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OF PERVANA.
PERVANA the other of the two great Peninsulas into which the vast Continent of the NEW WORLD doth now stand divided, hath the form of a Pyramis rever∣sed: more answerably thereunto then Africk, though that so resembled. Joyned to the other by a strait and narrow Isthmus, called the Straits of Darien, whereof we shall have opportunity to speak more anon: which looks but like a stone mis-laid in so great a building; or the first step by which we are to climb the top, as in other Pyramids.
The name derived from Peru, the chief Province of it; the Circumnavigation said to be 1700 miles. Nothing else to be said in the general, but what will serve more fitly for particular places; except it be the description of some prime Mountains and principall Rivers: which being of too long a course to be reckoned unto any one particular Province, may more properly deserve place here. Of these the chief 1 Orellana, or the River of Amazons, called by the first name from Francisco de Orellana, a Spa∣niard, who first discovered it; by the second from the Amazons a kinde of stout and warlike VVomen, who are said to have inhabited on the banks thereof. The Fountain of it in Peru, the fall in the North Sea, or Mare del Nort. A River of so long a course, that the said Orellana is reported to have sailed in it 5000 miles, the several windings and turnings of it being reckoned in: and of so violent a current, that it is said to keep its natural tast and colour above 30 miles after it falleth into the Sea; the channel of it of that breadth, where it leaveth the Land, that it is accompted 60 Leagues from one point to the other. 2 Orenoque, navigable 1000 miles by ships of burden, and 2000 miles by Boats and Pinna∣ces, having received into it an hundred Rivers; openeth into the same Sea with 16 mouths, which part the Earth into many Ilands (some equal to the Isle of Wight) the most remote of those Channels 300 miles distant from one another. By some it is called Raliana, from Sir Walter Raleigh, who took great pains in the discovery and description of it; or rather in discovering it so far, as to be able to describe it. 3 Maragnon, of a longer course then any of the other, affirmed to measure at the least 6000 miles, from his first ••ising to his fall; and at his fall into the Sea, to be no less then 70 Leagues from one side to the other▪ More properly to be called a Sea, then many of those great Lakes, or largest Bays, which usually enjoy that name. 4 Rio de la Placa, a River of a less course then the other, but equall unto most in the world besides; in length from its first Fountain 2000 mile; in breadth at his fall into the Sea, about 60 Leagues; and of so violent a stream, that the sea for many Leagues together, altereth not the taste of it. All these as they do end their Race in the Atlantick▪ so they begin it from the main body of the Andes, or at the least some Spur or branch of that great body.
But before we venture further on more particulars, we are to tell you of these Andes, that they are the greatest and most noted Mountains of all America; beginning at Timama a Town of Popayan, in the New Realm of Granada, and thence extended Southwards to the straits of Magellan, for the space of 1000 Leagues and upwards. In breadth about 20 Leagues where they are at the narrowest; and of so vast an height withall, that they are said to be higher then the Alpes, or the head of Caucasus, or any of the most noted Mountains in other parts of the VVorld. Not easie of ascent, but in certain Paths, by reason of the thick and unpassable VVoods, with which covered in all parts thereof which lie towards Peru (for how it is on the other side, or by what People it is neighboured, is not yet dis∣covered) barren, and craggie too withall, but so full of venemous Beasts, and poysonous Serpents, that they are said to have destroyed a whole Army of one of the Kings of Peru, in his match that way. Inhabited by a People as rude and savage as the place, and as little hospitable. The most noted Moun∣tains of America, as before was said, and indeed the greatest of the World. Of ••ame sufficient of themselves not to be greatned by the addition of impossible Figments, or improbable Fictions. Among which last I reckon that of Abraham Ortelius a right learned man, who will have these Mountains to be that which the Scripture calleth by the name of Sephar, Gen. 10. 30. and there affirmed to be the utmost Eastern limit of the sons of Joktan: the vanity and inconsequences of which strange conceit, we have already noted when we were in India.
Proceed we now unto the particular descriptions of this great Peninsula comprehending those large and wealthy Countries, which are known to us by the names of 1 Castella Aurea, 2 The New Realm of Granada. 3 Peru, 4 Chile, 5 Paragnay, 6 Brasil, 7 Guyana, and 8 Paria, with their severall Ilands. Such other Isles as fall not properly and naturally under some of these, must be referred unto the gene∣rall head of the American Ilands in the close of all.