A briefe description of vniuersal mappes and cardes, and of their vse and also the vse of Ptholemey his tables. Necessarie for those that delight in reading of histories: and also for traueilers by land or sea. Newly set foorth by Thomas Blundeville, of Newton Flotman in the countie of Norffolke. Gent.

A Briefe Description of vniuersall Mappes and Cardes, and of their vse, and also the vse of Ptholomey his Tables.

THis woord Mappa in latin signi∣fieth a Table cloth of lynnen to couer a board: of the shape and likenes whereof vniuersall ta∣bles, contayning the description of the earth, are commonly called Mappes. And first you haue to vnderstande, that euery such Mappe is chiefly traced with ij. sortes of lynes or circles, that is Meridians and paralels. The Meridians are either right or circular lynes pas∣sing through both the Poles of the worlde, and are ima∣gined to be drawen right vp and downe from the head to the foote of the Mappe, and are called Meridians, of this Latin woord meridies, which is as much to say as midday or noonetyde. Because that when the Sunne commeth to touch any of those lynes, it is mydday to those that dwel right vnder the same. Againe, Paralells are either right or circular lynes imagined to be equally distant one from another, which doe crosse the foresaid Meridians with right angles. Now in the verie midst of the Map is most commonly drawne from head to foote a ryght lyne which signifieth not onely the first Meridian, but also the Axle tree of the world, the vpper ende of which lyne is called the poole Artique, that is to say the North Pole, and the neather end the Pole Antartique, that is the South Poole, and this lyne is crossed in the verie midst betwixt the ij. Pooles with another great circle or right lyne called the Equinoctiall, because that when the Sunne commeth to touch this lyne or circle, the day and

nyght is equall throughout the world. The one halfe of which lyne toward the right hand sheweth the east part, and thother half towards the left hand sheweth the west part of the world: so as these ij. lynes, the first Meridian and the Equinoctiall do point out the iiij. quarters of the world, North, South, East, and West, from whence the foure principall wyndes do blowe betwixt: which wyndes are set downe in most Mappes together with their Latin or Italian names in the outermost skirt or border thereof viij. other wyndes, so as in all there be xij. wyndes, whereby the auncient Greekes and Ro∣manes were wont to saile. The names whereof both Greeke, Latin and English are heretofore set downe in the latter end of our Sphere.

But now to returne to our first two lynes, that is the first Meridian and the Equinoctiall, you haue to note that both these lynes or circles are deuided each of them into 360. degrees, so as euery quarter of them contayneth 90. degrees. And in the Equinoctiall are set downe the degrées of longitude, which is the length of the worlde, round about from West to East, and againe from East by West home againe: The first degrée whereof begin∣neth, whereas the first aforesaid Meridian crosseth the E∣quinoctiall in the verie middest of the Mappe, and so pro∣céedeth Eastward vnto the number of 90 degrées, which is as farre as you can goe Eastward, sith from thence by reason of the roundnesse of the Earth, you must néedes turne backe againe by the backe side of the Sphere, or ball Westward, vntill you come to the 270 degrée, which is the farther point westward you can goe, from whence you must returne Eastward vntill you come to the 360 degrée, which is the last degrée of longitude, and endeth where the first degrée beginneth.

Moreouer in the said first Meridian, or in some other Meridian hard by it, are set downe the degrées of lati∣tude, that is to say, the breadth of the worlde, both Nor∣therne

and Southerne: for from the Equinoctiall to the North Pole are contained in the foresaide Meridian 90. degrées, and that is called the North latitude, and from the Equinoctial to the South Pole, are contained in y^e said Meridian, other 90 degrées, which is called the South latitude: and in most Mappes the Equinoctiall line is de∣uided and crossed with 18 Meridians on each side of the first Meridian, deuiding the Equinoctiall into 36 seuerall spaces or distances, euery space conteining 10 degrées, and euerie degree containeth 60 Italian myles of length.

Moreouer betwixt the Equinoctiall and each of the Poles are drawen certaine Circles or lines, called (as I said before) Paralels: of which most commonly 4 are painted with red inke, signifying the 4 lesser Circles be∣fore described in our Sphere, whereof the highest to∣wards the North Pole, is called the Circle Artique, bée∣ing distant from the Pole 23 degrées and a halfe, and the lowest towards the South Pole is called the Circle An∣tartique, béeing also distant from the Pole 23 degrées and a halfe.

Now as touching the other two red Circles, the one lying betwixt the Circle Artique, and the Equinoctiall is called the Tropique of Cancer, and the other lying be∣twixt the Equinoctiall and the Circle Antartique is called the Tropique of Capricorne, and each of these two Tro∣piques is distant from the Equinoctiall 23 degrees and a halfe, which is the greatest declination of the Sunne, for betwixt these ij. Tropiques the Sunne continuallie maketh his course and returne, as this word Tropique signifyeth, mounting neuer higher then the Tropique of Cancer: nor discending lower then the Tropique of Ca∣pricorne: for which cause some doe set downe in their Maps betwixt the sayde two Tropiques an ouerthwart line, signifying the ecliptique line, vnder which the Sun continually walketh. Now by helpe of the foresaide 4

circles, the earth is deuided into 5 zones, that is, one whotte, 2 temperate, and 2 cold. The whotte is con∣tained betwixt the 2 Tropiques, in the midst of which whotte zone, is the Equinoctiall line, and of the 2 tem∣perate zones, the one lieth betwixt the Tropique of Cancer and the circle Artique, and the other betwixt the Tropique of Capricorne and the circle Antartique.

Againe, of the 2 colde zones, the one lyeth betwixt the North Pole and the circle Artique, and the other betwixt the South Pole, and the circle Antartique▪ Nowe besides these foure speciall Paralels, there bee di∣uers other Paralels drawne on each side of the Equinoc∣tiall, both Northward and Southward, which crossing in certaine points the first Meridian marked with degrees, do shew the true latitude of euery place, and vnder what Clime or Paralell it is, and also how many howers the longest day of any place vnder euery Paralell is, begin∣ning to accompte the same, eyther from the Equinoctiall vpward towardes the North Pole, alongst the first Me∣ridian marked with degrees of Northerne latitudes, or els from the sayde Equinoctiall downe-warde towardes the South Pole, marked with degrees of Southerne la∣titude.

Notwithstanding, they vse most commonlye to set downe the number and iust distaunces of the Clymes, Paralels, and howers in the North latitude onely, wil∣ling the like numbers of Clymes, Paralels, and how∣ers to bee accompted in the South latitude, euen as they are in the North latitude and with like distances. And note that in procéeding towardes the Pole from the Pa∣ralell, whereas the longest day is 24. howers, they accompte the Paralell of the longest daye no longer by howers, but by monethes, that is to saye, from one mo∣neth to six monethes, whereof wee haue spoken before in our sphere. The numbers of the aforesayd Clymes, Paralels and howers you shall finde set foorth in Vopel∣lius

Mappe alongest the first Meridian on the left hand. But hee setteth downe the numbers of the longest daies encreasing by monethes in the vttermost border of hys Mappe on the right hand betwixt the North Pole, and the circle Artique. And in that border hee setteth downe the number of leagues and miles answerable to euery Paralell, whereas also hee sheweth the three differences of Inhabitants according to their shadows, that is to say. the Periscij, Heteroscij, and Amphiscij.

Periscij are those that dwell in anie of the two colde zones, whose shadowe goeth round about them.

Heteroscij be those that dwell in anie of the two tem∣perate zones whose shadowe tendeth at noone-tide but one waie, that is either North or South.

Amphiscij bee those that inhabite the whotte zone, whose shadowe tendeth both waies, that is sometime North and sometime South, as is before declared at large in our sphere.

But in the Mappe of Gemma Frizius, you shall find all these thinges set foorth on the left hand of his Mappe amongest the vttermost circles, whereas vpon the cir∣cle Artique, hee setteth downe the twelue signes, ha∣uing certaine compassed lines, running downe to the E∣quinoctiall, meeting and concurring all in one point: at the end whereof vpon the Equinoctiall, you shall finde the number of howers, at which the sunne riseth in euery de∣gree of latitude.

Also at the nether ende of hys Mappe on the left hand, he placeth a halfe quadrant, which hee calleth Di∣rectorium nauticum, whereof wee shall speake heereaf∣ter.

And because he would haue hys Mappe to serue both sea and land, he setteth downe a certaine number of ma∣riners compasses deuided with 32 lines signifiyng y^e 32. windes, which doe shew howe euery place beareth one from the other, and by what winde a Shippe is to bee

directed from one part to another, which thing is also ob∣serued in Mercators Mappe and others that haue writ∣ten more lately, and yet nothing seruiceable for the Sea, because (as M Borowgh, Controller of her Maiesties Na¦uy, a man most skilful in the Art of sailing saith) no consi∣deration is had in the said Maps or Cards touching y^e va∣riation of the Compasse, without the which they can ne∣uer set downe any true or iust direction.

Now as touching the diuision and order of the partes of the Earth, most commonlie described in vniuersall Mappes, you shall vnderstand that the ancient Cosmo∣graphers, not knowing then the West Indies, nor manie other places scituated both Northward and Southward (which haue bene since discouered) deuided the whole Earth onely into thrée partes, that is, Europe, Aphrike and Asia, in the description whereof, their Mappes ne∣uer extended in latitude Northwards further then to 63 degrées, as I haue said before in my Sphere, and South∣ward no further then to 20 degrées of the Northerne la∣titude, or there about, but in longitude from West to East, beginning the same at the Ilandes called Insulae Canariae or Fortunatae, which are scituated at the West end of Aphrike, in the Sea called Mare Atlanticum: their descriptions doe extend to 180 degrées. But because a whole worlde almost hath bene founde out since those times, our moderne Cosmographers doe deuide the whole Earth into 4 partes: that is Europe, Aphrike, Asia and America, which we nowe call the West Indies. And because men of diuers Nations haue sayled round about the world, East and West, their late descriptions doe ex∣tend in longitude the whole content of the Equinoctiall, which is 360 degrées: and in latitude Northwards, the same descriptions doe extende to 80 degrées: and South∣wards to 66.½ as you may sée in the vniuersall Mappes lately set foorth by Mercator, and by Barnardus Putea∣nus and others.

But the ancient and moderne doe greatly differ in the diuision of the partes of latitude, as well Northerne as Southerne, and also in longitude: for, whereas the anci∣ent Cosmographers doe deuide each latitude into 90. degrées by certaine Paralels making 9. equall spaces, euery space containing 10. equall degrees: in the latter Mappes last mencioned, you shall finde those spaces and the degrées thereof altogether vnequall, the first 3 spaces next the Equinoctiall onely excepted, for those differ not aboue one halfe degree at the most: but from thence Northward, euery space is greater then o∣ther, and euery degree in euery such space is greater then other, insomuch as the fourth space containeth 11 degrées and a halfe of those degrees which are set downe in the first space, and the fift space conteineth of such degrees 13 degrées ¾, the 6 space containeth of the said degrées 16 de∣grées ¼: y^e 7 containeth of the same degrées 20 degrees ½, so as the space is is twise so broade as the first space and one halfe degree more: the eight space conteineth of the said first degrees 36: further then which 8 spaces con∣taining 80 degrees of latitude, their Mappes extend not Northward: and they obserue the like proportion in the Southerne latitude, sauing that they extende no farther Southward then to 66 degrees and a halfe.

Againe, they differ in longitude thus: for the mo∣derne Cosmographers doe make the first Meridian to passe through the Isles called Azores, which doe stande 5 degrees more Westward then the Fortunate Islands do: through which Fortunate Islandes, Ptolomey and his fol∣lowers doe appoint the first Meridian to passe.

The cause of which transposing the saide first Meri∣dian is, because that the mariners Compasse doth neuer shewe the right North and South, in any other place, but onely vnder that Meridian. Yea M. Borowgh thin∣keth that it would shewe it more truely, if the saide Me∣ridian were placed somewhat more Westward. But in

those Cardes and mappes that are made according to the rules of Ptolomey: the spaces of Paralels containing the 90. degrées of latitude, both Northwarde and South∣ward, are equall, and all the degrées of euery such space, are also equall. And yet the spaces of Paralels that shew the longest day in any place, are towards the Pole, euery one more narrowe then other: for as I haue sayd before in my sphere, there are 3 kinds of paralels, that is Para∣lels of the Sunne, Paralels of the latitude, & Paralels of the longest day. The causes why in these latter Maps, the degrées of latitude are made greater and greater to∣wards the Poles, are set downe by Barnardus in his vni∣uersall Mappe, who sayth there, that in making the said Mappe, he had 3. speciall cares: First, that the places might be so scituated, as they may haue both true directi∣on and distance, and also due longitude and latitude, and as nigh as may bee, the same very shape which they haue in the sphere or globe, to which end hee hath inuented a new proportion or habitude of the Meridians to the pa∣ralels, affirming that the Maps before made, are not fit for Nauigation, by reason of the crookednes and bowing of the meridians, which by theyr oblique & ouerthwart falling into the Paralels, doe so much disfigure in the vttermost parts, the true shape of the Regions as they can skant be knowen. And as for the mariners Cardes, because their Paralels of latitude are also of equall di∣stance from the Equinoctiall to the very Pole; he sayth that they must needes misfashion the Regions and make the directions, distances, longitudes, and latitudes to be vntrue, and thereby cause great errors. Which to a∣uoyd, hee maketh the spaces of his Paralels and degrees of latitude to encrease by little and little towardes the Pole, affirming that thereby all places shall haue theyr true shape, and also their true directions, distaunces, lon∣gitudes, and latitudes.

His second care was, that the Regions and places,

might haue their true quantitie and greatnes, and also true distance one from another, wherin he hath taken as he saith, greatest paines whilest he did confer the Tables of the Castilians and Portugales aswell amongest them∣selues, as with diuers other Nauigations both printed and written. His third care was to shew what partes of the world were knowen to the auncient men, that the li∣mits and bounds of theyr Geographie might not bee vn∣knowen, to the intent they might haue their due honour and praise. And hauing shewed what places they did in their time describe both East, West, North, and South, in the end of hys speach, he affirmeth, that auncient Cos∣mographers haue set down in the East Indians more pla∣ces, then euer the Portugales haue as yet discouered or at∣tained vnto.

This Barnardus Puteanus borne in Bruges, is by hys owne confession a Cutter or Grauer in brasse, and also a Cosmographer, whose Mappe set foorth in the yeare of our Lord 1579. doth not differ in any one point that I can finde from the last vniuersall Mappe of Mercator that famous Cosmographer, who as I vnderstand was himselfe also sometime a Cutter & Grauer of such Maps and Globes as Gemma Frizius did cause to bee printed in his time, from whom Mercator learned great part of hys most excellent skill in Cosmographie. But of one thing I am sure, y^e Ptolomey was first Maister to them all, who hath set down so good and perfect rules of describing the Earth, be it whole or part, as in the opinion of most lear∣ned men, no better can be inuented.

Truely when I did first beholde these latter Maps, and sawe that the Paralels towardes the Pole were as long as the verie Equinoctiall it selfe, it seemed to mee somewhat straunge, for then I said that a Shippe in say∣ling about the world vnder the Paralell of 60 degrees, should by this meanes make as long a voyage as that which saileth about the world right vnder the Equinocti∣all,

which voyage is twice as long. For this containeth in longitude 21600 miles, which is the whole compasse of the Earth, and the other containeth in longitude 10800 miles, which is iust halfe so much and no more. But af∣ter that I had taken better aduisement thereof, I found by measuring with my compasse, that one degrée of the Meridian next to the 60 degree of latitude, did compre∣hend two of such degrees, as are set downe in the Equi∣noctiall, and that one degree of the Meridian, crossing the the Paralel that hath 70 degrees of latitude, did compre∣hend 3 degrees of the Equinoctiall line, and so I found the degrées towards the Pole; to waxe greater and grea∣ter, by which degrees I perceiued their meaning was to haue the longitude of their paralels to be measured, & not by the degrées of the Equinoctiall. And by y^e meanes their paralels should haue ech one as nigh as might be his due longitude proporcionally, euen as they haue in the globe.

Moreouer the shape, quantities, and distances of such Countries as haue beene found out of late daies must néeds bee more perfectly set forth in these Mappes, then in those y^t haue bene made hertofore, because the true longi∣tudes & latitudes of those places were not so wel known then as they are now. Albeit I feare mee that of many places in the Indies, there are as yet but fewe true longi∣tudes known. For it is not so easie a thing to get the true longitude of euery place, as the true latitude thereof. And had not the late makers of Maps bene greatly holpen by the Maps and Cards of such learned Pilots as haue tra∣ueiled those Countries. I doubt not, but that they should haue committed as great errours as those that wrote be∣fore them. And of one thing I doe assure my selfe, that in these latter Mappes, more places are described, then euer were knowen or discouered: as for example, the North-parts of Groyneland, Crockland, & America, all which they make Islands, and yet neuer sayled about them, and spe∣cially on the North side, as it may wel be gathered by the

vaine attempting of diuers Nations, to finde out newe waies in the North seas to the Molucas both by East and West. For being a little entred into those seas, they are quickly driuen backe, either by extreame colde, by great Yses, or by the raging floods bred of snowe, and falling from the mountaines of the next continent, and making in some places such Whirlepooles in the Sea, as if any Shippe chance to come nigh them, it is soone swallowed vpppe. Neither doe I thinke, that King Arthur in hys time, euer sent (as it is reported) any of his people to inha∣bite those Islands, beeing places in mine opinion, more méete for Whales and monstruous fishes to dwel in, then for men: and specially for English men, which are not a∣ble to suffer the cold winter at Wardhouse: to which place some of our Mariners do saile in Sommer season euerie yeare. And yet Wardhouse hath skant in latitude 71 de∣grées, much lesse then are they able to winter in those pla∣ces that haue 77 degrees of latitude, as the North side of Groynland and Crockland hath. Moreouer the North side of the promontorye Tabin hath 76 degrées of latitude, which place, whatsoeuer Plinie saith therof in his fourth booke of Histories, yet I beleeue that no Roman came euer there to describe y^e Promontory. Neither doe I be∣léeue that the Fryer of Oxford, by vertue of his Art Ma∣gicke euer came so nigh the Pole to measure with his A∣strolabe those colde parts togither with the foure floods, which Mercator & Barnardus do describe both in the front, and also in the nether end of their Maps, vnlesse hee had some colde deuil out of the middle Region of the aire to be his guide. And therfore I take them in mine opiniō to be méer fables. Truly if any men should discouer those parts, me thinketh that the people of Finmarke & of Ward∣house or such like people bordering vpon the North seas, should best doo it, hauing bodies vsed to extreame colde. But then being bred in so grosse an aire, their wits per∣haps are too grosse for such a purpose.

I remember that William Boorne in his booke called the Regiment of the Sea, secteth downe fiue sundrie waies to saile into Cathay, wherof the first way is by the Cape of good hope in the outermost south part of Affrike: The second by the Sea called Mare Magellanicum. The third waye is to saile betwixt the North part of America and the Iles of Groynland and Crockland. The fourth is by Noua Zemla, whereas Sir Hughe Willoughby in seeking that way was frozen to death. The firt way is to sayle right vnder the Pole, that is first from South to North, vntill you be right vnder the Pole, and then from North to South, alledging there certaine reasons to prooue the three last waies possiblie to be as passable, as the first ij. waies well▪ knowen in these daies and vsually haun∣ted.

The strongest reason that Boorne vseth to make the foresayd Seas Nauigable, is, for that the Sun by hys long tarriyng aboue the horizon, so warmeth both land and Sea, as it cannot bee ouer soone colde againe. But I pray you what heat can the Sunne yéelde to that place aboue whose Horizon he is neuer eleuated more then 23. degrées and a halfe, a verie colde winterlie heat GOD wotte. And though the colde were not so extreame as I take it to be indéed, yet in desert places, where is there a∣ny safe harborow, fresh water, or any other necessary suc∣cor to be had? For in taking such a iorny, let no man think to goe through without a bait, vnlesse he saile in Pegasus, and hath both winde and tide at will.

Notwithstanding, I can greatly commend those va∣liaunt mindes that doe attempt such desperate voyages, and the rather when they doe it for knowledge sake, and to profite their Countrey, and not altogether for priuate gaine and lucre.

But truly for mine owne part, I thinke it vnpossi∣ble that any man bred in any of the temperate zones or in the hotte zone is euer able to continue the whole iour∣ney

in any of those 3 waies: no, though they were much more passable then I take them to be indéede. But if they were passable in all respects, sauing for cold, then I think no Nation or people so méete to attempt those waies as those which I haue already named, or such like, borne and bred nigh vnto the North Seas. But leauing these mat∣ters, let vs now shew howe euery one of the 4 foresaid parts of the Earth, that is, Europe, Affrike, Asia, and A∣merica is bounded, and howe many miles each part con∣taineth aswell in longitude as in latitude, according to such longitude and latitude as Mercator and Puteanus do set downe in their Maps.

Europe is bounded on the North with the North O∣cean Sea, and on the South with the Sea called Mare Mediterraneum, on the East with the flood Tanais, and on the west with the West Ocean Sea. Europe in measu∣ring with a right line from the furthest part of Ireland on the West vnto the flood Tanais, on the East both places hauing 52 degrées of latitude, hath in longitude. 2166. miles, and in measuring with a right line from the fur∣thest parte of Morea on the South, whose latitude is 35 degrées, vnto the North Sea side hauing 72 degrées of latitude, hath in latitude 2220. miles.

Affrike is bounded on the North with the straight Sea Gibralter and with the Sea called Mare Mediterra∣neum, on the South with a sea which deuideth Affrike from the south land not yet fully knowen, and on the east with the red sea or gulfe of Arabia, and on the west with the great Ocean Atlantique. Affrike in measuring with a right line from Gambra on the west vnto the Cape de Gardasa on the East, both places hauing 10 degrees of North latitude, or there about hath in longitude 4155. miles.

And in measuring with a right line from the 50 de∣gree of the Equinoctiall vnto the sea called Mare mediter∣raneum, it hath in north latiude 32 degrees, which being

multiplied by 60 maketh 1920 miles. In South lati∣tude measuring with a right line, from th 50 degree of the Equinoctiall vnto the Cape of good hope, it hath 35 degrees, which beeing multiplyed by 60 maketh 2100 miles.

Asia is bounded on the North, with the North Oce∣an sea, and on the South partly with the red sea, which Sea according to Pomponius Mela, extendeth to the Isle sometime called Taprobana now Sumatra: which is a fa∣mous market place of all maner of spices. Also Asia is bounded on the South with diuers other gulphes & seas, as you may see in the Map: Againe on the East it is boun∣ded with the East Indian Ocean, and with the straight sea of Anian, & on the West, it hath the floud Tanais and the Fenne of Meotis, & diuers seas, as Bosphorus Cim∣merius the sea called Mare Euxinum, y^e sea Bosphorus Thra∣cius & Propontis, and part of the sea Mediterraneum, & part of the red sea or gulfe of Arabia, which deuideth Affrike from Arabia Felix. Asia in measuring with a right line from the flood Tanais to the promōtorie Tamos, both pla∣ces hauing 50 degrees of latitude, hath in longitude 4284 miles, and in measuring with a right line from the 150 degree of the Equinoctiall vnto the promontory Ta∣bin, Asia hath in North latitude 76 degrees, which being multiplied by 60 maketh 4560 miles.

America is bounded on y^e North, with the North Oce∣an sea, and on the south, with y^e sea called Mare Magella∣nicum, on the East with the great Ocean Atlantique, & on y^e west with the West Indian Ocean, & the strait sea of Ani∣an▪ America in measuring with a right line frō the straite of Anian to the furthest part of Estotilant vpon y^e 64 degrée of latitude, hath in longitude 4342 miles, & in measuring with a right line from the 270 degrée of the Equinoctiall vnto the North sea, it hath in North latitude 76 degrées, which maketh 4560 miles, and yet the quantitie of the ground described in the Mappe, is not so great as the o∣ther

by a seauenth part: wherein I can very well excuse the Mappe-makers, not hauing perhappes as yet the true longitude of that part of America.

Finally, in measuring with a right line from the 310 degrée of the Equinoctiall vnto the sea called Mare Ma∣gellanicum, it hath in the South latitude 52 degrees, which maketh 3120 miles.

Now if you would know what kingdomes, Regions, Cities, Mountaines, Fluds, Lakes, also what seas togi∣ther with their Islands, Ports, Capes, Points, & baies doe belong to euerie one of the foresaid foure parts, then studie well these moderne Maps: and with your eie you shall beholde, not onely the whole world at one view, but also euery particular place contained therein. Which to describe at the ful, in writing would require a long time Wherefore leauing that to your owne Industrie, I will shew you how to finde out the longitude and latitude of a∣nie place in the Mappe.

Also to know how one place lieth from another, and with what wind you haue to saile from one place to ano∣ther. And finally how to finde out the true distaunce be∣twixt place and place, in which thinges the chéefe vse of Mappes doth consist.

And first you haue to vnderstand, that the Meridians which you sée in the Mappe, doe serue for diuers purpo∣ses. For you learne thereby that it is noone-tide or mid∣day sooner to one place then to another, by marking what Meridian is more towardes the East, which the Sunne alwaies toucheth sooner then that Meridian which is more towardes the West. Also by the Meridians you know how the Eclipse of the Moone appeareth sooner to one place then to another, & with what variety of time.

For they whose Meridian is towards the West, doe séeme to sée the Eclipse of the Moone sooner then they whose Meridian is more towardes the East, whereas in verie truth the Eclipse of the moone is séene to all places

(where it can be séene) at one very instant of like great∣nes, & yet seemeth to be séene later or sooner, by reason of the diuersitie of the time of the day, in places standing one East or West from another. And if the distance betwixt those two Meridians doe containe 15 degrées of the E∣quinoctiall, then the Eclips appeareth to bee sooner to the one then to the other by one whole hower. For euerie 15 degrees maketh an hower, and therefore looke how ma∣nie 15 degrées you finde betwixt the two Meridians, so many howers are to be accounted. And if you find few∣er degrées, then the time of the Eclips is to be shortned ac¦cordingly, and by attributing 4 minutes of an hower to one degrée, (for foure times 15 maketh 60 minutes, which is also one hower) you may make your account so small or great as you will. And note also that you may conceiue to be in the Mappe as many Meridians as there are degrées in the Equinoctiall.

As for the Eclipse of the Sunne, it is séene, neither ge∣nerally, nor fully at the selfe same time, nor yet of the same greatnes in all places. Indeed it appeareth sooner to the Westerne Countries, then to the Easterne. But the diuersitie of the time of appearance doth depend not onely of the number of Meridians betwixt the two pla∣ces, but also of the swift or slowe motion of the Moone, which comming betwixt vs and the Sunne, taketh the sight of the Sunne from vs.

Moreouer, by the Meridians you shall knowe what longitude any place in the Map hath, by dooing thus. First set the one foot of your compasse in the place it selfe, and the other in some Meridian that is next vnto it, whether it bee on the left or right hand, it maketh no matter: and from thence drawe downe your compasse following styll that Meridian vntill you come to the Equinoctiall lyne, and there marke vpon what degrée of the Equinoctiall that foote of your compasse which you did first put in the place, doth rest & there make a pricke. That done, count

how many degrees that is distant from the first Meridi∣an, and that is the true longitude of the place: and that longitude serueth to al the places that be vnder that Me∣rian, though they be neuer so farre distant one from ano∣ther North and South.

Now if you would know the latitude of any place in y^e Map, that is to say, how far it is distant frō the Equinoc∣tial, either Northward or southward, either of which lati∣tudes cōtaineth 90 degrees. then do thus: set y^e one foot of your Compasse vpon the verie place, and the other vpon that Paralel which is next it, whether the Paralell be a∣boue it or beneath, it maketh no matter, and drawe your Compasse from that place following stil that Paralel vn∣till you come to that Meridian, which is marked with the degrees of latitude, which Meridian in the latter Maps, standeth somewhat more West then the first Meridian dooth. And marke vpon what degrée that foote of your Compasse which you did drawe from the place doth rest, and there make a pricke. That doone, count how manie degrées that pricke is distant from the Equinoctiall, and that is the true latitude of that place. And the like lati∣tude haue all they that dwell vnder that Paralell, howe farre so euer they dwell asunder, East and West. And by knowing the latitude of any place, you may quickly finde also in some Mappes vnder what Clime or Paralell such place is scituated, and of howe many howers the longest day is there, as in the Mappe of Vopellius, of Gemma Fri∣zius and diuers others. But in these latter Mappes such things are not set foorth, wherefore not hauing the other maps, you may resort to the tables set down in my sphere, which doe shew all such things at the full.

Now to know how one place beareth from another, & with what a ship is to be directed from one port to ano¦ther, & also what distance is betwixt 2 places, that is, how many miles one place is distant from another, the latter Cosmographers, as Mercator, Barnardus, Puteanus, and

diuers others haue inuented a newe instrument called Organum directorium, which they set down in their Maps togither with the vse thereof. But in mine opinion not plainely inough for most mens capacitie. This Instru∣ment containeth 2 Quadrants of a Circle, hauing the names of the windes written therein: And they call the vpper Quadrant Organum Superius, & the nether Qua∣drant Organum Inferius. Which 2 Quadrants haue 2 lines marked with degrées, and are ioyned togither with a right angle, of which 2 lines the standing or hanging line on the left hand doth signifie the first Meridian, & is marked with 75 vnequall degrées of latitude, in such pro∣portion as y^e middle Meridiā of the Map hath. The other line which lieth ouerthwart, signifieth the Equinoctiall, and is marked with 90 equall degrées of longitude. But the spaces of the Paralels of latitude are in number 7 and a halfe, euerie whole space containing 10 degrees, and the halfe space but 5 degrées. Which spaces are wider and wider towardes the Pole, and of like proportion to those of the Mappe.

And note by the way that the highest right line that go∣eth from the first Meridian towardes your right hand, is the East line, and the nethermost line signifiyng the E∣quinoctiall is the West line. For the vpper Quadrant commeth towards you from East to South, and the ne∣ther Quadrant goeth from you towardes the left hand from west to south, & in the center of ech Quadrant must be put a long thread to shewe the direction from place to place. The vse of this Instrument is thus: first hauing found out in the Map the seuerall longitudes, & latitudes of 2 places in such order as is before taught, séeke the lati∣tude of the first place in the first Meridian, & there make a marke. I call here the first place, that from whence you go, and the second that to which you go. That done, seeke out in the said Meridian the latitude of the second place, & there make another marke. And from that marke of the

second place draw a right line towards your right hand, so as it may be a Paralel to the Equinoctiall line. Then take the difference of the 2 longitudes by substracting the lesser out of the greater, & séeke out the degrées of that dif∣ference in the Equinoctiall line, and there make a marke from which marke draw a right line that may be a Pa∣ralel to the first Meridian. And whereas this line crosseth the first line there set downe a marke, then drawe a right line from the marke of the first place, so as it may passe through the crossing point. That done, if the latitude of the first place be greter then that of the second place, make a Paralell to that line with the thread of the vpper qua∣drant, but if the latitude of the first bee lesser then the se∣cond, then make a Paralell vnto the said line with the thread of the nether Quadrant, which with the helpe of your Compasse you shall easily doo. And that thread being stretched out amongst the winds, wil shew by what wind the second place beareth from the first. And the opposite wind is the director wherby you haue to saile: yet neither Mercator nor Barnardus do plainely shew how to find out the true distāce of 2 places by this instrument, nor yet do set down in their Maps, either skale or tronke to take the distance betwixt 2 places with the compasse, as most com∣monly al other Maps & Mariners Cards haue, but do re∣fer the plaine declaration thereof to other their bookes and tables which I haue not yet séene, & therefore in the mean time I thought good to set downe according to Barnardes rule, this briefe way of finding out the distance of any 2 places whatsoeuer is set down in their Maps. First with your Compasse, take the iust distance of the two lati∣tudes vppon the first Meridian, which is otherwise called the difference of the latitude. And hauing layd a ruler or thread to the places, looke howe many times the foresaid distance, or difference taken with your Compasse, is com∣prehended in the space that lyeth betwixt the two pla∣ces, and by so many times multiplie the sayd difference,

the product whereof beeing multiplied againe by 60, will shew howe many miles the one place is distant from the other. As for example, the distance or difference betwixt the two latitudes of London and Hierusalem, is 19 de∣grées or there abouts, which being taken with your com∣passe you finde to be two times contained in the space be∣twixt Hierusalem and London. Wherefore in multiply∣ing 19 degrées by 2 you find the product to bee 38 which being multiplied by sixtie, maketh 2280 miles, and so farre is Hierusalem from London by a right line. But if in measuring the distance betwixt 2 places with your Compasse there remaine any odde space not fully answe∣ring the first widenes of your Compasse, then take that od space with your Compasse beeing straightned and made fit therevnto, and looke how many degrées the said odde space comprehendeth in the first Meridian, about the midst of the degrées of the foresaid difference of latitude, adde those degrées also to the rest which you haue al∣ready measured and multiplied, and by multiplying the whole summe by 60 you shall haue the true distance.

Againe, it may be that the two places doe not differ at all in latitude but onely in longitude, for as I haue sayd in my sphere, 2 places may differ thrée maner of waies, that is in latitude onely, in longitude onely, or in both. And there I doe shewe howe euery one is to bee measu∣red.

But because that order of measuring is somewhat bu∣sie to such as are not very wel exercised in Arethmeticke, and also doe knowe the vse of the tables of sines called in Latin Tabulae Sinuum, I thought good to set downe here a more easie waie of measuring, though perhaps not al∣together so iustlye, and yet without any great errour. Wherefore if the two places doe differ both in longi∣tude and latitude, then you must doe as before is taught. But if they differ onely in latitude, then you haue no more to doo but to multiplie the difference of the two la∣titudes

by 60 miles, and if there bee any odde minutes, then to allow for euery minute one mile. As for exam∣ple, Compostella and Lisbone, two towns, the one in Spaine, the other in Portugale haue one selfe same longitude diffe∣ring onely in latitude, which difference is foure degrees, and 20 minutes.

Here if you multiple 4 by 60 it amounteth to 240 miles, whervnto by adding 20 miles for the 20 minutes, you shall finde the whole summe to be 260 miles, which is the distaunce by a right line betwixt Compostella and Lisbona.

But if the two places hauing one selfe latitude, doe differ onely in longitude, then looke howe many such degrées as are of equall quantity to the last degree of the same latitude are contained betwixt the two places by a right line, and by allowing for euery degree 60 miles, you shall haue the true distance, or at the least not much differing from the truth. And if you see that the two pla∣ces in the mappe doe stand far a sunder, then for the more spéedines, take with your compasse fiue such degrées at once, being first prickt vpon a péece of paper which is iust 300 miles, and at the widenes measure the sayd space, and if there remain at the last any od space, then straigh∣ten your Compasse and fit them to that odde space, and looke how many of the foresaid degrées that comprehen∣deth, and hauing multiplied the same by 60 adde the pro∣duct thereof to the former summe. As for example, Com∣postella and Constantinople, hauing one selfe same latitude, that is 43 degrees of North latitude doe differ onely in longitude: Heere with my Compasse I pricke vppon a péece of paper 5 degrees like in quantitye to the last and vppermost degrée of the foresaide 43 degrees, and mea∣suring with the widenes of my compasse the space be∣twixt the two places by a ruler or right line I finde that space to comprehend the foresayd widenes of my compasse 6 times, which maketh 1800 miles, and that there re∣maineth

an odde space containing 3 of the foresaide de∣grees, that is, 180 miles, which beeing added to the for∣mer summe, maketh in all 1980 miles, which is the di∣stance betwixt Compostella and Constantinople. Also if you would knowe the distance betwixt two townes in Af∣frike, the one called Budonell standing vpon Capo viride, & the other called Ercoco, standing hard by the red sea, both places hauing one selfe same latitude, that is to saye 14 degrées of North latitude, or there abouts, and doe differ onely in longitude. Then pricke with your Compasse vp∣pon a péece of paper 5 degrées, euerie one equall to the last degrée of the foresaid latitude. And in measuring the space betwixt those two places with that widenes of your Compasse, you shall finde the same to bee comprehended in the said space 12 times, which by allowing 300 miles to euery widenes amounteth to 3600 miles, and the o∣uerplus of the odde space being 2 degrees, is 120 miles, which being added to the former summe, maketh in all 3720 miles: and that is the distance betwixt Budonell and Ercoco.

And if this way like you not, then multiply the diffe∣rence of the 2 longitudes, by the miles answerable to the latitude of the said places, which you shall find in a speciall table made for that purpose, & is set downe in my sphere, togither with the rule and order that is to bee obserued therin. The hardest of which 2 waies in mine opinion, is much more easie than that which is to bee done by the for∣mer Instrument called Organum directorium. Which in∣strument Mercator and Barnardus did borrow as it see∣meth to mee from that which Gemma Frizius calleth his Quadratum Nauticum, inuēted by him many yeres since: the shape, description and vse whereof, I thought it not amisse to set down here and the rather for that in mine o∣pinion it sheweth both the true course and direction to a∣nie place more spéedily, and with more facility then the other.

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[illustration]

Here followeth the Mariners Quadrant.

Notes

• Europa.
• Affrica.
• Asia.
• America.
• Organum directorium