WORKS ISSUED BY

j&orfetg.

THE NATURAL AND MORAL HISTORY
OF THE INDIES,

No. LX.

THE

NATURAL & MORAL

HISTORY OF THE INDIES,

FATHER JOSEPH DE ACOSTA.

REPRINTED FROM THE

ENGLISH TRANSLATED EDITION OF EDWARD GRIMSTON,

1604.

AND EDITED,

Notes anU ait KntroDuctwn,

CLEMENTS 11. MARKHAM, C.B., F.R.S,

VOL. I.
T 11 K X A T U 1! A L 11 1 S T O R \

(BOOK.S j, u, in, A.ND iv).

LONDON :
PRLS'TKl) FOR HIE 1IAKLUYT SOCIETY

. SO

T. KICIIARUS, 37, GREAT QtTElilf STJJEKT, >V.C.

COUNCIL

THE HAKLUYT SOCIETY.

COLONEL H. YULE, C.B., PRESIDENT.

ADMIRAL C. R. DRINKWATER BETHUNE, C.B. \

{-VICE-PRESIDENTS.

MAJOR-GENERAL SIR HENRY RAWL1NSON, K.C.B. j

W. A. TYSSEN AMHERST, ESQ., M.P.

REV. DR. G. P. BADGER, D.C.L,

J. BARROW, ESQ.

WALTER DE GREY BIRCH, ESQ.

E. A. BOND, ESQ.

E. H. BUNBURY, ESQ.

ADMIRAL SIR RICHARD COLL1NSON, K.C.B.

THE EARL OF DUCIE.

AUGUSTUS W. FRANKS, ESQ.

LIEUT.-GENEHAL SIR J. HENRY LEFROY, C.B., K.C.M.G.

R, H. MAJOR, ESQ.

COLONEL SIR WM. L. MEREWETHER, C.B., K. C.S.I.

ADMIRAL SIR ERASMUS OMMANNEY, C.B.

LORD ARTHUR RUSSKLL, M.P.

THE LORD STANLEY OF ALDEHLEY.

EDWARD THOMAS, ESQ.

LIEUT.-GENERAL SIK HENRY THUILL1ER, C.S.I.

CLEMENTS R. MARKHAM, C.B., HONORARY SECKETAKI.

997422

CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

PAGE

INTRODUCTION ... . i

DEDICATION TO THE INFANTA ISABELLA . . xix

TRANSLATOR'S DEDICATION TO SIR ROBERT CECIL . xxiii

ADDRESS TO THE READER . . xxiv

ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS . xxvii

THE NATURAL HISTORY. First Book . 1

„ ,, Second Book . 73

ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER . .103

THE NATURAL HISTORY. Third Book . 104

Fourth Book 183

NOTICE.

The two Volume* are paged throughout, and the Index will be. at
the end, of the Second Volume.

INTRODUCTION.

THE Natural and Moral History of the Western
Indies by Acosta, which has been selected to form
two volumes of the Hakluyt Society's series, is a valu
able work for two reasons. It contains an exposition
of the ideas of learned men of the sixteenth century
on physical geography, and it is one of the leading
authorities on the ancient civilisations of Peru and
Mexico.

Our chief knowledge of the author is derived from
his published works, only a few facts being forthcoming
from other sources. His parents lived at the town of
Medina del Campo, the city of the plain, about twenty-
four miles from Valladolid, in Old Castille,1 on the left
bank of the swampy river Zapardiel,2 and overlooked
by the old castle of La Mota.3 They had five sons,
named Geronimo, Christoval, Joseph, Diego, and Ber
nardo ; and at least two, if not more, of these boys
joined the Society of Jesus. Joseph de Acosta was
born in the year 1540, and he was devoted to the
Society before he had completed his fourteenth year.
Bernardo de Acosta entered upon the same career, and

1 Between Valladolid and Salamanca.

2 A southern affluent of the Douro.

8 Where Queen Isabella died in 1504.

b

11 INTRODUCTION.

probably Christoval1 also. The Acostas were fellow
townsmen of that charming old soldier Bernal Diaz,
who told the story of the conquest of Mexico, but they
were many years his juniors.

Joseph de Acosta became a Jesuit in 1553, and for
the next eighteen years he must have devoted him
self to the study of sacred and classical authors, for he
was a man of very great learning, when, at the age of
thirty-two, he sailed for the New World, in company
with several brethren of the same Society.

Acosta left Spain in the year 1570, touched at the
Canaries, and made a rapid passage across the Atlantic ;
which, he tells us, would have been still more rapid if
the manners had made more sail.2 He landed at Car-
thagena, and finally at Nombre de Dios, whence he
journeyed through eighteen leagues of tropical forest to
Panama.3 Here he enjoyed the beauties of the glori
ous scenery, the novel sights at every turn, and was
interested, at Capira, in the clever antics of troops of
monkeys.4 From Panama the Jesuit, in pursuance of
his missionary work, embarked for Peru, looking for
ward with curiosity, and some dread, to the passage

1 But this is not the Christoval de Acosta who wrote the well-
known book on the medicines and drugs of India. He was a native
of Burgos. His work (Tractado de las drogas y medicinas de las
Indicts Orientates con sus plantas debuxadas al vivo por Christoval
A costa medico y cirrejano que las vio ocularmente : en el qual se veri-
Jica mucho de lo que escrivio el Dr. Garcia de OrtaJ was published
at Burgos in 1578. It contains plates of the spice-yielding and
other plants. Dr. Acosta, called El Africano, suffered captivity
in Africa, Asia, and China. His work completed what the learned
Portuguese, Dr. Orta, began.

2 Page 5G. 3 Page 2G3. 4 Page 285.

INTRODUCTION. Ill

across the equinoctial. For he was steeped in all the
lore of the ancient philosophers concerning the un
bearable heat of the burning zone. He crossed the line
in March, and, to his surprise, it was so cold that he
was obliged to go into the sun to get warm, where he
laughed at Aristotle and his philosophy.1

On his arrival at Lima, he was ordered to cross the
Andes, apparently to join the Viceroy in the interior.
He took the route, with fourteen or fifteen companions,
across the mountainous province of Huarochiri, and by
the lofty pass of Pariacaca,2 where the whole party
suffered severely from the effects of the rarified atmo
sphere.3 Acosta describes these sufferings, which he
tells us were renewed on the three other occasions that
he had occasion to cross the cordillera, by Soras and
Lucanas,4 by Collahuas,5 and by Cavanas.6 He also
mentions an attack of snow-blindness, and the way in
which an Indian woman cured him.7

Acosta arrived in Peru at an important time. Don
Francisco de Toledo, second son of the Count of Oro-
pesa, a man advanced in years and of great adminis
trative experience, had come out as Viceroy two years
before, in 1568. He was a stern man, capable of com-

1 Page 90.

2 Pariacaca is over 14,000 feet above the level of the sea.

3 Page 130.

4 The road through the districts of Soras and Lucanas leads to
the coast valley of Nasca.

5 Collahuas is further north, in the modern department of
Ancachs, province of Huari.

6 Cavanas, in the department of Puno. This was one of the
routes from the Collao to Arequipa. 7 Page 288.

IV INTRODUCTION.

mitting unjust and cruel acts to secure the success of
a policy ; but, on the other hand, he was conscienti
ously anxious to settle the government of the country
with a view to the well-being of the people, and his
energy and industry were marvellous. He was one
of the most prolific legislators in history, and his regu
lations were suited to the wants of the time and were
enduring. In 1571 he had committed a great politi
cal crime, in order to secure tranquillity, by beheading
the unfortunate young Ynca Tupac Amaru. He then
devoted five years to a tour through every part of the
Viceroyalty of Peru ; and to a settlement of the coun
try, in which he was aided by the Licentiate Polo de
Ondegardo, the Jesuit Acosta, and the Judge Mati-
cnza. His labours were successful, and the Indians
themselves acknowledged that the land had not been
so well governed since the days of the good Ynca
Tupac Yupanqui.1 Toledo was practically the founder
of the University of St. Mark at Lima. This Viceroy
saw what were the true sources of wealth of the country
he governed. He did not name silver and gold. But
he said that "the two things which Peru had that were
rich and of great nourishment — the two staples — were
maize and llamas," corn and wool.2

Our author accompanied the Viceroy to Charcas,3
and was with him during his unsuccessful expedition
against the fierce Chirihuana Indians.4 The principal
seat of the Jesuits was, at that time, in the little town
of Juli, near the western shores of Lake Titicaca.

1 " Desde el buen Tupac Yupanqui no hab'ia estado la tierra tan
bien gobernada." 2 Page 256. 3 Page 155. 4 Page 151.

INTRODUCTION. V

Here a college was formed, the languages of the
natives were studied, and eventually a prio ting-press
was established. Acosta probably resided much at
Juli during his stay in Peru. It was here, in all like
lihood, that he observed the famous comet of 1577,
from 1st November to 8th December, which extended
like a fiery plume from the horizon nearly to the
zenith.1 Here, too, he devoted much of his time to
the preparation of several learned works, which he took
home with him in manuscript, including the first two
books of the Natural History of the Indies.2 The
particulars respecting the religion and festivals of the
Peruvians, in the work of Acosta, are chiefly derived
from the Licentiate Polo de Ondegardo.3 Several of
Acosta's brethren at Juli have been made known to us
through their works. Among these were Bias Valera,
whose valuable writings have been partially preserved
by the Ynca Grarcilasso ; Dr. Francisco de Avila, who
wrote on the folk-lore of Huarochiri ; Pablo Jose de
Arriaga, the extirpator of idolatry in the Peruvian
coast valleys ; the half-caste, Diego de Alcobaca, who
wrote religious confessionaries in the native languages ;
and the learned Dr. Gonzalo Holguin, who composed
a valuable Quichua grammar. A few years later, the
college at Juli was the residence of Ludovico Bertonio,
who compiled a copious Aymara dictionary ; and it
was at Juli that this dictionary was printed in 1611,
as well as a Life of Christ in the same language. At
Juli, Father Acosta received information respecting
the river Amazon from a brother who had formerly
been in the famous piratical cruise of Aguirre.4

1 Page 122. 2 Page 103, 3 Page 391. 4 Page 82.

VI INTRODUCTION.

Towards the close of the viceroyalty of Toledo,
Father Acosta appears to have moved from the interior
of Peru to Lima. Here he mentions having been en
gaged in superintending the casting of a great bell,
and that there was difficulty in getting fuel for the
furnace, which made it necessary to fell some great
trees in the valley of the Eimac.1 He mentions also
that he saw camels in Peru,2 which had been brought
from the Canaries ; and that the Viceroy Toledo sent
home seeds of the beautiful white datura, which grows
round Lima, as worthy of a place in the royal gardens.3
In 1579 Sir Francis Drake was on the coast, and the
Viceroy dispatched a fleet under Don Pedro Sarmiento,
partly to chase the English pirate, and partly to ex
plore and survey the Straits of Magellan. Acosta had
conversations with the pilot of Sarmiento's fleet, and
was allowed to inspect his chart, thus obtaining much
hydrographical information, and particulars respecting
the tides in the straits. He also conversed with the
new Viceroy Henriquez on the same subject.4

Don Francisco de Toledo returned to Spain in 1579,
and was succeeded by Don Martin Henriquez, a
younger son of the Marquis of Alcanises, who had
previously been Viceroy of Mexico. Don Martin
made his entry into Lima on May 4th, 1581. Three
weeks afterwards the new Archbishop, Dr. Toribio
Mogrovejo, was installed, and commenced his saintly
and active career ; which acquired for him so great a
name for purity and holiness that he was eventually

i Page 308. 2 Page 272. 3 Page 255.

4 Pages 133, 140, H3, 145.

INTRODUCTION. Vll

canonised as St. Toribio. In 1582 a Provincial
Council was called to meet at Lima, consisting of
the Archbishop and the Bishops of Cuzco, Imperial,
Santiago de Chile, Paraguay, Quito, Charcas, and Tu-
cuman.

Don Martin Henriquez opened the third Council of
Lima in person. He also founded the College of St.
Martin, to be managed by the Jesuits, and was active in
promoting useful measures ; but his career as Viceroy
of Peru was cut short by death on March 12th, 1583.
The Council proceeded with its sittings, and got
through a vast amount of work. Full instructions
were drawn up for the guidance of parish priests, and
catechisms were prepared for the instruction of the In
dians. It may be observed that the proceedings of
these Lima Councils throw much light on the religion
and folk-lore of the people. For they enter into many
minute details respecting the customs and superstitions
which the priests were to suppress, and have thus pre
served an invaluable record of the beliefs of the ancient
Peruvians. Father Acosta was very busily employed
during the sessions of the third Council of Lima, and
he was its historian.

The last sitting took place on October 18th, 1583, on
which important occasion the Jesuit Father Joseph de
Acosta delivered an eloquent and learned oration.1
The proceedings were forwarded to Spain, and received
the royal assent on September 18th, 1591, having pre
viously been confirmed by the Pope. The Papal
approval was announced by Cardinal Caraffa, in 1588,
1 " Una elegante y docta oracion." — Montalvo, page 214.

Vlll INTRODUCTION.

to the Archbishop of Lima.1 Shortly after the close of
the last session of the Council, Acosta embarked, with
all his valuable manuscripts, representing the literary
labours of about fifteen years, and commenced his voy
age to Mexico. He shows himself, in his remarks
during the passage, to be a shrewd observer of nature,
and an eager seeker after knowledge.2 During this, or
the subsequent voyage home, he learnt from an expert
Portuguese pilot that there were four points of no
variation on the earth, and that one of them was the
island of Corvo in the Azores.3 Acosta landed, after a
long voyage, at the port of Guatulco,4 at the western
end of the Gulf of Tehuantepec, in the Oaxaca province,
whence he journeyed by land to Mexico, where he
resided in 1586.5 In this country he had opportuni-

1 There are two lives of Archbishop Toribio Mogrovejo. One is
by the learned Don Antonio Leon-Pinelo, entitled Vida del Ilus-
trissimo Reverendissimo D. Torijjio Alfonso Mogrovejo, Arcobispo de
la ciudad de los Reyes (1653). The other is by Dr. Juan Francisco
A. de Montalvo, and has a quaint title-page — El Sol del Nuevo
Mundo idea Jo y compuesto en las esclarecidas operadones del Biena-
venturado Toribio Arcosbis2)o de Lima (Rome, 1683). Leon Pinclo
gives very full particulars of the Archbishop's family and ancestry.
The work of Montalvo is valuable because it contains notices of
the lives of many Peruvian authors.

2 Page 127. 3 Page 52.

4 Page 400. Sir Francis Drake, during his famous voyage of
circumnavigation, arrived at Guatulco on April 15th, 1579. Here
he got provisions, and also " a certaine pot full of rials of plate
which \ve found in the towne, together with a chain of gold, and
some other jewels, which we intreated a gentleman Spaniard to
leave behind him, as he was flying out of towne." (Drake's Worlde
Encompassed, p. 113.) Here Drake landed a Portugal pilot whom
he had captured out of a vessel at the Cape Verde Islands. This
man is mentioned by Acosta; sec page 140. 5 Page 454.

INTRODUCTION. IX

ties, of which he diligently availed himself, for collect
ing information touching the natural products, and the
civilisation and ancient religion of the Aztecs. His
chief informant, respecting the rites and festivals of
the Mexicans, was a brother of the Company of Jesus
named Juan de Tobar, who was then a Prebend in the
church at Mexico.1 He also enjoyed the pleasure of
seeing his brother Bernardo once more, a Jesuit who
died at Mexico on May 29th, 1613.

Acosta went home to Spain in the fleet of 1587,
which had a most precious cargo. It contained twelve
chests of gold,3 each weighing 100 Ibs. ; 11,000,000
pieces of silver;3 two chests of emeralds,4 each weighing
100 Ibs. ; 22,053 cwts. of ginger,5 50 of sarsaparilla,
48 of cassia fistula, 350 of lignum sanctum, 1309 of
Brazil wood,6 and 99,794 hides from St. Domingo.7
When they unloaded at Seville, he says that it was a
wonderful thing to behold'*Bfe£ river and the arsenal,
with such piles of hides and merchandise.8

The first object of Acosta, after his return to Europe,
appears to have been to make arrangements for the
publication of his manuscripts. In February 1588 he
was in Madrid, at which place he wrote the dedication
to Philip II of the two books on the Natural History
of the Indies, and of his work on the Conversion of the
Indians, which were published in Latin at Salamanca
in 1588 and 1589. He then went to Eome, where his
theological works saw the light. His De Christo

1 Page 391. 2 Page 194. 3 Page 204.

4 Page 226. 5 Page 239. 6 Page 2GO.

7 Page 271. s Page 271.

X INTRODUCTION.

revelato appeared in 1588, and his De temporibus
novissimis in the same year. His Concilium Limense
appeared shortly afterwards, and his Concionum in
1596. His complete work on the Natural and Moral

istory of the Indies was published at Seville in 1590.

Acosta was head of the Jesuits' College at Valladolid,
and Visitor in Aragon and Andalusia. Finally, he was
appointed to the charge of the College at Salamanca,
where he died1 on the 15th of February 1600, in his
sixtieth year.

The theological works of Acosta give evidence of
great learning. The De Christo in scripturis revelato
consists of nine books, dedicated to Cardinal Caraffa.
They are intended to prove that Christ is the centre of
all scriptures, the Saviour whose coming was announced
by the Baptist, and that heretics twist the words of
revelation to their own purposes.2 This work was pub
lished at Rome in 1588, and again in 1590, in quarto.
Other editions appeared at Paris in 1592, at Sala
manca, at Venice; and, finally, at Paris in 1841. 3 The

1 But not in the grand college of the Jesuits (La Clericia)
which may new be seen at Salamanca. It was not built until
1614. In the time of Acosta the Jesuits occupied another build
ing, now the cemetery ; and it was here that Acosta died. See
Mad oz.

2 Lib. i. Universurn scriptursc scopum esse Christum, n. Falli
Hsereticos que scriptures sensem facilem jactant. in. Recte divi-
nam scripturam tractari cum ad Dei dilectionem dirigetur. iv.
Jesus verus. v. Jesus salvator. vi. Jesus Mater Maria supra
omnes Deo grata et nostrse salutis administra electa divinitas.
vn. Jesum Joannes Baptista Precursor annuntiat. vui. ix.

3 In the Scriptures Sacrce cursus completus ex commentariis om
nium perfectissimis unique kabitis, et a magna parte episcoporum

INTRODUCTION. xi

De temporibus novissimis is usually bound up with
the De Christo revelato. It consists of four books on
the prophecies, and on the latter days, with specula
tions on the coming of the day of the Lord.1 The
Concionum, in three volumes, was published at Sala
manca in 1596, at Venice in 1599 (4to.), and at Cologne
in 1600 (8vo.). The Concilium Limense, a record of
the proceedings of the Council of Lima in 1583, was
composed in three books, in Latin.

The results of Acosta's South American researches
first saw the light at Salamanca in 1588 and 1589,
the two works being usually bound up together. De
natura novi orbis, libri duo, et de promulgation
Evangelii apud barbaros, sive de procuranda In-
dorum salute, libri sex. The De natura is the first two
books of the Natural History in Latin. These books
were written in Peru. A second edition was published
at Salamanca in 1595, and again at Cologne in 1596.
The De promulgation is an interesting essay on the
conversion of the Indians. Acosta here maintains that
the salvation of the people of Peru must not be des
paired of, on account of the difficulties which surround
the missionaries. He urges the importance of study-

necnon theologorum Europce Catholicce universim ad hoc interroga-
torum designatis unice confletus. Tom. ii (Paris, 1841); 398 pages,
beginning at page 698. It is preceded by a short life of Acosta,
and is furnished with a good index.

1 Lib. i. Sacris literis trade, Diem Judicii propinquare. n. De
magna tribulatione snb Antichristo futura deinceps dicendum.
in. Ecclesiam non esse Antichrist! quamvis valida persecutione
superandam. iv. An Dies Domini repentinus an potius vehementer
formidatus veniat.

Xll INTRODUCTION".

ing the native languages, and gives advice on the
various details of a well organised parochial system.

Acosta then translated the two books of the De
natura from Latin into Spanish, and added five others,
which completed the Historia natural y moral de las
Indicts. The first four books are devoted to the
natural history, the last three to the moral history, of
the Indies. In the former, the learned Jesuit touches
upon all points of interest relating to physical geo
graphy as it was then understood, comparing the
knowledge of his time with the opinions and beliefs of
ancient philosophers and Fathers of the Church. In
this spirit he discusses the form of the earth and of
the heavens, the distribution of land and sea, the
habitability of the tropics, and the way in which
America may have been peopled. In the first two
books the discussion is more general, while the • next
two treat especially of the JNew World and its produc
tions. Chapters are devoted to the winds and tides,
and to the fisheries, others to the lakes and rivers, to
the varied aspects of the lands, to volcanoes and earth
quakes, to the mineral resources, and to the vegetable
and animal kingdoms. The last three books, including
the " Moral History of the Indies", give an interesting
account of the religion and government of the people
of Peru and Mexico, and form a valuable body of in
formation respecting those ancient American civilisa
tions. Acosta was a man of great learning ; he was
an intelligent and indefatigable observer, as well as a
very diligent collector of information, and he had ex
ceptionally good opportunities ; so that his work will

INTRODUCTION. Xlii

always rank high as an authority on the subjects of
which it treats.

The Historia Natural, in its complete form, was first
published at Seville in 1590 (4to.), next at Barcelona
in 1591 (Svo.). The Madrid editions appeared in 16081
and 1610. An Italian translation, by Giovanni Paolo
Gallucio, appeared in 15962 at Venice.

The work of Acosta was translated into Dutch by
the great traveller J. Huyghen van Linschoten, and
published at Enckhuysen in 1598 (Svo.), and at Am
sterdam in 1624 (4to.).3 The French translation was
by E. Kegnauld, and two editions appeared at Paris in
1597 and 1600.4 De Bry published the work in Latin
at Frankfort in 1602 (fol.) and 1603, and a German
edition in 1601 (fol.) : being Part ix of his America.5 A
compilation from it was published by De Bry at
Frankfort, in Latin in 1624, and in German in 1623;°

1 It is with the Madrid edition of 1608 that the translation, now
reprinted, has been collated.

2 Historia naturale e morale delle Indie, novamente tradotta deJle
lingua Spagnuola nella Italiana de G. P. Gained. (Venetia, 1596,
4to.)

3 Historic naturael ende morael van de Wester 'sche Indien nu
eerstmeal uyt den Spaenschen overgheset door J. Iluyghen van Lin
schoten. (Enckhuysen, 1598, 8vo.)

4 Histoire naturelle et morale des Indes . . . traduite par R. Reg-
nauld. (Paris, 1597, Svo.)

5 Theodor de Bry. Americas novae pars . . . de novis orbis naturae.
Acosta. America, Pars ix. (Francoforti, 1602, fol.)

Von gelegenJieit der Elemente natur — de Neiver Welt J. H. van
Linschoten. De Bry. (1601, fol.)

6 Paralipomena Americce, hoc est discursus accurataque America?
descrirjtio. T. de Bry. America, Pars xn. (Frankfort, fol., 1624.)

XIV INTRODUCTION.

and it also appeared in Dutch, in the collection of
P. van der Aa, in 1727.1

The English translation of Acosta, which is reprinted
in the present volume, was first published in London
in 1604. On the title-page only the initials of the
translator are given — " E. G." But it has been ascer
tained that this was Edward Grimston, a writer and
translator of note, during the reigns of Elizabeth and
James I. Edward Grimston belonged to an Essex
family, which sprung originally from the Grimstons of
Grimston Garth, in Yorkshire. Edward served in the
wars, was made prisoner at Calais in 1558, and after
wards escaped from the Bastille. Besides translating
Acosta, he wrote a history of France, and a general
history of the Netherlands. The latter work, published
in London in 1609, is a translation of the History of
Jean Francois le Petit (Dordrecht, 1601), with addi
tions from the manuscripts of Sir Koger Williams, and
brought down to 1608. Edward Grimston, who is
said to have lived to the age of ninety-eight, was the
grandfather of Sir Harbottle Grimston of Bradfield, a
well-known politician during the civil wars, and an
cestor of the present Earl of Verulam.

Grimston's translation of Acosta is, on the whole,
creditable and trustworthy. There are some omissions,
and occasional blunders, especially as regards proper

1 Ontdekking -van West Indien vlijtig ondersogt, aangeteekend door
J. D'A. op sign Reys Togl derwaarts gedaan. Anno 1592 en ver-
volgens . . . uyt het Spaans vertaald.

In P. van der Aa. De AanmerJcensivaardigste Zee en Landreizen
der Portugeezen, etc. Deel 8. (1727, fol.)

INTRODUCTION. XV

names and native words, which have been carefully
corrected in the present edition.

The Natural History of Acosta has been much used
by subsequent writers on Peru and Mexico. It is
quoted twenty-seven times in the Royal Commentaries
of the Ynca Garcilasso de la Vega, and sometimes
these quotations consist of long passages. I have
given a list of them in the index to my translation of
the first part of the Royal Commentaries .* A full
notice of Acosta and his works is given by Antonio.2

Purchas, in his Pilgrimage, quotes largely from
Acosta, in his account of the Mexican superstitions
and sacrifices, and of Peruvian religious ceremonies
and government.3 An abstract of the Natural and

1 ii, page 547.

2 " Josephus de Acosta. Medinensis, postquam in sodalitio So-
cietatis, cui se puerum Salmanticse tradidit, omni disciplinarum
genere, indefessi virlaboris, ingenium prestans atque acre judicium
instruxisset, in occidentalem Indiam delatus, provinciam ibi Peru-
anam sodalium rexit praepositus, septemdecimque totos annos cora-
moratus est, ea curiose observans et in commentaria digerens, qu8G
hodie magno cum fructu atque operse pretio de rebus Indias ab eo
extant. Inde reversus visitatorem egit in provinciis Aragonise ac
Bceticse, necnon et aliquando procuravit Bomse promovitque salutis
Indorum spiritualem causam ; quod postremum ab eo impensum
officium Bibliothecse Societatis scriptorem fugit. Sexagenarius
tandem e vita migravit munus gerens rectoris in Salmantino col-
legio, pluribus scriptis clarus, superstesque anno 1599." Then
follows a list of his works : JSibliotheca Hispana Nova sive Hispan-
orum Scriptorum qui ab anno M.D. — ad M.V.C.LXXXIV jloruere notitia :
auctore D. Nicolao Antonio Hispalensi, J. G. (Madrid, 1783, fol.,
i, page 800.)

3 Puichas, Pilgrimage (1623), lib. v, page 869; and lib. vi,
page 931.

XVI INTRODUCTION.

Moral History is given in Harris's voyages,1 and in
other similar collections, and the work is much relied
upon as an authority by Robertson, and by Prescott
in his histories of the conquests of Peru and Mexico.
Mr. Prescott quotes Acosta nineteen times in his Con
quest of Peru, and nine times in his Conquest of
Mexico. Adopting Mr. Prescott's Peru as a test, Acosta
takes the fourth place as an authority. Garcilasso de
la Vega is quoted eighty-nine, Cieza de Leon forty-five,
Polo de Ondegardo forty-one, and Acosta nineteen
times. Then follow Pedro Pizarro, Montesinos, Zarate,
Hcrrera, and Gomara.

1 Harris's Voyages, vol. i, lib. v, cap. xiii, pages 751 to 799.

[ Translation of the Spanish Title page of the yd Edition.
THE

NATURAL AND MORAL

History of the Indies.

In which are discussed the notable things of the heavens,

the elements, metals, plants, animals ; and the rites,-

ceremonies, laws, government, and wars of

the Indians.

COMPOSED BY THE

FATHER JOSEPH DE ACOSTA

(A Priest of the Company of Jesus).

DEDICATED TO THE

MOST SERENE INFANTA DONA ISABELA CLARA
EUGENIA DE AUSTRIA.

In the Year

With Licence.

1608.

Printed in Madrid, in the house of Alonso Martin. At the charges of
Juan Berrillo, seller of books.

C

To the Most Serene Infanta Dona Ysabela Clara

Eugenia de Austria.1

LADY, — The King's Majesty, our Lord, having given me
permission to offer to your Highness this small work,
entitled The Natural and Moral History of the Indies, it
should not be attributed to me as want of consideration, to
desire to occupy the time which is so fully spent by your
Highness in matters of importance, by diverting it to
subjects which, in treating of philosophy, are somewhat
obscure, and, as describing barbarous races, may seem out
of place. But as a knowledge of, and speculations con
cerning the works of nature, especially if they are remarkable
and rare, causes a feeling of pleasure and delight in refined
understandings, and as an acquaintance with strange cus
toms and deeds also pleases from its novelty, I hold that
this work may serve as an honest and useful entertainment
to your Highness. It will give occasion to consider the
works which have been designed by the Most High in the
machinery of this world, especially in those parts which we
call the Indies, which, being our territory, give us more to
consider, and being the abode of new vassals, whom the
Most High God has given to the crown of Spain, a know
ledge of it is not altogether strange to us. My desire is
that, during some spare moments, your Highness should
amuse yourself with the reading. With this object it is

1 Daughter of Philip II, by Elizabeth of Valois, and afterwards wife
of the Archduke Albert, and sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands. She
was married in 1595, went to Brussels in the following year, and died
in 1633, without children.

c 2

XX DEDICATION.

written in the vulgar tongue, though, if I do not deceive
myself, it is not for vulgar understandings. It maybe that,
as in other things so in this, your Highness showing a
liking for it, this little work may be favored so that the
King our Lord may choose to pass a short time in the con
sideration of affairs and of people so nearly touching his
royal crown. I dedicated another book to his Majesty,
which I composed in Latin, touching the preaching of the
evangel to those Indians. I desire that all I have written
may serve, so that the relation of what God, our Lord, de
posited of his treasures in those kingdoms, may cause the
people of them to receive more aid and favor from those to
whose charge His high and divine providence has entrusted
them.

I entreat your Highness that if some parts of this little
work are not agreeable, you will not desist from passing
your eyes over the rest, since it may be that other parts
may please, and, if so, they cannot fail to be highly profitable;
for this favor will be beneficial to people and countries
sorely needing such favor. God, our Lord, preserve and
prosper your Highness for many years, as is the daily and
earnest supplication of your servants to the Divine Majesty.
Amen. In Seville, the 1st of March, in the year 1590.

JOSEPH DE ACOSTA.

THE

N ATVRALL

and Morall Historic of the

East and West

Indies.

Intreating of the remarkeable things of Heaven, of

the Elements, Mettalls, Plants, and Beasts which

are proper to that Country : Together with

the Manners, Ceremonies, Lawes,

Governements, and Warres

of the Indians.

Written in Spanish by Joseph Acosta, and translated into
English by E. G.

LONDON

Printed by Val. Sims for Edward Blount and William
Aspley. 1604.

To the Right Honorable Sir Robert Cicill, Knight,

Baron of Essingden, Vicount Cranborne, principall

Secretary to his Maiestie, master of the Court of Wardes

and Liveries, and one of his Highnesse most

honourable Privie Counsell.

EIGHT HONOEABLE, — If it appeare presumption in me to
shew my love, my dutie betraies me to it. The advantage
I have gleaned from idle houres, in. exchanging this Indian
History from Spanish to English, is commended to your
Honors Patronage, whose first father loseph Acosta, hath
with great observation made worthie the over-looking. A
greater motive then that you are your selfe, needed not to
excite me to this dedication. I beseech you, my good
Lord, take it into shelter, and receive that which is not, for
that which I would it were. Let my insuflficiencie be measured
by my good will. So shall my poore abilities thrive vnder
your incouragement, and happily leade me on to some
stronger vndertaking, wherein I shall bee bound to thanke
you for mine owne paines, and for ever remaine

Your Lordships most devoted,

E. G.

The Authors advertisement to the Reader.

MANY have written sundry bookes and discourses of the
New World at the West Indies, wherein they describe new
and strange things discovered in those partes, with the
actes and adventures of the Spaniards, which have con
quered and peopled those Countries. But hitherto I have
not seene any other Author which treates of the causes and
reasons of these novelties and wonders of nature, or that
hath made any search thereof. Neither have I read any
booke which maketh mention of the histories of the antient
Indians and naturall inhabitants of the New World. In
truth, these two things are difficult. The first being the
works of Nature, contrarie to the antient and received
Philosophy, as to shew that the region which they call the
burning Zone is very moist, and in many places very tem
perate, and that it raines there, whenas the Sunne is neerest,
with such like things. For such as have written of the
West Indies have not made profession of so deepe Philoso
phic ; yea, the greatest part of those Writers have had no
knowledge thereof. The second thing it treats of is, of the
proper historic of the Indians, the which required much
conference and travaile among the Indians themselves : the
which most of them that have treated of the Indies could
not doe, either not vnderstanding the language or not
curious in the search of their Antiquities ; so as they
have beene contented to handle those things which have
beene most common and superficial!. Desiring, therefore,
to have some more particular knowledge thereof, I have

TO THE EEADER. XXV

beene carefull to learn e from men of greatest experience
and best seene in these matters,, and to gather from their
discourses and relations what I have thought fit to give
knowledge of the deedes and custonie of these people. And
for that which concern es the nature of those Countries and
their properties, I have learned it by the experience of many
friends, and by my dilligence to search, discover, and con-
ferre with men of iudgement and knowledge. In my
opinion, there are many advertisements which may serve
and benefit better wits for the seaching out of the truth,
or, to proceede farther, in finding that pleasing which is
conteined herein. So, as although this new World be not
new, but old, in respect of the much which hath beene writ
ten thereof; yet this historic may, in some sort, be held for
new, for it is partly historicall and partly philosophicall, as
well for that they are the workes of nature as of free will,
which are the deedes and customes of men, the which hath
caused mee to name it the Naturall and Morall Historie of the
Indies. Containing these two things : In the first two
bookes mention is made of that which concernes the heavens,
temperature and habitation of the world, which books I had
first written in Latine, and now I have translated them into
Spanish, vsing more the liberty of an author then the strict
bonds of a translator, to apply my self the better to those
for whom it is written in the vulgar tong. In the two fol
lowing books is treated of that which concernes the Ele
ments and naturall mixtures, as Mettalls, Plants, Beasts,
and what else is remarkable at the Indies. The rest of
the bookes relate what I could certainely discover, and
what I thought worthie memory of the Indians them
selves, their Ceremonies, Customs, Governments, Wars,
and Adventures. In the same Historie shall be spoken (as
I could learne and comprehend) of the figures of the antient
Indians, seeing they had no writing nor characters as we
have, which is no small industry to have preserved their

XXVI TO THE READER.

Antiquities without the vse of letters. To conclude, the
scope of this worke is, that having knowledge of the workes
of nature, which the wise Author of all nature made, we
may praise and glorifie the high God, who is wonderfull in
all things and all places. And having knowledge of the
Indians customes, we may helpe them more easily to follow
and persevere in the high vocation of the Gospel; to the
knowledge whereof the Lord would draw this blinde nation
in these latter daies. Besides al these things, every one
may sucke out some profit for himselfe ; for that the wise
do alwaies draw forth some good out of the smallest sub-
iect, as we finde deepe Philosophie in the least and basest
creatures. I must only advertise the reader, that the two
first bookes of this historie or discourse were written in
Peru, and the other five since in Europe, dutie binding me
to returne into these partes : so as some speake of matters
of the Indies as of things present, and others as being
absent. And therefore I have thought it good to advertise
the Reader heereof that this diversitie of speach may not be

troublesome vnto him.

Farewell.

ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.

PAGE

DEDICATION TO THE INFANTA ISABELA xix
TRANSLATOR'S DEDICATION TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR

ROBERT CICILL, KNIGHT - xxiii

To THE READER - - xxiv

NATURAL HISTORY.
BOOK I.

CHAPTER 1. — Of the opinions of some authors which supposed that
the Heavens did not extend to the new found land.

View of St. Chrysostom 1

Opinions of Theodoret and Lactantius - 2

„ St. Jerome and St. Augustine 2

Fathers of the Church may err 3

CHAPTER 2. — That the Heaven is round, on all parts moving in his

course of itself.

Opinion of Aristotle correct - 4

The Author's own experience 4

Proofs that the earth is round 5

Motions of the stars 6

Void places in the Heavens - 7

CHAPTER 3. — How the Holt/ /Scripture teacheth us (hat the earth is
in the middest of the world.

Roundness of the Heavens 8

The waters 9

The earth rests upon nothing . 10

Wisdom of the Creator 1 1

XXV111 ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER 4. — Containing an ansivere to that which is objected out of

the Holy Scripture against the roundness of the earth,
Explanation of St. Paul's words 12

The letter kills; the spirit quickeneth - 13

CHAPTER 5. — Of the fashion and forme of Heaven at the new found

land.

Comparison of stars in North and South 14

The Southern Cross 14

Art of navigation - 15

Milky Way 15

CHAPTER 6. — That there is Land and Sea under the two Poles.

Men as near Heaven in Peru as in Spain 15

The Pole Antarticke 16

Distribution of land and sea - 17

Land and sea at the Poles 18

Question of a North West Passage 18

CHAPTER 7. — To confute the opinion of Lactantius, who holdes there
be no Antipodes.

Lactantius and St. Augustine on the Antipodes - 19

Reason corrects imagination 20

The use of imagination 21

CHAPTER 8. — The reason why St. Augustine denied the Antipodes.

Opinions of St. Augustine 22

His difficulty in the greatness of the ocean 23

Concurrence of St. Gregory Nazianzen - 23

The Scriptures speak only of the then known world 24

CHAPTER 9. — Of Aristotle's opinion touching the new Worlde, and
what abused him to make him deny it.

Opinions of the ancients as to heat of the burning Zone 25

Aristotle's opinion 25

Want of knowledge among the Ancients 26

Extreme cold and heat of Arctic and Torrid Zones 27

The southern Zones - 29

ANALYTICAL TABLE OP CONTENTS. XXI K

CHAPTER 10. — That Plinie and the auncients held the same opinion

ivith Aristotle.

Pliny thought the tropics uninhabitable 29

Arguments of the ancients 30

CHAPTER 11. — That in ancient Bookes ive finde some knowledge of

this newe world.

Voyage of Han no - -32

Voyage of Eudoxus - 33

Ancient knowledge of the East Indies - - 33

Sumatra and Malacca - 33

- Prophecy of Seneca 34

CHAPTER 12. — Of the opinions which Plato held of the West Indies.

Timeeus and Critias - 36

Interpretation of sayings of Plato 36

CHAPTER 13. — That some have held opinion that in places of Holy

Scripture, ivhereas they speake of Ophir, is to be understood

of our Peru.

Hispaniola said to be Ophir - 37

Whether Peru be Ophir 37

Fancied resemblance of names 38

Ophir was in the East Indies 39

CHAPTER 14. — What Tharsis and Ophir signify in the Holy
Script ures.

Identification of Tarshish 40

Tarshish has divers meanings 41

A general term 42

CHAPTER 15. — Of the Prophecie of A bdias, which some doe interpret
to be the Indies.

The discovery of America said to have been foretold in

Scripture 42

Prophecy of Obadiah 43

Sepharad (Zarephath) supposed to be Spain 43

XXX ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Cities of the South may be the Indies - 43

Prophecy of Isaiah 44

Many nations to whom Christ has not yet been preached 44

CHAPTER 16. — By what meanes the first men might come to the Indies,
the ivhich was not willingly nor of set purpose.

The New World not peopled by a miracle 45

Opinion of the Author 46

Passage in ships considered - 46

New World not reached in ships 47

The ancients were ignorant of the compass 48

CHAPTER 17. — Of the properties and admirable virtue of the

Adamante stone for navigation, wliere<*f the Ancients had no

knoivledge.

Use of the compass in navigation 50

Virtues of the load stone - 50

Time of its discovery uncertain 51

Variation of the compass 52

Four points of no variation - 52

CHAPTER 18. — Wherein an answere is made to them that say that in

times passed they have sailed through the Ocean as at

this day.

Long voyages not proved by Scripture 53

In ancient books no proof of long voyages 54

The ancients only coasted along the shore 54

CHAPTER 19. — That ive may conjecture how the first inhabitants of
the Indies came thither by force of iveatker and not willingly.

Story of the discovery of America by a nameless pilot 54

Most new countries discovered by chance 55

Wonderful voyage recorded by Cornelius Nepos - 55

Ship of Carthage driven to the New World 55

Giants said to have landed in Peru 56

People of Yea and Arica sailed in South Sea 56

Most discoveries due to chance 57

ANALYTICAL TABLE OP CONTENTS. XXXI

CHAPTER 20. — Notwithstanding all that hath bene said, it is more
likely that the first inhabitants of the Indies came by land.

The beasts could not have come by sea 57

No new creation in America 58

Beasts could not have swum to the New World - 59

Belief of the Author in a narrow strait 60

CHAPTER 21. — By what means tame beasts passed to the Indies.

The Indians could only make short voyages 61

No beasts on the West Indian Islands 62

Animals reach islands by swimming 63

CHAPTER 22. — That the lineage of the Indians hath not passed by
the Atlantis Island as some do imagine.

The Atlantis of Plato 64

Atlantis a fable 66

Pliny on Mount Atlas and Atlantis 66

CHAPTER 23. — That the opinion of many which hold that the first
race of the Indians comes from the Jews is not true.

A text of Esdras applied to the Indies 67

Resemblance between dress of Jews and Indians - 67

Points of difference 68

The opinion confuted 69

CHAPTER 24. — The reason why we can find no beginning of the

Indians.

The peopling of the Indies was gradual 69

The first arrivals savage and hunters • 70

CHAPTER 25. — What the Indians report of their beginning.

Tradition of a deluge 70

Origin of the Yncas 71

Origin of American civilizations 72

XXX11 ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.

BOOK II.

CHAPTER 1. — That it is not out of purpose, but necessarie to treate of
the nature of the Equinoctiall.

The Equinoctial defined 73

CHAPTER 2. — For what reasons the ancients held that the burning
Zone ivas not inhabitable.

Effect of Sun's motion on temperature . 74

The further a country is from the Sun's course the colder - 74

The hottest near the Zodiacs 74

Dryness and moisture caused by the Sun 75

Hence Aristotle's opinion of the Southern heat . - 75

CHAPTER 3. — That the burning Zone is very moist, contrary to the
opinion of the Ancients.

Yet the burning Zone is inhabited 76

The seasons occur, but at different times 76

Seasons of greatest moisture 77

CHAPTER 4. — That in the Regions which be without the Tropicks there
is greatest store of waters whenas the Sunne is farthest of,

contrary to that under the burning Zone.

Climate of Chile 78

Cause of inundation of the Nile 78

Inundation of the Paraguay or river Plate 78

CHAPTER 5. — That betwixt the tivo Tropicks the greatest aboundance

of raine is in Summer, with a discourse of Winter and Summer.
Winter and Summer in the Tropics 79

Seasons in Peru 80

CHAPTER 6. — That the burning Zone abounds with waters and
pastures, against the opinion of Aristotle ivho holds the contrarie".

Abundance of Water in the Tropics 8 1

The yrreat river Amazons - - 82

ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS. XXX111

Lake Titicaca 83

Question of drainage of Titicaca 84

CHAPTER 7. — Shewing the reason ivhy the Swine without the Tropicks

causeth greatest quantitie of ivaters when it is farthest off ; and

contrariwise within them it breedeth most ivhen it

is nearest.

Rain caused by heat of the Sun 84

Effect of the Sun on vapour 8,5

Effect of heat on moisture 87

Dry regions in the tropics . 88

CHAPTER 8. — How wee should understand that which hath been
formerly spoken of the burning Zone.

Dry region on the coast of Peru 88

Exceptions to natural rules 89

CHAPTER 9. — That the Burning Zone is not violent/// hotte, but

moderate.

Moderate heat in the tropics 90

The Author's experience 90

CHAPTER 10. — That the heat of the burning Zone is temperate, by
reason of the rayne and the shortness of the da yes.

Heat tempered by rain 91

Length of days and nights 92

Causes for moderate heat in the tropics 93

CHAPTER 11. — That there be other reasons besides the former men
tioned^ which shew that the burning Zone is temperate,
especially alongst the Ocean.

Causes for temperate climate in the tropics 94

The sea tempers the heat 95

CHAPTER 12. — That the highest lands are the coldest, and the reason

thereof.

The middle region of the air the coldest 9G

Nature of the elements 97

d

XXXI V ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER 13. — That the colde windes be the principall cause to make

the burning Zone temperate.

Coolness of the night not sufficient to moderate Sun's heat - 99
Effect of winds in the tropics 99

Land and Sea Breezes 100

CHAPTER 14. — That they which inhabite under the Equinoctiall lire

a sweet e and pleasant life.

Importance of healthy air 101

A healthy life possible in the tropics 103

These two books written in the Indies. The five following

in Europe 103

CHAPTER 1. — That the natural! Historic <>/ the Indies is pleasant
and agreeable.

He that takes delight in the works of nature shall taste the

true pleasure of Histories 104

The Author will write briefly 105

CHAPTER 2. — Of the windes, their differences, properties, and causes

in general!.

Properties of the winds 106

Names of winds - 107

CHAPTER 3. — Of certaine properties of wiudcs which Uowe at the new

worlde.

Origin of the south wind 110

Winds in Peru - 111

CHAPTER 4. — That in the burning Zoue the JSrisas, or Easterly

windes do continually blowe, and without the Zone the westerne,

and that the Easterly are ordinarie alwaies there.

The trade windes - - 113

ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS. XXXV

Voyages of the Spanish fleets 114

Navigation in the South Sea 115

Winds without the tropics 116

CHAPTER 5.— -Of the differences of the Brisas or Easterne windes,
find the West-erne t and likewise of other windes.

Direction of the trade winds 1 1 7

Names of the winds 119

CHAPTER 6. — What is the reason why, sailing under tJie burning

Zone, we finde alwayes Easterly windes.

Cause of the trade winds 121

Motion of the Comet of 1577 122

Father Alonzo Sanches on trade winds - 124

CHAPTER 7. — Why, without the Zone, in a greater altitude, we finde
alwai/es westerly w hides.

Explanation of westerly winds outside the tropics 1 25

Variable winds in 40° N. Lat. 125

CHAPTER 8.—- Of the exceptions to the foresaid Pules, and of the
Windes <ntd Calmes, both at Land and at Sea.

On land the same rule does not hold 1 25

Land and Sea Breezes 126

Rain-bearing winds 127

The author's voyage from Peru to Mexico 127

CHAPTER 9. — Of some marvellous effects of tJte windes, vldch ore in

some parte* of the Indies.

Strange effects of winds 128

Sea sickness 129

Sickness at great heights 130

Remedy for sickness 131

Intense cold of the Punas - 132

CHAPTER 10. — Of the Ocean that environs the Indies, and of the

North and South /Seas.

No inland seas 135

d 2

XXXVI ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.

The South Sea 135

Question of cutting the Isthmus 1 35

Straits of Magellan 136

Voyages of Drake and Sarmiento - 137

CHAPTER 11. — Of the Straight of Magellan, and hoiv it was passed

on the south side.
Expedition of Sarmiento - 137

CHAPTER 12. — Of the Straight which some holde to be in Florida.
The North West Passage 141

CHAPTER 13.— Of the properties of the Straight of Magellan.

Depth. Length - 142

Tides - 143

CHAPTER 14. — Of the ebbing and flowing of the Indian Ocean.

Tides in the Mediterranean 144

Tide at Panama - 145

Tide in Magellan Straits 145

4 CHAPTER 15. — Of sundry Fishes, and their manner of fishing at the

Indies.

Fish in the South Sea 146

Manati 146

Voracity of sharks 147

Caymans 147

Alligators 148

Whale fishing 149

Fishing in balsas 150

Chirihuana fishing 151

CHAPTER 16. — Of Lakes and Pooles that be at the Indies.

Lake Titicaca 151

Lakes in the Andes 152

Lakes in Mexico • 153

CHAPTER 17. — Of many and divers Springs and Fountains.
Hot spring at Huancavelica 154

ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS. XXXV11

Springs of pitch - 155

Fountain of salt near Cuzco 155

Springs flowing by sarsaparilla plants - 156

Springs rising on Vilcafiota - 156

Colored springs - 156

CHAPTER 18. — Of rivers.

River Maranon or Amazons - 156

Passage of the Pongo 157

Paraguay or river Plate - - 158

Magdalen a - 158

Passage of rivers. Irrigation - 159

CHAPTER 19. — Of the qualitie of the land at the Indies in generall.

Coast valleys of Peru - 160

Sierra of Peru 161

Temperate valleys 162

CHAPTER, 20. — Of the properties of the land of Peru. ,

Extent of Peru 163

Physical features of Peru - 164

Rainfall in Peru - - 165

The Collao 166

CHAPTER 21.— The reason why it does not, ruin on the Llanos, along ^
the sea coast.

Cause of no rain on the coast of Peru - - 167

Fertilizing mists - - - - 168

CHAPTER 22.- — Of the propertie of new Spaine, of the Hands, and of

other Lands.

Vineyards in Peru 168

Pastures in Mexico - 168

Soil of the Antilles 169

Climate of Chile - 170

CHAPTER 23. — Of the unknowne Land, and the diver sitie of a whole
day betwixt them of the East and the West.

Conjectured land of Australia 1 70

XXX Vlll ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Unknown parts - - 171

Discoveries between Peru and Brazil 1 72

Difference of time - 173

CHAPTER 24. — Of the Volcanos or Vents of Fire.

Description of volcanoes - 1 74

Volcano at Guatimala 175

Ashes from Volcano near Quito * 175

CHAPTER 25. ' — What should be the reason why the fire and smoake
continue so long in these Volcanos.

Cause of irruptions 176

Death of Pliny 177

CHAPTER 26. — Of Earthquakes.

Earthquakes in sympathy with volcanos 1 78

Great earthquake in Chile • 179

Earthquake of Arcquipa in 1582 179

Earthquake 9 June, 1586, at Lima 179

Earthquake at Quito 179

Sea coast most subject to earthquakes 180

Land slip at Angoango - 180

CHAPTER 27. — How the land and sea imbrace one another.

Indentations of coast lines - 181

Shape of South America 182

BOOK IV.

CHAPTER 1. — Of three kindes of mixtures or compounds, of the which
I must intreatc in this Historie.

Metals 183

Plants 184

Animals 184

Study of God's works 184

ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS. XXXIX

CHAPTER 2. — Of the aboundance and great quant itie of Mettall at
the West Indies.

Uses of metals 185

Gold and silver 186

Mineral wealth of Peru 187

CHAPTER 3. — Of the qualitie and nature of the earth where the met-

tails are found, and that all these mettalls are not imployed at

the Indies, and hoiv the Indians used them.

Mineral wealth generally in barren lands 188

Gold, silver, and copper 188

Use of barter 189

CHAPTER 4. — Of gold which they dig and refine at the Indies.
The Yncas had abundance of gold 191

Found in grains 191

In veins 192

Mines of Caravaya and Valdivia - 192

Method of refining 193

CHAPTER 5. — Of the silver of the Indies.

Veins of silver - 195

Method of refining by Indians 195

196

CHAPTER 6. — Of the mountaine or hill of Potosi and the discovert/

thereof.

Situation of the mines of Potosi 197

Description of the hill - 198

Discovery of the mines 198

CHAPTER 7. — Of the treasure which is daily drawne from the rocke
or mountaine of Potosi.

Pliny on the mines of Spain 201

Yield of Potosi 202

King's share 203

Amount sent home in 1587 - - 20-i

xl ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER 8. — How they labour in the mines of Potosi.

Great labour and peril of mining 205

Chief veins at Potosi 206

Number of Mines 207

Labour in continual darkness 207

Method. of working •- 208

CHAPTER 9. — How they refine the Mettall of Silver.

Kinds of silver ores 209

Method of refining with furnaces 210

With quicksilver - 210

CHAPTER 10. — Of the wonderful properties of Quick silver.

Properties of quicksilver 211

CHAPTER 11. — Of the place where they fmde quicksilver, and how

they discovered these rich mines in Huancavilca.

Vermillion 214

Discovery in Peru 215

Mercury brought to Potosi in 1571 - 217

King's profit from Huancavilca mine 217

CHAPTER 12. — The manner hoiv to drawe out Quick-xilcer and how
they refine silver.

Method of working the quicksilver mine 217

Transport to Potosi and the coast 218

Use in refining silver 219

CHAPTER 13. — Of their engines to grinde the mettal/, and of their
triall of silver.

Method of grinding silver ores - 220

Water mills - 222

Assay Master; Alloy - 223

Testing the silver - 223

CHAPTKR 14. — Of Jlwcraldes.

Value of emeralds - 224

Localities where found 22-")

ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS. xll

CHAPTER 15. — Of Pearles.

Grow in oyster shells . . . .226

Fisheries . . . .227

Yield . . . . . .228

CHAPTER 16. — Of the Indian Iread and of maize.

Bread of Peruvians made of maize . . .229

Description of maize . . . .229

Different kinds ... . 229

Various ways of cooking it . . . .230

Fermented liquor from maize . . .230

CHAPTER 17. — Of Yucas, Cag-avi, Pajias, Chunus, and Rice.

Cassava bread made from Yuca . . .232

Potatoes . . . . .233

Method of making Chunus . . . .233

Rice ... .234

CHAPTER 18. — Of divers routes which growe at the Indies.

Various edible roots .... 235

Abundant Spanish roots in Peru . . . 235

CHAPTER 19. — Of divers sortes of green Herles and Pulses, and of
those they call Pepinos and Pine Apples, Strawberries of

Chile, and of Cherries.

Pine apples . . 236

Pepinos ..... 237

Calabashes 238

CHAPTER 20. — Of Axi or Indian Pepper.

Ginger grown in the Indies . . . .239

Cultivation of capsicum . . . . . 239

Capsicum very hot, but much used . . . 240

CHAPTER 21. — Of the Plantain.

Cultivation of the plantain . . . •. 241

Description of the plant . . .242
May be used fur paper .... 211

xlii ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER 22. — Of Cacao and Coca.

Description of the Cacao .... 244

Chocolate made from it . . . 245

Coca in Peru . . . . . 245

Value of coca ..... 245

Cultivation of coca . . . . 246
Used by the Yncas . . . .246

CHAPTER 23. — Of Maguey, Tunal, Cochenelle, Anis, Cotton.

Uses of Maquey ..... 247
Prickly pear or Tunal . . . .247

Cochineal ... .248

Cotton . . . . . .249

CHAPTER 24. — Of Mamays, Guayavos, and Paltas.

Mamay apples . . . .249

Guayavos . . . . .250

Alligator pears ..... 250

CHAPTER 25. — Of Chicogapote, Anonas, and Cctpolies.
Chirimoyas . . . . .251

CHAPTER 26. — Of various sortes of fruit Trees, of Cocos, Almondes

of the Andes, and Almondes of Chachapoyas.

GnavMs ..... 252

Lucmas . . . . .252

Paccays . . . . .252

Cocoa nuts . . . . .253

CHAPTER 27. — Of many and diverse floivers, and of some trees which
yeelde only a flower, and how the Indians do use them.

The Indians love flowers .... 255

Numerous kinds of flowers .... 255

The Datura ..... 255

Granadillas . . , 256

CHAPTER 28. — Of Balsam.

Balsam of the Indies . . . .257

Piftbreiit kinds 257

ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER 29. — Of Amber and other Oyles, Gums, and Drugges,

ivhich they bring from the Indies.

Liquidambar . . . . .259

Cassia fistula . . . .260

Storax and copal . . . . .260

Sarsaparilla . . . . .260

Brazil wood ..... 260

Purgatives . . . .261

Tobacco . . . . .261

CHAPTER 30. — Of great forrests at the Indies of Cedars, of Cayvas,
and oilier great trees.

Great variety of timber trees . . . 262

Strange adventures in a forest . . .262

Cedars and Laurels . . . .263

Palms . . . . . .263

Oak of Guayaquil . .263

Bamboos . . . .263

Schinus Molle . . . . .264

CHAPTER 31. — Of Infants ana fruits ivhich have bin carried out of
/Spaine to the Indies.

Corn and garden vegetables .... 265
Fruit trees ..... 265

CHAPTER 32. — Of grapes , vines, olives, mulberries, and canes of

sugar.

Vineyards in Peru . . . .267

Fig-tree at Mala . . .268

Mulberries and silk-worms .... 269

Sugar estate at Nasca .... 269

Olives in Mexico and Peru .... 269

CHAPTER 33. — Of Beasts bearing ivootl and of Jcine.

Sheep and cloth -making . . . .270

Wild cattle in St. Domingo . . . .271

Trade in hides . . . . .271

Horses and dogs . . . .272

ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER 34. — Of some Beasts of Europe which the Spaniardes found
at the Indies, and how they passed thither.

Fierce and wild beasts the same as in the Old World . 273

Indian hunts called Chacu . . . .273

Tigers and beasts . . . . .274

Bees and honey . . . . .274

CHAPTER 35. — Of Fowles which are heere, and are at the Indies, and
hoiv they could passe thither.

Partridges, pigeons, herons, eagles . . .275

Parrots . . . . .275

Birds might pass the sea . . . .275

Hens and eggs . . . . .276

CHAPTER 36. — How it should be possible that at the Indies there

should be anie sortes of beasts, whereof the like are no

where else.

All animals must have passed from the Old World . 277

God may have made a new creation of beasts . .277

Very different from those of Europe . . .278

CHAPTER 37. — Of fowles that are proper to the Indies.

Birds of Paradise from China . . . 279

Humming birds in Peru . . . .279

Condors and Turkey buzzards . . .279

Macaws . . . . .279

Work in feathers ..... 280
Guano and its use as manure . . .281

CHAPTER 38.— Of Beasts for the Chaw.

Peccaries . . 282

Tapirs . . .283

Armadillos and Yguanas .... 283
Chinchillas and Uiscachas 284

CHAPTER 39. — Of Micos or Indian Monkeys.

Various kinds of monkeys
'Pricks of monkeys

ANALYTICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS. xlv

CHAPTER 40. — Of Vicunas and Tarugas of Peru.

Description of Vicuiias . . . .287

Vicuna hunts . . . . . 287

Wool and cloth made from it . .287

CHAPTER 41. — Of Pacos, Huanacos, and Sheep of Peru.

Uses of llamas and alpacas .... 289
Llamas beasts of burden . . . .290

Disease of llamas . . . . .291

CHAPTER 42. — Of the bezoar stone.

Bezoar stone found in llamas, etc. . . . 292

Virtues of the bezoar stone . . . 294

THE

NATURAL HIST GEY.

THE FIRST BOOKE

Of the Naturall and Morall Historic of the
East and West Indies.

CHAP. i. — Of tlie opinions of some Authors, which supposed
that Hie Heavens did not extend to the new-found ivorld.

THE Ancients were so farre from conceypt that this new- LlB- T-
found world was peopled by any Nation, that many of them
could not imagine there was any land on that part; and
(which is more worthie of admiration) some have flatly
denyed that the Heavens (which we now beholde) could
extend thither. For although the greatest part (yea, the
most famous among the Philosophers) have well knowne
that the Heaven was round (as in effect it is), and by that
meanes did compasse and comprehend within it self the
whole earth ; yet many, (yea, of the holy doctors of greatest
authoritie) have disagreed in opinion vpon this point ; sup
posing the frame of this vniversall world to bee fashioned
like vnto a house ; whereas the roofe that covers it invirons
onely the upper part and not the rest ; inferring by their
reasons, that the earth should else hang in the middest of
the ayre, the which seemed vnto them voyd of sense. For
as we see in every building, the ground-worke and founda
tion on the one side, and the cover opposite vnto it, even so
in this great building of the world, the Heaven should re-
maine above on the one part, and the earth vnder it. The
glorious Chrysostome (a man better seene in the studie of
holy Scriptures then in the knowledge of Philosophic)
seemes to be of this opinion, when in his Commentaries

Z OF THE FORM OF THE EARTH.

LIB. i. ypon the Epistle to the Hebrewes, he doth laugh at those
which hold the heavens to be round. And it seemes, the
holy Scripture doth inferre as much, terming the Heavens a
Tabernacle or Frame built by the hand of God. And hee
passeth farther vpon this point, saying, that which mooves
and goes is not the Heaven, but the Sunne, Moone, and
Starres, which moove in the heaven, even as Sparrowes and

liom.vi, xni,

andhom' °tner birds moove in the ayre ; contrary to that, which the
AntiocPh°P' Philosophers hold, that they turne with the Heaven it selfe,
Theodoret. as the armes of a wheele doe with the wheele. Theodoret,
a very grave Authour, followes Chrysostome in this opinion,
Theophii. an(J Theophilus likewise, as hee is accustomed almost in all

m capital. *

s.adHebre. ^hinges. But Lactantius Firmian, above all the rest,

Lact.,lib.iii,

inst"' homing the- same opinion, doth mocke the Peripatetickes and
Academickes, which give the heaven a round forme, placing
the earth in the middest thereof; for that it seemeth ridi
culous vnto him, that the earth should hang in the ayre, as
is before sayde. By which his opinion he is conformable
vnto Epicurus, who holdeth, that on the other part of the
earth there is nothing but a Chaos and infinite gulph. And
' ^ seemeth that S. lerome draweth neere to this opinion,
, c. 4. writing vpon the Epistle to the Ephesians in these wordes :
" The natural! Philosopher by his contemplation pierceth to
the height of heaven, and on the other part he findeth a
great vast in the depth and bowels of the earth. " Some
likewise say that Procopius affirmes (the which I have not
seene) vpon the booke of Genesis, that the opinion of Aris-

iib. v, bib- totle, touching the forme and circular motion of the Heaven

lip. anriotat. . .

"*• is contrarie and repugnant to the holy Scriptures. But

whatsoever the Ancients say or holde touching this point,
it must not trouble vs, for that it is wel knowne and verified
that they have not beene so studious in the knowledge and
demonstrations of Philosophie, being busied in other studies
of farre greater importance. But that which is more to be
admired is, that S. Augustine himselfe, so well seene in all

DOCTORS OP HOLY CHURCH HAVE ERRED. O

naturall Sciences, yea, very learned in Astrologie and LlB- *•
Physicke, remaynes yet still in doubt, not able to resolve, Aug., lib. n
whether the Heaven did compasse in the earth on all parts, ut. c. 9."
"What care I", saith he. " if we suppose the Heaven doth ia. r*ai.

XXXV.

inviron the earth on all parts like viito a bowle,1 beeing in
the rniddest of the world, as a bottome is compassed with
threed :2 or that we say it is not so, and that the Heaven
covereth the earth of one part onely as a great Basin that
hangs over it."3 In the same place he seemeth to shew (nay,
hee speaketh plainely) that there is no certaine demonstra
tion to proove the figure of the world to be round, but onely
by simple conjectures. In which places cited and others,
they hold the circular motion of the Heaven very doubtfull.
But wee ought not to take it offencively, nor esteeme lesse
of the Doctors of the holy Church, if in some points of Phi-
losophie and naturall knowledge, they have varied in opinion
from that which is helde for good philosophic ; seeing all
their studie hath been to know, preach, and serve the
Creator of all things, wherein they have bin excellent, and
having well irnployed their studies in causes of greater
waight, it is a small matter in them not to have knowen all
particularities concerning the creatures. But those vaine
Philosophers of our age are much more to bee blamed who,
having attayned to the knowledge of the being and order of
the creatures, and of the course and motion of the Heavens,
haue not yet learned (wretched as they are) to knowe the
Creator of all things, but busying themselves wholly in his
workes, have not yet mounted by their imaginations to the
knowledge of the Soveraigne Author thereof as the holy |^e"- xiii
Scripture teacheth vs ; or if they have knowne him, they
have not served and glorified him as they ought, blinded
with their imaginations, whereof the Apostle doth accuse
and blame them.

1 " Como una bola.''

2 " Estando clla en medio del mundo como en el fil."

3 " Como un plato grande quo esta encima.'1

B 2

PROOFS THAT THE EARTH IS ROUND.

CHAP. ii. — That the Heaven is round on all parts, mooving
in his course of it self.

But comming to our subiect, there is no doubt but the
opinion which Aristotle and the other Peripateticks held with
the Stoicks (that the figure of Heaven was round, and did
moove circularly in his course), is so perfectly true, as we
which doe now live in Peru see it visibly. Wherin expe
rience should be of more force then all Philosophicall de
monstrations, being sufficient to proove that the Heaven is
round, and comprehends and contaynes the earth within it
of al parts. And to cleere any doubt that might grow, it
sufficeth that I have seene in this our Hemisphere that part
of Heaven which turnes about this earth, the which was vn-
knowne to the Ancients ; and have observed the two Poles
whereon the Heavens turne, as vpon their Axeltrees. I say,
the Articke, or North Pole, which those of Europe beholde,
and the other Antarticke, or Southerne Pole (whereof saint
d<T£cnS '"' Augustine is in doubt), the which we change and take for
ad lit., cap. tjie N^h here at pevU) having passed the Equinoctiall line.
Finally, it sufficeth that I have sayled neere 70 degrees from
North to South, that is, forty of the one side of the line and
23 on the other, omitting at this present the testimony of
others which have sayled much farther then my selfe, and
in a greater height, comming neere 70 degrees towards the
South. Who will not confesse but the ship called the Vic-
torie1 (worthie doubtlesse of eternall memorie) hath wonne
the honor and praise to have best discovered and compassed
the round earth, yea, that great Chaos and infinite Vast
which the ancient Philosophers affirmed to bee vnder the

1 Magellan's ship, which is represented on the covers of the volumes
of the Ilakluyt Society. See an account of her at page 16 (note) of
vol. i of my translation of the first part of the Royal Commentaries of
the Yncas, by the Ynca Garcilasso de la Vega. (Hakluyt Society's
volume for 1809.)

PROOFS THAT THE EARTH IS ROUND. 5

earth, having compassed about the worlde and circled the LlB- r-
vastnesse of the great Oceans. Who is hee then that will
not confesse by this Navigation but the whole earth (al
though it were bigger then it is described) is subiect to the
feet of man,, seeing he may measure it ? Thus, without
doubt, the Heaven is of a round and perfect figure j and the
earth likewise imbracing and ioyning with the water makes
one globe or round bovvle framed of these two elements,
having their bounds and limits within their own roundnes
and greatnes. The which may be sufficiently proved by
reasons of Philosophie and Astrologie, leaving al subtil de
finitions commonly obiected. That, to the most perfect
body (which is the Heaven), we must give the most perfect
figure, which, without doubt, is round, whose circular
motion could not be firme nor equall in it selfe, if it had
any corner or nooke of any side, or if it were crooked (as of
necessitie it must be), if the Sun, Moone, and Stars made
not their course about the whole world. But leaving all
these reasons, it seemes that the Moone is sufficient in this
case as a faithfull witnesse of the Heaven it selfe, seeino-

•* o

that her Eclypse happens, but when as the roundnesse of
the earth opposeth it selfe diarnetrally betwixt her and the
Sunne, and by that meanes keepes the Sunnebeames from
shining on her. The which could not chance if the earth
were not in the midst of the world, compassed in and in-
vironed by the whole Heaven. Some haue doubted whether
the light of the Moone were borrowed from the brightnes
of the Sunne ; but it is needlesse, seeing there can bee
found no other cause of the Eclipses, full, and quarters of
the Moone, but the communication of the beames which
proceed from the Sunne. Tn like sort, if wee will carefully AUO-., ep.
axamine this matter, we shall finde that the darkenesse of Barium,

cap. 6.

the night proceedes from no other cause but from the
shadow which the earth makes, not suffering the light of
he siuinc to passe to the other parte of the heaven, where

6 MOTIONS OF THE STARS.

LlB- r- his beames shine not. If then it be so, that the sunne
passeth no farther, neyther doth cast his beames on the
other part of the earth, but onely turnes about, and returnes
to his setting, making a ridge vpon the earth by his
turning (the which he must of force confesse that shall
denie the roundnes of the heaven, seeing (according to their
saying) the heaven as a bason doth onely couer the face of
the earth), it should then plainly follow that wee could not
obserue the difference betwixt the daies and nights, the
which in some regions be short and long according to the
seasons, and in some are alvvaies equall, the which S. Au-
August., p-ustine noteth in his bookes De Genes, ad litteram. That

lib. do

!ittCTamd we may easily comprehend the oppositions, conversions,
cap. 19. elevations, descents, and all other aspects and dispositions
of planets and starres, when we shall vnderstaiid they move,
and yet notwithstanding the heaven remaines firme and
immoveable. The which seemeth to me easie to compre
hend, and will be to all others, if it may be law full to im
agine that which my fancy doth conceive ; for if we suppose
that every star and planet be a body of it selfe, and that it
Dan. xiv. ]jG jed and guided by an Angell, as Habacuc was carried
into Babilon, who I pray you is so blind but seeth that all
the diverse aspects which we see appeare in planets and
starres may proceede from the diuersity of motion which he
that guides them doth voluntarily giue them. We cannot
then with any reason affirm e but that this space and region
by which they faine that stars do continually march and
rowle is eleinentarie and corruptible, seeing it divides it
selfe when they pass, the which vndoubtedly do not passe
by any void place. If then the region wherein the starres
and planets move be corruptible, the stars and planets of
their owue motion should be by reason likewise corruptible,
and so by consequence they must alter, change, and be
finally extinct ; for naturally that which is conteined is no
more durable then that which conteineth. And to say that

VOID PLACES IN THE HEAVENS. 7

the Celestiall bodies be corruptible, it agreeth not with the LlB- T-

psalm e, {f That God made them for euer": And it is lesse
conformable to the order and preservation of this vniversall
world. I say moreover, to confirme this truth, that the
heauens move, and in them the starres march in turning,
the which we cannot easily discerne with our eyes, seeing
we see that not onely the starres do moue, but also the re
gions and whole parts of heaven ; I speake not onely of the
shining and most resplendent parts, as of that which we
call Via lactea, and the vulgar S. laques way, but also of the
darker and obscurer parts of heaven. For there we see
really as it were spots and darkenes, which are most appa
rent : the which I remember not to haue seene at any
time in Europe, but at Peru, and in this other Hemis
phere I haue often seene them very apparant. These
spots are in colour and forme like vnto the Eclips
of the Moone, and are like vnto it in blacknes arid
darkenes ; they march, fixed to the same starres, alwaies of
one forme and bignes, as we haue noted by infallible ob
servation. It may be this will seenie strange to some, and
they will demand whence these spots in heaven should
grow. To the which I cannot answere otherwise at this
time, but (as the Philosophers do affirme) that this Via
lactea, or milken way, is compounded of the thickest parts
of the heaven, and for this cause it receiues the greater
light ; and contrariwise, there are other parts very thinne
and transparent, the which receiuing lesse light seeme more
blacke and obscure. Whether this be the true reason or no
I dare not certenly affirme. Yet is it true that, according
to the figure these spots have in heaven, they moue with
the same proportion with their starres without any separa
tion, the which is a true, certaine, and often noted expe
rience. It followeth then by all that we haue said, that the
heaven containeth in it all the parts of the earth, circling
continually about it, without any more doubt.

ROUNDNESS OE THE HEAVENS.

CHAP. in. — How the holy Scripture teachcth vs that the
earth is in middest of the world.

LIB. i. Although it seemes to Procopius Gaza/ and to some others

of his opinion, that it is repugnant to the holy Scripture to

Sjfuijvii, place the earth in the middest of the world, and to say that

SaLxdivii, ^ne heaven is round, yet in truth this doctrine is not re-

xcvii.xs x' pugnaut, but conformable to that which it doth teach vs.

lob xxxyii. .

Eccies. i. For laying aside the tearmes which the Scripture it selfe
doth vse in many places, " The roundnesse of the earth";
and that which it sayeth in an other place, that whatsoever
is corporeal! is invironed and compassed in by the heavens
and conteyned within the roundnes thereof, at the least they
cannot deny but that place of Ecclesiastes is very plaine
where it is said, " The Sunne riseth and sets, and returnes
to the same place, and so begins to rise againe ; he takes
his course by the South, turning towards the North ; this
spirit niarcheth compassing about all thinges, and then
returnes to the same place." In this place the paraphrase
and exposition of Gregorie Neocesarien, or Nazianzeiie,
sayeth, " The Sunne hauing runne about the whole earth,
returnes as it were, turning to the same point." That which
Solomon sayeth (being interpreted by Gregorie) could not
be trve if any part of the earth were not invironed with the

g6^11'' cap< heaven. And so S. Jerome doth vnderstand it, writing

Ephes. vpon the Epistle to the Ephesians in this sort, " The most
common opinion affirines (agreeing with Ecclesiastes) that
the heaven is round, mooving circularly like vnto a bowle."
And it is most certaine that no round figure conteyneth in
it eyther longitude, latitude, heigth, or depth, for that all

Basil., hom. parts are equall. Whereby it appeares, according to S.

Hexam. Jerome, * ' That those which hold the heaven to be round are

prope fincrn

not repugnant to the holy Scripture, but conformable to the
same." And although that S. Easile especially, and S.
Ambrose (who doth vsually imitate him in his bookes called

1 Gozes.

THE WATERS. 9

Hexameron) soeme somewhat doubtfull of this point, yet in LlB> T-

the end they grant that the world is round. It is true that

S. Ambrose doth not yeelde to this quintessence1 which Amb.,iib.y

Hexam.,

Aristotle attributes to the heavens, without doubt it is a caij- G-
goodly thing to see with what a grace and excellent stile
the holy Scripture treates of the scituation and firmenes of
the earth to breed in vs a wonderfull admiration, and no
lesse content to behold the vnspeakable power and wisedome
of the Creator. For that in one place God himselfe saies J^.
that it was hee which planted the pillers which support the
earth ; giving vs to vnderstand (as S. Ambrose doth well Amb- *»

tLcxsi.

expound it) that the vnmeasurable weight of the whole
earth is held vp by the hands of the divine power. The
holy Scripture doth commonly so call them, and vseth this
phrase, naming them the pillers of heaven and earth, not
those of Atlas, as the Poets faine, but of the eternall word
of God, who by his vertue supports both heaven and earth.
Moreover, the holy Scripture in an other place teacheth, Job ix, 20.
that the earth, or a great part thereof, is ioyned to and com
passed in by the Element of water, speaking generally, that
God placed the earth vpon the waters. And in another Heb> L
place, that hee framed the roundnes of the earth vpon the
Sea. And although S. Augustine doth not conclude vpon
this text, as a matter of faith, that the earth and the water
make one globe in the midst of the world, pretending by
this meanes to give another exposition to the words of the
Psalm e ; yet notwithstanding it is most certaine that by the
words of the psalme we are given to vnderstand that we
haue no other reason to imagine any other ciment or vniting
to the earth then the Element of water, the which although
it be pliant and moveable, yet doth it support and inviron
this great masse of the earth, the which was wrought by the
wisedome of that great Architect. They say, the earth is
built vpon the waters and vpon the sea ; but contrariwise,
the earth is rather vnder the waters ; for according to com-
1 " Quin ta substantial'

10 THE EAETH RESTS UPON NOTHING.

LIB. i. mon Judgement and imagination,, that which is on the other
part of the earth which we inhabite seemes to be vnder the
earth, and so by the same reason, the waters and sea which
doe compasse in the earth on the other part should be
vnderneath and the earth above ; yet the very truth is, that
what is properly beneath that is alwaies in the midst of the
vniversall; but the holy scripture frames it selfe to our
manner of conceiving and speaking. Some may demaund
(seeing the earth is set vpon the waters, as the scripture
sayeth) whereon the waters are placed and what support
haue they ? And if the earth and the water make one round
globe, how can all this monstrous masse be sustayned? To this
the holy scripture answereth them in another place, giving
vs greatest cause to admire the power of the Creator, and
job xxvi. saith in these wordes, " The earth extends towards the
North vpon the Vast, and staves hanging vpon nothing."
The which in trueth is very well spoken, for that really it
seemes this heape of earth and water is set vpon nothing,
when we describe it in the middest of the ayre, as in trueth
it is. But this wonder, which men so much admire, God
himselfe hath not layd open, demanding of the same lob in
these termes — " Tell mee if thou canst, who hath layd the
lyne or cast the lead for the building of the world, and
with what morter the foundations have beene layed and
ioyned." Finally, to make vs vnderstand the fashion and
modell of this admirable frame of the world, the Prophet
Dauid, accustomed to sing and praise his divine works, saies
very well in a Psalrae made of this subiect in these wordes,
(( ^hou which hast built the earth vpon firmenes it selfe,
that it cannot stagger nor move for ever and ever."
Meaning to shew the cause why the earth set in the midst
of the ayre falleth not, nor staggereth from place to place,
for that by nature it hath sure foundations, layed by the
most wise Creator, to the end it might sustaine it selfe
without any other support. Mans imagination is therefore

WISDOM OF THE CEEATOK. 11

deceive 1 in this place, seeking other foundations of the LlB- r-
earth, and for want thereof, doth measure divine things
according to humaine reason. So that we neede not to
feare (how great or heavy soever this masse of earth then
hanging in the aire seemeth to be) that it can fal or turne
topsy turuy, being assured vpon this point; for that the
same Psalmist saieth that it shall neuer be overthrowne.
Truly Dauid with reason (after he had beheld and sung the
wonderfull workes of the Lord) doth not cease to praise him
in the same, saying, " O, how great and wonderfull are the
workes of the Lord." It appeares that all spring from psai. cm.
his knowledge. And in truth (if I shall freely speake
my opinion touching this point), often in my trauell passing
the great gulfes of the Ocean, and marching by other
regions of so strange lands, staying to behold and consider
the greatnes of these workes of the Lord, I felt a wonder-
full consolation of the soveraigne wisedonie and greatnes of
the Creator, who shines in his works ; in comparison whereof
all the Pallaces, Castells, and princely buildings, together
with all the inventions of man, seeme nothing, yea, are base
and contemptible in respect thereof. O how often hath
come into my minde and mouth that place of the Psalm e
which sayeth thus — " Great comfort hast thou given me, 0
Lord, by thy workes ; I will not cease to reioyce in the con
templation of the workes of thy hands." E-eally and in
truth the workes of God haue (I know not what) secret and
hidden grace and vertve ; the which although they be often
beheld, yet do they still cause a new taste and content,
whereas contrariwise, the workes of man, although they be
built with exquisite art, yet often seene, they are no more
esteemed, but breede a distaste ; be they most pleasant
Gardins, Pallaces, or stately Temples, be they Piramides of
proud buildings, Pictures, carved images, or stones of rare
worke and invention, or whatsoever else adorned with all
the beauties possible. Yet is it most certen that viewing

12 ANSWEK TO OBJECTIONS.

LlB- x- them twice or thrice with attention, the eye presently turnes
away, being glutted with the sight thereof. But if you be-
holde the sea with attention, or some steepe mountain e
growing from a plaine to a strange heigth, or the fieldes
clad in their naturall verdure with pleasant flowres, or the
raging course of some river beating continually against the
rocks, finally , what worke of nature soever, although it bo
often viewed, yet doth it still breede a new content, and
never gluttes the sight ; the which is like vnto a stately
bancket of the divine wisedom, which doth alwaies cause a
new consideration without any lotting.

CHAP. iv. — Containing an answcre to that wliich is objected

out of the holy Scripture, against the roundnes of

the earth.

Returning then to the figure of heaven, I know not out
of what authentic of the holy scripture they can prove
that it is not round, nor his motion circular: neither do I
see (whereas S. Paul calles the heaven a Tabernacle, or a
Tent wliich God made, and not man:) how can it be applied
to this purpose: for although he telleth vs that it was made
by God, yet must we not therefore coniecture that the
heaven covereth the earth like to a roofe on the one part
only, neither that the heaven was framed without motion,
as it seemes some would inferre. The Apostle in this place
treated of the conformity of the auncient Tabernacle of the
lawe, saying therevpon, that the Tabernacle of the new
law of grace is heaven: into the which, the great Priest
lesus Christ, entred once by his bloud: and thereby is
vnderstood, that there is as great preheminence of the new
aboue the old, as there is difference betwixt the author of
the new, which is God, and of the olde which was man:
although it be most certcn, that the olde was built by tho

ANSWER TO OBJECTIONS. 13

wisedome of God, who instructed his workman Bezeleell. LlB- T-

Neither must we imagine that these comparisons, parables, EXO. xxxvi.

and allegories, doe in all things agree with that wherevnto

they are applyed, as the happy Crysostome hath learnedly chnsost. in

spoken vpon this point. The other authoritie (which S.

Augustine saies is alleaged of some to shew that the heaven

is not round) is this, <f The heavens stretch forth like vnto a p^ ciii>

skin." Whereby he concludes that it is not round, but flat

on the vpper part, wherevnto the same Doctor doth an-

swere verie well and familiarly, giuing vs to vnderstand

that that place of the Psalme is not properly to be vnder- Gen'acnft-

stood of the figure of heaven, but onely to shew with what JJram-> c-

facilitie God built so great a heaven, being no more paine-

full for him to build so huge a couer as the heaven is, then

to vnfould a double skin. Or else the Psalmist pretending

to shew vs the great maiesty of God, to whome the heaven,

with his greatnes and beautie, doth serve in like manner as

our tents and pavilions in the field. The which was well

expressed by a Poet calling it, " The Tent of the cleere

heaven''. In like sort, the place of Isaii, which sayeth,

" Heaven serves mee as a chaire, and the earth for a foote- isaieixvi.

stoole^. But if wee follow the error of the Antromorphites,

which did atribute corporall members vnto God, according

to his divinitie, we should haue occasion vppon this last

text, to examine how it were possible the earth should be

a foote-stoole to Gods feete, and how the same God could

hold his feete of the one part and the other, and many

heads round about, seeing that hee is in all partes of the

world, which were a vaine and ridiculous thing. Wee must

therefore conclude, that in the holy scriptures we ought

not to follow the letter which killes, but the spirit which

quickneth, as saith S. Paul. 2Corint.u.

14 STARS IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE.

CHAP. v. — Of the fashion and forme of Heaven, at the new
found world.

LIB< *• _ Many in Europe demaund of what forme and fashion
Heaven is in the Southerne parts, for that there is no
certaintie found in ancient bookes, who,, although they
graurit there is a Heaven on this other part of the world,
yet come they not to any knowledge of the forme thereof,
although in trueth they make mention of a goodly great

pn-22lb'V1' Starre seene in those partes, which they call Ganopus.
Those which of late dayes have sayled'into these parts,
have accustomed to write strange things of this heaven;
that it is very bright, having many goodly starres: and in
effect, thinges which come farre are commonly described
with encrease. But it seemes contrary vnto me, holding it
for certaine, that in our Region of the North, there is a
greater nomber and bigger Starres: finding no starres in
these partes, which exceed the Fisher or the Chariot in
bignesse. It is true, that the Crosse in these partes is
very fayre and pleasing to behold: wee call the Crosse,
foure notable and apparant starres, which make the forme
of a crosse, set equally and with proportion. The ignorant
suppose this Crosse to be the southerne Pole, for that they
see the Navigators take- their heigth thereby, as we are
accustomed to doe by the North starre. But they are
deceyved, and the reason why Saylers doe it in this sorte,
is for that in the South parts there is no fixed starre that
markes the Pole, as the North starre doth to our Pole.
And therefore they take their heigth by the starre at the
foot of the Crosse, distant from the true and fixed Pole
Antarticke thirtie degrees, as the North starre is distant
from the Pole Articke three degrees or little more. And
so it is more difficult to take the heigth in those parts, for
that the sayd starre at the foote of the Crosse must bee

THE SOUTHEEN HEAVENS. 15

right, the which chanceth but in one houre of the night; LlBt T-
which is in divers seasons of the yeere in divers houres,
and often times it appeareth not in the whole night, so as
it is very difficult to take the heigth. And therefore the
most expert Pilots regard not the Crosse, taking the
heigth of the Sunne by the Astrolabe, by which they
know in what height they are: wherein commonly the
Portugals are more expert, as a Nation that hath more
discourse in the Arte of Navigation then any other. There
are also other starres in these southerne parts, which in
some sort resemble those of the North. That which they
call the Milken way, is larger and more resplendent in the viaiactea.
south parts, appearing therein those admirable blacke
spots, whereof wee have made mention. As for other
particularities, let others speake of them with greater
curiositie, and let this which wee have sayd suffice for this
time.

CHAP. vi. — That there is Land and Sea Under the two
Poles.

It is no smal labour to have vnfolded this doubt with
this knowledge and resolution, that there is a Heaven in
these parts of the Indies, which doth cover them as in
Europe, Asia, and Affricke. And this point serveth often
against many Spaniards, who beeing here, sigh for Spaine,
having no discourse but of their countrie. They wonder,
yea, they grow discontented with vs, imagining that we
have forgotten and make small accompt of our native soyle.
To whom we answere, that the desire to returne into
Spaine doth nothing trouble vs, being as neere vnto
Heaven at Peru, as in Spaine : as saint lerorne saith well,
writing unto Paulinus ; That the gates of Heaven are as
neere vnto Brittanie, as to lerusalem. But although the
Heaven doth compasse in the world of all parts, yet must

16 THE POLE ANTARTICKE.

» anil 11?'

LIB. i. we no£ imagine that there is land necessarily on all parts of
the world. For being so, that the two elements of earth
and water make one globe or bowle, according to the
de °pini°n °f the most renowmed ancient authors, (as Plutarch
testifieth) and as it is prooved by most certaine demon
strations, wee may coniecture, that the sea doth occupie all
this part, which is vnder the Antartike or southerne Pole,
so as there should not remaine any place in these partes for
the earth, the which saint Augustine doth very learned]y
hold against them that maintaine the Antipodes, saying,
that although it bee prooved, and wee beleeve that the
worlde is round like to a bowle, wee may not therefore
inferre, that in this other part of the worlde, the earth is
vncovered, and without water. Without doubt, saint
xvfde0' Augustine speakes well vpon this point; and as the con-
«. ' trary is not prooved, so doth it not follow, that there is

any land discovered at the Antarticke Pole. The which
experience hath now plainely taught vs, for although the
greatest part of the world vnder the Pole Antarticke be
sea, yet is it not altogether, but there is likew'se land, so
as in all parts of the world, the earth and water imbrace
one another, which truely is a thing to make vs admire and
glorifie the Arte of the soveraigne Creator. We know
Genes, i. then by the holy Scripture, that in the beginning of the
worlde, the waters were gathered together in one place, so
as the earth remayiied vncovered. Moreover, the same
holy Writte doth teach vs, that these gatherings together
of the water were called Sea; and as there be many, so of
necessitie there must be many Seas. And this diversitie
of seas is not onely in the Mediterranean Sea, whereas one
is called Euxine, another the Caspian, an other the Ery-
threan or redde Sea, another the Persian, an other of Ttalie,
and so many others. But also in the great Ocean, which
the holy Scripture doth vsually call a gulph : although
really and in trueth it be but a Sea, yet in many and divers

DISTRIBUTION Or LAND AND SEA. 17

manners: as in respect of Peru and all America, the one is LlB- T-
called the North Sea, the other the South ; and at the East
Indies, the one is called the Indian sea, the other that of
China. And I have observed, as well by ray owne naviga
tion, as by the relation of others, that the Sea is never
divided from the Lande above a thousand Leagues. And
although the great Ocean stretcheth farre, yet doth it never
passe this measure. I will not for all this affirm e that wee
sayle not above a thousand leagues in the Ocean, which
were repugnant to trueth, being well knowne that the
shippes of Portugal have sailed foure times as much
and more, and that the whole world may bee compassed
about by sea, as wee have seene in these dayes, without
any further doubt. But I say and affirme, that of that
which is at this day discovered, there is no land distant
from any other fir me land, by direct line, or from some
Islands neere vnto it above a thousand leagues ; and so
betwixt two firme lands there is no greater distance of sea,
accompting from the neerest parts of both the lands : for,
from the ends of Europe or Affricke and their coastes, to
the Canaries, the Isles of Azores, Cape Verd and others in
the like degree, are not above three hundred leagues, or
five hundred from the Mayne land. From the saide Hands
running along to the West Indies, there are scant nine
hundred leagues, to the Hands of saint Dorninick, the
Virgins, the Happy Ilandes and the .rest; and the same
Hands runne along in order to the Ilandes of Barlovent1
which are Cuba, Hispaniola, and Boriqueu ;2 from the same
Hands vnto the Mayne land are scarce two or three hun
dred leagues, and in the neerest part farre lesse. The firme
land runnes an infinite space ; from Terra Florida to the
land of Patagones, and on the other side of the South, from

1 Barlovento, windward; and sotaccuto, leeward.

2 Boriquen or Brieque Island, also called Crab's Island, is one of the
Virgin Isles, two leagues from Porto Rico.

1.8 LAND AND SEA AT THE POLES.

LlR- *• the Straight of Magellan/ to the Cape of Mendoce,2 there
runnes a long Continent but not very large ;3 for the largest
is here in Peru,4 which is distant from Brazil about a
thousand leagues. In this South Sea, although they have
not yet discovered the ende towards the West, yet of late
they have found out the Hands which they call Salomon/
the which are many and great, distant from Peru about
eyght hundred leagues. And for that wee finde by observa
tion, that whereas there bee many and great Ilandes, so
there is some firme Land not farre off, I my selfe with many
others doe beleeve that there is some firme land neere unto
the Hands of Salomon, the which doth answere vnto our
America on the West part, and possibly might runne by
the heigth of the South, to the Straightes of Magellan.
Some hold that Nova Guinea is firme Land, and some
learned men describe it neere to the Hands of Salomon ; so
ns it is likely, a good parte of the world is not yet dis
covered, seeing at this day our men sayle in the South Sea
vnto China and the Philippines ; and wee say, that to go
from Peru to those parts, they passe a greater Sea, then in
going from Spaiue to Peru. Moreover, wee know, that by
that famous Straight of Magellan these two Seas doe
ioyne and continue one with an other (I say the South sea
with that of the North) by that part of the Antarticke Pole,
which is in fiftie one degrees of altitude. But it is a great
question, wherein many have busied themselves, whether
these two Seas ioyne together in the North part; but I
have not heard that any vnto this day could attayne vnto
this point : but by certaine likelihoods and coniectures, some
affirmo there is an other Straight vnder the North, opposite

1 " Magallanes."

2 Cape Mendocino, on the coast of California.

3 "No muy ancha", not very wide.

4 »' Aqui en esta parte del Peru."

5 Discovered by Alvaro Mendafia in 1567.

ARGUMENTS OF LACTANTIUS. 19

to that of Magellan. But it sufficeth for our subiect, to LlB> r<
knowe that there is a firme Land on this Southerne part, as
bigge as all Europe, Asia, and Affricke ; that vnder both
the Poles we finde both land and sea, one imbracing an
other. "Whereof the Ancients might stand in doubt, and
contradict it for want of experience.

CHAP. vn. — To confute the opinion of Lactantius, who Jwldes
there Le no Antipodes.

Seeing it is manifest that there is firme land vpon the
South part or Pole Antartike, wee must now see if it' be
inhabited : the which hath bene a matter very disputable Lact-' lib-

* i vn, mst.

in former times. Lactantius Firmian and S. Augustine 33™'' cap'
mocke at such as hold there be any Antipodes, which is as Aug.,ii

ib.

xvi de

much to say, as men marching with their feete opposite to Suitale>c-9-
ours. But although these two authors agree in theis ieasts,1
yet doe they differ much in their reasons and opinions, as
they were of very divers spirits and iudgements. Lactan
tius followes the vulgar, seeming ridiculous vnto him that
the heaven should be round, and that the earth should bee
compassed in the midst thereof, like vnto a ball, whereof
he writes in these tearmes : " What reason is therefor some
to affirme that there are Antipodes, whose steppes are
opposite to ours ? Is it possible that any should bee so
grosse and simple as to beleeve there were a people or
nation marching with their feete upwardes, and their heades
downwardes, and that thinges which are placed heere of
one sort, are in that other part hanging topsie turvie ; that
trees and corne growe downwards, and that raine, snow,
and haile, fall from the earth upward."" Then, after some
other discourse, the same Lactantius vseth these words :
<c The imagination and conceit which some haue had, sup-
i « Cosa de burla."

C2

20 REASON COKKECTS IMAGINATION.

posing the lieaven to be round, hath bcue the cause to
invent these Antipodes hanging in the aire. So as I knowe
not what to say of such Philosophers, whoe having once
erred, continue still obstinately in their opinions defending
one another." But whatsoever he saieth, wee that live now
at Peru, and inhabite that part of the world which is
opposite to Asia and their Antipodes (as the Cosmographers
do teach vs) finde not our selves to bee hanging in the aire,
our heades downward, and our feete on high. Truly it is
strange to consider that the spirit and vriderstanding of
man cannot attaine vnto the trueth, without the vse of
imagination ; and on the other part, it were impossible but
he should erre and be deceived, if hee should wholy forbeare
it. We cannot comprehend the heaven to be round as it is,
and the earth to bee in the middest of it, without imagina
tion. But if this imagination were not controuled and
reformed by reason, in the end wee should be deceiued ;
whereby we may certainely conclude, that in our soules there
is a certaine light of heaven, whereby wee see and iudge of the
interior formes which present themselves vnto vs, and by the
same we alow of, or reiect that which imagination doth offer
vnto vs. Hereby we see that the rationall soule is above all
corporall powers : and as the force and eternall vigour of
truth doth rule in the most eminent part of man : yea, we
plainely see that this pure light is participant and proceedes
from that first great light, that whoso knoweth not this, or
doubteth thereof, we may well say that he is ignorant, or
doubtes whether he be a man or no. So, if we shall de-
maund of our imagination what it thinkes of the roundnes
of heaven, without doubt she will answere vs as Lactantius
doth, That if the heaven were round, the Sun and starres
should fall, when as they move and change their places,
rising towards the South. Even so, if the earth did hang-
in the ayre, those which inhabite the other part, should go
with their feete vpwards^ and their heades downward, and

THE USE OF IMAGINATION. 21

the raine which falles from above, should mount vpward ; LlB-

with many other ridiculous deformities. But if we consult
with the force of reason, she will make small accoumpt of
all these vaine imaginations, nor suffer vs to beleeve them
no more than a foolish dreame. But Reason will answer
with this her integritie and gravitie, that it were a very
grosse error, to imagine the whole world to be like vnto a
house, placing the earth for the foundation, and the heaven
for the covering. Moreover she will say, that as in all
creatures the head is the highest part and most elevated,
although all creatures have not heades placed in one and
the same situation, some being in the highest part, as
man, some athwart, as sheepe, others in the middest, as
spiders, even so the heaven, in what part soeuer it be,
remaines above, and the earth likewise in what part
soever, remaines vnderneath. Our imagination therefore is
grounded vpon time and place, the which she cannot com
prehend nor conceive in generall, but in particular. It
followeth, that when wee shall raise it to the consideration
of things which exceed the time and place which are
knowne vnto her, then presently she shrinkes and cannot
subsist, if reason doth not support her. In like sort wee
see, vpon the discourse of the creation of the worlde, our
imagination straies to seeke out a time before the creation
thereof, and to build the world ; she discribes a place, but
shee comes not to consider that the worlde might bee made
after another fashion. Notwithstanding, reason doth teach
vs, that there was no time before there was a motion,
whereof time is the measure, neyther was there any place
before the vniversall, which comprehendes within it all
place. Wherein the excellent Philosopher Aristotle doth Arist., i, do

Ccl., ca. 3.

plainely satisfie, and in a few wordes, that argument made
against the place of the earth, helping himselfe with our
vse of imagination, when bee sayeth, and with trueth,
" That in the world the same place of the earth is in the

22 OPINIONS OP ST. AUGUSTINE.

LlB- r- midst and beneath, and the more a thing is in the middest,
the more it is vnderneath". The which answer being pro
duced by Lactantius Firrnian, yet hee doth passe it over
without confutation, by reason, saying that he cannot stay
theron, and omitte the handling of other matters.

CHAP. vni. — The reason why S. Augustine denied the
Antipodes.

The reason which moved S. Augustine to deny the Anti
podes was other then that formerly alleadged, being of a
higher iudgement, for the reson before mentioned, that the
Antipodes should go vpwards, is confuted by the same
Aug., lib. Doctor in his booke of sermons in these words, "The

I asegoria-

tatomei!' Ancients hold that the earth of all parts is beneath, and the
heaven above, by reason whereof the Antipodes, which they
say go opposite vnto vs, have like vnto vs the heaven above
their heads." Seeing then S. Augustine hath confessed
this to bee conformable to good Philosophic, what reason
shall we say did move so learned and excellent a man to
follow the contrary opinion. Doubtlesse he drew the
motive and cause from the bowels of divinitie, whereby the
holie Writ doth teach vs that all rnankinde doth come from
the first man Adam ; and to say that men could passe to
that new world, crossing the great Ocean, were vncredible,
and a rneere lye. And in truth if the successe an expe
rience of what we have seene in these ages had not satisfied
vs in this point, wee had yet held this reason to bee good.
And although we know this reason neither to be pertinent
nor true, yet will we make answere therevnto, shewing in
what sort, and by what meanes, the first linage of men
might passe thither ; and ho we and by what meanes they
came to people and inhabite the Indies. And for that wee
meane heereafter to intreat briefly of this subiect, it shall

OPINIONS OP ST. AUGUSTINE. 23

be fit now to vnderstand what the holy Doctor Augustine LlB- r-
disputes uppon this matter in his bookes of the cittie of
God, ec It is no point that we ought to beleeve, as some ^b- Jvi»
affirme, that there are Antipodes, that is to say, men which
inhabite that other part of the earth, in whose region the
Sunne riseth when it sets with vs, and that their steppes
be opposite and contrarie to ours, seeing they afSrine not
this by any certaine revelation which they have, but onely
by a Philosophicall discourse they make, whereby they con
clude that the earth being in the middest of the world,
invironed of all parts and covered equallie with the heaven,
of necessitie that must be in the lowest place which is in
the midst of the world. " Afterwards hee continues in
these words, " The holie Scripture doth not erre, neither is
deceived in anie sort; the truth whereof is well approved in
that which it propoundeth of things which are passed, for
as much as that which hath bene fore-told, hath succeeded
in every point, as we see ; And it is a thing void of all
sense to say that men could passe from this continent to
the new found world and cut through the Vast Ocean, seeing
it were impossible for men to passe into those parts any other
way, being most certain that al men deseed from the first
man." Wherein we see that all the difficultie S. Augustine
hath found was nothing else but the incomparable greatnes
of this vast Ocean. Gregorie Nazianzene was of the same
opinion, assuring, as a matter without any doubt, that it
was not possible to saile beyond the Straights of Gibraltar;
and vpon this subiect he writes in an Epistle of his, " I
agree well with the saying of Pindarus, ' That past Cadiz,
that Sea is not nauigable'." And hee himselfe in the
funerall Sermon he made for saint Basil saith, " It was not
tollerable for anie one sailing on the Sea to passe the
Straight of Gibraltar." And it is true, that this place of
Pindarus, where he saith, " That it is not lawfull, neyther
for wise men nor fooles, to know what is beyond the

-• OPINIONS Ol' THE ANCIENTS.

L'B- l- Straight of Gibraltar", hath beene taken for a Proverbe.
Thus we see by the beginning of this Proverbe, how the
Ancients were obstinately setled in this opinion; as also by
the bookes of Poets, Historiographers, and ancient Cosnio-
graphers, that the end and bounds of the earth were set at
Cadiz in Spaine, where they plant the pillars of Hercules ;
there they set the limits of the Ro inane Empire, and there
they describe the boundes of the world. And not onely
prophane writers speake in this sort, Lut also the holy
Scripture, to apply it selfe to our phrase saith, " That the
edict of Augustus Ca3sar was published, to the end that all
the world should be taxed ; and of Alexander the great,
that he stretched forth his Empire even to the end and
vttermost bounds of the earth. And in another place they
say, that the Gospell did flourish and increase through the
vniversall world. For the holy Scripture by an vsuall
phrase, calleth all the wo ride, that which is the greatest
part thereof, and was at that time discovered and knowne.
And the Ancients were ignorant that the East Indian Sea,
and that of the West were navigable, wherin they have
generally agreed. ]>y reason whereof, Plinie writes as a
a certain e tructh, that the seas whic'i are betwixt two
lands take from vs a iust moitie of the habitable earth.
For, saith he, we cannot passe thither, neyther they come
hither. Finally, Tullie, Macrobius, Pomponius Mela, and
the ancient Writers, hold the same opinion.

CHAP ix. — Of Aristuilcs opinion toucJiiny the new }\rurldc,
and what abused him to malic him deny it.

Besides all the former reasons there was yet an other,
which mooved the Ancients to beleeve it to be impossible for
men to passe to this new world ; the which they held, for
that besides the vastnesse of the great Ocean, the heate of

ARISTOTLE. 25

that Keg-ion, which they call the burning Zone, was so ex- LlB- *•
cessive, as it would not suffer any man, how venturous or
laborious so ever, to passe by sea or land from one Pole to
an other. For although these Philosophers have themselves
affirmed that the earth was round (as in effect it is), and
that vnder the 2 Poles there was habitable land, yet could
they not conceyve that the Region, containing all that
lyeth betwixt the two Tropickes (which is the greatest
of the five Zones or Regions by the which the Cosniogra-
phers and Astrologers divide the Woiide) might be inha
bited by man. The reason they give to maintaine this
Zone to be inhabitable was, for the heat of the Sunne,
which makes his course directly over this Region, and ap-
procheth so neere as it is set on fire, and so by consequence
causeth a want of waters and pastures. Aristotle was of
this opinion, who although he were a great Philosopher,
yet was hee deceyved in this poynt ; for the cleering
whereof it shall be good to observe his reasons, and to
note wherein he hath discoursed well, and wherein he hath
erred. This Philosopher makes a question of the Mori- Amt., «,
dionall or Southerne winde, whether wee should beleeve it 5-
takes his beginning from the South, or from the other
Pole contrary to the North, and writes in these termes :
" Reason teacheth vs that the latitude and largenesse of
the habitable earth hath her boundes and limits, and yet
all this habitable earth cannot bee vnited and ioyned one to
the other, by reason the middle Region is so intemperate.
For it is certain that in her longitude, which is from East to
West, there is no immoderate cold nor heate, but in her
latitude and lieiglith, which is from the Pole to the Equi-
noctiall Line. So as we may well passe the whole earth in
her longitude, if the greatnesse of the Sea, which ioynes
lands together, were no hinderance.^ Hitherto there is no
contradicting of Aristotle, who hath great reason to affirme
that the earth in her longitude, which is from East to West,

26 WANT OF KNOWLEDGE AMONG THE ANCIENTS.

LIB. i. runnes more equaly and is more proper for the life and
habitation of man then in her latitude from North to South.
The which is true, not onely for this foresaid reason of
Aristotle, that there is alwayes one temperature of the
Heavens from East to West,, being equally distant both
from the Northerne colde and the Southerne heate. But
also for an other reason, for that travelling alwayes in
longitude we see the dayes and nights succeed one another
by course, the which falleth not out going in her latitude ;
for of necessitie wee must come to that Region vnder the
Pole, whereas there is continuall night for sixe Moneths, a
very inconvenient thing for the life of man. The Philo
sopher passeth on further, reprooving the Geographers,
which described the earth in his time, and saith thus,
" Wee may discerne the trueth of that which I have sayd,
by the passages which may be made by land, and the navi
gations by sea, for there is a great difference betwixt the
longitude and the latitude, for the distance from the pillars
of Hercules at the Straight of Gibraltar, vnto the East
Indies, exceeds the proportion of about five to three, the
passage which is from Ethiopia to the lake of Meotis in
the farthest confines of Scythia, the which is confirmed by
the account of iourneys by land, and by sayling, as we do
now know by experience ; we have also knowledge of the
habitable earth, even vnto those partes which are inhabit
able/' And truely in this point wee must pardon Aristotle,
seeing that in his time they had not discovered beyond the
first Ethiopia, called the exterior, ioyning to Arabia and
Affricke ; the other Ethiopia being wholy vnknowne in his
age. Yea, all that great Land which we now call the Land
of Prete Ian, neyther had they any knowledge of the rest
that lyes vnder the Equinoctiall, and runnes beyond the
Tropicke of Capricorne vnto the Cape of good Hope, so
famous and well knowne by the navigation of Portugals ;
so as if wee measure the Land from this Cape vnto Scythia

OPINIONS OF AKISTOTLE. 27

and Tartaria, there is no doubt but this distance and lati- LlB- I-
tude will proove as great as the longitude, which is from
Gibraltar vnto the East Indies. It is certaine the Ancients
had no knowledge of the springs of Nilus, nor of the ende
of Ethiopia, and therefore Lucan reprooves the curiositie T^ucan> x-
of lulius Caesar, searching out the springs of Nilus in these
verses :

" O Romaine, what availes thee so much travell,1
In search of Niles first source thy selfe to gravell."

And the same Poet speaking to Nile sayth :

" Since thy first source is yet so unrevealed,
Nile, what thou art, is from the world concealed."2

But by the holy scripture we may conceive that this
land is habitable, for if it were not, the Prophet Sophonias soph., ca.
would not say (speaking of these nations called to the Gos-
pell), " The children, of my dispersed (so he calleth the
Apostles) shall bring me presents from beyond the bancks
of Ethiopia". Yet, as I have said, there is reason to pardon
the Philosopher who beleeved the writers and Cosirio-
graphers of his time. Let vs continue and examine what
followes of the same Aristotle. "One part of the world
(saith he) which lieth towards the North, beyond the tem
perate zone, is inhabitable for the exceeding cold j the
other part vpon the South is likewise inhabitable beyond
the Tropicke for the extreame heate. But the partes of
the world lying beyond India on the one side, and the
pillars of Hercules on the other, without doubt cannot bee
ioyned and continued one with the other; so as all the
habitable earth is not conteined in one continent by reason
of the sea which divides it.;' In this last point he speakes
truth. Then hee continues touching the other partes of

1 u Que tienes tu Romano quo ponerte

A inquirir de Nilo el nacimiento ? "

2 u Pues es tu nacimiento tan oculto

Que ignora el mundo todo cuyo seas."

28 THE SOUTHERN ZONES.

LIB. i. ^Q world, saying, " It is necessarie the earth should have
the same proportion with the Pole Antarticke, as this our
part which is habitable hath with the North ; and there is
no doubt but in that other world all things should be ordred
as in ours, especially in the growing and order of the
winds. " And having alleaged other reasons to no purpose,
he concludes, saying, " We must confesse of necessity that
the Southerne wind is that which blowes and comes from
the burning zone, the which being so neere the sunne
wantes water and pastures". This is Aristotles opinion,
and in truth mans coniecture can hardly passe any farther.
So as I do often consider, with a Christian contemplation,
how weake the Philosophic of the wise of this world hath
beene in the search of divine things, seeing in humaine
things (wherein they seeme so well read) they often erre.
Aristotle holds that the habitable earth of the Pole Ant-
artike in longitude from East to West is very great, and in
latitude from the Pole Antartike to the Equinoctiall is very
small ; the which is so contrary to the truth, that in a
maner all the habitation on this side the Pole Antartike is
in latitude (I meane from the Pole to the line), and in
longitude from East to West it is so small, as the latitude
exceede it three partes or more. In his other opinion he
affirmes, that the middle region is inhabitable, being vnder
the burning zone, burnt up by the excessive heate caused
by the neereness of the sunne, and by this reason hath
neither waters nor pastures. The which is in like sort
contrary ; for the greatest part of this new world is scitu-
ated betwixt the two Tropickes vnder the burning zone,
and yet it is found very well peopled arid inhabited by men
and other sortes of creatures, being a region of all the
world the most fruitful! of waters and pastures, and very
temperate in the greatest part, which the will of God hath
so appointed, to shew that even in natural! things he hath
confounded the wiscdome of this world. To conclude, wee

OPINION Or PLINY. Z.J

must beleeve that the burning zone is well inhabited, Lin- T<
although the auncients have held it impossible. But the
other zone or region, which lyeth betwixt the burning zone
and that of the Pole Anturtike, although it bee in a climate
more commodious for the life of man, yet it is smally
peopled and inhabited, seeing wee know no other dwelling
in it but the Kingdom of Chile and a small portion ioyning
to the Cape of good Hope, The rest is possessed by the
Ocean. Although many be of opinion, the which I likewise
hold, that there is much more land not yet discovered, the
which should be fir me land opposite to the Kingdom of
Chile, which runnes beyond the circle or Tropicke of
Capricorne. And if there be any, without doubt it is a land
of an excellent temper, being in the midst of two extrearnes,
and scituate in the same climate with the best regions in
Europe. And in this regard Aristotles coniecture was
good. But speaking of what is discovered at this day in
this zone, it is little in regard of the large countries inha
bited vnder the burning zone.

CHAP. x. — Tlu:d Plinie and the auncients held the same opinion
with Aristotle.

This opinion of Aristotles, hath bene held by Plinie, who Piin., m>.
saith thus : " The temperature of the middle region of the
world, where the sunne continually runnes his course, is
scorched and burnt vp as with a neere fire." Ioyning to
the same region, there are two others of eyther side, which
(lying betwixt the heat of this burning zone and the cruell
cold of the other two extreams) are very temperate, and
can have no communication one with another, by reason of
the excessive heate of the heaven, which hath bene the
opinion of the Ancients, generally described by the Poet
in these verses :

30 VIEWS OF THE ANCIENTS.

LlB- *• " Heavens circuit is of flue zones, one whereof,1

Viro-ii in Which still the sunne burnes, makes tlie earth below

Gcorg. With flames intempestiue red hotte to glow."

And the same Poet in another place,

Eneid- " Heare this, if any harbour in that seate2

Whose quarter vnder that large zone is set
Amidst foure others by the sunne enlightned."

And another Poet speakes more plainely,

Ovid, Mcta. u As many regions are there on the ground,

As are in heaven, wherein fine parts are found,
Whereof the midst, through heate raisd from the raycs
Of scorching sunne, inhabitable staies."

The Auncients have grounded their generall opinion vpon
one reason, which seemed to them certaine and not to be
confuted; for finding that the more a region drew neere
vnto the South, the hotter it was ; the proofe whereof was
so infallible in those regions, as by the same reason in Italie,
Apulia is hotter then Tuscane, and in Spaine Andaluzia
then Biscaie. A thing so apparent, that although there
bee but eight degrees difference or lesse betwixt the one
and the other, yet do wee finde the one extreame hotte,
and the other very colde, whereby they did infer re that
the region so neere the South, having the sunne so
directly for zenith, must of necessity bee continually
scorched with heate. They did likewise see, that the
divers seasons of the yeere, as the Spring, Summer,
Autumne, and Winter, were caused by the neerenes and
distance of the sunne, finding also that although they were
farre from the Tropicke, by which the sunne doth passe in

1 " Quinque tenent coelum zonse : quarum una corusco

Semper sole rubens, et torrida semper ab igni."

Geonj., lib. i, 1. 233.

2 " Audiit, et si quern tellus extrema ref uso -

Submovet Oceano, et si quern extenta plagarum
Quatuor in medio dirimit plaga solis iniqui."

/Enid, lib. vii. 1. 225.

FOEMER OPINIONS RESPECTING A NEW WORLD. 31

summer, yet when it approached neere vnto them, at the LlB- r<
same season they felt great heate. Whereby they did
coniecture that if they had had the sunne so neere vnto
them as to go directly over their heads, the heate would
have bene so insupportable, as it would burne and consume
men with the vehemency thereof. The same reason moved
the Auncients to thinke that the middle region was not
habitable, and therefore they called it the burning zone.
And in truth, if visible experience did not vnfold this
doubt, we should yet confesse that this reason were very
peremptorie and Mathematicall j1 whereby we may see how
weake our vnderstanding is, to comprehend these naturall
things. But wee may say, it is fallen out to the great
good and happiness of our age, to have the knowledge of
these two great wonders, that is, to know how easily we
may saile through the great Ocean, and that vnder the
burning zone men inioy a very temperate heaven, the which
the Auncients could never beleeve. Of the last of these
two wonders, touching the qualitie and habitation of the
burning zone, by the grace of God we will discourse amply
thereof in the next book. I thinke it therefore fit in this
booke to treat of the maner of sailing through the Ocean,
for that it imports vs much for the subiect of this worke.
But before wee come to this point, it shall be good to shew
what the Auncients thought of these new men, whoine we
call Indians.

CHAP. xi. — That in ancient Bookes we finde some knowledge of
this newe world.

Let vs returne to that which hath beene formerly spoken.
Wee must necessarily conclude that the Ancients did be
leeve that eyther there were no men beyond the Tropicke
1 u Que era razon concluyente y Matematica."

LIB. i.

32 RECORDS OF VOYAGES OF THE ANCIENTS.

of Cancer, as S. Augustine and Lactantius doe affirm e, or
, if there were any, at the least they did not inhabite betwixt
tusphii., the two Tropicks. as Aristotle and Plinie have maintained,

cap. 11.

and before them the Philosopher Parmenides, the coutrarie
whereof is before sufficiently prooved, both for the one and
the other. But many through curiositie may demaund, if
the Ancients had no knowledge of this trueth, which to vs
is now so apparent; seeing that in trueth it seemeth very
•strange that this newe worlde which is so spacious as we
doe visibly see it, should be hidden from the Ancients by
so many ages. But some at this day, seeking to obscure
the felicitie of this age and the Glory of our Nation, strive
to proove that the new-found world was knowne to the
?uper°™p Ancients. And in trueth wee cannot deny but there was
i.adEphes. gome apparency.1 S. lerome writing vpon the Epistle to
the Ephesians, sayth : " We seeke with reason what the
Apostle meaneth in these wordes, where he saith : you.
have walked for a season according to the course of this
world, whether he would have vs to vnderstand that there
is an other world, which neither is nor depends of this
world ; but other worldes, whereof Clement writes in his
Epistle, the Ocean and the worldes which are beyond the
Ocean". These are the wordes of S. lerome, but in trueth
I cannot finde this Epistle of S. Clement cited by S. lerome,
yet I beleeve vndoubtedly, that S. Clement hath written it,
seeing S. lerome maketh mention thereof. And with
reason saint Clement saith, that beyond the Ocean there is
an other worlde, yea, many worldes, as in trueth there is ;
seeing there is so great distance from one newe worlde to
an other new world (T meane from Peru and the West
Indies, to China and the East Indies). Moreover, Plinie,
who hath beene so curious a searcher out of strange things,
reportes in his naturall Historic, that Hannon, a Captaine
of the Carthaginians, sayled through the Ocean, from the
1 u y realmente no se puecle negar, que ay a desto algunos rastros."

KNOWLEDGE OP THE ANCIENTS. 33

Straight of Gibraltar, coasting alongst the land, even vnto LlB- T-
the confines of Arabia, and that hee left this his Naviga- pim.,m>. ii,

c 67

tion in writing. If it bee as Plinie writes, it followes that
Hannon sayled as farre as the Portugals do at this day,
passing twice vnder the Equinoctiall, which is a feare-
full thing. And the same Plinie reports of Cornelius
Nepos a very grave Authour, who saith, that the same
course hath beene sayled by an other man, called Eudoxus,
but by contrary wayes, for this Eudoxus, flying from the
King of Latyros, passed by the redde sea into the Ocean ;
and turning backe, came to the Straight of Gibraltar, the
which Cornelius Nepos affirmes to have happened in his
time. And also other grave Authors do write, that a ship
of Carthage driven by force of winde into the Ocean, came
to a Land which vntill then was vnknowne ; and returning
to Carthage, kindled a great desire in the Citizens to dis
cover and people this land ; the which the Senate per-
ceyving, did forbid this navigation by a rigorous decree,
fearing that with the desire of new lands they should leave
to love their owne Countrie. By all this wee may gather
that the Ancients had some knowledge of the new world,
yet shall you hardly finde in the bookes of Ancient writers
any thing written of our America and all the West Indies ;
but of the East Indies, I say, there is sufficient testirnonie,
not only of that on the other side, but also of that on this
side, which then was farthest off, going thither by a contrary
way to that at this day. Is it not easie to find Malaca in
ancient bookes, which they called the golden Chersonese ;
the Cape of Comorin, which was called the Promontorie of
Cori, and that great and famous Hand of Sumatra, so well
knowne by the ancient name of Taprobana. What shall
wee say of the two Ethiopias, the Brachmanes, and that
great Land of the Chinas ? Who doubtes, but there was
often mention made thereof in ancient bookes ; But of the
West Indies, we find not in Plinie, that in this navigation Vi, cap. 32,

34 PROPHECY OF SENECA.

LIB. i. they passe(^ the Hands of the Canaries, which he calleth
Fortunate ; the principal whereof is sayd to be called
Canarie, for the multitude of dogs which are in it. But
there is scarce any mention in ancient books of the voyages
which are made at this day beyond the Canaries, by the
Gulph which with reason they call great. Yet many hold
opinion that Seneca the Tragedian did prophecie of the
West Indies, in his Tragedie of Medea, which translated,
saith thus :
Senec. in u An age shall come, ere ages ende,

Med. Act., , . , .

ii, in ain. Blessedly strange and strangely blest,

When our Sea farre and neere or'prest,
His shoare shall farther yet extend.

" Descryed then shall a large Land be,
By this profound Seas navigation,
An other World, an other nation,
All men shall then discovered see.

u Thule accounted heretofore
The worldes extreme, the Northcrne bound,
Shall be when Southwest parts be found,
A neerer Isle, a neighbour shoare."

This, Seneca reports in these verses ; and we cannot wel
deny, but (vnderstanding it litterally) it is very true ; for if
we reckon the many yeeres he speakes of, beginning from
the time of the Tragedian, it is above a thousand and foure
hundred yeeres past ; and if it were from the time of Medea,
it is above two thousand yeeres, the which we see plainely
now accomplished ; seeing the passage of the Ocean so long
time hidden, hath beene found out, and that they have dis
covered a great land and a new world inhabited, more
spatious then all the Continent of Europe and Asia. But
therein may a question with reason be made, whether
Seneca spake this by divination, or poetically and by chance.
And to speeke my opinion, I beleeve hee did divine, after
the manner of wise men and well advised ; for that in his
time they vndertooke newe voyages and navigations by sea,

PROPHECY OF SENEGA. 35

hee knew well, like a philosopher, that there was an other LlB- r-
land contrary and opposite vnto vs, which they call Antich-
thon.1 And by this ground he might conceyve that the
Industrie and courage of man might in the ende passe the
Ocean, and discover new lands and another world, for that
in Senecas time they had knowledge of the Voyage which
Plinie speaketh of, whereby they passed the great Ocean.
The which seemes to bee the motive of Senecas prophecie,
as he giveth vs to vnderstand by these former verses, after
the which having described the carefull life of the Ancients,
free from malice, he followeth thus :

" Now is it not as earst it was,
For whether the Ocean will or nill,
He traverst is by hardy will :
Which pastime makes time so to passe."

And a little after he saith thus :

" Now every boate dares swimine, and sport
On surging Seas, fearing no wrack e ;
Passengers seeking what they lacke,
So long a voyage thinke but short.

" Nothing is no we more to discover,
No place is now left to surprise,
Townes now that for defence devise,
With new fortifications cover.

" All in the world turn'd round about,
No thing in place as 'twas enured,
Nothing vnseene, nothing assured
This Circle universe throughout.

" The Indian, whom at home heate fries,
Drinkes of Araxis waters cold :
The Persian, rich in gems and gold,
Wash in the Rhine and Elbe likewise."

Seneca did coniecture this by the great courage of men,
as that which shall happen last, saying, It shall fall out in
the latter age, etc., as hath bin before mentioned.

1 Antictonft.

D2

36 OPINION OF PLATO

CHAP, xii. — Of the opinion which Plato held of the West

Indies.

LIB. i. If any one hath treated more particularly of the west
~ Indies, the honor belongs to Plato, who in his Timoeus saith
thus : " In those dayes they could not sayle this Gulph"
(meaning the Atlantike Sea, which is the Ocean which
ineetes at the Straight of Gibraltar) " for that the passage
was stopped at the mouth of the pillars of Hercules" (which
is the same Straight of Gibraltar) " and this Hand was in
those dayes ioyned to the foresaid mouth, and was of that
bignesse as it exceeded all Asia and Affricke together ; and
then was there a passage to goe from these Hands to others,
and from those other Ilandes, they went to the firme Land,
the which was neere invironed with the very Sea". This is
reported by Critias in Plato. And such as beleeve that this
narration of Plato is a true Historic, delivered in these
terrnes, say that this great Atlanticke Hand, the which did
exceed both Affricke and Asia in greatnesse, did then com
prehend the greatest part of the Ocean called Atlantike,
which the Spaniards nowe sayle in ; and that those other
Hands, which, he sayde, were neere vnto this great one, are
those which wee now call the Hands of Barlovento j1 that is,
Cuba, Hispaniola, S. lohn de Port ricco,2 lamaica, and other
Hands of that Countrie ; and that the rnaine Land whereof
hee maketh mention, is the same wee now call Tierra Firme,
that is, Peru and America ; and that Sea, which he sayth is
adioyning to the Tierra Firme, is the South Sea, the which he
calleth the very Sea, for that in comparison of her greatnesse,
all other Seas, both Mediterranean, yea and the Atlantike
Sea, are small in regard thereof. Hereby in trueth they
give a cunning and wittie interpretation to these words of
Plato. But whether this interpretation should be held for
true or not, I am resolved to declare in another place.
1 The AYindwiird Islands. * Porto Rico.

WHETHER OPHIR IS PERU. 37

CHAP. xiu. — That some have held opinion that in places of

holy Scripture, whereas they speake of Ophir, is to

l>e vnderstood of our Peru.

Some hold opinion that mention is made of the West LlB-
Indies in the holy scripture, taking the region of Peru for
that Ophir which they make so famous. Eoberto Stefano, or
to say more truely Francisco Batablo, a man well scene in the
Hebrew toug (as I have heard our master report, who was his
disciple) saith in his annotations vpon the 9 chapter of the 3
booke of Kings, that the Hand of Hispaniola which Christo
pher Colornbus found out, was that of Ophir, from whence
Solomon caused to bee brought foure hundred and twentie ^J1-;1"' lib-
or foure hundred and 50 talents of most fine and pure golde,
for that the golde of Cibao which our men bring from Arias Mon-

*•* tanus in

Hispaniola, is of the same fashion and qualitie. And there p£2g!;uin

are many others which affirme that our Peru is Ophir, ca- 9-

deriving one name from another, who beleeve that when as

the booke of Paralipomenon1 was written, they called it ^Paraiip.,

Peru, grounding it vpon that which the holy scripture saith, 3

that they brought from Ophir pure gold, precious stones,

and wood which was rare and goodly — which things abound

in Peru, as they say. But in my opinion it is farre from

the truth, that Peru should be Ophir so famous in the

Bible. For although in this Peru there be good store of

gold, yet is there not yet such aboundance as it may be

equalled with the fame of the riches that was in auncient

time at the East Indies. I finde not that in Peru there are 2 Para.,™.

4 Reg., xxii.

such precious stones, or such exquisite woods, as the like 3 Res-, ix-
have not been seene at lerusalem. For although there be ex
quisite Emeralds, and some hard trees of Aromaticall wood,
yet do I not finde any thing of so great commendation as
the scripture giueth vnto Ophir. Moreover it seemes not

1 Chronicles.

38 FANCIED RESEMBLANCES OF NAMES.

LlB- '• likely that Solomon would leave tlie East Indies, most rich
and plentiful!, to send his fleetes to this farther land, whether
if they had come so often, as it is written, we had surely
found more signes and testimonies thereof. Moreover the
Etimologie of the name of Ophir, and the change or reduc
tion thereof to Peru, seemes to me of small consideration,
being most certaine that the name of Peru is not very
auncient, nor common to all that couiitrie.1 It hath beene
vsuall in the discoverie of the new world, to give names to
lands and portes of the sea according to the occasions pre
sented at their ariuall ; and I beleeve that the name of Peru
hath bene so found out and put in practice ; for we find heere
that the name hath bene given to all the countrie of Peru,
by reason of a river so called by the inhabitants of the
eountrie, where the Spaniards arrived vpon their first dis
coverie. Whereby we maintaine that the Indians them
selves bee ignorant, and do not vse this name and appella
tion to signifie their land. It seemeth moreover, the same
Authors will say, that Sefer spoken of in the scripture, is-
that which we now call Andes, which are most high moun-
taines in Peru. But this resemblance of names and appel
lations is no sufficient proofe. If that were of force, we
ifebel- clou* mi'g^^ as we^ Sa7 that Yucatan is lectan mentioned in the
LJcsan holy scripture. Neither may we say that the names of
Abraheex Titus and Paul, which the Kings Inguas2 of Peru do vse,
Gen. 'x'xv. come from the Romans or Christians, seeing it is too weake
an argument to draw a conclusion of great matters. We
see plainely that it is contrarie to the intention of the holy
scriptures, which some have written, that Tharsis and Ophir
were one Province or were reached in the same voyage, con
ferring the 22 chapter of the 4 booke of the Kings, with the

1 See my translation of the Royal Commentaries of Garcilasso de la
Vega, i, p. 27, for the derivation of the word Peru.

2 Titu and Paullu are names of several Yncas. Titu means "august"
or "magnanimous". — Royal Comm., i, p. 145.

OPHIE WAS IN THE EAST INDIES. 39

20 chapter of the second booke of Paralipomenon, for that LlB- r-
in the booke of the Kings, it is said that losaphat prepared
a fleete of shippes in Asiongaber to fetch golde at Ophir ;
and in Paralipomenon, it is written, that the same fleete was
furnished to go vnto Tharsis. Whereby it may be supposed
that in these fore- said bookes, where the scripture speakes
of Tharsis and Ophir, that it meanes one thing. Some one
may demaund what region or Province that Ophir was,
whether Solomons fleete went with the Mariners of Hyram
King of Tyre and Sidon to fetch gold. And whether King Jjj^'*
losaphats fleete, pretending to go, did suffer shipwracke
and perish in Asiongaber, as the holy scripture doth testifie.
In this I do willingly agree with the opinion of losephus, in
his books of Antiquities, where he saith that it is a Province
of the East Indies, the which was found by that Ophir the
sonne of lectan, whereof mention is made in the 10 of'GGn-x-
Genesis; and that Province did abound with most fine
gold. Thereof it comes, they did so much extol the gold of
Ophir or of Ophas, or as some wil say, this word of Obrise,
is the same with Ophrise, for finding there seven sortes or
kindes of gold, as S. lerome reportes, that of Ophir was
held for the most fine, as heere we esteem e the gold of
Yaldivia and Caravaya. The chiefest reason which moves
me to thinke that Ophir is at the East Indies and not in the
West, is, for that Solomons fleete could not come hither
without passing the East Indies, all China, and a great part of
the sea ; being vnlikely they would passe all over the world
to come thither for gold, that continent especially lying in
that sort, as they could not come to the knowledge thereof
by any voiage by land. And hereafter we wil shew that the
Ancients had never knowledge in the arte of Navigation,
without the which they could not runne so farce into the
sea. Finally, in these matters (when as there appeares
no certaine proofes, but onely light coniectures) we are not
bound to beleevc but what we shall thinke

40 IDENTIFICATION OF TARSHISH.

CHAP. xiv. — What Tharsis and Opliir signifie in the holy
Scripture.

LIB. i. if evcly mans coniecture and opinion may be allowed,
for my part I hold that in the holy scripture these words of
Tharsis and Ophir most commonly do not signifie any
certaine place ; but it is a word and signification generall
to the Hebrewes, as in our vulgar tongue this word of
Indies is generall vnto vs in our vsuall maner of speech ;
for wee meane by the Indies those rich countries which are
farre off, and strange vnto vs. So we Spaniards do in
differently call Indies, the countries of Peru, Mexico, China,
Malaca, and Bresil ; and from what parts soever of these
any letters come, wee say they bee from the Indies, which
countries be farre distant and different one from another.
Yet we cannot denie but that name of Indies is properly
to be vnderstood of the East Indies. And for that in olde
time they did speake of these Indies as of a countrie farre off,
so likewise in the discoverie of other remote lands, they
have given them the names of Indies, being distant from
the rest, and held as the end of the world. Even so, in
my iudgement, Tharsis in the holy scripture doth not
signifie any certaine and determined place, but onely regions
a farre off, and according to the vulgar opinion, very rich
and strange ; for that which losephus and some others
would affirme, that Tharsis is Tarsus, according to the
meaning of the scripture, in my opinion hath bene well

a?-ceMn refuted by S. lerome, not onely for that these wordes are

tomo. written with divers letters, the one with an aspiration, the
other without ; but also that many things are written of
Tharsis, which cannot agree with Tarsus, a Citie in Cilicia.
It is true, that in some places of the scripture, Tharsis is
said to be in Cilicia, the which you shall find in the booke

:dith ii. of ludith, speaking of Holophernes, who having passed the

MEANING OF THE WORD TAKSHISH. 41

limits of Assyria, he came to the great mountaines of Ange, LlB- *•
which perchance is Taurus, which hilles be on the left hand
of Cilicia, and that he entred into all the Castells, where he Lege nine,
assembled all his forces ; having destroyed tha.t famous Citie 27.
of Melithi, he ruined all the children of Tharsis and of
Israeli, which were ioyning vnto the desart, and those which
were in the South, towards the land of Cellon, and from
thence passed Euphrates ; but as I have saide, that which is
so written of Tharsis, cannot be applied to the Citie of ^^OTin
Tarsus. Theodoret and some others, following the inter
pretation of the 70, in some places they set Tharsis in
Affrike, saying it was the same Citie which was aunciently tLnus^iMd",
called Carthage, and is now the kingdome of Tunis ; and
they say that lonas ment to go thether, when, as the scrip
ture reports, that he fled from the Lord into Tharsis.
Others pretend that Tharsis is a certaine countrie of the
Indies, wherevnto it seemes that S. lerome is inclined. I will cei.' ad
not now decide these opinions, but I holde that in this case
the scripture doth not alwaies signifie one region or certaine
part of the world. It is true that the wise men or Kings
that came to worship Christ were of the East; and the
scripture saith they were of Saba, Esia, and Madian. And
some learned men holde that they were of Ethiopia, Arabia,
and Persia ; and yet the Psalmist and the Church sings
them, te The Kings of Tharsis shall bring presents." Wee
agree then with S. lerome, that Tharsis is a word that hath
many and divers significations in the scripture. Sometimes
it signifies the Crisolite, or lacinth stone, sometimes a
certaine region of the Indies, sometimes the sea, which is of
the colour of a lacinth by the reverberation of the sunne.
But the same Doctor doth with reason deny that Tharsis is
any region of the Indies whither lonas would fly, seeing
that parting from loppa, it had beene impossible to saile
vnto the Indies by that sea, for that loppa, which at this
day wee call laffa, is no port of the red Sea, ioyning to the

42 TAESISH A GENERAL TERM.

LlB- *• East Indian Sea, but of the Mediterranean Sea, which hath
no issue into the Indian. Whereby it doeth plainely ap-
peare that the voyage which Solomons Fleet made, parting
from Asiongaber (whereas the shippes of king losophat
were lost), went by the redde Sea to Tharsis and Ophir, the
which is directly testified in the Scripture. The which
voyage was very different from that which ionas pretended
to Tharsis ; seeing that Asiongaber is the port of a Cittie of
Idumea, seated vpon the Straight, whereas the red sea ioynes
with the great Ocean. From this Ophir and this Tharsis
they brought to Salomon gold, silver, Elephants teeth,1
Monkies, Indian Cocks,2 and their voyage was of three yeeres ;
all which without doubt ought to bee vnderstood of the East
Indies, which is fruitfull and aboundant of all these thinges,
as Pliuie testifieth, and our owne experience doth witnes.
From our Peru doubtlesse they could not bring any Ele
phants teeth, those beastes beeing vnknowne there; but
they might well bring gold, silver, and pleasant monkies.3
Finally, the holy Scripture, in my opinion, doth commonly
vnderstand by this word of Tharsis, eyther the great Sea,
or farre and strange Regions. So as he supposeth that the
prophecies which speake of Tharsis (seeing the spirit of
Prophecie may comprehend all things) may often be applied
to things of our new world.

CHAP. xv. — Of the Propliecie of Aldias, which some doe
interpret to be the Indies.

Many say and affirme that in the holy Scripture it was
foretold long before that this new worlde should be con
verted to lesus Christ by the Spanish nation, and to this
purpose they expound the text of the Prophecie of Abdias,
which say th thus : " And the transmigration of this host of

1 "Marfil." 2 u Paves/' 3 " Monos muy graciosos."

THE PEOPHECY OF OBAIUAH. 43

the children of Ishmael shall possesse all the dwellings of the LTB- *•
Cananites vnto Sarepte, and the transmigration of Jerusa
lem, which is at Bosforo, shall possesse the Citties of the
South, and they that shall save, shall come vp to the hill of
Sion to iudge the mount of Esau, and the kingdom e shall
bee the Lordes."1 There is no sufficient testimony of the
Ancients, nor pertinent reasons to proove that Sepharad,
which S. lerome doth interpret the JBosphor or Straight,
and the 70 Interpreters Euphrates, should signifie Spaine,
but onely the opinion of some who hold it. Others
alleage the Caldean Paraphrase, which is of this opinion,
and the ancient Rabbins, which .expound it on this sort ;
as also that Zarphat is France, which the vulgar and the 70
Interpreters call Sarepta. But leaving this dispute, which
belongs to men of more leisure, what necessitie is there to
beleeve that the citties of the South or of Negeb (as the
70 write) be those of this new world? Moreover, what need
is there to beleeve and to take the Spanish Nation for the
transmigration from lerusal.em to Sapharad, vnlesse we
will vnderstand lerusalem spiritually, and thereby the
Church? So as by the transmigration from lerusalem to
Sapharad, the holy spirite shewes vs the children of the
holy Church, which inhabit the ends of the earth and the
banks of the Sea, for so is Sapharad vnderstood in the
Syrian tongue, and doth well agree with our Spaine, which
according to the Ancients is the ende of 'the earth, beeing
in a manner all invironed with Sea. And by the Citties of
the South we may well vnderstand these Indies, seeing the
greatest part of this newe worlde is seated in the South,
and the better part looks to the Pole Antartike. That

1 "And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall
possess that of the Canaanites even unto Zarephath, and the captivity
of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.
And saviours shall come up on Mount Zion to judge the Mount of
Esau ; and the kingdom shall be the Lord s." — Obadiah, verses 20, 21.

44 PROPHECY OF ISATAH.

LIB. i. which followeth is easie to interpret, viz., " They which.
procure Salvation shall ascend the hill of Sion to iudge the
mount of Esau". For wee may say they vnite themselves
to the doctrine and strength of the holy Church, which
seeke to breake and disperse the prophane errors of the
Gentiles, for that may be interpreted to iudge the mount of
Esau, whereby it folio wes that in those daies the Realme
shall neyther bee for the Spaniards nor for them of Europe,
but for lesus Christ our Saviour. Whosoever shall expound
the Prophecie of Abdias1 in this sort ought not to be blamed;
being most certaine that the holy Spirit did vnderstand all
secrets long before. And it seemes j there is great reason to
beleeve that mention is made in the holy Scripture of a
matter of such importance as the discoverie of the Indies, of
the new world, and their conversion to the faith. Isaias

ta^oin- sa^h in these wordes : t: Oh the wings of ships which come

p. from the other part of Ethiopia."2 Many learned Authors

hold that al this Chapter is vnderstood of the Indies ; and

y. ixvi. that same Prophet in an other place saith : " Those which
shall escape out of Israel shal goe farre off to Tharsis and to
remote Hands, where they shal convert many Nations vnto
the Lord." Amongest the which hee names Greece, Italie,
Affricke, with many others ; the which without doubt may
well bee applied vnto the conversion of the Indies. Being
most certaine that the Gospel shall be preached generally
throughout the world, as our Saviour hath promised, and
then the ende of the world shall come. It followes then,
and so we ought to vnderstand it, that there be many
Nations vpon the face of the earth to whom lesus Christ
hath not yet been preached. Whereby we may gather that
there remained a great part of the world vnknowne to the
Ancients, and that yet at this day there is a good part to
discover.

1 Obadiah.

2 " Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers
of Ethiopia." — Jaaiah xviii, 1.

THE PEOPLING OF THE NEW WOULD. 45

CHAP. xvi. — By wliat meanes the first men might come to the
Indies, the which was not willingly, nor of set purpose.

Now it is time to make answer to such as say there are !*">• i.
no Antipodes, and that this region where we live cannot bee
inhabited. The huge greatnes of the Ocean did so amaze
S. Augustine as he could not conceive how mankind could
passe to this new-found world. But seeing on the one side
wee know for certaine that many yeeres agoe there were
men inhabiting in these parts, so likewise we cannot deny
but the scripture doth teach vs cleerely that all men are
come from the first man, without doubt we shall be forced
to beleeve and confesse that men have passed hither from
Europe, Asia, or Affricke, yet must wee discover by what
meanes they could passe. It is not likely that there was an
other Noes Arke by the which men might be transported
into the Indies, and much lesse any Angell to carie the
first man to this new world, holding him by the haire of the
head, like to the Prophet Abacuc ; for we intreat not of the
mightie power of God, but only of that which is conform
able vnto reason, and the order and disposition of humane
things. Wherefore these two things ought to be held for
wonderfull and worthie of admiration, yea, to bee numbred
among the secrets of God. The one is, how man could
passe so huge a passage by Sea and Lande ; the other is,
that there beeing such multitudes of people they have yet
beene vnknowne so many ages. For this cause I demaund,
by what resolution, force or Industrie, the Indians could
passe so large a Sea, and who might be the Inventer of so
strange a passage ? Truely I have often times considered
thereof with my selfe, as many others have done, but never
could I finde any thing to satisfie mee. Yet will I say what
I have conceived, and what comes presently into my minde,
seeing that testimonies faile mee whom I might follow,

46 PEOPLING OF THE NEW WORLD.

LlBtI> suffering myselfe to be guided by the rule of reason, although
it be very subtill. It is most certaine that the first men
* came to this land of Peru by one of these two meanes,
either by land or by sea. If they came by sea, it was
casually, and by chance, or willingly, and of purpose. I
vnderstand by chance being cast by force of some storme or
tempest, as it happens in tempestuous times. I meane
done of purpose, when they prepared fleetes to discover
new lands. Besides these two meanes I see it is not pos
sible to find out any other, if wee will follow the course of
humane things and not devise fabulous and poeticall fictions;
for no man may thinke to finde another Eagle as that of
Uanimede, or a flying Horse like vnto Perseus, that should
carie the Indians through the aire ; or that peradventure
those first men haue vsed fishes, as Mirtnaids, or the fish
called a Nicholas,1 to passe them thither. But laying aside
these imaginations and fopperies,2 let vs examine these two
meanes, the which will bee both pleasant and profitable. First,
in my iudgement, it were not farre from reason to say that the
first and auncient people of these Indies have dipcovered
and peopled after the same sort as wee do at this day, that
is, by the Arte of Navigation and aide of Pilots, the which
guide themselves by the heigth and knowledge of the hea
vens, and by their industrie in handling and changing of
their sailes according to the season. Why might not this
well be ? Must we beleeve that we alone, and in this our
ao*e, have onely the Arte and knowledge to saile through
the Ocean ? Wee see even now that they cut through the
Ocean to discover new lands, as not long since Alvaro Men-
dana and his companions did, who parting from the Port of
Lima came alongst the West to discover the land which
lieth Eastward from Peru ; and at the end of three moueths
they discovered the Hands which they call the Hands of

1 " Pexes Syrenas y Nicolaos."
* " Platicaa de burlas."

PEOPLING OF THE NEW WORLD. 47

Salomon,1 which are many and very great, and by all likele- LlB- T-
hood they lie adioyning to new Guinnie, or else are very
neere to some other firme land. And even now by com-
inandernent from the King and his Counsell they are re
solved to prepare a new fleete for these Hands.2 Seeing it
is thus, why may we not suppose that the Ancients had the
courage and resolution to travell by sea, with the same
intent to discover the land, which they call Anticthon, oppo
site to theirs, and that, according to the discourse of their
Philosophie, it should be with an intent not to rest vntill
they came in view of the landes they sought ? Surely there
is no repugnancie or contrarietie in that which wee see
happen at this day, and that of former ages, seeing that the
holy scripture doth witnes that Solomon tooke Masters and
Pilots from Tyre and Sidon, men very expert in Naviga- 1 ^™"xi
tion, who by their industry performed this voiage in three
yeeres. To what end thinke you doth it note the Arte of
Mariners and their knowledge, with their long voiage of
three yeeres, but to give vs to vnderstand that Solomons
fleete sailed through the great Ocean ? Many are of this
opinion, which thinke that S. Augustine had small reason
to wonder at the greatnes of the Ocean, who might well
coniecture that it was not so difficult to saile through, con
sidering what hath been spoken of Solomons Navigation.
But to say the truth, I am of a contrary opinion, neither can ^
I perswade my selfe that the first Indians came to this new
world of purpose, by a determined voiage ; neither will I
yeeld, that the Ancients had knowledge in the Art of
Navigation, whereby men at this day passe the Ocean, from
one part to another, where . they please, the which they
performe with an incredible swiftnes and resolution ; nei
ther do I finde in all Antiquities any markes or testimonies
of so notable a thing and of so great importance. Besides,

1 In 1567.

4 The second expedition of Mendaiia sailed from Peru in 1595.

48 THE ANCIENTS IGNORANT OF THE COMPASS.

LIB. i.

I finde not that in ancient bookes there is any mention
made of the vse of the Tinan or Loadstone,1 nor of the Com-
passe to saile by ;2 yea, I beleeve they had no knowledge
thereof. And if we take away the knowledge of the coin-
passe to saile by, we shall easily iudge how impossible it
was for them to passe the great Ocean. Such as haue any
knowledge of the sea vnderstand me well ; for that it is as
easie to beleeve that a Mariner in full sea can direct his
course where hee please without a compasse, as for a blinde
man to shew with his finger any thing, be it neere or farre
off. And it is strange that the Ancients have been so long
ignorant of this excellent proper tie of the load stone ;
piin.,iib. for Plinie, who was so curious in naturall causes, writing1 of

in, cap. 6; fc>

xxxivbcap ^is load stone, speakes nothing of that vertue and pro-
lib! Vii,acap. pertie it hath, alwaies to turne the iron which it toucheth
towards the North, the which is the most admirable vertue
Dios.,iib. it hath. Aristotle, Theophrastus, Dioscorides, Lucretius,

v, cap. 10.

Lncret., nor any other Writers or naturall Philosophers that I have
scene, make any mention thereof, although they treat of the

AIIP:. do ]oa(j stone. Saint Augustine, writing many and sundry

^vbunuit"' properties and excellencies of the load stone in his bookes
e' of the Citie of God, speakes nothing thereof. And with
out doubt all the excellencies spoken of this stone are
nothing in respect of this strange propertie, looking alwaies
towards the North, which is a great wonder of nature.

pun., lib. There is yet another argument, for Plinie, treating of the
first in venters of Navigation, and naming all the instru
ments, yet he speakes nothing of the cornpasse to saile
by, nor of the load stone. I say onely, that the art to
know the starres was invented by the Phceniciens. And
there is no doubt but whatsoever the Ancients knew of the
Art of Navigation was onely in regard of the starres, and
observing the Shoares, Capes, and differences of landes.

1 "Iman" — the load stone.

2 " Aguja de Marear" — Mariner's compass.

THE ANCIENTS IGNORANT OF THE COMPASS. (-0

And if tbey had once lost the sight of land, they knew not LtB- r-
which way to direct their course, but by the Stars, Sunne,
and Moone, and that failing (as it doth often in a darke
and cloudie season) they did governe themselves by the
qualitie of the winds, and by coniecture of the waies which
they had passed. Finally, they went as they were guided
by their owne motions. As at the Indies, the Indians saile
a long way by sea, guided onely by their owne Industrie
and natural instinct. And it semes greatly to purpose that
which Plinie writes of the Handlers of Taprobana (which at
this day we call Sumatra), speaking in this sort, when as
he treates of the art and Industrie they vse in sailing.
<c Those of Taprobana see not the North to saile by, which
defect they supply with certaine small birdes they carrie
with them, the which they often let flie, and as those
birdes by a natural! instinct flie alwaies towards the land,
so the Mariners direct their course after them." Who
doubtes then if they had had any knowledge of the com-
passe they would not have vsed these little birdes for their
guides to discover the Land. To conclude, this sufficeth to
shew that the Ancients had no knowledge of the secrets of
the Loadstone, seeing that for so notable a thing there is
no proper word in Latine, Greeke, or Hebrew, for a thing
of such importance could not have wanted a name in these
tongues if they had knowne it. Wherevpon the Pilots at
this day, to direct him his course that holds the helme, sit
aloft in the poope of the Shippe, the better to observe the
compasse; whereas in olde time they sat in the prow of the
Shippe to marke the differences of lands and seas, from
which place they commaunded the Helme as they vse at
this day at the entrie or going out of any Port or haven,
and therefore the Greekes called Pilots Proritas, for that
they remained still in the prow.

50 VIRTUES OF THE LOAD-STONE.

CHAP. xvu. — Of the properties and admirable vertue of the

Adamant stone for Navigation, whereof the Ancients

had no knowledge.

LIB. i. By that which hath been formerly spoken, it appeares
~~ that the Navigation to the Indies is as certaine and as
short as wee are assured of the Adamant stone. And at
this day we see many that have sailed from Lisbone to Goa,
from Siville to Mexico, and through all the South sea, even
vnto China, and to the straight of Magellan, and that as
certainely and as easily as the Husbandman goeth from
his Farme vnto the Citie. We have also seene men that
have made fifteene, yea, eighteene voiages to the Indies,
and we have heard speake of some Ancients which have
made above twentie voiges, passing and repassing the
great Ocean, in the which they have not seene any signes
of such as have traveled nor met with any passengers to
Sap. iv. demand the way of them. For as the Wise man saith, "a
ship cutteth the waves of the water leaving no way where it
passeth, nor any path in the flouds."1 But by the vertue and
propertie of the Adamant stone it makes as it were a beaten
path in this Ocean. The high Creator of all things having
imparted this vertue vnto it, that by the touch of iron it
hath alwaies his motion and aspect towards the North, in
what part of the world soever you be. Some search what
should be the cause of this wonderfull propertie, and ima
gine I know not what sirnpathie. But for my part I take
more pleasure and content in the consideration of these
wonders to praise the power and greatnes of the Almightie,
and reioyce in the contemplation of his admirable workes,
and to say with Solomon, speaking vpon this subiect, " O

1 " As a ship that passeth over the waves of the water, which, when
it is gone by, the trace thereof cannot be found, neither the pathway of
the keel in the waves." — Wisdom of Solomon, v. 10.

DISCOVERY OP THE COMPASS. 51

father whose providence governes and maintaines a peece LIB-I-
of wood, giving it an assured way vpon the sea, and in the Sap xiv
midst of the swelling waves, to shew that in the like sort
thou canst save and deliver man from all perill and ship-
wracke; yea, although he were in the midst of the sea
without shippe. But for that thy works are full of wise-
dome, men hazard their lives in a small peece of wood, and
passe through the sea in a shippe and are saved."1 And
vpon the same subiect the Psalmist saieth, "They which go Psai.cvi.
to the sea in shippes and trafficke by the great waters,
have seene the workes of the Lord and his wonders in the
depth of the sea/' And in truth it is not one of the least
wonders of God that the force of so small a stone should
command the sea and force the infinite depth thereof to
obey him and follow his commandement. But for that it is
an vsuall thing and seernes easie men do not admire it nor
take any great regard thereof, and for that his bountie is
such the ignorant make lesse account thereof. Notwith
standing, such as will duly consider it, are led by reason to
blesse the wisedome of (rod, and to give him thankes for so
great a benefite. Being then decreed in heaven that these
nations of the Indies which have lyen so long hidden should
bee knowne and discovered, and that this rowt should be
frequented to the end so many soules should come to the
knowledge of lesus Christ and winne eternall life. There was
an assured guide provided for such as travell that way, that is,
the Compasse to saile by, and the vertue of the Adamant stone.
Wee doe not certainely know at what time this Art of sail
ing was brought to light. But for my part I hold for cer-
taine that it is not verie ancient, for besides the reasons
alleadged in the former chapter, I have not read in any
ancient Author, treating of dialles, any mention made of the
Adamant. And yet, undoubtedly, the principall and most
necessarie instrument for sunne dialls which we vse at this
1 Wisdom of Solomon, xiv, 3, 4, 5.

K 2

52 VARIATION OF THE COMPASS.

LlE; T- day is the needle of iron touched with the Adamant stone.

Some approved Authors write in the Historie of the East

Indies that the first which began to discover this secret was

vpon the sea was Vasco da Gama, who,, in the heigth of

Mosambique, met with certaine Mariners Moores which vsed

iiiust. this compasse or needle to saile by, and by the meanes

?n.,iib.ii, thereof he sailed through those seas; yet they write not

.Vii.'ca. from whom they learned this Art. And some amongst
them are of our opinion, that the Ancients were ignorant of
this secret. Moreover, I will shew a greater wonder of the
needle to saile by, which we might hold incredible, if we
had not proofe thereof by vndoubted experience. The iron
touched or rubbed with that part of the Adamant stone
which is towards the South, hath this vertue, to turuo
alwaies and in all places to the contrarie, which is the
North. Yet doth it not in all places directly regard it, but
hath certaine points and climats, where it directly regardes
the North and their staies; but changing this climate, it-
inclines a little, either to the East, or to the West, the
farther it goes from this climat, which the Mariners cal
North-east, or North-west, which is to say, coasting or in
clining to the East or to the West. And it is a thing; of

o O

such consequence to vnderstand this declining or coasting
of the needle, that if they observe it not advisedly, although •
it bee small, they shall stray wonderfully in their course, j
and arrive in another place then where they pretended to
go. Once a very expert Pilot of Portugal told mee that 7
there were foure poyntes in all the world, whereas the [
needle looked directly towards the North, the which hee (
named, but I do not Well remember them. One is in the /)
height of the Hand of Corvo at the Terceres or AQores,
which is very well knowne to all men; but passing to a
greater altitude it declines to the West, and contrariwise,
drawing to a lesse altitude towardes the Equinoctiall it
leanes to the East. TLe masters of this Arfce can well tell

53

how farre and how much. For my part I would gladly LlB- r-
know, of such as presume to knowe all thinges, what should
bee the cause of this effect, and for what reason a little yron
touched with the Adamant stone receyves such vertue as to
looke alwayes towards the North, and with such dexteritie,
that it vnderstandeth the sundry Climates and scituations
of the world; and which way it should turn and incline, as
well as any Philosopher or Cosmographer whatsoever. And
seeing wee cannot well discover the causes and reasons of
these thinges which wee see dayly, without doubt they were
very hard to beleeve if they were not apparent. Herein we
discover our follie and vanitie, to make ourselves iudges
and to subiect divine and high things to our reason and
discourse. It is therefore better, as S. Gregorie the divine
sayth, to subiect reason vnto faith, for that in her owne
mansion she hath no governernent. But this shall suffice.
Let vs returne to our purpose, and conclude that the vse of
the needle to sayle by was vnknowne to the Ancients,
whereby we may resolve that it was impossible to make a
determined voyage, parting from the other world, to come
to this by the Ocean,

CHAP. xvin. — Wherein an answer e is made to them that say

tJtat in times passed they have sayled through the

Ocean as at this day.

That which is alleaged to the contrary of that which hath
beene spoken, that Salomans Fleet sayled in three yeeres,
is no sufficient proofe, seeing the holy Scripture doth not
directly affirrne, that this voyage continued three yeeres,
but that it was made once in three yeeres. And although
wee graunt that the voyage lasted three yeeres, it might
bee, as it is likely, that this Fleet sayling towards the
East Indies was stayed in their course? by the diversitie of

54 AMERICA DISCOVERED BY CHANCE.

LIB. i. Ports and Regions, which they discovered; as at this day,
in all the South Sea, they sayle from Chile to newe Spaine,
the which voyage, although it bee more certaine, yet is it
longer by reason of the turnings they are forced to make
vpon the Coast, and they stay in divers Fortes. And in
trueth I doe not find in ancient bookes that they have
lanched farre into the Ocean, neyther can I beleeve that
this their say ling was otherwise then they vse at this day
in the Mediterranean Sea; which makes learned men to
coniecture that in old time they did not sayle without
owers,1 for that they went alwayes coasting along the
shoare; and it seems the holy Scripture doth testifie as
much, speaking of that famous voyage of the Prophet lonas,
where it sayes, that the Marriners being forced by the
weather, rowed to land.

CHAP. xix. — That we may coniecture hoiu the first inhabitants

of the Indies came thither by force of weather, and
not willingly.

Having shewed that there is no reason to beleeve that
the first Inhabitants of the Indies came thither purposely,
it followeth then, that if they came by Sea, it was by chance
or by force of weather, the which is not incredible, notwith
standing the vastnesse of the Ocean, seeing the like hath
happened in our time, when as that Marriner, whose name
we are yet ignorant of, to the end so great a worke, and of
such importance, should not be attributed to any other
Author then to God, having, through tempest, discovered
this new world, left for payment of his lodging, where he
had received it, to Christopher Columbus, the knowledge of
so great a secret.2 Even so it might chance that some of

1 " Que antiguamente no navegaban sin remos."

2 On this story, see my note in the first volume of the Royal Com
mentaries of Garcilasso de la Vega, p. 24.

VOYAGES OF THE ANCIENTS. 55

Europe or Affricke in times past, have bin driven by foule LlB- '•
weather, and cast vpon vnknowne lands beyond the Ocean.
Who knoweth not that most, or the greatest part of the
Regions in this newe world, were discovered by this meanes,
the which we must rather attribute to the violence of the
weather then to the spirit and Industrie of those which
have discovered. And to the end we may know that it is
not in our time onely that they have vndertaken such voiages,
through the greatnesse of our shippes, and the valour and
courage of our men, we may reade in Plinie that many of
the Ancients have made the like voyages, he writes in this
manner : ( ' It is reported that Caius Csesar, sonne to ;
Augustus Ctesar, having charge vpon the Arabian Sea, did
there see and finde certaine pieces and remainders of
Spanish shippes that had perished." And after he saith :
"Nepos reportes of the Northerne circuite, that they
brought to Quintus Metellus Ceeler, companion in the
Consulship to Caius Affranius (the same Metellus being
then Proconsull in Gaule) certaine Indians which had beene
presented by the King of Suevia; the which Indians,
sailing from India, for their trafficke, were cast vpon
Germanie by force of tempest." Doubtles, if Plinie speaketh
truth, the Portugales in these daies, saile no further then ;
they did in those two shipwrackes, the one from Spaine to
the Red Sea, the other from the East Indies to Germanie.
The same Author writes in another place that a servant of
Annius Plocanius, who farmed the customes of the Red Sea,
sailing the course of Arabia, there came so furious' a
Northerne wind, that in fifteene daies he passed Caramania
and discovered Hippuros, a port in Taprobane, which at
this day we call Sumatra. And they report of a shippe of
Carthage, which was driven out of the Mediterranean Sea
by a Northerne wind, to the view of this new world. The
which is no strange thing to such as have any knowledge of
the sea, to know that sometimes a storme continues long

56 ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERY Oi' AME1ITCA.

LIB. i. an(j furious, without any intermission. I my selfe going to
the Indies, parting from the Canaries, have in fifteene daies
discovered the first land peopled by the Spaniards. And
without doubt this voiage had been shorter, if the Mariners
had set vp all their sailes to the Northerne winds that blew.
It seemes therefore likely to me that, in times past, men
came to the Indies against their wills, driven by the furie
of the winds. In Peru, they make great mention of cer-
taine Giants, which have been in those parts, whose bones
are yet seene at Manta and Puerto Viejo, of a huge greatnes,
and by their proportion they should be thrice as big as the
Indians.1 At this day they report that the Giants caine by
sea, to make warre with those of the Countrie, and that
they made goodly buildings, whereof at this day they shew
a well, built with stones of great price. They say moreover,
that these men committing abominable sinucs, especially
against nature, were consumed by fire from heaven. In
. like sort, the Indians of Yea and Arica report, that in old
• time they were wont to saile farre to the Hands of the
West, and made their voiages in Scales skinnes blowne up.2
So as there wants no witnesses to prove that they sailed in
the South sea before the Spaniards came thither. Thus we
may well couiecture that the new world began to be in
habited by men that have been cast vpon that coast by the
violence of the Northerne winds, as wee have seene in
our age. So it is, being a matter verie considerable, that
the workes of nature of greatest importance for the most
part have been found out accidentally, and not by the In
dustrie and diligence of man. The greatest part of phisicall
hearbes, of Stones, Plants, Mettalls, Perle, gold, Adamant,
Amber, Diamont, and the most part of such like things,
with their properties and vertues, have rather come to the

1 Sec my note on the story of these giants at page 190 of my transla
tion of Cieza de Leon.

* See my Introduction to the translation of Cit^t de Leon. p. xlv.

AMERICA PEEHAPS PEOPLED BY LAND. 57

knowledge of men by chance then by art or Industrie, to LlB- r-
the end wee may know that the glorie and praise of such
wonders should be attributed to the providence of the
Creator, and not to mans vnderstanding ; for that which we
thinke to happen accidently proceedes alwaies from the
ordinance and disposition of God, who does all things with
reason.

CHAP. xx. — Notwithstanding all that hath bene said, it is

more likely that the first inhabitants of the Indies

came by land.

I conclude then, that it is likely the first that came to
the Indies was by shipwracke and tempest of wether, but
heereupon groweth a difficultie which troubleth me much.
For, suppose wee grant that the first men came from farre
Countries, and that the nations which we now see are
issued from them and multiplied, yet can I not coniecture
by what meanes brute beastes, whereof there is great
aboundance, could come there, not being likely they should
have bin imbarked and carried by sea. The reason that
inforceth us to yeeld that the first men of the Indies are
come from Europe or Asia, is the testirnonie of the holy
scripture, which teacheth us plainely that all men came
from Adam. We can therefore give no other beginning to
those at the Indies, seeing the holy scripture saieth, that Gen.
all beasts and creatures of the earth perished but such as
were reserved in the Arke of Noe, for the multiplication
and maintenance of their kinde; so as we must necessarily
referre the multiplication of all beastes to those which came
out of the Arke of Noe, on the mountaines of Ararat, where
it staied. And by this meanes we must seeke out both for
men and beastes the way whereby they might passe from the
old world to this new. Saint Augustine, treating vpon
this question, by what reason you shall finde in some llandes

58 HOW BEASTS REACHED THE NEW WORLD.

LIB. i. Wolves, Tigers, and other ravenous beastes, which breede

Aug., lib. no profit to men, seeing there is no doubt but Elephants,

capd67. imt'' Horses, Oxen, Dogges, and other beastes which serve
man to vse, have been expresly carried in shippes, as we
see at this day brought from the East into Europe, and
transported from Europe to Peru, although the voiages be
verie long. And by what meanes these beastes which yeeld
no profit, but are very hurtefull (as Wolves and others of
that wilde nature), should passe to the Indies, supposing, as
it is certaine, that the deluge drowned all the earth. In
which Treatise this learned and holy man laboures to free
himselfe of these difficulties, saying that they might swim
vnto these Hands, or that some have carried them thither
for their delight in hunting; or that, by the will of God,
they had been newly created of the earth, after the same

Gen. i. maner of the first creation, when God said, " Let the earth
bring forth everie living- thing according to his kinde,
Cattle, and creeping Wormes, and the beastes of the field,
every one in his kinde." But if we shall apply this solu
tion to our purpose the matter will remaine more doubt-
full, for, beginning at the last point, it is not likely, accord
ing to the order of Nature, nor conformable to the order of
government established by God, that perfect creatures, as
Lions, Tigers, and Wolves, should be engendered of the
earth, as we see that Eattes, Frogges, Bees, and other
imperfect creatures are commonly engendered. Moreover,
to what purpose is that which the scripture saieth, and

Gen. vii. doth so often repeate, " Thou shalt take of all the beastes
and birdes of the aire, seven and seven, male and female,
to maintaine generation vpon earth"; if such beasts after
the deluge should be created againe after a new kinde of
creation without coniunction of male and female. And
heerevpon might grow another question. Seeing such crea
tures are breeding on the earth (according to this opinion)
wherefore are they not likewise in all other partos of the

HOW LEASTS REACHED THE NEW WORLD. 59

maine Land, arid in many Ilandes, seeing wee must not LlB- s-
rogarde the naturall order of creation but the bountie of the
Creator. On the other part, I will not hold it for a thing
incredible that they have carried some of these beastes for
the pleasure of hunting, for that we often see Princes and
great men keepe and nourish in their cages (onely for their
pleasure and greatnesse) both Lyons, Beares, and other
savage beastes, especially when they are brought from farre
Countries; but to speake that of Woolves, Foxes, and other
beasts which yeeld no profite, and have nothing rare and
excellent in them but to hurt the cattell; and to say also
that they have carried them by sea for hunting, truely it is
a thing that hath no sense. Who can imagine that in so
long a voyage men would take the paynes to carrie Foxes to
Peru, especially of that kind which they call Anas,1 which is
the filthiest that I have seene ? Who woould likewise say
that they have carried Tygers and Lyons ? Truely it were a
thing worthy the laughing at to thinke so. It was suffi
cient, yea, very much, for men, driven against their willes
by tempest, in so long and vnknowne a voyage, to escape
the danger of the Sea with theyr own© lives without busy
ing themselves to carrie Woolves and Foxes, and to nourish
them at Sea. If these beasts then came by Sea, wee must
beleeve it was by swimming, which may happen in some
Hands not farre distant from others, or from the mayne
Land, the which wee cannot denie, seeing the experience
wee have, and that wee see these beasts, beeing prest to
swimme day and night without wearinesse, and so to escape.
But this is to be vnderstood in smal Straights and passages,
for in our Ocean they would mocke at such swimmers, when
as birds faile in their flight, yea, those of the greatest wing,
vpon the passage of so great a Gulph. And although we
finde small birdes, which flie above one hundred leagues, as

1 Anas, the Quichua for a small fox. A toe is another word for a fox
(Cants Azcinv).

60 PliOPHECY OF EEH RING'S STRAITS.

LIB. i. wo }iave often seene in our travel, yet it is a matter impos
sible, at the least very difficult, for birdes to passe all the
Ocean. All this beeing true which wee have spoken, what
way shall wee make for beastes and birdes to goe to the
Indies ? and how can I say they passed from one worlde to
an other ? i. I coniecture then, by the discourse I have made,
that the new world, which we call Indies, is not altogether
severed and disioyned from the other world ; and to
speake my opinion, I have long beleeved that the one and
the other world are ioyned and continued one with another
in some part, or at the least are very neere. And yet to
this day there is no certaine knowledge of the contrary.
For towards the Articke or Northerne Pole all the longitude
- of the earth is not discovered,! and many hold that above
Florida the Land runnes out very large towards the North,
and as they say ioynes with the Scithike or German Sea.
Others affirme that a Ship sayling in that Sea reported to
have scene the coast of Bacalaos1 which stretcheth almost to
the confines of Europe. ^Moreover, no man knowes how
farre the land runnes beyond the Cape of Mendozino2 in the
South sea, but that they affirme it is a great Continent
which runnes an infinite length]; and returning to the South-
erne Pole no man knowes the lands on the other part of the
Straight of Magellan. A ship belonging to the Bishoppe of
Plasencia, which passed the Straight, reports to have sayled
alwayes within sight of land; the like Hernando Lamero a
Pilot doth affirme, who, forced by foule weather, passed two
or three degrees above the sayd Straight. So as there is no
reason or experience that doth contradict my conceit and
opinion, which is, that the whole earth is vnited and ioyned
in some part, or at the least the one approcheth neere vnto
the other. If this be true, as in effect there is some likely-
hood, the answere is easie to the doubt we have pro
pounded, how the first Inhabitants could passe to the Indies.
1 Newfoundland. '2 Cape Mendocino, in California.

THE INDIANS COULD ONLY MARK SHORT VOYAGES. Gl

For that wee must beleeve they could not so conveniently LTB- J-
come thither by Sea as travelling by Land,, which might be
done without consideration in changing by little and little
their lands and habitations. Some peopling the lands they
found, and others seeking for uewe, in time they came to
inhabite and people the Indies, with so many nations,
people, and tongues as we see.

CFTAP. xxi. — By what meanes tame Beasts passed to the
Indies.

The signes and arguments, which offer themselves to
such as are curious to examine the Indians manors and
fashions, helpe much to maintayne the foresayd opinion ;
for that you shall not finde any inhabiting the Hands that
are farre from the maine Land, or from other Hands, as the
Bermudes, the reason whereof is, for that the Ancients did
never sayle but alongst the coast, and in view of land ;
whereupon, it is reported that they have found no great
Ships in any part of the Indies capable to passe such Grulphs,
but onely Balsaes, Barkes, and Canoes, which are all lesse
then our long boates, the which the Indians doe onely vse,
with the which they could not runne through so great a
Passage, without apparent danger of ship-wracke, and
although their shippes had been sufficient, yet had they no
knowledge of the Astrolabe or Compasse. If then they had
beene but eight or tenne dayes at Sea without sight of land,
they must of necessitie loose themselves, having no know
ledge where they were. Wee know many Ilandes well
peopled with Indians, and their usuall navigations, the
which was such, as they may well perforrne in Canoes and
boats, without any Compasse to sayle by. Whenas the In
dians of Peru, which remayne at Tumbez, did see our first
Spanish shippes sayling to Peru, and viewed the greatnosso

62 ANIMALS ON THE ISLANDS.

LIB. i. Of their sailes, being spread, and of the bodies of the ships,
they stood greatly amazed, not beeing able to perswade
themselves that they were shippes, having never seene any
of the like forme and greatnesse, they supposed they had
beene rockes. But, seeing them advance, and not to sincke,
they stood transported with amazement, vntill that, behold
ing them neerer, they discovered men with beards that
walked in them, whom then they held for some gods or
heavenly creatures. Whereby it appears how strange it
was to the Indians to have great Ships. There is yet
an other reason, which confirm es vs in the foresayd opinion,
which is, that these beastes (which we say are not likely to
have been transported by Sea to the Indies) remayne onely
on the maine Land, and not in any Hands foure dayes
iorney from the maine Land. I have made this search for
proofe thereof, for that it seems to me a point of great im
portance, to confirme me in mine opinion, that the confines
of the Indies, Europe, Asia, and Affricke have some com
munication one with another, or at the least, approch very
neere together. There are in America and Peru many
wilde beastes, as Lyons, although they be not like in great-
nesse, fiercenesse, nor of the same colour, redde, to the re
nowned Lyons of Affrica. There are also many Tygers,
very cruell, and more to the Indians then to the Spaniardes;
there are likewise Beares, but in no great aboundance ; of
Boares and Foxes an infinite number. And yet if wee
shall seeke for all these kindes of beastes in the Hands of
Cuba, Hispaniola, lamaica, Marguerita, or Dominica, you
shall not finde any. So as in the sayde Hands, although
they were very fertile, and of a great circuit, yet was there
not any kind of beastes for service when the Spaniards
arrived; but at this day there are so great troopes of
Horses, Oxen, Kyne, Dogs, and Hogges, which have multi
plied in such abundance, as now the Kine have no certaine
master, but belong to him that shal first kil them, be it on

ANIMALS REACH ISLANDS BY SWIMMING. 63

the mountaines or on the plaines j which the Indians do, LlB- x-
onely to save their hides, whereof they make great traffick,
without any regard of the flesh to eate it. Dogges have so
increased, as they march by troopes, and endammage the
cattel no lesse than wolves, which is a great inconvenience
in these Hands. There wants not onely beastes in these
Hands ; but also birdes, both great and small. As for
Parrots, there are many that flie by flockes ; but, as I have
said, there are few of any other kinde. I have not seene
nor heard of any Partriges there, as in Peru. Likewise,
there are few of those beastes which at Peru they call
guanacos, and vicunas, like to wilde goates, very swifte, in
whose stomacke they find the bezoar stone, which many
do greatly value ; sometimes you shall finde them as bigge
as a hens egge, yea, halfe as bigge againe. They have no
other kinde of beastes, but such as we call Indian sheepe,
the which, besides their wooll and flesh (wherewith they
clothe and feede themselves), do serve them as Asses to
beare their burthens. They carrie halfe as much as a
mule, and are of small charge to their masters, having neede
neither of shooes, saddle, nor oates to live by, nor of
any furniture, for that Nature hath provided them of all
these, wherein she seemes to have favoured these poore
Indians. Of all these creatures, and of many other sortes,
whereof I will make mention, the maine land at the Indies
aboundes. But in the Hands there are not any found, but
such as the Spaniards have brought. It is true, that once
one of our Friars did see a tiger in an Hand, as hee reported
vnto vs vpon the discourse of his peregrination and ship-
wracke; but being demanded how farre it was from the
maine land, he answered, sixe or eight leagues at the most;
which passage tigers might easily swim me over. We may
easily iriferre by these arguments, and others like, that the
first Indians went to inhabit the Indies more by land then
by sea; or if there were any navigation, it was neither great

04 THE ISLAND OF ATLANTIS. ,

5i r- nor difficult^ being an indubitable tiling, that the one world
is continued and ioyned with the other, or at the least they
approach one neerer vnto another in some parts.

CHAP. xxn. — That the lineage of the Indians hath not passed
by the Atlantis Hand as some do imagine.

sap., cap. Some (following Platoe's opinion, mentioned before)
affirm e that these men parted from Europe or Affricko to
go to that famous and renowned Hand of Atlantis, and so
passed from one Hand vnto another, vntill they came to the
maine land of the Indies, for that Cricias of Plato in his
Tirneus discourseth in this maner. If the Atlantis Hand were
as great as all Asia and Affrike together, or greater, as
Plato saies, it should of necessitie containe all the Atlantike
Ocean, and stretch even vnto the Hands of the new world.
And Plato saieth moreover that by a great and strange
deluge the Atlantis Hand was drowned, and by that meanes
the sea was made vnnavigable, through the ahoundance
of banckes, rockes, and roughnesse of the waves, which
were yet in his time. But in the end the ruines of this
drowned Hand were setled, which made this sea navigable.
This hath been curiously handled and discoursed of by
some learned men of good judgement, and yet, to speak
the truth, being well considered, they are ridiculous things,
resembling rather to Ovid's tales then a Historic or Philo
sophic worthy of accompt. The greatest part of Platoe's
Interpreters affirme that it is a true Historie, whatsoever
Cricias reports of the strange beginning of the Atlantis
Hand, of the greatnes thereof, of the warres. they had
against them of Europe, with many other things. That
which gives it the more credite of a true Historie be the
wordes of Cricias (whom Plato brings in in his Timeus), say
ing that the subject ho moans to treat of is of stranire things,

ANCIENT FABLES. 65

but yet true. The other disciples of Plato, considering LlB-
that this discourse hath more shew of a fable then of a true
Historic, say that we must take it as an allegoric, and that
such was the intention of their divine Philosopher. Of this
opinion is Procles and Porphire, yea, and Origene, who so
much regardes the writings of Plato as when they speake
thereof they seeme to bee the bookes of Moses or of Esdras,
and whereas they thinke the writings of Plato have no shew
of truth • they say they are to be vnderstood mystically,
and in allegories. But, to say the truth, I do not so much
respect the authoritie of Plato (whom they call Divine), as
I wil beleeve he could write these things of the Atlantis
Hand for a true Historie, the which are but meere fables,
seeing hee confesseth that hee learned them of Critias, being
a little childe, who, among other songs, sung that of the
Atlantis Hand. But whether that Plato did write it for a
true Historie or a fable, for my part I beleeve that all which
he hath written of this Hand, beginning at the Dialogue of
Timeus and continuing to that of Critias, cannot be held for
true but among children and old folkes. Who will not
accoumpt it a fable to say that Neptune fell in love with
Clite, and had of her five paire of twinnes at one birth.
And that out of one mountaine hee drew three round balles
of water and two of earth, wThich did so well resemble as
you would have judged them all one bowell. What shall
wee say, moreover, of that Temple of a thousand paces long
and five hundred broade, whose walles without were all
covered with silver, the seeling of gold, and within ivorie
indented and inlaied with gold, silver, and pearle. In the
end, speaking of the mine thereof, he concludes thus in his
time : " In one day and one night came a great delug'e,
whereby all our souldiers were swallowed by heapes within
the earth, and in this sort the Atlantis Hand being drowned,
it vanished in the Sea." Without doubt it fell out happily
that this Hand vanished so suddenly, seeing- it was bigger

66 PLINY ON ATLAS AND ATLANTIS.

LlB- *• than Asia and Affrike, and that it was made by enchant
ment. It is in like sort all one to say that the ruines of this
so great an Hand are seene in the bottome of the sea, and
that the Mariners which see them cannot saile that way.
Then he addes : " For this cause vnto this day that Sea is
not navigable, by reason of the bancke, which by little and
little has growne in that drowned Hand." I would willingly
demand what Sea could swallow vp so infinite a continent
of land, greater then Asia and Affrike, whose confines
stretched vnto the Indies, and to swallow it vp in such sort
as there should at this day remaine no signes nor markes
thereof whatsoever, seeing it is well kuowne by experience
that the Mariners finde no bottomo in the Sea where they
say this Hand was. Notwithstanding, it may seeme indis-
creete and farre from reason to dispute seriously of those
things which are reported at pleasure, or if we shall give
that respect to the authoritie of Plato (as it is reason) wo
must rather vnderstand them to signifie simply, as in a
picture, the prosperitie of a Citie, and withall the ruine
thereof. For the argument they make to prove that this
Atlantis Hand hath been really and indeede, saying that
the sea in those parts doth at this day beare the name of
Atlantike is of small importance, for that wee knowe Mount
piin.,iib. Atla . whereof Plinie says this sea tooke the name, is vpon

V, cap. 1 ; J

ca'l si* vl> the confines of the Mediterranean Sea. And the same Plinie
reportes that joyning to the said Mount there is an Hand
called Atlantis, which he reports to be little and of small
accompt.

CHAP. xxni. — That the opinion of many which holdc that the.
first race of the Indians comes from the lewes is not true.

Now that wee have shewed how vnlikely it is that the
first Indians passed to the Indies by the Atlantis Hand,
there aro others holde opinion that they tooke the way,

JEWrSTI DESCENT OF THE INDIANS. 07

whereof Esdras speakesin his fourth booke, in this manner : LTB- T-
ec And whereas thou sawest that he gathered an other pe-ace- 4 Es(lr- xiiif
able troope vnto him, thou shalt know those are the ten
tribes, which were carried away captives out of their own
land in the time of king Ozeas, whom Salmanazar, king of
the Assyrians tooke captives, and ledde them beyond the
river, so were they brought into an other land ; but they
tooke this counsell to themselves to leave the multitude of
the heathen, and go forth into a farther countrie, where
never mankind dwelt, that they might there observe their
statutes, which they could not keepo in their owne land ;
and they entred by the narrowe passages of the river
Euphrates, for then God shewed his wonders, and stayed
the springs of the flood untill they were passed over; for
the way vnto that countrie is very long, yea, of a yeere and
a halfe, and this Eegion is called Arsareth ;T then dw.elt they
there vntill the latter time, and when they come forth
againe the most Mightie shall hold still the springs of the
river againe, that they may goe through ; for this cause
sawest thou this multitude peaceable/''2 Some will apply
this text of Esdras to the Indies, saying, they were guided
by God, whereas never mankinde dwelt, and that the land
where they dwelt is so farre off, as it requires a yeere and a
halfe to performe the voyage, beeiiig by nature very ,jeace-
able. And that there are great signes and arguments
amongst the common sort of the Indians, to breed a beleefe
that they are descended from the lews ; for, commonly you
shall see them fearefull, submisse, ceremonious, and subtill
in tying. And, moreover, they say their habites are like
vnto those the lewes vsed ; for they weare a short coat or
waste-coat, and a cloake imbroidered all about; they goe
bare-footed, or with soles tied with latchets over the foot,
which they call ojatas.3 And they say, that it appears by

1 Ararat, or Armenia. a Esdras^ xiii, 89 to 47.

3 Usii.ta. The Quichua word for sandals.

F2

68 REASONS AGAINST THE JEWISH ORIGIN.

LIB. i. their Histories, as also by their ancient pictures, which re
present them in this fashion, that this attire was the ancient
liabite of the Hebrewes, and that these two kinds of gar
ments, which the Indians onely vse, were vsed by Sam
son, which the Scripture calleth Tunicam et Syndonem ;
beeing the same which the Indians terme waste-coat and
cloake. But all these coniectures are light, and rather
against them then with them ; for wee know well, that the
Hebrewes vsed letters, whereof there is no shew among
the Indians; they were great lovers of silver, these make
no care of it ; the lews, if they were not circumcised, held
not themselves for lewes, and contrariwise the Indians are
not at all, neyther did they ever vse any ceremonie xieere it
as many in the East have done. But what reason of con-
iecture is there in this, seeing the lewes are so careful to
preserve their language and Antiquities, so as in all parts
of the world they differ and are known from others, and yet
at the Indies alone, they have forgotten their Lineage, their
Law, their Ceremonies, their Messias ; and, finally, their
whole Indaisme. And whereas they say, the Indians are
feareful cowards, superstitious, and subtill in lying ; for the
first, it is not common to all, there are some nations among
the Barbarians free from these vices, there are some valiant
and hardy, there are some blunt and dull of vnderstanding.
As for ceremonies and superstitions, the Heathen have
alwayes vsed them much ; the manner of habites described
which they vse, being the plainest and most simple in the
world ; without Arte, the which hath been common, not
onely to the Hebrewes, but to all other Nations ; seeing
that the very History of Esdras (if wee shall beleeve the
Scriptures that bee Apocrypha) make more against them
then for their purpose ; for hee saith in that place, that the
ten tribes went from the multitude of the Heathen, to keepe
their faith and ceremonies, and we see the Indians given to
all the Idolatries in the world. And those which holde this

PROBABLE WAY OF PEOPLING THE INDIES. 09

opinion, see well if the entries of the River Euphrates LlB- I>
stretch to the Indies, and whether it be necessary for the
Indies to repasse that way, as it is written. Besides, I
know not how you can name them peaceable, seeing they
be alwaies in warre amongst themselves. To conclude, I
cannot see how that Euphrates in Esdras Apocrypha should
be a more convenient passage to goe to the new world,
then the inchanted and fabulous Atlantis Hand of Plato.

CHAP. xxiv. — The reason why we can find no beginning of the

Indians.

It is easier to refute and contradict the false opinions
conceyved of the Originall of the Indians, then to set
downe a true and certaine resolution ; for that there is no
writing among the Indians, nor any certaine remembrances
of their founders; neyther is there any mention made of
this new world in their bookes that have knowledge of
letters ; our Ancients held, that in those parts, there were
neyther men, land, nor haven. So as hee should seeme rash
and presumptuous, that should thinke to discover the first
beginning of the Indians. But we may iudge a farre off,
by the former discourse, that these Indians came by little
and little to this newe world, and that by the helpe and
meanes of the neerenesse of lands, or by some navigation ;
the which seemes to mee the meanes whereby they came,
and not that they prepared any armie to goe thither of
purpose; neyther that they have been caried thither by
any ship-wracke or tempest, although some of these things
may chance in some part of the Indies ; for these Regions
being so great, as they containe Nations without number,
we may beleeve, that some came to inhabite after one sort,
and some after an other. But in the ende I resolve vpon
this point, that the true and principall cause to people the

70 TRADITION OF A DELUGE.

Ll"- *• Indies,, was,, that the lands and limits thereof are ioyned
and continued in some extremities of the world, or at the
least were very neere. And I beleeve it is not many-
thousand yeeres past since men first inhabited this new
. world and West Indies, and that the first men that entred,
• were rather savage men and hunters, then bredde vp in
' civill and well governed Cornrnon-weales ; and that they
came to this new world, having lost their owne land, or
being in too great numbers, they were forced of necessitio
to seeke some other habitations ; the which having found,
they begannc by little and little to plant, having no other
law, but some instinct of nature, and that very darke, and
some customes remayning of their first Countries. And
although they came from Countries well governed, yet is it
not incredible to thinke that they had forgotten all through
the tract of time and want of vse, seeing that in Spaine
and Italic we find companies of men, which have nothing
but the shape and countenance onoly, whereby we may cou-
iecturc in what sort this new world grew so barbarous and
vncivill.

CHAP. xxv. — What the Indians report of 'their beginning.

It is no matter of any great importance to know what
the Indians themselves report of their beginning, being
more like vnto dreainefi, then to true Histories. They
make great mention of a deluge hapned in their Countric ;
but we cannot well iudge if this deluge were vniversall
(whereof the scripture makes mention) or some particular
inundation of those regions where they are. Some expert
men say that in those Countries are many notable signes
of some great inundation, and I am of their opinion which
lliinko that these markes and shewcs of a deluge was not
that of Noe, but some other particular, as that which Plato
speaker of, or Deuealions floud, which the Poets sing of;

ORIGIN OF THE YNCAS. 71

whatsoever it be, the Indians say that al men were Downed LlB- r-
in this deluge ; and they report that out of the great Lake
Titicaca came one Viracocha, which staied in Tiahuanaco,
where at this day there is to bee seene the ruines of ancient
and very strange buildings, and from thence came to Cuzco,
and so began mankinde to multiply.1 They shew in the
same lake a small island, where they faine that the sunne
hid himselfe, and so was preserved ; and for this reason they
make great sacrifices viito him in that place, both of sheepe
and inen. Others report that sixe, or I know not what
number of men, came out of a certaine cave by a window,
by whome men first began to multiplie ; and for this reason
they call them Paccari-tampu.2 And therefore they are of
opinion that the Tampus is the most ancient race of men.
They say also, that Mango Capa,3 whom they acknowledge
for the founder and chiefe of their Ingas, was issued of
that race, and that from him sprang two families or linages,
the one of Hanan Cuzco, the other of Urin Cuzco. They
say moreover, that when the Kings Ingas attempted warre
and conquered sundrie Provinces, they gave a colour and
made a pretext of their enterprise, saying, that all the
world ought to acknowledge them ; for that all the world
was renued by their race and Countrie : and also that the
true religion had been revelled to them from heaven. But
what availeth it to speake more, seeing that all is full of
lies and vanitie, and farre from reason ? Some learned men
write, that all which the Indians make mention of, is not
above 400 yeeres old, and whatsoever they speake of former
ages, is but a confusion full of obscuritie, wherein we find
110 truth. The which may not seeme strange, they having

1 See my translation of the Royal Commentaries of Carcilasso Ynca
dc la Veya, i, pp. 61 to 73, for traditions of the origin of the Yncas.
Also Laws and Rites of the Yncas, pp. 74 and 153.

a From Paccari, morning1 in Quicluw, and tai/qtti} an inn.

3 Manco Ceapac, the first Ynca.

72 ORIGIN OF AMERICAN CIVILIZATIONS.

LIU. i. 11O vse of bookes, or writing; in steode whereof they vse
counting with their Quipu-camayocs,1 the which is peculiar
vnto them. By which reckoning all they can report is not
past 400 yeeres. Instructing my selfe carefully of them, to
know from what land and what nation they passed, to that
where they now live, I have found them so farre vnable to
give any reason thereof, as they beleeve confidently, that
they were created at their first beginning at this new world,
where they now dwell. But we have freed thern of this
ct. xvii. m-rorj)y .pur faith, which teacheth vs that all men came from
the first man. There are great and apparant coniectures,
that these men for a long time had neither Kings nor
common wealcs, but lived in troupes, as they do at this day
in Florida, the Chiriguanas,2 those of Bresill, and many other
nations, which have no certaine Kings, but as occasion is
offered in peace or warre, they choose their Captaines as
they please. But some men excelling others in force and
on. x. wit, began in time to rule and domineere as Nembrot3 did;
so increasing by little and little, they erected the kingdomes
of Peru and Mexico, which our Spaniards found ; and
although they were barbarous, yet did they farre surpasse
all the other Indians. Behold how the foresaid reason doth
teach vs that the Indians began to multiply, for the most
part, by savage men and fugitives, which may suffice
touching the beginning of these men we speake of, leaving
the rest vntill we treate of their Historie more at large.

1 The Quipn-camayoc was the officer in charge of the quipus or knot
records of the Yncas.

2 A wild tribe in forests to the east of the Andes.

3 Nimrod.

THE SECOND BOOKE

Of the Naturall and Morall Historic of the

Indies.

CHAP. i. — That it is not out of purpose, but necessarie, to
trcate of the nature of the Equinoctiall.1

FOR the well conceiving of things at the Indies, it is neces- LIB.
sai'ie to know the nature and disposition of that Region, "~
which the Ancients did call the burning Zone, the which
they held uninhabitable, seeing the greatest part of this
new world, which hath bin of late discovered, lies and
is scituate vnder this region. And it seemes to me
greatly to purpose which some do say, that the knowledge
of things at the Indies depends on the well vnderstand-
ing the nature of the Equinoctiall ; for that the difference
which is betwixt the one and the other world proceeds
in a manner from the qualities of this Equinoctiall. And
we must note that all the space betwixt the two Tropickes
must be properly taken and held for this middle line, which
is the Equinoctiall ; so called, for that the Sunne running
his course therein, makes the daies and nights even through
out the world ; yea, they that dwell vnder this line, inioy,
throughout the yeare, the same equalitie of daies and nights.
In this Equinoctiall line we finde so many admirable quali
ties, that with great reason man's vnderstanding doth studio
and labour to search out the causes, not moved therevnto
so much by the doctrine of ancient Philosophers, as by
reason and certaine experience.

1 " Quo se lia de tratar do la naturalcza de la Equiiiocial."

74 HEAT OF THE EQUINOCTIAL.

CHAP. IT. — For what reason the Ancients held that the burning
Zone was not inhabitable.

LIB. n. Examining this subiect from the beginning, no man can
dome that which we plainely see, that the Sunne when it
drawes neere doth heate, and when it retyres, groweth cold.
The daies and nightes, with the Winter and Summer, be
witnesses heereof, whose varietie with the heate and cold
growes by the neerenes and distance of the Sunne. More
over it is certaine the more the Sunne approacheth and
casteth his beames perpendicularly, the more the earth is
scorched and burnt, the which we see plainely in the heate
of the South, and in the force of Summer, whereby we may
iudge, in my opinion, that the farther a Countrie is distant
from the course of the Sunne, the more cold it is. So wo
iinde by experience that the Countries and Regions which
approach neerest to the North are coldest; and contrari
wise, those that lie neere the Zodiake, where the Sunne
kcepes his course, are most hot. For this cause Ethiopia
passeth Af'frike and Barbaric in heate, Barbarie exceedes
Andalousia, Audalousia Castile, and Arragoii surpasses
Biscaie and Fraunce. And the more they decline to the
North the colder they are ; and so by consequence, those
which approach neerest to the Sunne, and are beaten per
pendicularly with his beanies, they do most feele the heate
thereof. Some vrge another reason to this effect, which is
that the motion of the heaven is very sodaine and light
towards the Tropikes, but neere the Poles it is slow and
heavie, whereby they conclude that the region which the
Zodiake circles and conteines, is set on fire with heate for
three causes and reasons ; the one for the neerenes of the
Sunne, the other for that his beames reflect directly, and the
third for that it doth participate and feele this swift and
soJaine motion of the heaven. See what reason und dis-

THE BURNING ZONE VERY MOIST. 75

course tcacheth vs, touching the cause of heat and cold Ll3> "•
vpoii the regions of the earth. But what shall we say of
the two other qualities, wet and drie ? Even the same. For
the drought seemes to grow by the neerenes of the Sunne,
and moistnes, being retired farre off, for that the night
being colder then the day, is likewise more moist ; and the
day which is drier, is also hotter. Winter, whilst the Sun
runnes his course farther off, is more cold and ramie, and
Summer, when the Sunne is neere, is more hotte and
drie ; for even as the fire hath the propertie to parch and
burne, so hath it to drie vp the moistnes. These things
therefore considered, Aristotle and other Philosophers at
tribute vuto the regions of the South, which they call burn-
in 0-. an excessive heat and a drouth likewise. And there-

O *

fore they said, this region is wonderfully scorched and drie ;
and so by consequence hath neither waters nor pastures,
whereby of necessitie it must be contrarie and vnfit for
mans life.

CHAP. in. — That the burning Zone is very moist, contrary to
the opinion of the Ancients.

All that we have propounded seemes vndoubtedly true,
and to purpose; and yet the conclusion they would draw
from it is directly false ; for that the Region of the South,
which they call the burning Zone, is peopled and inhabited
by men ; and wee our selves have stayed long there, beeing
very commodious, pleasant, and agreeable. If, therefore,
it be so, as we cannot denie it, that from a true proposition
we cannot draw a false conclusion, and yet this conclusion
should be false (as indeed it is), we must of necessitie re-
turne backe the same way, to examine this proposition more
strictly, and whence the error should proceede ; we will first
shew the trueth, as assured experience doth teach vs, then

7(3 SEASONS OF GREATEST MOISTURE.

LIB. ii. wju we proove it, although it be verie difficult, and will
endevour to give a reason, following the termes of Philoso
phic. The last point that wee propounded, that the drought
is greatest whenas the Sunne is neerest to the earth,
seemeth certaine and infallible, and yet it is very false ; for
there is never greater aboundance of raine in the burning
Zone, then whenas the Sunne goeth directly over them, and
is very neere. Truely, it is an admirable thing, and worthy
observation, that the ayre is most cleere, and without rayne
vnder this burning Zone, whenas the Sunne is farthest off;
and contrariwise there is most rayne, snow, and mists,
whenas the Sunne is neerest. Such as have not travelled
in this new world, will haply thinke this incredible, and it
will seeme strange even vnto such as have beene there, if
they have not well observed it ; but the one and the other
will willingly yeeld, in noting the certaine experience of
that which hath beene sayd of this part of Peru, which looks
to the Southerne or Antartike Pole; the Sunne is then
farthest off, when it is neerest vnto Europe, that is, in Maie,
lune, luly, and August, whenas hee makes his course in the
Tropicke of Cancer. During which Moneths, the aire at
Peru is very cleere and caline, neyther doth there fall any
snow or raine ; all their rivers fall much, and some are dried
vp quite ; but as the yeere increaseth, and the Sunne ap-
procheth neere vnto the Tropicke of Capricorne, then be
gins it to raine and to snow, and their Rivers swell from
October to December. Then after that the Sunne retyring
from Capricorne, whenas his beames reflect directly vpon
the heads of them of Peru, then is the violence of their
waters great, then is the time of raine, snow, and great
overflowings of their Rivers, when, as their heate is greatest,
that is, from lanuarie to mid March ; this is so true and
certaine, as no man may contradict it. And at that time
the contrary is found in the Regions of the Pole Articke,
beyond the Equinoctial!, which proceeds from the same

SEASONS OF GREATEST MOISTURE. 77

reason. But let vs now looke into the temperature of LlB- "•
Panama and all that coast, as well of new Spaine, the Hands
of Barlovent, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, as of S. lohn de
Puerto Rico, wee shall, without doubt, finde that from the
beginning of November vntill Aprill, they have the aire
cleere and bright; the reason is, for that the Sunne passing
by the Equinoctiall to the Tropicke of Capricorne, re tyres
from those Regions more then at any other time of the
yeere. And contrariwise, they have violent showers and
great swellings of water, whenas the Sunne returnes and is
neerest vnto them, which is from June vnto September, for
then his beames beate most vpon them. The like happens
at the East Indies, as we learne daily by letters that come.
So, as it is a generall rule, although in some places there is
an exception, that in the Region of the South or burning
Zone, which is all one, the aire is most cleere and driest,
whenas the Sun is farthest off; and contrariwise when it
approcheth, there is greatest rayne and humiditie j and even
as the Sunne advanceth or retyreth little or much, even
so the earth abounds or wants water and moisture.

CHAP. iv. — That in the Regions which be without the Tropicks

there is greatest store of waters, whenas the Sunne is

farthest off, contrary to that vnder the burning Zone.

In Regions which lie without the Tropicks we see the con
trary to that which hath beene spoken ; for that the rayne
is mingled with cold, and the drought with heate, the which
is well knowne in all Europe and the old world, as we see in
the same manner in the new world, whereof the whole
Kingdome of Chile is a witnesse, which lying without the
Tropicke of Capricorne, and in the same height with Spaine,
is subiect to the same lawes of Winter and Summer, but
that Winter is there, whenas it is Summer in Spaine, being

78 OVERFLOWING OF THE Nlf.E.

LIB. n. viider divers Poles. So as when it is cold in these Pro
vinces, the waters are in great aboundance, which is, when
the Sunne is farthest off, from the beginning of Aprill to
the end of September; finally, the disposition of seasons is
like to that in Europe, which is, that the heat and drought
comes whenas the Sunne returnes, which is the cause that
this Realme of Chile approcheth neerer the temperature of
Europe then any other of the Indies, as well in the fruites
of the earth as in the bodies and spirits of men. The like
they report of that part which lies before the Inner Ethiopia,
that stretcheth out in manner of a point vnto the Cape
Bonne Esperance or Good Hope, the which they holde for a
true cause of the inundations of Nile, which bee in Summer,
whereof the Ancients have so much disputed, for that in
that Region the Winter and raine begins in April, whenas
the Sunne hath passed Aries; and these waters, which
partly grow from snow and partly from raine, assemble and
make great Lakes and Pooles, from whence by good and
true Geographic the River of Nile proceedes, and by this
meanes goes by 'little and little stretching out her course,
till that, having runne a long way, it finally, in the time of
Summer, overfloweth Egypt, which seemeth against nature,
and yet it is certainely reported : for at what time it is
Summer in Egypt, lying vnder the Tropicke of Cancer,
then is it winter at the springes of Nile, which is vndcr
the other Tropicke of Capricorne. There is in America an
other inundation like to that of Nile, at Paraguay, or River
de la Plata, which is as much to say, as the River of silver,
the which receiving yeerely infinite waters which fall from
the Mountaines of Peru, doth so terribly swell in her
course, and over-flowes that Region, as the Inhabitants are
forced, during those Moneths, to retyre themselves into
boats and Canoes, and to leave the dwelling of the Land.

SEASONS IN THE TROPICS. 79

CiiAr. v. — That betwixt the two TropicJcs the greatest abound-
ance ofraitie is in Summer, with a discourse of Winter

and Summer.

To conclude, Summer is alwayes accompanied with hcate L™.
and drought_, in the two temperate Zones, and Winter with
cold and moistnesse ; but vnder the burning Zone those
qualities are not alike, for that raine accompanies heate,
and drought folio weth the cold : I vnderstand by cold, want
of excessive heat, so as Winter is taken in our Europe for
the colde and raynie season, and summer for the hot and
cleere season. Our Spaniards which live at Peru, and in
newe Spaine, seeing these two qualities not to concurre to
gether as in Spaine, call that season Winter, wherein there
is greatest aboundance of raine and waters -, and Summer,
where there is little or none at all : wherein they are
plainely deceived, although they affirme by a generall rule,
that in the Mountaines of Peru it is Summer from the
Moneth of Aprill to September, for that the raine ceaseth
in that season ; and that Winter is, from the moneth of
September vnto Aprill, for that the showres returne then ;
and therefore it is winter and summer at -the same time
as in Spaine. So, as when the Sunne goeth directly over
their heads, they then take it to be the depth of Winter,
having greatest store of raine. But it is worthy to be
laughed at, comming from ignorant men and vnlearned ;
for even as the difference betwixt the day and night pro
ceeds from the presence or absence of the Sunne in our
hemisphere, according to the motion of the first motor,1
which is the cause of day and night ; even so the difference
which we see betwixt Winter and Summer proceeds from
the neerenesse and distance of the Sunne, according to the
motion of the said Sunne, which is the proper cause. To
1 u Seo'im el movimiento del primer Mobil."

80 SEASONS IN PERU.

LIB. ii. gpeake trueth then, it is Summer wlienas the Sunne is
neerest, and Winter when it is farthest off. Both heate
and coldnesse, and every other temperature, grovves of
necessitie, by the neerenesse and distance of the sunne ;
but to raine, or not to raine, which is humiditie and drought,
doe not necessarily follow. It is therefore easie to iudge,
besides this vulgar opinion, that at Peru the Winter is
cleere and without raine, and the Summer full of showres,
and not otherwise, as many beleeve, that the winter is hotte
and the summer cold. They fall into the like error, vpon
the difference they make betwixt the Plaines and the
Mountaines of Peru, saying, that when it is summer vpon
the mountaine, it is winter in the vallie, which is in April,
Male, lune, luly, and August; for then the aire is very
cleere vpon the mountaine, without any raine or mistes,
and at the same season we commonly see fogges in the
plaine, which they call cjarua, which is, as it were, a very
gentle dew, wherewith the sunne is obscured. But winter
and summer, as it is said, are caused by the neerenesse and
distance of the sunne. Seeing, then, that throughout all
Peru, both vpon the Mountaines and on the Plaines, the
sunne approcheth and retyreth in one sort, there is no
reason to say, that when it is summer in one part, that it
is winter in another; yet is it no matter of any importance
to contend vpon the signification of words. Let them terme
them as they please, and call that summer when it raines
not, although the heat be greater. But that whereunto
we must have greatest regard, is the trueth of the subiect,
which is, that drought and want of raine is not alwaies
greatest when the sunne approcheth neerest, as we see in
the burning Zone.

ABUNDANCE OF WATER IN THE T1JOPICS. 81

CHAP. vi. — That the burning Zone abounds with waters and

pastures, against the opinion of Aristotle, wlio holds

tlie contrarie.

By the former Discourse wee may easily conceive that the LlB- TI>
burning Zone is not drie, but abounding with waters ; the
which is so true, as it exceeds all the Regions of the world
for store of waters, except in some parts, where there are
sands and desart Countries, as wee finde likewise in some
other parts of the world. As for water from Heaven, wee
have alreadie shewen that there is great aboundance of raine,
snow, and haile, which especially abound in the kingdome
of Peru. But as for land- waters, as rivers, fountaines,
brookes, springs, floods, and lakes, I have not spoken thereof
till now ; yet, being an ordinarie thing, that the waters be
low have a correspondence with them above, wee must not
imagine that there can bee any want : and in trueth there is
so great store of springs and fountaines, as you shall not
finde in any Region or Countrie of the world ; so many
lakes, marishes, and such store of rivers, for the greatest
part of America is almost uninhabitable through too great
aboundance of waters ; for that the rivers, swelled with the
great Raines in Summer, doe often overflow their banckes
with such furie, as they breake all they incounter : and in
many places they cannot passe, by reason of the mudde and
myre of marishes and vallies : for this cause, those that live
neere to Paraguay (whereof wee have made mention), fore
seeing the rising of the River before it comes, put them
selves and their goods into Canoes, and so preserve them
selves and their goods, floating vp and downe, almost for
the space of three moneths : and when the River is returned
within her boundes, then they goe to their houses, still
wette and dropping with the flood. And this River is so
great, as Nile, Ganges, and Euphrates all together cannot

\

82 THE GEEAT RIVER AMAZONS.

LlB- "• equall it. But what shall we say of the great river of Mag-
dalena, which falles into the sea betwixt S. Martha and Car-
thagena, and with reason is called the great river. Sailing
in those parts, I was amazed to see her streame, which was
very cleere, runne ten leagues into the sea, being in breadth
above two leagues, not mingling nor vanquished with the
violent waves of the Ocean. But if we shall speake more of
rivers, that great floud called by some the river of Ama
zons, by others Marafion, and by some the river of Orel-
lana, which our Spaniards sailed in their discoveries, ought
to blemish all the rest ; and, in truth, I am in doubt whither
I may tearme it a river or a sea. It flowes from the tnoun-
taines of Peru, from whence it receiues a great aboundance
of water, both of raine and of rivers, which it gathereth into
it; then passing by the great plaines of Paytiti, Dorado,
and the Amazons, in the end it falles into the Ocean, almost
right against the Hand of Marguerita and Trinidad.1 It
hath so large and broad a channel, specially in the last
third part of her length, as it contains in it many great
Hands. And that which seemes incredible, wliea you saile
through the midst of it, you shall see nothing but aire and
water. They say, moreover, that from the midst you can
not see nor discover with the eye many great and high
mountaines which are vpon the bankes, by reason of the
great bredtli. We have learned from credible persons the
great and wonderfull bredth of this river (which, in my
opinion, deserves well the name of Empresse and Queene
of all flouds), which was by the report of a brother of our
company, who, being then yong, sailed it in the company
of Pedro de Ursua, with who nihee was present at all the

1 Here there is confusion between the Amazon and Orinoco, derived
from the story of Aguirre. See my argument in favour of Aguirre
having ascended the Rio Negro and come out by the Orinoco, in my
Introduction to the Search for El Dorado, p. xlvii. (Hakluyt Society's
volume, 1.861.)

LAKE TITICACA.

adventures of this strange entrie and discoverie ; and at the LTB- "•
seditious and pernitious acts of that wicked Diego de Aguirre,
from the which God delivered him to place him in our com
pany. Such are the rivers in that region, which they call
the burning Zone, and the drie and parcht vp countrie, in
the which Aristotle and the Ancients affirmed there were
neither waters nor pastures. But seeing I have made men
tion of the river of Marafion, to shew the abundance of the
waters that are in the burning zone, it shall not be from
the purpose to speake somewhat of that great Lake which
they call Titicaca, which is in the midst of the Province of
Collao. There are above ten great rivers which loose them
selves entring into that Lake, and yet hath it no issue but
one small current of water,1 although some hold it to be very
deepe, and of such a fashion, as it is impossible to build a
bridge over it for the depth of the water, neither can they
passe it by boate for the violence of the current. They
passe it by an artificiall and notable practice, peculiar to the
Indians, with a bridge of straw laied vpon the water, the
which, being of so light i\ substance, sinkes not, and yet
this passage is very easie and safe. This Lake containes
almost foure score leagues, thirtie five in length, and fifteene
in bredth at the largest place. There are many Hands
which in olde time were inhabited and tilled, but now lie
waste. It brings forth a great aboundance of reedes,
which the Indians call totora, which serves them to a
thousand vses ; for it is meate for swine, for horses, and for
men; they make houses therewith, fire, and barkes. To
conclude, the Uros in this their totora finde all they have
neede of. These Uros be such dull and brutish people, as
they esteeme not themselves men. It is reported of them,
that being demanded of what nation they were, They an
swered, they were not men, but Uros, as it were some kinde
of beastes. There are whole villages of these Uros inhabit-
1 The river

84 RAIN CAUSED BY HEAT OF THE SUN.

LlB- "• ing in the Lake in their boates of tortora, the which are
tied together and fastened to some rocke, and often times
the whole village change th from place to place. So, as hee
that would seeke them now whereas they were yesterday,
shall finde no shew nor remainder of them, or of their
village. The current or issue of this Lake, having runne
above fiftie leagues, makes another Lake, but lesse then the
first, which they call Paria, and containes in it some small
Hands, but they finde no issue thereof. Some imagine it
runnes vnder the ground, and that it falles into the South
sea; giving out, that there is a branch of a river which they
see rise and enter into the sea neere the banke, having no
knowledge of the Spring. But, contrariwise, I beleeve that
the waters of this Lake dissolve and are dispearsed within
the Lake it selfe, through the heate of the Sunne. This
discourse seemes sufficient to prove that the Ancients had
no reason to holde that the middle region was uninhabitable
for the defect of waters, seeing there is such store both
from heaven and on the earth.

CHAP. vn. — Shewing tlie reason wh.y the Sunne without the

Tropicks causetli greatest quantitie of waters when it is

farthest off; and contrariwise, within them it breedeth

most when it is neerest.

Considering with my selfe often times what should cause
the Equinoctial to be so moist, as I have said, to refute the
opinion of the Ancients, I finde no other reason but the
great force of the sunne in those partes, whereby it drawes
vnto it a great aboundance of vapors from out of the Ocean,
which in those parts is very great and spatious ; and having
drawne vnto it this great aboundance of vapours, doth sud
denly dissolve them into raine, and it is approoved by many
tryed experiences, that the raine and great storm es from

EFFECT OF THE SUN ON VAPOUR. 85

heaven proceed from the violent heat of the Sunne ; first, as LlB- "•
we have said before, it raines in those countries whenas the
Sunne casts his beames directly vpon the earth, at which
time he hath most force : but when the Sun retyres, the
heat is moderate, and then there falls no raine ; whereby
we may conclude that the force and heat of the Sunne is the
cause of raine in those Countries. Moreover, we observe,
both in Peru, New Spaine, and in all the burning Zone, that
the raine doth vsually fall in after-noone, when as the sunne-
beames are in their greatest force, being strange to see it
raine in the morning. And therefore travellers, fore-seeing
it, begin their iourneys earely, that they may end and rest
before noone, for they hold that commonly it raines after
noone. Such as have frequented and travelled those Coun
tries, can sufficiently speake thereof. And there are that
(having made some abode there) say, that the greatest
aboundance of raine is, when the Moone is at the full ; but,
to say the trueth, I could never make sufficient proofe
thereof, although I have observed it. Moreover, the dayes,
the yeere, and the moneths, shew the trueth hereof, that
the violent heate of the sunne causeth the raine in the
burning Zone : experience teacheth vs the like in artificiall
thinges, as in a Limbecke,1 wherein they draw waters from
hearbs and flowers ; for the vehernencie of the fire forceth
and driveth vp an aboundance of vapours, which being
pressed, and finding no issue, are converted into liquor and
water. The like wee see in gold and silver, which wee re
fine with quicke-silver, the fire being small and slow, wee
draw out almost nothing of the quicke-silver, but if it bee
quicke and violent, it doth greatly evaporate the quick
silver, which incountring the head above, doth presently
turne into liquor, and begins to drop downe. Even so the
violent heate of the sunne produceth these two effects,
when it finds matter disposed, that is, to draw vp the
1 " Alquitares y alambiques." Both words mean a still.

86 EFFECT OF THE SUN ON VAPOURS.

Ll!J- "• vapours on high, and to dissolve them presently, and turne
them into raine, when there is any obstacle to consume
them. And although these things seeme contrary, that one
sunne within the burning Zone, being neere, should cause
raine, and without the Zone afarre off should breed the like
effect ; so it is, that all well considered, there is no con-
trarietie. A thousand effects in naturall causes proceede of
contrarie things by divers meanes : we drie linnen by the
fire and in the aire, and yet the one heats and the other
cooles ; pastures are dried and hardened by the sunne and
with the frost; moderate exercise provokes sleepe, being
too violent, it hmdereth : if you lay no wood on the fire, it
dieth ; if you lay on too much, it likewise quencheth : for
the onely proportion entertaines and makes it to continue.
To well discerne a thing, it must not be too neere the eie,
nor too farre off, but in a reasonable distance proportion
able ; being too farre off from any thing, we loose the sight,
and too neere likewise, we cannot see it. If the sunne
beames be weake, they draw vp no fogge from the rivers ;
if they be violent, having drawne vp the vapours, they pre
sently dissolve and consume them ; but if the heat be
moderate, it drawes vp and preserves it : for this reason
the vapours rise not commonly in the night, nor at noone,
but in morning, whenas the sunne begins to enter into his
force. There are a thousand examples of naturall causes
vpon this subiect, which we see do often grow from con
trarie things : whereby we must not wonder if the sunne,
being neere, engenders raine, and being farre off, works the
like effect : but being of a moderate and proportionable dis
tance, causeth none at all. Yet there remaines one doubt
why the neerenes of the sunne causeth the raine vnder the
burning Zone, and without, when it is farthest off. In my
opinion, the reason is, that in Winter, without the Tropicks,
the sunne hath not force sufficient to consume the vapours
which rise from the land and sea ; for these vapours grow

EFFECTS OF HEAT ON MOTSTUEE. 87

in great aboundance in the cold region of the aire, where LlB- "•
they are congealed and thickened by the extremitie of the
cold ; and after being pressed, they dissolve and turne into
water. Therefor e, in Winter, when the sunne is farthest off,
the daies short, and the nights long, his heat hath small
force : but when the sunne approacheth, which is in the
summer time, his force is such as it drawes vp the vapors,
and suddenly consumes and disperseth them ; for the heat
and the length of the daies grow through the neerenes of
the sunne. But within the Tropickes, vnder the burning
Zone, the far distance of the sunne workes the same effects
that the neerenes doth without the Tropiks ; by reason
whereof, it raines no more vnder the burning Zone when the
sunne is farre off, then without the Tropicks when it is
neerest, for that in this approaching and retyring, the
sunne remaines alwaies in one distance, whence proceedes
this effect of cleerenes. But when the sunne is in the period
of his force in the burning zone, and that he cast his
beames directly vpon the inhabitants heads, there is neither
cleerenes nor drienes, as it seems there should be, but
rather great and strange showers ; for that by this violent
heat he drawes vp suddenly a great aboundance of vapours
from the Earth and Ocean, which are so thicke, as the
winde, not able easily to disperse them, they melt into
water, which breedeth the cold raine in so great abound
ance : for the excessive heat may soone draw vp many
vapours, the which are not so soone dissolved : and being
gathered together through their great aboundance, they
inelt and dissolve into water. The which we may easily
discerne by this familiar example : rost a peece of porke,
mutton, or veale ; if the fire be violent and the meate neere,
we see the fatte melts suddenly and droppes away; the
reason is, that the violent heat drawes forth the humour
and fatte from the meate, and being in great aboundance,
cannot dissolve it, and so it distills more away. But when

DEY REGIONS IN THE TROPICS.

LIB. it. fjie £re js mo^erate, and the meat in an equall distance,, we
see that it rostes hansomely, and the fatte drops not too
suddenly, for that the moderate heat drawes out the moist-
ncs which it consumes suddenly. And therefore Cookes
make a moderate fire, and lay not their meate too neere nor
too farre off, lest it melt away. The like may be seene in
another experience, in candles of tallow or waxe : if the wike
Lee great, it melts the tallow or the waxe, for that the heat
cannot consume the moistnes which riseth ; but if the flame
be proportionable, the waxe melts nor droppes not, for that
the flame doth waste it by little and little as it riseth. The
which seemeth to me the true reason, why vnder the Equi --
noctiall and burning Zone, the violence of the heat doth
cause raine, the which in other Regions growes through
want thereof.

CHAP. vin. — How wee should vnder stand that which hath
been formerly spoken of the burning Zone.

If in naturall and phi si call things we must not seeke out
infallible and mathematicall rules, but that which is ordi-
narie and tried by experience, which is the most perfect
rule, wee must then beleeve what wee have said, that there
is more humiditie vnder the burning Zone then in other
Regions ; and that it raines lesse there, when the sunne is
iieerest, must be taken and vnderstood after one sort, as in
truth it is the most common and ordinarie. But this is not
to hinder the exceptions which nature hath given to this
rule, making some Regions of the burning Zone extreamely
drie. The which is reported of Ethiopia, and wee have
seene it in a great part of Peru, where all that land or
coast, which they call llanos, wants raine, yea, land waters,
except some vallies, where rivers fall from the mountaines ;
the rest is a sandie and barren soile, where you shall hardly

MODERATE HEAT IN THE TROPICS. 89

finde any springs, but some deepe welles. But with the LlB- IT-
helpe of God, wee will shew the reason why it raineth not
in these llanos (the which many demand) ; for now I onely
pretend to shew that there are many exceptions to naturall
rules, whereby it may happen that in some part of the
burning Zone it raines not when the sunne is neerest, but
being farthest off, although vnto this daie I have neither
seene nor heard of it ; but if it be so, wee must attribute it
to the particular qualitie of the earth ; and also, if sometimes
the contrarie doth chance, we must have regard that in
naturall things there happens many contrarieties and lets,
whereby they change and dissolve one another. For
example, it may be the sunne will cause raine, and that the
winds will hinder it, or else cause more aboundance then
hath been vsuall. The windes have their properties and
divers beginnings, by the which they worke divers effects,
the which are most commonly contrarie to that which the
order and season requires. Seeing then in all places we see
great varieties in the yeere, which proceedes from the divers
motions and aspectes of Planets, it is not out of purpose to
say, that in the burning Zone wee may see and observe
some things contrarie to that we have tried. But to con
clude, that which we have spoken is a certaine and vn-
doubted truth, which is, that the great draught which the
Ancients held to be in the middle region, which they call
the burning Zone, is nothing at all ; but, contrariwise, there
is great humiditie, and then it raines most when the sunne
is iieerest.

CHAP. ix. — That the Burning Zone is not violently liotte, but

moderate.

Hitherto wee haue treated of the humiditie of the Burning
Zone, now it shall be fit to discourse of the other two

90 MODERATE HEAT IN THE TROPICS.

LIB. ir. qualities, Hotte and Colde. We have shewed in the be
ginning of this Discourse how the Ancients held that the
burning Zone was hotte and exceeding drie, the which is
not so ; for it is hote and moist, and in the greatest part
the heat is not excessive, but rather moderate, which some
would hold incredible, if we had not tried it. When I
passed to the Indies, I will tell what chaunced vnto mee :
having read what Poets and Philosophers write of the
burning Zone, I perswaded my selfe, that comming to the
Equinoctiall, I should not indure the violent heate, but it
fell out otherwise ; for when I passed, which was when the
sun was there for Zenith, being entered into Aries, in the
moneth of March, I felt so great cold, as I was forced to go
into the sunne to warme me ; what could I else do then, but
laugh at Aristotle's Meteors and his Philosophic, seeing that
in that place and at that season, whenas all should be
scorched with heat, according to his rules, I, and all my
companions were a colde? In truth, there is no region in
the world more pleasant and temperate, then vnder the
Equinoctiall, although it be not in all parts of an equall
temperature, but have great diversities. The burning Zone in
some parts is very temperate, as in Quito, and on the coast
plaines of Peru ; in some partes verie colde, as at Potosi ; and
in some very hote, as in Ethiopia, Bresill, and the Moluccas.
This diversitie being knowne, and cortaine vnto vs, we
must of force seeke out another cause of cold and heat
then the sunne beanies, seeing that in one season of the
yeere, and in places of one height and distance from the
Pole and Equinoctiall, we finde so great diversitie, that
some are invironed with heat, some with cold, and others
piato m tempered with a moderate heat. Plato placeth his most

Tim. and

critia. renowned Atlantis Hand vnder the burning Zone ; then he
saieth, that at certaine seasons of the yeere it hath the
sunne for Zenith, and yet it was very temperate, fruitfull,

vCc'.'i^' and rich. Plinie saieth, that Taprobana, which at this day

HEAT TEMPERED BY EAIN. 91

they call Sumatra, is vnder the Equinoctiall, as in effect it LlB- "•
is, writing, that it is not onely happie and rich, but also
peopled with men and beasts ; whereby we may easily
iudge, that although the Ancients held the heate of the
burning Zone to be insupportable, yet might they well
vnderstand that it was not so great as they had spoken.
The most excellent Astrologer and Cosmographer, Ptolemy,
and the worthie Philosopher and Physitian, Avicen, were of
a better resolution, being both of opinion that vnder the
Equinoctiall, there were verie commodious habitations.

CHAP. x. — TJiat the heat of the burning Zone is temperate, by
reason of the rayne and the shortnes of the dayes.

Since the discoverie of this newe worlde, wee have found
by experience that which late Writers have held for trueth.
But it is a naturall thing, whenas any matter beyond our
conceit is made knowne vnto vs by experience, we by and
by examine the cause. Therefore wee desire to know the
reason why a Region where the sunne approacheth neerest,
is not onely temperate, but in many parts cold. Con
sidering this matter generally, I finde two general causes
which maketh this Region temperate ; the one is that
before mentioned, for that this Region is very moist and
subiect to raine, and there is no doubt but the rayne doth
refresh it, -for that the water is by nature cold ; and although
by the force of the fire it be made hotte, yet doth it tem
per this heat proceeding onely from the sunne-beames.
The which we see by experience in the inner Arabia, the
which is burnt with the Sunne, having no showres to
temper the violence thereof. The cloudes and mists are
the cause that the sunne offends not so much, and the
showers that fall from them refresh both the ayre and the
earth, and moisten likewise, how hot soever it be. They

92 LENGTH OP DAYS AND NIGHTS.

LIB. it. drinke raine water, and it quencheth the thirst,, as our men
have well tried, having no other to drinke. So, as reason
and experience doth teach vs, that raine of it selfe doth
temper the heat ; and having by this meanes shewed that
the burning Zone is much subiect vnto raine, it appeares
that there is matter in it to temper the violence of the
heat. To this I will adde an other reason, which deserves
to be knowne, not only for this matter, but for many others;
for although the Sunne be very hotte and burning vnder
the Equinoctial!, yet is it not long, so as the heate of the day
being there shorter, and of lesse continuance, it causeth not
so violent a heate ; the which it behooves to specific more
particularly. Such as are practised in the knowledge of
the Spheare teach very well, that the more the Zodiake is
oblique and traversing our Hemisphere, the more vnequall
are the daies and nights ; and contrariwise, where the
sphere is straight, and the signes mount directly, there the
dayes and nights are equall. And therefore in all that
Region which is betweene the two Tropicks, there is lesse
inequality then without them, and the more we approach
the Line, the lesse inequalitie we finde, the which we have
tryed in those parts. Those of Quito, for 'that they are
vnder the line, have not throughout the whole yeere the
daycs and nights more short at one season then at an other,
but are continually equall. Those of Lima beeing distant
almost twelve degrees, finde some distance betwixt the dayes
and the nights, but very little, for that in December and
lanuarie, the dayes increase an houre or little lesse. Those
of Potosi finde much more difference, both in winter and in
summer, being almost under the Tropicke. But those that
live without the Tropikes, find the dayes in winter shorter,
and in summer longer; the more remote they are from the
Equinoctial and come neere the Pole, as we see in Germany
and in England the daies are longer in summer then in
Italic and Spaine. It is a thing which the Sphere doth

CAUSES FOR MODERATE HEAT IN THE TROPICS. 93

teach, and experience doth plainely shew vs. We must LlB> "•
adde an other proposition, which is likewise true and very
considerable for all the effectes of nature to vnderstand the
perseverance and continuation of the efficient cause to
worke and moove. This presupposed, if any one demaund
of me, why vnder the Equinoctiall Line the heat is not so
violent in summer as in some other Regions (as in Anda
lusia in the moneths of luly and August), I will answere,
that in Andalusia the dayes are longer, and the nights
shorter; and as the day being hot, inflames and causeth
heat, so the nights being cold and moist, give a refreshing.
According to the which, at Peru, there is no such great
heat, for that the dayes in summer are not long, nor the
nights short ; so as the heate of the day is much tempered
by the freshnesse of the night. And although the burning
Zone be neerer the Sunne then all other Regions, yet doth
not the heate continue there so long. It is a naturall thing
that a small fire continued, heats more then a greater that
lastes but little, especially if there bee any thing to refresh
it. He therefore that shal put these two properties of the
Zone in one ballance, that it is most rainie in the time of
greatest heate, and that the dayes are shortest there, he
shall perchance finde them to equall the other two con
trarieties, which bee, that the Sunne is neerer and more
directly over them then in other Regions.

CHAP. xi. — That there be other reasons besides the former
mentioned, ivliich sheiv that the burning Zone is tempe
rate, especially alongst the Ocean.

Being a thing concluded, that the two forenamed proper
ties are common and vniversal to all the region of the
burning Zone : and yet in the same there are found some
places very hote, and other exceeding colde ; Also, that tlio

94 CAUSES FOE A TEMPEEATE CLIMATE

LIB. it. temperature is not there equall in all places, but vnder one
climate, one part is hote, another colde, and the third
temperate, all at one season ; we are forced to seeke out
other reasons, whence this great diversitie should proceede
in the burning Zone. Discoursing therefore vpon this
question, I do finde three apparant and certaine causes, and
a fourth more obscure and darke. The apparant and
certaine causes be : The first is the Ocean, the second
the scituation of the land, and the third, the nature and
propertie of many and sundry windes. Besides these three
which I holde for manifest, I beleeve there is a fourth
hidden and lesse apparant, which is the propertie of the
same land inhabited, and the particular influence of the
heavens. Whoso woulde neerely consider the causes and
generall reasons before mentioned, shall finde them insuffi
cient for the full resolution of this point, observing that
which daily happens in diverse partes of the Equinoctial!.
Manomotapa,1 and a great part of the kingdom of Prester
lean3 are seated vnder the line, or very neere. In which
regions they endure excessive heate, and the men are all
blacke ; the which is not onely in those parts of the land
farre from the sea, but also in Hands invironed with the
sea. The Hand of Saint Thomas is vnder the Line, the
Hands of Cape Verd are very neere, and both in the one
and the other are violent heates j and the men are likewise
blacke. Vnder the same line, or very neere, lies a part of
Peru, arid of the new kingdome of Granada, which not
withstanding are very temperate Countries, inclining rather
to colde then heate, and the inhabitants are white. The
Country of Bresill is in the same distance from the line
with Peru, and yet both Bresill and all that coast is ex-
treamely hot, although it be in the North sea, and the other
coast of Peru, which is in the South sea, is very temperate.
I say then, that whosoever would consider these differences,
1 On the cast side of Africa. 2 Abyssinia.

WITHIN THE TROPICS. 9o .

and give a reason thereof, cannot content himselfe with LlB- "•
these generall rules before specified, to proove that the
burning Zone may be a temperate land. Among the
speciall causes and reasons, I have first placed the Sea, for
without doubt, the neerenesse thereof doth helpe to temper
and coole the heat ; for although the water be salt, yet is it
alwayes water, whose nature is cold, and it is a thing re-
markeable, that in the depth of the Ocean, the water can
not be made hot by the violence of the Sunne, as in rivers ;
finally, even as salt-peeter (though it be of the nature of
salt) hath a propertie to coole water, even so we see by ex
perience, that in some ports and havens, the salt-water
doth refresh ; the which wee have observed in that of
Callao, whereas they put the water or wine which they
drinke, into the Sea in flaggons to be refreshed, whereby
wee may vndoubtedly finde, that the Ocean hath this
propertie, to temper and moderate the excessive heate ; for
this cause we feele greater heat at land then at sea, Cceteris
paribus ; and commonly Countries lying neere the sea, are
cooler then those that are farther off. Oceteris paribus, as
I have said, even so the greatest part of the new world,
lying very neere the Ocean, wee may with reason say,
although it bee vnder the burning Zone, yet doth it receive
a great benefite from the sea to temper the heat.

CHAP. xn. — That the highest landes arc tlie coldest, and tJte
reason thereof.

Bvt if we shall yet search more particularly, we shall not
finde in all this land an equall temperature of heate, although
it be in equall distance from the sea, and in the same
degree, seeing that in some partes there is great heate, and
in some, very little. Doubtlesse, the cause thereof is, that
the one is lower, and the other higher ; which causeth that

96 LOFTY REGIONS ARE THE COLDEST.

LIB. ii. £}ie one jg h0tej an(j the other colde. It is most certaine,
that the toppes of the mountaines are colder then in the
bottome of the vallies, the which proceedes, not onely tha.t
the sunne beames have greater repercussions vpon lower
places, although it be a great reason ; yet there is an other,
which is, that the Region, of the ayre is colder when it is
farthest from the ground. The Plaines of Collao in Peru, of
Popayan, and of new Spaine make sufficient proofe hereof.
For without al doubt those parts are high countries, and
for this reason cold, although they be all invironed with
high points of mountaines, much subiect to the Sunne
beames. But if we demand why at Peru, and in new
Spaine, the Plaines along the coast be very hote, and the
plaines of the same Countries of Peru and new Spaine be
contrariwise colde ? In truth I see no other reason can be
given, but that the one is a lowe country, and the other
high. Experience dooth teach vs, that the middle region
of the ayre is colder than the neather. And therefore the
more the mountaines approach to the middle, the colder
they are, being covered with snow and frosts. Reason it
selfe dooth yeelde to it. For if there be a sphere and
region of fire, as Aristotle and the other Philosophers say,
the middle region of the ayre must be most colde, by Anti-
paristasis, the colde being expelled and thickned there, as in
summer time we see in wells that are very deepe. For this
cause the Philosophers affirme, that the two extreame
regions of the ayre, that above and the other belowe, are
the hottest, and the middle region more colde. If it be
thus, as experience doth teach vs, we shall yet draw out
another reason and notable argument to shew that the
burning Zone is temperate, which is, that the greatest part
of the Indies is a high countrey, filled with many moun
taines, which by their neerenesse refresh the neighbour
countries. You may continually see vppon the toppes of
these mountaines, snow, haile and frozen waters ; and the

NATURE OF THE ELEMENTS. 97

cold so bitter, as the grasse is all withered, so as the men LlB> "•
and beasts which passe that way are benummed with colde.
This, as I have saide, is in the burning Zone ; and it hap
pens most commonly when they have the sunne for zenith.
Tt is therefore most certaine and conformable vnto reason,
that the mountaines are colder than the vallies and plaines,
for that they participate more of the middle region of the
aire, which is very colde. The cause why the middle region
of the ayre is more colde, hath bin shewed before ; for that
the region of the aire next to the fiery exhalation, the which
(according to Aristotle) is vpon the spheare of the aire,
repells and thrustes backe all the colde, the which retires
itself into the middle region of the aire, by Antiparistasis,
as the Philosophers speake. Now if any one should question
with me in this manner if it be so, that the ayre is hot and
moist, as Aristotle holdes, and as we commonly say, whence
then proceeds the cold which is congealed in the middle
region of the ayre, seeing it cannot come from the fierie
spheare ? For if it come from the water or the earth, by Anst. Me.
this reason the lower region of the aire should be colder
than the middle.

To answer truely what I thinke, I will confesse that this
Argument and Obiection is so difficult as I am almost ready
to follow the opinion of such as reproove the qualities, agree
ments, and disagreements which Aristotle gives vnto the
Elements, saying they are but imaginations, who for this
occasion hold the aire to be colde by nature. And to this
end they vse many arguments and reasons, whereof we will
propound one very familiar and well knowne, leaving the
rest aparte. In the canicular dayes we are accustomed to
beate the ayre with a fanne, and we finde that it doth refresh
us; so as these Authors affirnie that heate is no private
property of any other Element but of fire only, which is dis
persed and mingled with all things (as the great Dionysius cionys. c.
doth teach us). But whether it be so or otherwise (for I ™

98 THE COOL WINDS TEMPER THE TEOPICAL HEAT.

LIB. H. w-}} noj. coutradict Aristotle, but in that which is most
certaine), in the end they agree all that the middle region
of the ayre is colder than the lowest next to the earth, as
experience dooth shew vs, seeing that in this middle region
are congealed snowe, haile, frosts, and other signes of
extreame colde. The middle region then, which they call
the burning Zone, having on the one side the sea and on
the other the mountaines, we must hold them for sufficient
causes to temper and coole the heate.

CHAP. xin. — That the colde windes be the principall cause to
make the burning Zone temperate.

The temperature of this region ought chiefly to be attri
buted to the property of the wind that blows in that country,
the which is pleasant and fresh. The providence of the
great God, Creator of al things, hath bin such as he hath
ordained fresh and coole windes in that region where the
sunne makes his course (which seernes should be burnt vp),
that by their coolenes the excessive heate of the sunne might
be qualified. And they are not farre from appearance of
reason, which held that the earthly Paradise was vnder the
Equinoctiall. If they had not deceived themselves in the
cause of their opinion, saying that the equalitie of the dayes
and nights was sufficient of it selfe to make that Zone tem
perate, to which opinion many others have beenc opposite,
of which number was that renowned Poet, saying —

" That coast incessantly by hotte beames tyred
Of Phoebus, who from thence never retyred."1

The coolenesse of the night then is not sufficient to mode-

1 " Y a quella parte
Esta siempre de un Sol bravo encendida
Sin que fuego jamas della se aparta,"

EFFECT OF WINDS IN THE TROPICS. 99

rate and to correct the violent lieate of the Sunne, but rather LlB- IT-
this burning Zone receives so sweet a temperature by the
benefite of the fresh and pleasant aire, as, notwithstanding
it were held by the Ancients to be more hotte then a burn
ing furnace, yet those which inhabite there take it for a de-
lightfull spring. It appeares by arguments and very appa-
rant reasons that the cause heereof consistes principally
in the qualitie of the winde. We see in one climate some
regions and Citties hotter then others, onely for that they
feele lesse wiade to refresh them. The like is in other
Countries where no winde blowes, the which are all on fire
like vnto a furnace. There are many of these Villages and
Townes in Bresill, Ethiopia, and Paraguay, as every one
knoweth; and that which is more considerable, wee see
these differences, not only on the Land, but also on the Sea.
There are some seas where they feele great heat, as they
report of that of Mozambique and Ormus in the East, and
of the Sea of Panama in the West, the which for this reason
engenders and brings forth great Lizards (called Cayamans),
as also in the sea of Bresill. There are other seas in the
same degree of height very colde, as that of Peru, in the
which wee were a cold, as I have said before, when we first
sailed it, which was in March, when the Sunne was directly
over vs. In truth, on this continent, where the land and sea
are of one sort, wee cannot imagine any other cause of this
so great a difference but the qualitie of the winde which doth
refresh them. If wee shall iieerely look into the considera
tion of the winde, whereof we have spoken, wee may resolve
many doubts which some obiect, and which seeme strange
and wonderful!. Wherefore the Sunne casting his beames
vppon the burning Zone, and particularly at Peru, and that
more violently then in Spaine in the Canicular daies, yet
they defend the heat with a light covering, so as with a
slender covering of mats or straw they are better preserved
from the heate then in Spaine vnder a roofe of wood or a

100 LAND AND SEE BEEEZES.

LIB. ii. vauit Of stone. Moreover, why are not the nightes in
summer at Peru as hotte and troublesome as in Spaine ?
Wherefore on the highest tops of mountaines, even amongst
the heaps of snow, you shall sometimes feele great and in
supportable heat ? Wherefore in all the Province of Collao,
when ye come into the shade, how little soever, you feele
colde, but,, comming into the Sunne beames, you presently
finde the heate excessive ? Why is all the coast of Peru,
being ful of sands, very temperate ? And why is Potosi
(distant from the silver Citie but eighteene leagues, and in
the same degree) of so divers a temperature that the Coun-
trie, being extreamely colde, it is wonderfully barren and
drie ? And contrariwise, the silver Citie is temperate, in
clining vnto heat, and hath a pleasant and fertil soil ? It
is more certaine that the winde is the principall cause of
these strange diversities, for without the benefite of these
coole windes the heate of the Sunne is such as (although it
bee in the midst of the snow) it burnes and sets all on fire ;
but when the coolenes of the aire returnes suddenly the heat
is qualified, how great soever it be ; and whereas this coole
winde raincs ordinarie, it keepes the grosse vapours and ex
halations of the earth from gathering together, which cause
a heavie and troublesome heat, whereof we see the contrarie
in Europe, for by the exhalation of these vapours the earth
is almost burnt vp with the Sunne by day, which makes the
nights so hotte and troublesome, as the aire doth often seeme
like vnto a furnace. For this reason, at Peru, this freslmcs
of the winde is the cause (by the meanes of some small
shade at the Sunne setting) that they remaine coole. But
contrariwise in Europe the most agreeable and pleasing
time in summer is the morning, and the evening is the
most hotte and troublesome. But at Peru, and vnder all
the Equinoctiall it is not so ; for every morning the winde
from the sea doth cease, and the Sunne beginnes to cast
his beanies, and for this reason they feele the greatest heat

IMPORTANCE OF PURE AIR. 101

in the morning, vntill the returne of the same windes, which LlB- "•
otherwise they call the tide or winde of the sea, which makes
them first to feele cold. We have tried al this whilst we
were at the Hands of Barlovente, where in the mornings
we did sweat for heat, and at noone we felt a fresh aire, for
that then a north-easterly wind, which is fresh and coole,
doth commonly blow.

CHAP. xiv. — That they which inhabite vnder the Equinoctiall,
live a sweete and pleasant life.

If those which have held opinion, that the earthly Para-
dice was vnder the Equinoctiall, had beene guided by this
discourse, they had not seemed altogether deceived, not Biues, lib.
that I will conclude that the delightfull Paradice, whereof emit., c. 21.
the Scripture speakes, was in that place, which were too
great a temeritie to affirme it for certaine. But I may well
say, if there be any Paradice on earth it ought to bee placed
whereas they inioy a sweete and quiet temperature; for
there is nothing more troublesome or repugnant to mans
life, then to live vnder a heaven or aire that is contrarie,
troublesome or sicklie ; as there is nothing more agreeable
then to inioy a heaven that is sound, sweet and pleasant.
It is certaine that we do not participate of any of the
Elements, nor have not the vse of any so often in our bodies
as of the aire. It is that which invironeth our bodies on all
parts, which enters into our bowells, and at everie instant
visits the heart, and there ingraves her properties. If the
aire be anything corrupted, it causeth death ; if it be pure
and healthfull, it augmenteth the strength ; finally, we
may say, that the aire alone is the life of man ; so, as
although we have goods and riches, if the aire be trouble
some and vnholesome, wee cannot live quietly nor with
content. But if the aire be healthfull, pleasant, and sweete,

102 A HEALTHY LIFE POSSIBLE IN THE TROPICS.

LlB- "• although we have no other wealth, yet doth it yeelde con
tent. Considering with my selfe the pleasing temperature
of many Countries at the Indies, where they know not what
winter is,, which by his cold doth freese them, nor summer
which doth trouble them with heat, but that with a Matte
they preserve themselves from the iniuries of all weather,
and where they scarce have any neede to change their gar
ments throughout the yeere. I say, that often considering
of this, I find that if men at this day would vanquish their
passions, and free themselves from the snares of covetous-
nesse, leaving many fruitelesse and pernicious disseines,
without doubt they might live at the Indies very pleasant
and happily ; for that which other poets sing of the Elisean
fields and of the famous Tempe, or that which Plato reports
or faines of his Atlantis Hand, men should finde in these
lands, if with a generous spirit they would choose rather to
command their silver and their desires then to remaine
slaves as they are. That which wee have hitherto discoursed
shal suffice touching the qualities of the Equinoctiall, of
colde, heat, drought, raine, and the causes of temperature.
The particular discourse of windes, waters, landes, mettalls,
plants, and beasts (whereof there is great aboundance at the
Indies), shall remaine for the other bookes. The difficultie
of that which is handled in this, though briefly, will haply
make it seeine tedious.

103

Ail advertisement to the Reader.

The Eeader mvst vnderstand, that I wrote the two first
bookes in Latine, when I was at Peru, and therefore they
speake of matters of the Indies, as of things present : Being
since returned into Spaine, I thought good to translate
them into our vulgar tongue, and not to change my former
maner of speeach. But in the five following bookes, for
that I made them in Europe, I have beene forced to change
my stile, and therein to treate of matters of the Indies, as
of Countries and things absent. And for that this diversitie
of speech might with reason offend the Reader, I have
thought good to advertise him thereof.

THE THIRD BOOKE

Of the Naturall and Morall Historic of the

Indies.

CHAP. i. — That the naturall Historic of the Indies is pleasant
and agreeable.

LIB. in. EVEEIE naturall Historic is of it selfe pleasing, and very
~~ profitable, to such as will raise vp their discourse and con
templation on high, in that it doth move them to glorify
the Author of all nature, as we see the wise and holy men
psai. cm, do, specially David in many Psalmes. And lob likewise,

cxxxv, xci, -I Ji

xxxii, xviii, treating1 of the secrets of the Creator, whereas the same

viii.

jobxxviii, Lord answereth lob so amplie. He that takes delight to
xli- ] vriderstand the wondrous works of Nature shal taste the

* true pleasure and content of Histories ; and the more,
whenas he shal know they are not the simple workes of
men, but of the Creator himself, and that he shall compre
hend the naturall causes of these workes, then shall he truly
occupie himselfe in the studie of Philosophic. But he that
shall raise his consideration higher, beholding the gret and
first architect of all these marvells, he shal know his wisc-
dom and infinite greatnes, and (we may say) shall be divinely
iniployed. And so the discourse of naturall things may
serve for many good considerations, although the feeblenes
and weakenes of many appetites are commonly accustomed
to stay at things lesse profitable, which is the desire to
know new things, called curiositie. The Discourse and
Historic of naturall things of the Indies (besides the com
mon content it gives) hath yet another benefite, which is to
treate of things n farre off, the greatest parte whereof were

THE WINDS. 105

vnknowne to the most excellent Authors of that profession LlB- m-
which have bin among the Ancients. And if wee should
write these naturall things of the Indies so amply as they
require, being so strange, I doubt not but we might com
pile works no lesse than those of Plinie, Theophrastus, and
Aristotle. But I hold not my selfe sufficient, and although
I were, yet is not my intent but to note some naturall
things which I haue seene and knowne being at the Indies,
or have received from men worthy of credit, the which
seeme rare to me and scarce known in Europe. By reason
whereof I will passe over many of them briefly, ether bicause
they are writen of by others, or else require a longer dis
course then I can now give.

CHAP. n. — Of the windes, their differences, properties, and
causes in generall.

Having discoursed in the two former Books of that which
concernes the heavens, and the habitation of the Indies in
generall, it behooves vs now to treate of the three elements :
aire, water, and land, and their compounds, which be met-
talls, plants, and beasts ; for, as for the fire, I see no speciall
matter at the Indies which is not in other regions ; vnlesse
some will say, that the manner to strike fire in rubbing two
stones one against another, as some Indians vse, or to boyle
any thing in gourdes, casting a burning stone into it, and
other such like things, are remarkable, whereof I have
written what might be spoken. But of those which are in
the Yulcans1 and mouths of fire at the Indies, worthy doubt-
lesse to be observed, I will speake in their order, treat
ing of the diversitie of grounds, whereas they finde these
fires or Vulcans. Therefore, to beginne with the winds, I
say, that with good reason, Salomon, in the great iudgement

1 Volcanos.

106 THE WINDS.

LIB. in. whicn God had given him, esteernes much the knowledge of
~ the windes, and their properties, being very admirable ; for
that some are moyst, others drie, some vnwholesome, others
sound, some hote, others colde, some calme and pleasant,
others rough and tempestuous, some barren, and others
fertile, with infinite other differences. There are some
windes which blow in certaine regions, and are, as it were,
Lordes thereof, not admitting any entry or communication
I of their contraries. In some partes they blow in that sorte,
J as sometimes they are Conquerors, sometimes conquered;
often there are divers and contrary winds, which doe runno
together at one instant, dividing the way betwixt them,
sometimes one blowing above of one sort, and another be
low of another sorte ; sometimes they incounter violently
one with another, which puts them at sea in great danger :
there are some windes which helpe to the generation of
creatures, and others that hinder and are opposite. There
is a certaine wind, of such a quality, as when it blowes in
some country, it causeth it to raine fleas, and in so great
aboundaunce, as they trouble and darken the aire, and cover
all the sea shoare : and in other places it raines frogges.
These diversities, and others which are sufficiently knowne,
are commonly attributed to the place by the which these
windes passe. For they say, that from these places they
take their qualities to be colde, hote, drie, or moyst, sickly, or
sound, and so of the rest, the which is partly true, and can
not be denied ; for that in a small distance you shall see in
one winde many diversities. For example, the Solanus
or Easterne winde is commonly hote and troublesome in
Spaine ; and in Murcia it is the coolest and healthfullesfc
that is, for that it passeth by gardens, and that large
champairie which wee see very fresh. In Carthagena,
which is not farre from thence, the same winde is trouble
some and vnwholesome. The meridionall (which they of
the Ocean call South, and those of the Mediterranean sea,

THE WINDS. 107

Mezo giorno) commonly is raynie and boisterous, and in the LlB- IIJ-
same Citie whereof I speak, it is wholesome and pleasant.
Plinie reports that in Affricke it raines with a Northerne
winde, and that the Southerne winde is cleere. Hee, then,
that shall well consider what I have spoken of these windes,
may conceive, that in a smal distance of land or sea
one winde hath many and diverse qualities, yea some
times quite contrary • whereby we may inferre that he
draweth his property from the place where he passeth,
the which is in such sort true (although we may not say
infallibly), as it is the onely and principall cause of the
diversitie of the windes. For in a single region containing
fiftie leagues in circuite (I putte it thus for an example),
it may clearly be seen that the winde which blowes of
the one parte is hote and moist, and that which blowes
on the other is colde and drie. Notwithstanding this
diversitie is not found in places by which it passeth, the
which makes mee rather to say that the windes bring these
qualities with them, whereby they give vnto them the names
of these qualities. For example, we attribute to the
Northerne winde, otherwise called Cier^o, the property to
be colde and drie, and to dissolve mists ; to the Southerne
wind, his contrary, called Leveche, wee attribute the con
trary qualitie, which is moist and hote, and ingenders
mists. This being generall and common, we must seeke out
another vniversall cause to give a reason of these effects.
It is not enough to say that the places by which they passe
give them these qualities, seeing that passing by the same
places we see contrary effects. So as we must of force
confesse that the region of the heaven where they blowe gives
them these qualities, as the Septentrionall is colde, because
it commes from the North, which is the region farthest from
the Sunne. The Southerne, which blows from the Midday
or South, is hote, and for that the heate drawes the vapours.
It is also moist and raynie, and contrariwise the north is drie

108 THE WINDS.

LIB. in. an(j subtile, for that it suffereth no vapours to congeale. And
in this manner wee may discourse of other windes, giving
them the qualities of the region where they blowe. But,
looking more precisely into it, this reason can not satisfie
me. I will therefore demaund, What doth the region of
the aire by which they passe, if it doth not give them their
qualities ? I speake it for that in Germanie the Southerne
winde is hote and moist, and in Affrike the Northerne is
cold and drie. Notwithstanding it is most certaine that in
what region soever of Germanie the Southerne winde is
ingendred, it must needes be more cold then any part of
Affrike where the Northerne is ingendred. And if it be so,
why is the Northerne winde more cold in Affrike then the
Southerne in Germany, seeing it proceeds from a hotter
region ? Some may answer me that the reason is for that
it blowes from the North, which is colde j but this is neither
sufficient nor true, for if it were so, whenas the Northerne
winde blowes in Affrike, it should also runne and continue
his motion in al the Region, even vnto the North, the which
is not so. For at one instant there blowe Northerno windes
very colde in countries that are in fewer degrees, and South -
erne winds, which are very hotte, in countries lying in more
degrees, the which is most certaine, vsuall, and well knowne.
Whereby (in my opinion) wee may inferre that it is no per
tinent reason to say that the places by which the winds do
passe give them their qualities, or that they be diversified,
for that they blowe from divers regions of the ayre, although
the one and the other have some reason, as I have said.
But it is neeclefull to seeke further to knowe the true and
originall cause of these so strange differences which we see
in the windes. I cannot conceive any other, but that the
same efficient cause which bringeth foorth and maketh the
winds to grow dooth withall give them this originall qualitie,
for in trueth the matter whereon the windes are made,
which is no other thing (according to Aristotle) but the

THE WINDS. 109

exhalation of the interior Elements, may well cause in effect LlB-

a great parte of this diver sitie, being more grosse, more
subtile, more drie, and more moist. But yet this is no per
tinent reason, seeing that we see in one region, where the
vapours and exhalations are of one sorte and qualitie, that
there rise windes and effectes quite contrary. We must
therefore referre the cause to the higher and celestiall effi
cient, which must be the Sunne, and to the motion and in
fluence of the heavens, the which by their contrary motions
give and cause divers influences. But the beginnings of
these motions and influences are so obscure and hidden from
men, and on the other part so mighty, and of so great force,
as the holie Prophet David, in his propheticall Spirite, and
the Prophet leremie, admiring the greatnes of the Lorde,
speake thus : " Qui profert ventos de thesauris suis.^ He
that drawes the windes out of his treasures. In trueth leremy. x.
these principles and beginnings are rich and hidden trea
sures, for the Author of all things holdes them in his hand
and in his power, and when it pleaseth him sendeth them
foorth for the good or chastisement of men, and sends foorth
such windes as hee pleaseth, not as that Eolus, whome the
Poets doe foolishly faine to have charge of the windes,
keeping them in a cave like vnto wild beasts. We see not
the beginning of these windes, neyther do we know how long
they shal continue, or whither they shal goe. But we see
and know well the diverse effects and operations they have,
even as the supreame trueth the Author of all things hath
taught vs, saying, " Spirittis vbi vult spirat, et vocem eius
audis, et nescis vnde venit, aut quo vadit." The spirit or
winde blowes where it pleaseth, and although thou feelest
the breath, yet doost thou not knowe whence it commeth,
nor whither it shall goe. To teach vs that conceiving a
little of matters which are present and common vnto vs, wee
should not presume to vnderstand that which is so high and
so hidden as the causes and motives of the Holy Ghost, It

110 THE WINDS.

LIB. in. -jg therefore sufficient that wee knowe his operations and
effectes, the which are plainely discovered in his greatnes
and perfections, and to have treated a litle philosophically
of the windes, and the causes of their differences, properties,
and operations, which wee have produced into three ; the
place by which they passe, the regions where they blowe,
and the celestiall virtue, the beginning and motive of the
windes.

CHAP. in. — Of certaine properties of windes which blowe at
the new worlde.

It is a question much disputed by Aristotle, whether the
Southerne winde, which we call Abrego orLevcche blowes from
the pole Antartike, or onely from the Equinoctiall line? which
is properly to demaund, if beyond the Equinoctiall it holde
the same qualitie of hote and rainie as we see here. It is a
point whereof we may with reason stand in doubt, for
although it passe the Equinoctiall, yet is it still the South-
erne wind, seeing it comes from the same parte of the
worlde; as the Northerne winde which comes to the con
trary continues stil the same winde, although it passe the
burning Zone and Equinoctiall line. And it seems hereby,
tliat these two windes should hold their first properties, the
one to be hote and moist, the other colde and drie ; the
South to breede mists and raine, and the North to disperse
them, and to make a cleere Skie. Notwithstanding Aristotle
leanes to the contrary opinion, for that in Europe the North-
erne winde is colde, because it comes from the Pole, a
region extreamely colde, and the Southerne winde contrari
wise is hotte, because it comes from the South, which is the
region the Sunne dooth most heate. By this reason then
we should believe that the South winde should be colde to
them that inhabite on the other side of the line, and the

WINDS IN PERU. Ill

Northerne wind should be hote, for in those partes the LlB< m-
Southerne wind comes from the Pole, and the Northerne
from the Line. And though it seemes by this reason that
the Southern winde should be more colde there than the
Northern is heere, for that they holde the region of the
South Pole to be more colde then that of the North, by
reason that the Sunne stayeth seaven dayes every yeere in
the Tropike of Cancer more than it doth in the Tropicke
of Capricorne, as it appeareth by the Equinoxes and Solstices
he makes in the two Circles, wherein it seemeth that Nature
would shew the preheminence and excellencie of this moity
of the worlde, which is in the North, above the other parte
in the South ; so as it seemeth there is reason to beleeve
that these qualities of the windes doe change in passing the
Line ; but in trueth it is not so, as I could comprehend by
the experience I had some yeeres, being in those partes of
the Indies which lie on the South, or the other side of the
Line.

It is true that the Northerne winde is not vsually colde
and cleere there as heere. In some parts of Peru, as at
Lima, and on the Plaines, they find the Northern windes
troublesome and vnwholesome, and all along the coast,
which runs above five hundred leagues, they holde the
Southerne windes for healthfull and coole, and (which is
more) most cleere and pleasant ; yea it never raines, con
trary to that wee see in Europe, and of this side the Line.
Yet that which chaunceth vpon the coast of Peru is no
generall rule, but rather an exception and a wonder of
Nature, neuer to raine vpon that coast, and ever to have
one winde, without giving place to his contrary, whereof
we will heereafter speake our minde.

Now let vs stand vpon this point, that the Northerne
winde beyond the line hath not the s.ame properties which
the Southerne winde hath on this side, although they both
blow from the midday to regions and parts of the world

112 WINDS IN PEEU.

LIB. in. wn{ch be opposite and contrarie. For it is no generall rule
there, that the Northerne winde is neither hote nor rainie
there, as the South winde is on this side ; but contrari
wise, it raines whenas the South winde blowes there, as we
see in all the Sierra or mountaine of Peru, in Chile, and in
the Countrie of Congo, which is on the other side of the line,
and farre advanced into the Sea. And in Potosi likewise,
the winde which they call Tomahani (which is our North),
if my inemorie faile me not, is extreamely cold, drie, and
vnpleasant, as it is heere with vs. Yet doth not the North-
erne winde disperse the cloudes usually there as it doth
heere ; but contrariwise, if I be not deceived, it doth often
cause raine. There is no doubt but the windes do borrow
this great diversitie of contrarie effects from the places by
which they passe, and the neere regions where they are
bred, as we see by daily experience in a thousand places.
But speaking in generall of the qualitie of the windes, we
must rather look to the coastes or partes of the world from
whence they proceede, then to observe whether they be on
this side or beyond the line, as it seeines the Philosopher
held opinion. These capitall windes, which be the East
and West, have no such vniversall qualities, nor so common
in this continent nor in the other as the two former. The
Solanus, or Easterne winde, is commonly here troblesome
and vnholsome, and the Westerne, or Zephirus, is more
milde and healthfull. At the Indies, and in all the burning
Zone, the Easterne winde which they call Brisa, is contrari
wise very healthfull and pleasant. Of the West, I cannot
speak any thing certaine or generall, for that it blowes not
at all, or very seldonie, in the burning Zone, for in all the
navigation betwixt the two Tropikes, the Easterne winde is
ordinary. And for that it is one of the admirable workes
of Nature, it shall be good to vnderstand the cause and the
beginning thereof.

WINDS IN THE INDIES. 1.13

CHAP. iv. — That in the burning Zone, the Brisas, or Easterly

windes, do continually blowe, and without the Zone the

luesterne, and that the Easterly are ordinarie

alwaies there.

The waies at Sea are not as at Land, to returne the same ^IB. «T-
way they passe. It is all one way, saieth the Philosopher,
from Athens to Thebes, and from Thebes to Athens ; but it
is not so at Sea, for we go one way, and returne by an
other. The first which discovered the east and west Indies, ^an- d?

' Barros 111

laboured much with great difficultie to finde out their course, ^c^,GCa. 6.
vntill that Experience (the mistris of these secrets) had
taught them, that to saile through the Ocean is not like the
passage in Italie, through the Mediterranean sea, where, in
their returne, they observe the same Ports and Capes they
had sight of in their passage, attending still the benefite of
the winde, which changeth instantly, and when that failes,
they have recourse to their owers ; and so the Gallies go
and come daily, coasting along the shoare. In some partes
of the Ocean, they may not looke for any other winde then
that which blowes, for that commonly it continues long,
To conclude, that which is good to go by, is not fit to re
turne with : for in the sea beyond the Tropicke, and within
the burning Zone, the Easterly windes raine continually,
not suffering their contraries. In the which region, there
are two strange things : the one is, that in that Zone (being
the greatest of the five into the which the world is divided)
the Easterly windes (which they call Brisas) do raine, not
suffering the Westerne or Southerne (which they call lower
windes), to have their course at any season of the yeere :
The other wonder is, that these Easterly windes never cease
to blow, and most commonly in places neerest to the line,
where it seemes that calmes should be more frequent, being
a part of the world most subiect to the heate of the Sunne ;

i

114 VOYAGES OF THE SPANISH FLEETS.

LIB. m. but it is contrarie, for you shall hardly finde any calmes
there, and the winde is cold and continues longer, which
hath been found true in all the navigations of the Indies. This
is the reason why the voyage they make from Spaine to the
West Indies is shorter, more easie, and more assured, then
the returne to Spaine. The fleetes, parting from Seville,
have more difficultie to passe the Canaries, for that the
gulph of Yeguas is variable, being beaten with divers
windes ; but having passed the Canaries, they saile with
a westerne winde vntill they come to the burning Zone,
where presently they finde an Easterly winde, and so
they saile on with full windes, so as they have scant any
neede to touch their sailes in the whole voiage : for this
reason they called this great gulph the gulph of Damas, for
the calrnenes and pleasantnes thereof. Then, following
their course, they corne to the Hands of Guadalupe, Dom
inica, Deseada, Marigalante, and the rest, which in that
place be, as it were, the suburbs of the Indies. There the
fleetes seperate and divide themselves, whereof some (which
go to New Spaine) take to the right hand towards His-
paniola, and having discovered Cape San Anton, they passe
vnto San Juan de Lua, alwaies vsing the same Easterly
windes. Those for the maine Land take the left hand, dis
covering the high mountaine of Tayrona ; then, having
touched at Carthagena, they passe vnto Nombre de Dios,
from whence they go by land to Panama, and from thence
by the South Sea to Peru. But when the fleetes returno
to Spaine, they make their voiage in this sort : The fleeto
of Peru discovers Cape San Anton, then they enter into
the Havana, which is a goodly Port in the Hand of
Cuba. The fleete of New Spaine doth likewise touch at the
Havana, being parted from Vera Cruz, or from the Hand of
San Juan de Lua, the which is not without difficultie, for
that commonly Easterly windes blowe there, which is a
contrarie winde to go to the Havana. These fleetos beino-

TRADE WINDS. 115

ioyned together for Spaine, they seeke their height without LlT1- Irr-

the Tropicks, where presently they finde Westerly winds,
which serve them vntill they conie in view of the Azores or
Terceras, and from thence to Seville. So as their voiage in
going is of a small height, not above twentie degrees from
the line, which is within the Tropickes. But the returne is
without the Tropickes, in eight and twentie or thirtie de
grees of height at the least, for that within the Tropickes
the Easterne winds continually blow, the which are fittest
to go from Spaine to the West Indies, for that their course
is from east to west ; and without the Tropickes (which is
in three and twentie degrees of height) they finde westerly
winds, the which are the more certaine and ordinarie, the
farther you are from the line, and more fit to returne from
the Indies ; for that they are windes blowing from the
South and West, which serve to runne into the East and
North. The like discourse is of the Navigation made into
the South sea, going from New Spaine or Peru to the
Philippines or China, and returning from the Philippines or
China to New Spaine, the which is easie, for that they saile
alwaies from East to West neere the line, where they finde
the Easterly windes to blow in their poope. In the yeere
1584, there went a shippe from Callao in Lima to the Philip
pines, which sailed 2000 and 700 leagues without sight of
land, and the first it discovered was the Hand of Lusson,
where they tooke port, having performed their voiage in
two moneths, without want of winde or any torment, and
their course was almost continually vnder the line ; for that
from Lima, which is twelve degrees to the South, he came
to Manilla, which is as much to the North. The like good
fortune had Alvaro de Maudana, whenas he went to discover
the Hands of Salomon, for that he had alwaies a full gale,
vntill he came within view of these Hands, the which must
be distant from that place of Peru, from whence he parted,
about a thousand leagues, having runne their course alwaies

116 THE TEADE WINDS.

LIB. in. -n one height to the South. The returne is like vnto the
voiage from the Indies vnto Spaine, for those which returne
from the Philippines or China to Mexico, to the end they
may recover the Westerne windes, they mount a great
height, vntill they come right against the Hands of lappon,
and, discovering the Caliphornes, they returne by the coast
of New Spaine to the port of Acapulco, from whence they
parted. So, as it is proved likewise by this navigation,
that they saile easily from East to West within the Tropickes,
for that there Easterly windes do raine j but returning from
West to East they must seeke the Westerne windes without
the Tropickes in the height of seven and twentie degrees.
The Portin gales prove the like in their navigations to the
East Indies, although it be in a contrarie course, for that
going from Portugall the voiage is troublesome, but their
returne is more easie ; for that in going their course is from
the West to the East, so as they must of necessitie mount,
vntill they have found their generall windes, which they
hold to be above the seven and twentith degree. And in
their returne they discover the Terceras, but with mo^e ease,
for that they come from the East, where the Easterly or
North erne windes do serve them. Finally, the Mariners
hold it for a certaine rule and observation that within the
Tropickes continually raine Easterly windes, and therefore it
is very easie to saile to the West. But without the Tro
pickes there are in some seasons Easterly windes, and in
some and more ordinarie Westerne windes, by reason whereof
they which saile from West to East labour alwaies to be out
of the burning Zone, to put themselves in the height of
seven and twentie degrees. And for this reason men have
indangered themselves to vndertake strange Navigations,
and to seeke out farre Countries vnknowne.

THE TRADE WINDS. 117

CHAP. v. — Of tJie differences of the Br is as or East erne windes,
and the Westerns, and likewise of other windes.

Although that which we have spoken be generall and well LlB- m-
approoved, yet there rernaines still a desire in me to learne
the cause of this secret, why vnder the burning Zone we
saile alwaies from East to West with so great facilitie, and
not from West to East, which is as much as if wee should
demaund why the Easterly windes raine there, and not the
Westerly, for that according to good Philosophie that which
is perpetuall, vniversall, and of it selfe (as the Philoso
phers say), must have a proper cause and of it selfe. But
before I stay at this question, which seemes remarkeable,
it shal be necessary to shew what we vnderstand by Brisas
or Easterly windes and Westerly, for that it will serve
much for this subiect, and for many other matters touching
windes and navigations. The Pilotes make two and thirty
poynts of windes, for that to bring their ship to the desired
haven they must make their account as punctually and as
strictly as they can, for bending to the one side or the other
never so little, in the end of their course they should finde
themselves farre from their pretended place. And they
reckon but two and thirty quarters of the windes, for that
more woulde confound the memorie. But with reckoning
as they accompt two and thirty windes, so may they reckon
three score and foure, one hundred twenty and eight, and
two hundred fifty and six. Finally, multiply these partes
to an infinite, for the place where the shippe is, being as
it were the centre, and all hemisphere in circumference,
what should let but wee may accompt lines without number,
the which comming from this centre drawe directly to these
lineall circles in so many partes, which might cause as
many diverse windes, seeing that the winde comes from
all partes of the hemisphere, which we may divide into as

118 DIEECTION OF THE TRADE WINDS.

LIB. m. many paries as we will imagine, yet the wisdom e of man,
conformable to the holy Scripture, observes foure windes,
the principall of all others, and as it were the foure corners
of the worlde, the which they ioyne in making a crosse
with two lines, whereof the one goes from one Pole to another,
and the other from one Equinoctiall to the other. Of the
one side the North or Aquilon, and the Southerne winde
or mid-day opposite, and on the other side the East, which
comes from the Sunne rising, and the West from his setting.
And although the holy Scripture in some places speakes of
other diversities of windes, as of Eurus and Aquilon, which
those in the Ocean sea call Nordest, and they of the Medi
terranean sea Gregal, whereof there is mention made in
Saint Paul's navigation, yet the same holy Scripture makes
mention of those foure notable windes, which all the worlde
knowes, which are, as is saide, North, South, East, and
Weast.

But for that we finde three differences in the rising of
the Sunne, from whence the name of East comes, that is
the two greatest declinings which he doth vsually make,
and the meane betwixt them both, as hee dooth rise in
diverse places in winter, in summer, and in that which
holdes the middle of these two seasons. For this reason
they have reckoned two other windes, the East of summer
and the East of winter, and by consequence two Wests,
the one of summer and the other of winter, their contraries,
so as there are eight windes in eight notable poyntes of
heaven, which are the two Poles, the two Equinoxes, the
two Solstices, and their opposites in the same Circle, the
which are called by divers names and appellations in every
place of the sea and land. Those which saile the Ocean doe
vsually call them thus. They give the name of North to
those windes that blowe from our Pole, which carrieth the
same name, and Northeast that which is neerest, and comes
from the summer East. They call East that which comes

NAMES OF THE WINDS. 119

directly from the rising Equinoctial!, and Southeast that LlB-
which comes from the winter rising. To the Mid-day or
Pole Antartike they give the name of Southwest, and to
that of the winters setting the name of Southwest ; to the
right setting Equinoctiall the name of West,, and to the
summers setting Northwest. They divide amongst them
the rest of the winds, and give them their names as they
participate and approach to others, as North-northwest,
North-northeast, East-northeast, East-southeast, South-
southwest, West-southwest, W^est-norwest, so as by their
names we know whence they proceed. In the Mediter
ranean sea, although they follow the same division and maner
of reckoning, yet doe they give them other different names.
They call the North Tramontana, and his contrary, the
South, Mezogiorno or Mediodia. The East they call Levante,
and the West Poniente, and those which crosse these foure
they call thus : Southeast is by them named Xirocque, or
Xaloque, and his opposite, which is Norwest, they call Mes-
tral. The northeast they call Gregal, and the Southwest
his contrary, Levesche, Lybico, or Affricaine. In Latine
the foure knowne winds be Septentrio, Auster, Subsolanus,
Favonius, and those which be interlaced are Aquilo, Vul-
turnus, Affricus, and Corus. According vnto Plinie, Vul-
turnus, which Eurus is the same winde as Southeast or
Xaloque. Favonius is the West or Ponent, Aquilo and
Boreas is Nortest or Gregal, or Tramontana, Affricus, and
Libique is the Southwest or Levesche, Auster and Notus
is the South or Midday, Corus and Zephirus the Northwest
or Mestral, and to the Northeast or Gregal they give no
other name then Phenicias. Some divide them after an
other maner, but for that it is not now our purpose to repeate
the Latine and Greeke names of all the windes; lette vs onely
shew which be those amongst these windes that the Mariners
of the Indian Ocean call Brisas and which Vendavales.
I was long in some difficulty about these names, seeing them

120 NAMES OF THE WINDS.

LIB. m. ^-0 vge tliem very diver sly, vntill I found that these names
were more generall then proper and peculiar. They call
Brisas those which serve to goe to the Indies, the which
blowe in their poope, which by this meanes comprehend all
the Easterly windes, and those which depend of them. And
they do call Vendavales those which are fitte to returne
from the Indies, which blowe from the South to the west,
so as they be, as it were, two Esquadrons of windes of
eyther side; the Corporalles be of one side Northeast or
Gregal, on the other Southwest or Leveche. But you
must vnderstand that of the number of eight windes and
differences which we have counted, five are proper to saile
by, and not the other three. I say that when a ship sailes
at sea he may make a long voyage with one of these windes,
although they serve him not equally, but he cannot vse any
of the other three. As if a shippe goe to the South he
shall saile with the North, Northeast, Northweast, and
with East and Weast, for side-windes serve to goe or to
come. But with a Southerne wind he cannot saile, being
directly contrary, nor with his two Collaterals, which is
Southest and Southwest, which is a very triviall thing, and
common to them that saile. And therefore it is not neede-
full to explaine them heere, but to signifie that the side-
windes of the right East are those which commonly blow to
the burning Zone, which they doe call Brisas, and those
from the South declining to the Weast, which serve to saile
from West to East, are not common in the burning Zone,
and therefore they seeke them without the tropikes; and
the Indian Mariners commonly call them Vendavales.

CAUSE OF THE TRADE WINDS. 121

CHAP. vi. — What is the reason why sailing vnder the burning
Zone we finde alwayes Easterly windes ?

Let vs now speake of that which, toucheth the Question LIB. m.
propounded : what should be the reason whie vnder the
burning Zone wee saile easily from East to West, and not
contrary ? wherein we must presuppose two certaine
groundes. The one is, that the motion of the first moover,
which they call Diurnall, not onelie drawes and mooves with
him the celestiall spheares, which are inferiour vnto him,
as wee see daily in the sunne, the rnoone, and the starres,
but also the Elements do participate of this motion, inso
much as they are not hindered. The earth is not mooved,
by reason of her heavinesse, which makes it immooveable,
being far from this first motor. The element of water
moves not likewise with this Diurnall motion, for that it is
vnited to the earth and make one sphere, so as the earth
keeps it from all circular motion. But th'other two elements
of fire and aire are more subtil and nearer the heavenly
regions, so as they participate of their motion, and are
driven about circularly as the same celestial bodies. As for
the fire, without doubt it hath his sphere (as Aristotle and
other Philosophers have held), but for the aire (which is the
point of our subiect) it is most certaine that it mooves with
a motion diurnall, which is from East to Weast, which we
see plainely in Comets that moove from the East vnto the
West, mounting, descending, and finally turning in the
hemispheare in the same sort as the Starres move in the
firmament ; for otherwise these comets being in the region
and sphere of the aire, whereas they ingender, appeares
consum'd. It should be impossible for them to moove cir
cularly, as they doe, if the element of the aire doth not
moove with the same motion that the first motor dooth.
For these elements being of a burning substance, by reason

122 MOTION OF THE COMET OF 1577.

LIB. in. they should be fixt, without mooving circularly, if the sphere
where they are did not moove ; if it be not as we faine, that
some Angell or intellectuall Spirite dooth walke with the
Cornet, guiding it circularly. In the yeere of our Lord God
one thousand five hundred seaventy and seaven appeered
that wonderfull Comet (in forme like vnto a feather) from
the horizon almost to the middest of heaven, and continued
from the first of November vntil the eight of December. I
say from the first of November, for although in Spaine it
was noted but the ninth of November (according to the testi
mony of Writers of that time), yet at Peru, where I was then,
I remember well we did see it and observe it eight dayes
before, and all the time after. Touching the cause of this
i diversity (some may dilate vpon it particularly) I will onely
show that during those fourtie dayes which it continued we
all observed (both such as were in Spaine and we that lived
then at the Indies) that it mooved daily with an vniversall
motion, from East to Weast, as the Moone and other
Planets, wherby it appeeres that the sphere of the aire
being its Region, the element it selfe must of necessitie
moove after the same sort. We noted also, that besides
this vniversall motion it had an other particular, by which it
moved with the planets fro west to east, for every night it
turned more Eastward, like vnto the Moone, Sunne, and
Planet of Venus. Wee did also observe a third particular
motion, whereby it mooved from the zodiacke towards the
North ; for after some nights it was found nearer vnto the
Septentrionall signes. And it may be this was the reason
why the great Comet was sooner seene by those that were
southerly, as at Peru, and later discovered by them of
Europe ; for by this third motion (as I have saide) it
approached neerer the Northerne Regions. Yet every one
may well observe the differences of this motion, so, as wee
may well perceive, that many and sundry celestiall bodies
give their impressions to the sphere of the aire. In like

CAUSE OF THE TRADE WINDS. 123

sorte it is most certaine that the ayre mooves with the cir- LlB- m-
cular motion of the heaven, from Est to West, which is the
first ground before mentioned. The second is no lesse
certaine, the which is, that the motion of the aire in those
parts that are vnder the Line, or neere vnto it, is very swift
and light the more it approacheth to the Equinoctiall j but
the farther off it is from the Line, approaching neere the
Poles, the more slowe and heavie this motion is. The
reason heereof is manifest, for that the mooving of the celes-
tiall bodies being the efficient cause of the mooving of the
ayre, it must of necessitie be more quicke and light, where
the celestiall bodies have their swiftest motion.

To labour to shew the reason why the heaven hath a
quicker motion vnder the burning Zone, which is the Line, *
then in any other part of the heaven, were to make small
account of men ; seeing it is easie to see in a wheele that
its motion is more slowe and heavy in the part of greatest
circumference then in the lesse, and that the greater cir
cumference ends at one instant with the lesser. From these
two grounds proceedes the reason where such as saile great
gulphs from east to west doe always finde the winde in
their poope, going in a small altitude, and the neerer they
come to the Equinoctiall, the more certaine and durable the
winde is. Arid contrariwise, sailing from west to east, they
always finde the winde contrary ; for that the swift motion
of the Equinoctiall drawes after it the element of the aire,
as it doth the surplus of the higher spheares. So as the
aire dooth alwayes follow the motion of the day, going
from east to weast, without any alteration and the motion
of the aire being swift, draweth after it all the vapours and
exhalations which rise from the sea, which causeth in those
Regions a continuall easterly winde, which runnes from the
Levant. Father Alonso Sanchez, a religious man of our
Company, who hath travelled the east and west Indies,
as a man ingenious and of experience, said, that sailing

124 CAUSE OF THE TKADE WINDS.

LIB. in. vnder the Line or neere vnto it, with a continued and
durable season, it seemed to him to be the same aire,
mooved by the heaven the which guided the ships, and was
not properly a winde nor exhalation, but an aire moved with
the daily course of the sunne ; for proofe whereof he shewed
that the season is alwayes equall and alike at the gulph of
Damas, and in other great gulphes where wee saile vnder
the burning Zone, by reason whereof their sailes always
bear an equal strain, without its being needful to trim
them in all their voyage. And if the ayre were not
mooved by the heavens, it might sometimes faile, some
times change to the contrary, and sometimes there would
grow some stormes. Although this be learnedly spoken,
yet can we not deny it to be a winde, seeing there are
vapours and exhalations of the sea, and that we some
times see the Brisa or easterly winds stronger, some
times more weake, and placed in that sort as sometimes
they can hardly carry all their sailes. We must then know
(and it is true) that the aire mooved, draweth vnto it the
vapours it findes ; for that the force is great and findss no
resistance, by reason whereof the easterne and weasterne
windes are contiiiuall, and in a maner alwayes alike, in
those parts which are neere the Line, and almost vnder all
the burning zone, which is the cause the Sunne followes
betwixt the two circles of Cancer and Capricorne.

CHAP. vn. — Why without the Zone, in a greater altitude, u-ev
finde alwayes westerly windes.

Whoso would neerely looke into what hath bin spoken
may likewise vnderstand that going from the west to the
east, in altitude beyond the Tropikes, we shall finde west-
erne windes, for that the motion of the Equinoctiall being
«o swift, it is a cause that the ayre mooveth vnder it accord-

CAUSE OF THE WESTERLY WINDS. 125

ing to this motion, which is from east to west, drawing LlB- m-
after it the vapors and exhalations that rise of either side
the Equinoctial or burning zone, incountring the course and
motion of the zone, are forced by the repercussion to
returne almost to the contrary, whence growe the southwest
winds so ordinary in those parts. Even as we see in the
course of waters, the which (if they be incountred by others
of more force) returne in a maner backe, so it seemes to
be like in vapours and exhalations, whereby it growes that
the windes doe turne and separate themselves from one
part to another. These westerly winds do commonly raine
in a meane altitude, which is from twenty and seeven to
thirty and seven degrees, though they be not so certaine
nor so regular as the Brisas that are in a lesse altitude.
The reason is, for that the south-west windes are no causes
of this proper and equal motion of the heaven, as the Brisas
are, being neere to the Line. But (as I have said) they are
more ordinarie, and often more furious and tempestuous.
But passing into a greater latitude, as of fortie degrees,
there is as small assurance of windes at sea as at land ; for
sometimes the east or north winde blowes, and sometimes
the south or west ; whereby it happeneth their navigations
are more vncertaine and more dangerous.

CHAP. vin. — Of the exceptions to the foresaid Rules, and of
the Windes and Calmes, loth at Land and at Sea.

That which we have spoken of winds which blow ordi-
imrilie within and without the Zone, must be vnderstood of
the maine Sea and in the great gulphes ; for at land it is
otherwise, where we finde all sorts of windes, by reason of
the inequalitie which is betwixt the mountaines and the
vallies; the great number of Rivers and Lakes, and the
divers scituations of Countries, whence the grosse and

126 LAND AND SEA BREEZES.

LIB. HI. thicke vapors arise, which are moved from the one part or
the other, according to the diversitie of their beginnings,
which cause these divers windes the motion of the aire,
caused by the heaven having not power enough to draw
and move them with it. And this varietie of windes is not
onely found at land, but also vpon the sea coast, which is
vnder the burning Zone, for that there be foraine or land
windes which come from the land, and many which blow
from the sea ; the which windes from the sea are commonly
more wholesome and more pleasant then those of the land,
which are contrariwise, troublesome and vnwholsome,
although it be the difference of the coast that causeth this
diversitie ; commonly the land windes blow from mid-night
to the sunne rising, and the sea windes vntill sunne setting.
The reason, perhaps, may be, that the earth, as a grosse
substance, fumes more whenas the sunne shines not vpon
it, even as greene wood, or scarce drie, smoakes most when
the flame is quenched. But the sea, which is compounded
of more subtile partes, engenders no fumes but when it is
hote, even as straw or haie, being moist and in small
quantitie, breedes smoake when it is burnt, and when the
flame failes, the fume suddenly ceaseth. Whatsoever it be,
it is certaine that the land winde blowes by night, and that
of the sea by day. So that even as there are often contrarie,
violent, and tempestuous windes vpon the sea coast, so do
we see very great calmes. Some men of great experience
report, that having sailed many great passages at sea vucler
the line, yet did they never see any calrnes, but that they
alwaies make way little or much, the aire being moved by
the celestiall motion, which is sufficient to guide a ship,
blowing in poope, as it doth. I have already said that a
ship of Lima going to Manilla sailed two thousand seven
hundred leagues, alwaies vnder the line, or not above twelve
degrees from it, and that in the moneths of Februarie and
March, whenas the sunne is there for Zenith, and in all this

RAIN-BEARING WINDS. 127

space they found no calmes, but alwaies a fresh gale, so as Lis-
in two moneths they performed this great voyage. But in
the burning Zone and without it you shall vsually see great
calmes vpon the coastes, where the vapors come from the
Hands or maine land. And therefore stormes and tempestes,
and the suddaine motions of the aire, are more certaine and
ordinarie vpon the coastes, whereas the vapors come from
the land, then in full sea, I meane under the burning Zone,
for without it, and at sea, there are both calmes and whirl e-
windes. Notwithstanding, sometimes betwixt the two
Tropickes, yea, vnder the line, you shall have great raine
and suddaine showers, yea, farre into the sea ; for the work
ing whereof the vapors and exhalations of the sea are suffi
cient, which moving sometimes hastily in the aire, cause
thunder and whirlewindes ; but this is more ordinarie neere
to the land and vpon the land. When I sailed from Peru
to New Spaine I observed that all the time we were vpon
the coast of Peru our voiage was (as it was ordinary) very
calme and easie, by reason of the Southerne winde that
blowes, having alwaies a fore winde returning from Spaine
and New Spaine. As we passed the gulph, lanching farther
into the sea, almost vnder the line, we found the season
coole, quiet, and pleasant, with a full winde, but com-
ming neere to Nicaragua, and to all that coast, we had con-
trarie windes, with great store of raine and fogges. All
this navigation was vnder the burning Zone ; for from
twelve degrees to the South, which is Lima, wee sailed to
the seventeenth, which is Gautulco, a port of New Spaine ;
and I beleeve that such as have observed their navigations,
made vnder the burning Zone, shall finde what I have said,
which may suffice for the windes which raine at sea vnder
the burning Zone.

128 STRANGE EFFECTS OF WINDS.

CHAP. TX. — Of some marvellous effects of the windes, which
are in some paries of the Indies.

It were a very difficult matter to report particularly the
admirable effectes which some windes cause in divers regions
of the world, and to give a reason thereof. There are
windes which naturally trouble the water of the sea, and
makes it greene and blacke, others cleere as Cristall ; some
comfort and make glad, others trouble and breede heavines.
Such as nourish silkewormes have great care to shut their
windowes whenas the South-west windes do blow, and to
open them to the contrarie ; having found by certaine
experience that their wormes diminish and die with the one
and fatten and become better with the other ; and who so
will neerely observe it shall finde in himself that the diversi
ties of windes cause notable impressions and changes in the
bodie, principally in sicke partes and ill disposed, when they
ami'u.10 are most tender and weake. The holy scripture calleth one
i!miv.V11' & burning winde, another a winde full of dew and svveetnes.
Dan. iii.' And it is no wonder if we see such notable effects of the
windes in plants, beasts, and men, seeing that we see it
visibly in yron, which is the hardest of all mettalls. I have
scene grates of yron in some partes of the Indies so rusted
and consumed that, pressing it betwixt your fingers, it
dissolved into powder, as if it had been hay or parched
straw, the which proceedes only from the winde which doth
corrupt it, having no meanes to withstand it. But leaving
apart many other great and notable effects, I will onely
make mention of two. The one, although it causeth pangs
greater than death it selfe, yet doth it not breede any further
inconvenience. The other takes away life without feeling
of it. The sicknes of the sea, wherewith such are troubled
as first begin to go to sea, is a matter very ordinary ; and
yet if the nature thereof were vnknowne to men, we should

SEA SICKNESS. 129

take it for the pangs of death, seeing how it afflicts and LlB- m-
torments while it doth last, by the casting of the stomacke,
paine of the head, and other troublesome accidents. But
in trueth this sicknes, so common and ordinarie, happens
unto men by the change of the aire and sea. For although
it be true that the motion of the shippe helpes much, in
that it moves more or less, and likewise the infections and
ill savours of things in the shippe ; yet the proper and
nnturall cause is the aire and the vapors of the sea, the
which doth so weaken and trouble the body and the sto
macke, which are not accustomed therevnto, that they are
wonderfully moved and changed ; for the aire is the ele
ment by which wee live and breathe, drawing it into our
entrailes, the which we bathe therewithal!. And therefore
there is nothing that so suddenly and with so great force
doth alter vs, as the change of the aire we breathe, as we see
in those which die of the plague. It is proved by many
experiences, that the aire of the sea is the chiefe cause of
this strange indisposition ; the one is, that when there
blowes from the sea a strong breath, we see them at the
land as it were sea-sicke, as I rayselfe have often found.
Another is, the farther we go into the sea, and retyre from
land, the more we are touched and dazeled with this sick
nes. Another is, that coasting along any Hand, and after
lanching into the maine, we shall there finde the aire more
strong. Yet will I not deny, but the motion and agitation
may cause this sicknes, seeing that we see some are taken
therewith passing rivers in barkes : others in like sort
going in coches and caresses, according to the divers com
plexions of the stornacke ; as contrariwise, there are some,
how boistrous and troublesome soever the sea be, doe never
feele it. Wherefore it is a matter certaine and tried that
the aire of the sea doth commonly cause this effect in such
as newly go to sea. I thought good to speake this, to
shew a strange effect, which happens in some partes of the

K

130 SICKNESS AT GREAT HEIGHTS.

LIB. m. Indies, where the ayre and the wind that rains makes men
dazie, not lesse, but more then at sea. Some hold it for a
fable, others say that it is an addition ; for my part I will
speake what I have tried. There is in Peru a high moun-
taine which they call Pariacaca,1 and having heard speake
of the alteration it bred, I went as well prepared as I could
according to the instructions which were given me, by such
as they call Vaguianos, or expert men; but notwithstanding
all my provision, when I came to mount the stairs, as
they call them, which is the top of this inountaine, I was
suddenly surprized with so mortal! and strange a pang that I
was ready to fall from my beast to the ground ; and although
we were many in company, yet every one made haste (with
out any tarrying for his companion) to free himselfe speedily
from this ill passage.2 Being then alone with one Indian,
whom I intreated to keep me on my beast, I was surprised
with such pangs of straining and casting as I thought to cast
vp my soul too; for having cast vp meate, fleugrne, and
choller, both yellow and greene, in the end I cast vp blood,
with the straining of my stomacke. To conclude, if this had
continued, I should vndoubtedly have died ; but this lasted
not above three or four houres, that we were come into a
more convenient and naturall temperature, where all our
companions, being fourteene or fifteene, were much wearied.
Some in the passage demaunded confession, thinking
verily to die ; others got off their beasts, beeing over
come with casting, and going to the stoole ; and it was
tolde me that some have lost their lives there with this
accident. I beheld one that did beate himselfe against

o

the earth, crying out for the rage and griefe which this
passage of Pariacaca hadde caused. But commonly it

1 Caeca means a rock in Quichua. I cannot, with certainty, identify
this pass of Pariacacca.

- The sickness, at great heights in the Andes, caused by rarified at
mosphere, is called Sorocli.

SICKNESS AT GREAT HEIGHTS. 131

dooth no important harme, onely this, paine and trouble- LlB- m-
some distaste while it endures : and not onely the passage
of Pariacaca hath this propertie, but also all this ridge of
the mountaine, which runnes above five hundred leagues
long, and in what place soever you passe, you shall finde
strange intemperatures, yet more in some partes then in
other, and rather to those which mount from the sea than
from the plaines. Besides Pariacaca, I have passed it by
Lucanas1 and Soras ;2 in another place, by Collahuas,3 and by
Cavanas.4 Finally, by foure different places, going and
comming, and alwaies in this passage I have felt this alter
ation, although in no place so strongly as at the first in Paria
caca, which hath beene tried by all such as have passed it.
And no doubt but the winde is the cause of this intemper-
ature and strange alteration, or the aire that raignes there.
For the best remedy (and all they finde) is to stoppe their
noses, their eares, and their mouthes, as much as may be,
and to cover themselves with cloatkes, especially the sto-
rnacke, for that the ayre is subtile and piercing, going into
the entrailes, and not onely men feele this alteration, but
also beasts, that sometimes stay there, so as there is no
spurre can make them goe forward. For my part, I holde
this place to be one of the highest parts of land in the
worlde, for we mount a wonderfull space. And in my opi
nion, the mountaine Nevada of Spaine, the Pirenees, and
the Alpes of Italie, are as ordiuarie houses in regard of hie
Towers. I therefore perswade my selfe, that the element
of the aire is there so subtile and delicate, as it is not pro
portionable with the breathing of man, which requires a
more grosse and temperate aire, and I beleeve it is the

1 More correctly Rucana. See also Lib. vi, cap. xv ; and G. de la
Vega, ii, p. 267. Lucanas is a modern province in the department of
Ayacucho. 2 Soras, a district near Lucanas.

3 Collahua is near Arequipa. See G. de la Vega, i, p. 232.

4 Cariha. See G. de la Vega, i, p. 80.

K2

INTENSE COLD ON THE PUNAS.

LlB- m- cause that doth so much alter the stomacke and trouble all
the disposition. The passages of the rnountaines Nevada
and others of Europe which I have seene, although the
aire be colde there, and doth force men to weare more
clothes, yet this colde doth not take away the appetite for
meat, but contrariwise it provokes; neither dooth it cause
any casting of the stomacke, but onely some paine in the
feete and handes. Finally, their operation is outward. But
that of the Indies, whereof I speake (without molesting of
foote or hand, or any outward parte), troubles all the
entrailes within: and that which is more admirable, when
the sunne is hote, which maketh mee imagine that the
griefe wee feele comes from the qualitie of the aire which
wee breathe. Therefore, that is most subtile and delicate,
whose colde is not so sensible as piercing. All this ridge
of mountains is for the most part desart, without any vil
lages or habitations for men, so as you shall scarce finde
any small cotages -to lodge such as do passe by night.
There are no beasts, good or bad, but some vicunas, which
are their countrey muttons, and have a strange and won
derful property, as I shall shew in his place.1 The grasso
is often burnt, and all black e with the aire, and this desart
runnes five and twenty or thirty leagues overthwart, and in
length above five hundred leagues. There are other desarts
or places not inhabited, which at Peru they call Punas2
(speaking of the second poynt we promised), where the
quallitie of the ayre cutteth off mans life without feeling.
In former time the Spaniardes went from Peru to the
realme of Chille by this mountaine, but at this day they do
passe commonly by sea, and sometimes alongst the side of
it. And though that way be laborious and troublesome,
yet is there not so great daunger as by the mountaine,
where there are plaines, on the which many men have

1 Lib. iv, cap. xli.

" J*/n/(tx are the lofty plateaux of the Andes.

INTENSE COLD ON THE PUNAS. I3o

perished and died, and sometimes have scaped by great Llr>- ut-
happe, whereof some have remained lame. There runs a
small breath, which is not very strong nor violent, but
proceedes in such sorte that men fall downe dead in a
manner without feeling, or, at the least, they loose their
feete and handes ; the which may seeme fabulous, yet is it
most true.

I knew and was long intimate with General Geronimo Cos-
tillas,1 one of the first settlers in Cusco, who had lost three
or foure toes, which fell off in passing the desart of Chile,
being perished with this aire, and when he came to look on
them they were dead, and fell off without any paine, even
as a rotten apple falleth from the tree. This Captaine re
ported, that of a good army which hee had conducted by
that place in the former yeeres, since the discoverie of this
kingdome by Almagro, a great part of the men remained
dead there, whose bodies he found lying in the desart with
out any stink or corruption; adding therevuto one thing
very strange, that they found a yong boy alive, and being
examined how hee had lived in that place, hee saide that
hee laie hidden in a little cave, whence hee came to cutte
the flesh of a dead horse with a little knife, and thus had
he nourished himselfe a long time, with I know not how
many companions that lived in that sort, but now they were
all dead, one dying this day, and another to morrow, saying
that hee desired nothing more then to die there with the
rest, seeing that he found not in himselfe any disposition
to goe to any other place, nor to take any taste in any
thing. I have vnderstoode the like of others, and parti
cularly of one that was of our company, who being then a
secular man, had passed by these desarts ; and it is a

1 Geronimo Costillas was a native of Zamora, of good family. He
accompanied Almagro's expedition to Chile ; and was afterwards actively
engaged in the campaign against Giron. See G. de la Vega, ii, p. 243
and note.

134 THE SOUTH SEA.

LIB. in. strange thing the qualitie of this colde aire, which killes
and also preserves the dead bodies without corruption. I
have also vnderstoode it of a reverend religious man, of the
Order of Saint Dominike, and Prelate thereof, who hadde
seene it passing by the desarts ; and which is strange, hee
reported, that travelling that way by night, was forced to
defend himselfe against that deadly winde which blowes
there (having no other meanes) but to gather together a
great number of those dead bodies that lay there, and
made therof, as it were, a rampire and a bolster for his
head ; in this manner did he sleepe, the dead bodies giving
him life. Without doubt this is a kinde of cold so piercing
that it quencheth the vitall heate, cutting off his influence,
and, being so exceeding colde, yet doth not corrupt nor
give any putrifaction to the dead bodies, for that putrifaction
groweth from heate and moystness. As for the other kinde
of ayre which thunders vnder the earth, and causeth earth
quakes, more at the Indies then in any other regions, I
wil speake thereof in treating the qualities of the land at
the Indies. We will content our selves now with what wee
have spoken of the wind and aire, and passe to that which
is to be spoken of the water.

CHAP. x. — Of the Ocean that invirons the Indies, and of the
North and South Seas.

Amongst all waters the Ocean is the principal!, by which
the Indies have beene discovered, and are invironed there
with ; for either they be Hands of the Ocean sea, or maine
land, the which wheresoever it ends is bounded with this
Ocean. To this day they have not discovered at the Indies
any mediterranean sea, as in Europe, Asia, and Affrike,
into the which there enters some arme of this great sea,

QUESTION OF CUTTING THE ISTHMUS. 135

and makes distinct seas, taking their names from the Pro- LlB< m<
vinces they bathe ; and almost all the mediterranean Seas
continue and ioyne together, and with the Ocean it selfe,
by the straight of Gibraltar, which the Ancients called the
Pillars of Hercules, although the Eed Sea beeing separated
from the mediterranean seas, enters alone into the Indian
Ocean ; and the Caspian sea ioynes not with any other : so
that at the Indies wee finde not anie other sea then this
Ocean, which they divide into two, the one they call the
north sea, and the other the south; for that the Indies
which were first discovered by the Ocean, and reacheth
vnto Spaine, lies all to the north, and by that land there
after discovered a sea on the other side, the which they
called the South Sea, for that they decline vntill they have
passed the Line; and having lost the North, or Pole
articke, they called it South. For this cause they have
called all that Ocean the South Sea, which lieth on the
other side of the East Indies, althogh a great part of it be
seated to the north, as al the coast of new Spaine, Nica
ragua, Guatimala, and Panama. They say that hee that
first discovered this sea was called Blasco Nunez de Balboa,
the which he did by that part which we now call Tierra
Firme, where it growes narrow, and the two seas approach
so neere the one to the other, that there is but seaven
leagues of distance; for although they make the way
eighteene from Nombre de Dios to Panama, yet is it with
turning to seeke the commo cfitie of the way, but drawing
a direct line the one sea shall not be found more distant
from the other. Some have discoursed and propounded to
cut through this passage of seaven leagues, and to ioyne
one sea to the other, to make the passage from Peru more
commodious and easie, for that these eighteene leagues of
land betwixt Nombre de Dios and Panama is more paine-
full and chargeable then 2300 by sea, wherevpon some
would say it were a meanes to drowne the land, one sea

136 STEATTS OF MAGELLAN.

LITI. in. "being lower then another. As in times past we finde it
Herodotus, written, that for the same consideration they gave over the
enterprize to win the Eed sea into Nile, in the time of
lovms. King Sesostris, and since, in the Empire of the Ottomans.
But for my part, I hold such discourses and propositions
for vaine, although this inconvenient should not happen,
the which I will not hold for assured. I beleeve there is
no humaine power able to beat and breake downe those
strong and impenetrable mountaines, which God hath placed
betwixt the two seas, and hath made them most hard
rockes, to withstand the furie of two seas. And although
it were possible to men, yet in my opinion they should
feare punishment from heaven in seeking to correct the
workes which the Creator by his great providence hath
ordained and disposed in the framing of this vniversall
world. Leaving this discourse of opening the land, and
ioyning both seas together, there is yet another lesse rash,
but very difficult and dangerous to search out. Whether
these two great gulphes do ioyne in any other part of the
world, which was the enterprize of Fernando Magellan, a
Portugal] gentleman, whose great courage and constancie
in the research of this subiect, and happy successe in the
finding thereof, gave the name of eternall memory to this
straight, which iustly they call by the name of the disco
verer, Magellan, of which straight we will intreate a little,
as of one of the greatest wonders of the world. Some have
beleeved that this straight which Magellan had discovered
in the South Sea was none, or that it was straightened, as
Don Alonso tie Ercilla writes in his Araucana ; and at this
day there are some that say there is no such straight, but
that they are ilands betwixt the sea and land, for that the
maine land endes there, at the end whereof are all ilautls,
beyond the which the one sea ioynes fully with the other,
or to speake better, it is all one sea. But in truth it is
most ccrtaine, there is a straight and a long and stretched

VOYAGE OF SARMIENTO. 137

out- land on eyther side, although it hath not yet beene LlB- m-
knowne how far it stretcheth of the one side of the straight
towards the South. After Magellan, a shippe of the Bish-
oppe of Plasencia, Don Guttieres Carvajal, passed the straight
(whose mast they say is yet at Lima, at the entrie of
the palace), they went afterwards coasting along the South
to discover the Straight, by the commandement of Don
Garcia de Mendoza, then governor of Chill e, according to
that which Captaine Ladrillero found it and passed it. I
have read the discourse and report he made, where he
saieth, that he did not hazard himselfe to land in the
Straight, but having discovered the North sea he returned
back, for the roughnes of the time, winter being now come,
which caused the waves comming from the North to grow
great and swelling, and the sea continually foming with
rage. In our time, Francis Drake, an Englishman, passed
this straight. After him, Captaine Sarmiento passed it on
the South side. And lastly, in the yeere 1587, other
Englishmen passed it, by the instruction of Drake, which
at this time runne all along the coast of Peru. And for that
the report which the master Pilot that passed it made,
seemeth notable vnto me, I will heere set it downe.

CHAP. xi. — Of the Straight of Magellan, and how it was
passed on the south side.

In the yeere of our Lord God, one thousand five hundred
seaventy nine, Francis Drake having passed the Straights
and runne alongest the coast of Chille and all Peru, and
taken the shippe of San Juan de Antona, where there was a
great number of barres of silver, the Viceroy Don Francisco
de Toledo armed and sent foorth two good shippes to dis
cover the Straight, appoynting Pedro Sarmiento for Cap-

138 VOYAGE OF SARMIENTO.

LlB- In- taine, a man learned in Astrologie. They parted from
Callao of Lima in the beginning of October; and foras
much as vpon that coast there blowes a contrary winde
from the South, they tooke the sea, and having sailed litle
above thirty days with a favourable winde, they came to
the same altitude of the Straight; but for that it was very
hard to discover, they approched neere vnto the land, where
they entred into a great Bay, in the which there is an
Archipelague of Hands : Sarmiento grew obstinate, that
this was the Straight, and staied a whole moneth to finde
it out, by diverse wayes creeping vppe to the high moun-
taines. But seeing they could not discover it, at the in
stance of such as were in the army they returned to sea.
The same day the weather grew rough, with the which they
ranne their course ; in the beginning of the night the Ad-
miralls light failed, so as the other shippe never see them
after. The day following the force of the winde continuing
still, being a side wind, the Admiralles shippe discovered an
opening, which made land, thinking good to enter there
for shelter vntill the tempest were past. The which suc
ceeded in such sort, as having discovered this vent, they
found that it ranne more and more into the land, and con-
iecturing that it should be the Straight which they sought,
they tooke the height of the Sunne, where they found them
selves in fiftie degrees and a halfe, which is the very
height of the Straight; and, to be the better assured, they
thrust out their Brigandine, which having run many leagues
into this arme of the sea without seeing any end, they found
,| it to be the very Straight. And for that they had order to
f passe it, they planted a hie Crosse there, with letters
thereon, to the end, that if the other ship should chance to
arrive there, they should have newes of their Generall and
follow. They passed the Straight in a favourable time,
without difficultie, and, passing into the north sea, they
came to certaine vnknowne Ilandes, where they tooke in

QUESTION AS TO THE STRAIGHT. 139

fresh water and other refreshings. From thence they tooke LlB- m-
their course towardes Cape de Verde, from whence the
Pilote maior returned to Peru, by the way of Carthagena
and Panama, carrying a discourse of the Straight to the
Viceroy, and of all their successe, of whom he was well re
warded for his good service.

But Captaine Pedro Sarmiento sailed from Cape Verde
to Seville in the same ship wherewith he had passed the
Straight, and went to Court ; where his Maiestie rewarded
him; and at his instance, gave commaundernent to prepare
a great army, which he sent vnder the commaund of Diego
Flores de Valdes, to people and fortifie this Straight. But
this army, after variable successe, spent much, and profited
little.

Returning now to the Viceadmiralles shippe, which went
in company of the Generall, having lost him in the storme,
they tooke the sea, but the wind being contrary and stormy,
they looked all to perish, so as they confessed themselves,
and prepared for death. This tempest continued three
dayes without intermission, and hourely they feared to
runne on ground ; but it fel out contrary, for they went
still from land, vntill the ende of the third day, that the
storme ceased, and then taking the height, they found
themselves in fiftie sixe degrees ; but seeing they had not
crossed, and yet were farre from land, they were amazed,
whereby they surmized (as Hernando Lamero, Pilot of the
said ship, tolde me) that the land which is on the other
side of the Straight, as wee goe by the south sea, runnes
not in the same direction as it doth to the Straight,
but that it turneth to the East ; for else it were im
possible but they shoulde have touched land, having runne
so long time with this crosse winde ; but they passed on
no further, neyther coulde they discover the lands end
(which some holde to be there) whether it were an Hand
on the other side of the Straight, where the two seas of

140 SUPPOSED FLORIDA STRAIGHT.

LIB. in. North and South, doe ioyne together, or that it did runne
vppe towardes the East, and ioyne with the land of Yista
as they call it, which answers to the Cape of Good Hope (as
it is the opinion of some). The trueth hereof is not to this
day well known e, neither is there any one found that hath
discovered that land. The Viceroy Don Martin Henriquez
said vnto me, that he held this report for an invention of
the English, that the Straight should presentlie make an
Hand, and that the two seas did ioyne together; for that
(beeing Viceroy of Xew Spaine) hee had diligently
examined the Portugall Pilote, who had bin left there by
Francis Drake, and yet had no knowledge of any such
matter by him. But that was a very Straight, and a maine
land on either side. Returning then to the saide Vice-
admirall, they discovered this Straight (as the saide
Hernando Lamero reported vnto mee) but by another
mouth or entrie, and in a greater height, by reason of a
certaine great Hand which is at the entrie of the Straight,
which they call the Bell, for the forme it carries. And, as
he saide, hee woulde have passed it ; but the Captaine and
souldiers woulde not yeelde therevnto, supposing that the
time was too farre spent, and that they were in great
daunger. And so they returned to Chille and Peru, without
passing it.

CHAP. XTI. — Of the Straight ivhich some holde to be in
Florida.

Even as Magellan found out this Straight vppon the
South, so some have pretended to discover another Straight,
which they say is in the north, and suppose it to be in
Florida, whose coast runs in such sort, as they knowe no
end thereof. Peter Melendez, the Adelantado, a man very
expert at sea, affirmeth for certaine that there is a Straight,

THE NOETH-WEST PASSAGE. 141

and that the King had commanded him to discover it, LlB-
wherein he shewed a great desire ; he propounded his
reasons to proove his opinion,, saying, that they have seene
some remainders of shippes in the North Sea, like vnto
those the which the Chinois vse, which had beene im
possible, if there were no passage from one sea vnto
another. Moreover, he reported, that in a cerfcaine great
Bay in Florida (the which runnes 300 leagues within the
land) they see whales in some season of the yeere, which
come from the other sea. Shewing moreover other likeli
hood, he concludes, that it was a thing agreeing with the
wisedome of the Creator, and the goodly order of nature,
that as there was communication and a passage betwixt the
two seas at the Pole Antartike, so there should in like sort,
be one at the Pole Artike, which is the principall Pole.
Some will say that Drake had knowledge of this Straight,
and that he gave occasion so to iudge, whenas he passed
along the coast of new Spaine by the South Sea. Yea,
they hold opinion, that other Englishmen,1 which this yeere
1587, tooke a shippe comrning from the Philippines, with
great quantitie of gold and other riches, did passe this
straight, which prize they made neere to the California,
which course the ships returning from the Philippines and
China, to new Spaiue, do vsually observe. They confi
dently beleeve that, as the courage of man is great, and
his desire infinite, to finde new meanes to inrich himselfe,
so within few yeeres this secret will be discovered. And
truly, it is a thing worthie admiration, that as the Ants do
alwaies follow the trace of other, so men in the knowledge
and search of new things, never stay, vntill they have
the desired end for the content and glorie of men. And
the high and eternall wisedome of the Creator vseth this

1 This was the voyage of Cavendish. The prize was taken by him
off Cape San Lucas, the south point of California, on November 14th,

1587.

142 STEAITS OF MAGELLAN.

LIB. in. curiositie of men, to communicate the light of his holy
Gospell to people that alwaies live in the obscure
darkenesse of their errors. But to conclude, the straight
of the Artike Pole (if there be any) hath not been yet
discovered. It shall not therefore be from the purpose, to
speake what we know of the particularities of the Antartike
straight, already discovered and knowne, by the report of
such as have seene and observed it.

CHAP. xni. — Of the properties of the Straight of Magellan.

This Straight, as I have said, is iust fiftie degrees to the
South, and from one sea to another, fourscore and ten or a
hundred leagues, in the narrowest place it is a league and
little lesse, where it was intended the King should build a
Fort to defend the passage. It is so deepe in some places
that it cannot be sounded, and in some places they finde
ground at 18, yea, at 15, fadomes. Of these hundred leagues
which it containes in length from one sea vnto the other, it
is plainely seene that the waves of the South Sea runne 30
leagues, and the other 70 are possessed with the billowes
and waves of the North Sea. But there is this difference,
that the 30 leagues to the South runne betwixt the rockes
and most high rnountaines, whose tops are continually
covered with snow, so as they seeme, by reason of their
great height, to be ioyned together, which makes the entrie
of the Straight to the South so hard to discover. In these
30 leagues the sea is very deepe, and without bottome, yet
may they fasten their ships to the land, the banckes being
straight and vneven ; but, in the 70 leagues towards the
North, they finde ground, and of either side there are large
plaines, the which they call Savannahs. Many great rivers of
faire and cleere water runne into this Straight, and there
about are great and wonderfull forrests, whereas they finde

TIDES. 143

some trees of excellent wood and sweete, the which are not LlB- m<
knowne in these partes, whereof such as passed from thence
to Peru, brought some to shew. There are many meadowes
within the land,, and many Hands in the midst of the
Straight. The Indians that inhabite on the South side are
little and cowards ; those that dwell on the North part are
great and valiant — they brought some into Spaine, which
they hadde taken. They found peeces of blew cloth, and
other markes and signes that some men of Europe had
passed there. The Indians saluted our men with the name
'of lesus. They are good archers,, and goe clad in wilde
beasts skinnes, whereof there is great aboundance. The
waters of the Straight rise and fall as the tide, and they
may visibly see the tides come of the one side of the North
sea, and of the other from the South whereas they meete,
the which (as I have said) is thirtie leagues from the South,
and three score and tenne from the North. And although
it seemes there should be moredaunger then in all the rest,
yet whenas Captaine Sarmiento his shippe, whereof I
spake, passed it, they had no great stormes, but found
farre lesse difficultie then they expected ; for then the time
was very calme and pleasant. And, moreover, the waves
from the north sea came broken, by reason of the great
length of three score and tenne leagues, and the waves from
the south sea were not raging, by reason of the great
deapth, in which deapth the waves breake, and are swallowed
vp. It is true, that in winter the straight is not navigable,
by reason of the tempests and raging of the sea in that
season. Some shippes which have attempted to passe the
Straight in winter have perished. One onely shippe
passed it on the south side, which is the Captaine I made
mention of. I was fully instructed of all that I have spoken
by the pilote thereof, called Hernando Alonso, and have
seene the true discription of the Straight they made in
passing it, whereof they carried the copie to the King of
Spaine, and the original to the Viceroy of Peru.

144 TIDES.

CHAP. xiv. — Of the ebbing and flawing of the Indian Ocean.

LT». in. Qne Of the most admirable secrets of Nature is the
ebbing and flowing of the sea, not onely for this strange
property of rising and falling, but much more for the
difference there is thereof in diverse seas,, yea in diverse
coastes of one and the same sea. There are some seas that
have no daily flowing nor ebbing, as we see in the inner
Mediterranean, which is the Thyrene sea, and yet it flowes
and ebbes every day in the vpper Mediterranean sea, which
is that of Venice, and iustly giveth cause of admiration,
that these two seas being Mediterranean, and that of Venice
being no greater then the other, yet hath it its ebbing and
flowing as the Ocean, and that other sea of Italie none at all.
There are some Mediterranean seas, that apparently rise
and fall everie moneth ; and others that neyther rise in the
day nor in the moneth. There are other seas, as the Spanish
Ocean, that have their flux and reflux every day; and
besides that, they have it monethly, which commeth twice,
that is to say, at the entry, and at the ful of every Moone,
which they call Spring tides. To say that any sea hath
this daily ebbing and flowing, and not monethly, I knowe
not any. It is strange, the difference we finde of this
subiect at the Indies, for there are some places whereas the
sea doth daily rise and fall two leagues, as at Panama, and
at a high water it riseth much more. There are other
places where it doth rise and fall so little, that hardly can
you finde the difference. It is ordinary in the Ocean sea to
have a daily flowing and ebbing, and that was twice in a
naturall day, and ever it falls three quarters of an houre
sooner one day then another, according to the course of the
Moone : so as the tide falles not alwayes in one houre of the
day. Some would say, that this flux and reflux proceeded
from the locall motion of the water of the sea ; so as the

TIDES. 145

water that riseth on the one side falles on the other that is LlB- m-
opposite vnto it ; so that it is ful sea on the one side when as
it is a lowe water on the opposite, as we see in a kettle full
of water, when wee moove it ; when it leanes to the one
side the water increaseth, and on the other it diminisheth.
Others affirme, that the sea riseth in all partes at one time,
and decreaseth at one instant ; as the boyling of a pot,
comming out of the centre it extendeth it selfe on all
partes, and when it ceaseth, it falles likewise on all partes.

This second opinion is true, and in my iudgement, cer-
taine and tried, not so much for the reasons which the
Philosophers give in their meteors, as for the certaine
experience wee may make. For to satisfie my selfe vpoii
this point and question, I demanded particularly of the
said Pilot, how he found the tides in the straight, and if the
tides of the South sea did fall whenas those of the North
did rise. And contrariwise (this question being true) why
the increase of the sea in one place, is the decrease thereof
in another, as the first opinion holdeth. He answered that
it was not so, but they might see plainely, that the tides of
the North and South seas rise at one instant, so as the
waves of one sea incountred with the other, and at one
instant likewise they began to retire, every one into his sea,
saying, that the rising and falling was daily seene, and that
the incounter of the tides, as I have saide, was at three
score and tenne leagues to the North sea, and thirtie to the
South. Whereby wee may plainely gather, that the ebbing
and flowing of the Ocean is no pure locall motion, but
rather an alteration ; whereby all waters really rise and
increase at one instant ; and in others they diminish, as the
boyling of a pot, whereof I have spoken. It were im
possible to comprehend this poynt by experience, if it were
not in the Straight, where all the Ocean, both on th' one
side and on th' other, ioynes together ; for none but
Angelles can see it, and iudge of the opposite parts ; for

L

146 MANATIS.

LIB. in. j-j^ man h^k not so long a sight, nor so nimble and swift
footing as were needefull, to transporte his eyes from one
parte to another, in so short a time, as a tide will give him
respite, which are only six houres.

CHAP. xv. — Of sundry Fishes, and their manner of fishing at

the Indies.

There are in the Indian Ocean an infinite number of
fishes, the kindes and properties whereof the Creator only
can declare. There are many such as we have in the sea
of Europe, as shaddes1 and aloses,2 which come from the sea
into the rivers; dorads,3 pilchards,4 and many others. There
are others, the like I doe not thinke to have seene in these
partes, as those which they doe call Cabrillas,5 which doe
somewhat resemble the trowt,6 and in new Spaine they call
them Bobos, they mount from the sea into the rivers. I
have not seene any bream there, nor trowts, although some
say there are in Chille. There are tunny fish in some
partes vpoii the coast of Peru, but they are rare; and
some are of opinion that, at a certaine time, they do cast
their spawne in the Straight of Magellan, as they doe in
Spaine at the Straight of Gibraltar, and for this reason
they finde more vpon the coast of Chille, although those I
have seen there are not like to them in Spaine. At the
Ilandes (which they call Barlovento), which are Cuba, Santo
Domingo, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica, they find a fish
which they call Manati, a strange kinde of fish, if we may
call it fish, a creature which in genders her yoong ones alive,
and hath teates, and doth nourish them with milke, feeding
of grasse in the fieldes, but in effect it lives continually in

1 Li^u*, a ssluu.1. ~ Sai'alos, a shad. 3 Dorados.

4 Sardinas, sardine. 5 Calrillas, prawns. ° Tnicliat--.

VORACITY OP SHARKS. 147

the water, and therefore they eate it as fish; yet when I LlB- ITI-
did eate of it at Santo Domingo on a friday, I hadde
some scruple, not for that which is spoken, but for that
in colour and taste it was like vnto morsel! es of veale, so is
it greene, and like vnto a cowe on the hinder partes. I
didde woonder at the incredible ravening of the Tiburons,
or sharkes, whenas I did see drawne from one (that was
taken in the Port) out of his gullet, a butchers great knife,
a great yron hooke, and a peece of a cowes head with one
whole home; neyther doe I knowe if both were there or
no. I did see in a creeke made with that sea, a quarter of
a horse for pleasure hanging vpon a stake, whither pre
sently came a company of these Tiburons at the smel
thereof; and for the more pleasure, this horse flesh was
hung in the aire, I knowe not how many hand breadth
from the water ; this company of fish flocke about it, leap
ing vp, and with a strange nimblenesse cut off both flesh
and bone off the horse leg as if it had beene the stalk of a
lettuce ; their teeth being as sharpe as a rasour. There are
certaine small fishes they call Romeros,1 which cleave to
these Tiburons, neyther can they drive them away, and
they are fed with that which falles from the Tiburons.
There are other small fishes, which they call flying fishes,
the which are found within the tropickes and in no other
place, as I thinke : they are pursued by the Dorados, and to
escape them they leape out of the sea, and goe a good way
in the ayre, and for this reason they are called flying
Fishes; they have wings as it were of linnen cloth, or of
parchment, which do supporte them some space in the
ayre. There did one flie or leape into the shippe wherin
I went, the which I did see, and observe the fashion of his
wings.

In the Indian histories there is often mention made of
Lizards or Caymans, as they call them, and they are the

1 Pilot fish.

L 2

148 ALLIGATORS.

LIB. in. very same which Plinie and the Antients call Crocodiles;
~~ they finde them on the sea side, and in hote rivers, for in
colde rivers there are none to be found; and, therefore,
they finde none vpon all the coast of Peru vnto Payrta, but
forward they are commonly seene in the rivers. It is a
most fierce and cruell beast, although it be slow and heavie.
Hee goes hunting and seekes his prey on the land, and
what hee takes alive he drownes it in the water, yet dooth
hee not eate it but out of the water, for that his throate is
of such a fashion as if there entred any water he should
easily be drowned. It is a woonderfull thing to see a
combat betwixt a Cayman and a Tiger, whereof there are
most cruell at the Indies. A religious man of our Company
tolde me that he had seene these beasts fight most cruelly
one against the other; vpon the sea shoare the Cayman
with his taile gave great blowes vnto the Tiger, striving
with his great force to carry him into the water; and the
Tiger with his pawes resisted the Caymant, drawing him
to land. In the end the Tiger vanquished and opened the
Lizard, it seemes by the belly, the which is most tender
and penetrable, for in every other parte hee is so hard,
that no lance, and scarce a harquebuze, can pierce it. The
victory which an Indian had of a Cayman was yet more
rare ; the Cayman had carried away his yong childe, and
sodainly plunged into the sea; the Indian, mooved with
choller, cast himselfe after him, with a knife in his hand,
and as they are excellent swimmers and divers, and the
Cayman swimineth alwayes on the toppe of the water, hee
hurt him in the belly, and in such sort, that the Cayman,
feeling himselfe wounded, went to the shoare, leaving the
little infant dead. But the combate which the Indians have
with Whales is yet more admirable, wherein appeares the
power and greatnesse of the Creator to give so base a
Nation, as be the Indians, the industry and courage to
incounter the most fierce and deformed beast in the worlde,

WHALE FISHING. 149

and not only to fight with him, but also to vanquish him, LlB- m-
and to triumph over him. Considering this/ I have
often remembred that place of the Psalme, speaking of the psaimciii.
Whale, Draco iste, quern formasti ad illudendum eum. What
greater mockerie can there be then to see an Indian leade
a whale as bigge as a mountaine vanquished with a corde.
The maner the Indians of Florida vse (as some expert men
have tolde me) to take these whales (whereof there is great
store) is, they put themselves into a canoe, which is like a
barke of a tree, and in swimming approach neere the
whales side; then with great dexteritie they leape to his
necke, and there they ride as on horsebacke, expecting his
time, then hee thrustes a sharpe and strong stake, which
hee carries with him, into the whales nosthrill, for so they call
the hole or vent by which they breathe; presently he beates
it in with an other stake as forcibly as hee can; in the meane
space the whale dooth furiously beate the sea, and raiseth
mountaines of water, running into the deepe with great
violence, and presently riseth againe, not knowing what to
doe for paine; the Indian still sittes firme, and to give him
full payment for this trouble, he beates another stake into
the other vent or nosthrill so as he stoppeth him quite, and
takes away his breathing; then hee betakes him to his
canoe, which he holdes tied with a corde to the whales
side, and goes to land, having first tied his corde to the
whale, the which hee lettes runne with the whale, who
leapes from place to place whilest he finds water enough ;
being troubled with paine, in the end hee comes neere the
land, and remaines on ground by the hugenesse of his
body, vnable any more to moove ; then a great number of
Indians come vnto the conquered beast to gather his
spoiles, they kill him, and cut his flesh in peeces, this
do they drie and beate into powder, vsing it for meate,
it dooth last them long : wherein is fulfilled that which
is spoken in another Psalme of the whale, Dedisti eum \SS\.

150 FISHING! IN BALSAS.

LIB. in. escam populis ^Ethiopum. Peter Melendez the Adelan-
~ tado did often speake of this kinde of fishing. Whereof
Monardes makes mention in his booke. There is an
other fishing which the Indians do commonly vse in the
sea,, the which, although it be lesse, yet is it worthy the
report. They make as it were faggots of bul-rushes or drie
sedges well bound together, which they call Balsas; having
carried them vppon their shoulders to the sea, they cast
them in, and presently leape vppon them. Being so set,
they lanch out into the deepe, rowing vp and downe with
small reedes of eyther side, they goe a league or two into
the sea to fish, carrying with them their cordes and nettes
vppon these faggots, and beare themselves thereon. They
cast out their nettes, and do there remaine fishing the
greatest parte of the day and night, vntill they have filled
vp their measure, with the which they returne well satis
fied. Truely it was delightfull to see them fish at Callao of
Lima, for that they were many in number, and every one
set on horsebacke, cutting the waves of the sea, which in
their place of fishing are great and furious, resembling the
Tritons or Neptunes, which they paint vppon the water,
and beeing come to land they drawe their barke out of the
water vpon their^ backes, the which they presently vndoe,
and lay abroade on the shoare to drie. There were other
Indians of the vallies of Yea w7hich were accustomed to goe
to fish in leather, or skinnes of sea-wolves, blowne vp with
winde, and from time to time they did blowe them like
balles of winde, lest they should sinke. In the vale of
Caiiete, which in olde time they called Huarco, there were
a great number of Indian fishers : but because they resisted
the Ynca when he came to conquer that land, he made
shew of peace with them, and therefore to feast him they
appoynted a solemne fishing of manie thousand Indians,
which went to sea in their vessels of reeds; at whose re
turne, the Ynca, who had layde many souldiers in ambush,

LAKE TITICACA. 151

made a,cruell butcherie of them, so as afterward this land LlB- m-
remained vnpeopled, although it be aboundant and fertile.
I did see an other manner of fishing, wherevnto Don
Francisco de Toledo the Viceroy didde leade mee, yet was it
not in the sea, but in a river which they call great, in the
Province of Charcas, where the Indians Chirihuanas
plunged into the water, and swimming with an admirable
swiftnesse, followed the fish, where with dartes and hookes
which they vse to carry in their right hand, only swimming
with the left, they wound the fish, and so hurt they brought
them foorth, seeming in this more like vnto fishes then
men of the land. But now that we have left the sea, let vs
come to other kinde of waters that remaine to be spoken of.

CHAP. xvi. — Of Lakes and Pooles that be at the Indies.

In place of the Mediterranean Sea, which is in the old
world, the Creator hath furnished this new with many Lakes,
whereof there are some so great as they may be properly
called seas, seeing the Scripture calleth that of Palestina
so, which is not so great as some of these. The most
famous is that of Titicaca, which is at Peru, in the Province
of Collao, the which., as I have said in the former booke,
containes neere fourscore leagues in compasse, into the
which there runnes ten or twelve great rivers. A while
since they began to saile in it with barkes and shippes,
wherein they proceeded so ill that the first shippe was split
with a tempest that did rise in the Lake. The water is not
altogether sower nor salt, as that of the sea, but it is so
thicke as it cannot be drunke. There are two kindes of
fishes breed in this Lake in great aboundance, the one they
call Suchis,1 which is great and savorous, but phlegmatike
and vnwholesome, and the other Bogos, which is more
1 Sec also G. dc hi V<'<j«, i, lib. viii, cap. 22.

152 LAKES IN THE ANDES.

healthful^ although it be lesse and fuller of bones ; there are
great numbers of wilde duckes and widgeons. Whenas the
Indians will feast it, or shew delight to any one that passeth
along the two banckes, which they call Chucuyto and
Omasuyo, they assemble a great number of canoes, making
a circle and invironing the fowle, vntill they take with
their hands what they please, and they call this maner of
fishing Chacu. On the one and the other bancke of this
Lake are the best habitations of Peru. From the issue
thereof there growes a lesser Lake, although it be great,
which they call Paria, vpon the bankes whereof there are
great numbers of cattell, especially swine, which grow ex
ceeding fatte with the grasse vpon those banks. There are
many other Lakes in the high mountains whence proceede
brooks and rivers, which after become great flouds. Ypon
the way from Arequipa to Callao there are two Lakes
vpon the mountains of the one and other side the way ;
from the one flowes a brooke, which growes to a floud, and
falles into the South sea; from the other they say the
famous river of Apurimac takes her beginning, from the
which some hold that the renowned river of Amazones, other
wise called Maranon, proceed es, with so great an assembly
and aboundance of waters, which ioyne in these mountaines.
It is a question which may be often asked, why there are
so many Lakes in the toppes of these mountaines, into the
which no river enters, but contrariwise many great streames
issue forth, and yet do we scarce see these Lakes to diminish
anything at any season of the yeere. To imagine that these
Lakes grow by the snow that melts or raine from heaven,
that doth not wholy satisfie me, for there are many that
have not this aboundance of snow nor raine, and yet we
see no decrease in them, which makes me to beleeve they
are springs which rise there naturally, although it be not
against reason to thinke that the snowne and raine helpe
somewhat in some seasons. These Lakes are so common

LAKES IN MEXICO. 153

in the highest toppes of the mountaines that yon shall LlB- IIT<
hardly finde any famous river that takes not his beginning
from one of them. Their water is very cleere, and breedes
little store of fish, and that little is very small, by reason of
the cold which is there continually. Notwithstanding,
some of these Lakes be very hotte, which is another wonder.
At the end of the vallie of Tarapaya, neere to Potozi, there
is a Lake in forme round, which seemes to have been made
by compasse, whose water is extreamely hote, and yet the
land is very colde. They are accustomed to bathe them
selves neere the banke, for else they cannot indure the
heate being farther in. In the midst of this Lake there is
a boiling of above twenty foote square, which is the very
spring, and yet (notwithstanding the greatnes of this spring)
it is never seene to increase in any sort ; it seemes that it
exhales of it selfe, or that it hath some hidden and vnknowne
issue, neither do they see it decrease, which is another
wonder, although they have drawne from it a great stream e,
to make certaine engines grinde for mettall, considering
the great quantity of water that issueth forth, by reason
whereof it should decrease. But leaving Peru, and passing
to New Spaine, the Lakes there are no less to be observed,
especially that most famous of Mexico, where we finde two
sortes of waters, one salt like to that of the sea, and the
other cleere and sweete, by reason of the rivers that enter
into it. In the midst of this Lake is a rocke verie delight-
full and pleasant, where there are baths of hote water that
issue forth, the which they greatly esteeme for their health.
There are gardins in the middest of this Lake, framed and
fleeting vpon the water, where you may see plottes full of a
thousand sortes of hearbes and flowers, and they are in such
sort as a man cannot well conceive them without sight.
The Citie of Mexico is seated in the same Lake, although
the Spaniards have filled vp the place of the situation with
earth, leaving oncly some currents of water, great and

154 LAKES IN MEXICO.

LIB. in. small,, which enter into the Citie, to carrie such things as
~ they have neede of, as wood, hearbes, stone, fruites of the
countrie, and all other things. When Cortes conquered
Mexico he caused Brigandins to be made, yet afterwards he
thought it more safe not to vse them, therefore they vse
Canoes, whereof there is great store. There is great store
of fish in this Lake, yet have I not seene any of price ; not
withstanding, they say the revenue of this Lake is worth
three hundred thousand duckets a yeere. There are many
other Lakes not far from this wrhence they bring much fish
to Mexico. The Province of Mechovacan is so called for
that it aboundeth greatly with fish. There are goodly and
great Lakes, in the which there is much fish, and this Pro
vince is coole and healthfull. There are many other Lakes
whereof it is not possible to make mention, nor to know
them in particular, onely we may note by that which hath
beene discoursed in the. former booke, that vnder the burn
ing Zone there is greater abundance of Lakes then in any
other parte of the worlde ; and so by that which we have
formerly spoken, and the little we shall say of rivers aud
fountaineSj we will end this discourse of Waters.

CHAP. xvn. — Of many and divers Springs and Fountaines.

There is at the Indies, as in other parts of the world,
great diversitie of Springs, Fountaines, and Rivers, and
some have strange properties. In Huancavilica of Peru
(where the mines of quicksilver be) there is a Fountaine
that casts forth hote water, and in running the water turnes
to rocke, of which rocke or stone they build in a maner all
the houses of the village. This stone is soft, and easie to
cutte, for they cut it as easily with yron as if it were wood ;
it is light and lasting. If men or beasts drinke thereof they
die, for that it congeales in the very entrailes, and turnes

SPRINGS OF PITCH. 155

into stone, and for that cause some horses have died. As LlIJ- m-
this water turnes into stone, the which flowes stoppes the
passage to the rest, so as of necessitie it changeth the
course, and for this reason it rurmes in divers places as the
rocke increaseth. At the point of Cape S. Helen there is
a spring or fountaine of pitch, which at Peru they call
Copey. This should be like to that which the Scripture
speakes of the wild valley, where they did finde wells of
pitch. The Mariners vse these fountaines or wells of
Copey to pitch their ropes and tackling, for that it serves
them as pitch and tarre in Spaine. When I sailed into
Kew Spaine by the coast of Peru the Pilot showed me an
Hand, which they call the lie of Wolves, where there is
another fountaine or well of Copey or pitch, with the which
they anoint their tackling. There is an other fountaine
of pitch, which the Pilot (an excellent man in his charge)
tolde me he had seene, and that sometimes sailing that
waies, being so farre into the sea as he had lost the sight
of land, yet did he know by the smell of the Copey where
he was, as well as if he had knowne the land, such is the
savour that issues continually from that fountaine. At the
baths, which they call the baths of the Ynca, there is
a course of water which conies forth all hote and boiling,
and ioyning vnto it there is another, whose water is as cold
as ice. The Ynca was accustomed to temper the one with
the other, and it is a wonderfull thing to see springs of so
contrarie qualities so neere one to the other. There are an
infinite number of other hote springs, specially in the Pro
vince of Charcas, in the water whereof you cannot indure to
hold your*hand the space of an Ave Maria, as I have seene
tried by wager. In a farme neere to Cuzco springs a foun
tain of salt, which as it runs turns into salt, very white and
exceeding good, the which, if it were in another countrie,
were no small riches, yet they make very small accournpt
thereof for the store they have there. The waters which

156 HOT AND COLD SPRINGS.

LIB. in. runne in Guayaquil, which is in Peru, almost vnder the
~~ Equinoctiall line, are held to be healthfull for the French
disease, and other such like, so as they come from many
places farre off to be cured. And they say the cause thereof
is for that in that Countrie there is great aboundance of
rootes, which they call sarsaparilla,1 the vertue and opera
tion whereof is so knowne that it communicates her pro-
pertie to the waters wherein it is put to cure this disease.
Vilcafiota is a mountaine, the which (according to common
opinion) is in the highest part of Peru, the toppe whereof
is all covered with snow, and in some places is blacke like
coale. There issueth forth of it two springs in contrarie
places, which presently growe to be very great brookes,
and so by little and little become great flouds, the one goes
to Collao, into the great Lake Titicaca, the other goes to
the lands, and is that which they call Yucay,2 which, ioyning
with another, runnes into the North Sea with a violent
and furious course. This spring, when it comes out of the
rocke Vilcafiota, as I have said, is of the colour of lie, having
an ashie colour, and castes a fume as a thing burnt, the
which runs farre in this sort, vntill the multitude of waters
that runnc into it quench this smoake and fire which it
drawes from the spring. Tn New Spaine I have scene a
spring as it were hike, somewhat blew ; in Peru another of
colour red like bloud, wherevpon they call it the red river.

CHAP. xvm. — Of Elvers.

Amongst all Rivers, not onely at the Indies, but generally
through the world, the River Maranon or of Amazons is
the chiefe, whereof we have spoken in the former booke.
The Spaniards have often sailed it, pretending to discover

1 See my translation of Cicza de Leon, p. 200.

2 The Vilcamayu, which flows into the Ucayali.

PASSAGE OF THE PONGO. 157

the lands, which by report are very rich, especially those LlB> m<
they call Dorado and Paytiti. Juan de Salinas, the Adelan-
tado, made a memorable entrie, though of small effect.
There is a passage which they call Pongo,1 one of the most
daungerous in all the worlde, for the river being there
straightened, and forced betwixt two high steepe rockes,
the water falles directly downe with so great a violence that,
comming steepe downe, it causeth such a boyling as it
seemeth impossible to passe it without drowning, yet the
courage of men durst attempt to passe it for the desire of
this renowned Dorado ; they slipt downe from the top to
the bottome, thrust on with the violence and currant of the
floud, holding themselves fast in their canoes or barkes ;
and although in falling they were turned topsie turvie, and
both they and their canoes plunged into the deepe, yet by
their care and industry they recovered themselves againe ;
and in this sort the whole army escaped, except some few
that were drowned. And that which is more admirable
they carried themselves so cunningly that they neyther lost
their powder nor munition. In their returne (having suffered
many troubles and daungers) they were forced in the end
to pass backe that same way, mounting by one of those high
Rockes, sticking their poinards in the rocke.

Captain Pedro de Ursua made an other entry by the
same river, who being dead in the same voyage and the
souldiers mutinied, other Captaines followed the enter
prise by an arme that comes into the north sea. A
religious man of our company told vs that, being then
a secular man, he was present in a manner at all that
enterprise, and that the tides did flowe almost a hundred
leagues vp the river, and whereas it enters into the sea
(the which is vnder the line or very neere) ; it hath 70
leagues breadth at the mouth of it, a matter incredible,
and which exceedes the breadth of the Mediterranean
1 A corruption of Puncu, a door.

158 EIVERS OF PERU.

LIB. m. sea^ though there be some others, who in their descriptions
give it but twenty-five or thirty leagues bredth at the
mouth. Next to this river that of Plata, or of Silver, holdes
the second place, which is otherwise called Paraguay, which
runnes from the mountaines of Peru into the sea, in thirty-
five degrees of altitude to the South ; it riseth (as they say)
like to the river of Nile, but much more without comparison,
and makes the fields it overflowes like vnto a sea for the
space of three moneths, and after returneth againe to his
course, in the which ships do saile many leagues against
the streame. There are many other rivers that are not of
that greatnes, and yet are equall, yea they surpasse the
greatest of Europe, as that of Magdalen a, neere to Santa
Martha the great river, and that of Alvarado in New Spaine,
and an infinit number of others. Of the south side, on the
mountains of Peru, the rivers are not vsually so great, for
that their current is not long, and that many waters cannot
ioyne together, but they are very swift, descending from
the mountaines., and have sodaine falles, by reason whereof
they are very dangerous, and many men have perished
there. They increase and overflowe most in the time of
heate. I have gone over twenty and seaven rivers vpon
that coast, yet did I never passe any one by a foord.
The Indians vse a thousand devises to passe their rivers.
In some places they have a long cord that runs fro one side
to th' other, and thereon hangs a basket, into the which he
puts himselfe that meanes to passe ; and then they drawe it
from the bancke with another corde, so as hee passeth in
this basket. In other places the Indian passeth, as it were
on horse backe, vppon a bottle of straw, and behinde him
hee that desires to passe ; and so rowing with a peece of a
boorde, carries him over. In other places they make a
floate of gourds or pompions, vppon the which they set
men with their stuffe to carry over, and the Indians having
cordes fastned to them, goe swimming before, and drawe

PASSAGE OF RIVERS. IRRIGATION. 159

this floate of pompions after them, as horses doe a Coach ; LlB-
others goe behinde thrusting it forward. Having passed,
they take ther barke of pornpions vppon their backe, and
return e swimming; this they doe in the river of Santa in
Peru. We passed that of Alvarado in New Spaine vpon a
table, which the Indians carried vpon their shoulders, and
when they lost their footing they swamme. These devises,
with a thousand others wherewith they vse to passe their
rivers, breede a terrour in the beholders, helping them
selves with such weake and vnsure means, and yet they are
very confident. They do vse no other bridges but of haire
or of straw. There are now vppon some rivers bridges of
stone, built by the diligence of some governours, but many
fewer then were needfull in such a country, where so many
men are drowned by default thereof, and the which yeeldes
so much silver, as not onely Spaine, but also other strange
countries make sumptuous buildings therewith. The
Indians do drawe from these floudes, that runne from the
mountaines to the vallies and plaines, many and great brooks
to water their land, which they vsually doe with such
industry, as there are no better in Murcia, nor at Milan it
selfe, the which is also the greatest and onely wealth of the
Plaines of Peru, and of many other partes of the Indies.

CHAP. xix. — Of the qualitie of the land at the Indies in
generall.

We may know the qualitie of the land at the Indies, for
the greatest parte (seeing it is the last of the three Elements,
whereof wee have propounded to treate in this Booke),
by the discourse we have made in the former Booke of the
burning Zone, seeing that the greatest part of the Indies
dooth lie vnder it. But to make it knowne the more par
ticularly, I have observed three kindes of landes, as I have

160 COAST VALLEYS OF PEEU.

LIB. in. passed through those Eegions ; whereof there is one very
lowe, another very high, and the third which holds the
middle of these two extreaines. The lower is that which
lieth by the sea coasts, whereof there is in all partes of the
Indies, and it is commonly very hote and moist, so as it is
not so healthfull ; and at this day we see it lesse peopled,
although in former times it hath beene greatly inhabited
with Indians, as it appeareth by the histories of New
Spaine and Peru, and where they kept and lived, for that
the soile was naturall vnto them being bred there. They
lived of fishing at sea, and of seeds, drawing brooks from
the rivers, which they vsed for want of raine, for that it
raines little there, and in some places not at all. This lowe
countrie hath many places inhabitable, as wel by reason of
the sands which are dangerous (for there are whole moun-
taines of these sandes) as also for the marishes which grow
by reason of the waters that fall from the mountaines,
which finding no issue in these flatte and lowe landes,
drowne them, and make them vnprofitable.

And in trueth the greatest parte of all the Indian sea
coast is of this sort, chiefly vppon the South Sea. The
habitation of which coasts is at this present so wasted and
contemned, that of thirtie partes of the people that in
habited it, there wants twenty-nine ; and it is likely the
rest of the Indians will in short time decay. Many, ac
cording to the varietie of their opinions, attribute this to
diverse causes ; some to the great labour which hath beene
imposed vppon these Indians ; others vnto the change and
varietie of meates and drinks they vse, since their com
merce with the Spaniardes ; others to their great excesse
and drinking, and to other vices they have ; for my part, I
hold this disorder to be the greatest cause of their decay,
whereof it is not now time to discourse any more. In this
lowe countrey (which I say generally is vnhealfchfull, and
vnfit for mans habitation) there is exception in some places

COAST VALLEYS. SIERRA.. 161

which are temperate and fertile, as the greatest part of the LlB- m>
Plaines of Peru, where there are coole vallies and very
fertile. The greatest part of the habitation of the coast
entertaines all the traffike of Spaine by sea ; whereon all the
estate of the Indies dependeth. Ypon this coast there are
some Townes wel peopled, as Lima and Truxillo in Peru,
Panama, and Carthagena vppon the maine land, and in the
Hands San Domingo, Puerto Rico, and Havana, with many
other Townes which are lesse than these, as Vera Cruz in
New Spaine, Yea, Arica and others in Peru ; the ports
are commonly inhabited, although but slenderly. The
second sort of land is contrary, very high, and by con
sequent, colde and drie, as all the mountaines are com
monly. This land is neither fertile nor pleasant, but very
healthfull, which makes it to be peopled and inhabited.
There are pastures, and great store of cattell, the which
for the most parte entertaines life, and by their cattell
they supply the want they have of corne and graine by truck
ing and exchange. But that which makes these landes
more inhabited and peopled is the riches of the mines that
are found there, for that all obeys to golde and silver. By
reason of the mines there are some dwellings of Spaniards
and Indians which are increased and multiplied, as Potosi
and Huancavilica in Peru, and Cacatecas in New Spaine.
There are also through all these mountaines great dwellings
of the Indians, which to this day are maintained, yea, some V
will say they increase, but that the labourpf the mines dooth
consume many, and some generall diseases have destroyed
a great part, as the Cocoliste, in New Spaine, yet they finde
no great diminntion. In this extreamitie of high ground
they finde two commodities, as I have saide, of pastures and
mines, which doe well countervail the two other that are
in the lower grounds alongest the sea coast, that is, the
commerce of the sea and the aboundance of wine, which
groweth not but in the hot kndes. Betwixt these two ex-

M

162 TEMPERATE VALLEYS.

LIB. in. treames there is ground of a meane height, the which,
although it bee in some partes higher or lower one than
other, yet doth it not approach neyther to the heate of the
sea coast nor the intemperature of the mountaines. In this
sorte of soile there groweth many kindes of graine, as
wheate, barley, and mays, which grows not at all in the high
countries ; but well in the lower ; there is likewise store of
pasture, cattel, fruits, and greene forrests. This part is the
best habitation of the three for health and recreation, and
therefore it is best peopled of any parte of the Indies ; the
which I have curiously observed in manie voyages that I
have vndertaken, and have alwayes found it true that the
Province best peopled at the Indies be in this scituation.
Let vs looke neerely into New Spaine (the which, without
doubt, is the best Province the Sunne dooth circle), by
what parte soever you doe enter you mount vp, and when
you have mounted a good height you beginne to descend,
yet very little, and that land is alwayes much higher then
that along the sea coast.

All the land about Mexico is of this nature and scituation,
and that which is about the Vulcan, which is the best soile
of the Indies, as also in Peru, Arequipa, Guamanga, and
Cuzco, although more in one then in the other. But in the
end all is high ground, although they descend into deepe
vallies, and climbe vppe to high mountaines ; the like is
spoken of Quito, Santa Fe, and of the best of the new
kingdome. To conclude, I doe beleeve that the wisedome
and providence of the Creator would have it so, that the
greatest parte of this countrey of the Indies should be hilles,
that it might be of a better temperature, for, being lowe,
it had beeiie very hotte vnder the burning zone, especially
being farre from the sea. Also all the land I have seene
at the Indies is neere to the mountaines on the one side or
the other, and sometimes of all partes. So as I have often
times saide there, that I woulde gladly see any place from

TEMPERATE VALLEYS. 163

whence the horizon did fashion it selfe and end by the LlB-
heaven, and a countrey stretched out and even, as we see
in Spaine in a thousand champaiue fields, yet doe I not
remember that I have ever seene such sightes afc the Indies,
were it in the Hands or vpon the maine land, although I
have travelled above seaven hundred leagues in length.
But, as I have saide, the neerenesse of the mountain es is
very commodious in this region to temper the heate of the
Sunne. To conclude, the best inhabited partes of the Indies
are as I have saide, and generally all that count rie aboundes
in grasse, pastures, and forrests, contrary vnto that which
Aristotle and the Auntients did holde. So as when wee
goe out of Europe to the Indies wee woonder to see the
land so pleasant, greene, and fresh. Yet this rule hath
some exceptions, and chiefly in the land of Peru, which is
of a strange nature amongst all others, whereof wee will now
proceede to speake.

CHAP. xx. — Of the properties of the land of Peru.

Wee meane by Peru not that great parte of the worlde
which they call America, seeing that therein is contained
Bresil, the kingdome of Chille, and that of Grenada, and yet
none of these kingdomes is Peru, but onely that parte which
lies to the South, beginning at the kingdome of Quito,
which is vnder the Line, and runnes in length to the realme
of Chille, the which is without the Tropickes, which were
sixe hundred leagues in length, and in breadth it containes
no more then the mountaines, which is fiftie common
leagues, although in some places, as at Chachapoyas, it be
broader. This parte of the world which we call Peru is
very remarkeable, and containes in it strange properties,
which serveth as an exception to the generall rule of the

164 PHYSICAL FEATURES OF PERU.

LIB. in. Indies. The first is, that vpon all that coast it blowes con
tinually with one oiiely winde, which is South and South
west,, contrary to that which dooth vsually blow vnder the
burning Zone. The second is, that this winde, being by
nature the most violent,, tempestuous, and vnhealthfull of
all others, yet in this region it is marvellous pleasing, health
ful, and agreeable, so as we may attribute the habitation
of that part therevnto, without the which it would be
troublesome and uninhabitable, by reason of the heate, if it
were not refreshed with the winde. The third propertie is,
that it never raines, thunders, snowes, nor hailes in all this
coast, which is a matter worthy of admiration. Fourthly,
that a little distance from the coast it raines and snowes
terribly. Fiftly, that there are two ridges of mountaines
which ruune the one as the other, and in one altitude, not
withstanding on the one there are great forrests, and it
raines the greatest part of the yeere, being very hote, and
the other is all naked and bare, and very colde ; so as
winter and summer are divided on those two mountaines,
and raine and cleerenesse it selfe. For the better vnder-
standing hereof wee must consider that Peru is divided as
it were into three partes, long and narrow, which they call
Llanos, Sierras, and Andes • the Llanos runnes alongest the
sea coast, the Sierras be all hilles, with some vallies, and
the Andes be steepe and craggie mountaines. The Llanos
or sea coast have some temie leagues in breadth, in some
parts lesse, and in some parts a little more. The Sierra
containes some twentie leagues in breadth, and the Andes
as much, sometimes more, sometimes lesse. They runne
in length from north to south, and in breadth from east to
west. It is a strange thing that in so small a distance as
fiftie leagues, equally distant from the Line and Pole, there
should bee so great a contrarietie as to raine almost con
tinually in one place and never in the other. It never raines
vpon the coast or Llanos, although there falles sometimes a

RAINFALL IN PERU. 165

small dew, which they call Garua, and in Spanish Mollina, L!B> in<
the which sometimes thickens and falles in certaine droppes
of water, yet is it not troublesome nor such as they neede
any covering. Their coverings are of mattes, with a little
earth vpon them, which is sufficient. Vpon the Andes it
raines in a manner continually, although it be sometimes
more cleere then other. In the Sierra, which lies betwixt
both the extreames, it raineth in the same season as it dooth
in Spaine, which is from September vnto Aprill, but in the
other season the time is more cleere, which is when the
Sunne is farthest off, and the contrarie when it is neerest,
whereof we have discoursed at large in the former booke.
That which they call Andes and Sierra are two ridges of
most high mountaines, which runne above a thousand
leagues, the one in view of the other, and almost equally.
There are an infinite number of vicunas, which breede in
the Sierras, and are properly like vnto wilde goates, very
nimble and swift. There are also of those beasts which
they call Guanacos and Pacos, which are sheepe, which we
may wel terme the asses of that countrey, whereof we shall
speake in their place. And vpon the Andes they finde apes,
very gentle and delightfull, and parrots in great numbers.
There also they find the hearb or tree which they call coca,
that is so greatly esteemed by the Indians, and the trafficke
they make of it is worthy much rnony.

That which they call Sierra causeth vallies, whereas it
opens, which are the best dwellings of Peru, as is the valley of
Xauxa, of Andahuaylas, and Yucay. In these vallies there
growes wheat, mays, and other sortes of fruits, but lesse
in one then in the other. Beyond the Citie of Cuzco (the
ancient Court of the Lordes of those Kealmes), the two
ridges of mountaines seperate themselves one from the
other, and in the midst leave a plaine and large champian,
which they call the Province of Collao, where there are
many rivers and great store of fertile pastures ; there is

166 THE COLLAO.

LIB. in. a]so £hat greafc Lake of Titicaca. And although it be a ful
soile, and in the same height and intemperature, that the
Sierra having no more trees nor forrests, yet the want they
have of bread is countervailed with the rootes they sowe,
the which they call Papas, and they grow in the earth. This
roote is the Indians foode; for drying it, and making it
cleaiie, they make that which they call chunu, which is
the bread and nourishment of those Provinces. There are
other rootes and small hearbes which they eate. It is7 a
'healthfull soile, best peopled, and the richest of all the
Indies, for the aboundance of cattell they feed, as well of
those that are in Europe, as sheepe, neate, and goates, as
of those of the Countrie which they call Guanacos and
Pacos, and there are store of Partridges. Next to the
Province of Collao is that of Charcas, where there are hote
vallies very fertile, and very high rockes, the which are
very rich in mines, so as in no part of the world shall you
nude better nor fairer.

CHAP. xxi. — The reason why it does not rain on the Llanos,
along the Sea coast.

For that it is rare and extraordinarie to see a Countrie
where it never raines nor thunders, men desire naturally to
know the cause of this strangenes. The reason which some
give that have neerely looked into it is, that vpon that
coast there rise no vapors sufficient to engender raine for
want of matter; but onely that there be small and light
vapors which cannot breede any other then mistes and
dewes, as we see in Europe, oftentimes vapors do rise in
the morning which are not turned into raine but into
mistes only, the which growes from the substance, which
is not grosse and sufficient enough to turne to raine. They

CAUSE OF NO RAIN ON THE COAST. 167

say the reason why that which happens but some times in LlB- nr-
Europe falles out continually vpon the coast of Peru is, for
that this region is very drie and yeeldes no grosse vapors.
The drinesse is knowne by the great abundance of sandes,
having neither welles nor fouutaines, but of fifteene fathoms
deepe (which is the height of a man or more), and that is
neere vnto rivers, the water whereof, piercing into the land,
giues them nieanes to make welles. So as it hath been
found by experience, that the course of rivers being turned,
the welles have beene dried vp vntill they returned to their
ordinarie course ; and they give this reason for a materiall
cause of this effect; but they have another efficient, which
is no lesse considerable, and that is the great height of the
Sierra, which, comming along the coast, shadowes the
Llanos, so as it suffers no winde to blowe from the land,
but above the toppes of these mountaines. By meanes
whereof there raines no winde but that from the Sea,
which finding no opposite, doth not presse nor straine forth
the vapors which rise to engender raine, so as the shadowe
of the mountaines keepes the vapors from thickning, and
convertes them all into rnistes. There are some experiences
agree with this discourse, for that it raines vpon some
small hilles along the coast, which are at least shadowed,
as the rockes of Atico and Arequipa. It hath rained in
some yeeres whenas the northern or easterly windes have
blowen : yea, all the time they have continued, as it hap
pened in seven tie eight, vpon the Llanos of Truxillo, where
it rained aboundantly, the which they had not seene in
many ages before. Moreover, it raines vpon the same
coast, in places, whereas the easterly or northerne windes
be ordinarie, as in Guayaquil, and in places whereas the
land riseth much, and turnes from the shadow of the moun
taines, as in those that are beyond Arequipa. Some discourse
in this maner, but let every one thinke as he please. It is
most certaine; that comming from the mountaines to the

168 FERTILIZING MISTS.

LIB. in. va/HieSj they do vsually see as it were two heavens, one
cleere and bright above, and the other obscure, and as it
were a graie vaile spread vnderneath, which covers all the
coast ; and although it raine not, yet this mist is wonderfull
profitable to bring forth grasse, and to raise vp and nourish
the seede ; for although they have plentie of water, which
they draw from the Pooles and Lakes, yet this moisture
from heaven hath such a vertue, that ceasing to fal vpon
the earth, it breedes a great discommoditie and defect of
graine and feedes. And that which is more worthy of
admiration, the drie and barren sandes are by this deaw so
beautified with grasse and flowers, as it is a pleasiug and
agreeable sight, and verie profitable for the feeding of
cattell, as we see in the mountaine called Arena, neere to
the Cittie of Kings.

CIJAP. xxn. — Of the '£>r(>i>crtie of new Syaine, of the Hands,
and of oilier Lands.

New Spaine passeth all other Provinces in pastures,
which breeds infinite troopes of horse, kine, sheepe, and
other cattell. It aboundes in fruite and all kinde of graine.
To conclude, it is a Countrie the best furnished, and most
accomplished at the Indies. Yet Peru doth surpasse it in
one thing, which is wine, for that there growes store and
good ; and they daily multiplie and increase, the which
doth grow in very hote vallies, where there are waterings.
And although there bee vines in New Spaine, yet the grape
comes not to his maturitie, fit to make wine. The reason
is, for that it raines there in lulie and August, whenas the
grape ripens ; and therefore it comes not to his perfection.
And if anyone through curiositie would take the paines to
make wine, it should be like to that of Genoa and Lorn-

SOIL OF THE ISLANDS. 169

bardie, which is very small and sharpe, having a taste like LlB-
vnto verjuice. The Hands which they call Barlovente,
which be Hispariiola, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and others there
abouts, are beautified with many greene pastures, and
abound in cattell, as neate, and swine, which are become
wilde. The wealth of these Hands be their sugar-workes
and hides. There is much Cassia fistula and ginger. It is
a thing incredible, to see the multitude of these marchan-
dizes brought in one fleete, being in a maner impossible
that all Europe should waste so much. They likewise
bring wood of an excellent qnalitie and colour, as ebony,
and others, which serve for buildings and joyners. There
is much of that wood which they call Lignum sanctum,
fit to cure the pox. All these Hands and others there
abouts, which are many, have a goodly and pleasant
aspect, for that throughout the yeere, they are beautified
with grasse and greene trees, so as they cannot discerne
when it is Autumne or Summer, by reason of continuall
moisture ioyned to the heate of the burning Zone. And
although this land be of a great circuite, yet are there few
dwellings, for that of it selfe it engenders great Arcabucos,
as they call them, which be Groves or very thicke Coppices ;
and on the plain es there are many marishes and bogges.
They give yet another notable reason, why they are so
smally peopled, for that there have remained few naturall
Indians, through the inconsideratenesse and disorder of the
first Conquerors that peopled it; and therefore, for the
most part, they vse Negros, but they cost deere, being very
fit to till the land. There growes neither bread nor wine
in these Hands, for that the too great fertilitie and the vice
of the soile, suffers them not to seede, but castes all forth
in grasse, very vneaqually. There are no olive trees, at the
least they beare no olives, but rnanie greene leaves pleasant
to the view, which beare no fruite. The bread they vse is
of cassava, whereof we shall heereafter speake. There is

170 CLIMATE OF CHILE.

_ gold in the riuers of these Hands, which some draw foorth,
but in small quantitie. I was little lesse then a yeere in these
ilands, and as it hath beene told me of the maine land of
the Indies, where I have not been, as in Florida, Nicaragua,
Guatimala, and others, it is in a maner of this temper, as I
have described ; yet have I not set downe every particular
of Nature in these Provinces of the firme land, having no
perfect knowledge thereof. The Countrie which doth most
resemble Spaine, and the regions of Europe, in all the West
Indies, is the realme of Chille, which is without the generall
rule of these other Provinces, being seated without the
burning Zone, and the Tropicke of Capricorne. This land
of it selfe is coole and fertile, and brings forth all kindes of
fruites that be in Spaine ; it yeeldes great aboundance of
bread and wine, and aboundes in pastures and cattell. The
aire is wholesome and cleere, temperate betwixt heate and
cold, winter and summer are very distinct, and there they
finde great store of very fine gold. Yet this land is poore
and smally peopled, by reason of their continuall warre
with the Araucanos and their associates, being a rough
people and friends to libertie.

CHAP. xxni. — Of the vnhnownc Land, and the divcrsitle of a
wltule day betwixt them of tJie East and the West,

There are great coniectures, that in the temperate Zone
at the Antartike Pole, there are great and fertile lands ;
but to this day they are not discovered, neither do they
know any other land in this Zone, but that of Chille, and
some part of that land which runnes from Ethiopia, to the
Cape of Good Hope, as hath been said in the first booke ;
neither is it knowne if there be any habitations in the other
two Zones of the Poles, and whether the land continues

THE UNKNOWN LANDS. 171

and stretcheth to that which is towards the Antartike or LlB- m-
South Pole. Neither do we know the land that lies beyond
the straight of Magellan, for that the greatest height yet
discovered is in fiftie-six degrees, as hath beene formerly
saide ; and toward the Artike or Northerne Pole, it is not
knowne how farre the land extendes, which runnes beyond
the Cape of Mendocjno, and the Californias, nor the bounds
and end of Florida, neither yet how farre it extendes to the
West. Of late, they have discovered a new land, which
they call New Mexico, where they say is much people that
speake the Mexicaine tongue. The Philippines and the fol
lowing Hands, as some report that know it by experience,
ranne above nine hundred leagues. But to intreate of China,
Cochinchina, Syam, and other regions which are of the
East Indies, were contrary to my purpose, which is onely to
discourse of the West ; nay, they are ignorant of the
greatest part of America, which lies betwixt Peru and
Bresill, although the bounds be knowne of all sides, wherein
there is diversitie of opinions ; some say it is a drowned
land, full of Lakes and waterie places ; others affirme there
are great and flourishing kingdomes, imagining there be
the Paytiti, the Dorado, and the Cassars, where they say
are wonderfull things. I have heard one of our Company
say, a man worthy of credit, that hee had seene great
dwellings there, and the waies as much beaten, as those
betwixt Salamanca and Valladolid ; the which he did see,
whenas Pedro de Ursua, and after, those that succeeded him,
made their entrie and discoverie by the great river of
Amazons, who beleeving that the Dorado which they sought
was farther off, cared not to inhabite there, and after went
both without the Dorado, which they could not finde, and
this great Province which they left. To speake the truth,
the habitations of America are to this day vnknowne,
except the extrearnities, which are Peru, Bresill, and that
part where the land beginnes to straighten, which is the

172 THE UNKNOWN LANDS.

LIB. in. YivQY Of Silver, then Tucuman, which makes the round to
Chille and Charcas. Of late we have vnderstood by letters
from some of ours which go to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, that
they go discovering of great Provinces and dwellings,
betwixt Bresill and Peru. Time will reveile them, for as
at this day the care and courage of men is great, to com-
passe the world from one part to another; so wee may
beleeve, that as they have discovered that which is now
knowne, they may likewise lay open that which remaines,
to the end the Gospell may be preached to the whole world,
seeing the two Crownes of Portugall and Castille, have met
by the East and West, ioyning their discoveries together,
which in truth is a matter to be observed, that the one is
come to China and lappan by the East, and the other to
the Philippines, which are neighbours, and almost ioyning
vnto China, by the West ; for from the Hands of Lusson,
which is the chiefe of the Philippines, in the which is the
Citie of Manilla, vnto Macao, which is in the He of Canton,
are but foure score or a hundred leagues, and yet we finde
it strange, that notwithstanding this small distance from
the one to the other, yet according to their accoumpt, there
is a daics difference betwixt them ; so as it is Sunday at
Macao, whenas it is but Saterday at Manilla, and so of the
rest. Those of Macao and of China have one day advanced
before the Philippines. It happened to father Alonso
Sanches, of whom mention is made before, that parting
from the Philippines, he arrived at Macao the second day of
Maie, according to their computation, and going to say the
Masse of S. Athanasius, he found they did celebrate the
feast of the invention of the holy Crosse, for that they did
then reckon the third of Maie. The like happened vnto
him in another voyage beyond it.

Some have found this alteration and diversitie strange,
supposing that the fault proceedes from the one or the
other, the which is not so; but it is a true and well

DIFFERENCE OF TIME. 173

observed computation, for according to the difference of LlB-
waies where they have beene, we must necessarily say, that
when they meete, there must bee difference of a day ; the
reason is, for that sailing from West to East, they alwaies
gaine of the day, finding the sunne rising sooner ; and
contrariwise, those that saile from East to West, do alwaies
loose of the day, for that the Sunne riseth later vnto them ;
and as they approach neerer the East or the West, they
have the day longer or shorter. In Peru, which is west
ward in respect of Spaine, they are above sixe houres
behinde ; so as when it is noone in Spaine, it is morning at
Peru ; and when it is morning heere, it is mid night there.
I have made certaine proofe thereof, by the computation of
Eclipses of the Sunne and Moone. Now that the Portugalls
have made their navigations from West to East, and the
Castillians from east to west, when they came to ioyne and
meete at the Philippines and Macao, the one have gained
twelve houres, and the other hath lost as much ; so as at
one instant, and in one time, they finde the difference of
twentie houres, which is a whole day ; so as necessarily, the
one are at the third of Maie, whenas the others accoumpt
but the second ; and whenas the one doth fast for Easter
eve, the others eate flesh for the day of the resurrection.
And if we will imagine that they passe farther, turning
once againe about the world, vsing the same computation,
when they should returne to ioyne together, they should finde
by the same accoumpt, two daies difference ; for as I have
saide, those that go to the Sunne rising, accoumpt the day
sooner, for that the Sunne riseth to them sooner, and those
that go to the setting, accoumpt the day later, for that it
goes from them, later; finally, the diversitie of the noone
tide causeth the divers reckoning of the day. And now for
as much as those that doe saile from East to West, change
their noone tide without perceiving it, and yet still follow
the same computation they did when they parted, of

1 74 VOLCANO S.

LIB. m. necessitie^ having made the compasse of the worlde, they

must finde the want of a whole day in their computation.

CHAP. xxiv. — Of Hie Volcanos or Vents of fire.

Although we finde vents of fire in other places, as mount
and Wesuvio, which now they call mount Soma, yet
is that notable which is found at the Indies. Ordinarily
these Volcanos be rockes or pikes of most high mountaines,
which raise themselves above the toppes of all other moun-
taines. Upon their toppes they have a plaine, and in the
midst thereof a pitte or great mouth, which discends even
vnto the foote thereof — a thing verie terrible to beholde.
Out of these mouthes there issues smoke, and sometimes
fire; some cast little smoke, and have in a maner no force
of Volcanos, as that of Arequipa, which is of an vnmeasurable
height, and almost all sand. It cannot be mounted vp in
lesse then two daies, yet they have not found any shew of
fire, but onely the reliques of some sacrifices wlrch the
Indians made while they were Gentiles, and sometimes it
doth cause a little smoke. The Volcan of Mexico, which is
neere to the Puebla de los Angeles, is likewise of an admirable
height, whereas they mount thirty leagues in turning ; from
this Volcan issueth not continually, but sometimes, almost
every day a great exhalation or whirl wind e of smoake, which
ascends directly vp, like to the shot of a Crossebow, and
growes after like to a great plume of feathers, vntill it
ceaseth quite, and is presently converted into an obscure and
darke cloude. Most commonly it riseth in the morning
after the Sunne rising, and at night when it setteth, although
I have seene it breake out at other times. Sometimes it
dooth cast foorth great store of ashes after this smoke.
They have not yet seene any fire come from it, yet they feare
it will issue forth and burne al the land round about, which

VOLOANOS. 175

is the best of all the kingdome. And they holde it for '
certaine that there is some correspondencie betwixt this
Vulcan and the Sierra of Tlascala, which is neere vnto it,
that causeth the great thunders and lightnings they doe
commonly heare and see in those parts.

Some Spaniards have mounted vppe to this Volcano, and
given notice of the mine of sulphre to make powder thereof.
Cortes reportes the care hee had to discover what was in
this Volcano. The Volcans of Guatimala are more renowned,
as well for their greatnesse and height, which those that
saile in the South Sea discover a farre off, as for the violence
and terrour of the fire it casts. The three and twentieth
day of December, in the yeere of our Lord God one thousand
five hundred eighty and sixe, almost all the Cittie of Guati
mala fell with an earthquake, and some people slain. This
Volcano had then, sixe moneths together, day and night, cast
out from the toppe, and vomited as it were a floud of fire,
the substance falling vpon the sides of the Volcan was
turned into ashes, like vnto burnt earth — a thing passing
man's iudgement to conceive how it could cast so much •
matter from its centre during sixe moneths, being accus
tomed to caste smoke alone, and that sometimes with small
flashes. This was written vnto me, being at Mexico, by a
Secretarie of the Audienca of Guatimala, a man worthy of
credite, and at that time it had not ceased to cast out fire.
This yeere past, in Quito, I being in the Cittie of Kings, the
Volcano which is neere therevnto, cast such aboundance of
ashes, that in many leagues compasse thereabout it darkned
the light of the day, and there fell such store in Quito as
they were not able to goe in the streetes. There have beene
other Volcanos seene which cast neither smoake, flame, nor
yet ashes, but in the botome they are seene to burn with a
quicke fire without dying; such a one was that which in
our time a covetous and greedy Priest seeing, perswaded
himselfe that they were heapes of golde hee did see burn-

176 VOLCANOS.

LlB'm- ing, imagining it coulde be no other matter or substance
which had burnt so many yeeres and not consumed. And
in this conceit hee made certaine kettles with chaines, and
an instrument to gather and drawe vp the golde out of this
pitte or Volcano; but the fire scorned him, for no sooner
did his yron chaine and caldron approach neere the fire,
but sodainely they were broken in peeces. Yet some tolde
mee that this man was still obstinate, seeking other inven
tions for to drawe out this golde as he imagined.

CHAP. xxv. — What sliould be the reason wluj the fire and
smoalie continues so lomj in these Volcanos ?

There is no neede now to make any mention of other
Volcanos, seeing wee may well vnderstand by the former
what they are; yet is it woorthy the search what should be
the cause why the fire and smoake continues in these Vol
canos, for that it seemes a prodigious thing, yea, against the
course of nature, to vomite and cast out so many flames.
Whence dooth this matter proceede, or whether it be iu-
gendred within the bowelles thereof? Some have held
opinion that these Volcanos consume the inner substance
they have of nature; and for this reason they beleeve that
naturally they shal end whenas they have consumed the
fuell (as a man may say) that is within them. According
to which opinion we see at this day some mountaines and
rockes, from whence they drawe a burnt stone which is
light, but very hard, and is excellent to builde with, as
that which is carried to Mexico. And in effect there are
some shewes of that which hath beene spoken, that these
mountaines or rockes hadde sometimes a naturall fire,
which hath died after the matter was consumed; and so
these stones have remayned burnt and pierced with the
fire as we see. For my part I will not contradict it, that in

VOLCANOS. 177

those places there hath not bin fire sometimes, or volcanos. LlB- m-
But there is some difficultie to beleeve it should be so in
all volcanos, considering the matter they cast out is almost
infinite, and that being gathered together it could not be
contained in the same concavitie from whence it goes.
Moreover, there are some volcanos, that in hundreds, yea,
thousands of yeeres, are alwaies of one fashion, casting out
continually smoke, fire, and ashes. Plinie the Historiogra
pher of naturall things (as the other Pliuie his nephew
reports) searching out the secret how this should passe,
and approching too neere th' exhalation of fire of one of
these volcanos, died, and thinking by his diligence to find an
end thereof, had an end of his life. For my parte, vpon
this consideration I think, that as ther are places in th'
earth whose vertue is to draw vaporous matter and to con
vert it into water, which be the fountaines that alwayes
runne, and have alwayes matter to make them ruiine,1 for
that they drawe vnto them the substance of water : in like
sorte there are places that have the propertie to draw
vnto them note exhalations, and to convert them into fire
and smoke which, by their force and violence, cast out
other thicke matter which dissolves into ashes, into pumico
stone, or such like substance. For a sufficient argument
to prove it to be so in these volcanos, they sometimes cast
smoke, and not alwaies, and sometimes fire, and not alwaies,
which is according to what it can drawe vnto it, and digest,
as the fountaines which in winter abound and in summer
decrease; yea, some are quite dried vp, according to the
force and vigour they have and the matter that is presented :
even so it is of these volcanos, which cast fire more or lesse
at certaine seasons. Others say that it is hell fire which
issueth there, to serve as a warning, thereby to consider
what is in the other life : but if hell (as Divines holde) be
in the centre of the earth, the which containes in diameter
1 " Que siempre manan, y siempre tieneu de que manar."

N

178 EARTHQUAKES.

LIB. in. aboye two thousand leagues, we can not iudge that this

Basil, psai. fire is from the centre ; for that hell fire (as Saint Basil and

m Hexa. other Saints teach) is very different from this which wee see,

that it is without light, and burneth without comparison

much more then ours. And therefore I conclude, that

what I have saide, seemes to me more reasonable.

CHAP. xxvi. — Of Earthquakes.

Some have held that, from these Yolcanos which are at
the Indies, the earthquakes proceed, being very common
there ; but for that they ordinarily chance in places farre
from those Volcanos it can not be the totall cause. It is
true, they have a certaine simpathy one with another, for
that the hote exhalations which engender in the inner con
cavities of the earth, seeme to be the materiall substance of
fire in the Volcanos, whereby there kindleth an other more
grosse matter, and makes these shewes of flame and smoke
that come forth. And these exhalations (finding no easie
issue in the earth) move it to issue forth with great
violence, wherby we heare that horrible noise vnder the
earth, and likewise the shaking of the earth, being stirred
with this burning exhalation ; even as gunpowder in mines,
having fire put to it, breakes rockes and walles : and as the
chesnut laid into the fire leapes and breakes with a noyse,
whenas it casts forth the aire (which is contained within
the huske) by the force of the fire : even so, these Earth
quakes do most commonly happen in places neere the water
or sea. As we see in Europe and at the Indies, that townes
and cities farthest from the sea and waters are least afflicted
therewith ; and contrariwise, those that are seated vpon
portes of the sea, vpon rivers, the sea coast, and places neere
vnto them, feele most this calamitie. There hath happened
in Peru (the which is wonderfull, and worthy to be noted)
Earthquakes which have runne from Chile vnto Quito, and

EARTHQUAKES. 179

that is above fine hundred leagues,, I say the greatest that LlB-
ever I heard speake of, for lesser be more common there.
Vpon the coast of Chile (I remember not well in what
yeare) there was so terrible an earthquake, as it overturned
whole mountains, and thereby stopped the course of rivers
which it converted into lakes, it beat downe townes, and
slew a great number of people, causing the sea to leave her
place some leagues, so as the shippes remained on drie
ground, farre from the ordinary roade, with many other
heavie and horrible things. And, as I well remember,
they say this trouble and motion, caused by the earth
quake, ranne three hundred leagues alongest the coast.
Soon after, which was in the yeere eighty two, happened
that earthquake of Arequipa, which in a manner overthrew
the whole citie. Since, in the yeere eightie sixe, the nineth
of lune, fell an other earthquake in the cittie of Kings, the
which, as the Viceroy did write, hadde runne a hundred
three score and tenne leagues alongest the coast, and over-
thwart in the Sierra fiftie leagues. The mercy of the Lord
was great in this earth quake, to forewarne the people by
a great noyse which they heard a little before the earth
quake, who, taught by former experiences, presently put
themselves in safetie, leaving their houses, streetes, and
gardins, to go into the fieldes ; so as, although it ruined a
great parte of the Cittie, and of the chiefest buildings, yet
there died not above fifteene or twenty persons of all the
inhabitants. It caused the like trouble and motion at sea,
as it had done at Chile, which happened presently after the
earthquake, so as they might see the sea furiously to flie
out of her boundes, and to runne neere two leagues into the
land, rising above fourteene fadorne : it covered all that
plaine, so as the ditches and peeces of wood that were there
swamme in the water. There was yet an other earthquake
in the realme and Cittie of Quito ; and it seemes all these
notable earthquakes vppon that coast have succeeded one

N2

180 EARTHQUAKES.

LlB- m- an other by order, as in trueth it is subiect to these incon
veniences. And therefore, although vpon the coast of Peru
there be no torments from, heaven, as thunder and light
ning, yet are they not without feare vppon the land : and so
everie one hath before his eies the Heraults of divine Justice,
to moove him to feare God. For, as the Scripture saith,
Fecit hcec vt timeatur. Returning then, to our purpose, I
say the sea coast is most subiect to these earthquakes, the
reason is, in my iudgenient, for that the water dooth stop
the conduites and passages of the earth, by which the hote
exhalations should passe, which are engendered there. And
also the humiditie thickning the superficies of the earth
dooth cause the fumes and hot exhalations to goe close to
gether and incounter violently in the bowells of the earth,
which doe afterwards breake forth.

Some have observed that such earthquakes have vsually
hapned whenas a rainie season falles after some drie yeeres.
Wherevpon they say, that the Earthquakes are most rare
where are most welles, the which is approoved by experi
ence. Those of the Cittie of Mexico hold opinion, that the
Lake whereon it is seated, is the cause of the Earthquakes
that happen there, although they be not very violent : and
it is most certaine that the Townes and Provinces farre
within the land, and farthest from the sea, receive some
times great losses by these earthquakes, as the Cittie of
Chachapoyas at the Indies, and in Italie that of Ferrara,
although vpon this subiect; it seemes this latter, being
neere to a river, and not farre from the Adriatic sea, should
rather be numbred among the sea-Townes. In the yeere of
our Lord one thousand five hundred eightie and one, in
Chuqui-apu, a Cittie of Peru, otherwise called La Paz,
there hapned a strange accident touching this subiect. A
village called Angoango,1 where many Indians dwelt that

1 Ancu-ancu, a hamlet in the parish of Achacache, which is the capi
tal of the province of Omasuyos, on the eastern side of lake Titicaca.

EMBRACING OF LAND AND SEA. 181

were sorcerers and idolatrers, fell sodainely to mine, so as LlB>
a great parte thereof was raised vp and carried away3 and
many of the Indians smothered, and that which seems in
credible (yet testified by men of credit) the earth that was
ruined and so beaten downe, did runne and slide vpon the
land for the space of a league and a halfe, as it had beene
water or wax molten, so as it stopt and filled vppe a Lake,
and remayned so spread over the whole countrey.

CHAP, xxvii. — How the land and sea imbrace one an other.

I will end with this element of earth, vniting it to the
precedent of water, whose order and embracing is truely of
it selfe admirable. These two elements have one spheare
divided betweene them, and entertaine and embrace one
another in a thousand sortes and maners. In some places
the water encounters the land furiously as an enemy, and
in other places it invirons it after a sweete and amiable
manner. There are partes whereas the sea enters far within
the land, as comming to visite it; and in other partes the
land makes restitution, casting his capes, points, and tongues
farre into the sea, piercing into the bowelles thereof. In
some partes one element ends and another beginnes, yeeld-
ing by degrees one vnto another. In some places, where
they ioyne, it is exceeding deepe, as in the Hands of the
South Sea, and in those of the North, whereas the shippes
ride close to the land ; and, although they found three score
and tenne, yea foure score fadomes, yet do they finde no
bottome, which makes men coniecture that these are pikes
or poynts of land which rise vp from the bottome, a matter
woorthy of great admiration. Heerevpon a very expert
Pilote said vnto me, that the Hands which they call of
Woolves, and others, that lie at the entry of the coast of
New Spaine, beeing called Cocos, were of this manner.

182 SHAPE OF SOUTH AMERICA.

LIB. in. Moreover, there is a place in the midst of the great
Ocean, without the view of land, and many leagues from it,
where are seene as it were two towers or pikes of a very
high elevated rocke, rising out of the middest of the sea,
and yet ioyning vnto it they finde no bottome. No man
can yet perfectly comprehend, nor conceive the full and
perfect forme of the land at the Indies, the boundes being
not wholly discovered to this day : yet wee may guesse
that it is proportioned like a heart with the lungs. The
broadest of this heart is from Bresill to Peru, the poynt at
the straight of Magellan, and the top where it ends is the
firme land, and there the continent begins by little and
litle to extend it selfe vritill wee come to the height of
Florida and the vpper laudes, which are not yet well dis
covered. We may vnderstand other particularities of this
land at the Indies, by the Commentaries which the Spaniards
have written of their successe and discoveries; and amongest
the rest, of the Peregrination which I have written ; which
in trueth is strange, and may give a great light. This, in
my opinion, may suffice at this time to give som knowledge
of things at the Indies, touching the common elements, of
the which all parts of the worlde are famed.

THE FOVRTH BOOKE

Of the Naturall and Morall Historic of the

Indies.

CHAP. i. — Of three kindes of mixtures or compounds, of the
which I must intreate in this Historie.

HAVING intreated in the former booke of that which con- LlB-
cernes the Elements, and the simples of the Indies, in this
present booke we will discourse of mixtures and compounds,
seeming fit for the subject we shall treate of. And
although there be many other sundrie kindes, yet we will
reduce this matter into three, which are Mettalls, Plants,
and Beasts. Mettalls are (as plants) hidden and buried in i
the bowels of the earth, which have some conformitie in/
themselves, in the forme and maner of their production ;
for that wee see and discover even in them, branches, and
as it were a bodie, from whence they grow and proceede,
which are the greater veines and the lesse, so as they have
a knitting in themselves : and it seemes properly that these
ininerales grow like vnto plants, not that they have any
inward vegitative life, being onely proper to plants : but
they are engendered in the bowels of the earth, by the
vertue and force of the Sunne and other planets, and in
long continuance of time they increase and multiply after
the manner of plants. And even as mettalls be pl
hidden in the earth, so we may say, that plants be living
creatures fixed in one place, whose life is maintained by
the nourishment which Nature furnisheth from their first
beginning. But living creatures surpasse plants, in that

184 STUDY OF GOD'S WORKS.

LIB. iv. they have a more perfect being ; and therefore have neede
of a more perfect foode and nourishment ; for the search
whereof, Nature hath given them a moving and feeling to
, discover and discerne it. So as the rough and barren earth
vis as a substance and nutriment for mettalls ; and that
which is fertile and better seasoned a nourishment for
plants. The same plants serve as a nourishment for living
creatures, and the plants and living creatures together as a
nourishment for men ; the inferiour nature alwaies serving
for the maintenance and sustentation of the superiour, and
the lesse perfect yeelding vnto the more perfect : whereby
we may see how much it wants, that gold and silver and
other things which men so much esteem e by their covetous-
iiesse, should be the happiness of man, wherevnto he should
tend, seeing they be so many degrees in qualitie inferior to
man, who hath been created and made onely to be a subject
to serve the vniversall Creator of all things, as his proper
end and perfect rest, and to which man, all other things in
this world, were not propounded or left, but to gaine this
last end. Afyho so would consider of things created, and
discourse according to this Philosophic, might draw some
fruite from the knowledge and consideration thereof, making
vse of them to know and glorifie their Author. But he
that would passe on farther to the knowledge of their pro
perties and profits, and would curiously search them out,
hee shall finde in these creatures, that which the Wiseman
saies, that they are snares and pitfallcs to the feete of

Sap. xiv. fooles and ignorant, into the which they fall and loose
themselves daily. To this intent therefore, and that the
Creator may be glorified in his creatures, I pretend to spcake
of some things in this Booke, whereof there are many at
the Indies worth the report, touching mettalls, plants, and
beasts, which are proper and peculiar in those parts. But
for that it were a great worke to treate thereof exactly, and
requires greater learning and knowledge ; yea, much more

USES OF METALS. 185

leisure than I have, my intent is only to treate of some LlB- Iv-
tilings succinctly, the which I have observed, as well by
experience, as the report of men of credite, touching these
three things which I have propounded, leaving to men
more curious and diligent to treate more amply of these
matters.

CHAP. ii. — Of the aboundance and great guantitie of Mettall
at the West Indies.

The wisedome of God hath made mettalls for phisicke,
and for defence, for ornament, and for instruments for the
worke of men, of which foure things we may easily yeelde
examples, but the principall end of mettalls, and the last
thereof, is, for that the life of man hath not onely neede of
nourishment as the beasts, but also he must worke and
labour according vnto the reason and capacitie which the
Creator hath given him. And as mans understanding doth
apply itself to diverse artes and faculties, so the same
Author hath given order, that hee should finde matter and
subiect to diverse artes, for the conservation, reparation,
suretie, ornament and exaltation of his workes. The diver-
sitie therefore of mettalls, which the Creator hath shut vp
in the closets and concavities of the earth, is such and so
great that man drawes profit and commoditie from everie
one of them. Some serve for curing of diseases, others for
armes and for defence against the enemies, some are for
ornament and beautifying of our persons and houses, and
others are fit to make vessels and yron-workes, with divers
fashions of instruments, which the industry of man hath
found out and put in practise. But above all the vses of
mettalls, which bee simple and natural, the communication
and commerce of men hath found out one, which is the vse
of money, the which (as the Philosopher saieth) is the

186 GOLD AND SILVER.

LIB. IT. measure of all things. And although, naturally, and of
Arist. v, it selfe, it be but one onely thing, yet in value and estima-

Ethio., cap.

5- tion, wee may say that it is all things. Mony is vnto vs as

it weare, meate, clothing, house, horse, and generally what
soever man hath neede of. By this meanes all obeyes to

Eccies. x. m0ny, and as the Wiseman saith, to finde an invention that
one thing should be all. Men, guided or thrust forward by
a naturall instinct, choose the thing most durable and most
maniable, which is mettall, and amongst mettalls, gave
them the preheminence in this invention of mony, which of
their nature were most durable and incorruptible, which is
silver and golde. The which have bin in esteeme, not onlie
amongst the Hebrewes, Assirians, Greekes, Komans, and
other nations of Europe and Asia, but also amongst the
most retyped and barbarous nations of the world, as by the
Indians both East and West, where gold and silver is held
in great esteeme, imploying it for the workes of their
Temples and Pallaces, and for the attyring and ornament of
kings and great personages. And although we have found
some Barbarians, which know neither gold nor silver, as it
is reported of those of Florida, which tooke the bagges
and sackes wherein the silver was, the which they cast vpon
the ground, and left as a thing vnprofitable. And Plinie
likewise writes of the Babitacques, which abhorred gold,
and therefore they buried it, to the end that no man should
vse it. But at this day they finde few of these Floridians
or Babitacques, but great numbers of such as esteeme,
seeke, and make accoumpt of gold and silver, having no
neede to learne it of those who go from Europe. It is true,
there covetousnesse is not yet come to the height of ours,
neither have they so much worshipped gold and silver,
although they were Idolaters, as some blinde Christians, who
have committed many great out-rages for gold and silver.
Yet is it a thing very worthy of consideration, that the
wisedome of the Et email Lord would inrich those partes

MINERAL WEALTH OP PERU. 187

of the world which are most remote, and which are peopled LlB- IV-
with men of lesse civilitie and governement, planting there
great store of mines, and in the greatest aboundance that
ever were, thereby to invite men to search out those lands,
and to possesse them, to the end that by this occasion, they
might plant religion and the worship of the true God,
amongst those that knew it not, fulfilling therein the
prophecie of Isaiah, saying, that the Church should stretch
forth her boundes, not onely to the right, but also to the
left : which is vnderstood as S. Augustine saieth, that the a
Gospell should be spread abroad, not onely by those that 3[ang<)Cap'
sincerely, and with a true and perfect charity, preach and
declare it, but also by those that publish it, tending to
temporall ends ; whereby wee see, that the Indian land,
being more aboundant in mines and riches, hath beene in
our age best instructed in the Christian religion, the Lord
vsing our desires and inclinations to serve his soveraigne
intentions. Herevpon a Wise man said, that what a father
doth to marie his daughter wel, is to give her a great por
tion in manage ; the like hath God done for this land so
rough and laboursome, giving it great riches in mines, that
by this meanes it might be the more sought after. At the
West Indies then there are a great store of mines of all
sortes of mettalls, as copper, yron, lead, tinne, quicke-silver,
silver and gold : and amongst all the regions and partes of,
the Indies, the realmes of Peru abound most in these met- ' ..
tails, especially with gold, silver, quicke-silver, or mercurie,
whereof they have found great store, and daily discover new
mines. And without doubt, according to the qualitie of
the earth, those which are to discover, are without com
parison farre more in number then those which are yet
discovered : yea, it seemes that all the land is sowed with
these mettalls, more then any other in the world that is yet
knowne vnto us, or that ancient writers have made men
tion of,

188 RICHES OF THE INDIES.

CHAP. in. — Of the qualitie and nature of the earth where the
mettalls are found, and that all these mettalls are not im-
ployed at the Indies, and how the Indians vsed them.

LIB. iv. The reason why there is so great aboundance of mettalls

~~ at the Indies (especially at the West of Peru, as I have

saide) is the will of the Creator, who hath imparted his

giftes as it pleased him. But comming to a naturall and

Phiio., lib. philosophicall reason, it is very true, which Philon a wise

v, cle Genes. r

man writes, saying, that gold, silver, and mettalls grow

\

\

naturally in land that is most barren and vnfruitefull. And
we see, that in lands of good temperature, the which are
fertile with grasse and fruites, there are seldome found any
Euseb., lib* mines ; for that Nature is contented to give them vigour to

viii, de pre-

par.evang., bring forth fruites more necessarie for the preservation and
maintenance of the life of beasts and men. And contrari
wise to lands that are very rough, drie, and barren (as in
(the highest mountains and inaccessible rockes of a rough
temper) they finde mines of silver, of quicke-silver, and of
gold ; and all those riches (which are come into Spaine since
the West Indies were discovered) have beene drawne out
of such places which are rough and full, bare and fruitlesse :
yet the taste of this mony makes these places pleasing and
agreeable, yea, well inhabited with numbers of people.
And although there be, as I have said, many mines of all
kinds of mettalls as at the Indies, yet they vse none but
those of gold and silver, and as much quicke-silver as is
necessarie to refine their gold and silver. They carrie yron
thither from Spaine and China. As for copper, the Indians
have drawne of it, and vsed it for their arines, the which
were not vsually of yron, but of copper. Since the Spaniards
possessed the Indies, they have drawne very little, neither
do they take the paine to seeke out these mines, although
there be many busying themselves in the search of richer

USE OF BARTER. 189

and more precious mettalls, wherein they spend their time LlD> IT-
and labour. They vse no other mettalls, as copper and
yron, but only that which is sent them from Spaine, or
that which remaines of the refining of gold and silver.
We finde not that the Indians in former times vsed gold,
silver, or any other mettall for mony, and for the price
of things, but only for ornament, as hath been said,
whereof there was great quantitie in their Temples,
Palaces, and Toombes, with a thousand kindes of
vessels of gold and silver, which they had. They
vsed no gold nor silver to trafficke or buy withall,
but did change and trucke one thing for another,, as
Homer and Plinie report of the Ancients. They had xSiifcaj
some other things of greater esteerne which went current
amongst them for price, and in steede of coine ; and vnto
this day this custoine continues amongst the Indians, as in
the Provinces of Mexico, in steede of money they vse
cacao, which is a small fruit, and therewith buy what they
will. In Peru they vse coca to the same end, the which is
a leafe the Indians esteeme much, as in Paraguay, they have
stamps of yron for coine, and cotten woven in Santa Cruz
de la Sierra. Finally, the maner of the Indians trafficke, and
their buying and selling, was to exchange, and give things
for things; and although there were great martes and
famous faires, yet had they no neede of mony, nor of
brokers, for that every one had learned what he was to give
in exchange for every kinde of merchandise. Since the
Spaniards entred, the Indians have vsed gold and silver to
buy withall ; and in the beginning there was no coine, but
silver by weight was their price and mony, as they report
of the ancient Romans. Since, for a greater benefite, thev Plin» lib-

J xxxiii, c. 4.

have forged coine in Mexico and Peru, yet vnto this day
they have not in the West Indies coined any mony of
copper or other mettall but only of silver and golde ; for
the richnes of that Countrie hath not admitted nor received

190 GOLD.

LIB. iv. suc],j mony ag they call bullion, nor other kindes of alloy,
which they use in Italie, and in other Provinces of Europe.
Although in some Hands of the Indies, as San Domingo
and Puerto Kico, they vse coine of leather which is square,
the which are currant onely in those Hands, having little
silver or gold. I say little, although there be much, for
that no man digges it and refines it. Bat for that the
riches of the Indies, and their manner to labour in the
mines, consistes of golde, silver, and quicke-silver. I will
speake something of these three mettalls, leaving the rest
for this time.

CHAP. iv. — Of gold wldcli tlicij dig and refine at tlie Indies,

\ Gold amongst other mettals hath bin always held the
most excellent, and with reason, being the most durable
and incorruptible of all others ; for fire which consumes
and diminishes the rest amends it, and brings it to perfec
tion. Golde which hath often passed through the fire, keepes
his colour, and is most fine and pure, which properly is
called, as Plinie saith, Obriso, whereof the Scripture makes
so often mention, and vse, which consumeth all other
piin., lib. mettalles, as the same Plinie saith, dooth not any thino-

xxxiii, c. 3. *

waste golde, nor yet hurte it, neither is it eaten nor groweth

olde.jAnd although his substance and body be firine and

solide, yet dooth it yielde and bow woonderfully ; the

beaters and drawers of golde knowe well the force it hath

to bee drawen out without breaking. All which things

well considered, with other excellent properties, will give

and xxi1 tnen of iudgment to vnderstand, wherefore the holie Scrip-

cant. in. ture dooth compare Charitie to golde. To conclude, there

Psaim ixvii. is little neede to relate the excellencies thereof to make it

3 Re<?. vi. more desirable. For the greatest excellencie it hath, is to

be knowne, as it is, amongst men, for the supreaine power

GOLD. 191

and greatnesse of the worlde. Coming therefore to onr LlB- IY-
subject; at the Indies there is great abundance of this
mettall, and it is wel knowne by approved histories that
the Yncas of Peru did not content themselves with great
and small vessels of gold, as pots, cups, goblets, and
flagons ; yea with kowles or great vessels, but they had
chaires also and litters of massie golde, and in their temples
they had set vppe manie Images of pure gold, whereof they
find some yet at Mexico, but not such store as when the
first Conquerours came into the one and the other king-
dome, who found great treasure, and without doubt there
was much more hidden in the arth by the Indians. It
would seem ridiculous to reporte that they have made their
horse shooes of silver for want of yron, and that they have
payd three hundred crownes for a bottle of wine, and other
strange things ; and yet in trueth this hath come to
passe, yea and greater matters. They drawe golde in
those partes after three sorts, or at the least, I have seene
all three vsed. For either they find gold in graines,
in powder, or in stone. They do call golde in graines,
small morsels of gold, which they finde whole, without mix
ture of any other mettall, which hath no neede of melting or
refining in the fire : and they call them pippins, for that
commonly they are like to pippins, or seeds of melons, or
pompions : and that wherof lob speakes, when he saies, iob xxviii.
glelce illius aurum, though sometimes there be greater, and
such as I have seene weighed many poundes. It is the
excellencie of this mettall alone, as Plinie affirmes, to be rim., Hb.

xxxiv, ca. 4.

found thus pure and perfect, which is not seene in any
other mettalles, which are alwayes earthy, and have a
scumme, and rieede purging by the fire : I have likewise
seene silver like to hoar frost. There is an other kinde
which the Indians call papas; and sometimes they find
peeces very fine and pure, like to small round rootes, the
which is rare in that mettall, but vsual in gold. They

192 GOLD.

LIB. iv. gn(je little of this golde in pippin, in respect of the other
kindes. Golde in stone is a veine of gold that groweth or
ingendereth within the stone or flint, as I have seene in the
mines of Saruma, within the government of Salinas, very
great stones pierced and intermixed with gold ; others that
were halfe gold, and half stone. The golde which groweth
in this manner is found in pittes or mines, which have
their veines like to the silver mines, but it is very hard to
drawe it foorth : Agatarchides writes in his first booke
of the Erythrean or red sea (as Phocion reportes in his
Bibliotheca), of the manner and fashion to refine golde,
the which the antient Kings of Egypt were wont to vse,
and it is a strange thing to see how that which is written
resembles properly to the manner they vse at this day in
refining these mettalls of golde and silver. The greatest
quantitie of golde which is drawne at the Indies is that in
powder, the which is found in streames and places where
much water hath passed, because the rivers of India
abound in this kinde of golde. As the Ancients for this
occasion did celebrate the river of Tagus in Spain, Pactolus
in Asia, and Ganges in the East Indies, and called
Eamenta auri, what we call golde in powder, and of
this sort is the greatest quantitie of golde they have
at this day. At this present, in the Hands of Barlovent,
Hispaniola, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, there hath beene, and is
great quantity in the rivers, but they bring little from
thence into Spaine, for want of the naturall inhabitants of
the countrie, and the difficultie to drawe it. There is great
aboundance in the kingdome of Chilie, of Quito, and in
the new realme of Grenada.

The most famous golde is that of Caravaya in Peru, and
of Yaldivia in Chilie, for that it riseth with his alloy and
perfection, which is twenty three carats and a halfe, and
sometimes more. They make accoinpt likewise of the gold
of Veragua to be very fine. They bring much golde to

GOLD. 193

Mexico from the Philippines, and China, but commonly it LTI'' IV-
is weake, and of base alloy. Gold is commonly found
inixt with silver or with copper, but that which is mixed
with silver is commonly of fewer carats then that which is
mixed with copper. If there be a fift parte of silver, Plinie S^a.1?'
saieth, it is then properly called Electrum, which hath the
property to shine more at the light of the fire then fine
gold or fine silver. That which is incorporate with copper,
is commonly of a higher value. They refine powdred golde
in basens, washing it in many waters until the sand falles
from it, and the golde as most heavie remaineth in the
bottome. They refine it likewise with quicke-silver and
strong water, for that the allume whereof they make this
water hath the virtue to separate gold from drosse, or from
other mettalls. After it is purified and molten, they make
brickes or small barres to carry it vnto Spain ; for being in
powder they cannot transport it from the Indies, for they
can neither custome it, marke it, nor take assay, until it be
molten. The foresaide Historiographer reporteth that SSiJo!'
Spaine above all other Countries of the world did abound in
gold and silver, especially Galicia and Portugall, and above
all the Asturias, whence hee saieth they brought every
yeere twenty thousand pounds of golde, and that they
found not so great aboundance in any other place. The
which is confirmed in the booke of Maccabees, where it is iMaccab.
saide, that amongest the great riches of the Romans, they
had in their power the golde and silver of Spaine. At this
day the great treasure of Spaine comes from the Indies,
wherein the divine Providence hath appoynted one Eealme
to serve another, which doe im parte their wealth to partici
pate their government for the good the one of the other,
in communicating mutually the goodes and graces they doe
injoy ; wee can not value nor esteeme the quantitie of gold
that is brought from the Indies, but we may well say, it is
much more then that which Pliny reports was brought

194 SILVER.

LIB. iv. yeerely from Spaine to Rome. In the fleete where I came,
~ which was in the yeere 1585, the declaration of the firme

/land was of twelve cassons or chests of golde, every casson
at the least weighed four arrobas, that is a hundred weight,
and a thousand fifty and sixe rnarcs from New Spaine,
which was for the King only, besides that which came for
Merchants and private men being registered, and much
that came unregistred. This may suffice touching the
golde of the Indies, and now we will speake of silver.

CHAP. v. — Of the Silver at the Indies.

Job xxviii. We rcade these wordes in the Booke of lob, ' ' Silver hath
certain beginnings and roots in his veins, and golde hath a
setled place, where it ingenders and thickens, yron with
digging is drawnc out of the earth, and stone molten with
heate is turned into copper."1 Hereby he wisely shewes in
few words the nature of silver, gold, yron and copper. We
have spoken something of the places where golde is ingen-
dcred and congealed, which is either of the foresaide stones
in the depth of inountaines, and in the bowells of the earth,
or in the sand of rivers and where brookes have runne, or
else on the toppes of mountaines, the which golde in pow
der runncs downe with the water. And this is the com
mon opinion they holde at the Indies. Wherevppon many
of the common sort believe that the deluge having drowned
all, even to the highest hills, hath beene the cause that at
this day they finde this golde in the rivers, and in places
so farre off. Now we wil shew how they discover the mines
of silver, their veines, rootes, and beginnings whereof lob
speakes.

1 " Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where
they fine it."

" Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone."
— Jol) xxviii, 1 , 2.

SILVER. 195

And first I will say, that the reason why they give silver LlB- Iv-

the second place among- all other rnettalles is, for that it
approacheth neerer to golde then any other, being more
durable and lesse indarnaged by the fire, and more maniablc
then any other ; yea it passeth golde in brightnesse, beauty
and sound, the which is cleere and agreeable, for the colour
is more conformable and resembling the light, and the
sound more percing, more lively, and more delicate. Like
wise there are some places where they value silver more
then golde. It is yet an argument to judge that gold is
more pretious than other mettalls for that it is found with
greater difficultie, and Nature seems more sparing in bring
ing it foorth, although there be countries, as they say of
Chine, where they find golde more easily than silver ;
yet it is more common and ordinarie to finde silver with
more facilitie and greater abundance then gold. The Crea
tor hath furnished the West Indies with so great a treasure
of silver, as all that which we reade of in antient Histories
and that which is spoken of the mines of Spaine, and other
provinces, is not comparable to that we see in those partes.
The mines of silver are commonly found in mountaines, and
high rockes very desart, although they have sometimes bin
found in Plaines and Champaines. There are two different
kindes, the one they call straggling, the other fixed and
settled. The straggling are peeces of mettall found in
certaine places, the which dravvne away there is no more
found. But the fixed veines are those which have a con
tinuance in depth and length, like to great branches and
armes of trees, and when they find anie one of them they
commonly finde many in the same place. The maner to
purge and refine siluer which the Indians have vsed was by
melting, in dissolving this masse of mettall by fire, which
casts the earthly drosse aparte, and by his force separates
silver from lead, tinne from copper, and other mettalls mixt.
To this end they did build small furnaces in places whereas I

o 2

SILVER.

LIB. iv. 1 the wind did commonly blow, and with wood and cole made
r their refining, the which furnaces in Peru they call huayras.
Since the Spaniards entred, besides this manner of refining
which they vse to this day, they likewise refine silver with
qvick-silver, and draw more by this means then in refining
it by fire. For there is some kind of silver mettall found
which can by no means be purged and refined by fire, but
onely with quicksilver. But this kind of mettall is com
monly poore arid weake, the which vsually they finde in
greatest aboundance. They call that poore which yields least
silver and great quantitie of other mettall, and that rich which
yieldes most silver. It is strange to see not onely the differ
ence betwixt the refining of mettall by fire, and without it
by quicke-silver, but also that some of these mettalles,
which are refined by the fire can not well be molten with
5 any artificiall winde as with bellows, but when it is kindled
and blowen with the naturall ayre or naturall winde. The
metall of the mines of Porco is easily refined with bellowes,
I and that of the mines of Potosi cannot be molten with
! bellowes, but only by the breath of their liuayras, which are
small furnaces vpon the sides of the mountaines, built ex
pressly where the. winde lies, within the which they melt
this metall ; and though it be hard to yielde a reason for this
difference, yet is it most certaine and approoved by long
experience ; so as the greedie desire of this mettall, so much
valued amongst men, hath made them seek out a thousand
gentle inventions and devises, whereof wee will hereafter
make mention. The chiefe places of the Indies from
whence they draw silver are New Spaine, and Peru; but the
mines of Peru farre surpasse the rest ; and amongst all
others of the worlde, those of Potosi, whereof wee will
intreate a little at leasure, being the most famous and re-
markeable things at the Indies.

MINES OF POTOSI. 197

CHAP. VT. — Of the mount ainc or lull of Potosi and .the
discovery thereof.

The mountaine or hill of Potosi so famous, scituate in the LlB-
Province of Charcas, in the kingdome of Peru, distant from
the Equinoctiall towardes the South or Pole Antartike, 21
degrees and two thirds : so as it falls under the Tropicke,
"bordering upon the burning Zone, and yet this region is
extreamely cold, yea, more then old Castill in the kingdom
of Spaine, and more than Flanders itselfe, although by
reason it should be hote or temperate, in regard of the
height and elevation of the Pole where it is seated. The
reason of this so cold a temperature is the height of the
mountaine, whereas colde and intemperate windes con
tinually blow, especially that which they call TomaTiaui,
which is boistrous and most cold. It raines most commonly
in lune, lulie, and August. The ground and soile of this
mountaine is drie, cold, and very vnpleasant, yea, altogether
barren, which neither engenders nor brings forth any
fruite, grasse, nor graine ; it is naturally inhabitable, for
the intern perature of the heaven, and the barrennes of the
earth. But the force of silver, which drawes vnto it the
desire of all thinges, hath peopled this mountaine more then
any other place in all these Kingdomes, making it so fruit-
full of all kindes of meats, as there wantes nothing that
can be desired, yea, in great abouiidance; and although
there be nothing but what is brought by carriage, yet
every place aboundes so with fruite, conserves, exquisite
wines, silkes, and all other delicats, as it is not inferiour to
any other part. This mountaine is of colour darke red,
and is in form pleasing at the first sight, resembling per
fectly the fashion of a pavilion or of a sugar loafe. It
exceedes all other hilles and mountaines about it in height.
The way whereby they ascend, is very rough and vneven,

198 MINES OF POTOSL

LIB. iv. anc[ ye£ t}iev g0 Vp0n horse-backe. It is round at the top,
and at the foote it hath a league in circuite. It containes
from the toppe to the bottome 1680 common yardes, the
which reduced to the measure of Spanish leagues makes a
quarter of a league. At the foote of this mountaine there
is another small hill that riseth out of it, in the which there
hath beene sometimes mines of metall dispearsed, which
were found as it were in purses, and not in fixed or con
tinued veines ; yet were they very rich, though few in
number. This small rocke was called by the Indians
Huayna Potosi, which is young Potosi ; at the foote
whereof beginnes the dwellings of the Spaniards and
Indians, which are come to the riches and worke of Potosi,
/ which dwelling may containe some two leagues in circuite,
and the greatest trafficke and commerce of all Peru is in
this place. The mines of this mountaine were not digged
nor discovered in the time of their Yncas, which were the
Lordes of Peru, before the Spaniardes entred, although
they had digged and opened the mines of Porco, neere to
Potosi, distant onely sixe leagues. The reason might be
the want of knowledge thereof, although some do report I
know not what fable, that having sometimes laboured to
open those mines, a voyce was heard, commaunding them
not to touch it, being reserved for others. In. trueth they
had no knowledge of Potosi, nor of the wealth thereof, till
after twelve yeeres that the Spaniards were entred into
Peru, the discovery whereof was made in this manner.

An Indian called Hualpa, of the nation of Chumpivilca,
which is a province of Cusco, going one clay to hunt for
venison, passing towardes the west whither the beast was
fled, he beganne to runne vppe against the rocke, which at
that time was covered and planted with certaine crops they
call quinua,1 and with thick bushes, and as he strived to
gette vp a way which was somewhat rough and vneasie,
1 " Chenopodium quinua."

MINES OF POTOSI. 199

hee was forced to lay holde vpon a brauncli, wliicli issued LlB- Iv-
from a veine of a silver mine (which since they have called
La Eica) which he pulled vp, perceiving in the hole or roote
thereof rnettall, the which hee knew to be very good, by
the experience hee had of the mines of Porco : and after
finding vpon the ground certaine peeces of mettall, which
lay broken and dispersed neere to this veine, being scarse
well able to iudge thereof, for that the colour was spoyled
and changed by the sunne and raine, he carried it to
Porco to trie by the Huayras (which is the triall of mettall
by fire), and having thereby found the great riches and his
happy fortune, he secretly digged and drew metfcall out of
this veine, not imparting it to any man vntil that an
Indian, called Huanca, of the valley of Xauxa, which is
vpon the bordures of the Cittie of Kings, who remaining
at Porco, neere vnto Hualpa of Chumpivilca, perceved one
day that he made a refining, and that his wedges and
brickes wrere greater then such as were vsually made in
those places : and also increasing in his expence of appar-
rell, having till then lived but basely. For this reason, and
for that the mettall that his neighbour refined was different
from that of Porco, he thought to discover this secret, and
wrought so, that although the other kept it as secret as hee
could, yet thorow importunitie he was forced to carry him
vnto the rocke of Potosi, having enioyed this rich treasure
full two months. And then Hualpa the Indian willed
Huanca for his part to take a veine, which he had discovered
neare to the rich veine, which at this day is called the veine
of Diego Centeno, that was not lesse rich, but more hard to
digge and to draw foorth ; and so by agreement they divided
betweene them the richest rocke in the world. It chaunced
after, the Indian Huanca finding some difficulty to digge
and draw foorth his mettall, being most hard, and the
other Hualpa refusing to impart any of his mine vnto him
they fell at debate ; so as Huanca of Xnuxa grieved there-

200 MINES OF POTOSI.

LIB. iv. with, and with some other discontents, discovered this
secret vnto his inaister called Yillaroel a Spaniard, who then
remained at Porco. This Yillaroel, desirous to vnderstand
the trueth, went to Potosi, and finding the riches his Yana-
cona or servant had discovered vnto him, caused the Indian
Huanca to be inrolled, undertaking with him the saide
veine, which was called Centeno, they call it vndertaking,
that is as much as to note and mark the mine, and so much
ground in circuite for him, which the Lawe graunts vnto
those that discover any mine, or vnto those that digge
. them : by meanes whereof, having discovered them to the
Justice, they remayned Lords of the mine, to dig and draw
foorth the silver, as being their owne, paying only their
duties vnto the King, which is a fift parte. So as the first
discovery and inregistriug of the mines of Potosi was tho
21 of April, in the yeare of our Lord, one thousand five
hundred fortie five, in the territorie of Porco, by the saide
Yillaroel a Spaniard, and Huanca an Indian. Presently
after they discovered another veine, which they called the
veine of Tinne, the which is very rich, although it be rough
and very painfull to worke in, the mettall being as hard as
flint. Since the thirtie day of August in the same yeere of
a thousand five hundred forty and five the veine called
Mendieta was inrolled, and these are the foure principall
veines of Potosi. They say of the rich veine, the first that
was discovered, that the metall lay above the ground the
height of a launce, like vnto rockes, raising the superficies
of the earth, like vnto a crest of three hundred foote long
and thirteen foote broade, and that this remained bare and
vncovered by the deluge. This veine having resisted the
violence and force of the water, as the hardest part. The
mettall was so rich as it was halfe silver, and this veine
continued in his bounty fiftie or three score eslados, which is
the height of a man, and then it failed. In this maner the
mi nes of Potosi were discovered by the Divine Providence,

MINES OF POTOSI. 201

who (for the felicitie of Spaine) would have the greatest LlB- IY-
treasure that ever was in this world discovered at such
time whenas the Bmperour Charles the fift of famous
memorie held the Empire, the kingdonies of Spaine,, and
the Seigniorie of the Indies. Presently after that the dis-
coverie of Potosi was knowne in Peru, many Spaniardes,
and the most parte of the citizens of the city of La Plata,
which is eighteene leagues from Potosi, came thither to take
mines : yea there came many Indians from divers provinces,
especially the Haayradores of Porco, so as within a short
space it was the best peopled habitation of all the kingdome.

CHAP. vn. — Of tit e treasure which is daily drawne from tJie
rocJie or monntaine of Potosi.

I have often doubted if in antient Histories there were
found any so rich mines as those we have seen in our time
in Peru. If there were ever rich mines in the worlde, and
famous for this effect, they have bin those of Spaine, which
they of Carthage did inioy, and since, the Romans, the
which, as I have saide, are not onely famous and esteemed
in prophane bookes, but also in the holy Scriptures. Hee
that maketh most particular mention of these mines, at the
least that I have seene, is Plinie, who writeth thus in his
naturall Historic : " They finde silver in almost all provinces,
but that of Spaine is the best, which growes and ingenders
in a barren soile, vppon mountaines and rockes. It is a
certaine and infallible thing, that in places where they have
once discovered any of these veines, there are others not
farre off, which is likewise found in all other mettalls, and
for this the Greekes, in my opinion, called them mettalls.
It is strange that the pits or holes of these mines of Spaine,
the which they began to digge in Hannibals time, are at
this day, and hold the names of their discoverers. Amongst

202 MINES OF I'OTOSI.

LIB. iv. these mines, that which Bebelo discovered, which holdes

his name vnto this day, was very famous ; and they say it
yeelded so great riches to Hanniball that everie day they
gathered three hundred pounds weight of silver, and vnto
this day they have always continued labouring in this mine,
so as it is now digd 15 hundred passes deep into the
mountaine. Out of which pits, notwithstanding the deapth,
the Gascoines that labour in them drawe out the water,
that they may worke with more ease, whilest their candelles
and lights last, and that in such aboundaunce as it seeines

ufhfchro- to be a river." Hitherto are the woordes of Pliny, the
which I would set downe word by word, the better to con
tent such as know what mines be, seeing that what is tried
at this day was then in vse. And truely the riches of this
mine of Hannibal vpon the Pirrenean hilles, was great and
famous, which the Romans possessed, having continued the
work even unto Plinies time, which was about three hun
dred y ceres. The deapth of this mine was fifteene hundred
passes, which is a mile and a halfe : and it was so rich in
the beginning, that it was woorth daily to the maister
thereof three hundred poundes, at twelve ounces to the
pound. But although this were a great treasure, it did not
approach neere to that which in our time hath bin found in
Potosi : for as it appeareth by the Registers of the house of
contraction of that Province, and as many antient men
worthie of credit doe testifie, whenas the licentiate Polio
governed that Province, the which was many yeeres after
the discovery of this mountaine, they did every saterday
enter a hundred and fifty and twoo hundred thousand
peeces, whereof the Kings fift amounted to thirty and forty
thousand peeces ; and for every yeere a million and a halfe,
or little lesse. So as according to that computation they
did drawe every day from this mine thirty thousand

worth if z°e peeces, whereof there came to the King for his fift, sixe

rialls and a, ,

fourth part, thousand peeces a day.

MINES OF POTOSI. 203

There is yet another thing to be spoken of, to shew the LlB- Iv-
riches of Potosi, that the account which hath been made
was only of silver that was marked and customed. And it
is well knowne in Peru that they have long vsed silver in
these Eealmes which they call currant, which was neither
marked nor customed. And they holde it for certain which
know these mines, that in these daies the greatest parte of
silver drawne at Potosi was not customed, and this had
course amongst the Indians, and much amongst the
Spaniardes, as I have seene continued to my time ; so, as it
may appeare, the third part of the riches of Potosi, yea the
one halfe, came not to light, neither was it customed. There
is yet a more notable consideration, in that which Plinie
saith they hadde digged a fifteene hundred pases in this
mine of Bebelo, and, that continually they found water,
which is the greatest hinderaunce they have to drawe foorth
theyr mettall. But in this of Potosi, although they have
digged two hundred cstados or heights of a man in deapth,
yet did they never finde any water, which is the greatest
happinesse of this mountaine. But the mines of Porco,
whose mettall is good and very rich, are at this day left for
the discommoditie of water, which they have found in their
worke ; for they are two insupportable labours in searching
of the mettall ; first to digge and breake the rockes, and
then to drawe out the water all together. The first of them,
that is, to cut through the rockes, is paine enough ; yea,
very hard and excessive. Finally, at this day the King re
ceives for his fift yeerely, from the mines of Potosi, a
million of silver, besides the wealth that growes by quick
silver and other royall prerogatives, which is a great
treasure. Some men of iudgement having cast vp the ac-
comptes, say that what hath beene brought into the custom e
house of Potosi vnto the yeere of our Lord one thousand
five hundred eighty and five, amounteth vnto a hundred
thousand millions of peeces of essay, whereof every Peece is

204 MINES OF POTOSI.

LIB. iv. \voorth thirteen© Halls and a fourthe parte, not reckoning
the silver which hath bin caried away without custome, or
that hath beene entred in other royall custome houses,
or the silver that hath beene wrought in the country, which
is not entred, the which is innumerable, although the first
Registers of Entries are not so exactly kept as at this day ;
for, that in the beginning and first discoveries, they made
their receit by Romans, so great was their aboundance.

But by the instructions and remembrances of Don Fran
cisco de Toledo, the Viceroy, in the yeare of our Saviour
Christ one thousand five hundred seaventy and foure, they
find seventy and sixe millions to that yeere : and from that
yeare to eighty five inclusive, it appeares by the royall
registers, there were thirty five millions more eutred. They
sent this accompt to the Viceroy from Potosi, in the yeere
I have mentioned, being then in Peru; and since, the
wealth that hath come from Peru by ship hath amounted
to much more. In that fleete where I came in the yeare
one thousand five hundred eighty seaveu, there were eleven
millions transported in the two fleets of Peru and Mexico,
whereof two thirds were in that of Peru, and almost the one
halfo for the King. I thought good to set this downe parti
cularly, to shew the power which his heavenly Maiestie hath
given to the Kings of Spaine, heaping so many Crowns
and Kingdonies vpon them, who (by the especiall favour of
heaven) have ioyned the East with the West Indies, in-
vironing the whole worlde with their Power. [It may be
thought that this provision has been made, through the
providence of our God, for the good of these people, living at
such a distance from their head, who is the Roman Pontiff
and Vicar of Christ our Lord. Also for the defence of the
same Catholic Faith and Roman Church in these parts
where the truth is so opposed and persecuted by the here
tics. For the Lord of Heaven, who gives and takes away
the kingdoms at his will, has so ordered it. We ought,

MINES OF POTOSI. 205

therefore,, humbly to pray that He will be pleased to favour LlB'
the pious zeal of the Catholic King, giving him prosperous
success and victory against the enemies of the holy faith. In.
this cause he spends the treasure of the Indies which have
been given to him, and he even needs much more.1] The
riches of Potosi justify this digression,, and we will now
turn to the mines, and show how they are worked, and how
they refine the metal that is obtained from them.

CHAP. vin. — How they labour in the mines of Potosi.
Boetius, complaining of the first iuventer of mines, spake Boetiusde

consolat.

well :

" Heu primus quis fuit ille,
Auri qui poiidera tecti.
Gemmasque, latere volcntes,
Preciosa pericula f odit ?

" Alas, who was the first,
So curious and accurst,
Who digged out of the mine,
Mans mind to vnderrnine,
Pleavie weights of golde ore,
Better concealde before :
And pearlt crept into ground,
Pale for feare to be found :
Galing gold, wringing rings,
Precious, but perilous things."

With reason he calleth them precious dangers, for the
great labour and perill wherewith they draw out these
mettalls, which men so much esteeme. Plinie saies, that in PH., Kb.

. . xxxiii, ca. 1.

Italie there are many mines, but the Ancients would not
suffer their people to worke in them, only to preserve the
people. They brought these mettalls from Spaine, and
made the Spaniards labour in the mines as tributaries. The
1 This passage is omitted in the old translation.

206 MINES OF POTOSI.

LIB. iv. iike doth Spaine D0w with the Indies, for there remaining
many mines of mettall yet in Spaine, they will not seeke
them, nor suffer any to worke in them, by reason of the in-
conveniencies which happen daily, but they bring them
from the Indies, where they digge it with much labour
and perill. This rocke of Potosi containes, as I have
said, foure principall veines j that is, La Rica, that of
Centeno, that of Estano, and that of Mendieta. All these
veines are of the East part of the mouiitame, as looking to
the Sunne rising, for on the West part there is not any.
The foresaid veines runne from North to South, which is
from Pole to Pole. In the largest place they have six
foote, and in the narrowest a spanne bredth. There are
others of divers fashions, that runne out of the said veines,
like as out of the great armes of trees there commonly
sprowt foorth lesse. Everie veinc hath divers mines which
are partes and portions of the same, distinct and divided
betwixt divers masters by whose names they are commonly
r called. The great mine containes foure-score yardes,
neither may it be more by the law, and the least containes
foure. All these mines are at this day very deepe. In
La Rica they reckon 78 mines which are 80 yards deep,
or a hundred stades or height of a man, and in some places
two hundred. In the veiiio of Centeno are 24 mines,
whereof some arc 70 or 80 stades deepe, and so of the other
veines of this mountaine. For a remedie to this great
profunditie they have invented mines which they call soca-
loncs,1 which are caves or ventes made at the foote of the
mountaine, the which go crossing til they incounter with
the veines ; for wee must vnderstand that although the
veines runne North to South as hath been said, yet is it in
declining from the toppe to the foote of the mountaine,
which may be as they beleeve by conjecture above twelve
hundred stades. And by this account, although the mines
1 Adite, or horizontal cuttings.

MINES OP POTOSI. 207

extend in such a profunditie, yet there remaines six times LlB- IV>
as much space unto the bottome or roote, the which they
say are most rich and aboundant, as the body and spring of
all veines. Although unto this day we have seene the con
trary by experience, for the higher the veine is to the
superficies of the earth, the more rich they find it; and the
deeper it goes the poorer it is, and of the baser aloy. They
then invented the socaboncs, by which they enter to worke
in the mines very easily, with lesse charge, paine, and
danger. They have eight foote in breadth, and an cstado in
height, the which they shut with doores. By them they
drawe forth their mettall very easily, paying to the pro
prietary of the socabon the fift part of all the metall they
draw forth. There are nine already made and others are
begunne. They were twenty and nine yeeres in making of
one socabon, called Venino, which comes from the Rica
veine. It was begunne in the yeere 1556, the eleventh
yeere of the discovery, and was ended in the yeere
1585, the eleventh of August. This socabon reached the
Rica veine thirtie five estados from the roote or spring, and
from thence where it met to the mouth of the mine, were
a hundred thirty five estados. So they must descend all
this depth to labour in the mine. This socabon containes
from his mouth vnto the veine of Crusero as they call it,
250 yardes, in which worke were spente twentie nine yeeres,
whereby wee may see what great paines men take to draw
silver out of the bowells of the earth. They labour in these
mines in continual! darknes and obscuritie, without know
ledge of day or night. And forasmuch as those places are
never visited with the Sunne, there is not onely a con
tinual darkness, but also an extreme colde, with so grosse
an aire contrary to the disposition of man, so as such as
newly enter are sicke as they at sea. The which happened
to me in one of these mines, where I felt a paine at the
heart, and beating of the stomach. Those that labour

208 MINES OP POTOSI.

LIB. iv. therein vse candles to light them, dividing their work in

such sort, as they that worke in the day rest by the night,
; and so they change. The mettall is commonly hard, and
therefore they breake it with hammers, splitting and hewing
it by force as if they were flintes. After, they carry vp this
mettall upon their shoulders, by ladders of three branches
made of neates lether twisted like peeces of wood, which
are crossed with staves of wood, so as by every one of these
ladders they mount and discend together. They are ten
cstados long a peece, and at the end of one, beginnes another
of the same length, every ladder beginning and ending at
platformes of wood, where there are seates to rest them like
unto galleries, for that there are many of these ladders to
mount by one at the end of another. A man carries ordinarily
the weight .of two arrobas1 of mettall vpon his shoulders, tied
together in a cloth in maner of a skippe, and so mount
they three and three. He that goes before carries a candle
tied to his thumb, for, as it is said, they have no light from
heaven, and so go they vp the ladder holding it with both
their handes ; to mount so great a height which commonly
is above a hundred and fiftie cstados, a fearful thing and
which breeds an amazement to thinke vpon it, so great is the
desire of silver, that for the gaine thereof men indure any
paines. And truly it is not without reason, that Plinie,
plin-in ,., treating1 of this subiect. exclaimes and saies thus: — " We

proem., lib. J

enter even into the bo wells of the earth, and go hunting
after riches, even to the place of the damned." And after,
in the same book, he saieth, " Those that seeke for mettalls
performe workes more then giants, making holes and caves
in the depth of the earth, piercing mouutaines so deepe by
the light of candles, whereas the day and the night are
alike, and in many moneths they see no day. So as often
the walles of their mines fal, smothering many of them that
labour therein." And afterwards he addes, "They pierce the

1 50 Ibs.

xxxiii, cap.

QUALITIES OF SILVER ORES. 209

hard rocke with hammers of yron, waying 150 poundes, and Lin-
draw out the mettall upon their shoulders, labouring day and
night, one delivering his charge to another, and all in dark
ness, onely the last sees the light; with wedges and hammers
they breake the flintes, how hard and strong soever, for the
hunger of gold is yet more sharpe and strong." This Plinie
saies, who although he speakes as a historigrapher of that
age, yet doth he seeme to prophecie of this time. Neither
is it lesse which Phocion of Agatarchides reports of the
great travail they indure, whom they called Chrysios, in
drawing out of golde : for as the said Author saieth, gold
and silver are as painefull to digge and drawe forth, as they
are pleasing to possesse.

CHAP. ix. — How they refine the Mettall of Silver.

The Vein, as I have said, where they finde silver, runnes
betwixt two rockes, which they call La Caxa, whereof the
one is commonly as hard as flint, and the other soft and more
easie to breake. This mettall is not always equal, and of
the same value, for you shall finde in one and the same
veine, one sort of mettall very rich, which they call Gcbcilla,
or Tacana, from which they draw much silver, and another
is poore, from whence they draw little. The most rich
mettall of this mountaine is of the colour of amber, and
the next is that which inclines to blacke. There is other
somewhat red, and other of the colour of ashes ; finally of
divers and sundrie coloures, which seeme to such as know
them not, to be stones of no value. But the miners do
presently know his qualitie and perfection, by certaine
signes and small veines which they finde in them. They
carry all this mettall they drawe out of these mines
vpon Indian sheepe,1 which serve them as asses to carry
it to the milles. The richest mettall is refined by melting

1 Llamas.

p

210 REFINING OF SILVER ORES.

LIB. iv. jn those small furnaces which they call Huayras, for
that is most leadie, by reason whereof, it is most subject
to melt, and for the better melting thereof, th' Indians
cast in a matter they call Soroche, which is a mettal
ful of lead. The mettal being in these furnases, the filth
and earthie drosse, through the force of the fire, remain es
in the bottome, and the silver and lead melt ; so as the
silver swimmes vpon the lead, untill it be purified ; then
after they refine the silver many times. After this maner of
melting they have vsually drawne out of one quintall of
mettall, thirtie, fortie, and fiftio peoces of silver, and yet I
have scene some most excellent, that have bin shewne me,
where they have drawne in the melting two hundred, yea,
two hundred and fiftie peeces of silver of a quintall of met
tal, a rare wealth, and almost incredible, if we had not
seen the tryall thereof by fire, but such mettalls are verie
rare. The poorest mettall is that which yeeldes two, three,
live, or six peeces or little more. This mettall hath com
monly little lead, but is drie, and therefore they cannot
refine it with fire. And for this reason, in Potosi ihere was
great store of these poore mettalls, whereof they made no
great account, but were reiected like straw, and as the
skumme of the good mettall, vntill they found mcanes to
refine it by quicke-silver, whereby the skumme as they
called it was of great profit, for the qui eke-silver by a
strange and wonderfull propertie purifies the silver, and is
apt for these mettalls which are drie and poore, wherein
they consume less quicke-silver then in the richer : for the
richer they are the more ncede of quicke-silver they have.
At this day the most vsuall manor of refining in Potosi is
by quicke-silver, as also in the mines of Zacatecas, and
others of New Spaine. There were in old time, vpon the
sides and toppcs of Potosi, above six thousand HuayraSj
which are small furnaces where they melt their mettall, the
which were placed like lightes (a pleasant sight to behold

PROPERTIES OF QUICKSILVER. 211

by night) casting a light a farre off like a flame of fire, j LlB- "'•
But at this day there are not above two thousand, for that j
(as I have said) they vse little melting, but refine it by
quick-silver, the which is the greatest profit. And for that
the properties of quicke-silver are admirable ; and that this
maner of refining of silver is remarkable, I will discourse
of quicke-silver, of the mines and worke, and what is
requisite for that subiect.

CHAP. x. — Of the wonder/nil properties of Quiche-silver.

Qvickesilver, so called by the Latines, for that it runnes
and slides suddenly from place to place, amongst all other
mettalls hath great and wonderfull vertues. The first is,
although it be a true mettall, yet is it not hard, neither hath
it any certaine forme nor subsistence like to other met
talls, but is liquide, not like vnto golde and silver molten,
but of his owne proper nature ; and although it be a liquor,
yet is it more heavie then any other mettall : and therefore
all others swim above and sinke not to the bottom e, being
more light. I have seene two poundes of yron put into a
barrell of quicke-silver, the which did swimme about like
vnto wood or cork vpon the water. Plinie gives an excep-
tion heerevnto, saying that gold alone doth sinke and not
swimme above it. I have not seene the experience ; but it
may be this growes, by reason that quicke-silver by nature
doth inviron gold, and covers it, which is one of the most
important properties it hath ; for it ioynes with gold in a
strange maner, it seekes it where it lies, and invirons it in
such sort, as it doth distinguish and separate it from any
other body or mettall wherewith it is inixt : for this reason
such take gold as will preserve themselves from the dan
gers and discommodities of quicke-silver. They had vsed
a remedie to those (in whose eares they have put quicke-

p2

212 AFFINITY OF MERCURY AND GOLD.

LIB. iv. silver, to cause them to die secretly) to put little plates of
gold into their eares (for that gold hath the vertue to draw
out Mercurie) and after they drew out these plates all white
with the quicke-silver, it did sticke vnto' them. Being one
day at Madrid, I went to see the exquisite workes which
lacomo de Tre^o (a rare worke-man of Milan) made for
San Lorenzo el Eeal ; it was my hap to be there one day
whenas they gilded certaine peeces of a countertable of
brasse, which is done with quicke-silver ; and for that the
fume of Mercurie is mortall, ho tolde me that the worke-
men preserved themselves from this venome, by swallowing
a double duckat of gold roled vp ; the which being in the
stomacke, drawes vnto it all the quicke-silver that enters in
fume by the eares, eyes, nostrilles, and mouth,, and by this
in canes freed themselves from the danger of quicke-silver,
which the gold gathered in the stomacke, and after cast out
by the excrements : a thing truly worthy of admiration.
After the quicke-silver hath purified and purged gold from
all other mettalls and mixtures, he is likewise separated
from the golde his friend by the heate of the fire, the
riin..in>. which purifies it from all quicke-silver. Plinie saies,

xxxiii, c. fi.

that by a certaine art and invention they did seperate
gold from quick-silver. It seemes to me the An
cients had no knowledge to refine silver by quicke-silver,
which at this day is the greatest vse, and chiefe profite of
quickesilver ; for that he saies plainely, that quickesilver
ioynes with 110 other rnettall but with gold ; and when he
makes mention of refining of silver, he speakes onely but
of the manner of melting ; whereby wee may inferre that
the Ancients had no knowledge of this secret. In truth,
though there be a league and simpathie betwixt golde and
quicke-silver, yet whereas the mercurie findes no golde, it
ioynes with silver, though not in the like maner as with
gold ; but in the end, it doth dense and purge it from earth,
copper, and lead, amongst the which the silver growes,

PROPERTIES OF QUICKSILVER. 213

without any neede of fire to melt it : yet must they vse fire Lll!-
to separate it from the silver, as I will shew hereafter.
Quicksilver holds no account of other inettalls, but of golde
and silver; but contrariwise it doth corrupt them, force and
consume them, and flieth from them as much as may be.
The which is likewise admirable, and for this cause they put
it in earthen vessells, or in beasts skinnes. For if it be put
in vessells of copper, of yron, or other mettall, it presently
pierceth and corrupts them. And therefore Plinie calleth
it the poyson of all things, for that it consumes and spoyles
all. We finde quicke-silver in the graves of dead men,
which after it hath consumed the bodies, comes foorth pure
and whole. There hath beene likewise found in the bones
and marrow of men and beasts, who having received it in
fume by the mouth and nostrills, congeales within them and
pierceth even vnto the bones. Therefore it is a dangerous
thing to frequent so perillous and mortall a creature. It
hath an other propertie, which is, to runne and make a
hundred thousand small droppes, whereof not one is lost,
be they never so little, but they returne every way to their
liquor. It is almost incorruptible, having nothing in a
maner that may consume it. And therefore Plinie calls it
the eternall sweate. It hath yet another propertie, that
-although it dooth separate gold from copper, and all other
mettalls, yet they that will guilde copper, brasse, or silver,
use quicke-silver as the meanes of this vnion ; for with the
helpe thereof they guilde mettalls. Amongest all the
woonders of this strange liquor that seemes to me most
woorthy observation, that although it be the weightiest
thing in the worlde, yet is it converted into the lightest of
the worlde, which is smoake, and sodainely the same smoake
which is so light a thing turnes againe into so heavy a sub
stance, as is the proper liquor of quicke-silver, whereinto it
is dissolved ; for this smoake incountering the mettall on
high, being a solide bodie, or comming into a colde region,

21 -1 QUICKSILVER KNOWN TO THE ROMANS.

LlB- IV- sodainely it thickens and is converted into quickesilver, and
if you set him once againe to the fire, hee dooth likewise
returne into smoake, to be resolved again into quicke-silver.
A strange transmutation of so heavy a substance into so
light a thing ; and of so light into so heavy, the which wo
may hold for a rare thing in Nature. And therefore the
Author of Nature is iustly to be glorified in these and all
other strange properties of this mettall, seeing that all
things created doe properly obey their secret and vnknowne
lawes.

CHAP. xi. — Of the place where they finde quicke-silver, and
how they discovered these rich mines in Iluancavilca.

Quicke-silver is found in a kinde of stone, which dooth
likewise yeelde vermillion, which the Antients called
Minium, and at this day they call the images of cristall
miniades, which are painted with quick-silver. The An
tients made great accompt of this Minium or vermillion,
holding it for a sacred colour, as Pliuie reportes, saying,
that the Romans were accustomed to paint the face of
lupiter, and the bodies of those that triumphed in Ethiopia :
yea their idolles and their Governors likewise had their faces
coloured with this Minium. And this vermillion was so
esteemed at Rome (which they brought onely from Spaine,
where they had many pittes and mines of quickesilver,
which continue there to this day) that the Romans suffered
it not to be refined in Spaine, lest they should steale
some of it, but they carried it to Rome, sealed vp in a
masse as they drew it out of the mine, and after refined it.
They did yeerely bring from Spaine, especially from Anda
lusia, about tenno thousand poundweight, which the Romans
valued as an infinite treasure. I have reported all this out
of that Author, to the end that those which do see what
passeth at this day in Peru, may have the content to know

DISCOVEEY OF QUICKSILVER IN PERU. 215

what chanced in former ages among the mightiest Lords of LTB- 1V-
the world. I speak for the Yncas kings of Peru, and for
the naturall Indians thereof, which have laboured and digged
long in these mines of quicke-silver, not knowing what
quicke-silver was, seeking onely for Cinabrium orvermillion,
which they call Llinipi,1 the which they esteeme much, for
that same effect that Plinie reportes of the Romans and
Ethiopians, that is, to paint the face and bodies of them
selves and their idolls : the like hath been much practised
by the Indians, especially when they went to the warres, and
they vse it at this day in their feasts and dauncing, which
they call slubbering,2 supposing that their faces and visages
so slubbered3 did much terrifie, and at this day they holde it
for an ornament and beautifying ; for this cause there were
strange workes of mines in the mountaines of Huanca-
vilca, which are in Peru, neere to the cittie of Guamanga,
out of the which they drew this mettall. It is of such a
manner, that if at this day they enter by the caves or soc-
cabones, which the Indians made in those dayes, they loose
themselves, finding no passage out : but they regarded not
quicke-silver, which naturally is in the same substance or
mettall of vermillion, neither hadde they knowledge of any
such matter.

The Indians were not alone for so long a time without
the knowledge of this treasure, but likewise the Spaniards,
who until the yeare of the incarnation of our Saviour, one
thousand five hundred three score and six, and threescore
and seaven, at such time as the licentiate Castro governed
in Peru, discovered not the mines of quicke-silver, which
happened in this manner. A man of iudgment called
Henrique Garces, a Portugall borne, having a peece of
this coloured mettall, as I have said, which the Indians
call Llirnpi, with which they paint their faces, as hee beheld

1 Llht/pi is the Q.uiclma for mercury, and Ychma for vermillion.

2 Emltixarw. 3 Eirifrixwlos. Fainted with red lead.

216 QUICKSILVER IN PEEU.

LIB. iv. j£ wep^ found it to be the same which they call Vermillion
in Castille ; and for that hee knew well that vermillion was
drawne ont of the same mettall that quickesilver was, he
coniectured these mines to be of quickesilver, and went to the
place whence they drew this mettall to make triall thereof.
The which hee found true, and in this sorte the mines of
Palcas in the territorie of Guamanga being discovered,
great numbers of men went thither to drawe out quicke
silver, and so to carry it to Mexico, where they refine silver
by the meancs of quickesilver, wherewith many are inriched.
This country of mines which they call Huancavilca was then
peopled with Spaniards and Indians that came thither, and
come still to worke in these mines of quicke-silver, which
are in great numbers and very plentifull ; but of all these
mines, that which they call Amador de Cabrera, or Los
Santos, is goodly and notable. It is a rocke of most hard
stone, interlaced all with quickesilver, and of that great
ness that it extends above four score varas or yardes in
length, and forty in breadth ; in which mine they have
many pittes and ditches, of three score and tenne cstados
deepe, so as three hundred men may well worke together,
such is the capacity thereof. This mine was discovered by
an Indian of Amador de Cabrera, called Nauincopa, of the
village of Acoria, the which Amador de Cabrera caused to
bo registered in his name. He was in suit against the
the Fiscal, but the vsuiruite was adiudged to him by
sentence as the discoverer. Since, he solde his interest
to another, for two hundred and fifty thousand ducates ;
and afterwards thinking he had bin deceived in the sale,
he commenced an action against the buyer, being worth, as
they say, above five hundred thousand ducats ; yea, some
liolde it to be worth a million of golde, a rare thing to see a
mine of that wealth.

Wheiius Don Francisco of Toledo governed in Peru,
there was one which had bin in Mexico, and observed how

REFINING WITH QUICKSILVER. 217

they refined silver with mercury, called Pedro Fernandes de Lin- IV-
Velasco, who offred to refine silver at Potosi with mercury ;
and having made triall thereof in the yeare of our redemp
tion, one thousand five hundred seaventy and one, per-
fourmed it with credite ; then beganne they to refine silver
at Potosi with quicksilver, which they transported from
Huancavilca, which was a goodly helpe for the mines ; for
by the meanes of quickesilver they drew an infinite quantity
of mettall from these mines, whereof before they made no
accompt, the which they called scrapings. For as it hath
beene said, the quickesilver purifies the silver, although it
be drie, poore, and of base alloy, which can not be doone by
melting in the fire. The Catholike King drawes from his
quickesilver mines, without any charge or hazard, almost
foure hundred thousand peeces, the which are fourteene
rialls a peece, or little less, besides the rights that rise
in Potosi, where it is employed, the which is a great
riches. They doe yearely, one with another, drawe from
these mines of Huancavilca eight thousand quintalls of
quickesilver, yea and ..more.

CHAP. xn. — Tlie manner how to drawe out Quicke-silver and
liow they refine Silver.

Let vs now speake how they drawe out Quicke-silver, and
how they refine silver therewith. They take the stone or
mettall where they find the quicke-silver, the which they
put into the fire in pots of earth well luted, being well
beaten, so as this mettall or stone comming to melt by the
heate of the fire, the quicke-silver separates it selfe, and
goes forth in exhalation, and sometimes even with the
smoake of the fire, vntil it encounters some body where it
staies and congeales, and if it passe vp higher, without
meeting of any hard substance, it mountes vp vntill it be

218 REFINING WITH QUICKSILVER'.

'• IV* colde, and then, congeled, it falles dowue again. When the
melting is finished, they vnstoppe the pottes and draw forth
the mettal, sometimes staying vntil it be very cold, for if
there remained any fume or vapor, which should incounter
them that vnstopt the pottes, they were in danger of death,
or to be benummed of their limbes, or at the least to loose
their teeth. And for that they spend an infinite quantitie
of wood in the melting of these mettals, a miller called
llodrigo de Torres, found out a profitable invention, which
was to gather certaine straw which growes throughout
all those mountaines of Peru, the which they call ycliu,1 it is
like unto a hard reede wherewith they make their fire. It
is a strange thing to see the force which this straw hath to
melt and dissolve these mettalls, the which falls out, as
sxiii]1?.' -i. Pliuio saies, that there is gold which melts more easily with
the flame of straw then with hote burning coales. They
put the quicke-silver thus molten into skinues, for that it
keepes best in leather, and in this sort they lay it into the
Kings store house, from whence they carry it by sea to
Arica, and so to Potosi by land vpon their sheepe. There
is yeerely spent in Potosi for the refining of mettalles,
about six or seven thousand quintalles of qnicke-silver,
besides that they draw from the plates, which is the earth
or drosse of the first washings of these mettalls, which are
made in caldrons. The which plates they bnrne in their
furnaces to draw out the quicke-silver which remaines in
them, and there are above fiftie of these furnaces in
the Citie of Potosi, and in Tarapaya. The quantitie of
mettalls which they refine, as some men of experience
have made the account, doth amount yeerely to above
three hundred thousand quintalles ; from the earth and
drosse whereof being molt and refiued, they may draw
yeerely above two thousand quintalles of quicke-silver.

1 YcJui (Stipa Ychu of Knotty is the coarse grass of the Peruvian
Cordilleras.

REFINING WITH QUICKSILVER. 219

We must understand there are divers sortes of mettalls,
for some yeelde much silver, and waste little quicke-silver;
others consume much quicke-silver, and yielde little silver ;
and there are others which consume much quicke-silver
and yeelde much silver ; and others that consume little
quicke-silver, and also yeelde little silver ; and as men
incounter in these rnettalles, so they grow rich or poore in
their trafficke. Although commonly the rich mettall yeelds
much silver, and consumes much quicke-silver ; and like
wise that which is poore, yeeldes little silver, and consumes
as little mercurie. They first beat and grind the mettall
very small, with the hammers of the machinery, which
beat this stone like vnto tanne milles, and being well
beaten they searce it in a copper scarce, making the pouder
as small and fine as if it were horse haire ; these searces
being well fitted, doe sift thirtie quintalles in a day and a
night ; then they put the pouder of the mettall into the
vessels vpon furnaces, whereas they anoint it and mortifie it
with brine, putting to everie fiftie quintalles of pouder, five
quintalls of salt. And this they do for that the salt sepe-
rates the earth and filth, to the end the quicke-silver may
the more easily draw the silver vnto it. After, they put
quicke-silver into a peece of holland and presse it out vpon
the mettall, which goes forth like a dewe, alwaies turning
and stirring the mettall, to the end it may be well incorpo
rate. Before the invention of these furnaces of fire, they
did often mingle their mettall with quicke-silver in great
troughes, letting it settle some daies, and did then mix it
and stirre it againe, vntil they thought all the quicke-silver
were well incorporate with the silver, the which continued
twentie daies and more, and at the leest nine daies. / Since
they discovered, as the desire to get is diligent, that to
shorten the time fire did much helpe, to incorporate silver
the sooner with quicke-silver, they invented these furnaces,
whereon they set vessels to put in their mettall with salt

220 REFINING WITH QUICKSILVER.

LIB. iv. ancj quicke-silver, and vnderneatli they put fire by little and
little in furnaces made for the nonce vnderneath ; so as in
five or six daies the quicke-silver is incorporate with the
silver. And when they finde that the mercurie hath done
his part, and assembled all the silver, leaving nothing
behinde, but is well imbrued, as a sponge doth water,
dividing it from the earth, lead and copper, with the which
it is engendered. Then after they separate it likewise from
the quicke-silver, the which they do in this sort ; they put
the mettall in caldrons, and vessels full of water, where
with certaine wheeles they turn the mettall round about, as
if they should make mustard, and so the earth and drosse
goes from the mettall with the water that runs away. The
silver and quicke-silver as most ponderous remaining in the
botome, the mettall which remaines is like unto sand, then
they take it out and wash it againe in great platters of
wood, or keelers full of water, still drawing the earth from
it, vntil they leave the silver and quicke-silver well clensed.
There slippes away also some small portion of silver and
quicke-silver with the earth and dross, which they call
washings, the which they after wash againe and draw out
the remainder. When the silver and quicke-silver are
clensed and beginne to shine, and that there remaines
no earth, they put all the mettall into a cloth, which they
straine out very forcibly, so as all the quicke-silver passeth
out, being not incorporate with the silver, and the rest
remaines as a loafe of silver, like to a marke of almonds
pressed to draw oyle. And being thus pressed the re
mainder containes but the sixt part in silver, and five in
mercurie. So as if there remaines a marke of threescore
pounds, ten are of silver, and fiftie of mercurie. Of
these markes they make pinas, as they call them, like
pine apples or sugar loaves, hollow within, the which
they commonly make of a hundred pound weight ; then
to separate the silver from the quicke-silver, they put it

REFINING WITH QUICKSILVER. 221

into a violent fire, which they cover with an earthen Ln

vessel, like to the mold of a sugar loafe, or vnto a capuchon
or hoode, the which they cover with coales, and set fire vnto
it ; whereby the quicke-silver exhales in sinoake, the which
striking against the capuchon of earth, it thickens and
distills, like vnto the smoake of a potte covered ; and by a
pipe, like vnto a limbecke, they receive the quicke-silver
which distils, the silver remaining without changing the
forme, but in weight it is diminished five partes of that it
was, and is spungious, the which is worthy the observation.
Of two of these loaves they make one bar re of silver, in
weight 65 or 66 markes ; and in this sorte they carry it to
the touch, custome, and marke. Silver drawne with mer-
curie is so fine, that it never abates of two thousand three
hundred and fourescore of alloy, and it is so excellent,
that the worke men are inforced to allay it, putting some
mixture to it, as they do likewise in their mints, whereas
their moiiy is stampt. Silver indures all these martire-
domes, if we may so call it, to be refined, the which if we
consider well, it is a bodie framed where they grinde, sift,
kneade, lay the leven, and bake the silver; besides all this
they wash it and wash it againe, they bake it and bake
it againe, induring the pestells, sives, troughes, furnaces,
caldrons, presses, and finally by the water and fire, I
speake this, for that seeing this art in Potosi, I did consider
what the Scripture speakes of the iust, Golabit eos et purga- Mat. m.
bit quasi argentum. And that which they speake in another ^ccies. 11
part, Sicut argentum purgatum septuplum. So as to purifie Psal- X1>
silver, to refine and dense it from the earth and stone where
it ingenders, they purge and purifie it seven times ; for in
effect it passeth their handes seven times, yea oftener, vntill
it remaines pure and fine ; so is it in the word of God,
where the soules must be so purified that shall injoy the
heavenly perfection.

222 GRINDING MILLS.

CHAP. xiii. — Of their Engines to grinde the mettall, and of
their triall of Silver.

LIB. iv. To conclude this subject of silver and of rnettalls, there
remaines yet two things to speake of, the one is of their
engins and milles, the other of their essay or triall : I have
said before how they grinde their mettal, for the receiving
of the quicksilver, which is done with diverse instruments
and engins, some with horses like vnto hand-milles, others
like water-milles ; of which two sortes there are great num
bers. But for that the water they doe vse commonly is but
of raine, whereof they have not sufficient but three months
in the yeare, December, January, and February : for this
reason they have made Lakes and standing Pooles, which
containe in circuite about a thousand and six hundred
roddes, and in deapth three estados ; there are seven with
their sluces : so as when they have neede of any water they
raise vp a sluce, from whence runnes a little stroame of
water, the which they stoppe vppon holy-dayes. And when
the Lakes and Pooles doe fill, and that the yeare abounds
with mine, their grinding dooth then continue fixe or
seaven moneths ; so as even for silvers sake men desire
a good yeere of raiue in Potosi, as they doe in other places
for bread. There are some other engins in Tarapaya, which
is a valley three or foure leagues distant from Potosi,
whereas there runnes a river as in other parts. The differ
ence of these eugins is, that some goe with sixe pestels,
some with twelve, and others with fourteene. They grinde
and beate the mettal in morters, labouring day and night ;
and from thence they carry it to be sifted vpon the bankes
of the brooke of Potosi. There are forty eight water-mills,
of eight, ten, and twelve pestells, and foure on the other
side, which they call Tanacu-fiuiiu ; in the Cittie of Tara-
paya, there are two and twenty engins all vpoii the water ;

TRIAL OP SILVER. 223

besides, there are thirty goe with horses in Potosi, and LlB- IV-
many others in divers partes, so great the desire of man is
to get silver, which is tryed by deputies appoynted by the
King.

To give the alloy to every peece, they cary the bars of
silver vnto the Assay maister, who gives to every one his
number, for that they carry many at Once, he cuttes a small
peece of every one, the which he weighs iustly, and puttes
them into a cruset, which is a small vessell made of burnt
bones beaten ; after, hee placeth everie crusible in his order
in the furnace, giving them a violent fire, then the mettall
melteth, and that which is lead goes into smoake, and the
copper and tinne dissolves, the silver remayning most fine,
of the colour of fire. It is a strange thing, that being thus
refined, although it be liquid and molten, yet it never spilles,
were the mouth of the crusible turned downewardes ; but
it remayneth fixed, without the losse of a droppe. The
Assay maister knoweth by the colour and other sigues,
when it is refined, then dooth he draw the crusibles from
the fire, and weighs every peece curiously, observing what
every one wants of his weight ; for that which is of high
alloy, wastes but little, and that which is baser diminisheth
much • and according to the waste he sees what alloy he
beares, according to the which he markes every barre punctu
ally. Their ballaunce and weights are so delicate, and their
graines so small, as they cannot take them vppe with the
hand, but with a small paire of pincers : and this triall they
make by candle light, that no ayre might inoove the bal-
lance. For of this little the price of the whole barre de-
pendeth. In trueth it is a very delicate thing, and requires
a great dexteritie, which the holy Scripture vseth in many Psai. ixv.
places, to show how God prooves his chosen : and to note xvSIl?'.
the differences of the merites of soules, whereas God gives
the title of an Assay-maister to the prophet leremie, that
hee may trie and declare the spiritimll vertue of men, and

224 EMERALDS.

LIB. iv. of j^g workes, which is the proper worke of the Spirita of
ici-cm. vi. God, being he that weighs the Soules of men. We will
Prover. xvi. rest content with what we have spoken touching silver,
mettalls, and mines, and will passe to the two other mix
tures, the which are plants and beasts »

CHAP. xiv. — Of Emer aides.

It shall not be from the purpose to speake somthing
of enieraldes, both for that it is a pretious thing, as
golde and silver, as also for that they take their begin-
ning from mines and mettalls, as Plinie reportes. The
emerald hath bin in old time in great esteeme, as the same
Author writes, giving it the third place amongst all iewelles
and pretious stones, that is, next to the diamond and pearle.
At this day they do not so much esteeme the emerald, nor
the pearle, for the great aboundance is brought of these two
sorts from the Indies, onely the diamond holds the princi
pality, the which can not be taken from it. Next, the
rubies come in price and other stones, which they hold
more pretious than the emerald. Men are so desirous of
singularities and rare things, that what they see to be
common, they do not esteeme. They report of a Spaniard,
who being in Italie when the Indies were first discovered,
shewed an emerald to a Lapidary, who, asking him the
value thereof, after he had well viewed it, being of an
excellent lustre and forme, he prized it at a hundred ducats;
he then shewed him an other greater than it, which he
valued at three hundred ducats. The Spaniard, drunke
with this discourse, carried him to his lodging, shewing him
a casket full. The Italian, seeing so great a number of
emeralds, sayde vnto him, Sir, these are well worth a
crowne apeece. The like hath happened both at the Indies

EMERALDS. 225

and in Spaine, where the stones have lost their estimation, LlB-

for the great abundance they finde of them there.

Pliny reportes many excellencies of the emerald, amongst Pim., lib.

xxxvii, ca-

the which he saith, that there is nothing more pleasing, 5-
nor more healthful for the sight ; wherein he hath reason,
but his authority importeth little, seeing there is such
store. It is reported that Lolia, a Roinane Darne, bestowed ^"c's^'
vppon a scoffion1 and a garment embroidered with pearle
and emerald 400,000 ducats, the which at this day might
be doone with lesse than forty thousand ducats, yea two
such. They have been found in diverse partes of the Indies.
The Kings of Mexico didde much esteerne them ; some did
vse to pierce their nosthrils, and hang therein an excellent
emerald; and they hung them on the visages of their idolles.
The greatest store is found in the New Kingdome of Grenada
and in Peru, neere vnto Manta and Puerto Viejo. There is
towardes that place a soile which they call the Land of Emer-
aldas; for the knowledge they have of aboundance to be there;
and yet vnto this day they have not conquered that land.
The emeralds grow in stones like vnto cristall; I have seene
them in the same stone, fashioned like a veine, and they
seeme by little and little to thicken and refine. I have
seene some that were halfe white and halfe greene ; others
all white, and some greene and very perfite. I have seene
some of the bignesse of a nut, and there have bin some
greater found ; but I have not knowen that in our time
they have found any of the form and bignesse of the catino
or iewel they have at Genoa, the which they esteeme
(and with reason) as a iewell and not as a relique; yet
without comparison, the emerald which Theophrastus
speakes of, which the King of Babilon presented to the
King of Egypt, surpasseth that of Genoa ; it was foure
cubites long and three broade; and they say, that in lupiters
Temple there was a needle or pyramide, made of foure

1 Tocado.

Q

226 PEARLS.

LIB. iv. emeralds stones of forty cubits long, and in some places
foure broade, and in others two ; and that in his time there
was in the temple of Hercules at Tyre, a pillar of emerald. It
may be, as Plinie saieth, it was of some greene stone, some
what like to the emerald, and they called it a false emerald.
As some will say, that in the Cathedrall Church of Cordova
there are certaine pillars of emeraldes which remaine since
it was a mosque for the Kings Miramamolins Moores,1
which raigned there. In the fleete, the yeare one thousand
five hundred eighty and seven, in the which I came from
the Indies, they brought two chests of emeralds, every
one weighing at the least foure arrobas, whereby wee may
x4'.xxix> see the aboundaunce they have. The holy Scripture com-
poc. xxi. mends these emeralds as pretious iewels, they number them
amongest the pretious stones which the hie Priest carried
on his Ephod or breast-plate, as those which did beautifie
the walles of the heavenly Jerusalem.

CHAP. xv. — Of Pearl es.

Now that wre intreat of the great riches that comes from
the Indies, it were.no reason to forgette the pearle, which
the Ancients called Margaritas, and at the first were in so
great estimation, as none but royall persons were suffered
to weare them ; but at this day there is such aboundance
as that the negresses themselves do weare chaines thereof;
they growe in oyster shells, in eating whereof I have found
pearles in the middest of them. These oisters within are of
the colour of heaven, very lively, and in some places they
make spoones of them, the which they call of mother of pearle.
The pearles do differ much in forme, in bignes, figure, colour,
and polishing; so likewise in their price they differ much.
Some they call Ave Marias, being like the small graines of

1 "Reyes Miramamolines Moros," meaning the Khalifas of Cordova.

PEARL FISHERIES. 227

beades; others are Pater Nosters, being bigger. Seldome LlB- IV

shall you finde two of one greatnesse, forme, and colour.

For this reason the Romans (as Pliny writeth) called them P!"1-'!1?-

v J in, c. 35.

Unions. Whenas they doe finde two that are alike in all
poyntes, they raise the price much, especially for ear-rings.
I have seene some payres valued at thousands of ducats,
although they were not like to Cleopatra's two pearles,
whereof Pliny reportes either of them being woorfch a hun
dred thousand ducats, with the which this foolish Queene
wonne a wager she hadde made against Marc Anthony to
spend in one supper above an hundred thousand ducats • so,
at the last course, shee dissolved one of these pearles in
strong vinegar, and dranke it vp. They say the other
pearle was cutt in two, and placed in the Pantheon at Rome,
at th'eares of the image of Venus. Of the other Clodius, the
son of the tragedian Esop, relates that in a banquet he pre
sented to every one of his guests (amongest other meates) a
rich pearle dissolved in vineger, to make his feast the more
royall and sumptuous.

These were the follies of those ages, and those at this
day are nothing lesse, for that we see not onely hattes and
bandes, but also buskins, and womens pantofles (yea, of
base condition), imbrodred all over with pearle. They fish
for pearles in diverse partes of the Indies, the greatest
aboundaunce is in the South Seas, neere vnto Panama,
where the Ilandes of pearles be, as they call them. But at
this day they finde greatest store, and the best, in the North
Sea, the which is neare to the Rio de la Hacha. I did see
them make their fishing, the which is done with great
charge and labor of the poore slaves, which dive sixe, nine,
yea twelve fadomes into the sea, to seeke for oysters, the
which commonly are fastened to the rockes and gravell in
the sea. They pull them vp, and bring them above the water
to their canoes, where they open them, drawing forth the
treasure they have within them. The water of the sea in

Q2

228 MAIZE.

LIB. iv. this parte is verie colde, but yet the labor and toile is
greatest in holding of their breath, sometimes a quarter,
yea halfe an houre together, being vnder the water at their
fishing. And to the end these poore slaves may the better
continue and holde their breaths, they feede them with drie
meates, and that in small quantitie, so as covetousnesse
makes them abstaine and fast thus against their willes.
They employ their pearles to diverse workes, and they pierce
them to make chaines, whereof there is great store in every
place. In the yeere of our Lord one thousand five hundred
eighty one, I did see the note of what came from the Indies
for the King ; there were eighteen marcs of pearle, besides
three caskets ; and for private persons, there were twelve hun
dred threescore and foure marcs, and besides them, seaven
caskets not pierced, which heeretofore we would have
esteemed and helde for a lie.1

CHAP. xvi. — Of Hi c Indian Bread, and of Mays.

In our discourse of plants wee will beginne with those
which are proper and peculiar to the Indies ; and after with
the rest that are common to the Indies and Europe ; and
forasmuch as plants were chiefly created for the nourish
ment of man, and that the chiefs (whereof he takes his
nourishment) is bread, it shall be good to shew what bread
the Indians vse, and whereon they live for want thereof.
They have, as we have heere, a proper name, whereby they
note and signifie bread, which at Peru they call tanta^ and
in other places by another name. But the qualitie and sub
stance of the bread the Indians vse differs much from ours :
for we finde not they had any kinde of wheat or barly, nor
any other kinde of graine which they vse in Europe to make

1 " Que en otro tiempo se tuviera por fabuloso."

2 Ttanta is the Quichua for bread.

USES OF MAIZE. 229

bread withall : insteede wliereof the}7" vsed otlier kindes of LlB-
graines and rootes, amongst the which Mays holds the first
place, and with reason. In Castile they call it Indian wheat,
and in Italic they call it Turkey graine. And even as wheat
is the most common graine for the vse of man in the
regions of the old world, which are Europe, Asia, Affrike,
so, in the new found worlde, the most common graine is
Mays, the which is found almost in all the kingdomes of
the West Indies, as at Peru, New Spaine, in the new
kingdome of Granada, in Gautimala, in Chile, and in the
Tierra. Firme. . I do not finde that in old time, in the Hands
of Barlovente, as Cuba, Santo Domingo, lamaica, and S.
Juan,1 that they vsed Mays. Now they vse more the Yuca
and Casavi, whereof we will presently intreate. I do not
thinke that this Mays is any thing inferiour to our wheat in
strength nor substance, but it is more hote and grosse, and
engenders more bloud, wherevpon they that have not bin
accustomed therevnto, if they eat too much, they swell
and become scabbed. It growes vpon canes or reedes ;
every one beares one or two mazorcas, to the which the
graine is fastened, and although the graine be bigge, yet
finde they great store thereof, so as in some mazorcas I
have told seven hundred graines. They must plant it with
the hand one by one, and not very thicke ; it requires a hote
and moist ground, and growes in great aboundance in many
places of the Indies. It is not strange in those countries to
gather 300 Fancy as or measures for one sowen. There is
difference of Mays as there is of wheat, one is great and
very nourishing, another small and drie, which they call
Moroche.2 The greene leaves and stalks of Mays is a good
foode for their mules and horses, and it serves them for
straw when it is dried ; the graine is of more nourishment
for horses then barley; and therefore, in those countries,
they vse to water their horses before they eate, for if they
1 Puerto Rico. 2 MurucJiu is "hard" in Quichua.

230 MAIZE BEER.

LIB. iv. should drinke after, they would swell as when the}7 eate
wheat. Mays is the Indians bread, the which they commonly
eate boiled in the graine hote, and they call it Moti,1 as the
Chinese and Japanese eate their rice sodden with the hote
water. Sometimes they eate it baked. There is some Mays
round and bigge, as that of Lucanas, which the Spaniards
eate roasted as a delicate meat, and it hath a better
taste then toasted beans. There is another kinde of
eating it more pleasant, which is, to grinde the Mays, and
to make small cakes of the flower, the which they put in the
fire, and then bring them hote to the table. In some places
they call them Arepas. They make also round bowles of
this paste, and so trimme them that they continue long,
eating it as a dainty dish.

The Indians also make a certaine kinde of paste of this flour
mixt with sugar, a kind of biscuits which they call melindres.
This Mays serves the Indians, not only for bread, but also
for wine : for they do make their drinke thereof, wherewith
they are sooner drunke than with wine of grapes. They
make this wine of Mays in diverse sortes and maners, call
ing it in Peru Aqua,2 and by the most common name of the
Indies Chicha. And the strongest is made like unto beere;
steeping the graine vntill it begins to sprout. After, they
boyle it in such sort, that it growes so strong, as a little
overthrowes a man. In Peru they call this Sora.3 Its use
is forbidden by the Law, for the great inconveniences that
grow thereby, making men drunke. But this Lawe is ill
observed, for that they vse it still ; yea they spend whole
rim., lib. dayes and nights in carousing. Pliny reporteth that this
maner of beverage of graine stieped, and after sodden,
wherewith they were made drunke, was in old time vsed in
Spaine, France, and other Provinces, as at this day in

1 l\hitti, boiled maize.

2 Acca — fermented liquor, in Quicliua.

3 *Sora is not a Quicliua word. See G. (k la Vega, i, p. 277.

VALUE OP MAIZE. 231

Flanders they vse ale made of malt. There is another LlB-
maner of making this Agua or Chicha, which is to mash
the mays, and make a leven thereof, and then boile it • yea
the Indians holde opinion that, to make good leven, it must
bee chewed by old withered women, which makes a man
sicke to heare, and yet they doe driiike it. The cleanliest
manner, the most wholesome, and that which least harmeth,
is to roast the Mays, which the most civil Indians doe vse,
and some Spaniardes, yea for physicke. For in effect they
finde it a very wholesame drinke for the reines, so as you
shall hardly finde any one at the Indies complaine of paine
in the backe, for that they do drinke of this Chicha. The
Spanyards and Indians eate this Mays boyled and roasted
for daintinesse, when it is tender in the grape like milke ;
they putte it into the pot, and make sauces that are good
to eate. The buds of Mays are very fatte, and serve in-
steede of butter and oyle : so as this Mays at the Indies
serves both for men and beasts, for bread, wine, and oile.
For this reason the Viceroy Don Francisco de Toledo saide,
that Peru hadde two things rich, and of great norishment,
which were Mays, and the cattell of the countrey. In truth,
he had reason, for these two things did serve them as a
thousand.

I will aske sooner than I can answer it, whence Mays
was first carried to the Indies, and why they do call this
profitable graine in Italie, Turkie graine ? for in trueth I
cloe not finde that the Antients make any mention of this
graine, though that millet (that Plinie writes to come from
the Indies into Italie, tenne yeares before he didde write it)
hath some resemblance vnto Mays, for that it is a graine,
as he saies, that growes in reede, and covers it selfe with
the leafe, and hath the toppe like haires, being very fertile;
all which things agree not with millet. To conclude, God
hath imparted to ev'ry region what is needefull. To this
continent he hath given wheate, which is the chiefe nourish-

232 CASSAVA BREAD.

LIB. iv. ment of man ; and to the Indians he hath given Mays,,
which hath the second place to wheate, for the nourishment
of men and beasts.

CHAP. xvn. — Of Yucas, Caqavi, Papas, Chunus, and Rice.

In some partes of the Indies they vse a kinde of bread
they call Cacavi,1 which is made of a certaine roote they
call Yuca. This Yuca is a great and grosse roote,
which they cutte in small morsells, they grate or scrape it,
and then put it in a presse to straine, making a thinue and
broade cake thereof, almost like vnto a Moores target or
buckler; then doe tljey drie it, and this is the breade they eate.
It hath no taste, but is healthfull and of good nourishment.
For this reason we said, being at Santo Domingo, that
it was the proper foode for great eaters, for that they might
eate much, without any feare of surfi'etting. They must of
nccessitie water this Caravi before they eate it : it is sharpe,
and easely watered with water or broath, wherein it is very
good, for that it swells much, and so they make capirotadas ;
but it is hardly stieped in milke, in honny of sugar cane, or in
wine, for that these liquors cannot pierce it, as it doth bread
made of wheate. Of this Cacavi there is one kind more
delicate than any other, which is that they make of the
flower called Xauxau, which they do much esteeme in those
partes. For my parte, I esteeme more a morsell of bread,
how hard and black soever. It is a strange thing that the
iuice or water that cometh from this roote when they straine
it, which makes the Cacavi, is a deadly poison, and killes
any that drinkes thereof ; but the substance that remaineth
is a very wholesome bread and nourishment, as we have
saide. There is another kinde of Yuca, which they call
sweet, and hath not this poyson in the iuyce ; this is eaten

1 Cassava.

POTATOES. 233

in the roote boyled or roasted, and is good meate. Cagavi LlB- IV<
will keepe long, and therefore they carry it to sea in steede
of biscuit. The place where they vse most of this bread is at
the Hands of Barlovente, which are Saint Domingo, Cuba,
Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and some others thereabouts ; for
that the soile of these Hands will neither beare wheate, nor
Mays, for whenas they sowe wheate, it comes vp well, and
is presently greene, but so vnequally, as they cannot gather
it ; for of the seede sowen at one instant, some is spindled,
some is in the eare, and some doth but bud, one is great
and an other little, one is in the grasse and another in the
graine ; and although they have carried labourers thither,
to see if there were any tillage or Art to be vsed, yet could
they finde no remedy for the quality of the earth. They
carry rneale from New Spaine or the Canaries, which is so
moist, that hardly can they make any profitable bread, or of
good taste. The wafer cakes wherewith they say Masse,
did bend like to wet paper, by reason of the extreame
humiditie and heate which are ioyntley in that countrey.
There is another extreame contrary to this, which hinders
the growing of mais or wheate in some parts of the Indies,
as on the height of the Sierra of Peru, and the provinces
which they call the Collao, which is the greatest parte of this
"Realm e, where the climate is so colde and drie, as it will
not suffer any of these seedes to grow : in steede thereof
the Indians vse an other kinde of roote, which they call
Papas. These rootes are like to grownd nuttes, they are
small rootes, which cast out many leaves. They gather this
Papas, and dry it well in the Sunne, then beating it they
make that which they call Chunu, which keeps many
daies, and serves for bread. In this realme there is great
trafficke of Chunu, the which they carry to the mines of
Potosi ; they likewise eat of these Papas boyled or roasted.
There is one sweete kinde, which growes in hot places,
whereof they do make certaine sauces and minced meates,

234 RICE.

LIB. iv. which they call Locro. To conclude,, these rootes are
the bread of that land ; so as when the yeare is good,
they reioyce much, for that oftentimes they freeze in the
earth, so great is the cold of that region : they carry Mays
from the valley or sea coast, and the Spaniardes which are
dainty, carrie likewise from the same places wheate rneale,
whereof they doe make good breade, because that the land
is drie.

In other partes of the Indies, as at the Philippines, they
vse Rice insteade of bread, whereof there growes very good,
and in great aboundance in all that countrey, and in China,
and it is of good nourishment, they seethe it in purcelaines,
and after mix it hote with the water amongest other
meates. In many places they do make their wine and
drinke of this rice, steeping, and then after boyling it, as
they do the beere in Flanders, or the Ac,ua in Peru. Rice
is a meate not much lesse common and generall throughout
the world than wheate or mays, and perchaunce more ; for
besides that they vse it in China, Lippon, and the Phillip-
pines, and in the greatest parte of the East Indies, it is a
graine most common in Affrike and Ethiopia. It requires a
wet ground, almost overflowne like to a medow. In Europe,
Peru, and Mexico, where they have the vse of wheate, they
eate rice as a meate, and not for bread ; they seethe it
with milke or with broth, or in some other sorte. The most
exquisite rice commeth from the Philippines and China,
as hath beene saycle. And this may suffice to vnderstand
what they eate generally at the Indies in steade of bread.

CHAP. xvin. — Of divers Rootes wliicli growe at the Indies.

Although in these partes the Land be more aboundant
and fertile in frvites that growes vpon the earth, by reason

EDIBLE ROOTS. 235

of the great diversitie of fraite trees and plantes we have ; LlB- IV-
yet for rootes and other things that grow vnder the earth,
the which they vse for meates, in my opinion there is
greatest aboundance there : for of these kindes of plants,
we have radishes, turnips, parsnips, carrots, liekes, gar
lic, and some other profitable rootes. But in those coun
tries they have so many divers sortes, .as I cannot reckon
them ; those which I now remember besides Papas, which
is the principall, there is Ocas,1 Yanaocas,2 Camotes,3
Batatas, Xiquimas, Yuca, Cochuchu, Cavi, Totora, Mani,
and an infinite number of other kindes. They have
likewise carried fruites to the Indies from these parts, the
which prosper better there then the Indian plants do
brought into Europe; the reason in my opinion is, for that
there is greater variety of temperatures then in these
partes, by meanes whereof the plants in those regions do
rise and prosper better, fitting themselves to the tempe
rature they require. And the rootes and plants which grow
there, and were not transported from hence, are better then
they be heere; for onions, garlic and parsnips are not in
Spaine, as they be at Peru; and as for turnips, there is so
great abundance, as they have increased in some places in
such sort, that as they have affirmed to me, they could not
destroy the aboundance which grew vp, for to sowe corne
there. Wee have seene radish roots as bigge as a mans
arme, very tender, and of a good taste, and of these rootes
I have spoken, some serve for ordinairie meate, as the
Camotres, which being rosted, serve as pulse. There are
other rootes that serve them for dainties, as the Cochuchu.
It is a small sweete roote, which some preserve for more
delight. There are other rootes used to coole, as the xiquima,
which is in qualitie very cold and moist, and in summer it

1 Oxalis tuberosa.

2 Yana-oca means black oca.

3 Sweet potatoe.

236 PINE APPLES.

LIB. iv. refreshetli and quencheth the thirst; but the Papas and
Ocas be the chiefe for nourishment and substance. The
Indians esteeme garlic aboye all the rootes of Europe, and
hold it for a fruite of great force; wherein they want
no reason, for it comforts and warmes the stomacke, and
they eate it with an appetite rawe as it comes out of the
ground.

CHAP. xix. — Of divers sortcs of green Hearbes and Pulses,
and of those they call Pepinos and Pine Apples, Straw
berries of Chile , and of Cherries.

Seeing wee have begunne with the lesser Plants, I might
in few wordes touch that which concernes Flowers and Pot-
hearbes, and that which the Latines call Arbusta, without
any mention of trees. There are some kindes of these
shrubbes at the Indies which are of very good taste. The
first Spaniards named many things at the Indies with such
Spanish names as they did most resemble, as Pines,
Pepinos and Cherries, although they be very different
fruites to those which are so called in Spaine. The Pines,
or Pine-aples, are of the same fashion and forme outwardly
to those of Castillo, but within they wholly differ, for that
they have neither apples, nor scales, but are all one flesh,
which may be eaten when the skinne is off. It is a fruite
that hath an excellent smell, and is very pleasant and
delightfull in taste, it is full of iuyce, and of a sweete and
sharpe taste, they eate it being cut in morcells, and steeped
a while in water and salt. Some say that this breedes
choler, and that the vse thereof is not very healthfull. But
I have not scene any experience thereof, that might breede
beleefe. They grow one by one like a cane or stalke, which
riseth amongst many leaves, like to the lillie, but some
what bigger. The apple is on the toppe of every cane, it

FRUITS OF THE INDIES. 237

growes in hote and moist groundes, and the best are those LlB- IVi
of the Hands of Barlovente. It growes not in Peru, but
they carry them from the Andes, the which are neither
good nor ripe. One presented one of these Pine-apples to
the Ernperour Charles the fift, which must have cost much
paine and care to bring it so farre, with the plant from the
Indies, yet would he not trie the taste. I have seene in
New Spaine, conserves of these pines, which was very good.
Those which they call Pepinos are not trees, but
shrubbes, continuing but one yeere. They gave it this
name, for that some of this fruite, and the most part, is in
length and roundnes like to the cucumbers of Spain ; but
for the rest they differ much, for they are not greene, but
violet, yellow, or white, neither are they thornie or rough,
but polished and even, having a very different taste, and
farre better then that of Spaine, for they have a sharpe
sweet taste, very pleaasant when it is ripe, yet is it not so
sharpe as the pine. They are very coole, full of liquor, and
of easie digestion, and in time of heate, fit to refresh.
They take away the rinde which is white, and all that
remaines is meat. They grow in a temperate soile and
require watering. And although for the resemblance they
call them cucumbers, yet are there many of them round,
and others of a different fashion, so as they have not the
figure of cucumbers. I do not remember to have seene
this kinde of fruite in New Spaine, nor at the Hands, but
vpon the llanos of Peru. That which they call the straw
berry of Chile, is of the same sort, very pleasant to eate
and comes neere the taste of cherries, but in all other
things it differs much — for that it is no tree, but an hearbe,
which growres little and spreades vpon the earth, casting
forth this little fruite, the which in colour arid graines re
sembles almost the mulbery, when it is white and not ripe,
yet is it more rough and bigger then the mulbery. They
say this little fruite is naturally found in the fieldes of

238 CALABASHES.

LIB. iv. Chile, where I have seene them. They set it vpon plants
and branches, and it growes like any other shrubbe.
Those which they call cherries, are verily the fruites of trees,
and have more resemblance then the rest to our cherries.
There are divers sorts, whereof they call some cherries of
Nicaragua, the which are very red and small, and have
little meat vpon the stone, but that little is of an exquisite
taste, and of a sharpenes as good, or rather better, then
cherries. They hold this fruite to be very wholesome, and
therefore they give it to sicke folkes especially to pro
voke an appetite. There are others that be great and of
a dark colour, they have much meat, but it is grosse and of
no taste, like to the Cliavacanas, which have every one two
or three small stones. But to returne to pot-hearbs, I
finde not that the Indians had any gardens of divers hearbs
and plants, but did onely till the land in some partes for
pulses, which they vse, as those which they call Frisoles
and Pallares, which serve them as our lentils, beanes, or
tares : neither have I knowne that these pulses, or any
other kinds that be in Europe, were there befove the
Spaniards entred, who carried plants and pulses from
Spaine thither, where they now grow and increase wonder
fully, and in some places exceede greatly the herbs of
these partes. As, if we speake of melons which grow in
the vallie of Yea, in Peru, whose roote becomes a stalke
that continues many yeeres, bearing melons yeerely, and
they trim me it like vnto a tree : a thing which I do not
know to be in any part of Spaine. But that is more mon
strous of the Calibasses or Indian Pompions, and the greatnes
they have as they grow, especially those which are proper
to the Countrie, which they call Capallos ; the which they
eate most commonly in Lent, boiled and trimmed with
some other sauce. There are a thousand kindes of Cali
basses : some are so deformed in their bignes, that of the
rinde cut in the middest and clensed, they make, as it were,

CAPSICUM. 239

baskets to put in all their meat for their dinner. Of the LlB- IV-
lesser they make vessells to eate and drinke in, and do
trimme them handsomely for many vses. I have spoken
this of small plants ; wee will now speake of greater ; but
first of their Axi, which is of the lesser.

CHAP. xx. — Of Axi or Indian Pepper.

They have not found at the West Indies any kinde of
Spices proper or peculiar to them, as pepper, cloves, cina-
mon, nutmegges or ginger, although one of our company,
who had travelled much, and in diverse partes, tolde vs,
that in the deserts of the Hand of lamaica he had found
trees where pepper grewe. But they are not yet assured
thereof, neither is there anie trade of these spicec at the
Indies. The ginger was carried from the Indies to His-
paniola, and it hath multiplied so, as at this day they know
not what to do with the great aboundaunce they have. In
the fleete the yeare 1587, they brought 22053 quintalls of
ginger to Seville : but the naturall spice that God hath
given to the West Indies, is that we call in Castille, Indian
pepper, and in India, Axi, as a generall worde taken from
the first land of the Hands, which they conquered. In the
language of Cusco, it is called Vchu, and in that of Mexico,
Chili. This plant is well knowne, and therefore I will
speake a little, onely wee must vnderstand, that in olde time
it was much esteemed amongst the Indians, which they
carried into places where it grew not, as a rnarchandise of
consequence. It growes not vpon cold grounds, as on the
Sierra of Peru, but in hote valleys, where it is often watered.
There is of this Axi of diverse colours, some is greene,
some red, some yellow, and some of a burning color,
which they call Caribe, the which is extreamely sharpe
and biting ; there is an other sorte not so sharpe, but is so

240 CAPSICUM.

LlB- IV- sweete, as they may eate it alone as any other fruite. There
is some of it very small and pleasing in the mouth, almost
like to the smell of muske, and is very good. That which
is sharpe and biting in this Axi, be the veines and the
graine onely : the rest is not : for that they eate it greene
and dry,, whole and beaten, in the pot, and in sauces, being
the chiefe sauce, and all the spice they have at the Indies.
When this Axi is taken moderately, it helps and comforts
the stomacke for digestion : but if they take too much, it
hath bad effects, for of its self it is very note, fuming, and
pierceth greatly, so as the vse thereof is preiudiciall to the
health of yong folkes, chiefely to the soule, for that it pro
vokes to lust. It is strange, that although the fire and
heate of it be \vell knowne by experience, and that every
man saies it burnes in the mouth and the stomacke ; yet
some, yea many, holde, that the Indian pepper is not
hute, but colde, and well tempered. But I might say to
then, the like should be of pepper ; though they brought
me as many experiences as they would of the one and the
other : yet is it a very mockery to say it is not note, seeing
it is so in the highest degree. They vse salt to temper this
Axi, having great force to correct it, and so they moderate
one with the other by the contrarietie that is in them.
They vse also Tomates, which are colde and very wholesome.
It is a kinde of graine great and full of iuyce, the which
gives a good taste to sauce, and they are good to eate.
They have generally throughout the Indies of this Indian
pepper, at the Hands, New Spaine, Peru, and all the rest
that is discovered. As mays is the generall graine for
bread, so Ax-i is the most common spice for sauces.

THE PLANTAIN. 241

CHAP. xxi. — Of the Plantain.

Comming to the greater plants or trees at the Indies, the _
first that shall be needefull to treate of is the Plantain/ or
Plantano, as the vulgar call it. I have been sometimes in
doubt whether the plane which the antients have so much
celebrated,, and that of the Indies, were of one kinde. But
if we compare this with what the antients write of the other,
without all doubt they will appeare to be very different.
The reason why the Spaniards call it platano (for the Indians
had no such name) was, as in other trees, for that they have
found some resemblance of the one with the other, even as
they called some fruites prunes, pines, and cucumbers, being
far different from those which are called by those names in
Castille. The thing wherein was most resemblance, in my
opinion, betwixt the platanos at the Indies and those which
the antients did celebrate, is the greatnes of the leaves, for
that these have them very great and coole, and the antients
did likewise much esteeme them for the greatnesse and
coolenesse of their leaves. It is also a plant that requireth
much water, and in a manner continually, which agrees with
the sacred Scripture that saith : " Like to the plane neere Ecoi. a, 4.
the waters^. But in truth there is no more comparison nor
resemblance of the one with the other then there is, as the
Proverb saith, betwixt an egge and a chesnut. For, first,
the antient plane carries no fruit, at the least they made no
account therof, but the chiefest reason why they esteemed
it was for the shade, for that there was no more Suune
vnder a plane than viider a roofe. And contrariwise, the
reason why they shoulde regarde it at the Indies, yea make
great accompt thereof, is by reason of this fruite, which is
very good ; for they have little shade. Moreover, the
antient plane had the body so bigge, and the boughs so
spread, that Pliny reporteth of one Licinius, a Romane ii/ca. i. '

1 Platano.

K

242 THE PLANTAIN.

LIB. iv. Captaine, who, with eighteene of his companions, dined at
ease in th/ hollow of one of these planes : and of the Empe-
rour Caius Caligula, who, with eleven of his guests, feasted
vpon the toppe of an other plane, where he made them a
sumptuous banquet. The Indian platanos have neither so
great nor hollow bodies, nor so broade boughs. He saieth,
moreover, that the auntient planes grew in Italie and in
Spaine, although they had beene brought thither from
Greece; and first from Asia, but the Indians platanos growe
neither in Italy nor in Spaine. I say they growe not there,
for although we have scene some at Seville in the Kings
gardens, yet they prosper not, nor are of any account.
Finally, whatsoever they find apparently alike betwixt the
one and the other is really very different. For although the
leaves of the auntient planes were very great, yet were they
not such, nor so great as those at the Indies, seeing that
riin.,iib. Pliny compares it to the leafe of a vine or fig-ge tree.

xi, c. 10.

The leaves of the Indian platan o are of a wonderfull bignes,
and are, in a manor, sufficient to cover a man from the foote
to the head, so as no man can doubt but there is great
difference betwixt the one and the other. But put the case
that this Indian platano be different from the antient, yet de
serves it no lesse commendation, it may be more, by reason
of the profitable qualities it hath. It is a plant that
makes a stocke within the earth,1 out of the which springs
many and sundrie sprigges, divided and not ioyned to
gether. These sprigges grow bigge, every one making a
small tree apart, and in growing they cast forth these
leaves, which are of a fine greene, smooth, and great, as I
have said. When it is growne to the height of an estado and
a balfe, or two, it puttes forth one only bough of fruite,
whereon sometimes there are great numbers of this fruite,
and sometimes lesse. I have tolde vpon some of these boughs
three hundred, whereof every one was a spanne long, more

1 uEs planta quc en la tierra hace sepa, y della saca diversos pim-
pollos, sin estor asido ni travado uno de otro."

THE PLANTAIN. 243

or lesse, and two or three fingers bigge ; yet is there much LlB- IV-
difference heerein betwixt some and others. They take
away the rinde, and all the rest is a firrne kernell and tender,
good to eate, and nourishing. This fruite inclines more to
cold then lieate. They are accustomed to gather the boughs
or clusters, as I have said, being greene, and put them into
vessells, where they ripen, being well covered, especially
when there is a certaine hearbe mingled with it, which
serves for this effect. If they suffer them to ripen on the
tree, they have a better taste, and a very good smell,
like to camuesas. They last almost all the yeere, for
that there are alwaies yong ones that grow out of this
stocke ; so as when one endes another beginnes to yeelde
his fruite ; the one is halfe ripe, and the other be
ginnes to bud anew, so as one succeedes another, and the
fruite continues the whole yeere. In gathering the cluster,
they cut the sprigge or stalke, for that it beares but one,
and never but once : but as I have saide, the stalke re-
maines, and castes forth new stnlkes, vntill it growes olde
and dies. This plantain continues many yeares, and re
quires much moisture, and a very hote ground. They
put ashes at the foote of it, for the better entertaining
therof, and they make small groves, and very thicke, which
are of great profit and revenue vnto them ; for that it is the
fruite they vse most at the Indies, and is generall in all
places, although they say the first beginning comes from
Ethiopia. And trueth the Negros vse them much, and in
some places they serve them as bread, yea they make wine
of them. They eate this fruite rawe like other fruits ; they
likewise roast it, and make many sorts of potages and con
serves, and in all thinges it serve th very well. There is a
kinde of small plantains, white, and very delicate, which in
Hispaniola they call Dominiques. There are others which
are stronger and bigger, and red of colour. There growe
none in the kingdome of Peru, but they are brought from

R 2

244 COCOA.

LlB- IY- the Indies,, as from Mexico,, Cuernavaca, and other vallies.
In Tierra Firme, and in some Hands, there are great
store of plantains, like vnto thicke groves. If this plant were
fit for the fire, it were the most profitable of all others, but
it is nothing fit, for neither the body nor the boughs will
burne, and much lesse will it serve for building, being a
sappy wood, and without force. Yet Don Alonzo de Ercilla,
as it is said, vsed the leaves of this tree dried, to write a part
of the Araucana, and in truth it may serve for want of paper,
seeing that the leafe is as broade as a sheet of paper, or
little lesse, and foure times as long.

CHAP. xxn. — Of Cacao and Coca.

Although the plantain be the most profitable, yet the
Cacao is most esteemed in Mexico, and the Coca in Peru,
in which two trees they have great superstition. The
Cacao is a fruit little lesse than almonds, yet more fatte,
the which being roasted hath no ill taste. It is so much
esteemed amongest the Indians (yea and among the
Spaniards) that it is one of the richest and the greatest
traffickes of New Spaine, for being a drie fruite, and that
keepes long without corruption, they carry whole shippes
loaden from the province of Guatimala. The last yeare an
English Pirat did burne in the Port of Guatulco in New
Spaine above a hundred thousand cargoes of Cacao. They
vse it instead of money, for with five Cacaos they buy one
thing, with thirtie an other, and with a hundred an other,
without any contradiction; and they vse to give it to the
poore that beg for almes. The chiefe vse of this Cacao, is
in a drinke which they call Chocolate, whereof they make
great accompt in that Country, foolishly, and without
reason, for it is loathsome to such as are not^ acquainted
with it, having a skumnie or froth that is very vnpleasant
to taste, if they be not very well conceited thereof. Yet it

COCA. 245

is a drinke very much esteemed among the Indians, where- LlB- Iv
with they feast noble men as they passe through their
Country. The Spaniards, both men and women, that are
accustomed to the Countrey, are very greedy of this
Chocolate. They say they make diverse sortes of it, some
hote, some colde, and some temperate, and put therein
much of that Chili; yea they make paste thereof, the
which they say is good for the stoinacke, and against the
catarrh. Whatsoever it be, such as have not been nourished
there, are not very curious thereof. The tree whereon this
fruite growes is of reasonable bignesse, and well fashioned j
it is so tender, that to keepe it from the burning of the
Sunne, they plant neere vnto it a great tree, which serves
onely to shade it, and they call it the mother of Cacao. There
are plantations where they are grown like to the vines and
olive trees of Spaine. The province where there is greatest
trade in cacao is Guatimala. There growes none in Peru,
but this country yields Coca, respecting which there is
another still greater superstition. It seems almost fabulous.
But in trueth the trafficke of Coca in Potosi doth yearley
mount to above half a million of dollars, for tha£ they vse
foure scoure and tenne, or foure score and fifteen thousand
baskets every yeare. In the yeare one thousand five
hundred eighty three, they spent a hundred thousand. A
basket of Coca in Cusco is woorth two peeces and a halfe
and three ; and in Potosi it is readily worth foure peeces,
and five Tomines, and five peeces tried.1 It is a kinde of
marchandise, by the which all their Markets and Faires are
made with great expedition. This Coca, whereof they make
such account, is a small greene leafe, which groweth vpon
small trees about a fadome high, and in hote and moyst
grounds ; every foure moneths it casts forth this leafe,
which they call Tresmitas ; it requires great care in
planting, beeing very tender, and much more to keepe it
when it is gathered. They laie it in order in long and
1 " Pesos ensay ados."

240 COCA.

narrow baskets, and laden theyr slieepe of the country,
which go in troopes with one, two, or three thousand
baskets of this marchandise. They bring it commonly from
the valleys of the Andes, where there is an extreame heate,
and where it raines continually the most part of the yeare ;
wherein the Indians endure much labour and paine to
entertaine it, and often many die, for that they go from the
Sierra and colde places to till and gather them in the valleys.
And therefore there hath beene great question and diversity
of opinions among learned men, whether it were more
expedient to pull vp these trees, or to let them growe, but
in the end they remained. The Indians esteeme it much,
and in the time of their Kings Yncas it was not lawfull for
any of the common people to vse this Coca without licence
from the Governor. Their vse is to carry it in their mouthes,
chawing it and sucking out the iuyce, but they swallow it
not. They say it gives them great courage, and is very
pleasing vnto them. Many grave men holde this as a
superstition and a meere imagination ; for my part, and to
speake the truth, I perswade not my selfe that it is an
imagination; but contrariwise, I thinke it works and gives
force and courage to the Indians ; for we see the effects
which cannot be attributed to imagination, as to go some
daies without meate, but onely ahandfull of Coca, and other
like effects. The sauce wherewith they doe eate this Coca
is proper enough, whereof I have tasted, and it is like the
taste of leather. The Indians mingle it with the ashes of
bones, burnt and beat into powder, or with, lime, as others
affirm e, which seemeth to them pleasing and of a good
taste ; and they say it dooth them much good. They
willingly imploy their money therein, and vse it as money ;
yet all these things were not inconvenient, were not the
hazard of the trafficke thereof, wherein so many men are
occupied. The Lords Yncas vsed Coca as a delicate and
royall thing, which they offered most in their sacrifices,
burning it in honor of their idolls.

MAGULY. 247

CHAP. XXTII. — Of Maguey, Tuned, Gochcnille, Anir, and
Cotton.

Maguey is a tree of wonders, whereof the Notaries or
Chapetons (as the Indians call them) are wont to write
miracles, in that it yeeldeth water, wine, oyle, vineger,
hony, sirrope, threede, needles, and a thousand other things.
It is a tree which the Indians esteerae much in New
Spaine, and have commonly in their dwellings some one of
them for the maintenaunce of life; it grows in the fields,
and hath great and large leaves, at the end whereof is a
strong and sharp point, which serves to fasten like pins, or
to sowe as a needle; and they draw out of this leafe as it
were a kinde of threed which they vse. They cut the
body, which is big, when it is tender, wherein is a great
hollownesse, by which the substance mounts from the root,
and is a liquor which they drink like water, being sweet
and fresh. This liquor being sodden, turnes like wine,
which growes to vinegar, suffring it to sowre, and boyling
it more, it becomes as hony, and boyling it halfe, it serves
as sirrope, which is healthfull enough and of good taste — in
my iudgement it is better then the sirrope of raisins. Thus
doe they boyle this liquor, and vse it in diverse sortes,
whereof they drawe a good quantitie, for that in some
seasons they draw daily some pots of this liquor. There
are also of these trees in Peru, but they are not so profitable
as in New Spaine. The wood of this tree is hollow and
soft, and serves to keepe fire, like to the match of a harque-
buze, and preserves it long ; I have seene the Indians vse
it to that end.

The Tunall1 is another famous tree in New Spaine : if we
may call a tree a heape of leaves gathered together one
vpon another, it is the strangest fashioned tree of all other,
1 Prickly pear.

248 PRICKLY PEARS AND COCHINEAL.

for first there grows one leafe out of the ground, then
another vpon it, and so one vpon one, till it commeth to his
perfection ; but as the leaves grow vp and on the sides,
those vnderneath doe become great, and loose in a manner
the forme of leaves, making a bodie and braunches, which
are sharpe, pricking and deformed, so as in some places they
doe call it a Thistle. There are thistles or wilde Tunalls,
the which do carry no fruite, or else it is very pricking,
without any profit. There are likewise planted Tunalls
which yeelde fruite much esteemed amongst the Indians,
the which they call Tunas, and they are much greater then
Plumbes, and long. They open the shell which is fatte,
and within it is meate and small graines, like to those of
figges, which be very sweete ; they have a good taste,
especially the white, which have a pleasing smell, but the
red are not vsually so good. There is another sorte of
Tunalls which they esteeme much more, although it
yeeldes no fruit, yet it beares an other commoditie and
profit, for certayne small wormes breede in the leaves
of this tree, when it is well husbanded, and aro there-
vnto fastned, covered with a certaine small fine web,
which doth compasse them in daintily ; and this is that
Indian Cochinillc so famous, and wherewith they dye.
They let it drie, and being dried, carry it into Spaine,
which is a great and rich marchandise. The arroba of this
Cochinille or graine is worth many ducats. In the fleete,
the yeare 1587, they did bring five thousand sixe hundred
seventy seven arrobas, which amounted to two hundred
foure score three thousand seven hundred and fifty peeces,
and commonly there conies every yeare as great a wealth.

These Tunalls grow in temperate grounds inclining to
colde. In Peru there growes none to this day, I have
seene some plants in Spaine, but they deserve not estima
tion. I will speake something likewise of the Anir,
although it comes not from a tree, but from an hearb, for

COTTON. 249

that it serveth for the dying of cloth, and is a marchandise. LlB- IV-
It groweth in great aboundance in New Spaine, from whence
there came in the fleete I mentioned 5263 arrobas, or ther-
abouts, which amounted to so many peeces. Cotton likewise
growes vpon small shrubs and great trees like to little apples,
which doe open and yeelde forth this webbe ; which being
gathered, they spinne to make stuffes. It is one of the things
at the Indies of greatest profite, and most in vse, for it serves
them both insteed of flaxe and wooll to make their garments-
It groweth in a hote soyle, and there is a great store in the
vallies and sea coast of Peru, in New Spaine, the Philippines
and China. But the greatest store of any place that I
know is in the province of Tucuman, in that of Santa Cruz
de la Sierra, and at Paraguay, whereas Cotton is their
chiefe revenue. They carry cotton into Spaine from the
Hand of Santo Domingo ; and the yeare that I spake of
there came 64,000 arrobas. At the Indies whereas this
cotton growes, they make cloth, which both the men and
women vse commonly, making table napkins thereof, yea
and sailes for their shippes. There is some coarse, and
other that is fine and delicate ; they dye it into diverse
colours, as wee doe by our woollen cloth in Europe.

CHAP. xxiv. — Of Mameys, Guayavos, and Pali as.

These Plants we have spoken of are the most profitable
of the Indies, and the most necessary for the life of man :
yet there are many other that are good to eate, among the
which the Mameys are esteemed, being in fashion like to
great peaches, and bigger; they have one or two stones
within them, and their meate is somewhat hard. There are
some sweete, and others somewhat sower, and have the
riude hard. They make conserves of the meate of this

250 GUAVAS. ALLIGATOR PEARS.

LIB. iv. fruite, which is like to marmelade. The vse of this fruite is
reasonable good, but the conserves they make thereof are
better. They grow in the Hands. I have not seene any in
Peru. It is a great tree, well fashioned, and a reasonable
faire leafe. The Guayavos be other trees which commonly
carry an ill fruite, full of sower kernells, and are like to
little apples. It is a tree little esteemed vpon the Tierra
Firme and at the Hands, for they say it smells like to the
chinches. The taste and savour of this fruite is very grosse,
and the substance vnholesome. In Santo Domingo and other
Hands, there are whole mountaines full of these Guayavos,
and they say there was no such kinde of trees before the
Spaniards came there, but that they brought them they
know not from whence. This tree hath multiplied infinitely,
for that there is no beast that will eate the kernells or the
graine, so as being thus scattered on the earth, being hote
and moist, it multiplies in this sort. In Peru, the Guayavos
differs from others, for that the fruite is not red, but white,
neither hath it any ill smell, but is of a very good taste ;
and of what sort of Guayavos soever it bee, the fruit is as
good as the best of Spaine, especially of those which they
call Guayavos de Matos, and of other little white Guayavillas.
It is a fruit reasonably holesome, and agrees with the
stomache, being of a strong digestion, and cold. The Pai-
tas1 commonly are hote and delicate. The Palta is a great
tree, and carries a faire leafe, which hath a fruite like to
great peares : within it hath a great stone, and all the rest
is soft meate, so as when they are full ripe, they are, as it
were, butter, and have a delicate taste. In Peru the Paltas
are great, and have a very hard skale, which may be taken
off whole. This fruite is most vsuall in Mexico, having a
thinne skinne, which may be pilled like an apple: they hold
it for a very holesome meate, and, as I have said, it declines
a little from heat. These Mamayes, Guayavos, and Paltns,
1 Alligator pears.

CHIRIMOYAS. 251

1)0 the Indians peaches, apples, and peares ; and yet would LlB- IV-
I rather choose them of Europe. But some others by vse,
or it may be by affection,, doe more esteeme those of the
Indies. I doubt not but such as have not seene nor tasted
of these fruites, will take small pleasure to reade this dis
course, yea, they will grow wearie to heare it, as I have
done in writing it, which makes me to abridge it, speaking
of some other sortes of fruites, for it were impossible to in-
treate of them all.

CHAP. xxv. — Of Chicoqapote, Anonas, and Capolies.

Some, desirous to augment thiuges at the Indies, have
given out that there is a fruite like vnto quince marmalade,
and another which tastes like a meate made of almonds and
creame,1 for that the taste of them deserves these names.
The marmalad is that which they call Zapotes or Chicocapotes,
which have a sweete taste, and neere vnto the colour of mar
malade. Some Creoles (for so they call the Spaniards borne
at the Indies) say that this fruite passeth all the fruites of
Spaine in excellency ; yet am I not of that opinion ; at the
least they say, it passeth all other fruites in taste ; but I will
not dwell vpon this question, for that it doth not deserve it.
Those Chicocapotes or Zapotes, wherein there is little differ
ence, grow in the hotest partes of New Spaine, neither have
I knowledge of any such fruite in the firrne land of Peru.
As for the Blanc-mange, it is that Anona or Guanavana
which growes in Tierra Firrne, which is fashoned like vnto
a peare, a little sharpe and opened, within it is white,
tender, and soft like butter, sweete and of a pleasing taste.
It is no whit meate, though they call it Blanc-mange, but
in truth they have added much vnto it by giving this name :
although it be delicate and of a sawcie and delicious taste,
1 u Manjar-blauco."

252 LUCUMAS, PACCAYS, GUAVAS.

LIB. iv. an(j according to the iudgement of some it is held for the
~ best fruite of the Indies, yet hath it many blacke kernells
within it, and the best which I have seene is in New Spaine,
where the Capolies also grow, which be like vnto cherries,
with a stone, but somewhat bigger : the forme and shape is
like vnto cherries, of a good taste, being sweete and sharpe ;
but I have not seene any Capolies in any other Countrie.

CHAP. xxvi. — Of various sortcs of fruit Trees, of Cocos,
Almondes of the Andes, and Almonds of Chachapoyas.

It were not possible to reckon all the fruites and trees at
the Indies, for that I remember not many, and there are
many more whereof I have no knowledge ; and in my
opinion, it were troublesome to speake of all those I now
remember. There are some grosse fruites, as those which
they call Lucumas (of which fruite they speake in a proverbe,
that it is a counterfet price), the Guavas, Paccayes, Hobos,
and the nuttes which they call imprisoned ;l which fruites
seeme to many to be the same kinde of nuttes we have in
Spaine ; yea, they say, if they were often transplanted from
place to place, they would carry nuttes altogether like to
those of Spaine. And the reason why the fruite is so vn-
pleasant is, for that they are wilde. To conclude, we ought
well to consider the providence and riches of the Creator,
who impartes to so diverse partes of the world, such varietie
of fruite trees, all for the service of man that inhabites the
earth. And it is an admirable thing to see so many different
formes, tastes, and effects vnknowne, whereof we did never
heare speake before the discoverie of the Indies. And whereof
Plinie himselfe, Dioscorides, and Theophrastus (yea, the most
curious), had no knowledge, notwithstanding all their search
and dilligence. There have beene some curious men of our
1 Eucarceladas.

COCOA NUTS. 253

age, which have written some Treatises of the Indian plants, LlB> IT-
of hearbes, and roots, and of their operations for phisicke,
to whom they may flie for their better instruction. I onely
pretend (and in few words) to treate superficially of that
which comes to memory touching this subject ; yet do I not
thinke it good to passe away vnder silence the Cocos or In
dian palmes, by reason of a very notable propertie it hath.
I call them palmes, not properly, or that it beares dates,
but that they are trees like to other palmes. They are
high and strong, and the higher they grow the broader
they stretch out their branches. These Cocos yield a
fruit which they likewise call Cocos, whereof they com
monly make vessells to drinke in, and some they say
have a vertue against poison, and to cure the paine in
the side. The nutte and meate being dried, is good to
eate, and comes neere in taste to greene chesnuttes. When
the Coco is tender vpon the tree, the substance within it is,
as it were, milke, which they drinke for daintines, and to
refresh them in time of heate. I have seene of these trees
in San Juan de Puerto Rico, and other parts of the Indies,
and they report a wonderfull thing, that every raoneth or
Moone, this tree casts forth a new branch of this Cocos ; so
as it yeeldes fruite twelve times in the yeere, as it is written
in the Apocalips : and in truth this seemes like vnto it, for
that all the branches are of different ages, some beginning,
others being ripe, and some halfe ripe. These Cocos are
commonly of the forme and bignes of a small melon. There
is of another kinde which they call Coquillos, the which is
a better fruite, whereof there be some in Chile. They are
some what lesse then nuttes, but more round. There is
another kinde of Cocos, which have not the kernell so oylie,
but within they have a great number of small fruites like
almonds, like vnto the graines of a Pomegranate.

These almonds are thrice as bigge as those of Castill,
and resemble them in taste, though they be more sharpe, and

251 BRAZILIAN NUTS.

LIB. iv. likewise moist and oylie. It is a good meate ; they vse it
also in feasting, for lack of almonds to make marchpanes,
and such other things.1 They call them Almonds of the
Andes, for that these Cocos growe aboundantlie vpou the
Andes of Peru ; they are so strong and hard, as to open
them they must beate them with a great stone, when they
fall from the tree. If they chance to hit anie one on the
head, he hath no more need of any surgeon. It is an in
credible thing, that within the hollow of these Cocos, which
are no bigger than the rest, or little more, there are such a
multitude of these almonds. But as touching almondes and
other fruites, all trees must yeelde to the almonds of Chach-
apoyas, which I cannot otherwise call. It is the most pleas
ing, delicate, and wholesome fruit of all that I have scene
at the Indies ; yea, a learned Physician did affirrne, that
amongcst all the fruits at the Indies or in Spaine, none
came neere these Almonds in excellencie. There are both
greater and lesse than those of the Andes, but all are fatter
than those of Castillo. They are very tender to oate, and
they have much iuyce and substance, and are oylie and very
pleasant : they grow vpon high trees, bearing great leaves.
And as it is a pretious thing, so nature hath given them a
good covering and defence, being in a huske somewhat
bigger and more pricking than a chesnut. Yet when this
huske is drie, they easily draw foorth the graine. They say
that the apes, who are very greedie of this fruit, and
whereof there is aboundance in Chachapoyas of Peru (which
is the onely countrey, to my knowledge, where these trees
doe growe), fearing they should pricke them, and yet desirous
to draw forth the almond, they cast them from the toppe of
the tree against the stones, and having broken the huske,
they open them to eate the fruite at their pleasure.

1 " Macjapanes."

FLOWEES. 255

CHAP. XXVTI. — Of many and diverse flowers, and of some trees

ivhich yeeldc otiely a flower, and hoiu the Indians

do vse them.

The Indians are great lovers of flowers, and in New L™.
Spaine more than in any other parte of the worlde, and there-
fore they are accustomed to make many kindes of nosegaies,
which there they call Saddles, with such prety varietie and
art, as nothing can be more pleasing. They have a cus-
torae amongst them, that the chiefest man offer their Suchiles
or nosegayes in honour to Noblemen, and to their guests ;
and they presented vs with such aboundance as we passed
through that Country, as we knew not what to doe with
them ; and at this day they vse the principall flowers of
Castill to that end, for that they grow better there than
heere, as gilliflowers, roses, iasmins, violets, orange flowers,
and other sortes which they have transported out of Spaine.
The rose tree groweth too fast in some places, so as they
beare no roses. It chaunced one day that a rose garden was
burned, and the sprouts which sprouted out, presently bare
aboundance of roses, and thereby they learnd to prune
them, and to cut off the superfluous braunches, so as at this
day they yeeld reasonable store of roses. But besids these
kindes of flowers, which have beene transported from hence,
there are many others whose names I do not know, whereof
some are red, blew, yellow, violet and white, with a thousand
different colours, which the Indians did vse to carry on their
heads, as feathers for ornament. True it is, that many of
these flowers are onely pleasing to the sight, having no
good savour, eyther they are grosse, or else they have none
at all ; and yet there be some of an excellent scent, as
those which growe vpon a tree termed by them Floripondio1
or carry flower, which beares no fruit, but onely these
flowers, which are greater than the Lillie, and are like to
1 The Datura.

256 FLOWERS. GEANADILLAS.

LlB- 1V> little bells, all white, which have within them small threeds,
as we see in the lillie : it leaves not all the yeare to beare
these flowers, whose smell is woonderfull sweete and agree
able, especially in the cool of the morning. The Viceroy
Don Francisco de Toledo sent of these trees vnto King
Philip, as a thing woorthy to be planted in royall gardens.
In New Spaine the Indians esteeme much of a flower, which
they call Yolosuchil, which signifieth flower of the heart,
for that it beares the forme of a heart, and is not much
lesse. There is likewise an other great tree, which beares
this kinde of flower, without any fruit e ; it hath a strong
savour, and in my opinion, too violent, the which may
seeme to some more pleasing. It is a thing well knowne,
that the flower which they call of the Sunne, hath the figure
of the Sunne, and turtles according to the motion thereof.
There are other kindes which they call pinks of the In
dies, the which are like to a fine orange tawnie velvet, or a
violet ; those have no scent of any account, but onely faire to
the eye. There are other flowers, which besides the beautie
of the eye, although they have no smell, yet have they a savour
like vnto cresses, the which if you shoulde eate without
looking of them, you would iudge them to be no other.
The flower of Granadilla1 is held for an admirable thing, and
they say it hath in it the markes of the passion, and that
therein they note the nailes, the pillar, the whips, and
crowne of thornes, and the woundes, wherein they are not
altogether without reason, and yet to finde out and observe
these things, it requires some pietie to cause beleefe : but it
is very exquisite and fair to the eye, although it have no
smell. The fruite which they also call Granadilla is eaten
and drunke ; or to speake more properly, sucked for a
refreshing ; this fruite is sweete, and too sweete after some
opinions. The Indians were vsed in their feasts and dances
to carry flowers in their handes, and the Kings and Noble
men carry them for their greatnes. For this reason we
1 Passion flower.

BALSAM. 257

commonly see pictures of their ancient people with flowers LlB- 1V>
in their hands, as heere they paint people with gloves in
their hands. I thinke this sufficient touching flowers. They
vse basil for the same purpose of perfume and recreation,
although it is no flower, but an hearbe onely, which they
were wont to plant carefully in their gar dins, but now they
regard it not, so as it growes onely about their pooles and
ponds.

CHAP, xxvin. — Of Balsam.

The Soveraigne Creator hath not onely fashioned plants
to serve as meat, but also for recreation, for phisicke, and
for the cure of man. I have spoken somewhat of those
that serve for nourishment, which is the chiefe, and a little
of those that serve for recreation, and now we are to intreate
of those which are proper for phisicke, wherein I will speake
something. And although all plants are medicinall when
they are well knowne and applied, yet there are some things
especially, which wee see directly ordained by the Creator
for phisicke, and for the health of man, as liquors, oiles,
gummes, and rozines, which come from divers plants and
hearbes, and which easily shew by experience whereto they
are proper. Above all, balsam is with reason esteemed for
the excellent smell, but much more for the exquisite effect
it hath to cure woundes and divers other remedies, as
experience hath taught in the cure of diseases. The balsam
which comes from the West Indies is not of the same kind
of true balsam which they bring from Alexandria or Cairo,
and in old time was in ludea, which ludea (as Plinie writeth)
did of all the world possesse this greatnesse, vntill the
Emperor Yespasian broght it to Rome and into Italie. The
reason why I say the liquor of the one and the other are
not of one kinde, is for that the trees from whence it
comes are very different; for the balsam tree of Palestine

XVI.

258 BALSAM.

LIB. iv. wag sma]i? and fashioned like to a vine (as Plinie reporteth,
wlio had seene it), and those that at this day that have seene

cant. i. them in the East, say as much. As also the holy Scripture
calles the place where the balsam grows, Vine of Engaddi,
for the resemblance it hath to vine. At the Indies I have
seene the tree from whence they draw the balsam, which is
as bigge as a pomegranate tree, and some thing neere the
fashion; and if my memory failes me not, it hath nothing

strab., lib. common with the vine, although that Strabo writes that the
ancient tree of balsam was of the bignes of a pomegranate
tree. But in other respects they are much alike, as like
wise they be in their admirable smells, and in the cure and
healing of wounds, in colour and substance, seeing they
report of other balsams that there is some white, vermilion,
greene, and blacke, the which is likewise seene in that of
the Indies. And as they drew forth the balsam of the old
world by cutting and making incisions in the barke, to cause
the liquor to distill out, so do they with that at the Indies,
although it distilles in greater aboundance. And as in the
ancient there is one kinde which is pure, the which they
call Opobalsamum, which be the very teares that distill, so
as there is another sort which is not so exquisite, the which
they drawe from the barke and leaves strained and boiled
on the fire, the which they call Xilobalsamum. The like is
also in the Indian balsams. There is one pure that distilles
from the tree, and others that the Indians draw out by
straining and boiling the leaves and wood; yea, they do
sophisticate and augment it with other liquors, to make
it increase. It is not without reason they call it balsam,
for in truth it is so (although it be not of the same
kinde of the ancient), yet it is much esteemed and
should be more, if the great aboundance were not the
cause, as in emeraldes and pearles. That which im-
portes most, is the vse wherein it is imployed, for in
cense in the Church. The Apostolike See hath given

BALSAM. 259

libertie to use creame of balsam at the Indies in the LlB- IV-
sacrament of confirmation and other ceremonies which they
vse. They bring balsam to Spaine from Isew Spaine, from
the Province of Guatimalla, from Chiapa, and other places
where it aboundes most, although the most esteemed be
that which comes from the Hand of Tolu, which is in Tierra
Firme, not farre from Carthagena. This balsam is white, and
commonly they hold the white to bee more perfect then the
red, although Plinie gives the first place to the vermilion, ^J11^ ^
the second to the white, the third to greene, and the last to
blacke ; but it seemes that Strabo esteemed more the white strab.,iibr.
balsams, as we do. Monardes discourseth at large of the Geo°raP-
Indian balsam in the first and second part, especially of
that of Carthagena and Tolu, which is all one. I have not
found that the Indians in olde time did much esteeme
balsam, nor yet imploy it in any important vse, although
Monardes saieth, that the Indians cured their woundes
therewith, and from thence the Spaniardes learned it.

CHAP. xxix. — Of Amber, and oilier Oyles, Gums; and Drugges,
which they bring from the Indies.

.Next to balsam, liquidambar holdes the second place : it is
another liquor which is likewise sweete and medicinall ; but
more thicke, and turnes into a paste of a hote complexion,
and a good perfume, the which they apply to woundes,
bruises, and other necessities ; wherein I will referre my
selfe to the Physicians, especially to Doctor Monardes, who
in his first Part hath written of this liquor, and many others
that are medicinal, which come from the Indies. This liquid
ambar comes from New Spaine, which hath that advantage
above other Provinces in goomes, liquors, and iuyce of trees,
whereby they have such aboundance of matter, for perfume
and phisicke, as is the Anime, whereof there comes great

s2

260 DEUGS AND DYES.

store, copall, or suchicopal, which is another kinde, storax
and incenso, which have excellent operations, and have a
very good smell, fit for fumigations. Likewise the Tacam-
ahaca and Carafia, which are also very medicinall. They bring
likewise from this Province oyle of grease which they call
aveto, and which the Physicians and Painters vse much, the
one for plasters, the other to varnish their pictures. They
br'ng also for the Physicians Cassia fistula, the which growes
plentifully in Santo Domingo. It is a great tree, which carries
these canes as his fruite. They brought in the fleete wherein
I carne from Santo Domingo fortie eight quintalles of Cassia
fistula. Sarsaparilla1 is not lesse knowne, for a thousand
remedies wherein it is vsed. There came in the same fleete
fiftie quintalles from the same Hand. There is much of
this Sarsaparilla at Peru, and most excellent in the Pro
vince of Guayaquil, which is vnder the Line. Many go to
be cured into this Province, and it is the opinion of some,
that the pure water onely which they drinke, gives them
health, for that it passeth by rootes as I have said, from
whence it drawes this vertue, so as there needes no great
covering or garments to make a man sweate in that coun-
trie. The wrood of Guayacan, which they call Lignum sanc
tum, or Indian wood, growes aboundantly in the same
Hands, and is as heavie as yron, so as it presently sinkes in
the water ; heereof they brought in the same fleete 350
quintalls, and they might have brought twentie, yea, a
hundred thousand of this wood, if there were vse for it.
There came in the same fleete, and from the same Hand,
130 quintalles of Bresill wood, the which is fierie red, so
well knowne, and much vsed in dying and other things.
There are at the Indies infinite numbers of other aroma-
ticall woodes, gurnmes, oyles, and drugges, so as it is not
possible to name them all, neither doth it now much import.
I say onely, that in the time of the Kings Yncas of Cusco,
1 See my translation of Cieza de Leon, pp. 200, 395.

TOBACCO. 201

and the Mexicaine Kings, there were many great personages LlB- IV-
expert in curing of diseases with simples, and did goodly
cures, having the knowledge of the many vertues and pro
perties of hearbes, rootes, woodes, and plants which grow
there, and whereof the Ancients of Europe have had no
knowledge. There are a thousand of these simples fit to
purge, as the rootes of Mechoagan, the pinones de la Puna,
the conserve of Guanuco, the oyle of Fig-trees, and
many other things, the which being well applied, and in
time, they hold to be of no lesse efficacie then the drugges
that come from the East. The which may be seene in
reading the discourse which Monardes hath made in the
first and second Part, where he treates amply of Tobacco,
whereof they have made notable experiences against
poison. Tobacco is a small tree or plant, common enough,
the which hath in it rare vertues, as amongst others
it serves for a counterpoison, like to many and divers
other plants : for the Creator of all things hath imparted
his vertues at his pleasure, not willing that any thing should
grow idle. But it is another soveraigne gift to man,
to know them and their proper vses, the which the
same Creator gives to whome hee pleaseth. Dr. Francisco
Hernandez hath made a goodly worke vppon this subiect,
of Indian plants, liquors, and other medicinal things, by the
Kings expresse commission and commaundement, causing
all the plants at the Indies to be lively painted, which they
say are above a thousand two hundred ; and that the worke
cost above three score thousand ducats : out of which
worke the Doctor Nardo Antonio, an Italian Physician,
hath made a curious extract, sending him to the foresaid
bookes that desires more exactly to knowe the plants at
the Indies, especially for physicke.

262 FORESTS,

CHAP. xxx. — Of great forrests at the Indies, of Cedars, of
Ceyvas, and other great trees.

Although from the beginning the earth did bring foorth
plants and trees by the commandement of the Lord, yet
hath it yielded more in one place than in another • and
besides the plants and trees, which by the industry of man
have beene transplanted and carried from place to place,
there are many which Nature it selfe hath brought forth.
I do beleeve, that of this sort there are more at the new
world, which we do call the Indies, either in number or
diversitie, than in the olde, as Europe, Asia, or Affrike.
The reason is, for that the climate at the Indies is generally
hot and moist, as we have declared in the second Booke,
against the opinion of the Antients, which causeth the
earth naturally for to bring foorth an infinite number of wild
plants, whereby the greatest part of the Indies is inhabit
able, being almost impossible to travell by reason of the
woodes and thicke forrests that are there, which they labour
dailie to cut downe. It hath bin needefull (passing through
some partes of the Indies, especially where they newly
entred) to make their way, in cutting downe trees, and
pulling vp bushes, so that fas some religious men have
written that have tried it) they coulde not sometimes have
passed above a league in a day. One of our brothers (a
man worthy of credite) reported vnto vs, that being straied
in the inountaines, not knowing which way he shoulde passe,
he fell among such thicke bushes that he was forced to go
vpon them, without setting foote to the ground, by the
space of fifteen e whole dayes : and to see the Suime, or to
niarke some way in this thicke forrest full of wood, he was
forced to climbe to the top of the highest trees to discover.
He that shall reade the discourse of his travell, how often
hee was lost, and the wayes he passed, with the strange

TIMBER TREES. 263

adventures that happened vnto him, the which I have writ- LlB- IV-
ten briefly, being so worthy the knowledge, and having
my selfe travelled a little over the mountain es of the Indies,
were it but the eighteene leagues betwixt Nombre de Dios
and Panama, may well iudge what great forrests there are.
So as having no winter in those parts, to nip them with
colde, and the humiditie of the heavens and earth being so
great, as the mountaines bring foorth infinit forrests, and the
plaines, which they call Savannas, great plenty of grasse :
there is no want of pasture for feeding, of timber building,
nor of wood for fewell. It is impossible to set downe the
differences and formes of so many wilde trees, for that the
names of the greatest parte are vnknowne.

Cedars, in olde time so much esteemed, are there very
common, both for buildings and shippes, and they are of
diverse sortes, some white, and some redde, very odoriferous.
There are great store of laurels, very pleasant to beholde,
vpon the Andes of Peru, vppon the mountaines of Tierra
Fir me, in the Hands, in Nicaragua, and in New Spaine.
There are also infinite numbers of Palmes and Ceyvas, whereof
the Indians make their Canoes, which are boates made of one
peece. They bring into Spaine from the Havana, excellent
timber. In the Hand of Cuba, there are infinite numbers
of like trees, as Evanos, Caovana, Granadillo, Cedars,
and other kindes which I do not know. There are great
pine trees in New Spaine, though they be not so strong
as those in Spaine; they beare cones but empty apples.1
The oaks as they call them of Guayaquil, is an excellent
wood and sweet, when they cut it; yea, there are canes
or most high reedes, of whose boughs or small reedes
they doe make bottles and pitchers to carry water, and do
likewise vse them in their buildings. There are likewise
the " Palos de Mangles", whereof they make masts for their

264 TIMBER TREES.

LID. iv. shippes^ and they hold them as strong as yron. Nolle1 is a
tree of many vertues, which casteth foorth small boughes,
whereof the Indians make wine. In Mexico they call it
the tree of Peru, for that it came from thence; but it growes
also in New Spaine, and better than those in Peru. There
are a thousand other trees, which were a superfluous labour
to intreate of, whereof some are of an exceeding greatnesse.
I will speake only of one which is in Tlacochavaya, three
leagues from Gauxa in New Spaine. This tree being
measured within, being hollow, was found to have nine
fadome, and without, neare to the roote, sixteene, and
somewhat higher, twelve. This tree was strooke with
lightning from the toppe to the bottome through the heart,
the which caused this hollownesse ; they say that before the
thunder fell vpon it, it was able to shadow a thousand men,
and therefore they did assemble there for theyr daunces and
superstitions ; yet to this day there doth remaine some
boughes and verdure, but not much. They know not what
kinde of tree it is, but they say it is a kind of cedar. Such
rim.jib. as shali finde this strange, let them reade what Plinie

xxii, c. 1.

rcporteth of the plane of Lycia, the hollow whereof con
tained foure score foote and one, and seemed rather a
cabbin or a house than the hollow of a tree, his boughs like
a whole wood, the shaddow whereof covered a great part of
tli (3 field. By that which is writen of this tree, we have no
great cause to wonder at the weaver, who hadde his
dwelling and loome in the hollow of a chesnut tree ; and of
another chesnut tree, if it were not the very same, into the
hollow whereof there entered eighteene men on horsebacke,
and passed out without disturbing one another. The
Indians did commonly vse their idolatries in these trees, so
strange and deformed, even as did the antient Gentiles, as
some writers of those times doe report.

1 ScJihws Molle. See my translation of G. dc la Vega, i, 187 ; and
ii oGl 367.

PLANTS INTRODUCED FROM SPAIN. 265

CHAP. xxxi. — Of Plants mid fruits which have bin carried out
of Spaine to the Indies.

The Indians have received more profit, and have bin LIB. IT.
better recompensed in plants that have bin broght from
Spaine, than in any other marchandise, for that those few
which are carried from the Indies into Spaine, growe little
there, and multiply not ; and contrariwise the great number
that have beene caried from Spaine to the Indies, prosper
wel and multiplie greatly. I know not whether I shall
attribute it to the bounty of the plants that goe from hence,
or to the goodnesse of the soile that is there. Finally, there
is at the Indies any good thing that Spaine brings foorth ;
in some places it is better, in some worse, as wheate,
barley, hearbes, and all kindes of pulses ; also lettuce, cab
bage, radishes, onions, garlike, parsley, turnips, parsnips,
nightshade,1 or apples of love, siccorie, beetes, spinage,
pease, beanes, vetches ; and finally, whatsoever groweth
heere of anie profite, so as all that have voyaged thither,
have beene curious to carry seedes of all sorts, and all have
growen, although diversly, some more, some Jesse. As for
those trees that have most aboundantly fructified, be orange
trees, limons, citrons, and others of that sort. In some
partes there are at this day, as it were, whole woods and
forests of orange trees ; the which seeming strange vnto
mee, I asked who had planted the fields with so many
orange trees ? they made mee answer, that it did come by
chaunce, for that oranges being fallen to the ground, and
rotten, their seeds did spring, and of those which the
water had carried away into diverse partes, these woods
grew so thicke, which seemed to me a very good reason.
I have saide that this fruite hath generally increased most
at the Indies, for that I have not beene in any place but I

1 Bcrengenas.

266 FKUITS INTRODUCED FROM SPAIN.

LIB. iv. fin(j0 orange trees, for that all their soyle is hote and
moist, which this tree most desires. There growes not any
vppon the Sierra or mountain s, but they carry them from
the vallies or sea coast. The conserve of oranges which,
they do make at the Hands is the best I have seene anie
where; peaches, nectarines,, and apricotes have greatly
multiplied, especially in New Spaine. At Peru there
growes few of these kindes of fruites, except peaches, and
much lesse in the Hands. There growes apples and peares, but
not abundantly; there are but few plumbs, but aboundance
of figges, chiefly in Peru. They finde quinces in all the
country of the Indies, and in New Spaine, in such
aboundance as they gave vs fifty choice ones for halfe a
riall. There is great store of pomegranates, but they are
all sweete, for the sharp are not there esteemed. There are
very good melons in some partes of Peru. Cherries, both
wilde and tame, have not prospered well at the Indies, the
which I do not impute to want of temperature, for that
there is of all sorts, but to carelessnesse, or that they have
not well observed the temperature. To conclude, I do not
finde that in those partes there wants any dainty fruite.
As for grosso fruites, they have no chesnuttes, neither
doe I fiude that any have growne there to this day.
Almonds growe there, but rarely. They carry from
Spaine, for such as are dainty mouthed, both almonds,
nuttes, and filberts ; but I have not knowne they had
any medlers, which importes little. In my Judgement,
this may suffice to shew that there wanteth no delightful!
fruites. Now let vs speake somewhat of plants that profit,
and which have been carried from Spaine, and so we will
ende this discourse on plants, which is getting long.

VINES. 267

CHAP, xxxii. — Of grapes, vines, olives, mulberries, and canes

of sugar.

I meane by profitable plants, those which, besides that LlB> Iv>
which they eate in the house, bring silver to theyr masters;
the chiefe of these is the vine, whereof commeth wine,
vineger, grapes, greene and dry, veriuyce, and sirrope ; but
the wine is the best. There growes no wine nor grapes in
the Ilandes, nor in Tierra Firme, but in New Spaine there are
some vines which beare grapes, and yet make no wine.
The cause is, for that the grape ripens not well,, by reason
of the raine that falles in the months of luly and August,
which hinders their ripening, so as they serve onely to eate.
They carry wine out of Spaine, and from the Canaries, to
all partes of the Indies, except Peru and the realme of
Chile, where there are vines that yeelde excellent wine,
which increase daily both in quantity, for that it is great
riches in that country, and in beauty, for that they are
become with time and practise more expert vine growers.
The vines of Peru are commonly in hote vallies, where there
are water channels, and they irrigate by hand, because there
falles no raine at all from heaven in the Llanos, and the rains
in the Sierra are not in the proper season. There are some
places where the vines are not watered, neither from
heaven nor earth, and yet they increase in great aboundance,
as in the valley of Yea, -and in the hoy as that they call
Villacuri, in which places they'finde hoy as where the earth
is suncke downe amongest the sands, which are thorow-
out the yeare of a woonderfull coolenesse, and yet it raines
not there at any time, neither is there any maner of meanes
to water it artificially; the reason is, because the soile is
spongy, and suckes vp the water of the rivers that fall
from the mountains, which moisten these sands, or else it is
the moistnesse of the sea, as others suppose, which passing

268 VINEYARDS.

LIB. iv. over this sand, is the cause why it is not barren nor vn-
profitable, as the Philosopher teaches. The vines have so
increased there, as for this cause onely the tithes of the
Churches are multiplied five or sixe times double within
these twentie yeares. The most fertile vallies for vines be
Vitor neare to Arequipa, Yea in the territory of Lima, and
Caracato in the Countrey of Chuquiapu j1 they carry this
wine to Potozi, Cusco, and divers partes, which yeeldes a
great revenue ; for, notwithstanding all the aboundance
they have, an arroba is there woorth five or sixe duckats,
and if it be Spanish wine (as they commonly carry in
their fleetes) it is woorth tenne or twelve. They make
wine like to that of Spaine, in the realrne of Chile, being
in the same climate ; but it corrupteth being carried to
Peru; they eate the grape where they cannot drink the
wine. And it is strange, that in the city of Cusco you
shall fiude ripe grapes all the yeare long ; the reason is (as
they say) for that those valleys bring foorth fruits in diverse
moneths of the yeare, either for that they cutte their vines
in diverse seasons, or that this varietie proceedes from the
quality of the soyle ; but whatsoever it be, it is most
certaine there are some valleys which carry fruit all the
yeare. If any one wonder at this, it may be he will
wonder much more at that which I shall say, and per-
chaunce not beleeve it. There are trees in Peru, whereof
the one part yeeldes fruit one sixe moneths of the yeare,
and the other halfe part yeeldes fruit the other sixe moneths.
In Mala, which is thirteene leagues from the Cittie of
Kings,2 there is a figge tree, whereof the one halfe which is
towards the south is greene, and yeeldeth his fruite one
season of the yeare, that is when it is summer vpon the
Sierra, and the other moiety towards the Llanos or sea
coast is greene, and yeeldes his fruite in the other contrary
season, when it is summer vpon the Llanos, which groweth
1 La Paz, in Upper Peru (now Bolivia). 2 Lima.

SUGAR-CANE. OLIVES. 269

from the diverse temperature, and the ayre which commeth LlB- Iy
from the one part and the other. The revenue of wine
there is not small,, but it goeth not out of the country. But
the silke that is made in New Spaine is transported into
other countries, as to Peru. There were no mulberrie
trees in the Indies, but such as were brought from Spaine.
and they grow well, especially in the province which they
call Misteca, where there are silke-wormes, and they put
to worke the silke they gather, whereof they make very
good taffetas. Yet, to this day, they have made neyther
damaske, sattin, nor velvet. The sugar yet is a greater
revenue, for they not only spend it at the Indies, but also
they carry much into Spaine, for the canes grow exceeding
well in many parts of the Indies. They have built their
engins in the Hands, in Mexico, in Peru, and in other partes,
which yeeldeth them a very great revenue.

It was tolde me that the engine for sugar in Nasca was
worth yeerely above thirty thousand peeces of revenue.
That of Chicama, ioyning to Truxillo, was likewise of great
revenue, and those of New Spaine are of no lesse ; and it is
a strange thing to see what store they consume at the In
dies. They brought from the Hand of Santo Domingo, in the
fleete wherein I came, eight hundred ninety eight chests of
sugar, which being, as I did see, shipped at Puerto Rico ;
every chest, in my opinion, weighed eight arrobas ; every
arroba weighing five and twenty pounds, which are two
hundred weight of sugar. Sugar is the chiefe revenue of these
Hands, so much are men given to the desire of sweete
things. There are likewise olives and olive trees at the
Indies, I say in Mexico and Peru, yet hath there not beene
to this day any mill for oile, for that they eate all their
olives, and dresse them well : they finde the charge is
greater to make oile than the profit, and therefore they
carry all the oyle they do spend from Spaine. And heere
we will end with plants, and will passe to such beasts as be
at the Indies,

270 WOOL-BEARING ANIMALS.

CHAP, xxxin. — Of Beasts bearing wooll, and of Kine.

I finde there are three kindes of beasts at the Indies,
whereof some have been carried from Spaine ; others are of
the same kinde we have in Europe, and yet not carried by
the Spaniardes ; and others are proper to the Indies, whereof
there are none in Spaine. Of the first kinde are sheepe,
kiue, goates, swine, horses, asses, dogs, cattes, and other
such beasts, for there are of all these kindes at the Indies.
The smaller cattell have greatly multiplied, and if they could
make profite of their woolls by sending them into Europe,
it were one of the greatest riches the Indies had, for there
the flockes of sheepe have great pastures, whereas their
feeding failes not. In Peru there is such store of pastures
and feedings, as no man hath any proper to himselfe, but
every man feedes his troopes where he pleaseth. For this
reason there is commonly great store of flesh, and very good
and cheape, and all other things that come from sheepe, as
milke and cheese. For a time they lost their woolles, vntill
that some beganne to husband it, and to make cloth and
coverings, which hath beene a great helpe for the poorer
sort of the countrie, for that the cloth of Castillo is very
deere there. There are many clothiers in Peru, but more
in New Spaine, yet the cloth that comes from Spaine is farre
better, whether the wooll be more fine or the worke-men
more expert. In former times there were men that did
possesse threescore and ten, yea, a hundred thousand sheepe,
and at this day they have not many lesse. If this were in
Europe, it were a very great substance, but in that countrie
it is but a meane wealth. In many partes of the Indies, and,
I thinke, in the greatest part, small cattell do not increase
and profite well, by reason that the grasse is high and the
soile so vicious, that they cannot feede so well as great
cattell. And therefore there is an infinite number of kine,

CATTLE AND GOATS. 271

whereof there are two kindes. Some are tame and go in LlB- IV-
troupes, as in the Land of Charcas, and other Provinces of
Peru, as also in all New Spain e : from these tame kine they
draw such profite as they do in Spaine, that is, the flesh,
butter, calves, and oxen, to till the ground. The other
kinde is wilde, which live in the mountaines and forrests,
and therefore they tame them not, neither have they any
master to whom they are proper, both for the roughnes
and thickenes of the forrest, as also for the great multitude
there is, and he that first killes them is the master, as of
any wilde beast. These wilde kine have so multiplied in
Santo Domingo and thereabouts, that they troope together in
the fields and woods by thousands, having no master to
whom they appertaine. They hunt these beasts onely for
their hides ; they go to the field on horse-backe with their
weapons to hough them, coursing the kine : and when they
have strucken any and staied them, they are their owne ;
they flay them and carry the hides home, leaving the flesh,
which every one neglects for the aboundance there is, so as
some have testified in this Hand, that in some places the
aire hath been corrupted with the aboundance of these
stinking carcases. The hides they bring into Spaine is one
of the best revenues of the Hands and of New Spaine. In
the fleet, the yere 1587, there came from Santo Domingo
35444 hides, and from New Spaine 64350, which they value
at 96532 peeces, so as when they discharge one of these
fleetes it is admirable to behold the river of Seville, and in
the arsenall (where they vnlade) so many hides and so much
marchandize. There are also great numbers of goates,
whose cheefe profite is their tallowe, besides their kid-milke
and other commodities, for that both rich and poore vse this
tallowe for lightes ; for, as there is a great quantitie, so do
they make very good accoumpt of it ; yea, more then of oyle,
but all the tallow they vse is onely of the males. They vse
their skinnes for shooes, yet I hold them not so good as

272

LIB. iv. those which, are carried from Castille. Horses have mul
tiplied there, and are very excellent in many places ; yea,
in many partes there are races found as good as the
best in Spaine, as well for racing and for porupe as
also for travell : and therefore they vse horses most com
monly, although there be no want of mules, whereof there
are many, especially where they make their carriages by
land. There is no great numbers of asses, having no great
vse for them, neither for travell nor service. There are
some few cammells. I have scene some in Peru that were
brought from the Canaries, and have multiplied there a little.
In Santo Domingo, dogges have so multiplied in number
and bignes, as at this day it is the scourge and affliction
of that Hand : for they eate the sheepe, and go in troupes
through the fields. Such that kill them are rewarded like
to them that kill woolves in Spaine. At the first there were
no dogges at the Indies, but some beasts like vnto little
dogges, the which the Indians call Alco, and therefore they
call all dogges that go from Spaine by the same name, by
reason of the resemblance that is betwixt them. The In
dians doe so love these little dogges, that they will spare
their ineate to feede them, so as when they travell in the
countrie they carry them with them vpon their shoulders or
in their bosomes, and when they are sicke they keepe
them with them, without any vse, but onely for company.

CHAP, xxxiv. — Of some Beasts of Europe which the Spaniardes
found at the Indies, and how they passed thither.

It is certaine that they have carried from Spaine all these
beasts whereof I have spoken, of which kindes there were
none at the Indies when they were first discovered about
a hundred yeares since; for besides that it may be wel
approved by witnesses at this day living, it is also a sufH-

HUNTING OF WILD BEASTS. 273

cient argument to see, that the Indians in their tongue LlB<
have no proper words to signifie these beasts,, but they vse
the same Spanish names, although they be corrupted : for, }
being ignorant of the thing, they tooke the word common
to those places from whence they came. I have found this
a good rule, to discerne what things the Indians had before
the Spaniardes came there, and what they had not : for they
gave names to those they had and knew before,, and have
given new names to these that are newly corne vnto them,
which commonly are the same Spanish names, although they
pronounce them after their maner, as for a horse, wine,, and
wheate. LThey found of some sortes of beasts that are also
in Europe, and were not carried thither by the Spaniards.
These are lions, tigres, beares, boares, foxes, and other
fierce and wilde beasts, whereof we have treated in the first
booke, so as it was not likely they should passe to the Indies
by sea, being impossible to swimme the ocean : and it were
a follie to imagine that men had imbarked them with them.
It followes therefore that this worlde ioynes with the new in
some part : by which these beasts might passe, and so by Genes,
little and little multiplied this new world. [For, in accord
ance with the Holy Scripture, all these animals were saved
in the ark of Noah, and have thence been spread over the
world.pj The lions which I have seene are not red, neither
have they such haire as they vsually paint them with. They
are grey, and not so furious as they seeme in pictures.' The
Indians assemble in troupes to hunt the lion, and make as it
were a circle, which they do call Chacu^ wherewith they in-
viron them, and after they kil them with stones, staves, and
other weapons. These lions vse to climbe trees, where being
mounted, the Indians kil them with launces and crosse-
bowes, but more easily with harquebuzes. The tygres are
more fierce and cruell, and are more dangerous to meete,

1 Omitted in the old translation.

2 For an account of the Chacu, see G. de in Vega, ii, p. 115.

T

274 WILD BEASTS.

LlB- IY- because they breake foorth and assaile men in treason.
They are spotted as the Historiographers describe them.
I have heard some report that these tygres were very
fierce against the Indians, yet would they not adventure at
all vppon the Spaniards, or very little ; and that they would
choose an Indian in the iniddest of many Spaniardes, and
carry him away.

The beares, which in Cusco they call Otoroncos,1 be of the
same kinde that ours are, and keepe in the ground. There
are few swarmes of bees, for that their honniecombes are
found in trees, or vnder the ground, and not in hives as in
Castillo. The honny combes which I have scene in the
Province of Charcas, which they call Lechiguanas, are of a
grey colour, having little iuyce, and are more like vnto
sweete strawe, than to hony combs. They say the bees are
litle, like vnto flies ; and that they swarme vnder the earth.
The hony is sharp and black, yet in some places there is
better, and the combes better fashioned, as in the province
of Tucuman in Chille, and in Carthagena. I have not seene
nor heard speake of wild boares ; but of foxes and other
wild beasts that eate their cattell and fowle, there are more
than their shepheards would willingly have. Besides these
beasts that are furious and hurtfull, there are others that
are profitable, and have not beene transported by the
Spaniardes, as stagges and diere, whereof there is great
aboundance in all the forrests. But the greatest parte is a
kinde of diere without homes; at the least, I have never
seene nor heard speake of other, and all are without homes
like vnto corcos? It seemes not hard to beleeve, but is
almost certaine, that all these beasts for their lightnesse,
and being naturally wilde, have passed from one world to

1 rtiinnicn is the Quichua for a jaguar. A bear is Ueumari. See
G. dc la Ve<ja, ii, pp. 385, 386; where lie refers to the mistake of Acosta
in applying the word Otoroncox (a corruption of Uturuncu} to the bear,
instead of to the jaguar. 2 A small deer.

PASSAGE OP BIKDS. 275

an other, by some parts where they ioyne, seeing that in LlB-
the great Hands far from the maiue land I have not heard
that there are any, though I have made diligent inquiry.

CHAP, xxxv.— -Of Fowles which are heere, and are at Hie
Indies, and how they could passe thither.

Wee may more easily beleeve the same of birdes, and that
there are of the same kindes that we have, as partridges,
turtles, pigeons, stockdoves, quailes, and many sorts of
falcons, which they send from New Spaine and Peru to the
noblemen of Spaine, for they make great accompt of them.
There are also herons and eagles of diverse kindes ; and
there is no doubt but these birds and such like, have sooner
passed thither than lions, tygres, and stagges. There are
likewise at the Indies great numbers of parrots, especially
vpon the Andes of Peru, and in the Hands of Puerto Rico
and Santo Domingo, where they flee by flockes, as pigeons
do here. To conclude, birdes with their wings may goe
where they will; and truely many kindes might well passe
the gulph, seeing it is certaine, as Plinie affirmeth, that Pim., lib.
there are many that passe the sea, and goe into strange
regions, although I have not read that any fowle hath
passed by flight so great a gulph as is the Indian Ocean,1
yet hold I it not altogether impossible, seeing the common
opinion of mariners, that you shall finde them two hundred
leagues and more from the land. And as Aristotle doth Arist., iu>.

iii, de part

teach, that birdes endure the water easely, having little
respiration, as wee see in sea fowle, which dive and remain
long vnder the water. Even so we may say that the fowle
which bee at this present vppon the maine land, and in the
Hands at the Indies, might passe the sea, resting them
selves in some small Hands or vpon some land which they
1 " El Mar Oceano de Indias."

T 2

nimal

276 THE DOMESTIC FOWL.

LIB. iv. discovered by a natural! instinct (as Plinie reporteth of
riin.,iib. some),, or peradventure falling into the water when they
were weary of flying, and after beganne their flight anew
when they had a little rested. As for the fowles which we
see in the Hands where there are no beasts, I beleeve cer
tainly that they passed by one of the foresayde meanes.
But for other birdes which we finde vppon the maine land,
especially those whose flight is shorte, it is more credible
that they came thither as the beasts did, which are of the
same kindes that wee have in Europe. For at the Indies
there are great birds, very heavy, as ostriches, whereof
there are many in Peru, which doe vse sometimes to terrifie
the Indian sliecpo as they do goe with their burthens.

But leaving these birds that govern themselves without
the care of man, except onely for hawking, let vs now speake
of tame fowle ; I wondered at hennes, seeing there were
some at the Indies before the Spaniards came there, the
which is well approoved, for they have a proper name of the
country, and they call a henne Hualpa,1 and the egge Ronto,2
and they vse the same proverb wee doe, to call a coward a
henne. Those that were at the discovery of the Hands of
Soloman do report that they have seene hennes there like
vnto ours : wee may conceive that the henne being so tame
a fowle and so profitable, men might carry them with them
when they passed from one place to another, as we see at
this day the Indians in their travel carry their henne with
them, or chicken, vpon the burden they have on their
shoulders : and likewise they carry them easily in their
cages of reedes or wood. Finally, there be at the Indies
many kindes of beasts and birds such as we have in Europe,
as I have specified, and other sortes which I leave to others
to discourse of.

1 See, on this subject, G. <le la Vcc/a, ii, pp. 482 to 485.

2 llimtn is the Quiclma for an egg.

ORIGIN OF AMERICAN ANIMALS. 277

CHAP, xxxvi. — How it should be possible that at the Indies

there should be anie sortes of beasts, whereof the like are

no where else.

[it were a matter more difficult to shew and prove, what LlB- IV-
beginning many and sundry sorts of beasts had, which are
found at the Indies, of whose kindes we have none in this
continent. For if the Creator hath made them there, wee
may not then alleadge nor flie to Noahs Arke, neither was
it then necessary to save all sorts of birds and beasts, if
others were to be created anew. Moreover, wee could not
affirme that the creation of the world was made and
finished in sixe days, if there were yet other new kinds to
make, and specially perfit beasts, and no lesse excellent J
than those that are knowen vnto vs. If we say then that
all these kindes of creatures were preserved in the Arke by
Noah, it followes that those beasts, of whose kindes we
finde not any but at the Indies, have passed thither from
this continent, as we have saide of other beasts that are
knowne vnto vs. This supposed, I demand how it is
possible that none of their kinde shoulde remaine heere ?
and how they are found there, being as it were travellers
and strangers. Truly it is a question that hath long held
me in suspense. I say for example, if the sheep of Peru,
and those which they call Pacos and Huanacus,1 are not
found in any other regions of the worlde, who hath carried
them thither ? or how came they there ? seeing there is no
shew nor remainder of them in all this worlde. If they
have not passed from some other region, how were they
formed and brought foorth there ? It may be God hath
made a new creation of beasts. That which I speake of
these Pacos and Huanacus may be said of a thousand
different kindes of birdes and beasts of the forrest, which
1 Alpacas and Huanacus.

278 ORIGIN OF AMERICAN ANIMALS.

LIB. n-. have never beene knowne, neither in shape nor name ; and
whereof there is no mention made, -neither among the
Latins nor Greekes, nor any other nations of the worldj[
We must then say, that though all beasts came out of the
Arke, yet by a naturall instinct and the providence of
heaven, diverse kindes dispersed themselves into diverse
regions, where they found themselves so well, as they
woulde not parte ; or if they departed, they did not pre
serve themselves, but in processe of time, perished wholy,
as we do see it chaunce in many things. For if we shall
looke precisely into it, we shall fiude that it is not proper
and peculiar alone to the Indies, but generall to many
other Nations and Provinces of Asia, Europe, and Affrike,
where they say there are certaine kindes of creatures that
are not found in other regions, at the least if they be any
where else, they are knowne to be carried from thence.
Seeing then these creatures came out of the Arke, as for
example the elephant, which we finde only in the East
Indies, and from thence have bcene imparted to other
regions, wee may say as much of these creatures of Peru,
and of others of the Indies, which are not found in any
other part of the world.

Wee may likewise consider well vppon this subiect,
whether these beasts differ in kind, and essentially, from all
others, or if this difference be accidentall, which might
growe by diverse accidents, as we see in the linages of men,
some are white, others blacke, some giants, others dwarfes;
and in apes, some have no taile, others have ; and in sheepe,
some are bare, others have fleeces; some great and strong
with a long necke, as those of Peru ; others weake and
little, having a short necke, as those of Castille. But to
speake directly, whoso would by this Discourse, shewing
only these accidentall differences, preserve the propagation
of beasts at the Indies, and reduce them to those of Europe,
he shal vndertake a charge he will hardly discharge with

AMERICAN BIRDS. 279

his honor. f For if we shall indge the kindes of beasts by LlB- IV-
their properties, those of the Indies are so diverse, as it is
to call an egge a chesnut, to seeke to reduce them to the
knowne kinds of Europe!

CHAP, xxxvu. — Of Fowles that are proper to the Indies.

There are many kindes of notable fowles at the Indies,
eyther of the same sort that ours be, or of different. They
bring certaine birds from China that have no feete, and all
their bodies are almost feathers. They sit not vpon the
ground, but hang vpon boughs, by strings or feathers
which they have, and so rest themselves like flies or aierie
things.1 In Peru there are birdes which they call Tominejos,2
so small that often times I have doubted, seeing them flie,
whether they were bees or butter-flies ; but in truth they
are birdes. Contrariwise, those which they call Condores
be of an exceeding greatnes, and of such a force, that not
onely they will open a sheepe and eate it, but also a whole
calfe. Those which they call Auras, and others Gallinazos3
(which in my opinion are of a kinde of ravens) are of a
strange fleetness, and have a very quicke sight, being very
fit to dense citties, for that they leave no carion nor dead
thing. They passe the night on trees or vpon rockes, and in
the morniug they come to the cities and townes, sitting on
the toppes of the highest buildings, where they attend
their prey. Their young have white feathers, as they report
of ravens, and so change into blacke.

The Guacamayos4 be birdes bigger then parrots, and re
semble them somthing; they are esteemed for the varietie
of their feathers, which be very faire and pleasing. In New

1 This is the old error about birds of Paradise.

2 Humming birds. 3 Turkey buzzards. « Macaws.

WORE -IN FEATHERS.

LIB. iv. Spaine there are aboundance of birdes with excellent
feathers, so as there be not any found in Europe that come
neere them, as we may see by the images of feathers they
bring from thence, the which are, with great reason, much
valued and esteemed, giving cause of admiration, that with
the feathers of birdes they should make so excellent a worke,
and so perfectly equall, as they sceme properly to be the
true coloures of a painter, and have so lively and pleasing a
regard, as the Painter cannot exceede it with his pencill
and colours. Some Indians which are good and expert
workemen in this Art will represent perfectly in feathers,
whatsoever they see draw no with the pencill, so as the
Painters of Spaine have, in this point, no advantage over
them. To Don Felipe, the Prince of Spaine, his sclioole-
master did give three figures or portraitures made of
feathers, as it were, to put in a Breviary. His Highnes did
shew them to King Felipe, his father, the which his Maiesty,
beholding attentively, said that hee had never scene, in so
small a worke,, a thing of so great excellency and perfection.
One day as they presented to Pope Sixtus V another
square bigger tliun it, wherein was the figure of St. Francis,
and that they had told him it was made of feathers by the
Indians, he desired to make triall thereof, touching the
table with his fingers, to see if it were of feathers, for that
it seemed strange to see them so properly fitted, that the
eye could not iudge nor discerne whether they were naturall
colours of feathers, or artificial!, done with the pencill. It
is a goodly thing to see the lustre which a greene, an
orange tawny like gold, and other fine colours do cast, and,
beholding them another way, they seeme dead colours.
They make the best and goodliest figures of feathers in
the Province of Mechoacan, in the village of Pascaro.
The manner is with small delicate pinsors they pull the
feathers from the dead fowles, and with a fine paste they
cunningly ioyne them together. They take the small and

GUANO. 281

delicate feathers of those birds, which in Peru they call LlB- IV-
Tominejos, or others like vnto them, which have the most
perfect colours in their feathers. The Indians (besides
these images) did vse feathers in many other most excellent
workes, especially for the ornament of Kings and Noblemen,
their Temples and Idolls. There are also other great
birdes which have excellent and fine feathers, whereof they
make plumes of sundry colours, especially when they go to
warre, inriching them with gold and silver very artificially,
which was a matter of great price. They have the same
birdes still, but they are not so curious, neither do they
make so many gentill devices as they were wont. There
are other birdes at the Indies, contrarie to these of so rich
feathers, the which (besides that they are ill favoured) serve
to no other vse but for dung, and yet perchance they are
of no lesse profite. I have considered this, wondering at
the providence of the Creator, who hath so appointed that
all creatures should serve man. In some Hands and head
lands, which are ioyning to the coast of Peru, wee see the
toppes of the mountaines all white, and to sight you would
take it for snow, or for some white land, but they are heapes
of dung of sea fowle which go continually thither : and there
is so great aboundance, as it riseth many elles, yea, many
launces in height, which seemes but a fable. They go with
boates to these Hands onely for the dung, for there is no
other profit in them. And this dung is so commodious and
profitable as it makes the earth yeelde great aboundance of
fruite. They cal this dung Guano, whereof the valley hath
taken the name, which they call Lunahuana1 in the valleys
of Peru, where they vse this dung, and it is the most fertile
of all that countrie. The quinces, poungranets, and other

1 Properly Runalmanac. Acosta's derivation is wrong. The word is
derived from Runa, u a man"; and Huanani, "to warn". "The warning
of men." — Sec O. <le la Vc<ja, ii, p. 181. Rimahuanac (corruptly Luna
huana) is on the coast of Peru, near Chincha.

PECCARIES.

LIB. iv. frui£g there, exceede all other in bountie and greatnes ; and
they say the reason is, for that the water wherewith they
water it passeth by a land compassed with this dung, which
causeth the beautie of this fruite. So as these birdes have
not only the flesh to serve for meate, their singing for re
creation, their feathers for ornament and beautie, but also
their dung serves to fatten the ground. The which hath
bin so appointed by the soveraigne Creator for the service
of man, that he might remember to acknowledge and be
loyall to him from whom all good proceedes.

CHAP, xxxviii. — Of Beasts for the Chase.

Besides the Beasts of Chase, whereof we have spoken,
which be common to the Indies and Europe, there are
others which I doe not remember to have scene here, vn-
lesse pcrhappes they have been brought from thence.
There are beasts called Sainos^ made like small hogges,
which have this singular to themselves, to have their navill
vppon the ridge of their backes : these go by troupes
through the woods ; they are cruell and nothing fearefull,
but, contrariwise, they assail, and have their tusks sharpe
as rasors, wherewith they make dangerous wounds and in
cisions, if such as hunt them put not themselves in safetie.
Such as hunt them, for the more safer killing of them,
climbe vp into trees, whither the Sainos or hogges come
presently in troupes, biting the tree when they cannot hurte
the man, and then with their launces they kill what they
will. They are very good to eate, but they must of neces-
sitie cut off the round peece where the navil growes vpon
the backe ; for otherwise, within a day they corrupt. There
is another kinde of little beast like to sucking pigges, and

1 Peccaries. The Quichua word is Sinturu.

r TAPIRS, ARMADILLOS, CHINCHILLAS, 283

they call them Guadatinajas. I am in doubt whether there LlB- Iv-
were any swine at the Indies before the Spaniardes came
thither, like to these in Spaine, for that in the discoverie
of the Hands of Solornan, it is said they found hennes and
swine of Spaine. But howsoever it be, it is most certaine
that this cattell hath greatly multiplied at the Indies. They
eate the flesh fresh, and hold it to be as holesome and as
good as if it were of mutton ; as in Carthagena, in some
partes, they are become wilde and cruell, the which they
hunt like wilde boars, as wee see in Santo Domingo and other
Hands where the beasts live in the forrests. In some places
they feede them with the grain e of mays, and they grow
wonderfully fatte, to have the grease, which they vse for
want of oyle j in some places they make gamons, as in
Toluca of New Spaine, and in Paria of Peru. Returning,
then, to such beasts as are peculiar there, even as the Sainos
are like vnto swine, though somewhat lesse, even so the
Dantas1 resemble small kine, but more vnto mules, having no
homes. The hides of these beasts are much esteemed for
jerkins and other coverings, they are so hard as they resist
any blow whatsoever. And as the Dantas be defended by
the hardnes of their hides, so those which they call Arma
dillos are by the multitude of their scales, which open and
shut as they please, like to a cuirasse. There be litle beasts
which go thorow the woods, called Armadillos, by reason of
the defence they have, hiding themselves within their scales,
and opening when they list. I have eaten of them, and doe
not holde it for a meate of any great woorth ; but the flesh
of the Yguanas is a better meate, but more horrible to the
eye; for they are like to the very lizardes of Spaine,
although they be of a doubtfull kinde, for that they go to
the water, and comming to land, they clinibe the trees vpon
the bankes ; and as they cast themselves from the trees into
the water, the boates watch vnderneath to receive them.

1 Tapirs.

284 SLOTHS. MONKEYS.

LIB. iv. rpjjQ Chinchillas is another kind of small beasts, like squir
rels; they have a woonderfull sinoothe and soft skinne,
which they weare as a healthfull thing to comfort the
stomacke, and those partes that have neede of a moderate
heate ; they make coverings and rugges of the haire of these
Chinchillas, which are found on the Sierra of Peru, where
there is likewise a small beast very common, which they call
Cuyes,1 and which the Indians hold for a very good meate ;
arid they are accustomed often to offer these Cuyes in their
sacrifices. They are like small conies, and have their borows
in the ground, and in some places they have vndermined all
the land : some are grey, some white, and some speckled.
There are other small animalles which they call Uiscachas,2
and are like to hares, although they be bigger; they hunt
them and eate the flesh. Of common hares there are great
store in some parts. There are also conies in the realme
of Quito, but the good are come from Spaine. There is
another strange beast, the which for his great heavinesse
and slownesse in mooviug the}' call Perico-ligero,3 or the
little light doggc ; lice hath three nailes to every hand, and
mooves both hands and feete as it were by compnsse, and
very heavily : it is in face like to a monkie, and hath a shrill
crie; it climbeth trees, and eatcs ants.

CHAP, xxxix. — Of Micos or Indian, Monldes.

Throughout all the forests, eyther of these Hands, of the
Tierra Firme, or of the Andes, there are infinite numbers
of Micos or Monkies, which are a kind of apes, but very
different, in that they have a taile ; yea, a very long one.
And amongest them there are some kinds which are thrise,
yea foure times bigger than the ordinary; some are all blacke,

1 Guinea pigs. - Laf/idium Peruvianiim. * The sloth.

MONKEYS. 285

some bay, some grey, and some spotted. Their agilitie LlB- IV-
and maner of doing is admirable, for that they seeme to
have reason and discourse to go vpon trees, wherein they
seeme to imitate birds. Going from Nombre de Dios to
Panama I did see in Capira one of these monkies leape
from one tree to an other, which was on the other side of
a river, making me much to wonder. They leape where
they list, winding their tail.es about a braunch to shake it ;
and when they will leape further than they can at once,
they vse a pretty devise, tying themselves by the tailes one
of another, and by this nieanes make as it were a chaine
of many ; then doe they launch themselves foorth, and the
first holpen by the force of the rest takes holde where hee
list, and so hangs to a bough, and helps all the rest, till they
be gotten vp. It were long to report the fooleries, trickes,
traverses, and pleasant sportes they make when they are
taught, which seeme not to come from brute beasts, but from
a manlike vnderstanding. I sawe one in Cathagena, in the
Governours house, so taught as the things he did seemed
incredible. They sent him to the taverne for wine, putting
the pot in one hand and the money in the other, and they
could not possibly gette the money out of his hand before
he had his pot full of wine. If any children mette him in
the streete and threw any stones at him he would set his
pot downe on the one side and cast stones against the
children till he had assured his way, then would he returne
to carry home his pot. And which is more, although hee
were a good bibber of wine (as I have oftentimes seene him
drinke when his maister hath given it him) yet would he
never touch it vntill leave was given him. They told me,
moreover, that if hee sawe any women painted he would
fall vppon them, pull off their attire, and would seeke to
bite them.

This may bo an addition which I have not seene, but I
doe not thinke there is any beast in the world approacheth

286 VICUNAS.

LlB- IV- so neare the conversation of a man as this monkey doth.
They report so many things, which for feare I shoulde be

' thought to give credite to fables, or they should be so
c. 2; lib. x* esteemed, I thinke best to omitte, blessing the Author of
all creatures, in that hee would create a kinde of beaste
onely for the recreation and delight of man. Some report
that they carried these Micos or Monkies to Solomon from
the West Indies, but for my parte I holde it was from the
East Indies.

CHAP. XL. — Of Vicunas and Tarugas of Peru.

Amongst the most remarkable things at the Indies of
Peru be the vicunas and sheepe of the countrie as they
call them, which are tractable beasts and of great profite.
The vicunas are wilde and the sheepe are tame. Some
thinke that the vicunas are those which Aristotle, Plinie,
and other Authors call Capreas, which are wilde goates,
and in truth they have some resemblance for the lightnes
they have in the woodes and mountaines, but yet they are
no goates, for the vicunas have no homes as those have
whereof Aristotle makes mention, neither are they the
goates of the East Indies, from whom they draw the bezoar
stone ; for if they be of that kinde it were a diverse one,
as in the race of dogges the mastiff is divers from the grey
hound. The vicunas of Peru are not those beasts which
carrie the bezoar stone in the Province of New Spaine,
which there they cal Bezaars, for that they are a kind
of stagges or deer; yet do I not know in any part of
the world there be any of these beasts, but in Peru and
in Chile, which are countries ioyning one to another.
These vicunas are greater than goates, and lesse then
calves. Their haire is of the colour of dried roses, some
what cleerer; they have no homes like stagges and goates.

VICUNAS. 287

They feede vpon the highest tops of the mountains,, which LlB- IY-
they call Punas. The snowe nor frost doth not offend
them, but contrariwise they seem to delight in it. They
goe in troopes, and runne most lightly ; when they meete
with any travellers or beasts, they fly away, seeming very
fearefull, and in flying they drive their young ones before
them. They do not finde that they multiply much; and
therefore the Kings Yncas did defend the hunting of
vicunas, if it were not for their feasts, or by their com-
mandement. Some complaine, that since the Spaniards
entred there, they have given too much libertie to hunt the
vicunas, and by this meanes they are much diminished.
The manner the Indians vse in their hunting, they assemble
many men together, to the number of 1000 or 2000; yea,
more, and invironing^ a great circuit of wood, they hunt
their game vntil they have compassed it in on all parts,
and by this meanes they commonly take three or foure
hundred, and so choosing what they list, they let go the
rest, especially the females for breede. They are accus
tomed to sheere these beasts, and of their fleece to make
coverings and rugges of great value, for that this wooll is
like to white silke, which lastes long; and as the colour is
naturall and not died, so is it perpetuall. The stuffes that
are made of this wooll are very fresh and good in summer,
and they hold them profitable for the inflammation of the
reines and other parts, tempering the excessive heate.
This wooll hath the like vertue when it is made in quiltes,
and therefore some vse it to that end, for the triall they
have made thereof. They say, moreover, that this wooll, or
coverings made thereof, is phisicall for other indispositions,
as for the gowt ; yet doe I not know that they have made
any certaine triall thereof. The flesh of these vicunas is
not good, although the Indians eate it, and drie it. For
the effects of physicke, I will say what I have seene vppon
the Sierra of Peru. Comming one night into a Tambo or

288 LLAMAS.

LIB. iv. Innej being much afflicted with paine in mine eies, thinking
they would fall out, the which dooth commonly happen in
those partes, for that they passe thorow places covered
with snow, which is the cause of this accident,1 being
troubled with this paine, and out of patience, there came
an Indian woman, which said to me, " Father, lay this to
thine eies, and thou shalt be cured". It was a peece of the
flesh of vicunas, newly killed and all bloody. I vsed
this medicine, and presently the pain ceased, and soone
after went quite away. Besides these Chacus, which is
the most common manner of hunting at the Indies, they
have vsed another more private to take them, which is, that
comming neere, they do cast certaine lines with plummets of
lead, which entangle their legges, so as they cannot runne,
and by this means they take the vicuna. The chiefe reason
W7hy this beast is esteemed is, by reason of the bezoars stone
they fmde in them, whereof we will intreate heereafter.
There is another kinde of beasts, which they call tarugas,3
which likewise are wilde, and more nimble than the vi-
cuiias. They are greater of body, and more hote. They
have soft eares and hanging : they goe not in troups as the
vicunas. I have not scene them but alone, and most
commonly in high places. They also drawe bezoars stones
from these tarugas, which arc greater, and have more
operation and vertue.

CHAP. XLI. — Of Pacos, Huanacos, and Sheep of Peru.

There is nothing at Peru of greater riches and profit

than the cattell of the country, which our men call Indian

sheep, and the Indians in their generall language call them

Llama. For all things well considered, it is a beast of the

1 Snow blindness. 2 Tarnca, a deer. C'crvits anfifticiisix.

LLAMAS. 289

greatest profite and least charge of any that I knowe : LlB- IV-
from them they drawe meate and clothing, as from the
sheepe of Spain. Moreover, they have the benefite to
carry all things they have neede of, vsing them to beare
their burthens; and they have no neede eyther of shooes
or saddles, nor yet of oates, but he serveth his maister for
nought, feeding on the grasse hee findes in the fieldes ; so
as God hath furnished them of sheepe and donkeys, and all
in one beast. And as it is a poore nation, so would hee in
this poynt free them from charge, for that there is much
pasture vpon the Sierra ; and this kinde of cattell hath
no neede of any other charge. There are two kindes of
these sheepe or Llamas, the one they call Pacos,1 or sheepe
bearing wooll, and the others are bare, and have litle wooll,
so are they better for burthen : they are bigger than great
sheepe, and lesse than calves, they have a very long necke,
like to a camel, whereof they have good neede ; for,
being high of stature, they have need of a long necke, else
should they be deformed. They are of diverse colours,
some all white, others all blacke, some grey and some
spotted, which they call Moromoro. The Indians had great
superstitions in choosing the beasts for sacrifices, of what
colour they should be, according to the diversitie of seasons
and sacrifices. Their flesh is good, although it be hard,
but that of their lambs is the better, and the most delicate
that can bee eaten ; yet they eate not many, for that the
chiefe fruite and profit they yielde is their wooll, to make
clothes, and their service to carry burdens. The Indians
make stuffs of this wooll wherewith they clothe themselves,
the one is grose and common, which they call auasca, and
the other fine and delicate, which they call ccompi, they
make carpets and coverings, and other exquisite workes,
which last long, and have a very fair lustre, like halfe silke :
and that which is most rare, is their maner of weaving

1 Alpaca.

290 LLAMAS.

LlB'IY- their workes, being both sides alike, so as you shall not
find any end in a whole peece. The Ynca King of Peru
had many chiefe workmen, to make this worke of ccompi ;
and the which, for the most part, were resident in the
Province of Capachica, ioyning to the great lake of Titi-
caca. They dye this wooll into diverse fine colours, with
sundry kindes of hearbes, whereof they make many sortes
of workes, both coarse and fine. All the Indians, both
men and women, woorke in the Sierra, and have their
loomes in their houses, having no neede to buy any stuffes
for their necessary vses. Of the flesh of these sheepe they
make charqui, or dried flesh, the which will last very
long, whereof they make great accompt. They are accus
tomed to drive troupes of these sheepe with burthens, and
to go in bandes, three hundred, five hundred, yea, a thou
sand in a company, with wine, mays, coca, chunu,1 quicke-
silver, and all other kindes of marchandise, and of silver,
which is the best of all. They carry barres of silver from
Potosi ^to Arica, which is three score and tenne leagues.
I have often wondered to see these troupes of sheepe laden
with a thousand or two thousand barres of silver, and much
more, which is above three hundred thousand ducats, with
out any other guard or escort than some Indians, which
serve onely to guide these sheepe, and to lade and vnlade
them, or at the most, some few Spaniardes ; and they sleepe
all night in the middest of the fieldes, without other
guarde ; and yet in so long a way and so weake a guarde,
they never finde want or losse of anie thing in so great a
treasure of silver, so safe is the way in Peru. The burthen
which one of these sheepe dooth commonly carry is of
six am.bas foure or sixe ari'obas. When their voyage is long they goe

is a hundred

and fifty llot above two, three, or foure leagues at the most on a day.

pounds

Those that guide those troupes have their fixed halting

places, where they are assured to have water and pasture,

1 Frozen Potatoes.

LLAMAS. 291

and there they unlade and set vppe their tents, making LlB- IV-
fire, and dressing their meates, which is not painefull,
although it be a fleugmatike and slow manner of travell.
When there is but one daye's iourney, one of these sheepe
will beare eight arrobas in weight, or more, and beares this
burthen eight or tenne leagues in a day, as the poore
souldiers were wont to doe when they marched through
Peru. This kinde of cattell delights most in a cold aire,
and for this cause they live vpon the Sierra, and die in
the Llanos, by reason of the heate. Sometimes these sheepe
are all covered with ice and frost, and yet they continue
sound and well. The bare sheepe are pleasant to behold,
for they will stay vpon the way, raising vppe their neckes,
and will looke vpon any one very wistly, and so they
remaine a long time, without mooving or any show of
feare, which giveth occasion of laughter, seeing them thus
to stand. And yet sometimes they do growe amazed
sodainely, and runne away with their burthens, even to the
highest rockes, so as not being able to come vnto them,
they are constrained to kil them with an harquebuze, lest
they should loose their barres of silver, which they some
times carry. The Pacos will grow reasty vnder their
burdens, lying downe, and will endure to be cutte in a
thousand peeces before they wil rise when this humor takes
them ; whereof the proverb growes in Peru, to say that
one is reastie, to signifie he is obstinate ; for that when
any of these beasts is moodie, it is with excesse. The
remedy they have is, to stay and sit downe by the Paco,
making much on him, vntil the fit be past, and that he rise :
and sometimes they are forced to stay two or three houres.
They have a disease like to scabbes, which they call Ca-
raehe,1 whereof they commonly die. The Antients had a
remedy, to bury them quicke that had the Carache, lest

1 See also G. de /a Vega (ii, p. 378) respecting this disease among
the llamas.

292 BEZOAR STONE.

LlB- IY- they shoulde infect the rest, being a very contagious dis
ease, and goes from one to another. An Indian that hath
one or two of these sheepe is not reputed poore, for one of
them is woorth sixe or seaven peeces of assay, and more,
according to the time and place.

CHAP. XLII. — Of the Bezoar stone.

The Bezoar stone is found in all these beasts before men
tioned, which are proper to Peru, whereof some Authors of
our time have written whole bookes, which they may reade
that desire to have a more particular knowledge. For the
present subiect it shall be sufficient to say that this stone
which they call Bezoar is found in the stomacke and belly
of this beast, sometimes one alone, sometimes two, three,
and foure. They are very different in forme, greatnesse,
and colour, for that some are small like filberds and lesse,
others like walnuts, some like pigeons egges, and others, as
bigge as a hens egge ; and I have scene some as bigge as an
orange. In forme some are round, others in fashion like to
lentils and many other formes. For their colour some are
black, some white, some grey, dark greene, and others as
if they had beene gilded. It is no certaine rule to iudge
the best and most fine by the colour or forme. All these
stones are made and fashioned of divers films and skins one
vpon another. In the province of Xauxa and other pro
vinces of Peru they find these stones in divers kinds of
beasts, both wild and tame, as in the Huanacos, Pacos,
Vicunas, and Tarugas, some adde an other kind, which
they say are wilde goates, which the Indians call Gypris.1
These other kindes of beastes are very well knowen in Peru,
whereof wee have already discoursed. The Huanacos, or
country sheepe, or Pacos have commonly the lesser stones
1 Not a Quichua word.

BEZOAR STONE. 293

and blacke, neither are they so much approved for the vse
of physicke. They draw the greatest Bezoar stones from
the Vicunas, and they are grey or white, or of a dark
greene, which are helde for the better. They esteem those
of the Tarugas for the most excellent, whereof there are
some reasonable bigge. They are commonly white, inclining
to grey, and they have the filmes commonly ^bigger an^
thicker than the rest.

They finde the Bezoar stone equally both in male and
female. All beasts that ingender it chew the cud, and
commonly feede vpon the snow and rockes. The Indians
reporte and teach by tradition from their fathers and
Antients that in the province of Xauxa, and in other pro
vinces of Peru, there are many herbs and venomous beasts,
which poison the water and the pastures where they eate
and drinke, and where they breathe ; amiddest which
venomous hearbes there is one very well knowne of the
Vicuna by a naturall instinct, and of other beasts that
ingender the Bezoar stone which eate this hearb, and by
meanes thereof they preserve themselves from the poisoned
waters and pastures ; and they say that of this hearb the
stone is compounded in the stomacke, whence it drawes all
the vertue against poyson and other woonderfull effects.
This is the opinion and tradition of the Indians, discovered
by men of great experience in the kingdome of Peru, which
agrees with reason, and with that which Plinie reports of
the mountaine goates, which are nourished and fed vpon
poison without suffering any harme. The Indians being
demaunded why the sheepe, kine, goates, and calves, such
as are in Castille, have not the Bezoar stone, seeing that
they feede on the same rockes, their answer is, that they
beleeve not that those beasts of Castille eate of that hearb,
or that they have found the Bezoar stone in stags and fallow
diere. This seemes to agree with our knowledge, for that in
New Spaine they find the Bezoar stone, although there be no

294 BEZOAE STONE.

LlB- IY- Vicunas, Pacos, Tarugas, nor Huanacos, but only stags,
in some of which they finde these stones.

The principall vertue of the Bezoar stone is against
poison and venomous diseases, although there bee heerein
divers opinions ; some hold it for a mockerie, others
for a miracle. Howsoever it be, it is most certaine that
it is of a great operation when it is applied in time,
and convenient in a maner as hearbes, and to persons
capable and disposed ; for there is no medicine that
doth alwaies cure infallibly. In Spaine and Italic we
have seene admirable effects of this stone against the
tabordete^ which is a kinde of plague, but not so much as
in Peru. They do apply it beaten and put into some
liquor, which may make it fit for the cure of melancholy,
the falling sickness, pestilent feavers, and many other
diseases. Some take it in wine, others in vinegar, in
lemonade, with bullock's tongue, borrage and other
ways, as the Phisitians and Apoticaries prescribe. The
Bezoar stone hath no proper savour, as Rasis the Arabian
doth testifie. Wee have seene notable trialls, and there is
no doubt but the Author of this vniversall world hath given
great vertues to this stone. The Bezoar stones which come
from the East Indies have the first place of account, they
are of an olive colour ; the second are those of Peru, and
the third those of New Spain. Since that these stones
were in request, they say the Indians have made artificiall
ones ; and many when they see these stones greater then
the ordinarie, they take them to be false and counterfeit ;
triall and experience is the best mistres to know them.
One thing is worthy admiration, that they grow and are
fashioned vpon very strange things, as vpon the tagge of a
point, vpon a pinne, or a peece of wood, which they finde in
the centre of this stone, and yet do they not hold it false,
for that the beast might swallow it, and the stone thicken

1 Fever.

BEZOAE STONE. 295

vpon it, and growes one vpon another, and so it increaseth. LlB- IV-
I did see in Peru two stones fashioned vpon pinones of
Castille, which made vs to wonder much, for that in all
Peru we had not seene any pines or pinones of Castille, if
they were not brought from Spaine, which seemes to me
very extraordinary. This little may suffice touching the
Bezoar stone. They bring other phisicall stones from the
Indies, as the stone of Hyjada, the bloud stone, the
stones of milke, and of the mother.1 Those which they call
Cornerinas, for the heart, whereof there is no neede to
speake, having nothing common with the subiect of beastes,
whereof we have entreated ; which gives vs to vnderstand
how the great Master and Author of all hath imparted his
benefites and wonderfull secrets to all partes of the world ;
for the which he is to be glorified for ever. Amen.

1 " Otras piedras medicinales se traen de Indias, como de hyjada, y
de sangre, y de leche, y de inadre."

END OF F1EST VOLUME.

1. BlCHARDS, 37, GK£AT QUEEN 51BE1T, \V.C.

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