Polychronicon Ranulphi Higden maonachi Cestrensis; together with the English translations of John Trevisa and of an unknown writer of the fifteenth century.

Of the Descripcion of Partes of the Worlde. Plinius, libro sexto. Capitulum septimum.

HIT is to be holden that Asia is moste in quantite, Europa lesse in quantite, but egalle in the numerous gene|rosite of peple. Affrike is leste in quantite of partes in

site and in peple. Priscianus, in his Cosmographye. Therefore men that hade euidente knowlege perceyvede ij. partes of the worlde to be taken, that is to say, Asia and Europa, deputenge or ordeynenge the partes of Affrike to be added to the costes off Europa. For Affrike hathe nede to the space of latitude, subiecte to an ylle coste and laborenge with a corrupte aier, with wilde bestes, and venom. Þerfore men puttenge hit the thrydde parte of the worlde folowede not the measures of spaces but reasones of diuision, departenge hit as a wailenge parte in the wurste site and ordre from the beste places. Also Affrike of his nature hathe leste space and moste of deserte in the clemency of heuyn. And with owte dowte thauȝhe Affrike be leste in quantite, ȝitte þer is moore grownde inhabitable in hyt thro the heete of the sonne then is in Europe thro rigornesse of colde. Truly alle thynges lyffenge or groenge accede moore tollerably to the hieste colde then to the hieste heete. Plinius, libro sexto. Þerfore the cause is that men in Europe be more grete in body, more myȝhty in strenghte, moore bolde in herte, more feire in beaute, then

in Affrike. For the beame of the sonne beenge continually by contynualle permanence on men of Affrike consumenge theire humores, causethe theyme to be more schorte of body, more blacke of skynne, more crispedde in heire, also more feynte in herte by the euaporacion of spirites: hit is in contrary wyse of men beenge in þe northe partes; for colde causenge opilacion and stoppenge the poores ex|terially causethe humores to be fatte, that makethe men more of body, moore whyte, and moore hoote interially, and by that moore bolde.