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.

CHAP. III. Extracts of GONZALO FERDINANDO DE OVIEDO his Summarie and Generall Historie of the Indies.

Of the mynes of gold, and the manner of working in them.

THis particular of the mynes of Gold, is a thing greatly to be noted, and I may much better speake hereof then any other man, forasmuch as there are now twelue [ 20] yeeres past since I serued in the place of the Surueyor of the melting shops, per∣tayning to the gold mynes of the firme Land, and was the Gouernor of the mynes of the Catholike King Don Ferdinando, after whole departure from this life, I ser∣ued long in the same roome in the Name of your Maiestie. The myne or veine which ought to be followed, ought to be in a place which may stand to saue much of the charges of the Labourers, and for the administration of other necessarie things, that the charges may bee recompenced with gaynes. The greatest part of the wrought gold which the Indians haue, is base,* 1.1 and holdeth somewhat of Copper: of this they make Bracelets and Chaines, and in the same they close their Iewels which their Women are accustomed to weare, and esteemed more then all the riches of the World. The manner how gold is gathered, is this, either of such as is [ 30] found in Zauana, that is to say, in the Plaines and Riuers of the Champaine country being with∣out Trees, whether the Earth be with grasse or without, or of such as is sometimes found on the Land without the Riuers in places where Trees grow, so that to come by the same, it shall be requisite to cut downe many and great Trees. But after which soeuer of these two manners it be found,* 1.2 either in the Riuers or Breaches of waters, or else in the earth, I will shew how it is found in both these places, and how it is separate and purged. Therefore when the myne or veine is discouered, this chanceth by searching and prouing in such places as by certaine signes and to∣kens doe appeare to skilfull men apt for the generation of gold, and to hold gold: and when they haue found it, they follow the myne, and labour it, whether it be in the Riuer, or in the Playne, as I haue said. And if it be found on the Playne, first they make the place very cleane where they [ 40] intend to digge, then they digge eight or ten foot in length, and as much in breadth: but they goe no deeper then a span or two, or more, as shall seeme best to the Master of the myne, digging equally,* 1.3 then they wash all the earth which they haue taken out of the said space, and if herein they finde any gold they follow it, and if not, they digge a span deeper, and wash the earth as they did before: and if then also they finde nothing, they continue in digging and washing the earth as before, vntill they come to the hard rocke or stone: and if in fine they finde no gold there, they follow no further to seeke gold in that place, but goe to another part. And it is to be vnderstood, that when they haue found the myne, they follow it in digging, in the same mea∣sure in leuell and depth, vntill they haue made an end of all the myne which that place contay∣neth,* 1.4 if it appeare to be rich. This myne ought to consist of certaine feet or pases in length or [ 50] breadth, according to certaine orders determined, and within that compasse of earth, it is not lawfull for any other to digge for gold: And where as endeth the myne of him that first found the gold, immediatly it is lawfull for any other man that will, with a staffe to assigne himselfe a place by the side of the same, inclosing it with stakes or pales as his owne. These mynes of Za∣uana (that is, such as are found in the Playnes) ought euer to bee sought neere to some Riuer or Brooke, or Spring of water, or Dike, or standing Poole, to the end that the gold may be washed, for the which purpose they vse the labour of certaine Indians,* 1.5 as they doe other in digging of the myne. And when they haue digged out the myne, they fill certaine Trayes with that earth, which other Indians haue the charge immediatly to receiue at their hands, and to carry those Trayes of earth to the water, where it may be washed: Yet doe not they that bring it wash it, [ 60] but deliuer it to other, putting it out of their owne Trayes into theirs, which they haue readie in their hands to receiue it. These Washers for the most part are the Indian women, because this worke is of lesse paine and trauell then any other.* 1.6 These women when they wash, are accusto∣med to fit by the water side, with their legges in the water euen vp to the knees, or lesse, as the

place serueth their purpose: and thus holding the Trayes with earth in their hands by the han∣dles thereof, and putting the same into the water, they mooue them round about, after the man∣ner of sifting, with a certaine aptnesse, in such sort that there entreth no more water into the Trayes then serueth their turne, and with the selfe same apt mouing of their Trayes in the wa∣ter, they euer auoid the foule water with the earth out of the one side of the Vessell, and re∣ceiue in cleane water on the other side thereof, so that by this means by little and little, the water washeth the earth as the lighter substance of the Trayes, and the Gold as the heauier matter re∣steth in the bottome of the same, being round and hollow in the middest like vnto a Barbars Ba∣sen. And when all the earth is auoided, and the Gold gathered together in the bottome of the [ 10] Tray, they put it a part, and returne to take more earth, which they wash continually as before. Furthermore it is to be noted, that for euery two Indians that wash,* 1.7 it is requisite that two o∣ther serue them to bring earth from the Mine, and other two to breake the same small, and fill their Trayes therewith. Also beside these Labourers, it is necessarie that there be other people in the place where they worke and rest in the night: these are such as make their bread, and pro∣uide for victuals, and other necessaries. So that to conclude, there are in all, fiue persons ordina∣rily assigned to euery Tray of washers.* 1.8

There is another manner of working the Mines, in Riuers or Brookes of running waters: and this is, that in auoyding the water of his course, after that the beds of the Riuers are dry and vt∣terly emptied, they find Gold among the breaches, clifts, and rifts of stones, and among all that [ 20] is in the bottome of the Channell, and where naturally the Riuer runneth of greatest force: So that it chanceth sometime, that when the bed of the Riuer is good and rich,* 1.9 they find in it great quantitie of Gold. And therefore your Maiestie ought to vnderstand for a generall rule, as it ap∣peareth in fact, that all Gold is ingendred in the tops and highest places of the Mountaines,* 1.10 and incontinuance of time is by little and little brought downe to the Vales and Plaines by showres of raine, and the fals of Springs, Riuers, and Brookes, hauing their originall in the Mountaines, and descending from the same, notwithstanding it is oftentimes found in the Plaines farre from the Mountains. But when it chanceth to be found in great quantity, it is for the most part among the Mountaines, and in the Riuers, or their branches, more then in any other part of the Plaine: and in these two manners it is commonly found most abundantly. And for the better proose [ 30] that Gold is ingendred on high, and is brought downe into the low places, I haue one great to∣ken thereof, which causeth me to beleeue it for certaine: and this is▪ to consider that coles neuer putrifie nor corrupt vnder the ground, if they be made of strong wood. Whereby it chanceth, that digging the earth by the foulds or indented places of the Mountaines, or on the sides,* 1.11 and breaking a Mine in the earth, where it had beene broken before, and hauing now digged one or two or three Poles in measure, the Miners found certaine coles of wood vnder the same leuell where they found Gold, and this I say in the earth which was taken for a Virgin, that is to say, such as had not before beene opened for any Mine: the which coles could not naturally bee in∣gendred there, or enter in by any meanes, but when the superficiall part of the earth was equall with the leuell where the coles were found, it is like that the coles were left there by some occa∣sion [ 40] of fire, and that they fastened there in time, and that afterward in long continuance of time, they were by little and little couered with the earth, which the often showres of raine washed from the Mountaines, so that by the course of yeeres the earth ouergrew the coles vnto the said leuell and measure, which had before time beene the superficiall part of the earth, where the coles and Gold were found together:* 1.12 whereby it may appeare that the Gold was no more in∣gendred there then were the coles, but brought thither from the Mountaynes by the falls of wa∣ters as we haue said, forasmuch as the Mountaines are the Matrices and bowels of all rich Metals. Further and beside this, I say that in how much more the Gold is gone farre from the naturall place of this generation to the place where it is found, it is so much the more purified and fined, and of a better caract, and the neerer that it is found to his proper Mine or veine where it is in∣gendred, it is so much the baser, fouler, and more crude, and of a baser alay and caract, and doth [ 50] waste so much the more in melting, and remayneth more brickle.

Sometimes there are found graines of Gold of great quantitie,* 1.13 and of great weight aboue the earth, and sometimes also vnder the earth: And the greatest of all other that was found to this day in the Indies, was that which was lost in the Sea about the Iland Beata, which weighed three thousand and two hundred of Castellans of God, which are in value foure thousand a hun∣dred thirtie and eight Ducats of Gold, which weigh one Arroua and seuen pound, or thirtie and two pound, after twelue ounces to the pound, which make threescore and foure Markes of Gold.* 1.14 And I saw in the yeere 1515. in the hands of Michel Passamonte Treasurer to your Ma∣iestie, two graines, of the which one weighed seuen pounds, which are fourteene Markes, and [ 60] are in value about three score and fiue Ducats of Gold euery Marke: the other was of ten Marks, which are fiue pounds of like value, and of very good Gold of two and twentie caracts, and bet∣ter: The••e are also found many other great graines, although not equall vnto these in bignesse. And forasmuch as I haue spoken of Gold, I haue thought good to declare somewhat how the In∣dians can very excellently gild such Vessels of Copper and base Gold as they make: for they can

giue them so faire and flourishing a colour, that all the masse which they gilt, appeareth as though it were Gold of two and twentie caracts, and better. This colour they giue with a certaine hearbe, as though it were wrought by the art of any Gold-smith of Spaine or Italie, and would of them be esteemed as a thing of great riches and a secret manner of gilding. For the desire that our men haue to Gold, they nothing esteeme the Copper, although there might great com∣moditie and profit be had thereby, and also by other Metals, which they nothing regard, except Siluer, which is found abundantly in that part of the firme Land which is called New Spaine.

Of the manner of fishing for Pearles.

THe Indians exercise this kind of fishing for the most part in the Coasts of the North in Cu∣bagua [ 10] and Cumana, and many of them which dwell in the Houses of certaine particular Lords in the Ilands of San Dominico and Sancti Iohannis, resort to the Iland of Cubagua, for this purpose. Their custome is to goe fiue, sixe, or seuen, or more in one of their Canoas or Barkes, earely in the morning to some place in the Sea thereabout, where it appeareth vnto them that there should be great plentie of those shell fishes (which some call Muscles, and some Oysters) wherein Pearles are ingendred, and there they plunge themselues vnder the water, euen vnto the bottome, sauing one that remayneth in the Canoa or Boat, which hee keepeth still in one place as neere as he can, looking for their returne out of the water: And when one of them hath beene a good while vnder the water, he riseth vp, and commeth swimming to the Boat, entring into the same, and leauing there all the Oysters which he hath taken and brought with him (for [ 20] in these are the Pearles found) and when he hath there rested himselfe a while, and eaten part of the Oysters, he returneth againe to the water, where hee remayneth as long as hee can en∣dure, and then riseth againe, and swimmeth to the Boat with his prey, where hee resteth him as before, and thus continueth course by course, as doe all the other in like manner, being all most expert Swimmers and Diuers: and when the night draweth neere, they returne to the I∣land to their houses, and present all the Oysters to the Master or Steward of the house of their Lord, who hath the charge of the said Indians, and when he hath giuen them somewhat to eate, he layeth vp the Oysters in safe custodie, vntill he haue a great quantitie thereof, then he causeth the same Fishermen to open them, and they find in euery of them Pearles, other great or small, two, or three, or foure, and sometimes fiue or sixe, and many small graines, according to the li∣beralitie [ 30] of nature. They saue the Pearles both small and great which they haue found, and either eate the Oysters if they will, or cast them away, hauing so great a quantitie thereof, that they in manner abhorre them. These Oysters are of hard flesh, and not so pleasant in eating as are ours of Spaine. This Iland of Cubagua▪ where this manner of fishing is exercised, is in the North Coast, and is no bigger then the Iland of Zeland. Oftentimes the Sea increaseth greatly, and much more then the Fishers for Pearles would, because whereas the place is very deepe, a man cannot naturally rest at the bottom, by reason of the abundance of airie substance which is in him, as I haue oftentimes proued. For although he may by violence and force descend to the bottome, yet are his feet lifted vp againe, so that hee can continue no time there: and therefore where the Sea is very deepe, these Indian Fishers vse to tye two great stones about them with a coard, on [ 40] each side one, by the weight whereof they descend to the bottome, and remayne there vntill them listeth to rise againe, at which time they vnlose the stones, and rise vp at their pleasure. But this their aptnesse and agilitie in swimming, is not the thing that causeth men most to mar∣uell:* 1.15 but rather to consider how many of them can stand in the bottome of the water for the space of one whole houre, and some more or lesse, according as one is more apt hereunto then an other. An other thing there is which seemeth to me very strange: and this is, that whereas I haue oftentimes demanded of some of these Lords of the Indians, if the place where they are ac∣customed to fish for Pearles, being but little and narrow, will not in short time be vtterly with∣out Oysters, if they consume them so fast: They all answered mee, that although they be consu∣med in one part,* 1.16 yet if they goe a fishing in an other part, or an other Coast of the Iland, or at an [ 50] other contrary wind, and continue fishing there also vntill the Oysters bee likewise consumed, and then returne againe to the first place, or any other place where they fished before, and emp∣tied the same in like manner, they find them againe as full of Oysters as though they had neuer beene fished.* 1.17 Whereby we may iudge, that these Oysters either remoue from one place to an o∣ther, as doe other fishes, or else that they are ingendred and increase in certaine ordinarie places. This Iland of Cumana and Cubagua, where they fish for these Pearles, is in the twelfth degree of the part of the said Coast which inclineth toward the North. Likewise Pearles are found and gathered in the South Sea, called Mare del Sur, and the Pearles of this Sea are very bigge, yet not so bigge as they of the Iland of Pearles, called de las Perlas, or Margarita, which the Indians call Terarequi, lying in the Gulfe of Saint Michael, where greater Pearles are found, and of [ 60] greater price, then in any other Coast of the North Sea, in Cumana, or any other part. I speake this as a true testimonie of sight, hauing beene long in that South Sea, and making curious inqui∣sition to be certainly informed of all that pertayneth to the fishing of Pearles. From this Iland of Terarequi,* 1.18 there was brought a Pearle of the fashion of a Peare, weighing thirtie and one

Caracts, which Petrus Arias had among a thousand and so many pounds weight of other Pearles, which he had when Captaine Gaspar Morales (before Petrus Arias) p••ssed to the said Iland in the yeare 1515. which Pearle was of great price. From the said Iland also,* 1.19 came a great and ve∣ry round Pearle, which I brought out of the Sea, this was as bigge as a small pellet of a Stone∣bow, and of the weight of twentie and sixe Caracts: I bought it in the Citie of Panama, in the Sea of Sur, and paid for it sixe hundred and fiftie times the weight thereof of good Gold, and had it three yeeres in my custodie, and after my returne into Spaine, sold it to the Earle of Nan∣sa•• Marquesse of Zenet•••• great Chamberlaine to your Maiestie, who gaue it to the Marquesse his Wife, the Ladie Mentia of Mendoza. I thinke verily that this Pearle was the greatest, fairest, [ 10] and roundest that hath beene seene in those parts. For your Maiestie ought to vnderstand, that in the Coast of the Sea of Sur,* 1.20 there are found a hundred great Pearles round after the fashion of a Peare, to one that is perfectly round and great.

Of the familiaritie which certayne of the Indians haue with the Deuill, and how they receiue answere of him of things to come, and other Superstitions.

WHen the Indians beginne their battaile, or goe to any combate, or attempt any other great mater, they haue certaine elect men, whom they reuerently esteeme, and call [ 20] them Tequinas, which in their tongue is as much to say as Masters: notwithstanding that they call euery man, that is cunning in any Science, by the same name, as Fishers, Fowlers, Hunters, or makers of Nets. These Tequinas therefore, they call the Masters of their Answeres, because they speake with Tuyra, that is, the Deuill, and bring them answere what he saith,* 1.21 either as tou∣ching such things as they haue to doe, or shall chance to them the day following, or many dayes to come. For the Deuill, being so ancient an Astronomer, knoweth the times of things, and seeth how they are naturally directed and inclined, and maketh them beleeue that they come so to passe by his ordinance, as though he were the Lord and moouer of all that is and shall be, and that he giueth the day light, and raine, causeth te••pest, and ruleth the stations of times, giuing life, or taking away life, at his pleasure: By reason whereof, the Indians being deceiued of him, and [ 30] seeing also such effects to come certainly to passe as he hath told them before, beleeue him in all other things, and honour him in many places with Sacrifices of the bloud and liues of men, and odoriferous Spices: And when God disposeth the contrary to that which the Deuill hath spoken in Oracle, whereby he is prooued a Lyer, hee causeth the Tequinas to perswade the people that he hath changed his mind and sentence for some of their sins, or deuiseth some such lye as liketh him best, being a skilfull Master in such subtill and craftie deuices, to deceiue the simple and ig∣norant people, which hath small defence against so mightie and craftie an Aduersarie. And as they call the Deuill Tuyra, so doe they in many places call the Christians by the same name, thinking that they greatly honour them thereby, as indeed it is a name very fit and agreeable to many of them, hauing laid apart all honestie and vertue, liuing more like Dragons then men, [ 40] among these simple people.

Before the Inhabitants of the Iland of Hispaniola had receiued the Christian Faith, there was among them a Sect of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which liued solitarily in the Desarts and Woods, and led their life in Silence and Abstinence more streightly then euer did the Philosophers of Pythagoras Sect,* 1.22 abstaining in like manner 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the eating of all things that liue by bloud, contented onely with such Fruites, Herbes, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as the Deserts and Woods ministred vnto them to eate: The Professors of this Sect were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 P••aces. They gaue themselues to the knowledge of naturall things, and vsed certaine secret ••••gicall Operations and Superstitions, whereby they had fami∣liaritie with Spirits, which they a••ured into their owne bodies, at such times as they would take vpon them to tell of t••ings to come, which they did in manner as followeth. When any [ 50] of the Kings had occasion to call any of them ••ut of the Desarts for this purpose, their custome was to send them a portio•• of their fine Bread of Cazabi or Maiz, and with humble request and suite to desire them 〈…〉〈…〉 them of such things as they would demand. After the request granted, and the place a•• day appointed, the Piaces commeth with two of his Disciples wayting on him, where the one bringeth with him a Vessell of a secret Water, and the other a little Siluer Bell When hee commeth to the place, hee sitteth downe on a round seate made for him of purpose ••here hauing his Disciples the one standing on the one hand, and the other on the other,* 1.23 euen the presence of the King and certaine of his Nobles (for the common people are not admitte•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these Mysteries) and turning his face toward the Desart, he be∣ginneth his Inchant••••••t, and calleth the Spirit with loude voyce by certaine names, [ 60] which no man vnder••••••ndeth but hee and his Disciples. After hee hath done thus a while, if the Spirit yet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his comming, hee drinketh of the said Water, and therewith waxeth hot and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and inuerteth and turneth his Inchantment, and letteth himselfe bloud with a thorne, maru••••••••usly turmoiling himselfe, as we read of the furious Sybils, not ceasing

vntill the spirit be come: who at his comming entreth into him, and ouerthroweth him, as it were a Greyhound should ouerturne a Squerell, then for a space, he seemeth to lye as though he were in great paine, or in a rapte, wonderfully tormenting himselfe, during which agonie, the other Disciple shaketh the Siluer Bell continually. Thus when the agonie is past, and he lyeth quietly (yet without any sence or feeling) the King, or some other in his stead, demandeth of him what he desired to know: and the spirit answered him by the mouth of the rapte Piaces, with a direct and perfect answere to all points: Insomuch that on a time certaine Spaniards being pre∣sent at these mysteries with one of the Kings, and in the Spanish tongue demanding the Piaces of their Ships which they looked for out Spaine, the spirit answered in the Indian tongue, and told them what day and houre the Ships departed from Spaine, how many they were, and what they brought, without failing in any point. If he be also demanded of the eclipse of the Sunne [ 10] or Moone (which they greatly feare and abhorre) he giueth a perfect answer,* 1.24 and the like of tempests, famine, plentie, warre or peace, and such other things. When all the demands are fi∣nished, his Disciples call him aloud, ringing the Siluer Bell at his eare, and blowing a certaine powder into his nostrils, whereby he is raised as it were from a dead sleepe, being yet somewhat heauy headed and faint a good while after. Thus being againe rewarded of the King with more bread, he departeth againe to the desarts with his Disciples. But since the Christian faith hath beene dispersed throughout the Iland, these diuellish practises haue ceased, and they of the mem∣bers of the Diuell, are made the members of Christ by Baptisme, forsaking the Diuell and his works, with the vaine curiosity of desire of knowledge of things to come, whereof for the most part it is better to be ignorant, then with vexation to know that which cannot be auoided. [ 20]

* 1.25Furthermore, in manie places of the firme Land, when any of the Kings dye, all his houshold seruants, aswell women as men, which haue continually serued him, kill themselues, beleeuing as they are taught by the Diuell Tuyra, that they that kill themselues when the King dyeth, goe with him to heauen, and serue him in the same place and office as they did before on the earth while he liued: and that all that refuse so to doe, when after they dye by their naturall death or otherwise, their soules to die with their bodies, and to be dissolued into ayre, and become no∣thing, as doe the soules of Hogges, Birds, Fishes, or other bruite beasts: and that onely the o∣ther may enioy the priuiledge of immortalitie for euer, to serue the King in heauen. And of this false opinion commeth it, that they which sowe corne, or set rootes for the Kings bread, [ 30] and gather the same, are accustomed to kill themselues, that they may enioy this priuiledge in heauen, and for the same purpose, cause a portion of the graine of Maiz, and a bundle of Iucca (whereof their bread is made) to be buried with them in their graues, that the same may serue them in heauen, if perhaps there should lacke seedes to sowe, and therefore they take this with them, to begin withall, vntill Tuyra (who maketh them all these faire promises) prouide them of greater quantitie. This haue I my selfe seene in the top of the Mountaines of Guaturo, where hauing in prison the King of that Prouince (who rebelled from the obedience of your Maiestie) and demanding of him to whom pertained those S••pultures or graues which I saw in his house: he answered, that they were of certaine Indians which slew themselues at the death of his Fa∣ther. And because they are oftentimes accustomed to bury great quantities of wrought gold with them, I caused two graues to be opened, wherein was nothing found but a vessell full of [ 40] the graine of Maiz, and a bundle of Iucca, as I haue said. And demanding the cause hereof, of the King and the other Indians: they answered, that they that were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there, were the la∣bourers of the ground, and men skilfull in sowing of seedes, and maki•••• of bread, and seruants to the Kings father, and to the end that their soules should not dye ••ith their bodies, they slue themselues at the death of the King their Master, to liue with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heauen, and to the intent that they might serue him there in the same office, they reserue that Maiz and Iucca, to sowe it in heauen. Whereunto I answered them in this manner, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 how your Tuyra deceiueth you, and how all that he teacheth you is false. You see how 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so long a time since they are dead, they haue not yet taken away this Maiz and Iucca which is now purified and worth nothing, [ 50] and not like to be sowen in heauen. To this the King replied, saying▪ In that they haue not ta∣ken it away, nor sowen it in heauen, the cause is, that they chanced •• finde enough there, by reason whereof they had no neede of this. To this errour many thing were said, which seemed of little force to remoue him from his false opinion, and especially any ••uch as at that age are oc∣cupied of the Diuell, whom they paint of the selfe same forme and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as he appeared vnto them in diuers shapes and formes. They make also Images of Gold, Co••per, and Wood, to the same similitudes,* 1.26 in terrible shapes, and so variable, as the Painters are a••••••stomed to paint them at the feete of Saint Michael the Archangell, or in any other place, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they paint them of most torrible portrature. Likewise when the diuell greatly intendeth 〈…〉〈…〉 them, he threat∣neth to send them great tempests,* 1.27 which they call Furacanas, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and are so vehe∣ment, that they ouerthrow many houses, and great trees. And I haue seen•• Mountaines, full of [ 60] many and great trees, that for the space of three quarters of a league the ••••••ntaine hath beene subuerted, and the tree ouerthrowne, and plucked out of the earth with 〈…〉〈…〉.

The gulfe of Vraba, is distant from the Equinoctiall line, from an hundr•••• and twentie, to a

hundred and thirty leagues, and three quarters of a league, after that accompt of seuenteen leagues and a halfe for euerie degree from Pole to Pole: & thus for a little more or lesse, goeth all the coast. By reason wherof, in the Citie of Sancta Maria, Antiqua, in Dariena, and in all that course of the foresaid gulfe of Vraba, at all times of the yeere the daies and nights are in manner of equall length: and if there be any difference betweene them by reason of this small distance from the Equinoctiall, it is so little, that in foure and twentie houres, making a naturall day, it cannot be perceiued but by the iudgement of speculatiue men, and such as vnderstand the sphere. From hence the North Starre is seene verie low.

[ 10] Of diuers particular things, as Wormes, Serpents, Beasts, Foules, Trees, &c.

I Will first speake of certaine little and troublesome Beasts, which may seeme to be engendred of nature to molest and vexe men, to shew them and giue them to vnderstand, how small and vile a thing may offend & disquiet them, to the end that they may remember the principall end for the which they were created, that is, to know their maker. In manie parts of the firme Land, by the which as wel the Christians as the Indians do trauaile,* 1.28 there are such marishes & waters in the way, that they are faine to go without breeches among the hearbes & weeds, by reason wher of, certain small beasts or wormes (which they call Garapates) much like vnto Ticks, cleaue fast to their legs. These worms are as little as the pouder of beaten Salt, & cleaue so fast, that they can by [ 20] no meanes be taken away, except the place be nointed with oyle: & after that the legs be noin∣ted a while with oyle, or the other parts where these little Tickes are fastened, they scrape the place with a Knife, & so take them away. But the Indians which haue no oyle, smoake them, and burne them with fire, and abide great paines in taking them away by this means. Of other little Beasts which trouble men, and are engendred in their heads or other parts of their bodies, I say that the Christian men which trauaile into these parts, haue them but seldome times, and that not past one or two, and this also very seldome: For passing by the line of the Diameter where the compasse maketh difference of sailing by the winde called Greco (that is, North-east) and Magistral (that is, South-west) which is in the course of the Ilands of Azori, they saile but a little way following our voiage by the West, but that all the Lice which the Christians carrie [ 30] with them, or are engendred in their heads, or other places of their bodies, die and vtterly con∣sume by little and little, and are not engendred in India, except in the heads of little children in those parts, as well among the children of the Christians which are borne there,* 1.29 as also among the naturall Indians, who haue them commonly in their heads, and sometimes in other parts of their bodies, and especially they of the Prouince of Cuena, which is a region containing more then a hundred leagues in length, and embraseth the one and the other coast of the North Sea, and of the East. When these Indians are infected with this filthinesse, they dresse and cleanse one another: And they that exercise this, are for the most part women, who eate all that they take, and haue herein such dexterity by reason of their exercise, that our men cannot lightly attaine thereunto. There is also another thing greatly to be considered: and this is, how the [ 40] Christian men, being there cleane from this filthinesse of India,* 1.30 as well in their heads as the rest of their bodies, yet when they returne to come againe into Europe, and begin to arriue in that place of the Ocean Sea where we said before that these Lice died and forsooke them, sodainely in their repassing by the same clime (as though these Lice had tarried for them in that place) they can by no meanes auoide them for the space of certaine daies, although they change their shirts two or three times in a day. These Lice are at the first as little as Nits, and grow by little and little, vntill they be of the bignesse that they are in Spaine. This haue I oftentimes proued, hauing now foure times passed the Ocean Sea by this voiage. Beside these wormes and vermin wherof we haue spoken, there is another little mischieuous worm, which we may number among the kindes of Fleas, this Pestilence the Indians call Nigua, and is much lesse then a Flea: it pear∣ceth [ 50] the flesh of a man,* 1.31 and so lancheth or cutteth the same (while in the meane time it can neither be seene nor taken) that from some it hath cut off their hands, and from other their feete, vntill the remedy was found to annoint the place with Oyle and scrape it with a Rasor. In the firme Land in golden Castile or Beragua, there are many Vipers like vnto them of Spaine: they that are bitten of them, dye in short space, for few liue to the fourth day,* 1.32 except present remedy. Of these, some are of lesse kinde then other, and haue their taile somewhat round, and leape in the aire to assaile men; and for this cause, some call this kinde of Vipers Tyro: their biting is most venomous••, and for the most part incurable. One of them chanced to bite an Indian Maide which serued me in my house, to whom I caused the Surgians to minister their ordinary cure, but they could doe her no good, nor yet get one drop of blood out of her, but onely a yel∣low [ 60] water, so that she died the third day for lacke of remedie, as the like hath chanced to diuers others. This Maide was of the age of foureteene yeares, and spake the Spanish tongue as if she had beene borne in Castile: she said that the Viper which bit her, on the foot, was two spans long, or little lesse: and that to bite her, she leapt in the aire for the space of more then six paces, as I haue heard the like of other credible persons.

* 1.33I haue also seene in the firme Land a kinde of Adders, very small, and of seuen or eight foot long; these are so red, that in the night they appeare like burning coles, and in the day seeme as red as blood, these are also venemous, but not so much as the Vipers. There are other much lesse and shorter, and blacker: these come out of the Riuers, and wander sometimes farre on the Land, and are likewise venemous. There are also other Adders of a russet colour: these are somewhat bigger then the Viper, and are hurtfull and venemous. There are likewise another sort of ma∣ny colours, and very long: of these I saw one in the yeare of Christ 1515. in the Iland of Hispa∣niola, neere vnto the Sea coasts, at the foote of the Mountaines called Pedernales. When this Ad∣der was slain, I measured her, & found her to be more then twenty foot long, and somewhat more then a mans fist in bignesse: and although she had three or foure deadly wounds with a Sword, yet dyed she not, nor stunke the same day, in so much that her blood continued warme all that [ 10] time. There are also in the Marishes and desarts of the firme Land many other kindes of Lysarts, Dragons,* 1.34 and diuers other kindes of Serpents, whereof I intend not here to speak much, because I haue more particularly entreated of these things in my generall historie of the West Indies. There are tlso Spiders of marueilous bignesse, and I haue seene some with bodie and legges bigger then a mans hand extended euery way,* 1.35 and I once saw one of such bignesse, that onely her body was as bigge as a Sparrow, and full of that Laune whereof they make their webbes: this was of a darke russet colour, with eyes greater then the eyes of a Sparrow, they are venemous, and of terrible shape to behold. There are also Scorpions, and diuers other such venomous wormes. Fur∣thermore in the firme Land, there are many Toades, being verie noious and hurtfull by reason of their great multitude,* 1.36 they are not venemous, they are seene in great abundance in Dareena, [ 20] where they are so big that when they die in the time of drought, the bones of some of them (and especially the ribs) are of such greatnesse, that they appeare to be the bones of Cats, or of some o∣ther beasts of the same bignesse. But as the waters diminish, & the moisture consumeth in the time of drought (as I haue said) they also consume therewith,* 1.37 vntill the yeare next following when the raine and moisture encrease, at which time they are seene againe. Neuerthelesse, at this pre∣sent there is no such quantitie of them, as was wont to be, by reason that as the Land is better cultured by the Christians, as well by the felling of Woods and Shrubs, as also by the Pasture of Kine, Horses, and other beasts, so is it apparant that this poison diminisheth daily, whereby that region becommeth more holesome and pleasant.* 1.38 These Toades sing after three or foure [ 30] sort, for some of them sing pleasantly, other like ours of Spaine, some also whistle, and other some make another manner of noise: they are likewise of diuers colours, as some greene, some russet or gray, and some almost blacke, but of all sorts they are great and filthie, and noious by reason of their great multitude, yet are they not venemous, as I haue said.

There are also a strange kinde of Crabbes, which come forth of certaine holes of the earth, that they themselues make:* 1.39 the head and bodie of these make one round thing, much like to the hood of a Faulcon, hauing foure feete comming out of the one side, and as manie out of the o∣ther: they haue also two mouthes, like vnto a paire of small Pincers, the one bigger then the o∣ther, wherewith they bite, but doe no great hurt, because they are not venemous: their skin and bodie is smooth, and thinne, as is the rkinne of a man, sauing that it is somewhat harder; their colour is russet, or white, or blew, and walke sidelong, they are verie good to be eaten, in so much [ 40] that the Christians trauailing by the firme Land, haue beene greatly nourished by them, because they are found in manner euerie where: in shape and forme they are much like vnto the Crabbe which we paint for the signe Cancer, and like vnto those which are found in Spaine in Anda∣lusia in the Riuer Guadalchiber, where it entreth into the Sea, and in the Sea coasts there about, sauing that these are of the water, and the other of the land: they are sometimes hurtfull, so that they that eate of them dye, but this chanceth onely when they haue eaten any venomous thing, or of the venemous apples wherewith the Caniball archers poison their arrowes, where∣of I will speake hereafter, and for this cause the Christians take heede how they eate of these Crabbes, if they finde them neere vnto the said apple trees. Furthermore in these Indies, as well [ 50] in the firme land, as in the Ilands, there is found a kinde of Serpents, which they call Yuanas, which some call Iuannas,* 1.40 these are terrible and fearefull to fight, and yet not hurtfull, they are verie delicate to be eaten, and it is not yet knowne whether they be beasts of the land, or fishes, because they liue in the water, and wander in the woods, and on the land: they haue foure feet, and are commonly bigger then Connies, and in some places bigger then Otters, with tailes like Lysarts or Eutes: their skinne is spotted, and of the same kinde of smoothnesse or barenesse, al∣though of diuers colours: vpon the ridge of their backes, they haue manie long prickes, their teeth are very sharpe, and especially their fangs or dogge teeth, their throates are l••ng and large, reaching from their beards to their brests, of the like skinne to the residue of their bodies: they are dumbe, and haue no voice, or make any noise, or crie, although they be kept tied to the foote of a chest, or any other thing, for the space of twentie or fiue and twentie daies, without any [ 60] thing to eate or drinke, except they giue them now and then a little of the bread of Cazabi, or some such other thing: they haue foure feete, and their fore-feete as long as a mans finger, with clawes like the clawes of a bird, but weaker, and such as cannot grasple or take hold of any

thing: they are much better to be eaten then to behold, for few that see them, will haue desire to eate of them, by reason of their horrible shape, except such as haue beene accustomed to the beasts of these regions, which are more horrible and fearefull, as this is not, but onely in appa∣rence: their flesh is of much better taste then the flesh of Connies, and more holesome, for it hurteth none but onely such as haue had the French poxe, in so much,* 1.41 that if they haue beene touched of that infirmitie, although they haue beene whole of long time, neuerthelesse they feele hurt, and complaine of the eating of these Iuannas, as hath beene oftentimes proued by experience.

There are found in the firme land certaine birds, so little, that the whole bodie of one of them is no bigger then the top of the biggest finger of a mans hand,* 1.42 and yet is the bare body without [ 10] the feathers not halfe so bigge: This Bird, beside her littlenesse, is of such velositie and swiftnesse in flying, that who so seeth her flying in the aire, cannot see her slap or beate her wings after a∣ny other sort then doe the Dorres, or humble Bees, or Beetels: so that there is no man that seeth her flye, that would thinke her to be any other then a Do••re: they make their nests ac∣cording to the proportion of their bignesse, and I haue seene that one of these Birds with her nest put in a paire of gold weights altogether, hath waide no more then 2. Tomini, which are in poise 24. graines, with the feathers, without the which she should haue waied some what lesse. And doubtlesse, when I consider the finenesse of the clawes and feete of these Birds, I know not whereunto I may better liken them, then to the little birds which the lymners of bookes are [ 20] accustomed to paint on the margent of Church Bookes, and other Bookes of Diuine Seruice. Their Feathers are of manie faire colours, as golden, yellow, and greene, beside other variable colours: their beake is verie long for the proportion of their bodies, and as fine and subtile as a sowing needle: they are verie hardy, so that when they see a man clime the tree where they haue their nests, they flye at his face, and strike him in the eyes, comming, going, and returning with such swiftnesse, that no man would lightly beleeue it, that hath not seene it: and certain∣ly these birds are so little, that I durst not haue made mention hereof, if it were not that diuers others which haue seene them as well as I, can beare witnesse of my saying: they make their nests of flocks and cotten, whereof there is great plentie in these regions, and serueth well for their purpose. But as touching the Birds, Foules, and Beasts of these Indies, because they are [ 30] innumerable, both little and great, I intend not to speake much here, because I haue spoken more largely hereof in my generall Historie of the Indies. There is another kinde of Beasts seene in the firme Land, which seemeth very strange and marueilous to the Christian men to behold, and much differing from all other Beasts which haue beene seene in other parts of the world: these Beasts are called Bardati, and are foure footed, hauing their taile and all the rest of their bodies co∣uered onely with a skin like the coperture of a barbed horse,* 1.43 or the checkered skin of a Lisart or Crocodile, of colour betweene white and russet, inclining somewhat more to white. This Beast is of forme and shape much like to a barbed horse, with his barbes and stankets in all points, and from vnder that which is the barbe and coperture, the taile commeth forth, and the feete in their place, the necke also and the eares in their parts, and in fine all things in like sort as in a barbed [ 40] courser: they are of the bignesse of one of these common Dogges, they are not hurtfull, they are filthie, and haue their habitation in certaine hillockes of the earth, where digging with their feete, they make their dens verie deepe, and the holes thereof, in like manner as doe Connies: they are very excellent to be eaten, and are taken with nets, and some also killed with Cros∣bowes: they are likewise taken oftentimes when the Husbandmen burne the stubble in sowing time, or to renew the herbage for Kine and other Beasts. I haue oftentimes eaten of their flesh, which seemeth to me of better taste then Kiddes flesh, and holesome to be eaten. And if these Beasts had euer beene seene in these parts of the world, where the first barbed Horses had their originall, no man would iudge but that the forme and fashion of the coperture of Horses furnish∣ed for the warres, was first deuised by the sight of these Beasts.

[ 50] There is also in the firme Land another beast, called Ors•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that is, the Ante-beare. This beast in haire and colour, is much like to the Bea••e of Spaine,* 1.44 and in manner of the same making, saue that he hath a much longer snoue, and is of euill fight: they are oftentimes taken only with staues, without any other weapon, and are not hurtfull, they are also taken with Dogges, because they are not naturally armed, although they bite somewhat, they are found for the most part about and neere to the hillockes where are great abundance of Antes. For in these Regions is ingendred a certaine kind of Antes, very little and blacke▪ in the Fields and Plaines whereas grow no Trees,* 1.45 where by the instinct of Nature these Antes separate them∣selues to ingender farre from the Woods for feare of these Beares, the which because they are fearefull, vile, and vnarmed (as I haue said) they keepe euer in places full of Trees, vntill very [ 60] famine and necessitie, or the great desire that they haue to feede on these Antes, cause them to come out of the Woods to hunt for them: these Antes make a hillocke of earth to the height of a man, or somewhat more or lesse, and as bigge as a great Chest, and sometimes as bigge as a Bu•• or a Hogshead, and as hard as a stone, so that they seeme as though they were stones, set vp to limit the ends and confines of certaine Lands. Within these hillockes, made of most hard earth,

are innumerable and infinite little Ants, the which may be gathered by bushels when the hillock is broken: the which when it is sometimes moysted by raine, and then dried againe by the heat of the Sunne, it breaketh, and hath certaine small rifts, as little and subtill as the edge of a Knife, and it seemeth that Nature hath giuen sense to these Antes to find such a matter of earth, where∣with they may make the said hillocke of such hardnesse, that it may seeme a strong pauement made of lime and stone:* 1.46 and whereas I haue prooued and caused some of them to be broken, I haue found them of such hardnesse, as if I had not seene, I could not haue beleeued, insomuch that they could scarsly be broken with Pikes of Iron, so strong Fortresses doe these little beasts make for their safegard against their aduersarie the Beare, who is chiefly nourished by them, and giuen them as an enemie, according to the common Prouerbe which saith, Non calcuna persona si libera, a chimanchi il suo Bargello, that is, There is no man so free, that hath not his Persecutor [ 10] or priuie Enemie.* 1.47 And here when I consider the maruellous prouidence which Nature hath gi∣uen to these little bodies, I call to remembrance the wittie Sentence of Plinie, where speaking of such little beasts, he saith thus, Why doe we maruell at the Towre-bearing shoulders of Elephants, and not rather where Nature hath placed so many senses and such industry in such little bodies? Where is Hearing, Smelling, Seeing, and Feeling, yea, where are the Veines and Arteries (without which no beast can liue or moue) in these so little bodies, wherof some are so small that their whole bodies can scarsly bee seene of our eyes: What shall we then say of the parts of the same? Yet euen among these there are many of such sagacitie and industry, as the like is not seene in beasts of greater quantitie, no nor yet in man, &c.

But to returne to the Historie. This Enemy which nature hath giuen to these little Beasts, [ 20] vseth this manner to assaile them: When he resorteth to the Hillocke where the Antes lye hid as in their fortresse, he putteth his tongue to one of the rifts whereof we haue spoken, beeing as subtill as the edge of a Sword, and therewith continuall licking, maketh the place moist, the foame and froth of his mouth being of such propertie, that by continuall licking the place, it in∣largeth the rift in such sort by little and little, that at the length he easily putteth in his tongue, which he hath very long and thinne, and much disproportionate to his bodie, and when he hath thus made free passage for his tongue in the hillocke, to put it easily in and out at his pleasure, then he thrusteth it into the hole as farre as he can reach, and so letteth it rest a good space, vntill a great quantitie of the Antes (whose nature reioyceth in heat and moysture) haue laden his tongue, and as many as he can containe in the hollownesse thereof, at which time hee suddenly [ 30] draweth it into his mouth, and eateth them, and returneth againe to the same practice imme∣diatly, vntill hee haue eaten as many as him listeth, or as long as hee can reach any with his tongue. The flesh of this Beast, is filthy and vnsauourie, but by reason of the extreame shifts and necessitie that the Christian men were put to at their first comming into these parts, they were inforced to prooue all things, and so fell to the eating of these Beasts: but when they had found more delicate meates, they fell into hatred with this. These Antes haue the appearance of the place of their entrance into the hillocke, vnder the ground, and this at so little a hole, that it could hardly bee found, if certaine of them were not seene to passe in and out: but by this way the Beares could haue no such power to hurt them as aboue at the said rifts, as I haue said. [ 40]

There is anoother strange beast, which by a name of contrary effect, the Spaniards call Cag∣nuolo leggiero,* 1.48 that is, The Light Dogge, whereas it is one of the slowest beasts in the World, and so heauie and dull in moouing, that it can scarsly goe fiftie pases in a whole day: these beasts are in the firme Land, and are very strange to behold for the disproportion that they haue to all other beasts: they are about two spans in length when they are growne to their full bignesse, but when they are very young, they are somewhat more grosse then long: they haue foure subtill feet, and in euery of them foure clawes like vnto Birds, and ioyned together, yet are neither their clawes or their feet able to susteine their bodies from the ground, by reason whereof, and by the heauinesse of their bodies, they draw their bellies on the ground: their neckes are high and streight, and all equall like the pestle of a Morter, which is altogether equall euen vnto the top, [ 50] without making any proportion or similitude of a head, or any difference except in the noddle, and in the tops of their neckes: they haue very round faces much like vnto Owles, and haue a marke of their owne haire after the manner of a Circle, which maketh their faces seeme some∣what more long then large: they haue small eyes and round, & nostrils like vnto Monkeyes: they haue little mouthes, and mooue their neckes from one side to another, as though they were asto∣nished: their chiefe desire and delight is to cleaue and sticke fast vnto Trees, or some other thing whereby they may climbe aloft, and therefore for the most part, these beasts are found vpon Trees, whereunto cleauing fast, they mount vp by little and little, staying themselues by their long clawes; the colour of their haire is betweene russet and white, and of the proper colour of [ 60] the haire of a Wesell: they haue no tayles, and their voice is much differing from other beasts, for they sing onely in the night, and that continually from time to time, singing euer sixe notes one higher then another, so falling with the same, that the first note is the highest, and the other in a baser tune, as if a man should say, La, sol, fa, mi, re, vt, so this beast saith, Ha, ha, h••, ha, ha, ha.

And doubtlesse, it seemeth to me, that as I haue said in the Chapter of the beast called Bardati, that those beasts might be the originall and document to imbarbe Horses: euen so, the first in∣uention of Musicke might seeme by the hearing of this beast, to haue the first principles of that Science, rather then by any other thing in the World. But now to returne to the Historie. I say that in a short space after this Beast hath sung, and hath paused a while, shee returneth againe to the selfe-same Song, and doth this onely in the night, and not in the day: By reason whereof, and also because of her euill sight, I thinke her to be a night Beast, and the friend of darknesse. Sometimes the Christian men find these Beasts, and bring them home to their houses, where al∣so they creepe all about with their naturall slownesse, insomuch that neither for threatning or [ 10] pricking they will mooue any faster then their naturall and accustomed pace. And if they finde any Trees, they creepe thither immediately, and mount to the top of the highest branch thereof, where they remayne continually for the space of eight, or ten, or twentie dayes, without ea∣ting of any thing, as farre as any man can iudge. And whereas I my selfe haue kept them in my house, I could neuer perceiue other but that they liue onely of Aire: and of the same opinion, are in manner all men of those Regions, because they haue neuer seene them eate any thing, but euer turne their heads and mouthes toward that part where the wind bloweth most, whereby may be considered that they take most pleasure in the Ayre. They bite not, nor yet can bite, hauing very little mouthes: they are not venemous or noyous any way, but altogether brutish, and vt∣terly vnprofitable, and without commoditie yet knowne to men, sauing onely to mooue their [ 20] minds to contemplate the infinite power of God, who delighteth in the varietie of creatures, whereby appeareth the power of his incomprehensible wisdome and maiestie, so farre to exceed the capacitie of mans vnderstanding.

In these Regions there are likewise found certaine Fowles or Birds, which the Indians call Alcatraz: these are much bigger then Geese,* 1.49 the greatest part of their feathers are of russet co∣lour, and in some parts yellow, their bils or beakes are of two spannes in length, and very large neere to the head, and growing small toward the point, they haue great and large throates, and are much like to a Fowle which I saw in Flanders, in Brussels in your Maiesties Palace, which the Flemmings call Haina: And I remember that when your Maiestie dined one day in your great Hall, there was brought to your Maiesties presence a Caldron of water with certaine fishes a∣liue, [ 30] which the said fowle did eat vp whole, and I think verily that that fowle was a fowle of the Sea, because she had feet like fowles of the water, as haue also these Alcatrazi, which are likewise fowles of the Sea, and of such greatnesse, that I haue seene a whole coate of a man put into the throats of one of them in Panama, in the yeere 1521. And forasmuch as in that Coast of Pa∣ma, there passeth and flyeth a great multitude of these Alcatrazi, being a thing very notable,* 1.50 I will declare the manner hereof, as not onely I, but also diuers other now present in your Maie∣sties Court haue oftentimes seene. Your Maiestie shall therefore vnderstand, that in this place (as I haue said before) the Sea of Sur riseth and falleth two leagues and more from sixe houres to sixe houre: so that when it increaseth, the water of the Sea arriueth so neere to the houses of Panama, as doth our Sea (called Mare Mediterraneum) in Barzalona, or in Naples: and when [ 40] the said increasing of the Sea commeth, there commeth also therewith such a multitude of small fishes called Sardines, that it is so maruellous a thing to behold, that no man would beleeue it that hath not seene it. Insomuch that the Cacique (that is) the King of that Land,* 1.51 at such time as I dwelt there, was bound daily, as he was commanded by your Maiesties Gouernour, to bring or∣dinarily three Canoas or Barkes full of the said Sardines, and to vnlade the same in the Market place, which were afterward by the Ruler of the Citie diuided among the Christian men, with∣out any cost or charge to any of them: Insomuch that if the people had beene a much greater multitude then they were, and as many as are at this present in Toledo, or more, and had none o∣ther thing to liue by, they might haue beene sufficiently susteined by these Sardines, beside the ouerplus which should haue remayned. But to returne to the fowles, whereof wee haue spo∣ken. [ 50] As the Sea commeth, and the Sardines with the same, euen so likewise come the said Alcatrazzi therewith, and flye continually ouer it in such a multitude, that they appeare to couer the vpper part or floore of the water, and thus continue in mounting and falling from the ayre to the water, and from the water to the ayre, during all the time of their fishing: and as∣soone as they haue taken any of these Sardines, they flye aboue the waters, and eate them in∣continently, and suddenly returne againe to the water for more, continuing thus course by course without ceasing: in like manner when the Sea falleth, they follow their fishing as I haue said. There goeth also in the company of these fowles another kind of fowles, called Coda inforcata, (that is) the forked tayle, whereof I haue made mention before, and assoone as the Alcatraz moun∣teth from the water with her prey of the Sardines, suddenly this Coda inforcata giueth her so [ 60] many strokes, and so persecuteth her, that shee causeth her to let fall the Sardines which shee hath in her mouth: the which assoone as they are fallen, and before they yet touch the water, the Coda inforcata catcheth them euen in the fall, in such sort, that it is a great pleasure to behold the combat betweene them all the day long. The number of these Alcatrazzi is such, that the Christian men are accustomed to send to certaine Ilands and Rockes which are neere about Pa∣nama,

with their Boates or Barkes to take these Alcatrazzi, while they are yet young, and cannot flie, and kill as many of them with staues as they will, vntill they haue therewith la∣den their Barkes or Canoas: these young ones are so fat and well fed, that they cannot bee ea∣ten, and are taken for none other intent, but onely to make Grease for Candles to burne in the night, for the which purpose it serueth very well, and giueth a cleere light, and burneth easily. After this manner, and for this purpose, innumerable of them are killed: and yet it seemeth that the number of them that fish for Sardines doe daily increase. There are other fowles called Passere sempie, that is, simple Sparowes: these are somewhat lesse then Seamewes, and haue their feet like vnto great Malards,* 1.52 and stand in the water sometimes, and when the ships saile fiftie or a hundred leagues about the Ilands, these fowles beholding the ships comming toward them, [ 10] breake their flight, and fall downe vpon the Saile yards, Masts, and Cables thereof, and are so simple and foolish, that they tarrie vntill they may easily bee taken with mens hands, and were therefore called of the Mariners simple Sparrowes: they are blacke, and vpon their blacke, haue their head and shoulders of feathers of a darke russet colour: they are not good to bee ea∣ten, although the Mariners haue sometimes beene inforced to eate them. There is another kind of Birds in the firme Land,* 1.53 which the Christians call Picuti, because they haue very great beakes, in respect of the littlenesse of their bodies, for their beakes are very heauie, and weigh more then their whole bodies beside: these Birds are no bigger then Quailes, but haue a much greater bushment of feathers insomuch that their feathers are more then their bodies: their feathers are very faire, and of many variable colours; their beakes are a quar∣ter [ 20] of a yard in length or more, and bending downe toward the Earth, and three fingers broad neere vnto the head: their tongues are very quils, wherewith they make a great hissing: they make holes in Trees with their beakes, in the which they make their Nests. And surely these Birds are maruellous to behold, for the great difference which they haue from all other Birds that I haue seene, aswell for their tongues (which are quils as I haue said) as also for the strangenesse of their sight and disproportion of their great beakes, in respect of the rest of their bodies. There are no Birds found that prouide better for the safegard of their young in the time of their breeding, to be without danger of wilde Cats, that they enter not into their Nests to destroy their Egges or young, and this aswell by the strange manner of building their Nests, as also by their owne defence: and therefore when they perceiue that the Cats approach toward [ 30] them, they enter into their Nests, and holding their beakes toward the entrance of the same, stand at their defence, and so vexe the Cats, that they cause them to leaue their enterprize.

There are also other Birds or Sparrowes, which the Christians by contrary effect call Matti, that is Fooles: Whereas neuerthelesse there is no Bird that sheweth more wit and craft in de∣fending her young from perill.* 1.54 These Birds are little, and in manner blacke, and somewhat big∣ger then our Thrushes: they haue certaine white feathers in their neckes, and the like sagacitie or sharpnesse of sense as haue the Birds or Pyes called Gazzuole: they seldome times light vpon the earth: they make their Nests in Trees separated from other, because the Monkeyes are ac∣customed to leape from Tree to Tree, not descending to the ground for feare of other beasts, ex∣cept when they are enforced by thirst to come downe to drinke, at such times as they are sure not to be molested, and for this cause doe not these Birds make their Nests but in Trees farre di∣uided [ 40] from other, they make them of a Cubit in length, or more, after the manner of bagges or little sackes, large at the bottome, and growing narrower and narrower toward the mouth, whereby they are fastened, hauing the hole whereat they enter into the sacke, of such bignesse as may onely suffice to receiue them. And to the end that the Monkeyes may not deuoure their young, if they chance to mount vpon the Trees where they haue their Nests, they vse another craft, which is, to make their Nests in thicke branches of Trees, and to defend the same with sharpe and strong thornes, implicate and set in such order, that no man is able to make the like, so that the Monkeyes can by no meanes put their legges into the hole of the Nest to take out the young Birds, aswell for the sharpnesse of the thornes, as also for the depth of the Nests, in the [ 50] bottome whereof, the young Birds rest without danger of their enemie: for some of their Nests being three or foure spans in length, the leg of the Monkey cannot reach to the bottome there∣of. They vse also another policie, which is, to make many of their Nests in one Tree, the which they doe for one of these two causes: that is, that either of their owne naturall disposition they are accustomed to goe in great multitudes, and reioyce in the company of their owne generati∣on, as doe the Birds which we call Stares, or else to the intent that if it should so chance that the Monkeyes should climbe the Trees where they make their Nests, they might bee a greater company to resist and molest the Monkeyes, at whose approach they make a fearefull and terrible cry, whereby the Monkeyes are put to flight. Furthermore, in the firme Land, and in the Ilands, there are certaine Birds called Piche, or Gazzuole, somewhat like vnto those which we call Wood-wals,* 1.55 or Wood-peckes, being lesse then ours of Spaine: these [ 60] are altogether blacke, and goe hopping and leaping, their beakes are also blacke, and of the same fashion as are the Popingiayes beakes, they haue long tayles, and are somewhat bigger then Stares.

There are other Birds called Pintadelli, which are like vnto certaine greene Birds,* 1.56 which the Itrlians call Fringuelli, and are of seuen colours: these Birds for feare of the Monkeyes, are euer wont to make their Nests ouer the bankes of Riuers, or the Sea, where the branches of Trees so reach ouer the water, that with a little weight they may bow downe to the water: their Nests are made so neere the tops of the branches, that when the Monkeyes come thereon, the branches bend toward the water, and the Monkeyes turne backe againe for feare of falling: For although no beast in the World be more malicious then this, yet whereas the most part of beasts are natu∣rally inclined to swimme, this Monkey hath no manner of aptnesse thereunto, and is therefore soone drowned or strangled in the water, and by a priuie sense of Nature feareth the danger which he cannot escape. These Birds make their Nests in such sort, that although they bee wet [ 10] and filled with water, yet doe they so suddenly rise vp againe, that the young Birds are not there∣by hurt or drowned. There are also many Nightingales, and other Birds which sing maruellous∣ly with great melodie and difference in singing: these Birds are of maruellous diuers colours the one from the other, some are altogether yellow, and some other of so excellent, delectable, and high a colour, as it were a Rubie, other are also of diuers and variable colours, some of few co∣lours, and other some all of one colour, being all so faire and beautifull, that in brightnesse and shining they excell all that are in Spaine, or Italie, or other Prouinces of Europe. Many of these are taken with Nets, lime-twigs, and Springes of diuers sorts.* 1.57 Diuers other sorts of great fowles like vnto Eagles, and such other as liue of prey, are found in the firme Land, of such diuersitie, [ 20] that it is in manner impossible to describe them all particularly: and forasmuch as I haue more largely intreated hereof in my generall Historie of the Indies, I thinke it not requisite heere to make any further mention of the same.

Of Trees, Fruits, and Plants.

THere is both in the firme Land and the Ilands a certaine Tree called Coco,* 1.58 being a kind of Date Trees, and hauing their leaues of the selfesame greatnesse, as haue the Date Trees which beare Dates, but differ much in their growing, for the leaues of this Coco grow out of the trunkes of the Tree, as doe the fingers out of the hand, wreathing themselues one within ano∣ther, [ 30] and so spreading abroad: these Trees are high, and are found in great plentie in the Coast of the Sea of Sur, in the Prouince of Cacique Chiman. These Date Trees bring forth a Fruit after this sort: being altogether vnite as it groweth on the Tree, it is of greater circumference then the head of a man, and from the superficiall part to the middest, which is the fruit, it is inuolued and couered with many Webs much like vnto those Hirds of Towe which they vse in Andalusia. Of this Towe or Web, the East Indians make a certaine kind of Cloth, of three or foure sorts, and Cordes for the Sayles of Ships: but in these Indies of your Maiestie, they passe not for these Coards, or this Cloth that may be made of the Fruit of Coco, by reason of the great plentie that they haue of the Bombage or Cotton of Gossampine Trees. The Fruit which is in the middest of the said Tow, is (as I haue said) as bigge as a mans fist, and sometimes twice as bigge, and more: [ 40] It in forme like vnto a Walnut, o•• some other round thing, somewhat more long then large, and very hard, the rinde or burke hereof, is as thicke as the circle of Letters of a Riall of Plate, and within, there cleaueth fast to the rinde of the Nut a carnositie or substance of coornell, of the thicknesse of halfe a finger, or of the least finger of the hand, and is very white, like vnto a faire Almond, and of better taste and more pleasant. When this Fruit is chewed, there remayne cer∣taine crummes, as doe the like of Almonds: Yet if it be swallowed downe, it is not vnpleasant. For although that after the iuyce or moysture be gone downe the throat before the said crummes be swallowed, the rest which is eaten, seeme somewhat sharpe or sowre, yet doth it not so great∣ly offend the taste, as to be cast away. While this Cocus is yet fresh and newly taken from the Tree, they vse not to eate of the said carnositie and Fruit, but first beating it very much, and then [ 50] strayning it, they draw a Milke thereof, much better and sweeter then is the Milke of Beasts, and of much substance, the which the Christian men of those Regions put in the Tartes or Cakes which they make of the grain of Maiz whereof they make their Bread,* 1.59 or in other Bread as we put Bread in Pottage: so that by reason of the said Milke of Cocus, the Tartes arm more ex∣cellent to be eaten without offence to the stomacke: they are so pleasant to the taste, and leaue it aswell satisfied as though it had beene delighted with many delicate Dishes. But to proceed further, your Maiestie shall vnderstand, that in the place of the stone or coornell, there is in the middest of the said carnositie a void place, which neuerthelesse is full of a most cleere and excel∣lent water, in such quantitie as may fill a great Egge shell, or more, or lesse, according to the big∣nesse of the Cocos, the which water surely, is the most substantiall, excellent and precious to bee [ 60] drunke, that may be found in the World: insomuch that in the moment when it passeth the pa∣late of the mouth, and beginneth to goe downe the throate, it seemeth that from the sole of the foot, to the crowne of the head, there is no part of the bodie but that feeleth great comfort thereby: as it is doubtlesse one of the most excellent things that may bee tasted vpon the earth, and such as I am not able by writing or tongue to expresse. And to proceed yet further, I say that

when the meate of this fruit is taken from the Vessell thereof, the vessell remayneth as faire and neate as though it were polished,* 1.60 and is without of colour inclining toward black, and shineth or glistereth very faire, and is within of no lesse delicatenesse. Such as haue accustomed to drinke in these Vessels, and haue beene troubled with the Disease called the fretting of the guts, say that they haue by experience found it a maruellous remedie against that Disease, and that it breaketh the stone, and prouoketh vrine. This fruit was called Coca, for this cause, that when it is taken from the place where it cleaueth fast to the Tree, there are seene two holes, and aboue them two other naturall holes, which altogether doe represent the gesture and figure of the Cattes called Mammons, that is, Monkeyes, when they cry, which cry the Indians call Coca, but in very deed, this Tree is a kind of Date Tree, and hath the same effect to heale fretting of the [ 10] guts, that Plinie describeth all kinde of Date trees to haue. There are furthermore in the firme Land, Trees of such bignesse that I dare not speake thereof, but in place where I haue so many witnesses which haue seene the same as well as I.* 1.61 I say therefore, that a league from Dariena or the Gitie of Sancta Maria Antiqua, there passeth a Riuer very large and deepe, which is called Cuti, ouer the which the Indians laid a great Tree, so trauersing the same, that it was in the stead of a bridge, the which I my selfe with diuers other that are at this present in your Maiesties Court, haue oftentimes passed ouer. And forasmuch as the said Tree had lyen long there, and by the great weight thereof was so shrunke downeward, and partly couered with water, that none could passe ouer it, but were wet to the knee, I being then in the yeere 1522. the officiall or Iu∣stice in that Citie at your Maiesties appointment, caused another great Tree to bee laid in that [ 20] place, which in like manner trauersed the Riuer, and reached more then fiftie foote ouer the further side: This Tree was exceeding great, and rested aboue the water more then two Cubits, in the fall, it cast downe all such other Trees as were within the reach thereof, and discouered certaine bynes, which were so laden with blacke Grapes of pleasant taste, that they satisfied more then fiftie persons which ate their fill thereof. This Tree, in the thickest part thereof, was more then sixteene spannes thicke, and was neuerthelesse but little in respect of many other trees which are found in this Prouince. For the Indians of the Coast and Prouince of Cartagenia, make Barkes or Boates thereof (which they call Canoas) of such bignesse, beeing all one whole Tree,* 1.62 that some containe a hundred men, some a hundred and thirtie, and some more, hauing ne∣uerthelesse such void space within the same, that there is left sufficient roome to passe to and fro [ 30] throughout all the Canoas. Some of these are so large, beside the length, that they conteine more then tenne or twelue spannes in breadth, and saile with two sailes, as with the Master saile and the trincket, which they make of very good Cotton. The greatest Trees that I haue seene in these parts, or in any other Regions, was in the Prouince of Guaturo, the King whereof rebel∣ling from the obedience of your Maiestie, was pursued by me, and taken Prisoner: at which time I with my company, passed ouer a very high Mountaine, full of great Trees, in the top whereof, we found one Tree, which had three roots, or rather diuisions of the roote aboue the Earth, in forme of a Triangle, or Treuet, so that betweene euery foot of this Triangle or three feet, there was a space of twentie foot betweene euery foot,* 1.63 and this of such height aboue the Earth, that a laden Cart of those wherewith they are accustomed to bring home Corne in time of Haruest in [ 40] the Kingdome of Toledo in Spaine, might easily haue passed through euery of those partitions or windoores which were betweene the three feet of the said Tree. From the Earth vpward to the trunke of the Tree, the open places of the diuisions betweene these three feete, were of such height from the ground, that a Footman with a Iauelin was not able to reach the place where the said feet ioyned together in the trunke or bodie of the Tree, which grew of great height in one piece, and one whole bodie, or euer it spread in branches, which it did not before it excee∣ded in height the Towre of Saint Romane in the Citie of Toledo: from which height and vp∣ward, it spread very great and strong branches. Among certaine Spaniards which climbed this Tree, I my selfe was one, and when I was ascended to the place where it begunne to spread the branches, it was a maruellous thing to behold a great Countrey of such Trees toward the Pro∣uince [ 50] of Abrayme. This Tree was easie to climbe, by reason of certaine Besuchi, (whereof I haue spoken before) which grew wreathed about the Tree, in such sort that they seemed to make a scaling Ladder. Euery of the foresaid three feet which bore the bodie of the Tree, was twentie spannes in thicknesse, and where they ioyned altogether about the Trunke or bodie of the Tree, the principall Trunke was more then fortie and fiue spannes in circuite. I named the Mountaine where these Trees grow, the Mountaine of three footed Trees. And this which I haue now declared, was seene of all the company that was there with mee when (as I haue said before) I took King Guaturo Prisoner in the yeere 1522. Many things more might here be spoken as touching this matter, as also how there are many other excellent Trees found of diuers sorts and difference, as sweet Cedar Trees, blacke Date Trees, and many other, of the which some are [ 60] so heauie that they cannot float about the water, but sinke immediately to the bottome, and o∣ther againe as light as a Corke. As touching all which things I haue written more largely in my generall Historie of the Indies.

And for as much as at this present I haue entred to entreate of Trees, before I passe any fur∣ther

to other things, I will declare the manner how the Indians kindle fire,* 1.64 onely with Wood and without fire, the manner whereof is this. They take a peece of wood, of two spannes in length, as biggeas the least finger of a mans hand, or as an arrow well pullished, and of a strong kinde of wood which they keepe onely for this purpose: and where they intend to kindle any fire, they take two other peeces of wood, of the driest and lightest that they can finde, and binde them fast together one with another, as close as two fingers ioyned: in the middest or between these, they put the point of the first little staffe made of hard and strong wood, which they hold in their hands by the top thereof, and turne or rubbe it round about continually in one place betweene the two peeces of wood which lye bound together vpon the earth, which by that vn∣cessant [ 10] rubbing and chasing, are in short space kindled, and take fire.* 1.65 I haue also thought good here to speake somewhat of such things as come to my remembrance of certaine Trees which are found in this Land, and sometime also the like haue beene seene in Spaine. These are cer∣taine putrified trunkes, which haue l••en so long rotting on the earth, that they are very white, and shine in the night like burning firebrands, and when the Spaniards finde any of this wood, and intend priuily in the night to make warre and inuade any Prouince, when case so requireth that it shall be necessarie to goe in the night, in such places where they know not the way, the formost Christian man which guideth the way, associate with an Indian to direct him therein, taketh a little starre of the said wood, which he putteth in his cap, hanging behinde on his shoulders, by the light whereof he that followeth next to him, directeth his iourney, who also [ 20] in like manner beareth another starre behinde him, by the shining whereof the third followeth the same way, and in like manner doe all the rest, so that by this meanes none are lost or stragle out of the way. And for as much as this light is not seene very farre, it is the better policie for the Christians, because they are not thereby disclosed before they inuade their enemies. Further∣more, as touching the natures of Trees, one particular thing seemeth worthy to be noted, where∣of Plinie maketh mention in his naturall Historie,* 1.66 where he saith that there are certaine Trees which continue euer greene and neuer loose their leaues, as the Bay-tree, the Cedar, the Orange-tree, and the Oliue-tree, with such other, of the which in altogether he nameth not past fiue or six. To this purpose, I say, that in the Ilands of these Indies, and also in the firme land,* 1.67 it is a thing of much difficultie to finde two Trees that lose or cast their leaues at any time: for although [ 30] I haue diligently searched to know the truth hereof, yet haue I not seene any that lose their leaues, either of them which we haue brought out of Spaine into these regions, as Orange-trees, Limons, Cedars, Palmes, or Date-trees, and Pomegranate-trees,* 1.68 or of any other in these regi∣ons, except onely Cassia, which loseth his leaues,* 1.69 and hath a greater thing appropriate to it selfe onely: which is, that whereas all other Trees and Plants of India spread their rootes no deeper in the earth then the depth of a mans height, or somewhat more, not descending any further into the ground, by reason of the great heate which is found beneath that depth, yet doth Cassia pearse further into the ground, vntill it finde water: which by the Philosophers o∣pinion should be the cause of a thinne and watery radicall moisture to such things as draw their nourishment thereof, as fat and vnctuous grounds with temperate heate, yeelde a fast and firme moisture to such things as grow in them, which is the cause that such Trees lose not their [ 40] leaues, as the said thinne and waterish moisture is cause of the contrarie, as appeareth by the said effect which is seene onely in Cassia, and none other Tree or Plant in all these partes.

Of Reedes or Canes.

IN the firme land there are many sorts of Reedes, so that in many places they make their hou∣ses thereof, couering them with the tops of the same, and making their wals of them in like manner, as I haue said before: and among these kindes of Reedes, there is one so great, that the Canes thereof are as bigge as a mans legge in the knee, and three spans in length from ioynt to [ 50] ioynt, or more, in so much that euery of them is of capacitie to containe a little bucket of wa∣ter. In this kinde, there are found some greater, and some lesse, of the which some they vse to make quiuers for arrowes. There is found another kinde, which surely is marueilous,* 1.70 being lit∣tle bigger then a Iauelin, the Canes whereof are longer then two spannes: these Reedes grow one farre from another, as sometimes twenty or thirty paces, and sometimes also two or three leagues: they grow in manner in all Prouinces in the Indies, and grow neere to very high Trees, whereunto they leane, and creepe vp to the top of their branches, which they imbrace, and descend againe downe to the earth. Their Canes are full of most cleare water, without any manner of taste or sauour, either of the Canes, or of any other thing, and such as if it were ta∣ken out of the freshest Spring in the world, nor yet is it knowne that euer it hurt any that [ 60] drunke thereof. For it hath oftentimes so chanced, that as the Christian men haue trauailed in these regions in desolate waies, where for lacke of water they haue beene in great danger to dye with thirst, they haue escaped that perill by reason that they found the said Reedes, of the wa∣ter of whose Canes they haue drunke a great quantity, without any hurt thereof ensuing. There∣fore when they finde these in any place, they make water vessels of the Canes thereof, and carry

as many of them full of water as may suffice for one dayes iourney: and sometime they carrie so many, that they take for euery man two or three quarts of water, which may serue them for many daies, because it doth not corrupt, but remaineth still fresh and good.

* 1.71There are also certaine Plants, which the Christians call Platani. They are as high as trees, and become as bigge in the trunke as the knee of a man, or more. From the foote to the top, they beare certaine long and large leaues, being more then three spans in largenesse, and about ten or twelue in length: the which when they are broken of the winde, the stalke remaineth whole in the middest. In the middest of this Plant, in the highest part thereof, there groweth a cluster with fortie or fiftie Plantans about it, euery of them being a span and a halfe in length, and as bigge as a mans arme in the small, or more, or lesse, according to the goodnesse of the soile [ 10] where they grow: they haue a rinde not very thicke, and easie to be broken, being within alto∣gether full of a substance like vnto the marie of the bone of an Oxe, as it appeareth when the rinde or barke is taken from the same. This cluster ought to be taken from the Plant, when any one of the Plantans begin to appeare yellow, at which time they take it, and hang it in their houses, where all the cluster waxeth ripe, with all his Plantans. This cluster is a very good fruite, and when it is opened, and the rinde taken off, there are found within it many good drie Figges,* 1.72 which being rosted, or stewed in an Ouen, in a close pot, or some such other thing, are of pleasant taste, much like to the conserue of Hony: they putrifie not on the Sea so soone as some other fruites doe, but continue fifteene daies and more, if they be gathered somewhat greene: they seeme more delicate on the Sea then on the Land, not for that they any thing en∣crease in goodnes on the Sea, but because that wheras on the Sea other things are lacking, where∣of [ 20] is plentie on the Land, those meates seeme of best taste, which satisfie present necessitie. This trunke or sprig which bringeth forth the said cluster, is a whole yeare in growing and bringing forth fruite, in which time it hath put forth round about in ten or twelue sprigges, as bigge as the first or principal, and multiplieth no lesse then the principall in bringing forth of clusters, with fruits likewise at their time, and also in bringing forth other and many sprigges, as is said be∣fore. From the which sprigges or trunkes, as soone as the cluster of the fruite is taken away, the Plant beginneth to drie and wither, which then they take out of the ground, because it doth none other then occupie it in vaine, and without profit. They are so many, and doe so marueilously encrease and multiplie, that it is a thing in manner incredible. They are excee∣ding [ 30] moist, in so much that when they are plucked vp from the place where they grow, there issueth forth a great quantity of water, as well out of the Plant, as out of the place where it grew, in such sort, that all the moisture of the earth farre about, might seeme to be gathe∣red together about the trunke or blocke of the said Plant, with the fruites whereof, the Antes are so farre in loue, that they are seene in great multitudes in the branches of the Plants: so that for the multitude thereof, it sometime so chanceth, that men are enforced to take away the Plants from their possession: these fruites are found at all times of the yeere. There is also another kinde of wilde Plants that groweth in the fieldes, which I haue not seene but in the Iland of Hispaniola, although they be found in other Ilands of the Indies: these they call Tunas. They grow of a Thistle full of thornes, and bring forth a fruite much [ 40] like vnto great Figges,* 1.73 which haue a crowne like Medlers, and are within of a high colour, with graines and the rinde like vnto a Figge: they are of good taste, and grow abundant∣ly in the fields in many places: They worke a strange effect in such as eate them, for if a man eate two, or three, or more, they cause his vrine to be of the very colour of bloud, whith thing chanced once to my selfe. For on a time as I made water, and saw the colour of my Vrine, I entred into a great suspition of my life, being so astonished for feare, that I thought the same had chansed to me vpon some other cause, in so much that surely my imagination might haue done me hurt, but that they which were with me did comfort me immediately, declaring the cause thereof, as they knew by experience, being auncient in∣habitours in those regions. There groweth also another Plant, which the people of the Countrie call Bihaos:* 1.74 this putteth forth certaine straight branches, and very broade leaues, [ 50] which the Indians vse for diuers purposes: for in some places they couer their houses with the leaues thereof, couched and laid after the manner of thatch, whereunto it serueth very well: Sometimes also when it raineth, they cast these ouer their heads, to defend them from the water. They make also certaine chests, which they call Hauas, weaued after a strange sort, and intermixt with the leaues of this Bihaos. These Chests are wrought in such sort,* 1.75 that although it raine vpon them, or they chance to fall into the water, yet are not such things wet as are within them: they are made of the branches of the said Bihaos, with the leaues weaued together therewith. In these they keepe salt, and other subtile things. They vse them also for another purpose, which is this: that finding them in the fields at such time as they haue scarsenesse of victuals, they digge vp the rootes of these Plants while they are yet [ 60] yong, or eate the Plant it selfe, in that part where it is most tender, which is from a foote vnder the ground, where it is as tender and white as a Reede or Bulrush. And for as much as we are now come to the end of this narration, it commeth to my remembrance to make mention

of another thing, which is not farre from my purpose: and this is, how the Indians doe staine or dye cloath of bombage cotton, or any other thing which they intend to dye, of diuers colours,* 1.76 as Blacke, Tawny, Greene, Blew, Yellow, and Red, which they doe with the Barkes, or Rindes, and Leaues of certaine Trees, which they know by experience to be good for this practise: and by this art they make colours in such perfection and excellency,* 1.77 that no better can be de∣uised. But this seemeth a strange thing, that they doe all this in one selfe same Vessell: so that when they haue caused the said Rindes and Leaues to boile together, they make in the same Vessell without any change (as I haue said) as many colours as them listeth. Which thing I suppose to come to passe, by the disposition of the colour which they haue first giuen to the thing that they intend to dye or colour, whether it be Thred, Web, or Cloth, or any thing that [ 10] they intend to colour.

Of venemous Apples, wherewith they poyson their Arrowes.

THe Apples wherewith the Indian Canibals inuenome their arrowes, grow on certaine Trees couered with many Branches and Leaues, being very greene, and growing thicke. They are laden with abundance of these euill fruites, and haue their Leaues like the Leaues of a Peare-tree, but that they are lesse and rounder: the fruite is much like the muscadell Peares [ 20] of the Iland of Sicilie or Naples in forme and bignesse, and are in some parts stained with red spots, and of very sweet sauour: these trees for the most part, grow euer by the Sea Coasts, and neere vnto the water, and are so faire and of pleasant sauour, that there is no man that seeth them, but will desire to eate thereof, insomuch that if it may bee spoken of any fruit yet growing on the earth, I would say that this was the vnhappy fruit whereof our first pa∣rents * 1.78 Adam and Eue tasted, whereby they both lost their felicitie, and procured death to them and their posteritie. Of these fruits, and of the great Ants whose byting causeth swelling (whereof I haue spoken elsewhere) and of the Eu••es, or Lysarts, and Vipers, and such other venomous things, the Canibals which are the chiefe Archers among the Indi∣ans, are accustomed to poyson their Arrowes, wherewith they kill all that they wound: These venomes they mingle together, and make thereof a blacke Masse or composition, which [ 30] appeareth like vnto very blacke Pitch. Of this poyson I caused a great quantitie to bee burnt, in Sancta Maria Antiqua, in a place two leagues and more within the Land, with a great mul∣titude of thei•• inuenomed Arrowes and other munition, with also the house wherein they were reserued: This was in the yeere 1514. at such time as the Armie arriued there with Captaine Pedrarias de Villa, at the commaundement of the Catholike King Don Ferdinando. But to returne to the Historie. These Apples (as I haue sayde,) grow neere vnto the Sea: the Christians which serue your Maiestie in these patties, suppose that there is no remedie so profitable for such as are wounded with these Arrowes, as is the wa∣ter of the Sea, if the wound bee much washed therewith, by which meanes some haue [ 40] escaped, although but few: yet to say the truth, albeit the water of the Sea, haue a certaine caustike qualitie against poyson, it is not sufficient remedie in this case,* 1.79 nor yet to this day haue the Christians perceiued that of fiftie that haue beene wounded, three haue recouered. But that your Maiestie may the better consider the force of the venome of these trees, you shall further vnderstand, that if a man doe but repose himselfe to sleepe a lit∣tle while vnder the shadow of the same, he hath his head▪ and eyes so swolne when he riseth, that the eye lids are ioyned with the cheekes, and if it chance one drop or more of the deaw of the said tree to fall into the eye, it vtterly destroyeth the sight. The pestilent nature of this tree is such, that it cannot be declared in few words. Of these, there groweth great plentie in the gulfe of Vraba, toward the North coast, on the West and East side.* 1.80 The wood of these trees when it burneth, maketh so great a stinke, that no man is able to abide it, by reason it causeth so great a [ 50] paine in the head.

Among other trees which are in these Indies, as well in the Ilands, as in the firme land, there is another kind which they call Xagua, whereof there is great plentie: they are very high,* 1.81 and streight, and faire to behold. Of these they vse to make Pikes, and Iauelins of diuers lengths and bignesse: they are of a faire colour, betweene russet and white: this tree bringeth forth a great fruit as big as Papauer or Poppi••, and much like thereunto, it is very good to be eaten when it is ripe. Out of this they get a very cleare water, wherewith they wash their legs, and some∣times all their bodies, when they feele their flesh weary, faint, or loose: the which water, beside that it hath a binding qualitie, it hath also this propertie, that whatsoeuer it toucheth, it staineth it blacke by little and little, vntill is be as blacke as ••et, which colour [ 60] cannot bee taken away in lesse space then tenne or twelue dayes:* 1.82 And if the nayle bee but touched therewith, it is so stained, that it can by no meanes be taken away, vntill it either fall of, or grow out, and be clipped away by little and little, as I my selfe haue oftentimes seene by experience.

* 1.83There is another kinde of Trees which they call Hohi: these are very great and faire, and cause wholesome aire where they grow, and a pleasant shadow, and are found in great abundance: their fruit is very good, and of good taste and sauour, and much like vnto certaine Damsons or Prunes being little and yellow, but their stone is very great, by reason whereof they haue but little meate: their Barke or Rinde boyled in water, maketh a wholesome Bathe for the legges, because it bindeth and stayeth the loosenesse of the flesh, so sensibly that it is a maruell to consi∣der. It is surely a wholesome and excellent Bathe against such faintnesse, and is the best Tree that may be found in those parts to sleepe vnder: For it causeth no heauinesse of the head, as doe diuers other Trees, which thing I speake, because the Christians are much accustomed in those Regions to lie in the fields. It is therefore a common practice among them, that wheresoeuer [ 10] they finde these Trees, there they spreade their Mattresses and Beds wherein they sleepe.

* 1.84There are also a kinde of high Date trees, and full of thornes: the wood of these is most ex∣cellent, being very blacke and shining, and so heauie that no part thereof can swim aboue the wa∣ter,* 1.85 but sinketh immediatly to the bottom. Of this wood they make their Arrowes and Darts, also Iauelins, Speares, and Pikes: and I say Pikes, because that in the coasts of the Sea of Sur, beyond Esquegua and Vracha, the Indians vse great and long Pikes, made of the wood of these Date trees. Of the same likewise they make Clubs, and Swords, and diuers other weapons: Also vessels and houshold stuffe of diuers sorts, very faire and commodious. Furthermore, of this wood the Christians vse to make diuers musicall instruments, as Claricymbals, Lutes, Gitterns, and such other, the which beside their faire shining colour like vnto jeat, are also of a good sound, [ 20] and very durable, by reason of the hardnesse of the wood.

* 1.86After that I haue said thus much of Trees and Plants, I haue thought good also to speake some∣what of Herbs. You shall therefore vnderstand, that in these Indies there is an herbe much like vnto a yellow Lilly, about whose leaues there grow and creepe certaine Cordes or Laces, as the like is partly seene in the herbe which we call Laced sauory, but these of the Indies are much big∣ger, and longer, and so strong that they tie their hanging beds thereby, which they cell Hama∣cas,* 1.87 whereof we haue spoken elsewhere: these Cordes they call Cabuia, and Henequen, which are all one thing, sauing that Henequen is lesse and of a finer substance, as it were Line, and the o∣ther is grosser, like the wike or twist of Hempe, and is imperfect in comparison to the other: they are of colour betweene white and yellow, like vnto abarne, and some also white. With Henequen,* 1.88 which is the most subtile and fine threed, the Indians saw in sunder Fetters, Chaines, [ 30] or barres of Iron, in this manner: They mooue the threed of Henequen vpon the Iron which they intend to saw or cut, drawing the one hand after the other as doe they that saw, putting euer now and then a portion of fine Sand ••pon the threed, or on the place or part of the Iron, where they continue rubbing the said threed, so that if the threed be worne, they take another, and con∣tinue in their worke as before, vntill they haue cut in sunder the Iron, although it bee neuer so bigge, and cut it as if it were a tender thing, and easie to be sawen.

And forasmuch as the leaues of Trees may be counted among Herbs, I will here speake some∣what of the qualitie of the leaues of certaine Trees which are found in the Iland of Hispaniola.* 1.89 These trees are so full of thornes,* 1.90 that there is no tree or plant that seemeth more wilde and de∣formed: [ 40] so that I cannot well determine whether they bee Trees or Plants: they haue certaine branches full of large and deformed leaues, which branches were first leaues like vnto the other. As the branches made of these leaues grow forth in length, there commeth other leaues of them: so that in fine it is a difficult thing to describe the forme of these trees, except the same should be done by a Painter, whereby the Eye might conceiue that wherein the Tongue faileth in this be∣halfe.* 1.91 The leaues of this tree are of such vertue, that being well beaten and spred vpon a cloth, after the manner of a plaister, and so laid to a legge or arme that is broken in many pieces, it hea∣leth it in fifteene dayes, and maketh it as whole as though it had neuer beene broken: During the time of this operation, it cleaueth so fast to the flesh, that it cannot without much difficultie be taken away, but assoone as it hath healed the sore, and wrought his operation, it looseth it selfe [ 50] from the place where it was laid, as I my selfe, and diuers other which haue proued it, know by experience.

Of Fishes, and of the manner of fishing.

IN the Sea coasts of the firme Land, there are diuers and sundrie kindes of fishes, much diffe∣ring in shape and forme. And although it be impossible to speake of all, yet will I make men∣tion of some. And first to begin at Sardines, you shall vnderstand that there is found a kinde of these fishes very large and with red tailes, being a very delicate fish. The best kindes of other fishes are these, Moxarre, Diabace, Brettes, Dabaos, Thornbacks, and Salmons: All these, and [ 60] diuers▪ other which I doe not now remember, are taken in great quantitie in Riuers. There are likewise taken very good Cre••ishes. There are also found in the Sea, certaine other fishes, as Soles, Mackerels,* 1.92 Turbuts, Palamite, Lazze, Polpi, Chieppe, Xaibas, Locusts, Oisters, exceeding great Tortoises, and Tiburoni of maruellous bignesse: also Manates, and Murene, and many other fishes,

which haue no names in our language, and these of such diuersitie and quantitie, as cannot bee expressed without large writing and long time. But to let passe to intreate particularly of the multitude of fishes, I intend to speake chiefly, and somewhat largely, of three sorts of most no∣table fishes: whereof the first is, the great Tortoises, the second is called Tiburon, and the third Manate. And to begin at the first, I say that in the Iland of Cuba,* 1.93 are found great Tortoises (which are certaine shell fishes) of such bignesse that ten or fifteene men are scarsly able to lift one of them out of the water, as I haue beene informed of credible persons dwelling in the same Iland. But of that which I my selfe haue seene, I can testifie, that in the firme Land, in the vil∣lage of Acla, there are of this sort some taken and killed of such bignesse, that sixe men with much difficultie could scarsly draw them out of the water, and commonly the least sort of them [ 10] are as ••uch as two men may carry at a burden: that which I saw lifted vp by sixe men, had her shell a yard and a quarter in length, and in breadth more then fiue yards. The manner of taking them, is this: It sometimes chanceth that in their great nets (which they call shoote nets) there are found certaine Tortoises of the common sort, in great quantities, and when they come out of the Sea, and bring forth their egges, and goe together by companies from the Sea, to feede on the Land, the Christians or Indians follow their steps which they finde in the Sand, and soone ouer∣take them, because they are very heauie and slow in going, although they make all the haste they can to returne to the Sea, assoone as they espy any body. When they that pursue them haue o∣uertaken them, they put a stake or staffe vnder their legs, and ouerturne them on their backs as [ 20] they are yet running, so that they can goe no further, nor yet rise againe or turne, and thus they suffer them to lye still while they follow after the rest, which they ouerturne in like manner: and by this meanes take very many, at such times as they come forth of the Sea, as I haue said: This fish is very excellent and wholesome to be eaten, and of good taste.

The second of the three fishes whereof I haue spoken, is the Tiburon: this is a very great fish,* 1.94 and very quick and swift in the water, and a cruell Deuourer: these are oftentimes taken, aswell when the ships are vnder saile in the Ocean, as also when they lye at anker, or at any other time, and especially the least kinde of these fishes. When the ships are vnder saile, the biggest sort are taken after this manner. When the Tiburon seeth the ship sayling, hee followeth it swimming behind, the which things the Mariners seeing, cast forth all the filth of the ship into the Sea for [ 30] the fish to eate, who neuerthelesse followeth them with equall pase, although they make neuer such haste with full winde and sailes, and walloweth on euery side and about the ship, and thus followeth it sometime for the space of a hundred and fiftie leagues, and more, and when the Ma∣riners are disposed to take them, they cast downe by the sterne of the ship a hooke of Iron, as bigge as the biggest finger of a mans hand, of three spans in length, and crooked like a fish-hooke, with beards according to the bignesse thereof, and fastned to an Iron chaine of fiue or sixe linkes neere vnto the end, and from thence tyed with a great rope, fastning also on the hooke for a bait, a piece of some fish, or hogs flesh, or some other flesh, or the bowels and intrals of another Tibu∣ron which they haue taken before, which may easily be done, for I haue seene nine taken in one day, and if they would haue taken more, they might also. Thus when the Tiburon hath pleasant∣ly [ 40] followed the ship a long voyage, at the length he swalloweth the bait with the hooke, and aswell by his striuing to flee or escape, as also by the swift passage of the ship, the hooke ouer∣thwarteth and catcheth hold of his chaps: the which fish when it is taken, it is of such huge bignesse, that twelue or fifteene men are scarsly able to draw it out of the water, and lift it into the ship, where one of the Mariners giueth it many knocks on the head with a club or beetle, vntill he haue slaine it: they are sometimes found of ten or twelue foote long, and of fiue, sixe, or seuen spans in breadth, where they are broadest: they haue very great and wide mouthes, to the proportion of the rest of their bodies, and haue two rowes of teeth, the one somewhat separate from the other, of cruell shape, and standing very thicke. When they haue slaine this fish, they cut the body thereof in small pieces, and put it to drie, hanging it three or foure dayes at the [ 50] Cordes of the saile clothes to drie in the winde, and then eate it: It is doubtlesse a good fish, and of great commoditie to serue the ships for victualls for many dayes: the least of these fishes are most wholesome and tender,* 1.95 it hath a skin much like to the skin of a Sole whereunto the said Ti∣buron is like in shape: Which I say, because Plinie hath made mention of none of these three fishes, among the number of them whereof he writeth in his Naturall historie. These Tiburons come forth of the Sea, and enter into the Riuers, where they are no lesse perillous then great Li∣zards or Crocodiles, whereof I haue spoken largely before: For they deuoure Men, Kine,* 1.96 and Hor∣ses, euen as doe the Crocodiles: they are very dangerous in certaine washing places or Pooles by the Riuers sides, and where they haue deuoured at other times. Diuers other fishes both great and small, of sundrie sorts and kindes, are accustomed to follow the ships going vnder saile, of the [ 60] which I will speake somewhat when I haue written of Manate,* 1.97 which is the third of the three whereof I haue promised to entreat. Manate therefore, is a fish of the Sea, of the biggest sort, and much greater then the Tiburon in length and breadth, and is very brutish and vile, so that it appeareth in forme like vnto one of those great vessels made of Goats skins, wherein they vse to carry new wine in Medina de Campo, or in Areualo: the head of this beast is like the head of an

Oxe, with also like eyes, and hath in the place of armes, two great stumps wherwith he swim∣meth: It is a very gentle and tame beast, and commeth oftentimes out of the water to the next shoare, where if he finde any herbes or grasse, he feedeth thereof. Our men are accustomed to kill many of these, and diuers other good fishes, with their Crosse-bowes, pursuing them in Barkes or Canoas, because they swim in manner aboue the water: the which thing when they see, they draw them with a hooke tyed at a small corde, but somewhat strong: As the fish fleeth away, the Archer letteth goe, and prolongeth the corde by little and little, vntill he haue let it goe many fa∣thoms: at the end of the corde, there is tyed a corke, or a piece of light wood, and when the fish is gone a little way, and hath coloured the water with his bloud, and feeleth himselfe to faint and draw toward the end of his life, he resorteth to the shoare, and the Archer followeth, gathe∣ring [ 10] vp his corde, whereof while ••here yet remaine sixe or eight fathoms, or somewhat more or lesse, he draweth it toward the Land, and draweth the fish therewith by little and little, as the waues of the Sea helpe him to doe it the more easily: then, with the helpe of the rest of his com∣panie, he lifteth this great beast out of the Water to the Land, being of such bignesse, that to conuey it from thence to the Citie, it shall be requisite to haue a Cart with a good yoke of Oxen, and sometimes more, according as these fishes are of bignesse, some being much greater then o∣ther some in the same kinde, as is seene of other beasts: Sometimes they lift these fishes into the Canoa or Barke, without drawing them to the Land as before, for as soone as they are slaine, they flote aboue the water: And I beleeue verily that this fish is one of the best in the world to the taste, and the likest vnto flesh, especially so like vnto beefe, that who so hath not seene it whole, [ 20] can iudge it to be none other when hee seeth it in pieces then very Beefe or Veale, and is cer∣tainly so like vnto flesh, that all the men in the world may herein be deceiued: the taste likewise, is like vnto the taste of very good Veale, and lasteth long, if it be powdred: so that in fine, the Beefe of these parts, is by no meanes like vnto this. This Manate hath a certaine stone, or ra∣ther bone in his head within the braine,* 1.98 which is of qualitie greatly appropriate against the dis∣ease of the stone, if it be burnt and ground into small powder, and taken fasting in the morning when the paine is felt, in such quantitie as may lye vpon a peny, with a draught of good whi••e wine: For being thus taken three or foure mornings, it acquieteth the griefe, as diuers haue told me which haue proued it true, and I my selfe by testimonie of sight, doe witnesse that I haue seen this stone sought of diuers for this effect. [ 30]

There are also diuers other fishes as bigge as this Manate, among the which there is one called Vihnella. This fish beareth in the top of his head a sword, being on euery side full of many sharp teeth: this sword is naturally very hard and strong, of foure or fiue spans in length, and of pro∣portion according to the same bignesse: and for this cause is this fish called Spada, that is, the Sword fish. Of this kinde some are found as little as Sardines, and other so great, that two yokes of Oxen are scarsly able to draw them on a Cart.* 1.99 But whereas before I haue promised to speake of other fishes, which are taken in these Seas while the ships are vnder saile, I will not forget to speake of the Tunny,* 1.100 which is a great and good fish, and is oftentimes taken and kild with Trout speares, and hookes, cast in the water, when they play and swim about the ships. In like manner also are taken many Turbuts,* 1.101 which are very good fishes as are lightly in all the Sea. And here is [ 40] to be noted, that in the great Ocean Sea, there is a strange thing to be considered, which all that haue beene in the Indies affirme to bee true:* 1.102 And this is, that like as on the Land there are some Prouinces fertile and fruitfull, and some barren, euen so doth the like chance in the Sea: So that at some windes the ships saile fiftie, or a hundred, or two hundred leagues and more▪ without ta∣king or seeing of one fish: and againe, in the selfe same Ocean in some places, all the water is seen tremble by the moouing of the fishes, where they are taken abundantly. It commeth further to my remembrance to speake somewhat of the flying of fishes,* 1.103 which is doubtlesse a strange thing to behold, and is after this manner. When the ships saile by the great Ocean, following their viage, there riseth sometimes on the one side or on the other, many companies of certaine little fishes, of the which the biggest is no greater then a Sardine, and so diminish lesse and lesse from [ 50] that quantitie, that some of them are very little: these are called Volatori, that is, flying fishes: they rise by great companies and flocks, in such multitudes that it is an astonishment to behold them: Sometimes they rise but little from the water, and (as it chanceth) continue one flight for the space of an hundred paces, and sometimes more, or lesse, before they fall againe into the Sea, sometimes also they fall into the ships. And I remember, that on an euening when all the com∣panie in the ship were on their knees, singing Salue Regina, in the highest part of the Castle of the poope, and sailed with a full winde, there passed by vs a flocke of these flying fishes, and came so neere vs, that many of them fell into the ship, among the which, two or three fell hard by mee, which I tooke aliue in my hand, so that I might well perceiue•• that they were as bigge as Sardines, and of the same quantitie, hauing two wings or quils growing out of their sinnes, like vnto those wherewith all fishes swim in Riuers: these wings are as long as the fishes themselues. As long as [ 60] their wings are moist, they beare them vp in the aire, but assoone as they are drie, they can conti∣nue their flight no further then as I haue said before, but fall immediatly into the Sea, and so rise againe, and flie as before from place to place. In the yeere 1515. when I came first to enforme

your Maiestie of the state of the things in India, and was the yeere following in Flanders in the time of your most fortunate successe in these your Kingdomes of Arragon and Castile, whereas at that voyage I sayled aboue the Iland Bermuda, otherwise called Garza,* 1.104 being the furthest of all the Ilands that are found at this day in the world, and arriuing there at the depth of eight yards of water, and distant from the Land as farre as the shot of a piece of Ordinance, I determined to send some of the ship to Land, aswell to make search of such things as were there, as also to leaue in the Iland certaine Hogs for increase. But the time not seruing my purpose by reason of con∣trarie winde, I could bring my ship no neerer the Iland, being twelue leagues in length, and sixe in breadth, and about thirtie in circuit, lying in the three and thirtieth degree of the North side. [ 10] While I remayned here, I saw a strife and combat betweene these flying fishes, and the fishes na∣med Gilt heads, and the fowles called Sea-mewes, and Cormorants, which surely seemed vnto me a thing of as great pleasure and solace as could be deuised, while the Gilt heads swam on the brim of the water, and sometimes lifted their shoulders aboue the same, to raise the flying fishes out of the water to driue them to flight, and follow them swimming to the place where they fall, to take and eate them suddenly. Againe on the other side, the Sea-mewes and Cormorants, take ma∣ny of these flying fishes, so that by this meanes they are neither safe in the Aire,* 1.105 nor in the Wa∣ter. In the selfe same perill and danger doe men liue in this mortall life, wherein is no certaine securitie, neither in high estate, nor in lowe. Which thing surely ought to put vs in remem∣brance of that blessed and safe resting place which God hath prepared for such as loue him, who [ 20] shall acquiet and finish the trauailes of this troublesome world, wherein are so many dangers, and bring them to that eternall life where they shall finde eternall securitie and rest.

Of the increase and decrease (that is) rising and falling of our Ocean Sea, and South Sea, called the Sea of Sur.

I Will now speake of certaine things which are seene in the Prouince, or at the least in the Ci∣tie of Golden Castile, otherwise called Beragua, and in the coasts of the North Sea,* 1.106 and of the South Sea, called the Sea of Sur, not omitting to note one singular and maruellous thing which I haue considered of the Ocean Sea, whereof hitherto no Cosmographer, Pilot, or Mariner, or any [ 30] other, haue satisfied me. I say therefore, as it is well knowne to your Maiestie, and all such as haue knowledge of the Ocean Sea, that this great Ocean casteth from it selfe the Sea Mediterra∣neum by the mouth of the Straight of Gibralterra, in the which the water,* 1.107 from the end and furthest part of that Sea, euen vnto the mouth of the said Straight, either in the East toward the coast commonly called Leuante, or in any other part of the said Sea Mediterraneum, the Sea doth not so fall nor increase, as reason would iudge for so great a Sea, but increaseth very little, and a small space: Neuerthelesse, without the mouth of the Straight in the mayne Ocean, it increaseth and falleth very much, and a great space of ground, from sixe houres to sixe houres, as in all the coasts of Spaine, Britaine, Flanders, Germanie, and England. The selfe same Ocean Sea in the firme Land newly found, in the coasts of the same lying toward the North, doth neither rise nor fall, nor likewise in the Ilands of Hispaniola and Cuba,* 1.108 and all the other Ilands of the same lying to∣ward [ 40] the North, for the space of three thousand leagues, but onely in like manner as doth the Sea Mediterraneum in Italie, which is in manner nothing, in respect to that increase and decrease which the said Ocean hath in the coasts of Spaine and Flanders. But this is yet a greater thing, that also the selfe same Ocean in the coasts of the said firme Land lying toward the South, in the Citie of Panama,* 1.109 and also in the coast of that Land which lyeth toward the East and West from that Citie, as in the Iland of Pearles or Margarita, which the Indians call Tarrarequi, and also in Taboga and Otoque, and in all other Ilands of the South Sea of Sur, the water riseth and falleth so much, that when it falleth, it goeth in manner out of sight, which thing I my selfe haue seene oftentimes. And here your Maiestie may note another thing,* 1.110 that from the North Sea to the South Sea, being of such difference the one from the other in rising and falling, yet is the Land [ 50] that diuideth them not past eighteene or twentie leagues in breadth from Coast to Coast: So that both the said Seas, being all one Ocean, this strange effect is a thing worthy greatly to bee considered of all such as haue inclination and desire to know the secret workes of Nature, where∣in the infinite power and wisedome of God is seene to be such, as may allure all good Natures to reuerence and loue so diuine a Majestie.

Of the straight or narrow passage of the Land lying betweene the North and South Sea, by the which Spices may much sooner and easilier be brought from the Ilands of Molucca into Spaine by the West Ocean, then by that way where∣by [ 60] the Portugals saile into the East India.

THe firme Land in some parts thereof is so straight and narrow, that the Indians say, that from the Mountaines of the Prouince of Esquegua or Vrraca (which are betweene the one Sea and the other) if a man ascend to the top of the Mountaines, and looke toward the North,* 1.111

he may see the Water of the North Sea of the Prouince of Beragua: and againe looking the con∣trarie way, may on the other side (towards the South) see the Sea of Sur, and the Prouin∣ces which confine with it, as doe the Territories of the two Lords or Kings of the said Prouin∣ces of Vrraca and Esquegua. Some measure this way in this part, to bee from Sea to Sea eigh∣teene leagues, which I suppose to bee rather twentie, not for that it is any more by measure, but because it is rough and difficult, as I haue said, and as I haue found it by experience, ha∣uing now twise passed that way by foote, counting from the Port and Village of Nombre de Dios, vnto the Dominion of the Cacique of Iuanaga, otherwise called Capira, eight leagues, and from thence to the Riuer of Chagre, other eight leagues. So that at this Riuer, being six∣teene leagues from the said Port,* 1.112 endeth the roughnesse of the way: then from hence to the [ 10] maruellous Bridge are two leagues, and beyond that, other two, vnto the Port of Panama: So that all together, in my iudgement, make twentie leagues. It is a maruellous facilitie to bring Spices by this way which I will now declare. From Panama to the Riuer of Chagre, are foure leagues of good and faire way, by the which Carts may passe at pleasure, by reason that the Mountaines are but few and little, and that the greatest part of these foure leagues is a plaine ground void of Trees: and when the Carts are come to the said Riuer, the Spices may be carried in Barkes and Pinases. For this Riuer entreth into the North Sea fiue or sixe leagues lower then the Port of Nomen Dei, and emptieth it selfe in the Sea neere vnto an Iland called Bastimento, where is a very good and safe Port.* 1.113 Your Maiestie may now therefore consider, how great a thing, and what commoditie it may be to conuey Spices this way, forasmuch as the Riuer of [ 20] Chagre, hauing his originall onely two leagues from the South Sea, continueth his course, and emptieth it selfe into the other North Sea. This Riuer runneth fast, and is very great, and so commodious for this purpose as may bee thought or desired:* 1.114 the maruellous Bridge made by the worke of Nature, being two leagues beyond the said Riuer, and other two leagues on this side the Port of Panama, so lying in the mid way betweene them both, as framed naturally in such sort, that none which passe by this voyage doth see any such Bridge, or thinke that there is any such building in that place, vntill they be in the top thereof, in the way toward Pana∣ma: But assoone as they are on the Bridge, looking toward the right hand, they see a little Ri∣uer vnder them, which hath his Channell distant from the feete of them that walke ouer it, the space of two speares length or more. The water of this Riuer is very shallow, not passing the [ 30] depth of a mans legge to the knee, and is in breadth betweene thirtie and fortie paces, and fal∣leth into the Riuer of Chagre. Toward the right hand, standing on this Bridge, there is no∣thing seene but great Trees.* 1.115 The largenesse of the Bridge contayneth fifteene paces, and the length thereof about threescore or fourscore paces: The Arch is so made of most hard stone, that no man can behold it without admiration, being made by the High and Omnipotent Creator of all things.

How things that are of one kinde, differ in forme and qualitie, according to the nature of the place where they are engendred or grow, and of the beasts called Tigres. [ 40]

* 1.116IN the firme Land are found many terrible beasts, which some thinke to be Tigres. Which thing neuerthelesse I dare not affirme, considering what Authors doe write of the lightnesse and agilitie of the Tigre, whereas this beast, being otherwise in shape very like vnto a Tigre, is notwithstanding very slow. Yet true it is, that according to the maruailes of the World, and differences which naturall things haue in diuers Regions vnder Heauen, and diuers constellati∣ons of the same,* 1.117 vnder the which they are created, wee see that some such Plants and Herbes as are hurtfull in one Countrie, are harmelesse and wholesome in other Regions. And Birds which in one Prouince are of good taste, are in other so vnsauourie that they may not bee eaten. Men likewise which in some Countries are blacke, are in other places white: and yet are both [ 50] these and they,* 1.118 men. Euen so may it be, that Tigres are light in some Region, as they write, and may neuerthelesse be slow and heauie in these Indies of your Maiestie, whereof wee speake. The Sheepe of Arabie draw their tailes long and bigge on the ground,* 1.119 and the Bulls of Egypt haue their haire growing toward their heads: yet are those Sheepe, and these Bulls. Men in some Countries are hardie and of good courage, and in other naturally fearfull and bruitish. All these things, and many more, which may be said to this purpose, are easie to bee prooued, and worthy to bee beleeued, of such as haue read of the like in Authors, or trauelled the World, whereby their owne sight may teach them the experience of these things whereof I speake. It is also manifest that Iucca,* 1.120 whereof they make their bread in the Iland of Hispaniola, is deadly poison if it be eaten greene with the juyce: and yet hath it no such propertie in the firme Land, [ 60] where I haue eaten it many times,* 1.121 and found it to be a good fruit. The Bats of Spaine, although they bite, yet are they not venemous: but in the firme Land, many die that are bitten of them. And in this forme may so many things be said, that time shall not suffice to write, whereas my intent is onely to prooue that this beast may be a Tigre, or of the kinde of Tigres, although it

bee not of such lightnesse and swiftnesse, as are they whereof Plinie and other authors speake,* 1.122 describing it to bee one of the swiftest beasts of the Land, and that the Riuer of Tygris for the swift course thereof was called by that name. The first Spaniards, which saw this Tyger in the firme land, did so name it. Of the kind of these, was that which Don Diego Columbo,* 1.123 the Admiral sent your Maiesty out of New Spaine to Toledo. Their heads are like to the heads of Lions, or Lio∣nesses▪ but greater: the rest of all their bodies, and their legs, are full of black spots one neere vnto another, & diuided with a circumference, or fringe of red colour, shewing (as it were) a faire work and correspondent picture, about their croopes or hinder parts, they haue these spots biggest and lesse & lesse toward their bellies, legs, & heads. I haue seen some of three spans in height, and more then fiue in length. They are beasts of great force, with strong legs, and well armed with nayles [ 10] and fanges, which we call Dog-teeth: they are so fierce, that in my iudgement▪ no reall Lyon of the biggest sort is so strong or fierce. Of these, there are many found in the firme Land, which de∣uoure many of the Indians, and doe much hurt otherwise: but since the comming of the Christi∣ans, many haue beene killed with Crosse-bowes after this manner.* 1.124 Assoone as the Archer hath knowledge of the haunt of any of these Tygers, hee goeth searching their trace, with his Crosse-bow, and with a little Hound or Begle, & not with a grey-hound; because this Beast would soon kill any Dogge that would venter on him: When the Hound hath found the Tigre, he runneth about him baying continually, and approacheth so neere him, snapping and grinning▪ with so quicke flying and returning, that he hereby so molesteth this fierce Beast, that hee driueth him to take the next Tree, at the foot whereof he remayneth still baying, and the Tigre grinning [ 20] and shewing his teeth, while in the meane time the Archer commeth neere, and twelue or four∣teene paces off, striketh him with the querell of his Crosse-brow in the brest, and flyeth incon∣tinent, leauing the Tigre in his trauell for life and death, byting the Tree and eating earth for fiercenesse: then within the space of two or three houres, or the day following, the Archer re∣turneth thither, and with his Dogge findeth the place where hee lyeth dead. The Indians (and especially they of the firme Land in the Prouince which the Catholike King Don Ferdinando commanded to bee called Golden Castile) call this Beast Ochi. This thing is strange that chan∣ced of late: that whereas the Tigre whereof we haue made mention before, would haue killed his keeper that then kept him in a Cage, was in few daies after made so tame,* 1.125 that he led her tyed [ 30] only with a small coard, and plaid with her so familiarly, that I maruelled greatly to see it, yet not without certaine beliefe that this friendship will not last long, without danger of life to the Keeper, forasmuch as surely these Beasts are not meet to be among men, for their fiercenesse and cruell nature that cannot be tamed.

Of the manners and customes of the Indians of the Firme Land, and of their women.

THe manners and customes of these Indians, are diuers in diuers Prouinces. Some of them take as many Wiues as them list, and other liue with one Wife, whom they forsake not [ 40] without consent of both parties, which chanceth especially when they haue no children. The Nobilitie aswel men as women, repute it infamous to ioyne with any of base Parentage or Stran∣gers, except Christians, whom they count Noblemen, by reason of their valiantnesse,* 1.126 although they put a difference betweene the common sort and the other to whom they shew obedience, counting it for a great matter and an honorable thing, if they bee beloued of any of them: inso∣much that if they know any Christian man carnally, they keepe their faith to him, so that hee be not long absent farre from them, for their intent is not to be Widdowes, or to liue chaste like religious women. Many of them haue this custome, that when they perceiue that they are with childe, they take an Hearbe wherewith they destroy that is conceiued:* 1.127 for they say that only well aged women should beare children, and that they will not forbeare their pleasures, [ 50] and deforme their bodies with bearing of children, whereby their Teates become loose and hanging, which thing they greatly dispraise. When they are deliuered of their children, they goe to the Riuer and wash them, which done, their bloud and purgation ceasseth immediately: And when after this they haue a few dayes absteined from the company of men, they become so streight, as they say which haue had carnal familiaritie with them, that such as vse them, cannot without much difficultie satisfie their appetite: They also which neuer had children, are euer as Virgins. In some parts they weare certaine little Aprons round about them before and behind,* 1.128 as low as to their knees and hammes, wherewith they couer their priuy parts, and are naked all their bodie beside. The principall men beare their Priuities in a hollow Pipe of Gold, but the common sort haue them inclosed in the shells of certaine great Welkes, and are be∣side [ 60] vtterly naked: For they thinke it no more shame to haue their Cods seene, then any other part of their bodies: and in many Prouinces both the men and women goe vtterly naked, with∣out any such couerture at all. In the Prouince of Cueua they call a man Chuy, and a woman Ira, which name is not greatly disagreeable to many both of their women and of ours.

These Indians giue great honor and reuerence to their Caciques (that is) their Kings and Ru∣lers.

The principall Cacique,* 1.129 hath twelue of his most strong Indians appointed to beare him, when he remoueth to any place, or goeth abroad for his pleasure. Two of them carrie him sitting vpon a long peece of wood, which is naturally as light as they can finde, the other ten follow next vnto him as footemen: they keepe continually a trotting pase with him on their shoulders. When the two that carrie him are wearie, other two come in their places, without any disturbance or stay. And thus if the way be plaine, they carry him in this manner for the space of fifteene or twenty leagues in one day. The Indians that are assigned to this office, are for the most part slaues, or Na∣borit••, that is, such as are bound to continuall seruice.

I haue also noted that when the Indians perceiue themselues to be troubled with too much bloud,* 1.130 they let themselues bloud in the calfe of their legges, and brawnes of their armes: this doe they with a very sharpe stone, and sometimes with the small tooth of a Viper, or with a [ 10] sharpe reede or thorne. All the Indians are commonly without Beards, in so much that it is in a manner a maruell to see any of them either men or women to haue any downe or haire on their faces,* 1.131 or other parts of their bodies: Albeit I saw the Cacique of the Prouince of Cata∣rapa, who had haire on his face and other parts of his body, as had also his wife in such places as women are accustomed to haue. This Cacique had a great part of his body painted with a blacke colour, which neuer fadeth, and is much like vnto that wherewith the Moores paint themselues in Barbarie in token of Nobilitie.* 1.132 But the Moores are painted specially on their visage and throate, and certaine other parts. Likewise the principall Indians vse these pain∣tings on their armes and breasts, but not on their visages, because among them the slaues are so marked. When the Indians of certaine Prouinces goe to the battaile (especially the Caniball [ 20] Archers) they carrie certaine shels of great welkes of the Sea,* 1.133 which they blow, and make therewith great sound, much like the noise of Hornes: they carrie also certaine Timbrels, which they vse in the stead of Drummes: also very faire Plumes of Feathers, and certaine armour of gold,* 1.134 especially great and round peeces on their breasts, and splints on their armes. Likewise other peeces, which they put on their heads and other parts of their bodies: For they esteeme nothing so much as to appeare gallant in the warres,* 1.135 and to goe in most comely order that they can deuise, glistering with precious Stones, Iewels, Gold, and Feathers. Of the least of these welkes or perewincles, they make certaine little Beades, of diuers sorts and colours: they make also little Bracelets, which they mingle with gandes of Gold, these they roule about their armes from the elbow to the wrest of the hand. The like also doe they on their [ 30] legges from the knees to the soles of their feete, in token of Nobilitie, especially their No∣ble Women in diuers Prouinces are accustomed to weare such Iewels, and haue their neckes in manner laden therewith: these Beades and Iewels, and such other trinkets, they call Caquiras. Beside these also, they weare certaine Rings of Gold at their eares and nostrels, which they bore full of holes on both sides, so that the Rings hang vpon their lippes. Some of these Indians are poulde and rounded; albeit commonly both the Men and Women take it for a decent thing to weare long haire, which the women weare to the middest of their shoulders, and cut it equally, especially aboue their browes: this doe they with certaine hard Stones, which they keepe for the same purpose. The principall Women, when their teates fall, or become loose,* 1.136 beare them vp with barres of Gold, of the length of a spanne and a halfe, [ 40] well wrought, and of such bignesse that some of them weigh more then two hundred Caste∣lans or Ducades of Gold: these barres haue holes at both the ends, whereat they tye two small cords made of Cotton at euery end of the barres: one of these cords goeth ouer the shoulder, and the other vnder the arme holes, where they tye both together, so that by this meanes the barre beareth vp their teates. Some of these chiefe Women goe to the battaile with their Husbands, or when they themselues are regents in any Prouinces, in the which they haue all things at commandement, and execute the office of generall Captaines, and cause themselues to be carried on mens backs, in like manner as doe the Caciques, of whom I haue spoken before.

These Indians of the firme Land are much of the same stature and colour as are they of the I∣lands:* 1.137 they are for the most part of the colour of an Oliue: if there be any other difference, it [ 50] is more in bignesse then otherwise, and especially they that are called Coronati, are stronger and bigger then any other that I haue seene in these parts, except those of the Iland of Giants, which are on the South side of the Iland of Hispaniola, neere vnto the coasts of the firme Land, and likewise certain other which they call Iucatos, which are on the North side. All which chief∣ly, although they be no Giants, yet are they doubtlesse the biggest of the Indians that are known to this day, and commonly bigger then the Flemings; and especially many of them, as well wo∣men as men, are of very high stature, and are all archers both men and women. These Coronati inhabit thirtie leagues in length by these coasts, from the point of Canoa to the great riuer which they call Guadalchiber, neere vnto Sancta Maria de gratia. As I trauersed by those coasts, I filled a butt of fresh water of that riuer, six leagues in the Sea from the mouth thereof where it falleth [ 60] into the Sea. They are called Coronati (that is Crowned) because their haire is cut round by their eares, and poulde lower a great compasse about the Crowne, much like the Friers of Saint Augustines Order. And because I haue spoken of their manner of wearing

their haire, here commeth to my remembrance a thing which I haue oftentimes noted in these Indians: and this is, that they haue the bones of the sculs of their heads foure times thicker, and much stronger then ours, so that in comming to handstroakes with them,* 1.138 it shall be requisite not to strike them on the heads with swords, for so haue many swords beene broken on their heads, with little hurt done.

Of the chiefe Ilands, Hispaniola and Cuba.

THe Indians which at this present inhabit the Iland of Hispaniola, are but few in number, and the Christians not so many as they ought to be, for as much as many of them that [ 10] were in this Iland, are gone to other Ilands, and to the firme Land. For being for the most part yong men vnmarried, and desirous daily to see new things,* 1.139 wherein mans nature delight∣eth, they were not willing to continue long in one place, especially seeing daily other new Lands discouered, where they thought they might sooner fill their Purses, by being present at the first spoile: Wherein neuerthelesse their hope deceiued many of them, and especially such as had houses and habitations in this Iland: For I certainely beleeue, confirming my selfe herein with the iudgement of many other, that if any one Prince had no more seignories then onely this Iland, it should in short time be such, as not to giue place either to Sicilie or England,* 1.140 whereas euen at this present there is nothing wherefore it would malice their prosperity, not be∣ing [ 20] inferiour to them in any felicity, that in manner the heauens can grant to any Land: being furthermore such as may inrich many Prouinces and Kingdomes, by reason of many rich Gold Mines that are in it, of the best Gold that is found to this day in the world,* 1.141 and in greatest quantitie. In this Iland, nature of her selfe bringeth forth such abundance of Cotton,* 1.142 that if it were wrought and maintained, there should be more and better then in any part of the world. There is so great plentie of excellent Cassia,* 1.143 that a great quantitie is brought from thence into Spaine, from whencee it is carried to diuers parts of the world, &c.

In this Iland furthermore are many Sheepe, and a great number of Hogges, of the which (as also of the Kine) many are become wilde, and likewise many Dogges and Cats,* 1.144 of those which were brought out of Spaine: These (and especially the Dogs) doe much hurt among the Cattell, [ 30] by reason of the negligence of the Heard-men. There are also many Horses, Mares, and Mules, and such other Beasts as serue the vse of men in Spaine, and are much greater then they of the first broode brought thither out of Spaine.

Saint Domingo was built by line and rule: the Houses of Stone very faire.* 1.145 There is also a Ca∣thedrall Church builded of late, where as well the Bishop according to his dignity, as also the Canons are well endowed. This Church is well builded of Stone and Lime, and of good work∣manship. There are furthermore three Monasteries, bearing the name of S. Dominicke, S. Francis, and S. Marie of Mercedes, the which are al wel builded, although not so curiously as they of Spain. There is also a very good Hospital for the aid & succor of poore people, which was found by Mi∣chael Passamont, treasurer to your Maiestie.* 1.146 The people of this Iland are commonly of somewhat [ 40] lesse stature then are the Spaniards, & of a shining or cleare brown color:* 1.147 they haue Wiues of their own, and abstaine from their Daughters, Sisters & Mothers: they haue large foreheads, long black haire, and no beards or haire in any other parts of their bodies, as well Men as Women, except ve∣ry few, as perhaps scarsly one among a thousand. They goe as naked as they were borne, except that on the parts which may not with honestie be seene, they weare a certaine leafe as broad as a mans hand, which neuerthelesse is not kept close with such diligence, but that sometimes a man may see that they thinke sufficiently hid. In this Iland are certaine Glowormes,* 1.148 that shine in the night as doe ours, but are much bigger, and giue a greater light: In so much that when the men of the Iland goe any iournies in the night, they beare some of these wormes made fast about their feete and head, in such sort that he that should see them a farre, and ignorant of [ 50] the thing, would be greatly astonished thereat. By the light of these also, the women worke in their houses in the night. These wormes they call Cienas. Their light lasteth for the space of three dayes, and diminisheth as they begin to drie vp. There is also a kinde of Crowes, whose breath stinketh in the morning, and is sweete in the afternoone:* 1.149 the excrement which they auoide, is a liuing worme.

In Cuba, is a certaine kinde of Partridges, being very little, with their feathers much of the colour of Turtle Doues, but are of much better taste to be eaten:* 1.150 they are taken in great number, and being brought wilde into the houses, they become as tame within the space of three or foure dayes as though they had beene hatched there: they become exceeding fat in short space, and are doubtlesse the most delicate and pleasant meate that euer I haue eaten. But [ 60] to let passe many other things that might be here said, and to speake of two marueilous things which are in this Iland of Cuba: whereof the one is, that a Valley containing two or three leagues in length betweene two Mountaines, is full of a kinde of very hard Stones, of such perfect roundnesse, and like vnto Pellets of Gunnes,* 1.151 that no art can make bet∣ter or more exactly polished. Of these, some are as small as Pellets for Handgunnes, and

other so encreasing bigge•• and bigger from that quantitie, that they may serue for all sorts of Artillerie, although they be of bignesse to receiue one or two or more Quintales of powder, euery Quintale containing one hundred weight, or of what other quantitie soeuer they be. These Pellets are found throughout all the Valley within the earth, as in a Mine, which they digge, and take out such as they neede of all sorts. The other marueilou•• thing of this Iland is this:* 1.152 That farre from the Sea, there issueth out of a Mountaine a certaine liquor, much like the Clay of Babylon, called Bitumen, or like vnto Pitch, in great quantitie, and such as is very commodious for the calking of Shippes: this falleth continually from the Rocke, and runneth into Sea, in such abundance that it is seene floting aboue the water on euery side of the Sea thereabout, as it is driuen from place to place by the winde, or course of the water. Quintus Curtius writeth in his Historie,* 1.153 that great Alexander came to the Citie of Memi, [ 10] where is a great Caue or Denne, in the which is a Spring or Fountaine that continually auoi∣deth a great quantitie of Bitumen,* 1.154 in such sort, that it is an easie thing to beleeue that the stones of the wals of Babylon might be laid therewith, according as the said Author writeth. I haue seene this Mine of Bitumen, not onely in the Iland of Cuba, but also such another in new Spaine, in the Prouince of Panuco.

Thus farre I haue giuen you from Master Eden his Edition, wherein because many things necessary to the naturall History of the Indies are in the Authors Summarie, and in his 20. Books of a larger Historie, I haue added hither such things as I thought fittest.

The V••ias are like great Rats, and the Cories like Conies, of which the people in Hispaniola eate, as also of the Yuanas. Chemi and Mohni are little creatures also in that Iland: which [ 20] and their little mute Dogges were all the foure footed Beasts they had, saue that of Rats there is some question. The Indians of Iamaica and Cuba vse to catch fish with the fish Rouerso, as Huntsmen or Falconers vse Hounds or Haukes in their game.* 1.155 The Indians take it sometimes in their Nets, of which I haue eaten: and when they will bring vp one of them they feede it in the Sea and carrie it tied to their Canar by a strong line, which when they see a fish fit for pray, they loosen and vse words to excite courage and valour in this fish; which presently flies like an arrow at that fish and fastens thereon, and the Indian lets the line runne out at length (being oiled,* 1.156 of many fadomes, and hauing a peece of wood at the end to buoy it,) till the fish be weari∣ed: this little fish (little aboue a spanne long, vnsightly to looke on) still holding fast, till the Indian gathering in his cord, prepares to shoare to take the greater fish, with much commenda∣tion [ 30] and words of encouragement to this chase-fish, perswading him to let goe his hold, which otherwise should sooner by violence breake in peeces this Huntsman, then force him to vnfa∣sten. Thus will he fasten on the belly of a Tortoise so great that two Indians and sometimes sixe haue enough to doe to carrie the same to their houses. This fish Rouerso hath scailes Staire fashioned, or like the roofe of a mans mouth, and on them certain prickles very sharpe and strong, whereby he fastens himselfe to what fish him pleaseth: and these prickly scales he hath on the most part of his body.

They haue likewise a cunning wild-goose-chase, in a great Lake casting in certaine great emptie Pompons in the season when Geese resort thither, wherewith they being accustomed grow out of feare and will sit on them to bee carried. Being thus acquainted, the Indian puts [ 40] one of these emptie Pompons on his head, and with much dexteritie of swimming enters a∣mongst the Geese, and when one hath made him his Porter, no part of his body being seene, he swimmes from the rest, and then with his hand pulls her in, and hangs her thus strangled at his girdle, and begins a fresh game.

* 1.157When their Caciques are dead they lay them on a piece of wood or stone, and make a fire a∣bout the same which may not burne them, but by degrees draw forth all the moysture in sweat, leauing onely the skin and bones, and then in a place separate repose the same with the Ance∣stors which before had beene so dealt with; this being their best Booke of Heraldrie to recount the Names and seuerall Descents in that Pedegree. If any die in battell, or so that they cannot recouer his body, they compose Songs which the Children learne touching him, and the man∣ner [ 50] of his death,* 1.158 to supply that memoriall. These Songs they call Areytos. As for Letters they were so ignorant, that seeing the intercourse of Spaniards by Letters, they thought that Letters could speake, and were very cautelous in their carriage of them, lest the Letters might accuse them of ill demeanor by the way.* 1.159 When they will disport themselues, the Men and Women meet and take each other by the hand, and one goeth before which is called Tequina or their Ma∣ster, with certaine paces measured to his singing in a low voice what commeth in his minde, and after him all the multitude answereth in a higher voice with like measures proportioned to the tune, and so continue they three or foure houres, with Chicha or Mayz-wine among; sometimes also changing the Tequina and taking another with a new tune and song. Their Houses are com∣monly [ 60] round like a Tent,* 1.160 and sometimes with a double water passage (which they call Buhio) of good Timber, thatched with Straw or long Grasse, the Walls of Reed pitched into the ground. In the Prouince of Abrayne in Golden Castile and thereabouts, there are many Villages of Indi∣ans which dwell on the tops of Trees in Houses or Roomes there made, to which they ascend

by certaine staires of Besuco, which growes about * 1.161 Trees, and is vsed to binde their Walls and Timbers in their houses before mentioned. Beneath, the ground is fenny and couered with wa∣ter not so high as a man: and where it is deeper, they vse Canoas, and therewith passe to drie Land to sow their Mays and Iucca, Battatas and Aies. In those houses they are secured from wild Beasts, Enemies and Fire. They are not Archers, and vse Clubs. In the Gulfe of Vraba where Rio Grande enters the Sea, are many Palme trees in the middest of the Riuer growing neere toge∣ther, on the tops whereof are houses made as the former and much bigger, in which many Inha∣bitants dwell together, and haue their beds tyed to the lower parts of the said Palme trees▪ These beds they call Hamacas, being couerlets of Cotten of good threed and well wouen, of two or three braces long, but narrower, with cordes at the ends. The cordes are of Cotton, or [ 10] of Henequen or Cabuya, this the courser threed, that the finer and able to cut Iron; made of the leafe of a certaine herbe. These Indians fight also with Clubs, and did much harme to Captaine Vasco Nunes di Balboa his men, which returned with losse not able to ouer-come them. I haue also obserued that these Indians haue the bones of their skulls foure times as thicke as those of the Christians, so that to strike them with a Sword must be warily done, the Swords being thereby often broken.

Besides the Tigre and other beasts before mentioned,* 1.162 in the firme Land are the Beori (the Christians call them Dants, not that they are such, but for some resemblance, as is also said of the Tigre) of the bignesse of a meane Mule, without hornes, ash-coloured: they know not to dresse and tanne their hides. They take them with Dogs, but if they take water, they are fierce and [ 20] cruell. The Gatto Ceruiero is as bigge as the Tigre and very fierce,* 1.163 more dreadfull to the Christi∣ans, the swiftest beast yet found in those parts. The Lions are a little lesse then those of Barbarie and not so full of courage, but fearfull and fugitiue, and hurt none but such as assault them. The Leopards are like those of Barbarie, and are swift and fierce,* 1.164 but neither these nor the Lions haue yet done Christians any harme, nor dor they eate the Indians as the Tigres doe. The Foxes are like those of Spaine, but in colour blacker then blacke veluet, and somewhat lesse then of Spaine.* 1.165 The Red Deere are as those of Spaine, but not so swift. Their Fallow Deere are like those of Spaine,* 1.166 but both Red and Fallow exceed the Spanish in taste. Their Conies or Hares are somewhat like ours, but liker Hares then Conies, yet lesse then the Conies of Spaine.* 1.167 The Marterns are like to [ 30] those of Spaine in bignesse, biting and otherwise: some of them are kept tame and are as full of sport and lesse filthy then the Monkeys. The Monkeys are of innumerable sorts and shapes:* 1.168 some of them so suttle as they imitate the actions of men, as breaking of Pine-apples and Al∣monds with stones: some will throw stones at passengers, or breake boughs to fall on them as they passe by to breake their heads, and retort the arrowes shot at them, and doe other things in∣credible. Some are as little or lesser then a mans hand, and some as great as a meane Mastiffe. The Indian Dogs are little and barke not, some hayrie and some bare,* 1.169 but wagge the taile and leape on those which feede them, and are not so tame as ours. The Churchia is as bigge as a small Conie, tawnie, sharpe-snowted, dog-toothed, long-tayled and eared like a Rat. They doe great harme to their Hennes, killing sometimes twentie or more at once to sucke their bloud: And if they [ 40] then haue young, shee carrieth them with her in a bagge of skin vnder her belly, running alongst the same like a Satchell, which shee opens and shuts at pleasure to let them in and out: and if a∣ny come with light when the Damme and young are at their Hen-bloud dainties, shee receiues them into this bagge, and runneth away with them: and if shee finde the way stopped, shee climbeth vp aboue the Hen-roost, and is sometimes taken aliue or dead in this manner, as I haue seene. Her Teats are within her bagge. It is a stinking creature.

Of Fowles, they haue Eagles, Hawkes, Buzzards, Rauens, &c. as in Spaine.* 1.170 Other differing sorts they haue so many that they need rather a Painter then Relator to describe them. Of Par∣rots I carried ten or twelue sorts at once to King Ferdinand. They flie by couples, a Male and Fe∣male together: and doe much harme to their Corne grounds.* 1.171 There are Night-sparrowes which [ 50] flie by night onely, and strike at the Bats, holding a pleasant pursute after them. They are big∣ger and swifter then Swallowes, hauing a row of white feathers ouerthwart the wing▪* 1.172 The Bats draw much bloud by their bitings; and if they bite one man amongst an hundred persons, the same Bat will in the nights following still single the same person. They stanch the bloud with hot ashes, or water as hot as may be endured, and so I haue beene cured. There are Peacocks, some yellow, some blacke, with tailes like those of Spaine: they are better meat: some are wilde, and some tame, which are brought home young. Other Peacocks they haue,* 1.173 of which the Hens are ill shaped, the Males haue not so great a taile as ours: their necke also is bare of feathers, but couered with a skin which they change after their phantasie into diuers colours. They haue a horne as it were on their front, and haires on the breast (the last seeme Turkeys.)

[ 60] The Sea-Crowes are so many which on the coast of Panama follow the Pilchards or Sardines (as is before said of the Alcatrazzi) that lighting or houering on the Sea,* 1.174 they seeme to couer the same with a blacke carpet of cloth or veluet, going and comming with the Sea. There are Wilde Hens as great as Peacocks, blacke, the head part of the necke gray skins,* 1.175 and not feathe∣red: they eate Carrion and are of vnsauourie taste to be eaten; smell like muske whiles they are

aliue, but that sent dyeth with them: neither are they good for any thing, except their quills to feather arrowes.* 1.176 They are desirous to liue about places inhabited to feede on Carrion. The Par∣triches are gray, as sauourie as those of Spaine, and as great as the Spanish Hens: they haue their brawnes or flesh double, one ouer the other. Their egges are as bigge as Hens egges, but rounder, and coloured like a fine Turkesse stone. The Indians making a sound like theirs, draw them to theirs nets.* 1.177 There are also a lesse kinde. The Pheasants are not in feathers like those of Spaine, nor so goodly, but very sauourie meate like the great Partriches, but are not so great; they are gray, haue long legs and tailes, make a loud whistling noise, and are easily shot.

Flies are not there so many as in these parts of Europe. Their Waspes are greater and sting more dangerously.* 1.178 Their Bees are almost as small as flies, and sting not. They haue great Hiues and Combes which hold foure times as much Honie as ours: their Honie is white. Ants are [ 10] great, many, and doe much damage to the Trees, Sugars, and other prouisions. There are of ma∣ny sorts, some little and black (of which and the Ant-beare is spoken before) some called Conix••n halfe Ant, halfe Worme, very hurtfull; they carry earth on their heads, and therewith on trees, walls, or where they please build their nests, three or foure spans large, and are as hurtfull to houses as Moths to clothes. There are others greater of diuers sorts, some as bigge as Bees with vs, so poysonfull that herewith the Indians infect their arrowes so remedilesse, that not foure of an hundred which are wounded escape: and if this Ant bite a Man he presently falls into a grie∣uous feauer, and the place swelleth much. There are others red, yellow, and some winged. Of Hornets or Horse-flies (Tafani) are many sorts, tedious to expresse. There are also Scorpions in the firme Land.* 1.179 An. 1519. and two yeeres after the Ants destroyed in Hispaniola their Canna∣fistola, [ 20] Oranges▪ and fruit Trees, neither in their houses could they keepe victualls for their mul∣titudes, destroying all like the African Grasse-hoppers, in so much that Saint Domingo was nigh dispeopled by them.

* 1.180They laugh in India to heare the disease called French by the Italians, and Neapolitan by the French, which may indeed be called Indian, where the best remedie Lignum Sanctum, and Guaia∣can grow; God so in iudgement remembring mercy, that where our sinnes produce a punishment, he also sends a remedie. I had acquaintance with diuers which went in the first and second voy∣ages of Columbus: of which was Peter Margarite Commendator in the second voyage, of most respect with the King and Queene, who complayned of those paines. Soone after, in the yeere [ 30] 1496. began the disease to arrest some Courtiers; but in those beginnings, it was onely amongst baser persons of small authoritie: and it was thought that they got it with hauing to doe with common women. But afterwards it extended to principall Persons, and the Physicians could not tell what to thinke of it, so that many dyed. When after this Gonzalo Fernandes di Cordoua was sent with a great Armie by the Catholike Kings, in behalfe of Ferdinand the second King of Naples, against Charles the French King, some diseased persons went with that Armie, and by dealing with the women, and by conuersing, spread the disease to the Italians and French-men, which thence got the names aforesaid, but indeed came from Hispaniola: where it is ordinarie, and the remedie also. Our Author l. 17. c. 4. and Ramufio in his Preface to his third Tome say, That the Souldiers of Pamfilo de Nauaz hauing the small pocks infected the Indians, which neuer before had heard of that disease: in so much that of 1600000. soules in that Iland there are so few left, as by [ 40] and by you shall heare.* 1.181 The Niguas also, creatures lesse then Fleas, which eate in the flesh very dangerously, are rife in that Iland. The people of that Iland when first they were diuided a∣mongst the Spanish Planters, were deemed a Million or more (some say 1600000. of which and of their posteritie in the yeere 1535. were not aboue fiue hundred left, little and great, the rest which then were there being Slaues brought thither from other parts. The couetousnesse of the Myne-workers, neglect of Diet, change of Gouernours growing worse and worse, cau∣sed them to poyson, kill, and hang themselues, besides those which were consumed by infectious or pestilentiall pocks * 1.182 and other diseases: Their owne vices, also Sodomitrie, Idolatrie, &c. prouoked diuine Iustice against them. No prouision could hinder their consumption. The King [ 50] sent Religious men of diuers Orders, but this I know that the Dominicans and Franciscans con∣tradicted each other, and what one approued the other disallowed, although after the other had left that opinion, the Contradictors would embrace it, still agreeing in disagreeing: which cau∣sed much danger not onely to new Conuerts, but also to old Christians: whiles one Order would not absolue them except they franchised the Indians,* 1.183 and the other absolued them neuerthelesse. Much disputation hath beene about the Indians seruice amongst the Thomists, Canonists, and fa∣mous Lawyers and Diuines, but their differences haue done little good to the Indians or the plantation; and in a short time both this Iland and the three adioyning, Saint Iohn, Iamaica, and Cuba, remayned desolate, being by the Friars meanes (which I thinke, meant well) dispersed thorow the Iland,* 1.184 to lessen their labours, which the Gentlemen imposed on them. I am of opi∣nion that if a Christian Prince had this Iland of Hispaniola onely, hee might make it as good as [ 60] either England or Sicily: such is the store of Gold, the prosperous successe of things carried from Spaine, the Beeues (which I knew first carried thither from Spaine) being alreadie so multi∣plyed that they kill them for the Hides, leauing the flesh in the fields of fiue hundred at once:

and Roderigo di Bastidas Bishop of Venesuela hath therein 16000. Beeues, and the Treasurer Pas∣samonte as many; others 8000. or more, likewise in other Beasts, Seeds, Oranges, Limons, F••gs, Pomegranets, &c.

Of their Zemes, Idols, Sepulchres, and other things concerning their Religion,* 1.185 the Reader may see enough in the ninth Booke and fourteenth Chapter of my Pilgrimage; and of the Spanish first voyages thither in the beginning of this worke, which Ouiedo handleth in his former Bookes.

Their Huracans (so they call tempests of winde and raine together) are very excessiue. An. 1508. on the third of August,* 1.186 all the thatched houses in Saint Domingo were throwne to the ground, and some also of stone; all the houses also in the Towne Bonauentura, which might thence be named Malauentura: in the Hauen were sunke twentie Ships and Caruels, a North-wind [ 10] first and after a South-wind playing their furious prizes, one carrying out the Vessels in despight of all prouisions to Sea, and the other as terribly forcing them againe to the Ha∣uen (if the losse of ships and men may permit that name) yea on Land many men were carried in the streets and fields diuers bow-shots before they could stay themselues.* 1.187 Hell seemed to haue beene opened, and the Deuils to haue carried things to and fro. Yet in Iuly following was a worse, which now are allayed and not so violent since the Blessed Sacrament hath beene placed in Churches. I haue seene the space of a Crosse-bow shot or two, all the ground couered with Trees plucked vp by the Windes from the Rootes, and ours haue sometime by dangers of the way beene forced to climbe from tree to tree ouer such a passage, with rents and perills enough.

[ 20] The Cocks in Spaine crow at mid-night and towards day: but here in the shutting in of the e∣uening, or two houres within night, and two houres before day, and not at all at mid-night: some crow in the first watch and not else all night. Their Cats also vse their lusts all the yeere and without walling noise, which in Spaine, France, Sicily, and other places in Europe and Afrike which I haue seene goe on Catter-walling onely about Februarie. In the Ile of Nauaza Westward from Hispaniola in the way thence to Iamaica, the Rocks are seene vnder the water: and amongst them a fathome and fiue foote vnder the salt water there ariseth a spring of good fresh water vpon the Sea, spowting vp bigger then a mans arme, higher then the salt water that it may easily be taken in. I haue not seene it, but Stephen Rocca a person of credit testifieth [ 30] this of his owne sight and taste. But I haue seene in the Iland Dominica at the Riuer Acquata, twentie paces wide, and not deeper then the arme pits, there is a hot spring, that if one take vp the Sands they seeme like embers in his fist, and so is the water a span deepe aboue the Sands, which on the top is fresh and like other water.

Ouiedos 8.9.10. and 11. Bookes are of Plants and Trees in those parts.* 1.188 The 12. of Creatures before mentioned: the 13. of Fishes, in which he telleth that An. 1529. going from the Gulfe of O∣rotigua to Panama two hundred leagues Eastward, neere the mouth of the Gulfe, wee saw a Fish or great Water-monster, which at times lifted it selfe right vp aboue the Water so farre that the head and both the armes might bee seene,* 1.189 which seemed higher then our Carauell and all her Masts. Thus did shee rise and fall diuers times beating the water strongly, not casting [ 40] any water out of the mouth. A younger or lesse of the same kinde did likewise, swimme a little distant from the greater. Some iudged it to bee a Whale with her young one, which o∣thers denyed, saying, a Whale had no armes. To my iudgement each arme might be fiue and twentie foote long, and as bigge as a Butt or Pipe: the head fourteene or fifteene foote high and much more in breadth; and the rest of the body larger. That of her which appeared aboue wa∣ter, was aboue fiue times the height of a meane man, which make fiue and twentie paces. * 1.190 Loren∣zo Martino Canon of the Church of Golden Castile, Sancio di Tudela, &c. were with me: and we were all afraid when shee came neere our small Caruell. Shee seemed to disport her selfe at a tem∣pest approching, which suddenly arose much to our purpose, from the West, and brought vs in few dayes to Panama.

In Hispaniola and the neighbouring Ilands is a strange bird of prey, as bigge as a great * 1.191 Gauia [ 50] and much like it: shee preyeth on the Land on birds, &c. and on fish in the Water,* 1.192 shee is footed like water-fowles and goeth like a Goose, but hath talons like Hawkes, and fastens therewith on the fishes which shee eates (so taken) either in the Water or on the Rocks, or as shee flyeth in the Aire holding it betweene her feete.* 1.193 The Christians call them Astori di acqua.

What scath the Ants did in Hispaniola, is before mentioned,* 1.194 in the yeere 1519. and the next following, and the Citie of Saint Domingo, was almost dishabited by this great Armie of little creatures, as in Spaine a Citie was dispeopled by Conies, and which lately happened to the Ile Porto Santo; in Thessalia (which almost fell out to the English Colonie in Bermuda) to another [ 60] Citie by Rats, to the Atariotae by Frogges, to the Mi••ntines by Fleas, to Amicle in Italie by Serpents, and to another part thereof by Sparrowes; to diuers places of Africa often by Locusts: so can the Great God arme the least creatures to the destruction of proud vainglorious men. And this miserie so perplexed the Spaniards, that they sought as strange a remedie as was the disease,

which was to chuse some Saint for their Patron against the Antes.* 1.195 Alexander Giraldine, the Bi∣shop hauing sung a solemne and Pontificall Masse, after the Consecration and Eleuation of the Sacrament, and deuout Prayers made by him and the people, opened a Booke in which was a Catalogue of the Saints, by lot to chuse some he or she Saint, whom God should please to ap∣point their Aduocate against that Calamitie. And the Lot fell vpon Saint Saturnine whose Feast is on the nine and twentieth of Nouember: after which the Ant-damage became more tolera∣ble and by little and little diminished, by Gods mercie and intercession of that Saint: I note it the rather, because the Bishop and that Saint were both Romanes, and as that Martyr had made mute the Idols in Toledo, (as is written in the Historie of his Martyrdome) so now was Idolatry (and I pray what was this?) destroyed in Hispaniola? Hee might haue said exchanged! a piti∣full [ 10] case that when God hath s••nt his owne Sonne made of a woman, made vnder the Law, &c. Who hath dyed for our (yea,* 1.196 that Martyrs) sinnes, risen for our Iustification, ascended on high to giue gifts to men▪ and is there, and therefore, set downe at Gods right hand to make intercession for vs sinners, to take possession for vs mortals, to accomplish, as our Amen, all the promises of this life, and that which is to come, whether against Ants or Deuils; and in him it hath pleased the Father that all fulnesse should dwell; yea (beyond and it pleased) in him dwelleth the fulnesse of the Godhead bodily, and we are compleate in him, and he is all in all, yesterday, to day, the same for euer; which hath loued vs, and gi∣uen himselfe for vs, which is loue, which hath inuited vs, Come to me all ye that labour, which hath incited vs by all attractiues: that after all this, men, Christian men should goe cast Lots for an Intercessor, and neglecting Christ, dreame of Romane carnall phancies, or runne mad with Romish [ 20] superstitious phrensies; wherein if the bodie be deliuered, as happened to the lusting Israelites, with their Quaile-store, the burthen is made double to the soule, when God heareth in his anger. Such Cisternes doe they digge which forsake the Fountaine of liuing waters, euen broken Cisternes which can hold no waters: the best of Saints like the wise Virgins, hauing no more Oile then will suf∣fice their owne Lampes, and that also receiued out of anothers fulnesse, of whose fulnesse wee all haue receiued grace for grace; said a principall Saint.

There are Caterpillers, which shine in the night fiftie or a hundred paces off, only from that part of the bodie whence the legges issue: others only haue their head shining. I haue seene some a spanne long very fearefull, but for any thing I haue heard, harmelesse. Flies are lesse, but more hurtfull then in Spaine: but these in kindes and colours are so diuersified that it is impossi∣ble [ 30] to write them: and so may be said of other small creatures in those parts.

In his sixteenth Booke he declareth the Conquest of the Ile Borichen, or Saint Iohn and the quarrels betwixt the Spaniards,* 1.197 the learning of some breeding such dissentions, that not with∣out cause (saith our Author) in Golden Castile and in other parts,* 1.198 the King forbad Law-learned men and Proctors should passe thither, as men infectious by sowing strife where they ought not. In this Ile, the people and other things are as before is said of Hispaniola▪ there are more Birds in Saint Iohn, rich Mineralls of Gold, certaine Battes which the people eate; and Lig∣num Sanctum groweth there, more excellent then the Guaiacan for the French Disease and others.

* 1.199In his seuenteenth Booke he writeth of Cuba. The people and other things are much like to [ 40] Hispaniola, In their Mariages, all the guests of the Bridegroomes ranke (as Caciques, if hee bee a Cacique or Principall, or Plebeians as he is) lye with the Spouse before he himselfe may doe it: after which she with her fist bent comes crying with a loud voyce, Manicato, Manicato, that is forced and full of force, as glorying in her shame. They are in vices like those of Hispaniola, and will be no better Christians then other Indians, whatsoeuer Peter Martyr writeth from Encises Relations. For I haue seene more Indians then they both, and by experience of those Nations know,* 1.200 that none or very few of them are Christians of their owne will and accord: and when any are baptized being of age, he doth it more for some by-purpose then for zeale of the faith: for there remaines to him nothing but the name, which also soone after he forgets. Perhaps there are some faithfull, but I beleeue they are very rare. [ 50]

The Creatures and Plants of Spaine prosper well there, as doe the naturall which are the same which are in Hispaniola. The people were exhausted when they first went into New Spaine, and with the second Armie of Grigialua, and with the third of Cortese, and with the fourth of Pamphilo di Narbaez, all by order of Lieutenant Velasco: whereby Cuba was in manner dispeo∣pled, and by the former causes mentioned of Hispaniola, and by the contagion of the small Pockes which was vniuersall in all these Ilands: So that the Great God hath in manner wholly extinguished them for their (not without others) sinnes. They haue much Gold and Brasse: vse to fish much with the Rouerso before mentioned, as also that Wild-goose chase. There are innumerable Cranes, such as are in Spaine; the Boyes take infinite Egges and young ones. There are Turtles greater then in Spaine.* 1.201 Euery yeare there passe from the end of Cuba infinite numbers [ 60] of diuers sorts of Birds, which come from the North of the firme Land, and crosse ouer the A∣lacrain Ilands and Cuba, and flye ouer the Gulfe Southwards. I haue seene them passe ouer Da∣rien and Nombre de dios and Panama in diuers yeeres, in the Firme Land; so many that they co∣uer

the Skie: and this passage or march continueth a moneth or more about the moneth of March. I thinke they flie round about the World;* 1.202 for they neuer are seene to returne toward the West or North: and we see them not euery yeere one after another▪ from morning to night the aire is couered, and some flie so high that they cannot bee seene, others lower yet higher then the Mountaines tops. They come from the North-west and North to the Southwards, and then turne South-west, occupying in length more then the eye can discerne, and a great space in breadth. The lowest are Eaglets and Eagles, and all seeme Birds of prey of many kinds and plumes: The higher cannot bee discerned in their plumes, but in manner of flying and q••ant••tie appeare of diuers sorts.

[ 10] There haue beene Serpents killed in Cuba, as bigge as a mans thigh, and fiue and twentie, or thirtie foot long and more. They are tame, and the Indians eate them, and find sometimes in their bellies sixe or seuen creatures bigger then Conies, which they swallow whole.

I am loth to lead you with this Author along with Grigialua,* 1.203 in his long Expedition from hence to Iucatan and other parts. Neere to Porto de termini, he found two Trees seeming set by hand, standing alone, and fifteene paces off diuers Idols of Chalke.* 1.204 They saw two Images made of the wood Copei, in manner of Sodomiticall villenie ioyned together; and another of Chalke with his circumcised member betwixt his hands.

Iamaica was in people, vices, creatures and other things like the former:* 1.205 they were the In∣uentors of the reuerso-fishing and Goose-catching with Gourds or Pompions aforesaid, which [ 20] sometimes they practised also with leaues and greene boughes on their heads, and vsed that Gar∣land, as is before said of the Pompions. Of Cubagua the Pearle Iland and of the Pearle-fishing is spoken before. In Cubagua is a bituminous Fountayne, hauing otherwise no water to drinke,* 1.206 nor Hearbes, nor Trees but a few of Guaiacan, nor any liuing creatures, though at first comming of the Christians there were a few Conies. At the East point is the Fountayne running into the Sea with an Oily substance floating on it, profitable for Medicine there called Deuils Dung. They that liue there, fetch their water seuen leagues off from Cumana, on the firme Land, and wood from Margarita. The Kings fifth of the Pearle-fishing hath yeelded 15000. Duckets yeerly: a thing not knowne that so many Pearles haue beene taken from so small a space, the Iland of Cubagua not compassing aboue three leagues. In the Gulfe of Or••tig••a, and the Ilands [ 30] therein in the Prouince of Nicaragua on the South Sea, are many shel-fishes of a long forme,* 1.207 some a Cubit long, some lesse, creased, growing broader and broader to the end when they are o∣pened: they haue a fishie substance within them, and shine within as the Pearle-oysters doe, halfe their length, thence by degrees loosing that shining toward the broader end. The Pearles within them are not so fine as the other. The Indians vse the shels to digge their loose ground, fastning the shell to a handle of wood, binding it fast and making a kind of Spade thereof.

In the yeare 1517. An Englishman * 1.208 vnder colour of Discouery came with a great ship to∣wards Brasill on the Firme Land, and thence trauersed to Hispaniola,* 1.209 and came neere the Hauen of Saint Domingo, and sent his Boat full of people on shoare, and desired Trade. But the Cap∣taine of the Fort shot from the Castle at the Boate, because shee came directly to the Port; and [ 40] thereupon they returned to their ship. The English seeing this entertainment, tooke their course towards the Iland of Saint Iohn, and entred the Port of Saint German, and there deman∣ded victuals and prouisions for their ship, complaining of the wrong done them at Saint Domin∣go, comming thither for Trade, to buy with their Mony, and to barter Commodities. There they got some victuals for which they paid in wrought pieces of Pewter and other things: and so returned towards Europe, where it is likely they came not; for there was neuer any more heard of them.

The next yeare a French Pirat guided by a Spanish Pilot,* 1.210 came to trade in the Iland of Pearles and a Portugall Carauell which he had taken on the Coast of Brasill, and would haue landed his Boats full of men, but was resisted, and a Battel betwixt both parts followed, in which thirteene [ 50] Frenchmen were slaine, and two of ours. Three or foure Nauarrois and Biskainers fled from them and said the French were Theeues and came to take the Iland: whereupon they went with all their strength, and tooke her Boat, and the ship fled out of sight, &c.

Ouiedos twentieth Booke is of shipwrackes and disaduentures which haue happened to the Spaniards in those parts. One which happened 1514. is admirable, the ship sinking and fiue and twentie persons escaping in the Boat, hast forbidding prouision of Card, Compasse or vi∣ctuall, to saue their liues. Thus liued they twelue dayes at Sea; neither had they any thing to eate or drinke: only a young man had saued two pounds of Bisket, which beeing diuided a∣mongst them, he which had most had not aboue an ounce and halfe. Vrine, or the Sea was their drinke. In this case they made Vowes to our L••die of Antica in Siuill: and on the twelfth day [ 60] hauing made a Saile of their shirts, they came to Siluer-port in Hispaniola. Their Pilot A••to Caluo told me the Storie. The same yeare in the Pleet of Pedrarias de Auilla a Portugal youth, being scof∣fed at, and flouted by the Spaniards, leaped into the Sea in a fresh gale, and not without the won∣der of all men was taken vp by another ship aliue, whom after I saw vaunting of this folly, and saying that no Castilian durst haue done it; which I easily beleeue, as hauing more wit then this

Foole. Yet will I imitate a little this foolish Portugall, and leape out of Ouiedos Spanish ship (for who will not feare such dreadfull shipwrackes as this Booke, the last which hath come * 1.211 to our hands, is full of?) and swim ashoare, or seeke other passage with Acosta, in a new or rather an old Voyage for Discouerie of the Mexican Antiquities.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Gold of Indi∣ans base.
• * 1.2

  Manner of mynes and searching for gold.
• * 1.3

  Gold in mynes.
• * 1.4

  Spanish cu∣stomes for vsage of mynes.
• * 1.5

  Water a good neighbour.
• * 1.6

  Women gold-washers.
• * 1.7

  Other Labou∣rers.
• * 1.8

  Fiue to a tray.
• * 1.9

  Gold in Riuers or poulder.
• * 1.10

  Gold engen∣dred on hill tops.
• * 1.11

  His reason.
• * 1.12

  Some may thinke that coles, shels & other ludibria naturae, natu∣rally grow there.
• * 1.13

  Gold in graines. One huge piece of gold.
• * 1.14

  A Marke is a pound of 8. ounces summa, 16. pound weight eight ounces, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 12. ounces to the pound. Indian gilding.
• * 1.15

  Men continue an houre vnder water.
• * 1.16

  Naturall suc∣cession.
• * 1.17

  Of this read more largely in the Decads.
• * 1.18

  Huge Pearle.
• * 1.19

  By the compu∣tation of Ve∣nice, foure graines make a Caract.
• * 1.20

  Peare-pearles▪
• * 1.21

  Deuils Impo∣sture.
• * 1.22

  Pythagorea•• P••aces.
• * 1.23

  Indian coniu∣rings or con∣sultations.
• * 1.24

  Eclipses and Prognosticati∣ons.
• * 1.25

  Reason why men kill them∣selues to serue their Masters in the other world.
• * 1.26

  Images of the Diuell.
• * 1.27

  Tempests.
• * 1.28

  Small Wormes troublesome.
• * 1.29

  Lice forsake them.
• * 1.30

  Lice finde them againe▪
• * 1.31

  Nigua.
• * 1.32

  Vipers.
• * 1.33

  Adders.
• * 1.34

  Dragons.
• * 1.35

  Spiders huge.
• * 1.36

  Toades.
• * 1.37

  Their renuing.
• * 1.38

  Singing.
• * 1.39

  Crabs or ra∣ther Tortoises.
• * 1.40

  Serpents cal∣led Iuanni.
• * 1.41

  N••te.
• * 1.42

  Small Birds. T••mineios.
• * 1.43

  Bardati or Ar∣madillos; a kinde of Moles
• * 1.44

  Beare••▪
• * 1.45

  Ante••.
• * 1.46

  Iohson mentions the like neere Gamb••a.
• * 1.47

  Great wonders in least crea∣tures.
• * 1.48

  A strange beast which seemeth a kind of Ca∣melion.
• * 1.49

  Foules and Birds. Alcatraz.
• * 1.50

  Panama.
• * 1.51

  Pilchards.
• * 1.52

  Passere sempie.
• * 1.53

  Picuti, Birds with bils hea∣uier then bo∣dies.
• * 1.54

  Foolish Spa∣rowes, wisely prouident.
• * 1.55

  Gazzuole.
• * 1.56

  Pintadelli.
• * 1.57

  Great Fowles.
• * 1.58

  Cocos.
• * 1.59

  I haue seene one of these Fruits opened, the which when it was whole, if it were shaken the water was hard shogge therein as it were in a Bot∣tle, but in time it consumed & was partly congealed into a salt substance
• * 1.60

  Good against the wind and stone Collick.
• * 1.61

  Great Trees.
• * 1.62

  Great Canoas
• * 1.63

  A maruellous Tree.
• * 1.64

  Kindling of fire without fire.
• * 1.65

  Putrified wood shining in the night.
• * 1.66

  Plinie.
• * 1.67

  Almost ••ll In∣dian trees con∣tinue euer greene.
• * 1.68

  Cassia.
• * 1.69

  E••rth hot low∣er then a fa∣dome.

  A secret thing. Radicall moi∣sture.
• * 1.70

  Reed-springs or fountaines of water.
• * 1.71

  Platani, or Plantans.
• * 1.72

  Figges.
• * 1.73

  Tunas.
• * 1.74

  Bihaos.
• * 1.75

  Hauas.
• * 1.76

  Dying of Cotton.
• * 1.77

  A strange thing.
• * 1.78

  It was not a venemous iuce of the fruit, but spir••••uall diso∣bedience in ea••ing contra∣rie to Gods comm••n••e∣ment, whi••h poysoned A∣dams soule with sinne, the wages whereof is death.

  Canibals inue∣nome their Arrowes. Petrus Arrias.
• * 1.79

  The water of the Sea.
• * 1.80

  The gulfe of Vraba.
• * 1.81

  Xagua.
• * 1.82

  Blacke ••••aines.
• * 1.83

  Hohi. Some thinke these to be mi∣robalanes.
• * 1.84

  Date trees.
• * 1.85

  The Inhabi∣tan••s of the Sea of Sur.
• * 1.86

  An herbe that beareth cordes.
• * 1.87

  Cabuia and He∣nequen.
• * 1.88

  A strange thing.
• * 1.89

  Leaues.
• * 1.90

  Thistle trees.
• * 1.91

  A leafe of great vertue.
• * 1.92

  Tiburons. Manates.
• * 1.93

  Great Tortoi∣ses.
• * 1.94

  Tiburons of Sharkes.
• * 1.95

  Plinie.
• * 1.96

  Crocodiles.
• * 1.97

  Manates.
• * 1.98

  The fish Ma∣nate.

  A remedie a∣gainst the stone.
• * 1.99

  The Sword fish.
• * 1.100

  Tunny.
• * 1.101

  Turbut.
• * 1.102

  Note. The Sea some∣where fertile, somewhere barren.
• * 1.103

  Flying fishes.
• * 1.104

  The Iland of Bermuda.
• * 1.105

  Not too hie for the Pie,

  Nor too low for the Crow.
• * 1.106

  Beragua.
• * 1.107

  The West Ocean.

  The Sea Medi∣tarraneum.
• * 1.108

  Hispaniola. Cuba.

  Ocean without ebbing and flowing.
• * 1.109

  The ebbe at Panama falleth two leagues or sixe miles.
• * 1.110

  The South Sea.
• * 1.111

  Esquegua and Vrraca.
• * 1.112

  The Riuer of Chagre.
• * 1.113

  The Iland Ba∣stimento.
• * 1.114

  The maruel∣lous Bridge.
• * 1.115

  Naturall stone Bridge.
• * 1.116

  Tigres.
• * 1.117

  Plants and herbes. Birds.
• * 1.118

  Men.
• * 1.119

  Sheepe. Bulls.
• * 1.120

  Iucca.
• * 1.121

  Bats,
• * 1.122

  Plinie.
• * 1.123

  The Tigre.
• * 1.124

  The hunting of Tigres.
• * 1.125

  A Tigre made tame.
• * 1.126

  The Indian women.
• * 1.127

  Vnnaturall ab∣ortions.

  Large breasts▪ Child-birth.
• * 1.128

  The men of India.
• * 1.129

  The King is borne on mens backes.
• * 1.130

  Letting of bloud.
• * 1.131

  They haue no beards.
• * 1.132

  They paint their bodies.
• * 1.133

  The Canibals Trumpets.
• * 1.134

  Armor of gold.
• * 1.135

  Their gallant∣nesse in the warres.

  Their Iewels.
• * 1.136

  How the wo∣men beare vp their teates with bars of Gold.
• * 1.137

  The stature & colour of the Indians.

  The Indians called Coronati. The Iland of Giants. Iucatos.
• * 1.138

  The sculs of Indians heads.
• * 1.139

  Men are desi∣rous of new things.
• * 1.140

  The commo∣dities of Hispa∣niola, England, and Sicilie.
• * 1.141

  Gold Mines.
• * 1.142

  Cotton.
• * 1.143

  Cassia.
• * 1.144

  Sheepe and Hogs.

  Dogs and Cats become wilde. The scituation of Hispaniola.
• * 1.145

  A Cathedrall Church and Monasteries in Hispaniola.
• * 1.146

  An Hospitall.
• * 1.147

  The people.
• * 1.148

  Cienas a kinde of Glowormes
• * 1.149

  Crowes stink∣ing and sweet.
• * 1.150

  partridges.
• * 1.151

  Bullets for Guns wrought by nature.
• * 1.152

  A Fountaine of th•• Pitch of Bitumen.
• * 1.153

  Quintus Curtius
• * 1.154

  Bitumen of Ba∣bylon.
• * 1.155

  The Rouerso a strange fish to hunt with.
• * 1.156

  Perhaps this Rouerso is the little fish which cleaueth to the Sharke and is by him carried in all his Cha∣ses, feeding on the scrap••.
• * 1.157

  Memorials of the dead.
• * 1.158

  Ignorance of Letters.
• * 1.159

  Areytos, songs and dances.
• * 1.160

  Houses of three sorts.
• * 1.161

  Besuco seemes to be as bind-weed or Iuie, but stronger and more pliant.
• * 1.162

  The beasts of those parts. Dants.
• * 1.163

  Gatto Ceruiero.
• * 1.164

  Leopards.
• * 1.165

  Foxes.
• * 1.166

  Red and fal∣low Deere.
• * 1.167

  Marterns.
• * 1.168

  Monkeys.
• * 1.169

  Dogs. Churchia.
• * 1.170

  Fowles. Parrots.
• * 1.171

  Night-sparrows▪
• * 1.172

  Bats.
• * 1.173

  Peacocks and Turkeys.
• * 1.174

  Sea-crowes.
• * 1.175

  Wilde Hennes.
• * 1.176

  Partriches.
• * 1.177

  Pheasants.
• * 1.178

  Flies, and Wasps, Bees, Ants, &c.
• * 1.179

  Hist. ••. l. 15. c. 1. vid. inf. Historia Gen. l. 2. c. 14.
• * 1.180

  Beginnings of th•• foule dis∣ease.
• * 1.181

  Lib. 3. c. 6.
• * 1.182

  Those before m••ntioned out of Ramu••io. Friars quar∣rels.
• * 1.183

  Lib. 4. c. 2.
• * 1.184

  Lib▪ 3. c. 11.
• * 1.185

  Ouiedos fift Booke is of their religion▪ &c.
• * 1.186

  Lib. 6. c. 3.
• * 1.187

  Superst••tious conceit of the Sacrament. It was orday∣ned against the Hura••ans of the consci∣ence, not of the weather. Lib. 7. c. 10. Cock•• & Cats differing from the Spanish: wherein our English doe much agree with the Indian. Strange water-spout.
• * 1.188

  Lib. 13. c. 2.
• * 1.189

  Sea Monster stupendious.
• * 1.190

  25. passa, which some∣times signifieth fathoms.
• * 1.191

  An Italian fowle.
• * 1.192

  Lib. 14. c. 7.
• * 1.193

  Water hawkes.
• * 1.194

  L. 15. c. 1. Greatest harme by least crea∣tures.
• * 1.195

  Vncertainty of Superstition.
• * 1.196

  Gal. 4. Rom. 4. Eph. 4. Rom. 8. Ioh. 14. ••. Tim. 4. Col. 1. Col. 2. Col. 3. Heb. 13. Eph. 5. 1. Io••. 4. Mat. 11. Num. 11. Ier. 2.13. Mat. 25. Ioh. 1.
• * 1.197

  L. 16. c. 15.
• * 1.198

  Lawyers dan∣gerous in the Spanish Indies.
• * 1.199

  L. 17. c. 4. Filthy Mar∣riages.
• * 1.200

  Ouied••s testi∣mony of Indian Christianity. He thinkes it a Fable that is told of Crosses found in Iuca∣••an.
• * 1.201

  Strange passa∣ges of Fowles.
• * 1.202

  L. 17. c. 15.
• * 1.203

  L. 17. c. 18.
• * 1.204

  Abom••n••ble deuo••ions.
• * 1.205

  L. 18. c. 2.
• * 1.206

  L 19▪ c. 2. Pi••ch Foun∣taine.
• * 1.207

  C. 9. Two shel-fishes which yeeld Pearles.
• * 1.208

  He cals him a Pirate, but sheweth no reason of that name.

  Pewter.
• * 1.209

  English voyage to the W••st Indies, A. 1517. L. 19. c. 13.
• * 1.210

  L. 20.
• * 1.211

  Ouiedo writ other Bookes of the firme Land, which are not extant.