§. II. A briefe Description of the wayes and Riuers, leading out of Moscouia toward the East and North-east into Siberia, Samoiedia, and Tingoesia, as they are daily frequented by the Russes: with further Discoueries towards Tartaria and China.
FRom the Citie Osoil vpon the Riuer Wichida, where the Oneekos dwell,* 1.1 they goe a∣gainst the streame, vntill they come to Iauinis, a little Towne built by the Russes,* 1.2 [ 20] and it is distant from Osoil almost seuenteene dayes iourney. Whither before they come, they passe many Riuers and Woods. The Riuer Wichida springeth out of the Mountaines of Iugoria, which to the South ioyne vpon Tartarie, and from thence runne North∣wards to the Ocean Sea. Out of the same Mountaines issueth the Riuer Petsora, which falleth into the Ocean Sea on this side the Streight of Waygats. From Iauinis, after three weekes iour∣ney, they come to Neem; a Riuer so named of the gentle gliding of her streames through the Woods. For Neem in English signifieth Still or Dumbe. On this Riuer they proceed about fiue dayes space with their Boats; and then, for that the Neem taketh his course another way, for shortning their iourney, they must of force cause their stuffe to be carried by Land, the space of a league: And so they come to the Wisera,* 1.3 a Riuer issuing out of certaine Rockes adioyning [ 30] to the Mountaines of Iugoria. These Rockes the Moscouites call Camenas. From hence they are carried downe the Riuer Wisera, for the full space of nine dayes, vntill they come to Soil Cam∣scoy, a small Towne builded by the Moscouites, for refreshing of Trauellers for a short space, which hence forward are to proceed on their Iourney by Land. As for the Wisera, it keeping on his course somewhat farther, at length falleth into the Cam, which passing by Viatcam, a Towne of Moscouia, falleth into the great Riuer Rha, commonly called Volga, which entreth with seuenty branches into the Caspian Sea, as I haue receiued from eye witnesses.
The Towne of Soil Camscoy is reasonably inhabited, hauing many Villages round about it.* 1.4 The Inhabitants, for the most part are Russes or Tartars. Here is great store of Cattell, and chiefly of Horses. Trauellers hauing here somewhat refreshed themselues, doe lade their carriages on Horses, and trauell for the most part through Mountaines full of Firres, Pines, and other trees of strange [ 40] sorts. Betweene these Mountaines they passe ouer the Riuers Soiba,* 1.5 and from thence ouer Cos∣na, both running toward the North-east.
Now these Mountaines are diuided into three parts: whereof the two first are passed ouer each of them in two dayes, and the third in foure dayes. The first part is called Coosuinscoy Ca∣men: The second Cirginscoy Camen: The third Poduinscoy Camen. And doubtlesse all these moun∣tainous Countries are much different from the other Countries out of which they enter into them. For the Woods vpon them, are fairer and thicker growne with trees, bearing euery where diuers sorts of Plants. These three Desarts are frequented by none in a manner but Tartars, and Samoieds, who onely hunt after those costly Furres, which are to pay their tribute to the [ 50] Emperour of Moscouia. The Mountaines of Poduinscoy Camen are higher then the rest, and for the most part couered with Snow and Cloudes, and therefore difficult for Trauellers to passe ouer: but by little and little they haue a gentle descent. From thence they come to Vergateria,* 1.6 in which Towne they must abide vntill the Spring, by reason of the Riuer Toera,* 1.7 which arising not farre from thence, is all the rest of the yeere very shallow.
But the Spring approaching, when the Snow melts from the hoary Hills, and the Land wa∣ters arise, it is passed ouer with Skiffes and small Boats.* 1.8 Vergateria is the first Towne of the Countrey of Siberia, and was begun to be builded with some other Townes within these one and twenty yeeres. It is reasonably full of buildings, and the lands about it are tilled as in Moscouia. Heere there is resident for the Emperour of Moscouia a Gouernour,* 1.9 which yeerely [ 60] at the beginning of the Spring, by way of the Riuers doth distribute great store of Corne, and Victuals among the Castles with Garrisons throughout all Siberia: furnishing also in like man∣ner the Moscouites, which remayne beyond the Riuer Oby. For in those places the ground is not yet tilled; and the Samoieds, as before is said, for the most part feed on the flesh of wilde beasts.