M. Blundevile his exercises containing sixe treatises, the titles wherof are set down in the next printed page: which treatises are verie necessarie to be read and learned of all yoong gentlemen that haue not bene exercised in such disciplines, and yet are desirous to haue knowledge as well in cosmographie, astronomie, and geographie, as also in the arte of navigation ... To the furtherance of which arte of navigation, the said M. Blundevile speciallie wrote the said treatises and of meere good will doth dedicate the same to all the young gentlemen of this realme.

The Contents of the 8. page, in which he describeth the beast called Rhinoceros, and setteth downe his shape, and he describeth the Sinamon tree, shewing the shape of the trunke and of the leaf therof, and also the Muske Cat, with her shape, and in the latter end of the page he describeth the Realme of Persia.

THe beast called Rhinoceros, is as long and as large as the Elephant, but not so high, for his legges are shorter, hee is armed not like a Tor∣toise (as Plancius saith) for that is couered a•• ouer with one shell, whereas this beast is armed with manifold strong, hard, & thick skales, whic•• are yellow and spotted with purple, he hath a strong horne or bon••

vpon his nose, whereof he taketh his name, and hee hath another little horne vpon his backe, and he is a great enemie by nature vn∣to the Elephant, he is found in the Realmes of Cambaia, and of Bengala.

The Sinamon tree.

THe Sinamon trée, is as big as the Oliue trée, the bran∣ches and griftes whereof are verie right, his leaues in col∣lour are like to those of the Laurell trée, but in shape like to those of the Citron, his Flowers are white, and the fruites there∣of are blacke and round, like a hazell Nut, the Sinamon it selfe is no other but the barke of the sayd trée, which groweth in the Prouince of Malabar, and in the Iles of Iava and Mindanao, but the best is found in the Ile of Ceiland.

The Muske Catte.

THe Muske Cat, is like in shape to a common Cat, but shée is greater than either Catte or Foxe, her muzzell is somewhat long and armed with sharpe téeth, and with harsh haire, which haires (béeing angry) she will set vp as a Swine doth his bristles, she is in collour like a Wolfe, but that she is spotted with blacke spottes, the nether part of her Muzzel and the haires of her beard are white, her féete are blacke, her flanckes are whitish, and doe waxe whiter and whiter towardes her bellie, and next to her genitories, shee hath a little bagge like to a bladder or purse, into the which doeth fall the precious greace or humour, which they call Ciuet and Zibeth, which Ciuet is gathered out from thence with a spoone, if shee bee in mans kéeping, but when she is abroad and at her owne libertie, her bagge being full, shee will voyd that Ciuet of her selfe, and it will yéelde such a swéete sauour, as all they that sayle by that coast may smell it a farre off, as I haue heard. These musk Cattes are brought from the Realmes of Pegu and Tarnassary.

The description of Persia.

AS those in Persia haue enioyed in times past the second Monarchie of the world, so at this present they be stil very

mightie, for the king of Persia is one of the greatest Potentates in the whole world, as hée which commandeth all the great pro∣uinces that doe border towards the East vpon the Flood Indus, and towards the South vpon the sea called Mare Caspium, and vpon the Flood Oxo, within which limittes, are comprehended all the greatest Realmes and landes, which the ancient Geogra∣phers were woont to call by these names, Assyria, Media, Susia∣na, Persia, Parthia, Hircania, Margiana, Bactriana, Pa••opa∣nisa, Aria, Drangiana, Arachosia, Caramania, and part of Ar∣menia maior, the which at this present are called by other names as you may sée in the Map.

The Persians are a hardie and warlike people, and thought to be the best ryders or horsinen in all the worlde, they haue verie hard warres with the Turks, they be of most frée and gentle na∣ture, louers of ciuility, they make great account of learning and Sciences, they honour Nobilitie, wherein they greatly differ from the Turkes. Now as touching their religion, they be Ma∣hometists, and yet in such sort, as both they and the Turkes doe count each one the other as Heretiques in that religion.

From the prouinces of Persia are transported into other parts of the world these Merchandizes, stones called Turquesses, very faire and excellent pearles, great quantity of silke, Veluet, Da∣maske armour, and a great number of most excellent horses.