CHAP. CVI. Of Borneo Island, and the Trade thereof.
THe next Island in this Tract is Borneo, and is equally divided by the Aequinoctial into two parts, putting as it were a bound between the Dominions of the King of Borneo on the North-side, and of Laus on the South, in compass accounted above 2200 miles, and held the greatest of all this Ocean.
The Country doth yield in great abundance, the wood which we call Camphora; also that wood known by the Portugals by the name of Polo d' Aguila; and also that costly sweat wood which is called Collamba, which being good is weighed against Silver and Gold: also here is found some. Gold, Diamonds, Nutmegs, Maces, Agarick, and other Spices; and great abundance of that excellent Antidote, which in Europe is called the Bezoar-stone.
It is plentifully stored with many fair Towns and Harbours, as Cabura, Taioparra, Tamoru∣tas and Borneo, the Metropolis and most magnificent above all the rest, containing 25 thousand Inhabitants, and seated in a Marish of the Sea, after the manner of Venice. Also Secodana, where many Diamonds are found, and where the English some years past had a factory and resi∣dence, as also the same in Beniermasa, another good Port in this Island.
I have not met with the Coins current here in payment for Merchandize, nor yet with the Weights and Measures in use in this Island; therefore must refer the same to the better experien∣ced, and to the Traders thither.