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.

§. III. Of the qualitie of the Land at the Indies in generall. Properties of Peru, and of new Spaine, and other parts: Of Vulcanes and Earthquakes.

WE may know the qualitie of the Land at the Indies, for the greatest part (seeing it is the last of the three Elements,* 1.1 whereof we haue propounded to treate in this Booke) by the discourse we haue made in the former Booke of the burning Zone, seeing that [ 10] the greatest part of the Indies doth lye vnder it. But to make it knowne the more particularly, I haue obserued three kindes of Lands, as I haue passed through those Regions: whereof there is one very low, another very high, and the third which holds the middle of these two extreames. The lower is that which lyeth by the Sea coasts, whereof there is in all parts of the Indies, and it is commonly very hot and moist, so as it is not so healthfull; and at this day we see it lesse peopled, although in former times it hath beene greatly inhabited with Indians, as it appeareth by the histories of new Spaine and Peru, and where they kept and liued, for that the soile was naturall vnto them being bred there. They liued of fishing at Sea, and of seeds, drawing brooks from the Riuers, which they vsed for want of raine, for that it raines little there, and in some places not at all. This low Countrie hath many places vnhabitable, as well by [ 20] reason of the Sands which are dangerous (for there are whole Mountaines of these Sands) as also for the Marishes which grow by reason of the waters that fall from the Mountaines, which fin∣ding no issue in these flat and low Lands, drowne them, and make them vnprofitable.

And in truth the greatest part of all the Indian Sea coast is of this sort, chiefly vpon the South Sea: the habitation of which coasts is at this present so wasted and contemned,* 1.2 that of thirty parts of the people that inhabited it, there wants twenty nine; and it is likely the rest of the Indians will in short time decay. Many, according to the varietie of their opinions, attribute this to diuers causes: some to the great labour which hath beene imposed vpon these Indians; o∣thers, vnto the change and varietie of meates and drinkes they vse, since their commerce with the Spaniards: others, to their great excesse and drinking, and to other vices they haue: for my [ 30] part, I hold this disorder to be the greatest cause of their decay, whereof it is not now time to dis∣course any more. In this low Countrie (which I say generally is vnhealthfull, ond vnfit for mans habitation) there is exception in some places which are temperate and fertile, as the greatest part of the Plaines of Peru, where there are coole vallies and very fertile. The greatest part of the habitation of the coast entertains all the traffike of Spain by Sea: whereon all the estate of the In∣dies dependeth. Vpon this coast there are some Towns well peopled, as Lima and Truxillo in Pe∣ru, Panama and Carthagena vpon the maine Land, and in the Ilands Saint Dominique, Port Ricco, and Hauana, with many other Towns which are lesse then these, as the True Crosse in new Spain, Y••a, Arigua and others in Peru: the Ports are commonly inhabited, although but slenderly. The second sort of Land is contrary, very high, and by consequent, cold and dry, as all the Moun∣taines [ 40] are commonly. This Land is neither fertile nor pleasant, but very healthfull, which makes it to be peopled and inhabited. There are Pastures and great store of Cattle, the which, for the most part, entertaines life, and by their Cattell, they supply the want they haue of Corne and Graine, by trucking and exchange. But that which makes these Lands more inhabited and peopled, is the riches of the Mines that are found there, for that all obeys to Gold and Siluer. By reason of the Mines there are some dwellings of Spaniards and Indians, which are increased and multiplied, as Potozi and Gancanelicqua in Peru, and Cacatecas in new Spaine. There are also through all these Mountaines great dwellings of the Indians, which to this day are main∣tained; yea some will say they increase, but that the labour of the Mines doth consume many, and some generall diseases haue destroyed a great part, as the Cocoliste in new Spaine: yet they [ 50] finde no great diminution. In this extremitie of high ground they finde two commodities, as I haue said, of Pastures and Mines, which doe well counteruaile the two other that are in the lower grounds alongst the Sea coast, that is, the commerce of the Sea, and the abundance of Wine which groweth not but in the hot Lands. Betwixt these two extreames there is ground of a meane height, the which, although it be in some parts higher or lower one then other,* 1.3 yet doth it not approach neither to the heate of the Sea coast, nor the intemperature of the Moun∣taines. In this sort of soyle there groweth many kindes of Graine, as Wheate, Barley, and Mays, which growes not at all in the high Countries, but well in the lower; there is likewise store of Pasture, Cattell, Fruits, and greene Forrests. This part is the best habitation of the three, [ 60] for health and recreation; and therefore it is best peopled of any part of the Indies, the which I haue curiously obserued in many Voyages that I haue vndertaken, and haue alwayes found it true, that the Prouince best peopled at the Indies be in this scituation. Let vs looke neerely into new Spaine (the which without doubt is the best Prouince the Sunne doth circle) by what part soeuer you doe enter, you mount vp; and when you haue mounted a good height, you begin to

descend, yet very little: and that Land is alwayes much higher then that along the Sea coast.

All the Land about Mexico is of this nature and scituation; and that which is about the Vul∣can, which is the best soile of the Indies, as also in Peru, Arequipa, Guamangua and Cusco, al∣though more in one then in the other. But in the end, all is high ground, although they descend into deepe Vallies, and clime vp to high Mountaines: the like is spoken of Quitto, Saint Foy, and of the best of the New Kingdome. To conclude, I doe beleeue that the wisedome and prouidence of the Creator would haue it so, that the greatest part of this Countrie of the Indies should be hillie, that it might be of a better temperature: for being low, it had beene very hot vnder the burning Zone, especially being farre from the Sea. Also all the Land I haue seene at the Indies, [ 10] is neere to the Mountaines on the one side or the other, and sometimes of all parts: So as I haue oftentimes said there, that I would gladly see any place, from whence the horizon did fashion it selfe and end by the heauen, and a Countrie stretched out and euen, as we see in Spaine in a thousand champaine fields; yet doe I not remember that I haue euer seene such sights at the Indies,* 1.4 were it in the Ilands, or vpon the maine Land, although I haue trauelled aboue seuen hundred leagues in length. But as I haue said, the neerenesse of the Mountaines is very commo∣dious in this region, to temper the heate of the Sunne. To conclude, the best inhabited parts of the Indies are as I haue said: and generally, all that Countrie abounds in Grasse, Pastures, and For∣rests, contrary vnto that which Aristotle and the ancients did hold. So as when we go out of Eu∣rope to the Indies we wonder to see the Land so pleasant, greene and fresh. Yet this rule hath some [ 20] exceptions, and chiefly in the Land of Peru, which is of a strange nature amongst all others, whereof we will now proceede to speake.

We meane by Peru, not that great part of the world which they call America, seeing that therein is contained Bresil,* 1.5 the Kingdome of Chille, and that of Grenade, and yet none of these Kingdomes is Peru, but onely that part which lies to the South, beginning at the Kingdome of Quitto, which is vnder the Line, and runs in length to the Realme of Chille, the which is without the Tropickes, which were six hundred leagues in length, and in breadth it containes no more then the Mountaines, which is fiftie common leagues, although in some places, as at Chachapayas, it be broader. This part of the world which wee call Peru, is very remarkeable, and containes in it strange properties, which serueth as an exception to the generall rule of the [ 30] Indies.* 1.6 The first is, that vpon all the coast it blowes continually with one onely winde, which is South and South-west, contrary to that which doth vsually blow vnder the burning Zone. The second is, that this winde being by nature the most violent, tempestuous, and vnhealth∣full of all others, yet in this Region it is maruellous pleasing, healthfull, and agreeable: so as we may attribute the habitation of that part thereunto, without the which it would be trou∣blesome and inhabitable, by reason of the heate, if it were not refreshed with the winde. The third propertie is, that it neuer raines, thunders, snowes, nor hailes in all this coast, which is a matter worthy of admiration. Fourthly, that a little distance from the coast it raines & snowes terribly. Fiftly, that there are two ridges of Mountaines which runne the one as the other, and in one altitude, notwithstanding on the one there are great Forrests, and it raines the greatest [ 40] part of the yeare, being very hot; and the other is all naked and bare, and very cold: so as win∣ter and summer are diuided on those two Mountaines, and raine▪ and cleerenesse it selfe. For the better vnderstanding hereof, we must consider that Peru is diuided as it were into three parts, long and narrow,* 1.7 which they call Lanos, Sierras, and Andes; the Lanos runs alongst the Sea coast; the Sierras be all hils, with some vallies; and the Andes be steepe and craggie Mountaines. The La∣nos or Sea coast, haue some ten leagues in breadth, in some parts lesse, and in some parts a little more. The Sierra containes some twenty leagues in breadth: and the Andes as much, sometimes more, sometimes lesse. They run in length from North to South, and in breadth from East to West. It is a strange thing, that in so small a distance as fiftie leagues, equally distant from the Line and Pole, there should be so great a contrarietie, as to raine almost continually in one place,* 1.8 and neuer in the other. It neuer raines vpon the coast or Lanos, although there fals some∣times [ 50] a small dew, which they call Guarna, and in Castill Mollina▪ the which sometimes thick∣ens, and fals in certaine drops of water, yet is it not troublesome, nor such as they neede any co∣uering. Their couerings are of mats with a little earth vpon them which is sufficient. Vpon the Andes it raines in a manner continually, although it be sometimes more cleere then other. In the Sierra which lies betwixt both the extreames, it raineth in the same season as it doth in Spaine, which is from September vnto Aprill, but in the other season, the time is more cleere, which is when the Sunne is farthest off, and the contrary when it is neerest. That which they call Andes, and Sierra, are two ridges of most high Mountaines, which runne aboue a thou∣sand leagues, the one in view of the other, and almost equally. There are an infinite number of Vicagues, which breede in the Sierres, and are properly like vnto wilde Goates, very nim∣ble [ 60] and swift.* 1.9 There are also of those beasts which they call Guanacos and Pacos, which are sheepe, which we may well tearme the Asses of that Countrie; whereof we shall speake in their place. And vpon the Andes they finde Apes, very gentle and delightfull, and Parrots in great

numbers. There also they finde the herbe or tree which they call Coca, that is so greatly estee∣med by the Indians, and the trafficke they make of it, is worth much mony.

That which they call Sierre, causeth Vallies, where as it opens, which are the best dwellings of Peru, as is the Valley of Xauxa of Andaguaylas, and Yucay. In these Vallies there growes Wheat, Mays, and other sorts of fruits, but lesse in one then in the other. Beyond the Citie of Cusco (the ancient Court of the Lords of those Realmes) the two ridges of Mountaines se∣parate themselues one from the other, and in the midst leaue a Playne and large Champaigne, which they call the Prouince of Callao, where there are many Riuers and great store of fertile Pastures: there is also that great Lake of Titicaca. And although it bee a full soile, and in the [ 10] same height and intemperature, that the Sierre, hauing no more Trees nor Forrests, yet the want they haue of bread is counteruailed with the rootes they sow, the which they call Papas, and they grow in the earth. This roote is the Indians foode; for drying it and making it cleane,* 1.10 they make that which they call Chugno, which is the bread and nourishment of those Prouin∣ces. There are other rootes and small herbes which they eate. It is a healthfull soile, best peo∣pled, and the richest of all the Indies, for the abundance of Cattell they feede, as well of those that are in Europe, as Sheepe, Neat, and Goates, as of those of the Country, which they call Guanacos and Pacos, and there are store of Partridges. Next to the Prouince of Callao, is that of Charcas, where there are hot Vallies very fertile, and very high Rocks, the which are very rich in mynes, so as in no part of the World shall you finde better nor fairer.

[ 20] For that it is rare and extraordinarie to see a Country where it neuer raines nor thunders;* 1.11 men desire naturally to know the cause of this strangenesse. The reason which some giue that haue neerly looked into it, is, that vpon that Coast there rise no vapours, sufficient to engen∣der raine for want of matter; but onely that there bee small and light vapours, which cannot breede any other then mists and deawes, as wee see in Europe, oftentimes vapours doe rise in the morning, which are not turned into raine, but into mists onely: the which growes from the substance, which is not grosse and sufficient enough to turne to raine. They say, the rea∣son why that which happens but some times in Europe, falls out continually vpon the Coast of Peru, is, for that this Region is very drie, and yeelds no grosse vapours. The drinesse is knowne by the great abundance of Sands, hauing neither Wells nor Fountaines, but of fifteene S••ades [ 30] deepe (which is the height of a man or more) and that is neere vnto Riuers, the water where∣of, piercing into the Land, giues them meanes to make Wells. So as it hath beene found by experience, that the course of Riuers being turned, the Wells haue beene dried vp, vntill they returned to their ordinarie course: and they giue this reason for a materiall cause of this effect, but they haue another efficient, which is no lesse considerable, and that is the great height of the Sierre, which comming along the Coast, shadowes the Lanos; so as it suffers no winde to blow from the Land, but aboue the tops of these Mountaines. By meanes whereof, there reignes no winde, but that from the Sea, which finding no opposite, doth not presse nor straine forth the vapours which rise to engender raine; so as the shadow of the Mountaines keepes the vapours from thickning, and conuerts them all into mists. There are some experiences agree [ 40] with this discourse; for that it raines vpon some small Hills along the Coast, which are least shadowed, as the Rocks of Atico and Arequipa. It hath rained in some yeeres when as the Northerne or Easterly windes haue blowne: yea, all the time they haue continued, as it happe∣ned in seuentie eight, vpon the Lanos of Trugillo, where it rained abundantly, the which they had not seene in many ages before. Moreouer, it raines vpon the same Coast in places, where as the Easterly or Northerne windes be ordinarie, as in Guayaquil, and in places where as the Land riseth much, and turnes from the shadow of the Mountaines, as in those that are beyond Ariqua. Some discourse in this manner, but let euery one thinke as he please. It is most certaine, that comming from the Mountaines to the Vallies, they doe vsually see as it were two Heauens, one cleere and bright aboue, and the other obscure, and as it were a gray vaile spread [ 50] vnderneath, which couers all the Coast: and although it raine not, yet this mist is wonderfull profitable to bring forth grasse, and to raise vp and nourish the seed: for although they haue plen∣tie of water, which they draw from the Pooles and Lakes, yet this moisture from Heauen hath such a vertue, that ceasing to fall vpon the Earth, it breedes a great discommoditie and defect of graine and seedes. And that which is more worthy of admiration, the drie and barren Sands are by this deaw so beautified with grasse and flowers, as it is a pleasing and agreeable sight, and very profitable for the feeding of Cattell, as we see in the Mountaine called Sandie, neere to the Ci∣tie of Kings.

New Spaine passeth all other Prouinces in pastur••s, which breedes infinite troopes of Horse,* 1.12 Kine, Sheepe, and other Cattell. It abounds in fruit and all kinde of graine. To conclude, it is a [ 60] Country the best furnished and most accomplished at the Indies. Yet Peru doth surpasse it in one thing, which is Wine, for that there growes store and good; and they daily multiply and in∣crease, the which doth grow in very hot Vallies, where there are waterings. And although there be Vines in new Spaine, yet the grape comes not to his maturitie, fit to make Wine. The reason is, for that it raines there in Iuly and August, when as the grape ripens: and therefore it comes

not to his perfection. And if any one through curiositie would take the paines to make wine, it should be like to that of Genua and Lombardie, which is very small and sharpe, hauing a taste like vnto Verjuyce. The Ilands which they call Barlouente, which bee Hispaniola, Cuba, Port Ricco, and others thereabouts, are beautified with many greene pastures, and abound in Cattell, as Neat, and Swine,* 1.13 which are become wilde. The wealth of these Ilands, bee their Sugar-workes and Hides. There is much Cassia fistula and Ginger. It is a thing incredible, to see the multitude of these merchandizes brought in one fleete, being in a manner impossible that all Europe should waste so much. They likewise bring wood of an excellent qualitie and colour, as Ebone, and o∣thers, which serue for buildings and Ioyners. There is much of that wood which they call Lig∣num sanctum or Guage, fit to cure the pox. All these Ilands and others thereabouts, which are many, haue a goodly and pleasant aspect, for that throughout the yeere, they are beautified with [ 10] grasse and greene trees, so as they cannot discerne when it is Autumne or Summer, by reason of continuall moisture ioyned to the heat of the burning Zone. And although this Land bee of a great circuit, yet are there few dwellings, for that of it selfe it engenders great Arcabutos, as they call them, which be Groues or very thicke Coppises: and on the Playnes there are many ma∣rishes and bogs. They giue yet another notable reason, why they are so smally peopled, for that there haue remayned few naturall Indians, through the inconsideratnesse and disorder of the first Conquerors that peopled it:* 1.14 and therefore, for the most part, they vse Negros, but they cost deare, being very fit to till the Land. There growes neither bread nor wine in these Ilands, for that the too great fertilitie and the vice of the soile, suffers them not to seede, but casts all forth in grasse, very vnequally. There are no Oliue trees, at the least, they beare no Oliues, but many [ 20] greene leaues pleasant to the view, which beare no fruit. The bread they vse is of Caçaue, whereof we shall hereafter speake. There is gold in the Riuers of these Ilands, which some draw forth, but in small quantitie. I was little lesse then a yeere in these Ilands, and as it hath beene told me of the mayne Land of the Indies, where I haue not beene, as in Florida, Nicaragua, Gua∣timala, and others, it is in a manner of this temper, as I haue described: yet haue I not set downe euery particular of Nature in these Prouinces of the firme Land, hauing no perfect knowledge thereof. The Country which doth most resemble Spaine and the Regions of Europe, in all the West Indies, is the Realme of Chille, which is without the generall rule of these other Prouinces, being seated without the burning Zone, and the Tropicke of Capricorne. This Land of it selfe is coole and fertile, and brings forth all kindes of fruits that bee in Spaine; it yeelds great abun∣dance [ 30] of bread and wine, and abounds in Pastures and Cattell. The aire is wholsome and cleere, temperate betwixt heat and cold, Winter and Summer are very distinct, and there they finde great store of very fine gold. Yet this Land is poore and smally peopled, by reason of their continuall warre with the Auricanos, and their Associates, being a rough people and friends to libertie.

There are great coniectures, that in the temperate Zone at the Antartike Pole, there are great and fertile Lands:* 1.15 but to this day they are not discouered, neither doe they know any other Land in this Zone, but that of Chille, and some part of that Land which runnes from Ethiopia to the Cape of Good Hope, as hath beene said in the first Booke; neither is it knowne if there bee any habitations in the other two Zones of the Poles, and whether the Land continues and stretch∣eth [ 40] to that which is towards the Antartike or South Pole. Neither doe we know the Land that lyes beyond the Straight of Magellan, for that the greatest height yet discouered, is in fiftie sixe degrees, as hath beene formerly said; and toward the Artike or Northerne Pole, it is not known how farre the Land extends, which runnes beyond the Cape of Mendoçin and the Caliphornes, nor the bounds and end of Florida, neither yet how farre it extends to the West. Of late they haue discouered a new Land, which they call New Mexico, where they say is much people that speake the Mexican tongue. The Philippines and the following Ilands, as some report that know it by experience, ranne aboue nine hundred leagues. But to intreat of China, Cochinchina, Siam, and other Regions which are of the East Indies, were contrarie to my purpose, which is onely to discourse of the West: nay, they are ignorant of the greatest part of America, which lyes be∣twixt [ 50] Peru and Bresil, although the bounds be knowne of all sides, wherein there is diuersitie of opinions; some say it is a drowned Land, full of Lakes and waterie places; others affirme there are great and flourishing Kingdomes, imagining there be the Paytiti, the Dorado, and the Caesars, where they say are wonderfull things. I haue heard one of our companie say, a man worthy of credit, that he had seene great dwellings there, and the wayes as much beaten as those betwixt Salamanca and Villadillit, the which he did see, when as Peter d'Orsua, and after, those that suc∣ceeded him, made their entrie and discouerie by the great Riuer of Amazons, who beleeuing that the Dorado which they sought, was farther off, cared not to inhabit there, and after went both without the Dorado, which they could not finde, and this great Prouince which they left. [ 60] To speake the truth, the habitations of America are to this day vnknowne, except the extremi∣ties, which are Peru, Bresil, and that part where the Land begins to straighten, which is the Ri∣uer of Siluer, then Tucuman, which makes the round to Chille and Charcas. Of late we haue vn∣derstood by Letters from some of ours which goe to Saint Croix in the Sierre, that they goe dis∣couering

of great Prouinces and dwellings, betwixt Bresil and Peru. Time will reueile them, for as at this day the care and courage of men is great, to compasse the World from one part to another; so we may beleeue, that as they haue discouered that which is now knowne, they may likewise lay open that which remaynes, to the end the Gospell may bee preached to the whole World, seeing the two Crownes of Portugal and Castile haue met by the East and West, ioyning their discoueries together, which in truth is a matter to be obserued, that the one is come to Chi∣na and Iapan by the East, and the other to the Philippines, which are neighbours, and almost ioy∣ning vnto China, by the West: for from the Ilands of Lusson, which is the chiefe of the Philippi∣nes, in the which is the Citie of Manille, vnto Macaeo, which is in the Ile of Canton, are but foure [ 10] score or a hundred leagues, and yet we finde it strange, that notwithstanding this small distance from the one to the other, yet according to their account, there is a dayes difference betwixt them; so as it is Sunday at Macao, when as it is but Saturday at Manille, and so of the rest. Those of Macao and of China haue one day aduanced before the Philippines. It happened to fa∣ther Alonse Sanches, of whom mention is made before, that parting from the Philippines, hee arriued at Macao the second day of May, according to their computation, and going to say the Masse of Saint Athanasim, he found they did celebrate the feast of the Inuention of the holy Crosse, for that they did then reckon the third of May. The like happened vnto him in another voyage beyond it.

Some haue found this alteration and diuersitie strange, supposing that the fault proceedes from [ 20] the one or the other, the which is not so: but it is a true and well obserued computation, for ac∣cording to the difference of wayes where they haue beene, we must necessarily say, that when they meet, there must be difference of a day; the reason is, for that sayling from West to East, they alwayes gaine of the day, finding the Sunne rising sooner: and contrariwise, those that saile from East to West, doe alwayes lose of the day, for that the Sunne riseth later vnto them; and as they approach neerer the East or the West, they haue the day longer or shorter. In Peru, which is Westward in respect of Spaine, they are aboue sixe houres behinde; so as when it is noone in Spaine, it is morning at Peru; and when it is morning here, it is mid-night there. I haue made certaine proofe thereof, by the computation of Eclipses of the Sunne and Moone. Now that the Portugals haue made their nauigations from West to East, and the Castillans from [ 30] East to West, when they came to ioyne and meet at the Philippines and Macao, the one haue gay∣ned twelue houres, and the other hath lost as much; so as at one instant, and in one time, they finde the difference of foure and twentie houres, which is a whole day.

Although we finde vents of fire in other places, as Mount Aetna and Vesunio, which now they call Mount Soma, yet is that notable which is found at the Indies.* 1.16 Ordinarily these Volcans be Rocks or Pikes of most high Mountaines, which raise themselues aboue the tops of all other Mountaines; vpon their tops they haue a Playne, and in the midst thereof a pit or great mouth, which descends euen vnto the foote thereof; a thing very terrible to behold. Out of these mouthes there issues smoake, and sometimes fire: some cast little smoake, and haue in a manner no force of Volcans, as that of Arequipa, which is of an vnmeasurable height, and almost all sand. [ 40] It cannot be mounted vp in lesse then two dayes, yet they haue not found any shew of fire, but onely the reliques of some sacrifices which the Indians made while they were Gentiles, and some∣times it doth cause a little smoake. The Volcan of Mexico which is neere to the Village of Angels, is likewise of an admirable height, whereas they mount thirtie leagues in turning: from this Volcan issueth not continually, but sometimes, almost euery day, a great exhalation or whirle∣winde of smoake, which ascends directly vp like to the shot of a Crosse-bow, and growes after like to a great plume of feathers, vntill it ceaseth quite, and is presently conuerted into an ob∣scure and darke cloude. Most commonly it riseth in the morning after the Sunne rising, and at night when it setteth, although I haue seene it breake out at other times. Sometimes it doth cast forth great store of ashes after this smoake. They haue not yet seene any fire come from it; yet they feare it will issue forth and burne all the Land round about, which is the best of all the [ 50] Kingdome: And they hold it for certaine, that there is some correspondencie betwixt this Vul∣can and the Sierre of Tlaxcala, which is neere vnto it, that causeth the great thunders and light∣nings they doe commonly heare and see in those parts.

Some Spaniards haue mounted vp to this Volcan, and giuen notice of the myne of sulphur to make powlder thereof. Cortez reports the care he had to discouer what was in this Volcan. The Volcans of Guatimala are more renowmed, as well for their greatnesse and height: which those that saile in the South Sea discouer afarre off, as for the violence and terrour of the fire it casts. The three and twentieth day of December, in the yeere 1586. almost all the Citie of Guatimala fell with an Earthquake, and some people slaine. This Volcan had then sixe moneths together,* 1.17 [ 60] day and night cast out from the top, and vomited as it were, a floud of fire, the substance falling vpon the sides of the Volcan, was turned into ashes like vnto burnt earth (a thing passing mans iudgement, to conceiue how it could cast so much matter from its centre during sixe moneths, being accustomed to cast smoake alone, and that sometimes with small flashes.) This was writ∣ten vnto me being at Mexico, by a Secretarie of the Audience of Guatimala, a man worthy of

credit, and at that time it had not ceased to cast out fire. This yeere past, being in Quitto in the Citie of Kings, the Volcan which is neere thereunto, cast such abundance of ashes, that in many leagues compasse thereabout it darkned the light of the day: and there fell such store in Quitto, as they were not able to goe in the streets. There haue beene other Volcans seene which cast nei∣ther smoake, flame, nor yet ashes, but in the bottome they are seene to burne with a quicke fire without dying:* 1.18 such a one was that which in our time a couetous and greedie Priest seeing, per∣swaded himselfe that they were heapes of gold he did see burning, imagining it could be no other matter or substance, which had burnt so many yeeres, and not consumed. And in this conceit he made certaine kettles with chaines, and an instrument, to gather and draw vp the gold out of this Pit or Volcan: but the fire scorned him, for no sooner did his Iron chaine and Caldron ap∣proach [ 10] neere the fire, but suddenly they were broken in pieces. Yet some told me, that this man was still obstinate, seeking other inuentions for to draw out this gold as he imagined.

* 1.19Some haue held opinion, that these Volcans consume the inner substance they haue of Nature; and for this reason they beleeue, that naturally they shall end, when as they haue consumed the fuell (as a man may say) that is within them. According to which opinion wee see at this day, some Mountaines and Rocks, from whence they draw a burnt stone which is light, but ve∣ry hard, and is excellent to build with, as that which is carried to Mexico. And in effect there are some shewes of that which hath beene spoken, that these Mountaines or Rocks had somtimes a naturall fire, which hath died after the matter was consumed; and so these stones haue remay∣ned burnt and pierced with the fire as wee see. For my part, I will not contradict it, that in those places there hath not beene fire sometimes, or Volcans. But there is some difficultie to be∣leeue [ 20] it should be so in all Volcans, considering the matter they cast out is almost infinite; and that being gathered together, it could not bee contayned in the same concauitie from whence it goes. Moreouer, there are some Volcans, that in hundreds, yea thousands of yeeres are alwayes of one fashion, casting out continually smoake, fire, and ashes. Plinie the historiographer of na∣turall things (as the other Plinie his nephew reports) searching out the secret how this should passe: and approaching too neere the exhalation of fire of one of these Volcans, died; and thin∣king by his diligence to find an end thereof, had an end of his life. For my part, vpon this con∣sideration I thinke, that as there are places in the earth, whose vertue is to draw vaporous matter, and to conuert it into water, which bee the Fountaines that alwayes runne, and haue alwayes [ 30] matter to make them runne, for that they draw vnto them the substance of water. In like sort there are places that haue the propertie to draw vnto them hot exhalations, and to conuert them into fire and smoake which by their force and violence cast out other thicke matter which dis∣solues into ashes, into pumice stone, or such like substance: and for a sufficient argument to proue it to be so in these Volcans, they sometimes cast smoake, and not alwayes, and sometimes fire, and not alwayes, which is according to that it can draw vnto it, and digest, as the Fountaines which in Winter abound, and in Summer decrease; yea some are quite dried vp, according to the force and vigour they haue, and the matter that is presented: euen so it is of these Volcans, which cast fire more or lesse at certaine seasons. Others say, that it is Hell fire, which issueth there, to serue as a warning, thereby to consider what is in the other life: but if Hell (as Diuines [ 40] hold) bee in the centre of the Earth, the which containes in diameter aboue two thousand leagues,* 1.20 we cannot iudge that this fire is from the centre; for that Hell fire (as Saint Basil and others teach) is very different from this which wee see, for that it is without light, and burneth without comparison much more then ours.

* 1.21Some haue held, that from these Volcans which are at the Indies, the Earthquakes proceede, being very common there: but for that they ordinarily chance in places farre from those Volcans, it cannot be the totall cause. It is true they haue a certaine simpathy one with another, for that the hot exhalations which engender in the inner concauities of the Earth, seeme to be the mate∣riall substance of fire in the Volcans, whereby there kindleth another more grosse matter, and makes these shewes of flame and smoake that come forth. And these exhalations (finding no ea∣sie [ 50] issue in the Earth) moue it, to issue forth with great violence, whereby wee heare that hor∣rible noise vnder the Earth, and likewise the shaking of the Earth, being stirred with this bur∣ning exhalation; Euen as Gun-powlder in mynes, hauing fire put to it breaks Rocks and Walls: and as the Chesnut laid into the fire, leapes and breakes with a noise, when as it casts forth the aire (which is contayned within the huske) by the force of the fire: Euen so these Earthquakes doe most commonly happen in places neere the water or Sea. As wee see in Europe, and at the Indies, that Townes and Cities farthest from the Sea and waters are least afflicted therewith; and contrariwise, those that are seated vpon Ports of the Sea, vpon Riuers, the Sea coast, and pla∣ces neere vnto them, feele most this calamitie. There hath happened in Peru (the which is wonderfull, and worthy to be noted) Earthquakes which haue runne from Chille vnto Quitto, [ 60] and that is aboue a hundred leagues,* 1.22 I say the greatest that euer I heard speake of, for lesser be more common there. Vpon the coast of Chille (I remember not well in what yeere) there was so terrible an Earthquake, as it ouer-turned whole Mountaines, and thereby stopped the course of Riuers which it conuerted into Lakes, it beat downe Townes, and slue a great number of people.

causing the Sea to leaue her place some leagues, so as the ships remayned on drie ground, farre from the ordinarie Roade, with many other heauie and horrible things. And as I well remem∣ber, they say this trouble and motion, caused by the Earthquake, ranne three hundred leagues a∣longst the Coast. Soone after, which was in the yeere eightie two, happened that earthquake of Arequipa, which in a manner ouer-threw the whole Citie. Since in the yeere eightie sixe, the ninth of Iuly, fell another earthquake in the Citie of Kings, the which as the Vice-roy did write, had runne one hundred threescore and ten leagues alongst the Coast, and ouerthwart in the Sierre fiftie leagues. The mercy of the Lord was great in this Earthquake,* 1.23 to forewarne the people by a great noise which they heard a little before the Earthquake, who taught by former [ 10] experiences, presently put themselues in safetie, leauing their Houses, Streets, and Gardens, to goe into the fields; so as although it ruined a great part of the Citie, and of the chiefest buil∣dings, yet there died not aboue fifteene or twentie persons of all the Inhabitants. It caused the like trouble and motion at Sea, as it had done at Chille, which happened presently after the Earthquake, so as they might see the Sea furiously to flie out of her bounds, and to runne neere two leagues into the Land, rising aboue fourteene fathom: it couered all that Playne, so as the Ditches and pieces of wood that were there; swam in the water. There was yet another earth∣quake in the Realme and Citie of Quitto; and it seemes all these notable Earthquakes vpon that Coast, haue succeeded one another by order, as in truth it is subiect to these inconueniences. And therefore although vpon the coast of Peru, there be no torments from Heauen, as thunder and [ 20] lightning, yet are they not without feare vpon the Land: and so euery one hath before his eyes, the Heralds of diuine Iustice, to mooue him to feare God. For as the Scripture saith, F••cit haec vt timeatur. Returning then to our purpose, I say the Sea coast is most subiect to these earthquakes,* 1.24 the reason is, in my iudgement, for that the water doth stop the conduits and passages of the earth, by which the hot exhalations should passe, which are engendered there. And also the hu∣miditie thickning the superficies of the earth, doth cause the fumes and hot exhalations to goe close together and encounter violently in the bowels of the earth, which doe afterwards breake foorth.

Some haue obserued, that such Earthquakes haue vsually hapned, when as a raynie season falls after some drie yeeres. Whereupon they say, that the Earthquakes are most rare, where are [ 30] most Wells, the which is approued by experience. Those of the Citie of Mexico hold opinion, that the Lake whereon it is seated, is the cause of the Earthquakes that happen there, although they be not very violent: and it is most certaine, that the Townes and Prouinces, farre within the Land, and farthest from the Sea, receiue sometimes great losses by these Earthquakes, as the Citie of Chachapoyas at the Indies, and in Italie that of Ferrara, although vpon this subiect.* 1.25 It seemes this latter, being neere to a Riuer, and not farre from the Adriaticke Sea, should rather be numbred among the Sea-townes. In the yeere of our Lord 1581. in Cugian••, a Citie of Peru, o∣therwise called The Peace, there happened a strange accident touching this subiect. A Village called Angoango (where many Indians dwelt that were Sorcerers and Idolaters) fell suddenly to ruine, so as a great part thereof was raysed vp and carried away,* 1.26 and many of the Indians smo∣thered, [ 40] and that which seemes incredible (yet testified by men of credit) the earth that was rui∣ned and so beaten downe, did runne and slide vpon the Land for the space of a league and a halfe, as it had beene water or waxe molten, so as it stopt and filled vp a Lake, and remayned so spread ouer the whole Countrie.

Notes

• * 1.1

  L. 3. C. 19▪
• * 1.2

  Decay of peo∣ple in the Indies by the Spani∣ards.
• * 1.3

  Corn ground••▪
• * 1.4

  The Indies mountainous, and thereby temperate.
• * 1.5

  Of the proper∣ties of the land of Peru. Chap. 20
• * 1.6

  One winde onely.
• * 1.7

  The Plaines, the hils, and the Andes. See sup. in Herera.
• * 1.8

  Raine almost euer, and al∣most neuer.
• * 1.9

  Diuers Beasts.
• * 1.10

  Their bread.
• * 1.11

  The reason why it raines on the Lanos, along the Sea coast. Chap. 21.
• * 1.12

  Of the proper∣tie of new Spaine, of the Ilands, and of other Lands. Chap. 22.

  Peru wine.
• * 1.13

  Sugar workes and Hides.
• * 1.14

  Indians wasted.
• * 1.15

  Of the vn∣knowne Land, and the diuer∣sitie of a whole day, betwixt them of the East and the West. Chap. 23.
• * 1.16

  Of the Volcans or Vents of fire. Chap. 24.
• * 1.17

  Terrible earth∣quake at Gua∣timala.
• * 1.18

  Couetous Priest.
• * 1.19

  Causes of this burning.
• * 1.20

  Basil. Psal. 28. & in exa••.
• * 1.21

  Of Earth∣quakes. Cap. 26.
• * 1.22

  Great earth∣quakes.
• * 1.23

  Noyse before the earthquake.
• * 1.24

  Why the Sea coast is subiect to earth∣quakes.
• * 1.25

  Earthquake at Ferrara ter∣rible.
• * 1.26

  A•• Angoango.