2. CERCINA, now with little difference called Carchana, situate neer the coast of Africk,
at the entrance (as it were) of the lesser Syrtis: In length 25 miles, in breadth half as much, but
in some places not above five. Exceeding fruitfull in old times, able to furnish (as they did) the
wants of Caesar and his Army, when he warred in Africk; Magno frumenti numero Cercinae inven∣to,
naves onerarias, quarum ibi satis magna copia, complet, atque in castra ad Caesarem mittit, are
the words of the History. It hath a Town of the same name; Of no great note in way of story, but
for an handsom piece of wit here shewed by Annibal. Who flying from Carthage, met here some
Merchants of that City, who had there some shipping in the Haven, and standing in some doubt le••t
by their discovery of his flight he might be pursued, pretended a Sacrifice to Hercules, the Tyrian
Deity, to which he invited all the Sailers, and borrowed all their Sails to set up a tent for their en∣tertainment;
which having got into his hands, and leaving them asleep, he made on for Asia, secure
enough not to be pursued untill out of danger.
3. LOTOPHAGITIS, now called Zerby, and by some Gerbe, is situate in the bottom of
the Bay of Tripolis, divided from the main Land by a narrow Ford. The Iland full of Bogs and
Marishes, without other water, and in the midst of it somewhat hilly; indifferently fruitfull, yield∣ing,
Dates, Olives, Barley, Mill, and the like commodities; inhabited by 30000 men, dwelling in
low Cottages, and but simply apparelled. It had in it anciently two Cities, 1 Meninx, which some∣times
gave name unto the Iland, called Meninx by some elder Writers. 2 Gerrapolis, both
now destroyed: instead whereof there is now one of more note then the rest, called by the same
name with the Iland, and fortified with a very strong Castle. Subject unto the Turks, but governed
by a poor King of its own. Both Fort and Iland taken by the Christian Fleet, in the year 1559. for
the King of Spain, to whom Caravanus the King thereof did submit himself, conditioning to pay
the yeerly Tribute of 6000. Crowns, one Camel, four Ostriches, four Sparrow Hawks, and four
Falcons. But the Christians were scarce warm in their new possession, when besieged in the Castle
by Pial Bassa, to whom after some extremities they were fain to yield: there perishing in this unfor∣tunate
Action, by sword, famine, and sickness, 15000 Christians.
4. GAVLOS, or GAVDVS, by the Inhabitants called Gaudica, is distant about five miles
from the Isle of Malta; to the Knights whereof it doth belong, given to them by the bounty of
Charles the fift. The Iland 30 miles in compass, well watered and very fruitfull. So great an Enemy
to Serpents and all venemous Creatures, that they neither breed here, nor will live here brought from
other places. The People Christians, but they speak the same Language with the neighbouring Sa∣racens.
The chief Town is of the same name with the Iland, beautified with a Capacious Haven, ly∣ing
betwixt the West and South, and strongly fortified. Cruelly pillaged by the Turks in the year
1551. who carried hence 3000 Souls into endless thraldom.
5. MALTA, the chief of the African Ilands, lieth betwixt Tripolis in Barbary, and the
Isle of Sicil: distant from this last about 60 miles, and from the other 180. In circuit about sixty
miles, in length 20, and in breadth 12. situate in the beginning of the fourth Clime, and eighth Paral∣lell;
so that the longest day in Summer is but 14 hours.
Anciently it was called Melite, and by that name occurreth not only in Ptolomy and other Wri∣ters,
but also in the Book of the Acts, in the story of St. Pauls Ship-wrack, this being the place
where he and all his company were cast on land: in memory whereof was built a little Chappell in
the place of his Landing. So called most probably 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from the abundance of honey
which it yielded in former times: Cicero charging it on Verres, that he came home loaded with 400
measures of honey, and store of Melitensian Rayments: I am non quaero unde 400 amphoras mellis
habueris, unde tantum Melitensium Vestium, saith that famous Orator. The joyning of which two
together, declare that he had robbed the same place for both; this Island being a neer neighbour of
Sicil, which Verres governed then as Praetor. Nor is it strange that an Island of the coast of Africk,
and using for the most part the Phocinian or Punick Language, should borrow its Appellation from
the Greek: many of that Nation coming hither from the Isle of Sicil, and inhabiting here; and the
whole Island sometimes subject to the power of the Sicilian Greeks, though for the most part under
the command of the State of Carthage.
It is situate wholly on a Rock, being not above three foot deep in earth; by consequence, of no great
fertility, the want of which is supplied with the plenties of Sicil. Yet have they here no small store
of Pomegranats, Citrons, Oranges, Melons, and other excellent fruits, both for taste and colour.
They have also great abundance of Cotten Wool (Gossypium the Latinists call it) which they sowe
as we do our Corn; the growth and ordering of this Wool, hath been shewn already, when we
were in Syria. For the commoditie of this Wool, and the cloth made of it, the Romans had this I∣land
in great esteem; thinking themselves happy when they gained it from the Carthaginians.
The natural Inhabitants of it are said to be churlish and uncivil; of the African Language and
complexion; but followers of the Church of Rome, the Religion whereof these Knights are sworn to
defend: The Women fair, but hating company, and going covered. The whole number of both
Sexes, supposed to be 20000. possessed of 90 Villages, and four Cities. Places of note, 1 Malta,
so called by the name of the Iland, in the middle of which it is situate; built on an hill, but counted
of no great importance, the strength and safety of the Iland lying in defence of the Shores and Ha∣vens.
2 St. Hermes a strong Castle at the point of a long Languet or tongue of Rock, thrusting out
betwixt the two best Havens, both which it notably defendeth. Took by the Turks, Anno 1565, but
at no cheaper rate then 20000 shot of Cannon, and the loss of 10000 of their men. 3 Valette si∣tuate