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CHAP. IV. Of the Horrible sound of the hollow Caves by the shores of the Sea.
MOreover there is in the Northern parts, a notable Province called Anger Mannia, the Inhabitants whereof are most cunning hunters: for by that gaine, namely by selling of pretious hides, they obtaine great wealth. There are also excellent husbandmen, so that they know how by the benefit of the Snow and fire, not only to make plain fields, but also the high sides of Moun∣tains to become fruitful grounds. For they put fire about the Autumnal Aequi∣noctiall into the thick shrubs and herbs, and they so carefully dispose of the ashes and dust that ariseth thence against the fall of the Snow that will come up∣on it, that by the viscosity thereof they grow as fat as with Oxe dung? Hence it is that they carry off from thence a greater crop of Corn, and have a more plentifull harvest. But I shall speak of these things underneath concerning husbandry. For this Province hath many most high Mountains, the tops whereof make a high appearance to those that saile in the Bothrick Sea, all the yeare by reason of the constant whitenesse of the Snow, so that seeing this eminent Sea-mark, they can avoid many hideous dangers, and more securely come to safe Havens. Moreover when they come to the bottoms of them which stand in the deepest Seas, either by some accident or purpose of Nature, they are so frighted by the high roring waves, that unlesse they can escape with fast rowing down, or by a strong wind, they are allmost killed with fear alone; and in many days they can scarse recover their former health of mind and body, by reason of the trouble of their heads. The bottoms of those Mountains have winding creeks at the entring and going out of the waters, or clifts made by the wonderfull work of Nature, wherein by reason of the long cavities, that formidable noise is made like to Thunder under the ground, the cause whereof when rash youth hath gone in to seek more curiously than securely, their ships have been presently filled with waters from the clifts above, and by the force of the winds, that they have lost their lives with admiration. But to avoid this danger, the wonderfull height of the Mountaines, by the Snow that lies alwayes on the tops of them, do clearely warn Sea-men a farr off to take heed, and to prevent the danger, least nature which is the Mother of this in∣scrutable noise, might seem to have provided no remedy against this secret and subtill danger. Also for many miles that terrible sound flying through the Ayre, being sent from the same Mountains, is heard by the Marriners, warn∣ing them to escape and fly farr from the ruine of that sad noise, for if they be neere, they cannot away with it. But what Vincentius in spec. hist. lib. 31. cap. 24. thought of the like matter, I shall shew in his own words. Amongst the Tartars there is a certain small Mountain, wherein there is reported that there is a hole, whence in Winter such great tempests of winds come forth, that m••n can hardly, and that with great danger passe by it. In Summer time there is alwaies heard a noise of the winds, but little comes forth at the hole. But in the Northern Lakes that are Frozen, under the Ice, by reason of the wind inclosed, no lesser noise is heard than of a most cruel Thunder, shut in on all sides by the thicknesse of the Clouds. Of this I shall shew somthing in the Chapter concerning fishing in the Ice.