The history of trauayle in the VVest and East Indies, and other countreys lying eyther way, towardes the fruitfull and ryche Moluccaes As Moscouia, Persia, Arabia, Syria, Ægypte, Ethiopia, Guinea, China in Cathayo, and Giapan: vvith a discourse of the Northwest passage. Gathered in parte, and done into Englyshe by Richarde Eden. Newly set in order, augmented, and finished by Richarde VVilles.

Of the Rubie.

THe Rubies growe in India, and are founde for the most parte in a ryuer named Pegu. These are of the best kynde and finest, which they of the lande of Malabor cal Nunpu∣clo, and are well solde, if they be fayre and cleane without spottes. The Indians, to knowe theyr finenesse, put them vpon theyr tongues, comptyng that to be best that is couldest and most harde. And to see theyr finenesse: they take them vp with a peece of waxe by the sharpest poynt, and lookyng agaynst the lyght, espie in them euery small spot or flake. They are also founde in certayne d••epe fosses or pittes, whiche are made in mountaynes that are beyonde the sayde ryuer. They are scou∣red and made cleane in the countrey of Pegu: yet can they not square and polyshe them, but for this purpose sende them to di∣uers other countreis, & especially to Palcacate, Narsinga, Calecut, and the region of Malabor, where are many cunnyng Lapidaries.

And to geue you intelligence of the value of these stones, ye shall vnderstande that this woorde Fanan, signifieth a weyght, somewhat more then two of our Carattes: and .xi. Fanans and a quarter, is one Mitigal: and .vi Mitigals and a halfe, make one vnce. This Fanan, is also a kynde of mony whiche is in value one ryall of syluer, and therefore after this accompte I say that.

Eyght fine Rubies of the weyght of one Fanan (which are in all, about two carattes) are in value.

Fanan .x.

Foure Rubies that wey one Fanan, are worth.

Fanan .xx.

Two that wey one Fanan.

Fanan .xl.

One that weyeth three quarters of one Fanan.

Fanan .30.

One that weyeth one Fanan.

Fanan .50.

One that weyeth one Fanan and a quarter.

Fanan .65.

One that weyeth one Fanan and a halfe.

Fanan .100.

One that weyeth one Fanan and three quarters.

Fanan .150.

One that weyeth two Fanans.

Fanan .200.

One that weyeth two Fanans and a quarter.

Fanan .250.

One that weyeth two Fanans and a halfe.

Fanan .300.

One that weyeth two Fanans and three quarters.

Fanan .350.

Of three Fanans.

Fanan ▪400.

Of three and a quarter.

Fanan .500.

Of three and a halfe.

Fanan .550.

Of three and three quarters.

Fanan .600.

Of three and three quarters and a halfe.

Fanan .630.

Of foure Fanans.

Fanan .660.

Of foure and a quarter.

Fanan .700.

Of foure and a halfe.

Fanan .800.

Of fyue Fanans.

Fanan .1000

Of fyue and a halfe.

Fanan .1200

Of sixe Fanans, which are about twelue Carats.

Fanan .1500

which make a hundred and fyftie crownes of golde. And these are commonly the prices of perfect Rubies. But suche as are not perfect, and haue any spottes in them, or are not of good co∣lour, are of lesse price, accordyng to the arbitriment and estima∣tion of the buyer.

Notes

• One caratte is iiii. graynes▪
• Which is one crowne of golde.