Purchas his pilgrimes. part 3 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

§. I. Of the fashion and forme of Heauen, at the new-found World, and of the Ayre and Windes.

* 1.1MAny in Europe demand, of what forme and fashion. Heauen is in the Southerne parts▪ for that there is no certaintie found in ancient Books, who although they grant there is a Heauen on this other part of the World, yet come they not to any knowledge of the forme thereof, although in truth they make mention of a goodly great Starre seene in those parts, which they call Canopus. Those which [ 20] of late dayes haue sayled into these parts,* 1.2 haue accustomed to write strange things of this Heauen; that it is very bright, hauing many goodly Starres: and in effect, things which come farre, are commonly described with encrease. But it seemes contrarie vnto me, hol∣ding it for certaine, that in our Region of the North, there is a greater number and bigger starres; finding▪ no starres in these parts, which exceede the Fisher or the Chariot in bignesse. It is true, that the Crosse in these parts is very faire and pleasing to behold:* 1.3 we call the Crosse, foure no∣table and apparant starres, which make the forme of a crosse, set equally and with proportion. The ignorant suppose this crosse to be the Southerne Pole, for that they see the Nauigators take their heigth thereby, as wee are accustomed to doe by the North starre. But they are deceiued, [ 30] and the reason, why Saylers doe it in this sort, is for that in the South parts there is no fixed starre that markes the Pole, as the North starre doth to our Pole. And therefore they take their heigth by the starre at the foote of the Crosse, distant from the true and fixed Pole Antarticke thirtie degrees, as the North starre is distant from the Pole Articke three degrees or little more. And so it is more difficult to take the heigth in those parts, for that the said starre at the foote of the Crosse must be right, the which chanceth but in one houre of the night; which is in diuers seasons of the yeere in diuers houres, and oftentimes it appeareth not in the whole night, so as it is very difficult to take the height. And therefore the most expert Pilots regard not the Crosse, taking the height of the Sunne by the Astrolabe,* 1.4 by which they know in what height they are: wherein commonly the Portugals are more expert as a Nation that hath more discourse in the [ 40] Arte of Nauigation then any other. There are also other starres in these Southerne parts, which in some sort resemble those of the North.* 1.5 That which they call the Milken way, is larger and more resplendent in the South parts, appearing therein those admirable blacke spots, whereof we haue made mention.

Considering with my selfe oftentimes, what should cause the Equinoctiall to bee so moist, as I haue said;* 1.6 to refute the opinion of the Ancients, I finde no other reason, but the great force of the Sunne in those parts, whereby it drawes vnto it a great abundance of vapours from out of the Ocean, which in those parts is very great and spacious: and hauing drawne vnto it this great abundance of vapours, doth suddenly dissolue them into raine, and it is approued by many tried experiences, that the raine and great stormes from Heauen proceed from the violent heate [ 50] of the Sunne: first (as we haue said before) it raines in those Countries, when as the Sunne casts his beames directly vpon the earth, at which time he hath most force: but when the Sunne re∣tires, the heate is moderate, and then there falls no raine: whereby wee may conclude, that the force and heate of the Sunne is the cause of raine in those Countries. Moreouer we obserue, both in Peru, new Spaine, and in all the burning Zone, that the raine doth vsually fal in the afternoone, when as the Sunne beames are in their greatest force, being strange to see it raine in the mor∣ning. And therefore Trauellers foreseeing it, begin their iourneys early, that they may end and rest before noone, for they hold that commonly it raines after noone. Such as haue frequented and trauelled those Countries, can sufficiently speake thereof. And there are, that (hauing made some abode there) say, that the greatest abundance of raine is, when the Moone is at the full; [ 60] but to say the truth, I could neuer make sufficient proofe thereof, although I haue obserued it. Moreouer, the dayes, the yeere, and the moneths, shew the truth hereof, that the violent hea••e of the Sunne causeth the raine in the burning Zone: experience teacheth vs the like in artificiall things, as in a Limbecke, wherein they draw waters from herbs and flowers; for the vehe∣mency

of the fire forceth and driueth vp an abundance of vapours, which being pressed, and fin∣ding no issue, are conuerted into liquor and water. The like wee see in gold and siluer, which we refine with quick-siluer, the fire being small and slow, we draw out almost nothing of the quick-siluer, but if it be quick and violent, it doth greatly euaporate the quick-siluer, which encountring the head aboue, doth presently turne into liquor, and begins to drop downe: Euen so the violent heate of the Sunne produceth these two effects, when it findes matter disposed, that is, to draw vp the vapours on high, and to dissolue them presently, and turne them into raine, when there is any obstacle to consume them. And although these things seeme contrarie, that one Sunne within the burning Zone, being neere, should cause raine, and without the Zone afarre off should breed the like effect; so it is, that all well considered, there is no contrarietie. A thousand ef∣fects [ 10] in naturall causes proceed of contrarie things by diuers meanes: we drie linnen by the fire, and in the aire, and yet the one heats and the other cooles; Pastures are dried and hardened by the Sunne and with the Frost; moderate exercise prouokes sleepe, being too violent, it hindereth: if you lay no wood on the fire, it dyeth; if you lay on too much, it likewise quencheth: for the onely proportion entertaines and makes it to continue. To well discerne a thing, it must not be too neere the eye, nor too farre off, but in a reasonable distance proportionable; being too farre off from any thing we lose the sight, and too neere likewise we cannot see it. If the Sunne beams be weake, they draw vp no fogge from the Riuers, if they be violent, hauing drawne vp the va∣pours, they presently dissolue and consume them; but if the heat be moderate, it drawes vp and [ 20] preserues it: for this reason the vapours rise not commonly in the night, nor at noone, but in the morning, when as the Sunne begins to enter into his force. There are a thousand examples of naturall causes vpon this subiect, which wee see doe often grow from contrarie things: where∣by we must not wonder, if the Sunne being neere, engenders raine, and being farre off, works the like effect: but being of a moderate and proportionable distance, causeth none at all. Yet there remaines one doubt, why the neernesse of the Sunne causeth the raine vnder the burning Zone, and without when it is farthest off. In my opinion the reason is, that in Winter without the Tropicks, the Sunne hath not force s••fficient to consume the vapours which rise from the Land and Sea; for these vapours grow in great abundance in the cold Region of the aire, where they are congealed and thickned by the extremitie of the cold; and after being pressed, they dissolue and turne into water. Therefore in Winter when the Sunne is farthest off, the dayes short, and [ 30] the nights long, his heat hath small force: but when the Sunne approcheth, which is in the Summer time, his force is such as it drawes vp the vapours, and suddenly consumes and disper∣seth them; for the heat and the length of the dayes grow through the neernesse of the Sunne. But within the Tropicks vnder the burning Zone, the farre distance of the Sunne workes the same effects that the neernesse doth without the Tropicks; by reason whereof, it raines no more vnder the burning Zone when the Sunne is farre off, then without the Tropicks when it is nee∣rest, for that in this approching and retyring, the Sunne remayns alwayes in one distance whence proceedes this effect of cleernesse. But when the Sunne is in the period of his force in the bur∣ning Zone, and that he cast his beames directly vpon the Inhabitants heads, there is neither cleer∣nesse [ 40] nor drynesse, as it seemes there should be, but rather great and strange showers: for that by this violent heat, he drawes vp suddenly a great abundance of vapours from the Earth and O∣cean, which are so thicke, as the winde, not able easily to disperse them, they melt into water, which breedeth the cold raine in so great abundance: for the excessiue heat may soone draw vp many vapours, the which are not so soone dissolued: and being gathered together through their great abundance, they melt and dissolue into water. The which wee may easily discerne by this familiar example: roast a piece of Porke, Mutton, or Veale, if the fire be violent, and the meate neere, wee see the fat melts suddenly and drops away, the reason is, that the violent heat drawes forth the humour and fat from the meat, and being in great abundance cannot dissolue it, and so it distils more away: But when the fire is moderate, and the meat in an equall distance, wee see [ 50] that it roasts handsomly, and the fat drops not too suddenly, for that the moderate heat drawes out the moistnesse which it consumes suddenly. And therefore Cookes make a moderate fire, and lay not their meate too neere nor too farre off, lest it melt away. The like may bee seene in ano∣other experience in candles of tallow or waxe, if the wike bee great, it melts the tallow or the waxe, for that the heat cannot consume the moistnesse which riseth, but if the flame bee proportionable, the wax melts nor drops not, for that the flame doth waste it by little and little as it riseth.

But this is not to hinder the exceptions which Nature hath giuen to this Rule,* 1.7 making some Regions of the burning Zone extremely drie. The which is reported of Ethiopia, and wee haue seene it in a great part of Peru, where all that Land or Coast, which they call Playnes, wants [ 60] raine, yea, land waters, except some Vallies where Riuers fall from the Mountaines; the rest is a sandie and barren soile, where you shall hardly finde any Springs, but some deepe Wells. But with the helpe of God, we will shew the reason why it rayneth not in these Playnes (the which many demand;) for now I onely pretend to shew, that there are many exceptions to naturall Rules, whereby it may happen, that in some part of the burning Zone it raines not when the

Sunne is neerest, but being farthest off, although vnto this day I haue neither seene nor heard of it: but if it be so, we must attribute it to the particular qualitie of the Earth: and also, if some∣times the contrarie doth chance, we must haue regard that in naturall things there happens ma∣ny contrarieties and lets, whereby they change and dissolue one another. For example, it may be the Sunne will cause raine, and that the windes will hinder it, or else cause more abundance then hath beene vsuall.

When I passed to the Indies, I will tell what chanced vnto mee: hauing read what Poets and Philosophers write of the burning Zone,* 1.8 I perswaded my selfe, that comming to the Equino∣ctiall, I should not indure the violent heate, but it fell out otherwise; for when I passed, which was when the Sunne was there for Zenith, being entred into Aries, in the moneth of March, I felt so great cold, as I was forced to goe into the Sunne to warme me: what could I else doe then, [ 10] but laugh at Aristotles Meteors and his philosophie, seeing that in that place, and at that season, when as all should be scortched with heat, according to his rules, I, and all my companions were a cold? In truth there is no Region in the world more pleasant and temperate then vnder the Equinoctiall, although it be not in all parts of an equall temperature, but haue great diuersities. The burning Zone in some parts is very temperate,* 1.9 as in Quitto, and on the playnes of Peru; in some parts very cold, as at Potozi, and in some very hot, as in Ethiopia, Bresil, and the Molucques. This diuersitie being knowne and certaine vnto vs, wee must of force seeke out another cause of cold and heat then the Sunne beames, seeing that in one season of the yeere, and in places of one height and distance from the Pole and Equinoctiall we finde so great diuersitie, that some are in∣uironed with heat, some with cold, and others tempered with a moderate heat. [ 20]

Considering this matter generally, I finde two generall causes, which maketh this Region temperate:* 1.10 the one is that before mentioned, for that this Region is very moist and subiect to raine, and there is no doubt but the raine doth refresh it, for that the water is by nature cold; and although by the force of the fire it be made hot, yet doth it temper this heat proceeding one∣ly from the Sunne beames. The which wee see by experience in the inner Arabia, the which is burnt with the Sunne, hauing no showres to temper the violence thereof. The cloudes and mists are the cause that the Sunne offends not so much, and the showres that fall from them, re∣fresh both the Aire and the Earth, and moisten likewise how hot soeuer it be. They drinke raine water, and it quencheth the thirst, as our men haue well tried, hauing no other to drinke. So as [ 30] reason and experience doth teach vs, that raine of it selfe doth temper the heat; and hauing by this meanes shewed, that the burning Zone is much subiect vnto raine, it appeares that there is matter in it,* 1.11 to temper the violence of the heat: To this I will adde an other reason, which de∣serues to be knowne, not onely for this matter, but for many others; for although the Sunne be very hot and burning vnder the Equinoctiall, yet is it not long, so as the heat of the day being there shorter and of lesse continuance; it causeth not so violent a heate; the which it be∣hooues to specifie more particularly. Such as are practised in the knowledge of the Spheare teach very well, that the more the Zodiake is oblique and trauersing our Hemisphere, the more vn∣equall are the dayes and nights; and contrariwise, where the Spheare is straight, and the signes mount directly, there the dayes and nights are equall. And therefore in all that Region which is betweene the two Tropicks, there is lesse inequalitie then without them, and the [ 40] more wee approch the Line the lesse inequalitie we finde, the which wee haue tried in those parts. Those of Quitto, for that they are vnder the Line, haue not throughout the whole yeere the dayes and nights more short at one season then at an other, but are continually e∣quall. Those of Lima being distant almost twelue degrees, finde some difference betwixt the dayes and the nights, but very little, for that in December and Ianuarie the dayes increase an houre or little lesse. Those of Potozi finde much more difference both in Winter and in Sum∣mer, being almost vnder the Tropicke. But those that liue without the Tropicks finde the dayes in Winter shorter and in Summer longer: the more remote they are from the Equinoctiall and come neere the Pole, as wee see in Germanie and in England, the dayes are longer in Sum∣mer [ 50] then in Italie and in Spaine. It is a thing which the Spheare doth teach, and experience doth plainly shew vs. Wee must adde an other Proposition, which is likewise true and very considerable for all the effects of Nature to vnderstand the perseuerance and continuation of the efficient cause to worke and mooue. This presupposed, if any one demand of me, why vnder the Equinoctiall Line the heat is not so violent in Summer, as in some other Regions (as in Ande∣lousia in the moneths of Iuly and August) I will answere,* 1.12 that in Andelousia the dayes are lon∣ger and the nights shorter; and as the day being hot, inflames and causeth heat; so the nights being cold and moist, giue a refreshing. According to the which, at Peru, there is no such great heat, for that the dayes in Summer are not long, nor the nights short; so as the heat of the day is much tempered by the freshnesse of the night.

Being a thing concluded, that the two fore-named properties are common and vniuersall to [ 60] all the Region of the burning Zone: and yet in the same there are found some places very hot, and other exceeding cold: Also, that the temperature is not there equall in all places, but vnder one climate, one part is hot, another cold, and the third temperate, all at one season; wee are

forced to seeke out other reasons, whence this great diuersitie should proceede in the burning Zone. Discoursing therefore vpon this question, I doe finde three apparant and certaine causes, and a fourth more obscure and darke. The apparant and certaine causes bee: The first, is the O∣cean: the second, the situation of the Land: and the third, the nature and propertie of many and sundrie windes. Besides these three which I hold for manifest, I beleeue there is a fourth hidden and lesse apparant, which is the propertie of the same Land inhabited, and the particular influence of the Heauens. Among the speciall causes and reasons, I haue first placed the Sea, for without doubt, the neernesse thereof doth helpe to temper and coole the heat: for although the Water be salt, yet is it alwayes water, whose nature is cold.

But if wee shall yet search more particularly, wee shall not finde in all this Land an equall [ 10] temperature of heate, although it bee in equall distance from the Sea, and in the same degree, seeing that in some part•• there is great heate, and in some very little. Doubtlesse, the cause thereof i••, that the one is lower, and the other higher▪ which causeth that the one is hot, and the other cold. It is most certaine, that the tops of the Mountaines are colder then in the bot∣tome of the Vallies, the which proceedes, not onely for that the Sunne beames haue greater repercussions vpon lower places, although it be a great reason; yet there is another, which is, that the Region of the ai••e is colder when it is farthest from the ground. The cause why the middle Region of the aire is more cold, hath beene shewed before: for that the Region of the aire next to the fierie exhalation, the which (according to Aristotle) is vpon the Spheare of the aire, repells and thrusts backe all the cold, the which retires it selfe into the middle Region [ 20] of the aire, by Antiparistasis, as the Philosophers speake. Now, if any one should question with me in this manner; If it be so that the aire is hot and moist, as Aristotle holds, and as we com∣monly say; whence then proceedes the cold which is congealed in the middle Region of the aire, seeing it cannot come from the fierie Spheare? For if it come from the Water, or the Earth,* 1.13 by this reason the lower Region of the aire should be colder then the middle.

To answere truly what I thinke, I will confesse, that this Argument and Obiection is so diffi∣cult, as I am almost readie to follow the opinion of such as reproue the qualities, agreements and disagreements which Ar••stotle giues vnto the Elements, ••aying▪ they are but imaginations, who for this occasion hold the aire to bee cold by nature. And to this end they vse many argu∣ments and reasons, whereof we will propound one very familiar and well knowne, leauing the [ 30] rest apart. In the Canicular dayes we are accustomed to beate the aire with a fan, and wee finde that it doth refresh vs; so as these Authors, affirme, that heate is no priuate propertie of any o∣ther Element, but of fire onely,* 1.14 which is dispersed and mingled with all things (as the great De∣nis doth teach vs.) But whether it be so, or otherwise (for I will not contradict Aristotle, but in that which is most certaine) in the end they agree all, that the middle Region of the aire is col∣der then the lowest next to the Earth, as experience doth shew vs; seeing that in this middle Region are congealed, Snow, Haile, Frosts, and other signes of extreme cold. The middle Region then which they call the burning Zone, hauing on the one side the Sea, and on the other the Mountaines, we must hold them for sufficient causes to temper and coole the heate.

The temperature of this Region ought chiefly to be attributed to the propertie of the winde [ 40] that blowes in that Country, the which is pleasant and fresh.* 1.15 The prouidence of the great God Creator of all things hath beene such, as he hath ordayned fresh and coole windes in that Region where the Sunne makes his course (which seemes should be burnt vp) that by their coolenesse the excessiue heate of the Sunne might be qualified. Wee see in one climate, some Regions and Cities hotter then others, onely for that they feele lesse winde to refresh them. The like is in other Countries where no winde blowes, the which are all on fire like vnto a furnace. If we shall neerly looke into the consideration of the winde, whereof we haue spoken; we may resolue ma∣ny doubts which some obiect, and which seeme strange and wonderfull: wherefore the Sunne casting his beames vpon the burning Zone, and particularly at Peru, and that more violently then in Spaine in the Canicular dayes, yet they defend the heat with a light couering, so as with [ 50] a slender couering of mats or straw, they are better preserued from the heate, then in Spaine vn∣der a roote of wood, or a vault of stone. Moreouer, why are not the nights in Summer at Peru as hot and troublesome as in Spaine? Wherefore on the highest tops of Mountaines, euen amongst the heapes of snowe, you shall sometimes feele great and insupportable heat? Wherefore in all the Prouince of Colao, when yee come into the shade, how little soeuer, you feele cold: But comming into the Sunne beames, you presently finde the heate excessiue? Euery morning the winde from the Sea doth cease, and the Sunne begins to cast his beames; and for this reason they feele the greatest heat in the morning, vntill the returne of the same windes, which otherwise they call the tyde or winde of the Sea, which makes them first to feele cold. Wee haue tried all this, whilest wee were at the Ilands of Barlouante, where in the mornings wee did sweat for [ 60] heat, and at noone we felt a fresh aire; for that then, a North Easterly winde which is fresh and coole, doth commonly blow.

Considering with my selfe, the pleasing temperature of many Countries at the Indies, where they know not what Winter is, which by his cold doth freeze them,* 1.16 nor Summer which doth

trouble them with heat, but that with a Mat they preserue themselues from the iniuries of all weather, and where they scarce haue any neede to change their garments throughout the yeere. I say, that often considering of this, I find that if men at this day would vanquish their passions, and free themselues from the snares of couetousnesse, leauing many fruitlesse and pernicious de∣signes, without doubt they might liue at the Indies very pleasant and happily: for that which o∣ther Poets sing of the Elisean fields & of the famous T••••p••, or that which Plato reports or feignes of his Atlantike Iland; men should finde in these Lands, if with a generous spirit they would choose rather to command their siluer and their desires, then to remayne to it slaues as they are.

* 1.17Hauing discoursed in the two former Bookes of that which concernes the Heauens, and the habitation of the Indies * 1.18 in generall, it behooues vs now to treat of the three elements, Aire, Water, and Land, and their compounds, which be metals, plants and beasts; for, as for the fire, [ 10] I see no speciall matter at the Indies which is not in other Regions; vnlesse some will say, that the manner to strike fire in rubbing two stones one against another, as some Indians vse, or to boile any thing in gourds, casting a burning stone into it, & other such like things, are remarkable, whereof I haue written what might bee spoken. But of those which are in the Vulcans * 1.19 and Mouthes of fire at the Indies, worthy doubtlesse to be obserued, I will speake in their order, trea∣ting of the diuersitie of grounds, whereas they finde these fires or Vulcans. Therefore to begin with the windes, I say, that with good reason, Salomon in the great iudgement which God had giuen him, esteemes much the knowledge of the windes; and their properties being very admi∣rable; for that some are moist, others drie; some vnwholsome, others sound; some hot, others cold; some calme and pleasant, others rough and tempestuous; some barren, and others fertile, [ 20] with infinite other differences. There are some windes which blow in certaine Regions, and are, as it were, Lords thereof, not admitting any entrie or communication of their contraries. In some parts they blow in that sort, as sometimes they are Conquerors, sometimes conquered; of∣ten there are diuers and contrarie windes, which doe runne together at one instant, diuiding the way betwixt them, somtimes one blowing aboue of one sort, and another below of an other sort; somtimes they incounter violently one with another, which puts them at Sea in great danger: there are some windes which helpe to the generation of Creatures, and others that hinder and are opposite. There is a certaine winde, of such a qualitie, as when it blowes in some Countrie, it causeth it to raine Fleas, and in so great abundance, as they trouble and darken the aire, and co∣uer [ 30] all the Sea-shoare: and in other places it raines Frogs. These diuersities and others which are sufficiently knowne, are commonly attributed to the place by the which these windes passe. For they say, that from these places they take their qualities to be cold, hot, drie, or moist, sickly or sound, and so of the rest, the which is partly true, and cannot be denyed; for that in a small di∣stance you shall see in one winde many diuersities. For example, the Sola•••••• or Easterne winde is commonly hot and troublesome in Spaine; and in Murria it is the coolest and healthfullest that is, for that it passeth by the Orchards, and that large champaine which wee see very fresh. In Carthage••e which is not farre from thence, the same winde is troublesome and vnwholsome. The Meridionall (which they of the Ocean call South, and those of the Mediterranean Sea, Mezo gior••o) commonly is raynie and boysterous, and in the same Citie whereof I speake, it is whole∣some [ 40] and pleasant. Plinie reports that in Africke it raines with a Northerne winde, and that the Southerne winde is cleere. He then that shall well consider what I haue spoken of these windes, he may conceiue, that in a small distance of Land or Sea, one winde hath many and diuers quali∣ties, yea sometimes quite contrarie; whereby wee may inferre, that hee draweth his propertie from the place where it passeth, the which is in such sort true (although we may not say infallibly) as it is the onely and principall cause of the diuersitie of the windes. It is a thing we easily find, that in a Riuer contayning fiftie leagues in circuit (I put it thus for an example) that the winde which blowes of the one part, is hot and moist; and that which blowes on the other, is cold and drie. Notwithstanding this diuersitie is not found in places by which it passeth, the which makes me rather to say, that the windes bring these qualities with them, whereby they giue vn∣to [ 50] them the names of these qualities. For example, we attribute to the Northerne winde, other∣wise called Cierco, the propertie to be cold and drie, and to dissolue mists; to the Southerne winde his contrarie, called Leuasche, we attribute the contrarie qualitie, which is moist and hot, and in∣genders mists. But it is needfull to seeke further, to know the true and originall cause of these so strange differences which we see in the windes. I cannot conceiue any other, but that the same efficient cause which bringeth forth and maketh the winds to grow, doth withall giue them this originall qualitie: for in truth, the matter whereon the winds are made, which is no other thing (according to Aristotle) but the exhalation of the interior Elements, may well cause in effect a great part of this diuersitie, being more grosse, more subtill, more drie, and more moist. But yet this is no pertinent reason, seeing that we see in one Region, where the vapours and exhalations are of one sort and qualitie, that there rise windes and effects quite contrarie. We must therefore [ 60]

referre the cause to the higher and celestiall Efficient, which must be the Sunne, and to the mo∣tion and influence of the Heauens, the which by their contrarie motions, giue and cause diuers in∣fluences. But the beginnings of these motions and influences are so obscure and hidden from men, and on the other part, so mightie and of so great force, as the holy Prophet Dauid in his propheticall Spirit, and the Prophet Ieremie admiring the greatnesse of the Lord, speake thus, Qui profert ventos de thesauris suis. Hee that drawes the windes out of his Treasures.* 1.20 In truth these principles and beginnings are rich and hidden treasures: for the Author of all things holds them in his hand, and in his power; and when it pleaseth him, sendeth them forth for the good or chastisement of men, and sends forth such windes as he pleaseth: not as that Eolus whom the Poets doe foolishly feigne to haue charge of the windes, keeping them in a Caue like vnto wilde [ 10] beasts. We see not the beginning of these windes, neither doe we know how long they shall con∣tinue, or whither they shall goe. But wee see and know well the diuerse effects and operations they haue, euen as the supreme Truth, the Author of all things hath taught vs, saying, Spiritus vbi vult spirat, & vocem eius audis, & neseis vnde venit, aut quò vadit.

It is true, that the Northerne winde is not vsually cold and cleere there as here. In some parts of Peru, as at Lima, and on the Playnes, they finde the Northerne windes troublesome and vn∣wholsome, and all along the Coast which runnes aboue fiue hundred leagues, they hold the Sou∣therne windes for healthfull and coole, and (which is more) most cleere and pleasant; yea it ne∣uer raines, contrarie to that wee see in Europe, and of this side the Line.* 1.21 Yet that which chan∣ceth [ 20] vpon the coast of Peru is no generall rule, but rather an exception, and a wonder of Nature, neuer to raine vpon that coast, and euer to haue one winde, without giuing place to his contra∣rie, whereof we will hereafter speake our minde. It is no generall rule there, that the Northerne winde is neither hot nor raynie there, as the South winde is on this side; but contrariwise, it raines when as the South winde blowes there, as wee see in all the Sierre or mountaine of Peru, in Chile, and in the Countrie of Congo, which is on the other side of the Line, and farre aduanced into the Sea. And in Potozi likewise, the winde which they call Tomahani (which is our North) if my memorie faile me not, is extremely cold, drie, and vnpleasant, as it is here with vs. Yet doth not the Northerne winde disperse the cloudes vsually there, as it doth here: but contrari∣wise, if I be not deceiued, it doth often cause raine. There is no doubt, but the windes doe bor∣row [ 30] this great diuersitie of contrarie effects, from the places by which they passe, and the neere Regions where they are bred, as wee see by daily experience in a thousand places. But speaking in generall of the qualitie of the windes, we must rather looke to the coasts or parts of the World from whence they proceede, then to obserue, whether they be on this side or beyond the Line, as it seemes the Philosopher held opinion. These capitall windes, which be the East and West, haue no such vniuersall qualities, nor so common in this Continent, nor in the other, as the two for∣mer. The Solanus or Easterne winde, is commonly here troublesome and vnwholsome, and the Westerne or Zephirus, is more milde and healthfull. At the Indies, and in all the burning Zone, the Easterne winde which they call Brise, is contrariwise very healthfull and pleasant. Of the West, I cannot speake any thing certaine or generall, for that it blowes not at all, or very seldom [ 40] in the burning Zone, for in all the nauigation betwixt the two Tropicks,* 1.22 the Easterne winde is ordinarie. And for that it is one of the admirable workes of Nature, it shall bee good to vnder∣stand the cause and the beginning thereof.

The wayes at Sea are not as at Land, to returne the same way they passe. It is all one way (saith the Philosopher) from Athens to Thebes, and from Thebes to Athens; but it is not so at Sea, for wee goe one way and returne by another. The first which discouered the East and West Indies, laboured much with great difficultie to finde out their course, vntill that Experience (the Mistresse of these secrets) had taught them, that to saile through the Ocean, is not like the pas∣sage in Italie, through the Mediterranean Sea, where in their returne, they obserue the same Ports and Capes they had sight of in their passage, attending still the benefit of the winde, which chan∣geth [ 50] instantly, and when that failes, they haue recourse to their Oares; and so the Gallies goe and come daily, coasting along the shoare. In some parts of the Ocean, they may not looke for any other winde then that which blowes, for that commonly it continues long. To conclude, that which is good to goe by, is not fit to returne with: for in the Sea beyond the Tropicke, and within the burning Zone, the Easterly windes raine continually, not suffering their contraries. In the which Region there are two strange things, the one is, that in that Zone (being the grea∣test of the fiue, into the which the World is diuided) the Easterly windes (which they call Bri∣ses) doe reigne, not suffering the Westerne or Southerne (which they call lower winds) to haue their course at any season of the yeere: The other wonder is, that these Easterly windes neuer cease to blow, and most commonly in places neerest to the Line (where it seemes that Calmes [ 60] should be more frequent, being a part of the World, most subiect to the heat of the Sunne, but it is contrarie, for you shall hardly finde any Calmes there, and the winde is cold and continues longer, which hath beene found true in all the Nauigations of the Indies. This is the reason, why the voyage they make from Spaine to the West Indies is shorter, more easie, and more assured, then the returne to Spaine.

The Fleetes parting from Siuil, haue more difficultie to passe the Canaries, for that the guife of Yegues or of Mares, is variable, being beaten with diuers windes, but hauing passed the Cana∣ries, they saile with a Westerne winde vntill they come to the burning Zone, where presently they finde an Easterly winde, and so they saile on with full windes, so as they haue scant any need to touch their sailes in the whole voyage: for this reason they called this great gulfe, the gulfe of Dames, for the calmnesse and pleasantnesse thereof. Then following their course, they come to the Ilands of Guadelupe Dominique, Desired, Marigualante, and the rest, which in that place, be as it were, the Suburbs of the Indies. There the Fleetes separate and diuide themselues, whereof some (which goe to new Spaine) take to the right hand towards Hispaniola; and ha∣uing discouered Cape Saint Anthony, they passe vnto Saint Iohn Delua, alwayes vsing the same [ 10] Easterly windes. Those for the mayne Land, take the left hand, discouering the high mountaine of Tayrone, then hauing touched at Carthagene, they passe vnto Nombre de Dios, from whence they goe by Land to Panama, and from thence, by the South Sea to Peru. But when the fleetes returne to Spaine, they make their voyage in this sort: The fleete of Peru discouers Cape Saint Anthony, then they enter into the Hauana, which is a goodly Port in the Iland of Cuba. The fleet of new Spaine doth likewise touch at the Hauana, being parted from Vera Cruz, or from the Iland of Saint Iohn Delua, the which is not without difficultie, for that commonly Easterly windes blow there, which is a contrarie winde to goe to the Hauana. These fleetes being ioyned together for Spaine, they seeke their height without the Tropicks, where presently they finde Westerly windes, which serue them vntill they come in view of the Acores, or Terceres, and [ 20] from thence to Siuil. So as their voyage in going, is of a small height, not aboue twentie degrees from the Line, which is within the Tropicks. But the returne is without the Tropicks, in eight and twentie or thirtie degrees of height at the least, for that within the Tropicks, the Easterne windes continually blow, the which are fittest to goe from Spaine to the West Indies, for that their course is from East to West; and without the Tropicks (which is in three and twentie de∣grees of height) they finde Westerly windes, the which are the more certaine and ordinarie, the farther you are from the Line, and more fit to returne from the Indies; for that they are windes blowing from the South and West, which serue to runne into the East and North.

The like discourse is of the Nauigation made into the South Sea, going from new Spaine or Peru, to the Philippines or China, and returning from the Philippines or China to new Spaine, the [ 30] which is easie, for that they saile alwayes from East to West, neere the Line, where they finde the Easterly windes to blow in their Poope. In the yeere 1584. there went a ship from Calloa in Lima to the Philippines,* 1.23 which sayled two thousand and seuen hundred leagues without sight of Land, and the first it discouered, was the Iland of Lusson, where they tooke Port, hauing perfor∣med their voyage in two moneths, without want of winde or any torment, and their course was almost continually vnder the Line; for that from Lima (which is twelue degrees to the South) he came to Manilla, which is as much to the North. The like good fortune had Aluaro de Man∣dana, when as he went to discouer the Ilands of Solomon, for that he had alwayes a full gale, vn∣till he came within view of these Ilands, the which must bee distant from that place of Peru, from whence hee parted, about a thousand leagues, hauing runne their course alwayes in one [ 40] height to the South. The returne is like vnto the voyage from the Indies vnto Spaine: for those which returne from the Philippines or China to Mexico, to the end they may recouer the western windes, they mount a great height, vntill they come right against the Ilands of Iapon, and disco∣uering the Caliphornes, they returne by the coast of new Spaine to the Port of Acapulco, from whence they parted. So as it is proued likewise by this Nauigation, that they saile easily from East to West, within the Tropicks, for that their Easterly windes doe raine: but returning from West to East, they must seeke the Westerne windes without the Tropicks, in the height of se∣uen and twentie degrees. The Portugals proue the like in their Nauigations to the East Indies, although it be in a contrarie course.

* 1.24Let vs now speake of that which toucheth the Question propounded, what should be the rea∣son [ 50] why vnder the burning Zone we saile easily from East to West, and not contrarie: wherein we must presuppose two certaine grounds. The one is, that the motion of the first Moouer, which they call Diurnall,* 1.25 not onely drawes and mooues with him the celestiall Spheares, which are inferiour vnto him, as wee see daily in the Sunne, the Moone, and the Starres; but also the Elements doe participate of this motion, insomuch as they are not hindered. The Earth is not mooued, by reason of her heauinesse, which makes it immoueable, being farre from this first motor. The Element of water mooues not likewise with this Diurnall motion, for that it is vnited to the Earth and make one spheare, so as the Earth keeps it from all circular motion. But the other two Elements of Fire and Aire, are more subtill and neerer the heauenly Regions, so as they participate of their motion, and are driuen about circularly, as the same celestiall bodies. As for the Fire, without doubt it hath his spheare (as Aristotle and other Philosophers haue held) [ 60] but for the Aire (which is no point of our subiect) it is most certaine that it mooues with a moti∣on Diurnall, which is from East to West, which wee see plainly in Comets that mooue from the East vnto the West, mounting, descending, and finally turning in the hemispheare in the

same sort as the Starres moue in the firmament; for otherwise these Comets being in the region and sphere of the ayre, whereas they ingender, appeares consum'd. It should be impossible for them to moue circularly, as they doe, if the element of the aire doth not moue with the same motion that the first motor doth. For these elements being of a burning substance, by reason they should be fixt, without mouing circularly, if the sphere where they are did not moue; if it be not as we faine, that some Angell or intellectuall Spirit doth walke with the Comet, guiding it cir∣cularly. [ 10] In the yeare 1577. appeared that wonderfull Comet (in forme like vnto a feather) from the horizon almost to the middest of heauen, and continued from the first of Nouember,* 1.26 vntill the eight of December: I say from the first of Nouember, for although in Spaine it was noated but the ninth of Nouember (according to the testimonie of Writers of that time) yet at Peru, where I was then, I remember well, we did see it, and obserue it eight dayes before, and all the time after. Touching the cause of this diuersitie, some may delate vpon it particularly: I will onely shew, that during those fortie dayes which it continued, wee all obserued (both such as were in Spaine, and we that liued then at the Indies) that it moued daily with an vniuersall mo∣tion, from East to West, as the Moone and other Planets, whereby it appeares that the sphere of the aire, being its Region, the element it selfe must of necessitie moue after the same sort. We noted also, that besides this vniuersall motion, it had another particular, by which it moued with the planets from West to East, for euery night it turned more Eastward, like vnto the Moone, Sunne, and Planets of Venus. We did also obserue a third particular motion, whereby it moued [ 20] from the Zodiacke towards the North; for after some nights it was found neerer vnto the Sep∣tentrionall signes. And it may be this was the reason why the great Comet was sooner seene by those that were Southerly, as at Peru, and later discouered by them of Europe: for by this third motion (as I haue said) it approached neerer the Northerne Regions. Yet euery one may well ob∣serue the differences of this motion, so as we may well perceiue, that many and sundry celestiall bodies, giue their impressions to the sphere of the ayre. In like sort it is most certaine, that the ayre moues with the circular motion of the heauen, from East to West, which is the first ground before mentioned. The second is no lesse certaine, which is, that the motion of the ayre in those [ 30] parts that are vnder the Line, or neere vnto it, is very swift and light, the more it approacheth to the Equinoctiall; but the farther off it is from the Line, approaching neere the Poles, the more slow and heauie this motion is. The reason hereof is manifest, for that the mouing of the celestiall bodies, being the efficient cause of the mouing of the ayre, it must of necessitie be more quicke and light, where the celestiall bodies haue their swiftest motion.

Alonso Sanches was of opinion that this motion of the ayre was not a winde, but the ayre moued by the Sunne. This is learnedly spoken, yet can wee not deny it to be a winde, seeing there are vapours and exhalations of the Sea; and that we sometimes see the Brise,* 1.27 or Easterly windes stronger, sometimes more weake, and placed in that sort, as sometimes they can hardly carry all their sayles. We must then know (and it is true) that the ayre moued, draweth vnto it the vapours it findes, for that the force is great, and findes no resistance, by reason whereof the Easterne and Westerne windes are continual, and in a manner alwayes alike, in those parts which [ 40] are neere the Line, and almost vnder all the burning Zone, which is the course the Sun followes betwixt the two circles of Cancer and Capricorne.

Who so would neerely looke into what hath bin spoken, may likewise vnderstand,* 1.28 that going from the West to the East, in altitude beyond the Tropikes, we shall finde Westerne windes, for that the motion of the Equinoctiall being so swift, it is a cause that the ayre moueth vnder it according to this motion, which is from the East to West, drawing after it the vapours and exhalations that rise of either side the Equinoctiall or burning Zone, in countring the course and motion of the Zone, are forced by the repercussion to returne almost to the contrary, whence grow the South-west windes so ordinary in those parts. Euen as we see in the course of waters, the which (if they be incountred by others of more force) returne in a manner backe: So it seemes to be like in vapours and exhalations, whereby it growes that the windes doe turne and sepa∣rate [ 50] themselues from one part to another. These Westerly windes doe commonly raine in a meane altitude, which is from twenty and seuen to thirty and seuen degrees, though they be not so certaine nor so regular as the Brises that are in a lesse altitude. The reason is, for that the South-west winds are no causes of this proper and equall motion of the heauen, as the Brises are, being neere to the Line. But (as I haue said) they are more ordinary, and often more furious and tempestuous. But passing into a greater altitude, as of fortie degrees, there is as small assurance of windes at Sea as at Land; for sometimes the East or North winde blowes,* 1.29 and sometimes the South, or West: whereby it happeneth their nauigations are more vncertaine, and more dangerous.

[ 60] That which we haue spoken of windes, which blow ordinarily within and without the Zone, must be vnderstood of the maine Sea, and in the great gulphes; for at land it is otherwise, where we finde all sorts of windes, by reason of the inequalitie which is betwixt the Mountaines and the vallies; the great number of Riuers and Lakes, and the diuers scituations of Countries, whence the grosse and thick vapours arise, which are moued from the one part or the other, ac∣cording

to the diuersitie of their beginnings, which cause these diuers windes the motion of the ayre, caused by the heauen, hauing not power enough to draw and moue them with it. And this varietie of windes is not onely found at land, but also vpon the Sea coast, which is vnder the burning Zone, for that there be forraine or land windes which come from the land, and ma∣ny which blow from the Sea; the which windes from the Sea, are commonly more wholesome and more pleasant then those of the land, which are contrariwise troublesome and vnwholesome, although it be the difference of the coast that causeth this diuersitie: commonly the land windes blow from mid-night to the Sunne rising, and the Sea windes vntill Sunne setting. The reason perhaps may be,* 1.30 that the earth, as a grosse substance, fumes more when as the Sunne shines not vpon it, euen as greene wood, or scarse dry, smoakes most when the flame is quenched. But [ 10] the Sea, which is compounded of more subtile parts, engenders no fumes, but when it is hot, euen as straw or ha••e, being moist and in small quantitie, breedes smoake when it is burnt, and when the flame failes, the fume suddenly ceaseth. Whatsoeuer it be, it is certaine that the Land winde blowes by night, and that of the Sea by day. So that euen as there are often contrary, vio∣lent, and tempestuous windes vpon the Sea coast, so doe we see very great calmes. Some men of great experience report,* 1.31 that hauing sailed many great passages at Sea vnder the Line, yet did they neuer see any calmes, but that they alwayes make way little or much, the ayre being moued by the celestiall motion, which is sufficient to guide a Shippe, blowing in poope, as it doth. I haue already said, that a Shippe of Lima going to Manilla, sailed two thousand seuen hundred leagues, alwayes vnder the Line, or not aboue twelue degrees from it, and that in the moneths of February and March, when as the Sunne is there for Zenith, and in all this space they [ 20] found no calmes, but alwayes a fresh gale, so as in two moneths they performed this great voy∣age. But in the burning Zone and without it, you shall vsually see great calmes vpon the coasts, where the vapours come from the Ilands, or maine land. And therefore stormes and tempests, and the sudden motions of the ayre, are more certaine and ordinary vpon the coasts, whereas the vapours come from the Land, then in full Sea, I meane vnder the burning Zone, for with∣out it and at Sea, there are both calmes and whirlewindes. Notwithstanding, sometimes be∣twixt the two Tropickes, yea, vnder the Line, you shall haue great raine and sudden showers, yea farre into the Sea; for the working whereof, the vapours and exhalations of the Sea, are sufficient, which mouing sometimes hastily in the ayre, cause thunder and whirlewindes, but [ 30] this is more ordinary neere to the Land and vpon the Land. When I sailed from Peru to new Spaine, I obserued, that all the time we were vpon the coast of Peru, our voyage was (as it was ordinary) very calme and easie, by reason of the Southerne winde that blowes, hauing alwayes a fore winde, returning from Spaine and new Spaine. As we passed the gulph, lanching farther into the Sea, almost vnder the Line, wee found the season coole, quiet, and pleasant, with a full winde, but comming neere to Nicaragua, and to all that coast, wee had contrary windes, with great store of raine and fogges. All this Nauigation was vnder the burning Zone: for from twelue degrees to the South, which is Lima, we sailed to the seuenteenth, which is Gau∣t••lco, a port of new Spaine: and I beleeue, that such as haue obserued their nauigations, made vnder the burning Zone, shall finde what I haue said, which may suffice for the windes which raigne [ 40] at Sea, vnder the burning Zone.

* 1.32It were a very difficult matter, to report particularly the admirable effects which some windes cause in diuers regions of the world, and to giue a reason thereof. There are windes, which na∣turally trouble the water of the Sea, and makes it greene and blacke, others cleere as Christall, some comfort and make glad, others trouble and breede heauinesse. Such as nourish Silke-wormes, haue great care to shut their windowes, when as the South-west windes doe blow, and to open them to the contrary: hauing found by certaine experience, that their wormes diminish and dye with the one, and fatten and become better with the other: and who so will neerely ob∣serue it, shall finde in himselfe, that the diuersities of windes, cause notable impressions and changes in the body, principally in sicke parts and ill disposed, when they are most tender and [ 50] weake. The holy Scripture calleth one a burning winde, another, a winde full of dewe and sweetnesse. And it is no wonder if we see such notable effects of the winde, in Plants, Beasts, and Men, seeing that we see it visibly in Iron, which is the hardest of all mettals. I haue seene Grates of Iron in some parts of the Indies, so rusted and consumed, that pressing it betwixt your fingers, it dissolued into powder, as if it had beene hay or parched straw, the which pro∣ceedes onely from the winde which doth corrupt it, hauing no meanes to withstand it. But leauing apart many other great and notable effects, I will onely make mention of two. The one, although it causeth pangs greater then death it selfe, yet doth it not breede any further incon∣uenience. The other takes away life without feeling of it. The sicknesse of the Sea, wherewith such are troubled as first begin to goe to Sea,* 1.33 is a matter very ordinary; and yet if the nature [ 60] thereof were vnknowne to men, we should take it for the pangs of death, seeing how it afflicts and torments while it doth last, by the casting of the stomacke, paine of the head, and other troublesome accidents.* 1.34 But in truth this sicknesse so common and ordinary happens vnto men by the change of the ayre and Sea. For although it be true that the motion of the Ship helpes much,

in that it moues more or lesse: and likewise the infections and ill sauours of things in the Ship: yet the proper and naturall cause, is the ayre and the vapours of the Sea, the which doth so weaken and trouble the body and the stomacke, which are not accustomed thereunto, that they are won∣derfully moued and changed: for the ayre is the Element, by which we liue and breath, draw∣ing it into our entrailes, the which we ••athe therewithall. And therefore there is nothing that so suddenly, and with so great force doth alter vs, as the change of the ayre we breathe, as we see in those which dye of the plague. It is approued by many experiences, that the ayre of the Sea, is the chiefe cause of this strange indisposition; the one is, that when there blowes from the Sea a strong breath, we see them at the Land as it were Sea-••••cke, as I my selfe haue often [ 10] found. Another is, the farther wee goe into the Sea, and retyre from Land, the more wee are touched and dazeled with this sicknesse. Another is, that coasting along any Iland, and after lanching into the maine, we shall there finde the ayre more strong. Yet will I not deny, but the motion and agitation may cause this sicknesse, seeing that we see some are taken therewith passing Riuers in Barkes: others in like sort going in Coaches and Caroaches, according to the diuers complexions of the Stomacke: as contrariwise, there are some how boisterous and troublesome soeuer the Sea be, doe neuer feele it. Wherefore it is a matter certaine, and tried, that the ayre of the Sea, doth commonly cause this effect in such as newly goe to Sea. I thought good to speake this, to shew a strange effect, which happens in some parts of the Indies, where the ayre and the winde that raigns makes men dazle, not lesse, but more then at Sea. Some hold it for a fable, o∣thers [ 20] say it is an addition: for my part I will speake what I haue tried.

There is in Peru, a high mountaine which they call Pa••••acaca,* 1.35 and hauing heard speake of the alteration it bred, I went as well prepared as I could, according to the instructions which was giuen me, by such as they call Vaguian••s, or expert men: but notwithstanding all my prouisi∣on, when I came to mount the degrees, as they called them, which is the top of this mountaine, I was suddenly surprized with so mortall and so strange a pang, that I was ready to fall from the top to the ground: and although we were many in company, yet euery one made haste (without any tarrying for his companion,) to free himselfe speedily from this ill passage. Being then alone with one Indian, whom I intreated to helpe to stay me, I was surprized with such pangs of strai∣ning and casting, as I thought to cast vp my heart too▪ for hauing cast vp meate, flegme, and col∣ler, [ 30] both yellow and greene; in the end I cast vp blood, with the straining of my stomacke. To conclude, if this had continued, I should vndoubtedly haue dyed; but this lasted not aboue three or foure houres, that wee were come into a more conuenient and naturall temperature, where all our companions (being foureteene or fifteene) were much wearied. Some in the passage demanded confession, thinking verily to dye: others left the Ladders and went to the ground, being ouercome with casting, and going to the stoole: and it was told me, that some haue lost their liues there with this accident. I beheld one that did beate himselfe against the earth, cry∣ing out for the rage and griefe which this passage of Pariacaca had caused. But commonly it doth no important harme, onely this, paine and troublesome distaste while it endures: and not onely the passage of Pariacaca hath this propertie, but also all this ridge of the Mountaine, which [ 40] runnes aboue fiue hundred leagues long, and in what place soeuer you passe, you shall finde strange intemper••••ures, yet more in some parts then in other, and rather to those which mount from the Sea, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from the Plaines. Besides Pariacaca, I haue passed it by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Soras: in ano∣ther place, by Colleg••••••, and by 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Finally, by foure different places, going and com∣ming, and alwayes in this passage I haue felt this alteration, although in no place so strongly, as at the first in Pariacaca, which hath beene tried by all such as haue passed it. And no doubt but the winde is the cause of this intemperature and strange alteration, or the ayre that raignes there. For the best remedy (and all they finde) is to stoppe their noses, their eares, and their mouthes, as much as may be, and to couer themselues with cloathes, especially the stomacke, for that the ayre is subtile and piercing, going into the entrailes, and not onely men feele this alteration, but [ 50] also beasts that sometimes stay there, so as there is no spurre can make them goe forward. For my part I hold this place to be one of the highest parts of land in the world;* 1.36 for we mount a wonder∣full space. And in my opinion, the Mountaine Ne••ade of Spaine, the Pirences, and the Alp••s of Italie, are as ordinary houses, in regard of hi•• Towers. I therefore perswade my selfe,* 1.37 that the element of the ayre is there so subtile and delicate, as it is not proportionable with the brea∣thing of man, which requires a more grosse and temperate ayre, and I beleeue it is the cause that doth so much alter the stomacke, and trouble all the disposition. The passages of the moun∣taines Ne••ade, and other of Europe, which I haue seene, although the ayre be cold there, and doth force men to weare more cloathes, yet this colde doth not take away the appetite from meate, but contrariwise it prouokes; neither doth it cause any casting of the stomacke, but one∣ly [ 60] some paine in the feete and hands. Finally, their operation is outward. But that of the In∣dies, whereof I speake (without molesting of foote or hand, or any outward part) troubles all the entrailes within: and that which is more admirable, when the Sunne is hot, which maketh me imagine, that the griefe wee feele comes from the qualitie of the ayre which wee breathe: Therefore that is most subtile and delicate, whose cold is not so sensible, as piercing. All this

ridge of mountaines is, for the most part, desart, without any Villages or habitations for men, so as you shall scarce finde any small Cottages to lodge such as doe passe by night: there are no Beasts,* 1.38 good or bad, but some Vicunos, which are their Countrie Muttons, and haue a strange and wonderfull property, as I shall shew in his place. The Grasse is often burnt, and all blacke with the ayre,* 1.39 and this Desart runs fiue and twenty or thirty leagues ouerthwart, and in length aboue fiue hundred leagues.

There are other Desarts or places inhabited, which at Peru they call Punas (speaking of the second point we promised) where the qualitie of the ayre cutteth off mans life without fee∣ling.* 1.40 In former time the Spaniards went from Peru, to the Realme of Chille by this Mountaine, but at this day they doe passe commonly by Sea, and sometimes alongst the side of it. And though that way be laborious and troublesome, yet is there not so great danger as by the Mountaine, [ 10] where there are Plaines, on the which many men haue perished and dyed, and sometimes haue scaped by great hap, whereof some haue remained lame. There runs a small breath, which is not very strong nor violent, but proceeds in such sort, that men fall downe dead, in a manner with∣out feeling, or at the least, they loose their feete and hands: the which may seeme fabulous, yet is it most true.* 1.41 I haue knowne and frequented long the Generall Ierome Costilla, the auncient peopler of Cusco, who had lost three or foure toes, which fell off in passing the Desart of Chille, being perished with this ayre, and when he came to looke on them, they were dead, and fell off without any paine, euen as a rotten Apple falleth from the tree. This Captaine reported, that of a good armie which he had conducted by that place, in the former yeares, since the discoue∣ry of this Kingdome by Almagro, a great part of the men remained dead there, whose bodies [ 20] he found lying in the Desart, without any stinke or corruption; adding thereunto one thing ve∣ry strange, that they found a yong Boye aliue, and being examined how hee had liued in that place, hee said, that he lay hidden in a little Caue, whence hee came to cut the flesh of a dead Horse with a little Knife, and thus had he nourished himselfe a long time, with I know not how many companions that liued in that sort, but now they were all dead, one dying this day, & ano∣ther to morrow, saying that he desired nothing more then to dye there with the rest, seeing that hee found not in himselfe any disposition▪ to goe to any other place, nor to take any taste in any thing▪ I haue vnderstood the like of others, and particularly of one that was of our company, who being then a secular man,* 1.42 had passed by these Desarts: and it is a strange thing, the quality of this cold ayre, which kils, and also preserues the dead bodies without corruption. I haue also [ 30] vnderstood it of a reuerend religious man, of the Order of Saint Dominicke, and Prelate thereof, who had seene it passing by the Desarts: and which is strange, ••e reported, that trauelling that way by night, was forced to defend himselfe against that deadly winde which blowes there (hauing no other meanes) but to gather together a great number of those dead bodies that lay there, and made thereof, as it were a rampire and a bolster for his head: in this manner did hee sleepe, the dead bodies giuing him life. Without doubt this is a kinde of colde so piercing, that it quencheth the vitall heate,* 1.43 cutting off his influence; and being so exceeding col••e, yet doth not corrupt nor giue any putrifaction to the dead bodies, for that putrifaction groweth from heate and moistnesse. As for the other kinde of ayre which thunders vnder the earth, and cau∣seth earthquakes, more at the Indies, then in any other Regions, I will speake thereof in treating [ 40] the qualities of the Land at the Indies. We will content our selues now with what we haue spo∣ken of the winde and ayre, and passe to that which is to be spoken of the water.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Lib. 1. cap. 5.
• * 1.2

  Plin. lib. ••. c. 22.
• * 1.3

  See 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Voyage.
• * 1.4

  Height taken by the Sunne.
• * 1.5

  Via lactea.
• * 1.6

  Shewing the reason why the Sunne without the Tropicks, causeth grea∣test quantitie of waters when it is farthest off; and con∣trariwise, with∣in them it bree∣deth most, when it is nee∣rest. l. 2. chap. 7.
• * 1.7

  Exceptions to generall rules▪
• * 1.8

  The Authors experience.
• * 1.9

  Various and diuersified tempers of the Torrid Zone.
• * 1.10

  Causes of tem∣peraten••sse vnder the Line and within the Tropicks.
• * 1.11

  Second cause.
• * 1.12

  That there bee other reasons besides the for∣mer mentio∣ned, which shew, that the burning Zone is temperate, especially a∣longst the O∣cean. Chap. 11.
• * 1.13

  Arist. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.14

  Dionys. c. 15. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 c••••l. ••ierar.
• * 1.15

  That the cold windes bee the principal cause to make the burning Zone temperate. Chap. 13.

  It is noted by trauellers that there is a hot winde some∣times neere to Balsara and Or∣mus which swalloweth mens breath and suddenly kils them. Lin∣schoten obserue at Goa the wind to blow twelue houres from the Sea, and other twelue constantly from the land.
• * 1.16

  Temper of the Indies.
• * 1.17

  Of the windes, their differen∣ces, properties, and causes in generall lib. 3. cap. 2.
• * 1.18

  We haue ab∣breuiated and to preuent te∣diousnesse cut off a great part of Acostas ob∣seruations in the two former bookes, as ha∣uing handled the same in our Pilgrimage l. 8. where we haue shewed whence men and beasts might come thither, and that the opini∣on of the worlds vnhabi∣tablenesse be∣twixt the Tro∣picks is false: for the daily raines when the Sunne is neerest, the long nights & therein great dewes, the bree∣zes and con∣stant course of the windes, the great Lakes & Riuers, height of Hills, &c. make those parts not onely habitable, but more tempe∣rate then o∣thers and fitter for mans life: there being more heat at, and on this side the Tro∣picks then vn∣der the Line. We here doe but cull ou•• choise things for better vn∣derstanding the naturall historie of those parts; for other things refer∣ring the Rea∣der to the Authour himselfe. Occasionally our notes shall elucidate those things also, which are in the Text omitted.
• * 1.19

  Vulcans, as Aet••••, Hecla, &c. sulphurous earth whence ••••re issueth. Generall windes▪ Monso••••▪ Windes receiue their qualities from the places by which they passe.
• * 1.20

  Psalme 134. Ieremie 10.
• * 1.21

  Herera hath shewed the height of the Hills to bee the cause of the windes con∣stancy and raines raritie.
• * 1.22

  Eastern winde raineth be∣twixt the Tro∣picks.

  That the bur∣ning Zone, the Brises, or Ea∣sterly windes, doe continual∣ly blow, and without the Zone the We∣sterne, and that the Easterly are ordinarie alwayes there. Chap. 4.

  Iuan de Gacos in Decade 1. lib. 4. cap. 6. They goe one way to the In∣dies and return another, why.
• * 1.23

  Sayling 2700. leagues with∣out sight of Land in two moneths. See Candishes voy∣age.
• * 1.24

  Cause of the Brises.
• * 1.25

  Motion of the Primum Mobile carrieth the inferiour aire with it.
• * 1.26

  The Comet 1577. seene eight dayes sooner in Peru then in Spaine.
• * 1.27

  The Brize (or motion of the air with the heauens) is a winde.
• * 1.28

  Why withou•• the Zone, in a greater alt••∣tude, we finde alwaies We∣sterly windes. Chap. 7.

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 windes.
• * 1.29

  Of the excep∣tions to the foresaid Rules, & of the winds and calmes both at Land and at Sea. Chap. 8.

  Cause of the variety of windes.
• * 1.30

  Simile.
• * 1.31

  Note.
• * 1.32

  Of some mar∣uellous effects of the windes, which are in some parts of the Indies. Chap. 9.

  Silkewormes killed with South-west windes. Exo. c. 10. & 14. Iob 17. Ioan 4. Os••e 13. Dan. 3.

  The like Lins∣choten obser∣ueth in the Terceras.
• * 1.33

  Sea sicknesse whence.
• * 1.34

  Agitation and Sea ayre.
• * 1.35

  Strange passi∣on at Pariacaca by the ayre there.
• * 1.36

  Height of Pari∣acaca.
• * 1.37

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 too subtile for mens bo∣dies. So we see Horses to beate the water with their feete to make it more grosse and thereby more agreeable to their bodies.
• * 1.38

  Vicunos.
• * 1.39

  Great Desart.
• * 1.40

  Punas ayre kil••ing.
• * 1.41

  Strange Story.
• * 1.42

  The same con∣firmed by a Ie∣suites report, and a Domini∣cans.
• * 1.43

  Such effects of cold w•• haue obserued in Russia, and o∣ther Northern parts: and the like Master Kniuet will tell▪ vs at the Mag∣gelan Straits.