Purchas his pilgrimage. Or Relations of the vvorld and the religions obserued in all ages and places discouered, from the Creation vnto this present In foure partes. This first containeth a theologicall and geographicall historie of Asia, Africa, and America, with the ilands adiacent. Declaring the ancient religions before the Floud ... With briefe descriptions of the countries, nations, states, discoueries, priuate and publike customes, and the most remarkable rarities of nature, or humane industrie, in the same. By Samuel Purchas, minister at Estwood in Essex.

CHAP. I.

Of the new world, and why it is named AMERICA: and the West Indies: with certaine generall discourses of the Heauens, Aire, Water, and Earth, in those parts.

NOW are wee shipped for the New World, and for new Discoueries. But seeing this Inkie Sea, through which I vndertake a Pilots office to conduct my Readers, is more peaceable then that, which on the back-side of this American World, was called the a 1.1 Peaceable, by Magellane the first discouerer: it yeeldeth vs the fitter opportunitie to contempla∣tion and discourse, in such Philosophicall Subiects, as b 1.2 the best Authors haue thought worthie the first place in their Histories of these parts. Yet, before we prie into Natures mysteries, the better to know our intended voyage, let vs enquire somewhat of the names, if any notice may thence arise, of the places thereby knowne.

The New World, is the fittest name which can bee giuen to this vast and huge Tract; iustly called New, for the late discouerie by Columbus, Anno Domini 1492.: and World for the huge extension thereof; (as Master c 1.3 Hakluyt hath obserued.) A new World it may bee also called, for that World of

new and vnknowne Creatures, which the olde World neuer heard of, and heere onelie are produced: the conceit whereof moued Mercator to thinke (which I dare not thinke with him) that the great Deluge in the dayes of Noab, drowned not these parts, because M••n had not here inhabited, who with a Deluge of sinne might procure that deluge of waters.

America is a more common then fitting name, seeing Americus Vespucius the Flo∣rentine, from whom this name is deriued, was not the first Finder, not Author of that Discouerie: Columbus will challenge that, and more iustly, with d 1.4 whom, and vn∣der whom Americus made his first voyage, howsoeuer after that, hee coasled a great part of the Continent which Columbus had not seene, at the charges of the Caflilian and Portugall Kings e 1.5 But so it might more rightly be termed Cabotia, or Sebastiana, of Sebastian Cabor a Venetian, which discouered more of the Continent then they both, about the same time; first employed by f 1.6 king Henrie the seuenth of England, and after by the Catholike King.

Columbus yet, as the first Discouerer, deserueth the name, both of the Country, for the first finding, and of Modestie, for not naming it by himselfe, seeking rather ef∣fects, then names of his exploits. But leaue wee these Italian Triumviri, the Genuois, Venetian, and Florentine, to decide this question among themselues: and why now is it called the West Indies? To this g 1.7 Acosta's Exposition of the word Indies, that there∣by wee meane all those rich Countries, which are farre off, and strange, is too gene∣rall an answere, and giueth not the true cause of the name. Gomara saith, that a cer∣taine Pilot, of whom Columbus receiued his first Instructions, tooke it to be India: or else Columbus himselfe, thinking by the West to finde a neerer passage vnto the East, by reason of the Earths roundnesse, sought for Cipango, or Iapan, and Cathay, when he first discouered the Ilands of the New World. And this opinion is probable, h 1.8 both be∣cause hee named Hispaniola, Ophir, whence Salomon fetched his golde: and Sebasti∣an Cabot in the first Voyage, which hee made at the charges of King Henrie the se∣uenth, intended (as himselfe i 1.9 confesseth to finde no other Land but Cathay, and from thence to turne towards India: and the opinions of Aristotle k 1.10 and Seneca, that India was not farre from Spaine, confirmed them therein l 1.11

Now, that wee may descend from the Name, to the Nature of this new World: a World it is to see how Nature doth deflect and swarue from those grounds and prin∣ciples which the Naturallists, m 1.12 and Philosophers her forwardest Schollers haue set downe for Rules and Axiomes of Natures working. For, if wee regarde the ancient Poets, Philosophers, and Fathers, wee shall see them deceiued, and that not in few Opinions, which they seemed to haue learned in Natures Sanctuaries and inmost Clo∣sets. In the Heauens, they supposed a burning Zone; in the Earth, a Plage, plagued with scorching heats:

Vt{que} duae dextra Coelum, totidem{que} sinistra Partes crant Zonae quintaest ardentier illis, Stc—

—Totidem{que} plagae tellure premuntur Quarum quae media est non est habitabilis aestn Ntx teg it alta du••s, tetide•• inter vtram{que} locauit: Temperiem{que} dedit.

And n 1.13 a greater then Ouid:

Quin{que} toneut Coelum Zone; quaru•• vna c••rasc••, Semper sole rubens &c.

The sense whereof is, that those parts of the world next the Arctike or Antarctike Poles are not habitable, by reason of extreame colde; nor the middle part, by reason of vnreasonable heate: the two other parts temperate, and habitable.

The Philosophers accounted this no Poeme, or rather were more Poeticall them∣selues: For that which those accounted a torrid and scorched earth, these o 1.14 made to be a spacious and vnpassable Ocean, where the Starres, hote with their continuall motions, and the Sunnes thirstie steedes, wearied with their dayly iourney, might finde moisture to refresh and nourish their fiery constitutions. And therefore they di∣uided the Earth into two habitable Ilands, compassed about, and seuered in the mids with a huge Ocean: On this side whereof we are sicuated, and beyond, the Antipodes. Some Philosophers p 1.15 indeede held otherwise, but with greater errours, as Leucippus, Democritus, Epieurus, Anaximander, which multiplied worlds, according to their fan∣cie. Rawe and vncertaine were the coniectures of the q 1.16 best. Yea, those whom we reue∣rence, as better then the best Philosophers, had no lesse errours in this point. The Gol∣den-mouthed r 1.17 Doctor had a Leaden conceit that the heauens were not round, whom Theodoret is said to follow. Theophilact s 1.18 alledgeth Basil for this his assertion, nec mo∣bile esse coelum, nec circulare, that heauen is neither moueable nor round, How firme∣ly, and confidently doth Firmianus t 1.19 Lactantius both deny and deride the opinion, that there are Antipedes; But easier it was for him, with a Rhetoricall flourish, (wherein I thinke of all the Latine Fathers, he deserueth highest prize and praise) to dash this o∣pinion out of countenance, then to confute the Arguments and Allegations. vvhich hee there citeth in the Aduersaries name. But he that surpassed Lactantius no lesse in knowledge of truth, then hee was surpassed by him in smoothnesse of Stile, herein holdes equipage, and drawes in the same yoke of errour. I meane him, whose vene∣rable name no words are worthy and sufficient to Vshes in, Saint Augustine: vvho, though somewhere u 1.20 he affirmeth the Antipodes, yet elsewhere x 1.21 pressed with an Ar∣gument, how men should passe from these parts in which Adam and Noah liued, to the Antipodes, through that vnmeasurable, Ocean, he thought it easiest to deny, that, which certaine experience at that time could not so easily proue: although y 1.22 euen then some reports (but obscure and vncertaine) had beene spread abroad of sailing about Africa, as z 1.23 a little before is shewed; which must enforce that which Augustine deni∣ed. Some a 1.24 also alledge Nae••ian••en, Hierome, and Procopius, for this or the like opini∣on. But Poets, Phisosophers, Fathers, (in other things worthy our loue, for their de∣lightfull Poems; our admriation, for their profound Science; our awefull respect & reuerence, for their holy learning, and learned holinesse) herein wee bid you fare∣well: magis amica veri: as; our America, subiect to that supposed burning Zone, with clouds and armies of witnesses in her well peopled Regions can auerre, that the parts betwixt the Tropikes are both habitable and inhabited: and for the Perio••eci, b 1.25 Ant oeci, Anticthomes, and Antipodes, the worlds roundnes, and other things of like na∣ture, this America yeeldes and is sufficient proofe: and the yearely compassing the world (which the Spaniards and Portugales diuide betwixt them) makes more then euident. And let those two English Ships, the onely two of one Nation which euer haue failed, & that with admirable successe and fortune, about the Globe of the earth, tell Lactantius Ghost, whether they dropped into the clouds (as he feared) there to become new constellations, which Antiquitie would easily haue artibuted to them The Golden Hinde (which trauersed the world round, and returned a golden Hinde indeede, with her belly full of Gold and Siluer) is yet at Deptford, there resting after her long iourney, offering vp herselfe to time, her deedes to eternitie. That which beguiled the ancients, was the neerenesse of the Sunne, his direct beames, and the swift motion of the heauens, which, they coniectured, did chase away cold, and moi∣sture out of all those parts. And hardly could reasō otherwise guesse, till experience c 1.26 hath shewed the contr••••ie. For neuer is it moister in those parts, betweene the Tropikes, then when the Sunne is neerest, then causing terrible stormes and showers euery day: as if hauing drunken too much in his long and hote iourney ouer the Ocean, hee did there vomit it vp againe. Once, the people of those parts reckon it Winter, when the Astronomer would call it Summer: because of this taedious weather which euery day happening cannot but coole the aire and earth, with a maruellous temper:

and on the other side, they call the time of the Sunnes absence, Summer, because of the perpetuall cleanenesse, which continueth those six moneths; the Sunne then exhaling no more vapours then his hote stomacke can digest, which with his directer beames being drawne vppe, surcharge him with aboundance; and in the middle Re∣gion of the Ayre, by the then stronger Antiperistasis are thickened into raines, and attended with Thunders and Lightnings, proclaime daily defiance to the Earth: threatning harme, but doing good: cooling the same, after the morning-Sunne hath heated it, the showers then falling, when the Sunne threatens his hotest furie and violence.

These raines make the like inundations and ouerflowings of Riuers in America (as before wee haue obserued in Nilus, Niger, and Zaire in Africa) which breaking their bounds, and driuing the Inhabitants, sometimes to dwell on trees growing, some∣times in their carkasses framed into Boates or Canoes, therein to retire themselues, till the Waters are retired, cause a cooling and refreshing to the earth, which they couer and shield by their inundations from the Sunnes angry arrowes. As in a Lim∣becke, a strong fire eauseth aboundance of vapours to bee extracted out of hearbes, or other matter, which beeing pressed, and finding no issue, turne into water: and if the fire bee small, it exhausteth the vapours as fast as it raiseth them: So the Sunne (in his greatest strength) exhaleth these plentifull vapours, which it distilleth in sho∣wers, which in lesse heate are of lesse quantitie, and more easily consumed. With∣out the Tropikes it is contrarie: for the Sunne is drie, the Winter moist; the cause beeing the Sunnes weakenesse, not able to concoct and disperse the vapours which the moist earth, then easily yeeldeth: which in his greater force in the Summer season we see effected: The like we see in greene wood and drie on the fire.

It is no lesse worthie note, that no part of the World hath so many, so great Lakes, and Riuers: the vapours and Exhalations whereof, can not but coole and moysten the neighbouring Elements of the Ayre and the Earth. Againe, the equall length of the Dayes and Nights perpetually sharing the Time in equall portions, cau∣seth e 1.27 that the heate is not so vnequall as the Ancients dreamed. The great deawes also in the night, which are greater then wee would thinke, and comparable for wet∣ting to pretie showers, encrease the freshnesse and coolenesse.

Wee may adde heereunto, the neighbourhoode of so huge an Ocean, the pro∣prietie of the Windes, which in most places betweene the Tropikes are set, and cer∣taine, no lesse then the Sunne and Tides, and bring with them much refreshing: Fur∣ther, the situation of the Land doth further the colde not a little, in those hote Re∣gions; c 1.28 Contrariwise, neare the Poles, the continuance of the Sunne, and long da••es make it hoter then in parts nearer the Sunne; as in Russia, then in England. Yea the high ridges and toppes of some mountaines in the burning Zone, are vnsufferable for colde, alwayes hauing on them, snowe, haile, and frozen waters, the grasse withered, and the men and beasts which doe passe along that way (for heere is no conuenient dwelling) benummed with the extreamitie of colde.

—Paries cùm proximus alget,

When the Mountaines are subiect to this Degree of colde, it can not but temper the Nighbour-Regions, with some coolenesse at least. Now to all these Reasons of the Temperature, vnder the Line, and betweene the Tropikes, some adde the influ∣ence of some vnknowne Constellations. Only let this be remembred, That the former hold not equally in all parts of the Torride Zone, seeing that Nature hath diuersified her selfe in diuers places, and by naturall exceptions hath bounded and limited those gene∣rall Rules.

In some places, vnder the Line, it rayneth not at all: in other-some, those cooling Windes are wanting: neyther hath euerie Region Lakes, Riuers, or Moun∣taines to refresh them. But of these particulars we shall take better view in their pe∣culiar places. In the same space the windes are most-what Easterly, and without

the Tropikes westerly: so that the Mariners vse not to goe and returne the same way, but obseruing the generall windes, seeke to make vse thereof accordingly. The reason of this Easterly winde vnder the Zodiake f 1.29 is ascribed to the motion of the heauens: the first, moueable drawing with his owne motion the inferiour Orbes, yea, euen those elementarie, of the Fire, Aire, and (where it findes no other obsta∣cle) of the water also, as g 1.30 some suppose. But for the Aire (whereof wee now speci∣ally speake) the motion of the Comets, circularly carried in the Aire, (where also their motion is diuers, as is obserued in the Pianets) doth sufficiently proue. Without the Tropikes from 27. to 37. degrees, the windes are said to bee ••or the most part westerly, moued as some thinke by the repercusion of the Aire, here preuailing a∣gainst that force of the heauens, which mastereth it within the Tropikes: euen as we see waters, being encountred with others of more force, returne in a manner backe. This of the Easterly windes is to bee vnderstood of the Sea: for at Land, though there windes bee (as before is said) certaine and set, yet that which is the generall winde of one countrey is not generall to all: yea, in the same countrey they haue a set winde in some places for the day, and another quite contrarie bloweth in the night. h 1.31 Also, neere vnto the coasts they are more subiect to calmes in this burning Zone, then further off in the Sea, the grosser vapours which arise out of the Earth, and the diuers situation thereof being the cause of these differences. Such is the force of this naturall situation, that in some places it is strange what effects it produceth. There is in Peru a high Mountaine called Patiacaca, wherevpon Ioseph i 1.32 Acosta, saith hee ascended as well prouided as hee could, being forewarned and forearmed by men ex∣pert. But in the ascent hee and all the rest were surprised with so sodame panges of straining and casting, and some also of scowring, that the Sea-sicknes is not compa∣rable hereunto. Hee cast vp Meate, Flegme, Choller, and Bloud, and thought hee should haue cast out his heart too. Some thinking to die therewith, demanded Con∣fession: and some are said to haue lost their liues with this accident. The best is, it lafts but for a time, neither leaues any great harme behinde. And thus it fareth in all the ridge of that mountaine, which runnes aboue a thousand and fiue hundred miles, although not in all places alike. In foure different passages thereof, hee found the like difference and distemper, but not so greeuous as at Pariacaca. Hee ascribes it to the subtiltie of the Aire on those high hilles, which hee thinkes are the highest in the world: the Alpes and Pirenees, beeing, in respect hereof, as ordinarie houses, compa∣red to high Towers. It is desart, the grasse often burnt and blacke, for the space of fiue hundred leagues in length, and fiue and twenty or thirtie in bredth. There are o∣ther Desarts in Peru, called Punas, where the aire cutteth of mans life without fee∣ling: a small breath, not violent, and yet depriuing men sometimes of their liues, or else of their feete and hands, which fall off as a rotten Apple from a Tree, with∣out any paine. This seemeth to be done by the force of cold, which in the Northern and Northeasterne parts of Europe worketh like effects: some k 1.33 beeing found dead sodainely in those sledds in which they came to market, sitting therein as if they were aliue, and some loosing their ioints, by the like cause. But this makes vp the strange∣nesse of these mortall accidents, that this piercing cold aire both killeth and preser∣ueth the same body, depriuing it of life, and yet freeing it from putrefaction. A cer∣taine Dominike passing that way, fortified himselfe against the colde windes, by heaping vp the dead bodies which here he found, and reposing himselfe vnder this shelter, by these dead helpes saued his life. The cause is, Putrefaction cannot bee procreated, where her parents, Heat and Moisture are confined, and haue litle or no force. The Seas which compasse this westerne India, besides the Magellane strcits, and the Northerne vnknowne, (for the knowledge whereof our countreymen, l 1.34 Fro∣bisher, Danis, Hudson, haue aduentured their liues and fortunes, and at last haue giuen vs more hope then euer of the discouerie) are the great and spacious Ocean, which on this side is called the North Sea, and on the other side of America, is named the South Sea. The qualities thereof will better appeare, when wee come to speake of the Ilands therein.

Concerning the Land of the New-world, Acosta diuideth it into three parts, high, lowe, and meane: which hold almost the same proportion that Maister Lam∣bert m 1.35 obserueth of Kent, the first hauing some wealth, by reason of the Hauens, and Ports therein, and of the vines that grow there, but are very vnholsome: the hilles are healthfull, but not fertile, except in the Siluer bowels, and golden entralls thereof: the third is the most commodious habitation, where the soile yeeldeth Corne, Cattell, and Pasture, and the Aire, health. The principall thing that hath brought this Westerne India into such request is, the Mines and mettalls therein. The wisedome of GOD n 1.36 hath made mettalls for Physicke, for defence, for ornament, and specially for instruments in the worke which God hath imposed vpon man, that in the sweate of his browes hee should eate his bread. The industry of man hath ad∣ded another vse of mettalls, by weight or stampe, conuerting it to money, which the Philosopher o 1.37 calles the measure of all things. And a fit measure might it haue been, if the minde of man were not vnmeasurable, and vnsatiable in measuring this measure. Metalls naturally grow (as some p 1.38 obserue) in land naturally most barren: Na∣ture recompensing the want of other things with these hidden treasures: and the God of Nature enriching the Indians with this substance, otherwise barren of hu∣mane and diuine knowledge, that might as a rich Bride (but withered and defor∣med) make her finde many ••utors for loue of her portion. And would God, they which reape here these Temporall things, would sow Spirituall, & giue them q 1.39 Gold tried in the fire, and that which is as Siluer tried seuen times, I meane the Word of God sin∣cerely preached, without the drosse of their owne superstitions, And would they gaue them n••t Iron for their Gold, an Iron Age for a golden, imposing a heauy yoke of seruitude r 1.40 which hath consumed worlds of people in this New World, and made the name of CHRIST and Christian to stinke amongst them: yea, they abhorre the Sea it selfe, for bringing forth such monsters, as they thinke the Spaniards: whom for their execrable wickednes, they esteemed, not to come of humane generation, but of the froth of the Sea, and therefore call them Viracochie, or Sea-froth. That which one saith of Religion, I may apply to this American world, Peperit dinitias, & filia denora∣uit matrem. Shee brought forth rich mettals, and the Daughter hath consumed the Mother: her golde that should haue beene a price in her hand to buy wisedome, hath to these importunate chapmen sold her freedome. It is f 1.41 a Golden and Siluer Age indeede to the Spaniards, for the condition and state which hereby accreweth to them, not for the conditions and state of life, which they obserue: In the yeare 1587. When Acosta came to Peru, eleuen millions were transported in the two Fleetes of Peru and Mexico, almost one halfe thereof for the King. In the time when Pollo was Gouernour of Charcas in Peru, from the Mines of Potozi alone vvere drawne and customed euery day thirtie thousand Pezoes of Siluer, euery Pezo a∣mounting to thirteene Rialls, and a fourth part: and yet it is thought the one halfe was not customed. And at this day saith t 1.42 Acosta, the Mines of Po••ozi yeeld the King a million of Siluer, for his fift yearely, besides the wealth that growes by Quicke∣siluer, and other Prerogatiue. In the yeare 1574. were ent••ed threescore and six∣teene millions. That which is wrought in this countrey is not entred, besides prinie conueyances. How much differeth Potozi from the Mine Bebello in Spaine, one thou∣sand and fiue hundred paces deepe, admired, and that iustly, by u 1.43 Antiquitie, for yeel∣ding three hundred pounds weight of Siluer a day to Hannibal, but with much more charges, by reason, of the intolerable paines in drawing out the waters, which there∣in flowed, and in Potozi are wanting? But what will not this vnlouely loue of money doe? hereby man encountreth the vast Ocean, passeth the farthest and most contrarie climates, drowneth Bootes and all his teame, burieth himselfe in the bowels of the earth, raiseth new heauens, and seeketh his heauen, where hee cannot see heauen, or light, neere the bottomelesse bottomes of Hell: remoueth Fountaines, and Mountaines, re∣duceth a new Chaos, in the confusion of Elements; the Earths entralls beeing tw∣ored in the Aire, and sacrificed to his hoter brother in fierie purgations, the Aire fil∣ling the darke hollowes and hells which it cannot see, the waters forced out of those

possessions wherein they challenged succession and inheritance after the decease and remouing of the earth: all filled with darknes, to bring to light those metalls, which possessing the possessors, depriue them of the highest light, and brand them for lowest darknes. Precious Perils, x 1.44 where so many bodies are pined, so many soules endangered, so much good lost for goods, and man, for price, setteth himselfe at the worst and basest price of all that he hath. How happy and golden was the out∣ward state of these Indians, before they accounted gold any part of their happinesse, and found it the cause of their ruine? Their golde is found either in Graines which they call Pippins, because they are like the Pippins or Seedes of Melons; which is pure and hath no neede of melting: or in powder, which is found in Riuers, mixed with the soile and sand•• for which Tagus, Pactolus, and Ganges haue beene famous: or else in stone, being •••• veine that groweth and engendreth, intermixing it selfe vvith the stones •••• Toose Pippins, or peeces of pure golde, found among the Rockes or Hils, are sometimes very great. P. Martyr y 1.45 telles of one that weighed three thousand three hundred and ten Pizos, and was with much people and treasure drowned, in the ship called Boadill•••• being therewith surcharged, in the returne homewards: A fit Em∣bleme for Christians, which when they will z 1.46 lade themselues with this thick clay, * 1.47 drowne the soule in perdition and de ••ruction. The greatest quantitie is drawne at the Indies in the poulder-gold. The gold in stone is drawne out of the mines or pits, with great dif∣ficultie. They rofine pouldred golde in basens, washing it in many waters, vntill the sand fall from it, and the golde, as most heauy, remaineth in the bottome. They haue other meanes of refining it with Quick-siluer and strong Waters. In the Fleete 1585. the declaration of the Firmeland was twelue Cassons or Chests, which was so many hundreth weights of gold: besides one thousand fiftie and six Mares from New Spaine, which was for the King onely, not mentioning that which came for Mar∣chants, and priuate men.

For the Siluer: the second place is giuen to it among metalls, because next to golde it is the most durable, and lesse endamaged by the fire, and in the sound and colour, passeth the gold. The Mines thereof are commonly in Mountaines & Rockes, seldome in Plaines, and Champaines. Sometimes they finde it a 1.48 straggling, in peeces, not holding any continuing Veine: sometimes it is fixed, and spreadeth it selfe in depth and length like to great branches, b 1.49 and armes of Trees. Strange it is that in some places the fire, kindled with blowing of bellowes, will not serue to refine the Siluer, but they vse furnaces called Guayras, set in such places, where the winde continually bloweth. c 1.50 Thus in Peru, the mines of Porco sloupe to artificiall fires, which those of Potozi scorne and contemne. Potozi is a drie, colde, barren, and vnpleasant soile, if the rich Mines did not more then supply all those defectes, and make it a plentifull both habitation and Mart; not fearing the heauens disasters, the cold Aire, the frowning Earth, the fell showers, so long as the Siluer hooke can be sufficient attractiue for forraine store. Hence it is, that they feele no want of store, and yet haue no store but of want; the Mines excepted, which (I know not how) are both store and want, according as mens mindes in a second refining can digest and dispose them. They which worke in the Mines see no sunne nor light, by absence where of they finde both extreme cold, and dreadfull darknes, and an aire so vn∣holsome, as makes them no lesse sicke, then men tosled at Sea. They breake the me∣tall with hammers, and split it by force, and then carry it vp on their shoulders, by Ladders made of Neates Leather twisted like peeces of wood, which are cros∣sed with staues of wood: at the end of one Ladder begins another with seates of wood betweene, to rest them. They mount three and three. Hee that goes before carries a Candle tied to his thumbe: they haue their metall tied in a cloth like a scrip, each man bearing about fiftie pound weight, and that commonly aboue a hundred and fiftie d 1.51 stades in height. The most vsuall manner of refining in these times is by Quicksiluer: and therefore there are not now aboue two thousand Guayras in Po∣tozi, which haue beene in times past six thousand: a pleasant fight to such, whose

darkned conceits make their heauen vpon Earth, to see such a resemblance of the Starrie heauen in the night, dispersing such a manifold light. The siluer swamme on the topp, the other mettalls vnder, and the drosse in the bottome. The Quick∣siluer e 1.52 is admired for his naturall properties, that beeing a metall it is Liquid (not by Art as other metalls, or by expense, in which respect the other may no lesse bee called Quick-siluer, but) by it owne Nature: and beeing a liquor, is more heauie then those which haue a Naturall subsistence; this subsisting and sinking to the bot∣tome, when the other swimme aboue it. Gold onely challengeth presieminence, if Pli∣nie f 1.53 be beleeued. Nothing in this admirable liquor is more to be admired, then the na∣turall loue, and sympathie which it hath to Gold: as appeareth in such, as for the French disease vse ointments of this composition g 1.54 if they weare a Gold Ring in their mouth, it attracteth this quicke and willing metall to it, from the Veines and inward parts, into which it had secretly and dangerously conueyed it selfe: the Ring plucked out of the mouth is of a Siluer complexion, which mutuall copulation nothing but fire can diuorce, or restore the same to the former colour. In their gildings of curious workes, it hath beene obserued that the workemen which vse Quick-siluer to that purpose, to preuent the secret and venemous exhalations thereof, haue swallowed a double duckat of Gold rolled vp, which drawes that fume of this liquor which enters in at the eares, eyes, nose, and mouth, vnto it in the stomach. h 1.55 And for this fume Lem∣nius tells, that the Gold-Smithes hanging a cloth ouer the place where they Guild, which receiueth the fume of the Quicksiluer, finde that smoke in the cloth; recoue∣ring againe his former nature in drops of that Liquid metall Venenum rerum omnium est saith Plinie; it is a venome to all things, and yet a greater venome is in the mouth of man. I meane not that i 1.56 poison of Aspes under the lips of many, as the Prophet spea∣keth in a spirituall sense, but euen in naturall operation, the Spettle of man enueno∣meth, with a stronger poison, this poison of Quick-siluer, and eithe•• killerh it, k 1.57 or at least depriueth it of the motion and quicknes, and maketh it pliant to medicines and ointments. Yea, some l 1.58 report that this Spettle of man, arising of secret vapours out of the body, as infectious exhalations out of vnholsome Lakes, especially when a man is fasting, killeth Scorpions, and other venemous beasts, or at least doth much hurt them. Quick-siluer disdaineth other metalls, onely it is thus rauished with gold, and not a little affected to siluer, for the refining of which, it is principally in vse: it corrupteth, forceth, consumeth, and fleeth the rest, as much as may be, and there∣fore they vse to keepe it in Earthen Vessels, bladders, skinnes, quills, and such vn∣ctucus receptacles. It hath pierced and eaten through the bodies of men, and hath beene found in their graues. Quick-siluer is found in a kinde of Stone, which doth likewise yeeld Vermillion. At Amador de Cabrera is such a Stone, or Rocke, foure∣score yards long, fortie broad, interlaced with Quick-siluer, with many pitts in it, threescore Stades deepe, and is able to receiue three hundred workemen: it is valu∣ed worth a million of Gold. From the mines of Guancauilca, they draw yearely eight thousand quintals of Quick-siluer, As for the manner of resining siluer, by Quicke∣siluer, their Engines and Milles, with the triall of their metall, I referre the Reader to m 1.59 Acosta. The Emeralds also grow in Stones like Chrystall, and there are many of them in the Indies. But of these and other gemmes it would be too taedious to write. Let vs come to the Men, Beasts, Fowles, and Plants of this New World.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Mare Paci∣sicum, & del Sur. Ortel. Theat.
• b 1.2

  Ioseph. Acosta. de procuranda Indorum salute, & bist. Indiae, I. & 2. Rotero. Relatif∣ni part.1.l.4. Gomara bist.gen.&c.
• c 1.3

  Hak.tom.3. Epist. Dedicat. Maginus. Ger. Mer. de Fa∣brica Mundi.
• d 1.4

  Munst.Cosm.libr.5.
• e 1.5

  Maff histor.Ind.libr.2.
• f 1.6

  Hak.to.3 pa 7
• g 1.7

  Acost.histor.Ind.Ind.Ind.ca.14.
• h 1.8

  Pet.Mart. dec 1.lib.1.
• i 1.9

  Hak vbi supra.
• k 1.10

  Arist.de coelo & inundo.
• l 1.11

  Maginus saith it was called India, because it was discoue∣red at the same time that In∣dia was found by the Portu∣gals, or else for the likenesse of manners in the Indians.
• m 1.12

  Ptol. Strabo. Plutarch, and some others mention the Ethiopians be∣yond the Tro∣pike of Cancer: and Taprobana, Agisimba &c. It seemeth that their meaning was, it was ve∣ry scarcely in∣habited, of few and small nati∣ons. Experi∣ence hath foūd no place more peopled.
• n 1.13

  Oirg. cui A∣••vas statnit in suo Hypercritico Scalig.Geor. li.••
• o 1.14

  Cic••o somn. Scipi••nis. Macrob. in som. Srip.l.2.c.9.
• p 1.15

  Leucippus. Democritus, Epieurus. Anaximande••.
• q 1.16

  Aristot.2. meta.c.5. Plin.l.2.c 68.
• r 1.17

  Chrys••st.••u•••• 14 & 17.in Heb.Th••d.
• s 1.18

  Theophilact.in 8.cap.ad Heb.
• t 1.19

  Lact l.3.c.24. Institutionum.
• u 1.20

  Aug.to. ••.de∣cem Categori••.
• x 1.21

  Aug.de ciuit. dei l. 16 c.11.
• y 1.22

  Viues in eundem.
• z 1.23

  Lib.7.c.vlt.
• a 1.24

  Acosta & Sixt. Senens bibliot.l 5. annot. 3.
• b 1.25

  Periaeci are those which dwell in the same paralels, but contrarie Meridians. Anlicthones, which dwell in the opposite Zone or plage of the world. The Peri••ci haue Summer and Winter, but not day & night a like: The Antaci haue day and night, a like, but not the seasons of the yeare. The An∣np••••des differ in both.
• c 1.26

  That all the world is habi∣table, see the discourse of George Best. in a Preface to the Northwest dis∣coueries of M. Frobisher and inserted Hak. voyag to.3.p.48.
• e 1.27

  Qnodque die Sol••s violento in∣canduit aestu: Humida Nox reficit paribus∣que refrigerat bor••s, Honterus.
• c 1.28

  D. Fletcher.
• f 1.29

  Acosta l. 3. c. 6.
• g 1.30

  Pet. Mart. Dec 3.l.••. Sir H••••f. Gil∣bert Discou. Maister George Best.
• h 1.31

  Linscboten I. 3.
• i 1.32

  lof. Acoft. Na∣tur. and Morall Hist. of the In∣dies.l,3.c.9.
• k 1.33

  This Maister G••••rge Barkley, a Marchant, which liued long in Liuo∣nia, told me of his owne sight.
• l 1.34

  Sir Mar. Fro∣bish. Maister Iohn Dauis. Tho. Hudson.
• m 1.35

  Lambert. Peramb. of Kent. Wealth with∣out health. Health without wealth. Health and wealth.
• n 1.36

  Acosta. l. 4. c. 2
• o 1.37

  Arist. Eth.l.5.
• p 1.38

  P••ile. de genes. Mundi l.5. Euleh. de prap. Enang.l. 8 c. 9.
• q 1.39

  Apec 3.18. Psal. 12.6.
• r 1.40

  Bart. de las Calas Hispan. Crudelit. Vrban. Calu••to. Hier. Benzo.l. 3. c. 21.
• f 1.41

  Aurea sunt vere nu•••• se∣c••la &c. Ouid. First was an Age of gold: then golden goodnes abounded: Last is an Age for Gold: and now gold one∣ly triumpheth. Abr. France. Ammtas.
• t 1.42

  Acostel. 4. c. 7.
• u 1.43

  Plin.l.2.3.c.6.
• x 1.44

  Pretiosa pericula. sodit. Boct. de consol.
• y 1.45

  P. Mart. dec.1.l.10.
• z 1.46

  Abac. 2 6.
• * 1.47

  1. Tim. 6.3.
• a 1.48

  Pl••ny saith (but not true∣ly) that siluer is neuer found pure.
• b 1.49

  I haue seene some in al pro∣portion resem∣bling Plants, with the leaues spread, and di∣uided, and a stalke ascen∣ding, as if it promised flow∣ers, much like the Ribwort. The like report. t••th Munster. Cosmog.l. 1. c. 9.
• c 1.50

  See of these labours. Plin. l.33 c.6. and more in Acosta l. 4.
• d 1.51

  A stade is the height of a man.
• e 1.52

  Acosta l.4.c.10
• f 1.53

  Plin.vbi supra.
• g 1.54

  Lemuius de occultis naturae miraculis. l.3.c. vlt.
• h 1.55

  Acosta saith, that if it meete with no solid body, where it may congele, it ascends till the aire by cooling the fume causeth it to fall in Quick-siluer.
• i 1.56

  Rom.3.1.3. psal.140.3.
• k 1.57

  Some thinke that Quicke∣siluer cannot quite be killed.
• l 1.58

  De saliue ho∣minis mirabili effectu vide Lemnium de oc∣cult. Nat.l.2.c.44.
• m 1.59

  Acost l.4.c. 12.13.