Thesaurarium mathematicae, or, The treasury of mathematicks containing variety of usefull practices in arithmetick, geometry, trigonometry, astronomy, geography, navigation and surveying ... to which is annexed a table of 10000 logarithms, log-sines, and log-tangents / by John Taylor.

AMERICA.

* 1.1

AMERICA, the fourth part of the World, was first discovered by Christopher Columbus, Anno 1492, but it hath received its Name from Americus Vesputius, who in the year of Christ 1597 did fail about it. Now this fourth part of the World is bounded East with the Atlantick Ocean; West with the West-Indian Ocean; South with the Magellanick Sea; and on the North with the Northern Ocean.

When first the Spaniards had entred on A∣merica they found the people without Apparel, and their Bread was made of the Jucca-Root, whose Juice is a strong poyson: but it being squeezed out and dried it makes Bread. They worshipped Devillish Spirits, which they call Zema; in remembrance of which they keep Images made of Cotton Wool, to which they did great reverence, supposing the Spirits of their Gods were there; and to blind them the more, the Devil would cause these Puppets to seem to move and to make a noise, so that they feared them so greatly that they durst not of∣fend them; which if they did, then the Devil would come and destroy their Children. They were so ignorant that they thought the Spani∣ards to be immortal; but the doubt continued not long, for having taken some of them Priso∣ners, they put them under Water untill they were dead, and then they knew them to be mortal

like other Men. They were quite destitute of all good Learning, reckoning their Time by a confused knowledge of the course of the Moon;* 1.2 they were honest and kind in their Entertain∣ments, encouraged thereunto by an Opinion that there was a certain place to which the Souls of those that so lived, and dyed for the defence of their Countrey, should go to, and there be for ever happy. So natural is the knowledge of the Soul's Immortality, and of some Ubi, for its future reception, that we find some tract of it in the most Barbarous Nations. The Americans were of a fair and clear Com∣plexion. This Countrey is very plentifull in Spices, and Fruits; and such Creatures which the other parts never knew: So fu l of Cows and Bulls, that the Spaniards kill thousands of them yearly only for the Hides and Tallow. Blest with abundance of Gold, that in some Mines they have found more Gold than Earth. They have Grey Lyons, their Dogs snowted like Foxes, neither can they bark; their Swine hath Talons sharp as Rozors, and their Navel on the ridges of their Backs; the Stags and Deer without Horns; their Sheep are so strong that they make them carry burthens of 150 pound weight; they have a Creature with the forepart as a Fox, and hinder as an Ape, ex∣cept the Feet which are like a Man's; beneath their Belly is placed a Receptacle like a Purse, in which their young remains till they can shift for themselves, never coming thence but when they suck and then go in again. The Arma∣dilla is like a barbed Horse, armed all over with Scales that seem to shut and open. The Vieugue

resembling a Goat, but bigger, in whose Belly is found the Bezoar, good against Poyson. A Hare having a Tail like a Cat, under whose* 1.3 Skin nature hath placed a Bagg, which she useth as a Store-house: for having filled her self she putteth the residue of her provision therein. Pigritia, a little Beast that can go no further in fourteen days than a Man will cast a Stone. For their Birds they are of such variety of Colours and Notes, which are so rare and charming, that they surpass all other Birds in any other parts.

Now America is divided into two parts, viz. Mexicana, whose compass is said to be 13000 miles, and that other part called Peruana, whose Circumnavigation is esteemed 17000 miles. The Provinces of Mexicana are these: Viz Estotilant, Canada, Virginia, Florida, Cali∣formia, Nova-Gallicia, Nova-Hispania, and Guatimala. Peruana contains these Provinces: viz. Castella-Aurea, Nova-Granado, Peru, Chile, paragnay, Brasila, Guiana, and Paria. To Pe∣ruana belongs these principal Isles: viz Hispa∣niola, Cuba, famaica, Porto-Rict, Barbadoes, the Charibe-Isles, Insula-Margaretta, Molaque-Isles, Remora, Insula Solamnis, and some other small Isles. But first of Mexicana.

Estotilant hath on the East the Main Ocean; South Canada; West Terra Incognita; and North Hudson's Bay. It comprehends Estotilant, so principally called, Terra Corterialis, New-found∣land, and the Isles of Baccala••s. It is well stockt with all things necessary for the life of Man: the Natives are barbarous, fair, swift of Foot, and good Archers. They are Pagans.

Canada is bounded North with Cortelialas; South with New England; East with the Main Ocean; and West with Terra Incognita. It* 1.4 contains these several Regions: viz. Nova Francia, Nova Scotia, Norumbegne, and four small Isles adjoyning thereto. The people when first discovered were very rude and barbarous, going Naked only a piece of Fishes Skin to cover their private parts, and had two or three Wives a piece, which never Marry after the death of their Husbands The Soil is fruitfull, and yields all manner of good things Here groweth the Sea Horse whose Teeth is an Anti∣dote against Poyson It hath these principal Cities: viz. Hochelaga and Quebeque.

Virginia hath North Canada; South Florida; East Mare-del-Noo〈…〉〈…〉; West with Terra Incognita. And it is now divided into New England, New Belgium, and Virginia strictly so called. It is in some parts (yea most parts) Mountainous, Wooddy and Barren, and full of Wild Beasts. It yields plenty of Cattle, wild and tame Fowls. Its Commodities are Furrs, Amber, Iron, Rop••s, Tobaco, Sturgecn, &c. The Natives are but few in number, and those very different both in Speech and Size, to a Miracle: those whom they call Sasques Honoxi, are to the English as Giants clad in Bears Skins; those whom they call Wig••ocomici, are as Dwarfs; for the most part without Beards; they hide their nakedness with a Skin, the rest of their Body they paint over in the figures of horrid Creatures The chief Towns are `fames's, and Plimouth, and Isle of Bermoodus, which I here omit.

Florida is bounded North-East with Virginia; East with Mare-del-Noort; South with the Gulph of Mexico. It was first discovered by the Eng∣lish,* 1.5 Anno 1497. The Soil is very fertile in Grain and Fruit, Beast wild and tame, and so also for Fowls: It yields lofty Cedars, and Sassafras: It hath Gold and Silver Mines, and also Pearls.

The Natives are of an Olive-Colour, strong and fierce, and are clad like the former Natives of America. The Women when their Husbands are dead cut off their Hair, and cannot Marry till their Hair is grown out again. To it be∣longs these Islands: viz. the Isles of Tortugas, Martyres, and Lucaios: there are also about 24 small ones more which are insignificant. The Women here are most extreamly beautifull; the Natives are Pagans. Its chief Towns are St. H••elens, Ax Carolina, and Port-Royall.

Califormia is an Island having on the West New Spain, and New Gallicia; and so unto those undiscovered parts which lie furthest North, to the Straits of Anian; and 'tis divided into these four parts: viz. Quivira, Cibola, Ca∣liformia, specially so called, and Nova Albion. All which Countreys are indifferent fruitfull, full of Woods, and both wild and tame Beasts; plenty both of Fish and Fowl wild and tame: They worship the Sun as their chief God: They go naked both Men and Women in some parts, others are half way cloathed; and so very various that I cannot in this small Tract describe them. Its chief Town is Chichilticala. And here I cannot chuse but remark that in Quivira their Beasts are of strange forms, and are to them both Meat, Drink and Cloathes.

For the Hides yields them Houses; their Bones and Hair, Bodkins and Threed; their Sinews, Cords; their Horns, Guts and Bladders, Vessels;* 1.6 their Dung, Fire; their Calveskins, Buckets to draw and keep Water in; their Blood, Drink; and their Flesh, Meat; and so much for Cali∣formia.

Nova Gallicia is bounded East and South with Nova Hispania; West with the River Buena, Guia, and the Gulph Califormia; and North with Terra Incognita. It comprehendeth these Provinces: viz. Chialoa, Contiacan, Xa∣lisco, Guadalajara, Zacatecas, New Biscay, and Nova Mexicana. In which Provinces the Air is indifferently temperate, yet sometimes given to Thunder, Storms, and Rain. It is full of Mountains, yields Brass, Iron, &c. They have plenty of Fish, Beast, Fowls, Fruit, and abundance of Honey. The Natives are wavering, crafty and lazy, given to singing and dancing. They go not naked: they are subject to the King of Spain. Its chief Cities are Guadalajara, and St. Johns.

Nova-Hispania is bounded East with the Gulph of Mexico, and the Bay of New-Spain; West with Nova Gallicia, and Mare-del-Zur; on the North with part of Nova Gallicia, and part of Florida; and on the South with the South Sea. It comprehendeth these Provinces: Viz. Mexicana, Mechoacan, Panuco, Trascala, Guaxata, Chiapa and Jucutan. In all which the Air is healthfull and temperate, rich in Mines of Gold and Silver, Cassia, Coccineel, which grows on a shrub called Tuna, yields grain, and delicate Fruit, Birds and Beasts both Wild and

Tame: their Harvest is in October and in May.

The Natives are witty and hardy, yet so igno∣rant that they thought the Spanish-horse and Man* 1.7 to have been but one Creature, and thought when the Horses Neighed they had spoken. The Spaniards whose Cruelties will never be forgot∣ten, did in less than 17 years kill of the Natives 6000000; here is a Tree called Meto, it bears 40 kinds of Leaves, of which they make Con∣serves, Paper, Flax, Mantles, Matts, Shoes, Girdles; it yields a Juce like Syrup, which boyled becomes Hony, if purified Sugar; the Bark roasted is a good Emplaisture for Punctures or Con∣tusions; and it yields a Gum Sovereign against Poyson: here is also a Burning Mountain called Propaeampeche, which sends forth two streams the one of Red and the other of Black Pitch: the Inhabitants are Pagans.

Guatimala is bounded North with Jacuta, and the Gulph Honduras; South with Mare-del∣Zur; East with Castella-Aurea; and West with New Spain. The Soyl and People are as in Nova Hispania: it contains these Provinces, Viz. Chiapa, Verapaz, Guatimala, Hondarus, Nicerag∣na and Teragna. And Towns of most Note are Cutrinidao and St. Michael's, the People are Pagans. And so much for Mexicana.

Peruana the Second Part of AMERICA, so called from Peru a Place of Note therein, and it doth contain these Provinces, Viz. Castella∣Aurea, Nova-Granada, Peru, Chile, Paragnay, Brasile, Guyana, and Paria and its Isles. But such Isles that fall not properly under some of these must be referred to the general Heads of the American Islands.

Castella-del Oro, is bounded East and North with Mare-del-Noort; West with Mare-del-Zur; and South with Granada. And it containeth* 1.8 these Provinces, Viz. Panama, Darien, Nova∣Andaluzia, St. Martha and De-la-Hacha. In all which Provinces the Air is very hot and un∣healthfull: the Soyl either Mountainous and Barren, or low and Miry: plenty of Beast and Fowls. Here is said to be a Tree which if one touch he is poysoned to death: the old Natives are now almost quite rooted out. Its chief City is Carthagena, which Sir Francis Drake in 1585 took by Assault. This Land hath abundance of Gold.

Nova-Granada is bounded North with Castella Aurea; West with Mare-del-Zur; East with Venez••••la; and South with Terra Incognita. Its length is 390 Miles, and as much in breadth. It doth consist of these two parts, Viz. Granada, specially so called, and Popayan, both which hath a temperate Air, brave Woods, well stored with Cattle, and Fowls both wild and tame, plen∣ty of Emeralds and Guacum: the People tall and strong; the Women handsome and better drest than their Neighbours: The chief Towns are S. Toy d'Bagota and Popayan.

Peru is bounded East with the Andes; West with Mare-del Zur; North with Popayan; and South with Chile. It is 2100 Miles in length, and its breadth is 300 Miles: it is a Mountai∣nous Country: And here 'tis to be noted that in the Plains it never raineth; and that on the Hills it continually raineth from September to April, and then breaks up. In the Hilly Coun∣treys the Summer begins in April, and endeth

in September. In the Plains the Summer begin∣neth in October and endeth in April, So that a man may travel from Summer to Winter both* 1.9 in one Day; be frozen in the Morning when he setteth out, and scorched with heat before the dawning of the Day. It is not very plenti∣full of Corn nor Fruits, but they have a kind of Sheep which they call Pacos as bigg as an Ass, profitable both for fleece and burthen, but in tast as pleasant as our Mutten: So subtile that if it be overladen it will not for blows move a foot till the burthen be lessened, and it is a very hardy Creature. Here is a Figg-tree, the North part of which looketh towards the Mountains, and yieldeth its Fruit in Summer only, and the Part facing the Sea in Winter only. They have another Plant, that if put into the hands of the Sick and the Patient looks merry, they will recover; but if sad, die. It yieldeth also Multitudes of Rarities more. It's chief Commodities are Gold, Silver, Tobacco, Sarsaparilla and Balsamum d'Peru, and many other rich Drugs. The Natives are almost now rooted out of the Country. They are fierce and Barbarous. Now it contains these Provinces: viz. Quito, Los Quinxos, Lima, Cus∣co, Charcos and Colla••.

Chile is bounded North with Deserta Alaca∣ma; West with Mare del Zuz; South with the Straits of Magellan; and East with Rio de la Plata. Its length is 1500 miles, and breadth uncertain. The Soil hereof in the Mid-land is mountainous and unfruitfull; towards the Sea∣side level and fertile; with products of Maize and Wheat, plenty of Gold and Silver, Cattle

and Wine. The Natives are very tall and war∣like, some of them affirmed to be eleven foot high; their Garments of the Skins of Beasts;* 1.10 they are of a white Complexion; their Armes Bows and Arrows. It is divided into Chile (especially so called) and Magellanica. Here Sir Walter Rawleigh planted two Collenies, who for want of timely Succors were either starved at home, or eaten by the Salvages, as they ranged the Countrey for food.

Paraguay is bounded South with Magellanica; East with the main Atlantick; North with Brazila; and West with Terra Incognita. It is said to be of a fruitfull Soyl, well stored with Sugar-Canes, Fraught with Mines of Gold, Brass, and Iron: great plenty of Amathyses, and Mon∣keys, Lyons and Tigers, the People are as the other Salvages, and it contains these Provinces, viz. Rio de la Plata, Tucaman and La Crux de Sierra, and it's chief Towns are Puenas Agrees, and Chividad.

Brazila is bounded East with Mare del Noort; West with Terra Incognita; North with Guiana; and South with Paraguay. Its said to be 1500 Mi'es long and 500 broad. The Countrey is full of Mountains, Rivers and Forests, the Air sound and healthfull; the Soyl is indifferent fruitfull: Its chief Commodities are Sugar and Brazele-wood. There is a Plant called Copiba which yields Balsam, soveraign for Poyson. An Herb called Viva, which if touched will shut up and not open till the Toucher is out of fight. A Creature which hath the Head of an Ape, the Foot of a Lyon, and the rest of a Man. The Ox-Fish with Arms, Fingers and Duggs, the

rest as a Cow. So that it may be said of Bra∣sila — Semper aliquid apportat novi.

The people are witty as appears by their* 1.11 sayings to the Christians (holding up a Wedge of Gold) say'd they, Behold your God oh ye Christians! on their Festival-days they go Na∣ked, both Men and Women; and are able Swimmers, staying under water an hour and half: the Women are delivered without great pain: some of the Natives are all over Hairy, like Beasts: it containeth not Provinces, but these Captain-Ships: viz. Vincent, Rio de Juneiro, Holy Ghost, Porto-Seguro, Des Ilheos, Todos los Santos, Fernambuck, Tamaraca, Paraiba, Rio Grande, Saiara, Maragnon, and Para. Its chief Cities are, Meranhan, Tamaracai, and Olinda, and the great River Zoyal.

Guiana is bounded East with the Atlantick; West with Mount-Peru; North with the Flood Orenoque; and South with the Amazones. The Air here is indifferently good: near the Sea it is plain and level, up in the Countrey Mountai∣nous; here the Trees keep their leaves all the year, with their fruit always ripe, and grow∣ing. The Inhabitants are under no settled Government: they punish only Murder, Theft, and Adultery; their Wives are their Slaves, and they may have as many as they please; they are without Religion or Notion of a Deity. It doth contain these Provinces: viz. Rio de las Amazones, Wiapoce, Orenoque, and the Isles of Guiana. Its Comodities are Sugar, and Cotton: in it are plenty of Beast, Fish, and Fowles; they are Swarthy in Complection, and great Idola∣ters; as for Cities it hath none of note.

Paria is bounded on the East with Guiana; West with the Bay of Venezuela; North with the Atlantick Ocean; and South with Terra In∣cognita:* 1.12 and contains these Provinces: Viz. Cumana, Venezuela, S. Margarita, Cutagana, and its Isles. All which are not very fruitfull; it is well stored with Pearls; the People paint their Teeth and Bodies with Colour: The Women are trained up to ride, run, leap and swim: and also to Till the Land. In it are these most noted Cities: Viz. St. Jago, St. Michael de Ne∣very, and Mahanao.

As for the Descriptions of the American Isles I must beg the favour to omit: I shall there∣fore only name them having been so very large already; and they are these: Viz. Los. Ladro∣nes, Fernandes, the Caribes; as Granada, S. Vin∣cent, Barbados, Matinino, Dominica, Desrada; Guadalupe, Antego, S. Christopher, Nieves, Sancta Crux, and some lesser Isles belonging to them: As also Portorico, Monico Hispaniola, Cuba and Jamaica. Thus I have finished the Description of the known Earth.

Now the Names of the Seas are these: Viz. the Ocean Sea, Narrow Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Mare Major, Mare Pacificum, Mare Caspium, the East-Indian Sea, Perfian Sea, Red Sea, and Mare-del-Zuz, which are all the Principal-Seas.

Thus through the Blessing of God I have given you a brief, tho'true Description of all the known Earth and Seas, and have thus fi∣nished my Geographical Descriptions of the Divi∣sion of the Earthly Globe.

The Author on the Difficulties in the Collecti∣on of his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or little Description of the great World.

Oh thou Urania! Thou that hast now brought Our Ship to Harbour sound, and richly fraught. Tho'Aeolus his blustring Gales did send, And foaming Billows high, the Skies did rend: Tho'Blustring storms, and Thunder loud did roar, And darkness Grim, opprest our Souls all'ore; So that we could not view the Stars, nor Sky, Nor Sun, nor Moon, nay Earth, could not espy. Yet by thy Art, such safety we did find, Safely to pass both raging Seas, and Wind. And at the last a Harbour, safe did gain: Rejecting fears; we quite cast off our pain. When Seas are calm, and Winds more serene be, Then we again will put our Ship to Sea; That when refresht we farther may descry, And search into this Noble Treasury.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

Notes

• * 1.1

  America.
• * 1.2

  America.
• * 1.3

  America.
• * 1.4

  America.
• * 1.5

  America.
• * 1.6

  America.
• * 1.7

  America.
• * 1.8

  America.
• * 1.9

  America.
• * 1.10

  America.
• * 1.11

  America.
• * 1.12

  America.