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THis Nations Original by some hath been derived from Scota, the sup∣posed Daughter of the Egyptian King Pharaoh, that nourished Moses, who having marryed Gaithelus, the son of Ce∣crops (the Founder of Athens) who first seating in Spain, passed thence into Ire∣land, and lastly into Scotland, where his Wife Scota gave name to the Nation.
In this Country is the dark Wood Caledonia, famous for the Wild White Bulls that therein were bred, whose Manes were Lion-like, thick and curled, of nature fierce and cruel, and so hateful to Mankind, that they abhorred whatso∣ever was by them handled or breathed upon; but because the flesh was plea∣sant and dainty to the mouth, the whole race of them is extinguished.
It is Admirable, the report that is gi∣ven of this Country, as to the plenty of Cattel, Fish and Fowl there abiding, fish so plentiful, that men in some places (for delight) on Horse-back hunt Sal∣mons with Spears, and a certain Fowl, which some call Soland-Geese, spread∣ing so thick in the Air, that they even darken the Suns-light; of whose flesh, feathers and Oil, the Inhabitants in some parts make great use and gain; yea, and even of fishes brought by them, abundant provision for Diet; as also of the sticks (brought to make their Nests) plentiful provision for fewel.
With these of Wonders, might be spoken of the Natures of those two fa∣mous Loughs, Lomand and Nessa, the latter whereof never freezeth in Win∣ter, though never so extream, and the Waters of the other most raging in the fairest and calmest weather, wherein also floteth an Island that removeth from place to place, as the wind forceth her spongeous and unfastned body. In Buquhan upon the banks of Ratra is a Well, whose trickling drops turn (in Piramidy wise) into hard stone, and ano∣ther near Edenbrough that floteth with Bitumen. In Dee and Done, besides the admired plenty of Salmons, is found a Shell-fish, called the Horse-Muscle, where Pearls are engendred most preci∣ous for Physick, and some of them so Orient, that they give no place to the choicest.
The Western Islands lying scattered in the Deucalidonia Sea, were anciently ruled by a King of their own, whose maintenance was out of their common
Coffers, and the Regal Authority never continued in lineal succession; for (to prevent that) their Kings were not per∣mitted to have Wives of their own, but might by their Laws accompany with other mens, as the like Law was in the other parts of Scotland, that the Virgi∣nity of all new Wives, should be the Land-Lords prey, till King Malcolme enacted, that half a Mark should be paid for Redemption.
More North, lie the Isles of Shet∣land, where as Tzetzes fableth, the Souls of good men are ferryed into those Elizian Fields that ever grow green, but their fictions intended only that the ver∣tuous Souls of the dead passed the ut∣termost bounds of earthly abode, and attained to an over-pleasing repose, and ever flourishing happiness; which whe∣ther they borrowed from the Descripti∣on of Paradise, (taken both for a fair Garden, and the Souls happy rest) is hard to define.