, that he nevertheless enforceth him to fall down. Rhinoceros again on the other party so woundeth the belie of the Elephante with the horn of his nostrils, if he do not prevent his strokes, that he fainteth with bleeding. In the year of Christ .1513. the first day of may, was brought out of India to Emanuel the king of Portugal RhinoceroS alive, 
Rhinoceros seen in Portugal.  of the colour of box, somewhat variable and as it were chequered, covered with shells like scales, or rather like shields. This beast was in bigness equal to an Elephant, but had shorter legs, and was armed on every part. He had a strong & sharp horn in his nostrils, the which (as I have said) he fileth, when he prepareth him to fight. All this great hatred between these two beasts, is for the best pastures which one striveth to take from the other as some writers say. In the year of Christ .1515. King Emanuel, set forth a spectacle in the city of Lisbona, in which was a combat between the Elephant and Rhinoceros. 
Rhinoceros overcometh the Elephant.  A sight doubtless worthy great admiration. But in this fight, the Elephant had the overthrow.   

¶ Of Calicut, the most famous market town of India.  
THe city of Calicut is in the continente or main land. And the houses thereof adjoining to the sea, It is not walled about but containeth in circuit vi thousand houses, not adherent together as the manner of building is with us, but one being distant from another, a further space. It is extended in length a thousand paces. The houses thereof, 
Low & simple houses.  are but simple and very low, not passing the height of a man of horseback from the ground.  
In the stead of a roof, they are covered with bows of trees, hard & thick couched together, the cause hereof is, that if the earth there be in any place digged five handful depth, the water springeth forth, by reason whereof they can lay no deep foundations for their houses, sufficient to bear any heavy roof. The King of this city is given to Idolatry, 
The ●ing honoureth ●he devil  & honoureth the devil himself. Yet he denieth not but that there is a God which made heaven and earth. And the same to be the chief auctone and first cause of all things. But saith that he hath committed the rule and judgement of the world, to the devil, to whom he hath ge●en power to reward men with good or bad according to their deserts. This devil they call Deumo, but the mighty God and maker of the world, they call jamerani, 
The Image of the devil  The king hath in his Chapel the Image of this devil Deumi, sitting with a diadem or crown on his head, much like unto the mitre which the Roman Bishops wear, 
The bishop of Rome's vicar at Calicut.  save that this devils mitre hath four notable horns. He sitteth gaping and hath a great wide mouth, with four teeth & a deformed nose, lowringe eyes, a grim, terrible, and threatening countenance, with hooked hands like fleshehookes, and feet not much unlike the feet of a cock. All such as behold this horrible monster, are suddenly astonished. For it is surely a thing most vile to behold, and no less terrible. The chapel is on every side full of painted devils: & in every corner thereof sitteth a devil made of copper, and that so workmanly handled, that he seemeth like flaming fire, 
The devil eateth souls.  miserably consuming the souls of men. This devil with his right hand, putteth a soul to his mouth, & with his left hand, he taketh another from a place beneath. Every morning their Priests (called Bramini) wash the Image of the devil with rose water, 
The devils' chaplains  or such other sweet liquor, & perfume him with diverse sweet savours, kneeling on their knees and praying unto him. 
Sacrifice to the devil.  Every seventh day, they take the blood of a cock & put it in a silver vessel, full of burning coals: adding thereunto innumerable odoriferous gums & powders to make a sweet smoke or fumigation. Then the Priest taketh his senser with burning coals, putting thereto frankincense, and thus maketh his oblation to Satan, during which time of sacrifice, a little silver bell, is rung continually. The king sitteth not down to his meat, 
the chaplains offer to the devil.  until four of his chaplains have offered part of the same meat to the devil. And when the King goeth to dinner, he sitteth on the ground without either carpet or table cloth. And as he sitteth at dinner, four of the priests wait upon him standing: 
The priests wait on the king.  not approaching near unto him by the distance of four paces, giving reverent attendance unto the kings talk. When he hath dined, the Priests take the meat that is left, 
Crows had in estimation  & give it to the crows to eat: which birds they have in such estimation, that it is not lawful to hurt them. When the king shall marry a wife, he goeth not to bed with her, until she be deflowered of the high Priest, 
The priests deflower the queen.  whom the king for his pains rewardeth with .v. C. pieces of gold.   

¶ Of the manners of the Indians in Calicut.  
NExt after the King, the priests which serve the Idols, 
priests  are had in chief reverence. next unto them, the Magistrates, 
Magistrates.  called Ner●, are no less esteemed then among us senators or Lords of the counsel. When these go abroad, they carry with them sword, targets, bows & javelins. Such as are counted of the third order, are in like place with them, 
Artificers.  as are Artificers with us. They of the fourth order, live by fishing. And to them of the fifth order, 
●a●ourers.  pertaineth the gathering of pepper, wine, & walnuts. The basest and poorest sort, are they which sow & gather rice, being contemned both of the priests and Senators. The King, the Queen, and the inhabitants of the city, have almost no apparel, covering only their filthy parts with cotton of the tree called Gossampine, and not with silk: and are beside all together naked. They go barefooted and bareheaded. 
The succession of the kingdom.  When the King is dead, if there remain alive any heirs, males, either children or brethren, or brothers' children, they succ●de not in the kingdom: for by custom of the country, the sisters sons are inheritors to the crown: but if there be no such living, he succeedeth in the kingdom which is nearest of blood to the king, of which costume, the reason is (as they say) because the Priests deflower the Queens. 
As are the priests, such is the people,  When the King taketh any far journey, or rideth a hunting, the priests wait upon the Queen at home, and keep her company: for nothing can be more thankful to the king, 
The priests keep the que●e.  then to have the Queen thus accustomed in adultery with the Priests by which common prostitution of the queen, he may well judge that the children borne of her, are not to be esteemed as his own: and therefore assigneth the right of his inheritance to his sisters children, as to the nearest of his blood, because his brother's children (as is said before) may not succeed him in the kingdom by the custom of the country. The noble men and merchants use this fashion among themselves. Such as have wives, 
Exchaunginge of wives.  do often times change their wives, one friend with an other for th'increase of further friendship. At which exchanging of wives, one of them speaketh to another after this manner. Forasmuch as you are my veri friend, let us change wives: on such condition, that I may have yours & you mine. The other asketh him if he speak in earnest. He sweareth yea: let us go than (saith his fellow) to my house: when they are come thither, the good man calleth forth his wife, saying unto her: Woman, come hither & follow this man: for he shall from henceforth be thy husband. She asketh him if he speak in earnest: 
Obedience in ●uyll.  he answereth, in good earnest. Then saith the woman: I will follow him gladly. He taketh her away with him, and in like manner sendeth his wife to his friend. And this is the custom which they use in changing of wives. But the children remain with their first father. Other of these Idolaters use diverse other customs. For among some of them, 
One woman married to seven men.  one woman is married to seven husbands, which lie with her by course one after another. And when she hath brought forth a child, she sendeth it to which of her seven husbands she list: who may in no case refuse it. When they eat, they lie along on the ground, & have their meat in great dishes, or treys of copper. In the stead of spoons, they use leaves of trees. Their meat, is rice, fish, spices, and fruits of the common sort. 
The punishment of murder.  If any man commit murder, and be apprehended, he is punished after this manner.  
They have a kind of gallows made, with a post of the length of four paces: On the which, not far from the top, are fastened two staves with sharp ends, the one lying over the other after the manner of a cross: them the body of the offender is thrust through upon one of the staves. And so the miserable wretch hangeth until he have given up the ghost. 
Sin redeemed for money.  But if any man wound another, or beat him with a staff, he redeemeth th'offence, paying to the king a certain of gold. When they pray, 
Superstitions  they go first before the rising of the sun, to some river or standing water, wherein they plunge themselves, to th'intent to wash them clean: 
ouward clenlynes.  And so being washed, they touch nothing until they have at home at their houses, poured forth their prayers before their Idols. 
Devylishe gestures.  When they lay themselves down on the ground, secretly to pray, they make certain devilish gestures like unto mad men, staring with their eyes, & turning them inward after a strange sort, with no less deforming their countenance, very monstrous to behold. When the king prepareth him to the wars he hath in a readiness a hundredth thousand footmen. For of horsemen they have no use, but only of such as fight on Elephants. All that are of the kings band, have a silken fillet of scarlet colour, tied about their heads. When they go to the wars they use round swords, targets, javelins, and bows.   

¶ Of Pepper and other spices which grow in the region of Calicut.  
PEpper groweth in the suburbs of the city of Calicut. There is some also gathered within the city. The stalk of pepper is veri weak: 
How pepper groweth  so that it can not stand upright, without a stake or prop to sustain it, as have the wines. It is not much unlike unto ivy: and in like manner creepeth & stretcheth forth itself: embracing & overspreading such t●ees as grow near unto it. This tree (or rather shrub) is divided into many branches, of the length of two or three hand breadth. His leaves are like the leaves of an Orange tree: saving that these are somewhat grosser & fatter, wi●h small veins running between on the contrary side. On every twig there hangeth six thick clusters of berries, a hand breadth in length, and of the colour of wild grapes. They are gathered in the months of October & November: inclining yet to a green colour, and so laying them on mats or coverlets, they set them in the sun to be dried: where, within the space of three days, it waxeth black, even as it is brought hither. They use neither cutting nor digging, or other tillage, 
Fruitful ground without tillage  but only the simple & pure fruitfulness and increase of the earth. Pliny saith that the trees of pepper are like unto our juniper trees. And that in his time, some affirmed that they were brought forth only in the front of the mount Calicasus on the southside toward the son. But the Portugals, which in this our days sail into the Eastpartes, have found it otherwise. The region of Calicut, beareth also Ginger: 
Ginger.  which doubtless is a root, & is often times found of the weight of twelve ounces: but all are not of like bigness. This root entereth no deeper into the ground, than iii or four handbredth, like unto the read. When ginger is digged out of the ground, 
A ro●e for a sed●  they leave the knot or joint of the root, in the pit out of which they digged the ginger: covering the same with earth as a seed, against the next year to increase & bring forth more ginger. It is found in plain ground of a red earth, as are Mirabalanes. There groweth also divers other fruits & shrubs unknown to us, 
fruits unknown to us.  as laceri, graccara, amba, Carocapel, Comolanga, and such other of which some have the taste and savours of quinces, some of peaches, some of damask prunes, some of melones, and some of figs, etc. Aloe groweth also in that region: 
Aloe.  and is a certain gum, gathered from a little tree, which is fastened in the earth, only with one root after the manner of a staff, pitched in the ground. The body of the tree, is tender and red, of strong savour & bitter taste. It sometime putteth forth drops of gum without any cutting. And this of India, is much better than that which groweth in judea.   

¶ Of birds & beasts which are found in the region of Calicut: and of the wine of the marvelous tree.  
THere is found in Calicut, divers & sundry kinds of four footed beasts and fowls. As lions, wild boors, hearts, hinds, wolves, kine, wild oxen, goats, and Elephants: which nevertheless are not engendered there, but brought thither. There be also green popingiays, 
Papingiayes of divers kinds.  & some white feathers of variable colours, lying like scoutchins Some also of purple colour. Of these there is such plenty, that they are fain to appoint men to keep them from the rice which groweth there in the fields. They are marvelous chattering & of small price. There are also birds called Sarau, 
Sweet si●ginge of ●irdes  somewhat less than popinjays, but make a much sweeter noise. There are also many other kinds of birds unlike unto ours: Of which, every morning & evening is heard such a harmony & so sweet a noise, that nothing can be more delectable: In so little mouths consists in manner all music, and therefore the inhabitants live in great pleasure, as though they were in an earthly paradise, 
Earthly paradise  where flowers are ever springing, and trees continued green all the hole year. The heaven is beneficial unto them, and the air most temperate continually. 
temperate air.  So that they are neither bitten with cold in winter nor burnt with heat in summer, but live as it were in continual springe time. 
Continual spring  The same region bringeth forth also Marmosets & Monkeys, 
Monkeys.  which are great hindrance to the men of the country: and specially to the poor sort, beecanse they climb the walnut trees, and spill the sweet liquor of the fruit thereof, of which the Indians make most pleasant wine. For these Indians have a tree most excellent above all other trees of the world, which bringeth forth dates like unto the Palm tree. 
A tree of sundry commodit●es●  This tree serveth them for firewood: and beareth a kind of walnuts most delicate to be eaten: Also a kind of cords, soft cloth, wine, oil, and sugar. But chief it bringeth forth this excellent kind of nuts like unto dates. From these they take away the first rind or bark & cast it in the fire. The other fruit is not much unlike Gossampine cotton, or silk. 
Silk of trees.  Of the flowers they make cloth like silk: the flax which is left, they spin again, and make thereof small roopes or cords. 
Ropes of trees.  The last bark or rind, containeth the nut, whose thickness is no more than the little finger of a man's hand. Furthermore the sweet liquor or wine, 
Wine of trees.  is engendered with the nut, so that as the nut groweth, the liquor also increaseth: In so much that when the nut is full grown, the lyquoure filleth the inn ward parts of of the same. And this liquor or wine, is most clear, not much unlike unto rose-water: Of which nevertheless is made a very fat oil. 
Oil of water.  They cut also the trunk or stock of the tree in the morning & evening: by which means they gather a most excellent liquor, which they seeth on the fire, and make thereof so marvelous a drink, that if a man drink thereof beyond measure, he is driven into fury & madness. This liquor is used there in the stead of wine. But let us now return to the beasts which are found in Calicut. Serpent's grow there unto such houdge greatness, 
Serpents as big as swine  that they are in manner as big as swine. They have heads much larger than boar's heads. They are four footed, four cubits in length, engendered & conversant in fenny and marish grounds. 
Serpents without ●oyso●.  The men of that Edovardi say that these beasts are without poison. There are also found other kinds of serpents: of the which one kind hath so mortal venom, that if they draw never so little blood, it causeth present death. There are other serpents which in quantity represent the serpent called Aspis. Again, othersome are much higher of which there are great plenty. The men of the country think that they are spirits fallen from heaven: 
Serpent's counted for heavenvly spirits.  and therefore have them in great reverence. They have conceived this opinion of them, because that in manner with touching, they bring present death. And this is the cause why there is so great abundant of serpents, that by the kings commandment it is not lawful to hurt them: and therefore they wander safely where them listeth, and are esteemed of them as things that bring good fortune. For whereas the men of the country, go abroad about any business, they take it for good luck to meet any of them by the way. The popinjays of India, 
green popingays  are for the most part, of green colour beside the head, which is either red or yellow like gold. They have a great and large tongue, and are therefore of a louder voice, & speak more plainly. They learn the first & second year such things as are taught them. And bear them longer in memory. They drink wine, & use their feet in the stead of hands when they feed.   

¶ Of the sundry kinds of Spices, which are found in Calicut, and from whence they are brought thither.  
GInger groweth in Calicut, yet is there much brought thither from the city of Canonor. 
Canonor,   
Cinamome cometh from the Island of Zaylon, 
Zaylon  which is fifty leagues beeyonde Calicut Eastward.  
Pepper groweth in Calicut: but much more is brought thither from Corimucol, 
Corimucol.  which is twelve leagues beyond Calicut.  
Cloves are gathered in a place, called Meluza, 
Meluza,  certain leagues distant from Calicut.  
Nutmegs and Mace, grow in Molucha, 
Molucha  being distant from Calicut hundredth and three score leagues, and somewhat more.  
Musk & Castoreum, is brought from the region of Pego, 
Pego,  which is from Calicut, almost hundredth and fifty leagues.  
Pearls of the biggest sort, are gathered near unto the Island and city of Ormus, 
Ormus,  situate in the gulf called Sinus Persicus: And are sent from thence to Calicut, as to the general market town of all the East parts.  
spikenard, & Mirabalanes, as brought from Cambaia to Calicut. 
Cambaia.   
Frankincense, and Myrrh, come from Arabia. 
Arabia.   
Aloe, and Camphor, are brought from Kyvi, or China l leagues from Calicut. 
China.   

Samoto●.  Long pepper cometh from Samotor. Cardamome the greater, is brought from Canonor.  

Darnasseri.  Presilium, or brasyll, cometh from Darnasseri, otherwise called Tarmasseri, almost. CC. leagues from Calicut.   

¶ Of the Island of Zaylon, and of Cinomome found there.  
ZAylon is a very large region● & bringeth forth chefelye Elephants in great plenty. 
Elephants.  It hath also Mountains of marvelous length: at the roots whereof are found Rubines, Hiacinthes, sapphires, Topases, 
precious stones.  and such other precious stones. In this Island groweth the Cinomome tree, 
Cinomome.  not much unlike the bayetree, specially in the leaves. It bringeth forth grains much like unto bay berries, but somewhat less and whitish. That which we commonly call Cinomome, is nothing else but the bark or rind of a tree, which is gathered after this manner Every third year they cut of the branches of the trees, and take of the bark or rind thereof, which is our Cinomome. They cut not the body of the tree, but only the branches. When it is first gathered, it is green, & not perfectly sweet until it be kept a month. This Island is situate under the Equinoctial line, 
The Equinoctial ly●e  where is continual springe all the year. The inhabitants wear cloaks, with one arm out uncovered, & have cloth made of Gossampine cotton, or of silk. 
weapon's of reeds  A read is to them in the stead of sword, rapyre, & iavelyne. And are therefore seldom slain in the wars.   

¶ Of the city of Tarnasseri, & the manner of the citizens there.  

Narsinga  THe city of Tarnasseri, is distant from the Kingdom of Narsinga xiiij days sailing eastward, & hath a king of great puissance and marvelous rich. The soil of this city, bringeth forth wheat, cotton of Gossampine trees, & plenty of silk. The fields bring forth all kinds of fruits: quinces also and oranges. It is replenished with many and sundry kinds of beasts aswell wild as tame, as kine, sheep, goats swine, hearts, hinds, wolves and lions. There are also seen those kinds of cats which bear the rich furs called Zibellim, 
●he beast which beareth the fur called Sable●.  which we call Sables. In all the fields and woods of this region are found many Peacocks, Falcons, & most fair popinjays of white colour intermingled with seven variable colours. There is also marvelous plenty of hares and partridges. There are many other strange kinds of fowls: 
Foule● of marvelous bigness.  and specially such as live by pray, which are much higher than Eagles: whose upper beaks are of such bigness & hardness, that handles for swords are made thereof. Also the cocks and hens of this region are much higher and bigger than ours. When the people of the country go to their meat, they lie down on the ground without carpet or cloth: Yet use they wooden vessels. workemanlye made. Their drink is water mixed with sugar: but the poorer sort, drink only water. Their beds are made of Gossampine cotton, 
Bedde● of silk.  with coverlets also of cotton or silk. They go all in general barefooted except the Priests. 
priests  The King of this city, doth not commit his wife to the Priests to be deflowered, as doth the king of Calicut, 
the queen deflowered of white men.  but to white men, as are the christians & Turks. For this office is not committed to the Idoloters. But after that the new married queen hath been thus deflowered the first night, if ever after she do dishonour the King her husband, by violating the faith made to him, 
Adulteri punished with death  from thenceforth never to know any other man carnally, her punishment is death incontinently. When the Kings or the Priests die, their bodies are laid on a great fire, and the ashes thereof reserved in earthen pots, putting thereto a portion of salt petre, and burying the same in their own houses. 
How the king is buried.   
While the bodies are burning, they cast into the fire all kinds of sweet savouring gums, and spices: as Aloe, Frankincense, Myrrh, Storax, Coralle, sandals, and such other innumerable: In the mean time blowing trumpets & shawms, 
M●●stre is●  after the manner of them which among the gentiles were canonised into the numbered of the gods. And within xv. days after the husbands death, 
the queen dieth willing●ly.  the wife calleth to her all her kinsfolks, bidding them to a banquet: & so being decked with all her jewels, she proceedeth with them to the place where her husband was buried, where a grave is ready digged for her, enclosed about with silken cloth, having in it a fire made of sweet wood. When the woman hath thus feasted her kinsfolks, she eateth much of the herb called Betola, 
the her● Betola ●  whereby she is driven into a madness. In this mean while, innumerable trumpeters (wearing such vestures as they use in the devils service) go as it were on procession about the grave, while the woman runneth up and down, dancing continually like a frantic body. And thus when the ceremonies are finished, she casteth herself headlong into the fire and grave: 
What credulity may do in false religion,  and that with no less cheerfulness than if she should be received into heaven. And unless the woman should perform this custom, she should incur most vile infamy, & be a mocking stock to all her nation, 
Honour dear bought  as one that loved not her husband. But the common people use not this custom: but only the rulers & princes. And therefore the king himself is often times present at these solemnities.   

¶ Of the kingdoms and cities of Pego and Bangella.  

the king & city of Bangella  FRom the city of jarnasseri, to the city of Bangalla, is xi days sailing. This city hath a king: and the country is very fruitful with great plenty of wheat, flesh, sugar, ginger, and gossampine cotton: and hath therefore very rich merchants. There yearly passeth from this city fifty ships freighted with gossampine cotton, and silk clothes: 
Sil●●●  which are carried from thence to the Turks, Syrians, Arabians, Persians, Ethiopians, & Indians. Here are also found certain Christian merchant men, which come out of Thempire of the great Cham of Cathay: 
Chr●●●i● men of Cathay  bringing with them Aloe, Castoreum and the sweet gum called Laserpitium, with other sweet savours. In this city, the men spin and card and make cloth, and not the women. From this city Eastward, is another great city called Pego, 
The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉  being situate by a very fair river. The King of this city, is an Idolater, and hath innumerable men of worre, both horsemennes and footmen. The soil beareth wheat plentifully: and bringeth forth in manner all kinds of beasts, & hath therefore great abundance of flesh Yet are there but few Elephants: But of other beasts and fowls, great plenty as is at Calicut: & specially of popinjays, which are of louder voice than in any other place. There is little traffic or merchandise in this region, 
Rubies shining by night  except jewels & precious stones and specially Rubies, called Pyropi, which are brought thither from the city of Capelan. 
Lacha, Lacca, or ●●acta ● is 〈…〉 tree 〈…〉.  These precious stones shine so bright in the dark night, as though it were the son beams. The country adjoining, bringeth forth Lacha, Sandalum, called sanders: Also brasile, gossampine cotton and silk. 
●●laccha  From Pego to the city of Malaccha (which some call Melaqua) is eyghe● days sailing: where on the other side is seen a great Island called Sumatra, 
●●matra.  otherwise Samotra, & was in time passed called Taprobana. 
●aproba●a.  This Malaccha, hath a goodly & commodious haven: by reason whereof, more ships arrive there then in any other place: bringing with them spices and other merchandise in great abundance. The region is not generally fruitful, yet hath it wheat and f●eshe: but great scarcenesss of wood. The souls wander in the fields as they do in the region of Calicut. But the popinjays are here much fairer. It bringeth forth also spices, sanders, tin, elephants, horses, sheep wild oxen, peacocks, and such other kinds of beasts. It is not lawful there to buy and sell● except you buy spices and silk. It is also there very dangerous to walk in the city in the night season, because of the theft & cruelness of the inhabitants, which kill one another like dogs. And therefore the marchaund strangers lodge not out of their ships. How the Portugals subdued Malaccha, shallbe said hereafter in the description of the new Islands.   

¶ Of the great and rich Island of Sumatra, or Samotra, sometime called Tabrobana.  

●he Island of Taprobana.  SOme think this Sumatra, to be that Island which of the old writers is called Tabrobana. It is very great and rich: and hath in it four Kings crowned with Diadems. They are Idolaters: in religion, manner of living, and apparel, not much unlike the King of Tarnasseri. They exceed all other men in bigness of body. They have grey or blue eyes, and are of cruel countenance, and terrible voice. They are long lived, 
Men of a hundredth ●eres of age.  and live even until an hundredth years of age. The sea in certain channels is of such height and depth, that no anchor may come to the bottom thereof. The inhabitants are great fishers on the sea, and have great pleasure to take the shelle fish, called the Tortoise of the sea: of which, some are of such houdge bigness, that the shell of one of them may suffice to make a house well able to receive a hole family. 
Shelle● of fishe● for houses.  For some of them bear shells of xv. cubits in length: and are therefore apt for that purpose. The most part of this Island is burnt with heat, and hath in it many desolate places and wildernesses. There are found many and great Pearls. 
Great pearles●  For their money, 
Coined gold & silver for money  they use coined gold, silver and tin. The golden coin, hath on the one side a devils head graven, and on the otherside a chariot which Elephants draw. This region bringeth forth more plenty of Elephants, of greater stature, & a better broede, then are found in any other place. In the sea about this Island, are often times seen the great monstrous fishes, 
Fishes of monstrous bigness  & kind of Whales, called Balene, which bring many incommodities to the inhabitants. They are of such monstrous bigness, that when they approach to the Sea banks, they seem like unto hills: they have rough backs full of sharp pricks. And except men walk very warily by the sea banks, they are in danger to be suddenly swallowed up of these monsters. Some of them have so great and wide mouths, that they sometimes swallow whole ships with the men. This country bringeth forth Lacha, Lacca, or Lacta, 
〈◊〉.  which staineth silk & cloth in high red or crimison colour. It is engendered in a tree, not much unlike unto our walnut trees. There is also great plenty of pepper, higher than is found in other places. In ●heir mother tongue pepper is called Molaga. It is sold there by measure, 
Pepper sold by measure  as wheat is with us, & not by weight. There is so great plenty hereof, that there are yearly certain ships laden therewith to Cathay 
Cathay.  where the air is colder. From Sumetra to the Island of Banda, 
the Ilad of banda  which is but rude and barren, and of plain and low ground, whose inhabitants are barbarous, & little differing from beasts, having low houses, and no apparel but shirts, barefooted and bareheaded, with long hear, of despicable stature, dull witted, of no strength, and Idolaters. The soil of this country, bringeth forth nothing but nutmegs, & a few other fruits. The chalk or body of the nutmeg tree, 
The nutmeg tree  is not much unlike the stalk of a peach tree, bringing forth like branches and leaves, but somewhat narrower. Before these nuts be ripe, the mace creepeth on the tree, like a flourishing rose. 
Mace  And when the nut waxeth ripe, the mace embraceth it round about. And so they gather both together in common, at a time appointed: for they use no distribution thereof, but he that gathereth most, hath most. This tree bringeth forth his fruit plentifully without any art of husbandry or tillage. They are gathered at such time as we gather chestnuts From this Island within six days sailing, is the Island of Monoch, 
the Island of Mo●och.  in the which cloves are found, as also in other Islands, thereto adjoining. The tree which beareth cloves, hath his stalk not much unlike unto the box tree, with leaves like the Cinomome tree, but somewhat rounder. 
Cloves.  And when the cloves begin to wax ripe, they beat the trees with reeds, spreading first coverlets or mats under the same. The ground where these trees grow, is of the colour of clay or sand. This region is situate so low, that the seven stars called Septen●riones (being not far from Vrsa maior, 
Charles Wain.  called charles wain) can not there be seen, 
Pole Antarctic.  because the south pole (called pole Antarctic) appeareth above the earth.   

¶ Of the Island of Bornei.  
THe Island of Bornei (which some call Porne) is distant from Monoch fifty leagues. The inhabitants are Idolaters, 
Idoloters.  very quick witted, and of manner of living not greatly to be discommended. They use not all one kind of apparel. Some wear shirts of gossampine cotton, some beasts skins, & some high caps like miters, of red colour. This Island bringeth forth yearly great plenty of Camphora, called camphor, 
Camphire  which they affirm to be the gum of a certain tree. Of this Island I will speak more hereafter in the navigations toward the East parts.   

¶ Of the Island of Giava.  
The Island of Gyava, is distant from Bornei, v. days sailing toward the south. This Island is so great, that it containeth in it many kingdoms: the inhabitants a● given to idolatri. It bridgeth forth silk, 
Silk groweth in woods.  which of itself groweth there plentifully in the woods. The precious stone called Smaragdus (which is the true Emerode) is found there more excellent, 
The ●maragde or emerode Gold & copper.  then in any other place of the world. It hath abundance of gold & copper of the best kind. The soil beareth wheat & other corn, withal kinds of fruits in great plenty. When the men of this country go to the sea, their weapons are bows, 
arrows of reeds  and arrows of reeds. They use also to infect their arrows with venom, 
arrows infected with venom.  and to blow them out of a trunk as we do pellets of clay: with the which if they draw never so little blood, present death followeth immedialye. They have also this custom, 
A strange custom  that when they see their parents by reason of age to be unprofitable, they bring them to the market town, and there sell them to the people called Anthropophagi, 
Anthropophagi  which eat ●leshe, of whom they are incontinently slain, and eaten. The same do the● with the younger fort also, if they fall into any desperate disease.   

¶ Of the Island of java.  
THere are two Islands of this name, as java the more & java the less. The biggest reacheth forth toward the South, & is said to have in it many kingdoms. The inhabitants are Idolaters & have a peculiar language. In this Island is great plenty of pepper, 
Spyce●  nutmegs, spikenard, Galangale, & other spices. Mani merchants of other countries are wont to resort thither, & get great riches by the spices which they carry from thence. In this Island also are people called Anthropophagi, which are wont to eat men's flesh.   

¶ Of the Island of Madagascar.  
THis Island is counted to be one of the greatest and rycheste Islands of the world. The inhabitants are of Mahumets' sect as are the Turks. 
Mahumetistes  It bringeth forth many Elephants, 
Elephants.  by reason whereof there is great plenty of ivory which is the Elephants to the. For it is thought that there is no greater plenty of ivory, 
ivory  than in this Island & in the Island of Cuzibet. 
the Island of Cuzibet.  They eat the flesh of none other beasts, but only of Camels, 
Camel's flesh eate●.  because the Island is full thereof, & also that it is found to be more wholesome for the people of that country than any other flesh. There are also in this Island many woods that bring forth red sanders, 
woods of red Sanders  for the which many merchants resort thither. In the sea about this Iland● great whales are taken, 
Whale's Amber,  out of the which amber is gathered. There are lions, leopards, 
Lions & Leopards.  hearts, hinds, goats, and many other beasts and fowls, by reason whereof, they use much hawking and hunting.   

¶ Of the Island of Zanzibar.  
THe Island of Zanzibar, hath a peculiar King and language. The inhabitants are idolaters, & are of gross and short stature: 
Big men of low stature.  but if their height did answer to their thickness and breadth, they might seem to be giants. They are all black, and go naked, only covering their privy parts. The hear of their heads, is marvelously corlde. 
People deformed.  They have great mouths, nostrils flyrtting upward and wide, with great ears and cruel eyes. Their women are deformed by reason of their great eyes, great mouths, and great nostrils. They live with milk, flesh, rice, and dates. 
rice & Dates.  They lack wine: Yet they make a pleasant drink of rice, sugar, and other spices. 
●rinke of spices  Many merchants resort thither for yverie & Amber, 
Amber.  for there is great plenty of Elephants and great whales.   

¶ Of the two Islands, in one of the which dwell only men, and in the other only women.  
IN the main sea, there are two Islands, distant the one from the other about eight or ix leagues toward the south, situate between the city of Aden and Calicut. In one of the which dwell only men without the company of women, and is called the Island of men. 
the Island of men.  And in the other dwell only women, without men, and is called the Island of women. 
the Island of women  They are Christians, 
christians  and contract matrimony. The women never come to the Island of men, but the men are accustomed to visit the women once in the year, and tarry with them three months continually, every man with his own wife in his own house: after which time they return again to her own Island, where they remain all the year after. The women keep the men children with them until they be xv. years of age, & then send them to their fathers. The women have nought else to do, but to take charge of their children, and to gather certain fruits. But the men labour and have care how they may find their wife and children. They are exercised in fishing, 
Fishing  and sell fishes both new taken and old dried, to merchant strangers, whereby they receive great commoditios.   

¶ Of the great Empire of Cathay, being under the dominion of the great Cham (which some call the great Can) Emperor of Tartary, in old time called Scythia.  
THe superior or high India, which is now called Cathay, is a region exceeding large and of great power, whose Emperor is the great Cham of Tartary, 
the great Cham of Tartari  having under him many Provinces, people and Princes, and innumerable Islands in the great East sea, called the great Ocean. He hath under his dominion great & famous cities, 
Famous cities under the great Cham.  as are these: Cambalu, Quenquinafu, Mi●n, Cacausu, Canglu, T●dinfu, Tingui, and divers other. Among the people of this country, one man hath many wives, 
many wives.  which declare their love to their husbands after this sort. When the husband is dead, every one of his wives plead their cause before a judge, 
What natural affection may do  to prove which of them was most loving to her husband & best beloved of him: so that she which by the sentence of the judges is found to have been most faithful and diligent, decketh herself most gorgeously in all her sumptuous array, & proceedeth like a Virago stoutly & cheerfully to the fire, where the corpse of her husband was burnt, casting herself into the same fire, embracing and kissing the dead body of her husband, until she also be consumed by the fire, which she reputeth for an honourable sepulture: whereas his other wives are esteemed to live in shame and infamy. They join in marriage, neither in respect of riches or nobility, but only for love & beauty: & rather for the increase of posterity, then for pleasure. There is also another strange custom among these Indians: 
A strang● custom  & that is, that whereas the poorer sort are not able to give any dowry with their daughters to marriage, they bring them forth, even in the flower of their age to the market place, with trumpets & such other instruments as they use in the wars. Where, the multitude being called together, the maids first of all, discover their back parts, even up to the shoulders, & afterward their foreparts in like manners. And upon this declaring their poverty & nakedness, are married to such as like them best. This people of Cathay, 
The people of Cathay.  are of the nation of them which in time past were called Scythians, a kind of men (as saith Haitho) of subtle wit: affirming that only they see with two eyes, & that all other men beside them are blind of the one eye. Their quickens of wit is great, but their boasting is more. The hole nation is persuaded that they greatly excel all other men in subtlety of wit and knowledge. The inhabitants are white men, with small eyes, without beards, & utterly void of all godly knowledge. 
Idolotours.  For some of them pray to the sun, some to the moan, some to Images, some to an ox, and some to other monsters of their fantastical superstition. They have no law written, and are of no faith. And albeit that in workmanship and arts they are marvelous witty, yet have they no knowledge of divine or godly things. It is a timorous kind of men, and greatly fearing death. And are therefore in their wars, more politic than valiant. In the wars, they use arrows, & certain other kinds of weapons unknown to men of other countries. The money which they use, 
Money of paper  is made of a certain paper, being four square, with the Kings image printed thereon. Their household stuff is of gold & silver & other metals. 
Gold & Syluer●  they have great scarceness of oil. The great Emperor of Cathay, keepeth his court in the rich & mighty city called Cambalu, 
the city of Cambalu.  being the chiefest city of all the Empire, & of such greatness that it containeth in circuit six leagues. This city is four square, so that every quadrature or side of the wall, hath in it three principal ports or gates. Also in all the corners of the walls, are veri fair palaces, in which the artillery or armure of the city is reserved. The streets are made very straight and right forth: so that from any one gate to the other being directly over against the same, a man may see plainly through the city, having the houses on every side like palaces, placed in goodly order, most beautiful to behold. Without the city, there are twelve great suburbs, adherent to the xii gates of the city, whether the merchants & strangers, 
Marchā●yse.  have their continual recourse as to the burse or street. It can not be spoken what great abundance of merchandise and riches is brought to his city: a man would think that it were sufficient to serve all the world. Precious stones, 
precious stones & spices.  pearls, silk, and spices of divers kinds are brought thither, from India and Mangi, & other regions. There passeth not a day in the year in which there are not about a thousand veins laden with silk which are brought to this city by strange merchants. 
No●e.  What great pomp, glory, & forniture of all things, is observed in the emperors court, 
the king of Cathay his court  it can not be spoken. He hath in his court twelve thousand horsemen, which have the custody of his body: & distribute their waiting days after this order, that whereas one of the captains of this garrison with his three thousand soldiers hath waited upon the kings person, three days, another captain in like order with as many men succeedeth in his room for other three days, and likewise an other after him, executethe the same office. When the Emperor maketh any banquet, it cannot be said what great pomp is observed. He hath sitting at his left hand his chiefest queen whom he most esteemeth: 
The Queen.  and at his right hand his sons, a●d such as are of the kings blood: but they sit somewhat lower & further of. The other noble men which wait not, sit in a place yet somewhat lower. All such as in the court sit at meat, use none other drinking cups then of gold 
Golden plate.  The Princes which wait on the Emperor at his meat, 
worldly glory.  have all their mouths covered with fine silken clothes, lest in any case they should blow or breath on the kings meat or drink. And when the Emperor lifteth up his cup to drink, all the musicians and minstrels that stand about him, play on their instruments, while in the mean time all such as wait on him, stoop down & make low courtesy. How great honour is exhibited to this Emperor ', & how many precious and rich presents are offered unto him by his Princes, Dukes, Leave tenants and presidents of provinces, and rulers of cities, no man is able to express, forasmuch as he hath under him in manner innumerable Kingdoms, Provinces, Nations and Dominions, which are on every side about Cathay, & acknowledge him to be their only Lord and King, whom they honour and reverence as a great God & mighty Mahumet. 
A living Idol.  In what pomp & triumphant magnificence he showeth himself when he goeth to hawk or hunt, and how many tents he pitcheth in the field, which being seen a far of, a man would think to be a great city, he that desireth to know, let him read Paulus Venetus, 
Paulu● venetu●  in the second book of his navigations into India, where he shall find things to marvel at. In Cathay they make a pleasant drink of rice & certain spices, 
Drink of rice & spices.  which in drinking excelleth the sweetness of wine. In many places they have great lack of wood: In the stead whereof, 
Digged coal.  they dig out of the mountains a certain kind of black stone which burn in the fire like coals, and continue so long, that if they be kindled over night, they keep fire unto the morning.   

¶ Of certain Provinces and regions subject under the dominion of the great Cham Emperor of Cathay.  
THere passeth through the kingdom of Cathay, a certain great river called Pulisachnites, which emptieth itself in the great Ocean sea, by the which river, ships have their passage into that land. Over this river is a very fair bridge of marble, 
A great bridge of marble.  being in length three hundredth paces, and in breadth, eight paces, with xxiiii arches, and graven Lions on every side, adourning the rails or highest margentes of the same. From hence it is not far to the fair and great kingdom of ●ainfu, 
the ki●gdome of Tainfu.  in the which are many goodly wines. For in the kingdom of Cathay there groweth no wine, but is brought the there from this region. In this kingdom is great use of merchandise, and hath plenty of cunning artificers, 
Cunning artificers.  so that all the armure which the great Cham useth in his wars, is made there. Toward the region of Mangi, is situate the river Caromoram, which for the great breadth and depth, hath no bridge. In this region is great abundance of Ginger, 
Ginger.  silk, birds, and specially pheasants. Somewhat beyond this, is the great city of Quenquinafu, 
Quenquinafu.  being the chief city of the same kingdom. In this region are found many muskeca●tes. 
the mus●e cat.  This beast in this country, is but little and fair, about the bigness of a mean cat, with gross hear like a heart, having blunt claws on his feet, with two long teeth in the upper jaw, and two in the neither jaw: and hath near unto the navel a bladder full of a certain matter like unto blood, being of wonderful ●tagrant savour, 
Sivet or musk.  and is the true musk.   

¶ Of the Province of Mangi, and marvelous cities contained in the same.  
THe Province of Mangi, hath in it many notable and great cities, in the which is great exercise of merchandise: 
merchandise.  and specially in the city of Conigangui, is sold great plenty of salt. 
●alte.  In the city of Panchi, there is great sale of silk. 
Silk.  In the city of Sianfu, 
Cloth of gold.  is made great plenty of clothes of gold and silk. In the city singui, is a famous market where great abundance of merchandise is brought by the river. near unto the city of Caigui, groweth plenty of blade and rice, 
rice.  that it is carried from thence to the court of the great Cham. In the city of singui, are numbered to be about six thousand bridges of stone, 
VI ● bridges of stone.  having so high arches, that great ships may pass under the same without bowing down of the mast. There is another city called Quinsai, 
the great city of Quinsai.  which is so fair & great, that there is thought to be no bigger in all the world. It containeth in circuit, a hundredth Italien miles, which make xxv. leagues. It hath twelve thousand bridges of stone, 
Xij M● bridges of stone.  and those so high that great ships with the mast standing up right, may pass under. This city is situate in a marish ground, much like unto venes. Therefore if they should lack bridges, they could not pass over from the one side of the street to the other. 
Artificers.  It hath innumerable artificers and many merchants. 
merchants  The citizens live pleasantly, and specially the women, which are fairer than in other parts of ●ndia. Toward the South side of the city, there is a great lake or pool within the walls of the city, which containeth in circuitie about viii leagues, having about the banks thereof many noble men's houses, very fair both without and within. 
E●mmō bāketi●ge houses.  In the midst of this lake, there are two little Islands and in every of them a goodly palace, in the which are reserved all such ornaments & vessels as they use for their marriages & solemn feastes● for whereas any of the citizens intend to make any great banquet, or feast, they bring their gests to one of these palaces, where they are honourably entertained. In the streets of the city, are certain common towers, into the which, 
A good provision against fire.  all such as dwell near thereto, carry their goods & stuff, if it so chance, the fire be in the city. The inhabitants are Idoloters: & eat the flesh of horses & camels, 
Flesh of horses eaten.  & of other unclean beasts. The great Cham hath in this city a mighty garrison to the intent to avoid rebellion, 
A provision against rebellion.  theft & murder. For on every bridge there waiteth daily & nightly ten watchmen for the same purpose: and because the Province of Mangi is exceeding large, the great Cham hath divided it into nine Kingdoms, assigning unto every one a peculiar King: which are all of great power, and yet subject to the great Cham. One of them dwelleth in the city of Quinsai. In this Province of Mangi, 
Anthropophagi.  is an other Kingdom, called Fugui, in which the people eat man's flesh, so that they die not of any disease. They drink the blood and eat the flesh of such as are slain in the wars. 
hens having hear in the stead of feathers.  There are hens found in this region, which in the stead of feathers, have hear much like cats hear of black colour: And lay very good eggs.   

¶ Of the region of Tangut, and of the great deserts, & voices of devils heard in the same, & of the Salamandra.  

the way from Persia to Cathay.  FRom the Kingdom of Persia, there are two journeys to the region of Cathay. For either the south side must be observed toward India, or else to pass by the provinces of Carcham, Cotam & Peim, Northeastwarde to the city of Lop, 
the city of Lop.  being the greatest and most notable city in all that region, lying between the East and the North at the entrance at the great desert. In this city, all such merchants, 
The journey by the deserts  as intend to pass the deserts, make preparation for all things necessary for their yourneye: And rest in the same, until they are well provided of strong asses and camels to carry there victuals. And when in the desert their victuals begin to fail them, they kill their asses or leave them there in the wilderness, because they can no longer provide them of pasture, until they have passed over the desert. But they preserve their camels, because they are sustained with less meat, and bear greater burdens. In this desert are often times found bitter waters: 
Bitter waters'  but more often fresh and sweet waters: so that in manner every day for the space of thirty days, a man may find fresh water, but that in so little quantity that it doth not suffice all the merchants which pass that way together. That desert is very full of of mountains. And when you are come to the low and plain ground, the residue of the journey is all together by the sands: it is through out barren and salvage, so that it is not able to nourish any beasts for lack of pasture. In this wilderness are often times heard and seen, as well by day as by night, 
Illusions of evil spirits.  sundry illusions of evil spirits. And therefore such as travail through the same, have need to take great heed lest they dissever or departed far in sunder, or least any linger behind his company, aswell for that he may hereby lose the sight of them by reason of mountains or hills, lying between, as also because there are heard voices of devils, 
voices of devils.  calling them that wander alone, by their proper names, conterfeyting the voices of their company that goeth before, by this means withdrawing them from the right way, and bringing them to destruction. There is often times heard in the air, as it were a noise of musical instruments: 
Strange noises in the air.  but more often like the sound of drumslades or timbrels. This great desert being passed over, they come to the city called Sachion, 
the city of Sach●ō  which is situate in the entrance of the great Province of Tangut, where among certain Mahumetistes, are found a few Christian men called Nestoriani of the sect of Nestorius. 
christians of the heresy of Nestorius.  There are also many Idoloters, having their monasteries consecrated to divers Idols, 
Monasteries of Idoloters.  to which they offer many sacrifices, and attribute great honour to devils. And when a man hath a son borne, he forthwith commendeth him to some Idol, 
A strange custom  in whose honour he nourisheth a ram all that year, which after that his son be twelve months old, at the next feast of the same Idol, he and his son offer with many ceremonies. When this oblation is finished, they bring the sacrificed f●eshe to a place appointed, where all his kinsfolks being gathered together, they eat that flesh with great religion, and keep the bones reverently in a certain vessel: but in the funerals of the dead, they use these ceremonies and superstitions. 
Ceremonies in funerals  All the neighbours of the dead, provide that the dead corpse be burned: which custom all the people of the East parts do observe. Yet some of them keep the dead body by them certain days before they burn it: As some, seven days, some for the space of a month and some six months, preparing for the same a close chest, so involuinge with cereclothe, and pondering with spices the body therein enclosed, that no evil savour may pass forth. This done, they paint the chest very curiously, and cover it with a precious cloth, placing their dyninge table hard by the same, where they dine continually as long as the dead body is thus reserved at home. 
A gross & vain persuasion.  And in the dinner time for the space of one hole hour, they set wine & meat upon the chest, supposing the soul of the dead body to be partaker of the same. The Region of Tangut, 
the region of Ta●gut.  is very large, and containeth in it many private Provinces, as the Province of Camul, of Cinchital, and Suchur, with diverse fair Cities, which are all Subject and obey to the great Cham of Cathay. Some of the inhabitants believe in Mahumet: 
Mahumetistes  some acknowledge Christ after the heresy of Nestorius. In the land of Chinchital, is a Mountain out of the which is digged the mine of steel and Audanici. 
Steel.  There is also found the Serpent called Salamandra, 
Salama●dra.  which liveth in the fire without any hurt. Of the hear of this serpent, is made a certain cloth, which being cast in the fire when it is foul, is thereby made clean and very white if it remain there for the space of an hour. Such other innumerable & marvelous things, 
Paulus Venetus.  writeth Paulus ●enetus that he hath seen and found in his navigations into these parts: of whom also I have gathered thus much, letting pass many other things whereof he speaketh more at large.  
¶ Here endeth the description of the Navigations from Spain to the new India Eastward, & followeth of the new Islands and India found in the West Ocean sea, from Spain Westward and Southweste.    

¶ Of the new India and Islands in the West Ocean sea, how, when, and by whom they were found.  
CHristophorus Columbus, 
Christophorus Columbus.  a Gentlemen of Italy, and borne in the city of Cenua, when he had been long conversant in the King of Spain's court, he applied his mind to search unknown parts of the world. And for his better furtherance herein, made humble petition to the king, to aid him in this his enterprise, which doubtless should redound to his great honour, and no little commodity to all the hole country of Spain, if by his help & charges, he might find new regions. But the King and Queen laughed him to scorn, saying: 
Great enterprises have ever been counted fantastical.  that his imagination was but vain and fantastical. At the length, eight years being passed over, and Columbus still persisting in his purpose and suit, the King began to give ear to his talk, and after much reasoning & debating of the matter, determined to try the wit of the man. 
the first ●●age of Christophorus Columbus.  And there upon commanded a foist & two brigantines to be furnished with all kind of ordinance and victuals: which being prepared, the first day of September, in the year of Christ 1492, Columbus departed from the coasts of Spain, and went forward in his voyage long desired. 
the Islands called Gades.  And when he had passed the Islands called Gades, he diverted toward the fortunate Islands called Insulae Portuna●ae, which are now called Canariae, 
The Islands of ●anaria  because they are full of dogs. They were in time passed called Fortunate, for the excellent temperateness of the air, and great fruytefulnes. Columbus departing from hence, sailed toward the West, and at the length found certain Islands, of the which two were very great, whereof the one he called Hispana, and the other johanna.  

¶ Of the two Islands johanna and Hispana.  
AS Columbus came to the Island which he called johanna, 
johanna  he heard a marvelous sweet noise of innumerable birds, and especially of Nightingales which wandered in the thick woods in the month of Novembre. He found also most fair Rivers, sweet to drink, & many goodly havens. And as he sailed by the costs of the Island Southweste ward, and could find no end, he thought it had been the main land, & therefore determined to draw back, being partly enforced by roughness of the sea: and thus returning some what Eastward, he came to an Island which he afterward called Hispana, 
Hispana, or Hispaniola.  where arriving to the land, he & his company was seen of the Inhabitants of the Island, which suddenly fled into the thick woods: whom the spaniards pursewinge, took a woman whom they brought to their ship, entreating her very gentillye, fyllinge her with delicate meats and wine, and clothing her in fair apparel, & so let her departed: for they go naked, and are not used to delicates. And as this woman returned to her company, some being moved by the liberality declared unto her, came by great multitudes to the sea banks, bringing gold with them, which they changed for earthen pots, and drinking glasses. 
gold for earth & glass.  Thus a further friendship by this means contracted, the spaniards begun more diligently to search their manner of living and manners, & so understood that they had a king. 
the king of the Island.  And therefore entering further into the Island, they were honourably received of the king. They vewyde their houses, and marveled to see them so builded without the use of Iron, 
building without the use of Iron.  which they are utterly without: in the stead whereof they use a certain stone, wherewith they cut and saw their timber.   

¶ Of the people called Canibales or Anthropophagi, which are accustomed to eat man's flesh.  
Whereas the people of the forenamed Islands, fled at the sight of our men, the cause thereof was, that they suspected them to have been Cannibals, 
C●nibales Anthropophagi.  that cruel & fierce people which eat man's flesh, which nation our men had overpassed, leaning them on the southside. But after they had knowledge of the contrary, they made grievous complaint to our men, of the beastly and fierce manners of these Canibales, 
the fierceness of the canibales.  which were no less cruel against them, than the Tiger or the Lion against tame beasts. Declaring furthermore, that when soever they take any of them under the age of xiiij years, they use to geld them, & frank them until they be very fat, as we are want to do with capons or hens: and as for such as draw toward twenty year old, to kill them forthwith and pull out their guts, and eat the same fresh and new, with other extreme parts of the body, 
man's flesh powdered.  powdering the residue with salt, or keeping it in a certain pickle as we do iegottes or sansages. Yet eat they not the women, but reserve them to increase, as we do hens to lay eggs. And if they take any old women, they keep them for drudges. And therefore when the Canibales make incursion, the people of these Islands fly with all speed. For albeit they use arrows, yet are they not able to resist their fierceness.   

¶ Of the manners of the inhabitants of the Island of Hispana and of such things as are found there.  
THe inhabitants of this Island, 
Roots in the stead of bread  use in the stead of bread, certain roots like unto navy roots, having the taste of soft & green chestnuts. Gold with them is in estimation, 
Gold i● estimation.  for they hang certain pieces thereof at their ears: they go not out of the limities if their own country, nor exercise any merchandise with strangers: 
How gold i● gathered.  they gather gold in the sands of a certain river which springeth out of veri high montaines They gather it with great labour and melt it and cast it, first into masses or wedges, and afterward into broad plates. They have no four footed beasts, except coneyes: they have serpents of monstrous greatness, 
Serpents without ve●●●●.  but without hurt or venom. They have also wild turtle doves & ducks, much greater than ours, & gese whiter then swans, saving that they have red heads. They have also many popinjays: 
popinjays.  some green, some yellow, and some not much unlike them of India, with red circles about their necks This Island bringeth forth also Mastix, Aloe, 
Spices & Guns  and such other gums: and especially certain red grains, which are sharper than pepper.   

¶ How Columbus, after he had found new Islands, returned again to Spain, where preparing a new navy, he took his voyage to the Canibales.  
COlumbus, not a little joyful of the lands newly found, the spring time drawing near, he determined ●o return to his country: leaving with the king of the Island .38. men which should diligently search the situation of the Island, the manners of the people, & the natures of trees and fruits. But he, soyseninge up his sails, directed his voyage toward Spain, bringing with him ten men of the said Island, 
The Indian tongue  to th'end that they might learn the Spanish tongue, which they might easily do, because all the words of their language may well be written with our letters. Columbus, 
Columbus, at his return, i● made  after this his return, and fortunate success in his first voyage, was honourably received of the King and Queen, and greatly magnified with innumerable glorious tittles: willing that he should no more thenceforth be called Columbus, 
Admiral of the Ocean sea.  but the Admiral of the great Ocean sea: and prepared for him toward his second voyage xvij foists and twelve brigantines, 
The second voyage of Columbus  well furnished with all kind of artillery and plenty of victuals, and in them twelve hundredth men well appointed: Corn also to sow, & all kinds of seeds and plants. For, except pine apple trees & date trees, there grow none in these Islands that are known to us. The Admiral took also with him all sorts of Iron tools to th'intent to build towns & fortresses where his men might lie in safeguard. Therefore the first day of September departing from the Islands called Gades, 
Gades.  with a prosperous wind he arrived at the Island of Canaria the first day of October: 
The Islands of Canaria.  from whence directing his voyage toward the left hand, he sailed toward the South, & at the length came to the Islands of the Cannibals. And because he came thither on the Sundays called the Dominical day, 
the Ilā● of Dom●nica●  he called the Island where he arrived, Dominica: which when he perceived to be but salvage and rude, he sailed on further: and in twenty days sailing, came to another Island replenished with all kinds of trees, 
Insulae Crucis.  from which came a marvelous fragrant savour: By reason whereof, some being alured by the pleasantness of the place, went a land, where they saw no kind of living beasts, 
Lisertes  saving lysertes of wonderful houdge greatness. This Island he called Insula Crucis, which was also an Island of the Canibales, as afterward they proved in deed. For as they sailed about the Island, they found certain low cottages made of trees, 
Houses of trees  like unto stagies. For they set trees upright in order round about, fastening posts in them cross over, where unto the trees cleave fast, so that by this means they can not fall. They frame the roofs of the●e cottages, with sharp tops after the manner of round tents. And last of all, they enclose and cover these trees thus set in order, with the leaves of date trees, and certain other trees, to th'intent to make them a stronger defence against wind & wether. And within the cottage, they tie the posts together with ropes of bombage cotton, and a certain long root. They have couches made, one above another, the flowers whereof they straw with hay and cotton. And as soon as they had spied our men, they fled incontinente. And when our men came into their houses, they found in them certain young men bound to posts, 
Young men stalle● to be made fat.  and kept to be made fat and likewise many o●de women which these Canibales kept to be their drudges. 
Fi●e co●e●pe.  They found there also earthen vessels of all sorts, in which they sod men's flesh with poping●ayes, geese, & ducks flesh, all together in one v●ssell. They roasted also man's flesh upon spyttes. reserving the bones of the arms & legs, which they use in the stead of Iron, to piece & tip their arrows. For they are utterly without Iron. The found also the head of a young man, yet bleeding and fastened to a post. But certain women which had fled from the Canibales to our men, the Admiral commanded to be gorgeously decked after the manner of our women, and with many rewards to be sent again to their own company. By means whereof, 
Canibales alured with ly●beral●te●  the Canibales being alured by the liberality and gifts of our men, hoping that they also should be likewise rewarded, came running toward our men: but when they drew somewhat near unto them, they fled immediately into the next woods. And thus our men departing from thence, returned to the Island of Hispana.   

¶ How the Admiral passed many Islands, and what things chanced to him & his company in that voyage.  
AS the Admiral departed from the Island of the Canibales, & went forward on his voyage, he passed by many Islands: among the which was one called Matinina, 
Matinina An Island of women only.  in which dwell only women, after the manner of them, called amazons, as he learned of the men of the Islands which he brought with him into Spain at his first voyage, and saved them from the fierceness of the Canibales. He passed also innumerable other Islands, of which to some he gave names, 
The names of sundry Islands  as Mons Farratus, Sancta Maria rotunda, Sancta Martinus, Sancta Maria antiqua, and Sancta Crux, Into the which our men entering to th'intent to fetch fresh water, found four Canibales, which had taken four young women: who, as soon as they had spied our men, wringed their hands, seeming thereby to desire aid of our men: at whose coming to deliver them, the men fled into the woods and left the women. Shortly after, our men saw a boat coming on the sea with eight men and as many women: with whom our men bickering lost one of their companions, by reason that these barbariens are accustomed to infect their arrows with venom: 
arrows infected with venom.  yet our men prevailed and slew part of them, and brought the residue by force to the admiral. As they departed from hence, they found many other Islands, but such as they could not come to for the roughness of the sea and multitude of rocks. But some of the smallest brigantines which drew no great depth, went somewhat nearer, and numbered above seven and forty Islands, and called the place Archipelagus. 
Archipelogus.  Sailing from hence, they found another Island called Buchema, 
Buchema  into the which the Canibales make sundry incursions, by reason whereof the inhabitants are at continual war with them. Thus at the length, the Admiral with his hole navy returned to the Island of Hispana: but in an evil time. For they which he had left there for a garrison, were all dead: as were also they which he took with him from the same Island into Spain to use them for intrepretours. Of which seven died by change of the air. 
Change of air is dangerous.  One of them was permitted of the Admiral to depart, when the navy came near to his country. The residue stole away priu●lye, and swam to land: but the Admiral doubting whether all his men were dead or no, which he left in the Island, commanded certain ordinance to be shot of, that by the noise thereof they might have warning to come forth, if any ●aye lurking in corners: but none appeared, whose fatal days had finished their life. At the length, 
the king dissembleth with the admiral.  the king of the Island being thereto enforced, declared the hole matter to the admiral as well as he could by interpreters: affirming that there were in the Island other Kings beside him: and of greater power than he, which were sore offended that the Spaniards had subdued the Islands: & in revenge thereof, came to the town where the Spaniards lay, which they overcame & burnt, & slew all the men therein: and that he also at the same conflict, taking part with our men, was sore wounded with an arrow on the arm, for the better trial whereof he bore his arm in a towel, because it was not yet hole of that wound. But shortly after they had knowledge, that the King feigned this tale: so that he hardly escaped the hands of the Admiral, who was determined with some kind of punishment to have examined him further. But he suspecting the matter, fled into the inner parts of the Island, declaring thereby, that he was the destruction of our men: whom, certain of our company, pursuing, found many marvelous things: 
Gold found in rivers & mountains.  and especially rivers in which is found much gold, and a mountain, whose sand is sparkled with gold. In this place, the Admiral builded a city, which he compassed about with a wall. And departing from hence, he searched almost all the Island: in the inner parts whereof he builded a tower, & named it, S. Thomas tower, which he made to th'intent that he might the more safely search out the secrets of so plentiful a region, and especially the gold mines of the same: and thus leaving a garrison there, he departed, taking with him three foists, wherewith he sailed to seek new Islands, 
the Islands of Cuba and jamiaca.  and came first to the Island of Cuba, and from thence to jamiaca, being greater than Sicilia, very fruitful and well inhabited. Which, when he had viewed, he departed from thence, & sailed about the sea costs where he saw innumerable other small Islands, 
A multitude of Islands  standing so thick, that the ship was in manner borne a land: and was therefore enforced to return home, the same way which he came.   

¶ How the Spaniards abused the submission & friendship of the inhabitants of the Islands.  
IN this mean time, the Spaniards which the admiral had left in the Island of Hispana, had evil entreated the inhabitants: so that for want of victuals & food, they begun to famine: imputing the fault hereof unto the Christian men, 
The cruelty of the Christian men  which had digged up all the roots wherewith they were accustomed to make their bread. And whereas they yet perceived, that the Christien men intended to continued there, they sent an ambassador to the admiral to desire him to restrain the outrageousness and cruelty of his men, at whose hands they sustained such injuries and violence, as they scarcely looked for at the hands of mortal enemies. declaring further, that under the pretence of seeking for gold they committed innumerable wrongs and mischievous acts, 
Cruelty of covetousness.  spoiling in manner all the hole region: and that for the avoiding of such enormities and oppressions, they had rather pay tribute, then to be thus daily vexed with incursions, & never to be at quiet. Upon this complaint it was agreed, that they should pay yearly tribute to the Christian king & that they should apply themselves to gather and increase their roots, 
Bread of roots.  which were to them in the stead of flower and wheat: and so consumed that with great labour they could scarcely find any in the woods. They paid therefore for their tribute, 
The tribute of the barbarians  every three months, certain pound weights of gold: but such as had no gold, paid spices, & gossampine cotton. In the mean time the Spaniards, who should have been occupied in digging for gold, 
Disobedience followeth Idleness  gave themselves to play, wantonness & idleness, contemning, & falling into hatred with their governor, by which their licentiousness, the people of the Island being provoked, became more disobedient & wild, degenerating from all kind of honesty & faithfulness: yea the spaniards also became so negligent in seeking for gold, that sometime the charges exceeded the gains. Nevertheless in the year of Christ, 1501. they gathered within the space of two months twelve thousand pounds weight of gold. 
Note.  But the Admiral appointing his brother Bartholomeus Columbus, 
Bartholomeus Columbus,  to be governor of the Island, he in the year .1495. determined to return to Spain, to certify the king of all these matters. In which voyage, he manfully defended himself in battle against the rebels of certain other Islands which had conspired against the spaniards.   

¶ How the Portugals sought new Islands in the East parts, and how they came to Calicut.  
IN this mean time that the spaniards sought new and unknown lands in the West parts, the Portugals attempted to do the same in the east parts. And lest one of them should be a let or hindrance to the other, they divided the world between them by the authority of the Bishop of Rome, 
The bishop of rome divideth the world.  Alexander the vi of that name. And that on this condition,, 
hesperides, or Caput u●ride.  that from the Islands called Hesperides (which are now called Caput veride) the one should sail Westward, and the other toward the South pole, 
How the spaniards & the Portugals divided the world between them.  thus dividing the world between them in two equal parts. So that whatsoever unknown lands should be discovered in the east parts, the same to be dew to the Portugals: And all such as should be found in the West parts, to appertain to the spaniards. Whereby it came to pass, that the Spaniards, ever by the South, sailed into the West, where they found a large main land, with Islands great & little innumerable, having in them great plenty of gold and pearls, 
Gold & Pearls  and other great riches. But the Portugals, by the south, and costs of the Islands called Hesperides, and Equinoctial line, 
The Equinoctial ly●e.  & Tropicus Capricorni, came y● into East, by th● goul●e called Sinus Persicus, even unto the costs of India, with in the river of Ganges, 
The river of Ganges  whereas is now the great market town, & kingdom of Calicut. 
Calicut.  And from thence to the Island of Taprobana, 
Taprobana  (now called Sumetra, Zamara or Samotra 
Samotra. ) & so forth to Aurea Chersonesus, whereas is now the great city of Malaccha, 
the great city of Malaccha  being one of the most famous market towns of all the East parts. From Malaccha, they entered into a great gulf, by which they came to the region of ●inar●m. 
the region of ●inarū  Not far from Malaccha, are the Islands called Molucca, 
the Islands of Molucca  in which all kinds of spices grow and are brought to the city of Malaccha. But the Spany●rdes having knowledge what great commodity the Portugals had received by the Islands of Molucca, attempted to prove if they also might find the same Islands in sailing so far Westward, 
Sailing into the East by the west  that they might at the length by West and south-west come into the East, as by good reason they presupposed the roundness of the earth would permit, 
the roundness of ●he earth.  if they were not otherwise let by the firm or main land lying in the way and stopping their passage, 
The firm land  whereof as yet was no certainty known. And this did they to th'intent that by this means they might more easily and with less charge bring spices from thence into Spain. 
Spice● the vi●ge from the West in to the east.  Therefore, the manner of this voyage was, that they should sail from the West, under the lowest hemispherye or half compass of the earth, & so to come into the East. A thing surely that might seem very hard to attempt, because it was uncertain whether that, most prudent and beneficial nature, (who worketh all things with most high providence) had not so divided and separated the East from the West, partly by sea, and partly by land, that there might by this way have been no passage into the East. For it was not yet known, whether that great region of America, 
America.  (which they call the firm or main land) did separate the West sea from the East: 
The firm land.  But it was found that that firm land extended from the West to the South: And that also toward the North parts were found two other regions, whereof the one is called Regio Baccalearum, 
Regio Baccalearum.  & the other Terra Florida: 
Terra Florida.  which, if they were adherent to the said firm land, there could be no passage by the West seas into the East India, forasmuch as there was not yet found any straight of the sea, whereby any entrance might be open into the East. In this mean while, 
the king o● spayd sendeth forth ships.  the king of Spain being elected Emperor, prepared a na●uie of five ships, over the which he appointed one Magellanus to be captain, 
The voyage of Magellanus, by the west into the east.  commanding him that he should sail toward the coasts of the said firm land, dyrectinge his voyage by the south parts thereof, until he had either found the end of the same, or else some straight whereby he might pass to those odoriferous Islands of Molucca, 
The Islands of Molucca.  so famously spoken of for the great abundance of sweet savours and spices found therein. The ships therefore, being well furnished with all things necessary, Magellanus departing from Civil in Spain, the tenth day of August, in the year of Christ .1519. came first to the Islands of Canaria, 
The Il●des of c●naria.  and from thence to the Islands called Hesperides: from which dyrectinge his course between the West and the East toward the said firm land, in few days with prosperous sailing, he discovered a corner or point of the said main land, called Promontorium S, Muriae, 
Promontorium s. Marie.  where the people dwell, called Canibales, 
Canibales  which are accustomed to eat man's flesh. From hence he sailed on southward by the long tract of this firm land, which reacheth so far into the south and extendeth so many degrees beyond the circle called Tropicus Capricorni, that the south pole (called pole Antarctic) is there elevated forty & two degrees. 
The eleuacion of the south pole, 46 degrees  And thus being brought into the East, they saw certain Indians gathering shell fishes by the sea banks: 
The Region of giants.  being men of very high stature, clothed with beasts skins. To whom, whereas certain of the Spaniards went a land, & showed them bells & painted papers, they begun to dance & leap about the Spaniards, with a rude and murmuring song. At the length there came three other, as though they were ambassadors, which by certain signs desired the Spaniards to go with them further into the land, making a countenance as though they would entertain them well, where upon, the captain Magellanus sent with them seven. men well instructed, to th'intent to search the region & manners of the people. And thus they went with them into the deserts, 
Cottages covered with beasts skins.  where they came to a low cottage covered with wild beasts skins, having in it two mansions, in one of that which were women & children & in the other only men. They entertained their gests after a barbaros & beastly manner, which nevertheless seemed to them princelike: 
Onager.  for they killed a beast, not much unlike a wild ass, whose flesh (but half roasted) they set before our men, without any other kind of meat or drink. Here were our men of necessity constrained to lie all night under these skins, by reason of the great abundance of snow and wind. 
Abundance of s●owe & wind.  And when it was day, our men were very earnest with them, & would in manner have enforced them to go with them to the ship: which thing they perceiving, covered them selves from the head to the foot with certain horrible beasts skins, and painted their faces with sundry colours. Thus taking their bows and arrows, & bringing with them other of their company, of much greater stature and terrible aspect, than they were, they showed themselves to our men in array, as though they were ready to fight. But the spaniards, which thought that the matter would have comen to hand strokes, commanded a piece of ordinance to be shot of. The which although it did no hurt, yet these hardy giants, 
The Giants are put to ●●yght.  which a little before seemed to be as bold as though they durst have made war against jupiter, were by the noise there of put in such fear, that they forthwith began to entreat of peace. Our men intended to have brought some of these Giants with them into Spain for the strangeness of the thing: but they all escaped out of their hands. Magell●nus therefore understanding that it were unprofitable to tarry there any longer, and that also the sea was very rough, & the wether stormy and boisterous, and that furthermore the firm land extended further toward the south, it so much, that the further they sailed that way, they should find in so much the colder, he deferred his proceeding unto the month of may, 
extreme winter in may.  at which time, the sharpness of winter, exceedeth with th●m, when as with us, summer is begun. He found there great plenty of wood. The sea also ministered unto them great abundance of shellfish, beside other fishes of sundry kynd●s. He found likewise many springs of fresh & wholesome waters: and used hunting and taking of fowls. Only bread & wine, was lacking in the ship. The south pole was there elevated forty degrees. 
●he south pole elevate xl degrees    

¶ How Magella●us by a straight or narrow arm of the sea, sailed by the west into the East to divers Islands: where also he was slain.  
THe winter now being past, the xxiv. day of August, Magellanus departed from the place aforesaid, & still followed the tract of the firm land toward the south, until at the length, the xxvi day of November, he found in that firm land, 
The straight of Magel●anus.  certain open places like unto straights or narrow seas. Into the which entering with his navy, he commanded that certain ships should search the gulfs on every side, if any way or passage might be found into the East. At the length, they found a certain deep strait, by the which they were persuaded that there was entrance into some other main sea, in so much that Magellanus attempted to search the same. This strait was found to be sometime of the breadth of three Italian miles, sometime of two, & sometime of ten, & reached somewhat toward the West. The altitude or elevation of the south pole in this place, 
The altitude of the south pole. li●. degrees.  was found to be lii degrees. They could see no people stirring in the costs of this entrance Therefore Magellanus seeing this land to be rough & salvage, & unpleasant to abide in, by reason of extreme cold, he thought it not worthy the travail, to spend any time in searching the same. Therefore sailing forward in his voyage thus attempted by the said straight, (which is now called the straight of Magellanus) he was thereby brought into another main sea, 
●he main sea beyond the straights.  very great and large. The length of this straight or narrow sea, is esteemed to be a hundredth spanish miles. The land which he had on his right hand, he doubted not to be main land: 
The firm land  and that on the left hand, he supposed to be Islands. Magellanus saw likewise the firm land to be extended directly toward the North: wherefore letting pass that great land, he sailed by that great and large sea between the West and the North: & that for this intent, that at the length he might by the West come into the East, and again under the burning line called Zona Torrida, 
The burning line Torrida Zona ●  being well assured that the Islands of Molucca (which he sought) were in the east, 
The Islands of Molucca  and not far from the Equinoctial line. When they had thus sailed for●ie days, and came now again under the line or circle called Tropicus Capricorni, 
Tropicus capricorni.  they found two little Islands inhabited, but very barren, and therefore called them infortunate Islands. Departing from thence, they sailed on for a great space, and found a certain Island which the inhabitants called Inuagana, 
the Island of Inuagana.  where the elevation of the north pole, (called pole Arctic) was twelve degrees: And the length from the Islands called Gades, 
The Islands of Gades called Cales Males.  by the West, was judged to be c.lviii. degrees. Thus proceeding, they saw divers other Islands, and that so many, that they supposed they had been brought into a great sea like unto that called Archipelagus, 
Archipelagus.  where with signs & poyntinges (as the dumb are wont to speak with the dumb) they asked of these Indians, the names of the Islands, whereby they learned that they were in Acatan, 
Acatan.  and not far from the Island called Selani, 
Selani.  well inhabited and replenished with abundance of all things necessary for the commodities of this life. Sailing therefore toward the Island of Selani, they were with a contrary wind driven on the Island of Massana, 
●assana.  from whence they came to the great Island a● Subuth, 
S●buth  where the spaniards were well entertained of the King of the Island, who brought them into a certain cottage, and set before them such delicates as he had. Their bread, 
Bread of the trunk of trees.  was of the trunk of a certain tree, cut in pieces, & fried with oil. Their drink was of the humour ●r joys which droppeth out of the branches of the date trees, 
Drink of the dropping of date ●●●es.  when they are cut. Their meat was such as they took by fouling, with such fruits as the contrei brought forth. This Island was very rich of gold and ginger. 
Gold & Ginger  In these parts Magellanus made war against the inhabitants of certain other Islands: In which conflict, the spaniardes having the overthrow Magellanus was slain with seven of his men. 
Magellanus is slain.  When the Spaniards had thus lost their captain, they elected a new governor of their navy, appointing one johannes Serranus to that office. 
the new captai●e Serranus is betrayed of his bondman  Magallanus had also a bond man borne in the Islands of Molucca, whom he had bought in the city of Malaccha. This bondman understood the Spanish tongue: and where as the captain Serranus could do nothing without him, who now lay sick by reason of the wounds which he had received in the said conflict, so that he was fain to speak sharply to him and threaten to beat him or he could get him out of the ship, he here upon conceived so great hatred and indignation against the spaniards, 
the king of Subuth conspyreth against the spaniards  that he went immediately to the King of Subuth, declaring the covetousness of the Spaniards to be unsatiable, & that they would shortly use cruelty against him also, and bring him into subjection and servitude. The barbarous king believed his words, & therewith privily with the aid of the other Islands, conspired against the spaniards, and took or slew as many of them as came to a banquet whereunto they were bidden under pretence of friendship. 
The captain Serranus is taken prisoner.  Among the which also, Serranus the Captain was taken prisoner. But the residue of the spaniards which remained in the ships, being taught & warned by the evil chance which befell to their companions, and fearing greater deceits and conspiracies, life up their anchors and gave wind to their sails. In the mean time was Serranus brought bound to the sea banks, desiring his companions to deliver or redeem him from that horrible captivity of his enemies. But the Spaniards, albeit they took it for a dishonour, to leave or forsake their Captain, yet fearing fraud or further dissimulation, they sailed aside from that Island, and came to the Islands of Gibeth & Porne. 
The Il●des of Gibeth & Porne.  In this main sea, were two great Islands, whereof the one was called Siloli, 
Siloli.  & the other Porne the less, where our men were well entreated. The inhabitants of Porne honour the sun and the moan: they keep also a certain civil justice & friendly love one to another. And above all things, desire peace and idleness. 
Peace & Idleness  Therefore their chief study is, in no case to molest their neygboures or strangers, or to be injurious to any man. They have little houses, made of earth and wood, and covered partly with rubbish, & partly with the bows of date trees. They take as many wives as they are able to keep. Their common meat, is such as they take by fouling or fisshinge. They make bread of rice: 
Bread of Rice.  ● drink, of the liquor which droppeth from the branches of date trees, cut. Some use merchandise in the Islands near about them: some apply themselves to hunting & fishing, and some to husbandry. Their apparel, is of Gossampine cotton. They have great abundance of camphor, 
Camphire  ginger and cinomome.   

¶ How the Spaniards came to the Islands of Molucca, and of the people with great hanging ears.  
THe Spaniards taking their leave of the king of Porne, departed: dyrecting their voyage toward the Islands of Molucca, which were showed unto them by the same King. They came first to the costs of the Island called Solo, where are found Pearls as big as turtle doves eggs: 
Pearls as big as turtle doves egges●  but they are gathered in the depth of the sea. The inhabitants of this Island, at such time as the spaniards came thither, took a shelfysshe of such houdge bigness, 
A marvelous bi● shellfish  that the flesh thereof weighed xlvij pound weight. Whereby it is apparent the great pearls should be found there forasmuch as pearls are the birth of certain shellfishes. From hence they came to the Island of Gilona, 
Gilona.  in which are certain people having hanging ears of such length, 
Men with hanging ears.  that they hang down to their shoulders. Whereat as the Spaniards marveled, the men of the Island told them, that not far from thence was another Island in which were a kind of men, not only with hanging ears, but also with ears of such breadth and length, that with one of them they might cover their hole head. But the spaniards, 
The sp●nyardes arrive a● the Islands of Molucca.  who sought for gold and spices, and not for monsters, sailed directly to the Islands of Molucca, where they arrived, the eight month after the death of their governor Magellanus. These Islands are five in noumbre, the names whereof are these. Tharant, Muthil, Thedori, Mare, and Mathien. Some of them are sytuate on this side the Equinoctial line, some under it, & some beyond it. Some bear cloves, some Nutmegs, and some Cinomome. They are not far distant the one from the other. They are but little and narrow. The inhabitants are very poor, because there is no increase of any other thing saving only of spices. They live with bread and fish, and sometime popinjays. They lurk in low cottages: And in fine, all things with them are despicable and vile, beside peace, idleness, and spices. In Thedori is great plenty of cloves, as also in Tarante and Mathien. The trees which bring forth cloves, 
The tree that beareth clo●es.  grow not, but on rocks and broken cliffs, where sometime they grow so thick, that they appear like a little wood or grove. This tree, both in leaves, bigness, and height, is much like unto the bay tree. It beareth the fruit in the tops of every branch. The bud springeth out first, and then in it the flower, not much unlike the flower of an orange tree. The clove is first red: but after being scorched by the heat of the son, it is made black. The inhabitants divide the groves of these trees between them, as we do the wines. The Island of Muthil, bringeth forth cinomome. This tree, 
the cinomome tree.  is full of small branches & barren, best liking in a dry soil, and is very like unto the tree, that beareth the pomegranate. The bark of this tree, by reason of the great heat of the son, rising from the branches, or body of the same, is gathered and dried at the son, and is so made perfect cinonomome. Near unto this, is another Island, called Beda, greater and larger, than any of the Islands of Molucca. In this Island groweth the Nutmeg, 
The nutmeg tree  whose tree is big & high, and much like unto the walnut tree, for as is the walnut, so is this fruit defended with a double covering, as first with a green husk, under the which is a thin skin or rimme like a net, encompassing the shell of the nut: which skin we call the flower of the nutmeg, but of the spaniards, it is called mace, 
Mace.  an excellent and hold some spice. The other covering, is the shell of the nut, within the which is the fruit itself, which we call the nutmeg. 
The nutmeg Ginger  Ginger groweth here and there in all the Islands of this Archipelagus, or main sea. Of the which, some is sown, and some groweth of itself. But that which is sown, is the better. The herb of this, is like unto that which beareth saffrane, and hath his root, (which is Ginger,) much like unto the same. In this mean time came two other ships out of Spain: whereof the one sailed directly to the point of Aphrica, 
Promon ● torium bon● sp●●  called Promontorium bone sp●i: And the other by the great main South sea, to the coasts of that continent or firm land whereof we have spoken here before. It shall suffice that we have hitherto declared of the navigations which the spaniards attempted by the West to sail into the east, by the straygh●e of Magellanus, where the passage by Sea is open into the east, by the continente or firm land of the new world, called America. Now therefore let us return to the other Navigations of Columbus, 
Columbus the adm●ral, first finder of the new Ilande●  otherwise called the admiral, who long before was the first finder of the new Islands, and of the said main or firm land, and yet found not that straight or narrow sea, by the which Magellanus sailed from the West into the East.   

¶ The third navigation of Christophorus Columbus.  
IN the year of Christ .1498. Columbus the Admiral departed from Spain with eight foists, and arrived first at the Islands of Medera, 
the Islands of Medera  where he divided his navy into two parts. For .v. of these ships he directed to the Island of Hispana: 
Hispana, or Hispaniola.  & with the residue, he sailed toward the south, entending to pass over the equinoctial line, and from thence to turn toward the West, to search such lands as were hitherto unknown to the Christian men. Coming therefore to Caput veride, he sailed to the burning line, 
Great heat under the burning line.  called Torrida zona where he found so great heat, that he was in danger of death: but returning his ships toward the West, he found a more wholesome air and (as God would) came at the length to a land well inhabited, where there came against him and his, a boat with xxiiij young men, armed with bows, arrows, and shields, covering only their privy membres with a cloth of Gossampine cotton, having also very long hear. The admiral, (as well as he could by signs) alured them to communication. 
Signs & pointing  But they trusted not our men, fearing some deceit. The Admiral perceiving that he could nought prevail, by signs and tokens, he determined with Musical instruments to appeal their wildness. As the minstrels therefore blewe their shaulmes, the barbarous people drew near, suspecting that noise to be a token of war, whereupon they made ready their bows and arrows. But the Spaniards drawing nearer unto than, cast certain apparel into their boat, willing by this token of friendship to concile them, although all were in vain. For they fled all away. Wherefore the admiral departing from thence, came to a region called Parias, 
●he fair ●egion of Parias  well inhabited & full of civil people, declaring much humanity toward strangers. They showed our men Pearls and Gold, 
Gold & Pearls  & such other riches, desiring them to come a land, where they gentelly entreated them. When our men asked them where they had such plenty of gold: they (with home pointing was in the stead of speech) declared by signs and tokens, that they had it in certain mountains, and that they could not without great danger resort thither, by reason of certain fierce beasts in those parts, 
●earse ●ea●t●s,  and also because of the cruel people called Canibales, 
Canibales  which inhabit those mountains. But the Admiral, because his wheat failed, was enforced to depart thence. Dyrectinge therefore his voyage toward the North east, he came to the Island of Hispana, where he found all things confounded and out of order. For the spaniards which were left in the Islands, refused to obey the Admiral and his brother, 
the spaniards refuse to obey the admiral  moving grievous complaints against them before the King of Spain, and at the length sent them thither bound.   

¶ How Petrus Alonsus sought new Islands.  
AFter that the admiral had incurred the indignation of the King, many of his companions, such as had been brought up with him, and were expert Sea men, decreed to search other parts of the world yet ununknowen. Among which number was Petrus Alonsus, who with a ship well furnished, sailed to Parias, 
Parias.  & from thence to Curtana, 
Curtana.  where he begun to exercise merchandise with the inhabitants, receiving Pearls for bells and needles. 
Pearls forbelles & needles  Entering also into the land, he was honourably entertained. In their woods, he saw innumerable Peacocks, 
Peacocks.  nothing unlike unto ours, saving that the males differ little from the females. In this region are great plenty of pheasants. 
pheasants  Alonsus departing from hence, sailed to the region of Canchietes, 
The Region of Canchietes  being six days sailing from Curtana, toward the West. In this region is great abundance of gold, popinjays, Gossampine cotton, & most temperate air. From hence he sailed into another fruitful region, but inhabited with wild men, which could by no gentleness be alured to friendship. Departing therefore from thence, he came to the region of Ciniana, 
The region of Ciniana.  whereas pearls are found in great plenty: but before he came there, he chanced to come among the Canibales: against whom, dischargeing a piece of ordinance, he drove them easily to flight. But Alonsus thus laden with pearls, 
Pearled  returned home into Spain.   

¶ How Pinzonus, companion to the Admiral, sought new Islands.  
Vincentius, otherwise called Pinzonus in the year of Christ .1499. prepared four brigantines, & sailed first to the Islands of Canaria, & from thence to Caput veride. From whence directing his voyage toward the south far beyond the Equinoctial line, he found men in a certain Island, but such as he could by no means concyle unto him. Therefore leaving them, he came to another land, in which were innumerable naked 
Naked people.  people, dissimuling that they desired to join friendship with the Spaniards. And whereas one of our men cast a bell among them out of the ship, 
Gold for bells.  they again cast to the spaniards a mass or piece of gold: which, one of our company somewhat to bold, attempting to take up, they suddenly took him and carried him away with marvelous swiftness: but our men leaving their ships, made haste to help their fellow, in so much that the matter came to handstrokes. This conflict was so sharp, 
A conflict between the wild men and the Spaniards.  that our men had much a do to escape with their lives, by reason of the fierceness of the barbarians. Departing therefore from thence, they sailed toward the north-east, and came to the region of Payra, 
The Region of Payra.  & to the Islands near about the same in the which are woods of sanders wherewith the merchants lade their ships, 
woods of Sa●ders.  and carry it into other conntreys'. In this Region also grow the trees, which bear Cassia fistula of the best kind. 
The tree that beareth Cassia fistulae.  There is also found a four footed beast of monstrous shape, 
A monstruous beast's  whose former part is like unto a wolf, saving that the feet are like unto the feet of a man, with ears like an owl: Having also beneath his common belie, an other belie like unto a purse or bag, in which he keepeth his young whelps so long, until they be able safely to wander abroad alone, and to get their meat with out the he●pe of their parents.  
The whelps while they are very young, never come out of this bag but when they suck. This portentous beast with her three whelps, was brought to Civil in Spain, and from thence to Granata.   

¶ Of the four navigations of Americus vesputius to the new Islands.  
AMericus vesputius, being sent with Christophorus Columbus, in the year of Christ. M. cccc.xcij. at the commandment of Ferdinando King of Castille, 
Ferdinando king of castile  to seek unknown lands, and well instructed in sailing on the sea, after a few years, set forward four viages of his own proper charges. That is to wit, two under the said King Ferdinando, and two other under Emanuel, king of Portugal, of the which he himself writeth after this manner.   

¶ The first voyage of Americus vesputius.  
IN the year of christ, M. cccc.xcvij the twenty day of may, we came with four ships, to the fortunate Islands, called Insulae fortunatae, 
Insulae fortunate  where the North pole hath his elevation. xxvij. degrees, & xl minutes. And from thence within the space of xxvij days, we came to a land more Westward then the fortunate Islands, where the North pole was elevate xvi. degrees: where also we found a nation of naked people, 
Naked men.  of innumerable multitude, which as soon as they saw us, fled to the next mountain. From hence within two days sailing, we came to a safe port where we found many men, which with much ado, we could scarcely allure to communication, although we proffered them bells, looking glasses, cristallyne cups, and such other jewels. But at the length perceiving our good will and liberality toward them, 
Wild men alured with gentleness  they came to us by heaps, and joined friendship with us without all fear. They go all as naked as they came forth of their mother's womb. They suffer no hear on their body saving only on their head, in so much that they pull of the hears of their brows. They are all so perfectly ex●rcysed in swiming, 
People, expert i● swiming.  that they can continue therein, for the space of two leagues without any thing to bear them up and especially the women. Their weapons are bows and arrows. They arm their arrows with the teeth of beasts and fishes, because they lack Iron & other metals. They keep war against their borderers which are of strange language. They fight not for the enlarging of their dominion, forasmuch as they have no Magistrates: nor yet for th'increase of riches, because they are content with their own commodities: but only to revenge the death of their predecessors. At their meat, they use rude and barbarous fashions, lying on the ground without any table cloth, 
Cabens hanging between tree●.  or coverlet. They sleep in certain great nets made of Gossampine cotton and hanged a loft in the air between trees. Their bodies are very smooth and clean by reason of their often washing. They are in other things filthy and without shame. 
Wom●● in comm●.  They use no lawful conjunction of marriage, but every one hath as many women as him listeth, and leaveth them again at his pleasure The women are very fruitful, and refuse no labour all the while they are with child. 
Wom●● very strong and fruitful  They travail in manner without pain, so that the next day they are cheerful and able to walk. Neither have they their bellies wrimpeled, or lose, & hanging paps, by reason of bearing many children. Their houses and cabbens, are all in common. 
Ho●ses, made of trees.  Their houses are fasshyoned like unto bells: and made of great trees fastened together, covered with the leaves of date trees, and made very strong against wind and tempests. 
Houses of marvelous bigness.  They are also in some places so great, that in one of them six hundredth persons may lodge. They use every seventh or eight year, to remove & change their dwelling places, because that by their long continuance in one place, the air should be infected. They use no kind of merchandise or buying and selling, being content only with that which nature hath left them. 
riches & superfluities contained  As for Gold, Pearls, precious stones, jewels, and such other things, which we in Europa esteem as pleasures and delicates, they set nought by. They have no kind of corn. 
Bread of a certain root.  Their common feeding, is a certain root which they dry and beat & make flower or meal thereof. They eat no kind of flesh except man's flesh: 
Man's ●lesh eaten  for they eat all such as they kill in their wars, or oherwise take by chance When he had thus viewed the country, and considered the manners of the people, we determined to sail further, down by the lands side, and came after a few days, to a certain haven, where we saw about twenty great houses, raised up much after the fashion of belles● There came unto us a great multitude of men under pretence of friendship. Some swiming, and some in boats. Who, as soon as they drew near unto us, 
A conflict  suddenly bend their bows against us, where we defended ourselves manfully. In this bickering, we slew of them about twenty, beesyde many that were wounded: But of our men, were only five hurt, which were all perfectly healed. Thus departing from this haven, we sailed on● and came to another nation, in conversation and tongue utterly differing from the first. For coming out of our ship, 
A gentle nation  we were very friendly entreated of them, where we continued for the space of nine days. 
Parias  This region is very fair, and fruitful, having many pleasant woods, which continue green all the year long. They have fruits innumerable, utterly unlike unto ours. 
Fruits unlike unto ours.  The Region is situate dyrectelye under the line, called Tropicus Cancri. The inhabitants themselves, call it Parias. Sailing far beyond this Region, and overpassing many countries and nations, finding Gold every where, 
Gold everywhere  (but in no great quantity) we came to another nation full of gentleness and humanity, where we rested xxxvij days. These people made grievous complaint unto us, that there was, 
Canibales  not far from them, a certain fierce and cruel nation, which vexed them sore, and made incursion into their country at a certain time of the year, killing them and violently carrying them away, to th'intent to eat th●m, in so much that they were not able to defend themselves against their fearsenesse. Which thing when they had so lamentably declared unto us, and we had made them promise that we would revenge their so many injuries, they joined unto our company seven of their men. Thus we went forward: and after seven days, came to an Island, called ●ty ● where these fierce people dwelt. 
An expedition against the Cannibals  Who, as soon as they had espied us, came armed against us. We joined with them in battle, which continued for the space of two hours. At the length we drove them to flight, and slew and wounded a great numbered of them, and took xxv captives. But of our men was only one slain, and xxi wounded, & shortly after restored to health. We gave to those seven men which went with us, three men of our prisoners and four women, whom with great rejoicing they carried with them into their country: and we returning home toward Spain, with many captives came first to a port of Spain called Calicium, where we sold our prisoners, and were ioyefullye received: In the year of Christ. M. cccc. xcix. the xu day of Octobre.   

¶ The second voyage of Vesputius.  
IN the month of May following Vesputius attempted another voyage and came by the Islands of Canaria, even unto the burning line, called Torrida zona, and found a land beeyonde the Equinoctial line, 
the Equinoctial line.  toward the South, where the South pole is elevate five degrees. And whereas he could find no apt entrance into the land, and sailed up & down along by the same, he espied a boat in which was about twenty men: who, as soon as they saw the spaniards, leapt into the Sea and escaped all, except two, which they took. In their boat which they forsook, were found four young men which they had by force taken out of another country, having their privy members newly cut of. These, Vesputius took into his ships and learned by their signs and tokens, that they had been taken of the Canibales, 
Canibales  and should shortly have been eaten. But departing from these costs, & sailing on forward, they came to a commodious haven, where they found much people, with whom they joined friendship, and fell to chaungeinge of ware, receiving for one bell, 
five hundredth pearls for one bell.  five hundredth Pearls. In this land they drink a certain kind of wine, made of the juice of fruits and sedes, being like white and red sydar. 
Wine of the juice o● frates  Departing from hence, and sailing yet further, they found a certain Island in which was a beastly kind of people, and simple, yet very gentle. In this Island is no fresh water: 
An Island without fresh water.  but they gather the dew which in the night season falleth upon certain leaves much like unto the ear of an Ass. They live for the most part, by sea fish. They have no cottages of houses: but have certain broad leaves, 
Broad ●●aues.  wherewith they defend themselves from the heat of the Sun, but not from showers: but it is very likely, that it raineth but little in that Island. Vesputi●s with his company departing from hence, sailed unto another Island: into the which when he had entered, he found certain cottages, and in them too old women, and three young wenches, which were of so great stature, that they marveled thereat. 
The land of Giants.  And whereas our men strived with them to bring them to the ship, to th'intent to have carried them into Spain, they espied coming toward them six and thirty men, yet of much greater stature than were the women, bearing with them bows, arrows, and great stakes like unto clubs: at the sight of whom, our men being afraid, made haste to their ships. But these Giants following them even to the Sea side, bended their arrows towards the spaniards, until they discharged two pieces of ordinances, with the horrible sound whereof, they were immediately driven to flight. Our men therefore departing from thence, called that Island, the Island of Giants. And came to another nation, which friendly entreated them, and offered them many Pearls: 
Pearls  in so much that they bought xix marks weight of pearls, 
A hundredth & thirty. pearls in one shellfish.  for a small price. They gave us also certain shelfysshes, of the which some contained in them a hundredth and thirty Pearls, and some fewer. Departing from thence they came to the Island of An●iglia, 
Antiglia.  which Columbus had discovered a few years before. Leaving this, they sailed directly to Calicium, 
Calicium  a port of Spain, where they were honourably received.   

¶ The third voyage of Vesputius.  
VEsputius being called from Castille to serve Emanuel the King of Portugal, in the year of Christ, M. ccccc.ij. the tenth day of May, departed from the haven of lisburne, and sailed down by the coasts of the sea Atlantike, 
The sea Atlantike  until he came under the Equinoctial line. And the xvij day of August, they arrived at a certain land where they found a kind of beastly people. This land is situate toward the South, five degrees beyond the Equinoctial line. A great multitude of the inhabitants were gathered together, and as well as they could by signs and poyntinges, desired our men to come aland & to see their country. There were two in the ship, 
Thre● of the spaniards slain & eaten.  which took upon them to view the land, & learn what spices or other commodities might be had therein. They were appointed to return within the space of five days at the uttermost. But when eight days were now passed, they which remained in the ships, heard yet nothing of their return: whereas in the mean time great multitudes of other people of the same land resorted to the Sea side, but could by no means be alured to communication. Yet at the length they brought certain women, which showed themselves familiar toward the Spaniards: Whereupon they sent forth a young man, being very strong and quick, at whom as the women wondered, and stood ga●inge on him and feeling his apparel: 
Fierce & cruel women.  there came suddenly a woman down from a mountain, bringing with her secretly a great stake, with which she gave him such a stroke behind, that he fell dead on the earth. The other women forthwith took him by the legs, and drew him to the mountain, while in the mean time the men of the country came forth with bows and arrows, & shot at our men. But the Spaniards dischargeing four pieces of ordinance against them, drove them to flight. The women also which had slain the young man, cut him in pieces even in the sight of the Spaniards, shewing them the pieces, and roasting them at a great fire. The men also made certain tokens, whereby they declared that not past eight days before, they had in like manner served other christian men. Wherefore the Spaniards having thus sustained so grievous injuries unrevenged, departed with evil will: sailing therefore further toward the south, they found a nation of great multitude, 
A ciuil● people.  & of much genteler conditions, with whom they remained eight days, bartering & changing ware with them. Sailing on yet farther, they went beyond the line called Tropicus Capricorni, where the south pole is elevate .32. degrees: & whereas in those parts they found no great riches, they sailed yet further south ward until the pole was elevate lij degrees: 
the sout● pole elevate. ●● degrees.  where they came into such a tempest, that they were enforced to gather up their sails, and to row only with the mast, directing their voyage toward the costs of Ethiopia, from whence they returned again to Lisburne in Portugal. 
lisburne    

¶ The fourth voyage of Vesputius.  
THis navigation was attempted in the year of Christ. M. ccccc. iij. but was not brought to the end hoped for, by reason of a misfortune which chanced in the gulf of the sea Atlantike. Vesputius intended in this voyage to sail to the Island of Melcha, 
the Island of melcha  being in the East, in which is said to be great riches, & the station of resting place of all ships coming from the gulf Gangeticus, & from the Indian sea. This Melcha, is situate more toward the West, and Calicut more enclininge toward the south. 
Calicut.  Vesputius came first to the green Islands, called Insulae verides: 
Insulae verides.  and sailed from them to Serraliona, being in the south parts of Ethiopia: from whence sailing on yet further, he saw in the midst of the sea an Island, high and marvelous: where also the M. Pilate of this navy, 
A ship wrack.  lost his ship by running upon a rock: but all the mariners escaped. This ship was of three hundredth tun, and had in it all the power of the navy. When Vesputius had entered into the Island, he found it rude and unhabited: yet was it full of birds: but had no beasts except Lisertes with forked tails, 
Liserte● and Serpent's  and Serpents. Thus making provision for necessaries, he was enforced to return to portugal, failing of his purpose.   

¶ How the king of Portugal subdued certain places in India: and of the rich City of Malacha.  
Forasmuch as therefore in the years following, there we●e more often navigations made from the West by the south into the East, and the Portugals had now found a safe passage by the sea, 
the Portugals bil●●ortes in the East parts.  they thought it expedient for their better safety, to make certain fortifications and places of refuge in the east. The which their intent the better to accomplish, King Emanuel appointed one Alphonsus an exper●e man on the sea, 
Alphonsus  to be captain of this voyage. Who, desiring to revenge the losses and injuries which the Portugals had before sustained, sailed directly to Aurea Chersonesus, 
Aure● chersonesus.  now called Malacha, a marvelous great and rich city, 
the great & rich city of Malach●  whose king is an infydel of the sect of the moors: for even thus far was the sect of Mahumet extended. Alphonsus therefore at his coming thither besieged the city, & made war against the Saracens which held the same. 
Saracens  In this conflict a great number of their enemies being slain, 
Malacha besieged  the Portugals ●ntred into the city by force, and kept the ●am●, permitting free liberty to their soldiers to spoil, kill, 
the ki●● fighteth on an ●lepha●t.  and burn. The king himself, fighting upon an Elephante, and being sore wounded, fled with the residue of his company. A great numbered of the moors were slain with the loss of a few Portugals: many were taken, and great spoil carried away, in the which were seven Elephants, and all kinds of ordinances pertaining to the wars, made of copper, to the numbered of two thousand pieces. 
Plenty of copper.  The city being thus taken and sacked, and the enemies driven to flight, Alphonsus the captain the better to provide for the safeguard of the Christians, builded a strong fort at the mouth or entrance of the river which runneth through the city. At this time, that is to wit, in the year of Christ. M. ccccc.xij. there were in Malacha many strangers and merchants of diverse nations, 
Merchants.  whereby the city was replenished with great riches and abundance of spices. 
spices  They of their own motion, desired to make a league with Alphonsus, and were of him gently received: So that for their better safety, he permitted them to ●well in the houses near about the fort. And by this means, this market town was re-edified and brought to much better state than ever it was before. These things thus happily achieved, & all things in Malacha set in good order, Alphonsus leaving in the fort a garrison of vi hundredth valiant soldiers, returned into India, 
the city of Goa.  where he besieged the chief castle of the city of Goa, which (he) a few years before, had with no small danger of our men, and great slaughter of their enemies, subdued the dominion of Emanuel king of Portugal, & was now possessed of the moors, he manfully recovered again, and enforced them to render up the same. 
The Ambassadors make a league with Alphonsus  Also the ambassadors of the King of Narsinga, the King of Cambaia, and the King of Grosapha with the legates of divers other kings and Princes, offered themselves to be at a league with Alphonsus, & thereupon brought their presents unto him. No less power and dominion obtained the king of Spain in the Islands of the West parts: 
the west Islands  In so much that at his commandment, were builded six towns in the Islands of Cuba. 
Cuba.  Likewise in the Island of jucatana, 
jucatana  was builded a great city with fair houses. The Island of Cozumella, 
Cozumella or Sancta Crux.  the spaniards called Sancta Crux, because they came first thither in may, on the day of the Invention of the cross. In the Island of Hispana or Hispaniola, 
Hispana.  were erected .28. sugar presses, 
Sugar presses.  to press the sugar which groweth plentifully in certain canes or reeds of the same country. From hence also is brought the wood of Guaiacum, 
The wood called Guaiacum.  otherwise called, Lignum sanctum, wherewith diverse diseases are healed by the order of the new diet.   

¶ Of the Island of Medera, and the fortunate Islands, otherwise called the Islands of Canaria.  
Between Spain & the Islands of Canaria, is the Island of Medera, 
Medera, or Madera.  which the Spaniards in our time found unhabited and salvage. But perceiving that the soil thereof, was very fruitful, they burned the woods, and made the ground apt to bring forth corn, and builded many houses, and so tilled the same, that at this day is no where found a more fruitful land. It hath in it many springs of fresh water and goodly rivers, upon the which are builded many saw mills, 
Saw mills.  wherewith many fair trees, like unto Cedar & Cypress trees, 
Fair tree●  are sawed and cut in sunder, whereof are made most fair tables, coberdes, coffers, and chairs, and such other curious works made of wood. These trees are of red colour, & sweet savour, the bodies and branches whereof are brought into Spain in great plenty. The King of Portugal thought it good to plant in this Island, that kind of reeds in which sugar groweth: 
Suge●.  wherein he was not deceived in his opinion. For they grow there most fruitfully, and bear sugar which excelleth the sugar of Candye or Sicilia. There were also wines brought out of Candye and planted in this Island, 
wines.  where they prosper so well, that for the most part they bring forth more grapes than leaves, and those very great. In this Island is also great plenty of Partridges, wild doves, & Peacocks, wild bores, & divers kinds of other beasts, which only possessed the Island before men did inhabit the same. Also the Islands called Insulae fortunatae, (which are now called Canaria, 
the Islands of Canaria.  for the multitude of dogs which are in them) are said to be no less fruitful. These Islands are ten in noumbre, of the which seven are inhabited, & three remain desolate. They which are inhabited, are called by these names: Fracta laucea, Magna sors, Grancanaria, Teneriffa Ginera, Palma, and Ferrum. At Columbus first coming thither, the inhabitants went naked, without shame, religion or knowledge of God. But in success of time, four of the greatest Islands embraced the Christian faith. 
christians  They have each of them a private language. Teneriffa and ●rancanaria, are bigger than the other. Teneriffa may be seen afar of, to the distance of fifty leagues, in a fair & clear day. The reason whereof is, that in the midst of the Island, 
A mount of burning brimstone.  riseth a marvelous great & strong rock, which is thought to be xu leagues high, & casteth forth continually great flames of fire & pieces of brimstone, as doth the monnt Aetna in the Island of Sicilia. The people of these Islands, live with barley bread, flesh, and milk. They have also great plenty of Goats, wild Asses, and figs. 
figs  They lack wine and wheat.   

¶ Whether under the equinoctial circle or burning line (called Torrida zona) be habitable Regions.  

Libr. i Capit. v.  PIus secundus (otherwise called Aeneas Silvius, of this question, writeth in this manner. It hath been much doubted whether habitable regions may be found under the Equinoctial line. Eratosthenes is of th'opinion, 
Eratosthenes.  that the air is there very temperate. So thinketh Polybius also, 
Polybius.  affirming that the earth is there very high, and watered with many showers. 
Possidonius.  Possidonius supposed that there is no Mountains under the Equinoctial. Some thought that the Equinoctial line was extended beyond the earth over the main Ocean sea: 
the Equinoctial lin●●  which thing the Poet Homer seemeth to insinuate, 
the poet Homer  where he feigneth that the horses which draw the chariot of sun, drink of the Ocean sea● and the sun itself to take his nourishment of the same. Which sentence Macrobius also followeth. 
Macrobius.  Neither was Albertus Magnus far from this opinion, 
Albertus Magnus.  who supposeth that the sun draweth up so much moisture under the Equinoctial circle, as engendereth the clouds under the poles, where by reason of thexceeding coldness, air is continually turned into water. But Ptolomeus thinketh the earth to be extended beyond the Equinoctial, 
Ptolomeus.  whereas he placeth a part of ●he Island of Taprobana, 
Taprobana  under the Equinoctial, & also many nations of the Ethiopians. 
Ethiopes  Many have thought that thearthly paradise was set under that line: which opinion is contrary to th'authority of holy scripture which witnesseth the two famous floods Tigris and Euphrates to springe out of Paradise: 
Tigris & Euphrates.  which nevertheless we know from the North parts to fall into the gulf called Sinus Persicus: 
Sinus Pe●sicus.  but as concerning the heat under the Equinoctial line, the dearness of the sun, 
The nearness of the sun.  or the direct beams of the same, are no sufficient causes why under that line should be no habitable regions, if we consider how those places are otherwise shadowed, 
Teperate●es under the Equinoctial.  & tempered with the moistness and dews of the nights, which are all the year through of equal length with the days. Yet will no man deny, 
Torrida zona.  but that under the Equinoctial throughout all the burning line there are many wildernesses and desolate places, lacking water, and incommodious for the life of man: Albeit even in Ethiopia, 
Ethiopia  people dwell near to the rivers and woods. Pliny also saith that one Dalion, 
Pliny.  and and Aristocleon ● and ●ion, and Basilides, went Southward beyond Meroae which is almost under the Equinoctial. And that Simonides who writ the description of Ethiopia, dwelt five years in Meroae: 
the Island of meroae  which Island (being in the firm land and compassed about with the river of Nilus) he affirmed to be situate .972. thousand paces beeyonde Syenes of egypt, 
Syenes in Egipte.  as the searchers of Nero declared. But at Sienes the Astronomers appoint the summer conversion of the sun: 
The conversion of the sunue.  and that there the burning line beginneth, 
Of the furlōge● of Italy viii. do make one Italien mile, containing a. m, paces.  being distant from the equinoctial four and twenty degrees, that is, twelve thousand furlongs. Whereby we may perceive that Meroae is situate some what beeyonde the midst between the Equinoctial and Sienes. Ptolomeus also describeth the Region of Agisimba to be inhabited beeyonde the Equinoctial. 
Agisimba   
Likewise the Mountains of the Moon, called Montes Luna, 
Montes Eanae.  of the which, the fens or marises of the river Nilus have their spring & original. 
Pal●des Nili.  He addeth hereunto that there are certain Ethiopians called Anthropophagi, 
Ethiopes Anthropophagi.  that is, such as eat man's flesh, which inhabit regions beyond the Equinoctial about the space of xvi degrees. 
Gabi●able regions how far extended.  And thus the inhabitation of men is found to be extended ten hundredth thousand paces beyond the Equinoctial line. Which space containeth no less than two climes of the earth. 
Cli●●.  And a clime is a portion of the world between South and North, wherein is variation in length of of the day, the space of half an hour.   
¶ Finis.   

¶ Thus endeth the fifth book of Sebastian Munster, of the lands of Asia the greater, and of the new found lands, and Islands. 1553.  
¶ Imprinted at London, in Lombarde street, By Edward Sutton.   

¶ To all adventurers, and such as take in hand great enterprises.  
Who hath hot of sourness felt the bitter taste,  
Is not worthy of sweetness to take his repast.  
To crack the nut, he must take the pain,  
The which would eat the carnel fain.  
Who that of bees feareth the sting,  
Shall never by honey have great wonninge.  
As the sweet Rose bringeth forth the thorn,  
So is man truly to joy and pain borne.  
The bird upon hope buildeth her nest,  
Where oftentimes she hath but evil rest.  
Yet is she not thereby driven ●o such fear,  
But that she performeth the same the next year.  
much casting of periles doth noble courage suage  
Yet do not I commend rashness or outrage.  
What fools do fable, take thou no hed● at all,  
For what they know not, they call fantastical.  
Nought venture naught have, is a saying of old  
Better it is to blow the coal, then to sit a cold.  
For●us fortuna adiwat, the Latin proverb saith,  
But faileth to such as faint and lack faith.  
God giveth all things, but not the bull by the horn  
The ploughman by travail increaseth his corn.  
As fortune favereth thou mayst be rich or poor,  
As Croesus or Irus that beggeth at the door.  
¶ Omnis jacta sit alea.